Tag Archives: Asia

Planning Your International Trip Right

April 24, 2019 Ena Teo Leave a comment

Hi guys! It’s been a long while since my last post isn’t it? I just came back from a long holiday and thought it apt to share about planning an international trip!

Planning Your International Trip Right

What is everyone’s travel nightmare when it comes to travelling internationally? When everything doesn’t seem to add up correctly. Mind you, this isn’t about getting mugged or scammed out of your money, but more on the preparations phase you might have planned poorly before your anticipated trip. Hence in today’s entry, I’d like to raise a few pointers you might want to take into consideration when you plan your international travel, especially if this is your first trip!

Before we get into the thrill of travelling the world, we might have the perspective that to travel, all you need to do is hop on any cheap flights we can find, and off we go for an adventure. However it might be more complex than that, especially when you’re going to somewhere beyond your own country’s borderlines. Lucky for you, I’ve round up this simple checklist for you!

1. The basics: Where? When? How?

Where? – Even spontaneous traveller needs to have a destination in mind before embarking on one. The reason for being sure of where the destination? Well, from knowing just the “Where”, you get to get an overview of what are the things you might need to bring. Let’s say you’re planning to go to Bali. Bali is a beautiful island, hence you know you won’t be needing a lot of fancy clothes because you’ll be spending a lot of time in a beach environment.

When? – Unlike Singapore where we’re pretty much on a one-season basis, other countries might not be so simple. If you’re travelling to the Philippines, you will definitely need to know the seasons they have. You do not want to go there during June because all you’ll be seeing is rainy clouds.

How? – This does not mean the type of transportation you will need because, for international destinations, we both know the main transport you will be boarding is on those with wings. My recommendation based on track record and general demand? SilkAir. Now, this is not the only recommendations I have, but one of it. SilkAir Singapore flights provide all the facilities you need to make your long-haul flights comfortable. I’ll be exploring this bit later in the “Choosing your airline” section.

2. Choosing your airline

Like my previous point, I recommend SilkAir; however, that is one of the many recommendations I have under my belt. Each airline serves different purposes, and SilkAir is one of those that provide well above average services for international routes. You can find cheap Singapore to Bali flights in any channels, be it their official website to the several online travel agency that serves their tickets like Traveloka for example.

Why is airline so important to take into consideration?

Three words: Quality services provided.

International routes, especially those that cross between 4 to 8 hours will be a pain to you physically and mentally if their services are below average – like, way below. You cannot run away from a crappy service because you are literally thousands of feet off the ground! Hence, I’m going straight to the point and listed the services that SilkAir provide well for their flyers.

SilkAir Services:

1. Seating class: Economy vs Business

Their Economy class provides great comfort with their width between 17-18 inches. It gives you plenty of legroom and pretty spacious for your kids if you are travelling with children. Their Business class on the other hand, of course, provide greater comfort with an extra legroom space and seating width between 20-22 inches. In a specific type of airline, their Business class seats even come with additional seat recline.

2. In-flight amenities: Dining and Entertainment

When it comes to food, SilkAir knows the best way to someone’s heart is through the stomach. SilkAir provides large varieties of food choices that could cater to the crazy foodies and those under special diet preferences. Be sure to give them a heads up if you are a vegetarian or allergic in some sort of way with certain food. With varieties of food also comes with a variety of drinks. Be it alcohol-based or juices, you will have the free flow you need to ensure your liquid intake is as satisfactory as your food intake.

When it comes to entertainment, I’m pretty sure you’ll get all the basic stuff you need to make your trip runs smoothly. SilkAir entertainment inventory is packed with the latest movies from various genres. You’re not into movies? Hard to believe but not impossible. There is also an extensive collection of audiobooks and music that could give you some relaxing entertainment.

3. A checklist may seem nerdish, but they are also called smart

Create your travel checklist. This checklist does not necessarily mean how many pair of clothes you have to bring or how many bottles of sunscreen you are going to need. This checklist marks its existence before, during and after your trip. From creating your visa to listing down your medical supplies; from having a checklist for your day-to-day activities at your destination to a checklist containing emergency contacts should things get a bit unpredictable, or even merely a checklist to get you through the airport or immigration. A checklist is your friend; let it be your friend!

So, there you have it. It is a brief anecdote to get you prepped up for your international flights. Either you’re new to travelling or even have been frequent travellers, all in all, we need to make thorough preparations. No matter how small or insignificant it may seem, but, trust me, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Better to have a headache now than later when you’re in a foreign land.

Anyways, happy holidays, everyone! Have fun & stay safe always!

Ena

P.S. This post was written in partnership with Traveloka.

Art & Design, Featured, Lifestyle

Dejavu comes true for The Lion King

June 29, 2018 Ena Teo Leave a comment

I’ll be catching The Lion King tonight and it’s gonna be a a deja vu experience come true for me!

Quite a while ago, I vividly remember dreaming about watching The Lion King musical in a setting that resembles the Sands Theatres at Marina Bay Sands, I remember the actors dressed up in animal like costumes running down the aisle to interact with the audience – it was all too real! So when I received the invitation to watch the musical a few weeks back, I remarked to my bestie that it’s a deja vu coming true for me!

I’m really excited about walking the red carpet and catching the Lion King grand premiere, touted as the World’s #1 musical with my bestie tonight! 🙂

The Lion King runs for a month starting from today until 26 August 2018, tickets start, from $65 get your tickets on Sistic website here!

Ena

Beauty, Featured, Lifestyle

If you’re a fan of AVATAR…

May 31, 2018 Ena Teo Leave a comment

…You should catch TORUK – The First Flight Cirque Du Soleil performance inspired by James Cameron’s AVATAR!

I’ve shared a quick review on my IG and I’m reposting it here. ☺️

I caught TORUK – The First Flight Cirque Du Soleil performance inspired by James Cameron’s AVATAR! The storyline follows the 3 leads as they traverse 5 tribes on the Moon to collect amulets and rescue their universe and we’re captivated by the amazing stage set up, lightning and props that makes the 5 tribes, their creatures and terrain come alive! ⛰

My favourite scene is the one where the performers play with Aerial Silks that are reminiscent of flowers and butterflies and make me appreciate nature once again!

We also got to engage and be immersed in the experience with the special TORUK app, shining lights on our phones during parts of the show. ✨

If you’re a fan of AVATAR be sure to catch this show before it ends its run on 3rd June!

Thanks Mediacorp & Vizpro for the tickets, you can get yours from here, prices from $98 to $188!

Art & Design

Get Your Home Ready For Chinese New Year

January 24, 2018 Ena Teo Leave a comment

Hi guys!

How has your 2018 been so far? If January flew by for you (as it did for me), no worries, it’s but a trial period! 😛 Chinese New Year is now round the corner (16 Feb 2018, in case you’re wondering) and it’s another opportunity to start anew!

With Chinese New Year fast arriving, places to get your Chinese New Year decorations such as Chinatown are beginning to get really crowded! That’s why for this post, I’ve teamed up with the lovely folks at online store Masons Home Decor to share how you can get your home ready for Chinese New Year with these popular decorations, so your guests and you can crush the Instagram game this festive season! 😉

1. Wall Decoration – Stickers, Scrolls, Banners

A must have item to usher in the Lunar New Year is a pair of red vertical banners with auspicious phrases written on them. These auspicious phrases would be in Mandarin and would indicate well wishes of joy, good health, and prosperity. The upside down ‘fu’ Mandarin character on a red background in the form of a wall sticker or hanging décor is also extremely popular. This, bundled with the vertical banners/scrolls at your door would be perfect in setting the mood right, and welcoming your guests in style.

Image from Pinterest.com

2. Lanterns

Lanterns provide an oriental touch to any space. Most homes in Singapore are very modern and many may feel that lanterns would not suit the theme of their home décor. There are in the market however, lanterns that look extremely modern. These lanterns are not your usual traditional looking lanterns made of paper or plastic, but they are made of premium fabric. Check out Mason’s premium fabric Chinese New Year lanterns that are perfect in blending in with a modern home décor theme, and at the same time introduce an oriental festive atmosphere.

3. Red Cushions / Bean Bags

As we already know, house visiting is a huge tradition for most Chinese in Singapore. Apart from welcoming guests in style, ensuring that their comfort is not jeopardised would be a big point to note for the host! A change of linens to the red colour or the introduction of red cushions would inevitably bring about the CNY atmosphere. The colour red in the Chinese culture represents fortune and joy. If you would like to go the extra mile in providing comfort, perhaps you could even throw in a red bean bag to allow your space to accommodate to more individuals. After all, bean bags are a comfy home decor tool that can be easily moved around the home!

Image from Potterybarn.com

4. Artificial Flowers

Cherry Blossoms and Peonies are must haves when it comes to floral arrangements for the New Year. Cherry Blossoms signify longevity while Peonies are a representation of good fortune. These are two attributes that many individuals would want! These flowers are also suitable for decorating the home after the festive season ends.

Image from ebay.

5. Pineapple

In the context of Chinese New Year, Pineapples have a deeper meaning than the pineapple tart party. Yes, it is definitely a must have CNY goody, but it is also too a must have CNY décor! Pineapples are known to be lucky items. In some dialects, the term pineapple can be directly translated to ‘prosperity is here’. This is why, you can see hanging pineapple decorations in many shops or offices you visit. Having pineapple decorations all over your home would represent a home that is bound to be blessed with good prosperity and wealth.

If you’d like to beat the crowd outside, you can get your home Chinese New Year ready by shopping from Mason’s array of Chinese New Year decorations! If you would prefer to get the whole family together to partake in some DIY CNY decoration making, check out this article here. Regardless of how you are going to attain your decorations, I hope you have a great time with your family and loved ones this festive season while ushering in the celebrations!

Ena

Beauty

Anti-Oxidants Benefits Featuring Renovatio Supplement & Face Cream

January 5, 2018 Ena Teo Leave a comment

Hi guys!

If you’ve read my last post or been updated with my social posts, you’d know that I am currently in the UK on holiday to visit my sister who’s studying here.

Well, in the midst of my holiday I want to share with you guys two Renovatio products that are high in anti-oxidants that I’ve been taking and using during this trip!

Before I delve into the products details and reviews, let’s talk about what anti-oxidants are and why they are good for our body.

What are Anti-Oxidants

In my layman term, anti-oxidants are good things that are mostly found in fresh fruits and vegetables, such as orange, tomatoes, berries and they are good in prevention of radicals (bad things) and hence particularly good in preventing cancer. However, this does not sound very scientific or impressive, so I am going to input excerpts from a website, verywell.com (thanks Google!):

Antioxidants are substances that may protect cells in your body from free radical damage that can occur from exposure to certain chemicals, smoking, pollution, radiation, and as a byproduct of normal metabolism. Dietary antioxidants include selenium, vitamin A and related carotenoids, vitamins C and E, plus various phytochemicals such as lycopene, lutein, and quercetin.

You can find these antioxidants in many different foods that you’re probably eating right now.

There are large amounts of antioxidants in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains and smaller amounts of antioxidants in meats, poultry, and fish. Junk foods, such as highly processed fast foods tend to be much lower in antioxidants. No surprise.

Health Benefits

Consuming foods rich in antioxidants may be good for your heart health and may also help to lower your risk of infections and some forms of cancer.

As Dietary Supplement

Antioxidants are available as dietary supplements, but research doesn’t indicate that these supplements are beneficial. While research supports increasing your intake of dietary sources, the results are not as impressive when the individual antioxidants are extracted and studied alone.

Antioxidant extracts often show remarkable results in laboratory studies (test tubes, lab dishes and sometimes in lab animals), but when they’re used in human clinical trials, the results for disease and death prevention have been disappointing.

One exception was the National Eye Institute study of age-related eye disease, which suggested that a combination of antioxidants reduced the risk of developing advanced stages of age-related macular degeneration.

So according to verywell.com, antioxidant supplements have not been very remarkable on human clinical trials, but in a particular study it has provened to reduce the risk of developing aging of macular degeneration (i.e. Blindness).

Now, we have a clearer picture of Anti-oxidants and why they’re good for us, let me share my reviews of Renovatio’s supplement and face cream!

First off, it’s Renovatio’s An Apple A Day Activated Phenolics Broad Spectrum Anti-Oxidant Whole Body Cellular Protection Supplement.

Renovatio touts this supplement to be “the world’s most potent dietary antioxidant tablet”.

Here’s more info. obtained from their official website:

100% natural broad spectrum antioxidant. The antioxidants you need on a daily basis to promote health and wellbeing in a convenient tablet form suitable for both adults and children.

Uniquely containing Activated Phenolicantioxidants that have been naturally extracted to be highly potent and easily absorbed by your body.

‘An Apple a Day’ Activated Phenolic antioxidants are derived from the healthiest of fruit – Apples (Malus domestica).

Apples are unique, in that out of the 1,755 different types of edible fruit, they contain the highest proportion of free phenolic antioxidants.

This may lend some truth to the proverb that has been passed down through both western and eastern culture – ‘An apple a day, keeps the doctor away‘.

Activated Phenolics are powerful antioxidants that neutralise a wide range of free radicals to protect your cells from damage and inflammation.

Studies have shown phenolic antioxidants contribute to the protection and recovery from degenerative, digestive and inflammatory conditions as well as contributing to weight loss and maintaining energy levels.

‘An Apple a Day’ is made in Australia from 100% Australian ingredients.

DIRECTIONS: Suitable for adults and children. Take one tablet each day or as directed by your health care professional.’

My Review

I have been taking this daily for about a week, I am loving this supplement and have been taking it to replace my multi-vitamin. Especially Vitamin B pill which is a type of vitamin that provides me with lots of healthy energy that keeps me going strong (in addition to coffee, haha) all day through without feeling tired. I realized after taking Renovatio’s An Apple A Day for a few days, I feel more energetic and less tired at the end of the day, So this supplement has been particularly helpful when we had long days while travelling in Paris recently. I would definitely recommend this supplement to anyone who’s looking for a healthy way to boost your energy levels especially if you have long working hours, or generally feel dull and lethargic. Available on Renovatio.com for AUS$29.95 for 30 tablets (one month).

Secondly, it’s Renovatio’s APSKIN face cream.

Transform your skin, boosting your skin’s glow and radiance.

Scientifically formulated from apples, nature’s best source of broad spectrum antioxidants. Phenolic antioxidants from apples are the world’s most potent antioxidants.

APSKIN protects, regenerates and restores skin at the cellular level like no other face cream available. Use APSKIN to transform your skin, boosting your skin’s glow and radiance.

Nourishing your skin at the cellular level, APSKIN is formulated to protect elastin and collagen structures, leaving your skin transformed, glowing and ageless.

A luxurious, hydrating and restorative face cream that smooths and improves your complexion.

Noticeable results can be seen after using APSKIN for 3, especially in areas of discolouration, damage or stress*.

Use twice daily for the best results.

The power of eight antioxidants, extracted from a single source to maximise cellular synergistic affinity.

DIRECTIONS: Apply APSKIN over the face or neck. For women and men of all skin types and can be worn alone or under make up.

My Review

Generally I tend towards water based skincare for moisturizer as creams have the tendency to break me out as I have acne prone skin. However being in London and Paris in winter have been great to provide me with the right environment to test this product as my skin becomes dryer and requires a richer cream to keep my skin hydrated. I love the apple smell that comes with this cream (a first for me in my skincare regime history) and when I apply it at night it does keep my skin hydrated all through the next morning. I would recommend this product for fellow Singaporeans (or SEAsians in hot and humid weather) if you have dry skin or sleep in air-con all night and also if you’re somewhere with cold and dry weather (like Europe in winter). Available on Renovatio.com for AUD$28.50 for 100ml.

All in all, I must say both products were a welcomed surprised for me, I was taken by the premise of the brand capturing the healthy powers of Apple in supplement and skincare form and I am glad they did not disappoint. I look forward to Renovatio expanding the skincare brand APSKIN into a full range because I definitely think there’s a potential for a skincare brand and range rich in anti-oxidants.

Shoutout and thanks to Invigorate PR and Renovatio for sending the products over for review! All opinions are my own.

Ena

Lifestyle

SG Bus Leh? – The App To Use When The Train Breaks Down

December 19, 2017 Ena Teo 2 Comments

If you’re a Singaporean or a local Singapore resident, you know the jokes about MRT breaking down is no longer funny. The reality we live in today is that the trains breakdown are more of the norm, than not. 🙁

I am not a hater or online keyboard warrior that goes about trashing the government body (Land Transport Authority) or the MRT company (SMRT) for all the train breakdowns. If you know me, I am much more of a realist and pragmatist – I don’t whine about the problems. When I see a problem, I rather much focus on what steps to take next, to find a solution or go around the problem, you know?

When the train breaks down, Grab or Uber ride prices escalates pretty high, pretty fast due to the unexpected demand, so I would opt for taking bus rides especially if you’re not in a hurry!

So, without further ado, I want to introduce to you SG Bus Leh?, a super cute app that will help us to board and alight a bus on time!

As I’m an Apple IPhone user, I will share my personal experience using this app before sharing more features available on the Andriod version! (I hate it when there are differences on the two iOS, but I have to accept that because there are a lot of restrictions places on Apple’s system.)

Search Bus Stop

Starting from the furthest right tab, <Search>. Simply type in Keywords and they will give you a few options for you to zoom in to the right stop / interchange to see what buses are available and when the next few buses are arriving.

2. Find Bus Stops Nearby

Another handy feature to locate bus stops is under this <Nearby> tab. I also really like how they even include details like “Bendy” for long buses and “Double” for double deckers. Cool, huh?

3. Add your Favourites stops!

<Favourites> is probably my favourite (no puns intended!) tab! This is so handy because instead of constantly searching for the same few bus stops you commute to and fro from, you can save your favourites there!

How to add your Favourite stops:

Step A: Search for your favourite stop

Go to <Search> and locate your favourite bus stop. For this example, I picked <Bedok Stn Exit A> and hit the star icon at the bottom of the list.

Step B. Name your Bus Stop

If you wish to, you may be your own government and rename this bus-stop. HAHA. I am boring today and for the sake of this blog post, I kept the same name.

Step C. Find it in under your Favourites!

Et Voila! Now I can have <Bedok Stn Exit A> easily accessible under my Favourites tab! 😀

What you can do, is to rename the bus stops as “Going Out” & “Coming Back” if your bus stops for going out and coming back are always the same.

4. Check out Lobangs while waiting for your bus.

Seems like pretty legit deals. My favourite is probably the “Spot & win lifetime ad-free SG BusLeh!” hahaha.

Onwards for more Android features!

5. You can spot your Nearby stops on Google Map.

The Android is able to integrate Google Maps, which makes the app a lot more interactive and cool.

6. It shows you how many more stops the next bus is away!

Because of the Google Maps integration, you can see how many more stops your bus is away from, on the map.

7. The App tells you how many more stops before you alight!

Lol, do you ever get anxiety when you’re on a new or unfamiliar bus route and don’t know which stop to alight and afraid to miss it? Well, this feature solves this problem by helping you to track the route! I am certainly tempted to get an Android phone now, lol.

8. Check EZ-Link Card Balance

Another nifty feature on the Android version is the ability to track your card balance after you sync it with this app. Cool huh?

9. You can pay to remove the ads.

If you’re the kind that pays for Spotify so you don’t have to listen to ads, you might be happy to know that there’s a paid version so you don’t have to see the ads when you open the app!

Last but not the least, if you’re curious to know, SG BusLeh is developed by one of the top local mobile app development singapore consultancy, Originally US. These guys they specialize in designing and developing amazing mobile apps that look and feel great with clients include insurance giant AIA, River Safari, Mediacorp, CPF and Zalora.

You can download your very own SGBusLeh? app on Apple here and Android here.

Many thanks to AM Collective for the introduction and SG BusLeh for sponsoring today’s post.

Ena

Food

Unforgettable Authentic Italian Dining Experience At Ricciotti

December 14, 2017 Ena Teo Leave a comment

Are you a fan of pasta and wines? Then today’s post will definitely be of interest to you!

Recently I had the pleasure to revisit Ricciotti and the experience was even better than I had remembered. The first time I visited Ricciotti was for a family dinner years back. The same restaurant has undergone a revamp with a sleeker branding and image, which makes for a great dining spot to also chill and hang out. The restaurant sports an open bar concept and has an incredible collection of 73 (and counting) whisky labels for whisky lovers to pair the delectable Italian dishes with.

If you are craving for authentic handmade Italian pasta and pizzas, look no further. I highly recommend coming with a crowd of four or more so you can order more dishes and share! It is tough to pick a favourite dish, although ultimately it will depend on what your taste preferences are. In case you are wondering, I will highlight what my picks are, in my captions/notes accompanying the photos of dishes we tried below.

If you enjoy wines and have someone to impress, I also recommend calling in to reserve your seats and request for wine pairing – the manager will recommend the best of Italian wines (have I mentioned how much I love Italian wines?) to go with their fine dishes.

All in all, Ricciotti is a modern restaurant and bar that serves authentic Italian cuisine with excellent service and a place that I’ll definitely head back for more!

I don’t always have my fill with bread but I simply couldn’t resist these, which are so soft and delicious.Carpaccio di Manzo, Argentine Beef Carpaccio, 25 Years Aged Balsamic Dressing, Parmesan Cheese, Rocket Salad.

A chef’s recommendation, undoubtedly a popular dish for Italians but not quite my liking.

Polpo e Burrata, Grilled Octopus, Burratina D.O.P, Roasted Cherry Tomato Pesto, Crispy Celery.

I really like this dish, everything from the fresh octopus, cheese, roasted cherry tomatos and how everything goes together. This dish pairs so well with the Italian white wine we had!

Tortelloni di Bufala. Homemade Buffalo Mozzarella D.O.P. Stuffed Pasta, Cherry Tomato Confit, Pearl Onions, Basil Sauce.

Tagliatelle alla Bolognese. Homemade Tagliatelle, Beef Ragú Sauce, Parmesan Cheese.

I don’t know if you ever get Bolognese Pasta cravings, but I do and this dish just hits the spot! It’s everything you’d want in a beef bolognese pasta!

Ravioli del Plin. Homemade Beef Stuffed Pasta, Parmesan Cream, Porcini Mushrooms, Veal Jus.

This is my favourite of the three pastas we tried. I might sound like I’m exaggerating, but I’ve been to Italy and I’ve tried other Italian restaurants in Singapore but there’s nothing quite like this dish! I love the flavour of the dish and how the Ravioli goes so well with the mushrooms. Most definitely recommend this dish with some red wine.

Crudo e Rucola. Parma Ham, Rocket Salad, Parmesan Shaving, Tomato Sauce, Mozzarella Cheese.

This is such a satisfying pizza. the parma ham is definitely the highlight of the dish. The saltiness of the parma ham pairs so well with the fresh rockets (another one of my favourites!), cheese and pizza base that I couldn’t resist getting more of it, slice after slice. I’m not usually a pizza lover, but you can give me this pizza anyday!

Branzino alla Mediterranea. Grilled Seabass, Mediterranean Vegetables Caponata, Gaeta Olives, Capsicum Sauce.

The sea bass is so fresh, guys. I am typically most picky when it comes to eating seafood because I only like it when it’s fresh and well flavoured and this dish did not disappoint. Agnello alla Ligure. Mint Brined Lamb Loin, Taggiasche Olives, Pearl Onions, Artichoke Purée

At this point of writing, I must admit that I feel like I’m running out of descriptions to express how delicious the dishes are, especially when we were served so many! And I can only say that in my honest opinion, this is lamb slices cooked to perfection. We were so surprised by this dish, it is not gamey at all, this is how all lamb meat should taste like, in my opinion, heh. I have weak gums that tire easily when I’m eating chunky meat slices or steak so I always appreciate when meat slices are well cooked so that it is neither too raw nor tough!

Panna Cotta. Almond Milk Panna Cotta, Salted Dark Chocolate Crumbles.

One of my favourite memories of Italy is enjoying fresh, white Panna Cotta in Venice and I haven’t had the chance to eat anything quite like it – soft, white and delicious. And I must say, Ricciotti’s Panna Cotta comes close. What’s better is that this Panna Cotta is almond milk flavoured, so if you’re a fan of almond, you will love this.
Tiramisú. Classic Italia Recipe, Mascarpone Cream, Espresso, Savoiradi Biscuits.

The test of an Italian establishment, we’re told, is in its Tiramisu. This is a favourite dessert at Ricciotti, with its soft tiramisu cake that’s moist and well flavoured, it’s no wonder why.

Semifreddo al Gianduja. Hazelnut and Chocolate Frozen Parfait, Salted Caramel Sauce.

It feels right to end off the review with this dish, the mix of sweet hazelnut and chocolate frozen parfait that’s like ice cream and the salted caramel sauce, this dish is Italian with a modern twist.

I thoroughly enjoyed my dining experience at Riccotti with their delicious, authentic Italian dishes and also love the modern and trendy setting. Thank you Lucas and Ricciotti for having me at the media tasting. Shout out for Wei Kai of SgCafeHopping for the beautiful photography you see in this post, to remember these delicious dishes by!

–

Ricciotti Riverwalk

20 Upper Circular Road, B1-49/50
The Riverwalk, Singapore 058416
Tel: (65) 6533 9060 Fax: (65) 6535 5915
Email: riverwalk@ricciotti.co
Daily, 11:30am – 11:00pm
Private room available for max. 10 pax,
with min. spend of $400 for lunch & $600 for dinner.

–

The meal is sponsored but all opinions in the review are my own.

Ena

Lifestyle

8 Things You Might Expect At Le Diner en Blanc

December 10, 2017 Ena Teo Leave a comment

You might have read about my previous post Checklist for Le Diner en Blanc First Timers and I thought I’d do a follow up post about what actually happened at the one I attended in Singapore earlier this year!

1 / You have to meet up with your chosen bus group.

As the location for Le Diner en Blanc is always kept a secret, participants of the event will have to gather at their chosen location (many across islandwide) to wait for a bus that will take us to the venue.2 / You will have to carry all your stuff with you. (Bring a handy trolley if you have one!)

It was tough finding a white bag that will fit all the things that we had to carry, so we had to split all the things up and carry between the two of us!

3 / You might experience a really long bus ride.

We took the bus from the east near Tanah Merah, the bus took us to Changi before heading down to Sentosa. >.< I’m not sure why that was the reason though, so I hope you like bus rides!

We finally alighted at RWS and took a walk to the location at RWS.
4 / You might rush to get a spot in the line and then get busy to set up your table.

Every bus is assigned one line, and most people would want to be at the end of either sides so there might be a bit of jostling around, but thankfully everyone was quite courteous. We did a bit of research online and especially Pinterest to gain inspiration for table setting and I had the sense to add in a candle lamp and fairy lights – I brought enough to share with the tables on our left and right, haha!

5 / Prepare to exchange stories and maybe even food!

The french on my right happened to have worked at an office near where I live so we had quite a good conversation and they offered us really yummy cheese (as pictured) and salami on bread! I especially love this part about the dinner, meeting new friends! 6 / Photoworthy moments

Being at DEB means everyone’s dressed in white and it’s definitely an evening you want to remember, so be sure to take a few shots, especially with who you’re with and meet!

7 / Enjoy the fringe events

In addition to all that’s already happening – setting up dinner, dining, meeting new friends – organizers had a lot of fringe events like models on stilts, musicians to entertain us through the dinner. We made the trip to the photobooth to get a few cute shots! 🙂

8 / Dance the night away!

The event ends with a blast with everyone dancing the night away, we also got to see fireworks since we were at Sentosa and the evening was truly quite spectacular and enjoyable.

If you enjoyed my post and want to receive an invite for DEB 2018, register here. Special thanks to DEB Singapore for hosting us and my partner in crime Christabelle!

Ena

Fashion, Thoughts

The Two Most Important Days In Your Life

December 10, 2017 Ena Teo Leave a comment

Recently I came across this quote:

“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.”

While I don’t profess to fully know why I am born on this earth, nor do I have THE calling or mission to accomplish in this life time – I do know that my interests and career lies heavily in the areas of Real Estate & Digital Media and I want to continue to grow my interest and skill sets in these two areas.

I’ve reviewed my 2017 goals and vision board (they’re in powerpoint slides format, in case you were wondering) and I’ve decided that my theme for 2018 will be “Value-Add”. Whether it is value adding for my clients at work, readers on my blog or social media following. brands that I work with, my family, my church community or my friends – I will strive to Value-Add in any and all ways through my actions, time and with the life that God has given me.

Speaking of value-adding, one thing I’ll be doing more often is recommending cafe spots and fashion finds in 2018! 😉 If you’re looking for a cozy coffee spot in Novena, I highly recommend Joe & Dough at Square 2 (10 Sinaran Dr, 01-156, Singapore 307506)! Also, shout out for Mizzue Singapore for sponsoring the cute beige bag featured below! I like that the bag is well made and comes at an affordable price point. Mizzue also carries many bag styles, there’s sure to be something you’ll love that you can carry from work to date nights. The design I’m carrying below is sold out, however you can find similar styles here, here and here.

Ena

Beauty

3 Benefits of Tumeric For Your Skin + Himalaya Skincare Hampers Giveaway!

December 9, 2017 Ena Teo 2 Comments

Hi Loves!

Today I’d like to share with you 3 benefits that Tumeric can bring for your skin!

1 / Gives you a natural glow

Traditionally women have been using Tumeric as an effective skin brightener to maintain clear and beautiful skin. This can be attributed to the curcumin found in Tumeric, a powerful anti-oxidant that can prevent cellular damage by destroying infected cells from free radicals.

2 / Helps to heal wounds faster

The same curcumin found in turmeric can help wounds heal by decreasing inflammation and oxidation. Studies have found that turmeric can positively affect tissue and collagen as well. The journal Life Sciences recommends applying curcumin as an optimized formula to best work on skin wounds.

3 / Reduce acne and scarring

The anti-inflammatory qualities of Tumeric can target your pores and calm the skin. Turmeric is also known to reduce scarring. This combination of uses may help your face clear up from acne breakouts.

With that, if you want to start incorporating Tumeric in your skincare, I’ve got 2 Himalaya’s Tumeric Infused product hampers for giveaway! Check out my unboxing, quick review and giveaway details below. 🙂

3 bags of hampers, 1 for review & 2 for giveaway.
The box for review came with a cute folder including the press release document.
Opening the box reveals a Tumeric flower, with the Tumeric infused products packaged below the soil, as Tumeric is extracted from the stem (yes, I googled, if its stem or root!).Uncovering the black cover reveals 4 Himalaya Tumeric infused products.Himalaya Purifying Neem Face Wash, Purifying Neem Scrub, Neem Face Pack, Purifying Neem & Tumeric Soap.That’s not it! Removing the products reveals another layer below.A DIY Kit with Tumeric.Comes with Tumeric Powder and Honey and instructions on how to make the DIY mask.Uncovering the paper cases to reveal the product packaging below.

All the products also include the Neem ingredient, which comes from the Neem tree and has amazing anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties which is great for the skin. Check it out here.

My thoughts & reviews:
I struggled with facial acne issues growing up, and I was a Himalaya Purifying Neem Face Wash user. I like that the product felt very organic and close to nature, it felt like a very natural solution to my acne issues. For this review, I tried every product in the hamper and I can attest that the product is just as I remembered it. The Purifying Neem Face Wash is a gel-like consistency product, that gently cleanses the face without leaving it taut or tight.

Purifying Neem Scrub is denser, darker in colour and contains apricot granules that gently exfoliates the skin while also containing neem that has skin purifying qualities. I would recommend this for anyone looking for a face or body scrub and also other scrubs in Apricot and Walnut as they are effective, feels great on the skin and smells pretty good.

Using Neem Face Pack

Neem Face Pack contains Fuller’s Earth, Neem & Tumeric which has purifying and anti-bacterial properties. A good mask pack, in my opinion helps to regulate sebum production, cleans clogged pores and prevents pimples, which this mask promises to do so. I have yet to use it regularly to attest, but it is pretty decent after my first use and impression. My only gripe about this product is that is smells too strong (I think it is due to Neem) for my preference.

Purifying Neem and Tumeric Soap has the same purifying and anti-bacterial properties which is good for cleansing the body, and especially if you have back acne like I do. However, again, I don’t quite like the strong smell of the product – I kinda wish they had this amazing product in rose scent.

Himalaya range of skincare products are available at the following retail stores – Watsons, Guardian, NTUC, Giant, Mustafa as well as NHG Polyclinics, ranging from $7.95 – $12.95.

I will be hosting 2 of the generous Himalaya Tumeric Infused skincare products gift hamper bags on my Instagram (will be posting it shortly tonight). Head over to my IG – @ena_teo and take part in the giveaway tonight!

Ena

Featured, Food, Lifestyle

Check out my Delicious and Healthy Lunch with Vaya Tyffyn Lunchbox | Ena Lifestyle Review

April 11, 2017 Ena Teo Leave a comment

Do you pack lunch to work? Cause if you do, this post is for you!

The other day, I packed a home cooked meal and I’m so happy with my new Vaya Tyffyn lunchbox that I’d like to share more about my experience with you…

My home is never lacking of food because my Mum loves to cook, has lots of ingredients and food in the kitchen and my married sister loves to buy me desserts whenever she visits weekly! I know, I know, lucky me! 😀

So it was perfect to have my Vaya Tyffyn lunchbox so I can pack all of these goodies, home-cooked noodles and salad, fresh tomatoes and Japanese desserts~

These are all the ingredients to be packed in my Tyffyn lunchbox!

My pretty Vaya Tyffyn lunchbox in “Wool” design.

What’s great about this lunch box is that it is a Heat Retaining, Vaccum Insulated Lunchbox, with a Sleek design and Stainless steel, High Copper finishing containers – more of these in the visuals below! 😉

Isn’t she a beauty? A sight to behold, sure to inspire envious “awws” and “ahs” from classmates or colleagues!

This Vaya Tyffyn is capable of holding 1000ml of soup and food contents spilt over 3 handy layers and capable of keeping hot food warm for 5-6 hours.

I chose to put my noodles with dumpling and soup on the base layer, my potato and fruit salad with fresh tomatoes on the second layer, separated with one of the 3 handy dividers also provided in the set, and lastly but definitely not the least, topping it up with a strawberry puff as dessert!

Notice how beautiful the rose gold containers exterior are!!!

Top down view, each container comes with a handy cover with a small hold for you to easier pop them out with your finger. I love it!

Last but not the least, the lunchbox come with a waterproof and heat-retaining “Bag Mat” which you can use as a sling bag in carrying your meal and double up as a meal mat to keep any food spillage in. SO INGENIOUS!

Thanks Vaya Tyffyn for creating this super stylish lunch box!

Here’s my meal that I’m having with my friends, they were so intrigued by my pretty lunch box, and I’m definitely going to prepare more such meals out with my Vaya Tyffyn!

If you’d like one of your very own stylish lunch box, visit their website here and get your 1000ml or 600ml lunch box! 😉

Thanks Vaya Tyffyn for sponsoring this blog post!

Ena

Fashion

Of China Blue Dress & Comfy Grey Tops

November 17, 2016 Ena Teo Leave a comment

I don’t know about you, but I very much prefer shopping in person in stores over online shopping when it comes to clothings – you certainly can’t touch or feel the material or see the size and fit of a piece on clothing online! That said, I consider myself blessed because my body size usually fits whatever the fit model dons on line (S or M) although I am a lot shorter then them, haha. So when I do come across a credible online website that ships affordable fashion – It makes me excited to share it with you!

The website in mention for today’s post is FashionMia. I picked a Round Neck Blue and White China Dress and 2 grey tops which I’ve been loving and wearing of late. Gotta say the material for its price is really decent and most importantly – comfortable!

Was out grocery shopping for dinner with my sister while in my dress hence the supermarket background photos you’ll see below. You can find the grey hoodie top here. For more dresses here and tops here.

Happy shopping!

Ena

Fashion, Lifestyle

Chic Styles with Tobi

November 10, 2016 Ena Teo Leave a comment

On my recent trip to Korea, I brought my Tobi pieces along for the trip. I love how chic yet comfy these pieces are!

Easy Spirit Skater Dress available here.

Front and Center Belle Sleeve Romper in Rust here.

Straight A Skater Dress (Final sale price right now!) available here.

Shop more from Tobi here and their Holiday sale here! They also have free shipping to Singapore for purchases above US$100 . 😉

In case you’re wondering, I’m 155cm (158-160cm with heels) tall and dressed in size S.

Thank you Tobi for sending these pieces and the love! <3

Ena

Beauty, Featured, Travel

7 Recommended Beauty & Wellness Spots in Korea!

October 19, 2016 Ena Teo 8 Comments

Are you planning for a pampering trip with your girlfriends / mum or sisters soon? I was just in Korea last month for a Beauty and Wellness trip and had the privilege to experience the best of Beauty and Wellness that Korea has to offer. Today’s post will cover 7 beauty spots and services that we visited which I highly recommend! Maybe you can KIV some spots for your next trip! 😉

(1) K-Beauty Makeover at Beauté 101

Beauté 101 is one of Korea’s top 1-stop shop for all your beauty needs; hair, makeup and nails. Need to prep for a night out in Korea? Fret not – just be in your outfit for the night, factor 2-3 hours with them and you’ll be ready to rock and roll in style, with your tresses, makeup and nails done. I also recommend checking out the nearby alleyways for cute spots for OOTDs like we did! For a basic hair styling, makeup and nails package like I did, it costs 242,000 won (S$298), add another 100,000 won (S$122) to upgrade to a party/special package. Located in Gangam, check out their Facebook page here and be sure to reserve in advance for your slot.

(2) Luxe Facial Spa at Sulwhasoo Flagship Store

If you’re travelling with your mum or favourite aunt, may I suggest and recommend booking a luxe Facial Spa at Sulwhasoo Flagship Store – Korea’s equivalent of La Mer, whether it’s products, place or service, it won’t disappoint. On the ground floor, you’ll find exhibitions of past and present products and packaging. If you think that the ground floor is astounding, you’ll be further impressed by their second level where #interiorgoals abound. You’ll find a gift wrapping segment followed by an array of current ranges of products which are free for testing followed by a private lounge area where you can sip tea and enjoy testing out the products one by one, including the famed Sulwhasoo – Harmonizen Regenerating Cream which costs 650,000 (S$800). Yes that’s right you didn’t read wrong. After shopping (according to the local staff, the store is very generous with their samples and price after discounts for tourists is even better than airport). Before you’re ushered off for your spa, enjoy a vial of ginseng ampoule (drank, not applied), complemented with a cuppa green tea to balance the bitterness of the ginseng. Following which, you can proceed to their spa level and then into individual rooms which are designed like hotel rooms, with individual shower room. The facial spa begins with a foot soak followed by scrub with their special ginseng body scrub that’s not for sale and only available at the spa – talk about exclusivity! There’s even an iPhone cable charge in the spa room, super thoughtful. After the facial, which ends off with Sulwhasoo’s very thorough skincare regime, you can prep your tresses and apply their in house Sulwhasoo makeup foundation and blusher at the private makeup room. I also love that their staff speak basic conversational english pretty well. Visit them at 650, Sinsadong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea.

In case you’re wondering what’s in the Sulwhasoo facial, these are my notes – I can’t recall the entire skincare regime at the end as it was too extensive!:

Hot feet soak
Ginseng scrub
Facial portion:
Remove makeup
Cleansing oil
Hot towel
White ginseng scrub
Sleeping mask
Rest
After facial skincare:
First treatment essence
Lotion
Moisturizer
Serum
Sunblock

(Visit their site if you’d like to find out more about their Beauty Ritual)

(3) Soak, spa & massage at women’s only Spa Lei

Lei Spa is a popular women’s only spa, and rated #7 out of 230 spas and wellness places in Seoul on TripAdvisor. As we were fully made-over after our Beaute101 experience and we were a little short of time during our visit to Spa Lei, we didn’t (want to) experience a full soak, sauna and massage which will ruin our hair and makeup, lol. We did however enjoy a drink and hot feet soak at both their outdoor and indoor foot spa. While their staff speak very limited english, I was very impressed with their 3 floors of facilities ranging from saunas, spa, massage, sleeping rooms, TV rooms, outdoor terrace, cafe, nails services and more – I can imagine it’s a place to hang out with my girlfriends for a whole day just doing sauna, spa, massage, meals, nails and more. For as little as 2000won an hour, it’s no wonder Spa Lei is a hit with both local and tourists alike. Do note that privacy is a huge concern, so you will need to keep your phones in the locker as no phones are allowed in the spa.

(4) Skincare and Makeup Shopping at Myeong Dong

If you count yourself a K-beauty lover, no trip to Korea would be complete without visiting Myeong Dong where there’s an endless supply and promotion of all things Korean skincare and makeup. If you’re a fan of new skincare brands, then you must pay a visit to Olive Young who stocks brands that are more under the radar before they are established enough to have their owns stores, such as CNP, WakeWake and ElishaCoy. If you’re like me and a fan of established skincare and makeup brands such as Laneige, EtudeHouse, Clio & TheFaceshop, then it’s best to plan your trip to coincide with Korea’s sales season which is start of October and the next one would be early next year, visit Visit Korea website or Korea Grand Sale website for updates. If you’re planning to buy in bulk, my local friend suggests visiting Duty Free at Lotte Mall for really awesome bulk discounts.

Also, no street shopping is complete without street snacks!I will be writing a separate article on recommended Korean food spots, but thought I should add this in as well. Speaking of street snacks, On my first night in Korea, I’d met up with my friend, Livia for Chimac dinner. Livia works at Charis and she gifted me with a Klairs Mochi Bb cushion, a lightweight foundation – you can get it from my Charis online store here~ Also, I have to mention that you can get lots of awesome Korean snacks at Big Mart at Myeong Dong, opens till 12am!

Second night at Myeong Dong (we were there most nights since it was a stone throw away from our hotel!):

I also recommend staying at Lotte City Myeongdong Hotel which is a 10 minutes walk away from Myeong Dong shopping streets. A relatively new hotel with impeccable and friendly staff service, good breakfast spread, comfortable bedroom and great housekeeping service.

Apart from Myeong Dong, I also recommend paying a visit to Gangnam where you’ll find Style Nanda and many shop fronts with lovely visual merchandising in their windows and having a cuppa coffee at Coffeesmith, just to people watch – the dudes are particularly handsome there, haha.

Style Nanda store:

Olive Young:

Club Clio, got the colour I wanted in Celeb Rose which ran out at Olive Young!:

If you have more time, you should also check out Hongdae where there’s more Korean makeup and skincare shops (no surprises, LOL) and more street fashion!

Cap shopping:

Walked into Labiotte for their wine lipsticks!

Got one of these lipsticks, which is a lovely coral and hydrating formula:

Burnt orange and browns colours are all the rage this fall!:
Came by StyleNanda at Hongdae:

Love these new 3CE liquid lips shades in Lazy, Obsessed & New me, except I’d already bought like 8 lipsticks by this time, so I didn’t purchase any, lol! #onemouthonly

Was super tempted to get this, but would be too creamy/shimmery/oily for SG’s humid weather, so I did not – but if I was staying in Korea would go for this!: Also, Chuu official has nice lip tints!

(5) Wellness Treatment at KwangDong Oriental Hospital

Have I mentioned that we’ve been treated to only the best in Korea during our trip? The same can be said of our visit to KwangDong Oriental Hospital – we were there on a Friday morning at 9.30am and there were already customers at the counters paying for their oriental medicine dosage/satchets after their check ups. My wellness session with KwangDong Oriental Hospital started with registration, followed by consultation with the doctor, interpreted by a very eloquent lady named Jenny – the doctor then administered my virgin acupuncture experience (pretty painless in fact) on my stiff shoulders and aching calves followed by a cold stone facial spa and hot herbal foot pack – it was an incredible and unique experience to have a cold and hot sensation simultaneously on the opposing ends of my body. I love my experience at KwangDong Oriental Hospital and hope to bring my parents there some day.

(6) Relaxing Spa Session at Herb Island

Last but not the least, if you’re a fan of whimsical European style, I recommend visiting Herb Island and experiencing the Spa session after lunch and staying until the evening when the place is lit in the night. The Spa session starts off with tea and registration followed by a foot soak, a hot pack experience while laying on a cloth over dried hay (I imagine that’s how Jesus felt when he was a baby in a manger, lol) and ending off with massage (choice of back or feet, I picked feet). Also, the shops are super pretty, if you’re a fan of aromatic oil, scents and tea, it’s a place you can stock up on supplies!

If you enjoyed reading my Beauty and Wellness recommendations, stay tuned to my next post on Korean Food recommendations in Seoul! 😉

If you’d like a chronological update to my Beauty and Wellness Korean Trip visit my Dayre days 272-278 starting here.

Thank you Carolyn and Korean Tourism Organisation Singapore for making the trip to Korea possible!

Beauty, Featured

Shine Bright Like a Diamond with these Whitening & Brightening Skincare Products

August 14, 2016 Ena Teo 2 Comments

If you’re obsessed about whitening and brightening your skin, this post’s for you. Today’s skincare compilation consists of 4 skincare brands, each with at least one whitening / brightening skincare product / range that apparently we Asians are obsessed over.

If Google brought you here while you’re searching for a specific product review, I hope you’ll also enjoy reading up about other products featured in this post as well! 😉

The Body Shop Drops of Light & Enrich Not Exploit Campaign

The Body Shop’s Drop of Light promises to:
reveal your most luminous complexion yet with our complete skin‑brightening regime. Suitable for sensitive skin with an array of sensorial textures, each product in this range gives you another dose of brighter skin, day after day.
The collection consists of Pure Clarifying Foam Wash (not pictured), Pure Translucency Essence Lotion, Pure Healthy Brightening Day Cream & Skin Defence Multi Protection Essence. For more product features, information and prices here. The key ingredient in this range is atlantic red algae extract that is rich in minerals, nutrients and vitamin C which gives its brightening effect. What I love about the range is the scent and how light it feels on the skin. I really enjoy using the Facial Foam Wash. Another key product to highlight is the Skin Defence Multi Protection Essence which boasts to be The Body Shop’s highest protection sun block with the lightest weight texture. And it definitely feels like it… as a plus, it smells great too!
During the same time of Drops of Light launch, The Body Shop also launched a Enrich not Exploit campaign to show that they
are committed to working fairly with our farmers and suppliers and helping communities to thrive. Our products enrich, but never make false promises and are never tested on animals. For more information about the campaign visit here.

The Body Shop Drops of Youth

Body Shop Drops of Youth range helps to revitalise anti-aging skin by kick-starting the cell repair process and delivering a much-needed hit of supple hydration.

Drops of Youth Cream, Youth Essence Lotion & Youth Concentrate, for full range see here.

Having tried the above three products, I can attest that the range is remarkable light for an anti-aging range. A user-pro tip that I’ve seen from The Body Shop’s Facebook post/advertisement is using both the Drops of Light and Drops of Youth serums together for a double packed brightening and hydrating effect!

Thank you The Body Shop Singapore and WOM PR for sending over the products over for review! <3

Eucerin White Therapy Range

Sun exposure, hormonal changes, skin inflammation, and acne scarring can all lead to problems of hyperpigmentation – a key concern for many Asian women. Specially formulated for Asian skin, Eucerin® White Therapy is clinically proven to reduce the appearance of dark spots to give you visibly brighter skin in just over 12 weeks.

Eucerin® White Therapy acts at the root of the problem – where melanin synthesis occurs. The products are formulated with key ingredients B-Resorcinol and Glycyrrhetinic Acid to prevent excessive melanin production and work to continuously reduce pigmentation. Beyond its melanin-suppressive capabilities, the formula also supports and stimulates the skin’s natural ability to repair damage and helps to prevent signs of premature ageing.

This range works on dark spots, age spots, melasma, freckles, post-inflammatory stress, and acne scarring to give you a brighter and more even skin tone. Overtime, Eucerin® White Therapy also helps to prevent the reappearance of pigmentation.

Eucerin is a dermatologist recommended skincare that you’ll find readily available at drug store so it’s no surprise when I adopted this range of skincare for a week that it’s fragrance free and very gentle on my skin. If you’ve got sensitive skin and you’re looking for a range of skincare to help you regain your skin’s fairness without any harsh ingredients, I’d definitely recommend this range! For more information about the range, visit here.

Eucerin & Nivea’s Top 10 Best Selling Products

I don’t even know where to start for this. Here are the top 10 best selling Eucerin, Nivea and Nivea Men’s products!

Processed with VSCOcam with hb1 preset

From left to right: Eucerin Volume Filler Day Cream, Eucerin pH5 Skin Protecting Shower Oil, Nivea Men Oil Control Brightening Mud Serum Foam, Nivea Men Cool Kick Anti Perspirant Spray, Nivea Lip Balm, Nivea Sun Block, Nivea Firming Body Serum, Nivea Makeup Clear Micellar Water

Obviously I can’t attest to the men’s products, but I can say that even before Nivea sent these over to me, I’ve been using Nivea’s Body Milk Night Whitening Lotion at night, because you know, I also want fairer skin and Nivea products smell so good and are so affordable. Sometimes when I’m not too lazy, I also use the above Firming Body Serum with SPF33 as a day body sun block. I’m also almost finishing the Nivea Micellar Water, and they’ve just me the new updated version which is even better! More on the new products in another separate post! 🙂

Nivea has also launched Extra White Serum Deodorant and Anti Perspirant spray. The key ingredients are 10x Vitamin C and Avocado Oil to smoothen and whiten under arms while keeping them fresh for longer. For Nivea’s whitening deodorant, see here.

Thank you Eucerin, Nivea & The PR People for sending the products over for review! <3

CNP White Peel Home Set

A home-based whitening treatment program that is used in dermatology clinics, it uses the latest Polyhydroxy Acids (PHA) principle. The formula removes dead skin cells and brightens skin tone resulting in clear radiant skin.

For more information, visit their site here. I’ve yet to review this set yet, do look out for my review update on my IG. 🙂

Kiehls’ Nature Powered Masks

Kiehls’ launched two new masks early this year, the TURMERIC & CRANBERRY SEED ENERGIZING RADIANCE MASQUE and CILANTRO & ORANGE EXTRACT POLLUTANT DEFENDING MASQUE. I love that this is a quick 10 min mask, the cranberry seeds exfoliates the skin in a gentle and natural manner, revealing clean and rejuvenated skin~

Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution

2016-02-28 23.27.37

It seems that I might have just reserved the best for the last, in this case. I don’t think I need to say anything else except that this is a truly remarkable blemish clearing product and it delivers the very promise it makes on its product name; Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution. I’ve used it on my acne spots on multiple nights and I always find that I wake up to clearer skin and lightened blemish spots… highly recommended!

Thank you Wei-Lin of Kiehls for sending the products over for review! <3

Is there any whitening and/or brightening skincare product that you swear by? Let me know in the comments below!

Ena

Beauty

Ena’s Beauty Talk | SG National Day Makeup Tutorial

August 4, 2016 Ena Teo Leave a comment

National Day is coming right up in just a few days! I saw makeup artist Clarence Lee’s makeup demonstration on Lady First SG show and decided to have my own take on the look:

Products used:
Starting with Etude House Play 101 Pencil in a Pinkish Red Colour (choose one that you like from the many colours available)
Kate Digital Liner Eye Liner
Elizabeth Arden Eye Lash Curler
Lancome Hypnose Doll Eyes Mascara
Maybelline Baby Lips Balm
ZA Cosmetic Lip Crayon (New, available in Watsons in September) in Magenta 232
Milani Rose Blush in Tea Rose

How do you find the video? Let me know your comments and thoughts and if you’d like me to create another look soon!

In case you’re wondering, Lady First Singapore is showing every Tue 8pm on StarHub E City Channel where the experts are always sharing cool makeup and fashion tips!

Ena

Fashion, Lifestyle

Chasing Sunset

July 8, 2016 Ena Teo Leave a comment

I’ve always thought that sunsets at the Stadium are remarkable. So I’m sure glad that I can show you a glimpse of the sunset which formed a beautiful backdrop to these outfit photos when Fenny and I were there last Thursday.

Outfit details:
Rag & Bone Dress, sold out on site, similar here. For Rag & Bone pieces on The OutNet, here.
Iris And Ink Leather Shoulder Bag here, for full collection here.
Michael Kors Sunglasses available at Optic Butler‘s store at Paragon.

If you haven’t, you most definitely have to check out The Out Net, sister website of Net-a-porter, a fashion outlet site that sells designer pieces up to 75% off.

Thank you Melissa, Minyee & Directions Group Inc for making this featured post possible.

Ena

Fashion, Food, Lifestyle

Yellow Cup Coffee Date with Belles | #ThrowbackThursday

July 7, 2016 Ena Teo Leave a comment

Sometimes I surprise myself. These days the blogging mojo has been so strong, I’m back to publishing 2-3 posts a week. And that means I’m finally down to blogging about really old backlog and in this case, a coffee date with my belles, aka Christabelle and Clarabelle from 2 years ago. I did a quick check, while fortunately Yellow Cup Coffee still exists (kudos to them and also a testament to their staying power), I can’t promise that the interior and menu is still the same. While prepping for this post, I recall the fun times with belles at this quirky cafe and the food and coffee are fairly decent and reasonably priced (still so, see their menu here) for a cafe brunch. Visit their website for more information here. Maybe it’s time for a revisit to this under the radar cafe soon!
2 years on and OOTDs game still strong eh?
Some things never change, like how I still love greys and monochromatic colours, high socks and black boots, yes really.

How times flies, really. Clarabelle and I are both July babies, so we’ll be meeting up to celebrate our birthdays this month, hopefully I won’t be taking another 2 years to post up this year’s celebration photos. 😛

Can’t wait to clear all the back log posts, really! I’ll be moving to a new blog update system where I’ll post up events, reviews, thoughts and what-nots on a weekly or monthly schedule rather than breaking them down on a singular event/review basis because I simply don’t have the luxury of time for those and simply have too much inertia when I think of how tedious / much work / time it takes to do so. I’ll definitely be posting up weekly vlogs on my Youtube channel here – check it out if you haven’t! Let me know if you have any thoughts on the upcoming changes! 😉

Ena

Food, Uncategorized

Parents Will Love Gu Ma Jia’s!

June 24, 2016 Ena Teo 2 Comments

What kind of dishes do your parents like? My parents, being traditional chinese love their chinese dishes. For special occasions family dinners we will usually order stir fry dishes or go to chinese restaurants. Writing this blog post reminds me that I should bring them down to Gu Ma Jia’s, my sister and I both agree that they will love the dishes there.

Let’s just dive straight into the dishes we had from Gu Ma Jia’s food tasting! 🙂
We started the dinner with Gu Ma Jia’s Vinegar Enzyme drink.
We had Gu Ma Jia’s Signature Beancurd, Crispy on the outside and soft inside, with a tasty dipping sauce.
Kyoto Pork Ribs – a feast for the eyes as well with the fire show!
I will be including a video at the end of the post, so you can watch the fire in action too, heh!
Kyoto Pork Ribs is sooo delicious and tender – highly recommended!
Another top favourite, Kai Lan Yuan Yang – it is fried till it is crispy.
Prawn and Salted Egg Yoke. I’m allergic to prawns so I didn’t try the prawn but the egg yolk sauce/gravy is delicious! I love salted egg yolk dishes so much!
Claypot Wine Chicken with Ginger and Sesame Oil is another hot favourite dish. Frankly, I don’t know how we managed to eat so much that night, hahaha.

Gu Ma Jia’s Award Winning Assam Fish Head, is sweet and sour and hits all the right spots! I know my mum will love this.
Ooohhhh… This is one of my personal favourites – Ubin Lala Beehoon. I love clams and the sweetness of it. This dish is super generous with all the lala(clams) and egg ingredients!

Another special occasion top picks, White Pepper Crab. The white pepper has the kick!
Glutinous rice with vanilla ice cream, I really like this dessert! A blend of hot and cold, savoury and sweet.
More desserts, Mango pudding, White Fungus and Vinegar Enzyme Jelly.
The vinegar enzyme jars kept in store!
Since 2009.
Thank you Gu Ma, Agnes ATMC PR for the media invite!

Watch a short video compilation here:

Thank you Gu Ma & ATMC PR For the delicious dishes!

Visit Gu Ma Jia:
45 Tai Thong Crescent Sennett Estate Singapore 347866
Phone: +6285 2023
http://gumajia.com.sg

Ena

Beauty, Featured

Most Impressive Drugstore Eyeshadow? | Makeup Review & Brush Care

June 13, 2016 Ena Teo Leave a comment

Today I’ll be reviewing eyes and brow makeup from two drugstore brands Kate Tokyo and Clio, followed by sharing about a beauty and brush care package from the lovely folks from Sigma!

I’ve been using Kate Tokyo’s new and latest Forming Edge eyeshadow palettes a lot lately and am very impressed by its superb pigmentation, beautiful colours and comfortable and long wearing formula. My favourite colour is PK-01 which I incidentally dropped from my makeup shelve today after applying it T_T so I will be purchasing a replacement from Watsons.

Kate Tokyo’s new and latest Forming Edge eyeshadow palettes and BB Powder Changing Mousse ($23.50 each).

Kate Tokyo’s new and latest Forming Edge eyeshadow palettes in BR-3 (brown), PK-1 (pink), BU-1(blue) and GD-1 (green). Check out all eight shades on their site here. Kate Tokyo’s Forming Edge eyeshadow palette in PK-1, my favourite of the 4 shades. The colour in the middle is actually more peach (pinkish orange) than pink, nonetheless the colours in the palette complements very well for a sweet and romantic look that’s wearable on a daily basis too. Super love!

Wearing Kate Tokyo’s Forming Edge eyeshadow palette in PK-1 in this look.

Kate Tokyo’s Forming Edge eyeshadow palette in BR-3 is my second favourite colour of choice and I pick this colour on days when I want to go for a more understated glam look, like this:

Kate Tokyo’s Forming Edge eyeshadow palette in BU-1 is a colour I have yet to try but when I do, I’d likely match it with gold or orange to create a more friendly look rather than just full blue, which is a tricky look to wear on its own on a regular day.

Kate Tokyo’s Forming Edge eyeshadow palette in GD-1, unfortunately the powder came cracked when I received it, which goes to show how fragile it is, so do be careful when you handle them. Though the pigment and formula is great, and the fancy diamond packaging looks pretty, it does make it more fragile.

KATE Powdery Mousse BB. I have yet to try this out.
This lightweight mousse promises to: transform into powder upon application for excellent shine-free coverage that lasts all day! What’s more, your skin is pampered with all the nourishing goodness of BB cream for perfect skin from the inside out. Comes in 2 shades, 01 Bright colour and 02 Natural colour.

Older launches which I have yet to review on the blog!

Kate Virtual Lash Liner (Mascara) $25.50 promises to amp up the drama with voluminous and lush lashes with the new KATE VIRTUAL LASH LINER. The new Hard Black Formula and refined wax-polymer-pigment ratio unfailingly creates intense, long-lasting black colouration. The formula also features straight and curled fibres to simultaneously curl and lengthen your lashes, lifting them up and fixing them in place for curves that last. The KATE VIRTUAL LASH LINER also features a compact applicator wand that can pack on the long-wearing formula. Precisely positioned bristles spread lashes apart, coating every last one for maximum impact.

I’ve had it for a while, but as I am crafting this post, I can’t recall my review of this mascara. Oops! I will be wearing and testing it again and share my update on IG. Based on the promise of the product, I do think it will suit my short and sparse eye lashes. I don’t wear mascaras often and when I do, I tend to go back to the few that I’ve tried and like, which are currently KPalette’s Lash Perm Volume Mascara (Purple) and Benefit’s Roller Lash mascara. Previously I was using and loving Lancome’s Hypnose Doll Eyes Mascara and Maybelline’s Cat Eye (quick some time back). It is very important for me that a mascara has an easy to remove formula, dries fast, is lightweight, doesn’t smudge and somehow still magically extends my eyelashes and gives some volume. Very demanding, I know.

Define your eyes in brilliant black with the new KATE Digital Memory Liner ($20.50). Intense, all-day colouration emphasises your eyes in a single stroke of the super-fine flat brush. The KATE DIGITAL MEMORY LINER features two types of polymers to ensure all-day resistance to smudging, fading, sebum, sweat and water. These polymers have been carefully arranged for fuss-free removal of the formula with warm water.

KATE Digital Memory Liner is a new eyeliner favourite. I use eyeliner on a daily basis, before this, my holy grail favourite is Clio’s Kill Black and Brown brush liner for it’s smudge proof formula which cleans easily with no stains or marks. By comparison Kate Digital Memory Liner is more intense, equally smudge proof and while it cleans with no mark/stains, it does require more makeup remover to clean off.

Rounding off my Kate Tokyo review with their Eyebrow Set, which comes with the brow palette, brush and comb, was retailing at $20.50, in December 2015. Not sure if you can still find the same promotion now. My Japanese friend commenting on IG (the same pic as above) that Kate is a very popular brand in Japan and that she has bought the same brow palette 10 times! Wow. However I am more of a eyebrow pencil kinda gal… I tried to apply and like this product but I am just not as efficient with this eyebrow palette as I am with the eyebrow pencil… oops.

That is why we need more than one brand in the market, such as Clio which caters to girls like me who prefers eyebrow pencil rather than eyebrow palette, although you an also spot their version above. They also have their Kill Brow All Day Tattoo (which sold out in Korean when they first launched), which is the K version of Benefit’s Gimme Brow, Gel Brow Pencil and waterproof eyeliners! Have actually yet to break into all of them yet, but do check them out in Watsons stores. As mentioned above, I highly recommend Clio’s Kill Black and Brown brush eyeliner and lately am also really loving their Gradation Dual Eyebrow pencil which is their new summer 2016 collection, which I will review in another post! 🙂

Sometime back, the kind folks of Sigma sent me this very lovely beauty and brush care set.

Containing brushes, makeup and a brush cleaning glove! Looking for brush cleaning tools and options? Check out their Sigma Spa page here!

Where do you shop for your brush cleansing tools? Let me know in the comments!

Ena

Ena Teo | Enabalista

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(1) K-Beauty Makeover at Beauté 101

(2) Luxe Facial Spa at Sulwhasoo Flagship Store

(3) Soak, spa & massage at women’s only Spa Lei

(4) Skincare and Makeup Shopping at Myeong Dong

(5) Wellness Treatment at KwangDong Oriental Hospital

(6) Relaxing Spa Session at Herb Island

Share this:

The Body Shop Drops of Light & Enrich Not Exploit Campaign

The Body Shop Drops of Youth

Eucerin White Therapy Range

Eucerin & Nivea’s Top 10 Best Selling Products

CNP White Peel Home Set

Kiehls’ Nature Powered Masks

Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution

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Singapore's Lifestyle Blogger ☀