Welcome To Shirley's Luxury Haven!

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Night Renewal Cream Review + FREE Samples

2012-02-27T10:28:00.000+08:00

Just like chocolate, Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula is a sensual, rich lotion that melts on contact with skin to deeply penetrate & seal in moisture.

As one of the world's leading names in skincare, the Cocoa Butter Night Renewal Cream is Palmer’s number 1 formula!

Get A FREE Milo Shaker With MILO® 3-In-1 Easy Cool!

2012-02-23T21:25:00.000+08:00

Nestlé Singapore launches a brand new product under Singapore’s much loved beverage, MILO® Easy Cool & I got to sample the product!

Hey, Milo even included a shaker that comes with an indicator pointing how much water to add! That's so cool!

Just as its name suggests, MILO® Easy Cool is all about bringing ease to the preparation of cold MILO®. All you have to do is – "Pour, Shake, & Be Cool!"

SK-II Whitening Cocktail Party & Workshop

2012-02-22T10:34:00.000+08:00

Following the SK-II Lunch Event At Alkaff Mansion, I started to pay even more attention to the pigmentation on my face.

Looking at the pix above, it says that Stubborn Spots, also known as Age Spots or Hyper-pigmentation, are formed by melanin accumulated within the spot. Melanin discharge dysfunction causes melanin to accumulate beneath our skin, resulting in formation of spots.

The scary fact is that, while visible spots are easily seen, what is more difficult to manage are “hidden” spots that manifest into dark spots over time.

Inspiration Award & Fabulous Blog Award

2012-02-20T10:06:00.002+08:00

It’s another year of blogging for me & these Blog Awards keep me going to know that there’re people who really read & appreciate my posts.

Bellabox Beauty Box Review

2012-02-13T10:46:00.000+08:00

Have you ever bought stuff & ended up chucking aside because it didn’t suit you. Do you like product samples? Do you enjoy keeping up with the latest products & trends?

If your answer is “Yes” to the above, Bellabox is your solution, with the latest deluxe beauty products delivered every month right to your doorstep!

DIY iPhone Pouch & Others This Valentine’s Day!

2012-02-11T16:20:00.000+08:00

I’ve made these in 2009 for my friends during the economic downturn. I didn’t want to spend too much, so I’d decided to rediscover my long-lost hobby – Crochet.

I hope this post is not too late. Well, for those who’re already into this hobby, I’m sure you’ll have no problem completing this within a day. After all, these are all very small items. Besides, what’s better than giving something made with love & passion.

CNY Lo Hei: Auspicious Salmon Yu Sheng (发财鱼生)

2012-02-10T09:43:00.002+08:00

Lo Hei or Prosperity Toss, originally is a Teochew-style Raw Fish Salad. It usually consists of strips of raw fish, example the Salmon, & shredded vegetables like Radish, Carrots, Red Pepper (Capsicum), Turnips, Red Pickled Ginger, Lime leaves, Chilli.

Sauces & other ingredients include Plum sauce, Vinegar, Kumquat paste & Sesame oil; Sun-dried Orange, Jellyfish, Chopped Peanuts, Sesame Seeds, Chinese Shrimp Crackers, Five Spice Powder etc.

(Recipe Featured @ OMY-食天堂Eat)

The Yu Sheng dish is considered a symbol of abundance, vitality & prosperity due to its homophone for Yúshēng (余升), meaning an increase in abundance. Hence, the appetizer is taken during festive seasons such as the Chinese New Year, symbolizing "Good Luck" for the new year.

Achieving Aura Skin With SK-II Cellumination Essence

2012-02-08T10:02:00.002+08:00

How confident are you to let your friends come as close as 20 cm to see your naked face?

Sadly, many of us are plagued by uneven skin tone. While make-up & basic foundation can help skin appear brighter & flawless, it’s not a permanent solution to a healthy skin.

Well, SK-II has formulated a new Aura-Bright Cocktail in their latest Cellumination Essence Ex, giving women highly defined aura skin even up-close at 20cm! Isn’t that awesome?

Lucky Koi Mango Pudding (吉祥錦鯉芒果布丁)

2012-02-06T11:18:00.003+08:00

The word Koi comes from Japanese, simply meaning "Carp". Koi fish the most powerful Feng Shui symbol, symbolizing wealth, harmony & happiness.. It is said that placing a picture of the Koi fish in your home, your dreams will come true.

Recipe Featured @ OMY-食天堂Eat as DIY 好主意!

SK-II Lunch Event At Alkaff Mansion

2012-02-03T14:58:00.003+08:00

It was a delightful afternoon of lovely treats & dazzling products at SK-II’s private party at the historical Alkaff Mansion. I was whizzed to the event in a chauffeured Mercedes Benz in style, right at the doorstep of my home.

My Chinese New Year Feasts

2012-01-31T09:59:00.002+08:00

Happy Chinese New Year, my friends! 恭喜发财, 新年快乐! For those celebrating CNY, have u been snacking a lot? Well, I’m one of those guilty ones, snacking non-stop & now I'm down with a terrible sore throat. Lol!

I’ve been busy cooking & hosting quite a bit, hence haven't really had time to update my blog. But now I’m back, slowly crawling back to posting. As soon as I get back in tune, I'll be visiting your blogs.

Remember my DIY Mandarin Oranges For This Chinese New Year? Well, besides substituting real oranges with these during my visiting, I also used them for my table setting. Do you like it? So, are you ready for my CNY feasts?

DIY Your Mandarin Oranges This Chinese New Year

2012-01-20T10:15:00.002+08:00

When families visit one another to exchange greetings during the Chinese New Year, it’s a tradition to take gifts such as Tangerines & Oranges, as their Chinese names sound like "gold" & "wealth".

While Mandarin Orange is the most popular fruit during this period due to its symbolic of "luck" or "fortune", Tangerine with leaves intact represents long lasting relationships & fruitful with kids.

My mum has been making these Mandarin Oranges for the last couple of years for display in her house. She has just suggested a brilliant idea as she found lots of leftover oranges gone to waste in the past.

Mum thought it would be a nice notion to replace real oranges with these DIY ones this year. Recipients would be able to appreciate & display these vibrant oranges in their homes. I was in full support of her superb idea & wanted to learn how to make these for my visiting too. If I can do it, you can too. I've included a tutorial for you, so let’s DIY our own Mandarin Oranges this CNY!

FREE SMRT Chinatown Shuttle Bus Service For Your CNY Shopping!

2012-01-19T10:55:00.000+08:00

Park & Ride this Chinese New Year! SMRT is providing FREE Shuttle Bus Service to Chinatown from Jan 20 - 22!

Pain Cures You Can Find in Your Kitchen II

2012-01-18T10:00:00.001+08:00

Following my post on Tips To Cure Minor Ailments, here's the Part II of the article. I thank you for your useful feedback & glad that you've found the tips informative. If you've used some of these tips before & they really worked for you, do let us know your views.

Prevent digestive upsets with pineapple: Got gas? One cup of fresh pineapple daily can cut painful bloating within 72 hours, say researchers at California's Stanford University. That's because pineapple is naturally packed with proteolytic enzymes, digestive aids that help speed the breakdown of pain-causing proteins in the stomach and small intestine, say USDA researchers.

Cleanse It Right With Garnier’s Light Black Foam

2012-01-16T10:09:00.000+08:00

If oily pores leave your face sticky & uncomfortable, cleanse your skin to a healthy glow with Garnier’s latest 2-in-1 brightening & oil-control Light Black Foam!

This unique cleanser combines natural plant & mineral extracts that trap oil & dirt, helps to lift skin dullness effectively & balance out skin tone. Garnier’s Light Black Foam is a beauty must-have, a silvery-black cleansing foam that brightens skin while clearing away impurities & excess oils.

FREE Entry To Foam Party At Café del Mar, Sentosa!

2012-01-13T07:38:00.000+08:00

Always wanted to know what a foam party is like? Brace yourself for the ultimate beach party as 6 Top Local DJs spin back to back at Café del Mar, Sentosa!

Announcing The Winner Of NiNi Toy Bungee Giveaway!!

2012-01-11T09:23:00.001+08:00

The NiNi Toy Bungee International Giveaway is my 1st contest for 2012. I’m very happy to be able conduct one for all readers worldwide & the Toy Bungee is just perfect for parents to ease their woes away. So who’s the lucky winner to this Award-winning accessory?

Celebrate The Dragon Year With These Auspicious Recipes!

2012-01-09T12:10:00.001+08:00

In the Chinese lunar calendar, each year is designated by one of the 12 Animals in order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig, & 2012 is the Year of the Dragon!

A reunion dinner is held on New Year's Eve where members of the family gather for the celebration. The New Year's Eve dinner is often lavish & restaurants name their food after auspicious themes such as "good fortune", "happiness", "wealth", "longevity" etc.

Here’s a round-up of my past recipes. You too, can whip up some yummy dishes, restaurant-style. Give it an auspicious name & you're ready to entertain your guests. How about starting with my Bountiful Gold Fish Salad (年年有余)? Click on the highlighted links to go to respective recipes. Have fun!

(Featured @ eRecipe.com, PtitChef & OMY-食天堂Eat)

S$98 Lunch At The No Menu Restaurant

2012-01-06T09:24:00.000+08:00

Have you been to a restaurant with no menu? Do you like surprises? Well, if you’re tired of picking food off the menu, this Italian joint would probably suit your taste if you don’t mind forking out S$98 for a lunch per head.

The Michelin-Star eatery that people raved about is a family-style restaurant in a shophouse space, with cozy dining rooms. Upon seated, my Japanese ex-colleague & I were welcomed by a passionate & well-polished manager, explaining the concept of the degustation No Menu. We got to choose only the Main Course – Fish or Meat, & the rest is up to the Chef. My eyes brightened with anticipation!

NiNi Toy Bungee Review & International Giveaway!!

2012-01-04T10:29:00.002+08:00

Do you have a tyrant who takes pleasure in throwing his cups or toys on the floor? Have you ever been frustrated by nitty challenges such as picking up objects after your kids?

Help is here now! With NiNi range of Bungee products, you can now outsmart your kids by ending the "Throwing Game"! Cute, colourful, practical & affordable product is what parents need to ease the busy lives of moms & dads.

Happy New Year + Tips To Cure Minor Ailments!

2012-01-02T11:40:00.003+08:00

As the light of the New Year glows, welcoming the arrival of 2012, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank each & everyone of you for your relentless support, especially during my calls for votes.

I know I don't blog often enough but I'll try my best to visit & comment on your posts. I'd also like to thank those for re-tweeting my posts. I'm not into Twitter 24/7 like some of you & I'm not savvy using that tool. Nevertheless, I do appreciate your kind gestures. You know who you are & I sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart. I shall repay you in kind.

May each day of 2012 blossom into love & happiness for you & may wonderful surprises fill your life! With this, I share with you this useful article which I've recently received from a friend: Pain Cures You Can Find in Your Kitchen (Part I).

Playful Bento Vegetables

2011-12-29T10:18:00.001+08:00

This colourful & fun vegetable dish is an ideal accompaniment to my last Bento. Boring greens no longer have to be plain; adding colours & patterns bring life to the recipe. Kids will certainly adore this healthy dish cooked with shrimps.

Recipe Featured @ PtitChef as 'Starter of the Day!'

Announcing The Winner Of SK-II Pitera™ Essence Set X’mas Giveaway!

2011-12-27T11:22:00.001+08:00

Merry X'mas & Thank You for your active participation in Luxury Haven's SK-II Pitera™ Essence Set X’mas Giveaway! Instead of keeping you in suspense, Santarina decided to be nice by announcing the winner a day earlier. So here's presenting the Lucky Winner to this awesome prize!

Samsung Galaxy Note: Is It A Phone Or A Tablet?

2011-12-23T10:04:00.024+08:00

The current crave in owning the latest mobile device is probably the Samsung Galaxy Note. My closest encounter with a Samsung device was the Galaxy S Wi-Fi 5.0, onboard the Finnair’s Angry Birds Flight from Helsinki to S’pore.

All passengers on that special flight got to play the Angry Birds game with the gadget. How cool is that!

I was exhilarated when I was offered the chance to own this awesome device & to do a review. People are currently snapping up this gadget & many places are out of stock. Lucky me, this special batch also comes with a free Flip Cover worth S$89, which I will be picking up at a later date.

To do this review, I had to attend a workshop organized by Samsung, with few other bloggers for a brief walk-through. Refreshments were also served at the event.

So, is the Galaxy Note a mobile phone or a tablet? Let’s take a peek inside the box…………

Screaming For Frozen Desserts, Lemon Sorbet!

2011-12-21T15:12:00.003+08:00

The Lemon Myrtle in this recipe, combined with the sweetness & sourness of the sorbet, was ethereal.

A pinch of the scented herb from Gryphon Tea gives this dessert an exotic feel, perfect for the festive season & leaves you yelling for more!

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.