Monday, 10 January 2011

Beauty - OPI's Funky New Nail Colours


Badly needed one super sleek ultra-pampering manicure and pedicure for the New Year? Before you go to the salon, drop by Watsons in Hong Kong or Singapore and pick up Nicole by OPI, the range of hottest and funkiest nail colours to hit the shelves.
Free of DBP, Toluene, and Formaldehyde, the brand stays green by using only recyclable glass packaging in their nail polish bottles. Check out  over 85 nail sticks and lacquers with funky and daring names such as ‘Indigo-go!’, ‘Carpool Mama’, ‘Stolen Kisses’, ‘Ink a Dink Pink’ and ‘Razzle Dazzler’. Opt for Nicole by OPI nail sticks for quick touch-ups on-the-go, with colours packaged in handy nail polish pens.
Your star struck tween will be happy to know that Justin Bieber has collaborated to design a new collection of nail polishes, the Justin Bieber ‘One Less Lonely Girl’collection which will come in dark blue, bright red and lavender, among other shades. Recommendations include ‘One Less Lonely Glitter’, ‘Make U Smile’, ‘I’ve Got Bieber Fever’ and ‘Eenie Meanie Marry Me’. To think that Justin Bieber knows anything about  nail polish except for the colour green, really goes past me …!
- Elaine
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Thursday, 6 January 2011

Start The Year With A Treat



The year has started and it’s back to the grind after two weeks of partying, feasting and hopefully, some thoughtful reflection. So I suggest we start the year with a treat. There is a strong case for this. One – we deserve a reward for working towards world peace and familial harmony last year; and two – we’ll be working hard again this year putting all the resolutions we’ve planned into motion, grooming our nest, nurturing quality children and bringing home our share of the bacon. With so much on our plates, what better way than to start 2011 on a motivating note! We should….

Go shopping in Hong Kong!


A weekend would be perfect! Elaine will vouch for the high quality of retail therapy available there. And while there, you might as well take advantage of Metropark Hotel Wanchai Hong Kong’s newly launched Ladies Only Floor, called ‘She by Metropark’ (pictured above and top). So it’s not super duper luxe, but it is very comfy and pretty, with all the comforts particularly catered to the girls. Pretty, feminine rooms come with pillow menu, feminine accessories and design, complimentary broadband internet access and spa toiletries by THANN. Without a doubt, such a floor also gives women travellers a greater level of security. What’s best though is its great location smack bang in the heart of the city, near shops like Pacific Place, and foodie hubs like Lan Kwai Fong. To mark its launch, the hotel is offering an introductory package of HK$900 per room per night, excluding a 10% service charge, and late check-out at 3pm.

41-49 Hennessy Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Tel:+852 2863-7399
Email rsvn.hkwh@metroparkhotels.com

Buy A Ring
Friendship ring, engagement ring, wedding ring, eternity ring…these little trinkets have a way of marking time, don’t they? So why not buy yourself a new year bling? I have been buying one for myself every year for the last few years already, and it’s a fun way to remember the passing time….especially when they are fun, whimsical pieces. It was a ladybird and flower pendant with black diamonds in 2009, an onyx and diamond lizard in 2010, wonder what it’ll be this year? If I had to choose one now, it’ll be a funky, edgy stud ring from GoldHeart. Not exactly Cartier, but I just love how easy these are to buy….! Only S$868.

Goldheart Boutiques islandwide in Singapore


Toast The Year
Before things heat up and get you too busy, catch up with old friends and toast the year. Two great places for sundowners, especially when the weather is still cool and breezy here, are Octapas Spanish Tapas Bar and Tomo Izakaya, two great watering holes with gourmet nibbles in Clarke Quay.

I like that Octapas is just by the riverside where you can while away a leisurely evening, grazing, drinking and talking. Run by the people who used to do Tapas Tree, it offers a good range of sangria and Spanish tapas. I like their traditional red wine based sangria (S$14 ) better than the white wine version with apple juice. You must have the grilled squid with balsamic vinegar reduction ($15.50), beef tenderloin ($17) comprising cubes of grilled tender, flavourful meat, and paella marisco which, though a little soft, is pretty pleasant with their richly braised vegetables. Reservations only up til 7pm weekdays.


From Spain to Japan, Tomo Izakaya, round the corner, offers a good range of sake (ask for the sparkling variety) and light Japanese eats, enough of which can make a meal. What I really liked was the kobacha ni, simmered pumpkin which though simple, was excellent; hijiki and simmered soybean salad ($9, above), Nasu Agebitashi or deepfried eggplant with soup stock and Ginger (S$7.30) and ebiten tama chazuke, a porridge with deep fried prawns($9.50).

Octapas Spanish Tapas Bar - Blk D #01-08 Clarke Quay Tel: 68372938
Tomo Izakaya - Blk 3A #01-04 Clarke Quay Tel: 6333 0100

Drink Good Coffee
Everybody’s raving about it, sipping it and buying it. Even though I have a Jura at home, I will admit Nespresso does a mean caffeine kick. Since our calorie intake is limited, don’t waste it on imbibing anything less than the best you can buy and get one of these sleek machines onto your kitchen counter. It’s latest models are the retro-stylish Nespresso CitiZ Metal, automatic single-headed espresso machine (S$598, left) and the Nespresso CitiZ and Milk Metal with built-in milk frother (S$728). It’s a great way to start off the remaining 359 mornings of 2011, no?

- Ee Waun



















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Wednesday, 5 January 2011

Buys - Have bag will travel ...


I am compelled to buy a bag each time I travel. Don’t ask me why. There is no logical explanation.
So imagine my delight to find this handy S$348 buy at Fossil which I always thought sells watches only but apparently  - bags are also their big thing. Called the Modern Cargo Convertible Tote, pick one up in Fossil stores or online at www.fossilsingapore.com.sg. Straps detachable and adjustable.




Joey from Friends did much to reinstate the status of the Man bag but thats of course many years after the Uncles, Bookies, Japanese, Korean and ROC men over 40, did much to ruin the reputation of the man clutch. There is no shame stepping out these days with a male designed carry all and Tod’s calf leather Pashmy Stripe starting at HK$8000, where you can customise the colour of the stripe is both fun and functional.










Whilst at Tod’s take a look at the new colour palette of wallets and accessories that have just come in – in time for Spring!

- Elaine

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BTW – Look Who’s Coming To Town!



And it’s not the fat man in the red suit!....Helllooooo, Hunny Bunny! The Chippendales is coming to Resort World Sentosa on 23-26 February for their ‘Most Wanted’ Tour with tickets on sale now. If you haven’t caught it yet, get the girls together and leave the men at home. This is tight buns and six packs galore! The programme promises heaps of sex appeal and ‘tasteful teasing’ with these glistening hard candy turning up in all manner of liquid fantasies, from men in uniform to down and dusty cowboys. Shiver...! A definite must see!
Tix at S$98, S$148, and S$228
www.sistic.com.sg and www.rwsentosa.com

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Tuesday, 4 January 2011

By The Way - All I want for Christmas is ...


This Christmas instead of surprising her like I normally do, I decided to just ask my five year old daughter, Alexis what she would like for Christmas. So I dutifully handed her the Toys R Us ‘Great Christmas Book’ with its gazillions of hottest toys and asked her to pick three items and the deal was that I would buy her favourite item.

I silently kicked myself after that, asking myself what I had set myself up for but it was too late to take back the offer. Well, ok a quick glance through the book confirmed that the most expensive toy was a Playstation 3 costing about HK$2,200 (S$400) and she was unlikely to want that as we already have a Wii so I consoled myself that at most I would end up spending about HK$1000 (S$100) if she was really going to take advantage of the situation. And since she is my only baby … what is a hundred bucks at Christmas (at least I hoped that would be the extent of the damage!)

To be sure, I checked back with her a couple of hours later just before we left for the Toys R Us store on what her 3 choices were and I was surprised and almost ashamed at myself for not realising that value is not what makes a 5 year old happy. 5 year olds have no concept of value and that is the beauty and the innocence of childhood something that we have all forgotten along the way.
What makes a 5 year old happy is ‘HEART’! Her three choices were a Pony Barnyard from My Little Pony (HK$139 or SG26), a Zhu Zhu Pet Hamster that squeaks and roller skates (also around the same price range) and Googly bands! And her top pick (she proudly announced) were GOOGLY BANDS? What in the world were ‘googly bands’? They turned out to be colourful rubber bands in a packet of 12 each that bounce back into the shape of animals, objects, cars, trees or virtually anything when you stretch them out. They are worn as rings, bracelets or can be woven into necklaces or just simply used as rubber bands for your hair and the total value of one packet of 12 bands – the grand sum of HK$12 or S$2.40. Her request was to buy her two packets of those and surprise her by not telling her the design. I asked her if she was “sure” and she said ‘yes’ with great certainty and wide eyed glee, fully convinced that this was better than the Barnyard and the Hamster. I was touched .. such is a child’s heart.

I got her the two packets and of course along the way (just before Christmas) bought her a few small things, a very pretty bejewelled pendant necklace with an owl on it (cost me about S$20) that she chose from a street store in Taiwan because she thought it was “big girl” jewelry and  a “spork” (cost about S$5) a cross between a spoon and a fork with a cerated edge that allows you to cut things, which she has insisted on bringing out with her, everyday since when we dine out. Thrilled by these simple pleasures she has also been on the internet searching You Tube to watch tutorials of how to make a necklace with her googly bands.
I guess the point I take from all this is that childhood is about fulfilling and enjoying the simplest of  pleasures, not for what they cost but for what they are . Grand gestures, though well meaning have no place or value to a child. The heart wants what the heart wants and that is as simple as it takes to be happy!

I plan to bring that into the year ahead so have a Happy Start to the New Year everyone … I know, I will!

- Elaine
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Monday, 3 January 2011

Bytes - Interesting New Apps


iPhone and iPad equipped fashionistas out there take note! Here are some interesting apps that you can download to your devices.

From Tod’s comes two apps for the iPhone and the iPad. The first, released in August last year is My Life is in this Bag’, which allows users to enter and experience the world of Tod’s, and browse the various collections. The app is pretty cool as it interacts with the user in a dialogue fashion with six interesting women personas – a socialite, an intellectual, a globetrotter, a Mom, a Business Woman and an Art Dealer through the contents of their Tod’s iconic D bags.

The second app 
‘An Italian Dream’launched recently in December brings users into the world of Tod’s craftsmanship and is in the form of a short film directed by Matthias Zentner and choreographed by Gianluca Shiavoni with 13 dancers from the ballet corps of Teatro all Scala. Through dance, they show the multiple steps in which a bag is created.


Another interesting one is an app called 
PocketDeals which is relevant if you are in Singapore. It shows you the latest deals in town on your iPhone.  Instead of browsing multiple websites for the latest fashion, automotive, travel, dining, home entertainment and gadget deals, you just browse by date, popularity, promotion or category. Shoppers can create a watchlist and list their favourite merchants so that you can watch out for particular deals. The app also uses an inbuilt GPS to locate your current vicinity. Some of the retailers currently actively engaged with offers on this app are TANGS, Metro, Estee Lauder, FJ Benjamin Group (which carries Raoul, Guess, Banana Republic, Gap, and many other fashion, timepiece and lifestyle brands), Video Ezy, Naumi Hotel and Royal China.

All above apps can be downloaded for free at the iTunes store.

- Elaine
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Bling – Horological Hunting


It’s the new year, and I have my list of resolutions. I plan to be organised this year and will clear out the junk in my home office. I will be timely and on time this year and not turn up 10 minutes late for appointments. I will keep abreast of the news and grow my portfolio of investments. I will pick up running again – maybe competitive – and I will see to my kid’s schoolwork. All these point to needing to tell the time, and with so much on my dainty little plate, I cannot possibly continue to be a one-watch woman can I? So I have been doing some horological hunting….



The blinged best I've seen so far is Harry Winston’s Avenue classic which is supposed to bring out the spirit of Manhattan - the arched motif reflects its Fifth Avenue flagship, it seems. The hardware consists of 50 brilliant cut diamonds on its case and 124 diamonds on black or white mother of pearl and looking stylish and flash. All in all, 4.7 carats of candy at a price I just don’t want to know! Available at The Hour Glass.

I also like Chopard’s The Happy Sport Starry Love, a cute limited edition timepiece made just for The Hour Glass for Valentine’s Day. Hence the campy name and the cute diamond encrusted heart freely mobile in the middle. It’s sporty and feminine and luxurious all at the same time, with a black ceramic, aluminium bezel and titanium case-back, a glittery black dial and a black satin strap with steel buckle. Water resistant up to 30m, and costs $4,550. We like!

Burberry's known for its trenchcoats and scarves, but how about watches? Check out their Autumn/Winter Collection for fun fashion pieces!

Finally, for something you can buy on a whim, Fossil’s just launched its vintage bronze collection with dark brown or black leather straps, or canvas field strap. Cheap and cheerful, but also very stylish and so Indiana Jones. Available from Fossil stores and online from mid January.
- Ee Waun





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Thursday, 30 December 2010

Boudoir – 5 Must-Do Resolutions for 2011



If you’re guilty, it’s time to wake up and smell the roses. Don’t start 2011 in continued blandness, mulching around in dowdy 'mummy jeans', encased in proper, housewifely blahdom and believing in those perpetual excuses that you’re too busy, too sensible, too practical, etc…If you’re in danger of being called ‘sensible’ (horrors!) or ‘proper’ (eek!) – adjectives completely bereft of any sex appeal – you know it’s time to step out of your comfort zone and sizzle up. You don’t need to buy the leather teddy just yet – baby steps can do wonders. Here’s SimplyFab’s suggested MUST DO resolutions for 2011. Do yourself a favour and …

Groom those eyebrows! – Not just for mono- madams but every woman out there beyond the age of 20. Few things are more sexless than a bushy brow on a woman, so pluck it pur-leeaase! On the other hand, if you’re a little sparse, pencil it in. In every sex goddess is a well groomed brow. Be kind to the world and just do it, sweetie.

Shave, for heaven’s sake – Yes, we’re still on follicles but this really needs to be said. You may not see it, but believe me, the rest of the world can certainly see the forest for the trees….even when you’re in short sleeves and so especially when you wave goodbye. Is that the lasting impression you want us to have? Save us from the gag fest please, and shave.

Forget ‘sensible’ shoes – Are you waiting to turn 60 before you put on those lustworthy, three-inch, bondage killer heels? Are you just going to spend the rest of your divine, womanly life lusting after these great gifts from God but walk away and say, “Nah – that’s not for me”? How’s this for an epiphany: Sensible shoes can wait – we’ll have plenty of silver time to get orthopedically oriented, ok?

Sex up the ordinary – You may be a mommy, a respectable girl or you want to be taken seriously – and we are all that – but that’s no reason to put on the tent, the shapeless clothes and be boringly prim. Sex up, for goodness sake. Better your body, get clothes that va-va-voomingly flatter, wear heels and steam up even the ordinary for a bit - in good, stylish taste, of course. Flirt a little, smile at the guys, by all means peruse the menu – just make sure you eat at home.


Slim down and get fit – Really! You might as well start today. We want to be fabulicious, not flabulicious and write endlessly about body love and shallow men. Let’s not kid ourselves that flab is sexy – it’s not. Go running, swimming, whatever – when you’re fitter, you look better, you can buy anything knowing it looks great on you, and you won’t bulge through the little holes in your lingerie (ewww…!). And we haven’t even got round to the countless health benefits yet! This one resolution I totally have to do. Join me on the running track?
- Ee Waun

Image: Suat Eman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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Binge - Concept Dining in Hong Kong


Hong Kong is really where the spirit of innovation thrives. You can always expect to be surprised when it comes to new ways of enjoying life and here are a few in the dining department that we discovered recently.
Smuggle an invitation into a stranger's home. Yes, you can do that by just checking your palette into Philia HOME, a new venue for private house and dinner parties. The 'house party" concept is not new but the idea of going to a strangers home for a meal where you don't quite know what to expect is intriguing especially when the venue is a chic upmarket home, with warm decorations, a spacious open kitchen, a comfortable and stylish lounge, elegant dining room with a spacious terrace, all in the mid-levels. 
Opened and operated by Winnie Lam who is partnered by renowned local Chef Leo Kam who has worked in the Michelin star kitchens of some of the world's best culinary masters including Gordon Ramsay and Nobu Matsuhisa, the two present cuisine with a Japanese influence in a venue that can be hired for anything from  a  romantic dinner, birthday, anniversary celebration, DJ parties, to more corporate functions including brain-storming sessions that include  lunch meetings, or product launches.  
The venue even hosts art exhibitions showcasing local talents monthly. Philia HOME  is at G/F, 5 U Lam Terrace, Central, Hong Kong at +852 2147 2389 or see: www.philiahome.com

Ever eaten a slab of Argentinian steak and pray tell, what would the difference be between this and some of the good ol' US, Aussie and Japanese wagyu that your palette has become so accustomed to. 

Find out at Tango, Argentinian Steak House at 77 Wyndham Street, Central serving prime cuts of beef over a traditional open fired oven matched by an impressive Argentinian wine list. Expect uncomplicated flavours, natural ingredients and of course, beef from La Pampa, the world’s most famous grazing pasture. Look out for the Parrilla fireplace where meats are grilled over aromatic wood flames. Order prime quality Argentinian rump, fillet, sirloin, rib eye, skirt or ribs are from grass fed sustainable beef, hand selected from a source ranch. Mains are complemented by quintessential Argentinian empanada, appetizers, salads and pastas, including a selection of zesty seafood ceviche and unashamedly self-indulgent desserts.Also on the menu are lamb, chicken and salmon options, plus vegetarian side dishes. The Chef Ignacio Elizondo trained under Daniel Boulud the Chef-Owner of a number of award-winning Michelin star restaurants in New York. 
Drop by Podium 4 and 5 of the World Trade Centre in Causeway Bay and there is a new 15,000 sq foot dining destination that comprises the Hooray Bar and Restaurant, Teppanyaki Kaiko and Carousel Fine Cake and Pastries. 

Hooray Bar and Restaurant at tel: +852 2895 0885 is all about the intricacies of Italian-Japanese fare. Chef Ono Toshiharu, Executive Chef of the restaurant, was the owner of the acclaimed Japanese restaurant “San San Trois” founded in 1999 and prior to that, the Executive Chef of the renowned Nadaman of Island Shangri-la for eight years and before that Nadaman in Japan for four years. 
His signature dishes include: Miso Baked Eggplant, Jellied Eggplant and Tempura Eggplant ($85)Egg Custard, Crab Meat,Sea Urchin and Herring Caviar ($128)Miso Chicken, Sweet Corn, Shiitake Mushrooms, Chili and Bonito Flakes ($138)Scallops, Enoki Mushrooms, Flyer Fish Roe and Creamy Spicy Sauce ($168)Wild Mushroom Yam Cake, Pickled Mustard Greens and Ginger Soya Syrup ($178)Miso Baked Chilean Sea Bass, Truffle Butter and Fried Soy Bean Curd ($198); and Grilled US Kurobuta Pork Chop, Ginger Pumpkin and Avocado Corn Salsa ($230)

You can also enjoy Oysters from $20 each with wine and champagne or Japanese snacks from the six tailor-made cooking trolleys at the 180-seating outdoor terrace.  
Teppanyaki Kaiko at tel: +852 2895 0855 follows the success of its flagship outlet, Teppanyaki Kaika, at The ONE, Tsimshatsui. This all-new eatery presents the truly authentic delicacies at affordable prices, targeting the vibrant younger diners. Over half of the 60-seating dining areas are overlooking Victoria Harbour which has provided a perfect backdrop for the chefs to showcase their cooking skills. The interior is decorated with the natural pine and the bamboo-like tile imported from Japan, oozing a sense of traditional “zen” atmosphere. 
Must-tries include Steamed Egg with Sea Urchin and Foie Gras ($68), Teppanyaki Tofu with Sesame Sauce ($80), Teppanyaki King Prawn with Cod Roe ($160), Japanese Choshu Chicken ($160), Kagoshima Kurobuta Pork Rolled with Asparagus ($180)

Finally, Carousel Fine Cake and Pastries at tel: +852 2895 0299 offers well-presented cakes and pastries, fancy and glamorous décor with must tries like the Raspberry Macaroon, Chocolate Banana Ball and Honey and Blueberry Mousse Cake  innovatively created by one of Hong Kong’s top pâtissiers Leung Tung Shing, Executive Pastry Chef of Carousel Fine Cake and Pastries. Being one of the top 20 pâtissiers in Hong Kong, Chef Leung was the Executive Pastry Chef of Aberdeen Marina Club and has served a number of renowned eateries in town including Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong and Grand Stanford InterContinental Hong Kong. 
- Elaine
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Wednesday, 29 December 2010

Buys – Great Shades for Asian Faces


We were sooo taken by some of the sexy shades at Safilo’s Spring/Summer 2011 preview not long ago, and had a field day trying them out. The second largest manufacturer of shades worldwide, this Italian company was showing off their latest models for Gucci, Balenciaga, Marc Jacobs, Armani, YSL, Dior….
So many to lust after! But the problem was, most of these are constructed for higher western bridges and sat unceremoniously and fatly on our cheeks. So not sexy. I can already feel them sliding off the sebum on my cheeks on a hot, humid day. So what’s a simplyfab girl to do? We asked no less than Safilo Singapore’s Managing Director Gable Merrick on how to pick the shades for Asian faces.
Our favourite pick - these ab fab cat eye shades!
Gucci GG3146

SimplyFab: Most sunglasses are made for Caucasian noses, and end up sitting flatly on our Asian cheeks. So how do we get a good fit?



Dior Striking 63DSF


Merrick: For a good fit, it is firstly important to acknowledge the shape of your face. Many Asians have higher cheekbones and lower nose bridges---their hunt for the right eyewear can be a frustrating and tiresome experience. It will be good to look out for the following components that will address the common needs of Asian features:
•Less front curvatures
•Narrower distance between the lenses
•Extra long pad arms for the metal models so one can easily adjust the desired distance and height of the nose pads
•Extra high and pronounced nose pads in all plastic models so the frames can sit properly on the bridge and will not slide down or sit on the cheeks.

SimplyFab: What sort of shades is best suited to people with the following Asian face shapes:


Balenciaga 0102
S$620
Round face
Merrick: Frames should make the face appear longer and thinner. In general, look for frames equal to, or slightly wider than the broadest part of your face. Minimise the curves and add definition with wider frames, soft, angular, rectangular styles or double brow styles.
Max and Co 102/S. S$180 


• Square face
Merrick: This face shape consists of a strong jawline, a broad forehead and wide cheekbones. Reduce the angles with soft, curvy styles that will give the face some definition, such as cat-eye or classic ovals....Think aviators over any square styles.


Marc Jacobs 349/S. S$340

• Slim, narrow face
Merrick: A slim, narrow face means it is longer than it is wide. So the goal for balance is to make your face appear shorter and a little wider. You’ll want fames that have top-to-bottom depth. Best bet is to stay away from the long and narrow rectangular glasses, and select glasses with low triangular shapes and strong horizontal lines. For the best look, flaunt a long face with large square shades or add width to a slender face with oversized round frames.


 
Max Mara

Heart shaped face
Merrick: For women with heart-shaped faces (a narrow chin and wider forehead), look for frames with rounded upper corners which draw attention away from the forehead; rounded frames to soften features or, to accentuate them, the straight-edged 1980s-reminiscent frames.



Max and Co 105/S. S$180

SimplyFab: What shades should a simply fab girl get to look great for 2011? What are the trends that are best suited for us?
Merrick: A pair of cat-eyed sunglasses! With the warmer weather comes the need to update your sunglasses collection with a new and on-trend style. For Spring 2011, the best accompaniment to a vintage-inspired look is a shape that screams '50s/'60s glamour. Very sophisticated!



Marc by Marc Jacobs 194/S. S$230

SimplyFab: What is the sexiest ‘must-have’ shape for this season?
Merrick: Choose the special and exaggerated designed glasses, super big or round lens are popular. Colorful or translucent frame are the popular choice as they make you look more energetic and lovely this fall winter.

These shades are available from January 2011, at shops like Optical 88 and Capitol Outlets. For a start to a great new year? Get those shades, girls, cos the future looks so bright!
- Ee Waun
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