♥ HEAR MY VIEWS ♥

This amazing product helped change my life, so I am hoping it will do the same for you as well. By diligently drinking this once a day, you could be making a significant difference to your health.

I used to experience really frequent migraine attacks, and you probably know there’s no cure for migraine, only preventive measures. I started my daily dose in 2008 after attending a health seminar here in Singapore, and it worked miracles. I wouldn’t say I don’t experience migraine attacks anymore, but it’s becoming less frequent. If someone tells you their Apple Cider Vinegar cured migraine, you know they are lying through their teeth.

I have been guinea pig to alot of brands before moving on to Braggs. Trust me, nothing even come close to the taste. Apple Cider Vinegar, I wouldn’t lie about it, does not have a pleasant taste to it but it is definitely bearable. In my opinion, a good Apple Cider Vinegar should be raw and unfiltered, organic and without preservatives and in liquid form.

Probably the most intriguing aspect to using Apple Cider Vinegar is that it helps to lower glucose levels, which is great for Diabetes. It is also said to help lower cholesterol which can result to weight loss (not significantly, but gradually overtime), acne and in my case, migraine attacks.

But Apple Cider Vinegar is not without side effects. Due to its acidity, it can be relatively harsh to your stomach and may cause gastric related problems. I therefore do not recommend taking it straight, but dilute it with raw honey or sugar. It can also be added to your daily dose of fruit juice.

Patricia Bragg talks about the benefits of apples

THE REVIEW

Retail Price

S$10.90

Ship via Blog

No

Where to Buy

NTUC Fairprice

Ingredients

Certified Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar, Diluted with Purified Water to 5% Acidity 

How to Drink

Add 1 tablespoon Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar and 1 teaspoon Raw Honey or Add 1 tablespoon Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar to 1 cup of freshly squeezed fruit juice - best served chilled

Adores

♥ Refreshing aftertaste

♥ Multiple health benefits

♥ Made from 100% organic apples

♥ Contains no preservatives

♥ Readily available

Hates

......None actually!

Pictures

Conclusion

Definitely worth investing!

Review Ratings

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Reviewed By

Aunt Amy - hearmyviews@gmail.com

I don’t think I mentioned but Aunt Amy is actually married! Was a last year affair, and I obtained the "license" to officially move from my parents’ place. It's great being first timers to almost everything actually, like back being primary schoolers though it can be a pain in the butt at times.

I love to cook, but splurging on expensive looking cookers isn't really my thing. I honestly don’t like the idea of spending hundreds over a fancy rice cooker because you won’t know when these things will die on you. Rice cookers and home appliances are getting hefty these days, it’s crazy just looking at the price tags!

Been looking for a suitable and good looking, yet within budget rice cooker for the longest time - either the price didn’t match or the design were just too china for my liking. Until I saw this Taiyo Rice Cooker last month! The floral design is really cute (though not in the colors that I would like it to be), compact enough for the small but cosy apartment and is good for 4pax which is pretty much ideal, even with one small addition to the family. The price's really great too, though the functions are just basic.

THE REVIEW

Retail Price
S$39.90

Ship via Blog
No

Where to Buy
Best Denki, Courts

Adores
♥ The price
♥ Cute floral design
♥ Non-stick and easy to clean
♥ Works as a steamer while cooking
♥ Automatic keep warm function
♥ Fits standard height of most kitchen cabinets
♥ Made by a reputable company

Hates
x Not suitable for cooking Japanese or Brown rice
x Small water holding area


Conclusion
Ideal for small families, with light causal cooking

Review Ratings
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Reviewed By
Aunt Amy - hearmyviews@gmail.com

I would like to urge everyone to correctly identify your skin type before committing to any purchase. By not understanding your skin, you could be doing more harm than good, and no product would be good enough for you! 

Skincare is one that is very personalized. What may be suitable for me may not be for you and in my opinion, toners and moisturizers are the must-haves in everyone’s daily skincare routine.

Truth be told, I don’t buy the whole “suitable for all skin type” bullshit unless it's free of preservatives. It is just like saying it’s free size. Obviously some moisturizers contain certain ingredients suitable only for a particular skin category, for example the oil %. Common sense tells you, you should only look for skincare with higher oil % when you have dry to normal skin, and oily skin should try avoiding putting more oil to your already-oily skin. Duh.

I belong to the dry/combination and somewhat sensitive category and I am ultra careful with what I put on my face. My skin itched at almost every single skincare product I have ever laid my hands on until I discovered St Ives. No doubt St Ives produces some really decent products like for example the Apricot Scrub and Facial Blemish Wash which I totally cannot live without, I cannot say it won me over with their Collagen Elastin Facial Moisturizer. The only consolation is probably the price - S$18.90 for 10oz is amazingly cheap and can last you for a very long time! I have been using mine for more than 6 months now and I’m still left with about ¼ more to go, with application twice daily.

THE REVIEW 

Retail Price
S$18.90 

Ship via Blog
Yes (samples only), please email for details 

Where to Buy
Major Guardian outlets 

First 5 Ingredients
Water (Aqua/Eau), Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum, Huile Minerale), Propylene Glycol, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate 

Adores
♥ Inexpensive
♥ Great for healing dry skin
♥ Firms up skin gradually
♥ Water being the main ingredient
♥ Suitable for sensitive skin 

Hates
x Leaves skin feeling very greasy after application
x Causes irritation at times
x Contains fragrance
x Limited stock 

Pictures

Conclusion
Suitable for really dried out skin, but avoid if you are normal to oily skin type 

Review Ratings
♥ ♥ ♥ 

Reviewed By
Aunt Amy - hearmyviews@gmail.com

Here at "Hear My Views", Aunt Amy would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! May 2010 be a good year for all of you!

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree is the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other - Burton Hillis

With Love,

Aunt Amy

So you must be wondering, what is mineral makeup anyway. Isn't makeup just... makeup? At least that's what I thought.

Mineral makeup, as the name implies, is formed all-naturally by several finely grounded minerals and should not contain crap ingredients like preservatives and fragrance. It, therefore, should not cause any skin related problems like itching, acne and clogged pores. Mineral makeup should also look natural when applied, and should not feel heavy or cakey, with light to medium coverage.

However, while mineral makeup comes from the nature face of earth, prices for individual cosmetic brands can vary from S$25 – S$100 (or even more) in Singapore, and can be an expensive investment but trust me, this will definitely go a long way.

I started using mineral makeup 1½  years ago after experiencing serious breakouts with my compact (non-mineral) powder, and needless to say, have been loving it since. To be honest, I was totally clueless, and with a budget, choices were limited. Walked to the nearest drugstore and grabbed the first thing I saw which was the Maybelline Pure Mineral Healthy Natural Powder Foundation (8g) in Natural Ochre. I am using Everyday Minerals now.


Commercial: Zhang Zhi Yi Maybelline Pure Mineral (English Version)

THE REVIEW

Retail Price
S$25.90

Ship via Blog
Yes, please email for details

Where to Buy
Watsons, Guardian and major departmental stores

Adores
♥ The price
♥ Heavy coverage, works well as a concealer as well
♥ Contains no preservatives, oil and fragrance
♥ Suitable for sensitive skin
♥ Readily available

Hates
x Not racist, but yours truly don’t trust products “made in China”
x Face feels very heavy after application
x Poorly grained powder
x Gets extremely oil (especially at T-Zone) after 3-5 hours
x Limited shades selection
x Poor quality free baby Kabuki brush


Conclusion
Best drugstore brand so yes if you are on a very tight budget and wants something easily available, but no if you can afford shipping from the States (I highly recommend Bare Minerals or Everyday Minerals)

Review Ratings
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Reviewed By
Aunt Amy - hearmyviews@gmail.com

It is not hard to imagine why Style Boutique (Europe), also known as Style Savvy in the States, on Nintendo DS is topping the charts now. With its unique game play and original concept, it's no wonder it can get so addictive!

Commercial: Style Savvy™ (North American Promo)

You start off as a Sales Associate at Primavera. The Boutique Manager, Grace, shows you the ropes on how to successfully manage a boutique, and slowly brings introduction to the main characters in the game.

Towards the end of your training, you will be tasked to run your own boutique (I named mine Lumià by the way) with aims to unlock all available store upgrades, cosmetic and hairstyles, managing appropriate styles for each season, styling your customers and mannequins and by providing fashion advice. By going online you can download new items, some of which have been designed by real fashion brands.

Though overall positive, Style Boutique is not without flaws. This game can get highly repetitive after a while and you’ll probably be extremely irked by the music. This however, can be easily overcome if styles are being shifted every 7-10 days and by putting music on mute mode. I share a love-hate relationship with Style Boutique to be honest; I would hate to love and love to hate this game. It’s complicating I know.

THE REVIEW

Retail Price

S$69.90

Ship via Blog

No

Where to Buy

Amazon UK

Demo Download
Nintendo UK

Adores

♥ Dominic, the awfully cute and gentle boss

♥ Lots of styles, from celebrity chic to punk rock to baby doll

♥ Stock and money management

♥ Customizing the looks and styles of main character

♥ Real time, adopting date and time configured on DS

♥ Meet and befriend fellow Style Boutique Managers via Wi-Fi

♥ Participate in UK’s Best Young Stylist

Hates

x No or limited relationship progression with Dominic

x Repetitive game play

x Repetitive and almost annoying music

x Probably not suitable for lefty


Conclusion

Not exactly worth the price, but still a yes from me!

Review Ratings

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Reviewed By

Aunt Amy - hearmyviews@gmail.com

What better way to start an entry with something we almost cannot live without these days - our cellphone! Many surveys taken worldwide proved this point and I couldn't agree more. I too, have unknowingly, became a part of the majority with family and friends' contacts and events, all stored in this handy little gadget of mine.

With this many brands and models available in the market, we are indeed very spoil for choices. And almost too soon, fall prey to marketing tactics, TV commercials, branding and most importantly, in my opinion, the overall design.

And that's precisely why I am the owner of the LG KF350 ice cream phone. It was irresistible to be honest. Look at their commercial, it's just too adorable!

Commercial: LG KF350 Ice Cream Phone

But, the cute design and commercial was just it and the LG KF350 ice cream phone was no more than that. After months of usage, I've come to realize that the phone has very very poor functionality and just basically not worth the raves. I was disappointed, yes, very disappointed with both the phone and LG.

THE REVIEW

Retail Price (in 2008)
S$298.00

Colors Available
Pink, Blue, White

Ship via Blog
No 

Where to Buy
No longer available - see Ice Cream Phone 2 LU1600 

Adores

♥ Duh, the design of course

♥ It being in pinkish pink

Hates

x Resets and formats itself almost every month

x Super soft ringing tone even at max volume and vibrate mode

x Self deletes text messages even when not at full capacity

x Very basic functions

x No self-shot function

x Disables SD card every few months

x Auto shuts off once in a while

x And the ultimate - phone hangs once it's fully charged

Pictures

Not recommended unless you have cash to spare

Review Ratings

♥ ♥

Reviewed By
Aunt Amy - hearmyviews@gmail.com