Beauty Keeper Box

I actually received this huge box of Taiwanese beauty samples from Beauty Keeper during their Giftopia event back in October. OMG! This is the largest beauty sample haul I've ever received all at once. It also comes with a newspaper insert detailing the brands and products.

I counted 21 items in here:

 2 packets of candies from Ethel (collagen and aha acids)

Yoghurt Berry Supplement Powder from Yohopower 

2 tissue face masks from Sevynal and INNA Organic

12 pack disposable Macaron facial masks from Han aka

Lip gloss from Serlando

2 sets of makeup foundation from Minorca

PSK CC cream and deep sea moisturizer

Jandan Skincare serum toner

Aurelia Aurita Moisture Jelly Toner (with jellyfish collagen)

MD/AA Jiao acne stick

Eyes Light eye serum

Crisstar Aqua Moisture Gel and Oxygenated Essence

Vitalab Perfecting Elixir

Mdmmd. Hydration cream and freeze age essence

All Belle face towel

I am guessing this would last me a year. The collagen powder will go into soups, yogurt berry powder into smoothies, eye cream meant to soothe fatigued eyes and acne stick with a herbal formula. The lip gloss is clear tho' dunno why as it seems all the Taiwanese lip glosses are clear these days.

Opening up all the boxes so you can see the packaging. My fave is Crisstar coz of the crystal ball caps. Next is the hefty Aurelia Aurita Jellyfish Moisture Gel, good solid bottle in a round shape and ombre colours. Cannot wait to start using these.

Marks & Spencer Cafe

I like visiting Marks & Spencer's flagship store at Wheelock Place. It's got pretty much everything and the food section is a treat, especially during Christmas time with specialty foods.

I usually get scones for 1 but today I was hungry so I ordered one of the popular baked potatoes, this one has creamed cheese and salmon. Also got the hummus platter for sharing, great variety of crackers and hummus. You can get all the same stuff from their food hall in cans and packages.

I picked up this mulled wine spices from their Christmas range and was surprised at the register coz it costs $10.90! I was only expecting it to be a few dollars. Check out my food haul video on youtube.

updated on 25 Dec 2016 Christmas Day

Christmas Day lunch from M&S, I still had to do some prep like mulling the wine and steeping the tea the night before. For lunch its crackers & 4 dips, taco salad using a sauce packet and unboxing the chocolates to put on plates for dessert. Check out my presents haul video on youtube.

Metro Centrepoint

Centerpoint looks closed for renovations but Metro and a few shops are still open for business. The central forum features Christmas decorations and I like the larger selection as the crowds are not here. Advertised Metro deals are still available on the shelves, no Q for giftwrap & lucky draws, $25 grab bags @ Children's Toys Dept. The season's design is red, white, hearts and leaping reindeers. I thought it was Valentine's Day or National Day.

B1 has all new eateries and I tried out So Pho a vietnamese restaurant. It's all about Bahn Mi sandwiches and the amazing viet coffee.

I also made it to Takashimaya and OG to complete shopping for presents, busy month in all.

Christmas Tree from Qoo10 auction, Disney trains from Takara Tomy, Lego figurine from Toys'r'us (self-constructed), other presents from Precious Moments & Spotlight.

H&M x Kenzo

This is the first time I have queued for H&M designer collaboration and actually bought something I wanted. I was in the Q by 5am and unlike previous times, no one left the Q until they actually got into the store to shop.

H&M staff handed out muffins and bottled water in the morning, I ran off to have a quick breakfast at Ya Kun before re-joining the Q. That's what the wristbands are for.

I stayed away from the bright colors and just got the basics. Spent about $3,000 but its not all for myself, this is also Christmas presents.

Popular BookFest @ Suntec Convention Center, I got in on the 100 amazing deals for Christmas and there are more at the bookfest. Checkout my haul video on youtube, excuse the squeaky voice I don't know why it came out like that in the video.

BRAND’S® InnerShine® Ruby Collagen Essence

The first Christmas present I received this year is BRAND’S® InnerShine® Ruby Collagen Essence 12 pack from people who know me so well, I have been dying to try this for some time. I already take InnerShine® Berry Essence regularly (for the eyes) and marine collagen essence strips (it's like konnyaku jelly desserts).

Ruby Collagen is the higher end product that easily costs 2x more and contains collagen and astaxanthin. Astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant, 500x more effective than vitamin E (my fave antioxidant). Instead of merely applying it to the skin to boost its condition, its eaten to ensure your body gets all the benefits. Ruby Collagen is also available in essence strips (jelly) so you can keep it in your bag for after lunch or snacking.

The liquid inside is its Ruby Signature Formula, a bright orangy-red like cordial, its also got that rich fruity burst in flavor. Really nice and pleasant, I would take this on any given day as a treat. If you would like a sample bottle to try, apply on samplestore.com. Otherwise, it is available only online for this festive season at Brands SG website.

Banana Leaf Apolo Restaurant

Indian food delivered by Food Panda. There are several Indian restaurants along race course road selling curry fish head and Banana Leaf restaurant is actually quite famous. Big hit with tourists and locals alike.

 

Fish Head Curry, Butter Chicken, Naan (several flavors), Yoghurt & Onion Chutney.

I cannot believe the fish cutlets are $3.90 each. We usually make a trip to the restaurant as a family to eat, this is our first time ordering takeaway and its as good as original. I have to say its a lot more convenient and comfortable as the restaurant is quite cramped and Little India is filled with people on the weekends.

Hong Kong Street Chun Tat Kee

This corner shop along Balestier Road strikes an imposing presence. There are many Hong Kong Street restaurants in Singapore, similar names but different proprietors and cooks. The food is really good and its always full. There is a traditional desserts stall next door to it.

We ordered our new usual takeaway menu and this place can cook it. The chili crab mantous are a little small but kinda makes sense for a large family dinner. This time there was a hair amongst the coriander so we threw the garnishing away. Hopefully, that won't happen again.

Swatow Seafood

Dimsum lunch at the old Chinese restaurant in Toa Payoh. The name of the restaurant changes but for the last 10 years or so its called Swatow Seafood Restaurant. The decor has been updated but the food is still traditional. There are only a few of us so we had dimsum for lunch, some of the other tables ordered family sized set meals that came in really generous portions.

Don't ask for roast meats though, all the meat here is braised or deep fried.

Tian Tai Eating House

Corner coffeeshop at the intersection of Kim Keat Road and Lorong Limau is filled with malay food stalls. For some variety there is a chinese seafood zhu chao stall. The malay food here is really good and the place is always filled with patrons. It's about $2.50 for 3 vegetables & rice, if you have meat then its about $7.50.

Further down the road at the intersection of Kim Keat Road and Kim Keat Lane is an Indian coffeeshop. And when you hit the main road, there's BJ (Botak Jones) American Diner serving western food.