Eternal Summer// Occasional Shower [Part I Accessories]

It's almost time to go back to school for the Poly students! So, i decided to write about A/W 14/15 street trends, since this is also one of the best times for back-to-school shopping.

END OF SEASON SALEEEEEEEES

Thank you Lord! It's always awesome to know that when i do my back-to-school shopping there are ongoing sales at the usual haunts; Topshop, F21, H&M, Mango, Zara, New Look (though i feel that they are ridiculously overpriced) and not forgetting Miss Selfridge. In this post, besides a quick glance through at the current street-wear trends, i would be going through how to put together looks for school so you aren't too glammed up for class but fabulous enough to feel like you could catwalk down corridors between classes. *cues flipping of hair* Trends fade quickly but by trying (not buying) new styles and trends you may find a style that suits you and flatters you the most, so go ahead and be adventurous in trying new trends out. Just make sure that you don't get too many trending statement pieces all at once, especially if you tend to get tired of them fast. Keep to trends that suit your style so you can incorporate them into everyday wear even after the trend passes. So here we go!

ACCESSORIES
Let's start small shall we? First on the list:

Thin Rings

Do i have to say more? They are dainty feminine and you can pair them basic ones up with practically any style!


Bold Gold 
                

                 

Gold is in guys, be bold with gold! Of course you dont need to have actual gold to rock this trend, however i do understand some of us who aren't blessed with a warm skin tone can't pull this trend off, as well as most Singaporeans (we kinda have the whole stereotype of it being "ah-lian" or "aunty"no?). To avoid the "aunty" stereotype, pick simple clean accessories in gold, another option could be rose gold accessories or champagne colored ones. Oh, a quick tip to those who want to know how to determine your skin tone; look at your veins on your wrist, if it is greenish, you have a warm skin undertone, if it is blueish looking, you have a cooler skin undertone. Knowing your skin undertone helps so much in choosing the right colors for clothes or makeup, eg. Lipstick, tops.

Love and God Bless,

Cheryl

Any questions could be posted at http://ask.fm/curviature or you can follow me at cherrietomato on Instagram or @toppingoflife on Twitter

Masterpiece

Psalms 139:13-14 (NIV)

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because i am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, i know that full well.

Ephesians 2:10a (NLT)

For we are God's masterpiece.

We are masterpieces of a creative and wonderful God. He created us in His image, and all of us know that don't we?:)

Even though we know that we are fearfully and wonderfully made by God, a masterpiece even nonetheless, we still catch ourselves saying things like, i feel fat, i have thighs that are too big, i have a tummy that should be flatter. i want my nose to be higher, eyes to be bigger, boobs to be larger, i'm too short, too tall, too skinny. I am ugly, i hate the way i look.

The list is never ending for we are never satisfied, we will never ever hit perfection in terms of the society's idealistic standard, and we need to realise that each of us are beautiful in our own way.

Yes, it is cliche, yes you know that, so why don't we practice that? Sometimes i wonder, what would God feel when we say al these to ourselves when He made us and says that we are His masterpieces.

Fashion was created to makes us look good and feel good, of course this doesn't mean i'm saying being obese is okay, it is important to care for your health over anything else, what i mean is being okay with how we look on the outside. God wants us to feel beautiful, and more than anything fashion has helped many to do so. But we have to understand how it works, how we can use different apparels to our own advantages, flaunting our strengths and covering our flaws. Most importatnly channel your personality and style through fashion:)

I can't tell you guys how to work whatever type of apparel here but drop me a question on ask.fm and i would try my best to answer it all :)

Other than that, i would be posting about the current A/W 2014 trends as soon as i get a stable connection at Starbucks.

Love and God Bless,

Cheryl

P.s Don't let fashion define you, you should define fashion.

Any questions could be posted at http://ask.fm/curviature or you can follow me at cherrietomato on Instagram or @toppingoflife on Twitter

Curviature project launch

I have decided that i have procrastinated enough with blogging. I have always wondered about how fashion and faith could go hand in hand with each other, a lot has been said (or argued about) but little have been done. There aren't many fashion and faith blogs out there either, and if so inadequately updated or filled with very cliche and obvious topics that are either too much on faith compromising on fashion. I honestly believe that there could be a balance to fashion and faith, of course convictions of what is acceptable differ however i would just be honest to share what i feel is acceptable. God celebrates creativity and beauty, He is the creator and designer of this entire earth and our entire existence He is my inspiration and i want to celebrate and share that.

Therefore, i have decided to start a project called Curviature project, a fashion and faith journey for myself and for the blog. I would continue to explore the fashion world, continue with the trend updates, etc. Adding in verses or word where it fits or where God prompts and i would openly talk about Christianity. I am but just a normal human being, so i'm not perfect and i would make mistakes no matter how light or severe they are, so do forgive me and point it out kindly.

I won't focus only on plus sized fashion, petite fashion or any particular body type of fashion, with that being said, i do not stick to fashion on a "stick" neither do i believe that clothes only look good on tall slim women, if you were born slim that's awesome! But short tall, big or small, clothes can look good on anyone and everyone it should be something that boosts our confidence and make us feel good about ourselves, it shouldn't be something that makes us feel worse after a whole day of hearing from others the nagging of chasing after an idealistic image of "perfection". Therefore, in every blog post here the focus would always be on how to work them clothes and what is more suited for the different types of body shapes God has blessed us with, or just fashion and inspired posts. 

So here's to the start of a new journey with God and fashion, i'm super excited to see what God has in store for us! 

Love and God bless,
Cheryl

Any questions could be posted at http://ask.fm/curviature or you can follow me at cherrietomato on Instagram or @toppingoflife on Twitter

The Next Phase

It's suddenly becoming so real, the thought of the next phase of my life coming in literally a few months time is exhilarating yet daunting at the same time. But before that happens, i have to produce my own collection within 4 months. I can't help but feel inadequately skilled but somewhat ready to face this. Part of me feels like I'm going to finally feel like a legitimate Fashion Designer walking down the runway at the end of it all and ready to face the next four months before i end off my diploma years with a shake of a hand while holding my cert, bidding the school and my mates a sweet adieu, grateful for the three years i spent there. Yet, part of me is dreading the countless sleepless nights ahead during the next four months, the bunches of hair i would pull out of my head trying to overcome a designer's block, all the sweat, blood and tears spent on trying to produce 5 perfect outfits that would not only fit well, or walk well but with perfect workmanship. I literally am biting my nails while thinking of the next gruelling 4 months. But! Despite all that, i comfort myself knowing that i would be entirely satisfied once the end comes.

I sincerely apologise to my- probably non-existant, readers, that I am so horribly inconsistent. Anyway, here is a really short update for whoever is reading; I currently am on internship as an assistant stylist, having fun, not exactly the best time of my life, but definitely gaining a lot of insight about the fashion world. Getting to know more amazing people, people like Evon (my boss), Alissa (my colleague), people like Michelle from HerWorld, Steve Thio, Vernon Sim, people doing hair and makeup, Models, etc. Honestly am very honoured to work with so many veterans and talents in this small industry. Learning as much as i can, but i still can't for the life of me understand how to pair prints with prints. I swear. I have no idea how people like Johnny Wujek does it, or even people closer to home, Linda Hao. No idea. But i'm still figuring it out, for now, it's more fashion research, more reading, more magazines, more runways to look at. I would try and post every weekend where i have set aside some time (yes, i have become a little bit more organized) to update this space. For now, here is a collection you would want to admire (or at least i know i did), Alice and Olivia Summer 2015 collection. Clean, feminine with a twinge of color, this collection is definitely not as special as haute couture but it has its quirks which i love within the commercialised line. Besides that, i have a soft spot for shoots over runways, i love how the designer can control the visual appeal and direction to which people start thinking towards when looking at a piece just by filling in the background and a range of specific poses for the model. I just made myself sound like i love dictatorship, but no! I think its an art, a skill that i want to develop. Anyway, enjoy! 
Photo credits: WGSN website

Streetwear S/S 2014 Trends

Let me jump right in to the topic because the headline needs no explanation.

Top 5 trends of the season:

1. Lace up Gentlemanlies

Goodbye New Balance shoes, hello lace ups!

The season has taken a liking to this trend of laced up gentleman shoes whether or not they have a chunky heel or platform, it is definitely a choice for many.

In this busy country we call home, i recommend low cut gentlemanly oxfords, simple and versatile.

Pairing it with a skirt or cropped jeans(also in this season) it can look both casual or dressy.

To bring it up a notch in the fashmosphere (fashion atmosphere), pairing it with frilled socks or high knee socks would be a cute option. That is, if you can stand the heat, then again, as i always say, No Pain No Gain, woman. Far East Plaza would be a great place to get some of these trendy kicks if you are on a tight budget.

2. Cropping it Up

Girls, it's time to show off those toned tummies! As always, crop tops are a particular favorite in Singapore because of the humidity here. Especially in the Spring and Summer when it gets intensively warmer. Crops are in again this season, pairing it with anything from skirts to pants to jeans. For the more conservative dresser, a high waisted bottom does wonders to cover up while helping to show off your silhouette. For curvier girls like me, don't be afraid to take part in this trend! High waisted anything helps so much to show off your curves and lengthen your legs. A note to those with shorter torsos, a high waisted bottom will do your beautiful bod no justice, it will instead shorten your torso even more, an alternative option is to wear a jacket over if you need to be a little more conservative.

3. Culottes

Gah, that word probably reminds you of the uniforms we wore in schools doesn't it? Well, it isn't as horrific as it sounds, these culottes are more sophisticated looking and are much longer. More suited for the dressier or formal workwear, and the more daring Singaporeans. Beware of the length of the culottes, the length could shorten your legs or look awkward if cut off at the wrong places. The ideal is for it to fall lower than the mid-calf and a little higher than your ankle.

4. Midies

Last Spring we saw maxi skirts of all kinds, this Spring the skirts have been shortened. Cinched at the waist, volumed skirts, that fall eat mid-calf/ mid-ankle lengths are seen so often on the runway this Spring 2014. Going a little back in time i have to say, the time of Audrey Hepburn has returned. It could be a sweet, or vintage ensemble, of course a leather midi would definitely add that edge if you are looking for one. Pair it with heels of any kind to lengthen you legs or boots would work if you like the extra edge. So cut that old maxi skirt into a midi and hem it up girls and have fun with this sweet midi trend.

5. Checked out

Last but not least, Tartan. The past seasons have seen plaid garments everywhere, this season is no exception. Tartan is back in ladies, pairing it with denim is always grunge worthy. whether or not it is layered together or a statement piece the plaid is definitely out there. Check in at any high street store to get a tartan ANYTHING and you will easily take part in this trend. I personally love a tartan garment a thousand times more if it is frayed at any end, it makes it edgier and more outstanding. 

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