Moments captured with my Casio Exilim TR15

And finally, I am back with pictures taken on my Casio Exilim TR 15.  Thank you Casio for giving me the opportunity to get my hands on this during the launch when it was already out of stock!

Ok, it took me a long long time because I had been working on trying to do more selfies since I have not really been known to be taking many of them and of course bringing you nice pictures taken with this hot pink sidekick of mine. You can follow me on my instagram to see my daily pictures:)

So, as mentioned, I admit I am really a newbie in selfie. So when I was gifted this wonderful camera, I thought the best way is to bring it everywhere I go and let the people I meet at work or events play with it. It is always fun when I get the reaction I have somewhat gotten used to. The 'I-can't-believe-my-skin-looks-that good' look.



The Casio Exilim TR15 comes in 3 colours. White, Black and Hot pink.
So conveniently sized (same size as my Iphone), It is almost like a fashion accessory that will definitely turn heads at events.

Photo Credit : Casio




I think it has been mentioned many times before by so many before me why this camera is every girl's dream and why it is always SOLD OUT! The most amazing and attractive feature would be the makeup and brightening mode. I mean honestly, everyone is editing their pictures nowadays to look almost perfect. So with this, let me tell you, you do not even need to be looking your usual best, you will always look like you have marvellous skin full of radiance with this makeup mode. It is no wonder, it is selling like hot cakes all over Asia. There are 12 levels of enhancement, so you can choose how 'good' you want to look. I usually do a level 6-9, and a level 12 for the no makeup days. So yes to a 'real' out of bed look, complete with zilch makeup.

There are two shutter buttons, one situated conveniently at the lowest side of the frame and another next to the on/off switch. So no more trying to yoga your finger into an uncomfortable position just to get a selfie. As this is touch screen, you can also set the shutter capture to be touch screen enabled. I personally go for the one at the side of the frame.

Ok, this would be every selfie-taker's woe. You try to capture a picture of yourself, but you end up having a huge face covering the entire background. This is a wide angle view, so you do not end up having to blanket the entire background with your face or having to stretch out too far. Here's an example.

Cath Kidston Preview Party @ ION

Wide angle. Makeup level 9 & brightening mode

 



Another innovation would be that you can wifi the pictures immediately to your phone, instagram or facebook them. How convenient. So no need for any editing of pictures or choosing of filters to cover any unpleasant flaws (dark circles, tired looking skin). There is a remote capture feature where you can prop the camera up on a table ,or anywhere stable for that matter ,and you can check yourself out on your smartphone (just need to download the exilim app) before snapping. All pictures shown here are direct from camera. No filter or editing.

Now I have become everyone's best friend at social meetings, events and work gigs.
Why?
They get selfies with my TR15, I wifi and send them immediately. They get new nice pictures of themselves instantly.
That's why. :)

I shall leave you to check out the other technical features of the Casio TR15 from their website here.
The rest will be pictures and pictures galore! Some are my selfies, others' selfies, of things and some are shots taken by others.

 

 

 

 

Super close-up. This is level 12 with brightening effect! I really needed the max enhancement as I was having some spots and this was after a 10hour work day! No kidding.

 

Serene Koong teaching me how to do a selfie at the studio. :p

Makeup feature level 6. Natural

 

 

 @Discover pets

 

 At a Prestige shoot. Goofing around :)

 

My beautiful cousin, Samantha. Made even more beautiful seen here with the TR15. Pro selfie-taker, only needed this one and only shot to get it right.

 

Thank you for the wait. I will be using this camera a lot at events, social outings and for blog pictures . So please remember to swing by this blog or see pics on my instagram for regular pics by my Pink sidekick.

Sisley Beauty Event 2013

Sisley Paris is having their beauty event for 2013 and this time it is held at Takashimaya Cosmetics Department Level 1, 12th-18th September.

How quickly time flies when we are having fun! I am feeling like it is just not too long ago when I was invited to be their guest makeup stylist for the event at Robinson's atrium in Jul 2012. Read here for last year's event : Sisley

Flashback 2012 July

Sisley Paris has been my makeup sponsor for my editorial and fashion work for the last year. The botanical ingredients in their makeup line make their makeup products so much more attractive. Making you look good with beautiful colours and at the same time treating your skin well with all the skincare benefits.

I especially love their liquid foundation and lip colours. I really really love their Phyto Lip gloss. So luxurious and creamy. I love how true the colour is. Perfect for those always on the go who needs a pop of colour and yet treating the lips at the same time.

My all time favourite is Fuschia.

 

Read here for my earlier blog post about my favourites. Sisley Products


I do a few other guest appearances for their product media launches so I am kept abreast with their new interesting innovations in skincare and makeup.

And this year, I am invited again as their Celebrity Guest Artist!
 

 

 

 

 

'We will be there at Takashimaya Department Store Cosmetics Dept Level 1, 12th-14th Sept.

Come by to try out their skincare and makeup, or just to say hi!'

 

See ya!

 

Please stay tuned for the post-event blog post.

 

 

Tiny, Dark & Handsome.

This would probably be the first post I am writing which is non beauty/work related. This is about my other passion and love, animals.

I decided to start talking about dogs here since so many of my friends and clients ask me about it. Almost everything from adoption, training, health issues and feeding them. So here is the first instalment, The Introduction.

I have always been a big animal lover as I grew up in a family full dogs, fish, terrapins, amphibians (yes, frogs & lizards), monkeys and etc. Of course, my favourite would be dogs! Man's best friend, indeed.

My earliest memories of dogs were not all that great though. I remember tripping over them at home as I was learning how to walk, however, they never seem bothered by it. And the scary walk from my Grandma's Katong bungalow gate to her front door. My Grandma had the kindest heart and would take in ANY dog who needed a home. We had pure bred Dalmatian (Spotty), Doberman, small pekingnese, Alsatians, Pitbulls, cocker spaniel and many mixed breeds. 10 over dogs in the garden at one time , if I remember correctly. I remember my dad would tell me no eye contact, no running and just walk straight to the door (a 20m walk). I was like 3 years old. Lucky for me, all the dogs were trained so I was never harmed.

Fast forward to my teens, where a friend of mine gave me my very first dog. A very beautiful and sometimes too intelligent, silver Poodle puppy I named Baby. And because of Baby, I got to experience dogs' unconditional love and joy they can bring. It is amazing how intelligent and sensitive dogs are.
She will always hold a very special place in my heart because she is my very own first dog. I did loads of research in libraries and bookstores (when internet was not available then ;p ) on how to train her, groom her and practically how to take care of a dog. I started to appreciate poodles a lot, especially black and silver ones.

I got another apricot male poodle puppy whom I named Muffy to be part of our pack. The bravest boy who will go out of his way to stay close to me and protect me.
Baby lived till she was almost 18 years old. Though she was completely blind and unable to move during her last days, we all knew this feisty girl was happy till the very end.
Muffy lived till only 9years old as he suffered from liver cancer. His death really broke me. He was in pain at times yet he was still the loveliest boy to me, and to me only. He would snap at others if they tried to pick him up as the tumour in his stomach hurt, but he would never do that to me.

Baby when she was 14 years old

 

 

Muffy at 8 years old



So I started to volunteer at dog shelters to help the less fortunate dogs who are abandoned or stray. I learnt so much about puppy mills and so many things I did not know before about how cruel some people are to breed dogs in terrible conditions just to sell the puppies. Or most reasons for giving up their dogs or even to be euthanized (yes, they do bring their healthy dogs to be put to sleep)  are because the wife is having a new baby, or they are moving to smaller apartment, or just because the puppy grew up to be too big. There are even more cruel abandoned cases, too are many to tell in a single post. Ridiculous reasons? You tell me.

So after trying very hard not to keep another dog as I could not get over the grief of losing Muffy, Oliver aka Ollie, chose to come live with us (we always say he had adopted us ;p) and changed all that. He was also abandoned because he was not the healthiest young dog which would mean lots of medical bills to take care of. It was really hard to resist not taking him home and give him the comfortable life he so deserves. I would like to think that with all the home cooked healthy meals and loads of love, he is extremely spoilt and healthy now. The once skinny malnourished boy is now a pretty good looking furball now.

And this is my boy, Ollie

 

 

Ollie goes to work with me at the studio pretty often, and that is how clients get to interact with him and ask me many dog related questions. I do admit that I do go out of my way a lot just to take him out with us for dinner and outings.

I always try to inspire others to adopt over buying a new puppy at the petshop (especially if you have no clue of the puppies' pawrents, most likely backyard breeder or from the puppymill) by sharing Ollie's story and with this short list below.

Here are a few pros of adopting an adult dog.

1. They have past that destructive phase when they are teething. So no chewing on shoes, furniture and etc. As they become adults, they are more self disciplined.
2. Easier to toilet train or housebreak, or most of them already are trained.
3. With an adult dog, you will already know his size as a full grown, his temperament and health.

 

 

Photos taken at the studio

 

I will be happy to talk more about dog related issues here and of course they will be from my views and experience. I would love to help more dogs and their human family live together happily and healthily with whatever knowledge I have to share.

Here are a few dog rescue volunteer groups you can find out about in their Facebook links :
SOSD
ASD
Animal Lovers League
AAWSG
OASIS



Till next time.

My Tiny, Dark & Handsome boy, Ollie.

Follow me on Instagram to see Ollie regularly.
 

Follow me on Instagram!

Yes, I am a late bloomer. Better late that never right? :)

I have always been very private about my life, however, I know many of you want me to reach out to you on a more personal level. To see what I do at work, out of work, share things I see and events I go to.

Please follow me here!Click Instagram

Casio Exilim TR 15 Media Launch

It has been a very exciting and hectic (good kind of hectic, though) year for me. I do hope it has been great for you too!

This year, I have had so many opportunities to start new and bigger things. So thankful for the new people and things in my life. And I would like to take this opportunity to share with you what I have been busy with.

Some of you might know that I have been helping out in my family's Event conceptualisation business for many years now. Our Event business targets more fashion campaigns and launches focusing on celebrity appearances and fashion models. Now armed with more experience and knowledge, I am now heading the Fashion & Styling department of W.A.T.E Works (We are revamping a new website for W.A.T.E. Works). I take care of all styling & fashion related issues. Namely wardrobe & styling department and makeup & hairstyling department. I also have a great team working under me.

I was handed a very big project before I left for Tokyo, Japan. It is for the Casio Exilim TR 15 Media Launch in Singapore. The compact camera every Self-portrait photo user MUST own. Just do a google and you can see how they are sold like hot cakes even before the official launch in Shanghai, Hongkong and Taiwan. Why are all the celebrities, bloggers, selfie-takers and almost everyone wants one or if you are lucky, already own one.
Let's see how this powerful compact looks like first. Besides the basic white and black colour choices, the shocking pink is a real knock-out. I will talk about this camera more once I get my hands on one myself!

 

Pic credit : Casio

 

 

28th June, just one day after I came back from Tokyo, was the launch party. I had to shop in Tokyo for the models' outfits & accessories since I would not have time back here in Singapore to organise the wardrobe. Hard work lugging them around in busy Tokyo,but totally worth it when I see the final work.

 

The wonderful team of Mojito transformed the ballroom reception area to a very funky and Cyber-age place.

 

Here is the stage.

 

Our very own Top Singapore model, Sheila Sim, was the superstar of the show. Here's some pictures of us backstage before and after I have done her styling (Makeup by me too!)

 

Photo taken off my instagram, sorry for the grainy picture.

 

 

 

Here's the rest of the team. That's my brother, Leslie, the one behind W.A.T.E works.

With Bloggers Agri & Estelle

 

My 'personal' lens man, YuJin (the Hubs)

 

Mojito & W.A.T.E works

 

Choreographing the walk. Rehearsals. (Our videographer, René, got caught in the background)

 

 

And the party begins at 6pm!

Ying Ying opening the show.

 

Agri and Estelle sharing tips on Selfies with the TR 15 with the audience

Selfie-professionals! :)



 

Guests were then invited to go check out the cameras at the 3 different themed rooms.

Here is the tea room.

 

Here's our girls showing the guests all the wonderful and convenient functions of the camera.



 

 Make-up room

 

 



Dance Club



I will be back with more information on this very wonderful compact camera. This camera is currently out of stock so you will have check the retailers if you can be put on waiting list.

 

Till then, Selfie on! :)

 

 



 

 

Love,

 





Joiè

 

 

Photo credits : YuJin, Mojito & Casio



My Journey with Mrs Singapore Universe 2013

In March this year, a lady called me to book my styling services for a few dates. Little did I know, this would be a start to a newfound friendship.

When this lady turned up for her first styling service on 22nd March at the studio, I saw a very warm and down to earth person.

Her name is Christy Chung. A mother of five, a lecturer at our local Polytechnic and a wife who speaks fondly of her very doting husband.

As I usually try to find out more about the event my client is attending to be able give them the most appropriate makeup & hairstyling, Christy then told me she is actually a finalist for this year's Mrs Singapore Pageant! We then started chatting like old friends when I started sharing tips with her about pageants and my experience with styling for the last Mrs Singapore World 2012, Kim Marie Martin. We then kept in regular contact by text messages on other stuffs such as skin care.

The next styling was for her Pre-judging session, which it is actually the most important part of the competition. Where the ladies have to present themselves to the judges in their best evening gowns and answer questions put out to them. This is extremely nerve-wrecking to most people, but Christy showed no signs of nervousness.
This is her after the hair and makeup styling. Gorgeously poised in an elegant yet striking red evening gown. Here is Christy after my makeup & hair styling for her pre-judging.

The finals was on 11th May at Orchid Country Club. We were all in a huge room with the rest of the contestants. I was feeling light-headed by the tension that was filling the air. But none of it coming from Christy. She was still the ever so calm and collected Christy through out. We even managed a picture at the photo wall before I left.

After bidding her goodbye and wishing her the best, I left to go to see Mrs Singapore World 2012 in her room. Had only time to help her with her hair. Here's one with the queen.

At around 3am, I saw a message on my mobile from Kim Marie. The news actually got me super excited that I woke the hubs up too! Christy won the title of Mrs Singapore Universe 2013! I am truly happy for her. No one deserves it more than you, Christy!

Actually, besides Christy, I have had at least 5 other enquiries for styling for this pageant by other contestants. It must be fated then that she got the booking first, and the rest they say, is history.

Now, I am helping Christy prepare for her international competition in Aruba in August, where she is representing Singapore in Mrs Universe 2013. All contestants have to do their own hair and makeup so Christy is taking sort of a crash course on makeup and styling from me now.

Here I leave you with the winning pictures of Christy at the finals. All pictures (except with Kim Marie) are provided by Christy. Thank you!

All the best, Christy! Like what you always say 'Enjoy the moment and the experience!'

Testimonial by Christy on my facebook page :

Love working with Joie. My first encounter with her left me yearning for more. Not only did her personable demeanor put me at ease, her fashionistic inclination and eye for details set her apart from other makeup artists. I knew I was in very good hands after my first styling with her. Besides makeup, she became my beauty consultant as well, introducing cutting edge beauty technology, products and regime which suit my sensitive combination skin. Joie is also able to give fashion styling tips too. Recall her suggestions on matching accessories to go with my gowns and without Joie, I wouldn't have tried and known that bright red lip colour works on me too. Needless to say, I engaged her for my pre-judging and finals. Indeed she was one "magician" who sealed the win.