BFP

Question. What is the colour of Friday?

And B.L.A.C.K it is!!!

Get ready for an awesome shopping time with these Black Friday promotions and still be in the black! Be absolutely thrilled to see thousands of shopping options and b(l)ack it up with additional discounts, you would be b(l)ack for more!

Although the term might have some dark meaning to it (if you Google, that is) But there's absolutely no darkness to this madness! No lines! No queues! No nasty staff to eyeball you! No fuss! And all done with a click at the touch of your fingertips!

Come b(l)ack! Head over to the link to get more out of it!

PS: Go take a look see now and get a S$10 voucher when you sign up for their newsletter! While you're at it, use my voucher code ZBAPPpe* during check out for additional 15% off!
*valid only for new customer

PPS: This post has been brought to you by Zalora.

33

I am writing this a few days shy of my actual birthday. These days, I prefer to cling onto my age after my actual birthday has passed rather than the definitive year. It's psychological warfare in my mind, my dear. After you've passed thirty, everything is accelerated. Everything.

So, what makes this year any more special than the last? Nothing. And nothing is what makes it ordinary. I guess I'm way past all the fancy shindigs of any celebrations and I'm guessing it really has to do with age. Not that I've grew up to be some kind of a sage, but rather, the whole she-bangs of a birthday celebration holds no appeal to me any more.

With this said, I'm actually really glad to be in my thirties now. I have the freedom to be independent, the confidence in being in my own skin and the assertiveness to not be afraid of what I want or say. In a way, I guess I did really grew up and blossomed into a woman. It just took me a slightly longer time to do so or as they like to say, a late-bloomer.

Anyway, this post is not so much a pensive one nor is it going to be a motivational one. Rather, this is the soon-going-to-be-33 me, telling the current-clinging-onto-the-32 me on some of the life lessons that we've both been through.

Dear Soon-going-to-be-33 me,

the life that you've imagining that you're going to have didn't quite turn out as planned eh? Not to worry. Because in time, it will teach you to be stronger and alot braver than you will ever be. True. You're still aloof and arrogant at times, especially when it comes to strangers and friends, but I guess that is a good thing. No? It'll guard you against the would-bes and the could-bes, but it'll also help you to know who are the ones worth making and losing.  

And you know something else? Your family IS the best thing that has happened to you. Especially the two boys. They have brought you so much unconditioned love and joy that this is what has made you into the woman you are today. The responsibilities that you must bear right now to shape them into the kind of person they grow up to be, these will pass. The foundations have to be laid strong now, so that they will not be easily broken when the storms come crashing through. 

Your husband? He really does love you more than you know. True that he will disappoint you at times and make you angry and sad although its both at the same time or ALL at the same time, but know this and know it deep in your heart. He loves you. And that is enough. If it is not, remember to look at your wedding band and remind yourself again. That is a testament. Marriage is hard work, marriage is difficult, marriage is continually about making that same decision to be with that same person, over and over again. Unless he screws up. Or you. Then, uhm all the best(?)

Your journey has just started, this life holds so much more possibilities and opportunities than you know. We are all writers. We write our own stories and we make our own memories. Don't be afraid. Be brave with your life. 

Somehow, this has somewhat turn into a motivational letter which I intentionally do not want to. So I'll signed off here and may you live your life bravely. Oh one more thing. If your husband says he wants to get you anything you like, don't be humble (read: stupid) and say no, just say hell yeah baby! You've been warned.

Current-clinging-onto-32 me. 

Be like a Dorothy

I've always like Dorothy Perkins for their effortlessly chic style but sometimes I would baulked at their steeped prices whenever I browsed through their stores. But! You can thank me by clicking on the link above because there's a further markdown on the prices!

Sapphire Oversize Crepe Jacket

Blush Print Longline Shirt

Black Gingham Smock Dress

Bronze Glitter Bow Court Shoes

Oooh.... Doesn't the smocked dress and shoes above feels very much like what Dorothy from Wizard of Oz would wear?! Besides these, there's also bags, shoes, pants and even coats on offer! Oooh! Come take my money already!

PS: Go take a look see now and get a S$10 voucher when you sign up for their newsletter! While you're at it, use my voucher code ZBAPPpe* during check out for additional 15% off!
*valid only for new customer

PPS: This post has been brought to you by Zalora. 

Chicken dance

Sometimes, I wonder if I've been short-changing my kids. I would reach home and they'll be like rushing up to me while shouting excitedly, "Look Mama! Today is so and so's birthday and I've got a goodie bag!" or they'll be like, "Look Mama! Today I've got two goodie bags because 2 of my friends celebrated their birthdays in school!" and I'll be like hanging my head in shame because I didn't up their goodie bag game level up. #truestory

It also doesn't help my ego when the social media accounts that I've been following are filled with superpower mothers making gifts and presents for Teacher's Day, Children's Day and organising birthday parties for like 100 children. Okay, I'm exaggerating at this point but it's a mother upping another mother's level world out there.

Anyway, this post serves no real purpose other than making me wallow deeper in the pity party that I've just started. The end.

neh, neh ni poo poo

Family trip

We took our first ever family trip to Fremantle, Perth Australia for a week and we had so much fun! The boys took the flights very well and while Benjamin made full use of the in-flight entertainment system, Jeb spent most of it asleep! Now that's what I call a good flight.

We stayed at a pretty and cosy 1 room apartment booked through Airbnb and its location was awesome as there were plenty of supermarkets, shops and near to the bus and train stations too.

As it was still winter in Perth, I was initially worried about how the boys and I were going to handle the cold. Turns out, my worries were unfounded as the sun came out in full force for most of our stay there and even I had to admit that it was hot too!

 

It was an agenda free holiday and we just went along with whatever plans we have for the day. Both the husband and I agreed that this was more for the boys to run wild in their parks, gardens and playgrounds. Thus, there was no hurrying the boys, no rushing, not much restrictions, on my part. I threw all caution to the wind as I didn't made them eat at a specific time, have balance meals and the one constant food we had was fries and pizza, though not together. 

I guess it was a totally new experience for the boys as they got to do so many new things they wouldn't have done so in Singapore. It was a new experience for me too as I got to live their culture and lifestyle albeit a short one like their weekend markets, eating locally grown produce, drinking coffee (almost daily!) and for the husband, beer of course.

We're glad that we made this family trip happened and of course, the husband and I now need another holiday to recover post holiday, now that's a given.

Gentlemen, Start your engine!

Guess what?!!

I know I'm not a teenager any more but I do love my exclamation marks!

Say what?!!

Get on my marks?(!)

Set go!

Whoo!

Anyway, before you start your eye rolling or have already started, the F1/Singapore is going to get your adrenaline rushing soon!

You read it right! Quick Go! Before all the deals are gone!

I even made a rhyme along with the flow! Woohoo!

PS: Go take a look see now and get a S$10 voucher when you sign up for their newsletter! While you're at it, use my voucher code ZBAPPpe* during check out for additional 15% off!
*valid only for new customer


PPS: This post has been brought to you by Zalora. 

Books

I started reading really late during my primary school days. Like literally picked up on actual reading when I was in primary school, around 9 years old. I know many parents would have baulked at the notion of their children reading at such a late age, but back then I was looked after by nannies who wouldn't have known how to read themselves either. And get this, I couldn't speak a single word of English too.

And back then, when you were in Primary 1, the school would assigned a buddy, usually the P5 or P6 students to guide the P1s for a week. I obviously couldn't read nor speak English, yet the irony of it was that an Indian girl was assigned to be my buddy. I know, I know.

But!

The biggest surprise was that she could actually speak Mandarin! Yes!

Anyway, now all I could recall was that the English teacher just told me to improve on my English and I really did! Two years later. I remembered going to the library, picked up a random book and started reading there and then. And that random book was ahem, Sweet Valley Twins. Hey no judgement okay! I was young and the cover showed two very pretty Ang Moh girls.

From then on, there was no stopping me and I read with a ferocious appetite and everywhere, and I really meant everywhere I went, there's always a book in hands. However, it slowly tapered off when I started working but I still read, occasionally though and magazines count too right? Right.

And I be very honest here. I actually stopped reading when the kids came along. Oh the horrors! Yeah yeah, I know that it's important to read to the kids and all, it's just that with so much going on with children, there's only so much time you can spare with a book right? And even so, sleep always wins. Always.

But!

I recently picked up reading again. After many many years of not reading and watching too much Korean variety shows for my own good.

Two of the books I picked up was actually an adult romance novel, albeit still slightly soft core than the usual actual adult romance novels. If you know what I mean. So as an afterthought, I thought I better picked some intelligent books (like the John Irving and Kazuo Ishiguro books), in case you know, people do judge you by the cover. Tsk Tsk.

Super George

"So what can he do?" I asked my 3 year old. He looked serious for a while before a glint of cheekiness flashed through his eyes. He looked at me and reply, "Super George can fly! Can run! And he can fight!"

And he is a make believe superhero my 3 year old came up with.

One night as we were getting ready for bed, I heard the 2 boys shouting Super George! Super George! while jumping up and down from my bed and running in and out of the room. I was highly amused as I've never heard of this character before and thought it might be a new cartoon that they saw on the television. So when I asked Benjamin if Super George was a new cartoon, he said, "No! Super George came from Didi!"

And that my friends, was how Super George is born.

Stay tune for more adventures of Super George.

Big Bang

Early on this year, as I watched my favourite Kpop band 'live' on TV and I told myself that I had to, HAVE TO, MUST watch them 'live' in person.

And I did. Alone.

What I wore to the concert...

Best white t shirt, comfy and slouchy.

Paired it with my high top to uh, appear more youthful(?)

But I was cool about it because it meant that no one will judge me when I scream and shout and dance!

I thoroughly enjoyed myself and to think that I actually attended one of Korea top boy band's concert, I am MADE.

Hormones of the guilty kind

So last night, Jeb had wanted me to carry him before his bedtime. I carried him for a while and brought him to his bed but he wanted more. So I carried him a while more and did the same thing again but this time he wanted to sit on my lap, to sleep. I obliged him while I fell asleep sitting up and jerked myself awake when my leg decided to cramp itself.

So when he rolled over to his bed and was quiet for a while, I thought okay good, he's gonna sleep soon and what do you know? He decided to ask me to carry him again! Why thank you Murphy!

But I decided not to because I was tired and also, I'm not going to indulged him with all that carrying. So I lay very still while he kept whining for me to carry him. So obviously with a lying Mama and his whines unanswered, it escalated into full blown crying.

And all the while, I kept ignoring him until.... he started to ask for water. I relented, sternly told him to stay still while I went to get a cup of water for him. He drank it and then, he whimpered, "Sorry Mama, sorry Mama".

Then I broke.

My heart. Can't deal.

So this morning when I thought back on last night, it made me think of what he was actually apologizing about? Sorry that he had cried so much it made me angry? Sorry that he had made me get him a cup of water? Sorry that all he wanted was for me to carry him? Or sorry that all he wanted was to be close to me thus asking to be carried?

Damn these mother hormones.

I questioned myself if I was too harsh on him and it is always these things that makes you think you're the worst mother in the world.

Sappiness aside, we'll be having a barbecue and hello long weekend!

Okay bye!

Morning pint

I developed this habit of mine since I was a kid when my mother would instil in us the virtues of drinking water first thing in the morning. And since then, I've been gulping down a pint every morning the moment I wake up and even right before using the toilet.

1 pint is approximately
568 ml (UK) or 473 ml (US)

And now, I make it a point to drink 1 pint in the morning, another 700ml (which is my water bottle's capacity) at work and down another pint when I get home in the evenings.

All in, I guess I hit the recommended 2L of water everyday including my coffee and/or tea? With so much water going on in my system, it does makes me visit the toilet often, my skin does feels fresher (but also with SKII's help, heh) and I don't really get too lethargic at work too.

So drink up! Especially with our humid weather and especially with our humid weather.

Kiddos

With a chatty older brother, Jeb has been picking up words and speaking at a really fast pace now. He can string a proper sentence now with more than 3 words like, "I am not doing anything now", "You went to work Mama?" and stuff like, "Then the dinosaur came and eat the bear, then, then the bear no more", "The lion roar and then the bird die die". This boy has a very morbid imagination.

Whenever I look at Benjamin, my heart would always be filled with such thankfulness and gratefulness and I always think that maybe I really did something good in my previous life to deserve such a wonderful boy. And watching him grow from a tiny baby to this giant 5 year old now, I would always asked him in amazement, "Are you sure you're Benjamin?" and most times he would just nod his head.

So one day, as I was watching him do his stuff I asked him again.

Me: Are you sure you're really Benjamin?
B: Are you sure you're really Mama?

Woah, didn't see that coming kid. Good comeback!

You betcha Mama!

I can talk so much now! Bye!

English people

We've got Bangers and Mash, Fish and Chips, Battered  Snickers bars and now up and coming British label LOLA SKYE LONDON is here!

Only difference is that it's not food but they're affordable and trendy clothing from London! Duh!

Embellished Collar Blouse

Black PU Quilted

Black All Over Sequin Dress

Mesh Panel Midi Dress

I like that although it's ahem, targeted at younger women, these items that I found on Lola Skye clothing for ladies are suitable for me as well. Not too girly yet funtional for a working mother of 2 boys.

And one more picture to depict accurately how I would really dress on a daily basis. Just because their model looks way better than I do and just because. Cup of tea anyone?























PS: Go take a look see now and get a S$10 voucher when you sign up for their newsletter! While you're at it, use my voucher code ZBAPPpe* during check out for additional 15% off!
*valid only for new customer

PPS: This post has been brought to you by Zalora.