Plant Watering System

Some of us keep ornamental or food plants and know that the pesky part of gardening is watering the plants daily. Sure the plants need fertilizer every couple of months or sunlight so we place them in a bright sunny spot. But, the watering needs to be done everyday and you cannot count on it to rain everyday. Too much will drown the roots, too little and your plant will wither. For bigger lawns or even farms, people setup sprinklers that turn on like clockwork.

 For city-dwellers like us who probably have just 1 or 2 pet plants, are better off with self-watering plant pots. Ikea carries self watering plant pots for about S$30 (pic above). However, I was just at Ikea and didn't see it so I guess stock is limited to certain places only. You have better luck getting your hands on Eva Solo's designer self-watering plant pot at around S$70 (pic below), isn't it gorgeous!

Most nurseries will stock the plastic version below that you fill with water and stick into existing plant pots. Cheap and versatile, good for people with home nurseries or many indoor plants. It's clean and fuss-free but, maybe not the prettiest thing to look at so you should hide it behind the plant out of sight.

My newest purchase Aqua Globes, a pair of glass art water dispensers that don't have to be hidden behind plants, S$13.90.

Hair Oil

No matter how much you condition your hair, it will still be frizzy in the morning. So the discovery of hair oil was something of a revelation to me. Apply some on your hair in the morning for sleek, shiny tresses and also to prevent the hair ends from drying out in air-conditioning (you know split ends). For permed hair a heavier oil is used and a lighter oil for untreated hair. If you are in air-conditioning all day then be prepared to put on more hair oil at mid-day as the effects will start to wear out.

I always use Kerastase and within the brand itself, there are soo many different types of hair oil to try. Usually it is scentless but a few perfumed hair oils were launched recently. L'oreal hair oils all have a nice floral or fruity scent almost like perfume. Macadamia Natural Oil is quite different, there is a scent but it is more savoury, almost delicious even. You apply it when the hair is slightly wet as a treatment and when it dries out the hair is not frizzy and quite soft, so it works a little different from the other hair oils. Same goes for Argan oil that is very popular these days.

Microwave Oven Cakes

I've often heard that although combi microwaves have an oven function, you cannot bake cakes in it. Mainly because it doesn't build up enough heat. If you increase the temperature - the cake crust gets burnt before the inside finishes baking. If you use a low temperature - the microwave times out and automatically shuts down to cool off.

You can make regular cake recipes in a combi microwave. Firstly, use the highest rack the oven comes with, so the cake pan is closest to the source of heat. Secondly, amend the cooking times to suit the combi microwave. If the recipe calls for 350 degrees F for 30-40 mins, then bake the cake at 200 degrees C for 40 mins and 180 degrees C for 30 mins. Cake comes out perfectly all the time. Happy baking!

Vanity Trove November Box

November's Trove came in pretty purple sparkly paper and I just love the introduction cards that come in every trove that is like a gift card. Sharing the stuff with my mom as there are more than I can use.

Dream Girl Trove contains:

5 sample packets of BRTC BB creams and 1 packet of moisturizer.

Uriage and ZA hydration gels for the face.

Adore night and day sanitary napkins.

Neogence pore-reducing serum and blemish serum.

A full size Laline vanilla hand cream and voucher to purchase more at a special price.

3 SASA $5 vouchers. 

Personalized Stationery

You can get nicely printed stationery in Singapore from the many book shops and shopping centres  however, monogram stationery is something else. Most professional printers cater to corporations and I think the only time we use this service is to print wedding invitations, remember the lengthy design time you spent with the printing house designers.

Vistaprint.sg is a photo shop and professional printer all in one. You can print small quantities of personalized stationery for home use very affordably from S$13 for 1 personalized notepad of 50 sheets. You can print the full range of stationery here from sticky notepads to envelope stickers. It's friendly website allows you to choose layouts online and upload the picture or photo you want printed and the finished product will be mailed to you.

Joli Monogram on Cozycot offers several letter set (letterhead and envelope) templates for you to choose from and each printed thick stock letter set starts from S$2.50 per piece, readily gift-boxed for your recipient. There is an option of pearlescent or thicker stock paper for S$0.50 more per piece. *10 Nov 2012 : Item has been moved to Minted a separate website.

Paper Tiger Press is one of many boutique Singapore presses. It offers a few select designs as well as customized orders of monogram or prints. If you are looking for high quality printing on informal stationery, this is the place. Pricing and ordering information unavailable, so I guess you have to send the owners an email.

If you are looking for bespoke service, Elephant & Coral does old-fashion engraved stationery. Call first for a consultation before heading down to one of their retail stores.

Singapore Post's MyStamp service allows you to order personalized stamps for regular home use or special occasions like weddings at just S$15.50 a sheet. Buy online or at a SAM kiosk.

My Christmas Wish List (2012)

Alexander McQueen clutch with knuckledusters or 1 of those gorgeous dresses. Buy from Club21 at Four Seasons Hotel Singapore, S$4,000 - S$23,000. Collections are inspired by the Victorian age in both design and craftsmanship  updated with sumptuous new fabrics. One of the few fashion houses that still utilize old-school atelier workmanship. The man himself may be dead but the excitement from his fashion house lives on! I want that escher dress from Resort 2010 collection.

Montblanc Etoile Eternelle Fountain Pen S$3,850, buy from Mont Blanc boutique at Ngee Ann City. Made from silver coated in transparent lacquer and 18k gold, topped with a 0.06 carat diamond in the shape of the Mont Blanc emblem. I wouldn't buy this for myself as it's a fountain pen, but I would love to receive it as a gift. Incredibly beautiful and well-made, jewellery for the writing desk.

Laura Ashley metal bed is the epitome of classic British country style. Laura Ashley at Great World City #01-30 has a design team to help you design your home with furniture, soft furnishings and other stuff like wallpaper. Expect to pay S$1,500 for a double bed frame and another S$1,500 for mattress, pillows, duvet and coverings. I expect this to be more popular than ever with shabby chic the new design buzz word.

Manicure/Pedicure Package for 1 year S$1,200. Unwind and relax while getting your nails groomed, so you are clean and pretty. Beautifully manicured nails are the finishing touch on any ensemble, creating a neat and tidy look. My must-have spa essential.

Marco Bicego jewellery available at Tianpo. This reknown brand makes the most delicate looking but sturdy jewellery, perfect for casual everyday wear that is soo hard to find you know. There are a few collections to choose from and Paradise is my favorite because I love color. Starts from S$700 for a pair of earrings.

Jellyfish paperweights from glass artist Richard Satava. Isn't it amazing, it looks soo life-like and fluid that I can stare at it all day. The perfect gift for anyone that loves the ocean and especially divers. I think it also comes with an illuminated stand so it lights up at night. Comes in all sizes and can reach up to S$700, buy from Nova EFX Raffles City SC L3-06/07.

National Geographic DVDs S$75-$350, buy from HMV and National Geographic store at Vivocity. It's more fun than just reading and the blu-ray 3D makes it even more exciting. From Best of National Geographic to popular series The Blue Planet, documentaries and commentaries on every genre are covered.

Voice Recorders are standard tools for students and those trying to break into the music industry. It has other uses as well like reminders for forgetful people. Some features to look out for are SD card slots or expandable memory, USB port or compatible formats with your PC to transfer data, level of track marking, wind screen to eliminate wind noise. There are other cool features too like voice to print for transcribing. S$75 to S$250 depending on the model you are looking at. Available at any electronics store, even the neighborhood ones. I use my vintage cassette voice recorder to playback piano practice sessions and would love to have a new one.

Knitting loom, these new tools make knitting easier than ever before. The expandable sets allow for bigger projects so you can make gifts or add to your own wardrobe. I remember how difficult it was to pick up knitting and the time spent working on larger items so I really appreciate how much time these new configurable looms save. No sharp needles jabbing away, it is so safe even kids can join in the fun. For crafters looking to expand their repertoire and even your girlfriend that doesn't sew. I want the full expandable, configurable set. Knitting kits retail for less than S$100, buy from Spotlight or Growing Fun.

Brand's Innershine Berry Essence, 6 pack S$24.90 buy from NTUC, Watsons or Guardian. Made from 7 different types of berries to provide a boost for the eyes, I do feel less strain around the eye area after drinking this so I highly recommend it to anyone who works or plays on the computer all day. There is Berry Essence with Grapeseed extract that contains 5 varieties of berries and grapeseed extract to improve skin. Tastes delicious and can be added to carbonated water to make a fruit fizz. Great under S$50 present for just about anyone.

Moschino Hotel

Maison Moschino is not a series of hotels but rather, just one uniquely quirky hotel housed in a restored railway station in Milan, Italy. A pet project of the fashion house that will appeal to all girls.

Affable lodgings that matches its clothes, prepare to be surprised and charmed as each room is decorated differently and I heard about the hallway lined with loose keys. 

Nice to be both comfortable and enthralled by the whimisical wonder of this hotel. I wonder if these soft furnishings are sold in the hotel gift shop.