Blogshop Review: allimaC

I knew something was different the minute I logged in to my email account. Other than the spam (shoo!) messages I’ve been receiving lately, I saw an unfamiliar email from allimaC. Camilla, the founder of allimaC was wondering whether I would be interested in promoting her blogshop. Even better, she told me to pick any two of her necklaces.

I’ve always been a fan of accessories, so I promptly agreed.

Before I begin with my review on allimaC, here are some background information:

  • allimaC is basically a wordplay. Read it backwards, that’s the boss’s name!
  • At this moment, allimaConly ships to Singapore. Additionally, the blogshop focuses more on organizing of sprees. According to Camilla, she doesn’t sell instocks that much.

My package arrived in just 1 day.  What’s more, it’s by normal mail. So yes, it is a big deal. Not to mention that it didn’t get lost. Now, how about that? Service was immensely good. Camilla was a great help. She’s a reliable spree organizer. Judging by the excellent testimonials, you can see that allimaCis a quality-conscious and trustworthy blogshop. I know some people are still worried about shopping online, but I give you my word: Camilla is a woman of action.

the package that I recieved

the package that I recieved

What I like about the shop is that it sells a variety of products. Just click on the share button on their official website says it all! Some of the products the blogshop sold range from shoes, apparels, cell phone casings, bags and hair colour dyes.

The hot air balloon necklace is a very attractive-looking piece. It adds a pop of pretty colour, doesn’t it? Pair this stunning necklace with your best-loved dress.

hot air balloon

hot air balloon

If I have to pick my favourite, it’s going to be the merry-go-round piece. I mean, come on. Look at it. It adds a gorgeous  glow to any outfit!

merry go round piece

merry go round piece

CYMERA_20130618_101231

the weather in Singapore is pretty hazy these days, the reason why the pictures look blurry.

CYMERA_20130618_101259

you see my point?

So there you go, accessories that makes a standout addition to your collection. Shop away at allimaC! Special thanks to Camilla for introducing me to your attention-getting blogshop, and I hope I did the shop justice!

Updated Review: MashieMaskie 3D Korea Face Masks

Well, this marks the end of my sponsored review for MashieMaskie! In case you missed my poking-fun-at-myself post (or you consider yourself a Sheldon Cooper fan), you can read it here.

Before I forget, I just want to clarify that I took these pictures at night. The lightning exposure is terrible.

before

before

Day 7

Day 7

Day 13

Day 15

My two cents

I have less breakouts now, which I’m really thankful for. We can all agree that it’s never fun to have splotchy pimples on your face. So to the MashieMaskie peeps, a special thanks for giving me this opportunity to try out and share your satin-soft products to my readers!

I also gave my mum some masks for her to try out. According to my mum, she had rough patches on her skin (no idea why. Signs of menopause, perhaps?). After trying out the red ginseng face mask, her skin’s less dry now. She used three masks in total: red ginseng, collagen and orange. All three masks leave her feeling fresh and revived.

image

Before

Day 7

Day 7

Since my brother’s serving his NS, I’m pretty sure he doesn’t have enough time to properly cleanse his face. Not to mention applying his sunblock. The baby of the family tried the potato (great for suntanned skin) and royal jelly masks (figured it’s a good treat for him).

Important note if you’re using royal jelly products:

As taken from WebMD:

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of royal jelly during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Asthma or allergies: Don’t use royal jelly if you have asthma or allergies. It could cause some serious reactions, even death.

Inflamed skin (dermatitis): Royal jelly might make dermatitis worse.

I just want to clear that up. Always, always check the products you’re using. Stay safe, guys.

Verdict:

-Of all the face masks, I have to say royal jelly smells the best. After my brother threw it away after using it, my rubbish chute has never smelled better! Fancy that…

-It’s a little bit tricky getting the masks out from the pack. You have to be really careful while handling the delicate masks. There were a couple of times I accidentally tore them to shreds.

-MashieMaskie  masks have a lightweight formula that makes our skin look healthy-looking and resilient.

Favourite face mask?

wpid-DSC_0023.jpg

I tried cucumber, aloe vera, green tea, snail and pomegranatePersonally, it’s a two-way-tie-in between aloe vera and green tea. Mainly because I suffer from acne-prone skin, so I find them the most effective.

wpid-DSC_0015.jpg

Shop away at MashieMaskie for soothing face masks!

Each mask costs SGD$1.40-SGD$1.80.

But there’s a special treat for you guys! Quote prisailurophileblog to purchase each mask at SGD$1.20!

For further enquires and order, contact MashieMaskie at mashiemaskie@outlook.com.

An Update on May

Time flies, huh? Very soon, June would be over and before we know it, boom! 2013′s gone. In any case, May has been a rewarding month for me. And I hope it’s the same for you too.

 

I was supposed to blog about this couple weeks ago, but I was swarmed with writing assignments. So I kept delaying it. Until now.

 

Anyway, my brother’s finally back from his National Service- for the weekend, that is. Still, it’s nice to see him around. It seems like things are back to normal, even if it’s a short one at that. Previously while he was still at the academy, he called to wish our mum happy mothers’ day. Boy, was I stunned. What ever happened to the obnoxious boy who criticizes his dad’s driving and poor navigation skills? A little part of me wanted to tease him,‘What have you done to my brother?’

More importantly, I want to know what the officers did to him. Then again, I guess it’s got to do with homesickness. See, that’s why they always say: there is no place better than home. True story. Whenever Gabe’s back with a short visit, he would always share anecdotes that never fail to make my day. Like how one of his bunk-mates would imitate their officers’ commands. My brother swears it sounds identical. It was so alike that his bunk-mate decided to risk it to play a prank on other squads. And it was a success.

My favourite story has got to be the bathroom scene. You see, all enlistees have about 10-15 minutes for their shower time. Imagine, dozens of sweaty boys waiting in line for their shower. And there are only 8 cubicles! Since time is scarce, it’s a common sight to spot half-naked guys. According to Gabe, in this scenario there are are 5 types of guys: the shirt guy, the boxer guy, the underwear guy, the towel guy and last but not the least, the naked guy. Full-frontal guy is also the well built guy.

 

Like this:

credits: fanpop

 …

And I did my first sponsored review for MashieMaskie! I’m basically keeping my feelers out, exploring different types of blogging. Since my upcoming assignment is writing a review, I decided to write advertorials and reviews for free. Well, for now at least.

I came across Better World Books. I’ve been meaning to read Ex Libris by Anne Fadiman, but I’ve yet to come across it in bookstores and libraries. Fine, I lied. I did. I found it at Kinokuniya but it costs $20.70. It’s a bit pricey for me. As for libraries, it can only be found at the Repository Used Book Collection section. I then went to Bras Basah and went home with nothing. It took me a while for me to realise that I’ve been searching in the wrong places. I did a google search (why didn’t it occur to me sooner is something I would never comprehend) and spotted BWB. I bought three books and best of all, I found out that international shipping is free! No tracking of order so it’s a little risky. Still, I spent $24 so it’s a small risk I’m willing to take. I’m due to receive my order in 19 May. Hopefully there’d be no torn pages, that’s all I ask.

credits: lost letters

Another website (tumblr, but you get the drift) I spotted Lost Letters. It’s basically a site for dreamy girls in search of pen-pals. I have had 5 pen-pals: the cocky one(I’m looking at you J), the fun-loving one, the quick-witted one, the compassionate one and the inspiring one whom I’ve kept contact with since we were 12 years old. Call me old-fashioned, but I’ve always liked the idea of receiving letters by mail- not electronic mail, mind you. The giddy feeling you experience when you see a handwritten letter in your mailbox, the letter writing process, the excitement while waiting for the postman to deliver your letter… I could just go on and on. If you think you fit the bill, I strongly encourage you to pop in the fun!

I signed up for a subscription box. And it’s free. I’m a sucker for freebies, I know. If you must know, this is very common with Singaporeans.

According to Black Box‘s official website,

Introducing the ubiquitous BLACK BOX, a mysterious and sleek package that uncovers a curated selection of sought-after products from independent labels. Expect at least five exciting gifts await your undivided attention, sealed and hand-delivered to you at your doorstep.

BLACK BOX brings you experiences from a lifestyle you desire. From dining haunts, outstanding skincare, gorgeous fashion to chic getaways. We are always seeking out the most delectable products and offerings to bring you unforgettable moments in a box.

There’s always something for him and for her.

I let my curiosity get the best of me, so I filled out the form to send my details in. All I know is, I’ll get it in July.

The highlight? I finally watched Gilmore Girls!

credits: pure imaginative blog Those eyes.

No words can adequately quantify the awesomeness of Gilmore Girls.

So, fantastic May so far! How was yours?

Beauty Review: MashieMaskie Korea 3D Face Masks

I never thought of using facial masks when I was in my secondary school days. Back then, I relied only on cleanser and the occasional sunblock. I know, I’m terrible… I had my first nasty pimple when I was 15 years old (I guess I experienced delayed puberty). I remember an  ex-classmate’s comment when she saw that zit on my cheek.

“Wow, Priscilla. I never knew you had pimples!”

I don’t know about you, but I think that comment of hers is cursed. Ever since that day, my face was plagued with acne. Somehow, it sets everything on fire.

Thinking back, it was a disaster. Whenever passers-by stared at me, I had this sudden urge to give them the finger and tell them to buzz off. But I didn’t. At that time I vowed that I would do whatever it takes to have flawless skin. Like praying to the man up there that I’d exchange a permanent zit on my back than pimples on my face. Clearly that didn’t work because let’s face it, life doesn’t work out that way.

So when Jayden contacted me for a sponsored review, I immediately (after doing a background research of course) said yes.

It doesn’t come off as a surprise that MashieMaskie is named after marshmallow. The founders of the Singapore-based blogshop decided to play with the name and combine it with Mask (Facial Mask).

So

Marshmallow + Mask = MashieMaskie

How cute is that? And I’m not even sucking up, see it for yourself by clicking here.

Founded in late March 2013 and started out in April 1st, the blog shop is run by Jayden and Vagnes. Just like what the title of this post suggests, they mainly specialize in facial masks imported from Korea.

What sets them apart from most masks is that they sells 3D masks. Yeah, I kid you not. Wondering what 3D means? Well, 3D facial masks is a new technology whereby it fits any face shape and allows it to absorb all the nutrients. This way it’s more effective, not to mention much more worth it!

Also, MashieMaskie’s masks are suitable for gals and guys.

MashieMaskie has 10 flavors available : Aloe Vera, Cucumber, Collagen, Snail, Pomegranate, Orange, Red Ginseng, Potato, Green Tea and Royal jelly.

The masks are made from natural pulp and essence with no chemical and it is *suitable for everyone.

 *A noteworthy point: the product might vary for people who have skin condition and allergies.

image

aloe vera mask pictured below

I was immensely lucky enough, as the kind folks at MashieMaskie mailed me 10 of them!

image

the parcel that I received

image

bubble wrap! I like their effort.

The mask smells wonderful. It’s air-soft and glow-boosting.

image

front view
Aloe Vera Mask helps to soothe the skin and is a natural mask that helps to provide you with a moist and smooth skin.

image

back view

image

before pic
Dry and reddish

I myself have a combination skin, which sounds a little bit tricky to tackle. Since I have acne-prone skin, I decided to try the aloe vera mask.

image

after pic
Moist and less reddish!

Jayden was kind enough to email me the benefits of all the facial masks. Thanks, mate! So here are the rest:

image

Pomegranate Mask provide excellent exfoliating effect on your skin, it helps to maintain elasticity and synthesis the collagen in your skin and hydrating the face for a soothing effect.

image

Orange Mask helps in Pores Management and keep your face moisturized and elastic.

I originally wanted to take a self portrait but the idea of touching my cellphone and the mask bugs me. In the end, I enlisted my mom’s help. She’s obsessed with masks at the moment, so she’s the ideal candidate. Stay tuned, I will be updating this in my next post.

image

Side view

image

Red Ginseng Mask contains Red Ginseng Extract and it helps the skin’s metabolism and provide nutrition and skin vitality.

image

Potato Mask soothe sunburn skins and helps to lighten skin and eliminating swelling and keeping the face moist.

image

Our Green Tea Mask contains Green Tea Extract that helps to provide moisture and refreshing coolness and to prevent face skin from being rough as it provide smoothing effect for the skin.

image

Collagen Mask supplies nutrition to the skin and help faces that are UV-exposed and rough by intensively moisturizing the face to provide a more elastic face.

image

Cucumber Mask is a natural mask that moisture and nourish the skin to provide a soothing effect and brighten up the face for a lively effect.

image

Snail Mask nourish the skin by providing nutrition to improve elasticity and provide faces with a tight and shiny skin effect.

I know a lot of people are still skeptic when it comes to snail masks but hey, it’s better than eating them right?

image

Royal Jelly Mask provides nutrition that provide your skin with a face brightening effect, moisturizing and elasticity.

I want to take this opportunity to thank MashieMaskie for the radiance-enhancing face masks!

Visit MashieMaskie for ultra skin goodness! 

Or hit the ‘like’ button on their official facebook page for more updates! Right now, MashieMaskie ships only locally.

Be sure to ‘follow’ me for more updates. There will be a bi-weekly post for MashieMaskie!

 

Each mask costs SGD$1.40-SGD$1.80.

But there’s a special treat for you guys! Quote prisailurophileblog to purchase each mask at SGD$1.20!

For further enquires and order, contact MashieMaskie at mashiemaskie@outlook.com.

God's Wife

Reblogged from Morning Story and Dilbert:

Click to visit the original post

A little boy, about 10-years-old, was standing before a shoe store on the roadway, barefooted, peering through the window, and shivering With cold.

A lady approached the young boy and said, 'My, but you're in such deep thought staring in that window!'

'I was asking God to give me a pair of shoes,' was the boy's reply.

The lady took him by the hand, went into the store, and asked the clerk to get half a dozen pairs of socks for the boy.

Read more… 152 more words

Book Review: Letters to Katie by Kathleen Fuller

Letters to Katie

You only hurt the one you love. This is the exact case with Katherine Yoder and Johnny Mullet. When Katherine passed out due to her severe headache that has been happening to her for several weeks, Johnny finally realised her importance in his life. However, she doesn’t remember what the man of her dreams said to see her before she collapsed. As the female protagonist struggles to recall her recent memories of Johnny, a man named Issac suddenly arrives. He claims that they had been writing letters to each other, before her illness. This is a story with a great premise.

My view

I was mildly surprised to find out that this is the third book in the Middlefield Family series. When it comes to reading book series, I would prefer to read them in chronological order. Then again, who doesn’t? So I was a little bit worried that I wouldn’t be able to understand some parts. At one point, I felt that I should check out the first two series before devouring myself in Letters to Katie. But I did not, because the author did a fantastic job in piecing together and breaking down the story.

There is a frequent use of Pennsylvania Dutch, which was why I kept going back to the glossary to find out the meanings of these special words.

One minor downfall of this book: I expected more excerpts of the characters’ letters. I mean, the book is titled ‘Letters to Katie’ after all.

Letters to Katie is a book filled with enduring characters. Katherine, Johhny, Anna, Laura, Sawyer- and many more- are such likeable characters. Their headstrong, never-say-die attitude makes me want to root for them for their happiness.

The book has great space and depth. Some romance novels can get rather slow-going and commonplace. Fortunately, this is the opposite case for Letters to Katie.

My overall reaction: A book rich with humanity. A pure and heartwarming read.

Verdict: 4/5 stars

 

* I received a copy of this book in exchange of my honest review.

National Service

One of the hot topics in Singapore. This probably explains the popularity of this movie. Fine and all the best to the cast and crew, I just never understood the hype around it. Am I the only one???

It sends you to a weird place when you witness your mother crying. My brother, the baby of the family was enlisted to the Home Team Academy (HTA) on Tuesday. I expected my mother to be emotional about it. It’s her baby after all. I think that’s the difference between mothers and fathers. Unlike the mommies, the daddies are usually acting tough about it.

A pity we weren’t allowed to take pictures of the Academy. It was really pretty. Strange huh? You don’t normally associate the police force with pretty. But pretty was the first word I thought of when I saw the design of the building. The sky was also misty in the morning so the chilly weather showed the brilliance of it.

When my brother received his enlistment letter, we were dazed. Instead of joining the army, he was placed in the police force. It’s very rare. Then again, my dad too was in the police force during his enlistment. My guess is that the ministry probably digged out the enlistees’ family records. Maybe they were all,

‘ Since the dad served in Singapore Police Force, the son shall too! ‘

The HTA put up a nice performance for this event. There was even a saxophone performance of The Beatles. Strong pipes, that’s all I have to say for the saxophone players.

It wasn’t until when we saw the fighting sequence performance when my mom got teary-eyed (the poor woman must have gotten a shock).

To me, it was like this:

polar bears

To my mom, it’s Halo and Call of Duty. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, you’re seriously missing out.

So these past few days with the absence of my brother have been relatively odd. He’s practically a human version of the GPS. My dad can even get lost driving in a shopping mall car park.

I hate to admit it. Just the idea of it makes me want to barf in disgust (very sure that my brother will feel the same way if he were to know), but I do miss my brother. It’s funny the way human beings work.

I think the proudest moment for all was during the affirmation of allegiance. It’s over-whelming to hear the enlistees’ loud booming voices. You can almost hear their parents’ heart bursting with pride.