This is how I roll

I actually took time off away from the boys to enjoy after work time for myself. The husband is on a business trip, the boys are at their grandma's house, and after spending so much time with them last week, I decide to just use this week to do my own stuff.

Stuff like having my hair cut and washed. Having dinner alone. Having donuts without sharing. Taking a long walk home.

And lastly, I received a lovely surprise gift from my dear sister.

Clementi Ave 2 Nasi Lemak.
Awesome chicken wings and even hotter chilli.

Walking home before the downpour.

Not my birthday but it sure feels good to receive gifts.

After cupcakes, donuts are my next favourites.

It's such a refreshing change from the norm of either meeting the husband after work (when he's back in SG) or heading to my mum's to be with the boys.

Don't get me wrong. I love love love to be with them, but sometimes you just have to break away from the routine to get yourself back together again. 

Because being a wife and mother for a while, things can get hectic you know. So, I find that taking time away from these two identities and just being a woman, being by myself, being me, brings much needed joy and I find solace in it. And that's when I feel that I can go back to being a better wife and mother to my family. 

And so today I'll go back to being wife (husband is coming back!) and Mama where I'll go pick up my boys and we'll enjoy our weekend.

Have a good one!

Linking up with:

I know its Friday but hey, its still motivational! Right? Right.

Happy together

I came across this blog post and one of the points really struck me.

Point 6. Respect money.

Its not the type of respect till you placed it on a pedestal and worshipped it, but its the most basic kind of respect; managing it wisely.

And I also love how he wrote about when his wife couldn't decide on what to buy while shopping in a Marc Jacobs store in LA, he simply told her he'll buy everything that she has chosen. WOAH.

Its not a moment of madness, but like what he said, its about living in that moment and letting loose. And when that moment comes, you'll learn to appreciate these material things even more.

I couldn't agree more.

Once on a honeymoon trip in London, my husband also had that moment and told me to get a branded bag that I liked. Guess what? I didn't.

Because it was alot of money, at least to me, and I thought that I was helping him to save money. Turns out, he was having that moment when he wanted to let loose and get me whatever I want.

And he has never failed to rub it in my face ever since.

And I've learnt my lesson because now when he says he'll buy things for me, I'll gladly accept without hesitation!

We're not struggling as much as before, nor are we well off. Right now, we're just within our limits and able to provide for the kids and to me, that is of utmost importance. We're well fed, well clothed and well, there's a roof over our heads, and I'm really really thankful for these provision to pay for our basic needs.

But when it comes to a time of letting loose, be it on a well deserved holiday, handbag, shoes, clothes, car, house, whatever, don't hold back. Heck, it doesn't even have to be expensive too. If you're really wanting that bubble tea? Go for it! Cupcakes? Go for it! Cakes? Go for it! Online sale? Go for it!

Because once that moment is gone, its gone.

That moment is for making someone else happy. And when they're happy, you're happy.

Linking up with:

The only 3 year old boy that drinks coffee

Stealing sips from my coffee cup.
Cheeky.

Does anyone else's kid drinks coffee and loves it? He surely does. 

Linking up with:

Octvember

You know what? October just steam rolled by and right now its already November! This sudden realisation that its year end came to me when I was bringing the boys for a grocery run just the other day.

Benjamin was pointing out to me the red poinsettia balls hanging on the mall's ceiling while asking me why are they doing there.

Being the informative mother that I am, I replied that Christmas is coming soon and that's why they're hanging Christmas decora.... OMG CHRISTMAS IS COMING! ... tions on the ceiling.

Yeah, that sort of revelation.

So.

October was sure a fun month. We had a mini family trip to Cambodia, celebrated my 31st and ended with both boys catching hfmd. Just fun.

Right now, as I'm furiously just penning whatever thoughts that are coming, I've been at home with them the past week just looking after them. Whenever I see those damn blisters, I get so angry. Yet, I'm also counting my blessings. Because I know that they are getting well now and it could have been alot worse.

And for the past two days, both boys have been sleeping really early like before 8pm. Which I think I can get used to the early mornings and drowsy afternoons. Its a good trade off. Them missing the afternoon nap to go to bed early. Yup, its good..

Anyway, this post is almost unedited, just free flow of words bursting out.

And I just remembered that I've yet to draft that approval email to apply for no pay leave. Its never too early to panic right? Right.

So here's to you November. Be kind, be good, be not too fast to December. I'm not ready yet.

Just another day

I am a weekend mum. And they starts early at 7.30 am. 

Benjamin would wake up wanting his first bottle of milk and that in turn would wake Jeb up because all I want to do is to lie in for another 5 minutes which in turn caused Benjamin to yelled louder at me to go make his milk and in turn makes me so grouchy at being woken up so early to be commanded to make milk and which in turn makes everyone wakes up.

So many turns eh. 

And so the kids have their milk in bed, horse around for another half hour more before I get myself and the kids washed up for breakfast. 

It can be pancakes, fruits, scrambled eggs, biscuits, oats and whatever nots and by the time breakfast has rolled around and gone, its time for groceries shopping for lunch and dinner. By this time, its only 9.30 am but I feel like I'm ready to go to bed, again!

And the fact that one of my sons has no real interest in food other than batteries, paper and plastic bags, every meal times is greeted like this.

Feeding nightmares

And the real battle for the day begins. He cries, he clamps, I shoved! He cries, he swipes, I shoved! And on and on it goes.

For breakfast, lunch, dinner.

And this boy here, he's really such a sweetheart. Once, when the feeding nightmare got so bad that I cried, he did all sorts of funny faces just to get his little brother to laugh just so I can quickly shoved food into his mouth. Ahhhh, bless his heart.

They usually nap together in the afternoons where I gladly join them for an hour before I get up to prepare for dinner. Usually after dinner, we will go to the park for a stroll or I'll let them spend all their energy at the playground. My tactic is simple. The more they released their energy, the earlier they'll sleep. But alas, I've been proven wrong when their need to move surpasses their need to sleep.

During the first few weeks of solo parenting, I'm always at a loss when it comes to bath time for the boys. For Benjamin, its easier as he can play by himself while I handle Jeb first, but what about when it comes to bathing Benjamin? 

At first, I would leave Jeb in the cot crying his lungs out while I bathed Benjamin. But I've quickly come round to this problem by deciding they should bath together to save time but definitely not water as by the time I'm done with dressing Jeb, the whole bathroom will be all wet and soapy! 

My day with the boys ends when I've tucked them into bed after their bedtime milk and they have fallen asleep. Some nights, I thought maybe I can watch a show, maybe I read a book, maybe I can do some other things, but alas, I prove myself wrong when my need to sleep surpasses my need to do things. 

Linking up with:

Good shopping are worth sharing

Recently the husband introduced me to Zalora and got me hooked on it.

Unbelievable.

And I went shopping like never before! All from the comforts of my home and sometimes even from the office, heh.

This site offers a wide variety of shopping options for women and men which includes well-known brands like Marc Jacobs, Chloe, m)phosis, Steve Madden, Ted Baker...just to name a few.

But if seeing these branded names makes you think twice about buying as their items are gonna be super expensive, well you'll be in for a surprise!

Almost every week, they offer special discounts and promotional codes to help ease your pockets. And if you're not into designer stuff, fret not! Because, even for brands I've never heard of, the quality of their products are still on par and if I may say, even better than some of the retailers out there!

I can vouch with my life.

So far, I've purchase from them four times, and every single time I received my package, my heart would leap in delight at the quality of the products I've bought. And mind you, my purchases were either marked down, so called 'normal' brands which I've never heard of and always within the S$10-S$25 budget.

These are what I've bought:

Adel T-Strap Sandals

Mandy Studded Sandals

Aila Metal T-Strap Sandal

Bird Printed Tie Dress

Polka Dot Jacquard Shorts

Jersey Tank Dress
I got it in white though

I've worn the Mandy Studded Sandals and Aila Metal T-Strap Sandals out for the whole day and there is no discomfort at all. Their sizes runs true and it fits me very well.

For the clothes, the sizes runs true for me too, although the Jersey Tank Dress was a tad too tight around my erm have-not-loaded-off-my-poop tummy area. You want to see the truth?

I took a huge sucking in

and this is what happens if I let it all out

Just a word of advice; if you're in between size, go one size up as it would be easier to alter as opposed to sizing down. And also, I will usually refer to the model's bodys' measurements and the size she's wearing to get a good gauge of the fit.

While I enjoy shopping on Zalora, the best part of it is probably the Free 30 days return. If you just don't like your purchase when you received it, just fill in the form they have provided and dropped it at your nearest Singpost, that's it! How's that for convenience?!

And you can either choose to have your refund credited back into your bank account or as store credits too. Your choice!

So 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 15% off!

Hope you enjoy the shopping!

Linking up with:

*Disclaimer: I am not compensated nor approached by Zalora for this post. All opinions and purchases are bought on my own. I was given a voucher code to share as I've joined their Brand Ambassador Programme.

If you like it, you should put a ring on it

I was admiring a ladys' rings on her fingers the other day when I realised I have not been wearing my wedding rings for close to 3 years now. 

In the beginning, my engagement ring was like a shiny badge of honour and I would wear it at any chance I get to. For the very obvious reason of showing it off.

And after I got married, the wedding ring became a status bearer, telling the whole world, hey I'm taken! Married! Off the shelf! Like finally! Yay!

So what got me thinking was actually this. 

There really is a difference on your fingers to wearing and not wearing your rings. 

For one, you can truly feel the weight of the rings and it is a daily reminder to oneself that hey, I'm really taken! Really married! Truly off the shelf! Like yes its true! Yay! or Nay?

Ha.

I'm not making a joke out of it as many married couples can attest to the fact that yes, the rings serves as a remembrance to the commitment that they've made to each other, it is a symbol of unconditional love, endless love and it is to signify to other people out there at a glance.

However, there are also many married couples out there whom have been faithfully married to the same person and they don't wear their rings on a daily basis. 

There are many reasons for them not wearing it and still, they are being reminded daily of the commitment to their spouses. 

As for me, with the rings, my fingers feel shackled. Is that too strong a word? And when I'm not wearing it, my fingers feel light and free! 

But that does not mean I love my husband any lesser. Nor does he have any urge to go and have flings around. Although I'll still gladly accept that Cartier ring if he wants to buy it for me. Hear that husband of mine?!

Do you wear your wedding rings daily? And what are your thoughts on it?

Linking up with:

MummyMOO