SImple and Easy Paper Flower-Making Tutorial

Even though I am fond of flowers - sunflowers, to be exact - I am against paying exorbitant prices for flowers on special occasions.

When Mother's Day was around the corner, I was cracking my brain hard for some ideas to keep the staff at my workplace engaged and I also wanted all of them to receive some gift or momento. After being on Google for hours and exploring many supposedly-easy tutorials on flower-making, I finally found something that was really easy, and customised it along the way.

So if you're looking for something that is personalised and meaningful, this is for you:

What you need:

- Paper laced doilies (which you can get at any shop that sells baking supplies)

- A pair of scissors

- Some presentable tape

- A can of spray paint (optional: only if you require it in another colour)

Step 1: Cut a slit across the radius of the laced doily

Step 2: Using the spray can, give the laced sheet a slight smear of colour by spraying sparsely onto it.

Step 3:Make small, short cuttings at alternate trimmings. Note that these trimmings would form the leaves of the flowers, so keep it short as compared to the first cut across the radius in Step 1.

Step 4: Start folding the coloured side inwards from the cut that was done across the radius at Step 1.

Step 5: Make minor readjustments / rearrangements to the foldings. It should look like this from the top:

Step 6: Using a short piece of tape, secure the conical end of the flower.

Step 7: Fold the lace trimmings down to form the leaves of the paper flower.

AND VOILA, YOU'RE DONE!

Simple, isn't it? Start sharing the love! :)

For those living in Singapore, I bought the laced paper doilies from Phoon Huat. For a whole stash (probably 100 pieces?), it was only S$3.80 and it comes in various sizes! 

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Follow me on Instagram, Facebook and on Clozette for more exciting updates!

I'm very proud to be one of the few appointed bloggers - alongside gorgeous peeps like Tricia, Mabel and Cheesie - for SK-II, so join our eventful 14-day SK-II diaries here on Clozette.

Stay tuned for a SK-II giveaway as well - leave me a comment on your SK-II wish list, it might just be granted! ;)

Soft Rebonding @ Salon Vim, 313 Somerset

For those who have been following me through my journey with Salon Vim, you would know that I have done soft rebonding with Ymond last year (AND IT WAS AROUND THE SAME TIME, FREAKY MUCH?). You can read about it here!

My hair was in a horrible state after leaving it professionally unattended for 3 months. Well, not really. I tried my luck with a salon in Hong Kong for a hair cut but I hated it. So it kind of made my hair worse.

So once I was back in Singapore for good, I redyed my hair and did soft rebonding again! This time round, Ymond had something else to recommend.

Soft rebonding, using Japanese brand Arimino's Cosme Cream (read about it here if you understand Japanese)

Ymond said that the effect would be much more natural, and retain the shine and softness of the hair. He also recommended this for those who intend to do perming or other chemical treatments in the near future.

Do You Know: Why is it called rebonding? As we all know, hair is made up of a protein known as keratin, which is composed of long chains of amino acids. The strength of your hair depends on a special property unique to proteins like keratin, which are made up of a large number of sulfur-containing amino acids. 
Sulfur atoms bond together to form disulphide bonds. When people do want to change the shape of their hair — get rid of curls, make it wavy, make it straight — these disulphide bonds have to be - in layman's terms - changed / altered / reformed or chemically-speaking, rebonded.
- Adapted from http://thetartan.org/2009/11/9/scitech/howthingswork

The rebonding process was a quick one! I think it probably took at most 3.5 hours? 

I also got to do my favourite Redken cocktail treatment right after! Try it yourself, THEN you would understand what us bloggers meant when we say we swear by this Redken Cocktail Treatment. Your hair would turn out as soft as baby skin! Well, sort of - you get the drift! Since my hair was really in need of a resuscitation,  Ymond concocted something for my "dry, distressed & color-treated" hair to achieve extreme shining softness. I like-y.

Entertaining myself with catalogs, magazines and hey, beautiful hair! This is L'Oreal's Spring/Summer 2013 Lookbook. LOVE THESE SPUNKY SHORT-DOS! Who said short hair is boring? ;)

I was also given Redken's All Soft shampoo and conditioner to use, which I absolutely love. Prior to this, I had already been a fan of their All Soft Velvet Whip thermal softening treatment which has been discontinued so I was really happy to receive this pair of goodies.

Ta-dah! Me with my new hairdo and my favourite stylist!

Days after my soft rebonding

Loving the tameness and shine of my dyed, rebonded hair. I really like the highlights that Ymond added! 

Been also using this new Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence for protection against UV-A (SPF 50+) and UV-B (PA+++). One of the best UV protection, and I love the lightweight (almost non-existent) texture! It is a water-based formula with moisturising ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid and Citrus extract and is available at all leading pharmacies at $18.90.

Sadly, this will be my last post as a sponsored blogger of Salon Vim. 

Nonetheless, I am very thankful to be given the opportunity to work with Salon Vim and those had been the some of the best times my hair has ever had! Like what I've shared with John and Gary, I will still continue to visit Salon Vim as a paying customer because Ymond has been such a dedicated and patient hairstylist all these while! My time in Hong Kong was a very good validating experience that I had been in very good hands at Salon Vim.

I believe you still can quote my blog for 10% off, if not, feel free to quote my fellow ever-so-loveable crazy girlies Evonne, Yina, or Tricia whenever you make a trip down to Salon Vim to get 10% off all hair services from now on!

Crabtree & Evelyn's All-new Somerset Meadow collection - event launch

Somerset Meadow®

Of all England's natural beauties, the meadows and rich grasslands of Somerset, sanctuaries of wild loveliness, have long been revered. Across the rolling hills and sweeping flat expanses, flora and fauna exist in a haven of harmony. With a mood that's part serene and a touch surreal, Somerset Meadow captures this idyllic landscape in a fresh, bright and joyful scent with a whimsical and romantic edge.

Wow, it has been some time I last attended an event as a blogger! This time round, I went down to Crabtree & Evelyn at Vivocity for the launch of their new collection, The Somerset Meadow®! You know what? I always remember Crabtree & Evelyn as the body care shop that smells darn good, but I never got a proper chance to check out their stuff. So I was quite psyched to get to know Crabtree & Evelyn in depth.

Their full range of body care products

Some of you who have me on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook may have read this, but I really find the new scent sophisticated and invigorating - mainly due to a subtle layer of citrus (Bergamot) that is blended with multiple layers of flora. It is a perfect perk-me-up blend of fruity and floral notes. If you're often in for long days at work, you got to have a bottle of this range at your desk (body lotion, roll-on perfume - anything!).

For those who are into the scent layers (like me!), here you go:

Top Notes - Bergamot, Morning Dew, English Ivy, Blackberry Bud

Heart (Middle) Notes - Fern, Geranium, Water Lily, White Blossom

Base Notes - Silver Birch, White Musk, Moss

From now till 19 May, shoppers enjoy specials Gifts with Purchases with minimum nett spending:

• With every $120 nett spent in a single receipt, receive a Limited Edition Somerset Meadow Umbrella.
• With every $150 nett spent in a single receipt, receive a 1-for-1 lunch buffet offer at Marriott Café, Singapore Marriott Hotel. 

* Offer is limited to one per customer, while stocks last. The 1-for-1 lunch buffet voucher is valid for Mondays through Saturdays.

* Terms and conditions apply.

Bet most of you don't know that Crabtree & Evelyn also sells food!!!

Their cookies were available as finger food during the event, and they really look and taste good.

Hurray to new gifting ideas!

Koped from Peggy's Facebook -  that girl is still as gorgeous as ever! 

Also koped from Peggy's Facebook - other beauty bloggers at the event! Miss hanging out with the crazy girls.

Crabtree & Evelyn is available across the island at 11 different locations:

The Star Vista #01-03

10.00am – 10.00pm

( 65 ) 66943405

   

Marina Bay Sands #B2-16A

Sun – Thurs: 10.00am – 10.30pm

Fri & Sat: 10.00am – 11.00pm

( 65 ) 66887968

   

Bugis Junction #01-14 

10.30am – 9.30pm  

( 65 ) 6336 4719

   

The Centrepoint #01-12A 

10.30am – 9.30pm

( 65 ) 6884 5661

   

VivoCity #01-09 

10.00am – 10.00pm

( 65 ) 6270 6887

   

Ngee Ann City #B1-13

10.30am – 9.30pm

( 65 ) 6238 1332

   

Paragon #B1-26

10.00am – 9.30pm

( 65 ) 6235 7697

   

Raffles City Shopping Centre #B1-29

10.00am – 9.30pm

( 65 ) 6337 2474

   

Suntec City Mall #01-129

11.00am – 9.00pm

( 65 ) 6238 6457

   

Tampines Mall #01-31A

10.30am – 9.30pm

( 65 ) 6786 4127

   

Parkway Parade #01-07

10.30am – 9.30pm

( 65 ) 6342 0712

Funniest made-in-drunken-stupor joke ever!

Watch this and try not to LOL:


"Two Chips" / An Animated Short from Adam Patch on Vimeo.

First spotted on Gawker.com

Totally made my day.

Getting jabbed for HPV vaccination - protection against cervical cancer

I've all along wanted to get the HPV vaccination but had been procrastinating for the longest time ever.
One day, as I was running household-related errands in my neighbourhood, I checked the prices for the vaccination and decided to get the first dosage on the spot. Random much, eh?

Cos all women-related health campaigns must feature a beautiful, empowered influencer, haha!

For those who are interested, here's why I chose to be vaccinated:

Cervix cancer is the 7th most common female cancer in Singapore. About 200 cases are diagnosed every year (from Singhealth). Some sub-types of HPV (Human Papilloma Virus, a virus that can infect many parts of the body) cause genital warts which can be treated. Some sub-types are of high-risk and they may cause cancer - cervical cancer, in the case for women. The HPV vaccination helps reduce the chances of getting cervical cancer. It works by preventing infection with specific types of HPV targeted by the vaccines (from Health Promotion Board).

People worry over eating and exercising habits to prevent the onset of several diseases, which include cancer. Since this form of cancer has a proven vaccine that can reduce the chances, why not? After all, you eat healthily and exercise regularly to reduce the chances of being diagnosed with illnesses, right?

Besides, the HPV is transmitted through genital skin to skin contact so it can affect any woman, regardless of her age or lifestyle.

In Singapore, only 2 types of vaccinations are currently commercially available:

	Gardasil	Cervarix
Protect against the following HPV sub-types	6, 11, 16, 18	16, 18
Vaccination schedule	0,2 and 6 months	0,1 and 6 months, or as advised by your doctor.
Approved indications	Prevention of cervical cancer, vulvar cancer, vaginal cancer and genital warts	Prevention of cervical cancer
Approved age for use	Girls and women aged 9 to 26 years, or advised by your doctor.	Girls and women aged 10 to 25 years, or advised by your doctor.

(Table taken from Health Promotion Board)

Misconceptions clarified

I did a walk-in at Healthway Medical at Clementi Central. Initially, I wanted to go for Gardasil since it appears as though the coverage is more comprehensive. Besides, the cost of each vaccine was the same - it was on promotion - a package price of $340 (w/o GST) for 3 dosages. That's $363.80 (w/ GST).
The doctor then advised that he would recommend Cervarix even though Gardasil has additional coverage to prevent genital warts, because Cervarix has protection against more cancerous strains of HPV.

Simply put, Gardasil's coverage is more comprehensive width-wise; Cervarix's coverage is more comprehensive depth-wise. I chose Cervarix eventually, since my ultimate purpose of getting this vaccination is to prevent cancer as cancer treatments would be very costly.

Prior to the consultation, I thought that the vaccine was also only effective on women aged 26 or 27 and below because of all the publicity and stuff about the recommended age group. The doctor then clarified that it was because medical studies have only researched on this particular age group and had proven to be highly effective for this group; that does not mean that it would not be as highly effective for those aged above 27. The vaccine is suitable for all age groups.

Complimentary vaccine - well, somewhat

Having that said, because there WERE studies to prove the high efficacy of this vaccine for this age group, the government then encouraged women aged below 27 to have this vaccination done by making it affordable - payment of this vaccine can be made with Medisave.

I was also pleasantly surprised that I did not have to fork out anything for the vaccine as the withdrawal limit was increased from $300 to $400 under Medisave400 (because I read dated articles online and it was still Medisave300 then...)!

For Outpatient Treatment

Approved Vaccinations: 1) Pneumococcal vaccinations for children under the age of 5 years (for vaccinations received on or after 1 Nov 2009); Pneumococcal vaccinations for children under the age of 6 years (for vaccinations received on or after 1 Jan 2012) 2) Hepatitis B vaccination (for vaccinations received on or after 1 Nov 2009) 3) HPV vaccinations for females aged 9 to 26 years (for vaccinations received on or after 1 Nov 2010)

S$400 per year per account on or after 1 Jan 2012

(Table taken from Ministry of Health)

Just an advice - jab the other arm

This is something that your doctor might not remember to tell you. Choose to have the jab on the arm that you use less often - my right arm ached for 3 days! It is not painful though. It just felt like I had a bruise for days. Thankfully, I use my left arm for most tasks which include eating and writing.

FYI: My next dosages are due in 1 month's and 6 months' time!


Hope these help!

www.MySpiritInc.com - Online Shopping

MySpiritInc.com is back with more designs to choose from! Love the pieces that I received from them previously (read it here) - good quality (i.e. won't go beyond recognition after washing). I especially love the booties.

Hastily put together some simple styles (and my favourite pieces) to mix and match the wide variety of apparel and accessories they have - shop away at www.myspiritinc.com!

Quirky, interesting pieces, don't you think?

Stay tuned to My Spirit Inc's Facebook Page - 'like' it to receive prompt updates!

Your travel guide to Hong Kong - what to do, eat, and visit

So if you follow me on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook, you would know that I had been working in Hong Kong for the past 3 months. Every weekend was a challenge (to discover new stuff) since I have visited Hong Kong thrice in the last 3 years? If it wasn't for work, I would not be back in Hong Kong that soon!

Ok, so I've come up with my list of recommendations for all aspects - sightseeing, dining, and shopping! These should be good for a Free & Easy 4D3N trip.

Credits to Hong Kong Travel 

Map of Hong Kong's main modes of transport. Will be using these stops as references in my blog entry.

SIGHT-SEEING

View of Hong Kong Island's coastline from Harbour City, a gigantic shopping mall located at the end of Avenue of Stars @ Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong

If you're heading to Hong Kong for leisure, there are some sightseeing places that you shouldn't miss: Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, Victoria Peak (there are combo ticket options available for these 2 attractions as they are of close proximity), Avenue of Stars and Symphony of Lights show at Victoria Harbour (along the same stretch in Tsim Sha Tsui - no ticket purchase required), the Mid-levels escalators which form the longest stretch of escalators in the world at the outskirts of Central on Hong Kong Island.
Nearest MTR stop for the Wax Museum + Victoria Peak: Central station
Nearest MTR stop for the Avenue of Stars / Symphony of Lights show: East Tsim Sha Tsui station (which is connected to Tsim Sha Tsui station via an underground walkway with travelators)

Bet you've never seen the Giant Buddha's back before! HA HA HA.

I've also been to Ngong Ping on Lantau Island to visit the Tian Tan Buddha ("once the world's largest seated outdoor bronze Buddha statue", according to Wikipedia) and the Wisdom Path by taking the cable car from Tung Chung to Ngong Ping, and a bus back to Tung Chung from Ngong Ping. If you have patience, do take a 15-minute walk from the foot of the Buddha statue to check out the Wisdom Path and immerse in its tranquility. After all, not many tourists venture beyond the Buddha for this.

Wisdom Path traces a series of 38 wooden steles (upright monuments) containing verses from the centuries-old Heart Sutra; one of the world’s best-known prayers revered by Confucians, Buddhists and Taoists alike. These steles display the Chinese version of the prayer, based on the calligraphy of famous contemporary scholar Professor Jao Tsung-I, and are arranged in a ∞ pattern, which represents infinity. - Extracted from Discover Hong Kong

 I spent 2 hours on Ngong Ping before heading back to Tung Chung for its outlet shopping at CityGate Shopping. Don't have your hopes too high on the outlet shopping here at Citygate. Although I have never been to the outlets in the States, I am pretty sure it's just a small fraction of the thrill / fun you get from outlet shopping in the States. I went home empty-handed.

Nearest MTR stop for Ngong Ping / Citygate Shopping: Tung Chung station

DINING (DESSERTS, FOOD, SNACKS ETC.)

For all foodies, make sure you utilise www.openrice.com as it is The Site to use to discover awesome food and desserts in Hong Kong and Macau. 

I am sure you would have heard about Tim Ho Wan - The Dim Sum Specialists (添好運點心專門店), which have pride themselves as the cheapest Michelin-star eatery in the world. I have been to the one at Mong Kok, which have since been relocated. Do click on this direct link on Openrice.com for the various locations. The not-to-be-missed dish is their Barbeque Pork buns. I also enjoyed their Turnip Cake. If you are determined to try this eatery out, I officially warn you of its long queues and waiting time. Once. Twice. Thrice. Ok, that should be sufficient.

Nearest MTR station: Various. Check the above-mentioned openrice.com link for exact addresses

Another place to check out is Lan Fong Yuen (蘭芳園) which also is highly-rated on Openrice.com and has many locations. I would say that the food here is average. What I enjoy here is catching up good and old friends over typical Hong Kong heartland food with old-school decor. I have been to the one at Sheung Wan (as I was waiting for my ferry ride to Macau) and the one in Chungking Mansion along Nathan Road - the one along Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui definitely has more old-school vibes to it.

Nearest MTR station: Tsim Sha Tsui station for the Nathan Road outlet

Cke Building, where you can find Lan Fong Yuen at Nathan Road

The other reason why I recommended the Nathan Road outlet for Lan Fong Yuen is Jenny Bakery. Just two doors down, to be specific!

Super awesome and affordable tin biscuits ever, except that the queues are never-ending. Sometimes the cookies sell out in half a day. I've also heard that people have queued 2 hours to make their purchases! So, queue early - and bring that trolley luggage if you need to. As how the PRCs do it.

Nearest MTR station: Tsim Sha Tsui station

For desserts, my recommendation is Happy Together (甜蜜蜜甜品專門店) along Hau Fook Street at Tsim Sha Tsui. In fact, there are many dessert shops along Hau Fook Street that my friend-colleague and I have been calling it the Dessert Street. Anyway, back to Happy Together. There are only 3 items on the menu that have been impressive - the rest are far away at the other end of the spectrum, if you get what I mean. The 3 not-to-be-missed items are (in order of ranking): The swirly Cheese & Chocolate tower dish (totally forgot what is its name but there are images on the menu), the warm chocolate lava cake with ice-cream, and the Mango Spring Roll (give this a miss if your stomach only has room for 2).

Nearest MTR station: Tsim Sha Tsui station

SHOPPING

For fashionistas that are perpetually in a recession, you will find your haven at Argyle Centre, Mongkok. The locals know it as 'Mong Kok Centre / Wang Jiao Zhong Xin'. Of course it is not as cheap as clothes in MBK and JJ Market in Bangkok, but it is the Hong Kong equivalent. As I was there through winter, they do have many UGG-like boots and booties, and also many ViVi magazine-inspired winter coats and stuff. So far, it has been the cheapest place I've been for accessories (necklaces, earrings, hats, scarves), apparel and footwear. However, the quality is not fantastic, so have realistic expectations of your buys.
Nearest MTR station: Mongkok station

Fret not for the testosterone-driven, there is also a whole shopping mall (though not as massive as Argyle Centre) dedicated to mens' fast fashion. Chic Shopping Mall sold many presentable jackets and coats during my time there, apart from some Korean-inspired street wear. Once again, have realistic expectations of your buys since the prices (and mind you, mens' wear is never cheap to begin with, poor guys) are a fraction of what you usually pay.
Nearest MTR station: Mongkok station

For the hardcore: The wholesale sites are located at Lai Chi Kok and Sham Shui Po. I have yet to visit these 2 places myself, but I was advised not to visit on the weekends as most shops would be closed. 

Nearest MTR station: Lai Chi Kok station and Sham Shui Po station

For beauty addicts that hail from Singapore (like myself), the whole of Hong Kong is a haven by itself already - with all the tax-free shopping. It is the perfect time to top up your supplies on luxury brands like Lancome, Kielh's, SK-II, La Mer and also brands like Jill Stuart Cosmetics and SOFINA that you cannot find in Singapore.
Nearest MTR station: Mongkok station (for Jill Stuart Cosmetics and SOFINA - last spotted at the beauty hall in Langham Place)

For beauty recessionistas, you might want to familiarise yourself with this signboard, "Lung Shing Dispensary". I don't know how or where they got their goods from, but they sell them at a fraction of the prices you can find in Hong Kong (or for my case, even a fraction of Singapore's prices). Refer to the images above for what I've got from my last visit.
Nearest MTR station: Tsim Sha Tsui station

If you have more time to spare, do spend at least a full day at Causeway Bay as there are MANY fashion malls in the area. Just be adventurous and follow the crowd.
Nearest MTR station: Causeway Bay station


Hope these help!