Happy Boxing Day all! Hope you had an awesome time tearing apart those meticulously wrapped presents you got on Christmas day. Lol. the only present I got to rip apart was from my cousin, Kelly. And I'm already wearing them to work today!! Love the dainty earrings she got me. Yeah and i just participated sitting by the tree forcing everyone else to open their's...which i already knew what's inside cus I wrapped them....and you wonder the point of it all... haha. who cares, it's Christmas!

Update leading to my most anticipated time of the year! 

Peacy & I combed the malls on our last bid to round up Christmas Shopping. We get better at it every year. Planning is the word!

Headed to our new favourite place, Chillax! the third time in the month...Really love this place not just cus of the food. Like its name, it's such a lovely place to chillout with your friends or for a date. People come in for beers even in the afternoon. And I absolutely heart that it's tugged in a nice place like Serangoon Gardens. Convenient enough for me (:

Haven't had time to blog about the place and its 'Chillax' decor so I whisked my olympus pen along this time... Still my trusty choice for great photos indeed (:

Bee trying to relive his childhood... LOL. Like a kid.

You have to fall in love with the quaint lil corner of retro knick knacks.

Plastic bubble, Snap! and Old Maid! Bursting Nostalgia...

And for those who don't know, they offer massage services too on the 2nd floor! Now you guys can really Chillax hile waiting for your food right...

Xiao Qing and her Pink Panther frost.

Bee's Caramel latte and he insisted to have his shades featured here. Quite a pointless work of art.

 love it that the pancakes came with so much cut bananas and berries. Yummeh!

Bee's all-time fave there: Carbonara!

Close-up!

A Must-Have & a chef's recommendation - "Breakfast at Tiffany's" (; 

Nomming non stop.

 Okay, I gotta scoot for now! It has to end abruptly i'm sorry :/ Wanted to post the Christmas day Pics as well but I figured it should be on a separate one with the Xmas eve celebration! Will squeeze those in if I can or maybe I'll just wait for the NAIS gathering this Friday then do a complete update! 

Belated Update

If I haven't had the time, I haven't had the heart.

Too much happened the past 2 months and the pictures are just piling up in my phone. Would be easier if I just let them be and leave it for my private reminiscence, but I cannot let my laziness win... again.

So, here's a pictorial post of what happened.

30.11.2012
 Our 2nd Anniversary Getaway to Bali. The only thing worth remembering was the brilliant sunset by the beach, maybe the plunge pool in our villa, and a beautiful time for just the 2 of us. The rest was just.....urgh.

JM, Friendsie and their best friends came over to our Chichi Studio to Play! Had a girlie time whipping gossips and  playing dress-up with our apparel (: 

Models for the day: Mongshi, Genevieve, Cherine (JM) & YY (Friendsie) 

Having a ball of  time checkin' themselves out. haha.


Willtechies took a weekend trip together to attend Wan's Wedding in Malacca. The company chartered a bus and we went on a road trip up Malaysia! Best part was the food and sightseeing cus I honestly didn't know Malaysia has so much to offer. 

Fishballs...NOT! they're RICE BALLS. Chicken rice balls. 

Turned out we ate at the wrong place. Dammit. Food here was really sub-par...under-average I should say. total HOAX.

Regretted not taking any photo of the awesome Gula Melaka Ice Kachang we had. It was Loooovvveee. Yummiest dessert everrrr... If i'm ever returning to Malacca that has got to be the reason. The rest of the food was...ummm... average (to me). 

Bee's Stevie Wonder moment at the Renaissance Hotel Lobby.
Review says this hotel's service sucks. And it does! You must Never doubt fellow travelers who bother spending time to say something about a certain hotel online.

Another awesome thing about the trip was probably the local spa we went to before to left. My bad I cannot recall the name of this place... it's called Senses I think? 10mins drive from our hotel... we were treated to a very cosy interior and lush balinese decor. They even got to the detail of placing fresh frangipanis in a bowl at the the bottom of the massage bench for you to enjoy a pleasing sight if you happen to open your eyes during the massage. How very thoughtful. 

They also served complimentary Ginger Tea after the 1.5hrs of massage..like many spa joints do of cus, though I've never liked the taste of ginger... still, Bliss!

Back home.....

Dionne came back from the States for a short stay! and zoomed off soon after. haha. Was great catching up with her and the rest. Secondary friends never change (: And I realised the popular topics now always revolve around getting hitched or having babies. Fun times, but awkward moments. haha.

Ate at this famous Zi Car place in AMK Avenue 3 cus' Dionne was craving zi car the whole time she was back. And Amy was darn sweet to have done some research in advance. I was impressed with both Amy's efficiency AND the food quality (:

I cannot understand why Bee is so good with babies.
Kayleb was so good with him, but rejected me and Dionne. Otherwise the person in the collage could've been ME. Hmph. 

And Finally baby Kayleb's First birthday celebration!!!
This little man is such a blessing to Amy and Kent. What's more to ask for than to see this sweet little face the first thing from a hard day's work. Don't know how exactly it feels but I can only imagine it from their smiles. Pretty soon we'll all have our own little bucket of cheer to handle too. Maybe not now but I know the day will come..and gatherings like this will be quite a sight :P

Year End Syndrome.

As the year's rolling to an end, everyone's bound to be in high spirits, right? The long leaves and holidays coming up, or already came...the festive mood of giving and receiving...etc. I've had that too, until I marched a THIRD time back from the toilet forgetting something.

It has got to be the Year-End-Syndrome. It takes some explaining (bear with me)... it happens every year.

I have been a clutz all my life - forgetful, muddle-head and not very meticulous. I have to try extra hard to be in the zone most of the time. It's worst when there's A LOT on my mind...especially in the last, most happening month of the year. 

For example, I keep going back and forth contemplating a Christmas party/gathering. And then the thought of having to organize it floods through my mind; what to cook, who to invite, what to to prep...etc etc. Then I decide not to....but the cycle repeats again the next day.

Another epic replay I keep having in mind is what Christmas presents should i bless my friends and family with this year? Sometimes I wish I could fill their hearts with contentment and satisfaction with my one big heartfelt MERRY CHRISTMAS when I see them, maybe throw in a fuzzy hug or two to make them genuinely happy for that moment. I smile coyly at the thought of saving all trouble of head-cracking-hours-circling the malls for something adequate for each of them...but then again, what's Christmas without presents? Christmas without presents is like pooping without toilet paper. It sucks. What I don't want is the awkward moment I realized I bought someone a lame gift and it's clear she's fighting hard to gather a polite smile for you. LOL. I don't want! hence, the dilemma of Christmas Shopping.

----So these are just some examples of the (presumptuously LAME things and WORK STUFF) that clogs my mind as I go about my daily routine and as I strut about with a straight face doing what I do. 

I cannot understand, and have too much going on in my tiny inadequate brain, of which nothing's being done. No Christmas list yet, no celebrations planned, not even my own wish list ---- it sucks.

But to be fair, I think there's really a lot on my plate now. I'm finally getting more involved in Willtech and Chichi's taking me on a helluva-ride. Friends, If you're still interested on what I'm up to these days - I'm still half working for Willtech and Full-Time into Chichi Entourage.

By the way, I.am.not.complaining. I love what I do. 

It's just ironic how I can fiercely anticipate December so much from January until now only to be caught in a little fizzle of excitement when Christmas is finally coming... because there's so much to do and so little time! It's not helping when my bf's big on all the Nostradamus predictions and is still bent that the world will end soon, feeding me with all the morbid videos of the end days...

This year has to END WITH A BANG! Not a fizzle of smoke and dust.

So that's the dreadul part, the better part of my Year End Syndrome is my unceasing quest for vanity.

Will just name one example for this because I'd like to introduce you guys to an awesome product.

I finally attempted EYE LASH EXTENSIONS!!!

Jae thinks it made me look darn chio but of cus he will.. LOL. 

I think for those who have met me earlier in the month would have noticed..Old news to some but I have to rave! Read a review that Vain Beauty only charges $50 for their extensions so decided to give it a try. I don't know what made me want to do it so much, cus I remember Peacy trying to convince me months back but I was against it and all... Look now I have to eat my words back. 

I can't say it's really that awesome because I thought my eyes could never open again after the therapist was done with planting them, only to find out it's because of eyes were taped. hahaha... very funny right. And my eyes were a tad irritated from the glue, plus I keep feeling heavy-lids cus I wasn't used to it. I don't even stick on false lashes to begin with so except for superficially making me feel prettier, I don't think it's an amazing thing to do. And shucks I did not consider the fact that my precious REAL lashes could fall off entirely during removal. omg. Don't even wana start on how I have to carefully remove my make-up and wash my face everyday. SBS. The price of vanity.

Don't know how this triple-lid developed. I am pissed. It never happened to me before! Must be the falsies!

More on vanity, another quick rave about this awesome product I've got introduced to by my sister:

La Roche-posay Physiological Cleansing Gel 

Been sticking to Avene's mild cleanser since my Dr Loke days and genuinely thought that was the answer to my ultra sensitive skin before. I was bent on using it forever more but THIS just exceeded my expectations. Ferts was recommended this by her dermatologist (another long story for another day) and she asked me to try it...and i instantly fell in love with it! 

The gel texture was super lush yet gentle to the skin so much that it doesn't mess with the natural PH Balance of your skin (very important!) It consists of  Poloxamer, a cleansing ingredient so mild that it's also used in contact lense solutions, talk about gentle??? And the soothing scent was definitely a PLUS for me because it just feels like SPA every time I cleanse my face. That's not even the best part. You know how certain cleansers leave your skin feeling clean and soft, but is usually drying. This product is totally different because my skin actually felt clean and supple. 

My rule of thumb for beauty products is always that so long as it does not irritate my precious irritable skin and I genuinely feel it's effectiveness with just ONE use, I'd definitely be sold. 

Been a long time since I felt this happy with a facial product besides my trusty Clarisonic Plus adn Lancome products. So friends, do give this a try if you're thinking of changing your cleanser because I am quite sure you won't be disappointed (:

More info: 

La Roche-posay Physiological Cleansing Gel

Breakthrough Technology

Optimal safety on sensitive skin with Poloxamer, a cleansing ingredient so mild it is used in contact lens solutions. Effective to remove impurities while respecting skin's natural balance.

Description

Cleanses, purifies and refreshes skin, while respecting its physiological balance.

Recommended For

• All skin types
• sensitive skin
• dry
• dehydrated skin

Benefits

• Gel texture with unique cooling effect for a refreshing, pure feel.
• Rinse-off formula cleanses without causing dryness or irritation. With antioxidant La Roche-Posay thermal spring water to strengthen skin's natural defenses.
• Physiological pH, Soap-free, Alcohol-free, Paraben-free, Safe for sensitive skin.

Key Ingredients

• Poloxamer - a mild cleanser use in contact lens solutions to cleanse even sensitive skin.
• La Roche-Posay thermal spring water - antioxidant, strengthens skin's natural defenses.

This is not an Ad, just my very humble recommendation (:

Finally, I'd be updating soon on some kick-ass events that happened recently. It's going to be a long overdue one as usual... but I haven't got to consolidating the pictures and I HAVE TO START WITH MY CHRISTMAS LIST AND PART-PLANNING!!!

By the way, I am a tad annoyed by the 3 for $10 Christmas compilation music coming from the neighbours. I feel like I'm part of their party without invitation. Am contemplating if I should blast Michael Buble to silence them. LOL. 

working with the boyfriend

We are all too familiar with the challenges as couples, whether or not you are attached. Deny all you want that the 'Honeymoon period' is all but an excuse for the lack of effort in a relationship but it's really not. I'm not advocating that your romance dies right then and there beyond 3 months...you can never put a number to it... besides, different couple, different story. But by inviting 'business' to the party just brings it to a whole different level, I promise you. 

Before you imagine that my relationship is flashing red, it's not. Just another of my mid-day musing (:

I've been riding on this exhilarating up and down roller-coaster entrepreneurial road with the boyfriend since last year. When it comes to ups and downs, it can literally mean taking bottomless dips at certain points. Maybe you understand, maybe you don't. It goes beyond trivial bickers. In tough times, arguments can get personal...and nasty. Every couple who works together gets there eventually, like it or not. We cannot seem to differentiate our roles as partners and lovers, we simply forget we rely on each other not just professionally but emotionally too. 

It doesn't help with a Success story like Donald Trump confirming the fact that 'pretty soon you don't feel the same about your wife when she's the same person you deal with in the day and back home'. Not making me feel any better about our future - at all.

But then again, which relationship is a bed of roses? Hardly.

It all starts with putting the 'We' before 'Me' (:

I have never been happier working with the love of my life. Nothing beats the feeling of ease and familiarity of the person you adore so much amidst the stresses of work. Sometimes it can get a bit much - of seeing each other day-in-day-out 24/7, but that's just my hormones talking. In a way, working together keeps us grounded and pulls us closer because of the conscious effort of building our future together. Also, it may sound cheesy but stealing a glance or two keeps me going at work everyday too :P 

Korea Memorylogue, continued...

I'm really the Queen of Procrastinators. I'd love to cook up a credible excuse of being busy (which of course, I am), but a more legit one will be the unreliable Internet service we had in Bali. Believe me, I planned a whole lazy afternoon lounging by the pool side, sipping cocktail in my swimwear and updating my blog in bliss but NOOO... they had to only allow one device for internet access. I hate to disappoint but real work always gets priority. yikes. 

So here it is, blabbers aside...my very awesome continuation of the best of Korea! I say awesome because (you have to give credits to the amazing photos we took with our DSLR), nobody likes to see ugly, irrelevant pictures and more unnecessary content. At least if my words bore you, you might still scroll down for the pictures. lol. And by the way, did I remind you that I still can't get enough of Autumn?

Day 4 - Mount Sorak

If you have been on a guided tour or are planning to go, then this place is definitely part of the itinerary. I have been there like 3 times (including this), first in winter (so terribly cold I cannot fathom anything spectacular about the place), second time in Summer where we trekked up the mountains in Slippers (yes, me and friendsie somehow didn't get the memo that our fellow uni-mates are conquering mountains) but thank god we survived it (: And this time, in Autumn -  in all it's glorious beauty.

unlike the the first 2 times, we actually took a cable car up.

Oh, before I forget, was mentioning in my previous post that we encountered a SUPER WEIRD driver/guide. In case you're wondering why we needed one, firstly if you're not on a guided tour it is pretty difficult to get there. It takes at least 4 hours journey from Seoul to the destination and you need to change buses when you get there. So if you're going during peak periods (like we did) on your own, you're basically tossed. Cus' I assure you won't wanna battle for space in those sardine-packed buses with the ajumas because you will NEVER win. They are both immuned to pain and judgement, if you get what I mean. Secondly, I did some research and found this local day-tour company that does this kinda trips so we signed up for it with the help of the hotel. 

Little did we know that we were actually in for a nerve-wrecking experience....

To sum it up, the van reeks of a weird body odour, the tour guide was a middle-aged uncle who kept smiling coyly at us all the time, he TALKS to himself complete with weird hand gestures and the worst part - he nearly fell asleep en-route to the mountains. OMG max. Bad experience 101 for you. So if you ever plan to take day tours with this company called "SALLY TOURS",  you may wanna think twice. 

Anyways, so we finally reached the destination. This is Bee and daddie who humoured the 'tour guide' on a journey in search of this teeny-weeny water fall. He was sooooo disappointed when my mum, sis and I opted out after a long dreadful car ride and insisted it was beauuuutiful. Yeah, no thanks, you freaked us out too much we need to recover from it at a place without you (:  But thankfully for them, after trekking for almost an hour or so, they found the "legendary fall". We were so glad we stayed behind. 

I reckon the scenery along the way was far prettier than the waterfall. Look at those maple leaves painted in crimson! too pretty (:

Bee posing near the temple - his trademark, Gaze-afar look. haha...

Nope mummie and daddie isn't mimicking Bee, I sneaked a pic while they were posing for him (:

I can't bring em' home so I'm gonna snap em' up all up in photos! hee hee...

The emo-nemo supermodel in the making.

....and we arrive ON THE TOP! In one-piece, as a family! YAY.... 

Now we know why the ajummas push and shove their way up every weekend. For this! Have never been this close to a breathtaking view like this. No barricades, whatsoever! A stronger wind could have knocked you over the cliff and don't even think about bringing kids there... 

Day 5 - Namsan Tower

Another tourist must-go place. It's easy to get there, just alight at Myeong Dong Station and take exit 3. Follow the signs and you'll be on your way (:

Selca with mummie & Ferts 

Kiasu Bee, Scared we cannot find....

We settled for a less conspicuous place in the end. haahaa... 

Mummie & Daddie had their fun too (: Was a pity Martinie didn't get to go cus of school, otherwise Ferts could have locked theirs here too. Oh well, in consolation, it's just another smart marketing gimmick that we willingly buy in the name of 'hope'...We know too well that love isn't gonna last forever and beyond just by connecting two 4dollar locks with words of love scribbled on it. right. 

Little girl says " I could sell them all for candies". (:

And so that's the end of our sight-seeing in Seoul... The rest was, of course, shopping - the favourite activity of all, across gender and ages. lol. Maybe the next post should be on what we lugged home? 

...As promised, the highly anticipated finale to this post....

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

..

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

...

..

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

THERE. Just what was our 'tour guide' doing with his hand in his buttocks?!