[Review] Sally Hansen Diamond Strength No Chip Nail Color

As I told in my previous post (read here) about my Nail paint haul at Sally Hansen Workshop... I could not help myself to try out their Diamond Strength No Chip Nail Color. I tried to do reverse french nails... I know it was not very neat but then again, it was my first attempt at doing so on my own.

Now, to tell you about the Diamond Strength range of colors- they have real micro- diamond and platinum for extra strength. They are supposed to last for atleast 10 days without chipping and breaking. The collection has around 30 shades with nearly 15 available here in Singapore. 
For the base I used #210 Brilliant Blush, which is a pretty neutral color with multicolor sheen and looks great on nails if you want healthy natural look.
For the tip I used #360 Diamonds and Rubies, which is a brilliant red and it was my first time buying red and even after buying, I could not bring myself to paint the whole nail with red, so came up with this idea of French nails.

Have you tried any variation of French Nails? Which are your favorite shades for doing french?? Do leave a comment and share.

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[Event] Sally Hansen Nail Workshop

This weekend I was invited to attend the Sally Hansen Beautiful Nail Workshop. With my latest fascination with nail paints and nail art, I was very excited to be a part of this workshop.
The workshop was conducted by the nail expert Ms. Ruby Tan and it was a complete hands on experience. 

With the Trainers

Each table was set up for 8 people and had a range of Sally Hansen products like nail paints, Vitamin E oil, Cuticle gel, Base coat and Top coat. Along with these, each place had a Manicure bowl, emery board, orange wood stick and a false nail tip to practice filing. And yes, there were goodie bags as well.

The workshop started with the trainer talking about healthy nails, what shape should your nail be depending upon the shape of your finger- that was interesting. After that we moved on to giving ourselves a quick manicure and used the amazing products set for us on the table. The nail paints were from Complete Salon Manicure Range and also we got to experience the Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips and if you have read my yesterday's post (check here), you'll know what was the result...

The goodie bag contents were

 And, did I mention that they had a product counter selling Sally Hansen Products for an amazing price and I could not resist but to pick up a few colors... This was my nail polish haul... Will talk about them soon...

Let me share few tips with all you lovely readers-

• Go for an oval nail shape if you have short fingers.
• If you have curvy and bony fingers, oval shape will go with the curves.
• Those with really long fingers can try square nails.
• Filing the nails is very important for well manicured look even if you do not wear a nail paint.

Hope you have enjoyed this post, do share your views about Sally Hansen products by leaving a comment...

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[Review] Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Paint and Real Nail Polish Strips

Hey Lovelies,
Let me show you my latest nails done with Sally Hansen Salon Effect Range.

#NOTD

The nails are done with Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Nail Polish (shade 203 Nude Now) and the signature nail is done with Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips (#25 Bling it On).

The Salon Manicure Nail Polish has the base coat, strengthener, growth treatment, salon-inspired color, top coat, chip-resistance and a gel finish all in 1 bottle. So an easy to use multipurpose product that is great if you are travelling and let me tell you it is really long lasting as well as compared to the usual nail paints. I am writing this post on fourth day after application and it is still going great.

The Real Nail Polish Strips are a great way to do your nails if you have no time to wait for drying of nail paints or could be a great idea to do your signature nail. They are easy to use- just peel off and apply, then shape using a nail buffer. It can last upto 10 days and are easy to remove with a nail paint remover.

How do you like the nails? Have you tried Sally Hansen's Salon Effects range? What is your favorite product? Do leave a comment and share your thoughts.

Till then keep reading and discovering!

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[Recipe] Veggie Tacos

Hey Everyone,
Another recipe that I am going to share today is Veggie Tacos, which is hot favorite in my house.

For 4 Tacos
Ingredients
4 Taco Shells 

Filling
1/2 Onion
1/2 Tomato
1/4 Green, Yellow and Red Bell Pepper
2 Baby Corn
2 Tbsp. Steamed Corn
2-3 Mushrooms
1/2 Cup Grated Gouda Cheese
1Tbsp. Taco Seasoning (or to taste)

1/4 Cup Boiled Kidney Beans (Rajmah)
30g Cream Cheese
3 Tbsp Sour Cream
2 Tbsp. Tomato Salsa
1 Tbsp Tomato Ketchup
Salt to taste
1 Tsp. Oregano

Method
1. Finely Chop Onion, Tomato, Bell Peppers, Baby Corn, Mushrooms.
2. Mix chopped vegetables with steamed corn, gouda cheese and Taco seasoning.
3. In another bowl, mix boiled and strained kidney beans, cream cheese, sour cream, tomato salsa, tomato ketchup, salt and oregano.
4. Pre heat oven to 180 degrees and heat the Taco Shells for 5 minutes.
5. Fill each shell with vegetable filling and top it with bean sauce or put a layer of bean sauce at the base and fill with vegetable mix.
6. Serve hot.

Hope you enjoy this snack with your family and do share with us...

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[Coffee with Friends] Corn and Spinach Toasties

Hey Everyone,
Today let me share another recipe by a good friend Smruthi Miraj.

About the Guest Blogger in her own Words

A passionate Bombayite by heart and a complete foodie by 'tummy' (pun intended), I enjoy cooking as much as eating! I started off as a creative writer for Hallmark cards and after having dabbled with copy for advertising and content writing, I am quite settled now with Technical writing!
We moved to Singapore five years back. The city state has given me a lot, most importantly, my two bachchas Shanaya and Samar.
When I am not stressing about document deadlines, you can find me engrossed in a Bollywood flick or stirring a ladel in my kitchen trying to come up with something interesting. Hoping to continue enjoying this wonderful state of mind for a long time to come!

I have known Smruthi for few months now, we met on a Playdate and I just love the way she is so easy going and bubbly despite managing a carrier and two kids. So here is a great recipe that she would like to share with all of us...

Corn and Spinach Toasties

Serves-2
Ingredients
1/2 bundle chopped spinach
3/4 tea-cup corn niblets
1 teaspoon butter
1 pod of garlic pressed
1 medium-sized onion finely chopped
1/2 tin cream cheese/ cooking cream
salt as per taste
freshly crushed pepper
4 bread slices 
2 cheese slices or 1/2 cup of grated cheese

Method
1. Chop the spinach and keep aside.
If you are using corn from the 'bhutta' then boil and keep aside. if you are using tinned corn, then just warm the required quantity in the microwave and keep aside.
2. Press the garlic and chop the onion.
3. In a pan, melt butter. Add the garlic and saute a bit.
4. Next add the onion and saute till pink.
5. Add the chopped spinach... stir fry.
6. Add the corn and cook further.
7. After about 3-4 minutes of cooking the above, add the cream cheese/ cooking cream. Mix well.
8. Cook on simmer for 2-3 minutes. Keep stirring the mixture.
9. Add the salt and pepper. Mix well, turn off the gas and keep the mixture aside.
10. Cut the sides off the bread slices.
11. Place in oven toaster for two minutes.
12. Take out the bread slice and add the spinach-corn topping to each bread slice.
13. Sprinkle some grated cheese OR pieces of broken cheese slice over that.
Again, place in oven toaster and toast till cheese melts and browns slightly.
Eat warm:-).

Thanks Smruthi for sharing this yummy recipe.

Enjoy the recipe with your family and leave a comment sharing your views...

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[Review] Sally Hansen Lustre Shine Nail Color

On the occasion of Christmas, Sally Hansen launched a new range of Nail Colors- Lustre Shine in three beautiful shades- Plume, Azur and Scarab.

Image Source- Sally Hansen Singapore Facebook Page- Sally Hansen Lustre Shine in Azur, Scarab and Plume

These are intense and radiant nail lacquer infused with real silver from the Far East that creates a rich iridescent effect on nails!
These three shades seem to be taken up from the shades in a peacock's feather. Even I could not stop myself from picking up one of them, so I picked up Plume (005), which is like an antique gold with greenish undertones and bronze sheen. It picks up the color shades and tones from peacock's plume quite well and I was instantly attracted to the bottle. 

Sally Hansen Lustre Shine in 'Plume' 005

The color is great and easy to apply, comes out opaque with two coats but wanted it to be a little more intense so applied three coats. As I always do, I used the Sally Hansen Diamond Shine Base and Top coat as well. 

Sally Hansen Lustre Shine and Sally Hansen Diamond Shine Base and Top Coat

The colour is intense with light sheen and stays on well atleast for 4 days. I am also now excited to try the other two shades and promise to put up the review as soon as I do that.
Somehow, Sally Hansen has been my favorite for Nail Paints because of the variety of textures and variations that they have to offer... Do check out my review on Sally Hansen Fuzzy Coat here.

Where to Buy?
Watsons, Guardian stores

Retail Price
SGD 14.90

Would you like to try Sally Hansen Lustre Shine nail colour? Which shade would you like to fo for first? Do leave a comment and share with us...

Till then keep reading and discovering!

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[Recipe] Chakali

This Diwali, along with Besan Ladoo (check the recipe here), we made a savoury snack known as 'Chakali' (or Murrukku, as it is known in Southern India). It is a popular snack for Diwali in almost whole of India.

Recipe to get around 20 Chakalis around 7-8cm in diameter

Ingredients
1 1/2 Cup Chakali or Murrukku flour (Available at most of the Indian Stores)
1/2 tsp. Asafoetida or Hing
1 tsp. Salt
1tsp. Red Chilli Powder
1 tsp. Carom Seeds
1 tsp. Ginger Paste
1 tsp. Garlic Paste
1/2 tsp. Turmeric Powder
Water to kneed the dough
Oil for deep frying

Method
1. Kneed the dough with all the ingredients and add 1Tbsp. oil. The dough should be soft and easy to mould
2. Leave it for 5-10 minutes.
3. Grease the chakali making press equipment or use a piping bag.
4. There are two ways of doing it from here- one is to make the chakalis directly into hot oil by moving the equipment or piping bag in circular motion or the second way is to cut few pieces of aluminium foil and make the chakalis on it and transfer to hot oil.
5. Fry till golden brown and take out and drain the excess oil by placing them on paper towel.
6. Let it cool and store in airtight container.

A variation for kids could be to make the dough with only flour, salt and carom seeds.

Hope you enjoy this snack with your family and do share with us...

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[Sponsored Review] Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Light Lotion

I received this full size Hada Labo SHA Hydrating Light Lotion from Sample Store (https://www.samplestore.com) for review...

Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Light Lotion 

Must say I really love the new packaging of Sample Store and also their new website... go on give it a try!!

Sample Store New Packaging

Sample Store New Website

Product Description
Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid (SHA) Hydrating Light Lotion is enhanced with SHA and Nano Hyaluronic Acid. It deeply hydrates and tones the skin texture, giving you soft and supple skin. This is suitable for Oily to combination skin, basically for those who prefer light texture.

Nano Hyaluronic Acid- This has a small molecular weight, which enables it to penetrate deeply and retain moisture.

SHA- This has excellent moisture retention abilities.

Product Features

• It helps to lock moisture for better hydration. Skin feels soft and supple.
• Non-sticky feeling 
• pH balanced . Low irritation.
• Free of fragrance, mineral oil, alcohol and colourant.

Good For

Oily to Combination Skin

My Impression about the Product

Texture and Fragrance

The lotion has watery gel like texture. It spreads easily but takes some time to absorb and the skin feels sticky for 2-3 minutes after application.

How I used the Product

After cleansing, I used Hada Labo SHA Hydrating Light Lotion both during the day and night. 3-4 drops are enough for application. 

Watery Gel Texture- feels like water

The Effect

The product has a watery gel like texture and spreads easily on the face but the skin  tends to remain sticky for 2-3 minutes. After that it does feel soft and supple. 

The Verdict

The Hada Labo SHA Hydrating Light Lotion is quite effective except for the stickiness that I experienced initially on application. Because of stickiness, I need to wait for a while before applying the moisturizer or make-up. Once it dries up, there is no greasiness or stickiness for atleast 4 hours, which is a decent time.

Since it hydrates the skin well, I can skip my moisturizer and can go directly to applying primer if I have to apply make-up.

Will I buy it again?
Maybe, but not sure if I should because of the stickiness that I experienced and which leads to waiting time.

Retail Price
S$22.90 for 170ml

Where can you buy?
Watsons or go over and register at Sample Store  to get a free sample. 

SO, if you are looking for a Lotion (Toner) and don't mind a few moments of stickiness and  for a grease free look, this is a great pocket friendly option.

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[Pastimes] Rangoli for Deepawali 2013

The rangoli that I designed for Deepawali this year was a variation of peacock.

Peacock is associated with Goddess Lakshmi and hence is an auspicious design for Deepawali. The colours are significant of peacock. 

Hope you like the designs do share what designs you had done for this Diwali by posting a comment.

Till then, stay in touch...

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[Promotion] Happy Huggers E-Store

Happy Huggers launched their new e-store http://www.happyhuggers.com.sg on 31st October 2013, a first of its kind featuring a variety of skincare products from Japan.

They are now offering products from LUNAMER and ASTALIFT
This is how the product selection looks like-

Well, one of the interesting products they have on board is ASTALIFT COLLAGEN 10000. 

ASTALIFT COLLAGEN 10000
The collagen production reduces in our body as we age. Due to lack of collagen, skin looses its firmness, sags, dries and roughens. ASTALIFT Collagen 10000 boosts the collagen level in the body. Low Molecular Marine Collagen, Proline and Lysine is combined with antioxidant Astaxanthin, Vitamin C and Citrus Polyphenol to help keep the skin stay moisturized and firm.
It is recommended to take it daily before bed to replenish firmness and moisture lost during the day. 

Benefits of Collagen 10000

• Boosts collagen level in the body
• Fights signs of ageing
• Hydrates and rejuvenates skin
• Firms and lifts skin
• Non-caffeinated, no additives and preservatives
• Peach-flavoured

Latest Promotion Offer

• Use voucher code "HAPPINESS10" to enjoy 10% discount on all merchandise
• Like Happy Huggers facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/happyhuggers) and flash the page at ASTALIFT branches at ION Orchard and JEM to receive free ASTALIFT samples.

Both offers are valid till 30th November 2013.

If you like this blogpost, please go to Happy Huggers Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/happyhuggers) page and like my post.

[Pastimes] Rangoli for Dhanteras 2013

The first day of Diwali is celebrated as Dhanteras, when we welcome Goddess or Wealth Sri Lakshmi to our house and also wish for prosperity.
This is Rangoli I created for Dhanteras

I chose to do it in green and warm colours like red, orange and yellow because green and red colour are used to represent Sri Lakshmi in various cultures, while yellow is the colour of gold and orange was used to connect the colours. The paisley is one of the traditional rangoli designs inspired from mango; which is an auspicious design. 
It was a really windy day and so I was not really happy with the haziness that became a part of the design. I prefer my rangolis to be sharp but could not do anything.

Hope you like the designs do share what designs you had done for this Diwali by posting a comment.

Till then, stay in touch for more on this...

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[Recipe] Besan Ladoos with Nuts

Hi Everyone,
Hope those who celebrate Diwali had a wonderful one. After all the excitement, celebrations and festivities; here I come back with a traditional recipe for Diwali time- Besan (Bengal Gram Flour) Ladoo.

This recipe is for making approx. 20 ladoos.

Ingredients
Ghee (Clarified Butter)- 150g
Besan (Bengal Gram Flour)- 225g
Suji (Semolina)- 35g
Mix nuts (Cashewnuts, Almonds, Pistachios)- 40g (Powdered or crushed)
Turmeric- 1/2 tsp.
Castor Sugar- 100g
Cardamom Powder- 1 tsp.

Method
1. In a ghee in a pan.
2. Add besan, suji and nuts, and fry on low heat while stirring. Fry till the mixture becomes slightly brown.
3. Add turmeric, turn of the heat, mix it well  and let it cool down a bit.
4. Add sugar and cardamom powder, mix well and form into ladoos or balls by rolling them between palms.

Since I have added powdered nuts, it is convenient for our li'l ones to eat as well, while if you have older kids, you may consider adding crushed nuts.

Enjoy the ladoos with your family and friends and do let me know how it turns out!

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