ILL

39.4 degree fever in the middle of the day. Doctor thinks it's dengue. Resting at home now.

Replanting Giant Edamame

My first giant Edamame yield was a single fruit that I had left out too long before replanting. I wanted to see how big it would get before dying. Of the 6 seeds in the pod, only 2 plants grew. The original plant withered and died. The second batch was progressively better with each plant yielding 2 fruits.

This time around, I cut the fruits immediately when the first signs of drying appeared. Still green, these fruits had giant pink seeds! The pods had 9 and 10 seeds respectively. Can't wait to see how big the other 2 fruits get!

Replanting 19 seeds around 3 pots of established plants, I hope they are all able to grow into seedlings successfully. Being creepers, they need a core structure to wind themselves around. If I had a nice big garden I can plant them around the gates. Being of the fast growing variety, I would get my green wall very quickly.

Most Expensive Shampoo

I have always thought the ultimate shampoo was Kerastase range of hair care products with their glamorous advertising. A 250ml bottle of shampoo costs $45, with matching conditioner it's around $100. The shampoos are very drying so daily conditioning and weekly masques are required for bouncy lush locks.

I am always excited to try something new, especially when it's a smaller label used by Hollywood stars. House brands of celebrity salons and boutique spas. Produced in smaller quantities, chokeful of vitamins, minerals and all the other nutrients required for a lustrous red carpet mane. My favourite is J Beverly Hills Platinum, $55 for 450ml. But, you have to get the matching conditioner for a silky soft finish that leaves you smelling like a mango smoothie. $130 for a set.

I think I found the most expensive shampoo ever when I accidentally chanced upon a $299 bottle of Somang Danahan Shampoo. At a mid-priced Korean brand, no less...Beauty Credit. Unbelievable right? Hop on down to any of their shops to witness it. A 730ml plastic pump bottle of this stuff costs $299. Of course they give you 200ml of their conditioner free with that. A full 500ml bottle of their conditioner costs $199. Yup, that's right. Created from a traditional Asian recipe including Red Ginseng and Deer Antler Velvet. For times when you want to live like ancient royalty. This is one shampoo I have yet to try so tell me what it's like if you have.

Zone Denmark Sale

It's a partial sale as they have relocated to Great World City. I always thought the designs are similar to Ikea, but maybe made with better materials and more attention to detail.

White & brightly coloured rubber pot mats, 3 for $20. Stainless Steel soap dispenser for about $60 after 40% discount. Half priced muscular Cow butter dish at $13. 

Canon Printer

To complement my new white Sony Vaio laptop, I received a brand new Canon all-in-one printer/scanner/copier from Singtel. Free gift for renewing the broadband connection plan. It's as though the universe knows and then gives...hhmmm...

The printer got bigger and the laptop got smaller. Balance is restored at my table.

I won a Sony Vaio

I won a Sony Vaio Mini Laptop in a Cheers mart lucky draw. How unexpected, so much so I didn't believe it at first. I had bought a drink and a pack of chips that totalled just over $5 (the qualifying amount) at a petrol station while my dad was refueling the car. My dad didn't believe it too until he actually held the laptop in his hands. Being the first of 8 winners to claim the prize, I got to choose my colour - white.

Sony Vaio's cool design has been said to inspire Apple's Macs. Pure colours in high polish laminate covers to the textured metal keypads, Vaio's are always sleek. Cramming the usual memory and performance of a normal PC into a miniature model just over 10 inches and 1kg light is remarkable. To push it over the edge, this laptop comes with built in microphone and webcam. The all in 1 computer you will ever need.

Cornery Popcorn

21 flavours of sweet and savoury popcorn. Not including limited edition flavours that show up occasionally. I still love Poppycock popcorn in caramel and pecans. However, the savoury range of popcorns from Cornery is fantastic. $2.90 per resealable pack.

Located at Ion Orchard basement.

OPI Alice in Wonderland

The new series from professional nail polish OPI to complement the new Disney Movie. $84 for a set of 4, 2 reds, 1 multicolour glitter in black and 1 blue glitter. Very wearable colours with a surreal touch. I think I will be getting Absolutely Alice or Mad as a Hatter.

New Bedsheets

Bought some new sheets from the OG sale. 350 threadcount Percale with embroidered flowers in monochromatic colour scheme. It's not as nice as my other sheets or as soft. Kinda regret buying it. With additional pillow covers and bed skirting, it came up to $185 afer 50%.

Flight Bookings

Finally made my flight bookings for a weekender. Jetstar offer expires tomorrow! Cheap air tickets from $0 to most Asian countries and boarding is at T1, not Budget Terminal.

Facial Mists

Now that it is starting to get hot, really hot, it's time to invest in a facial mister. All females know this is a must have. You can't splash water or use wet wipes when you are wearing make-up and just think of the damage to bare skin. I am currently using Dr PGA's oxygenated spray I got from my spa. Here's a line-up of my favourite options:

Shu Uemura's DeepSea water facial mists comes in 9 flavours at $36 for a 150ml bottle. Mineral rich nutrients for your face and a favourite of make-up artists as it apparently helps make-up stay on longer while refreshing your skin.

For newbies who are looking for basics, Evian Brumisateur is your cheapest bet at $10 for a 150ml bottle.

For the last word in self-indulgence, you can try Banyan Tree's Neroli mist at $23 for a 25ml bottle.

Spaghetti Carbonara

Spaghetti Carbonara is basic comfort food. Carbohydrates & rich cream is always a good idea. I love it when topped with egg confit as the golden yolk drips down into the pasta when broken, coating every strand in an eggy custard-like sheen.

New Job

Back on Raffles Place again. 1st day on my new job. Check out the view.

Professional Nail Supplies

I usually get supplies from small business owners (try Far East Plaza). So I can still have nice looking nails during periods when I have to save money. If you are being frugal, you can just get the basics done at the Salon/Spa and do the extras yourself, like I do =)

For example, a bottle of acrylic solution costs $40 but is good for 5 sessions. At $60 per soak off, I save $260 by doing it myself.

Sometimes, it is also about control. By having my own drill, UV lamp and other materials, I will no longer be subject to the Spa's schedule. Overbooking during festive seasons will no longer be an issue =P

Coral Brooch

Found the cutest store selling sweet feminine accessories at ION Orchard B3 - LUVOS.

Free Stuff from Shopping

Starting a new job next week and need more work clothes. Opportunity for a shopping spree at ION Orchard and to explore the stores there. Got some free stuff from burning up my credit cards. Not stuff I can use though, maybe I should give it away.

Kopi & Teh

That's the coffeshop uncle preparing my Kopi-C. It's like a quad espresso and the only thing that keeps me awake. Check out the quaint water heater he is using, looks like some vintage industrial equipment.

Haagen Dazs Gateau

Miniature heart shape gateaus in choc and strawberry cheesecake ice cream. No cake though, hhmmm...would be better with some cake. 

Just what I needed after a bad week =(

Bottle Cap Ring

Junkyard chic. Who is willing to buy a bottle cap glued to a ring base? Either way, it's cute & quirky.

Contest ends

I am trying to share one of my favourite pastimes of entering contests with people and no one bites. Not even 1 comment on the post. It's just a google account, it's not like you have to put up your credit card number in order to post. Ok, so to provide some closure, this book will make it to the next housewarming/birthday I attend. Bon Appetit!