A Mind of My Own

For once, I took up some interest in cooking. I’m not sure if it’s the influence of the workplace that I worked previously or playing Cafe World and Restaurant City. Or watching Jamie Oliver dishing out such yummy and easy to cook dishes. Perhaps it’s the way he presented them whereby there’s no huge roar of food being fried. Frying stuff means that the food has to be dry or the oil will react violently with the water vapour.

Hence, I have often been dumping stuff into soup based meals. That’s besides instant noodles. Since I have learned how to cook soba and cha soba, I have a good time having them for lunch or dinner if I’m the only one. I usually use what’s available at home since walking out in the hot weather just to buy stuff is truly asking for the sweat to come.

The best invention is the rice cooker. Fried rice is also easy to do as long as there is just some oil to cover the base of the wok for the frying part. I’ve often used mushrooms for my meals. The main thing is to marinate them once they are soft; especially for dried mushrooms. After that, stir fry them for the fragrance. I do that if I have time and only for myself since my brother and sister don’t appreciate the fragrance.

So far, I have also managed to fry eggs, make steamed eggs, distorted benedict eggs, stew soups and just playing around with the recipes if I watch any cooking shows. It’s the cheesecake that I haven’t tried. Now I feel like eating something.

It’s always fun to plan a day of fun. For starters, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so I’ll be at Ya Kun Toast having a set meal with my DD. After a hearty breakfast, we’ll be at Atlantic Optical to pick out some trendy sunglasses since this is the hottest season in Singapore!

Next, we’ll check out Spin The Bottle to try building our own bags. I rather like the idea since I’m always on the search for the perfect bag to contain all my stuff that I can’t help but bring around every time. Then, on to egg3 for some funky shopping for accessories, furniture, etc.

After having so much fun, time for lunch at Billy Bombers. After lunch, it’s on to Adidas and Totally Hot Stuff to check out more fashion. As a woman, it’s a natural thing to look at fashion. With Ben & Jerry’s nearby, we’ll just have some ice cream there too.

Then off to to-a-tee, XSQUAD and Metallurgy – jewellery is a must for ladies. After walking, it’s time to head to Spa Elements for some massage. Since the mobile phones can be liven up, DigiSkin is the place to either protect the cover or just beautify them. Finally, we’ll have dinner at Aston Specialities.

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DD’s friend was holding her wedding dinner at Marina Mandarin, the building next to Marina Square. It took us a long walk to the POSB ATM near the cinema and back to the bridge connecting CitiLink and Marina Square. We were still early, 7pm is way too early to arrive at a traditional Chinese wedding dinner.

Not to forget that it was a weekday night whereby traffic jams are normal. Eventually, it started at around 8.15pm. I love the first march in song, Canon in D Major. I think it was a violin version. Anyone playing the electric guitar version?

Obviously, the bride was looking lovely with her hair done up with lovely curls. It was the first time I saw that only the bridal photos were shown on screen. No history of the bride and groom, and no video montage of the morning activities. I guess it was good enough since dinner had started late.

The dinner was at level one, 35 tables with enough space to walk in between. I like. The wedding gown takes up space, so there must be enough space between the tables. A pillarless concept between the rooms. I like that too. The food was good. I demand more Shitake mushrooms!

After the dinner, I have gained more in weight. I still have another round in Dec 2009, Jan 2010 and July 2010! I guess it’s the time of the age whereby friends are getting married around this age.

I have a thing for candles that are of special shapes. The following caught my eye.

Mac N Cheese made by kokocandles

Chocolate Brownie Cupcake by kokocandles

Oreo cookies and cream milkshake by simonesctrycandles

Cherry cheesecake by WagnersCountryGifts

All these food are making me hungry for desserts!

Birthday parties are never without yummy birthday cakes that are sinful to the body. However, what’s a birthday without the cake?

We don’t get to see that often in Singapore! By PinkCakeBox

For the one who loves bikes. By abbietabbie

Beautifully painted lemon sponge cake. By neviepiecakes

A castle birthday cake for the boys. By Russ Weakley

Have a cheerful Monday!

It’s a rainy Monday but I hope that it won’t spoil your day. Let’s look at those cute cake toppers that are often used on wedding cakes.

Hand painted resin bride and groom by SusieQ Scraps.

Love birds can be customised by cornflakegirl.

Robot fans can rejoice, your customised robots by buildersstudio.

And you are bored of those traditional cake toppers, try wire initials by AllegroArt.

Have a great week ahead!

My first flea market and I was pleased with some of the sales since I didn’t expect anyone to buy the stuff that I have put up. For this first time, I learned the following.

1. Nobody is willing to pay more than $20 for any electronics, even if they are freaking new.
2. Everyone will want to pay only $2 for any top because other stalls are selling even cheaper.
3. Everyone will make a face at paying $5 for a branded bag, even it was used only 3 times.
4. You never know the cost of your neighbour’s items that happen to sell the same category as yours at an even cheaper rate.
5. Bring a thick marker.
6. Have some cardboards huge enough to write some clearance sale if you really want to clear your stocks.
7. The weather plays a role.
8. Soft toys don’t really sell well.
9. Handmade jewellery can sell for lower than yours, way too low.
10. Tagging the items at the same price for the clothes is faster than trying to memorise their individual costs when you have too many to sell.
11. Bring a huge water bottle.
12. Scotch tape and masking tape are your best friends.
13. Negotiation is gained with more experience.
14. Books aren’t really that fast moving as clothes.
15. Be prepared to be very tired after 4 hours.
16. Sharing the stall is a very good idea.
17. Small change is important if you have cents in your prices.

Overall, it was a good experience to know that the hunters are ruthless in getting the best deals for themselves. In the end, it’s up to the seller to see if the prices are acceptable. I would also like to thank friends who have participated with me. One even bought from me.

Thank you for your support!

It’s rare to have Valentine’s Day fall on a weekend and I’m sure every couple is planning to have theirs at some romantic restaurant later. I wanted to announce the winners for the K Box Coupons Contest but unfortunately, I have none because no one seems to sing at K Box or even want to drink at K Box anymore.

However, I hope everyone will enjoy this day and not just spread the love only on V Day because, we can celebrate love any day without those expensive dining deals. And now, remember to say the following to your loved ones. Use whatever creative way you can think of.

more animals

And now, to get rid of the cough.

I really ought to move my lazy butt and get some form of exercise. Just a week before CNY, I had a bout of cough. Just as CNY is ending, I got another bout of cough with slight sore throat and fever to boot. Even with my mind addled with fever, I managed to come up with a contest.

You have a high chance of winning those coupons too if you are taking part. Unless you are unable to answer those simple questions that can be searched by Google. Google is your friend, you know. Unless no one likes to save their money on drinks when it comes to singing at K Box.

I think this lover called Cough is too persistant. I told him that I don’t love him but he keeps sticking to me! I have drunk cough syrups like drinking water and he still wants to be so near to me disturbing my sleep too! I have even drunk more water than ever to no avail.

I hate you, Cough! Hate you!

I have seen handmade gifts that are birthday related and today, I decided to showcase those that make you want to go “AWWWW”.

This Swiss Roll pincushion has dual purposes, as a pincushion or just a decoration. Made by jcskyline.

These cupcakes can serve as presents or goodie bags. Made by Amy Gaines.

A beautiful piece of art that looks so delicious! Made by A Rose Without A Thorn.

This cake slice looks really drool worthy and you won’t have to worry about calories either! Made by SoapPatisserie.

Now I’m hungry for cakes. Yikes!