2015 Christmas Guide

With Christmas a week away, the hoard of last-minute christmas shoppers flocking to every mall out there (basically, me) is at its all-time peak. I always find it really difficult to buy Christmas gifts for people and end up searching for christmas gift-guides on google to help make my gift shopping easier. This guide will hopefully do the same for all you last-minute shoppers.

magic city

 Bag: c/o Louvreuse, Tank: Topshop, Pants: Banana Republic, Shoes: Nike, Bracelet: &Other Stories 

These visuals were taken in a span of about 5 minutes, probably the longest I've spent outdoors this week (thank you haze). It's been a while since I lasted posted an outfit post, so I thought it was time to add an outfit post onto the blog. This outfit is great city look, perfect for traipsing around the hustle and bustle of the city, coupled by my super comfortable air forces which I've been wearing religiously. 

This bag was sent to me by the brand Louvreuse, and I absolutely love it. The floral embellishments establish a very oriental and chic look. Functionality is something I always look for in a bag as I usually bring more than I ever need when I go out, and this bag exceeds all my expectations. I like to think of the bag as a Marry Poppins bag, as it proves to hold more than it looks. 

What do you think of this look, and would you like to see more outfit posts in the future?

Food in NYC

-Photos taken from my personal and food instagram-

Having spent almost 2 months in New York this summer, coupled by the fact that I spent all my free time leading up to the trip researching restaurants, I'd like to think I was quite the NYC foodie during my time there. This isn't the typical fashion post I usually have up on the blog, however I've been meaning to start branching out of just fashion and into other interests of mine for the blog, with food being right on the top of my interests. Hopefully, my food list will help any of you out if you're looking for places to eat at in New York. From brunch cafes to dinner restaurants, the list is great for all types of foodies. 

If you know any other good places to eat at in New York, comment them below! I'm always on the hunt for more food places to discover for my future visits there.

Halloween lookbooks with Zalora

ZALORA OUTLET

links from left to right// Dress, Shoes, Hat, Dress

As Halloween is quickly creeping by, it is essential to find the perfect halloween look, be it to a halloween party or on a more traditional route, the good ol' "trick or treat". Every year, I love searching for the perfect halloween outfit,  dressing up as Wednesday Addams from the Addams Family last year (check out how I wore the outfit on my instagram). If you haven't heard of Wednesday Addams, I highly encourage to search her up now. Known for her gothic and witch-like look consisting of two pigtails, knee high socks and peter pan collars, I have taken a stylish spin on her classic look, shown above. 

Who doesn't love a classic LBD? The lace dress on the left is perfect for a party, and coupled with the Valentino look-alike shoes, creates the most stylish halloween outfit out there. It encompasses both a gothic and classic feel. For a more traditional "Wednesday Adams" look, try out the dress on the right. Sporting the collars that Wednesday is famously known for, you will be easily recognisable in the look. Pair it with black knee high socks, a black fedora, any black shoes and you are ready to go!

links from left to right// Dress, Shoes, Hat, Bag

Instead of opting for your typical dark and scary outfits this halloween, go nautical for Halloween! A bright contrast against the first all-black look, this look is more girly and easier to style. Need that orange halloween bag to store all your candy when you're trick or treating? Substitute that instead with a bucket bag, like the one above. 

Loving the looks? Check out Zalora's website for more. They house a multitude of unique brands, ranging from high street brands like Topshop, River Island to their very own label. 

wishlist

From Top left to bottom right:  3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli Bag, Midori Bikini, Chanel Espadrilles, Nike Roshe's, Daniel Wellington Watch, Cartier Love Bracelet, Lolita book, China Rich Girlfriend book.

A good book

Although taking IB at school (International baccalaureate) doesn't exactly provide me with the leisure time I used to have, I can always make room for a good book- especially during days like these in Singapore where torrential rain occurs on a typical basis, proving to be the perfect backdrop to cozy in my room and read. Currently, Lolita and China Rich Girlfriend are on my book list, after only reading good reviews about them.

Shoes

When it comes to shoes, I'm all about comfort and casual wear; give me flip flops over heels any day. These Nike Roshe's are perfect to walk around the city in- be it the gym to traipsing around the streets. The espadrilles exude the quintessential nautical summer look, which in this case is all year round in Singapore, and their canvas cut keep your look relaxed.

Accessories

Call me late to the bandwagon, but I simply couldn't resist this watch trend. It looks classy and elegant, accentuated by the rose gold accents. There is a high chance I won't be owning the Cartier love bracelet anytime soon, but a girl can dream.

Bag + Bikini

The days of Triangl bikinis are long gone, with a new bikini trend on the loose. I can't find a fitting caption to describe the trend; think of an extremely cropped tank top with a hole in the middle. It's a refreshing take to your typical triangle shaped bikini, my favourite design being the ones by the bikini brand Midori. The Phillip Lim Pashli is a bag I've been coveting for a while, with its functional yet distinctive gold hints making the bag perfect from day to night. 

What's on your wish list?

IMPORTANT: After an amazing run of blogging for four years, Eli will sadly no longer be blogging with The Green Raybans because of other interests! It's been an amazing few years ♡

Top 4 Spring Collections

Sonia Rykiel 2015 Ready-to-Wear

Sonia Rykiel was truly reborn as designer Julie de Libran crafted the quintessential Spring RTW collection. It was fun, effortless and flirtatious. Everything from the playful pieces to the models that wore them was absolute ideal, and true to the Rykiel brand. A neutral colour palette was contrasted by  simple, yet bold, silhouettes. Stripes were renewed; large prints shown on tweed blazers and khaki capes. A slightly sport vibe was translated into shorts and jacket combos, that contrasted the more feminine looks. This collection was overall outstanding, one of my favourite Spring collections for 2015. 

Elie Saab Spring 2015 Couture

Sparkle, sequins, and glamour beamed from Elie Saab's Spring Couture collection. I was awestruck by the textures, fabrics, silhouettes, everything in this collection! Saab's taste for all things elegantly exciting was emulated perfectly in his couture collection; as is in all of his collections. He was inspired by the "golden age" of Beirut and his reminiscence of the 60's, and he did a stunning job at showing it in clothes. His clothes were, as they always are and always will be, works of art.

Erdem Spring 2015 Ready-to-Wear

Erdem is making the jungle sexy this Spring. An abundance of greens, in every shade imaginable, were shown on the feminine pieces from this collection. The fierceness of the wild contrasted the soft fabrics and ladylike silhouettes; while complementing the daring sheerness and plunging necklines. This entire collection oozed sex appeal and a wild nature. The simple hair and makeup consummated the entire look and achieved the ideal look for a warm spring night.

Zuhair Murad Spring 2015 Couture

Stunning, gorgeous, charming, elegant, graceful, magnificent; there aren't enough synonyms for the word beautiful to describe Murad's Spring couture collection. Everything from the side-swept old Hollywood curls to the cinched in waist and the minimalistic shoes emitted a type of glamour and elegance that few designers manage to capture. The gowns came in all shapes and sizes: high necks, plunging necklines, swimsuit bodices to full-length dresses. There were no two creatures that looked even remotely alike. Once again, Murad gave us an absolutely beautiful collection.

xoxo,

Eli 

summer series: trends

As part of our summer series for the blog, we'll be covering the ultimate summer guide, from outfits to trends. We've kicked off the first segment of the series with my favourite trends for the summer, and how to style the trend. 

SHOES: I don't tend to favour closed shoes during the intense heat of the summer, and tend to opt towards open toed shoes, preferably sandals. Sandals are inarguably my most used shoes. I use them whenever I go out, and they encapsulate the perfect city girl look. This summer, strapped shoes will definitely serve as an essential shoe in my wardrobe. Bloggers like Aimee Song,  Drea Chong and many many more have already donned this shoe trend, the intricate detailing of the shoes edging up any outfit. The shoes are cute and practical. What's not to love? Only problem? Wear them for too long and you'll face an uncomfortable aftermath of painful blisters (a lesson I learnt the hard way last summer). But hey, a girl's gotta suffer for fashion sometimes. Add a cute halter neck, flared skirt and retro sunglasses to your shoes, conjuring up the perfect summer look.
WHEN TO WEAR: A  sunny summer day

SHIRTS: I don't own any off-the-shoulder tops, however it's been on my mind to buy one for quite a while. They exude both femininity and elegance,  proving to be a big step up from the usual summer crop tops. The look I compiled above was very Kendall Jenner inspired; the crisp and fairly plain outfit  is perfect for a day out or a night out.  When it comes to glasses, I've been obsessed with Quay glasses. Each piece has intricate and quirky designs, and there's just too many designs I've been coveting from the store. 

WHEN: For those cooler summer days or for a night out.

DENIM: I wouldn't really classify denim as a trend, more of a staple in every girl's closet. There are a myriad of ways to styling denim, from wearing it as jeans or to styling it as a jacket. I love wearing denim (see how I've styled denim in my recent outfit post)and I've been sporting denim even from my early childhood years. There is no such thing as too much denim. Stack denim upon denim, and what will you get? The perfect summer outfit.

What trend do you like the most?

an afternoon in tiong bahru

Top: American Apparel, Skirt: Topshop, Bag: The Editor's Market, Shoes: Kurt Geiger

(credits to the lovely Mariana)

Greetings! It's been quite a while since I last blogged (blame my exams coupled by a sheer lack of laziness) and although I keep saying it in every post, I'll definitely try to blog as regularly as possible, and share my exciting 3 month summer ahead on the blog!

These photos were taken in Tiong Bahru, a very charming neighbourhood in Singapore. There's so much to explore, from cute bakeries to it's distinctive old-style architecture. Tiong Bahru definitely beholds a charm that can't be found or replaced anywhere else in Singapore, and I would definitely recommend spending one afternoon exploring the area.

Tiong Bahru Must's:

• Stop by Plain Vanilla Bakery (pictured above): Being an avid foodie, I am always on the hunt for the best eats in town (check out my food instagram @dailyeats_sg) , and from my quest of the best cupcakes in town, Plain Vanilla has captured my heart. Their cupcakes are a must-try, and the drinks are very refreshing, a perfect place to relax in Tiong Bahru from the humid heat of Singapore.
• Take a look at BooksActually: One of the most beautiful bookstores I've stepped into, the quaint store sells all kinds of books, and you could spend hours on end flipping through the "aesthetically pleasing" (yes, there really is a category for aesthetics in the bookstore) books. 

What do you think of this outfit and have you been to Tiong Bahru before?

Spring Beauty Favourites

Flowers are blossoming and warmer winds are blowing in the air. Despite the frequent showers watering Norway, I haven't stopped myself from indulging in some new cosmetics. Many of you may be in the midst of exam season (Good Luck!), and makeup is probably not ranked as the highest priority right now, however I know these simple products were the foundation for my quick makeup routine on days when my biggest concern was what the derivative of x was. 

1. Bio Beauté by Nuxe, Mineral Foundation. To start off this post, I must begin with my new favorite powder. I bought this on a whim in a small pharmacy in the Belgian town of Namur; and it hasn't left my makeup bag since. My optimism took over when I purchased this powdered goodness, and I reached for a color slightly considerably dark for me. This little hiccup on the way to tanned summer skin has not stopped me from using the foundation, in fact it has made it even better! On days when I have an abundance of time when getting ready, I love highlighting my face (under the eyes, bridge of the nose, cupid's bow) and setting it with a lighter powder, followed by this foundation over the rest of my face; I'm then left with an effortlessly glamorous look, with minimal effort. 

2. Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara. The British equivalent to the Cover Girl Lash Blast mascara, this has been my holy grail mascara since the soft bristles first touched my lashes. Nothing says Spring! like long, fluttery lashes, and that is exactly what you achieve with this mascara. 

3. Mac Lipliner in Soar and Brick. The crazy Kylie Jenner lip craze led me to try out a makeup product well-known for its 90's past: lipliner. I had always associated the product with pictures of my mother wearing her classic makeup look from 20 years ago, I endeavored into the glorious world of lipliners. Soar and Brick have been my favorite shades, and I've used them on their own, or under lipsticks. They allow for a little lip-cheating, as well as being long lasting and giving beautiful color payoff. 

4. Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Erase Primer. Under every great foundation, BB-cream, CC-cream, or tinted moisturizer application is an even better primer. This is that primer. The main purpose of primer is to prep your skin for the rest of your makeup, and for those of us who were given less than perfect skin, it is essential to keep your makeup in place all day and to make sure it glides on seamlessly to the skin. Primer is especially important as the temperatures are rising, and we're more susceptible to sweating throughout the day, making this primer an absolute spring favorite of mine. 

5. The Body Shop Vanilla Body Mist. Everyone knows floral scents for spring are groundbreaking. However, you might want to try something sweeter this spring. Vanilla is such an underrated scent; it is youthful, sweet, and who doesn't want to smell like a cupcake? To avoid smelling like Martha Stewart's kitchen opt for this body mist, as it gives a lightweight scent instead of a heavy vanilla essence-y odor.  

Hope you all have a great week, and good luck to anyone with exams! Tell me what your springtime favorite is!

xoxo,

Eli

snow

Sweater- Brandy Melville | Skirts - Miss Selfridge | Backpack- Brandy Melville | Shoes- Doc Marten (Serena)

While I adore summer with all its sun-kissed skin and warm nights, winter definitely has its perks. As I mentioned in this post, turtlenecks are becoming my most favoured clothing item to wear during the colder months. As oppose to their formfitting counterparts, loose turtleneck sweaters give off a cool, laid-back vibe. My latest purchase from Brandy Melville achieves that mellow ambience, making it the perfect thing to wear on a casual day. I wore this outfit to school, hence the backpack. The bag, also from Brandy, emits a somewhat riot time aura to this wintery outfit.  I let the sweater be the focus of this outfit, keeping everything else minimal. I love the way the roughness of the Doc's contrasts the soft, placid nature of the sweater.

What do you think of this look?

xoxo

Eli

all that glitters

All items mentioned are linked

It feels like I have abandoned the blog for the past few months but I am finally back to blogging! If I ever do stick to my new year resolutions, I'll definitely be posting as frequently as possible.

This season boasts a flair of opulence, shimmer and glamour. Gold perfectly encapsulates these ideals. It exudes a desirable craving, which makes me fall in love with all gold looks. When it comes to gold, it's all about the accessories. Be it headphones, bracelets, or planners, I've covered my gold loves and desires of the month.

Watch: Casio

Although I'm late into the bandwagon, this watch has been on my wish list for some time now! It's perfect for all occasions and is perfect to use for school or a night out. Simple yet classy, this watch is very covetable at the moment. 

Earphones: Rose Gold Layla Headphones by FRENDS

I'm currently listening to STRFKR (if you haven't heard them before, I highly encourage you to do so!!!) on these headphones and they are undoubtedly the prettiest headphones I've owned. These have been on my wish list for quite a while, so I was so glad to finally get them, even after the disappointing shipping service. (8 weeks is not okay.) They have a great sound and are perfect to listen to bass music with. 

Concealer: Nars 

I bought this concealer last summer and it's definitely one of the best concealers out there. It provides excellent coverage, without adding a cake-y texture. It feels light on your skin and feels almost so light like you aren't wearing any concealer. This is vital while looking for concealers as many concealers don't allow your skin to breathe, causing break outs. 

Planner: Kate Spade 

Although January is almost over, it's still not too late to buy a planner for the new year! Being an obsessive stationary collector and lover for all things pretty, I had to get this planner for the new year after reading only rave reviews. I've been looking for this gorgeous planner all over Singapore, but unfortunately there seems to be no stock. 

Headband: Jennifer Behr 

Think Anthropologie 'greek goddess'. I first fell in love with Behr's headbands when I saw them on my favourite Youtuber SunBeamJess. Behr so happens to have designed most of Blair Waldorf's headbands. Coincidence?? I think not. 

Bracelet: Cartier Love bracelet

I blame my obsession with this bracelet from binge-watching Keeping up with the Kardashians. 

Essie Nail Polish and Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector

Personally, I usually opt for gold colors on my nails as I've always preferred them over other colours. They are fairly neutral and can match any outfit. As for the skin perfector, it provides the perfect natural warm glow to your complexion.

Gold shoes

A pair of beautiful gold heels are essential in every girl's shoe collection, just like the ones above. It can definitely glam up any outfit and looks great on most looks.

What do you think of the gold look?

xoxo

Nicole 

Fashion Report: Elie Saab Spring 2015 RTW

Elie Saab is hands down one of my favourite designers of all time. In his Spring 2015 Ready-to-Wear collection, he used psychedelic 70's vibes and the aesthetics of a Grecian goddess, to translate his feminine gowns and jumpsuits into truly wearable pieces. High slits and pastel blue was seen throughout the entire collection. Additionally, a cinched in, belted waist was iterated and emphasised in almost every piece. I loved how contemporary yet classically feminine this collection was. The unexpected flashes of skin, plunging necklines, and high-low silhouettes makes me want to wish winter away, just so I could wear these stunning clothes. 

In the first collage, I picked out the simplest and boldest pieces of the collection, in my opinion. The high necklines and long sleeves exude a timeless elegance, complemented with a belted waist. Each of these garments have an unanticipated exposure; through delicate lace or high-low shapes.

The second collages consists of my favourite gowns from this collection. We have to admit it's not an Elie Saab collection without a few jaw-dropping dresses, and he failed to disappoint this season. With the flowing, delicate fabrics and soft drapery, theres something about these gowns that radiate a divine grace. I particularly love the pockets in the frocks, which give off that quintessential flirty spring ambience. 

Tell me your thoughts on this collection, or your favourite spring collection so far!

xoxo

Eli

Turtlenecks

After escaping the blackhole made up of exams, assessments and essays; I have alas resurfaced. While I was gone we've entered a new year, and with new years come new fashions! Another thing that is certainly official, is that turtlenecks are back. From Alexander Wang to Erdem, every designer cultivating the polo neck trend had their individual way of styling it, dissolving the previously bad rep they assumed. However the former old lady fave, has been translated into a fall/winter staple, perfect for layering on arctic days. They're the perfect winter staple; a scarf rolled into a sweater to make one beautiful piece. To drift swiftly back into this 80's must-have, I picked mine in a neutral colour and kept the outfit's silhouette classic and clean. You can never really go wrong with a pair of blue jeans and black boots. The combo complements almost every colour, texture or garment. Turtlenecks have a hint of both masculinity and femininity, which makes them the quintessential androgynous basic. 

XOXO,

Eli