A Domestic Goddess Wannabe

Brand New and Pre-Loved Baby Stuff For Sale At Crazy Prices!

2011-07-05T20:34:00.013+08:00

Brand new and pre-loved items which are rarely used and almost as good as new to let go cheaply. Pls email me at adomesticgoddesswannabe@gmail.com if you are interested.

Brand New: Disney Baby Winnie The Pooh Gift Set (Blanket + Cap + Booties)
Selling at S$15

Brand New: Sesame Street Sleepy Time Gift Set
Selling at S$15

Brand New: Bebe Cutlery Baby Gift Set
Selling at S$10
Brand New: Pigeon Newborn Starter Kit (2x 200ml wide neck bottles, 1x 300ml wide neck bottle, 1x bottle and nipple brush, 1x milk powder container, 1x silicone pacifier with hood)
Retail price S$39.90, Selling at S$30
Brand New: MamaLove 2 in 1 Head Support
Retail price S$22.90, Selling at S$18

Brand New: Disney Baby Bath Set
Selling at S$15Brand New: Gaia Baby Skin Care Set
Retail price S$76, Selling at S$65

Brand New: Munchkins Diaper Changing Organiser

Retail price S$59, Selling at S$35 (reserved)

Pre-Loved: Lucky Baby 3 in 1 Baby Carry Rocking Chair

Retail price S$59.90, Selling at S$25

Pre-Loved: Auby Musical Butterfly Play Gym

Selling at $25

Pre-Loved: NUK E-Motion Electric Breast Single Pump

Retail price ~S$100, Selling at S$50

Pre-Loved: Quinny Senzz Stroller

Retail price ~$800, Selling at S$400

Recycling: 9 Miscellanous Items - From Wooden Pegs To Photo Frame To Card Holder

2011-05-04T21:43:00.008+08:00

I have 9 miscellaneous items for recycling. They are:

1. A brand new 'Love' glass coaster

2. A bag of small wooden pegs

3. A pack of new 20 greeting envelopes (9.5cm x 9.5cm)

4. A brand new pack of jewellery labels (1cm x 6.9cm) - TAKEN

5. A brand new wooden photo frame (3.5 inch x 5 inch) - TAKEN

6. A bag of decorative leaves (perfect for art & craft use) - TAKEN

7. A brand new set of 3 new chipboard tags

8. A brand new Naraya fabric card holder - TAKEN

9. A set of 9 wooden blocks (8 pcs of 9cm x 3cm x 1.5cm & 4 pcs of 9cm x 3cm x 3cm)

I intend to mail out the items, so I would appreciate fund transfer of the postage, depending on the postage chosen.

Recycling: Ahava Men Toiletries Set With Bag - TAKEN

2011-04-26T09:08:00.004+08:00

I have a set of Ahava Men toiletries with bag for recycling. Got it as a gift, but do not use this brand of toiletries hence am opening up for recycling. The items include mineral shower gel, hand cream, aftershave moisturiser and deep cleansing gel.

Pick up would be at Commonwealth area or Alexandra (Mapletree Business Centre). If you want it sent via mail, you would have to take care of the postage :)

For Sale: Wooden Display Stand for S$10

2011-04-25T13:24:00.005+08:00

I have a wooden display stand for sale. You can use it to put up photos frames or even signboards for display. The stand measures approximately 26cm by 20cm.

I can do pick up in person at Commonwealth or Alexandra area. Otherwise, I can mail the bust to you but you would have to take care of the postage. Pls contact me at adomesticgoddesswannabe@gmail.com if you are interested.

For Sale: Velvet Display Bust for S$10

2011-04-25T13:21:00.005+08:00

I have a light grey velvet display bust for sale. You can use it to display necklaces. Display bust measures approximately 26cm by 15cm.

I can do pick up in person at Commonwealth or Alexandra area. Otherwise, I can mail the bust to you but you would have to take care of the postage. Pls contact me at adomesticgoddesswannabe@gmail.com if you are interested.

Recycling: Loose Beads & Findings For Handmade Jewellery - TAKEN

2011-04-19T09:05:00.004+08:00

I have some loose beads and findings that are used for handmade jewellery from my on-going destocking at my handmade jewellery blogshop.

Pls contact me if you are interested in the recycling. I also have other inventory that are undergoing destocking, so contact me too if you are interested in purchasing them at really cheap prices.

Recycling: 8 Miscellanous Items - From Sushi Mat to Glass Coaster To Pencil Case

2011-04-11T13:38:00.007+08:00

I have 8 miscellanous items for recycling. They are:

Brand new 'Love' glass coaster
Brand new green apple-shaped stereo headphones - TAKEN
Used 2 small plastic table tags (5 cm x 3 cm each) - TAKEN
Brand new pair of traditional chinese wedding doll keychains (it would come in a box that has a company name on it) - TAKEN
An unused aroma candle of rose scent - TAKEN
Brand new batik pencil box (18 cm x 9 cm) - TAKEN
Brand new sushi mat that has only been used for hanging hooked earrings, never in handling food stuff (24 cm x 24 cm) - TAKEN
Brand new candle decoration - TAKEN

To maximise the goodness of the recycling movement, I would appreciate that recyclers do not request for more than 2 items. You can indicate more than 2 choices so that if an item has been taken, I will allocate you your next choice.

I intend to mail out the items, so I would appreciate fund transfer of the postage, depending on the postage chosen.

Destocking - Swarovski Crystal Filigrees At Crazy Prices!

2011-04-08T17:46:00.004+08:00

The destocking process at my handmade jewellery shop continues...this time with pewter Swarovski Crystal Filigrees in assorted colours. Below are pictures of the gorgeous filigrees I am letting go.

Pls contact me if you are interested in getting any items. There are chances of even crazier prices if you take more items! So happy shopping!

Crystal clear @ S$2.00

Smoky quartz @ S$2.00

Aquamarine @ S$3.00

Peridot & Rose @$3.00

Peridot, Aquarmarine & Rose @ S$4.00

Garnet @ S$3.00

Recycling: Past Issues of Scrapbooking & Craft Magazines - TAKEN

2011-04-06T08:38:00.008+08:00

I have 9 past issues of scrapbooking and craft magazines for recycling. These magazines were not cheap when they were bought as they are foreign magazines, hence I would like to share them through recycling.

In order to maximise the goodness of the magazines with more fellow recyclers, pls do not request for more than 2 magazines in the lot. You can also pick from the beading magazines I put up for recycling in yesterday's post here.

I will be posting the magazines out, hence would appreciate fund transfer to cover postage. If you are interested, pls indicate which magazine you would like.

The magazines are:
1. 3 issues of Craft Beautiful
2. 3 issues of Scrapbook Creations
3. 1 issue of Memory Makers
4. 1 issue of Holiday Cards
5. 1 issue of Handmade (in chinese)

Recycling: Past Issues of Beading & Accessories Magazines - TAKEN

2011-04-05T22:06:00.007+08:00

I have 5 past issues of beading magazines for recycling. These magazines were not cheap when they were bought as they are foreign magazines, hence I would like to share them through recycling. The magazines are still rather new and looks almost brand new.

In order to maximise the goodness of the magazines with more fellow recyclers, pls do not request for more than 2 magazines in the lot.

I will be posting the magazines out, hence would appreciate fund transfer to cover postage. If you are interested, pls indicate which magazine you would like. Thanks.

Destocking: Genuine Gemstones & Beads For Sale at Crazy Prices!

2011-04-04T22:06:00.008+08:00

I am currently destocking my gemstones and beads from my handmade jewellery shop. Below are pictures of the goodies I am letting go.

Pls click on the pictures to see how crazy the prices are and contact me if you are interested in getting any items. There are chances of even crazier prices if you take more items! So happy shopping!

Recycling: Assorted Plastic Beads for Accessories Making + Pilers + 2 pairs of earrings - TAKEN

2011-04-04T20:54:00.005+08:00

I have 4 items to recycle in this post - all related to accessories making. They are:

3 bags of plastic beads that can be used for kids to string their accessories

Genuine nylon jaw pilers which is used to straighten crooked wires

2 pairs of handmade earrings, made of turquiose stone

Ear loops and ear hooks for jewellery making

Any recycler who is interested, pls indicate which items you would like. I intend to mail the items out, so pls be prepared to fund trf me the postage depending on the items that you request for.

Recycling: 1 New Expandable Hanging Rod - TAKEN

2011-03-10T16:41:00.003+08:00

I have one new expandable hanging rod that can be used for hanging decorations. It is about 1.3 cm in diameter and can expand to between 30-45cm in length.

I intend to mail this over, so if you are ok with fund transferring $0.80 for postage, pls contact me.

Recycling: 2 DVDs - Into The Wild & 12 Girls Band - TAKEN

2011-03-09T17:47:00.003+08:00

I have 2 DVDs to recycle - Into the Wild & 12 Girls Band.

Let me know if you want both DVDs or just one of them. I intend to mail this over, so if you are ok with fund transferring a token (depending if it is for 1 or 2 DVDs) for postage, pls contact me.

Closing Down My Jewellery Blogshop - Crystals & Gems

2011-03-07T15:46:00.007+08:00

It is with a heavy heart that I decided to close my jewellery blogshop - Crystals & Gems. You see, I am waiting for the arrival of my baby boy and am afraid that I will not be able to keep up caring for him, as well as the blogshop. Hence, the decision to devote most time on him and to let Crystals & Gems sing its swansong.

To my dearest customers - I would like to thank everyone for their support and I would continue selling the available stocks I have until they are out.

To all likeminded jewellery enthusiasts - I have loads of crystals, precious stones and beads left in my inventory. If you are interested, please contact me at my email address and we can discuss how you can take over these inventory at really attractive prices!

Till we meet again...Take care!

Promotion - Benefit Sale Up to 70% off

2011-01-05T16:57:00.006+08:00

Benefit is having a new year sale with up to 70% off!

On top of that, there are the following perks to sweeten the deal:

Get a FREE 2011 planner with any $85 order. Add planner & enter PLAN2011 at checkout
Get FREE US standard shipping with any purchase of $50 or more. Enter promo code PRETTY50 at checkout
Get FREE international standard shipping with any purchase of $115 or more. Enter promo code WORLD115 at checkout
Get two FREE samples with every order
Get Benefit's seasonal catalog FREE... a real page-turner!

So? What are you waiting for?

Recycling: 1 Brand New Green Zipper Pouch - TAKEN

2010-11-29T16:08:00.002+08:00

I have 1 brand new green zipper pouch for recycling. The pouch is green-checker with white tiny daisy design. It measures 13cm by 9cm and is still in its plastic cover.

I intend to mail this over, so if you are ok with fund transferring $1.00 for postage, pls contact me.

Recycling: 1 Brand New Set of 6 X'mas Tealight from Muji - TAKEN

2010-11-29T16:03:00.004+08:00

I have 1 brand new set of 6 X'mas Tealight from Muji. It has 3 red and 3 green tealights and will make a great x'mas gift. It comes with a nice Muji ribbon around it too!

I intend to mail this over, so if you are ok with fund transferring $1.00 for postage, pls contact me.

For Sale: Brand New Antiqued Copper Rotating Earring Display Stand at S$25 - SOLD!

2010-10-07T17:21:00.005+08:00

I have a brand new rotating earring display stand in antiqued copper-plated steel to sell.

It is about 47cm high, with a 19cm by 19cm base. Has 288 holes to hold 144 pair of earrings.

It was bought at close to $35 but I have to let it go as it was too big for my cabinet. I am letting it go at $25.

Pls leave me a comment with your contact details if you are interested. Thanks!

Recycling: 2 Used Foldable Travel Hangers - TAKEN

2010-09-14T14:14:00.005+08:00

I have 2 used foldable travel hangers for recycling. They have been around for quite a while, so they looked kinda dull and old. Nonetheless, they are still very sturdy and would be very useful for travelling.

I intend to mail this over, so if you are ok with fund transfering $0.80 for postage, pls contact me.

Recycling: 1 Nearly Brand New Pre-Inked Stamp (Certified True Copy) - TAKEN

2010-09-13T15:03:00.004+08:00

1 nearly brand new pre-inked stamp in red. The stamp has only been used a few times and are for the words - Certified True Copy.

I intend to mail this over, so if you are ok with fund transfering $0.80 for postage, pls contact me.

Recycling: New & Used Plastic Earring Cards - TAKEN

2010-09-09T08:57:00.005+08:00

I have some new and used plastic earring cards to give away. They also come with plastic holders where you can pack your earrings in to sell if you are handmaking earrings. Take a look at the picture below for details.

I intend to mail this over, so if you are ok with fund transfer of $1.00 for postage, pls contact me.

Recycling: 1 Used Ikea Off-White Remote Control Holder - TAKEN

2010-08-30T09:13:00.004+08:00

I have a used Ikea off-white remote control holder for recycling. Still look fairly new, except for a few faint dirt spots, which probably can go away with some cleaning.

I intend to mail this over, so if you are ok with fund transfer of $1.50 for postage, pls contact me.

Recycling: 4 Brand New Pcs Nutrafin Calcium Turtle Conditioner - TAKEN

2010-08-13T12:04:00.007+08:00

To all terrapin lovers out there, I have 4 brand new pcs of Nutrafin Calcium Turtle Conditioner to give away.

I intend to mail this over, so if you are ok with fund transfering $1 for postage, pls contact me.

Rummage! Bazaar @ *Scape Building, Sunday 8 Aug 2010, 1pm to 10pm

2010-08-04T09:37:00.001+08:00

Something exciting is happening for the National Day Weekend...

My handmade jewellery blogshop - Crystals & Gems would be setting up stall at Rummage! Bazaar @*Scape Building on 8 Aug, from 1pm to 10pm! Come by my stall at no. 42 and enjoy bazaar-exclusive promotions and pieces.

What's even more exciting is - I will be sharing space with Lia from Organised Clutter. So you also get to salivate over her nice papercrafts and altered frames!

So what's not to love... block your diary for 8 Aug 2010, Sun from 1-10pm, ok? Till then, take care, and stay beautiful. See you there!

Recycling: 2 Nearly Brand New Pre-Inked Stamps (PAID & COPY) - TAKEN

2010-07-28T17:41:00.004+08:00

2 nearly brand new pre-inked stamps in red. The stamps have only be used a few times and are for the words - PAID and COPY.

I intend to mail this over, so if you are ok with fund transfering $1 for postage, pls contact me.

Recycling: 1 Used Abacus (D) - TAKEN

2010-07-06T14:24:00.007+08:00

Used abacus measuring 21 cm by 7 cm.

I intend to mail this over, so if you are ok with fund transfering a small token $ for postage, pls contact me. Postage should be not be more than $1.50.

Recycling: 1 Used Abacus (C) - TAKEN

2010-07-06T14:24:00.006+08:00

Used abacus measuring 26 cm by 6.5 cm.

I intend to mail this over, so if you are ok with fund transfering a small token $ for postage, pls contact me. Postage should be not be more than $1.50.

Recycling: 1 Used Abacus (B) - TAKEN

2010-07-06T14:23:00.003+08:00

Used abacus measuring 27 cm by 6 cm.

I intend to mail this over, so if you are ok with fund transfering a small token $ for postage, pls contact me. Postage should be not be more than $1.50.

Recycling: 1 Used Abacus (A) - TAKEN

2010-07-06T14:17:00.006+08:00

Used abacus measuring 27 cm by 8.5 cm.

I intend to mail this over, so if you are ok with fund transfering a small token $ for postage, pls contact me. Postage should be not be more than $1.50.

New Month, New Start - I am on Etsy!

2010-07-01T17:38:00.002+08:00

With the start of a new month of July, I found fun at - Etsy! Etsy is the world's largest handmade market place and you can buy and sell handmade or vintage items, art and supplies there!

I am now officially on Etsy and will add items from my blogshop - Crystals & Gems onto Etsy. I will also be uploading new designs simultaneously on the blog and on Etsy. No worries about deciding where to buy your accessories from. You can get them both here or at Etsy.

However, I would have a special supplies section only in Etsy. So, for those of you who are interested in getting some of the the pretty beads or gems I used in my creations, you gotta head down to Etsy! Also, I will sometimes introduce specials & promotions that might apply only to the blogshop or only to Etsy, so make sure you visit both places to find the best bargains!

Thanks for staying around... I promise there will be more...

See ya soon!

Recycling: 1 Brand New Mousepad With Wrist Cushion In Egg Design - TAKEN

2010-06-21T12:25:00.004+08:00

A brand new mousepad with wrist cushion in a quirky egg design.

I intend to mail this over, so if you are ok with fund transfering a small token $ for postage, pls contact me. Postage should be not be more than $1.50.

Recycling: 1 Brand New Black Retractable Genius Mouse - TAKEN

2010-06-21T12:20:00.005+08:00

A brand new black Genius mouse with retractable USB cable. The mouse is slightly small and fits nicely for ladies' palm. Great for travelling.

I intend to mail this over, so if you are ok with fund transfering a small token $ for postage, pls contact me. Postage should be not be more than $1.50.

Recycling: 1 Brand New Set of Dinner Cutlery - TAKEN

2010-05-30T11:35:00.003+08:00

New, shiny set of dinner cutlery from Royal VKB. Includes a knife, spoon and fork. Contact me to recycle.

Recycling: 1 Brand New Set of 6 Coffee Spoons - TAKEN

2010-05-30T11:32:00.004+08:00

New, nice shiny set of 6 coffee spoons from Royal VKB. Contact me to recycle.

Recycling: 3 Brand New Bottles of DermaVeen Shower & Bath Oil - TAKEN

2010-05-30T11:25:00.004+08:00

Playing my part to save the environment, I have 3 brand new bottles of DermaVeen Shower & Bath Oil to give away. The expiry date for the 3 bottles is Jan 2011, so there is still a good 6 months to go. Contact me if anyone wants this.

Super Short Hair - Should I or Should I Not?

2010-04-26T12:58:00.005+08:00

I have been having bad hair days lately. This mane of mine just seem to take on a life of its own and plays surprises on me. On a good day, it would be extremely tame and sleek. On those bad days, I wished I could seek solace in some faraway planet where I won't be recognised.

Truth is, I have been contemplating chopping off my hair (it is a bit of a bob now) down to those pixie styles that are so IN at the moment. So, it's no surprise that many celebrities have opted for super short bobs and pixie cuts. Aside from being low-maintenance, a short style puts more focus on the face and adds more attitude to their overall look. Check out the celebrities' pictures from Total Beauty. These celebrities make cropped hair look gorgeous ... and tempting too!

I like Paris Hilton's style!

Fantasia! What were you thinking with that crop?

WishingWiffie's Pretty Handmade Pouches

2010-04-23T15:01:00.006+08:00

I have been browsing around extensively on the web to get inspirations for my designs. I must say I am totally amazed at how talented people can be.

I came across this extremely cutsy blogspot selling handmade goodies. To start off, it has an interesting name - Wishingwiffie. It just gives me the feeling of having wings and flying around without a worry in the world. Well, I have not got down to asking Yi Ting, the owner of the blogsite what it means but rest assured that I will do just that.

Well, that said, I must get back to saying how cutesy her designs are. Besides her pretty necklaces and bracelets, she also have cute pouches. Everything are of pretty reasonable prices and I ended up getting a pouch that has designs of planes and rockets on them.

This is the one. Ain't it cute?

Happy - 3 times over!

2010-04-20T21:33:00.009+08:00

Today, I am so so so happy. In fact, I am happy - 3 times over! Let me tell you why:

Happy No. 1

My blog got a major facelift and looks super gorgeous and pretty now! Don't you think so? And the best part? I did this entirely myself using some really cool templates, headers and buttons from the awesome site - ShabbyBlogs.

Megan is the author of ShabbyBlogs and she is absolutely fantastic and extremely creative. There are tons of freebies at her sites and her how-to-do tutorials are so easy to follow! My blog would never have looked so beautiful if not for her. Thanks, Megan!

Happy No. 2

The world is just filled with talented and creative people. When would I become one of them? Anyway, I found this fantastic site - that has lots of cool handwritten fonts you could use. Kevin and Amanda are the geniuses behind this site. They take submitted handwriting samples and turn them into beautiful fonts for all to use. And did I mention... for free? The next great thing is they also have scrapbook fonts for use and yes...absolutely free again.

Happy No. 3

The best part of today - was knowing that a fellow crafter had her project printed into product cards for distribution at scrapbook retail shops!

Lia is the most talented girl I know. She made the gorgeous box frame for my blogshop (see here)... pretty, ain't it? Anyway, a picture speaks a thousand words. Take a look at her project and visit her at Organised Clutter!

I am back!

2010-04-18T21:52:00.007+08:00

After a long 6 months hiatus, I am finally back. You see... I was busy preparing the launch of my blogshop - Crystals & Gems.

Crystals & Gems is an online handcrafted jewellery boutique that offers beautifully designed and handcrafted jewellery. Every design is handfinished by me using stunning Swarovski crystals, precious gemstones and lustrous pearls. Every piece is unique and special...

So now, besides splitting my time between my day job and the blogshop, I also strive to keep this blog as alive as possible. I have some new directions for this blog and will be unrevealing this along the way. So keep reading...

2 Thrrrob Promotions from Benefit Cosmetics

2009-09-17T17:40:00.004+08:00

Christmas must be early! Benefit is launching 2 promotions for their Thrrrob blusher powder. Check it out - note the closing date for orders!

Promotion 1: FREE Thrrrob box powder with order of 2 other box powder

Get a FREE thrrrob box o’ powder when you purchase any two box ‘o powders (CORALista, dallas, dandelion, georgia, hoola, or 10). Enter 2BXOFFER at checkout. Offer valid 17 Sep 09 to 24 Sep 09. Not valid with other offers. Don’t forget to add thrrrob to shopping bag before checkout. While supplies last.

Promotion 2: FREE thrrrob face powder with US$65 order

Get a FREE thrrrob box o’ powder with any $65 order. Enter BOXFOR65 at checkout. Offer valid 17 Sep 09 to 24 Sep 09. Not valid with other offers. Don’t forget to add thrrrob to shopping bag before checkout. While supplies last.

The Ultimate Acne Scar Guide

2009-07-30T13:17:00.004+08:00

Another fantastic ebook on scars. It details the types of scars as well as treatments that would specifically targetted for them.

Interesting read! Download here

Understanding Acne: Causes, Cures & Myths

2009-07-24T18:43:00.005+08:00

Another free ebook I bumped into while reading around on this perpetual problem of mine. Very informational!

Download it free here

Guide To How Beauty Products Work

2009-06-23T12:16:00.005+08:00

Bumped across an interesting read from http://thebeautybrains.com.

It is a free 47 page ebook guide, titled Guide To How Beauty Products Work. It writes about the cosmetic science concepts behind the things we have in our beauty arsenal. The guide explains how 8 different kinds of beauty products work.

I like it as the author, Sarah Bellum writes in a really easy to understand and entertaining style. And it is always good to know more about the stuff we are using…

Download it here http://thebeautybrains.com/downloads/beautybrainsreport1.htm

Dr. Weil’s Anti-Inflammatory Food Pyramid

2009-05-21T18:50:00.005+08:00

Dr Weil? Sounds familiar? Yes... he is the man behind the Plantidote Mega-Mushroom series in Origins. Dr Weil also spent time looking at the topic of anti inflammatory food and has even devised a food pyramid to help guide our diets.

Dr. Weil’s Anti-Inflammatory Food Pyramid - What Is It?

It is a practical eating guide that consumers of all ages can use, with tips on how to reduce risks of age-related diseases and improve overall health through diet.
It is an interactive educational graphic to help today’s families prevent disease while eating well.
It is a simple tool that promotes optimum health and healthy aging by providing dietary advice that addresses inflammation.

“Following an anti-inflammatory diet can help counteract the chronic inflammation that is a root cause of many serious diseases, including those that become more frequent as people age. It is a way of selecting and preparing foods based on science that can help people achieve and maintain optimum health over their lifetime.” - Andrew Weil

What Does An Anti-Inflammatory Diet Do?

The anti-inflammatory diet is a blueprint for a lifetime of optimum nutrition. Simple changes in how you eat can help counteract chronic inflammation, a root cause of many serious diseases, including:

Heart disease
Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases
Age-related disorders, including many cancers
Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus

Anti-Inflammatory Food

2009-05-19T13:20:00.005+08:00

I read briefly that one of acne is that the body is in chronic inflammatory state. Inflammation is good as it is the trigger that helps the body heals. However, if the body is constantly in this inflammatory state, it puts our entire system and skin in hyper mode, which could result in pimples. This is also one of the points arising from Seppo Puusa's first minicourse. Even Dr Andrew Weil talks about the benefits of anti-inflammatory diets.

Before I go deeper in this area of anti-inflammation in future posts. I collated a list of anti-inflammatory food for a start. It is not exhaustive, so it would be a constant quest for the best food to give yourself. I guess it is time we put the 'good' food back into our body. And for once, maybe I will have really clear skin?

Vegetables
Bell Peppers
Bok Choy
Broccoli
Broccoli Sprouts
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Chard
Collards
Fennel Bulb
Garlic
Green Beans
Green Onions/Spring Onions
Kale
Leeks
Olives
Spinach
Sweet potatoes
Turnip Greens

Fruits
Acerola (West Indian) Cherries
Apples
Avocados
Black Currants
Blueberries
Fresh Pineapple
Guavas
Kiwifruit
Kumquats
Lemons
Limes
Mulberries
Oranges
Papaya
Raspberries
Rhubarb
Strawberries
Tomatoes

Herbs & Spices
Basil
Cayenne Peppers/Chilli Peppers
Cinnamon
Cloves
Cocoa (at least 70% cocoa chocolate)
Licorice
Mint
Oregano
Parsley
Rosemary
Thyme
Turmeric

Nuts & Seeds
Almonds
Flaxseed/Linseed
Hazelnuts
Sunflower Seeds
Walnuts

Fish
Cod
Halibut
Herring
Oysters
Rainbow Trout
Salmon
Sardines
Snapper Fish
Striped Bass
Tuna
Whitefish

Drinks
Green Tea

Oils
Avocado Oil
Extra Virgin Olive Oil

You Are What You Eat - Healthy Diet For Neck Pain

2009-05-18T22:26:00.004+08:00

(Another insightful article from EverydayHealth.com. Diet and inflammatory food could just be the key to pain management, or even skin conditions?)

The right foods can support the health of the bones, nerves, and connective tissues in your neck. An anti-inflammatory diet may help you avoid diseases like arthritis that can cause neck pain.

Your neck is made up of seven bones called vertebrae that are separated by shock-absorbing cushions called disks. This flexible, gently curved column that holds up your head requires an interconnected support system of muscles, tendons, and nerves. It's no wonder that injury, stress, and the wear and tear of years of activity can result in neck pain.

There is no miracle food or nutrient that can provide neck pain relief, but anything you can do to support the health of the bones, nerves, and connective tissues that make up your neck can help. Researchers who study bone and joint health are learning more about the important role that diet plays in diseases like arthritis and in the process of inflammation.

Diet and Neck Pain Relief: What to Eat

Nature has provided us with wonderful nutrients that promote good skeletal health; science also has contributed.

Omega-3 fatty acids. These acids, found in cold-water fish such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines, can actually lower inflammatory chemicals in your body. If you don't like to eat fish, you can take a fish oil supplement. You can also get some omega-3 from flax seeds, walnuts, and leafy green vegetables.

Antioxidants and fiber. You should try to have five servings of vegetables every day, and two to four servings of fruit. These foods are high in fiber and anti-inflammatory antioxidants. Recent studies have shown that fiber, which you can get from beans and grains as well as fruits and vegetables, lowers an indicator of inflammation in your blood called C-reactive protein. One study found that men who ate more fruits and vegetables could lower their C-reactive protein levels by one-third.

Calcium and vitamin D. Since neck pain can be caused by wear and tear of the vertebrae in your neck, it makes sense to keep your bones as healthy as possible, so calcium should be an important part of your nutrition plan. You will also need vitamin D to absorb the calcium you take in. Recommendations for an average adult are 1,000 to 1,500 milligrams of calcium and 400 to 800 IU of vitamin D each day. Many foods are fortified with calcium and vitamin D. Read the nutrition facts panel on your food labels.

Magnesium. Doctors are increasingly recognizing the value of magnesium in skeletal health. If you are not getting enough magnesium, you may be more susceptible to neck pain, muscle tension, and muscle soreness. Magnesium is an essential mineral needed for contraction and relaxation of your muscles. It can be found in fruits and vegetables, nuts, beans, soy, and whole grains. The recommended daily requirement for magnesium for an is about 400 mg for adult males and 320 mg for adult females.

Water. Not getting enough fluids into your body can be a cause of muscle pain. When the body is dehydrated (a condition in which you are losing more water than you are taking in) it can result in an imbalance of the electrolytes and minerals that you need for normal muscle and nerve function

Diet and Neck Pain Relief: What to Avoid

An excellent way to help attain neck pain relief is by reducing the types of foods that cause inflammation.

Arachidonic acid and other saturated fats found in meat and dairy products are building blocks for your body's inflammatory response. So, to reduce inflammation, you'll want to reduce your consumption of meats and high-fat dairy products like butter and cream.

Most processed foods are also high in these fats. Instead of these pro-inflammatory foods, you can substitute other sources of proteins such as: Fish, nuts and beans

You should also know that alcohol and smoking can affect bone health. Alcohol can cause you to lose calcium and magnesium in your urine, and cigarette smoke is damaging to your bones.

Doctors are increasingly recognizing the importance of nutrition in maintaining skeletal health. If you have been suffering with neck pain, get going with a diet that fights inflammation and promotes healthy bones and muscles.

Stopping the Signs of Aging Skin

2009-05-16T10:36:00.004+08:00

(Another great article from EverydayHealth.com)

Stopping the Signs of Aging Skin
As with most other health issues, you can do a lot to protect yourself when it comes to the your skin health. Learn why sun damage is the real enemy, and how to guard against it.

By Chris Iliades, MD
Medically reviewed by Christine Wilmsen Craig, MD

Just like the rest of your body, your skin ages over time. But much of the visible surface damage, like dryness and lines, comes as a result of sun exposure, which you can protect yourself from. More good news: It’s possible to ease some of these signs of aging in your skin with simple prescription creams.

Aging Skin: Causes and Effects

A variety of factors are to blame for the typical signs of aging skin. These can include:

Sun exposure. "Take a woman with the skin changes that we associate with aging — wrinkles, dryness, age spots — and look at the skin under her arm. That skin is likely to be smooth and clear. The difference is sun exposure," says Steve Feldman, MD, PhD, professor of dermatology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, NC.

Called photodamage, the effects of sun exposure on your skin are caused by ultraviolet light, and the lighter your complexion, the worse the damage is likely to be. Over time, even a small amount of unprotected sun exposure each day can cause:

Age spots. Also called solar lentigines, or liver spots, these dark patches of skin are caused by sun damage. Bigger than freckles, age spots are more common in women with lighter complexions.
Spidery veins. As skin ages, especially with sun exposure, you become more prone to the eruption of small blood vessels near the surface of your skin called telangiectasias.
Leathery texture and dry scaly patches, or actinic keratoses. Aging skin does not retain moisture well. This is due partly to the loss of sweat and oil glands, but sun exposure will also make your skin dry.
Gravity and the aging body. A different process causes aging signs like the folds and furrows of sagging skin. Even before you turn 30, the production of collagen and elastin in your body begins to slow down. Collagen is the protein that gives your skin its fullness and elastin is the protein that gives it bounce and elasticity. The effects of gravity and years of making facial expressions begin to leave deep lines and furrows on your skin. (This is why your mother probably told you not to frown.) A prime example is the so-called nasolabial fold that goes from the corner of the nose to the outer corner of the lip on either side of your face. While fillers like Botox can temporarily plump a frown line, deep folds can only be removed by redraping the skin through cosmetic surgery.

The estrogen effect. The biggest difference between men and women's skin comes from the female hormone estrogen. As women get older their estrogen levels fall, and studies show that the loss of estrogen can cause dryness, shrinking, and fine wrinkles.

Smoking. Repeated squinting from smoke helps create a network of fine lines around the eyes, and smoking may also rob skin of nutrients, notably elastin.

Aging Skin: Prevention and Treatment

Your skin does have some ability to repair itself, so no matter your age, it's important to do everything you can to prevent further damage.

DO:

Use sunscreen every day. If you are going to be in the sun, lather on sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. For everyday protection, choose a moisturizer and/or foundation with an SPF. "The best thing any woman can do for her skin is to use a moisturizer with sunscreen and wear a broad-brimmed hat outside," says Dr. Feldman.
Use a rich moisturizer. By keeping the top layer of skin moist, a moisturizer gives you a better base for makeup and prevents the dryness and flaking that can make skin look older.
Use a prescription vitamin A cream. The prescription cream tretinoin, a vitamin A formulation, has been approved by the FDA to treat fine wrinkles, roughness, and age spots due to sun damage and aging skin. Tretinoin (Renova, Retin-A Micro) should be used sparingly to avoid irritation; you can relieve any dryness with a moisturizing cream. Because tretinoin accelerates skin turnover, you must protect new skin with sunscreen. (Over-the-counter formulas with other forms of vitamin A, like retinol, do not have the same effect as tretinoin.)
Use alpha-hydroxy acids. In concentrations of less than 10 percent, skin care products with these naturally-occurring acids are sold over the counter in creams and lotions. Some studies show they may reduce fine wrinkles.
Use hydroquinone. Skin bleaching products containing hydroquinone may be effective in lightening age spots.

DON’T:

Expose unprotected skin to the sun. Make up for the vitamin D you’ll be missing with fortified foods or ask your doctor about supplements.
Use tanning beds or sunlamps. These aren’t the “safe” tanning alternative they’re often touted as, and their ultraviolet light can still harm skin.
Smoke. Cigarette smoking can damage skin and cause wrinkles.

Aging Skin: At the Dermatologist

A dermatologist can help determine if you are a candidate for tretinoin or in-office treatments like deeper skin peels to remove damaged layers of skin, or laser removal of spider veins. But the most important reason for a yearly visit to your dermatologist is to do a skin cancer check.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States and is mainly caused by sun exposure. Rates of malignant melanoma, its most deadly form, are increasing among women. According to the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, the rate of melanoma in U.S. women between the ages of 15 to 39 more than doubled between 1973 and 2004.

"Any time you have a change in a freckle or a mole or a suspicious new skin growth you should see a dermatologist. Watch out for skin growths that bleed and don't heal," urges Feldman.

Protecting against skin cancers is arguably the greatest benefit of sunscreen, after its anti-aging properties. For both these reasons, Feldman says, “Women should know that the best thing they can do for their skin is protect it from the sun.”

Acne 101 - Introduction

2009-05-15T13:33:00.007+08:00

I am back in battle with my acne breakouts again. Had been reading around and came across this free (yes! free!) minicourse at http://www.natural-acne-solution.com/ by Seppo Puusa

It comes in 7 weekly installments. Here is the first one to share. I always think free stuff are crap and just a ploy to get you to enter your email address so they can spam it in the future. However, this one does make a lot of sense. Go download and read... it's free anyway. Happy reading!

Download free lesson here http://natural-acne-solution.com/support-files/acne101-intro.pdf

Seppo also has an ebook - Clear For Life , that builds depth on top of the free lesson. Click here to see.

Adult Acne - The Frustrating Problem

2009-05-10T12:27:00.003+08:00

I just turned 30 and was ready to embrace the next new chapter in my life. But this is not to be so...not when a flare of adult acne comes in a seemingly mocking way to congratulate me on my life's next chapter. It is extremely frustrating, embarrassing, depressing... just about any sad words you can think about.

To seek solace, I had been reading up loads on this... here's to share one enlightening article form EverydayHealth.com. It is really genetics... when you get acne, how many, how bad, and when it would end.... When would mine end?

Adult Acne
Not just for teens: how to handle this frustrating adult problem.

A common problem in adolescence, acne may appear for the first time or worsen in midlife for reasons not fully understood. Hormonal fluctuations associated with menstruation and menopause make women more susceptible to adult acne.

Acne is generally attributed to an excess of male hormones known as androgens. Androgens stimulate the production of oily, waxy sebum by sebaceous glands in the dermis associated with acne. Overproduction of sebum may lead to blocked pores in the skin and a rapid growth of normal skin bacteria.

Symptoms of adult acne:
- Whiteheads (closed, plugged oil glands)
- Blackheads (open, plugged oil glands)
- Pustules (swollen red bumps), sometimes filled with pus

Treating Adult Acne

Several effective treatments for acne are available. If you have mild acne that's not inflamed, treatment with a nonprescription cream or lotion that contains benzoyl peroxide will help keep pores open and inhibit bacterial growth. Salicylic acid and sulfur in nonprescription lotions, creams, or gels can't prevent new eruptions, but they can cause existing ones to dry and peel. Topical antibiotics — erythromycin, clindamycin, and others — kill bacteria and are available with a prescription. So are oral antibiotics, which are even more effective. Both kill Propionibacterium acnes, the bacterium involved in the development of acne.

Retinoids, available by prescription, are derived from vitamin A and are a common and useful acne treatment. They cause several changes in skin cells that reduce the formation of pimples. Retinoids are especially effective when used with antimicrobial drugs — either antibiotics or benzoyl peroxide. Using a retinoid and an antimicrobial agent works better than using either drug alone. Tretinoin (Retin-A) is the retinoid most commonly used for treating acne, but it can irritate your skin. A microencapsulated form of tretinoin is less irritating. Tretinoin and two similar drugs, adapalene and tazarotene, are available only by prescription. Another treatment is azelaic acid, an antibacterial agent for mild or moderate acne.

The most powerful retinoid is isotretinoin (Accutane), which you take orally rather than apply topically like tretinoin. Isotretinoin is very effective for severe acne, but has some side effects, such as dry skin and chapped lips. Less common side effects are increased sun sensitivity, muscle and joint aches, headache, hair thinning, and impaired night vision. The drug is known to cause severe birth defects and must not be taken during pregnancy. A few patients taking isotretinoin have developed psychiatric problems including depression and, more rarely, suicidal behavior. As a safeguard, the federal government placed further restrictions on isotretinoin prescriptions. Doctors must register each patient in a national database and see the patient monthly, renewing the registration with each office visit.

Many women — up to 60 percent, according to the American Academy of Dermatology — show no response to routine acne treatment or find that their medications become ineffective over time. Because of this, isotretinoin has become a more common option, despite its drawbacks. The same is true for hormonal treatments. Estrogen-dominant oral contraceptives often are effective in treating adult women with acne. The combined estrogen and progestin that they contain decrease androgen levels. Undesirable effects include nausea, headache, and breast tenderness, but oral contraceptives may help decrease bone loss and lower the risk for ovarian and colorectal cancers. The anti-androgen drug spironolactone may be added if oral contraceptives alone are not effective.

Women with hypertension or a history of stroke, blood clots, breast or uterine cancer, or who still smoke after age 35 should not use oral contraceptives. Alternatives include spironolactone, used with antibiotics or by itself. Light and laser treatments are also useful for treating acne and acne scars.

Habits That Sabotage Your Skin

2009-05-08T15:10:00.005+08:00

(A good read from EverydayHealth.com. Everyone should know what they are doing right or wrong to their skin)

If your skin is dry and itchy despite your best efforts, your everyday habits may be to blame.

You moisturize after every shower, use a humidifier in your bedroom at night, and eat healthfully — yet your skin still feels dry, tight, and itchy. Before you make an appointment with your dermatologist, check to see whether you’re guilty of one or more of the following habits that aggravate dry skin.

Dry skin saboteur #1:
Taking long, hot showers Hot water strips your skin of the natural lipids — cholesterol, fatty acids, and ceramides — that provide a watertight seal around cells. This disturbs the skin’s barrier and causes water to evaporate, says Leslie Baumann, MD, director of the University of Miami’s Cosmetic Medicine and Research Institute. A reduction in lipids causes skin to feel dry and itchy. Limit showers to no more than 10 to 15 minutes, and use warm — not hot — water, suggests Doris Day, MD, a New York City–based dermatologist. The same rules apply for taking a bath: Keep bathing time short, and use warm water. When washing your face and hands, use warm or lukewarm water.

Dry skin saboteur #2:
Using deodorant soaps Cleansers such as deodorant soaps and foaming face washes contain detergents that, like hot water, remove lipids from the skin and damage its barrier. Not only does this allow water to evaporate from the skin, but it lets irritants such as sodium lauryl sulfate (a common detergent) enter skin cells and cause inflammation. Because shampoo may also contain this irritating ingredient, it’s best to shampoo first, then wash your face and body to remove any traces of it. Also potentially harmful to skin are alcohol- and water-based cleansers, bubble baths, and heavily fragranced soaps. More soothing options are oil-based, unscented mild soaps and body washes.

Dry skin saboteur #3:
Rigorously toweling off after your shower Aggressively rubbing a towel on your skin causes friction that can irritate it. Instead, pat skin dry. Immediately apply a moisturizer while your skin is still damp to lock in moisture.

Dry skin saboteur #4:
Using an overly aggressive facial peel A peel — whether it's an at-home glycolic acid peel or a spa treatment — is beneficial because it removes the top layer of skin, which allows moisturizers to penetrate more readily. What isn’t good is using a peel that is too potent on skin already irritated by wind or cold. Opt for a more soothing oxygen facial, or try a moisturizing mask in colder months, suggests Marina I. Peredo, MD, FAAD, a dermatologist practicing in Smithtown, New York.

Dry skin saboteur #5:
Forgoing sunscreen in the winter Nothing is as damaging and drying to skin as sunburn, and UVA rays are the same year-round, says Dr. Day. It’s especially important to wear sunscreen when skiing because the sun’s rays are more intense at higher altitudes. An SPF 15 lotion is typically fine in the winter, but check the label to make sure it contains UVA/UVB protection or is a broad-spectrum sunscreen.

In addition to these common saboteurs, certain medications and medical conditions, such as diabetes, can cause dry skin. If you think a particular medical condition, or any medications, could be causing your skin to dry out, speak with your doctor.

My Beauty Wishlist

2009-03-12T17:25:00.015+08:00

Work had been crazy for the past one week. I broke my personal record of working overtime... I worked till 3am on one crazy day. The rest of the days - I was averaging at least a 13hr workday. Well, on the brighter side of things, the whole team was working hard together, so it makes the inhumane late nights a little more bearable. Then, we knew it was going to be a sprint, so we worked really hard, knowing that this would be over soon.

So now, things have died down a little (of course, emergencies could happen anytime). I have a bit of me-time and realised I have not posted in a while. With brain cells severely depleted over the past one week, I was wondering what to post. Anyway, since I had shared in my previous post what I had in my beauty armory, I realised it is most befitting to share my wishlist!

Firstly, I am eternally in search of that miracle formula to solve my 3 key skin problems:

1. Dark eye circles
2 Large pores
3. Dark spots and acne marks

So whenever I see newly launched products in magazines or at beauty counters, I would have that urge to buy it, try it, praying that this would be THE product that will rid me of the abovementioned problems.

However, there is only one face I could use those products on, I would just have to keep adding these products to my wishlist and eventually get down to trying them when I have finished the existing ones.

Would be kinda fun running through the list and strike it off once I get my hands on it. I think this should also be a great post to send to the husband. I would not mind surprises, would you?

For dark eye circles

> Lancome BLANC EXPERT NeuroWhite X³ EYE CREAM Ultimate Whitening Anti-Dark Circle Eye Treatment

For large pores

> Lancome LA Pore Expert 3D-Collagen Cx

> Clarins Pore Minimizing Serum

For dark spots and acne marks

> SKII Whitening Source Derm-Definition (going to get this next when my Biotherm White Detox is finished!)

> Lancome BLANC EXPERT Neuro-White X³ SPOT ERASER High Potency Whitening Spot
Eraser

> Clarins Whitening Plus HP All Spots Whitening Corrector

Products In My Beauty Armory

2009-03-02T21:33:00.008+08:00

I saw this from Tine at Beautyaholics, who got it from Nikki at AskMeWhats. I think this would be a fun exercise to do, as well as to share some interesting products.

Here’s my list of products. Feels kinda like a journey of self-realisation - I didn’t think I am using that many products till I started listing them out one by one! And I seem to have something for every known skin problem I have!

In the shower

Shampoo: Sebastian Laminates Shampoo for rebonded hair (The shampoo and conditioner were the leftover stock from my rebonded hair days. But, my stylist says I can still use if for regular hair as it would keep it tamer, since I got rather wild hair when left unrebonded!)

Conditioner: Sebastian Laminates Conditioner for rebonded hair

Shower Gel: Nature Path Body Wash (Anti-Bacterial)

Body moisturizer: Anti-water retention and cellulite cream from the beauty salon I patronise

Body powder: Snake Brand Prickly Heat Powder

Fake Tan: No need tan, I like myself fair

On my face

Cleanser: Ionax Scrub in Lemon Scent by Galderma (this is not your regular scrub and it is gentle enough for daily use and is best for oily skin and with comedones. It leaves a residual, cationic antibacterial on the skin to help prevent more outbreak and irritating comedones)

Makeup remover: Kose Sekkisho Cleansing Oil

Exfoliator: L'Occitane Almond Apple Sweet Peel or Kose Sekkisho Perfect Clear Gel (Purifying Gel Scrub) (used once or twice a week interchangeably)

Toner: Helichrysum Hydrosol and Mira B’lia Detox Toner

Acne/Pimple Treatment: Clindagel (for morning) and Dalacin T and Differin (both for night)

Acne Spot Treatment: Retin-A Cream or Nixoderm

Dark Marks Treatment: Eldopaque Forte Skin Bleaching Cream with Sunblock

Dark Spots on Cheeks: Biotherm White Detox Botanicalyzer (finishing soon and I would be trying SKII’s Dermdefinition to see if it is worth the raves)

Eyes: Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Eye Treatment

Pore Minimising: Clinique Pore Minimiser Refining Serum

Moisturiser: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Fluide (for morning) and Renew Rose Hip Oil (for night)

Sunblock: Cream from beauty salon

Masks: Kose Sekkisho Mask White or Collins Paris Native Collagen Gel or Neutrogena Deep Hydrating Mask

For make up

Foundation/Base: Etude House BB Magic Fresh Cool Mousse SPF 30

Foundation brush: No brush, just my fingers to blend

Concealer: Benefit Erase Paste and Benefit Powderflage Powder Concealer and Shiseido Concealer Stick

Powder: No using any powder (but have eyes on SKII’s loose powder or Benefit’s Bluff Dust)

Blusher: Bobbi Brown Nectar and Benefit Dandelion (my new love! also starting to develop love for the new Coralista, Thrrob and Georgia)

Eyeshadows: Am not adventurous over here. Don’t really use eyeshadows. Just use those in my Lancome Travel Palette

Eyelash curler: A cheap but good one from Daiso

Mascara: Benefit BadGal Lash in Blue

Lipstick: Don’t use lipstick

Lipgloss: Benefit Pocket Pal and Dior lip gloss

Wow! I can’t believe I have so many products in my armory. If anyone like to know more about any of the above products I use, drop me a comment and I could write a little more about it.

Anyone having as much products in their own beauty armory?

Free Samples from Everyday Minerals Have Arrived!

2009-02-25T22:15:00.006+08:00

After hearing so much about mineral makeup and their benefits, I have finally jumped onto the mineral makeup bandwagon! I learnt about mineral makeup brands offering free samples from Vivawoman and decided to give it a try at Everyday Minerals. And they have arrived! Yay!

Real steal for small shipping charge

I ordered the free sample kit from Everyday Minerals and all I had to pay was shipping charge of US$4.55. I get 3 foundation powder, a blusher and a concealer. I thought it was a real steal for just the shipping charge as the sample sizes could possibly go a long way. The good thing is also that you can order endless sample kits as the key to finding the perfect mineral blend for your skin shade is to try, try and try.

What came in my sample kit were:

1. Olive - Golden Medium (Matte)
2. Buff - Beige Neutral (Original Glo)
3. Beige - Medium Beige Neutral (Matte)
4. Salon Fun - Blusher
5. Multi-Tasking Concealer

I will follow up with updates on how my samples are going. So stay tuned!

Promotion: Free Brush With Purchase of 2 Benefit Blusher

2009-02-24T13:19:00.003+08:00

Benefit is giving away a free brush for every purchase of 2 blushers. Choose either the fantail or the slant powder brush. Enter code FANBRUSH for the fantail or POWDERBR for the slant brush. The offer is from 23 Feb 09 to 2nd Mar 09.

My Valentines’ Day Surprise

2009-02-18T13:02:00.006+08:00

Sorry for the radio silence for the past couple of days. I hope everyone had a fantastic Valentines’ Day?

Pleasant surprise

Well, I had a really pleasant surprise on V-day itself. If you had read my previous post on 13 Feb, I was wondering aloud which part of the world my Benefit cosmetics are after ordering them a full 2 weeks before (on 30 Jan).

Lo and behold! The package arrived right on V-day itself. Imagine my surprise and elation!

The following came in the package:

- Eraste Paste concealer (colour 2, medium)
- Powderflage powder concealer
- Pocketpal
- Dandelion blusher
- Badgal Blue mascara (came free with orders above US$35)
- Sample size of erase paste (colour 1)

First impression

Pending full reviews, first impression from the products is definitely pleasing. They have quirky names and great product packaging. Also, Benefit kept their promise of the the free Badgal Blue mascara as my orders came above $35. Bravo!

Can’t figure it out

However, I am a little disappointed with the samples. They had promised on their site that I would get 2 free samples (I was seriously looking forward to the samples so I know which other products to buy next). But, I only got one sample and it was for Eraste Paste! I found it puzzling that I should get a sample for Eraste Paste when I had already purchased the full size product. And the paste was in a different shade, meaning I can't use it. Duh!!!

I wrote to them and excerpt of their replies on samples below:

“We apologize that you did not receive your samples. We normally do include samples with every order placed on benefitcosmetics.com. However, the samples
are subject to availability, so if the fulfillment center does not have any samples then they are not able to include them with your order”

It was really a big dampener as I was hoping for better customer service, like offering me another sample or freebie in my next purchase as a token of apology. Maybe I hoped for too much.

Anyway, I am enjoying the products right now and will follow up with full reviews in time to come. Keep reading!

Promotion: Benefit Valentines’ Day Special – 14% off all orders

2009-02-13T16:54:00.002+08:00

This came into my inbox and I had to spread the love to all my readers out there.

In celebration of Valentines’ Day, Benefit is offering a 14% discount off all orders from 13 Feb 09 to 15 Feb 09. Just type in code BEMINE09 to enjoy this offer. Don’t forget to combine it with other free shipping codes as well - WORLD115 (free international shipping for orders above US$115) or PRETTY50 (free standard US shipping for orders above US$50) to bring down your total charge.

Oh, the free BADgal Blue mascara and free samples still stand with every order!

(P/S: I am still waiting for my order since 30 Jan. What's taking them so long? I wonder which part of the world my Benefit cosmetics are right now?)

Happy Valentines' Day - The Fruit Of Love

2009-02-13T13:32:00.009+08:00

Valentines’ Day is round the corner. The air oozes with love but do you know what the fruit of love is?

Well, quince is the fruit of love! What is quince, you might ask? I have not heard nor seen any before, but it does look very much like and apple and possibly a pear. According to my search result:

"It is believed that the quince long preceded the apple, and that many ancient references to apples were, in fact, references to quince, including the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. Greek mythology associates the quince with Aphrodite, the goddess of love, and many believe that the golden apple given to her by Paris was a quince.

Ancient Greeks associated the quince with fertility, and it played an important role in wedding celebrations where it was offered as a gift, used to sweeten the bride's breath before entering the bridal chamber, and shared by bride and groom. These associations have resulted in the quince becoming known as the "fruit of love, marriage, and fertility."

If it was up to me, I would say grapes should be the fruit of love. With their antioxidant contents making sure free radicals stay away, I would say they are my greatest love, of course, only after my Prince Charming.

So, to all readers, grab a quince, if not, an apple or just about any of your favourite food. Load the vitamin C and have a Happy Valentines’ Day!

The Good Of Grapes

2009-02-12T13:37:00.004+08:00

It’s mid-week today and I realized I had not been eating too healthily for the week. So let’s talk health-eating today. How about grapes? I love grapes, especially the red crunchy ones. I did not realize how great these little wonders were until I read about them in an article at RealAge.com.

Grapes contain great nutrients

Besides the very common knowledge that grapes are good source of antioxidant, they also contain 2 particularly effective chemicals - pterostilbene and resveratrol. They are phenolic compounds found mainly in grape skins (so remember to eat grapes with their skin!). These 2 chemicals that work as a cleanup crew, mopping up nasty free radicals in your body so they're less likely to cause problems such as heart disease and cancer.

From Wikipedia – “Pterostilbene is a stilbenoid chemically related to resveratrol. It is thought to be the key compound found predominantly in blueberries as well as grapes) that exhibit anti-cancer, anti-hypercholesterolemia, anti-hypertriglyceridemia properties, as well as fight off and reverse cognitive decline. It is believed that the compound also has anti-diabetic properties, but so far very little has been studied on this issue. Additionally, it is also touted as a potent anti-fungal”

Also, the resveratrol in grapes has heart-protective properties, regardless of its effect on cancer. Grapes also have anthocyanins, which attack disease-fostering inflammation, and vitamin C.

Grape juice as a wine substitute

We all know that having extra antioxidant in our blood is good for us. They help guard our cells against the free-radical damage that could increase the occurrence of diseases. Wine, derived from bountiful of grapes, is touted to provide such heart-healthy benefits.

However, to avoid getting tipsy from wine but still derive all the wonderful benefits, grape juice is a great substitute. Research shows that our blood will get two important benefits from the juice - more antioxidants circulating in it and more stable bad LDL cholesterol causing less trouble in our body.

The catch is that grape juice has fewer antioxidants than wine, so we may need to drink more to get the same benefit. But do remember to sip real juice, not fruit-flavored drinks, as the latter is only glorified sugar syrup – you want more nutrients and less sugar. Remember to watch the intake as too much grape juice can also tip the calorie counter!

Otherwise, do something special – like a grape dish. RealAge has this fantastic recipe for Chicken Cutlets with Grape-Shallot Sauce.

Promotion: Free US Shipping On Benefit's New Spring 2009 Colours

2009-02-11T13:09:00.008+08:00

Benefit's new spring 2009 colours are out! Not only are the colours sweet as usual, the names are just as quirky and fun! The New Spring 2009 colours featured include 3 eyeshadow shades and lipstick colours each:

Eyeshadows - Flying down to... (orchard shimmer); Sippin' n dippin' (peach parfait); Samba-dy loves me (golden fawn)

Here's what Benefit says about their new eyeshadow shades - "These three new shades have just the right amount of soft shimmer... so all eyes will be on you!...Blendable, beautiful... this do-it-all shadow lines, shades, and contours your eyes with a lovely crease-proof, smudge-proof formula. Mix & match... layer on for the desired depth... go as sheer or as dramatic as you like with buildable color."

Lipsticks - Thrillin' brazilian (spiced chai); Lady's choice (naturally nude); Passionista (rich garnet)

And here's for the lipstick shades - "These new full-finish shades are "full-on, full-out, full-of-themselves" gorgeous! Glide on to look instantly primped & put-together. With such rich, seductive lips, a little mascara is all you need."

For this new range, there is a free US shipping for purchase of any of the featured products in the advertisement above. Just key in SPRING09 at the checkout. This offer is valid from 10 Feb 09 till 17 Feb 09. So there is plenty of time to order some nice valentines' present for yourself or loved ones.

On top of this, you can still get a free full sized BADgal Blue with every US$35 purchase. There is no promo code required, as the product would be automatically shipped with the order. Oh, as usual, there are also 2 free samples that Benefit throws in for every order.

Go order and dazzle someone with the new shades!

Review: Helichrysum Hydrosol

2009-02-10T13:18:00.005+08:00

Pros: Heals pimples, lighten dark marks, curb skin redness, reduces pore size (seems to be happening to me)

Cons: Unique scent (ok with me but might not agree with everyone)

I was first acquainted to hydrosols while reading a post on Vivawoman about the benefits. Hydrosols or distillates or floral waters which they are also called are the natural "plant waters" (which gives the name floral waters) that are produced during steam distillation or hydro-distillation of essential oil production. Hence, in the steam distillation process of producing lavender essential oil from lavender flowers, you get lavender hydrosols.

Until recently, distillate water was considered the by-product of essential oil production and was discarded. However, as they became recognized for their own inherent characteristics and qualities, this water was kept for their natural uses. Hydrosols typically represent the water-soluble constituents of the plant or flower with some volatile components such as the essential oils. Since the hydrosol is produced during the distillation process, it may contain varying amounts of essential oil and hence the oil’s benefits as well.

I have been using the helichrysum hydrosol for about 2 months now and it is absolutely fantastic. No doubt about it. It really does what it says it can do. I used to have redness on my lower face, and with just a week’s use of the hydrosol after shower, it has been tamed. On Yours Essentially website, where I bought my first helichrysum hydrosol, they highlighted that:

“One of our most sought-after hydrosol despite its debatable aroma! Helichrysum is a healing hydrosol for inflammation, lymph acne problem, acne scars, swelling, bruises, aches and pains. It is a must-have for post surgical recuperation and scar healing. It is hydrating as a toner and appropriate even for sensitive skin”

Some other good things that helichrysum hydrosol does is:

1. Helps with bruises, wounds, scars and prevention
2. Heals the skin and is anti-inflammation
3. Clear acne, blemish and combat oily skin
4. Is a strong anti-hematoma (hence helps in reducing the dark marks from old pimples).

And guess what? Helichrysum is actually the immortelle flower, also known as the everlasting flower. Actually, this is the key product in L’Occitane’s Immortelle Range! Doesn’t this give you an extra boost of confidence in the hydrosol’s effectiveness?

Anyway, I bought my second bottle from Whoopeekiddies, which is much cheaper (ladies, take note!) and might try out the other hydrosols to see the other effects. Let me know if you are using other hydrosols so we can exchange pointers on what else is good out there!

Dry Brushing Is Good For You

2009-02-09T13:16:00.007+08:00

As it name suggests, dry brushing involves using a dry bristle brush to brush over your body. It is recommended by holistic practitioners to remove dead skin cells, improve the circulation of blood and lymph, and enhance detoxification through skin. Dry brushing is a way to stimulate all the organs of detoxification including the skin, gut, kidneys, liver, lungs, lymphatic system, and mucous membranes because it provides a gentle internal massage. The gentle pressure of the brushing is also thought to have a calming effect.

There are plenty of benefits for dry brushing. Just to list a few:

1. Removes cellulite
(my worst enemy, which is why I had to be hardworking on the brushing)
2. Cleanses the lymphatic system
(aids the removal of toxins – the culprit for tiredness and lethargy and all kinds of sickness)

3. Removes dead skin layers
(you get nice, smooth, shiny skin from brushing, that you save on body scrubs!)

4. Strengthens the immune system
(you fall sick less often, and save on doctor’s bill)

5. Stimulates the hormone and oil-producing glands
(the right hormones give you the nice pink healthy flush on the face, you want that!)

6. Tightens the skin preventing premature aging
(what more can I say, who doesn’t want tighter, firmer skin)

7. Tones the muscles
(no more jiggling after I stop waving)

8. Stimulates circulation
(your blood flows better, your energy flows better)

I started my daily ritual of dry brushing about half a year ago, after hearing about the benefits of dry brushing from my masseur. So intrigued I am about the benefits of dry brushing, that I bought a brush from her. It was not a cheap brush, mind you, costing about S$45 but I was assured that it is top quality bristles. Since this is going to be in direct contact with my skin, I had to be sure that it is of good quality. However, the brush used typically would be a long-handled bath brush with soft, natural fiber bristles. Other options would include exfoliating gloves, a loofah sponge or even raw-silk gloves. However, the advantage of the long-handled brush over the other options is that body parts not accessible by arm-reach can be reached by the long handle brush.

It is recommended that you start the day with a dry brushing session, prior to your morning shower. I do that and it does not add more than 5-10 min of time. I treat it as a nice me-time, doing something beneficial for my body. The dry brushing helps to shed the dead skin, and you can wash off during the shower and moisturize afterwards. Use long brisk strokes starting from the feet towards the heart. Always remember to stroke towards the heart to accelerate the disposal of toxins through the lymph system. I felt invigorated in the mornings after the dry brushing and I definitely feel more awake and alert. There is a vast difference during the days where I had to skip the dry brushing, I feel generally lethargic and sleepy.

Point to note, physical improvement would take a few months to show long term effects. Nonetheless, you get instant a clearer mind and boosted spirit from a quick morning session. What a wonderful way to start the day!

Review: Etude House Fresh Cool BB Mousse SPF30 PA++

2009-02-06T11:29:00.010+08:00

Pros: Pleasant scent, medium coverage, sun protection of SPF 30, smooth blending, water-based mousse, nice sized packaging, cool neat mousse dispenser, one shade that adapts to skin tone (no hassle of finding the right foundation shade), cheap (only if purchased in Korea)

Cons: Not available in Singapore (available in KL and Bangkok), cheap only if purchased in Korea, can’t see when product is finishing, (update 11 Feb: I forgot to say that I hate the messy fingers I get from applying the mousse. No thanks to its watery nature. Anyway, no perfect world out there - I am still loving my mousse!)

Having heard some much raves about BB creams and their wonders, I am finally officiated into the BB cream fraternity when I my pal, Regina came back from Korea and bought me this BB Mousse. She had tried several brands of BB creams before this but she swears by mousse now.

I don’t see a lot of mousse form BB creams in the market, and I believe Etude House is one of pioneer of such mousse form BB creams. It is really fantastic, and I am now a total covert.

Pleasant scent, medium coverage, sun protection

First of all, the mousse delights with a faint floral scent, so this makes me look forward to using it everyday. The mousse comes out nice and smooth and one pump is sufficient to provide a light to medium coverage that can last a day. I usually only do one pump and blend it well (which is not tough as it goes on smooth). Then, I dot on concealer to cover the pimple marks and I am good to go. If I want a fuller coverage, I just blend on another layer and I would have flawless-looking skin. Its sun protection is an additional plus. Since this is usually my last step after my usual sun screen, I feel like I am extra protected!

Mousse form, water based, blends smooth, adapts to skin tone

Like what it name suggests, first contact of the mousse to your skin is cool and light. As it is water-based, there is no heavy, sticky feeling on application. You don't need a foundation brush to blend as your fingers will do just fine. There is only one shade for the mousse but it definite works miracle as it adapts to your skin tone upon blending. The mousse appears light-coloured on the first few strokes of blending (you might look ghostly for the first 10 secs), but after about 15 secs of blending, it would conform to your skin tone. Imagine no worries about not getting the right foundation shade!

Nice sized packaging, pretty baby purple mousse dispenser

The mousse comes in a sweet baby purple colour and is really pleasing to the eye. It is nicely sized for the hand and forms a perfect grip when you pump. The can is not more than 15 cm tall, so it keeps nicely in any makeup pouch or box.

Cheap (only if bought in Korea)

For such a fantastic product, it retails very cheaply in Korea. It is about S$14 and it last for a long time. But it is only cheap if bought in Korea. I understand that in Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok where they are found, it cost about double. So I am counting on my pal to help me replenish stocks when she goes there again.

Love the mousse, so nothing much to nitpick

I must say I have never had such good experience for any products I used. It is always a buy-at-wimp-try-a-few-times-want-to-change relationship for most skincare and make up products. However, this mousse is different. It is really love-at-first-use and I believed I have found THE product that I will use on and on. So there is practically nothing for me to nitpick, except that the mousse is not available in Singapore and the nearest country I can go to find it is KL and Bangkok. Another thing is that I never know when the product is finishing (although I wished it never finishes), so I cannot pre-empt when I would need a new can.

Anyway, if anyone gets your hands on the mousse, I am pretty sure you would like it. Drop me a comment to tell me how much you are loving it!

Promotion: Free Benefit Cosmetics' Pink To Please A Woman Palette With US$35 Purchase

2009-02-04T09:56:00.006+08:00

This promo newsletter just came into my mailbox. I would say it is a pretty good deal. You just need to make up to US$35 purchase, punch in LOVE2009 while checking out your purchases and you get a free Pink To Please A Woman palette worth US$30. The offer is valid from 3 Feb 09 to 10 Feb 09.

You can combine this code with the free shipping above US$115 code – WORLD115. On top of that, there is still the ongoing free BADgal blue mascara promotion which you get when you hit US$35, as well as 2 free samples for every order.

So, to round it up, if you purchase up to US$115 of Benefit cosmetics from now till 10 Feb 09, you will get a free Pink To Please A Woman palette, free BADgal blue mascara, 2 free samples and shipping charges waived! But even if you just hit US$35, you still get the free palette, mascara and 2 free samples!

This is great opportunity to grab some beauty stash from Benefit! Just don’t forget the codes – LOVE2009 and WORLD115

30-Day Challenge Terminated - Mission Failed!

2008-12-31T10:32:00.005+08:00

Remember the 30-day challenge I posted myself to not pick on my pimples? Well, I failed, I did not even get pass Day 2. I am such a pathetic!

It is probably too ingrained in me and my pre-programmed fingers will automatically roam around the face to locate the first bump in its way. Then the pimple stick follows naturally and is whipped to eradicate it. To be honest, the sense of satisfaction is overwhelming, but so is the guilt that comes with it. I knew I had deliberately injured several skin cells in the process and that the healing process is going to be delayed for another one more week. Damn!

I cannot imagine how weak my will is in this aspect. I should have done better. Anyway, one should always get another chance at redemption, right?

Today is the last day of 2008 and I have arranged for a facial to get professional help to eradicate all the pimples, comedones and clogged rubbish in my pores. Start 2009 tomorrow, I resolve to keep my fingers off my face and let it have some peace. This time, I must make sure I come out victorious!

My 30 Days Challenge of No Pimple Picking

2008-12-23T17:42:00.005+08:00

I just read the most enlightening website, Stop Picking On Me, on pimple picking and the horrible damage it can do to the skin. Everyone knows the damage pimple picking can bring but until you read the facts that are logically laid out to you, you never know how bad it is.

The nasty results of picking? Scarring, skin pigmentation, infection, cancer, aging etc... you name it.

To be honest, I am scared out of my wits. The aftermath of picking is really not pretty. So I am declaring myself to a 30 days challenge of no pimple picking. It will definitely be tough as I am so used to gravitating myself to the mirror to check out my zits (especially now when Star Wars is still in battle) and find the one or two that look ready for me to pop them.

Today is Day 1. Let's see how I fare...

Save My Face!

2008-12-22T14:41:00.004+08:00

As if a tribute to my turning 30, my face waged Star Wars on me. It is terrible to see horrifying zits erupting on my chin and forehead. The aftermath is even more scary - ugly dark marks left behind from healed zits. I had never had such bad face days, why must this be the first most significant event after the milestone big 3-0?

I wonder if it was the stress from my ticking bio clock and the undies saga. I think most likely that. Also, the dermatologist says it is hormonal and the many web materials I read also said so. Imagine, hormonal changes plus stress, can't get any better then that!

This morning, I celebrated as a stubborn zit finally seem to surrender and turn pacified to be healed. But darn it - another one popped up somewhere. I just wonder when will this end and I get my nice skin back. It also does not help that where the zits are, the skin had became raw, red, tight, stingy and flaky. It is a horrible sight! I feel like a monster...

For now, I am trying hard not to pop those zits, although in the past when they are rare and few, popping them (if done carefully) accelerated the healing process. Guess I can't do that now. I am also taking evening primrose oil supplements as they are famed to help regular hormonal imbalances. I am hoping that this will help me win the zit war.

Down-In-Luck From Undies Washload?

2008-12-01T17:10:00.005+08:00

Just got pissed beyond words. I am fuming! The Queen just chided my Prince Charming for allowing his dearest Beauty to wash her undies/bra in the common washload. I hate it when someone say things about my Prince Charming! You see, in the ancient folklore, washing a lady's undies and bra together with the man's load will magically bring him bad luck beyond his wildest imagination. It can get so bad that the man might just drop dead for no reason!

But I don't understand, aren't the man also borned out of a woman? So, he has already been from down there, so does it matter that the undies/bra are washed together in a common load? If so, then Prince Charmings out there, don't ever lay a hand on your Beauties as it would bring you bad luck, worse then you can imagine.

I just wish my Prince Charming would be firmer with the Queen and just tell her off. What's wrong with washing together? If that is bad, would it be worse to always keep walking under the Queen's trousers while it is being hung to dry? I think those are the ones which is bringing the 'supposed 'bad luck' to my Prince Charming.

For now, Beauty is comtemplating getting a mini washing machine just for her undies/bra. But then again, why should I go through more water and electricity just to appease the unreasonable Queen. Just heck it. To the Queen, wake up... you are in modern day now...

Time Bomb Bio-Clock...Tick Tick Boom?

2008-11-24T18:02:00.007+08:00

I was at a gathering with a bunch of gal friends whom I have not met for a long time. My gosh! Boy, was it a long while, cos they turned up either with a kid in their hands or a kid in the stomach. Suddenly, I felt a horrifying wave of silence washed over me, followed by an ascending but clear, crips - tick, tick, tick.

Omigosh, is that my bio-clock ticking? Does it seem to be ticking faster with each beat? I felt like it was going to explode in no time. I look at the mothers and mother-to-be amongst my friends and realised how blissful they all are. Every thread of conversation was baby-related. As much as I like to participate, I can't help feeling slightly detached from the clan. Is that how future gal-pal gatherings would be like - mummy-focus group? I missed the days where we bitch about bosses, weird fellow colleagues or just some idiotic rumours running around our offices.

Sigh... My turn should come eventually. Just don't know when. But I hope the bio-clock will not explode before that...

Familiarising Myself With Chinese Herbs

2008-11-21T11:16:00.008+08:00

I was trying frantically to figure out what the many plastic packets in my fridge contains. You see, that's the mother-in-law's fridge (I am just squatting at her place before getting our own). And, guess what, those plastic bags are full of chinese herbs. Sometimes 2 or 3 packets of the same ones... gosh, why does she need so much? can't she replenish when they are finished? Don't they have expiry date?

Come to think about it, I was raised with my mother's love-meals that cannot go without some form of herbal soup. That's Cantonese's pride. Now, it is time for me to take over the legacy...It is time to familiarise myself with all these herbs.

I scoured the internet and found this fantastic site of a fellow blogger - Cuisine Paradise Kitchen's Tips. These photos were my first step of the familiarisation exercise... 3 cheers for those photos!

Tighten Pores? Read My Review, Try Rojukiss

2008-11-17T15:34:00.005+08:00

Want to tighten pores? I tried and this work quite effectively... Read my review about Rojukiss here:

MY REVIEWS

Rojukiss Pore Tightening Source

Write What You Think and Make Money At ReviewStream.com

2008-11-14T17:19:00.006+08:00

I chanced upon this great website where you can write reviews about anything and everything under the sun and get paid. This site pays you US$2 for every accepted review that you write and you can withdraw funds thru paypal once you reach US$50. That means 25 accepted reviews.

Don't fret if your reviews get rejected. You can always re-submit them and click on the 'accept bulk rate' check box and you will get paid much leser but based on what I read on the web, your review will almost always get accepted.

I personally just like this avenue of writing how I feel about particular product or service and sharing the experience with fellow netizens. I have a few reviews accepted already. Here are a few of my reviews... just to share...

MY REVIEWS

Hisamitsu Salonpas Muscle Ache Gel

SK-II Skin Refining Treatment

Nokia E71

Villa Indah Manis Bulan Madu, Bali

Sally Hansen Radiant Hands Nails & Cuticle Creme

ReviewStream.com

3 Quick And Easy Dishes - From Stove to Tabletop in 45 Mins

2008-10-20T11:01:00.006+08:00

3 quick and easy dishes take would take you within 45 mins to prepare and serve. On top of that, the dishes are relatively balanced in terms of the carbohydrates, proteins and fibre! What is best is that, the food are healthy steamed dishes - no oil and frying! What you need is a 2 layer steamer and your rice cooker!

1. Five-Spiced Meat With Steamed Potato Strips

1 can Narcissus Five-Spiced Pork Meat
1 round potato, cut into strips

1. Spread potato strips at bottom of plate
2. Open can of five-spiced pork meat and spread on top of potato strips
3. Lay aside to prepare for steaming

2. Steam Egg With Minced Pork Meat

1/2 bowl of minced pork (season with soy sauce and pepper)
2 eggs
1 full egg shell of water

1. Whisk the 2 eggs well in a bowl. Use half the egg shell to measure water. Use proportion of half egg shell of water to 1 egg. Mix well
2. Add in minced pork and mix well with egg mixture
3. Pour into shallow plate and lay aside for steaming

3. Steamed Fish With Tomato And Mushrooms

1 piece/whole fish of choice
1 medium sized tomato, cut to small pieces
1 pack mushroom
1 small ginger, diced

1. Season fish with salt and pepper. Take care to season both sides
2. Wash and clean mushroom. Lay at bottom of plate
3. Lay fish on top mushroom bed
4. Spread tomato and ginger (to rid of fishy taste) on top of fish
5. Set aside to prepare for steaming

- Now, place the fish and five-spiced dice meat into the 2 tier steamer to steam for about 15 mins
- Wash your rice to be cooked in the rice cooker. Place eggs into rice cooker as well. Wait for rice to cook in 15 mins
- When done, you would have a nice meal that is healthy and well-balanced!

Great Western Food At Clifford Centre Food Court

2008-08-14T13:48:00.010+08:00

If you are looking for a good western meal at an affordable price, you can pop down to Sets Cuisine which is in the Banquet Foodcourt at Clifford Centre.

I was down in the CBD area with my husband and popped over to the foodcourt at Clifford Centre for lunch. We decided on the western food as it looks to be serving something rather different from those we usually see in food courts' western stalls. This one has stews and wraps, on top of your more usual pastas, soups and chops.

I ordered a Tex Mex Chicken Stew at S$6.90 and topped up S$2.00 for the additional mushroom soup. The mushroom soup was fantastic and taste exactly like those you could get at fine dining restaurants. The soup was thick and creamy but you could still taste the bits of mushroom in it. Of course, there is this huge piece of garlic bread that is so crunchy, you could eat it on its own.

My Tex Mex Chicken Stew was equally great. You can choose mash potato or rice or pasta to go with it, all included in the price. Chuncks of succulent chicken meat stewed to just the right level of softness. Tomatoes, mushrooms and celery also soft from the stew. I think the best is the stew sauce itself. It has a tangy taste and is extremely appetising.

The husband was less adventurous and ordered mushroon pasta, which was surprisingly good for its normalcy. It came in a good sized serving and had heap-loads of mushroom and chicken meat.

I think I will return next time to try their wraps and salad.

My Article - 'Best Treatment For Cellulite' is on Helium Homepage!

2008-08-05T10:03:00.005+08:00

This is such a proud moment. My article 'Best Treatment For Cellulite' has appeared on Helium Homepage!

I have been with Helium since Sep 2007. Helium is a site where anyone can write and contribute their articles to. You voice your opinions and expertise on your favourite subjects. Also, you can also read and rate what others are writing on those subjects too. I see Helium like a treasure vault of knowledge. The nice perk of contributing to Helium is that you actually accumulate earnings from your articles. And for additional earnings, you can submit to Marketplace, a place where publishers actually load their required topics and pay if they select your articles

So far, I have written on varied topics like irritable bowel syndrome (which i was suffering sometime ago); my recent travel to Bali; leadership and strategy issues and of course, cellulite troubles etc. As you can see, I write basically on anything that interests me!

So, if you are reading this blog, unleash the writer in you. Check out Helium!

Inspirational Quotes For The Much Needed Pick-Me-Up

2008-07-29T16:27:00.005+08:00

I was housekeeping my computer and found a word document that I used to keep as my ‘database’ of inspirational quotes. Whenever I come across something meaningful and inspiring, I would type it into the document. Looking at the last saved date, the last entry was at least 3 years old!

I remember it was a happy hobby or ritual of mine. Reading, finding something meaningful, then keying into the database. And, every so often, whenever I am feeling a bit down and need some boost, I read through those quotes and it always provided an uplifting effect without fail.

Anyway, I am definitely reviving this ‘ritual’. For a start, here are the best 5 of my many favourite quotes:

1. "In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on." - Robert Frost

2. "Usually we figure out what we think would make us happy, and then try to make those things happen. But happiness isn't circumstance-dependent. There are people who have every reason in the world to be happy who aren't. There are people with genuine problems who are. The key to happiness is the decision to be happy." - Marianne Williamson

3. "One of the tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon - instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today." - Dale Carnegie

4. "Persistence is what makes the impossible possible, the possible likely and the likely definite." - Robert Half

5. "If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcomed." - Anne Bradstreet

Paid Online Survey Sites That Earns You Cash

2008-07-23T15:25:00.008+08:00

Another interesting thing I found on the internet – paid online survey sites. In fact, there are many of such survey sites and they are seeking for people to participate in the thousands of online surveys that go on in the cyberworld everyday.

These sites are free for sign up. You don’t pay a cent to put your name as part of the survey panel. There are cash rewards and payment is typically through check or PayPal. You can do your part for charity if you don’t wish to take the cash as some sites allow for direct charity donation for your survey rewards. The sites also have referral system which helps you accumulate your cash rewards faster. Last but not least, your voice gets heard through your contribution in the surveys, helping to the world in your own way!

Anyway, below are a few sites that I am currently signed up with. The rewards are accumulating slowly and I am also trying to find more bona-fide ones (there are many who are just hoax) to add to the list. Here are those that I am currently signed up with:

1. GlobalTestMarket
2. Clear Voice Survey
3. SpiderMetrix
4. SurveyHead
5. SurveySavvy
6. OpinionWorld

A point to note! Beware of survey sites that require a sign-up fee to gain access. These sites are only selling a list of other survey sites, which could be easily found via google without having to pay. So beware!

Look out for additions to this list…

Bali and All Its Wonders

2008-07-16T14:23:00.004+08:00

Following my last post about my interesting observations about Bali, here is a list of the places I visited during the week (there are also the beaches, which bears little need for explanation). We covered mostly South and Central Bali during this trip. This would be good reference for first timers who are planning their trip:

Day 1 (Took us from 0930hrs to about 1830hrs)

1. Barong Dance – This is approx. 1 hour long religious dance representing the eternal fight between the good - Barong and the evil symbolized by a horrible looking witch called Rangda. The costumes and set are elaborate and nice. The trick is to get there early, so that you get front seats and be close enough to see the facial expressions of the dancers.

2. Celuk (Gold & silver smith), Mas (wood carving) and Stone carving villages - You would drive past these 3 villages and see the array of shops selling the gold, wood and stone. As you get into Celuk, all the gold and silver smith shops flank the roads, you can also drop by their factory to take a look at the production process. The same goes for the wood carving and stone carving

3. Mount Batur (Kintamani) – This is the second largest active volcano in Bali. It is 1,717 meters from sea level, and bears the remains of the black lava from it's eruption in 1917 and 1927. There is a nice scenic crater lake there. You can do buffet lunch at one of the restaurant and admire the breath-taking view as you eat. The buffet lunch cost about S$10 and has reasonable spread

4. Trita Empul - Tirta Empul means " bubbling water " and is a holy water temple built in 960 AD. The temple is beautiful temple and has holy water fountains for different purposes of purification and blessing. There were people in the fountains doing their purification when I was there. Further inside the temple area, you can see the source of the water – a spring where water is bubbling up through the black sand. A totally make of nature. Legend has it that one of the gods shot an arrow from heaven to look for water, and the spot where the water is bubbling up now is the exact spot where the arrow hit

5. Goa Gajah – Means " elephant cave ". Found in 11th century, this cave was dug in the peaceful riverside valley in a hard sand stone. Entering the inside T-Shape cave, there are some niches used by Buddhist Monks for meditation. Among the many historical remains found around this cave is the holy Ganesh Statue (a human body with elephant head) which is believed as the God of Purification and Evil Controller. The cave can be quite claustrophobic for some people but is well worth a quick look inside

6. Sebatu Holy Spring Temple - Is named " Gunung Kawi " in Balinese. It is a very beautiful village temple located in a peaceful valley with its holy spring. Somewhat similar to Trita Empul, there are large fountains outside the temple area, where villagers use to take a bath. However, my driver told me that this place is not as ‘holy’ as Trita Empul.

Day 2 (Took us from 0930hrs to about 1830hrs)

1. Taman Ayun - Is the largest Royal Family Temple Complex built in 1934 in the village of Mengwi, Badung Regency. The area of this temple is surrounded by moat with some water lilies and lotuses. The place is still used during prayer sessions and important ceremonial events.

2. Tanah Lot – One of the most famed temple in Bali. Tanah Lot means " the land of ocean" is a fascinating Hindu Temple built on a piece of cliff in Indian Ocean shore. This temple is dedicated to the God of Ocean "Baruna" built by a high Hindu Priest name Dang Hyang Dwijendra in the 16th century. During high tide, the cliff is surrounded by water and the temple looks like it is floating. In the bottom part of the cliff there is a fresh water holy spring while on the beach cave there are some holy snakes that guard the temple. In the South and North part of the temple is absolutely beautiful view and best for watching sunset.

3. Uluwatu temple - Also built by the same Hindu Priest who built Tanah Lot, Uluwatu temple is also another magnificent temple built perched on a cliff. The whole temple stretches across a large area and it is flanked by the fabulous India Ocean. Here, you also see large numbers of monkeys, mostly mischievous ones, who snatches food from visitors

4. Lake Beratan & Pura Ulun Danu - Beratan is a name of the Lake and Village. There is a spectacular floating temple called "Ulun Danu Temple" and is an absolutely interesting sight. The weather at the lake is cool, which is a nice break from the mostly hot sun during my trip. There were people who hired a traditional paddle boat or speed boat to go around the lake, although my driver said there really is nothing much to see around the lake

5. Jatiluweh – A place where you see lots of terraced rice paddy fields. The sights are breathtaking as you see the green terrace, meandering around you. This place is supposed to one of the few in the world that has such nice terraced paddies. Those terraces are probably cut decades ago, and now resulting in the fascinating view today

Bali and Its Interesting Facts

2008-07-16T14:19:00.002+08:00

Just got back from a week long vacation in Bali. Bali is a fascinating place, with lots of intriguing architecture, beautify sceneries and of course, gorgeous beaches. There are some really interesting things I gathered about Bali over this week long trip. Here’s some to share:

1. Bali actually has 80% of its population in the Hinduism religion. In fact, it is considered one of the largest outpost of Hindus outside of India!

2. Temples permeate Bali island! Everywhere I turn, I see a temple – big or small. Balinese are rather pious people and every temple is seen as a solemn place that should be treated with respect. In all areas, houses should not be taller than the temples there!

3. Balinese has a god for almost every purpose. My driver, Teddy told me they have god for education, god for the economy, god for the rice paddy fields, god for looking after the shops, god for looking after the roads and even god for looking after the cars on the roads! I really feel very protected while I am there!

4. Besides temples, the next most common sights are the rice paddy fields. As you meander through the countryside, or even the slight outskirts of the city, you see rice paddy fields intersperse amongst houses. As long as there is land, it would be a paddy field of some sort. Well, Bali is self-sufficient in its rice production, you see!

5. Balinese are a happy lot of people. You see smiles wherever you go, you see people at the villages just gathering around to sing and chit chat.

Great Online Sites For Perfume, Skincare, Makeup and Cosmetic Products

2008-07-02T16:18:00.006+08:00

I had been doing my research for cosmetic/beauty sites that are trustworthy and sells a good range of perfume, skincare, makeup and cosmetic products.

Here are the 2 high on my recommendation list:

1. Strawberrynet.com
This company and its site originate from Hong Kong and offers free shipping to any parts of the world. I just made my first purchase from the website on a Thursday, and it arrived at my doorstep on Mon - truly living up to their shipping promise of 4-6 days delivery. What's more, there is a fantastic range of stuff at the website, and you get discounts if you buy more or if you are repeat customer. The prices are considerably lower than if I get it from the shopping malls (I did my research as well).

2. Best Buy Comestics
Another company whose presence is in Hong Kong and has a warehouse in Singapore. It only ships to Singapore and gives free delivery for order of S$50 and above. Below that, a S$10 delivery charge levied. The interesting part about this website is that they sell bite sized samples and when you do the maths, it is actually much cheaper than getting the normal size. They also sell the normal size at a slightly lower price than in the market too. The samples are good to have if you are travelling, as it saves on the bulk. Also, I feel that the product would be fresher as you are exposing a smaller amount of the product to the open conditions!

Brain Games To Improve Memory And Attention

2008-06-26T16:32:00.007+08:00

Anyone realise how much we are neglecting the use of our brain? Through the advent of technology, we only need to flip out our handy mobile phone, and we do not need to even need to waste a single brain cell on a simple arithmetic calculation.

I read that there are brain games that could help reclaim this lost domain of ours. I found one such site - Lumosity (http://www.lumosity.com/).

The site claims that Lumosity users have experienced clearer and quicker thinking; improved memory for names, numbers, directions, etc; increased alertness and awareness; elevated mood as well as better concentration at work or while driving.

I am not sure how quickly I will see those changes described but I am already addicted to the games, while trying the 7 days free trial now. The games there are fun and totally addictive. Somehow, I do feel my brain working harder than usual and getting stronger!

Chicken and Winter Melon Soup

2008-03-28T16:04:00.003+08:00

This soup soothes the body and clears it of heatiness. The chicken gives it the nice brothy taste, while the winter melon works to soothe the body.

Chicken and Winter Melon Soup (serves 2)

1-2 pieces chicken breast or drum stick
1/2 winter melon (the size of about 15 cm in diameter)
6-8 red dates
1 table spoon of wolfberries
2-3 pieces dried scallop

Preparation
1. Wash and clean the chicken, getting rid of the skin and fats
2. Wash and cut winter melon into cubes
3. Soak and wash red dates. Remove seeds
4. Soak and wash wolfberries
5. Soak dried scallop in water. Save water for later

Cooking steps
1. Blanch the chicken with boiling water to rid of odour and oily fats
2. Place chicken, winter melon, red dates, wolfberries and dried scallop (including the water it was soaked in) into a pot
3. Put enough water to cover the top of the ingredients
4. Put on high and bring to a boil, before turning down to medium to simmer for 1-2 hours
5. Serve hot in individual soup bowls, with chicken and winter melon for a soothing sweet soup

Pork Ribs and Sweet Corn Soup

2008-03-17T14:34:00.005+08:00

This soup comes out light and tasty. The sweet corn gives it the unique flavour, while the pork ribs provide the richness.

Pork Ribs and Sweet Corn Soup (serves 2)

4-5 pieces pork ribs (preferably with a bit of meat)
2 -3 sticks sweet corn
1/2 stick carrot
6-8 red dates
2-3 pieces dried scallop

Preparation
1. Wash and clean the pork ribs
2. Wash and cut sweet corn into halves
3. Wash and cut carrot into cubes
4. Soak and wash red dates. Remove seeds
5. Soak dried scallop in water. Save water for later

Cooking steps
1. Blanch the pork ribs with boiling water to rid of odour and oily fats
2. Place pork ribs, sweet corn, carrot, red dates and dried scallop (including the water it was soaked in) into a pot
3. Put enough water to cover the top of the ingredients
4. Put on high and bring to a boil, before turning down to medium to simmer for 1-2 hours
5. Serve hot in individual soup bowls, with pork ribs, sweet corn and carrot, for a nice clear soup

The Invincible Iron-Goddess

2008-03-04T11:11:00.006+08:00

It has been a long while since I am up in this space. It is a bit different now that I am officially a 'Mrs'. No more living like a princess but guess what? I became an invincible Iron-Goddess!

Well, what I mean is that I iron shirts like a breeze now. Throw me a pile and I can zip through them in a jiffy. Bearing in mind I have the TV switched on in front of me and often enough, I have 2 eyes on the TV and none on the iron! Imagine how far I had came till today - I had started off taking almost an hour to iron just one shirt!

To help my fellow sisters achieve the Iron-Goddess status as well. I found some useful tips on how to iron clothes in a jiffy. These videos are useful. Check them out.

How to iron a shirt: http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-iron-a-shirt
How to iron trousers: http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-iron-trousers

Steamed Banana Walnut Cake

2007-11-06T17:51:00.001+08:00

Following my first attempt a week ago, I know I can do better. So I kept thinking how else I can play with the ingredients so that the cake will taste better. A colleague talked about having a banana cake recipe and the idea stuck in me. With some googling, I managed to find a recipe for steam banana cake.

After reading the recipe and more brain-work in process, I realised I should just modify from the earlier steamed chocolate cake recipe and incorporate banana and walnut into it. My recipe goes like this:

Steamed Banana Walnut Cake

1/4 butter (250g type)
1/2 can full cream milk
1 cup caster sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cup flour
1/2 tsp Baking powder
1/2 tsp Baking soda
1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract or 1 tsp Vanilla essence
1 bag walnuts, crushed slightly
3-4 bananas, mashed slightly

Combine castor sugar,evaporated milk,vanilla extract or essence and butter in a saucepan, stirring over low heat until sugar and butter is dissolved. Turn off the fire and keep warm.

Add the beaten eggs into the slightly cooled mixture and stir till well mix.

Sift the flour, baking powder and baking soda into a large mixing bowl then pour the eggs mixture over the flour and stir till well mix (cake batter should be runny). Add in the mashed bananas and crushed walnuts.

Heat up the steamer. Lined and greased a 8 or 9 inch baking pan.

Pour the batter into prepared pan and place the pans into the steamer and cover the top of the pan loosely with a piece of aluminium foil.

Steam over medium heat for 45 mins.

Cool the cake in pan before turning out for further decoration.

The cake came out very fragrant and the banana smelt was all over the kitchen. The cake was moist and soft, and the crunchy feel of the walnuts made the perfect complement to the cake. If the bananas were more coarsely mashed, you can also taste the soft bits of banana too!

Steamed Moist Chocolate Cake

2007-10-30T13:23:00.002+08:00

I chanced upon this recipe and decided to make this my first attempt to domestic goddess-hood as it does not require baking (I don't have an oven at home). All I need to do is to steam it and it is supposed to taste as nice as the infamous Lana Chocolate Cake, which I had not exactly tasted before.

Woke up on a fantastic Sunday morning and got ready to get my hands on making the cake. I followed the recipe, word for word, line by line. Honestly, I was abit 'horrified' at the amount of butter, eggs and cream milk that goes into a cake. Imagine the calories! I could almost feel a surge of nausea coming up as I see 3/4 of the butter melting into the mixture. I thought to myself, the next attempt shall be a healthier recipe or at least a healthier version of the cake.

After getting the cake into the steamer, I went on to make the chocolate fudge topping. I did not have corn oil, and the smart aleck in me told me to use olive oil instead. Should be ok, since both are oil. Then the olive oil could not make up the required quantity, so I added peanut oil to top it up. I was crossing my fingers as I mix the oils in. Will someone die eating my cake?

After a 45 min wait, the cake was out of the steamer, extremely beautiful and fluffy. The chocolate topping turned out a bit too thick, hence it was extremely tough spreading it round the cake. And it also had the lingering smell of olive oil - thanks to my ingenuity! I topped it with walnut, such that at least it can look presentable. The verdict - the cake was soft and fluffy with strong cocoa taste. Steaming it was as good as baking. Texture was just as soft. Yummy!