Boxing Day

I clearly remember rejoicing when news emerged that a Sephora outlet was going to open in Takashimaya. I was certainly looking forward to a one-stop cosmetics haven where I could grab all the products I need and adjourn for omu rice thereafter. A cosmetic haven is also on my list for the 'Corporations that every woman needs: to pamper herself!', the others being:

1. A well-equipped Gym which conducts kickboxing classes
2. Facial Clinic
3. Wax Parlour
4. Nail Parlour (though this service might be provided at 3 as well)
5. A host club.

Ok i was kidding with number 5. Back to topic!

As much as I enjoy shopping, my current cosmetic consumption routine of taking the bus to VivoCity for Make Up Store followed by taking another bus and the train to Robinsons for Shiseido simply wastes too much time. Furthermore, I was hoping to land my hands on some DDF products - a brand raved about in make up forums everywhere.

So imagine my disappointment when Sephora turned out to be a 2 unit shop which stocked little more than the average Robinsons. Sure they deserve credit for including Talika, but certainly we need more than just Clinique and Estee Lauder! In fact, the only well stocked range of 'new' products were their house brand shower gel and perfumes. As for DDF, I searched the entire store and much to my utter horror could not find it anywhere, so I proceeded to ask a random sales girl if they actually stocked it.

Me: Excuse me, do you have DDF?
Sales girl: (pauses a very long while. Enough for me to actually imagine a speech bubble appearing above her head which says : Crap. I dunno what that is.) No. Dun have.
Me: Leaves DDF and makes the long walk back to the car which has been holed up in some chicken coop slot in some grey building along Orchard road. (To the management: Seriously, majority of people are not anorexic midgets and they need to open their car doors at a larger angle than 10degrees.)

What a bad start to Boxing Day. But I always endeavour to find the silver lining in every dark cloud. And today's silver lining was served up this way:

Finally! I fulfilled wish no. 2 on my list of 'Things to do before the Holiday Ends' with a piping hot serving of claypot laksa. Dad and I were lucky that we happened to drive by Alexandra Village on the way home from Takashimaya and we managed a proper parking lot this time, albeit parallel (then again, Dad is such a superb driver that no lot is too difficult for him). This place certainly has many gems to fill the stomach and this laksa was so good that I definitely regret not ordering the LARGE bowl. Somehow the claypot seals both the heat and the flavour in, so much that it actually seeps into every strand of beehoon as well. I was so anxious to slurp it up that I almost scalded my tongue with the first spoonful of gravy. Dad finds claypot laksa too heavy on the stomach so he settled for some beef soup instead. We also had the chance to have some succulent fruit juice from the same stall:

I chose the ABC juice for a pseudo post laksa detox, while Dad indulged in Avocado juice. And yes, I could taste the beetroot distinctly within that thick red concoction.

The ABC juice doubled up as an instant refresher for my jog later than afternoon. As expected, my generous indulging in all things fattening this christmas meted out dire consequences for my pace and I felt as if I was dragging some weights behind each foot. I was sweating like never before when I got back.

And I probably undid all the work I put in for jogging with a dish I helped to cook!

This is a quick fix solution when you have leftovers from the Christmas feast. Rice + whatever there is and fry it! For this one, Mum and I threw in the turkey, ham, sausages, siew yoke, bell peppers, carrots, long beans, and we added fresh eggs.

On closer inspection, it actually comes out all Christmassy and all:

Green, white and red. A familiar combination that occurs in all sorts of products every December, even in the humble fried rice. Amazingly, my brother and father thought it was good! And I was relieved that it did not turn out too salty despite the sodium laden ingredients we threw in.

My posts nowadays have been centered on nothing but food, food and food. I shall be back with more, after the Christmas Lunch tomorrow.