French ME!

Every since I was a little girl I have collected images and created daydreams of what it would be like to visit Paris. The City of Romance they call it but also the City of Art. Parisians are true to their culture and to themselves and I find this most intriguing. It is home to Couture houses such as Dior, CHANEL, Balenciaga, Givenchy and former members like Paco Rabanne, Patou, Poiret & Vionnet who were huge influences in fashion.

Parisians have a very confident way of holding themselves. They are chic, sophisticated and effortlessly elegant. So lets see how you can incorporate some Parisian into your style. How do you capture that Je ne sais quoi?

♥ Posture. The first tip I would like to give you is to correct and improve your posture. Not only does it make a difference in your appearance, it's also good for your health. Correcting your posture is pretty much a matter of awareness. Other things you can do is to strengthen your stomach muscles. This is your core and the center of balance. When you strengthen this part it can help you stand straighter. Taking yoga classes are beneficial as well

♥ Choose classic feminine pieces. You will wear these often because they are classics so invest in the best quality you can afford. It's like your canvas. And the accents you add gives it character

♥ Less is more. Here in America we are used to getting all dolled up for a night out. Before we walk out that door we have to make sure we have every hair in place, that our fake eyelashes are applied & that we're wearing our favorite push-up bra. Nothing wrong with that but its not gonna work if you're trying to go for the Parisian style. Don't over think and over do your look. Focus on your best features and dress with that in mind and choose clothes that fit your figure. You want to feel confident, powerful and classy

♥ Pay attention to detail. Are your nails shaped and clean, is there a run in your stockings, is your handbag full of old recipes and unnecessary items? They say you can distinguish a woman's personality by the contents of her handbag

♥ Wear sexy undergarments. This is more for yourself than anyone else. It makes you feel sexy, flirty and pretty. Isnt that what being a woman is all about? The French have a lot of sex appeal without having to reveal or expose too much skin. And I believe its one of the secrets to setting the mood and confidence for the day

♥ Add chic accents like lace, bows, pearls, diamonds and fragrance

And there you have it. I hope this can be used as an inspiration for you to enhance your unique personality and style. Experiment and have fun with it. I created a little video of how i incorporated a lil bit of french into my own style hehe. Salut.

Reinvent yourself. Shed that skin!

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes - Marcel Proust

Do you like the new look of my blog? I felt a need for change. I suspect it has a bit to do with the changing of seasons; not like we got much summer weather anyways but there's something nostalgic about the crispness of autumn air & the changing colors of the leafs that i absolutely love.

The past few months I have gotten deeper and deeper into myself and discovered a lot of old patterns that I still cling onto that no longer serve me and that no longer aligns with who I want to be. I want to overcome inertia in certain areas of my life. Inertia is defined as the tendency of an object to remain in the state it is in - either in motion or at rest - unless acted upon by some other force. This force can be something we consciously decide or something that will eventually happens to us bcos we fail to listen to our true desires.

Sometimes we go thru life inert bcos we are afraid to break out of our comfort zones or fail to take any responsibility for the direction our life is going. If this goes on for too long something will force us to change. Some of the decisions we make dont appear to be significant at the time but eventually we will become aware of it. For example if you live an unhealthy lifestyle your body will let you know by creating physical symptoms quietly at first. If you still choose to ignore it life will finally shout at you with a full blown illness(worst case scenario).

Look around you and tell me what you see? The clothes you wear, the home you live in, the job you go to everyday, the relationships you hold - all these things you have created. Are you happy with the picture you have painting? If not, now is the perfect time to re-evaluate and give yourself a mental makeover. Live a life that you consciously choose to create every step of the way.

It really counts to accept yourself. How can you truly reinvent yourself when you hate the person you are? Reinvention isn't about turning into someone else, its about becoming more of the person you truly are - taking actions that are difficult or challenging and moving towards something new. This doesnt happen over night so give yourself enough room to breathe, to learn, to explore and to make mistakes.

It's all about working from the inside out & digging deep to uncover underlying issues but who says you cant have fun in the process. Some days all you might need for an instant boost of confidence is a fresh new haircut or trying a new trend. Just as long as you dont let external things define you. One of the things I love is adding a new element to my room like a painting, some fragrant candles or a new set of bedsheets.

Also learn to approach things differently - with a new attitude, an upside down perspective or with a killer smile. if you want to go somewhere you've never been before, you have to do something you've never done.

This is how you have fun in Vegas

I've been lacking on my updates bcos I've been happily and excitedly occupied with wedding stuff. I am leaving for Mexico tmrw morning and soon will watch my sister walk down the aisle. Happiest occasion ever. I will return to my blog soon and reply back to all the wonderful comments I've been getting

In the meantime, enjoy this video I put together of our Vegas trip oxo

Tips from Ms Wanderlust

By nature, I love to travel. There's something incredibly magical about seeing things with fresh eyes. Its almost a lesson in itself - to live life that way everyday no matter where you are. Of course its easier said then done especially when the drudgery of everyday life sets in. That's why its nice to get away from time to time. Each place that I have visited I have gained some kind of wisdom from. Whether it be chilling on Kuta Beach in Bali with some surfer friends we met and being taught that simplicity is bliss; to strutting down the streets of SoHo and falling in love with the individual forms of expression each person displays as they pass you by.

This particular indulgence is nothing like purchasing a new shade of lipstick or that pair of designer pumps that promises to complete my shoe collection. Traveling provides glimmering insights, delightful experiences and memories that will stay close to my heart forever. Knowing that there are so many places that are unrevealed and left to be discovered excites my spirit and I cant tell you how grateful i am to have been able to travel to so many places already. So here are a few tips id like to pass on to you whether you're just starting to see the world or if you're already a seasoned globe trotter

♥ Pack as light as possible and only bring what you need. Carrying around too many things and heavy luggage is pretty much like carrying around emotional baggage around in your life. Its not necessary. Ask yourself what the purpose of your trip is for? Are you being whisked away for a romantic weekend getaway in the mountains, partying it up for a bachelorette in Vegas, visiting some relatives or going sunbathing somewhere exotic? Think ahead bcos even tho you want to carry less you also want to plan ahead and be prepared

♥ When I know the purpose of my trip, I will plan my outfits. It is a lot easier to do when you're going to be away for the wknd or a few days. For longer trips I pack a few of my staple items that I can layer on, mix and match or pair easily with new items I buy on my adventure

♥ Bring with you a scented candle. You can choose one of those luxuriously scented candles if you like and tie it into your travel theme. Something musky and romantic for a rendezvous in Paris, an exotic floral scent for a Malaysian beach trip or perhaps a sweet and juicy scent for a wknd shopping get away in NYC with the girls. Light it as often as you can...while you're taking a cat nap at the hotel or anywhere in between waking up and getting ready for a night out. Smell is a powerful sense as it is tied very strongly to memories. So when you come back to the routine of ur daily life, you can always 'get away' anytime you want simply by lighting the candle

♥ If you wear contacts always bring an extra pair or else you'll be sorry if you end up losing or ripping one

♥ Make sure you prepare your camera before you go on your trip. Upload & back up all your current pictures so you can make more room to take more. Invest in a memory card that carries a name you trust... like Panasonic. One of my friends had bought a no name memory card on sale for half the price. Good steal you might think but when you come across techinical issues & find out that half the photos you took are corrupted you will cry!

Here are a few photos from my most recent adventures.
Where did you go for YOUR last trip? What are some of your favorite places?

♥Sibu, Sarawak♥

This is the hometown of my mom and dad. We visit here every few years to see my grandpa. Its such a small town that there's not much to do but to eat. Eat, eat and EAT! Im always inticed by the smell of food everytime we walk by the cafes. They have so many different kinds of noodle dishes here that I just have to give in and eat 5 meals a day

♥Langkawi, Malaysia♥

I dont think I've been to such a beautiful place as Langkawi. Its an island in Malaysia bursting with exotic colors and mysterious legends. We brought my dad here for his birthday to enjoy some father daughter time. We island hopped on speed boats, watched Eagel feeding, explored bat caves and enjoyed perfect tropical weather

♥New York City♥

Ouch. Bring a good pair of walking shoes. lol* I love this city for so many different reasons. Its overwhelming to even think of how to describe it. Visit it for yourself and you will see, its more than one can even imagine. Ever since this visit I cant seem to stop thinking about moving my little arse down there. Its just a matter of time =)

♥Los Angeles, California♥

"I know a place, where the grass is really greener. Warm, wet and wild there must be somethin' in the water. Sippin' gin and juice. Layin' underneath the palm trees..." Beautiful California. How can you not be happy in such a place that's full of life and is summer all year long. Perfect place to be a beach bum bcos there's so many diff beaches to enjoy. Definitely a breath of fresh air

♥Bali, Indonesia♥

♥Bangkok, Thailand♥

♥Las Vegas♥

This was my first trip to Vegas and I did not know what to expect. Sure, every tells me it's a party city and all that jazz but you dont KNOW what they mean until you are down there. I felt there was something in the air that brought out a diff side in me or perhaps it was bcos of all the glitz and glamour I was surrounded by. So many jammin pool parties, beautiful bodies and dancing till the sun comes up

Bikini Contest Winner!

Pretty in Pink. I dont usually paint my finger nails anything but clear or a french mani but today I felt like painting them pink. Might as well go and paint the town pink while im at it.

Vegas trip was awesome. I cant remember the last time I had that much fun.

Thank you to all those who participated in my first give away. The winner is Jay from Kiss an Makeup. Congrats =)

Bikini Bod Countdown - Week 4 GIVEAWAY!!

I am so excited to announce my first GIVE AWAY contest. Im sure you guys are sick of seeing pictures of my body so for the 4th and final week I decided to give you guys a little summer treat. A chance to win this sexy tie dyed bikini. I spotted it and actually wanted it for myself bcos I love the shade and style. But since I've already purchased a few new bikinis I thought it would be nice to give you guys a little something back. My appreciation for the comments and readership I have gained in the past few months.

Description: SIZE S, grey and black tie dyed pattern, triangle string bikini

So to win this sexy string bikini all you gotta do is earn as many points as you can. I also added a bonus question to break any ties. Make sure to comment and tell me which ones you have done and also include your name and email address. So the points go as follows:

♡ Follow my blog. There's the link on the right side column. If you're already a follower just let me know when you comment 8 POINTS

♡ Follow me on twitter(click here) 5 POINTS

♡ Tweet about my giveaway or you can on FB 5 POINTS

♡ Post about my giveaway on your blog using the following code for the banner 15 POINTS

<a href="http://misscindee.blogspot.com/2010/07/bikini-bod-countdown-week-4-giveaway.html"><img src="http://i713.photobucket.com/albums/ww133/miss_cindee/bikini2.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://misscindee.blogspot.com/2010/07/bikini-bod-countdown-week-4-giveaway.html">Click here</a> to enter Cindee's bikini giveaway<br />

♡ Answer: How would you wear this bikini (with what kind of accessories...etc?) If you want to get creative go to Polyvore and cull together a look based on this bikini 5-20 POINTS

I'll choose a winner when I get back from Vegas.
Contest ends JULY 18 2010

5 Fun Tips to Play Up Your Summer Style

1♥ Accessorize by putting a fresh flower in your hair. Its the perfect touch to celebrate the warm weather while enjoying the sunset with your hunnie

2♥ Traveling this summer? Plan your trip based on an outfit theme. In the Sex in the City 2 movie their clothing choices were inspired by bold bohemian colors, desert silhouettes like harem pants, caftans & turbans. maybe you can do a nautical inspired theme or choose an animal inspired theme where you pair your LBD with peacock feathered earrings or accent a white summer dress with zebra printed sandalst. Use your imagination and be playful

3♥ Icecream tastes so good on hot hot days and so cute when the bubblegum shades are painted on your toenails

4♥ Protecting your skin from the sun is important(I just started to see some sun spots appear on my arms ahhh!) So why not do this in the most stylish way you can. Invest in some summery hats. Like a straw hat to wear to the beach with your new bikini and your sexy espadrilles or a cute boater hat unless you prefer a cowboy hat. Not only does it shield your face from the sun, it also adds some sassy style to your beach outfit

5♥ Walking barefoot on the beach? Why not try one of these foot accessories? I got THIS ONE when I was walking around Venice Blvd on my trip to Cali last year. I love it.