Instead of the standard vows, more couples are injecting their own personal touch to their vows – from the humorous to the meaningful and heartwarming. A perfect example of it – actress Jesseca Liu and comedian Jeremy Chan’s touching vows during their wedding on Sunday.
Photo: Alvin Choon
Jeremy:
Baby, 16th July is the most memorable date in my life. During the three years that we have been together, you have let me understood that acceptance, tolerance and height are not problems. Thank you. The journey of life is very long, let us go on it together hand in hand.
In the coming days, whether you’re getting old, sick or fat, I will always cherish you and love you until we grow old. I promise to kiss you before I leave the house everyday, and every night before we sleep. PS: Even if you haven’t brushed your teeth.
If I can only love you for four days, it will be in the Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. If I can only love you for three days, it will be yesterday, today and tomorrow. If I can only love you for two days, it will be in the good times and bad times. If I can only love you for one day, make that each day that I breathe. I love you, my dearest wife.
Jesseca:
Ever since we have been together, you have heard the ugliest words. But thankfully, you have a big heart and you have tolerated everything!
You often say that I am your best friend, best brother and sister, best travel and shopping kaki. Now, I have a new identity – your wife. I will use the rest of my lifetime to learn how to be a good wife. Thank you for your perseverance and for not giving up so that I have the chance to be your wife.
Everyone says that you are lucky to have met me. But they don’t know that I am the lucky one. You have made me known that being loved and being protected is actually such a wonderful thing.
BRB while we melt. Inspired? Check out our tips on writing your own.
Copyright: krayout / 123RF Stock Photo
1. Give yourself time
It’s never a good idea to start writing your vows the night before, or moments before the wedding. Unless you’re immensely talented, or you’re looking to pen a slipshod message that probably won’t impress your husband or your guests.
2. Look for inspiration
Just like how you’ve been looking around for inspiration for your dress, decorations and other aspects of your wedding, your vows should be no different. Thanks to Google, there are now templates, quotes and pointers on how to word them.
3. Look back
Think about your relationship history, how you met, when you realised you loved him, when you shared your first significant moment together, and so on. Also, think about your quirks, things you like and dislike about him or yourself, and then piece everything together into two to three succinct passages.
4. Make a few promises
These are called wedding vows, and promises should be a part of them. Whether they’re serious (where you make everlasting declarations of love till death do you part), or hilarious (like promising not to spoil dinner too often), these should be personal, heartfelt, and applicable to the both of you.
See also: Spoil market somemore! 9 sweetest grooms who won us over with their caring ways
5. Look to others
If there’s a couple (real or fictional) who have inspired you or your relationship, you can include examples on how you’d like to be more like them in your vows.
You can also look to movies, poems or stories for romantic lines to “borrow”.
6. Determine a time limit and format with your husband-to-be
You can keep your actual vows a secret if you’re looking to surprise him, but do discuss and agree on several pointers. After all, you don’t want to be caught looking unprepared or long-winded next to his and vice versa.
7. Don’t reveal too much information
How much is too much? You should draw the line at sharing embarrassing things your husband-to-be may not be comfortable with revealing.
8. Practice makes perfect
Once you’re done, practice reading your vows out loud or to a trusted friend or relative. Your vows should sound clear, conversational (and not as if you’re reading out loud from a book), and shouldn’t sound too curt or sappy.
See also: Song Joong Ki and Song Hye Kyo’s letters to fans regarding their marriage!
9. Make a clean copy
Whether you’re printing them in a specially-made vow book as a memento, or you’re just reciting your vows from a piece of A4 paper, just make sure you can read it on the day of, and not fumble around ’cause your handwriting’s illegible.
1. MORSELS’ STEAMED VENUS CLAMS
Photography: Veronica Tay. Assisted by: Angela Guo. Art direction: Shan
Chef-owner Petrina Loh’s take on the classic clams in white wine sauce works marvellously. Her rendition is steeped in a fig broth that carries a delicate sweetness, and has a fuller taste than the classic white wine version – you’ll want to mop up every last bit with the accompanying toasted baguette. Then there’s the cabbage kimchi – another modern addition – which lends a subtle acidity without overpowering the broth or the plump, sweet venus clams.
Go for the Omakase Menu to best sample Chef Petrina’s culinary magic. Dinner costs $85 per person; if you take the first seating (6pm-7.30pm), you can enjoy the early-bird pricing of $65.
2. FIREBAKE’S HEIRLOOM TOMATO SALAD
This is a salad unlike any we’ve had before. Forget quinoa, goji berries and all the other superfoods that are staples in today’s trendy salads. This one needs no dressing up – it’s already got the basics right. A rustic medley of French heirloom tomatoes, housemade sourdough croutons and feta cheese is held together by an ingenious dressing of ember-infused olive oil and gazpacho. The saltiness of the feta, smokiness of the olive oil, and mellow sweetness of the gazpacho puree – it’s as if we’ve been transported to a sun-kissed holiday in the Mediterranean.
This story was originally published in the June 2017 issue of Her World magazine.
Here’s the deal. Eyeliners play a pivotal role (read about our beauty writer’s obsession with eyeliners) in the daily makeup routine for most, if not all of us. For starters, a simple swipe can help to accentuate our natural eye contours or even create an entirely new eye shape altogether, which can really change up your look. Plus, it makes your peepers pop (like how we’ve taught you so previously) and in turn, makes you look fresher and more awake. We know, you probably have more than one liner stashed away in your beauty arsenal – and that’s okay.
READ MORE: Super useful face primer application hacks for your most flawless makeup yet and 10 gorgeous new shoes that will make you give up selfies for shoefies
After all, there’s liquid liner, felt tip liner, gel liner, pencil liner … the list goes on, making it incredibly hard to only own one specific OG liner. Therein lies the million-dollar question: Which eyeliner suits you the best? Should you go for a liquid or pencil liner if you are gunning for a sultry winged look, for instance?
Well, there really isn’t any hard and fast rule when it comes to eyeliner. Rather, the answer lies in what look you are trying to achieve. Specific looks are best created with certain liners, based on the texture and brush applicators involved – a creamy liner will allow for soft smudging, versus a more precise liquid liner that gives a clearly defined line.
More of a visual learner? Watch our video as our guest star Jannassa tries out two of the most popular types of liners – liquid and pencil – and gives her thoughts on the appropriateness of each for specific looks.
Liquid Liner: Xtreme Liquid Liner by Gosh, $21.90 from Sasa
Best for: Cat eye
Instead of the usual felt tip, the Xtreme Liquid Liner (which Jannessa is using in the video above) comes with a very thin and precise brush applicator. This means that the liner allows you to draw clearly defined lines with precise strokes – essential for creating a cat eye look. (FYI: If you’re in love with liquid eyeliners, we have a whole trove of waterproof liquid eyeliners that stay all day.)
Tip: Steady your hands and plant the brush right where your lashes are to avoid any visible ‘gaps’ between your lashes and the naked skin of your eyelid. Extend the wing up until it is aligned with the end of your eyebrows. Or to cheat a little, angle a piece of scotch tape up towards your temple and place it under your lower lash line. That way, you will create a distinctive and clear guiding ‘template’ for your cat eye. (Here’s a step-by-step holy grail for achieving that perfect cat eye) Once you get the hang of it, acing your cat eye will almost feel effortless. Want a live demonstration? Then watch as Jannassa attempts to do so with the liquid liner.
Pencil Liner: Crayon Liner by Cyber Colours, $35 from Sasa
Best for: Smoky eye
With a creamy crayon texture, the pencil liner is great for creating a softly smudged smoky eye. It is retractable and comes with a brush that allows you to perfect the smoky eye look by blending it out with a brush or even your bare hands.
Tip: You don’t have to create too precise a line, considering that you are going to smudge it out anyway. This also means that you can touch up on the go, as you don’t have to steady your hands like with a liquid liner. Smudge the liner along the waterline on both the top and bottom lashes. Then, use your fingers to lift up the skin of your upper lid to apply to the upper lashes and then blend away. (Psst, our beauty editor spills all on how to achieve that perfect smoky eyed effect) Not convinced? Then watch how Jannassa tackles this handy liner in the video above.
Verdict
It’s clear that there is no single product that will suit every look, so it is more important to identify what you want to achieve with the liner and match it to the texture and brush applicator accordingly – you may want to reach for a liquid liner for a precise cat eye look, then switch to a pencil liner ior a sexy smoky eye effect. Of course, lock in any liner look with these tips to never get that mid-day panda eye look.
Now that we’ve given you our thoughts, the rest is up to you. Good luck!
Long-haired UGG-inspired boots (we don’t mind, they’re so comfortable to be in) should be on your radar for fall, according to French designers Alexandre Vauthier and Jean Paul Gaultier.
READ MORE: Quick question: Should I save or invest my hard-earned money? and this pen is mightier than the brush: How to use your highlighter pen for maximum glow and minimum fuss
Vauthier’s haute couture collection included a pair of voluminous knee-length boots with car-wash-style bristle trim. Gaultier’s luxe take on the ultra fluffy boot included matching or contrasting lace-up detailing, and long black, white, mustard and coral shearling. Racier options by Gaultier included black thigh-high boots with glitzy gold band detailing and block heels.
Directional boot styles were also spotted at Fendi, Chanel, Martin Margiela and Valentino.
Fendi offered feminine suede ankle boots (or have a look at these block heeled boots for work) spiked with large flowers in lush shades of purple, turquoise and coral while Valentino took a more minimalist direction with all-white asymmetrical low boots. The pristine shoe from Valentino’s fall collection could be described as a luxe booted version of the Stan Smith sneaker.
Chanel’s haute couture collection included Victorian-inspired boots in versions that grazed the ankle or the thigh. Karl Lagerfeld’s covetable designs featured two-tone tweed and vinyl lace-up styles with wearable perspex heels (if you think they are too hot for Singapore’s weather, we’ve got some alternatives for you).
Other heel trends included clumpy incurved models at Jean Paul Gaultier, reminiscent of vintage shoes by Vivienne Westwood. Chunky platform soles were also a highlight of the Jean Paul Gaultier Fall 17-18 collection.
At Maison Martin Margiela’s ‘Artisanal’ show, former Dior designer John Galliano opted for Western inspiration for next season with long cowboy boots with handles in champagne, brassy yellow gold, royal blue and white leather. Or… try out flat boots (and we have a guide on how to elongate yourself while you’re at it).
This story first appeared on AFP Relax News, July 7, 2017.
Photo: Chanel
The colours for Fall-Winter collections are usually darker and more sombre, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with them or wear them to the office. Here are seven palettes you need to try now that will carry you from a casual day out with friends to a night of partying.
1. Chanel Les 4 Ombres​ in #288 Road Movie, $92
Use an angled brush to line your eyes with the shimmery deep blue-green (top left) to add a touch of surprise to your smoky eye. This eyeshadow palette is one of two hot-off-the-press combinations from Chanel’s Fall 2017 Travel Diary collection.
2. Laneige Ideal Shadow Quad​ in #1 Tangled Tangerine, $42
This versatile palette comes in 10 combinations of four colours and textures. The matte texture gives a smooth finish without clumping, the satin and pudding textures work like cream eyeshadow to give a sheer pearl finish, and the glitter give that extra pop of glow to your look.
ALSO READ: How to get your eyebrows on point for work – in less than 5 minutes!
3. Dior Diorshow 5 Couleurs​ in # 357 Electrify, $102
The shimmery finish of the five colours in this palette helps make your eyes look bigger and the pink, blues and pastel green up the fun factor of your look.
4. Urban Decay Naked Palette in Naked Heat, $83
Twelve amber-hued neutrals in this palette – from warm browns to burnt oranges to bronze – you have every colour and finish you need to create anything from a daytime look to an intense smoky eye. It also gives intense colour payoff and doesn’t smudge easily.
5. Catrice The Collection Eyeshadow Palette​ in #010 Modern Matt, $9.50, from Guardian
The nine highly pigmented powder eyeshadows – including two colours for highlighting and contouring – in this palette takes you from a day look for the office to a dinner date instantly. Just brush on the darker colours for an effortless smoky eye.
ALSO READ: Drawing the line: We review which gel liners are actually smudge-proof and which don’t pass the test
6. Essence My Must Haves Palette $2.90 for the palette case, $2.90 each for the colours, from Guardian & Watsons
Fashionable office executive, funky tai tai or avant-garde creative – just mix and match your favourite colours and finishes (there are 20 to choose from!). Best thing: The individual colours can be popped in and out for easy refill, or if you get tired of the colour and want to switch things up.
7. Klara Cosmetics Pro Palette​ in #02, $28.90, from Sasa
You get intense colour payoff in the matte and pearlescent finishes in this nine-colour palette. The good mix of colours also makes it easy to switch up your look.
Photo: Pinterest
Step by step, let us help you fulfill your goal of turning into a home baking goddess by introducing you to some of the tools and equipment which you will need!
P.S.: You’ll need to get your own supplies of sugar, spice and everything nice*. And this is presuming that you already own an oven at home too.
*flour, eggs, sugar and other required baking ingredients.
1. Kitchen scale
Photo: Pinterest
The essential first step to attaining the perfect baked cake/bread/cookies is to get accurate measurements of the ingredients needed! While baking is not rocket science, you’ll still need to adhere to recipes as much as possible.
2. Sieve
Photo: Pinterest
Next, sift flour to ensure there’ll be no uneven flour blobs getting in the way of achieving a smooth cake batter or dough. And we’ll be moving onto…
3. Mixing bowl
Photo: Pinterest
This is needed for the very important task of containing your various ingredients before you can begin mixing/folding/combing them into a consistent batter or dough.
4. Measuring spoons
Photo: Pinterest
Not only is a set of measuring spoons used for cooking but also baking. You’ll need to know just how much exactly one teaspoon of vanilla essence or cinnamon is, before you can add it into your batter.
5. Electric mixer
Photo: Pinterest
Really, who has the time or energy to beat flour and eggs into an even mixture by hand? Save yourself the hassle (and possibly, sore arm muscles) by utilising this electric mixer!
6. Spatula
Photo: Pinterest
Don’t waste any of your precious batter! Scrap and get every last bit of it using a spatula. Plus, with a spatula this chic, who wouldn’t wanna use it?
7. Rolling pin
Photo: Pinterest
Be it bread or cookies that you’ll be baking, you’ll definitely need a rolling pin to flatten your dough after kneading it!
8. Loaf pan
Photo: Pinterest
Now, you can finally transfer your batter into a cake/bread loaf tin before putting it in the oven to let the baking begin~
READ MORE: You HAVE to see these extremely cute chiffon cakes and RECIPES: You don’t need a cake mixer to bake these cookies and madeleines.
9. Cupcake liners
Photo: Pinterest
Muffins don’t have to be boring! Not if they’re lined with these bright, cheery, colourful cupcake liners.
10. Cupcake tin
Photo: Pinterest
Alternatively, use cupcake liners and a cupcake tin if you intend to bake cupcakes.
11. Oven mitts
Photo: Pexels.com
With this adorable oven mitt, you will definitely want to always wear it to safely retrieve your tray of baked goods once the oven timer goes off.
12. Cooling rack
Photo: Pinterest
Remember to give your baked goods some time to cool off by placing them on a cooling rack.
13. Piping bag & piping nozzle
Get your groove on and pipe your cupcakes a funky combination of colours with this triple piping nozzle.
14. Cake stand
Ahhhhh yes and now, it’s time for you to proudly display your cake, placed on an equally pretty cake stand no less.
15. Cake box
Photo: Pinterest
Whether you’re intending to bring your baked goods to distribute to your colleagues at work or to a potluck gathering, use this handy box to contain them.
For more advanced bakers, consider getting these tools:
Mooncake mould
Photo: Pinterest
Mid-autumn festival may still be a good five months’ time away but there’s no stopping you from practising making perfectly-shaped mooncakes.
Grater
Photo: Pinterest
For those times when you’re feeling more adventurous and would like to explore a wider range of recipes such as lemon zest or orange peel butter cake, this grater will come in handy!
This story was originally published on Ezbuy.sg, April 12, 2017.
READ MORE: BAKING TIPS: What is the difference between cake flour, bread flour, all purpose flour and top flour? and Phoon Huat and 3 other baking supply shops for baking ingredients, bakeware, and cupcake accessories​.