Facial at Kose Beauty Centre

Had my first facial experience at the Kose Beauty Centre at Isetan Scotts yesterday, and I must say it was one of the best facials I've ever had!
My beautician was a kind looking lady named Linda and she was really professional and obviously has lots of experience and knows exactly what she's doing.
I started my treatment at 330pm and it was a wonderful and restful experience that ended at 530pm. Linda recommended me the $95 treatment with charcoal mask and lymphatic massage which was good for detox - to counter my crazy hormonal changes which were causing my skin to break out in some areas with acne.
First she cleansed my face then left me to rest for about 10minutes before proceeding to steam my face for a generous 15minutes, followed by suction massage to remove blackheads etc. Thereafter, I drifted off to sleep every once in a while as my face was luxuriously soaked in sekkisei lotion mask, given a fantastic face and neck massage, and finally coated in a ultra cooling charcoal face mask which covered all parts of my face except my nostrils. I probably had the charcoal mask on for almost half an hour but it was so cooling and comfortable, I was in heaven.
Linda also gave me lots of good tips on what I should do to keep my skin under control during the rest of my pregnancy and after birth. I was so pleased with myself that I made the effort to walk in & enquire about the facial services since I had tried to search online for details on their treatments but had not managed to find an updated online page. Basic Treatments start from $70 for moisturizing & whitening and the detox treatments are around $90-$95. they also do eyebrow trimming for $10.
Although they hardly publicize about the beauty center, it is relatively popular judging from how they are booked out for the whole long weekend! The beauty centre and hair salon are located within the same place on level 2 Isetan Scotts. I love how they run it like a no frills establishment as there are no separate waiting areas, extensive menus etc. The product speaks volumes I guess, and the beauticians really have what it takes to make you want to come back for more!
Purchase $200 or more of Kose products at Takashimaya and enjoy 50% off Kose facial or hair services at the beauty centre. (For month of August 2013). I'm going to stock up on my sekkisei lotion and enjoy this promotion as I want to go for another facial before I give birth in 3 weeks!

T.Akademi - The Art of Japanese Tea - A Taste of Hokkaido flavors in Singapore

On my way to one of my sales calls, I stumbled upon this Hokkaido Oasis tucked away in a corner of China Square, just off the fringes of the CBD bordering upon Chinatown.
T.Akademi brought out the Japanese otaku in me. I liked their very "anime" inspired logo, and who wouldn't look twice at those delicious drinks made with Hokkaido milk and in a myriad of Hokkaido flavors like yubari melon, wild berries, lavender...
The main dessert were egg balls filled with interesting flavors like sea salt caramel, royal milk tea, wild berries and other popular flavors like matcha, vanilla and Azuki red bean.
I tried a wild berries milk tea with collagen jelly and I loved it! Collagen jelly will be my substitute for pearls in tea moving forward. For a pregnant lady, I think this place could very well be my next regular hangout on hot afternoons in the CBD. Who wouldn't want to contribute a little more to 美白 with collagen jelly and 幸福 with those delicious 幸福焼き. Can't wait to bring my hubby (who is another jelly and tea junkie) to this joint when he gets back from his business trip this weekend!

Breakfast with Sesame Street Characters at Universal Studios Singapore

Sesame Street - an all time favorite for me during my childhood and lo and behold, its' characters have found their way into my little tot's heart as well. 

So we decided to give her an unforgettable day at Universal Studios Singapore by having breakfast with her favorite Sesame Street characters. 

We booked a breakfast package which included a one night stay at the Resorts World Sentosa Hard Rock Hotel Deluxe room, 2 adult entry passes to Universal studios, and breakfast for 2 adults at Sesame Street. 

Staying over the night before meant that we would be able to head over to USS nice and early - actually just before the park opened, so that we can be chaperoned to Sesame Street for a sumptuous buffet breakfast at the Louis NY Pizza Parlor. 

Priority entry into Universal Studios meant no queuing or squeezing with the crowds on a Saturday morning. We were warmly greeted and chaperoned by USS staff all the way to the character breakfast venue and they helped us to take pictures with our cameras/phones as well. 

Apart from good service, meeting the characters and interacting with them was a fabulous experience for my little tot too! She met Oscar (what she called rubbish man) for the first time, was hugged by her favorite "blue elmos" (aka Cookie Monstor), was thrilled to meet her other favorite girl Abby Caddaby and of course she enjoyed stalking Red Elmo all around the pizza parlor. The characters came one or two at a time every 15-20minute intervals, so it kept my little tot busy as she tried to decide whether to eat her cookies, pancakes and cakes or to jump off her baby chair and follow the characters around. 

I must say the buffet selection was impressive, with attractive waffles, cakes etc in the Sesame Street theme which were not only nice to look at but also  delicious. Even my picky husband commented on how the buffet was actually decently yummy. There was also free flow of orange juice, and all of us received a free plastic Elmo souvenir plate to take home as a present. 

The breakfast place is also just next to the area where the other characters like Big Bird, Count, Grover, Ernie and Bert would turn up for photo op and performance; so even though these characters did not turn up during breakfast, there was still an opportunity to take pictures with them. We will definitely do this again as my tot really enjoyed herself and looks back fondly at her visit to Sesame Street, as she mentions "visiting blue Elmos" every time she sees that family picture of us with her favorite character.  
Please visit RWS web page for up to date details on Breakfast with Sesame Street promotions. (With or without hotel stay; choice of family admission or adult admission package) 

http://www.rwsentosa.com/language/en-US/Homepage/Promotions/category/RWSOffers/item/SesameStreet#item-RWSOffers-SesameStreet

Kopi in the Gardens - Hill Street Coffee Shop at Supertrees Dining

If you are visiting Gardens by the Bay with some friends from overseas and want to let them try some local food, do stop by Hill Street Coffee Shop at Supertrees Dining.
The menu is creative (printed like an old newspaper-refer to pic attached for detailed menu offering), ambience modeled after an old Singapore coffee shop, so patrons will be able to experience what it feels like to drink kopi (coffee) in an old-style Singaporean coffee shop. Of course, on a hot singaporean summer's day, this coffee shop has all the ambience minus the heat, thanks to good air conditioning, and an extra plus point is it is convenient as it is not self service and there are waitresses to take your order. Choose from an extensive menu of local delicacies like bak kut teh, Nasi lemak, or hill street char kway teow, and even top it off with a chendol or ice cold yuan yang.
I tried a iced teh si, and bak kut teh. The prices for the food were more expensive than most food courts but the portion was big so it made up for it. The drinks were close to shenton way price points, but came in lovely old style mugs/ cups reminiscent of old Singapore. My Japanese friend really liked the cups and enjoyed our lunch as we had good food and a great view of the Supertrees!
I will definitely recommend this cafe as a good stopover, especially after a walk through the Chinese and Indian gardens on a hot afternoon!

Last minute Mooncake Dash

With the Mid Autumn Festival just round the corner this weekend, where can you go for some good last minute Mooncake buys?
1. Try Serangoon NEX - the mooncake fair at level 1 has famous mooncakes on sale from Goodwood Park hotel, Fairmont, Shangri-La, and other big names. Plus pay by Citibank credit cards and get up to 15% off! Saves alot of trouble of going into town to get some of these famous mooncakes, no preorder required and additional discounts just make this a great last minute mooncake shopping destination!
2. Crave for snowskin mooncakes similar to Japanese mochi? Try Green Pumpkin bakery's snowskin mooncakes. They come in 4 delectable flavors of sesame, red bean, matcha and yam and you get 4 with mochi and 4 without in every box of 8. The size is great for hitokuchi (one-bite) or cut into 4 for sharing amongst family/friends. I managed to order 2 boxes of these mooncakes before 18th September, so I got a $10 Voucher with each box that I could use at all Ichiban Boshi outlets.
3.

Marmalade Toast at Takashimaya Ngee Ann City

Read a review by the Iron Chef online and decided to give this cafe a try.
My verdict? It's easy enough to get seats on a Saturday afternoon and the menu is quite impressive, with sandwiches, salads, cakes, and a good selection of drinks. I like it that they do cold teas as well as warm, so I could indulge in a cold peppermint tea together with a camomile cupcake, double chocolate cupcake and banana walnut cake. The lemon tart Iron Chef raved about was unfortunately not as fantastic as expected.
The cafe was cosy enough but the pay first and take your own food concept was not very conducive for mums eating with kids alone, and unlike Starbucks, which helps mums with babies enthusiastically with their food trays and baby chairs, this cafe had no baby chairs nor helpful enough staff to make it a regular haunt for Kyo & mama.

Takumi at Keppel Bay

One of my friends suggested we try this Japanese restaurant located at Keppel Bay since we were going to have a playdate at the Caribbean.
The walk across the bridge in the hot sun was the toughest part, although on a more breezy and less sunny day, it would have been really enjoyable with the wonderful view of sailboats, blue sky and sea.
Takumi did not disappoint. Ambience was good and portions were generous for the $15 定食 lunch sets. I could not resist ordering the saba set which turned out to be very お得 (good value for money), since the Saba was huge and fresh, and came with miso soup, chawanmushi, rice, pickles, 2 side dishes and dessert. The dessert was mixed fruit with shiratama - very refreshing! My friend ordered a tempura soba set and the portion was good too! Our babies enjoyed our chawanmushi, rice/noodles, and fruit.
Other menu choices for $15 include negitoro don and for $35, you can get chirashi and sushi sets.
For those working around Harborfront, Vivocity, or Pasir Panjang area, I will definitely recommend this place especially if you drive. It is a nice and quiet place with good quality and value for money japanese food.

Great Deals in Singapore

Who says you can only get good discounts during the Great Singapore Sale? I'm always on the prowl for good discounts. Here's sharing my best finds:
1. Cotton On Kids - look for the $10 and below rack where you can get last season's T-shirts, rompers, tights and pants at a steal. I bought 2 nice tops at $10 each and a pair of tights at $5. Some belts and accessories from past season are also discounted by more than 50%. I got a belt for my baby for only $2! PJs are also on sale at $30 for 2 sets (usual price $24.90 for 1 set) I bought 1 set of long sleeves and long pants PJs and another short sleeves and short pants PJs.
2. Toys'R Us - Looking for a kitchen set for your toddler/child? Toys'R Us has a good collection on sale! Amongst them, there is a "my first kitchen set" that is only $49.95
Some of the wooden toys are also cheaper than at Mothercare. A wooden shape sorter I wanted to buy was $24 at Mothercare but only $21.95 at Toys'R Us!
If your child is at the stage where she/he likes to look after other babies, Toys'R Us also has a huge variety of fake babies and accessories in all different price ranges for you to choose from.
Another good buy is the Cookie Monster Letter Lunch which is $8 off now if you have the Toys'R Us card. My baby loves this toy and is always amused at how it swallows the food.
3. Daiso - what can be better than $2 deals?? Well, instant noodle fans will be glad to know that you can now get Tokyo Noodle at Daiso! (they even have flavors like pepper chicken and kimchi!!) Other great buys include toys like make believe kitchen cookery set & teapot set, a new hyped-about melamine sponge (just add water and clean water scale, finger marks and tough stains without detergent), and a whole new range of hello kitty and Sanrio items!!!

I'll keep updating this space with new and latest deals I've come across so do bookmark this page!

My favorite SOY dessert - Mr Bean Soy Ice Cream

Since I started abstaining from dairy (due to my baby's eczema and allergic reaction to cow's milk), it has been difficult trying to find a dessert that I could binge on without feeling guilty.
How happy I am that all my recent haunts have a Mr Bean outlet! I can now pig out on my favorite Soy ice cream anytime I'm out shopping - NEX, Compasspoint, Hougang Mall...
The texture of this soy ice cream is best when it's not too soft. It is also not too sweet and of course, seems a healthy alternative to it's sinful cousin (soft cream from Maccas or anywhere else ) just added the pic with information on nutritional content 