Trying to Save Money

Growing Eyelashes

2011-11-24T10:48:00.002+08:00

I don't have very long eyelashes and was really tempted to try an eyelash growth product I saw in Watsons recently. It promised long lashes in just mere weeks of application which sounded really convincing! Has anyone tried eyelash growth products before and have you found it to be effective? Does it irritate your eyes and is the growth permanent? Please let me know if you have any reviews!

Shopping on Holiday

2011-11-24T10:30:00.002+08:00

People tend to shop indiscriminately when they're on holiday. Suddenly every little kitschy thing looks cute or looks just perfect for the house. I've been guilty of the same and fought with people to buy address plaques in Indonesia. After I brought them home, they were too big for my house! Luckily a friend lived in a similar numbered house and managed to buy them off me. Now, when I travel, I try to stay away from craft markets to avoid picking up stuff I may not really need or use when I return.

Growing Lashes

2011-11-09T11:46:00.002+08:00

Have you ever tried any eyelash growth product? I've heard of some people who tried them with great results. Often, they have short lashes and need to use them to make their lashes longer and lusher. If you're planning on using some eyelash growth products, I would recommend using a trusted brand simply because the product is applied so close to your eyes. You don't really want health complications as a result of your beauty product!

Mad About Horses

2011-10-18T11:52:00.001+08:00

Hubs niece is really into horses. She loves them so much that she spends all her time reading horse related books, watching horse movies such as Black Beauty and poring over horse equipment everytime she goes for her horse riding lessons. She even wants to be a horse trainer when she grows up and run her own horse farm! It's impressive to see passion in someone so young and I hope she can have the drive to see her dreams come true.

Hi Tech Students

2011-10-18T11:47:00.001+08:00

Technology has taken a huge leap in the recent years. There are so many devices today to help people keep in touch and communicate easily. I heard that students today even bring iPads to school or lectures instead of digital recorders to record their lectures. Lecturers even share their notes online for download so students can easily pick up their notes. What a huge change this is from my University and College days!

Pretty Maternity Dresses

2011-10-18T11:37:00.002+08:00

Modern mom to bes have it really good these days. Gone are the maternity dresses that resembled tents or nightgowns. Instead, these days, they have really pretty and fashionable maternity dresses to choose from. Some of them are even so pretty they can be worn as evening dresses to formal dinners. Nowadays, being pregnant does not mean hiding your baby bump under ugly dresses but flaunting it!

Escalating Wedding Costs

2011-10-18T11:24:00.002+08:00

Weddings nowadays are just getting more and more expensive. My brother is planning a wedding next year and some of the vendors I used are already charging him double of what they charged us! As it is, the designer engagement rings he purchased for his fiancee already cost a huge chunk of his savings and they are starting from scratch again for the wedding. Luckily the Chinese custom dictates the gift of red packets and money to aid the wedding expenses!

Group Deals

2011-10-18T11:00:00.002+08:00

I've been seeing lots of Groupon deals for luxury villas in Bali and Krabi. Some of them look really tempting as they are sold at more than 50% discount from the retail price. Some of these luxurious villas include rain showers, huge baths and ipod dock for you to listen to your favourite tunes! Isn't that great? I'm really tempted but am worried I may not get the real deal if I purchase through a group deals site. Do any of you have experience buying holiday packages

Eye Protection

2011-10-18T10:42:00.002+08:00

During my last trip back to Muar, my mom in law kept talking about some replica sunglasses she found in Melaka that were a fraction cheaper than the originals in Australia. According to her, the sunglasses even came with high UV coating to protect the eyes. I am a little more paranoid about the type of sunglasses I use and where possible, would prefer to use something with properly certified protection. This is especially since I have heard that exposure to harsh sunlight can cause cataract problems when you are older. Hence, I think it is always better to be safe rather than sorry.

Trade, Don't Buy

2011-08-08T10:25:00.002+08:00

Bartering is quite an ancient concept and it actually got wiped out when the concept of money got introduced into the economy. So, I was quite interested when I saw that the barter concept has come back into fashion with some interesting sites such as www.cometobarter.com which offer trading of item. I think it's a great concept as we simply have too much stuff in the disposable world we now live in and one man's junk may be another's treasure! So instead of producing more and more items, let's barter instead!

Diamonds Online

2011-08-01T09:00:00.000+08:00

Diamonds and gold are getting more expensive everyday. Some have chosen to buy diamonds online instead of heading to a branded store such as Tiffany's or Cartier. By buying online, they hope to cut down on advertising and store overhead costs and hopefully end up with a better stone for a cheaper price. However, it is important to note that buying online can make you vulnerable to a lot of scams so do ensure you do the necessary research before you buy something as expensive as a diamond ring online.

Owning Holiday Homes

2011-08-01T08:37:00.001+08:00

The price of property in Singapore has sky rocketed in the past few years. Basic units are now over a million which is beyond reach of many locals and residents who are working here. Because of the high barriers of entry, many here cannot think beyond owning a second home for investment purposes, what more a holiday home such as branson lake homes. In that sense, the Europeans and Americans are luckier as their property prices are more subdued and they can afford to have holiday homes for their leisure.

Seeking Treatments

2011-08-01T08:34:00.002+08:00

Rare diseases we only read about in the past are now becoming more frequent and common especially amongst children and young adults. A friend who was living in Austin suddenly developed thyroid problems and had no prior symptoms or warnings before that. Luckily for him, the healthcare in the US is very advanced and he managed to seek effective treatment from Thyroid doctor austin before it got worse. Perhaps it's our lifestyle, food and polluted air but it's difficult to remain healthy these days.

Control Underwear

2011-08-01T08:32:00.001+08:00

Recently, I haven't been having much appetite to eat. Just a normal meal makes me quite full already. I found that a little odd because I usually can eat more these days. However, it is good news and I may not be needing fat burners after all! Fat burners aside, one item I would really like to try is control underwear such as Spanx or Scala which I've heard, does a really good job in skimming your curves so you can fit into a fitting dress! Anyone tried them before?

Clearing up

2011-07-13T10:12:00.001+08:00

I recently looked through our store room and saw that we have lots of junk lying there. We have cables from old cameras, rca video cables and unidentified cables lying around the place. I'm tempted to throw them away but am worried that we might need them again in the future. Gosh, clearing up is really hard! Sometimes I wish I can just throw everything out and start all over again!

Precious Metal Investment

2011-07-13T10:09:00.000+08:00

Gold has reached an all time high and continues to climb. Yet, Chinese, being the practical people they are still continue to buy gold chains or gold pieces for events such as weddings and the birth of a baby as a keepsake and investment piece. Thinking back, their method of investment is really good as it is a precious metal that continues to appreciate in value over the years as metals become more scarce. Someday, these gold pieces and chains will turn out very valuable.

Natural Healing

2011-07-13T10:04:00.002+08:00

I recently hurt my wrist and was referred to a microsurgery specialist. While I was there, I was surprised to see how many people have knee and tendon related injuries especially if they were sports people. What I liked about the doctor was how much he recommended natural healing with the correct acl braces for sports injuries. He was not an advocate of surgery or a lot of drugs and just asked his patients to rest and ensure their injured knee or hand is properly resting. I tend to prefer doctors who don't keep doling out painkillers as I find our body knows best when it comes to healing. Sometimes, when it comes to certain injuries, all we need is lots of rest and the correct brace to support the injured section and we will soon be right as rain.

iPhone App

2011-07-13T09:58:00.001+08:00

There's a really cool iPhone app I downloaded sometime back. It turns the phone into a nifty little barcode scanner that allows you to scan and read just about any type of barcode! Isn't that cool? I tried it in a supermarket the other day and it actually worked! I have to admit that the iPhone has been a really good time waster especially with all its games and apps! Haha..

Electronics & Food Expo

2011-07-13T09:55:00.001+08:00

This time last year, hubs and I attended an electronics and food fair. It was a really fun day out as we managed to get an iron that we needed at a good discount and got very tempted by some ordis computers. There was lots of good food as well on offer and we got a chance to sample lots of delicious food and get free bread too from Gardenia! I just saw in the papers that the same exhibition is back again this weekend. Unfortunately, I won't be around this time to enjoy it!

Sufficient Motor Insurance Coverage

2011-07-13T09:50:00.000+08:00

RV or recreation vehicles are now the rage especially during the summer holidays. If you are planning to buy or rent an RV and go exploring, do ensure you spend that extra to buy rv insurance as well. Don't assume your normal motor insurance will provide sufficient coverage for your RV as some insurances have many exclusions on the types of vehicles it covers. So always ensure you are sufficiently covered especially when travelling long-distance.

Learning to Ride

2011-06-22T14:37:00.001+08:00

Riding is becoming very common in Singapore as more parents start sending their children to riding schools. Nevertheless, it is still an expensive hobby or sport to pursue as a full set of equestrian riding apparel can set one back several hundred dollars for boots, jodphurs and a hat. Still, many parents are willing to spend that money for their little darlings to learn how to ride their horses. Children today are really lucky and to a certain extent, spoilt!

Thai Elections

2011-06-22T14:30:00.002+08:00

I was recently in Bangkok to meet DH while he was there for a conference. One of my favourite areas in Bangkok is the Chit Lom area where some large shopping centres such as Siam Paragon, Central World and Gaysorn are located. This trip, I was surprised to see metal detectors at the entrance to most of the shopping centres which I didn't see last year. Perhaps they are gearing up for the Thai elections which are expected to take place later this month especially since that area was the hotbed for clashes in the last election!

Great Singapore Sale 2011

2011-06-22T14:24:00.001+08:00

It is the Great Singapore Sale now in Singapore and although I haven't gone to check out deals, I've heard that the sales are not too bad this year. I've seen lots of offers in the papers on clothes, shoes and some really good deals on laptops and cameras in electronic shops. It's a great time to get whatever you need (or don't need) for a lot less! So do enjoy your shopping these two months!

Helping Drug Addicts

2011-06-22T14:19:00.000+08:00

To be caught with drugs is one of the worst penalties in Malaysia. It carries with it a death penalty simply because of the destruction drugs bring to both the addict and their family. To fight drug abuse, the government has actually set up several drug rehab treatment centres across the country to offer reasonably priced and effective methods to cure these addicts of their addiction. So if you know of anyone suffering from drug abuse, do let them know they are not alone and help them help themselves.

Shopping Online

2011-06-22T14:12:00.002+08:00

Internet shopping has taken over the world in a big way, especially in China. I heard from DH's friends that they shop for everything online, even their groceries! I'm fine with shopping for dry goods, books and bags online but I'm a little hesitant to buy drugs, buy phenphedrine or medicines online as I am never sure if they are absolutely genuine. Always exercise caution when you buy online and ensure you read the fine print and check the site reviews before giving your credit card details.

Acne Help

2011-05-19T09:55:00.001+08:00

I had to endure a bad bout of acne recently and was so close to running out and getting a prescription for acnepril or something similar to help cure it. Luckily, I consulted my beauty expert sis and she suggested changing my skincare products, washing my brushes and providing sufficient hydration to my skin by using regular masks. Her recommendations actually worked pretty well and thankfully most of the big acne spots I was battling have actually come down. I think it really helps to watch what you eat as well. Hopefully the condition stays!

SG Elections

2011-05-19T09:51:00.002+08:00

So the Singapore elections have come and gone with much funfare. It has been a watershed election with the incumbent party losing a few seats compared to the previous years where a government could be formed by nomination day! Compared to home, I found the elections here rather subdued despite the swooper flags and signs dotting every constituency. It was an interesting election, nonetheless and it shows that people are not happy despite staying in one of the most efficiently-run countries in the world. It's amazing.

Hi-Tech Crime

2011-05-19T09:48:00.001+08:00

In the hi-tech world we now live in, there's a new crime attacking cyber users. It's called pishing and is similar to hi tech pickpocketing. What these crooks do is to create identical websites to online shopping sites or banking sites and use codes to steal your usernames and passwords when you log in. They will then access your bank account or credit card to run up huge expenses. It's scary but you can protect yourself by never ever logging into any secure site from a link. Always go to the bank site itself and ensure it is a secure site. As with physical life, it pays to be always vigilant.

Annual Calendar with Interesting Bits

2011-05-19T09:42:00.000+08:00

One of the craziest things my college did while in University was to publish an annual calendar of naked male students with strategically placed objects. Some of the photos were really really good especially one fantastic one that featured all of them behind a fire engine truck complete with a strategic metal hose placed along the row of men! I really admire their openness and it was a great way to end each year as everyone often looked forward to laughing at the photos and calendars once it was published. Great for laughs! I wonder if they're still producing it!

Planning for Christmas

2011-05-19T09:39:00.001+08:00

Christmas is half a year away but it's never too early to start thinking of your Christmas presents and Christmas photo cards to be sent out to friends and family! It is a well-known fact that shopping for presents throughout the year will actually work out cheaper in the long run as you have time to take advantage of sales to find the right gift for each person. If you have photo cards in mind, make use of the time to take several photos to ensure everyone looks their best in the photo card! It will help save you lots of stress the few weeks before Christmas!

Apple's Apps

2011-05-06T09:05:00.000+08:00

One big adjustment about having an Apple PC instead of a Windows based one is having to get used to the different interfaces Apple uses. I think I've managed to figure out most of the applications but one app called Time Capsule which acts as a document management software really has me boggled! I've tried reading up on it but still can't really understand how it works. So if you have any idea or suggestions, please do let me know!

Car Free

2011-05-06T09:02:00.000+08:00

One thing I don't miss about having a car is all the additional expenses that come with it. When I used to own a car, I often had to worry about annual insurance, roadside assistance packages, road tax and monthly or quarterly maintenance. Of course I miss the convenience of my own car especially when the days are rainy and wet but not having to pay lots of money for maintenance certainly helps towards my monthly savings.

Global Mother's Day

2011-04-29T10:26:00.002+08:00

Its just a week to Mother's Day and everywhere in the world, mothers will feted with flowers, dinners and gifts. Portland City has created a grand Mother's Day celebration with Mother's Day Flowers in Portland orders and special programmes for mothers. Its a great day to celebrate the most important woman in your life so do treat her like a queen this special day and every other day! Isn't it interesting, though, that Father's Day is celebrated at different times in various countries?

Hard to be Healthy

2011-04-29T10:21:00.001+08:00

There is a lot of critical diseases nowadays and it's scary how many of these seem to be afflicting the young. Cancers such as Mesothelioma which were practically unheard of 50 years ago and now common especially in developing countries were the use of asbestos is not controlled. The chemicals in that substance is suspected to have a strong link to Mesothelioma although like all cancers, nothing can be proven for certain. Its hard to be healthy these days with all the chemicals and metals in our food and water.

Walking in My FitFlops

2011-04-29T10:11:00.002+08:00

I have to admit that since I have found FitFlops, I've hardly ever bought womens sandals again. I find FitFlops offers really good arch support and comfort, the butt-toning effect aside! I can walk for hours in it and not feel tired which is important for me as too flat sandals can often leave the heels of my feet tired and painful. Its a great buy! Go try it today!

Medication Tips

2011-04-29T10:04:00.001+08:00

I used to study in Australia and remember having to purchase a Medicare plan as insurance for our medical bills there. I fell sick not long after I first arrived and remember being shocked at how much I had to pay for consultation and then medication in the pharmacy! Worse, consultation was not even covered under Medicare! The next few years I got smarter and ended up bringing my own stash of medication back to Australia so I could save on these expensive medication. Some useful tips if you are a poor student heading off for an overseas education!

Long Winters

2011-04-29T09:52:00.002+08:00

Summer is around the corner and everyone is starting to shed their winter wear for lighter clothing and sneakers. I don't know if it is due to global warming but the winters have been really long and harsh in the past few years. When we were in Shanghai in January, I saw some sneaker stores that were totally empty as it was just too cold for people to be wearing thin sneakers. Perhaps these are really effects of global warming we're starting to see. It's quite scary to imagine what the world might one day be like.

Healthcare Costs

2011-04-29T09:48:00.001+08:00

Healthcare costs are on the rise everywhere. With inflation and rising costs, my financial advisor actually predicted that we'll be spending millions just to keep ourselves healthy or to fight diseases in our old age. Its a really scary thought indeed and if you haven't bought any healthcare insurance, I would certainly recommend that you do so whilst you are younger and premiums lower. Some good and affordable insurance packages are available online such as BCBS of NC. So have a look and do remember to get some health plan in place soon.

Read The Reviews

2011-04-29T09:43:00.001+08:00

If you are planning on taking diet pills, I would suggest that you do adequate research and read reviews online before taking them. There is a whole lot of information available with tips and suggestions on what works and doesn't. As an example, I came across some oxyelite pro reviews in an independent reviews site that would have given some very important and useful information to potential users. Hence, always do some homework and understand side effects if you are planning to take diet pills.

Yummy Mummys

2011-04-29T09:40:00.001+08:00

There's a lot of pressure for new mothers to lose weight nowadays. Everywhere you turn, yummy mummys are all over, pushing their little babies' strollers and looking like they had never experienced pregnancy and weight gain! Most claim their pounds come off quite naturally once they start caring for their baby on their own with lack of sleep. However, I suspect some actually go for slimming treatments or take diet pills such as www.adipexdietpills.org to regain their svelte figure again. Would you do it?

Mother's Day Gifts

2011-04-29T09:35:00.001+08:00

Have you bought a gift for your Mother yet for the coming Mother's Day? I'm heading home this weekend and have planned to take my Mom out for a spa tomorrow and probably dinner this weekend. We have stopped giving her gift mothers day for some time already but I think its a good time to start that practise again and where better than Red Envelope where there are so many great gift ideas and options?! Hurry over and get your own Mom a gift there too!

Acne Problems

2011-04-29T09:25:00.002+08:00

I've been really stressed with my skin. It's been breaking out for no reason. The only time I had really good and nice skin was when I was on a tretinoin medication course prescribed by the dermatologist. However, I didn't want to be on medication long term for health reasons and decided to stop. Since then, my skin has always been erractic! Oh well, better it be my skin then I have some long term adverse impact to my body.

Cash Strapped?

2011-04-29T09:21:00.002+08:00

I've been a little strapped recently as I've spent most of my bonus and more paying down my housing loan and our rent just got increased. Last month I was down to below $100 in my account which was quite scary as I still had a couple of days to survive. Luckily I ended up going back some weekends so my spending was reduced. As desperate as I am, I don't think I'll resort to payday advance loans as they usually come with quite a high interest amount. Hopefully things go better this month.

Smoke Everywhere

2011-04-20T09:53:00.002+08:00

One thing I don't like about China is the way people puff away and smoke everywhere on the streets. There is absolutely no non-smoking area and everywhere, people are just lighting up black and milds cigars in swanky places or local brands in cheaper places. I don't understand why they enjoy smoking so much but it certainly wrecks havoc on other people's health as they are forced to breathe in second hand smoke.

Garters for Wedding Gift

2011-04-20T09:49:00.001+08:00

People often like to buy things like sexy garters as wedding gifts. I don't know if you've ever tried wearing them but they can actually be rather uncomfortable and not very practical to sleep in! Unless, of course, they are meant to be worn for a short time only and certainly not to be slept in! Would you buy them for your girlfriend who is getting married? I think I'd save the money and give her cash instead! It'll probably be better appreciated.

US Ping Pong Interest

2011-04-13T10:30:00.001+08:00

DH told me he played ping pong during his recent US trip - out of all sports to play! His office there had a newgy ping pong table set up in the games room and he had a go against his US counterpart. He actually lost to her which he said was a great defeat especially since US people are not well known for their skill in this sport! I personally found it quite funny and was rather surprised at their interest in something like ping pong when they have so many other types of more aggressive sport!

Natural & Organic

2011-04-13T10:22:00.002+08:00

Its amazing how many stimulants are being sold as health products and foods nowadays. I went into the nearby pharmacy store and saw a whole range of natural products from natural testosterone booster to natural weight loss products. I'm not sure if they are more effective than the processed products but if you are intending to take some of these products, it would be better to go natural rather than processed.

Natural Cures

2011-03-28T09:45:00.002+08:00

I wonder if off the shelf products really help if you are looking for how to get rid of dark circles. Ultimately, I believe prevention is better than cure and to address the root of the problem. If lack of sleep is causing your dark circles, then try to go to bed earlier, ensure your bedroom is cool and comfortable so you get a good night's sleep. That will be better than any swanky cures in the market which only serves to add more chemicals into your skin.

Help for Hair Loss

2011-03-28T09:42:00.002+08:00

My hair has been dropping significantly. Almost after every shower and when I blow my hair dry, the floor is usually covered with lots of hair. I raised this concern with my hairdresser who attributed it to stress and sold me a bottle of wilson cellular booster hair tonic. It is quite easy to use and all I have to do is to massage it into my head before blow drying my hair. I have been using it for the past few days but can't seem to tell if my hair loss has lessened. If you have any recommendations for something that works, please let me know!

Skin Colouring

2011-03-28T09:37:00.002+08:00

I was rather impressed at the number of sports trophies DH's young niece has amassed from her various swimming competitions. She seems to be rather sporty and has taken to the pool like a natural, beating even bigger and older children in swimming races. Unfortunately, the relentless training she goes through has left her rather dark as they train under the hot afternoon sun. Funnily enough her mother does not seem to mind. Hopefully it will not be an issue she is upset with when she is in her teenage years.

Buying Over Franchises

2011-03-28T09:34:00.001+08:00

The usual salon we go to for our facials have stopped giving out promotional facials already. Apparently what started off as a chain of franchises have now been bought over by the main company in Japan and it is not their practise to offer such promotions. What a pity for customers like us! However, it must be every business owner's dream come true to have the mother company absorb their franchise. Hopefully it results in better benefits and remuneration for their staff.

Best Investment Now?

2011-03-28T09:29:00.002+08:00

Many have been asking what the best investment vehicle is right now in these volatile times. It is really hard to say as all markets seem to be undergoing extreme volatility and currencies are all fluctuating as well. Some say the best investment now is gold, whether in the form of gold bullion or a paper gold account. However, the price of gold has now hit such a high price it will be quite difficult to enter the market if you are a new investor. Whatever investment you choose, do ensure it is something you are comfortable with.

Watch Strap Adjustment

2011-03-09T09:47:00.002+08:00

I was quite impressed at how easily the watch shop in ION Mall managed to shorten the hub's watch strap without much fuss. I originally thought an expensive watch strap will need some form of cutting tools to shorten the metal strap. However, it turns out that all they needed to do was to knock out the little metal pins holding the strap and voila, it was immediately shortened! They even returned the balance of the strap in case you need to lengthen it again in the future. Not bad at all!

Pandora Charms

2011-03-09T09:43:00.000+08:00

I have to be honest that I had never heard of the increasingly popular sterling silver pandora charm bracelets until a shopping mad friend came to stay with me. She was totally into the charms and beads from Pandora and I recall making many trips with her to the shop to choose a charm or two. The charms certainly do not come cheap are at least a hundred each. She is almost done with her charm bracelet and told me it would have costed her close to three thousand dollars by the time it's completed! Wow! I don't know about you but I personally will find it very hard to spend that amount of money on a charm bracelt made of sterling silver.

Starting Farewells

2011-03-09T09:31:00.000+08:00

Before the hubs left, we had a yummy dinner out with some of his friends at this interesting burger joint called Fat Boys. They served huge servings of home made burgers in all strange and interesting combinations. Their portion sizes were so big that we ended up sharing a burger which was even too much for me! We headed for ice-cream after that and much to our surprise, caught a Chingay float procession along the road. It was bright, colourful and full of music - enough to thrill the little baby in our company! The people on the float were waving feather flags and looking like they were having a ball of a time dancing on the floats and interacting with the audience. Best of all, we got a ride home from one of his friends. It was a great night out and a nice farewell!

Audio Gifts for Christmas

2010-12-09T10:43:00.001+08:00

Are you stumped at what to get your loved one for Christmas? Well, if they are a music fan, why not get them a pair of funky speakers? There are lots of really cute and innovative ones out there in the market today. I recall seeing one that looked like a little dog which moved its head to the music it played! A definite conversation starter! Happy Christmas shopping!

Button Batteries

2010-12-09T10:39:00.002+08:00

Do you realise that you hardly see button batteries nowadays? I remember using those batteries as a child for electronic gamesets and some electric devices. However, they always came with a health hazard warning as they were so tiny a child could easily swallow them. They were also not too environmentally friendly as they did not degrade as well. Now, most equipment run on chargeable batteries for longer life which are better for the environment. I do miss seeing them though - its just another part of our childhood that has moved on too fast!

Wooden Flooring For The House

2010-12-09T10:35:00.001+08:00

I love wooden flooring. It gives so much more warmth and character to a house. Unfortunately wooden flooring can be pretty expensive as they are usually measured by per square foot which can add up very quickly if you have a big surface area to floor. Luckily, we now have discount laminate flooring options which give the same look for a lot less. Better still, it is easier maintenance than wood as the wood is treated and coated to prevent water seepage and swelling. So now you have no more excuses not to have beautiful wooden flooring!

Nintendo DS for Christmas

2010-12-09T10:31:00.002+08:00

Christmas is less than 20 days away and I'm sure electronic toys such as Sony Playstations and nintendo ds games must be flying off the shelves! Children these days are so much more tech inclined compared to us when we were their age! It also means poorer eyesight from staring at tiny screens and lack of fresh air and outdoor play. If I had a child, I think I'd like them to be children for a little while longer before they get sucked into the adult world of technology.

Kitchen Faucets for Christmas

2010-12-09T09:57:00.001+08:00

DH's brother has just sold their place in the West and will be moving to a better neighbourhood and more prestigious address next year. I was really surprised at how fast they sold their current house when they had been living there for less than a year! I guess the offer was just too good to pass up. I've noticed that the sister in law has a hobby for doing up places and selling them off for a premium after that. Maybe we should consider getting them kitchen faucets for Christmas! Am sure it'll come in useful for their new home.

Loving the iPod

2010-12-09T09:55:00.001+08:00

The sis bought an ipod touch 3rd gen the last time she was down in Singapore. I have to say, I'm really impressed at how thin the iPod Touch was and its fantastic display and colours. It's a great little companion especially on long journeys or flight delays! I am currently using the iPhone and absolutely love the features of a smart phone! It's great being able to remain connected wherever you are in the world! How did I ever do without one?!

Election Goodies

2010-12-02T22:17:00.002+08:00

The home improvement programme that was recently completed in our little flat was really well done. The new wooden door they have installed is all shiny and nice. It may not be a Schlage door but is certainly of good quality and cost hardly anything to our landlady with the subsidies the Government provided. The things a Government does to ensure it wins the next elections!

Probiotics with Acne Drugs

2010-12-02T22:14:00.002+08:00

I was seeing a dermatologist in KL for my acne problem. He is very famous in KL for his highly effective acne treatment methods which are actually very strong drugs to kill off bacteria which causes the acne. When taking strong drugs like that, it is important to ensure that your stomach good bacteria is not wiped out together. Hence, one should always take probiotics with medicines such as antibiotics and acne drugs to avoid stomach problems and indigestion.

Cheap Information

2010-12-02T22:09:00.002+08:00

I came back from work after a two week leave to see my mailbox had almost exploded with over 200 emails! What surprised me was that several of them were actually spam emails! It really perplexes me how these spam companies obtained my work email, of all things! Perhaps they purchased lists of names and emails from sources available online such as free website directory sites. Information is too easily available nowadays and too cheaply.

Detox for Clear Skin

2010-12-02T22:06:00.004+08:00

I was once told that a good remedy for curing acne is through cleansing your body. Undergoing a cleansing regime will help to rid the body of toxins which cause breakouts. I've never really tried a detox programme before but I've read good reviews of people who have undergone them such as nanocleanse reviews. Most of them boast glowing and clear skin after the detoxification programme. Perhaps I should give it a try, especially after the huge pig-out I had in my Europe trip!

Thanksgiving Shopping

2010-12-02T22:00:00.002+08:00

Thanksgiving is a huge festival in the US. Funny how fast it has evolved from an occasion of thanksgiving by the pilgrims to a happy shopping frenzy weekend! Now, Thanksgiving is always associated with long weekends, fantastic shopping bargains such as those offered on Cyber Monday and an opportunity to shop, shop and shop for the coming Christmas holidays. Hope you got great deals this Thanksgiving shopping weekend!

Doing Detox

2010-12-01T22:23:00.002+08:00

One thing we did a lot of on our trip was eat! We ate and ate irregardless of whichever city we were in! From the best fries in Amsterdam to some of the oldest pubs in Scotland, we certainly had an enjoyable foodie adventure. All that heavy Western food did take its toll and I found myself craving light and simple broths or porridge towards the end of the trip! After all that pigging out, perhaps now will be a good time to consider a good detox programme such s rapid opiate detox schedule to cleanse my body a little.

Constant Learning

2010-12-01T22:21:00.002+08:00

They say learning is a live long process and one should always be hungry for knowledge and the thirst to learn more, irregardless of the subject matter. I am often guilty of not making the time to learn and should definitely start doing so especially in subjects of my interest. Someday it might come to good use, who knows!

Battling Jet Lag

2010-12-01T22:18:00.001+08:00

I crashed out on Saturday when I got back from UK. After 13 hours on the plane with minimal sleep, I was pretty glad to get home and managed to last till 9pm before falling asleep. I slept till 11am the next day and believe that long sleep helped somewhat in adjusting my body clock and preventing jet lag. However, I find myself still wide awake at 1am which makes it a torture to be up by 7am to get to work. Is it some form of mild jet lag? I'm not sure but as a result, I'm now battling dark circles under eye!

Creams or Oils

2010-12-01T22:14:00.002+08:00

Having acne scars, I've always been interested in checking out the newest acne scar cream in the market. Many often promise quick results but in reality scar recovery takes quite a long time and consistent application. I've also noticed that most of them have vitamin E has their active ingredient which has long been proven to lighten scars. Hence, I've stopped buying expensive acne scar creams and now resort to using vitamin E in its pure form. Hopefully this works faster in lightening my acne scars.

Moving Again?

2010-10-20T18:18:00.001+08:00

We might be moving again soon and while things seem a little exciting yet daunting, I'm honestly not looking forward to the packing process! The big things are easy as that is often done by the professional packers. Its the small things, unfortunately, that take the most time to pack - decorative items, DH's many tubs of cream for eczema, various name cards, unidentified CDs and so much more. Hopefully this time when we move, we will have more time and more notice to slowly pack up the place properly. Needless to say, the packers did a pretty good job the last time. Hopefully the new ones are good too.

Food Lovers Diet

2010-10-20T18:16:00.000+08:00

DH was getting quite trim after we moved to SG when he had to run around from his office to the MRT. However, a few months and many travels later where he eats a lot, he's back to putting on weight and getting a tummy again. I've been trying to get him interested in eating less and reduce body fat but he does not seem to be keen as he loves his food too much. How do you encourage your loved one to eat less or to eat healthier even if they are food lovers?

Cash Advance

2010-10-20T18:14:00.000+08:00

Banks here are terribly aggressive. Just the other day, I got a blank cheque in the mail from the bank offering a cash advance of any amount! I'm not sure who actually applies for the advance from the bank as each advance comes with interest rates that are sometimes higher than other loan interest rates. However, if one is desperate for money, using a cash advance might be a more affordable and sensible option compared to illegal loan sharks.

Christmas Ideas

2010-10-20T18:10:00.001+08:00

We just have two more months to Christmas and I'm really wondering what I can get DH for Christmas. He's been an absolute dear where presents are concerned and never hesitates to spend on gifts for my birthday or our anniversary. I would like to do the same but am not sure what to buy him as he does not seem to be a tech geek nor a fashionista. Perhaps he might appreciate a pair of steiner binoculars as I recall him talking about it once. The only problem is we don't have anywhere to use binoculars in!

Social Elderly

2010-10-20T18:08:00.000+08:00

DH and I have noticed that elderly in Singapore tend to be more independent than those back home. Maybe its because of their convenient transportation system and well organised public housing flats. Most of them tend to come down to the void decks to enjoy each other's companies and spend their time talking or playing cards with their age spots hands. Its great to see them more interactive and social as loneliness is something the aged often battle with.

Dropping Hair

2010-10-20T18:06:00.000+08:00

My hair has been dropping quite a bit again! I noticed it in the last week when my bathroom drain started getting clogged up again. The problem stopped for a while when I changed shampoos but now as my hair gets used to the new shampoo, it seems like the old hair loss problem is back again! I'm really at a loss at how to treat this and am getting a little worried as my hair is already quite thin. Does anyone have the best shampoo for hair loss to recommend?

TCM Treatments

2010-10-20T18:03:00.001+08:00

I was seeing a Traditional Chinese Doctor here some time back to improve my health. It was rather interesting to see how they could treat all kinds of diseasesm, even cancer. One of the doctors specialised in treatment for arthritis and seemed to be hugely popular as there was always a long queue of elderly patients waiting outside his room. I'm not sure how he treated them and whether he used acupuncture therapy but judging by the queue, I believe his treatments must be very effective!

Baby Advice

2010-10-20T18:01:00.002+08:00

Most of my colleagues are all mothers so quite a lot of their conversation tends to revolve around their children and advice for new mothers. I just came from lunch with two mommies and learnt quite a bit from them about natural versus C-section births, breast milk versus formula milk and even diaper brands! Its sometimes quite interesting listening to their advice and talk although I don't have a baby yet. It does help to prepare me for that day when I finally have one!

Popping Pills

2010-10-20T17:59:00.001+08:00

Do you take vitamins regularly? I used to be quite good at taking them until I stopped eating breakfast at home. I need to eat breakfast before taking vitamins otherwise I'll feel nauseous all day. One of the supplements I was taking was a good one a day vitamin which provides you with all the essential vitamins and minerals you need in one little nifty pill. So much easier to swallow and to remember to take! I think its time I started taking my vitamins again for my well being.

Life's Experiences

2010-10-12T09:38:00.001+08:00

I used to travel a lot in my old job and was exposed to a huge variety of experiences from meeting a Middle Eastern Prince to travelling to the dark parts of Africa. Looking back, I don't think I would have traded those times for anything else! Despite the tiredness, people requesting me to buy best cigar brands home and crazy flight schedules, it was a once in a lifetime experience!

Old Photos

2010-10-12T09:33:00.002+08:00

Digital technology has taken photo taking and videos so far. Nowadays when I log into Facebook, all I see are videos and photos from everyone uploaded in various slideshow formats. Some don't even bother to print photos anymore, preferring to store them all in an online folder. Whilst we can never get enough of technology, I do miss flipping through old photos and having the stress of never knowing how your photos will look until they're developed!

Curing Eczema

2010-10-12T09:05:00.002+08:00

DH has taken a keen interest in all types of eczema since he was told by a doctor they weren't sure if he had eczema or psoriasis. Apparently the treatment for both is very different and it is important to seek the correct treatment to properly bring it under control. He's been so keen that he's been doing lots of research online and watching all kinds of youtube videos on eczema and psoriasis! Well, hopefully he finds some treatment that works and cures him from the itchiness.

Car Assistance

2010-10-01T17:38:00.002+08:00

One thing I don't miss about having a car is not having to renew my roadside assistance package. I used to spend quite a bit every year on roadside assistance to insure myself against any accidents. Judging by the way I drive, it was certainly a necessary thing to have! At least it helps me save some money at the moment which will certainly come in useful.

Storage Space

2010-10-01T17:30:00.002+08:00

One thing I miss in our place here is a storeroom. We used to have a nice big storeroom in our KL condo complete with yakima racks to help us organise our stuff. Our second room here now is our storeroom and we have piled it high with boxes from our recent move. However, we still managed to put a bed in for our guests which has worked pretty well. Hopefully the next place we consider moving to has a storeroom and space to store things in.

Buy Gold

2010-10-01T17:20:00.002+08:00

Gold recently hit a record high as confidence in the US greenbacks dropped. Apparently the American people have lost confidence in Obama, the first black president they voted due to his lacklustre way of dealing with national matters and the economy. So did you buy gold coins to protect your investments? I used to buy some gold but not in coin forms.

Cigar Smoking

2010-09-24T18:30:00.001+08:00

People often think smoking cigars are cool especially when they are portrayed as a sign of success and power in movies. However, what many do not realise is that cigars contain just as much, if not more, toxins and tars than cigarettes and can be a form of addiction as well. My advise to all smokers, do try to quit for the sake of your health and family. It is never too late to try.

Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

2010-09-24T18:23:00.002+08:00

We're at the end of September and the malls have already started pulling out their Christmas decorations...even before Deepavali! I've started seeing some led xmas lights twinkling merrily away whilst some malls have started putting up some discreet holly and mistletoe. For a festival that is just one day, there is certainly a lot of preparation that goes into it! Especially in Singapore where Christmas has become a huge tourist attraction and a way for retailers to earn extra cash as everyone is in the holiday mood. It seems like a win-win all around except for those having to fork out the money!

Children Today

2010-09-24T18:19:00.001+08:00

A friend's baby has just started to learn how to walk and explore the world around him. So she's now starting to look into all kinds of protection for her house from baby safety gates to cabinet locks! While they don't look too pretty and doesn't fit into the decor of her house, she says she's not taking any chances with her little one pulling and grabbing everything in sight. Children today have become very precious and almost wrapped up in cotton wool! I don't recall our parents being so paranoid when we were children!

Online Shopping

2010-09-24T18:11:00.001+08:00

I've always been a fan of books so you can imagine how disappointed I was when I found out that Amazon books did not ship to Malaysia. I'm not sure why and whether it is related to high incidences of credit card fraud. But what it meant was that I was unable to enjoy any specials or super buys they had advertising on their site! Now that we're in Singapore, online shopping is a breeze as lots of companies do shipping to Singapore! :) Yippee! Bring on the Paypal and fun stuff online!

Branches of Law

2010-09-24T18:02:00.002+08:00

I never knew there were so many branches of law until I spoke to a lawyer friend recently. The more common lawyers are those involved in litigation suits, family law or conveyancing. However, according to him, there are some who choose to specialise in other kinds of law such as Texas Maritime lawyers or accident injury lawyers. Needless to say, these are highly specialised lawyers for that particular area of law and they can cost quite a bomb to hire!

Tropical Living

2010-09-24T17:54:00.002+08:00

I've lived in tropical countries for most of my life and while we always complain how hot it is, I never realised how much easier it was here compared to cold countries. I got a taste of what it was like to live in cold weather when I lived in Australia and it was always a lot of hassle to pull on coats just to walk out of the door, to ensure you always had a sweater on hand when the weather changed and to ensure your cars are always fitted with snow tubes during winter. Heating too costs a lot more than air conditioning. So while we complain about the heat, it is also a good time to count our blessings for living in weathers that allow us to run around in tees and shorts!

Insurance Online

2010-09-24T17:49:00.002+08:00

In our busy life today, I'm greatly appreciative of online banking and insurance renewals which helps me get my life organised without having to leave the house. Not too long ago, I managed to renew my auto insurance online for a small fee which was simply great as it meant I could do it without having to take time off work. They even couriered the insurance document to me which made it even better! What will we do without our online help nowadays!

Keeping Toasty Warm

2010-09-24T17:46:00.003+08:00

Our year end holiday to Europe is in the final stages of planning and I must say I'm a little apprehensive about going to such a cold part of the world after so long! We've booked some of our accommodation already and thankfully, most of them have promised central heating and some even promised an electric blanket to keep you toasty warm in bed! I still remember what a luxury those were in Australia when sis and I went to Tasmania! They certainly kept us very warm and made the bed perfect for lie-ins!

Nothing But The Best

2010-09-24T17:40:00.002+08:00

My colleague has been on the hunt for suitable childcare centres for her soon to be born baby. She shared with me some of her experiences and I realised that running a childcare centre here can be rather challenging especially when parents have high expectations. Most parents expect security cameras installed at the very least and mosquito protection as well for their little ones. Some even insist on nutritious and organic food to ensure their children eat healthily. It certainly isn't easy running a childcare business here!

Being Children

2010-09-24T17:32:00.003+08:00

I came into the office today and heard my colleagues with school going children starting to stress about their childrens' exams when they are only going to be taking it next year! While I cannot deny that the education system here is good, I find that it tends to be too exam orientated with children being drilled into exams from a young age. At the rate they are going, they will be burnt out by the time they reach their lsat prep years and university years! Which is a real pity as those are the best years of their lives! Why can't time just stop for a while and let our children be children? They'll have the rest of their lives being adults.

However, if you have children who are going to University soon and need to prepare for their LSAT exams, you will find some great sources of help at Knewton to prepare them for the big exam.

Globalisation and Outsourcing

2010-09-24T17:04:00.002+08:00

More than a year down the recession road and the job market in US still hasn't improved. Everyday, the papers still talk about unemployment rates and how the market is still not showing signs of recovery. It is a well known fact that labour and services are not cheap in the US and even jobs in healthcare are starting to be outsourced to cheaper locations. A talk I attended today talked about how health specialists in India could actually conduct heart surgery virtually by provided specialist advice when required! Its a scary thought but that's the way the world is heading! A globalised world indeed!

Hand Dryers

2010-09-24T16:55:00.002+08:00

My mom told me that she recently heard those hand dryers in toilets can be quite dangerous if your immunity is low as they blow out a lot of bacteria. I found that quite surprising as the air is pretty hot and I thought hot enough to kill whatever bacteria that is lurking inside. Has anyone ever heard the same and are those hand dryer blowers safe to use?

All In The Name Of Profits

2010-09-20T12:59:00.002+08:00

Recently, there have been all kinds of superbugs and flu viruses sweeping the globe. Some have been so severe they have even caused deaths in the elderly, young and most recently, the youth. There has been a lot of controversy surrounding medical drugs in general and how many still remain untested before they are launched to the public. It is a scary thought indeed if humans are made to suffer dangerous side effects such as side effects of extenze or other drugs simply so pharmaceutical companies can reap the dollar benefits.

Natural Diet Pills

2010-09-20T12:55:00.002+08:00

I was recently stopped by a group of people at the train station promoting safe diet pills. According to them, their pills were made of organic and natural ingredients to gently flush the body of unwanted toxins and oils. Through the laxative effect, the body looses water and hence, some pounds as well as toxins. Although they sounded quite convincing, I didn't end up buying any as I personally am a little worried about taking diet pills. Would you try natural and safe diet pills?

Healthy or Thin?

2010-09-20T12:45:00.003+08:00

Despite the many health scares on slimming drugs out there, its quite surprising to see that many are still willing to subject themselves to the risks of slimming drugs in an effort to look thin. It isn't clear which chemical is dangerous but as slimming drugs are often a cocktail of metabolism increasing and fat burning chemicals such as lipozene, too much of it can actually be hazardous to your health. I have heard of women who have had trouble conceiving simply because of what they put in their bodies. So while society decrees that women should be skinny, I think it is better to be healthy too.