Xuan's Howdy Days

My Love Affair with …

Xuan-er — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:31:27 +0000

with the Japanese Kit Kats. In Japan, kit kat do not come only in the red packaging and chocolate flavored that we are so used to in Singapore. In Japan, they come in all sorts of flavors pertaining to the local prefectures and seasons of the time. At different times of the years, we also have limited edition kit kats.

Currently 3 main flavors are sold in the airports, Melon flavor from Hokkaido, Green Tea flavored and strawberry flavored.

My love affairs with them started in 2010 and here’s the flavors I had tried so far.

almond tofu flavored from Yokohama

Orange/Lemon flavored from Shikkoku

Pear flavored from Niigata.

Red sweet potato flavored from Okinawa.

Blue berry cheese cake flavored from Koushinetsu.

Strawberry flavored from Kyushu.

Strawberry flavored from Shizouka

Melon flavored from Hokkaido.

Green flavored from Kyoto.

All images from Kit Kat Japan

Jill Stuart/ANA Berry Best Collection Travel Exclusive

Xuan-er — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:31:45 +0000

I have always been curious about the Jill Sturt line of cosmetics and with their pink and princessy packaging. It had always made me salivating over their new releases. I don’t put on much shimmery eye shadow so though I was drawn with their packaging but I couldn’t covince myself to get much of this pricey make up except for once for their mascara and perfume some 2 years ago.

Thanks to the headsup from Haru informing of the Berry Best collection from ANA/Jill Stuart flight collaboration consisting of a full size quad color blusher, full size lip balm, full size nail polish and a deluxe sample scrub along with a cute berry motifs cosmetic bag. I couldn’t resist it since it was only 6000Yen (~ S$102) which was quite a steal compared to the usual prices in Japan due to the strong yen. (though the prices are comparable to Taiwan)

The full collection in full glory, isn’t it a beauty?

Jill Stuart nail lacquer N (contains wild rose extract and almond oil) The color comes on as light pink and close to the natural pink tinge of our nails.

Jill Stuart berry scrub N (contains strawberry fruit juice, raspberry extract, acerola extract, rose extract, apricot seed powder and peach seed powder. This is a self warming gel scrub for exfoliation.

Jill Stuart fruit lip balm N (contains strawberry fruit juice, honey, shea butter fruit, cacao butter and apricot kernel oil) Lip treatment for to keep lips from dryness

Jill Stuart mix blush compact (#13 Milky strawberry) The blusher is supposed to add a touch of soft color to your cheeks.

The accompanying brush is of fine white hair with a pink diamonite on it.

As per the name suggested, a berry best collection Thanks to すしさん。。。。ありがとうね。。

Revisiting the Lighthouse @Fullerton

Xuan-er — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:43:22 +0000

Saying welcome to you!

24 months cured Parma ham, mint-marinated rock melon

400 grams Wagyu beef Ribeye, rosemary Roasted prime root vegetables

Tiramisu

Of course, special places for special occasions

Dae Bak

Xuan-er — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 14:43:33 +0000

Chanced upon this after my errand and since it was late afternoon and not many of the Korean places along that street was opened so decided to check this place out.

By night, I bet it is a full Korean BBQ place..and life up the cushion of those drum seats is your secret stash away for your personal belongings!

Appetisers and sauces.

I always go for tofu chigae when I check out a new Korean restaurant. This one is a little disappointing.

Hot pot rice.

But the BBQ pork belly was yummy.. I guess always stick to meats from BBQ places =P

Seafood republic

Xuan-er — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:25:38 +0000

If you’re a die-hard seafood aficionado, then Singapore Seafood Republic is what you’ve been waiting for. Dubbed THE dining venue for the ultimate in seafood indulgence, its much-heralded kitchen trawls decades of Singapore cuisine history and flair into a singular experience by bringing together the hallowed brands of Palm Beach Seafood, Seafood International, Tung Lok and Jumbo Seafood. Featuring a “live” seafood dining experience, you can delight in many renowned signature dishes such as the republic’s iconic chilli crab and other popular, authentic Singaporean seafood cuisine. Complemented by a relaxing and welcoming environment, this remains a dining retreat perfect for hosting family gatherings, corporate dinners and overseas guests.

- RWS Site

Love this appetiser dish of rojak!

Mum wanted some jelly fish, for $10 this was a huge portion.

spinach tofu

Steamed cod, fresh and soft

There was a boston lobster promotion but doing this in Cheese and butter combination is too rich a taste for the Chinese taste buds

Mocktail!

Address:
26 Sentosa Gateway, #01-292 Waterfront
http://maps.google.com.sg/maps?ie=UTF8&q=seafood+republic&fb=1&gl=sg&hq=seafood+republic&hl=en&view=map&cid=16149325486013497319&hnear=&t=m&vpsrc=0&ll=1.253228,103.826282&spn=0.006295,0.006295&output=embed
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Chako

Xuan-er — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 13:35:15 +0000

A little old style Japanese restaurant in the west side of Singapore. Kitchen helmed by an obasan serving you food made from scratch in her kitchen

First dish up was the deep fried oyster, huge and fresh and brought a huge smile to my face with my first bite.

home made oden.

Unagi rice, not the best I had compared to the juicy unagi I had in Japan but it just felt like some thing so home cooked and tantalising your tongue buds with each bite.

The crust of the tempura (i heard is made from scratch) is not so thick like the usual one you have outside and the portions are huge. the tempura dipping sauce is served warm too.

Last but not least, warm comfort food

Address:
134 West Coast Way, Hong Leong Garden Shopping Centre, singapore

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The fragrance of home made curry

Xuan-er — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:35:01 +0000

The 1st post of 2012 and it is on my favorite topic. FOOD. Thanks to my aunt, who showed me the steps to make home made curry from stratch.

Every step of the process making of a pot of great curry are important but it starts from the 1st step. Stir frying the chopped onions till brown and fragrant.

Next is to add all the needed ingredients and mix it thoroughly.

Finally, stew it till the whole place is smelling of curry….the smell of home

ps: just make sure your neighbour is a curry lover too *wink*