New Skin

Just about 6 months ago I crossed off an item from my Bucket List! And that was to visit Belgium to attend one of the best and the biggest Electronic Music Festivals in the world - Tomorrowland. It was magical, I swear. A super excited me at Tomorrowland 2015 Day 1!

But nightmare began when I got back to Singapore. Not sure if it was the weather in Amsterdam or Belgium or the plane ride or the new skin care products I was using, I even suspected that it was the neck pillow I got from the airport. My skin broke out and it was really nasty. When I meant nasty, its like that...

These little pimples popped out around my jawline and around my neck area (which led me to suspect the new travel neck pillow that I got for the 13 hour flight). It was horrible and I was desperate to get them cleared. I tried facials, new products, etc. But the pimples kept coming back. It was in this state for about 2 months before I decide to make a trip DRx. 

I've heard about them through my girlfriend who has been using their products since we were in secondary school (that's at least 10 years ago). I never thought of switching then as I was very comfortable with Shiseido then. And of course, they were pretty out there in the social media space in the last couple of years with plenty of bloggers in Singapore and Malaysia covering them. 

I was in KL for a couple of days in October last year and I managed to pop by their clinic, and I met with Dr. Jason Yip. Well, he has flawless skin himself, I knew I will be in good hands. It has been about 4 months since my first consultation. Can't ask for more, the pimples stopped popping and my skin is in a way healthier state. These are the products that I've been using, together with their Foaming Facial Cleanser. I stopped using the Blemish Formula (aka BF), as I stopped having breakouts after the first bottle. Ran out of Max-C but will get it soon - read this, its probably a very good idea to have this item with all the benefits promised. Personally, I love the Comedone Formula (aka CF), it helps 'dissolves' white/blackheads - it really does. I have it on for a couple of days and those nasty heads do kinda disappear!

I managed to wean myself off the Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Spot-Control Base  which I have been using for years, maybe a good 10 years, it was great for my skin - lightweight, good enough coverage and it comes with SPF 35 (perfect for daily use). Now its replaced with the Tinted Sunblock from DRx which I use it as my make up base and it comes with SPF50+! I also tried DRx Milk Cleanser with hopes that it will outperform the Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil in removing my make up - didn't quite work as well as I wished it would. Nonetheless, I'm sticking to these few products for now, worked well for me and I love how each bottles are 30ml - great for travelling (Not a big fan of transferring products into those travel size PET bottles - too much hassle!). Just wished the cleansing foam comes in a 100ml instead of 150ml or both! - If you can hear me DRx!

That toughest piece of furniture!

The new home is finally completed and today I want to share on this piece of furniture that took me A LOT of time to find a suitable one. So we had about a month to pull everything together - furnitures, carpentry works, balcony decking, appliances, etc. And more than half the time I was in Sarawak, and I had to search for most of the furniture online. I would say most of the furnitures were pretty much easy to find since we had a constant theme around the apartment. I didn't think this piece of furniture would be THAAAT difficult to look for....and guess what was it? BEDSIDE TABLE. Never knew it will be that toughest piece of furniture to get...seriously. I just couldn't seem to find something of the right size or design or price...

Now, take a peek into those that made it into the list:

1. Jolly Side Table from Kartell

Love the clean lines, but its meant to be more of a side coffee table than a bedside table with that height. Our bed was standing tall at about 63cm from ground (bed + frame), this little one was standing a little short at about 40cm. 

Dimensions: 40 x 40 x 40cm

Price: S$240 each

Where to get it: Lifestorey

Read more about it here.

2. KIT Bedside Table by Former

I thought my search for my dream bedside table will end here, I love how the drawer (optional) looks like it's suspended in the air. So simple yet functional, the height was good at 60cm (on the left) and there was a variety of material/ colour options for the drawer - will definitely want it in glossy white laquer. By hitting all the right notes, it came with a hefty price tag and takes about more than 6 months to arrive in Singapore. Maybe one day...

Dimensions: KIT4 W40 x H43 D45cm, KIT6 W40 x H60 x D40

Price: S$1,600 each (KIT6)

Where to get it: King Living Singapore

Read more about it here.

3. Baby by Porada

I wouldn't have minded this too! This doesn't have any glass to it though. Its simple, clean and has a drawer too. It comes in many colour variations (drawer & metal frame legs). Height was good standing at 55cm. I contacted Marquis in Singapore via email to enquire on the price and availability, but no response from them...not sure if they still carry these tables though. But from progarr.com, it cost €653...yet another pricey bedside table...

Dimensions: W42 x H55 x D42cm

Read more about it here.

4. Fully Customised Acrylic Bedside Table by Float

So, getting a little anxious with no more time to waste, I thought it might be a better idea to customise the seemingly hard-to-find bedside table. Through houzz.com I found Float, a family business specialised in bespoke acrylic furnitures, and more. Extremely excited, I contacted Melvin (the owner) and he gave me a decent quote on the design I wanted (pic above) and even recommended we should have glass as the table top to avoid scratches. However, since each piece is made to order, the waiting time would be over a month or so. Technically, I could wait...but I wanted the house to be all ready when we officially move in...so had to pass this, sadly.

5. Small Ghost Buster by Kartell

 

Down to the last option, Kartell again. This unit is designed by Phillipe Starck. These 'ghost' furnitures can't seem to get off my head! I love the illusion that these furnitures give, it makes small space look bigger by being 'invisible'. It was the best option, so I emailed Space Furniture and they had a pair to spare!

Dimensions: W40 x H57 x D37cm

Price: S$555 each

Where to get it: Space Furniture Asia

Read more about it here.

They had to indent the units from the warehouse, so we only could collect it a day before we moved in. Finally!

And it looks absolutely lovely in the bedroom.

Bedroom completed! How do you like it?

Last Saturday we had the first guest to our new home and I decided to try out the new oven! I wanted something easy to prepare and you know, minimal dishes to wash after haha. So this was what I prepared...

I found this recipe through foodgawker.com

I went to Swiss Butchery @ Tanglin and they had everything I needed - Chorizo Sausages, Rosemary Sausages and Salchias White Sausages (4 each), potatoes, carrots, onions, fresh thyme, fresh chicken (for the stock).

This recipe was extremely easy to follow and our guests were satisfied! I'll definitely do this all over again. I also prepared a hearty chicken soup and corn on the cob on the side, it was just nice for 4 pax!

Too bad, I forgot to take a picture of the dinner set...its the first time we had a meal on our customised dining table made from timber! Next time then!

And look, what we received for our housewarming gift! Our lovely guests got us some 'essential' items needed - photo frame to store our happy memories, Nikka to help through the 'tougher moments', a cookbook for nights in and a bottle of Post-Poo Drops cause boys are smelly! How thoughtful!

My Accent Tray is now completed!

And this is the Post-Poo Drops from Aesop, I tried - it worked! Hehehe

One of my guest! No sausages for him but I prepared some boiled chicken breasts as a little snack and to buy him over, haha! 

I really want to have a dog again, my first and only dog left us last year. Had this talk with W, and its really not a suitable time to get one now...as I'm actually spending a lot of time in Sarawak with W currently...Not qualified to be a responsible owner...yet.