Gucci Luggage

Gucci's Viaggio line, closely resembles LV's  in terms of shapes and sizes of luggage offered. But then again, luggages don't really differ greatly from brand to brand. More importantly, it has to be functional and come in a design you like. Gucci's line of hard side luggage is actually a resin material lined in leather with rubber logos, making it easy to clean while protecting the items inside, S$3,835.

There are quite a few duffle bags to choose from and the above is a limited edition designed for 500 by Gucci. Made from waterproof fabric with leather trimmings, S$2,315. 

Nylon totes and backpacks from Gucci are soft and squishable, making it comfortable travel-worthy companions. I love nylon bags coz you can hug them on the go like pillows/soft toys. You can also throw them in the washer and dryer. S$514 for the one above and it comes in a soft leather version for S$1,027. 

A popular bag that I have gifted others before is this belt bag. It carries your personal items while keeping your hands free, a boon for busy moms, sale shopping and travel, S$690.

Gucci's Viaggio line carries cosmetics cases, luggage tags and passport holders. I never understood passport holders as we have to remove it at customs. But if you travel by private plane than this pink one is just too cute, S$403.

Single Use Appliances

We have all purchased or received a Single Use Appliance in our lives and it is perfect for children, if you are baking outside the kitchen or when you make lots of one kind of food as it takes just minutes, food items come out perfectly each time and it is easy to operate & clean. 

Sunbeam and Babycakes make the prettiest single use appliances, do check them out and Nostalgia makes these appliances festive enough to decorate your home cinema with. The most common types of food that are made using these appliances are waffles, cupcakes, doughnuts, cake pops/balls/doughnut holes, pies and sandwiches.

I have listed some of the more unique single use appliances here, this is where the real fun starts! Starting with this Pretzel Maker that makes 3 sizes of pretzels. 

Fortune Cookie Maker anyone? Shaped like a fortune cookie itself, is this for people who own Chinese restaurants.

This looks like a bone shaped cookie maker but it is actually a Dog Treat Maker. The perfect present for a dog owner, Boo's owner should have received one of these by now.

 THIS is a cookie maker. Each batch makes 6 regular two inch cookies.

Quesadilla Maker that has received rave review online. It has a pretty Aztec pattern on the sides and a chili shaped handle, one to leave on the counter all year round.

Churros and Empanada Maker. With changeable plates so you can make at least 2 different types of food with it.

An apple shaped caramel apple maker. It's actually a fondue pot that melts and keeps warm caramel so you can dip apples in. Great for parties.

Smores Maker to toast your marshmallows indoors in style.

Waffle Cone Maker that doubles as a crepe maker.

And my dad's all time favorite  the Peanut Butter Maker. For the gentleman that likes his peanut butter, now he can have it freshly ground!

Nail Strengthener

I am a devoted user of nail strengtheners. Your natural nails are just to fragile to be subjected to stresses of daily activities. So a clear coat of nail strengtheners help it last that much longer. I usually use it as a base coat before my mani and pedi and the results are visible even to my nail therapists.

Bangkok Jam

I wish they really made a Bangkok jam, all the flavours of thai food in a bottle.

Mostly fusion food with the lovely sour sweet spicy Thai flavours that I love.

Cleaning Products

It's the new year and if you haven't cleaned your home yet, then now is the time to start. Better late than never, right!

You can buy cleaning supplies at a store or online from grocery stores or specialty cleaners. To help you get started, I have made a list of local online stockists that will deliver the supplies to you directly.

Method -   The celebrity brand that carries all types of cleaning supplies and I mean all types. It stocks the usual floor cleaners, multi-purpose cleaners and window cleaners to specialty leather cleaners, even carries adult & baby handwash, soaps and shampoos.

3M - Sells floor and food-safe stainless steel cleaners, scotchguard protectors and all types of cleaning tools.

Super Nature - Organic cleaning supplies, for people who appreciate the difference.

Green Cleaners - 6 types of organic cleaning concentrates that you can dilute at home. Multi-Purpose, Toilet Bowl, Window & Glass, Bathroom & Shower, Wood Surface, Dishwashing cleansing liquids.

Scrapbooking Tools I want!

Scrapbooking brings about many fun crafts to do and tools to buy. After years of arts & crafts I have built a collection of stuff and also a wishlist of more things I want to get.

Something that has been around for a while but I still absolutely love is the Paper Crimper. The straight lines version is a classic and the easiest way to make pinwheels. There are other designs like waves, circles and even hearts. A handheld, manually operated paper crimper can cost S$55 so it shall remain only on my wishlist for now.

 A multi-hole puncher that is is strong enough to punch through plywood and leather. Good for binding that thick scrapbook journal or putting more holes on your belt as your waist expands.

An X-acto Knife in pink. I still use a penknife to do my cutting that is not as sturdy and sharp as one of these. Although I am afraid of cutting myself again.

Large Gift Tag Craft Punch makes gift tags out of anything. Kinda reminds me of that Guitar Pick Punch that makes guitar picks from plastic cards.

Dr B Scrapbook Page

This is a special tribute to my brother Dr Bernard. I left the picture part blank so he can slot in the picture he likes most. A display for his office, home or work. 

Starting out with a cardboard cutout measuring 40 x 53 cm that is larger than the usual scrapbooking paper size, so I wrapped it in burnished gold wrapping paper. It took 1 entire sheet of wrapping paper as the pleats help create a formal look and introduce texture into the design.

An asymmetrically placed piece of patterned scrapbooking paper, glued down.

3 pieces of paper are used to make the collar. The top and bottom piece are trimmed with decorative scissors and the middle piece with decorative punch that is more ornate.

A plaque with Dr B on it is made with a gift tag and alphabet stickers. Everything gets hot glued down and the scrapbook display is complete.

Louis Vuitton Luggage

Louis Vuitton is famous for its iconic hard-side suitcases. Branding aside it really makes sturdy bags suitable for the rigours of travel. And after looking at all their bags, I have shortlisted my favourites below.

Pegase 55 Business NM is the ideal cabin size S$4,750. Good to know especially when airports are soo strict about carry-on luggage these days. LV also makes smaller 45 rolling luggage for those worried the 55 might be too big. These smaller 45 versions come in patent and seasonal designs to cater for the fashion conscious. The Pegase 55 Business NM is available in both Monogram and Damier and if you want to check-in these, you can buy the matching bag that sits nicely on top of it so you check-in 1 piece and carry-on the other.

A newer version of LV luggage is the Eole 50 that comes in Monogram, Damier and limited edition (pic below) S$2,770. You can carry it or roll it along, a handy feature depending on the terrain and mode of travel.

One piece I really like is this Keepall Bandouliere 55 S$1,755. Use as a sports bag or on road trips. Easy to carry and large enough to store everything you need. LV usually makes special patterned editions of the 55 to keep yours unique. There are also smaller Keepalls in 45 or 50 that I think is for petite women who don't want to be overwhelmed by an oversized bag.

The classic pet carrier that has no other equivalent in the market. Sturdy and yet pretty enough to bring your pet anywhere with you.

Yonanas Frozen Treat Maker

A machine that gives you a different form of frozen dessert. It's Yonanas, a machine that is fed frozen fruits and produces gelato type desserts that taste like ice-cream. It's healthier because it's all fresh fruit and no cream.

It's base ingredient is bananas. But, add in chocolate, cookies or even mint to create other flavours. Sounds good? I know I want one asap. Just want to know how to clean it?

Watsons Conditioner

Watsons Conditioning Treatment Wax is a decent conditioner at a really cheap price, so there is no excuse to go without conditioning your hair daily, ever! There is an ongoing promotion : S$7.90 for 2 500ml tubs or 1 litre of conditioner, comes in 7 different varieties like avocado, milk and so on.

There is a light scent when you open the tub but no scent once it goes on your hair. After use, my hair is really soft and smooth. Comparing it to Kerastase conditioners after 1 week of use, I still noticed some radiance in my hair but it is not as moisturized as before. So a daily leave in hair moisturizer or weekly intensive hair treatment should do the trick.

5 Spice Prawn Crackers

This is usually sold at Hawker Centres as 5 Spice Prawn Crackers, but that only describes 1 of the many items you can add to it. Also known as Chinese Rojak or Ngo Hiang Guan Chiang. You pick the items you want and the hawker cuts it and serves it up with 2 types of sauces. Everything looks deep fried but is all different flavours. A great tea-time snack that everyone absolutely enjoys.

Hem Gems

I won some Hem Gems from Glamourpusslife.com that was finally delivered personally by the staff, talk about conscientious. Amazingly gift wrapped in pink bows, tissue, wrappers and ribbons.

Hem Gems are heavy duty pins that hold up the hemline of your jeans temporarily, that is something I always need.

You can buy these Hem Gems along with a whole host of other cutesy girly stuff from their website. Happy Shopping!

Cross Stitch Kits Online Retailers

If you are thinking of starting on cross-stitches, I have compiled a list of online retailers for your reference. It's always better to buy a kit from a regular store as you can see the designs and what's inside before purchasing.

Cross Stitch Joy - free shipping within Singapore. You can buy kits, loose items and accessories.

The Art of Stitch - Free shipping in SG and MY. You can order custom photo cross stitch kits from here.

X Stitch Buy - Sort by cost of kits. Free shipping above S$3.20.

My Hobby Craft - Nice variety including Precious Moments and Tapestry kits.

Qoo10 - has a couple of sellers so happy browsing.

Cross-stitching is relaxing and fun but can consume loads of time. So plan your project time and pick the project size you want.