Loose Powder on the Loose

I just have to share this with you.

Was at Sephora today (oh by the way, they are having some sale on selected items of up to 50% off!) and chanced upon this loose powder travel case with a travel kabuki brush!

For those who're familiar with loose powder and kabuki, it can be quite a problem to store the full size kabuki and lug it with you overseas. So normally I bring the mini size loose powder case and its super mini size round sponge (the type you get from Shu Uemura).

It's a real great invention I must say. Although it's from a mineral label, I still prefer my La Mer loose powder because it is so far the finest loose powder I've tried!

Fruits : Force-Feeding with Love

Mr Goh loves fruits. But I don't.

So each time, he'd try ways to make me eat fruits and of course, the easiest and most foolproof way is to feed me!

Imagine we finished the entire half watermelon all by ourselves!

Mini Gardening

New Year's Eve meant going home earlier! Both Mr Goh and I noticed that our Chinese New Year plant sort of needed some help so we decided to just transfer them direct to the ground. May they grow up healthy and nice, with flowers and all really soon!

Currencies in a Plastic!

I used to have problem keeping the different currencies after each trip. After several attempts, I resorted to buying a leather travel wallet (it wasn't as popular back then locally and no place was selling it - I got mine from UK) with different slots for currencies.

Even then I thought it wasn't the perfect solution. I chanced upon

the plastic currency holder available at the money changers at our airport terminals. And since then, they have been my reliable currency holder!

I now separate each currency into the holder - notes and coins, and then mark each holder with the currency on the plastic itself.

Neat!

Whirly Flowers, anyone?

Pretty pretty.

I had intended to buy lots more but because Mr Goh said our garden's not ready, not to buy them yet.

But I just couldn't resist so I got 2 still.

Now that it's proven that they are really pretty, I've decided to buy a couple more and stick them round the other side of the garden!

Foodie's Review of Ion Orchard Restaurants

Taste Paradise, Cantonese Fine Dining #04

I wasn't very impressed with Taste Paradise when I first walked past it when I was in Ion. The name of the restaurant didn't sound too fine for my liking.. I'd prefer those 'Imperial Treasure xxx" than to such really simple name.

So during our anniversary, Mr Goh brought me there.

And I was bowled over by its full length glass window that allowed me to enjoy the scenary of Orchard Road and its Christmas lightings, and also really fine food at its best. And not to say that the cutlery used were all of good quality!

While the food can be pricy for some, but I must agree that its priced reasonably given its quality and service. A must try for me is their their Sharksfin in Hotpot, which continues to boil even when its served.

Dim Sum is also served but not during dinner.

Oh yes, I especially love its private dining areas too!

Sharksfin in Hotpot

That stick with an aluminium foil

is actually a thin type of popiah for you to dip with the

sharksfin to eat with. It tasted yummy!

Soht & Baay, Thai Food - #04

It was by coincidence that we were there because after a while, Food Paradise became our favourite dining place and as they were closed for a rest, we were sort of 'forced' to check out other restaurants and Soht & Baay was it.

Interior decoration was good with many many mini buddha glass statues, with its main restaurant at #05 accessible only through its main entrance on #04. I was full of anticipation when the waiter told us to enjoy our scenic view as he led us up, but it was a huge disappointment when I was there. The view was totally blocked by the many pillars and it was just next to the carpark which was really obvious to the entire restaurant.

As much as it wanted to feel 'fine', cultery used were heavy and cheap, washing was not done properly with many fingerprints. Table and surrounding felt 'sticky' - li

ke you would if you are at the Turf City's Ah Yat (typical seafood feel!).

Food was priced way too high for such an ambience. Its authentic Thai Ice Tea was priced at S$10.

Canton.I, #03

This is a typical 'Crystal Jade', except that it has better selection and service is much more attentive. Its pricing is similar to Crystal Jade pricing too.

A must try is their winter melon scallop soup which is available only in small quantities (we understand they only prepare about 5 pots per day) and their lemon grass iced drink (although I think it's more like a Thai drink than a Cantonese one!). Their porridge is superlicious too!

They also serve Dim Sum!

I would think this is a great place for a simple, your everyday fair meal. Selections are aplenty and reasonable priced! Just that I find the interior decoration is too 'girly' to be cantonese.

My Pal - The official Mrs Low

It's a special feeling to see my one of my best pals getting married.

I was not there to witness how she got to know her husband 10 years ago. However, we've known each other long enough to know and feel how I am feeling. And she was my bridesmaid 1 year ago when I got hitched.

Over the last weekend, it was at Conrad. The feeling was overwhelming. I was reminded of my wedding 1 year back, and I savoured every moment. I was with my husband that night and I told him we could imagine how it was like as a guest that night at St Regis. It was also a time when I felt 'finally' that this funny blur girl is finally a wife and a woman.

She's going for her honeymoon tomorrow. Wishing her happiness in her marriage. And frankly, we both know our friendship has risen to another level of understanding now - of wives' understanding. Looking forward to the next gathering with the rest of the best pals.

And Oct 2010 for another round of deja vu.

My Bridesmaid Dress

DHC Eye Lash Tonic II

After reading Sunshine Gal's comments, I was also concern about the type of Placental on my lashes. I understand good quality and reliable cosmetic brands that use Placental usually use animal ones (most of the time are sheep's) but after reading the comments, LuxeLass got a bit scared.

So the answer from DHC Corporate Website came. Good news is that it is not human Placental! But for our Malay friends, this is bad news for you.

"Thank you for writing DHC.

Placental protein is a rich source of nutrients, amino acids, and protein. It helps strengthen, condition, and soften skin. DHC's placental protein is derived from a porcine source (pig). Although we use animal ingredients such as placental protein, DHC does not test on animals, whether for ingredient research, development, or actual product testing.

Should you have additional questions or concerns, please call us at 1.800.DHC.CARE (342.2273) or e-mail us at beauty@dhccare.com."

Difference? You tell me Part II

Ok, this is more apparent.

Night Shot A

Night Shot B

Answers.

Night Shot A : Panosonic Lumix GF1 with 20mm lens, ISO 800

Night Shot B : Canon Digital, ISO 800

Difference? You tell me Part I

Spot the difference.

Strawberry Shortcake A

Strawberry Shortcake B

Spotted them?

Answers?

Strawberry Shortcake A: Panasonic GF1 using non zoom lens

Strawberry Shortcake B: Canon Digital Ixus

Not much difference to my untrained eyes.

Can someone tell me what are the differences?

At Home in the Cinema - blanket included.

It's been almost 6 months since I last watched a movie.

After Twilight last week, we watched Storm Warrior II today.

Cinema wasn't very full. Right next to me was an empty seat, with a guy enjoying his Burger King by its right. It seemed just a typical movie session, until after he finished his food and the lights were dimmed.

Before I realised, he was comfortably seated, with his legs up the empty seat on his left, with a comfortable throw protecting his body from the aircon cold. I was shocked. For a moment, I thought he owned the cinema. Or that was he thought he was at home.

Just right before the credits came with the lights back, he quickly sat back upright and kept his throw back into his big bag, which was placed by the right side on another empty seat.

As I stared at him, he did look embarrassed. But I begin to wonder if he had bought 3 tickets in order to enjoy the space, or that he was just lucky. And that throw - looks like he was all set up for a movie this evening.

Yeah, it's here!

After weeks of deliberation and waiting, it's finally in my hands - RED GF1.

Check it out!

Woods, now in the Woods.

This is not new, it's been around since Thanksgiving.

Was browsing through the reports from those gossip magazines at the Nailroom earlier this morning so it sort of rekindled my thoughts and to write about him.

"Screw up your family and risk your career". This is so true. Wood's downfall is just one classic example.

Men often has that ego thing. It is a powerful force to propel one to work hard to succeed but if not managed properly, it tips to the other spectrum and ruins their life. When their egos get stroked with those gold-diggers (after all, over time, wives don't stroke their husband's egos as often anymore), they get weak and succumb to all the traps.

It's a pity that Wood's career now comes to an indefinite hault. Recent official statement on his website states that he asks for privacy to build back his family and apologises for the affairs he's had.

Frankly, I don't think he needs to apologise to the public. Yes, he is a public figure and he has caused a lot of disappointments. But he has not failed still as a professional golfer. That was what he built his public reputation on in the first place. The only people he should be apologetic to is to his family. That sort of hurt and disappointment is irrepairable.

Just how many men would learn from Wood's experience? Until they know how to manage their ego and having insights to it, I doubt they will.

Orchard Central - A Failure

I now understand why Orchard Central is a failure.

#1 - Parking is confusing and dangerous.

#2 - Layout of the mall is also as messy, other than the whole series of transparent lifts though.

#3 - The whole stretch of lifts face each other, but when one arrives, it is not as easy to identify

I had no choice but to park at Orchard Central today because there's a chi chi session with the girls this evening at KPO. Driving up the entire twirls of round-and-rounds to level 10 almost caused me a spinning head when I finally got a parking space.

Never again will I ever step into Orchard Central again. Never.

Poor tenants, I say.

Shake, Shook, Shaken

Shaker fries are back!

I had my fill today. The feeling is great! Except that fries could be hotter and crispier if it wasn't home delivery.

My Ears and Their Rings

With just a pair of mini hoop earrings, one can create different styles of earrings simply by setting different types of stones with a round loop to hook them with.

For me, I got a pair of solitaire set in white gold. I've just also designed another one with round green jadeite which should arrive next week.

I think I'm loving jewellery designing now!

Open your Lashes!

The first time I came across the Japanese brand DHC was in Hong Kong.

It's similiar to the popular Fancl in Singapore, except that the ingredients are different.

So now DHC arrives in Singapore, not in the form of a stand alone boutique, but through Watsons.

Watsons do not carry it's entire range, but the basic popular selections. Apparently, review on its eyelash serum is so good that I couldn't resist buying it when I chanced upon it!

One of its ingredient Placenta bowled me over!

Have a Cherry Christmas in Blue!

I love this year's Christmas lightings. If my memory didn't fail me, this is the first lighting after the major overhaul of Orchard.

Particularly love the blue as well as LED lightings!

To all who have been following my blog, whatever good or bad comments you had given in the past year is appreciated.... thanks for the support and here's wishing you a better year ahead in 2010 in advance!

xoxo LuxeLass

Panic! GF1 is no more!

Went around in search for the Panasonic GF1.

Out of stock.

Got to wait for Tuesday to know if the new batch comes in red.

Photographer friend offers to help me buy from Hong Kong.. They have it in WHITE!

Panasonic GF1

Have been shopping around to see if I could catch a display of this latest babe in town.

Apparently, no.

The store assistant at Great World City's Best Denki explained today that it's so hot that there is only limited stock. So they don't display at all. And no, they don't have it in RED.

The piece which he showed me has this separated lens, which I am now thinking, if I'd get this, does that mean it's going to be so troublesome to use, having to switch the lens ever so often?

Wait till I see the red one. Then I'll decide.

Gold Shiny Mask @ House

Had tried very hard to get a slot for my facial at House. My usual facialist Anna is super popular so she is often booked well in advance. My hectics schedule doesn't allow me to book way earlier because there are evening meetings at times. Anna was really concern this time when she looked at my skin. "It's getting coarser this time and your skin is much duller than before," Anna said.

I believe her. Because she's been with me for some time and she's really upfront with me. And also because I know I've been terribly stressed up for the past 6 months, so spotting dull skin isn't something surprising.

I always leave it to her discretion to choose the most suitable treatment dependent on the

condition of my skin. This time, she recommended a facial with Placenta, Collagen using nano technology.

What impresses me most were not what she told me, but what she did not - the 24K gold mask cream. I've heard and tried 24K gold mask sheet, but certainly not the cream mask!

Imagine the weight of several grams

of the heavy weight on my face during the treatment!

My post treatment thoughts? Skin becomes smoother and even toned. As for whether it is brighter, frankly, I'm very bad at this. I really can't see the difference.

Chiharu. Sixth Avenue.

I'd tried their porridge before. So far, it's been the best.

This evening, a simple dinner landed us at Sixth Avenue. The layout of the restaurant is simple and clean. Food is nicely served and serving staff are all very attentive and warm.

I like their food.

But not your usual cheap dinner fare though.

Heart on my pillow

This was a photograph taken using my Sony Ericsson Aino and then edited with it as well.

It's basically just 2 strand of hair on my pillow which happened to look like the shape of a heart!

So in life, just be more conscious of what is around you. With a keen eye, you'd certainly be able to take beautiful and interesting pictures!

Colours on your eyes

I don't always use expensive products. I believe quality, and while most expensive products are probably due to better quality ingredients or materials, most are also due to marketing and branding value.

I happened to chance upon this brand at UOB Centre. It's a Korean brand hidden in a corner, next to the ladies. It sells wide range of facial products as well as cosmetics and all ingredients are natural. I was attracted to it's cute size mini lip gloss which I bought for my frontend staff, that I bought the blue eye shadow.

Yes, all three here are eye shadows. You take out the wand, and apply them directly on your eyelid. The colours are really pretty, and they last the whole day.

Surprisingly, that all my Shu Uemera, Chanel and Christian Diors just do not have these series for nice cool colours for the eyes. And it's only after applying the cool blue colour that I realise I look best in colours with some shimmers that brightens up my eyes, even if I am using a darker shade.

So today, I bought another 2 more colours - green and pink. And they cost a fraction of those premium brands!

Can't wait to use them!

Shoes in a Crystal Box

After weeks of deliberation, I finally decide to get it.

My shoe cabinet is bursting at its seams as most of the shoe boxes cannot fit perfectly. As a result, it gets quite frustrating searching for the perfect pair especially when I'm rushing in the morning.

So I had this image in mind that I'd have crystal clear boxes to store each pair of shoes so that they are organised and neat.

Attempts to check out cheaper version at Daiso failed. So in the end I relented and bought them from Taka - the Original Glassy Shoe Box. All delivered by Taka at my doorstep this afternoon.

Boxes Left at my Doorstep

Before: Messy Pretty Shoes!

Because of the width, I had to store the shoe boxes horizontally.

After: All shoes are clearly displayed.

I cut out the description of the shoes from the original shoe boxes and inserted them into the crystal box!

DSLR in the most compact form

This is what I am looking at. Chic, pretty, in my right colour. Most importantly, it is also highly recommended by my Professional Photographer-friend!

This is a DSLR in compact form - something which I had always thought of because the traditional DSLR is simply too big to be lugged around on my neck during my travel trips.

Nice!

Man : His friend's promise

Happened to chanced upon this China movie which touched my heart.

Two men left their families in their hometown to another place in China to work as hard labourers.

As they were chatting one day, one asked the other, "What would you do if you see me die here at work?"

The other replied, "I'd piggy back your corpse to your hometown, no matter what."

This happened. But the difference was, the dead one was the one who made the promise.

And so the survived one piggy backed the corpse on foot all the way back to the dead man's hometown.

And at one point, he was closed to giving up and that he decided to die with his friend.

This story then went on to show all the obstacles he went through on his way to his destination: being bullied, helped and ignored by different he met along the way. And despite the difficulties, he persevered on one promise: his friend's promise to him.

I watched the show in awe. I was touched, very touched. Just how many in today's modern society based on personal interest would one carry out his own promise, let alone one which was another's?

I wonder.

PS: Managed to find more details about this movie. Check out at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Getting_Home

Warm Milk Warms My Heart!

Warmed!

Yes, I love warm milk. The closest I can get is milk powder + hot water, but nothing beats a cup of warm milk like the one I get from cafes. Sometimes I'd request for hazelnut or caramel for that taste.

So I chanced upon this milk warmer from Nespresso at their website and the next thing was off to Takashimaya to get it!

It's very easy to use:

(1) Pour fresh milk into the warmer

(2) Cover Cover and press button once

A small little thing in the container will spin and heat up the milk and in less than a minute, you get your warm milk before that good night's sleep!

Of course, this is not all. It can also create froth for your favourite cup of cappucino too!

The Nespresso Aerocinno+

My delicious warm cup of milk with nice froth on top!

Pimple Magic

I swear by it. As per what all other reports say about Mario Badescu, it is really efficient! It dries up your pimples overnight (eh, of course, the super big acne type - you got to wait for a longer period to dry!), shrinking it to only a dot on the face.

The settled sendiments in pink is meant to be that way. When using, do not shake the bottle. Dip the cotton bud all the way into the bottle and pick up the pinkish goodness and apply on those nasty pimples.

And viola! It's gone!

Last Lap: Zermatt @ Switzerland

Days 16: Zermatt, Switzerland

It was an eventful journey to Zermatt.

We had arrived at Zurich, Switzerland via flight. It takes only 1 hour to reach there, as compared to train ride of 8 hours!

Peaks beyond the Clouds

By 430pm, we were already in Zurich. After 16 days in Europe, we started to get overly confident and started on the self-service Machine to get our train tickets.

In the end, we took the wrong train, made a huge detour, and arrived in Zermatt at 9pm, freezing cold, and hungry.

The train route is actually simple: Take from Zurich to Visp, then take the special train to Zermatt (in between there are other stations for towns towards Zermatt). Total hours: 3.

Zermatt Train: Take from Visp!

Zermatt was dark when we arrived. We checked in to the nice resort and decided to start our following day early.

Relieved!

When we arrived at the resort and was up to our standard!

Day 17: Snow. Mountains.

It's interesting each time we travel across countries. Last year when we were in Europe, we travelled from City in Paris to county in Provence and seaside in Nice. Weather was also from Autumm to 'Summer'.

This time round, the feel is similiar, except that now there's one more element: snow.

We took the easy way up to the mountains: by train.

Both of us love mountains, because the feeling of just being among mountains is exhilarating. You feel overwhelmed simply by their sizes, and yet there is a strong sense of liberation mixed with some fear (of getting lost!).

I know nothing about mountains. I'd hope to learn more to appreciate individual one, but that's the general feeling for me whenever I see mountains.

The train reached the highest peak at 3,500M above sea level at Gornergrat Station overlooking the Matterhorn.

Zermatt is a very small town.

Pictures are bigger than words here. So enjoy, my readers!

Our Hotel - Right out of the restuarant

View outside our hotel restaurant

Beautiful Town of Zermatt

The train that brought us up to the peak!

Resorts, Chalets and Hotels littered all over the mountains!

More of Zermatt Town:

This store sells really authentic Swiss Chocolates.

And pricy too! Just 2 slabs cost me 16CHF!

Observe that they place these ornaments outside the window sill!

Super Big Croissant

These are really useful.

Visitors just need to check out available rooms,

dial their codes and identify their location, and off they go!

Some views along our way back to Visp