So it was the end of July where I spent a night at the airport hotel, and flew back on good old SIA, a day after the parents and the Bf left England for the sunny island. It was a bittersweet affair. I have grown to love the UK, watching the leaves fall in autumn, shivering through winter, watching the flowers bloom in spring ( having a room that looked out to the garden with a huge cherry blossom tree!), long summer days where the weather is perfect and everything in York looks so beautiful. I miss taking the train to various parts of the UK to explore. I enjoyed the journey, looking out at the sheep grazing on the fields and spotting cows on our long drawn train rides.

But all this finally came to an end when I graduated from the University of York, got a job in one of the Big 4 accounting firms, packed up all my belongings and moved home. I felt like I didn't belong. My friends from uni were scattered all across the globe. People I'm used to seeing in lectures and tutorials will just be part of my past, only a hand full were coming back home to Singapore too.

Being used to cycling to school/church/wherever I needed to go turned into either taking the car if dad allowed me to (I had just passed my driving test the day before I flew back) if not I'll take the train. Well it's 11 mins to raffles place and 4 mins to Orchard ( can't really complain). I also started taking the bus too, and it is nice looking out of the window and seeing shops you never knew existed, old eating places that you know will soon make way for higher end cafes or restaurants. I never understood why people complained about the crowded trains. To me it was efficient. During my summer break I would take the train, and it came every 2-3 mins, and got me where I needed to go in such a short while. But having to lug a laptop, my handbag and files on a crowded train at Novena every morning was not ideal. It is a struggle every morning to get on the train. You just have to be bold. See the space in which you don't think you can fit in? Just take a leap of faith. Somehow people tend to move and make space. If not, keep waiting for the next train, which will probably be as packed as the previous one.

Besides the struggle with transport, I had to learn to order food in a local hawker centre/coffee shop. Earning my own money means firstly, tithing to God. I am merely a steward of what he has blessed me with, followed by my parents and saving a large chunk for buying a home. This leaves little money for frivolous purchases. For one I cut out taking a cab everywhere so as to be able to still dine at nice places with friends, and for lunch during work I choose something simple and affordable. I must say I'm not the most adventurous when it comes to Singaporean cuisine. But I've found a few favorites that have become my staples. I love sliced fish in soup with white noodles or just rice with dishes. I do like the occasional popiah and chicken rice ( breast meat,no skin or bones) but I tend to abstain from anything with yellow noodles or is spicy in nature.

I'm starting to acclimatize well. Local food is satisfying, I'm appreciative of how affordable transport is here, and I'm starting to build up my support system in terms of reconnecting with my friends, getting to know awesome people at my previous workplace and being more involved in church. Yes, I've started teaching sunday school. And I love being about to see my grandma every week and watch my nephews grow up. Mum has also graciously paid for my gym membership and lasik so here's to healthier living. So I'm thankful for this season in my life and am excited to start another phase as a management consultant.

So we frequently head to Orchard and eat around the vicinity so I thought it's nice to go somewhere else for once. I met M at Holland village and we caught a bus to a little cafe near her place. I didn't know where it was but it was pretty close to the bus stop so it was just a 5 mins walk away.

It pays to be a student as they have D.I.Y Pancake buffet for $10. M is still doing her masters so she qualified. I love how a simple idea can be so engaging and fun. Thinking of ridiculous shapes and squeezing the batter out of the soft malleable plastic bottle, laughing at how weird the shapes somehow come out. We evidently didn't make many pancakes because there's only so much one can eat and the pancakes did come up decently. Not too sweet or tasteless, but I guess not fluffy enough for me to go wow.

 I got the Red Velvet Pancake instead. What I like about red velvet pancake is how it's not too sweet. It's actually the cream cheese frosting between the layers of the pancakes that made it taste so sweet. the red velvet pancakes paired really well with the strawberries, and the serving size was pretty generous too. I could barely get through half of it as it was quite rich, definitely a bad decision to eat it after lunch. This has inspired me to try whipping up a batch of tasty, fluffy red velvet pancakes.

Nooks- D.I.Y House of PancakeBukit Timah, 

21 Lorong Kilat,#01-03 S’pore 598123

So my quest for good food continues and a Bodycombat class to make up for the pancake intake.

So being in a phase of life where you can't pick just throw on your favourite pair of massimo jeans and a top, pull on your uggs and cycle off to wherever you need to go means you have to start refreshing your wardrobe. I find it practically impossible to wear jeans or any form of long sleeve tops in Singapore due to the heat,so my weekend wardrobe is essentially made of sleeveless tops, casual v neck t shirts, shorts and skirts. But shorts tend to be a bit on the casual side, and the skirts that I have bought that aren't for work tend to be shorter and reminiscent of my teenage years so I've been on a quest to find bottoms that are not figure hugging, of a decent price and cut that I can wear to church or out for a meal with friends. So imagine my delight when I spotted this grey jersey flared skirt in the H&M at Ion.

It's versatile enough to pair of more formal blouses but can also be dressed downed with a plain t shirt, and just make the outfit interesting with accessories. Furthermore I love the pleating detail and the exposed zip. Best of all, it was only $24.50. It's perfect for budget conscious fresh graduates who want to save a significant chunk of your pay for big ticket items (read: cars, homes) and still want to update your wardrobe for a more age appropriate look. 

I can't wait to pair this with some of my existing tops and maybe I might start posting #OOTD. 

Growing up in Singapore and being Chinese, celebrating Chinese New Year has been a regular yearly tradition. I used to love going on shopping trips to Forum with my mum and pick out new clothes, getting new shoes and a new bag. And then the joy of putting on a brand new outfit to go visit family and friends. When I was much younger red packets are what I looked forward, and every year after the last day of the Chinese New Year period, my sister and I will sit on my parents bed and start opening all our red packets and counting the money. I never really understood why people gave red packets but I guess it's more a form of blessings from your elders and well wishes for the year to come. 

I also never really kept any red packets after I took the cash out so I figured I'll take pictures and keep a digital memory of the red packets I liked! So here are my favourite red packets of the year!

The parentals gave me a really nice red packet from Deutsche Bank, I like the use of cherry blossoms and a butterfly. Apt way to celebrate the spring festival!

I'm sure many would have received these red packets from DBS Treasures. I love how cute they were, and I've not seen red packets that looks so colourful and modern at the same time.

DBS Treasure private client Hong Bao was  really nice too, I loved the details on the back of the Hong Bao, adds a nice classy touch to it!

The UOB hong boa had a very traditional front - I can see why my grandma liked it, but the pink cherry blossoms on the back softened the look of this red packet giving it a gentler feel.

Singapore has recently welcomed 2 pandas to our Zoo, which I suspect is the inspiration for this red packet. 10 points for cuteness:)

 This Red packet had nice shiny fishes on it, I love the simple elegance of it. Less is more.

Another big tourist attraction that has won the hearts of many, Gardens By the Bay. This red packet reminded me more of Christmas Gift Wrap but I like the originality of it.

This UBS red packet errs on the side of caution, understated elegance. and with cherry blossoms that are universally appealing.

The credit Suisse one was a lot more extravagant, with a large golden snake splattered on the fron of the red packet. If you're looking for an ornately decorated red packet, this one wins hands down. I'm not a fan of snakes, in fact I am rather petrified of them so this isn't one of my first choices but this seems well suited for the year of the snake.

I loved this Hongbao from Scotts Square and you can't tell from this picture but it's made of some type of glossy fabric. Very interesting and of really good quality.

Last but not least, a super kawaii red packet from my Jie Jie! She bought it form Japan such it's really very pretty and unique!

The set even came with stickers which you can use to seal the red packet.

So yes, just a short round up of red packets. Have a great year ahead! 

So the bf bought me Hello Kitty Gummie making kit awhile ago, and my niece and I worked on it together. First we mixed the powder in the set with water and mix it, and then just squeeze the concoction into the mould:)

We had to let it chill in the fridge first then pry it out with the pink hello kitty pliers!

The final product! Thanks darling:)