Sunday 27 July 2014

bellabox | July 2014

It seemed like a small bellabox this month as all my samples were tiny. I was a bit disappointed with some products but others I was excited about. I'm not much of a soap bar kinda girl and much prefer using bath gels and liquid bath soaps so I guess this Urban Rituelle soap will be going in my cabinet for now. I'm excited to try the Anastasia Lash top coat and the OPI nail polish is definitely something i'll be wearing.





Inside my box:
Nicole by OPI | Nail lacquer in Carrie'd Away 15ml (15ml RRP $12.95)
Anastasia | Lash Genius Clear waterproof Topcoat 3.2g (5.3g RRP $39)
Yu-Be | Moisturizing Skin cream 3ml (70g RRP $34.95)
Designer Brands | Lip Butter in Coconut 10ml (10ml RRP $4.99)
Bonus: Mary Kay | Botanical effects Mask 3g (113g RRP $37)

I'm hoping next month I will get some decent makeup products like eye shadows or lip products or even some nice hand creams. I don't think i'm going to continue this subscription for much longer because, to be honest, i'm not using many of the samples I get so they are just accumulating in my cupboard. It is fun receiving a package each month though :p

xx Kat

Sunday 20 July 2014

diy | Book Clutch

I first came across this idea when I spotted the Kate Spade Book Clutches online. However, at $300+, it was no price I was going to pay (especially since I don't even read books!). So, as you do, I ventured online. Several blogs including Le Fanciulle and Runway DIY had tried the diy book clutch, and it was here that I grabbed my inspiration.

My best friend from high school loves books, novels, the classics, so I thought this would be a perfect give for her. Before I thought of making this for her, I mentioned the idea to her and she seemed displeased about the idea of cutting up a book (little does she know, i've ruined her favourite book too!). I did it anyway and i'm quite happy with the result.

Here is my process, but as you can see by a search online, there are numerous methods out there. Give it a go!

Equipment you will need
A hardcover novel (I got mine from a secondhand bookshop) | Clasp (from your local hardware store) | Gold paint | 
| paint brush | Mod Podge (or any sealant glue) | Stanley knife | pencil and ruler

1. Separate the pages where you want the clutch to open
Seal all the pages together with a few thin layers of sealer
Place clutch in between two heavy books to ensure it dries flat

2. On the open page, mark a 2cm border all around. This is where you will cut

3. Slowly cut the pages away until you have reached the end



4. Seal the inside for more strength



5. Paint outer edges with gold paint for a more antique feel
6. Mark where your clasp is going to be placed

7. Glue and pin clasp in correct place
Finished.










I wrote a little personal message to Sarah so it will be something she can keep forever (as a book or a clutch).

Hope you enjoyed looking at my first diy project on this blog. Hopefully in the future I can include more diys or fun little projects I do.

xx Kat

Sunday 13 July 2014

Board Games

Yesterday I spent almost 9 hours playing board games. Most of that time we were playing Settlers of Catan but we also played a game of Ticket to Ride.


Recently my cousins and I have been getting together for an afternoon of board games. We have been trying out new games that have been discovered online through reviews, from friends or from the Board game Cafe (yes those exist!). Let me know if you have any suggestions of  board games we should try.

xx Kat

Tuesday 8 July 2014

bellabox | June 2014

I finally received my June bellabox on the 8th of July. How bad is that?!! My July payment had even been withdrawn before I got my June box.







Inside my box:
Garnier | BB cream original in Medium 50ml (50ml RRP $13.95)
Designer Brands | Nail Polish in Vivid Pink 12ml (12 RRP $6.99)
Innoxa | Line Defy Pressed Powder in Translucent Suede 10g (10g RRP $30.95)
Herbal Essences | Nake Shine Shampoo & Conditioner 2 x 40ml (300ml RRP $6.99)
Designer Brands | Twist 'N' Go Instant Nail Polish Remover 45ml (45ml RRP $4.99)
Bonus: InStyle Australia | June edition (RRP $9.95) & Nutrimetics | Nutri-rich Nourishing Masque 5ml (75ml RRP $39.00)

Although I was extremely disappointed with the delay in receiving the box, I was quite pleased that I got 4 full sized products. DB is not a brand I have tried before, however I am curious to see how this nail polish remover works. I don't use many face products like foundation or powder, however BB creams are something i'd like to try.

Looking forward to July's box- let's hope it will be here soon!

xx Kat

Monday 30 June 2014

Eat more cake

I love trying out new recipes, so when Rosie from Sweetapolita uploaded this Nutella layer cake a couple months ago, I knew I had to try it! I've just had my last couple days of holidays and it's my sister in laws birthday, so what better way to restart uni than with cake! I've always wanted to make cake toppers and this one was even more fitting as there were only 5 of us eating this huge cake.









xx Kat


Sunday 29 June 2014

Cake pops

I know i'm late to the party but I finally made my first attempt of baking cake pops. I think they turned out okay but the white chocolate I used to coat them was a bit thick- all you could taste was chocolate and no cake!


 

Back to uni tomorrow :( holidays over. Two weeks has gone waaaaay too quickly. I'm already wishing for the next break! haha

xx Kat

Monday 23 June 2014

Singapore 2014

I'm back! I"m back!

I really want to post something straight after exams but it got a bit crazy because there were end of semester celebrations, work and packing as I flew out to Singapore that weekend. Anyway, I'm back. I was in Singapore for only 6 days but it has been over 10 years since i've been there so it was nice to catch up with some family and friends while I was there. It was also great to be in a warm country again. These 5 degree mornings here just don't do it for me! I was having nice 30 degree days in Singapore. Anyway, the main purpose of this trip was just to get away for a bit, do some shopping and eat food. I only took my phone on this trip so I apologise if the quality of the photos are not so good.

Pre-flight instagramming

Day One | Right off the plane and straight to the hawker center for some char kway teow


Dinner that night included chili crab, pepper crab and crispy duck


Day Two | Marina Bay Sands

My cousin and I got to stay one night at MBS and it was one of the highlights of my trip. The view from top of the hotel was amazing and the infinity pool was so luxurious and incredible. We also visited the Gardens by the Bay which was a great way to spend the afternoon and something that I had wanted to do.

Marina Bay Sands

View of Gardens by the Bay from our room

Infinity pool
 Gardens by the Bay:





Shops at MBS

Ice cream break at TWG

Back to the pool




Day Three | Early morning pool time










Dinner at Sushi Tei

Day Four | more food, food, food

Nasi lemak
Dinner with my cousin at his favourite Jap restaurant that has a crazy queue after 6pm. Good thing we got there early!!

Koh Grill and Sushi Bar
Since he knows how much I love cake, he wanted me to try this cake from Antoinette. It was sold out in two stores so we went on a hunt to find their newest store which had one reserved for us. It was definitely worth the wait. We also tried their earl grey macarons which were really nice too. Next visit to Singapore, i'm definitely going to try a few of their other cakes!

Antoinette | Milk chocolate mousse infused with earl grey tea, chocolate biscuit, raspberry coulis, dark chocolate earl grey tea cremeux, earl grey tea crumble
We finished the night off with a trip to the cinema. Since I get no time during the semester to see movies, and because it is so cheap in Singapore (SD$8.50) we went and saw a new movie called Chef - appropriate for the night since all we talked about was food!

Day Five | Singapore shenanigans
I caught up with some uni friends who had arrived in Singapore and spent the day with them. Since they were locals, they took me to a nice brunch place and we found the Magnum Pleasure Store which is a pop up shop where you can customise your own magnum. Since we were so full from brunch, we decided to share. Plus, they are quite pricey at SD$7 each. We had originally wanted to visit the Trick Eye Museum on Sentosa, but since it is quite new, they limit the number of tickets each day and so by the time we got there, they were sold out. We went to the SEA aquarium instead and had a great time looking at all the fish :)

Brunch at Common Man Coffee Roasters

I stupidly ordered a hot chocolate instead of coffee. It was still tastey though

The view of Marina Bay Sands from the Magnum Pleasure Store



Customised Magnum

Off to Sentosa to visit the SEA Aquarium



hehe you can't see it, but that's me!



Day Six | Home
The morning just consisted of roaming the shops for some last minute gifts (Royce chocolates and ham chim peng) and a final bowl of wanton mee with my Uncle. Sad to leave the warm weather and the yummy food (eating ice cream every day) but i'm sure i'll be back soon (hopefully it won't take me another 10 years to get there!!)

Hope you enjoyed this sneak peak into my quick trip to Singapore

xx Kat