Sephora's 20% Member Sale

Who else is excited about Sephora's black card member 20% off sale? *squeals*

Jess got me this Stila convertible colour for cheeks and lips palette since we are massive Stila fans during uni days and I absolutely love it! This is now at 20% off which is such a great deal.

ps - Bubs thought that his Lego Nexo Knight minifig would add a nice pop of blue to this pic ;)

What's in the Bag

This has to be the month of splurges *looks around guiltily* My standard excuse is that someone needs to stimulate the retail economy so it might as well be me ;)

It's our 7th wedding anniversary and although I love fresh flowers, they're a bit of a waste for me so I dropped massive hints to Hubs to get me this instead ...

Tiny white flowers embroidered into a scalloped hem of this floaty, chambray skirt from Forever 21.

Because I aim to have a pair of pointy toed heels in every single colour under the rainbow ;) Low heeled sling backs in a muted shade of gold, this ticks all the boxes on my list.

Look, Hubs, I pointed excitedly at my just past shoulder length hair, it's finally long, I've saved so much on haircuts this year!

Big deal, he shrugs, look at the amount of spending you did on hair accessories.

Opppps ... I think in the process of trying to grow out my bob, I ended up with quite a number of intricately beaded Forever 21 headbands and hair pins.

I've to admit, it's taken me quite some time to realise that shopping for boys can be fun after all. Bubs ended up with some goodies at the newly opened Sports Direct outlet at Udini Square. His eyes popped out when he saw the Spidey hoodie and boxers. There was also the coolest Animal (my favourite Muppet) tee that Bubs didn't really fancy so I just got it a few sizes up for myself instead!

There was also a Star Wars R2D2 shaped cereal bowl giveaway with 2 giant boxes of cereal so you can guess what will be on the breakfast menu for the next few weeks ahead ;) Plus for Lego fans out there, Shell is having a collaboration so you get to purchase a Ferrari themed Lego poly bag for every purchase of Shell fuel above RM40.

3 Things

The Big Bad Wolf book sale and a bunch of other recent acquisitions have added a bounce to my step lately. What can I say, retail therapy (especially in air conditioned malls) works wonders during a a gloomy hazy period.

I've started using an eyebrow pencil after I've chanced upon Shu Uemura's Hard Formula 9. Its secret lie in its specially sharpened tip, designed to be like a katana blade, which you've to bring back to counters to get re-sharpened at no extra cost. It doesn't swatch on the skin but miraculously, it shows up on eyebrows very naturally. The only thing I didn't realised initially was that the long, flat tip breaks easily if you applied too much pressure on it. The best way to apply it, even in a rush, is to gently use it in semi-longish quick strokes along the brows.

I've always adored animal flats so I was squealing with happiness when I found this pair - in of all places at Gap Kids - for myself. The sales staff didn't even bat an eye when I tried these black velvet cat ballet flats. The jeweled eyes add the subtlest sparkle and Bubs calls them my "witch's shoes".

I got the Lego City advent calendar for Bubs ... but I'm intending to swipe some of the minifigures for my own collection, hehe. Bubs is madly excited about it and keeps asking "Is it December yet, Mummy?"

Bub's 5th Birthday

Bubs was half excited and half confused about his 5th birthday last week.

"Mummy, since this year, I'm a 5 year old ge ge (big brother) in school, does that mean that I'm now 6?"

"No, you turn 5 on your birthday."

"But I'm already a 5 year old at school! Teacher said so!"

"Ummm ... look, a fire engine!" ;)

We'd a few mini celebrations this year instead of a big bash this year. Bubs was thrilled with all the attention plus cakes, yes, as in plural, that he enjoyed.

Hubs managed to get his hands on the Halloween Lego minifigs he found at Toys r Us and they made cool cake toppers. For lunch with the in laws, Bubs had a coconut and gula Melaka cake from Mon Delice. This was a really interesting cake with top layers of creamy coconut, a middle layer of fragrant gula Melaka and bottom bits of crushed, somewhat crunchy biscuits. It was immensely filling and a small slice was enough to fill everyone up, including Bubs who is insatiable when it comes to desserts.

Dinner was with my family and I shamelessly recycled the candles from the earlier cake :D This time around, we'd popped on Scooby Doo Lego minifigs on top of a decadently rich chocolate cake also from Mon Delice. Even my Dad who doesn't really fancy chocolate proclaimed it good and requested for another helping. Before anyone could stop him, Bubs sunk his teeth into the white chocolate Happy Birthday sign for the 2nd time that day, someone was definitely on a sugar rush ...

We'd a play date at Golden Sands' Adventure Zone with Jaz. This is the super freaky and did I mention, steep slide that you need to take a slight up stairs up to. Bubs loved it and so did a bunch of other kids there so much that I decided I'd to go see what the fuss was about. I peered down at the edge and it literally took my breath away. Bubs, Siew and the staff convinced me to give it a go and let's just say, being graceful is not one of my strengths. My squeals of terror drowned out the music and Hubs is gleefully keeping the video of me sliding like "like a corpse" (his exact words)

Hubs and I were invited to celebrate Bub's birthday at his school and we didn't really know what to expect. Bubs told us the night before that we'd have to help bake his cake and that he'd requested the teacher for "an orange cake, not chocolate, because I like orange better."

It was such a beautiful experience and I felt truly grateful that we were given a sneak peek into a day at his school. A few children were selected (apparently they take turns to be the "baker") to help bake Bub's cake.

We sifted the flour, cracked eggs and took turns mixing the batter. Since it was raining, the teacher gathered flowers from the garden (usually the children would pick them). The children then set the tables and placed the colourful blooms around the cake serving tray. Bubs decorated his cake with banana slices and dusted icing sugar over it. The cake was sooo good, fresh out of the oven, all warm and buttery.

Hubs and I were invited to watch the children at play. I was so fascinated with their toys that I couldn't stop taking photos. They had pine cones, seashells and rubber seeds in wooden bowls that looked so inviting. There were even cut sections of tree branches that were carefully sanded.

The teacher then delighted Bubs by giving him a hand crafted felt gnome as well as paintings from all of the children bound into a book, featuring Bub's drawing on the cover.

Happy Birthday, Bubs, may you always be surrounded by love and laughter and never know a day without happiness. I know that you're in a rush to grow up and embark on your journey to life but deep within my proud mama's heart, you'll always be my little boy with joyful eyes, windswept hair and laughter of a thousand bubbles.

While Hubs was Away

The last time Hubs went on a business trip, he was stuck in Japan during the earthquake of 2011 and his previous manager felt so bad about it that Hubs managed to escape business trips for a long time. Given that Bubs was just 6 months old at that time, Bubs can't quite remember a time when Hubs wasn't around to put him to bed. So it goes without saying that this time around when Hubs had to spend 2 nights away in Melaka, Bubs was inconsolable.

"Mummy, I want Daddyyyyyyyy ..." he repeated over and over again.

To distract him and also preserve my sanity, we hotfooted over to my parents' place which is like paradise on earth for Bubs. Grandparents that dote on him, unlimited Disney Channel, a toy buffet courtesy of my nephew who has outgrown most of his action figures, not to mention a piping hot dinner served and I didn't have to lift a finger ;)

Bubs is one incredibly lucky kid to have a Grandma that keeps his older cousin's toys in immaculate condition for him. He was over the moon when handed this set of Lego Hero Factory toys. "Look, Mummy, the Lego robots are all dancing together!" Errrr ... if you say so ...


Come bedtime when we had a video call with Skype, or rather a "photo call" as Bubs called it, Bubs was hysterical again.

"Come back, Daddyyyyyyyy, I want you back now!" he wailed so loud that even Hub's colleagues could hear him over the phone.

The only way to placate him was to let him clutch one of Hub's unwashed tee and holding on to a Tesco card which Hubs gave to him before he left for the airport :(

Thankfully Hubs came back as promised and I don't know who was more relieved: Bubs or me!

My Very Belated Mother's Day Gift

Look what hit our shores in time for a somewhat belated Mother's Day gift for me :D That's right, series 2 of the Simpsons for Lego. All together now *squeals* Told Hubs that since I'm not a huge fan of all the characters in this release (sorry Moleman and Comic Book Guy) in addition to already having the whole Simpson family from series 1, he can skip buying the full collection and just let me feel my way through the blind bags at Toys r Us.

The Toys r Us branch at Gurney was well prepared. This year, they had 4 shelves full of the Simpsons minifigs at the Lego section and a huge collection of blind bags for me to squeeze and feel my way through the ones that I really wanted.

Resisting the urge to just rip the bags apart the moment we stepped out from the store, I turned them into a little bedtime ritual, prolonging that delicious moment of confirming if indeed, I picked the right ones.

Woo hoo! It was a 100% success rate: Patty and Selma, Smithers - you've got to love that Malibu Stacy detail there! Edna Krabappel and Groundskeeper Willie. Patty and Selma were relatively easy to find due to their distinct hair and if you want to tell feel them apart, they have different accessories. Mrs. Krabappel is the only one with a coffee mug so make sure you can feel the mug's handle. Groundskeeper Willie's toilet plunger has a long stick which can be felt through the blind bag.

And to complete the Simpson family collection: Santa's Little Helper and Snowball! These took a LOT of feeling my way through the blind bags to find. Here's a clue if you're having difficulties differentiating them: Snowball is a lot smaller, has a very distinct curvy tail plus Lisa's minifig has a separate torso and legs. 

Mr. Burns and Smithers reunited at long last :) If there's going to be a series 3, let there please please please be Sideshow Bob, Principal Skinner and Homer's drinking buddies!

Pause

January has been a whirlwind month for our little family. Hubs changed his job so that had a major impact on our routine. I ended up having to get a car - I know - I've been fortunate enough to avoid crazy rush hour traffic for the past 6 years plus we also had to extend Bub's after school care. Weekdays are becoming a major balancing act for us and this is only the first month *deep breaths*

We've become more strict with weekday dinner planning, no impromptu rush to get last minute ingredients plus planning (and pre-cooking/freezing) meals ahead during weekends. I also have to rush home, keep Bubs occupied while I prepare dinner and much to the amusement of friends, I've been asking them for quick, Chinese recipes. There are only so many ways where I can re-hash pasta and roasts before we get tired of them. I've learned that peanuts, pork ribs, carrots and red dates make the most amazing comfort soup and when pressed for time, noodles (not instant, mind you :p) cook so much faster than rice.

All these changes have had the biggest impact on Bubs. He used to spend a large chunk of the day with Hubs and now that Hubs has a longer commute, Bubs only gets a couple of hours with him. This makes him incredibly insecure and it breaks my heart to see his lower lip suddenly tremble before asking "Is Daddy going to be back before dark?"

We're taking baby steps each day at a time. I'm trying to wean myself from social media so I get more quality time to focus on the things that really matter. I get worksheets online to keep Bubs occupied ... not to mention that it's a sneaky way of getting him to do some reading, writing and maths *tiger mummy alert*

And when all fails, I just look at the Lego UniKitty keychain that Hubs got for me to celebrate my first car ever and it literally lights up my day ;) Here's to a fab 2015 ahead, folks!

The Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar

I used to think that advents calenders, although cute to bits, are overpriced and gives Bubs the idea that you get a present a day plus presents on Christmas itself ... which is so against my cheapskate frugal notions.

Then we spotted this beauty in the Toys R Us Christmas toy book. I mean, how can you possibly say no to this?

Folks, I present to you, the Star Wars Lego Advent Calender!

We got started on it a bit late so I've been offering Bubs the chance to open double windows on some days in exchange for good behaviour. Pretty sure this is considered bribery in some circles ;)

Our December bedtime routine has now included opening a window - or rather, star window as we call it, after his bath and book and before lights off. We're eagerly anticipating the day we finally reach Santa Vader, even Hubs, though he tries to act nonchalant about it :P

It surprises me that Bubs is able to fit together the small pieces by himself - considering that the advent calender doesn't have detailed step by step instructions, just a small picture of how it's supposed to be put together.



Someone's having lots of fun ;) Happy Holidays!

The Lego Xmas Tree

Knowing Bubs and my love of all things Lego, Aussie Godma was delighted to spot this Lego Christmas tree outside Pitt Street Mall in Sydney and snapped photos of it for us.

She assured us that it was made out of gazillions and gazillions of tiny, colourful Lego bricks, including the star at the very top.

And look at that - Santa proudly carting his surfboard, how much more Australian can it get? :D