Hello! Thanks for visiting my blog.

I am on a blogging hiatus as I would like to focus on my jewelry craft work. Hence, I will not be taking in requests for reviews of any nature in the future. If you do have queries on my jewelry work instead, please get in touch via email : oon.adeline@gmail.com

Thursday, November 29, 2012

7 Great Christmas Gift Ideas!

I'm not sure about you but every year end, I face the most daunting task... getting the perfect gift for the special people in our lives! Sometimes, I even forget that the little ones are growing and the mindless toys are the least that they would be enthralled with!

(Side track : I remember one occasion when my daughter helped to tag a gift and was wrongly tagged. So a baby bath toy ended up with a 20 year old cousin and the baby received a bottle of facial mist!!! zzzzz...)

Now, if you follow my blog, you will wonder why I'm using the number '7' again in this post. (I had a previous post of '7 Pleasures of a Happy Mom') Because the number 7 means 'perfect'! And how apt it is again to have 7 perfect gift ideas!

This year, I have the extra vantage of knowing some mumpreneurs who carries excellent choice of products that would help us all with their Christmas gift ideas!  I'm only too happy to share and collate their one must-have recommended Christmas gift for your picking!
 

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JED PACKS
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Shereen from Jed Packs recommends these cute and hilariously informative lunch bags!

This is an insulated lunch bag, with a velcro strap in it to prevent the water bottle from rolling around. There is the matching water bottle and snack box set that fit perfectly in there as well! What a practical gift it would make!

Retail price : S$35.00

Special price for my blog readers : S$33.00!!





To enjoy the discount, simply 'Like' Jed Pack's facebook page, send a message/email to Shereen and quote AMB-XMAS to enjoy your purchase!

This promo expires : 6 Dec 2012
 
 
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MAMA SHOPPE
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Ling recommends the new 2012 Strider PreBike! A great gift to consider for your tots as it's the best and perfect way to learn cycling! 
It has a padded handlebar for a cool look and increased safety. With one of the lowest seats in the industry - at only 11 inches from the ground, the Strider Balance bike offers the chance to learn to balance, steer, and ride like big kid.

Suitable for kids from 18 months to about 5 years old.

Published Price: S$170.00

Special price for my blog readers : S$150.00!!
 
 


To enjoy the discount, simply 'Like' Mama Shoppe facebook page, send a message/email to Ling and quote AMB-XMAS to enjoy your purchase!
 
This promo expires : 6 Dec 2012


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JEAN STITCH
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How about something for mommies who are into all things pretty?


Jean recommends a key holder since every key do need a home too! It keeps your keys safely in one place and you do not need to search through your bag for them.

Published Price: S$25.90 

Special discount for my blog readers : 10%!!
 
 





To enjoy the discount, simply 'Like' Jean Stitch's facebook page, send a message/email to Jean and quote AMB-XMAS to enjoy your purchase!
 
This promo expires : 6 Dec 2012
  
 
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THE SQUARE BOX
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Now, this is a product that is for everyone in the family which Jennifer, who has distributing rights in Singapore, to bring it in all the way from the USA.

As many would know, aloe vera plant has great healing properties. Dr.Lily's natural aloe vera gel contains only organic ingredients which brings you all the natural goodness from the plant. With its ease of use in this 100ml tube, there's no reason why it should not be in your bag everywhere you go. It aids in insect bites, burns, wound healing, mouth ulcers, dry skin and rashes - just to name a few!
 
Shop Promotional Price: S$35.50 for 2 100ml AV gel
(U.P. S$19.00 per tube) 

Special price for my blog readers : S$34.00 for 2!








To enjoy the discount, simply 'like' The Square Box's facebook page, message/email Jennifer and quote AMB-XMAS to enjoy your purchases!

Promotion expiry : while stocks lasts!


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OAK TREE BABY
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Sharon recommends this Tiger Tribe Magnetic Playbooks where your children enters into a world of imagination and let them tell you the story instead, providing hours of imaginative play! Kids use the magnets to create various scenes on the base illustration.  A4 sized playbooks are large enough for little hands. Perfect for travel or cafe play.  (Suitable for 3 yrs +)


Available in 7 different themes:
- Pirate Adventure 
- Enchanted Fairies - Transport in the city
 - Around the World 
- Fairytale Palace
- Nursery Rhyme Land 

- Building Site

Published price S$29.90
 

Christmas special : 10% storewide + free gift wrap + tag + a chance to help HIV children!

To enjoy your purchases, simply visit and like Oak Tree baby facebook page, message/email to Sharon and quote AMB-XMAS to enjoy your purchases!


Promotion expiry : as per shop's promotional dates.


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MY FIRST GAMES
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Pamela recommends CitiBlocs - a high quality wooden construction blocks where each and every piece is exactly the same shape and size. Constructing a structure with CitiBlocs requires no glue, no snaps, no connectors and no magnets - just gravity, balance and imagination. Simply stack one block on top of another. 

The blocks' specific size and shape and weight allows building that is simply not possible with other building toys. CitiBlocs are suitable for kids and adults ages 3 and up. Definitely great fun for everyone in the family!
  

Published Price: S$80.90 (200 blocks)
Special discount for my blog readers : 15%!!


Discount is also applicable to all Citiblocs range at the website!
 

To enjoy the discount, simply 'Like' My First Games facebook page, send a message/email  to Pamela and quote AMB-XMAS to enjoy your purchase!
                                                                          
This promo expires : 31 Dec 2012
 
 
 
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LITTLE SAFARI SHOP
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Hana recommends Skibz! An award winning funky designer bibs in red & blue stars! 

It's a great gift because it makes such a funky designer accessory for any cool kid. Plus it actually does the work of keeping little ones dry and mess-free all day long in comfort and style. 

Suitable for kids 0-3 years old 


Published Price: S$16.00
Special discount for my blog readers : 5%!!
 


To enjoy the discount, simply 'Like' Little Safari Shop facebook page, send a message/email to Hana and quote AMB-XMAS to enjoy your purchase with complimentary standard postage!
 
This promo expires : 6 Dec 2012

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I hope you folks have found the ideal gift from here! 
It's been really fun to put these gift ideas up for my readers because they all look really impressive.
Take a break from trawling the shops and let your fingers do the shopping this year!
I'm pretty sure whichever gift items you have chosen in this post would impress the receivers much. 
They will surely love you back, lots and lots. :)
 
Happy shopping and happy holidays!
  ~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~~:~:~
 
Till the next post, have a blessed week!

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

The Reality of My Son's PSLE Result

 It was nerve wrecking, going to school with my son to collect his PSLE result more than a week ago. I was the one feeling butterflies in my stomach and was trying very hard to contain it!

When we arrived at the school hall, the vice principal addressed us and provided the performance result within the school.

There's Brandon waiting anxiously with his friends, for the result to be released at noon.
Impressive performance by the school. 100% graduated!

Brandon is one of the 77% in his school's cohort to get into the express stream. While we are happy about his achievement to express, we were not quite prepared for the daunting task of deciding which school he can go to versus the schools of his choice. In fact, Brandon was also none too pleased with his result.

His aggregate fell into the "neither here nor there" category.  Neither high enough to confidently select the schools of his choice nor near enough to meet the schools' minimum cut-off points. He was also not qualified to apply for the normal stream, which my husband and I felt that he would have had a wider choice of the better neighborhood schools had he been eligible for it.

The.next.few.days.really.dampened.our.spirits.

We studied the secondary school courses within our neighboring estates endlessly, hoping to find the ideal school for him. Not only did we need to consider the reputation of the schools, we also needed to see if it could cater to his extra curriculum interests. It was frustrating.

My dear son has an eye for air rifle/shooting, archery and robotics. Many schools that cover these niches would probably not be allocated to him because of their higher cut-off points. It was one thing to try and apply knowing you do not qualify right from the start but we didn't want to waste the 6 choices in the list lest the chances of him getting into other schools will be lessened. We had to be practical with our decision.

Today was the deadline of the schools submission. We managed to come to a consensus last night before we sent in our application. Whatever the outcome of school that he will be posted to, regardless of any setbacks in his milestones, I am confident that he will excel and continue to do me proud. We are praying for the best and know that our God will place Brandon at the school that will be best for him.

Whenever there is a will, there is a way.

I believe that with constant encouragement, he will make it better in secondary school life.

Our lives have to go on.


http://inspirably.com/quotes/by-love-segarra-aguisanda/my-life-may-not-be-going-the-way-i-planned-it-but-it-is-going/download-facebook-pic


Till the next post, have a blessed week!

There's Always A First Time for Everything

 
We were at our first visit to a doggie cafe. 
Intimidated to have a pair of huge huskies walking around us.
First time being surrounded by many dogs who are free to roam.
First time our dog had a doggie birthday cake treat from another dog celebrating it.
All we could do was watch in envy while she gobbled up her hi tea.
It's been almost a week and I haven't got my dessert fix!
duhhhhhh....
 
Till the next post, have a blessed week!


Friday, November 16, 2012

[Interview] My Motherhood Journey

I am over at My PlaySchool.net today!

Read about what I have to say about the challenges I faced as a new mom and how motherhood has changed my life.

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It's also the start of the long school holidays!
Wishing all parents a great time bonding with your children.

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Till the next post, have a blessed week!

Thursday, November 15, 2012

[Giveaway] What does Christmas mean to you?

For most part of my life, Christmas was just about the food, exchanging of gifts, laughter and the bouts of merry making with family and friends.

These past 2 years, Christmas holds deeper meanings for me and my family.  The feeling that overwhelms us and fills our hearts on this special day is priceless.  

The one word that I would like to describe our Christmas is...

GRACE
Because we are thankful for walking under an open heaven and receiving undeserved and unmerited favors from up above. That is the one true love that we believe, will never fail in any circumstances we face in this world.


To celebrate Christmas on my blog, I am giving away these handmade angel phone charm gifts to two very special readers that would be willing to share what Christmas means to you. Regardless of our faiths, I'm sure this day holds certain meanings for many of us.


All you need to do is :
Share a short reason on what Christmas means to you, beginning your sentence with  "I love Christmas because....." on my FB fan page once the link to this post is updated there.

I will pick the winner by random draw and annouce on my FB fan page.  

This giveaway will end on 22 November (Thursday).

This draw is open to residents of Singapore only.

 
Till the next post, have a blessed week!

Friday, November 9, 2012

Chicken Noodle Soup For The Soul

 
  I don't have a particular recipe for this bowl of noodles. Though I know the secret ingredient is LOVE.
 
On a cozy rainy night, this bowl of noodles with shredded chicken meat, button mushrooms and fried ikan bilis is just perfect.
It warms the heart of everyone in the family.
 
I love that fuzzy feeling. :)
What dish makes you feel the way like I do?
Till the next post, have a blessed week!

Linking up with :


Tuesday, November 6, 2012

[Guest Post] DIY Notebook Craft Fun!

I got acquainted with this crafty mama, Rachel of Scrappin' Love, a few months' back when we connected through Singapore Mom Bloggers.

Running an online business and caring for 2 young children is not easy for any mother. Perhaps one of the reasons why I can relate to Rachel on this level is her passion! Browsing through her online shop has been very inspirational for me.  Not only did I discover her creative streak, her choices of carrying pretty scrap booking needs are absolute eye candies!

Today, I'm very honored to have Rachel over to share a special craft project that I hope will inspire my readers to take that step to do something out of the ordinary. With Christmas approaching, this would undoubtedly make an ideal handmade gift to your loved one.




How many notebooks does one own and use them all at the same time? 

For me, I've six (and still counting)! Each for its own purpose and they all varies in sizes and looks. And out of the six, four of them were handmade by me.

So here’s what I’m going to show you – to make your very own notebook with 20 easy and simple steps! 

First of all, you’ll have to get ready the list of materials and tools before we dive into this DIY project. In this tutorial, we’ll be working on a A6 size notebook – the inner pages are printed with lines, by using excel file in landscape format to do up the line template. But of course, you can choose to have blank inner pages for your notebook too.



Materials & Tools: 
- A variety of pattern papers of your choice (preferably with images you can cut out)
- Die-cut pattern paper (optional)
- 10 pieces of printed lines A5 size white writing paper
- Washi tapes
- Bakers twine
- Craft glue
- Long needle
- Ruler - Bone folder (optional)
- Black ink pen
- White ink pen
- pencil
- Paper piercer
- Scissor


Step 1: 
Fold the stack of A5 size lined writing paper into half lengthwise and use the bone folder to press down the fold line flat and neat. 

Step 2: 
Cut out a 21.5cm x 15cm from your selected pattern paper for the notebook cover and fold it into half lengthwise. Now, both the stack of writing papers and the cover should be in A6 size. Slot the stack of writing paper into the cover. 

Step 3: 
Open the notebook to the centre of the folding pages. Use the ruler and paper piercer, poke 3 dots lightly along the folding line. With 2 dots 1cm away from both ends and 1 dot in the middle along the folding line. 

Step 4: 
Use the dots as marking points, pierce through the papers and the cover.


Step 5
By using the spine of the notebook, measure 4 times the length of it with bakers twine to determine how much twine you’ll need to stitch up the notebook. 

Step 6: 
Thread the twine through the needle. Note: have a needle that has a hole that’s big enough for the twine to thread through and long enough for a better grip while stitching. 

Step 7: 
Now, here’s where you need to determine which is the top & bottom and which is the front & back cover of your notebook. The side that is facing down on the table will be the front cover while the top of the notebook is on your right. Sew through the right hole, leaving a tail of approximately 12 cm behind. 

Step 8: 
From the right hole, go out by sewing through the left-most hole while maintaining the tail of twine.


Step 9: 
From here, go back into the notebook by sewing through the middle hole. 

Step 10: 
Here’s the tricky part - while you’ve sew through the middle hole, go out through the same hole while looping the string of twine that is along the folding line of the inner pages. 

Step 11: 
At this step, the stitching is done. You’ll have 2 tails of twine hanging out of the notebook. You can now remove the needle. 

Step 12: 
Open up the notebook with the cover facing you. Tie a die knot with the twine somewhere between the top and the middle hole.


Step 13: 
Tie a ribbon with the twine. 

Step 14: 
Use a black ink pen, draw lines / dash / curvy line around the border of the cover. 

Step 15: 
By now, you should have a nice little notebook. But we’re not done yet! We’re moving on to decorate up the cover. 

Step 16: 
Use scrap of paper, draw a circle of a diameter of 5cm and cut it out. As for me, I just grab a roll of washi tape to get the circle.

Step 17: 
Choose your preferred roll of washi tape and pleat along the edge of the cutout circle. Pleat all the way round to form a complete pleated washi tape flower.

Step 18: 
Cut out the images you like from your pattern papers for the cover. In this notebook, I cut out a boy & a girl, a bunch of flowers and a die-cut banner.

Step 19: 
If you have alphabets on your pattern papers, cut them out as they are useful as the title of your notebook. I used white ink pen to draw dash on the inside of the alphabets for a playful look.

Step 20: 
It’s assemble time! Arrange the cut-outs, pleated washi tape flower and everything onto the cover. Once you’re satisfied with the positions, move them off the cover and start to paste individual layers down with craft glue starting from the most bottom layer. For this notebook, I started with a red washi tape and trim the 2 ends to a banner shape. Next is the pleated washi tape flower, follow by the flower cut-out, the blue banner, the boy, the girl, the goose, the alphabets cut-outs, the alpha stickers (optional) and lastly the washi tape with a safety pin image.

And there you have it! Your very own notebook! A fun, inexpensive yet special gift for anyone you wish to give it to.

I hope you like what I shared with you in this tutorial. This simple stitching technique allows you to make as many notebooks as you like in a short time, which is one great DIY project as a gift to others.

So, have fun crafting! If you’ve any question, you’re most welcome to drop me an email at hello@scrappinlove.com

Find more of Rachel's completed products and materials at her online shop - Scrappin' Love!


Till the next post, have a blessed week!

Friday, November 2, 2012

[Food Review] The Night We Rendezvoused @ The Straits Cafe

We had a secondary school gathering last week and decided to meet without the families this time! What a refreshing change it was to socialize and catch up with REAL PEOPLE. It did me good - for the night. 

Anyway, for today's post, I'm sharing some photos of the food at the international buffet spread - The Straits Cafe @ Rendezvous Grand Hotel.  We were there on the eve of a public holiday. And boy, the place ran full house!

And you know what? I found out that as I grow older, I am unable to stomach so much food anymore. The photos you are about to see are only less than half of what was offered at the buffet which I managed to savor.

Great ambience! Cozy if you sit by the window bay. And nearest to the dessert table - if you know what I mean.

These were my first course. The cold platter! It was the first time I tried this unusual looking crab - spanner crab. Not really a crab person so I had problems digging the meat out. Spent too much time on it!
The sashimi was super yums and fresh! Loved it. And I had 3 large succulent oysters that night. An overdose for me. 

These large grilled prawns were a favorite amongst us.  I had 3 of these! Yummy! Definitely one of the highlights of the night.

Actually I was there before the crowd came in and saw this delectable macaroons! I tell ya, I've.not.had.one.in.my.life. Sad right? So I was really happy that I was finally going to try them. But alas, I guess I am not meant to eat this? By the time I was ready for dessert, it was gone and it never got replenished.

This was what saved the night! Durian pengat! Chilled, pungent and creamy - the perfect end to the night.
Can you imagine there were so much more food that I missed? I think, our mouths were too busy yakking.

3 missing in the picture! We never managed to fit in all of us in a photo at any one time anyway. haha! Thanks all for a wonderful night.

If you are game for a buffet anytime soon, you may wish to check out this establishment! Don't be fooled by my food pictures here! There are a lot more others like the roasted meats, Chinese cuisine, kebabs, local cuisines and other fresh seafood to savor!

Rendezvous Grand Hotel
9 Bras Basah Road, Singapore 189559
Reservation hotline: +65- 6335 ­1771 / 7

Buffet Lunch: 12:00 noon to 2:30pm
Monday - Saturday $39++

Buffet Dinner: 6:30pm to 10:00pm
Monday - Thursday $47++
Friday - Sunday $50++

** Disclaimer : I am in no way affiliated with the above establishment, nor compensated in any way. This is based solely on my dining experience. **


Till the next post, have a blessed week!

Linking up with :

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Why Husbands Should Spoil Their Wives

A week ago, I attended a secondary school gathering. At some point, I managed to catch up with some of the guys in the group and we chatted casually about married life.

3 of them lamented that they spoil their wives.
 
No.1 guy said :
By being the baddie parent. Taking charge of punishing his children when the wife asks him to.

No.2 guy said :
By doing the laundry and washing the dishes.

No.3 guy said :
By doing EVERYTHING in the house. She doesn't need to lift her fingers.
 
"That's good!" was my first spoken reaction to them. By their looks, my response didn't seem to go down too well with them.

So here's why I think it's really nice and really okay to spoil your wives, at least in the home front.

Number 1

When the husband takes care of disciplinary actions of the children means less wrinkles on the wife's face thus no need for botox sooner than you expect! You can save yourself some cash.

Number 2

Doing the laundry is the least a husband could help with. 

If on average, laundry is done 3 times a week :  
Out of the 7 days - which is 168 total hours, 
you spend a total of 15 minutes sorting the clothes into the washing machine, 
wait 4.5 hours with a coffee break while the clothes is in the washer and 
another 40 minutes to hang them up. What is the total time taken?
(hey! potential math problem sum question here!)

That's ONLY a total of 5 hours 41 minutes a week, as opposed to women carrying babies in their tum tum for 9 months for each child, the number of hours in labor or the pain we have to go through after C-section and the postpartum weight we have to bear. Truly I say, those hours spent at laundry, pales in comparison.

Number 3

Doing the dishes should come naturally for everyone, not only for the men. But when the men wash after yourselves at each meal, you are setting a wonderful example for the kids to follow suit. Not only will your wives will be thankful, but the next generation wives' will think their father-in-laws are awesome role models. That's killing two birds with one stone!

Number 4 

Doing everything thing else like cooking a meal, making the bed and sweeping the floor are bonuses. Does the term "score points" ring a bell?

Building and keeping a home takes 2 hands to clap. It is a responsibility between spouses, not just the wives alone.  No matter how small a chore you can takeover from your wives today, I am pretty sure she will be grateful and think the world of you. These little acts shows her and your children that you care for her and the family. It is priceless.

To the men who are already helping out with chores at home, you are doing a great job! I salute you!

For the record, my husband helps me with the laundry when he is not travelling, for which I am very grateful too! *muacks* Now, if only he will take over the cooking...

 
 
Till the next post, have a blessed week

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