SG | An Aerial View of Sentosa Island

Sentosa is a well-known island resort in Singapore. They're quite famous for their expensive luxury landed properties, exquisite hotels and world-class entertainment attractions (you can find Universal Studios Singapore here), among others.

Although the island is connected to the mainland via a road bridge, visitors can also opt to travel by monorail, walk up using the pedestrian boardwalk, or via the Sentosa Line cable car sky network.

Admittedly, even though I've been to Sentosa a number of times already, I've only taken the cable car  twice. And so without further adieu, I present an aerial view of Sentosa from the cable car sky network. 

SG | Hai Tai Honey Tong Tong Potato Snack

Another fad I've noticed here in Singapore is the rise in popularity of Korean snacks. Sure entertainment, cosmetics, and fashion have been prevalent here even before; but nowadays, I find that their snacks have also created quite a huge following, with most major department stores carrying all types of Korean goodies.

The more recent one I've bought are these Hai Tai Honey Tong Tong potato chips.

SG | Drinking Chocolate m&m's

Everybody loves m&m's!  What's not to like?  They're chocolatey with a colourful shell.  Truly addictive!  I'm a fan!

So imagine my surprise when I came across this bottle while grocery shopping -- a chocolate m&m's drink!

SG | Chir Chir 치르치르

Is it just me or does it seem there are a lot of Korean chicken places sprouting up here in Singapore?  Case in point, Chir Chir 치르치르.

SG | Toast Box Ham and Cheese Set

Breakfast is an indulgence for me.  Mainly because I am super lazy to have breakfast.  But when I do, there is no better start to your mornings than with Toast Box's ham and cheese toast set.

Similar to their Kaya toast set, this one comes with your choice of drink (kopi -- coffee with condensed and evap milk -- all the way!) and 2 soft-boiled eggs. A set costs S$7.10 (Php241.40).

Yummy! Even the Daughter is fan.  😃

***

Toast Box
W     http://www.toastbox.com.sg/

CRAFTY | My DIY Barbie Closet

The Daughter has started playing with Barbie dolls and as a consequence, has started bugging me for clothes and accessories for her little friends.

Now any parent of a little girl knows how ridiculously expensive Barbie doll clothes are.  In fact, a simple dress and shoe set can cost as much as the Daughter's own set of clothes!

I don't blame the Daughter, though, as as a kid, it was one of the things I myself enjoyed playing with (The only difference was I was lucky that an aunt gifted me with a box full of Barbie doll clothes, shoes and accessories for Christmas, hence the Parentals didn't need to buy me some.  😁)

We've not bought the Daughter any brand new Barbie clothes from Mattel yet.  We've been trying to avoid doing so as much as possible.  So instead, we source their clothes from:

1. local online sellers selling 2nd hand Barbie clothes (great as they are original Mattel and will only require a bit of washing if dirty),
2. sourced directly from a China factory (which we did buy from only once and I swear, will never buy from ever again.  They are cheap but utter rubbish; majority did not even last us a day's play!),
3. from a S$2 Japanese lifestyle store called Tokutokuya, (cheap and extremely durable), and
4. if time permits, I DIY.

Doll clothes from Tokutokuya

SG | Saizeriya

You can never tell but this Italian restaurant has its roots in Japan.  Called Saizeriya,  this cozy restaurant sells affordable Italian cuisine. 

SG | Irvins Salted Egg Potato and Fish Skin Chips

I must admit, after my 1st taste of a salted egg potato chip a few months back, I have been a bit hesitant of trying out another one of those things (read about my The Golden Duck's Salted Egg Yolk Potato Chip review here).

In a nutshell, my previous experience was nothing much to hark about and left me feeling solely cheated (these salted egg chips don't come cheap, you know!)  So imagine my surprise when the Husband brought back home a bag of the same kind of chips.  This time, though, it came from Irvins.

SG | Jamie's Italian

Singapore does not lack of celebrity chefs opening shop here.  Jamie Oliver is no exception.  This well-known British chef has brought his Jamie's Italian brand to the good people of the Lion City back in 2013.

CRAFTY | Slyvanian Family Decor on the Cheap

The Husband, on the belief that every little girl would love to own a doll house of her very own and acting on the stories I've told him from when I was younger (hint: I've never had one 😁), saw a Sylvanian Families Cosy Cottage Starter Home set on sale and bought one for the Daughter when she was 2.

SG | Carol Mel Cafe

My work is located in a small industrial area in Singapore.  Not really in the Central Business District (CBD), but still considered a bit in the Central area.

Now there are definitely advantages to this.  Mainly is that I can eat lunch on the cheap.  Compared to the Husband, whose office is located right smack in the CBD area and whose lunch costs anywhere from S$10.00 to 15.00 (approx Php340.00 to 510.00), my lunch can cost as little as S$3.00 (Php102.00).

This is all fine and well most of the time; but there are days when I'm craving for a bit more variety (and am in a slightly more generous mood).  In cases like these, I head on over to The Commerz building (about 3 blocks from the office) and grab a bite from one of the restaurants there.

It was on one particularly generous mood (that plus the Husband meeting me on those rare occasions for weekday lunch together) that we decided to try Carol Mel cafe.

CRAFTY | The Daughter's S$2 Art Caddy

I read a parenting article way back stating that kids should have easy access to their art supplies so when inspiration hits, they can just as easily reach out and create.  I believe every little child has this creativity bug in them.  The Daughter herself loves doing crafts.  She doodles, cuts, paints, etc.

Whereas before, her art supplies were all placed inside her closets, we decided now was a good time to have it out in the open.  So off I went to Daiso and bought this -- a plastic remote control holder.

SG | Downton Abbey: The Exhibition

I am a history buff.  I love learning about the past.  So it comes as no surprise that any type of entertainment set in days gone by leaves me utterly fascinated.  Be it books, films, and of course, TV shows.

The most (relatively) recent fascination in this regard I've had is with the Downton Abbey series.  This 6-season series show tells the life of the fictional aristocratic Crawley family and their servants set in the early 20th century.  Needless to say, I was one of their legions of fans who were heartbroken to see them end their series run.  😞

However, what keeps me my interests alive are the rumors of a movie in the making (which I am seriously hoping would happen soon), and events like these -- Downtown Abbey: The Exhibition!

SG | Daiso Haul (July 2017)

Time for another Daiso haul post!  😍

SG | Fiesta Filipino

For an OFW, any food that reminds me of home is heaven-sent.  Simply put, it drives the homesickness at bay (for a few days, at least).

I'm not usually picky when it comes to choosing a Filipino restaurant to dine in here in Singapore.  Hey, Filipino food is Filipino food even if it doesn't exactly taste the way I am used to.  Because like all restaurants, there are the great ones and the not-so-good ones.

I wasn't picky, that is, until I tried Filipino Fiesta.

SG | New Balance Factory Outlet

Very short post tonight.  Just wanted to share that I found a New Balance factory outlet at ARC in Alexandra Road.  Timely for those looking for a good deal in sportswear.  😊 

New Balance factory outlet
460 Alexandra Road
#01-06 ARC (Alexandra Retail Centre)
Singapore 119963
T:     +65 6274 8705

CRAFTY | DIY Barbie Handbag

The Daughter has started playing with Barbies and as can be expected, has been asking for clothes and accessories for her dolls.  Unfortunately, these things cost too much and I'm not really too gung-ho on spending too much for them.  Heck!  A set can cost as much as the Daughter's own shirt!

So what's a mom do?  DIY, of course!

SG | Daiso Haul (June 2017)!

As evidenced by previous posts, I love shopping in Daiso!  S$2 (approx Php68), they offer great savings and can definitely help stretch your dollar.  And considering how expensive it is in Singapore, every time the shopping bug bites me, an hour at Daiso is all the remedy I need.  😃

So in this post,  I want to showcase my Daiso haul!

SG | oBike

I've said it once and I'll say it again.  Singapore has a great public transport system.  You don't really need to have a car here.  There's bus lines and MRT stations and taxis galore!  You're all set.

Heck, nowadays, you can even bike (even without physically owning one)!

OBike

SG | CoCo ICHIBANYA

Japanese businesses thrive here in Singapore.  Shops/fashion, food -- they are all well-received.  So when CoCo ICHIBANYA came to these shores, it was no surprise they'd be packed!

Coco Ichibanya

SG | Monster Curry

I love curry!  You see, like most Filipinos, my curry exposure (then) was limited to a milder local version my dad used to cook back home.  It was usually with chicken, loaded with potatoes and carrots, and had runny, less spicy curry sauce.

Another one was the Japanese kind.  Sweet, thick demi-glace sauce that came in a convenient pack that coats each delicious meat and morsel to perfection.  These 2 types where what I grew up eating.

But ever since moving to Singapore and being introduced to the real, authentic kind from India by my office mates, my palette has since changed.  I eventually got used to the spiciness and have since enjoyed its rich, bold flavor.  I've come to crave it so much, that I once ate a curry dish 5x a week for month!  (I swear I would never find a cheap an affordable Indian restaurant back home; but here in Singapore, it's in almost every hawker centre!  I'm so lovin' it!!!)

But the Little Girl is (still) not a fan of spicy curry.  So to slowly introduce her to it, we brought her to try the Japanese kind at Monster Curry.

Monster Curry

FAB FIND: Lite Brix

Like a lot of kiddoes, the Little Girl loves playing with Legos.  And although, she is isn't a Master Builder, she does so enjoy building and playing with those Disney Princess and Lego Friends sets (such an evil marketing ploy!!!).

We have since stopped adding on to her collection and vowed never to buy her another one (Lego or anything remotely similar again).  But when we stumbled upon this Lite Brix set, we just couldn't resist.
 

Lite Brix

SG | Chic-a-boo Fried Chicken

When you have a kid, fried chicken is always a surefire hit, albeit a bit on the unhealthy side.  Not something a good parent will always serve, but when out and about and wanting a fuss-free meal with the kiddo, we go fried fowl.

And so it was after the Little Girl's (a.k.a The Little One) gym class, we decided on getting a piece at Chic-a-boo Fried Chicken.

Chic-a-boo Fried Chicken

FAB FIND: Fidget Cube

I fidget a lot; helps me think.  Problem is I don't like fidgeting with my fingers.  It has to be with something -- a pen, my ID holder, etc.  It's more than enough to keep me occupied while walking, in a meeting, or any place else I find myself thinking.

And while these everyday mundane items are more than enough to meet my fidgeting needs, I crave variety.  Good thing the Fidget Cube was invented!

Fidget Cube

SG | Tamago Gani Snack

Ok, not really a snack locally made in Singapore but it is in one of the country's numerous Expo sales that stumbled upon the Tamago Gani snack.  Thought they looked for adoringly unusual that I just had to buy a bag and blog about it!

Tamago Gani

SG | Tom's Palette

Ice cream is just one of those desserts that will never run out of style.  You'd be hard pressed to find someone who is not a fan.  So it's no surprise that ice cream parlors are a dime a dozen, especially in tropical countries like Singapore.

So how can you stand out from the crowd?  Make your own ice cream flavors, of course!  And Tom's Palette is an expert of such original creations.

Tom's Palatte

SG | The Golden Duck's Gourmet Salted Egg Yolk Potato Chips

A fairly recent food fad spreading over Singapore is the salted egg anything.  Yes, you've heard me right.  Itlog na maalat in our shores.

Sure, it's not really such a new thing for us but here, salted egg sauce is dished on to almost every imaginable thing.  It's made its appearance in paos, McDonald's burgers, and, my personal fave, Breadtalk croissants, among others.

Why is it so popular?  In the right hands, salted egg sauce provides the perfect combination of sweet and salty, making it a tasty accompaniment to various dishes.

One of the more famous egg salted covered eats to come out of this fad is the salted egg yolk potato chip.   And here in Singapore, one of more well-know brands is by The Golden Duck.

The Golden Duck's Gourmet Salted Egg Yolk Potato Chips