jojo ♥

Monday, July 26

Passion Profit Secrets

So we all have something we are passionate about. It could be your love of books and tomes, or the punk rock that no one else seems to understand like you can. Perhaps it’s your absolute dedication to all things in the fashion and beauty world, or your natural flair and zeal for art.

Yet instead of working on these passions, you continue to toil at jobs you do not enjoy as much – to support yourself and your passion.

If you find yourself in that position, why not consider monetizing your passion?

Instead of working at the photocopier and paper shredder all day, and zipping home to play your guitar to an empty room (and face the wrath of your Mom who’s trying to watch the latest Channel 8 drama) – find a way to make your passion your job.

How?

Well, I’m no expert but Thad Bong sure is! And for the benefits of those wanting to quit that photocopying job and working on your passions, he has planned the Passion Profit Secrets 2010 for you.

For this special event, Thad has invited 10 Top Passionpreneur Experts to share their profit strategies with you. The line up includes:

* Paul Evans, serial entrepreneur and philanthropist
* Deb Ingino, 50 Most Influential Women In Business award winner
* Carrie Wilkerson, President of the Association of Work At Home Women
* Snowden Mcfall, past National Women In Business Advocate of the Year
* Bob Burg, International Best Selling Co-Author of The Go-Giver

Passion Profits Secrets 2010 will be held from 2 – 6 August, and will give you an in-depth coverage of all the success practices of this gathering of the Who’s Who of the Passionpreneur scene.

And if you have not figured it out, Passionpreneur is an entrepreneur who have create a business that monetizes his or her passion.

If you want to monetize your passion, this online event is perfect for you. To obtain a free access pass, visit the Official Event Site and register your details.

Related Links: on FreshGrads!, Thad's website

Labels: writings

14:32

Saturday, July 17

Solar

British author Ian McEwan is said to favour working with stark opposites – he cast science against art, pits the greedy self-satisfying bums with the heroes of the world and sets technology against nature – and it shows in this latest work.

The highly descriptive story revolves around protagonist Michael Beard, his jaunty yet lamenting thoughts and his unimpressed views of the world.

Beard is a hero in physics, a champion for green energy and he is ready to save the world from self-destruction. His work in his youth simplified Einstein’s revolutionary 1905 paper, won him a Nobel Prize and paved the way for green discoveries and gold-backed research.

Ironically (or not), it is this very brains and the Nobel Prize that led to his continuing self-satisfying and unmotivated lifestyle. Beard rakes through food and women aplenty, living very much for the moment and basking in the past glories of his youth’s research – always sure that the moment will come when he will naturally shed this lifestyle for “innocent Eden”. It’s just around the next corner, he tells himself – even as he ages, grows fatter, carrying “the equivalent of a combat infantryman’s full pack”.

McEwan successfully draws parallels between Beard, and the world and its people. It almost appears as if McEwan is mocking the world – like Beard, we bask in our discovery of coal and oil, unmotivated to move forward; we meet for talks that had no effects, just like Beard did in the Artic summit; and like Beard, the world is getting sicker, fatter and non-committed.

Instead of being insulted though, I tutted at Beard’s lifestyle and found it hard to sympathize with this unlikeable main character (‘protagonist’ seems unfitting). Even so, I lament his misfortune.

The most enjoyable read of the book spanning 9 years of Beard’s life – which makes me wonder why McEwan puts us through it at all – is Part 2, where Beard met his match. A recognized figure in Physics, he dates a common woman working hard on her business; he’s a non-committed mess living in the past, she’s a warm, loving woman hoping for a child. Their fight over her pregnancy flits between her obvious excitement and his despair, as he struggles to get back the familiar warmth of food, sex and sleep before fleeing (once again).

At first glance, Solar may appear dreary from the viewpoint of a self-satisfying fat man. Like in Atonement though, McEwan’s brilliant use of a single incident that will eventually shape Beard’s years is just that – brilliant.

Related Links:on FreshGrads!

Labels: writings

09:00

Tuesday, July 6

Maxi Dresses are huge, huge and huge.

And not just in the amount of cloth worn or the skin it covers. Trendsetters like Nicole Richie, Eva Longoria and Paris Hilton have all been seen to be rocking this long summer favourite.

So what a blessing it is that it’s summer all day long in balmy (yes, I imagined rather wistfully) Singapore – save for that Wednesday’s flood.

I had thought that maxi dresses were going to be a passing trend, especially with the amount of skin teenage girls like baring these days. Just trawl through the blogshops in Singapore and or go through the malls to see stores selling sheer tops, very short dresses and sky-high heels like hotcakes.

So imagine my surprise when I see maxi dresses on the racks! My surprise was rather short-lived when I realized exactly how maxi these dresses were. My mom asked, “How are you going to wear these?”

I pointed at the mermaid hem of a particular piece and told her that’s the point where I’m supposed to snip off.

But in all seriousness, I think we need some education on getting the right maxi dresses – since we’re being handed maxi dresses made for giants.

1. Length

Yes, despite my grouse on the terrifying length of maxi dresses, this is my point number one. Maxi dresses are only maxi dresses if they are long. Point in question, how long?

Well, I say that maxi dresses should fall below your ankles and your shoes should peep out with every step. Avoid dresses that show your ankles, or dresses that look like you’re being a walking broom.

Another good length is mid-calf, if you really prefer to show off your gams.

2. Shape, or Drape

This is very important if you have no desire to look like you’re wearing a curtain – especially true for some prints. It’s really heartbreaking to be told that you’re wearing a household item print; I nearly hated a friend who told me my new purchase looked like a tablecloth. (and no, it wasn’t red and it wasn’t checkered).

An ideal maxi dress should cling to your body in a nice way while being comfortable. We’re not looking at slinky pieces or potato sacks, but pretty summer pieces. So you have to try, try and try!

Piece of advice: I really was kidding when I said balmy Singapore, I meant sweltering Singapore. As such, try to shop for lighter materials that are more comfy in this humidity.

3. It’s all about the details

Maxi dresses are usually one single block colour, tie-dyed or a print. This can be monotonous, so dress up your dress with details. It could be a belt, a boho hair tie, chunky bracelets. Plaits will look very good, while a safer messy chignon and shades would look like you just threw the look together.

Keep your make up simple, grab a denim cropped jacket for the air conditioned places and always wear open toed shoes.

Finally, a casual bag and you’re really to go!

I know, pictures would be so much better. Unfortunately, I rather not steal pictures off the web which you can easily google for; and I haven't any of my own because I'm still looking for my elusive maxi dress. Go figure.

Labels: writings

15:41

Friday, June 25

Dread knows no boundaries.

This has so far been an absolutely dreadful day.

I woke up today at 7.45am; so tired that I'm absolutely glad that I get to sleep in late tomorrow - I shall be waking up at 9.15am, a generous one half hours more.

Today's my 15th straight day of waking up at 7.45am - for school and or work. It's not pleasing for sure.

I desperately need a fun holiday that doesn't involve work or studying but there is no time, and I'm too poor anyway.

Yesterday, when my meeting with the NTU students ended early and I had 2 leisure hours (albeit being stuck in Bugis), I almost felt uncomfortable. It's like, woah, so much free time! I was almost aching to do something - grab an Accounting text, draft a story, something.

And about being poor - having such a cramped timetable makes me feel that I should be compensated, financially. If I'm given such tightly scheduled days, surely someone, somewhere can ensure I have cash? That way, I can buy all the de-stressing Ben and Jerry's I need, take all the cabs I want to and buy all the eyebags-fighting products I require.

But you know, this is reality.

So on the bus I go today (as with all other days of my life), without Ben and Jerry's and with eyebags.

It's a really cold and rainy day today here in our usually sweltering country.

I was engrossed in Percy Jackson and the Lighting Thief on the bus (yes, I'm that outdated. And yes again, bus rides are now my entertainment time), trying to ignore the cold and the uncomfortable squeeze (Uncle on my right with his legs wide open, and Art Lady on my left with her art tube poking my arm - real comfortable).

Just as I thankfully got down from the bus outside my workplace and was about to cross the drowned road, a bloody orange hatchback SPED past and SLOSHED half the road's wet on my dress.

My dress!

My black, back-crotchet dress.

My black, back-crotchet dress that I wore today for a meeting in Orchard.

It was almost in slow-motion (I know they all said that, but seriously. I saw the droplets fly and I just STOOD still. Beats me why too.), and then before I could react, the road wasn't drowned anymore - all the water's on me.

So I'm tired, sleep-deprived, cold and VERY WET. And so very super angry, that I was relieved that the lift up to Level 4 at work was empty so I can scream.

See why I never liked orange? To think I've been trying to like it (it can look so pretty on leather bags).

And yeah, I've been doing a lot of inner loud, muted, agonizing screams. In the lift today, on buses several times and many many countless times at home.

Okay, maybe not agonizing, but you get the idea.

I need a holiday.

Labels: writings

10:21

Thursday, June 10

I’m Having An Affair

I’m having a hot steamy affair with the coffeeshop boy at work.

Sounds exciting? I think so too.

He makes my workday more interesting, and I definitely look forward to lunch more – hot steamy lunch with extra heaps of those yummy chicken and veggies served with a cheery hello! What’s not to like?

Never mind that he appears overenthusiastic and mildly freaked me out with a unwell-aimed “Xiao Ke Ai”. I nearly froze on the spot.

Prior to our affair, I had to face a very fierce mean serving lady who stares very hard when I take disposable cutlery for my takeaways (as if I will take extra to hoard), who is very curt with me and who counts the pieces of chicken she serves like they’re gold.

So am I glad for this affair? Hell yes.

Aileen was super shocked. “Ohmygod, you’re going out with the kopitiam boy!” Well, if going out means buying food from him everyday, then yes.

Then her rich, faithful, caring boyfriend (our little secret!) Thad accused me and primly reminded me to “stop hitting on the coffeeshop boy can!”

How Singaporean, the pair of them (teehee). So come back here! And buy food with me. You’ll see that he’s the one who asked me where I work, when I get off work and is the nice server who’s willing to give me extra heapings.

Oh yes, I like this affair.

Until the next, uh, conquer! Now, it's lunch time.

Labels: writings

13:13

How Utterly Unfair, don't you think?

I quote Mr Thomas L Friendman, who wrote this in a commentary for TODAY:

" When meeting this year's grads it's best not to ask: "Hey, what are you doing next year?" Too many recent grads don't have an answer. They can't find jobs even remotely related to their fields. This year's graduation theme is: "Don't ask. Can't say." "

Reading this makes me remember how many of my graduating peers cannot do what we want - the universities that we truly most want to enter, the courses that we most want to take up, the jobs that we most want to work in and perhaps the business ideas that we most want to work on.

And most of the time, it is not really our results that left us hanging and stopped us from what we do. It's simply a lack of space in universities, a lack of confidence and or reputation in the private education sector (from almost everyone!) and perhaps a lack of boldness or passion is setting up our own businesses.

While the entrepreneur bit is only our own to blame, we cannot be made to suffer the lack of space / credentials in the education system.

Local universities have very limited spots for students. Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe they currently house less than half the student population in Singapore. Or lesser. (I read somewhere which actually cited 30%. Will find exact figures.)

This statistics is really odd, seeing that a Bachelor Degree is seen as the minimum in today's working world - that is, if you want to go somewhere in your industry reasonably fast.

So, if you need a degree but the local universities are filled up, you can only go overseas if you're financially able or do a private degree.

I honestly think a private degree is not different from local universities or the same foreign universities. There are institutes and partner universities who do work properly together to give private students the same education they would have received had they attended school in the main campuses.

But there is still the problem of credibility and reputation from potential employers and the public. Many still believe that the private education sector are dodgy places following the brouhaha over certain untrustworthy institutes. I have heard horror stories about how degrees - earned similarly from years of hard work and studying - are not recognized by employers and considered lesser than other degrees.

And I loathe the unfairness.

How is a degree gained from a credible institute working with a reputable foreign university neither credible nor reputable?

If so, perhaps we should return to the root problem and make space for all students to gain a fair chance to enter local universities - so that if they do not make the cut to their preferred school or program, it is only because of their bad grades and not a lack of space.

To be frank, I do not really condemn the fact that Junior College students get priority (after all, an A Level student is not equipped with any tertiary education). I get that they need the education.

But from the perspective of a student wanting to be well employed and well reimbursed in a working world when a local degree means the world - then yes, it is truly unfair.

Perhaps someone should have waved a red flag in our faces when we choose to do a tertiary education in polytechnics, saying "Go to JCs, then go to local universities! The world is a cut-throat place, leave the suckers behind or you'll be left behind in the future.

Not very nice perhaps, but that what it feels like.

Well, almost. I, for one, thankfully believe that private education won't destroy my future.

Read Mr. Thomas L Friendman's full commentary. He's a Pulitzer winner, and though the article's more for US than Singapore... it quite makes sense. Click here!

Labels: writings

10:07

Wednesday, June 9

The Man behind Beeconomic
Karl Chong is a great success story in the corporate world – a legally-trained Asset Manager who was born in Singapore, bred in Australia and gainfully employed in the United States. To make the story sweeter, Karl was working at international names like Proctor & Gamble and Macquarie Bank.

However, his affinity for entrepreneurship came knocking when he stumbled upon a website selling vouchers for a month of indoor climbing during the recession years. Though one of the few lucky survivors during the retrenchment, Karl was soon overworked and tired of the 9-to-5.

The month of indoor climbing gave him the opportunity to get out and make lasting friendships, and revived him of his exhaustion. So he thought, “this is exactly what busy executives need: a service which sources out what the city has to offer for them.”

Still, Karl bided his time, did his research and in January this year, he and his brother Christopher decided to drop their careers in US and Australia respectively –settling midway in Singapore to set up Beeconomic.

There is good reason for the brothers’ return here. Beeconomic’s concept of buying power in numbers is relatively unknown in Singapore, which gives them a first mover advantage. In comparison, the concept has already taken off in US and Australia.

And if you were wondering – yes, Beeconomic does mean “be economic”, which Karl says represent their keenness in helping consumers indulge without breaking the bank. Also, the ‘bee’ in the name represents their adage: buying power in numbers. Karl shares, “Bees are powerless alone, but when they work together in a hive, there’s power.”

With a great concept, quirky representations in their name and a first mover advantage, Beeconomic seem ready to take on the world, Singapore first. So the rest, as they say, is history – or is it?

“First, we need to educate the market about our concept, both the merchants and the customers. Also, it is important for us to maintain a standard of quality. We had to say no to a lot of people (because of it),” said Karl.

One good case in point: the Beeconomic team is very thorough when sussing out a dining place to feature. They screen through everything they deem important, from the yummy factor of the food and the décor, right down to bathroom hygiene.

And it seems that this standard of quality is what made Beeconomic the Number One choice, with 100% of their featured merchants wanting to come onboard again.

However, Karl attributed their success also to the team’s personality. “We don’t sound like we’re pitching to 100 merchants and they’re our 99th choice. I think that was what convinced the merchants to work with us.”

But with competitors very hot on their heels – springing up only a week or two after their launch – does Beeconomic worry about losing their lead?

“The competition is a challenge, but one that I am happy to take,” Karl shares. “It keeps me on my feet.”

This frank answer comes with no surprises. After all, Karl actually dropped his Masters program at INSEAD for Beeconomic despite being just a few modules away from graduation.

The reason was, he wanted to be quick in introducing the buying in power concept. Such passion and faith in his business is very impressive.

“It is important to be passionate about the products and services you’re selling. Be innovative – sure, you can copy but try to be different.” Karl stresses, when asked to give advice to aspiring entrepreneurs.

With a laugh, he piques “Have a lot of energy, because you are not going to have much of a social life!”

But the greatest advice, the best piece that I thought was lacking perhaps in other budding entrepreneurs or other businesses was “being kind”.

Karl explains this all-important kindness, “Replying immediately to consumers, rewarding your employees and fostering your relationship with your merchants.”

Perhaps with a little kindness, a lot of passion and a great business idea, we can all be successful entrepreneurs, just like Karl.

Related Links: Beeconomic, on FreshGrads!, Shop Review: Beeconomic

Labels: writings

14:34

Monday, June 7

Wages for Beauty - is that fair?

I’m not sure if you have read about the brouhaha over at Citigroup in New York City, but if you haven’t, here’s a good summary - click here!

A quick apt gist: A curvy lady was fired after she didn’t adhere to bosses’ request to stop dressing to distract her male colleagues. Her office attire? Pencil skirts, turtlenecks, jackets and regular heels – in the same style as her colleagues.

The commentary goes on to unearth shocking revelations, which on hindsight is probably present all the while, taller guys and thinner girls get paid more.

Revelation #1: In 2005, a study showed that good-looking people and taller people gets a “beauty premium” of an extra 5% per hour, while plain people suffer a loss of 9% in wages.

Another study shows that for every inch of height a guy has, he earns an additional $1,115 per year. And obese women have a tendency to earn lesser than women of average height.
Is that fair?

If I’m as capable, equally qualified as the next graduate but have somehow failed to find the secret of keeping my weight at 44kg when hovering at 1.61cm, I get regular or up to 9% less in wages.

(I hope the 9% is the difference between the beauty premium and the plain penalty; instead of it referring to 9% below average! That would cap the difference at a much higher 14%.)

And let me remind you that that’s an unhealthy BMI of 16.9, and MOH dictates that healthy BMI stay in the 18 – 25 range. Yes, I’m a tad BMI-obsessive.

But in the name of higher pay and more money, I will be sure to stay a strict exercise regime, and to look for a tall boyfriend and to get my future kids to work hard at skipping rope.

But here comes Revelation #2: unattractive people are more employable.

And no, this isn’t directly implied by the Citigroup brouhaha (now a lawsuit), nor an indication that companies want to save on the 9% / 14% difference. It’s because the men in the company do not want to be tempted by beautiful forbidden fruit, and the women do not want to be depressed and distracted by prettier women.

And vice versa. Though I'm betting women do not mind being tempted by 'beautiful forbidden fruit' of the male variety, and men... do you guys get depressed when working with better looking males?

It is rather discouraging however, and telling of society that we have gone not after geniuses and talents but looks and beauty.

Which I will (have no choice but to) attempt to follow in order to join and win the competitive rat-race – uhm, a question though, will unattractive tall people get better wages?

And remind me not to tell you how quickly I was employed after graduation.

Labels: writings

11:25

Monday, May 31

Moochemooche's Corporate Chic

Face it. When we graduate and arrive in the working world, we inadvertently realize that our trendy school uniform of comfy shorts, jeans and tees are not quite going to cut it. It is hard enough to be taken seriously given our “freshly graduated” status; going to work in sandals and sundresses is a sure way to corporate dungeons.

So before you face the wrath of your classy Armani suited boss for breaching the unspoken office code of knee length skirts and having him or her banish you, I say – take a shopping trip to stock up on some office essentials.

I’m not saying that you should beg your benevolent parents for shopping money and buy out the formal wear section; I meant affordable online shopping.

The wonders of online shopping is definitely not lost on youths. But are you aware of treasure trove Moochemooche?

I call them a treasure, because they are a niche store specializing in office wear that epitomizes corporate chic. Their offerings are affordable enough for the new corporate climber and fashionable enough to go for social gatherings after hours.

Qiu and Joyce, co-owners of Moochemooche, shares, “We started at a time when blogshops are a dime a dozen, but we realized that the working crowd was still poorly served – and here we are!”

Expect to find structured pencil skirts of various cuts and prints in their store, with little details right down to the bit of frills at the back of your knees, to hidden pockets. Their impressive range has got checks, chiffons pleats, classy florals and their all time favourite lace. Pair these structured pieces with soft flowing tops for a chic corporate-appropriate look.

And on a lazy day when you simply cannot be bothered to match your items or when you are running late, simply don one of Moochemooche’s dresses. It is easy to jazz up your look with a simple accessory, such as a skinny belt or watch that you should already own. (If not, these are great basics that you should pop by the mall for!)

The best of all - all items at Moochmooche are no more than $30 each, which gives us room to stretch our dollar and get another piece to add on to our corporate wardrobe.

I love the results as well: a well-dressed young executive.

The ladies behind the brand also manufacture some of their own designs, like the pleated dress above.

“We trawl the web for ideas and adapt them to make them wearable for work. Most importantly, they have to be made of quality material to complete the corporate look.”

With their quality, unique designs and an array of corporate chic look, Moochemooche is definitely helpful to females looking to grow their corporate wardrobe. Unfortunately for the guys, there are no plans to serve the male audience in the near future.

It is all about the love – “The truth is, we are doing this out of our passion for fashion, and guys’ clothes currently don’t excite us as much as female clothes do!”

Moochemooche is also the winner of FreshGrads’s first Fashion Showdown – see the competition here.

Labels: writings

14:05

Tuesday, May 18

One needs a beer. Another wants an ice chendol. And the third is really craving a shot of espresso. With such difficult people to feed, Olio Café is the place for you.

The Food:

Olio Restaurant and Café prides itself on its paradoxes. The menu is one great example – offering an array of dishes like Thai Chicken Mango Salad alongside Moroccan Mixed Lamb Grill, Italian pizzas and pasta, and Japanese curry rice. The adventurous can also get a Beef Rendang Lasagne, a fusion of east and west.

I wondered how on earth was the chef going to get every dish perfect. But fortunately for him, my companions and I were there for Olio Café’s high tea.

Our favourite cake by far is the Olio Sizzling Brownie. For $6.50, enjoy a mish-mash of cold and warm delectable brownie drenched with hot fudge on a hotplate. A generous scoop of vanilla gelato and finely chopped nuts completes this definite must-try. A warning though: Finish it fast, before the chocolate sizzles away.

Another choice would be the Chocolate Mousse Cake ($6.30). Layered chocolate cake of fudge and deliciously sinful dark chocolate, topped with chocolate sauce and – you guessed it! – chocolate cream, it is a dream come true for chocolate lovers. It was love at first sight for me.

To offset the chocolate, we also ordered an Apple Blueberry Pie. Though not on the menu, it looks so appetizing in the cake fridge that we just had to try it. However, the golden-crusted pie disappoints in the taste department – the fillings tasted like blueberry-flavoured apple sauce. My biggest grouse is that it lacks the homey feeling a truly good apple pie gives.

Coffee was no grand affair either. My companion complained that her Long Black lacks the aroma that a rich coffee would have and it was overly bitter. Being a fan of coffee and an ardent chocolate lover, I tried the Mocha. It was rather disappointing. Personally, I thought it tasted like chocolate drink Milo.

The Mood:

Olio Café is a comfortable place for soulful respite. Take a break from shopping (its Marina Square branch) or studying (NUS and Kaplan City Campus). The modern mirrors and glass panels are complemented with homey wooden counter and shelves. Clean minimalistic-looking booths paired with brown leather armchairs tucked against the wall.

One big plus point is the excellent customer service. The service staff is friendly and efficient – the staff serving me could actually make order-taking feel like a friendly conversation.

In all, Olio does deliver its promise of “Affordable Luxury”. Though its use of paradoxes in the menu still makes me worry about the quality, Olio has an appealing mish-mash of factors that can draw the crowd.

Related Links: Olio Café, on FreshGrads!

Labels: writings

12:40

Friday, May 14

From the author of the much-adored Shopaholic Series comes a book about family and life. Admittedly, Twenties Girl sticks to a tried, tested and perhaps tired model of a chic girl’s reading book that has the boys scorning – but it is so engaging and not at all a dumb blonde book that I simply could not put it down until I finished it at 4 am.

Kinsella’s heroine is Lara Lington – a typical failing-in-all-aspects girl living in a bustling hip city. Her newly started recruitment company is in the red, her best friend and business partner is off holidaying in exotic Goa with no definite plans to return, she knows nothing about recruitment and she has just been dumped by the love of her life.

Added to the mix is her second-class membership in the Lington family – because she’s not part of the Lington Coffee Empire – and constant visits by her Great Aunt Sadie’s ghost who bugs Lara to solve the former’s ancient problems.

The delightfully problematic story weaves in and out of Lara’s troubles and her exploits with Sadie in London. Together they learn to dance the Charleston, dress in 1920s clothes in broad daylight, find Sadie’s precious dragonfly necklace and ultimately to like and love each other.

It is most touching when Lara begins to appreciate the young spirit that lives on in every ageing body, especially that of her Great Aunt Sadie. Twenties Girl is truly a great read for escaping your life for a bit, and a fabulous model to fashion your daydreams after.

If this book goes to the silver screen the way Shopaholic did, you’ll find me first in line for a ticket.

Labels: writings

13:36

Monday, May 3

The Men's Suit

When it comes to buying business suits, most think of a quick trip to G2000 or perhaps Zara. Enter store, grab, try and the issue is happily resolved. But do guys really know which suit is right for their body?

Suits have always been a staple in men’s wardrobes. While remaining true to the classic design, a good suit for today’s context should have a modern silhouette. That is to say, it should fit well and look sharp. But please do not zoom in on the skinny pants. A more masculine look should include broad shoulder, a slim waist and slim trousers. Think military without the boxy feeling.

One revived trend in men’s suit is the double-breasted suit. In 1980s, the popular double-breasted suit was originally designed to hide undesirable fats. Now, with a better cut worked into the design (the all important modern silhouette), it can help accent the perfect masculine shape.

When shopping for a perfect suit, also do look out for a longer lapel (the flap on your jacket). Ideally, the jacket lapels should end on the waistline. This minute detail will portray height. A well-cut suit will also allow for a visually slimmer waist.

Finally, with men’s suits going back in time, their corresponding classic prints are also making a comeback. Embrace patterns such as the houndstooth, the herringbone and the fairly common pinstripe. These prints do not have to be put on an actually suit; they would look good on a shirt or a tie as well.

Another detail to consider is the buttons on the suit. It is usually good to stick to two buttons on your suit as it is a perfectly fashionable and lasting choice. The confident guy can attempt the three buttons as seen in Ralph Lauren, while the tall dude will convey stature with a simple one button.

Perhaps the suit sounds like too much of an investment for men. But do think about it: A good well-cut piece can bring you places – from work with a collared shirt to play with a tee on under your (less formal) suit jacket. After all, it is a classic staple that will never go out of fashion.

Related Links: Fashion Beans, Text Aisle, on FreshGrads!

Labels: writings

13:30

Monday, April 26

If you are a nerdy bookworm like I am, you would appreciate OpenTrolley Bookstore – an online bookstore with all the latest titles, the best savings and even a home delivery service.

As shared on its homepage, OpenTrolley’s rates are lower due to their bulk purchase agreements and exclusive deals with publishing houses and distributors. This rate is brought to consumers who can enjoy the discounts without any membership card purchases.

A huge point in OpenTrolley’s favour is its huge collection of bestsellers, comics, business books and many more. Despite its young age (established May 2008), it has more than 1 million US titles in stock.

The bookstore operates like any online store – you pick the books you want, add to your shopping cart and pay by card, PayPal, bank transfer or cheque. Choose from home delivery for convenience or self-collection for further savings.

My favourite service is the care they extend to your beloved books. When packing your book, they ensure that you are given a fresh copy, shrink-wrapped to prevent accidental water exposure and cushioned into boxes to prevent dog-ears.

Right now, there are also discounts: DBS/POSB cardholders enjoys 10% of all books below $25 until 31 May, while Maybank Platinum MasterCard holders receive 7% off storewide plus 5% rebate. All OpenTrolley members are also entitled to free delivery with a minimum of 5 books purchase from now until 30 April.

Related Links: OpenTrolley, on FreshGrads!

Labels: writings

12:59

Friday, April 23

Grace, Onboard!

Getting your own transport is very exciting. From picking the car model to the colour of your car to the material of your seats, it is something a new car owner would be thrilled about. Or at least, I know I would. I would even buy accessories to pretty up my car.

But getting a new car is a tremendous responsibility. Do you pick up your friends and send them home? Do you – oh dear – become the designated driver every time you go out and have fun?

And of course, the real worry for fresh graduates is getting cars. Can you afford fuel, parking, ERP charges and other countless payments after coughing out a sum for the high COE prices and a car befitting of your job? For the lucky ones who received a new car or managed to buy a good second-hand, can you stand seeing your friends buy all the latest toys while you continue to cough out money for fuel?

But that’s okay.

Laugh at them, as they face the wrath of the other sardines on the buses.

I am sardine no 54321. I am a faceless passenger muscling my way onto a bus because I decided to get an iTouch, countless bags, clothes and Godiva chocolates instead of a Chevy.

Said bus is full of people; yet, the minute the bus pulls over, the crowd cluster around the closed doors and push their way up to get a seat. Everyone else crowds along the aisle – making it hard for anyone to move anywhere. I need not even hold on to a railing, really. When the bus makes a sudden move, I just rock with the crowd and sway myself upright again. There is simply no space for me to sprawl onto, in any case.

And this is on a good day.

Sometimes, you get on a bus with unhappy people. And we all know unhappy people are not the most polite people. I have endured perfectly pleasant-looking executives stomp on my foot as they hurry past to get a seat to ease their own tiredness and young people yakking on their phones about the weirdest topics.

Like, “If he died tomorrow, can I use his bus pass? Or would it have expired?” I was so shocked; I stared for a minute then quickly look away. What if she plots for my bus pass?

The straw that broke this tolerant camel’s back was today, when I hopped on a bus to get to work. It was crowded, of course. As I edged in, a lady muscled her way from the rear to the front of the bus – to collect her bag, which she left. I wonder why. As her hand gripped the bag and retreated, the bus moved. Her hand flew out to grab the pole and hit me on my cheek en route. The audacity of it!

Worse, she looked at me as if I hit her hand with my cheek and turn her back on me. Mind you, people usually stand side by side on a bus aisle. I glared at her, but she probably could not feel the angry eyes burning into her.

What I am most amazed by is this lack of grace on public transport. I am usually big on saving Gaia; but this lack of grace makes me beg for my own transport, rising COE, fuel and congestion or not.

I guess Singa, our own Courtesy Lion have much more to do in educating residents to be civil and polite members of society.