F1 Night on 22 Sep 2012

Singapore hosted the Singapore Grand Prix since 2008 and it has become a yearly event that I will attend. The first I attended was in 2009 when I won a free pair of 3 days walkabout tickets from a lucky draw by Marina Square Shopping Mall. Last year, I bought the walkabout tickets and this year, the Bay Grandstand tickets. 

I enjoyed the Grand Prix as the vibe is so different. People from all over the world gathered at the same spot to watch the race and/or to party. Boring Marina centre looks different and more interesting to me when the floodlights are up and the sounds of 2-4 litre V8 engines zooming pass. 

Every year, big names are invited to perform at the Padang stage during the 3-days event. The performances are usually held after the races are completed. In 2009, I watched the performance by Travis (my favorite band!). Last year was Linkin Park and yesterday, I watched Maroon 5 performed. The turnout at Maroon 5 concert was the biggest that I have seen so far and the performance was awesome! Totally enjoyed the songs they sang. They started the concert with their latest hit, Payphone and the crowd went crazy.

It was great news to hear at yesterday's event that Singapore will continue to hold the race for another 5 years. Looking forward to next year's event.. wonder who will be performing at the Padang Stage next year.

Tiong Bahru Bakery by Gontran Cherrier

Discovered a new bakery in Raffles City today. Tiong Bahru Bakery by Gontran Cherrier is now occupying the spot previously taken by Aerin. According to online sources, the bakery is a collaboration between Gontran Cherrier and Spa Espirit Group. The first branch is located in Eng Hoon Street while the latest and much bigger branch is at Raffles City. 

Pardon my ignorance but I have not heard of this bakery until today. The first thing that I noticed were the posters around Raffles City promoting the bakery's croissants. Hmm....the croissants must be real good. However, my friend and I stepped into the bakery only after our dinner, hence, we tried two of the pastries instead - Flan Pandan and Kouign Amann, instead of the croissants. 

Flan Pandan

The Flan Pandan was a disappointment. It lacks the fragrance of pandan and the flavour is bland. At SGD$6 a piece, it is considered fairly expensive. 

Kouign Amann

This is the better of the two pastries that we tried. It is flavourful and full of buttery taste. However, eating this is a messy business as cutting it into smaller pieces for sharing resulted in flakes flying all over the table. It is definitely a pastry that you should eat on your own:) Would be great if this pastry is offered in smaller bite size, rather than one big piece. 

Magic by Forty Hands

Nothing marvellous of the coffee but the motif is a nice touch. 

3-Steps Blackhead Removal Kit

Mizon Let Me Out Byebye Blackheads 3-step kit is the 2nd blackhead removal kit that I bought. The first was Sexylook Blackhead Pore Cleanser set. Below is a comparison of the two products:

Step-1 is a Heat Gel (smell lemony!) to open up the pores

Step-2 is peel-off Black Mask

Step-3 is a gel-like serum (smell lemony again!) to close up the pores

Step-1 is a serum to soften sebum and remove excess oil

Step-2 is a peel-off pink color mask (smell strawberry!)

Step-3 is a essence to tighten pores











I like the heat gel that comes with Mizon kit. It smells heavenly to me and I like the feeling of the gel heating up... feels like my pores are opening up:)  

The black peel-off mask from Mizon dry faster than the strawberry mask from Sexylook (10-15 minutes vs 20-30 minutes). However, the black mask is harder to peel off than the pink one. I had to peel off from top to bottom instead of the recommended bottom up (not sure how many wrinkles I will have if i use Mizon kit for long term.....) However, both masks work in pulling out those horrible thingy even though the blackheads are not really visible on my nose. 

I don't use Step-3 of the kit as I usually follow-up with my toner, essence and emulsion after I removed the mask. 

In terms of effectiveness and ease of use, I vote for Sexylook. However, in terms of price, the vote goes to Mizon. It costs just 9900 wons (excluding shipping) as compared to SGD $25.90 for Sexylook.

Mizon Moroccan Blending Treatment Shampoo

My latest Gmarket Haul includes a number of products from Mizon. One of the items which I bought is the Moroccan Blending Treatment Shampoo. Mizon is having a 1+1 promotion so I got two big bottles of the shampoo for just 9900 wons excluding shipping. 

It is an all-in-one formula, which means there is no need for a separate conditioner (suitable for people like me who is too lazy to use a separate conditioner). According to the description from Mizon, the shampoo calms sensitive scalp and treats hair damage. The organic Argon oil in the shampoo creates water moist film on the surface of damaged hair to help your hair looks healthier and shiny. In addition, the bountiful bubble & BHA elements will control oily hair and remove bodily waste as well as dead skin cells so that your scalp can stay healthy. 

Anyway, I have used the shampoo twice and I must admit that I am happy with it. Even though my hair ends still feel dry, they no longer tangle. My hair does not drop as much and looks shinier too:) A product which I will definitely re-purchase. 

Hera UV Mist Cushion

Finally back after a 5-years absence from my blog!! Anyway, today's blog will be on BB Cushion - Hera UV Mist Cushion, one of the items from my latest Gmarket Haul. For those who have never heard of BB Cushion, it is actually BB cream but is available in pact form, rather than tube. One of the unique effects of BB Cushion is that there is cooling sensation upon application.

First thing that I noticed after application is that my skin looks dewy and bright. I am very impressed with the effect as I am not able to achieve it with any BB cream. My face is combination-oily type, hence usually by lunch, my T-zone will be oily and make-up will be smudging. However, with BB Cushion, make-up stays even after five hours.  

This BB cushion from Hera is one of the more expensive BB Cushions in Gmarket Korea (the others are Su:m37 Air Rising Moist Cushion Foundation and Lirikos Marine UV Water Cushion). Other than the 3, there are plenty of other BB cushions available eg Iope, Isa Knox, The Face Shop and Ohui. 

Guess my next Gmarket haul will be more BB Cushions:) 

Food Blog - Hanabi @ Odeon Tower

Tried the ala-carte buffet at Hanabi Odeon Tower tonight after reading so many rave reviews about the buffet. However, I am utterly disapointed with the buffet selection and spread. Items available for selection include sashimi, handroll, makimono, grilled items, various soba noodles and rice. Items were common and are readily available in other sushi restaurants such as Sakae. For small eaters, paying $33++ for the ala-carte buffet will not be worthwhile since you can eat similar items at other restaurants (althought not buffet style) but a much lower price.

Besides limited selection, food wasn't that nice too. The soba noodle was overly cooked, soggy and bland (even after dipping into the soba sauce). Chicken wings was listed as a chef-recommended items but they turn out to be hard, dry and bland as well. Only item which i like was the salmon sashimi - fresh and tasty. Overall I will give it 2 out of 5 stars only (5 for excellent). Will definitely not return to the restaurant again. For japanese buffet, Kuishibo at Suntec City will be a much much better choice.

For those who are still interested in trying out Hanabi, the restaurant at Odeon Tower is small. It can get crowded easily. Hence, it is recommended that you reserve seats to avoid disapointment.

Food Blog - Menotti

Had dinner at Menotti, a Italian restaurant located at an obscure corner of Raffles City Shopping Centre. Budget is around $35 per person if you order the set dinner - consists of 3-course meal and coffee/tea. Budget will be around $40 if you order a glass of house wine.

For starters, there are about 3 or 4 choices to select from. Tried the Caesar salad and spinach & crab soup. If 5 points is excellent, I would give a 2.5 points for the salad and 3 for the soup (3.5 if the soup had been hotter).

As for the main courses, there were 4 choices. Tried the Atlantic Sole Fillet and Fettuccine with Scallop and Mushrooms. Would give 4 out of 5 points for both dishes!

Looking at the desserts menu made me giddy as there were too many choices to select from! Other than the usual tiramisu and cheese cake, there were plenty of Italian desserts which I cannot even pronounce.

For those who like wine, there are plenty of wines to select from, mostly Italian wine I think. They have red wine, white wine and even dessert wine!

Was at the restaurant slightly before 7 pm and the place was not that crowded. However, when I walk past the restaurant at around 8.30 pm, the place was full. Hence, be early if you want to dine there.