Being a Yummy Mummy with Prut World

I guess baby also shares a love for leather goods. I can never resist anything that is simple, classy and well designed. When I came across Prut World, Baby and I felt it was about time Mummy should get something pretty for herself too. So far, baby has been the one enjoying the purchases of her shopping sprees.

Prut World only has 3 designs as of now and they all come with the braided elements which I am absolutely digging. I don't have a leather sandals in my collection, much less one with a braided design (P.S. braids are one of the more fancy designs for leather products, if a product is too elaborated in its design, it is definitely not genuine leather!)

It didn't take long for me to decide Biasca (S$86.84) was the one for me. Brugg (S$80.99) was out because I didn't really like restrictions on my ankles. Lyss (S$86.44) was extremely tempting but I just wasn't sure if I was ready to venture into something different especially since I don't know how pregnancy will toy with my feet.

All the shoes at Prut World are handmade and is comfortable. I have tried on before cheaper PVC pieces which cut my feet, totally won't recommend those. If you have slender feet, you would look really good in such cutting. Unfortunately, I have a bit of a flat feet so I went a size bigger so that my feet could slip in comfortably.

My only grouse is that the soles are a bit flat and looks like it might lose it grip after a while. Happy moments of my feet while it is still normal (sometimes they swell to pig trotters by the way). When I was trying them out, I was thinking how cute my feet would look with a nice manicure but yea, I know it won't be happening anytime now. Maybe after confinement *hehe*

Overall, I am still very pleased with this pair. Honestly, Thai brands rarely let me down. It has been a while since I last featured Thai local products, so I thought it would only be right to give you guys a discount code for an additional 10% off by quoting "chaayen.10". I will definitely be relaunching this series soon once I pop so pray that I shed my "baby fats" fast so that I can don on pretty clothes and shoes during CNY!  <3

My Soap Story: Featuring Allet Soap

Long-time readers would have known that I am a handmade bar-soap user for about a few years. Most people are very shocked when I share them this because most "modern" people prefer using gel shampoo and soaps. I have to say, I only started using them because my family has so much of it stored aside. During one of the spring cleaning, I felt too much was too much and I started using them. Haha. 

Some fun facts about handmade bar soaps, the presentation is always pretty (Check out Allet Soap's packaging!) The prices are always very reasonable, this is why they make perfect Christmas gifts (and also explains why I have so many of them. Hehe.) Before I started using the soaps, I always use them as wardrobe fresheners and boy do they make my wardrobe smell fabulous. 

Allet Soap: Lilac Lavender (S$10)

A common misconception that people have is that bar soaps are very unhygienic. The thing is you are not supposed to share them! Place your bar in a dish/ container and always wash away the excess suds away so that it doesn't form the harden soap base (yes my years of experience taught me this!) Generally, a bar can last for really long and you can save quite a bit of money, hehe!

It is true that bar soaps are less foamy than the gel soaps. However, if you notice organic gel soaps also don't foam as much. It is really because of the ingredient content of the soap. During my pregnancy, I actually changed/ stopped quite a bit of the products used. The only thing that I didn't have to change was the use of handmade soaps because the ingredients used are generally controlled and light on the skin.

Allet Soap: Bath Salts Rose Geranium (70g) (S$10)

The pregnant me has pretty much stopped all my facial/ massages. Recently, I started "Spa Friday" where I would create my own DIY spa experience with handmade body masks/ bath salts. Funny story, my body mask was bloody-red and it scared my Mum cos the toilet was stained slightly red after me. She thought I had a miscarriage LOL. For the bath salts, I either use them as a body scrub or sometimes as a soak for my feet when I am feeling fancy. 

And mummies, I swear it feels so good after you pamper yourself. The bath salts from Allet Soap comes in a nice bottle, with a wooden spoon. There are even flower petals scattered within it. After I started on my DIY spa regime, I do observe myself being much less of a grouch and more cheerful. Never under-estimate what chillaxing in the comfort of you own home can do! And for less than S$10 too!

Petit Carol: Baby's Tutu Journey

For those of you who are non-locals, tutu means pacifier. To be honest, I don't have a specific stance yet on the use of the pacifier. Some mums (including mine) believe that the long-term use of pacifiers will cause crooked baby teeth. Despite her believes, my brother and I actually grew up using pacifiers, just that my brother is not that huge of a fan and would spit it out at any opportunity. :P

I did some reading up on my own. I have to admit that babies look pretty cute sucking on their pacifiers. And parents give children pacifiers because the sucking action helps to sooth the babies and may also allow them to sleep better at night. For some fussy babies, pacifiers may act as a good distraction.

In the end, I still thought it would be better to have some tutu at hand because I just don't think I can function with a crying baby. Some of the criteria that I looked for includes: (i) reputable brand, (ii) stylish design, (iii) preferably it comes with a strap (just in case baby takes after his uncle who likes throwing away his pacifiers). I am also definitely not ready to play catch with the baby. 

I came across Petit Carol. Petit Carol recently cross borders from Indonesia, so it may not be very familiar to mothers. What impressed me was the variety of colour, I am quite a sucker for colours. Petit Carol is the authorised dealer for the BIBS pacifiers, which hails from Denmark. The pacifiers are manufactured in Denmark and has passed both the Australian and European safety standards. The teats itself are made from natural latex. 

The pacifiers come in 2 sizes. Size 1 (in oak) is for 0-6 months. If you notice closely, the teat is shorter and rounded outwards to imitate the mother's nipples. This is also to help the child avoid nipple confusion. Size 2 (in mint) is for todders (6-18 months). The teat is a little more stretched in comparison. Ultimately, it still depends on the baby which type of pacifier it prefers. 

Petit Carol also sells braided pacificer clips. The colour collection is not as varied as the pacifiers. So one advise for stylish mama, trendy pacifier colours such as mint are so hard to match. Haha. It really depends but I prefer a themed colour for my baby so go for woody colours if you want to play it safe. The clip is pretty secure and not too difficult to maneuver. I am all about freedom of thought so I will be doing a fun experiment on baby to let him pick his desired pacifier. Can't wait for him to be out and I am very curious what he will pick for himself. Hehe. 

Updates: Quote "PC_CY" at Petit Carol and you will enjoy a 10% discount for pacifier clips and bibs pacifier products. Till 31 Oct 2020!

Anak & I stole my heart

One of the most enjoyable things so far about pregnancy could really be shopping. Particularly, I really relish in the joy of finding cute clothes and toys for our little one. And I feel that the happiness is always doubled when I share the great deal with other mothers and my family. The other day I received a package from Anak & I and it immediately made me smile!

I have been talking about how small baby clothes are. Although Anak & I's cutting is a lot bigger than the rest I have reviewed so far, the clothes still look very tiny when I hold it to compare to myself hehe. Personally, I find their designs very adorable and I am pleased that even the boys' clothes made me excitable.

1. Aden Unicorn Bamboo Onesie ($26)

If you have been following for a while, you will know how much I love my magical horses. Hehe. This piece was suggested by the owner and I am glad I took her advise. It is very soft and airy and I am very looking forward to my boy becoming a mini unicorn. Hehe. I am all ready to move out my incredulous amount of unicorn merch for his photoshoot. 

Size-wise, this is 0-6 months which explains the bigger cutting. I like it better this way because I feel like at least baby can wear it for a longer time cos rumours say they grow up so fast. There is also a female version of it, but I like this boy's design better. And also, it is pretty gender neutral. 

2. Nenas Onsie - Teal ($30)

This is another 0-6 months piece and it stole many hearts even in my mother's group chat. I had a hard time choosing between white and teal but many mothers told me to pick teal because this colour is unique. There is also a pink version if you have a little girl. I generally favour pink but pineapples just don't go well with pink!

The Hubs was saying that this was a perfect piece for house warming. Instead of rolling pineappples, our little boy will be blessing the house by crawling around in this onesie. Huat ah! If it fits till CNY, I think this would look cute for the festive too!

3. Jonathan Cactus Overalls ($32)

This is a 6m to 1yo piece. I have no defence for myself but I am just a kiasu mum. LOL! I mean I have a cactus badge, obviously I would jump at twinning with my boy even when he is older. *smirks* Anak & I definitely has all grounds covered when it comes to trending prints - cactus, unicorn, ong lai, they have it all. It makes me so much less bummed that baby is a boy. 

I have to admit girls' clothes have much more variety and would have definitely make my wallet bleed more. Anak & I has some of the fancy tutu, fluffy skirts that made me wanna try for a girl asap. Lol! If you have a baby girl, do check out their collections.

Just for my readers, Anak & I has provided a groupbuy chat which you can enjoy up to 70% off. Yes, our little ones can all get nice clothes.

WhatsApp group:  https://chat.whatsapp.com/KBqNtyH11MD1bRyLt8suoU 
Link to order form: https://tinyurl.com/AnakGroupBuy

Cute Bottles: He or She

There are a few brands that have quite classy designs and I think one of the understated brand is He or She. He or She is quite popular in Malaysia but is still not very popular in Singapore yet because it is not in the major retail stores. He or She has 3 bottle designs of either ash pink for the girls or bluish-grey for the boys. In my opinion, both colours look aesthetically pleasing and I would even use the ash pink bottles for my little boy! :D

Typically, bacteria will breed in moist and warm environments. Hence, it always recommended for Mums (wonder why not Dads) to keep the bottles sanitised. Just to share a little more, He or She uses antibacterial polymer technology which can help to prevent the spread of bacteria. Personally, I feel regardless the type of material, the bottle should still be sanitised (either via UV or steam) before use because bacteria cannot be seen by the naked eye.

1. Ultra Wide Neck Baby Bottle 6 Oz (S$45)

This is a newborn bottle which reminds me of rocket hehe. In the series, this is the only bottle which is yellow. He or She's newborn bottle are generally wider and give a better grip to the holder. This could be helpful if your confinement lady is older or the elderly at home is helping with feeding. Comparitively, this bottle has the least parts which makes it easier to clean. I like that the bottles comes with a nice solid cap, which makes it a good going-out bottle.

If you observe the teat, it tries to imitate a mother's nipple so as to prevent nipple confusion during breastfeeding. The design also supposedly helps to reduce spit-out and intake of gas, therefore reducing colic. When baby is out, this will be one of the first few bottles we will try out with him. Hopefully, he takes well to the bottle. 

2. "Belly Belly" Baby Bottle 6 Oz (S$39)

This is also another newborn bottle. For all the designs, you can change the size of the teats to modify the flow to better suit the baby as it develops. For me, we will be using this as a transition bottle once baby looks ready to wrestle control and wants to hold the bottle himself. Similarly, the Belly Belly is also a wide design bottle and consists little parts which means easy cleaning. 

Design-wise, I find it rather nostalgic. My brother and I used to have a baby bottle that resembles this. If you are on a budget, I think you can do a 2-choose-1 between this model and the "Ultra Wide". 

3. Dental-Care Sippy Cup Stage 1 (S$35)

This design reminded me of a dolphin, super cute! This is suitable for baby from 6 months onwards. Oh my god, it contains so many more parts and I totally regretted deconstructing it for this review lol. The teats are shaped differently from the newborn bottles as it is supposed to protect their newly budding tooth/ teeth. 

One of the additional parts is the dual-vent and anti-colic valves. This can also be transferred and be used on the "Belly Belly". If baby takes well to the He or She, he is likely to use this from 6 to 9 months whenever he is ready to grow up, hehe. 

4. Wrist-band Teether (S$15)

This is the only plastic teether that is produced by He or She. The design helps to promote grip by baby and can the strap can be adjusted to better fit his hand. I like that it will be stuck on his hand and is less likely to fall off. The product should also help to ease tooth pain the soft material will help to protect his gums. 

Colour-wise, I am more into fancy, cutesy design so this doesn't quite appeal to me. But of course, the adorableness of a product has absolutely no correlation to its effectiveness. I think I might still be getting a few more teether for baby so that he has some choices and maybe simply cos Mummy just like cute stuff (please feel free to roll eyes at me.)

** Update: For my readers, quote "Forfunk10" and you will enjoy 10% off and free delivery! 

For the sweetest man...

A lot of us only ever thought of getting perfumes/ scents for women. But actually men also do use cologne. When I saw Maison 21G introducing solid perfumes, I thought I had to share it with you guys. This year for father's day, I was looking for something special for the Hubs cos this will be the only father's day, baby and I share a brain to decide on what to get him.

One thing about my Hubs, I think he like classy stuff. Design-wise, Maison 21G's solid perfume matched the aesthetics that I was looking for. The dark steel-grey exterior looked very manly and it being pocket-sized and light meant he could bring it along with him easily. Most importantly, it was unique. He had never used solid perfume so he was bound to remember this gift.

Maison 21G actually allows their customers to customise the scents. Quite frankly, I am no expert in this area. I asked for something manly but yet not overpowering and they matched me to the sleek sandalwood. The profile/personality of the scent - suave, passionate and soulful, it sounds really like my Hubs. 

Funny story, when the package came, my Mum collected it for me. The solid perfume was not completely closed in its package so I ended up smelling a nice, aromatic fragrance from the living room the whole day. In my head, I was like thinking it can't possibly be the solid perfume, can it? I mean if it smells like this inside a package, this must be some dope stuff. And indeed it was!!!

The solid is made from natural ingredients, so it is safe even if you have sensitive skin. From the quality of it, you just a few dabs to smell fresh again. I am actually quite excited for the Hubs to start using it. Given that it comes in such a tiny little bag, I am thinking of once again hiding his gift in his pillow again, LOL! He is bound to smell it and find it...Hehe.

Personally, I am also secretly stoked that they do have scents for the ladies and also conduct perfume workshops. Maybe when the pandemic dies down, the Hubs and I can attend a couple workshop together. #Romantic 

Delivery from 8 Crabs

One of the greatest grouses I have with Covid is the monotony in life. I have reached a stage that I want to celebrate everything and anything just to break the routine. We have certainly run out of things to cook. Usually, my family tend to eat out for such "cook's block" moments. Ordering in food isn't exactly our first choice, but given the situation, we didn't have much of a choice.

Recently, we ordered some awesome Zi Char from 8 Crabs and I thought I should share them with you guys. What impressed me was their punctuality, affordability, decent vareity and taste. 8 Crabs guarantee delivery within an hour around Singapore and the delivery man came slightly early for mine, which was awesome cos the little one in me was hungry :P

We had (from top left to bottom right):

• Award-winning Black Pepper Crab (S$68): Waa, this was actually my favourite and I appreciate that it was not too hard on the pockets. I would say it might be one of the better black pepper crabs I have. Plus the crab was huge and had lots of meat. Was a bit bumped that I am pregnant and am trying to eat everything in moderation otherwise I might have finished a good half myself.
• Fried man tou set of 5 ($6): Have it while its hot. It is so good, you can even have it on its own. If you are having chilli crab, this is a must add-on. 
• Prawn Paste Chicken ($12): The portion at  8 Crabs is generous. This was stated for 2-3 pax but darn it looks like it is for at least 4! Another one of my favourite. It is definitely going to my order list the next time round. 
• Award-winning Chili Crab (S$68): This is definitely value for money it doesn't blow my mind like the rest of the dishes we ordered. I think in the chilli crab, there are just too many worthy contender. My brother saved some of the gravy and crab to make pasta the next day and he said it was divine. The next time round (after I lay my little one out), I think I will try out the salted egg version!

Signing off with the meal we had for that day, my father air-fried more fries and vegetables. Personally when we buy zichar, my family don't have the habit of ordering veg cos we find it less value for money (hehe) so I think even the next round we probably won't be ordering any of the vegetables to review...oops. Unless you really want to read it, then let me know!

Just so you guys know, 8 Crabs has a father's day menu which offers the crabs and fixed sides. Comparitively, the father's day menu can squeeze even more value. But, if you are very particular about the stuff you are having, then it may not be for you. Have to say that 8 Crabs really changed my view on delivered food, I always think that they will never be as good. Never really expected it to be that enjoyable!

[Updated] Mummy Deals: Free Bump Box from Clearblue and more

For mummies with social media accounts and have used clearblue pregnancy kits, you are in luck! Most mummies probably have kept photos and even the pee stick anyway. Guess what, just share this photo on your social media and tag Clearblue, you will receive a bumpbox for them! Honestly, initially, it sounded a bit too good to be true. Because so far, all those "kind folks" that offer nice boxes for the baby are insurance agents. Lol.

I am glad to share that this is truly legit! Given that the Hubs spent a bit on the pregnancy kit, I guessed I have effectively recoup since the stuff in the bumpbox are pretty useful and premium too! We got:

1.  Swissper baby cotton balls
2. Swissper Breast Milk Storage Bags (Yes, I need that and I never knew Swissper sold them.)
3. Swissper Nursing Pads (This should come in handy!)
4. Swissper Contour Tips
5. Manicare Baby Nail Clippers (Great! Cos we haven't got one yet!)
6. Manicare Baby Scissors (Honestly, I didn't know manicare sold baby products)
7. A'kin Dry Shampoo (I did a whole post on dry shampoo here before, so yup this is going to be well used during confinement!)
8. A'kin Rose Hip Oil (Something for Mummy is always appreciated :D
9. 1 free class yoga class (The least useful in this climate)

And for first time mummies or mummies that need a refresher course on breastfeeding, Hegen is organising a Cherish Nature's Gift seminars with reowned medical experts to support us during this pandemic. One of my biggest grouses has been the lack of antenatal classes and I have been surviving on such online classes, slurping down globs of useful info in the comfort of  my bed...hehe. The hubs sometimes also join along and we will discuss how we intend to split certain roles. 

You don't have to use Hegen products to attend their classes, but if you are interested in their pumps, you can read up more here. Don't miss it! Register at https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/cherish-natures-gift-parenthood-seminar-registration-107797591498

On a separate note, it is quite good to attend courses etc. cos usually they come with door gifts and some of the provide quite nice sample packs/ discounts to their products. :D I ended up buying some products using the discounts at one of the classes and winning a giveaway! End up with so much duplicates OMG!

New and Improved: Lao Ren Shanghai Dumplings

Okay, I think I have been doing too many posts on baby stuff. So to cater to the pioneer readers, I will also be reviewing stuff that will be of interest to you. The Dragon Boat Festival will be occuring on 25 June this year, so I thought some of you might be interest on where to get your dumplings. I have never really talked about it here, but my family love glutinous rice in all forms.

My personal favourite is the Nonya dumplings, but sadly most of my relatives only do the traditional dumplings and the shops around my house mainly only traditional dumplings during this period. I think dumplings have been a stick in the mud for way too long. For my more adventurous readers, this post is sure to entice you. This year, you might want to tease your tastebuds and add in some Shanghai dumplings to the mix.

In terms of presentation, the Lao Ren Dumplings wins hands-down. Mooncakes is such a popular corporate gift because the boxes are always so pretty. But if dumplings had carriers like this, dang I think every company will be more than eager to gift them around. And the thing is, Lao Ren Dumplings doesn't even charge that expensive for a box of 6. With delivery, it would be in the low S$30 range. 

This is the first time I am trying Shanghainese dumplings so I was actually very excited. My father being worldly and all told me that it is going to be very different from the local taste we are used to and may be not for everyone. First of all, I have to say the shape of the dumplings already look different from what what we are used to. It is not the perfect tetraheral shape. 

Lao Ren Dumplings has 2 flavours, the original and mala. The original has salted egg (yum) and preserved meat. I think in terms of the meat marination, I probably still prefer the familiar taste I grew up with. For the original, I think our SG Ba Zhang reigns supreme! #localpride For the Mala flavour, I think it is a nice combo, I love mala. I find it spicy (maybe cos my tolerance for spice went down since I got pregnant) but my hubs who takes "Wei-la" finds it a good blend. 

I agree with my Dad that this is not for everyone, but it is definitely a must-try so that you know whether this is a taste for you. I hope Lao Ren Dumplings come up with more novel and exciting combos because I think the Dragon Boat Festival is ready for a revival. My Bro-in-law was commenting the other day, who even eats/makes dumplings now! But if dumplings have a fresh taste and a revamp in packaging, I think the youngsters (not that I am ancient) will embrace it back into their life!

[Updated] Blessings for babies

If you know where to hang out or sibei gian, you can actually get quite a lot of free, used stuff for your baby. Some people may also give away new stuff but it is really very rare. You will be surprised that it is not the low-income people that picks up these cheap thrills. Some parents just don't believe in spending too much on their kids.

If you are low income, you just have to ask and a lot of mothers will be more than happy to prepare a bag of essentials for you. I think there is something about motherhood that make women more generous. For me, I am quite lucky. I made friends with a few mothers who are ahead of me in their pregnancy or plain shopaholics (quite like me), so they always save the brand new, best stuff for me :D

1. BN 0-4m shoes

Quite honestly, I definitely won't be buying such tiny shoes if it was not gifted. Doesn't look like the kid gets to wear it much. Thank you Mama K for this!

2. BN 1 YO Donald Duck Romper 

Mama S had extras, so now our little one is going to twin when they meet. Excited, hope my boy don't outgrow this before their meeting!

3. BN 2YO Mickey Mouse Jacket

Once again, the shopaholic in Mama K struck again, so she gifted me this. I have such pullover jackets too, I guess mousy boy is going to pair with his Mummy! [Update: I ended up buying $50 of baby merch from her clothes store, haha!]

4. BN Nursing Bras

Another Mama got her size wrong and decided to give away her nursing bras. Brand new with tag too. Coincidentally, I am also using the 9 Months Maternity series. Best of all, they were both perfect for me. Having said that, this is honestly a rare blessing so don't bank on this! Please buy your own, cos you can't choose what others bless!

5. BN Disposible Undies for confinement 

Actually, these are one of the common things being blessed. Just that nobody gives enough pieces to last the whole confinement period. Apparently, my pregnant body is considered petite. So a mum who couldn't fit into what she bought blessed it to me if I could fit it. And I guess I hit jackpot. Just in case you are wondering, postnatal, the mother is expected to bleed quite a bit so these come in handy. Plus if you come from a traditional family that expects you to wash your undies, you can't really touch water during confinement... :D These are not branded pieces, I did contemplating buying more branded OG ones but my mum was like yo...use and toss donid so good one. Even the unbranded one doesn't exactly come that cheap. But there are always kind mummies blessing it out!

6. BN Confinement Herbal Bath

The same goes for confinement products cos somehow no Mums actually finish doing a proper confinement as they are always too busy with their newborn. Even for your red date tea, there will be mothers trying to bless it off. But for me, I am quite particular about food even if it is still in their packaging.

7. BN Bibs

There was a mother that lived near my in-laws house. She gifted me this set of brand new beautiful bibs. Was looking for a hands-free spectra and coincidentally she was letting go of hers brand new at a very reasonable price too. Managed to save on transport because I could jog there (FYI, I am already post-partum, haha)

Maisy&Moon: All-in-1 Swaddles

Now that everyone knows baby's gender, we can release the posts that give away baby's gender. A lot of mothers have commented how fast babies grow and will outgrow many of the purchases made. Some parents suggested to me buying cheaper items, but a good part of me is worried that if something is too cheap, it may also indicate that the product is sub-par. So I thought it might be more sensible to get products that have multiple uses instead.

If you have been following this series, I wrote a post on swaddling before and had some reservations on cloth swaddle because it seemed so difficult. I spoke to my Mum about it and she told me get some clothes one as they were more versatile. I found these from Maisy&Moon ($45 for 2). Currently, they don't hold many designs, but one thing for sure, these clothes were huge.

Each piece measured 120cm by 120cm. For those who are unfamiliar with the brand, Maisy&Moon are owned by mothers and their products are made with mothers in mind. The swaddle cloth is made from 70% bamboo and 30% cotton and is soft and breezy, good for our humid Singapore weather. It is naturally hypoallergenic and odour resistant. These swaddles are made large so that when babies outgrow the swaddling stage, mummies can use these for other uses.

Some uses include:

1. Breastfeeding Cover
2. Pram Cover
3. Blanket (even for adults)
4. Changing Mat (but not waterproof)
5. Playmat Cover
6. Backdrop for baby photos
7. Towel (not the most absorbent)
8. Cape for playtime

On first impression, I think this is quite a steal and I like the boy's classic design. When baby is older, I will leave it to him how he wants to use it. Since he will be travelling quite a few places, duplicated blankets might be needed to be placed at different households, so I am pretty sure these won't go to waste!

Baby POV: I pranked Daddy

Confession, I got sick of Daddy calling me "Lady/ Baby Girl". Reason being, I am not a girl. I can't be sure why Daddy keeps thinking I am a young lady. Maybe it is because the old wives tales point towards me being a girl, or maybe it is because I cover up well during scans, or maybe Daddy just wants another mini mummy in his life. Whatever it is, I didn't like being called a girl. 

To make matters worse, many of my relatives and Daddy/ Mummy friends are starting to guess I am a girl. Grandma has started to dig out handbags for me *pukes* and Grandpa keeps telling Mummy to eat beauty food to keep me pretty. If this continues on, I will soon be forced to be dressed in tutu and sparkles, cos Mummy probably doesn't want to waste our loved ones' good intentions. 

And so, Mummy and I decided to prank Daddy for good with the help of The Green Ducklings. Only Daddy cos he was the most annoying with the girl talk. We got Daddy a pink floral birthday cake (yummy rose lychee taste by the way) and painted the inner sponge blue. Daddy was so shocked beyond words, while everyone else was not expecting a gender reveal. 

Wasn't this just a normal birthday cake? Obviously not, I take after Mummy. I am cheeky and I have successfully conducted my first prank. The truth is out, I am a boy! Mummy still wants to dress me cute but she agreed that in no way should I look too feminine, she can save those frilly stuff if I have a sister in future...hpmh!

A Covid Gender Reveal

I have to admit planning a gender reveal during the Covid lock-down was extremely difficult. There were many vendors who were reluctant to take up orders (for the fear of not being able to fulfil them) and there were some who took the opportunity to charge exorbitant prices. Initially, I was extemely fixated on either getting a gender reveal cake or a gender reveal balloon.

 I quickly realised that this project called for a lot of creativity and I had to be flexible. As parents-gonna-be, we have sort of grudgingly agreed that present for baby is also present for Daddy/ Mummy.  So, I moved along this line and got Hubby a diaper cake. Hahaha!

The Diaper Cake came from Diaper Cakes Singapore. Most people have this impression that diaper cakes are not very cheap and consists of products that are not of very high quality. Diaper Cakes Singapore has different tier levels available and have a mini diaper cake option (from S$54). As this is for hubby's gender reveal, I am not too worrried that it will look too unpresentable/ cheap.

However, if this was a gift for a friend/colleague's little one, I would be fretting about a lot more because I had to ensure that the receiver would be happy with the good intentions. Although, what caught my eye was initialy the price-point, I have to admit that the mini diaper cake looked very adorable and presentable. It wasn't as mini as its name and I definitely won't feel paiseh to give as a baby shower gift <3

Before the reveal, hubby was like hinting "there was no need for any unnecessary fanfare." when I confided in him that I was feeling a bit overwhelmed by the gender reveal. Was quite glad eventually I had both balloons and cakes :D The baby boy balloon is also from Diaper Cakes Singapore. You just have to burst a magic pack and the balloon will start to inflate. Update: The balloon remains inflated after a week!

In a mini diaper cake, you will receive a baby onsie, a pair of socks, a plushie and around 7 huggies diapers. Do remember to pluck out the holding pins. I was super tempted to reconstruct everything back cos it was so pretty but it was way harder than I thought. The plushie was surprisingly premium and the size was very good for a newborn photoshoot. The baby's apparel is of decent quality but it definitely cannot compare to the boutique, more expensive brands. Size-wise, it can definitely fit even a fat baby for a while with its wide head cutting. (Yes, I just phewed) 

Lately, I am starting to have a feeling of "shit is starting to get real". Haha, I was looking at the diapers and I realise "Dang, I actually don't have a clue how to put this on a baby". Guess, I got my next research post coming out...haha. Just in case, you guys are wondering how we did the gender reveal. Check out my video above!

Talking about value for money, you can re-use this surprise many times. So you can play it on the hubs, your own fam, in-laws and even your friends. Because this is kinda of novel, you have to be prepared for some "operational difficulties". Watch my Dad's happy face below! 

If you have any babies arriving in your family, you can enjoy 10% off your purchase at Diaper Cakes Singapore if you quote "CHAA2020" as long as your purchase is above $50. This is not applicable for any items on sale. Valid until 31 Dec 2020, guess only lucky babies will get it :D