9/15/2024

Maxwell & Williams Teas & C's Silk Road Coupe Plate 19.5cm Gift Boxed

I gifted this to myself to use as breakfast plate. The design is by Kiwi-Australian ceramist Gabby Malpas.The photo doesn't do it justice. The design is a mix of modern romantic dinnerware with a hint of those nonna's plates that we all love. Just beautiful. It's made of good quality porcelain and washes well under the tap. However, is dishwasher and microwave safe.  I find this size perfect for desert and for breakfast. I use it for the latter, to place toasts, hash browns, cooked eggs and other breakky goodies. This is part of a tea set with an equally stunning teacup and saucer, but I bought this separately at reduced price. Good value for money.

Double D Sugar Free Fruit Jelly Rounds 70 g

I was disappointed with the flavour of these jellies, having tried other Double D varieties from the same brand. These jellies are quite chewy, something I love, and are made with stevia not sugar. However, the flavour is lacking in all of flavours in the bag. Why?! I won't buy them again.

9/08/2024

Montana Refillable MXA324048 Marker (2mm Nib, Fine)

This is a very good quality refillable marker. This marker is easy to fill in/refill and has a metallic ball inside to prevent ink thickening. It is lightweight and the ink is easy to pump out. I used a mini funnel to fill in the marker and it worked perfectly. If I didn't have this funnel, I would have used a syringe. The bullet point works neatly and is very similar to Posca's.
 
Montana ink is great but also expensive, so I'm happy being able to use other acrylic inks that are less expensive and as good. Refillable markers are a need for me as I feel self-conscious about binning good-quality plastic empty markers. So I love that I can use this over and over.
 
A bit pricey for an empty marker, but happy to have it.

8/29/2024

Double D Sugar Free Cola Bottles 90 g

They are chewy and the cola flavour is just lovely. They're made with Stevia instead of sugar, but they taste great. In fact, they're addictive. These gummies have a somewhat odd smell. Just a warning, despite being made of natural ingredients, the maltitol is laxative; so, if you have a bag of these on your own, you'll get diarrhoea guaranteed. Or perhaps you'd like to have a bag of these if you are constipated. It depends how you see the bottle, half empty or half full. For the rest, great sugar-free lollies and snack but to be consumed in moderation.

8/26/2024

Maybelline SuperStay Ink Crayon Lipstick (Make It Happen)

This is a twisty crayon lipstick in an intense flattering rich. I love the pencil concept as application and outlining are precise using minimum product. It has a matte velvety texture on the lips and dries very quickly so I don't have the feeling of having any lipstick on. It does not last as much as the long lasting lipstick by the same brand, which last me all day long even after eating. This one does not last after eating but it lasts more than other lipsticks I own.

8/25/2024

Spiral-Bound 20-sheet 140lb/300gsm Cold-pressed Watercolour Paper Pad (26.5x26.5 cm)

This large-ish pad is not only affordable and good looking but, most importantly, it has a terrific smooth watercolour paper. I've used it with Posca pens, collage, acrylic paints, water soluble materials, and stands most media without any gesso layer. Needless to say, I gesso the pages when I want to make sure that I can rub or lightly scratch the surface of my paintings. Acrylic inks will bleed if the pages are not gessoed.
 
I've  tried many watercolour pads and art journals as sketchbook, and this one is at the top of my list due to its quality and price. The only downside is the fact that I cannot open the spiral rings, which is a bit of an annoyance as I'd like to do that to work on each sheet individually without worrying about how to protect the pad from staining. Yet, I've found my way, and this is still a great sketchbook pad for watercolour, water-soluble media and acrylic paints of different viscosity.  

Magic Ants Pop-UP Card, Sunflowers Bouquet

This is a large pop-up beautiful card, that sits flat in the envelope but becomes 3D and stands upright on its 'vase' when unfolded. It unfolds easily and fully with no effort. It is very cheery and girly. I consider this perfect for any sort of celebration e.g. I can use it for birthdays, mother's day, and to congratulate coworkers at my workplace, where plants are not allowed. It comes with a stand-alone beautiful note to write your message so the bouquet is not ruined. Even the envelope is beautiful. The size is about 8x8in.