Wednesday, April 19, 2017

#foodhype - Exploding Lava Cookie, Creamery

Recently there is a influx of short “buzzfeed” style 1 minute videos which introduces new food hype and places, and it was adopted by local bloggers and platforms such as ladyironchef and eatbook.sg etc and i have to say i really enjoy watching these snippets and i tend to save the links of those really interesting ones for “future reference”. LOL

Recently i came across this video on Facebook:

The video made me want to head down and try it! I On a side note, i feel like i have seen/ heard about this lava cookie somewhere sometime last year but i can’t remember where it is. Anyway, last weekend my friends and i was at town deciding where to have dinner/ dessert and we decided to make a trip down to Creamery to try this lava cookie hype!   photo IMG_3667.jpg
139 Tyrwhitt Road #01-03, 207557 - Nearest MRT: Lavender

I’m not sure if they just opened, relocate or have been there for the longest time but apparently the FaceBook video that went viral brought in the crowd (thanks to the power of social media) I overheard the uncles from the convenient store beside asking each other what happen to Creamery and why the sudden influx of customers, LOL #mystery

The outlet was a little small and could only accommodate about 5 tables, definitely not enough to cater for the sudden hype. I had to wait about 25 mins for a table and i overheard the staff telling the people who came later that they have to wait up to an hour or so for a table. (One reason is that the cookies are baked upon order and we were told it takes about 15 to 20 mins to bake…) I also felt that they were not ready to handle the crowd as they seem rather shorthanded as well. Perhaps they didn’t expect the video to go viral? LOL Suggestion: maybe more tables outside as well?
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With that aside, the menu offers 5 cookie sets and each comes with a scoop of ice cream. Once the cookie are baked, the staff will bring the little hot pan to your table and drop a scoop of ice cream of your choice on the cookie to create the “overflowing lava” effect. I was actually quite amused by how almost everyone started whipping their phone when the food arrives at their table and requesting the staff to pose for their photos or to drop the ice cream on their cue (mostly for instagram boomerang, lol) I just had to ask the staff if they get these requests a lot and the answer was yes, but only recently after the FB video went viral. A couple of cookie sets were not available that day so we ordered:
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“Choc a lot” with a scoop of Piko Piko (Coffee Tiramisu) 
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“Monster Matcha” with a scoop of Berry Cheese Cake 

Other than these 2 ice cream flavours, they also have other interesting flavours such as the Super Baby Milk Power (which really taste like baby powder) and Thai milk tea. I would say the combination of hot (being the “lava” and cold (ice cream) was quite matching and the warm cookie tasted really good! For less than $10 a set, i would consider it affordable. To conclude, i would say this is just another food hype in SG. One of those dessert place you try once and probably won’t return again unless you are near the area.

Update 1: I just read that Creamery originated in Bangkok and they already have outlets in JB and Bangkok as well! Wait. If they have been around for the longest time, how is it that they only went viral in SG like recently???

Update 2: The place was really crowded that night i went because it was a weekend. Typically weekday (especially in the afternoon) there is minimal crowd so that’s probably the best time to head down if you want to try their cookie sets.

Creamery Boutique
#01-03, 139 Tyrwhitt Road, Singapore 207557

Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm
Closed on Thursdays.


Tuesday, April 11, 2017

High tea in singapore like a "tai-tai"

Recently over the weekends, i went for a couple of high tea sessions and i realised these sessions are really good for catching up with friends or just to spend a relaxing afternoon with your loved ones. These high tea sessions usually comes with a set which you can share amongst 2 to 3 friends and the amount of food is usually more than enough simply because, 1. you probably had your lunch before the tea session or 2. you are gonna have your dinner a couple of hours later so you probably not want to make yourself so full that you can't have dinner after.

Each session can last about 2 hours or so because it’s not all about eating the food but also creating conversations and the food are like “fillers” in-between and if the food is good, it can also be part of your conversations as well. Now that social media plays a big part in most of our lives (i almost type lies, lol), you probably spent the first 30 mins taking photos or #selfies, editing them on the spot before sharing the “tai tai” lifestyle on your instagram and/or Facebook.
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One of the cheapest tea set which was recommended by my friend, Leedia. Fosters offers this “Devonshire Cream Tea Set” which is available daily from 3pm to 5.30pm and for only $11.50++, you get freshly-baked scones, home-made strawberry preserve and cream, a slice of cake, finger sandwiches and also a choice of coffee or tea. (I got mine changed to hot chocolate without any additional charge)

Finger sandwiches and cakes are pretty much normal but the highlight of the set are definitely the scones which are served warm, crusty on the outside, soft inside and absolutely delicious when paired with the strawberry jam.

Tucked at a corner of Holland Village, Fosters is really a “hidden gem” for tea time (not so sure about the rest of the menu) and the ambience and setting of the restaurant gives a very english rustic vibe. (I even chanced upon a group of french maid cosplayers having their tea session in the restaurant on a Sunday, LOL) If you are looking for a somewhere with value for money high tea set, i guess this is the place. 


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I first know of L’eclair by Sarah Michelle when i chanced upon their ads on Facebook and a few months back, one of my colleague mentioned that she was going for this high tea which requires booking at least a week in advance and it turns out to be L’eclair by Sarah Michelle. So last weekend i went for their $60 nett high tea set (it was $50 previously but it increased due to a change of menu - more savoury, less sweets) Booked about 3 weeks in advance. The high tea sets are available from Tuesday to Sundays with 3 seatings a day.
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The high tea set came in 3 tiers. The top and bottom tier were savouries and middle tier were 5 of their famous Eclair (mini) and the set also came with choice of coffee/ tea for 2. I changed mine to hot chocolate with no additional cost.
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The assorted mini eclairs were good, especially the Ispahan (which consist of Rose, Lychee and Raspberry) and the other was the 66% dark chocolate. These 2 are my favourites amongst the 5. But what i really enjoyed was the Truffle Egg Mayo Choux Puff (i wish there were more!!!) and their Signature chicken and Bacon Pie. It was good that i would actually consider walking over from Dhoby Ghaut just to get the full sized version. For this $60 set, i would honestly say i prefer the savouries over the sweets.

Find out more on their high tea set: http://www.leclair.com.sg/high-tea

After trying out 2 different high tea sets and living the tai tai lifestyle for a couple of Sundays, here are the other 2 high tea sets which i think are reasonably priced and would probably make a trip down to try them out soon.
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(Photo credit: sethlui and eatbook.sg)

Afternoon Tea at The Marmalade Pantry from 3pm to 6pm daily. The set is priced at $38 for a set that serves 2. Compared to L’eclair, this is much cheaper but i’m not sure if the food is as good/ premium. You get 2 pots of Gryphon teas, range of finger sandwiches, scones, strawberry preserve and cream, and not only that the set also comes with choice of any 2 cupcakes. I guess i have to find out myself if the set is worth the $38.

The other one i found was Afternoon Tea at Lime, Parkroyal on Pickering Hotel. It’s priced at $42++ for a set with one serving of coffee andtea or $48 for a set with unlimited serving of coffee and tea. Each set serves 2. Now that i think about it, L’eclair seem rather pricey at $60 for 2 leh.
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They call their afternoon tea set “Tiers of Joy” So punny, lol. Once again, 3 tiers of both savoury and sweets. Available daily from 3pm to 6pm. in photos, the food looks really good and and premium, especially how they describe it on their website. There is the Peanut Butter Chocolate Cup with Gianduja Chantilly (no idea what the last 2 words means but it must be good since they must mention it) and the Peking Duck Duxelles encased in Profiterole. (Peking duck wor. lol) The environment seem not bad, after all Lime is located inside the hotel so how bad can it be right.


Do let me know via my social media platforms like twitter or instagram if you have any recommendations for high tea! I can totally get used to this tai-tai lifestyle, HAHAHA If you are looking for places to catch up with a few friends and want a nice environment, you can consider going for high tea sessions! *wink* That’s all i have for this post, till the next!


Sunday, April 2, 2017

7 facial products i use! #men

You know how we are told we should take good care of our skin when we were young? I used to be one of those really lazy people who doesn't use any facial products and by washing face means literally rinsing with water or when water "flows" through your face when bathing, but thankfully i was blessed with not-too-bad skin, even when going through puberty. At the most i will get a couple of pimples here and there (omg i hate those that grows directly on the nose!) and as i grow up, i realised how important it is to take care of your face with the help of facial products.

Before i go on, i would just like to say this is NOT a sponsored post. Just wanted to share about the products i'm using right now, and "enlighten" those younger ones reading my blog. I realised through my 8 years of blogging, one of the things i haven't been sponsor was facial and i think the reason is because i have all the while been photoshopping my photos. I mean if you look through all my archives, you will realise that i always have nice smooth skin in my photos! LOLOLOL Not like it's bad in real life though. Just a couple of pimples here and there once in a while... some acne scars cause by my itchy hands... Visible pores... Ok enough,  i shall not digress further.
Here are the 7 products that i use day to day and so far so good...

Then again, different products work differently on people, depending on skin type, sensitivity etc. I would say my skin is more towards oily. Oil blotters are super effective on me, meaning i can turn the blotter paper transparent after wiping my entire face, especially the T zone. It's super disgusting to see the end result so i try not to use it every now and then...
Bio Essence - Miracle Bio Water

I have been using this water mist for the longest time (i heard there is a newer version now, with like SPF or something but i have yet to try it) There are a lot of mist products out there in the market right now but i love this Miracle Bio Water mainly because it's cheap (always on promo, 2 large bottles for $29.90, LOL) and i feel that it really works in terms of hydrating the skin. There is this cooling effect, and it moists the surface of your skin, making you feel refresh and clean :)
Laneige Water Sleeping Mask

Do i still need to introduce this product? It's one of the best overnight sleeping mask around and honestly, it works wonders. Every other night i apply a thin layer over my face and the next morning my skin still feels bouncy and hydrated. I first know of this product when my friends asked me to buy it back from Korea (apparently it's cheaper there) and my mum also mentioned it's good for the skin as it purifies and hydrates the skin throughout the night when you are sleeping. I always get mine from the airport when i travel because there is this duo set at $60-ish?
Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate ($80)

I first knew of this product when it first launched in Singapore a couple of years back and all the influencers were raving about it on their social media, probably #SP (if you know what i mean) but few months back i decided to get  a bottle at 80 bucks, not exactly very cheap but i could feel that my skin was getting better after a few weeks of using. My skin became smoother and more radiant as the days goes by. Each night i just massage a couple of drops on my face and allow it to work its wonders overnight. I just feel that the lavender smell is quite strong though.
Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Daily Cleanser ($40)

Everyone needs a daily cleanser and mine turns out to be from Kiehl's as well. Basically it cleans the face (duh!) and aids in reducing enlarged pores. The little fine grains makes it feel effective as it exfoliates the skin as well. One of the problems i'm having is visible pores so this 2 in 1 cleanser helps me in a way, like killing 2 birds with 1 stone. Good for lazy people like me, LOL. I make it a point to use it every time i bathe.
OXY cover

One of the cheaper yet effective pimple medication around. What i really like about this Oxy Cover is that it helps in covering up the pimples like a foundation. I just have to apply it on my pimple(s) and blend it with the skin around it and hey, it's not that visible already! The only con thing can think of is that it only comes in 1 shade so... it either hides your pimple or make it more obvious to others. The active ingredient - Benzoyl Peroxide aids in killing the acne bacteria and also helps in drying excessive oil. Very handy product i would say.
Neutrogena Oil-Control Hydrator

As i said earlier, I'm usually quite lazy when it comes to taking care of my skin so this is one product which i will only use if i remember, LOL. I use this hydrator which acts as a moisturiser that helps to reduce oil secretion and maintain a matt outlook throughout the day. It's oil free so it's very light on the skin and it's non greasy. I personally feel that it's quite effective and i always try to use it as and when i can or remember.
Innisfree Super Volcanic Clay Mousse Mask ($29)

One of my favourite mask to use when I'm feeling hardworking. Usually i use those pre-packed mask which you can just put over your face for 30 mins and the job gets done (without knowing if it's really effective but nvm) but i love this Super Volcanic Clay Mousse mask from Innisfree! First thing first, it's very easy to apply. The mask is in a form of mousse so you just have to press a little onto your fingers and glide it over your face to cover every inch. This mask aids in unclogging your pores and remove impurities. Not only that i read that it also removes whiteheads, blackheads, and dead skin cells! Cheap and good, love it.

Like what i mentioned earlier, different products work differently on people so what works for me might not work for you so do try out different products to deem what is suitable for your skin type. Maintaining good skin is an ongoing process and it does take some hard work and discipline to do it, especially as it gets harder as you age.

To better skin,