I WEAR: New York Summer Flashback

Sorry for the recent lack of posts. Being home has proven quite busy- lots of errands to run and family visits to make! So until I can pull through and take some pictures in Jakarta to share with all of you, I have some old never-shared material for you. In this case, a no-fuss casual outfit post from last summer in New York. 

Enjoy the pictures after the jump!

I GO: Monkeying Around at the Singapore Zoo

Currently chilling in Jakarta! This is my first visit to Indonesia in years, and I'm so excited to be"home" (quotes because I apply the term loose and often), visit family members, and chow down on long-missed cuisine. It's crazy to think that my time in Singapore's flown by already... and I've only got three posts (this one included) to show for it. Bad blogger, bad. Hard to help since being "home" (see, there it is again) makes me want to do little more than slob around town, AC-hopping from my flat, to the mall, to another mall, and back again. So at least I've acquired a great mass of new pieces to wear and photograph in timelier fashion once my schedule settles down. Jackpot.

In the meantime, here are some pictures from my visit to the Singapore Zoo, which focuses on showcasing rainforest species and remains the only zoo I've ever been to where monkeys swing around the premises freely. That's right. Freely. Kind of amazing really how they've managed the make the place feel more like a nature reserve than a structured series of exhibits. If you're a first-timer, make sure to visit the adjoining Night Safari and Bird Park too. I haven't been recently, but they were the sites of two my favorite school field trips way back when. :] Enjoy the pictures after the jump!

I WEAR: The Roaring 20's

Plucked this dress out of the retail gem that is Far East Plaza. If you're ever in Singapore, make sure to slip away from all the high-street and luxury stores studding Orchard Road and pay this institution a visit. It can be a bit of a maze as the stores are narrow and aplenty; but if you're patient and persistent, the place can be a findmine (mmhm, coined it). That is if swag from local, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, and Taiwanese brands is your idea of a find. And if it isn't, well, it should be.

I usually suck at costumes because I lack the ability to pre-plan outfits weeks/days/hours in advance. So I was pleasantly surprised to find that, without meaning to, I somehow managed to create a look that (to me anyways) vaguely parallels that of a 1920s flapper. Minus all the typical costume cheese and emphasis on vaguely parallels, of course. Not completely sold on the shoes as part of this outfit, but my entire shoe collection is currently in New York awaiting my August arrival. Separation anxiety. 

For more pictures of my time here in Singapore, check out my Instagram (@estherinasworld). Enjoy the pictures after the jump!

I WEAR: Light and Airy (in Singapore!)

First things first, a big thank you to all of you who took the time to wish me congratulations on graduating via comment or email. It was such a nice surprise to come home to an inbox full of L-O-V-E. You guys really spoil me!

Now that all the gushy stuff is out of the way, I finally have an outfit post for you shot here in sweltering Singapore. I'll be honest; I'm glad I've only just finished sharing all my leftover London posts. Heat and humidity aren't exactly magic ingredients in the outfit post recipe. They are however the reasons why I spend all my time cooling off in air-conditioned spaces (aka shopping at the mall) or finding other ways to avoid direct sunlight (aka taking pictures on a balcony). And yes, I realize I'm donning a loose longer-sleeved top in this outfit post. Perhaps not the practical choice for temperature control, but I'm obsessed with them anyway.

Enjoy the pictures after the jump!

I THINK: On Being A College Graduate

WARNING: Interrupting regular travel-related or fashion-related posts with an intimate essay coming up after the jump! Read at your own peril.

I WEAR: A Tale of Two Girls

Ok so I published this a tad bit later than I initially promised. But forgive the tardiness and behold my friends and I's mini art project. Somewhat inspired by Kill Bill, somewhat the product of boredom with typical outfit shots.

Let me know what you think in the comments! It's my first foray into "artistic photography" of any kind so constructive criticism is more than welcome. As long as it's delivered politely of course.

I WEAR: Meet Lola Lovely

Tomorrow, I'm finally going to be able to share with you a guys a project I've been working on for a couple of weeks. Whilst preparing for an outfit shoot with my friends B and A, we decided to break from the normal format and get a little creative. That's all I'm going to say about it for now (yes, I'm being a little tease) save to introduce you to someone very special.

Meet Lola Lovely. 

I GO: Golf, Cake, and London's Monuments

With a title like that, you just know it's got to be the work of infamous food magicians Bompas & Parr. One of the things on my London bucket list was to attend one of their events. Their theatricality and playful culinary experimentation is about as close to Willy Wonka as one could get in real life. I was so upset to have missed out on Mt. Rocky (a chocolate-based climbing wall) and their Artisanal Chewing Gum Factory (guests were able to create up to 40,000 flavor combinations). So when I realized their latest exhibit was taking place on Selfridge's rooftop during my last week in London, I was so there.  

For Crazy Golf with Bompas & Parr, the rooftop had been transformed into a mini golf course. The obstacles? Gargantuan models of London's famous monuments shaped out of cake and jelly. Ridiculous. And, in many ways, a wonderful way to bid adieu to some of my favorite London sights. You can buy your tickets here; the exhibit will be around until September 2nd. Enjoy the pictures after the jump!

I EAT: Mad Hatter's Afternoon Tea

You just know that I couldn't wrap up my year in London without one last afternoon tea. As it turned out, this one was one of my favorites of the year (and that's saying something considering I splurged on afternoon tea way too often). If you're looking for a creative spin on the tradition, The Sanderson's Mad Hatter version is perfect. It tackles all the things afternoon tea should have- perfect scones, delightful pastries, tasty tea, and an elegant ambiance- with a refreshingly whimsical flair and complimentary cocktail. Just the way you would imagine afternoon tea would be served in Wonderland.

Descriptive captions included below. Enjoy the pictures after the jump! 

"Eat Me" Hearts: Strawberry-flavored chocolate casing filled with cream mousse
"Drink Me" Bottles: Three layers of passion fruit jelly, coconut panna cotta, and flavored foam
Rabbit's Clock Opera Cake: Chocolate and coffee sponge cake

I GO: Brighton Pier

Having wanted to make my way to Brighton all year, during my final week in London, I finally managed to drag my friend B along despite the grisly weather. Despite the chilliness and lack of sunlight, we had the best time trying our hand at the carnival rides and games on Brighton Pier. Or perhaps, more accurately, I had a great time acting like a fool and B had a great time laughing at my childish antics. 

Enjoy the pictures after the jump!

NOTE: Sorry to anyone who commented today whose comments I accidentally deleted instead of approved!

I WEAR: Picnic in Hampstead Heath

On one of my last days in London, my friends and I decided to trek out to Hampstead Heath for a picnic on Parliament Hill overlooking central London. It was my first time out there, and looking back, I wish I'd been a regular visitor. Hampstead Heath is just such a peacefully verdant place to wander. Here in Singapore, there's greenery everywhere. But not in the form of parks containing glassy lakes and gently-rolling lakes. And though this might sound weird, there's really nothing like the feel of soft British grass under your toes. 

One last note on my perhaps not so picnic-appropriate outfit. Guess that's what happens when you're convinced a particular dress will look stunning against a certain backdrop. Enjoy the pictures after the jump!

I WEAR: The British Musuem

If you've never been to the British Museum, it should be at the top of your London to-do list. Even if you're not a history buff that quakes with excitement at the sight of Classical marbles like me, it's hard not to appreciate the beauty of the architecture. The main atrium, a masterpiece of marble and glass, is elegance personified. Bright and light. Anyways, here we are with another casual London outfit post! At a bite-sized 5 feet tall, I usually rely on sky-high heels for all the height I can get. But when you're strolling the colossal British Museum, flats and elongating body poses might just have to do. And before you judge, come on, you know you do them too.

Enjoy the pictures after the jump!

I THINK: Follow Me On Instagram!

If you haven't yet, make sure to follow me on Instagram! 

You can do so by searching @estherinasworld or clicking this link.

I WEAR: The Sandbox Rainbow

One of the things I love most about the Southbank is that it can be so charmingly artsy fartsy. For example, my friend B and I stumbled across a large sandbox filled with rainbow-colored sand. Needless to say, we ran straight home, changed outfits, and staged a shoot. Drizzly weather and bemused onlookers be damned. On a side note, happy 4th of July everyone. Hope you all have the best celebrations planned. :)

Enjoy the pictures after the jump!

I WEAR: On the Fringe (Of Something New)

As I'm publishing this post, I'm sweating my butt off in Singapore. If you've been following my activities on Facebook and/or Instagram, you already know that my year studying abroad in London has (very sadly) come to an end. I'm now back in Southeast Asia for what's left of summer before I move to New York to start law school in the fall. Without a doubt I'm suffering from London withdrawal syndrome, but I'll save all that nostalgia for a later post (save for the cheesetastic blog post title of course). One that will be released after I've shared all the leftover pictures from my last weeks in London and contains just the right amount of sentimental gushing.

In the meantime, a casual outfit post punctured by shots of lovely Londontown. Enjoy the pictures after the jump!