MONGABONG

People love the end of the year because it's the time where most of the public holidays of the entire year fall on. In the blink of an eye, we have Christmas, then New Years, and then for the chinese... we have Chinese New Year !

My personal favorite thing about CNY is not only the food and goodies (yum, Bak kwa) but also it's the only time of the year I get to put on a good qipao (cheongsam) and be all girly and feminine.

For my non-chinese friends reading this, "qipao" is a chinese word for the traditional chinese costume that usually features a very feminine body hugging cut with the iconinc chinese knot buttons. Over the years, our traditional "qipaos" have also revolved with lots of trendy and mordern designs with other influences on the market.

But for me, I still prefer the plain ol' classic design like the one I have on right here from Littleqipao.

Little Qipao is a local online boutique that brings in, and makes qipaos in many different designs and cuts. They even have matching one for your little ones (kids, toddlers and babies) , and also caters to the male crowd as well!

I'm wearing the Qipao With Batik Design (Ivory) , this piece is so comfortable and luxurious to the touch. Made from imported premium cotton rayon poly yam dyed satin, it is double lined but yet remains cooling for our humid weather.

I chose the Ivory color because I thought it really brought out the femininity of this piece. But if you're a fan of brighter, bolder colors, Little Qipao has it in Red as well.

Omoooo ~ check out these matching sets! If I had a child right now I would definitely dress her in matching qipaos and be the talk of the town at visitations!

Before the crowd gets crazy and all your CNY pieces get sold out, grab yours now at www.littleqipao.com

For more information, check out their website and Facebook page.

Love

Mong

zipang japanese dining, singapore, review

It's been awhile since I actually last did a food review on the blog, but today we're back for one!

Paid Zipang Japanese Dining and Bar a visit a few weeks ago for some authentic Japanese food. Japanese cuisine is one cuisine I can have all the time without getting sick of. Simply because it is healthier (most of them are) than some of my favorite foods, and because the range of Japanese food is just insane.

Googled for the meaning of "Zipang" and it apparently means "Island of Gold" in japanese. That explains the incredibly posh interior of the restaurant, clad in gold and red accents.

While the interior of the restaurant looked posh and expensive, I was really surprised to find that they actually serve pretty affordable food!

For those that like japanese alcohol, Zipang has a wideeee range of it haha. A pity I didn't get myself a glass of japanese whiskey because I was driving that day. But I would recommend you guys to check it out if you can!

Let the food do the talking..!

Ebi Tempura Maki (Special Order)

We singaporeans should be familiar with this dish. I love how crispy and juicy the tempura prawns are in this dish, soggy prawns in a maki is the worst. This was the first dish served to us and we knew that the rest of the meal was gonna be good because I've tried countless of bad ebi tempura maki(s) before to not have my expectations too high.

This one from Zipang is fresh, crunchy, and flavorful.

Would make an awesome sharing dish. This wasn't on the menu, but you can order it specially from the chef!

zipang, kama meshi, japanese kettle rice

Zipang Kama Meshi ($12)

This was my first time trying Kama Meshi, Japanese Kettle Rice. It was served to us in this really cool personal-stove kinda thing and a timer was presented next to it. The kind waiter instructed us to only open the lid after 30 mins so that the rice would be infused with all the goodness of the ingredients.

Waiting was bad because the aroma of the rice that escaped was SOOO GOOD but we couldn't eat it yet. This dish is unlike the usual japenese rice dishes as it is more moist than usual.

The chicken meat flavoured the rice really well, and I liked that it was gentle on the palate, but not too bland either.

At only $12, this is enough to feed 1-2 pax. How worth it is it!

Tempura Don, Singapore, Japanese, Cuisine, Zipang

Ten Don Set ($19.80)

Set comes with Chawanmushi, Appetiser, Pickles and Dessert of the Day

Tempura Dons have been the talk of the town these days, and to me, what makes a good tempura would be one that isn't too bland (accompanying sauces have to complement well). Zipang's Ten Don was pretty generous and the tempura pieces consisting of Prawns, and assorted vegetables was fried to perfection without being too oily. The accompanying sauce that was drizzled over the rice was also enough to bring out the freshness of the tempura without drowning its flavor.

For less than $20 in the orchard/dhoby ghaut area, this is really amazing value!

Can I also say that the chawanmushi was super smooth and good too? I would totally get it as an ala carte. So this set is super worth it!

Table slowly filling up.

Handmade Soba Noodles ($15)

This soba noodles is only limited to 20 plates a day only.

These buckwheat noodles were super refreshing for the humid weather. The dipping sauce on the side was tasty and yet subtle. Soba water was also given to us at the end for us to add to the Soba sauce to drink it like a soup which I thought was really attentive and cool (Y).

A pity I didn't get to try it because I was too full LOL.

Wondering how we're gonna finish this amount of food LOL.

chirashi don, sashimi, singapore, zipang

Chirashi Don ($25)

I personally love chirashi dons and would order them whenever I visit a Japanese restaurant, so I was really excited to see how Zipang's Chirashi Don would fare compared to the other big names out there, and Im very proud to say that it is really not bad at all!

Generous chunks of Sashimi on top of a bed of comforting japanese white rice. I loved their choices of Sashimi and how generous they were with the Ikura (salmon roe) that provided the crunch and burst-in-your-mouth flavors with every bite.

The most important part about a good Chirashi Don is definitely the freshness of the ingredients used, and Zipang's Chirashi Don did not disappoint at all.

Time for desserts!

I love how affordable Zipang's desserts are, they are mostly priced at $5!

We tried 3 desserts, in a clockwise manner, Vanilla Ice Cream with homemade Strawberry Jam ($5), Purin, homemade custard pudding ($5) and Warabi Mochi ($8)

Can I just say that I loved them all?

The biggest surprise of all was the vanilla ice cream with homemade strawberry jam because my first thought was "how different and how good can vanilla ice cream be?" but no.. the star wasn't necessarily the ice cream, but the homemade strawberry jam!

It was made with real crushed strawberries that complemented the vanilla ice cream so well, providing a little texture and real strawberry taste.

Overall Review

All in all, I think Zipang Japanese Dining Bar is a very underrated restaurant that serves not only good, but affordable Japanese food. Tucked away inside Hotel Chancellor @ Orchard, it is good for quiet and peaceful meals. Well, hurry check them out before people start to discover this gem of a place!

Zipang Japanese Dining Bar

28 Cavenagh Road, #01-05, Singapore 229635

Hotel Chancellor @ Orchard

Lunch: 12pm - 2.30pm | Dinner: 6pm - 11pm

Mid Night Bar: 11pm - 3am

Love

Mong

Did you know that Electronics waste, otherwise known as "e-waste" is one of the fastest growing form of waste in the world today? In Singapore, we throw out over 100,000 tonnes of e-waste a year. That not only means that we are throwing out precious resources that could've otherwise been recycled, some of the components in our electronic gadgets and equipment can also be very lethal to our environment.

Apart from that, a lot of us are very wary of disposing our personal electronic gadgets away for fear of compromising on data security.

I'm sure you guys have heard a lot about the leaking of data or the retrieving of deleted data from other used gadgets... So if you guys don't dispose them off properly and they land up in the wrong hands, consequences can be dire!

Over the event held at Marina Square on 28th December, the guys at PC Dreams demonstrated how data can be easily retrieved in just a few clicks, even if it has been deleted off your devices.

1. There are 2 files in the thumb drive

2. Confirm Deletion

3. Data that are easily retrievable via a software

Look at how scary it is! Even if you think you've deleted the files in there... they are actually not completely deleted away. Imagine these data in the wrong hands :O

This festive season, Newstead Technologies is holding a Gift Your Tech Campaign from now to 27th Jan 2017 across all 12 Newstead Technologies outlets islandwide.

You can bring in your old, used, PCs, notebooks, tablets and smartphones to the stores to get them cleaned up safely, and disposed of responsibly.

I attended the event a few days ago with my fellow nuffnang / churpers and it was an eye-opening experience. We witnessed the Head of Operations of Newstead Technologies present a $10,000 cheque to TOUCH Community Services, the beneficiary of this campaign.

For the period of the roadshow (now until Jan 2), you guys can go down to participate in the “Guess and Win” contest. All you have to do is guess the number of used phones in the acrylic box, go to Newstead Technologies’ Facebook page, comment with your answer on the contest’s post, and stand a chance to win attractive prizes!

So... how many are there? haha

Why Should You Trade In Your Old Gadgets?

Clean up your house for the NEW YEAR !

I don't know about you, but my family has had a pile of old and used electronic gadgets sitting around the house for years. In the past, we never knew what we could do to get rid of them properly and safely. So glad I'm going to get rid of them and have a clean new start for the new year.

Out with the old, In with the NEW!

Items traded in will be exchanged for cash vouchers for you to shop at the Newstead Technologies stores. So why not use these vouchers to get yourself some new gear for the new year!

All devices brought in has value

For items that can be traded-in i.e. in a resalable condition, the trade-in value will be evaluated at the store. A voucher of equivalent value to the agreed trade-in amount will be given to the customer. The voucher can be used to purchase a new item and is valid for one year from the date of issue.

Even if you bring in an item that is totally obsolete, Newstead Technologies will help you to properly recycle and dispose of them and you’ll receive a pamphlet of discount coupons

Have a peace of mind

When you bring it to Newstead Technologies. All customers will receive a declaration with the government agency for every unit sent in to declare that the ownership of the device has now been transferred to PC Dreams. This makes them accountable for the devices from then on.

Do your part to conserve the environment

Improper disposal of e-waste leads to environmental pollution and this may in turn harm human health. Hazardous materials like lithium ion batteries are very common in our phones and laptops and these have to be disposed of responsibly.

Recycling e-waste also helps to conserves our earth’s precious natural resources. Recycled materials can be used to make new products which helps to conserve our environment.

Do your bit for charity

One other reason why I'm so pumped about spreading the word for this campaign is not only because it will help you declutter (which is what I really need), it also helps to save the environment, save money and the kind souls at Newstead Technologies are donating 20% of the trade-in value for each item you bring in to TOUCH community.

So if you're feeling lazy about clearing your house, or even if you care less about the environment... think about the amount of effort these people are putting in and you'll feel good for helping the needy as well, through Gift Your Tech :)

How Do I Trade-In My Gadgets?

1. Head over to Newstead's Gift Your Tech page to evaluate how much your items can fetch you in terms of cash vouchers.

2. Bring it to one of your nearest Newstead Technologies Stores at any of the 12 locations:

Suntec L1, Suntec L2, Marina Square, Jurong Point, NEX, Causeway Point (Asus & Lenovo), and Sim Lim Square

3. The friendly people there will help you to evaluate your item and give you either cash, and/or discount vouchers in exchange.

4. Shop away!

I hope we all can do our part for the community and environment. Remember, there is a gift for everyone that comes down to trade in something. Even if you don't get cash vouchers, you'll get a pamphlet of discount vouchers which is still better than nothing!

I managed to trade a super old laptop that was already broken and unable to start up anymore for a $10 cash voucher, that is really still better than nothing because I was planning to throw it out anyway.

Makes me feel good knowing that $2 is also being donated to TOUCH community through my actions as well :) So I hope my readers will all do their part too!

For more information, head over to the Gift Your Tech page to find out more.

Love,

Mong

2016 has been a year filled with ups. You know how people always start off their New Year's Resolutions with "the year had been filled with ups and downs.." but to be honest, I tried to rack my brains for the "downs" in my year and honestly couldn't put my finger to any.

I guess this is how we know, that we've grown and matured - be it in the way we cherish the people and relationships around us, or in the way we take the things life throws at us, be it the good, or the bad.

2016 has been a year full of firsts.

In april 2016, I graduated from Singapore Management University with a bachelor's degree in Accountancy. That marked the first time I stepped out of being a student, to adulthood.

In the same month, I made the decision to be my own boss, for the first time. That's another huge milestone for me, as someone who had always been weak and lost for the longest of time - I always shunned the thought of my future career choices and the possibilities in life throughout uni. I hated to think and stress about my seemingly bleak future because my grades weren't that fantastic. I avoided conversations with friends and course mates about career paths, about internships, about which big MNC, which prestigious bank I was applying for... how many full time job opportunities I was offered.

I hated all of that, because I felt like I was not good enough for the world, like I was a disappointment to my parents, and a joke amongst all my high-flying friends at school.

But God had a plan for me. Something I was doing on the sideline throughout school suddenly became a viable career option for me, something I never once considered glamorous nor a career my friends and family would be proud of. But somehow, it all worked out. My little blog and social media pages has now become my life, my career and my passion.

I can't thank you guys enough for all the support you guys have given to me, for wanting to keep up with me and for always telling me that "it's okay, you're doing great" . I read every single one of your comments be it on this space, instagram, or youtube and I wish I had more because connecting to you guys make me really whole and happy. Those who always left me with comments/questions will know that I'm always happy to reply! Somehow, it gives me a sense of satisfaction knowing that I have helped in some way or another, or I influenced you guys in some way.

I'm happy.

I went on many trips in 2016, met the most wonderful of clients, some even turned good friends that I'm so thankful for. I've also met many bloggers and like-minded "colleagues" (do i call them that?) and while I don't usually open myself up to many, I'm glad I found a few good friends in the circle.

In November 2016, I also became a boss for the first time. I hired my first full-time creative intern and while there were many hiccups along the way, tears, sweat and anger cum disappointment, I learnt. And I must say that if anything, the best way to learn is to go through the experience, fail and learn from your mistakes.
There are so so much that can't be learn in the classrooms, and managing people, relationships, theirs and your own expectations is just a small part of it. I've got a long way to go and I'm looking forward to see where 2017 brings me to.

Now let's look back on the year!

Since everyone's doing the best 9 posts on instagram based on likes, here's mine

February 2016 - Bangkok/ Cha-Am / Hua Hin, Thailand

June 2016 - Davao, The Philippines

June 2016 - Melbourne, Australia

July 2016 - Medan, Indonesia

July 2016 - Seoul, South Korea

July 2016 - Japan

August 2016 - London, United Kingdom

August 2016 - Bath and Brighton, UK

October 2016 - Taipei, Taiwan

November 2016 - Perth, Australia

I wonder if I missed anything out... hahaha hopefully not!

But wow, I didn't start 2016 expecting that many trips ahead of me.. 12 cities/countries in a year and I even got to spend 1 month in London which was awesome !

Hope you guys are having a great New Year's Eve, I'll try my best to quickly pen down my New Years Resolutions for 2017 so please check back again guys.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, I LOVE YOU ALL SO SO MUCH

Love

Mong

Following up with my Perth trip in November last year (I can't believe its 2017 already, HNY guys!) , here's the second part to my travelogue where I'll cover the more interesting and different parts of my itinerary.

From the wide series of posts I've done on Perth over the past 2 years, you guys should already know that I've visited perth before and in fact, my prev trip was so recent at just a year ago. If you're interested to find out what were the things I did, you can check out my posts in this link here.

I didn't want my second time to Perth to be exactly the same, so I did my research and found even more places to visit. This time, we took more stops on the drive to Margaret River and spent 2 days in Busselton and Dunsborough.

The drive from Perth to Dunsborough was 2h50 mins and it is a fairly easy drive, I absolutely love the roads of WA because they are so well maintained, smooth and drivers are all so courteous and nice. We Singaporeans need to learn! hahaha

DUNSBOROUGH, WA

Upon checking into our Airbnb, we were greeted by this gorgeous yard (which had lots of insects on it) but you know... they say you gotta #doitforthegram so I did.

LOL

My top was from Shoplovet and it can be found here.

We planned for a chill night ahead so I booked a Sunset Whale Watching Tour before we jetted off for Perth. I've never seen whales before and while this activity isnt cheap (it costs around $100 per pax) , I knew it would be such a unique and different experience. I also wanted to share that moment and milestone (of seeing a wild whale before my eyes) with matt too, so we splurged and didn't regret it!

We drove down to the whale watching pick up point which was just 15 mins drive away from our apartment and were greeted with such crystal clear waters.

A boatman came to pick us up from this point and we got on a charter boat and went out into sea.

And not long after, we spotted our first humpback whale from afar!

I regretted not bringing my zoom lens along with me for the tour, but the whales were all super friendly and we saw a total of 13 / 15 of them.

We didn't witness any "whale shows" . No backflips, tail whips etc, just them happily swimming and coming up to the surface to breathe occasionally.

We whale-watched into the sunset and drove back to our apartment at night.

The skies that night were magnificent. Check out the clouds!

BUSSELTON JETTY

Busselton and Dunsborough are 2 really close towns that are just one road apart. So in the morning, we headed to Busselton Jetty to check it out!

An entrance fee was needed to enter the busselton jetty, and because we weren't planning to stay there for too long, we didn't pay to enter. But if you guys brought your own rods and fishing supplies, you can actually pay to enter the jetty to fish!

White fine sand, with a gorgeous backdrop

Wearing another piece from Lovet, the Everyday Basic Pocket Shirt which was SOOO comfy and so perfect as a bikini cover up.

This piece is now sold out on site, but they have a few similar ones like this and this.

We headed back to Dunsborough for lunch because there were more food options there. Also, we were looking for a place to rent fishing rods and to our surprise, rod rental shops were nowhere to be found.

The idea of hiring fishing equipment is so foreign and almost ridiculous to them LOL.

"why not you buy one for yourself?"

I guess fishing is such a common activity for them in the summer that every family owns their own fishing rods.

But finally, google led me to this place - Access Fishing and Matt was SO THRILLED after failing so many times lolllll. We rushed there immediately after lunch and met the nicest lady who taught us everything from the best fishing spots around the area, to how to tie the hooks and hook the bait.

I would highly recommend fishing as an activity when you visit the area because you can get a catch so much more easily than in Singapore LOL. Also, the fishes are huge!!! It's so much more fun there.

If you do pay Access Fishing a visit, say hello to Justin and Justin's wife for me and tell them you're a reader of mine, they will be so thrilled!

Our first fishing spot

Parka: Lovet

We spent 2 hours there and managed to catch around 6 fishes. 4 small herrings and 1 large herring and 1 large whiting. We brought it home happily and that became our supper for the day. The fishes were so fresh there wasn't much seasoning needed - simple salt and pepper with some olive oil will do!

MARGARET RIVER

The next day, we drove to Margaret River, which was a mere 40 mins away from Dunsborough. When you visit Margaret River, you NEEDDDD to go to Margaret River Bakery at least once.

Of course if you like it so much, you can go there everyday for breakfast like I did. HAHA.

SUPER GOOD.

Do try the Honeycomb and Banana pancakes, it's the bomb (Y)

As usual, if you're heading to Perth and need my itinerary urgently, do drop me an email at mongchin-@hotmail.com I would be glad to send you!

Love

Mong

If you haven't been successfully converted to becoming a user of facial mists in this crazy hot climate of ours, it is TIME you do because they are such life-savers that will take you by surprise.

I used to be super skeptical about such products because I'd think... "it's just water.. how is it good for your skin?"

Well, even if it was just thermal springs water in a spray can form, it'd still be really shiok when you mist it on, especially on a really hot and sweltering day.

Besides that, it also helps to cool down your skin's temperature and provide additional moisture on the go, even over make up!

But did you know that a lot of these thermal spring waters out there actually don't have any beauty benefits to them?

By that, I'm saying that these bottled facial mists are mostly normal, or spring water in a spray bottle form. There are no beauty ingredients in there that can actually help to improve skin conditions.. much less provide our skin from the sun, which is VERY crucial especially in this part of the world we live in.

How amazing would it be, to have an amalgamation of both a Facial Mist + SPF all in one bottle ?

Bio-essence Miracle Bio Water SPF 20, Bio-essence Miracle Bio Water Hydra Bounce

Bio-essence has recently pushed out 2 new star products for the end of the year - the Bio-essence Miracle Bio Water SPF 20 and the Bio-essence Miracle Bio Water Hydra Bounce

I've been an avid user of the original Bio-essence Miracle Bio Water for the longest time, to be exact, about 3 years now and have thoroughly enjoyed having it next to my bed before bedtime, and also a travel-sized bottle with me whenever I go for outdoor shoots.

But alas, an improved version with added sun protection!

The Miracle Bio Water SPF20 is one of the first facial mists in the market that is infused with sun protection benefits. Now I can touch up SPF on the go without feeling eeky because I don't have to re-apply thick, oily sunscreen when I'm out anymore.

Just a spritz every hour or so to ensure that I'm protected, especially when outdoors.

Dermatologists recommend using sunscreens that are within SPF15 to SPF30 as higher SPFs don't necessarily mean higher protection. Furthermore, the higher the SPF, the more likely the product would feel heavier and more oily.

So to my fellow sensitive skin brothers and sisters, using a lower SPF product that you don't mind re-applying consistently is definitely MUCH MORE EFFECTIVE than using a high SPF product that is difficult and uncomfortable to re-apply throughout the day.

Bio-essence Miracle Bio Water SPF 20, Bio-essence Miracle Bio Water Hydra Bounce , singapore, bioessence

They are easy to carry around (even on flights!) , fine, evenly dispersed mist that doesn't dispense too much product at one area, and also the fact that the mist is fragrance free and doesn't feel sticky, nor heavy at all.

But if you're not looking for products that contain SPF, the Bio-essence Miracle Bio Water Hydra Bounce is also more than just another facial mist.

It delivers intense hydration to the skin but at the same time, is not as highly fragranced and possibly, contains less artificial ingredients inside when compared to the usual korean/japanese beauty mists.

All in all, I'm not holding back when it comes to recommending good products! I trust that you guys know that I've always tried my best to be honest with my reviews, whether or not the products have been sent to me by the brand or not.

If you're unsure of what to get for a unisex christmas gift, i'd imagine these facial mists to be really good because even guys can use it (without feeling too feminine) as well!

The festivities should've all begun, so I'm here sending some christmas cheers to you!

Happy holidays !

This post is brought to you by Bio-essence. All opinions and reviews are mine.

Dress: Le-contour

Bag: Urban Revivo

Watch: Michael Kors

Accessories: Monica Vinader

There's something about mermaid dresses that is so ethereal. Not only does it give you that extra curve that we all wish we were born with, it also gives off a touch of feminism without being too over the top.

When it comes to dresses like these, the fit of the dress is super important. I'm sure you want the fabric to hug you, and accentuate your curves at all the right places, yes?

The people at Le-contour place the most emphasis on dressing the right body shapes according to the type of dresses that would be most flattering, and this Sleevess Flare Dress certainly did not disappoint (once again), with its impeccable quality and fit.

This dress is also available in another variant, a black version that would be more formal and perfect for more formal occasions like a wedding luncheon or even for work.

I chose this dress in Navy simply because I wanted a dress that would take me from day to night easily. Navy also surprisingly goes very well with silver accents, like this silver cross-body from Urban Revivo that I wore.

Check out Le-contour for some more of their pieces and hurry place your orders for them to reach you before Chinese New Year!

Love

Mong

If I have to sum up my review for the ASUS Zenbook 3, it would be THE laptop for the on-the-go fashionista with powerful performance. And here's why.

My friends call me a workaholic, whenever you see me, chances are I'd be working. I'll find every opportunity to do my work at nearby cafes and coffee joints, simply because my job requires me to work on-the-go.

1. LIGHT &THIN

If you're a person like me that would do much better without the extra weight (my handbag alone is enough to break my arm), then the Zenbook 3 is perfect for you.

Weighing just slightly less than 1KG, it is said to be the world's lightest laptop of its size and range yet. Not only that, it is only 11.9mm thin, making it so sleek and easy to carry around.

Asus zenbook 3 UX390UA, Review, navy, gold, laptop, slimmest laptop

For a person who is constantly running about, I've had thoughts about getting myself a tablet that is just as portable, but wait till you find out how much better the Zenbook 3 performs, it would be a no-brainer.

My go to carry on is a micro Celine Luggage Tote, it is not that big but yet my Zenbook 3 sits comfortably in it without taking up much space, nor adding much more weight.

2. GORGEOUS DESIGN

Asus zenbook 3 Review, lightest, slimmest, laptop, pretty

The Zenbook 3 is also out-of-this-world pretty. Look at how shiny it is and chic it looks.

Gone are the days you have to lug around a heavy ugly looking piece of device that doesn't complement your look.

I chose mine in the classy royal blue with gold rim around the diamond-cut edge. I like that apart from only focusing on the functionality and technical factors of the laptop, ASUS also took into consideration the aesthetics of it and made it in such a unique colour that not many other brands offer. So far I've been receiving nothing but compliments for it!

3. HIGH PERFORMANCE

asus zenbook 3, fast performance, asus, singapore, price

The Zenbook 3's 12.5 inch, full HD screen offers extremely sharp and bright visuals with a highly accurate colour representation. According to the articles I've been reading about this baby, the Zenbook 3 ranks one of the highest in the field of colour accuracy as compared to its counterparts in the market.

This makes editing my photos and videos a ton easier!

4. NO MORE MESSY WIRES

Asus zenbook 3, UX390UA, Review, USB, c port, mini, dongle, adaptor

Stay completely connected with the Zenbook 3's next-generation USB-C port and its mini dongle. Everything you need from data transfer, USB Port, HDMI etc are all encompassed in this tiny little dongle that you can fit into the laptop sleeve.

Because all of your wires will be connected to one single port, you can ensure that your desk will be much neater and you probably won't have that many wires crossing over each other anymore.

All in all, the ASUS Zenbook 3 is one of the best laptop in terms of its aesthetics, size, functionality and performance in the market. I'm now completely sold and have been enjoying using my ASUS Zenbook 3 to the fullest.

If you're a fashionista or someone that is looking for a good, fast, and high performance laptop that is neither heavy nor bulky, I would highly recommend the Zenbook 3 to you!

Hope you guys enjoyed this little review of mine ^^

Love

Mong

This post is brought to you by ASUS Singapore. All honest opinions are my own.

Happy new year!!!! I hope 2017 has been well for you guys so far. I'm sorry i'm a little late on this, but here's a compilation of the things and products I have loved over the past year. I hope you guys enjoy!

Please like, subscribe and comment below on what else you guys wanna see next, and what are your holy grails for the past year. Much love!

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➫ PRODUCTS MENTIONED➫

- Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate

- Mediheal Sheet Masks

- Benefit Porefessional Primer

- Etude House Color My Brows No.5

- Tarte Tartlette Tease Eyeshadow Palette

- Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Powder

- Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette

- Make Up Forever Pro Sculpting Palette

- Zoeva Luxe Blush - Last Love

- Clio Professional Gelspresso Waterproof Gel Liner

- Etude House Dear My Blooming Lips Talk Chiffon Cushion - BE109

- LASplash Cosmetics Art-ki-tekt Liquid Eyeliner

- Make Up Forever Mist & Fix O2

- Michael Kors Perfume Sexy Amber

- Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer

- Repit P Hair Curler Iron

- Michael Kors Access Smartwatch

- Nike Cap

- Monica Vinader Rose Gold Vermeil Fiji Chain Bracelet

➫ FAVE KOREAN DRAMA ➫ : W (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W_(TV_series))

➫ 2016 REFLECTIONS➫

http://www.mongabong.com/2016/12/2016-reflections-recap.html

➫ HOURGLASS AMBIENT LIGHTING PALETTE REVIEW➫

http://www.mongabong.com/2016/04/Hourglass-ambientlighting-palette-review-singapore.html

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HAPPY NEW YEAR ONCE AGAIN LOVES!

Love

Mong

CNY is justa round the corner and are you guys last minute shoppers like I am? >< Thank god for my clients for supplying me with clothes for the new year and this year, I want to experiment more with my fashion style.

I pieced together this lookbook comprising 3 different looks with the pieces from Shopsassydream.

I'll be leaving direct links in this post too so that it's easier for you guys to shop if you wanna!

1. MOD

What I'm wearing in this look

Sanna Dress in White / Pink from Sassydream

Rose Gold Clutch from Charles and Keith

Michael Kors Access Smart Watch

This dress is perfect for the girl next door who can look sweet, chic or even edgy just by changing up the footwear. I paired it with my usual strappy stilettos (because i'm boring like that) and because CNY to me is about looking presentable for the adults, esp your BF's family members!

First impressions do matter hahahaha so, it doesnt hurt to go for the classy look.

Sanna also comes in 3 different colors for the girls with different attitudes when it comes to fashion.

2. Mature & Feminine

Machelle Dress in White

Gojane Strappy Stilettos

Don't get me wrong when I use the word "mature" , it simply means that there is a kind of aura to this piece. Even if you're still beaming with youth, wearing something like this can give off confidence and calmness like a mature woman.

That said, this is my pick for the women that are no longer in their teens like myself, we can dress our age in a piece like this! The lace detail and bell-sleeves gives more flow to the fabric, making it a lot more romantic for CNY.

3. Young and Youthful

Fairen Romper in Navy

Urban Revivo Shades

Monica Vinader Fiji Bracelet

Melissa Bow Ballerina Flats

This last look is for the young and youthful one. Rompers not only provide comfort and ease of mobility, it also makes the look look extra fun and flirty!

This one from Sassydream has lots of gorgeous large flower prints all over, making it all spring and CNY appropriate. Once CNY is over, this piece would still be here to stay and this makes every penny spent, worth it.

I'm wearing XS for all Shopsassydream pieces, if you guys are wondering!

Let me know if you guys want to see more lookbooks for CNY :X

Love

Mong

Dress: The Closet Lover

It's raining outside the windows, and here I am penning down my thoughts this mid-week with a cuppa warm green tea in my hands. Times like this I think to myself, how blessed I am.

Before I digress further, I wanted to share some of the stills I shot with my intern, M , sometime last week. When the skies were still clear and blue.

Firstly, let us all take a moment to appreciate this dress. How gorgeous is that?

Not only does it come in the prettiest of prints, it even features a gorgeous waterfall maxi skirt that falls shorter at the front and longer at the back.

Material is key for this kind of pieces because it matters when your outfit plays with lots of different sewing methods and styles. This one from The Closet Lover is superb, and TCL has not disappointed me with their designs and quality so far.

Grab yours now newly in store at The Closet Lover today before it runs out! It would've been newly launched the time you're reading this so you know what it means, fastest fingers first!

-- Discount code --

Enjoy 10% offwith min. 2 items purchased under the "New" tab with

Valid till 31/1, exclusions apply!

Love

Mong

My style has evolved tremendously over the years, from going all loud of colors, prints and crop tops, to being a little more conservative and minimal. At one point in my life, I was literally that Basic B, forever in basic Tees and denim shorts. You wouldn't find me wearing anything with much details or textures.

Now I look back and almost let out a *yawn* HAHA. These days, I'm into fashion pieces that are bigger on their details, and by that I mean lots of crochets, knits, lace, mesh etc. All these give the fabric so much more life and yet preserves the minimal element to it with its colors.

Today, i'm gonna show you guys 3 different pieces from Topazette that are very intricate in my eyes, and yet so wearable at the same time.

Premium Breaking Dawn Romper

L'oreal 24K Color Riche Lipstick in Scarlet Gold

I received a ton of compliments when I wore this romper out and it's no wonder why. The luxurious crochet details overlay above a nude inner lining that complements the asian skin tone so well. On top of that, the capped sleeves detailing also helps to hide the unsightly armpit fats we all have :/ eeks!

Eclipse Dress in Black

For some reason, I get reminded of Tinkerbell whenever I see this piece. Yes, if you;re wondering, I'm talking about the disney fairy, the one that is always full of positivity, cheery and flying around.

The uneven hemline of this dress brings a touch of chic and the crochet details, a touch of order in this beautiful mess of fabric.

Also available in wine and navy, if you're looking for something like this for CNY!

Twilight Maxi in Black

The last outfit must be of no surprise to you guys right? So many of you asked me where I got this dress from after seeing me wear it on 3 separate occasions LOL. You know that this's special because i hardly ever re-wear the same pieces to events/on days when photographs are to be taken... and I made the exception for this!

I chose black because it is the most formal colour out of the range, and true enough, I wore this dress to 2 events that were pretty formal, and 1 dinner date with matt.

Topazette has recently restocked a couple of designs on the site and this is one of them! So hurry grab it before it sells out again :>

Thank you Topazette for allowing me to style your outfits and share them with my readers, if you guys haven't gotten your clothes for CNY, this is the last few chances to do it!

Get 10% off with promo code for orders above $50.

Get your CNY shopping in time at the mass meet up available on Thursday 26/1, 7-7.30pm at open air carpark opposite Cineleisure, jot it down in your calenders!

Love

Mong

The health of our scalp is crucial in the health of our hair and health. Many of us tend to neglect the scalp when it comes to day to day care, and when we start to realize the problems of it, it might be already too late.

I suffer from eczema on my scalp, an effect from the eczema patches that spread from my limbs to my face and then to my scalp.

I've dealt with this angry, dry and flaky (yet sensitive) scalp for years. And while I know that eczema is incurable, good scalp health can help to contain and maintain my condition. I'm really lucky that my trusty salon, Salon Vim, sees the same importance in both the aesthetics of my hair, but also the health of my scalp.

As I'm writing this, I would have clogged at least 6 sessions with Mama Rosie (everyone in Salon Vim lovingly calls her that because she's the oldest in age, and acts like a mama!) over these 2 months and I promise you guys... My scalp is slowly but surely, on its road to recovery again!

So here's my journey

In early december last year, I went down for a scan and as expected, lots of build ups, flakes, dead skin cells, and dryness were seen during the scan.

Every double scalp treatment & Renewal Light Treatment includes the scanning of your scalp "before" and "after" , which allows mama rosie to see exactly, the kind of treatment you need.

For me, I needed to deep cleanse the pores, get rid of the dead cells and flakes and pump in lots of moisture to hydrate my scalp.

I did the 2 treatments - Double Scalp Treatment (2 hours) , and Renewal Light(1 to 1.5hours) interchangeably every 1.5 to 2 weeks.

After one week, I went back to Salon Vim again to look at the results and see how my scalp has held up throughout the week, and I'm shocked!

Usually with scalp treatments, my scalp would be good for a few days but I'd experience dry flakes again after a few days. But this time, the comeback of the flakes and build up was very minimal!

For those of you who are interested in the Renewal Light Therapy , here are its benefits and the steps included!

After the cleansing and serums steps, a renewal light device is run through the scalp where you will feel a teeeny bit of sensation running through. Don't worry, it's not painful at all!

It is said to eliminate dead skin cells, improve blood circulation and boost nutrient supply.

Another session's "before" and "after"

Clean and refreshed scalp!

Today, I'm still receiving scalp treatments at Salon Vim, but I now go back less frequently and I no longer experience itch and irritation like I used to. Even though I still do see dry flakes occasionally, they are pretty rare and small, so I'm still keeping at it.

Another thing I experienced with my scalp is that hair growth has also started to show, especially at my forehead and crown areas where I can visibly see baby hairs both through scalp scans, and in the mirror hehe.

That always makes me very happy!

For more information, you can give Salon Vim a call and book an appointment with my name for 15% off your first visit!

Scalp diagnosis is also free so head on down to get your scalp scanned!

The same discount code applies for other hair services as well in all Salon Vim outlets.

Salon Vim Bugis

235 Victoria St

S(188027)

Tel: 6837 0073

Love

Mong

Hola!

CNY is just right tomorrow (omg its coming way too soon), here are 3 very simple hairdos that are perfect for your CNY outfits. Please practice them before you start scrambling tomorrow hahaha!

Last but not least, I have decided on working more on my Youtube channel and consistency is key, so you guys can expect a new video EVERY SUNDAY!

Please subscribe to show me your support, it means alot to me especially when I'm starting out on a brand new channel. Also, video editing and videos in general aren't my forte (in fact, nothing is in my work LOL) , so please pardon me for the amateur tries, at least im trying right HAHA

But I promise I'm learning, hard! So hop over to subscribe to me okie?:)

Enjoy this CNY hairstyles video and let me know what you think!

Mong

VSCO

This app is probably on everyone's phone because it is probably one of the best free photo-editing app out there in the market. I'm sure VSCO needs no further introduction, but when I do take photos with my phone, i'll edit it using VSCO before uploading them on Instagram or on my blog.

My favourite presets are HB1 and HB2 because I prefer cool to warm tones generally.

Snapseed

Another photo editing tool that is superb for what it offers and it is FREE. I love snapseed for the "selective" function where I can brighten and adjust contrast as well as saturation on selected parts of the photo only. This makes it a lot easier for photos that are usually backlit, under, or over-exposed.

Snapseed also has amazing "Transform" tool where it allows you to transform your photo horizontally, or vertically.

LiveExpenses

This app was one I accidentally chanced upon while searching for Financial Tracker apps on the apple store. I'm someone that likes to know where my money goes and would like to review my spending habits at the end of each month. LiveExpenses is a simple app that allows you to key in your outflow and inflow and helps to tally your expenses each month. Of course, you gotta be super diligent at updating every amount you've spent in there else it would be pointless.

I'm still looking out for other financial planning apps out there because this isn't the best, but this post is meant to be on the 5 Apps I use the most so here it is.

Bloglovin'

Being a blogger myself, I love to stay updated with other blogs that I follow. I use Bloglovin' because it's a great app that lumps every new post from all the blogs I follow into a mobile-friendly feed.

DBS Paylah!

I'm such a singaporean, I know. Hahaha but honestly I am in love with the DBS Paylah! app and I wished more people were on it. It is basically an e-wallet where you can wire money in just a few clicks (or rather touch, if you use the finger print authentication function like me). I love the Paylah! app because it allows you to transfer money to your friends without having to key in their account numbers, which is SUCH a hassle. You can even use a friend's phone number in your contactbook to transfer, which is great.

Okay of course, my most used apps daily would be apps like Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, Whatsapp! etc, but I didn't want to bore you guys out with the common sense ones.. so here you go!

I hope you all found this post useful. Thinking of doing a "What's in my phone" video on youtube, should I? Let me know x

Love

Mong

SUBSCRIBE!!!

I've committed myself to produce one video every sunday on my YT channel for you guys, I hope you all will like it!

Love

Mong

We often neglect our hair health when it comes to beauty. I think I'm guilty of that because I often like to change up my look by undergoing harsh chemical treatments and by styling it with heat styling tools.

The problem comes when no proper care and preparation has been done before and after heat styling, leaving our hair dead, and stripped of nutrients and brittle :( Sometimes I find my hair breaking off even when I run my fingers through it gently , imagine the long locks I've painstakingly tried to grow out just breaking off like that! It honestly hurts me whenever I see them fall to the ground but due to the lack of time, it's not very often that I get to go to a salon to get my hair treated.

Besides that, hair treatments done at salons are a luxury as they are usually very costly as well.

So... how do we achieve hair with Salon-treated results in the comfort of our own home?

I've been using the TRESemmé Expert Selection Platinum Strength range at home for the past 3 weeks and I have definitely seen a huge improvement in how my hair look and feel.

TRESemmé Expert Selection Platinum Strength Shampoo & Conditioner

The TRESemmé Expert Selection Platinum Strength Range is specially developed for people like me who has had their hair exposed to frequent heat styling and chemical processing as is said to be able to repair up to 2 years worth of hair damage in just 5 washes!

I don't know exactly how many years of damage it has helped my hair with honestly, but I've noticed my hair becoming stronger and healthier. The shine that comes with healthy hair is also starting to peek through, something that I'll only see after I pay the salon a visit for a hair treatment.

So! If you're someone like me that likes to change up your hair, style it in different ways.. then this is a range I'll recommend! The Advanced Renewing Complex strengthens the hair's natural protective barrier and protects against future breakages, keeping my mind at peace whenever I want to use heat on my hair.

Find out more about my full experience from salon to home in the video below:

Salon worthy experience in the comfort of your own home, all thanks to TRESemmé.

Get the TRESemmé Expert Selection range exclusively at Guardian today.

Love

Mong

This post is brought to you by TRESemmé.

What went down this CNY, I hope you guys enjoy little snippets of me and my family!

Subscribe to my Youtube channel here.

Love

Mong

In the past, I would shun away from oils because the first thought that would hit me would be how oily it is. I mean afterall, oils ARE oily right?

It is not only till about 6 months ago that I was introduced to the Nuxe Dry Oil Huile Prodigieuse. I always knew that this product existed as it has been around for years and years in the market.

The iconic squarish glass bottle has been quite an icon for Nuxe, but it has been too daunting for me to try in Singapore's weather as I thought it would be too heavy and oily for the singapore's climate.

So, I first took it with me to London in August last year.

It was transitioning from Summer to Autumn and in such inconsistent weather and dry air from the winds & flights , I took the Nuxe Dry Oil Huile Prodigieuse with me in my carry-on to put it to the test.

Throughout the flight, I applied it all over my body, my arms, legs, fingers, and yes even my face and the roots of my hair because it's exactly what it says its for. The first impression I had was that the SMELL of this oil was so good!

Being someone with eczema skin, I'm very paranoid when I use fragranced products because it usually means that my skin would itch & react to whatever artificial ingredients are in there very soon. This though, had a really gentle, soothing smell. Flipped back on the bottle and found out that it is made up of 6 precious botanical oils - Macadamia, Hazelnut, Borage, Sweet Almond, Camelia and St. John's Wort.

It is also silicon and mineral oils free, making this dry oil 97.8% natural. Which is very high! Most of the oils I've used don't even include the percentage of how natural they are... oops.

HOW I USE IT

Face

As a last step to my skincare, especially before bed:

I sleep in air-conditioned room everynight and the dry air strips my skin of its moisture. Having dry skin by nature, I've always placed the importance of hydration at night as priority. I first go in with cleansing, tone, serums, moisturizer and lastly, the Nuxe Dry Oil Huile Prodigieuse that acts as a barrier that seals all my skincare work together.

Touch up hydration throughout the day:

For all you people that experience really dry skin, the Nuxe Dry Oil Huile Prodigieuse comes w a spray nozzle that makes it convenient for you to spray & go in the middle of the day. Use it how you would with a facial spray!

As a natural highlight:

There's another variant, the Nuxe Shimmering Dry Oil that is the gold version of the classic Huile Prodigieuse that contains very fine pearlescent mineral origins. Use it on the high points of the face and it totally works as a liquid highlighter!

BODY

As a body moisturizer:

The Nuxe Dry Oil Huile Prodigieuse is not sticky, oily, nor heavy-feeling. In fact it feels almost satin-y when you apply the dry oil to your limbs, giving it a healthy glow and my skin feels so much softer and hydrated after

As a leg shimmer:

Another trick I like to do to enhance the looks of my legs is to use this body oil to give me that extra glow that I want! Instead of going out to buy other shimmery body oils that only gives you aesthetics value, why not opt for one that is natural and healthy for your skin at the same time?

Hair

As a Hair Oil:

Dry and brittle ends that are too unsightly? No problem, simply spray a little in your fingers and apply it to the ends of your hair. The oil helps to tame flyaways, frizz and also gives it that gorgeous shine.

Now, we know why this multi-purpose oil is such a practical and cult product!

I've been so inspired by the Nuxe Dry Oil Huile Prodigieuse and have now changed the way I look at oils today. Not all oils have to be eeky feeling and oily, you just gotta find the right one!

I would highly recommend this to people with normal to dry skin.

Although this is a sponsored post, I hope you guys will trust my reviews on this one. Good products are not to be missed!

I'm also doing a giveaway on my Instagram so head over there to win a set for yourself :>

Get your natural Parisian beauty on.

Love

Mong

This post is brought to you by Nuxe. All opinions are my own.

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Location: Hotel Jen Tanglin

Valentine's day is just right around the corner again (where are all the time flying to????) and it seems like we all get busier and busier each year. Shoots are significantly harder to plan now that everyone has entered different phases in life - matt into the corporate world, me becoming more caught up with work, and Joel with his exchange in the States.

But i'm glad we all made this shoot happen. Our yearly Valentines Day shoot with Joel has been, and still is, one of the highlights we look back on every year.

For all of my new readers and followers that don't know, Matt and I have been shooting with Joel every Valentines since 4 years ago and we have made it into a tradition we hope to continue doing for years and years to come.

If you're interested to see the other photos and rambles from the past few years, you can check out my old posts here:

I also documented a long and lengthy read about how we met and other topics like our first impressions of each other, which you can read in this post here, if you're interested hehe.

I still dig out these posts and read them from time to time and I can't believe the things i used to write about haha! Look how far we've come and how much we've grown. My dear readers, did you all grow alongside me too? :>

I hope you guys enjoy this year's pictures!

Joel and I wanted to channel a more "matured" version of the Mnmcouple and that was the inspiration behind the bedroom themed shots. A more laidback, bare and stripped down feel in the comfort of a cosy setting (also hoping that you guys are sharing the joy about us counting down to becoming homeowners in the next few years!) together, sipping on a cuppa warm coffee on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Of course, the location couldn't have been more perfect, we are so blessed to be able to have Hotel Jen Tanglin onboard this shoot as our location sponsor, despite requesting for it at the last minute. Thank you Kristin! Here's a kiss for you :*

If you guys are looking to celebrate Valentines day in an awesome, cosy setting that won't set you back too much, why not plan a staycation for that little getaway?

I love staycations because it makes me feel like i'm on a holiday, which is very well-needed usually. On top of that, I get to spend private, alone time with my partner, away from the stress from work, home, or school.

Hotel Jen Tanglin is now offering rooms at an incredible rate!

Also, check out their Promotions Page for ongoing Vday promos for you and your partner, which I find pretty good because you'll be able to get everything you need at one place, from Food to romantic dinner to even facial!

They are running these 3 main promotions:

1. Seafood and Live BBQ at J65 at SGD78++

2. Ah Hoi's Kitchen Dinner at SGD 99++ per couple

3. Vday Staycation at SGD 399++ inclusive of stay, dinner and facial

Hope you guys have a wonderful and romantic Valentines Day!

Sending lots of love over to you guys,

Love

Matt and Mong

Getting CNY Ready

Zipang Japanese Dining Bar Review

Gift Your Tech, Trade in your old electronic gadgets for cash vouchers!

2016 REFLECTIONS & RECAP

Perth 2016 - Busselton, Dunsborough Whale Watching, Margaret River

Facial mists with added beauty benefits | Bio-essence Miracle Bio Water SPF 20 & Hydra Bounce

Royal Blue Love

4 reasons to love the new ASUS Zenbook 3 | Review

Best of 2016 - Make Up, Skincare, Accessories & More!

3 Different Looks for CNY

Spring in my steps

It's all in the details

Double Scalp Treatment, My Scalp Journey

3 EASY HAIRSTYLES FOR CNY

5 APPS I USE ON A DAILY BASIS

January Favorites 2017

Salon Worthy Hair at HOME!

CNY 2017

Multi-tasking: Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse

Lounging with Love, Valentines Day Special