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

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!

FAB FIND: DAISO JAPAN's Eye Glasses Fit (Ear Hooks)

I'm loving my new OWNDAYS (a Japanese eye shop brand) glasses.  They're durable and stylish and definitely does the job well.

My home-wear pair is great, has withstand abuse and misuse these past 6 months.  My going-out pair?  Let's just say that the design has its pros and cons.

My rimless frame OWNDAYS glasses

SG | OWNDAYS Optical Shop and Eyewear Boutique

I finally had new eye glasses done!  Woohoo! 

My rimless glasses from OWNDAYS Singapore

Admittedly, my last 2 pairs were cheapo ones I bought in the Philippines, had them since 2012.  Decided to downgrade due to the fact that kids and expensive eye wear do not mix well.  Believe me, the Favorite Nephew alone has cost me 2 pairs of transition lenses already (and that was only during the first 1 and a half years of his life!).  So the desire to spend a bit higher on eyeglasses while the Little One was still... uhmmm... little, was not to my liking.

But with restarting my career here in SG and the daughter already 4, I decided it was high time to purchase a good pair again.

SG | celio* Factory Outlet

If you're a fan of French male clothing line celio*, be sure to head on over to their CityLink mall factory outlet in Singapore.

celio* Factory Outlet

Offering discounts for as high as 70% off on select items, you're sure to find something for that special male in your life.

***

celio*
1 Raffles Link
CityLink Mall #B1-47
Singapore 039393
FB:     https://www.facebook.com/celiosingapore/ 

PH | STYLE FOR LESS: Harvey's Large Seatbelt Tote VS Jovanni Weave Bags

THE SPLURGE: Harveys Large Seatbelt Tote ($118.00 / Php5,310.00*)

SOURCE: Harveys website

The start of Harveys Seatbelt Bags was simple enough.  Having completed work on his automobile, Dana Harvey had the brilliant idea of creating his wife a bag made from leftover seatbelt material.  The rest, as they say, is history.

Now 20 years into the business, the Harveys are still going strong.  From the original tote, they have prepared and developed other designs and accessories to match, too.  And did I mention, they come with a lifetime durability guarantee.  Definitely worth the $118.00 (approximately Php5,310.00) price tag for the large size (if you have cash enough to spare.)  Also available in smaller sizes, too.

*$1.00 = Php45.00

***

Couponing 101

Searching the net for the term coupon, Google came up with this description:

“a voucher entitling the holder to a discount off a particular product.”

Indeed, used wisely, it can save you money in the long run by cutting a piece off the total price of an item you want to buy or even forgo shipping expenses altogether (as in the case when shopping online).

But how exactly do coupons work?  And are you ripping off stores when you use them?

© 2012 Chris Potter, Flickr | CC-BY | via Wylio

Save Money While Shopping Online

With today's technological advances, it's not surprising that more and more people are flocking to the internet to satisfy their shopping needs. It's convenient, easily accessible, and at times (if done right), can save you a bit of money.  Options are also endless as you get to enjoy everything that the web has to offer.

© 2012 401(K) 2012, Flickr | CC-BY-SA | via Wylio

PH | STYLE FOR LESS: LV's Zippy Wallet Monogram Vernis Dots Infinity VS BENCH's wallet

THE SPLURGE: Louis Vuitton's Zippy Wallet Monogram Vernis Dots Infinity ($1,050.00 / Php47,250.00*)

An iconic brand decked out in polka dots.  A collaboration with Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama.  Selling for a hefty $1,050.00 (approximately Php47,250.00*).

SOURCE: Bagaholicboy website

*$1.00 = Php45

PH | STYLE FOR LESS: Kipling's New York Lite Carry-On Wheeled Luggage VS Voyager's 5167

THE SPLURGE: Kipling's New York Lite Carry-On Wheeled Luggage ($249.00 / Php11,209.00*)

Kipling's a brand we've all come to associate with quality and durability.  Given how much unnecessary junk we usually place inside our totes (guilty here), it sure helps that Kipling bags weigh so little, yet still feel secure enough to take on that heavy load.

Like any Filipino traveler, I too have the tendency to try to pack in as much clothes and pasalubong as I can fit into my luggage bag.  But with the bag itself adding much to the overall weight, don't you just wish that they was one that weighs so much less than the normal types you find in the stores?  Sayang ang extra kilos noh!  J

SOURCE: Kipling website

PH | Bang's Tony & Jackey Beauty Salon's Aqua Volume Rebond

I've always had ruly, unmanageable hair for as long as I can remember, hence the introduction of rebonding services here in PH is a blessing.  I've been having my hair rebonded or relaxed once a year since 2002.  It's an expense that I make sure is always included in the yearly luxury budget.

Whereas before I used to have my hair rebonded at a David's Salon (since they always deliver consistently great results), I had to stop and look to other establishments when they eventually jacked up their prices (what used to cost me Php3,000 is now priced at Php5,000 to Php6,000, depending on the branch!).  Too much for my already hurting wallet.  Hence, the need to try other salons.  I've been happy with the results, so far.

The one thing though. that always gets me though is how lifeless and limp my hair tends to look when newly treated.  It's always the case wherever I have my tresses done.  It will look it's best at least a month or 2 after treatment.  It was only recently that I learned I could forego this agony by a undergoing a Volume Rebond instead, which for now only a handful of salons offer.  One of which is at Bang's Tony & Jackey Beauty Salons.

SOURCE: Bang's Tony & Jackey Beauty Salon (SM Bacoor branch) website

PH | Eyebrow Threading at Lay Bare

I've never been too high maintenance when it came to my looks.  I don't wear make-up on a regular basis (even prefer not to wear some if it can be avoided) and my hair style should be the wash and wear type.  Yes, I'm extremely lazy that way.

But there is one thing I never fail to do regularly.  I just have to have my eyebrows threaded and groomed once a month.  Where before I used to have it done at my favorite hair salon (read my painful post in this here link), I realized that it was better to have it done in places that specialize in the trade.  Hence, I gave Lay Bare Waxing Salon a try one day.

Lay Bare Waxing Salon

I've never had my brows done anywhere else since.

STYLE FOR LESS: Wacoal's SB4712 VS Bench / Body's Wireless Bra

THE SPLURGE: Wacoal's SB4712 (Php895.00)

The Madir and I are huge fans of Japanese brand, Wacoal.  They offer super comfortable bras that offer great fit and lift (if need be).  Albeit priced a little higher than other brands found in department stores, the splurge is definitely worth it.

Wacoal's SB4712

Peanuts Archer Case from typo Singapore (and Of Other Things)

Cotton On may not make it to my list of favorite clothing brands of all time, but you can definitely count me as a fan of their stationary store equivalent -- typo.

Peanuts archer case from typo

My Favorite Singapore Malls (A Post About my Favorite Commercial Areas in the Lion City - Part 2 of 2)

Singapore is a shopper's haven.  So it's no surprise that there are malls here left and right.  It's unnerving, really, just how many there are (and here I thought we Filipinos were obsessed).  Take, for instance, the whole stretch of Orchard Road and its surrounding streets (considered the Lion City's main shopping area) houses a number of malls lined up side by side along its stretch.  A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

In fact, the very first time I came to the Lion City, my head started spinning, taking into account all the malls there are here.  And if you're like me, you'll be just as overwhelmed, too.  So here's a list of malls in Singapore (not just along Orchard Road and in no particular order) that I love going to and my personal reasons for why they hold a special place in my uhmm... wallet heart (and I promise not to let my emotions and feelings of nostalgia run away with me here.  Well, not too much, anyway.  J)

Changi City Point Mall, Singapore

What’s Missing in our Local Philippine Malls (A Post About my Favorite Commercial Areas in Singapore - Part 1 of 2)

Like most Filipinos, I too, love going to malls.  I'm not very picky with the type of establishment I would visit.  Big ones, little ones; they really don't make any difference as long as (1) they're clean, (2) equipped with working air conditioners, and (3) are full of stalls and shops with interesting items for sale.

But ever since visiting and staying in Singapore (that mecca of commercialism and anything shopping-related) for a while, I find that there are a few, make that, a lot of things I wish we had in our local malls.  I'm not talking about the presence of more well-known international brands here (since I believe that Manila will slowly be littered with these shops very soon, anyway).  I'm talking about the installation of various conveniences and services that make it so much easier for shoppers to go about their business in the Lion City.

What am I talking about?  Well, here's just what I think is missing in our local Philippine malls.

Me in front of the old Borders bookstore at Wheelock Place, Singapore (circa 2008)

A Little One Milestone: Her First Haircut Ever (Singapore's The D's Kiddy Salon)!

GIVEAWAY ALERT!  Get a chance to win travel-sized Crabtree & Evelyn toiletries from their Avocado, Olive & Basil collection.  Visit this post (link here) for more details.
  
We are not a family blessed with luscious locks upon birth; a fact that is clearly evidenced by the numerous photos of both the Husband and I as little ones with Shaolin monk-like dos.  It wasn't really by choice, mind you.  It's just that our genes proclaim that growing hair is an art and should not be rushed (*sigh*).  And so it comes as to no surprise that the Little One took up after us, too. 

Slow-growing hair does not mean no hair at all, hence her locks, while taking it's precious time coming out, eventually grew to uneven lengths (mostly my fault really, as I took a lock of her hair when she was but a wee babe of 1 -- month, that is.)  And so, it was finally decided that the Little One would have her very first haircut at at age of 21 months.

Considering this is an important milestone (with us deathly afraid of even trimming off a part near her ear), we decided that a special kiddy barber was in order.  So off we marched to The D's Kiddy Salon for this memorable occasion.

The D's Kiddy Salon

GIVEAWAY ALERT! The Average Jane's Big Move Back Home (Plus a Giveaway, Too)!

Well, we've finally done it.  We've made the big move back to the Philippines!  So expect my future posts to be reverting back to anything RP-located (will come in a few months, though, as I still have a number of backlogs about Singapore to contend to).

While we're talking about transitions, I've also noticed that it's been some time since I last hosted a blog giveaway (more than a year to be exact).  So I think it's high time to have one again, don't you think?

So for this giveaway, here's what I'll be raffling off...

Travel-sized set of Crabtree & Evelyn toiletries

Katipunans Filipino Mini-mart

When I first came to live here in Singapore in 2010, we were quite fortunate to have a small grocery store operating inside our estate.  Better still, they also carry a number of Filipino food and beauty products for sale.  It sure eased up on my feelings of homesickness (that time) a bit.  The knowledge that I could just as easily have longganisa (sweet and spicy sausage) or tocino (a type of sweet, fried thick-cut jerky) anytime was a relief since it was a pleasure I didn't have give up when I moved here.

Now the Husband and I have moved to different places since (for some reason or another); and now we find ourselves in a new place where the in-house grocery store, sadly, does not carry any Filipino food products.  ¡Qué horror!

Good thing, though, we stumbled upon this little gem conveniently located at Tampines Central 1, just a bus ride away from our place.

Katipunans Filipino Mini-mart

PR: Heat Wave Summer Bazaar (April 19 - 21, 2013)