Swensens SG50 Moon Gems mooncakes

Mid-Autumn festival is rolling around, and Swensen’s has the perfect seasonal 

offering for annual, warm familial gatherings whilst basking under the pale moonlight. In celebration of Singapore’s 50th birthday, the much-anticipated SG50 Moon Gems mooncakes feature the iconic Merlion emblem to top off the festivities, in reminiscence of how far Singapore has come in the past five decades, and come encased in a beautiful Lantern Box complete with LED lights and batteries.

I have yet to bring the lantern out (cos of the haze arghh), but will be using it to join in the fun with the kids at home!

With the marking of new milestones, comes a brand new pastry skin recipe for the SG50 Moon Gems ice cream mooncakes that promise to deliver happiness with the improved texture. Swensen’s latest ice cream mooncakes feature six delectable options that celebrate some of Singapore’s most popular local flavors. 

In keeping with Swensen’s passion to innovate and surprise with new offerings, the family restaurant introduces three flavors that will be sure to please – Crunchy Milo, Lychee Dreams and Yummy Yam. Fans of their quintessential mooncake range can revel in familiar, all-time-favorites like the Durian Royale and Sticky Chewy Chocolate.

I chose the 2 all-time favourites - Durian and Sticky Chewy Chocolate, a personal favourite - Strawberry Fields Forever and a SG50 new flavour - Crunchy Milo. 

Had wanted Lychee Dreams too, but it was already out of stocks when I visited Swensens. Shows how popular it is!

♥ Crunchy Milo (*NEW*)

As local as Singaporean flavours go, bite into the Crunchy Milo mooncake that features the rich malty taste of Milo filled with plush marshmallows and crunchy almond. Definitely the choice flavor combination in honor of Singapore’s 50th birthday. Needless to say, this is my new favourite after the strawberry flavour as I LOVEEEEE Swensens' milo ice-cream personally! :)

♥ Sticky Chewy Chocolate

This Mid-Autumn, fall in love again with the all-time best-selling Swensen’s signature Sticky Chewy Chocolate ice cream. Wrapped in our soft pastry skin, this rich chocolaty goodness will linger in your mouth with every bite. Makes a great gift choice too as you won't go wrong with chocolate ;)

♥ Durian Royale

Behold the King of Fruits is back! Get ready to savour the rich pungent flavors of D24 durian ice cream. 

But be warned, this aromatic flavor will keep you coming back for more.

♥ Strawberry Fields Forever

Reminscent of Singapore’s eternal summer days, Swensen’s creamy strawberry ice cream mooncake is abound with fresh ripe strawberries from the sweetest harvest.

♥ Lychee Dreams (*NEW*)

I really need to get this nearer to MAF, cos the description sounds too tempting!
Get invigorated with the light refreshing taste of the sweet, fragrant translucent white flesh of lychee blended with Swensen’s Lychee ice cream. The unforgettable taste is the stuff of dreams.

♥ Yummy Yam (*NEW*)

Back by popular demand, Swensen’s signature Yam ice cream returns with its beckoning, all-familiar taste and texture. The aroma and sweet, creamy taste is a definite crowd pleaser and will have you reminiscing of the good old days.

***

Price and Availability 

Swensen’s SG50 Moon Gems Mooncake Collection is priced at $35.80 (inclusive of GST) for a box of 4 (with choice of flavours). Available from 14 August 2015 to 27 September 2015 at all Swensen’s and Earle Swensen’s outlets. No pre-orders are required.

Credit Card Promotions

ANZ, BOC, Citibank, Diners, HSBC, Maybank, OCBC, Standard Chartered Bank, and UOB cardholders can enjoy an early bird special of 15% discount before 15 September 2015 and a 10% discount thereafter till 27 September 2015.

Swensen's Cool Rewards & Kids' Club members can enjoy 20% early bird special before 15 September 2015 & 15% discount thereafter till 27 September 2015.

(AD) BATTLE OF THE KFC WINGS!

Singaporean youths are a trendy and sophisticated bunch. They love keeping up to date with the latest trends and are always in-the-know about everything and anything new under the sun. In recent years, the influence of Japanese and Korean culture and cuisine is getting increasingly prevalent. Many Singaporeans have fallen in love with the rich Japanese culture and exciting Korean pop and fashion trends. Most importantly, we have all fallen for their delicious food offerings!  

I'm pretty sure everybody is familiar with KFC in Singapore.

Kentucky Fried Chicken Management Pte Ltd is the leading quick-service restaurant chain in the chicken category in Singapore. KFC is renowned for serving its customers delicious, complete family meals at affordable prices. The first KFC restaurant in Singapore was opened in 1977, and there are now 87 restaurants island-wide. KFC a.m. was introduced in November 2007 and is now served at 68 of its restaurants. The company also provides KFC Delivery as part of its commitment to meet the needs of consumers. There are more than 19,400 KFC restaurants in 120 countries and territories around the world. KFC Corporation is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., Louisville, Ky. (NYSE: YUM.)  To find out more about KFC in Singapore, please visit www.kfc.com.sg.

Rising to the occasion, KFC introduces the all-new KFC Wings – Freshly breaded in-store with a special batter, these juicy wings are cooked to crispy perfection and coated in two bold flavours. Choose either the Umadare sauce (a tangy yet savoury Japanese sauce) or the Yang Yeum sauce (a Korean-inspired sweet and spicy sauce) - you’ll definitely find a flavour you simply can’t get enough of!  

The KFC Wings is also paired with the new 7Up Lemon Mint, which allows you to enjoy the refreshing flavour of lemon paired with a cool burst of mint. You can now enjoy the KFC Wings in an a la carte set of 4 pcs (choice of 1 flavour) at only $4.90, or go for the Wings Rice Bento Set which comes with 4 pcs Wings (choice of 1 flavour), fragrant chicken rice, a side salad and a regular 7Up Lemon Mint at only $6.90! 

After trying out both wings, I picked the Umadare wings (if you had seen my IG)! Finished off 4 Umadare wings and 2 Yang Yeum wings on my own, cos they're simply so yummy. The 2 flavours so good it’s almost impossible to make a choice! Pick a side and be part of KFC’s greatest wing-off today. To pledge your allegiance to your favourite flavour, upload a post on Instagram and hashtag #kfcoishii to support the Umadare flavour or #kfcmashisoyo to support the Yang Yeum flavour.

Hurry down to the nearest KFC now!

Promotion is not available at KFC Sentosa and Singapore Zoo. Please visit www.kfc.com.sg for full details of the promotion.

Velvet Confectionery - Cake Tasting / Review

Had chance to meet up with the ladies (Mia, Janel, and Andrea) for cakes few weekends back! We were hosted by Velvet Confectionery, located Robertson Quay, Watermark Condominium. The previous time I visited, it was Bridger’s Cafe.

Now that Velvet Confectionery has took over the shop front, this space remains unpretentious with both indoor, and alfresco seating by the river.

credits: molly-mia 

Let’s start with our favourite of the lot!

Nutella Cheesecake

credits: molly-mia 

Not sure if it’s psychological, but I find the cake tasting more like Ferrero rocher than Nutella, haha! The cheesecake is perfectly soft and creamy, complemented well by a crusty cookie base that hints of caramel. This was the favourite of ALL of us!

Carrot Cake

I don’t usually crave for carrot cakes for desserts because just like Mia, I tend to imagine them as savoury treats too. Lol. But the carrot cake at Velvet Confectionery is definitely far from being savoury! Being one of their best sellers, the carrot cake is pretty moist and loaded with crunchy goodies such as raisins, walnuts, and of cos, carrot bits. The cinnamon flavour is minimal, which is a good thing for me personally. 

Red Velvet Swirl Brownie

credits: molly-mia 

Fudge brownie, topped with an equally thick layer of cream cheese. Certainly for the sweet tooth.


Lemon Olive Oil Yoghurt Loaf

This cake is made without butter, but with olive oil instead. Hence the texture tends to be more crumbly. The taste is pretty light overall, with just a slight hint of lemon.

Devilish Chocolate Cupcake

credits: molly-mia 

The cake itself is quite soft and fluffy, with just the right amount of chocolate flavour. With the creamy chocolate icing on it, it is the perfect one to with your afternoon tea.

Blue Velvet Cupcake

credits: molly-mia 

If you have tried various red velvet cakes already, why not order a blue velvet for a change? :) 

***

For the month of July, Velvet Confectionery is having a promotion. All you have to do is to follow them on Instagram (@velvetconfectionery) and quote "MollyMia" to enjoy your choice of cake with a cup of hot coffee (latte or cappuccino) or hot tea for just $10 on weekdays.

credits: molly-mia 

Velvet Confectionery

Watermark @ Robertson Quay

7 Rodyk Street #01-30

Operating Hours 

10.30am til 6.30pm Daily

Closed on Tuesdays

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/velvetconfectionery

Instagram

@velvetconfectionery

Swensen's SG50 dishes (Jul-Sep 2015) and revamped menu

Time again for Swensen's quarterly SG50 menu in celebration of the nation's 50th birthday, with three new dishes that pay homage to the melting pot of Singaporean flavors

The year long SG50 Menu at Swensen’s has excited local diners with its array of inventive, fusion dishes that changes every month. This quarter, Singapore’s representative family restaurant introduces another bold line-up of three dishes that bear testament to the uniquely Singaporean brand of flavor. Diners can look forward to interesting combinations that pack a punch, as Swensen’s adds a personal twist on some of their classic dishes.

The three featured dishes running from July 2015 to September 2015 respectively are the Kicap Manis, Glazed Grey Mullet, You Had Me At Laksa Penne, and popular favorite Banana Chicken Makes a Comeback. Between 1 to 10 August, customers will be available to pick from two dishes instead of one for the first time ever, as both the Kicap Manis Glazed Grey Mullet and You Had Me At Laksa Penne will be made available concurrently in the days leading up to SG50.

These pocket-friendly offerings will be sure to satiate the appetite of any true blue patriot hankering
for a Singaporean dining experience.

1 July – 10 August 2015

Kicap Manis Glazed Grey Mullet ($15.90)



In conjunction with Singapore Restaurant Month, Swensen’s is proud to be part of the 50 restaurant
brands presenting a newly created dish using only fresh local produce. The mullet is gently seasoned
and grilled to preserve its freshness, and comes served over a bed of savory buttered rice for the
full works. I love the rice indeed!
Not only that, for chilli lovers, accompany every bite with Swensen’s homemade garlic chili kicap manis for an oriental twist of flavor!

Augusts 2015

You Had Me At Laksa Penne ($14.90)



Happy Birthday Singapore! Celebrate 50 years of independence by digging into a delectable Laksa
with a western twist. Hearty whole meal penne tossed in authentic Singaporean Laksa gravy with
an abundance of fresh ingredients – rich blue mussels, scallops from the North Sea, juicy prawns and dry beancurd.


September 2015

Banana Chicken Makes a Comeback ($14.90)



The dish that swept Singapore in its earlier years makes a glorious comeback. Lightly battered marinated chicken chunks are wrapped around a juicy banana and deep fried golden brown. Dip into the light curry cream sauce for an explosion of flavors. Served with our hot U.S. Fries and Mesclun Salad, this blast from the past is definitely Swensen’s best kept secret! Our favourite out of the Quarter SG50 menu for the tender chicken and popular goreng pisang ;)

***

Not just the SG50 menu, this July, Swensen’s delivers chockfull of flavor and a slew of new additions to their menu for an improved dining experience at Singapore’s favorite family
restaurant.

Heartwarming newcomers like the Farm Roast Chicken with Mustard Onion Sauce and crowd-favorite Slipper Lobster Roll vie for your attention with their classic flavor profiles, while innovative dishes like the Oriental Chili Fish Pasta and Milo Dinosaur Sundae Dirt Pot offer an element of surprise and keep diners on their toes.

Swensen’s fans will also be delighted to know that the Breakfast Menu has expanded to include Salted Egg n Honey Toasties, and other kid-friendly dishes to reward everyone for a well-deserved family treat. Can't wait to try this over the weekend soon! 

Chose to try my favourite scallops in the new menu during the media tasting.

Golden Breaded Scallops ($9.80) 

Whet your appetite with these succulent scallops fresh from the ocean. Lightly battered with bread crumbs and served with creamy tartar sauce for an umami mix of flavors. And the scallops really come golden brown at Swensen's! (unlike some places where the oil used has been recycled too much resulting in dark-coloured fry :/)

Slipper Lobster Roll ($17.90)

Another of my favourite at Swensen's ever since trying their seasonal Boston lobster roll previously! Now it's finally in their regular menu, yay! This dish is a symphony of sweet slipper lobster dressed with special honey lime dressing. Nestled in a pillow soft grilled bun that is buttery and crisp on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside. Topped with a touch of butter oil for an unforgettable taste in every bite.

Another seasonal dish that made a comeback is the Firecracker Soft Shell Shrimps ($8.50)
Had tried it during the previous swensen's media food tasting.



These flavor bombs are coated with a tasty blend of spices and fried for that perfect crunch. Outrageously addictive, these lightly battered morsels are served with Swensen’s very own pineapple BBQ sauce.

Farm Roast Chicken with Mustard Onion Sauce ($15.60)



Go back to the basics with this classic delight! Tender, juicy quarter chicken elegantly seasoned with a heavenly blend of spices, roasted to tender perfection and served with Swensen’s rich savoury
mustard onion sauce.


Oriental Chili Fish Pasta ($16.90)



Satisfy your appetite with this smorgasbord of fulfilling flavors. Tender dory fillet lightly coated with homemade batter, fried to a crisp golden brown and slathered with Swensen’s house signature
spicy oriental sauce. Served on a bed of spaghetti with a hint of fragrant garlic.

Milo Dinosaur Sundae Dirt Pot ($10.50)



Been wanting to try a potted dessert since last year but somehow the idea had been abandoned several times for many, many reasons. So YAY, certainly pleased that we could finally try one yesterday! Swensen’s Milo Dinosaur Sundae Dirt Pot uses well, milo powder instead of the usual oreo specks and the main bulk of it is Swensen’s milo ice cream of cos! 🍦The ice cream is presented with a cute gummy worm (*this is a worm that never dies..*), passion fruit and parsley. Also, not forgetting the miniature shovel which you can use to unearth the “soil” to reveal many treasures underneath! I shall not spoil the surprise, try it yourself to know what lies beneath ;)


Below are addresses of the Swensen's outlets :)

Ang Mo Kio Hub
53 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3
#B1-25/26

Bedok Mall
311 New Upper Changi Road
#01-77

Bukit Panjang Plaza
1 Jelebu Road
#03-04

Causeway Point
1 Woodlands Square
#02-08/09

Centrepoint
176 Orchard Road
#02-52/53/54

Compass Point
1 Sengkang Square
#B1-28/29

City Square Mall
180 Kitchener Road
#03-37/38

Clementi Mall
3155 Commonwealth Ave
West #05-31/32/33

E! Hub @ Downtown East
1 Pasir Ris Close #02-121/122

IMM
2 Jurong East Street 21
#01-111

ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
#B1-31

Junction 8
9 Bishan Place
#01-39

Jurong Point
63 Jurong West Central 3
#B1-64

Marina Square
6 Raffles Boulevard
#01-206/207

Nex Mall
23 Serangoon Central
#02-07/08

North Point
930 Yishun Avenue 2
#01-16/17

Parkway Parade
80 Marine Parade Road
#B1-33/34

Plaza Singapura
68 Orchard Road
#03-23

Tampines Mall
4 Tampines Central 5
#03-30

The Seletar Mall *NEW*
33 Sengkang Avenue
#02-11/12

Thomson Plaza
301 Upper Thompson Road
#03-23

West Mall
1 Bukit Batok Central Link
#02-05

24 hours Swensen's Outlet

Changi Airport Terminal 2
Mezzanine Level, Arrival Meeting Hall North

Luxola - Clinique's 3-Step Skin Care Review

Was happy to receive Clinique's 3-Step Skin Care Regime Set from Luxola recently! Had just been pondering whether to try Clinique products when I was in the US few months ago, cos the prices are slightly cheaper over there. So imagine my excitement in receiving the Clinique skincare set! :)

Clinique partnered with practicing physicians—clinicians—to pioneer the first-ever dermatologist-developed skin care system, Clinique's 3-Step Skin Care Regime: Cleanse with Facial Soap, exfoliate with Clarifying Lotion, moisturize with Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion or Gel. All skins enjoy new transparency, clarity, life from just 3 products, 3 minutes, twice a day.

At Clinique a product is allergy tested 12 times on 600 people; if even one of those 7,200 applications incites an allergic reaction, Clinique will reformulate. All eye products are also ophthalmologist tested.

Read Luxola's e-magazine for more details on Clinique's 3-Step Skin Care Regime Set!

***

Clinique's 3-Step Skin Care Regime Set consist of Facial Soap, Clarifying Lotion, and Moistuizing Lotion.

I have the set for Type 2 skin which is suitable for normal / combination skin types.

Liquid Facial Soap

Use twice a day, morning and night.

The facial soap is light and lathers easily with water. It doesn't feel drying on any part of my skin at all - which is especially important for non-oily areas like below the cheeks, the jaw, neck, area near the lips, and such. My skin doesn't feel tight after cleansing, but still effectively clean and soft to touch as I swipe my finger across. The facial soap has just a very, very, very faint scent, which is acceptable to someone like me who doesn't like scented products.

Clarifying Lotion

Use twice a day, morning and night.

This works like an exfoliating toner lotion, that should be used with a cotton ball / cotton pad and sweeped over face and neck. It has an exfoliating effect per claim, clearing away deep-trapped dirt or dead cell flakes, which makes my skin appear smooth and slightly glowing right after use. This lotion contains alcohol, just to highlight, but it doesn't dry out my skin or irritates it like some products containing alcohol. Skin is still dewy after the Step 1 Cleanser and Step 2 Lotion :) Just take note to avoid the eye area when using the lotion as the eye area is more sensitive. 

Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+

The final step in Clinique's 3-Step Skin Care Regime is this moisture "drink" developed by Clinique's dermatologists to maintain optimal moisture balance for very dry skins, or skins dry in the cheeks, comfortable to oily in the T-zone. With a new complex, this formula aims to strengthen the skin's own moisture barrier by 54%. As more moisture stays in., the skin will feel soft and springy.

I love this lotion the most out of the collection because it makes my skin feels really good. This moisturizing lotion is absorbed rather easily into my skin and smells nice. And, most importantly, I can see how it plumps up my skin (not obvious in photos though no photo comparisons) by keeping it hydrated!

Thanks so much to Luxola again for letting me have the chance to try out Clinique's 3-Step Skin Care Set!

If you're interested to get anything on Luxola, check out using this discount code BLX-OYHZ!
From now till 15 August 2015, enjoy 15% off all first time orders with the code.

(This offer is not valid on non-discountable brands as found in the FAQ page.)

LIN's - Reed Diffuser and Soy Candle Review

Trying out home spa recently to relax and keep calm amidst the busy schedule. Was introduced to LIN's by Chris, an Australian brand looking to bringing nature into urbane settings.

"LIN's seeks to exude the wonders of mother earth with our natural and organic concept into your lifestyle. 

Envisioning the needs of modern living, LIN's embraces a natural and an organic concept that holistically intertwines all your senses, proffering the ultimate sensory adventure and capturing the good from the earth, transforming its beauty into a conglomerate of touches, scents and visuals.

In LIN's, you can assimilate a range of quality skin, body, hair and scented natural products with an organic interpretation of beauty into an everyday routine. Extracted from plants with selective bottling of nature, we deliver gentle, wholesome and delicate products that are the best off our soil."

I was thrilled to try the reed diffuser from LIN's home spa series.

Tilley Lily of the Valley Diffuser

$69.00

http://www.lins.com.sg/product_info.php?products_id=175

The deliciously fresh, green, deep waft of Lily of the Valley makes every bathroom complete.

You would be welcomed with the scent immediately after opening the packaging. It's strong in my opinion, so would suggest using less reeds to begin with and slowly adding on according to your personal preference. But that may be because I'm pretty sensitive to scents in general. If u wan a quick diffuse of the scent, use all the given reeds, and turn them around every 3hours or so :)

Not just that, I had the soy candle as well!

Tilley Lily of the Valley Candle

$55

http://www.lins.com.sg/product_info.php?cPath=26_42&products_id=163

Delicate, fresh and hypnotic, this beautiful lily of the valley candle instantly delights. Made from the finest ingredients with a slow burning lead-free cotton wick, the glowing white frosted glass container adds an elegant ambience to any décor.

This is a lighter version compared to its sister reed diffuser. The glass container looks elegant and would make a nice decor for my new house!

They have bundles promotion which you may want to check it out here!

http://www.lins.com.sg/index.php?cPath=27_57

Tilley Bath Salt + Reed Diffuser is only at $62.16 (UP $88.80)

You may mix and match any scent you want, there are more than 10 scent options available for the diffuser! :)

Besides the website, LIN's has a retail outlet located at United Square.

101 Thomson Rd #B1-70 United Square Singapore 307591

Tel
6254 6009

Operating hours
10.30am to 9.30pm

How do you like these home spa products?
Let me know if you have tried LIN's before, or any diffusers you would like to recommend :)