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Taken with instagram

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Tis the season to be sparkly. (Taken with instagram)

Christmas Gifting Tips

Ok just one suggestion. I don’t really subscribe to gifting tips because you should know more about the person you’re buying a present for. What can a writer from an Ad/Sponsor-Driven publication possibly know that you don’t. 

BUT I guarantee that any book lover will love the Kindle, even those who fervently swears by the good old musky paperbacks because “they just feel and smell right”. They just don’t know what they don’t know. Throw in a Help Save The Planet note if you’re not confident, just to prick on their conscience, home-run. 

So which Kindle should you choose. Either the new Kindle or Kindle Touch. Kindle Keyboard (known as Kindle 3 before) is good, solid and fast but because there is no price adjustment (still US$139), you might as well get something smaller and newer. 

Some comparisons of Kindle ($79) and Kindle Touch ($99) that is not apparent from the website. 

Kindle is better because…

• Kindle is significantly lighter and smaller than Kindle Touch (Kindle Touch is smaller than Kindle Keyboard but weighs about the same). This is important to me. It should slip easily into the daintiest of bags. 
• Kindle refreshes quicker than Kindle Touch.  

Kindle Touch is better because…

• It is touch-based, so all you spoilt touchscreen mobile users can finally shut up about how buttons are so last century. 
• Battery lasts twice as long as Kindle (2 months!). This is according to the website, I haven’t used it enough to give a personal assessment. Compared to crappy battery life of mobile phones and tablets, Kindles last forever, you’ll be amazed with either.

OK, now an ACTUAL tip. You can load your Kindle present with free books since these will not be tagged to an account or device (as opposed to paid books). So your book lover can start using right away (you want to be gentle with the non-technologically inclined and slowly ease them into a new gadget). 

*PS: You may want to skip this if you’re giving to Geeks because they’d restore it to factory settings anyway, out of curiosity.

Many popular classics are free (I’m still trying to wrap my head around this travesty and good luck). Pride and Prejudice (MY ALL-TIME FAVE HELLO DARCY!), Sherlock Holmes, Alice in Wonderland, A Christmas Carol, Dracula, Grimm’s Fairy Tales etc. are all free! Get them here.

*PS: Amazon didn’t make them free, something is right about book royalties. 

Can you do better? Yes. Wrap it all up with a big red bow - Throw in a subscription to Amazon Prime.

I don’t know what type of deal they’ve made with the Publishers, but it sounds like Amazon robbed them. Aren’t we happy about that!

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From the Amazon Elves to the Speedpost Santa to the Kindle Fairy. Let the bewitching begin!

2011 Overview

There are amazing years and there are blah years. 2011 was certainly one of the better years, like 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009…I’m actually reviewing my life by the years. There’ll come a time when I’ll start reviewing my life by the decades. Dare I blink? 

Found an interesting article on time. This particular point is rather depressing.

Reversing the arrow of time for living organisms is a technological challenge, not a physical impossibility. And we’re making progress on a few fronts: stem cells, yeast, and even (with caveats) mice and human muscle tissue. As one biologist told me: “You and I won’t live forever. But as for our grandkids, I’m not placing any bets.”

I’ve always wondered about the future. A century ago, people may not be able to fathom the technological advances we’ve made and took for granted. The Moon landing, color television, commercial jet, nuclear power, mobile phone, credit card, the pill, microchip and my favourite…the World Wide Web. 

Can you imagine what the world will be like in 2112? I sometimes wish I was born a little later. Yet I’m glad to have seen the floppy, the cassette, the walkman, silly snake game in my first cellphone, the pager, the 1-177155-4, old SBC dramas, when boy bands and cheesy love songs were cool, when Britney Spears was hot and Michael Jackson was music Royalty. 

And can I emphasis anymore how privileged I am to live in the same time-space continuum as Bill Awesome Gates. 

Okayyy my thoughts floated on to larger topics and I no longer feel like writing about my silly experiences in 2011. Update again when I’m feeling a little more egotistical.  

Japan 25 Nov to 6 Dec

I’ve been infected by Japanese Ladies’ obsession with All Things Adorable. Take a look at what’s in my bag during the trip. Not proud…not proud at all. 

Harry Potter has Magic, We have GIF. 

You know how a trend starts & people is doubtful about it. So when 80s inspired trend ended and the 70s started. I was all “dreadful bell bottoms, I’d rather wear skinny jeans and leggings”.

Yet it grew on me, and the loveliest thing is, I get to look like my mum before she had me. 

L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon

Oh I was a little too optimistic about getting the iPhone 4S. I didn’t realize it was so popular, one day they are available, the next day they are gone. It’s fine, Siri is not exactly teleport. A want, not a need.

Anyway, husband and I went to L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon for my birthday. To be honest, my first impression of Robuchon wasn’t good. The family made a booking at Restaurant de Joël Robuchon months ago, and they insisted that we order degustation menu instead of ala carte because the restaurant would be packed and they have no capacity to cater to ala carte options. 

Lame.

And charging 550 per pax from a restaurant that has not earn any michelin stars yet…hmmm…*raise an eyebrow*.

Despite initial bad vibes, L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon won me over and the visit is one of the best dining experience I have had (used to be Jaan par Andre). Here are the pictures. 

L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon is known for its modern, snazzy, red and black theme. 

L’AMUSE-BOUCHE. Foie gras custard with red Porto wine and parmesan foam. I asked if we can order this even though this is from a different menu, server said he’ll check and two were sent to us,  compliments of the chef. Score.

LE JAMBON. « Iberico de Bellota » ham with toasted tomato bread. 

Mobile Snaps

Probably the last series of snaps from my iPhone 3GS. Getting my birthday present, the 4S later today!

Last picture is a present from my friend. I don’t have the ego to call myself a “Pwincess”, in case you’re wondering. 

Friday Fashion Favourites

OH EM GEE. How precious! I want that kittycat! Meaow.

(Source: realidade-cruel, via leilockheart)

"I hope you will reflect on what you’ve done with your talent and energy. I hope you will judge yourselves not on your professional accomplishments alone, but also on how well you work to address the world’s deepest inequities, on how well you treat people a world away who have nothing in common with you but their humanity."

Bill Gates aka Hero.

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Food Styling and Photography. 

Source: Muses and Visionaries {link}

Click on the photos for the slideshow. My very enthusiastic comments are in the captions.  

Treasure Trove {http://www.mnzstore.com/}. Love the website design, photography style & everything!