The Face Shop - Real Nature Sheet Mask

Real Nature Mask Series, 20ml (Retail locally, 4 for $10)

Lemon, Aloe Vera, Pomegranate and Red Ginseng (clockwise)

I feel repulsive towards thick, sticky face mask. With slimy residue that has to be washed off in the morning as it couldn't be absorbed by the skin. Some comes with strong, artificial sense that sent shudders down the spine.

Sweet smelling (rather strong) face mask from The Face Shop is quite unlike those inferior products. I too was skeptical at first - as i peeled open the thick slimy paper, kept it on for 30 mins and remove without rinsing away the rich essence that stayed on the face. Just before falling to sleep, i feel the skin had slightly dried up but still feels damp. "Oh well, another slimy wash in the morning..." i had thought.

But no, it wasn't. Just a pretty normal wash; if i didn't remind myself of the application the night before. And my cheek feels and looked 'pumped up'! Seriously. Even the extra essence in the packing which i had coated on my arms makes the skin feels tight and hydrated.

The 'good feel' lasted 2 days, and i'm looking forward to another evening of face-masking. I have now regained some confidence in heavy face mask.

Many thanks to Nic and wife for buying these gifts for us on their Korea trip.

Ramen Kings - Keishoken VS Honda

Komi Toridashi Ramen (foreground), Special Ramen (background)

Just for this weekend, there is a 50% promotion at Ebisboshi Shotengai, Great World City for 2 of their selected ramen. Namely, the Special Ramen by Keishoken and Komi Toridashi Ramen by Yuki Honda.

And that prompted us to make a special trip down for lunch today. I so wished they have a polling box for us to vote our preferred ramen, but they don't. That would have been interesting right? Anyway, i silently note down our preference.

Special Ramen (Usual: $15++)

Presentation: Simple and classic ramen presentation with seas of aromatic scallion, onions, bean sprouts heaped on the front and Chashu standing tall by the background. Promises to whet the appetite.

Soup: Pork-based stock, robust, salty

Toppings: Scallion (negi), spring onions, bean sprouts (moyashi), boiled egg.

Noodle Texture: Round and very chewy, with a good bite.

Chashu: Typical ramen braised meat with fats, melt-in-the-mouth (3 sliced pieces).

Overall Taste: The all-time familiar and popular pork-based stock with soft chewy ramen might just win my repeat visit. But for something faddish, take the Toridashi Ramen instead.

Komi Toridashi Ramen (Usual: $15++)

Presentation: The towering Nori seaweed never fails to deliver that majestic look. Simple yet classy.

Soup: Chicken-based stock, uniquely full flavor of chicken essence, salty.

Toppings: Nori seaweed, spring onion, leek, pickled bamboo shoots, green veggies, boiled egg.

Noodle Texture: Firm, less chewy.

Chashu: Flavorsome and juicy, seems to have been roasted before braising (2 thick pieces).

Overall Taste: Winning chashu recipe but noodle texture matters a lot for ramen. And thus the bowl lose out to the Special Ramen as an overall. But this is a ramen creation that's of character.

Ramen Kings in Town, Promotion Poster

东興, Tong Heng Egg Tarts

Tong Heng Original Egg Tarts ($1.50, 5 pieces for $7)

Friends told me, "If you like egg tarts, you gotten try Tong Heng!" Yes, i like egg tarts. And respected food blogger, read here, does similar recommendation. So we try.

And i had wished we didn't.

This is like a revolution of egg tarts; the thin crust was overdone and designed to become crisp like biscuits? With baked pastries, i desired to taste some fluffy soft flour but this is biscuits, which i already have plenty in my drawers. However, some absolutely adores it this way.

The egg custard so soft, it's on the verge of collapse if we don't hold it carefully. That didn't matters. What matters was that it is less rich and less eggier than how we had like ours.

德记, Tuck Kee (Ipoh) Sah Hor Fun

Clayfish Prawns Hor Fun, small ($6) or medium ($7.50)

This is one of Singapore's legendary food stalls - everybody knows them; they are from our grandparents generation. A revisit today, and after tasting the familiar goodness, i was heartfelt glad the stall is still here. Most times when things seem to be there forever, we took them for guaranteed.

Prices have been increasing over the years of inflation but your wallet should be more than willing after you taste their winning sea-fresh gravy, and chew on the freshest seafood - all prepared early this dawn while we are still in our warm beds. Also good chili sauce that some love to douse their plate.

Visiting Singapore? You have to mark this place in Chinatown, on your itinerary.

Lived in Singapore but like myself who hasn't visit the stall for the longest time? Go soon. And i'm sure the taste shall once again move you; the way it makes me emotional today.

Clou & Classic - Gel Candle

Tonight, we discover something called "Gel Candle" by Clou & Classic CANDLE COMPANY GERMANY. What sets this gel candle apart from the others was that its base of jellywax is medical-grade white oil! Burns without releasing lead, soot or toxins and is completely aroma free.

Being transparent in nature, these gel candles lit the surroundings like a lantern; the entire jar is luminous. This is something we don see in our solid block candles. Enchantingly pretty as it sat in the garden.

Samsung Chromebook

Samsung Chrome XE303C12-A01US, Wi-Fi (US$249 from Amazon.com)

LED HD 11.6" display screen

Most girls ain't IT-savvy; and we are especially scaredy cats to fumble with computer devices. As such, maybe why the Tablets has become a girls' best friend with 1) fast boots up, 2) 1 touch Apps, 3) long battery life and basically, 4) no operating system to maintain and defrag.

Thus i find the Samsung Chromebook a big turn-on - having all the fine attributes of a Tablet; throw in with a keyboard. Physical typing keyboard is definitely conducive and i dread doing long essay on touchscreens.

So, i was glued to the Chromebook within minutes Ric introduced us. 

And thought it was a really cool and practical device. 

A Tablet with keyboards; ease of downloading free Apps from Chrome Web Store; thin and light-weight at 1.09kg; durable battery use of 6.5hrs per charge. Superb fast boots up like Tablet PC. Expandable internal storage (16GB) by connecting to external drives via the 2 nos. USB ports.

Think laptops are becoming more dispensable now.