STASH #59: Celebrity Fitness Membership + Sportswear from Cotton On

Went for a one month's trial at Celebrity Fitness through a Groupon deal and one month later, I am now an official Celebrity Fitness member! I'm excited to embark on this journey with CF and I hope all the reasons which motivated me to sign up for a year's membership will help me to reach my goals!

1. I miss my high metabolism rate. I used to eat to my heart's content and snack all the time and never need to worry about gaining weight. Now I do. *squeeze my stubborn fats*

2. I never like running. If I can enjoy the different classes offered by CF and lose weight at the same time, why not?

3. I always wanted to learn something new (i.e. dancing, yoga, etc). This membership allows me to try all sorts with probably the same amount or an even lower price than if I join classes else where.

4. I totally dig the huge toilet and bathroom with clean towels and hugeass hairdryer.

5. It's a stone throw away from my house! With my flexible yet unpredictable working hours, it's great that I can just do whatever workouts I want whenever I have the time.

I'm quite sure the price I paid (which I already think it's quite reasonable) is not the cheapest. You know how they try to sell the package to you telling u original price is XX, promo price is XX but now it's our anniversary we give you special price XX. That special price may not be the best price. Their prices may not be fixed either. I got 2-3 different final quotes from different salesperson who called me when I was contemplating on signing the annual package. So I kinda got a bit pissed and who doesn't hate such sales talk. So I went down to understand better and I got them confused over their own price list. They had to clarify among themselves on the final price they could offer me and told me there were different promos so they were also a little confused with the list.

I was already ready to sign on but I told them that as a customer, of course I want the best price you can offer. But being inconsistent in the pricing obviously made me less willing to make payment.

One more thing. They actually got my particulars all mixed up with some random person. After signing and making payment, I realised my NIRC no. and mobile no. were both wrong. I thought that was a super careless mistake, and it was not as if I was there during peak hours.

Things to take note if you are thinking of signing up to a fitness centre:

1. Always get a few opinions from friends who are members of fitness centres, check online for reviews and bargain! It's not my forte to do so... and i believe i could push the price down further after hearing what my other friends are paying at other fitness centres.

2. If you are a student, ask for student price. hee hee.

3. Check out the fitness centre during peak hours (i.e. weekends, after office hours) or during the times which you believe you will use the centre most often. If it is too crowded, it may not be a wise choice.

4. Ask for more freebies. They will most probably give u some free add-ons. Be thick-skinned and ask for more. haha

5. Be prepared for the commitment once you decided on buying. You won't want to pay and not make use of the facilities.

So anyway, to prep myself, I had a shopping spree at Cotton On online again! 

Bought size S, which was a bit tight fit.

Size S was good for me for this. Super love the material which is suppose to keep you dry during your workouts and love the cross-backed details!

 I love love love this! Super comfy for workout classes! Size S fits perfectly for me.

Size M for this cos I don't like it too tight. Fits well too.

$2 nia. How not to buy??

Since I had to make it up to $50 for free shipping... i just had to shop more.

Got size S. Perfect fit too!

Was totally happy with all my buys this time round. Maybe the next round I should start penning down tips on shopping at Cotton On online. Haha. It comes with experience okay!

STASH #58: L'Oreal Elseve (Elvive) Extraordinary Oil

Many have been raving about this new hair oil by L'Oreal and I just gotta try it! In fact I've always been a fan of L'Oreal Elseve Smooth Intense Anti-Frizz Serum after being introduced to hair serum products to tame unruly hair. My dad saw the amazing effects of the hair serum a few years back and immediately converted, ditching his olive hair oil.

After watching the review on clicknetwork.tv Tried and Tested video, I was determined to get my hands on this. Went to a few drugstores and supermarkets and the shelves were all emptied! Seriously?!
Finally managed to get one at a Guardian store at Tiong Bahru Shopping Mall. *victory sign*

The product comes in a sleek, classy looking glass bottle. Definitely looks good but I would have preferred a plastic bottle so that it is lighter (it's quite heavy!) and more travel-friendly.

First, let's talk about the ingredients and what it claims to do.

1. This miracle oil treatment contains 6 flower extract oil, namely lotus, tiare, rose, flax, chamomile and marticaria.

2. After application, your hair will be luxuriously nourished and richly protected that is sumptuously smooth, radiantly shiny with an ultra-lightweight non-greasy finish.

3. Vertile in use, you can use it before shampooing/conditioning, wet/damp hair or throughout the day - practically means anytime, anywhere.


Upon application, the oil does get absorbed into the strands of hair easily. I use about 1-2 pumps for my long hair because I have really fine hair, and after stroking the oil through my hair a few times, the oil just miraculously disappeared into it.

It does controls the frizziness in my hair quite well too although sometimes when the weather gets too humid, my hair starts to become hay-wired again. I guess that can't be helped. Would love to show before/after pictures too, but... I just straightened my hair so a bit no point.

Perhaps because of the flower extract, the oil comes in a mild light vanilla-like smell which I do not really fancy. But it is not that of a big deal la.

One thing I noticed is that the oil which sometimes dripped to the sides of the bottle, will kind of 'coagulate' into a semi-solid jelly-like form. I guess this is where the protection comes in? With a layer of oil that covers each strand of hair, keeping them well-nourished and protect them from the harsh weather and heat.

At $23.50, this hair oil is definitely value for money and worth trying.



For me, personally I like to apply the oil at night before I sleep - to prevent tangles in my hair, and in the morning before I leave the house - for shiny, easy maintained hair for a day out!


*I've stopped blogging here but you can find me at www.mabelkohhz.blogspot.com for more updates!

STASH #57: Cosmo Cream Straightening at JEM Shunji Matsuo

JEM is finally opened!!! Super excited for westies like me cos finally it's cool to hang out in the west, in Jurong! Gone were the times where I need to go town to shop. With IMM, Jcube and JEM, I can shop happily and reach home in 3 MRT stops away!

Went over to peek at the shops during a weekday and boy, there were so many people! They were also very considerate by providing many sofa seats for the elderly and tired shoppers. After 2 visits, however, one thing I dislike is the lack of coordination and lousy directions given by the traffic controllers at the carpark/loading unloading bay area. I waited for my boy for more than 20 minutes because he was stuck outside of JEM, trying to get into the carpark. If the carpark is full, fine, I suck it up and wait. But I checked the carpark and there were not many cars driving around and there were empty lots! Reason for the wait? Bad control of the traffic. Why let delivery lorries to park in the middle of the road ( I witnessed that during my first visit), unload stuff and block the traffic, resulting in cars having to wait to get to the carpark? Carpark and loading/unloading bay are in separate locations for a reason, right? And 20 minutes is way too long.

Anyway, enough of ranting, during my first visit, Shunji Matsuo was having a 50% discount for any chemical treatment + haircut. Plus after consulting the friendly staff at the counter, she introduced this cosmo cream straightening, which is perfect for my fine and frizzy hair - similar to soft straightening but the ends are not super straight, hair not so flat, but more natural looking. Including haircut, the whole package is only around $165 nett. Cheap!!

So I booked an appointment and went back a few days later. haha. As I was saying, the staffs were all very friendly and approachable. Hairstylist helped to throw my food trash away and explained to me about the treatment he is gonna do and go through the price with me again before starting. Knowing I was rushing for time, he got another colleague to help out in applying the treatment and blow my hair so that I could leave for my next appointment on time. He also taught me how to blow dry my hair properly for a curved in ends, how my hair shape should be like to suit my face shape and how I should tell the hairstylist to cut my fringe the next time if I go to another salon after that. Like really??

Since they were so nice, I also became thick-skinned and requested for a iPhone 5 charger since my phone was totally flat already. And their staff gladly lend it to me! *applaud*

Anyway, if you are in need of straightening/curling/highlight/colouring, do check out Shunji Matsuo at JEM this month for the discounted price! Thumbs up for the service and final result!


*I've stopped blogging here but you can find me at www.mabelkohhz.blogspot.com for more updates!

OOTD #24

Black sleeveless top - Cotton On online, $5

Necklace - from Bangkok platinum mall, 100 baht (approx $4)

OOTD #23

Casual outfit for a lazy Sunday afternoon!

Blue and white Abercrombie top

Coral Cotton On shorts

Naraya houndstooth printed bad

OOTD #22

Dress - from Bangkok, 200 Baht

Necklace - Massimo Dutti

Platform sandals - Cotton On

OOTD #21

Grey Cardigon - from Bangkok

Floral Top - from JB Factory Outlet

Maroon Jeans - Primark

Sandals - Mitju

OOTD #20

Vintage top - from Bangkok (pratunum market in the evening), 60 baht

STASH #56: Shiseido Warehouse Sale

Look at my stash from the recent Shiseido Warehouse Sale! I'm not an expert in squeezing and was peeking at items from behind most of the time so I didn't really get to see much.

Still I managed to get great buys, especially from ZA and Aqualabel, which were going for 3 for $12! Bought my favorite ZA compact powder, with cheek blush and highlighter and new eyeshadow colour as well. Haven't tried Aqualabel products before so I bought some cream to try out too!

Maquillage compact powder and case were almost half priced and I can't resist gold glitter nail polish which was going for $8.

Travel size shiseido set was $15 only!

And lastly to present one good buy which I never expect:

Straw bag for $5!! I don't understand what is this doing in shiseido's sales but I love it and I'm so gonna bring this out for a picnic soon!

That's all folks! 

OOTD #19

Black tweed-like top (can't see but it is!) - from Bangkok, 200 baht

Patterned flare skirt - from Bangkok, 100 baht

Necklace - OhVola.com, $5

Flats - Mitju, $6

STASH #55: Cotton On - What I got for $50

Okay it's not really $50 bucks..  i bust the budget a lil' bit more. What to do... above 50 bucks to get free shipping. Otherwise it's an additional $7.50! no way am i paying for that!

See what I got for $50.. approx..

Love all the items I bought! Especially the pair of jeans with pretty floral prints for just 10 bucks! Not recommended is definitely the nail polish pack. They arrived looking partially dried up... I guess they must have been hiding in the store room for quite sometime already. The neon yellow bracelet is also not of very good quality, but oh well, for the price I can't complain. But overall, cotton on is love! Don't expect great quality for all items but I enjoy the process of purchasing and trying new accessories and clothes at affordable prices. Awesome.

MOVIE STASH #1: Monster University

Pixar's Monster University is opening in Singapore soon and I'm oh-so-excited about it! Ever since I watched Monster Inc. I was totally in love with it and the characters. Don't you remember the adorable little girl, Boo?

Pixar is also a company that I admire a lot. I read up on the history and their achievements and I am totally amazed with their workplace environment. The headquarters at Emeryville has an open concept  with a flat hierarchy. Employees get to showcase their creativity, decide their own themes and how they want to decorate their own desk areas. Ideas, comments and suggestions flow freely among everyone and a lot of effort and brainstorming goes into every single animation they produced. 

Toy Story, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Ratatouille, Up... these are some of my favourite animations from Pixar, and they are all high grossing animation films of all time. Impressive!

I love how Pixar's animation films don't just draw the little kids, but attracts grown ups like me - never too old for animation!

Can't wait to see more monster characters and what new exciting stories Sulley and Mike will bring up this time. I'm also excited to find out what a Monster University is all about!

Check out the movie trailer here:

Catch Disney•Pixar’s “Monsters University”in Singapore cinemas this 20 June! For more updates, like the Official Walt Disney Studios Singapore Facebook Page, follow @disneystudiosSGand subscribe to the Official Disney Studios Singapore YouTube Channel!

STASH #54: Estee Lauder Warehouse Sale!

This was wayyy back one month ago, but still... look at my make up and skincare haul from Estee Lauder warehouse sale! Everything was going for 50% - 70% sale (IMO), so I just grab anything i think i like. Haha. Bought some stuff for my family and friends as well! Don't have time to try the products yet, but will try to review when i do!

For now, just pictures, pictures and more pictures to show you what I bought!