The DO's and DON'Ts During Chinese New Year🧧

Growing up in a traditional Chinese family, the Lunar New Year is the most important festival of the year. 

From spring cleaning, new year shopping, reunion dinner and giving red packets(Ang Pow) etc...These customs are passed down from generation to generation. 

During the 15-days of celebration, there are many taboos and superstitions that many Chinese households still practice these beliefs every Spring festival. The ultimate goal is to welcome abundance of blessings, good fortune and prosperity in the coming year.

Personally, I don't follow everything strictly, but I respect traditions and I believe we should preserve cultural heritage. If it doesn't harm, I'd rather be safe than sorry! 😘

We have heard many traditional customs and beliefs from our parents and grandparents...

Here are the important DO's and DON'Ts during Chinese New Year :

❎ The DON'Ts :

No Housekeeping.

Do not sweep/mop the floor or wash the clothes on the first day of Lunar New Year, it is believed that this will bring bad luck, sweeping away the wealth and fortune from the family.

Avoid Black and White. 

It is inauspicious to wear black and white on the first day of Chinese New Year. The colors are often associated with sad and unhappy events, so it's best to avoid them. (Ah gong and Ah ma won't like it!) 

The Chinese believe red brings good luck, joy and success! Hence, red is the most preferred color during this festive, but if you don't like wearing red, any bright and colorful outfits are safe. 

No Crying Please...

This is the biggest taboo during Chinese New Year. Crying is forbidden! It brings sadness, problems and bad luck to the family. Avoid at all cost!

No Hospital/Doctor Visits.

If it is not an emergency, avoid going to the hospital or see a doctor during this period, as this could invite illnesses and cause poor health. 

Don't Break Anything.

It is unfortunate to break anything on the first day of new year. Broken pieces is a bad omen, so be extra careful. If something breaks, saying good auspicious words out loud may prevent misfortunes and bad luck. 

No Fighting.

Avoid disputes, arguments, gossips and foul language during this happy occasion. Watch your tongue and keep your cool! Give praises, speak kindly and use positive words to attract peace and harmony.

✅ The DO's :

Decorate The House.

Remember the ancient legend of 'Nian'? The Chinese welcome the new year by decorating their house with red lucky spring couplets, as many believe this will bring good fortune, blessings and ward off evil.

 

New Clothing.

It it recommended to wear new clothes and new shoes on the first day of Chinese New Year as it symbolizes a fresh start and a new beginning.

Pray / Go Temple.

Many Chinese families would visit the temple to pray and make offerings to the heavenly deities and to ancestors for a new year of blessings to the family.

Eating Together.

Chinese New Year is a time to feast and enjoy family bonding. Eating together enhance unity and family harmony. A family who eats together, stays together! 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

 

Clear Your Debts.

All outstanding payments and bills should be cleared before the 1st day of Chinese New Year. This is to avoid bringing old debts into the new year or you'll be slogging another year to pay off more debts. 

Stay Up Late.

According to tradition, staying up late on the Eve of Chinese New Year is said to bring longevity for our parents, the later you stay, they longer they live. It is a good virtue of filial piety.

Visit Relatives and Friends. 

It's a good time to catch up with family and friends during the long holidays. Don't forget to exchange the mandarin oranges for each house visits (for good luck) and make sure you do not exceed 8 visitors per household. 

This Chinese New Year is a little different since there are more safety measures and restrictions to fight the pandemic. Though it does affect the festive mood and cause some inconvenience but it should not stop us from enjoying good times with family/friends and celebrating this joyful festival like we always do! 

Today is Li Chun.(立春 - 03 Feb 2021) It is the beginning of Spring in the Chinese calendar. 2021 is the year of the Ox and I hope it will be a fruitful year for all! May we remind ourselves to be strong and hardworking like the Ox, in achieving our goals and dreams! 

Happy Lunar NIU Year in advance and have a fabulous CNY celebration! Here's wishing everyone a prosperous and a 'HUAT' 2021! Cheers! 🐄🧧

What are some interesting CNY taboos and superstitions you know? Share with me and comment below.🙂

Product Review - Cake Delivery Singapore 🍰

As a child, I've always love cakes! 

Whenever I see a  shop or a cafe, I would always asked my mom to buy me some cakes. Blame it on my sweet tooth and sugar rush, I can never resist the tempting desserts and a little treat makes me happy!😊

Cake has been one of my comfort food ever since and it brings back many sweet childhood memories.

I'm a big fan of dark chocolate! I received a lovely chocolate cake from Cake Delivery Singapore that day.. The Premium Dark Chocolate Ganache taste so good! I love the smooth chocolate coating and look at the layers of the chocolate inside! Mmmm..I love the rich chocolate flavor, it's like eating a chocolate bar and it melts slowly every bite. The sweetness is just right for me, not overly sweet, the texture is fluffy, moist, creamy and it's kinda' addictive, I have taken a big slice and I still want more.lol. My family and the little ones love the cake too.

Personally, I love the taste of homemade cakes and I like to enjoy them with my favorite tea. If you love chocolate cake as much as I do, you gotta' try this!👍

The experienced bakers at 

Cake Delivery Singapore are passionate about baking, they aim to provide freshly baked and best tasting homemade gourmet cakes at affordable rates. They uses premium ingredients to ensure the cake quality and standard. Their award-winning recipes are the best rated in Singapore.

If you are a Cheesecake lover, they have the popular Burnt Cheese Cake that everyone is talking about, the award winning New York Cheesecake, their signature Chocolate Fudge Cake, Rainbow Cakes and more...Go check out their website for more details and cake choices.

I always order a cake in advance for birthdays, anniversaries, bbq, parties and it's so hard to find a cake to surprise a friend when the cake shops are closed at night, but now I can order a cake from cakedelivery.sg anytime when they offer 1 Hour Express, Midnight and 24Hours Cake Delivery Service so you don't have to worry about finding a cake when it's just a click away...How cool and so convenient! 

The Dark Chocolate Ganache is one of the best I have tasted and I would strongly recommend their cakes & services.

You don't need to wait for special occasions to get a cake, you can enjoy delicious homemade cakes anytime, any day, with your family & friends or to satisfy your cravings. Well, there's always time for a little treat, so pamper yourself and order a cake today!

Life isn't always sweet, but a little treat can make the day sweeter!...☺ 

Product Review - Little Flower Hut 💐

 

What's your favorite flower?🌹

The language of flowers have different meanings and symbolism. I love Roses and Sunflowers, they are my all time favorite! Roses symbolized love and passion, while Sunflowers symbolized vitality and adoration.

Flowers have a positive effect on mood, they brightens up the day and the combination of bright colors makes me feel happy and warm. They reminds me of beauty, happiness and gratitude. The sweet scent of fresh flowers are so refreshing and smoothing. Indeed, it always feels sweet and special to receive flowers any day!

September is a special month for me, not only it's my kids birthdays, but it's also my Wedding Anniversary. Wow! I was thrilled to receive a huge bouquet from Little Flower Hut, delivered to my house. It really made my day!😊 Well, it's been a while since the last time I received a huge bouquet (I hope my hubby is reading this.lol)

 

 

 

Look at the beautiful creation! I love the pink & purple combination, it's sweet and feminine! I can't stop looking and admiring them all day. This is similar to "Eternal Love" and the florist customized a special bouquet just for my wedding anniversary. I love it and I truly appreciate the special flower arrangement by their thoughtful and delicate florists. What a wonderful surprise, perfect for our wedding anniversary in a few days time!

 

Little Flower Hut is a local flower delivery service that offer affordable flowers arrangement for weddings, anniversaries, graduations, birthdays and many other occasions. They aim to provide the best deals, services to their customers and they deliver the orders on time. 

I love that they provide Free Same Day Delivery, Super Express, Morning and Late-Nite Delivery Services with No GST They have bridal bouquets, birthday cake flowers, hampers and they offer customized floral arrangements as well. There are many different variety of flower arrangements / designs on their website to choose from. 

 

It's so convenient to surprise someone anytime of the day or for any events/occasions. If you are looking for quick flower delivery with good service and a budget rate, I would strongly recommend their service to all my friends and readers. 

 

 

 

Check out their website for more details and latest promotions or call (+65) 6503 9750 to place an order.

 

Flowers never fail to bring joy and happiness, so send a floral surprise to your dear ones today! 

Make them SMILE and their hearts bloom! 😊🌻

 

 

The Myths Of Motherhood ⚠️

Ok mama! I'm sure we've all heard some myths of motherhood.

I remember when I became a mother. Friends, relatives and even random strangers will offer some interesting information about motherhood; the classic myths, the old wives tales but sadly, social phenomenon can sometimes do more harm than help and that makes motherhood a lot harder than it is. 

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love being a mom and I'm thankful to have 2 lovely children but the struggle is real! From conception, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and parenting...The different stages of motherhood brings different emotions of excitement, fear, joy and many overwhelming experiences. 

The journey of motherhood is challenging but it's definitely worth it! However, many misinformation and misconceptions can often caused moms to get judged brutally and unfairly, these myths impact many moms that made them feel bad, guilty and shamed. 

Here are some myths that I have heard, in my journey of motherhood...

Myth #1 : "Breastfeeding help you lose weight..."

Well, I heard this one all the time but too bad it didn't work for me!Lol. I breastfeed for about 15months for my firstborn and the truth is (*at least in my personal experience) I get super hungry after I breastfeed many times a day and I actually eat more, I don't see a significant drop on the scale so this one is busted! (*for me)

Myth #2 : "Breastfeeding is a natural thing!" 

We all know "Breast Is Best" and I fully support breastfeeding campaigns and giving our babies the best nutrients, but sometimes it's not always easy for new mothers. Breastfeeding is a process that requires patience, determination and proper techniques.

Personally, I love the bonding and the skin-to-skin contact when I nurse my baby but breastfeeding can be uncomfortable, exhausting and inconvenience especially when you are in public places and there is no nursing room nearby. It can be quite embarrassing when the milk leaks, imagine walking around with a soaked blouse, oh gosh! Nonetheless, my breastfeeding journey has been a memorable experience but I don't miss it! 😅

I strongly believe every mom wants the best for their child so whether you breastfeed for a month, for a year or even longer, it doesn't make you less or more of a mother. 

I see many new moms struggling with breastfeeding, feeling immense shame for poor lactation and blaming themselves for not providing enough breast milk. Please don't be too hard on yourself, mummies! Not all moms have a milk supply of a fountain. Breastfeed as long as you can and it's OK to stop when you need to. 

Myth #3 : "A mom should dress like a mom." 

This is one hilarious remark! I mean seriously, is there actually a mom's 'outfit'? Ok, I get the point but in my opinion, I feel that every mom should allow to dress whatever that makes them feel beautiful, comfortable and confident. There is nothing wrong if the mom wants to wear the mini skirt or that bikini, etc...The way we dress has nothing to do with the status of motherhood.  

Myth #4 : "You are the mom, you should fix the problems!"

We often see people pointing fingers and start blaming the poor mother when the child misbehaved. People are too quick to judge without a clue what exactly happened. Hang on! Moms are not problem solvers, we are only humans. Be kind to mothers, we are learning, we trying very hard everyday, we get tired and we made mistakes too. Be more supportive and encouraging instead of mom-shaming. 

Myth #5 : "Csection isn't a real birth..." 

The controversy of Cesarean vs Natural Birth is totally pointless. What matters most is the safety of the baby and the mother. 

I had Csect twice, probably the most nerve-wrecking ordeal of my life when the gynecologist told me I had to go for an emergency c-section when the dilation was slow. I was scared and didn't know what to expect but I didn't care about the procedure and how long the recovery would takes, all I wanted was to bring my baby out safely. 

Not all labors are fast and smooth, some are long and traumatic. The birthing methods should never define the labor of love and motherhood. All births are amazing, it doesn't matter how it happens, both takes much courage and strength.💪😎

Myth #6 : "You will enjoy being a mom every day!" 

As much as I love my kids and they are my world, but there are some days I wish I can take a day off, just relax, do my own stuff and hang out with my besties. Kids can sometimes get you so annoyed and stressed-out with their constant whining and tantrums. We all have bad days, mummies need a little break and some space too. 

Myth #7 : "Asking for help is a sign of weakness..."

No, surely not! Mothers are multi-taskers and they play many roles. It is not humanly possible to manage everything alone! We all need help from time to time, so don't feel weak to ask for help, it's better to get some help than dealing with all the meltdowns that could affect your emotions and mental well-being.

As mothers, we need to take care of ourselves first in order to take care of the children and our family. Don't be afraid to reach out for some support and assistance. 

The judgement from society can be unjustified and cruel, we need to detach the myths of motherhood from reality, besides, there is no fixed formula for motherhood. Every child and every situation is different, do not let negative beliefs and stereotype criticism affect your role as a mother. Do what is best for your children and the family! 😉

"A mother's love is instinctual, unconditional and forever..."

What are some interesting myths you heard, share with me and comment below.

Yoon Salon: Everyone Deserves Beautiful Hair!

"Your hair is your crowning glory, own it, love it, enjoy it!"

Most of us are adjusting to new routines and new lifestyles such as working from home with flexi hours but that doesn't mean we can't look our best, we can still look great and feel confident any day.

Though we may not travel as much as we used to, many of us including myself, require to be facing the screen very often to connect with our colleagues and business associates through Zoom meetings / interviews. Messy tresses don't impress! Hence, it is still important to groom yourself and look presentable in your profession.

As much as we care for our skin and body, we need to note that mane care routine is equally important to maintain healthy looking locks. After all, it is an asset that we own and nobody wants it to look nasty!

Remember those bad hair days that made you feel 'unglam' and crappy throughout the day that you didn't even feel like meeting anyone or stepping out of the house. Yes, having beautiful gorgeous tresses will make you feel more attractive, charming and positive about your appearance and that is a huge confidence booster!

I strongly believe that everyone can be beautiful if you make an effort to groom and bring the best out of yourself. When you look good, you feel good inside and out, that to me is beauty, charm and confidence. 

It doesn't matter if you have long or short locks, or how old you are but please invest in them! It's the only crown you will never remove. Life isn't perfect but your locks can be! 

I have to confess that I’m a little obsessed with my mane. Some days, I could sit in front of the mirror and style up my locks for hours. I love to try different colors and highlights too. I believe coloring is a great self-expression that reflects your personality and style.

I keep my tresses to my shoulder length. This style suits my personality and my active lifestyle. I enjoy visiting a parlour for trimming, washing and coloring etc...

I don't know about you but I just love that refreshing feeling when my crown feels so smooth, light and bouncy after a visit, it makes me feel fabulous that I can't stop flipping my tresses.(lol) 

We all love some great deals and I’m always hunting for the best deals in town to share with my readers and one day YOON Salon caught my attention. The positive reviews from happy customers made me find out more about its services.

The Leading Salon In Town!

YOON is a prestigious salon in Singapore. The have a team that has great experience and knowledge in their trade. The professionals are trained to solve problems and attend to their customers' needs. They are equipped with the right skills to understand what clients want. They are able to efficiently find out what could be the best hairstyle that suits the shape of the face, complexion and personality of every client.

At YOON, they take extra care to use gentle products for you. They ensure their products are safe and not too harsh. They offer a wide range of services that include Creative Hair Coloring, Korean perms, Hair Shaping, Rebonding, Hair Defrizzing and Regrowth treatments and many more...

YOON Salon's Care Tips (How Awesome!)

There are many useful care tips and information on their website to help customers gain more knowledge about hair. They will understand how the services provided by YOON work too. For example, some topics are - how to choose the right dye, hot vs cold perms and how to treat frizziness etc. These articles contain helpful information that will benefit consumers. When you read those articles, you will know that with their professionalism and expertise, your locks will definitely be in good hands! It is undoubtedly a one-stop centre that provides a full range of premium hair services :

Premium Services by YOON Salon : 

 

YOON aims to provide excellent service to all their customers. They wish to ensure that all clients walk out of there with a result they have long desired.

Express Your Style!

 

Personally, I think a hairstyle is an attitude of your unique personality and style, so don't be afraid to express yourself, be open to exploring new things. You can always try a new haircut, a cute Korean perm or a new color that suits your style. 

Changes can create wonders! The right hairstyle with complementing colors can enhance your beauty and make you look fresher, stunning and stylish. Regular treatments can also help to keep your locks in good shape. Your tresses will be maintained and glow healthily.

Love Is In The Hair

Beautiful glowy tresses will indeed make a woman feel good, feminine and confident about herself. Having gorgeous looking locks is no longer a dream when the real experts are here!

I am truly very selective about this. Our crown is such an important asset. So we definitely don't want it to be messed up. I will only go for the ones that I trust wholeheartedly. Stylists there must be dedicated and listen to what their customers want. And I only stick to professional stylists with good values and provide quality services. I love those that provide all the services that I need because it saves a lot time. I will want to get all my mane care services done on the same day. This will be absolutely perfect for busy moms with tight schedules. YOON ticks all of that. Plan to visit one of their outlets soon? Here are the details for you!

Get In Touch

YOON has 3 outlets in Singapore and they are located at :

Midpoint Orchard

220 Orchard Road,

#01-02 Midpoint Orchard,

Singapore 238852

Tel : 6235 3816

Havelock II

2 Havelock Rd,

#01-04 Havelock II,

Singapore 059763

Tel : 6223 0224

Queensway Shopping Centre

1 Queensway, #02-29

Queensway Shopping Centre,

Singapore 149053

Tel : 6261 0913

Their opening hours for all outlets are from :

11AM – 9PM (Weekdays)

11AM – 9PM (Weekends) 

PH Eve / PH: 11AM – 9PM

Promotion Alert!

Good news lovelies! If you are a first timer, you can try out One Session For $28. Grab this offer and fill up the form via their website. 

Make an appointment with them now and talk to their friendly staff. Bring your friends along and pamper yourself with premium services.

Speaking of all this, it's time for me to make a trip to one soon too. I am thinking of getting a wash and blow service, maybe I should also trim the bangs and get a new color too! 

Everyone loves beautiful, healthy looking locks...it's never too late to take care and pamper your tresses. Say goodbye to frizzy, dull and bad hair days, now everyone can have beautiful locks because you deserves the best!