Struggles of Summer// Questions to ask yourself

Beach Season just passed! What's not to love? It was the time where us locals actually want to soak up the sun and swim in the sea, travelling to beaches far beyond the shores of Sunny Singapore.

Aside from deciding where to travel to or what water activities to try out, the biggest struggle i believe for young Christian women as myself, would be on determining how much skin, is too much skin. It is one of the most controversial topics and one of the grey areas of our belief with the world influencing our ways, are we compromising or are we still in the white area? So, before i delve in to the nitty gritty of how i view this, i would just like to declare beforehand that this post is purely written based on my opinion and perspective and it should in no way be deemed as the "right thing to do" nor should it make your decision for you without further thought on your own. This post is written because of my own recent dilemma, and I just wish to share my opinion and hope that it helps someone out there.

I firmly believe that our body is a sacred temple of God and that it is gifted to us by Him and we should treasure it and keep it pure. This is where one side of the argument reigns, where people are convicted to cover up and wear decent clothing. Now, I'm not saying that it is wrong, nor does it advocate prudes who do not want to have fun. Much of this argument is about personal convictions and our motives, as most arguments of grey areas in Christianity do. It would be ridiculous to wear jeans and a turtleneck at the beach, but yet a string bikini isn't appropriate in any circumstance. So where do we draw the line?

Women were created to be naturally sensuous and beautiful and we grow up knowing that this ensnares men and attracts their attention. As Christians, we are taught not to be a stumbling block to our fellow brothers, to be modest in clothing ourselves, so as to not induce lustful thoughts and to guard ourselves and them from sin. When we show skin, it is always thought of a negative thing, to seduce men, or to attract their attention in a sinful way; As a consequence of that, bikinis, crop tops, spaghetti tops, bustiers and many more clothing if worn alone, have been condemned as "ungodly clothing".  I for one believe that clothing are a practical way of expressing one's creativity, now do not take this out of context, I love my Creator and I respect my body, in no way am I saying "Go! Be free to express yourself and not cover up." That would be insanity. 

The questions that you should ponder upon here are, are your motives for covering lesser skin right? Is it necessary for me to wear what I am wearing?

When it comes to the beach, I want to be free to have fun and feel the sun and wind caress my skin, I want to be able to feel free to move in what i wear. I wear lesser clothing not because I want to attract men, but because i feel good in my own skin and I love what my Creator has given me, I don't flaunt it for others, instead I want dress up, or wear something because it makes me happy. I of course understand that i shouldn't stumble others so I usually opt for more covered up bikinis and i don't prance around in just the littlest pieces of my underwear. If my guy friends are around I wouldn't even take off my top. While I do wear bikinis I usually cover up either my top or bottom depending on the activity I would be doing. I rarely peel off my shorts, but when I do, I make it a point to cover up on top. If I wear a bikini top, (which would be most of the time) I would never take out my shorts. My point is, I know where to draw the line according to my own convictions, and if I feel wrong about it I wouldn't do it no matter how much i want to. The Holy Spirit dwells within us to help us discern right from wrong, so heed the prompting and the convictions.

So now, other questions to ask yourself are, what are your convictions? What do you think is right? Am I showing more than I should be? What am i being prompted to do?

Tanning, is also one of my favourite activities and I would hate to have weird tan-lines, therefore i opt to wear a bikini top most of the time. But as i said, string bikinis are a definite no-no for me, so what then you ask? Well, we are blessed with the creative minds of the Fashion industry so why not use it? What are the options out there?

I mentioned above that there are more modest bikini tops out in the market that i prefer to use in public beaches and these are a few out of the many types of 2 piece swimwear out there. (I apologize for the weird formatting it went crazy.)

The Tankini

PHOTO: from Pinterest Venus Swimwear

The High Waist Bottom

PHOTO: from MBSFW White Sands

PHOTO: from Forever 21

The Racerback

PHOTO: from Billabong

PHOTO: from T by Alexander Wang

PHOTO: by Modli Summer 2015

The Cropped

PHOTO: Cropped bikini top from Forever 21

PHOTO: Halter swimwear by Forever 21 and Victoria Secret Swim

PHOTO: from Mara Hoffman Swimwear

And if all else fails, try a One piece, there are some pretty ones out there, it just takes a bit more money and patience to get the right one.

Modesty, practicality and style may seem like a hard mix to swallow, but in reality there are many options out there waiting to be found by you. Women should be able enjoy themselves as much as remain Godly and pleasing in our Father's eyes. So, do take a moment today, to ask yourself the questions above and decide where to draw the line according to your convictions. I am aware that all that I have mentioned are arguable and some of you may even have ready and strong retorts to what i have typed out above. Therefore, I want to remind all of you once again that this post is purely on my opinion and I am open to hearing from all of you. Enjoy the beach season while it lasts!

Love and God bless,

Cheryl Tomato

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

Patience// Self Discipline

Really need to update my blog, however i don't have any materials to show as of yet. Been crazy busy and stressed out with trying to find a job— it is almost impossible, unless i take up a job directly related to Apparel Design or Apparel merchandising. However, i have always yearned to work in the media (Fashion of course), so most of the offers i got in reply were internships. I decided in the end to take up an intern position with Curve Production doing TVCs and Print Ads while juggling a part time job at SPH, taking over their social media platforms, writing and posting content for them. Maybe then i would be disciplined enough to blog. Then again, i might just be dry of content and not write at all. 

My biggest concern is probably not meeting the expectations and standards of the magazine itself as the target audience is mostly made up of middle-aged women. I mean, i'm not completely sure how to appeal to them, or if I can adapt to the writing style. I guess, it's a huge step i'm risking and i hope it would go well. *fingers crossed* 

Fashion Post in Progress..

Love and God bless,

Cheryl Tomato

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

Post Grad Anxiety.

With blistered aching feet, a well needed cold shower, and the comfort of my bed, it's finally the last time to say goodbye to the place i called my second home the past three years as well as to the family i had there.

It has come to an end, as all good things eventually do. End of Eau De Blanc, end of Design Orientation Camp, end of the 3 years in Poly. 
It was the convocation ceremony today, and it was a sight to behold. Chaos pretty much reigned everywhere all at once. The nerves of walking on stage and the possibility of falling on your face in front of hundreds of people were on everyone's minds; Everyone taking pictures together in the graduation gown, even bracing the hot sun to take the best pictures by white walls with natural light. It was a day filled with emotions, a day of reminisce, a day of appreciation for those who have impacted us greatly throughout the past three years and for some it was a day of reconciliation. 
For me, i was mostly sad to leave, scared to leave the familiar behind, but excited for what is yet to come, and grateful for all that the knowledge, personal growth, memories, opportunities, and friends i had fro the last 3 years.

We had to queue while our names were called out by a lecturer on stage. In that time of waiting, i passed by lecturers whom have not taught me before and student ushers of whom i worked with before  (i feel so grateful about this), and they recognised me immediately greeting me with their smiles, jokes and sincerely congratulated me, wishing me the best in my journey ahead. I was touched and most grateful about this, as i realised not many students have the opportunity to work with so many people in school, and i am glad that i have not let that opportunity go to waste because through it i met and forged friendships with so many others. As my name was called out, i hoped to God that i wouldn't fall and wondered why after three years the lecturer who has known me and taught me, couldn't get my name right, haha. (I'm joking Irene :P)

Walking down that short stretch on stage, hearing everyone whistling and cheering, it may seem silly and insignificant to some, but it was the grandest and best farewell I had. I have done my best for the school, serving it and the students, serving helping and being a genuine friend to everyone i knew, and the cheers were the best gift that day because it represents the appreciation and love i had from them on the last day i had in school. (excuse me while i tear now, i feel so blessed :') ) That short walk towards the director was the last of my journey in TP, the last hurrahs and goodbye calls of my service in TP and the institution's to me. 
I'm thankful for all the experiences and all the friends i have made, I'm thankful that i have been able to be a friend to many and i hope that i have brought You glory. 

Thank you everyone, friends and lecturers alike, who have molded me, helped me grow in knowledge and in my personal growth; For helping me realise my self worth and making my 3 year long journey in Temasek Polytechnic the best three years of my life filled with the best, most emotional memories.


Just like that after 3 years of theology and spoon-feeding, it seems that we are thrown immediately in to a sea of sharks and left to fend for ourselves to survive. I feel slightly like a lost bird but excited to face whatever is next in my life. i am experiencing Post Grad Anxiety and it's normal because we are left with the unknown and thrown out of our comfort zone. I fear, i fear the people the unknown, the dog-eat-dog world and my greatest fear is that i become like them, but i have to move on. I have no idea what to expect but i know that God has a plan for me, a plan never to harm me but to prosper me, a plan that gives me a hope and a future. This the end of a chapter and the start of a new one, and my story will develop the plot will thicken and contrary to modern beliefs i will end this book with a happy ending. Afterall, death is only the beginning. As for now, I'll just keep chasing my dreams, keep to His callings and my purpose, and if i do screw up along the way, i will give thanks because it means i am one step closer to success ;)


"Work hard, be so good they can't ignore you. Keep to your morals, keep to your integrity and don't stop fighting, because ultimately for any dream (or) for any goal, it takes a lifetime and why wouldn't you want to give it that? It is not a race, it is a journey. Enjoy the journey." – Gina Rodriguez


Love and God bless,
Cheryl Tomato


P.S.  A small shoutout to a new friend who encouraged me to and motivated me to do something productive besides satisfying my desire to laze on my bed. A repercussion from three years of the denial of my desire to sleep for nights on end and laze in bed. Thanks matt! On a side note, I'll post another on my trip to Bintan soon :)




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