Shopperholic

Dress: Shein | Shoes: New Look (Similar here) | Ring Jessica Buurman (Similar here)

Once again, a huge thanks to Samson aka @braidstrong (instagram) | braidstrong (website) who takes lovely photos.

Hello!

So I've been trying to save money by avoiding online shopping but it's been pretty disastrous. But I've managed to get some really awesome not too expensive things from Aliexpress which is basically like the version of Taobao that caters to people who can't speak/read Chinese but still want cheap stuff. I love Aliexpress but shopping on the site requires patience because there's a lot to take in and go through. Plus you have to read the reviews and because there are multiple vendors selling the same things, you have to make tough decisions with which vendor to buy from. Overall I've had mostly pleasant experiences, although I've had cheap phone covers not get delivered before. But overall I'd say the percentage for that happening is pretty low. 

Anyhoodle, I just wanted to share some of the cool stuff I've bought recently, bearing in mind though, that it's actually not that recent since it takes bloody forever to ship. But that's just one of the drawbacks if you want cheap stuff. 

So you know how I've really been into these Fitness Blender workouts yeah? So I usually put the video up on my iPad, and for the longest time I'd borrow my mom's tablet stand. Well I decided it was time to be a big girl so I got my own. And I think it's awesome because not only did I buy it for US$2.49 with FREE shipping, I also think it's perfect for travel since it's so compact. I am mighty pleased with myself. 

On top of that, you might have noticed that little white thing in the last picture above, that's an audio amp which is just like a little plastic shell that you can attach to your iPad to amplify the sound. I didn't get this from Aliexpress, but rather, from Amazon. I had originally seen a product like it called Sound Bender that was featured in the TV show Shark Tank and I needed it because my iPad 2 speakers are really bad. I wanted to buy the Sound Bender cos of the cool name and the inventor but I needed it to be shipped pronto so I signed up for the Amazon Prime membership free trial and found that Audio Amp was eligible for the fast shipping, but not the Sound Bender. I had it shipped to my godma in the US who then brought it to Singapore to me as she flew in a few days after the delivery was made. Thanks godma, love you. Thanks Amazon, I love you also. Although you don't really always ship to Singapore (Boo) and your stuff can be pricier (double boo). 

The boo tried using the audio amp on his iPad (which is maybe a 3 or 4) but it's a bit too slender so it slides off. Anyway, his iPad speakers are better than mine so he doesn't really need it. I like it because it's so portable and it really does amplify the sound quite substantially. Don't expect THX movie quality sound obviously but sound that's loud enough to be heard over my panting as I exercise.

Moving on... Because I'm an action packed woman, I decided to be extra action and buy these weighted glove from Aliexpress. I'd been looking through Amazon but couldn't find the right weight (and also the look that I liked) that would ship to Singapore. I managed to find these babies which are awesome because they only cost US$5.30 but I've just realised I paid like $17.54 in shipping but ok it still comes to only $22.84 which is cheaper than the ones sold in stores here so I guess it's still a win. They each weigh about 0.5kg which seems little but I'm pretty sure I'm going to be aching after using them. Get ready to see my big guns BANGBANG!

Lastly, I decided to replace my existing lunch bag (yes, I'm a kid who brings a children's lunch bag to the office) because I wanted a lunch bag that I could sling over my shoulder (I often carry a lot of things to work so I need this extra convenience). My existing one was getting kinda mucky and only has a top strap. I also wanted one with a zip because I felt that the one I had often opened up because the velcro wouldn't hold. I ordered this on Aliexpress and have zero complaints because it's SO CUTE and it's exactly what I wanted - insulation material within, shoulder strap for easy carrying, cute pattern, right size to carry breakfast and my afternoon snack. Anyway, this purchase drove me a bit mental because there were SO many options and I really had so much trouble deciding. Multiple vendors were selling variations of this bag with different patterns and styles and also slightly different prices but I just went with the one that made me go 'aww' the most.

I'm so happy, you guys. But now I'm basically back to being addicted to shopping and as I type this I have Aliexpress open and ready to make another purchase - a makeup brush holder (I NEED THIS OKAY?)

Thanks for reading!

Pregnant

Top: Old (Similar here) | Skirt: Kookai | Shoes: Pedder Red (Similar here)

Bag: Pimkie (Similar here) | Hat: ASOS

So I'm NOT pregnant but I've been asked twice this year. I don't really mind though because I'm of that age where it would be common to assume I could be pregnant, and in both cases I was wearing a droopy sack dress and flats. 

However, my point isn't about me (shocking I know since I'm usually so self-absorbed). The point is that my sister, the best sister that anyone could ask for actually IS pregnant and is due to give birth within the next 10 days. THIS IS A BIG DEAL. I'm going to be an AUNT! Lol there we go, back to me again. 

OMG I'M PREGGERS!

 Mousie has always known she's wanted kids and it's so great because I know she's going to make for a super rad mom. Like disciplined but also like kind of dorky and maybe will tell lots of mom jokes. Anyway, let's not forget her baby daddy aka her hubby Micky*. 

Baby daddy extraordinaire!

He probably won't be doing dad jokes because he likes to pretend to be super cool but I know he's also a super dork which makes them MFEO. 

I think my sister is pretty awesome because she's kind of always been like a little mom to me, helping me navigate my way through life. 

 

"This is how you totally nail wedding photos, little sister"

Mousie has been a role model and inspiration to me because she isn't just a pretty face...

Phweee phweet!

She's also really smart (Harvard masters yo), has a kick-ass career, is really sure of what she wants from life, while still managing to be humble, down to earth, and genuine. Also she looks really good in hats of the animal variety.

Dontcha wish your gf was hot like me

Dontcha wish your gf was a freak like me

She's also a compassionate and caring human being, who aside from wanting to save the world, also wants to share all the love she has. 

Loves Nacho almost as much as I do

Truly, Mousie will give this baby all the love she can give, and impart the ways of the world to this wee baby, teaching le baby all the finer things in life. Such as how to enjoy a good meal. 

DONTCHA?!

The way she taught me...

Thank you for introducing crepe cake to me

Although life is going to change - maybe she won't have as much time to mother me, and her interests and topics of conversation may change, and maybe we'll be a little too busy to keep in touch as often as we'd like...

SOB

But I think at the end of the day, we'll still be awesome sisters. And when we meet, it'll be like nothing has changed.

Phew!

Except we'll have one more person to love and adore, to do fun stuff with, and to put funny cute hats on.

I can't wait to meet you baby Mungbean**, and I can't wait to discuss all the gross things that happen during birth.

Congratulations to Micky and Mousie!

Not the baby

Thanks for reading!

*Name changed to embarrass Sir Micky
** Name TBC but Mungbean is a strong contender because why not?

LIVE UPDATE! She's in labour NOW!!!

This sh*t is bananas! B.A.N.A.N.A.S.

Top: GG5 (Similar here) | Skirt: Primark (Similar here) | Shoes: Valentino

Bag: Aldo (Similar here) | Brooch: Gift from Char (Similar here) | Ring: Vintage (Similar here) 

So I found this super easy no carbs banana pancake recipe so I felt compelled to share it. If you're like me, very into diet trends, and you're all "Carbs are bad" then you will LOVE this recipe. But if you're like my weirdo friends (you know who you are!) and you don't like eggs, then move along.

Mush up one banana into what resembles baby's vomit

Crack 2 eggs and whisk them

Mix in the banana mush

Heat buttered pan and pour in the egg-banana mix

Cook over low-medium heat on each side for a few minutes, I kind of estimate and check for golden brownness

Eat that delicious banana pancake delight. Serve with whatever you think pairs well.

I had some with Nutella too and that was delicious because I love Nutella as much as I love my family. Nutella is my family. The banana pancakes are really delicious and sweet so it doesn't even need any syrup or icing sugar but feel free to add on whatever makes you happy!

Helpful tip: these pancakes don't bubble like normal pancakes so you might not know when to flip 'em. Good to cook it low and slow so it doesn't burn but solidifies nicely.

Also, don't make them too large because then they're hell to flip. Unless you're Jamie Oliver and you can flip things sans cutlery. The first time I made it too large and I tried to flip it and it was a disgusting mess and looks like scrambled egg (but still tasted good).

*Post initial photo taking edit: I made the pancakes again but this time using a blender - I blended the bananas and the eggs, which made the texture way smoother and more watery, which, when poured into the pan, made much neater, flatter and rounder pancakes which cooked a little more evenly! And I decided to use a Happy Call double sided pan for the flipping, which made it waaaay easier and less messy. Suck on that Jamie Oliver!

So round. Much smooth. Many yum.

Happy cooking, thanks for reading!

Back to the grind

Top: Romwe | Skirt: Chicwish (Similar here) | Shoes: New Look (Similar here)

So I recently visited my dentist to get a mouth guard made. I have a terrible habit of grinding my teeth when I sleep, and while I don't think it's really all that bad (except for the boo who has to put up with it), I do sometimes wake up with pretty bad headaches from all that grinding. 

The past week was really bad so I visited Dr. Chin and aside from sticking an awful putty in my mouth to take a mold of my mouth, he educated me on grinding. New stuff I learned: 

1. There are 2 kinds of teeth grinding. The first is a muscular kind (similar to what I do, where the muscles are tight and tense and moving). The second is teeth and bone grinding which sounds terrible because the intense impact of grinding the teeth on one another causes them to grind down and he's had to extract teeth and put implants for people for this kind of grinding. 
2. Grinding appears to be more common in people who hold slightly more senior positions at work (excluding me... I'm a minion). 
3. There are ways to train your jaw to reduce the amount of grinding in the day. He informed me that the best position for your mouth to be in is with your mouth closed, lips shut, teeth NOT touching, tongue resting on the roof of your mouth. He said that ideally, the teeth should touch no more than 6 minutes a day. Who is counting??? 
4. You can also go for Botox injections along your jaw to I guess make the muscle chill the eff out. I got very excited about this since it feels so Real Housewives of Singapore and why not kill 2 birds with one stone right, go in for teeth grinding, come out looking younger? #vainpot
5. There are two kinds of mouth guards, the soft kind and the hard kind. Some people have reacted poorly to the soft kind of mouth guard because somehow their brains are encouraged to grind even harder on the soft surface. But of course the soft kind is more comfortable and easier to sleep in.

Anyway, after all this information, I decided to get a hard one because I've used a soft one before and I ground a hole in it, which makes me feel like it's less lasting. 

My brand new mouth guard in it's own fancy neon box that I have trouble opening because I'm dumb

After a week, I went back in for the mouth guard fitting and it feels totally weird having this hard denture-like thing in my mouth, and I kept feeling like I have saliva pooling in my mouth, but I had ZERO problems sleeping with it once I lay down, which is really a testament to my sleeping powers. And I didn't drool at all so I guess it's not too bad. 

It looks like a gooey transparent tongue that I'm resing my teeth against

Anyway, all in all, I guess it's good for me and hopefully the headaches will stop. I'm still thinking about that Botox though. My friend Dan, or professionally referred to as Dr. Teo from Dental on the Bay can administer it. He's the dentist to a lot of my friends and I've heard good reviews about his work and bedside manners, plus you have to be trained in jabbing someone with Botox so not just any dentist will do. Maybe while he's injecting the jaw he can go get those crows feet and forehead lines! 

Oh well, we shall see. But in the meantime, if you're looking for a nice guy to poke around inside your mouth with metal instruments, or make your jaw look simply faaaabulous daaahling, do get in touch with Dan on the bay. 

Thanks for reading!

Merry Christmas!

Top: Chicwish | Skirt: Chicwish | Clutch: Tangs (Similar here) | Shoes: Prada (Similar here)

Sunglasses: Pieces (Similar here) | Earrings: Vincci (Similar here) | Ring: Gift (Similar-ish here)

Who doesn’t love a little schadenfreude now and then right? I was reading some posts by my second favourite blogger in the world (the first is me, DUH) and it was all a bunch of people who had tweeted her with their own embarrassing stories. Since I’m basically a walking lump of embarrassment, I thought I would add on to the list with my own horror stories as my gift to you this Christmas. Ready to cringe?

The time I fell off the stage

It was my secondary 4 graduation dinner (kind of like prom but only for the graduates of our all-girls school) and I was onstage. I didn’t realize the back of the stage and the wall did not connect, I took a step back… And fell off. I couldn’t get up so two of the girls onstage had to hoist me by my arms back up where I had to remain till the end of that segment.

The time I let my bras go flying… with bonus second time

I was going through security before boarding the plane and the airport security thought he saw something dangerous in my bag so I unzipped it for him to poke around. When he was satisfied with his search, I somehow thought he had zipped up my bag, so I lifted it up and all my clothes tumbled out, with my bras being dumped right on top of the heap. I was frazzled so I stuffed my clothes back in and then like a real freak, lifted my bag again without zipping it and this time I swung around so basically my clothes flew all over the floor. Another security officer had to help me put all my stuff back in, unceremoniously handing me my boring beige bra. 

The time I thought I was cool shit

I was walking to my seat through the aisle of the airplane and all these people were staring at me so I naturally thought, I must be very very very ridiculously good-looking today. One man stood up to talk to me and I thought, omg I’m being hit on on a plane. He leaned over and whispered, excuse me, your blouse is undone. And indeed it was. The button right at my chest was undone exposing my chest to everyone on the plane.

Ok that’s enough laughing at me for today. Thanks for reading and Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!