Mitsuba by Yurine Japanese Restaurant review

March 16, 2014, 6:48 am

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Mitsuba by Yurine Japanese Restaurant

Located at the 3rd floor of The Central, it is unlikely for one to be attracted to the simple and humble-looking exterior of Mitsuba by Yurine Japanese Restaurant. Although I dine pretty often in The Central whenever I meet up with my friends as well as my family on weekends, Mitsuba didn't quite ring a bell when Vivian raved about how awesome the food is.

I knew I had to check out Mitsuba by Yurine Japanese Restarurant when not one, but three of my fellow blogger friends, Vivian, Verlyn and Joyce raved about it. Plus, Verlyn told me that it is very reasonably priced too!

Now, tell me who wants some reasonably priced Japanese food?

Both Juilet and I weren't that hungry to begin with so we decided to order some small bites to share while the other girls had their sake don which is their absolute favourite and must-have everytime they go to Mitsuba by Yurine Japanese Restaurant.

Sake Don (Salmon Don), $20

Juilet and I ordered Salmon Sashimi and Ikura Chawanmushi to share and we also ordered the Tamago Sushi to share among the 5 of us.



Salmon Sashimi



Ikura Chawanmushi (Salmon Roe Chawanmushi), $8

I read reviews on how some people ordered the Ikura Chawanmushi and they prefer the normal Chawanmushi to Ikura Chawanmushi still as they thought that the taste of the salmon roe overpowers the egg's.

I don't normally go for Ikura Chawanmushi as I usually order Kani Chawanmushi whenever I eat out in Japanese restaurants. The first bite was a little confusing as I had no idea what to expect from having salmon roe. The outside of the salmon roe is quite firm but when you bite into it, the juice oozes out. It tastes a little 'fishy', similar to that of raw oysters. I found myself enjoying it more as I had subsequent bites of them. The Chawanmushi was good too, soft and smooth.

I have tried making Chawanmushi at home but its nowhere near the standard of Japanese restaurants. I read somewhere online that the secret to making good Chawanmushi is to add sake and chicken stock. 



Tamago sushi (Egg sushi), $3 for two

Word has it that Mitsuba's Tamago sushi when downed, creates a gastronomia experience - so great that it made people cry!

Although Mitsuba's Tamago sushi didn't make me tear, I like how the tamago is done - soft and very sweet. It is easily one of the best tamago that I had before. 

If there's one thing that you must order when you visit Mitsuba, I say it would be the Tamago sushi. 

Mitsuba by Yurine Japanese Restaurant

6 Eu Tong Sen Street

#03-88

The Central @ Clarke Quay

Singapore 059817

Nearest MRT: Clarke Quay

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Black Paint Water Cream Moisturizer review

March 17, 2014, 8:04 am

≫ Next: Cosmic Guest House review | Where to stay in Hong Kong on a Budget

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What is it:

A water-based moisturizing cream that diminishes visible pores, protects your skin from dryness and maintains moisture all day long. By filling the skin with moisture, it builds resistance from outdoor environments as well as creates a smoother and more refined skin texture.

The star ingredient in Black Paint Water Cream Moisturizer is Moroccan argan oil, a renowned natural anti-aging product worn by women since ancient times.

When you twist open the moisturizer's lid, it reveals a cosmetic spatula as well as a cover for added hygiene.

Although you are likely to find a cosmetic spatula in moisturizers from most skincare brands, I must admit that I seldom use the cosmetic spatula that comes with it. Instead, I use a cotton swab to take the amount of moisturizer that I need and apply it onto my face directly with the cotton swab. I think this is more convenient as compared to washing and drying the spatula each time after use. Plus, its is less messy too. 

Directions:

Take a cherry-sized amount, and spread onto face. Transforms into water droplets upon application. Wait until your face dries before applying makeup.

My thoughts:  

When opened, Black Paint Water Cream Moisturizer unveils a tub of translucent gel moisturizer. As you can see from the picture below, I'm almost down to my tub of Black Paint Water Cream Moisturizer hence I thought its time to share my thoughts on it with you.   

Although the name of Black Paint Water Cream Moisturizer suggests that its a cream moisturizer, the texture feels more like a gel moisturizer to me.

I first tried Black Paint Water Cream Moisturizer out during Black Paint Media Launch held at Alkaff Mansion Ristorante. The staff from Black Paint Japan was telling me that if one were to massage Black Paint Water Cream into his or her skin, he or she will be able to see water droplets formed on the skin. 

Here's a picture of how Black Paint Water Cream Moisturizer looks when applied on the back of my hand. 

When I first started using Black Paint Water Cream Moisturizer, I was only using about a pea-sized amount each time and I found that it wasn't moisturizing enough. It was then that I realised that I was supposed to use a cherry-sized amount of product on my skin each time. I use about the size of a Singapore 20-cents coin each time and its sufficient for my face and neck.

I use Black Paint Water Cream Moisturizer both day and night. Below is how I incorporate Black Paint Water Cream Moisturizer into my day and night skincare routine.

Day:

Cleanser > Toner > Black Paint Water Cream Moisturizer > Sunblock

Night:

Cleanser > Toner > Serum > Black Paint Water Cream Moisturizer

For those of you whom have sensitive skin, you will be happy to know that Black Paint Water Cream Moisturizer does not contain alcohol.

I like how Black Paint Water Cream Moisturizer has a subtle lavender scent which is quite soothing to the senses. I always feel very relaxed after applying it, close to zen.

On top of that, I like how Black Paint Water Cream Moisturizer is light enough to be worn underneath makeup without making my makeup look patchy. One thing though - make sure that Black Paint Water Cream Moisturizer is absorbed into your skin fully prior to sunblock or base makeup application. In fact, after it absorbs into your skin, it feels so lightweight that you don't feel like you are wearing any moisturizer! 

At night, I apply a thicker layer of Black Paint Water Cream Moisturizer (similiar to applying sleeping pack) for added moisture and I wake up to softer and more moisturized skin the next day.

Below are pictures taken at Black Paint Singapore Media Launch held at Alkaff Mansion Ristorante.

Black Paint products

About Alkaff Mansion 

Built by Syed Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Alkaff, a nephew of Syed Shaikh Alkaff. 

Located in the serene Telok Blangah Hill Park, Alkaff Mansion was built primarily as a retreat for the family and to entertain their guests. It became known for hosting high society parties in the 1930s. 

Although its not my first time at Alkaff Mansion Ristorante, I must say that I am very intrigued still by both the exterior and interior of Alkaff Mansion Ristorante. I love everything about it - from the floor tiles to its furnishing etc. Did I mention that Alkaff Mansion Ristorante sets a different when visited at different timings? 

Here's a picture of Alkaff Mansion Ristorante taken in the day when I was there with my family. 

Alkaff Mansion Ristorante in the day

With Emily

With Jiahui

Visit the photo gallery for more pictures of Black Paint Singapore Media Launch Event held at Alkaff Mansion Ristorante.

Price:

Black Paint Water Cream Moisturizer $79.90

Black Paint is available at Isetan Westgate. 

Isetan Westgate

B2 Westgate Mall Jurong East

3 Gateway Drive

Singapore 608532

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Cosmic Guest House review | Where to stay in Hong Kong on a Budget

March 23, 2014, 8:29 am

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At the very mention of Hong Kong, the first thing that comes to mind is probably the high cost of living which in turn affect the tourists in terms of accommodation and food expenses.

When I told my friends and colleagues that I was going to Hong Kong for a short getaway last year, I received responses such as, "But Hong Kong is so expensive, why would you want to go there?"  

Well, Hong Kong is not that expensive actually if you do your homework and know where to stay and where to eat.

Join me as I unravel affordable accommodation and cheap eats in Hong Kong! 

Where to stay in Hong Kong

Knowing where to stay is very important. Trust me, you wouldn't want to end up staying at an area where the shops close early.

Ideally, it should also be near the MTR so it saves you time and bring you convenience.  

If one were to head to Taipei, I would recommend staying at Ximending. Likwise, for Korea - it would be Myeongdong. The best place to stay in Hong Kong is Tsim Sha Tsui as there are tourist attractions (Avenue of Stars, Clock Tower etc), shopping streets, shopping centres and even street food stores that open till wee hours of the night.

After searching for accomodation around Tsim Sha Tsui online, we shortlisted Cosmic Guest House, Lily/KC Garden Guesthouse and USA Hostel which are located within Mirador Mansion, beside Tsim Sha Tsui station. How convenient, no?

	Cosmic Guest House (4 nights accommodation)	1400	HKD	Deluxe Twin En suite with Windows (2 Single Beds)
	Lily/KC Garden Guesthouse (4 nights accommodation)	1852	HKD	Twin room, 2 single bed
	USA Hostel (4 nights accommodation)	1456.51	HKD	Deluxe double

We decided on Cosmic Guesthouse not only because it was the most economical among the 3 but also because it had the most reviews and photos taken by guests online.

Despite reading a number of negative reviews of the rooms not being small and crampy, not cleaned daily, and that some guest were even bitten by bed bugs, we went ahead to make our reservations with Cosmic Guest House still as we didn't have much time left. It was an impromptu trip, we only booked our air tickets 3 weeks before our departure date and our accommodation 10 days before our departure date.

Online Booking for Cosmic Guest House

The online booking process for Cosmic Guest House is rather fuss-free. You just have to fill up your check-in and check-out dates, choose the room type and fill in some personal information and you will be redirected to PayPal website to pay your deposit. You don't need to have a PayPal account to pay via PayPal, you can sign in as a PayPal guest and pay with your credit card.

After your booking and payment is processed, you will receive a booking confirmation email from Cosmic Guest House and a payment receipt from PayPal.



Cosmic Guest House Booking Confirmation



Cosmic Guest House deposit paypal payment receipt

How to get to Tsim Sha Tsui from Hong Kong International Airport (by bus)

From Hong Kong International Airport, we took CityBus A21Route(HKD33, approx SGD5.40) and alighted at the 13th stop, 82-84 Nathan Road near Tsim Sha Tsui Station (Exit B1).  

This is the stop that you should be alighting at. 



13th stop 92-84 Nathan Road near Tsim Sha Tsui Station, Exit B1

How to get to Mirador Mansion from 92-84 Nathan Road

1) Walk straight and cross the road.

 

2) Continue walking straight and cross the road again.

3) Continue to walk straight until you spot the sign that says 72-66 Nathan Road 64B-54 before crossing the road again and you will see Mirador Mansion at 62 Nathan Road. Another landmark to look out for is Tsim Sha Tsui Station Exit D2.

Yes, Mirador Mansion is just located next to Tsim Sha Tsui Station. How awesome and strategic the location is, no?

Once you enter Mirador Mansion, there will be a currency exchange shop on your left. Walk straight and you will see a lift on your left. There are 3 lift lobbies in the building with 4 lifts each (2 for odd floors and 2 for even floors). There's a security guard stationed at each lift lobby, even till late at night after we come back from supper and shopping so we felt quite safe.  

We took the lift to the 12th floor where Cosmic Guest House reception was located. After coming out of the lift, you will see directional signages that points you to Cosmic Guest House reception.

Cosmic Guest House Reception

Cosmic Guest House reception

We reached Cosmic Guest House about 1pm in the afternoon. After paying the balance of HKD$940 and HKD$500 deposit for the keys upon checking in at Cosmic Guest House reception, we were brought to our room on the 14th floor by a Chinese lady whom does housekeeping to put down our luggage before we head out as the check-in time is 2pm and our room wasn't cleaned yet. We managed to convince the Chinese lady to clean our room later so that we could wash up and put on some makeup before heading out. Girls being girls, yes we are vain like that!

The lady at the reception from Hong Kong is very nice and she spoke good English. She was like, "Oh, you're from Singapore!" Its quite heartwarming to hear that whenever I travel. There was a Caucasian guy in front of us whom walk in to enquire about the room rates so I am guessing that same day booking is possible if there are rooms available.

Note how it says its the 13th floor in Chinese and 12th floor in English numerals below.     



Cosmic Guest House Digital Access Key Tag

The digital access key tag is used to access Cosmic Guest House and our room. You also have to slot it in next to the switches in the room for electricity, similar to that of hotels.

Cosmic Guest House

Entrance of Cosmic Guest House



inside Cosmic Guest House

Our room is located on the right after the end of the walkway. 

This is how our room - Cosmic Guest House Room 1803, Deluxe Twin Ensuite with Windows (2 Single Beds) looks like!

Our single beds

There is a phone in the room that can be used for local calls. You may notice that there is a toilet roll placed on the bedside table. We did that so as not to prevent the toilet roll from getting damp from the shower.



When we are not packing or looking for something from our luggage, we usually have them tucked neatly under the bed as there isn't much walking space if we were to put them elsewhere. We usually pack our luggage one at a time at the area in between the door and the bed as it accommodates the size of 1 luggage.



TV

There's only 1 English channel on the TV in our room which shows documentaries mostly. We tried switching to other channels but apparently, it didn't seem like there's any or perhaps we didn't know how to. Prior to the trip, we had the idea of having cup noodles while watching TVB, inspired by Hong Kong dramas. We didn't ask for help either because we spend very little time in the guest house as we were out shopping or sightseeing most of the time. Plus, there's free in-room wifi and that already kept us busy (think Instagram, Facebook etc).  

The en-suite shower and toilet is located on the left side of the room right after you enter the room. The shower and the toilet is separated by a sliding glass door.  



Shower

Toilet



The shower is quite small so I won't advise you to bring your clothes in as there is a high tendency of it getting wet. I usually leave the door in between the shower and toilet open so that my elbows won't knock onto the door repeatedly while showering.

Outside the toilet, there are clothes hangers available for you to hang your towels and clothes. There is also a wall-mounted double side mirror which we crowd around to do our makeup every morning.

Other facilities that Cosmic Guest House provide include hot water and hair dryer which can be found in the common area located just outside our room.

Here are the facilities that Cosmic Guest House provide in a nutshell.

Cosmic Guest House Facilities

En-suite toilet and shower (with hot water)

TV

Free wifi (in-room and common area)

Air-conditioning

Telephone

Toiletries (Soap, Shampoo, Toilet Paper)

Location

The main reason why we chose to stay at Cosmic Guest House was that it is very accessible, just next to Tsim Sha Tsui station which is very convenient. It is near shopping malls like iSQUARE, The One, K11, Harbour City, 1881 Heritage etc and there are a lot of good Hong Kong cafes (Cha Chaan Teng) around the area. 

Rating: 5/5

Sleep Quality 

On our first night, we were disturbed by people talking loudly at about 2am+. The noise didn't come from the rooms beside us but downstairs. You see, Mirador Mansion consists of not just guest houses but warehouse, tailor shops etc. We weren't affected by it for long because we were so worn out that we ended up falling asleep anyway. 

Rating: 3/5

Service 

Prior to making an online booking for my stay at Cosmic Guest House, I emailed them regarding an enquiry and I got a same-day reply. 

Cosmic Guest House reception staff is very friendly, nice and helpful. Checking-in was a breeze and although our rooms were not ready (wasn't cleaned yet), we were able to freshen up before we head out. 

We woke up late on the day we planned to head to Disneyland. It was about 10am when we headed to Cosmic Guest House reception wanting to get Disneyland tickets and this Uncle from Hong Kong whom is a staff of Cosmic Guest House was telling us in Cantonese that we should give Disneyland a miss that day and wake up earlier another day so that we can fully enjoy Disneyland. Boy, he was right. Even though we left earlier the next day for Disneyland, we didn't get to go on every ride.  

Cosmic Guest House also sell Disneyland tickets at a cheaper price, HKD420 instead of U.P. HKD450. They also have discounted Ocean Park tickets if you are interested. 

Rating: 5/5

Value 

		HKD	SGD
	Per Night	350	57.46
	Per 4 Nights	1400	236.42

At SGD57.46 a night, it is really value for money. Most hotels in Tsim Sha Tsui area would cost you more than SGD200 a night. The last time I was in Hong Kong, I stayed at Kimberly Hotel and it was about SGD250 a night. I don't know about you but I'm not very particular about accommodation so as long as it is clean and most importantly, at a convenient location. I rather save on accommodation and spend it on shopping or eating.  

Rating: 5/5

Cleanliness

Our room was cleaned daily and we always return to a neatly packed room. Blankets folded, pillow placed neatly and rubbish cleared. There was one day when we returned at mid-day to put down our shopping loots and we saw the housekeeping lady mopping the floor. 

Generally, our room is quite clean except for the toilet as certain parts are a bit old. The sink do choke occasionally when the water flow continuously but it goes away if you leave it for 20 minutes or so. I suspect that the drainage system is not that good.    

Rating: 4/5

Overall

For people whom have never been to Hong Kong before, the size of the rooms in Cosmic Guest House might be shockingly small to you but for people whom have been to Hong Kong, it is quite the average size of the hotels in Hong Kong. If I were to compare the size of my room in Kimberly Hotel to that of Cosmic Guest House's, at the very most, Kimberly Hotel's is slightly wider than Cosmic Guest House's.

I would definitely recommend Cosmic Guest House to people whom are looking for a cheap place to stay in Hong Kong, especially if you are going as a group of friends as well as young couples travelling to Hong Kong. But not so for families even though I did spot a Caucasian family during our stay in Cosmic Guest House. Usually, when I travel with my family, we go for hotels instead so that it will be more comfortable for the elderly.  

Will I choose to stay at Cosmic Guest House again the next time I travel to Hong Kong? You can be sure that my answer is YES if I'm traveling with friends.

Rating: 4.4/5

Cosmic Guest House
12/F, BLOCK F1 (Reception)
Mirador Mansion,
54-64 Nathan Road,
Tsim Sha Tsui
Kowloon
Hong Kong

(852) 2369-6669

www.cosmicguesthouse.com

Check-in time: 2pm to 11pm
Check-out by 11am
Luggage storage free till 5pm on day of check-out

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SK-II Whitening Spots Specialist Challenge: Review and Results

March 25, 2014, 11:48 pm

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Before and after using SK-II Whitening Spots Specialist bare-faced swatches



In January, I started using the SK-II Whitening Spots Specialist as part of my beauty regimen. Although I don't have a problem with spots now, after incorporating SK-II Whitening Spots Specialist into my skincare regimen over a period of 3 months, I noticed that my skin tone became brighter, more even and my skin also became smoother!

SK-II Facial Treatment Essence

Before applying SK-II Whitening Spots Specialist, I usually apply SK-II Facial Treatment Essence as it helps to prep my skin prior to applying SK-II Whitening Spots Specialist.

When I first started using SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, I used it as a toner and I finished a bottle very quickly. I later learnt from an SK-II beauty consultant that a proper toner should be used prior to applying SK-II Facial Treatment Essence. So please take note!

Using SK-II Facial Treatment Essence prior to SK-II Whitening Spots Specialist also allows SK-II Whitening Spots Specialist to absorb better and faster into my skin.

Here's my typical day and night SK-II skincare routine.

SK-II Day Skincare Routine

Day 

SK-II Cellumination Mask-in Lotion, SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, SK-II Stempower Essence, SK-II Cellumination Day Surge UV



SK-II Night Skincare Routine



Night

SK-II Cellumination Mask-in Lotion, SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, SK-II Whitening Spots Specialist, SK-II Stempower

I use SK-II Stempower Essence in the day as it helps to moisturize my skin throughout the day and prep my skin for makeup application.

At night, I use SK-II Whitening Spots Specialist and I've since woken up to softer and brighter looking skin.

I like how SK-II Whitening Spots Specialist absorbs into my skin quickly after application and does not make my skin feel tight after application nor leave behind a sticky feel. The product has now become part of my daily regimen and it looks set to stay! Thanks for sharing in my beauty journey these past three months.

You can find out more about the SK-II Whitening Spots Specialist here and also via the SK-II Facebook page.

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NEW HOT Reality Show, Fit for Fashion | when fitness meets fashion

March 31, 2014, 7:09 am

≫ Next: Bellabox February 2014: Chinese New Year Beauty Packet

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For many of us, keeping fit probably won't be at the top of our priority list. In fact, it wasn't until last year that I got into keeping fit, thanks to my gym sponsor. I was always the big girl or fat girl you see down the school corridor or on the streets.

Prior to gym-ing, my weight fluctuates a lot from 57kg - 64kg although I exercise once a week. Just last year, at my heaviest, I weighed 62kg in July. As I was going to be my cousin's bridesmaid in October, I wanted to shed some pounds so that I could better fit into the lycra convertible dress that she got for us.

 

My ideal weight is 55kg. During my 1st month of gym-ing, I did yoga, pilates, kickboxing and run 5km on a weekly basis and I lost 3kg.

I didn't expect that I would lose so much weight within a short span of time. I guess when you are enjoying your workouts, you tend to lose weight much more easily. I am someone driven by results hence upon losing 3kg in the first month, I am more motivated to work harder to see more results. At the end of the 3th month that I was gym-ing on a regular basis, I lost a total of 7kg!

You might think that it is almost impossible to lose those last kilos but trust me, it isn't with the right type of exercise and a balanced diet.

If you have been been wanting a body transformation, this is your chance to achieve your dream body over a period of 10 weeks and gain confidence to dress for success. 

 

Hot new reality show, Fit for Fashion will be made out of 14 men and women whom will compete in grueling physical challenges to push their body to its limits, guided by Fitness First's trainers.

Fitness and fashion are pretty much interlinked. If you're a resident gym-er, you probably realize that workout wear are getter more and more fashionable, think aztec prints etc. Likewise, most of us are inspired by the physique of models on the runway and the clothes that they don. Besides the opportunity to embark on a life-changing journey to achieve your dream body with Fit for Fashion, participants will be taught how to dress better, look better and take part in fashion challenges. Each week, one person will be eliminated, until the final four compete in the ultimate fitness and fashion challenge and the champion will walk away with US$100,000.

#EXERCISEYOURRIGHT now by submitting your audition video via fitforfashion.tv. Closing date is 15 April 2014. Open to 18 years old and above.

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Bellabox February 2014: Chinese New Year Beauty Packet

April 6, 2014, 8:12 pm

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I know this post is long overdue but I really want to share my thoughts on one of the most-talked about hair product online - Mane n Tail Shampoo and Conditioner. Beauty gurus from all over love it and some even claimed that it makes their hair stronger, grow out faster and make it more volumimous. Of course, I had to try it out myself to see if it lives up to its hype.  

Caudalie Vinosource S.O.S Morning Eye Rescue  

What is it:

Hydrates, de-puffs and contains antioxidant rich grape Polyphenols to combat against premature wrinkles, ideal for sensitive skin.

Covermark set

What is it:

Cream compact foundation

- conceals blemishes and conditions your skin on the go.

Sheer Powder

- Contains 3 unique powder particles that will give a stereoscopic look and fresh radiance to your skin.

Base cream

- Makes foundation adhere firmly brightens, locks moisture into the skin and absorbs excess sebum for long lasting and color true makeup.

Cyber Colors Eco Nail Color

What is it:

Formulated with up to 85% biosourced natural ingredients from plants.

Eslor Introductory Collection

What is it:

Naturally based skincare treatment. Start by refining and cleansing your skin, followed by re-energising scrub, refresh with a comforting mask, finish off with a soothing cream.

Laneige Snow BB Soothing Cushion

What is it:

Contains 5-in-1 benefits - it brightens, contains SPF 50 PA+++, cools, tones and is long-lasting with sweat proof technology.

My thoughts:

I have previously reviewed Laneige's latest addition, Laneige 6-in-1 BB cushion. You might want to check out my review here, http://sweetestsins.blogspot.com/2014/02/laneige-6-in-1-bb-cushion-review.html.

Its my current favourite to-go base makeup product. I use it with a stippling brush everyday for work and if I want more coverage, I apply it with the sponge applicator that comes with it. I received compliments like, "Oh, your skin became better!" and "Your face is glowy!" etc when I have got Laneige 6-in-1 BB cushion on.

Mane 'N Tail Original Shampoo and Conditioner

What is it:

Widely loved by celebrities and the public alike, this iconic formulation is created with an exclusive micro-enriched protein formula that fortifies the hair shaft and prevents breakage and split ends, leading to longer, stronger, fuller and frizz-free hair!

My thoughts: 

A lot of YouTube gurus raved about how amazing Mane n Tail Shampoo and Conditioner is and how it makes your hair grow. I really like the scent of both Mane n Tail Shampoo and Conditioner. A shampoo with a nice scent is always a plus. I mean, who doesn't like their hair smelling good? - flicks hair -

Just a little information on my hair, I had my hair colored as well as permed at the ends last year. I have sensitive scalp which gets irritated easily therefore I can only use certain brands of shampoo.

In terms of lathering, Mane n Tail shampoo does fine, nothing over the top. I find that it makes my tresses look fuller and gives it more volume after shampooing. However, it is a little drying on my hair hence I always make it a point to use a conditioner after shampooing. In this case, I used Mane n Tail Conditioner which helps to tame frizz down and make my hair look neater.

I can't vouch whether a not Mane n Tail shampoo helps with hair growth because I haven't experienced hair growth after using the product personally. But if you are looking for a shampoo that gives you volume, you will like Mane n Tail shampoo.

Nuxe Rose Clarifying Cream Mask

 

What is it:

Contains Rosemary Floral Water, Kaolin and Rice Powder. It is paraben-free and suitable for sensitive skins.

Price list:

Mane 'N Tail Original Shampoo and Conditioner $14.90

Caudalie Vinosource S.O.S Morning Eye Rescue $40

Cyber Colors Eco Nail Color $8.90

Laneige Snow BB Soothing Cushion $59

Nuxe Rose Clarifying Cream Mask $48

Covermark Flawless Fit $110

Covermark Sheer Powder $80

Covermark Moisture Clear Base $60

Eslor Soothing Refiner and Cleanser $35.60

Eslor Replenishing Scrub $34.90

Eslor Comforting Mask $47.40

Eslor Soothing Cream $81

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Tim Ho Wan: Is it worth the hype?

April 8, 2014, 12:53 am

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You probably have walked past it countless times, often greeted by an almost never-ending long queue which makes dining there almost impossible or had your Instagram and Facebook feed spammed with photos of it.

Yes, I am talking about the world's cheapest 1 Michelin Star restaurant, Tim Ho Wan aka the Dim Sum Specialist.

I was over at Westgate with my partner-in-crime one evening for some shopping after having brunch at Hatched Holland Village. We had wanted to go to D' Good Cafe initially but the super pretty swing seats weren't available hence we settled for some egg benedicts at Hatched, located just beside it.

Despite feeling a little full still from our brunch, we knew we had give the legendary Tim Ho Wan a try when we saw that there wasn't any queue at Tim Ho Wan Westgate. We were the 1st in queue, can you imagine that?       

We were brought into the restaurant by a waitress whom seated us next to a couple when there was another 2-seater just beside. Frankly speaking, I don't understand why servers love to seat diners so close to each other when are there other seats available. To let you have an idea of the space in between our table and the couple's, it is the amount of space that allow one person to pass through when walking sideways so you could imagine how close the tables were.

The ordering process is pretty straightforward. You will be given a menu, just tick whatever you want to have on the ordering chit provided on the table and pass it to the staff. After which, the staff will repeat your order before processing the order and serving it to you. Payment is to be made at the cashier located near the entrance by bringing along the printed slip with your order.

We ordered the legendary Baked Bun with BBQ Pork 酥皮焗叉燒包 and Shrimp Vermicelli Roll.

Baked Bun with BBQ Pork 酥皮焗叉燒包 


Baked Bun with BBQ Pork, $4.50++

 

When Char Siew Bao meets Bo Lo Bao



I know of people who go to Tim Ho Wan just for Tim Ho Wan Baked Bun with BBQ Pork. Many say it is the best Char Siew Bao.

Prior to my visit to Tim Ho Wan, whenever my family and friends mention their dining experience at Tim Ho Wan, they couldn't quite describe the legendary Tim Ho Wan Baked Bun with BBQ Pork to me beyond adjectives such as, "crispy, baked, unique'.

My verdict? Tim Ho Wan Baked Bun with BBQ Pork is the most unique char siew bao I had till date. It is best described as Char Siew Bao with Pineapple Bun Bo Lo Bao's crust or Pineapple Bun Bo Lo Bao with a thicker and more fluffy crust. I'm a fan of both actually so no points for guessing that Tim Ho Wan Baked Bun with BBQ Pork won me over with the juicy and well-marinated BBQ Pork filling. While it is easily one of the best Char Siew Bao that I have tried, still it doesn't justify as the best char siew bao because traditional Char Siew Bao is steamed and served hot, some has opening on top (commonly found in dim sum places) while some don't have opening on top (Kopitiam version) which serves as a good reminiscence of the days when my late Grandma would buy me a Char Siew Bao whenever she picks me up from school.

Shrimp Vermicelli Roll 韭王鲜虾肠  
 

Shrimp Vermicelli Roll, $5.50++



For Vermicelli Roll, the most common would be BBQ Pork. We settled for the Shrimp Vermicelli Roll. The shrimp were crunchy 爽脆 and succulent like how it is in any regular dim sum place. I found the vermicelli roll to be a little too thick for my liking. It is however of the same thickness as the vermicelli we had in Hong Kong. The sauce was very fragrant and a joy to dip in for an extra boost of flavour. 

The total bill came up to $11.75 after service charge and GST.

Would I visit Tim Ho Wan again? Yes I will for the food. You will be sure that I will order the Baked Bun with BBQ Pork again. Don't have too much expectations on the service though as they operate like a no-frills restaurant based on my experience over at Tim Ho Wan Westgate.  

If it is your 1st time dining at Tim Ho Wan, you might want to give these items below a try. They are supposedly the best-selling and must try items in Tim Ho Wan.

Big 4 Heavenly Kings 四大天王

香滑马来糕 Steamed Egg Cake 1pc

黄沙猪润肠 Vermicelli Roll with Pig's Liver

酥皮焗叉燒包 Baked Bun with BBQ Pork 3 pcs

香煎萝卜糕 Pan Fried Carrot Cake 3 pcs



Tim Ho Wan Singapore outlets

Tim Ho Wan Westgate

Jurong East #01-13/14

Nearest MRT: Jurong East

Tim Ho Wan Bedok Mall
#B1-51/52

Nearest MRT: Bedok

Tim Ho Wan Plaza Singapura 

#01-29A/52

Nearest MRT: Dhoby Ghaut

Tim Ho Wan Toa Payoh 

#02-02

Nearest MRT: Toa Payoh

 

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Neon Rainbow Aztec Print Gellyfit Nails by Nailz Treats, Bedok Mall

April 8, 2014, 9:22 pm

≫ Next: SK-II Festive Aura Set review

≪ Previous: Tim Ho Wan: Is it worth the hype?

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Although this is not my first time getting my nails done at Nailz Treats, I must say that I never fail to get wowed by something new each time I'm there for they always stock the latest OPI collection and this time round, they brought in GellyFit, a gel nail polish by Sizuka Korea.

I was told by my manicurist of the day, Jocelyn from Nailz Treats Bedok Mall that GellyFit is known for its beautiful array of bright cheery colors.

When my pedicurist of the day, Pinky from Nailz Treats Bedok Mall presented me with GellyFit gel polish swatch wheel to choose a color for my pedicure, I was spoilt for choice. I had a hard time deciding on just one color. I only managed to narrow down my choice to the orange, classic red and pink in the middle of the picture below.

When I told Pinky that I couldn't make up my mind on which color to go for, she held the nail wheel up against my toes to let me gauge how the color look like on me. Classic red looks very normal while the pink and orange made my feet look darker (as if I'm not dark enough already!). I was telling Pinky that although I really like the orange because its so 3CE (#sorapark), it makes my feet so dark. And she showed me CA912, a neon coral which I fell in love with immediately.  



Gellyfit CA912

 

I like the fact that Gellyfit CA912 is very pleasing to the eyes despite being a neon color. Did I mention that bright neons are all the rage in Korea now?

Pardon me, but I must digress a little. Don't you think that the packaging of Gellyfit bottles are so kawaii and sweet-looking? I love the bow that shows the color of the gel polish!

Here's how Gellyfit CA912 look like on me. Pardon my unsightly toes caused by wearing heels on a daily basis.

I was commenting that my toes look really ugly and the girls over at Nailz Treats were telling me not to wear heels that often. But then again, my legs are not long to begin with so if I don't wear heels, my legs will appear as short and stumpy. #firstworldpains #girlsareiamvainlikethat

Moving on to my Gellyfit manicure, as Mummy and I enjoy browsing through pretty nail art hence we always take a screenshot of them. You never know when you need some nailspiration!

These definitely come in handy because all I need to do was to take out my phone and show Jocelyn these pictures when she asked me what kind of designs I prefer. Afterall, a picture speak a thousand words, no?

As Gellyfit is known for its syrup color collection which enables multi-color layered nail art, Jocelyn suggested bright-colored gradient nails, something different from my Gelish nails done at Nailz Treats previously.

Mod Chanel Quilted Nail Art

Watercolor Galaxy Bow Nail Art

When Jocelyn mentioned bright colors, neon orange and pink came to my mind immediately. You could say that I'm very much inspired by 3CE as they usually feature bold makeup looks using bright colors such as neon orange and pink.

Upon knowing my taste and preferences, this is what Jocelyn came up with! I opted for round nails this time instead of the usual square nails because change is only constant. I like how round nails makes my nails look longer! 



My neon rainbow gradient Gellyfit nails with aztec prints



I specifically requested for the diamond, cross, peace sign nail art and left the rest in her hands knowing that I can trust her. I mean, she's the pro here!

To top it off, Jocelyn added fleur de lis and cross chrome heart ornaments to further prettify my nails! 



Close-up of my Gellyfit manicure at Nailz Treats Bedok Mall



Close-up of my Gellyfit manicure at Nailz Treats Bedok Mall



Similiar to the previous occasions when I had my nails done over at Nailz Treats, I received a lot of compliments on this set of Gellyfit nails both online and offline from colleagues, friends as well as fellow bloggers. Within a day of posting on Instagram, it received 52 likes! Quite a number of my colleagues said that they wanted the exact same design! I think Jocelyn will be very proud of her creation!

Here's a picture with the super friendly Jocelyn whom is my manicurist for the day. She is the face behind my Neon Rainbow Aztec Print Gellyfit nails.



with Jocelyn from Nailz Treats Bedok Mall

We had so much fun talking about the latest Korean drama, My Love from the Star. Jocelyn was telling me that her boyfriend is too, hooked on this series. Totally love Do Min Joon (Kim Soo Hyun) and Cheong Song Yi (Jeon Ji Hyeon). Jeon Ji Hyeon hasn't lost her appeal since My Sassy Girl. She's tall, she's slim, she's elegant, she's pretty - I think she's everything a girl wants to be. I love how she manage to carry off bright lipsticks off very well. It wasn't until My Love from the Star that got me hooked on Kim Soo Hyun. #girlfan While everyone were going gaga over him when he played Song Sam Dong in Dream High, I had my eyes on Jin Guk, played by Taecyeon from 2PM. 

After my nails were done, I took the chance to tour Nailz Treats Bedok Mallto check out its latest offering.

For Gellyfit, Nailz Treats Bedok Mall stocks two shelves worth of colors! 



Gellyfit

 



Gellyfit



For those whom prefer nail polish over gel polish, you will be glad to know that Nailz Treats Bedok Mall stocks the latest OPI collections. 



OPI Spring 2014 Spotlight on Glitter Collection





PROMOTION

All you need to do is flash this blog post to redeem

10% off all services

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Buddy Promotion - Classic Manicure and Pedicure for 2 at $88Includes FREE Exfoliating Feet Scrub of your choice and massage.

*applicable for both Nailz Treats Far East Plaza and Nailz Treats Bedok Mall 

*Valid till 31st May 2014

To make an appointment, call/SMS/whatsapp Nailz Treats.

Nailz Treats (Bedok Mall)

311 New Upper Changi Road

#B1-03

Singapore 487360

Tel: 6844 9558

SMS/whatsapp: 9731 1180

Nailz Treats (Far East Plaza)

14 Scotts Road

#04-41 & 42

Singapore 228213

Tel: 6836 5133

SMS/whatsapp: 8522 6771

'Like' Nailz Treats on Facebook and receive 5% discount!

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SK-II Festive Aura Set review

April 15, 2014, 6:17 am

≫ Next: Using the SK-II Whitening Spots Specialist

≪ Previous: Neon Rainbow Aztec Print Gellyfit Nails by Nailz Treats, Bedok Mall

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SK-II Festive Aura Set consists of the following: 

- Limited edition SK-II Facial Treatment Essence

- SK-II Cellumination Essence EX

- SK-II Cellumination Deep Surge EX

- SK-II Whitening Source Revival Mask

If you have been following SweetestSins, you would have read my reviews on SK-II products and know how much I love this brand. 

To cut to the chase, I have reviewed SK-II Facial Treatment Essence as well as SK-II Cellumination Essence EX previously. Today, I'm going to share my thoughts with you on SK-II Cellumination Deep Surge EX and SK-II Whitening Source Revival Mask.

SK-II Festive Aura Set

SK-II Facial Treatment Essence

SK-II Facial Treatment Essence

What is it: 

Containing more than 90% Pitera, this much loved miracle water is a must-have for healthy, radiant skin. It helps maintain the skin's natural renewal cycle to its optimum condition to allow skin nourishment. It also works to balance the skin's pH and sebum secretion, so oily and dry areas are properly moisturised.

My thoughts:

SK-II Facial Treatment Essence is the very first SK-II product that I have tried from SK-II.

I like how SK-II Facial Treatment Essence helps to reduce the size of my pores and reduce the redness on my face. Whenever I use SK-II Facial Treatment Essence after my regular toner/lotion and before applying any essence, I wake up with plumped skin. The beauty advisors over at SK-II have also advised me to apply SK-II Facial Treatment Essence prior to applying essence as it allows the essence to absorb into the skin better.

A few days ago, I switched to a new cleanser that was sent to me for review and it  broke me out. I don't usually have breakouts, not even during the time of the month so you could imagine how big a fuss it caused. They can't even be covered with BB cream! ): Hence, that night I applied SK-II Facial Treatment Essence after my regular toner/lotion, had SK-II Facial Treatment Mask leave on for about 20 minutes before applying my regular moisturizer. And voila!, those bumps subsided the next day!

For a more comprehensive review of SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, check out my previous post, http://sweetestsins.blogspot.com/2012/09/my-experience-with-skii-facial.html 

SK-II Cellumination Essence EX




SK-II Cellumination Essence EX



SK-II Cellumination Essence EX swatch

What is it:

The new SK-II Cellumination Essence EX takes a great formula and makes it better with the new Pixel WhiteTM whitening ingredient. Improve your skin from the cellular level and experience highly defined, aura bright skin in just 4 weeks.

My thoughts:

In summary, SK-II Cellumination Essence EX glides onto my skin really well. I like how it gives the pearlescent effect and make my skin look brighter and more radiant.

For a more comprehensive review of the SK-II Cellumination Essence EX, check out my previous post on it here, http://sweetestsins.blogspot.com/2013/08/skii-cellumination-blogger-challenge.html

SK-II Cellumination Deep Surge EX

What is it:

This daily moisturiser is infused with a unique active whitening ingredient, De-Melano P3C, that works to balance your skin tone from within to unleash your skin's translucent aura.

My thoughts:

I have previously tried out a sample of SK-II Cellumination Deep Surge EX and liked it. You don't really need a lot of product. The size of a 10-cent coin is sufficient for my entire face.

The texture of SK-II Cellumination Deep Surge EX reminds me a lot of Sleeping Packs. It has a consistency in between that of a gel's and a cream's. I like how it moisturizes my skin. On top of that, it helps to brighten up my skintone. But the best of all is - it doesn't make my skin dry like how some whitening or brightening products do.    

SK-II Whitening Source Revival Mask

What is it:

Whitening Source Derm-Revival Mask contains DMTBlocker, an advanced complex containing Pitera™, Vitamin C derivative and Niacinamide; Inositol, a skin conditioning agent. SK-II's unique stretchable mask is designed to hold the maximum amount of juice and to deliver it effectively to the skin. The action of stretching the mask activates its multiple layers, creating a delivery system that continuously drives the juice deep into the epidermis. The pressure of the mask against the skin also helps to enhance delivery of the whitening actives

My thoughts:

Similiar to SK-II Facial Treatment mask, I found the cotton sheet mask of SK-II Whitening Source Revival mask sheet a tad too big for my face. The cotton sheet is thicker than regular sheet masks but it adheres onto my skin well, probably due to the fact that it was soaked with a lot of essence. I mean it when I said a lot of essence. In fact, there was still some leftover essence in the mask pack even after I used it to apply on my cheeks and neck.

Although my skin was more moisturized and the size of my pores looked smaller after using SK-II Whitening Source Revival mask, I didn't observe any visible whitening or brightening effects which was a little disappointing especially when it says whitening on the packaging. On top of that, I experienced dry skin for a couple of days after  using SK-II Whitening Source Revival mask. If you were to ask me, I would say go for SK-II Facial Treatment mask instead.

Price list:

SK-II Festive Aura Set $532

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Using the SK-II Whitening Spots Specialist

February 2, 2014, 5:53 pm

≫ Next: Lady M Mille Crepes

≪ Previous: SK-II Festive Aura Set review

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If you recall either of my previous posts, Brand New Year, Brand New Skin and SK-II Whitening Spots

Specialist: A Follow Up, you will remember me mentioning incorporating a SK-II product into my skincare regimen and that is - SK-II Whitening Spots Specialist. I have tried SK-II Whitening Spots Specialist for a couple of weeks and I thought that it is time to share my thoughts on it with you.

Here's how I incorporated the SK-II Whitening Spots Specialist into my current skincare regimen. I use the SK-II Whitening Spots Specialist both in the day and at night. I strongly recommend using sunblock on top of SK-II Whitening Spots Specialist in the day.

Day

SK-II Cellumination Mask-in Lotion > SK-II Facial Treatment Essence > SK-II Whitening Spots Specialist > SK-II Cellumination Day Surge

Night

SK-II Cellumination Mask-in Lotion > SK-II Facial Treatment Essence > SK-II Whitening Spots Specialist > SK-II Stempower

SK-II Whitening Spots Specialist

My thoughts:

SK-II Whitening Spots Specialist is an essence with soft, milky fluid texture. In terms of scent, it is quite light.

SK-II Whitening Spots Specialist swatch

I'm actually quite tan for a Chinese due to spending too much time under the sun when I was younger. There was a time when I wantd to get fairer desperately and I went overboard by piling whitening products on my face and my skin ended up looking red and flaked real badly. For a period of time, I steered clear of whitening products. However, since my friends were raving about this product, I decided to give it a chance.

To my surprise, SK-II Whitening Spots Specialist does not make my skin feel tight after application nor did I experience any tingling sensation. I like how it absorbs into my skin quickly after application and doesn't leave behind a sticky feel.

Here's a picture of my bare skin before and after applying the SK-II Whitening Spots Specialist as part of my regime. 



Bare skin (before) and after applying SK-II Whitening Spots Specialist

Right after applying SK-II Whitening Spots Specialist, the redness on my face subsided and my skintone looked more even as well as more matte. During the day, after applying SK-II Whitening Spots Specialist, I follow up by applying SK-II Cellumination Day Surge before applying BB cream. At night, I apply SK-II Stempower on top of SK-II Whitening Spots Specialist and I wake up to softer and brighter skin the day after. The brightening effect of SK-II Whitening Spots Specialist is quite visible, similiar to that of using a whitening or brightening mask the day before and what you see in the mirror the morning after. The SK-II Whitening Spots Specialist also targets spots on the surface of and under the skin and reduces the appearances of these spots.

I will be taking pictures of my skin periodically to show how SK-II Whitening Spots Specialist is working for me so do check back regularly for the before and after pictures as well as my final review on it!

Find out more about the SK-II Whitening Spots Specialist here.


You might be interested in these posts:

☮SK-II Cellumination Blogger Challenge
☮SK-II Empower Me Campaign Launch Event with Sheila Sim
☮SK-II 10 day Stempower Challenge
☮My experience with SK-II Facial Treatment Essence
☮[New] SK-II Stempower
☮SK-II Stempower Essence review
☮Brand New Year, Brand New Skin
☮The SK-II Magic Ring Test and SK-II Whitening Spots Specialist
☮Using the SK-II Whitening Spots Specialist
☮How to take care of your skin Post-CNY

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Lady M Mille Crepes

April 21, 2014, 8:59 am

≫ Next: Crabtree & Evelyn Pear and Pink Magnolia Eau de Toilette and Ultra-Moisturizing Hand Therapy review

≪ Previous: Using the SK-II Whitening Spots Specialist

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When I heard that Lady M arrived on our shores, I knew I had to check it out sometime just to try its signature cake, Lady M Mille Crepes famous worldwide.

Since I had some time to spare after running some errands and I was in the vicinity of Marina Square, I headed to Lady M with a quest in mind - to try Mille Crepes cake. 

Ordering

I was there about 3 plus, the first in queue and a server brought me into Lady M cafe. I appreciate the fact that he asked if I had any preferred seats. Upon ushering me to a seat, I was told that there were some new cakes available that weren't shown on the menu. Although I already know what I want, I asked the server what he would recommend and he recommended the Mille Crepe upon knowing that it is my 1st visit to Lady M. 

If not for the fact that he asked if I wanted any drinks, I would have missed them out from the menu because I was so focused on the cakes! Considering the fact that I haven't had my daily cuppa fix, I ordered a latte hoping that it would give me a quick boost. 

Lady M Marina Square was probably half-full when I was there. I was glancing down at my phone every now and then to check for updates from various social media sites to pass time while waiting for my order to be served. They say a hungry man is an angry man. I wasn't that hungry to begin with but there was no sight of my order after 5 minutes of placing my order, not even my latte. After 10 minutes, I was interrupted by, "Hi Ma'am, your latte" while I was replying to some emails.

Latte, $5++

I almost wanted to take a quick sip of the latte when the server brought it over but I discarded the thought immediately as I wanted to take a group shot of the signature Lady M Mille Crepes with my latte. #thingsthatbloggersdo #相机食先

I didn't finish the latte as it wasn't that great to begin with. It was so bitter that I had to add half a cube of sugar to neutralize the taste. If you know me, I don't like my coffee with sugar and I try to steer clear of sugar whenever I can. Plus, the aftertaste tasted rather acidic instead of leaving a smooth aftertaste like how the regular lattes I have from Starbucks and Costa Coffee do.

I waited for another 5 minutes before my Mille Crepes was served by another server. That makes it a total of 15 minutes for my order to be served after placing my order.

Mille crepes, $8++

Each crepe layer is very thin, lesser than 1mm. I wonder how they make it so thin! I tried making a crepe cake once and its not easy I tell you. 

As the layers are made with paper-thin crepes, it is easy to pierce through the layers with a fork without the layers falling apart. When I had the first bite of Lady M Mille Crepes, I thought that it is best described as sweet and at the same time, exuding the fragrant taste of caramelized sugar which I believe is because the top of Lady M Mille Crepes is caramelized.

I like how the pastry cream in between the crepe layers practically melts in your mouth and how it is light enough not to make me feel sick of it (jelak). 

Payment

After you are done with your food, you got to proceed to the cashier located just next to where the cakes and pastries are to make payment. Just let them know which is your table and they will bill you accordingly. I could only point in the direction of my table to let the cashier know where I was seated and she was like, "Oh, Table 1." The thoughts that filled me at that point of time were how exactly did patrons would come to know about their table no. when its not stated or communicated anywhere?

The total bill came up to $15.30 after 10% service charge and 7% GST.

Overall 

The overall experience at Lady M Marina Square was a pleasant one, especially when its my first visit.

Service was generally good, though I felt that the waiting time could be reduced. One thing that I don't really get is the idea of having servers to usher patrons into Lady M, taking their orders but yet payment is to be made at the cashier in person. I would rather have it all or none at all, meaning - having servers take my order and bringing the bill to me or self-ordering and payment at the cashier. 

Having said that, would I visit Lady M again? Well, definitely anytime for some Lady M Mille Crepes. 

Lady M Singapore outlets

Lady M Marina Square

6 Raffles Boulevard

#02-103

Marina Square

Singapore 039594

11am-9pm

Lady M Fullerton

1 Fullerton Road 

#01-10 

Singapore 049213

10am-10pm

ladym.com.sg

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Crabtree & Evelyn Pear and Pink Magnolia Eau de Toilette and Ultra-Moisturizing Hand Therapy review

April 21, 2014, 10:53 pm

≫ Next: &Made by Bruno Menard review | Hot Caramel Lava cake to die for

≪ Previous: Lady M Mille Crepes

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Adding to Crabtree & Evelyn's existing vast collection is the Pear and Pink Magnolia range, consisting of eau de toilette, body wash, body lotion, body souffle, hand therapy and triple milled soap.

Crabtree & Evelyn Pear and Pink Magnolia Eau de Toilette

 

What is it:

The enticing aroma of fresh, juicy pear is blended with the delicate floral notes of pink magnolia, jasmine and osmanthus.

My thoughts:

The opening note of Crabtree & Evelyn Pear and Pink Magnolia Eau de Toilette might smell a tad too strong initially but it slowly transforms into a refreshing jasmine scent with hints of cedarwood and ends off with a fruity floral note.

As the scent of Crabtree & Evelyn Pear and Pink Magnolia Eau de Toilette don't last more than two hours on me, I prefer to layer it on top of another fragrance that I am already wearing as a quick touch-up especially after having lunch at the nearby hawker centre or before heading out to meet my friends after work.

Crabtree & Evelyn Pear and Pink Magnolia Ultra-Moisturizing Hand Therapy

 

What is it:

Formulated with conditioning shea butter and macadamia nut oil to moisturize and soften hands, along with myrrh to help condition cuticles and nails.

My thoughts:

I am sure Crabtree & Evelyn Ultra-Moisturizing Hand Therapy needs no further introduction.

At some point of time, you were probably gifted a Crabtree & Evelyn Ultra-Moisturizing Hand Therapy. Personally, I receive at least one every Christmas so you could say that I have tried quite a number of them.

Pear and Pink Magnolia is the latest addition to Crabtree & Evelyn's highly coveted Ultra-Moisturizing Hand Therapy. Like Crabtree & Evelyn's regular range of Ultra-Moisturizing Hand Therapy, Crabtree & Evelyn Pear and Pink Magnolia Ultra-Moisturizing Hand Therapy rubs in well without leaving a greasy residue. It has a lighter consistency compared to my all-time favourite of the range, Crabtree & Evelyn Gardeners Hand Therapy. What's more, its available in 2 sizes, 25g which is an ideal size to pop into your handbag or clutch and 100g which is ideal for home or office use.    

Price list:

Eau de Toilette $38 (30ml) $75 (100ml)
Ultra-Moisturizing Hand Therapy $13 (25g) $33 (100g)

You may also like these:

♥ Crabtree & Evelyn Pear and Pink Magnolia Eau de Toilette and Ultra-Moisturizing Hand Therapy review
♥ Crabtree & Evelyn Somerset Meadow Launch

♥ Crabtree & Evelyn Pomegranate Argan & Grapeseed Conditioning Hand Wash and Ultra-Moisturizing Hand Therapy review

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&Made by Bruno Menard review | Hot Caramel Lava cake to die for

April 27, 2014, 5:58 am

≫ Next: Lovemore Water Beauty Series | Thermal Water Brightening Mask review

≪ Previous: Crabtree & Evelyn Pear and Pink Magnolia Eau de Toilette and Ultra-Moisturizing Hand Therapy review

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On Tuesday, I met up with my bestie, Carissa after work. You know, the thing about me and my girlfriends is that we love our desserts, not deserts though (pun intended). You see, that's the thing I love about English. Its such a beautiful language, you could play around with just an additional letter and it changes the meaning totally.

We settled for &MADE at Pacific Plaza after checking Becasse Bakery at Ion Orchard because we felt that the latter was a tad too open for us to have HTHT and to laugh ourselves silly.

&MADE is the first restaurant concept by 3 Michelin Star Chef Bruno Menard in Singapore and they are known for their Hot Caramel Lava Cake.

We were there at about 6 plus in the evening, close to 7pm and &MADE was rather empty. There were only 2 other tables occupied apart from us. I like how the server brought us to a corner table instead of squeezing us in between the other diners. Thumbs up on that! The table setting and utensils over at &MADE reminds me very much of Hippopotamus Restaurant Grill except that the former is more brightly lit.

&Made menu

After checking out the menu, we settled for The 3 Little Pigs and Hot Caramel Lava Cake to share.

3 Little Pigs, $23++

When the 3 Little Pigs burger was served, we gasped at the generous serving. Thank God we only ordered one to share.  

&Made burgers are all served with shoestring fries, you can choose from either original/smoked/garlic&vinegar or truffle (+$3) and &Made BBQ sauce. The BBQ sauce is so so so good. We kept guessing what was it because it tasted so familiar until I couldn't take it anymore and I asked the server what was it. Turns out that it is BBQ sauce. Its very different from the usual BBQ sauce though. 

The black sesame bun was grilled to a slight crisp on the outside while it remains soft in the inside. Its my first time trying a handmade pork patty burger and I like how the pork patty in 3 Little Pigs burger (pork fillet, bacon & chorizo patty, spicy yuzu-kosho mayonnaise, shibazuke, shitake & white cabbage with a flavourful roasted sesame dressing) is juicy and flavorful yet it doesn't overwhelm the original meat flavor.  

I love how it is served with Japanese pickle (shibazuke) for I am a fan of them. The cabbage adds interesting texture to the burger. 

Girls, if you are heading there with your girlfriends, I recommend to share a burger among 2 as the burger is really huge.

After we were done with our burger, the server brought us our lava cake while another server followed behind with our cutlery. After placing down the spoon and fork for us, the server held on to the knife which puzzled us for a while before he proceeded to cut through our caramel lava cake and said, "Caramel lava cake, enjoy!"

Hot Caramel Lava cake, $15++

Of course, we took the opportunity to take as many photos of the hot caramel lava cake before tucking in. Carissa was like, "Aww... we could have taken an instavideo if we knew that he was going to cut it".

Served with caramel ice cream with waffle biscuit crumbs, it was like caramel paradise for us. Despite the overload of caramel goodness, it didn't make us feel sick of it. It was sweet enough to raise our endorphins and bring a smile to our faces but not till the extent of wanting to reach out for the glass of water on our right. I like how the caramel lava cake is moist and served with waffle biscuit crumbs and ice cream to give it a nice extra texture. 

We almost wanted to order another hot caramel lava cake as we agreed that one isn't enough for the both of us! 

Would I visit &Made by Bruno Menard again? You bet I will just for the Hot Caramel Lava cake as well as to try out the other burgers! 

&Made
9 Scotts Road
Pacific Plaza
#01-04-06
Singapore 228210

6690 7566

http://andmade.sg/

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Lovemore Water Beauty Series | Thermal Water Brightening Mask review

May 5, 2014, 7:30 pm

≫ Next: 3 ways to enjoy Yakult Maroyaka Kale

≪ Previous: &Made by Bruno Menard review | Hot Caramel Lava cake to die for

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Lovemore Water Beauty Series

Lovemore Water Beauty Series - Newly upgraded mask specially formulated with the second generation of pure silk mask, increase the penetration of essence.

Find out my take on Lovemore Thermal Water Brightening Mask!

What is it:

Fresh from Kagoshima (Japan) volcanic hot spring, the thermal water is rich in minerals and trace elements which help to nourish and brighten up skin. Specially formulated with Biowhite to reduce pigmentation and brighten up skin effectively.

 

 

Directions:

Step 1: Remove white plastic sheet.
Step 2: Fit mask over face.
Step 3: Remove blue non-woven sheet.
Step 4: Remove mask sheet after 10-15 mins.
Step 5: Gently pat any remaining formula into skin.

My thoughts:

Unlike usual facial masks, Lovemore Thermal Water Brightening mask is made up of 3 layers. First, remove the opaque white sheet before use.

Then, place the facial mask on your face and slowly remove the light blue layer. Do not attempt to remove the light blue layer before fitting the facial mask on your face for the mask will be filmsy and you would probably find it harder to fit it on your face.

One thing that I particularly like about Lovemore Thermal Water Brightening mask is its soft pure silk mask which adheres onto your skin very well, akin to second skin! On top of that, it is rather moisturizing and it brightens up my dull complexion after each use. The only gripe that I have about Lovemore Thermal Water Brightening mask is that it can be a tad small at the nose and upper lip area. Other than that, I have no qualms about Lovemore Thermal Water Brightening mask. I mean, what more can I ask for since my skin can't take most regular whitening or brightening skincare products out there in the market and I don't experience any form of redness or dryness after using Lovemore Thermal Water Brightening mask. 

On a side note, I'm currently hooked on an American science fiction romance television series, Star-Crossed. Is anyone else hooked on this series as well? To sum things up, the series started off with a human girl, Emery Whitehill (played by Aimee Teegarden) saving an alien boy, Roman (played by Matt Lanter) and then integration takes place and the aliens were able to attend the same high school as humans to learn from each other. Emery and Roman are the sweetest couple ever and they remind me so much of Edward and Bella from Twilight. I guess fantasy plays a huge part - vampire and human VS alien and human.

Price list:

Lovemore Thermal Water Brightening Mask $13.90/5pcs

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3 ways to enjoy Yakult Maroyaka Kale

May 15, 2014, 7:54 am

≫ Next: Petite France 쁘띠프랑스 | French Village in Korea countryside

≪ Previous: Lovemore Water Beauty Series | Thermal Water Brightening Mask review

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As lifestyles get busier, eating out frequently becomes a norm especially for working adults like myself or while traveling resulting in not consuming enough greens.

With Yakult Maroyaka Kale, there's no reason not to have your greens daily. 

Available in convenient sachets, Yakult Maroyaka Kale is soluble in cold water or milk.

About Yakult Maroyaka Kale

Kale is one of the healthiest vegetables. Considered an original species of cabbage and broccoli, It is high in calcium and contains B-carotene. Its primary nutrients include vitamin B6, vitamin C, calcium, potassium, magnesium and chlorophyll. Health enthusiasts usually use it to blend smoothies 

Kale leaves are harvested in the morning and transferred to the nearby Yakult Health Foods factory to be squeezed on same day for freshness.

There are different ways to enjoy Yakult Maroyaka Kale, you can add it to almost everything - from water to milk or even Yakult drink itself!

1) Mix Yakult Maroyaka Kale into Yakult drink

1) Mix Yakult Maroyaka Kale into fresh milk

3) Mix Yakult Maroyaka Kale into water

My thoughts:

To me, Yakult Maroyaka Kale taste like broccoli juice. Personally, I like it with just water as I am a fan of broccoli and I usually have it in my salad or even as a side dish. Depending on your tolerance for broccoli, I recommend having Yakult Maroyaka Kale with either milk or Yakult drink. 

If you were to ask me, Yakult Maroyaka Kale when mixed with just water is very strong in flavour, followed by milk and lastly, Yakult drink. So for people whom cannot stand the smell of broccoli but wish to enjoy Yakult Maroyaka Kale, I suggest that you try it with a Yakult drink as the glucose and fructose in it makes it taste better.

I was also invited to Yakult Health Food launch held at Chinatown Point, Singapore by AT Marketing Consultancy.

 

Apart from Yakult Maroyaka Kale, Yakult Health Foods also carries products such as Watashi No Aojiru (Young Barley Leaves), Glucosamine, Supplism Collagen, Royal Jelly, Coenzyme Q10, Blueberry Lutein, Calcium + Magnesium, DHA + EPA and Supplism Multiple Vitamin & Minerals.







Price list: 

Yakult Maroyaka Kale $79.90 (Introductory price till 30 Sep) U.P. $119.90

For more information, visit abeilledor.sg or their Facebook page.

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Petite France 쁘띠프랑스 | French Village in Korea countryside

May 18, 2014, 3:59 am

≫ Next: Elizabeth Arden Visible Whitening Intense Brightening Biocellulose Mask review

≪ Previous: 3 ways to enjoy Yakult Maroyaka Kale

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Tucked away in Cheongpyeong, about one and a half hour away from the city lies Petite France. At one glance, it's difficult not to imagine that one is in Strasbourg instead of South Korea as Petite France is situated on a low hill overlooking the Cheongpyeong Lake and the pastel colored buildings in Petite France resembles a village in the Alps.

The concept of Petite France encapsulates flowers, stars and The Little Prince so you will be sure to see a lot of wall murals along those themes.

I know this is seriously overdue but I knew I had to get it published instead of letting it sit in my drafts because I really love this place and I think you guys will love it too!

Getting to Petite France

1) Via Subway and Gapyeong Circle Tour bus

If you are coming from Myeongdong, here are the subway transfer stations.

Myeongdong > Dongdaemum > Hoegi > Mangu > Cheongpyeong

From Cheongpyeong Station, catch Gapyeong Circle Tour Bus to Petite France.

Gapyeong Circle Tour Bus

Adult: 5000 won

Child/Youth: 3000 won

Gapyeong Circle Tour Bus runs 6 times a day from Cheongpyeong Station to Petite France.

Gapyeong Circle Tour Bus Timetable

11:25 12:25 13:25 15:25 16:25 17:25

2) Via Subway and cab

Take the subway to Cheongpyeong Station and take a cab from there.

3) OR... do it our way!

As Nami Island and Petite France are in close vicnity, we went to Nami Island first by taking the subway to Gapyeong station, followed by Gapyeong Circle Tour Bus to Nami Island. Then we took a cab from Nami Island stop to Petite France as we missed the Gapyeong Circle Tour Bus because we were unable to get onto the ferry and had to wait for another.

The cab fare from Nami Island to Petite France came up to 19000KRW (SGD 22.93) and it took us approximately 25 minutes to reach Petite France. Word of caution - Gapyeong Circle Tour Bus is very punctual and it leaves on the dot. We reached Nami Island stop at 15:16 and there was no bus in sight even when we waited till 15:20 thus we decided to take a cab to Petite France instead as the next bus will only be arriving at 17:15 and we didn't want to spend 2 hours waiting in the cold.

Make sure you have the name and address of Petite France in Korean just in case the taxi driver don't understand the english version. Our taxi driver didn't seem to understand the English version so I passed him the Korean version of Petite France leaflet that I got from Gapyeong Circle Tour Bus earlier.

After 25 minutes of going up and downhill, we reached Petite France and we were greeted by this sight with The Little Prince himself!

Petite France entrance and information centre



Petite France in Drama

Petite France won't be foreign to K-drama fans as it is the filming location for many Korean dramas such as Beethoven Virus, Secret Garden (where Ju-won's love for Ra-im develops), Personal Taste and the latest SBS hit drama - You Who Came from the Stars Episode 15 as well as Running Man Season 1 Episode 40. 



Petite France filming location for Beethoven Virus, Secret Garden, You Who Came from the Stars and Running Man

 

You Who Came from the Stars Episode 15 filming location

As Petite France is located on top of a hill, it is a lot colder than Nami Island. Did I mentioned that we got to experience first snow at Gapyeong Station? Ebony was like, "Jie, its raining. Oh no." Upon inspection, I exclaimed, "No, its snowing! Its first snow!!" We were already freezing at Gapyeong Station platform as it is out in the open. We seeked shelter at the station's gantry and bought hot coffee to warm ourselves up before we braced ourselves for Nami Island. Even at Nami Island, we stayed close to every possible woodfire we passed by on the island.

How cold exactly is Petite France in end-November?

It was so cold that my fingers went numb after taking photos with my iPhone for about 5-10 minutes. I didn't have a choice as I didn't have touchscreen gloves. You see, the thing is - because it is very cold in Winter, somehow it makes your camera battery drained out super fast. I had like two batteries but they didn't survive beyond 8 hours. That explains the differing quality of the pictures in this post. T_T



Patricia in Petite France

Fountain Square Cul-de-Sac

Fountain Square Cul-de-Sac (Building D)

Because its a month away from Christmas while we were there, there were plenty of Christmas trees around.

 

Saint-Exupery Memorial Hall (Building G)

Here, it showcase the author of the celebrated French novel, Le Petit Prince (1943), Saint-Exupery's life and his works such as Le Petit Prince, Vol de Nuit. On the 3rd floor, you can catch Le Petit Prince movie on screen.

Orgel House (Building F)

Orgel House (Building F)

Noteworthy feature of Orgel House includes a 200-year-old music box collected from France and Europe which plays a sweet melody. 

Amphitheatre

Amphitheater

As we were feeling cold again, we got ourselves some pizza and coffee from the takeaway coffee shop in Petite France. Did I mention how much I love the illustration on the coffee sleeve? 

Pizza and coffee

 

Marionette Theatre (Building N)

Marionette Theater (Building N)

You will be able to catch 'Guignol', a French traditional hand puppet show named after the show's main character here along with marionette performance and screening animation.

Guest house and wild flower walkway

If stargazing in bed is your cup of tea, you will be pleased to know that there are 28 guest houses in Petite France and some of them have windows obliquely.

Along the way, you will spot lovely wall murals. As if you haven't spotted enough pretty wall murals already!

Below is the Baobab tree where Koreans 'lock' their love.

Baobab Tree

Can't help but to snap more pictures of these pretty French-style buildings. I'm sure you will agree with me if you were there yourself for the cold weather and scenic place makes it ideal for photo-taking!

Before reaching the observatory, this place showcases different postal stamps. 



Observatory



At various pit-stops in Petite France, there are stamps available for you to collect. There are a total of 10 stamps. 

By then, the sun was almost setting and it was getting dark and colder. 

Ending this post with a sunset picture taken in Petite France itself.

 

Would I head back to Petite France again? You bet I would for that sense of tranquility, away from the busy cities, not to mention that it is the Mediterranean coast or Piedmont Alps that is so much closer to home. 

Petite France 쁘띠프랑스
1063, Hoban-ro, Cheongpyeong-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
경기도 가평군 청평면 호반로 1063

Nearest subway: Cheongpyeong Station

www.pfcamp.com

Admission Fee:

Adults: 8,000 won / Group: 6,000 won
Youths: 6,000 won / Group: 5,000 won.
Children: 5,000 won / Group: 4,000 won

* Group: 20 people or more

Opening hours: 0900 - 1800 (last admission 1700)


You might be interested in these posts:

✈ How to get to Myeongdong from Incheon Airport
✈ Tosokchon Samgyetang 토속촌 삼계탕 (土俗村参鸡汤) | Must-eat in Korea
✈ Zaza Backpackers Hostel & Guesthouse review (자자 백팩커스) (ザザ バックパッカーズ ホステル) (萨萨背包旅馆)
✈ Air Tickets and accommodation booking for my 7D Korea Free and Easy Trip in Nov/Dec 2012 (Includes Zaza Backpackers Hostel & Guesthouse pricing and facilities)
✈ Gyeongbokgung 경복궁 (景福宮) | Must-visit in Korea
✈ Petite France 쁘띠프랑스 | French Village in Korea countryside

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Elizabeth Arden Visible Whitening Intense Brightening Biocellulose Mask review

May 26, 2014, 8:22 pm

≫ Next: Nadeje Mille Crepe at Mahkota Parade, Melaka

≪ Previous: Petite France 쁘띠프랑스 | French Village in Korea countryside

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If you are a fan of My Love from the Star, I'm sure Han Yoo Ra (played by Yoo In Young) aka top actress/Cheong Song Yi's rival won't be foreign to you. 

 

Last year, Yoo In Young was engaged as the Asia Ambassador for Elizabeth Arden and this year Elizabeth Arden introduces the new Visible Whitening Intense Brightening Biocellulose Mask and Visible Whitening Anti-Melanin Spot Corrector to its advanced range of whitening skincare products this Whitening season.

Elizabeth Arden Visible Whitening Intense Brightening Biocellulose Mask

What is it:

Formulated for the specific needs of Asian skin, Elizabeth Arden Visible Whitening Intense Brightening Biocellulose mask uses ultra-fine mesh textile - biocellulose which molds onto facial contours like a 'second skin'.

Enriched with key ingredients like Vitamin A derivative, Vitamin B3 and optical diffusers to help firm and brighten skin's appearance. Vitamin C derivative and Lipoamino Acid work to reduce appearance of existing dark spots and uneven skin tone.

Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

Key Ingredients:

- Lipoamino cid and Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): assist with the appearance of uneven skin tone

- Vitamin A Derivative (retinyl linoleate): supports skin's own collagen and elastin matrix to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and enhance skin's ability to reflect light.

- Vitamin C Derivative: controls melanin production to help enhance skin's brightness and diminish darkness over time.

- Adenosine: supports skin's own natural collagen to reduce visible signs of aging.

- Hyaluronic Acid and Barley Extract Complex: Helps to increase skin's moisture content to minimize the appearance of wrinkles and refine the look of pores.

- Licorice Extract: Helps to inhibit tyrosinase activity to prevent the formation of dark spots and uneven skin tone.

- Glycerin: Helps to improve skin's moisture content

- Mica Minerals and Corn Starch: Optical ingredients able to reflect light to instantly brighten the look of skin and impart immediate radiance.

Recommended usage:

Twice a week. 

My thoughts:

When opened from the pack, Elizabeth Arden Visible Whitening Intense Brightening Biocellulose Mask is soaked with essence. I usually pour out the remaining essence from the pack and apply it on my cheek area, neck and elbows.

To use Elizabeth Arden Visible Whitening Intense Brightening Biocellulose Mask, remove the film sheet (pictured on the left above) before fitting the biocellulose mask (pictured in the middle above) onto your face and remove the cotton sheet (pictured on the right above) thereafter.

Although Elizabeth Arden Visible Whitening Intense Brightening Biocellulose Mask doesn't fit 100% perfectly on my face with the nose area being a tad too small and the sides being a tad too big for my face, I must say that it is easily one of the better-fitting mask in the market.

Initially, I found the mouth area of the mask to be too small for comfort but I later realised that the trick is to stretch the mask outwards to the side and downwards for a more comfortable fit. Did I mention that Elizabeth Arden Visible Whitening Intense Brightening Biocellulose Mask covers almost my entire upper lip area? Not all facial mask comes with such a thick upper lip area. And this means.. more pampering for my upper lip area! 

When placed on skin, Elizabeth Arden Visible Whitening Intense Brightening Biocellulose Mask feels very cooling which is perfect to end a busy work day with. On top of that, it fits snugly to my skin, like 2nd skin!

Each time I use Elizabeth Arden Visible Whitening Intense Brightening Biocellulose Mask, I wake up hoping to look more like Yoo In Young to brighter and well-moisturized skin the following day. I also noticed that the size of my pores reduced after using Elizabeth Arden Visible Whitening Intense Brightening Biocellulose Mask. 

Here are some behind-the-scenes pictures of Elizabeth Arden Visible Whitening Blogger Event held at Arteastiq where we had so much fun art jamming!

With my masterpiece!



With fellow beauty bloggers - Claire, Charissa, Jerlene, myself & Kimberly



With Juilet, Claire, myself, Kimberly and Jerlene



with Juann, Jerlene, myself, Juilet, Jia En & Charissa

Price list:

Visible Whitening Intense Brightening Biocellulose Mask 5pcs/pack SGD $90

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Nadeje Mille Crepe at Mahkota Parade, Melaka

May 29, 2014, 2:44 am

≫ Next: SK-II Facial Treatment Repair C review

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If you are following me on Instagram @yongwei318, you would know that 3 weeks ago, I made a trip to Malacca (or more fondly known as Melaka to the Malay community) over the weekend. It was my 2nd time in Malacca and I got to explore Malacca from a local's perspective this time round, thanks to my PIC, Joanne and her family for hosting me.

When Joanne asked me if there's any place I want to go to in Malacca, I replied, 'Nadeje Cafe' without any hesitation and she went, 'Of course, I guessed as much since Nadeje Patisserie Cafe is one of the most-visited place in Melaka that is famous for their Mille Crepe hence it is frequented by locals and tourists alike'.

There are a few Nadeje outlets in Malacca itself. We went to the one at Mahkota Parade, located opposite Dataran Pahlawan Melaka Megamall (more fondly known as Pahlawan to the locals). You could head there after shopping at Pahlawan.

Mahkota Parade

After crossing the road, walk straight until you see the entrance of Mahkota Parade, turn right and you will see Starbucks. Continue to walk straight and you will see Nadeje.

We got there about 1pm on a Saturday and we were the 2nd in queue thus we didn't have to wait to get into Nadeje.

Upon entering Nadeje, this was the sight that greeted us.

Nadeje Cafe Mahkota Parade

Nadeje Mille Crepe

It was almost like a dream come true for a Mille Crepe lover like me! I guess the best way to describe how overwhelmed I felt was exactly how Hansel and Gretel felt when they came across the gingerbread cottage made with other sweets. 

Nadeje actually means 'hope' in Czech!

The sofa seats in Nadeje were perfect as a backdrop to take pictures against but they were all taken. ):   

Nadeje has Mille Crepe cake in every possible flavour that you can think of.

The word 'Mille' means a thousand which best describe the thin layer of crepes stacked together with cream in between.

The more popular choices include Green Tea, Banana Chocolate, Double Chocolate, Berry Berry Strawberry, Tiramisu and Cafe Mocha. For a more local twist, try Malacca Mille Crepe made with authentic Malacca Brown Sugar (more fondly known as Gula Melaka).

Do note that not all of the flavours will be available on a daily basis, so it really depends on your luck.  



Nadeje Menu


Apart from that, there is a wide selection of drinks to choose from including tea, latte as well as Nadeje Special Drinks which I found to be rather interesting.



Nadeje Tea Selection

 

Nadeje Tokyo I Coffee

Nadeje Special Drinks and Shakes

Nadeje Original Mille Crepe (RM9.90) and Organic White Peony with Rose Tea (RM9.50)

Call us boring but we settled for the Original Mille Crepe instead of one of those fancy flavoured ones. I always believe that if you want to know how good a pastry or ice-cream is, go for the original.  If the orginal one ain't good, I doubt the other flavours will be.

We ordered a pot of Organic White Peony with Rose Tea to share and we thought that the floral infusion goes very well with the Mille Crepe cake.   

Here's Joanne, my PIC whom was my tour guide for the day.





Joanne and me at Nadeje Cafe

While we were at Nadeje Cafe, we saw a few local young couples taking photos of their Mille Crepe along with a small plush toy in the background before uploading it to Instagram and Facebook which we thought was rather interesting.

Most of Nadeje's customers were couples and a few families. It was a good mix of both locals and tourists.

Here is the legendary Mille Crepe of Nadeje made with homemade custard cream with Tahitian vanilla beans and fresh cream.

Nadeje Mille Crepe, RM9.90

I still can't get how they manage to make the crepe so thin! I tried making Mille Crepe cake once but failed utterly because my crepe was too thick and I felt very sick of it after a few mouthfuls.

Nadeje Mille Crepe cake can be sliced through easily with a fork without making a mess. The crepe layers were soft and moist with very generous smooth vanilla cream filling sandwiched between each layer. As with every other Mille Crepe, Nadeje Mille Crepe has a caramelized top.

Nadeje Mille Crepe has got very generous vanilla cream filling, much more than Lady M's that towards the last 1/4 of the cake, we felt that the cream filling was a tad too much and we end up scrapping away the filling.

For the price and the experience, I think that Nadeje is worth checking out if you are in the area, especially if you are a Mille Crepe lover like me considering that we paid only RM19.40 (SGD 7.76), less than SGD 4 per pax for a Mille Crepe cake and a pot of tea. A Mille Crepe cake at Lady M Singapore would cost you SGD 8 at least.

Check out the sight that greeted us when we left Nadeje Mahkota Parade! We were lucky to escape from the queuing!

Nadeje Mahkota Parade 
G-23B, EG 4 & EG 5, Ground Floor, Mahkota Parade, 75000 Melaka
Opening hours: 11am - 10pm
+60 6-283 8750
nadeje.com.my

You might also be interested in:

♥ Lady M Mille Crepes review

Photo Credits:

Photos featured in this post are taken with Nikon P7800, thank you Nikon Singapore for the opportunity to try out another camera apart from my all-time trusty EX2F!

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SK-II Facial Treatment Repair C review

June 2, 2014, 7:55 am

≫ Next: Beaute by Kew Power DPL Treatment review

≪ Previous: Nadeje Mille Crepe at Mahkota Parade, Melaka

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What is it:

A nutrient-rich serum with a mix of concentrated Pitera and Hyaluronic acid, it reduces the appearance of wrinkles and roughness to refine skin texture and elasticity. Skin is deeply moisturized for 24 hours, and you experience the same luxurious feeling as if wearing a treatment mask all day.

Ingredients:

Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Pentylene Glycol, Betaine, Sodium Citrate, Triethyl Citrate, Sodium Benzoate, Methylparaben, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Sorbic Acid, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract.

Directions:

Pump 1-2 times on palms and massage onto face and eye area in an outward motion, concentrating on dry and rough areas. Lightly tap around your face for complete absorption. Use morning and night after your beauty essence.

My thoughts:

The 'C' in SK-II Facial Treatment Repair C stands for concentrate instead of the commonly misunderstood term, Vitamin C. It contains the same ingredients as SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, except that it is more concentrated.

I usually use it after applying SK-II Clear Lotion and SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, before applying either SK-II Stempower or SK-II Cellumination Deep Surge.        

SK-II Clear Lotion > SK-II Facial Treatment Essence > SK-II Facial Treatment Repair C > SK-II Stempower / SK-II Cellumination Deep Surge      

SK-II Facial Treatment Repair C comes in a pump bottle.

I usually dispense about half a pump of SK-II Facial Treatment Repair C and it is enough for my entire face.

In terms of consistency, SK-II Facial Treatment Repair C is in between that of a toner and your regular serum. It feels very light on the skin and doesn't feel greasy thereafter.
 

What I like about SK-II Facial Treatment Repair C is that it makes my skin feel very soft after using it. Aside from that, I also noticed that the size of my pores became smaller after I introduced SK-II Facial Treatment Repair C into my skincare regimen.

The best of all is still the fact that SK-II Facial Treatment Repair C helps to speed up the healing of my scars! I recently went for a facial and had A LOT of extractions done hence my forehead was looking as though as I have tons of freckles, except that they were looking red and angry. Although I have bangs to cover them, still I was fretting over them because I don't normally have to deal with pimples or scars apart from the occasional few during the time of the month. I recalled that my facialist told me to apply more serum and sunblock post-facial. On the first and second night,  I applied hyaluronic acid serum from a Taiwanese brand which didn't do much as most of the scabs were still there with an occasional few that kept coming out, revealing the raw skin under. On the 3rd night, I decided that I would switch back to my current serum, SK-II Facial Treatment Repair C and voila!, 2 days after applying SK-II Facial Treatment Repair C, my forehead cleared up. By then, most of the scabs were gone. What amazed me was that there was very minimal post-scarring pigmentation by the 4th day after extraction!

Price list:

SK-II Facial Treatment Repair C 30ml SGD$165

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Beaute by Kew Power DPL Treatment review

June 4, 2014, 8:22 pm

≫ Next: Top 5 favourite SK-II products | My day and night skincare regimen

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In the middle of Outram Park and Chinatown lies Everton park, a new hipster enclave which is home to an interesting tenant mix comprising of quirky cafes, optical shops as well as facial salon - Beaute by Kew.

Upon entering Beaute by Kew, I was brought to the waiting area and served a cup of tea by May whom was also my facialist for the day.

I was asked to fill up a form which had questions such as what are my skin concerns and if I have any form of skin allergy.

When I was halfway through the form, I couldn't help but to be drawn to the skincare products that were on display, especially when there's a picture of Audrey Hepburn - the epitome of beauty.

Before the facial, I was asked to change into a tube robe.

Tube robe

Extractions

The extractions were fast and swift. May kept making sure that I felt comfortable throughout by constantly checking if the extraction was tolerable.

Power DPL Treatment

DPL refers to Dynamic Pulsed Light combines IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) and Laser power sources that is more effective than the traditional IPL technology to rejuvenate dull and lifeless skin, minimize enlarged pores and tighten loose skin. The advanced technology used in Power DPL Treatments ensures that results are instant and effective. There are DPL treatments for hair removal, acne and pigmentation.

A cooling gel is applied generously before the DPL treatment. DPL treatment is rather bright with light pulsing.

May advised that it is best to apply serum and gel moisturizers instead of cream ones to keep skin hydrated after DPL treatment. Sunblock is also a must after DPL treatment.

Massage

The massage was so so so good. Normally at facials, you get a head, shoulders and maybe a foot massage plus a few hard knocks on your back after the session if you are lucky. But May gave me a half body massage and I was lying down on my back the whole time she was working her magic!

Mask

The rose mask smells so good! Before May cleansed it, she gave me a lymphatic facial massage as well as an eye massage in a 'figure 8' movement which felt so comfortable.

Interior

Beaute by Kew has got a very lovely interior.

Their bathroom reminds me of Alkaff mansion's.

About Beaute by Kew

Beauté by Kew brings to you a fresh, new vintage metropolitan concept in beauty and anti-ageing.

Singapore’s first organic beauty salon that offers you face treatments using most raved about cult brand organic skincare products with cutting-edge technology, and fully-qualified aestheticians. This ensures you receive the most personalized services and top notch results.


Price list:

Power DPL Rejuvenation Treatment SGD $190

GSS PROMOTION

SGD$28 for each facial treatment!

Santaverde Aloe Vera RF Intense-Lasting Firming (u.p. $260)

for loose, sagging, ageing skin, face contouring

Santaverde Xingu Pure Vitality Anti-Oxidant (u.p. $160)

for dehydrated, dry, dull, tired, lifeless skin

Suki Brightening BK AquaPEEL Anti-Pigment (u.p. $160)

for uneven skin tone, pigmentation, age spots

OSEA Skin Clarifying Power DPL Anti-Acne (u.p. $190)

for acne scars, breakouts, clogged & enlarged pores, oily skin

Power DPL Hair Removal Lifetime Unlimited Treatments* for $98!

(u.p. $128 per session)

- Underarms

- Upper Lips

- Bikini Lines

*available from 11am-4pm on weekdays

- Promotions valid till 31 July 2014
- Applicable to Singaporeans and PRs above 21 years old

SweetestSins X Beaute by Kew Giveaway

10 Personalized Organic Treatment Facials worth $160 to be given away!

To participate, like and share Beaute by Kew on Facebook, like SweetestSins on Facebook and follow @yongwei318 on Instagram and email me the screenshots.

Giveaway ends on 18 June 2014, 2159hrs.

Beaute by Kew
2 Everton Park
#01-47
Singapore 081002

Opening hours:
Mon - Fri 11am - 8pm
Sat 10am - 7pm
Closed on Sunday & PH

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