9 July 2018

Blackmores Natural Vitamin E Cream + Lanolin



I first tried Blackmores Natural Vitamin E Cream in April this year during a trip to Sydney. Since Blackmores is Australia’s leading natural health company, the best time to purchase it is while I’m at the originating country isn’t it! I got the vitamin E cream from the local drug store there to help my skin combat the dry climate.

Founded by visionary naturopath Maurice Blackmore in 1932, Blackmores combines traditional naturopathic expertise with scientific research to help people achieve optimal health and wellbeing. Committed to developing innovative natural health products and services of the highest quality, Blackmores reaches consumers in 17 countries. 
Also, Blackmores’ extensive range of vitamins, herbal and mineral supplements, and nutritional foods uses premium ingredients from around the world, with products made to strict Australian manufacturing standards. We all know how much pride Australians have in their local products, that’s because they know the quality and standards they are upholding.
Furthermore, respecting the innate link between healthy people and a healthy planet, Blackmores implements sustainable packaging and waste-reduction practices and supports charitable community initiatives.


Since Blackmores expanded into the skincare category, the Blackmores Natural Vitamin E Cream has been part of the Blackmores range for 40 years since it was launched in 1978. And now, there is an enhanced version which is Blackmores Natural Vitamin E Cream + Lanolin.

What’s Lanolin? Apparently it was highly popular ingredient I saw labelled on many Australian skincare products. 


Th product information provided is as follows:

With Natural lanolin derived from sheep wool
• Lanolin has similar function to our skin’s natural sebum
• It is purified secretion from sheep sebaceous glands and is found in sheep wool
• Both lanolin and sebum form a protective waterproof barrier on the skin to protect the skin and keep it from becoming dry, brittle and cracked by dehydration
• Fatty acids in lanolin give it penetrating emollient properties that reduces the evaporation of water from the deepest layers of the skin, maintaining soft and smooth skin

Other information:

• Rich and soothing moisturizing cream to protect and replenish the skin
• Contains natural Vitamin E, Avocado Oil and Apricot Kernel Oil
• Natural Vitamin E - Provides antioxidant protection to the skin’s cells from certain harmful compounds, whilst also having a skin conditioning effect
• Avocado Oil - Nourishes the skin and effectively protects it from the damage caused by dry climates
• Apricot Kernel Oil - Helps sustain and condition the skin for nourishing purposes
• The product has no artificial colours or fragrances. It is made in Australia, 100% imported


How to use it?

1. After cleansing, gently massage a small amount of cream evenly over skin
2. For best results, use twice daily


I had the problem of skin ‘rashes’ breaking out after each trip to a cold place in the recent year. This is despite the fact that I masked and applied moisturisers (even thick body lotion from the hotel for the first time it happened in China).

Even if the weather wasn’t exactly winter or that cold – i.e. Hong Kong in April or Melbourne in May – my cheeks will turn red and blotchy, and crack due to dehydration for days / weeks even after coming back to Singapore. 

This time round, I started using Blackmores Natural Vitamin E Cream as soon as I bought it in Sydney and my skin (finally) didn’t react for the entire trip. That’s how I know that this is the one product that really moisturises and replenishes dry skin!



Now, with added Lanolin, I’m pretty sure the protective barrier will work even more effectively in penetrating the deepest layers of the skin and prevents the evaporation of water. I only use the cream on alternate days (or days when I rem…) and have switched to the Lanolin version in the past week. It’s doing my skin well so far, and I’d certainly bring it along to my upcoming midnight volcano hike (zero degree celsius >.<) to share with my travel mates too! 


Blackmores Natural Vitamin E Cream + Lanolin is retailing for $19 in Singapore. 
Fortunately, now, you can get a chance to try out the product from Sample Store’s Sampling and By-Invite Sampling:

https://goo.gl/N322VW


xoxo

10 June 2018

Bober Tea - The Latest Artisan Tea in Town (Bishan)


Bober Tea has kindly invited me down to their new outlet in town at Bishan. The founder had found on his travels that the various tastes of bubble teas in Taiwan, Japanese and China are vastly superior and has hence decided to bring back the best of all worlds to Singapore. Bober Tea strives to offer artisanal tea, focusing on high-quality, tasty blends and keeping the prices affordable still.



Not only do the crew behind Bober Tea make delicious teas, they also aim to care for everyone's health as the bobas are homemade instead of procuring from the factories - this is so that they can have better control over what goes into each and every boba.

Bober Tea also uses premium ingredients such as Okinawa black sugar, Hokkaido milk, pure matcha powder, and Grade A quality fresh fruits.


These are the 6 flavours I tried!
1. Hokkaido Milk Cap Strawberry
2. Salted Caramel Milk Tea
3. Hokkaido Milk Cap Green Tea
4. Matcha Strawberry Latte
5. Chocolate Milk with Oreo
6. Supreme Fruit Burst (Red Tea)

The team behind Bober Tea loves aesthetically beautiful stuff, so they’ve gotten unique round cups as well as Bober Tea’s Cute cartoon box for purchase of 6 drinks and above. Glimpses of it are on my IG stories highlight on food :D




1. Hokkaido Milk Cap Strawberry ($5.90)

Hokkaido milk will never go wrong if you're a milk lover. This is a refreshing reinvention of strawberry milkshake with more tangy-ness to it.


2. Salted Caramel Milk Tea ($3.50)

Salted Caramel is an easy flavour - however do ask for less sugar if you are more used to healthier versions of bubble teas! The price is kept reasonably competitive as well.


3. Hokkaido Milk Cap Green Tea ($4.10)

Again, the hokkaido milk cap never fails. This is probably a flavour I would rattle off the tip of my tongue without any hesitation.



4. Matcha Strawberry Latte ($4.90)

This is THE IG-WORTHY drink! For the beautiful shade of pink and contrasting green ;)
For matcha lovers, you may be delighted to know that the drink is made from pure matcha powder freshly grinded in front of you.


See how they do it for the matcha flavour of the duo. This is the kind of precision they hold for the drinks.<3 p="">



5. Chocolate Milk with Oreo ($3.70)

This was certainly a dark horse as it wasn't a tea per se. But it came as such a delicious drink which changed my perception that bubble teas needn't be teas all the time!

And...saving the best for the last:


6. Supreme Fruit Burst - Red Tea ($7.20)

This is my personal favourite out of the 6. I love the burst of the citrus flavours and the crunchy passion fruit bits. The supreme fruit burst totally lives up to its name, invigorating us at the first sip. Also, I like how we're given a spoon to enjoy the fruits in the cup. It helps towards our daily target of 2 servings of fruits :p



Some of their top sellers are as follows which I would love to try some other time!
- Brown Sugar Fresh Milk with Hot Brown sugar Pearl (Hot and cold Sensation)
- Hokkaido Milk Cap Green Tea/ Mango / Strawberry
- Roasted oolong Milk Tea with Walnut
- Taro Milk
- Grapefruit Green Tea with Popping Boba
Special toppings: Popping Boba (Strawberry / Passionfruit/ Grapefruit)



There’s never been a better time for Bubble Tea. With decades of history and new waves of bubble tea all over the world in the more recent months, try out Bober Tea for yourself and let me know which flavour you enjoy!


Bober Tea

 Bishan MRT #01-01

Operating Hours: Monday - Sundays 10:00am - 10:00pm




8 May 2018

KEVIN.MURPHY Hydrate-Me Range


About the products
KEVIN.MURPHY products are sulphate-free, paraben-free and cruelty-free. They are created using gentle formulas and natural ingredients as follows:


The HYDRATE.ME range is suitable for people who live in dry climate or has naturally dry hair, so it really saved my hair after all the colouring, straightening and travels to cold, dry climates. 



The HYDRATE-ME.WASH especially, is a Kakadu Plum infused moisture delivery shampoo that protects hair against further damage, drying and brittleness. It's difficult to tell from photos, but my personal experience after a week of usage is that there is less hairfall finally after each shower and my hair feels smoother to touch.


Professional haircare products are convenient to use as well. All we have to do is to apply HYDRATE-ME.WASH to wet hair and then rinse it like any shampoo. 
Followed by applying HYDRATE-ME.RINSE to the freshly washed hair and leave for 1 to 2 mins before rinsing (similar to most conditioners!)

WASH:



RINSE:
(thicker and creamier like how conditioners are)




Have I said how much I love the smell? It's so fruity like sweet tangerines with a hint of floral! My hubby thought I smelt like grape juice + roses after shower.


 What I also love about KEVIN.MURPHY is that the packaging is 100% recyclable (global warming / climate changes is real people!)



Now, sample store members can find more information and redeem FREE samples from the links below:
 http://bit.ly/SSKMHMWash
 http://bit.ly/SSKMHMRinse

11 November 2017

Launch of new DBS Multiplier & Opening of Plaza Singapura branch


*credits DBS

On 1st November, in its continued journey to reimagine banking, DBS has launched a lifestyle space for the tech generation where digital banking is complemented by human connection. 


Designed with a “cafĂ© and branch” concept, the new lifestyle space at Plaza Singapura features an open layout, creating a relaxed atmosphere. Customers are first welcomed by the aroma of freshly brewed coffee at the entrance of the branch, where Bettr Barista, a social enterprise supported by the DBS Foundation, stands.

Oh, not to forget, enjoy 20% discount when you pay with your DBS/POSB credit card!


The new lifestyle space is designed with the tech generation in mind and also offers them a highly digital experience to meet their banking and lifestyle needs. It features an industry-first VR corner for retirement planning, where customers will be guided on how to go about working towards their retirement lifestyles. 

*credits DBS


At the branch, customers can perform both cash deposits and withdrawals at the Cash Services Machines – the machines also allow cash withdrawals above their ATM card limit. 




Besides the cash machines, banking services are also accessible to customers round-the-clock through Video Teller Machines (VTMs), offering them non-cash banking services such as the issuance or replacement of internet banking tokens or debit cards. 


Customers who require help are able to access instant ‘face-to-face’ assistance via live video. 


This is definitely something I welcome with joy as I can have 'counter' banking services 24/7! Not only banking services, these VTM enables debit card/i-banking token issuance or replacement FOC as well.

Managed to get a new card issued on the spot!







Don't worry if you have no experience with the VTM. Pepper, the humanoid robot, is also on hand to guide customers on how to use the VTMs. 




DBS is also launching TwentyThirty (www.twentyxthirty.com), an online initiative for young adults – a hub that provides quality content that is of relevance to everyday living. TwentyThirty will cover a variety of topics, from getting through adulting milestones and financial literacy, to career advice and everything else that may be important for a balanced life. DBS’ aim is to engage young adults in their 20s and 30s in conversations about larger “life” issues, and embark on a continuous process of providing valuable information that directly addresses their jobs to be done.


DBS will continue to engage the young adult segment with enhanced products and services, activations and partnerships with like-minded brands.

One of the improved products to better cater to the younger working adults is the enhanced DBS Multiplier Account. 

I once had a multiplier account when the first-of-its-kind programme was introduced in 2014 to reward customers for consolidating their banking with DBS, with any combination of salary credit, credit card spend, investment dividend or mortgage instalment. However, I recently switched to another bank-and-earn program after some time which is more suitable for my lifestyle.


(Wonder what's up with the rabbits? Well, it is to signify our monies multiplying like bunnies :D)

Now, this new enhance Multiplier program makes it easier for us to qualify for higher interest rates on our account balances, with no minimum salary crediting amount and no minimum credit card spend!

Simply have salaries credited with DBS/POSB and transact in one or more of the following categories: credit card spend, home loan instalment, insurance or investments.

To enjoy higher rates, customers just need to have their total eligible monthly transactions add up to SGD2,000 or more:
Between 1.55% p.a. to 2.08% p.a. if their salary credit and transaction in one category add up to SGD2,000 or more
Between 1.8% p.a. to 3.5% p.a. if their salary credit and transactions in two or more categories add up to SGD2,000 or more

DBS Multiplier Account interest rates

*Total monthly transactions consist of salary crediting and one or more of these categories: credit card spend, home loan instalment, insurance or investments

I've since started my DBS Multiplier account once again! Join me in the enhanced program or check out more information at www.dbs.com.sg/multi.

xoxo :)




21 October 2017

Floral Garage Review

The birthday month has flew past so quickly!

Sharing on one of my first birthday gifts at the beginning of the month - a lovely african champagne roses bouquet from Floral Garage.

This is how it looks on the website:



https://floralgaragesg.com/product/r01-african-champagne/

The website allows you to filter for the specific type of blooms you like or is looking for. The first thing I looked at was the Tulip section. Unfortunately, there was only 1 item available under the Tulip category. So I turned to my next favourite, Rose, to search for the white / pink ones. That was when I chanced upon the african champagne roses which is such a beautiful combination of cream and pink seldom seen at the usual commercial floral stores.

Personally, I would like it even better if the fillers are less green - hence I told Floral Garage after deciding on the roses. Of cos, I would leave it to their professional hands still to decide on the combination ultimately. They were very nice to listen to my opinions and ta-dahh, here's how it turned out eventually:


The roses came in perfect shade of champagne and pink tips, with fillers that are in more muted, dusty green :)



The delivery process was fuss-free too. Here are the information they requested at one go.

Your preferred date:
Your preferred time slot (10-2, 2-5, 5-10 on weekdays and sat, 10-2 for sun): 
Your contact number:
Your recipient name (skip if there is no recipient!):
Your recipient's contact number (skip if there is no recipient!):
Address:
Special delivery instructions:
Nominate safe place to put flowers:
Your message to be on our complimentary card:

I like how they have a several time slots for delivery and asked for a nominate safe place beforehand in case the recipient is not at home/office when the bouquet arrives!

I got mine safely after work one weekend :)


Otherwise, you may also opt for specific timing delivery for a fee of $30.

Or, you may also self-collect your orders FOC during your selected date and time slot at
756 Upper Serangoon Road #03-34, Upper Serangoon Shopping Centre, Singapore 534626.
Time slots are:
Weekdays: 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
Saturday: 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
Sundays and Public Holidays: 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Floral Garage can also do same day delivery too. And, there is no cut-off time for same day delivery!


If you can't decide on the type of flowers, consider their Freestyle Bouquet at only $34.90!
They look so good!




There is also a larger version of the freestyle bouquet, the Premium Freestyle Bouquet for $64.90–$84.90. You can choose the style of the bouquet, and certain level of customization such as having it with wrapper or in a vase, and colours to avoid.


Alternatively, Floral Garage also provides potted plants selection which I've missed when I first checked out the website. This would look so good for my living room!




But for now, I'm happy with my 'self-potted' bouquet :p



Floral Garage 

Call: +65 6282 2813

What's App: +65 9387 8871

Email: service@floralgaragesg.com

Signing off! xoxo