Saturday, May 30, 2009

Fabulista Loves: Jean-Claude Ellena

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Jean-Claude Ellena: founder and creator of The Different Co. and range of perfumes. The current Nose of Hermes' house of perfumery.

Fabulista's personal favourite from:

  • The Different Co. - Bergamote.
  • Hermes:
    • Cologne - Pamplemousse Rose
    • Jardin - Un Jardin Apres Mousson

Creator of Hermes' exclusive collection of Hermessence range of EDT and the 'Jardin' range.

Latest project (May 2009): creation and relaunch of Hermes cologne collection.

Signature style of perfume blending: clean and minimal, allowing every note to develop to their fullest potential.

Fabulista Experiences: The New Hermes Cologne

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Hermes Pamplemousse Rose: notes of grapefruit, orange, rose, rhubofix and vetiver.
The house of Hermes had just released two new colognes to join in the foray of the singular D’Orange Verte. Pamplemousse Rose and Gentiane Blanche were released just a few months back and have arrived on the shores of the sunny island set in the sea.

Since this is a personal review, one has the liberty to do this – dismiss one and only mention the favourite. So while Gentiane Blanche is a floral/herbal blend of white gentian and musk, it will only receive the briefest of mention and end here.

On the other hand, one shall now wax lyrical about the other – Pamplemousse Rose. One loves refreshing fragrances and there is nothing quite as refreshing as the redolence of citrus fruits. In this case, fragrance maestro Jean-Claude Ellena employed the sparkling and tart notes of the grapefruit – the paradise citrus. The zesty head note awakes the senses and opens the olfactory gateway for the subsequent layers of the cologne. While the citrus fades away quickly, as most head notes usually do, it brings about the orange and rose heart notes. These are subtle and luscious, with the floral note reminding one more of a gentle geranium than an opulent rose. As the scent develops further, what one senses is a woody/musky scent of vertiver, with reminders of the earlier orange and rose.

Overall it is a delightful scent which needs to be over applied in order to extend its sillage (it is after all a cologne). Re-application is recommended halfway through the day, if it is intend as a whole day wear.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Fabulista Reads: Again!

Just completed:

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If you are a fan of Maeve Binchy, you would have been captivated by her warm and intimate style of writing. The prose that she weaves links you into the stories as one of the involved characters. You laugh, you hurt and you cry with them. Heart and Soul is no different – it made me cry as well.

The latest from Binchy weaves characters from her previous stories like Scarlet Feather, Quentins, Nights of Rain and Stars and Whitethorn Woods with new ones created for this new one. One of the main characters Fiona is from the previous NORAS and her story from the other novel continues in this one. Together with other new characters and set in a new heart clinic, Binchy tells of an Ireland in transition. It is a new place that is coming to terms with its budding cosmopolitanism. Without being didactic and preachy, the theme is introduced in a heart-warming and at times emotionally-charged tale.

Now starting on:

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Fabulista Holidays: On the Sunny Island (set in the sea)

image “Congratulations ! Your reservation has been CONFIRMED.”

How wonderful! One’s hotel reservation has been confirmed - well-deserved break from everything after almost a year.

If you are going to be holidaying on the sunny island as well, how about a spot of Martini one of the days when one is there?

Fabulista Offered: A Bally good job!

imageOne had mentioned the virtues of loyalty shopping before. In one’s case, loyalty shopping happens to refer to one’s in-laws (see links on left). Apart from being in the know of latest collections, sales and preview sales, there are the occasional unexpected perks. Just the other day, yours truly, the Fabulista experienced one said unexpected perk.

After a fabulous tea/dinner with Jeane, one casually walked into one’s footwear purveyor of choice. Of course, Cat was there to offer a warm smile and updates on the latest collections (AW’09 is coming in a couple of weeks’ time), upcoming sales (preview is on in a week’s time) and new openings (a store six times bigger will open at the ION). We also caught up the latest adventures of her daughter (pulled out of nursery classes and enrol again next year).

Our conversations naturally steered toward the products and its raw material – leather. Apparently, Cat, the assistant store manager was so impressed with one’s vast and profound knowledge of the product and its varieties she wanted to hire me on the spot. When it was understood that she was serious, I expressed my forte and desire as a buyer rather than in upfront sales. Nodding sagely, one also informed her of my current three year contract.

“Oh yes, we’d definitely have a vacancy then, what with plans to expand nationally and regionally… we’d keep in touch.”

Imagine, Fabulista in the business of high-quality fashion leather footwear. Honestly, is it that hard?

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Fabulista Quotes: Hong Lim Park Turns Pink

May 16, 2009
Hong Lim Park Turns Pink
By Nur Dianah Suhaimi (The Straits Times)

THE green field of Hong Lim Park was awashed in pink on Saturday afternoon.

About 1,000 people dressed in various shades of pink turned up at the Speakers Corner there to participate in Singapore's first ever outdoor gay event.

Pink Dot Sg, a gay interest group, organised it.

The group was lobbying for a 'more inclusive Singapore' as well as the freedom to love, regardless of sexual orientation.

The event was peaceful and good-natured, with singing and cultural performances as well as groups of people picnicking on the grass. Many turned up with their dogs.

While the majority of those who came were young, not all were gay.

Sociologist Teo You Yenn, 34, came with her husband and 11-month-old daughter. All three were in pink.

Said Ms Teo: 'I believe there should be different kinds of families in Singapore. Gay people should have the right to public space and privacy, like everyone else.'

Local actors such as Timothy Nga, Neo Swee Lin and Pamela Oei were also there to support the cause.

The crowd started gathering at 3pm and dispersed around 6pm.

Read the full report in The Sunday Times.


Fabulista Attends: The Pink Dot Event (3)

Fabulista Attends: The Pink Dot Event (2)

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Fabulista Attends: The Pink Dot Event

Fabulista believes in LOVE. Fabulista believes that it comes in all forms. Fabulista believes that it should all be respected for it is all beautiful and real.

Fabulista celebrates LOVE because Fabulista celebrates all things beautiful from bags to booze, from Aigner to Zegna.

So step out from your closet and step into the light, the fabulous, warm and liberating light.

At the Pink Dot Event this evening at a park on the sunny island set in the sea, a crowd of people, from all walks of life gathered to celebrate the everybody’s right and freedom to love – love that comes in all shapes and colours, forms and aspects. And this evening, that shape is a CIRCLE and the colour is PINK. The form is BIG and it covers ALL aspects of love.

At about 5.30, the beautiful individuals at the park became one united people and formed one gigantic pink dot – a circular shape with no beginning and no end. It celebrates the all encompassing aspects of love. And one realized how universal and all encompassing love really is – words materialising into physical reality.

One saw familiar faces from one’s life - university professors, schoolmates, classmates, friends, military men, educators and more – all aspects from all circles. It really is a small circle. Small world and it is a world filled with love.

It has always been Fabulista’s creed – Love in any form is still love. There is no one to deny that.


“For if the creator creates out of love, than the one who denies love denies the creator and all things created including the self, for one was also created out of love.”

- Me (Fabulista)

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Were you there at the Pink Dot Event?
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Where people gathered, pretty in pink.
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Celebrating love in all aspects.
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Releasing hopes and dreams.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Fabulista Steadies: For the Great Singapore Sale 2009

photos courtesy of Hermes, Loewe & Bottega Veneta

THE GREAT SINGAPORE SALE
29 May - 26 July 2009

Whether you are in the main shopping belts of Orchard Road and Marina Bay or at the suburban malls, look out for discounts of up to 70% off the usual prices. That goes for just about anything, from designer apparel to jewellery, watches and more!

And whether you are pampering your loved ones or just rewarding yourself, MasterCard gives you more reasons to shop, so use your MasterCard for exclusive privileges this Great Singapore Sale.

On top of that, visitors to the island city during the Great Singapore Sale are entitled to exclusive promotions on selected retail and lifestyle purchases. So take advantage of the season’s tourist privileges and rewards to enjoy even bigger bargains! What’s more, there will also be attractive dining offers islandwide during the season to keep you and your companions thoroughly contented even when you’re not shopping.

Extract from THE GREAT SINGAPORE SALE home site

Fabulista Makes: The Pink Dot

Join the smart mob to creat the pink dot of inclusiveness and understanding...

Hong Lim Park
16 May 2009
4.30pm


Monday, May 11, 2009

Fabulista Loves: Special Long Weekends

Label smallFabulista loves the long weekends. One loves it even more when one’s relations stop by the sunny island for a visit (yes, one was not had from asexual reproduction and does have relations).

Over the long enlightening weekend, one’s godpaddy came for a surprise visit “to escape the dowdy weather back home”. Unfortunately, the island’s weather was not exactly bright and fabulous over the past three days either. In any case, we were able to squeeze in some shopping opportunities along the stretch of road along the district known as the fruit plantation.

We had lunch at the Atrium at a democratic eatery, which served our favourite beef dishes. I showed paddy the new mall that’s coming up right next to the eatery’s lookout windows. Even at its incomplete state, the building looks impressive what with all its LEDs and sweeping canopies.

After lunch, paddy mentioned his regrets that this year’s thanksgiving and Christmas periods would occupy most of his time and thus avail him not for visits then. The inconvenience resulted in this:

An early present from one of my favourite in-laws’ Spring/Summer’09 collections…

Whole bag

Don’t you just love long weekends and surprise visits?

Fabulista Excited: About ION Orchard

image Silly name. I know. Of all the words available to the human language, they chose one that seems to show no relationship whatsoever to the experience of the place. Oh well, it doesn't matter. It is not for posterity. It is likely to change once the management changes hands (case in point; Lane Crawford to Wheelock Place).

What one is more enthusiastic about is the promise of exciting and new concept shops that have never been to the shores of the sunny island set in the sea. More than 60 per cent of the mall will be taken up by flagship stores, new-to-market brands and new concept stores.

Some of the more established names include Burberry, Club 21, Mango, Muji, Richemont Luxury, Sephora, Starbucks Coffee, Swatch and Zara. Many of Fabulista's in-laws like Cartier, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Giorgio Armani, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Uniqlo, Topshop and Topman will showcase their collections in double-storey flagship stores.

The mall, situated on what was once the picnic ground of Pinoys in Singapore, is also bringing in brands like Bimba & Lola, Boss Selection, Chaumet, Christian Audigier, Dsquared2, Diane von Furstenberg, Just Cavalli, Marc Jacobs, Patek Philippe, and Vivienne Tam, which are new to Singapore or having its own stand-alone boutiques for the first time.

Time to settle one's credit card bills to get ready for the next round of card flashing exercise come July.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Fabulista Treks: Where no person *ahem* has gone before


The latest instalment of Star Trek is a respectful nod to its past and a promising hail to its future.

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Live long and prosper on this one. Fabulista is not exactly a Trekkie. However, with the latest instalment, helmed by J. J. Abrams (of Felicity fame) and featuring a cast of eye-candy with sufficient thespian credibility, it promises to go far.
 
One dare not venture bold speculations that the new franchise will travel at warp speed to discover new frontiers, but if the current prequel is any indication, there is hope just yet.
 
Like the contemporary TV series, The Twilight Zone, one needs to leave logic outside the box and enter. The time warp, time-space continuum theories are wrought in every which direction possible. The plot, without giving away too much, revolves around the future seeking revenge by visiting the past where in the relativity of the time of the film is the present. Yes, one is deliberately cryptic. BUt that's what makes the film all the more wonderful intellectually (not mind-numbing though) and visually (effects by Digital Domain and Industrial Light and Magic).
 
If you are a trekkie, you need no encouragement. Otherwise, it is still enjoyable for non-SciFi fans. For the latter, go for the visual effects and the visual treats (read eye-candy).
 
Wink and warp.

Fabulista High: On Coke

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Hot on the heels of last year's (highly successful and popular) release of Beijing 2008 Olympics series, McDonald's have a new series - the contoured Coca Cola glass in colour. 6 different ones to be exact. Lime is the first in the series and was released into 10 markets simultaneously on Thursday.

The sunny island set in the sea is one of the 10 collective countries to experience the frenzy. Not surprising since it is globally famous for its Hello Kitty craze in 2000.

Embrace this new one... the Coca Cola Contoured Glass in Technicolor.

 


P.S. If you are one of the proud/speculating owners of the last Beijing 2008 series, the set is now valued at SGD70 on eBay.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Fabulista Creates: AWARE-ness

In a rare moment, Fabulista is lost for words. The news clip speaks better... (click on link to watch the news).

The AWARE showdown
The AWARE showdown

But is glad that the group has remained secular and fabulous.