8 Ox-picious Items To Purchase This 2021

#1: SINGPOST’S OX-THEMED STAMPS

Last month, SingPost released a set of stamps that marked the arrival of the Year of the Ox. This year’s stamps featured two graphical illustrations of the ox by artist Lim An-Ling. She previously designed the 2020 Year of the Rat and 2019 Singapore Bicentennial stamp sets. The set of mint stamps has two denominations namely, 1st Local (S$0.30) and S$1.40. These stamps are part of a new collection of SingPost Zodiac stamp series.

#2: LIFEBOUY’S DISNEY TSUM TSUM OX HAND SANITIZER

Lifebouy released an exclusive hand sanitizer featuring the ox, rooster, snake, and Fu. This collection also offers designs with other Zodiac animals. It is up to you to choose which is the most “incredi-bull”. You can get your own hand sanitizer in Lazada, FairPrice, FairPrice Online, Watsons and Watsons Online for as low as S$3.25.

#3: PANDORA OX CHARM

I, for one, am a collector of Pandora charms. I am amazed by the wide selection of classic charms, collaboration charms, and limited-edition charms that Pandora houses. This year is no different! Pandora’s Chinese New Year 2021 Collection features an ox charm, a Fortune Cat charm, a mahjong dangle charm and other huat symbols. It retails from S$89 at sg.pandora.net.

#4: TWG TEA GREEN OF FUJIAN TEA

If you have S$48 to spare, you can enjoy the TWG Tea Green of Fujian tea pack. It is a blend of green teas from a remote garden on the celebrated Tai Mu Mountain of Fu Ding in Fujian Province. Let abundance and prosperity enter into your Year of the Ox by checking the nearest TWG Tea Salons & boutiques or by visiting TWGTea.com.

#5: SEPHORA OX COLLECTION

Are you looking for a beautiful yet cow-venient palette that can take you from day to night? Look no further than the Sephora Ox Collection Eyeshadow Palette (S$45)! It features highly-pigmented matte and pearlescent eyeshadows. You can pair your shimmering eye look with the soft pink satin lipstick in their Ox Collection (S$26). The Petal Pink Satin Lipstick has a smooth and silky texture. Get yours at sephora.sg.

#6: BIODERMA SENSIBIO H20 MICELLAR WATER (CNY LIMITED-EDITION)

After applying your makeup, you may cleanse your face with the Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water. Its packaging showcases a grazeful ox. This CNY limited-edition product was designed for sensitive skin. You can buy this festive bottle at Watsons, Guardian, Lazada, and Shopee.

#7: STARBUCKS’ OX-THEMED COLLECTION

Starbucks welcomed the Lunar New Year with their ox-themed collection. It showcases a combination of mugs, tumblers, bearistas, and seasonal snow globes. All these products feature intricate ox prints and designs. The price of these products range from S$18.90 to S$62.90.

#8: CNY GIFT TINS BY YOKU MOKU

The 2021 Chinese New Year limited-edition tin box by renowned Japanese confectionery brand Yoku Moku costs about S$48. The box contains an assortment of cookies such as eight pieces of matcha butter cookies and eight pieces of Cigare. Cigare are delicate cookies rolled with a vanilla flavor and buttery crunch. These treats are packed in a beautiful red tin. Order yours at yokumoku.com.sg.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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Daiso Just Opened An Online Store – All For S$2

Before the likes of Miniso graced Singapore, Daiso was known as the one-stop shop when it comes to ridiculously affordable deals for anything. It sold gadgets, utensils, bathroom supplies, stationary, and more. You name it, they have it for as low as S$2!

Daiso’s roots date back in 1972 when Hirotake Yano established a shop called Yano Shoten. It mostly sold household items for 100 Yen or S$1.28. It was not until December 1977 when the Daiso we recognize today was first discovered. Ten years later, it opened its first Taiwan store and the Korea store followed a month after. New stores opened almost every year since then.

Daiso has locations in 25 countries and regions worldwide including Japan, Vietnam, Mexico, Myanmar, New Zealand, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, and United States of America.

Interestingly, Daiso Japan is the king of batteries with over 147,500,000 batteries sold each year. Moreover, a fake eyelash pack is sold every 1.3 seconds. What’s more? It just opened its Singapore online shop last January 18, 2021. Many of the products they sell are imported from Japan, China, and Korea.

Daiso Singapore’s online shop has a range of over 400 products across 25 categories including cleaning supplies, kitchen tools, cosmetics, stationery, storage solutions, and more. This is a far cry from the 100,000 products offered by the store. However, we can expect to see more products popping in their online store in the future.

For instance, the only missing category is food. While, the most well-stocked category is cleaning supplies. This is understandable given our current situation. If you cannot find what you need or want online, you can go to one of its brick-and-mortar stores in Singapore including their branches in Marina Square and Canberra Plaza.

Image Credits: facebook.com/DAISO-Singapore

Just like the physical stores, the online shop sells all items at S$2 each. Do note that the delivery fee of about S$5 applies. This is just the basic fee. The delivery fee may differ depending on the weight of the items purchased. Moreover, customers are required to make a minimum purchase of five items. So, make the most out of your delivery fee by purchasing five or more items in one receipt!

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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Get Quality Sleep With These 5 Products

Everything is set. You got to bed suited up in your softest pajamas, your silk sheets were tucked, and your pillows were fluffed. However, you still cannot sleep! Instead you kept yourself busy by playing with your phone or watching the latest series on Netflix. You found yourself counting down the few hours left until the next day begins. Like you, most people sleep less than recommended.

A good night’s sleep is not just about the quantity of hours, but also the quality. Older people above 65 were found to have a poorer quality of sleep and even experience insomnia. Sleep deprivation results to worse cognitive performance including diminished focus, attention, alertness, and memory. To improve your sleeping cycle, consider using these products. May these help you gain some peaceful snoozing.

#1: LAVENDER PILLOW MISTS

Research has found that lavender increased slow-wave sleep, which plays a role in slowing one’s heartbeat and relaxing one’s muscles. Using pillow mists and sprays that contain lavender can be beneficial for adults and children. Find a mist that has a blend of floral waters, herbal ingredients, and essential oils. Then, spritz it over your bed linen before sleeping.

The Body Shop Spa Of The World French Lavender Pillow Mist is infused with lavender essential oil from France, which aims to release soothing fragrance for a good night’s sleep. It retails for about S$26.

#2: SCENTED CANDLES

Aromatherapy may ease your mind as you go to sleep. To set yourself up for a relaxing night ahead, simple burn an aromatherapy candle. Light the candle as you prepare for bed. You may either fulfill your skincare routine or read your favorite book before blowing the candle. Scents like Earl Grey Cucumber are great for mornings, but go with the Sage Sea Salt for restful nights. Scented candles made from different ingredients such as soy wax are available on Shopee for about S$15.

#3: BODY LOTIONS

For some people, asking their partners to massage their body can help them have a restful sleep. You can complete your night-time skincare regime by using Lush’s Sleepy Body Lotion. It is formulated with a blend of lavender oil and cocoa butter to keep your skin moisturized and comfortable all night long. Moreover, it creates a calming ambiance with its lavender scent. It costs about S$54.

#4: WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY

Wearable technology is hardly new for the public. It has gained popularity in the recent years. In fact, you can wear a Fitbit to help you monitor your breathing, sleep duration, and heart rate. It records the period when you go into deep sleep and gives you data about your sleeping pattern. Awareness will help you modify and improve your sleeping habits. It is available at Lazada Singapore for over S$200.

#5: WEIGHTED BLANKETS

Weighted blankets are usually filled with small objects such as pellets and polypropylene plastic. Lying underneath evenly distributed pressure (i.e., brought by the weighted blanket), is believed to increase the release of the hormone serotonin. This helps with relaxation.

Image credits: unsplash.com

In fact, many children with ADHD have used it to help them calm down. Occupational therapists have long used these blankets to help kids with sensory issues and anxiety, including kids with ADHD. These blankets are not only limited for the use of Occupational Therapists. If you think it will work for you, you may purchase weighted blankets on Shopee.

Sources: 1 & 2

 

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6 Last-Minute Shopping Ideas

Christmas falls on the same each year, but it still manages to sneak up on us. Many people prefer to do last-minute shopping by rushing to the mall or by clicking “add to cart”. While you can always give your loved one a gift card, these last-minute gift ideas feel way more personal.

#1: BATH TOWEL – S$15

Muji creates high quality items at affordable prices. Add posh to your friend’s house by gifting a set of Muji bath towels. You may add a personal touch by stitching your friend’s initials on these towels.

#2: LAVENDER SOY CANDLE – S$18

As your loved ones deal with the copious amounts of work or school stress, they will need a trip to the spa or two. Help them unwind in the safety of their owns by gifting soothing candles. Lavender helps the person to relax and calm down. You may purchase a Lavender soy candle at naiise.com.

#3: VANITY TRAYS – S$9.90

Find a gift that is perfect for organizing all smaller items in the bathroom or in the desk. Look no further than IKEA’s SAXBORGA. This set of 2 cork trays make it easy to organize makeup, jewelry, and other small accessories. Help your friend keep her space neat and tidy with this handy organizer.

#4: SPORTS BRA – S$39-45

If your significant other loves to keep fit, then athleisure is her ideal present. A reliable sports bra keeps you supported and comfortable during a workout. You will strike a jackpot by gifting the Anta or Under Armour sports bra at zalora.sg.

#5: FOREO FOFO CLEANSER – S$130

If your sibling enjoys skincare as much as I do, consider purchasing a waterproof facial cleansing device such as Foreo. Foreo uses T-Sonic pulsations to assist deep and gentle cleansing over the skin. It is a cleansing device that helps absorb the skincare products better. Sephora Singapore carries the Foreo Fofo for S$130.

#6: FITBIT VERSA 2 – S$258

The most expensive item on this list suits both men and women. The Fitbit Versa 2 is a smartwatch that helps create bedtime reminders, set alarms, and check the weather with its voice-activated technology. You can also receive insight into your health necessities such as your sleep schedule and your heart rate. Moreover, you can connect it to Spotify and play songs from your watch. It is available for a discounted rate at Lazada Singapore.

Image credits: unsplash.com

It helps to know what your recipient’s interests and hobbies are. Find an ideal gift that suits his or her preferences. Afterwards, add a touching written message to brighten his or her Christmas.

Sources: 1 & 2

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8 Shopping Traps That Make You Spend More

Have you ever experienced going into a shopping mall or an online shop with a list in mind, and ended up buying more? Whether you shopped with an empty stomach or got entangled with several marketing strategies, stores can employ tricks to make you spend more. It is best to increase your awareness on the subtle, psychological, and clever marketing traps to help you save more money on your next bill.

On that note, here are 8 Shopping Traps That Make You Spend More:

#1: CHILDREN’S OPINION

As the Yuletide season approaches, many stores offered colorful options for children. Children have a strong influence on what goes inside the carts. Supermarkets purposely place cereals, toys, and sugary treats at a kid-friendly level. Avoid giving in to your child’s desires by leaving him or her at home when you are grocery shopping.

#2: VICTIMS OF FREE SHIPPING

The truth is, free shipping is not “free”. Retailers have already factored in the shipping costs before they release their prices. It is easy to be lured with “free shipping”, especially when you are purchasing several items online. You just have to pay an extra S$5 to S$10 on an item just to get the free shipping option. This ensures that you end up buying more than what you expect.

#3: HIDDEN NECESSITIES

Daily necessities such as dairy, bread, eggs, etc. are placed at the back of the store and far away from each other so you will be encouraged to travel the whole store to get it. Once you have travelled, you probably got more that what you initially needed. Consider going straight to the back of the store and keep your shopping list on hand.

#4: LURED BY THE NUMBERS GAME

Retailers are smart! Instead of putting a price of S$5 on a product, they will put an irregular price of S$4.99 or S$4.96 to make you think that you have scored a better deal. What’s more? They will also add the illusion of saving more money by buying more of their products. These seemingly small details actually work.

#5: ATTRACTIVE SALES

When you see the word “sale” advertised in a physical or an online store, you automatically think that you are getting a better deal. This may not always be the case. Just because something is on sale, does not mean that you have to buy it. Purchasing sale items overtime can get you on a trail of consistent overspending.

Sale traps include: “receive a free give when you spend…” and “buy 1, get 1 free”. The former may be giving away free items that the store could not sell. While, the latter is only useful for essential items such as food and toiletries.

#6: ENTICED BY THE AROMA

Imagine the smell of baked breads mixed with the fresh smell of flowers. Very attractive, right? This is why newly baked goods and fresh flowers are placed near the front door. The goodness of smell will surely make you feel hungry and keep your mood up!

Image Credits: pixabay.com

#7: RIGHT DAY TO SHOP

Interestingly, there is a “right” day to shop. Prices seem lower than usual during Tuesday and Wednesday. Moreover, you can get better discounts in the month of November. This month is so close to the Yuletide and year-end sales. You can also score good deals on January as retailers are trying to clear their stocks.

#8: RIGHT SIDE TO SHOP

Many grocery stores place popular items on the right side of the shelves to move shoppers from the left to the right. This is because all items throughout the store are strategically placed to follow the right path. Are you really saving more money by moving from left to right? Keep that in mind!

Sources: 1, 2, 3 & 4

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