Lifestyle & Hobbies Archives | Page 101 of 165

Golden Rules Of Gift-Giving

One of the most pleasurable pursuits associated with any special occasion is the act of gift-giving. While some gifts can evoke positive emotions, others can come across as inappropriate. The following etiquette rules will help you avoid the common gift-giving mistakes.

RULE #1: RECOGNIZE YOUR HOST

When you get invited to someone’s home, it is a delightful gesture to bring a token of appreciation in exchange of the invite. Recognize the efforts that your host has poured to this special day. This token should not be extravagant! Simply bring a bottle of wine, a bouquet of flowers, or a box of doughnuts. Any gifts that are appropriate to the holiday’s theme will suffice too.

RULE #2: TAP INTO YOUR CULTURE

Singapore prides itself as a country practicing racial harmony. Hence, you may be invited to selected holidays that you do not usually celebrate. Keep in mind that not all cultures celebrate a particular occasion in the same way. So, do your homework before purchasing a gift. What is appropriate to give in a Traditional Chinese wedding may not be necessary in a Malay wedding.

RULE #3: EXTEND YOUR SINCERE GRATITUDE

Image Credits: pixabay.com

What should you do when someone gives you a present and you do not have anything in return? For starters, you shall not dwell on the fact that you do not have a gift for him or her. Instead, focus on showing the person that you appreciate this gesture. Extend your sincere gratitude by sending a thank you note or by sending a gift at a later date.

RULE #4: NO NEED TO RECIPROCATE

Most of us are compelled to provide someone with gift of equal value. This can be a trap since value is not easy to assess! When giving presents, you should ideally spend what you feel comfortable with.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Remember that the thought that goes into a gift is the most important thing. A Do-It-Yourself gift can be a great option that not only provides a cheaper alternative, but also speaks volume about your love.

Sources: 1 & 2

How To Get The Most Out Of Your Pricey Perfume

Whether you are attracted to musky or floral scents, your perfume is your signature. Get the most out of your money by lengthening your perfume’s longevity. Here are seven tips to help you in your quest.

1. KNOW WHERE TO SHOP

Saving money starts with shopping for perfume at bargain prices. A list of top places to raid will not be complete without mentioning Mustafa Centre. Mustafa Centre offers an array of product selections. If you are buying fragrances in bulk, go to Level 1. There, you will find different fragrances, household items, books, cosmetics, electronics, shoes, watches, and so much more.

Most people go to Mustafa to shop in bulk due to its competitive prices. This way, they had increased their savings.

2. THRIVE IN THE DARK

Some things thrive in the dark. Extend the privilege of going “incognito” to your fragrance. By storing your perfume in dark and cool places (e.g., inside cabinets or shelves), you are ensuring its longevity. Exposing your products to heat and humidity can break down its components. So, avoid damp or warm places such as your bathroom.

3. FOCUS ON PULSE POINTS

Let me take a quick moment to enlighten you about pulse points. Pulse points highlight the areas where your blood vessels are the closest to the skin. Heat activates the perfume. Thus, the pulse points on your body are the best places to spritz a scent due to the warmth of your blood. Choose two target areas to which you can apply your scent on.

Image Credits: shadesofglam.com

Do not over do it! Personally, I prefer putting some on my wrists and on the back of my knees. The aforementioned warmth shall aid in evaporating the alcoholic carrier that most perfumes come in. Moreover, it will help release the fragrance more effectively.

4. PUT SOME PETROLEUM JELLY

Pure petroleum jelly such as Vaseline seem to be a holy grail for many beauty enthusiasts. It can be used in lash extensions, lip balms, and fragrances. Yes! You read that right. You can make your scent last longer by rubbing this product on your pulse points before spraying a layer of perfume on top. This quick hack will only use a minute of your time.

Perfume gets stronger when put on “oily” skin. It works by trapping moisture of your skin and by trapping the alcohol-based scents.

5. CHOOSE THE WOODSY BASE

Perfumes are made up of notes, which are separated into three layers: top, middle, and base. The top note is the first scent that is activated upon spraying the fragrance. It typically fades away in a minute. Then, the middle or heart note will stay for a longer period of time. When both notes evaporate, the base note shall remain.

For a better staying power, stick to perfumes with woodsy base notes. Scents with citrus base notes tend to disappear the fastest!

6. SPRITZ IT ON YOUR BRUSH

Whether you believe it or not, your hair has the ability to trap scents better than your skin. Spraying some of your signature scent on your hair will help it linger throughout the day. I am not saying that you must directly apply the perfume on your scalp. I, for one, have a sensitive scalp. Instead, you must spray it on your hairbrush and wait for it to dry up.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Comb the smell through your hair strands. Doing this will still distribute the scent evenly and will minimize the contact of alcohol to your scalp.

7. BONUS TIP: STOP RUBBING THE SCENT ON YOUR WRISTS

Rubbing the scent on one’s wrists and distributing it on the neck is a typical move that your mother or grandmother employs. Stop doing this! Rubbing your wrists together forces the top notes to break down. The scent will disappear at a faster rate. Please, just let your perfume sit.

Sources: 1 & 2

Single’s Day, Black Friday, 12.12 – What To Expect This Shopping Season?

What is the best time to shop in Singapore? Both researchers and consumers can agree on one thing – it’s the fourth quarter of every year that brings merchants the most profits and shoppers – the most savings. What is so magical about that time of year and why do people get crazy savvy when it comes to shopping in Q4?

Even though you might be hearing the news about the upcoming Black Friday, there is so much more to look forward in Singapore once September hits. Asians seem to be quite fluent when it comes to spending money and saving it at the same time – thus numerous shopping events of which you can take advantage. When does it start and does it ever end?

Numbers tell it all, and they seem to be the prevailing theme when it comes to naming the shopping spree events. The 9.9 in which Lazada and Shopee took part this year broke the season wide open with savings of up to 50%. While the organisers of the Great Singapore Sale extend their event every year to make it last longer, those shoppers who miss their chance can still find something amazing on sale. The 9.9 surely builds up everyone’s appetite for the upcoming shopping days.

With October coming up, the Qoo’s 10.10 Shopping Evolution takes place over a few days, and in 2017, consumers could tap into it from the 9th to the 15th. While shoppers could easily shop at their favourite merchants’ available in the online market square, others visited Plaza Singapura to hear about the latest services from Qoo. Even more opportunities to save money – what’s there not to love?

September and October are just a warm-up before one of the most anticipated shopping events in Singapore – 11.11, also known as Double Eleven or Single’s Day. Originating in China to celebrate the single life, it’s a perfect occasion for people from all walks of life to shop for merchandise of all kind – from small-sized accessories to furniture. Here, in Asia, it’s even bigger than the world-renowned Black Friday with profits of online shops skyrocketing every year.

Up until now, it was the Double Eleven that was a benchmark in Asia but people working behind the scenes of sales promotion at Black Friday.Global say that over 80% of Singaporeans are aware of what Black Friday is. Given the fact that the online and offline footfall increased by 117% in the last five years, it is estimated that fewer people will go to brick and mortar shops and more of them will shop at online ones. The shift can also be observed in the fact that more people are happy to mingle between the two to find the best bargain deals. An average Singaporean is likely to spend S$ 225 on goods like fashion, electronics and beauty.

Black Friday isn’t the end, though. Soon after the post-event emotions go down, there’s one last chance to shop before Christmas. The 12.12 will bring all the biggest merchants in Singapore together in one last major shopping spree. Whether it’s cashback with Shopback or high-fashion spree with Zalora, consumers can use this opportunity to shop their way into Christmas oblivion.

If there is anything we have learned in the previous years it is that it’s never too late to turn your consumer-mode on and that there is always a promotion waiting at one place or another. The savviest shoppers can use their acumen to save thousands of dollars a year and enjoy the fabulous life. Shopping events bring benefits not only to us but also to the economy because bigger profits mean more tax paid to the government. It seems like eating your cake and having it will cost you next to nothing.

Spin & Sure-Win At Giant Hypermarkets!

The immensely popular Spin & Sure-Win promotion from Giant is finally back- only that it is BIGGER and BETTER this time! For the first time ever, the Spin & Sure-Win promotion will be available at 4 hypermarkets in Singapore. They are located at IMM, Tampines, VivoCity and Parkway Parade. Up to a total of $100,000 are to be won!

During the Spin & Sure-Win promotion period, there will be a combination of WOW Deals, Featured Deals and Bulk Deals. 4 WOW Deals each at $9.90 promises incredible savings that will blow your mind away:

10 pieces of Australia Navel Oranges (usual price $16.50)
A bottle of 5L of Sunny Meadow Pure Sunflower Oil (usual price $15.95)
A bottle of Hardy’s VR Wine Moscato (usual price $19.90)
A bamboo charcoal memory foam pillow (usual price $49)

Giant has also curated a mix of 15 products to cater to different types of shoppers.

Finally, buy in bulk and save more! Toast your way to more savings with 4 cartons of Stella Artois Canned Beer for only $65.90 (usual price $91.20) Or pay $4.25 for 2 bags of red onions or Holland potatoes. With so many different combinations of deals available, every type of shopper can look forward to savings galore during the promotion period. But that’s not all!

Every $80 spend* entitles you to 1 chance at the Spin & Sure-Win wheel. Prizes up to a total amount of $100,000 are available during the promotion period!

The deals change every month so make sure you attend all promotion periods to maximise your savings. Hurry now as prizes and vouchers are available while stock lasts!

Learn more about Giant’s fantastic Spin & Sure-Win promotion here.

*Exclusions: Tobacco, cigarettes, newspapers, magazines, infant milk powder, phone cards, gift vouchers, lottery and purchase from concessionaires

20 Dollar-Pinching Food Hacks

1. Squeeze every last drop of lemon, calamansi, and other citrus fruits by using a pair of tongs.

2. Savvy shoppers compare prices across the board. Do so by visiting the website called PriceTrolley. It gives transparency over different product prices in local supermarkets.

3. Plan your meals a week in advance and shop accordingly. Do not go beyond this list!

4. If you cannot handle the taste of tap water, get a water filter. It is cheaper to get a water filter and attach it on your faucet instead of purchasing purified water regularly. Lazada Singapore sells water purifiers for as low as S$12.

5. Reduce your intake of meat. Instead of consuming meat on a daily basis, you may reduce your consumption to five times a week. This act both save some cash and to be kinder to the animals.

Image Credits: pixabay,com

6. Use coupons in the grocery. Keep a watchful eye over coupons available in magazines and newspapers. You may also check couponing websites for codes that can be used while you shop online.

7. Invest on food containers or Tupperware. Use these containers to pack your lunch in your campus.

8. Not every due date is set on stone. Do not throw food out just because it is beyond the “best before” date. Inspect the product first.

9. Applying the same concept as a mystery shopper, you can become a mystery diner. Eat your hearts out while commenting on dishes in various restaurants. You get to enjoy a free meal while getting paid for your job.

10. Do not over serve your guests. Ask them to get more food, if necessary. This will reduce the wastes of uneaten food on a plate.

Image Credits: pixabay,com

11. Follow the age-old trick of First In, First Out. Use older products or produce first before moving on to others. An organized refrigerator will make this possible.

12. As mentioned above, you must organize the items inside your refrigerator. Plan out the products that you will actually eat and store them properly. Since the fridge’s door is the warmest part, it is the best place to store your condiments and non-dairy beverages that do not spoil easily.

13. Know how to distinguish what is freezable from what is not. Afterwards, freeze everything that is freezable. Maximizing the power of your freezer will save you money in the long run.

14. Spice up your basic popcorn by seasoning it with herbs. Before your herbs go bad, you may chop them up and mix them with olive oil or butter. Use this mixture to sauté your onions or to spread on a toast.

15. Dine out on your birthday. There are so many place that offer free meals, desserts, or giveaway to celebrants. I remember receiving a free ice cream cake and a free ticket to a contemporary museum during my birthday.

16. Wrap the stem of the banana in a plastic wrap to extend its life span. This will keep it fresh.

17. Cheese is a tricky product to store! Start by wrapping it loosely in a wax paper before placing it in the packaging. Then, partially seal the plastic. This prevents the bacteria and ammonia from being trapped inside.

18. To keep your brown sugar soft, toss a few marshmallows inside the packaging.

19. Absorb the moisture on your lettuce by breaking it apart before storing it. Do this trick to similar greens upon washing it. Then, store the greens in a resealable container with a dry paper towel. Replace the paper towel as needed.

Image Credits: pixabay,com

20. Do not throw your eggs in the rubbish bin right away! Do the “fresh test” by letting it float gently in a bowl of water. The eggs that will sink are still fresh.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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