Nuffnang's 6th Birthday Bash at Ballymoons!

My friends and family didn't really like the idea of me being a blogger.  To them blogging is for youngsters who has got nothing better to do than to seek attention in virtual world.  Nobody believes me when I told them Nuffnang is paying me for blogging.  After much explaination, they are finally more receptive.

Nuffnang is Asia-Pacific's first and leading blog advertising community in Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Australia, China, Hong Kong, and Thailand. Bloggers generate income through blog ads placed by various brands in our blogs.

It's really amazing that Nuffnang had created a new job in the market - Blogging.   There are already a number full-time bloggers in Singapore.  Social media/advertising is longer child's play like it used to be 10 years ago.  Blogsphere plays a big influence in the market with lots of opportunities and Nuffnang is the pioneer.

My relationship with Nuffnang is pretty lukewarm at the moment, cos' I joined the community about half a year ago only.  I am not a greedy person, but blogging without Nuffnang is like playing majong without chips, where got kick right?   So I am looking forward to receive more cheques and grow my blog together with Nuffnang for the future!

Besides additional income, bloggers in Nuffnang gets to participate in events and contests.

Below pic was taken during a Swarovski workshop organised by Nuffnang.

It was very well organised and was a wonderful experience.

Here's a pic taken with star blogger Xiaxue.

She used be on the screen of my computer, but suddenly she was in human form right beside me ^.^

I love Nuffnang, cos' they make my blog and effort worth it.

Nuffnang is turning 6 this year!

www.nuffnang.com

Nuffnang's 6th Birthday will be bashing at Ballymoons!

Probably be wearing this, in line with their dress code in sixties if I gets to go.

I want to be part of Nuffnang's 6 Birthday Bast at Ballymoons!

NS45 Bonus for our men!

*contest

All our Singapore boys are trained and turned into real tough men through 2 years National Service.

Our NS men was behind, protecting our country and made us proud.

I had been trying to search for my hubby's absolutely sexy topless NS pic where he show-off his abs.
Couldn't find, so sad, so have to make do with this pic of his uniform.
As you can see the camouflage print is different from now.

Hey, how about taking this opportunity to share with you readers one of my hubby's NS story!
Time transport back to 1985.............

There was this Section IC (in-charge), who liked to boss around in his platoon, thus nick named Ya Ya King.  Bloody cocky and super suck up, everybody had no choice but to tahan him.  One day, chance of "revenge" came........

Ya Ya King was not feeling well and he went to bed at 9pm plus.  He was totally knocked out.  5 of them, including my hubby decided to play a prank on him - they carried him together with his bed into the bathroom.  The entrance to the bathroom was just nice for the bed to pass through, Ya Ya King nearly rowed off the bed during the "transportation" but he did not wake up lolxxx.......

As soon as Ya Ya King (and his bed) was placed in the middle of the bathroom, a Corporal came in  -

Corporal: "Hey, what are you guys doing  and what's the bed doing here?!"

Hubby and buddies: "Sssshhhhhhhh........  Corporal, we just want to make fun of Ya Ya King lah, ssshhhh......"

Corporal: "I need to shower leh!"

Hubby and buddies: "Corporal you carry on with your shower but don't switch on the lights can?"

Corporal:  "Ok lah, ok lah, ........ you all hor...."

Hubby and buddies: "Thank you Corporal!  Good night Corporal!"

Corporal went on with his romantic shower cum singing session with lights off.  Corporal wasn't singing lullaby, but Ya Ya King was still sleeping like a baby, lolxxx........ he was incredibly sound asleep, even if the sky collapse he also won't wake up, waahaahaahaaa........

At around 3am, Ya Ya King carried his bed back into bunk, cursing and swearing with ultimate hokkien vulguarities in "full force":  "K******, who put 你爸 in the bathroom?!!!  #@%&*  got guts to do no guts to own up is it?  Bloody $#@%, let me know who's behind this, I am going to bash him upside down...... $#@&^%.........."

Hubby and buddies nearly died of internal stomach injuries while controlling their laughter under their blankets.

The next morning Ya Ya King continued to question who carried him (and his bed) to the bathroom.  Nobody owned up of course.

It was harmless prank, super hilarous "revenge", very unforgettable incident to my hubby ^.^  

Once an army, forever a NS man, SAFRA is for our men!

Is your boyfriend, brothers, hubby or father a National Service (NS) or Operationally Ready National Service (ORNS)?

If yes, CONGRATULATIONS!

We are going to benefit from our men!

In celebration of the 45th anniversary of National Service (NS),
MINDEF will be giving National Servicemen
SAFRA vouchers and 1 year SAFRA membership!!

Image from http://ns45.safra.sg

This is a broad-based and inclusive initiative for  all who have served NS or are serving NS!  More than 900,000 National Servicemen will receive from the NS45 SAFRA Benefits.

National Servicemen will receive a letter of notification by post informing them of their eligibility for these benefits between January 2013 and April 2013. They will be requested to confirm their address before we send them the vouchers.  The tenure of the free membership will be from 1 Apr 2013 (or the date of application, whichever is later) to 31 Mar 2014. 

For National Servicemen that meet the eligibility criteria and are existing members of SAFRA, they will have their memberships automatically extended by an additional year from their original subscription date.

For National Servicemen that meet the eligibility criteria and are not existing members of SAFRA, just click into http://ns45.safra.sg to register!

My hubby had registered and I am more excited then him cos'.......

The $100 SAFRA vouchers are MINE!!! waahaahaaahaaa.....

Actually no lah, I prefer to spend it with my children and their dad, 独乐乐不如众乐乐, sharing doubles the happiness ^_^

Image from http://ns45.safra.sg

SAFRA vouchers can be use in many many outlets.  So many that it almost covered every part of Singapore!  I'm not exaggerating!

Starting from Food and Beverages, the vouchers can be used at:
Old Chang Kee, Swenson's, NTUC Foodfare, Pizza Hut, Pasta Mania, Fish & Co., Food Republic etc..

Not forgetting Astons Specilities, Toast Box, Mcdonald's in Safra clubs, etc etc and the lists goes on!

SAFRA vouchers can also be used at Entertainment venues like:
Partyworld KTV, K-Box, Shaw Theatres, Cathay Cineplexes, St James Power Station, and many more.

Major Shopping Outlets includes:
Robinsons, John Little, Isetan, Giant Hypermarket*, NTUC Fairprice*, Cold Storage*, etc etc....
(*conditions apply)

The SAFRA vouchers are as good as cash, don't you agree?

How about outings and family or friends at:
Gardens By The Bay, Adventure Cove Waterpark, Universal Studios, Singapore Zoo, etc.....
Yes, SAFRA vouchers can be used too!!

Click here for a complete list of redemption and participating outlets.


What can we do with 1 year's SAFRA membership?

SAFRA clubs aren't like just any other clubs.
Formed since 1972, SAFRA's goal was to aid Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) enhance camaraderie and boost morale among National Servicemen.

Recreational and entertainment facilities designed for NSmen as well as their family members.

It can be a dip in the pool with our children ~~

Image from www.safra.sg

(Jurong SAFRA)

Sweat it out in the soccer field with old NS buddies ~~

Image from www.safra.sg

(Tampines SAFRA)

Majong session for "dry swimmers" ~~

Image from www.safra.sg

(Toa Payoh SAFRA)

Bonding time with friends or family at Party World ~~

Image from www.safra.sg

(Yishun SAFRA)

Or a friendly bowling match!

Image from www.safra.sg

(Toa Payoh SAFRA)

And lots more facilities which SAFRA members and their families can enjoy!

Click in http://www.safra.sg/ to find out more!

We had registered for SAFRA vouchers and 1 year's SAFRA membership.

How about you or your men?

Click in http://ns45.safra.sg

Quick Quick ^_^

Secret Garden Steamboat at Chinatown Point

Before I started to get busy doing nails, went walk walk at Chinatown to get some "feel" for Chinese New Year.  "Walk walk" included "nom nom".  So here we go ~ Secret Garden Steamboat.

Open concept with uncluttered furnishes.

Not crowded as it was about 5pm.

 Honey Lemon, although the taste was not bad, but @S$4.80 was too expensive.

We ordered a set meal steamboat for 2 pax @S$58.00

Had Tom Yum and chicken soup base.
Both taste ordinary before we start to put in the ingredients.

Induction cooker.

The Kurobuta Pork was insanely delicious..........  just look at the beautiful pink color of the meat...

Penang rice noodles and sliced Waygu Beef Brisket

Claypot noodle

Veg with assorted mushrooms

BBQ honey wings

Seafood platter with king prawns, crayfish, scallops, red groupa fish slices, sotong and handmade fish balls.

As we were seated at near the walkway, many people made a brief stop to look at the bountiful spread.

Our table had successfully lured quite a few customers into the restaurant.

3 different types of chilli sauces were served and my fav would be the one closest to the camera.

1 clayfish for each pax

Although this wasn't a buffet, we were full to the brim when we walked out of the restaurant.

Here's the address if you are interested to try out ~~

Secret Garden

Chinatown Point

133 New Bridge Road #02-39

Singapore 059413

Tel: 6604 9936

End this post with a pic of me outside Chinatown Point.

OOTD ~

Black top with peter pan collar - Iora

Grey/black checked skirt - TaoBao

Black wool bag - Camomilla

Black suede boots - Bugis Village

Similar post ~ 海底捞 Hai Di Lao Hot Pot at Clarke Quay

King's Laksa Steamboat

Top 10 questions asked the past 15 days.

Was doing nails non-stop for the pass 15 days before CNY eve.   The following were the TOP 10 QUESTIONS my customers asked:

1)  Where did you buy your curtains?

Almost every customer who stepped into my newly renovated nail studio would ask me this question.  The curtains gives the room a rose garden and cozy feel to the room, which received many compliments.  They are from Ikea.  Rose print curtains @$29.90/2 panels, needed to be tied onto the rod.  White lace @$14.90/2 panels with pocket for rod to go through.  For other rose theme furnitures click here.

2)  How long have you been working as a manicurist?

Gotten my Manicurist Certificate from FIL on Feb 2007.  Took a month or two to purchase basic nail products and I started from then ^^

3)  Why and how did you become a manicurist?

My sister was interested to open a  nail salon.  So the first step she made was to send me to a nail course while looking out for a shop.  After I completed the basic nail course, I thought of just buying the materials and start doing nail services from home first.  My initial motive was just to kill time and make use to what I had learnt.  Shop space hunting was in vain after about a year, and I continued with my little home based nail salon.  Not within my expectation, business grew and grew.  Thus I decided to take it seriously by going for upgrading courses as well as registered my business with ROC, and that's how Precious Nail Services was "born".

4)  How old are your children?

Darren is 15 this year and Luis is 12.  Normally, the response will be "Oh, your children so big already!"  Sometimes it's followed by the question below.

5)  You married at a very young age?

Nooooooo..........  I really don't know whether to laugh or cry over this.....  It seemed that my appearance had created lots of misunderstanding  -____-|||   My reputation must had suffered really badly........  Some of my customers thought I "messed up" my life and probably shot gun married in late teens or early 20s. 

I DID NOT screw up my life.  I had planned my marriage, got a flat of our own before we had our first kid.  I gave birth to Darren at 27 and I'm 42 this year.

6)  How did you manage to slim down?

When this question is asked, I know that person is not my blog reader T_____T

Click my posts on weight management - How to eat without getting fat and How I managed to lose weight

7)  What programmes are you having for CNY?

CNY eve was reunion dinner at Pu Tien Restaurant, 1st day visit my father at Ang Mo Kio, 2nd day to my kid sister's place at Woodlands and perhaps a movie, 3rd day to a friend's place, that's it.

8)  What will you be doing for your own nails?

I did my nails on CNY eve when Precious Nail Services is close for hoilday.

Did clear extension with slight champagne glitters.

Personally, I don't like overly glittery stuffs on my nails.

 For toes, I did black color gelish with slight silver glitter. 

9)  Have you done your spring cleaning and shopping?

I don't spring clean before CNY.  Firstly, it's not possible due to my tight working schedule; secondly, I clean my house as and when, I don't accumulate till before CNY.  Since I don't cook, there practically nothing much to buy or to get busy with.  We went to Giant a day before CNY eve at 11.30pm it was crowded like crazy!  The queues at cashier was insane long, and we left with some canned drinks and bread for next day's breakfast at 2am lolxx....

10) Do you earn from blogging?

Yes,  I am with Nuffnang where I gets advertisements from.  The amount is nothing to scream about, but it's growing as months goes by.

Any more questions?  Just drop me a comment, at the same time, wishing all my lovely readers a Prosperous Chinese New Year!!

Low Fat Meal with Philips Airfryer

I am currently very busy in my nail salon due to coming Chinese New Year.

Not going to abandon my blog, I had prepared this post a couple of weeks ago......

This was my last year's Christmas present from my kid sister.

No fancyful wrapping but who cares!

Here's me hugging Philips Airfryer.

I know what you all are looking at.......
I am not bottomless, I got wear shorts hor  -.-

So, back to Philips Airfry, it uses Rapid Air Technology.
Fries, fried snacks or dishes can be prepared using very little oil.
Maintaining a healthy diet doesn't mean we have to deprive ourselves from tasty food.
My principle of life - LIVE TO EAT!

To express my thanks to my kid sis for this expensive wonderful gift,
I hosted an Airfryer Feast for my family members!

This Philips Airfryer came with 2 recipe books, one of which contains low-fat recipes.

These were the dishes I prepared from it~~

Crispy Fish Paste Wraps (225.5 cal)

Fish paste wrapped with bean curd sheets

Brush with 1 teaspoon of garlic oil and the airfry for 12mins.

Hubby had put too much fish paste in the wraps, so they looked kinda bloated.
But they were crispy and the taste wasn't bad!

Spicy Wings (154 cal)

I marinated 2 pots of wings, spicy for the adults and non-spicy for my little niece and nephew.

Used Lea & Perrin sauce, honey and chilli flakes.

This took quite a while as the basket of the airfryer can only contain max of 6 wings.

The airfrying time was about 15mins.  No oil was added.

The wings turned out like BBQ wings instead of fried chicken wings.

The wings were tender and juicy.

We were quite impressed how airfrying can cook retaining moisture of meat.

Salted 5-spice Prawns (93 cal)

This was quick, cooking time around 6 mins with a teaspoon of oil.

5-spice powder was the main seasoning, YUMMY!!

I don't think I can share the recipes here due to copyright regulations.  Anyway the recipe won't work without Philips Airfryer I suppose.

For cleansing, I wiped the interior and exterior of the airfryer with damp cloth.  Obviously electrical parts cannot be submerge in water.  I soaked the wired basket with the black tray in hot water.  The basket wired needs a bit of brushing while the tray was easily cleansed with mild soap.  I consider the cleaning quite minimal as the kitchen wall and floor were clean without oil!

Other side dishes that I whipped up ~

Croissants with egg mayonnaise.  My niece and nephew, plus my 2 boys "cleared" them all.

Mixed fruit bowl of rock melon, strawberries and dragon fruit.

I had prepared salad with black pepper smoked duck too, but forgotten to take pic.

Love this Philips Airfryer with temperature control and timer, pretty easy to use.  Hope to whip up more dishes with this purple babe.

However, it can't replace a microwave oven as I always need to heat up dishes.  I am still hunting for a new microwave oven.  My existing one is in "semi-retire" condition.  The grilling and conventional oven spoil already, the light bulbs had fused off since one two years ago.  Anybody with good recommendation, please let me know ^.^

Thank you!