An Early Christmas

Hubbie bought me a bag for Christmas from Kate Spade. It's gorgeous. And just as gorgeous is the packaging it comes in. A big box tied up with a ribbon. And in a lovely Kate Spade paperbag. Thank you so much Hunnie!

Last Minute Cut (& other stuff)

On the last weekend before Christmas we went out and did some last minute stuff. Bryan badly needed a haircut for coming new year. And we had some last minute presents to get. Toys R Us was quite crowded, I guess we weren't the only ones. We may do more shopping just before Christmas, to catch the last minute sales.

Prima Picks

So since Hubbie's in camp, and I have the late nights to myself, I've been surfing the net and stumbling onto scrapbook blogs. This month's Prima's Picks include all these bright and cheery embellishments. Perfect for perking up any scrapbook layout. I especially love the light and floaty butterflies.

Drop by Prima's Blog to learn more about their lovely embellishments.

The Last Song

By Nicholas Sparks.

Only my most favourite author ever. Whenever he publishes a new book, I always find time to read it. And I don't wait for the smaller paperback version to come out either.

He writes from the heart. And he manages to put the reader right in the middle of the book. I am never able to get through any of his books without shedding tears.

The latest book is a little different from his usual romances. This time he includes the relationship of a father and daughter (Steve and Ronnie) as the centerpiece of the story. There is also a bit of a suspense and mystery with the other side characters (Blaze and Marcus). But I also liked the love that blossomed between Ronnie and Will. He always writes the couple as falling in love at first sight. I especially like those tender moments.

And he manages to tie everything together nicely at the end. But not all his books have a happy ending. Always a honest heartfelt conclusion though. Which I think is much better than a predictable happily-ever-after type ending.

So until the next book...


-- Posted From My iPhone

New Scrapbooking Lines

I'm eagerly awaiting my latest scrapbook shipment from the US. The latest lines have just been released there and I just put in the order late last week. I had a very long wishlist to begin with but later cut down the stuff I wanted to just the few that I would use.

My obsession with nice papers started when I was in primary school. I loved cute stationery, stickers and stamps. I remember I'd collect them and used them as notepaper, diaries etc. As I got older, my budget for these things grew bigger and I bought cute pens which didn't work very well. Pencils with furry ends. More and more stickers. And more organisers than I knew what to do with.

Now that I'm too old for cute stationery, ie. Hello Kitty etc. I moved on to new things.

Scrapbooking involves getting lovely papers, stickers, rub-ons, flowers, brads etc. Then combining them with my photos. It's not just therapeutic but gives me an excuse to get more stationery. And in the age of digital photography, I get to show off my photos in a very unique and textured way. Each layout/album is different and unique. I never buy/repeat the same papers and stickers again.

I hope that these albums will last and become a legacy to my children. Something that they can show to their children.

Kate Spade Union Square

This is one of the latest Kate Spade collections, Union Square. I love the bright and cheery colours!

This is the Big Baby Stevie diaper bag. There is lots of space inside and 2 bottle compartments outside. There is even a changing mat provided!

And this small Stevie bag for Mommy! Love the fresh pink colour. I have quite a number of small bags but I think I need a bigger one to fit all my Stuffs...

New Manchesters

I went to the post Christmas sales and bought these classy sheets and quilt set. All 500 thread count of cotton sateen luxury. The salesman claimed that they were the very same ones used in certain 5 star hotels. I'm going to be so paranoid about stains and spills. But note the black colour just in case Bryan draws on them.

An Early Christmas

My darling hubbie bought me a gorgeous new wallet from Kate Spade for Christmas. Thank you! It even came in a box with a pretty little bow.


The wallet is actually brown in colour on the outside with pink on the inside and lined with brown polka dots. The photo doesn't really do it justice.

Kate Spade designs not only bags and shoes but lovely papers, wallets and clothes. There is even a range for the men, Jack Spade. Her designs are fresh and modern. She plays with bold colours and simple patterns. And it's not too pricey either. Perfect for a Christmas or birthday present.

I also love her simple diaper tote bags as well. But as it is, I already have quite a few diaper bags of my own. I do have my eye on a bag or two for next year's Christmas present. :)

Partridge Pear

There are many online companies these days that do baby announcement gifts. But I was attracted to this one because of the wide array of gifts, reasonable pricing and lovely design. Packages start from as low as $3.90 and includes a lovely customised baby announcement card. You can even customise the contents of the packages itself. It ranges from the traditional red eggs and red cakes to the more modern sweets, cookies, chocolates and even plushies. They also customise the packaging the individual items come in with baby's name. It's really very sweet.

My only gripe is the limited designs that the box comes in. But otherwise a worthwhile way to show off baby to friends and colleagues.

Partridge Pear

Scrapbooking Finds

I have been slowly stocking up on scrapbooking stuff to last me to the end of the year. Just in case I want to scrap stuff and have no time to go shopping.

So far, I've got some stuff for the baby, for Bryan and for Christmas. I'm currently working on an 8" X 8" album which I plan to finish before the baby arrives. Then there are 2 projects to work on while on maternity, there is a baby journal. And a large 12" X 12" album as well. I'm not sure how much time I'm going to have for myself after baby comes. But I'm crossing my fingers for at least a couple of hours a week. Other than the baby and Bryan, I have to not forget my darling hubbie and some gym time too.

These are a couple of online places to get scrapbooking stuff in Singapore. But personally I'd prefer to see the product in hand rather than buy it from photos.

Laines - They do have a store in Wheelock Place.
Scrapbook Cove
Scrapoholics
Made With Love - They don't sell stuff online though.

Doing the Karen Cheng

My favourite Aussie blogger has a group up on Facebook to post fun photos of ourselves in the mirror. I thought I'd give it a try even though I'm already 5 and a half months pregnant. And putting on weight and getting totally paranoid about the dreaded stretch-marks.

I'm still working full time so I have to look somewhat appropriate for work. I don't have very many maternity outfits and my belly is outgrowing all my looser, empire-line stuff. Coincidentally this June, is the Great Singapore Sale. And I managed to pick this lovely dress for only $20, at a nice local boutique for maternity and nursing clothes, 9 Mois. They don't have a large range of clothes but whatever they have is pretty trendy.

Lunchtime Reviews

Ever since starting this new job in a new clinic. I've had lots of time to have a leisurely lunch. I'm situated in the heart of Orchard Road, right next to Paragon where I have most of my lunches so far. I'm within walking distance of Tangs, Wisma Atria, Ngee Ann City, Heeren etc. I've had to increase my own budget for lunches to accomodate the steeper prices. But I find that the food is really quite good. Here are some review so far...

Thai Express - The curry is very good and they tend to be very crowded during lunch. The service is not too bad although waiters tend to be a bit busy. They don't have a lunch time special so all items are ala carte.

Soba So Good - A japanese restaurant that specialises in sobas (noodles). It's a bit pricier for their set lunch menus but the amount of food is quite a substancial portion. I had their tempura set lunch and it came with both rice and noodles. I don't usually eat japanese sobas but there is usually a small queue outside so I thought I should give it a try. The noodles are really good. And the service is good too.

Coffee Club - This cafe is a little bit harder to find because it's on the 3rd floor. They don't have a set lunch so I tried their Shepard's Pie. It was really good. It's generally not crowded during lunch too.

Bakerzin - I've heard good things about this cafe and it's all true. They don't really have a set lunch menu but there is a add on special where for a small price they give you a drink and dessert/soup. I had the chicken curry and I have to say it's excellent. The service is impeccable too. And it can get quite full during lunch. Definately go for the desserts which are really good.

Soup Spoon - It's in quite a few shopping centres now and it's good for a quick healthy meal. They serve soups and sandwiches. The soups are almost a meal in itself, very chunky and yummy. And one of the cheapest meals so far. It's free seating and can be quite crowded so it helps to have a friend to book a table.

Akashi - This seems like quite an authentic japanese restaurant and I was afraid of the prices at first but they have a set lunch which isn't very expensive at all. I haven't had a chance to try their sushi and sashimi set lunches yet but I will.

Spageddis - An italian restaurant. They do have set lunches which include the soup and drink. The food is so-so. But good for when I feel like pasta.

The Balcony (Heeren) - I took my clinic assistant out for lunch here one lunch and we had quite a delicious meal. They have set lunches for only $9.90. Including a drink. The food is western-eastern style. But quite good. It's open air and a refreshing change from the indoor cafes. I think it would be great at night for drinks. It's also a bar. It's quite empty during lunch so the service is quite prompt.

More to come when I try out others!

New Glasses

I was cleverly trying to straighten my old pair of glasses and used a bit too much force. The side snapped off. It got bent while I was sleeping with it on. Not a very good idea. Especially as my hubbie would say, I don't need my glasses to see in my dreams. But that pair is about 3 years old already.

So this is my new pair. I went for black this time. And I happened to chance on this frame which is by Ted Baker. It was the exact shape I wanted, the right size and in black. Perfect! Plus the optometrist offered a pretty good discount on it too.

Kate Spade

She makes these gorgeous bags....


lovely wallets, with pink inner lining...


even diaper bags with change mats...


and organisers.

Christmas Gifts

So it's the Christmas season and presents giving time! My darling hubbie bought me the Ipod touch. It's so slim. And I can sync it with my MacBook's calendar and address book. And I can surf the net and watch movies, look at photos... Oh yes and listen to mp3s too...

Then I bought my hubbie a gorgeous watch, which cost me most of my end of year bonus. Bryan also got a new bicycle from his grandparents, which he absolutely loves. He can't wait until after Christmas to start riding it. And ringing the bell on the bicycle.

Very Early Christmas Present

One of our close friends went to Hawaii and came back with a gorgeous Coach bag for me! At half the price that it's going for in Singapore. Isn't it gorgeous? Thanks so much! I don't really care if I don't get a Christmas present this year.

Closet Cleanout

I'm in the process of cleaning out my closet. A yearly affair. Clothes that I have not put on for the past year goes into the Salvation Army pile. There are lots of exceptions of course. But at least it makes me feel like I've done my closet spring cleaning.

So I've noticed that I've lots of white, black and sweet pink. I've dug up some bright colours that are so in season now which I haven't put on in a while. I realised that I wear dark colours quite well. Like cobalt blue, fushia, deep violet. Not orange and green though. Well, maybe only mint green. Then I notice that I don't have yellow at all. And I really like the light butter yellow colour.

During lunch the past couple of weeks, I've been trawling the stores nearby hoping to find something nice in yellow. And would you belive it, I can't find a decent piece. Not in my size anyway. Shops should really stock up more on XS, since it's the one size that seems to run out all the time.

The dress above is from Miss Selfridge. Nice.

I Want!

Probably the closest thing I'll ever get to the IPhone. 8mm thin. Multi-touch screen. 3.5inch display. Wi-fi web browsing. Watch movies. Show off photos. Of course listen to music. Syncs with my Apple Macbook. All in 120g. SG$698 for 16GB. SG$498 for 8GB. Available on Apple website.