Happy New Year!

Here's a toast to my family, friends, readers and valued clients; may the New Year ring in abundant health, joy and peace into your lives. Focus your energy, time and money on things and people that matters. Life is already full of challenges; so do not take on more unnecessarily:-) On this note, I will like to say thank you so much for following my blog. Your support has spurred me on to continue blogging even when time does not permit or when I ran out of things to share. It has been a tremendous experience for me and I enjoyed it so much that I have begun another new blog in case some of you are unaware. My style inspirations will now be shared via my new blog at http://www.image-harmony.com/styleblog while this blog (melissastyleguide.blogspot.com) will have a more personal touch. I hope to have your continuous support throughout the new year and I wish everyone an awesome 2010! Cheers!

Puppy Love

Are you a dog or a cat person? Obviously, I am the former although I love most pets in general. Interestingly, a study using the Myers-Briggs PersonalityType Inventory found that individuals who are the Intuitive and Feeling types have an affinity for animals. Perhaps there are also different traits between a dog and a cat lover. My beloved pooches, Max and Jag are exactly what makes dogs a man's best friend; loyal and loving. Max is a ruby colored Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and he is 9 years old! Jag, a sheltie is 13 but still going strong. Like humans going for online dating, I did an online quiz to find out which dog breed is best suited for my needs, personality and lifestyle. The result was a perfect match! It was PUPPY LOVE at first sight! So, I will encourage you to try one of those quizzes before you run out to get a dog for the new year (ah, it's human nature to want new things to kick start a brand new year!). . Do your research, check out adoption schemes, talk to other responsible dog owners and involve family in the decision-making. Owning a dog or a pet is huge responsibility. The joy and love they bring are unimaginable!:-)

"Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot about puppies."

-- Gene Hill

Christmas is about turkey, presents...and FAMILY!

Firstly, here's wishing all my readers a very MERRY CHRISTMAS, peace and joy onto you and your loved ones! Secondly, I wish to share an amazing story that happened on the day before Christmas eve. Well, we decided to get Jeff, my nephew an IPOD Touch when we heard that it was on his Christmas wish list. So my husband,TL was tasked to get the present since I am technically challenged besides having a thousand and one chores to do prior to Christmas dinner!! When he eventually had time to go to the store, it was the day before the Christmas eve. As he was feeling a bit hungry, he decided to have his dinner first. While waiting for his order, his phone rang and the caller was from a store which he had purchased something from months ago. It turned out that TL had won a lucky draw prize and it was an...you guessed it, IPOD Touch!!! If he had neglected his growling stomach and went to get the IPOD first...I will not have a wonderful Christmas story to share!:-) Happy Holidays!

Amanda 'forcing' her brother, Jeff to wear the feathered headband for our flapper inspired Xmas theme!

                                             He obviously gave in!

Someone said "The gifts are not under the tree, but in the heart". Aww...

Jingle Bells Rock!

It certainly was a festive and fun mood at the Asia Professional Speakers' Christmas dinner party last night. Gone were the protocols, savvy speak and upright postures; everyone was in their best element in dressing and humour. There was great entertainment too with stand-up jokes, christmas songs sing-along, demonstration on memory and even a hypnothism act! Nishant Kasibhatla, world record holder and grand master of memory showed us how he could memorized the sequence of 21 playing cards in less than a minute. Incredible feat! The highlight of the evening was when Santa dropped in unexpectedly and brought us presents, of course!

Part Four: Inspiring Moms

This is our final interview segment with moms who inspire. Last but not least, is Nancy Lim who resigned from her training post and got promoted to "Stay At Home Mom"! Always the elegant dresser with her 'humble' collection of Chanel bags, Nancy is doting mom to 16 month-old Meredith. Being a first time mom has its challenges no doubt, but you need to look after yourself first and feel good so that you can channel your positive energy to your kid(s). Look good for your children's sakes, said Nancy.

Describe your sense of style: Practical (enough for the climate in Singapore) and elegant for work. Off work I’m totally casual. Bermudas, Capri pants and shirt blouse rule my style.

Beauty sacrifices you have to make after childbirth: Less makeup as I do not wish for Meredith to ‘pollute’ her porcelain face whenever I hug or kiss her.Reduced accessories, especially chunky ones, as babies have a tendency to yank them apart. Re-touching my grown hair roots. Going to the hair dressers for hours is something of the past. Manicured coloured nails are not something I can wear on a frequent basis.

How important it is for you to make time to pamper yourself? I want to feel refreshed with Meredith and look good for her sake as much as possible. So it is nothing short of necessary to pamper myself first. For the barest minimum, I will indulge myself with a bi-weekly body massage. Catching up on sleep as and when possible in the day. A soak in my bath tub once a while allows me some needed quiet moments.

How do you maintain your appearance despite your busy schedule? Getting hubby to watch over daughter whilst I try to get a quick fix of facial and scrub. Anti-aging skincare is indispensable. After all it does not take much time to apply. That said, I am guilty of lapping on the product creams without taking time to massage my face. I have learnt to wear natural makeup in a jiffy.

Share a beauty tip: Twirl my hair into a chignon at home so that when the hair is let down there will be make shift curls!

Inspiring message for moms: Look good for your children’s sake. They should feel proud of how their parents, especially their mothers look. There is no need to dig deep into our pockets for making ourselves look pretty. Just need to be savvy and keep ourselves in the know of where to get stuffs or services at affordable prices.

I would love for my daughter to be proud of how her mummy looks. She may not know a thing about image pride now but I am sure when she is older she will pay attention to such details when looking at pictures of us taken together.

Part Three: Inspiring Moms

Ivy Lee, 33, just knows how to liven up her day with sporty chic clothes and bright colours. And daughter, Man Ting who is 3 years old is following mommy's foot steps in the fashion department! Ivy has a bright and cheerful personality and she certainly knows how to project her beauty inside-out.

Describe your sense of style: Casual, colourful, ad hoc

Beauty sacrifices after childbirth: None so far...haha

How important it is for you to make time to pamper yourself? Quite important to upkeep my looks

How do you maintain your appearance despite your busy schedule? I use mask regularly at home every week and go to the spa once in a while.

Share a beauty tip: Plenty of rest and water.

Inspiring messages for moms: We're all beautiful inside, we need to love ourselves too.

Part Two: Inspiring Moms

Whether you are a stay-at-home mom, working mom, single mom or mom-to-be, you need to make a conscious effort to maintain your appearance and health. These are the wise words from Charlotte Lim, our "Rock Chic" mom who is always bursting with energy and passion in what she says and does! Charlotte is in her 50s (can you believe it??) and has 2 adult children, Nigel, 26 and Kimberly, 22. She owns a fashion retail business called "Forget-Me-Not"(Anchor Point) which carries reasonably priced trendy items.

Describe your sense of style: Casual streetwear inspired style

Beauty sacrifices after childbirth: Manicures and Pedicures

How important it is for you to make time to pamper yourself? Pampering myself, even if its just enjoying a coffee and magazines/papers, or relaxing by the pool, is important as it refreshes and recharges me to face the day in a more positive way.

How do you maintain your appearance despite your busy schedule? Keeping an eye on a healthy diet of more water, fruits/vegetables and less sugar and salt; as well as setting aside ample time for regular outdoor/indoor exercises, makes me feel 'good' despite busy work and domestic schedule.

Share a beauty tip: Keeping a personal style that's no-fuss as well as flattering, helps to boost my confidence levels;

Inspiring message to moms: Firstly, its important to watch your daily diet intake and exercise regularly. And then, you have to WANT to make a conscious effort to maintain that presentable and healthy appearance. You have to be comfortable in your own skin.. work on finding your own style and investing in a wardrobe of versatile pieces. Looking good does not mean having to spend a bomb on the latest trends!