First Diaper Free Night

My baobei had his diaper off last night, first time in his life and he did it successfully. No accident! So happy to this big milestone. Actually I brought him to the toilet in the middle of the night when he woke me up trying to squeeze sleeping beside me. He was awake talking to me but the moment I helped him wearing back his pants and socks, he fell back asleep immediately. It was so cute to see him sleeping so quickly, he must be tired. Hopefully tonight will be accident free too but we are well prepared, with his bed fully lined. Haha!

Craft stores in Singapore: Where to buy art supplies and craft material for your DIY projects

(Note: This post is copied and pasted from Honeycombers. Wanted to email/pin this article for my own reference but wasn't not able to do it. So I put this in my own blog so I can refer to it as and when I need to know where to buy the supplies.)

By Zakaria Muhammad

Shopping guide! Where to stock up on art and craft supplies in Singapore

It’s easy to find most things in Singapore, whether it’s good food, luxury brands, or kitschy kitchenware, and locally-made goods. Handicraft stores? Well, if Daiso, Art Friend and Ikea are the only names you know, then this rather comprehensive list of arts and crafts stores in Singapore will point you to the other places that sell all the tools, supplies and materials you need for your DIY undertakings. Here’s where else to go for the best supplies in Singapore: 

Art Friend

From feathers to felt, this store has every variety of craft material waiting to be made into paper dolls, masks or jewellery. The only limit is your imagination! They have stores at Bras Basah Complex, Orchard and its biggest outlet situated at Clementi Central.
Art Friend, 3 outlets including Bras Basah Complex and Plaza Singapura.

Stock up on all your stationery essentials from Overjoyed.

Overjoyed

Overjoyed is when you can get your hands on all the necessary craft essentials for an upcoming DIY project from this retail store that offers beautifully designed products for everyday needs. From jewelry craft to paper craft, you can surely find materials of all sorts here. What’s more? They also conduct interesting crafty workshops to provide you with fresh ideas that’d keep your creative juices flowing.
Overjoyed,#B1-08, 89 Short Street (Golden Wall Centre), Singapore 188216. Open Mon-Fri 10am-7pm; Sat 10am-2pm. Closed on Sun.

Made With Love

Step into a world of flowery, glittery delight at this popular scrapbooking store in the heart of town. They stock pretty ribbons, cute stamps, stickers galore, and row upon row of colourful printed papers ready for framing all your epic Halloween/Christmas/Thanksgiving memories and more.
Made With Love, B2-08 313@Somerset, 313 Orchard Road, Singapore 238895, p. 6733 7630.

Beautiful seasonal patterned papers and cardstock stickers at Made With Love (Credit: Made With Love)

Fancy Papers

Whether it’s matte black or sandy-textured paper, this store offers only the highest quality paper to suit all crafting needs. Its the perfect place if you want to make an out-of-this-world poster for your bedroom wall.
Fancy Papers, #01-26, North Bridge Centre, 420 North Bridge Road, Singapore 188727, p. 6336 6162.

Junior De Artist

Junior De Artist caters not only to the young but also to the young-at-heart! One of the rare stores that sell letterpress machines and plates, the staff here are also very knowledgeable and passionate about arts and crafts. They also have creative DIY workshops held on premises, such as making post-it boards, and gift boxes, specially dedicated to the little ones.
Junior De Artist, #03-22 , Novena Square Shopping Mall, 238 Thomson Road, Singapore 307683, p. 6255 7860. Open daily 12pm-8.30pm.

Paper Market

With 2 stores located at Raffles City Shopping Centre and Plaza Singapura, sourcing materials for a wall collage full of happy snaps is very easy. Paper Market stocks absolutely drool-worthy craft materials and offers a wide range of floral embellishments and unique die-cut tools.
Paper Market, two outlets at Raffles City Shopping Centre and Plaza Singapura.

eautiful crafts from Paper Market

Sin Hin Chuan Kee

With all the pretty things under one roof, Sin Hin Chuan Kee (let’s just call it SHCK) is quintessential for DIYers who need ribbons, threads, zippers, and fashions accessories like statement buttons in their projects!
Sin Hin Chuan Kee, #01-08 Textile Centre, 200 Jalan Sultan Singapore 199018, p. 6298 8622.

Golden Dragon

This oldie (serving crafters since 1949!) is a dream come true for knitters, beaders, stitchers, and quilters. They also have a variety of interesting ideas and crafty gadgets such as the super pom pom maker, flower loom, and Asian knot templates. Golden Dragon also offers lessons on many different types of crafts like shoe beading, paper quilting, and patchworking.
Golden Dragon, #02-51, People’s Park Centre, 101 Upper Cross Street, Singapore 058357, p. 6535 8454. Open Mon-Sat 10am-8.30pm, Sun 12.30pm-7.30pm.

Spotlight

Get inspired with materials for arts and crafts, sewing, cooking, decorating and parties at this superstore. Everything from fabrics to clay moulds to wooden shapes to paint on. But be warned, you can get stuck in here.
Spotlight, Level 5, Plaza Singapura, 68 Orchard Road, Singapore 238839, p. 6733 9808.

Get crafty with Spotlight!

Daiso

A hop and skip  from Spotlight, you will enter $2 heaven: Daiso, Japan’s number 1 supplier of homewares, stationery, decorations, art materials and more. Daiso is the perfect spot for anything Halloween; they usually churn out plenty of fun Halloween products as the season is approaching so check it out!
Daiso, various outlets islandwide including Plaza Singapura and ION Orchard. 

IKEA

Everyone’s favourite furniture giant is also no stranger to art supplies and craft materials. Its range of art and craft products includes well-priced oil pastels, ink stampers with various designs, watercolour paint boxes, blackboards and nice thick pencils.
IKEA, two locations at  Tampines North Drive and Alexandra Road.

People’s Park Centre/Complex

Tucked away in the heart of Chinatown, you’ll find a crowded corridor full of textile stores on the second floor of People’s Park Centre. Check out Golden Dragon (#02-51), where you’ll find great supplies for knitting, sewing or embroidery. At People’s Park Complex, make sure to visit Malin Textile (#02-1122) for gorgeous Japanese fabrics.
People’s Park Centre, 101 Upper Cross Street, Singapore 058357; People’s Park Complex, 1 Park Road, Singapore 059108.

Crazy Months

Had been crazy for the past few months, totally addicted to LulaRoe and spent so much on it. Finally started to slow down on my purchase and determine to control myself, not going to buy so much each month. Anyway I have too much clothes now and not much space to store them so even I want to buy, I have no other place to hang or keep it. Haha! From next month onwards, I will be resting on Lularoe until next year so that I can save back the money I used it to buy them. I also feel that if I am able to control until then, I will be able to control my impulse purchase addiction. Anyway right now I hardly buy any lularoe since I have too many of each style and my wardrobe is going to burst. Haha! Giving myself last 3 purchases and I'm done until next year. Need to save up for end of the year school supply purchases and pocket money for myself. Moved my attention to Amazon and Taobao, can buy lots of stuffs there and I think the kids will be happier too because they have a share of something from there too. :)

Back to Android!

Had been waiting for the new iphone 8 since months ago, my cousin told me the new phone is coming out with wireless charging and asked me to wait before re-contracting my line. In the end, I decided to change back to Android phone because of the price tag. Getting too expensive for being just a phone, rather save the money to buy books or toys for the kids. Or I can even use the extra money to bring them out for a day trip with a good meal. 

Doesn't know much about phones so I just get hubby's favourite brand, Sony. Chose XZ premium because the size is similar to my iphone 7 plus, don't think I can get used to smaller screen now. So far so good, no complains and battery lasting longer than my iphone. Nowadays I can charge it once every 2-3 days which is super duper amazing! Hubby happy too since he doesn't need to pay so much for a phone, haha! He won't stop me if I really want to get a new iphone, just that I don't feel it worth that price. :)

Talked with my 2 eldest and decide to get them a new lines each plus a smaller phones. They are complaining the current Xiaomi Max is too big and difficult to use it. They had chosen Xiaomi Note 4x so going to purchase for them soon. They are definitely excited about it, I want to learn to treat them as adults and give them some freedom. Initially only plan to give them prepaid cards until they are old enough to get a line in their own name but thinking back on what my cousin said, I feel that I need to re-think my thoughts. They are growing up, I can't treat them as young children forever. I need to give them some freedom and pull them back when needed. I will need time to adjust, I will be able to do that soon. 

New LG 10KG Washing Machine

Finally gave in and bought a new washer! The old washer though it's only 2 years plus but it has been very noisy, the drum sound as if it has difficulty to turn, loud noise can be heard even I use my hand to turn it manually. I had been going through to buy or not to buy because the noise come on and off every few days but I was really worried it will break down suddenly and I have to hand wash all. Not that I can't do it for a few days, but it was the unable to wear it for the next day worry me more. Most of the kids only have 2 sets of uniforms so it's usually wash today and wear it tomorrow. I don't think I can twist it as dry as my washer, haha! We brought it over from JB so no warranty here, may as well buy a new one. 

Didn't buy the same brand as last time, didn't really have good experience with it. The first one died on me within few years, the door couldn't open and the second one with the same brand drum like going to break off any time. This time I bought a direct drive front load washer and it's a bigger capacity as well. 10kg washer, no dryer. Had a washer dryer, barely used the dryer and it's not dry enough anyway, had to hang them up. Also I have enough bamboo sticks to hang all of them now. Mainly purpose to get a 10kg is because we are using a King size bed, read online that a king size comforter need a at least 9kg to wash it clean and it won't overload my washer too.

So chose this LG F1410SPRE 10kg front load washer this round to try. Initially wanted the other design(touch panel through out the machine) but it was out of stock so got no choice to get this. It's 9kg is made in China while 10Kg and above are made in Korea, think it will be better right? 

Received it this afternoon and ran a clean tub function. It was really quiet! I didn't even realise the machine start working and kept pressing for it to start, can't hear a single sound from it! At the moment really happy with the purchase. As for whether it can wash my clothes clean, will have to give it some time and monitor. Anyway purchase extended warranty so I can get it repair as many times as I can and if it's beyond repair, I will get a new one as replacement. Not a bad deal, definitely hope I won't need it so soon.

YaYa

Hubby has been busy and will be busy for this month, I will have to take care of the family and house myself. Pity that he hasn't has time to bring Weiwei to Garden by the bay, he has been looking forward to go there again. Oh well, we will have to wait until next month.

Had bought a nescafe dolce gusto for myself, I can make a cup of tea or chocolate drink when I want a quick break. It's beautiful and easy to use, just press a few buttons and my drink will be ready. It's so beautiful, fall in love with this machine when I saw it on the webstore. Nescafe newest machine named Eclipse, was on offer when I saw it last month and bought it immediately. Was actually considering of getting their Mini machine and researching the differences between the machines, accidentally saw this and changed to this. Never regret it, pretty items always never fail to catch my attention. Haha!

I bought a number of electrical appliances like pressure cooker (save my time on days where everyone is home late and I have to cook plus taking care of kids), facial cleanser device, epilators for my girl and myself, a bbq table grill, a smaller size rice cooker (nowadays we cook rice separately so it will taste better, a 10 cup cooker is too big now), a noodle maker (yeah! family is big and always has to buy many packs of noodles for a meal so I feel in the long run it will be better to make myself plus I can make vegetable noodles!), a shaver for my eldest and hand vacuum (to help me to vacuum my bookshelves and areas that is high above ground). Hahaha! He didn't know most of them, he hasn't seen them yet. Wonder when he will find out about them, hehe..

School holidays coming and my house will once again become a noisy place with quarrelling, crying and screaming. Hope my neighbours not going to mind. :p

YaYa

Valentine Day 2017

Happy Valentine Day to myself! Hubby is sick today so nothing from him so I bought myself a box of chocolates and gave him so that he can gift it to me, haha! Used to be upset not getting something from him but now, no more expectation as he isn't a romantic kind of person. As long as he treat me well on normal days, I'm contented with it. :)

YaYa

Differences

Had an unpleasant day on CNY day 1, right now I'm in bad terms with the in-laws. Well, I had told hubby earlier in the afternoon that I will not be eating dinner that day and he didn't take it seriously, thinking I was joking. It was a yearly affair that his mum invite her adopted daughters (not really adopted officially but just calling each other mum and daughters) for dinner on CNY day 1, sometimes there will be others as well. I admit that I am someone who neither likes to entertain nor in a crowded environment so after sitting awhile outside, I went back to the room. For the whole time sitting outside, I had not speak a word with anyone and it happens every year. It wasn't the first time I went back to the room but usually I gave excuse that I had to coax the toddler to sleep, this time I didn't. When hubby walked in to ask me to eat my dinner, I refused and told him I wasn't hungry and asked him to get the rest to eat instead and do not need to hesitate in putting cabbage inside the steamboat. I do not like to trouble anyone and I do not like the idea of having to wait for me to eat first before they are able to eat what they want to. Anyway I was indeed wasn't hungry at all, I didn't eat lunch that day or dinner and yet I do not feel hungry. Beats me,I take it as an opportunity to slim down my fat tummy and thighs.

His mum got angry and unhappy that I hide in the room, not eating her dinner (I guess lunch as well). I guess she's more upset that I wasn't helping to take care of the kids so that her son can has his dinner. All I can say hubby is not smart enough, he could let me know so I will bring them in. I did that later on and I didn't let them go out to play, I let them watch cartoon in the room. 

She was angry that she spent so much effort on cooking and I don't appreciate it, she thinks I am being picky for not wanting to eat steamboat. First, indeed I don't like steamboat but I never insist or want her to cook for me. I could jolly well go out and eat fast food or something else, I just do not like their way of steamboat. There's no sliced meat, no prawns, no fish balls but majority of ready made steamboat food bought in supermarket. Other than vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli and fish, the rest are opening the packets and throw them in. And I ate it like 3-4 meals of steamboat lunch/dinner before day 1 straight! I had reached my limit of trying to eat steamboat, my body doesn't even feel hungry looking at it so how I eat when I don't feel hunger?

Lots of thoughts in my mind, I didn't speak them out all because I feel it's pointless. I feel that even one smile and laugh on the outside, it doesn't mean one is not hurting somewhere in the inside. I see my in-laws more than I see my mum and yet I was told, we only see each other once a year so I should give in to my mil. I just do not want to do that, I'm tired of behaving as if I am walking on eggs. A forgotten greeting or a concern conversation make her unhappy and nag behind my back, perhaps is on purpose so that her son, my hubby will asked me about it to pacify her. I am a straight forward person, I don't like to put on a show and act. I show concern and care in my own way, I don't like to do in front of everyone. Perhaps they have forgotten that I grow up in a different environment, every family has a different way of teaching their own children. I am who I am, I will stand by my thinking and follow my heart. I want to be happy for once and be myself.

YaYa

Busy Month

Been really busy this month since school reopens. Although hubby took leave for the first 2 days, time passes in a blink of an eye. 

Surprisingly Bennett didn't cry in school at all, he's enjoying a lot there for the first few days when I was with him the whole time. As I started to leave the class and left him inside the class, he started crying a lot. Now he know what's going on and the sequence of going school, he start to ask for carry the moment we stepped out of the house. Refused to come down, doesn't want to play his round in the playground and fake cry on his way to school. He is the last few kids who are still crying in school but I know he stopped soon after, the teacher feedback to me about him. Hope some day he will be happily waving and say goodbye to me, I will wait patiently for it.

Lele still cry as usual but not on daily basis now. Some days he will smile and wave goodbye to me, say "see you later!" but some days he will cry and refuse to walk into the class. He has grown up, he's trying his best to hold his tears in. So proud of him!

Ah B went to the new school, not sure if he got used to the new environment yet but guess he will be soon. Just got the news yesterday that he got into pastry course as he wished! Good luck to him and hope he can do well there.

Weiwei was scared the first 2 days of school, he didn't try to talk to anyone. Can't blame him as he is timid but got to change school for him since he couldn't wake up on time last year when we moved house. There were days he was late for school and we had to keep rushing him every morning, even had to scold him to move. Now he knew many friends in school and guess he's happy. One thing he didn't like was the amount of homework given. He has lots of homework daily, with spelling coming up next week and 听写 starting on this Friday, he has lots of stress trying to memorise the words. I didn't expect him to get 100 marks on his 听写 because he didn't has it last year. Yes, not once at all. Hope he can get used to the new school soon. Jia you!