- Singapore's It Girls
Being an It girl is a little like being a power broker - if you have to say you are one, you probably are not. Style influencers of the millennial generation, It girls are trendsetters with a celebrity-like status.
The Life magazine interviews four young women who fit the It Girl label - billionaire Peter Lim's daughter Kim Lim, blogger Mae Tan, entrepreneur Velda Tan and creative consultant Tracy Phillips.
The power of their reach is considerable - they have more than 210,000 Instagram followers combined.
Ms Lim, 23, whose Instagram posts feature many selfies of her surrounded by designer bags and shoes, says her dad wants her to be humble and she does charity work.
Social butterfly Phillips, 36, who can be counted on to show up at the hottest parties, hates making small talk.
Velda Tan, 27, who is one of the founders of blogshop Love, Bonito, was a finalist in the New Paper New Face modelling competition.
The youngest of the four, Mae Tan, is 19, and admits to feeling the pressure of being in the public eye and has considered going for plastic surgery.
Download The Life to find out more about the private lives of Singapore's It Girls.
Leslie Kay Lim
- Glamorous hostess Elaine Kim
Entrepreneur and doctor Elaine Kim, daughter of MP Lily Neo, is famous for throwing fabulous parties and for Christmas, she really pulls out all the stops.
Out comes her fine china, laid out on a gorgeous 12-seater table made from a single piece of tree trunk from Indonesia. Her buffet of delectable goodies could include herb-crusted lamb rack with rosemary, pork crackling, prime rib and bread-and-butter pudding. At her kitchen island, guests mingle as they fill their plates, swirling champagne in their glasses, while Christmas jazz music curated by her husband, venture capitalist John Kim, plays softly in the background.
The exquisite attention to detail extends to the decor, as Dr Kim uses her stash of ornaments such as faux topiary, a pine leaf table runner and a live tree, which she decorates with her two young sons.
Watch a video of how Dr Kim creates an intimate Christmas party in the festive edition of The Life.
Natasha Ann Zachariah
- Desirable Christmas gifts
The festive bumper issue of The Life magazine is packed with 40 inspiring gift ideas.
For the foodie friend, you can get him a handsome Chemex flask for making coffee or a bottle of super smooth Black Cow Pure Milk vodka.
For the jet- setting aunt, how about a silk and cashmere travel blanket to keep her warm and cosy on a long flight?
If money is no object, splash out on the new handmade bicycle from luxury brand Hermes that is making waves in Paris.
There are also gift ideas for the fashionistas, such as a Cartier watch, techies and stylish homeowners in your life.
Download The Life for the choicest Christmas gifts this season.
Lee Siew Hua
- Jet-setters' happy holidays
The Life magazine asks some well-known globe-trotters where they are going for their year-end break.
Some will enter unchartered territory. Social entrepreneur Elim Chew, for example, will explore rainforests in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Others will re-visit previous destinations. DP Architects director Vikas M Gore will go on hillside drives in Tuscany, Italy.
Read about their holiday plans in the bumper Christmas issue of The Life.
Benson Ang
How to get The Life magazine
1. Download The Straits Times Star from App Store or Google Play for your iPad or Android device.
2. Get The Life magazine inside the app. It is free, along with previous issues of the magazine. The Life is optimised for iPads and Android tablets.
