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Royal Bird’s Nest & 5 Facts about Bird’s Nest

April 6, 2015 by Regina Chow No Comments

If diamonds are a girl’s best friend, bird’s nest is your skin’s best friend. All you need to
do is to take a look at the porcelain skin of those who swear by bird’s
nest and have been consuming it religiously since young.

The boss of Royal Bird’s Nest, a bird’s nest specialty shop based in People’s Park Centre in Chinatown, is one such example. He has been taking bird’s nest everyday since he was a little boy. If you were to see him in person, you would certainly be in awe of his smooth, radiant and absolutely pore-less skin.

What are the benefits of consuming bird’s nest?

Traditionally
prepared as a soup, bird’s nest is rich in organic nutrients such as soluble glycoprotein, amino acids and minerals. Bird’s nest also contains “Cell Division Inducing Hormone” and an “Epithelial Growth Factor” that stimulate the growth and division of cells to enhance tissue growth, cellular regeneration and cell-mediated immunity in human beings.

If you consume bird’s nest regularly, you can be assured of fairer, younger and more radiant skin. It also strengthens your lungs, clears phlegm, and enhances your body’s immunity.

Did you know that consumption of bird’s nest during pregnancy also boosts your baby’s immune system? It also shortens your recovery time after giving birth.

I personally enjoy bird’s nest as a tonic from time to time as it is truly delicious in comparison to most traditional Chinese medicine concoctions. However, I could never quite figure out why there are so many varieties of bird’s nest in the market.

How do you tell if a particular type of bird’s nest is superior or inferior in quality?

Besides sharing more about Royal Bird’s Nest, I will also be highlighting 5 lesser known facts about bird’s nest that would give you tips on selecting and cooking bird’s nest to reap its optimal health benefits. Royal Bird’s Nest has also kindly extended exclusive discounts to all my lovely readers, so do read on till the end of this post to find out more.

Background of Royal Bird’s Nest

Royal Bird’s Nest specializes in 100% genuine bird’s nest without harmful chemicals, artificial colouring or preservatives.

No bleaching agents are used in the process of cleaning. To ensure that its bird’s nest is safe for consumption, Royal Bird’s Nest developed a state-of-the-art cleaning technology that uses tiny bubbles in water to release explosive energy. This energy, coupled with reactive oxygen, exterminates pollutants such as E.Coli, Fungi, Nitrate and Nitrite in bird’s nest without compromising its nutritional value.

Quality is assured as Royal Bird’s Nest oversees the entire value chain process in-house, beginning with harvesting, followed by cleaning, quality control and ending with packaging.

Royal Bird’s Nest believes in bringing bird’s nest to the masses by selling them at wholesale prices. Besides premium bird’s nest packed in transparent boxes which are perfect as gifts or even for personal consumption, it also serves pocket-friendly freshly brewed bird’s nest soup in four different flavours.

Too busy to brew a bowl of bird’s nest at home? Now, you can pop by Royal Bird’s Nest for a quick fix!

We were treated to the Rock Sugar, Ginseng and Osmanthus varieties. Priced at just S$12 a bowl, each flavour came along with its own distinctive taste to cater to varying preferences.

Karen and I generally have a soft spot for bird’s nest with rock sugar, hence that was our personal favourite at Royal Bird’s Nest.

For a more concentrated concoction, order their premium bird’s nest soup, priced at S$68. If you are too busy to drop by the shop, you can make arrangements to have your bird’s nest soup delivered right to your doorstep one day in advance. How very convenient!

Meant to be shared among 2-3 pax, the premium bird’s nest soup packs a punch as every spoonful delivers generous portions of nourishing bird’s nest. While it is best to consume bird’s nest when it is freshly brewed, you can still enjoy this bowl of bird’s nest goodness 5-6 days down the road as long as it is stored in the refrigerator.

As we indulged in servings after servings of delectable bird’s nest soup, questions about how to go about choosing and cooking the best bird’s nest for consumption began to fill our minds.

We had a very informative Q&A session with the boss of Royal Bird’s Nest, who patiently answered each and every question as candidly as he could to satisfy our curiosity. He took our breaths away with his candour as he debunked several myths about bird’s nest and shared invaluable insights with us, no holds barred.

I thought it would be useful to share these nuggets of information with you, so I have compiled 5 facts about bird’s nest that you probably never knew!

FACT #1:

Blood Bird’s Nest is NOT superior in quality

Blood Bird’s Nest, commonly known as 血燕 sports a reddish brown hue (far left in photo below) and is known to be a delicacy that is rich in nutrition as it is said to be produced by mother birds who rebuilt the nests many times till their saliva becomes blood. Contrary to popular belief, the reddish brown colour is typically due to the accumulation of swallow faeces, which does not translate to higher nutritional value.

(L-R) Fake Blood Bird’s Nest, Cave Bird’s Nest and House Bird’s Nest

In many cases, swallow breeders have also resorted to dyeing the bird’s nest or adding nitrites to create blood bird’s nest. Due to the potential health threats posed, the sale of blood bird’s nest has already been banned in China.

FACT #2:

There is NO difference in nutritional value between House Bird’s Nest and Cave Bird’s Nest

I was told by friends who buy bird’s nest frequently that cave bird’s nest is superior to house bird’s nest. If you were to step into a bird’s nest shop, you will realize that cave bird’s nest fetches a higher price as well. The main reason is because cave bird’s nest are produced by wild swiftlets and are thus considered to be more valuable.

The truth of the matter is, the higher price takes into account the danger harvesters face when harvesting cave bird’s nest and such bird’s nest typically contain more foreign materials such as feathers and twigs. It is also more susceptible to heavy metal contamination due to external environment factors.

Given all the potential risks and higher price point, it is probably best to stick to house bird’s nest since there isn’t any difference in terms of nutritional value between the two.

FACT #3:

Beautifully Molded Bird’s Nest and Bird’s Nest Strips have the same nutritional value

Most of the bird’s nest that we come across in shops come in a beautiful concave shape, as pictured below.

If you thought the shape is completely natural, sorry to burst your bubble. This shape is actually molded to perfection using a plastic mold.

Before they are molded, bird’s nest comes in strips. If you are less concerned about presentation or if you are buying for personal consumption, bird’s nest strips are just as good and are likely to be more attractively priced too.

FACT #4:

White Bird’s Nest is better than Yellow Bird’s Nest

Yellow bird’s nest is widely popular due to its gorgeous colour, but did you know that it belongs to an older harvest? Yellow bird’s nest are usually harvested after more than 4 -6 months and the colour is usually caused by fermentation or oxidation. The cooking process is also longer as it is much harder.

Fresh bird’s nest is white in colour. As bird’s nest is best taken fresh, white bird’s nest is more nutritious and beneficial for your body!

FACT #5:

Never boil your bird’s nest beyond a temperature of 120 Degrees Celsius as the nutritional value would be lost

Cooking bird’s nest is an art in itself. The first step is to soak the bird’s nest in water for 2 hours before double boiling. Double boiling is an integral step to preserve the essence and nutrients. Do take precautions to ensure that temperature does not go beyond 120 Degrees Celsius as this will cause the nutritional value of the bird’s nest to be compromised.

Now you know what to look out for when you go bird’s nest shopping! I hope you found these 5 facts about Bird’s Nest useful.

*****

Exclusive Promo for Readers of Shopping Queen’s Haven

Royal Bird’s Nest has also kindly extended a 10% storewide discount on all products and S$2 off every bird’s nest soup purchased to all my readers.

To be entitled to this promo, all you have to do is to quote my blog name or show them this blog post.

*****

Royal Bird’s Nest

Address:

101 Upper Cross Street

People’s Park Centre

#02-66

Singapore 058357

(Nearest MRT: Chinatown)

Website:

http://www.royalnest.com.sg/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/RoyalnestSG

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Aesthetics & Beauty Looking Fabulous & Gorgeous Party

March 12, 2015 by Regina Chow No Comments

We all want to look fabulous and gorgeous, don’t we? With this in mind, Aesthetics & Beauty Magazine organized a Looking Fabulous & Gorgeous Party at Lime House last month.

I don’t know about you, but I am always on the lookout for new skincare and beauty products as our skin transforms with age and environmental changes. In a nutshell,
this means that it is always useful to change up your beauty routine
every now and then to keep your skin in tip top condition.

I had a wonderful time at the party as it gave me the perfect opportunity to get up close and personal with several brands, some of which were new to me. In today’s post, I will be sharing more about some of these beauty brands, so let’s start the ball rolling, shall we?

JANE IREDALE

My eyes lit up immediately when I saw a booth dedicated to Jane Iredale as Karen had recommended their Powder-Me SPF (essentially a powder sunblock with SPF 30) to me several years ago and I have been using it religiously since.

For the uninitiated, Jane Iredale is a mineral make-up pioneer from USA. And in case you were wondering, yes, Jane is a real person.

Jane Iredale’s inspiration stemmed from her career as a casting director and producer, where she got to work with actresses and models who depended on beautiful, healthy skin for successful careers. To further her passion to enhance the lives of women, Jane worked with dermatologists and plastic surgeons to develop her own cosmetics line. Today, there are over 400 products in Jane Iredale’s cosmetics line.

Plastic surgeons were the first to recognize the benefits of mineral foundations and how safe they were to use, even on patients who had just undergone laser resurfacing. The brand’s best-seller is the Glow Time BB cream, which includes antioxidants such as green tea and pomegranate to soothe skin.

How is Jane Iredale different from other cosmetic brands?

Jane Iredale’s key ingredient is micronised mineral particles. When applied, these particles create a protective layer against external pollutants without clogging pores, while giving you the coverage that you need. Their products are suitable for all skin types, including acne-prone and sensitive skin, as harmful chemicals such as preservatives, dyes and perfumes, as well as alcohol, are omitted.

Aside from skin-loving ingredients, another interesting aspect about Jane Iredale’s make-up or mineral make-up in general, is that it does not dissolve in water or oil. The lovely people from Jane Iredale placed two containers of water, one for normal cosmetics and the other for Jane Iredale’s make-up, to prove this to us. Hence, there is no need for multiple touch-ups and your make-up wouldn’t slide off your face on a hot, humid day. Isn’t that great for our weather?

Jane Iredale has also recently launched its new make-up collection, Country Weekend, this month. The collection features a limited edition Getaway Eye Shadow Kit that offers 5 wearable neutral shades, Jelly Jar Gel Eyeliner in Espresso, and Just Kissed Lip and Cheek Stain in Forever Peach. I’ll be reviewing these products in a separate post, so do look out for it soon!

ENVIRON

Environ is a beauty brand that is entirely new to me, but I couldn’t be more impressed when I learnt more about the brand’s history. Environ was founded by Dr Des Fernandes, a prominent Cape Town plastic surgeon, who was also the first person in the world to introduce vitamin A in high effective doses.

“A face lift in a bottle” is what the Intensive Revival Masque, the brand’s latest product, aims to achieve with revolutionary ingredients such as Asiatic, Mandelic and Lactic Acid. I was told that not only can you look forward to younger looking skin after using it for about 4-6 months, the Mandelic acid in this product can also help lighten pigmentation over time.

I have pigmentation on my upper cheeks (hereditary, unfortunately) and am definitely hoping to see visible results in the longer term.

DR BENJAMIN YIM CLINICAL AESTHETICS & LASER CENTRE

Dr
Benjamin Yim specializes in aesthetics treatments like Botox, skin
fillers, peels and thermage. A key pioneer in the aesthetics industry
with highly valued opinions, Dr. Yim is a popular speaker at many
aesthetic conferences around Asia.

Other treatments
that are available at Dr Benjamin Yim’s clinic include fat
transfer, threadlifts and vaser liposelection as well as
fractional resurfacing.

I was very excited to see Latisse at the counter as I have heard so much about its effectiveness in promoting lash growth. Apart from Latisse, Dr Benjamin Yim also carries his own brand of skincare products at the clinic to cater to different skin types.

BENE PREMIUM BLURIA & BENE PREMIUM ROUGERIA

I try my very best to take good care of my hair especially since I subject it to chemical treatments and dyes ever so often. Fortunately, more non-silicone shampoo and hair treatment products are making their way to our shores these days. Moltobene’s Bene Premium Bluria and Bene Premium Rougeria ranges may be the new kids on the block where Singapore is concerned, but they have come a long way in Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Both ranges are 100% made in Japan and formulated with natural ingredients to transform hair to its original state of health by cleansing all the impurities on the scalp.

I have been using the Bene Premium Bluria range, which is meant for scalp care, for a couple of weeks now and my scalp does feel much cleaner and less irritable.

Unlike most scalp-care shampoos, it has a surprisingly refreshing yet feminine fragrance which boasts fresh and fruity top notes, a floral middle note and a musky base note. The delicate scent is what I like best about this range as fragrant scalp-care shampoos are relatively rare in the market.

TEALY

Beauty comes from within and tea, which is chock full of antioxidants, can help us to achieve inner beauty thanks to its health and skin benefits. I love tea, and if you’re like me, you will find Tealy’s tea varieties very unique.

With exclusive flavours such as Earl Grey Creme, Anjou Paradise, Mint Chocolate Truffle and Wonder Berry Chocolate Truffle, it is hard not to be impressed.

We had the opportunity to taste the Anjou Paradise Ceylon Tea blend, a fruit infusion with sweet pear, pineapple and passion fruit flavours topped with a citrus finish. Surprisingly, its fruity aroma and slight tinge of sweetness seemed to go well with desserts and was the perfect accompaniment to the strawberry cakes that were served.

Karen, Raphael and I had a lovely afternoon getting to know more about each of these brands. Thanks to their generosity, each of us walked away with 3 bags of goodies on top of lucky draw prizes.

It has been a while since I last met Joselyn as well, and it was such a pleasure catching up with her at the event too.

Thank you once again for organizing such a fabulous party!

*****

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BodyPerfect Slimming Treatment Review

March 3, 2015 by Regina Chow No Comments

Why am I endorsing slimming treatments when I’m already so slim? As slim as I may be, cellulite around my thighs and stomach is a problem that I can’t run away from.

Cellulite is the bane of most women, regardless of weight and size. You could be the slimmest and fittest woman around and still be plagued by cellulite. I’ve long heard about BodyPerfect and its award-winning treatments from SimplyHer magazine, hence my interest was piqued.

BodyPerfect provides a multi-modality slimming approach based on years of R&D for the most effective slimming solutions in the market. Many of their treatments are award-winning and backed by Singapore celebrities such as Constance Song, Joey Swee and ex-Singapore Idol contestant Olinda Cho.

Before
the actual treatment commenced, I was ushered to a consultation room to
fill up a questionnaire on my health condition and lifestyle habits.

A thorough body analysis based on my current height and weight was also done to give my consultant an in-depth understanding of what my ideal weight and fat percentage should be. BodyPerfect’s concept of slimming goes beyond weight loss measurement. Any dramatic weight loss from a single visit is usually attributed to just water loss. BodyPerfect’s treatments control fat cells by passively activating fat burn without exercise while retaining the body’s natural curves and contours. This is the reason why most clients who adhere to BodyPerfect’s treatment plans do not suffer from “yo-yo” weight fluctuations and stay satisfied with their results.

BodyPerfect is a pioneer in SpotReduction slimming. Many of us, despite not being overweight, have flabby or problematic areas that we wish to get rid of. The arms, hips and tummy are common problem areas.

Naturally, it didn’t take long for my consultant to conclude that I was underweight, but there were certain problem areas that I could do without. For a more detailed physical assessment, I was brought to the treatment room for a quick change of attire.

While I expressed
that my main concern was my tummy (I’ve lost my abs as I haven’t been
exercising as regularly as I should), my consultant expertly pointed out
that in comparison to my tummy, my upper thighs warrant more immediate
attention as they make my lower body look disproportionately larger. A look in the mirror was all it took to confirm that her assessment was entirely accurate.

After my body measurements were taken, I was introduced to my therapist who promptly began to work her magic.

The first step in SpotReduction is to blast fat cells away with LipoCavitation Technology. The machine is used in a circular motion on the area to be treated for about 15-20 minutes. There was no discomfort at all and it felt more like a gentle massage.

A stimulating massage was next on the cards to soften the fat cells and drain them away. Drifting off to slumberland proved challenging with all the kneading, squeezing and tapping as the therapist attempted to exorcize all the cellulite and banish them to oblivion. It was slightly painful but definitely tolerable.

At the end of the massage, my thighs immediately felt softer, signaling that it was time to burn off the broken down fat cells. I was covered in a thermal Infra-red ceramic wrapping system for about 20 minutes for fat burn to take place.

In the third and final step, BodyPerfect’s Fat Mobiliser System was then used to wrap around my upper thigh area. I was advised to stand up for the next 20 minutes for this part of the treatment to enhance the detox and drainage process as a result of fat burning.

The body wrap felt icy cold to the touch initially but within minutes, the unique formula that BodyPerfect uses in tandem with this treatment causes your body to start heating up to burn away the fats. This combination of hot and cold therapy purportedly helps with both inch and weight loss. I was also asked to increase my water intake and avoid soft drinks till the next day to aid in the detox process.

And now for the most important question. Did I see any results at all?

I’ll let my before and after measurements speak for themselves:

H refers to the upper thigh while M and L refer to the middle and lower thigh respectively. As you can see from the numbers above, I lost 1 inch on both my upper thighs instantaneously after just one session! Although
visible inch loss can be achieved in just one treatment, a series of
treatments is recommended for longer lasting results.

My hubby, who is my number one critique, also commented that my thighs looked slimmer, which made my legs look straighter as well. I am definitely impressed.

*****

Complimentary Visit for BodyPerfect’s 7 Day Slimming Experience

Do you have flabby areas that wouldn’t go away despite exercise? If you’re interested in evaluating how BodyPerfect’s Slimming Programme can work for you, head on down to SampleStore.com to redeem your 7 day slimming experience here.

You will receive a complimentary first visit, and after your second visit within the week, you will be given a $300 voucher to be used in their stores. You will also be provided with SmartFibre to detox your body.

*****

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Triumph In The Skies Movie Review

February 24, 2015 by Regina Chow No Comments

Triumph in the Skies is one of the most memorable Hong Kong TVB drama series that I have watched to date. I caught both seasons previously and was eagerly anticipating the release of the movie adaptation. You can imagine my delight when Clover Films invited me to the Triumph in the Skies Singapore Gala Premiere, where I had the opportunity to meet the suave Julian Cheung and charming Charmaine Sheh in the flesh.

Triumph In The Skies Movie Review

Directed by Wilson Yip (Director of Ip Man and Ip Man 2) and Matt Chow (Director of Golden Chicken 3), the movie features some of the original cast from the original series, including Julian Cheung, Francis Ng, Kenneth Ma and Elena Kong, with the addition of new stars such as Louis Koo, Charmaine Sheh, Sammi Cheng and Amber Kuo.

Star studded cast? Checked.
Beautiful cinematography? Checked.
Romance? Checked.
Humour? Checked.

With all the right ingredients, the movie is geared for success at the box office. In fact, having a star studded cast is already half the battle won.

Diehard fans of the series may beg to differ, as the central theme of the movie hinges entirely on romance instead of the day-to-day challenges faced by pilots and air stewardesses, as depicted in the series. There were also times when Sam (played by Francis Ng) behaved in a way that seemed rather out of character and less relatable if you were to draw comparisons from the series.

However, given that the film was released during Chinese New Year and shortly after Valentine’s Day, I personally found the light-hearted humour and romantic storyline very apt and thoroughly entertaining; not forgetting the beautiful cinematography and breathtaking scenes set in picturesque England.

Do you need to watch the series to understand the movie? The answer is no, and that to me, is the deal clincher.

Watch it as it is, on a clean slate, without any baggage or comparisons drawn from the series. You would actually find the movie much more enjoyable this way.

Triumph In The Skies Movie Synopsis

Young pilot Branson (Louis Koo) recently takes over Skylette, his
father’s aviation empire, only to realize his old flames Cassie
(Charmaine Sheh) is a flight attendant there. Several years ago, he was
forced to break up with her and move to New York to take care of his
father’s business. To this day, the two continue to harbor feelings for
each other but decide to keep them bottled up.

In an effort to rebrand the airline, Branson invites rock idol TM to
star in an upcoming commercial and appoints Sam (Fransic Ng) as her
flying consultant. Incongruent in both tastes and experience, this odd
couple gets off on the wrong foot. As the shoot progresses, however,
they slowly discover each other’s merits, developing a strong mutual
attraction.

Jayden (Julien Cheung) has left Skylette Airline to become a pilot for
private jets. He meets the young and vivacious Kika (Kuo Tsai Chieh)
during a flight and assumes her to be wayward and shallow. But they turn
out to have a lot in common and start falling madly in love. At the
height of their romance, Jayden realizes almost too late the secret
behind her recalcitrance.

Each of the three relationships comes with its own setbacks. As long as
one can accept the imperfection of things, finding happiness—however
fleetingly—is a blessing in itself.

Watch the trailer here:

*****

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Foodpanda Review: Indian Curry House

February 23, 2015 by Regina Chow 1 Comment

There are times when all I want to do is stay at home and take a break from everything as it helps me to recharge. What do I do when it’s time for lunch or dinner then? I’d either whip up a simple meal or turn to foodpanda for more food options.

What’s foodpanda?

Foodpanda is an online food delivery platform that is available in over 45 countries worldwide.

All
you have to do is key in your postal code to find out which restaurants
are near you, browse through their menus, place your orders and your
meal will be delivered right to your doorstep. You can even opt for cash
on delivery if you prefer not to use credit card payment.

No access to a laptop or computer? You can also download the foodpanda mobile app and use it place your orders.

I’ve been using foodpanda for restaurant food delivery over the past two years, before this review opportunity even came up and it has never failed to deliver (haha!) when it comes to food quality and timeliness.

What did I order this time?

I usually order from Pasta Mania, but this time, I decided to try Indian Curry House. JW and I have been craving for Indian Butter Chicken and the numerous positive reviews online gave us the confidence to place our order with complete peace of mind.

We ordered a few other dishes to complete our meal and everything came within an hour. I was half expecting the food to be lukewarm, but was pleasantly surprised that every dish arrived piping hot.

As the portions were very generous, we invited a friend over to join us for dinner.

Butter Chicken & Kashmiri Rogan Josh

All of us were full of praise for the food as every dish was rich in taste and very flavourful. We initially thought that there would be more curry gravy than meat to fill our tummies, but every spoonful of curry came with slices of chicken or mutton to satiate the inner carnivores in us. We found both the Butter Chicken and Kashmiri Rogan Josh to be authentic and absolutely satisfying.

Aloo Gobi

The Aloo Gobi is a delightful vegetarian dish to accompany your favourite curries. The mix of potatoes and cauliflowers cooked in a blend of Indian spices is so delicious, we wasted no time in wiping the plate clean.

Chill Honey Potatoes are another addictive snack that would serve well as a side dish too. These are essentially Indian-style french fries. I did wish the fries were crispier but the touch of Indian spices is sure to perk up your taste buds and leave you wanting more.

Chilli Honey Garlic Potatoes

Would I order from Indian Curry House again?

The answer is a resounding yes. In fact, throughout the meal, all three of us couldn’t stop nodding our heads in approval.

Being able to enjoy restaurant food in the comfort of our home is one of the pleasures in life that we truly appreciate and relish. With foodpanda, this wish is easily fulfilled.

Tired of takeaways, too lazy to eat out or cook?

Perhaps it is about time you checked out foodpanda too!

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Fitness: Power Plate at Croyez Studio

February 17, 2015 by Regina Chow No Comments

I’ve long heard about the benefits of Power Plate® equipment and how it enhances the effectiveness of your exercise routine to produce optimal results. Friends who have tried Power Plate® classes also shared with me that they could get an extremely thorough and intensive workout in just a short period of time.

Naturally, my curiosity was piqued and I couldn’t help but say yes to a Power Plate® session at Croyez Studio along with Karen and Raphael.

Croyez Studio is the first and only authorized Power Plate® and NARL® studio in Asia that offers both personalized training and group workouts. Located amidst lush greenery within Dempsey, it offers an exclusive studio perfect for individuals seeking a frills-free workout with a view.

There are classes everyday, 7 days a week, and you’ll definitely be able to find a class that fits your schedule and fitness level.

Unlike most fitness centres which are equipped with only a handful of Power Plate® machines, Croyez boasts a studio filled with these machines.

What are Power Plate® machines and what do they do?

Power Plate® equipment is the premium vibration device powering a new
dimension in wellness solutions for all ages, lifestyles and physical
abilities. It uses the principles of Acceleration Training™ to stimulate
the body’s natural response to vibration. These vibrations transmit
waves of energy throughout the body, activating muscle contractions
between 25 and 50 times per second, enhancing overall performance in
sessions as short as 15 minutes a day, 3 times a week.

Essentially, this means that you don’t have to spend as much time exercising to achieve the same results, which is great for our hectic lifestyles. In fact, as a result of the vibrations, you could lose 50% more weight than if you were to use conventional gym equipment. Now, we have less of an excuse not to exercise!

Other measurable benefits related to Acceleration Training™ on Power Plate® equipment also include improved blood circulation, better muscle strength and flexibility, less cellulite and faster recovery.

How does it work?

Getting acquainted with the machines and how they operate is an integral part of the process as the different speed and timing buttons will vary the intensity of your workout. You need to familiarize yourself with all the buttons as you could be standing up at one point and seated at the next.

What types of exercises can you do with Power Plate® machines?

The Power Plate® machine can be easily incorporated into your favourite workout routine, ranging from yoga, kickboxing, muay thai, pilates, body combat or aerobics. These classes are all readily available at Croyez Studio.

We tried the PBox class, which is the most popular class at Croyez Studio. PBox includes moves inspired by Muay Thai, Taebo, Body Combat and MMA using 1kg hand weights.

The
adrenalin-pumping cardio and strength building workout was paired with
fist-pumping music to keep you fired up as you push your physical limits
and unleash your beast mode!

The
whole workout took just 40 minutes (including 20 minutes of warm-up and
cool-down exercises), but at the end of it, I could feel the intensity
of the workout running through every vein of my body as there were no breaks in between.

There were times when thoughts of giving up flooded our minds but the instructors were a huge source of motivation. Bursting with energy throughout, they encouraged
every one of us to persevere and keep up with the pace.

Their positivity definitely rubbed off us as we gritted our teeth and pressed on, in the hope of reaping the fruits of our labour.

One of my fitness goals is to tone up my arms and surprisingly, I achieved this after just one session! My arms may have
ached for days after, but my biceps firmed up immediately and my arms
became much toner and muscular. I was impressed.

To reward ourselves for the hard work, we were treated to a round of massage using the Power Plate® machine during the cooling down segment. Massage helps to relieve any muscle soreness and aids in muscle recovery after an intensive workout.

If you are worried about weight gained after all the feasting during Chinese New Year, there’s another machine for weight loss at Croyez Studio which would probably interest you.

What is NARL®?

NARL®, which stands for NorAdrenalin ReLease, uses a unique, safe and patented combination of ultrasound frequency and
intensity that enables a local release of noradrenaline, through a specific
stimulation of the sympathetic nerve terminals. This local noradrenaline release will trigger a natural lipolysis from nearby adipocytes.

Local
fat loss is observed if the released Free Fat Acids and Glycerol are
burned (used as energy). This localised stimulation bypasses our central
nervous system, hence there is no fat rebound effect, and long lasting
results are guaranteed.Lipolysis is activated by catecholamine (adrenaline and
noradrenaline) and it relates to the breakdown of Triglycerides contained in our fat cells (adipocytes) into FFA and Glycerol, source of
energy.

Once FFA and Glycerol are released in blood stream, they
have to be burned. If not, this energy will be re-synthesized into fat
by homeostasis principle.NARL® is clinically proven to be effective
locally and on all kinds of fat (cellulite, subcutaneous and visceral). For optimal results, it is recommended that you use NARL® before your workout.

If you are planning to try out the Power Plate®, I would highly recommend that you attend fitness classes at a studio such as Croyez which specializes in the use of these machines.

This is because Acceleration Training is considered a less conventional form of exercise and you would benefit greatly from a total body workout specially tailored to your needs by a trained professional. It also helps to have a trainer watching your alignment and motivating you class after class to achieve your desired results.

As with all forms of exercise, results vary from individual to individual. Nonetheless, most people are able to see visible changes in their body after 3 sessions a week over 3 weeks.

I fall into the category of people who build muscle very quickly and I saw results instantly after just one session.I felt an immense sense of achievement after my Power Plate workout and am looking forward to yet another session after the CNY feasting. My
biceps are still rock hard even as I am writing this post many weeks down the
road.

Pretty incredible, isn’t it?

Croyez Studio

Address:

Blk 8D Dempsey Road
#03‐06
Singapore 249672

Tel:

6474 4136

Website:

http://www.croyezstudio.com

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/powerplatesingapore

Opening Hours:

Mon to Thur: 8am – 9pm

Fri: 8am – 7pm

Sat/Sun: 10am – 2pm

Closed on Public Holidays

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Love Bonito CNY Pop-up Store

February 14, 2015 by Regina Chow No Comments

Love, Bonito is one of my favourite homegrown fashion e-retailers as their apparels are trendy, well-made and affordable. Their XS sizing fits me perfectly, and for someone who usually needs to get most of her clothes altered, Love, Bonito is a godsend.

If you’re not sure of your size and worried about the need for product exchanges for items that do not fit, you can now cast all your worries away with Love, Bonito’s first ever Chinese New Year Pop-up showcase at 313@somerset.

Over at the pop-up store, you’ll get to view the splendid CNY collection inspired by the opulence and glamour of old Shanghai and try them on to ensure a perfect fit before making a purchase.

All customers will enjoy a fuss-free shopping experience with cashless transactions and express next-day delivery. Orders are placed online via iPads and delivered right to your doorstep the very next day. Late shoppers need not worry as the pop-up store is open throughout Chinese New Year holidays!

Here are some designs that I personally adore:

Covet Vionette Floral Flare Dress (S$69) – This is already sold out but thankfully, I managed to snag a piece!

Covet Delaura Jacquard Bodycon Dress (S$49)

Covet Lavinia Halter Lace Dress (S$55)

Covet Lavisia Lasercut Dress (S$58) – My personal favourite, but unfortunately, it’s completely sold out as well.

Rozaria Floral Romper (S$42)

Good luck in getting hold of them before they’re all snapped up!

Love, Bonito Pop-up Showcase

Address:

313@somerset, 313 Orchard Road #04-32

Dates:

18 January till 28 February 2015

Operating hours:

10am to 10pm daily

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SOTHYS Sensitive Skincare Line

February 10, 2015 by Regina Chow No Comments

SOTHYS is one of the skincare brands on my beauty bucket list and I’ve been anxiously awaiting the day when I can finally tick it off. That day finally came on Boxing Day last year when I was invited to a tea session hosted by Sothys at TWG Tea Salon & Boutique, where the SOTHYS Sensitive Line was unveiled.

Did you know that 90% of Asian women have sensitive skin? There are two types of sensitive skin, namely 1) naturally sensitive skin or 2) temporarily sensitised skin. People with naturally sensitive skin, like me, generally have thin and fair skin which turns red easily. Temporarily sensitised skin, on the other hand, is affected by external factors such as environmental aggressions, lifestyle or the use of unsuitable skincare/cosmetic products.

SOTHYS Sensitive Line would work well for you regardless of which group you fall into as it aims to build your skin’s inner strength to balance your skin’s tolerance threshold and limit inflammatory reactions. What I also like about this range is that it is completely fragrance-free.

The star ingredient in SOTHYS Sensitive Line Skincare is Spa Thermal Water extracted from between 350-400m altitude at the heart of Belgian Ardennes. It is pure, has a low mineral and sodium content as well as a ph 5 value, which is the same as that of our skin. It helps to rebalance the hypersensitivity of our skin and strengthen its tolerance threshold by blocking TRPV1 epidermal receptors that induces pain or itch on the surface of our skin.

Let’s take a look at some of the products in this skincare line.

Nutri-Soothing Mask (S$99, 50ml)

Nutri-Soothing mask is an emergency care mask that instantly relieves any discomfort and rebalance your skin. As we were given handy travel sized versions of the skincare range to test out at home and I’ve been using this as a hydrating mask once a week.

All you have to do is to apply a thin layer over your face and neck, leave it on for about 10 minutes and rinse it off. My skin is generally dehydrated, which makes it susceptible to itch. It doesn’t help that my skin condition worsens when I travel to colder and dryer climates. I like how this mask does a good job of soothing my skin while providing much-needed hydration at the same time.

Soothing Melting Fluid (S$119/50ml)

SOTHYS Soothing Melting Fluid is essentially a daily moisturizer that acts like a barrier to protect your skin from external aggressions and reduce any skin discomfort.

This light-weight formula is
great for those of you with sensitive and combination skin as it absorbs
readily into your skin just like water, without any sticky after-feel.

If your skin is sensitive and
dry, or if you intend to venture to dryer climates, you might want to
consider the Soothing Melting Cream which has a slightly heavier
texture to deliver optimal hydration.

SOS Soothing Serum (S$109/20ml)

As the name suggests, the Soothing SOS serum instantly soothes permanent or temporary sensations of discomfort and limits the appearance of redness.

This is particularly useful if your skin is prone to itch or redness as it is proven that your skin becomes less sensitive to external aggressions after 15 days of usage. You can apply this before moisturizer on your entire face or on targeted spots.

Micellar Cleansing Water (S$79/200ml)

Micellar Cleansing Water is a 2-in-1 cleanser for face and eyes and is by far my favourite product in the entire range because it also doubles up as a skin refreshener. Formulated with Micelles which consists of gentle cleansing agents, it is able to trap and lift surface impurities to effectively cleanse your skin in just one step.

As no rinsing is required, I like to apply this to my face with cotton pads to freshen up my skin before and after my hot yoga classes when I do not have a facial cleanser on hand. This is also perfect for removing light make-up or tinted sunblock.

If you’ve sensitive skin just like me, do consider giving SOTHYS Sensitive Skincare Line a go. Not only is it proven to improve your skin’s condition, the light and silky smooth texture of the products is certainly a huge draw, especially in our humid climate.

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Fashion Fridays: SIA International Cup 2014

January 30, 2015 by Regina Chow No Comments

What do you wear to the races? My typical outfit for the races would definitely include a fascinator, paired with a glamorous dress and stilettos. In fact, I have a growing collection of dresses and fascinators reserved for such special occasions.

You may have read about my previous experiences at Singapore Turf Club, but what I wore for the Singapore Airlines International Cup & Krisflyer International Sprint 2014 was probably one of the most dramatic ensembles that I have put together to date.

With Karen and Jessie at SIA International Cup 2014

Hairstyling c/o Naoki Yoshihara by Ash

Dress from Dustbunny Vintage

Fascinator from Eskpade

Shoes from Jimmy Choo

Clutch from Forever New

I love black and white dresses, but for special occasions, I generally prefer bolder, more striking colours as I finally have an excuse to let my creative juices run wild without anyone batting an eyelid. I also prefer vintage dresses for special occasions as the designs are unique and one-of-a-kind, which means that the probability of me running into someone else in the same dress is virtually zero.

Many thanks to Jessie once again for inviting me to the SIA International Cup. I had an enjoyable day catching up with friends over a little bubbly and light bites amidst all the adrenalin pumping horse-racing action.

The races only began in the evening but the heavy downpour in the late afternoon proved to be a challenge, which made every race all the more exciting.

Due to the weather, we had a tough time deciding on which horses to place our bets on. With a prize money of S$3 million, the race attracts some of the best horses from all over the world. This time, as some of the hot favourites were probably at a disadvantage due to the wet terrain, the dark horses were given the opportunity to shine and clinch the top spots.

Congratulations to the grand winner from Hong Kong!

Karen and I also enjoyed a
few minutes of fame on the big screen just as we were basking in the
thrill and excitement of the races. We were interviewed earlier that
afternoon and this came as a pleasant surprise. JW, who attended the
event with me, whipped out his camera in the nick of time.

Thank you Singapore Turf Club for hosting us!

If you’re looking for a venue to host your corporate events or VIP guests this Chinese New Year, do check out Singapore Turf Club’s exclusive rooms and Chinese New Year Package!

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Fashion Fridays: Braun Buffel Raises Awareness for Very Special Arts Singapore (VSA Singapore)

December 19, 2014 by Regina Chow No Comments

A couple of months ago, Braun Buffel very kindly extended an invitation to a small group of bloggers for a hands-on leather crafting session.

Different types of leather to choose from for leather crafting

German premium leather goods brand, Braun Buffel,has always been an avid supporter of the arts and philanthropy, both of which are long-standing themes of the brand since it was founded by Johann Braun.

Braun Buffel is active in several community-building programs and charitable initiatives globally through corporate donations as well as partnerships with cultural institutions and non-profit organizations. In Singapore, Braun Buffel is a patron of the arts for da:ns festival; a programme partner with Very Special Arts Singapore (VSA Singapore) and a supporter of Community Chest.

To reinforce its philanthropic efforts, Braun Buffel launched the “Buffel Art Project”, its inaugural charity event in Singapore this year. VSA Singapore was chosen as the beneficiary. For the uninitiated, VSA Singapore is a charity launched in September 1993 to provide people with disabilities with opportunities to gain access to the arts for rehabilitation and social integration. VSA Singapore offers platforms to integrate individuals with disabilities into mainstream society through the Arts and also helps these individuals to gain financial assistance and independence through arts-making.

As part of the “Buffel Art Project”, two key fund-raising events, namely the Buffel Art Competition and Buffel Art Auction were held earlier this year. Both events centered around the brand’s distinctive logo, the Braun Buffel bull. Artists were given free rein to let their imagination and artistic flair run wild for the benefit of charity.

In line with these initiatives, Braun Buffel specially invited its German craftsman to demonstrate the art of crafting Braun Buffel leather products through a series of workshops.

Leather Products

It was great fun crafting my very own leather product from scratch but it was also a relatively daunting task for me as I discovered that art and craft clearly wasn’t my forte. I have never done home economics in my secondary school days as I took Music as an ‘O’ level subject instead, and I never quite saw the need to pick up sewing and the likes.

Creating my very own Braun Buffel leather product from scratch

I was at a total loss when I saw these tools in front of me. Nonetheless, I tried my best to follow instructions and observe what my peers were doing. Thank goodness I finally got the hang of it after what seemed like an eternity.

Maybeline fared really well and she was the first among us to complete her masterpiece.

Amazing Maybeline

After fumbling a couple of times and seeking advice from the very strict yet professional German craftsman, I was done with my iPad mini pouch which doubles up as a clutch. I felt an incredible sense of accomplishment upon unlocking this achievement. Never in my life have I sewed a button, much less a pouch!

Final product

Here’s the final product, complete with a Braun Buffel tag. Does it look good enough to be sold in retail shops?

Achievement unlocked, thanks to Braun Buffel!

Thank you once again to Braun Buffel for the amazing experience. It was certainly an honour to be a part of their meaningful efforts to raise awareness for Very Special Arts Singapore.

Have a good weekend ahead!

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Royal Bird’s Nest & 5 Facts about Bird’s Nest

Aesthetics & Beauty Looking Fabulous & Gorgeous Party

BodyPerfect Slimming Treatment Review

Triumph In The Skies Movie Review

Foodpanda Review: Indian Curry House

Fitness: Power Plate at Croyez Studio

Love Bonito CNY Pop-up Store

SOTHYS Sensitive Skincare Line

Fashion Fridays: SIA International Cup 2014

Fashion Fridays: Braun Buffel Raises Awareness for Very Special Arts Singapore (VSA Singapore)

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