Can eat, eat, eat and lose weight or not ah?

The answer is confirm can if I exercise like kee siao on days that I eat a lot. 

My tummy is way too needy for a diet. It needs food. All kinds of food. 

So okay, I shall exercise more. I remember the day before I went for a food trail with Ruiping, Kengyang and Leonard, I did cardio for 40 minutes and ran for an hour. All done just so that I could eat more. 

So here are some photos from all the food that I had last week and maybe a one-line review. :D 

Din Tai Fung (Chinatown Point)

133 New Bridge Rd #02-01, Singapore 059413

Pork Chop Fried Rice - best fried rice I've tasted in Singapore, but still inferior to the all-star, my holy-grail Indonesian Nasi Goreng. 

Flock Cafe

#01-25, 78 Moh Guan Terrace, 162078

Pork Cheek and Gruyere sandwich was hearty and filling, while the scrambled eggs were delightful. 

Forty Hands

78 Yong Siak Street, #01-12, Singapore 163078

Truffle Crack & Cheese (Like Mac & Cheese gone wild lah) - glorious first bite but ji ba bom after that because too jelat. 

Banana Bacon French Toast - a much better order because the heavily-drenched-in-maple-syrup brioche went perfectly with the crispy streaky bacon and caramelised bananas. 

Ye Shang Hai Teochew Porridge (夜上海潮洲粥)

Blk 117 Bukit Merah View #01-217, Singapore 151116

This is where you should go if you want delicious and cheap teochew porridge, and don't mind the queue. 

Munch Saladsmith & Rotisserie (China Square)

51 Telok Ayer Street, China Square Food Centre, #01-11, Singapore 048441

Huge variety of salads with bomb-dot-com slab of salmon. 

Togi Korean Restaurant

11 Mosque St, Singapore 059491

Army Stew - Towards the end of the meal, it got too salty for Kengyang, but for my Indonesian tastebuds, the saltier the better!!!

Cafe Insadong

279 South Bridge Rd, Singapore 058828

My go-to patbingsoo shop because it's so near my office and hey, the Red Bean & Sweet Potato Patbingsoo super nice lah!

Cedele (Rail Mall)

398 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 678049

I'm so glad that this is near my house because I'm truly addicted to the tofu salad. 

Gaest

21 McCallum St, Singapore 069047

S$23 for a smoked salmon sandwich and small beetroot salad is a bit too much, but the occasional indulgence is worth it because of the huge portion size and both tasted fresh and flavourful. 

Additional sentence - they gave me so many slices of smoked salmon! I counted (because I'm auntie) and 4 huge slices of smoked salmon were contained in one sandwich. Super worth it please. 

And now, a random OOTD...

And then a random selfie... 

My haircut S$5 only! :D You can call me cheapo/auntie, but sorry hor my haircut nice and i saved more money than you. Save on haircuts so I can eat more often at Gaest. :P 

Yay long weekend! 

Review: Sleek MakeUP i-Divine Garden of Eden Palette

A few months ago, I blogged about my Sleek MakeUP haul and I finally am reviewing the eyeshadow palettes that I bought. 

As blogged 4 months ago, I bought the Sleek products from the Sleek website itself because international shipping was incredibly and surprisingly cheap. Only £1.67. What?! Even some Qoo10 sellers from Korea charge more than that. So yes, I got 2 eyeshadow palettes and a blush.

The Sleek MakeUP i-Divine Garden of Eden Palette costs £7.99. The palettes are really much cheaper than what some local online stores are selling them for. 

I bought 2 palettes, and I'm very proud of myself because both palettes belong to colour categories outside of the nude/neutral category. This Garden of Eden palette still has a few nude shades but the focus is on those beautiful green and purple-pink shades. 

Ingredients List

Great effort from Sleek MakeUP to include some kind of application instructions. But doesn't really help that much lah because I think a visual representation will be much more helpful and impactful. Like skip the many many words, and just put 5 different eyes for the 5 different looks.

But, hey, still great effort! Better than only stating the ingredients list and such usual sections right? I'm really just nitpicking here.

Packaging: Sleek MakeUP products always has very ... sleek (for lack of a better word) packaging. Simple and chic black outer packaging, very reminiscent of NARS product packaging. One more thing that I absolutely ADORE about Sleek MakeUP eyeshadow palettes is the huge mirror. Not just a tiny, bo sim (Eng: no heart/heartless) mirror, but one that is the same size as the entire cover. Excellent!

Pardon the reflection, those are my legs. :P

Pigmentation: 10 out of the 12 shades applied with great and commendable pigmentation. The 2 bottom left eyeshadows (Entwined and Adam's Apple) are just difficult to work with. Entwined is still buildable, maybe after like 5-6 layers, but for Adam's Apple, it's just bad. I can't replicate the vibrant pastel lime green shade at all! It just looks powdery and after you gently rub the area, the eyeshadow disappeared completely. Why like this one??

On a positive note, the other 10 colours are gorgeous. I'm glad they added a few matte/semi-matte shades to this palette. Sleep MakeUP eyeshadow palettes used to be filled with mostly frosty and shimmery shades.

Application: The frosty/shimmery shades apply buttery-smooth. No streakiness and they are really easy to blend out. The matte/semi-matte shades are more tricky, but nothing too challenging if you have the correct eyeshadow brushes. If you have a blending eyeshadow brush, it will take you longer to blend out the harsh edges of the matte/semi-matte shades, but still do-able.

Lighting: Normal cloudy day

Lighting: Normal cloudy day with camera flash switched on

Longevity: You definitely need a good eyeshadow primer if you have oily eyelids. Last weekend, I applied Paradise on Earth on my entire eyelid and a bit of Eve's Kiss in the inner corners WITHOUT an eyeshadow primer despite knowing that I will be out for almost 12 hours (yes, very stupid). I applied at around 1130ish and 6 hours in, I started to see the oily lines forming on my eyelids. 10 hours in (we were having karaoke session), the purple-pink hue disappeared completely and it became more murky and greyish. I don't know what chemical reaction was happening but aiyah just apply eyeshadow primer before these eyeshadows!

Will I buy it again? Of course! Sleek MakeUP is always coming out with new palettes. Currently, they have the Del Mar II palette and this palette packs in some summer-appropriate shades like a hot peach and a canary yellow. Not really up my alley, but usually they introduce more subdued shades in autumn/winter, so I am eagerly waiting. Also hor, I now have 6 Sleek MakeUP eyeshadow palettes, so I don't mind expanding this collection lah. :D

Have a great day guys! 

Online Shopping using LAZADA

Online shopping is certainly my vice. I buy online so much that sometimes I lose track of what I'm supposed to expect in the mail. The only redeeming factor is that I always look for a good deal when shopping online. If international shipping is involved and it's way over my budget then I close the window immediately and forget completely about that momentary exhilaration.

And that is precisely why I love online shopping sites that allow buyers to have the best bang for their bucks. It's also incredibly convenient when you have all the things that you need in one website. Amazon.com is one great example of such e-commerce sites. Now we have one similar website which is much closer to home - LAZADA! 

I have shopped using LAZADA before and it was truly a great experience for someone like me who always try to look for discounts (i.e. cheapo type lah haha, but hey, I get to buy more things this way okay!). 

I remembered I bought 6 clothing items and paid less than S$42 for all of them (shipping already included). Crazy right?! 

You get free shipping on LAZADA if your order is over S$40. If it's less than S$40, then you'll have to pay an additional S$3.99, which is still quite affordable. If you purchase international products, then your shipping will always be free, no matter how much the items cost. Yes, you get exposure to international sellers too! 

My favourite sections are definitely, and predictably, Health & Beauty and Fashion. I subscribe to their mailing list and I always get frequent emails on the latest offers and discounts. Super "gian" every single time I receive an email from LAZADA. Confirm will go to the website to see see look look a bit. :P

Example of some of the best deals they have!

I also found out recently that Your Eyes Lie is now available on LAZADA. Super good news for me because I've been lusting over their items on ASOS for quite some time now.

Even if you are not into the above 2 departments, you still have so many more departments. If you want to compare the price and functions of the Apple watch against other smart watches, they have some for you! If you want a new canon DSLR, you get a variety of different ones to choose from. Personally, I'm starting to get more and more interested in home appliances. Things like food processors, waffle makers, juicers, etc. are relevant to me now because I'm waiting for my HDB now. Can't imagine what life will be like without a food processor. I don't want to spend most of my time cutting garlic and onion! Becoming so auntie already. Aiyah.

I'm quite certain that when my HDB flat is finally ready, I'll be browsing LAZADA and Taobao a lot because of the great deals. Can't wait!!

Have a great day guys! If you're stressed, go and online shop a bit lah, it's okay. :P 

Review: Etude House Color Lips-fit (PK003 Fantasy Fit Pink)

I'm back, I'm back!! Hoorah! 

A new digital camera really is different. iPhone 5's camera is amazing, but the Canon G7X is still much better for review posts. The problem is I still can't figure out how to use the macro function properly. Like how come always looks great on the screen, but when the photo is taken, there's this strange blurring effect? I read so many forums and I still don't understand. I'm going to meet Chay at the end of the month and she's going to analyse this strange phenomena for me since she's the expert. 

For now, the photos still nice lah, but not as sharp as I want them to be. Hopefully they will get better once we figure out the blurring problem! 

A couple of months back (before my old camera died on me), I bought a lot, a lot, a lot of Korean beauty products from Qoo10 (this post!) and now I finally have the resources to properly review them. First up, the Etude House Color Lips-fit in PK003 Fantasy Fit Pink. I bought PP501 Brave Fit Berry as well, but that was sold out. I'm going to hunt for that shade because I like the consistency and wear of this lip product, and Brave Fit Berry is a gorgeous deep berry pink! 

I bought the Etude House Color Lips-fit for S$10.90 (additional S$0.60 normal mail) on Qoo10. I think it's S$15 in Etude House Singapore stores. 

Expectations:

• moisturising
• easy application ("glides")
• high pigmentation
• lightweight
• dries to semi-matte finish

Packaging: I'm always a fan of lip tints/liquid lipsticks that have clear packaging. This way, I can quickly choose my lip product without opening 10+ other lip products. The Etude House Color Lips-fit has that ideal packaging! Other than that, the product packaging is fuss-free and nothing too special or fancy.

Pigmentation: Well, one expectation fulfilled! The Etude House Color Lips-fit is incredibly pigmented. The swatch photos below were taken only after one swipe from the doe-foot applicator. Very impressive ah. Just like the NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams! Now I'm really excited to hunt down that deep berry colour!

Colour: PK003 Fantasy Fit Pink is a subtle barbie pink. Nothing too loud or neon, but still has that appealing factor. It's suitable for everyday wear, perfect when you want to add a little bit more colour to your lips. I prefer this shade of pink because you don't look too OTT. Pink shades like Barbie pink or Nicki Minaj pink are too flamboyant for my liking.

Lighting: Normal daylight

Lighting: Normal daylight + camera flash

Application: Very smooth and easy application. No streakiness at all! It's quite moisturizing, and yet it's not sticky/glossy. This is the type of liquid lipsticks that I love the most. Some liquid lipsticks are sooooo moisturising and sooooo glossy. Go out of my house 5 minutes and I'll be eating my own hair already. The Etude House Color Lips-fit and NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream have now become my top 2 liquid lipsticks! I need more shades!

Longevity: This product dries within 5 minutes of application and it dries to a beautiful semi-matte finish that I always prefer in a liquid lipstick. The Etude House Color Lips-fit feels lightweight on the lips, and there's no stickiness. The vibrancy and pigmentation lasted for a good 5 hours. It's not as long-lasting as I want it too, but touching up doesn't bother me at all. Some lip products are nightmares to touch up because they feel so caked up on your lips. For this one, touching up feels like no touch-ups at all. Very strange ah, but I like it.

Special mention: THIS SMELLS SO SO SO SO GOOD. If you grew up in Indonesia, you will know of Sugus. It's like the Indonesian version of Japanese Hi-Chew. The Etude House Color Lips-fit smells just like the grape-flavoured sugus. OH MY GOSH. NOMS.

Here is my favourite sugus.

Wait. I just googled and Sugus is actually Swiss. MIND BLOWN! But aiyah, I only had them when I was in Indonesia, so ok lah, they are "Indonesian" to me.

Have a great week guys! :D More review posts coming soon! 

Secret Garden

A few months ago, someone shared the story of Johanna Basford on facebook. Back then, I was highly intrigued by how she penned (like really "penned" because she drew EVERYTHING herself) a colouring book for adults. Some described the colouring process to be a thoroughly enjoyable and relaxing one, and it really seemed interesting. As interesting as it is, I didn't want to own one because I didn't think I needed such a book. Fast forward a few months later.... I bought the book. This has resided permanently on my work desk, together with my many markers and colouring pencils, and honestly the reviews were accurate. Every single time I feel immensely stressed out, I whip this magical book out and spend a good 10-15 minutes colouring away, and the experience's always bordering on therapeutic. But then again, I believe I will be over 30 years old when I finally finish colouring the entire book.

I also recently did a very tiring wardrobe cleansing. Spring cleaning my closet is not something that I enjoy doing, but it has to be done because I couldn't close the cupboard doors properly ah. So, I sold my stuff on Carousell and so far response has been positive and overwhelming. Highly because I sold my items for so cheap. This clean-out has left quite a commendable amount of space in my wardrobe and so now I'm eager to get new things. 旧的不去，新的不來! (Non-Chinese speakers - this just means if you don't get rid of the old, how do you welcome the new?) 

I have thought it through thoroughly (wah this phrase was strangely shiok to write haha) and I think I have a few items that I really need in my collection. I searched for so many cross-body bags, shift dresses and ballet flats online! It's time to get nice, high-quality ones that will last. Taobao products are great because they are so cheap, but most of the time, they don't last. Shall wait for my pay to come in to revamp my wardrobe!

Phew, this turned out to be quite a chit-chatty post. 

A couple of eyeshadow palettes and a couple of lip products reviews coming soon! 

Have a great week ahead!

One week in hell...

Summing this week up as hellish is an understatement. I have never felt so helplessly frustrated before. There are so many wrong things about the situation on their part, but no choice die die must do and must tahan because it's my job. Ok lor, I got my lesson on patience lor.

Going into detail about work on my blog will be a foolish thing to do, especially if it's unpleasant. All I can do is roll my eyes, complain to my colleagues and then continue being an amazing researcher.

What to do? Just tahan lor.

Food cravings and a new bag

I think I gained a few kilos ever since I started working, so it's time to do something about it!! I have been going carbs-less on weekdays (my second week now!) and it has been quite pleasant. I do have cravings but because I don't eat carbs, I have a flatter tummy and I feel less bloated, so curbing those cravings is quite easy. I hope this new food habit will help me lose some weight! I don't think I'm sibeh fat but I just don't like feeling bloated all the time, so yes, bye bye carbs from Monday to Friday! 

Ironically, the next 2 photos are carbohydrate-laden food items. :P 

Oh! and I finally got a #youtubemademebuyit purchase! Very surprisingly, it's not a beauty/skincare item...it's a bag.

The last time I bought a sports brand backpack was maybe 5-6 years ago?? So this was a really out of the ordinary purchase.

SoothingSista posted a video on her carry-on backpack and after watching that video, I knew I needed that Adidas bag!! I thought it was going to be expensive (like S$100+ expensive), but it turned out to be S$69 only. WHAT?! BUY! It's the perfect travelling backpack. Actually also damn nice as an everyday backpack lah.

This Adidas is on top of their game now, or maybe the correct phrase is they are back being on top of their game. A couple of years back, I wouldn't think of Adidas as a sports brand that I will be interested in. But now, I'm on their online mailing list. Excellent.

Ending abruptly here...

Have a good weekend! :)

FORRES Eyewear

FORRES Instagram

FORRES Website

My cousin is one of the founders of FORRES Eyewear and I wanted to support his cause so I purchased the Karpa shades and this pair is just gorgeous. Whenever you buy a pair of eyewear, it will come with its own beautiful wooden box. Damn chio lah! All prices are in rupiah though. You can just comment on their Instagram photos with your email address if you're interested and they will get back to you very quickly. 

Ok, pretty shades aside...

I have to apologise to my loyal readers. I haven't been updating this blog as frequently as before and it's because I have a lot of things to juggle at work now. Once back home from work, I'd just wash up and sleep. I really need to balance things out a bit. I have taken better quality photos using my new camera and the posts are just waiting for my writing. Argh! Cannot! I must post some reviews soon!! 

Have a good day guys! Reviews coming up soon!!