BEAUTY美丽日记: From BB to CC

My evolution of using make-up products go like this:

1. Wearing only lip stick/lip gloss/lip balm
2. Start using eyeliner
3. Then, some eyeshadow/colored eyeliner
4. Blusher is on!
5. And mascara, you just need it
6. Concealer, for not-so-good-skin days

So, where is the face make-up a.k.a. foundation???

I guess I was too confidence with my skin condition back then, or I believe too much on creating 'natural' look with bare skin. Either way, I am (you are) wrong! No matter how flawless your skin is, you definitely need some products to tone it, brighten it and smoothen it.

And so, I started using BB cream (by Maybelline as it is very affordable). I find it very useful in providing sufficient coverage to your skin, and yet without the powdery cake feel.. It's easy to be applied too! No worries about uneven application or scary white face.

However, somehow I realised that, it may not be suitable for oily skin type. Grease starts to appear on my face within 2 hours! I paired/toped it up with translucent/loose powder, it does help a bit but I think I ought to buy a better products. Due to tight budget, I was searching for a single product that can be used as base and foundation, i.e. 2-in-1 face make-up item, which provide just enough coverage and yet be able to control oil/oil free.

Thank goodness somebody invent CC cream, which I believe performs better than BB cream with oil control feature! Currently in Malaysia, choices we have are Chanel, Rachel K and Clinique. I personally think Rachel K's CC cream worth a try as it is more affordable, and available in all Guardian store.

First time using CC cream!

It corrects/adjusts skin tone by creating a brighten look, instead of covering up with a layer of skin-colored cream. Most importantly, it is not greasy upon application and actually last up to half a day without being oily/shiny on my face

Look of the day

Honestly, I don't like this shade of blue color, mainly because I don't think it works on my dark skin. However, this dress is beyond my expectation. Perhaps of the light and soft fabric, it actually suits my skin color and body shape very well, I think! As the design is pretty plain, I pair it up with a big tear-drop earring and a chunky ring. I also think that gold/accessories goes well with this color!

Photo of the day

Ah, we have all grown up! (And you are ahead, my dearie!)

BEAUTY美丽日记: Quick Ways to Look Good

OK, I have to admit, I am really slow (out-of-date) to follow latest trend in technology, especially the
i-thingy and touched-screen thingy. I don't give them a damn, and what more about those apps or software in it! I am still with the good old lappy, microsoft, nokia, dell.....

Hence, I got to know these popular apps (incl. Instagram) quite lately. Nevertheless, I find them a tid-tad of fun, and decided to share them with you all.

Instagram. No need more description from me. Each of you knows it very well.

InstaMag. Sister software of Instagram, which allows you to create magazines cover.

Photofunia. It's way too fun! They have hundreds of templates, some are really cheeky!

Who's that? ^^

Cartoon Camera. I find it difficult to adjust the correct lighting and contrast. Not easy to get a nice looking cartoonized picture of yourself.

Miss y'all. When shall we meet again?

Deco Blend. A very girly apps, that will make all girls crazy!

FEELINGS心情日记: 随写

我说过，在这里写BLOG决不是为了炫耀或揭露我的生活点滴。但那天有两件事情是在让我有些意外惊喜，所以还是在这里分享一下。

从来没有想过我会亲眼兼近距离看见国际明星，皆因我不是追星一族。就算是我认为最英俊，越老越有味道的刘天王驾到（去年他来ONE UTAMA的宣传活动），我也很理智的呆在家避过人潮。而那天，在完全没有预知的情况下，去了SCM，恰巧走过Watson，才知道她会到来做宣传（化妆品）。由于是午餐时间急着医肚子，犹豫一下还是决定不等了，并前往餐厅用膳。就这样又巧合地走过TGIF，她竟然从那里走出来！赶忙拿出手机，拍下她的真人照。始终不好意思走上前要求合照，所以这张就是最宝贵的一张了。

这么巧，镜头里，所有人都朦胧，就她最清晰！

至于为什么会去SCM呢？答案就是，因为准新娘终于公布姐妹团的主题颜色！所以我有非常合理的借口去购物（他家最靠近的购物广场是SCM）。坦白说，准新娘设定的颜色还相当难找的，不过对我这个购物女王来说可是信心满满，务必要找到就是了(找不到就买块布包起来咯）！果然，女王出击，一次搞定！

设计简单，布料轻盈，又可以穿上班，非常划算 XD

 假日当然要来个TEA TIME，再细心咀嚼时尚杂志。

久违的FEMALE

若有所思

爱死了这款包包，最近还瞒喜欢蓝色的，而玫瑰花纹+褐色皮革一直是我的最爱。

BEAUTY美丽日记: Color Up Your Life!

I love colours. I know black and white is a classical combination, and it definitely brings out the 'lady' in you. However, life is a tad too boring without colours! That is why, colored pants/bottoms really will bright up your whole look. It's time to add a few pieces of colored pants in to your black-white-gray-khakis pants collection!

 My favourite piece - light turquoise skinny pants. I bought it from H&M, at an affordable price I think. And the fact that it's a US size, hence the cutting actually fits me well. The fabric has a good texture too, you will never feel uncomfortable in these pants.

Another one, short-skirt in pink. I love the pleats and wavy ends on it. Plus, the color really cheers you up! It's perfect for movie too! [TIPS: In fact, if you are daring enough, do match it with other bright colors top!]

To suit the overall look, I tied my hair in a low ponytail. If you look closely, I actually secured the ponytail with 2 small stream of hair from each side.

At the same time, I kept my make up minimal, with soft brow and fine eye lining, but even skin tone (I hope so!).

And, dish of the day~English scones with whipped cream and fruit preserves!

Happy girl enjoying her scones.

Happy day indeed!

KITCHEN厨房日记: Carrot Cupcakes

Ohla~ Bakery girl back in action!

After months of abandoning my bakery hobby, as I busy moving into new place without an oven and without extra space for me to fit in an oven, I finally picked those utensils up again today, using the oven in his house!

 Nothing fancy, as usual. I opt for recipe that is low cost, easy to take & go as breakfast, easy to make, and easy to store. This time, it's carrot cupcakes. Carrot is good for our eyes eh, which office girl doesn't read whole day long?

I modify this from Vanilla Cupcake recipe. Simple steps, beat butter and sugar, then blend in with eggs and vanilla essence. Then, add in flour and milk alternately in 3 additions, continue beating the batter until you get a smooth texture. Simply toss in chopped carrots, fill them into moulds and bake for 20 mins. [TIPS: I think grinding some of the carrot before mixing them into the batter will give a richer taste]

As I expected, the cakes don't taste much of carrots, but I can surely feel every bit of chopped carrot. Really healthy feel, definitely healthier choice than Mee Kicap or Nasi Lemak.

Searching for some new recipes today, eying on Banana Muffins, will try it out soon.

FEELINGS心情日记：停下

很多时候，我和他都有同样的想法，（只是他先提出啦），就如他说的，GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE。

炎热的下午，我们驾车南下返往巴生谷途中，位于大港（Sg Besar）和适耕庄（Sekinchan）之间的马来甘榜，一路都林立了些摊子，售卖水果，饮料和土产等等。他突然说，要不要下去试试看‘Mentarang Bakar'？ 而我，也正有此意，又被他先说出，只因我不懂他会不会赞同嘛。（我就是这样，很少会先提出意见，跟大队就是了。）

’Mentarang’这个字眼，我们见过几次了，就是不懂到底是什么东东。他猜是薯类如番薯或芋头，我则说是蚌壳类的。因为我分析到，Kerang是蚌/蛤，Mentarang也应该如是，而且那里是沿海地区。事实证明，我妈从小灌我吃鱼的饮食习惯，造就了我今天分析能力强的头脑。可恶，他竟然反口说他不记得这个猜测游戏。

选择这个摊位，是因为它对外挂着一个大大的‘Mentarang Bakar' 招牌，且有两桌客人正在用餐。但下车一看，招牌上的桌子竟然堆满了椰子，Mentarang不会是椰子吧？（囧）踏上好像不是很稳的小亭子，有一点怕怕坐下，然后带些迟疑的语气对亭子的老板说，我们要’Mentarang Bakar'。一公斤14令吉。两人吃得完吗？吃得完。那就来一公斤吧。

左等右等，终于端上了桌面。热腾腾的，我们小心地掀开壳，只能说，里面的蚌肉实在是肥美啊。一手握着蚌壳，另一手以竹签勾起蚌肉。就在要送进嘴里时，我发现了不是很‘可观’的蚌壳内脏，顿时怕怕了。于是，他提起勇气问了老板，整颗都可以吃吗？可以！沾酱吃。好，好。

送进嘴，慢慢地咀嚼，蚌肉的确鲜甜多汁，但那酱料才是精髓，酸酸辣辣，非常开胃。椰子肉不多，但椰水出奇地甜，不知是否加入了糖浆。我本来就喜欢吃蚌/蛤类的，所以这个‘Mentarang'我是相当喜欢。不过应该不会再刻意停下来吃吧，因为实在太热了。

继续上路前，他随口说了一句，哎呀，这一停就三十分钟了。我说，不急嘛，偶尔停下才能体验不一样的风景啊！

FEELINGS心情日记：转折

这应该是我人生中第二个转折，第一个是决定转入这个行业工作，不到两年，又决定转入这个区域。是的，我就是这么喜欢来KL，不要问我为什么，没为什么，就好像喜欢一个人不需要任何理由。

坦白说，决定要转来这里，私人原因是占比较多。如果不是觉得和他比较有默契，如果不是他问得是时候，我也不会贸贸然就点头答应。过程可说是风风雨雨，但也确实是很久没有为自己打算了，因为每天都在埋头苦干（做一些好像不是自己应该做的事情）。可能是阿公保佑我，他出殡第二天，就传来好消息。接下来，就匆匆忙忙打点住宿和交通问题，因为本小姐从来没有开车去KL过，原先居住的地方也太远了。

今天，我在KL做工满一个礼拜了。还好，情况没有我想象中的艰难（我想太多了）。至今我并没有遇上大塞车，平均15-30分钟就到达办公室，只是放工回家就比较久，大概30-45分钟。而且我发现，KL 市中心其实并不塞车，我每天都经过茨厂街，富都车站等地段，除了要等红绿灯和尾随巴士，交通尚算舒畅。友人听我这么说，直呼不可思议，会不会是这个世界上有两个KL？食物方面也不贵，还比其他城镇便宜了！当然，都是在店门后巷摆的摊子。

工作方面还有待观察，到目前为止，大家都相当友善。当然，又可以向他学习时最好不过了。谢谢他安排的一切，也谢谢新旧同事的教导，才有今天的我。更加要谢谢我的他，从不干预我的任何决定，任劳任怨地陪我打点一切。见面的时间少了，但我觉得没什么大不了，只不过是另一种程式/阶段。唯一不习惯的，是少了他妈妈每天煮的晚餐。相信我这句话，天天吃外卖，我宁愿饿肚子睡觉。所以，我打算努力些，放工后回家（有时候）自己弄个简单的晚餐。

至今，我很庆幸自己不顾一切勇敢地踏出这一步。这里每一个地段，每一栋楼房，都足以让我感到兴趣。我今年的目标，就是要在不靠GPS的协助下，依然可以自由准确地穿梭于这个大都市。总结一下，让我发表两个观点：

1。有些时候，有些事情，除了深思熟虑之外，还是需要一些冲动的。
2。不怕变好或变坏，只怕不变。

FEELINGS心情日记: 突发事件

这一次回家的路程，感觉特别漫长。不一样的心情，就算是一样的路途也会不一样。厚着脸皮对上司暗示一番，整理完所有重要工作，就请了长假回父母家。心中有数的事情，发生的时候还是会觉得突然。

原来电视剧里的情节，当男/女主角临死前还能清楚地说出心中话，然后慢慢地头一别，手一甩，就闭上眼睛的情节，是假的。听我妈说，阿公那一个早上已经不断呻吟，呼吸心跳也随之薄弱，然后就那一瞬间，脸部露出挣扎的表情，静了下来，就像没了电池的收音机。之前的两个礼拜，阿公已经中风入院，一星期后出院回家，我还以为他好转了，可以渡过这个新年，却原来是院方已没能为他做些什么了。两三天以来连药物也咽不下，更甭说饭菜了。突然体温上升至热滚滚，再度送院，院方已无法收容他，要我们带他回家等。

那一刻起，长辈们不断诵经，集召儿孙，年纪尚小的晚辈目睹这一切也害怕地哭不停。他走的时候，虽说佛葬不鼓励哭哭啼啼以致往生者无法一路好走，但谁也忍不住那一滴泪。而我到达的时候，阿公已经入大屋，大伙也平静了下来。上了香，我望着他的遗容，双颊虽已瘦得凹进去，却一脸慈祥。守丧的那几天，斋菜相当丰富，我们笑说是阿公请我们的新年大餐。

夜深人静，我和表弟妹们守夜，让长辈们休息。翻开阿公的相簿，勾起了许多儿时回忆。阿公从中国南下谋生，在小镇里开了间杂货店，为人随和，做生意公道，无人不晓。镇里的人都称他为Marie叔，我阿嫲为Marie婶，而我们就是Marie孙。（这个外号来由不详，可能是店里卖的一种饼干，叫做 Marie饼。）窄小的店屋里像个迷宫，处处有宝藏-冰淇淋，糖果，饼干等。每每小住几天，都会顺手牵零食送入口，加上众多堂/表兄弟姐妹热闹不已，所以阿公家就成了我的天堂。

对于老店的记忆，有那个挂在门前天花板上装着零钱的MILO罐（方便找钱给顾客），有楼上大房地板挖了个五十仙硬币大小的洞（以察看是否有贼入屋），客厅旁门让我们嬉戏的一片空地（晚上关店了还有人敲门要买东西），还有大伙儿一层层地坐在楼梯口玩火车嘟嘟你要去哪里（玩不厌的简单游戏）。原来消失了的平凡时光，是最令人怀念的。

阿公寿辰时，桌上会堆起两碟高高的寿桃包（估计有百个），吃了两碗（一碗不够）龙岩米粉汤，晚上排队跟阿公拜寿，然后抓起衣服的下角形成包囊，让阿公放进红包，阿嫲放入一把黑豆。这个习俗，随着阿嫲几年前过世，阿公体力衰退后已经没有维持了。谈到这里，我一时感慨，已经好几年没有和阿公过生日了，每一次的“不要紧，下次再回去”，让我和阿公见面的次数少到只剩下农历新年。

守完五天，阿公入土为安，去和想念他（他也想念）的阿嫲会面了。一切看似回归平静，但有些情景就永远不复再了。

BEAUTY美丽日记: CNY in the Town!

Yup, I coloured my hair. I (MUST) colour my hair once every year, usually before CNY/Xmas. I didn't really select which colour I want, because it never turn out exactly the same as those sample look like. My hairstylist merely asked me if I want bright or dark colour, and then he will prepare it.

As I just colour my hair, I want to show it off to people, yet I do not want to leave it just like that. So, I just tie one tiny braid on top of one side, and one at the bottom on the other side.

Colouring hair is not good due to those chemicals? Yeah, I know, so?

You can colour your hair at home by yourself, using those products available in stores, and save some (lotsa) money, why go to salon? Cuz, I like to spend my money that way! XD

Nice lunch at Plan B. Love the cherry tomato pasta especially. The beef patty in the burger is superb too. However, coffee is just not my thing...