Welcome To Shirley's Luxury Haven!

DIY Your Mandarin Oranges This Chinese New Year

2012-01-20T10:15:00.002+08:00

When families visit one another to exchange greetings during the Chinese New Year, it’s a tradition to take gifts such as Tangerines & Oranges, as their Chinese names sound like "gold" & "wealth".

While Mandarin Orange is the most popular fruit during this period due to its symbolic of "luck" or "fortune", Tangerine with leaves intact represents long lasting relationships & fruitful with kids.

My mum has been making these Mandarin Oranges for the last couple of years for display in her house. She has just suggested a brilliant idea as she found lots of leftover oranges gone to waste in the past.

Mum thought it would be a nice notion to replace real oranges with these DIY ones this year. Recipients would be able to appreciate & display these vibrant oranges in their homes. I was in full support of her superb idea & wanted to learn how to make these for my visiting too. If I can do it, you can too. I've included a tutorial for you, so let’s DIY our own Mandarin Oranges this CNY!

FREE SMRT Chinatown Shuttle Bus Service For Your CNY Shopping!

2012-01-19T10:55:00.000+08:00

Park & Ride this Chinese New Year! SMRT is providing FREE Shuttle Bus Service to Chinatown from Jan 20 - 22!

Pain Cures You Can Find in Your Kitchen II

2012-01-18T10:00:00.001+08:00

Following my post on Tips To Cure Minor Ailments, here's the Part II of the article. I thank you for your useful feedback & glad that you've found the tips informative. If you've used some of these tips before & they really worked for you, do let us know your views.

Prevent digestive upsets with pineapple: Got gas? One cup of fresh pineapple daily can cut painful bloating within 72 hours, say researchers at California's Stanford University. That's because pineapple is naturally packed with proteolytic enzymes, digestive aids that help speed the breakdown of pain-causing proteins in the stomach and small intestine, say USDA researchers.

Cleanse It Right With Garnier’s Light Black Foam

2012-01-16T10:09:00.000+08:00

If oily pores leave your face sticky & uncomfortable, cleanse your skin to a healthy glow with Garnier’s latest 2-in-1 brightening & oil-control Light Black Foam!

This unique cleanser combines natural plant & mineral extracts that trap oil & dirt, helps to lift skin dullness effectively & balance out skin tone. Garnier’s Light Black Foam is a beauty must-have, a silvery-black cleansing foam that brightens skin while clearing away impurities & excess oils.

FREE Entry To Foam Party At Café del Mar, Sentosa!

2012-01-13T07:38:00.000+08:00

Always wanted to know what a foam party is like? Brace yourself for the ultimate beach party as 6 Top Local DJs spin back to back at Café del Mar, Sentosa!

Announcing The Winner Of NiNi Toy Bungee Giveaway!!

2012-01-11T09:23:00.001+08:00

The NiNi Toy Bungee International Giveaway is my 1st contest for 2012. I’m very happy to be able conduct one for all readers worldwide & the Toy Bungee is just perfect for parents to ease their woes away. So who’s the lucky winner to this Award-winning accessory?

Celebrate The Dragon Year With These Auspicious Recipes!

2012-01-09T12:10:00.001+08:00

In the Chinese lunar calendar, each year is designated by one of the 12 Animals in order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig, & 2012 is the Year of the Dragon!

A reunion dinner is held on New Year's Eve where members of the family gather for the celebration. The New Year's Eve dinner is often lavish & restaurants name their food after auspicious themes such as "good fortune", "happiness", "wealth", "longevity" etc.

Here’s a round-up of my past recipes. You too, can whip up some yummy dishes, restaurant-style. Give it an auspicious name & you're ready to entertain your guests. How about starting with my Bountiful Gold Fish Salad (年年有余)? Click on the highlighted links to go to respective recipes. Have fun!

(Featured @ eRecipe.com, PtitChef & OMY-食天堂Eat)

S$98 Lunch At The No Menu Restaurant

2012-01-06T09:24:00.000+08:00

Have you been to a restaurant with no menu? Do you like surprises? Well, if you’re tired of picking food off the menu, this Italian joint would probably suit your taste if you don’t mind forking out S$98 for a lunch per head.

The Michelin-Star eatery that people raved about is a family-style restaurant in a shophouse space, with cozy dining rooms. Upon seated, my Japanese ex-colleague & I were welcomed by a passionate & well-polished manager, explaining the concept of the degustation No Menu. We got to choose only the Main Course – Fish or Meat, & the rest is up to the Chef. My eyes brightened with anticipation!

NiNi Toy Bungee Review & International Giveaway!!

2012-01-04T10:29:00.002+08:00

Do you have a tyrant who takes pleasure in throwing his cups or toys on the floor? Have you ever been frustrated by nitty challenges such as picking up objects after your kids?

Help is here now! With NiNi range of Bungee products, you can now outsmart your kids by ending the "Throwing Game"! Cute, colourful, practical & affordable product is what parents need to ease the busy lives of moms & dads.

Happy New Year + Tips To Cure Minor Ailments!

2012-01-02T11:40:00.003+08:00

As the light of the New Year glows, welcoming the arrival of 2012, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank each & everyone of you for your relentless support, especially during my calls for votes.

I know I don't blog often enough but I'll try my best to visit & comment on your posts. I'd also like to thank those for re-tweeting my posts. I'm not into Twitter 24/7 like some of you & I'm not savvy using that tool. Nevertheless, I do appreciate your kind gestures. You know who you are & I sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart. I shall repay you in kind.

May each day of 2012 blossom into love & happiness for you & may wonderful surprises fill your life! With this, I share with you this useful article which I've recently received from a friend: Pain Cures You Can Find in Your Kitchen (Part I).

Playful Bento Vegetables

2011-12-29T10:18:00.000+08:00

This colourful & fun vegetable dish is an ideal accompaniment to my last Bento. Boring greens no longer have to be plain; adding colours & patterns bring life to the recipe. Kids will certainly adore this healthy dish cooked with shrimps.

Announcing The Winner Of SK-II Pitera™ Essence Set X’mas Giveaway!

2011-12-27T11:22:00.001+08:00

Merry X'mas & Thank You for your active participation in Luxury Haven's SK-II Pitera™ Essence Set X’mas Giveaway! Instead of keeping you in suspense, Santarina decided to be nice by announcing the winner a day earlier. So here's presenting the Lucky Winner to this awesome prize!

Samsung Galaxy Note: Is It A Phone Or A Tablet?

2011-12-23T10:04:00.024+08:00

The current crave in owning the latest mobile device is probably the Samsung Galaxy Note. My closest encounter with a Samsung device was the Galaxy S Wi-Fi 5.0, onboard the Finnair’s Angry Birds Flight from Helsinki to S’pore.

All passengers on that special flight got to play the Angry Birds game with the gadget. How cool is that!

I was exhilarated when I was offered the chance to own this awesome device & to do a review. People are currently snapping up this gadget & many places are out of stock. Lucky me, this special batch also comes with a free Flip Cover worth S$89, which I will be picking up at a later date.

To do this review, I had to attend a workshop organized by Samsung, with few other bloggers for a brief walk-through. Refreshments were also served at the event.

So, is the Galaxy Note a mobile phone or a tablet? Let’s take a peek inside the box…………

Screaming For Frozen Desserts, Lemon Sorbet!

2011-12-21T15:12:00.003+08:00

The Lemon Myrtle in this recipe, combined with the sweetness & sourness of the sorbet, was ethereal.

A pinch of the scented herb from Gryphon Tea gives this dessert an exotic feel, perfect for the festive season & leaves you yelling for more!

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Perkedel, Potato Corn Beef Patty Recipe

2011-12-19T10:49:00.003+08:00

Bergedil or Perkedel, these potato patties are a popular side dish in Indonesian & Malay Cuisine. I’m a fan of these potato “croquettes” from young, often pairing them with Nasi Lemak (Coconut Rice) or Soto Ayam (Spicy Chicken Soup with Rice Cakes).

These potato patties are crispy on the outside & soft inside, really delicious. I like adding Corn Beef to my recipe but the meat is optional. You must try these if you haven’t & they’re not difficult to make at home.

You could also mould them into cartoon shapes for fussy kids to make a lunch box for them!

Cute Egg Faces For White Christmas Recipe Challenge

2011-12-16T07:42:00.004+08:00

What do you think of these quail eggs? Please say they’re the cutest eggs you’ve ever seen…. Hohoho!

Well, I was in one of my crazy moods again & decided to turn these plain-looking quail eggs into colourful gem stones with faces. Look, we’ve got Emerald, Ruby, Topaz & Mother of Pearls for X'mas!

Gorgeous SK-II X'mas Giveaway At Shirley's Luxury Haven!!

2011-12-14T10:44:00.001+08:00

Are you a fan of the award-winning SK-II? Have you participated in my SK-II Pitera™ Essence Set X’mas Giveaway? Guys, win this for your loved one!

Exciting Angry Birds Posts + Win Angry Birds Bicycle!

2011-12-13T13:35:00.000+08:00

Angry Birds Fans, here are my series of AB link posts for your reading pleasure. 2011 has been a very electrifying & memorable journey for me, after clinching a seat in Finnair’s flight all the way to Visit Rovio, Angry Birds HQ In Helsinki.

Armed with just my Bento skills, I won the hearts of the jury with my Angry Birds Onigiri Bento Box & I was on my way to Finland.

Bento-licious With CasaBento かわいいお弁当

2011-12-12T10:28:00.007+08:00

What do you think of my latest bento? I’ve made a healthy vegetable dish with shrimps to go with rice for my son.

To top it off, there’re also some characters sitting on the lunch box. Can you guess what these cute cartoons & coloured balls are made of?

Spotted @ Kitchen Artistry

Spotted @ Tasting Spot

Baked Rice, I'll be home for Christmas!

2011-12-09T09:43:00.008+08:00

“I'll be home for Christmas, you can plan on me
Please have snow & mistletoe & presents on the tree

Christmas Eve will find me where the love light gleams
I'll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams”

3rd Place Winner: Food of the Month Contest

European Elegance At Brasserie Les Saveurs

2011-12-07T09:18:00.000+08:00

An opulent yet cosy combination of rich fabrics, lavish chandelier & expertly crafted interiors gives Brasserie Les Saveurs a warmth & soothing ambience.

Located at the grand luxurious St Regis S’pore, with generous views of the hotel pool & lush gardens, the venue is a perfect place for afternoon tea or to chill out with friends.

Promote Your Blog Here! DIY This X’mas With 12 Lovely Recipes!

2011-12-05T11:04:00.000+08:00

Instead of dining out this X'mas, why not put on your apron & impress your loved ones with your cooking?

If you do use any of these recipes here or take your pick at My Cooking, snap a picture & email it to me. I’d be most delighted to showcase your cooking at the slideshow (right sidebar) & also at my Facebook Fan Page. Head over now to my Fan Page & "Like" to join many others to be in the loop!

Own a blog? Better still, promote your blog here! Send me your blog after you’ve posted your cooking with a direct link to my recipe. I’ll then add your post together with your food pix!

For non-Bloggers, you can email me your FB link instead if you like to make more friends. So head over to my Readers’ Corner now to see what other readers have been whipping up in their kitchen.

Test your skills now with these Award-winning Recipes, ranging from Beginners level right up to Advanced, with step-by-step pix instructions:

SK-II Pitera™ Essence Set X’mas Giveaway!

2011-12-01T12:27:00.001+08:00

It’s X’mas comes early for me when SK-II presented me with their enchanting Pitera™ Essence Coffret Set this festive season. SK-II has been extremely supportive & generous. Not only they’ve given me the Gift of All Gifts, they’re also bringing the joy of X’mas to you, my readers.

Dearest fans, it’s Luxury Haven’s Giveaway again! This time, 1 lucky reader will also walk away with the same gift that I'd received: The SK-II Pitera™ Essence Set, worth S$99!!

Facial Treatment Essence 75ml
Facial Treatment Clear Lotion 40ml
Facial Treatment Mask 1pc

Traders Hotel Singapore “Festive Funtasy Package"! Book Now!!

2011-11-28T12:39:00.000+08:00

Coming to Singapore this holiday? Take advantage of this “Festive Funtasy Package" offered by Traders Hotel, under the Shangri-la Hotels & Resorts Group!

This hotel is near Orchard & minutes away from the renowned Botanic Gardens, & just 25 minutes from Changi International Airport.

Egg-White Broccoli with Osmanthus (西兰花炒桂花蛋白)

2011-11-26T10:48:00.002+08:00

Osmanthus (桂花) is usually used for making tea & Chinese desserts. Today, I’m gonna show you an alternative way to use this scented herb in Chinese cooking.

Osmanthus Tea is known to promote beautiful skin. The herb has an intense sweet fragrance which has been described as a blend of jasmine, gardenia & ripe apricots. I’m using the leftover egg-white from my Pan-Seared Scallops in Lemon Myrtle Cream to cook this aromatic vegetable dish. Top it up with Conpoy or Dried Scallop (乾貝) & you'll get a beautiful dish fit for the royalty!

(Featured @ OMY-食天堂Eat as DIY 好主意!)