High Heels : Pretty and Pretty Bad

I love wearing high heels since it can be fashionable and completely make me feel taller and sexier. I’m wearing high heels almost EVERYDAY to office. However, I ditch high heel and wear comfy slipper. I just don’t wear high heels all the times, except going out somewhere in the weekend. Because I know wearing high heels is stressful on the joints of the foot because all of my body weight rests there. The foot is then forced into a narrow and pointed toe point. Then it will leads to contribute to knee and back problems, disabling injuries in falls, shortened calf muscles, and an awkward, unnatural gait. (I saw a woman in weird gait while wearing her up-to-date yet hurting heels). I admit high heels make my feet hurt, but I do tolerate the discomfort in order to look taller, stylish, and more professional. 

Tips: If you still wearing high heels, get a comfy ones – Lewre, Nine West, Ferragamo, Aldo, etc. The best thing to do is alternate every other day between heels and comfy shoes. Your feet, knees, hips and low back will love you for it. Oh don’t get osteoporosis at young age, ladies!

DIY : Home-made Orchid Fertilizer

Washed rice water from my nasi lemak.

Making your own organic orchid fertilizer is easy and inexpensive. And you can avoid all those unnatural fertilizer ingredients. Here is a time-tested and home-made alternative fertilizers. My mom was so proud of her orchid garden and she have been using this recipe for generations.

 Supply your orchids with water in which rice has been cooked; this provides extra vitamins to your orchid. Let them sleep for eight hours, or overnight before feed the plant. Try this, in a week they will show result.

Recipe : Nasi Lemak with Sambal Tumis Udang & Petai

Sambal udang is quite easy to make and you need only a few key ingredients–prawns, sambal, belacan, and tamarind juice. Some loved sambal udang with petai (stinky beans), and what I’m going to post here today is sambal udang with petai. The recipe is quite simple, with plenty of shrimps and the right balance of spicy, sour, salty, and a tint of sweetness from the freshness of prawns.

My mom has a killer dish of sambal udang, and here is the recipe (served 5 persons)

Sambal Udang Ingredients

Cooking oil

500g mid size prawns (shelled and deveined)

10-20 dry red chilies

5 shallots, 2 garlic, 1 inch ginger (blended)

½ tbsp Belacan (Shrimp paste)

3 tbsp tamarind pulp (mixed with 1/2 cup water & strained)

1 cup of petai

Sugar and salt to add taste

The Methods:

 Boil the dried chili in water for 10 minutes then rinse it with cold water and get rid of the seeds. This will ensure that the sambal is not too spicy. Blend the chili, shallots, garlic and ginger in a blender to make it into a paste and set aside.

Heat up cooking oil, add in the blended spice paste and stir-fry until fragrant.

Add belacan and make sure it not clumping.  Keep stirring and let the sambal thickened.

Add in prawns, petai continue to stir for about 2-3 minutes.

Wait till the oil rises and add a splash of the tamarind juice, bringing it to a quick boil. Add water if you want. I don’t. 

Add in salt and sugar. Actually I used palm sugar syrup to give my sambal extra kick.  Dish out & serve hot.

Sambal udang is great with nasi lemak or even steamed white rice. In fact, the sambal sauce is so good that I can drench dollops of it with  rice and eat it plain. It’s really appetizing and the shrimps are simply delicious.

 Me digress : Bonnie can't live without Clyde, so do my sambal can't go without nasi lemak. Oh I love nasi lemak, good for breakfast and brunch, excellent for dinner and supper. From January to December, any season, any weather. Oh please stop. So here is my nasi lemak recipe. (I skipped the crispy anchovies)

The Ingredients:

2 cups of rice
Pandan leaves (tie them into a knot)
Shallots
Ginger
Salt to taste
1 small can of coconut milk
Some water

The Methods:

Just like making steamed rice, rinse your rice and drain. Add the coconut milk, shallots and ginger and a pinch of salt, and some water. Add the pandan leaves into the rice and cook your rice.

Petai has a strong peculiar smell, so be sure you have something like mint candy or chewing gum after you had petai. 

My Skincare Routine

My skin-type is overall normal-combination but slightly oily skin. I get breakouts occasionally, maybe once a month and it typically takes a week for my skin to clear up. Considering that I'm pretty low maintenance with my skincare routine, I suppose I have decent skin.

This is what I'm using right now, I used quite a few brands from Olay.  I am super loyal to Olay since I was 12. (Because my aunt works with P&G). Back then, it was called Oil of Ulan then they renamed it as Oil of Olay, and currently known as Olay. Whatever name it has, the quality is brilliant and amazed for the price.  During my teens and early twenty, I used whitening product from Olay and I made up to change to anti ageing range last year. Early prevention to get away from wrinkles. Nightmare!!

Nutri-Rich Oil Control Facial Foam, for evening use.

Cleanser - I typically loves rich foam cleansers, and I love my current ones, Nutri-Rich Oil Control Facial Foam from Cosway. I have been using this for almost 4 years and it suit my combination skin well. I use it at night to remove make-up,oil and dirts after long day at work and follow with my green tea toner, which is the best combination I have found for my easily-oily skin. Normally I apply the cleanser with facial brush all over my face, and rinse. With or without the brush, the cleanser leaves your face with a nice glow and deep cleansing, and it's very soft (however, the facial brush does nothing but improve your results!) After a hot sweaty day this was really refreshing. Love it!

Olay Total Effects Foaming Cleanser, for morning use.

My second cleanser is from Olay, Olay Total Effects Foaming Cleanser. I used this every morning, again with my facial brushes and I have seen a minimized pore appearance and my skin does look smoother and more even looking in tone. (ohh so many ands).  The fragrance is just nice, not too overwhelming or irritant to my skin. This is my first tube of this cleanser and to be honest I think I cannot go away from it.

Toner – For years, I used my green tea toner. I like that fresh clean feeling, so I tend to stay away from alcohol toners or ones that have a gel-like texture or ones that are too strong which sting the skin. I love this as it can help my face for being less oily and my make up stay a lot longer.

Moisturizer – Olay Total Effects 7 in 1 Anti Ageing Cream, SPF 15. I have two products of this, one is gentle, which is I used when I have my foundation on my skin. Secondly is touch of foundation – daily use to office because I don’t wear foundation everyday and it save my time a lot! Thank You Olay!

I have tried loads of other product, range is from the drugstore product to the luxury lines but always go back to this. First, I love the pumped bottle. The pump ensures that the content inside is left clean but this means that I end up getting excess cream on the lid. I ensure that the opening is left clean after application but this does not reduce the mess. Secondly, this cream goes on very nicely and absorbs quickly. When I put it on, it sank in almost immediately, leaving a perfect base for my foundation/powder. Thirdly, it covers my pores and at the same time, it let my skin breathe. Fourth, I like the smell of the mixture.

However there is downside. Warm weather makes the creamy texture too rich for my skin. After a few hours, I find that my skin becomes too dewy (good word for oily) on my forehead and nose for my taste and I need a touch up sooner than usual. Green tea toner makes it less oily, however. Apart from the oily effect after application, I’m satisfied with other aspects.

Olay Total Effects 7 in 1 Anti Ageing Cream, SPF 15 with Touch of Foundation. Can you see my pores on second photo? And the product hide brilliantly my pores (third pic).

And this is me (morning face). I only had moisturiser and powder to set my skin. I like the way this covers like a light foundation, but doesn't feel like one. It leaves my skin looking healthy and fresh. I use the green tea before this and set with a mineralized powder. Sometime, it seems to last most of the day, but if I am going out after wearing all day a little powder brings it back to life.

Olay Total Effects 7 in 1 Anti Ageing Night Cream

Night Cream – Olay Total Effects 7 in 1 Anti Ageing Night Cream.
Since I use day cream from Olay Total Effects, so decided to go along with the same range of night cream to get better result. The cream is quite heavy at after first few minutes applied, and it absorb well into my skin so it doesn’t stain my cloth or pillow or whatever contact to my face. It leaves my skin unbelievably soft, toned and even in the next morning. I have been using this for couple of months, and it softens my mini wrinkles and definitely firms my skin. As it a night cream, it have a nice pleasant smell for sleep

Eye cream - Currently, I just apply VCO under my eyes every night without fail. I might considering to get Olay product for my eyes.

Scrub - I don't have specific brand for scrub, but I do scrub a lot

Mask - Again, I don't use specific product for face masks. I prefer something fresh and natural so I will do a homemade mask from whatever that I have in my kitchen.

Pore Strip - Oily skin like me get blackheads easily. Once a month is a must! I hate blackhead on my wide nose.

Tip applying night cream/moisturizer - Place few dots at specific areas (forehead, chin, next to mouth), then rub it UPWARDS with clean fingers, and finally massage it thoroughly around the rest of face until the product disappears or absorb to the skin. It is very important to massage it in until all the white disappears to get a nice even effect.

DIY : Soothing Cucumber and Milk Face Mask

Cucumber for Eyes

Whole world knows that cucumber and its cooling, hydrating and soothing effect on the skin. It is brilliant in reducing swelling around the eyes or the dark circles under eyes.

Cucumber for Skin

If you want a healthy skin, then cucumber is the brilliant answer. As cucumber and the skin share the same level of hydrogen, it becomes easier for cucumber to mask all the problem areas. It helps in soothing and softening your skin which can get you relaxed in no time.

To have a healthy glowing and smooth skin, you can use this recipe. This face mask recipes are as simple as ABC, affordable and downright cheap and you probably have the ingredients already somewhere in your kitchen. This is good for all skin types, including combination-oily skin like me. It is really helpful in fighting excess oil, soothe and hydrating skin, reduce redness, clogged pores and blemishes.

Before applying any facial mask clean your face and neck with fresh water. Take off all cosmetics, creams, lotions, in short - everything. Even better is to take a hot shower or a steam bath to clean and open up your pores. Pat your skin dry before apply the mask.

You only need:

Cucumber and milk.

How to do it:

Before you start put the cucumber in your fridge for a few hours to let it cool down. Peel and cut the cucumber into small cubes, remove the seeds for a smoother consistency of the mask. Put it in a blender or food processor and add the milk. Give and take the amount of milks depending on cucumber’s amount. Mash it up real good until you have a smooth substance that will stay on your face without running.

**You can substitute milk with a milk powder and add white egg. Again, give and take the amount intake. I just feel super uncomfortable with the egg’s smell so I skipped that.  :)

Spread the paste gently and equally with your fingertips or old foundation brush on your clean face.

Now lie down, relax and leave the mask on for 10-15 minutes

Finally wash it off with a warm wash cloth and warm water, end with a splash of cold water. Pat skin dry with a clean towel. You can feel how hydrated and soft your skin now!

This is me with nothing on my face.

FOTD : Retro/Classic/Vintage Look 1

The pinup girls of the 1950s and 1960s had unique looks of their own that still inspire many women today, including me. It is a very sleek and clean look that can be adapted to modern times. To achieve this look, the foundation has to be matte finish because the make up that they wore back was pretty flat. For the eyes, eye shadows mostly varied in muted greys and browns. Here I had black eye shadow and a tiny bit of silvery white glitter on top of eye lids. False lashes are part of this look.

Eyebrows were kept fairly natural and manicured into clean, well defined arches and accented by use of a dark brown pencil. On cheek, not much contouring, I used a coral peach blush (suit my skin most). Lastly, put on a  red lipstick of your choice. It has to be matte finish. This will give a bold statement of your look.

That completes the 1950s Retro/Classic/Vintage pin up look. Give it a try for stunning look

A Review : Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Gel Eyeliner in Stay Onyx

The box said “8-hour staying power. Gel-based formula creates precise line every time with a smooth satin finish. For a smudged effect, blend before it sets. Ophthalmologist- and dermatologist-tested. Fragrance-free.”

You will get a pot of liner and a tiny brush to apply it with.

My thought - This gel liner is super easy to use with an intense colour pay off. Long lasting and smudge free it really goes the distance. To get a precise lines on lids, lash line and both water lines that will last all day and night, this is exactly what you are looking for. The staying power are amazed me.

The colour does not run with flowing water.

I will suggest a beginner to use gel liner instead of liquid liner. It is a lot easier since it is very easy to make a mistake and hard to fix when you use liquid liner but gel liner can easily be fixed. 

 I will say this gel liner is good for smudging or creating a smokey eye look. This is because it does not dry quickly, the finish is satin smooth and therefore making it easy to blend or smudge out. Apply the product onto eye lids with a flat brush and blend the edge, then push your choice of eye shadows to the eye lids, so that the eye shadows will have a good base or something to stick to. 

 I think it's totally worth the price because once this liner sets it does not budge at all until you take it off.

Product:  Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Gel Eyeliner in Stay Onyx

Made: Canada

Price: RM75.00 for 3gm

Product Vote: 4.3/5

Repurchase: Yes.  

Food Review : Nasi Lemak Kukus Power Batu Pahat, Taman Desa Tasik.

I rate this as among the best nasi lemak in Kuala Lumpur, rich with local traditional taste, with reasonable pricing.

Highly suggested if you like your nasi lemak with extra ingredients besides plain nasi lemak, because they offer various dishes as additional add-ons like ayam goreng rempah, sunny side up eggs, sambal udang, sambal bilis petai and even rendang paru and rendang kerang. Unfortunately, I reached here quite late, almost 10pm so there was nothing much left.

Ayam goreng berempah is must try!

Sambal bilis petai and sunny side up eggs

The ayam goreng rempah is heaven. Not over cooked, just nice.

The glorious siamese nasi lemak. Hardly resist.

A simple stall that offers simply delicious and brilliant nasi lemak. That is why it called 'POWER' 

Food Type: Local Cuisine  

Price: Reasonable. Sometime I ask the cashier to calculate twice my bill. Hehe

Cleanliness Vote : 3/5

Food Vote : 4/5 

Revisit : Yes, definitely