ashyamalastory

Would you fall in love with Mr Grey? Review of Fifty Shades of Grey

2014-08-12T15:42:00.001+08:00

My first post for 2014, I have been MIA. So much has happened in the last year and I am a little disappointed to return writing a post on the much raved about erotic fantasy, Fifty Shades of Grey by EL James.

Ever since the trailer for the movie came out mid-July 2014, I have seen a lot of friends on FaceBook liking and sharing posts telling the world how much they are looking to the release on Valentines Day 2015...how fitting! Although they are disappointed by the cast selection, I personally don't think this book deserved to be made into a movie.

Over the weekend, I read the book because I didn't want to miss out on anything. And boy, was I disappointed.

The purpose of this blog is really to channel my thoughts and to hear your opinions too. Please make sure you leave a comment below.

I feel as though EL James was trying to recreate the sexier adult version of Twilight (which was slightly better written). I am not sure if it was the quality of the writing or the repetitive script, but I was cringing and left very uncomfortable at the end of every chapter.

I kept reassuring Dineish not to worry about me finally meeting my sexual fantasy through a book. Which reminds me, I still need him to read some of the pages just for laughs!

As a married woman and maybe one who didn't experience many relationships, let-downs and heartbreaks during my earlier years, I was disappointed how the female character, Anastasia Steele, put herself out there so desperately to find her Prince Charming. She constantly finds herself in demoralising situations with a man who is no more interested in her than a sexual object. The "dominator-submissive" sexual encounters described in the book is something I have never experienced and I have realised how narrow-minded I am towards it. Like I said it has left me uncomfortable...

Essentially the story surrounds the fate of a 21-year old graduate stambling upon a young sex-crazed billionaire tycoon, Christian Grey. The book outlines, in my opinion, situations where a young naive girl experiences an awful relationship of how men and women should not be dating (unless you want nothing more than sex). The male character is plotted to be this mysterious business man, who buys everything for Anastasia in return for a 3 month contract whereby she is his exclusive submissive sex slave every weekend in his lavish home. I never knew such contracts could exist, and maybe it is driven by his business mind, however what confuses me is how it outlines that although he will never physically hurt Anastasia, the level of emotional and mental damage inflicted on her is unbearable. Its really no different to any physical damage he could do! I don't quite understand the point and I think this is what made me feel confused.

Mistakingly, she finds herself thinking after every encounter the relationship will blossom into the ideal love story. Christian makes it a point that although he is somewhat interested in her, he is not her type of guy. Finally towards the end, she realises her mistake: she cannot give into giving everything he wants, if he cannot give her the love and affection she is after, all becuase he had some screwed up abusive childhood, in the hands of his parents and some older women.

The reason I wanted to write this blog is because of the influence I feel it has on the reader, especially young women looking for some Mills & Boon love story. To think that it is being made into a movie which further visualises everything about is absurd. To me.

The book is fictional, but having read the reviews it has impacted the sexual lives of many women (young, old, married, whatever). I am not sure if its becuase of the success or becuase women can read a book in public and experience such intense satisfaction without having to sneak watching something else (hint hint). But hey, thats your preference and I am noone to judge.

As a woman, I don't want a book to further complicate young womens' struggles with their identity and relationships! It doesn't seem to build their self-esteem and is not a book that describes the perfect relationship. I feel so bad for Anastasia and every girl thinking this is the go-to manual. It is far from the relationship you want anyone to have.

The way Christian refers to her as his property is derogatory. No girl should have to give into any relationship like that. It's downright disgusting, controlling and stupid. In a day and age, where we are working hard to building strong, confident and empowering women, this book seems to deter from that. To think that many women may already be struggling in an 'abusive' relationship similar to this, I feel this book tries to justify it by putting a romantic twist to it. Having said this though, I'm not saying its not ok to be in a "dominator-submissive" becuase if the feeling is mutual and there is respect towards one another on an emotional level there is no harm. The pleasure there is agreeable.

Although it is easy for me to say that when I have children (I'm 8 months pregnant with my first; a little boy), especially daughters, I would never allow them to read such filth, let alone lay their hands on a copy. But I'm sure my mother said the same thing and look at me.
I rather would encourage you to educate them and make them aware of the world that we live and the consequences of their choices. I hope that will only help them in choosing the right values and partners, who in return want a healthy, respectful, loving and caring relationship. There is love and true gentlemen who exist beyond this book who will treat you with the utmost respect.

I think I have said enought but all in all if you are looking for erotic fiction, go somewhere else. If you want a laugh or feel a little queezy, then by all means go ahead and waste a days worth of your life...and no you won't get it back!

xS

Finally meeting Actor Vijay :-)

2013-04-06T21:43:00.001+08:00

If you know me long enough, you would know that I am a true Vijay Fan. All the way through intermediate, high school, uni and even today I don't fail to watch his movies. I remember watching Ninaithaen Vandhai (1998) and immediately being start struck :) He was cute and had a charming on screen personality. Over time Vijay has won the hearts of many Tamil fans around the world, and although he is a very shy person in life, he certainly doesn't show that in his acting.

Every time I have gone to India, I have tried my best to meet him, but as always he is away filming and even though I get close to meeting him (external factors have stopped me aka my mum). Finally on 5th April 2013 when I made an unplanned trip back to Sydney to see family, I found out that Vijay was there filming for his up coming movie, Thalaivaa. When I first heard about it, he had already starting shooting the weekend before my arrival and I thought surely the guy has left town by then, considering they rarely stay overseas filming for very long. I was so disappointed because there he was in my own backyard (and I was a few days too late)! But the day after I landed, my mother in law used her contacts (bless her!!) and found out that he was filming near the Sydney Convention Centre in Darling Harbour 9-5pm for 5 days!!! I was literally jumping up and down around her house :)

Straight after she finished up, I got changed and dragged Dineish out to Darling harbour (at 4pm) hoping to catch a glimpse of him before they wrapped up for the day. When we got there, it was not too crowded, maybe about 50 people and filming crew. I went and positioned myself opposite to Vijay's tent and watched/stalked him.

They were filming a dance routine with the back up dancers and Vijay only came out when the choreographer was happy to shoot. A few times Vijay noticed Dineish and I, and finally when I rucked up the courage to wave at him he smiled (that signature Vijay smile) and waved right back. Thats when the crew walked over and asked him if I could have a photo but his stupid PR said no :(

I think we were lucky to stand where we were that arvo. Because until about 5:30pm I was in very close proximity to where Vijay was filming and had the best view where he could see me (and how desperate I was to see him and take a photo).

After 5:30, the people from work and school started turning up and I was getting very anxious. The crowd suddenly grew and the chances of getting a photo was very slim! I knew he wouldn't take a photo with everyone and if I wasn't at the front it was unlucky. So close, yet so far.

Dineish and his brother (Dhilip), who came to share my excitement when to get drinks and I was left with 2 cameras to take photos with. Right at this point they finished shooting and the crowds ran towards Vijay. The crew told people to line up and my instinct was to do the opposite, I squeezed/pushed in line and tried to get my best to get as close to Vijay as possible. No way was I going to get this close and miss the opportunity. I got on the phone to Dineish who came running down and got ready to take a photo as there were only 2 little girls in front of me. I honestly thought we had it in the bag (excitement level was soaring and my heart was beating so fast!!!). He took about 10 photos with fans at this point and then OUT OF NO WHERE HE STOPPED AND STARTED WALKING AWAY!!

You don't know how I felt...I can't even explain it...even thinking about it now makes me panic for no reason, but its like winning the lottery only to find that there was a mistake in one of the numbers! You think you have it, but then you actually dont!

As he walked away, his security walk around him and Dineish told me to run behind him. Out of nowhere my confidence increased and I ran behind Vijay and shouted "Aiyo Vijay, orae oru photo please!". I am not sure why, but he stopped short of his tent walked back took a photo with me and left :) I was so lucky! Thanks to Dineish pushing me to run after him and maybe because I spoke in Tamil. Whatever it was I am so happy and can't stop looking at the photos :D

The few moments with him went buy super fast and all I think I said was thank you so much. One of the Aussie crew guys, also shouted out "Come on mate, this girl has been waiting around for you all day!". Even though that was a complete lie (and there were younger girls there who had been waiting out for a few days straight), I was so lucky to have had the opportunity to meet my favourite actor and childhood sweetheart/crush!

Here are some photos from his latest movie currently being shot in Sydney, Thalaivaa.

(Vijay's no.1 fan)

Preserving Memories - Adoramapix photobook review

2013-03-12T11:02:00.000+08:00

Dineish enjoys photography and recently made a photobook of our trip to India. After much research and reading reviews, he decided to go with Adoramapix to create our album.

Adoramapix is an online photo lab catered for not only the professional, but anyone regardless of their photographic expertise can create masterpieces. The image finish is of high quality and photobooks are made with Fuji Archive paper, not print. So not only is your album looking very stylish on the coffee table, but the images are amazing.

The cover was very thick and had a metallic sheen.

The paper is of high quality. The pages were extremely thick and sturdy, and again had a nice sheen to them. There is a slight texture on the page, which can take away from the photo finish.
Some of the images were not edited to the best standard, so next time we would go back and correct and brighten before finalising.

As AdoramaPix uses real photo paper. You cannot see it here, but finger prints can be picked up on darker pages.

Spread

Page thickness

Crease down the middle of page and between a full page spread - image is not lost.

Photobook laying flat and spine.

Book dimensions: 10"x8", 14 pages
Software: Very easy to use. There is an option to either choose from their standard layouts or customise your own (as we did).

Paper quality: Archive paper in professional lustre finish, so these memories are forever! The pages were very thick and durable, and have a nice sheen finish (not glossy or matte). There is a slight texture, which take away from the sharpness of the image.

Print quality: Really good. I think next time I would invest a little more time in ensuring that the photos we use have been thoroughly edited to ensure that the finish is clean.
Cover quality: Very thick with a metallic sheen finish.
Prices: This book (without shipping) costs $32.95USD. Check their website for pricing, shipping, sales and delivery time (ours took a little over 2 weeks to arrive).
Overall thoughts: The book is perfect and I love flicking through the pages! Since making this album, we have bought both our families a copy to keep - it's a really great gift idea :)

Hopefully I will be making one very soon of our honeymoon!

Benefit Boi-ing & Watt's Up! review

2013-03-10T21:06:00.001+08:00

I'm starting to take my makeup skills to the next level and decided to go out and buy a concealer and highlighter to play with. After several visits to Sephora and the makeup counters at Robinsons, I narrowed down to Benefit Boi-ing concealer (shade 3) and Watt's Up! higlighter, hope you enjoy my review!

Boi-ing concealer in shade 3

I have mainly been using this to brighten my under eye area and a little to conceal any blemishes. It has a creamy consistency and is really easy to apply and blend. It builds well to cover those stubborn marks. However if you apply it a little too heavy it can look cakey. Considering that it gives really good coverage, I recommend you use a little and go over with some setting powder. I am using shade 3, which is slightly ligher than my skin tone but not too light that it looks ashy. I have tried it on several times now in the humid Singapore weather and it stays well for almost 6 hours, but I might need to blot/touch up with powder.

Concealer shade 3 which I use as a under eye highlight (sorry for the really bad lighting)

Unfortunately I am not a fan of the price at this stage, at $34SGD it isn't the cheapest concealer out there but it is the best one I've tried. I will definately be using Boi-ing for a while in the future because a small amount goes such a long way and I love how it brightens the areas where light hits the most! Hopefully I can start playing around with it a little more and get those Kim K contours!!

Watt's Up! highlighter

I've been struggling to find a good highlighter that suits my skin tone and was excited to try this out when I came across it! Highlighters, in my opinion, helps accentuate your features in even the dimmest of lighting :) When you start contouring with bronzers and concealers, you need something to bring back the dimension!

Watt's Up! comes as a stick which is designed for easy application with one hand. I like it because there is no brush applicator (no dipping and wiping off the excess liquid) or powder flying everywhere, just a simple double ended stick. The packaging looks like a light bulb (hence the name 'Watt's Up!') with the highlighter at one end and a transparent plastic cap revealing the 'soft glow blender' on the other (which I haven't really used). I feel like it's smudges the foundation/concealer underneath so fingers are so much better and sometimes the best tool.

The highlighter blends well, as the formula is creamy. The champagne color sits well with my brown skin tone and the glow/pay off isn't over the top.

You can also apply to wherever the light naturally hits your face. It can be worn alone or on top of makeup.

Again, the price was a little steep at $48SGD :( But because I have finally found a highlight that I can see on my skin, this one is a keeper!

If anyone can suggest another highlight, please please let me know as I am keen to try more out. In the mean time, I'm gonna tweek my highlighting and contouring skills :)

Sri Lankan Shopping Haul

2013-02-20T21:59:00.000+08:00

Dineish and I were in Sri Lanka early Feb to visit family and celebrate our 3rd wedding anniversary. It was a fantastic trip, filled with so much fun, food and shopping of course!

The last time I went to SL was when I was a little over a year old on my way to New Zealand, so obviously I have no memories. I had no expectations of this trip (well maybe my benchmark was India where I have gone several times), but I was pleasantly surprised in so many ways and encourage everyone to visit when they get a chance :)

Anyway, like every trip I told Dineish I wasn't going to buy ~~anything~~ much. After all it's SL and how much more different is it to India (where we were only last Aug)?! But in true Shyamala fashion, I picked up a few things :P besides I need to keep up with my Mum!

This is going to be a quick blog mainly with pictures, but if you are interested to find out more drop me a message and I will be happy to reply (prices are in LKR).

In all our trips around Asia, Dineish and I pick up things that remind us of the place and some clothing if we like anything. We also got a few things for friends...

All the goodies we picked up - it was Christmas all over again!

The shops we visited (recommended by Dineish's Aunt who was my shopping parter in crime) are:

Odel (department store along the likes of Myers, David Jones) www.odel.lk
Laksala (home decor store selling authentic SL pieces) www.laksala.lk
Dankotuwa (SL's finest manufacturers of high quality Chinaware) www.dankotuwa.com

Odel

Both of us purchased clothing. I got some ethnic tops, beach kaftans and long skirts, whilst Dineish got SL t-shirts, cotton tunics and business shirts

Can't remember the prices, but it was so affordable!

There are a huge selection of picture frames. The sizes were limited, but so many colourful designs and finishes.
I picked random ones for around the house.
Prices ranging from LKR750 to 1,425.

Metal candle stands. I am going through a candle phase and picked these up.
Many designs and sizes available (these are 15 - 20 cm high).
Prices range from LKR1300 to 2,6500.

You can't go to SL and not buy Katta Sambal!! Love this stuff so much :-)
Price LKR680.

I had to pick up these candles, how economical are they set inside coconut shells? No mess :)
So many scented candles, shapes and sizes to choose from. And FYI they smell really really good, my comparison is Yankee Candles.
Price LKR450 each.

We always pick up a magnet where ever we go.
Traditional SL dancer (Ves dance).
Price LKR400.

So many cushions to choose from!! Cheap and great quiality
These were my favourite.
Prices range from LKR850 to 1,000.

Laksala

Highly recommend stopping by this shop if you want to pick up things for the house. If you are taking things overseas, let them know and they will package everything securely for you.

For work friends I bought handicrafts, the famous SL elephant ornaments and tea for tea lovers.
Elephant price range LKR 740 to 1,350 (inc. tusks).
Tea LKR750 (individual) to 1,800 (5 pack).

Handmade brass bowl on elephant stand.
Price LKR6,900.

Bell for our praying room.
Make sure to test the sound out before buying.
Price LKR1,450

Traditional SL masks, placed at the entrance of houses to ward off bad spirits/evil eye.
This one represents peace, harmony and happiness.
Many sizes and designs to choose from depending on what you want to signify.
Price LKR 6,900

Typical SL fisherman carving, 80cm tall.
Different sizes and wood colours to choose from. This one is the darkest and of medium height.
Price LKR17,500.

Dankotuwa

I have been looking for high quality porcelain/China tea cup and saucer set for a while now. SL is one of the manufacturers of these and very cheap purchasing from the showrooms there rather than buying it overseas.
I got a 17 piece set in the new Gold Plus range (24k gold finish) in a unique design: 6 tea cups, 6 saucers, 1 creamer, 1 sugar bowl with lid and 1 teapot with lid. I also purchased 2 more tea cups and saucers as a back up, just in case someone breaks it (hopefully the design will eliminate that).

I haven't opened the packaging, but here is a picture of the additional tea cup and saucer I got:

17 piece set cost LKR 21,925.
Additional cup and saucer set costs LRK1,422.
Many designs and combinations to choose from.

I hope this blog helped you out in case you are undecided about what to shop for in SL. They have some very unique things there and I will certainly be going back for more in my next trip!

(exchange rate 1SGD = 102LKR)

'Inspire Kerala' tour guides review

2012-08-31T17:48:00.001+08:00

Dineish and I recently went on a trip to India (Kerala & Chennai) for a friend’s wedding. We both took a week off work and arranged to do a quick 4D/3N tour of Kerala before heading off to Chennai for the big celebrations (Congrats to Mark & Priyanka!!). We both had been to Chennai before and had a fair idea of what we wanted to do (mostly eat, shop and spend time with friends).

Dineish organised the entire Kerala tour with Inspire Kerala after reading up on some reviews on Trip Advisor. We thought it would be the best way to see the place considering a) we hadn't been there before and b) didn't know many people from there (my family were there earlier on in the year and said it was a must). Also it’s nice to know someone else has organized all the local tours, accomodation, car and food – it wasn’t another thing for us to have to sort out! The contact at Inspire Kerala was Murugesan - had a fairly good reputation online and when we got a quote from him he was fast, polite and very reasonable.

Our booking details (snapshot only)

I always have my doubts when organizing things with Indians, so me being me, I kept reminding Dineish to call Murugesan closer to the trip just to confirm the bookings for the hotel, the details of the driver he arranged for us and the early pick up from the airport (because we landed at 2am). Dineish prefers emailing so he got the confirmation via email and we were set to go :)

We arrived at Cochin (although tired) happy and excited to be starting the relaxed part of our holiday. We looked out for our driver who was due to greet us holding name boards from Inspire Kerala for almost 20 mins. He was nowhere to be seen, so we had to get an airport staff to kindly call him to inform that we were standing around waiting for him. He got mixed up between the arrivals and departures, and got irritated when we kept asking him to come around to the arrivals gate! It certainly didn’t start off well; it was too early in the morning and neither of us could speak/understand Malayalam. Eventually he drove around in a small Tata Indica (hatch back) that looked not so road friendly (to me anyway) and too small for us and our luggage! The driver (Munis) turned out to be a lovely guy from Tamil Nadu, so it was nice to be able to talk in our mother tongue (speaks good English also) and have an honest and caring guide for the 4 days we were touring.

The first hotel we stayed in was Hotel Elite Plaza, located about 5km from the airport. It was an additional option we chose to take considering that we landed so early in the morning and didnt have a place to stay before driving to the house boat the next day. The hotel was not more than 3-stars and was fairly decent and clean to spend the night before starting the tour. The room and bathroom was clean and breakfast was included as part of the package that Murugesan organized. However, the hotel charged us for the meal! We told them that as part of the tour it is was already paid for and when they didn’t agree with us, we had to give Murugesan a call. He wasn’t easy to reach, so Munis kindly settled the meal for us and paid them using his allowance from the tour operator. I think that it all gets sorted when he gets his final pay from them. I started to mention to Dineish that Murugesan doesn’t seem to communicate the fine print to everyone, so we find ourselves in little problems like this.

So on the first day of our trip, Munis picked us up promptly at 9am and drove us 3 hours to Allepey for the house boat experience. It rained a fair bit during that trip and although India in general is dirty with crazy drivers on the roads, I thought, compared to Chennai, Kerala was slightly more. We never paid any road tolls, parking fee etc because it was all included in the package. The drive there isn’t memorable, but once you get on the boat it is unreal. We were fortunate to have a clean house boat (one bedroom with in-built toilet and wash are, I wouldn’t call it a shower), 2 welcoming and friendly boat guides (stay with you over night on the boat, cook and take you around the back waters) and an unforgettable experience. Imagine being on your own boat, cruising around and not having to work about work or the outside world. It was relaxing and I really enjoyed my time with Dineish (I had him all to myself, no distractions NOTHING!!).

The 'lounge' area with captain's seat and wheel

Hallway connecting kitchen to lounge, bedroom on the right side of photo

bedroom

hand basin outside bedroom and before kitchen

otherside of bedroom and toilet behind the double doors (I just realised I forgot to take pics of the toilet/washroom!!! My bad)

Dineish taking a million photos, but I'm so glad he was relaxing and enjoying not being a busy body for once!

The following day we were picked up by Munis again at 9am for our 3 hour drive to Cherai Beach Resort. We settled the remainder of the package by paying one of Munis’s manager’s who we met him the day before just as we got off the boat and had no reservations in handing the money to him (the initial deposit was transferred into an Inspire Kerala bank account).

Again the drive wasn’t exciting, we drove through Cochi city (Ernakulam) and although 3 hours sounds as though you are going to cover great distance, in India the time is an estimate of getting through the mad traffic and the little sh*t box that you get carted around in, haha!! So if we were in Singapore/Australia/normal driving country, I have no doubt that trip would have only taken 1.5 hrs max!!

So anyway, we get to the hotel and find that they are preparing for a wedding/function of some sort. I thought that’s great, because it’ll be something to watch from the side and a lot of people = good resort, to me :P Boy, was I wrong!!!! The reception told us they had no booking under our name or Inspire Kerala at any point and the rooms were double booked for the MD’s son’s wedding (hence the prep work) - they were fully booked. They didn’t feel bad at all (had no reason to I suppose) and when we got upset they spoke to Murugesan on the phone after Munis got hold of him. Murugesan called them and it transpired that he had booked the room under our name but the hotel didn’t record it correctly and over booked (at least that’s what Murugesan told us, the hotel said he didn’t confirm our booking earlier and left it too late having known about the wedding). The hotel had cancelled it as it had been there for a long time and they had no means to confirm it. Murugesan had apparently known this for a while and had been calling daily to try to get us a room but they were booked - why on earth didn't he tell us instead of just booking another hotel??? This is my review on Murugesan: He doesn't like to be the bearer of bad news so he'd rather just not tell you at all!! What a douche!!?

Cherai Beach Resort - no go!

The car we travelled in (Inspire Kerala logo)

Preparations for the MD's son's wedding, pfft!

We ended up leaving and booked another nights stay in the hotel planned for the 3^rd night of our trip (3-star hotel in Cochi city called Pride Emerald). FYI – Cherai beach is not world class and not what they show on the pictures. As much as we were disappointed for not getting a night on the resort, the beach (which we walked to have a look at) was not great, we have been to so many beaches and this one does sit at the bottom).

The rest of the day was spent shopping in Cochi. The last day was spent touring the sights of Cochi city: Synagogue, The Fort and a Church. I was bored and none of the sights were maintained to preserve its history.

All in all, aside the little dramas, Dineish and I had a good time in Cochi. And I’m glad we had a nice driver (Munis). On the other hand, although Murugesan is trustworthy I don’t think he is good at dealing with difficult situations or telling the customer of updates or any problems. Would I recommend them Inspire Kerala to anyone of you? I think it’s a hit and miss with India (my thoughts never changed sadly!!), I don't think I'd use the tours next time because I’m better at planning all that on my own (control freak, yes) - just book it yourself and perhaps use a company to arrange a driver for you, that's all you need.

Sorry if this was long and boring, I really wanted to get it up,
xS

Update as at 06/09/12: received an email from Murugesan last night, and I don't know if this is a coincidence because he has been reading my blog over the last few days (I can see someone returning from Kerala), but he sent a confirmation email from Cherai Beach Resort of the room being booked for us under our name on the agreed date. Now it looks like the resort was at fault double booking us with their MD's son's wedding. I think Murugesan wants to let us know that he did what was required of him and made all necessary reservations, but that just makes me furious at the Hotel's management!!

Update as at 19/09/12: Dineish and I sent an email (dated 09/09/12) to both the hotel management and Inspire Kerala regarding our experience and how CBR poorly handled the situation, however to date we have not received a response. SHAME ON YOU CHERAI BEACH RESORT!

Update as at 14/10/12: Sent an email to the GM (Raymond P.J.) about the email sent in Sept. We kept it short and sweet stating yet again how poor their customer service is and that they didn't have the courtesy to reply.

Scoot Airlines review

2012-08-02T09:52:00.001+08:00

Dineish and I made our first trip on the newest long haul airline, Scoot. We were pleasantly surprised by the standard and hope that this review encourages more people to travel with budget airlines.

Scoot is a Singaporean-based budget airline; a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines. It travels between popular destinations in Asia and Australia using aircrafts (Boeing 777) obtained from its parent company. They offer no-frills, low cost travel options for medium to long-haul routes and claim that the tickets are upto 40% cheaper than regular airlines. They offer 2 types of classes: ScootBiz and Economy.

We were on a trip back to Sydney to see the family for a few days and the flight took a little over 7 ½ hours. Check-in was the standard 2 hours before flight, however for the first time we experienced that 2 hours was not enough, because we almost missed out on getting seats together (on both trips) – the line was very long and surely it was because of the cheap tickets. I would recommend you either: 1) come earlier than 2 hours to checkin or 2): pre-book your seats on the internet for an extra surcharge.

I have travelled with many other airlines to so many countries (let me know if you want a blog post on my travel adventures) and I think that this is the by far the BEST budget airlines I have travelled with! We booked 2 economy seats on the first day the tickets came out for SGP-SYD hauls with 20kg luggage. The tickets together cost us a little under $400SGD!! As with most budget airlines things like food, drinks and blankets are chargeable and on Scoot they rent out iPads for long haul flights for $22SGD (Dineish opted for this on the way back to Singapore because he knew I wouldn't be awake to keep him entertained).

12:50pm flight and we were still in the long as queue boarding 5 mins before take off!

The line to board again was packed and very long.

The on board staff (air hostess) were very polite and although they themselves had given up on the routine emergency procedures, were still delivering standard airline services. Honestly, no bit of the flight felt like a budget airline!

(Sorry about the shocking pictures guys!!)...

The leg space between the seats is roomy and enough for even Dineish to sit comfortably (he is tall remember).

The flight to Sydney had us at the very last row and although it was a midnight flight and I fell asleep almost immediately, the noise and turbulence was pretty bad. I think that’s the same with all aircrafts, but I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. We took it because it was the last seats available together. It's also close to the cabin crew area and because they have to stay awake through the night it gets quite loud (often hear heavy Singaporean accents). There is still space to put the seats back and that was great because you don’t have to sleep upright!

Roomy :)

All in all, I think Scoot is great. Personally, I’m not too fussed about the service I get on board, but considering it being a budget airline I felt like we flew with so much ease, except for some dodgy passengers of course :P

Online shopping with Nordstrom - Navoh Crossbody bag

2012-07-16T14:18:00.000+08:00

It's difficult to travel with a large hand bag. I prefer to have my hands free for all the shopping or just to walk freely and take photos. When the Reebonz sale was on a few weeks back, I purchased yet another large hand bag and although I kinda regret it, I will use it for work.

I finally found a crossbody bag on the Nordstrom website that I loved the look of and took the initiative to purchase after hearing from a friend that Nordstrom ships popular American labels internationally (thanks Felicity!!).

Nordstrom online shopping experience

Nordstrom is an upscale department store in the US, similar to the likes of David Jones in Australia or Takashimaya in Singapore. They offer free delivery and returns in the US and ship promptly overseas. You can register for free and shop by catergory (female, male, kids, brands, sale etc). The site is extremely user friendly, automatically detects you country of origin and gives you the option to purchase in your preferred currency depending on the exchange rate on the day. Their financing is performed through a 3rd party, FiftyOne, who calculate all purchases and dispatches on Nordstrom's behalf. Their courier is DHL (Express) and tracking numbers are given once FiftyOne received the goods from Nordstrom and ship from their warehouse.

Live chat is available from 7am to 1am daily and the customer services is exceptional. They are always there to respond to your questions immediately and refer you to the relevant departments when they cannot help.

The only problem I faced was which to bag to buy AND not to get carried away buying other things, haha!!

Navoh Erin Crossbody

I purchased the bag below, for $91AUD, on Monday 9th July 2012 at 1pm and received it in exactly a week (10am Monday 16th July). There was shipping charges of $30AUD and the item was shipped from FiftyOne's warehouse on Thurday evening.

The Erin crossbody bag is from the luxury handbag designer Navoh from New York. It is available in black (pictured), orange, fuchsia and yellow and in my opinion is a versitle, fun and affordable bag to add a pop or colour or class to your outfit. For me, it's definately going to be the perfect bag to travel the streets of Asia with :)

Navoh offer a large selection of unique, trendy and functional pieces for your wardrobe and best of all most bags are less than $100! Go check them out!

This bag has 3 compartments; 1 large with mobile, coin and loose pocket, zipper pocket at back, and a flat pocket in the middle of these two compartments (for paper). I know I will be able to safely carry passports, cash/wallet, travel necessities, cellphone and valuables in here without having to worry about putting the bag down and forgetting about it! The zips are sturdy and the gold metal work is rugged/secure. And more importantly the bag ISN'T huge!!

Here are the bag details and dimensions:

Turn key and top zipper closure
Inner zipper pocket
Back zipper pocket
Envelope pocket
Synthetic material, with soft lining
10" H x 8.5" W x 1.5" D
23" to 31" adjustable shoulder drop strap

Packaging was secure and no damages to back. Shipped to work for easy collection, tracked all the way.

Packed in original dustbag

front

back

Inside zipper compartment

What do you guys think of my latest buy? Tell me what you like travelling with and what your essentials are

Crabtree & Evelyn Gardeners Hand Therapy

2012-07-02T14:35:00.001+08:00

My all time favourite hand cream is Crabtree & Evelyn's Gardeners Hand Therapy. I absolutely love it.
Seriously, I never fussed over hand cream before, but this one has me hooked and works well on young and ageing skin.

The smell of Patcholi is subtle, but enough to have pleasant smelling hands. It's moisturising and rubs in well without leaving a greasy residue. I think that it's longivity depends on how dry your skin is and whether the temperature is cold/hot. For me, my hands are fairly moist (except for when I wash them as they tend to dry out very fast), so a little goes a long way and now that I am almost at the end of the tube, I am looking forward to buying another one (currently retails for SGD$33 at Raffles City)!!

You can find it amongst my other necessities kit at work too!

Some might consider it a little on the expensive side at AUD$20/SGD$33 per 100g, but because I am making an effort to invest into my skin's well-being and seeing the results from using this product the price is fair. I carry it around in my hand bag and use it daily. It certainly leaves skin looking smooth, soft and moisturised :)

What's your favourite hand cream?

Kate Spade unbagging

2012-06-30T14:41:00.002+08:00

They are currently holding the Annual Reebonz sale (conveniently located at my work building), where they are selling everything designer up to 80% off. The entire floor is open to the public and its flooding with ladies trying to get their hands on the best deals.

I was on my hunt for a hand bag, a treat for myself having completed my CA. The sale runs for 3 days (28th - 30th June) annually and is famous under the Great Singapore Sales, kinda like the EOFY Sales in Australia.

I had a look around on day 1 and having gone in late (around 4:30) many designs had gone, the waiting lines were too long or bags were way beyond my budget.
I went back on day 2 knowing they had replenished the stock around morning tea when it was still hectic, but bearable.I found the Kate Spade Bow Bridge Helena hand bag quite early on and walked around with it while I was browsing for almost 2 hrs (my manager new I was busting to go and in fact told me to go :) ). I didn't want to let it go because already several ladies came up to me asking where I picked it up. It currently retails for SGD$1,050 and had a 45% discount as it was an American label + 5% if I used my Mastercard. A couple of the ladies (aunties :P ) from work found me while I was styling my fave bags in front of a mirror and told me which they liked the best. They have good taste! We walked around for a bit looking at what each other picked up. At the end, we all picked up something (some having come back for more on day 2!!) and when we paid together they gave us another $100 off on the bill because we gave a newspaper artical that entitled $100 off on a sale > $1000.

After all that, my bag was $569 and I love it. It's still bigger than I hoped but very elegant and SO ME!! I know I'll be back next year and pick up some more :)

Sana Power Style Super Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner

2012-06-27T10:19:00.003+08:00

If you know me, you'd know that the one makeup I cannot walk out of the house without is EYELINER! Ever since secondary school and doing Bharata Natyam (Indian Classicial dance), I have worn fairly heavy eye makeup (kohl for the waterline and liquid liner on the lid).

My eye's aren't a prominant feature, but once I do them up I think I get my signature look :)

In all these years I have tried many liquid liners, from drugstore to high end, and nothing seems to last all day. I have oily lids, and the liners tend to smudge, crease and fade and at the end of the day I have Panda eyes. However, I finally found my FAVOURITE liquid liner at Sasa stores in Singapore for SGD$24.90. Yes, it is pricey, but its worth every cent I paid!! Trust me, I'd know :)

Sana Power Style Liquid Eyeliner (Strong Black) is a super water proof liquid eyeliner.

The strong adhesive water proof film protects your liners from water, sweat, grease, and is smudge resistant (promise). The moisturizing ingredients, chamomile essence and algae extract, aids in the fast-drying process, and gives a workable fine brush tip to create the definition you are after (thick or thin).

Packaging front & back (notice that the red circles say its water and sweat resistent)

Bottle and brush applicator - swatch (right) v Maybelline Express liner (right, which is light in real life as the photo does not show) - after 5 hrs and having washed my hands with shop several times

I have used the liner for the last 6 months to work, nights out, the gym and in the pool. It is doesn't move or fade. I would recommend it to you to use daily, as it is light and easy to apply. Although it comes in a small tube (my only con), it lasts you quite a while (I have just started my second one) and doesn't become thick due to the weather (unlike many other brands I have tried, which turn into a paste like consistency after a few weeks).

(Unfortunately it is not available in Australia, but Sasa does ship internationally).

Hope the swatches help,

TRESemme Fresh Start Dry Shampoo review

2012-06-26T21:56:00.000+08:00

Hi guys, for the first time I am going to do a review that is on one of my not so favorite products. I think it is equally important to rave about something that doesn’t work as it is for something that does. If I had known, I wouldn’t have bought them! (Remember these are my personal experiences, and something I dislike may be something you love).

I have been styling my hair a fair bit recently, and unless I haven't been looking hard enough, I personally think that Singapore doesn't offer many dry shampoos and heat protectants simply because there isn't a market for it. I have searched all over the island for products that gurus rave about, only to find that most of the brands aren't stocked here.

So I tried out whatever I could get my hands on because all the years of neglect are catching up with me :(

TRESemmé Fresh Start Dry Shampoo for oily/straight to normal hair

This product, like all dry shampoos, promises to give you a clean head of hair without a drop of water for the next day or two. So when you notice any hint of oiliness to your hair, you spray the product at the roots of your hair, comb it out and apparently you are oil and odor free in an instant!

Dry shampoos have been out for a while, but I’m new to it and the trend is catching on. From the reviews I have read many products out there still give dark hair a greyish tint and take a while to completely brush out, so it was only fair to assume the same for TRESemmé’s dry shampoo. I bought it from Guardian pharmacy in Paya Lebar for SDG$13, although it isn’t expensive it’s not free either!

Packaging (161g) - Nozzle

I have used it over the last 2 weeks in the mornings on 2nd and 3rd day hair before heading out to work. Per the instructions, I shake vigorously and spray a fair distance from my roots and wait 1-2 minutes before combing out.

Unfortunately in the mirror I noticed:

· flat,

· lifeless,

· greyish,

· greasy hair.

· FAIL!!!!

It looked worse than before I used it! It looked really greasy as though I hadn’t washed my hair for 4-5 days, ewwwww!! Although the odor was gone and replaced with a pleasant smell, it didn’t look nice at all. Almost looked like the cheap costuming techniques we used back in primary to get that grey haired-granny look :|

Before applying dry shampoo (right side of photo there are the oily strands) - sprayed shampoo - after 2 mins and massaged into hair (its flat, greasy and grey)

Eventually through out the day, the product settled but slight greasiness was there and my hair looked flat with a tint of grey. Maybe this product isn’t so good on black hair?!

I cannot see any positive use for this product and will not be repurchasing. Of the hair products I have tried, this is the worst. So if you’re looking for a good dry shampoo, unfortunately I personally wouldn't recommend TRESemmé's dry shampoo – maybe you’ll end up disappointed.

(Can’t wait to get my hands on Batiste…people tell me it’s in Singapore, but I can’t find it).

I hope this helps you guys in your search and please share your thoughts with me!

Online makeup shopping - beautybay.com

2012-06-20T12:07:00.003+08:00

Hi guys! Hope you're all doing good :) It's the middle of the week and work is a little quiet having just come out of year end. So I thought it's a good excuse to blog :P

I do a fair bit of online shopping for beauty products because a) its so easy and b) because popular makeup brands in Australia and Singapore is so rediculously over-priced or not available! It's so unfair for us ladies (and guys) who have to pay a bucket load of money for something that is at least 1/2 price in America or Europe. I don't know why there is a huge mark up, when the makeup community is just as large and popular in Australia and Singapore. I mean every girl wants to look pretty no matter where they live!!

I'm an accountant and have a fair bit of idea about the economy, pricing, inflation, consumer supply and demand blah, blah, blah, BUT SERIOUSLY!!! Grrrrrrr, makes me so mad O_O....

I have had only nothing but good services with the company and although a few of my friends are aware of http://www.beautybay.com/ I thought it would still be worth while to let everyone else know because if its going to save me some $$$ its definately worth sharing!

BeautyBay.com are a UK-based online retailer specialising in high end cosmetics (Urban Decay, Stila, Clinique toname a few), salon quality hair care (TIGI Bed Head, Sebastian, Wella SP, Keune etc), fragrances, nail products and men’s grooming products. They also stock professional accessories and tools from brands including Tweezerman, Ardell, St Tropez and Beauty Blender with a wide range of products such as tweezers, make up brushes, eye lash curlers and false lashes.

For competitive prices compared to what you can purchase in boutique makeup stores in Australia (such as Mecca Cosmetica) and Sephora Singapore, they offer free shipping worldwide that can take up to 20 days and in my experience satisfactory customer services.

I made my first purchase almost a year ago with the UD Naked palette and since then ordered 5 more times and spending over $400AUD between myself and my sister, I have been fortunate to have good experiences with the company. Although my products have never been damaged or incorrectly sent, customer services has been good assisting me in track my orders and tell me the status :)

The only thing to note is that you have to wait 20 working days to receive you order, so plan ahead. They accept all major CCs, payment is secure and processing takes 1-2 days to process and dispatch, depending on where you place your order from in the world and time. Their Facebook site is very active (and you will see some people with complaints) with both customers and the team themselves.

To date I have purchased 3 UD Naked palettes (original and # 2) and many Lip Junkies, Babyliss curlers, tongs and wands, 2 Stila foundations and compact powders. All products came in securely wrapped packaging, with bean foams and bubble wrap.

Here are some photos I took pre-blogging days:

For those curious, here are some price comparisions and I ensure you that you are getting a deal:

Stila Perfect & Correct Foundation: $72AUD from Mecca Cosmetica v $37AUD on beautybay
Stila Illuminating powder refill (empty): $24AUD from Mecca Cosmetica v $13.90 on beautybay
Stila Illuminating powder refill: $45AUD v $25.10 on beautybay
UD Naked palette (original): $80SGD from Sephora v $62SGD (or $49.90AUD) on beautybay
Do I need to give you anymore??! :-)

Seriously, people I would recommend beautybay to you without a doubt and hope that if you do decide to buy that you have nothing but a good online shopping experience as I have been!

If you have any sites that you would recommend or your experiences with the company or any for that matter, I would love to know!! Please leave a comment below.

Go work that credit card,

Nike Training Club app for iPhone

2012-06-15T11:14:00.000+08:00

I first heard about the app when watching makeup videos on YT, when I came across cityandmakeup rave about how much she loved the Nike Training Club app for the iPhone/iPad.

I'm not a gym person and can't keep up with Dineish when he runs, so when I downloaded this app (500MB) I didn't have high expectations. I thought it was going to be another phase that I would soon get, however 3 weeks on and over 9 sessions later I am motivated to get changed into my gear and run down stairs to the gym for my workouts! (I have even managed to convince one of the girls at work to try it out and she loves it too!! We share our morning after pain stories and a proud of it).

NTC is a self motivating app that gives you your very own personal trainer - anywhere, anytime. It is a lifestyle changing and fitness app, that helps you lean, toned and strong with over 85 individual programs. As you progress with time and fitness levels, you can unlock special programs/tips used by the pros themselves. I have always loved Nike and have a few of their sporting gear, finally this app has put all them to justice!

The app has many 30-minute workouts, for all skill levels, and has broken them down further into high intensity intervals to push your limits. If you don't know what a routine is, not only does the app have really clear photos of the trainers and instructions on how to do the routine, but also video recordings of every single move to guide you along. This was good for me because there were a few routines I didn't have clue about and can be used as a quick reference in the middle of my workout.

Based on your skill set, pick a routine, set it to music you choose from you library and off you go. There are timed intervals where the beeps and photos will prompt you to move straight into the next move. You can pause and end workout when you have had enough and the time is recorded against your total.

Home screen tracking progess - show workout type - select level

Select program - 30 min breakdown by routine - start program - photo of moves (watch video using camera button)

I have used the app for 3 weeks no, 3 times a week after work and in the weekends. If you don't have a gym, it is perfect for working out at home and a yoga mat (add weights and other things as you progress along). I wish I found this app earlier and am keen to take it while travelling.

But in the mean time I am going to keep up with my routine and tone certain areas of my body that have been neglected :P (To date I have maintained a stable weight and toned my buttocks, arms and calves - keen to start on the abs and back area).

Oh yeah and did I mention it’s free!!! Cheers Nike ;)

Skindinavia review

2012-06-01T16:09:00.000+08:00

I thought I would finally try a makeup setting spray just to complete my makeup routine and have it last all day. I hate coming home and realising in the lift that I look tired and puffy for Dineish. Although he has seen me worse, I like to look my best for him ;)

I have been deciding for a long time whether to purchase Urban Decay's De Slick and Scindinavia, but when Gossmakeupartist, on YT, mentioned they are made by the same company (Skindinavia) I thought I would just give the pro's a try (besides UD spray is expensive in Sephora Singapore anyway).

I placed an order online, www.skindinavia.com, on the 16th May and exactly 2 weeks later received my parcel. It was very prompt (earlier than I expected according to their terms (3 weeks) and quicker than other online shopping I have done with overseas companies). Customer services was great answering my questions and as you will see in my photos, the packaging was done well for these liquid items.

I paid USD49.50 (inc. shipping to Singapore) for the large 8oz bottle of No More Shine (especially formulated for oily shine) and also got a complementary 20ml setting spray.

The two bottles I got (back: 8oz No More Shine, front: 20ml original setting spray)

Instructions

Apply your makeup as you would
Shake the bottle well
Spray about 20cm from the face in an 'X' motion and then a 'T' motion to cover the T-zone (in all about 3-4 times). That is all!

The solution

The spray has a very light and pleasent scent, that can easily go unnoticed for those of you who don't like fragrances. It is not greasy and does NOT tighten your face when spray to activate its formula. The product is oil-free, not tested on animals and dermatologist tested for those who are interested and have sensitive skin. Does NOT cause breakouts for me.

I have used it all week to work in the hot Singapore weather, walking to and from the station with my makeup on (obviously) and found that everything has stayed in place and I don't look oily. There is a shine to the face, but it gives me a natural dewy finish that I am very comfortable in. The makeup, eyeshadow, blush, everything just stayed all day.

Even the blotting papers at my work desk have not been used as much (only once)!! That tells you how well this product is working, because normally before lunch I use a paper, after lunch and when I come home I look like I just came back from a workout! The change is unbelieveable and it's all thanks to this spray! No More Shine hands down!!

Clockwise: parcel from the US - packing slip & instructions - bottles - packaging inside (no chance to damage) - stuffed paper to keep everything in place

Verdict

No More Shine did a great job of not only controlling shine and reducing the oil from my face but held my makeup in place for a long time. It is claimed to last 16 hours, I have not tried it for that long, but leaving home and coming back 12 hours later, I notice no change, if not marginal.

I recommend this to anyone who is looking for a quality setting spray and is definately be repurchasing this again :)

Would love to hear what you guys use and thoughts on this product for those who do already!

(leave a comment below please).

Hope this helped someone,

xS

Update as at 21/09/2012: for optimum results spray before applying any makeup and instead of a primer and let it set for 3-5 mins. I find that my makeup holds longer and reduces shine because the makeup is on a shine resistant base, rather than getting shining and trying to break through the setting spray - kinda like double protection ;)

Getting NAKED twice

2012-05-26T18:05:00.000+08:00

Although the Urban Decay's Naked 2 palette hype is over, I thought I would still do a review, especially for those with dark skin tones.

Clockwise: Packaging - the original - Naked 2

Compare and contrast
I found that N2 shadows were more pigmented than the first and easily lifted from the pan with a light touch of the brush (some times I make a mess if I don't tap the excess off properly). My pan's weren't filled to the rim as they were in the original - did anyone notice this?

Original palette swatches

Naked 2 swatches

Foxy unique to N2
Half Baked is a repeat
Booty Call is a peachier version of Virgin (Naked 1), only its slightly warmer
Chopper is more orange than Sidecar (Naked 1)
Tease unique to N2
Snakebite is not as golden as Smog (Naked 1), but it’s nowhere near as dark as Darkhorse (Naked 1); however, if you mix both Smog and Darkhorse together, you get something similar to Snakebite
Suspect is little more beige compared to Sidecar (Naked 1).
Pistol unique to N2
Verve unique to N2
YDK looks pretty similar to both Sidecar and Toasted (both from Naked 1). I think Sidecar is the closest match.
Busted is quite similar to Hustle (Naked 1), but less red-toned
Blackout unique to N2

Packaging & Extras

The original palette comes in a velvet covered cardboard case with magnetic locks. Below the 12 shades, there is a slot the eyeshadow brush that comes with the palette. In the inside lid, there is a small mirror, but I've rarely made use of it considering its small. The palette also comes with a travel-size Primer Potion.

I prefer the Naked 2 packaging, because its sturdy and the mirror is huge! The shadows sit inside a hard metal case and snaps shut. Its definately easier to travel with as I don't have to worry about the box getting damaged or shadows shattering. Again the palette has a slot for the duo blending and shadow brush and comes with a sample Lip Junkie in the colour Naked (I'm repurchasing that!!).

I rarely use the brushes that come with the palette as I find that they are slightly rough and not the best to blend. The original palette brush is a packing brush which is compact and has smooth bristles, its great to apply any eye shadow. The duo brush in N2 (blending and packing) bristles, although descently sized, have course hairs and I find that it doesn't help in applying or blending the make up. But, if you dont have an alternative brush set, these will do the job fine. You don't have anything better to compare to, right!?

The Primer potion only comes in the first palette and is a great eye shadow primer. Although small in size, it helps the eye shadow stay on and reduces creasing throughout the day. The second palette doesn't come with the primer potion, instead they give you a small sample Lip Junkie in the colour Naked. I really like the texture of the balm as it gives a nice pink hint to my lips, isn't sticky, has a minty smell and keeps the lips cool (and tingly?!). Glad that Urban Decay didn't double up on the primer again, because for those of us who have both palettes, this would have been a disappointment. But for those who don't, I do recommend the primer over the lip junkie. So maybe, if you asked for my opinion, when it comes to the extras and brushes, the first one wins!

Verdict
I like both palettes and if you are a beginner or just want my opinion on which to purchase, I would suggest the second one (even though you don't get the primer). The colours are fairly similar to the original, but appear to suit darker skin tomes better and you get a range of mattes and shimmers. I have played more with N2 due to this reason BUT, I need both for some reason :p

Swatching the shadows - original (left) vs Naked 2 (right)

Hope this helped some of you and for those who have both, I would love to hear your fave :)
xS
*Photos courtesy of my husband

Foundation review & matrix

2012-05-20T16:29:00.000+08:00

Hi everyone, I haven't blogged for a while and its been about a month since the last post! I've been a little busy with myself and Dineish - started to get back into reading again (at the moment its The Palace of Illusions by Chitra B Divakaruni - I am a of fan of books by Indian authors), been busy setting up our house (we bought a buffet, which I am totally in love with and can't wait to add pieces to), sewing (found a Spotlight in Singapore to repair some damaged clothes) and in general enjoying the post-studying phase of my life!

End of rant/update.

Anyway, my friend made a good point the other day during our Skype sessions about make-up for women of color and the limited information that is out there about what suits and doesn't.
There are so many makeup gurus on YouTube, both professionals and amateurs, who give people advice about makeup trends and how-to's, but I rarely find a guru with skin color who actually suits my skin tone! Maybe its because many of them are much lighter than me. This is not to say that there aren't Indian/Asian girls doing a similar thing, but I find that there are a very few that I would go back to (Uma Preve is great though and I think she is my match).

I am not a pro to give anyone advice about what will suit you the best. To be honest, its hard to say without having a look at you in person. So I suggest you consider the following before going out hunting:

Skin type - are you oily, dry or combination? If you're oily, look for "oil-free," "oil-control" or "mattifying" foundations. For dry skin, try and go for moisturizing foundations with "hydrating" or "moisture-rich" formulas. Foundations containing glycerin glide on easily. For combination skin, determine if you're more oily or dry and work from there. Cream-to-powder bases work great for combination skin. Mineral foundations work well on all skin types, especially sensitive skin.
Coverage - do you want a light, medium or full coverage? If you have good skin, but want to even out a few ruddy areas, consider a light coverage or just use a concealer to cover up marks and some loose powder to set that. For women with really uneven skin tone or blemishes, consider a medium to full coverage foundation. Some women swear by mineral foundations, so you might want to try these out as well.
Under tones Go for the yellow-based foundations, which look most natural on all skin tones. However, if you're very fair, try a pink, cooler shade.

Foundations I use regularly

I don't have a wide range of foundations, because I generally tend to stick with what works best with my skin (oily remember) and repurchase it.
MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NC4 ($47 SGD)


Clockwise: applied with MAC 187 stippling brush - packaging - almost blended into skin

bareMinerals Matte SPF15 Powder Foundation in Medium Tan ($35 SGD) - I use this on a daily basis with my Stila foundation as a setting powder. It gives buildable full coverage and guarantees to absorb excess oil without drying out my skin. I use it on its on after moisturizing for days when I want to give my skin a break and allow it to breathe. And even then, it looks like I have flawless skin (so glad that I use this more often, because the liquid foundations were clogging my pores).

Clockwise: applied with Coastal Scents Kabuki brush - packaging - completely blended into skin

Stila Perfect & Correct foundation in Tan - ($60 SGD) - I use this every day to work with my bM powder foundation and its great. It gives me a mediun coverage enough to cover any imperfections I have and because the formula comes with primer and moisturizer (explains the swirl), I find that it helps against the shine and nourishes my skin at the same time. It has a mousse-like texture and blends smoothly and lightly onto the skin - minimal effort.

Clockwise: applied with MAC 187 stippling brush - packaging - blended completely into skin

Along with these foundations, when I need the extra coverage (when I'm going all out) I use:

Prime time primer by bareMinerals to reduce oilyness
bareMinerals All Over Face Colour in warmth as a contour
bareMineral Mineral veil as a loose powder at the end
Skindinavia No More Shine finish spray to set my make up to avoid it moving throughout the day

Foundation matrix (who put this together is a genius!!)
For those of you wanting to try out any of the above products, I would definately recommend them to you. My favourite has to be the Stila, its so light and doesn't damage my skin.
If you know what colour you are in a certain brand, then follow the link http://www.temptalia.com/foundation-matrix and enter a few basic details to find out what other options are available to you. This matrix suggests other brands of similar colour to you and is great if you are an online shopper like me because you avoid buying a product that doesn't match. *Make up is very expensive in Singapore (so I always buy online).

Hope this helped some of you :) Please let me know if you guys use other products that are great I would love to try them out!

No amount of makeup can mask an ugly heart.

- Kevyn Aucoin

I can run, lah!

2012-04-21T23:30:00.001+08:00

I am never the person at who signs up for work social events, but having moved to Singapore and trying new things this year I signed up for the JP Morgan Corporate Challenge held in Singapore on 19 April 2012 at 6pm.

The run is an annual series of 5.63 km road footrace owned and operated by JP Morgan Chase, with an intended focus on promoting "fitness in the workplace". Teams are organized by company or organization, and the JP Morgan Chase Foundation makes charitable donations proportional to the number of participants.

Dineish enjoys running and I consider him a seasonal runner, who trains religiously and competes in at least 2 marathons and several other events during the year. So with that hanging over my head, I often find myself in a awkward position when people assume I'm a regular too. But here's the thing, I can't run for peanuts!

When we were going out early on in our relationship, Dineish once told me he would love for us to be that couple who go on runs together and enjoy being fit. That has always stuck in my head. He does so much for me and having passed my CA, I thought now is a good time to try these new things and give back to him. I'm glad I tried :) Although, I bought his average time down by a fair bit and I am so lucky to have ran next to him every step of the way!

Training regime

I signed up through my company with 40 others and eagerly awaited for the big day. I didn't know how others would fair on the day, but during lunch I notice many of them ducking away to the gym for their workouts. I did nothing. Well actually, a month before the event one night after work Dineish and I went for an evening 'run' and I could barely do more than 200m! That was it and that one nught was all I had to go off - at that rate I bet you I would still be out there 12 hours later, haha!! I secretly set my target to beat the grandma at work because she told everyone she was walking...

I have a fairly good diet and have lost about 4kgs having moved to Singapore, so I thought I looked good when trying to run in front of the mirror in my Infor t-shirt.

On the day

I drank plenty of water and had rice and fish for lunch; carb-loading is essential to last these runs so I am told. I snacked on fruits and around 4:30pm I went and got changed before the ladies' got packed with all the excited aunties in the office! I didn't know how to mentally prepare, let alone physically and got really nervous because I started imaging myself passing out or giving up during the course. I messaged Dineish and told him where to meet and joined my excited team down stairs to walk over to the Esplanade where the start line was.

Infor before the run

At the start

Walking over I realized the entire island got into this, so many people in company t-shirts everywhere. It was organized chaos and everyone was pumped. I could hear the running music getting louder and really work me up. I have been to so many events to cheer on Dineish, but I tell you its NOT the same as competing/participating. My blood was rushing and I, for the first time, thought to myself, why I never got into this earlier. The excitement was overwhelming and if you know me, I get excited and walk around with an amazed face. I really enjoyed the moment!

Once we joined the thousand of other red bid runners (who are apart of the professional category), I was like OMGosh, this is really happening! I'm going to run with all these hardcores and never ran any faster than I did back at primary during cross country training (I was always with the last group). After some more cheesy group photos, I casually ditched my team to find Dineish and that was a mission on its own. I thought I wouldn't find him because there was so many people I couldn't spot him anywhere!! About 20 mins before the start, I saw Dineish walking towards me and I was so relieved. Thinking back now, I know I wouldn't have achieved the time I did if he wasn't there pushing me along.

We found each other - my bib - sea of runners - me!

GO!

It took almost 2 mins to pass the starting line and the first km was bearable, I could keep up with crown and mainly Dineish. The expected bottle-necks around corners and pavements gave me time to catch my breath, but after that my legs started to give way having not trained before and forgetting to stretch before the race :|

As we jogged slowly passed the first water station to the 2km mark, the first guy was on his way back to the finish line (all within about 18 mins). That guy was still running as though this was literally a walk the the park, breathing through his nose and a constant stride. I on the other hand resorted to the walk some run a bit approach, breathing heavily and stopped talking to Dineish because otherwise I would die of suffocation, lol!!

The next 2 k's were worse, because my legs started feeling like jelly and I just could run any more than a few metres at a time. I found it difficult watching the returning runner who passed the turn around point because I couldn't believe I still had to make my way towards it before actually coming back down this path again. But believe it or not, there were thousands of others behind me and many along side me battling or going at my pace. I thought that I would give up at this point, but I was surprised at how my mind told me I could keep going. If I trained just a little bit, I am sure my legs wouldn't feel as bad - honestly, that is all I think I need to do! Its amazing how you're body can react in such unusual situations. I also think that the atmosphere itself is motivation to keep at it; all the people, supporters, music and the fact that every step is only going to get you closer to the finish is all you need! I am never going to be a record holder, or even someone who does this distance in less than 30 mins, but I think this will motivate me to stay fit for my family and myself. It will give me confidence in achieving other things I think I can't.

Me at half way, make up still stayed - Dineish leading the way

Dineish was the best running partner for me. It didn't bother him that he wasn't running with people at his pace (he would be around the sub-30 mark for sure), he was really happy to be running with me. I felt so bad and told him to run off, but secretly I wanted him by my side. I hope I for filled his dream to run with his wife and we do it again!

Thanks again babe for introducing me to these fun runs xx

Last 400m

When we turned into the finishing strip, Dineish told me only 400m to go and boy looking at the finish line that was the longest 400m I have ever seen!! To be honest, I don'think I even knew what 400m looked like until that day. I drive a lot and 1 km in the car is nothing, but on foot...!!? I wonder how Dineish brings himself to do marathons over and over again. I admire the patience and will power runners have in that manner - I don't have it at all. Always wanting things done in a jiffy, running to the end was a battle because I ran out of strength in my legs even though I had the stamina to do it.

Crossing the line

We both crossed the line in 49:48 mins and I was so relieved. I can't believe I ran 5.6 km without giving up! It wasn't easy for me, but it has motivated me to do it all over again. Its been 2 days now and as I write this at midnight, my thighs still have a slight pain, but I am proud of it! I never thought I would run in my life, for fun at least!! Haha!!

I would encourage everyone who hasn't to give it a shot! What do you have to lose? Go for it and don't worry where you end up on the results chart. You will have so much fun and feel a great sense of achievement. And did I mention you get a finishers tee?

Next year I'm trying for a sub-45min - go me!


Final result

At the end enjoying a drink and banana - my 1st legit finisher's tee (all these years I have been wearing Dineish's!)

The Body Shop Tea Tree range review

2012-04-13T14:20:00.000+08:00

If you're anything like me and suffer from oily skin, you know its a battle to be one of the very few oily-faced slickers around town, when almost all the other ladies are strutting that matte finish.

Everyday, I find myself retouching multiple times, as early as morning tea because my T-zone is shiny - just short of seeing your reflection in my forehead (embarrassing!). I have a packet of blotting papers at my desk that is used at least twice a day :( Its not a nice feeling and I am very conscious of it.

Having moved to Singapore, from Sydney, the humidity is something I am still finding difficult to adjust too. I am originally from New Zealand, where over 20 years of my life was spent in the rain and windy Wellington weather - my skin wasn't dry, but it was clearer there. Sydney changed it slightly, but Singapore has brought of all the oily-ness I can produce. The 5 min walk from home to the station is enough to get my make up running and darken.

About a year ago, I started using the Tea Tree range from The Body Shop having heard good reviews online. I use 3 products religiously:

Blackhead exfoliating wash (twice a week)
Skin clearing foaming cleanser (every day and night)
Skin clearing toner (every day and night)

From left to right: Blackhead exfoliating wash - Clearing foaming wash - Clearing toner

Blackhead exfoliating wash SG$24.90

Packaging - Exfoliator dispersed from tub - product lathered on hand

This is a great scrub for those who prefer a coarse texture, with visible exfoliating (apricot) grains. It comes in a mint green colour with enough exfoliating granules to use on the face. The smell is not pleasent, but you do get use to it over time.

As it is an exfoliating product, it is not recommended for daily use because it can be harsh on the skin and removing too much natural oil is not ideal. I noticed that initially when I was overusing it my skin was left red and puffy and on the edges of my face (near the hair line), the skin was becoming flakey.

Like I said, I use it twice weekly, if not, every sunday during my pampering sessions. I was my face with warm water to help open the pores, and thn lather this on my slightly damp face and scrub away in circular motions using a scrubbing sponge (Paris range from Sasa, SGD$2.90). A tiny amout is enough, the size of a 5cent coin is plenty for the face and neck area. I take my time and then wash off with warm water again. I am not a fan of cold water on the face...

During the week I use my husband's Garnier Pure3-in-1 and this routine helps maintain what my skin is these days.

I find that this helps open my makeup clogged pores, reduce blemishes and the random break outs. The T-zone has reduced its shiney-ness to an acceptable level! I am very happy with it :-)

Skin clearing foaming cleanser SGD$20.90

Packaging - automatically foams when pumped from bottle, no shaking required

I use the cleanser every morning after the Garnier scrub or as my first step to help reduce the oil. (Again, used after washing face with warm water).

It smells similar to the Skin clearing lotion, for those who have tried that. It comes in a bottle that changes the cleanser from lquid to foam when you dispense it. One pump on my palm goes a long way and enough to use all over the face. It does strip away a lot of oil and you are left feeling dry afterwards. I dont have aproblem with this because my day cream helps (L'Oreal Whitening Day Cream from Mustafa centre, SGD$29.95) and because I have an oily problem, to me this isjust what I need.

Personally, I think it would help if the price is lower to around the $12 mark but I got this on a buy 2 get 1 free deal so its gone unnoticed in my wallet :) I would recommend it on all skin types, but make sure to follow with toner and a good moisturiser to avoid dry patches!

I haven't noticed any reaction on my skin or my husbands (when I give him a facial) and the bottle should last about 3 months if used daily.

Skin clearing toner SGD$22.90

Packaging - separation between oils - when shaken - on cotton pad ready to apply on face

The final step in my routine is with this. I pour a little amount on to The Body Shop's Organic Cotton Pads and wipe my face down. This is the final step that helps keep the face matte like and definately helps my blemishes and pores down. I do see a difference when I use this because my makeup isn't as shiny. I don't want a complete matte look, because that dewy finish is gorgeous and natural. It leaves the face refreshed and cool and slightly tight. I believe this completes the cleaning process and any spots are cleared up the next day.

I also use this as a make up remover :P at night and follow it with my L'Oreal Whitening Night cream (SGD$29.95 from Mustafa centre). Be aware that it can sting the skin if you use harsh exfoliating scrubs on a regular basis.

Overall, I would give this range a 4/5 for its effectiveness. Its a great product I would recommend if you have oily skin that is not sensitive. The price could be lower than what it retails at in Singapore and Australia, but considering that Singapore has regular deals, I am not going to complain.

If you are a consistent person who likes to try something out over a period of time - give it a go and let me know what you think!

PS - I do use this on my husband when I give him a facial and see the difference almost immediately. He has facial hair and scars from breakouts. Although he does get the odd one here and there, I think this routine does him wonders (when he gives into my nagging and sits down for a facial on a lazy sunday afternoon - cute, I know!!). In the weekends, when I can, I use a facial mud pack (on the hubby to) after exfoliating and continue the remainder of routine and monday mornings are great becuase you can really see the effect! If only he wasnt so lazy *sighs...

Also today is 13th April - happy birthday to the best Daddy in the world! Without your endless guidence, love and relationship I will not be who I am today. I am truly blessed for your presence in my life, here's to the first man in my life :)

Love you always,

Kaluthey

Finally a Chartered Accountant!

2012-04-05T09:48:00.001+08:00

After 2.5 years of post graduate study and one of the last members of the 2009 KPMG Graduate intake, I am now a Chartered Accountant!

Yesterday I got my results for EBA, the last module of 5 and I've passed!!

I want to take this opportunity to thank my parents for putting me into a private school and spending so much money and time towards my education. I didn't ever think I would be an Accountant, let alone a CA. Today, I feel like I have truely made them proud. The hours they have spent carting me to tuition, staying up all night just so that I have company during study leave and assignments (esp. my Ammachi), nagging me to get back to studying when I procrastinate on Facebook and the TV (because not like the exam is going to be based on The Hills, Tamil movies and people's status updates!), the support and encouragement - I think they all contributed to 50% of my efforts. Without them I would not have achieved this.

To my husband: thanks for putting your life on hold for me to catch up da. So many weekends have gone by where I would be MIA with my CA buddy (Kachiri Joel) and although at some points I felt as if I had more of a relationship with her and my CLP, you still made me enjoy the little things that mattered and stopped me from going insane. Like you said, the wedding, our marriage, moving overseas and the ups and downs in life has not stopped me from accomplishing this - I am truely blessed to have you in my life. I hope now I can be a better wifey and start planning our little family and everything ahead of us!

To all my friends: especially Khaz and Rajib. Thanks guys for putting up with my silly questions, constant explaining and re-explaining, crunch time during assignments and allowing me to invade your personal lives so much to tell your partners to move over during study week!

Finally to myself: I am still in awe of myself. To some of you reading this, you might be asking what a CA is (please go read http://countdown.urandom.info/ - that guy has got it so right!!) and whether its a big deal..my perserverance, dedication and insane study pattern has all paid off! Now, where's that pay rise!!?

C's get degrees

Signing off as Shyamala, CA

The other men in my life

2012-03-23T15:53:00.000+08:00

Don't take me wrong, I love my husband, idolise my father and know that my brother will follow in their foot steps. These two and a half men will always have a special place in my heart, I am truly blessed.

I was watching Nanban the other night on Vasantham (Tamil movie, 2012) starring my all time favourite Tamil actor Ilaiyathalapathy Vijay. My first crush and the man I swore to my parents that I would one day marry. Looking back now, Vijay's not that great looking, but his on screen charm and cheekiness always made him attractive to me. Off screen, he has no personality, cannot speak for himself and gets real nervous.

Tamil actors aren't hot, in fact they aren't really that good looking at all. I can't even put them on the same playing field as their Bollywood counterparts and its embarrassing to compare their looks to the likes of Pitt, Clooney etc. For the majority, their talent is so-so and often over-shadowed by the cheesey punch dialogues and insanely impossible fight scenes. Tamil movies rarely do remakes of Hindi movies and can't be bothered making high-budget films. Tamil films are generally conservative and are too politically driven, not by actual politicians, but by the hierachy of actors themselves. And those who do make it big are only lucky once to be roped into Maniratnam's scripts.

Tamil cinema has produced some great films, but the ratio to movies made every year is so small...

Overtime, Vijay's movies have started to get repeatitive and I am so sick of him donning the role of Robin Hood, taking from the rich and giving to the poor. I mean seriously, I thought being an actor was about being versitile! Grrrrrr O_O I was so disappointed in him, in fact I still am. He used the excuse saying he enjoyed doing films because it reached out to the masses, but apart from fobby curry boys in Madras, everyone else was like 'WTF man!'. The 'dream' girls from neighbouring states accompanied him just so there was something pretty to look at during the songs, they lacked any real talent and in my opinion just used to arouse the adolescent boys stuck in their 20s (which reminds me, I would love to do a blog on FOB guys!).

Maybe Vijay doesn't have any real talent. I'm not so sure anymore. He hasn't done anything different or worthy of an award in the last 8-9 years, and although Nanban is a success, I don't think that his role was really challenging to say that he has made a come-back. He has so much potential, Shankar could have made better use of him else where. I don't know why I drag myself to the theatre to watch every movie he has been in. But being a true fan, I have hope.

Sorry, this wasn't meant to be a rant about Tamil films and Vijay...During highschool, I watch(ed) his movies and would often end up thinking (I still do) about 2 more guys:

James Bond (portrayed by Danial Craig); and
Will Smith

Craig as Bond - the not so talented Vijay - Will Smith

Daniel Craig

The 007 legacy was handed down to Craig in 2006 after Pierce Brosnan, where he has signed to take on the James Bond title for the next 4 films. Maybe he isn't the Bond that many of us have come to associate with - he's short, blonde and gave off that Russian, almost Vladamir Putin, look. So what if he doesn't have the same kick as his predecessors? He has made Bond more of a man! And God he is HOT *salvating!

Growing up, my Dad introduced me to the world of Bond and I often wished of being a Bond Girl. It didn't bother me that he has a fling with every sexy woman he crosses and in fact, is most likely to be infested with aids. Sean Connory was fantastic, but he was getting a little to old for me.

The first time I saw pictures of Craig on the net where he emerges from the water in those blue shorts for Casino Royale (which I love btw), I honestly thought I wouldn't mind seeing more of him! Initially, I was drawn to his looks, however having watched Casino Royale I changed my mind. The combinations of his emotions, appeareance and personal take on the role; he was just so 'edgy'. I really admired the way he made himself so vulnerable while romancing Vysper and again when he lost her; it really showed another side to Bond - cold, ironic and almost brutal.

I really love a guy who isn't afraid to show his soft side. I'm married now and can vouch, hands down, that my husband is not a softy, but he really does know how to keep me coming back ;) He's good looking, but its his personality that has me going and that is definately what I am attracted to. Put any man in a suit and tie and he'll look a million bucks, but if he doesn't have the personality, charm and respect, he's next to nothing in my book - honestly, he can be the most unattractive douche in town!
(I was lucky enough to have met Danial Craig in person (Quatum of Solace premiere, Sydney 2007) and though I don't know if he is a Bond in real life (ok maybe a little bit has made him)- but dammit he sure is a gentleman!).
Why can't Vijay be like that!?

Found this on the Danial Craig Fixation
http://thedanielcraigfixation.tumblr.com/post/19932351701?ref=nf

Will Smith

I like Will Smith for a different reason. He's a great looking guy and knows how to act, but I really admire him for making it big in Hollywood without so much drama. The way the media portrays him and the way he carries himself, Will is down to earth and 'keeps it real' regardless of being so successful and wealthy across various industries. He's multi-talented, intelligent, funny and motivated! And I admire that. He thinks the right way, remains so positive and determined in his outlook on life. Go and watch his interviews on YouTube!

I see that he is very grounded with his wife and kids. He only chooses to play roles and make music that is appropriate for his children to see and hear. To me that makes me think that his values are more important than ANY amount of money he might be offered.

There are actors out there who want to reach out to their fans, but I see that Will wants to take it beyond them. He believes in the greater change and that it starts with himself and his family and it don't bother me if he was the guy running around in his black suit and chasing aliens (MIB III out in 2012) or told the world about 'gettin' jiggy with it'!

Will’s phenomenal success is no feat of chance, but a result of his empowering beliefs, his passion for excellence, and his appetite to live life to the fullest. I see he believes in similar things that my dad has told growing up and although I was naive to listen to any of it at the time - being married and thinking about having my own family, I hope that one day I will achieve big things with them. I don't need to racking in the money or an actor, but at the end of the day having morals and the conscious of self realisation and doing good and succeeding with what I have been blessed with is what matters. If I can be half of what my dad is today, I'd walk away a happy woman :)

So is it fair to conclude that this makes Will Smith an attractive man? I think so and not to mention my dad's not bad either.

Vijay won't become either of these guys...

Looking at Daniel Craig and Will Smith, I think I am more attracted to Will Smith - he's got the best package. If only there were more men like that in the world...

Travelo refillable automiser

2012-03-16T16:58:00.000+08:00

Travelo packaging

Main: holder design - TRH: see through window to keep track of quantity remaining - BRH: refill valve

I know I am not the only one who finds large perfume bottles a mission to carry around, especially while travelling! I usually have to take a smaller size perfume bottle which never last that long or worried that larger bottle may break when the baggage handlers toss my luggage around! Not to mention, you can’t take more than 100ml in handle luggage either.

I was in Watsons (Singaporean pharmacy) the other day picking up some things, when I saw the Travelo stand at the counter - a much raved about product on YouTube. I’ve been looking around for it for a while now and was so close to ordering it online. As Dineish and I are trying our best to jet set around Asia during our time in Singapore, I thought it was a perfect time to get my hand on not one but two of these!!
At last, someone has come up with the idea of a travel size perfume holder and this is going to save space in my bathroom bag and worries of shattered perfume bottles.
They come in various colors and I purchased the hot pink and bought Dineish the jet black. They cost SGD$14.90, and can also be purchased at www.travelo.com.

How do you refill the Travelo?

Take the plastic spray nossle off your favourite perfume (I used YSL's Baby Doll) and place bottle on a flat surface.
Taking the Travelo, place the rubber valve located at the bottom (bottom right picture) on top of the stick on your perfume bottle and pump until Travelo is full as though you were putting some perfume on. You will see the Travelo container filling up through the plastic window and during the process not one drop is wasted! No leaks!
Once filled, pull the Travelo from the stick and replace the perfume bottle's nossle back on.
That's it! You're done :)

I think its a neat idea :) I have kept mine in my handbag now along with my other womanly necessities until our next trip - can't wait!

I'm welcoming myself to the World of Blogging

2012-03-16T15:27:00.000+08:00

So, the day has finally come where I think its a good time to start blogging. I have no idea what this blog will entail, nor what my first official blog after this one will be about, but I guess I want to be on the other side of the fence (where there grass looks greener) and share my stories and experiences with people who stumble across my page. I enjoy reading other peoples blogs, but I am curious what it is like when I put myself out there (not completely) and wait for the world to respond. Imagine if I become the next biggest thing!!

As I write this, I am thinking to myself what it is that will keep motivating me to post things. In all honesty, I am not passionate about anything aside from my family. If I spent as much time and effort on other things as I do on them, I don't think that I would have time for myself. So maybe that is the reason for this page: this site is for ME. It doesn't bother me that noone else may/will regularly visit my page, apart from my loving husband, Dineish. But I'd rather try it out and see how long I last for, and of course, it'll be a bonus if I have some followers (although thats wishful thinking right now).

Things to blog about

I have a vague idea and right now I have been going through a phase of purchasing make up and trying it out. I don't really take photos of myself and put them up anywhere, because I don't consider myself a pro. I flaunt it off to Dineish and if he loves it I wear it out a couple of times until I can be bothered to try something new. Maybe when something looks really good, I will put it up (you can rate me!). Otherwise, I will try and religiously upload reviews on products.
Having recently moved to Singapore, I have been taken out of the east-mets-west upbringing I was raised in and away from family and friends. Its been 6 months and the culture shock hasn't died down. Everyday I come home from work and have little stories to tell my husband, so I can entertain you with those too. Although, I have to say they sound better when you watch me in action (I can get pretty animated at times).
Being in Singapore, we are located in the heart of Asia and the gateway to cheap getaways, so watch this space for travel stories (Kumban & Kumbi's adventures around the world!!).
Surely, I will post other random but worthy things too.

All these years, I have focused my time and energy on studying and working to become a Chartered Accountant and of course being a good little Lankan girl (I still don't know which was harder to achieve). I have finally sat my last exam (results pending) and feel a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. So, I'm thinking I should try something and stick to it. It's never too late to try, right!!?

Anyway, dont want to burn myself out in the first post. Good luck to me and hopefully I haven't put you to sleep already ;)

PS Monkey, I think you are my motivation for doing this. You are so good at doing things you enjoy and sticking to it. This is going to be our little story, I'm so glad that I met you, mwa!