I'm very excited as Theclothesshopp baby line is up! My first ever baby line. I've personally kept these two rompers for Leia.

Its too cute not to resist! We're having other designs as well, so do visit: http://theclothesshopp.livejournal.com and continue sharing and liking our facebook page here.

A sneak preview of what's coming up:

The red summer tube is available from collection 2. Its the shorts that will be launched. Good thing about this shorts? Its elastic! So I immediately got it in from my manufacturer as it suits pregnant ladies (like myself) as well. This picture was taken on Sunday (7mths pregnant)! Yours truly is finally stepping into the 3rd trimester - Last phase of pregnancy.

Collection #3 would be launched on Wednesday, 26th of June at 9pm! So keep a look out.

On a side note, I'm an extremely happy girl cause Open Rice has decided for me on where I should bring Cw out for dinner date as his birthday is coming! I've entered the Skyve contest and I won a $50 dining voucher! So there it is. Skyve, here I come!! :) Pictures of how Skyve looks like:

I've checked out the menu and its on the pricey side. However, good things comes with a price. So this might be worth it afterall. Going to do a food review on that after the visit. So check it out prolly in July!

Once again, THANK YOU OPEN RICE. Do visit their website here for more food reviews and interesting contests!

 

I'm a happy mummy now! :)



Instead of ranting. COMBAT the haze!

This isn't an angsty entry. But seeing that my news feed on facebook is nothing but the haze, I decided to write an entry on how we can combat haze.

It's universal knowledge that haze is an air pollutant and bad for children and adults with asthma as it triggers the respiratory system. Cw has sinus so with the haze, it irritates his nose even more. For me, I am breathing in haze everyday as I usually have the fan on (Air conditioning dries up the skin, so quite a no-no for me unless dry and very humid days) and yesterday was the straw when I had difficulty breathing and kept heaving. And that was when Cw insisted on air-con for me after that.

So, ways to combat the haze instead of (1) complaining (2) ranting all about it and when it will stop (We have no control over this) and (3) just being active on facebook about the haze and trolling your friends.

Common sense says: DRINK LOADS OF WATER!

Water not only hydrates the skin, but it also moisturises the air in lungs. Perfect for such hazy weather. It detoxifies and regulates body temperature. With such bad haze, I couldn't emphasise on replenishing your body with H2O!

Avoid drinking caffeinated drinks like coffee and tea. Coffee and tea are known as highly diuretic drinks. This means that it makes you want to go to to toilet more often. By doing so, you lose water quite fast, as your body couldn't retain the water it needs. I recommend just a mere 1 cup of it until the haze subsides.

Of course to those caffeine addicts, I'm not saying totally no coffee. 1 cup per day for now! You need your body hydrated in dire times. So how to stay awake, if your coffee/tea stash is limited? Use water spray:

Not only does it leave a fresh feeling on your face, it sets your make-up as well. So ladies, please do not be apprehensive about this product, it actually helps! Girls might now wonder, how does it actually sets your make-up when it is water? All you got to go is hold the canister slightly further from your face and start misting away. It also allows upper layer of the skin to be re-hydrated without removing make-up. You're killing 2 birds with one stone here. A refreshed skin and a make-up setter (If there is such a word)

Also, get your DIY "first aid" kit ready! Inside the kit, include: 1) Eye drops (2) Nose spray (for those with sinus) (3) surgical mask (4) a bottle of water

As the haze pollutants could irritate the eyes and nose, if you've got your DIY first aid kit prepared, you do not have to worry! Eye drops and nose spray acts as a lubricants to ease the comfort from the irritatants, so do not chuck these aside. You could get any form of eye drops, one brand that you trust. For nose sprays, Cw has been using Nasonex!

This spray however must be prescribed by the Doctor, which is why I personally trust this brand. However, Guardians have nasal sprays off the counter. Before purchasing, you might want to ask the pharmacist if it clears block nose and what nots. Be wary of goods that you can buy off the counter. But once all doubts are cleared, you're good to go!
I know that everyone has commented that there isn't anymore surgical mask. What I recommend is DIY your own mask. Cut out fabric from your own favourite cloth as the mask. Ladies, now that the kitty craze is in, you could simply purchase a hello kitty towel and cut away! :) Sew on 2 elastic strips on each side. For each side, cut a longer piece of elastic to loop from the back to the bottom, something like this:

Sew the top part and bottom part and you're done! Instead of ranting and complaining that everywhere is out of stock, you've just spend precious creating your own mask! :) Add these into your DIY first aid kit, pack the kit into your bag and you're haze proof! Of course, do add precious bottles of water. I MUST MUST emphasise that water in these days is a staple! For those who are a bit more prone to sickness, throw in your multi-vit tablets!

Such easy steps to combat the haze! I've personally been hydrating myself as much as I can. And as a result, I've been to the toilet multiple times a day, but urinating gets rid of toxins. So please, do not see it as a hassle, the moment you feel parched, HYDRATE!! (:

Blk 248 Bishan Kopitiam - Kuay Chap!

I think the title says it all. HA! Those nightlife peeps who are sick and tired of having prata for supper or the usual mince meat noodles (I still prefer to call it bak chor mee, I'm the old school type of girl), will head to Blk 248 at bishan street 22 to get kuay chap!

Those who love anything porky AND especially love the pig innards (I.e. intestines) will absolutely love kuay chap! (:

Cw and I went on two different days and we weren't disappointed AT ALL for both days. It was his first time there and he was happy with it. First up, for the 2 of us, we had this:

We didn't order pork belly, pig's skin and fish cake. So other than these 3 ingredients, we told the stall owner that we'll have the rest and if he could increase the quantity of the intestines. So if you see the picture above, our plate was piled with intestines. The only downside from this stall: The kuay is quite little and I need to have 2 bowls.

For Cw and I with 5 bowls of kuay (charged at 40cents a bowl), our total splash was: $10.50. We really find this worth it! Who can be so generous with their intestines? And the stall owner would wash the intestines thoroughly. Its tangy and chewy and they are very generous with the slicing up of the intestines.

Some stalls would give bite size slices (Come on, that isn't enough). But if you look at the intestines in both pictures, its long for each and every slice! No short cuts whatsoever from this stall. *Another thumbs up*

The next week, we had kuay chap again after the photo shoot! Jh came along as we like to introduce him various food after photoshoot (This is how I thank my photographer as well) and we ordered this:

We had an extra plate of nothing but intestines for the 3 of us! Total splash: $19.60. It's around $6.30 per pax? Extra worth it! I totally love my night supper now! But it all started when I was feeling hungry (Like finally) and needed to get something. Of course, the first thing I thought about was Thomson's prata and bak chor mee, but I was feeling sick of those. I guess you'll always feel like venturing out and because I stayed at Thomson, I didn't feel like venturing out to... well.. Thomson! HAHA!!

And why did I say its good for nightlife peeps? This stall is only opened from 830pm - 4am! What can I say? I have nothing but praise for this shop!

 

A happy me after supper! =X

Before I head for dinner....

Ladies, check out what TheClothesShopp have in store for you girls till end of July! (:

Do visit: http://theclothesshopp.livejournal.com

Thanks for all the support you've rendered and continue sharing our Facebook page with your friends!

A new face~~

Twas Shuyu's birthday gathering yesterday at Clarke Quay. It has been ages (like almost 1.5 years)since I've been to clarke quay and yes, I'm a Singaporean! Dinner ar Mai Maison was okay. Or maybe my tonkatsu curry isn't fabulous, but Ariel's hamburger steak was superb! Tender beef she had there. Can't comment on the other dishes as all I had was the tonkatsu, but if readers wants my opinion, I guess head there for the western dishes. Trust me, the hambuger steak is worth 3 thumbs up!

Then it was to shuffle, which was a cosy environment if you ask me. The girls were worried that it might be loud for me, but I think its cosy! To make cw not worried, I really had lime juice! :)

I was decked out in the Zebra high-low dress from collection 2! Yes, I'm 26 weeks pregnant (Just another couple of weeks till I'm 7mths) and I'm still wearing clothes either from my collection or what I owned in my wardrobe! No maternity dresses for me! It doesn't mean you're a mum, you cannot be a hip mum!

My tummy is getting bigger and bigger ain't it? Leia's growing~~ :) So that's my odd figure for you at 26 weeks. I'm going to be a ball soon, I tell you. @_@!!

I have friends asking me about the ginger cream. My review is based on my own feedback. I've used it for 2 weeks already? And like I've said in my review, even I have no idea if my thighs and arms look slimmer. I'm lucky in a sense that I have a small framesize, but I'll definitely do a review on the ginger cream after birth. Maybe that will be a better judgement.

However, for readers who can't wait till I pop and just want to purchase the ginger cream, I can always start a spree for you girls. Just drop me an email at: evette.g289@gmail.com, stating the amount of bottles you want and how you want it mailed (Normal or registered) and I can get it for you. Price per bottle: SGD$22.90 (This is found from Rebecca's website. I'm not sure if I were to buy in bulk, she'll reduce the pricing, I'll check for you girls)

A sneak peak on my new model - Adeline! :) A very sweet and patient girl. My photogragher love working with her.

Collection 3 will be launched next week, so please stay tuned!

Do like our facebook page here and visit: http://theclothesshopp.livejournal.com

Ginger Cream Review

Some mummies have been asking me about the confinement products that I bought. Thus far, I've only used the ginger cream. I daren't touch the shower gel as it will dispel "wind" from the belly (That's why pregnant ladies will boil herbs to bathe instead of the usual water), but I'm afraid it will harm the baby, so to be safe, its just the ginger cream for now.

First usage - When it first arrived, I couldn't contain my excitement. Imagine no more back aches and no more leg aches! In addition to the slimming properties it'll add for me, it's like a miracle cream - no more aches + slimming = happy mummy. So after my bath, I applied generously to my arms and thighs (When I have back aches, its usually cw that does the application) and continued my daily routine. UNTIL.... The burning sensation was so strong, I thought I'm going to burn. I'm not kidding you. For the first time, it's like being trapped in a burning lift, I felt that I needed to dose myself with icy cool water. So mummies, its NOT a warm sensation, its a burning sensation.

I've googled why this would happen and apparently, its the slimming properties that is taking into effect. Being vain, of course I'll feel happy. Let's face it - Who don't want to be pregnant and still maintaining the slim/slender physique? So what I did for the next subsequent application (And I'm still using the ginger cream now) is to apply SPARINGLY! What I like about this cream is that unlike other ginger creams (Which I've read reviews too), this ginger cream manufactured in Taiwan has longer lasting effects. I experienced this one day when the effect lasted me till the next day, but because its burning, I just rinsed myself with water when I woke. So apply sparingly mummies! :)










Another alternative of course it to purchase this:

The lavender soothing cream! Once mummies feel that the burning sensation is unbearable, a dollop of this baby is all you need. Did I buy this? Nope! Reason: I'll rather have the effects of the ginger cream work on me 100%, I'm afraid that by applying the lavender cream, it might diminish the efficacy of the ginger cream. But of course, the choice is yours. Mummies who might irk at the smell/thought of being gingerised, then perhaps you might want to consider this lavender bottle.

How I look like now?

This is me at 25 weeks! So I'm 6mths pregnant now. I asked cw if I look slim cause of the ginger cream and he said no. It's cause my framesize is small, so no matter how much I eat, how pregnantly huge I become, my frame won't expand. This was what my gynae said as well when she was examining my baby. Being worried that my belly is still small (Loads of people have been telling me that I don't carry a 6mths belly AT ALL), I've checked and re-checked my concerns with the gynae and she re-assured me that baby is healthy and she is just beginning to move slightly more to medium size, so I can relax.

So whether I can fully attribute to my phsyique due to the ginger cream? I can't say for sure that the ginger cream worked yet. What I can do is to review the ginger cream after birth when my massage lady will be applying it on my belly, so if my belly shrinks, then yes, we'll fully know the slimming effects of ginger cream. Just 3 more mths. Can't wait for Leia to be out! Going to be drowned in all her crying and fussing, but worth it when she finally learns "Mummy!" :)

P.S. Appreciate it if readers email me at: evette.g289@gmail.com, its easier for me to filter out emails, rather than everything goes to theclothesshopp! :) Thankie!

http://theclothesshopp.livejournal.com/

Its finally finally official!

Haven't got round to blogging about this yet, but my retail line is up! :)

Pictures of collection 1:

Of course there are more clothes to choose from, not to worry! Collection 2 will be launched on Saturday! So do stay tuned. I'm quite excited over this line of mine, gives me something to do and keeps me updated in the fashion world - what's in and what's out. Something that I lack, but will definitely improve on. Its no wonder my hus says I'm not a girl, more like a boy! :S

Do visit: http://theclothesshopp.livejournal.com/ 

 

And yes, we are on facebook too! Keen buyers please add us at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Theclothesshopp/152446768273715?ref=hl

 

In addition, I'm looking for potential models or girls who wants to know what's it like to be a model. I'm looking at a minimum height of 160cm, UK 4 -8 (So if you're a UK 4-6 or 6-8, you're definitely welcome to apply). Interested models, please email me at: theclothesshopp@gmail.com

 

HAPPY SHOPPING LADIES!! :)

So, my family have been "screaming" at me for the baby's health actually, that I really force myself to wake up every morning ard 8-830 (If I can lay in longer, I definitely would) to have breakfast! @_@!!

And its always the usual - Koko Krunch! *Slurps* Why am I forcing myself to have breakfast? My stomach is so freaking small, everyone's like "Are you sure you're pregnant?" or "I swear, you don't look like 6mths pregnant".

Let me show you guys my figure now (Btw, its a very unglam shot, cause I was trying out one of my dresses from collection 2, just you know, to see if it fits):

Very unclear shot as well, but I was not wearing any concealer and in my specs, so no way are you guys seeing that. HAHAHA!!! And yes, despite being 6mths pregnant, that dress looks a little big on me. Another maxi dress that I'm trying on also from collection 2 (I'm just waiting for pictures from my photographer, but in the meantime, I'm fine tuning stuff like mailing policy etc so I'll blog about my shop soon!) that shows my baby bump:

And because of this pic (no photoshop involved), I have friends telling me that the bump I have looks like a 4mth preggy bump. ~_~!! So yes, I'm worried. I want my belly to be HUGE. Maybe it would give me the assurance that the baby in my belly is fine.

Side tracking a little, I got a cute message from one of my bestest friends yesterday! That's from Shuyu! Made me smile, I tell you:

Cuteness isn't it?? <3

To aid my post on depression and what I learnt from my own experience is to open up, I'm showing you guys what I texted one of my good friend. Pregnancy tends to lead to loads of hormonal changes and because I'm facing what you call pre-natal anxiety, I texted Karin as she had a sister who just gave birth and so as a family member to the new-born child, she could understand from a FAMILY point of view. But yes, I'll blog more about what I'm going through in later posts. Pregnant women who are going through what I'm going, can relate and hope it helps too! I heard my suicidal posts encouraged some girls out there, and I'm glad to be of help! :)

I'm not here to show-off that post, but I have this friend sharing my post and tagging me on facebook and stuff, so I know that somehow, it would have helped people out there. I don't get anything from sharing (Just FYI to some readers). In fact, I was having a convo with Cw just the other day on divorce and I said "If that happens, I want Leia to stay with me". But he went "Erm... No? I won't divorce you, cause I want to be with you, but if the divorce happens, means its from your end and I'll surely ask my lawyers to get your medical history (aka my depression records) and show it to the judge." So please, before you guys think I'm hankering for fame, its not! In fact, do think twice for your future in case a kid arises. Now, I'm in a very bad position as he does have a point.

A preview of what I texted Karin and I'm glad I've opened up to her. Getting someone to help is a stepping stone:

So once again, if anyone feels like dying, TEXT SOMEONE first!! I've learnt this and I've told myself at least I'm not stubborn anymore to open up. :)

Suicide and depression

This is going to be a dreary and long post. Very black and bleak, not suitable for the positive thinkers. *You've been warned*

As the title of the entry suggest, yes, I'm talking about depression and suicide. An ex colleague of mine (Let's call her L) just plunged to her death last Wednesday. It was very shocking news indeed. My first reaction - L was braver than me. This was also why I've decided to blog about my own experience. By doing so, I'm NOT showing off that I'm the one who overcame depression OR trying to bring out the "See! I'm better than you because I've survived depression" message. Please, once you're diagnosed as suffering from depression, you'll always be having your medical records against you, what's there to show off or be proud off?

Friends might ask - So why are you doing this? Why would you want to wash your dirty linen in public? I'm prepared for readers to label me as a loser and call me nastier names, maybe some would even tell me that I don't deserve to be a mum due to my mistake. But if my entry can help anyone wtih depression or someone who is on the verge of having depression, or if your friends are suffering from depression, then any negative comments won't get me down. To all those readers who are condemning me just by reading these paragraphs or just because I've committed suicide:

 

 

So let's begin this entry! I've committed suicide 2 years ago due to a relationship problem. Yes, go ahead and roll your eyes. That's what I did. How did I kill myself? I've taken 10 tabs of panadol in one night. Why did I do it? I felt hopeless, I felt that if I couldn't get this guy, I'll be better off dead. I've felt that this guy is really worth my everything, even my own life. Just in case readers are wondering what's so darn good about this guy. He is someone who is a drug abuser and a gambler. Yes, I bet I'm getting more stares and "WTF", but let me carry on.

 

This is the opinion of a normal thinker. What's a normal thinker you might ask? Simply put its you! But a depressed patient wouldn't be thinking this way. Once you're depressed you can't feel happiness, you're always blue, crying, low energy levels and you can't think straight. A depressed patient is always scared of losing that someone or something, hence they tend to be clingy. Don't get me wrong when I say clingy. There are clingy girls out there, and they might go "But I'm not suffering from depression" That's true, but I'm not referring to those girls. I'm talking about people who can't feel happiness, feeling down (like more than 80% of the day) and people who have these feelings accumulated.

 

I've studied psychology and of course the REAL definition of depression according to DSMIV isn't just merely what I typed, but it aids in looking for the onset of depression. These are just tell-tale signs. A depressed patient wouldn't like to open up, they keep to themselves. So if you have a friend who has been keeping quiet, giving a one-word answer or can't even hold a conversation as she just wants time alone, thats a warning for you. Do bear in mind that there's a difference in someone who wants a time-off for awhile and someone who ALWAYS wants time-off.

 

Of course, the temper of a depressed patient - Angsty, harsh, cruel and unforgivable. But please, do be patient with them, they are going through a rough patch. I know loads of people might go "Out of goodwill, I'm helping my friend, but this is the shit I get." Then let me tell you, REAL friends stay behind, they get mad for being treated unfairly, they try to understand that this takes time and yet even when this isn't easy, they still stay. Yes, they don't leave you behind. I had a friend of mine who stayed with me for 3 whole months, looking at my unforgivable temper to my parents and yes, she still stay. Jiali, that's her! <3

 

And yes, that's 2 years ago. I'm now married, having a daughter, waiting for news on our house and just preparing for motherhood. I'm also worried that I might have post-natal depression. I mean, lets face it - With my depression history, if I ever have post natal depression, I wouldn't be surprised. But I've been trying to tell myself not to fall into depressed mode. The reason being - my daughter needs me now than before, I can't just give birth, be depressed and leave her behind. So yes, in a way, Leia is helping me. I'm scared of myself for going back to depression. Very afraid in fact. But I know that one thing's for sure - by admitting this, I'm not afraid to tell my hus if I ever find that I'm going back to depressed mood. And this would help me if I ever find myself walking the bleak path.

 

I urge all readers not to shake depression away! What with the passing on of L, there might be others who are feeling the same depressed way, so please, its literally a matter of life and death. Help your friends who just got out of a bad relationship, you don't need to drag them out just to have fun, BEING THERE for them means the world to them! Also, always always assure your friends that they are NOT being a burden. There was a time when I told my friends that its not nice if I keep ranting on and on about how I feel, it would just bore them. They told me its okay and they wouldn't take no for an answer. If you are a real friend, just listen. I've listened to some of my girlfriend's ranting for days, but I know they just want to let the steam out, so do the same.

 

This is the after-depression me now and yes, I'm grateful for friends who really stayed for me:

 

 



Ciao!