As the saying goes, "You are what you eat." Which is why over the years, I've been more aware of what goes into my mouth and even to a certain extent, what comes out (no constipation etc).

I must thank the BBC for being the constant reputable source of my documentary 'addiction' and I just watched this one on food! The title caught me..."The truth about food: How to stay young and beautiful". Now, who wouldn't want that? Moreover, knowing BBC, there will definitely be interesting scientific tests to prove or disprove popular claims about diets etc.

I'll summarise a few key takeaways but I do recommend that you watch the documentary in its entirety.

1. Eat more tomatoes
Tomatoes are rich in lycopene which is an antioxidant that helps your skin from getting burnt so easily! The study done by the University of Manchester over 3 months showed that people who eat tomatoes have an average 30% less damage from UV. Time to load up on that juicy fruit. Oh, it also makes a great facial mask as Su Lee mentioned during our "Beauty Secrets From The Kitchen" workshop at Beauty Week.

2. Eat more berries
Just like tomatoes, berries such as strawberry and blueberry contain loads of antioxidant. Besides the skin, the antioxidants in berries are shown to greatly help slow down the degeneration of the ocular muscles. As we often are staring at our computer screens, I do suggest eating a cup of berries everyday to prevent any eye problems when we hit our 60s or 70s. If you have trouble getting the actual fruit, try Unicity's Probionic which is a supplement that contains both berries and probiotics to support a healthy gastro-immune system.

3. Detox diets are a myth
Alas, despite how many people say that they feel energised/ lighter/ slimmer etc after going on a detox diet, the controlled experiment clearly showed that our bodies' natural detoxification organs work just fine. No real improvement or efficiency in the detox department after going on a detox diet.

4. Drinking extra 2L of plain water a day is not necessary
I was a bit shocked about this one. Turns out that all we need is to consume 2.5L a day and this comes from our foods and any sort of beverages. This isn't to say that we shouldn't drink water when we're thirsty, just that your coffee/tea/soups do count into your daily intake!

Nonetheless, if your current diet and health regime makes you feel tip top, don't think too much and just carry on! However, if you think that you need help, we have a whole directory of fitness locations for you to choose from or get in touch with our Wellness Coach to get you on track!

is some pampering! Through Pásshen, I've created a few 'pamper hampers' this Christmas so that you can let your loved ones (or yourself) relax and indulge in this season of love and thanksgiving.

Check them out:






To view the price list and more details on these hampers, head onto the link: http://www.passhen.com/place/christmas-pamper-hampers

I need your help. I want to create a service that caters to YOUR needs and YOUR lifestyle while empowering you to become a better you - both on the inside and out. How can you get your voice be heard in shaping my business?

All you need to do is to fill in a very simple and short survey (10 questions only!). If you sign up to be on my mailing list, you will stand the chance to win a pair of FULL DAY tickets to WellnessYogi RESET, which is coming up on 11 July.

The survey link is https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/D2RJY9W.

Thank you loads in advance and I can't wait to share with you my new company once it's up and running!!

Last year in November, my friend suddenly said to me, "Mel, shall we do something meaningful next year?" I replied, in an almost knee-jerk manner, "Like what?" She then said, "How about organising a yoga event and inviting our friends?"

That gave birth to the idea of WellnessYogi RESET. We came up with the name RESET precisely because we both are working in jobs that require us to work late and in very high stress environment. We both needed to reset our lives and regain our balance. We also understand that we're not alone. Many women feel the same way.

Yes, we're bold and crazy but sometimes, we just want to GO BIG if not we'll go home!! We want to infect the world to spur everyone to change for the better and reach their personal goals, whatever they may be. The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.

WellnessYogi RESET is our dream and we've started it. We've booked the venue (Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade), booked the licence (still many more to go...), booked our instructors and are pressing on to get more sponsors onboard so that we will not suffer financial woes because of this project. It's our project of love and pride that we're sharing with you and we hope that you'll help us finish it!

We understand that yoga isn't for everyone, which is why there are other workshops (make up anyone?) and even a picnic lunch session where we can all chillax together. Heard that there will be fireworks on the 11 July so the night yoga and after party will prove to be super fun!

Tickets are selling at $40 (early bird) and if you bring a friend, it'll only be $35/pax! We're also very excited that we're going to have a Wellness Bazaar so if you'd like a booth, please message me at melissa@passhen.com!

Tickets and bazaar booths can both be purchased at: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/wellnessyogi-reset-tickets-16369626995?aff=melfann

It comes with great regret to announce the closing of Oct 1983.  It has been my online baby for the past 2.5 years but it has been a struggle to juggle my full time job, tutoring and this business.  As such, 30 June will be the last day of Oct 1983 products going on sale.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank friends who've been so supportive as well as clients who helped keep the business afloat. :)

Good news is, I'm having a clearance sale of up to 50% off!!  So please help me clear my stock and get a good deal while you're at it.  ;)

Thanks and peace out!  www.oct1983.com.sg

Hi Peeps!  Yes, it's yet another advertorial but I must highlight that this is a great deal for Valentine's Day.    For TODAY only, order "Blooms in a Noodle Box" with a Cat A item today (4th Feb), and get your blooms for only S$40 and Cat A item for S$10 only!

Plus, you'll get 2 free Quaker biscuits, a 10% The Bouquet People discount code* and a Vday Card for each delivery!

To order, visit www.oct1983.com.sg before midnight today to make your purchase!

To be updated on our daily deals, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

*Terms & Conditions apply

Wow your special Valentine this year with our unique bouquets and jewellery!  Oct 1983 has teamed up with The Bouquet People to come up with this special selection where you can show your love and appreciation without any fuss.

Choose from our unique bouquets where you can even have messages such as "LOVE", "MUAX" or "HUGS" or cute little foam cupcakes that reads, "Boy Love Girl".  Some of our handmade jewellery are made with 14k gold-plated materials, Swarovski crystals or even quartz!

More photos and the order form can be found at www.oct1983.com.sg.

Do note that last orders are on 8 February. Terms & Conditions do apply.  Check out the youtube version of our catalogue below!

How do we celebrate Chinese New Year with y'all? With discounts of course!  Head on to our Facebook page and click on the 'vouchers' app to the left panel and claim your discount voucher.

This is our way of thanking everyone for your support and to bling you ladies up for the upcoming Chinese New Year. (:

Happy Shopping ladies!

It has been months of planning with The Bouquet People and a week of (almost) non-stop jewellery making (my right hand still feels a little cramped...hahaha) but it's almost done!  We did our photo shoot yesterday and here's a sneak as to what's in store for 2012!

Above, our photographer Conrad setting up and checking on the lighting while we get our stuff arranged.

Boo Boo the cat getting into our photo shoot and she's very fascinated with our photographer.

Conrad's moving around our hand sewn fur clutch! More details on this soon. :)

Friend Sophia is helping to arrange the jewellery and background materials to ensure that the photo turns out perfect!

Tada...just a quick snap shot of what's in store for Vday! Guys...we're coming up with packages that will make things easy peasy for you while ensuring that your ladies are happy.  Ladies, do get yourself listed on our mailing list by sending an email to us at info@oopsiwannasay.com with the subject title "Mailing List" OR Like us on Facebook so that you can tag your guys on the stuff that you like! ;)


Some background on Oct 1983 x The Bouquet People:
We've known each other since Junior College (High School for those living in the US) and had joined hands in setting up jewellery and handicraft stalls during our University days.  Although our career paths diverged after graduation, we remain creative and have now joined hands to showcase our love for creating fun but classic designs for all. 'Tis the season for loving!

Our Christmas collection is out!! We promise no tacky Christmas ornaments but wearable pieces that will last you throughout the year.  Perfect as gifts for your loved ones and you won't even have to break the bank.

Visit www.oct1983.com.sg to view more pieces and to purchase.

We're on a charms galore!!! Personalise your bracelets or your necklaces with these alphabet charms and more!!  Go onto www.oct1983.com.sg to purchase them or like them on our Facebook Page today!  You can follow us on twitter too!

I was sneezing and feeling miserable since Tue night but today was the worst. Felt giddy and throat was itchy this morning. Decided to go to the doc who promptly said, "Viral infection." Again. As usual. Bah.

Was given some meds for my stuffed nose and it made me so drowsy, I slept for 2 hours, woke up for lunch, watched a couple of episodes of the Jdrama "Hammer Session" (Hayami is soooo cute!) and then slept some more. So piggish. After taking a shower, I decided to read " Freakonomics" which I bought 2 weeks ago. I flipped a couple of pages and then, guess what, yep...fell asleep!! I didn't wake up until Dad came home and made so much noise. Grrr....

Ah well...nonetheless, I feel that I've accomplished quite a bit today. I've finally managed to upload the pics of the Jill Stuart bag, See by Chloe pouch, Tsumori Chisato pouches and bag as well as the pics of new pieces! :D Tomorrow...TGIF!!!

Remember the posting earlier about the black feather brooch that I was going to get? Well...I did put in an order etc but then the owner of that online store suddenly told me that her staff had misquoted me the postage price and was withholding the product until I paid her SGD8 MORE in postage!!

WTH. I made the deal only after I was quoted a certain price and I can't believe that they waited 2 days before telling me "oops...made a mistake". I don't do that to my clients. If I made a mistake with the price of postage, then that's my issue and this mistake will just have to eat into my profits. That's customer service, right? Now, I don't even want to see the other products from this store. What irks me as well is that they didn't ship it out within 24 hours, which is proper procedure unless you don't have the stuff in stock.

I was thinking of bulk purchasing stuff from them if the quality is as good as in the photos and to offer it to my clients as well. Since they were soooo willing to just give me a refund, forgeeet it. They'll forever quote me ridiculous postage fees just cos its via EMS and they're based in China. -_- Such bull.

:( So disappointing. What's the store's name? Well, I can't remember the exact link right now but it was one of those random stores in taobao.com.

Anyway, things aren't all that disappointing as I've found a wonderful supplier for TUK shoes!! These shoes are so funky and reminds me of Doc Martens and Irregular choice. I'm currently compiling the photos and waiting for a price quote before updating Oct 1983's website and sending out my newsletter. Do drop me an email with the header "Mailing List" to info@oopsiwannasay.com if you'd like to be on my mailing list!

Was on facebook and I found this Koumi Koumi site that sells clothes online. Love the photography!! It looks semi-pro and the idea of taking fashion shots in your HDB playground is excellent!! Reminds me of the photoshoot that Harper's Bazaar Singapore did last year (August?) where they featured haute couture in local neighbourhoods (a.k.a. the heartlands). Love it. More artistic shots please!!