DHC

This is one of the brand for skincare which i notice in taiwan, similar to fancl (but cant be found in sg).

b4 i come to taiwan, this is the brand which formers n spreeres raved about, comparable to Fancl… it has some pdts similar as the latter, which sometime cheaper / economics as it had no expiry date.Too bad it was not available in Taiwan, originate from Japan but heard it is cheap in hk n Taiwan. It is much more famous in its olive oil pdts n CoQ10 pdts. Once I reach Taiwan, I tried to find out more of this brand… it is a breeze of effort cos it is common in Taiwan. In fact, their convenience store (7-11) carries pdts of DHC but in trial version (smaller) which is ok to me since im a first time user.I also manage to grap a copy of their monthly issue (Sept), spend much time to ponder over it as it is written in Chinese…. (Ohh… really need to brush up my Chinese.)

After I note down which I would like to buy, I go to one of their outlets (is easy to find as it located near one of their mrt station) It was like a kid stepping inside a candy shop, face w variety of pdts. Their concept almost like fancl, I spend abit of my time there. (Gers, watch out! There is a some discount here n there, may end up buying more than u want plus freebies!! Hehheee)In fact, DHC is easily accessible in Taiwan (there is lot of ways to place yr orders n have them to deliver to yr hotel; if u notice the DHC Taiwan website 27662000 = mean the contact number) as for me, I love shopping so I dun mind to go a mile for that.

Okay, let me introduce /promote this pdt.DHC eyelash tonic; this is a great one which I really wan to rave / boast abt it. It stimulates eyelash growth, works for me. Immediate effects, but may not work for everyone. At first my lower eyelash is almost nothing, now I can see it.DHC help to fill in the gaps at my eyelashes, not actually volumising.
Apply twice daily in morning and before sleep. Can be used as based coat for mascara or just alone. Beside that, their best seller pdts are deep cleansing oil (same as Fancl’s Mild Cleansing Oil MCO; heard its oil content much higher. With my combination skin plus sensitive, I better stick with my Fancl MCO cos can use even with damp hands), olive oil soap.

back from trip

awww just back from my taiwan trip, not veri enjoyable since I was caught during the rainy season. Everday there is rain, rain, rainnnn... The raincoat I bought @ there, is a necessary.. terrible i dun look pretty at all (in fact, my complexion got abit worse. yucks!!!)
Worst, I even met one of their typhoon, wasted one whole day; stayed inside hotel watching their channels (although there are alot of variety show channels; total abt 100 channels. but I still prefer shopping, BEST!!) My hubby told me to count on my lucky stars that the taifeng day wasnt our flight day, if not cancelled, means = sleep in airports wahhhhh we heard news that flights are cancelled, especially to hk.

we travel around usually by their transit mrt, reasonable price. Easy to navigate n mainly in Chinese, takes time to get use. Their English cannot make it.
Food cost as much as sg, but in bigger portions n very much nice to eat, alot of variety also.
There is alot of wholesales clothes n shoes, personally i find taiwan ppl dress quite nicely, must be that reasons. some of things are cheap, like nike etc 20sgd cheaper hehahha.Of cos, skincare is a fave there, lots n lots of it. I lugged some portions back.
Personally, i feel taiwan is quite similar to china. With a land space that big, alot of places not yet developed, u can c the worn out stores, buildings. ohh... here not much foreigners except tourists, guess cos the populations is big + this is a Chinese speaking country.

Hotsprings; one of their famous pt. There is alot of these nature resource in one of districts. I try that, nothing special. Lucky, im not allergic, cos i saw ppl do. Guess this is becos mine hotspring spa is neutral pH, mild acidic; sulphur bah
101 tower; another famous one, we went there but didnt go up cos need money + if poor weather, u cant c much up there. y waster money, i rather do shopping. Anyway, I've been to other countries skyscraper b4 like KL towers n BKK ones. ok, areas around are branded boutiques, not much for us.
Ximengding, like our Orchard road, famous teenage hangout.
Wufengpu - one of the' hot' clothes wholesales like our bugis but in a much bigger scale. The name come by as five steps taken, there will be a new shop. As compared to BKK patrum (clothes wholesales), BKK is cheaper but taiwan style is much suitable for asian chinese gers. They are way cheaper than in sg, most of gds come from china.
Shilin Nite market - one of 'famous' eating place to til late nite, lots of food. Just follow the long queue n u wont be wrong. This place is raved by lots of ppl (a crazy 'fave'), personally i dun find it veri special.
Museums - we went to afew museums for sightseeing just in case ppl ask us abt taiwan, although our main focus is on shopping. Find taiwan is veri proud of their founder, lot of respect pay in due like having 2 guards for a big statue.... went to a miniature museum, wow veri cute n nicely crafted. gers will surely love it, guess in our heart, there is alway a small little corner abt playing houses. the furnishing is unique, comes with a small carpet n furniture in different style from asians to eurpurean style. Kawaii!!!
85degree - a small bakery café, nice place to rest / relax for our tired legs after long shopping... Reasonable price + much variety of cakes n pastries. So many creative, water mouthing artpieces capture our hearts especially gers. As I stared at the melting chocolates n cream as topping of the cakes, I can’t resist taking another bite into them. Forget abt dieting, gers, as im on holiday one must enjoy at this time… wwah… cant wait to sink my teeth into another piece. Yummy!!

ok, this is their arcade... found everywhere... amazing!! Some are nice, cute toys.. But mostly I find is cheats!!! not easy to play even with the tricks / tactics(shop assistant offer) 10NT per try.Most Sightseeing rocks; the Queen's head n the Princess Slipper. These are the natural sights eroded by the strong currents waves over the years. wow but need money to go in... :P We take one day city tour as we r traveling free n easy. We took it because if let us alone, i think we will be shopping mostly. Later, if friends ask us abt the highlights of taiwan, surely paiseh.. :P

this is chiufen, famously known as 'sad city' as a movie is shot at there. Anyway, it called chiufen, cos in early days there are only 9 families living there. quite nice to walk, best to shopping the taiwan foodstuffs there cos wholesale. etc sunshine pie, mochi, fruit jelly... ... this is what taifeng can do, very strong winds. Motorbikes n trees are fallen, umbrellas are no use as they will be spoilt. Every shop closed, even the physical stalls closed, the whole taiwan like ghost town.

I intend to go taiwan again, cos i didnt enjoy myself much.

C U next time, TAIWAN!!!

Highlights of my banquet

in fact, there are 2 highlights of my banquet. heehehee ppl had been probing me with questions about them. The live band performance + my cupcakes wedding cake had captured everyone attention.

First, I talk about my cupcakes, which i had liaise with the maker long before my banquet was planned. Trish, She is gd n cute too, helping me with my decisions. I can see n feel her passion in her cupcakes, every one is beautifully crafted, is a fine specimen of artworks. My friends all told me they cant bear their heart to eat it. And that is what i want for my wedding cake; special, unique n most of all heartwarming one. Since my hubby n I like the colour blue, we decide to choose it as our cake theme. To make it more unique, we put beatles figures on top of it (my hubby loves beatles, even his car is plastered with them on it).
This is my wedding cake
This idea i get it after I look through her previous artworks, got one couple use dormonen theme. Here is her official website: http://www.cupcake-momma.net/
These are all her previous artworks http://www.flickr.com/photos/sgcupcake_momma/there are alot, take some time to go through all. ooh btw she is 'hot' famous, appears alot in media also. if u wan her cupcakes, better book her early!!

Second is from the live band performance, instead of the usual play straight from the disc. I got a friend who provide these service for wedding banquets. I had a small band (3 person group rather than a big five). My friend help to look for another members; she is a pianist + a song writer herself. 2 of her friends (a guy n ger) roped in, one of them acts as emcee, who happens to be the ger. MOst guests commented that is a refreshing experience, n high praise for the lady singer for her gd vocal performance. i can say they are smitten by her, as they keep asking for her name, age etc hhahahee

Photo session with my friends

I'M so GLEEFULLY THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING!!! THANK YOU!!

*P.S. if u think y most of us not looking at the camera, cos these pics are taken by my hubby friend, Rick. Check his works: http://chunlietphotographyworks.shutterfly.com/
The offical one not yet out.

my final day

our names at the entrance of the restuarant

Wow.... Today I woke at 4+... so early... cos I need to get out of my house at 7am (in order not to rush the schedule, we set it much earlier) + we are having a wedding lunch instead of dinner. Although most of ppl prefer dinner but we only mange to get it for lunch on this popular date even we book it at 9mths earlier; shows that Singaporeans are really kaisu.

My gown nicely done hehahah, everyone loves it; especially when i wear a short gown, cos it look more funky + we are abit short on side; so long gowns make us look too formal (although there are some major hiccups along the way) . Seem like ppl like my studio album funni personally we dun reali like (find it abit old fashion, lack of creativeness). There is alot of relatives we seldom seen b4. Everything goes very smoothly :) i was so worried things will get choked up, lucky and food commented is nice too !!! The atmosphere is gd, with the live band performance, everyone had a enjoyable time.

The whole thing ended abt 5+, we manage to catch some sleep after that. ;) (in my heart; I had hope the whole affair ended quickly, i dun wan to lost my sleep.) My hubby didnt need to drink much since its weekend lunch, (which is gd cos he is a veri veri poor drinker) .

my angpao cage; unique. I try to create new innovative ideas for my wedding.

The ritual b4 the actual day.

my hubby come n fetch me at the dawn of morning.

trying to catch a little catnap in the car... wow,... my eyebags reali show...

outdoor shooting with all the ah yhee carsconvoy
having sweet dessert in our room; reali feeling abit hungry
our kiss in our lovenest (room)

our wedding cupcakes replaced the dummy cake :)

My live band performance consist of 2 singer n a pianist. The female singer, Dawn acts as a emcee too.

rehearsing our champagne ceremony as we prepare for our second march-in

cupcakes at the reception, we are giving out them as favour at the end of the banquet lunch. :)

We are so totally humble towards to our helpers in their willingness /kindness to help us in the smooth flow / success of the whole plan. We appreciate it.

I REALI HAD TO THANK ALL THE HELPERS ON THAT DAY!!!! THANKS! MIGHTY THANKS!!

Exchange of gifts

we buy all our stuff at chinatown.

An Chuang

Things to Buy:
Small Double Xi Plate
2 Longans
2 Red Dates
Lotus Seeds
Bai3 He2
2 Red Packets (Any auspicious amt will do)
4 Yan2 Ji2 (to place each at 4 corners of bed under mattress)
AN CHUANG THINGS

Guo Da Li GDL

Groom:
Big Red packet (bride side need to return some)
Cakes (we get benglawan; nice :))
Oranges

2 bottles of hard liqour
1 pair of Long2 Feng4 Zhu2 (groom takes phoenix and bride takes dragon)
4 Gold - Si4 Dian3 Jin1 (depend on some dialets custom)
Big basket (for groom to put things in, for bride to put things in for return then groom carry back home)
Ang pow for match maker

Bride:
Pants for groom
2 bottles of soft drinks in exchange for the liquor
Towels wrapped up as presents for groom's parents, grandparents and aunties
2 lamps (either battery operated or electrically operated)
Comforter Set, Blankets, Pillows for bride, bed sheets, bolster (tie together using ribbon) - bedsheet to be used for an chuang
new set of pyjamas
Tea set
Baby Bath Pail
Face basin

Mouth rinse container
Ruler, Mirror, comb
Fans (1 pair), Home slippers - Not for Hainanese custom
1 Sewing Box with 6/8/12 rolls of threads + needles + scissors (scissors dun use for cutting so soon)
Variety of gold jewellery in a box for bride (has to show to the in laws, then bride keep after actual day or depends on when mil wants to return)
Longans, red dates, bai3 he2, lotus seeds, rock sugar, yuan2 bing3 for groom
Parts of the GDL

We try to follow as the customs of ang chuang, GDL. But the customary, we change abit, making it more easier for us since we are having banquet lunch instead of dinner. We also improvised some of things as into red packets. So end up, we be exchange of red packets hehehaa.. ...

Customary
Groom:
Big Roast Pig with 8 oranges on big plate - collected early in the morning before bride comes for tea ceremony
Red packets for ah yees
Red packet for driver
Red packet for photographer
Red packet for videographer (if any)
Red packet for kid opening car door

Bride:
Red packets for ah yees
Red packet for driver
Red packet for makeup artist

Rules:
* any person who clash got to hide in the room when see couple arriving. Come out after some time.
* no brothers/ah yees supposed to clash with couple
1) Groom leaves from parents' place
2) Groom arrives at bride's place. Kid open car door. Groom give red packet to kid.
3) No blocking door ang pow (open door ang pow not for hainanese and hokkien)
4) Go to groom place. Serve tea. Groom carry pig back to love nest.
5) Go to love nest. Couple MAY like to eat tang yuan at new home. Couple give ang pow to kid.
6) Light the 2 lamps till battery flat
7) Change into tea dress and go to bride place. Serve tea. Pig now at bride parents' home. Bride's mum cut up pig, return head and back, together with groom's pants.
8) Couple return with pig head and back to groom parents' place. Quickly leave for hotel/love nest to rest.
9) If restaurant, bridal car to take couple to restaurant, then go to fetch bride's parents. Groom's parents go restaurant on their own.

~~we didnt go back to my bride house for tea cermony, instead we head straight to resturant n had it after the lunch. then after that, we go back to my parents house.