Splurge! – Chef Tony’s Popcorn

I must admit, I am not a popcorn popper. During movies, I prefer to suck on a sweet than eat popcorn or eat anything for that matter since I find that interferes with my concentration while watching. You know how it is, when you crunch down on a morsel of food especially one that is crispy, the sound gets magnified tenfold and you will probably miss what was being said on the screen.

But THIS, haha…I like very much! I could probably pop the whole tub which I almost did over the weekend but I restrained myself (though it was hard!). It really IS my tub of happiness! Haha! The popcorn is light and crispy, the smell is appetizing and the flavour is rich without being too overpowering. It sure is bizarre putting something in your mouth that you know is popcorn, has a popcorn taste but also has a cheese and jalapeno tang to it.  

Unlike other popcorn tubs I have come across, this one doesn’t have any unpopped seeds in it which is great coz them seeds can be pretty annoying. One minute you’re chewing happily, and the next you’re suddenly biting down hard on a stone. Voila, one cracked tooth.

Chef Tony has other flavours to choose from too and they are pretty interesting; White Chocolate Parmesan, White Country Cheddar, Creamy Parmesan, just to name a few. The young man manning the booth at Orchard Central was very helpful and was not stingy in letting customers taste test the popcorns. A big tub costs $13 while the smaller tub is at $8.

Since I will be going into town tomorrow, I know I will be getting a few more of these treats. They’re perfect for home movie-marathons which I do with my family often.

And that is me. Are you a popcorn popper? What is your favourite brand/flavour? 

Splurge! - Marks & Spencer’s Gingerbread Men in a Tin

I LOVE Marks & Spencer and I especially love it during the Christmas Season. Pretty bobbles and tinsels all around, fantastic gift sets (who doesn’t love M&S bath and body products?!) and best of all, the Christmasy goodies!

Currently, M&S has set up a booth at Orchard Central and initially, I thought they had a new outlet in the mall that I had not heard about. But after clarifying with the sales staff, it seemed that they are just there to promote the store’s current seasonal products. The nearest outlet of course, is still the one in Centrepoint.

Bought this very pretty Gingerbread Men Tin for $35.00. Chockfull of Gingys! The cookies are mainly for my little sister who is a gingerbread cookie monster. I get to keep the pretty tin. Very useful for keeping little knick-knacks or accessories.

I did get these gingerbread cookies shaped like snowflakes as well, which by the way, has been devoured by the monster and so no picture to show. There are so many other fanciful pieces available. Had to slap my hands away from getting a bit of everything. 

And that is me. What goodies do you like to eat during this holiday season? 

Review: Yankee Candle’s Red Velvet

I have wanted to like Yankee Candles for the longest time. For one, they’re very reasonably priced for the size you get. For second, there are so many different scents available and lastly, of course, there is the positive feedback from users worldwide.

However, I could never seem to gel with one. Just by taking a whiff at the store, the candles smell too overpowering, musty, heady and just bleagh.

Until this baby showed up.

What can I say.

O.M.G The scent is incredibly AH-MAZING! Smells just like my favourite red velvet cupcake at PiqueNique. MMMmmm…

$39.90 (UP $49.90) for a 22oz is a fantastic price to pay if you were to compare with other brands of candles available here.  Usual price for candles in Singapore is an estimate of $50 for a 7oz candle. See the major difference?

Now, imagine burning this on a cold rainy day, feet cosy in plushy socks, mug of hot chocolate with smores and a plate of red velvet cake. Not to forget a good book at the side. HEAVEN.    

Verdict: Great price. YUMMY smell. Burns well and scent lingers long after you have put out the flame. The only teeny grumble is that it has a weak throw. My bedroom smells wonderful but the scent doesn’t waft out into the living room and other rooms. Nevertheless, I just might repurchase coz of the price, size and oomph!-so-good-smell!  

Got mine at Robinsons Centrepoint. Not sure if it’s a seasonal candle (I hope not). There are Yankee Candles sold in Tangs and Takashimaya (B1? Or the KFC level, I like to call it) as well.

And that is me. What is your favourite candle scent/brand? Do share!

Review: Essence Makeup Remover Wipes

Honestly, I have never been a fan of makeup remover wipes. They are expensive for the little number of wipes that are inside (of course the cheap ones don’t do nuts in removing your makeup), get used up very quickly and I just don’t seem to get along with them. I am more of the cotton-wool-and-liquid-makeup-remover kind of lady.

So there I was browsing through ALT Beauty Bugis Junction one day when I saw this Essence Makeup Remover Wipes. Now I am a BIG Essence makeup fan so it was no surprise that I would pick this up to try and at $2.50 for 15 wipes, it’s a STEAL. 

Verdict: Pleasantly surprised. The size of the wipe is smaller than say, the size of a wet tissue wipe but one wipe is enough to remove all makeup from my face, even waterproof eyeliner. It is not as moist as I had expected and because of this, initially, I thought it would not do the job but it did.

This has not made me a convert but I do think this is great for travelling and convenience. Pop it in the bag and off you go!

And that is me. Do you use makeup remover wipes? Which is your favourite? 

Bedtime Essentials

Wow, my very first blog. A friend of mine would have said, “It’s way too late! When did I ask you to do this? 4-5 months ago!”

Ya, I know, I know. I procrastinate a lot. Clearly. But you know what I’m gonna say back? “It’s better late than never, J”

So J, I dedicate this very first blog to you.

Just the other day, I was getting ready for bed and was sloshing on my lip butter, body lotion, making sure I have enough water in my mug and I got to wondering, on average, how many items does one have readily available beside his/her bed for bedtime/middle of the night when you suddenly wake?

I have eight.

Is that a lot? Maybe it is since I do know most people would probably just have a glass of water within reach. For me, these eight are my essential items.

1) My spectacles. This is the main must. Without my spectacles, I am blind. Plus, don’t you wanna feel assured that that blurry black figure in the corner is in fact just your plain black dress and not – tum! tum! tum! - something else?

2) My iPhone (not in picture as I have to use the phone to take the picture). Let’s face it, now, most of us who suddenly wake up in the middle of the night reach for their phones to look at the time instead of reaching for their watch or even look at the clock on the wall (Which you can only see if you sleep with a nightlight, & I do. Sleep with a night light that is.)

You can kill many birds at the same time; check out the time & ops, there is a message; oh, there is a missed call too; oh, my monster mansion has coins for me to collect!

Me, I’m just happy if I wake up and find there’s more of the night to sleep away.

3) Glass of water. I do wake up in the middle of the night most times and when I do, I’d traipsed off to the bathroom then come back and have a sip of water. Who doesn’t get thirsty in Singapore?

4) Crabtree & Evelyn’s lip butter. Very moisturizing, a little bit goes a long way and this is the time when you can give your lips the full repair they need.

5) Essence roll-on eye gel. This product is nothing fantastic but I like to believe that it still does a bit of good to my under-eye bags and circles. I already have a separate, richer eye cream which I use day & night that does most of that work anyhow but this is just something extra.

Plus, I really like the massaging effect the roller-ball gives and I tend to use this anytime of the day as well. I see it, I use it.  

6) Body Lotion. I must admit I don’t use this every night but only on every other night when I have done the necessary body exfoliation. I only like slathering body lotion on when the body has been thoroughly scrubbed and cleansed and is raw.

For the moment, I am using the Biotherm Body Lotion mini sample from my monthly Bellabox. Never really had a thing for Biotherm products but surprisingly, this lotion isn’t too bad. Has a delightful citrus scent to it and although the consistency is thick, it is easily absorbed without having to blend much. Perfect for knees, ankles, elbows and other rough areas.

7) Snake Brand Prickly Heat Cooling Powder in lavender scent. Very old-school. Very good. It’s a talcum powder for itchy, sensitive skin and gives a minty, fresh sensation. A sprinkle of this all over my legs and I’m good for bed.

Just don’t put this between your inner thighs. You gonna be saying a lot of “Ooooohs!” that day.

8) Tiger Balm ointment. Do you get the sniffles sometimes? I do. Or mozzie bites or body aches or just about anything like that. Hence, I like this baby handy at all times.

And that is me. How many items do you keep beside you?