Flo Mummy

How to Dress Fabulous as a Mother- Style

2015-03-09T20:29:00.003+08:00

{Style}

This week is super packed and I have started planning my outfits for this trip! It's my 1st time documenting my outfits so please do bear with this. My inspiration for this trip is with Spring Summer 2014 fashion week: Xtreme Black and White! Suits my style perfectly!!!

My focus for this trip are the children and I need to be really comfortable with the temperature fluctuating from 24 to 13 degrees in a day. Pockets for to keep my handphone on me without the need to carry a bag for I will be in charge to carry Kate who btw is a heavyweight. So after much thought, I decided to pair my Blacks and Whites with a pair of trusty jeans and a dotty (dots are a very current print) winter coat that I got from my last trip to Las Vegas. Then it won't be Florinda if I don't pair it with my statement accessories! Stay tuned for my post after my trip where I share with you the details of the outfits for the photos do not do justice to the mixed materials and designs that I specially chose !

Brands I shop at for the outfits of this post: H&M, Zara, LeNoir Apparels, Inny, Adeline's Loft , Desigual

Yummy Mummy- Post pregnancy

2015-03-09T20:09:00.002+08:00

I am going to share with you some tips for mummies who are suffering from Style Deficiency after birth! Totally understand what YOU are going through especially after 6 whole months of NO Heels, Loose clothes, Unexpected Radiant skin and suddenly you are expected to look awesome when you return to the workforce. But this time round, you have leaking boobies, greying roots, flabby arms, wobbly tummy, thick legs that doesnt allow you to walk in that pair of heels. Here are some answers to help you decide what to pull out from your existing wardrobe and get new ones. Those who have attended my workshops will know that the trends I pick are style forward and you are guaranteed to see it in the market soon. Fashion in Singapore are 6 months behind and so if you shop online in overseas website you can wear it just in time for work.

What kinds of of outfits/basics to get for work wear? Especially to cover Flabby Belly, Fuller hips and Thighs, Flabby arms.

The best way to look good is to look trendy. Look for current styles that you can incorporate from pregnancy to post.

1. White on White: This is very current and even if you look tired, white brightens you up real fast.

: Photo credit: HallieDallie.com

2. Blazer - Casual and Chic , works well with pants and skirts!

: Photo Credit: Fashion Vibe

3. Jumpsuits- Oh-so-forgiving to EVERY part of a post pregnancy body!

: Photo Credit: Express UK

4. Belt it: I hope you ladies didn't buy maternity dresses! What you can do is buy 1 size larger and belt it after birth. These dresses will last you 6months-1 year after birth. Please use thin - mid sized belts to avoid attention onto your tummy.

: Photo Credit: Always in Trend

5. Cardigan + Belt: Dig our your cardigans and belt it! I was in Uniglo recently and saw a wide array of colours for you to play up that wardrobe

: Photo Credit: Pinterest

What are the versatile colours for workwear?

You are in Luck! Colours like Black, White, Grey and blues are IN! To be precise it has to Monochrome, Aluminium & Navy Blues *oppsy. Nevertheless here are some colours that are in Singapore and you can start investing in these as they are colours of 2015.

: Photo Credit: Fashionisers

: Photo Credit: Fashionisers

: Photo Credit : Fashionisers

For Mummies who are expressing milk, what are suitable yet professional choices that give access?

Most mummies will invest in nursing tops but may I suggest not to wear them to work. Mainly because nursing tops are meant for you to be worn when you nurse the baby = the baby MUST be with you. Look into getting tops or dresses that has front buttons till the waist so that you need not remove the whole piece just to express. Consider wearing a top and a bandeau bra instead of fumbling with clips of a nursing bra.

What are some quick confidence tips?

1. Fix your hair. For those who are breastfeeding , may I suggest Keratin Treatment at FDP. ( I personally do find it in treatment wise very safe for BF mummies) It's similar to rebond but without heat and it helps tame hair especially in our weather. Those who are greying can also ask them for their ammonia free dye that guarantees to cover greying for 45 washes. Ask Angeline for help as she does my hair colour + treatment.

2. Mask your face, do the works. Deep cleansing, hydration, anti ageing and do not rely on your facialist. Personal knowledge on your skin is the most important investment you can do for yourself. Get back that glow and WOW everyone.

3. Revamp your makeup products. Pick up new trends to spruce up your look to look youthful. If makeup products all looks the same, please ask for help.

4. If all things fail. Change your lipstick colour. Period.

Makeup Workshops

2015-03-09T19:59:00.002+08:00

Energy Charging

2015-03-01T09:52:00.000+08:00

This week has been… how do u say it? Deflated

I tried many ways to get the energies up but it just will not go away. I dread days like these because I need to seek solace and not be around humans. The last time this happened I took off for 10 days to Europe and the last before that I checked in to a hotel- slept. The urge to F off has tone down a lot now that I know it is just about adjusting. Being me, giving myself out takes a big chunk and working at top speed always makes me forget the most important part – ME.

These last few days have been well… silent. No chatting about life or whatsabout, no songs singing, no removing myself. Gathering sucks because I will sit there and not say a word – thank god for the phone where I can just act…. busy. The family knows it and respects me. The husband gives me this space and doesn’t talk to me but the children are constantly bickering “My mummy, she is MY mummy, My Mummy not yours but My mummy” it irks me cause I am not yours, today I just want to be me. I don’t belong to anyone but me. These are days I want to enter into an empty house and sit there, watch stupid series without the need to understand it.

I sort of knew it was coming because I walked back from the MRT at 11pm enjoying. 3 freaking times this week! Moonshining is great for the soul and soaking up the mysteries of the night is very exhilarating… for me.

I am mystical like that.

I have tried everything that normally worked, did not – short of sitting under a tree and this – Blogging. I am already on an upward movement after church yesterday so am surging it up further. This weaving in and out of roles and balancing my Emotional Bank Account has fulfilled most aspects of my life and writing this is suppose to help me with me.

This is my way of charging. People who works with me knows my quirky ways of recharging and they play along with me too. So is East Coast on a Monday to soak up the morning sun. They were kind to help me pull out moments that exceptionally drained me this week but most of all they said 1 thing that I believe got it. “Flo, You haven’t stopped”

Back on blogger

2015-01-06T12:49:00.001+08:00

I thought long and hard. I still love my blogger platform and decided to continue blogging here. It will take a while before i transport the other posts over but nevertheless blogging carries on. I enjoy writing on my thoughts and not so much advertising on it. If you have been reading me long enough you would have seen the downward trend of the number of posts. The lastest saga in the blogsphere did express my thoughts clearly about how marketers can be demanding about how "their" post should steer towards. I have a stubborn streak and this doesn't work very well with me when the directions are not in line with mine. So yes, I have become selective and selective is always a plus point when it comes to a vocal blogger like me. In the end I stopped reviewing everything on my plate coz the mind got stuck coz one must not play with passion.... Many people have suggested to be impartial about it but I don't do impartial. **opps I love and hate clearly

As I grow mature, hate is a word I don't use much. The law of attaction should and must never be practiced using negativity but I am still a learning human. Perfection is a way of life with many challenges and questions along the way. I have started my dream dairy which I write my thoughts twice a day and man it was fun, interesting and became drab and walau "I want to sleep and still must reflect " "Wake up want to poo and still must think so much" hahhaha

It is a great tool to the start of mediation as this is a important factor to know what you are doing and why you are doing. Many times in life we grumble about the negativity and lose direction. It has come to my senses when I read back on those days where the fire is burning so high and on those days when there are absolutely none!!! You can read my dream dairy in the previous post.

**blog written at The Disgruntled Chef. School has started and I'm doing my rounds in Dempsey once again

My Dream Dairy (#1-#20)

2015-01-06T12:23:00.001+08:00

FLO Dream diary #1 10dec2014

Angela and Ding told me we are all here at the dinner coz we finally found something we have been searching for all our lives. The values, love, positivity in the Mary Kay business are are aligned to what they want. Today starts the dream diary when I start talking to my vision. I decided to pray for enthusiasm, to be that light that burns. To be that fire that burns to ignite that inner desire of people who believes in values, culture, integrity in their lives and that giving love reaps more.

FLO Dream Dairy #2 11dec2014

Mornings were never my thing. But in MK I learnt to wake up earlier and earlier. I may eventually be in the 5am club Mary Kay created. I need to get systematic so tat i hv my to do to list ready. Pick it up and write my detailed happenings for the day. Training to hv system prevent procrastination. Emotional is a factor to work on. So it starts with discipline.

FLO Dream Dairy #3 11dec2014 night

I went to the gym n man, the trainers were in high. Gym pushed me to a limit n today was about endurance. I thought back on why i started gym n tat was coz i wanted to look good, results started to show and ppl started to compliment. (It felt good) It got me hooked on and i became discipline in commiting my time to travel every 2 days. Eventually i reach a desired look and took it for granted. November was filled with external trainings n got me off my schedules. 2 mths today, i was working muscles i never knew existed.
1. Beauty
2. Results driven
3. Discovering
I know by continuing my gym n mk by commiting i will be healthy n always be gorgeous. Endurance is key

FLO Dream camp #4 12dec2014

Luling training taught me
1. Every person is a empty vessel. We have a innate desire to be someone of substance and value
2. Learn n use the system of a Fortune 500 company. It will never go wrong. Open all manuals, mk books n learn. They are all available. Personal effort- Read learn n implement.
3. Her beginnings to move up career path was soley to attend the awesome training MK has. She didnt think so much of changing ppl lives, her life was more important.
4. She did 5 classes n didnt hv sales. Her 5 classes was to remb her script. After that failure, she finally realized there was someone infront of her & it started to happen from then onwards.
5. Obstacles are blessing coz it allows learning. Is god way of telling u he loves u and that he is present.Just breath n stride over
6. Mk is a plaform for all to succeed. Those who does it fast shows that she has been doing good all her life n her karma has return in ten folds. Those who knows they didnt do good in life n doesn't reap rewards? This is the place to restart m work on urself. At the end, Mk is for those who wants it n is an open opportunity. Education, previous job experience or nil experience doesnt matter here. We all start from the bottom.

FLO Dream Dairy #5 12dec2014

Started the day with signing papers for my investment of my money i earned from MK. Brought the kids to watch a movie and spent a day at the Gardens. Confirmed my trip schedule till april and m flying every mth. Mary Kay gives me such balanced life and how can i be depriving ppl of this? I know n must carry on sharing. They will all come

FLO Dream Diary #6 13Dec2014

Susan wechat me last night "Florinda, 1 Florinda u just need to do 1" it made me laugh hard. I failed to make it to her training for the 1st time in my mk journey. I have grace wai to tell me that i have to do this, that the nsd in the making have the training i wan. Angela told me how to be systematic in submitting personal reports. Anna from greater china gave me a formula for my yellow skin. Luling to reminded me to open all my books to fully understand the system of a Fortune 500 company. I am surrounded with mentors that just want me to be more successful than I already am. Amen

FLO Dream Dairy #7 13Dec2014

Really am thinking of writing what i hv learnt in my parenting blog. It will definitely benefit someone out there esp those mummies who were like me accepting that it the way of life in SG. Is not just about the products but the wondering sharing of self esteem that is so important. It has to reach out somewhere. Shouldn't waste that information just sitting in my note book. Gotta pray about it.

FLO Dream Dairy #8 14dec 2014

I woke up remembering moriko words. Sg market current numbers at 800-900 but our sales production are no 1 in the whole of AP. We need to focus on "pass it on". God, pls send me that army who believes in a company that helps align values, integrity and love. Some one out there must be looking for something like this. Let's go for 2000 in 2015.

FLO Dream Camp #9 14dec 2014

Met up with my basic batch girls today. 1 from taiwan flew in for work and it was great catching up! She stayed on in our previous company as a ground staff. It is her 14th yr and still hasnt got promotion coz no one has left. In 4 years i moved up 6 positions. Life out there is a dog eat dog, knife stabbing environment to move up,isnt it? I need her to meet grace kao or dawn if she is keen.

FLO Dream Dairy #10 15 dec 2014

I never knew that in Mary Kay, I got upgraded to a "Trophy Wife" status. This means that a woman who is equal to her man in earning power and career position. A strong man wants a woman who is equal to him. Wives can be beautiful, intelligent and hv careers and opinions just as strong as their partners. Who succeeds on her own, highly educated, self assured and able to hold her own financially. Soon we will be in the category of the "Power Couple" now that sounds sexy enough!

FLO Dream Camp #11 16 Dec 2014

Needs to be more diligent in catching up with old clients. Back to basic together n going to spend 30 mins writing my 100 customer list n calling them to say hi. Personal effort personal effort..

FLO Dream Dairy #12 16 dec 2014

Finished my Unit meeting tonight and am so amazed by the capabilities of my consultants. They are an amazing bunch with such go giveness. Im surrounded by such successful people who are gifted by priceless gifts that they dun realize. Let them shine here in Mary Kay. Let them SHINE!

FLO Dream Dairy #13 17
Dec 2014

A great morning n i feel really charged up after sharing to almost 30 consultants/guests yday. SG really want to know skincare tips and we need to share this. Possibly the best way than dng just makeup workshops. I leave to the consultant to tell me what they want. Am. Am sure this is going to be a continuous workshop, only where else can this go?

Flo Dream Dairy #14 17Dec2014

Simply realized that everybody has a stubborn streak. In the beginning you listen, watch, learn. Then eventually, decide that you will not take advice from anyone except urself n insists that everyone is judging. I watch n listen more recently to realized that i was once like this. How fun is this! Analyzing life.

FLO Dream Dairy #15 18 dec 2014

My house is in a mess. Is cluttered with gifts that i hv prepared for family n friends but dun feel like wrapping yet. I Need to throw stuff away to create space n eventually clear the mind.But xmas is not the season to throw so throwing starts on boxing day. Life is full of excuses n this is one of them..

FLO Dream Dairy #16 18 dec 2014

A great xmas party! Shared Mk to more than 30 guests and bc. Got our local celebrity to help our marketing. Is a win win situation daily. Do not think of financial gains n it will come. Just have a heart of sharing and i must support back unconditionally to everyone who helped me.

FLO Dream Dairy #17 19 Dec 2014

Slept in late coz weather was just so cosy. Woke up to beautiful messages thanking me on a wonderful event. Living life with such positivity is something most ppl desire. Embrace good change, it changes the path that you always desire. Dreams do come true when you work on it.

FLO Dream Dairy #18 19 Dec 2014

A day spent packing all my gifts and there were too many! Years of hitting challenges, gifts by others n me personally buying too many. Year 2015 is giving giving and more giving. Everyone i meet i must have a gift ready for them. This is training myself not to keep what i have inside me. Both physically and mentally.

FLO Dream Dairy #19 20 Dec 2015

Woke up to another cancelation of appointment of the week. It brought me back to the 1st time i sat in Eni's class and how she had her cancelation at 655pm. She smiled and carry on telling me that this is the 1st lesson in life to succeed here. Cancelation is not a biggie. Is how you handle the disappointment that is the lesson. She spent the next 1 hr teaching me the workshop and we both left. 4 years and i never wallow in self pity when there is a cancelation. I thank her for showing me how she chose to react and took time to go-give to me when she could hv gone home.

FLO Dream Dairy #20 20 Dec 2014

It suddenly hit me today about the pink office program. I lose confidence sometimes n wonder if i can execute it. Need to plan n strategize it again with finer details. Arm myself n unit with information so we can hv a place we can call home. This is for the future n someone has to grab the opportunity 1st!

Look: Blush Beauty

2014-12-20T20:02:00.000+08:00

Kids Start Now

2014-12-04T19:58:00.000+08:00

We have been fretting over V's Chinese. The parents are bad at it, we don't enjoy singing at karaoke coz we don't understand most words. *hehe Guess 20% of Singaporeans can understand this dilemma, so if you are in this 20% , please read on. I have been reading up a lot on the different Chinese enrichments that might be suitable for V. She has grown up to be a fuss when it comes to the teachers, regimental sort don't sit well with her. When I look at my husband and me, we too! The more you are strict the more rebellious we get, guess this DNA has passed down and now it has thrown in a curveball back into our face. That's life…

I was pretty much prepared to send her to Berries due to the positive feedback from some parents. We did a trial last year but she wasn't much keen on it and I sort of hesitated. It took me a while to convinced myself that that is the route to take. Until, I read a few bloggers review on the school that they attended. Now these fellow parent bloggers are nitpickers when it comes to what is the best for their children. The key points that they picked up are very similar to our family structure when it comes to Chinese and I like the term "Specializes in helping English speaking kids" Now, I don't think V has bad command of Mandarin, it is the confidence that is preventing her from being fluent. Very much like me, I converse well but get stuck in selected terms that I predominantly use in English.

Now I am going to share why this course is great for English speaking kids. This school focuses a lot on conversational skills using technology. The team has created characters for their school tools, in the characters they made it into e-books that the children can watch via Youtube when they are home. Besides that, they made the classroom backdrop according to the scene of the books with live props! OMG so fun!

: V was able to go through her ebooks in her 4 days holiday camp. It ignited alot of passion of learning since she was armed with "ammo" for the next day. Preparation is key isn't it?

: Each group had to role play what was taught. I love the little details like character hats they get to wear.

: You will realized the child gets into the role with ease.

I could tell this helped V transit into her Show and Tell very quickly. Which means this helps her activate her short-term memory as it can be related real quick via emotions. V proudly shows me her rewards cards (stickers) daily and I was told of their digital rewards systems that is displayed in their class. Apparently they collect gold coins!

: Very suitable for tech savvy children of this century

I found the tools in Kids Start Now to be very useful for parents like me who has become pretty clueless in introducing chinese in a fun way to her. (It is really just our fault coz we don't find chinese fun - Read: Boring, strict teachers of our time) It is a chore for us to pick chinese books. Books from China are aplenty but getting books of their age group have comprehension too heavy duty and getting book at a younger level bores them. Chinese books are very "cheem" and are a tongue twister. Chinese word gives me headache- Is a pile of strokes all bundled up.

With our lack of enthusiasm, it is great to finally find a gem like this. I learnt from Dan, the school diretor a few things which I find useful that you will benefit.

Primary 1 preparation tips:

Streaming: 3 level Bridging, Core, Enrichment. Streaming is in that class, so it happens daily. The teacher gives them a more tailored environment according to their needs. Basically grouped them at 7 years old *wails.

Show and tell: The kids are required to act their characters after reading. This will help in their conversational skills and encourage them to express better.

Character recognition: Helps facilitate early reading and they will learn hanyu pinyin too.

Kids Starts Now helps the child build Vocabulary. You see that is what we English speaking parents don't have! Chinese is a flowery language and I so admire the Taiwanese's way to describe an emotions or an item! For me, I use a single word to describe each emotion. *rolls on the floor laughing So yes, that impedes us from FLUENCY! Due to the lack of fluency, confidence level for conversational skills is at its super low. True?

This is the MAIN reason V said yes to the camp. Teacher Marissa took time to let V warm up to her environment and attended to her until V found a friend. V has grown to be very sensitive to her surroundings and the people that she is unsure of. I sort of felt it that V will enjoy the class mainly coz I saw her teacher explaining in detail to the parent what exactly was happening to the child and how she took time to allow the child to overcome his issues and her words she chose to use were very positive. It felt really great as it has become a rare sight to see teachers especially those in enrichments centers to be so passionate about this. I personally love to learn from teachers who use their heart to teach and we know that is far by far a rare commodity.

V was very positive about this camp and was keen on starting with them weekly in 2015. It got us so excited for she has rejected us up crazily too many times (and more honestly for her swim, music, tennis, golf lessons). Best of her, she started speaking simple words to me. That's by far is a great improvement from "I don't know"

Here I share her teacher Marissa feedback of her.

Victoria can understand and speak Chinese decently well, and the main area for oral improvement is growing her confidence in her own abilities (this is partly because she seems more reserved by nature).

A useful technique we use in class (and can be easily done at home) to build kids' confidence is to celebrate small victories and give kids a safe environment where trying is praised. This is very effective when learning a language.

For instance, if we ask a child a question and the child gets it wrong, we will first praise the child for trying (and give the child a coin via our encouragement system). We will then tell the child the correct answer and have the child repeat after us, and then praise the child again for trying.

We have found this method to be quite effective at helping kids build their self-confidence (especially since in P1, show and tell will be an important component in school), and a side benefit is this helps kids develop grit.

Some Information on Kids Start Now

We specialise in helping N2-P1 kids who speak predominantly English excel in school! We have been highly recommended by 11 mummy bloggers, and have also been featured by Young Parents’ as “Enrichment class that best nurtures your child’s interest in Chinese” (Jan 2014).

How your N2-P1 child will benefit:
- KidStartNow Reading Programme strengthens reading skills and vocabulary acquisition through animated storybooks
- Digital encouragement system builds interest in learning and motivates kids to keep trying
- Role-playing activities build oral confidence and prepare kids for Show and Tell in Primary school
- Home learning and quizzes reinforce vocabulary acquisition
- Free weekly K2 and P1 study sessions for additional practice

Special promotion:
Sign up your child for a trial ($10) before end 2014 and we will wave the $30 registration fee if they sign up for regular classes!

Contact details:
Please email (enquiry@kidstartnow.com) or sms/call (9820-7272) for more information or to register for a trial.

Located at:CT HUB 2 Kallang Way #02-09 Singapore 339407

** Victoria was invited to attend the holiday camp and no monetary compensation was given. Opinions given was by V herself and she insisted on attending 2015 and we readily paid for her weekly classes.

Ronald McDonald House - NUH

2014-10-19T20:00:00.000+08:00

Made a decision this year that I will do my part as long as a children's charity comes my way. It will be my selected cause.

*Media Invite

A few of the bloggers were selected to attend a event on McDonald's Singapore fundraising events in support of the Ronald MacDonald House Charities (RHMC) Singapore. This is a global movement by the MacDonald's resturants around the world to celebrate the charity's 40 years of helping children.

During this sharing, I kept hearing about the Ronald McDonald House in NUH and how it has helped many families since it's set up in 2013. It got me curious about this and I made a trip to NUH to check it out. I made a call to Judy who is the Executive Direcctor who invited us if any of the bloggers were interested to see the house. She was on leave but got me to contact Leonard. She sent me the number and a note "Thanks for telling our stories" - it got me really curious on what was to come but this was not what I expected. I got more than a tour because I felt IT - the difference it makes and the warmth it offers. Ronald Mcdonald House really did tell stories and this is my story.

: Credit RMHC

: Ronald MacDonald House

Just before you reach NUH Ward 46, you will walk pass this interesting looking room. Do not be decieve by it nicely concealed front for you will be surprised what is stored inside. As parents we know the pain of a sick child and the sleepless nights, waking up countless times to check on the fever, the vomitus we have to deal with and of course the incessant crying. We get grouchy at work because we cannot function due to the lack of sleep. Take that extra MC and get marked by the bosses, grumbled about the high cost of medicine especially after a visit to the paediatrician. The lists goes on with Childcare centre woes, helpers frustrations, the lack of help.

But for the families of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, our rantings on how we had to carry our sick child on our chest because the cannot breathe well sounds like music because they can never carry their own with tubes and machine attached. Their bills rockets at $1k a day and some can stay for months in PICU. They bunk outside of the ward just to be there for their ailing child, so that the child gets to see a familiar face if they are awake or the warmth of a touch when they are asleep or even being lull by a beautiful voice. Life day after day makes no sense to them, just hanging on to the hope that their child will be healthy once again. Or for a selected few, just some sort of normality before the ongoing countless operations. Then there are US, the parents who proclaim in FB that "OMG my child is finally asleep!" " Thank you God for sleeping children at 8pm, now is time for my wine".

Makes u wonder huh.

These families live in the hospital daily, making cleaners their talking companion, nurses their counsellors and Doctors their gurus. Day by day their souls get weary and hope wears thin. Their faces are matte from the drying tears, their eyes tired from the sleepless nights, they are perpetually in their home clothes for NUH has now become their home. Then with a gleam of hope, they get called to stay in the Ronald McDonald House just along the corridor. The kind nurses and doctors go through their checklist and recommends them to rest in the house. The waitlist to stay here is long and requests gets send in on daily basis. But let me show you what this place offers.

: Credit RMHC

: Credit RMHC

: Credit RMHC

The photos are from Ronald McDonald House Charity Singapore but here are mine. Let me tell you things that got me touched.

: Playroom

The 1st thing that caught my eye was this library playroom. A small space where the siblings of the sick child can play. This is especially thoughtful because most siblings cannot understand what is going on and this is a good outlet for them to be in safe haven while the parents comfort the other.

: A cuppie of goodies

The volunteers even painstakingly wrapped presents (gifted by the public) for siblings who are feeling down. These are the cheer me ups! He shared that most siblings doesn't understand what is going on :( sobx *If you wish to donate, do note that they take new items for siblings gifts

They run this Family Meal Program and today happened to be one of thsoe days. Each meal costs $150 (Lunch and Dinner) and the volunteers calls for caterer which serves Halal Certified. The meals are NOT donated by the caterers but paid but the charity money. Although is nice to know that Mr Bean has kindly donated and brings them TeaBreak every thursday. *Any caterers willing to donate to this cause?

: Where the food are kept for the families to help themselves

The food catered are abundant coz the minimum orders are 15 pax and there are only 4 families staying (2 parents or 1 parent 1 child)

: Looks appetising

: Dining Table

One can wonder how many times you can eat at the foodcourt if the child stays for months. Or how appetising can it be eating from the thermos flask? But to be able to eat 2 meals in the comfort of this must be a luxury.

: Tea snacks

The volunteers even baked cookies!

Leonard showed me around the kitchenette and highlighted the separate cutleries.

: A separate microwave for different diet requirements

: That thoughtful right? Rice cooker all

: Imagine fresh half boiled eggs for breakfast

It was so detailed that mircowaves are separated. The families get to cook as the kitchenette is equipped with an induction stove. Nestle sponsors the beverages and instant noodles which they can cook on the stove.

: This, I was told to be the most desirable place of the house. Clean clothes anyone?

Truly be told, about half way I was still thinking of this place like a homestay with great hostess. I mean it seriously seemed like it right? …… until 1 family retured from their visit to the PICU. 2 extremely exhausted faces with dreary footsteps, 1 looked like he was in extreme pain. They looked up at me, smiled and walked into their room for that well needed rest. I was told later that the father had donated part of his liver to the child, chose not to recuperate at home but wanted to be near his dear child. I sort of choked and controlled that tear *sobx , thereafter seriously saw this house in a total different light. It was truly a "home-away-from-home" for families to stay close to their hospitalised child. At that point, I appreciated the idea of what this charity is trying to do and at what angle it was towards.

RMHC is an independently adminstered charity incepted in 1989 on a simple mission- directly improve the health and well-being of children in Singapore. They have helped more than 900 needy children in SG with their medical, surgical and rehabilitative treatments costs amounting to over $5million.

A special thanks to Leonard for taking his time to share with me all these inside information. I do like his honesty when he share his beginnings of a part time staff because of extra buck but eventually turned career because he believes in this cause. Volunteer Yvonne who comes in 1-5pm to assist at the house and sharing me her reason of doing this. This is her 'Pay it forward' because she stayed in a Ronald McDonald House in Canada when her grandchild was hospitalised. The House will love volunteers who can part their time looking after their house guests, making them rested, watching over their child when they rest. Time Slots are 9-1pm, 1-5pm, 5-9pm, they have an awesome security guard who doubles up as a volunteer for them at night.

If this is your cause, do join McDonald's Singapore as they join a global movement to celebrate RMHC's 40th Anniversary.

1. Make a Donation and Show your Stripes.

From 15 Oct to 28 Oct, you can make a donation to the charity by purchasing a pair of red and white striped socks via Groupon. You can chose to purchase this at $10, $20 or $50

2. Share your stripes and raise awareness through #forRMHC and #RMHCSG

Help spread the word by dressimg in red and white stripes, donning socks or creating your own red and white themed images. Share them in Instagram with #forRMHC #RMHCSG

3. Join them on 16th Nov for McHappy Day 2014

Besides the fact is MY birhday hahha! RMHC's 40th anniversary celebrations will culminate on McDonald's annual McHappy Day on 16th November 2014. You will see some 600 volunteers participating in the McHappy Walk and Sales across Singapore, selling the signature red and white striped socks. Families with young children are also welcomed to join the fun at the #forRMHC party at Tampiness Mall from 1-5pm. Members of the public can join in on the fun and participate at various booths that offer balloon sculpting, face painting for children, games and more. Ronald will also make an appearance for photo taking with the children.

Disclosure: I was invited and selected by OMY SG for the event and they have kindly donated $10 in my name to this cause. I received the cute red and white socks at the event and a nice Mcdees meal. No monetary compensation for given for this post.

Journal : Great things happen with the right thoughts

2014-09-22T20:03:00.000+08:00

[Journal]

I have been on a journey. The journey has been very interesting and somehow it seems to have propel me into another level of adulthood . The last time I felt this way was after the birth of V, for she has alone taught me about patience, attachment, character, personality and many more. In my 20's, I seriously don't care about what you are made of, to me is well is just you. There is only 1 choice - Like or dislike . Talk because we click and don't because the person talks crap. That's when we were in our 20's issit it?

As I slowly discover about human nature, life is finding that topic that will transpire and that everyone I meet must have a beautiful story to share with me. It may be now or it may be later in my life. Training the brain to think positivity is not easy but once you embrace it, you see the world differently!

2014

Spirtually

I am a cradle catholic in which I am born/bred into a family of rules, commandments, expectations. My values and ethics are clear but journey with God has been well .... mundane. Just the beginning of this year, someone came into my life and gave me a advice "The reason you have uncertainity is because of your faith in God" I thought about it very often. Is going to church, sharing about his teachings, proclaiming the word enough? Oh I'm terrible at reading the bible, listening to homily makes me sleep and cringe at people who codes bible phrases. But I believe in him in many ways, I enjoy listening to stories of miracles, of being touched by the Holy Spirit, of life changing experiences. Most importantly, he gave me a heart of tolerance of all religion. I don't judge what they do coz I don't know why mine does things in certain ways either!

This 2 months, I finally understood the term "WALK IN FAITH" In recent months, I no longer beat myself for my happenings in life and have learnt to send those problems that is not within my control up to him. I can tell you I don't fret about issues much, yes there are things that bother but I no longer think about it for days or have sleepless nights fretting how to solve it. The feeling is just amazing!

Journey with Faith is for one to walk through and is not something that can be taught. To think that few years back, I heard a sharing on this and was thinking "siao one this person" but here I am writing about it now hahaha!

Motherhood

I absolutely love motherhood. if you have been reading my blog from the past, you will know how much it has changed me as a person. My children are a constant reminders that life is beautiful. Crafting a career for a person who uses her heart is challenging. Many times, my heart cries louder than their cries and it hurts not physically but very much mentally. You start to question your actions and doubt the choices you make. But at the end, my story to all mothers is that I chose to tell my children how much I love them vs telling how crappy they make my life by their constant screaming, fighting and sorrow crying. Nagging is not my forte and I do not enjoy doing that. So I hug and kiss them way more than they enjoy their mummy squeezing them and smothering them with kisses.

There was 1 day that V told me "But mummy you don't do anything, you just go drive here/there and go office" I was taken aback by her words and looked back at what made her derive at this statement. Okie I admit I don't do housework, don't cook, dont feed them medicine, may not be there to bathe/ put them to sleep daily, don't comb their hair, don't make milk daily.... hahhahah Then I realised why she said that. Is motherhood really about all these physical work? I have no answer for that. My child may never understand the work I do at this point in her life, but I just have to carry on. The day will come like how her father saw and understood, the dynamics of my role. For now, I just treasure the flexible time that allows me to see my children in the positive light that I am given. To be given a platform to have conversations with her and guiding her to achieve potential. To be able to hug and kiss my babies umpteen times because both of them don't push my buttons daily to irk me.

Leadership

Career has been propelling me further than I have ever expected. The ability for me to handle humans are extraordinary. To train to see the best in a person and to control emotions has been quite a journey. Decisions made are not to benefit them but make them better in what they do. I am a sensitive person and this allows my radar to be on alert most of the time. Training my mind not to look at the problems but how to identify the opportunity the issue brings is something takes time to impart! To learn that you are not the most important but they are. Leaders managing leaders has been so darn interesting! You think managing people is a toughie, try handling leaders! Leaders have desire to be someone and that makes that stubborn in many ways hahhaha. I know coz I am one!

The message has been clear, the journey to start writing my inner thoughts, struggles and truimph. By my sharing I know the message will reach to the right people that needs it most. Book writing I am not sure but I have enough stories in my life to inspire.

Vaby - August Box + Giveaway!

2014-08-25T20:03:00.000+08:00

I received my August Vaby Box! Am so in love with it !

: Bear is the children's .. Just for modelling purpose

My personal favourite would have to be the Labra! What a nice suprise to receive an item for ME! I have been wanting to get a adhesive bra but sort of got clueless with teh range in the market. Think most of us will remember 'Nubra' most but I don't like how it becomes after rinsing it. This one however looks amazing and it has a POUCH, a pouch - yeah you heard me right! Just did my research and the website is selling Labra at $79.90 and Vaby is at $49.90! Remember to join my giveaway at the end of this post to get this Vaby August Box for free!!!

Comes in Black/Nude Cup A/B/C $49 Korean Adhesive Labra- A backless, strapless, seamless and self adhesive from Labra. Made of thick premiumsilicona gel with from Closure. The unique push-up design provides maximum support and cleavage without binding bra straps. It is washable, reusable, skin friendly and comes with a storage bag.

Besides that, I got to try a few samples and it included

1. Skip and Hop Bibs $4.90

2. Natural Cotton Diapers By Baby Organix (Made in Korea) 1 pack sizes of S/M/L/XL $17.90

3. Lavender Fields Concentrated Laundry Power by IdoCare $12 for 1 Kg Box

4. Nutreme Organic Food

5. Portable Mini Fan

6. Kids Party Entertainment Voucher

7. The Playhouse Unlimited Play Pass

but I'm most excited with the Lubra coz is for ME!!

Drop by Vaby.com.sg to browse through their Daily Deals and Shop.

In my last post on Vaby, there was a open invitation for all to attend their open house. Here are some photos of my happenings that day.

Had to post this coz Bb Kate was not exactly very pleased when they put the balloon hat on her! But like a true blue blogger's child, she fulfilled her responsibility to squeeze in that smile ! *rofl

: We participated in their contest during their event

: V won us a photography session and a packet of baby diapers!

: Here are the sponsors of the day

: The team for Vaby Singapore!

It was a hot day at The Playhouse but it was great catching up with fellow parent bloggers. The children had unlimited play that day so no one really complained much.

So here comes what you have been waiting for. The giveaways! You can now get to try the subscription box and this is an economical way of testing out the vast array of baby/children's products in the market. Have a chance to be surprised monthly!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Gu Ma Jia

2014-08-17T20:08:00.000+08:00

Are you a fan of home cooked food? Smacked in the middle of in Macpherson is a nicely nested restaurant that serves Aunty Gu Ma's home cooked dishes. (Gu Ma means aunty so in the true blue singaporean style, its aunty aunty hahaha) I am not usually the one who travels for food but couldn't reject authentic chinese home cooked versions of food. Staying in a family that serves predominately eurasian dishes, this calls for a hunt in the sennett estate. I got slightly lost in that area coz of the construction and unless you drive abouts there normally, this area can be a maze coz of the confusing signs that spans into big major roads. But anyhow, I found it! Parking is slightly tricky but I was told there is a small lane behind the restaurant that has parking. So take note of this tip :)

Gu Ma used to sell chicken rice in Tampines, check out her photo and see if she is your now defunct chicken rice store owner! She has since moved on to dishing out her delicious home cooked dishes to US. How lucky of us,right? Many of us are deprived of home cooked dishes and note this resturant if you are one of them. I spoke to her and walau she is damn strict on the fresheness of her food coz she goes to the wet market to pick her food, suppliers must be damn scared of her. But then again, rule no 1 of home cooked food is that we buy and we cook on that day isn't it? I know that's my practice.

Here are some of my highly reccomended dishes!

Claypot Chicken with Ginger and Sesame oil [$15/$22/$28]

Just like how my mum does it. If you are one of those who loves confinement food then this is your must order. The chicken was nice n tender sans bones (not those ugly chunky type), thinly sliced ginger and black fungus. So nutritious, just the way I like it.

Assam Fish Head Curry $28

I eat home made rempah (chilli paste) dishes on a daily basis and this is Gu Ma Jia's exclusive spicy and sour assam blend gravy, defintely not bought off the shelves type. The assam is not those that hits the back of the tongue but has a light subtle flavour. I like the generous vegetables that comes along with it that adds a crunch to the assam gravy.

Kyoto Pork Ribs $20

Come to think of it, I don't know if this pork is from Kyoto or not. But nevertheless I love the succulent flavour of the pork as its not dry or fatty.

Yuan Yang Ki Lan $10/$15/$20

LOVE! no need to tell u why, just too yummy!

Home made tofu with mushrooms

I love her idea on how she makes her tofu in the kitchen. Its like same same but different, you know what I mean?

Crispy Bean Jal $12/$18

Brinjal lightly tossed in marmite and fried with french beans! I love bringal and this has to be the 1st time eating it this way. Yums!!

Salted egg Prawns

A Singaporean favourite. We like anything with salted egg gravy so no need to explain.

I found out that they have a 2nd level for events and birthdays equppied with karaoke system and projector all. Total space for min 70 pax and more… I can visualize a family birthday for the elders who are enjoying their food and the young ones crooning away. Very much how we locals like it. Please do call them for catering services for large events and if you are working/staying around, they have bentos for deliveries.

Oh and if you are like me who likes fruit enzymes. Enzymes are protein molecules which are life forces of all biological activities in the human cells which helps the body digest and absorb nutrients better. Gu Ma has concocted her home version and has it as a drink or a dessert.

It is a great place for bonding session with the family. Gu Ma Jia won an award for the "Top 10 Restaurant" at the Singapore Food Festival 2010 and a second time in 2013. Make a trip down and enjoy her hospitality!

Gu Ma Jia Tel: 62852023 Opening time: 11-3pm, 530-10pm

45 Tai Thong Cresent Sennett Estate Singapore 347688

*Disclosure: I was invited by AT Marketing and Consultancy together with hungry bloggers. No monetary compensation was given. All opinions are mine.

You can read Mother of Xander's review and Gingerbread Mum's review here too! Enjoy :)

Blog Hop - Writing Process

2014-07-21T20:10:00.000+08:00

1. Introduce who referred the blog tour to you

I am never into blog challenges, blog train, blog monday tues wednesday thursday etc, I tag u u tag 50, hashtag galores etc. Just 1 of the human being not made out to to this, not sure if u understand me but thats just it. Gorgeous mummy Natasha Fb me that day and asked me innocently "Hi Flo! Would you be keen to participate in the blog hop writing process after me? " It seemed hard to reject, not sure why, maybe the stars were align that morning and I agreed to it! You can read about hers here. Be pleasingly surprised by a beautiful face and a hot preggers body. I enjoy her blog and her honesty about her outlook about life. Plus our 1st born seem to look similar when they were young!

So this is my 1st blog tour and I did it just to discover more about my blogging style.

What am I working on?

Styling my blog *raising my arms in mercy. When you ask a fickle minded person to decide on what she wants in HER SPACE, its a nightmare! Colours, fonts, layout are beyond my league and before I can get pay someone I have to know what I want. So yes is a mess :( Other than that I am working on my travel series! I am so so back logged for my wanderlust travels. There is Germany - Berlin, Hannover, Hamburg in August 2013, Barcelona in November 2013, Taiwan in March 2014, Vegas in April 2014, Gold Coast in June 2014. I never was a fan of travel logs mainly because my travelling has been part of my life and never realized the need to note it down. But recently, I do find some travel blogs are really useful for me to plan my itinerary. The itinerary planning was never part of me till the day I had to travel with 2 children and realized that walau it does help me save so much time! But if its my personal travel, I still go by "feel" even though I'm in foreign land, love love getting lost! Its exhilaring being able to be thrusted into the unknown!

How does my work differ from others in its genre?

Honestly, I'm still trying to find my identity. Most people around tells me that I portray a clear personality and style but I find myself a blur. Tsk right? FloMummy.com came about less than 1 year although we have been blogging under victoria-eden in blogger for the last 4 years. It started as a blog about my memories about pregnancy, my struggles as a mommy dealing with a baby who refuses anything but me, my thoughts on being stretched as an individual, my lack of goals, lost of self esteem and many more. But eventually negativity left and now it's just a whole lot of positivity. Then I wondered do I really need to be constantly pregnant to continue this blog, but then again how much things can I write about my children without victimising their growth and security.

It was something that I thought about very long and realized that I really do enjoy this blogging thingy. It is actually very therapeutic for me. Eventually, like most bloggers we decided to stay true to the crap we talk about daily. The struggles of changing the blog platform has been struggling and although all I want is to write, I still have to deal with the styling part which sucks.

Why do I write what I do?

I write to destress coz it relaxes me most. Anything being paid stresses me up most so I have stopped doing that to concentrate on my love. This is the place I don't schedule xx of posts a month, a place I don't set goals, a place where there will not be any challenges. They all do NOT do well here in my blogsphere space. This particular blogtrain challenge that was throw to me was something I found very meaningful for I have not ever asked myself these questions and decided to do this for self discovery. Yes, I'm up for challenges but they must be for myself only as my strength is that I never compare myself or compete to others. Everyone has their stories and life path to lead, so comparing only sucks my energy.

How does my writing process work?

I have a strict rule and that I do not have my laptop attached to a power point. My writing lasts only when the battery does. Most bloggers know that once we start we lose track of time and it is difficult to get out coz you just want to write everything! There are days I write a post in 30 mins and there are days (with photos) take 4 hours! *Yawns right? Yeah I know. I like very much to write, I do not enjoy editing, do not enjoy the transferring photos from this to that and label it and whatever. But blogging is all about that hahhaha! I get writer's block often, especially when they are alot of photos to deal with. The body and mind just jams up!!There is no fix table/area to blog. I am constantly on the go and finding time to do anything needs to thought out weeks before. My schedule starts off blank and I slot the must do of my children, meetings/ travels of my hb & my fil, appointments of my business (strictly in that order) That is only my life starts. I pay an army to get my things going on a condition that "If it drains me, they are all outsourced" My time is very limited and it requires my full attention. I get stretched sometimes and I am that fortunate person to be able to go on a trip and get out coz everything else MUST/CAN auto run. Creating a system has been my to do list for the last 2 years ever since K came about. I'm fine tuning my business' and now fiquring out this blog system. My days are getting longer with me on adding on Gym at 9am daily. Maybe thats one of the reasons my rants are minimal coz I do not indulge in being upset by things I didn't solve. But saying so, I love being alone. M just an introvert, though most people who knows me will roll their eyes. But I do treasure personal time most.

So if you ask me how does does my blogging process work? Actually is just simple. The urge comes and my thoughts NEEDS to be out.

I am very sure you have enjoyed my 1st blog train and got to know me even deeper. Next on the tour comes parent blogger

Connie of RayConnieBaby who bravely is expecting her 3rd! With a 7 year old and 2 year old in hand, a full time preschool educator and a bubbly character. You will catch on her writing style very quickly.

Colour Wheel

2014-07-14T20:12:00.000+08:00

V's school project for this term is about WHEELS. U can check her last term's "Bottles" project here.

I must admit we forgot about the project and remembered only when we were in Gold Coast. We took photos of the Batmobile wheels, caravans, toy car wheels. Totally NO objective on where we were going with the project. Did my research and needed something simple for her to work on. V loves her colours (predominately only pink) and I am an "expert" myself. After some comparison on some crafting sites, drove to bras brasah Art Friend and got the tools. They cost me about $25 and since we don't have habit to keep left overs, we made 4 Colour Wheels for her to gift her teachers as a tool.

Tools needed:

Mounting Board (use both sides)
12 different coloured Felt sheets
Fastening Tape and Hook
Ruler
Pencil
Glue
Scissors

: I got my FIL to help us cut the mounting board with his industrial penknife.

: Measured the Foam sheets and got V to cut them

: Cut all the colours

: Paste the Hook + Loop on the cut up felt sheet. *it comes with adhesive

: I got V to help place the felt sheet on the wheel.

: We removed the tape off the Hook and Loop adhesive and pasted it according to V's preference

: We prepared 4 wheels

: Its off to teach her classmates about colours!

Just realized I didn't take a close up photo. But we added velcro on the top so she can make it into a teaching tool when she presents. Example: Blue + Red = Purple or Red +White = Pink

Enjoy crafting! Its really a simple/educational tool and great for a 5 year old to handle!

Gold Coast -Surfers Paradise

2014-06-25T20:13:00.000+08:00

Main Beach at sunset

One of the main reason why I made the decision to stay in Surfers Paradise is because of its beautiful beach. Rewind back to year '97, I did my 1st flight to Brisbane and stayed in Surfers Paradise Hilton. The rest of the crew had a 3 day pattern and I did 4 days (dunno why so lucky) . The view from Hilton was magnificient! It was my 1st flight out to Gold Coast and didn't expect that the world can be so beautiful. I remember sitting down for the longest time wondering what great things I may have done to deserve that. For a 18 years old girl, trust me it was just WOW. I got excited and got myself a swimwear from the shops, walked to the beach and plonked myself there to zzzz. The sand was powder like and the sea was just marine blue. For few hours, I lay on the beach admiring the surfers riding the waves and attempted to go into the ocean to get"splashed" hehehe. This memory of spending 2 days in Surfers Paradise has been etched in my mind for the longest time and it meant alot to me. Fast forward 17 years and I guess as we age, we reminisce these little things that mean so much in our lives. I just wanted to be there to admire that beautiful ocean once again.

wanted to go back to Hilton Sufers Paradise but interestingly it seems to off gone further in from the coast as compared to 17 years ago hahaha *globalisation.It used to be the last building on the coast but now there is The Soul and it blocks it all

Attempted to build sand castles

: Bubbles from Daiso

Weather got a bit chilly the minute Mr Sun hid behind the clothes and got V all shivering. K was all strong and mighty, she carried on playing in the waters with T. While me? I was just happy to be back here and take a photo for keepsake.

: For that fine day 17 years ago

Gold Coast Itinerary

2014-06-24T20:17:00.000+08:00

Gold Coast Itinerary 6 days 5 nights for a Family of 4 (2 A 1C 1 I)

FIXED COSTS =

Airline: SCOOT 15-21st June Business Class SGD $1.884.32k Hotel: Q1 Hotel Resort Spa One Bedroom spa SGD $705.90
Car Rental: East Coast Car Rentals Toyota Corolla + Full Insurance + 2 Baby seats + GPS Systems SGD $425.95
Travel Insurance :SGD $103
3 World VIP pass: SGD $175.20
Lone Pine Sanctuary: SGD $94
Tropical Fruit World: SGD $128

Day 1 Singapore -> Gold Coast Sunday 15th June 2000 -
Check in @ Changi Airport 2225 -  Scoot Flight TZ6 to Gold Coast
Day 2 Gold Coast Monday 16th June
0750 - Touch down @ Gold Coast Airport (GMT +10)
0830 - Take shuttle to collect car and travel to Q1 hotel
1000 - Check in @ Q1 hotel
1010 – Hotel Not available for check in
1010 - Drove around and played at a park (Main Beach)
1130 – Drove to Surfers Paradise and Lunch, Groceries shopping
1400 - Check In
1600 - Nap
1800 – Bought back Dominos Pizza
2000 - Rest and unpack

Day 3 Gold Coast – (Sea World) Tuesday 17th June
0815 - Rise and Shine
0900 – Breakfast and get ready
1100 – Departed for Sea World
1130 - Arrives at Sea World
1115 - Picnic Lunch
1645 – Left Sea World
1700 - Children zzz in car
1715 - Drove to the beach and relax in car
1800 - Drove back hotel
1900 - Dinner at Surfers Paradise
2030 – Groceries shopping
2200- zzz

Day 4 Gold Coast (Surfers Paradise + Warner Bros Movie World ) Wednesday 18th June
0900 - Rise and Shine
0945 - Breakfast and get ready
1030 - Beach time @ Surfers Paradise
1130 – Back to hotel and get ready
1210 - Quick Lunch near hotel
1245 - Drive to Warner Bros Movie World - around 40 mins journey
1330 -Visit Warner Bros Movie World
1430 - Scooby Doo Show
1530 - All Star Parade
1645 - Left Movie World
1800 - Stroll @ Surfers Paradise Beach Front Night Market
1930 - Dinner @ Hurricane’s Grill
2100 - Ben & Jerry’s
2230 - ZzZz

Day 5 (Tropical Fruit World) Thursday 19th June
0800 - Rise and Shine
0845 - Breakfast
0945 - Drive to Duranbah Road NSW 2487 around 40 mins journey
1130 - Visit Tropical Fruit World A$110
1430 - Lunch @ Kingscliff The Mullet Fish and Chips
1600 - Left NSW 1730 - Arrive Burleigh Heights, Children zzz
1800- Woke them up and shopped/had dinner in Stockland Burleigh Heights
2000 - Left Mall for hotel
2030- Arrive Q1
2130 - ZzZz

Day 6 Brisbane (Lone Pine Sanctuary) Friday 20th June
0800 - Rise and shine
0930 - Left for Lone Pine Sanctuary
1300 - Arrive at Lone Pine Sanctuary but was raining
1315 – Lunch at KFC nearby
1400 - Back at LPS
1700 - Left LPS
1900 - Arrive Q1
1930 - Dinner At Alfredo’s
2300 - ZzZz

Day 7 Gold Coast -> Singapore Saturday 21th June
0545 - Check out Hotel
0615 - Drive to East Coast Car Rentals
0655 - Reach and pump petrol
0700 – Take complimentary shuttle to airport
0710 - Check in @ Airport
0730 - Breakfast
0900 - Board Flight TZ5 to Singapore
1500 - Touch down @ Singapore

Important information according to Day

Day 1 Scoot TZ615 June 2225-0750, TZ 5 21 June 0900-1520
Booking Ref: xxxxx

Day 2 East Coast Rentals
Booking Ref: R0FDQP
Confirmation Number : xxxx
Pick up : 16 June 2014 830am
Branch address: 15 Maud Street Tugun QLD 4224
Tel: +61-7-5559-5908
Drop Off: 21 Jun 2014 700am Q1 Resort and Spa
Address: Hamilton Ave, Surfers Paradise, QLD, 4217
Tel: 07 5630 4500
Booking Reference xxxxx

Travel Directions From Gold Coast Airport: 23.0 km - about 33 mins
1. Head south on McLean St toward Musgrave St
2. Turn right at Musgrave St
3. Turn right at Miles St
4. Turn left at Marine Pde
5. Continue on Musgrave St Go through 1 roundabout
6. Take the ramp onto Gold Coast Hwy
7. Turn right at Surfers Paradise Bvd
8. Turn right at Hamilton Ave Destination will be on the left

Day 3 Sea World
Address: Sea World Dr, Main Beach  Gold Coast  Queensland 4210  Australia, Australasia
Tel: +61 7 5588 2222
Price: VIP A$89.99
Open Daily: 9-530pm

Travel Directions
1.Head east on Hamilton Ave toward Northcliffe Tce
2.Take the 1st left onto Northcliffe Tce
3.Take the 1st left onto Clifford St
4.Turn right onto Gold Coast Hwy
5.Turn right onto Waterways Drive
6.At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Seaworld Drive Go through 3 roundabouts

Day 4: Movie World

Address: Pacific Motorway  Gold Coast  Queensland 4210  Australia
Tel: +61 7 5573 3999
Price: VIP A$89.99
Open Daily: 9-530pm Travel Directions

Head east on Hamilton Ave toward Northcliffe Tce
Take the 1st left onto Northcliffe Tce
Take the 1st left onto Clifford St
Turn right onto Gold Coast Hwy
Turn left onto North St
Continue onto Smith St
Continue onto Smith Street Motorway
Take the exit onto Pacific Motorway
9. Take exit 60 toward Helensvale
Turn right onto Entertainment Rd
At the roundabout, take the 4th exit and stay on Entertainment Rd
Turn right onto Helensvale Rd
Destination will be on the right

Day 5: Tropical Fruit World

Address: Duranbah Road, Duranbah, NSW, 2487 Tel:02 6677 7222 Price: Family Pass A$110 (2A2C) Open Daily: 10-4pm

Travel Directions If you are travelling to Tropical Fruit World from the Gold Coast, travel south to the Gold Coast Airport then remain on the highway for a further 10 minutes. Take the Murwullimbah Exit 40, then simply follow the signs to Tropical Fruit World.

Day 5 Lone Pine Sanctuary
Address: 708 Jesmond Road, Fig Tree Pocket, Queensland. Prices:A$65.44 ( $24.55 A, $16.24 C >3yo) Additional: Koala Cuddling $16, Kangaroo feeds $2 Open Daily: 9-5pm Parking : Free

* Night Market

Every Wednesday and Friday evening, the foreshores of Surfers Paradise comes alive with makeshift market stalls selling a great variety of local produce, souvenirs, jewellery, handicraft, artistic and hand-made items, and the music of buskers. There is even a magician performing at one of the stalls!

Gold Coast - East Coast Car Rentals

2014-06-23T20:21:00.000+08:00

Upon arrival into Gold Coast Airport, we had to call our car rental service provider to send us a shuttle that will bring us to their office where we can pick up our car. We chose this coz T has friends who recommended this company to him.

: Shuttle bus

: Just a 5 mins ride and we arrived here

: T chose a Toyota Corolla

: Was a simple procedure as the paper work were prepared

: We sniffed around while T was dealing with getting our car

: In V words "Wow all white cars!"

: Looking clean

: Toyota Corolla boot.

: No spunky smell

: My plus on plus is that the car seats are CLEAN!!!

: Fits my 20 mo

: Fits my 5.5 yo

There is an option for booster seats but I decided that we will take the baby seats coz K will be upset that she gets a different seat from her sis. Really don't want to go there with her nagging. But it fits V really well and she sleeps in comfortably. The only thing K was grumbling the whole time is that she had the sun in her eyes and it didn't matter which side I put her. So if you have a young child, you may want to bring the stick on window shade to help block the sun light.

The car came with 1/2 tank of petrol and we had to return it the same. Though no leather seats but it was really clean. Car smelt fresh with no cigarette aftermath stench. You may need to research on music stations for the car we had, had music that was not very happening and doing search didn't help us much. There is a CD reader and a USB for you to play children songs if required. Sadly to say we didn't know it and ended playing Frozen songs from my HP. The Garmin GPS was all good though it brought us some thorough some "lorongs" (streets) instead of main expressways and it doesn't seems to get us out of our hotel. Keeps insisting that we turn into some no entry lanes but other than that, it does it's job really well. The suction cup for the GPS stand doesn't stick and so I ended up being the GPS assistant by having it on my lap and fiquring out those times that we went round and round. But there are options of places of interest, shopping etc as a quick option that have been pre-installed was really useful for us.

Here are some numbers for your info.

East Coast Car Rentals for 5 days :

Toyota Corolla + Full Insurance + 2 Baby seats + GPS Systems

SGD $425.95

Total Petrol pumped (includes return 1/2 tank) : SGD$60

Final Costings: SGD $485.95

Website:http://www.eastcoastcarrentals.com.au

You can read about our Scoot experience here

Vaby - Free Box signup!

2014-06-23T20:20:00.000+08:00

There is a new kid in town and that 's VABY!!

Like all parents, I am always excited when there is a new online platform for shopping/ goodies. This especially so coz I do not retail shop anymore, yup you heard me right. You don't see me going to retail for shoppping coz prices are just not justifible and since I am the Chief Houshold Officer of the family (I'm sure you have read my post on this, if not you can do so here), there is a need to stretch that dollar. Having 2 children with high cost of milk and education is/has definitely taken its toll on retail shopping. Basically, my and trev has lost the plot to satisfy the need to "shop" out of boredom. We shop out of needs now. My career requires my atention, my blog requires my attention, my grooming requires my attention, my fashion style requires my attention and going to different malls just to get stuffs does not justify my parking/petrol/time. I am very into e-commerce purchases for the kiddos and have groups of friends who handle this with/for me. This all started when I was pregnant and was involved with BP with my forum mummies and moved on to other websites on my own.

I think all of us have become this internet savvy mummies who rely alot on reviews to make our purchases online. I am not any different. Just recently, Trev and I got hooked on to Iherb reading reviews after reviews just to get the right item. We returned from Gold Coast yesterday and finally had some time to do retail shopping. Man, we were kaboosed by the increase in prices for EVERYTHING in Australia. There was a point where I picked up a Tim Tam and asked him if the price tag was ever $4?

Anyway , there is a new website in town and my girlfriend started it, I really excited to see its growth. She started this mainly on a idea as she has been in the packaging business for the last donkey years and realised that there is a dip in consumer retail. (Since she is the one dealing with the bags right? hehehe) Got pregnant with her 3rd which is about Kate's age (1st and 2nd are in about 12+) noticed that all current pregnant mummies enjoys shopping on website, BP, Sprees. Toyed with the idea on Vaby and after 1-ish year of work, its ready to be launched!

Vaby is the latest e-commerce website to be launched in Singapore and its membership only site will market and sell apparels, toys and services for babies, kids and parents. Their key selling point is that they have flash sales that are up to 80% discount as well as Vaby box - a sample box THE FIRST EVER for mummies and baby! I'm excited for this sample box, like who don't like samplers? I enjoy buying $2 samplers from watsons, I mean who don't? For now it's only 1 type for $18.99 but they are releasing 3 different types just for mummies, toddlers, babies.

I had a sneak preview of the boxes and it seemed really fun! Though seriously not sure what they have up their sleeves but I saw vouchers for photography, great sized samplers not just packets ones. The Vaby boxes are customised for the subsriber's profile which is a great idea coz I don't think I want breastfeeding stuffs right ? hahhaha If you like the samplers, you can even get it online Vaby Shop in their website! Like all, they have loyalty rewards points.

Looking forward to Vaby's daily deals, Vaby shop and Vaby box! Vaby’s current collaborating partners are:

The Playhouse
GOO.N
Möller’s
The Studio loft
Diaper Cakes
Squooshi
Wikki Stix
Baby Organix
Cloudstprint
Dphotofolio
La Brassiere
Haro Bikes

Sign up at their website to get exclusive invitations to their Grand Launch on the 28th June at The Playhouse! The kiddos/family get to have free entry to The Playhouse (please bring socks for all coz its $7 for an adult pair!) Psssttt you can get their Vaby box and exclusive invite when you register here!

Come back and read about their launch. I have give-aways!

Gold Coast - Q1 Resort and Spa

2014-06-23T20:18:00.000+08:00

We stayed the infamous Q1 Resort and Spa on Surfers Paradise. If you are not sure which one it is, this is the highest residential apartment in SP and has a Skypoint which allows visitors to do a climb or view Gold Coast at its observatory deck. This was not our 1st choice coz it was pretty pricey at the I looked at it and decided on some other apartments instead. T came back again with this reccomendation stating his friend who has been using them highly reccomends this if we have young children.

Looked into it again and worked out my sums (I will link this post back to my full Itinerary + Costings). Booked it from their website and had some promo for weekdays and in the end worked out pretty well.

This is the view that we wake up to every morning. We were on the 27th floor and were comfortable with this height. Though if I was on a trip without the children I may pay for a higher floor. But you know us mummies, we think too much like children falling off etc. If you need to know, no human can fall out as the 1 window opens a 15% outwards , the rest are fixed.

: Gold Coast has to have one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

: It was a 5 mins walk from Surfers Paradise

: Full kitchen

: A service balcony or a chill out zone or in my case- a place to dry my swim gear.

: Dining Area

: The bedroom that sleeps us 4. We co-sleep so it was cosy and snug

: The walk in wardrobe, they hav hangers on the other side

The apartment was seriously self contained! I didn't whip up a feast for we were exhausted each day with our activities. But it came in handy for our daily breakfast .

: 4 each

: I took so that you mummies know what cooking utensils you have in your kitchen

: I didn't get to use these

: Self ignite gas stove. They provide pans and pots

: Came in handy

: Useful Lot

: Simple and yet beautiful set of crockery

: They lined it for you. Great for heating up stuff but baking and all.. eh didnt see baking trays

: Chopping board and coasters.

: Drawer of frying pans and pots

: Dish Washer which I never liked using

: Top Drawer hides an ironing board!

: They were thoughful enough to provide tea cloth

: Complimentary and the fridge has a small packet of cream

: Please bring your own towels as they provide 2 only

: Its a fixed shower head and so the babies bathe in the bath tub

: you can see the other part of the walk in wardrobe

: T spent many nights watching World Cup here. The view is amazing

There is a washing machine and dryer which btw was my no 1 electrical appliance of the trip. K kept messing up her clothes and I couldnt wait till I return to Singers to get them washed as the stain will end up permanent. So I washed the children clothes before packing them away. The dryer was just too useful especially for our towels. There was a extra charge for everything. Towels was $2.5 each, detergent was $1, housekeeping was $15(mini) or $60 for a proper clean up. We didn't want to spend that money and left to the the washer and dryers to ensure dry, warm towels.

The apartment was safe for the children and except for that one time K trip on the step going out to the service balcony. We were toying with the idea of extenting our stay coz we slept so well and CANNOT wake up. Sleep was just good, T and I didn't play with our gadgets the whole trip except for 10 mins of checking email before we sleep just to ensure business was all okie. We paid for 5 days of wi-fi for about $50 (if I'm not wrong) just mainly for work purpose.

The children enjoyed the space they had. The bath tub was the daily highlight and I brought water squirts and bubble which I bought from daiso. So bath time was like party.

: Like a big girl

: V drew the sunrise and the pacific ocean that was our view

1 plus point for staying this apartment was that we since we decided to drive and needed free parking. You can read my review on the car rental company we chose here. Most hotel/apartment do charge $20-$25 for night parking which was not worth spending. You will have to park at selected lots marked orange and this Q1 residential towers has people staying in and we stay in rented apartments by managed by Q1 resorts and spa. You get a lift that goes up DIRECT to your floor, so there is no need to walk out of the building.

: Secured Parking

: you need an access card to go in and out

: once you tap the card it opens up to allow the car to enter or exit

Tips :

Please book via a reputable website as I did read of those who book directly with the owners and got their plans cock up.

You can read reviews on Trip advisors here

Q1 Resort and Spa

Address: Hamilton Ave, Surfers Paradise, QLD, 4217

Tel: 07 5630 4500

ScootBiz - Gold Coast Business Class

2014-06-22T20:27:00.000+08:00

We did a family trip to the Gold Coast in June and decided to Scoot it. It was our 1st experience with ScootBiz and it was definitely a pleasant one. I search around in googleland while I was doing my research if it was all worth flying on a non commercial airline with a child on a infant ticket but nothing came up. With a leap of faith, I decided that we will be the well equipped ones and not rely on the crew if we do need assistance for I do not think service does exist much (imoh) in budget airlines. But you did well Scoot .

There were a few worries before booking, I may have all the experience as a ex crew but flying with 1 child and a toddler has to be my very FIRST. 10 years of watching how parents suffered is still very much etched in my mind, I have taken over the duties of mummies+ daddies who was dying to get some sleep, on the brink of breakdown and wonder sliently to myself on why do they do this to themselves? A few other times n days where parents come to me for milk and got me to add packets of sugar sachets or pour coke or add coffee into their children's milk got me riled up. Trust me when I say I have been through much.

The main concern is time is that although we have flown enough with V, is that K is a different ball game altogether. Have you seen her? Altough her ticket is a INFANT (hurhur) She is as tall as a 3 year old and how do I carry her to sleep without a bassinet (not that she can use coz she is over the maximum weight). The thing about budget airlines is if you chose to change dates - the prices are EXORBITANT . Scoot was all about fun, value and empowerment to choose the no frills you value, including baggage, meals, in-flight entertainment and comfort kits. Which means no free flow food, no free flow of drinks, no TV.

Now, if I fly into Brisbane, time spent travelling to and fro is another factor. So with a leap of faith, I ensured my dates are FIXED, I equipped myself of all things I can carry and not, got all the iPads loaded, prepared blankets/pillows and I booked. Here is my survival tips for those planing to fly Gold Coast with Scoot.

Booking: We never usually book early. For this, I started planning in December when I insisted on a family trip together. Dates on our business/school calender was blocked out. Tip: We got ourselves a good deal on Scoot business class and I'm sure you can if you know what you want early.

Check In:

: Singapore Check In

: Gold Coast

Queues: There was no Q in Singapore but ex Gold Coast was full.

: Scoot Ex Gold Coast - Chockablock

: We had 1 family in front of us

Priority for ScootBiz: Tip: There are 2 more Q inside of Gold Coast Airport and they DO NOT have Priority Lane. The 2nd check has officers who are very anal about water. I mean they are for milk and I have difficulties bringing it in. Be warned.

Baggage ScootBiz allows up to 10kg vs economy of 7kg. If you are looking for a new luggage, may I reccomend you this Tumi bag. I have Rimowa, Louis Vuitton, Samsonite but this is my ultimate favourite! You can read it here .

: We couldn't handle 2 carry ons, so I brought the Coach carry on as a double up bag.

Areobridge: One of the reason why we cannot handle so many bags. In Gold Coast, we land in remote bay and we have to walk to the airport. If you are bringing elderly, I saw that they have assistance till the aircraft but no lifts up. They will have to climb up and down the stairs for this sector. In Singapore we got a connected areobridge.

Welcome Drink: Each of us got a passcode card and water once we boarded. and Immigration cards for entry. Tip: Please remember to fill in the green exit card as I saw alot of people who were asked to re-Q immigration for failing to produce filled cards. I mean the queues were LONG and to re-Q was seriously not worth the time.

Seats Feature: ScootBiz has a configuration of 2-4-2 with a total of 32 seats in the cabin. The seats are okie though a better recline will be ideal but we are really pleased with the leg space that it came with. The cabin temperature on the return sector was slightly warm as leather seats traps heat more than canvas. Sometimes crew forget this little details especially when you depart from a winter station that the body has been trained to trap heat for the last few days and that we are all dressed warmer.

: The ScootBiz Seat

: 11 DEFG we got and the bulkhead space

: In built tray table

: Wide space

: The seats come with inseat power

Seat Space:

: My legs gets a full stretch

: 3/4 stretch in seat 11 E/F

Reading materials:

Ipads: There was free streaming that came with our seats, we did download Foxtube (an app to dowload/store all youtube videos). Guess what? The app had an update and refused to work onboard. Murphy's law! Thank goodness for loaded game apps and few movies that we prepared. But that GogoTv that Scoot offered helped entertained K a little. Tip: If you must know, there is only ONE child program, and thats' Hi 5 (30mins).

: Head sets was our own, I let K use my B&O headsets as it fits children well

: Watching her Hi 5 that was streamed to our iPads

Sleep: I packed my children's blankies (Thanks to Emirates children amenities) V brought her pink travel U shaped pillow and K had her favourite Mickey Mouse pillow. Tip: you can lift the arm rest for the middle seats.

: We were able to lift the center armrest to relieve our aching arms and lie the children to drink milk + sleep

: Didn't I tell you that she is really tall?

: Seat Upright

: A full recline

Food: Milk and biscuits on the way up. (Note Food and Arigcultural restrictions into Australia) Milk, chips, grapes, yogurt, cheese, chocolate on the way back. Our tickets comes with pre ordered food but seriously not very worth the calories. Tip: Take the instant noodles instead.

: Meal comes with 1 drink with ice (nice touch) and chips

: We didn't take our chicken/rice and croissant but opted for 1 cup noodle instead. It was da bomb!

: The chips came in handy

Our Verdict: We enjoyed the experience and was impressed with the safety of the crew. I saw the strictness of SQ standard when it came to safety and security that we are famous for. Scootees were really friendly and encompasses of few traits of the SQ girls who are famous for looking after young kids. Ex Sin, the boarding was great and purser was jovial who took time to explain what was to expect in our flight. Scootees were a fun loving bunch who was so silent for the 7 hours that I was wondering what they were doing. I mean most will be chatting right? Scootee offered to wash my bottles when I went to the galley but I did it myself so as not to trouble them. Ex Ool The scootees were relaxed and came to play with the girls and the purser came with chocolates before landing. Scootee in Biz class didn't reject my request for not serving my meal after take off which to me is a service. Purser came forth to check on the well being of K as she was cranky in the middle of the flight. In the end we requested of a cup of ice that she played with to cool down. It was only after I changed to a romper that she finally settled and slept. Toilets were really clean with dry sink and toilet paper were folded 90% of the time which was a nice touch in a LCC.

We are definitely going to fly with Scoot as we realized we do not need the frills that commercial airline offers. I mean with 2 children, we didn't get to finish 1 show on our iPad. I was comfortable with my outfit and didn't miss the smelly blankets and not so happening pillows.

With the exception of free flow of drinks that me & T miss but Scoot can offer a buffet of drinks for a nominal sum and we will be 1st to take that up. Food wise, I will stick to instant noodles for now. A final note, they arrive early for both sectors which is a plus point isn't it?

Please feel free to ask me questions regarding my flight as I know its daunting to travel LCC with the young ones.

*Disclosure: We paid full fare for our trip and all opinions are from our family. No monetary compensation was given. I'm very keen on the Sydney and Toyko destinations and the Dreamliners that Scoot will be getting soon.

Hurricane's Grill - Surfers Paradise

2014-06-22T20:26:00.000+08:00

We were reccomended to have dinners at Hurraicane's Grill which was located at Surfers Paradise. It is an easy restaurant to spot as it faces the main entrance to the beach. Located on the 2nd floor of the building that I believe shares some sort of entrance/exit to The Soul

: photo source: Hurricane's website gallery

: Please make reservations coz it gets full

The place was tasteful set up and has a full bar for those who like to hang around before their meal. We were brought over to sit before our meal but there was burning flames at a corner which made me jittery coz K is at that stage of touching everything that she sees. Thank goodness, we didn't have to wait long before they got our table ready.

: Bar Area

: Main dining hall

Like all restaurants in Australia, they are always so equipped with tools for the kids! I didn't need to whip out any gadgets throughout my Gold Coast trip.

: Colouring tools to excite V

We had some drinks while waiting for the food, I had a good old Australian Shiraz and T had a aussie beer. Sorry no photos coz I drank it up pretty fast. *slurps . The food arrived at a moderate timing but the kiddos were well entertained.

: Garlic bread always works well for our children

: Chicken wings and Rosemary Infused rice

: Beef Ribs

: Pork Ribs

Please disregard my horrible food photos but their ribs are really great. Meats in australia are always to die for! *psst I was told their steaks are awesome too! Drop by here if you are in Gold Coast or that you are following my Gold Coast itinerary! Hurricane’s Grill Surfers Paradise Queensland Steakhouse Restaurant Soul, 4-14 The Esplanade, Level 1 Surfers Paradise, QLD 4217, Australia Website: https://surfers.hurricanesgrill.com.au

KingsCliff The Mullet

2014-06-22T20:25:00.000+08:00

We completed our tour at the Tropical Fruit World and was seriously not interested in their cafe food. I was dying to eat Fish & Chips and asked for recommendations. Somehow no 3G is a great idea for it makes me wanting to ask for directions than to quickly key into my smartphone. I was given directions to the nearest city which is surprisingly by the beach! Not a toughie and the GPS was able to guide us in 10 mins. We found a lot the minute we turned in and low and behold, it was right in front of a Fish and Chips joint!

We sniffed around and saw that it was do-able, everything was welcoming. Did a quick order and settled in.

: Cant miss it. It's the 5-6 shops from the turn into the quaint town

: The board states that they are No 1in this region.

: We went for the traditional Fish & Chips

: If you are missing your greens

: I'm a mess, my hair is not doing great in aussieland.

: I tell you, this is to die for!

V ate ALL her fish, which by the way is a feat as she doesn't like fish much. K was quiet the whole time which allowed me and T to savour this. Not until she decides to spill her glass of water and messed up herself.

I google for their address for this post and realised it is rated in TripAdviser! You can read and view the photos here.

The Mullet 3/104 Marine Pde, Kingscliff, New South Wales, Australia

MUST GO! but then again, please do google for their latest review just in case they move or what. I can't get their website for its a broken link.

Gold Coast - Alfresco Italian on Elston

2014-06-22T20:22:00.000+08:00

This is my last review of the restaurants we ate in Gold Coast. But has to be my personal favourite coz I'm still thinking about it. Damn, coz its a 7 hrs flight away. I'm kicking myself for not choosing to eat this on or 1st day so that I get many nights to re-eat here. But guess good food are meant to be in our memories till you get to savour another that surpasses. It's miserable to think abot it coz I am still missing my St Louis ribs that I had in Toronto.

: You can't miss it, it just opp Q1

: Their comprehensive menu

: There are 2 seating areas

: The kiddos had a ball eating Himalayan pink sea rock salt. I won't miss out an opportunity to keep tehm quiet and yet load them up with minerals

: You get to catch your sports games

: Seriously needed that drink after 5 comprehensive days of travel. $28 bucks!!! ONE bottle!!

: I was missing my spice and requested for tabasco or something. But Les the server brought me something that rocked my sock!

I tell you, this Trinidad chilli rocked my meal!! If you are like me, someone who loves spice and needs it in your life. I recommend that you make 1 trip here and have this. Note this when you go shopping, Trinidad Scorpion Butch Chilli. I am so finding it and blending it with olive oil.

: The level of spiciness!

: It made my Marinara penne superb!

: T had a carbonara inspired dish and he added the chilli to it too!

: The children had pizza with an option of half half

: Just proving my point hahahha

: Our server Les insisted that we have a caramel pudding

: Can you tell their approval?

We totally enjoyed ourselves here and the service was excellent! Server Les and his team gave us a great dining experience and it is a must go on your food list. I found them on TripAdvisors here Shop 2 & 3, 3018 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise, Qld 4217 (Diagonally opposite the Q1) Free 2hr Parking available under the Wyndham Building – park anywhere on B1 Website: http://alfrescogc.com

Barney's Word Of Imagination At City Square Mall - June Holidays

2014-06-09T20:30:00.000+08:00

{Media Event} We made a trip to Barney's 1st show on the 7th June coz we are fans of the purple dinosaur hehe! It was our 1st mall show coz in our early years with V, we actually do pay to watch concerts thinking it will be what she "likes", oh my the folly of new parents and its investments. With my #2, we have grown smarter and select shows that are worth our time. I must say it was definitely worth the time spent as the attention span of a young child is limited. It was filled with Barney's popular songs like Mister Sun, Mr Kickerbocker and of course they didn't miss out their anthem.

: Barney Fans of Singapore

: I was there 30 mins before the show and it was full, so make an early trip

: Being early gets u this close

: Only a parent will understand how amazing it is for a child to see the idols come alive

Barney& Friends 'Live' On Stage

Date 7-22 June (Daily except Mondays)

Time: 2pm & 7pm (Tues- Fri) 1pm, 4pm & 7pm (Sat &Sun)

Shoppers can get a Meet and Greet exclusive pass with a minimum spending of $50 (max of 3 same day combines receipts) and only 50 passes will be given 45 minutes prior to each show. Since you are there, why not do their Barney Dress up at 3.30pm (Tues- Fri) 230pm &530pm (Sat & Sun) You can also dress your child in their favourite Barney & Friends costume and snap a picture. T&C are the same as above and only 15 passes are give out 30 mins prior to each time slot.

Sure-Win Lucky Spin which starts 30 May - 29 June and with a minimum spend of $200 ($250 if inclusive of NTUC receipts) . Gifts are in above photo. Oh and you get free weekday lunchtime parking for the 1st 11/2 hours between 12-2pm (except PH). In addition, redeem a $3 parking coupon with a minimum spend of $60 on weekdays.

: Wanna make a guess what song they are hugging to?

: Up close and personal and V gets to be touched by Barney!

Make that trip to watch this, for $50 stretches your dollar far and much. This is true coming from 1 family who once spend $200++ to watch Barney talk too much and sing too little. Interestingly, Victoria cried after watching for she "missed" Barney, she did the same after her 2010 concert. Kate didn't care much that she left purpledom. *Disclosure: We wre invited to watch the event , made the trip on our own accord and enjoyed this 20 mins of song and dance.

New site but doesnt link up

2014-05-30T23:50:00.001+08:00

Hey all, so sorry for this. I was running my checks and realized that my post do not reflect here anymore cos I left blogger to go on wordpress. U can visit me at http://flomummy.com for our family updates. I will try to sort this out!! *noob *noob *noob