Saturday, August 30, 2014

Shu Uemura Makeup Competition 2014

Was really honored to be at the Shu Uemura Makeup Competition held at Vivocity this year. Certainly enjoyed the closeup views from my front row seat =) It was such a treat to see so many makeup artists live in action from such a close distance! It was really my pleasure to watch Shu Uemura international artistic director, Uchiide, wield his magic live on the model. His classy strokes reminded me of an artist at work. I was chatting to the mum of the first runner up. She was so happy that her daughter won a prize!

Winner of this year's Shu Uemura Brave Beauty Makeup Competition, Rie Miura, with her model. Check out the strong eye makeup on her winning creation. I simply love it!

Check out all the 8 creations by the finalists of Shu Uemura Brave Beauty makeup competition. Love these glamorous outfits from Texsaverio Jakarta. Their hair was done by Vintage hair studio, that i still have an existing hair package with, using Loreal Professionnel products

One of my favourite looks from the international accredited makeup artists segment. Love these gladiator boots!

Love this strong eyes look created by Shu Uemura international artistic director, Uchiide, which really complemented this glamorous outfit by Texsaverio Jakarta really well. It was really my pleasure to watch Uchiide do the live makeup demostration, which reminded me of an artist at work.

These were the other looks created by the international accredited makeup artists.

I certainly enjoyed my front row seat

A closer look at the winning creation by Rie Miura.

This was the other look that attracted my attention. Love the bling bling around the model's right eye.

Rie Miura with her trophy! Congratulations!

Had the chance to take a closer look of Uchiide's creation after the competition

Me being me, wouldn't miss out on a selfie opportunity with the very suave Uchiide after the competition

Thanks Shu Uemura for this lovely pair of Takashi Murakami for Shu Uemura Princess lashes. Love the pretty heart-shaped bling bling crystals on these lashes. So princessy =)


Teenage Mission: Gorgeous You 2014

Thank you Schwarzkopf for inviting me to cover this exciting event by Teenage magazine. 

The finalists with the judges

The female winner of Teenage Mission: Gorgeous You! during the Q&A segment. She's eloquent and has the X factor, a clear winner in my opinion. Check out her gorgeous stresses styled by Xpect Studio using Schwarzkopf products.

I got this cute contestant to pose for a pic. Cool hairstyle designed by Xpect Studio using Schwarzkopf products

A peep into the backstage during the Grand Final of Teenage Mission: Gorgeous You!

The judges are busy at work cos all the finalists are so gorgeous!

Check out the screaming crowd behind me at The Grand Final of Teenage Mission: Gorgeous You! Exciting atmosphere here!

Look, who are here with me? Couldn't resist taking a selfie with these cute mascots...lol

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Reopening of 2am:dessertbar with a Fresh Look And a New Partnership

After seven successful years and a week long hiatus, 2am:dessertbar unveils its new edgy look. The makeover also marks the beginning of a newly forged partnership between Janice Wong, 2am:dessertbar’s award winning Chef and Founder, and Manoj M Murjani, Chairman of Group MMM and Founder of Singapore luxury brands, The Wellness Group (TWG) and TWG Tea Company.


Was at the press conference of 2am:dessertbar this afternoon during which Chef Janice Wong announced her new partnership with Mr. Manoj M Murjani

“We’ve evolved over the last seven years and expanded our repertoire from plated desserts to include interactive edible art installations all over the world. I was inspired to create a different way of presenting sweets and wanted to combine everything together in a fun and engaging way. So I decided to incorporate the edible art aspect into the 2am:dessertbar experience for a unique twist,” says Wong.

Check out this edible art ceiling at 2am:dessertbar! It's made of seaweed flavored marshmallow!

Care of local designer Jocelyn Wong, the revamped space with a Manhattan inspired aesthetic is outfitted with elements including six whimsical, chocolate painted tables, marshmallow platform, alcohol shots on isomalt sugar “corals” and even edible tableware. In addition, Wong plans to change the striking artworks at least twice a year based on different themes.

Gummy sweets could be found on the corals next to the stairs

New look of 2am:dessertbar. Check out those whimsical, chocolate painted tables!

Echoing Wong’s philosophy, features such as its open concept kitchen—which affords customers a full view of the preparation and plating of its exquisite desserts to encourage interaction between the patrons and chefs—will remain, albeit in a different incarnation.

What’s more, the space downstairs has been transformed into a reception area with offerings including chocolate Pop Rocks praline cake ($10), churros ($5) and beignets ($6) for those who fancy treats to go.

Having established itself as one of the city’s foremost food and drink establishments at its Holland Village location, the 60 seater has once again redefined the dessert experience by pushing the boundaries between sweet and savoury with progressive, carefully researched offerings that are as delectable as they are beautiful.

Along with the updated décor is a refreshed menu to match. A newly introduced high tea set for two ($45) features all time favorites such as smoked popcorn root beer cake, truffle bars, chocolate bon bons, apple “pop tarts”, praline chocolate Pop Rocks cake and kaya pandan choux.

Absolutely love these sweet treats served during the press conference this afternoon

More sweet treats...the chocolate truffle bars are really finger-licking good!

Plus, guests can enjoy savoury items with a rebooted all day menu of small and big plates, like pork crackling with aioli and chicken liver dip ($12) and ricotta pasta pouches with chive malt cream, miso, liquid egg and nuts ($14). This incorporates a farm to table experience with fresh herbs—including lemon verbena and eucalyptus—specially grown by Oh’ Farms for 2am:dessertbar.

"Mushroom Garden" which is served with chocolate powdery bits is really mouth-watering!

Love the refreshing "Kyoho Daisy" pretty pink cocktail which contains Reyka, kyoho grape, lavender and lemon. The beef burger is yummy too.

There has also been a notable addition to the 2am team in the form of bar manager Kley Dhillon. The cocktail program has undergone a complete overhaul, as Dhillon and Wong have come up with unusual tipples that not only complement the delectable desserts, some of which employ the use of pastry techniques.

Bar Manager, Kley, as seen here, adding liquid nitrogen to prepare a sorbet cocktail

Guess what's in these 2 containers? It's chilli bubbles for cocktails! It's the first time that I have tried spicy cocktail with chilli bubbles in it

Another exciting development on the 2am:dessertbar front is Wong’s recent partnership with Singapore based, global entrepreneur Manoj M Murjani. Murjani says, “Janice's creativity and passion for infusing art with deserts is outstanding. She is not afraid to break boundaries. I feel, ready to develop innovative dining and retail concepts from Singapore, leading to compete and rank amongst the world's top culinary talents."

“We are both passionate about the business and evolution. We dare to take the risks to be different and be game changers. I was looking for a partner to grow the business together with me as I am heavily involved in the kitchen and the creative development of sweets and arts. Having a partner with a vision for growing businesses is crucial for me to achieve my dream of having a luxury retail sweet line,” says Wong.

Thanks Chef Janice for her kind invitation to attend this press conference and to taste the new menu and cocktails. I had an awesome time at the re-opening.

2am: dessertbar’s new opening hours are Tuesday – Friday from 3pm – 2am and
Saturday – Sunday from 11am – 2am.
2am:dessertbar
21A Lorong Liput, Holland Village, Singapore 277733
For bookings and general enquiries, call +65 6291 9727 or email
2amdessertbar@gmail.com.
For more information, please visit www.2amdessertbar.com

Took a mandatory selfie before I left...lol

About Chef Janice Wong
Janice Wong’s culinary training has taken her around the world and back. Armed with a degree in Economics and a passion for food, a last minute career change saw the native Singaporean embark on a frenetic culinary grand tour. She learned from some of the world’s best chefs including US luminaries Thomas Keller and Grant Achatz, as well as virtuoso Spanish chocolatier Oriol Balaguer and prodigious French pastry chef Pierre Hermé. Chef Janice Wong has received worldwide recognition for her cutting edge creations and is a regular on the global pop up circuit. She has been named “Asia’s Best Pastry Chef" by the prestigious San Pellegrino Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants for 2013 and 2014. Wong is also the author of Perfection in Imperfection and award winning cookbook Dim Sum (Gatehouse Publishing), which has been featured on The Huffington Post, as well as in Harper’s Bazaar and Elle.
For more information, please visit www.janicewong.com.sg.

About Manoj M Murjani 
Born and raised in Hong Kong, educated at the Harrow School in England and the Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania, Manoj M Murjani has an incredibly diverse background and privileged experience in understanding world cultures and building global businesses. Passionate about creating opportunities and brands, Manoj has a "magic touch" in being able to identify global trends, discover talent, as well as the creativity and will to make things happen. Today, he leads Group MMM, which is focused on the acquisition, investments and development of luxury lifestyle, hospitality, and food and beverage companies and brands globally. Manoj established and created The Wellness Group in Singapore in 2003. In 2007, identifying a niche in which TWG could emerge as a category leader, he launched TWG Tea Company. Prior to establishing The Wellness Group, Manoj led the Murjani Group family business and played an integral role in the inception and success of the internationally recognized brand Tommy Hilfiger and the restructuring of the Murjani Group’s brands Gloria Vanderbilt and Coca Cola Clothes. In early 1990, Manoj, together with his father Mohan, led the group’s initiatives in India, resulting in the Murjani Group’s positioning as the leader in the Indian luxury market, partnering brands including Gucci, Calvin Klein, French Connection and Tommy Hilfiger. Manoj currently resides in Singapore and sits on the Singapore Tourism Board’s Tourism Consultative Council, SPRING Singapore’s Markets Policy Advisory Committee and the Advisory Board of Action Community of Entrepreneurship (ACE). Internationally, he is a member of the Young President’s Organization (YPO).

Monday, August 4, 2014

BMW World 2014

Glad that i managed to squeeze time to pop by BMW World 2014 amidst my crazy weekend schedule...

Absolutely love BMW i8

Checking out BMW 428i

At the wheels of BMW 428i

Another cool drive seen at BMW World 2014

Another hot car BMW Z4

Sipping champagne at the VIP private event

BMW Premium Selection seen at the VIP lounge

Mandatory selfie...lol

Like this gate...lol

Such a cute mini