BEST Handmade Noodle (Ban Mian) + Carrot Cake on earth! [Food Review]

BEST Handmade Noodle (Ban Mian)
A day before my birthday, I psycho-ed my buddies at work to take a trip down to Whampoa Market for lunch and I'm pretty sure, it was one of the best choices made! I have been craving for the Hand Made noodles (Ban Mian/ U-mian/ Mee Hoon Kueh), specifically the dry version for a really long time, and I was super duper happy to be eating it! Hee. 

Here's the store! 

China Whampoa Home Made Noodle
Whampoa Market, Whampoa Drive
Blk 91 #01-24
7am to 2pm
Closed Mon
96256692
 

Do not underestimate that small little bowl of soup. It is so sweet it will blow your minds off. Nope, no sugar or extra MSG in it, just pure ikan bilis and yellow bean boiled with this very special green veg (I'm not sure what's its called, but it is like a hybreed of potato leaf) with a drizzle of the leftover oil from the fried shallots. (Best thing ever!)

Now going into details about the noodles. They are definitely handmade. The texture is perfect to the max. It has a good "q" feeling to it, springy and easy to chew. Not flour-ish like most places. It doesn't clump together too!

Available both in dry and soup version, it comes in a reasonable serving for a $4 meal. 3 fat & succulent prawns, chunks of well-marinated minced pork, boiled mushroom, Fried Ikan bilis, that potato leaves and fried onion. Tossed in dark sauce and two different type of Chilli. 

Just a huge warning, the chilli can be extremely spicy, so if you're not a fan of chilli, always remember to request for less of it! Because it can get you perspiring! Yet, the entire dish is so shiok, you can't resist having more. Such an irony.

Also, they have a booming good business so it is best advised that if you want your food fast, call at least 15-20minutes before to make your order, and when you're there, remind him your order again, so that you ensure that your food gets served! (In the past when I used to work nearby, we would call and order up to 9 bowls, so the calling-answering service came really handy)

I can't put a word to it except it makes you WANT IT EVEN MORE! You really have to try it!! 

Carrot Cake (BEST BREAKFAST)

This is definitely one of my number 1 favourite breakfast - Fried Carrot Cake + Egg (Best accompanied with Soya Bean Milk + Chin Chow).   

I love love love love love love fried carrot cake. Especially those that are not oily at all! I can't remember specifically the store name, but it is nearer to the afternoon market, beside a fruit store, at the same section as the ban mian. Apart from selling Carrot Cake they sell porridge too. So just look our for that. Pretty prominent. 

The Carrot Cake were once again, fried to perfection. It wasn't overly charred or too soft to hold on your chopsticks. The uncle did a little dance when he was frying too, so it was kinda funny to watch him do that. And just so you know, this plate only cost $2.50. TWO FREAKING  DOLLARS & FIFTY CENTS.  

What's more, the generous amount of Egg, and Chai Por (preserved radish) that were evenly spread out just make you want to reach out for another mouth over and over again! I can die a happy girl already. Its been so long since I tasted a really good carrot cake. 

Ahhh, Carrot Cake has been an all time favourite for me, since young, my aunty-cum-nanny would always packet this when a specific carrot cake store was opened (I heard it has shifted, but no idea where any more). And she is only charged like $1.50 for it when it is usually sold for $2.00. Reminds me of the good old days, after school, heading back home and having Carrot Cake. Best comfort food! Hee! (:

The simple pleasures in life, that nostalgic feeling. 

As all Singaporeans would say - SHIOK AH!

XX 

ANDREA

[Movie Review] ParaNorman Preview Screening

Paranorman - 4/5 popcorns

Thanks to omy.sg, I got the invites to catch this show that I was waiting for quite a little while. I guess I am a real movie junkie afterall. Especially cartoons or animated movies. 

Before they played the movie, a short clip was shown to explain how these characters were built in the process of making this movie epic! The production team made over thousands of faces to express the expressions of each character  - #weirdwin. Incredible work I must say, and if you have caught the show Coraline previously, you will probably have a tiny taste of what it is like to watch this is 3D. 

I won't want to be a movie poo-per, but there were these few scenes that I could remember...

Norman's Uncle: "I want you to swear!"

Norman:  " Like the F word? " *innocent voice*

Norman's Uncle: "No, I want you to promise me"

Its a great movie, for both adults and their young. I think these days, movie producer are inputing comedic effects which kids would not have any idea or have yet to have the ability to grasp the "joke" or sarcasm behind the directed lines, while parents or even adults like myself would laugh at and understand what the intended line was for! So that keeps us away from feeling bored or that feel "distanced" from the storyline.

Overall, I feel that the graphics of the movie, if wasn't explained how the puppets were being created, I wouldn't have felt that it was a WOW production, but I have to say, the storyline, the built-up, the comedic inputs in between definitely created a "lighter-blue" Monday for all of us. I need to admit that I got shocked at one part of the movie when the rat ran down the stairs at his uncle's home. Apart from that, watching this show on the 7th Lunar Month was pretty light hearted, so no worries if you're afraid your kids are going to have nightmares (:

I believe the moral of the story was along the line of bullying issues and staying true to who we are and not change just because of someone or somethings that sees us different. 

Paranorman starts screening on 30th August 2012 (Thursday)

Now, here's some tips if you want to book for your entire family on a weekend, and it can get a little pricey, and you're running out of time. Follow these simple steps. (:

1) Go to insing.com

2) Click Movies

3) Select the movie, followed by the show times under Golden Village & watch out for the magic ($$)

Hurry go book today before the tickets run out! 

Hope you guys enjoyed it as much as I did (:

xx

Andrea

[Movies] American Pie Reunion & Mirror Mirror

Yes you got me right

Over the weekends, the boyfriend and I watched 2 movies. Both at shaw theatres. We were contemplating between "The Vow" <-- (which I think is a little over-raved, thus we hold super high expectation and the movie comes out as expected but lower than expectation, you get what I'm trying to say?)

Ok, so we were deciding between watching a funny movie or a romantic movie, and we decided to go with American Pie Reunion. With hopes that it is a funny movie, it turned out to be a pretty boring flick, as compared to the previous few renditions of the show. 

I don't know lah, but I don't think it was as funny, or hysterical as before, because the lead actors and actresses has all grown up and stuff, and us too, we've grown up too. So what's so "WAHHH" about a naked body or high school prank stuff? Everything just "mehhhh"

Then feeling a tad bit disappointed, I suggested that we should watch Mirror Mirror (a modern interpretation of Snow White).

I must say, the couture in the movie is so so so so so pretty. From the heads of the actors and actresses involved, regardless of what cast/role they got, it is just so beautifully exaggerated! Its like Spring & Summer screaming in your face, showing you what colours and pouffiness and the old English couture dresses can look like! Making it a mini "eye-treatment" to our eyes. 

Wow I will say. Super duper wow.  I think Lily Jane Collins, who plays Snow White will be receiving several movies after this hit. (But maybe she needs to trim her brows? cause they were sooo thick, but still gorgeous on her, cause she's damn fair). Julia Roberts is still as awesome as before, though this time round, her role is more towards the evil side, but I still think it is absolutely funny! "No, they are not wrinkles, just crinkles" <--burst into laughter.

I do wish that the movie was in 3D. Then the part where Julia Roberts get lifted from the water, will be just "fwahh".

The plot is mostly comedy and a good flick to watch during the weekends. Not really advisable for kids to watch though, cause... I think it would take them awhile to understand what the show is about. 

The recent trend of remaking old childhood bedtime stories is actually quite heart-warming in a way or another. Because when I was watching the show, pieces of itsy bitsy memory started to piece up one by one, reminding me about the snow-white storybook that I used to read when I was a lot younger. And now to watch it, is like "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED". 

I do really want to catch beauty and the beast though. I can only remember bits and pieces of it, and I don't really want to watch it in 3D, but just a normal new rendition of beauty and the beast? 

Oh oh oh, and I think the next movie to watch, which is of no-relevance with the bedtime story is "Sleeping Beauty"

Its quite an arty farty show, and I think its gonna be a rather interesting flick, which I obviously, would not catch it with the boyfriend. Cause the last time we watched "Extremely Loud Incredibly Close" someone fell asleep. 

So that's all I have for you today.

If you like authentic Japanese Food that is freshly sliced/diced/cooked/boiled/poached for you, and you wanna try the super delicious potato salad, stay tune, cause the next place I'll be recommending is Janice's mum restaurant which I visited last Saturday. They're closing down pretty soon in May, so yes, I will provide you guys with the loots by this weekend! (: So you can still try them!

xx

VLV

[MakeUp Review] CandyDoll Products

All the information below are provided by CandyDoll 

MakeUp Base with SPF 30 - $37.90 

Product Description:

A light-weighted beige base that not just sun-protects, yet covers pores and conceals imperfection. It even out skin tone and unevenness of skin texture, keeping your make-up more long lasting throughout the day. Its overall brightens up your skin before make-up.

Benefits:

• Sun-protect with SPF 30
• Conceals and cover imperfection of skin
• Brightens skin before makeup
• Long Lasting 

Review: The texture was definitely light, it did help to cover up my significant pores making it easier for blending of the foundation later on. I find that it works more like an additional moisturiser for your face, to prep it to absorb and reduce oxidisation of the foundation and whats not later on.

CandyDoll Liquid Foundation #02 - $41.90

Product Description:

The CandyDoll Liquid Foundation offers invisible, weightless coverage that looks like skin, not make-up. This long-wearing formula evens tone, minimizes the appearance of pores, conceals imperfections. Finish with the projecting soft light and spreads on easily and smoothly caresses on your face that reveals your natural skin tone at its freshest, translucence, lustre and durability. Contain Hyaluronic and Ceramide that helps skin to look beautiful, moisture and long lasting finishing.

Benefits:

• Weightless coverage, very natural
• Minimizes appearance of pores and conceals imperfections
• Evens skin tone
• Reveals natural skin tone, translucence & luster finishing
• Moisturizing

Review: To my surprise, I thought the foundation would turn out cakey and think. I am quite an avid fan of Dior forever foundation, and when I tried this product out, it did not turned cake-y at all. In my opinion, I felt that the product does little coverage. It indeed feels light and all, but the coverage is not enough for me. Thus... you will know why, later on..

CandyDoll Powder Foundation #01 -$40.90

Product Description:

The CandyDoll Powder Foundation provides high cover but light, natural finish with a powdery touch. It firmly covers pore, hide any skin irregularities problems without clogging them. It adheres snugly to maintain a clean finish all day long. Contain Hyaluronic and Ceramide that helps skin to look beautiful and moisturise throughout the day. All are Ideal for all skin types. 

Benefits:

• Natural coverage, no stress to the skin
• Hides and cover any skin irregularities
• Maintain a clean finish all day long
• Moisturising

Review: I have never like putting on foundation after foundation, so I made use of the sachet size as a "loose powder" form. Swiping it all over my face to settle the foundation. Overall, the powder is rather refined in my opinion. It does lock/settle the foundation and doesn't create the cake-y look which I hate so much.

CandyDoll had recently launched a limited edition brush set in Mid Feb 2012 and Singapore is the only country outside Japan that carries the brush set. (I would really love to try the brushes though). If you're thinking where you can purchase the product, CandyDoll is an exclusive brand for Watsons Personal Care Stores - so I suppose this solves most of your queries like mine when I read a review post.

WIN A WELCOME GIFT by joining their mailing list and clicking on the "LIKE" button on their Facebook Page from 19th Mar to 9th April 

State "how did you get to know this contest" [Quote "VLV"], with your name, mailing address and mobile number. Send it to marketing@moss.com.sg

Ok, after torturing you with so many words, you can watch my "mini-makeup" tutorial that I did just yesterday. I was so tired, by the time I reached home, and I took of my contact lens and wore them again ++ all the heavy eye lash glue, my eyes were reacting super badly. I was so annoyed and couldn't wait to remove everything and slam my face in bed. Any hows, Hope you guys like it.  

xx

VLV