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Daphne

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No more panic shopping

December 7, 2012

It’s almost Christmas and if you haven’t done your shopping yet, now’s the perfect time to panic. Except you won’t have to because I have just the thing to make the last-minute scrambling a little less scrambly.

Usually, when I’m in my panic-shopping mode, I start wandering the malls along Orchard Road (starting from ION Orchard and making my way down to Plaza Singapura), hoping that I’ll stumble upon the perfect gift somewhere along the way. It usually doesn’t work because I’ll start to get tired and irritable from having to jostle with the maddening crowd after 25 minutes.

No, Christmas shopping requires stamina, determination, lots of focus and most importantly, a PLAN.

Which is what the folks at CapitaMalls have come up with. A solid shopping plan.

1. Download the CapitaMalls Wishlist app on your iPhone.

It’s an app that features more than 500 gift ideas from over 90 participating retailers across 16 CapitaMalls in Singapore, allowing you to browse catalogues and get inspiration for gift ideas. Instead of having to roam the shops aimlessly for ideas, do it with the swipe of a finger.

2. Start browsing for gift ideas. 

The items are catalogued according to categories so you can search for stuff under Fashion & Accessories, Housewares & Furnishings, etc. Or you can browse Popular Gifts according to Age & Gender. Or check out curated Gift Idea lists like this one which I did “For Kids”.

3. Plan your route.

Once you’ve decided on the items to get, make use of the Shopping Planner function to locate them at the nearest CapitaMall. This way, you know exactly where to go to pick up the stuff.

4. Save with Mobile eCoupon Deals. 

When you’re out and about, make use of the app to enjoy more than 40 exclusive Mobile eCoupon deals at participating retailers.

5. Create your own Wishlist.

With this app, you can also form your own wishlist of gifts you’d like to receive and share the list with your friends. Or better yet, browse your friends’ wishlists to find out what they want for Christmas so you can surprise them with something you know they’ll definitely like.

*From now till 31 December, create a wishlist to stand a chance to be one of 10 to win $500 worth of CapitaVouchers in the Grand Draw. The first 250 shoppers every week who share their wishlists with 10 friends will receive $20 worth of CapitaVouchers to fulfill their wishes. Check out http://wishlist.capitamallsasia.com for more.

And finally, download CapitaMalls Wishlist iPhone App from the App Store and start your Christmas shopping now!

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to FInn with love

To my schmoopsie poo

December 6, 2012

Dearest Finn,

You’re 100 days old today, which is a milestone, at least for me. In mommy terms, it means that the worst is over because you’re not so helpless and fragile anymore (yay!!). You’re less of a delicate little flower and more of a chubby milk machine. I just checked your thighs this morning and I’m pleased to say that they’ve finally reached optimum chubbiness. Nicely done.

We’re also getting to know each other better. I know the past few months, you just liked me for my delicious milk but these days, you seem to really enjoy hanging out with me even when there are no boobs in the picture. For what it’s worth, I like hanging out with you too, even though you make me sing Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes like forty-seven times a day. You know momma will do anything to make you laugh because that grin? It lights up my world.

It’s been an absolute joy having you in our family. Every day, I look at you and I thank God that he gave you to us.

This family isn’t perfect. We’ve all got our exasperating quirks and we can get a little crazy sometimes but it’s a pretty special one and I’m glad you’re part of it.

On that note, you’ll always be the third kid, which means that you’ll always have to contend with sharing us with your siblings. It’ll probably be overwhelming having to grow up with a sister who’s a live wire and a brother who can be a tough act to follow but I have a feeling you’ll hold your own quite nicely. In any case, you’ll always be special to us just the way you are.

And look at it this way, whatever extra alone time you’re missing out on with mommy and daddy, it’ll be made up for in super crazy fun time with your korkor and jiejie who love you to bits. I think that’s called having the best of both worlds.

I love you, kiddo.

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kids in motion, unqualified parenting tips

Just a little shy guy

December 4, 2012

We were out for brunch over the weekend and there was this playground area for the kids to run around so they were having fun at one of those metallic old school swing sets.

Along came this cute little French girl who was probably 4 or 5 years old. I say French but she could have been Austrian or Croatian or from one of those Baltic States – I’m not very good with identifying European accents. She climbed in onto the swing next to Truett and after several minutes, she got up and took his hand, gesturing for him to follow her. Truett, being the shy little Chinese boy, looked completely befuddled and he just sat there not knowing how to react.

The husband, in his typical guy response, leaned in to me and said “Is this a sign of things to come?”

After the girl walked off, I whispered to Tru. “Son, when a pretty girl propositions you, there’s only one appropriate response. You look at her and say “Why certainly, I would like nothing more.” You can’t just ignore her.”

He was like “But I just want to sit here on the swing with mei mei.”

“Ok, how about you and mei mei go make friends with her together? I think she wants to play with you guys.” I suggested.

“Never mind, we can just play here,” he said.

Not long after, the little girl came back, looked at him and said, “You come sit here.” She pointed at a kiddy ride bus nearby and told him to follow her.

Again, he looked overwhelmed and pretty much ignored her until she went away.

I thought that maybe I should come up with ways to help him overcome his shyness but then I realized that it probably runs in the family. When I first met the husband, he was the sort who was all macho in a big group but he’d glance at his feet nervously when he was talking to a girl one on one. But then he still got the girl in the end so maybe being shy is not that bad after all.

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