Going for a flower arrangement class

The BFF Adeline (or otherwise known as "the one who refuses to create instagram ")and I have a long lists of things to do/try-out when we try to spend quality time together and we meant quality time we make sure we spend each minute doing something fruitful. One of the things in our freaking long list is flower arrangement and the opportunity came when A Better Florist contacted me to do a shout-out for them.

 To be honest, flowers are not really quite my thing, I never understand them buttttt I still get very happy when I receive some. What sorcery wtf. So I chose to make my own bouquet instead of just receiving one from them instead! Here's what we got in the end! 

 Love it! <3 

We chose the Sunday late afternoon class at their florist , located nearby Clarke Quay, feeling suthat feeling you get when trying something new.) It was a good timing for us seems it was in between our schedule.  It was a class of ten, with our instructor, a full-timer in-house florist. We didn't talk much to the rest but it seems that they were here for a better reason. Eg : wedding bridesmaid activity/ birthday activity, nowadays people so hapz what am I doing to my life)

We walked over from the Clarke Quay MRT and it took us about 10 mins to get there? Fantastic human GPS Skills.

The class started a little off time but we still managed to end on time, which was great since we have plans afterwards.

  

Look at them so pretty  

The instructor made sure all of us are on the same track,  and doing it correctly. So thankful for that, if not I would have been quite a mess!

careless me!

Flowers aint the freshest, so I get extra roses, but we talk about zero waste right!

The aim was to learn about the techniques anyway :) 

Overall, it was a great afternoon spent. Although half the time I'm not sure wtf am I doing, the next quarter of the time figuring out what should I put the flowers and the last quarter putting everything together, the session was overall well-timed and interesting as we learned about the different plants and flowers used, as well as how we can put up a simple bouquet by ourselves. Thank you A Better Florist! 

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Skip Queues during Rush hour with DBS FasTrack!

Old Tea Hut has always been my personal favourite when I worked in the CBD area and I would get myself a cup each time I am around the corner. My favourite drink is the Honey Lime Tea. HAHAHA

A few months ago, I realised that there is actually an express queue where people just say something to the auntie, take and go! No payments was even needed, since I was rarely there anymore I did not bother to find out more. It was only a couple of weeks ago when DBS invited me to understand and experience fuss free payment with the DBS FasTrack, then I learned about how there are people who are able to take and go when they tell the auntie a secret code.

I'm kidding about the secret code, it is actually the order number wtf.

How it works is that you have to download the Old Tea Hut's app (which is powered by DBS FasTrack), make your order, give it some brew time and go to the store to collect it. This means that I could send my order through the app, have it paid while I take my time to walk over to the store after my lunch appointment, collect my drink and go! SO EAZI!

Okay, now. What is DBS FasTrack ?
It's actually an initiative by DBS (duh) where they powers several local F&B favourites app that allows users like me and you to order and pay. A push notification will be sent to the user when the order is received, and ready for collection.

Of course, not Old Tea Hut is on the project. Five Star Restaurant, Old Kim Guan (OKG Express) selected Koufu outlets , Boon Tong Kee are also in the list.

Using it is super simple, firstly do a search "DBS FasTrack" on your app store and a list of restaurants apps will appear. Then download the restaurant app you want to use.

Launch it, order and pay!
Wait for your order notification, pop up and collect.

Setting up the app is super quick too, just select between DBS Paylah or DBS/POSB credit or debit card. It is a one-time registration so get it done and over with! I loved it the first time I used it. I personally hateeeeeee to carry cash and isn't it better now that you don't even have to bring a wallet down for lunch ? Can't wait for more eating places to be on-board this program and have our nation move future smarter and better!

Special thanks to DBS for having me on that lovely afternoon!

Loves,
A.

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Lunch Hour at KAISEN TEI by MOF

 KAISEN TEI is a casual dining concept that allow donburi customisation. Not just with the freshly cubed sashimi, seafood but as well as the choice between sushi rice and salad greens!

The brand had me down for lunch at the newly opened outlet, of 313@somerset #03-41, one lonely afternoon and tried out the signature KaisenDon and I got the chance to customise my own one !

WHAT DID I CHOOSE ?

☆Regular size ($16) with the choice of 4 fishes

☆Sushi Rice

☆WAFU sauce

☆Salmon, swordfish, clam and mini scallop

It comes with the tamago and cucumber cubes as well as spring onions (remember to opt out if you don't like 'em)

WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THE DIY STATION

 ☆ Fuss free DIY order form  : get it done in less than 6 steps
 ☆More than enough options to create the most delish donburi for the picky eater
 ☆The choice to ABURI it ! Come on , torched food for the win!
 ☆2 size to choose ( one for the skinny and the other for the greedy)
 ☆11 toppings to add on : enough for your fussy Girlfriend ?



There is nothing much to complain about the customised donburi but if you are extra greedy that day, the signature KaisenDon or KaisenSalad will not go wrong !

The Kaisendon is topped with Mekajiki / swordfish , Mini hotate / mini scallop, Maguro / tuna, Ikura / fish roe , Salmon and drizzled with the KAISEN sauce, created by MOF's Japanese Head Chef, Chef Sonoda Kazumori, brings out the smoothness and compliments well with the cubed sashimi. Fret not, the Soyu based sauce it also available with the DIY donburi ! 

The star of KAISEN TEI is of course Donburi, but what's on the menu is also curry dishes and I also saw kurobuta pork Katsu! Perfect add on for the meal.

Thank you KAISEN TEI for having me and I can't wait for my next bowl of goodness! Meanwhile someone is eating truffle fries next to me so bye for now, I gotta settle for my next meal.

Loves,
A.

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Smooth & Healthy hair with TRESemmé Expert Selection: Keratin Smooth and Platinum Strength

This post is dedicated to all my dear friends who asked me why my hair wouldn't get frizzy/ is always so shiny/ what treatment have I done.

My answer : Use TRESemmé Expert Selection Hair shampoo and conditioner only.

Hair conditioner 340g ($11.50), Hair shampoo 650g ($13.90)

A month ago, I was invited to a new launch for TRESemmé Expert Selection: and got to know more about the products.It was the launch for the TRESemmé Expert Selection: Keratin Smooth and Platinum Strength.

Prior to the event, the BFF has been raving about the brand but I did not really care about it because I thought... the name already sounds so good and expensive, surely the products will be expensive. I was wrong! The brand has a wide range of hair shampoo and conditioner to cater for all needs and are affordably priced. They are exclusively sold at Guardian Health and Beauty stores and cost not more than $14.

During the launch, we learned about the products and there were live demostration by the hair stylist from Artisan Hair to show us how easily we can style our hair just by blow-drying it!

The Keratin Smooth Shampoo is specially formulated with lower sulfates and helps to restore protein. When used with the Keratin Smooth Conditioner, it nourishes each strand and keep hair shiny and manageable. It does has a lighter texture and is more gentle in comparison to the Platinum Strength Shampoo.

The Platinum Strength Shampoo is able to repair up to 2 years of damage in just 5 washes and protects against future breakage with it's Advanced Renewing Complex. The Platinum Strength Conditioner protects the hair while keeping it moisturized and ready for styling.

Just getting to know the products are not enough, the kind folks gave Deborah and I a chance to experience it ourselves at Artisan Hair, a hair salon located at Holland Village to try it out ourselves!

During the session, my stylist mixes the shampoo by first using the  TRESemmé Deep Cleanser then adds the Keratin Smooth Shampoo. The results were amazing. I felt clean at the scalp but at the some time my hair is smooth and shiny! That was also when I learned that you can move around different ranges each day or mix it up to have the best effect for your hair!

Thank you to the Artisan Hair team for the nicely blowed-dry hair for our tai-tai session!

Artisan Hair 

Address: 42A Lorong Mambong Holland Village, 277696Phone: 6469 2059Nearest Mrt : Holland Village (Circle Line)

The PR team also have me a set of shampoo & conditioner for the two range and I'm been using the hair shampoo and conditioner diligently for the past one month (2 weeks break when I was in Melbourne) To my surprise,my hair remains silky smooth! The shampoo has improved my hair condition and is able to maintain it even without using two weeks (I was using those lousy hotel shampoo) and survived all those strong winds. I personally love the Platinum Strength range more than the Keratin Smooth. I think that the effect on the hair is stronger, I could already feel the difference the first time I washed with the shampoo (by myself).  TRESemmé shampoo is really a dream come true for lazy bums like myself who do not have the time and luxury to blow dry in salons. Then why waste money when you can achieve the same results in the comfort of your homes right ? I would say that I have converted to be a TRESemmé Expert Selection user.


p/s : What works for me may not work for you, so try it out yourself and let me know what you think!

Loves,
A.

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Sponsored Review : Daessiksin Korean BBQ Buffet

Happy December and nice weather is always a good time to not just stay at home, it is also time to gather some friends and have some Korean BBQ!

Thanks to Daessiksin, I managed to catch up with my old friends like HP and Ck, not so old friend Jon and new friend, Yuki! We were at the West Mall outlet to avoid the crowd but the Korean BBQ Buffet is also available at Bugis Plus, Orchard Gateway, Serangoon NEX, Waterway Point, Causeway Point, AMK Hub, and will be available at United Square and Cathay Cineleisure before Christmas 2016.

Even though we were there to avoid the human traffic, the buffet restaurant was still packed and doing well for a late Monday evening.

Daessikkin offers 10-12 different types of signature marinated meats, and Korean Delicacies, of course all made from fresh ingredients. It might not sound to have a wide spread but good even to satisfied a KBBQ Craving day.

Buffet Pricing:

Weekday *120,mins lunch, 120mins dinner Limit Per Diner.
 Friday dinner 90mins*

Lunch $14.90++ (Adult) & $10.90++ (Child and Senior Citizen)Dinner $24.90++ (Adult) & $20.90++ (Child and Senior Citizen)

Weekend, PH and eve of PH 90mins Limit Per Diner
All day $24.90++ (Adult) $20.90++ (Children and Senior Citizen)Additional Cheese Dip $3++

Jon and I took a little for each side, making sure that we would not miss out to try any of the side dishes and also have a nice flatlay picture hehe but seriously just look at the spread! Jon's favourite is the glass noodles. ( I saw him take two servings!)

And that cheese! (First one is complimentary, top up serving $3++ each)

What I really loveeeeee about the place was the grill pan that the restaurant uses, together with the well formulated marination recipes, the grilled food were done quickly, able to retain the meat's moisture, not too oily nor dry. Even when you accidentally over cook and burn the meat, just wet a tissue and it will be removed easily from the pan and affect the new food you put on top of the grill!

pro tip : Leave your cooked meat at the sides of the grill pan to slow down its cooking.

And of course eating creatively!
Come on, let's move on from the put-your-meat-inside-a-lettuce-and-add-some-kimchi-wrap-and-eat, to just add more stuff! Like what we did below, a piece of meat,lettuce, corn, cherry tomato.

We did do much fun food experiment the other day at the restuarant. We had like pork belly paired with the in house Kimchi (talk about it later cause it was so good), or with the enokitake mushroom. Yumz in the tumz. I am not quite a fan over Kimchi but HP was sharing about how good the kimchi was, I had to try myself to see if he was masking ads (kiddingbro). The Kimchi was marinated with the head chef's recipe and it was moderate spicy, not overpowering, simply put - a very comfortable taste.

Add some carbs in, we try to add cooked Japanese rice to the grill and eat some meat and kimchi and CHEESEEEEEEEE!!!!!

Although it was a sponsored review, I would say that Daessikkin Korean BBQ way exceeded my expectations. To be honest, I went with a mindset that I would possibly be having normal-tasting dishes, and nothing fantastic. I was terribly wrong, I loved it so much I kinda wanna buy the grill pan home and the chicken bulgogi was soooooo good. The chicken meat itself have very little fats, with makes the cooking and eating experience a lot healthier and better. I don't take beef but I looked at the portion and it was huge. I can continue to rave about it but what is better to try it out yourself?

The nice people from MOF group has given me 30 Daessikkin dining vouchers and 20 dining vouchers from their sister brand Tensho to share with my readers!

All you need to do is :

1) Follow me "@yourapplepie" & "@mofgroup" on Instagram
2) Like my Daessikkin picture
3) Tell me via the comment box as to  who would you like to bring for your first meal Daessikkin/Tensho and why! (please indicate either)

Contest ends 3 December, so fastest fingers first! Good Luck!
p/s:  Remember to try the red bean soup before you are done with your meal.


Photo Credits : jthejon

Loves,
A.

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