Friday, November 30, 2018

HP Pavillion all-in-one PC



I thought I was going to get this at Comex this year but this particular model was not on offer so I just bought it off the official website, free delivery. It's an all-in-one PC like the jelly coloured Apple PCs and its touchscreen like the Ipad.


This is what it looks like assembled, the screen is the same size as before. Only 1 colour to choose from, white. Sound system by Bang & Olufsen, the soundbar portion is in a fabric-like covering that I kinda like coz it looks homespun as opposed to corporate use.


Side view, it still looks slim even though its actually quite hefty, concealing the CPU and CD player. I like the sleek cohesive look of this, easy to move around my desk.


Software installation took some time so I went out for dinner at Pistachio Restaurant. lamb and moussaka for dinner. Large serving of ice cream for dessert, drowned in dried fruits & nuts.



Friday, November 23, 2018

Shin Minori Buffet



Shin Minori translates as New Harvest and this Japanese Buffet place has the variety of a regular restaurant and the standards to match. We came here for dad's birthday and I am planning my next trip here soon.


The sashimi is soo fresh I don't need wasabi or soya sauce to finish the entire plate. We ordered soo many rounds of this, it's the best the restaurant has to offer. The sushi is inconsistent coz the rice was sour on one of my visits here.



The fresh seafood was also in the salads and poke Temaki.


Robatayaki was the best! great with drinks and my fave was the teriyaki chicken. You have to order this and I would come back just for this alone.


Chawanmushi, regular and seasonal pumpkin that tasted like mooncake egg yolks. The Kani or crab cream soup was there too, runny custard.


For dessert it was sweet potato mash deep fried into spring rolls. Some people ordered peach salads that we didn't wait for. Very full...



Friday, November 16, 2018

Homemade Advent Calendars



This amscan wedding cake boxes come 24 in a pack and is perfect for making Christmas advent calendars. The 25th item is usually the Christmas present that goes in the middle, where else? I have decided a candle should go in the middle, coz I checked out youtube and that's what everyone else gets on Christmas, advent calendars and candles.


Each box looks like a real slice of wedding cake and when you put it all together, it creates a perfect circle. The box itself is tiny, about credit card size so not many things can fit in except gift cards or sample sizes. It was fun looking for things to fit in.



I sealed each box with favor stickers that are a lot easier to use than regular sticky tape. It's also a lot prettier. If you print gift tags like name cards than that will fit into each cake slice box as well.


Most of the items are from Spotlight, including a round shaped candle with 2 wicks that fits perfectly in the middle of this circle. But I also went to Guardian, Watsons, Toys'r'us, Supermarkets and Jap/Korean home goods stores.


 Presented on a reusable tray. I went everywhere looking for a tray large enough to hold these boxes together and in the end I got these melamine trays from Crate & Barrel, I love their new melamine range that looks like wood/Jap pottery/Euro Folk Art Clay.


The large fish tray actually holds 27 boxes, 3 more than usual. I sealed these boxes with Christmas sticker gift tags and it turned out really colourful. Crate & Barrel has really nice candles on sale but for kids I thought I would put a small gift in the middle instead.


The other set of 21 boxes (24 - 3) I placed on a paella pan purchased from Spotlight. This red paella pan is a little small, there's a bigger size but its in black. If I put 2 eyes on it, it looks like a doggie face.


I also used a Wilton Round Cake Pan purchased from Spotlight, its the largest size available. I thought about stuffing the edges with fern/leaves but ended up stuffing it with cookies instead, wrapped in colourful tissue.



Friday, November 9, 2018

Paris Baguette Cafe



Finally stopped over at Paris Baguette cafe that everyone is raving about. The sheer variety on display is amazing!


Cute bites and sweet buns, I ordered the sweet chili bacon bun that has a whole egg inside with hollandaise sauce. There is a non-chili version available. Mini burgers with teriyaki glaze and fresh Atlantic crab sandwiches in cupcake wrappers with wasabi.


I had the Very Berry dessert with fresh fruit juice one day and Peach delight with cold cream coffee the next. The desserts are amazing! Both times the bill was under $35.


Checking out the SooKee sales event nearby, cocktails provided. What a big budget, usually they just hand out champagne. Macarons and Donuts provided as well.


My door gift and vouchers that I didn't use, nothing to buy.


Up to 70% off diamonds, I was hoping the Versace stuff would be on sale but no such luck, only 5% off.