Summer 2016 - Most Popular Necklace Trend!

Sunday, August 28, 2016 Simone - Your Style Architect 2 Comments

Happy last August weekend to all of you.

As you noticed, my hair seems to be getting shorter and shorter with each passing month ( well, once you go short from long it seems to get lots easier to trim it further down!).

So I am certainly working on accessorizing my neck and ears much more seeing that without all that hair covering my neck and shoulders, it will allow a good showcasing of those lovely necklaces and earrings.

Choker necklaces, especially those black velvet ones were something I recall trending in the 90s and early 2000s. But like with everything else, fashion trend keeps going in circles. So I started going through every possible jewelry box and drawer to search for those choker necklaces I used to own but alas.... it was just not meant to be. Probably threw them all out in the move to Hong Kong - so off I went to Stradivarius and ended up purchasing a set pack of 4 which had a good assortment of a simple black leather choker with a moon pendant, a pearl choker necklace, a red velvet choker necklace with a embellished star pendant and a silver chain link necklace. All perfect for mix and matching and even bringing some oomph to what would be a simple outfit.


Restyling old favourites from the closet, I was out and about town for shopping and so threw on my current favourite pair of comfy culottes from ZARA and matched it with a very old Burgundy H&M tee.


As I had mentioned before, malls and supermarkets in Hong Kong tend to blast their air conditioning to the max during these hot summer months and sometimes, the temperature difference is so great, I am literally shivering just after being in the mall or supermarket for 10 mins. Whilst, playing with texture and contrast, I chose to pair this pair of geometric print culottes with a floral print bomber jacket ( another summer favourite clothing item) !




Had this Burgundy ZARA clutch for awhile, and it was perfect to pair with this whole look. And of course, the highlight of the day was my velvet choker necklace with it's embellished star pendant.


This pretty bracelet was a lovely gift for my birthday from an old friend. Love it's delicate detailing of a little tulip flower.




So, here are some of my favourite styles of choker necklaces that would be perfect for your pairings this summer to fall 2016.

From top left to right : Bauble Bar Abella Choker //ASOS Love Rocks Flower Lace Necklace // Bauble Bar Stevie Ribbon Choker // Bauble Bar Lasso Choker

From left to right : ASOS Ribbon Rose Choker Necklace // ASOS Velvet Pack of 2 Choker Necklace

GIVEAWAY :: NORDSTROM August 2016

Saturday, August 20, 2016 Simone - Your Style Architect 0 Comments

Hi there,

To celebrate my birthday, here's a special giveaway with chance to win US$200 Nordstrom Gift Card. Hurry and log in your entries now.

Good luck xoxo

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Birthday To Me 2016 !!

Saturday, August 20, 2016 Simone - Your Style Architect 1 Comments

Happy Saturday Everyone,

How time flies - another birthday, another year older! Just celebrated my birthday on 19 Aug and as my son had a sleepover with old friends, it was a nice quiet evening for my husband and myself.

Went to this beautiful Balinese contemporary  restaurant that's been opened about a year ago here in Repulse Bay, Hong Kong and aptly named "Tri" taken from the Balinese philosophy " Tri Hita Karana" meaning the balance of man, nature and divinity. The ambience created was certainly one that brought us back to Bali and the view was magnificient -  overlooking the Repulse Bay Beach and South China Sea. So bear with me with this slightly longer post filled with pictures of my time spent at Tri and the lovely cuisine we had enjoyed for this special occasion.



Couple of quick shots before we dashed out of the house. Received lovely presents from friends and relatives, especially the gift from my husband. He finally had been listening during our whole summer vacation - whilst I was subtly hinting what I would like for my birthday during our recent summer vacation.


So to start off the series of pictures, this was taken at the entrance stairway to Tri and I love how they had used bamboo to create a wall mural as you proceed along. It already starts setting the mood.


Before you start wondering why the pictures were a little hazy, my lovely husband took them this way for an effect ( his perfect excuse for bad photography) but I somehow kinda like the romantic feel this blurriness created.



So, whilst I was skimming through my closet for the perfect birthday outfit ( as usual one always has " nothing to wear" with a closet FULL of clothes), I then decided to do something fun and decided to look through clothing items that were past birthday presents to keep the whole occasion as sentimental as possible,  and chanced upon this black and white sheer Warehouse piece with the bling right down the front - PERFECT!!


As the blouse was sheer, and with the crazy humid weather now hitting us in Hong Kong, I was obviously worried that the restaurant would be blasting its air conditioning to the max ( a common practise here in Hong Kong). Hence, paired this outfit with my River Island faux leather, floral embossed, peplum jacket for that extra coverup and comfort. It has been awhile since I styled my outfits with long pants so this gorgeous red high waisted sailor pants was the perfect pairing for the jacket and top.


The cool waiting area with full glass panels on one side and balinese style seating on the other, provides that perfect escape before we sit down for our meal.


It was hard to resist not breaking out in some yoga / meditation mood pose as I enjoy the swing of these hanging cocoon love seats. Another gorgeous feature of the waiting area.



All that posing just got me so thirsty. Well, nothing beats a crisp Sauvignon Blanc to start off the evening ( and to quench my thirst!).





Whilst I was going all sentimental with the outfit pairing, I chanced upon this pair of lovely black crystal chandelier earrings ( another past birthday present from my son's godmother - Ros) and there you go - a perfect accessory to complete the look.



And now, here's some foodie pictures and unique decor of the restaurant that makes it so special. I must admit the food was simply delicious, perfect portioning and in a certain way made me reminisce of home with its spices and flavourings.

We were given a gorgeous table, designed like a little cocoon, floating above a pond filled with pebbles and overlooking the beach and the sea. We had to sit cross legged through the meal at this table, however that's the nostalgic aspect of Balinese dining I guess. Although, they also do have proper table setups as in picture below for those of you wishing to eat in ease than worry about that sudden leg cramp! Haa...haa....



Poring through the menu, we finally decided to try out their sharing menu which promised a nice selection of their specialties. And certainly a choice we had not been disappointed with.

Tuna Tartare

Potato Perkedel ( potato cutlet) & Lawar Bebek ( chopped salad of braised duck, grilled coconut mixed green beans and asparagus). The Lawar Bebek was eaten with Betel Nut Leaves.

Bak Pao Rendang ( Steamed buns with spicy Wagyu Beef Cheek).

Beef Kare ( char grilled Wagyu beef bavette with curried beef cheeks, potato & green beans)

We actually had another main course of the scallop and quail which was served with Morning Glory and healthy rice. However before I could get the chance to take any pictures of this first main course, my wonderful husband had gobbled the scallop off so quickly and so it could not be presented in a beautiful picture. Promise I will do so the next time.

Dadar Gulung (Balinese pancake with coconut filling, poppy seed crumble and mango sorbet)

Complimentary Petit Fours

We had the pleasure of being served by Tri's lovely restaurant manager (coincidentally half Singaporean too) - Ada Tan - who made us feel extremely comfortable and paid close attention to our needs that night. Thanks Ada for a great time ! Not forgetting compliments to Chef Conor for a perfect meal ! Hey - if you own that name ( just like my son) you are certainly going places.....

Of course, a quick run to the ladies before we leave and I was still in the mood for capturing every essence of this lovely experience. So to end off the post, it must be said that even their washrooms had followed through with the whole concept and ambience of the restaurant. Now, what else can I say!


I hope you enjoyed this brief introduction to Tri and thank you for taking the time to read this post till the end. It was a indeed great birthday celebration!!


Love,
Simone

Women's Black Jacket, White Sleeveless Top, Red Flare Pants, Black Studded Leather Heeled Sandals on Lookastic: Black Jacket, White Sleeveless Top, Red Flare Pants, Black Studded Leather Heeled Sandals

Let's Go To The Circus ( Museum)!

Monday, August 15, 2016 Simone - Your Style Architect 9 Comments

Hi everyone,

Was recently at the Ringling Bros Circus Museum in Sarasota, Florida and my word it was indeed a day well spent taking in the miniature circus display, admiring the beautiful costumes and having a first hand view of the props used in those days!




Whilst walking around the grounds of this beautiful museum, I had to whip out my camera for some shots to share with you. The ornate architecture of the buildings was something that just had to be captured on film to be remembered forever.





The luscious green grounds and ornate architecture was just simply too stunning not to set the backdrop for another post.



I had to have some fun when I came across an " old friend"!



You could see I was a little uncomfortable with this shot but just had to have some fun fooling around!




As you would have noticed, another post on my favourite colour for Summer - WHITE! Just loving this white eyelet dress from London Times. So cool, comfy and certainly a pretty dress to take along on any holiday vacation.


Check out those little dwarfs photobombing me amidst the Banyan Trees!

I hope you enjoyed this post and stay tune for another great giveaway coming your way real soon !


Love,
Simone xoxo