Louis Vuitton Date Code

While selling my LV bag online, I happened to know from my buyer that authentic Louis Vuitton bags has a date code stamped either on its interior tag or on the lining. It indicates the place and date of its manufacturing.

This is my antique alma bag which was bought years ago.

I found the date code in the inner pocket which was quite difficult to reach. You really have to search thoroughly otherwise you might just miss it.

From my understanding, Date code consists of 6 alpha-numberic digits whereby

• 1&2 digits represent the country where it was manufactured
• List of LV country codes
• France: A0, A1, A2, AA, AAS (special order), AN, AR, AS, BA, BJ, BU, DU, CO, CT, ET, FL, LW, MB, MI, NO, RA, RI, SD, SL, SN, SP, SR, TH, TR, VI, VX
• USA: FC, FH, LA, OS, SD, FL
• Spain: CA, LO, LB, LM, LW
• Italy: BC, BO, CE, FO, MA, RC, RE, SA, TD
• Germany: LP
• Switzerland: DI, FA
• 3&5 digits represent the week or month depending on when it was manufactured
• 1990s it's showing month 
• 2007-present it's showing  week  
• 5&6 digits represent the year it was manufactured

In my case, my Alma bag has a date code of FL0093 which means it was manufactured in USA and a manufacturing date of month 09 in 2003.

Although this is not a proof of its authenticity but if we are buying second hand LV bag, at least it served as an extra check.

Nescafe Dolce Gusto Coffee Machine - Mini Me

I have long wanted to buy a coffee machine but I always find it too expensive.  However, as I was doing my grocery shopping at Cold Storage the other day, I came across this promotion, purchase S$30 in a single receipt and get the latest model of Nescafe Dolce Gusto coffee machine - Mini Me at only S$139. Original price is S$199.

I was so tempted but I did not buy on the spot as I was thinking of doing my research at other electrical stores such as Best Denki, since I have a S$50 voucher. In the end, Best Denki does not even carry this model. And the other model are more expensive than this.

With no surprise, I went back the next day to purchase this cute little machine. I purchased 3 boxes of the capsules to make up the $30 purchase and get to buy the coffee machine at a great price.

This machine comes with 0.8 litre water tank which can make up to 3 cups depending on the type of beverage you made. It is automatic as in you just need to select the level of pressure which are indicated on the capsules, choose it hot or cold (as in room temperature), and the beverage will be dispensed and stopped automatically. It also comes with 6 free capsules in the box which includes Cappuccino, latte macchiato and espresso. By the way, only black color is available for this promotion. 

So far, I am very satisfied with this machine.  It is very easy to operate and clean as well. It also take up very small space since it is rather small. However, it will splatter abit when dispensing the  beverage if you are not using a tall cup.

As for the taste, it does have a strong milky taste since it is using milk powder instead of fresh milk. But I am fine with it.  I am so going to buy more other flavors to try now.

Nescafe Dolce Gusto Coffee machine - Mini Me

S$139 purchase with purchase

Cold Storage

Promotion until 2 Jan 2014

Saveur

My friend brought me to Saveur @ purvis street on a Friday evening.  It was super long queue and no reservation is allowed.  There must be something unique about this restaurant that is attracting the crowd.  

Saveur served french cuisine at an affordable price.  Their main course is priced below $20 whereas the premium one at $24.90.  No wonder everyone is queuing to get in.

Foie Gras at $9.90

Saveur's pasta $4.90

Beef short rib braised in red wine $16.90

Pan-seared sea bass at $14.90

Duck Confit at $12.90

Creme Brulee

 Chocolate and hazelnut $7.90

The taste and presentation is really good for the price we are paying.  However, the portion is really small since it is french cuisine. I will definitely recommend this to my friends.  

By the way, Saveur has opened another outlet at Far East Square.  I walked past the other day on Friday night and there wasn't any queue at all.  Maybe I should go there instead.

Saveur
5 Purvis Street
Talib Court #01-04
Singapore 188584

Tim Wo Han

I believe this needs no introduction as you can see long queue almost every hour outside Tim Ho Wan at Plaza Singapura. There are people who waited for 3 hours just to try their Michelin star Dim Sum!!  

However, I was so lucky that I do not need to queue at all *blink blink* We went to the Toa Payoh branch on a Saturday afternoon. Surprisingly, once we reached there, we were greeted by the waitress at the entrance and ushered to our table immediately.  We even get to choose our seats! *Don't envy*

This is the restaurant menu.  They have quite a limited choice.  Of course we ordered the must try "Four heavenly kings"

The famous baked bun with barbeque pork aka polo bun.  We love this the most, the crust is crisp and the char siew is tasty.  We even ordered extra to bring home.

Steamed egg cake aka 马来糕 is fluffy and soft.  It is also one of our favorite.

Pan fried carrot cake which is nothing too special

Vermicelli roll stuffed with pig liver taste horrible as I do not eat pig liver. If you like liver, maybe you will appreciate this dish.

Overall, I do not mind having the Polo buns and steamed egg cake again.  However, there is no way that I am going to queue for hours just to have this.  

To avoid the queue, visit the Toa Payoh branch during weekday afternoon after 3pm.  The waitress told us that usually it is quiet during that timing.  The restaurant is located opposite courts and on the second level of ERA centre.

Tim Ho Wan
450 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh #02-02
ERA centre Toa Payoh
Singapore 319394

Bear Bites

Isn't this cute? Do you see bear paw bun pictures popped up everywhere in instagram and facebook?  

 This is the place to get your bear paw bun - Bear bites.  It is located at Scape which is just steps away from Mcdonalds. As it is an outdoor cafe, you might have problem eating there when it rains.

3 steps to order your bear paw bun:

Step 1: Choose your meat - only chicken and fish are available

Step 2: Choose the favour of the bear paw bun.  According to the salesperson, the popular one are original milk and squid ink.

Step 3: Choose the sauce from the 6 different choices

The combo set includes a bear paw bun, fries and a bottled drink which cost $7.80.  Add additional $1 to upgrade to cheesy fries and additional $0.20 for honey mustard sauce. The price comes up to $9.00, not really cheap for a fast food meal.

The burger is really huge.  It's almost the size of a person's palm. 

I have chosen the brown sugar bun with chicken and honey mustard.  The bun is soft but overall the taste is nothing to "wow" about. But the cuteness level is totally "WOW"

Bear Bites Singapore
Scape, 2 Orchard Link, #02-42
Singapore 237978

Cable holder

Do you have problem when you are not charging your handphone, the handphone cable that you have left on the table keep dropping to the floor?  I do, as the power switch is below the table where i placed the handphone cable. I feel irritated that I always need to pick up the cable.

This is the solution to my problem.  A cable holder.

It comes with an adhesive tape on the bottom so that it can be sticked onto the table. All I need to do is just to place my handphone cable into this holder. I do not need to search for my cable anymore. What a clever invention.

Bra clip

The trick is to use a bra clip.

Clip one of these bra clip on the back of your bra straps. Put both straps under the flaps of the clip and you are done. You can even choose the color to match your bra.

I usually use this when I'm wearing tank top to hide those unsightly bra straps.  It works very well and there is no discomfort at all.

Air Wick Freshmatic Air spray

I would like to share with you this tip that I used for the air wick freshmatic refill. Usually it will be expensive if we bought the refill at the supermarket such as Fairprice or Cold storage.  However, we can get it cheaper at valueshop which costs only $4.95

At times, we might have bought a different brand of refill that will not work. Do not throw this away.

If you look at it closely, you will notice that the nozzle for both brands are different.  In the above picture, the one on the left is from Ambi Pur whereas one the right is from Air Wick.  There are 2 stripes on the air wick nozzle that the unit will detect.  After the first spray, it will detect the stripe and continue thereafter.  So if you use the other brand that do not have the strip then the unit will stop spraying after the first spray.  

The workaround is to replace the nozzle with the original air wick nozzle and you will have no problem using sprays from other brands.  

Hope this trick helps you to save some money.

MP3 player for Children

I've got this MP3 player for my kids as their Christmas presents which I find it very cool.

It comes with 2 barbie doll cover which are interchangeable.  It also comes with 1 GB of memory space.

Transferring of songs can be done via USB connection to the computer.

This is the front view of the player.

The control buttons are all located at the back of the unit.

However, do remember that it is important to keep track of the amount of time they spent using this gadget as well as the level of loudness, it might cause damage to their eardrum if they have prolonged usage.  

Camera for Children

My kids love to take pictures.  However, if I were to let them use my camera, they might not be able to handle it with care and might cause damage to the expensive gadget.  So I got them their own camera instead (cheaper version of course)!

This is a kid's camera with princess print that is so sweet for your princess at home. Unlike most kid's camera, this one really works and can take real pictures.

The back view of the camera includes the power button, frame selection button as well as the usb port. You can backup the photos into the computer via usb connection.

It comes with 24 different frames to choose from - 6 from each theme of cars, disney, princess & toy story.

My kids will bring the camera to all occasions such as friend's birthday parties and school's learning journey.  Their friends would usually get excited and fascinated by this gadget.

Airfryer

When it comes to cooking, I am a noob.  Especially when I need to do deep frying, I was so afraid of the hot oil splattering on me.  So when everyone is raving about the Philip Airfryer.  It really got me interested to know more about the product.

I started enquiry around the electrical store like Best Denki and Courts.  They even have demo on how to operate the machine and what it can cook, etc. Finally I've decided to give it a try and was recommended by one of the Best denki staff to get it in the upcoming roadshow.

This was what I lugged back from the roadshow.  It was really a good deal selling at S$249.  I think this was probably the cheapest I've seen so far. 

It comes with free gifts such as baking tray, a set of Philip's flask and cups and a can opener.

A closer look of the free gift - Philip's water flask and 2 cups.

These were some of the food I have cooked using the airfryer.

Roti prata with sausage

Carrot cake

Rosti

Chicken cutlet

 Although it indicates that no oil needed, I think the food taste better with a bit of oil so that it is not so dry. Overall, I am very satisfied with the product as there is minimal cleaning and food is healthier too.

It is also very easy to operate, all you need to do is set the temperature and time. Even my 11 years daughter is able to fry the frozen gyoza for her tea break. It is crispy on the outside and juicy in the inside.  So what more can we ask for. 

Philips Airfryer

Bought at Best Denki

S$249

Accessories organiser

 Do you have problem finding your pair of earring or necklace to match your outfit? I do, sometimes I have even forgotten that I have that pair of earrings. So I started my search for an accessories organizer.

The first time I came across this accessories organizer was in Takashimaya and it was really expensive.  It was also recommended in the show "Ladyfirst Singapore (女人我最大新加坡)"。 Recently, I saw it again on the internet selling at S$12.90 and I couldn't resist anymore. So I've decided to get one in Black.  It came in Pink as well.

There are 10 pockets of various sizes to fit in your earrings, rings or even bracelets. Each pocket is quite big which can fit in 2 pairs of earrings.

At the other side,  you can hang your necklaces or even watches. There are 14 loops of which 7 of them are detachable with velcro.

I can now see all my accessories at one glance and is so much easier to search for them now. Take note that it does not come with the hanger.

Fetal Hair brush

When your baby goes for her/his first hair cut, make sure that you keep the hair. The fetal hair is entirely different from other hair.  It is very soft and with hair tip at the end. 

You can get them made into a baby hair brush aka 胎毛笔, as it is known that the fetal hair contains all traits for making a top quality calligraphy brush.

  

There is only one chance for the baby to make 胎毛笔. Each 胎毛笔 made of fetal hair engraves the baby's name, birthdate and greeting words, which makes it unique in the world.  I hope they will appreciate what I have given them when they grow up.

Fetal hair brush
Available at 华夏胎毛笔

Umbilical cord stamp

I know some parents do keep their baby's belly button when it dropped off.  But what do we do with it? It looks kind of gross.

I got it made into an umbilical cord stamp.  My baby's photo, a small bunch of her fetal hair  and the belly button were sealed inside this acrylic stamp.  The belly button was chemically treated so that it will stay intact forever.  

 Her chinese name can be engraved at the bottom too. When my girl grows up, I can give this to her as a memento or to be used as her name stamp.

Umbilical cord stamp

Available at 华夏胎毛笔

Mini handheld sewing machine

 At first glance, you might think that this is a stapler? But it come with thread and needle.  It is actually a mini handheld sewing machine. Since  I do not have a sewing machine at home, this might come in handy to fix that tiny hole in my pants.

Instruction: Set up your desired thread color according to the instruction given on the box. Lift up the cloth fastening plate and put the cloth under it. Start threading by pressing the machine up and down.

This is how it looks like after threading.  I have tried on some of clothing but I find it difficult to control and the thread will come off after sewing.  Personally, I think it is not as useful as it claims to be.