Ciate Advent Calendar

I'm aware that this is a Ciate advent calendar and I know that this post is months and months overdue. I just didn't have the time to make this post until now. The last I check, which is almost two weeks ago, this was still available at Sephora retailing for SG$79. I bought mine right at the start of February for SG$55 as there was a 30% discount at that time. Lucky, lucky me.

Like all advent calenders, there's 24 slots for the 1st of December to the 24th of December. This set contains 18 nail polishes ranging from pinks to grey, 4 caviar pearls, 1 sequin flakes, 1 glitter, and 1 funnel.

It's the perfect nail set for people who are either just starting out and want to try a variety of colours or just wanting to expand their nail polish collection. Each bottle is 5ml, which is less than half of the amount you would get in a standard bottle, but to be honest, I don't think any of us actually get through our usual 12-14ml of nail polishes. So with this mini Ciate ones, you don't feel like you're wasting it.

Even if there are a handful of colours you don't use, for the price, I still think it is very worth it. They apply very easily, not streaky at all. They have rich colour pay off, most of them require only one coat and you're good to go. Most importantly, they do not chip. There was once I had mine for 10 days straight and they were still in perfect condition.

And I love how they have included a quote behind each flap/door. I think it just adds a nice touch and somehow helps brighten a person's day. I'm so excited for Christmas this year. I can't wait to get another set of Ciate advent calendar. Haha.

What I Got For Christmas 2013

It's the most beautiful time of the year~ Christmas! My family isn't one to go all out in celebrating Christmas, but we do still exchange presents with each other. Christmas really isn't about the presents though. To me, it's about appreciating what we currently have. I did not specifically ask for anything this year, therefore, all of the presents came as a very pleasant surprise. I am really thankful for all that I've received.

First up are presents from my friends. I met up with them on the 20th of December for a gossip session because we haven't seen each other in ages. And they were so lovely to have brought me presents.

Two suspicious boxes and a pair of super large mittens. It's such a creative idea to fill up mittens rather than stockings. Haha.

Mini presents I found inside the mittens. Red and green wrappings made everything even more festive and Christmassy.

These were all the presents from my friends. Popobe toys and Hello Kitty towel. They really do know me very well. 

One Direction's latest album and movie!!! I almost fainted with joy when I received this from my brother. I've watched This Is Us in cinemas five times and to own the DVD and be able to watch it as and when I want is perfect. The best part was, both the album and the movie came with a poster each! Happiness.

My cousins got me a jewelry organizer - the kind that hangs like a dress - and a Big Ben figurine made up of plastic jigsaw puzzles.

Look at how huge the Big Ben figurine is compared to my head. She must have spent a lot of time and effort in making this.

The last group of items were from my aunt and I just can't thank her enough. She got me five clothing items and two books.

A floral jacket. I've established that this will be my favourite clothing item for months to come. I've always wanted a floral blazer but have never found the courage to actually buy one and wear it because I know I will not be able to pull it off. This jacket on the other hand is made out of a very light weight material - a little like silk - and the colours are more subtle. It'll be my first step in trying something out of my comfort zone.

 

Two books that I'm super pumped up about - House Rules and Safe Haven. First, House Rules. This is a story that revolves around a boy with Asperger's syndrome. And because of my educational background, I am very intrigued by stories like this so I'm really excited to see how Jodi Picoult portrays a boy with Asperger's syndrome and the challenges people around him faces. Next, Safe Haven. I've been a fan of Nicholas Sparks since my secondary school years and I've watched this particular movie twice so I'm curious to see how similar or different the movie is from the book.

My other relatives have very kindly gave me money to buy what I want. However, there isn't anything I want at the moment, so I've decided to be a good girl and save up the money. Once again, I am very thankful for all the presents that I've received.

Happy Holidays!!!

Christmas Day Fun

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! HO HO HO!!!

I was supposed to wake up at 7.30am so that I can go to McDonald's with my aunt for breakfast. But because of my weird sleeping patterns (sleeping at 5am and waking up at 12noon), I overslept and only woke up at 10am. So in the end, there was no breakfast for me. By the time I got ready, it was almost lunchtime. We decided to go to Raffles City as my aunt wanted to look at bags. We ate at this Taiwanese restaurant which is situated at B1. The food there is delicious, though I must say that it doesn't taste like those in Taiwan.

Valid from Monday to Sunday & PH only. Hmm... Isn't it everyday then?

At around 4pm, we met up with my cousin and then went to Parkway Parade for dinner. We ate at this restaurant called Social Square, which is actually a branch under MOF (Ministry of Food).

 What do you call this kind of egg? Fully-cooked on the outside and semi-cooked on the inside. This is the only kind of egg, other than scramble egg, that I will eat the egg yolk. I'm just not a fan of the taste and texture of egg yolk. Plus it's high in cholesterol. Not too good for my health.

The reason why I wanted to go McDonald's this morning was to eat their pancakes. I've had the urge to eat pancakes since two weeks ago. So when I saw pancakes in the menu, of course I have to order it to satisfy my cravings. The dish comes with three slices of pancakes, scrambled eggs, sauteed mushrooms, and tomato. It was delicious!

 

Other than lunch and dinner, here are the other damage that I've done for today. It's Christmas so it's alright to be shopping, that's the excuse I'm giving. Haha.

Isn't the gingerbread man so cute?