2009-07-30

Scrapbook Factory Deluxe "Evaporated"?

I ordered this software through amazon.com and shipped via vpost.Got the newer version than what's available in sg, and at much cheaper price.

Wanted to install on my notebook, but couldn't find it anywhere in the study room,the whole box with software just disappeared?!

The last time I used to reinstall on home PC, it's just this year, and I never had to bring it out of our study room.

There were very few people who had entered our study room this year, may be 4? and that's including the air-con serviceman. I just cannot figure out why it would "evaporate" ???

cake for B2's first birthday...any suggestions?

Need to order a cake for B2's first birthday.Any suggestions?

She'll be celebrating her first birthday on 10th Aug.Wanted to do it on 9th Aug,but the social lounge is booked by my neighbour for her MIL's birthday already.

It will be a small celebrations with close relatives and very close friends and neighbours only,still there will be around 40+ people.

Buffet will be from one of Neo-Garden-related caterer,one which I have been ordering for the pass two years' Chinese New Year. Haven't decided on which menu yet though.

2009-07-28

Atopalm vs Atonil

http://www.skinstore.com/p-986-atopalm-mle-cream.aspxhttp://www.skinstore.com/p-986-atopalm-mle-cream.aspx

http://shopping.pchome.com.tw/?mod=item&func=exhibit&IT_NO=DDAF25-A38713684&SR_NO=DDAF25&ROWNO=4

I have been ordering Atopalm from skinstore.com regularly for B1's eczema prone skin. Recently saw Atonil's advertisement in a Taiwanese magazine...claimed to be innovative product from Korea.

Even the packaging look alike!

2009-07-26

Orchard Towers:Non-stroller friendly!

26th July

After sending B1 to her JG class at Forum Galleria,pushed B2 in stroller+car seat to Orchard Towers as I was craving for kopi and noodles...

Unfortunately,there are only stairs to go up the first floor and go down to Basement where all the food stalls are. Walked to the back of the building..again only stairs...

Frustrated,I gave up and walked back to Fourm.Had lousy coffee and so-so Mee siam from the Snack bar at Basement 1.

Cousin and Grace dropped by our house today to "see baby Bertina".B1 didn't have much time to play with B2 and Grace, as she had 6 homework assignments to complete...

2009-07-25

Allergy-4th time

Hb leave for China on Thurs,will be back on Sunday.

Before I send B1 for classes, I applied a bit of Prevage on forehead before my usual tinted sunblock and loosed powder.Why "a bit"? ...the third time I had allergy I sort of suspected it's Prevage(most likely the Idebenone in it),yet silly me still applied "a bit" just to test out, and did it at such silly time.

In the afternoon my face started feeling itchy when still at United Square.By late afternoon, when we were out shopping for B1's sports shoes, my forehead,nose,and sides of nose already turn red & itchy!

I have finsihed a tube of Prevage eye cream before, with no problem, even the Prevage for face,I have been using for sometimes,can't understand why suddenly my skin reacted to it.

My cousin said it's probably due to hormones change, as she never had food allergy to seafood, but now her mouth will be itchy and swollen when she takes seafood.

2009-07-24

Fun way to learn Japanese's Numbers 1 to 20

This is fun!

Video:Learn Japanese Numbers 1 to 20

Walk-In-Closet/Walk-in-wardrobe

If you are impressed with the above walk-in-wardrobe(from last week's Urban)...then you should look at these...

From Aug's issue of Women's Weekly.

Jamie Cuaca, ex-air stewardess married to an Indonesian Businessman...used to be "socialite" but ever since she opened first Manalo Blahnik Store in Singapore...her "occupation" is now "Business owner".

Look at her mind-boggling collections of 200 designer bags...see how many rows of Hermes she has! 100 designer jeans....300 designer shoes,mainly Manolo Blahnik.

2009-07-15

Electricity shut down from 2pm-5.30pm

Saw the notice in our letter box only on 15 July...and the shutdown is on 16th July for the whole block!

The notice was dated 23rd June, with additional stamp "REMINDER" but I dont' remember seeing it before.Hb said there is notice on the notice board few days ago

What am I going to do with all the frozen meat,ice-creams,Yakult,sauces,Juices...?

Just bought pork,fish and chicken for cooking B2's porridge... sliced into small pieces and kept in ziploc bags!

2009-07-12

Smashbox cosmetic- is coming to Sephora at Ion Orchard


Smashbox cosmetic-From Langham Place Mall
Originally uploaded by VANnBER

Smashbox cosmetic-From Langham Place Mall in Hong Kong.

Halo hydrating Loose powder HKD510,eyeshadow Trio:Centre Stage HKD 240,Brow gel & powder in Soft Brown HKD205

Can't wait to get this O-GLOSS
Intuitive Lip Gloss With Goji Berry-C Complex™

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P202004

Coach Water-Melon Purse


Coach Water-Melon Purse
Originally uploaded by VANnBER

Hang this around my big bag.It's an conversation-opener piece. Even strangers walked up to comment that this is so nice/sweet/cute/unusual/...

Sanrio Hello Kitty Plastic Bag Clips


Sanrio Hello Kitty Plastic Bag Clips
Originally uploaded by VANnBER

Love this cute Hello Kitty Plastic Bag Clips from Daiso Japan!

2009-07-07

Hong Kong-Wong Tai Sin Temple


Hong Kong-Wong Tai Sin Temple
Originally uploaded by VANnBER

Don't buy those big joss sticks from the people outside the temple. Only small joss sticks are allowed.

Siss_leather bag/handbag/mini bag/wristlet/sling bag


Siss_leather bag/handbag/mini bag/wristlet/sling bag
Originally uploaded by VANnBER

From #01-31 Siss at Novena Square 2.

2009-07-06

Video: 3-year-old Berenice's San1 Zi4 Jing1

3-year-old Berenice

Bertina's first trip to the Zoo

It's Youth Day today ,school holidays for Primary & Secondary schools.

Hb chose a later flight to KL, so that we could go Zoo, renew our membership with a new photo since now we have a new family members.

B2 can't seem to see the smaller animals on the trees or far away...As I have been showing her pictures of elephants and tigers, we'll just showed her mainly these two, plus others big animals or those with bold prints like zebra and giraffe.

She does seem to be interested in the colourful parrots near the entrance though.

A pity Kidszone and wet play area are closed for upgrading.

Haven't uploaded the photos to PC yet...mood affected by Uncle Lim's sudden death...

mourning...

Got the news from my neighbour at 9.10pm that her dad has just passed away.

Totally shocked! I was just out of shower, immediately lift B2 up and went to my neighbour's house.She's in the room with her 3 children,crying on the bed...

Yesterday, she just told me that her dad told the family members that he wanted to go hospital for check-up as he couldn't pass motion for 4 days.

He was diagnosed with Colon cancer on the same day, went for operations yesterday...and yet today he's gone...

I couldn't control myself and cried with her...I remembered him as a kind,loving,responsible husband,father and grand father.

Though they stayed in Malaysia,Kedah, he often took overnight coach with his wife, and sometimes brought along one or two of his young granddaughters to visit my neighbour's family.

In addition to their luggage, he often brought along bags of salted fish and ikan bilis, and sometimes even big ice box of fresh fish....

He didn't smoke or drink,looks so strong and healthy...no history of other illnesses and just gone so suddenly...

I had plan to make photo collage for my neighbour's daughter's birthday celebration these 2 days,.with their grandparents in the photos,since we've just bought a new printer...before I got the news...

2009-07-05

Beef & Seafood Bento takeaway


Beef & Seafood Bento takeaway
Originally uploaded by VANnBER

SGD6.90 from Food Court @Yew Tee Point. Add 20cts for takeway.

Unlike the similar bento in Lot 1's Food Junction food court,which has a raw beef taste, and rough texture,this beef slices are tender and has aroma of grilled beef.

I saw the chef stir-frying it with really strong HIGH fire,probably that's the reason why it has the BBQ aroma.

Prawns and Squid rings are fresh and crispy too.

Stir-Fry Prawn Noodles/Hokkien Hae Mee/Hay Mee












Famous Hokkien Mee in Bt Batok St 11.Can't remember if it's at Bllk 153 or 154,but it's one of the 2 coffee shops that are joined together.


Just mention "the stall which charged 50cts for extra chilli",everyone staying in the West knows about it...

Opar Leaf Take-away also available, but minimum S$4.00

By the way, the sambal chilli is really good!


Other than fresh ingredients, the stock used for Hokkien Mee is as important, so is the chilli sauce. The one gain points for all the above !

2009-07-04

Pandan & Mango Chiffon Cake


This is the Chocolate-Jackfruit chiffon cake

The Pandan+Chocolate flavoured Chiffon cake was highly raved about in a local magazine and Straits Times.

S$1.50 per slice. Need to order in advanced if you want to buy the whole cake.

Only saw Pandan+Mango and Green Tea+Chocolate flavoured at the shop.

This is moist, very much like normal sponge cake than Chiffon Cake. Taste a bit like steam sponge cake too.





Told Hb this is the 鸳鸯 Chiffon Cake.

Japan's Skin Laminate Make UP Base SPF30


Skin Laminate Make UP Base SPF30
Originally uploaded by VANnBER



Helps make up stay longer,leave a thin film to retain moisture, cover pores,keep face matte,tinted and best of all, with SPF30 PA++.

Skin Laminates's moisturiser are highly raved by Taiwanese and Japanese artistes,including Lan2 Xin1 Mei2 and Ma2 Yi1

http://esearch.rakuten.co.jp/rms/sd/esearch/vc?sv=2&sitem=%A5%B9%A5%AD%A5%F3%A5%E9%A5%DF%A5%CD%A1%BC%A5%C8




This site offers EMS direct shipping service:


http://item.rakuten.co.jp/doremi/skinramine-to/




These Rakuten sites offere International Shipping Services:
http://item.rakuten.co.jp/fashionreform/10000271/

http://item.rakuten.co.jp/rouge/r-936577/

Shiseido hair tonic from Japan


Shiseido hair tonic from Japan
Originally uploaded by VANnBER

Shiseido hair tonic from Japan
不老林ライブアクトシャンプー
资生堂不老林养发精 (Normal-Blue Packaging,Extra Strength+ white hair: Live-X Black)

引用大S《美容大王》:希望头发长得快一点,或是有某一个区域的头发被你扯断了很多,市面有产品可以使你的头发长得比较快。例如资生堂有个常青产品叫“不老林”。
如果还在为短发变长发的漫长过程而哀叹,为满头头屑而苦恼,为扯断的头发而惋惜的话,不妨快来尝试这款神奇的“不老林”!

头发是依:生长期→退化期→休止期的反复循环﹙一般称之头发生长周期﹚来促进新的毛发生长。每一根毛发生长的期间,以头发来说是2~5年,睫毛则是100~150天。一般而言,一天50~100根的脱发数是任何人都会有的现象,不必太担心。脱发的数目也会依年龄、季节、健康状况而改变。有时也会因头皮屑的量而导致脱发增加的情况。当头皮柔软性丧失而变硬时,就会压迫到毛细血管,使得营养无法遍及毛根,这也是造成落发的原因。依照这种方式,头发生长的周期虽会因各种条件而变化,但是在您发觉到如下状况时,就必须注意了:
○洗发时,发觉脱发变多、头发变细。
○感觉到头皮比以前多油时。
○头皮屑变多,头皮发痒时。

此时应注意的事项:
○仔细的洗发,保持头皮清洁。
○使用适合头皮状态的头皮用保养制品。
○养成以发刷刷发和以指腹按摩的习惯,以促进头皮血液循环。
○为了保持身心健康,要使睡眠、饮食获得平衡,注意勿使精神紧张。
除了以上的事项,建议您做好头发的保养。

不老林养发精主要功能:
○预防脱发、促进头发健康成长的养发剂。
○能够预防头发稀疏,促进头发的生长。
○可以条理头皮,预防头皮屑、头皮痒。
○具有令人舒畅的爽快感,能够保持头皮、头发清洁。
促进头发生长、发育以及头发的养育,且预防头皮屑、头皮痒及落发。

使用方法:
○早晚1~2回适量擦于头皮,以指腹仔细按摩。
○洗发后请充分擦干水份再使用。

注意事项:
○在洗发、以发刷刷发、指腹按摩时,请注意勿伤害到头皮。
○请注意勿使之进入眼睛。一旦进入,请立即以水或温水冲洗之。
○沾到塑料纤维制发梳或眼镜上时,会产生变色的情况,所以请拭擦干净。
○请置于幼儿手无法触及之处。

Stir Fry Black Sauce Hokkien Mee


Stir Fry Black Sauce Hokkien Mee
Originally uploaded by VANnBER

My husband said it taste just like those sold in outside Zhi Char's stall's...."eh...you know how to cook this huh?"

Will post the recipe later.

Recipe:Homemade "Swiss Sauce Chicken Wings"






Hong Kong Tai Ping Koon's Swiss Sauce Chicken Wings













My Home-cooked version
Homemade "Swiss Sauce Chicken Wings"
Originally uploaded by VANnBER



Ber loves the Swiss Sauce Chicken wings in Hong Kong's Tai Ping Koon Restaurant.


Searched the net for recipe to make this.Ber said it's not exactly the same as Hong Kong's but she still eat 5pcs (mid-joint+wing tip=1 pc)at 1 go!

Recipe:
(I doubled the sauce)
瑞士鸡翼

材料:
鸡中翼12两 chicken mid-joint wings
葱段1条 1 pc Spring Onion,cut
花椒少许(Sze Chuan Peppercorn) I skip this,cos it's spicy.)
姜2片 2 slices ginger
八角1粒 1 pc star anise

腌鸡料:
绍酒1汤匙胡椒粉少许 1 tbsp "Hua Tiao" wine, pepper

调味料:
水3/8杯 water 3/8 cup
老抽1汤匙 1 tbsp Dark Soya Sauce
o急汁11/2汤匙... 1 1/2 tbsp lea & perrins Worceschester sauce
甜豉油4汤匙 4 tbsp Sweet Soya Sauce
片糖1/2片 1/2 pc Sliced Brown Sugar(found this in Chinese Medicine hall)

做法:
鸡翼洗净後抹乾,放入腌料拌匀,腌20分钟
烧热2汤匙油,爆香姜片和葱段,放入鸡翼略为爆炒,浇酒,并加入八角、花椒和调味
料,一并用慢火炆煮至熟透、上色、入味及汁浓,捞出上碟,并淋上少许麻油,即成

Wash & dry chicken wings, season with marinade for at least 20min.
Heat enough oil to saute ginger and spring onion, add in chicken wings, stir fry, drizzle some wine.Add star anise,Sze Chuan peppercorn, and sauce.
Simmer at low heat till cooked. Turn up heat to to thicken the sauce. Drizzle some sesame oil before serving.

( I read that the sauce can be re-used.I strain it, then chill it.Next day add into fresh chicken wings and hard-boiled eggs/quail eggs,and simmer again!)

Home-cooked Chiili Sotong/ Squid


Home-cooked Chiili Sotong/ Squid
Originally uploaded by VANnBER

Simple and quick to cook!

I love chilli and love chewy food!

Just used the chilled hay bee hiam (chiili with dried shrimps) from supermaket and Thai sweet chilli sauce for the sauce.

Yummy and satisfying!

Kasutera/Castella Cake from Japan


Kasutera/Castella Cake from Japan
Originally uploaded by VANnBER

I fell in love with the Kasutera cake when I first tasted it in Japan.

Actually, not just this.Other cakes I've tried in Japan taste so fine,soft and heavenly!

I passed by one small bakery in Ginza one night and bought just one slice of cake back to hotel. Even if it's just one slice, they place it in a small box with dry ice in it!

Back to Kasutera...I found it at basement one of Takashimay.selling at SGD20.

It's doesn't taste exactly the same as what I've tasted in Japan...but still heavenly soft,but sweeter.

Ayam Penyet "Smashed Fried Chicken"


Ayam Penyet "Smashed Fried Chicken"
Originally uploaded by VANnBER

I love this Ayam Penyet from Lucky Plaza.

Now there are two restaurants in Lucky Plaza. The Original at 4th floor expanded and open another one in the same building.

Just don't order their coffee.Taste really awful.No Smell and taste of coffee...only color of kopi and taste of milk.

2009-07-01

Japan-Mt Fuji 5th Station











Printable Free worksheets for kids

Since B1's able to hold pencil, I have been printing worksheets,coloring pages,handwriting pages for her.

I brought a few of such worksheets, a small bag of color pencils,or those color pencils with many interchangeable colors in one pc in my bags all the time.

She did it while waiting for our food when we eat out,on flight when we travel.When I had dinner or high tea with girl friends, she would be busy doing coloring pages with my girl friend's daughter.

That's the best way to kill 2 birds with 1 stone,keep her occupied yet at the same time learned something in the process.

Mazes and Word Searchs, and some crtical thinking worksheets are very useful in training thei concentration and patience.

Free Worksheets-Mazes

http://www.schoolexpress.com/fws/cat.php?id=2267

http://www.printactivities.com/Mazes.html

http://www.billybear4kids.com/worksheets/start-mazes.html

Free Worksheets

http://www.tlsbooks.com/

http://www.abcteach.com/

(I love their "Theme Units"!)

http://www.beginningreading.com/Free%20Workshe.htm

Handwriting Worksheets:

http://www.writingwizard.longcountdown.com/handwriting_practice_worksheet_maker.html