Wearing The Right Accessories And a Giveaway!

I'm not an absolute fashion guru as I would like to be, but when it comes to accessorizing, I think this should be my forte since I have been making and selling jewelries for the past 7 1/2 years. So hear me out with some advise on wearing the right accessories to give your wardrobe a boost!

An outfit is never complete without the right accessories to complement it. Fashion is not always about putting the right clothes together. What you also need are the accessories to complete your look. Even an inexpensive jewelry, when worn with the right clothes and attitude, can make a difference in how you carry yourself.

First and foremost, consider about the colors you are wearing. Is it a neutral tone? Dark or bright bold ones?  Is the style tailored or elegant? Even if its a casual outfit of a tank top with bermudas, putting on a funky or playful colored necklace brings out the best in that simple get up.

I feel, in every woman's jewelry box, there should be a good mix of all kinds of lifestyle pieces to suit the outfit you are wearing. For example, if you are wearing loud prints, keep your accessories to a minimum so it wouldn't look like everything on you are fighting for attention. A good choice would be to wear just a bold bracelet and stud earrings, enough to make a statement. If necklaces are a must, keep it simple and clean lined.

If you are wearing a plain top or dress, play up with any kind of colored accessories - a long or chunky design necklace, for that wow factor. Another option would be to keep your top bare from jewelries but wear a statement pair of earrings - large stylish hoops, long sweeping ones or a big studded pair of jewels.

Stud earrings are one of the most common and favourite choice for almost any outfit. It comes in many designs, namely man made stones, gemstones, metallic (my personal favourite!) or fun floral pieces. Speaking of which, I am giving away not one, but TWO pairs of acrylic rose stud earrings to TWO fashionistas, just in time to adorn your Chinese New Year outfits!

Pretty rose earrings in light orange and coral pink at approximately 1cm diameter. The studs are in rhodium plating.

To enter this giveaway, leave your comment on this blog post and tell me how you would dress yourself up for the coming Lunar New Year to go with either pair of the above earrings! 2 winners will be randomly picked by Rafflecopter.

This giveaway will end on 17 January 2014, 12am, Singapore time. 

It is opened only to ladies residing in Singapore.
 Appropriate comments with email address are mandatory to facilitate this giveaway.
no email address indicated = disqualified entry. 
Winners will be announced on this blog post and on my facebook page.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

HAVE FUN! And here's wishing all a Happy and Prosperous Lunar New Year!

"dong dong dong chiang"!

CONGRATULATIONS to Adeline Tan and Susan Koh!

You have both won this giveaway and I'll be in touch with you soon.

Thank you all who have participated in this giveaway!

*The earrings are brand new and made by yours truly, at Adeline's Loft - my humble little online store for lifestyle handmade jewelries. I specialize in custom orders for all occasions.*

Till the next post, have a blessed week!

[Recipe] Traditional Peanut Cookies

It's that time of the year again to prepare for the Chinese Lunar New Year! What are your usual traditions? Do you buy your cookies off the shelves? Do you make them? Or do you commission a reliable source that hand makes these goodies from their home?

I've never made cookies for Chinese New Year before, although it is a tradition for me to help my mum make her infamous pineapple tarts which the whole family (plus extended families) love so much!

This year, I've decided to step out of my comfort zone and try making some cookies instead of getting them off the shelves. Hmmm... maybe two varieties of cookies at most! It is considered a mean feat for me because baking has not been my forte. But I'm giving this my best shot because nothing beats home made goodies.

I'm sharing an almost fail-proof peanut cookies recipe in this post, adapted from A Table For Two. I was in awe when I popped one into my mouth! It was unbelievably good with a light crunch before it crumbled and melted in the mouth - that's how the hubs described it. It was absolutely savory and I loved the hint of saltiness in each bite. I never knew something so easy to make could taste so good!

Total time spent : approximately 40 minutes
Prepare ingredients (yields 40-50 bite size cookies) :

- 300 grams ready made peanut powder (you can find it from supermarket. Get one that is purely peanut powder with no sugar added)

- 200 grams castor sugar

- 250 grams plain flour

- 200ml of canola oil (to be used sparingly, till the mixture is combined)

- 1 teaspoon of salt

- egg white for glazing the top 

Method :

- Preheat oven at 160 degree celcius. (Heat defers oven to oven. Mine gets really hot at this temperature.)

- Pour the peanut powder into a large bowl. Sift flour, sugar and salt into the same bowl and mix well.

- pour in half the oil and knead the mixture with your hands. Subsequently, pour in the oil a little at a time while you continue to knead.

- once the mixture is able to roll up into a dough without sticking to the bowl or your fingers, it is ready to be made!

 - I like my cookies small enough to pop into my mouth. So I used a small spoon to scoop from the dough, roll it to a ball shape and place it on a lined tray.

- You can leave the cookies in a ball shape or lightly press the top with a fork for a little pattern.

- Glaze the top of the cookies with egg white before putting into oven.

- Bake it for 15-20 mins or until it turns golden brown. 

- Cool on rack completely before keeping it in a tightly sealed container. This can keep for 2-3 weeks but I can't guarantee if you can stop at one!

- Enjoy!

I think I just might make more to give my mum and my mother-in-law. heehee...

  Till the next post, have a blessed week!

GIVEAWAY - Stickygram Phone Case

I don't know about you, but I dig mobile phone covers. You know, it's just like playing dress up on your phone every other week just so that your phone looks new and cool on the outside even though the physical phone I am carrying now is 3.5 years old.... *hint hint*

When I was invited to review Stickygram's phone casing, I simply couldn't resist! I just LOVE this kind of novelty. Stickygram is originally known for turning Instagram photos into magnets, which I had also review last year. Now, apart from magnets, they also offer photo prints on phone and tablet casings. How about that? Photo memories are now on the go!

 They currently have phone cases available for iphone 5/5s and 4/4s. As well as Galaxy S3 and S4.

Placing an order was a breeze. All I needed to do was connect my instagram account with them and it will load all my photos for selection ----> add to basket ---> checkout!

 There are various collage designs you can choose from to make your own personalized phone cover! 

My end product! I chose to select an image of my faith and family that matters the most in my life.

What I really really love is the convenience of creating this case at the comfort of my home and the fuss free steps to place an order for it! Shipping is always FREE and arrives safely within 2 weeks from the UK! 

Stickygram has kindly agreed to give my readers a special discount of 10%.

Key in this code : AMB13 upon your checkout.

But wait. Before you go off ordering your phone case now, why not try your hand at my giveaway? You may just be the lucky one to receive a complimentary case worth US$34.99 from Stickygram!

Simply follow the easy steps below, hosted by Rafflecopter. The winner will be announced on this blog post as well as on my Facebook page. As this is an international giveaway, please note that this will end at midnight on 10/01/2014, Singapore time.

GOOD LUCK and have fun!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

    Update : 10/1/2014 CONGRATULATIONS KL Teo! You have been picked to win this phone case! Stickygram will be in touch with you on how to claim your prize.   Till the next post, have a blessed week!

Disclaimer : The Accidental Mom Blogger received a phone case from Stickygram. All opinions are my own. Some of the above images were extracted from the website of Stickygram.com.