Winning isn’t everything, the effort to win is.

This is a very delayed post. However, I need to thank each and everyone who made this possible and I am very grateful to those who gave me that extra push to where I am today. I participated in 2 back-to-back pageants over a period of 5 months – Miss Singapore International, followed by Miss Singapore World. I’ll blog about Miss Singapore World on a later date. This post is dedicated to you guys who made a difference in my journey for Miss Singapore International 2011 :)

I believe that to be able to represent Miss Singapore International, each and every contestant must have compassion and that encompasses having a heart of gold coupled with a burning desire to serve society. The Queen will serve as Goodwill Ambassadors of Beauty showing tenderness, benevolence, friendship, understanding, beauty and intelligence coupled with the ability to take action and have great international sensibility. The theme of Miss Singapore International is “Beauty with a Purpose”. Do you have what it takes to be crowned? I’m very proud of my dearest friend, Stella, Miss Singapore International 2011, who recently got back from China representing Singapore. As for me? I’m really honored to be crowned Miss Singapore International 2011 2nd Runner-up and the prestigious Miss Body Beautiful title.

The finals of Miss Singapore International 2011, organized by Singapore Women’s Association, was held on 2nd July 2011 (Saturday) at Raffles Town Club. I was so excited for this day that I couldn’t sleep the night before! Also, there’s a special person I would like to thank, Genecia Luo, Miss Singapore International 2006, who took me under her wing. Not only was she running a high fever that night, she came by Raffles Town Club at 3am in the morning to see me practice. Most importantly, she believed in me and affirmed my mindset which helped to unleash my innate potential and charisma, boosting my stage presence.

I have always wanted to be a Beauty Queen, for just one reason – To be able to use my status as a platform to influence and affect the masses for my cause, representing Singapore, being a role model. There are many people in this world each with different lives to lead, however many of them do not have the luck to live one full of joy and with the best of health. I find that there is a place for them in my heart and I feel that I can do more to make a positive impact on their lives. Winning isn’t everything, the effort to win is. I know in your hearts, I am already a winner that night and I believe it’s 99% hard work and 1% luck. Thank you everyone for believing in me and supporting me throughout this journey. You know who you are :)

Winning this title opened many doors for me. Besides being recognized when I’m out, I get called up for interviews and special guest appearances on various media platforms ranging from online journalism to newspapers to magazines to television to radio. One of the most memorable appearances was on 早安您好! Good Morning, Singapore! where I had the chance to be on the NEWS to share my fitness regime and diet plan with the audience as a Beauty Queen and Miss Body Beautiful – a title which I’ve worked very hard for. This appearance was made possible by Genecia who was kindly introduced to me by Keith Tan from Aileron Wellness. Keith was the brains behind my body. He whipped me up in shape with a carefully thought fitness regime within a short 5 week frame.

Thank you each and everyone of you, who supported me in a way or another, physically or emotionally. It really warms my heart to see the people I love standing by me, screaming for me. *kisses* After 2 months of bonding, the pageant has come to an end. I miss you girls. Badly. And I definitely miss the times we helped to spam glitter on each other. This journey I embarked on has taught me many new things. We also learned to share and grow together as a team not an individual. Offering a helping hand through times of need, being there for each other and cheering on for one and another. Friendship with the girls is something I really treasure out of this pageant. I love you girls! Meet up soon :)

Lots of Love

♥ Cherie Lee, Contestant No. 8

A Sail Out on the Mighty Duke

The weather didn’t look too good that morning.. Took a cab down to Crocs at VivoCity.

What could be more relaxing than standing by the clear blue sea, enjoying refreshing bottles of sky juice and delicious cuppie cakes – whatever the weather, a cruise will bring happy memories to treasure with lovely friends.

Left to Right: Cherie, Holly

Left to Right: Bianca, Holly, Cherie, Beatrice, Ethan, Selene. Thank you Holly for the tag on FB :)

Left to Right: Selene, Cherie, Beatrice. Thank you Beatrice for bringing those yummylicious cupcakes!

I had the privilege to be invited by the-so-not-humsup-but-think-he-is-very-humsup Smith onboard this mighty Duke – currently docked at ONE°15 Marina Club at Sentosa Cove – he just arrived in Singapore waters from HongKong. Nothing beats a calm stroll with your loved one, hand in hand, at sunset, on the beautiful pier.. till next time, I’ll see you in HongKong… :)

Wind and tide permitting, we encircled Singapore Island bypassing a few other neighboring islands before docking…

Clockwise: Ethan, Beatrice, Cherie, Bianca, Holly, Calvin, Smith and Selene onboard the mighty Duke by Crocs.

and guess what…! When I was about to leave the yacht, the skin at the ball of my right foot was ripped apart by I-don’t-know-what and the wound bled non-stop for a good 3 hours.

Calvin was the sweetest. He lent me his slippers and accompanied me to get a pair of flats before heading home. Thank you so much Calvin for being there with me and also for snapping me in my pretty pink Crocs!

Thank you Crocs for these lovely non-marking shoes, Captain Joe and Richard for ensuring our safety and fun throughout the trip, Hot mama Kaye and the very sweet Yeng Yeng!

♥

Also, I’m in another pageant – Shokubutsu iWeekly Natural Beauty Contest – Thank you everyone who ‘invested’ in me by voting for the past two weeks. I really appreciate it :)

Do come down and support me (Contestant 18) for the finals at Bugis Junction (fountain) on 19th November 4.30pm – 6pm! ‘LIKE’ my video here :)

早安您好! Good Morning, Singapore!

Left to Right: Youyi, Cherie, Shuyuan

♥

In the segment《城事大家说》, we discussed about health, diet and nutrition of a beauty queen. I’ve uploaded it on YouTube just for you guys! Waking at up 4.30am to prepare to go on set is… quite good ;) Hope there will be more opportunities like this!

Daddy’s Little Girl

The New Paper, Friday September 9 2011

One of my favorite segments – I worked hard for that body and I’m sure I did myself and my trainers proud :)

Miss Singapore World 2011 Coronation Night, Thursday September 8 2011

♥

I’ll be appearing on Good Morning, Singapore! 《早安您好》on Channel 8, Friday 30th September 2011 (TOMORROW) at about 730am. Don’t forget our date!

What a beautiful dream.

It’s hard to say good bye… after all, the beginning, is the most beautiful part of that story. That face in the mirror looks at her questioningly. Where did it all go wrong?

She became an infant in a woman’s body, streams of tears started free falling, merging with each other as they trickled down her neck. The wind had an icy feeling to it as she walked off as fast as her legs could take her, away. Away from the place she thought she found happiness. Don’t ask her why it hurt so bad. She didn’t know why either. Or maybe, she did, just that she wasn’t sure till that moment of reality hit upon her.

She sat at her favorite corner of the bed, thinking, as it started to pour outside. Rainwater dripping down the window pane as she scrolled down pages, and pages of exchanged text messages. Those never failed to put a smile on her face but, not now. Not at that moment, maybe never.

She poured out all her emotions without any inhibitions, just like the weather. She loves it when it rains. Once, they shared an umbrella to a nearby hawkerstand. But, not tonight. She peers down into the waters and sees a man and a lady inside. She tries to reach out to touch his face but that man shatters into ripples, so did she. She felt so dispirited. An uncontrollable feeling overwhelmed her. Was that image just an illusion? A shallow reflection on the surface or something more profound?

And now, all she can think of are the good things about him – His personality, the ways he made her laugh and blush, the way he looked at her with his charming eyes and all those little moments they shared – Dinners, grocery shopping, cooking, DVDs, swimming, biking… – and how he used to say “You’re beautiful”.

That sheer magical connection between two people, that moment when they gaze into each other’s eyes. It is only then she realized, what a beautiful dream.

That moment.

a dim light falls down on her

the air is still and suffocating

shrinking its dimensions down to those of a coffin

she heard a dialogue inside her body

but she couldn’t define what it was

what is wrong with her?

what is going on?

she did not understand this feeling today

the sour aftertaste that follows

she is overwhelmed

it took her awhile before she bares her soul

something seems to be burning inside, like an inferno

something has awoken that is beyond control, beyond that of the heart

just a few days ago

she was feeling so euphoric for no obvious reason

but today, it seems she had burnt herself out

time took a standstill when she discovered the moment of truth

it seems as though someone had pushed the standby button on the remote control

everything went blank

the emotion was bitter but it took a turn after a conversation

Behind the Scenes: McDonald’s Big N’ Tasty and Cheese Shaker Fries Commercial

How much work goes into shooting a McDonald’s commercial? A LOT. Many people don’t realize what goes on behind the scenes to create a great video or in this case, a commercial – the investment of time, people and gear. This 30-second television commercial was filmed at various locations around Singapore for almost an entire day! Talk about professionalism, dedication and hard work from both production crew and actors under such weather conditions.

Traffic police were hired to facilitate the movement of the traffic at situations like this and ongoing cars need to stop specially for me! It’s definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity in Singapore where impatient people like to honk at others for god-knows-what-reason.

The actors took instructions from the director and went with the flow. We couldn’t see the different takes during the filming process but it was cool because it actually turned out pretty great. My role was quite simple – to look hot and distract the guys in the car. It might seem really easy to many others but… try looking ‘hot’ under the hot weather and catwalk down the slope in 5-inch heels! Filming at this location took about 3 hours starting from about 12 noon and it’s a blessing to have very little makeup on.

The guys really took great care of me and it’s a pleasure working with all of them.  In case you are wondering what we had for lunch that day… It’s not McDonald’s haha Enjoy my very first television commercial! It’s feeding time bros – Official McDonald’s Big N’ Tasty and Cheese Shaker Fries commercial ;)

♥

It’s The End… Not.

Many in our society tend to view students who undertake the ITE (Institute of Technical Education) path as ‘wayward’ and ‘hopeless’. Jack Neo’s I Not Stupid played on the words ITE as ‘It’s The End’ which might have created a stereotype on this wonderful youths. What’s your take on this? Read on.

On 8^th of August 2010, a 5000 strong audience gathered at ITE College East stadium to witness the symbolic arrival of the Olympic Flame and the lighting of the cauldron by the Guest-of-Honour, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong. The Olympic torch was proudly carried into the stadium by not 1, or 2 but 5 torchbearers.

Activities such as the Service Excellence Carnival, 3M Skipping Challenge, EDGE Camps, National Cheerleading Competition to name a few.

The Nitec in Hair Fashion & Design (HFD) students showcased their hair design creations in the finale of the ITE Graduation Ceremony.

For the first time among educational institutes in Singapore, West Side Story was staged as a full-version musical by our talented students from ITE’s Centre for Music & The Arts (CeMTA). Directed by Mr Tony Quek, the timeless musical which is an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, resonated in the hearts of many because of its love theme that hinges on the possibility of light out of the darkness, peace out of war, and love from within a world of hate.

The graduation ceremonies for Class of Dec 10 took place over three days, from 15 to 17 February 2011. The ceremonies for the four schools were attended by more than 2,000 graduands and their guests.

The main purpose of this post is to ‘educate’ people out there that ITE is not ‘It’s The End’. Not everyone can take the usual academic route but that doesn’t mean they are not capable of achieving what others can. Success stories such as Muhd. Nuridris, Founder and Executive Director at X-Clusive Music & Entertainment took South East Asia by storm with his crew and music; Kamsani Jumahat, an extremely gifted performer who has won numerous competitions and currently undertaking a Diploma in Music at LASALLE College of the Arts; Goh Yong Wei, a very talented and popular youth blogger who directs and films his own productions!

I never give up on my students and I always motivate them to find the drive to be a better person. All they need is an opportunity to shine. Having worked with them and seeing them graduate is definitely a great form of satisfaction no words could describe.

To me, ITE is not ‘It’s The End’, ITE stands for ‘It’s To Excel’.

Lifestyle Interview by OMY for Singapore Blog Awards 2011 – 入得厨房出得厅堂 美姐博客完美变身

Thank you OMY.sg for featuring me in their Lifestyle column. This article (attached below) is originally written in Chinese. Do “Like” my video and SUBSCRIBE to my newly created youtube channel! There, I’ll show you tips on how to maintain a beautiful body and of course, the legendary Tofumisu created by yours truly :*)

入得厨房出得厅堂　美姐博客完美变身

完美女性的定义是什么？不同的人自然看法各异，但相信都离不开”真、善、美”的特质。如果，再加上”身材姣好”、”厨艺精湛”和”能文善道”，是不是更大大的加分了呢？

25岁的李丽贤 Cherie 不仅是本地美容时尚博客，她的部落格也入围了新加坡部落格大奖的最佳时尚部落格的奖项。今年七月，丽贤更获得”新加坡国际小姐2011″选美比赛的季军荣衔和”完美体态奖 “，成为名副其实的美姐博客。

李丽贤虽然是个爱美的女生，却热爱美食也有一手难得的好厨艺， 也曾参加过电视烹饪节目如：《我要当食神》、《女人俱乐部》，展现手艺和设计菜肴的巧思妙想。

目前在一间工艺学校担任辅导员的工作已有两年的时间，用爱心来感化迷途学生。这样集美丽、爱心、好厨艺于一身，在记者看来，简直就是”入得厨房，出得厅堂”的完美女性！

拥有”漂亮体态”的李丽贤也大方分享了拥有好身段的美容秘诀，提供男女皆适用的四大保养贴士。

除此之外，热爱烹饪和提倡健康饮食的她也发挥创意，用豆腐代替芝士，来改良女人都爱吃的甜品–提拉米苏。为omy网友，李丽贤也示范如何在五分钟内制作健康的”豆腐”米 苏，快速又简单，多吃也不会致胖！

记得点击观赏精彩视频，一起学习做个懂得保养也精通烹饪的”完美女人”吧！

想知道更多关于新加坡部落格大奖和入围者的消息，请点击这里，进入新加坡部落格大奖的网页浏览吧！

Training for that Hot Bod, Miss Body Beautiful, Miss Singapore International 2011

Chérie Wellness Volume 2

Never in my wildest dreams I thought would be possible to be crowned Miss Singapore International 2011 2nd Runner-Up and also, clinch the prestigious subsidiary title every woman dreamed of, Miss Body Beautiful.

After several weeks of training and fervent preparations at Aileron Wellness, a members-exclusive gym, I was well-prepared and in tip-top condition to kickstart Miss Singapore International 2011 held on 2nd of July 2011.

♥

As mentioned in my previous Chérie Wellness series, I have been working out diligently on the Power Plate®. Power Plate® uses breakthrough technology in training and conditioning, ideal for muscle toning and muscle activation. Due to my knee and ankle problems, I’m advised to avoid dynamic movements so as not to aggravate my injuries. Incorporating isometric exercises on the Power Plate® machine helped to strengthen and tone up my muscles around the knee for better support and with higher muscle activation, I achieved longer and leaner muscles.

Photo Credits: StudioBe . Benjamin Huang Photography

Acceleration training on the Power Plate® machine makes the body feel as though it weighs more every time acceleration forces increase, making the workout more efficient and effective. Don’t be fooled by the tiny movements done on the Power Plate®, you will definitely feel the burn during the workout. My friends, Ben, Caren and Chun Wee joined me once at the gym to try out the Power Plate® machine.

Here’s what they said,

“I found that 45 sec longer than a lifetime.”

“The super-acceleration from the machine set at high intensity level made a simple Squat exercise incrementally tough.”

“My thighs were aching after one set, whilst normally I can go through a couple of sets without issue.”

♥

With my full commitment on working out at least 3 times a week at Aileron Wellness, I managed to tone up, achieving a lean bod and inches off my body in less than 6 weeks.

Like what Owner of Aileron Wellness and Master Trainer, Keith Tan said, “The epitome of health and fitness lies in having a healthy lifestyle and making exercises a way of life. It is not an option.” I aim for healthy not skinny. Working out has really improved my confidence level and boosted my self-esteem especially on stage. I’m really satisfied with my transformation and my fitness experience at Aileron Wellness where I’m exposed to different cutting edge fitness tools. I would strongly recommend this members-exclusive gym to those who desire a beautiful body at any age in achieving that enviable physique. Thank you Aileron Wellness and your wonderful team of trainers, Keith, Eddy and Andrew, for making my dream come true, taking flight in fitness and achieving that beautiful body.

Stunning Cocktail Dresses in Miss Singapore International 2011

I can’t thank you enough, i’Lovmor – The wonderful team of people behind this one-stop bridal studio – Karen, Reanne and Kassandra. Thank you for your wonderful service, unending flexibility and support throughout this competition. It is my pleasure having made lovely friends like you ladies ♥

Left to Right: Daphne Saw, Reanne from i’Lovmor, Cherie Lee

The bright yellow cocktail dress I wore during the finals for Miss Singapore International 2011 is wonderfully made and beautifully adorned with shimmering crystals.

I love how the intricate designs and refined detailing created a sexy silhouette, giving the judges an illusion of me ‘floating’ gracefully down the runway.

5 Subsidiary Title Holders from Left to Right: Novell Tan – Miss Personality, Mabel Lim – Miss Crowning Glory, Cherie Lee – Miss Body Beautiful, Yunny Yong – Miss Elegance, Stella Kae – Miss Photogenic

The other girls wearing specially designed cocktail dresses by i’Lovmor.

Ladies, i’Lovmor offers more than what you’re looking for. Meticulous made-to-measure handcrafted gowns and impeccable quality stunning dresses at amazing prices. I popped by there a few days ago to rent a gown and was told that in conjunction with the Great Singapore Sales, there’s up to 70% discount for in-store gowns and 15% discount for made-to-measure gowns starting from today, 15th July to 23rd July 2011. They are located at 402 Orchard Road, Delfi Orchard #02-15, Singapore 238876. Otherwise, you can give them a call at 6235 8900 to enquire :)

All you need is that perfect dress to complete your beautiful occasion.

Thank you i’Lovmor ♥

Gastromania Feast at Far East Square

“Let the Feast Begin!” is a mega gastronomic bonanza organized by Icon Village, Riverside Point and Far East Square, and brought to you by omy.sg.

Gastromania Feast @ Far East Square
Date: Saturday, 9th July
Time: 11am – 5pm
Venue: Far East Square, 45 Pekin Street
Nearest MRT Station: Raffles Place

I will be introducing 8 different food and dining outlets, so join me on my Gastromania Feast at Far East Square as I savor a variety of culinary wonders right under one roof! Far East Square is a unique enclave located in the very heart of Singapore’s central business district. Opened in 1999, it is a heritage conservation project with a vibrant mix of restaurants, cafes, and pubs, as well as shops, pushcarts and kiosks. Stroll into the development, and you will discover a delightful palate of exquisite flavours at over 30 food and dining outlets. There are also coffee and tea cafes, as well as sandwich, cake and pastry shops, all set within an alfresco environment.

♥

1) Everyday Chinese Treats in Casual Comforts, Zhou’s Kitchen

Located at the heart of the Central Business district, Zhou’s Kitchen, a homey haven is a new casual Chinese dining concept, catering to the palates and pockets of local diners from all walks of life. I got to try one of their House Specialities, the Braised Pork Shank with Fried and Steam Buns. This flavorful tender melt-in-your-mouth piece of braised pork is great on its own, otherwise you can order some fried or steam buns to go along with it. I personally prefer the deep fried mantou for its crisped exterior and fluffy center, an ideal mix of texture which goes very well with the braised sauce.

Zhou’s Kitchen Braised Pork Shank with Fried and Steam Buns

Zhou’s Kitchen serves a variety of Chinese delicacies such as the Pansit “Xing Hua” Dumplings, “Xing Hua” style Traditional Home-made Noodles, “Fujian” style Meat Roll (Wu Xiang) and Steamed Glutinous Rice with Crab at relatively affordable prices which is ideal for those who want good food at non-astronomical rates. Besides a tempting variety of ala carte dishes, Zhou’s Kitchen offers value for money set meals, Hi-Tea Buffet and Ala Carte Buffet at their various outlets in Singapore.

♥

2) Legendary Fuzhou Dining Experience, SPRING JuChunYuan

Since 1865, JuChunYuan Fuzhou has stood for the finest in Min cuisine and has impressed dignitaries all over the world. This century-old restaurant with award-winning chefs and dishes from Fuzhou is presented to the Singapore gourmet scene in 2007. Aptly located at Far East Square, SPRING JuChunYuan is housed in a conserved Chinese courtyard (formerly a Chinese school) with a touch of ancient sophistication as you walk through the bamboo-lined walkway leading into the restaurant.

I had the chance to savor the famous Buddha Jumps Over the Wall which was birthed in JuChunYuan Fuzhou restaurant  in 1876. This Chinese delicacy known for its rich taste came in a large earthen specially customized jar with a combination of shark’s fin, abalone, scallops, sea cucumber, fish maw, cuttlefish, pork tendon, flower mushroom amongst other ingredients.

SPRING JuChunYuan Buddha Jumps Over the Wall 

This is my first time tasting an authentic pot of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall and I was blown away.

The star of the next dish is the unique thread-like vermicelli which is specially flown in from Fuzhou to create one of their signature dishes, the Stir-fried Heng Hwa Bee Hoon. I like it that this dish is not oily, making it easier on the palate.

Stir-fried Heng Hwa Bee Hoon

Make a trip down to SPRING JuChunYuan to experience a slice of Min Culture and history, savoring the various unique and authentic Min cuisine in Singapore.

♥

3) Distinct Taste of Authentic Padang Cuisine, Garuda

Garuda, established in 1976, is the most successful and one of the largest Padang Cuisine restaurant chains in Indonesia. In a partnership with TungLok Group, Garuda in Singapore is the only franchised Padang Cuisine restaurant outside Indonesia, offering the most authentic fare at various locations in Singapore.

Fried Chicken with Blue Ginger Floss

The fragrance of the blue ginger floss, combined with the tempting flavors of the chicken, makes this dish almost impossible to resist! The meat was juicy, not too oily and the skin was crispy and fragrant! I love this so much, I am making another trip there myself for an Eat-All-You-Can, Buy 1, Enjoy 1 Free Dinner next week! This offer is valid from now till 31st July 2011 which is held in conjunction with the Singapore Food Festival 2011. What are you waiting for? Head on down to Garuda, Padang Cuisine now!

♥

4) Japanese Charcoal Grill, Shin Kushiya

Shin Kushiya was established in October 2006 to introduce the Kushiyaki dining concept in Singapore. You might be familiar with the term “Yakitori”, this strictly refers to chicken or chicken parts grilled over charcoal on bamboo skewers. A popular snack in Japan usually enjoyed by locals,  “Kushiyaki” is the Japanese term for “Grilled Skewers”, referring to the use of other ingredients such as beef, pork, fish or seafood. Employing the use of Bincho charcoal from Japan, these grilled skewers are then grilled to perfection, maintaining a crisped exterior with all the natural flavors and juices sealed from within. Paired with the purest of condiments – freshly-ground sea salt, sour plum salt, curry salt, cracked black pepper and homemade tare sauce, Kushiyaki is a simple and satisfying pleasure.

Clockwise from Top: Tomato Maki, Ebi Shiso Maki, Buta Bara Yaki Miso, Black Pepper Yakitori, Kuro Goma Heaven, Yuzu Cooler

My meal at Shin Kushiya ended on a sweet note with their signature Kuro Goma Heaven – Black Sesame Ice Cream with Homemade Black Sesame Cream and Chocolate Wafer. I was immediately teleported to Heaven once I tried this!

♥

5) Hearty Italian Food – Pizza & Pasta, Mont Calzone

With its unique open kitchen concept, you get to see the chef in action at this modern casual dining Italian restaurant while waiting for the food to be served. Mont Calzone is the perfect place for a friendly casual lunch or business dinner. I heard that the Tiramisu is a rare find! I’m a Tiramisu LOVER and I’ll definitely try that the next time I’m there :)

Clockwise from Top Left: Sambal Marinara Pasta, Parma Ham with Rucola Pasta, Carbonara, Smoked Salmon Pizza, Rustica Pizza, Black Truffle Pizza

The Signature Black Truffle Pizza is definitely a must-eat! This hand-stretched thin crust is nice, chewy and not oily, coupled with black truffles and a runny egg set in the center, need I say more? This excellent combination makes me weak in the knees. You can also opt for your pizza to be made into an impressive puffy calzone. Do visit Mont Calzone for their 1-for-1 Large Pizza promotion, valid till 31st July 2011!

♥

6) Taste of India, Mirchi

Mirchi offers an extensive range of delectable and authentic Northern Indian cuisine, with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes to choose from. Favorite specialties include “Tandoori Non-Vegetarian Kebab Platter” which is an assortment of fish tikka, chicken tikka, seekh kebab and prawns spiced with tandoori masala. My favorites include the fish tikka and the prawns spiced with tandoori masala! Both were oven-grilled in a tandoor with just the right amount of spices and the chef cleverly managed to capture and retain the natural taste of the seafood, making them juicy and succulent.

Left to Right: Mango Lassi, Tandoori Non-Vegetarian Kebab Platter

However, I didn’t get the chance to try one of their house specials, the Jaljeera which is normally served with appetizers before a meal or drunk between meals. Jaljeera is popular in Northern India because of its cooling properties which can help neutralize the taste buds when things get too hot!

Mirchi – Taste of India tantalizes the spice of your life at various locations in Singapore!

♥

7) The original. Since 1911, Hock Lam Beef

Hock Lam Beef has been serving the highest quality Teochew Beef Kway Teow in Singapore. The business spans over 100 years, across 4 generations of the Tan family, and is run today by the original founder’s great-grandchild. The business has maintained its standards and qualities since 1911.

Hock Lam Beef Kway Teow

Till today, they prepared everything, from the 24-hour boiled gourmet soup with herb base to the sliced beef to the homemade 13-ingredient chilli sauce, by hand in-house which distinguishes this original recipe from its competitors. This dish definitely brings back many fond memories when I first learnt how to cook Phở Bò in Vietnam.

♥

8) Boutique Cupcake Bakery, ONI Cupcakes

This boutique cupcake bakery claims to use only the finest quality ingredients for their cupcakes. With a wide range of flavors, designs and sizes, their custom-made cupcakes will delight most adults and kids. I am a HUGE cupcake fan and definitely looking forward to try ONI Cupcakes. I was introduced to a tray-full of miniature ones and without any explanation on the various flavors by the staff, I picked out the ‘prettiest’ looking cuppie and devoured it.

Assorted Miniature Cupcakes

I’m not able to figure out what’s the rave about these cupcakes. It was rough and dry in texture. I decided to give these cuppies another chance and took another bite, only to my disappointment. The cupcakes weren’t exceptionally good and they lacked a great deal in their service attitude. To date, I’m still searching for the perfect cupcake. Do share with me if you come across one!

♥

Check out the various ongoing promotions here! Once again, a very big thank you to omy.sg for this wonderful Gastromania Feast at Far East Square!

Singapore Blog Awards 2011, Adonis Best Beauty Blog – Iridescent Skin that makes you go WOW

First impression counts and physical appearance acts like a business card. This could also be the reason why there’s a sudden surge lately where many people turn to various beauty treatments and skin rejuvenation methods to achieve healthy skin and a beautiful body. That being said, you have to be mindful of your food, you are what you eat. An unhealthy diet coupled with toxins from the harsh environment, stress and restless nights, can further magnify the effects, making your skin look far from healthy. Thankfully, I was given the opportunity to experience a few amazing products two months ago which helped me attain a glowing complexion akin to a woman in love!

As some might know I’m one of the finalists for this year’s Miss Singapore International. I need to look my best and shine on stage. When I explained my concerns to Adonis, they offered me to try out the Origin Myth. Cheryl, my skin consultant mentioned that I have to make sure my skin has ample water besides a healthy diet so that toxins can be flushed out of the body. Origin Myth is ideal for people with dehydrated skin; acne skin; mature skin including sensitive skin. This treatment helps to enhance the skin’s healing process with its invigorating blast of oxygen, replenishing lost moisture and pumping up collagen levels, making the skin look dewier and supple through the use of Hyaluronic Acid. I believe that beautiful skin is never far from a woman’s top priorities in life as dull complexion could add on years to your appearance and makeup just doesn’t stay. But not to worry, dull complexion can be revived with the correct products, exfoliation and ample hydration!

Unlike most facials where you can expect a myriad of uncomfortable processes – especially the excruciating pain from extractions – Origin Myth is luxuriously soothing! After the usual deep cleansing with an oil-free milk cleanser, a gentle crème exfoliant is applied onto the T-zone to help ‘dissolve’ surface debris. My beautician then used an intensified distilled cold mist spray (unlike the common hot steam most salons use) to help soften the skin in preparation for a Derma Exfoliation – famously known as the Diamond Peel. Diamond Peel is a non-abrasive peel process to ‘polish’ the skin and also, a painless way to remove oil-clogged pores before an Oxy Jet gets down to business, working its way to  infuse my skin with a burst of oxygen. The results were instant! Within seconds of application, my skin plumped up, boosted by an intense infusion of moisture. Next, a yummy Collagen Masque is applied over my entire face to replenish essential nutrients and to aid in hydration before refined oxygen molecules in fine mist form were sprayed gently onto my face for easier penetration, stimulating massage to the surface of the skin. To end off this luxurious experience, my beautician helped relieve the tension in my upper back with an awesome neck and shoulder massage using Chakra oil.

My verdict after a week – this ultimate hydration treatment from Adonis provided a moisture boost that made my skin real smooth and ‘juicy’. Makeup glides on easily and it stayed that way for days! The diamond peel helped in diminishing all the tiny imperfections which are highly visible on camera. According to my friends, my skin appeared brighter, emanating a healthy glow.

This picture was taken today at Singapore Social Media Day 2011 at *SCAPE. How does my skin fare without foundation? :)

If you are looking for a new way to give your skin a makeover, why not try Origin Myth from Adonis to keep your skin looking fresh and youthful with a healthy radiant glow after just one treatment? Thank you for voting ‘Cherie Lee’ for Adonis Best Beauty Blog. Would love if you could vote once each day! :*)

♥

Adonis Beauty Tip: An important first step is to apply a skin primer as a protective barrier to help the skin fight radiation and dust.

For more beauty tips on how to protect and care for your skin, do “Like” Adonis Beauty Facebook Page and also, follow my Adonis Beauty journey.

Singapore Social Media Day 2011

Social Media for a Social Cause! Join me at *SCAPE from 2pm onwards :*)

I Got CHARME-D

Some things you wish lasted longer: Your salary. iPhone battery lifespan. Vacations. Beautiful hair. And manicures. While there’s absolutely no power to change most things, I can provide some help for you in the grooming department. From a light manicure to intricate and stylish designs, beautiful nails can instantly enhance the appearance of your hands, making women conscious of their feminine demeanor, likewise for beautiful hair which can instantly boost your confidence.

Just weeks before Miss Singapore International 2011 which will be on 2nd of July, I was introduced for some pampering at Charme in the heart of town by Eunice (travel blogger). Like any good urban chain, Charme caters to what Singaporeans value most: Proximity, Speed and above all, Convenience. From nails to waxing, makeup to hairstyling, Charme provides a comprehensive range of beauty services in just one stop, Charme Hair Studio and Charme Nails conveniently located in Far East Plaza, beautifying you from top to toe by well-trained professionals. With its sleek, black decor and dark wooden furnishings, Charme can easily squeeze in twice as many customers at your average salon.

First, I had my hair pampered at Charme Hair Studio. There’s a wide range of hair treatments available but after analyzing my hair condition, Clarence recommended me their latest hair treatment from Japan, meant for normal hair. I spend a lot of time maintaining my tresses and no matter how tired I am, I’ll wash them at least twice a day. It takes a lot of effort but in the long run, you will definitely see results. Trust me! And after the spa-like treatment, my hair felt really light, soft and silky!

Clarence then passed me a tube of treatment conditioner meant to enhance the texture of my hair. My tresses remained soft and smooth even after a few days :)

♥

Countless nights of rehearsals gave me calluses and rough skin, so I opted for the Spa Manicure and Spa Pedicure + Gelish on my first visit at Charme Nails. I’m sure most ladies would have heard of Gelish by now. Gelish treatments applies like normal nail polish, wears flawlessly and stays blissfully chip-free for at least three weeks whilst maintaining high gloss shine. Unlike traditional gels which requires extreme buffing and filing, this generation of Gelish which comes in every colour you can imagine, is your savior from frustration to pure satisfaction! The gel sets under a UV lamp and dries in less than 30 seconds – No more smudges and dry time! Great for girls on-the-go, like me :)

I wanted to try the classic French tips and my lovely manicurist designed this elegant set of nail art using Gelish for me. I even had strangers telling me how beautiful my nails were, thank you Charme :)

While I was being polished and buffed at Charme Nails, I can’t help but noticed the pleasant smiles from customers and staff alike, no matter how busy or tired they were. After my Gelish treatment, both my hands and feet were then covered in a warm paraffin wax mask and wrapped in gloves to intensify the moisturizing process for about 20 minutes. This spa treatment detoxifies and regenerates tired hands and feet, and is also specially created to restore moisture back into the skin.

Awake your senses in a whole new way! Make a request for a customization for your nails, add a bit of fun with colours, embrace the flashiness with rhinestones and be amazed by their acrylic sculptures. Go for a makeover, have your lashes extended and brows trimmed. Be styled with a sweet Japanese romantic up-do, sexy voluminous curls or experience a hair makeover. Like their Facebook page and make an appointment with Charme’s beauty services now :)

♥

Charme Hair Studio 67348801, Far East Plaza, 14 Scotts Road, #03-87, Singapore 228213

Charme Nails 67336958, Far East Plaza, 14 Scotts Roads, #04-105, Singapore, 228213

Singapore Blog Awards 2011, Adonis Best Beauty Blog – Sanctuary of the Body

*nudity involved, hence the lack of pictures

Sanctuary of the Body – Revitalize Yourself with Chakra Mystry

I was greeted with a warm smile from my therapist, Shu Yi as she gave me Energy Plus, a concoction consisting of chinese medicinal herbs, dried longans and red dates before I was being ushered into a beautifully adorned room with dim yellow lights. There, she placed a towel and some private paraphernalia on the bed before retreating outside to give me some privacy. I shrugged off my little black dress and changed into their items, while I waited for her in bed. With a smile, she set herself to work with soft music playing in the background.

I was about to embark upon a journey traversed for centuries by ancient and modern cultures – the wonders of Chakra Mystry formerly known as 7 Haven Chakra Holistic Therapy, which is a body and facial therapy that incorporates the application and inhalation of the use of seven essential oils. Chakras are energy centers within our body and this therapy claims to promote the benefits of detoxification, circulation enhancement and stimulation of inherent chakra energy for distribution from within, balancing our 5 senses.

Time slowed down as she brought me through a slow yet sensual ritual. Before proceeding to massage a specific chakra spot, she would warm the oil on her hands using a intricate process, and each time she would offer her exquisitely oiled hands to my face, in effect targeting my olfactory senses, letting my body soak in the properties of the oil via inhalation. And throughout, as my senses enjoyed their escapade in a myriad range of pleasant smells, she would explain the effects each oil will have on my body in her sweet lilting voice.

After the exquisite inhalation process, her hands moved to the various chakra points on my body, and with long, soothing strokes, applied the beneficial oils to my skin, even as she smoothed out the knots in my muscles. She started first on my lower limbs, slowly making her way up my body. I closed my eyes and relaxed, letting her hands to do the work. I felt her hands kneading my muscles, targeting various pressure points with the oil. Aromatherapy uses essential oils to improve your mood and soothe your nerves. These oils are distilled scientifically from plants which can help revivify our spirits, relieve stress, spur the energy level and encourage better health, revitalizing our frame of mind. It was a luxurious experience as she utilized her unique prowess at releasing the knots and stresses in my muscles. She invited me to join her in the massage journey. She covered my lower limbs whilst I took my time understanding the nuances of pressure application on the chakra points of my lower abdomen and upper body. Together, our four hands took me through luxurious massage covering the 7 chakra points. It was relaxing beyond belief – a trip to seventh heaven!

After the dedicated one hour, I changed back into my dress again, had a cup of Energy Plus and left feeling thoroughly rejuvenated after the treatment. Beauty is not just about one’s face or body, it is about total wellness from within. Beauty can be nurtured and Adonis is the Key. I can see a remarkable difference just after one treatment of Chakra Mystry – a fresh dewy complexion and a refreshed mind. Thank you for voting ‘Cherie Lee’ for Adonis Best Beauty Blog. Would love if you could vote once each day! :*)

♥

Adonis Beauty Tip: Drink 2 to 3 cups of green tea every morning. Green tea not only neutralises radiation, but also protects and enhances vision.

For more beauty tips on how to protect and care for your skin, do “Like” Adonis Beauty Facebook Page and also, follow my Adonis Beauty journey.

Body Beautiful At Any Age

Cherie Wellness Volume 1

Boost your health and improve your physical appearance with the right exercise regime. Whatever your age, it’s never too late. The first step to getting a beautiful body is learning how to love it. Accept what you can’t change and what you can. Fret not! You can change a lot! You need to have a goal, start by working towards it and constantly improve. For example, your basic shape. You can’t change your basic shape but you can improve it by working with weights and wearing the right outfits to enhance your body type. For those who are shortchanged vertically, you can appear taller with a good posture. Confidence is key! Standing tall makes one look kilos lighter and years younger.

For the record, I’m not a believer of slimming/diet pills, liposuction, diet tea or any other forms of concoctions to lose weight. I personally feel that it is only a once off thing. What happens after you have lost weight? I wouldn’t want saggy, sallow skin or experience side effects after taking them. Aim for healthy not skinny.

I’m sure you’ve been told exercise stimulates “feel good” endorphins and that naturally puts you into a happy and positive mood. Exercise boosts blood circulation, delivers oxygen and nutrients where you need them most. If you’ve been working out and not seeing changes to your weight, perhaps it’s time to consider personal training. That’s one good reason to get that gym membership!

Recently, I signed up as a member of Aileron Wellness where I experienced workouts like no other at Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa, a members-only gym situated in the heart of Sentosa.

For those who have been religiously following my tweets @Cherielee01 (please do!) or foursquare, would know that I’ve been visiting Aileron Wellness for about 2 to 3 times a week since 17th of May.

There, I’m led and guided by certified trainers who are equipped with up-to-date training methodologies and furnished with state-of-the-art equipment. I believe that I am one step nearer in achieving my main goal of a toned silhouette in less 6 weeks. My personal trainer created a fitness regime for me, taking into consideration of my lifestyle, fitness goals, metabolic rates, body type and injuries, to give me maximum results in the fastest time.

♥

I. Eat. A. Lot. and I do mean a lot, A LOT. Before I met them, I eat more than 6 full meals a day, snack on something almost every hour and to top it off, food tasting events which require me to consume large amounts of food in one setting. Oh no, I’m not complaining, I’m just telling you what my normal eating habits are and I think I scared the daylights of them when I first told them about it.

Also, I’ve not been exercising for almost 2 years due to an existing injury on my knee and ankles (MediaCorp drama 泳闯琴关 No Limits, doesn’t count as it is only intensive swimming for about 2 months). On a side note, I consume food in moderation. I’m not saying that I eat 6 plates of Char Kway Teow a day or feast on cupcakes every hour. My favorite type of food is Economy Rice or what most people known it as, Cai Fan. I usually have less rice, 1 fish, 2 meat and 2 veggies (includes tofu, eggs and/or green leafy vegetables) in each serving.

Practically nothing much changes after I’ve met them, except for the fact that it is advisable for me to consume only 1700 calories each day according to my height and weight and the given time frame of less than 6 weeks. It varies individually on a case to case basis. Besides, research has also shown that eating less calories a day is one of the best ways to extend life since many of us dig our graves with a knife and fork.

You can also check out your maximum calorie intake by downloading HPB Calorie Tracker if you’re using an iPhone! Before I started training I didn’t really count my calories, but now I do and I realized there isn’t a huge difference to the food I eat except I need to snack way a lot lesser. The best thing now is, I’ve substituted my snacking time with exercising at Aileron Wellness! My trainer alternates my training sessions between resistance and cardio, to tone the silhouette and to burn fats for overall weight loss respectively.

I must say that I can see a difference physically after a few sessions!

♥

For this Chérie Wellness series, I will be posting up pictures of the food I eat (very frequently on twitter) and also, show you the various types of exercises I’ve been doing especially on my best friend and lover, Power Plate®.

Power Plate® machines helps to increase circulation and oxygenate blood flow, leading to a decrease in toxins in the body which causes a reduction in the appearance of cellulite! Yes, cellulite! I’ll tell you more about this genius in a separate post! Make exercising part of your daily life and not something you do when you are free. I’ve learnt the hard way, maybe it’s time for you (lazy bums) too! Like what my personal trainer, Keith says, “the epitome for health and fitness comes from changing your lifestyle and making it a way of life, not an option.“

To really burn calories, you will want to get your heart pumping and break a sweat! It is definitely true that you pay to get tortured in a gym but look at it on the bright side, it is only at the beginning. Your body will undergo the various changes and you won’t feel the cramps after proper conditioning. Interested to find out more? Follow my wellness journey on attaining a beautiful body now!

♥

Food for Thought: Keep in mind that a cup of granola can have up to 600 calories. Start your day with a cup of high fiber cereal which has about 120 calories!

The Brother You Wish You Had

I’ve always believe that we must conserve the environment not only to save ourselves but also to give meaning to our existence. A small effort goes a long way, what’s even better is that renown Japanese company, Brother makes an effort to prevent further degradation of the earth by collecting back used Brother consumables for recycling, implements various activities in reducing CO₂ emissions and conducts diverse environmental activities in the product lifecycle.

Brother’s products are always at the forefront of technology. Their latest Multi-Function Centres (MFCs) are designed to not only reduce material costs; they are also specially designed to keep hefty electricity bills at bay. For example, the all-rounded competencies of Brother’s full A3 Colour Inkjet MFCs which are able to not only print in jumbo size but also scan, fax and copy in A3, making them the ultimate choice for professionals while saving precious workspace and costs of purchasing numerous machines, with individual ones that multi-task without compromising on the quality. Also, each Brother’s Monochrome Laser MFC is Energy Star approved, with Deep Sleep Mode taking up less than two watts. With lower consumption of cartridges, Brother being the first and only printer manufacturer to achieve the coveted TCO standard (the toughest environmental standard in the world) since 2002, helps you to conserve the environment while keeping expenditures low.

A Brother MFC is a true work-buddy and an environmentalist at heart. It is indeed the best of both worlds. Purchase a brother now – The Brother you wish you had.

Audi Fashion Festival 2011: Francis Cheong Couture 2011

This Spring Summer 2011, Francis Cheong Couture expresses his collection through its interpretation of Club Chinoiserie – think Oriental with 5000 years of history filled with Dragons and Phoenixes, away from the traditional form.

As mentioned by the designer himself, each piece is a statement by itself. “It’s very naughty… vain, flirtatious, fun, fashionable and of course, couture!”

The collection is presented in the most current couture mode with touches of oriental ornament incorporated into a kaleidoscope of colours, beautiful embellishment and flowy silhouettes.

The collection suits the modern society and celebrities; and it celebrates thousand years of art, treasures from Chinese culture and its successful achievement in the world market.

♥

The moment everyone is waiting for… Christy Chung, muse of Francis Cheong.

Photo Credits: Backstage (Lisa Maree Williams) and Catwalk (Chris McGrath)

♥

Below are some After Party pictures taken with gorgeous celebrities by Ying Zi.

Left: Nadya Hutagalung and Cherie Lee. Right: Cherie Lee and Rebecca Tan.

Left: Cherie Lee, Irene Ang and Jeanine Quee. Right: Ying Zi, Eye Candy and Cherie Lee.

Left: Cherie Lee and Irene Ang. Right: Christy Chung and Cherie Lee.

♥

Thank you omy.sg for the invitation to Day 5 of Audi Fashion Festival 2011, featuring Francis Cheong Couture 2011 and also, thank you Janet from omy.sg for this lovely picture :)

Left to Right: Cherie Lee, Francis Cheong, Jeanine Quee.

♥

Girly Intimate Cooking Party and High Tea Session

Have you heard of Channel U’s brand new Ladies’ Night 女人聚乐部? Join sassy hosts Michelle Chong and Vivian Lai as they bring to you an unprecedented 90-min magazine talk-show every Tuesday, 8pm. Each episode sees dazzling celebrity guests and experts from various field as they share personal experiences and demonstrate handy tips on 3 delightful segments ~ Trends, Wellness and Cooking Tips. You will get to learn professional tricks on how to care for your favorite designer bags, understand the needs to maintain a flawless complexion and get to meet charming male chefs as they share with you tips on how to prepare simple meals in short speedy steps. Needless to say, my favorite segment is definitely the one on cooking NOT because of the guys though :)

I was thrilled when I received the invite for an intimate cooking party and high tea session with my favorite ladies, hosts Michelle Chong and Vivian Lai on Saturday 7th of May. Located in the Garden Hub at Margaret Drive, I arrived at Cookyn Inc with my sister Clarie (below: cream top with black cardigan), Mui Yee and Eunice.

Sassy hosts, Michelle Chong and Vivian Lai at Cookyn Inc.

Michelle’s Steam-Baked Fish Roll. The overall texture is key for this cabbage wrap. The saltiness from the panfried mushrooms and ham, contrasts nicely with the freshness and mushiness of the dory fillet. Different layers of ingredients, steam-baked to perfection, drizzled with sizzling hot ginger and spring onion oil.

Vivian’s Cold Rice Salad with Prawns. Ever tried having cold rice before? Now you can with this refreshing wholesome salad concoction of greens, rice and prawns.

Finally, it’s our turn to recreate those two dishes in our team of 8! A very big thank you to Mui Yee for helping me document the entire cooking process on camera :)

TADAH! Look at our masterpiece! Left: Cold Rice Salad with Prawns. Right: Steam-Baked Fish Roll.

Amidst the landscape of the horticulture hub, spanking new kitchen with rustic and concrete countertops, loft-like ceilings adorned with warm lights and the aroma of baked macaroni cheese and desserts for high tea, Cookyn Inc has definitely created a whole new sensory experience for me. A huge hug to my favorite pals from my Royal Caribbean Cruise adventure, Mui Yee and Eunice, who came all the way down to join me on a weekend :D

Once again, thank you Channel U for the invite. It’s definitely a great bonding time with my lil’ sister ♥