Valen’s Vanity Square

The craze of Christmas shopping had just ended a week ago, but the next shopping whirlwind is about to hit the globe…. in February… and that is… Valentine’s Day!

I suppose from now onwards I will be writing very often on shopping for Valentine’s Day gifts.

So, my first Valentine’s gift idea will be–coffee makers for those who can’t miss their daily dose of caffeine.

Espresso machine
For women or men who are sophisticated, tasteful, love the thick and rich aroma of coffee, and treat coffee drinking beyond it’s-just-a-cup-of-coffee, then an espresso machine is the perfect gift. Espresso machines are also suitable for those who like mixing and experimenting with different ratios of espresso and milk to produce different types of espresso-based coffee beverage, such as latte, cappuccino, macchiato, etc. Of course, with such high-end coffee makers, you should also aspect the price of espresso machines to be high-end, too.

Stove-top espresso makers
For those who love doing things the traditional way, then the stove-top Italian espresso maker is your best bet. People who who hates pushing buttons and turning knobs on hihg-tech machines will like these original espresso makers, haha!

French press
French press coffee makers are for those who are always on the go and want their caffeine fix fast, whether it’s in the morning, or while working in the office.

Whichever coffee makers that you are buying for your sweet Valentine, remember to accompany it with a packet of the best ground coffee powder or the freshest coffee beans. Enjoy your cuppa!

Besides skin problem, a fat belly and some white hair, I realized another sign of aging that is slowly and subtly creeping in. You know, that unsightly bump or ripple on your skin, especially around your thighs?

Yes, that’s IT–CELLULITE!

Cellulite is a natural build up of fat stored subcutaneously under the skin, and it hides oh-so well! You may not see a trace of it when standing or sitting, but just try this - squeeze your thighs with your two hands, see those bumps? Urrgh, cellulite!

I don’t think I will be able to totally get rid of those cellulite on my thighs, unless I go for a liposuction, ha! However, there are ways to reduce this form of fat before it gets ‘older’ and becomes harder to remove. Some people may try massaging thighs with anti-cellulite creams, but I don’t like the sticky feeling after applying the cream, and getting my pants or bed sheet or sofa all beginning to smell like the cream.

So, I’m only ended up with the most natural and cheapest way to do it - exercise! Burn more fat, burn more cellulite! Build muscles, so that cellulite has no place to hide! Sounds like a good motto for my 2009 health plan, ha!

It’s 2009! A new year, a new me!

(Well, more accurately, an older me… )

While I would normally think of what new image or hairstyle I would give myself in a beginning of a brand new year–which also means shopping for new clothes, handbags, shoes, etc–these things have not come across my mind at all. Signs of aging, that is.

Alright, the truth is I have to save the money for Chinese New Year preparation, which is only a dozen of days away. It’s time to put up some nice CNY decor and plants in the house, have some cookies and mandarin oranges ready to serve guests, buy gifts for relatives, and give ‘Ang Pas’ (money in red packets) to parents, siblings, nephews and nieces, friends’ sons and daugters, cousins’ boyfriends and girlfriends, and… just counting the number of Ang Paus to prepare is already making me sweat!

Simply put, CNY is another festive to spend money, haha! But looking at how the economy is today, one better be a wise shopper. If you want to shop, look out for sales and discounts, best buys or promotional products that are priced cheaper than usual. If there are some buy-2-free-1 promotional offers, then gather another two friends to buy together and share the cost. This will help you reduce this year’s CNY expenditure.

Hmmm, so when should I start MY shopping…