Pickles n' Tickles by JJ

Cancer FROM a sweet, shy Crab, I am now a socialable, fleeting Twin. My ideal careers are now centred in the media industry and one that brings me to the public eye, as opposed to the eccentric artist and florist that I believe I should have been. My lucky stones are no longer pearls and rubies, as topaz and emeralds should serve me with better wealth and health. Astronomer Parke Kunkle says that due to changes in the Earth's alignment, the dates of many zodiac signs have changed and additionally, there may be a 13th sign: Ophiuchus. The revelation may come as a shock to many who will discover they have been reading the wrong star sign their entire lives. So just like that, my husband and mom who've been Aries are now Pieces, and I am a Gemini - a star sign that's been my least favourite. I wouldn't have minded being a Leo or a Scorpio, but a Gemini after all these years ? I cannot fathom the thought, but I'm also strangely relunctant to deny seei...

IT'S  either you have it or don't. Some people are blessed with great skin - completely spotless and without any visible pores. But let's face it. Not all are gifted in that way, and most of us do have imperfections - scars, acne, dull and uneven skintone, etc. Skincare helps to improve, but ultimately a good foundation goes a long way in achieving a smooth and flawless effect. For me, a tinted mosturiser like the Laura Mercier Tinted Mosturiser (LMTM) is a god-sent! I confess I am addicted to it and won't leave home without it! Over the last 6 years, I've purchased about 20 tubes of it and I am still loving it.  The magic product  The product comes in two types - ordinary and oil-free, with SPF20. There are a few shades to choose from and it's important to pick a shade that blends well with your natural skintone. I find that I can work with a tone brighter than my natural colour as it somehow blends in, bringing out a natural g...

... for my godmother MY godmother, Margaret Thong, is a sweet lady in her 60s, who has always been kind to me. In the 6 years I've known her, she's been the one who did most of the calling, and keeping in touch. I know I ought to do the same, but it's so easy to be submerged in work and life that I sometimes put dearest people on hold. Many times, I've experienced guilt for not contacting her as often as she contacts me, especially when I see her name blinking on my phone screen. But we do catch up, and when we do, it usually takes up a full afternoon over good food, stories and heart-to-heart talks. I also make it a point to give her something nice during our meets (although the last time we met, she bought me lunch AND something nice). So during my meeting with her this week, I've decided to give her something handmade and special. I hope she'd like the Spectacles Chain I've made for her. A specs chain has...

  Mystic Eyes Necklace  SHE isn't too bad in Cougar Town but I think  Courtney Cox was better off in Friends. Perhaps her acting isn't convincing in the former. That aside, I still watch the show for her + the lovely dresses and accesories she wears in every episode. Her co-star, Busy Philipps also has some nice pieces of jewellery to show off in some episodes. In fact, I was inspired by something she wore in the thanksgiving episode (season 1) that led me to my next jewellery project !  Months ago, my colleague Fazleena, gave me a pair of earrings(pic, right) that she had picked up during a trip to India. Black, oval stones cast in dark metal, it's a pretty pair. There's an antique and ethnic feel to it. I loved looking at it, but somehow never saw it as earrings. To me, they were too pretty to be buried beneath long, loose hair (not that I have much hair now).I also felt that the ovals would look bold...

You NEVER learn your lesson! I've heard the key people in my life say that to me countless times, and heck, I've even said it to the girl in the mirror after each HAIR SCREW-UP. That's right. I seem to have a talent in screwing-up my hair just when it is at its best, and each time it happens, I cuss, groan and fall into depression till a hopeful dawn of another new hair season. Then, I vow to keep it good and nice. But good is boring, isn't it? So I go again in a roller-coaster ride of chemical treatments that alter the hair-structure, turning hair into hay (or to that effect). If it's not the nasty treatments, it's usually a serie of fancy haircuts that end up in a disaster. The last call is usually a short cut to rid of all bad hair.  That's Min Recently, I managed to get myself into such a situation. Hair was fine. Nice with natural waves till I got it straightened by an irresponsible stylist. To top it all, he...

A Happy New Year to all! It's been a while since I wrote here, but that's only because I've been lazy on a 3-week holiday and when that was up, getting back to work needed some re-adjusting. My life seems to take the same pattern again, and that means I should continue with my postings. At work, the year kicked off with lots of food, followed by a product launch at a slimming centre. It defeats science, really. Years of stubborn fats and spare tyres easily 'melted' away by a machine that works through sound waves. One month is all it takes to get into shape. Women who run these machines can't string a proper sentence in English or Malay to explain the product, procedures or its side effects, yet there are hundreds who strip at their strange hands and technology to make way for slim-dom. Despite whatever Oprah says, being skinny or at least slim still seems to be the way to go. I've never realized just...

DO you know how it feels to be on an 8-hour flight and suddenly realise that you've forgotten to pack something you can't live without? Well, I do. It's an engulfing, horible feeling of regret and stupidity, and you wish you were more careful in packing your stuff. That's exactly how I felt when I was above the clouds, flying across the Indian Ocean en route to Doha, Qatar to my husband, when I couldn't recall placing my make-up pouch into my luggage. Now, that's a total make-up blunder. Buying a whole new set of make-up isn't fun when you're on a holiday because... a)It's EXPENSIVE . An entire range including a good mosturiser or foundation, face powder, concealer and blusher is dear. You wouldn't want to end up spending all your money on things you already have at home. b) It's NOT EASY to find something that suits you well, especially in Doha. You'd be surprised to learn that some brands you...