Three teams emerged winners in Simply Her's birthday baking challenge on Nov 8 at Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Eight pairs of amateur bakers had less than two hours to bake a cake to mark the magazine’s 10th birthday, using a Philips Avance XL Airfryer HD 9240/30. More than $6,000 worth of exciting cash and prizes was at stake.

The cakes were judged on taste (25 per cent), design and presentation (25 per cent), variety of ingredients (15 per cent), work organisation (10 per cent), hygiene (10 per cent), teamwork (10 per cent) and timing (5 per cent).

First prize went to Ida Betryl Cecil, 37, and Sunitha De Silva-Cant, 44, who baked a Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting. The cake was decorated with delicate fondant daisies and fondant letters that spelt “Happy Birthday Simply Her”.

Ida, a senior manager, and Sunitha, a head of development, took home $1,000 cash plus a Rest and Relax Package from Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel (2D/1N stay in Waterfront or Executive Suite, Club Lounge access, river-taxi ride for two to the Marina Bayfront and $50 dining voucher) with a weekend buffet dinner at Cafe Brio’s for two, worth $1,005. The former colleagues also received a Philips Avance XL Airfryer HD9240/30 worth $539.

“They scored highest overall, based on the criteria. I thought they were very professional. In fact, towards the end, they probably sensed that they were going to win,” said Chef Steven Ong, Assistant Director, Culinary Studies (Pastry & Baking) at SHATEC (The International Hotel & Tourism School – Singapore).

“We can’t believe we won but we worked hard for it,” said Ida. She and Sunitha practised baking with an Airfryer only once before the competition – and they had to borrow the Airfryer from Sunitha’s mother. The baking enthusiasts said they picked a chocolate cake because they felt it would be something that Simply Her’s readers would enjoy.

Second prize went to Audrey Loke, 34, and Elaine Chan, 29, who made a Green Tea Sake-Misu Cake. They took home $500 cash and a Rest and Relax package from Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel with a weekend buffet lunch at Cafe Brio’s for two, worth $958. The bank managers who are former colleagues also received a Philips Digital Airfryer HD9230/50 worth $459.

Third prize went to Wendy Ang, 58, and her niece Carina Ang, 18, who made a carrot cake that they called Karaton Rose Te Amo. They took home $300 cash, plus a Rest and Relax Package from Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel with a dining voucher from Pontini, worth $945. Audrey, a manager, and Carina, a student, also received a Philips Digital Airfryer HD9230/50 worth $459.

Apart from Chef Steven, the panel of judges included Maureen Ow, Food and Travel Blogger of www.misstamchiak.com, representing Philips, and Lim Tsiao Hui, Consumer and Lifestyle Editor of Simply Her.

Simply Her had shortlisted the contestants from almost 40 entries, based on their proposed recipes and photos of the cake they planned to bake.

During the event, Ms Ow demonstrated how to make an apple crumble muffin, also using a Philips Airfryer, in just 20 minutes. Next up, SHATEC students showed how to make a croquembouche, a French dessert consisting of choux pastry balls stacked into a tall cone and cemented with threads of caramel.

Those in the audience had a chance to win a Philips Viva Collection Mixer worth $79 and a RECIPES by SHATEC dining voucher worth $50 by participating in a photo contest. They had to snap a photo of their favourite cake among the eight entries, and upload it on their Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #simplyherbirthdaybakingchallenge on Saturday. The winners were announced on Simply Her’s Facebook page on Nov 10, at 6pm.

The event was held in collaboration with the School of Life exhibition from Nov 7-9 at Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre, Halls 401-402.

Event highlights:

First-prize winners Sunitha De Silva-Cant and Ida Betryl Cecil with their Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting.

Hilarious hunks with bulging trust funds? Nobody's gonna say no to that. © Cover Media

Want better sex? Maybe you should look for a partner who is richer or funnier.

New research focused on college women in committed, heterosexual relationships and quizzed them on the frequency and intensity of their orgasms. It seemed how often they reached climax was linked to intensity, which in turn was improved by a man who is funny, self-confident and comes from a wealthy family.

The study, carried out by the University of Albany in New York, asked women about their partner's body measurements, family income, personality and looks. The women's friends were also asked, to get a more accurate picture.

"Sense of humour not only predicted (a man's) self-confidence and family income, but it also predicted women's propensity to initiate sex, how often they had sex, and it enhanced their orgasm frequency in comparison with other partners," the researchers said.

So in short: the more often women orgasmed during sex, the more intense they were. And the ideal mate to provide this powerful climax was a man with broad shoulders, a healthy inheritance on the way and a sense of humour.

Of course, this doesn't mean hilarious hunks with a bulging trust fund are the only worthy bachelors out there (although it does sound tempting). It's also worth noting this study only took heterosexual relationships into account.

One thing's for sure: a partner who doesn't take themselves too seriously and can make you laugh will always be attractive. If that equals better sex, then who are we to argue? © Cover Media

Have dimsum round the clock at Hong Kong restaurant chain Tim Ho Wan's sole 24-hour outlet, on Kallang Avenue.

Hong Kong style congee at Tim Ho Wan. Image: Tim Ho Wan

Besides the regular menu, it also serves breakfast, with popular mainstays such as Baked Bun with BBQ Pork; Pan Fried Carrot Cake; and Congee with Lean Pork with Century Egg & Salted Egg; as well as new item Fried Glutinous Rice with dried shrimps and mushrooms. The supper menu (from $3.50) features beef brisket and tendon noodles; pork and vegetable wonton with noodles; and garlic fried fish skin.

Where: Lavender Aperia, 12 Kallang Avenue, #01-01/02/03
Open: Breakfast: 6 to 10am (Monday to Saturday); Regular menu: 10am to 10pm (Monday to Saturday), 6am to 10pm (Sunday and public holiday); Supper menu: 10pm to 6am daily
Info:www.timhowan.com or www.facebook.com/timhowan

This article was first run in The Straits Times newspaper on November 9, 2014. For similar stories, go to sph.straitstimes.com/premium/singapore. You will not be able to access the Premium section of The Straits Times website unless you are already a subscriber.

MARC JACOBS PINK HONEY EDP

$125 for 50ml, from all Sephora stores and selected department stores

This sunny and sparkling fragrance will lift your mood. It has hints of fruit punch, juicy mandarin, orange blossom, peach, honeysuckle, honey and vanilla.

ESCADA JOYFUL EDP

$87 for 30ml, from Escada counters

This perfume will keep your mood light. Blackcurrant, magnolia oil and pink peony are given a touch of creaminess and warmth with a new perfume ingredient call florimoss.

FENDI L'ACQUAROSSA EDT

$138 for 75ml, from Fendi counters

An elegant blend of Sicilian red oranges, bergamot, pepper, peony and musk.

VICTORIA'S SECRET FEARLESS EDP

$92 for 50ml, from Victoria's Secret boutiques

Made to seduce, it is laced with the dark and sexy purple diamond iris note.

BOTTEGA VENETA KNOT EDP

$109 for 30ml, from Bottega Veneta boutiques and selected department stores

Stay fresh with this blend of mandarin, neroli, orange flower, lavender, rose, peony, musk and tonka bean. It has a scent that is reminiscent of a garden along the Italian coastline.

VERA WANG PRINCESS POWER EDP

$68 for 30ml, from Robinsons Raffles City and Tangs VivoCity

Perk yourself up with this concoction of sparkling pear, raspberry, jasmine and plumeria on a base of blonde wood, creamy musk and vanilla.

This article was first run in The Straits Times newspaper on November 14, 2014. For similar stories, go to sph.straitstimes.com/premium/singapore. You will not be able to access the Premium section of The Straits Times website unless you are already a subscriber.

Be safe rather than sorry! | Image: Corbis

It’s that time of the year… to be careful when you’re shopping online.

According to the MasterCard Online Shopping Survey, nine out of 10 people in Singapore bought at least one item online from October to December 2013.

Here are seven tips from MasterCard for safer online shopping:

LOOK OUT FOR THE PADLOCK ICON

When you’re paying, you should see a padlock icon that looks something like this in the URL: 

It is a standard feature for most internet browsers when online shopping. It encrypts your credit card information and purchase details. Encrypting means that it converts the information into a code and prevents unauthorised access, making the transaction more secure.

GET A PREPAID SHOPPING CARD

Avoid overspending on Christmas shopping. Prepaid cards have maximum load amounts, which makes them perfect for shoppers with a fixed budget. You won’t be surprised by bombastic shopping bills if you pay using a prepaid card. Prepaid MasterCard cards are available from Maybank and EZ-Link.

BE WARY OF SCAMS

It’s not at all difficult to set up an online store on the internet. To prevent yourself from shopping at dodgy e-retailers, take some time to do some background research on the e-retailer, especially if it is new to you. You could also look out for online certified logos.

RUN ANTIVIRUS SCANS

It’s troublesome for many but this move could save you a lot of trouble especially around this time of the year.You can download antivirus software for free checks like Norton 360 and AVG, or request a trial period from established antivirus providers. Secure your laptops, mobile phones and tablets with this software to protect your information from being intercepted by malware programmes which could be unknowingly installed into your computer.

BE METICULOUS

Check, check, and check. Before you go on to confirm your purchase, check your payment details, the shopping site’s return policy and data protection covers. Make sure to keep a copy of the invoice and check that the amount matches that on your bank statement at the end of the month.

BE CAREFUL WITH THE INFORMATION YOU DISCLOSE

Do not disclose your personal information unless you know who is collecting it and how it is being used. Some websites sell their customer information to third parties, so check the fine print and opt out of sharing your information if you don’t want other people to use it.

CHECK OUT WITH MASTERPASS

If you’re a MasterCard holder, you can use MasterPass to make online shopping easier. It stores your payment and shipping details securely, and eliminates the hassle of entering your personal details for each purchase. Sign up at www.masterpass.com.sg.

Have a safe and happy Christmas shopping spree!

Estee Lauder lady Liu Wen, shouldering the burden of being impossibly beautiful ... Image: La Perla

Ladies, now is the time to try your hand at clavicle contouring. Say what? In contrast to your face proper, I’m betting your clavicle (AKA collarbone) is probably terribly neglected.

Why bother? When done right, collarbone contouring makes them “pop” against bare skin, lending your shoulders a lifted effect that’s very fetching, especially when you’re in swathed in a strapless shape-hugging dress. Convinced yet? Here’s how.

STEP 1. Prep time starts in the shower. Grab a gentle exfoliator and massage it liberally into your shoulder blades, making sure to get the granules into the “grooves”. Mildness is of the essence on such thin skin, so a doctor’s product like IDS Facial Scrub, with its soothing face-friendly formulation, ought to do nicely.

Or go big and go Cle de Peau Beaute: I love the new top-of-the-line body range, which includes a Body Exfoliator that comes with all the beauty bells and whistles expected of the prestige Japanese brand, such as hydrating honey and an anti-aging amino acid complex.

STEP 2. Next, hydrate. Seal in your freshly scrubbed skin with a rich moisturiser like Yves Saint Laurent’s opulent Or Rouge Creme, the heroine product of an incredibly indulgent anti-aging range.

The famed Parisian fashion brand says more than 1,000 man hours go into creating the “couture-like cream”, stuffed with saffron and seven botanical oils said to prop up saggy, baggy skin. Aside: The posh packaging itself, with its hand-swirled gold cap, is a thing of beauty that will get you in the mood for strappy dress season.

For something a little less intimidating, go for Nivea’s purse-friendly Body Intensive Moisture Serum SPF25 PA++, which has a very salad dressing-like blend of grape seed and avocado oils, coupled with a decent SPF – perfect for sun-dappled garden parties.

STEP 3. Wait five minutes or so for this protective layer to sink in, then proceed to even out the canvas with a custom collarbone concealer.

You’ll need a luminising liquid-type product – my current obsession is Estee Lauder’s very laudable Double Wear Brush-On-Glow BB Highlighter, which boasts a pen dispenser that’s perfect for “painting” directly onto your decolletage. Dab your brush on the hollow indentation in the centre, then blend outwards, using the “wings” of your collarbones as a guide.

Top tip: Go one shade lighter for a 3D effect that deflects attention away from sunspots and other discolouration. At this juncture, I usually find it useful to thin out the tint with Cle de Peau Beaute’s Body Emulsion. The silky “mouthfeel” comes courtesy of a comforting camellia oils and an intriguing botanical extract said to siphon off water retention; just a smidgen on top of your concealer will suffice. Blend like there’s no tomorrow for a breathtakingly beautiful translucent finish.

STEP 4. Almost there. All that’s left to do is to set with a dusting of shimmery powder; this has the entirely welcome effect of sopping up any residual stickiness which might read as sweaty instead of sexy. I’m mad for Urban Decay’s new Naked Illuminated Shimmering Powder for Face and Body in Aura, which has pearlescent pink pigments that are just so very pretty.

Use a brush to pat the product onto the edge of your collarbones and beyond, for a flirty flush that directs your admirer’s gaze towards well, where you want him to be gazing. Done? Then step into your strappy dress and out into the night. and brace yourself for the deluge of collarbone compliments that are sure to come your way!

Clé de Peau Beauté Body Exfoliator, $120, and Body Emulsion, $165, is available at Clé de Peau Beauté counters at Takashimaya Shopping Centre and TANGS Orchard. For more information, visit www.cledepeau-beaute.com/en and follow Clé de Peau Beauté on Facebook.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Brush-On-Glow BB Highlighter, $44, is available at all Estee Lauder counters. For more information, visit www.esteelauder.com.sg and follow Estee Lauder Singapore on Facebook.

IDS Facial Scrub, $62, is available at the IDS Clinic at #05-07, Novena Specialist Centre. For more information, visit www.idsclinic.com.

Nivea Body Intensive Moisture Serum SPF25 PA++, $7.55, is available at at Watsons and all major supermarkets and pharmacies. For more information, visit www.nivea.com and follow Nivea Singapore on Facebook.

Urban Decay Naked Illuminated Shimmering Powder for Face and Body, $43, is available at all Sephora stores. For more information, visit www.urbandecay.com.  

Yves Saint Laurent Or Rouge Crème, $559, is available at all YSL Beauté counters and at the YSL Beauté store at #B2-34 Ion Orchard. For more information, visit www.ysl.com and follow the brand on Facebook and Twitter.

This comes with a warning: it's probably not going to be what you want to hear. Recently a piece published in The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research suggested that not everyone loses weight when they exercise. We know, it's a blow.

Researchers at the Arizona State University in Phoenix took a sample of overweight women and looked at the effect exercise had on them over 12 weeks. While some of them dropped pounds, others actually put weight on. And to make matters worse, they couldn't find out why that was the case.

So that doesn't sound great, but try to not worry too much, because exercise has many other benefits. We know most people want to drop some pounds after slavishly pounding the treadmill, but read on and we'll convince you of its other positive side effects too:

Memory

It sounds strange, but stay with us. Inflammation and hormone imbalance are two things which can cause memory loss. And guess what? Regular exercise helps with them both because of the effect it has on blood flow. Better blood flow means better brain function, you see.

Stress

This is an obvious one, but that doesn't mean it should be overlooked. There are a few reasons why gym sessions can help with it; namely it ensures stress hormone cortisol doesn't get out of control. Time.com points to a book called The Exercise Cure by Dr. Jordan Metzl, which links cortisol to anxious feelings. So whether it's a horrible day at work or a case of pre-job nerves, a workout could be what you need.

Fatigue

Picture the scene: you've had the day from hell, arguments at work, a terrible commute and you're shattered. So what should you do? Go to the gym of course! It sounds weird, we know, but a previous study by University of Georgia found that low-intensity workouts can beat fatigue. So there really is no excuse not to put on those trainers.

Health

This is no surprise either, but don't forget how much exercise does for your body. It keeps your lungs and heart healthy, can ease back pain, helps your muscles become strong and will make you toned.

© Cover Media

It doesn't have to be a bland, no-fun diet! © Cover Media

When embarking on a diet, you probably have some preconceived ideas about which foodie 'sins' to avoid. And while you can't argue with some (Haribo will never have any nutritional value FYI), there are others you don't need to mourn for quite yet. Read on to see which diet baddies could be making a return to your dinner plate.

Bread

When you speak to a dieting friend or read interviews with super-slim celebrities, they will more often than not preach about cutting out the carbs. But that doesn't mean never buying bread again – just be picky when it comes to which kind. A whole grain loaf is packed with nutrients and provides you with fibre. So don't feel bad about incorporating seeded brown bread into your diet in smaller quantities.

Peanut butter

That nutty, buttery goodness just has to be bad for you, right...? Well, sort of. But past research actually found that people who eat the spread every day have healthier overall diets. It is high in fat – but healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated oils. There's also protein, vitamin E and folic acid packed into peanut butter. Hunt for natural versions in health food stores and spread thinly and you can enjoy all the taste with none of the guilt.

Cow's milk

People are switching cow's milk for almond, coconut and soya varieties everywhere you look. But is it really beneficial? Unless dairy is a real dietary problem for you, probably not. Cow's milk has 8g of protein per cup, while the other varieties normally only have 1g. It's also packed with vitamin D and calcium.

Beer

When you're on a diet and going out for drinks with friends it can seem like a minefield. Is vodka soda really the only thing you can have? Surprisingly, beer isn't as bad as you might think. It's free of fat and cholesterol, but contains iron, calcium, folic acid and antioxidants. Moderate beer drinking (one glass a day for women, two for men) could even lower the risk of heart disease.© Cover Media

Bianca Bai, who was nominated for Best Leading Actress in a television series at the prestigious 45th Golden Bell Awards in 2010, has starred mostly in television shows, such as Fated To Love You and Skip Beat.

What is the one product you would not step out of the house without?

Vaseline lip balm as my lips can get really dry. They are naturally quite red, so I don't use any lipstick on my days-off. When I was in school, I used to get scolded by the discipline master for putting on lipstick, but I didn't have any on.

What is the one grooming service you cannot do without?

Because I have to put on so much make-up for work, I go for deep cleansing facials at least once a month.

What, in your opinion, is the best beauty invention?

Foundation. Whenever I'm getting my make-up done, I often wonder how foundation was created and how brilliant the chemists are for creating something that helps to cover imperfections.

What is your favourite perfume?

Un Jardin Sur Le Toit from Hermes. It's refreshing and feminine. I don't like scents that are too sweet or strong. I've been using it for more than 10 years.

What is the most ridiculous thing you have done in the name of beauty?

I'm quite a lazy person when it comes to beauty; maybe that's why I haven't done anything ridiculous.

Give us a beauty tip.

When I'm in the car, on the way to a filming location, I would drench cotton pads in toner and put them on my face as a mask for about 15 minutes. My skin looks more refreshed after and make-up looks better on it.

This article was first run in The Straits Times newspaper on November 14, 2014. For similar stories, go to sph.straitstimes.com/premium/singapore. You will not be able to access the Premium section of The Straits Times website unless you are already a subscriber.

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West in Los Angeles on November 1 AFP PHOTO / VALERIE MACON

We might not be able to explain Kim Kardashian's meteoric rise, but we're certainly not able to deny it. This week news broke that the 34-year-old celebrity's debut app has raked in over US$43 million (about S$55.6 million), and she's also arrived on the front cover of Paper Magazine, shot by the legendary Jean-Paul Goude. Here's how to get the Kardashian look.

Brown smoky eyes

Makeup artist Evon primes her eyes, then applies blended layers of eyeshadow for this dramatic Kardashian-inspired look. She adds thick eyeliner, false eyelashes and two lighter 'natural' eyebrow colours. Blended highlights and contours finish the look. 

Dewy make-up

Leslie Alvarado has put together this in-depth reworking of a look created by celebrity makeup artist Etienne Ortega for Kim Kardashian. There are plenty of products needed to pull off this dewy-look makeup, but we think the results are worth it if you're after a bit of Kardashian magic. 

Red lips, winged eyes

Vlogger Laura Lee works a red carpet-style Kim Kardashian look in this four-minute video. Par for the course (or should that be 'Kar for the kourse'), it requires plenty of highlighting, but this specific look focuses on winged eyeliner and bright red lips. -- AFP Relaxnews

#BTS sneak peek at Kendall's new campaign. Photo courtesy of Estée Lauder

Another day, another attempt by a Kardashian girl to #BreakTheInternet. This time, it’s Kim’s lil half-sis Kendall Jenner making the news, having landed herself a beauty behemoth of an endorsement deal as the new face of Estée Lauder.

For a fledgling model (a Kardashian, yes, but fledgling nonetheless), this contract is colossal news. Consider this: Kendall’s high-fashion debut was barely a year ago – we were gaga over her electrifying catwalk eyes back then – but she’s already graced the gilded pages of American Vogue and walked for Chanel, Marc Jacobs and Dolce & Gabbana. Not bad at all for a 19-year-old, eh.

Kendall’s latest gig as Estée Lauder front-woman puts her in very good company indeed. She joins a stable of bona fide supermodels the likes of Liu Wen and Joan Smalls – all of which begs the question: For how much?

Fashion pundits have already pegged Kendall’s contract to be worth at least a million bucks a year, based on her staggering social media cachet of 30 million followers. Lauder’s clearly banking on Kendall’s influence on the “with-it” girls of Instagram; as per press notes provided to us this morning, she will “play an active role in creating social media content that will live on Estée Lauder’s channels as well as her own.”

This is a singularly savvy move for the cosmetics brand, and will no doubt introduce the Lauder name to a whole new world of beauty girls. (For what it’s worth, Jane Hertzmark Hudis, global brand president for Estée Lauder, says as much about her hopes for the new face: “She is the ultimate Instagirl, and we are excited to leverage her image, voice, energy and extraordinary social media power to introduce Estée Lauder to millions of young women around the world.”)

It’s a safe bet to say we’re not the only one biting our nails in anticipation at her first campaign for Estée Lauder. For now, you can see the model of the moment in action in the first video shot for the brand, which comes complete with adorable footage of Baby Kendall juxtaposed against an Adult Kendall rocking a very Taylor-esque red lip. Enjoy!

For more information, visit www.esteelauder.com/kendall and follow Estée Lauder Singapore on Facebook.

Seen the blue Singapore Flyer recently? Tiffany & Co. has lit up the Flyer in this dazzling hue this Christmas for its festive campaign "A Tiffany Holiday". | Images: Tiffany & Co.

For Christmas 2014, Tiffany and Co. is lighting up the Singapore Flyer in a brilliant blue from now until December 31, 2014. (With the exception of these dates: November 16-17 and November 21-24, 2014).

As part of its "A Tiffany Holiday" campaign, six Tiffany & Co. Christmas trees – the tallest one standing at 10 metres! – add to the festive holiday spirit at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands with silver and gold baubles, shimmery white-gold glitter and blue Tiffany & Co. boxes in its signature robin’s egg hue.

Look out for six Tiffany & Co. Christmas trees at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands.

As you pass by Tiffany's shop windows, take a moment to gaze at the dreamy and charming illustrations – an ode, it seems, to Audrey Hepburn’s Holly Golightly in the iconic opening scene of Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Charming Christmas illustrations adorn Tiffany's shop windows.

And in case you needed gift ideas, here are some Tiffany & Co. pieces anyone would be happy to receive (I know I would!).

TIFFANY T CUFFS

There’s no denying that it was love at first sight for most when the T Cuffs were first revealed. Modern, classy and understated, they are made of 18 karat rose, white and yellow gold.

THE TIFFANY SETTING

This is the world’s most popular diamond engagement ring – and it’s no surprise. The special Tiffany Setting was introduced in 1886; it was the first one ever designed to lift the stone away from the band to showcase the diamond in all its sparkling radiance.

TIFFANY KEYS NECKLACES

A key is symbolic of many things, and especially of new beginnings. The Tiffany & Co. version is covered in yellow and white diamonds in platinum and 18 karat gold.

Follow Tiffany & Co. on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Tiffany, on Twitter @TiffanyAndCo and on Instgram @tiffanyandco. Hashtag #ATiffanyHoliday

You might want to think twice before puckering up with that gorgeous stranger in a nightclub - because according to a new study, a ten-second French kiss spreads 80million bacteria. If that's not enough to sober you up, we're not sure what is.

Remco Kort, a professor and scientist at Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), led the research, which is published in journal Microbiome. To kick things off, he asked 21 couples to head to a zoo in the Netherlands, where they had their tongues swabbed before and after kissing.

The bacteria on the tongues of couples was found to be much more similar than that on the tongues of two strangers.

To test their theory further, researchers then asked one person in the couple to have a probiotic drink, wait a while and then kiss their partner again. The probiotic bacteria, which usually isn't found in the mouth, transferred - along with 80million other bacteria. What's more, a survey found that the couples who kiss the most shared the largest amount of bacteria.

“Apparently, being with somebody for an extended amount of time and having a relationship leads to a similar collection of bacteria on the tongue,” Remco said.

It might sound icky, but Remco insists it's actually a good thing. For one, it can act as a form of immunisation and build up your resistance to microorganisms.

He added: “If you look at it from this point of view, kissing is very healthy.”

Of course it depends who you're kissing and the bacteria they carry. And it also depends on the type of kiss. A dry peck only spreads around 1,000 bacteria, while passionate make-out sessions spread millions.

© Cover Media

Images: Culinarybrodown.com

Take the ramen burger, breed it with the Cronut, and what do you get? The ramnut, part ramen, part donut, and arguably, the weirdest Frankenfood to come out of an American kitchen this year.

The culinary creation of UCLA college student Joshua Scherer, the ramnut is the latest food hybrid out of the US that takes inspiration from two viral dishes: the bunless, ramen noodle patty burger which made a wild debut in Brooklyn last year, and the Cronut, pastry chef Dominique Ansel’s croissant-donut mashup which has taken the world by storm.

After cooking the noodles, spreading it out in an even layer and freezing it, Scherer, a 21-year-old political science major, cut out donut shapes and threw the patties into the deep fryer.

All that remained was icing the pseudo-nuts with a variety of flavours and toppings.

But how do they taste?

“They’re starchy, they’re crispy, they’re covered in frosting and stuffed with custard — that’s about all I can tell you,” he wrote on his blog which was a finalist in Saveur magazine Best Food Blog Awards 2014.

The ramnut is just one in a long string of inventive Frankenfoods Scherer has created for his irreverently written, wisecracking blog Culinary Bro-down.

There’s also Ramen Poutine, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Burger with Cherry Coke BBQ Sauce, and Funnel Cake burgers that replace buns with Funnel Cakes.

Want to make your own ramnut? Check out the recipe for yourself, but fair warning: This isn't for the faint of heart! -- AFP RELAXNEWS

For my money, peel-off strips are the best beauty remedy for our obsession with pore size. I mean, few “highs” are as gratifyingly gross as slapping one on your nose and whipping it off to inspect the gunk left behind.

Even better, this oddly perverse pleasure can be made more effective with a neat trick involving little more than baking soda and water – some say up to twice as many blackheads can be lopped off with this beauty hack.

Intrigued? Here’s how to create your very own pre-pore strip priming lotion. First, you need to understand how these little babies work. Peel-off strips yank out the dirt clogging your pores via brute force; that is, a special adhesive sticks to the sludge and pulls it free when you remove the strip.

To boost your strip’s well, stripping power, you’ll need a toner-type lotion to loosen up the icky stuff encrusting your skin. Here’s how:

STEP 1. The recipe for this custom concoction is embarrassingly easy: Just of one teaspoon of baking soda mixed into a cup of water. That’s it!

STEP 2. Saturate clean cotton pads with this “soda water” to create a DIY mask, then press these pads into the curves of your nose; the pads should stay put.

STEP 3. Go about your business for five minutes or so, then toss the pads. Re-wet your nose area with a tiny splash of the same baking soda solution, then apply your pore strip of choice.

Biore’s Pore Pack Black is a crowd favourite, and for good reason, too: The formulation boasts a soothing witch hazel extract, and the matte black surface displays the dislodged debris in delightful detail. 

Or try Boscia’s Pore Purifying Black Strips, which throws in charcoal powder for added pore-tightening prowess.

After the allocated time as dictated by the package directions is up, gently lift off the strip. Pick at the edges until the entire shebang works itself free. With any luck, you should find the strip peppered with a scattering of unwanted flotsam and jetsam.

Credit where it’s due: Doff of my hat to beauty vlogger Michelle Renee for providing the inspiration for this seriously satisfying beauty hack.

Try this genius tip out the next time your nose is feeling congested, and let me know how it goes. Your pores can thank me later!

Biore Pore Pack Black, $4.95, is available at all leading pharmacies and supermarkets. For more information, visit www.kao.com/sg/biore and follow Biore Singapore on Facebook.

Boscia Pore Purifying Black Strips, $22, is available at all Sephora stores. For more information, visit www.sephora.com and follow Sephora Singapore on Facebook and Twitter.

THE BIG PICTURE
ALLOCATE AND CONQUER If you arrive home and find yourself chucking your keys, phone, mail and bag at any random space, do this: set aside space or shelves near your home or room entrance for them. And put them at the same place every time as soon as you come home.

REACH IT EASILY The golden rule for organising your cupboards, kitchen cabinets and wardrobes: place the most commonly used items in the most accessible space (usually the middle shelves or those at eye level), and the rest on higher or lower ones.

LABEL, LABEL, LABEL Label your shelves or drawers or have a checklist of all your storage places and what’s in them, to remind you of where your things are. Use details like “Tech – cables and adaptors” and “Craft – ribbons and stickers”, so it’s easy for everyone in the family, especially the kids, to put everything back in the right places.

IN THE BEDROOM
ROLL ’EM UP Roll up your towels like a log and adjust the height of your wardrobe shelves to about 10cm high to store them. It’s easier to take them out than if they were stacked up.

SWITCHING SIDES Slot folded clothes sideways into a drawer. “It makes every garment visible and accessible, and gives me 25 to 30 per cent more space. I use dividers to separate tees from tank tops, or to organise by colour,” says Georgina Wong, owner of Asian Professional Organisers.

SOUND ASLEEP Fold sheets neatly and place them into their corresponding pillowcases so it’s easy to find each set.

WINTER WHERE? Vacuum pack winter gear into storage bags (available from stores like Daiso and Howards Storage World) and store them in your luggage. Pack in a charcoal sachet (from Daiso) to absorb any musky odours.

STACK AND STORE Love your jewellery? Stack bracelets onto a kitchen towel holder – it makes a pretty sight on your dressing table too.

IN THE KITCHEN
SEEK THE SQUARES The next time you buy food containers, go for the clear and squarish ones instead of opaque round ones – they take up less space in the cabinet and fridge, and let you see what’s inside.

FORGET IT NOT Keep a roll of masking tape and a marker in the topmost kitchen drawer, so you can label containers to mark what you keep inside.

KEEP IN SIGHT Place leftovers at eye level in the fridge so they don’t get forgotten.

SIZE IT DOWN Tuck large plastic bags in plastic bag dispensers and small ones in an empty tissue box – sorting them out by size makes it easier to find what you need.

IN THE STUDY
DRAWERS FOR DOCS If you don’t have time to file documents like warranties, credit card bills and insurance documents, chests of short drawers (available from Muji and Ikea) are useful for organising documents. Go through them once every six months to recycle or discard what you don’t need to keep.

STICK THEM ON Attach a magnetic knife rack to the inside of your drawer with strong double-sided tape and let it hold loose bobby pins and paper clips.

TACKLE JUNK MAIL“I have a huge laundry bag outside my house and make it a point to separate my mail before I step inside. Junk mail immediately goes in,” says Georgina.

IN THE KIDS’ BEDROOM 
STATIONERY STATION Use a cutlery tray to sort out pens, pencils, colour pencils, markers, crayons and any other stationery. One with deep compartments (available from Tott) is great if you have lots to keep. Place it in an accessible drawer and get the kids to pop in their stray pens in there consistently.  

CRAFT CONTROL Dedicate a corner to your kids’ art and craft projects. Display the nicest pieces, and for the rest, take pictures of them before relegating them to the recycle bin.

BIN THERE Have two or three bins in your kid’s room – one for bigger plush toys, the other for medium-sized toys and a small one for things like toy cars and Lego pieces, and make it a habit to get kiddo to return all her toys into them at the end of the day.

REUSE AND STORE! 
BRIGHT IDEA For spare bulbs without their original packaging, place them in a shoe box lined with bubble wrap, and pack crushed paper between each one to protect them.

THE ODD ONES Zip-lock bags of different sizes are great for storing irregularly shaped tech spare parts like adaptors and cables. Or use empty toilet rolls or kitchen rolls to bundle them in, then line them vertically into a tall drawer. Label the bags and paper tubes so you remember what each spare part is for.

This article was originally published in Simply Her's November 2014 digital edition. For more exclusive stories found in our digital magazine, click here to subscribe: http://bit.ly/1xx3IAP

Making it crystal clear from the get-go: We’re not into body-shaming celebs, most certainly not if said target is our beloved (and beleaguered) Singapore thespian Chen Li Ping.

Understood? Right, then. Li Ping says she’s gained 6 kg to play a “prosperous” restaurateur in the upcoming Chinese New Year drama, Good Luck – which isn’t news-worthy per se, save for the fact that Li Ping is the very public face of wellness and beauty brand Mary Chia; and that earlier this year, she was embroiled in an especially nasty online scam involving dubious weight-loss supplements.

Important aside: In the bigger scheme of things, 6 kg is a relatively reasonable amount to gain over the course of a few months; we would never condone drastic weight yo-yo-ing the likes of say, Matthew McConaughey for Dallas Buyers Club.

In any case, here’s the good woman herself on the “sacrifice” she’s made in the name of art: “I had my qualms when I took on this job as I knew I had to put on weight to fit the image of this role. But I love my job, so I spoke to Mary Chia about it. Not only did they give me their blessings, they assured me that I need not worry as they would be able to help me lose weight healthily after filming wraps.”

How, pray tell, did Li Ping manage to gain the weight? The actress says she did it by falling back on her “pre-Mary Chia eating habits”, which we can only assume weren’t that great: Li Ping says she doesn’t recommend it and that she’ll be back on the straight and narrow as soon as the director yells cut.  

For what it's worth, we think Li Ping’s latest bodily transformation may mark a first for local tellie. Eye on a Star Award, perchance? Good luck, Li Ping, we’ll be watching come Chinese New year!

For more information, visit marychia.com/sg and follow Mary Chia Singapore on Facebook.