A belated Gong Xi Fa Cai to all! I spent my Lunar New Year in Paris and just got back, still jet-lagged. Before you read on, be warned that this post is riddled with complaints; in fact, my first ‘whining’ piece (imagine the suppression:-)), so bear with me. To be frank, every trip to Paris unfailingly leaves me with jumbled sentiments. While the city is resplendently beautiful, the people witty and tasteful, the food (especially cheese and beef)  incomparable, my actual accommodation itself, thanks to you-know-who is pure purgatory. I jest not — envisage utter dilapidation, complete with paint peeling off the walls, tacky tables covered with starched, holey bath towels, hideous ornaments, mattress and pillows designed to produce more body aches than rest, and finally, a freezing kitchen and bathroom sans heater (it was -3 to 10 degrees last week). I do not expect Four Seasons’ type of lodging, but neither do I look forward to something reminiscent of an abandoned old folks’ home. If you, like me, appreciate aesthetics and is remotely home-proud, you would comprehend what I mean when I confess that every nook and cranny of the lodging assaults me, as much as everything else about the city charms me. Why stay specifically there then? Let’s just say, it’s one of those compromises one has to suffer for love. Ah…

Something short of a miracle happened recently. Few things I’d long forgotten about though treasured found their way into the light again. Most importantly, is a small collection of poems I’d written and edited relentlessly from eons past. “The Quiet Deepens” is my pick of the lot below. It’s restrained and rather implosive in The Ice Storm sort of way. On the subject of poems, I used to love poems tremendously, more so than novels. They are compact and dense, with everything from the situation, conflict and resolution delivered in a matter of a few lines, stanzas, or at most, a few pages. Short stories go the same way, except for some unfathomable reason, there are so few really good short stories around compared to the hundreds of great poems. Perhaps, one day, I will write another poem, and I wonder, how different it will be from the one below…  

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The Quiet Deepens

Angelina Seow 

A glance, a twitch, a pause

They speak silently

Through each beat

The pause deepens

The space expands

They are typing again

Tap-tap-tap echoing into the night

Their minds are fencing without respite

It is raining again

Drops ricocheting against the granite

Their battles wage on in darkness, in light

They stand still while riots rage

They hold their breath till the storm abates

The unfurling of the end, they wait

The quiet deepens

The space expands

Be this the end or the beginning

Of peace to come or a call-to-arms?

They can only wait.

It’s the season of sweet loving for Reverie, with just a month away from Valentine’s Day. We are giving away a cute jug of Reverie mango-apple bonbons for every purchase of Reverie jewellery in January and February!

Did we mention they are super yummy, not too sweet (reduced sugar) and incredibly addictive?

Only the cutest gift for our discerning customers!

2011 is here and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it will bring alot more good luck and happiness. For a start, Reverie will be in the well-loved FashBash again next weekend on 15th and 16th Jan at Orchard Central. Make a date with us at Stall 45 near the fountain on the ground floor. Past seasons’ collections will be up to 40% off, with prices kicking in from $60 for earrings, and $95 onwards for necklaces! To top it off, we will unveil oodles of elegant new designs with Swarovski pearls, suede and cotton used most unpredictably…Seeya!

With festive bells jingling merrily away, you’d probably have given some gifts away with more to go. If you have been too busy gift-hunting for others, and not yourself, here are a couple more pretty little things you can deck on yourself. First, is the tribal style necklace with an unusual combination of crystals and beads, going at a steal of $128. For those with a taste for the finer things in life, the elegantly bespoke bracelets, priced from $300 onwards, are must-haves. Lastly, have yourself a very Merry Christmas and an awesome New Year!

Turquoise necklace. Portrait pendant can be replaced by a smokey grey chandelier design Swarovski crystal to pump up the gloss.

Customised bracelet featuring edgy turquoise crystal, silver chains and a cute sea-shell.

Designed this classy, glitzy piece for myself as well as a fashion-forward customer who provided her own uber cool skeletal crystal charm which replaces the garlic charm in the photo.

Sorry for the long weeks of silence and lack of updates;  the past weeks have been absolutely mental on many fronts with lots to execute and barely any time left to couch, do nothing. That said, I am pleased to present Reverie’s latest — The Inca collection ranging from $149 — $259. Available exclusively in Colette boutique in Forum Galleria.

Hogging the limelight this party season are all things gold, fun and flirty. Here are recent popular pieces, almost all of which have been sold out. Selective re-makes are possible.

A bespoke piece from the luxe collection for a Libra lady.

A simple, stunning piece for work and play. 

The colours of the chain and crystal set off beautifully against tanned skin.  

A bespoke piece from the luxe collection and my personal favourite.

I love perfume. Smelling fabulous makes me feel as wonderful as a piece of unique jewellery or beautiful frock. To borrow a quip from Arthur Miller, “Can anyone remember love? It’s like trying to summon up the smell of roses in a cellar. You might see a rose, but never the perfume.” Here are the few rare loves that I had discovered along my journey of scents.
 

Exotically Unfamiliar: L’Ombre dans L’Eau from Diptyque 

L’Ombre dans L’Eau was my first foray into the world of exotic scents beyond the realm of the commercial and familiar. Diptyque described the fragrance as “the scent of a green riverside garden.” Rich with black-current leaves and Bulgarian rose, it feels resplendently baroque.

Crisp & Clean: White Jasmine & Mint from Jo Malone

Jo Malone’s signature fragrance has been said to be “inspired by a sun drenched morning in an English garden”. Notes of jasmine, lily, orange flower and rose fuse with a touch of wild mint, for a scent that will transport you to sunny mornings in the countryside.

A Citrus Revolution: Ananas Fizz from L’artisan Parfumeur

Ananas Fizz is one of L’Artisan less well-known creation. It takes you by surprise with its unexpected burst of grapefruit and pineapple. Before stumbling onto this, I was and still am a devoted fan of their lovely Chaus eau Papillon. But these days, whenever I am hit by a lull, all it takes is a few spritz of Ananas Fizz or Malone’s White Jasmine & Mint for an intoxicating perk-me-up.

Voluptuous Vintage: Lumiére Noir from Maison Francis Kurkdjian

M. Kurkdjian’s Lumiére Noir is a quintessential Parisian scent. As another blogger shared, “you feel you should be wearing Sabbia Rosa silk undies beneath a tailored tweed suit, perched on a gilt chair drinking ice-cold Cristalle, to really do it justice.” Evocative of rose, cumin, hot pepper, patchouli and narcissus, this has the traits of a vintage perfume. Quite unexpected since the creator has, prior to setting up his own line, been known for mainstream hits such as Narciso Rodriguez for Her and, Lanvin’s Rumeur.  

Swing by this Tuesday and Wednesday from 10am — 5pm to the Orchard Hotel Fancy Fair. Reverie will be showcasing new arrivals that have yet to hit the shelves, clearing old favourites, as well as presenting some affordable Christmas treats! Check our Facebook page for the table layout to know exactly where we will be located — Table 8 to the left of the Orchard Ballroom’s entrance. Lastly, here are some tips for a most pleasurable shopping experience:

1. Be prepared for a dizzying array of stalls with almost anything and everything, from jewellery to skincare, cupcakes to scarves.
2. Target your shopping to minimise fatigue. The first time I patronised this fair, I was worn out by the bombardment of choices.
3. Be decisive and quick. With rock-bottom prices at such fairs, nice stuff go in a jiffy, even with no discounts.
4. Cash is king. Bring cash and expect minimal, if even any, discounts. Even for vendors buying from other vendors, the discount we got was a trifling 1% or less than $5! And that’s after much negotiating.

 A glimpse of what to expect. The gorgeous floral cuff and bee ring are from BOHM (New York), while the earrings, pendant and necklace from Reverie.

An elegant interpretation of our Wonderland series made its way to Trixilini boutique recently, with pendants and necklaces starting from $139. Here’s a preview too of new earrings to be launched soon in Colette boutique. For those who can’t wait, make sure you swing by at The Fancy Fair in Orchard Hotel on Tuesday, 9th Nov and Wednesday, 10th Nov to catch a glimpse of few of these, some old favourites and a whole lot of exciting new designs yet to be unveiled!

Designs below range from $139-$159. Available in Colette boutique come mid Nov.

With the year-end season on its way, I am counting down to the mega sales, especially for the few mainstream labels I have a weakness for, such as Massimo Dutti, A/X, All Dressed Up, Karen Millen and BCBG. No one does effortless chic with quality fabrics like Massimo Dutti, while BCBG really knows how to dress up the petite. Right now, I am trying to curb my lust for BCBG’s exquisitely tailored dresses from their online shop. Check out some of their head-turners below. Drool…

Reverie’s first stretchable bracelets designed to complement the camel and ‘au naturel’ trend which is de rigueur these days. Made using ethnic beads from Japan, it took ages to get the right combination of metal, glass and resin to bring out the hues and textures. Available at friendly prices from only $80 onwards, one of the bracelets was snapped up even before I’d the chance to take a snapshot! A unique necklace completes the mini Ethnic collection. My foray into velvet…oooh, how lush.

For a little more bold touch, check out the contrasting navy and mocha bracelet on the right.

My personal favourites simply because they go with just about any outfit! LEFT BRACELET SOLD

One-of-a-kind necklace with velvet as the long chain alongside a creative mix of beads. SOLD

Miss M: Can you please do something with these flowers? I got this bracelet from Shangri-la, Tibet because I really like the flowers though I haven’t worn the bracelet!

The original sterling silver floral bracelet, which I deconstructed, and waited for inspiration to strike……

Some 5 weeks later, a draft design comes into being and was shown to Miss M for her inputs. Apparently, Miss M is looking for something pink, a new colour for her jewellery collection. She shared her preferences and even sketched out her ideas! Cool.

2 more weeks later after much wiring and a fitting session in which I discovered that Miss M likes crystals, a new star is born.