Chilli Tapioca Crisps

Sweet Sticky Sourish Spiciness that can be used to substitute a light lunch.

Prince William & Kate in Singapore

I didn't make it out onto the streets to actually meet them but I did follow their itinerary with interest. The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge dropped by Botanic Gardens on Tuesday to view the orchid hybrid named after them, as well as Princess Diana's and Queen Elizabeth II custom blooms.

The royal couple toured Queenstown on Wednesday, I wonder if they dropped by the hawker centre for a local meal. They also visited Gardens by the Bay and the Rolls Royce Factory, maybe to get a new set of wheels?

I counted 2 outfit changes a day, is that the standard? W&K are leaving this afternoon for Malaysia. Don't worry, we'll still have TV movies and documentaries about them to keep us company.

Happy Call

The latest kitchen kraze and it comes out of Korea. Well-made, incredibly functional and is basically the only pan you will need for a very long time, costs $108. This has got everyone I know wanting one and the company that makes these came out with Happy Call Pots so you can make stews and soups, $248 for a set of 4 pots. Just watch the commercial, you will want one as well.

For those of us with designer kitchens or just want to disguise our korea-ness, Happy Call came up with this black edition - conventional pots and pans in a safe black colour decorated with cute little metal stars and prism handles, $370 for the set below.

Watch the commercial again. Amazing right!

YSL Touche Brilliance for Lips

One of my favourite products for travelling is YSL Touche Brilliance Sparkling Touche for lips. There is another Touche Brilliance pen that is a foundation highlighter. Sometimes it's not just the product but rather the packaging that makes sense. This lip pen doesn't spill or leak out and mess up your makeup bag. Especially good for air travel because of cabin pressure when the plane is in flight.

To use, remove the cap and press the pump at the end of the lip pen to release the liquid then brush it on the lips. I usually press it a couple of times to get enough colour on my lips. The liquid inside is a happy combination of lipstick and lipgloss. It is highly pigmented like lipstick but liquid like lipgloss. Nice and fruity fragrance with a lovely shimmer on all the colours too.

 This lip pen contains 2.5ml or 0.08oz similar to a tube of lipstick, S$38.



MBS Rise Restaurant

 

 

Stopped by Rise restaurant at MBS for lunch. The crowd here is relatively civilised as the condiments are untouched and counters very clean. Overall, it was quite a good experience with fresh food, skilled chefs and outstanding service. I had a slice of tomato rosemary bread with corn chowder that was too delicious man.

 

 

What's good is the sushi, fresh seafood (they had bamboo clams when I was there), chinese roast pork belly and cooked dishes, I didn't try the Indian food or kebabs because that's where the crowds at. The widest spaced buffet ever as I didn't bump into anyone at any of the stations.

 

 

The dessert buffet is OMG! Filled with cakes, ice-cream, petit fours, chocolate fountain and pre-wrapped candy - lots of it. Only grouse is that the white chocolate chips in the ice-cream and cookies are not white chocolate buttons but cocoa butter buttons, mild in flavour and doesn't melt even when chewed *eeww*! Perhaps an oversight?

 

 

 

Vanity Trove Preview

Vanity Trove sent me a little something something, I thought it was a preview of the Big & Bold October box. All full sized items or bigger. Completely unexpected and such a nice surprise!

*updated on 21 Sept 2012 after I received the October box.

(1) Pure Beauty Bon Voyage Exfoliating Facial Scrub, part of a series of 15ml travel sized skincare packs with a twist cap that is not resealable. Contents will last you 4 or 5 days, convenient for short trips as you can throw away the packaging after that. Buy from Watsons $3.50 I think.

(2) Decleor Hydra-Floral Moisturizing Gel-Cream for Eyes. A more generous 30ml tube that is for professional use only. The usual 15ml (picture above) retails for S$50. This product is rated full marks online by users that is almost unheard of. Meant to provide instant hydration thereby smoothing skin out and more importantly removing puffiness & dark eye rings in the morning.

(3) Decleor 10 Day Radiance Powder Cure, premium skincare course meant to be used 10 days in a row every 3 months, S$50. It's contains ingredients meant to strengthen skin, protect from free radicals, lighten & brighten complexion.

Custom 3D Cakes in SG

My sis and I have been looking all over for custom 3D cakes. Yes, they do sell these in Singapore and it costs upwards of $100. Always check for delivery as you might accidentally smoosh the nice cake on your way home.

Eatzi Gourmet - Halal bakery, 3D cakes are built on request.

Ecreative - Huge gallery of 3D cakes to choose from with standard pricing.

Cake Avenue - They make bag cakes and other naughty cakes.

The 7th Manna - I only saw 1 3D cake in the gallery, a traditional chinese peach.

Secret Recipe - Limited designs, but, good cake.