Hen Night Planning.

I've officially hit the window where almost everyone around me is getting married and having babies.

I love weddings, I really do. I've spent years taking down mental notes, clipping magazines and compiling them in thick, heavy binders in my mind. I love attending weddings - well, a certain sort of wedding anyway; I've found some to be quite impersonal and void of all the essence that would drive two crazy people to commit to a lifetime together to begin with.

But you really spend your whole life attending weddings, even as a child. You watched your siblings, aunts and uncles, even cousins tie the knot in your sunday best. There's cake and other children to run wild with, much to the delight of the adults who then have some time to socialize with other adults, to save their sanity. What's really new to me is, on the other hand, hen nights!

Planning a successful hen night is just not as simple as that of a stag do. Mapping out a pub crawl for a bunch of rowdy men, wired and ready to drink away their consciousness just won't do. Not to mention, the bride-to-be we're honouring this weekend is much too tasteful for cheap tequila shots and a male stripper! (There aren't any fantastic ones worth the money in Singapore, from what I've heard!)

I actually began writing this post with intentions on researching and sharing with you the quirkiest hen party ideas but as I was googling I found everything much too cheesy!

I went online and found a bunch of games, props and costumes for inspiration. Everything from cheeky shot glasses, bright pink satin sashes dripping in crystals, tiaras, dare games... the works, but nothing was particularly genius.

So, since I've got my dream (future) wedding down to tiniest details, I figured I should probably give my hen night a thought too!

My ideal hen party would definitely have to take place in a gorgeous cliff top sea view villa in Bali.

My darling girlfriends and I will be treated to hours upon hours of pampering body scrubs, relaxing body massages, rejuvenating facials and all the other simple pleasures in a woman's life.

Every evening we would dine at sunset, either on the beach or with a view of the beach. Pina Coladas and Mojitos all around!

And after the 12th dinner cocktail, my entourage and I would adjourn to one of the many night clubs and dance the night away. What's more, we could party comfortably in our beach dresses and flip fops! No sore feet from 4 inch stilettos! (Nothing the masseuse couldn't take care of the next morning...)

Then, repeat cycle the next day! And who knows... I may even stay on to get married in Bali!

Is it inevitable we're back to fantasizing the dream wedding again? (It's a job hazard, having come from an events background, I'm telling you!)

Naaaaaaahhhhhhh! Being young and single is way too fun to give it up... for now. (;

My mini weekend getaway.

I've been gagging for a holiday for months. The last trip I took was to Bali last June!

I haven't been abroad since but waking up in the comfort of hotel sheets can have the same effect. Well, almost the same effect.

I stayed a night at the Scarlet Hotel over the weekend and thoroughly enjoyed it! The room was lush and enveloped in deep, rich hues of reds and golds. The fittings were accentuated in leather and a relaxing mix of lemongrass and lavender scents hung delicately in the air-conditioned room.

Aside from just alluring aesthetics and elaborate hospitality, the Scarlet Hotel boasts the perfect location for tourists, couples in search of an accessible city retreat or an enclave for the weary individual in need of some time alone.

For more information on the Scarlet Hotel, visit www.thescarlethotel.com

What had to be my favourite part of the weekend is exploring the vicinity. The hotel is nestled in a cosy corner of the city centre and is a stone throw's away from Chinatown and Ann Siang Hill.

Along Club Street and Ann Siang Hill sit rows of quaint cafes, cosy restaurants and eclectic shops. This was also where I discovered Gem (10 Ann Siang Hil), a rustic bar with my favourite Kronenbourg Blanc beer on tap. Venture inside to find a den-like lounge area, with massive, billowing upholstered arm chairs and sofas to seat a small party.

Another must-visit bar is The Screening Room. They offer a relaxing rooftop bar, which overlooks Chinatown and the Singapore city skyline. Mega fans ensure that there is always a constant breeze to ease you into the warm tropical evenings. Ardent movie goers will delight in regular movie and food themed nights held in their cushy screening rooms.

When the weekend drew to a close, I couldn't help but feel a wave of disappointment - the kind that often gets you down after a good holiday. Luckily for me, I have only one month to slog through before my first official vacation of the year.

iLove: Benefit from Crimson Rose

It's so funny how when I was 18 and partying at least four nights in a week, I never really developed eye bags or dark circles. I could go without sleep for 48 hours and still look as bright and chirpy as I would after ten hours of sleep.

Now that I'm approaching my mid-twenties, I find myself looking quite worn out even with the minimum 7 hour rest. The grey mounds under my eyes seem to swell a little more each day. Sadly, I've even turned to the Retouch Tool on iPhoto - just a little swipe and eye bags be gone!

A close girlfriend of mine recently snagged a wholesale supplier and has begun bringing in Benefit cosmetics in bulk. Now, I don't really wear that much makeup and I'm definitely not a makeup junkie. Whatever makeup I have is just enough to last me until the palettes and tubes run out. Usually just some shadow for the brows and eyes, mascara and blusher and I'm good to go. However, I noticed that most girls in this cosmopolitan city either wear the works, or they don't at all.

Benefit, with it's whimsical names and packaging, has taken Singapore by storm. Their unique, frisky appeal quickly bought the local consumers over, in spite of the slightly higher prices.

So I went through the catalogue of available products and stopped dead in my tracks. It never occured to me that I may one day have to acquire any form of concealer. I've got relatively clear complexion, aside from the occasional acne attack, but the recent developments in droopy and tired eyes saw me making an order for the Realness of Concealness mini kit. What's more, for $30, it was a steal!

In addition to my eye bag (also applies to other flaws) quick fix, I ordered the highly sought after Smokin' Eyes kit, also for $30.

Perhaps the reason why Benefit has done so well in Singapore is that these mini makeup kits come with an instructional booklet on how to apply the products to achieve the desired look. Most ladies here will tell you that they really have no idea how to apply makeup properly. The ones who don't admit that include the minahs with their paper thin arched brows.

So if you fancy spending a little bit of money on makeup this month, do add Crimson Rose on facebook and have a look at the products available. They also bring in Nyx and are looking into bringing in Urban Decay very soon. Some sprees require a preorder but most are already in stock and ready for sale. Crimson Rose only does meet-up transactions to ensure that you receive all goods in the best condition. For the busy working girl, you can even opt for courier service at only an additional $5.