Seen.By.Ice.Queen: coming to my senses

When I was 8, my English teacher said this to me, "Michelle, you're such a tom boy."

Reflecting on my childhood and teen years, I realize that she was spot on. Looking at me, not many people will agree cos I spot long hair and I do wear dresses. I'm not particularly boyish in my behavior, androgynous perhaps but not manly. Details I will spare but suffice to say that I'm quite a dude trapped in a woman's body.

As a kid, I was sorely disappointed every birthday cos I was always getting gifts of dolls when all I wanted was a remote control car. My step-dad was the only person who indulged my fancy for cars. He would regularly take me to the petrol kiosk and buy me the match box cars after topping up fuel.

Other times, I would have to satisfy myself with watching the boys in my class play with their remote control cars after exam. They'd never offer me the chance to play cos I'm a girl and I was just too shy to ask.

As a teen, I've always clicked better with boys than with girls. Even though I was from an all girls' school. My closer buddies were always guys. I guess I like them for their straight-talking, don't-give-me-no-shit style of interaction. If they didn't like you, they'd say it to your face instead of pretending to be OK and then gathering forces behind your back to whiplash you from the dark.

I also cannot stand manja (read: whiny) people and girls in general, tend to display that trait more openly. On a lesser scale, it gives me goosebumps (not the nice kind) and on the higher annoyance scale, it makes me want to gorge out their eyes (ok maybe not so violent but you get the idea)

I still like my guy friends but as I get older, I am starting to appreciate my girlfriends more. Maybe it's because they are ever so patient when it comes to listening to the same problem over and over again. Or that they are that much more intuitive in sensing your downtimes without having to hang a placard over your neck to proclaim that you are having that time of the month, hence back off.

Yesterday, after ploughing the length and breadth of chinatown, tiong bahru etc. looking for chinese dance shoes, and failing to find it, I posted an update of FB asking if anyone knew where to get them, elusive shoes. And lo and behold, a whole bunch of girlfriends left me various threads to hunt them down. So, guess what? I found the shoes. Well, not exactly the chinese dance shoes i was looking for (lady in the shop told me even the chinese dance girls are no longer wearing them, guess production has ceased) but I did find some comfortable canvas ballet pumps.

Thank you girlfriends! You have made this girlfriend a happy girl :D

PS: In case you are looking for ballet pumps or dancing shoes, go to Costumes Connection. They're located at:

Some of you may remember this plucky Hawaiian lass who was attacked by a great white while surfing and at the tender age of 13, lost her left arm. What made her a revelation is that instead of developing a phobia and swearing off the sport for life (I know I would have!), she returned to hit the waves merely a month after.

Bethany Hamilton

This girl I'm talking about is Bethany Hamilton, AKA, brand ambassador for the new to Singapore brand, OCEAN MINDED. Last heard at the Press Launch of OCEAN MINDED on 25 June 2009 @ Vista Bistro, Playground @ Big Splash, a movie's being made about her story. Here's a little background to her story if you've not yet heard of her (where have you been man?)


Back to the subject of OCEAN MINDED. OCEAN MINDED seeks not only to bring comfortable and fashionable footwear, and subsequently apparels to Singapore. It also wants to inculcate being responsible to Mother Nature and Brother Earth. This goes beyond just using materials that are environmentally friendly, e.g. materials made from recycled plastic, water-based glue that will not harm the oceans etc. OCEAN MINDED also seeks to develop their customers into environmentally responsible people by organizing green activities e.g. beach clean ups.

Their efforts thus far may have gone relatively un-noticed to us busy city-buzzers but it is slowly and surely gaining foothold (no pun intended).

Sole of Meilani

With its first concept store launched late last year at Vivo City, it has started a trail of flowery prints to a series of store tie-ups and more coming up this year. Look out for the big wave from OCEAN MINDED that is sure to hit you.

For Her: Meilani

OCEAN MINDED's Brand Attributes

• Environmentally Conscious
• Quality, Fit and Comfort
• Natural and Sustainable Materials
• "LIVE" the ocean lifestyle, "PROTECT" our environment and "RESPECT" life!

OCEAN MINDED will be launching their products at Isetan Tampines Mall come 4th July 2009. Meanwhile, go grab a pair of OCEAN MINDED footwear at the following outlets:

• Ocean Minded Concept Store (Vivo City #02-62)
• IMM Mall
• Queensway Mall
• CHECK Stores (AMK Hub, Heeren & Westcoast Plaza)
• OG Orchard

Here's something a little out of the ordinary for you folks. Health Promotion Board (HPB) tied up with Fashion Creative Director, Marie Ng to bring 2 fashion events to you (by the time you read this, one will be over but you can still trot to the next one).

What's Chill?
All hosts and models in this show are subscribing to the You don't have to smoke to be cool mantra. A real breath of fresh air considering the fashion industry has always depicted cigarette chomping cigarette thin models (not that being cigarette thin has anything to do with cigarette chomping) so having these glamour puss tell you how to look FAB without that FAG is one sure way to tell you they mean business.

The Thrill
There's this signature piece at the event to look out for. Inspired by event host/HPB ambassador for anti-smoking, Evelyn Maria Ng and designed by Kahlee, this dress is half white and half black. The half white is the depiction of clean, wholesome, health of a non-smoker wheras the other black half portrays dark, gloomy, dirty and unhealthy image of a smoker.

If you missed the last show held at Heeren on 2 May, make your way down to the next one on 23 May 2009, 6pm at Tampines Mall. Last I heard, they're giving out goodie bags with FAB vouchers too!

Just promise to LIVE IT UP WITHOUT LIGHTING UP ;)

In my humble opinion, CROCS footwear was a cult by itself. There're die-hard fans who swear by it. And then, there are others...

The truth is, for the longest time, CROCS has been associated with clunky, brightly-colored, 'acquired taste' kinda footwear (OK, so some may even think it's OOGLIE..)

As for yours truly, I do not dispel the fact that it is ideal fashion for some (let's just say i thought CROCS should be limited to the age of 5 and below) but attending the Launch of CROCS Spring/Summer 2009 Collection last night truly blew me away.


I was presented a tray, yes, a tray.. of CROCS footwear by a hunky guy (that helped..) to choose from for a TRY OUT. I decided to pick out a gray pair of HAVANA to match my attire of the evening (short denim skirt + black vest. Read: Casual sexy) and was I impressed or what! It didn't make me feel like Phua Chu Kang's niece! I was relieved to be rid of my heels that were giving me countless blisters after a long day of walking around and was threatening to walk off in my fashionable HAVANAs. I only agreed to return it to Mr. Hunk when he dished out a 15% discount card for my next CROCS purchase.

As host Stephanie Carrington aptly put it, CROCS has been around for God knows how long. I was grateful that it finally did something to reach out to fellow fashionistas out there who DO want to have comfort on top of beauty.

And who was it who said you can't have the cake and eat it too? I'm eating mine right away!

Guess store at Paragon Shopping Centre, Singapore did a relaunch and staged a fashion parade showcasing their latest season's collections. Lending celebrity sparks to the show were Denise Keller and Julian Hee, both dorning the Guess Tees and jeans combi bringing home the message of looking good in anything if you have a good body.