Although many people know me as a strong, determined and no-nonsense type of girl, very few actually know I'm quite a soft- hearted and an emotional person from the inside. I got upset easily and took a long term to get over it in the past. I never like yelling at people or getting involved in any conflicts or dramas. I used to be bullied in high school, at work and cheated in life. Living alone in a foreign country for many years has taught me to be independent and strong to survive. I would hide my weakness and insecurity away from people and try to act that I was fine. I would never cry in front of people no matter how much I hurt. Living a life that way made me so tired and feel like giving up many times. 

Years later, I learned that feeling insecure and weak is fine, and I don't have to hide my emotions. The moment I started to let go, I began to enjoy my life, every bit of it. I have freedom to express myself, to do what I love, and to be the woman I want to be. I can be a business woman at day, a rock chic at night, and a preppy school girl once a while. But I'm pretty sure, a sweet looking girl like this, in a chiffon midi skirt, off-shoulder lace top with a floral crown on my head, is something that you have never seen before. You might find this off-shoulder lace dress that I wore as a top familiar from this blog post, but that's about all. 

What was the inspiration behind this fragile and dreamy outfit? I actually don't know. Perhaps the golden hour when the sun was about to set has evoked the femininity in me. I just wanted to show you the soft and emotional side of me. You happen to be one of the few lucky people who have seen it. 

What are your thoughts?

Thank you so much for reading!

Photos by: Evelyn Lee

::Outfit::

Lace off-shoulder dress- worn as top- Thanks to Princessa

Vintage chiffon midi skirt- Similar here and here

Aldo PVC pumps- Similar here. Currently obsessed with this one

Michael Kors watch

H&M Floral headband- Similar here

When I was twenty years old, I never paid any attention to my skin. The only thing I did was remove makeup and wash my face. No one talked to me about moisturizer, toner, or serum, please. I had no time for it.  When I passed the age of 25, I realized many wrinkles around my eyes, dryness around my cheeks, and premature aging skin, that's when I started taking skin care routine seriously. Now, at the age of 30, anti-aging is all I care about. 

You've probably seen me doing some DIY skincare routines at home (like this one), but the truth is, nothing beats a facial session at a professional beauty spa. They have all the right tools and the right skills to achieve the results that my homemade beauty remedies can't. That's why I was actually looking forward to trying out the "Vagheggi Delay Infinity Treatment" at Bejeweled Nails and Facial Boutique. They have two outlets, one at Tanjong Pagar that offers only mani-pedi services while the other newly opened boutique at Tai Seng offers a full range of beauty treats from manicure, facial services to eyelash extension. 

I dropped by their new branch last week to have my anti-aging facial done. It is a neat and clean shopfront, tastefully decorated with a creative products display, fanciful room divider, and an artistic picture of Audrey Hepburn in the waiting area. 

While having my drink served by the staff, on this unique sofa, I was introduced to a bunch of Italian skincare products (which will be applied to my face later) called Vagheggi Delay Infinity. 

Vagheggi Delay Infinity products are 100% made in Italy. They are best-known for delaying the skin aging process for women from age the 30s to 40s. They prevent an appearance of first wrinkles and other signs of skin aging, stimulate the collagen and maintain the skin elastin. At the same time, they rebuild and improve skin texture. There are many other benefits you can get from Vagheggi Delay Infinity. If you have been looking for these products in Singapore, you are in luck, because Bejeweled carries them in the store. Feel free to visit and have a look. Maybe, you can try the same treatment they gave me. 

The 90-minute facial treatment includes 18 steps in total. It starts with a Welcome and Relax treatment with lenitive essential oil. Then, Eye and Lip makeup removal, followed by Face cleansing with Delay Infinity Cleansing milk. Second cleanse with equilibrium phytogel. Exfoliation with micro peel. Light extraction. Eyebrow shaping. Cold compress using a paper mask and soothing lotion. Scalp and shoulder massage. 

This was the first half of the session. I'm getting tired just by typing all of these. I don't know how the beautician can manage to finish all of these routines. What did I love most about the first half of the treatment? It's when I looked at all of the stubborn blackheads and whiteheads that were completely removed. I always tried to remove them at home using all different types of masks. None of them worked. This is why it's always good to visit a beauty spa as often as you can.  

  

Moving on to the radio frequency treatment to tighten early signs of loose and sagging skin. It also helps to deeply penetrate Delay Infinity Flawless Face Ampoule into my skin.  

When all was done, it's time for masks. Not one, but three different types of masks pampered my face. A Delay Infinity Face Mask, an Equilibrium Lenitive Geomask, and lastly a Soft Mask. 

 It was hard not to fall asleep with this cooling mask on my face, in a dim lighted room while a saxophone music played softly in my ears. Life is so beautiful, isn't it?

If only we could wake up from our sleep and look like this everyday!   

I took these photos the next day when I woke up, applied only sunscreen on my face, mascara on my eyelashes and moisturizer on my lips. I have never felt so good about my skin recently. There are a few things that I've learned over the past few year. Skincare is like dieting, it takes a lot of time and effort. There is no shortcut to perfection. But trust me, it'll be all worth it. When you focus on a good skincare, you don't really need a lot of make up.  

I just chanced upon this quote from Coco Channel that I love so much: "Nature gives you the face you have at twenty; it's up to you to merit the face you have at fifty". It's truly a wake-up call for me. I'm glad it's not too late for to start taking care of my skin. I hope it motivates you too. 

Before I end this blog post, here is a little treat for you:

You can get up 10% OFF for all Vagheggi skincare products AND can enjoy the 18 steps "Vagheggi Delay Infinity Treatment"  at only SG$98 (Usual price SG$268) only if you mention "CrystalPhuong" when you make an appointment. 

Don't forget to check out Bejeweled Nails and Facial Boutique website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates and promotions from them. 

If you are interseted in mani-pedi services, visit their Tanjong Pagar branch at: 

10 Anson Road #02-48

International Plaza Singapore 079903

Tel: 6222 2526

Operating hours: Mon- Fri: 11am- 8pm. Sat: 11am- 4.30pm. Closed on Sun & Ph

Otherwise, drop by their new outlet for a full range of beauty services:

30 Tai Seng Street #02-01, 

BreadTalk HQ, Singapore 534013

Tel: 6443 9789

Operating hours: Mon- Sun (including PH): 11.30am- 8pm

Thank you so much for reading! 

Disclaimer: This blog entry is proudly sponsored by Bejeweled Nails and Facial Boutique. Technical terms, information about the products and services are provided by the sponsor. Opinions are on my own. Feel free to contact me if you need further clarification.

Once in a while, there will be some things that I chance upon at random places that evoke many of my childhood memories. I've probably shared with you many times on this blog and it will never be an ending story. When you have everything, you wish for nothing and vice versa. I had so many wishes that I couldn't stop thinking about it in the daytime, I even brought them into my sleep.

I wished to have a big garden with a lot of flowers and butterflies behind my house so I could pretend to be a princess in the forest. I wished to have a beautiful walkway to my house as if it was a grand entrance to the castle. Then, when I got older, I wished one day I would walk down the aisle that is covered with thousands of flower petals, with the man of my life to enter a new chapter of our life.
It does seem like many things in my life starts with a road, doesn't it? In fact, if you think about it, our life is actually a road itself and we keep driving from one destination to another. Some don't even know where they are heading. Some people are lucky to have a smooth journey while others are struggling with it. Some people make a wrong turn and have to start all over again. Does this sound like a life journey we are in?

Most people are not lucky to be driving on a straight and perfect road. There will be big bumps, small bumps, left turns, right turns, and even road closures along the way. It's how we embrace it and enjoy our journey. The older I get, the more I learn a valuable lesson for myself: A dream road doesn't exist, you have to create one for yourself. Even if it does, it might be a very short one, just like the road that I happened to walk on last weekend. It was a really happy and refreshing moment for me to chance upon this dreamy road. I thought I should share it with you :)

Thank you so much for reading!

Photos by: Evelyn Lee Photography 

::Outfit::

Forever21 neon blazer- Similar here

Topshop chiffon top- Similar here and here

Chicwish forest print skirt

ZARA lace up sandals- Currently obsessed with this one

3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli handbag (medium)

Coach sunglasses

Fall has probably started knocking on our doors, but it doesn't mean we can't have fun with Summer colors, can we?. Besides, Singapore doesn't have Fall season anyway, so it's perfect for the color-addicts like me to play dress up. If you follow my Instagram (have you?), you should see my kaleidoscopic life and style through my IG feed. 

Last weekend, I wore this color block top and skirt to attend the launch of a TV show "How Do I Look, Asia". This eye-catching outfit is one of the designs in the Lie Spring/ Summer 2015 collection, a breakaway line from Korean powerhouse designer label, Lie SangBong. I had an opportunity to attend Lie SangBong's fashion show at "New York Fashion Week" last year, and I fell head over heels in love with his creativity and talent ever since. When picking this outfit on SocietyA's website, I didn't know my favorite choice would turn out to be one of Lee Chung Chung's designs, the son of Korean fashion designer, who I truly admire. What caught my eyes were not only the complimentary color block combo but also the innovative designs to make a beautiful contemporary look. A minimal New York style meets Parisian avant-garde look has arrived in Singapore. Finally! 

On a different note, just in case you don't know, LIE stands for "Love, Identity, and Ego". He makes me start wondering about my name now. Perhaps, CRYSTAL stands for Colorful- Responsible- Young (at heart)- Shine bright (almost like a diamond)- Trendy- Ambitious- Loveable. Yes? I made this up actually, please don't take me seriously. But the truth is, Crystals are indeed colorful and life always has much more fun with colors. Agree?

Thank you so much for reading! 

Thank you SocietyA for partnering this blog post

Photos by: Navian Photography

::Outfit::

Lie color block top and skirt- Thanks to SocietyA

Sophia Websiter riko sandals

Michael Kors watch

Reed Krakoff mini boxer bag

In between traditional long pants and leg-flaunting shorts, there are things called skorts, which many women are crazy over it. Myself included.

This little skirt-meets-short piece is taking the fashion industry by storm with its versatility and chicness. I really love how easy and effortless it is to style this fun wardrobe staple. On off-duty days, I love wearing skorts with graphic tees and sneakers or gladiator sandals for a laid-back and sporty vibe. Otherwise, blazers and high heels will always be my picks to go with skorts if I opt for business casual attires.

Adding another black and white outfit into my "What to wear on Monday" story (You've probably seen the first two outfits here and here), I wanted to make a change with a bottom piece that is a little bit shorter than the usual pencil skirts or culottes. To brighten it up, I also brought a pop of red to the monochromatic outfit. It might not be the common look that you'll see often in the office space, but I'm pretty sure it's worth to take a risk, to be different, and to have fun with styles. Once in a while.

Have you ever worn skorts to the office before? What do you think of this look? Yay or Nay?

Thank you so much for reading!

::Photos by: Evelyn Lee Photography

::Outfit::

Zara Black blazer- Similar here

Zara black skorts- Similar here 

Valentino rockstud pumps

Valentino Lock handbag

Alexander McQueen sunglasses

Graphic white T-shirt- Similar here