Anya Hindmarch Spring/Summer 2015

Anya Hindmarch goes back to school this spring/summer. It's tongue-in-cheek and just plain neons.

The perforated neon bags have made an appearance already and I think its just a matter of time before we see these on the streets of Singapore. 

The stickers are also sold separately if you want to add more embellishments or update an old bag.

Guardian Pharmacy Haul

I passed by Guardian Pharmacy @toapayoh and saw an entire shelf marked for clearance. I didn't get everything, just cartoon plasters and MyBeautyDiary masks at less than half price. The sign says less than 6 months to expiry but I checked the packaging and its says expiry in 2016/2017.

As it turns out, all the Guardians are having the same sale. Just regular shelves of goods with marked down prices. I picked up this loot of goodies at just $2 to $7 per piece, expiry in 2016/2017.

Gonna try and get more to stock up.

Borghese Fango Delicato Active Mud

Borghese makes all these mud masks for hair, face, body and the mud masks are the main selling items of the brand. You can get a few to alternate from purifying, detox, firming, brightening, moisturizing, scalp care. Right now I am using fango delicato a detox mask for sensitive skin. 

To wash off the mud mask you need to use these facial sponges that are hard when dry and softens in water.

Dr Oetker Ristorante Pizzas

Dr Oetker makes the best frozen pizzas in my opinion. I have been buying up frozen pizzas from its Ristorante range @ NTUC regularly. Recommended serving size is a quarter for each person and at $9.95 a pizza, makes this supremely affordable. The authentic semolina thin crust and deliciously flavorful cheeses, I always get mozzerella.

Simplicity - Cynthia Rowley Pattern 2178 - Dress B

Dress B is the long skirt version of Dress A. I chose to make it in dip-dyed cotton because the long skirt will show off the ombre colours nicely. I am cutting the fabric vertically so the colours will change from left to right. I have also decided to elongate the lining as cotton can be quite translucent.

Day 1 : Read pattern and finalize on size
Day 2 : Cutting paper pattern & fabric
Day 3 : Sewing the pieces of fabric together
Day 4 : Rest @ cafe and buy dress zip & interfacing
Day 5 : Sew zip onto dress and iron on interfacing
Day 6 : Evaluate dress and adjust where necessary

I appear to be preparing for National Day, first with the orchid and now with red & white.

Moschino Spring/Summer 2015

After last season's McD-Kellogg-Spongebob theme, this season Moschino releases life-size Barbie dolls. With all the accessories a girl could want.

The looks are modelled after real Barbie Doll clothes. My favorite piece is the terry cloth motorcycle jacket.

Moschino Menswear this season, the loud coca-cola prints come in T-shirts too.

Kellogg's Win Cash

Kellogg's organized a Win Cash promotion in the beginning of the year and I happened to buy a whole bunch of cereal to stock up my pantry with. Top prize is $888, still $88 is pretty good.

Benefit Watt's Up!

A shimmery face highlighter, the differentiation factor is the glitter that is quite subtle. I like the creamy soft texture that glides on easily over my skin and blends well. Use it to highlight your facial features or create the triangle of light. I really love this product! 

Mission Wraps (Flour Tortillas)

I have switched to these wraps in place of bread for some time now. It doesn't matter what you are having for lunch/dinner, just put it in a wrap and it becomes yummy. There are several flavors and I usually get Onion & Chive or 1 of the newer flavors like Curry, Sun-dried Tomatoes, Herb.

The curry one is quite amazing, everything I put in (e.g. tuna, chicken), instantly tastes like curry.

Meals are now easy to prepare and easy to eat, $5.35 for 8 pieces.

Simplicity - Cynthia Rowley pattern 2178 - Dress A

Cynthia Rowley designed this series of paper patterns for Simplicity. It's mostly day dresses that require lots of sewing. Her dress construction requires 13 to 20 pieces each, compare that against the average dress pattern of 6 to 10 pieces.

 

I chose this pattern as it shows variation on a classic 2 strap dress. This paper pattern set contains designs for 4 dresses and I will be making all starting with Dress A that turned out as a toga sans 1 strap that was missing from the packet. A manufacturing error or human error on my part? Either way, toga dress works fine. Since togas are kinda resort-ish, I chose an Orchid purple Seersucker fabric.

Once completed, the material looks more like Crêpe than Seersucker and really gorgeous with pockets on both sides to boot.

Tommy Hilfiger Spring/Summer 2015

Featuring lots of stars this season in what looks predominantly red, white & blue.

This years Pantone colour of the year Marsala.

For a brand that makes preppy colourful clothes, I am surprised by this season's darker tones and grungy edge.

Luxola Hair Tie

A wonderful freebie that came with my Luxola order is this pink hair tie. I wonder what's the occasion as it doesn't come with every order.

Redken Smooth Lock Shampoo & Conditioner

Redken's Smooth Lock range of hair products are based on almond extracts and provide heat protection for your salon-straightened hair to stay that way longer. It's all in the name of fighting frizz. I would say it's better than ordinary straight hair products as it provides additional heat protection and every little bit counts.

Preserved Vegetables

When my family has porridge for a meal, we always break out the preserved vegetables. I don't know why preserved veges tastes better by itself or with porridge rather than with rice/noodles. There is such a huge selection of preserved vegetables to choose from at the grocery store that it can get intimidating. 

I recommend Sing Long Preserved Vegetables (Mei Cai) steeped in olive oil. It is the same preserved vegetables served with braised duck at the Hawker Centre or stir-fried with pork belly at the Mixed Rice Stall, sans olive oil. At just $1.95 a bottle, its also the same price as ordering it at the foodcourt.

AAA Pickled Lettuce $1.50 a bottle. It's crunchy and sweet lettuce stalks steeped in soy sauce. Reminds me of Japanese purple pickles, only you can buy this one at the store and bring home.

Twilight Angel Cross Stitch

From the popular petite angel series of mini cross-stitches. Twilight Angel is sewn on 16 count light blue aida fabric and measures a comfortable 6" x 8", the size of a regular photo.

You have to sew on all these beads and embellishments at the end, a signature of the Petite Angel cross-stitch collection.