Simplicity through the Shops ...and the Soles

Tin Hang Zai's Cushioned Slippers from Adidas and my Pink Crocs

Those of you who have known me through the years will know I can't stand window-shopping and shopping without a list. Those aimless strolls through the malls make me very nervous - with no promise of any "meaningful" outcome at the end of each trip.

I even think the last time I truly enjoyed shopping with THZ was when we were dating, like 10 years ago. Gasp!!

Well guess what, perhaps with the passage of time and with Little Pixie, I am learning not to be so hard on myself (why must every activity have a tangible outcome anyway?) and to well, indulge in the simple pleasures of life. Today I actually enjoyed window-shopping at Centrepoint with THZ and Little Pixie for like, 6 hrs!! We went to Robinsons, looked at "stuff", went to John Little, and then back to Robinsons, and then to Cold Storage!

About the Crocs - first, I wasn't even looking for shoes (see? that's what happens when you don't shop with a list). Second, I have never even been interested in Crocs after those horror stories about kids losing toes from wearing Crocs . THZ was smitten with the quirky Mary Janes and persuaded me to try them. And I was converted!!! They were so comfy I bought them right away and wore them out of Robinsons!

This is what real grape juice looks like

Airport juiced a bunch of grapes which looked like Red Globe but didn't have seeds. Compare the rich colour and cloudiness with the processed, additive-rich, preserved juice-like drinks you find in the supermarket shelves!

Night-time Coughs

To stop nighttime coughing in a child (or adult as we found out personally), put Vicks Vaporub generously on the bottom of the feet at bedtime then cover with socks. Even persistent, heavy, deep coughing will stop in about 5 minutes and stay stopped for many, many hours of relief.

Not sure if it works, but I thought it's interesting to put it up here.

P/S Cosmo, it's from Merilyn!

Time Management for Manic Mums

I like this book! It works! And it's funny!

Use Hydrogen Peroxide wisely...

Hydrogen Peroxide Casualty

My bottle of Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) accidentally spilt and soaked this napkin. After putting this into the washing machine, the Pooh Bear came out literally FRAZZLED!

I should have gotten this sooner!!

This fancy Japanese thingy can cook rice, steam fish and veges all at the same time - and it keeps warm for ages! I'm selling off my rice cooker now - my kitchen counter has got too many gizmos lying around!

IKEA still rocks.. sometimes...

This is any cook's indispensable tool. And one instance where the 'One Cent Money One Cent Quality' principle does NOT work.

I outgrew this $4 one from Shop n Save within 3-4 months. Tin Hang Zai upgraded me to this $6 tomato but it lasted 2 freaking months. I was so pissed.
Finally, I found one at IKEA for just $1.80. It looks snazzy, and it's so cheap it's almost 'disposable'! Needless to say, I bought four. Even if they don't last - I have the spares ready.

These really repel ants!!!

This is one of those old wives' tales that work. You could try Peppermint Oil (or anything remotely mint) or Ground Cinnamon too. It beats placing ant-poison on your kitchen surface and risk poisoning everyone else.

Domestic Innovation....

I thought this was ingenious!

Friends of the Canton Pixie have faithfully endured her different obsessions over the years...at one point in time, it was DIY-skincare. At another, it was baking soda. Some of these obsessions have gone, but baking soda is definitely here to stay.. and so is vinegar. Here are some more tips.

Her current interests include macrobiotics, cooking for Little Pixie and, of all things, doing nothing.

Sharpen your saw....

After years of getting monkey performance from peanut-priced goods - I decided to splurge on a WMF!

Seasoning the wok

Bitten by the 'Chinese Cook' bug - I decided to get a traditional wok. Didn't know that it had to be seasoned using 'dog vegetables', fermented bean paste and lard and tofu though.

P/S I think the Golden Goose seasoned her hand too.

Vinegar Craze

This is a Gallon-Sized bottle of vinegar next to the Pixie Farm creatures. We use it to denature pesticides in veges and to mop the floor.

Fancy Kettle

This is my new kitchen timer.

Cauliflower gives gas!

That's what the Super Baby Food book said, but I didn't know it applied to me too. I didn't have the guts to use msg-laden soup stocks, so I bought Kallo tomato & herb stock to use.

This thing really repels ants!!