The Best Beef Horfun

doesnt this make you salivate?

I seldom use the word "best" when it comes to describing something as it is quite impossible to have the best for something. But this is really the best beef hor fun I have ever tasted in my life. The black bean gravy is thick and flavoursome, the horfun is springy and tasty. There is a generous serving of beef and the slices are so big that you can probably "slap" someone with it. And yet it is so tender that when you sink your teeth into the beef, it melts in your mouth.

Only $6 for a plate which is big enough for 1 person. Served in restuarant Moi Lum at Peck Seah Street which is just beside my fashion suite @ Red Dot Building.

Asking For Help.....correctly

Many people have asked me how do I get so many press features and how do I manage to get sponsors for my fashion show. Sometimes I get a little angry when I hear this. Because their tone seems to suggest that I was plain lucky and "help" just fell like rain from the sky.

Perhaps I was blessed with abit of luck. But more importantly, perseverance,and wit is essential to getting help successfully. I suffer demoralising rejections too. For every "yes" that I get, there are numerous numerous rejections which people dont see. Asking help is an art itself. Some people dont ask and wish for help so they never get it. Some people ask for help wrongly and they get ignored. Excluding loved ones and friends, people will only help you if there is a reason and usually there must be something in it for them. And you must provide the reason for them to help you.

When I approach sponsors, first I study their organisation and their clientele and find out why they have to help me and what I can offer them. The proposition must be compelling and summarised as sponsors are BUSY. Then when you are ready, the scariest thing is making a cold call. And if you are lucky, they grant you a meeting to hear you out. But this is only the beginning of a marathon. There are many layers of approvals in an organisation and you must pass thru them where each have different agendas. This process will take few months at least and rob you of your strength and stamina. The faint hearted will have given up by now. But the determined will perservere and tackle every meeting with wits till you win the battle. So this is how some people get sponsors eventually and some dont.

Applies to press features also. I have to analyse the magazine and think of interesting news angles to pitch to reporters. I write all my own press releases as I have no budget to hire PR firm which charges arm and leg. And the most exhausting part is follow up, follow up, follow up every few days with the reporters, maintaining a thin line between perservering and pesky. And I do get ignored, chided too. This is reality. But when you get a good feature, you taste the sweetness of success

There was once a film student approached me to sponsor outfits for her graduating work. I asked her why she approached me. And she said she like my outfits and thought I could reach out to the students in her school. And when I asked her what's her film about, she emailed me a script more than 30 pages long. She did 3 mistakes. Liking something is not a reason for the person to sponsor you. My clientele are mostly working executives not students. And I do not have time to read a 30 page script. And needless to say, I did not sponsor as it just did not make sense for me.

High On Dancing

Today I went for 60 min non stop latin jam. You have heard of people getting high on alcohol and drugs but have you heard of people getting high on dancing? Well I am.
I think dancing is in my blood. It is a therapy for me where I can get away from the stresses of modern world and get lost in this fantasy world of my own.

I started dancing when I was 5 years old. Yea. I remembered wearing the aloha skirt and bikini and dancing in the kindergarten concert. The teacher told my mum I could really shake my bon bon which made my mum so happy that she enrolled me in ballet when I was 7 years old. I also took Chinese dance and gymnastics. I loved ballet lessons and thought I will be a dancer when I grow up. But when I was 14 years old, I had a very bad sprain accident that made pointing my toes unbearably painful so I had to stop. By then I have already taken a couple of exams certified by the Royal Ballet Academy in London.

However, my love affair for dance did not stop. I will relish every chance to dance and when I was in university I love clubbing at Zouk. Some people go clubbing to drink but I go clubbing to dance. I could dance from 9pm-3am! God knows where I got all this stamina. And undeniably I am drawn to guys who can dance well like Aaron Kwok(yes I am from that era). And when I started working, I took up Salsa and really love it. In fact, latin like Rhumba is my favourite. I also like Bollywood dancing and I really hope to learn pole or belly dancing even though Gary cant stomach it maybe due to his conservative nature? I can embrace all dance forms but I personally dont really fancy hip hop, jazz or contemporary.

Now my latest endeavour is ballroom dancing. Waltz, cha cha, samba, rhumba, ooh la la. I am waiting to learn Tango with TTB. I am lucky to find Gary. He has probably not danced before in his life before meeting me unless probably the macarena?? And after 1 year of persuasion, he finally went dancing with me. And for 2 years, we go dancing once a week! I am the happiest when we go together for Ball which is organised by our dance teacher. He is unusually charming and dashing in his suit and bow tie. And now I wait for him to come back from his hiatus!


At Raffles Hotel Ball

Isnt he cute in his bow tie? :))

Hopefully no matter how busy we get over the years, we can keep dancing together till we are old and frail :)

Little Bubu's Antics

My nephew little bubu never fails to cheer up my day. I find myself rushing home sometimes so that I can play with him before his bedtime. I like reading stories to him and I am amazingly patient towards him.

Today when I told him " bye ..yee yee is going to work", he immediately went to the door and put his hand on it to stop me from going out.

Do I look like double cheese BUBUger?

Aint I cuddly?

Where are you posting me to?


Shhh... I am practising yoga in my sleep

Bubu's first reading lessons...

The leader of tomorrow.

When bubu is only 2 months old. See how tiny he is and how he has grown now.

Long Time No See

I was really glad recently when my old customer and friend came knocking at Fuchsia Lane again. I fell in love with Yiwen's designs the same time she fell in love with mine. And she is really one of the sweetest ladies I have seen- funny, kind hearted and supportive of her friends. She was one of my earliest customers when I didnt have a suite then.

I remembered when she was 4-5 months pregnant, she helped out at my solo fashion showcase last year steaming clothes for my models. Although I was so terribly busy that Opening Night, at the corner of my eye, I could see her steaming clothes with her big beautiful belly. And I was really touched and felt calmer with the support of my friends. For a long time, I didnt see her and thought her taste in clothes had changed. And last friday when she visited my suite and tried on my clothes, she still look so yummy after giving birth to a cute baby boy!


Yiwen in Sapphire Lagoon French Silk Top & Charlston Lace Skirt-Turquoise. Do you believe she has just given birth to a baby boy?


Yiwen radiates in this Tifanny dress with white lace trimmed scarf. Simple yet graceful.

If you like sorbet colours, dainty and feminine designs in semi precious stones, you will fall in love with her heart-made creations at Oriental Rose.

TTB is back!

Finally after 2 weeks being posted to a work trip, Gary is back.


These are the stuff that he bought for me. :)
My favourite Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist. Rose is my favourite scent! This mist is really refreshing and moisturising in this heat. But I realise it is so much cheaper in Australia which costs $33Aud in the airport. If you buy it in the dutyfree shops in the airport elsewhere, it costs $50+sgd.
And whereever I go, I like to buy fashion magazines especially bridal ones. So he knows. :)


The very next day, Gary is busy whipping up dishes in the kitchen again. Nothing too fussy but full of warmth. I like the ham cut to strips of this thickness. Ham noodles anyone?


It is chicken soup with noodles, ham and eggs. The noodles are really springy and the chicken soup is bring to the boil with real chicken breast meat. really nourishing.


My favourite-Sunny side up!

Relaxing @ TCC

It was one of the rare times when I could go out for a walk and relax at a cafe to read magazine and recharge my thoughts.

I ordered Spic Chic and Lichit Yoghurt. Nice!

The delectable juicy chicken in bite size portions are more satisfying than nuggets and melt in your mouth when dipped with the tangy orange mayo sauce. The orange mayo sauce has a light tinge of orange flavour that makes it light and refreshing.


The lychees in youghurt are surprisingly very light and thirst quenching. It has the right tinge of sweetness and sourness that leaves you craving for more.



TCC Cafe is one of my favourite haunts as compared to other coffee joints. I like the fact that all the cafe boutiques are furnished with much thought from the choice of furniture to the colours to the paintings. Every cafe is different yet you can tell it belongs to TCC. My favourite is the one at Robertson Quay which even has a swing! Compare this to the other coffee joints where every joint looks THE SAME. Borringg...

You can tell they design their food with much thought as well. The items never fail to delight your palatte and they change quite regularly which is bad if you fall in love with any of their dishes. I really love their potato balls few years back but they have since revamped their menu.

Their service is quite impeccable as well. Qudos to a coffee joint chain that turn into a gourmet cafe.

TCC is having 1 for 1 pasta/main dish for July for their members. Just accumulate $80 of receipts to be their member.

5 Ways To Survival in A Business

There was a recent newspaper article which reported several local labels have closed their stores or ceased operations totally. One retailer even reported this year's sales was their worst and they could no longer afford to have their store. And they now only sell on consignment in stores. Such reports are really saddening.
I am not a guru in business but I certainly hope to celebrate Fuchsia Lane's 50th anniversary and beyond. So here are my thoughts.

1. Treat your customers as friends
There is a saying treat your customer as king but I feel this is too pandering. I prefer to treat them as friends so I always recommend what looks best on them and what not to get. I remember their names, their purchases, their birthdays, their stories about their childern and hubbies. I put on a big genuine smile whenever I see them like I see a friend. I sms or call them occasionally. And they can feel it I believe. And vice versa I also share with them my difficulties in being a young start up and many of them understand.

2. Be Creative and Proactive
Everywhere now I see stores slashing their prices. I feel that consumers have become immune to storewide discounts. And if you only give discounts all the time, it seems to mean you have nothing to give your customers except discounts. For myself, I try to value add, address my customer's needs better and keep coming up with unique designs that flatter a woman's body.

Naughty Nights Retail Therapy came about becuase I realised my customers are occupied with working or taking care of the kids during normal hours. So I tried late night shopping which was more relaxing. People tell me I am mad as the area my store is in is deserted after office hours but the idea worked and it was fun! And we proactively look for sponsors who supported our Naughty Nights idea.

3. Surround yourself with supporters
Surround yourself with people who believe in you, rally around your cause and will help you. This creates positive energy. No one can do everything alone and dont be afraid to ask. Gary is my biggest supporter. He provides advice when I am perturbed, design ideas from a guy's point of view and is the carpenter, the driver, the delivery man and the list goes on.

Many of our sponsors of our first "In Love With Passion" fashion showcase last year agreed within a few days! Our Presenting Sponsor On Cheong Jewellery sponsored us cash as they believe in my talent and the branding potential that comes with supporting a young designer. Thank you to all! These people allow me to go further.

4. Be Firm
When you are young and a new start up, everyone tries to "eat" you. It is a vicious world out there and you need to stand firm to command respect. Dont be afraid to walk out if the other party offers you unfair terms. I must have earned myself a reputation for being a chilli padi over these years.

I rejected a prestigious hotel as the terms offered were unfair even after months of discussion. The hotel initially offered to do a direct purchase of my items which really sent me over the moon. After 2 months, the manager told me the management changed decision and decided to consign my items instead at their shop. And they would not be responsible for any items lost, stolen or damaged. I cant imagine that behaviour came from an international luxury hotel who earned billions in a year. They told me other "suppliers" have readily signed it. Well I decide how I want to be treated.

5. Guard your cash
Cash is the blood of businesses. Many profitable businesses close becuase of lack of cash. I go weak in my knees when I see catalogues of pretty laces and trimmings and I want to buy them all. But stocks "eat up" your cash. Pay only when you need to, delay your purchases when you need to and do a cash flow projection. I am still trying to learn this.

Naughty Night With Fuchsia Lane - A Great Success!

As dusk falls on 3rd July, we had a continuous stream of customers coming in to our suite. I was very happy that despite not situated in a crowded shopping spot, there were many people who came to this event. We even had customers who came all the way from Tuas after they knock off and regulars who brought their friends and cousins and sisters and wives. Gals were chatting excitedly in the suite and my customer turned friend Sabbie also launched her new line of jewellery at my suite.

We were so overwhelmed by the crowd that it slipped my mind to take pictures. And only managed to take pictures when the crowd was thinner. The customers came non stop and the last one left after midnight! Thank you to all who supported this event.


Sabbie supported me the first day I sold my designs @ Maad. She bought a tee embellished with mandarin buttons which meant alot to me at that time. She loves feminine pieces and she is wearing The Sabrina which is named after her.


Sabbie is launching her dainty jewellery with semi precious stones too @ my suite which goes well with my pieces for daily wear. And oops someone has just bought the champagne skirt on the mannequin and we havent change it yet. Naughty Naughty..


Nicole is one of my sweet customers! She has been buying all my dresses and this one on her is the rose tango silk dress!


Pretty earrings with semi precious stones from SabbieW.


Baoling my jc friend came to support me with her boyfriend. And she looks really gorgeous in this Ruby Blossoms lace cheongsam top which she of course bought it in the end. :)


Bishan has been my loyal customer and we have been customising bustiers in different laces for her. She bought this new Snow White bustier top in cream duchess satin and our black charlston lace skirt. She looks so demure in this.




More lovely necklaces from SabbieW. You can buy them from our fashion suite now!


A tree glowing with bags and swarovski studded capes

Everyone went home happy with their purchases and catching up with their friends @ the pubs downstairs Red Dot:) Thank you Boulevard, Otto Ristorante and Artery for sponsoring the drinks and wines and fabulous discounts.

It takes 1 second to say I love you and 1 lifetime to prove it.

Recently, my friend wrote that on facebook. The truth of this sentence really struck me.

I have been with Gary for 3 years and now and then I complain that he doesnt do things that take my breathe away. I will complain he should lose some weight and dress more dashing. But whenever that happens, I remember the little things he do which add up to be significant.

When Gary is free, he will cook for me every weekend. When I am in the fashion suite on weekends, he will go to the supermarket to buy the ingredients. He seems to be able to read my mind on what I want to eat. And he will come to fetch me, drive me to my house and start to busy in the kitchen shelling the prawns, washing the mussels, chopping the garlic to the thickness I prefer, all by himself. When I "offer" to help, he will shoo me off to " go and play or watch tv". After 30 minutes or so, the piping hot food will be ready, presented nicely on a plate. I always relish that as it is full of love. He usually finishes before me and then he go about clearing the plates and washing the stove. I try to "offer" help again and Gary will say No need. I know he doesnt want to tire me.

Gary doesnt walk out on me when we argue but prefers to painstakingly explain and calm me down till I can absorb reason in my head. He seems to remember the smallest thing about me even though I cant remember when I expressed it.

I have my fair share of drama-mama relationships, but never have I experienced love that is expressed in such simple honest ways that matter the most. Thank you TTB

Christian Lacroix- The Fashion Maestro

I like going to fashion exhibitions and everytime there is one in Singapore I get very excited. I get excited looking at fabrics esp LACES, drapes, folds and sketches. I like designers with a message and when they design, you see their heart and mind in it. It stands out and shines like a star in the black sky. Christian Lacroix is one of them.

Below are the pictures that I took in the Christian Lacroix Exhibition at National Museum. It was so good that I brought my tailors on a tour there as well. Good inspiration for them.





















The costumes on exhibition are those that he designed for various theatre productions like Carmen and Cinderella. And what's amazing is he did that out of inexpensive fabrics as he said production fashion design is different from couture design. Cost is a factor. This proves that creativity can transcend all barriers!