SIJS 2011

 

This year, I pre-registered for entry as a private buyer (for myself, *heehee*). The associated credit card is Citibank and is the only credit card accepted. It was soo troublesome walking across the exhibition hall to the credit card booth to pay that I just went outside to withdraw money from the ATM instead.

However, for those that take the trouble to pay by Citibank Cards (like me) received free pearls from DeGem Jewellers. I got a pair of 10mm white pearl earrings, the pearl necklaces were all gone already.

It really is a trade event so there are lots of sitting and coffee areas with UCC giving out free coffee and publications giving out free magazines. Apart from jewellers, there are companies selling jewellery packaging, trade tools and cleaning equipment. 

I purchased 2 gold chains from a specialty manufacturer that offers unusual cuttings on their chains and the more uncommon blue gold. The chains have an extender at the end with heart charms in case you need that extra inch. Priced a bit higher than a regular gold chain of the same weight at approximately $1000 per piece.

Then a HK jeweller shoved a flyer into my hand. Hot on the heels of all those bird apps, their price busters are 5 different bird designs in rose quartz & diamonds. I just had to get one! 

More gemstones for my hobby. It's soo cheap you wouldn't believe the prices of raw gems here, provided you buy in bulk. Oh yea, almost forgot to mention that the prices are in USD, they're not ripping you off.

RaVon Convertible Dress

The one dress you will ever need for special occasions as it has 20 looks! The first time I got a look at the convertible dress was on the wedding channel, brides get it in the same colour for all their bridesmaids to wear in the style of their choice. Free size means it fits size 2 to 10 and available either short or long in a variety of colours and patterns.  

I got half a dozen from Modnique since it is on sale. For those who want to get more covered up, can buy the optional tube top in a matching colour to wear underneath.

Rabbit Diaper Cakes

For the rabbit girls' Birth Day! Can't wait to meet the little cuties.

 

Kerastase Elixir Ultime

Latest offering from Keratase is a leave-in treatment oil that offers reconstructive benefits whilst acting as an anti-frizz, high gloss finishing hair product. It's everything I need in 1 bottle.

The fairly new Homme range is several milder shampoos with leave-in treatments focusing on hair-loss & dandruff prevention.

Hotel Costes 14

Chill-out music for the trip home. I think #1 to #5 were the best, the latest in the series #14 is reminiscent of 80s British techno grooves that I am not that into. Still, it is upbeat and relaxing enough as background music.

Air Multiplier

Aero-technology fan of the new millenium. It's child-safe and provides a smooth airflow that conventional fans can't. I bought it because I need to have evenly distributed cold air in an air-conditioned room, the smooth airflow is really pleasant too. It is about as noisy as a normal fan. But, the child-safe feature and contemporary design more than make up for it.

Wojung in Singapore

Korean BBQ place near my office. I think Wojung is someone's name.

One of the banchan items is an egg terrine, so fancy. Delicious too!

So today, I ordered the Gal-bi or bbq seasoned short ribs, that I am told is a popular Korean dish and I can see why.

Tex-Mex

American family restaurants always serve such huge portions, they have to roll their customers out after. Of all the tex-mex places in Singapore, my favourite is still Chili's. It's the service, food and drinks promotions almost everyday that keeps me coming back for more.

I guess it's almost like a buffet, where the food and drinks just keep coming. When you consume this much in one go, the salt builds up and you have to stop, after like half a rack of ribs, fried chicken...

That's right, you can add on half a rack of ribs to any entree for $15.90 or chilli lime shrimp for $11.90. I am most impressed with the fully loaded potatoes - as beautiful as it is delicious.

Links of London

Links of London "Friendship" collection - sterling silver bars woven into traditional thread based friendship bands. The latest collection celebrates Wimbledon 2011. My favourites are the charm variations. 

Outback Steakhouse

Aussie steakhouse near my sister's office. The menu is about the same as American steakhouses, with an international beer menu and bushman bread, a sweet dark loaf quite unlike anything we are used to.

Fried Rice Paradise

Arguably once a national obsession, there is even a musical written on it... Fried Rice! There are many schools of thought on what makes the best fried rice - egg has to coat each grain of rice, the use of overnight rice grains for crispiness, wok hei... it's one of those meals you can have everyday and not get sick of it.



Watsons *kawaii*

Look at the cute stuff Watson's stock these days, how I wish I was 16 again. Hello Kitty facial wash, scrubs & moisturizers & Paul Frank lip smackers.

Spizza

Traditional thin crust pizzas baked in wood-fired oven, for delivery or dine-in. One of the few places that put eggs in their pizzas. I am more of a pan-crust type.

Creme Brulee

Hard to find that cake for dessert nowadays. The places on club street mostly serve creme brulee and tiramisu for dessert. Never thought I would take to it in the way I have now, it's cold custard with crispy caramelized sugar crust on top and flavoured with everything from grand marnier to lemon zest.

Goth Nails

Purple & Black make everything goth. It's more like henna with swirly lines and cabouchon gemstones. The new Gelish or gel nail polish is pretty good and worth that extra bit more.



3D Glasses

Caught Green Lantern in 3D at the new Lido IMAX theatre. The theatre provides these large roomy 3D specs for it's patrons. But for 3D buffs, you can get your own 3D glasses. 

Enquire at The Cathay Box Office L5, there are 7 different types to choose from and all under $50.



Beppu Menkan

Home to devil ramen, if you like to challenge your tastebuds against the Scoville scale. Diners usually order level 1. Level 2 gets really hot as the heat builds up. Let's not talk about level 9.

Le Carillon de L'Angelus

This place serves French bar food with an amazing variety of French cheeses. I had a croque monsieur carillon style - goat cheese and fresh bacon for lunch, polished off with a cold fig pie.

 

 

 

Swee's Birthday

My sis-in-law's birthday. The kids and their parents went prawn fishing first and we ate the big-headed spoils of their venture. Thanks! The banana chocolate cake was delicious.

My recent solution to all occasions - the Lush gift pack! Everyone loves it.

10 at Claymore

Located at the other Pan Pacific hotel.

The service is impeccable, food ok, presentation lovely.



1-TwentySix

A nice out of the way place at East Coast with a lush garden alfresco area to lounge about in.

The restaurant has a nice sea view, but, people usually come here for drinks.

Food was average and the presentation pretty, so dinner was not bad.

Terracotta Warriors Exhibit

 

 

Asian Civilisations Museum is hosting the "The First Emperor & His Legacy" exhibit. It took some time to go through all that red tape but here it is finally.

 

 

 

 

Anticipation builds gradually as you walk through some modern works of art inspired by the exhibit. I thought it was very witty, that's the modern day representation of what the warriors and fairies would look like.

 

 

 

 

<Piece the Warrior> game at the entrance for the kids.

 

 

The first thing I saw was the bell comissioned by the dukes, engraved with an inscription of their divine right to rule. 

 

 

A half size terracotta replica of the same figures unearthed from the grave.

 

 

The tiger emblem used to confirm military orders. I have seen this before in drama serials where one half is kept by the outstation general and the other half by the emperor who sends it with military orders.

 

 

Should they really be showing this? Treasury coin moulds that formed the basis of chinese currency.

 

 

Terracotta warriors, what we came to see. Life size, armed with real weapons. This is just a representative collection of the actual exhibit in China. Amazing!

 

 

Stopped by the gift shop before heading home.