Extended Lunch Hour - Read

Happy Chinese New Year!

Starbucks downstairs is the perfect place for some alone time and to read a short novella while having lunch. For Chinese New Year, it offers Chestnut Macchiato and Asian Dolce Latte.

Alexander McQueen F/W 2013/2014 Fashion

  

The last winter fashion review for 2013/2014 is on Alexander McQueen, high drama and yet something to think about. I was thinking Jedi when I saw these pics.

The intricate details on these clothes are simply amazing for this day and age. Updated Elizabethan look, actually very high fashion and current.

Menswear is all about the suits. Colour blocking, classic pinstripe, all finished with that same distinctive, sharp, pointy shoulders.

CNY new accessories

金玉满堂

Some new stuff for the new year, a metallic gold Kate Spade "Pammy" tote that looks silver-ish in certain lighting, I thought it was silver when I bought it.

A semi-free heart-shaped leather pouch from Waterlily brand on Reebonz. Picked it out in a jade green colour.

A pair of large 14kt yellow gold hoops from Bluenile.com (thanks to another free $100 voucher from the nice people at Bluenile. They really are nice, when my monogrammed gift was inscribed incorrectly, they just sent along a new one with the correct inscription.)

2014 is the year of the Wood Horse or Green Horse. So I took out my vintage carved ivory horse to wear on another Bluenile.com gold bracelet (Free Express Delivery above $250).

More stuff from Luxola.com that is giving away $5 hongbaos with code CNY5. So I bought some stuff for myself and to give away. Free delivery on orders above $10.

Dermatix Ultra

The great thing about working in a clinic is the free medical samples :)

 Ok, so not all samples can be used. However, this is a product I have been looking for and hope you find useful as well. Dermatix works to reduce the appearance of old scars especially those raised (keloids) bumps. Dermatix Ultra works with additional Vitamin C to lighten discolourations of scars. 1 box/tube costs $69 from hospital pharmacies.

I tried this on some old scars I had on my knees and elbows as well as newer scars caused by polyester clothes rubbing against my fats. It is non-greasy and creates a film over the scar, apparently you can put makeup over but I don't use makeup on my body so I don't know about this. Two applications a day, a pea-sized drop each time, in a week my scars were less visible.

It is not meant for chicken pox or acne scars.

RamenPlay

New Ramen place near my office that my sis says has branches all over Singapore. The soup stock is delicioso, not too salty as most Jap Ramen places overkill with miso. There is even a double soup stock that is a mix of fish stock and pork stock, served with a generous amount of chives. Too good to pass up, I haven't even tried the hot stone rice and cold noodles yet.

The pork used here is unbelievably soft and juicy, all other sides are just ho-hum. I've been here everyday since so I really think you will like it too.

Extended Lunch Hour - CNY groceries

Chinese New Year decorations are up at office. I like the winking lights and pink peonies at the lift lobbies & wards. Giant orange trees were delivered on Monday and setup at every entrance. Lots of lanterns & mini banners on every plant. My brother put up some calligraphy at the clinic and I bought a basket of fresh nougat ingots.

Extended lunch this week is spent picking up stuff for the CNY celebrations, primarily from Cold Storage. I just love the theme packs.

This year our local breweries are offering lemon juice mixed with beer, kinda like shandy. I just have to have those sour plum jellies. My mom's making the pineapple tarts again.

Lunch at Lao Beijing, getting in touch with my roots.

Roberto Cavalli 2013/2014 F/W Fashion

Roberto Cavalli sends out lots of textures and tie-dye looking prints this season in mostly darker shades, although we do see some pops of colour here and there. Everything's still rock'n'rolla about it, from the flared skinny pants to the fur coats. But one thing still remains, it's wearable prints and textures that allow you to create an individual style for everyday. You don't have to be a wild child to wear that dress and be loving it.

Our moms will love the ladies tuxedo, also done in prints. A versatile look that instantly turns any outfit into smart, formal looking attire.

This label also makes matching shoes and bags for the outfits, soo mumsy, but done in an unexpected way so it becomes refreshing.

The affordable line Just Cavalli  has louder prints in less luxurious materials for the younger crowd. This season, asymetric hemlines rule, alongside coloured animal prints and lots of fun ombre clothes.

2014 Calendars & CNY Hampers

2014 calendars on sale now!

Precious Moments & Paul Frank calendars are $5 for desktop and $8 for wall. Sanrio calendars are $20 to $30. Mead calendars with free widget and digital wallpapers are a steal at $5 to $10. 

My brother made me compile all CNY hampers on the market and anybody wants a copy they can PM me on Facebook. What I found out is:

• Bloomdale offers the cheapest prices on decent looking hampers (best value too based on the hampers I have received). 
• Isetan offers niche hampers like cute Meiji Confection hampers and Apple hampers with words printed on the fruits.
• Eu Yan Sang & HockHua Tonic offer the traditional kind for gift-giving to in-laws.
• Far East Flora's flora & oranges arrangements are perfect for friends.
• Noel pyramid XO hampers have buy 2 get 1 free promotion.
• Takashimaya offers Harrods & Fauchon CNY hampers.
• NTUC Fairprice & Cold Storage offer smaller sets for you to bring along on your home visits.
• Xpress Flowers & Prince have discounts on bulk orders and early orders respectively.
• New player on the scene is Hummings (we've given and received a few, quite nice really, especially those everlasting arrangements).
• Risis & Royal Selangor offers gold-plated Horse themed gifts, engravable.
• Hediard? They have a horse-shaped wine stopper in their CNY hampers this year.

Risis Promotion @ Takashimaya S.C. until 26 Jan 2014

Lancome Hypnose Mascara

I was skeptical at first but once I started using Lancome's thickening mascaras, or more specifically Hypnose, I was hooked. In just 1 or 2 strokes you get full, lush lashes that are fully separated and evenly coated. And it is waterproof! The bottom line is, you just can't get lashes of this volume with most mascaras. The wonderful packaging eliminates the use of lash brushes/combs to even out and separate each lash. All in one for less than $50, no wonder it is award-winning. 

For extra drama, use this with a lengthening mascara as well.

Manhatten Fish Market

Another fish/seafood grill similar to Fish & Co. Creamy garlic butter rice.

Extended Lunch Hour - Sales

Boxing Day has gone and past but the post-Christmas deals are still around, while stocks last. Just nice for the Chinese New Year.

30% to 50% discounts on Christmas sets at Sephora, of which I bought none. I bought Stila HD BB cream (1 for 1) and Luminous foundation (1 for 1). I tried to stock up on the Christmas limited edition ENIGMA shower gels and scrubs (half priced), its a really nice scent for guys in pretty packaging. I really wanted the Ciate Nail Polish baubles (also half priced) but then I would need to keep it until next Christmas and buy a tree...

I bought a few 1-for-1 gift sets at The Bodyshop, if you spend more than $68 you get a free gift bag of minis and a packet of angpows. For your own use really because of that Christmas packaging. I really wanted the HoneyMania range but it was sold out before Christmas, attesting to its popularity. Scrubs and Body butters on sale @ $19.

Guardian Pharmacy also had some deals for the CNY crowd. Couple of marked down conditioners (50% discounts) from Sunsilk and Dove, these have red stickers on them. L'Oreal Excellence and Excellence Fashion hair dyes @ $22 for 2 sets, at these prices I might start dying my own hair every other month. Schwarzkopf Perfect Mousse @ $15 for 2 sets, featuring the new shampoo in permanent hair dye.

30% off all Lush Christmas Gift Sets and certain items like bath bombs and soaps. I spied 50% discounts on the magnanimity mask and noriko soap. Wanted to get more items as the larger the gift sets, the better the value. My current cash constraints are such a pain.

Moschino F/W 2013/2014 Fashion

Moschino showcases a formal preppy collection in their usual young at heart style. 

Loving the gold piping on the clothes, big "M" crests along with tartan printed two-pieces. Bag pipe music notwithstanding, the collection is actually quite romantic with lots of red and rose motifs. Moschino hasn't forgotten their main clientele completely, there is fringe for the boho-chick and leather for the biker-chick.

In contrast, it's Cheap&Chic line is more urban and outlandish.

The usual furs and leopard prints, done-up in a high fashion way of course. This season we also see script prints in lovely white, black & pink.

Moschino Menswear is formal wear re-worked for the younger crowd or maybe just updated for today, as we don't really see such clothes nowadays (fur collar walking coats, tuxedoes and cravats).

My favorites are the irreverant sweaters and printed suits.