KitchenAid Mixer

I believe there is a KitchenAid mixer for every pony.

Courts is offering the pink KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer for S$699 and online discount deal site is offering the silver version for S$669.

*updated 14 Aug 2013* Also available at Mega Discount Store (United Square) @ S$699 all colours.

OROGOLD Cosmetics

This USA based brand OROGOLD is another one of those gold infused cosmetics, skincare, bodycare lines. I've tried a few different ones before and no way do these come cheap. It's a prestige product that uses real gold and priced up there with La Prairie, Dior and all the other luxury brands.

The staff uses free samples and hard sell to push their products so if you don't have an afternoon to spare than just tell them you have an appointment to run to, if not then sit and do some girl talk. They will tell you their products are good (they are selling it so they have to), its up to you if you want to buy it. To be honest, the salesgirl didn't key in my Amex 10% discounts and rounded up my total bill, maybe because I was getting some fantastic discounts already. This place doesn't have fixed prices so its hard to correct them.

I purchased the 24k eye serum, 24k eye cream, 24k deep peeling gel and body cream, the sales girl threw in lots of samples for me to try as she wants me to come back and buy more. Frankly, I like the deep peeling gel that provides visible whitening and is surprisingly gentle on the skin, it even comes off in gold flakes. Unless I strike the lottery, I wouldn't necessarily add a $200 bottle to my regular weekly exfoliation regime.

Their best-selling product is the 24K eye serum and cream ($546) that are used together and have plenty of celebrity endorsement. To tell you the truth, it is the same as other eye serums/creams in the price range just below it, you pay more for OROGOLD because of the real gold in it. If you are not using anything than you will find that it works and if you are using something that costs the same than you will find there is no difference.

Almond Jelly with Longans

Cold desserts on a hot day.

Common Yarn Terms

  

Tweed : Yarn background consists of flecks of other colors.

Heather : Mix of different colored fleeces that are then spun together into yarn.

Marled : Each ply is a different color, that are wound together into yarn.

Variegated : Dyed in several different colors or shades of the same color

Boucle : A textured yarn composed of many tiny loops creating bumps.

Vanity Trove x Nylon

Vanity Trove revamp with a new EXCLUSIVES section that features special troves you can buy at varying prices. Everyone loved the Lancome Betty Boop edition and this time around there is the Nylon Singapore tie-up. For S$35 you get a trove full of upmarket samples and a stack of vouchers to use, it's really good deals so I might just use up all.

Redken Smooth Lock Shampoo & Conditioner

Biotherm Pure Cleanser, Toner & Moisture Gel

Lancome Genifique Concentrate

Shu Uemura Purifying Cleansing Oil

Shu Uemura Lip Gloss

Kiehl's Sunblock

Lancome Hypnose Mascara

YSL Foundation

Kerastase Elixir Ultime x3

Armani Perfume Acque di Gioao

Black Ruffle Scarf

Starting the mesh yarn series with a classic black ruffle scarf. The instructions are on the back of the label. I made it a little wider as I think ruffle yarn scarves are too thin and would look better with more width.

The instructions say to skip 1 set of mesh in between pegs to create more flounce. It's a single knit across and back again throughout, creating a flat back and tight ruffles in front that look really neat like my Valentino ruffle bag. Just a little sparkle showing through.

The pattern says 2 skeins but I really needed 4 to make one wider scarf that actually looks pretty good and you wouldn't believe costs $32. 

I made 1 more black ruffle scarf and joined the 2 ends to make a circle scarf. The end result looks really couture-ish, the yarns are well made with intricate detailing so when you put it all together it looks expensive.

Valentino S/S 2013 Fashion

Valentino's Spring Summer 2013 collection seems tailor made for the Downton Abbey girl. Conservatively covered arms, flowing skirts and lace detailing are luxed up with intricate beading in sumptuous fabrics and fine tailoring.

Evening wear is also more covered up but some items do have more transparent lace details.

Valentino 2013 S/S Haute Couture goes even further back into the renaissance period with breathtakingly beautiful gowns and capes.

Menswear this season is less adventurous with tone on tone variations in colour blocking. I saw that round shape in the tailored shirts and a couple of camo prints.