Pita Pan

All the glowing reviews on this place are true. I was surprised to know the menu is completely vegeterian or vegan coz of the eggs and yoghurt. For under $10, you get a basic pita stuffed with falafel and all sorts of goodies. I ordered mine with zaatar (I hope I got that right) a purple coloured herb. Everything is delicious. As an added treat, diners can also help themselves to the free salad bar.



Apple Candles

Shiny red apples in the form of candles. I got these from Ikea a few years ago and was waiting for a special occasion to burn it. The fragrance only keeps for a year or two then becomes soo light you can't smell anything when lit. That and I got a replacement apple candle from DL&Co, thorn apple fragrance.

Choya Umeshu

Japanese sweet plum liquor, always popular with females. I keep a bottle at home at all times and serve the plums to friends and family when it is finished. So far the closest fruity liquor I can find to this is Tempus II Botrytis Semillon made from apricots, citrus fruits and honey. 2 great dessert wines under $50.

Another fantastic dessert wine is Ice Wine, but, only get the really good bottles that cost over $100 or it just tastes like regular white wine.

 

 

 

 

Gucci Wallet

My new Gucci continental wallet, a roomy off-white wallet that is built to hold big notes. I can even put a passport in it. I really like this guccisimi range of embossed logos, even provides traction for grip.

I bought this wallet during my trip to Germany and only found it when I was clearing my place. Good news is my mom and I managed to donate 5 bags of stuff and throw away another 5 bags of stuff. Can you believe we are not done yet? Going to take a break for now and continue again after we change maids.

Cartier Boutique

Cartier like most luxury brands, provides after-sales servicing. This service is mostly free and the staff most helpful to distressed customers.

I brought my wallet in to fix the broken zip and was offered freshly brewed green tea and a free book to flip through while I wait. The on-site technician repaired the zip in 10 minutes, no questions asked.

Takashimaya Shopping Centre, Ngee Ann City Boutique
Ground Floor
Telephone: 65 6734 2427
Business Hours: 10:30-21:00
Technician on site: Tue-Sat 11:00-20:30 (Quick service only)

Hot Fudge Sundae

Having a Sundae on a Monday, chasing away the blues.

Homemade Hummus

Homemade spiced hummus. I tried looking for the ready-made stuff but there doesn't seem to be any these days. What I did find in place was garbanzos and tahini. This spiced up version qualifies as a Zone snack. Still hoping to lose more weight soon.

Bloody Mary Cocktails

Found a bottle of absolut vodka I purchased years ago in duty free for $22 (that shows I haven't drank alcohol in years). And decided to use it in savoury bloody mary cocktails for home and the neighbours. Something to while away the afternoons with.

Sculpted Tealights

Something new and really cute, tealights with a moulded shape popping out. I bought these from Daiso a while back and stocks were gone in a flash.

It spills candlewax all over so just leave it where it is and it will cool into big gobs that you can just pick up and recycle the next day.

Wine Cork Collection

For all the wine we have drank in this house, the remainders make excellent fillers for our XL vases when there are no flowers to fill it with.

Not sure about putting these apocathery vases in the bathroom or kitchen as it can get slippery there. But, filling these with useable items are a good idea.

Dior Haute Joaillerie

Dior store at Ion Orchard is the only Dior boutique in Singapore to carry its haute joaillerie. The salon was available today and the personable sales staff were happy to show me their latest offering the Dior VIII in black ceramic. White ceramic is launching in mid-April.

The Dior VIII comes in 2 sizes and 3 designs - plain ($8k), diamonds on the dial ($12k) and diamonds all around (price unavailable). Females would love to know there is a quartz option that knocks about $3k off the list price. It's sleek, shiny and inspired by the little black dress (LBD) to suit all occasions from morning to night.

* Heard the sales staff mention that accumulated purchases in a year totalling over $35k will get you on the VIP list. Something to think about.

DIY Hair Dye

Remember these? My prize from the last Her World contest I entered. My mom complains she doesn't use these 2 colours hence it is still around so I thought I would give it a try and provide a review here.

The new Bigen Prominence doesn't come with that awesome conditioner anymore, what you get in place is a plastic comb for fuss free application, just squeeze the tube into the bottle and shake, then attach the comb applicator onto the bottle. To apply just squeeze the bottle and comb through the hair.

For long hair below the shoulders, use 2 packs. I mixed both colours together to get an in between colour that I am happy to report covers grey and doesn't run. Makes an excellent backup to PMS hair stylists.



Bars of Soap

Colourful bars of soap from my soaping excursion. Costing anything from $0.30 to $1.50 per piece, its much cheaper than pre-packaged guest soaps and make a lovely hostess gift when bundled together. I will be putting this into a homemade spa basket for my friend's birthday.

Island Cafe

Island Cafe located at the top floor of Tangs Shopping Centre is a quiet little cafe that has been serving amazing local food and western basics for years in a relaxed environment decked out in outdoor furniture and natural wood.

I dropped by for a refreshing mint fizzy and to rest my legs after all that walking. First time I am trying their crab bisque that is amazingly creamy and luscious. I can't believe I never tried it before.

St Patrick's Day

I use this blend of creamy liquors for my ice-cream, coffee or any other dessert and what better gift for my neighbours and family than a bottle of blended irish cream liquor on St Patrick's Day.

It's just Kahlua, Bailey's irish cream in creme caramel flavour, bourbon and chocolate liquor. Another blend I made was with mint & pear liquor. Packaged with a recipe for homemade irish cream if they want more.

Trying out my new cake pan! Good for impromptu birthdays, people always find my icing too sweet.



Custom Matchboxes

 Decided to make some custom matchboxes for my candles. Stickers, craft paper and glue can do soo much.

Old HK @ Raffles City

Early lunch at Old HK Kitchen, my new favourite chinese restaurant.

Rice rolls, you can only get this slippery silky version during dimsum time.

Steamed prawn dumplings, there is a nice bouncy texture to the skin that makes it interesting to eat.

My favourite chinese dish of all time - sweet & sour pork. Old HK Kitchen serves a fantastic version with bigger pieces of meat that is tender inside and crispy outside.

Spotlight Haul

There is a monthly lucky draw with $1000 cash prize for every $25 spent! So I made another trip to Spotlight to have a look, especially with Easter round the corner. There are a whole bunch of offers in store but, I notice the displays have changed completely since the last time I was here so goods move fast. Reminder to get the things I want now and not wait for it to go on clearance.

Today's price buster is the Wiltshire 22 inch Happy Birthday cake pan for $5...its $5! My friends will be getting home baked cakes this year.

Self-contained silicon brushes for basting, 3 for $14.90. This is one of those incredibly functional products that make us go *aahhh*.

It's so auntie but I checked out the vinyl tablecloths when I was there and found a couple of cute patterns. I got a brightly coloured rose design for $12.95. These things are plastic so it lasts forever and cleaning is easy, just wipe down with a damp cloth.

I also surveyed the scrapbooking section for a new border craft punch as my old one is getting blunt. I never thought these things have a limit but apparently it does and you can only get like 1000 uses before it gets blunt. The one I got is the cheapest at $29, do check out the scrapbooking stores at Plaza Singapura for more variety and brands. I saw a Martha Stewart bundle set for $34.90.

A 1 litre pyrex measuring cup cum pourer, $20 from Robinsons. Sorry, I grabbed the last one. These are really handy for crafting as it is microwaveable.

Pretty cupcake liners, $10 for 48 pieces from Robinsons.

Baguette the Viet inspired deli

My favourite deli to date with refreshing yummy sandwiches and tasty noodle dishes. It's like Viet street food in a deli. $8.80 for a set meal.

Coffee Stars by Dao

Thai Cafe that doesn't sell Thai food but rather western and asian fusion. A cute concept with delicious banoffi pie and coffee.

Takashimaya Daily Deals

You don't have to wait for a big sale event to bag good deals daily at Takashimaya. For one there is always the event hall with drastically marked down items or special seasonally available goods on sale. Or like today when I was window shopping in Takashimaya.

Yankee candles have an offer of 3 sampler votives for $9.90. "Fresh cut Roses" and "Wedding Day" 22oz housewarmers marked down from $49.90 to $39.90. I have always wanted one of those lampshade candles and am looking forward to burning mine at the dinner table so we can smell fresh cut flowers while dining.

The food department always have food items especially tea on clearance. These items usually have 6-9 months to expiry hence the markdowns that I don't mind as it will be consumed within a month at home. For example, a pack of 50 teabags from Taylors of Harrogate costs $4.95 after 50% discount. Compare it to a pack of 50 teabags from Lipton that costs $3.70. If you have tried this brand before then you know the quality is much better. The food department also offers occasional small discounts on regular items like TWG rose tea priced at $32 today as compared to $36 normally.

Selected Wedgwood tableware on sale, 40% to 50% off on India, Renaissance Gold and Wild Strawberry patterns.