A Woman's Best Friend - Finely Cup

A woman's best friend.  Should it be non-wired or wired?  

There has always been different schools of thoughts and debates about wired and non-wired.  However, in recent years, there seems to be an increase in the number of non-wired  bras around.  It may be the next best thing, apart from nothing.  :D

I was introduced to Finely Cup by a friend.  Serene, was reviewing the bras and being the good friends we are, she was telling us about how she felt about these little cups.  "Wireless", comfortable were all the stuff I heard.  So, try, I know I must.

Unlike going into a departmental store and choosing everything on your own, FABLife provides a very personal service of helping with finding the right fit.  Alice, the founder of FABLife, helps with the necessary measurements so that one can find the best fit.  She will also teach you how to properly wear one (erm, let's admit that most of us are possibly wearing the wrong size or do not know the correct way to wearing one.).  As appointments are needed, there is no need to worry about bumping into someone you know while in the fitting room, or feel shy about being around strangers, apart from Alice.  :D

These days, I very much fancy non-wired bras.  Wired bras get "out of shape" easily.  And non-wired ones are really more comfortable with the right sizes.  Also, as they are made of built-in memory cushion for the cups, I can feel the push-up effect as it helps with breast lifting, just like any other wired bras.  But, in this case, they are non-wired.

Comparing with other bras that I have.  Both wired and non-wired ones, you will see that the black Finely Cup bra has thicker bands/wings.  This is what I think helps with the support, regardless of one being big or small.  In fact, do not be turned off by the broad wings because it actually helps smooth and eliminate back bulge, especially for body hugging tops.

If you can't tell, I actually bought for myself another 2 sets after trying the one that was given for review purposes.  I was told that with constant wearing, these can actually prevent breast sagging and the adjustment of the bust.  If you would like to feel for yourself, do make an appointment with Alice for a professional fitting.

Disclosure: I was sponsored a set of Finely Cup bra for the purpose of this review.  All photos and opinions are true to my own unless otherwise stated.  Other additional sets mentioned are paid by yours truly.  :)

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Experience So Thai Spa During a Mummy's Trip!

2018 has been a year of travels for me.  5 trips, not including trips to neighbouring JB, 4 countries.

I wrote about my trip to Bangkok here and here.  

Blessed with a hubby who is totally hands-on, I am able to travel with friends.  Why travel without the family you ask?  And I will ask, why not?  To me, that does not make me any less a parent or a Mum.  I just feel that it is a time to reflect, make connections with like-minded friends and just relax. Back home, the world revolves around the family and work (for working mums like me).  Sometimes, I just want to wake up without the need to prep breakfast, wash water bottles, nag and babysit.  Hahaha!!!  Yes yes, i signed up for parenthood and I am not complaining.  I am just finding reasons to enjoy myself, even if it meant 3D2N.

Anyway, if you are thinking to travel sans kids, i will say, just do it!  I always come back a better human being.  And maybe that's what has been keeping me going - working, cooking, nagging......

The last trip to Phuket was indeed a rest and relax trip.  We checked ourselves into this huge villa.  And we ordered breakfast service.  On other days, we were out eating seafood, fast food.  But most times, we were just lazing in the villa, enjoying the blue skies and sea, soaking up the sunlight.

But what is a holiday in Thailand without a massage, right?  We were recommended to So Thai Spa Phuket, which has 3 outlets in Phuket.  I am somewhat picky with the massage places I go to, especially if it involves body massage.  Foot massage is fine as we all know that there are lots of shops along shopping streets at cheap prices but for body, I prefer to pay more for a better experience.

As were staying in the Surin area, So Thai Spa Phuket Privilege is just 8 minutes drive away.  Out of the Patong area, this spa's location is superb as its surroundings is quiet and zen.

Deciding the oil to use for my massage.  There is an option for aloe vera too if you are sunburnt.  

It always start off with a little treat.  No matter you are there for 2 hours or 4 hours.

A tip!  If you do not mind sharing a room with your friend (I'm sure partners are fine), it is always cheaper to book couple rooms!

We thoroughly enjoyed our 4-hour So Thai Treat which includes foot massage, body scrub, herbal ball compress and lastly, an aroma oil massage.

A treat in between.  After a shower after the scrub.

The massages were good!  So good that we went back for a 2 hour session before we flew home.  As most of the masseuses are not fluent in English, the receptionist (better command of English) will ask questions about which body part you want the massage to focus more on, any injuries so that they can be more careful.  During the massage, the masseuses will ask if their use of strength is okay.  Apart from that, I drifted off to dreamland most times.  

Refreshed, rejuvenated and ready to take on come what may.  

So Thai Spa has a few outlets in different parts of Thailand now and I will definitely have them in mind when I next travel to Bangkok.

Now, when can I have the next break?  Pretty soon, I am sure.  2019, please be good!

Disclosure: We were given discounts at So Thai Spa.  No monetary compensation was received.  All photos and opinions are true to my own unless otherwise stated.

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My Kind of Bangkok Holiday Sans Kids. What's Yours?

Since I am on the topic of travelling to Bangkok, aka BKK, let's continue...

Bangkok is approximately 2 hours 30 minutes away from Singapore by plane.  Which makes it a relatively convenient city to visit, especially for Mummies out there because we can make it a short 2D1N, 3D2N, or however long we want.  I know how some Mums cringe at leaving their tots at home, without them, or are afraid to venture for a holiday for themselves only.  But hey, BKK is not a far place to consider.  Just "run away from home" for 2 days and tell yourself it's possible.

There are many airlines that fly from Singapore to Bangkok.  From full fledge airlines to budget ones, from 7am flights in the morning to 7pm flights at night, there is bound to be one that suits your needs and fulfil your wanderlust.  I know of people who do same-day trips to BKK, taking the first flight out (to BKK) and last flight back.  I have never done that - the shortest for me was a 3D2N trip that span less than 48 hours though.

Something old, something new.  You never fail to amaze me every trip.

I am not going to give you an itinerary because most of the times I am there, I will wake up and then decide where to go.  Most of the times.  Oh yes, apart from the cooking lesson I wrote about here that requires pre-booking.

But!  I will tell you where I go or what I eat.  :)

First, let's talk about markets.  From one of the 10 world's fresh market ranked by CNN to night markets (BKK has plenty of them!), one can walk non-stop.  That's the reason why a foot massage every night is a must for me.

Or Tor Kor Market

Take the MRT subway to Kamphaeng Phet station, exit number three and you will find yourself at the market that is ranked one of the 10 world's fresh market by CNN.

This is not the kind of wet markets we have back home.  In fact, the place is clean and pretty well-ventilated.  I love coming here on the last 2 days of my trip because of the fresh produce (read: fruits and garlic) I can buy home.

Garlic, garlic and more garlic!  These are very nice in Bak Kut Teh.

If you come during the mango season, you can buy some mangoes home.  The sellers will help you choose and mark the mangoes based on when the mangoes will ripe so that you can estimate when you can eat them (for e.g. 3 markings mean the mangoes will ripe in say 3-4 days).  How nice, right?

Need a mortar and pestle?  The supposedly good ones.  But, bargain!!!

Chatuchak Weekend Market 

This weekend market needs no introduction.  If I am there on a weekend, I may visit.  However, I cannot stand the heat.  Hot and humid, the coconut ice-cream is always a good treat.  Remember to bring a big bag to contain your purchases - you do not want to walk around carrying many small plastic bags.

Rot Fai Market Ratchada

The nearest MRT to this night market that opens from Thursday to Sunday is National Cultural Centre.  Though most websites indicate that it opens from 6pm, most of the stores start to operate from 7pm.  With open air pubs and loud music blasting, it is indeed a happening place to be in.  There are stuff to buy and food to eat.  Street food or hot piping seafood, there is no lack of things to see and eat.  

Sotong eggs anyone?

Will you eat this?  Or will you allow your kids to eat this?  Looks so cute but the amount of food colouring makes me feel very uncomfortable.

I shop a lot in Platinum Mall and Pratunam Market for both work and casual clothes.  Shorts and dresses, pants and tops.  Compared to Singapore, the prices are still pretty decent.  From 200Baht (~S$8.50) to 400Baht (~S$17.00), I can get a work dress that can easily last me 2 years or so.  Demi shorts last even longer!  Knowing that there are hundreds of stores in both places, I will definitely patronise those that I've bought clothes from.  If you are keen to know where I get my clothes, ask me and I will gladly share.  And something that not many know, Platinum Mall's toilets have fitting rooms that are clean.  You can try your newly bought clothes there and if need be, you can change sizes if they do not fit.  But always ask about exchanging for sizes first before purchasing.  Some sellers are fine while some aren't.

Another place that I will go is Chinatown.  Bangkok's Chinatown, otherwise known as Yaowarat, is home to Bangkok's Chinese community.  My friends love there at night due to the endless food options but I prefer there during the day.  Usually starting my day early there, I scour the alleys for wholesale buys.  Be prepared for the notorious BKK jam when travelling there during peak hours though.

This tickles me lots.  In the last trip with Serene and Jenn, Serene actually took this photo and posted on her Instagram stories.  When I travel without the kids, I often bring the measuring tape with me as it is a easier way to obtain measurements as compared to bringing their clothes along.

Non-authentic kids masks and toys.  At wholesale prices.

Party supplies, goodie bag items anyone?

Serene introduced this to us on our last trip to BKK.  Nai Ek Roll Noodles has a Distinction in the Michelin Guide 2018.  The peppery broth warms the tummy and I get my pig's blood cravings satisfied.  The crackling roast pork belly is to die for too!  Be prepared to queue during peak hours.  We were there on a Sunday morning at about 8am and were spared the wait.

Bangkok is home to many cafes these days.  Many are Instagram worthy places.  One such place is Karmakamet Secret World.  Within walking distance from BTS Phrom Phong, one seem to be cut-off from the hustle and bustle of city life once in there.  

It's the experience that counts and truly, it is.  I did not have any main courses there and so cannot comment on the quality of the food.  The desserts I had were very pretty though.  Totally a IG-worthy place.  Price wise - it is considered expensive in BKK standards.  If you have the time and would like to try something different, experience something different, I believe it is not hard to fall in love with this place.

I told you that I am in BKK mostly for eating.  And eat, did I.  Almost every other day is a trip to After You Dessert Cafe.  This is the few desserts that I love.  Absolutely delicious with different varieties, this Mango Glutinous Rice Kakigori is my favourite.  Forget about any diet, I'll work doubly hard with my exercises when I am home.  :D

When the queue starts even before they are open at 9am, this Sabx2 Soi 19 Wanton Mee is well, worth it only when you happen to be there.  Right in Pratunam Market, the place is always crowded with tourists.  Sharing tables are a norm but we realise that the noodles are inconsistent.  We ate there twice in the span of 5 days and on the second visit, there wasn't lard in the noodles and it just did not taste as nice as our first visit.

I love eating with more than 1 pax.  Because I get to order more food and we could share.  Either for a meal during lunch or tea-break "snackings" after all the shopping.  The oyster omelette at the Platinum Food Court never fails to disappoint.  Tell me how to lose weight when I am in BKK.  I guess the only consolation is that I walk a lot too.

This very popular salt crusted fish can be found at almost any "Zhi Char" store in BKK.  From the high end Thai restaurants to the street side seafood stores.  When fresh, it is good.  Order a Tom Yum Goong and mango salad, you can leave BKK with a happy tummy.

And so, very random, very vague.  But Bangkok is a city where one will not really go hungry unless one is not a fan of Thai cuisine.  But even then, there is always Mcdonalds!  The only question is, how big is my tummy space and how far can my legs walk.


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What Else to Do in BKK - Apart from Eating and Shopping and oh Massage!

2018 - how fast you have come; and how fast half a year has gone by.

It has been a challenging half year, with 2 kids now in primary school, new activities and more work. Sometimes, the only thing I want to do after work and dinner is hide at a corner and play Pokemon Go or Candy Crush.  Tell me - you feel me.  :)

Despite the hectic schedule (bluff who?!  You ask.), I manage to squeeze some time to travel.  Bangkok has always been a yearly go-to country before I had kids.  Now that the children are older, I seem to be getting back there yearly.  Well, at least for 2017 and 2018.  I probably have not blogged about such trips because, it's just eat, shop, eat, shop.  Oh, and foot massage every night.  At S$8 for an hour, where to find?!

We did nothing of those touristy stuff, nothing about the Floating Market or Grand Palace because i've been there when i was much younger.  In the trip last year with my mum and sis, we did something different.  We went for a cooking lesson.  Of course, to learn Thai cuisine!

We pre-booked our classes and chose the dishes that we were interested in.  On the day itself, turn up at the meeting point and the people from Bangkok Thai Cooking Academy will be there to bring you for a market tour before the cooking class starts.

Colours of the market

The ingredients for the choice of your dishes are prepared and one has to cut and chop his / her own ingredients.  We had fun using a big mortar and pestle and I always hear from the older generation that there is really a difference using that to grind ingredients into a fine paste as compared to using a blender or food processor.  What do you think?

Got to cook my own food too!  The good thing is not having to wash the pots and pans.  :)  

And ta-dah!  My lunch!  We did the morning session and thus, this was our lunch after all the cooking.  If you cannot finish all the food (which is actually a lot for a person), you can packet them back too.  We didn't though because we were off to other places.  

There were about 12 pax in the class but each had their own set of ingredients and cooking station.  After the session, recipes were given out too.  And so, off we went to the supermarket to buy some of those Thai ingredients.  Haha!  How aunty we are, right?

It was an interesting experience.  And a way to understand more of the ingredients that go into the Thai food I always love.  I saw couples in the class too, so it may be a good activity for couples.  :)


Disclosure:  This post may contain affiliate links, which are at no additional cost to you.  I will receive a commission if you click the link and purchase something.  :)

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Influenza - An Adult's Version

Influenza is not unknown to most of us.  We know them by H1N1, H5N1 etc.  Lately, there seems to be new mutations going around.

Influenza is not the common cold or runny nose.  Also known as the flu, which many often mix it with common cold, it is a illness definitely more severe.  Why I say so?  Because I have been through it.

It all happened when E was down with fever.  Initially diagnosed as the start of a common cold by the GP, it got worse and he was hospitalised.  I remembered when we were at the hospital, the paediatrician commented that I sounded bad too and might have caught the same bacteria / virus as E.    But, the mummy in me had to set right my priorities which was caring for the little boy.  What I did was simply buying off the shelf Danzen from the pharmacy to help with the anti-inflammation and anti-swelling of the painful-but-still-bearable throat.  

Of course, I have to thank Serene for bringing some of the Young Living essential oils as I used quite a bit of Copaiba for my throat.  I think that helped me with keeping whatever I caught at bay temporarily.

E had blood tests and an x-ray done and the diagnosis was influenza and mycoplasma which caused the roller-coaster fever and croup.  Double whammy.  He managed to ride out the influenza without antiviral medication but had antibiotics for the mycoplasma.

When he was discharged after 4 days, we were all so happy.  Little do we know that it was the start of me falling sick.

I was so tired the next day, we thought it could be just fatigue.  But we knew it was not when a high fever was spotted.  For one week, I was literally "floating", drifting in and out of sleep.  The medicine made me even sicker as in I felt a weird film of stuff covering my mouth and lost all appetite.  The amount of medicine to take for easing the symptoms made me nauseous.  Can you imagine I actually bought gummy bears and ate them after each medicine?!

In any case, I declared contracting influenza worse than natural child birth.  I was down and out for almost a week.

Antiviral medicine would help in easing the symptoms and promoting recovery if they are taken within the first two days.  I did not take any as I was pass that crucial two days and had to ride it out. 

Well, I survived.  But not without lots of sleep, warm water, medicine.  The boys were out and about doing their own things and the hubs did almost everything he could without bothering me.

Influenza is on the rise according to the news lately and is characterised by the sudden onset of the following symptoms:

- Fever
- Headache
- Chills
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Muscle aches
- General fatigue

More details can be found at the Ministry of Health website.

For people who are at a higher risk of developing complications of influenza, please consult your doctor if you suspect if you are having influenza.  There are tests that can be done quite quickly, such as the nose swab test, for diagnosis.

All in all, it takes definitely more than 2 days for recovery.  So, work is out and so is looking after the children.  Have standby help is what I will advise.

Though we all wish we will never fall ill, we really never know.  I guess, just be prepared to deal with it, come what may.

Oh, the good and the bad of it is that I took a pretty long time to regain my appetite.  Mentally yearning for a lot of food but when those were placed in front of me, I could only stomach a few mouths.


Disclosure: I am not a doctor or a medical professional.  What is stated is my personal experiences.

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Two Hospital Admissions - 'Horrible Mum' or 'You Did All You Could!'

Warning: words only, no graphics.

As I sit in a room in one of the most expensive district in Singapore, I wonder.  I wonder what I have done or have not done that made it the second stay in 6 months.  No, I am not having that nice, cocktail-in-hand kind of staycation.  I am in Mount Elizabeth Hospital.

I wish it was just a dream but it wasn't.  The hard sofa bed, disruptive sleep is all real.  E was admitted for a second time for fever and cough (layman terms).  Everyone has their fair share of fever and cough every year so what does it warrant an admission?  Not when his fever was for 6 days and a cough that sounded chesty or barking.  And I do not demand the admission.  It was at the doctor's advice.

Don't judge as to why and how I allowed just a simple fever and cough to develop into something more serious.  It wasn't within my control.  If I could, I would probably make sure they are never sick, but sometimes life loves giving us lemons (pun intended).

Okay.  Back to that simple fever and cough.  Both episodes that caused admission were similar.  Fever that didn't seem to go away for a few days.  The first day or two when we went to a GP, it was diagnosed as a start of a common cold.  Paracetamol and some cough medicine and that's it.  Then we have well intended friends who suggested that it might be viral fever, that will break in a few days.  Granted, it could really be.  The only 'wah lau eh' moment for viral fever for a FTWM like me means - cannot go school; I cannot go work because who knows when viral fevers break.

But when a worsening cough develops after a couple of days of fever, I know deep down it's not that simple.  Mummy's instinct probably.  I struggled within myself  as to whether to send him to the A&E (on a weekend) or our regular PD because on one hand, I was afraid to be judged by people or doctors who think that well, it's nothing serious, why am I fussing over it.  On the other, I fear for a decreased oxygen level as he was coughing every other minute.  #Parentingwoes

But I guess I made the right decision because on both ocassions, he was hospitalised for at least 3D2N. Now then came another guilt.  What have I done to cause this?  Was it something I ate during pregnancy?  Was it what I have been feeding over the years?  As much as I try to juggle between work and family (and I thought I was doing okay), such 'events' simply dropped me to the lowest point from wherever I was.  Back to ground zero.  And it does not help when people comment on what you should have done or what you should not have done, even though there are no scientific or medical basis to them.  Who can totally relate?

I only know from both stays that fever has to be controlled before they allow discharge.  Drinking water is one of the most important thing one can do.  Always listen - there are various types of coughs: chesty, croup, barking - whatever you call it.  But if it sounds weird, or uncommon to the usual cough, always wise to check it out.  Because coughs can be due to various reasons - it can be viral or bacterial and most times, only a blood test can determine.  And if it's a bacteria and it is not treated, the body system will continue to fight the bacteria, thus the fever.  Once the right diagnosis is given and correct medication is administered, the fever will go down.

Totally random post because I guess we all know that we would have wanted nothing but the best for our children.  For now, it's back to picking up the pieces and climbing up that 'Best Mum' ladder again.  But then again, I know my sons never doubted me being their best Mum.  That's what matters most. 


Disclosure: I am not a doctor or a medical professional.  What is stated are my personal experiences.

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{Media Invite} Puvay's Fruit Puree-based Collagen Drinks

Age is catching up.

Yes, it is just a number.  It is the mind, heart and the soul that matters.

Appearance matters too, no?  I am just human.  More specifically, a woman.  LOL

So, yes, maybe I should start taking collagen drinks.

When June invited me to the launch of Puvay's 2 new fruit puree-based collagen drink flavours, I was like hmmmm....  it's time to give it a try.  I have never really bothered looking into collagen drinks.  Lazy to make, lazy to buy, yucky taste, weird smell - whatever reasons you can think of, I might fit my reason into one of them.  Just put it that I was never attracted to them.

With the launch of its newly formulated range of 100% natural, fruit puree-based collagen drinks, Puvay redefines the taste of beauty supplement drinks.  With 800mg of "Korean Marine Collagen Peptides", which features specific shorter collagen molecules, they help the body better absorb the benefits more quickly as they are smaller in size.

Also to note is that Puvay is one of the few companies to use a high dosage of Korean Marine Collagen Peptides with fruit-juices.  With this 100% natural ingredients and fresh fruits, Puvay's collagen drinks are lower in calories and sugars (oh yesh!).

Drink it on its own, chilled which I did.  It was not very sweet in my opinion and I can taste the fruits.  My only problem with it was that it was capped very tightly.

Or use it in a fruit dessert which I did here!  What an awesome combination of fruits, nuts and collagen.  I especially like the nuts with it.  On shaved ice, no less.  A crunchy feel to the drink and you do know that most nuts are packed with tons of benefits, right?

Puvay's collagen drinks can be bought online (how convenient) at Wellness Hut.  You get to enjoy 10% storewide with any purchase when you enter "PuvayCynthia" upon checkout!  Maybe a Christmas gift to a girl friend?  Or that bird nest for the parents?  :)

Disclosure: I was invited to the media launch.  No monetary compensation was received.  All photos and opinions are true to my own.

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