We are living in unprecedented times. A strange pandemic era, where staying at home and heading out only for essential needs have become the new normal, even as Singapore enters Phase 2 post circuit-breaker. Creating a clean, safe and serene sanctuary at home to bond with our loved ones has become more important than ever. Even more so with our decision to home-school the little one, I am grateful to have LG SmartThinQ household appliances like the LG TWINWash and LG HOM-BOT to take the stress out of housework this summer. Both appliances can be connected to Google Assistant using the LG AI speaker W7, hence I can easily activate them with my voice too.

The LG TWINWash has been a trusty helper in our household for the past 2 years (read my detailed review here). As it is able to wash two loads at one time, my mini-me’s clothes are washed separately in the mini washer using the Baby Care function while the rest of the laundry does its rounds in the main washer. The TruSteam technology penetrates fabrics with steam to eradicate up to 99.9% of household allergens, wrinkles and odours, giving me complete peace of mind as we welcome summer. Washing and ironing time is also dramatically reduced, leaving me with more quality family time.

As a proponent of sustainable living, I generally prefer natural cleaning agents as they are more environmentally friendly. Minimising the use of chemicals is also better for our overall health and wellbeing.  Here’s a cleaning tip to prevent your breezy summer whites from turning yellow, without the use of chemicals. Simply add half a cup of lemon juice to the rinse cycle and hang your laundry in the sun. You can also use the rest of the lemon to clean and disinfect your kitchen sink!

Other than laundry, maintaining a clean, dust-free environment at home is no mean feat with a toddler around. Fortunately, the LG HOM-BOT keeps our home spick and span without me even having to lift a finger, freeing up precious time to teach Rhapsody and take her for her daily walks. I typically schedule it to run in the morning and evening, as well as whenever I declutter my bedroom or Rhapsody’s play area. Thanks to the LG SmartThinQ technology, I can check on the status of the cleaning and washing process on my phone even when I’m out running essential errands.

Here’s another eco-friendly cleaning tip this summer – after vacuuming Rhapsody’s play mat with the LG HOM-BOT, I use a mixture of baking soda and water to clean and remove any stains. Occasionally, I add a drop of lemon or lavender essential oil as a natural deodoriser and instant mood lifter! When the invigorating scent permeates the air, a sense of calm and tranquility ensues. I love how I can incorporate these natural cleaning methods into my lifestyle while creating a safe haven in our home with LG’s suite of appliances. Staying at home feels like a vacation when my home smells and feels as fresh as summer!

It was a privilege to experience some of the single malts from Speyside’s hidden distillers, courtesy of Secret Speyside last week. Regina and I were blown away by the setting at Siri House. We were literally transported to Speyside in Scotland – the whisky collection was accompanied by beautiful flowers, fruits and candles against the backdrop of dazzling chandeliers. An actual whisky barrel was also specially modified to house the 6 exclusive single malt whisky bottles.

One of the hosts I met appeared surprised when Regina and I both told her that we are currently stay-at-home mums (SAHMs). SAHM and whisky, I am sure that is an image many would find hard to put together. Let’s just say that my life before being a SAHM was a relatively interesting one. I have always appreciated wine, but not many are aware that single malt whisky is right up my alley too. Having lived in Hong Kong for almost 8 years, I met a few friends who are whisky lovers and that was when I learned to appreciate whisky too. I am no expert in whisky so the feedback on the whisky tasting are strictly my personal views.

We were very lucky to have Gregory Plummer, who is a brand ambassador for prestige whiskies, to take us through the tasting. We had the chance to taste single malt whisky ranging from 18-28 years old from 3 distilleries – Caperdonich, Glen Keith, Longmorn.

The first one we tasted was the Caperdonich 21 years. Caperdonich is a vanished distillery. It no longer exists so their single malt collection is all that is left. Gregory gave an introduction on the distillery and what caught my attention was the story of the distillery owner who killed his daughter’s lover, hence the dagger in the middle of the brand logo. I guess this would be the Scottish version of Romeo and Juliet. When I lifted the glass of Caperdonich 21 years to my nose, the first scent I caught was rich vanilla. It was very smooth and had a unique herb aftertaste.

We then moved on to Caperdonich 25 years. The scent reminded me of chocolate milkshake! It definitely had a richer taste and it went well with the spicy chicken skewer served at the restaurant.

The next distillery is known as the landmark distillery in Speyside – Glen Keith. We had the opportunity to taste the 21 years and 28 years. Both had a very fruity fragrance, were very smooth and had a tinge of spiciness when you drank them. This 28 years single malt was probably the oldest whisky I have ever tasted. Imagine I was only 10 years old when they started aging it!

Last but not least, the pioneering distillery – Longmorn. They were the first to build a railway track to their distillery so that they could import fine ingredients to manufacture their whisky and then export their precious single malt to their admirers. We had the honour to taste the 18 years and 23 years. The first thought that came to my mind when I tasted the 18 years was that it reminded me of Japanese whisky. It had this distinctive toffee fragrance which I love. The 23 years boasts creamy milk chocolate, orange and scented sandalwood notes. It was excellent in my opinion and Regina’s favourite too.

If you were to ask me which was my favourite out of the 6, I would say it is the 18 years Longmorn. As a relatively new whisky drinker, my taste buds still have a preference for younger whiskies. Perhaps after more tasting sessions, I would learn to appreciate the older ones as well.

In case you are wondering where you can purchase this rare collection of single malt. They are currently only available at Changi Airport DFS. Be sure to check them out the next time you are traveling! Thank you to Secret Speyside and R.S.V.P for having Regina and myself at the event. Not only did we enjoy the tasting session, we now have more Christmas gift ideas for our whisky lover friends this festive season.

~ This post was written by Kelly Kong, a guest writer on Regina’s blog~

• Bedok Mall #B1-55, 311 New Upper Changi Road
• Causeway Point #05-02A, (near Woodlands MRT)
• Century Square #04-03, 2 Tampines Central 5
• Funan Mall #B1-18, 107 North Bridge Road
• Nex #04-08, 23 Serangoon Central
• Northpoint City #03-27, 930 Yishun Ave 2
• JCube #B1-05, 2 Jurong East Central

Did you know that Hotel Seine Cafe is a filming location for popular K drama Hotel Del Luna? Xinyi and I visited this beautiful cafe that spans 4 levels during our recent MFP trip to Seoul! Located at Ikseon-dong (read the article I wrote about this instagrammable neighbourhood), this cafe appeared in episode 11 of Hotel Del Luna, when the hotel received their first pair of human guests who were on honeymoon. To complete the experience and fit in with the cafe vibes, you may wish to consider renting a vintage dress from Ikseon Boutique, just like what we did!

On first impression, the pink building may not look like much on the outside. When you take a step inside however, be prepared to be wowed by the luxurious baroque decor as seen in Hotel Del Luna.

Doesn’t this concierge ring a bell? Contrary to what is depicted in the drama, this isn’t exactly a concierge. It is a counter where customers pick up their drinks and food.

Take your pick from an array of cakes and breads on level one, order a drink or two and chill out at a photoworthy spot of your choice on any of the 4 levels. The food and drinks are pretty average but come on, that’s not what we are here for right?

Here’s what every level looks like:

Level 1 Seating Area:

Level 2 Seating Area:

Level 3 Seating Area:

We decided on level 3 as there are more photo spots here!

Level 4 Full Moon Bar:

What’s a Hotel Del Luna inspired cafe without its very own Full Moon Bar? Now, you too can reenact some of those magical romantic moments between Hotel Del Luna CEO Jang Man Wol and General Manager Goo Chang Sung at this bar, particularly at the balcony overlooking the traditional hanoks of Ikseon-dong.

Here’s how you can get there:

As it’s located within Ikseon-dong, take the subway to Jongno-3-ga station, walk out via exit 4 and cross the road.

Address: 28-5 Donhwamun-ro 11-gil, Nakwon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Opening hours: 12pm – 10pm daily

As a first time mum who works from home and cares for baby R at the same time, time isn’t always on my side. Laundry, honestly, is the last thing on my mind. I’m sure many mummies can relate to this, which is probably the reason why I received several queries about the latest LG TWINWash from those of you who saw my IG stories when I attended the launch event earlier last month.

And so the question ensues. Does it live up to its hype?

To answer this, I thought I’d share what I like about this washing machine after testing it for a couple of weeks:

1. Wash two loads at the same time to save time – What I love most about this washing machine is its ability to wash two loads at the same time. We used to wash baby R’s clothes by hand as we didn’t want to mix her laundry with ours for hygiene purposes. While I am fortunate to have a full-time helper, other baby-related chores such as additional cleaning and sanitizing require her immediate attention much more than before, especially now that baby R is on solids.

With LG TWINWash, we are now able to wash our clothes in the main washer and baby R’s clothes in the mini washer under an hour at the same time thanks to its TurboWash^TM technology which shortens the washing cycle time while according fabrics the proper care they deserve.

2. Designed for washing baby clothes – We wash baby R’s clothes, bibs and socks everyday, and the mini washer is just the perfect size. It even has a “Baby Care” laundry option, which I think is very thoughtful indeed. I’ve never seen this option on other washing machines.

3. Cleaner laundry and less ironing is required – I noticed that many of the dresses that used to require ironing (after washing with my previous washing machine) do not need to be ironed anymore, which translates to even more time savings.

Credit goes to the TrueSteam technology, which penetrates fabrics with steam to eradicate 99.9% of household allergens, wrinkles and odors. The 6 Motion Direct Drive Technology also mimics hand washing action to ensure your laundry is as clean as it can get. Naturally, cleanliness and hygiene are of utmost importance with a baby in the household, hence knowing that my bedsheets and clothes are free from most allergens gives me complete peace of mind too.

4. Operate the machine and monitor your laundry anywhere, anytime – Did you know that the LG TWINWash is WIFI enabled? I was pleasantly surprised to find out that I can operate the machine when I’m out of the house using the SmartThinQ^TM app and time it such that I can hang my laundry immediately upon reaching home. How convenient!

5. Sleek Design – This is probably the sleekest washing machine in the market. It packs a punch in terms of both functionality and efficiency without compromising on design.

Most importantly, I love that the LG TWINWash gives me more time to bond with baby R and my family. It has certainly improved my quality of life and I would recommend that you check out this innovative appliance here if you’re on the lookout for a new washing machine!

*This is a sponsored post by LG but all opinions are my own.

Chicken essence is a popular gift given to post partum mummies. The fatigue after delivery is real guys. Not to mention the pain if you had a C section or episiotomy. Throw in breastfeeding by demand and that means you hardly get any rest. Nobody really talks about post partum recovery and how difficult it is for some mummies. Well, I guess that’s where Tian Yuan Xiang chicken essence comes to the rescue to boost energy levels and reduce fatigue.

If you’ve been following me for a while, you would probably know that I’ve been taking chicken essence from Tian Yuan Xiang since I was pregnant (you can check out my previous post here). They have different flavours to cater to your various needs. For instance, post partum mummies who breastfeed as well should definitely go for the chicken essence with vaccaria seed flavour 王不留行 flavour.

Unlike the typical nursing teas in the market which only help to unclog milk ducts, the herbs used in this flavour of chicken essence support breastfeeding by replenishing both blood and Qi. This ensures that you’re able to maintain your milk supply and also boost the quality of your breast milk. I’ve recently finished a box of chicken essence with vaccaria seed and I’m ordering my second box right away!

Here’s the good news. From now to 28 Feb, get $5 off both online and at retail store with the code <TYX5MIGHTY>. Also, pop by @mightysprouts.sg on IG and participate in their giveaway! Who knows, you might just win a box of chicken essence!

As I approached my third trimester, I wondered if I should do a maternity shoot with my growing bump. After all, this is probably the only time I’ll ever sport a bump as we fully intend to stop at one. The next question then was who’s going to do the shoot? Should my hubby be in it too? He actually offered to take my maternity shots but thank goodness Hong Ray Photography came into the picture and the rest was history.

I generally have the impression that maternity shoots are a little cheesy (you cannot imagine the number of people who asked me if my hubby did a heart shape with his hands in front of my bump). Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against such poses. I just can’t imagine us doing it that’s all, which is why I can’t stress enough the importance of chemistry with your photographer. I was already in my 35th week when we agreed on the shoot and I couldn’t be happier that we could just cut to the chase since we shared similar ideas on the photography concept (no time to lose and I was paranoid that the baby will be early!).  We really liked Hong Ray’s affable personality and from his portfolio (he does mainly wedding photography), you can easily tell that aside from his passion for photography, he has a keen eye for aesthetics too. From our interactions with him, we could also tell he truly enjoys what he does. That probably explains why many of his works have been featured in Singapore Tatler Weddings as well.

We decided to go for a more timeless and artistic studio shoot to capture our most intimate moments.

I personally feel that styling for a shoot is just as crucial as the shoot itself and it was great that Hong Ray’s studio had a wide range of props and fairy lights for us to experiment with as well. If you were wondering, yes, he provides props and styling for outdoor shoots too. How creative! Props aside, Hong Ray’s efferverscent and easy-going personality put us at ease instantly and injected a dose of fun into the shoot. There was never an awkward or dull moment.

It was a breeze working with Hong Ray and we couldn’t be more pleased with the photos we received. Thank you for creating these wonderful memories with us as we embark on the next chapter of our lives.

Here’s also a special shoutout to my makeup artist and friend, Clara for my gorgeous hair and makeup.

For more of Hong Ray’s works, check out his website here and IG account (@hongrayphotography).

For enquiries, feel free to drop him an email at enquiry@hongrayphotography.com too.

Wanna relieve common problems such as fatigue, constipation and backache during pregnancy? Perhaps Tian Yuan Xiang Chicken Essence (滴鸡精) will come in handy! A popular brand in Taiwan, I couldn’t be happier when they finally set up shop in Singapore during my second trimester! One of my girlfriends couldn’t stop waxing lyrical about the benefits of this tasty chicken essence hence I’ve been taking Tian Yuan Xiang’s chicken essence as a dietary supplement ever since I could get my hands on them here.

Why Tian Yuan Xiang?

Their chicken essence tastes different from what you usually get off the shelves. It tastes just like freshly brewed chicken broth. In fact, it’s so delicious, I look forward to drinking it every morning.

Their chicken essence is as pure as it can possibly get and there aren’t any added preservatives or water at all. What’s even more interesting is that they rear their own free-range, hormone-free chickens so preggy ladies like us can have absolute peace of mind.

The best way to ensure optimal absorption is to consume the chicken essence on an empty stomach every morning. Alternatively, you can have it with or after your meals, preferably before 4pm to prevent insomnia at night. All you have to do is to thaw a packet in the microwave or by boiling it over the stove and you’ll get to savour a piping hot bowl of natural chicken essence. How very convenient.

While I never had backache (thankfully!), I was plagued by fatigue and constipation, particularly at the start of my third trimester. I was so tired most of the time and my energy level was at an all-time low. I used to drink their Pure Chicken Essence (no herbs at all) once to twice a week in my second trimester but I  decided it was time to up my game with their Original Chicken Essence and Chicken Essence with Eucommia.  These two flavours include pregnancy-safe herbs and are suitable not only for pregnant ladies but for postpartum care and breastfeeding ladies too. You can also share these flavours with the rest of your family as teenagers, adults and the elderly can take them too!

Original Chicken Essence

The original flavour includes wolfberries and red dates to boost vital energy and Qi, astragalus to strengthen your lungs and black dates to relieve constipation. Sure enough, constipation became a problem of the past for me once I started taking this. Quite miraculous if you ask me, and believe me, I tried eating bananas, vegetables, drinking more water etc. Nothing worked for me till this came along.

Chicken Essence with Eucommia

I don’t know about you, but I’m constantly thirsty during pregnancy. My mouth feels dry all the time and skin breakouts are now as regular as my visits to the toilet. I swear I spot new spots emerging at different times of the day. Well, according to TCM, this is linked to the body’s heatiness and Tian Yuan Xiang’s Chicken Essence with Eucommia contains several Chinese herbs to dispel heatiness, aid with insomnia (yup that’s me at 2am) and constipation, and nourish blood. The star ingredient here, Eucommia, helps to relieve backaches too. After taking this, I feel less thirsty and my skin doesn’t look as bad as it did before, plus I do sleep much better now. Not preggy? That’s fine. If you’re used to pulling all nighters, you can try this too!

Nourish Your Family

Do you feel that you’ve been neglecting your hubby ever since you got preggy?  Now, you can treat the man to some Tian Yuan Xiang Chicken Essence. There are many flavors to choose from and I personally think that the American Ginseng flavor is suitable for my hubby. American Ginseng can help to replenish his energy level  and lessen the effects of fatigue(especially if he has been staying up late due to work and nursery planning :P). Worried about your kids during the exam period? Or are you feeling drained and weak after your menstrual cycle? You can drink this to boost energy levels too! However, do note that American Ginseng is not suitable for pregnant ladies, breastfeeding mummies or ladies during their menstrual periods.

There’s only so much that I can say, and nothing beats experiencing it for yourself. Go ahead, try their chicken essence. There’s complimentary sampling at their store at United Square. No time to head down? You can also order online here and they’ll deliver the products right to your doorstep. Psst…I found out recently that HK and Taiwanese celebrities such as Linda Chung, Sharon Chan, Barbie Hsu and Ruby Lin are fans. In Singapore, they count Tay Kewei and Leelian Chua as fans too.

No wonder all the products were completely wiped out when I visited their shop in Singapore a few weeks after their opening.

*****

Tian Yuan Xiang

Address:

101 Thomson Road

#B1-24A United Square

S307591

Opening Hours:

10.30am – 9pm

Contact No.:

6200 6789

Click on the links below for more details:

Official Website

Facebook

Instagram

Did you know that Wild Wild Wet (yes, that water theme park in Pasir Ris!) is back in action? It’s now double the size and double the fun! To add on to the celebratory mood, Wild Wild Wet is also holding a Seeing Double campaign offering free entry to those who are dressed identically. Yes, free entry  (and more perks which you’ll find out at the end of the post)!

I attended the media event with Sydney recently and we both agreed to turn up in black and white. Upon arrival, we were greeted by visitors who were all dressed identically. In fact, Wild Wild Wet had a record number of 111 visitors who came identically dressed!

Be sure to try Singapore’s longest inflatable freestyle water slide, The Woosh. It looks mild but you can expect 50 metres of exhilaration and adrenalin pumping action once you’re on it! Don’t be fooled though, it’s suitable for both kids and adults!

This was my first time at Wild Wild Wet and I was impressed by the wide variety of rides that cater to everyone! Royal Flush is yet another new thrilling ride that you shouldn’t miss out on. Remember to hang on tight to prepare for the unexpected twists and turns!

Torpedo is the roller coaster equivalent in the water park, complete with steep drops and tight turns to set your hearts racing.

If you’re a parent and on the lookout for places to go this school holidays, you’ll be happy to know that Kids Zone, as the name suggests, is the perfect spot for families with kids in tow. Yes, your kiddos can have their fair share of fun at Wild Wild Wet too!

For those of us who prefer to just hang out at a slow, leisurely pace sans all the drama, the Shiok River (also known as Lazy River), is the place to be. Even if you can’t swim, you can easily pick out a lifejacket and a float, jump into the river and literally go with the flow. Now, that’s my idea of a relaxing weekend.

Remember to take advantage of the Seeing Double campaign which ends on 31 July! Besides free entry when you dress identically, click HERE to find out more about the perks you’ll benefit from. You just might win yourself a 2D1N staycation at D’Resort and Downtown East vouchers too!

Some of you may already be aware that I started running a cafe at the end of last year when I announced the birth of my new baby, Foxhole Café (@foxholecafesg), in collaboration with friends from The Pourover Bar. By some stroke of luck, this baby has spared me from other baby-related questions during this Chinese New Year too.

Friends, relatives and customers alike have been asking me about my motivations for starting a cafe and what it is like to actually run one. Truth be told, I am far from a domestic goddess. I don’t cook regularly and neither do I bake. Fortunately, no man is an island and I can’t be more grateful for being able to work alongside my capable partners to make this venture happen.

And so, the question remains.

What is it like to run a cafe?

1) Long Working Hours

Cafe hours are no different from retail hours. We believe in being hands-on at the initial stage, so you’ll see me at the shop everyday from 10am to 10pm (except Tuesday, our off day). Coming in before 10am to set up the shop and finishing past 10pm due to clean up is the norm. Be prepared to sacrifice your social and family life – well, fortunately, they know exactly where to find you.

2) Lots of Multi-tasking

Multi-tasking is absolutely necessary especially when there are multiple drink and food orders. Cashiering, serving and cleaning duties aside, we develop our own recipes and prepare all the food and drinks by ourselves.

Yes, working at a café is like playing Diner Dash in real life.

3) Chatting with customers

Service is important to us and going the extra mile to talk to customers, seek their feedback and make them feel at home is at the heart of what we do. The customer is always right and we value all feedback, both positive and negative.

4) R&D and Liaising with Suppliers

In between food prep, cleaning, serving and the works, we are also communicating with suppliers, sampling ingredients and coming up with new recipes. Intensive R&D is done before we roll out each and every item on our menu because we only serve what we would personally put in our own tummies.

5) Marketing & Photography

Marketing through various platforms takes time, and we are always on the lookout for new collaboration opportunities. In many ways, this baby of mine has taken my passion for marketing and photography to a whole new level.

I wish I could tell you all we do is chill out with songs from our amazing Spotify playlist playing in the background (although you may spot us jiving to the beat every now and then), but the truth can’t be any further from that.

I guess in a nutshell, that’s what running a café is like. At least at the onset before you start building a team that you can trust. It’s no secret that the F&B industry is a challenging one. Being able to find the right people to join our team is just one of the hurdles. It takes a lot of hard work intellectually, physically and mentally, but at the end of the day, putting a smile on our customers’ faces and seeing these familiar faces come through our doors again and again is what keeps us going.

Plus, in my mother-in-law’s opinion, a real woman is able to whip up a feast and I have miraculously morphed into a real woman in her eyes after starting a café. It’s always good to get your mother-in-law’s nod of approval, no?