Last Day of Mosaic!

I previously blogged that Phunkmob was one of the best gigs I've been to this year...and guess what? I have another one to add to the best gigs list of 2009!!!

The band is none other than.........

THE CONDORS from Japan!!!!



Action packed and entertaining from the first beat of the drum to their last footstep off the stage, I found myself alternating between laughing at the guys' antics and being in awe of their technical prowess.

And the best best thing?? It was free!

(photos by Dennis Kee)

Soap's favourite was the comic fat guy on the left!

My favourite Condor.

So we were relaxing at Harry's after the gig and who walks past but comic fat guy from The Condors!!!

And of course the rest of the guys follow, sweaty and half naked and I of course take a photo with them. But they were surprisingly shy, one of them insisting on covering his front before taking the photo. LOL.

This week, I am going to

write uplifting notes on a post-it and put them up in any public place!

examples of quotes might be:

"Give to every human being every right that you claim for yourself"

"I just realized that there's going to be a lot of painful times in life, so I better learn to deal with it the right way."

"What worries you masters you"

"Victory belongs to the most pesevering" - Napoleon Bonaparte


And since we are on the topic of post-its, I couldn't resist these ones from knockknock. They are just too cute!




I'm also considering these notepads.

Now I can list out all those blogshop urls in one place!

For those who are too shy to open their mouths...

When you've had enough of someone.

Chase those Monday Blues Away...

Gals, don't get too angry...take this with a pinch of salt. I personally think this is hilarious!

Happy Valentines Day!

(via design*sponge)

To all my friends, family and anybody who chances upon this little blog,

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!

This is the day to comemorate the love you have for each other, be it between lovers, family or friends.

What did you do today? We did nothing special. :) Yup, nothing special. We woke up early to have Mac breakfast, did some window shopping and then watched Valkyrie. I think its rather cool to watch a movie in the early part of the day. Its actually my favourite part of the day to watch a movie.

And then we headed home to watch the Deadliest Catch - a documentary on fisherman fishing for Alaskan crabs. It apparently is a rather lucrative, if not dangerous occupation. They can expect to get up to a few thousand dollars for just a few days at sea.

We ate delivered pastamania with Soap's brother. Very yummy. I love the fact that everything is still hot. Hot. Not warm. Even the pizza was delicious!

And later, at 12.30am is another movie showing at our very own movie theater at Soap's. Hehe. We're gonna watch Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire!

Nothing special right? But the important thing is we spent the whole day together. To me, everyday can be Valentine's day, as long as we cherish each other and let each day that passes be meaningful. I'd take blissfulness over chocs and roses any day.

Was supposed to bring RnB out today to meet with Liz at East Coast, but we couldn't find their leash and the other doggie bag! Sorry Liz! You'll meet them soon!!

I have decided to update my other blogs @ the Chic Suite. I really should continue what I started! I also will have to revamp the blog template, but thats for another day. First things first!

Here are the links. I would be so very pleased if you could make a trip to the Suite and tell me if you like them.

The Saloon - everything fashion
Lava Lounge - happenings and events
The Boudoir - everything on beauty

tights anyone?

Tights are one of the longest lasting trends. It has survived through the past two years in the minds of the fickle fashion people - a miracle indeed.

I do not regularly wear tights. However, on occasion, I do feel that tights are a godsend for those too-opaque dresses or dresses that look like tunics instead. When I feel like wearing something like that, my black tights are my very best friend at that moment.

Recently, okay maybe not so recently, there has been a color explosion in the world of tights that has taken the world by storm and only recently hit the shores of Singapore. You don't see that many people wearing odd colored tights - read: not too many fashion forward girls here AND the fact that most are still stuck wearing tunics with shorts underneath, wide belts around their waist and gladiator sandals on their feet.

I still have a pair of maroon colored tights that I wore in Melbourne a year ago. Today I saw a lady wearing peacock green tights that would have looked weird, but didn't. I liked it actually.

Better than the colored tights are the ones from Bebaroque I saw off KOS. I'd wear their tights any day, if it weren't for the price. Priced at a range of £22.95 - £45.95, you'd see why. I'm still tempted to get Dorothy/Sphinx or Cleopatra though.

Dorothy - £29.95

Cleopatra (gold) - £30.00

Cleopatra (pink) - £22.95


Viperluxx (left) - £69.95

Viper (right) - £29.95

Sphinx - £39.95

Seriously considering...

Really.

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Soap's gonna kill me.

I love Cozycot!!

I went to pick up my Fukubukuro bag from Cozycot today. Was filled with excitement over what could be in the bag and yayness!!


There's

- ZA's foundation (with refill!)
- ZA's duo eyeshadow in blue and light blue
- ZA's Dewy Effect Emulsion
- ZA's Dewy Effect Lotion
- 3 eyeshadow singles from IPSA
- IPSA Essence Lip Gloss
- Laniege Snow Radiant Eyes in Sweet Match
- Laniege Easy Drawing Concealer
- Stila Plumping Lip Glaze in Citrus Mint
- Sunsilk Conditioner
- Avalon Aloe Multiple Detox Capsules
- various beauty vouchers which I'm sure I won't use

Just in time for I was about to go out and buy myself more eyeshadows to use as eye liners!!!

Buy of the week...

This week I splurged. I guess I'm too stressed over the recording and also the fact that I've had no social life whatsoever since preparations for the recording began.

I had this idea to buy a pair of heels. So I walked into Charles and Keith, and walked out with two pairs of footwear - one casual (the grey sandals that I already have in case the other spoils) and one brown pair of leather wedges, AND two bags (same design - one in classic black and the other in caramel brown). I just love the design of the bag, especially its matte gold hardware!

This week's buy of the week is a tie. I can't choose between the caramel brown Charles and Keith handbag


and this absolutely flattering black dress with ruffles down the front at only $28 (with postage included) from polkadotpigs which arrived today! It not only fits, its flattering and functional!!!



Believe it or not, I could have bought this exact same dress in Bangkok for only $11, if not for my stubborness on insisting the seller give me a discount! I don't know why I never learn~

This weekend I...

spent my whole Friday till Sunday at The Republic Polytechnic's Cultural Centre for the recording of the Gamma:rays debut album! I don't actually feel too excited now. I'm typing this at back of house while recording of the sarons for my song is going on and I'm so tired. My head feels heavy and I had a run-in with one of the musicians who wanted to leave early from today's recording.

I don't know if I made the right decision to allow Anson to come for recording and leave for his performance. In the first place, maybe I shouldn't have allowed him to do the recordings. In that way, Ding Hsiang wouldn't have been able to make any comparisons. I guess its a lesson for me.

I missed the gathering at Xin's house today. I wish I could have gone. Its been a long while since I had a social life what with all the rehearsals. I'm not complaining. I don't mind making the sacrifices for my music.

But what bugs me is why I always have to make the sacrifices and some people don't even bother to make any sacrifices or even try. I mean face it. You aren't the only one with important things to do!

Okay so thats my rant.

Whats yours? Or better still, tell me what you did for the weekend! Must be great! Its coming close to the end of the Chinese New Year's 15 celebratory days so you guys must be meeting up with family and friends quite a lot!

Gucci Tattoo Hearts Collection

Gucci has launched a Tattoo Heart Handbag collection in collaboration with UNICEF to help raise funds for the charity organization. I'm sure you have seen advertisements of Rihanna posed like an acrobat on a ring and carrying white shoulder bags with a tattoo emblem on the front. Nothing new right? So here's the obligatory picture of one of the handbags in the collection (which doubtless you would have seen on countless blogs already).




Okay, so you might already have guessed that THAT BAG is not the purpose of this post. Clever you!

People who know me know that I have never had an itching to carry designer bags - except for maybe during the growing-up phase where I carried my cousin's Sonia Rykiel bag around (big those days), lost it and got a good scolding for that!

Well, those days are well over, and since then, I've not touched, nor so much as looked and lusted after a designer, until today. The killer was the hearts bag launched in Gucci's Cruise 2009 campaign. I'm lost.

Buy of the week

I must say my best buy this week has to be the Oxymask. A best-seller in Taiwan, the product was featured on a Taiwanese womens' programme (女人我最大).



With some time to spare before I met pianist Shane Thio, I walked into SaSa at Lot One. As usual, my weakness for shopping and beautifully wrapped packages had me handing over some cash to the cashier. In this instance, I bought the OxyMask. I wasn't too keen to spend $98.80 on a 50ml bottle. I was going like "Are you crazy?! Its almost a $100!!!" But then I was thinking what if it really was a fabulous product???

So I bought 3 5ml bottles for $29.90.

I was quite sad at first! I'd already promised myself to save money, you know with the recession and all, but alas, my hands and my head didn't seem to be connected then, and my hands took out my wallet, opened it and took out the money! In my heart I was still thinking to buy or not to buy!

BUT!

I just used the mask and I don't regret the purchase anymore! Why such an about face, you might ask?

Because...

IT IS TOTALLY BRILLIANTLY FANTASTICALLY GLORIOUS!!!! OMG!!!!!!

It immediately brightened my skin and smoothened it! Like IMMEDIATELY can!!!!???

The bubbling on the skin's surface takes some getting used to but after a while, it is kinda soothing.

It is recommended to immediately use any skin product beneficial to the skin (e.g. moisturizer or serum) after rinsing off the mask, as absorption is said to be maximized after application of the mask! I used my promegranate serum from Borba. And I can't stop touching my face!!!

***the next morning when I woke up, my face was as smooth as a baby's ass. I'm not kidding. Only my nose was a tad oily. Miracle!!

Today is the day...

Today is the day I went to JB again. I'm telling you, its fast becoming the place to go for me, mainly because things there are cheaper, and I only need less than an hour to cross the border.

Well, today took slightly longer because I went there during peak hour. Its very crazy at the bus interchange. Queues snake anywhere, and you're not sure if you are queuing in the right lane. And some people purposely don't ask, and sneakily form another lane next to yours so that when the bus comes, suddenly there are three lines converging towards the bus. Its damn irritating!
You know me, I won't give way, until Soap pulled me away to avoid being crushed by those people. Whats the rush honestly? Its not like the wait for the next bus is another hour!!! I shall make a point never to go during peak hour again.

Watched Underworld 3 today at City Square. The movie's fast-moving with alot of action, but I strongly suggest you watch the first two movies first to avoid getting a little confused. I kept asking Soap questions like "who's Sonja?", "who's Lucian?", "were they in the first movie?" - okay okay, I know. very irritating. But i can't help it. My memory short circuits when it comes to remembering movies. LOL.

I went shopping too!

Bought a pair of bling gunmetal silvery flats at only 39.90RM (SGD16.90), new lingerie at Minoshe and of course, I couldn't resist going to Etude House again, where I FINALLY bought the Tear Drop Lash I've been trying so hard to find. I also got the Magic Crystal Mousse Peel (the sales girl said this is better for application than the pack). Can't wait to try it!!!

And of course, I got to eat the very delicious chicken curry complete with warm bread from the oven! Yummy!

I can't wait for my next trip to City Square. Bride Wars here i come!!!!

Retail Therapy Part One

Perfect for my new year's resolution! I found the awesom-est pair of sneakers INSTYLE online:
Cellulite “melting” treatments at a doctor’s office will cost you more than $1,000 (sans long-term guarantee). MBT sneakers have a curved platform sole that forces you to use your hamstrings more effectively—fans swear they make a difference and reduce visible dimples, and the price is way more reasonable than visits to the doctor's office!

Price: USD159


I love the soles on these brand new colorful kicks from New Balance. Reminds me of watermelon bubble gum! Each pair comes with a coordinating collector’s box! New Balance is so cool now!

Price: USD55

Buy at too2late.com
Fashionistas in Italy (where these watches are hugely popular) have been seen wearing two or three of these watches stacked on their wrists. 15 colour choices and the low price of $30 sure doesn't hurt!

Cindy, I think you'll like these watches :D

?

I just had to post this for compelling reasons.

Etude House!!!

I went to City Square at Johor Bahru yesterday and the new Etude House store was open!!! I stepped in and spent half an hour trying to find the Tear Drop Lash (because I stupidly forgot its name!). I tried and tried to explain to the salesgirl first in Chinese, then in English but she didn't know what that was.

But! I didn't go home empty handed! I bought a compact BB cream powder (smells nice!!)
as well as something called MILK SCREW. Sounds a little wrong! heh. Its actually a lipbalm/gloss that gives a subtle hint of colour to the lips. I tried it on at the Cozycot Flea today. I couldn't really see what colour it gave my lips, but my lips felt sufficiently moisturized. It didn't last long though. It comes off everytime you drink some water.

And I still want this!
And this!


A new product from the Etude House's Magic Crystal range - Magic Crystal Pack Peel
So I guess another trip to JB is in order!

Oh and please indulge me as I wax lyrical about the wonders of the delicious, tasty chicken curry at this little Taiwan (Hongkong?) food stall in City Square. The curry is not too spicy and has just the right amount of coconut. You must be thinking I'm crazy to travel all the way to JB to eat chicken curry whenn I can get it in Singapore. But get this! The curry comes with toasted french loaf slices. TOASTED! As in crispy crust and warm, light and fluffy dough! It is simply WONDERFULLY SCRUMPTIOUS with the curry.

And the best best best thing has to be its price! A set meal consisting of chicken curry, 3 slices of toasted french loaf and a choice of hot/cold coffee or tea costs only RM7!! Which comes up to less than SGD3! Whats more, you can top up the curry free of charge! And should you want another slice of that incredible french loaf, it will only set you back by RM0.50 per slice. GO TRY IT!

You know you want to!

Wow. They should pay me to advertise for them.

This is two in a row...

I can't believe that I'm so freaking jumping mad two days in a row! I feel like I'm getting high blood pressure already!

Can't we have a normal, decent, uncomplicated conversation? They say in a conversation, you not only talk, you LISTEN. But hey, YOU'RE NOT LISTENING TO WHAT I SAY before you interrupt and jump in with your rebuttal and excuses. HELLO!!!! There's such a thing as taking turns alright. You ask a question, and I answer. IF I HAVEN'T FINISHED ANSWERING, BLOODY SHUT UP!!

It was YOUR choice to take up the gig in the first place, without consulting others. OKAY, so you consulted me, but what's the point? You'd already made up your mind to take the gig. SO MAKE THAT YOUR PROBLEM, NOT OURS!!!

ARGH!!!!! I'm so angry lah! How am I going to continue working with you!!!!! TELL ME!!!!!

Farewell Now Playing

After almost two years (or more?), Now Playing is disbanding (?) for reasons that to me are the wrong reasons. I won't apologize for having higher standards. Neither will I apologize for only choosing to sing songs that are non-mainstream (which IMO, only the music from TJ/Ringo and a few other bands are). I won't apologize for turning down non TJ/Ringo songs not because I only like TJ but because we can't do it well. I won't apologize for only choosing TJ/Ringo songs because hey, you couldn't and wouldn't try out the songs from the other bands I chose because "we think its too difficult". For the record, we didn't only do TJ songs this time around.

And lastly, I won't appologize for getting angry if a) you didn't practice b) you were fooling around c) you couldn't keep time d) I hurt your ego. I always thought being ready and prepared was a pre-requisite before coming for jamming, but I guess I was wrong.

WTH. We are all adults here. So say it to my face like I always do to you guys, instead of having to concoct and engineer some sort of situation so that you make it look like I am not being kicked out of the band but that we're disbanding instead. What? Is this a children's game?

The only reason why you don't say it to my face is because you know I'm right. You want to go another direction? Fine by me. I won't kick up a fuss. Finding new directions are always good and help keep the music from going stale.

But if you wanna go behind my back and say the reason for throwing me out is because I only choose to do songs from TJ, then you're so wrong. Don't be afraid to say that you didn't wanna do those songs I sent to your emails because they were too tough. THAT is the real reason why we're doing mostly TJ/Ringo songs. NOT because I'm too strait-laced to try out other stuff.

I feel disappointed, but what's new. I feel betrayed. Then again, what's new.

Its being fun while it lasted, Now Playing. Time to press the stop button.

BB Cream!!

My new beauty must-have (other than eyelash extensions) is....*drum roll*....BB cream!!! I just bought a tube of BB cream from Korean brand Etude House when I was in Bangkok. This is the Etude House's Korean's site which IMO is cuter!!

I also bought the Aqua Ice Sherbet spray for the face. It is supposed to tone up your cheeks and jawline. Haven't really used it so I'll save that review for later. BB cream is more important!!!


For those who don't know what BB cream is - its a cream that is a foundation, concealer, sunblock and moisturizer rolled into one creamy latte dollop of BB cream! Yes! Its magical, its a miracle!!! The best thing is, the cream will follow your skin tone, so no matter whether you're fair, or tanned, the cream will always suit your skin colour! No more buying new face powders whenever I spent too much time in the sun or whenever my tan faded. Trust me, it is damn irritating!


So anyway, back to BB cream. They don't have it in Singapore!!!! Grrr...the nearest is in KL or in JB at some Aeon Bukit Indah place. I don't know where the hell it is!! So near yet so far. I'm damn sad. :(......

because, there's another item I would really really love to purchase. And that is...Etude House's Tear Drop Lash!! Apparently, every touch of tear drop on eyelash tips creates a transparent gel layer on your eyelashes that sparkles everytime you blink!




How to use: Apply tear drop to eyelash tips after mascara has completely dried. Turn dial 5-10 times to dispense contents. So nice!!!

I so want it!!! Now, I only just have to figure out how to get to that Bukit Indah store in JB or go to KL!!

*NEWSFLASH* I just came back from JB and guess what!!!!!!!!!! There's an Etude House store opening at City Square! When I saw that familiar logo pasted on the doors of the still-renovating store, I went into exhilirated overdrive. Reverently touching the boarded doors of the shop, I almost kissed it! Soap was laughing at me all the while and I got quite a few wierd looks. But I don't care!!
Prayers answered!!! I do NOT have to go to KL after all! Thank you thank you thank you!

Happy New Year!!!

I know, I know. I'm late by eight days. But all the same, the new year is still new! So what are your new year resolutions for the year of 2009?

Mine are:
- to spend more time with my friends and cultivate our friendships
- to spend more time with my family
- i want to lose weight!!!!
- take up more music courses. I need to upgrade and learn other types of instruments!
- to raise more awareness for my babies, Suite Stuff and The Headbangers Brigade
- to have MORE TIME for SELF. yep. I need to continuously rethink my priorities and the direction my life is going.

Actually there are more, but these are the main resolutions that I really want to focus on this year.

Anyways, I just returned from Bangkok last night. And because of two really damn cool necklaces that came in the form of a hand grenade lighter and a pistol lighter, I was detained at customs for 45 mins. The policemen who were to interrogate me, took 15 mins to come to the immigrations counter. I mean, how huge is the airport!!! And then when the policeman came, he seemed flustered, didn't know what to do, stuttered all the time so much so that I couldn't make out what he was asking me and he dropped his walkie-talkie. Okay, so maybe I looked damn pissed. But you would too! They kept asking me how much the necklaces cost. I'm like, so are you going to reimburse me. They said no. Then ask for what!

The best thing? They kept asking me how to spell chatuchak market like 6 times. Three different people asked me the same freaking question. Don't they talk to each other?!?! In a bid to appease me, one woman started asking me how the situation was in Bangkok. I don't want to small-talk with you! I want to eat my dinner. I don't want to answer questions about possible protests, discuss with you whether its safe to go to Bangkok. I don't want to laugh and giggle with you about how good chatuchak market is for shopping.

OMGGGGG....so stupid. Just take the necklaces and let me leave! Waste of time, manpower and energy. Luckily I had Popeyes to calm me down. Mmmmm....yummy Popeyes. The biscuit tasted especially nice that meal.

Photos and videos up soon!

To Bangkok to Bangkok

I woke up at 5am this morning to catch the 7.15am flight to Bangkok. However, Soap, who arrived at Changi Airport earlier couldn't find our flight on the departure board!!! Guess what? Our flight was changed to 7 AT NIGHT! And we got up so early and my poor Soap spent like $30 on the taxi for nothing. Sigh. I think we're both too blur!!

But anyways, I'm glad I have the whole day to stay at home and you know, just be around the house, which I haven't done in a very very long while. Its a blessing in disguise and my mom's pleased. I even got to buy her and my sis breakfast from Macs!

So anyways, I won't be able to update this blog till after the 7th of January when I'll be back. Till then, live the rest of the 2008 meaningfully, think through your New Year resolutions carefully and have a great holiday! Love ya! Happy New Year and may you always be happy and healthy.

xoxo
Serene/Stan

Look what its done for elephants. LOL.

Taken from The Travels of Lady "Bulldog" Burton by Sandi Toksvig..

Mrs Wright had been advised to eat only raw vegetables. The noise of her vast molars sinking down on a carrot is one that will live with me forever. She seemed to time this masticulation to coincide with any remark of interest made by a guest at the table, and her booming crunch was inevitably followed by dear Dr. Young bellowing, "Did someone speak?", while the nervous Miss Wright appeared to play the "Moonlight Sonata" with her knife and fork...Miss Dennell was most forthright about this business.

"Must you eay only vegetables, Mrs Wright?" she enquired one particularly tiresome evening.

Mrs Wright managed to nod and spray small pieces of apple at the same time. "It's for the weight, you see. It will make me thinner."

Miss Dennell shook her head. "I doubt it. Look what it's done for elephants."