Daphne x Bench Home Scents

I have always loved home scents as long as I can remember.  Scented candles are always number one on my list with Glade and Yankee Candles being my favorites. They are fire risks though and over the years I have tried every alternative from plug-ins, potpourri, gels and oils but they seem to lose the scent in just a few days. With plug-ins, they can be very strong and give me headaches. It was just in the last year that I discovered diffusers and I found that the scent never fades even long after the bottle is empty. I have been using Ambi-Pur since then.

I got really excited when I found out that Daphne Osena Paez has collaborated with Bench to produce home scents in diffusers. I have been wanting to get hold of Daphne's products from her furniture line, jewelry to linens. It just so happens that my Tita was coming back to the UK and among the three, it's the diffusers that is the lightest and easiest to put in the luggage, not to mention the cheapest.LOL.

They come in three scents,  Homemade Lemon Tart, Acres of Lavender and Mint and Jasmine. I was a bit cynical and was wondering if it would be up to scratch with my Ambi-Pur. The first few minutes I was not convinced but after half an hour, the scent started permeating the whole dining area and everytime I pass by, I can readily smell it even up to the lounge area. I was happy and that was when I decided to open the rest.

Acres of Lavender in the master bedroom.

Mint and Jasmine in the toilet and bath.

Though still can't decide whether to place it on the sink or above the toilet.

And of course, Homemade Lemon Tart in the dining/lounge area.

I guess I will need to have some more sent over because I now want it in every nook and cranny of our house. In the guest bedroom, the stairs landing and the hallway. Not to forget the kitchen.

Daphne Home Scents, highly recommended by The Stage Mommy.

Available at all Bench stores.

The Little Girl's Room

The search for the Princess bed is still on but this time we have moved on from toddler beds to big girl's beds. We thought it would be a waste when she would only be able to use it by 4 or 5 years old, maybe 6 really but due to health and safety, manufacturers only recommend up to 4 years old which she will be in 4 months time.

I was thinking that a proper single bed would be too big for her, so we will be settling for a what they call a "shorty divan" which is only 175 cms of which the regular lenght would have been 190 cms. It would be a bit grown up bed for her but with some imagination and inspirations, I am sure we will achieve a little girl's bedroom soon. 

 Since her bedroom walls are already painted green, we are opting for a pink and green theme. Here are some inspirations from the web.

Below is more pink than green. I am gearing towards the top one.

I had her bedroom walls painted green because I wanted to stray away from pink. I felt like we have had enough of pink already but at the end of the day, here I am picking pink again. Little girls and pink, I think they will always go together.

Cupcake Heaven

I never used to have a sweet tooth. I thought when I suddenly began to like sweet treats, it was just because of my pregnancy then but my baby is now almost 4 years old and the sweet cravings has never left me. This was the reason why I started baking. I was not too bad with making muffins and brownies. My frustration is always cupcakes. I find it difficult to achieve that moistness inside and don't even get me started on the frosting part. This is why I always dream of cupcakes. I have always dreamed of cupcakes way before they became the fad. It did not help that one episode of Sex and the City featured Carrie and Miranda eating this luscious frosting of a cupcake from the famous Magnolia Bakery. That would be my ultimate cupcake paradise. Not far on my list is Sonja's cupcakes in Serendra and Hummingbird bakery in London.

The usual favorite among cupcakes is the Red Velvet. I never would have thought that I will have a taste of my most coveted Red Velvet cupcake right on my doorstep.

The moment my teeth sank into this glorious Red Velvet from Delightful Desserts, I died and gone to cupcake heaven.

Need I say more?


Delightful Desserts

http://www.facebook.com/yummydelightfuldesserts 

email: delightful.desserts@rocketmail.com

Lisboa

I have to be honest, Portugal is not one of the places that I wanted to visit. We were doing a little pilgrimage to the Fatima Shrine which was the main reason why we travelled to the country. I guess I underestimated it. After a brief tour (less than a day) of the city of Lisbon, I am in love. The city is full of character and charm. I am not a lover of architecture but the beautiful buildings with colorful mosaic tile walls and little balconies really had me at hello. It is not the cleanest city but the graffitis that are all over the place gives it its rough edges. I  loved walking its small alley ways and cobbled streets. It is not a bustling city as I recall. Being there gives you that sleepy town feel and that is what I liked about it. 

Vasco De Gama bridge highly resembles the Golden Gate bridge in SF.

that's me in the corner...that's me in the spotlight.

the cutest McDonald's branch ever.

Beautiful mosaic tiled walls.

Tram transport system

Singapore Fling

On our way to the Philippines, we dropped by the Lion City of Singapore. I am just in awe of the cleanliness of the place. I am very particular with public toilets and if I have to control the call of nature, I would, if I am not satisfied with how clean it is. In Singapore, that is not a problem. 

Here are random photos.

And don't let me even start on their airport. It is considered one of the cleanest airports in the world for nothing.

And yes, the airline food is great.