Délifrance Joyeux Noël Review

December 6, 2013 by Leave a Comment

-Invited by Délifrance Singapore-

Just before December creep up on us, Blake and I attended Délifrance Singapore’s Christmas Party, a party to taste the yums off their Christmas menu. The selection of delicacies from their Joyeux Noël menu is pretty impressive, and we were served buffet style, with all the meat nicely carved for us.


The spread of yums!

We had the Traditional Roast Turkey, Roast New Zealand Leg of Lamb, Roast New Zealand Striploin of Beef and Honey Glazed Chicken Ham for our mains.


Traditional Roast Turkey, $88 (Image provided by Délifrance)
Stuffed with chestnut and served with cranberry sauce and chicken gravy

Depending on the part of turkey, it can range from being rather dry (breast area) to really juicy and yummy (thigh region). The moist parts are naturally a little more savory than the dry areas (I’m guessing it’s got to do with the fatty oils from the turkey), but the dry parts isn’t bland-tasting at all. Whatever marinate and stuffing Délifrance used for its roast turkey, it was definitely soaked up very nicely by the whole turkey.

Personally, the parts from the thigh regions can be taken on its own – no sauce required. Whereas the drier parts, I would suggest dipping it in the sauce and/or gravy first.


Roast New Zealand Leg of Lamb, $88 (Image provided by Délifrance)
Marinated with herbs and served with rosemary sauce

This particular lamb dish surprised me. It didn’t come with that smell and taste that most lamb meat I’ve eaten has. Either I’ve been encountering really lousy chefs when it comes to lamb dishes, or Délifrance has worked magic into the meat, with the use of herbs.

While the meat was well roasted and flavorful, it was a little too dry for my liking. If you’re not so keen on dry meat like me, remember to drown the meat in rosemary sauce before eating it!


Roast New Zealand Striploin of Beef, $64.90 (Image provided by Délifrance)
Cured with Chef’s Seasoning and served with pepper sauce

This is one of my favourite dish from the Joyeux Noël menu. The beef was so succulent, and it totally melts in your mouth! It is so rich in flavor that you can take it with or without the the pepper sauce. Yums in my tums with this one!


Honey Glazed Chicken Ham, $49.90 (Image provided by Délifrance)
Served with pineapple sauce

This is another of my favourites from the Joyeux Noël menu, and definitely Blake’s favourite. He couldn’t stop popping these into his mouth!

When I first saw the buffet spread, I was seriously attracted to the chicken ham, cos besides being the brightest coloured meat, I really like ham a lot!

The ham is chewy and delectable, and both Blake and I prefer having it on its own. No sauce required for us! The saltiness level for this dish was perfect for me, which might translate to being a little too salty for some of you. I have quite the high tolerance for salt. Hehe.

Halfway through filling our bellies with meat, meat, and more meat, we were informed to make some space for dessert. Cos, really, what’s Christmas without the sweets to fatten us up for the onslaught of cold weather? Granted that Singapore is in the tropics, but we still do experience colder-than-normal days, right? Hehe.

And thanks to the wide selection of sweets available, we got to have more than a nimble (think slices after slices) with Délifrance’s sweets for this Christmas!


From L to R: Yuletide Log, Silent Night, Joy of Délifrance,
and Enchanted Macaron Tower


Yuletide Log, $43.90 (Large, approx. 1kg)

This is my favourite of the cakes. Made with Belgian dark chocolate, the chocolate mousse was tantalizing. It’s the sweetest cake of the lot, and I really love how light and fluffy the cake is!


Silent Night, $59.90 (approx. 1kg)

Layers of chocolate cake and Valrhona Fine French Chocolate makes this THE cake for ultimate chocolate lovers. Besides being the most elegant looking cake that day, it was also the richest in flavor. I was a little sad though. I was most attracted to this cake, but it was a little more bitter than sweet in the bittersweet combination, not exactly my kind of cake. It’s still pretty to look at though!


Joy of Délifrance, $59.90 (approx. 1kg)

A log cake with a smile puts smiles on faces too! The smiley log cake is layered with chocolate sponge cake and Valrhona Fine French Chocolate. Sounds similar to Silent Night? Well, it’s not the same at all.

For starters, it’s not as bitter! It is a well-balanced combination of bittersweet, sort of an in between of the Yuletide Log and Silent Night, putting it on the safe side for bringing to, or having at, parties. And with such a cute face, I’m sure the children will be tickled with joy!


Enchanted Macaron Tower, $128 (Large)

This massive tower of macarons caught Blake’s attention the moment it was put out, way before it was even time for dessert. I had to ‘wrestle’ with him to pry him away from it. Who could blame him? It’s in such cheery colors that only spells “S-W-E-E-T!” to anyone who saw it.

Of all the colours, Blake loved the ones in pink the most. I have no idea why, but I’m guessing it’s partially due to the fact that it is the most vibrant colour of the lot, and also with it being the sweetest. I like the pink ones too. Hehe.


My little foodie


A happy boy is a boy with all the sweets he can eat!

At the end of the Christmas party, we were given even more sweets to take home!


Merry Cupcakes ($4.90 each) and Santa’s Helpers ($4.90)

And with that, comes to the end of the first Christmas yums for us this year. Thanks for having us over for an early Christmas celebration, Délifrance Singapore!

Psst… I went home with dining vouchers won from the lucky draw. And thanks to Cherie, I got a brand new Monopoly board game too! She had won two game sets in the Christmas games that was organized, and very kindly gave us a set. Thank you, Cherie!

* * *

Based on the responses in my earlier Christmas Giveaway, it seems like a good number of us look forward to having a good meal with our loved ones on Christmas. So if you’re thinking of holding a party, or attending one (don’t go empty handed!), do check out Délifrance Joyeux Noël‘s menu!

Disclaimer: Blake and I were invited to Délifrance Singapore’s Christmas Party, where food tasting of their Christmas menu was a part of. We receive no compensation for this review, and all opinions are 100% mine. Blake’s opinions on the food are based on his facial expressions and simple words like, “Yummy!”, “Nice!” and “Delicious!”, which may or may not have been accompanied with a smile or thumbs up.

Filed Under: blake's fourth year, celebrations, christmas, food review

Timeout Thursday: Night out with the BFF

December 5, 2013 by Leave a Comment

My best friend, Nicole, is finally home!

Prior to her completing her studies, whenever Nicole came home for the holidays, we only manage a meal together. It is never anything more than that cos one of us will be rushing off to some place else. But this time round, neither of us have time constraints! And what do girls do when there’s no time constraints? WE SHOP! And eat, when we got hungry. Haha.

Here’s a sketchy photo timeline:


I bought a lipstick and an eyeliner at a cosmetic shop along Haji Lane


La Senza had Black Friday sales! Scored a couple of items at 60% off!

By now, we were both starving, but we decided that food can wait. After all, most dining spots open till late on Friday. Hehe. So, we went to Sephora where I got a new facial cleanser Nicole recommended, and cleared all the remaining cupcakes from Twelve Cupcakes, but I didn’t take any photos of that. Haha. Talk about going on a crazy shopping spree! The damage we did in those few hours… Haha!

Once we were done shopping, we headed back nearer to home for a really late dinner. And Nicole took me to a place called Spize at Bedok. The last time I went to that area, I was just married, and still studying. The place sure changed a lot!

So what did we have for dinner?


Chicken Shawama Wrap, $6

Nicole recommended that I try this, and it being kebab + wrap, how could I say no? I love meaty wraps! Hehe. She even remembered to request for the vegetables to be removed when placing orders. The only other person who does this for me (automatically) is Sean. Hehe.

The Chicken Shawama Wrap is one of the nicest wraps I’ve had in a while. It’s a little spicy, but it’s tolerable for me. Or rather, it’s delicious enough for me to want to eat as much as I can! Hehe.

The meat in this wrap is a really generous serving. Paired with the sauce, it was really moist and flavourful, yet no mess was created! Each bite was so juicy, and I love how succulent the kebab is. It was a great balance of wrap, meat and sauce for me. I heard they do deliveries as well, so guess who has a new place to order takeouts? Hehe.


Crispy Chicken Burger, $7

Nicole ordered this burger for herself, but we ended up sharing our meals, so I got to have a taste of this too.

Equally generous in the serving size, it looks to me that this burger was more of a chicken cutlet – served with a bun, salad and fries on the side. And with it being fried breaded chicken, it’s naturally crunchy. And this crunch left me craving for fried chicken, or anything crispy and crunchy, days after!

After having our mains, we decided to share a dessert. I’ve been eyeing on a particular item on their dessert menu, and was just dying to try it!

But when our order came, the both of us got a shock. It was huge.


Banana Ice Cream Tissue Prata, $9

That spoon in the picture is a table spoon, but just in case you can’t really imagine the size, here’s one with the both of us with our ginormous dessert.


Yup, it almost took up the entire width of the table!

Filled with about 4 scoops of vanilla ice cream, and lots of bananas, the best part of this dessert is the crispy paper-thin prata found at the top of the entire dessert. What made it even more delicious was the chocolate and strawberry syrup! The only thing both Nicole and I didn’t really fancy were the sides of the prata. It was a little soft and thick for our liking.

I remember very clearly when I first saw one of the staff walking out with this, I went excitedly, “That’s our dessert!” But Nicole was saying, “No, can’t be ours.”

When it was finally placed in front of us, the both of us exclaimed non-stop about how big it was. Then I noticed an uncle and his wife, who sat a table away from us, looking at our dessert with eyes wide open. When I made eye contact with him, he said, “Happy birthday, ya!” Haha! And that’s when I felt the stares/attention this prata dessert has gotten us. I looked around and saw people around us looking back, probably wondering, “Those two girls are going to finish that?!”

Needless to say, we didn’t finish our dessert. We even tried to walk it off at the supermarket nearby, but alas, we decided it’s best to head home before we concuss from all that food.

* * *

There is only one rule for Timeout Thursday, and that is,
STRCITLY NO KIDS ALLOWED!
Nope, not even the mere mention of their names or having them in the photos.
This linky is all about indulging us, the parents!

Grab the code below, link up back here with your post URL, and it’s all good to go!
Linky party will be open for 3 weeks from the first Thursday of every month.
For more details, please read my first Timeout Thursday post

Amazingly Still

Filed Under: food review, me time, personal review, timeout thursday

One Beauty Spa: Jamu Power Tummy Trim Review

December 2, 2013 by Leave a Comment

-Invited by One Beauty Spa-

Back in early October, I was invited to One Beauty Spa‘s 5th anniversary celebration. It was an open event that anyone could attend. I brought my mom and sisters along (but my younger sister was too young for spa treatments) to go for their free trial sessions. Yup! Free trials sessions were being given out that day!

We arrived later than our trial appointment times cos a wrong turn was taken, and ended up with us getting stuck in bad traffic. The staff were all very understanding, and promptly arranged for my mom and sister to have their massages.

My mom tried the Acu Meridian Massage, while my elder sis went for the back massage. I decided to forgo my trial session (I had opted for the Jamu Power Tummy Trim) because there was a sudden influx of customers after I was done with my makeover.


Yes, free makeovers were available that day too!


Very sweet lady who did my face!


With One Beauty Spa’s brand ambassador, Carol Chiam


With Cherry Yeung, the owner herself!

When Cherry found out that I decided not to undergo the trial session for the womb wellness treatment, she offered to postpone the trial session for me, at a time where it’s most convenient for me. Honestly, I was shocked. I mean, I was the one who showed up late for the appointment, and yet she was so sweet to extend the trial session for me!

So when the day came, 24 November 2013 (that’s how packed they are!), I was super excited and didn’t know what to expect. Fortunately, when I arrived, I was briefed on what it was all about.

In theory, the Jamu Power Tummy Trim is an all natural herbal treatment that’s said to not only shape and contour the tummy area, but it can also help regulate the monthly cycles us ladies have to go through. This means that the treatment is not limited to ladies who have given birth. As long as you’re a lady, above 21 years old, you can go for this womb wellness treatment!

Some of the benefits include the removal of wind, dispelling toxins from our body, and most importantly, we can expect to slim down to achieve a more tone and firm tummy. But, this is provided we go on a proper diet. I can’t imagine anyone who binge eat after every session to see any kind of positive results.

My own experience during the massage and treatment was almost, but not quite like, the Jamu massage I did during my confinement days.

The massage technique in itself was very different, it was also great that the massage was focused on the tummy area 100%. Although I did hope that I’d get part of my arms and legs and back massaged in the process, like when I was in confinement. Hehe.

Another thing that’s distinctively different – pressure points around the tummy area are poked to improve blood circulation. It was kind of part tolerable pain, part ticklish for me, which made the masseuse rather amuse cos she said most of the time, people would be feeling quite an intense pain instead. If you do go for this, be prepared to have a slight ache in the tummy region for a few days after. It’s the good kind of ache, like you just did a crazy intensive ab exercise.

After the massage is done, herbs were applied to the tummy area before being thermal wrapped. I then had a nice relaxing 20 minutes shut eye. Hehe. This shut eye basically marks the end of the treatment. Once the time is up, they will clean the herbs off your tummy, give your back a little rub before leaving you to get dressed. A nice cup of tea will be waiting for you when you step out.

In this one session, I noticed that the skin around my tummy looks and feel smoother, with all the wrinkly saggy bits pushed down to the bottom. I showed Sean and he was kind of amazed by it. So while I’m really pleased by what just one session can do (and only imagine how things will be after 6 or more regular sessions), I will probably only continue this particular treatment when I have more spare time and cash. I yearn to achieve a slimmer tummy in a really relaxing manner, but the pocket is saying, “Kids first! Figure later!” Sigh.

* * *

If you’re interested in the Jamu Power Tummy Trim, do contact One Beauty Spa. Each session is priced at $188.

Disclaimer: I was invited to One Beauty Spa’s 5th anniversary on October 5, 2013. This session of Jamu Power Tummy Trim at One Beauty Spa was supposed to be a 20 minutes trial session which anyone could experience that day. However, I received a full session (about 75 minutes!) unexpectedly when the owner of One Beauty Spa, Cherry, offered to postponed the trial session for me. I was in no way requested to write a review for them, or compensated for this post. Hence, the absence of photos from the session. All opinions are 100% my own.

Filed Under: me time, media and events, personal review

Party Favors Singapore Christmas Giveaway!

November 25, 2013 by 24 Comments

Christmas is a month away, and I have something special to share with everyone!

Some of you might have already know that I have a hobby-turned-business, dabbling in the world of customized party favors. And recently, the entire business underwent a complete revamp (complete with a new name), and now, we’re ready to kick-start from scratch again!

And today, I’m officially launching my not-so-new venture, Party Favors Singapore!

And along with this introduction to everyone is a giveaway!

These pillow boxes were specially created by yours truly to celebrate this season of giving, and for this giveaway. And yes, each box will contain a surprise inside! There are a total of 4 boxes to be given out to 4 different addresses :D

To participate in this giveaway, simply follow the instructions below to gain entries.


WINNERS UPDATE!

Congratulations to our FOUR winners of this draw!

Carol L. – Snowman
Debra L. – Christmas Tree
Robert S. – Red nose Reindeer
Angeline S. – Santa Claus

a Rafflecopter giveaway

P.S. There’s one entry you can do every day!

Terms and Conditions:
1. Only open to participants with a valid Singapore address.
2. Entries that do not fulfill the requirements stated will be disqualified without notice.
3. Giveaway starts on 25 Nov 2013, and ends on 30 Nov 2013 at 0000 hours.
4. Winner will be announced on this post on 30 Nov 2013. Any further updates will be on my Facebook page.

Disclaimer: This is my own start-up company, and I’m holding this giveaway in conjunction with the official launch. So please give me all the support you have! Head on over to Party Favors Singapore’s Facebook Page and ‘LIKE’ us! :D

Filed Under: christmas, contests and giveaways, Party Favors SG

Flashback Friday #66: The Umbilical Cord

November 22, 2013 by 3 Comments

December 14, 2013: Nakayla was 23 days old when these photos were taken, and her umbilical cord looks nowhere near to dropping off. The confinement lady told me that maybe I should take a photo of it for memories sake because Nakayla and her intact umbilical cord broke all known records to her (of how long an umbilical cord takes to drop off). I’m glad she suggested it, and I’m glad I did :)


The inside was still ‘wet’!

In her many years as a confinement lady, and of the many newborns she has taken care of, my confinement lady has never experienced a baby with the umbilical cord still on after nearly a month of confinement! In case you’re wondering, Blake’s umbilical cord came off within a week from the day he was born.

Honestly, I was really worried that the umbilical cord would still be there when my 41 days of confinement was up. I was absolutely terrified that when I take over caring for Nakayla full-time, I might just get the umbilical cord hooked onto something and it gets yanked out – especially after bath time! YIKES!

At the next visit to the PD after these photos were taken, I told him my concerns about the umbilical cord and the PD gave me a bottle of medicated powder to use twice daily. Even then, it took about a little more than a week before the umbilical cord finally dropped off! Thankfully for me, it was a few days shy before my 41 days of confinement was up. PHEW!


How long did it take for your child(ren)’s umbilical
cord to drop off? Do share it with me!

* * *

Have an old post that has yet to be published, and still in the draft folder?
Don’t know how a super backdated event you wish to write about can fit into your current up-to-date life?

Fret not! Simply join the Flashback Friday linky and share your Flashback posts with us by grabbing the code below and adding your blog post’s URL at the bottom!

Amazingly Still

Filed Under: backdated, flashback friday, nakayla's first year
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