My Easter Weekend!

I've been deported back to Sarawak after a month long stay in Singapore!!! W say its time to come home, it has been way too long! I agree too, always better together :)

And that's my new pair of silver flats from Pazzion. I had this exact same pair in white probably 10 years ago and I resisted buying this more than a decade old design. Cave in eventually cause its silver (my favouriterestest colour) and its so affordable (I think its S$57 after discounts). Not the most comfortable pair of flats but will do since its in my favourite colour hehehehe.

#throwbackthursdays Met up with ex-colleagues from my first job in UOB! It was such a fun and memorable two years of my very first work life. It has been 8 years since, how time flies! I've been missing out on the yearly gathering for a couple of times due to work commitments then, but I'm happy to have made it this round! Also, the dinner is always held at Two Chefs Eating Place at Commonwealth - I've been craving for their Butter Pork Ribs! Finally had my craving satisfied. I'm all good for now.

Repotted my Phalaenopsis (what a mouthful) aka Orchids and added Sphagnum Moss...I did some reading up on how to take care of these Orchids, so much more to learn. Not sure if I can make them bloom again...sounds challenging but I'll try! *hopeful*

I looove flowers and it a shame that the weather in SG don't allow much except for the usual tropical flowers like bougainvilleas, hibiscus, etc...So from time to time I'll visit the Flower Dome at Gardens By The Bay, for all the pretty flowers and the fresh crisp air. It was the first for W and I had to bring him there to check out the Sakura Buzz that has been flooding my FB feed! Didn't fail, was really pretty! Missed out on the Tulipmania last year at the dome and the trip to Amsterdam was a total wrong timing for tulip viewing (but Steve Aoki made up for it hehehe)...but its back soon! 8 April 2016 - 22 May 2016! I wanna visit again! I should really consider getting the annual pass at this rate haha!

Well, I haven't been to Japan during the sakura season but not bad la, managed to catch some at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden last December when we were there. Lol!

Really bare but surely happy, look at my face!

Mmmmmm! Island Creamery has a branch near home now! I had them all the time when I was in school. Horlicks was my favourite, but this time round I decided to try their "Ping Pong Milo". Milo Ice Cream with small marshmallow puffs in them...gahhh it was way too good! Can't decide which Pusheen describe the feeling best but ya its somewhere along those lines.

With Love,

G

One Happy Weekend!

I'm not kidding, I really really love buying lipsticks. I'll always complete my make-up by applying lipstick and you'll be able to find at least one in my purse when I'm out. But that doesn't make me excited, buying one definitely does!

Ok so anyways, I recently purchased 2 lipsticks from 3CE and the colours are quite different to my current collection - usually shades of pink. So I thought I should share!

Been spying on Kylie Jenner a little, and I really love her deep maroon lips. So I decided to try the 3CE Matt Lip Crayon in #Dubious. I also got my first lip liner from Sephora in Deep Aubergine - the colour matched pretty well actually! I love the matt finish! I haven't actually worn this colour and had a meal yet, I'm hoping it won't be a disaster!

The other one I got is the 3CE Lip Pigment in #Issue. The very hip colour we see on Korean stars! I'm actually quite surprised on how orange lipstick looked on me, I like it! A total different look from my usual shades of pink and its more wearable than I thought! Been wearing frequently since I got this from Sarawak. You just need a small squeeze for the instant colour pop! Application is pretty easy as well, I'll just squeeze a little (really little) product on the back of my hand and use my finger to apply on my lips. Its pretty lasting as well, but definitely need touching up after meals. What do you think of the 2 new colours I got?

I also got the 3CE Shimmer Stick this round, I've been using to highlight my nose haha. It can be used for the eyelids too - which I tried but it doesn't stay o.0

And SPRING IS HERE! (Not like it makes any difference in Singapore...extremely warm and humid -__-) But ya I've been into pastel colours - like this light pink sweater I got from Esprit paired with a white pair of jeans. Super comfy! Perfect for a day out in the mall!

W flew in for the weekend, so excited! I haven't seen him for 2 weeks, it has been a long time since we have been apart for so long...it felt like 2 months! But I do get more time to enjoy the new apartment haha, so ok laaa not so bad! Can't wait to see him soon for the coming long weekend again! We went to pick up some fresh flowers from Far East Flora and I got these cute little pink roses for home. I love going there, super spoilt for choices - really hard to decide and it doesn't get any easier in the cold room brrr. 

And I was nice, I made breakfast on Sunday! Not the healthiest I know, but extremely comforting for some Sundays. My sunny side up was really ugly -__-, I really need the non-stick egg fry pan for this kitchen!

And if you haven't watched Zootopia...please watch it soon! W & I love the show. Its crazy funny (especially the Sloths omg hahahahah!) and yet its meaningful - you can actually relate it to our human world. So I asked W which character he thinks I am like...and I'm...Finnick...

HAHAHA what!!! So, I went to search more about Finnick at Disney Wiki and in a nutshell....he is

1. Harmless looking
2. Will sacrifice a little for the sake of money
3. Able to suppress anger
4. Short-tempered
5. Self-assured
6. No-nonsense
7. Cunning 
8. Manipulative
9. Uncaring/ unkind
10. Care less for authority

I'm not so bad la...won't agree to being uncaring and unkind!!!

Off soon to prepare dinner...I hope everyone had a good Tuesday! Hang in there, two more days to the long weekend!

With Love,

G

Where To Buy Pretty Wind Chimes & Wind Bells

Does anyone know where to get wind chimes in Singapore? I was searching high and low for a simple one and had no luck. Looks like wind chimes aren't too popular in Singapore households. Anyway, if you are looking for one...I found a website  that sells wind chimes, wind bells and plenty of other items (green tea to make-up brushes!) from Japan. I love the sleek, modern and minimalistic designs, especially those metal ones! And yes, I got one for home and its lovely. Great service, and delivery was quick.

And here's what I got..

How pretty right! I had placed an order for another wind bell actually, unfortunately it was out of stock and delivery will take longer than expected. Their service manager emailed me and kindly gave me other options to choose from. They even waived the difference in price - so nice!

The wind bell came in a such a pretty box and it was mega bubble-wrapped when I got it haha. It came with a fish line to hang it as well. We placed it at the kitchen window and I love the beautiful sound it makes all day. So soothing and calming! Especially when I'm in the kitchen preparing meals.
If anyone here is looking to get some really gorgeous, good quality wind chimes or wind bells...I highly recommend to get them from Nihon Ichiban! Check them out!

Love,
G

Wedding Planners: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly!

It has been quite a process trying to get pass the first step - choosing the wedding venue. We've seen a handful of venues that we shortlisted and I have been in touch with various Wedding Planners from a couple of places.

I always thought good about Wedding Planners. And boy, I've met a handful of them and there's some who really needs some extra coaching from the hotel.

I love planners who are on the ball and make an effort to find out what we needed, our constraints and offer solutions to help us decide on their venue. I absolutely loathe planners who are pushy and incompetent in many ways.

There were two planners who could really use some help. Pushy Planner - not sure if you are trying to close your last deal for the year or the first for yourself, but I'll appreciate it if you keep you hunger to yourself, at least make an effort to. Cause your client can feel it. And its a nasty experience to be honest. Follow up at the right time and make the effort to understand (or at least pretend to) the constraints and why we can't decide on your venue right away.

To Promise-Breaker Planner. Don't make empty promises to your clients. Don't make statements and not deliver cause your client is watching and waiting for you to deliver it on time. I met this planner on a Friday with the highest hope of receiving answers on queries I had, she told me she will email me by the next day (Saturday) - which I never received. I gave her a call on Monday, afraid that she sent to a wrong email without knowing. But no, she told me she's trying to get the answers herself too (oh wow, let me know at least that you are trying?), ok forget it. I asked her when will I get the answers if thats the case, she said by the end of the day. Cool, I could wait for that, but that email didn't arrive at all. We tried to get in touch with her in the evening but we couldn't reach her (via office and mobile number). And the email came the next morning without any apologies for the delay...thats like what T+3 (I kindly excluded Sunday else its T+4)? Why was a promise made for T+1 in full confidence then? By the way the email was important, the answers to my queries will lead us to a decision almost right away. She really left me quite baffled with the level of service, totally unexpected from a beautiful hotel. Well, she did make my decision-making easier. I guess I'll drop the venue.

I rather settle for a my second choice with a competent planner who has done a pretty neat job for us so far.

I've been in the client-facing industry, and I tend to cut some slack for my service providers. My gf used to tell me I should scream to get what I want - totally opposite and I know its highly effective, but its just not me. If it doesn't kill me, I won't go on the offensive, I rather walk away and use my time to find something else that makes me happier and just forget about the unhappy experience. Haha, ok point is my threshold for lousy service is high and these 2 planners still managed to get into my nerves for me to write about them here. I'll be in touch with the hotels for the 2 bad and 1 good planner to feedback on their service and probably do a simple star-rated review for the venues for easy reference for everyone!

I hope we can move pass this stage really soon!

With Love,
G

The Wife's Duty

I will be getting married soon and I'm excited and nervous at the same time. Excited as I'm going to marry someone special to me and nervous because I really want this marriage to last forever. And no marriage comes easy, like W said its a journey filled with 'good' and 'not so good' parts. We have to learn to enjoy the good parts together and also overcome difficulties together.

I've always imagined the day I put on the ring, I thought I will be elated, excited and I wouldn't be able to stop staring at the sparkly diamond. It was true when it happened, but the ring felt heavy. No, it wasn't the weight of the diamond but the obligations that came with it. Its real and its serious.I need to do my best for this man, and him asking me for my hand meant that he will do his best for me too.

With a new goal and entering a whole new chapter in my life, I thought it will be good and useful to read more about it haha! I went to google "Wife's duties" and I found a website that explains the duties of the wife from the bible.

I am not a Christian but I think its filled with plenty of practical truths and principles in sustaining a marriage.

And these quotes gave me an understanding to the wife's role in a marriage.

God did not give you a husband for you to still be an independent single woman. He gave you a husband so that you could partner with him, helping him by using your gifts, your skills, and your abilities that He has blessed you with, for the betterment of the whole household.
I can't agree more. Husband and wife must work as a team. Complementing each other, using each other strengths, covering each other weaknesses for the better. And communication is key, the couple has to know each other well enough to work as a team. And I should always remember that I am no longer an independent single woman, my actions should not reflect that anymore - it should be for the team.

You may be a bed partner, you may be a cook, you may be this and you may be that, but a good wife seeks the good of her husband all the days of his life. That is, just as he is loving and honoring and cherishing you, you are to wake up and ask, “What good can I be to him today?”
Its not just being a wife and doing what you are expected to do. But being a wife to the man you love and giving him the best - everyday.

Never let the outside pull of the world keep you from being a dynamic wife and mother. Never let the schedule outside dictate the schedule inside.
All about priorities. Family first.

I also read 'The Husband's Duty' to understand his role. (Get your man to read this!!!)

The first duty of a man to his woman, or a husband to his wife, is to love her. Now, you might say, "Well, that goes without saying! Move on to number two!" Your wife probably wants me to stay at number one. Because, often, what goes under the name of love has little to do with love. The word 'love' has become a misunderstood word. For example, people say, "I love my job. I love my home. I love chocolate cake." Generally what they are talking about is what those things do for them. "The home makes me comfortable. The cake satisfies my sweet tooth. The work satisfies my desire for a career." The word 'love' has become a word to describe the lusts of the flesh, and nothing more.

You see, when the scripture talks about love, it talks about the sacrifice that you make for the betterment of someone else. You can only measure love by your sacrifice, not by your enjoyment. If you talk about loving your wife, and you mean by that that she does a lot of good things for you, that's not love. That's her loving you. To say that a man loves his wife is to talk about the sacrifice that you make for her.
You can only measure love by your sacrifice, not your enjoyment.

I also remember one of LKY's quote:

You either have the Western view – you marry the woman you love, or the Eastern view – you love the woman you marry. Well, I tried to match both, and I think it wasn’t a bad choice.
Love the one you marry. During our grandparents era where most marriages were arranged, it seemed to me that those marriages never end. Through thick and thin, together till old. Of course they will be differences, but leaving each other never seemed to be an option. Tolerance, patience and compromise were frequently practised.

After all, it still takes two hands to clap. I think communication is important, talk to each other, share your values and goals. Put effort in understanding one another and be grateful that you found each other and never take the love/ sacrifices for granted.

Long journey ahead and I hope I will be able to do my duties well!

With Love,
G

Supermom

Life has been good cause Mom is having a little staycation over at our home! I had a week worth of yummy home-cooked food and the best part is...

...My fridge is now filled with all sorts of goodies for ANY kind of soup! My kitchen is now a fully functional kitchen. Moms are the best!

And I started my day at 6.30am (IKR) and off we went to the wet market! I've always been excited to explore the wet market at our new neighbourhood and the best person to do this with is definitely...no one else but the mother! I've always enjoyed visiting the wet market with Mom when I was in primary school, there's so much to see and buy! I'm really happy to be able to do this again this morning, we had so much fun!

 

And here's my #marketootd, with our cool hot pink trolley bag ok! Its ok to be an auntie, just be a cool one! 

Lots of love,

G

And Breakfast is Served!

It's FRIYAY, FRIYALLY!

I've been told that Ginger tea is really good for health especially for ladies. It improves digestion, blood circulation, relieves stress, etc. What I especially like is how refreshing and soothing it is. Perfect for every morning or tea time!

Best thing is, its incredibly simple and fuss-free to make!

What you'll need:
(Serves 1)

1. 1.5 cups of cooled boiled water
2. 1 tbsp of sliced old ginger with skin
3. A handful of dried red dates
4. 2 tbsp of wolfberries
5. A pinch of black sugar

Steps:

1. Add ginger, red dates and water into the saucepan, bring to a boil
2. Soak the wolfberries on the side with hot water
3. Once the water comes to a boil, add the black sugar and let it simmer for 10 minutes
4. In a cup, serve the Ginger Tea topped with wolfberries

I bought the red dates & wolfberries from Eu Yan Sang, super sweet on their own - perfect for my Ginger Tea. Mom told me to use black sugar instead of brown (you shouldn't even consider white ones!), apparently it is great for health and you can get them easily in supermarkets.

Enjoy!

With Love,

G

Saying Yes to the Dress - My Top 10 Wedding Dresses with Sleeves!

I've been collecting ideas for my wedding dress for many years and recently I've this massive addiction to mermaid/ trumpet dresses with an illusion neckline/ sleeves. Perfect to show off some shoulders, and most importantly they are light and comfortable to be in. And these are my Top 10!

All pictures from Pinterest

I'm extremely excited to start 'building' my dress! For all bride-to-be out there who don't have a single clue of what to wear on your big day and where to start, don't worry! I've got a little guide that I follow, I hope it will be useful!

1. Decide on the silhouette

Trumpet, Mermaid, Ballgown, A-Line, Sheath, etc. Which one? Best is to try ALL of them out. Be open-minded. You'll never know till you try all the different silhouettes, the one you think you won't like might just surprise you!

2. Flaunt the best part of your body

It could be the butt, the small waist, the long legs, the boobs, the back, the shoulders, etc. With the decided silhouette, find different variations. And go for those that accentuates your best part!

3. Hide the part of your body that you are not confident of

It could be the butt, the waist, the legs, the boobs, the back, the shoulders, etc. With the decided silhouette, find different variations. And go for those that hides those parts!

4. Neckline

Sweetheart, Straight-Across, Asymmetric, V-neck, Halter, Off-Shoulder, Illusion, Scoop, Square, etc. Don't think too much, just try them ALL. 

5. Comfort

Don't compromise on this ladies! You would want to be able to smile like you mean it and move around seamlessly!

6. Colour

Stark white, Natural White, Ivory, Champagne, etc. Varying shades might be confusing but choose the one that looks best on you. Tip: The darker your skin tone, the brighter white you can wear.

7. Wedding Venue

Your dress should be suitable for the wedding venue. You won't want to put on a dress that's too bulky, too warm, or one with a train that's too long, etc. You would want to look appropriate and meant for the venue!

8. Collecting Ideas

Start a board on Pinterest and start Pinning! Your designer will ask and its best to have something to show. You might just be pinning the same style over and over again - your designer should be able to pick up the elements that attracts you.

9. Timeline

If you are particular on your dress, I would highly suggest to start your search at least 9 months before your big day. A fully customised dress will take approximately 6 months to make - more complex dresses with intense beading or special laces might take longer than that! If you intend to do pre-wedding shoots, work backwards from there. 

10. Bring Your Best Girlfriend

The one that spent way too much time in your life and she just...know your style.

With Love,

G

My favourite corner at home

I know it has been a while...so many things were happening in my life and I had many projects on hand. 2016 started off really wildly and quickly! We moved in to our new home in January, Chinese New Year in February and he proposed! I've been searching high and low for a wedding venue that we both love...and I hope the search is coming to an end! Then we have the gowns, the bridesmaid dresses, photo shoots, etc. Looks like I'm not getting any rest in 2016. Not complaining!

To be honest, I haven't gotten used to staying at the new place yet. It has been a month plus now and everything is just so perfect and new and nice...its like putting up in a serviced apartment or some sort. Maybe some pictures of us will help...yes I need to get down to that.

Tasks aside! I've identified the best corner of our home to be the balcony! I still remember when we were searching for an apartment, W & I weren't exactly keen on having a balcony. We thought that it was a waste of indoor space and we would rather not have it. But the search brought us to this development and the units came with a balcony. Well, what to do...let's just make the best out of it. And W kept insisting we had to have our balcony decked. He said those wood deckings reminded him of the house he used to live in when he was a child. And for me, I was looking at those artificial grass, haha! It's not a bad idea right - or is it?

So I was sold to the wood decking idea and I didn't put much thought in it as I can't really see myself hanging out outdoors anyway. The search began and it was really random that I found Mu-flooring. I was exploring the neighbourhood with my mom and we were taking a stroll at the nursery beside home...then I saw their shop within the nursery. We made an appointment with them and we met up with Stephen who shared with us on the different wood types and composite wood. W didn't like the feel of the composite wood decking (PVC) - I was at a point IN for those as I wanted the cleaning to be fuss-free, etc. Until I saw the samples and the feel on the feet were just...plastic. Very different from the real wood where its soft and it really feels comfortable stepping on it. So we decided to go with Stephen's recommendation - Iron Wood. He also had his balcony decked in Iron Wood - won't go wrong following the footsteps of the expert!

And the work began... (Pictures/ Videos credit to my ID)

I was impressed. Really. The decking made so much difference to the balcony. It was cold and stiff with those uninteresting white tiles that felt hard on the feet. Look how homely and cosy it became! I actually lounge in the balcony!

We also got Mu-flooring to customise a set of timber table with a bench for our balcony. Extremely pretty and perfect for my guests to hang out! We love having dinner out there, whilst enjoying the view. Psst! Our balcony was also featured on their website!!!

Here, more pictures of our little cosy balcony!

We were also on the hunt for a modern looking standing water feature, and wala! Found one to our liking! Easy maintenance was important to us as we travel quite a bit and we want the option to be able switch it off/ on quickly and be able to easily remove the water to prevent mozzies from breeding while we are away! Get your pretty standing water features from Fossil Collection!

Also don't forget those outdoor blinds, it really blocks out much sun (which I'm totally not a fan of), keeping the house cooler without compromising on the wind we get on the high floor!

Love the wood decking? Get in touch with Mu-Flooring. I'm sure your balcony will be well taken care of like ours.

#notanad #wooddecking #timberfurnitures #outdoorliving #balconyideas