Secrets of a Stewardess: Paint you own Portrait or Surprise your Friends and Family? The Perfect Gift Idea of all Special Occasions!

Paint Me Real (USA)

www.PaintMeReal.com

The Perfect Gift Idea for all Special Occasions
*Personal Potraits, Wedding Potraits, Family Potraits, Graduation Potraits etc.

I'm really happy to introduce to you a Portrait Painting website called Paint Me Real. They have been painting portraits since 1987. They are really happy to start their new online platform, whereby we are able to upload our favourite digital photos and have them handpainted at a very affordable price. My home family portrait cost me around SGD$3500 to be painted by a professional painter. I'm surprised that www.PaintMeReal.com paintings only start from only USD$80 onwards.

Most importantly, it is hassle-free! Just a few clicks or a button, you will have your personalized oil canvas painting at your door step in 2-4 weeks time.

Paint Me Real - This website provides personal portraits, wedding portraits, couple portraits, family portraits, graduation portraits, even animal portraits services. As long as you have 1 face, its considered a one person portrait. If you have a digital image of yourself with your lovely puppy dog, that's considered a 2 faces/person(s) portrait.

I had quite a few of my portraits done by this website. Their standard of painting is amazing, it looks really realistic. No wonder, its called Paint Me Real. It looks like a real person popping out from the oil canvas painting.

I am really happy to have my digital photo being hand-painted so well. It took them around 4 weeks to have my portrait painted and sent to my office. I chose to have "Registered Shipping", that's adding another USD$20 to my shipment. I prefer to be safe than sorry. I would like to know that my parcel will arrive properly at my door step without any worries or further hassle.

SPECIAL PROMO CODE: " lovesara " to enjoy 20% discount off all portrait paintings.

I also painted another picture, of my very good stewardess girlfriend.

This is how the website works

Step 1: Upload your digital image, and select the number of person(s) in the photo.

Step 2: Choose your oil canvas painting size. I would recommend you to paint a A3 size image. Not too small, not too big. 

Step 3: Fill in your billing & shipping information. Choose your shipping mode, and key in your special promo code: " lovesara " to enjoy 20% discount off all portrait paintings.

This was how the painting looks like, it was a perfect friendship gift! My girlfriend Rachel loved it!

www.PaintMeReal.com has a Facebook Page with many other portraits done, please "LIKE" their page to see other paintings. Reviews are available too!

Paint Me Real Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paintmereal

Other Bloggers Reviews on Paint Me Real 

www.PaintMeReal.com

Model Blogger - Eunice Annabel Review: http://euniceannabel.blogspot.sg/2013/11/paint-me-real.html

Fashion Blogger - Jolene Review: http://jolenezhou.blogspot.sg/2013/12/paint-me-real.html

Fashion Blogger - Lucinda Review: http://lucindazhou.blogspot.sg/2013/11/the-perfect-christmas-gift-paint-me-real.html

Sara Shantelle Lim

www.SaraShantelle.com.sg

New on Instagram: @sarashantellelim 

SYDNEY - Snowy my Mini--Lop Bunny who is just 9 Weeks old

SNOWY - My Mini-Lop Bunny

SYDNEY - Snowy my Mini--Lop Bunny who is just 9 Weeks old - As most of you know I love pets and animals but I am only able to buy a small pet to keep as I live in a tiny apartment in Sydney City. I miss Prince Royale in Singapore but unfortunately keeping a dog is unsuitable for me at this point in time so I decided to buy a bunny/rabbit. After searching on Gumtree, I found a Champion Rabbit Breeder and drove all the way to her house to take a look at her bunnies.

The Rabbit breeder was a young teenager who kept 3 little bunnies in a play pen outside her home in a beautiful garden. Before deciding which bunny to buy, I spent more than 2 hours trying to bond with the bunnies and carrying them one by one. After carrying Snowy, I chose him because he was the friendliest and did not struggle when I carried it. After paying AUD30, I took Snowy back home and I was filled with happiness and excitement as it was my very first time keeping a pet bunny.

Honestly I am inexperienced but I spent many hours doing research online and asking friends who have pet bunnies for advice and guidance. I have been messaging Jasmin Tay back in Singapore as she loves bunnies. Ittah and Stacey have been giving me advice on Facebook without asking. Thanks to everyone who has been helping me along the way. I appreciate all your help :) I read online that grass is good for rabbit's digestion so I brought Snowy to Hyde Park for a walk and let it roam freely on the grass. It was hilarious as I ended up chasing Snowy around the garden to the amusement of bystanders and people having picnics.

I must confess that keeping a bunny is not easy as it poos a lot. I spend many hours each day cleaning up the mess it creates. Now I know how much patience one needs to keep a pet bunny. But despite the difficulties, I have no regrets as I really love Snowy. Snowy loves being pat on his head and body. It enjoys the massage I give and even falls asleep whenever I stroke him. I'm one happy "Bunnymama"!

PS: Don't say my Bunny's red eyes are evil... Snowy is really far from evil. He's simply ADORABLE!

♥ Lora Christelle Lim ♥

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TRAVEL: Sara Shantelle goes to Boracay Island Philippines (PART 2)

Sara Shantelle goes to Boracay Island Philippines 

6 Days Trip over Chinese New Year Peak Season

PART 2

BORACAY ISLAND - Night life in Boracay Island is pretty interesting! The entire White Beach is transformed into an outdoor seating area for people to wine and dine. Many shops/cafes/restaurants will set up temporary dining tables and chairs on the white sandy beach for customers to dine close to the waters and enjoy dining underneath the beautiful night skies. It should be pretty romantic but I was on holidays together with my Daddy and Mummy only. We spotted a beautiful place and chilled at JUICE BAR.

JUICE BAR - There were large bean bags on the ground, people were just lazing while smoking shisha to relax and unwind. There was also dance music and some people were dancing by the bar. Apart from alcoholic drinks, they specialize in Juice drinks. I ordered a yummy banana milk shake. It was awesome! I'm trying to lead a healthy life by consuming more juice and staying away from alcohol.

JUICE BAR

Boracay Island Boat Station 2

www.facebook.com/JuiceBarBoracay?rf=186384934730137

ONEBAR 

Boracay Island Boat Station 1

ONEBAR - Another chill out place I love. They served their fruit shakes in very modern plastic bags, those kind whereby you are able to hang the string around your neck, so you need not carry it. I hate carrying things in my hands, hence this was a really good fruit shake for me. They also serve their specialty "Snow Mango", whereby there's ice shavings and mango, mixed with milk, and other fruits. It was sweet and icy for a nice cooling night. 

A lot of restaurants in Boracay serve buffet dinner at around 750PESO per person. I think that's really reasonable as they have a wide variety of BBQ food cooked by chefs right in front of you. They also have very good fire stunts dancers, who would spin real fire rodes while they dance the night away in club music. It's really entertaining! It is almost impossible to get bored in Boracay!

Fire Stunt Dance

D'Mall at Boracay Island

ATV Adventure

Boracay Island Mount Luho

www.myboracayguide.com/boracay-activities/ATV-and-Buggy-Car-299.html

ATV Adventure - I've always loved cars since I was young. I love fast things, but I must be in control of it. I enjoy speed, but I only trust myself. I really enjoyed my ATV adventure in Boracay. I managed to convince my parents to join me. My mother was a little skeptical at first but she joined us in the end. My brave Mummy! It cost us 2500PESO (SGD$70) for 3 ATV units. It was extremely fun where we drove up Mount Luho at the top of the road. At the top of Mount Luho, we got off the ATV and climbed up some mountain stairs to reach the peak. The panoramic view was spectacular. It is highly recommended to climb Mount Luho to enjoy breath-taking 360 degrees views of Boracay Island. 

At the top of Mount Luho, you can climb even higher up some wooden platform  to see the vast clear blue water and skies of the entire Boracay Island. Shocking as it sounds, there is a small animal farm where there were peacocks, eagles, owls, monkeys etc. My favourite animal was the White Chinese Chicken, you should check it out when you are there. You will laugh at the sight of it. It looks funny!

Horse Riding

Boracay Island Mount Luho

HORSE-RIDING - It cost me 900PESO (SGD$26) for an 1 hour ride. It was my first time riding a horse. I felt a little scared initially as I've heard so many stories of people getting kicked by horses back legs, or they simply get thrown off the horses' back. I plucked up my courage and decided to ride a horse! From what I've heard, it only cost around 790PESO to ride the horse, the other 190PESO  was a little small commission to my tour guide who brought me there. 

Island Hopping & Snorkeling

Boracay Island

Shangri La Hotel Boracay

www.shangri-la.com/boracay/boracayresort

Shangri La Hotel is the most luxurious hotel resort at Boracay Island, it has its own private beach front. With your own private boat shuttle to get you to White Beach. It has 219 rooms, suites and villas. Every single room has a spacious balcony with a daybed for you to relax your day away.

The most basic Deluxe room cost around 22,300PESO (SGD$633) a night and their most luxurious Presidential Villa cost around 105,655PESO (SGD3000) a night. 

Island hopping and snorkeling is a must do when you go to Boracay. You hop onto their wooden spider looking boats and go out into the deeper water to swim and feed the fishes. 

Snorkeling at Boracay Island

PUKA Beach

Boracay Island Hopping

Puka Beach -  is where they stopped us for our lunch. There is a special area created for tourists to take photos with their wooden PUKA art work. 

The food served there was quite decent, for a deserted beach. They even serve fresh fishes, that cost as expensive as a Singapore restaurant. If I didn't remember wrongly, one fish cost around SGD$60. I liked the calamari rings there. 

MANGO-CRAZY - One thing that was widely sold at Boracay Island, was MANGOES. If you like eating Mango, this is a Mango Heaven Island for you. They sell mangoes everywhere! Riped sweet ones and Sour hard ones. Both of which were delicious! It cost around 40PESO for a bag of sour unriped mangos, you can see many stalls selling them. The ladies would just sit by the beach all day, and cut mangoes, while their kids would go around the island selling them. 

Kite Hanging

Boracay Island Bulabog Beach

http://www.kiteboardingboracay.com/

KITE HANGING - Kite Hanging is something that I would recommend you to do, if you have at least a week there in Boracay Island. I only saw this on the last day of my stay, if not, this is definitely something that I would want to do. It takes you at least 3 days to learn how to "Kite Hang". 

Hangin Kite Center from Light Bros Productions on Vimeo.

http://www.boracay-kiteresort.com/kiteresort/

Beginners Kite Hanging Lesson at Boracay Island

Full Course 9 hours = 19,500 Php

with IKO Certification

Lesson Day 1

• Theory with trainer kite on land, Wind window, Kite set-up and safety, One hand kite flying / kite control, Landing and relaunching, First bodydragging, Power stroke both sides, left and right.

Lesson Day 2

• Boddy dragging downwind: left, right, with power stroke, upwind, Sitting down in the water and keeping the kite at 12 o’clock, Practicing the powerstroke, Self-rescue.

Lesson Day 3

• Water start and board launch, Exercise in the water, Riding, Feedback after the first try, Coaching.

Mode of Transport when you're on Boracay Island

GETTING AROUND - This is how you travel when you are on the island. You either, take a boat, a motor bike, or a motorized tricycle. The traffic there is bad. The beach is amazing, but the back of the beach, where the roads are, its dusty, noisy and slightly polluted. Its not really a sight, that anyone would like. But I guess, that's how most islands look like. By the time, they get developed, their white beach and blue waters might not be as beautiful anymore.

During the whole Boracay Island trip, we saw many children there laying on the sand. They looked really malnourished and we decided to cheer them up. My parents and I bought them some ice cream. They were really grateful as they probably haven't eaten in days. We also donated some money to them. The children there were smart enough to accept the money and pass it to their parents immediately. Hopefully our little actions helped the children. After all, it was always good to spread happiness.

Read about Sara Shantelle Goes to Boracay Island Philippines (PART 1):

Click Here.

 

Read about my Bintan Lagoon Resort Trip!

- CLICK HERE -

Follow me on Instagram: @SaraShantelleLim

Sara Shantelle Lim

www.SaraShantelle.com.sg

New on Instagram: @sarashantellelim 

TRAVEL: Sara Shantelle goes to Boracay Island Philippines (PART 1)

Sara Shantelle goes to Boracay Island Philippines 

6 Days Trip over Chinese New Year Peak Season

PART 1

BORACAY - Chinese New Year is the only time, that my parents and I can travel as a family. Apart from Lora, being "stuck" in Sydney due to her PR Application, we usually travel as a whole during Chinese New Year. We only decided to go to Boracay Island, just 1 week before CNY. Hence, it was pretty last minute which resulted in more expensive hotels and air tickets. Luckily, this is the peak season and best time to visit Boracay. The weather was perfect, the crowd and atmosphere was awesome. Everyone was hyped up and filled with excitement!

HOW TO GET TO BORACAY?

There's 2 ways of getting there from Singapore. 

1. Tiger Airways - Direct Flight to Kalibo Airport

2. Cebu Airlines - 6 Hours Transit to Kalibo Airport

Obviously, we chose to go direct. 

It took us about 3 hours to fly from Singapore to Kalibo Airport. Then another 1.5 hours to take a van from Kalibo Airport to the Island Jetty, then take another 20 minutes boat ride to Boracay Island, then another 10 minutes van ride to our Hotel in front of White Beach. It took us a total of approximately 5 hours to get to Boracay Island and it's all WORTH IT!

Kalibo Airport was really an eye opener for me. As an ex air-stewardess, with 5 years of flying experience around the world, I have never seen an airport like this before. It was quite a sight. You have to see it with your own eyes to understand what I mean. The entire airport was rather chaotic and appears not to have any proper system in placed. Everyone was pushing their way in an disorderly manner without queuing up at all. Frustrations aside, we took 1 hour to clear the customs. 

Everything was a MESS, UNTIL you reach the BEACH FRONT!

It is highly recommended to buy a SGD$20 transfer from Kalibo Airport to your Boracay Island Hotel. This is to avoid the hassle of getting the transfer ticket which is available the moment you exit the airport. There are a few Boracay transfer booths at the exit area, they sell airport-island transfer tickets at around 700-800PESO. Then, you would also need to pay another 100-200PESO for their environment island fees, etc. 

Due to the last minute travel bookings, my air ticket costs SGD$450 per person but I found out that the rest of the people who were on the same plane as me only bought their tickets for SGD$200+. Moral of the story, please book your air tickets early to get a cheaper price!

As it was Peak Season, I could not find a decent hotel that was vacant for all 5 nights. Hence, we had to hop around the island, staying at 3 different hotels over the past 5 nights. Some of you may find it troublesome, but I thought it was a blessing in disguise. I was able to hang out at different parts of the island. I pretty much cover all the interesting places and beaches of Boracay during this trip.

The Beach House Hotel 

Boracay Island Boat Station 1

Balcony View facing Diniwid Beach

The first 2 nights, I stayed at Boracay Beach Hotel. Its at Diniwid Beach. This hotel is facing the beach front, but it is not fully built yet. You may consider staying in this apartment, after 6 months. If not, you would hear the workers start hammering wood at the edge of the waters at 8am in the morning. It is closer to Boat Station 1 and is walking distance from a really interesting place called The Spider House. My parents and I loved The Spider House, so much that we hung out there for 2 whole days chilling over delicious cocktails and enjoying the beautiful beach views. 

The Spider House Hotel Bar

Boracay Island Boat Station 1

http://spiderhouseresort.com/

View of The Spider House Resort & Nami

Boracay Island Boat Station 1

THE SPIDER HOUSE RESORT - This hotel establishment is really unique and interesting. Just watch my video and you will know why. You have to literally walk through a cave before you get into the hotel lobby and bar. The special attraction is that guests are able to jump off the wooden platform straight into the clear blue waters anytime. Talk about easy access to the clear blue waters and swimming!

I bumped into a very friendly Boracay Resident who dove into the water, with a huge splash. I learned that he is only 24 years old and resides in Boracay as a German Language International School teacher. I think it is an awesome way to travel around the world as a Language teacher. He has been staying in Boracay for over 2 years, and he's loving it! 

He gave me a mini tour along White Beach, as he was walking towards his football game, in the middle of White Beach. 

WHITE BEACH & CATHOLICS - While walking throught the rocks and caves to White Beach, I noticed a lot of Mother Mary Statues around the island. Most Phillippinos are Catholics. They have the highest percentage ratio number of Catholics in their country in the world. 

I spent the rest of the day, touring and exploring White Beach on my own, while my parents preferred to stay at The Spider House to have a relaxing time on their own. I had a foot massage at 350PESO, by the front of the beach. It feels fantastic to have a massage after walking around so much. I watched the beautiful sunset while sipping my Mango Fruit Shake and enjoying my relaxing foot massage. There are many stalls selling fruit shakes, you can get them at around 70-100PESO a cup.

Different Colours of the SKY during Sunset

SUNSET at White Beach Boracay Island

   

At night, we had dinner at Mama's restaurant, just right beside The Beach House Hotel. They served fantastic fruit shakes and margaritas! And guess what, a bottle cost of beer only around 50-70PESO (SGD$1.40). Now, you can afford to drink till you get drunk, every single day without feeling a pinch in your pocket!

MAMA's Restaurant & Bar
Boracay Island Boat Station 1

Beside The Beach House Hotel

I realised that people at Boracay are really friendly. My parents and I made another new friend! Meet Adam, an American from Los Angeles who has been traveling non-stop for more than 2 months. He is only 26 years old and loves traveling around the World. I wish I could travel as much as these people!

NAMI Restaurant 

Boracay Island Boat Station 1

Voted Best Restaurant in Philippines in Tatler 2013

Top of the Hill - Must take Lift

http://www.namiresort-boracay.com/ppc/index.html

NAMI Restaurant - An award-winning restaurant that is always crowded so do go early to reserve a table. They only have around 15 tables in total. The food is more expensive here but the view is priceless! You can see the entire White Beach waters while dining. It was a beautiful dining experience but beware of the wooden lift that appears to be quite fragile. You are in for a scary lift ride!

ANIMALS - There were many stray dogs and cats who were spotted along the beach. They enjoy the beach too!

PARA SAILING - I decided to go Para Sailing! It cost around 1500PESO each person, thats around SGD$42. I  managed to convinced my dad to join me. We had to take a small jet boat to the middle of the sea, then transfer to a para sailing boat. I did para sailing during sunset, as its the most beautiful during that time. It was a rather frightening experience but I managed to overcome my fear and I feel extremely proud of myself. 

Para sailing at Boracay Island
Boat Station 3

Video of Sara Shantelle on the Parasailing Boat

Don't be surprise to see many kids, doing this as well. I guess, they are not afriad of heights. I met this group of caucasian kids that live in China their whole life. I'm so amazed at how good they are at speaking Mandarin. I love their super long natural lashes and green eyes. Well, if you would like to have pretty natural looking lashes, you may try the Barbie Eyelash Extension at www.PrestigeEyebrow.com. I have my lashes done once every 3 weeks. It looks really amazing!

Sara Shantelle Para Sailing in Boracay

PARA SAILING - The view from up there is really magnificent. The clear blue waters, the orange, pink and purple sky line. Its like I'm in a painting! The ride was around 15 minutes long, you may choose to have your body dipped into the water, as a teaser. I bought a shirt that states "I love Para Sailing at Boracay at 350PESO", just to support their tourism in Boracay. The whole island survives on Tourism and it is no wonder the locals are extremely friendly to all tourists. Put on your best smiles!

This was how I spent my first 2 days in Boracay. Stay tune for the PART 2 of my Boracay Island Holiday trip!

Read about Sara Shantelle goes to Boracay Island Philippines (PART 2): 

Click Here.

For more information about Boracay Island - you may visit "My Boracay Guide".

Read about my Bintan Lagoon Resort Trip!

- CLICK HERE -

Follow me on Instagram: @SaraShantelleLim

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Sara Shantelle Lim's SGD$40,000 Birthday Bash 2014

Club Altimate at 1-Altitude (1 Raffles Place)

Candylicious Neon Party

PART 4

YAHOO! NEWS SINGAPORE
www.Yahoo.com.sg

Blogger Sara Shantelle Lim's S$40,000 Birthday Bash
Club Altimate at 1-Altitude

Featured on 2 June 2014
CANDYLICIOUS NEON PARTY 

Original Video Link: https://sg.news.yahoo.com/video/singapore-blogger-sara-shantelle-lims-080807098.html

Sara Shantelle Lim's Birthday featured on 98.7FM Radio Singapore
Video filmed by Billy from Vzuall Studio Productions

YouTube Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6u0BGjVEEec&feature=youtu.be

SYDNEY - Temasek Club NSW Chinese New Year Dinner @ Palace Restaurant

SYDNEY - Temasek Club NSW Chinese New Year Dinner @ Palace Restaurant - I was invited to attend this dinner by Angela Lee the Vice President of Temasek Club NSW and it was a fantastic event organized by the Temasek Club Committee. The entire event was well planned and perfectly excited. I enjoyed the delicious dinner, the live singing performance, Lion dance, Lucky draw and Trivia games etc. There were several VIP Guests and even the Singapore High Commissioner - Mr Michael Teo attended this dinner event.

LUCKY DRAW - I won an AYAM Brand Hamper :)

I booked one table under my name and invited 9 other friends to join me. We were seated at table 17 and I was happy as the numbers "1" and "7" are my lucky numbers due to my birthday falling on January 7. During the Lucky Draw, both myself and Stefanie who sat beside me won prizes. I won a huge AYAM Brand Hamper and Stefanie won a $80 Palace Restaurant Dining Voucher. What a great way to start a brand new year! I hope I would continue to be lucky during the rest of the year of 2014.

I managed to have my first "Lo Hei" and the YU SHENG was extremely fresh. I really love the raw salmon and the taste of the special condiments mixed together with it. We had loads of fun tossing the ingredients and reciting best wishes for good luck. It was a 10 course dinner which was filling and extremely delicious. Special thanks to my friends who attended the dinner with me: Tourmaline Tan,  Stefanie Lin, Lynn Chyeah, Claire Jumay, Huei Lay, Nabil Mustafiz, Chris Tseng, Dojee and Richard Eu. We had a fantastic time together and hope to see all of you soon :)

Frasers Property had a whole table to themselves and I was glad to catch up with my ex-bosses Dr Stanley Quek (Chairman of Frasers Property Australia) as well as Mr Marcus Chang (Director of Greencliff). I used to work for Frasers Property part-time as a receptionist at Central Park Sales Gallery when I was studying my Masters of International Business in University of Sydney.

Photo with FRASERS Property - Dr Stanley Quek (Chairman) & Mr Marcus Chang (Director of Greencliff)

Below are more photos taken throughout the entire night. I was also glad to have met up with Mr Eric Yeo who is the President of Temasek Club NSW. The Best Dressed Award I would definitely give it to Nabil Mustafiz who was elegantly dressed in a well-tailored suit. He's truly a very fashionable lawyer!

Left: Mr Eric Yeo (President of Temasek Club NSW)                            Right: Nabil Mustafiz

The Vice-President of Temasek Club NSW - Angela Lee was stunning in her Orange Ted Baker dress!

From Left: Stefanie Lin, Angela Lee, Lora Christelle Lim, Lynn Chyeah

Nabil Mustafiz, Lora Christelle Lim, Chris Tseng

From Left: Tourmaline, Lynn, Lora Christelle, Stefanie, Queenie

Left: Dojee, Lora Christelle, Richard Eu                      Right: Jonathan, Queenie, Lora Christelle

It was a huge event where around 200 people attended. The event had many sponsors such as Frasers, SCOOT, Stamford Tyres, AYAM Brand, Overseas Singaporean Unit, Silver Spoon, Palace Restaurant, Reebonz, YEO's and some individual sponsors as well.

The event also helped raised AUD$1157 for 2 Charities - Save the Children Australia and Josephites.

Great work to Temasek Club NSW Committee for organizing such a fabulous Chinese New Year Dinner and getting so many great sponsors! All of us had a wonderful time at the event.

Lora's Dress is bought from Cambodia and the white flower pin is from H&M

Wishing all of you a very Happy Chinese New Year and good luck for the year of the Horse in 2014!

♥ Lora Christelle Lim ♥

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