I'm moving on my love

Dear readers (and my beloved blog stalkers),

I know I travel more than I update my blog.

And when I do, I infuriate you by writing in crypts.

But that's why you love me.

This blog has been with me since my days in NUS, when I was just experimenting with writing, boys, the swoon-worthy lecturer, the modelling days and a whole bunch of crazies.

But like me, the blog has to grow up. It's still around, but is moving out of the parent's house!!

I'll still be writing, but on a bigger, better blog that is all mine. Well at least Sabrina says so.

Check out my quite bare but new blog at http://isabelleneo.com. And I posted something new.

Sabrina said that soon, it will have all the swanky features that will tease and make me churn in my bed at night. In addition, she has very kindly pulled all the very best of Isabelle Neo moments into that new space.

So long Blogspot~

XOXO,

Isabelle Neo

The Perry Amber Story

Look Ma, it's me!

White dress with pearl embroidery from Perry Amber

The Making of Perry Amber

Every girl needs a bit of pretty things. Like diamonds, flowers and a sprinkle of dream...

Every girl needs her best friends too. Because some friends never grow old...

Thank you Pris for taking such awesome pictures of me.

I *heart* my outfits from Perry Amber. Do you?

Some friends never grow old

The making of Perry Amber...

Stay tuned...

Hair & Makeup by: Gena

Photography by: Aylwin Lek

The beautiful ancient water town - Wuzhen

Wuzhen, at the north of the Zhejiang province in China, is known affectionately among the locals as the Venice of the East with its dense network of rivers, wharves, stone railings, spacious 19th century courtyards and beautiful arch bridges.

I only stopped over for less than 48 hours in early January this year, but the snow capped town of Wuzhen looked like a living museum, preserving the details of the ancient Chinese civilization. Located in the middle of Suzhou, Hangzhou and Shanghai, the ancient water town is said to have preserved its name, water system and way of life for over a thousand years.

The canals of Wuzhen

The town is divided into 4 zones. This is the West Gate

Teahouse by the lake

Silk worms and smoked meat. No prizes for guessing why it is also known as "the town of fish, rice and silk"

Ermm...preserved what's-his-name?

Snow-covered jugs of rice-wine lined up across the courtyard

Yet another quaint little hut

And it's really cold outside

Word of advice: Bring really warm clothes if you intend to visit during winter. They have 5-star villas with courtyards and proper heating system, but the temperature dips below zero at night.

On Isabelle

• Maroon wool dress: Miss Sixty
• Wool Coat: H&M
• Olive leather boots: Steve Madden
• Leg warmers: Shibuya, Japan

Like in my dreams...

Sailing away across the seven seas...

O hail Shanghai Tang

It's no secret that I like Shanghai, with its colonial architecture, self-absorbed haughtiness and larger than life people. The way the city is evolving never fails to fascinate me, and I find myself looking forward to visit the place every time.

But I'd be the first to scrunch my face when it comes to chinese inspired clothings, or outfits with "a touch of the orient". Mandarin collars, silk screen fans and butterfly embroidery are not something that you'd see on a fashionista. When you see someone wearing a silk blouse with chinese buttons, the person either works at a hotels, a Chinese restuarant, or he stole the ensemble from the Chinatown masseuse.

But the latest ad-campaign from Shanghai Tang - the unlikeliest of brands, took my breath away.

This season, Shanghai Tang place presents a contemporary collection with accents, embellishments and colours from the Miao culture. The Miao people are an ethnic minority living in the hills around south China.

Juxtaposing antiquity and modernity, the intricacy of Miao elements dovetails beautifully with clean fluid lines to create visuals that redefines Chinese beauty.

The placement of sleek models against the majestic mountains is both romantic and bold; and the use of jade on navy star embellished silk blouse is just crazy beautiful.

Gone are the days when the notion of Chinese beauty is identifiable only by the iconic red lips and thigh high slits. O hail!