For years, I believed in the traditional career path — work hard, climb the corporate ladder, and earn that well-deserved promotion. But the truth? I was working tirelessly for a promotion that didn’t even exist.

There’s always a “limited quota” for promotions in corporate life. No matter how capable you are, you’re forced to compete with equally talented colleagues for the same spot. And that causes office politics, back-stabbing, favouritism…and let’s just say you are lucky to have “harmless colleagues” that are ever so supportive, an episode of company restructuring could wipe out years of effort in a blink of an eye.

That’s when I started thinking:

“What if I built something where my success wasn’t dictated by quotas or office politics?”

That’s how my DR’s Secret Skin Buddy career began — first as a side hustle while I was still working full-time, and eventually, as my full-time career. Today, I’m a foundation-free, glowing mompreneur, running my skincare business while enjoying the flexibility to spend time with my family.

If you’re stuck in the same cycle — working hard but not seeing the rewards you deserve—this post is for you.

Why I Started My DR’s Secret Business While Working Full-Time

I didn’t set out looking for a side hustle — I just wanted better skin. Like many working professionals, I was constantly stressed, lacking sleep, and dealing with hormonal acne and a weak gut (due to constant stress) wasn’t helping. That’s when I discovered DR’s Secret. The results were so good that people around me started noticing and asking, “What foundation are you using?” — I’ll reply: “I am not using foundation, it’s my bare skin!”. That’s the best conversation starter, ever.

I began casually sharing my experience and realized something powerful:

• People trust real experience, not advertisements.
• Great skin sells itself, without much effort. People just ask – What’s the foundation you’re using and there we go!
• I was already recommending DR’s Secret—why not turn it into an income stream?

Unlike my corporate job, where salary increments or promotions depended on approvals and external factors that we couldn’t control, I saw that with DR’s Secret, the effort I put in directly translated to my earnings. I control how much I want to earn and how long my next promotion will take. That was my lightbulb moment.

How I Built My DR’s Secret Business While Holding a Full-Time Job

Starting a side hustle while juggling a demanding corporate job wasn’t easy, but I made it work by taking small, consistent steps. I didn’t overthink or dwell on “what ifs”— I just focused on doing. Looking back, I’m so grateful I stayed committed.

Here’s what helped me grow my business while working full-time:

1. I Used My Evenings and Weekends Strategically

Instead of mindlessly scrolling on social media after work, I prioritized my business. On days I didn’t have to work overtime, I dedicated 8 PM to 11 PM to:

• Creating and sharing my skincare journey online
• Engaging with prospects and customers
• Perfecting my content along the way, instead of waiting for it to be “perfect” before starting

This level of focus kept me moving forward without distractions. I didn’t let doubt creep in — I simply took action and refined my content, my speech or my way of sharing as I went.

2. I Offered Value Instead of Just Selling

Rather than pushing products, I focused on helping people. I provided complimentary skin consultations and skin demos. I shared my skincare journey openly, and simply asked my prospects, friends and family if they wanted to try out DR’s Secret skincare and explained how I could help.

I didn’t worry about what others thought. My goal was to share, not sell, and this genuine approach made all the difference.

3. I Let My Skin Speak for Itself

I never skimped on my skincare routine because I knew my results, even if my skin wasn’t as perfect as I wished, were proof that the products worked. Regardless of my starting point, as long as I saw some improvement, I knew I was moving in the right direction. And I wasn’t shy about sharing my “work in progress.”

My skin became my longest-running advertisement campaign.

Because while clear, glowing skin attracts people, it is the journey to getting there that will spark curiosity and build trust.

Instead of relying on words to convince people, I documented my progress with photos—a simple yet powerful step. Each picture became part of my personal brand, reinforcing a truth I swear by:

Real, visible transformation takes consistency, not perfection.

This is not just my belief—it’s the motto of my team and a mindset I instill in my mentees. Success, whether in skincare or business, is never about being perfect from the start. It’s about showing up, taking action, and trusting the process.

4. I Built My Personal Brand Authentically

I wasn’t afraid to share my thoughts and experiences because I knew personal branding was key to standing out. To build a strong personal brand, I shared my journey consistently, not just my wins but also my struggles. And this allows me to show my real personality so people can connect with me.

5. I Invested Time to Learn and Grow

I knew that to grow my team and my business, I needed to keep upgrading myself. I made time to deepen my product knowledge and understand the business structure and payment plan.

I did not wait for my skin buddy and mentors to spoon-feed me with everything I needed to know; I leveraged the company’s official website and attended all the trainings organised by the company, and participated in our monthly team huddle.

One thing I love about the company is their comprehensive training program that includes product training and, more importantly, personal development training, such as leadership training, team bonding training, and even public speaking training! I feel like a “better developed human being” after I joined as an independent distributor! How amazing!

I also borrowed books from the library and even learned from all possible sources—Facebook, Instagram, WeChat, YouTube and more.

Instead of waiting until I “knew everything,” I asked tons of questions, learned along the way, applied what I knew, and improved step by step.

The turning point? When my daily 3-4 hours investment after work started matching my full-time salary. That’s when I knew — if I gave my business 100% focus, it could take me further than any corporate job ever could.

DR’s Secret vs. Corporate Life: Why I Made the Switch?

The reality is ugly: Corporate life was never designed to reward everyone equally. But in DR’s Secret, every capable person gets rewarded, not just a chosen few. That’s when I decided to go all in.

Quitting My Job to Go Full-Time—And Then Becoming a Mom

When I finally left my corporate job, I felt a mix of fear and excitement. But the moment I started running my DR’s Secret & Avance Supplement business full-time, I knew I had made the right decision.

Because there came another significant life change — I became a mom. Unlike many working mothers who struggle with rigid schedules and mom guilt, I had the freedom to take care of my child without sacrificing income. I can work from anywhere, at my own pace. The best thing is that I can continue growing my business while being present for my family.

Becoming a mom made me even more grateful for my DR’s Secret business. To put it simply, it is about building a life on my terms. Because I really do feel that it is important to spend time with my child, especially in his early years. With DR’s Secret, I can nurture my 2-year-old myself, bringing homemade, organic dishes to the table daily, while bringing home a handsome paycheck every month.

More Than a Business—A Community of Amazing Women

The best things about being a mompreneur aren’t just the financial reward — it is also the friendships we build along the way. In this journey, I’ve met so many amazing fellow moms and capable ladies, and we’ve grown together, supported each other, and created bonds that will last a lifetime.

Instead of office politics, we uplift each other. Instead of competing for promotions, we celebrate each other’s wins. It’s more than just business—it’s a sisterhood I cherish every day.

Can I Start a Skincare Business While Working Full-Time?

YES! You don’t have to quit your job right away. In fact, I highly recommend starting your DR’s Secret side hustle while still working so you can build it with financial stability and confidence.

Start Your DR’s Secret Business in 4 Simple Steps:

STEP 1:  Try the products yourself – You can’t recommend what you don’t believe in! See the results firsthand. 

P.S: you don't have to start with a full kit! Just chat with me & I can recommend a starter kit that guarantees result.

STEP 2: Share your journey authentically – Just document your experience and share it with friends, family or on social media if you're open to it. It cost $0 to post, but the impact can be powerful. Your real story resonates more than any sales pitch! 

STEP 3: Offer free skincare consultations – Let people experience the difference, just like I did. No hard selling involved. Not sure how to begin? I've got a 1-on-1 coaching system ito guide you. Just come in with an open mind! 

STEP 4:  Join a team that supports your growth – I personally mentor women who want to build a meaningful skincare business. With the right support and proven strategies, you'll never have to figure things out alone. 

Final Thoughts: Your Future is in Your Hands

I never imagined I’d leave my corporate job to become a skincare entrepreneur and mompreneur. But looking back, I’m so glad I took that first step.

If you’re feeling stuck in a job that’s limiting your potential, know that there is another way. You don’t have to wait years for a promotion that may never come. You can create your own success.

If you’re curious about starting your own DR’s Secret or Avance Supplement business, let’s chat! Lastly, I really want to share a quote I came across recently:

Stop waiting to feel ready. Ready is not a feeling. It is a decision.

Scan the below QR code to my IG & Book a free discovery call with me today!

The baby products market in Singapore is undoubtedly saturated, as with everywhere else in the world, making it challenging to distinguish the must-haves from the nice-to-haves. And to be honest, most newborn nursery items are the big tickets that would eat into our budget. So we were very clear from the start that we do not want to go over the top as the baby grows really fast, and that we’re going to convert the nursery to a Montessori bedroom once he hits his toddler phase.

A great part of the items in our super cosy baby nursery are, therefore, hand-me-downs (bebe is so fortunate!) or from the 2nd-hand marketplace (Save the environment!). Here is a roundup of my favourite products for the early days with bebe K. They have helped us tremendously as we ease into our new role as papa and mama.

Baby Nest

I used to think baby nests are only for the gram. I mean, they look so picture-ready in all the Pinterest photos I reference. Until I started to research more about them, I realised that not all baby nests are the same. There are the cotton nest lounger, rustic woven baskets, those with fancy fabric and removable arch etc.

In the end, I got the Red Castle’s CocoonaBaby nest for bebe as it has this elongated semi-fetal position, which mimics the shape of a mom’s womb for the baby to feel safe and contented while respecting the medical recommendation for babies to sleep on their back. We found bebe sleeps more soundly in the nest too! One thing though, is that it comes in various fitted sheets and it is better to choose cotton ones (those with prints!) as the quilted versions tend to get warmer even in the air-conditioned room. We love it nonetheless, as our newborn sleeps so well in it!

Diaper Changing Board

As our Micuna baby cot is a fairly new hand-me-down from a sweet relative, we got our diaper changing board from the same brand. It was such a relief to our back. Trust me, if you do not categorize yourself as young and energetic, please invest in one or get a 2nd-hand changing board as you do not need to bend down every single time you change diapers for the baby. This is especially helpful if you are going to have / may end up with a cesarean section delivery, or intend to get your folks to help with taking care of the baby. Your back will thank you for this!

Nursery Mobiles

Baby mobiles are adorable. And it is a great choice to decorate a baby nursery. But they are more than just an aesthetically pleasing accessory for a baby’s room. So for our baby’s very first mobile, we opted a Munari mobile, which is a Montessori mobile that promotes visual tracking and hopefully, provides some concentration training.

It is a simple, lightweight mobile with a transparent sphere and a few cupboards that are drawn in a specific black & white proportion. It was said that the elements are designed to ignite a child’s inherent mathematical sense, which is definitely needed because both K and I are lacking in math abilities. Jokes aside, we are happy to see that the mobile keeps bebe occupied during his wake window! As anything that comes with a Montessori tag is expensive, and these mobiles need to be changed out as the baby grows, we got ours from Taobao. If you wish to find out more about these Montessori mobiles, here is a great write-up about them.

Waterproof Bed Pad

All parents would know how a Poonami and Wee Fountain can make a simple nappy changing time a really complicated one. A waterproof diaper-changing pad is helpful when it comes to messy diaper-changing time. It also doubles up as a baby mattress protector. Just layer it on top of the mat to prevent the baby from wetting the bed!

We got ours from this popular China brand called Cutelife and it’s so soft, dries fast and is so aesthetically pleasing. I love the floral prints that add a delicate touch to the room!

Bed Pockets

A bed pocket is really handy when it comes to storing small items during nappy time. Be it the baby’s pacifier, mom’s hair tie, airpods and other necessities. They’re so perfect I never regret getting them!

Baby Monitor

A baby monitor is a practical item in the nursery as it allows us to keep a lookout for our newborn in the middle of the night and during naps. We got a super affordable baby monitor from Xiaomi. The night vision is clear enough and so far it works fairly well for us. The only thing that I don’t like is the speed to launch the monitor as it would usually take about 15 seconds or more to launch the camera, which can be painful for any impatient individual.

Nursing Cart

I guess this Ikea RÅSKOG Trolley is no secret to any breastfeeding mom. You basically put everything you would need on it, be it diapers, ointments, nursing and pumping gadgets, you name it. It is literally a newborn survival cart! You can roll this from room to room, with all your nursing essentials in one place. Here’s our nursing cart and check out that Bepanthen ointment. We use it each time we change bebe’s diaper to prevent nappy rash, so very effective that we recommend it to all parents!

Nursing Chair

A nursing chair is an important item in the baby nursery. Because, guys, don’t underestimate the duration we’ll end up nursing our baby or rocking them to sleep on the chair. If you do not wish to splurge on a nursing chair, an armchair with good back support is essential. A reclining feature would be a nice-to-have if you’d also like to explore laid-back breastfeeding if your let-down is too fast that it gushes down.

Ours is an Ekenäset armchair which is a limited edition from Ikea as they celebrate their 75th anniversary in 2018. It is a relaunch from their archive and I really love the iconic mid-century modern design that works well with our space. It used to be our reading chair in the living room but as we make space for a “milk station” in the living room, we have since moved this armchair into the baby’s nursery and it works great for us.

Odourless Diaper Bin

Nobody warns us that newborn’s farts and poops can be as potent as adults’. The odour can actually linger long after we have disposed the diapers. We choose Umee Odourless Diaper Pail as its patented design can seal up the smell, germs and bacteria and can store up to 25 diapers! Great item to help us tide through the sleepless newborn phase!

Newborn Playmat

A playmat is a nursery essential as it provides a cosy and safe environment for our newborn, especially during his play time – this includes his tummy time and motor skills time. As I wanted a touch of Korea in the nursery, we opted for a quilted cotton playmat that comes with anti-slip features from Taobao. It also works as our baby’s Monthsary backdrop!

White Noise Machine

White noise machines are our saviour in the initial days when bebe returned from the hospital. The soft frequencies and ambient sounds mimic the noises the baby heard inside the womb while drowning out other disturbances. It is a good transitional item that can comfort newborns and help them sleep better. We find this device essential if you want to save yourself from having to make those “shhhhh” sounds for hours (that’s insane) or having to use your mobile phone to play the sounds.

Bedside Lamp

A bedside lamp is extremely practical and critical to a nursery. You’ll likely nurse the baby, change their diaper, and put the baby down to sleep round the clock during the newborn phase. A dimmable bedside lamp would be very helpful when it comes to those midnight feed when you do not wish to wake the baby while getting the job done.

Table clock

If you’re going to sleep train your baby, or at least want to be more informed of your baby’s next feeding time so that you have more control of your daily schedule, a silent table clock in the room is going to be very helpful as most of the time, your hand may be pretty much occupied especially when you’re nursing or feeding.

I wasn’t given hormone pills at the early stage of the pregnancy to enhance the survival rates of my fetus, despite the unfortunate miscarriage just last year. Nor I was given supplements from my gynae throughout the pregnancy. I didn’t suffer from morning sickness, I eat fairly well all three trimesters — weight gain was moderate and steady. I had very minimal heartburn, occasional constipation, and no gestational diabetes or other complications, despite having my first child at the mature age of 35. Bébé was born post-term at 4.1 KG without jaundice. I am so incredibly blessed with this experience.

I have always been advocating all women who plan to conceive should prepare their bodies for pregnancy. Let’s face it: Pregnancy can bring long-term health issues that last a lifetime. Bearing a child and even birthing carries risks. These are hard truths. While social media tells us how amazing pregnancy and motherhood can be like, growing a healthy baby inside our body isn’t something that should be taken for granted.

Knowing what kind of physical state and health condition a fetus would likely thrive in advance and preparing your body for it can really minimize pregnancy discomforts and risks during our pregnancy. However, each pregnancy is unique and to each their own. This article aims to provide insights for those who are keen to prepare their body for a baby to nest in for a good 9 months. And if you’re looking for such content, I hope this is helpful

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor nor your medical provider. While I believe that preparing our body well before conceiving will make our pregnancy journey so much more pleasant and enjoyable, what suit me may not suit you. With each individual comes your own choices and circumstances, so whatever you choose is good for you and know that you know yourself better than anyone else.  

Warm-up My Womb

From a TCM perspective, there is a correlation between a cold womb and infertility. I used to have obstructed blood flow, and coldness in the lower abdomen, hands and feet. So I been visiting Physician Lim Sor San at Time Enterprise TCM for a good 2 years before I got married. Back then, all I wanted was to get rid of menstrual cramps so that I can focus better at work during that time of the month. Her medicine worked well. #notsponsored

Before successfully conceiving with bébé Keian, I suffered a spontaneous miscarriage in 2021. Post-miscarriage, I took 2 weeks of confinement food with Chilli Padi Confinement to improve blood circulation and maintain body warmth. Their food always looked appetising (you can expect colourful & nourishing dishes) and I like that everything including the dishes is delivered in thermal flasks. #notsponsored

I also went back to see Physician Lim for 2 months before trying for a baby again. If you are suspecting a cold womb is hindering your chance of conceiving, please know that TCM can be an alternative treatment.

Learn My Family’s Medical History

As K and I are not “young”, we went for a fertility check-up at KKH just to make sure both of us are okay before we take everything seriously. One thing I learnt from the doctor was that collecting our family’s health history can be important for our child’s health. We might not realize that a sister’s heart defect or grandpa’s medical condition could affect the child, so sharing family medical history with your doctor can be important.

We shared our medical condition, as well as our family’s medical information and underwent some recommended tests just to make sure we are all cleared and really, it is for your peace of mind.

Fallopian Tube Test

As part of my fertility check-up, my doctor also suggested a fallopian tube test, or hysterosalpingogram (HSG). This minor test procedure lets the doctor examine the inside walls of our uterus and fallopian tubes, by flushing medical liquids via the cervix into the uterus and the tubes.

It provides information about the shape and contour of our uterus, document other possible conditions, and determine if our fallopian tubes are open. Having a blocked tube or growth in our uterus can reduce our chances of pregnancy as the sperm wouldn’t be able to reach the egg.

I experience more painful menses every alternate month so even though I have very regular menses, to be very sure of my fertility health we went ahead with the test. The report turns out to be perfect. And believe it or not, some ladies actually became more fertile after the test as the procedure clears minor blocks in some women, making it easier for an embryo to implant successfully.

Make Better Lifestyle Choices

Neither I nor K smoke. And prior to conceiving, we keep our casual drinking to a minimum too! We also consider ourselves very fortunate as we do not have other medical conditions that require us to take any medicine that may affect the health of our baby.

Prenatal Supplements

It is a no-brainer that a healthy diet is the best way to get the vitamins and minerals we need. However, if we take a closer look at our diet, most of us would realise that we are not taking enough vegetables and fruits in a day, and may fall short on key nutrients. So prenatal vitamins can help fill any gaps if we are pregnant or hoping to conceive. It is important to get our bodies ready before hosting the baby.

• Folic Acid
Folic Acid or folate is the natural form of vitamin B9. If a woman has enough folic acid in her body before and during pregnancy, it can help prevent major birth defects in the baby’s brain and spine. KKH Obstetrics & Gynaecology Department actually recommend taking folic acid 3 months before trying to conceive. I started taking it 3 months before I successfully conceived back in 2021. While the embryo didn’t make it, I continue to take folic acid daily until I am pregnant again with bébé Keian.

#Tip:  You can purchase Folic Acid tablets off public hospital's pharmacy or on National Healthcare Group's site at a very low cost. It is SGD 2.10 per 30 capsules, so much more affordable compared to the well-known brands in the market. 

• Fish Oil
Omega-3 fatty acid helps promote a baby’s brain development. It is a type of fat found naturally in many kinds of fish. However, if you don’t take fish or other foods high in omega-3 fatty acids due to your choice of diet, it is better to supplement it for the sake of your baby. I took Avance’s Super EPA 2000 as it contains 810mg EPA and DHA in one soft gel, which is one of the purest and highest concentrations of EPA and DHA in the market.

#Tip:  Each Avance fish oil soft gel went through a dual-stage molecular distillation that removes impurities and heavy metals from the fish. Only God knows how much heavy metals one would be accidentally consuming if she's only taking real fish to hit that same amount of Omega-3 fatty acids one needs to grow her baby! 

• Borage Seed Oil
I bet you’ve heard about the benefits of taking evening primrose oil which includes regulating hormones and relieving discomfort associated with monthly cycles. Avance’s Borage Seed Oil contains 22% of GLA, which is much higher compared to evening primrose oil which typically contains 8-10% of GLA. It also helps to improve blood circulation and clear off the clotting that may be one of the reasons for infertility and recurrent miscarriage.

• LB30
Adding probiotics to our arsenal of motherhood must-haves can go a long way to help encourage the absorption of nutrients, nurture our baby’s immune system, and support us in common, uncomfortable roadblocks that can occur during pregnancy and postpartum life (think heartburn and constipation for a whole 9 months!).

I made sure my gut health was in good condition before conceiving, which I believe attributed to the minimum heartburn and constipation during my pregnancy. In fact, I only experienced occasional heartburn and constipation after week 34 when the baby has grown bigger in size.

Avance’s LB30 probiotics have 30 billion good bacteria from 5 clinical strains, and 4 are patented. Each strain is also coated with 5 layers of coating to ensure the stability of the cultures and make sure that they stay alive until they reach our gut.

Taking probiotics during the pre-pregnancy stage helps to lower the risks of vagina infections that may cause pregnancy complications, eczema in babies and many more. Babies actually inherit their entire microbiome from us as they pass through the birth canal, from skin-to-skin contact, and taking our breast milk. These are the building blocks for our child’s immune system, which is why it’s critical to inoculate our newborn with the bacteria needed to set them up for a lifetime of health!

#Tip:  I took 1 stick of LB30 each day before conceiving, continue the same dosage up to the 2nd trimester, and take 2-4 sticks daily in the 3rd trimester. I would increase my intake to 6 sticks in a day when I experience constipation and my problem would usually resolve within the next day. 

Meal Management Camp

Because our modern and instant diet often leaves gaps in our nutritional needs, when it comes to preparing ourselves for pregnancy, we are more than willing to go the extra mile to ensure good health before conceiving.

One thing I did was join a Meal Management Bootcamp that aims to achieve a healthy BMI (of an Asian standard), healthy body fat ratio and cultivate mindful eating. It is a one-month program where members eat 4-5 full meals per day while incorporating just one “5DP” healthy smoothie from Optrimax into our daily meal plan.

The smoothie shake is jam-packed with Vitamin B2, B6, D3, E, Folic Acid and Biotin which are all great to prep our body for baby. I’ll share more about this in another blog. We are thrilled to find out good news from a few ladies who join the camp for at least 3-6 months. So if you want to do something about your diet that may enhance your overall reproductive health, you can DM me on IG

Remove Myself from Stressful Environment

I was in the hospitality industry and it was challenging in the past 3 years due to the pandemic. The high levels of stress, and receiving work emails in the wee hours were taxing to my body and mind. As I managed to establish a stable side income by advocating for DR’s Secret skincare during my downtime, I took the leap of faith to quit my day job as a hospitality marketer.

I took a one-month break, did a Free & Easy trip to South Korea and found out that I got pregnant with bébé Keian when I came home! So please do not downplay the complex interplay between the level of stress you have and your fertility health! Take a break and find a solution for yourself. Remember, our job should not become our whole identity.

Need help purchasing Avance Supplement Products?

Chat me up on IG, and I’ll be able to give you complimentary advice and recommendations! Download the “BWL Mobile” app on AppStore, and sign up with me to access your member’s only perks and discounts.

The pandemic has certainly altered how we host and celebrate nuptials but oh well, life carries on and I hope this post will serve as an idea starter especially if you’re new to planning your wedding!

So we held our wedding in the lush greenery of Labrador Nature Reserve, in a beautiful stand-alone, restored historical bungalow back in colonial times. We knew that we didn’t want a hotel ballroom as our wedding venue right from the start. So after a few months’ search, Tamarind Hill emerged as the perfect space for our wedding.

The venue was exclusive. I like the fact that it was nestled amid vast expanses of lush forests. Taking a visit to Tamarind Hill always feels like an escape from the city chaos. I love almost everything I see on my first visit – the twists and turns in the greenery before reaching the flawlessly chic bungalow, the serenity that encompasses the property, all reminds me of the Lakehouse in Cameron Highlands.

The airy, dreamy lounge with its unmistakable neo-rustic charm exudes a nostalgic and cosy ambience. The venue itself was the deal maker. It was also expansive enough to host 120 guests. The wedding package also comes with a night’s stay in the adjoining Villa Samadhi, a luxury boutique resort managed by the same guys behind the brand.

The venue resulted in an enchanted wedding celebration in the woods, as photographed by Juan Chan from Darren & Jade Photography. Everything was picture-perfect, even with a heavy downpour that morning.

The Gown

My gown selecting journey wasn’t as smooth as I thought it would be. While I am a UK 10 which I consider my body frame as “moderate”, the gown sizes offered at most bridal boutiques in Singapore were mostly UK 6-8. So most of the time, I’ll have to try on poor-fitting sample dresses. While I understand that is how dress shopping is like at most places, the experience can be really mortifying and I ended up hating my figure when there was absolutely nothing wrong with it.

I remembered trying dresses at this particular boutique where the salesperson wouldn’t let me try on dresses that I liked, and made me try on dresses that weren’t my taste at all. The worst thing was she still pushed me some discount packages that are only valid for the day.

My advice to the bride-to-be who is experiencing the same problem: Walk away from these stores. Try not to be too tempted by the lure of a cheaper package “only today”. It is clear that these stores are not even trying. At the end of the day, you should not feel that you are being forced to make a decision when the store didn’t even offer a proper selection lineup or is sensitive enough to your shopping experience. While I was upset because it seemed that I was “too large to fit in” which was totally bullshit, I am glad I walked away from those places and found Blessed Brides.

It was the very first time that I feel that I have options. I can finally fit in those sample dresses, make better decision and feeling beautiful in my own body!

Blessed Brides carries European designer gowns carefully handpicked by their gown designer Kenji. I tried on a few dresses from Pronovias, Rosa Clara, House of St. Patrick and finally, decide on the lace mermaid cut gown from Rosa Clara as my main bridal gown. Kenji was super friendly and patient. Below are the dresses that I actually fitted nicely into and felt truly like a blessed bride – I was able to choose the right dress without the need to imagine myself in my size. And that was when I know I am at the right bridal boutique.

I also had my 2nd dress tailor-made at a Korean bridal brand called Modeny. It is a simple Mikado silk dress in tea length, featuring an A-line silhouette and short sleeves. I liked the simple design which I can see myself wearing the dress again after the wedding.

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To match my tea-length wedding dress, I purchased a face veil from Rosette Blanc, a handmade bridal accessories studio in Korea. While they have stopped producing bridal veils, they do carry intricate hand-made tiara and bridal hair accessories so if you can communicate in basic Korean, I’ll encourage you to approach them on Instagram! I also bought this beautiful handmade hairpin from a Taobao store that cost about SGD 7.43++ which was a great deal!

Ditching The Tradition

We ditched some of the wedding traditions during our wedding. And those were the best decisions ever.

No “Gate Crash”. No wedding cake cutting. I have both my parents walk me down the aisle and a Vespa Sidecar as the wedding car. We also do a simple champagne toasting ceremony at the banquet in replacement of a “Yumseng” session, without the awkward and rather uncomfortable and stressful moments of everyone cheering us on starting a family soon.

Don’t get me wrong, by no means am I suggesting that following a gate crash or other tradition is wrong. I believe that weddings are all about telling your unique story. If you are uncomfortable with certain traditions or feeling the pressure to follow through with certain rules, it is time to take things in a new direction. If you want certain traditions on your big day, be sure you are doing them intentionally, and not just because “that’s what everyone does at weddings”.

Designing the best day of your life comes from listening to yourself—not being concerned with what others have done in the past.

We are never a fan of “Gate Crashing” games, a wedding tradition in that the bridesmaid squad will create challenges for the groom and groomsmen, as a symbol that the bride should be “fought” for. I didn’t want to humiliate my husband and his groomsmen or my friends to get stressed and tired on my wedding day either. And more importantly, I am quite sensitive to noises so we eliminated this from the wedding itinerary and went ahead with a simple bride-fetching ceremony that morning. I am happy that the quiet but heartwarming moments were well captured by the crew.

Vespa Sidecar as Wedding Car

As the wedding ceremony, tea ceremony and luncheon took place at one location, we decided to have a vintage Vespa sidecar as our wedding car and it was one of the favourite photo spots for our guests!

Invitation Suite

One thing I absolutely loved about my wedding was the invitation suite. My talented friend P designed the main invitation card, the solemnisation ceremony invitation card, as well as the info sheet. I had the main invitation and vellum info sheet printed by The Gentlemen Press. Each of the main invitation cards is hand-pressed using a century-old letterpress machine in Singapore. The letterpress finishing definitely added a refined touch to the wedding.

I love how everything turns out to be exactly how I wanted – with my wedding colour palette incorporated into the invitation. The sage green wreath, the watercolour illustration on the info sheet that is printed on vellum paper, the misty grey envelope and the antique gold wax seal – all set the mood for the wedding.

Walk Down The Aisle With My Parents

I wanted to incorporate the two very important people together into the very important moment of my life. So I ditched the tradition again! I had my papa on my right and mama on my left as we walked down the aisle. Looking at the photos again I am so glad I did that. Indeed the best decision ever!

Lavender Wedding Toss

I chose to have my guests toss us in Lavender buds when we walk up the aisle as a married couple. As it rained heavily on my wedding day, the ceremony took place at the terrace instead of the garden. So I didn’t get my outdoor lavender toss photo that is all bright, airy and whimsical. That said, the photo turn out to be wonderful in its own way. Read more about how I DIY my Lavender buds wedding toss bag here.

Cheongsam for Tea Ceremony

I changed into a midi length Cheongsam for my tea ceremony. I love the combination of the intricate French lace with blush beige coloured satin silk underneath the lace, which also fits my wedding colour palette too. It is tailored made from a Cheongsam store that is based in Shanghai, and I ordered it on Taobao and cost about SGD 200 ++. Considered that it is a made-to-order dress, it is value for money. In fact, many cheongsam stores on Taobao are time-tested and renowned brands so the workmanship is guaranteed.

To my fellow bride-to-be readers, you may consider ordering your cheongsam slightly loose if you are worried about the sizing and cut, as you can still alter them here in Singapore once you received the item. I lost weight closer to my wedding date, so I had it altered at a local Cheongsam store at People’s Park Plaza. The seamstress advised the same thing too! It is always easier to make a loose cheongsam smaller.

Cocktail Hours

Our guests arrived shortly after the tea ceremony. I liked that the restaurant offered a complimentary Sweet & Savoury Bar filled with Kacang Puteh and other local snacks at the bar. It was a pity there wasn’t any photo captured at the counter, but I had DIY a stack of wedding snack holders made of parchment papers and customised stickers from Taobao. It was super easy to make!

The restaurant offered complimentary wedding cookies as favours from Folks & Stories, and I also printed out the menu for the restaurant to place them onto the table.

March-in & Luncheon

The luncheon kicked off with us marching into the dining hall as husband and wife. We kept the whole event really simple. The layout of the restaurant was that there is a gorgeous chandelier bar in the middle, and the guests are seated at the two adjoining dining halls which have direct access to the bar. So we had the emcee invite our guests to grab their wine glasses and gathered at the bar while enjoying the light refreshments from the Sweet & Savoury bar at the counter.

We marched in, gave our thank you speech, popped the champagne and lunch is served. There is no real stage at the restaurant. You can, of course, set it up yourself but we really liked how the area is with a huge mirror and a gold buddha head as the centrepiece. Nice and elegant enough for our simple and cosy wedding luncheon!

The Food 

According to our guests who are foodies, the food served on the day were impressive! Especially their Steamed Seabass with Lime & Chili. I received very good feedback from relatives, and also my friends and colleagues who are all in the lifestyle media industry. The food pairs really well with beer and wines, so if your guests drink, you’d better prepare enough!

All in all, Tamarind Hill is a dreamy and magical venue for an intimate wedding. The service crew were amazing! Everyone was so warm and hospitable. However, we had some seating arrangement issues as the restaurant did not get the updated version from Gdrive and the seating arrangement wasn’t reflected correctly and it was just 1.5 hours before the luncheon. At the same time, some close friends discovered that there were wedding favours labelled with other couples’ names being distributed at the tables.

We were really fortunate to have the capable ladies behind Do Good Weddings orchestrate the event. They did a splendid job and rectified all the issues within a short time frame while keeping the day feels so calm and flawless! Do Good Weddings is a passion project of Debbie and she does wedding day planning & coordination for charity. All your fees paid will be donated to a charity of your choice after deducting her transportation fee! So if you are looking to do good and also need a helping hand, please contact Debbie via Do Good Weddings Instagram!

WEDDING ENSEMBLE (BRIDE): 
Main Dress: Rosa Clara Dress via Blessed Brides | Hair Accessories: AIYI 手工婚饰 | Bridal Shoes: Irostyle Wedding Shoes 
Silk Tea Dress: Simple Mikado (Short Sleeves) from Modeny | Face Veil: Rosette Blanc
Tea Ceremony: Tailor-Made Qipao from Taobao 

WEDDING ENSEMBLE (GROOM): 
ROM Suit: Benjamin Barker | Luncheon Suit: Tailor-Made via Blessed Brides. 

VENUE: 
ROM & Luncheon: Tamarind Hill Singapore | Morning “fetch-the-bride” session: Villa Samadhi Singapore | Floral Arrangement: Aces of Vase | Macrame Arch: Taobao 

INVITATION SUITE: 
Design: Pyron Tan | Letterpress & Printing: The Gentlemen Press | Wax: Taobao | Seal: Saint Signora  

VESPA BRIDAL CAR: Little Tiffany Blue

PHOTOGRAPHY: Darren & Jade 

WEDDING COORDINATION: Do Good Weddings 

Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa is a pet-friendly resort. While there are many pet-friendly hotels in Singapore, not all are exactly feline-friendly. And I was delighted to find out that they have dedicated a “Pampered Meows” staycation package for pet cats!

THE ROOM 

The SGD 350++ package includes a one-night stay at the deluxe room with cat-friendly amenities, breakfast for 2 persons and a welcome kit for the cat. Our room was on the highest floor of the hotel building. I like the high ceiling and the beautiful scenery from the balcony. Surrounded by the lush greenery, this room immediately made us feel more relaxed, and the glimpse of the blue sea and the beautiful sunset set the mood calm and serene.

Please note that the room isn’t exactly cat-proof as it is a hotel room after all. So please make sure that you secure your fur baby and keep the sliding door closed.

The room also comes with standard amenities such as drinking water, snack bars, bathtub, shower amenities, slippers etc. It is also a 1-2 minute walking distance to Skypool, a rooftop infinity pool where you can swim while enjoying the views of the South China Sea.

We let Mandoo out of the carrier once we arrived at the room. He started sniffing and exploring the surroundings. Perhaps it was his first time stepping out to a completely new environment, he was a little wary after a while and went hiding under the bed. Knowing Mandoo, this didn’t really bother us as we brought his toy and his “chou chou” along.

CAT-FRIENDLY AMENITIES

Our little furry one enjoyed the cat litter box from Unicharm. It is a half cover dual-layer cat litter system where the top layer allows urine to flow smoothly to the bottom deck, and the bottom layer absorbent sheet absorbs urine and prevents unpleasant smell. Such a sleek & minimalist design litter box with great functionality. After the stay, I am considering upgrading Mandoo’s litter box to Unicharm soon! For cat owners who are bringing your cat out for the first time, you may scoop a packet of cat litter from home and pour them right into the litter box the hotel provides.

As cats are scent-oriented, having their familiar scent around creates a sense of belonging and makes them feel relieved in the new environment! Right after we put his usual tofu cat litter into the hotel’s litter box, Mandoo came out from hiding and seemed to look more at ease!

CAT WELCOME KIT

The highlight of the trip for Mandoo was the cat welcome kit curated by Silversky and Stellar Pets. Inside the box were kibbles, wet food, toys and treats. Mandoo loves the Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Morsels (Cage-free Chicken Recipe) from Stella & Chewy, and he pounced at the BowWow Korea Chupa Creamy Cat Treats too! These were the products he loved so much that we are already making several repurchases since we came home.

A DAY WELL SPENT WITH MANDOO 

After taking a quick dip at the pool, we spent quality time in the room with this curious boy. He enjoys chilling on the day bed with mama. Since this was his very first time exploring out of the house other than his usual grooming place, he was more explorative throughout the day. We also brought him out to the balcony (he has a penchant for birds) and even saw a peacock passing by the garden!

It was clear to us that Mandoo was unable to contain his excitement when he was having zoomies across the room at 2 A.M. He also explored the bathroom, made some noise that woke us up, mischievously stepped onto papa’s pillow and then decided to share my bed later. He doesn’t do all these at home so we concluded that this little rascal knows that it was his staycation and he gets to call the shots.

BREAKFAST AT SHUTTERS 

The package includes complimentary breakfast for two at the resort’s restaurant – Shutters. So the sleep-deprived pawrents went for breakfast early in the morning. It rained the night before so it was a quiet and scenic stroll to the restaurant. The breakfast spread was pretty standard where you can select between continental breakfast or local spread. I’d recommend the Sentosa Breakfast Set, which was Nasi Lemak.

It was a school holiday the lean team at the restaurant appeared overwhelmed. Our food and drinks took some time to arrive. If you prefer taking breakfast with your fur kids, check out the beautiful outdoor seats.

A LEISURE MORNING WALK 

After breakfast, we went for a leisure stroll with Mandoo. The cobblestone pathway along Courtyard Suites is one of the most beautiful areas of the hotel in my opinion. The colonial-style architecture in the former quarters of British Sergeants during WWII has its own charm. You can also discover the British Army Sole Cleaners at the entrance of the building, and two Air Raid Shelters built in WWII right opposite the Courtyard Suites.

Writer’s Note: I think Mandoo had a blast at Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa’s Pampered Meows staycation! It was his first time visiting a resort and he was confident enough to explore the room in just 2 hours, which was pretty amazing! The room was large enough for a cat to run around, especially during cat zoomies! The cat amenities were well-curated, and we were happy to create precious memory with our furry kid at Sentosa.

While we enjoyed most of the stay, our experience would have been greatly improved if the hotel had set up the cat amenities before our check-in. While we do understand that it was a peak period, having made 3 calls in 2 hours to receive the litter box and feeding bowl was not ideal. We were really worried about Mandoo defecating in the room and causing more issues because the room wasn’t properly set up. To that young man from the front office (we forgot his name) who came to our rescue at the 3rd call, thank you very much! Please check out our trip via Instagram Reels:

 

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Resort Details:

Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa 
1 Larkhill Rd, Sentosa Island, 099394
https://sentosa.amarahotels.com/

The sweet scent now reminds me of the lovely moment of walking up the aisle as husband and wife, with everyone we love smiling at us – certainly one of the precious moments I recall at my wedding 2 years ago.

Though there aren’t many references for lavender exit toss from local wedding photography, I managed to find photos that I really like on Pinterest and follow suit. Pinterest is such an amazing platform for interior design and wedding ideas, isn’t it? So here are the ones I took inspiration from to make my own lavender toss.

Since my wedding venue is set against the luscious rainforest backdrop of the Labrador Nature Reserve in Singapore, I wanted to bring some rustic elements into my wedding. So I selected a wooden frame for my lavender toss signboard, and mini burlap sacks to hold the dried lavender buds.

With just family and close friends present, our intimate solemnisation ceremony would only need about 30 packets of lavender for the send-off. Here’s what I prepared:

• Square wooden photo frame x 1. | Taobao |
• One Lavender Toss Instruction signboard x 1. | Minty Paperie Shop |
• Mini Burlap Sack, 10 x 15 cm x 30 | Taobao |
• Dried Lavender Buds, from Ili, Xinjiang, 250g. |Taobao|
• Sticker with our wedding hashtag printed.

I sourced the dried lavender buds from Ili River Valley, northwest of China’s Xinjiang Kazakh Autonomous Region. Ili has the largest lavender plantation in China and the 3rd largest in the world. Lavender from France was introduced to this place since 1965 and has contributed 97% of the country’s lavender output.

The shop I selected is owned by a young Chinese couple who left the big city for Ili as they love the scents of the blue gold. It is 100% natural, and they don’t cost much! 250g of lavender was the right amount for 30 guests at the ceremony. It cost SGD 7 without international shipping, which is really affordable!

So I purchased the lavender buds and burlap sacks, pack them in, and paste the customised sticker with our official hashtag #kenpheubemine and voila! The packages are ready.

It rained heavily on my wedding day. We had to move the ceremony to the terrace instead of the garden. So I didn’t get my outdoor lavender toss photo that is all bright, airy and whimsical. That said, the photos turn out to be wonderful in their own way. I could still remember that alluring scent from the flower on my wedding day, and of course, the lovely people standing along the aisle who showered us with so much love.

For those who are considering an eco-friendly wedding toss and who love the lavender scent, I’d say give it a go! Lavender symbolizes purity and devotion, what a perfect material for a fragrant exit toss! Talk about speaking to all 5 senses, a lavender toss is like a signature scent for your wedding day : )

While I have listed all my vendors above for your reference, I understand shopping on Taobao might not be an easy task for some of you, so you may source your own. After all, it is your big day, and you should be making the decision that makes sense to you.

And there you have it, my dear! While you’re working your way through your solemnisation ceremony or reception checklist, please check with your venue manager regarding their tossing rules (I know some of the venues do not allow exit toss at all), and do ensure your guests are not allergic to lavender before planning!