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100 Doraemon Secret Gadgets Expo in JB City Square Mall (Now till 4th Jan 2015)

October 20, 2014 by Regina Chow No Comments

Not sure where to head to during the weekend? Perhaps you could head across the Causeway to JB City Square Mall Level 1 for the 100 Doraemon Secret Gadgets Expo.

On from now till 4th Jan 2015, the 100 Doraemon Secret Gadgets Expo showcases 100 life-sized Doraemon figurines, 100 iconic gadgets and memorable scenes in Doraemon stories. Even if you’re
not a Doraemon fan, the photo opportunities and interesting
gadgets will certainly blow your mind. If you have kids in
tow, I’m sure they’ll be just as, if not more entertained!

Tickets are affordably priced at RM25 for adults (aged 13 and above) and RM15 for kids (aged 4 – 12). Senior citizens and very young children (below 90cm) can enter for free too.

You can literally find a Doraemon in every nook and corner, and if you follow the comic series, you can probably identify most, if not all of the gadgets. For Doraemon lovers, this is definitely a feast for the eyes.

Karen, Janice, Raphael and I headed to the expo on a Saturday afternoon. We had so much fun goofing around with the Doraemon figurines, toying with all the fanciful gadgets and discovering new, fascinating facts about Doraemon.

Fun Facts about Doraemon

Did you know that Doraemon is a cat with ears that used to be yellow? I had absolutely no idea!

An unexpected twist of events led to Doraemon losing its ears to a mouse. This incident scarred him for life and caused him to fear mice.

How did Doraemon become blue then? Poor Doraemon tried to cheer himself up when his girlfriend Noramyako laughed at his missing ears, but instead of drinking a cheer-up potion, he drank a sorrow potion that made him cry for 3 days till he eventually turned blue!

Popular Doraemon Gadgets

At the entrance of the expo, you will find the “Dokodemo Door”, which allows you to travel anywhere simply by walking through the door.

Dokodemo Door

The “Time Machine” is another popular gadget at the expo. I love how the psychedelic lights create the illusion that you are travelling through time and space.

Time Machine

Anyone who has caught an episode of the Doraemon cartoon would find the “Hopter” familiar.

I used to wake up early every Sunday morning just to catch Doraemon at 9.30 a.m. and the “Hopter” is one gadget that left the deepest impression on me. This bamboo propeller is meant to airlift you to safety but it looks more fun to me than anything else. I would love to be able to fly from one destination to the next just by attaching the “Hopter” to my head!

Hopter

Want to take a peek at what everything looks like in a 100 years’ time? Place the “Future Glasses” in front of your eyes for a sneak preview!

Future Glasses

The “Air Cannon” creates a powerful burst of air that can easily knock out your enemy. All you have to do is attach it to your hand and say “Bang”. Finally, here’s a weapon that doesn’t run out of bullets because it doesn’t require any!

Air Cannon

Having difficulties memorizing your notes for tomorrow’s exam or your speech for an important event? Here comes the “Memory Bread” to the rescue! Place the bread against whatever you need to memorize, and a special mechanism in the bread will store all the information required. Thereafter, eat up the bread and everything’s stored in your memory!

If only this exists in reality. I would buy a loaf of this bread everyday.

Memory Bread

Want to experience a day in the life of a Lilliputian (for those of you who’ve read Gulliver’s Travels)? You could jolly well fulfill your dream with the “Small Light”, a device that shrinks people and objects.

The Small Light

Besides these popular gadgets, there many other interesting gadgets that double up as great photo backdrops.

Iconic Doraemon Scenes

Gadgets aside, a Doraemon expo will not be complete without iconic scenes from the anime. Here are some of the most unforgettable scenes in Doraemon:

1. The First Appearance of Doraemon

Doraemon first popped out of a drawer in Nobita’s bedroom, catching him by surprise.

2. Nobita’s Wedding

Doraemon fans would know that Nobita always had a thing for Shizuka. The pair did eventually end up together.

3. Nobita’s Grandmother

The teddy bear in the photo below was a precious gift from Nobita’s grandmother. Nobita found the teddy bear in his stash of old belongings and it reminded him of how much he missed his grandmother, hence he asked Doraemon to take him back to three years ago when his grandmother was still alive.

4. Farewell between Doraemon and Nobita

5. Nobita’s classroom

A new scene at the Doraemon expo, fans can expect to sit in Nobita’s class, which comes complete with a teacher and blackboard.

Nobita’s Friends

You’ll also get to meet many of Nobita’s friends during the expo.

The numerous photo-taking opportunities made the entire experience an engaging and interactive one. Suitable for all ages, the Doraemon expo provides a great opportunity for family bonding and for friends to get together. It was a fun-filled afternoon for all of us and we had a marvelous time snapping away.

Much thanks and love also goes out to Janice for being my personal photographer this time!

Doraemon Cafe

And if you still haven’t had enough of Doraemon, you can pop by the Doraemon Cafe located on Level 1 (Atrium) and Level 5 to try out Doraemon’s favourite snacks!

Many thanks to Alvin for sharing the cafe photos with us!

******

Are you excited yet? Get your tickets at:

City Square, Johor Bahru (Ticketing Booth, Level 1, in front of McDonald’s entrace)
MyTicket Malaysia (www.myticket.my)**
MyDeal (www.mydeal.com.my)**
MOL Money Online (www.mol.com/my)

**Terms & conditions apply

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Fashion Fridays: The Little Nude Dress

October 17, 2014 by Regina Chow No Comments

The little black dress has and always will be a wardrobe staple, but the often neglected little nude dress is just as timeless, don’t you think? The personification of grace and sophistication, the little nude dress has a softer, gentler side that allows you to make a statement with understated elegance.

One wonderful aspect about this subtle hue is that it gives you free rein to play around with textures and layers. In this case, cascading ruffles are the main focal point of my little nude dress. Details like ruffles lend an inexplicably girly appeal to nude dresses. On the contrary, imagine if the dress was in a darker shade like black. The striking colour coupled with ruffles would give the dress a more garish persona. If gaudy and overdone are adjectives that you would like to avoid, sticking to subtler shades would be your best bet.

To jazz up the plain colour palette, I threw on a pair of fierce animal print lace-up heels from Zara in a similar hue no less. Lace-up heels never fail to add a dose of edginess without compromising on femininity.

To balance out the edginess, a touch of pearls in the form of earrings and an arm cuff were added to complete the ensemble.

Dress from Yuan (Far East Plaza)

Shoes from Zara

Clutch from Saint Laurent

Accessories from Chanel

This series of photographs was taken at Quayside Isle, one of only places in Singapore that reminds me of Sydney and instantly puts me in a holiday mood. Quality couple
time, fresh air and outdoor activities that do not involve shopping
malls, sprawling beaches and the beautiful harbour – these are just some
of the things I miss. On a totally unrelated note, the one year we spent in Sydney created so many wondrous memories and personal development opportunities, both for us as a couple and for each of us as an individual.

What struck me the hardest was that work-life balance, an important aspect that Singaporeans value but strive so hard to achieve, seemed to come so naturally to those who live in Australia. The one year in Sydney led me to realize that there is more to life than making a living.

Life used to be all about work for me. I used to be more negative and cynical, frequently complaining about how badly life was treating me. We all need to make a living, but more importantly, we need to create a life worth living for. That nagging thought gave me the impetus to pursue my passion for writing relentlessly, through blogging.

I write a lot in the course of my work, but creative writing is a different ballgame altogether. Your vocabulary is wider, your sentence structures less restricted, and your thoughts are allowed to run wild, no holds barred. It excites my senses and stimulates every cell in my body. It makes me feel alive. And this is what keeps me going, day after day.

I might write about fashion today, my travel escapades tomorrow and beauty products the following day, but every single word that is printed on this humble space comes straight from my heart. You cannot believe how thankful I am to each and every one of you out there who continue to read my ramblings, and I hope today’s Fashion Fridays post would serve as a source of inspiration to you, beyond just fashion, to pursue your passion, live your dreams and bring meaning to your lives.

Have a great weekend ahead!

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Fashion: The Denim Shirt – A Wardrobe Staple

October 15, 2014 by Regina Chow 1 Comment

I have been under the weather for about a week and I am croaking like a toad now. Those of you who have interacted with me can probably attest to that. That also explains why I haven’t been blogging as often as I ought to. Now that I’m a little better, I thought I’d squeeze in a fashion post to pique your interest.

Have you read my previous post on denim dresses and how to look taller? My obsession with denim isn’t over yet. Today’s post is all about the denim shirt, another classic wardrobe staple. As incredible as this may sound, this is the first denim shirt that has successfully made its way into my bursting wardrobe. I have never been a fan of shirts as my petite size makes finding a fitting shirt just as difficult as finding a needle in a haystack.

My fairy godmother must have heard my constant pleas because I finally found the perfect denim shirt that fits me to a T at H&M (their size 32 fits me like a charm). The best part is, the material is relatively thin, which means you can wear out it in our humid weather without sweating buckets.

There are many
ways to go about styling a denim shirt, and you’ll definitely see me experimenting
with different styles in time to come.

I was going for a more feminine
look in this post, hence lace tiered shorts seemed like the best match. To keep the look clean and simple yet interesting, all I did was to add a
touch of gold accents in the form of a belt and a whimsical clock bag.

Shirt from H&M

Shorts from Dip Drops (Japanese label)

Leather Loafers from Beijing (gift from Yitian)

Clock Bag from Taobao

Sunglasses from Marc by Marc Jacobs

These days, I
find myself picking out classic wardrobe pieces, basics that will stand
the test of time and can be worn again and again. Perhaps it’s a sign of
age or maturity? I still lust for the latest trends every once in a
while, but my aim now is to build a classic wardrobe, one that will
always be in style regardless of what is trending. You know what, I can almost hear my
husband heave a sigh of relief!

A crisp white
shirt, denim shirt, dark jeans, the little black dress, simple fitted
t-shirts and vests in classic colours (black and white or stripes) are
just some of my wardrobe staples. What about you? What do you consider
as wardrobe staples?

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My Dream Wardrobe: Free Platform for Selling Pre-Owned and Brand New Designer Items

October 8, 2014 by Regina Chow No Comments

In a digital age where online shopping has since become a mainstream activity, many of us are increasingly turning to online websites and social media platforms such as instagram to purchase or peddle our preowned or brand new designer bags.

Most platforms these days charge relatively high fees for peddling your bags but at My Dream Wardrobe, you get to post up your items for sale completely free of charge! The best part is, this privilege will be extended all the way till next December or even longer, till further notice.

Here’s how you can spread the love and start selling your pre-owned and brand new items:

Step 1: Click on the “I want to Sell” tab on My Dream Wardrobe

Step 2: Read the steps and click on “Post An Ad”

http://mydreamwardrobe.com.sg/want_to_sell.aspx

Thereafter, all you have to do is to:

1) Fill in your personal and product details

2) Upload the product’s photos

3) Confirm Advertisement Details

Simple isn’t it?

If you believe in putting all
your eggs in one basket (or selling your bags on one platform in this case),
posting them for sale on My Dream Wardrobe would be a wonderful
solution. Even if you prefer to spread your eggs among a few
baskets, My Dream Wardrobe is a platform that still fits the bill.

After all, the zero
cost involved ensures that you have absolutely nothing to lose.

I don’t know about you, but I have never come across a free platform for selling your pre-owned and brand new designer items, so do take advantage of this privilege while it lasts!

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Fashion: Rosebullet Fall 2014 Edit

October 6, 2014 by Regina Chow No Comments

I am a huge fan of Japanese fashion labels and Rosebullet is certainly one of my favourite brands to date. Needless to say, this post is brought to you in collaboration with Rosebullet, and I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to work with them.

“The Rosebullet girl is feminine and sexy, yet strong and independent. She revels in freedom, and loves to experiment. She is as soft as a petal, yet tough as a bullet.”

I view the way I dress as a means of communicating my personality, values and lifestyle with the people around me, and the very characteristics that the Rosebullet brand embodies are a perfect match with my personality and what I, as a woman, aim to achieve in life.

“The Rosebullet girl is feminine and sexy, yet strong and independent.”

Rosebullet’s Fall 2014 collection has gone down a slightly different path this year. In place of the usual frilly, lacy dresses that are commonly associated with the label, this season’s collection boasts an interesting array of edgy and preppy ensembles that retain a hint of femininity.

You can expect to see preppy dungarees like this lovely monochrome checked one that resembles a grid of white square tiles marked by contrasting thin black lines. To add a pop of colour and amp up the feminine factor, pair it with a frilly top and suede lace-up booties in a trendy oxblood shade that’s perfect for fall.

Trendy shades of oxblood that are perfect for Fall

Clothes, Booties and Clutch from Rosebullet Edit (Orchard Gateway)// Cap from Forever New// Socks from Tutuanna (Japan)// Accessories from Chanel

Thinking of taking on the print-on-print trend? Perhaps you could attempt this method of styling. I basically took the black and white checks scheme a notch further by incorporating socks and a clutch (Feroux, from Rosebullet) in the same print and monochrome colour palette. In an interesting reversal of roles, black takes centerstage instead of white this time, adding greater contrast and a touch of boldness to the ensemble.

If you have never tried the print-on-print trend, hopefully this gives you some inspiration to start experimenting!

To find out what else Rosebullet has in store this season and for more styling inspirations, do check out these fashion bloggers’ sites as well:

Roxanne

Melissa Jane Ferosha

Carrie

[(L-R): Me, Roxanne, Melissa, Carrie]

[(R-L): Me, Roxanne, Melissa, Carrie]

Photography Credits:

Coffee Table People

Carrie

This post is brought to you in collaboration with Rosebullet.

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Yun Nam Hair Care Review: Progress Update

October 3, 2014 by Regina Chow No Comments

Beautiful, lustrous hair after my 5th treatment at Yun Nam Hair Care

I have been heading to Yun Nam Hair Care at Tiong Bahru Plaza every week for scalp treatment, and the results have been nothing short of amazing. After reading my first post on Yun Nam Hair Care (click here to read), many friends came up to me to ask if I was balding even though I stated upfront in my previous post that my key concern is my oily scalp.

I guess it is only natural for most to associate Yun Nam Hair Care with hair loss. After all, they are the market leader for hair loss treatments. But unbeknownst to the man on the street, Yun Nam Hair Care also offers treatments to target issues such as dandruff, oily scalp, sensitive scalp and scalp infection. In fact, I too only found out about this when I was invited to try out their customized scalp treatments.

Scalp problems are more likely to occur if you subject your hair to frequent chemical treatments or if you are using a shampoo that is not suitable for your scalp (usually too rich or too drying). If you travel often, changes in weather would also inevitably affect the condition of your scalp, resulting in a loss of moisture, which eventually leads to flaking, dandruff and a sensitive scalp. Whenever I am stressed, my scalp starts to itch too.

I am sure many of you may have encountered one or more of these issues at some point, as these are just some of the problems that my friends and I often lament about.

I only recommend treatments that I have personally tried and tested, and the scalp treatments at Yun Nam Hair Care have proven to be effective in tackling my oily scalp issue.

I was so impressed after the first session that my close girlfriend, Yitian, decided she had to try it for herself too.

As Yitian was recommended by me, she was entitled to a complimentary consultation session and a hydrating treatment. However, she decided to top up another $50 for the scalp treatment that I’ve been gushing so much about. I thought it was pretty reasonable as she was given a travel size hair care set of shampoo, conditioner and hair tonic as well.

Complimentary Consultation & Treatment

Now, here’s the good news, all my blog readers are entitled to a free consultation too! All you have to do is to click on the the link here to make your appointment.

I wouldn’t go into the details of the treatment process as I have written about it previously. If you’re interested to find out how the entire treatment process is like, do read my previous post here.

What are Yitian’s thoughts on the treatment?

Yitian has naturally thick hair, which makes washing a pain. Stress and chemical treatments have also caused her scalp to itch lately, hence she was on the lookout for a deep cleansing scalp treatment to get rid of residual dirt and product buildup.

What was her verdict then? She really liked the treatment! I meet her a couple of times a week, and she couldn’t stop raving about the treatment for the entire week after. She shared that her scalp felt exceptionally clean and hair fall seemed to have reduced significantly. She’s currently contemplating the possibility of taking up a package so we can go for treatments together.

What about me? How’s my progress thus far?

I have been going down once a week for scalp treatment and have completed 5 sessions thus far, which means I’m halfway through the course.

I can really feel a difference in my scalp condition. I wash my hair at night everyday, and by the end of the next day, I could feel that my scalp is slightly oily. The hair at my crown area would also get limper and flatter as the day progresses. Now, the oiliness is completely gone and my hair looks voluminous and healthy everyday.

I love how effective the treatments are and how pampered I feel every time I step into Yun Nam Hair Care. I find myself looking forward to the head massage week after week, as it never fails to improve circulation and soothe away stress and tension, leaving me relaxed, revitalized and re-energised.

Did you know that you can also choose to have your hair blown straight or curly, just like in a regular hair salon? You’ll always look and feel like a million bucks when you step out of Yun Nam Hair Care.

I also had another scalp scan at the end of my fifth treatment to track my treatment progress. If you find it hard to believe my testimonial above, scroll down to see the results of my before-and-after scalp scan comparison and perhaps you’ll be more convinced.

Before (taken before my 1st treatment at Yun Nam Hair Care)

Before & After Comparison (after 1st scalp treatment at Yun Nam Hair Care)

After my 5th treatment at Yun Nam Hair Care

The results were visible immediately after the 1st treatment and you can see that the dirt and oil buildup on my scalp was practically gone.

After the 5th treatment, I could tell from the scalp scan that my hair follicles are now more visible as compared to before.

It is important to have healthy hair follicles as this is the first step to healthy hair growth. I was told that healthy hair follicles are concave in shape, and from the scalp scan above, you can see that the concave shape is more prominent now. This means that the treatments have successfully unclogged my hair follicles and that I am right on track to restoring their health.

Of course, aside from in-salon scalp treatments, it is necessary to incorporate suitable home care products into your haircare routine to optimize results. I am currently using the full range of home care products by Yun Nam Hair Care, and today, I will be touching on their shampoo, conditioner, cleansing lotion and renewal lotion.

The Herbalogy Ginseng Shampoo is my favourite product in the range as it does a thorough job of cleansing without stripping my scalp of moisture. The key ingredient in this product is none other than ginseng, which is known for its calming benefits and is ideal for sensitive scalp.

The shampoo has a distinctive ginseng scent that isn’t too overpowering, especially when paired with the Refreshing Apple Conditioner as the invigorating apple scent makes my hair smell heavenly. I only apply the conditioner from the middle section of my hair all the way to the ends, without any contact with my scalp.

To restore my scalp’s PH balance, I use Yun Nam Hair Care’s Hair Renewal Lotion and Hair Cleansing Lotion twice a week after lathering the shampoo. I spray 6 pumps of the Hair Renewal Lotion and 3 pumps of the Hair Cleansing Lotion, give my scalp a good massage together with the shampoo, and rinse everything off. A balanced PH level helps to keep scalp problems at bay and these two products help to keep my scalp in the pink of health.

I will be sharing more about Yun Nam Hair Care’s leave-in hair products and providing more updates on my journey with Yun Nam Hair Care, so do watch this space for more details!

Yun Nam Hair Care

Website: http://www.yunnamhaircare.com.sg

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YunNamSG?fref=ts

Hotline: 6363 3232

Outlets in Singapore:

Century Square
City Square Mall
Heartland Mall
Jubilee Square
Jurong Point
Lot One Shoppers’ Mall
Plaza Singapura
Tiong Bahru Plaza
Woodlands Civic Centre

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Fashion Fridays: Denim Dresses & How to Look Taller in Photos

October 3, 2014 by Regina Chow No Comments

Denim is a staple in every wardrobe, but the only denim I used to have in my wardrobe comes in the form of denim jeans. Call me a late bloomer, but I have only just come to realize how versatile denim dresses actually are. In today’s edition of Fashion Fridays, you will see the latest addition to my denim dress collection (I have a grand total of erm..2 denim dresses now).

Just like denim jeans, denim dresses are classic pieces that never go out of style. What’s great about denim dresses is that you can easily just throw them on and go without worrying about looking like a clown who dressed herself up in the dark. You’ll always look put together, thanks to the texture of the denim material which adds structure to your silhouette. The best part is, denim is one material that delivers comfort and durability like no other.

I honestly don’t know what took me so long to jump onto the denim dress bandwagon, but as always, it’s better late than never.

Dress from Ching

Shoes from Sophia Webster

Bag and brooch from Chanel

On a somewhat different note, I have been told on many occasions that I look very tall in photos. After seeing my photos on my blog, many assume that I am at least 1.7-1.8 m tall, hence they get the shock of their lives when they meet me in person for the first time, because the truth is, I am really petite, standing at only 1.6m tall.

Why do I look taller in photos?

That’s a question I get very often, but it is really a matter of just playing with body proportions, knowing what works well for your body type, photography angles and the poses that you strike.

Through some practice, I realized that I look tallest when the photographer holds the camera such that it points at the midpoint of my full height. Depending on your photographer’s height, he/she may have to bend down to capture photos at this height. The photographer also needs to ensure that the subject’s full height fits just nicely into the camera frame.

The wonderful thing about taking photos at this height is that your body proportions do not get distorted. The lack of excess space at the top and bottom of the photo also elongates your body in a proportionate manner. Most of my OOTD photos are taken from this angle, but there are times when I attempt to experiment with other angles because of various reasons.

Take these two photos below for instance, which were taken from the top-down angle.

The top-down angle may work well for selfies, but when it comes to full-length portrait shots, this angle is usually not ideal. Not only do you look disproportionate from this angle, you would also most definitely end up looking like you have short legs, regardless of your pose. Photography angles aside, I personally adore the photo composition and the backdrop of these 2 photos, hence I didn’t mind looking much shorter!

Most people tend to favour the bottom-up angle as they claim that this angle elongates their legs and thus makes them look taller than they actually are. Personally, I find this angle a little strange because your body proportions somehow still look a little out of whack (long legs with tiny head), plus you could also potentially wind up with a double chin in the process.

What about you? What’s your favourite angle for OOTDs?

I hope you enjoyed reading this post! For those of you who reside in Singapore, have a wonderful long weekend ahead!

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Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Skincare Range for Oily Skin

September 30, 2014 by Regina Chow No Comments

The Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free skincare range couldn’t have arrived at my doorstep at a better time as I recently discovered that I have oily but dehydrated skin.

Can oily skin be dry at the same time?

My skin looks oily on the surface but there are signs of flaking if I don’t moisturize adequately. Sounds contradictory? Totally not.

Those of us with oily skin tend to skip moisturizer, thinking that our skin already feels moisturized anyway. We are also afraid that our skin will look oilier after applying moisturizer. Contrary to popular belief, it is not true that people with oily skin do not need to moisturize because beneath that oily exterior, your skin may be sorely lacking in moisture (like mine), which then results in dry, flaky skin.

I have tried several skincare brands and products. Most fare well in terms of hydration but I can’t say the same when it comes to the oil control. That’s where Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free range makes a difference.

After using this skincare range for about a month, I feel that my skin feels more matte and hydrated than before.

Moisture without the shine – isn’t that a dream come true?

1) Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Cleanser (S$43, 150ml)

What I love about Kiehl’s products it that they are paraben-free, sulphate-free, silicone-free, oil-free and fragrance-free. Hence, you have nothing to fear even if you have sensitive skin. To reduce my level of exposure to unnecessary chemicals, I generally prefer products that do not contain these ingredients as well.

A pea sized amount is all I need to create sufficient lather for the entire face. My skin feels thoroughly cleansed yet hydrated as this facial cleanser is specially formulated with Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract to retain and restore moisture, even as it removes excess oil and impurities. It also contains Lemon Fruit Extracts which have astringent and antiseptic qualities to perk up and refresh tired, sluggish skin.

I am using this cleanser on a daily basis and this is one product that I would repurchase as I really like the slightly tight, squeaky clean feeling after cleansing. I would recommend this to people with oily skin. That said, this cleanser is best paired with the Ultra Facial Oil-Free Toner to balance out the skin’s moisture level.

2) Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil Free Toner (S$43, 150ml)

This toner is alcohol-free, paraben-free, sulphate-free, silicone-free and fragrance-free. Made from Imperata Cylindrica root extract and antarcticine, a glycolprotein found in the Antartic Sea, Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil Free toner gently hydrates and soothes your skin by balancing your skin’s pH level.

I use it after the facial cleanser to remove any residual impurities and I love how it leaves my skin feeling fresh and clean, without stripping it of moisture. I especially like to use this when my skin breaks out during that time of the month as it effectively double cleanses my face to remove any excess oil. I currently alternate between this and my SKII Facial Treatment Essence (which is more nourishing) depending on my skin’s condition.

3) Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream (S$48 for 50ml or S$82 for 125ml)

I love
cream-based moisturizers for their nourishing properties, but they are
usually too rich for my skin, which results in the formation of milia
seeds. Gel-based moisturizers like this one are definitely more suitable for oily skin.

The lightweight gel texture absorbs readily into my skin, giving it a dose of much-needed moisture without that rich, creamy after-feel that most moisturizers tend to impart.There is absolutely no residue after application, and I adore how silky smooth and plumped up my skin feels immediately. Most importantly, it doesn’t give me milia seeds.

What is really impressive about this moisturizer is that despite its almost feather-light texture, it is more hydrating than most of the other gel-based moisturizers that I have tried. In fact, it feels just like an intensive serum cum moisturizer.

I would highly recommend this skincare range to anyone with oily skin. Its key strength lies in oil control without compromising on hydration, and the entire range has worked particularly well on me thus far. If you have oily skin as well, perhaps you could give this a try!

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Malacca Food: What and Where to Eat

September 29, 2014 by Regina Chow No Comments

We were brought on a mini food
trail hosted by the lovely staff of
Julie’s Biscuit during our recent sponsored trip to Malacca and while I
can’t speak on behalf of everyone, I for one couldn’t stop munching on
the delectable delights that the vibrant city had to offer.

Malacca is a food haven, there’s no doubt about that. Give me chicken rice balls, chendol, nyonya food and durian puffs any time, any day.

Let’s start with Jonker Walk, one of the most iconic tourist attractions in Malacca. Lined with street hawkers peddling local delicacies, knick knacks, trinklets and apparels,
the street is always bustling with life. Weaving in and out of the maddening crowd is part and parcel of the entire experience, and while it can be rather exasperating at times to be stuck in a human jam, there is always something interesting
in every nook and corner, ready to enchant and captivate.

If you are a fan of pineapple tarts, be sure to stop by Madam Goh. There are more than 10 shops selling pineapple tarts along Jonker Walk, but the pineapple tarts here are by far the yummiest that I’ve tried.

Madam Goh Nyonya Pineapple Tarts House

Jonker Walk

Tel: 06-335-1561

I love that the slightly crisp outer crust is so creamy and milky, it almost melts in your mouth. And as I sink my teeth deeper into the buttery confection, I am immediately greeted by a generous dollop of pineapple filling that is sweetened to perfection.

I have a penchant for durians and I’ve heard so much about One Bite Durian Puff along Jonker Street.

Encased within a soft fluffy puff pastry, the durian filling is rich and bursting with flavour. As the name suggests, you are supposed to devour the entire puff in one bite, but it was way too huge for me. I took at least 5 bites. With every bite, I had to rotate and contort my wrist in different directions just to prevent the delicious durian filling from oozing out on to my hands.

Every bite gave me immense pleasure, so much so that I decided one durian puff was simply not enough for me. This is definitely a must-try if you are a durian fan!

Aside from street food, Malacca is also renowned for its authentic Perakanan cuisine, otherwise known as Nyonya food. We were hosted to a wonderful dinner at Restoran Nyonya Makko, one of the most established Nyonya restaurants in Malacca.

Restoran Nyonya Makko

123, Jalan Merdeka, Taman Melaka Raya, Melaka

Tel: 06-2840-737

These were just some of the dishes that we had and every dish was sumptuous. It is quite impossible to go wrong with an establishment that has been around for 27 years and before long, everyone at the table abandoned their cameras to tuck into the splendid spread of Nyonya delicacies.

I’m not sure about you, but I have a separate compartment reserved for desserts, and even as I was bursting at the seams from all the glorious food, I had to have my Chendol!

The key ingredients in Chendol include coconut milk, green jelly noodles made from rice flour, shaved ice and palm sugar. It sounds simple enough to make, but I guess the secret to a good bowl of Chendol lies in the quality and the proportions of ingredients.

If you are familiar with Malacca, you would probably have heard about their fabulous Chendol and the snaking queues at this particular stall along Jonker Walk. I personally feel that Restoran Nyonya Makko’s is just as delish.

Chicken Rice Balls are my absolute favourite, which is why I saved the best for last. The most famous chicken rice ball stall in Malacca is probably Chung Wah Chicken Rice Balls, but the massive queues can serve as a deterrent, especially when your stomach is growling.

I have little patience and I get grumpy when hunger gets the better of me, so I was really happy when the Julie’s Biscuit staff introduced us to another chicken rice ball stall that is equally yummy to satisfy my cravings.

Did you know that Ee Ji Ban Chicken Rice Ball is apparently the only halal chicken rice ball stall in Malacca?

The chicken rice balls were moist, fragrant and slightly sticky. I especially love the soft and smooth texture, which makes it incredibly easy to swallow. That probably explains why I ate up close to 20 rice balls in one seating.

The other dishes were equally mouthwatering. The chicken was juicy and succulent but in my opinion, the sambal squids took the cake. The sambal chilli was simply superb.

The abundance of good food in Malacca is such a huge draw and I can’t wait to head back to explore and discover new eating places. There is so much more that Malacca has to offer, and what I have shared in this post barely scratches the surface.

Are there any other restaurants or cafes in Malacca that you would recommend?

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Fashion Fridays: Red Accents, Flowers & Foliage

September 26, 2014 by Regina Chow No Comments

I love adding a pop of red to my outfits, especially simple minimalistic pieces like a little black dress. Red stands out against black and the marriage between these two colours creates a classic look that never goes out of style.

For a more playful and quirky look, you can also consider throwing on a splash of colours with red as an accent colour, like what I did here. It’s easy to wear several colours at the same time and not end up looking like a clown as long as the colour of your shoes and accessories matches one of the colours in the ensemble.

I have been waxing lyrical about leaf prints and palm prints the past 2 weeks, hence this week, I decided it’s about time to bring on both flowers and foliage. After all, leaves and flowers belong together, don’t they?

If you take a closer look at this whimsical top and skorts (yes, it’s not a skirt!) set, you may notice that there are a couple of pop-up leaves and flowers that give it a more 3-dimensional visage. These cute little pop-ups are made of fluffy cotton pads and I know this sounds really childish and ridiculous, but I couldn’t help but give these squishy pop-up motifs a good squeeze every now and then. Oops, now you know how silly I am!