Janice Wong's Pop Up @ ION Orchard

Last week I went to ION with the sole purpose of purchasing some gym gear. A part of me deeply regrets being dropped off at the level 1 taxi stand! Smack in the center of the atrium is a colorful art display which caught my eye, I stepped in only to realize its edible art!!! Oh no...food and art makes my creative mind go crazy!

So colorful and fun! How can one resist?

The staff were very happy to explain the concept of edible art, how to use it and even letting my friend Ina and I try some of the chocolate paint flavors. The Orange was a nice light orangey flavor without it tasting too overwhelming while the Dulce de Leche taste quite similiar to white chocolate. We were both very intrigued by the black chocolate which is the Smoked flavor. We couldn't decided if it tasted more like smoked duck or bacon! Retail prices are 1 jar for $15 and 3 for $40. So of course I bought 3- Orange, Passionfruit and Smoked! I am going to attempt to make my darling husband a Duck a l'Orange inspired chocolate for Valentine's! Hah...I don't know whether to laugh or cry at myself!

The chocolate painting on display...I asked about ant problems but apparently they've never had any...(there is a layer of topcoat or lacquer on it)

It wasn't a very big pop up store but there were enough things to pique my curiosity. I rarely have a sweet tooth or a craving for sweet things, but when I do, gummies definitely top my list! So I couldn't resist when I spotted massive gummy that looked like stained glass ($18). I bought it in grape flavor and chose the nicest pattern - although my dilemma now is that it's too pretty to eat! For an on-the-go pick me up, I bought a strawberry peach flavoured lollipop ($3). I still haven't tried it thought because its just so darned pretty!

Reminds me of Greece and Santorini or maybe I just need a holiday badly!

Chocolate that's too pretty to eat!

If life was like this box of chocolates, it would be a lovely life indeed!

The pralines definitely make lovely gifts for the more adventurous recipient and their eclairs are so stunning that its more an art piece than a dessert. Honestly, if we hadn't just finished tea I would have definitely walloped an eclair!

Eclairs! So beautiful and tempting, just waiting to be eaten! 

Oh, and then I remembered what I was there for- GYM GEAR!!! Time to get focused and move away from the chocolate and onto my original purpose!

My haul

**The pop up store will be at ION Level 1 Atrium till February 14th. But a little birdie did hint that they may be opening an actual store soon in ION...perhaps perhaps, we shall see. 

Elevatione by Salvador Dali Launch Party

Last Thursday, 22 January 2015, I was lucky enough to be a part of the Elevatione by Salvador Dali launch party. It was by far the most artistically influenced and avant garde launch party that I have been to. There were a few familiar faces of influential people from social media and print media alike and I regret not taking more pictures with the guests as I was too preoccupied with taking pictures of the event, the models, the art and food!

My better half and I
Credits: Ashley Mak Photography

Elevatione is a new skincare concept that opened its doors to us at the end of 2014 with their outlet at Mandarin Gallery being its first ever store worldwide and its flagship store in Singapore. Soon after, they opened a store in Hong Kong at D'Aguilar Street near Lan Kwai Fong and in London on Regent Street at Liberty House. With such premium locations and products to match, Elevatione sets out to be the next big thing in skincare.

The event was elegantly done with beautiful art pieces from Red Sea Gallery and Art Exchange which included a modern interpretation of Dali doing the Gangnam Style. My favorite however was the original bronze sculpture of the melting clock on the branch "Profile of Time" of which there are only 350 pieces worldwide.

To entertain the guests, they had unlimited trays of Bottega bubbly making its round as well as delicious canapes from Amici, the Chicken Rice balls were too die for! I was thoroughly taken in by their Dali inspired cupcakes too!

However, what caught my eyes from the moment I arrived were the lovely models in the window donning Dali-esque moustaches and stunning head pieces by Fibi Bespoke and dresses by Gnossem! Of course being a shoe person, who could miss the blinged out boots and studded pumps that the models were wearing from Kandee.

As I made my way round the store, I definitely had many "Ooh and Aah" moments! They had a contact juggler with his magical crystal ball, a barber from Sultan of Shave who would style your moustache (if you pleased) and not forgetting the knowledgeable staff who were more than happy to impart their knowledge of Elevatione skincare with the guests.

To be in attendance was an honor in itself but what really made my day was the amazing goodie bag! It is by far the most generous goodie bag I have ever received with a full size facial serum, body scrub and body lotion! Among other things included was a brochure with some samples, a voucher for a free Marcha Ballerina and a complimentary facial voucher. Elevatione is spoiling me rotten! I can't wait to try the products!

Well, don't take my word for it...make your way down to the store and even if you think you don't need any skincare, the store itself is impressive enough to warrant a visit! 

Congratulations again on the launch of Elevatione! 

Find Elevatione at:
Singapore:
333A Orchard Road,
Mandarin Gallery #01-17
Singapore 238897

Hong Kong:
Shop B2, Upper Ground Floor,
Century Square #01-13
D'Aguilar Street,
Central Hong Kong

London:
W S M B C Liberty House,
222 Regent Street,
London W1B 5TR

Website: http://www.elevatione.com

5 Must have Benefit Cosmetics Product

I love cosmetics! Which girl doesn't? I remember falling in love with Benefits even before it arrived on the shores of Singapore. I walked pass it in Macy's on Times Square, loved the quirky names, went back to the hotel, researched the products, went back the next day and bought way too much stuff! After 9years of trying almost everything, these are my top 5 favorite and must have Benefits products. 

From L-R: They're Real Mascara, They're Real Push Up Liner, Miniature Posie Tint, Miniature Watt's Up and "That Gal" Brightening Face Primer

That Gal Brightening Face Primer ($48)

I really love this product because it give the skin such a natural glow without it being overly shimmery. I've made the mistake of over applying because I "couldn't see" anything and looked like a beacon in photos! Less is definitely more with this product. Use it as a highlighter, illuminating base or even apply on chest and shoulders for that healthy, sexy glow. 

They're Real Mascara (SGD$37)

I was actually given my first Get Real mascara in my Bellabox in 2014 and am now absolutely in love with it. I love the bulbous end of the mascara wand that allows me to get onto even the tiniest eye lash. It allows me to apply mascara on my lower lashes without making myself look like a raccoon. So now, I carry one in my travel kit, a mini in my handbag and a full sized one at home. I just can't get enough! 

They're Real Eye Liner (SGD$38)

One of their newer products, introduced to the market late 2014, this is my new obsession. I have fairly larger eyes and I love giving myself the cat eye look. But I have always hated that sometimes I start to draw and draw and draw....and end up with the smoky eyed goth look. The rubbery pointed tip of the pencil allows me to be more in control of my cat eye and gives me perfect tips all the time. I do have some friends who don't really like the rubbery tip but for me, it's the ultimate. Its the perfect tool for those not skilled enough to use liquid liners and looking for a pencil type liner that doesn't require a brush. I can't get enough of this product. Only problem I have is that, in my lazy days, water just won't do to wash it off. 

Benetint (SGD$51)

I'll be honest, I didn't really like the original Benetint. It was too pink-reddish for me and just didn't look good on my skin. But when they came out with Posietint, I purchased one and the first time I used it, I bumped into my neighbour and she asked me what I did to my skin because I was glowing. I think I actually had the decency to be embarassed because my glow wasn't from within, it was from a bottle! Compliments on day 1??? SOLD!!! Benefits have now come up with Lollitint (purplish toned) and Chachatint (orangey toned) however I will just stick to what works for me. Definitely worth making a trip to Sephora or a Benefits counter and testing out what works best for you. 

**Tip: Once you have swiped the brush on your cheek, rub in immediately! These tints absorb fast and I've gone out and people thought I got bitten by a bug or something!

Watts Up (SGD$48)

A little goes a long way...another highlighter but this one looks "Oh so amazing!" on my tanned sort of skin. I love swiping just a little bit on my upper cheek bones and a dab under my brow. It's lovely for when I'm on a night out and I know there is going to be a lot of cam-whoring. I've been using my miniature and have yet to see the bottom of the tube.

So that about sums up, all my must have Benefit Cosmetics products. I could honestly do a makeup look au naturale with all of the above products and some foundation (to hide my dark circles and breakouts) and eyebrow drawn in. 

All products listed can be purchased at any Sephora outlet, Benefits counter at TANGS Orchard and Westgate Benefits Boutique.

Chabuton, Tampines

I rarely make trips to the East end of Singapore, but to celebrate a friends birthday- I made the trip! She made it worth while by suggesting a newly opened ramen place, Chabuton, for dinner. While I had never heard about it prior to dinner, reading about it on the way to Tampines did get me slightly excited about dinner. While I am aware that they do have another branch at 313 Somerset, the birthday girl gets what the birthday girl wants.

Thankfully when we got there, the queue was short, even though I was told that initially there wasn't one. Ooops. And they only seat full parties so we had to queue for a little while. The wait was less than 10 minutes which is considered ok for a Friday evening 7pm dinner.

3pcs Fried Oyster ($6)

8pcs Gyoza ($5)

We ordered 2 plates of the Kaki Fry (Fried Oysters)  and one plate of the Gyoza to start with. I have to say that the oysters were nicely done and this is probably one of the nicest oysters I have had at a Japanese restaurant. It wasn't too oily and the batter was a light yet crispy coating. The gyoza on the other hand, while crispy was a bit average and I would have gladly swapped it for another plate of oysters.

Kara Kara Ramen ($12.90) + egg and buta Kakuni ($3)

For my mains, I ordered the signature Chabuton Kara Kara Ramen (because I like everything spicy!) and added an egg and buta kakuni (braised pork) for $3. You get to customize your noodles (soft/hard), oil (low/high) and saltiness level (low/high). I chose soft noodles, low oil and low salt, so did the rest of the girls. After trying the noodles, I think its all just a marketing gimmick because everything tasted the same. One of the bowls even came with slightly al dente noodles despite Evie requesting the soft noodles. Three of us agreed that the noodles were really salty and I was really thirsty the rest of the night. Just depends on your luck and who the chef is I guess.

The bill came up to $68.40 for 3 hungry girls which I consider really reasonable for the amount of food that we ate! Most places with a Michelin star chef usually come with a hefty price tag so its nice that Chabuton does cater to the masses. Would I come back again? Perhaps, but I am not so overly impressed that I would specially suggest Chabuton when thinking of a ramen place to dine at.

Chabuton, Tampines

#02-09/10 @Tampines One

10 Tampines Central 1,

Singapore 529536

Open Daily 10.30am- 10pm

Tel: +65 68540335

Chabuton, Somerset

#B2-01 313 @Somerset, 

313 Somerset Road, 

Singapore 238865

Open Daily 11.30am- 10pm

Tel: +65 66368335

Happy 2015!!!

Here's wishing everyone a Happy New Year! 

This post is somewhat personal and sentimental for me. 2014 was a great year which flew by way too quickly. Many things happened amongst which I had the best bachelorette getaway in Bali,

To my lovely ladies who made the effort to join me in Bali, the trip was an amazing one!

I got married (so did 2 of my besties!), 

Clockwise L-R: Nass (Mar 2014), Myself (Aug 2014), Rowena (Oct 2014)

went on a beautiful family moon (9 days in Thailand with the husbands family) and half moon (5 days in amazing Maldives with the husband), turned 30 (!!!) and career wise, I grew immensely. 

Anti clockwise L-R: Holidaying in the Maldives, 30th Birthday Party and Company Year end party

Towards the end of the year, I started to achieve some fitness goals and that was very satisfying for me as an individual. As a person, all these experiences have changed me and made me mature in more ways that I could imagine and I've also realised that my priorities have started to change. 

For the year 2015, I am done with making resolutions and more focused on setting targets and achieving them. It's going to be an amazing year with many challenges, ups and downs, and perhaps some new experiences. I look forward to every moment and I am trying to learn to be thankful each and every day for what I have. 

I am continuing with my fitness goals and hoping to make that change a lifestyle. It's nice that I have a friend who has planted the idea of doing the Bromo Marathon in 2015. So we have decided to attempt the 21km half marathon together. It's going to be an amazing girls trip for 2015! 

Career wise, definitely a step up in the right direction, aiming for bigger and better. Certain plans are already underway and I'm just waiting to see how they will unfold. Hoping for the best! 

Family wise, it's natural for the people to start asking newly weds "When are you going to have kids?". For me and my other half, it's definitely part of the plan but perhaps not for now. And for whomever I personally know that  is reading this, please stop asking, it's getting annoying. 

This year, the hubs and I have plans for the actual honeymoon in Italy! Research has started and I am super duper excited! I dream of pasta and wine dinners, weekends at a vineyard, driving along the Amalfi and he wants to watch a football game live! Oh how different our priorities are! Either way, we are going to have a ball of a time! There are also other destinations we have planned for but these destinations change every month. 

Top L-R: Visiting Perth, When Nat visited
Bottom L-R: When Ben visited, Ladies night with Mary

Life is too short for regrets so I need to learn to make the best of everything I have. Thanks for everyone that has been part of my amazing 2014, looking forward to more memories with everyone in 2015. I consider myself blessed beyond measure and I can't wait to see what 2015 has in store for me!