Please be warned: this might be a long blog entry. Keep calm and carry on!
One of the most amazing things that happened to me in 2003 was when my blog was voted in not only one but three categories in Singapore Blog Award: Singapore Best Fashion Blog, Best Modeling Blog and Best Fashion Interpretation Blog. Even though my blog didn't win, but being one of the top 3 blogs with most votes from the beginning til the end was indeed a big award to me. Knowing that this blog is loved and supported by many people simply made my day, and that is all I need. You know there are a few moments in your life when you feel all the hard work and sacrifices have finally paid off and you can start doing it all over again. That was exactly how I felt that time. It's so surreal!
Besides these awards, my blog was honor to be voted as Singapore Best Lifestyle Blog by HotelClub.
2013 marked the first year of my collaboration with many big fashion brands. I did 2 outfit stylings for LEVI'S during the Singapore Blog Award period as they were the main sponsor of the award.
First outfit styling was the Levi's 501 Interpretation which I had to figure out how to wear men's jeans (501 jeans).
Here was what I came up with.
Second outfit styling was to promote for LEVI'S Denim Curve collection. I was struggling to find the perfect name for this outfit, and it took me 3 days to come up with this Every Rainbow has a Curve post.
June and July last year were so busy for me. While trying to finish up the collaborations with LEVI'S, I had to do 3 collaborations with Nanyang Optical to promote for their latest eyewear called Glossi.
My first Fun with Glossi Eyewear outfit styling wasn't a big deal as I was kinda prepared for it.
However, coming up with 2, 3 different outfit styles with the same pair of sunglasses was rather challenging, I admit. Nevertheless, I made it anyway.
Here is the Little Black Dress met Glossi outfit
and the Glossi Glamour In Styles outfit.
I also did a collaboration and giveaway with Moment Watches, a premium watch brand from Hongkong.
And finally, a collaboration with my all time favorite brand Swarovski
Dorothy Perkins approached me again to promote for their Style Essential collection this time. My first collaboration I did with them last year was such a joy and I was so thrilled when they asked me to do another one.
First time, GAP and I collaborated on my blog. It was so fun, memorable and successful. I did 3 outfit stylings for them. First one was Feel the GAP which received many positive feedback from everyone.
Second outfit style for GAP: Fall for Color Block
Third and the last outfit styling i did for GAP was Back to Blue
Besides fashion, I was also lucky enough to be able to work with many beauty brands last year.
I did some reviews for Origo Creations aromatherapy products in September. Some of you might have seen my photo at their shops to endorse for their products.
Finally, my invisalign dream came true at Orchard Scotts Dental. I'm now at my 5th aligner and will blog about the entire journey (including result) in this year so please stay tuned.
My awesome skin was taken care by Bioskin. I must give them the credits for helping me to solve my large pores issue which has been bothering me for the longest time.
Last year, the amount of cosmetics that I used was sponsored by Glow-Minerals and Cutis Medical Laser Clinic.
Apart from the beauty, fashion sponsorship and collaborations, I have to say the endorsement for Samsung Camera is one of the many endorsements that I'm very proud of. We (I and the other 3 bloggers) were given the latest phone camera in the market to use for almost a month. Our job was to promote their new technology and to give them feedback on how to improve the device better before it was released to public. I gave quite a lot of feedback based on my experience and I hope they did improve on certain features so that you guys could enjoy such a wonderful and smart gadget. I'm still using this phone-camera wherever I go. It's so convenient and handy whenever I need to take an instant, clear and high resolution photo.
As if blogging and my work didn't seem to keep me busy enough, I still managed to act in one of local TV drama series: Crime Watch early in September. It took me a while to decide to join the cast and crew due to my work commitment. In the end, with the huge support and encouragement of my manager, I took up the role and put my whole heart and soul into the character that I played. The show was on air 3 times in September in 3 different languages: Chinese, English and Hindi. I was recognized by quite a number of people in public as well as on Facebook and Instagram. It's amazing, isnt it?
If in 2012, I was already busy with many events and networking sessions, in 2013 I was even more occupied with many awards, fashion weeks, products launch in 2013. Below are some of the big events that I attended.
At Levi's 501 Interpretation Event
FIDE Fashion Week last day.
With my beautiful Vietnamese sista- Jeannie Mai at Fide Fashion Week.
Longines Singapore Gold Cup.
In my flashback 2012 blog post, I mentioned that one of my resolutions in 2013 was to travel to one country (at least) that I've never been to before. In fact, I travelled to not only one but three different countries last year.
I went to Houston, Texas in April.
It was the shortest trip to the longest destination in the world that I've ever made. I didn't blog about it because It was the saddest memory in my life. I felt completely broken, extremely hurt before and after the trip and I thought I could never get over it. But I did and I learned that life is too short to be wasted with a lot of dramas and unhappiness. The faster you heal yourselves, the happier your life is.
After the US trip, I went to Taiwan, a fully sponsored trip by Streetdirectory.
4 months after the holiday in Taiwan, I made a very spontaneous decision to visit Dubai
It was such an eye-opening experience for me.
Also, not forget to mention my second trip to Ho Chi Minh city (Vietnam) in February. This was also sponsored by Streetdirectory.
There are few short trips that I went for last year including Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) just for 2 days 1 night and Hanoi (Vietnam) for 4 days. That sums up my 2013, a year of traveling with lot of good and bad memories in between.
Looking back my 2013, the amount of pain and challenges that I faced was twice as much as all the achievements that I'm sharing with you here. I don't want to complain. In fact, I'm grateful (I really am) for all the good and bad things that happened so that I could see how much I've grown and how strong I've become. Last year, I told myself to be positive and happy in any circumstances which I did (even though it's so difficult to be positive sometimes).
Staying happy and optimistic is still in my 2014 resolution list, but I have more new resolutions to work on this year.
1. Improve on my time management, prioritization and planning
2. Be happy and positive.
3. Work-life balance. I've been working for almost 12 hours every day for the past 9 years :(
4. Try to read more books.
5. Travel to US or Europe this year.
6. Getting my eye-lasik surgery done.
7. Wake-up before 7am and go to bed at 11pm.
8. Blog more and create more new content for you guys.
There are many other things I want to achieve this year. Some of them are my personal goals and plans which aren't convenient to share it in public, so please allow me to keep them to myself. When it's the right time, I'll definitely keep you guys posted.
Before ending this long blog entry (I hope I didn't bore you to sleep), I just wanted to say thank you so much for your love, support and for being here with me throughout the year. I know all these awards, achievements would never happen if without your support.
So thank you once again! The fact that you take your time to read this long-winded blog entry is already a big gift to me.
I hope 2014 will give you lot of love, luck and laughter.
Happy 2014!