Coming Up: Guide to Bangkok

SAWADEEKA!

I'm back from a weekend trip to Bangkok and the experience was definitely unlike the previous. Will be writing a mini guide to (shopping in) Bangkok based on this short trip, and hopefully also generate a haul video of some sort to go together.

Semester has started and it's only a matter of time before I lose my sanity again so here's a big sane hola to everyone who has been reading this space and checking my YouTube channel out. Thank you sooo much!

Also, do watch my latest video featuring beauty products which I feel were a complete waste of money. It includes items from: Benefit Cosmetics, Maybelline, NYX, The Face Shop.

You have a better day tomorrow!

Review: Dr. Jart BB Creams

If you haven't already checked out my review on the Dr. Jart BB Creams...

Should you be interested in purchasing the Silver/Black Label BB Creams, I highly suggest you get them from my favorite online beauty store. I've compared the prices of Dr. Jart BB Creams from Sephora to drugstores and it's definitely the cheapest here.

On top of that, do check out my banner link for a discount code! No harm in saving another few dollars off an already good price right?

Happy Sunday and happy shopping!

Dempsey Weekends

I used to dislike Dempsey Road sooo much because my parents loved going there to buy various pieces of furniture during the weekends. To my sister and me, that meant a boring afternoon spent looking at wooden furniture and trying not to get bitten by mosquitoes. Only in recent years did I realize that there's so much more to Dempsey than furniture and seafood.

There has been so much raving about brunch/high-tea places at Dempsey that I got so sick of the thought of going there. I'm not one for crowds or opinions of the masses.

However, I'm so glad that I decided to go for a massage at Spa Esprit and have dinner with Mel at House. It was such a lovely and quiet day spent.

The room was very clean and simple. The best part for me was the light smell of essential oils wafting through the air. I love essential oils and scented candles with a burning passion. Which explains the 6 Bath and Body Works candles I have sitting in storage right now, waiting to be burned. And mommy's plus my collection of essential oils. Ah love ♥

I asked the front desk for a recommendation of their best and was introduced to the House Proud Massage which's a combination of a classic massage and Tui Na, if I remember correctly. But in the end I chose the Back To Balance which consisted of 8 essential oils.

During the 90-min massage, I went to heaven and forgot to come back. The masseuse was really nice and polite, asking for my preference of which areas I'd like to concentrate more on. I know for a fact my neck and shoulders have a ton of knots which ache so much especially when I'm hunched over a table doing work. When she started working on those, I died for a moment on the table. She apologized for the pain but I told her to carry on anyway which was the best idea ever because right now, the knots feel non-existent! Also, the smell of the oils definitely helped in relaxing me further.

A point to take note of is if you're heading out after the massage, it's best to have the oils cleaned off you or at least exposed areas like your neck and limbs. When the lady asked if I wanted it cleaned off or left on, I made the mistake of choosing to leave it on which meant feeling oily for the rest of the day during dinner and shopping afterwards.

Came out to a nice surprise of hot ginger tea and pastries. Totally relaxed at the sitting area till Mel said she was on the way. Plus points for after-treatment service!

Another thing I noticed was how the front desk doesn't hard sell their products or service packages. I was observing how they treated all other clients besides myself and it was the same. For this customer who had a package that was already used up, she was just politely asked if she wanted to add on more services or leave it at that for the time being. There wasn't the whole "it's so much cheaper if you sign up now, it's a limited time offer only and it's really cheap so do it now now NOW!" I hate hard selling tactics so much because I'm currently experiencing it at other salons which I'm going to with every.single.visit. It definitely spoils the entire experience and leaves me feeling hella annoyed.

So anyway, the front desk very politely informed me of this introductory package which they had going on at the moment. I would so totally have signed up if not for how much I've already spent elsewhere.

Hanger steak, apple cider by the bottle, truffle fries

If you love red meats medium rare, do try the Hanger Steak. It looked like such a small portion at first but made me so full I couldn't even finish the croquette. Apple cider was so awesome at washing down the food. Love!

I love relaxing weekends.

Eye Spy A Stye

My right eye is currently swollen and painful because the dreaded stye is back again. Haven't had it in ages so I guess it missed me and decided to make a painful comeback to make sure it hasn't been forgotten. It's a weird kind of pain that makes me feel like crying when I'm washing my face and that is really annoying!

So much work due this and next week that I have no extra energy to worry about my current horrid appearance with this swollen eye. I could go on and on complaining.

Tornado Taobao

Instead of shopping lesser after my Taobao shipment came in, I shopped even more. My email account is so full of invoices that I've lost track of what I've ordered and how much I've paid for everything. It's been crazy but I think I only go this crazy once/twice a year and that's towards the end of it. I don't even shop for new clothes when it comes to Chinese New Year!

Instant gratification seems to be my aim when I shop. Many friends/family have said this to me actually. When I see something I like, I just have to own it. It's like a compulsion to either buy something I already have and love it so much I need to have it in all colors, or buying something because it looks nice at that point in time and vowing to switch out my entire wardrobe to match that one item. This is why online shopping doesn't really work for me. I don't get to feel the item and hold it in my hands immediately after paying for it, so there isn't that instant gratification. Therefore, I shop more.

I hope not many people are like that because that's a sure-fire way to empty your bank account. Especially when you're subscribed to 81724632648 e-mailers from stores.

Inner conflict aside, I finally got to go for a pedicure session for my severely neglected feet. Was so excited to see they had the new OPI Skyfall collection which is extremely extremely pretty. I was spoiled for choice! (I haven't even watched the movie hahaha)

I don't have a pretty photo of my pretty toes yet but I chose Skyfall (which is a dark red) as a base and The Living Daylights (the festive glitter) as a top coat. My toes are so ready for Christmas!

Awwww

Usual conversations between Darren and I...

He was referring to his Kinokuniya membership card, which I had custody over. Or more like stole and forgot to return for weeks now.

Hamster's bloated face is baaack

On a particular day I went shopping at F21 and saw some cute boots!

After Whatsapping Mel frantically asking if it looked nice on me, if it would match this and that and was it worth the money... I found out that the zippers at the side of one boot was broken. She said it was a sign to not get it. I was pretty sad.

Well thankfully I didn't because this past weekend while I was out with my cousin, I found my ideal heeled oxfords from Seours located at Cineleisure! I've a pair of wedges from them which I love but don't get many chances to wear, so I was very happy to find a pair of oxfords that I could incorporate into my daily outfits. Will take photos for another entry :)

Pretty good ramen at the food basement of Ion

Under my best friend's recommendation (budding food connoisseur), I tried this Tu-Tu Kueh from a stall at the food basement of Ion and was quite impressed. It's unlike any TTK you get from night markets. The flour is so fragrant and doesn't disintegrate due to condensation. The coconut filling is so moist and doesn't get stuck to your teeth or in your throat. This picture was taken about 4-5hours after it was made because I brought it home for dessert. Do you see how intact it looks? I got my helper to steam it for 5mins so it would be warm and it was still good. 5 for $3.50 I think, but worth it! You won't miss the stall.

Napping

Her wet nose on my sheets ugh

My cousin brought me to try out this tiny Japanese eating place in Far East Plaza. I felt so claustrophobic eating there but I can see why there's always a long queue for the food according to her. Funny thing is when we reached, there was no one outside. Once we sat down, a long queue started forming outside. Lucky for us!

Bad service overall

Beef set meal

Although the quality of the beef I had was good, it was way too oily for me. I paid S$20 in total. There's a rule that S$2 would be charged per seat and we can each choose a drink. So it's a mandatory S$2 plus each seat has to order a dish. You're seriously bound by rules when you dine there.

Been trying to eat healthily recently for the sake of my digestive system. If I want it to continue working for the next couple of years.

Going to rest my eyes now before it rots further. I hope y'all are having a better start to the week compared to me (looking like a gargoyle). Have a lovely day and stay warm and dry and cute if it rains!

Hair Fairy

Here's an entire entry dedicated to my hair. My hair hasn't been the same ever since I used the Liese bubble something hair dye on it a couple years back. To be more precise, my entire head of hair died.

I've always had super silky, smooth, and straight hair until I foolishly went to use that brand of dye thinking: Oh how magical these bubbles can change the color of my hair! Worst idea ever. I'm not sure about the dye formula now but back then it really ruined my hair. I've never had to worry about frizz or dry hair in my life but needed to after that fatal incident. Plus my health took a turn for the worse so that didn't help either. So sad just thinking about it.

Anyway after trying tons and tons of products and supplements, I'm happy to say that my hair is very slowly recovering. In fact I recently just dyed it at my favorite neighborhood salon and I'm loving the look of it! I did it because I was bored, and needed to do some treatment at the same time. The first time my hairdresser dyed it, it was a copperish color which looked alright at the salon so I went home with it. Looked in the mirror at home and freaked because I looked like Sun Wukong (a golden monkey). It was so bad I called her immediately to asked for help. So I went back to the salon and she asked for my exact color preference again. And ta-dah! A more acceptable color that flatters my skin tone. Gotta love my patient hairdresser who had to deal with my indecisiveness. And I've been bringing her so much business from my friends and relatives :')

Sent my parents the photo above and my dad said this looks better, thinking I had already cut it :(

How it looks like in the day... You won't see my forehead often in photos because of how huge it is. Hairdresser told me the red would wash off but so far it's still there!

You know those huge fans at open air train stations? I seriously dislike them. I don't think they provide any sort of comfort on a hot day because it's just blowing hot air around. For ladies who wear skirts or dresses that flare, these fans are a nightmare because your dress/skirt would just be flying up allowing those perverts to stare even more. Not to mention your perfect hairdo would be ruined even before you turn up at work/school.

If you have any questions regarding what kind of products to use on fine hair that has been destroyed or feels like it, do drop me an email. You've no idea how much money and time I've wasted on products that do not work at all and I don't think anyone else should go through the same ordeal as I did.

Eye Spy

I'm on a roll! Here's introducing my humble collection of eyeliners that I currently am using. My MAC liquid eyeliner isn't here but it's alright because I rarely use it unless I'm partying. It's a little too harsh for daily use, I personally feel.

Dior Kohl Pencil Liner: Bought this from duty-free at the airport when I was traveling, only because my previous drugstore liner was running out. Now that I've found better liners, I really don't like the texture of this.

Bare Minerals Liner in Espresso: Love the color and great for day wear. However, the retractable function sucks because it sometimes just glides back in while I'm using it. Smudges easily without primer so definitely not waterproof like the lady at Sephora said.

Too Faced Liner in Perfect Black: Fav of the bunch! The color is a matte black and application is super smooth. It is waterproof so alright for day wear and nights out too. This was from Sephora as well.

After years of trying out eyeliners since high school days, I remember Physicians Formula to have one of the best pencil eyeliners but sadly that isn't available here. The Too Faced one definitely measures up because it's equally smooth-gliding, which means no tugging of delicate eyelids hurray!

The photo above is really random but I was so impressed by the fact that I actually finished using it to the last drop, especially since I've a new bottle of Sephora's makeup remover just waiting around. Usually when I buy something new, the old one gets left behind. That's really wasteful so yay for finishing up products and reducing wastage!

The Face Shop

Wanted to go out to buy some stuff but it was pouring and I was too lazy to deal with the rain, so I made some healthy Japanese green tea and decided to review products recently picked up from The Face Shop. Speaking of rain, I've been putting off buying a new umbrella because my dear Cotton On one has given up on me. I can even procrastinate buying an umbrella :)

So I ran out of many products for the past few weeks but never got down to buying new ones. My skin started breaking out crazily. It was horrible and still is but at least it's recovering.

My sister recently splurged on this Su Hyang Snow limited edition line at TFS and her skin is so bright and clear now so I wanted to give it a try. In the end I bought so many other things as well. The total for my purchase below was about $102 after a 10% member's discount. Never spent this much on skincare before (Sephora isn't counted) because my mom used to buy all these for me T.T

Su Hyang Snow Toner: I hate toner in general and haven't used any in years, but I love this. It controls oil on my face but there is no dryness/tightness as it's more of something that balances moisture level in skin. My face is healing thanks to this!

White Tree Snow Face Wash: Wasn't even planning to buy a face wash but was just randomly picking things off the shelves, and this's pretty alright. Clears my skin of any light makeup residue if I'm lazy and decide not to use a makeup remover.

Arsainte Eco-Therapy Line: My skin is very picky and I've been using the face moisturizer from this line for about 2-3 years and I love it. Not intending to change this out anytime soon.

Masks: Have yet to try because my dearest BFF Anna bought me this huge box of masks from Hong Kong awhile ago, which I haven't finished using yet. But these better be good because they're $4.90 each.

Hairbrush: This had a weird wooden(?) smell when I first opened it but thankfully it's gone now. All this while I've just been using a toothed comb from Muji but a brush might be better?

One of the main reasons why I went to TFS in the first place was because I really needed the facial mist which I had run out of and of course, I forgot all about it. So I went back again a few days later and at the same time decided I wanted new nail colors -.-

Pure Water Facial Mist (Jeju Marine): I love spritzing this on my face immediately after coming out of a shower. Can be used any time of the day for an instant burst of moisture and I love it.

That's all the products I got for now and hopefully my skin will get better very soon!

Noon Nap

I got my hair did and my nails done.

Have no idea where I learned that from but it sounds funny!

So sleepy in the afternoon I can't even concentrate on drafting out my presentation and paper. Neither do I have time for a nap though the post title says otherwise. Really hoping for one but I'm heading out sooooon.

Really wonder how will I survive when I start working long hours from Mondays to Fridays. Classes on Mondays to Wednesdays (lol) are already killin' me.

Alright, back to work.

Update:

Just came home from such a good meal at Grandma's. Everytime I'm there I behave like some malnourished kid who hasn't eaten in months and I do feel a tad bit embarrassed by my own actions but whatever. I LOVE MY GRANDMA!

Hopefully this Mocha Frap Grande would get me through the report writing tonight. Wanted to get a Venti but I've to give my zits some rest later because they need to disappear by tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully my bangs would grow another inch in the night too.

This weekend's going to be a blast!

When all else fails, shop!

Yay finally got my hair products from Mel and I'm super duper excited to start using them again. The samples that I got earlier really worked for my hair so I decided to purchase the full sized ones. Thanks Melly!

Here's a Lebel family in my bathroom. The little mask tub is too cute to throw away. Maybe I'll wash it and use it for when I travel.

So anyway, Mel and I met up and had dinner at Ajisen Ramen (what's new), and then we went shopping! Actually I reached Orchard first so a patrol around Forever 21 was in order. So glad I did because I managed to get some real necessities I've been looking for like a white tank top and undies.

Am SOOO in love with the fully laced boyshort undies from F21. They're really soft and feels like they're barely there. Recently, every trip I make to F21 I'll be sure to grab 2-3 pairs because the colors are always changing and I like to hoard many colors of the same design when it comes to clothes I love. Plus they're pretty affordable at $7 each.

If you need tank tops in every color of the rainbow, go to F21 now while they still have loads of stock!

My new obsession is probably with H&M. Their stuff never really appealed to me till recently when I found my white blouse and pastel shorts. Realized that the quality of their clothes is not bad and at such great prices I can't resist!

All in all, it seems like I'm just giving myself excuses to shop but I'm truly so happy after shopping. Hopefully my brain would be able to work harder and churn out nicer outfits whether it's for school or going out.

Back to completing my Psych report!

Lush Lust

Saturday was such an unproductive day for me. Had plenty of errands to run and was supposed to meet Mel for brunch, but the only thing I got done was grocery shopping because we were low on food for the coming week and my poor maid had to keep reminding me. Sleeping in till late is something I need to change. My friends always have to tolerate me being late and all so that nasty habit has to go soon before my 3 friends leave me for good.

Well I finally got down to cleaning my make-up brushes and super glad I got that done because they were really dirty. Always procrastinated doing that because the only time I remember I need to clean them is... right before using them.

You can see this layer of black on the slanted eye brush. I couldn't even use the brush to apply another color because it'll just keep coming off as black. That's a lot of build-up so ewww thank goodness it's clean now.

This Love Lettuce Mask from Lush is probably the best $24 I've spent this month.

I always thought Lush was overrated plus they aren't exactly cheap. Mel decided to give this mask a try because she has heard good things about it and I'm really glad she did.

This stuff works! I did a little research on the company too and I'm extremely happy that they're against animal testing. Read this for more information on their company's policy on being against animal testing and here for their environmental policy. Those 2 things I really care about.

My little black pot of goodness was made by Ezra (hopefully like the cutie in Pretty Little Liars) and I think having a due date for these fresh face masks is the best idea ever, for me at least. I tend to have a bad habit of buying such masks and leaving them in the fridge forever, which means I'll probably only use them once or twice and forget and that is really a waste of product.

Definitely loving my smooth, radiant skin now. Feels so clean!

Now back to studying, with clean skin.

SOS please someone help me

Darren and I finally got to go out for a nice leisurely dinner at one of our favorite restaurants. After which, I shopped. Didn't know H&M was having a sale... But the items I got weren't even on sale so pffft what a waste of excitement (and money).

White Tank: Forever21

Chestnut Shorts: TheVelvetDolls.LJ

Printed Scarf: Cotton On in Australia

Furry Cardigan: OhVola.com

Black Bag: Cotton On in Australia

Cream Suede Wedges: VictoriasSecret.com

Watch: Fossil

Bracelets: Forever21 in USA

There was a point I was so obsessed with this place and we went there twice a week. Each trip there costs us around $65 so it's really not cheap. In fact, it's more expensive than Crystal Jade's XLB Buffet.

They offer value sets which consists of a plate of assorted veggies, rice/udon, and 2 types of meat. I usually choose the miso soup base which is an additional $3/person. Never really understood why they have to charge soup base based on per person but oh well it's tasty!

Was trying to pack my stuff but she kept trying to nibble her new bone on top of my clothes. She doesn't really like taking photos so when she sees the camera pointed at her, she looks away for a really long time. So I'll keep calling her until she decides to peep and voila!

The main reason why I wanted to check out H&M was because I wanted this specific blouse with gold buttons. Instructed Darren to keep a lookout for it while we went up down all around, and he couldn't find it. Was so unhappy but decided to give the front door area one last try (like a female's gut feeling yknow quite accurate apparently) and omgoodness saw this hanging by itself on the rack, IN MY SIZE. Asked a retail assistant where's the rest of the display and turns out, that was the very.last.piece.

I believe the blouse and I are meant to be together (please refer to our love story above), but I honestly had no idea it was going to be that expensive.

Also grabbed those shorts without trying. They're only $17.90 each so it wasn't worth the dressing room queue. Thankfully they fit.

Cannot wait to try the Lettuce Mask from Lush that Mel recommended. My skin is desperate for it.

Feeling hungry now, there must be something wrong with meeee