Make your own Chocolate

Giveaway

CONTEST UPDATE
Yvonne, Grace and Kenneth have won their creations! Check out Yvonne's creation for her boyfriend! Isn't she sweet?

I must say i was skeptical of http://www.cocoa-b.com/ initially because of the strangest additions you can add to your chocolate.

I know strawberry bits in white chocolate is heavenly (my favourite when in Australia), but BACON bits in white chocolate? Or how about ikan bilis and garlic granulas? Sounds like char kway tiao already!

You CAN match normal toppings like fruits and nuts with your chocolate. However, as with all things, i decide to wing it and try the most exotic of the exotic toppings.

I was pleasantly surprised.

Or maybe i'm a closet chocolatier.

I carefully select a combination of the exotic with spices.

DARK CHOCOLATE CHILLI CHICKEN FLOSS

This was inspired by Breadtalk's floss bun which we all love. I didn't think it could go wrong.

The floss don't quite stick to the chocolate, but the chilli dark chocolate combination was a good one. I tasted a hint of sea salt too but i can't be sure. Maybe Cocoa B do screen our recipes just to ensure we don't go horrendous wrong. A little magical dust of a missing ingredient to make us feel like the most inventive chocolatier with award winning creations.


WHITE CHOCOLATE ROSEMARY BACON BITS WITH HEART SPRINKLES

This was clearly inspired when i need lunch. Imagining a slow cooked tender pork leg with rosemary, heart sprinkles thrown in just because.

I don't think bacon bits have much of a flavour to begin with (like in casear salads), but it provides a crunchy bite. It also adds an oily film to your lips. The rosemary was fragrant, it was quite an adventurous choice.


WOLFBERRY LOTUS SEED MILK CHOCOLATE


The healthier choice chocolate is inspired by the soups that my mum makes. I will never chew on wolfberries because it weirds me out. I usually collect them floating in the soup and swallow them whole. They're so small i hope my stomach juices can digest them without effort.

Maybe adding it into chocolate would make the child eat her wolfberries. And i did! The roasted lotus seed is just like a hazelnut. Very similiar to the regular chocolate bar filled with fruits and nuts, but you know its not. It's EXOTIC.

Your creation, their kitchen. Make your own chocolate. Maybe as a gift, maybe as self-indulgence, however you like it, it starts from $7.90.

GIVEAWAY

3 readers can get their creations (100g) delivered! Leave a comment what creation you will make and what inspired you. Remember to include your email!
CONTEST ENDS 26 MARCH.

Things to do in Singapore and Gift Ideas.

Need another date idea? Take a trip to Mustafa. My friend told me that occasionally he susses out his first dates by asking if they'll venture down Little India. If they frown and don't seem too willing, he knows they're likely to be high maintenance, not quite his type.

Mustafa is like a Twilight Zone, one that is open 24 hours. No wonder some of my friends thought it to be a spot to show tourists. Multi-level shopping, you'll find a supermarket stocked with unimaginable variety that can't be found elsewhere. Occasionally, you'll find half bitten fruits in the baskets, if that's your kinda thing.

Nando restaurants only sell the Perri sauce, check out how much more there is in Mustafa!

The confectionary aisle beats even hypermarkets. A good place to buy Singapore souvenirs or presents for that Christmas office party where you have to give many. Do check for expiry dates though!                

For that colleague who has OCD.

Mustafa have an international selection. I was surprised to find this! When i saw it in London, i thought it was a vintage sweet. However, there is a stark difference in printing between the one here and the one from London. I was pleased to find one can that was already opened by a previous vandal (i wouldn't be able to do it, i am a prude) so i knew exactly how mint balls look like. They're cane sugar balls and they're as small as a mouse's testicles.

For that too talkative colleague who ought to keep their mouth full with balls.

 Visiting Singapore and expected to bring something home for not-so-favourite people? Find Singapore chocolate coins in packs of 10 for only 39 cents each. You get 90s prints of Singapore's tourist spots  like China Town, Jurong Bird Park and the Esplanade .

This reminds me of the badly photoshopped backdrop of Singapore, found in a shop in Little India.

I am not surprised to find Mustafa immortalised as one of the icons, as it's most likely printed and produced by the innovative mall.

If collecting chocolates modelled every nation's icons is your thing, Singapore obviously has her offering.

My favourite item in the food department that would make a great souvenir or gift for overseas friends is the tea pack. India is known for their good tea leaves, so i'm sure the quality wouldn't be too bad.

A little pricier, at $12.

Some even come with premiums!

The range of Singapore souvenirs, is unimaginable.

For that action-packed colleague.

For that fat colleague.

For the times you need to give many but none are really worth investing? Mustafa's confectionary department offers many value packs, easily seperable and looking totally presentable! 

For the money faced friends. $5.90 for a pack of 5.

A lady bug at Coco Tree (exactly the same) costs $0.80 each, get 50 for only $6.15.

A shy school boy who wants to give a girl something on Valentine's Day? Give the entire class lady bugs but your special lady gets 3! Subtle enough and friendly for that student's pocket.

That dreaded party present exchange coming up? Head over to Mustafa for plenty of cheap gift ideas. Perfumes are perceived as expensive gifts, check out these ones at Mustafa for the cheapo you.

For that materialistic colleague at a not quite materialistic price $4.40

Want to hint something to that colleague you fancy? Do it at $4.40 too.

Want to hint to your boss you've had enough with uncooperative team members? Or are you the geek who wants to be an alpha male? Do it for $11.50, highly concentrated, guaranteed to attract you a herd of ladies, if not kill all surrounding men with the One Man Show.

 

Some men call their appendages Anacondas. Please don't spray the Cobra at your Anaconda.

Got a friend who fantasize being Rambo? Get him this super manly looking bottle. He'll wake up every morning, look in the mirror and feel like he's holding a grenade. 

$16.50

If you're feeling nostalgic and want that scent you grew up with, check Mustafa before giving up.

Very retro make-up box sets.

 Please remember to check expiry dates also.

For that girlfriend who wants CHANEL but you can't afford right now? For $28, you get 1 Swarvoski crystal too wor!

The variety of perfumes in Mustafa is unimaginable. Can't sleep? Go knock out your senses.

Apparently, there're other people who can't sleep too! I thought i saw an obscene flasher.

 Alas, it was just a tester. Like Yoko Yoko, this is for you to rub neck aches and pain.

Got a fun-loving grandma? This would suit an Asian grandma better. More subtle.

Most products are imported from India, i didn't know facial hair dye even existed! Unimaginable.

He looks really really smart!

Then, there is also the electronics, clothing and pretty much everything else department. You know they say soon everyone will either marry an Indian or a Chinese right? I am sincerely impressed how our Indians like the Chinese are highly creative, innovative with high efficiency before you can even say Y2K.

Making fun of mobile apps, a huge thing these days.

I wasn't joking about Mustaf being a budget friendly date location. Check out their newly open rooftop restaurant! Serving Indian cuisine at reasonable prices, spend $50 instead of $200 at 1-Altitude.

Dine under the moonlight with unobstructed views.

It's definitely unimaginable to find this spot. It took us quite awhile to navigate ourselves in that huge mall where you need to pass the clothing department, pass the supermarket, find the lift that takes you to 7th floor.

Go, find the unimaginable at the Twilight Zone.

Be naughty ;p

Vanity Trove

Advertorial

Here's a gift idea for a girlfriend, a best friend, a sister, mum or even a treat to yourself!

For only $25 each month, a specially put together trove filled with the latest and trendiest beauty treats is hand delivered to your doorstep for your enjoyment.

Mine arrived in a box slightly smaller than an A4 paper. Sleek in white, it was heavy. The box was one of the sturdiest i've ever received, i made a mental note to recycle the box for which i can use it to re-gift! Peeling away the plastic sheet that encased my trove, i pulled out the trove's drawer. As I eagerly lifted the chiffon paper, the most heavenly smell hit me. A sweet citrusy bowled me over. A trove of treats greeted me, a smile lit my face.

The surprise delivery certainly lifted my spirits.

Here's why it's heavy. I uncovered these items within, there were known brands like Clinque lip gloss & facial foam (25ml) but also new brands (to me) like Nuxe's nail cream and a leave-in hair moisturizer (100ml) made in Israel! I can't wait to try that one out, my badly parched hair ends need it.

Love the cheeky farm-girl soap too, yes I'm filthy!

Within, there is also a complimentary 60 min spa treatment at The Safari Spa (at Boon Lay SAFRA) and many discount/ cash vouchers for blog shops like Dressabelle, Smooch, Pink Flare and more. Since opening up the pandora box, my room is filled with the citrusy scent that puts me in the mood for love.

I strongly suggest boyfriends subscribe to a SURPRISE vanity trove delivered to your girlfriend if not monthly (every month, she receives a surprise), quarterly (every 4 months, she receives a surprise) is still sweet!

Prices start at $25 (for 1 month) to try out!

You won't be disappointed. From my first vanity trove, the value is more than $25 already!

I still can't get over the smell of heaven.

Christmas Gift Ideas

In the bloggers’ generation now, everything is about narcissism. Ever since getting more involved with the blogosphere, I am amazed how bloggers are recognized in public like a television celebrity, their reviews are valued by companies as much as getting reviewed in traditional media, and how gossip can be as malicious amongst the bloggers! It's pretty juicy to hear, someone should start a tabloid on bloggers. I’ve heard gossips about bloggers like:

“So-and-so uses the bad publicity to get so-and-so sponsorship. Good on her, but what’s the point when it’s all gonna get really ugly.”

“So-and-so just wants to use my blog for her blog’s publicity.”

“So-and-so will get nasty and write about you on her blog if you don’t say hello to her.”

“Don’t support so-and-so’s events, otherwise so-and-so won’t sign you on.”

Indeed, the pen IS mightier than the sword.

If you have a narcissist girlfriend, boyfriend or blogger friends (if they are true at all), here’re some gift ideas every self loving individual will appreciate. After all, another bag, dress or gadget is so predictable.

1) Pop Art Canvas

http://www.popartpal.com/ can help you create canvas artwork from your images. Their artists took one of my images and turned them into artwork inspired by legendary pop art artists like Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Mel Ramos and Takashi Murakami.

Blog header inspired by Andy Warhol

With the Japanese’s fascination over Manga babes, I asked to see myself animated. The good artists kindly obliged. Do my big wide teary eyes look like I’m about to be attacked by a giant tentacle?!?

Imagine if this could be hung on your wall, 12x12 inch square canvas. Prices start at $160.

2) Cartoon Caricatures

I had this drawn for free at one of those fun fairs. Being typical cheapskate queue loving Singaporean, I waited an hour. I think there’s a shop at Far East Plaza that can do this, but I can’t remember the unit number nor the price.

3) 3D figurines

I’ve always wanted something like this, but it’s really expensive, and I am worried it wouldn’t look like me! It’s the sweetest couple thing to place on the display mantel though! Prices start at $120 for one figure (without decorations), saw one such shop at Cineleisure near Pasta Mania.

Have you shopped for Xmas presents already?