Ladies Expo, Marina Bay Sands Expo 25-28Sept2014

Today I took a little trip to Marina Bay Sands to go check out their Ladies Expo (from 25-28Sept2014) organized by Exhibits Inc, a subsidiary of SPH (Singapore Press Holdings). 

I wasn't expecting much because the hall looked somewhat empty but there was enough foot traffic to pique my interest. 

After walking around, I ended up with a lot of discount coupons and flyers. About to call it a day and head back, two things caught my attention at this discreet store in the corner- 1) Le Specs, an Aussie brand  2) a hot black midi dress (of course they didn't have my size) 

I asked if the clothes were from independent Aussie designers and they were!!! The Wyld shop started as an online store that has now opened their first boutique in the heart of the CBD at Clifford center. 

I ended up walking away with 6pieces (1pair of pants, 1super sexy top, 1maxi dress and 3short dresses), any attempts to add color to my wardrobe was futile. I love all the pieces I bought and will definitely forgo lunch one of these days to check out the store! Damaged done- $400 poorer, 110% happier!

The little things that I got from a Luxola/theWyldshop goodie bag

Treated myself to an express manicure for $8 at the Nail Palace booth and bought a white nail polish at another booth.

Left for home happy and satisfied with my haul! 

TGIF tomorrow! 

Why my posts are all food and scenery...

Today I asked my OH to take a nice picture of me so I could actually have a photo of myself in the Maldives with an amazing view behind me.

Big mistake:

Pic 1&2- I look like an ant in the general scope of things

Pic 3&4- my breasts look the same size as my sticky out belly. Typical no breast, all ass and a soft belly syndrome

Pic 5- I actually look nice and curvy! Face, all scrunched up...

When I asked for another picture, he is too hungry but not hungry enough to go back in, take the big camera and come back out again. 

Apparently I am not supposed to get mad at the fact that he hasn't learnt the art of photography and composition. And I guess i can't be so hard on him because he isn't the adoring, "take a dozen memories of my girlfriend doing everything" sort of guy. 

He takes awkward photos of me- funny faces, double chin, belly rolls, eating with my mouth wide open sort of pictures. Pictures which go in the "never to post" archive. Pictures which only he can appreciate...after all, he married me...

And since I have an aversion to too many selfies and the selfie stick, this is why you will never see pictures of myself on any form of social media. Or anything else for that matter, unless I go on holiday with a bunch of girlfriends or people who actually like photography or have a bit of know how. 

Till then, my memories are but a trace of scenery pictures and the foods I enjoy around the world...

Xoxo, the traveller without a face...:(

Its been awhile...

And damn but do I have a good excuse or numerous great excuses for being MIA.

Starting with:

1) My holidays were amazing!!! 3 weeks out of the country enjoying the sun, sand and food! Good news is that I didn't put on too much weight because I stayed well away from the good fried stuff. No schnitzel, no falafel, no fun but cést la vie...I did however have a lot of fresh fruits due to it being summer. Including lots of cherries, all hand picked by my lovely self and the boyfriend and his sister. Heaps of plums which were straight from the tree to the tummy and I also went to the cow farm and had fresh cheese!

Cherry picking!

Letting a cow lick me because someone said I should try...Uhhhh!
It was WEIRD!!!

2) Coming back to Singapore was a rude awakening. So bad that I had a panic attack at the airport...it didn't help that we ended up having a 4 hour delay which threw our body clock out of synch! So panic attack plus delay does not make for a happy camper. Missed my connection flight, got set up on the earliest flight out and was happy to be home to get into the swing of things. OMG, then it hit me-7 weeks (this was then) to the wedding!!!

3) So now, I have 38 days to my wedding. I always feel like there is something I am forgetting. Most of the external vendors have been settled including a little surprise for the other half but I am still running through checklists everyday! Sometimes I feel like I want to give up because seriously...some of those checklist just bloody don't apply because Singapore weddings have the hotels helping them out with stuff. We got our rings just last week (from a life saver no less) but that is a reason for another blog post. Link will be attached in due time! I just signed up for my solemnization and solemnizer...again, cutting it very close. I basically spammed everyone with an email address listed on the Justice of Peace list! So, that's settled!

4) I still have a day job! Which requires constant attention because apparently my workload has just doubled...Bah! I have nothing nice to say about this and momma always said "Don't have anything nice to say, don't say it". So I won't even elaborate.

This is how I feel now...Daily!

Things to look forward to this week:

- food tasting at the hotel

- dress fitting (scary)

And...in August...Hen's Getaway!!! And then the Big Day!!! 

So I will do my very very best to keep everyone updated as the weeks go by. And as I slowly start to lose my sanity in the next 4 weeks, I am sure this blog will turn into my rant page more than anything else. Posts to look forward to include:
- my trip to Israel (the insiders guide)
- Wedding Planning 101...and how to survive doing it solo
- Bali Hen Weekend
- Personalizing your wedding...
- also some posts about the vendor's I used and the pro's and con's

XoXo, POTP

PS: While this post comes at a times when everyone is posting hate messages all over the internet and re-posting photos from different war zones without checking facts, I choose to try focus on the good stuff and not get to worked up about things that are not within my control! 

INGLOT Cosmetics

I recently went to Johor Bahru after a long time of not having the luxury of a car to cross over and boy was I pleasantly surprised and happy to find INGLOT at City Square Mall! And then, what was supposed to be a quick entry and exit turned into a spending trip for me! Oh so horrible!

I first heard about Inglot while trawling the web for makeup tips and technology. Then, recently, on a trip to Sephora, I asked one of the cashiers what brand of makeup she was using as the colours were so vibrant and she said Inglot, but told me that you could only get it in Malaysia since it has yet to come to Singapore (despite rumours that they will be on Singapore soil soon). 

Inglot has been around for 30years and actually originates from Poland. While similiar to brands like MAC and Illamasqua, Inglot's policy of using high quality ingredients and retailing at fair prices as well as the fact that ALL of Inglot's cosmetics are produced within the EU gives them an edge over the other 2 brands. The vibrant colours that they produce, the Freedom System and O2M Breathable Nail Enamel are the few reasons why Inglot is gaining worldwide popularity.

Well enough about that, here is my haul:

Matte Lipstick RM52 (+/-SGD20) 

As you can see, the colours for the Matte Lipstick is actually very vibrant and pigmented. I loved the fact that it wasn't as drying as Illamasqua matte lipsticks. However, in general, I'm going to conclude that 

Matte = Dry.

Slim Gel Lipstick RM56 (+/- SGD21)

Now this is a product which I really really love! The colours are amazing, I got some previously in the vibrant colours and as you can see, I'm going for the Pinkish Nude tones colours. I have been searching for the perfect shade of nude for the longest time and finally I found it!!! I think No.51 will look amazing if layered with MAC Angel Lipstick and Smoky eyes to compliment.

Tangs Market @ Orchard

So while the parents are in town, it is a good time to go trawling around Orchard especially since we were on a mission to find dresses for the mum and sister for the Big Day. The whole idea was to go to Tangs because my dad has always loved shopping there, whether its shopping or simply window shopping. Bottom line, we managed to get a dress for my sister (Hurrah!). Mum found hers elsewhere. 

But I digress...let's get to the goodstuff...FOOD!!!

Because we all need energy to shop right? And where better than the newly re-opened (OK, not so new but I am slow!) Tangs Market! I'm loving the new concept of old school Peranakan decor but I'm even more loving the fact that I think I just found the place for my Char Kueh Tiaw fix! More about that in a bit...

Yummy Laksa stall

I ordered the Laksa to try because I can never turn down that spicy, lemak plus sambal flavour. It didn't disappoint. First, at $3, it's so affordable for anyone to enjoy. Secondly, when I ordered the Laksa, the aunty actually puts in the gravy, stirs it around, drains it and repeats this process about 3 times. What you end up with is noodles that are nicely coated in the Laksa Gravy and the perfect amount of Gravy! Not like some places just dump the gravy on top...

$3 Laksa, choice of cockles (of course I said yes!)

And then everyone else wanted Char Kueh Tiaw. And so, reasons why I love the Char Kueh Tiaw here:

1) Only Kueh Tiaw, no noodles (because its Penang style)

2) The Jumbo Prawn...OMG! It's like prawns on steroids

3) The "Char" Taste

4) $5, need I say more?

Only 2 things can make this the BEST ever Char Kueh Tiaw - Ham and Lap Cheong!!! (cockles and Chinese sausages, pardon my spelling) and maybe some Sambal on the side?

Carrot Cake and Char Kueh Tiaw stalls...

Check out the steroid Prawns!

Carrot Cake (Chinese style)

Ok, last but not least, the carrot cake as you can see was good, but it was over shadowed by everything else I ordered. So today was not a Carrot Cake day...maybe one day I shall return for the Kueh Pie Ti and the Jumbo Pau and...OMG...I will be back!!!

Tangs Market

B1 Tangs Orchard

(no reservation needed, just patience)

Shiraz @ Clarke Quay

So the better half was craving his Middle Eastern cuisine and a Shisha hit today, where better to get this than at Shiraz @ Clarke Quay? We used to patron this place quite a fair bit when we were staying across the street from Clarke Quay, but since we moved, visits to Shiraz have been few and far in between.

We went early (before 7pm) to be able to score us a seat as the place does tend to get quite hectic after 7pm, especially since they have belly dancers that are a definite crowd puller (and pleaser)! It is definitely a place I'd recommend for a social gathering but be sure to try and make reservations as it can get quite busy- even mid week!

Complimentary Starter Plate served with bread

I had my usual glass of wine and we ordered the Shiraz Twin Platter (serves 2, $82) which comes with filet mignon, boneless chicken and minced lamb. Then finally a choice of the fish fillet, prawn OR quail. We ordered the fish. They use snapper and the fish is always so nicely done! Its very nicely flavoured and despite being grilled, the fish is never dry or inedible (this is the second time I've had it and it's pretty consistent). Despite being a major meat eater, the fish has always been a hit. I also really love the Basmati rice that they served with the platter or whatever dish that you order.

Lovely Meat Plate...Yumz!

As you can see, the portions are more than generous and we did polish off every single piece of meat and fish on the platter. Ugh! Feel so disgusted with myself now! However, Shiraz does pride itself on healthy methods of seasoning and char grilling their meat to perfection. So maybe I can stop beating myself up about it!

Shiraz @ Clarke Quay

3A River Valley Road 

#01-06 Clarke Quay

Tel: 8128 4770

Yo-ga To Go Try This Out!

Whoa...its May already! Is it me or does it seem like 2014 is flying by in a blink of an eye? Or is it my imagination because i'm approaching the big 3-0? And today I have cause for celebration! My weighing scale is no longer "broken". It has snapped out of its 66.5kg and gone just a smidge below that! Woohoo! I don't care, every little counts. I feel like I am starting to get somewhere. Pushing for more! Contributing factor? Read on!

Years ago, when yoga was still fairly new, I always discounted it as being too easy for me, too slow, so monotonous...snore! You get the point. However, as my body (my knees) started to disagree with my love of running, I needed to find alternative ways to burn off my access lady lumps. Thanks to a Groupon promotion at Affinity Yoga and 2 friends who have always liked yoga, I now have a new found love for yoga. At the end of my one month trial at Affinity Yoga, I signed up for a years package. They were having a really good promotion and the locations of the studios (walking distance from both office and home) left me with no excuse as to why I can't go. I believe that they are now having another promotion. You can check it out at: http://www.affinity-yoga.com

Sign up before its too late!!!

If you go to the website, you will also see that they have a week trial for $1! Wow, that's value for money! Check for validity...

Honestly, sometimes, the yoga talk still baffles me and some poses i'm doing like a lost soul. But I like the fact that every time after a yoga/Pilates I suddenly feel like muscles i didn't realize were there are suddenly screaming at me. I can start to see my body changing from having no waist to having a slight waist...Bye bye pear shape? My back is also starting to get more sculpted and my posture is getting better. No more slouching, no more hunching. AHHHH I LOVE IT!!! 

Also, I have a new found respect for yoga practitioners...for all those times I said it was too "slow" or not challenging enough- try one session of 60 minutes Hot Yoga and you will be begging for mercy! Honestly, I feel like I burn more in one yoga session than I do in a run session. Having said that, the runner in me does cry out for a good run every now and again. And I still gym. 

I still can't touch my toes- but that doesn't mean I am not trying. Maybe one day I will and you will definitely read about it!

PS: To the inconsiderate person who took more than 2 towels...please have some Yoga-tiquette! Its just plain rude!! 

Affinity Yoga River Valley

491 River Valley Road

#02-01 Valley Point

Tel: 6732 6007

Affinity Yoga Telok Ayer

157A Telok Ayer Street

2nd Floor

Tel: 6223 8254

May Day!

So, it's already May! And boy what a month its starting to be. I'm now ultimately nursing what is supposed to be a hangover but I manage to haul ass out of bed for back to back yoga sessions. 

OH WOW...Yes I am surprised at myself. 

Since I got off to a good start, let's continue the streak shall we? So I went to the supermarket on the way back from yoga and bought all the necessary ingredients for my first green juice. Now, I usually blend fruits using a cold press juicer and I have salads for lunch on most days...but i wanted a way in which I could get more greens in the body without having to chew them because my jaw is lazy. My best friend Google helped me out with a recipe which looked good. The recipe calls for mostly organic stuff, not everyone can afford organic stuff so just use what you have access to. 

Green Juice:

1 1/2 cup of cold water (you can also use coconut water)

1 bunch of romaine lettuce

1 big handful of spinach

3-4 stalks of celery

1 apple

1 pear

1 banana

1/2 lemon

Chia seeds

1. Blend the romaine at medium speed in the liquid 

2. Add in the spinach, celery, apple, pear and chia seeds

3. Lastly, add the banana and juice of half a lemon

**The juice came out a little bit thick for my liking so I added more water to make it easier to knock back.

Makes 3-4 servings

A few tips to remember when juicing:

1. Remember to use the 70/30 rule. 70% vegetable, 30% fruits. You want the fruits to help give the juice flavour so it doesn't feel like you are eating a vegetable garden. But you don't want to use too much fruits or its like having a sugary drink.

2. If you have fruits that are going bad, cut them up before they go bad and freeze them. You can use them in your juice and it helps to make the juice chilled.

3. If you have made too much for yourself, put the extra juice in an airtight container and you can have it as a quick on the go drink the next day. Juice that's stored properly usually lasts for 2 days. 

Happy Juicing!

Mineral Eye Shadows

So what is all the hype about Mineral Eye Shadows you ask? Or perhaps even the lack of it.

Recently I have noticed that there has been a lot of those loose powdered mineral eye shadows popping up on the market. Being the curious cat that I am, I decided to give it a shot and try some. One of the stores where I usually get my skincare products were having a promotion on them (A FREAKIN AWESOME STEAL, if I may say so). I mean 3 shimmers of choice for $10?!?! Doesn't get much better than that! So I bought 3 just to try it out and I loved it so much that I went back for more the day after...Yikes! They actually have it in a large fishbowl like thingy and you really need to dig around to find colours that you like. 

Then, once you found colours that you like, you just have to step to the back of the mirror where they display the makeup and try out your colours. **Warning! Because the powders are displayed upside down, make sure you tap before you open or you may just have a colour explosion in front of you.

Now the shimmers actually come with a 8-in-1 ways to use instruction card, I on the other hand prefer to just stick to what its actually used for and use it on the eyes or contouring. Sometimes, especially the fine glitter, for the nails. Here is a copy of the 8-in-1 ways to use the shimmer:

I gave some pots of shimmers to my mum to try and she loves them too! We have problems with oily eye lids but we both feel that when the shimmer is applied with a good eye primer, the colour stayed on without smudging or moving. I usually use Urban Decay Primer Potion but for loose eye shadow, I prefer to use MAC Painterly or even MICABeauty Eye Primer. Again, I prefer the MICABeauty one because I left my MAC Pot unproperly closed once (ONCE!!!) and it started to dry out...bummer! My MICABeauty Primer is still nice and as it should be.

I bought an 9 stack, some shimmer powders and the opened one on right is the Primer, just so you can see that its not cracked and dried up!

The trick to applying mineral eye shadows is to either use a firm brush or to apply it wet (and I mean wet the brush ok! Not the product, unless you mix it into a paste- messy and unnecessary). Because the eye shadow is so densely pigmented, all you really need is just a teeny bit to give you some really gorgeous shades. Being over zealous and picking up too much with your brush could result in you getting it ALL OVER your face/clothes/makeup table/everything! In the end, that one pot of shimmer that u paid $3 for could last you anywhere from 1-2years! 

*Tip: Usually when you open the shimmer, there is a plastic covering on the top of the holes, DO NOT REMOVE THIS! Just poke a hole in 1 (or 3) of the holes and tap upside down before using. 

(L) Plastic removed, (R) Holes poked in plastic (See what I mean!)

Whatever the case, don't knock it till you try it! I know that pressed eye shadows are easier, more user friendly and less messy but honestly, it is nothing a little bit of practice can't fix. Believe me- once you master the art of handling the loose eye shadow, you will never turn back. Go check out the promotion, I believe the salesperson told me that its while stocks last as they are trying to clear the last bit of the old brand before switching to the new brand. Either way, its not a concern for consumers because mineral make up is not supposed to expire because it doesn't contain any junk in it!

After Eve The Skin Studio

B1, Wisma Atria (opposite Holland & Barrett)

Tel: 6737 3309

Cheap and GOOD!

So recently I have been having a bit of breakout on my chin, sporadic (nothing to freak out about) and so I wanted to get something that would ensure a thorough face cleaning. ESPECIALLY under the chin! We eat, the oil transfers, we don't really wipe it for fear of removing makeup and so after a long day out...I want a clean chin!

The solution is a magical, amazing, potion called ESKINOL!

I started using this when I was 14years old. And I've always loved the way my face felt so squeaky clean after using it. Even though it says its a cleanser, I use it as a toner. Wash my face, Eskinol on a cotton pad and once over including my neck (especially since I don't want yucky dirty lines on my neck!), moisturize! This is a regime I am most happy with- quick and simple! Even as my moisturizer changes to accommodate my "aging" skin and different climates, a bottle of Eskinol has always been a constant, be it in my travel kit or on my dresser.

I've tried to use The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil but somehow I am not getting the same effect as when I use Eskinol. I realized that Eskinol keeps my face clear and clean. Even my sister, who has cystic acne and hyper sensitive skin, has now switched over to Eskinol. Apparently Eskinol + Dalacin C is a sworn remedy for acne. I can't say I have tried but my sister's skin seems to be improving so it must work.

The best part is...the price tag! For a mere $3 and a trip to Lucky Plaza, you can walk away with a bottle for yourself. The smaller bottle is $2.50. They have about 8 different types of Eskinol Cleansers but I have always used the Oil Control with Pure Lemon Extract (more than 10years now!!!). My sister uses the Pimple Fighting with Dermaclear Formula. 

**Disclaimer: While this is a sworn remedy for me, as with all products, there will be a minority who will be more sensitive to products than others are. Please also note that the second ingredient in Eskinol is alcohol- so if you are sensitive to alcohol in facial care, consider your options. This was not a sponsored post, this is just a post to share as we should never keep good beauty secrets to ourselves. 

TGIF! And April's Bellabox

TGIF! And what an awesome way to welcome the weekend indeed! Stepped into work to find on my table, the highly anticipated 1st Bellabox! After seeing some posts appear on my Facebook feed, I decided to go to the website and read up a little bit about what Bellabox was all about. My curiosity was piqued. While they are not the only beauty box company in Singapore, I decided to give it a shot despite reading mixed reviews about them. I've always love trying new stuff and sharing my "finds" with friends. Those close to me also probably remember a time when Christmas gifts were "My favourite things of -insert year-". While its been a while since those Christmas boxes, because i haven't found anything to rave about I still like sharing my little discoveries and finds with friends and family. What better way then to get a box of goodies every month, I mean, every girl loves gifts!

So here we go! At $19.95/month, we receive a box of 5-6 goodies depending on the profile of person you are (they make you answer some questions to determine your profile and then stuff gets put in your box)- apparently! My April box was a cute blue and white polka dot box (which I shall use to store stuff after this) with: 

Like most promotional stuff, it came with a brief description of the items, including the RRP (that's Regular Retail Price, for those who don't know) and the sizes it's available in. Oh yeah, you can also purchase it at bellabox.sg.

In full display:

From Left to Right: Fragrance Du Bois Capsules, Activa Well Being Hair, Model Co Fat Lash Mascara, Batiste Dry Shampoo & Jyunka Ultra Defense UV Pro SPF 50

My reviews on the goodies (I shall update this when necessary): 

1) Fragrance Du Bois - These little capsules sure made the either box smell heavenly! It is crafted using Oud oil and other sustainably sourced ingredients. It is also an ethical brand which promises to plant trees for every item sold (now I know why the RRP is so damn expensive at $395 for 50ml...you are paying for the tree!). I like that it smells quite musky and vanilla-ish and can't wait to test it on a day out!

**The fragrance went on nice and smooth and the smell was very natural- it didn't make me sneeze like most scents do. It lasted for about half a working day. Still skeptical about spending so much for a parfum tho.

2) Activa Well Being Hair - These little babies contain 3 main "synergistic activities" for maximum efficiency- Saw Palmetto, Bilberry and anti-oxidants for beautiful hair and a healthier scalp. Seeing as initial treatment requires you to consume 2 capsules/day for 10-20days followed by 1 capsule/day for 1-3months, this blister strip is barely going to make a dent in my hair care. Maybe there is a grow hair quick capsule instead?

**3 days of consumption and one blister strip isn't nearly enough to be able to see a difference. Seeing as I already has my own natural supplements, I probably wont go out and buy more these to add on to the number of "supplements"

3) Model Co. Fat Lash Mascara - I will add photos to compare to my Maybelline Falsies (which I swear by) at a later date and you can decide for yourselves. 

4) Batiste Dry Shampoo - Already using this as a matter of fact! And they sent my favourite scent too (tongue twist much?)! I love smelling like a beach holiday and the coconut/tropical scent of this dry shampoo always makes me want to throw on a bikini and slather on some tanning oil! It also helps me get through the day without feeling overly self conscious that I have greasy hair. Having said that, I haven't quite mastered the art of holding the can 30cm away so sometimes I end up with greyish looking hair...Ooops! No drama, nothing a little fluffing of the hair can't do.

5) Jyunka Ultra Defense UV Pro SPF 50 - Perfect! With age, suddenly I am compelled to use sunblock as part of my regime. Gone are the days of "I'm allergic to sunscreen"! Now, I damn well better find something that works, unless I wanna forgo the good skin that I have been blessed with! I like the fact that the main ingredient is water and that it is made for sensitive skin. Plus points for being slightly tinted but after doing a patch test on my wrist, I felt that it was a little bit too greasy for my liking. Not deterred tho- I shall test run it over the weekend on one of my outings. 

**At first due to the plastic-y smell I was quite put off by it. But after using it for 3 days now, its not that bad. While it goes on sticky, it eventually absorbs well into the skin. Reading up on the brand, several other products have won awards however the sunscreen is not one of them yet. 

So, that's all for now...already looking forward to my next box!

Hello Weekend!

Simple Nail Designs

I was feeling grey but at the same time there was this bit of colour that was gagging to be put on the nail. An all round grey nail would drive me insane. Something simple that looks fun. Depending on how you choose to mix your colours, you can evoke many different moods and themes. I don't really like to invest too much time on designs especially when my nails are in transition from gel nails to my natural nails.

You Will Need:

Nail polish colour of choice

2 different Acrylic paint colours (you may also use nail polish but these tend to dry really fast)

Dotting tool

Top Coat

Instructions:

1. After applying base coat, apply two coats of your preferred nail polish colour

2. Put some drops of the paint colour that you will use for dotting on a piece of foil

3. Using a dotting tool, start to dot the first colour while leaving a space in between

4. Fill in the spaces with the second colour of choice

5. Wait for it to dry a little and cap it with a Quick Dry Topcoat (Seche Vite is still my favourite)

Voila! 

Fun looking nails in minutes.

Pidgin @ Dempsey

Last weekend I had the pleasure of taking an old friend out for a belated birthday dinner at Pidgin located on Dempsey Road. Although it was a little bit difficult to locate at first with me literally pacing up and down in front of Block 8 & 9, Jones the Grocer area, I finally located it a little further down where Block 7 was! It was the old Pamplemousse with the owners reinventing the space and turning it into a restaurant that focused more on local fare with a twist. Pidgin, meaning a simplified language with influences from different languages used for communication between people not sharing a common language, is a name that definitely fit a restaurant featuring dishes that to me were somewhat "Singlish".

The inconspicuous front...

As I walked in to the restaurant, who should greet me but an old friend who had recently just started working there! Having said that, we definitely had a lot of good recommendation of dishes which resulted in us ordering more than we should have for a party of 3 but walking out thoroughly satisfied with our taste buds tingling! I have to mention that a party of 3, odd number as it is, is the perfect number of people to go for dinner there as most the appetizers were served in 3's. Perfect for everyone to taste and try nearly everything. The menu is a simple one page menu (Check out: http://www.pidgin.sg/food.pdf) but with everything described so well, you really can go overboard with the orders!

Top: (L) Crab Otah Croquette, (R) Chicken Rice Arancini
Bottom: (L) Sambal Escargot, (R) Spicy Tuna Tartare

Foie Gras with Rojak Sauce

We started with all of the above! The Crab Otah Croquette was nicely done- very flavourful with a nice crabby feel to it. I kept scooping up the sauce with my Otah because the sauce was delectable. We all agreed that while the Chicken Rice Balls sounded interesting at first, its nothing to shout about. It lacked the chicken-y flavour I was hoping to taste but I guess that it would be hard to beat the original Chicken Rice that one can get at hawkers center's all around Singapore. The Sambal Escargot was featured on the specials menu and I loved the twist on the traditional garlic butter Escargots. I do wish that the Sambal had a bit more bite to it but then I love my spicy food so again this is very subjective. The tuna tartare was introduced as a "I kid you not, you HAVE to order it" dish and honestly, no regrets! There was a perfect balance of flavour and the tuna was extremely fresh. Its something I would definitely go back for! The Foie Gras, oh what can I say...I finished the whole dish by myself? For any fans of foie gras, this is a MUST have- creamy, fatty, balanced with the sweet tangy rojak sauce...SINFUL!!!

Top: (L) Uni Tagliolini, (R) Duck Confit
Bottom: Lamb Rack

We were extremely pleased with our mains! I tried Uni for the first time, again by recommendation. No Regrets! I shared that dish and it was perfect for two to have about 2 forkfuls each. I couldn't get enough of the sauce and this dish is better finished while hot! If I could, I would have licked the plate clean to save them some washing! The Duck Confit was fall of the bones, melt in your mouth, super duper good! Served with a side of potatoes cooked in duck fat which was perfectly crispy on the outside and well done on the inside. You could taste the lychee in the duck sauce but it only served to bring out the flavour of the meat. My friend who is a lamb fanatic, enjoyed her order of Lamb Rack. It was served on a bed of eggplant something which made the dishe even more appealing as she is the type who loves a lamb anything and an eggplant anything. Having said that, the portion of lamb was huge! Unlike the measly portions you get at some restaurants, this was like lamb rack on steroids! I later found out that most of the ingredients are imported fresh from the respective countries (duck/foie gras- France, tuna/uni- Japan, you get the gist) and that is probably why the food taste just so damn good!!!

(L) Milo Dinosaur, (R) Pear Terrine with Red Wine Sorbet

Ok I have to admit I was pretty stuffed by the time dessert came around but that didn't stop me from enjoying the Milo Dinosaur which they had nicely adorned with birthday wishes for the happy girl. It is a nice finishing touch if you enjoy chocolate! We got 2 cute old school tumblers, MINI tumblers of single scoop Lychee sorbet which cleansed the palate nicely after such a huge meal with so many contrasting and bold flavours. Especially nice was the pear terrine which was complimented with the red wine sorbet. The sorbet was nicely done and wasn't too sweet at all, this is also another "Special of the Week" dish.

Overall, I would definitely come back with friends who enjoy good food. Short of being rolled out of the restaurant, I had a lot of fun with all the dishes because I never know what to expect from some of them. With wine (by the glass), its about an average of $100/person which is quite good considering the amount of food we ordered!

Pidgin Kitchen & Bar

7 Dempsey Road, 01-04

Tel: 6478 0080

Illamasqua comes to Singapore!

Wow...in line with my current and on going obsession with make up and colours and finding the perfect bright lipstick for myself, it was just unfortunate that I had to walk past the Illamasqua Roadshow that they are having at the center atrium of Wisma Atria!

I actually dismissed it when I first walked past thinking it was just another makeup brand and I had enough makeup considering the haul that I just purchased from Inglot, Malaysia. I have no idea what made me turn back to look and when I saw that it was Illamasqua- that's it, I knew I was in trouble!

My Haul...

I had read/heard/seen reviews about the Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation and had been gagging to try it for the longest time. Well, here was my chance. I manage to get one of the makeup artist named Selina to help me out with choosing a colour that was best suited for my skin tone. The foundation is actually inspired by the Asian BB creams however it is reputed to go on even more flawlessly and effortlessly then other creams on the market. Great! I hate gunky products. True to the promise, the foundation went on very smoothly and all that was require was a tiny amount. One can choose to built up should they require more coverage. I settled for No. 8.5 ($59.50)

Before applying the foundation, she applied something on my skin that made it all tingly and fresh feeling- of course I asked what it was and it turned out to be the Hydra Veil ($58). It is supposed to be a primer which gives you a lifting effect and sets your makeup so you can do away with stuff like makeup setting spray. Hmm, this is something I shall have to try on a full day of work or night out. SO, I got one of these too. One thing I noticed was that the foundation and hydra veil were both made in Thailand, when asked, explanation given was that, when the best foundation manufacturers were sourced, Thailand was it. 

Anyways, having spent more than $80 allowed me to purchase the "Perfect Pout" set for only $80 (worth $152) this comprised of 6 lipsticks, all matte (which I love) and all brights (which I doubly love), so far trying it on my hand, it went on smoothly and was very creamy. I look forward to actually using the colours. I also bought a lipliner to go with my nude lippies. 

These are the colours in the "Perfect Pout" set including a limited edition Isis colour

Anyways, damage done. I walked away with more than I bargained for including a makeup/toiletries kit which they are giving away to people who spent too much. I'll probably add on reviews on the products as I test them out over the weeks. 

Wedding Planning...and then some!

So again I have disappeared off the grid for a bit but I'm glad I'm actually taking the time to sit here and log in some blogging hours.

Despite being left alone here while the HTB (Husband To Be) is out of town, you'd expect that i'd be left with a lot of time on my hands. Unfortunately, with constant reminders that my upcoming nuptial is around the corner (this is subjective) I decided I'd better knuckle down and get some stuff confirmed before anything that I wanted got snapped up. Of course, one of the benefits of having the wedding on a Thursday and during the Hungry Ghost festival (obviously not superstitious) is that I kind of have the pick of the lot. Having said that, no special prices for anything and in the past week I have slowly watched our joint account go from nice numbers to less than satisfactory numbers (again, this is subjective). 

In the end, I feel like I have gotten more done in the last week than I ever have since getting hitched. Its been a week of taking care of all the finer details, getting vendors for the actually reception and stuff that has made me both excited to be attending my own wedding and scared because it is my own wedding. Making some of the decisions with minor supervision is also quite daunting because I have a tendency to only want the best and will pay the price for it.

When the HTB and I decided to pay for our own wedding, we did so with the clear mind of setting a budget and sticking to it. While I am blessed that I am able to afford such an event with a fairly lenient budget (meaning I couldn't ask for more), its ridiculous how some vendors which cater for non wedding events have a different pricing when it comes to weddings! Why is that so??? Its not like you are going to work any harder or less during a wedding. Just because most people only marry once in their life so maybe you should get what you can now? It just did my head in! Its no wonder that couples end up going into debt just from the wedding.

In the end, while I was one of those brides that wanted her wedding to be most unique and the best and the grandest and...you get what I mean! Who am I trying to impress? After choosing the most overused theme of 2014, the year after my favourite college novel was turned into a movie and on the heels of Boardwalk Empire, the 1920's is making a huge comeback- there is no way that my wedding will be any of the above. But you know what? I DON'T CARE! It means all of the above to me and the HTB. And that's all that matters.

I'm cutting it crazy close to the budget but as long as everyone walks away feeling like they had fun- I would be happy. I can understand why the bride gets really loony before the wedding. Hence the reason why I am trying so hard to learn the art of letting go and live and let live! 

Yummy Carrot Cake Recipe!

TGIF! As a prelude to the weekend, I've decided to post my recipe for carrot cake (ang moh style-not Chinese Chay Tow Kuay). I made this twice last week- once because I just discovered that Carrot Cake is the boyfriends' favourite and the second time because he requested for it (again). I am killing his diet at his request. Since its the weekend, anyone with an oven can try and feedback would be amazing. I think its pretty fool proof and feedback so far has been great.

Recipe makes: 1-9x13inch cake/2-8inch round cake

Ingredients:
4 eggs
1 and 1/4 cup vegetable oil
3 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar

Sift together:
2 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3 tsp ground cinnamon

3 cups grated carrots (use the bigger grater-using the fine one will result in a big yucky mess)
1 cup chopped pecans

For the frosting:
1/2 cup butter, softened
250g tub of Philly cream cheese
2 cups icing sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
Lemon rind (+/-2tbsp)
Chopped Pecans as topping (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 175 degrees C. Grease and flour baking tins. I used butter the first time and vegetable oil the second time- I think its best to use butter on the base and oil the sides with vegetable oil. Make sure you flour the entire tin! Especially the sides, to help the cake rise nicely.

2. In a large bowl, beat together eggs, oil, sugar and vanilla extract. Mix in the dry ingredients slowly. Stir in the carrots. Fold in Pecans.

3. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted to the center comes out clean. Once done, leave to cool on a wire rack.

To Make Frosting:

Combine butter, cream cheese and sugar along with vanilla extract. Beat until smooth and creamy, add lemon rind to taste. Reserve some lemon rind as topping. Frost the cooled cake. 

Bon Appetite! 

** I will definitely want to try do this again with raisins someday soon. But if I did so, I may reduced the amount of icing sugar in the frosting. Updates will be posted.

** Reduced the icing sugar in the frosting on 9th May 2014, original was still too sweet! Recipe has been edited accordingly. 

White Chocolate Rice Krispies Treat

Courtesy of Michelle <3

This is a special treat for anyone from the age of 5 and onwards. I used to love buying these prepacked and sold in individually wrapped bars from the United States. Sadly enough, you can't get these in Asia. But if there is one thing better than prepackaged food, is doing it yourself and making it exactly the way you want to! Here is the recipe:

Ingredients: 

11/2 Small box of Rice Krispies 

2 bags of mini marshmallows 

(alternatively you can use 1 250g bag of the Large Marshmallows, but these are harder to melt)

1 12oz bag of white chocolate chips

1 stick of butter (approximately 1 224g block of butter, quartered lengthwise)

Sprinkles (Optional)

Instructions:

1. Grease a 9"x13" Pyrex baking dish with butter

2. Melt the balance butter over low-medium heat in a non stick pot

3. Throw in the marshmallows and stir with a heavy duty spatula

4. Once half melted, add 2/3bags of the white chocolate chips- continue stirring

5. After all the ingredients are about 80% melted, turn off the heat and throw in the rice Krispies. Start to mix the rice Krispies in the pot until all the cereal is covered in marshmallow

6. Pour into the baking dish. You may grease your hands and start to press down to get an even layer in the dish but i prefer to use a stainless steel metal spoon to smooth the rice Krispies down (I didn't want to get messy)

Topping:

8. While waiting, melt the remaining white chocolate in the microwave (approximately 30secs or less)

9. Pack the melted white chocolate in the edge of a Ziploc bag or a piping bag

10. Snip of a bit of the tip and start to go over the rice Krispies treat in a pattern of your choice

Optional: You may add sprinkles for a splash of colour.

Refrigerate for 30minutes to help cool before cutting.

Preparation time: +/- 20minutes

Measure of Happiness: Through the roof!

You could easily make this anytime of the week- fuss free, no baking, cleaning is a breeze but the amount of smiles you will receive is immeasurable.

Good Luck!!!