We share the same bangle, Mr. Kimura!

I’d like to share something that I’ve been looking forward to these past couple of months.

I’ve been invited to participate in a charity auction for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, in Singapore. The Make-A-Wish Foundation works actively to grant wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses.

The simple wishes of these children moved me, such as owning a pet puppy, having an adjustable bed for a better’ night’s sleep, write and publish a book, and “be an adult to do things like making coffee, clubbing and stay up late” – the main reason why I agreed to be involved.

Other participants include Rebecca Tan, Daniel Boey, Beatrice Chia-Richmond, Pamelyn Chee, Tracy Tan and Rozz from 98.7FM. For more information, here’s another article.

I will be designing a bag which will be up for bidding at the charity auction. Proceeds will be directed to funds for the foundation.

If you’d like to be involved, there is a public submissions category where you can submit your ideal bag design. Designs from finalists will be showcased at the end of the year, prizes include cash of up to S$1,000 with the winning design included in Sembonia’s collection. Designs will be judged by fashion director Daniel Boey, director of Sembonia Daniel Chiang and editor of Nuyou Grace Lee. More details can be found here.

I’m halfway through a book, The Black Swan, by Nassim Nicholas Taleb – but strangely, I find myself very attracted to another work of the same title.

The Black Swan is fronted by Natalie Portman, who plays a ballerina on the rise in the Darren Aronofsky thriller ‘Black Swan’. The film opens the Venice Film Festival on September 1. I’m psyched as I’ve been a huge fan of Aronofsky. Not so much from his famed ‘The Wrestler’ – but from his exploration of drugs in ‘Requiem of A Dream’, a longstanding favourite of mine.

It should be interesting to watch Portman in a film which centres around ballet – actresses with background in dancing, like Audrey Hepburn and Claire Danes, have been a joy to watch. I’m sure Portman will bring equal joy to the screen.

Portman’s current squeeze, Benjamin Millepied, is a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet. He’s also the main choreographer and has an acting part in the feature film.

Another, perhaps lesser-known fact about the movie, is that the Mulleavy sisters have designed the costumes for the film. It’s no wonder -  they’ve participated in a round-up of the Top 10 list of films for the prestigious Criterion Collection. It’s wonderful that the costumes for the ballet feature will be from Rodarte, it just adds on to my excitement.

Thank you Chloe, for sending over such a charming umbrella!

The interior is filled with Chloe’s new logo, the floral ‘C’, which I think will streamline the brand’s DNA and bring the brand even more recognition.

Met the cotton candy man.

Still juicing.

Our week was filled with little animals.

Little animals gawking at another little animal.

There’s an escalator in town that’s filled with Sanrio characters and Baby Milo. I take particular joy in riding this up and down whenever I’m in the area.

A week, two cities, peppered with very lovely store visits.

Midweek, and shopping for checkered shirts.

Tacky communist logo replacing a perfectly sensible car logo. You hardly get this in Singapore, communist pride.

I just came across these interviews by T Magazine of New York Times. It reminded me that actresses and celebrities, characters we love, come from different walks of life and experiences.

There are so many ways of viewing these women, sexy, witty, smart, beautiful – yet they basically are just people who carry out their work to the best, following a script.

They come from different places – Spain, France, South Africa, America… but what allows them to shine is their dedication and a kind of fate, with their work and the global audience.

I’d much rather watch interviews all day than read celebrity gossip blogs or media, and watch them in their own skin.

I decided to revisit this Wong Kar Wai movie after I wrote about Ming Wong’s exhibition. The subtlety stands out silently, as you can see from the movie stills. It’s very quiet, almost still.

The movie is so Asian, but unlike most Hong Kong movies, the city is not buzzing with noise or movement. Yet every movement in the movie counts, it moves you so vividly.

Of course, the fashion and hair is impeccable. Maggie Cheung, waif-like, seems made for the role. But who still remembers her in the 100 other forgettable roles before she made it to this golden throne as an art-house queen?

Tony Leung, moving, lovely, dark-eyed, handsome. Yet, I still listen to his bad 90s Chinese pop songs on mainstream radio and wonder: this guy could have chosen singing and he would have faded into oblivion.

Let’s just feel glad that talent has a way to creep around us, bringing us to where we want to go.

I’m putting up my LV Trevi PM for sale – I’ve bought it in mid-2008 for work purposes and thought it was more suitable for a corporate finance position.

Seeing that I’ve left an office-based position in early 2009, the Trevi’s been awfully neglected. This is not right for such a beautiful bag, so as I was auditing my wardrobe, I’ve decided to give it up to someone else who will find more mileage out of the Trevi, and love it more.

The bag is in mint condition – I’ve not used it enough, to be honest, so the condition is good as new. Meet-up for collection is possible.

Size (LxHxD): 34cm x 24cm x 15cm

Interested parties, please email me at the following address for the price or if you need more detailed photographs: stephietansays[at]gmail[dot]com

Cornelius Comanns designed a camper suited for the needs of one person. Named the Bufalino, the minimalist design offers absolute flexibility for a traveler.

I’d like to take this on a road trip, on days where you just want to get away from everything.