Departure...airports 'n' airplanes

I do remember the days I would find airports v.exciting places...all the comings and goings, looking forward to the flight and the holiday at the other end. Perhaps the feeling changed with my getting 'adult responsibilities' :-) Anyway, for the times I've been flying as a 'mum' I've found the whole airport thing the most stressful experience! It can be the queueing to check in, will we all be sat together, are the bags too heavy, have we got more carry on baggage than is allowed? 

After boarding passes are handed out, we head to departures and next up for the stress is the queueing for the scanner business....unloading the liquids, unloading the electrical items, do we need to take shoes off...and my belt? Have I got everything back in my bag, is that product really over 100ml ? A corkscrew, oh yes I suppose it is dangerous...out it goes!

If we're lucky we can get in the 'business' lounge...great a glass of bubbles to calm the nerves and fight off the stress, oh..wifi I can get Facebook in here ;-) calm and relax for an hour or so...

http://www.loungeguide.net/wiki/u/Singapore_(SIN)_Independent_The_Skyview_Lounge

Time to head to the departure gate...do the security really need me to unload the liquids, electrical items and take off my shoes again? Oh, please not big boy's shoes, they have laces and I'll hold 'everyone' up while I have to kneel down to re-tie them for him! Ok, now get everything back in the bags and re-thread my belt...

Now someone else wants to see my boarding card and passport? Oh, right just the passport. Walk a few steps and, yet another security person asks to see my passport...oh, not the passport, just my boarding card...come on boys have you got all of your bags and documents? What do you mean no? The red bag, the one with the booster seat for the car! Excuse me, I just have to grab a bag I left on the security check...you need my boarding pass..really?

Finally, time to board...now let's sort the baggage out again, will it all fit above us and near us? "oh, you have many baggages Madame!"...now he's made the mistake, I'm already stressed "you should see the amount of bags we just checked, now s'il vous plait Monsieur, vous pouvez aides moi avec 'these baggages'?"..."bien sûr" (mais NOT avec plaisir) :-)

Ah, now we have to sit here for how long? Are we nearly there yet? Can I have a drink? White wine please, water please, wine wine, white wine...I need to sleep! Mum, mum, I feel sick! Quick get to the toilet, occupied...wait, please hold it, don't throw up here...

Wake up with a jolt, my head slips off my hand where it had been resting for 5 hours! 7 hours to go...stretch legs, "boys i know your tired, we are all tired", a bit more sleep, only 3 hours now...we'll be there soon!

Steps...



Of course, there have been times I've been in airports 'n' on planes and the experience has been 'less' stressful and actually pretty great.... Flying to Paris on the same plane as 'Steps' (pic above for all who haven't a clue), flying to New York in first class with the pilot's wife, flying from shanghai with a rather good looking Taiwanese-Australian guy...turns out he's actually quite a famous Violinist...travels the world and makes CDs. (pic below...isn't he cute ;-))

the v.cute 'n' talented Ray Chen

Breakfast is served...'café, s'il vous plaît' I need that to wake me up and ready me for the whole 'arrival...airport' experience!....'merci'...'now don't knock my arm boys this is hot.....what did I just say!?'

The travel is stressful and often 'painful' but the knowing we'll be there soon with family and friends makes every bit of pain and stress sooooo worth it :-)

kisses 'n' smiles from me xx :-)

Beautiful Surprises pour moi...

I absolutely adore receiving my 'Trove' of Beautiful Surprises each month...who could not smile at this perfect package appearing on their doorstep every 22nd of the month :-)

http://www.vanitytrove.com/

I was such a lucky girl this month and received an extra 'Trove' which was the 'Belle edition de Mai' ;-)  I promised to review and give my 'honest' opinion...here goes...

Starting with the Gatineau products :- DefiLift 3D with 'Bodufix', Aquamemory moisture replenish eye care and Strategie Jeunesse intensive treatment for eye area...

I have to totally admit that the 'Bodufix' kind of got me excited :-)  Anything that promises to help with these 'ever-appearing' fine (sometimes not so fine) lines gets a massive smile from me!  The scent is perfect, very mild.  The texture is smooth and creamy and does not leave a 'sticky-ness' as some 'fine line' creams seem to do.  I'm actually hoping to get myself a huge jar of this in duty free!  Of course, I cannot comment on the effects as, with all of these such products, it requires some weeks of usage to see the 'remarkable change'...when I have purchased my 'duty free jar' I shall get back to you with the 'changes' I see xx ;-)

The eye treatments, again, are a perfect product for me to try...right now I'm preparing baggage, schedules and generally 'trying' to make my way down my 'to do' list so...my sleep is being disturbed and, yes, I have massive dark-ness and puffy-ness under my eyes.  These little compresses 'ouzing' with serum are super.  Again, not at all sticky and actually made me relax for the necessary 10 mins (I think I will try popping these little beauties in the fridge for the next time I use ;-))  I did, honestly, see a little difference even if it was simply the fact that I was 'forced' to lay down and relax with this product xx ;-)

eye care replenish product...(dehydrated skin)...ah yes, around my eyes do become a 'lot' dehydrated, OK, I know the white wine I drink does not help my 'fine lines' and skin elasticity so a product that can counter-balance the effects of white wine definitely gets a smile from me xx ;-)  en plus, the texture is not at all greasy and left my eye area extremely smooth and 'a little' more hydrated.  I guess you get to a 'certain' age and realise 'eye cream' is the way forward :-D

Les produit de Payot up next...Démaquillant - eyes and lips, Tonique purifiant, Lotion essentielle, 'so pure' balancing and purifying serum and 'hydrofluide' hydrating activator serum...

So, these products are the absolute perfect size to pop in my carry on bag for the air plane!  So, that is exactly what I shall be doing...I'm leaving my 'beautiful Singapore' tomorrow evening and heading to 'dreary 'n' wet' (although totally family and friend filled) UK for the annual 'summer' holidays.  I shall be giving my full review and no doubt fighting the jet-lag the next time I log on...to blog on...

A trés bientôt,
kisses 'n' smiles from me xx :-)



OK, so I received this May edition of VanityTrove completely free of charge from the beautiful VTeam but hey! my review is totally honest xx :-)

to do lists 'n' panic

I'm most definitely one of those people who works best with having written a list...

I cannot, cannot get anything done if I do not have it all neatly written down in a list (when I say written down, I have actually converted to the 'notes' section on my iPad :-))

Anyway, however I make a list it always seems to be 'never-ending' and at the moment I finish writing it I feel a sudden panic ! 



Today was no different, I started writing 'said list' last night and finished it this morning...I looked back over it and thought "OK, how and when is this lot going to get done?"...I'm now over half way through the list but, as always, have managed to add to it and done stuff not on the list!

I'm in the stage of packing and thinking about what to pack for our hols in the UK :-)  Yes, we are all so very excited but there seems to be soooooo much to do before we get on the plane.

I know, basically, what I am packing 'waterproofs, jumpers and thick socks'...

Paddington in the rainy UK :-)

I'll get done, I'll get down my list, I'll get packed, we'll get on the plane with nothing having been forgotten and ready for a fabulous 4 weeks in Yorkshire/Lancashire with our fabulous family and amazing friends (rain or no rain - we shall be smiling :-))

always time for a blog update xx ;-)

kisses 'n' smiles from me xx ;-)

Sentosa stay-cation...part 2

Did you already read 'Sentosa stay-cation part 1 ?

Such a perfect 'almost' Birthday weekend for me and Mr Man :-)

So, here is part 2 of that perfect weekend...

Now then where was I up to...Saturday, we had a morning relaxing by the beautiful pool (dark, almost black, tiles making it a very different look from the usual blue)...

Now then, I'm certainly not one to complain about drinking by the pool but when it's a margarita before for breakfast and 2 bottles (yes, 2 bottles) of Champagne before lunch even I begin to 'wonder'.  Anyway, each to their own...the guy obviously had something worth celebrating ;-)

The sound of Champagne corks popping made us decide to get ourselves a bottle...we took The Sentosa Hotel 'shuttle bus' across the Sentosa Gateway and right to VivoCity Mall.

I'd never checked out the Mall on the inside (I actually think it looks very ugly from the outside) BUT inside the stores are fab, lots of choice and my usual favourites...Sephora, Madame Butterfly, M&S, Esprit etc.. etc..

So, Champagne in hand we took the shuttle bus back up to the Hotel and enjoyed a lovely afternoon celebrating my 'almost' Birthday and enjoying some well earned 'alone' time ;-)

Evening arrived and we took advantage of the Sentosa shuttle into Resorts World Sentosa.  I was 'craving' a giant burger from Chili's but when we arrived the Q was way too long so Mr Man suggested Hard Rock Café ;-)  Fabulous ! 

Hard Rock Café, Resorts World, Sentosa

After margaritas, mojitos, giant yummy burgers and excellent music

we decided to 'stick our noses' inside the Casino...

Oh Gosh !  The Casino really did NOT make me smile :-( way too much money being lost, way too many sad faces with shocked eyes and not one bit of it made me want to 'have a go'.  I'm definitely not a gambling type of girlie ;-)

Sunday morning...

breakfast at Starbucks, a peek at the Merlion, walk in the Hotel gardens,

bags packed and off back to Singapore to our boys :-)

Fabulous, perfect 'n' wonderful weekend !

Thank you Mr Man xx

kisses 'n' smiles from me xx :-)

VanityTrove 'n' my new 'best friend'...

Ooh la la, my VanityTrove June edition arrived chez moi last week :-)

http://www.vanitytrove.com/

Sooooo much to smile about with this edition :-) absolutely loving everything right down to the colour of the packaging...such a 'lovely' summery sky blue.

So, here's my beautiful surprises:-) description, review by me 'n', most importantly, what made me smile :-)

Erabelle, Dirty Works, Enavose, Kao, Ettusais, Body Shop, Act Q Patch

Erabelle therapy mask - mizu-fairness - after thoroughly cleansing face *"pop" on this 'well-fitting' mask.  This Erabelle mask promises to 'restore glow', improve fairness and texture and leave you with velvety smooth skin.

Actually, the mask is very 'well-fitting' :-) I'm not much into the improving fairness but velvety smooth skin, now yes, that really does make me smile :-) as does the 'glow restoration' ;-)  Yes, love it!  Erabelle is a spa in Bugis, not tried it but their website looks pretty impressive ;-) spa Singapore


KAO essential shampoo - now this shampoo and conditioner promises to moisturise, repair and strengthen my hair...sounds fab :-)

I've not actually given this the trial run yet but these are such a great size that I will be packing them into my bag for my summer hols ;-)  (so, review of these perfect little beauties to follow...)


Ettusais BB mineral cream -  this BB cream will help to hide those (nasty looking) open pores, even out skin tone AND give you a rosy glow (as VT's Victoria says 'got to love a BB cream' :-))

I have to admit here that I'm still discovering the wonders of BB cream!  I will say though, Ettusais BB cream does exactly what it says on the 'tin' ;-) fabulous coverage and rosy glow!

Dirty Works body scrub - work a big handful onto damp skin, gently massage in circular movements, rinse and have some 'good clean fun!!!' ;-)

Last of my trials 'n' reviews is 'my new best friend' :-)  yes, Dirty Works body scrub was my absolute favourite in this VanityTrove June edition ;-)  Not just a smile but a great big beaming grin from me :-))  BTW Dirty Works hails from the UK so how could I possibly not love it !

For sure, I will be using my VanityTrove 'subscriber' status and taking full advantage of their collaboration with GlamoGirl.com


Tonight will be my first time inside the Singapore Indoor Stadium ! I'll be singing, dancing 'n' witnessing the 'Born This Way Ball' as Miss Lady Gaga performs her second night (of three) here in Singapore :-) whooooooop whooooop 'so much more than' excited !

kisses 'n' smiles from me xx :-)



Hey Beautiful !  If you too want to be a VanityTrove subscriber see their website full of Beautiful Surprises HERE xx :-) and you can get subscribed in time for the next edition...

*pop - a word I use in place of 'put' xx :-)

a little cooler today...

The past few days have been 'summer' in Singapore...the temperatures have been around 34° with humidity hitting 89% !

This kind of weather is absolutely draining!  Imagine breathing in and no 'fresh' air getting into your lungs.  Don't get me wrong, here in Singapore we don't have pollution so it's not like Beijing, Hong Kong or Shanghai but it's the humidity which is absolutely stifling :-(

Not very pleasant really...I can't think why we put up with it?

not my pic...I most certainly did not get up at 4am
with my camera !
Google images...saves the day !

Anyway, this morning at around 4am I was woke by the sound of a thunder storm :-)  Yes, a smile even for the 4am wake up call!  Now, I love my sleep as much as the next girly but this current weather has really needed the storm and today, as expected, the weather is pleasantly cooler.

So, yes, I did wake too early was extremely tired and to add to the mix had a tooth ache this Wednesday morning!  Can the day improve?  It most certainly did...

After taking the boys to school I returned to walk with Mr Dog ;-)  We took a lovely walk into the Gardens by the Bay ('almost' as far as the Marina Barrage).  With the weather pretty cool, the rain 'drizzeling' and the gardens looking positively tropically green, my morning became fab :-)  a Buddleja bush alive with butterflies made me smile too :-)

Back home, showered and smiling, I set to with paper 3 of my PA course, got that finished (now awaiting results) and started a little research for an exciting on line project.

It's nice to have the weather a little cooler, have a little more energy which the humidity has been draining away and finally 'breath' again :-)

kisses 'n' smiles from me xx ;-)

Sentosa stay-cation...part 1

This month I will 'kind of' celebrate my Birthday...I say 'kind of' because, to be honest, Birthdays after my 30th have become somewhat nasty experiences!  I hated being 30 and am actually very 'forgetfull' about how old I actually am ;-)

Mr Man, who is quite often away on business, is actually away for my Birthday 'day' so I managed to make him feel v.guilty and made a list of 'possible' gifts ;-)

On the list, I included a weekend away (just me and Mr Man)...which would be time off for good behaviour as a Mum and much needed alone time for me and Mr Man ;-)

http://www.thesentosa.com/



We booked into The Sentosa (a Beaufort Hotel) using Hotels.com.  Just one thing to bear in mind...if you are driving over and have a reservation on Sentosa then you can show the confirmation email and the $6 entrance fee at the Sentosa Gateway is wavered.  I didn't realise this until too late :-(

I arrived at check in time on Friday, 3pm, and Mr Man due to finish work later that afternoon.  After unpacking and smiling my way around the 'Junior Suite' :-) I opened the doors leading to our terrace/garden...  Perfectly quiet and calm, just me 'n' my book ('n' a tiny bit of iPad) and the birds singing in the trees...oh, and the occasional peacock cry.

Peacock welcome @ The Sentosa

The Hotel was very quiet on Friday evening.  We had aperitifs at the The Pavilion...

After sunset we headed over to The Cliff restaurant but found this 'way' too expensive...quite obviously the price includes the amazing view but still we weren't 'that' hungry!  So instead we ate at the hotel's main restaurant The Terrace...very nice menu, service ok but so quiet the place lacked atmosphere.

Saturday, we decided to sample the 'expensive' buffet breakfast at the hotel.  Fruit, muesli, fresh juice, patisseries, Asian and American style breakfasts.  Very nice but 'way' over priced.  The service wasn't fabulous and we were not allowed to sit on the tables over looking the pool as this 'section' was 'closed'!  We didn't do breakfast there on the Sunday preferring to make the extra distance to Starbucks and sit where we pleased ;-)

So, at The Sentosa breakfast we finished our coffee and paid S$80 for the 2 of us...I know, I almost fell off my chair!...we took the wooden stairs from the pool area down to the beach.

Ah, what a perfect view...certainly made me smile :-)  I couldn't resist whipping off my sandals and paddling in the South China Sea ;-) perfect start to the day.  We walked over the suspension bridge to the 'tiny' island and again marvelled at the spectacular views...quite a rarity but we had blue sky for most of the day.

Saturday continued perfectly, including Champagne on our private terrace, Hard Rock Café and a peek into the Casino @ Resorts World...but I shall make that 'Sentosa stay-cation part 2' ! 'cos this is getting a bit long now ;-)

kisses 'n' smiles from me xx ;-)

Beautiful Surprises 'n' tiny diamonds...

I've had my box of Beautiful Surprises sat on my dressing table for quite some time now!  Well, not exactly just sat...I have been using the products and adoring the scent too ;-)

The VanityTrove April edition was another fab 'n' beautiful box...what did I get?

Braphy Lip Plumper - this little lip gloss totally made me smile...it comes with a tiny mirror attached especially for those who can't find their lips :-D  I laugh but yes, I can never put gloss or colour on without a mirror ;-)

Braphy
is a cosmetic brand made in Taiwan

Braphy Eye Liner - I don't actually use 'much' eye make-up...but, I shall start and give this little liner a try.  It does seem easy to use and 'even I' should be able to make a pretty good job of applying it ;-)

Biotherm White D-Tox - apparently it shall give my face an instantly bright look...that promise alone is enough to make me smile ;-)  I've not actually used it yet but, will try it out and hope to report my brightness!  I'm not really into the whole whitening product thing - preferring a little colour in my cheeks actually ;-)

Style Aromatherapy Hair Moisturiser - now, this is my favourite ;-)  I have very long, very thick hair and it really isn't in the best condition due to chlorine, sun damage, heat damage (straighteners) and generally not getting it 'trimmed' often enough.  This product though is making my hair worth smiling about and I totally will be buying again and using my S$2.00 off voucher in Guardian...yay!  love it ;-)

Masego Safari Spa voucher and Cappu Spa Polish - I'm not really much of a spa kind of girl but may well have to make an exception for this!  The 'coffee scrub' smells divine ;-) and the texture is lovely.  Can I only buy this at the Spa?

Finally, but equally as 'beautiful' is the Filthy Farm Girl - Filthy Pussy Soap - I received mint-rose and really the scent is absolutely gorgeous.  I didn't put it to the test in the shower yet but if the scent alone is anything to go by it will be another fab product from VanityTrove.



I also have to share my B*Dazzle experience!  Whilst on a little coffee morning turned retail therapy day, my friend pointed out this store in both Wizma, Orchard Road and Raffles City Mall.  I became pretty excited ;-)  Previously I got the very top of my right ear pierced and over time it healed up...I've been wanting it re-doing again for years actually.  So, couldn't wait to jump in the seat and get this perfect tiny diamond 'popped' into my ear ;-)  smiling, smiling and not a single bit of pain afterwards.

Excellent service, quick and 'relatively' pain free ;-)  I was given 2 bottles of 'ear care solution' to use morning and evening to ensure the piercing is kept infection free.  Also a check up for a week later to be sure all is well.  Definitely made me smile ;-)

So, now I pack and get ready to leave for a romantic 'stay-cation' with Mr Man...my early Birthday treat.

kisses 'n' smiles from me xx ;-)

Hair colour or is it color?...

So, do blondes have more fun, are brunettes boring or is there something to be said for 'the power of red' ?   Questions, questions, questions...well, I think Rihanna looks beautiful whatever her hair colour ;-)

I've been colouring my hair for as long as I can remember...actually even longer than that!  I find that colouring hair (in whichever country) is such an expensive pass time...and I hate the whole hair salon experience - you know...chit chat, tea, coffee, old 'n' v.worn magazines and 3 hours spent surrounded by buzzing hair dryers and smelly chemicals. 

Recently though I've been saving myself a heck of a lot of money, saving tons of time and smiling, smiling by doing the whole DIY hair dye thing ;-) I get my colours from Mr Moustaffa...I'm a tiny bit addicted to shopping at the Moustaffa Centre ;-)  The colour costs me around S$8 and takes a maximum of 1 hour (this includes putting on, leaving to develop, washing off and a conditioning treatment ;-) bargain with regard to money 'n' time !

Do we spell 'colour' or 'color'?

I guess it depends where you are from...

Just last week, little boy was writing a story and wrote the word 'color' I corrected him and said it has a 'u'...since though I've been wondering if he learns it in school as 'color'?  I'm going to have to go with accepting that either way is correct ;-) you say 'tomAATo' I say 'tomaRRto'...

BTW...I've recently started using Instagram and, although not fully aware of what I'm doing, I do seem to be succeeding and it's making me smile :-) I'm clare_victoria ...come to follow me.  I'm currently on with #photoadaymay and having fun with uploading pics using different effects ;-)

Me a bit Pop Arty ;-)

#photoadaymay

clare_victoria

Something has got me smiling and a tiny bit excited this week...as soon as I can I shall be facebook-ing, blogging and Instagram-ing about it ;-) until then...

kisses 'n' smiles from me xx ;-)

The Museum @ Raffles Hotel, Singapore

Last week included a visit to the Museum @ Raffles Hotel

Now, here is something I had thought about visiting many times before...I had intended taking my Mum just last Christmas time but, as always, time flies by too quickly.  Anyway, finally got around to visiting with a friend and BA member...the Museum had been on her 'to do' list for quite sometime too.  Certainly worth a smile to be spending a day away from our usual 'Mum chores stuff' ;-)

Ah Teng's Bakery 7.30 am - 10.45 pm

The Museum is on the third floor of the Hotel.  As it doesn't open until 10.00am we took the opportunity to sample the coffee shop and bakery on the ground floor.  Very different setting to today's 'starbucks and coffee bean' cafés...lovely coffee and their breakfast selection of muffins and pastries was good too.

Of course, we chatted and chatted...that's what coffee shops are for, right?  We did then make it up to the stairs to the Museum...

The Museum is very interesting and beautifully set out. Free entry too!

My friend knew that most of the ancient Raffles items on display had been passed back to the Hotel after an international newspaper advert.  The advert was inviting anyone who had 'aquired' items from the Hotel to kindly allow these items to be used in the Museum.  Of course, many items had been 'borrowed' or 'aquired' so there was a fair amount of original pieces (including coffee cups, egg cups, toast racks...) 

One piece which made me smile was a silver egg cup which had been 'borrowed' by a gentleman celebrating his up and coming marriage...imagine, his 'stag do' had been a stay at Raffles Hotel ;-)

The ancient photographs were equally interesting...fancy dress balls, Charlie Chaplin and many famous guests with friends sharing breakfast in this luxury hotel.

Raffles Hotel, Beach Road, Singapore...
of course, with so much land reclamation it is no longer situated anywhere near the Beach ;-)

Out door bar/café...I would prefer to drink my Singapore Sling here ;-)

I know 'everyone' does the 'Singapore Sling' in the Long Bar but if I were to take a visitor to Raffles now, I would insist on a change!  A visit to the Hotel Museum followed by the Hotel gift shop situated on the ground floor, a drink (yes, ok 'Singapore Sling') at the outside bar/café and finally a wonder through the corridors leading to the main hotel lobby.


My friend and I then made our way to Raffles City shopping mall and Wheelock Place, Orchard Road for a spot of retail therapy ;-) That's a whole other blog post, coming later including my first time on a Singapore bus... ;-)

I'll leave you now as I dream of 'one day' staying in a suite at Raffles Hotel, Singapore ;-)

Presidential Suite, Raffles Hotel, Singapore...
...wow, maybe one day?!

kisses 'n' smiles from me xx ;-)


(photography is not permitted in the Museum...the pics I use are via Google Images)