DIY Open When...

Hello lovely people!

This is a long overdue post. I had been so busy with school I was not able to find time to post anything. Now that I'm having my holidays I'm gonna try to stay more committed. 

In my previous post on DIY Scratch Cards, I had mentioned that I made scratch cards according to different emotions. So in this post, I would like to share with you how I organised them and a sneak peek of some of the cards that I made. 

All these were personally designed by me in Photoshop CS6. I made 7 different sets. This one is for my best friend to open when she is feeling happy. The words use on the cards are inspired by Pharrell William's Happy. The empty spaces were for me to write any quotes or messages.

This one is my favourite because they are all cheesy pick-up lines which both Roslina and I really love. Each card is personalised and it took the longest to design.

A closer look on one of the cards.

I put all of them in a small gift bag which I got at Daiso. They came in a packet where 35 bags cost $2. I sealed all of them with some of my favourite stickers. The labels were also designed in Photoshop CS6. 

Since this is the month of giving, I have uploaded a printable of the labels and 3 designs from the cards that I have designed. Feel free to download and use it if you plan to do this project for your loved ones. This can be a great Christmas gift especially if your loved ones are here to visit and have to travel once the holidays are over. If you would like more of these designs do comment down below as I might consider selling these. 

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DIY Scratch Cards

Hello everyone!

It's been a while since I've posted a DIY tutorial and there is a fun project I had been wanting to share with you. This project was part of my best friend's 21st birthday gift so I had to hold on this post for a while. Some time last year I was just scrolling through Pinterest and I came across a project where the receiver had to scratch off the cards to find out what their gift was. I thought it was a really interesting project and I wanted to put my own spin to it. 

These scratch cards are all categorised according to different emotions. For instance, if my best friend is overwhelmed with happiness she gets to scratch one of the happy cards. They contain a mixture of quotes and personal messages. I made a few different types which will be shared in another post. 

In this tutorial, I will share with you how to create this "scratch off" effect on any type of scratch cards. For this project, you would need:

Cards

There are a few printables available online for you to download and print out. If you are interested to see how mine looks like, leave a comment!

- Clear Contact Paper or Clear Tape
- Acrylic Paint (I used gold and silver)
- Paintbrush or Sponge
- Dishwasher liquid
- Scissors

Now, let's get started!

1. Cut out some contact paper or clear tape to cover the part that needs to be scratched out.

2. Gently cover the area that you want your receiver to scratch off.

3. Mix your acrylic paint with dishwasher liquid. 

The ratio is about 2:1 (for every 2 drops of paint, you would need 1 drop of dishwasher liquid). 

Mix them gently as you do not want too much bubbles forming.

This step is optional. 

I pasted some tape over the card as I wanted the painted area to be clean and neat. I could not find paper tape in my house so I used paper tabs instead. It definitely was not as effective as a paper tape, but it did a decent job.

4. Using a paintbrush or sponge apply the paint and dishwasher mixture over the area.

I used a sponge as it was more even as compared to the paintbrushes I had on hand. Do not worry if you can still see through the words. I applied 2-3 coats to completely cover the area. 

Once you are done, leave it to dry and it will look something like this.

In the image the first card is not completely covered due to the insufficient paint and bright lighting.

This is a fun project where you can do with a group of friends or family. There are so many different occasions where you can do this. For example, Birthdays, Mothers' Day, Fathers' Day, Parties and etc. If you did try out this project, tag me in any of the social media platform because I love seeing different versions of this project.

Get creative and have fun! 

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Phó 4A

Hello everyone!

I thought I would have more time to write since it's the holiday period but I have been going out to catch up with my friends whom I have not seen for a while (university really takes away your social life). Recently I met up with Jo and we decided to have lunch at Phó 4A. I was in the mood for noodles and this was the perfect place. This was my second time in Phó 4A and I left the place feeling really happy once again. 

If you have been reading my previous food reviews, you would know how much I admire interiors. Phó 4A was not an exception. I really love the cosy interior and the bamboo mats that were placed on the table made me feel at home. It was definitely the right place to catch up and reminisce all the good old times with great company. 

Upon arrival, we were greeted with a friendly staff who handed us the menu. They do not have an extensive menu - 7 mains and 6 sides. True to their name, the mains consisted of all Phó except for one fried rice. 

Jo ordered the Pho Bo Tai Nam ($8) - Beef noodle soup with half-cooked steak and well-done brisket.

I ordered the Pho Bo Chin Nam($8.50) - Beef noodle soup with well-done brisket and flank.

2. Pho Bo Chin Nam($8.50)

The portion is very huge and it really fills up the tummy. You can probably tell from the picture how generous they are with their portion. 

Both the dishes were served with a plate of condiments. To be honest, the soup was flavourful and did not require any additional garnish. But I like some spice in my food so I added the chilli padi. I used the sauces to dip my meat inside for extra spice and flavour. The sauce had the sweet and sour taste which normally do not like but this one surprisingly complemented the meat. Since my meat my well-done I was afraid that it might be a little dry. However, the meat was well-cooked and thinly sliced which was a treat for my taste buds.

Cha Qio ($7)

We also ordered a side to accompany our dishes. In simple words, they are spring rolls with minced chicken and mixed vegetables rolled with rice paper. It was served with a tangy sauce that really complemented this dish. I love spring rolls and this one was amazing. This one is a must-try!

Overall, I am really satisfied with the service, food and ambience. The best thing about this place is that you do not need to pay GST or service charge. What you see on the menu is what you pay which is awesome! Plus, it is very hard to find affordable halal Vietnamese Cuisine in Singapore, and I would recommend you to check out this place. Although the place is small and may not accommodate so many people, it gives a cosy and homely feeling that makes it an ideal place for you to catch up with old friends.

Venue

• No 7 Jalan Pisang
• Singapore 199074

(Located beside Hjh Maimunah and opposite Fluff Bakery)

Opening Hours

11:00 am to 3:00 pm (Lunch)

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm (Dinner)

*Closed on Sundays

Contact

Phone: 6294 0703

Email: Pho4allhalalviet@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Phó-4A-Halal-Vietnamese-Cuisine/

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