MAKE IT!      
Recipe by Micail Chepi, group executive chef for the Argentum Group

1 To make the meringue, whisk 80g egg whites, 80g caster sugar and 80g icing sugar in an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Line a tray with baking paper and spread a 5mm-thick layer on it, then bake for 1 hour in a 100 deg C oven. Turn the heat off and leave the meringue in the oven with the door open for at least 5 hours, until dry.

2 To make the Devonshire cream, whisk 360g whipping cream and 15g sifted icing sugar in the mixer until soft peaks form, then add 180g mascarpone and whisk until stiff peaks form.

3 To serve, break the meringue into small pieces and place in small glasses, then top with the Devonshire cream and quartered strawberries.

$15 from The Royal Mail, Ascott Raffles Place Singapore, 2 Finlayson Green, tel: 6509-3589

Chef Micail serves Eton Mess with salted caramel in the restaurant, but it is optional when serving it at home.

This article was originally published in Simply Her November 2014.

It's okay to indulge in your favourite tipple once in a while – but don't overdo it! © Cover Media

Red wine lovers are instantly recognisable thanks to their crimson-coloured mouths on a night out. You may be one of them, gulping a large glass after a stressful day at work. There's nothing wrong with treating yourself to a tipple, but you should make sure you're enjoying it in the best possible way. See if any of these red wine mistakes apply to you.

You drink instead of exercise

Although the rich red liquid has been proven to protect your muscles and bones in a similar way to exercise, this doesn't necessarily mean you should take up one or the other. In fact, you'd have to guzzle down around a gallon of red wine a day to get the same results as a gym session which would wreck havoc on your liver and overall wellbeing.

Get into a regular exercise schedule and feel your limbs get stronger and stronger, saving your favourite drink for special occasions.

Red before bed

You may drift off to sleep easily after a glass of red wine, as the alcohol lowers your core body temperature and releases hormones to ease you into the land of nod, but it won't be for long. A past study by the National Institutes of Health found that those who drank before bed were rudely awakened after a few hours and left tossing and turning for ages before getting back to sleep. Why not relax with the drink a couple of hours before you hit the hay so you can feel the warm buzz without the downside of waking up in the early hours.

Drinking to help your skin

Red wine has been linked to firmer skin, with claims it can protect from sun damage too. That's great if you have it in cream or body wash form, but drinking it doesn't offer the same defence. In reality red wine can dehydrate you, which may leave you looking older. Too much will also cause liver damage, so don't rely on it to keep you looking youthful. Stick to a healthy and balanced diet to reap the benefits.

You're drinking too much

Preventing tooth decay, weightloss and good mental health; these are just some of the areas that red wine is said to aid. That's if you stick to the recommended glass or two a day, or around several a week, but any more than that will have the opposite effect. Whereas a good dose will apparently extend your life and strengthen your heart, drinking too much could even raise the risk of heart disease. Don't overdo it if you want to stay well. © Cover Media

CAROUSEL HOLIDAY PROGRAMME
Lorna Whiston Schools, #03-18/ #04-22 United Square, tel: 6253-7688/ 6251-7662. www.lornawhiston.com
WHEN Nov 24-28, 9am-5pm.
FOR KIDSAged five to 10.
WHATEnglish classes just got more fun with these themed classes for different age groups – Monster Madness (five to six years old), Fantasy Pets (seven to eight years old) and Animal Magic (nine to 10 years old) – that will boost their imagination and communication skills, and love for the written word. The programme has daily English enrichment, creative art, and speech and drama classes. It also includes a day trip to the Singapore Zoo, where kids will work on project-based language-learning activities.
HOW MUCH$749 a child.

CATCH THE READING BUG
British Council Singapore, at their various centres. www.britishcouncil.sg
WHEN Nov 24-28, 9am-1pm.
FOR KIDS Aged seven to 10, with levels for Primary 1 and 2, and Primary 3 and 4.
WHAT Help Junior cultivate the habit of burying his nose in a good book. The course aims to power up his reading comprehension skills and vocabulary, and help him hone his writing proficiency – for example, by paying attention to character descriptions in stories or essays. Kids also get to practice reading aloud for clarity and expression – useful in oral examinations and for improving their overall communication.  
HOW MUCH $640 a child.

FUNTASTIC ACHIEVERS PROGRAMME
Mind Edge Learning Academy, #13-09 Singapore Post Centre, 10 Eunos Road 8, tel: 6345-1618. www.mindedge.com.sg
WHEN Every Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov 18-Dec 10, 10am-1.30pm.
FOR KIDS Aged seven to 12, with lower-primary and upper-primary sessions.
WHAT Arm your kids with the know-how to ace their school life. The fun, innovative classes are conducted using Mind Edge's specially-designed study frameworks that help kids develop a love for learning, and inspire self-motivation. Upper-primary kids are equipped with memory techniques and problem-solving skills; they'll also pick up useful life lessons like goal-setting, time management and managing their emotions under stress.
HOW MUCH Call 6345-1618 to enquire about course fees.

CHINESE IMMERSION PROGRAMME
The Art Of Learning Chinese Enrichment Centre, #01-02A Siglap South Community Centre, 6 Palm Road, tel: 6448-2118. www.talc.com.sg
WHEN Two sessions: Nov 17-19 and Dec 8-10, 9am-5pm.
FOR KIDS Aged three to 12.
WHAT If Junior is struggling with Mandarin, this programme may help him develop some interest in it. Kids first get comfortable through creative play, like speech and drama as well as art and crafts, conducted in Mandarin. They'll also learn to appreciate Chinese culture through idioms, songs, poetry and calligraphy. Two field trips take place during the camp: clay-making at a dragon kiln and a baking class at Tott. Lunch and tea are provided.
HOW MUCH $600 a child. Discounts apply for Passion card members, siblings or when you refer a friend.

This article was originally published in Simply Her November 2014.

Doesn't the Aldo x Ostwald Helgason collection look fabulous? Images: Aldo

Aldo’s second collaboration with London fashion label Ostwald Helgason is perfect for getting you into the muted fall spirit. Lots of tweed, suede and leather. We *approve*.

Now, coats and scarves aren’t exactly practical in Singapore’s sweaty weather, but that’s why you have bags and shoes. Prices for the new Aldo x Ostwald Helgason shoes and bags range from $99 to $289 for the collection.

“We’ve had a blast working with Ostwald Helgason and are excited to continue the magic for fall,"  said Douglas Bensadoun, creative director and vice president of marketing for ALDO.

Shoppers can get the new Aldo x Ostwald Helgason collection of shoes and bags at Aldo’s newly-renovated flagship store at Ion Orchard Basement 2 (B2-20).

See Aldo's first collab with Ostwald Helgason here.

Follow Aldo on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AldoSingapore; on Instagram at @aldo_shoes http://instagram.com/aldo_shoes and on Twitter at @ALDO_shoes https://twitter.com/ALDO_Shoes.

Stunning Art Deco flooring at the new Saint Laurent boutique. Image: Saint Laurent

There is something about stepping into a store that makes you feel like you're about to purchase a phenomenal addition to your wardrobe.

The new Saint Laurent boutique at Marina Bay Sands is in a stunning 21st century French Art Deco design and you'll be met with geometric lines, strip lighting, and marbled everything – the walls, the ceilings and the floors are all covered in that beautiful vein-like effect.

This is also a sign of change at the Parisian fashion house previously known as Yves Saint Laurent or YSL. The name change occurred when a new creative director, Hedi Slimane, took charge in 2012.

Follow Saint Laurent on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ysl; on Instagram at @YSLexperience and on Twitter at @YSL.

1 GET AN EARLY START
"I wake up between 6am hand 7am every day to prepare breakfast – my favourite meal of the day. On weekdays, I make a berry smoothie, boiled eggs, cereal with almond milk, coffee and juice. Weekends are for bigger spreads – bread, cheese, ham and fruit. I enjoy using the time to read, unwind and savour my meal."

2 WORK UP A SWEAT
"I go for yoga classes once a week. I also head down to my pool to swim a few laps and chill out on a deckchair. I appreciate the peace I get when I'm concentrating fully on these activities."

3 SEEK PAMPERING
"Once every two weeks, I visit my regular spa for a relaxing facial. They're so quiet and considerate when they open the doors or cupboards, that I feel like they should be on my game show Silence! I always get a restful sleep when I'm there."

4 BE CREATIVE
"For me, painting is akin to meditation – it helps me to quiet my mind. I haven't had time to create an art piece in a while; the last time I painted was about two years ago with my girlfriends during an art jam. But I'd like to go back to painting again." 

This article was originally published in Simply Her November 2014.

A new app being billed as the "Tinder for pets" is causing a stir in the social media world.

Image: ©All Rights Reserved/Apple Inc. 2014/AllPaws.com

"AllPaws" is an animal adoption site whose app borrows its interface concept from the world of online dating, asking users to swipe left or right to find the puppy (or other furry creature) of their dreams.

Over 200,000 homeless dogs, cats, rabbits, horses, and other animals from the US and Canada are listed on the site – each with their own profile, including vital stats, address and a biography.

Humans looking to adopt can send direct messages to the pets (or more accurately, their shelters) and get match alerts via email to help them find the perfect furry friend.

In much the same way that dating apps like Tinder work, the animals can be filtered by location, breed, age, colour and even behaviour preferences.

The app is the brainchild of entrepreneur Darrell Lerner, who has a background in the online dating industry. It can be downloaded from iTunes at: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/allpaws-search-adoptable-pets/id917673135?mt=8

Hot off the heels of the opening of Japanese desserts master Henri Charpentier and Taiwanese soft-serve ice cream brand Honey Creme's standalone stores, comes yet another Asian purveyor of sweet treats set to send sweet-toothed folks into a sugared tizzy. 

This time, it's famed Japanese bakery group Asanoya, who will be bringing with it years of experience (81 years, to be exact) and a menu of rustic Japanese-style breads and pastries to Wilby Central along Queen Street. Founded in 1933 in Karuizawa, the bakery has cultivated a following for its European-style breads, baked in a traditional stone oven. To date, there are 10 Asanoya bakeries across Japan. 

And in case you're concerned how closely the local version will mirror its Japanese counterpart, Asanoya has stated its intention to import specialist ingredients, and has had chief bakers train at Asanoya's original outlet at Karuizawa Kyuudo to ensure quality as precise as its predecessors. 

In addition to the range of baked goods – which run the gamut from sweet and savoury buns to Japanese-style donuts – the bakery cafe is also set up for patrons to linger around a little longer - the 80-seater will come with a menu of sandwiches, salads, wines and Japanese beers. 

Ahead of the store's grand opening on the 15th of November, we pay the bakery a visit to suss out the baked goodies you'll want to fall off the low-carb diet wagon for. Yay carbs!

Must-try: Potato French ($3.20)

Carbs on carbs? Why not. After all, if you're going to commit a dietary cardinal sin, you may as well do it in luxurious fashion – having a whole, fluffy potato encased in bread and drizzled with a smooth butter and mayo sauce. So delicious. 

Must-try: Tea Bread ($4.20; $4.80 for flavoured)

Give yourself a treat by upgrading your morning loaf to a delicate Tea Bread. This is thick and pillowy-soft, with just a hint of Earl Grey flavour (created from the mix of tea leaves and sweetened milk). It's also available in Blueberry or Orange Peel if you like them fancier. Asanoya recommends pairing these with jams and marmalade.

Must-try: Maple Walnut Pretzel ($3.20)

Who could resist the alluring scent of maple? Certainly not us, especially when it comes in the form of a chewy pretzel baked from a French dough, home-made maple cream, Canadian maple sugar and walnuts mix. Yes, it's as delicious and heavenly-smelling as it sounds, but without the cloying sweetness. 

Must-try: Bacon Epi ($3.20)

While lesser baguettes turn hard as a rock after sitting out for too long, this remained crisp, and tasted as fresh as it'd been when served straight from the oven.  It's not the most exciting item on the menu, but we appreciate it when classics are done right. 

Must-try: Karuizawa Raisin (price by weight)

The piece de resistance, and pride and joy of Asanoya's baked goods repertoire is the awe-inspiring Karuizawa Raisin, a massive single loaf studded with juicy raisins that spans 55cm in diameter and weighs in at a hefty 1.3kg. The bread is dreamy-soft, with a crisp snap of a crust. You don't need to buy the whole loaf, of course - choose the number of slices you want and you'll be charged by weight. 

Asanoya will open on 15 November, and is located at #01-03 15 Queen Street. For more information, call 6703-8333 or visit www.asanoya.asia. 

2NE1 performing at the Alexander Wang x H&M launch party in Shanghai. Credit: H&M

SHANGHAI– It’s official. The best parties of 2014 have got to be the launch parties of the Alexander Wang x H&M collaboration. Each H&M designer collaboration has been marked by an amazing event, think last year’s massive street party on a city scene built from scratch in Paris to celebrate the launch of the Isabel Marant x H&M collaboration.

Left: Chris Lee Yu Chun; Right: Fan Bing Bing. Credit: H&M

But this year, the Alexander Wang partnership has definitely beaten that Paris party hands down. The beyond cool party in New York, including a Missy Elliot performance, was the talk of the fashion industry. Although the recent Shanghai bash has a tough act to follow, the Asian contingent showed the rest of the world that they can party as hard, if not harder.

Here’s why Alexander Wang and H&M throw the best parties.

Left: Sunny Wang; Right (from left) Tian Yi, Zhao Lei and Emma Pei. Credit: H&M

SUPERSTAR CELEB GUEST LIST
Celebs just love A Wang. The A-listers were out in full force, flying in from all over Asia to show their support for Wang. Homegrown designer darlings Chris Lee Yi Chun and Fan Bing Bing graced the red carpet, along with popular South Korean girl group 2NE1. The party was not lacking in eye candy either with stars like Taiwanese hottie actor Sunny Wang and a brood of Chinese super models including Emma Pei and my personal favourite Zhao Lei.

Decked out head to toe in Alexander Wang x H&M, Chris Lee rocked the party. Credit: H&M

SURPRISE PERFORMANCES
Although most would have guessed that 2NE1 would take to the stage at the event, when member Minzy let slip on Instagram that she was flying to Shanghai; CL, Bom, Minzy and Dara didn’t disappoint and blew the crowd away with a four-set performance. The true surprise of the night was Chris Lee’s “Cool” performance – the Chinese singer almost never performs in such events – it was definitely a rare sight!

Armed with his T-shirt gun, Alexander Wang pleased the crowd by shooting T-shirts. Credit: H&M

ALEXANDER WANG HIMSELF
Aside from the guest performances and DJs Jesse Marco and Just Blaze on the decks, the designer was the life of the party. His T-shirt gun made an appearance and Wang shot T-shirts into the happy crowd who just wanted a piece of him. Later in the night, he appeared on stage, dancing alone to the delight of guests before pulling random people up to join him.

Check out the video below for highlights of the night:

The Alexander Wang x H&M party and pop-up store took place on November 4, 2014 at Lan Wave, No. 1526, Yangshupu Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai. The Alexander Wang X H&M collection is available at H&M Orchard Building and H&M ION Orchard. For more information, go to www.hm.com/sg/ and wangxhmlive.hm.com/.

Three words: Pumpkin spice latte. Cafe-going folks attuned into the latest food fads will know that ‘tis the season for garishly hued mugs of warm sugary stuff – not that we’re complaining.

The thing is, pumpkin and spices are actually perfectly good for you in their own right. For one, said squash is absolutely packed with skin-friendly vitamins and anti-aging antioxidants, and its fibrous flesh is fab for sloughing off dull, dead skin when mixed into a mask.

Having been on a DIY roll this past week, I’m pleased as punch to say I may have hit upon a miracle beauty worker, and pumpkin’s of the essence! This rinse-off treatment also makes use of the skin-tightening effect of the caffeine in used coffee grounds – as commonplace a household ingredient as any!

Throw in a pinch of cinnamon, which boasts vasodilatory properties for better blood circulation and a healthy flush, and you have yourself an ace exfoliator that’s superb for re-energising dull, saggy skin.    

Wee caveat: Individual results vary, of course, but there’s no harm giving this a shot, especially since pumpkin’s in season and increasingly available in your average heartland supermarket. Here’s how:

Assemble about half a cup of pureed pumpkin; one whole raw egg for its binding and protein-rich properties; a generous tablespoon each of damp coffee grounds and blemish-fighting honey; and a sprinkling of cinnamon powder.

For a turbo-charged “intense” version, feel free to tack on a scoop of Peter Thomas Roth’s Pumpkin Enzyme Mask, which boasts pumpkin-derived peeling enzymes and finely milled aluminium oxide crystals for a souped-up skin polishing effect.  

Once you’ve dumped everything into a big bowl, use a spatula to mash the ingredients into a sticky slurry, then slap this pumpkin porridge onto clean skin, taking care to avoid the delicate area around the eyes. Massage ever so gently using soft circular motions, then leave on for five minutes to let the good stuff do its job.

Splash off with warm water and be greeted in the vanity mirror with a fresh-faced, spa-grade visage. Give this a go and let me know how it works for you. Have fun, you’re welcome in advance!  

Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask, $107, is available at all Sephora stores. For more information, visit www.peterthomasroth.com.sg and follow the brand on Facebook.

Give the thumbs up to my nail obsession du jour, the negative space manicure. Negative what? Think of the latest talon trend as the beauty equivalent of an illusion panel party dress. With strategic no-paint zones showing off slivers of naked nail, this particular design lends the intriguing illusion of crescents of 3D colour hovering over a nude nail bed.

Raring to get your hands dirty? Use the gorgeous geometric shapes sported by the girls at Charlotte Ronson’s Spring 2015 show as a reference point. For something so formidably architectural in feel, this design actually requires very little elbow grease on your part.

STEP 1. First, choose your colour. I’m in love with Charlotte Ronson’s minty After Eight take; try Etude House’s perfectly pastel Play Nail Polish in the robin's egg spectrum between #71 and #75.

STEP 2. On to application. To nail the perfectly curved half moon, all you have to do is to paint on your polish from both sides. To do that, tilt your brush tip and sweep it onto each nail at a diagonal angle, from the right edge to the centre.

STEP 3. Point to note: Be careful not to get the colour onto the base of your nail; you want that starkly bare for maximum “pop”. Repeat from the other side: Left edge to centre, then let dry. Lacquer on a second or third layer if you want a really solid hue, then seal in all of the goodness with a glossy translucent topcoat.

This is entirely optional, but for a festive flourish, consider a slick of Laneige’s limited edition Sparkling Glitter Nail in Pink Wine for a hypercool holographic overlay. (Beauty bonus: The accompanying Water Drop Tints are my personal go-to products for lippie-free days.)     

Another top tip: Sephora’s superb Precision Nail Polish Corrector is great for tidying up tiny boo-boos. Running the ultra-thin pen along the edge of your halfmoon helps stamp out stray specks that are well nigh impossible to pick off with a regular cotton swab without messing up the rest of your manicure. 

Easy enough, yes? Experiment over the weekend and let me know how it works out for you. With any luck, your nifty negative space manicure will garner very positive feedback from fellow nail art addict!

Etude House Play Nail Polish, $3.90 each, is available at all Etude House stores and counters. For more information, visit www.etude.sg and follow the brand on Facebook and Twitter.

Laneige Sparkling Glitter Nail Polish is available as part of the limited edition Sparkling Party Makeup Palette, $45 each. For more information, visit www.laneige.com.sg and follow the brand on Facebook.

Sephora Precision Nail Polish Corrector, $12 each, is available at all Sephora stores. For more information, visit www.sephora.com and follow the brand on Facebook and Twitter.

As you read this, items are flying off the shelves at the Beams pop-up store at Kapok in Singapore. We kid you not. When we visited on the very first day the Beams 30-Days Store opened, we were told that some products were already sold out. That just proves how popular the Japanese lifestyle and apparel brand is with Singaporeans.

From November 6 to December 7, 2014, the cool world of Beams has landed at the Kapok flagship store. The condensed selection available has been curated from signature labels like the men’s casual wear lines Beams and Beams Plus; women’s casual wear line Ray Beams; bPr Beams, a lifestyle and women’s accessories range; and the Beams x Porter collaboration B-jirushi Yoshida.

While we are very excited about not having to fly to Hong Kong (where the nearest Beams store is located) to get our hands on the tomboy chic Ray Beams sweaters and dresses, the star of the pop-up has got to be the exclusive collaboration between Kapok and Beams.

To disturb or not to disturb, that's the question. Cap, $89. Credit: Kapok

Akira Taneichi, director of B-jirushi Yoshida and Beams Planets, noticed that the Kapok store at the National Design Centre was surrounded by hotels. Taneichi wanted to “shake up” the quiet surroundings.

Taking inspiration from the ever-present “Do not disturb please” signs in hotels, he cheekily struck out the “Do not” to demonstrate the collaboration’s intention. This “Do not disturb please” slogan is featured on a cap, T-shirt and bag in the collection that will be available exclusively at the pop-up store only for a week.

Left: Bag, $299; right: T-shirt, $69. Credit: Kapok

Debbie Downers who prefer tranquility can always opt for the black versions with the original “Do not disturb please” but we are sure this particular pop-up store will create a buzz in the sleepy Middle Road area!

The Kapok x Beams collaboration retails from $69 and will be available at the BEAMS 30 Days Store : Singapore until November 12, 2014. From November 13, 2014, the collaboration will be available on www.ka-pok.com/webshop/. The BEAMS 30 Days Store : Singapore will be at Kapok at National Design Centre, 111 Middle Road from November 6 to December 7, 2014.

As much as we dread hitting the gym, exercising every day slashes the risk of breast cancer by a lot! © Cover Media

New research claims that middle-aged women who do half an hour of exercise a day cut their chance of developing breast cancer by a fifth.

Whether you like to cycle, swim, or dance, the benefits of exercise are enormous. From dropping a few kilos to helping your body fight illness, exercise is the key to a healthy life. 

SQUEEZE IN THREE HOURS OF VIGOROUS EXERCISE EVERY WEEK

And now researchers at Oxford University have found that obese women are over 50 per cent more likely to develop breast cancer than those who are slim. They spent three years following 126,000 women who had been through the menopause, recording whether they developed the disease. Participants were also required to fill in detailed questionnaires on subjects such as how often they exercised, their diet, weight and drinking and smoking habits.

Results showed women who did three hours of vigorous physical activity every week were 21 per cent less likely to develop breast cancer than those who did little or no exercise. Vigorous exercise included intensive gym classes such as spinning and Zumba, but not gentle jogging, walking or cycling.

Other findings suggested that women with the highest body fat were 55 per cent more likely to develop the illness, compared to slimmer participants.

One theory scientists from Oxford have voiced, is that intensive physical activity further lowers the amount of oestrogen produced.

"What’s really interesting about this study is that [reduction in breast cancer risk] does not appear to be solely due to the most active women being slimmer, suggesting that there may be some more direct benefits of exercise for women of all sizes," said Professor Tim Key, a Cancer Research UK scientist from the cancer epidemiology unit at Oxford University.

"We don’t yet know exactly how physical activity reduces risk... but some small studies suggest that it could be linked to the impact on hormone levels in the body."

Professor Key added more research needs to be done to look at the link between women’s hormone levels and the apparent prevention of cancer.

DON'T BE AFRAID OF BEING JUDGED

The new findings come hot on the heels of a recent poll which found 75 per cent of women fail to work out because of fear of being judged. Research conducted by Sport England polled 9.4 million women aged 14 to 40 as part of the This Girl Can campaign, and found 7.1 million would like to exercise more. Reasons why they don't, include fear of being judged over their appearance and ability at the gym.

"We found out by talking to women of all ages up and down the country that what's stopping them is fear, fear of judgement: whether that's about how they look, whether they're any good at it, or feeling guilty about spending time on themselves," Jennie Price, chief executive of Sport England.

"Whichever way you slice it, women's fear of judgment is sapping their confidence." © Cover Media

Simone Rocha Spring Summer 2014. Images: Showbit

1. WEAR SHEER SOCKS

These are perfect entry-level socks to ease into the trend if you're not ready to commit to it fully. They go great with any type of shoe and look chic without being OTT (over the top).

Prada Spring Summer 2015

2. WEAR WITH MARY-JANES OR STRAPPY SHOES

The straps help “strap” them in, so your socks don't appear like they're screaming for attention. The visual restraint makes your outfit look more polished and put together.

Betsey Johnson Fall Winter 2014

3. WEAR WITH A SHORT DRESS AND REVEAL A BIT OF LEG

The sexiest way to pull off knee-highs is to wear with a dress of modest cut (i.e. no plunging necklines or spaghetti straps) to keep the attention on the thigh reveal and to avoid looking trashy.

Dolce & Gabbana Spring Summer 2015

4. WEAR WITH FLATS

Well... why not? Take a walk on the bold side by teaming sheer or thin socks with monochromatic flat shoes.

You can find knee high socks at Uniqlo stores in Singapore and asos.com. For sheer socks, check out this pair from American Apparel.

Eight stores in four years, H&M is truly putting its mark on the Singapore shopping scene. The latest store finds its roots in Nex shopping mall, in the heart of Serangoon.

Festive red and bling are perfect for the festive season. Credit: H&M

Gone will be the days when North-Easties have to make the commute to town for the newest on-trend pieces. No longer do you have to wrestle with the crowd to complete your Christmas shopping! The high street giant’s new store spans 16,000 square feet of women, men, teenager and children fashion and promises new stocks daily.

The new store will be full of Christmas cheer with the H&M holiday campaign featuring lady Gaga and Tony Bennett front and centre and looks perfect for the festive season – think modern red pieces and that prerequisite Christmas bling.

In fact, Christmas comes early at H&M Nex! Besides exciting promotions and giveaways over the opening weekend from November 19 to 23, 2014, shoppers will score a 15 percent off purchases they make that are $60 or more.

H&M Nex opens on November 19, 2014 at #01-12, 23 Serangoon Central.

SEOUL – Gianna Jun’s love affair with Gucci didn’t end when she piled on Gucci accessories when she was photographed here at Incheon Airport on her way to Taipei in July 2014.

Gianna is wearing a chamomile color double breasted trench coat from Gucci Cruise 2015, Gucci Bamboo Daily large top handle bag in black leather with bamboo closure, Diamantissima Horsebit sunglasses and Horsebit rings. Credit: Gucci

The South Korean actress, who is best-known internationally for her role in My Love from the Star, is now set to appear in an ad campaign dedicated to Gucci’s accessories.

Gucci’s creative director Frida Giannini was quoted in the press release as saying that the Korean star embodied a Gucci woman’s “natural beauty and sensual sophistication”, while Gianni is apparently “delighted” to be working on this campaign.

The Gianna/Giannini collab will breathe new life into the luxury brand’s iconic accessories and take our breaths away (we hope!).

The ad is set to be shot in London with photographer Solve Sundsbo and will launch in January 2015. We can’t wait to see it! :)

Gucci boutiques are located at Paragon, #01-38/39, Takashimaya Department Store, Level 2 and The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, #B1-109. Follow Gucci on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GUCCI, on Twitter @Gucci and Instagram @gucci for more updates.

This head-turning look’s been branded “sultry sophistication”, and we don’t disagree. Now, you might think that a red lip and smoky lid combo would be much too much, but as amply demonstrated by our fab face DJ Rozz, this is full-on drama without veering into tawdry territory – perfect for party season.

The trick to re-creating this updated version of “evening” makeup is the artful placement of colour, paired with plenty of blending. Here's how:

1. Primer is of the essence here. You want a clean canvas that’s perfectly plump and pearlescent with finely milled light-reflective optics. Try a bit of La Base Pro Hydra Glow on patches prone to peeling and dryness, such as the cheeks and laugh lines.

2. Because the the rest of your face is going to be so intense, you don’t really need blanket coverage for your skin. Grab a firmly bristled foundation brush and stipple on a liquid formula like Teint Miracle, blending well to even out any unwanted ruddiness and prevent any discernible demarcation along your jawline.

3. On to the eyes. Using the widest paddle-shaped brush in your arsenal, give the entire socket a light wash of glinting gold by way of the hypnotic Hypnôse Dazzling Or Vendôme shadow. Beauty bonus: This layer of creamy champagne blurs out discolourations or stray brow hairs on your upper lid.

4. For a really pleasing graduation of colour, pick up your hero hue in a gunmetal grey – try Soirée Parisienne – and press it onto the outer third of your socket, using a brisk window-wiping motion to buff it in for depth and dimension.

5. Now for the killer touch. Balance out all the sootiness with a sweep of shimmery burgundy; this coppery sheen elevates the eye from your standard smoky. Deftly press a smidgen of Hypnôse Dazzling Rouge Cabaret into the centre of your lids, blending out right up to the brow.

6. Use the pointed end of a soft brush to apply an accent gold from the Hypnôse Drama Palette DR8 in Parisian Lights on the inner eye corners. This will catch the light for a gorgeous glimmer.

7. Finish with lashings of Hypnôse Doll Lashes mascara in the blackest of black. If you really want to dial up the drama, layer on more of the reddish copper in the middle of the crease, then blend, blend, blend.

8. Complete the look by lining your lips with a cool crimson like L’Absolu Rouge 160 in Rouge Amour – incidentally the very same shade Lancôme’s lovely face Lupita Nyong’o is sporting in the new rouge ads for the brand. You can use a lip brush if like, but straight from the bullet is good as well: Start from the centre of your pout and blot off excess for a sexy stain.

And there you have it, the new metallic smoky and red lips for end-2014. Try it on for size for your next big beauty bash, and have fun experimenting with your own personal tweaks in colour intensity and palette choice. You can thank me later!

For more information, visit www.lancome.com.sg and follow Lancôme Singapore on Facebook and Instagram.