erliana zaid @erlianazaid - Tumblr Blog

Go Bold, Naturally.

This article is first published at The Good Advocate.

(Source: http://www.allure.com/beauty-trends/runway-beauty/spring-2013/jason-wu#slide=4)

The age of enlightenment has dawned upon most of us, and we are now aware that beauty does not need to come at a hefty price. Monetary concerns aside, the health of the earth and that of one’s skin should not pay for the products one uses for beautification. For years, our favourite and familiar makeup products are produced with chock full of chemicals that harm the environment while damaging your skin. These are wrapped in layers of non-biodegradable packaging that further contributes to the rising landfills.

Fret not, brands with conscience have since been charging to the rescue, providing us with junk-free makeup. Let beauty be beyond skin deep - choose to go green and be glamorously good this Spring. Keeping on trend with bold lips against naturally dewy looks and full eyebrows, I’ve sussed out the brands worth advocating.

Keep it natural with bareMinerals.

(Source: http://www.realsimple.com/magazine-more/inside-website/daily-finds/new-beauty-solutions-august-00000000018423/page2.html)

In Singapore’s hot and humid climate, not all of us don baby-smooth skin. Personally having gone through some horrifying acne-driven teenage years, I know that flawless skin is hard to come by. bareMinerals solves this problem by perfectly balancing makeup with skincare, pairing perfect coverage with ample nourishment. Fundamentally made of a blend of micro and macro minerals, bareMinerals makeup provides UVA/UVB sun protection on top of longlasting lightweight coverage and creamy blendability. To top it off, ActiveSoil Complex, found exclusively in the bareMinerals skincare line regenerates the cells in the surface layer of your skin, resulting in luminous skin that defends itself against environmental stress. Without preservatives, binders and fillers, this line is as great for the environment as it is for your skin.

Key to beautiful skin is hydration. So, despite the lengthy list of great qualities, the bareMinerals makeup should not be mistaken for skincare even if it does have qualities of skincare. Makeup generally dries your skin out, so the skincare qualities in the makeup would merely prevent your skin from further dehydration, as opposed to enhancing hydration. (bareMinerals reports that its READY Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF20 increases skin hydration by 108% after 12 hours of wear. While that is reassuring, my traditional mindset insists on additional moisturisation before makeup.)

In the beginning, there is Origins.

(Source: http://www.herworldplus.com/beauty/updates/top-buys-from-origins-rsquo-revamped-counter-at-isetan-scotts)

For skincare made only with natural ingredients and produced using renewable resources, wind-energy and earth-friendly practices, opt for Origins. Back in October 2012, I discovered the Make a Difference collection. Ideal for combination skin, this treatment, along with the entire Make a Difference collection, comprises of Nature’s Rose of Jericho with Lychee and Watermelon. On top of wafting off scents of an appetising fruit salad, this collection rapidly restores moisture levels by 76%, preventing future skin dehydration. I had not realised then how unbelievably dry my skin was. Now, 3 months in, I declare the Make a Difference Plus + Rejuvenating Treatment the elixir of youth. My skin has never felt more soft, supple and fresh as it does now – the perfect complement to this season’s bold lips.

Embrace Passionate Pouts with M.A.C

(Source: http://becauselondon.com/beauty/2010/01/25/mac-ruby-woo-lipstick.aspx)

While not traditionally known to be an ecobeauty brand, M.A.C Cosmetics has a recycling programme where you can exchange 6 used M.A.C cosmetic containers and receive a lipstick of choice in return. Perfect timing for Spring 2013’s lips-focused trend. Seduce with rich, dark burgundy or be playful with orange-tinged scarlets. My favourite is Ruby Woo. Modern, matte, and fire-truck red, I can’t help but channel my inner 1950s seductress. Pucker up!

#ecobeauty #eco #beauty #skincare #spring #2013 #foundation #bareminerals #origins #make a difference #m.a.c #mac cosmetics #ruby woo #bold #lips #trend

Bromancing Broga

In the past couple of years, it's cool to be hot as Hot Yoga garners popularity in Sunny Singapore. Aspiring yogis readily practice heart-pumping yoga in an enclosed room heated to approximately 40°C. In addition to toning muscles and increasing flexibility, it is believed to promote detoxification and weight loss as you sweat buckets for an hour. Despite this intense workout having abundant benefits, women dominate a majority the mats in boutique studios across the island. Yoga appears feminine and the men just don't get it.

Facing the same problem in New York, a couple of bros created Broga, a series of yoga postures appealing to men. In an attempt to man up the sport, Broga features less stretching and more strengthening - not unlike the standard Vinyasa yoga series. A fast fad, this is created with a high-intensity workout incorporating more planks and side-planks with vigorous movement and jumps. In short, Broga requires less zen, and more of being in the zone during the practice.

The key point of difference is not the postures themselves, but the space in which men practice yoga. Held in a room where you leave judgement with your shoes and mobile phones on the other side door, one practices broga in comfortable baggy clothes. Stylishly matching clothes not mandatory, this is a seemingly great deterrent for female fashionistas. It would be interesting for women to invade this space if Broga ever makes it to Singapore. Girls, in the words of Barney Stintson, let us say, “Challenge, accepted”.

#broga #yoga #barney stintson #singapore #new york #fad #zen #fashionista

March in Symmetry

This Spring, as flowers begin to bloom, runway fashion shifts from predictable pastels and free-flowing florals, opting instead for solid minimalism and symmetry in colours and design.

Alexander Wang's masculine collection is a cross between exaggerated hockey jerseys and knights' armours, sliced in a duel. No damsels in distress allowed for these strong androgynous looks.

(Source: http://www.glamour.com/beauty/blogs/girls-in-the-beauty-department/2012/09/5-ideas-for-black-white-nail-a.html)

Simply seductive, Calvin Klein's collection combines strength and femininity with bold bustiers, accentuated waists and textured sheer overlays. Classics do not have to be boring.

(Source: http://fashiontrendalerts.wordpress.com/2012/09/14/calvin-klein-collection-at-new-york-fashion-week-spring-2013/)

Marc Jacobs' strict stripes in his latest collection includes a welcome breath of reds, the only reminder of flowers in springtime, interspersed with black and whites. This is perfectly displayed geomatrically during the New York Fashion Week (2nd photo below). For physics geeks and cult fans of The Big Bang Theory, this is endearingly reminiscent of Sheldon Cooper's Doppler Effect costume.

(Source: http://allegrocreativedesigns.wordpress.com/2012/09/11/nyfw-marc-jacobs-salutes-stripes-at-his-spring-2013-show/desktop1-7/)

(Source: http://news.yahoo.com/ap-photos-ny-fashion-weeks-attention-grab-024711638.html)

#fashion #runway #alexander wang #calvin klein #marc jacobs #symmetry #Black and White #Big Bang Theory #doppler effect

buffythevampyreslayer-deactivat

I’m so proud to say my local Los Angeles ABC has the first Muslim (hijabi) woman news anchor on American television. So many happy tears :’)

This my friends is the world moving forward. I’m so proud.

I need to do this workout. I want sexy legs too! Yoga has been helping me with my core, so this really shouldn't be that difficult. 15 minutes a day should be easy enough right? I can do this!

#workout #legs #core #15 minutes

Booty Break.

Girls, enjoy.

This is awesome. The homepage is unassuming... well, as unassuming as a website promoting an awesome looking booty can be. You choose which male booty you want and make it dance, shake, flex and slap... you know, whatever rocks your boat.

It's all an ad for Vichy's new anti-cellulite cream. Brilliant.

#Vichy #ad #advertisement #french #booty #dance #male #flex #shake #slap

This adorable turtle is struggling to bite into a tiny piece of tomato. I cheered when he finally gets a little bite... only to laugh when he misses it yet again.

#turtle #video #funny #eating #tomato #perception

Published on The Real Good Guide, here's a post on DIY Bracelets - The Pretty, The Funky, The Manly.

#real good guide #fashion #diy #bracelet

Meeting the Dragon, Once Again

On the eleventh day of October, I was greeted by a series of fortunate surprises involving sweet treats and sweeter company.

Greeting me at my door with a small gift to be unwrapped later, was the Presenter of surprises for the day. Very much a part of the day, yet at times taking a back seat, he plays the role of a narrator of my personal adventure tale. A quick hug and a kiss and we are off.

The first stop, Carpenter and Cook. Unsuspectingly sequestered in an alleyway off Bukit Timah (closer to Jalan Jurong Kecil) is a bakery/cafe. The marvels of nostalgia awaits as we entered the premises. Almost like time travelling back into the time of my grandparents, the store lines memories almost as well as they line their pastries and desserts, creating a surprising ambience of being in a happy museum where food is very welcome near (and on) the exhibits.

As soon as we stepped foot into the cafe, we are greeted with an artistic piece of mosaic tiles, the ultimate welcome mat.

Once can hardly take in all the vintage furniture, cutlery, and accents in a single glance. Every where I looked, I was delighted to be fascinated by something old - the sewing machine tables with attached pedals (the sewing machine itself displayed in a line on a counter), the mismatched tables and chairs (each holding up its own marvellous stories of the past), the huge clocks (once viewed by a sea captain), the list is unending.

The biggest surprise here was Thanes (a secret plan hatched by my conspirator). Wandering in a little lost, I noticed her first before she spotted me. In that brief moment, I thought of how coincidental it was that she, too, was at this particular cafe. Ensuing my squeals of delight was the difficult choice of brunch.

We settled on a smashing savoury brioche bun with sun-dried tomatoes, a picnic spinach quiche, a latte and a pot of cinnamon tea. All served on classic vintage cups and plates, paired with unique cutlery, the food matched the atmosphere of the place - imperfect and homey, tasty and familiar. I will soon return to take in more of the cafe - both the ambience and nibbles. Thanes leaves us here.

Following a scenic bus ride in the tranquil rain, our next stop was Millenia Walk. (We took a little detour to Pandora to obtain a luggage charm to add on to my charm bracelet. Therein lies the promise of more adventures with my mastermind.)

Back to dessert places, we ended up at 3 Inch Sin. Fun-sized chocolate goodness it is. It may be small but the Bitter Orange Molten Chocolate Cake sure packed in a bomb of warm gooey chocolate, heavenly when paired with the salted caramel ice cream. (A side note: the salted caramel ice cream here can't beat the one at Salted Caramel along Upper Thomson Road. It is creamier and saltier, without overpowering the sweetness of the caramel.) The guest here is Shikha! A wonderful catch up after a meet-up that was six months overdue.

Shikha accompanied us to our next discovery: Tuxedo at Carlton Hotel (her former workplace).

Just our luck, they had an offer of a free slice of Tuxedo cake with every pot of tea. We paired our decadent chocolate cake with a pot of earl grey, which was a little odd, but still lovely.

By this point, we are a little on a chocolate overload, and I am definitely on a happy sugar high. We bid Shikha farewell until next time (which hopefully won't be another half a year).

We managed to slot in a viewing of Looper (starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt!). I was not disappointed at all! There are some draggy bits in the middle, which is to be expected given that there was a necessity to lay down the premise of the show. I was a little wary before I watched it because movies with time travel tend to be a little cheesy, or forced, or simply illogical, but Looper is a good combination of suspense and confusion, with the loose ends tied up. I really enjoyed it (and not only because of Joe in there).

Our final destination is somewhat of a tradition - Swensen's at Thomson Plaza with the family. Following a huge meal of Deep Fried Mushrooms, Chilli Fish Pasta, Mega Lamb Burger (mine), Mega Burger, Sourdough 49ers Chicken and Sourdough 49ers Beef, and Melty Cheesy Crust Chicken, to be shared amongst six adults and a hyper child, we had desserts.

It was unbelievable how much desserts we had - and they were all free. We dug into a 1kg Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Cake, TWO Birthday Firehouses and a Frosted Chocolate Malt Sundae. By this point, I was bursting and we had to bring home three-quarters of the cake. Of course, there was still time to unwrap a gift from my parents, which was a pretty wristlet that my mum had me pick out months ago.

My favourite gift is the Time Turner, and the last of 3 from my giver of gifts. (The first was the charm and the second, a little note by my ostentatious cretin.) I feel like a geeky Hermione - either the time turner made me more geeky, or it enhanced my inner geek, but I had made some very cheesy Harry Potter references for days.

Feels like I've come full circle and return right back into the Dragon's arms. It's been a good 12 years since my last Dragon adventures, and I'm feeling better than happy - I'm content and feeling positive. Anything is possible.

#birthday #surprise #love #cafe #desserts #carpenter and cook #3 inch sin #tuxedo #singapore #time turner #happy #dragon

It's October.

Many life changing decisions and actions have been sculpted in past Octobers. I am the most agitated, reflective, and restless at this time. Creation is rife. Nothing is still, my breath is short and hollowed. My fingers are itching, my brain is churning, my body is on the move. I am not at peace. But I am most myself.

October is my month of hope. October is my new beginning.

#october #beginning #restless #new #creation

This is the beginnings of an interesting project, that I have been working on for a few months now. Still at it's beginning stages, with its charming rough edges, it outlines my vision of a real good guide.

Check out the manifesto, and the first post.

I am so proud of the birth of my real good adventure!

#real good #website #project #manifesto #beginning #guide

For this month, this is my Yoga Diary.

I'm back into hot yoga! Ohhh... How it feels like home.

I've signed up for a Hot Yoga Challenge of 30 sessions of hot yoga in 30 days, starting on 1st May. And I am loving it thus far... granted, it's only been the 2nd day. With the Hot Yoga Challenge, I thought it was only right that I try to eat healthier too. I don't feel like I need to lose weight - so I refuse to keep track of my weight throughout the month - but I'd like to tone up and generally feel healthier. I'm excited to see how it all works out on 30th May!

I've been warned that the breaking point for most who have been through the challenge is during the 2 week mark. I'm not there yet, but I know I'm going to go through with it. It will be ok. Breathe in positivity... breathe out negativity... om...

The first day was hard though. It has been a while since I've regularly done hot yoga - close to a year, with random spatters of 3 or 4 sessions on random months. So when I went for that first 90 minute session, I was between the level of this is horrible! why did I voluntarily sign up for this?! and oh my god, I'm going to faint. By the end of the session though, I felt way better than I expected.

This is what I'd want to pursue. Hot yoga really makes me happy. Wish me luck! :)

Sessions accomplished thus far:

1. Hot Hatha - 90 mins (with Sara)

2. Hot Hatha - 60 mins (with Katie)