D'Fairycakes Diapercakes

If you guys have not noticed yet, there is a tab at the top of my page that says "Diapercakes".

Yes, that is where I will park all the photos of my creations and also where you will see how you can place order for such meaningful and lovely gifts.

However, it is still under construction as I do need a bit of time to edit the photos and upload them all up in a systematic way.

I hope to get it going the soonest so that I have a place to display my creations . At the moment, all the photos are parked under Facebook Page : D'Fine Yourstyle.

I'll holler when the page is ready - make sure you come back! :)

Spell it Out at the National Spelling Championship 2013!

If there is one thing that irritates me when marking students' essays, it will be the horrible spelling. And I am not talking about typo errors whereby I  know that the student is aware of the correct spelling but perhaps, in the haste, happened to write it down wrongly. 

One word that is most commonly misspelt, by both students and adults, is the word 'separate'. They always spell it as 'sepErate'. It irritates the hell out of me...haha...

Oh , there is another - when students cannot differentiate between "practice" and "practise".

This is why I thoroughly enjoyed the movie 'Akeelah and The Bee' many years back. It is about a little girl who handled all possible odds thrown at her to come up top in the National Spelling Bee Competition. So, when I received an email from omy.sg regarding something similar, I wasted no time in confirming my attendance.

The Launch of the 
NATIONAL SPELLING CHAMPIONSHIP 2013

This is a spelling competition targeted at primary school students all over the nation and it is mainly sponsored by RHB / The Straits Times, in partnership with our MINISTRY OF EDUCATION and supported by National Library Board and iQ Hub.

The objectives of this competition are

1) to enhance the English Language proficiency among the primary school students through spelling and

2) to make learning English more enjoyable.

I brought my cousin, Ainul, along and this was our first event with omy.sg . While waiting for the event to start, we saw the mascots for the day! So  cute!

Our passes to the event

#OOTD
Pink Inner: Angsana Mall @ JB
Sky Blue top: Cotton On
Striped shawl: Gift from student
Jeans: Levis
Shoes: RUBI platform wedges
watch: DKNY
Bag: Longchamps M Short Handle
Unseen bracelets: Cotton On

Students from primary schools soon started streaming in....

MAKAN TIME!

After a quick lunch snack, we were ushered into the theatre where the launch was going to be held. As much as I am quite used to noisy students, these primary school kids took it to the next level as they were in very high spirits and looked really excited, in anticipation of the launch.

Students with their clappers

Checking out our goodie bags...

Cute stationery!

We didn't have to wait long before the emcee for the day started the ball rolling by introducing the managing director of the RHB bank , Mr Johari Abdul, and informing the audience how the competition  works.

Basically , students in the preliminary round (with an expected number of at least 1000 participants) will go through a spelling competition in written format. After which, 80  of them will go on to the zonal round.  And finally, we will see an expected 20 participants to fight it all out in the final round.

Oooohhh.... I hope I will be able to witness the final round. The format of the final round is exactly like the scene in Akeelah and the Bee! The participants will be on stage and they will have to spell aloud words read to them by a Pronouncer. The words will obviously become increasingly difficult .

Here is the winner from the inaugural Spelling Competition held last year!

Jordan Foo from ACS Junior School

$ 5000 richer! :P Yes, that's the winning prize money for the spelling champion . A pretty cool sum, isn't it? The champion this year will also receive a challenge trophy, on top of the prize money, while the 1st and 2nd runner-up will bring home $3000 and $1000 respectively. Can I turn the clock back many many years so I can participate? :P

After the speeches made by the honorary guests, it was time for the launch of the National Spelling Championship 2013 ! The students were making a lot of noise with their cheers and clappers - it felt a little like at an election rally!

The Launch

The emcee sure knew how to excite the primary school kids. While waiting for a battle-off between two of the primary schools, he went around asking students to spell "eavesdrop" and "stationary" before awarding them prizes. That got them even more hyped up than before. Secondary school students are generally more subdued (observation made from my ten years of teaching) when it comes to such things so it was nice to see such excitement in the students.

Finally, it was time for the battle off. Teams from Yu Neng Primary School and Tampines North Primary School had to fight it out in a spelling battle to get the first prize. Interestingly, the spelling battle was done in a different format - they had to spell while kicking goals in a game application. How genius of the creator of the app! Ainul and I got caught up in the whole adrenaline rush as well....it was so exhilarating!

The winning team was from Yu Neng Primary School.They received a huge hamper and ... hear this.. a digital camera each! Super cool prizes as compared to when I was in primary school donkey years ago, when we always received stationery as prizes.

After that, it was a chillax session for all of us as we sat through a movie - The Lorax. I have never watched it before but I found it a rather interesting story with good moral values.  It was also the perfect time to munch on the popcorn :)

Do keep up with this spell-binding event by watching the preliminary, zonal and grand final online on RazorTv. You can find out more about the championship by tuning in to Hot FM91.3. The radio deejays will be visiting participating schools for Recess Express, where pupils can find out more about what it takes to be a radio deejay. 

I like how this competition diverges out in many ways to make learning more interesting and enjoyable. 

So, teachers out there, do nominate your upper primary school students and register them for the National Spelling Championship through MOE as only students who are nominated by their schools are allowed to participate. Search for your best spellers and allow them to experience this rare opportunity!

For more details, head over to   http://www.straitstimes.com/bigspell.

Meanwhile, this has given me an idea of what I can propose for EL Week in school this year. I am sure secondary school students will find it equally beneficial.

Designer Grabs @ SIZZLE

Pssstttt.......

It is Thursday - very soon , the weekend will be here!

If you haven't got any plan yet for the weekend, come and visit the SIZZLE Faire this Saturday, 26 January 2013.

It is a whole day event , with many booths and stalls selling a myriad of things for the ladies - from accessories to art & craft, clothes to bags! There will also be workshops and a fashion show, portraying selected items from the different vendors. By women, for women.

And while you are there, you must drop by this booth in black and pink . That is the themed colour combination , you will never miss it!

Designer Grabs has been making quite a name online and is very active on Facebook. If you have not heard of it, where have you been ? ?? *slaps forehead*

From the name itself, there will be many designer items that you just have to grab because there is no way you will get these items at such fabulous prices anywhere else!

Just for this Saturday, they are bringing in huge numbers of bags and wallets of every design and colour that you can think of, that you will be absolutely spoilt for choice.

Here are just some of what you will see when you come by the booth this weekend.

No, the celebrities won't be there. But the bags are ! Collection from COACH

COACH Hampston Signature Tote

The COACH LEgacy Duffle Bag in really pretty colours and designs. I have set my eyes on the one at the bottom left.... Just need to check bank balance first. Haha.

Love the raspberry leather trimming!



A whole array of Kate Spade wallets and passport covers looking like candies!
 I am sure you are enticed! Don't lie!



And all the Prada that you want....

There are many, many more designs ...too many for me to list down all. You really just have got to see them for yourselves. Do not worry about the prices because they are definitely lower than the retail prices at our local boutiques yet, still come in their complete packaging.

Do not worry if they are replicas , AAA grade or whatever grades there are out there. Designer Grabs is all about 100% authenticity. You can be guaranteed that what you buy is the real deal and there is never a chance that it can be otherwise because all goods are handpicked from overseas.

If you still have doubts, well,  there is always the Authenticity Money Back Guarantee. But I guarantee you that is really unnecessary at all! Because..........let me tell you a little secret.....

The owner of Designer Grabs is my very own sister! I, myself, have bought many of my bags through her and so have a number of my friends and colleagues . I wouldn't want to put myself in danger , right? So feel safe that all is good to go!

Since it is also at a prestigious place, you can be assured of a comfortable place for some really good shopping.

Rendezvous Grand Hotel , Bras Basah Road. Very near to MRT stations and many buses
 pass by it. You won't get lost because it is a strategic landmark.

The whole event starts at 9 am and ends at 5pm. Be sure to come to Designer Grabs booth, ok? In case you cannot locate the booth, it is beside the stage and ....oh well, just look out for the striking and beautiful banner, will ya?

All the staff will be dressed in Black and Pink and be wearing official Designer Grabs nametags. See, there is absolutely NO reason for you not to notice us this Saturday!

So note down on your calendar:

Designer Grabs, 26/1, 9 - 5pm , Rendezvous Hotel .

See ya!



January Bellabox - loved!

We all love surprises, don't we? Especially the ladies - we squeal in delight and grin like a kid whenever our boyfriend/husband/friends/parents or anyone drops a surprise on us. I am no stranger to that.

I knew my Bellabox for January was on the way but with all the on-goings in my dailylife, I did not even think about it like the previous months. In fact, I pretty much forgot all about it this week until the doorbell rang at 10pm last Friday.

That was a pretty late timing, though . I was in the shower so husby answered the door. After showering and going through my usual facial routine, I went straight to bed. I was so darn tired by the end of 5 days worth of work that all I really wanted to do was SLEEP!

And sleep, I did... all the way till about 9 the next morning. I had already pre-warned husby that besides the dawn prayer, he was not to disturb my snooze!

I only opened my Bellabox at about 12 noon the next day.... ahhh.... I was pleased with what I saw. In fact, I think this is one of the better ones.

It is interesting that Bellabox seems to know me better ....got magic , is it? Whatever they sent this time round , I would definitely use ! (Psssttt..... I do not like receiving nail polishes. I never do my own nails because I absolutely suck at painting nails. Bellabox, if you hear me, please omit that off all future mails.... heehee)

So here are the things in my January Bellabox:

First and foremost, it came in a CNY packaging which I thought was pretty cute. Definitely better than the previous National Day one :P

This month, all subscribers are entitled to a discount if they make any purchase on bellabox.sg . I think I shall be getting my stock for the Enavose exfoliator.

And I always welcome facial masks in my monthly Bellabox. I realised that I have not been  buying facial masks as often because I always seem to have new ones to try out. Not complaining!

I have walked past the counter of SKIN FOOD numerous times in ISETAN @ Parkway Parade yet, have never bought anything there. It is quite pricey and I am not sure if it will work for my skin. So , this sample is a good chance for me to try them out. 

I have tried this out the past couple of days before using my Clarins emulsion.. Not bad, it makes the make up stay matte for quite a long while. 

Cute! SKINMISO nose pore pack with  a tool to press out your whiteheads/blackheads. I was excited to see this in the box because that means I can try it out on my husband :P I am his whiteheads extractor , if there is such a term.  

HAHA......I will always forget to redeem any free gifts. I'd rather these people just give it to me than 
having me make the extra effort to go and redeem. 

So how did Bellabox know that I was looking for a wide-toothed comb for my wavy hair? Good 
customer service or fairygodmother? 

I just love the anticipation each month when I know my Bellabox is coming. Just another way of pleasing myself and as a small perk-me-up.

Have you got your Bellabox?

My darling nephew...

It is officially the 8th day of school for 2013.

Same old routines apply each year although this year, for the first time in a long long long time ,I do not have a graduating class as my form class. I was given 3A1 - so far, so good. Students have been really good and obedient but oh well....it is only the 8th day of school. Horns are not out yet :P

Nothing much has bothered me yet except for the fact that I do not see my little nephew as often.

The little boy has started kindergarten. Instead of his usual school hours in the morning, he is now in school from 1 - 5pm and that means I no longer have the chance to bring him out in the afternoons. Our library visits have to be adjusted to evening times, whenever possible.

The past few years of his existence has brought me (and I am sure him, too!) much joy whenever we go out on our afternoon escapades. We have been to so many places / do activities together that even sometimes I forget what we have done and will be pleasantly surprised when he suddenly talks about a past event/activity (that boy has superb memory, I tell ya!) .

Just on Tuesday when we went over to his place, he suddenly blurted out in the middle of play:-

N (Nephew) : Mak Long, when can you come again?
Me: Why do you want me to come again?
N: You come lah so that you read me (a) book, we draw draw and study, play play-doh, go Alice minimart buy Barley. Then we go (to the) playground, we sit on the chair (bench!) and talk. After that , I play slides 10 times, you watch. Then we play monkey bar, then we go home lah.
Me: *dumbstruck*

He was basically listing all those things we usually do when I decide to just chill with him after school at his home, rather than going out. Quality time, they say. So touched that he remembers them really well but sad that there is very little chance of that happening again.

Yes, my dear Mustaqim, I miss our chit-chat sessions at the playground. I love talking to you and sometimes, I even find myself confiding in you. You are so young yet so matured at times!

An afternoon at the playground

Smart boy playing Junior Scrabble 

With the Mickey umbrella we bought at Toys 'R Us

After one of the library visits.... This is one way to stop him from asking for the phone!

Lil boy who is always eager to learn (in this case, ketupat weaving) but doesn't always succeed :P

I am going to miss our English and Math afternoon sessions big time !

We can no longer meet as often but I will definitely want to make time for you.  You are growing up way too fast and I would want to be part of your journey , no matter how small my part is :(

Our recent escapade at Changi Beach after morning breakfast nearby. My Dad wrote  "M Love M" in the sand and  asked nephew what that meant. He exclaimed," Mustaqim loves Mak Long!" YEAH!

And so , I shall end the post with the cheeky one and his favourite Chuppa Chupps!

I love u , darling! See you soon!