[Sydney] - Not Just Coffee

How can any of my travels not involve cafes? Here's one of my favourites that we visited. Hidden off the main road, this is Not Just Coffee. A small cosy establishment housed in what could have been a residence. What I really liked about this place was that it's so unpretentious. During our late Saturday morning there, we saw elderly folks with pets, families with kids, yuppies-- a good mix of people-- all with a sufficient dose of laid back attitude (Singaporeans really need to chill sometimes...). 

Of course, food was delicious as well. There were only a few service staff who were constantly kept busy but they maintained their friendly smiles and we didn't have to wait long for anything. Perfect start to a weekend, if you ask me. 

Ever since our London trip, T fell in love with the idea of eating porridge (oats, as we commonly refer to it here) for breakfast.

Croissant with ham and cheese sounds really normal to me. But I was so happy when this good-looking plate appeared before me.

SK-II Cellumination Trial (Part 4)

Hi there, if you've been following my SK-II trial, you'd know that I've completed the required 4 weeks. I was just as eager to find out the effects on my skin by visiting an SK-II counter for their Magic Ring Skin Test (I had done one prior to commencing the trial). 

That's my very bad iPhone shot of the 5 dimensions of our skin and the equipment used for the Magic Ring Skin Test is right there on the left of the image.

Statistically, the results showed that my skin remained more or less the same before and after the 4 weeks. A discussion with the skin consultant followed. She understood that I would naturally have expected results to be better this time round but explained that many factors could have been at play, especially the serious haze condition in Singapore during this period, hence I was subjecting myself to the dry air-conditioning 24/7. Also, when I first did the test, my results were pretty good with an average score in the high 80s. Hence it would probably take a longer period for a significant improvement, as compared to if I had started with a much lower score. She invited me to return for another skin test a few weeks later, if I was not convinced.

Before we ended our chat, my friendly skin consultant highlighted that of the 5 skin dimensions, my primary concern would be spot control. She handed me product samples which would help in improving this area. 

Would I continue using SK-II products? Sure I will! I now also know which dimension of my skin I need to focus on and the appropriate SK-II products that target this area. Thank you SK-II for having me on this trial!

[Sydney] - Colors Magazine Exhibition

Also part of Vivid Sydney is an exhibition by Colors Magazine, Happiness - A Survival Guide. It wasn't a big exhibition. But oh, I loved it so! 

Happiness can be such an elusive thing but I really liked the way this exhibition dealt with it. Serious enough yet tongue in cheek at the same time. 

Not related but after we checked out the exhibition one beautiful evening, we crossed the road and chanced upon these tents selling lotsa yummy food! Ah, love the little surprises we encounter in traveling. I guess that's why T and I never plan our travel itineraries down to the details. Going with the flow is fun! Try it!

[Sydney] - Vivid Sydney 2013

We hopped on a plane to Sydney not too long ago. We didn't time it but was lucky that our trip coincided with "Vivid Sydney", a stunning festival of light, music and ideas! There were light installations, projects and performances around the city. 

It was lovely strolling around and checking them out in the cool autumn weather. What I appreciated was that that a lot of the installations were interactive. So you could see both kids and adults having fun with them. And of course, the highlight was when the facade Sydney Opera House became illuminated like a giant canvas with moving images. We were so thrilled to witness that from the comfort of our harbour-facing hotel room. 

This is the Customs House with 3D mapped projections that are controlled by a participant and accompanied by music.

Really cool animation projected on a building facade that had me stop in my tracks for a while. 

Vivid Sydney opened the day following our arrival so we felt welcomed in a big way!

SK-II Cellumination Trial (Part 3)

Hello! Here's a little update on my SK-II Cellumination Essence Ex trial. It's been 3 weeks since I started it. The exciting news is, I do feel that my skin is clearer (which means less make up when I head out) and less dull! I also like the smooth feeling I get when I cleanse my face. Less rough or uneven surface. 

I guess diligence does pay off. There are no short-cuts unfortunately. I've been applying the products twice daily and also remembering the right way to apply them. Always in the upwards direction. I find the SK-II website helpful if you are looking for simple application guides. 

Looking forward to doing my skin test next week when I end my 4-week trial, and comparing the results to my first skin test. Stay tuned!

Yoriko Youda

Loving these beautiful works by Yoriko Youda, involving colours, characters from Hiragana and matching objects. Admire the creativity and wit behind them.

This "sa" for Sakura is my favourite!

SK-II CELLUMINATION TRIAL (Part 2)

It's been a week since I started the SK-II Cellumination Essence Ex trial (see my first post here). Visually, I can't really tell if there are any marked differences. But I must say, I'm enjoying pampering my skin and giving it a treat. I'm looking forward to witnessing that promised "radiance" soon!

Honestly, I'm a cleanse, tone and moisturise kinda person. I dislike spending a long time in the bathroom or in front of the dressing table. With this trial, I find that there's really not that much additional "work" I got to do.

Also, I've always feared the sticky feeling when one piles on lots of products on the face, be it skincare or make-up. It's like the skin can't breathe! I'm glad to report though that the 3 new additional products I am using in this trial-- Cellumination Essence EX, Cellumination Mask-in Lotion, Cellumination Day Surge UV-- are not thick and they glide on the skin easily. Here's a little reminder for all of us: if you apply too little, it's as if you're not applying at all. So make sure you are using the right amount, be sufficiently generous.

 

One pump of the Cellumination Essence EX

That's all for now. More updates next week!

Pom Pom Making

I sometimes wander along the aisles of craft stores looking at the balls of attractive yarns in all sorts of colours and wished I could knit or crochet. Well, I can't. 

Recently, I found the perfect excuse to spend my money on 2 balls of yarn. I was going to make pom poms! I've been wanting to make pom poms for the sheer fun of it for the looooongest time but never got down to it. There was always another more urgent project/something I had to do for the shop etc. But I put my foot down this time and reminded myself that I needed to remember what it was like to craft for fun. For my own enjoyment. 

There are loads of tutorials you can find online on how to make pom poms. I went along with this one. Minimal fuss, minimal materials.

It's really simple and in ten minutes, I had my first handmade pom pom! If you want a fluffier pom pom, you can give it a brush to make it furry.

Speaking of pom poms, if you are old enough (like me), you may remember the craze back then of wearing ankle socks that came with a little pom pom attached at the back. Do you? :)