Tips on staying fresh for Summer - Favorite Summer Beauty Products - Light, Fresh and LASTING Summer Makeup - July 2013 Favorites

While I totally agree on the saying that Singapore is summer all year round, I must say, our summer months, Jun, Jul and Aug are simply the worst summers one can have during the year. Despite I'm already used to the hot and humid weather here, I cant help noticing the changes I saw on myself as well as the changes which I need to adapt for these months; 

I sweat more
My makeup slides faster
My makeup just looks thicker even if I'm using my usuals
My face and scalp gets oilier faster
I get more breakouts
I get more tanned easily

There's a need to change my skincare and makeup routine. 

And I start to think...."you got any skincare routine meh?" HAHA.
Actually I dont really have an elaborate one. But I feel for now, everything needs to be "simplified" and "lighten up", in all aspects.

Previously, I was using a foundation/bb-cream with medium coverage(my all-time favorite Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum foundation), but I had toned down to something with lighter coverage. Meaning, it will be less heavy for the skin. Because with the hotter summer, more sebum gets secreted, gorged within the enlarged pores, it will cause makeup to look thicker(and not nice) and may also cause acne. 

My current favorite light cover shield is ZA Total Hydration BB Cream UV White, SPF 50 PA+++. 

ZA Total Hydration BB Cream UV White, SPF 50 PA+++. 

This feels totally amazing on the skin. It feels like you're applying a serum instead of a makeup product. It spreads so easily, offering a light and natural coverage which is still competent at evening out your skin tone. But for hyper-pigmentation marks or scars or very dark eye-circles, you do need to use a concealer. Although you feel your skin is well moisturized with this BB cream, the lasting power is actually decent. 

And I never step out of the house without any sunscreen of course. And this is my favorite, Biore UV Perfect Face Milk(white bottle) SPF 50, PA+++ because it's sebum-controlling. It also strengthens the lasting powder of any bb cream that I use. And I always use it with the ZA Total Hydration BB Cream UV White.

You can also use it as a primer. It's simply AWSOME. Prolongs the lasting powder of all foundations/bb or cc creams.
Meanwhile, I've also switched to makeup products which are more lasting, meaning they're usually "oil-free" or "oil-control". 

Etude House Dear Girls Be Clear BB cream SPF 30, PA++

This simply packs a punch for it's lasting power! It's super oil-control and it simply lasts all day! With the Biore sunscreen mentioned, I only need to blot max once throughout a day with almost zero touch-up! The texture is kinda matt so it's a must to moisturize properly before you apply. Gives a matt or powdery kind of finish. It's coverage is low to medium depending on the amount you use. Remember a little goes a long long way. Only 1 shade and it may be a teeny bit too fair for me, which is a slight complaint. 

For both bb creams mentioned above, Etude House Dream On Loose powder is a great match. I use Clear Beige and I think it accentuates the 2 bb-creams very well. It's finely-milled so it sets both bb creams very nicely; does not make the makeup look thicker. It lasts fairly well too. 

As I said, I hardly need to touch up if i use Etude House Dear Girls Be Clear BB cream. For ZA Total Hydration BB Cream UV White, I may need to touch up like twice for the WHOLE day. This mini pressed power pact, Etude House Dear Girls Be Clear Pact is totally awesome because it's packaging is so cute and so compact. It's simply great for touch-ups. This colour is peach and it only offers very light coverage and I love it for touch-ups because I dont wish my makeup to look thick or cakey. It's oil-control too so it helps your makeup to stay matt too. 

   

Since the face makeup looks lighter, it also means eye makeup need to follow suit. I'm still using my existing gel liners with Urban Decay Primer Potion(UDPP) beneath it to make it lasts longer and smudge-proof. Just that I'm drawing thinner eye-liners so that eye make-up dont look heavy as I dont wish it contrasts with the light face makeup. Sometimes when I'm having even lighter makeup, for e.g, just using Etude House Dear Girls Be Clear Pact alone, I will use Etude House Proof 10 eye-pencil. It looks more natural and lighter because it's not very black and looks softer. It's surprisingly, decently smudge-proof and lasting, more so with UDPP. It's good that it doesnt need sharpening. Cons will be you cant draw a very precise wing eye with it's round and forever-blunt tip.

I had forsake dramatic falsies and switched to more natural-looking ones too. Sometimes I go without eye-shadows or just a light sweep of neutral colours.

For now, my favorite blusher for Summer!! F.O.X Fusion of expressions one touch blush, is an absolutely gorgeous coral! Apply lightly with the sponge applicator because it's simply too pigmented. I blend it out with a blush brush. Pretty lasting too.

Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets

To blot out any oil on face before touching up. Blot once over any area will do. Over-blotting will cause even more oil to be secreted.

For skincare, if I was using emulsion for day, I will now switch to lighter gel-based moisturizer for day and then continue to use emulsion/serum for night. For night, there wont be much difference because I sleep in air-conditioned room where air is drier. 

   I have combi-normal/oily and sensitive, acne-prone skin. And I dont like my face to feel sticky, so usually I will apply toner and apply some gel moisturizer because gel moisturizer always feel light and refreshing; great for our hot weather in the day. For day, I'm using Naruko Magnolia Whitening and Firming Night Gelly(gel-based, left pic) but I only use a small amount especially before makeup. And at night, I will either use a bigger amount OR replace it with something more hydrating, like a emulsion or serum because I sleep in air-conditioned room which is drier. I'm using TheFaceShop Su Hyang Snow Balancing fluid(right pic), which is like an emulsion. I try to "mask" every week if possible...when I'm not overly tired. I love sheet masks that doesnt leave a sticky residue behind; most dont. 

Origins Super Spot Remover and Adult Formula Acnevir Acne & Redness Relief Gel are treatment for any acnes or pimples break out. 

   

Now, for hair! Sebamed anti-dandruff shampoo is my must-have shampoo for summer! Keeps scalp and hair fresh for entire day. Can be alittle drying for hair so must use a very nourishing hair mask for hair ends. I dont have dandruff by the way, but it still works great for oily scalp. It's best to alternate with another moisturizing shampoo by the way.

When I'm in a hurry to go nearby for a quick lunch, Marc Anthony 2nd day Clear dry shampoo(spray) is a savior. Simply spray onto scalp and hair generously and brush it through, your hair instantly look fresher. 

Lastly...for body, I highly recommend using a deodorant if you're going to be out ALL day. It's not about you sweating or not. It will just help you to stay fresh and dry ALL day. I love the feeling when I'm finally home after being out ALL DAY and I still felt as if I just had a shower. I've never tried other brands before because initially I picked up this, Enchanteur deodorant in Charming, was because I like the scent and I use it when I go nearby neighbourhood areas(thought perfume was "too much" and wasting). The scent, Charming, also carries some similar notes to the perfume I'm using. So even if I use it with my perfume, I believe the scent wont clash. There are other scents available. 






Lastly, if you're a hygiene freak like me, or you're obsessed with staying fresh, dry and clean ALL day, like me, then you can always keep extra panty liners or feminine wipes in your bag. =)


WHAT a long entry!! Pardon some repetitions. Hope it proves useful!! =D 

【淒厲人妻 Pee Mak Phrakanong】泰語中字 - Thai horror & Comedy!

S.H.E - SHERO 官方版MV

Loving this song!! Selina is still my favorite, the prettiest with the best voice. =)

Something funny. Keke!

一群飙车党看到一名美女在桥上，好像要自杀，众队友就将电单车停泊好，伸出援手。

飚车党首领袖近该美女询问 ：“小姐，你想要干什么？”
美女回答 ：“我想要自杀” 
飚车党首领就想趁机占便宜，说 ：“小姐，我不会阻止你寻死，但你这样就死了，有点可惜，不如给我一个吻别吧。”
美女答应了，就和飚车党领袖来个热辣辣的吻别。
唇分，飚车党首领神魂颠倒的赞叹 ：“这个接吻真的太美妙了，为何小姐还要寻死？”
为何？ 为何？ 为何？ 为何？ 为何？
美女说 “因为我的父母不允许我男扮女装” 。 

后来执法当局怀疑，受害者是被推下桥致死的。


 Source: https://www.facebook.com/chineselike?ref=stream&hc_location=stream

Sad....and good to know; Baby Breastfed By Vegan Mother Dies

http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/baby-breastfed-by-vegan-mother-dies/

An 11 month old baby exclusively breastfed by a vegan mother has died and the parents are charged with neglect after an autopsy indicated the baby suffered from deficiencies in vitamin B12 and Vitamin A – both known to be critical to a child’s development.

Vegans have long been advised to take B12 supplements as long term veganism runs the huge risk of serious B12 deficiency as well as other nutrients only found in animal foods such as true Vitamin A.  Beta carotene is nottrue vitamin A nor does it easily convert to adequate amounts of Vitamin A in the body.

While I’m not sure I favor charging the parents in this tragedy as it smacks of Big Brother far too much for my comfort level, it does communicate a clear message to other vegans:  abstinence from all animal foods is a danger to one’s health and most particularly, your baby!

It also sends a clear message that what a breastfeeding Mother eats definitely DOES affect the quality of her breastmilk. Many breastfeeding advocates insist that breastmilk will include all a baby needs despite what the Mother eats, but clearly this is not the case.

Traditional cultures took great care to ensure that pregnant and breastfeeding mothers consumed ample amounts of animal foods rich in vitamins A, D, E, K and of course B12. These foods included grassfed butter, pastured eggs, liver, seafood, and fish eggs. Notice that none – NOT ONE of these traditionally sacred foods is plant based!

If you are pregnant and breastfeeding and would like to learn what foods will maximally support the health of your baby while nursing, please check this link for the complete listing of traditionally sacred foods for optimal fetal and baby development. These foods will also ensure the preservation of your own health during pregnancy and lactation which can easily deplete a Mother’s nutritional stores leaving her vulnerable to exhaustion.

*Update:  The vegan parents whose baby died as described in this article were convicted by a French court to 5 years in prison due to the imbalanced vegan diet the mother ate which led to nutrient poor breastmilk and a failure to thrive child who eventually fell ill from severe nutrient deficiency and died without the parents ever seeking proper medical attention.

For more information on how a vegan diet devastates the health of children, read about how a 12 year old vegan was diagnosed with the degenerating bones of an 80 year old.  Dr. Faisal Ahmed MD, a pediatrician treating the child, said that the dangers of forcing children to follow a strict vegan diet need to be publicized.

Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist, author of Get Your Fats Straight

Sources:

Vitamin A Vagary

Vitamin B12: Vital Nutrient for Good Health

French vegan couple whose baby died of vitamin deficiency after being fed solely on breast milk face jail for child neglect

Picture Credit

*Updated* Another accident by SMRT Buses drove by PRC

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/one-man-dead--two-injured-after-smrt-bus-overt-040231372.html

Excerpt:
UPDATED (8pm 21 July 2013. Added second statement of SMRT)

One man died and two others were injured after an SMRT bus overturned on Dairy Farm Road towards the Bukit Timah Expressway Sunday morning.

http://club.stomp.com.sg/stomp/sgseen/this_urban_jungle/1896036/smrt_bus_accident_that_killed_man_video_shows.html



Footage captured on STOMPer Chin Tian's camera shows the SMRT bus skidding past his car -- which narrowly missed being rammed into -- before it overturned at the junction of Bukit Timah Expressway and Dairy Farm Road.

The accident took place last Sunday morning (Jul 21). A 19-year-old male bus passenger was killed while the driver and the only other passenger on board 700A were sent to the National University Hospital for treatment.

The 39-year-old driver, a China national, said he had stepped on the brakes to decrease the bus' speed, but the bus "suddenly went crazy" and its speed kept climbing despite four attempts.

Chin Tian said:

"I witnessed the SMRT bus accident at Dairy Farm Road during my driving, at around 8am plus.

"My car was nearly hit by the SMRT bus.

"From the video shown, the SMRT bus had been going at a speed of at least 100km/h from BKE Exit 2, all the way down till it hit the kerb, lost control, skidded into the other lane and crashed.

"I heard a loud bang too."

SMRT announced in a statement that the bus driver, who has been driving service 700 since July 2012 has a clean service record.

SMRT also said that the bus driver had more than the required 8-hour rest period between his shifts prior to the accident.

The bus involved in the accident was last maintained on June 21 and was given a clean bill of health, with no brake or steering-related problems noted during the inspection, SMRT added.




https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=178068219039688


Stupid f*cker PRC driver drove machiam he's in a F1 race!

1 dead 2 injured, again. And no wonder. They drive like that. Can cut nails while driving also.

To SMRT: Do you know your drivers are driving too damn fast???!!! And too recklessly!! Our dear Singaporeans are dying one by one!! If you're working in SMRT, please have a heart and feedback and only employ safe and dedicated drivers and NOT cheap ones from PRC. You'll never know if one day it's your own family members end up dead from an accident like this then you'll cry!

Can we really have a month without any deaths.............Singapore has never used to be like that...........Sigh...........

I'm really worried that one day it's my own family members being caught up in such an accident. Because they could be taking buses or just crossing the roads............ Even if we're travelling in cars on the roads, accidents with such reckless bus drivers can also happen and cause deaths or injury. This is really not funny nor small matter. The number of accidents are going up, so are the number of deaths or injured parties. We read them on news almost everyday. Some of you might be reading with a pinch of salt, but it wont be the least bit easy for their family members at all. Everyday I'm saddened and angered by such news but I kept telling myself I shouldnt be that emotional because life has to go on and everything. But still, I'm just like that.

And do you know actually your vote somehow determines their life and death, indirectly, somehow, in some way.

Most inspiring and enlightening read I've seen on Facebook

It's too bad if you dont understand Chinese, it's simply too much to translate. =P Get someone to translate to you then.


受益匪浅 这是一堂价值300万的课 有时间看看 尽量别错过！

一只骆驼，辛辛苦苦穿过了沙漠，
一只苍蝇趴在骆驼背上，
一点力气也不花，也过来了。
苍蝇讥笑说：骆驼，谢谢你辛苦把我驼过来。再见！

骆驼看了一眼苍蝇说：

“你在我身上的时候，我根本就不知道，

你走了，你也没必要跟我打招呼，

你根本就没有什么重量，

你别把自己看太重，你以为你是谁。”

著名表演艺术家英若诚曾讲过一个故事。

他生长在一个大家庭中，每次吃饭

都是几十个人坐在大餐厅中一起吃。

有一次，他突发奇想，

决定跟大家开个玩笑。

吃饭前，他把自己藏在饭厅内

一个不被注意的柜子中，

想等到大家遍寻不着时再跳出来。

尴尬的是：

大家丝毫没有注意到他的缺席，

酒足饭饱，大家离去，

他才蔫蔫地走出来吃了些残汤剩菜。

从那以后，他就告诉自己：

永远不要把自己看得太重要，

否则就会大失所望。


被称为美国人之父的富兰克林，

年轻时曾去拜访一位德高望重的老前辈。

那时他年轻气盛，挺胸抬头迈着大步，

一进门，他的头就狠狠地撞在门框上，

疼得他一边不住地用手揉搓，

一边看着比他的身子矮去一大截的门。

出来迎接他的前辈看到他这副样子，

笑笑说：

“很痛吧！可是，

这将是你今天访问我的最大收获。

一个人要想

平安无事地活在世上，就必须时刻记住：

该低头时就低头。
这也是我要教你的事情。”

这个故事真实而简单，但是它告诉我们，

一定要学会认识自己，

千万不要把自己看得太重。

这个世界上，每个人 都很重要，

但是离了谁地球都照样地转。

一个人可以自信，但不要自大；

可以狂放，但决不能狂妄；

可以健康长寿，但不可能万寿无疆；

能够力挽狂澜，但决不可能再造乾坤。

不把自己看得太重，

其实是一种修养，

一种风度，

一种高尚的境界，

一种达观的处世姿态，

是心态上的一种成熟，

是心志上的一种淡泊。



第一课

一只鹰坐在高高的树上休息，无所事事。一只小兔子看见鹰并且问它，“我能象你一样坐着什么都不干吗？”鹰回答：“行啊，为啥不行。”于是，兔子坐在鹰下面的地上休息。突然，一只狐狸出现了，它扑到兔子身上把它吃掉了。

故事寓意：要想坐着无所事事，你必须坐在非常、非常高的位置。


第二课

一只小鸟飞去南方过冬。天实在太冷了。它冻僵了，掉在一片田野上。它躺在那儿时，一头母牛走过来在它身上拉了一堆屎。冻僵的小鸟躺在粪堆里，开始感觉到了温暖。牛粪确实使它暖和过来了。
它躺在温暖的牛粪中，异常高兴，并开始唱起歌来。
一只过路的猫听到鸟叫赶过来看个究竟。顺着声音，它发现了牛粪下的小鸟，并迅速把它拖出来吃掉了。

故事寓意：

(1) 并不是每个在你身上拉屎的都是你的敌人。

(2) 并不是每个把你拖出粪堆的都是你的朋友。

(3) 当你深陷粪堆中的时候，最好闭上你的鸟嘴


第三课【生意就是这样做成的】

爹对儿子说，我想给你找个媳妇。儿子说，可我愿意自己找！爹说，但这个女孩子是比尔盖茨的女儿！儿子说，要是这样，可以。
然后他爹找到比尔盖茨，说，我给你女儿找了一个老公。比尔盖茨说，不行，我女儿还小！爹说，可是这个小伙子是世界银行的副总裁！比尔盖茨说，啊，这样，行！
最后，爹找到了世界银行的总裁，说，我给你推荐一个副总裁！总裁说，可是我有太多副总裁了，多余了！爹说，可是这个小伙子是比尔盖茨的女婿！总裁说，这样 ，行！

——生意就是这样做成的。


第四课【皮鞋的来历】

很久很久以前，人类都还赤着双脚走路。
有一位国王到某个偏远的乡间旅行，因为路面崎岖不平，有很多碎石头，刺得他的脚又痛又麻。回到王宫后，他下了一道命令，要将国内的所有道路都铺上一层牛皮。他认为这样做，不只是为自己，还可造福他的人民，让大家走路时不再受刺痛之苦。
但即使杀尽国内所有的牛，也筹措不到足够的皮革，而所花费的金钱、动用的人力，更不知凡几。虽然根本做不到，甚至还相当愚蠢，但因为是国王的命令，大家也只能摇头叹息。
一位聪明的仆人大胆向国王提出建言：「国王啊！为什么您要劳师动众，牺牲那么多头牛，花费那么多金钱呢？您何不只用两小片牛皮包住您的脚呢？」国王听了很惊讶，但也当下领悟，于是立刻收回成命，改采这个建议。据说，这就是「皮鞋」的由来。

小哲理：

想改变世界，很难；要改变自己，则较为容易。与其改变全世界，不如先改变自己--「将自己的双脚包起来」。改变自己的某些观念和作法，以抵御外来的侵袭。当自己改变后，眼中的世界自然也就跟着改变了。如果你希望看到世界改变，那么第一个必须改变的就是自己。

「心若改变，态度就会改变；态度改变，习惯就改

变；习惯改变，人生就会改变。」

总结课:人生十大须知

1、所谓铁饭碗，不是在一个地方吃一辈子饭，而是一辈子到哪里都有饭吃。

2、把每一件简单的事做好，就不简单；把每一件平凡的事做好，就是不平凡。

3、生活的最高境界是宽容，相处的最高境界是尊重。

4、从崇高到荒唐只有一步，从荒唐到崇高却没有路。

5、何谓生老病死？生的要好，老的要慢，病的要晚，死的要快。

6、傲不可长，欲不可纵，乐不可极，志不可移。

7、不与富交我不贫，不与贵交我不贱。

8、世上只有想不通的人，没有走不通的路。

9、能力就像一张支票，除非把它兑成现金，否则毫无价值。


Weird.......number 10 is missing.

Commendable act by Japanese to free woman stuck in train gap

http://therealsingapore.com/content/pushy-japan-train-passengers-free-woman-stuck-gap

TOKYO — Dozens of Japanese train passengers pushed a 32-tonne train carriage away from the platform to free a woman who had fallen into the 20-centimetre gap between the train and platform during the busy morning rush hour today (July 22).

The act of heroism was captured by a newspaper photographer, whose photo of the rescue ran in the Yomiuri daily’s evening edition.

A public announcement that a passenger was trapped prompted about 40 people to join train officials to push the carriage, whose suspension system allows it to lean to either side, according to the Yomiuri newspaper, Japan’s largest daily.

The unnamed woman in her 30s was then pulled out uninjured to applause from onlookers at JR Minami-Urawa station, just north of Tokyo.

After just an eight-minute delay, the train went on its way.

Source: AP

Although Japan's....ahhh....s*x culture shocks me sometimes, but the way they always come together to handle crisis, especially in the case of SARS, or the earthquake or in accidents like these, I really respect their comradeship, integrity(almost nothing gets stolen even if you left your stuff there by mistake) and courtesy. I wish Singapore can be like that. But I think it's so hard because they're too many foreigners here. Differences are too big between all of us so it's very difficult.

借用一下你的愛 - Sweet, funny, touching drama with a twist

I've finished this drama for quite some time and still thought about it from time to time. Reason being, I really enjoy this drama and there are many memorable scenes and engaging twists and scenes in the story which left deep impressions on me.

 

I'm seldom one who can finish a drama serial. If it fails to catch my interest in the 1st few episodes, I will usually just discontinue it. I usually don't like Taiwanese dramas because of a few reasons,

1) Plot is so ridiculously meaningless or standard, boring storyline duplicates, 2) Dialogues are long and mushy, 3) The cast cant act.

 

For this show, you can be sure these 3 negative points are missing. =) In fact, I'm pleasantly surprised there are actually young and gorgeous Taiwanese stars who can act. =) As you watched too many dramas from HK/TW/PRC etc, you will realize, for e.g, this drama's storyline is so similiar to another. But 借用一下你的愛 is really one of a kind; I've never watched a similar plot before, not even in HK drama.

 

This is 28 episodes long(or 14 episodes of 1.5hours each) and if I can finish it, it's certainly engaging and recommendable. 借用一下你的愛 is a Taiwanese drama with lots of different values. There are loyal friendship, sweet love, touching family ties as well as revenge twists etc. And it's pretty funny throughout the show too. I'm pretty sure you will enjoy it. You will laugh but you may cry too.



Here are some of the main casts. They are all oh-so-cute in their own way.  Especially 謝平安(朱芯儀) 飾演)



I've always know her to be the host alongside Shotgun in 麻辣天后宫.
Never knew she can act so well! She looks so much prettier and cuter in the drama too as compared to in the variety show.



What can I say? My eye candy at all times. :P



Initially I find this pretty girl so familiar. Then I realized she's the MV lead in many of Jay Chou's MTVs, like Fa Ru Xue and Qing Hua Ci. Quite surprised she can act fairly well with her short experience in dramas.




First time see him in a drama but fairly good acting too.



A very distinctive character in the show.


Happy watching!!

 

DBS/POSB credit cards' bureau SUCKS!!

**Update**
DBS actually saw this entry and emailed me about it.

http://littlechillipadi89.blogspot.sg/2013/08/dbs-care-haha.html


This is NOT the first time when I reached home and got all pissed up when what I want is just to bathe and rest. Previously, DBS/POSB always send me bills very late. It's like, I always receive my bills around 3 to 4 weeks later than the date of the bill. Which of course, everytime I have to pay almost immediately, just so not to incur the late charges, which I closely avoided each time. Once in a while I will missed it, I will call to waive. They will waive it but it's very troublesome. I feedback about the late mailing of the mail and they said they will improve it. Yes, they did for awhile. But now, it's even worse!

NOW, somehow, DBS/POSB always missed sending out 1 bill like every quarterly. It means, every 3months or so, I will simply missed 1 bill consisting of total expenses for 2 cards(which I never notice because I have quite a few cards from other bands as well) and then got welcome with the following subsequent bill which now had 2months of expenses being snowballed and combined into ONE BILL for TWO cards. What's more, even when the bill is dated 17th July 2013, and I saw it today, being 20th July 2013, they HAVE the cheek to demand IMMEDIATE payment for BOTH CARDS even it's the first time I ever saw an outstanding bill!

Previous outstanding balance: S$XXX

What?? When?? HOW??

I totally dont know because I didnt receive that "previous outstanding" bill at all!!

And then, there will be late charges la, finance charges la, being charged on top of the bill.

So I've feedback to the CS before on their hotline and they always blamed it on SingPost. And then they said, "Oh We have 2 cycles bla bla will always mail on when-when-when and when-when-when and you usually will receive on when-when-when and when-when-when. I said, "Hello, you think you're the only bank which has credit card services?? I have many other cards from many banks. Am I supposed to always check, "Hey has OCBC bill arrived? They're supposed to mail me on 10th. Oh and has CITIBANK bill come? I should receive it on the 15th. And hey, DBS/POSB bank haven mail me my bill!! I'm supposed to call and REMIND THEM to send me my bill??!!"

OH PLEASE!! I know all banks rely mainly on late finance charges for their margin but BY NOT SENDING your customers' bills AT ALL and then charging them for not paying up IS really carrying the "business" too far!!

THEN, they asked me to opt for e-statements but I dont want because I dont check my personal email account on a regular basis unless I know I have important mails. Why should the responsibility LIE on ME to check my EMAIL so as to PAY my bills? Common, we go like this. I get your credit card, swipe it, you pay for me first, you try to earn my money by betting that I cant pay you back or pay you late. That's it! That's the game. If I need to use your card plus constantly remembering whether you send me your bill or constantly checking my email so that I do not missed your god damn bill, then seriously your card isnt that damn worth it! I can bloody pay cash myself. And what's more, I have credit cards from other banks as well too.

So I still insisted on paper mailing. They even said they will track my mail and make sure I did receive it and if so, on time. And yes for that month and the following month, no problem. BUT, when the 3rd or 4th month come again, the same shit happens again!! This is like the 3rd time!!
Oh yes, maybe SingPost can lose the mail once. Or maybe, I can (somehow)miss the bill once myself. But 3 times?? All from DBS/POSB bank?? How is it even possible? Moreover, I always either pay the bills straight away or else stick them onto my kitchen fridge with magnets. Nothing gets lost. Nothing gets missed. Because I see my giant bloody fridge in my open-space kitchen ALL THE TIME.

You can always say "Hell, cancel the cards!"
But POSB Everyday card gives me 3% rebates on WATSON's purchases, and being a shopaholic at Watson, 3% can be a very big amount. BHG card too, (used to) offers 5% rebates on all BHG's purchases which I use everytime during BHG sales.

While I'm thinking of substituting these cards with other cards which holds the same benefits, I had no choice but to opt for e-statements for the time-being. Meanwhile, I think I will stop using these cards. But really, I wonder if this is the way for DBS/POSB to earn all those late/finance charges or simply to FORCE their customers to opt for e-statements so that they can cut down on costings. Why, if they can blame SingPost, why I have NEVER receive my OCBC and Standard Chartered banks credit cards bills late???? While some other banks do sometimes mail bills out slightly later(but not overboard, usually still have 1 or 1.5weeks allowance to pay the bill) but they never MISSED mailing out any bill at all.

I asked the DBS/POSB CS officer that question and she cant answer me at all.




Oh well, now, any good recommendations on any other cards worth getting, which are NOT from the DAMN BLOODY STUPID(DBS) Bank?
(FYI, I currently have NTUC Plus(black colour card from ocbc), UOB One card, CITI Dividend, which are the main ones I use)


(Disclaimer: Everything expressed in this entry is purely my personal experience and opinions. It is not meant to mislead anyone for anything and I will not hold any responsibility for any assumptions drawn from it. )

African mango Per Fit

Fat already!! Trying this out!! Will review soon!!

*Updated* Full review here, http://www.littlechillipadi89.blogspot.sg/2013/08/review-of-african-mango-per-fit-weight.html

The other day - Lao Jiang Superior Kway Teow Soup 老江一品粿条汤

Always my comfort food. 鲍鱼和虾粿条汤
Abalone and prawns(only) kway teow/beehoon soup(around S$8+), with a top up of abalone slices(鲍片) at S$3.
Lovely soup base, lovely abalone. Hee.
Prawn paste chicken 虾酱鸡(S$6 I think) and fried fish strips 炸小鱼条(S$4 maybe) also equally good.
Crispy and fresh. I dont like fried chicken wings with the stale chicken smell.

Lao Jiang Superior Kway Teow Soup 老江一品粿条汤

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On an emo day at Lot 1 - Emo Summer haul from Etude House, Watson, Sasa

It's not call emo without a reason and it's not call retail therapy without a reason. 

Despite admitting that I did bought more stuff than I usually will(I EMO can).....I'm pretty pleased with my buys. They're either products which I'm very keen to try, to have discounts etc. Here's a brief description for all but I'll definitely re-mention them again if they're good. This haul is mostly bought for the summer. While everybody says Singapore is summer all year round, there's still a difference. Like my makeup gets less long-lasting and my nose starts getting shiny for no apparent reason. When skin gets more oily, pores get enlarged too. In short, for summer makeup, keep it less, light and simple to prevent/reduce breakups due to clogging of pores. 

The splurge from Etude House is because somehow they keyed in July as my birthday month in my member's card and I get to enjoy double points....the points can use to offset future purchases....okie, let's just say it's like I got a 10% off on top of the freebies.

Etude House

All the baby pink and blue packaging is so kawaii.

The 6 masks are free gifts though. I got a pink and white stripes umbrella too. 

Clockwise:

I'm Blooming Brightening Mist: Hmm....mists are great as toner as well as offering hydration when you're in a rush

Dear Girls Be Clear BB cream with SPF 30 PA+++: I'm looking for a lighter BB cream to use in this hot summer as I felt the BB creams I currently own are kinda too thick to bear in the hot, humid weather. This felt light on my hand, brightens and evens out skin tone, with whitening properties - perfect.  

Pore ever primer: Trying out this primer for summer as it gives a pretty matt finish. 

Wonder Pore Corrector: This is very interesting, comes with a metal tip, which feels great when you use it massage the pore-refining essence(by squeezing the tube) onto your skin. Pores on hand disappeared, and feels matt. I think it might even doubles as a primer. 

Lash Serum: Oh well, just S$9.90...thought I just give it a try

Dear Girls Be Clear Pact: Oil control pressed powder. I so need oil-control for this summer. Only 1 colour, peach. Provides almost no coverage, just what I want. Love the tiny and compact size, great for carrying out.

Face Designing Brightening: Highlighter in colour: cutie-face, which is a pearly white colour. Like the thin compact, however, hope it's smaller so that it's easier to bring out. 

Watson

Clockwise(in a way)

I'm back to using Biore sun block in the white bottle for oil control for this summer. 

I bought the sleek pink eyeliner because it's a super-slim, felt-tip eyeliner and it's so compact to bring out. I wish to keep makeup lighter in all aspects for summer and that means a thinner eye liner drawn quickly and fuss-free.

The Pink tube of mascara is cute, Lash Curler Express, it says it makes your eyelashes curl without needing an eyelash curler. We'll see.

Sally Hansen nail polish in colour: Bride to be

Some hello kitty masks and some facial masks  

SASA

Fiberwig Extra Long Mascara - I tried and I was impressed. The only bad point is, like with all fiber products, they're not waterproof.

F.O.X One touch Blush: Super Kawaii(See below).  

 The top is a mirror. Simply unscrew to release a sponge. It's super pigmented and a super gorgeous coral colour which made me scream. It looks power-ish but feels like it's from mousse to powder. 

Also bought some panties and a tank top from Cotton On.

At Food fair! First time see food fair in a shopping center selling crabs! They are from House Of Seafood, which I really never hear before. I seriously considered for a full minute infront of the stall, looking at the tray of pre-cooked chilli crabs. Because I have very high expectations of crabs. But I finally relented buying 1 crab at S$19.60. Which consists of 1 big claw, 1 small claw and well with 8 legs lah. I'll say, the crab size is slightly small to normal. Also topped up S$2 for 3 buns.

Boy, am I surprised with the crabbies! I regretted not buying more! Granted that they are pre-cooked, they wont taste as amazing as those freshly cooked ones at Melben. BUT after microwaving them for 30seconds, they're really not bad!! The taste, the gravy, pretty good. The buns goes well with the gravy too, though of course couldnt be compared to freshly fried buns la. Texture of crab might be a little mushy but I reckon the restaurant's standard should be not bad too. I will pull dearie to try them next time, I dont suppose their queue can be worse than Melbens.

I did left half for hubby, which he complained about the meat being mushy. He's sure more picky than me. 

好心作怪, nice drama

Woot!!! Finally finished 好心作怪, a hongkong drama serial. 

• 片　　名：好心作怪(粵語)
• 狀　　态：30 完結
• 主　　演：苗僑偉(Michael) 黃宗澤(Bosco) 萬绮雯(Joey) 周麗淇(Niki)
• 類　　型：港台劇 香港
• 語　　言：粵語
• 上映年代：2012

Very nice show. Really appreciate all the great acting, especially Michael, Bosco and Joey.

I wouldnt want to be a spoiler if you haven caught the movie but just have to mention anyway that Michael's acting was really superb in the show. From being a super arrogant unethical businessman to one who is kind and charitable, it's not easy to show a gradual change in personality of the character without being sudden and obtrusive. The script was wonderfully written, lots of twists but not overly "drama" until it became illogical.

So nice to see Joey back on screen. She is still looking lovely at her current age of 42 and those long legs of hers, wee-u-weet! Her figure is exactly the same like how she was 馬小玲 in "A date with Vampire". Amazing. Joey's the bad guy, one that is remarkably resourceful and cunning. But also one outstanding character that you will never ever forget.

Bosco acted as 2 twin brothers with totally different personalities and I felt his acting has reached another level.

All in all, enjoyed this drama and I was pretty hooked few weeks back. =)

Bali Trip in May 2013 (Part 2) - Sense Hotel - Water Rafting, Dinner at The Legends

To continue from Bali Part 1.

And so, the guys spent quite some time to reassure us on taking up water rafting, which made me kinda embarrassed that I'm such a pain in the ass. I was willing to give it a try....dont wish to be a spoilt sport...although I did have some funny and scary imaginations. =P And so, the next day, after  some unfruitful shopping near our hotel(stuff all so expensive! Humph!), we had a short swim in our hotel, Sense Hotel(you can refer to the last entry for pictures etc). Just so I can get myself re-acquainted with water again. After the swim, we had our free 1 hour massage + body scrub + flower bath by the hotel. But it wasnt really impressive. The service of the massage was real sloppy and the only thing which I enjoyed was the flower bath in the huge bathtub. Because our room dont have any.

After the dis-satisfactory massage, we were really hoping for a good one so we tried searching for some classy ones outside our hotel. However, we really didnt expect all are fully booked. So disappointed. We settled for massage at 1 sloppy parlor which was absolutely horrible. I was almost fully naked in the small cubicle with only curtains as doors but the masseur was busily going in and out of my cubicle ALL the time. I was so dangerously exposed frequently whenever I saw light shining in. I was SO PISSED and I finally spoke in a very displeased tone, "Can you dont keep go in and out?!!!" Finally she concentrated on massaging me, but with sticky hands. Urgghhhh!! It's the most disgusting massage of my whole life. Sooooooo, please book your massages with other reputable massage spas early.

After the horrible massage, we went to a small, humble cafe for dinner nearby on Jy's recommendation which serves really really good food. Opps sorry dont know the cafe name. All the dishes were SO NICE and were pretty reasonable pricing. Of course if compare with Ku De Ta, it will be deemed super cheap. The only dish I dont like are the huge BBQ prawns, they were much too mushy.

The next day we went to the beach. Here are some pictures taken at sunset. =D Pictures are not edited for brightness so as to show the real beach and sunset scenery. =)

Haha Smallest foot is mine

While the sand is soft....I still feel it's better to wear shoes. I got some really terrible bites on my ankles and lower leg. Super itchy and painful. They left super ugly marks which until now still haven fade. *Very sad*

As the sun sets......................... =)

Zoom in

Through my sunglasses........the sky turned a beautiful purple and pink!!

We were so hungry and settled at the nearby The Legends for dinner. It was strangely quiet and deserted.

Still.............a very tranquil and lovely place with serenity......

Finally an amuse bouche for us. The bread was very very nice, served warm.

Rey had a few helpings. 

Review of The Legends(Bali):
Basically to sum it off, only Joh's steak left an impression on me. It was good. The other dishes were all not lousy but didnt really impress me. But the prices were pretty affordable with the ambiance and scenery being really soothing and relaxing. The service was kinda lousy though. We had to ask again and again for ice water and the waitress kept press us to order (alcoholic)drinks. She really didnt stop until ALL of us had our orders. Rey was the last and she asked him at least 3 times before he finally ordered. Sometimes we merely wish to order drinks AFTER our meal and she didnt get that. And after our first round of wines, she will continue to press us for 2nd round which really became a tad annoying. I also got a few more insect bites while sitting there.

Therefore, I dont recommend it.


The guys did sourced a few water-rafting activities but eventually simply settled with booking with the hotel. I dont know if the price was considered reasonable or not(S$100 per pax for the water rafting including a lousy dinner, top up some more for the almost 2 hours transport up the hill) but the guys said it's safer this way as the one introduced by the hotel is more reputable. It means, the water-rafting boats are not super old, have proper life-jackets etc. Some super cheap ones might compromise on safety. Since it's a water sport, we did not bring any cameras etc so didnt manage to snap any pictures. But actually, it's possible to bring along. Because they have a water-proof bag to keep in the boat. But of course nothing is guaranteed...if the boat overturn, maybe you'll lose your stuff.

The boys who guided us were pretty cheeky and funny. And apart from us, there were also a few other boats full of tourists, we go one after another. Sometimes they splashed water on us and we splashed back for fun. =P But seriously, the water rafting is really nothing much exciting....it's way too...."safe" and "predictable", not tantamount at all. The water is so shallow(okie in a way, safe) that it only reaches the knee. What was REAL TRAUMATIZING are the 600 STEPS DOWN which lead to the river and the 300 STEPS UP which lead us back up to where we need to catch the transport again. MY LEGS ALMOST BROKE and I strongly suspected it's all this which nearly got me into an ASTHMA SEIZURE. IT WAS NO FUN!!!

Seriously, if I know the steps beforehand, hell, I would have skip this water-rafting. I'm so serious. Crazy. When I came back Singapore, I couldnt walk for 1week plus!! The muscularache was very very serious that even pain relieving cream cant help.

All in all, I had an awesome Bali trip with few of my best friends!!! Thanks so much guys. Maybe we can try out another holiday destination soon!! So wish that day can come soon!!