Grohe Shower Exchange

A practical gift idea for mom this Mother's Day. Exchange your old showerhead for a Grohe one, pick from Tempesta 100, Euphoria Cube, Rainshower Icon and Power&Soul. Or one of these 4 piece bath faucet sets at specially discounted prices of 45% to 60% off regular prices. A really great deal if this is something you need. Everyone loves the high quality finish on Grohe products.

The moment I saw this promotion, I called my dad to remove my existing showerhead. After work, we went to an authorized outlet along Balestier road (conveniently on route home). I got the Tempesta 100 showerhead that is around the usual size of a showerhead. Euphoria Cube is unavailable at almost all outlets, Icon and Power&Soul are massive in size so no go. The design is great and bathing in those soft oxygenated raindrops is really something, what came short was the high pressure flow option, it's still quite gentle.

LANCÔME Hydra Zen NeoCalm

I bought Lancome's Hydra Zen Neocalm coffret last Christmas as it is this sweet, feminine pink that I am soo in love with. A skincare line inspired by the orient with Jasmine, Rose and Mu Dan Pi extracts to protect, soothe and hydrate the skin. Even sensitive skin. There is the Essence, Day Cream, Night Cream and Aqua Gel.

The aqua gel works like a moisturizer and leaves a fresh, clean feeling. My first time using a water-based gel moisturizer and the beneficial effects are the same, instantly plump & radiant skin that lasts 24hrs. I guess people living in the tropics will like this for the texture and feel without compromising quality.

Zaffron Buffet @ Oasia Hotel

Oasia Hotel is located directly opposite my new workplace so when I had to pig out on good food, we ate dinner at the hotel's buffet restaurant Zaffron. The selection is limited but delicious, a little of everything and I was full. There is an a-la-carte portion to the meal that comes plated nicely, coffee and tea included.

Fair Isle Fingerless Gloves

My first time trying out Fair Isle knitting, that is pretty similar to Intarsia except the patterns used are smaller and recurring. This is an XO pattern for hugs & kisses. Before I start on a sweater, I thought it best to start off with fingerless gloves, using just 1 x black & 1 x variegated wool yarn per pair. 

Cast on 40 strands (small pegs) for a medium sized person, I used my mom and dad as gauge. I made 2 sets because I wanted to see the variegated yarn as main colour (MC) and as contrasting colour (CC). For more complex visuals, knitters will use 2 sets of variegated yarns as MC & CC.

Ferragamo Spring/Summer 2014 Fashion

 

Ferragamo menswear carries on the same colour palette as Hermes this year, with blues, greens, oranges and neutrals. This season however it features a numbering print that looks like colour blocking. Check out the pattern continuation in the suits. 

Womenswear this season has more of an emphasis on neutrals, done in a very feminine way, with swingy skirts, pleats and draping. 

 The fashion cut this season is the boxy tops, a softer re-working of the 80s style shoulder pads.

Alternate Investment Properties

Investing in property need not only be residential in nature. Other types of properties to invest in include office spaces, warehouse spaces and even retail spaces. Not sure about carpark spaces sold overseas as we don't quite have that in Singapore. Here are some options under a million.

Prestige Point in Upper Paya Lebar road is a new mixed development with 15 residential units and 12 commercial units for sale. Ground floor retail shops are for rent only. You can buy a 172 sq ft (16 sq m) retail space for $172,000. Best part is it's freehold, TOP 2016. For reference, the pic below is 172 sq ft.

Northstar @ AngMoKio is a commercial building that has office spaces for sale. $369,000 will get you a 506 sq ft (47 sq m) office with it's own toilet and balcony (for smoking breaks). It is in a HDB estate with banks, foodcourt, childcare nearby. It is easily accessed from major highways and provides parking space for staff. 24hr security and separate lift lobbies for goods and guests. Only drawback is the 60 year leasehold. Available immediately.

EcoTech @ Sunview has warehouse spaces for sale, TOP 2015. Building space is slated for light industrial as well, so more opportunities to use/rent. $574,000 for 2605 sq ft (242sq m). It has parking spaces, a canteen, swimming pool, tennis court, gym, outdoor lounge areas. 30 year leasehold.

Elizabeth Arden Face Powders

I realize I don't talk much about stuff I actually use all the time so this post covers one of my favourite brands Elizabeth Arden face powders. Currently, I am using Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Skin Smoothing Loose Powder and Elizabeth Arden White Glove Skin Perfecting compact. First of, I have to tell everyone I love the packaging on these products.

Then I have to let you know it doesn't leave much of a powdery finish. Good product at a reasonable price. There are a few ranges to choose from depending on individual preference, like translucent or full coverage, sun screen and so on.

Once I am done with the above, I am moving onto Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish sponge on Cream Makeup, essentially a 2-way cake or pressed foundation powder. Application is a little different, apply on dry for thicker coverage and wet for thinner coverage (this is usually opposite for most similar products on the market). Coverage is opaque and covers skin irregularities & flaws effortlessly, with a nice smooth finish. Available in 8 different shades, $56. It also comes in a golden box packaging for $66.

Katong Laksa

Katong Laksa is the version that got me hooked and it still remains the best version to me. Creamy coconut milk and sweet seafood soup. A branch is available outdoors at United Square, such a pity, it should be air-conditioned then more people will go there to eat.

Easter Knits

Loads of egg related stuff like cozies, scarfs, hats and even fake eggs. Amigurumi (soft toys), outfits for babies, baskets and for the more mature folks, there are these lovely lace cross bookmarks.

Hermes Spring/Summer Fashion 2014

Hermes is inspired by the tropical rainforests this year. The colours and the comfortable style of clothing to match. Bringing fashion closer to the Singaporean context.

We see botanical prints but in darker yet truer tones of blacks, greens and touches of cream & yellow. This same palette is also found in womenswear and menswear this Spring.

Then we move onto the brighter tropical colours of orange & blues.

Holiday Home?

Bintan - Expat Living Magazine - Tempat Gembira & Tempat Beruang - S$1.2 million each

Fresh from the Singapore Yacht Show, I was beginning to wonder what about people who don't have sea legs and are not exceptionally sporty like myself. For over a million dollars, wouldn't it make sense to get a holiday home instead? I can spend my days drinking in ocean views and exploring the rustic charms of Bali, Bintan, Batam, the 3 top spots for Singaporeans to purchase their 2nd home. For families and retirees, these villas offer the space and style of a large home at 1/10 the price.

Batam - Over the Water Villas - $488,000

Batam is 40 mins away by boat.

Bintan - Alila Villas - start from $2.34 million

Bintan is 2 hours away by boat.

Bali - Khayangan Villa Interior Design

Bali is 2.5 hours away by plane.

Benefit Get Even compact

Benefit's Get Even face powder has lots of good reviews from users. Meant to blot away shine and unevenness, perfect for mid-day touch-ups. For this purpose, it's sensible matte black compact, complete with mirror and powder puff within, makes it convenient and easy to use. Available in only 3 shades. The shops always seem to run out of this product.

I tried it as a base powder and then for mid-day touch-ups and I find the powder does provide even coverage (not translucent), leaving behind a matte finish. I judge my face powders on how much of a powdery look it leaves behind and this does deliver on its price range.

Royal China @ Raffles Hotel

Royal China @ Raffles Hotel is the branch of that iconic dimsum place in London. It's discreet location and intimate dining area was where we had our Sunday brunch. 

This place is not typical of Chinese restaurants in Singapore. The season's specialties are laid out on a presentation table at the entrance and they serve the not soo traditional XO courvoisier & MacCallum whisky here.

Food is good with a flair, my favourite dish is the siew mai with wolfberries and jelly fruit dessert with chrysanthemum & guiling gao honey.

Luxe Links Openwork Shawl by FabYarn

The luxe links pattern comes free from FabYarns using 2 strands of lurex glitter mohair at the same time. I am going to use Spotlight's Mountain Chalet yarn ball (also 400m) single strand. This shawl uses knit 2 together stitches throughout that I realize makes the Martha Stewart scarf and not the shawl in the above picture. Maybe it's crochet 2 throughout so the links look looser. Have already emailed the FabYarn staff and waiting for their reply.

I made it on a 78 peg loom. So when I double it over, it fits my mom nicely as a shawl. At home she can expand it into a thin blanket for colder days...hahaha....maybe when she is travelling overseas.

Dolce & Gabbana Spring Summer 2014 Fashion

D&G showcases the scenery of Italy this season in their men & women clothes.

I really like the gold lace dresses, wouldn't mind a short sleeve or long sleeved version.

The colours veer more towards blacks and darker tones, that translates into wearable for most women.

It's summer time so there are some fun pieces to liven up your wardrobe. I love these!