Sofina Beaute Emulsion I

I got the Sofina Beaute Emulsion 1 when I was in Tokyo, just because the 120ml light blue plastic bottle with flowers on it looked pretty to me. It comes in four degrees of hydration and the one I got for my combination skin was the refreshing (light) version.

It is basically a very light milky lotion which goes on at night, after cleansing and toning. In the day, they recommend that you use the UV emulsion. Suitable for people between the ages of 30 to 40, the emulsion provides the required level of hydration without stickiness. There is no added coloring and it has a floral scent which I feel is most similar to Laneige.

Here's the texture of the lotion and a picture of the cute screw-on cap.

Majolica Majorca Eyes Reset Gel

I decided to get a tube of Majolica Majorca's Eyes Reset Gel as I had used a similar gel-to-oil product from Japan (Retinotime) and liked it. I do not use this so much for the removal of eye makeup, but as a massage gel and remover for the entire face, especially at times when I am not taking a shower and would not like to have cleansing oil accidentally dripping all over the place. Although this does not emulsify, when used before a foaming cleanser, it leaves my skin cleaner and smoother.

The 30g tube can be bought at Watsons for $9.90.

A scentless light pink gel, it melts immediately into oil when rubbed onto the skin.

According to the instructions on the packaging, the gel is to be applied in circular motions around the eye area to dissolve makeup, and then removed with cotton pads or tissue.

The main ingredient in this gel is mineral oil, but it does contain vitamin E and macadamia seed oil to nourish the skin.

Both Majolica Majorca's Lash Enamel Glamour and My Lashes Extend Elegantly were removed easily and completely with even a tiny amount of the gel as shown in the picture below.

After rubbing in the gel and before gently lifting it off with a cotton pad.

Tori Amos' Abnormally Attracted to Sin

I got this CD from a discount bin. I'm not reviewing the tracks except to say that none caught my fancy like her previous releases.

Here is how the deluxe edition looks like:

Front cover:


Back Cover:


CD & DVD: The Road Chronicles


Lyrics booklet and poster included:

In Love With Ikebana Demonstration

I went for the IN LOVE WITH IKEBANA demonstration at the Japan Creative Centre this week. Ikebana International Singapore Chapter 135 was invited by the Embassy of Japan to participate in the flower exhibition to promote awareness for the floral art. It was also an opportunity for them to recruit new members.

The demonstration was by headmaster Rishi Ohtsuka who began his study of Koryu (old school) Ikebana at the age of 13. Throughout the entire session, he created about eight different arrangements. His emphasis was on the importance of space and balance, both positive and negative, within and around the arrangement.

Here are some of the flowers that were at his disposal.

One of his arrangements using a piece of driftwood and a huge dried pod.

An arrangement perfect for the New Year.

This was my favourite piece. He actually made use of a mosquito incense holder to create this stunning geometrical arrangement.

Here's a close up look at the base. You could finish this with either one or more flowers. He initially thought of using three but decided to go with a single yellow bloom.

There was also an exhibition of arrangements done by members of Ikebana International Singapore Chapter. This huge arrangement was done by the president herself.

The Japan Creative Centre located at 4 Nassim Road holds regular events and exhibitions. Here are a few upcoming ones. See you there!

Dinner @ Brotzeit 313 Somerset

We first stepped into Brotzeit Vivocity about a year ago, as the boy likes sausages and of course, beer. I didn't have a particular liking for sausages as I could not think of it as real food, but only as breakfast food, kid's finger food, or cinema food.

I've accompanied the boy to Brotzeit a few times since then, and have started to acquire a liking for certain kinds of sausages, especially if they came in crispy casings. The fact that the German restaurant serves their sausages with a huge helping of sauerkraut helped a lot too.

We usually order the Wurstelplatte platter for two ($32.50) whenever we dine there. It consists of a mix of spicy chicken sausage, mini pork-beef cheese sausage, pork bratwurst, weistwurst sausage, and garlic sausage. The platter comes with sauerkraut, pickles and a trio of dipping sauces - mustard, sweet mustard and chilli.

My favourite of the lot, the spicy chicken sausage with the red chilli bits.

The boy would order a beer or two, and I would order their Apfelschorler, which is 100% apple juice mixed with sparkling mineral water. Looking at the difference in size, you can tell that one glass of apple juice wouldn't be quite enough. Oh, and did I ever tell you that fizzy apple juices taste like beer to me? Only sweeter and much better. I wish they came in pints.

Muji: Baked Kamaboko Sausage, Tacos, Soybean Crackers

So, just after I got a couple of snacks from Muji last week, I went back for more.

The Baked Kamaboko Sausage Taste is similar to those cod fish snacks you can get for 50 cents a packet at the mama shop. The only difference is that this has a mild sausage flavour. Muji clears there food stock regualrly and hence I got this for a dollar, which is almost 50% off the normal retail price.

I don't particularly fancy tacos because they are hard and tasteless despite the added flavouring, but somehow, the Tortilla Chips Taco was calling out to me that day. Maybe my body was craving some cheese and salt. I also got it partly because Muji uses non-GMO corn. Just google side effects and diseases from GMO food and you'll avoid them like the plague.

The Soybean Rice Cracker is similar to those Wang Wang soya-flavoured biscuits (but salt-flavoured), except that these contain millet, barley, sesame and amaranthus herb. It does contain wheat so do take note if you are allergic to wheat. Originally retailing at $3.90, this also uses non-GMO soybeans.

Organic Ginger Thins from Ikea

These are really good ginger snaps! I've always loved ginger snaps but never managed to finish the entire pack. I've always thought they came thick and hard, and made your jaws ache. The Organic Ginger Thins from Ikea was thus a really happy find for me! These are thin and brittle. They're crispy and crumbly, not hard and chewy. There's enough ginger, cinnamon and cloves in this to make it real tasty. If it weren't for the fact that it's so rich, three pieces is enough to fill me up, I wouldn't mind polishing off the whole packet in one sitting.

Korean Food - Tteokbokki (떡볶이) Making Workshop (辣炒年糕作坊)

Making sweet and spicy Tekobokki is a no-brainer. Anyone can do it, really.

Ingredients:
Korean Rice Cakes
Korean Fishcake
Cabbage
Onion
Garlic
Koran Chilli Paste
Chilli Flakes
Soya Sauce
Sugar

Korean Rice Cakes can be gotten from the frozen section of any Seoul Mart. The one I used came in the packaging as shown below. These are already pre-cooked.

Whilst at Seoul Mart, you could also get some Korean fishcake. These look like flattened pieces of tau pok. The rest of the ingredients can easily be found at any regular supermarket.

1) Pour the rice cakes into a bowl of water to defrost them.

2) Fill a saucepan with 500ml of water. Turn on the heat. Add in a tablespoon each of the paste, chilli flakes, soya sauce and sugar. Mix well. If you'd like it to be extra spicy, you can add more chilli flakes.

3) Add the defrosted rice cakes, fishcake, chopped cabbage, sliced onions and chopped garlic.

4) Keep stirring until the sauce thickens to a sticky paste, the cabbage is cooked, and the rice cakes are springy, not hard.

And you're done!

You can keep it in a container in the fridge to be eaten on it's own or fry with meat or seafood.