Author Archives: CelesteDeJesus

Bye Bye to Dry Lips with Nature’s Baby Organic Soothing Stick, The Body Shop Lip Butter, Holika Holika Real Butter Lip Balm

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Having dry, chapped lips is probably every lady’s regular enemy. Special care needs to be given to our lips as it is what people look at when we are talking, aside from the eyes. And working in air-conditioned rooms can be even more challenging in keeping our lips moisturized throughout the day.


So like most ladies, I also arm myself with lip balms. I love trying different products and comparing results, and yah, I’m quite a shopaholic when it comes to beauty products, I confess. Anyway, I have 3 different lip balms at the moment: Nature’s Baby Organic Soothing Stick, The Body Shop Lip Butter, and Holika Holika Real Butter Lip Balm.


I actually bought Nature’s Baby Organic Soothing Stick for my son. He’s also having chapped lips so I bought this balm. I found it at Skin Labs in Mid Valley Megamall, costed RM47.50 for 19ml. It is paraben-free, gluten-free, fragrance-free and hypoallergenic so it’s assured to be safe for babies. Finding good skincare products for babies is not very easy especially a lip balm so I decided to give this a try. Quite pricey for a baby’s lip balm but it was worth a try. Too bad my son didn’t like putting it or anything on his lips; I ended up having to use consume it myself. It smells of coconut oil and has a very soothing texture on the lips. I normally apply it at night before going to bed and I wake up with softer lips. I’m not very fond of the smell but it does the trick of curing dry, chapped lips so I still find it good.


My other lip balm is The Body Shop Chocomania Lip Butter at RM26 for 10ml. It is definitely recommended for a chocolate lover like me. The scent is so delicious as expected, oozing of freshly melted chocolate aroma that makes you want to gobble up the thing. The texture is quite good but thinner compared to Nature’s Baby. I use it during the day, depending on my mood and craving, alternating it with my other delicious lip balm.


The third item on my lip balm collection is the Real Butter Lip Balm from Holika Holika, costed RM30.80 for 6g. Among the 3, this is my favorite addiction. It really smells of real butter, has a good, thick texture similar to butter and tastes like sweet butter on the lips. I’ve grown a habit of putting it several times a day in the office as it keeps my lips well moisturized and it just feels good on the lips. It also comes in a convenient packaging that just slides to open instead of the screw cap.
Some ladies prefer using lip gloss for that quick, ultra moisture they need but I’m not a fan of super glossy lips as it’s just overwhelming when combined with an oily face (my T-zone tends to get oily during the day). I also don’t like the sticky feel of lip gloss on the mouth so it’s either lip balm and/or lip stick for me.
I highly recommend having a lip balm as this is very convenient to use any time of the day, can be blended with your lipstick and works wonders when used overnight regularly. It doesn’t really matter what brand (as long as it’s a trustworthy one) or price; your preference on texture, taste, smell and result on your lips shall be the deciding factors. So say goodbye to those dry, chapped lips and butter up those smackers! 


Non-Alcoholic Wine: Inah Shiraz 2011 from South Africa

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Non-alcoholic wine? What’s that?
Just like you, I was shocked to hear this for the first time. After all, is wine technically a ‘wine’ if it doesn’t have alcohol? But some people may have different preferences and lifestyle so there’s no reason to deprive them of enjoying the sweet juice of those amazing grapes. Not just ordinary grapes like the ones you buy from the supermarket or grocery shop but authentic grapes grown for making wines.
Well, I needed to answer my own question. Is wine technically a ‘wine’ even without alcohol content? Not even 1% of it? Wine is defined as an alcoholic beverage made from fermented grapes or other fruits so I guess if I were to be technical about it then it shouldn’t be called wine. But this doesn’t mean I shouldn’t try it, does it? (wink wink)
And so I tried 2 types of non-alcoholic wines:  Inah Shiraz & 1688 Grand Rosé. Both contain 0 alcohol, both are even Halal-certified.
I started with Inah Shiraz, vintage 2011, a non-alcoholic red wine from South Africa. Since this wine was not fermented to form alcohol, the wine is expectedly very sweet. The taste of grapes, however, comes across as very pure and refreshing because no alcohol interferes with the sweetness. Having tried different juices in my lifetime, I can immediately tell that the pure Shiraz flavor is of entirely high level from normal fruit juices.



I shared the bottle of Inah Shiraz with my in-laws who also enjoyed this non-alcoholic beverage. It was easy to gulp down for them since it didn’t contain alcohol. And being just high-quality pure Shiraz grapes juice, this wine was easy to match with any food. I doubt if there’s food that will not taste good with it, maybe some very spicy food will not be recommended but I am not really a fan of super spicy food so I’m fine. Overall, I loved this red wine and this is probably the first red wine I fell in love with.  At only RM46.50 a bottle (bought it from Wine Talk), this wine is definitely a great addition to celebrations, especially for friends who prefer non-alcoholic beverages.

If you’re interested to buy this Inah Shiraz non-alcoholic wine, you can check out this online wine delivery website www.winetalk.com.my 
Will share more about the other non-alcoholic wine next time, guys!


Did you know that eating grapes has various health benefits? I cam across this nice article about the health benefits of grapes, read on to know more >>>  https://www.jenreviews.com/grapes/ 

Crabtree & Evelyn Iris Triple Milled Soap: An Enchanting Body Treat!

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For so many years now, I’ve always been using shower gels or liquid bath soaps for cleansing.  I love using them on a bath sponge and see how much foam they make. And more often than not, shower gels also have lovelier scents versus ordinary bath soaps…until I tried Crabtree & Evelyn’s Iris Triple Milled Soap.


I wouldn’t have bought or tried this bar soap if it wasn’t included in bath set given to me by my sister-in-law. It came together with a body lotion, body cream and shower gel, all neatly packed in a translucent pouch. When I received the gift, it was already oozing with this captivating smell sending your senses to an extraordinary place. Yes, it was really that beautiful to me.
At first, I was skeptical to use it on my body. I’ve had a few experiences of developing rashes when a shower gel is too fragrant or too aromatic. But it was just too tempting so I had to try. Surprisingly, my skin didn’t object to the wonderful scent of this soap. Hooray! And I finished it to the last foam.
When I finished my first and only bar, I went to Crabtree & Evelyn to buy another one. It’s not sold individually but rather in a box of 3 bars of 85g each. At a price of RM65, it costs less than RM22 per bar. Not bad so I bought the box of 3.


I got curious about what triple milled meant, so I did some digging. For my (and my readers’) enlightenment, triple milled soap is a high-quality type of soap which is manufactured commercially with repeated machine-rolling process. This makes the soap completely uniform and smooth, without impurities, and lasts longer than ordinary soaps. 
How I use my Crabtree & Evelyn Iris Triple Milled Soap:
Morning and evening
After washing my body with water, I use my normal shower gel with my bath sponge. Then I rinse off the shower gel completely. Then I lather Crabtree & Evelyn Iris Triple Milled Soap over my neck, body, arms and legs without a sponge. Leave it for a few minutes to make the scent stay longer. Rinse thouroughly.
Some people might say that double cleansing might make your skin dry but not for me. The Crabtree & Evelyn Soap leaves a moisturized feel on the skin even if I don’t regularly put lotion afterwards.
What the box says:
Blended with precious sandalwood, patchouli and vetiver, our Iris fragrance pays homage to the subtle, mysterious scent of orris, derived from the root of the iris. Formulated with botanical oils, this soap lathers sumptuously and leaves the skin feeling soft and smooth.
Crabtree & Evelyn Iris Triple Milled Soap is available at their brand boutiques and selected departmental stores. Sells at RM65 for box of 3 bars at 85g per piece.

A Few of my Favorite Things

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My Favorite Things by Maria – The Sound of Music


Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens


Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens


Brown paper packages tied up with strings


These are a few of my favorite things



Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels


Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles

Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings

These are a few of my favorite things


Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes

Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes

Silver white winters that melt into springs

These are a few of my favorite things


When the dog bites

When the bee stings

When I’m feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things

And then I don’t feel so bad

(lyrics source: stlyrics.com)







I just celebrated my 33rd birthday a few weeks ago. At times, I still find it hard to believe how far I’ve gone from my life just almost 5 years before. And in celebration of a good and blessed life, I am enumerating the things in my life that I’m thankful for…plus a few of my favorite (material) things. 



1) My husband

Wedding in Boracay


Don’t get me wrong, I truly believe that there’s no perfect marriage. It is no fairy tale where the princess marries the prince and they live happily ever after, the end. The truth is, marriage only starts after the wedding and this is where ‘work’ begins. There will be tough times, there will be tougher times. But after everything I’ve gone through, from letting go of everything I have back in my home country, to being in a foreign land with nothing but my clothes (and a few beauty products), no job, no friends…my husband has kept his promise that I will never be hungry. 

My husband has been true and loyal after all these years, after all the pregnancy weight and post-pregnancy kilos I’ve never lost. There are times of disappointments but he’s been ever loving and supportive of my decisions. Some wives are tied down with their partners’ manipulation and control while I am blessed to make my own choices and be respected for it. When I arrived in Malaysia more than 4 years back, I had nothing. But now, I am pursuing my aspirations and having a wonderful life. My husband has been strong through it all, and has been my most loyal friend. 

2) My son
The breadth and source of my very strength for the past 3 years and for the years to come. Motherhood completely changed my life, the way I look at things, my habits, my choices ad my personality. Before my son came into my life, I was a hot-tempered biatch at work and I can easily raise my voice, bang the table and scold people. Now, I’ve learned how to be patient and more. My priorities and choices revolve around him. I work even harder than before, making tougher decisions and more. But most of all, I aim to be the best person, achieve the highest I can and prepare the best possible future, all for him. 





3) My In-Laws
It’s not easy to find couples who can confidently say that they are thankful for their in-laws. In my case, I am very blessed to have in-laws who are very concerned, understanding, supportive and loving. All through these years, they’ve been on my side, always lending a helping hand. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t know how my husband and I could have gone through all the tough times when we first arrived. And now, they are the ones taking care of my son while I work, which is totally priceless. I cannot imagine how our lives would be without my in-laws being there for Aden. 

My brother-in-law and sister-in-law have also been there for us. I still recall my pregnancy days and they helped us with things like baby items, food and other things that we might need. Whether small or big stuff, they’ve been generous and always thoughtful. In this time and life, I know that it’s not everyday for anyone to get blessed with a family like this. 

4) My parents, sisters and brother, and my relatives back home
Life is never easy but we need to find ways to be happy, find simple joys in everyday life. At a young age, I’ve known what it’s like to have a not-so-easy life, and so I learned to work hard, make better decisions to reach my goals. There were a lot of hard times but these hard times made me a tougher person. I learn how to appreciate good times and other blessings even more because I knew what it’s like to be on the other side. 

5) True friends
Good laughs, tears, sweat, tough professors, mean bosses, crushes, shopping…some things are just best shared and appreciated with true friends. Although some of us are very far apart, we still manage to share some laughs, heartaches and all. 

6) Tough Bosses who make you learn important things
I’ve been so blessed to have bosses who manage to bring out the best in me, whether intentionally done or not. I know that we all looooove to complain about our bosses but truth is, they make us tougher and do better than our normal, easy-going selves. People tend to find a comfort zone and without those tough (and sometimes heartless) people in our lives, we wouldn’t be challenged and life will just be boring. 

7) Photographers, Graphic Designers
Working with professional photographers and very creative graphic designers had been, and still is, a great joy in my career. I actually graduated as an interior designer (huwhat?) so creatives, colors and stuff grab my interest. But there’s something about photography and combining graphic design elements into an artwork that really gives me a sense of fulfillment.  

And here are some of my favorite material stuff…not to be mistaken as of equal importance as the above but, nevertheless, these stuff still give a smile on my face:

8) iPhone 5
This is just the best mobile gadget for me. I love the camera, love the speed, love the interface and all. For the past years, I’ve tried different brands, different types…but this, by far, outruns them all. Not everyone will agree but as a personal choice, iPhone 5 works best for me. 

iPhone5: One of my Precious-es


9) MacBook Pro
I guess I just have the ‘need for speed’. I hate working on computers that hang on minor applications, especially when you’re shifting from 1 design program to another. I’m not a full-time designer but I occasionally enjoy photo editing and some small artworks every now and then. The Mac’s interface is just superb with its multi-touch trackpad. Swipe and shift programs easily with your fingers. Quick. Easy. Genius. 
A few years back when I started working for an international lingerie brand and I saw a Mac for the first time, I was awestruck. Well, I thought, will I ever be able to afford that? Will I even understand how to use one? And, thank God, I was. It was worth every RM. 

MacBook Pro: Speed and creativity at my fingertips


10) Kate Spade Red Tote Bag
I’m not really the type who splurges on designer bags, not that I can even afford to. But I saw this bag and it called my name (!). The leather is wonderful, the color is delicious and the design is simple yet classy. At first, I thought that red will be very hard to match with clothes but it just works fine with any color. With the mix-and-match trend in fashion now, sporting a red bag with an attire can make a statement. 


Kate Spade Red Leather Bag with Gold Accents



11) Clairol Herbal Essences Coconut Milk
Yes, yes, like most of the other ladies out there, I am hoping that one shampoo or conditioner can solve all my hair problems. Though it doesn’t magically turn my hair into that soft-flowing, captivating bundle of strands like in TV commercials, this Clairol Herbal Essence Coconut Milk keeps my hair more moisturized than other conditioners that I’ve tried. The lasting scent is a definite plus and it’s very affordable if not cheap for most. The shampoo is just as nice because it doesn’t dry my hair out like others. I even explored  more expensive brands, salon brands, professional brands but I still go back to Herbal Essences. 

Clairol Herbal Essences Coconut Milk Conditioner


12) Canon EOS100D
I finally got my hands on my very first DSLR! I’ve actually been dreaming of owning one for several years. It’s not cheap and for the past few years, I wasn’t confident enough to invest on one because I rarely have time to just take pictures as I’m so busy with work. It wouldn’t be worth it to buy one and just keep it, right? But the time has come for me to pursue my other passion in life while still maintaining my career in marketing. Thank God for all the blessings. I now have some good regular time for my son and myself. 

The Canon EOS 100D was just recently released and in good timing for my decision to buy a DSLR. It is the lightest and smallest DSLR ever launched (for now) and it fits comfortably on a beginner’s hand. And it’s just amazingly light. I’ve been taking photos since I bought it, of course, excitedly, and the results are just so different and a lot better than my normal point-and-shoot digital camera. I can now take photos of Aden even if he moves a lot and take photos for my blogs more beautifully. 

My first DSLR: Canon EOS 100D



13) Perricone MD Intensive Pore Minimizer
I had a post about this great product at http://bit.ly/19BZkY6 This pore minimizer gave me visible results and the longer I use it, the more my skin becomes smoother, the smaller my pores become. I just love how my skin’s texture has improved within the past months. I’ll be finishing it soon so gotta buy another one!




14) Biore Pore Strips
Being obsessed with my huge pores, I constantly explore products to reduce their size or at least, keep it free from blackheads and whiteheads. But this is just almost impossible for me so I’ve been regularly cleaning my pores with pore strips. I do this every Saturday and I’m quite addicted to seeing those tiny, icky stuff all stuck to the strip! I’ve tried different brands at different prices. But Biore pore strips at only RM10.80 for 10 strips have been the most effective. Other strips don’t have cuttings on some corners that should adapt to the curves of our nose and cheeks which make it a bit inefficient. Biore has cutting on several corners, making it follow the contour of the nose, especially the fold between the nose and cheeks. 



15) Crabtree & Evelyn Iris Triple Milled Soap
Normally, I don’t really use bar soaps but when my sister-in-law gave me an Iris bath set, the scent of the triple milled soap was simply bewitching! So I got another set from Crabtree; there’s no 1-piece for sale so I had to get the 3-piece set… But it’s reasonable at only RM65 per set. 

Crabtree & Evelyn Iris Triple Miled Soap set of 3


16) Guerlain Idylle Duet EDP – Rose Patchouli
This is my special occasion fragrance. The floral scent is very classy and smells even lovelier as time wears on. When it comes to fragrance, I go for floral scents, not fruity and not the sporty scent. (Surprisingly, when it comes to skincare products, I have to avoid those with rose and other very floral scents as I tend to get some skin reaction to it.)
I love the sexy bottle, showing very feminine and glamorous curves. I prefer bottles that are transparent where you can see the contents so this makes Guerlain Idylle’s bottle even more attractive to me. Small thing but I don’t like those opaque bottles wherein I need to guess if it’s about to finish or not. And after all, one of the factors that makes a perfume attractive is the packaging. Save, of course, for Chanel No. 5 which has a simple bottle but still remains to be one of the most (if not THE most) popular fragrances in the world. 

Guerlain Idylle Duet – Rose Patchouli



17) The Body Shop – White Musk EDT & Moroccan Rose EDT
On normal days, I like to wear these Body Shop EDTs. The famous White Musk has a light, wonderful and simply soothing scent. It has combined notes of jasmine, rose, musk, lily and I guess some other more beautiful floral scents (I am no fragrance expert, haha). At a price of RM59 for 30ml, this EDT is worth to have as a daily part of my body care routine.

I also love the Body Shop’s Moroccan Rose. By now you can tell that I’m quite addicted to rose fragrance (!). This EDT has a romantic, feminine, light and fresh scent. And being named Moroccan, it adds some mystery and uniqueness to it. Very nice for daily wear and special occasions, too.

The Body Shop Moroccan Rose EDT & White Musk EDT


18) Dorothy Perkins Black Belt
For some time, I’ve been looking for a simple but nice black belt. If not expensive, designer type, I can only see very posh and accessorized belt which I don’t really go for. I needed something simple, good enough for corporate wear so it cannot be too stylized with all those shining stones all over it. One fine evening in Mid Valley, I came across this simple, nice belt from Dorothy Perkins and I loved it! If I remember it right, I got this belt for only RM39. Very reasonable price for a belt like this. 



19) Monthly Issue of Female & Women’s Weekly Magazines
Every month, I must always have a copy of these 2 magazines. I love the beauty and fashion articles, photos and updates. Presentation is very good, writing style is funky and smart. Female always contains the latest in beauty and fashion while Women’s Weekly has very interesting reads about family and life. 



20) Solvil El Titus Purple Watch
I just got this watch last February as a Valentine’s Day present from my hubby. I really love the purple color, the lovely glimmer of stones and the size against my wrist. I like that it has that chronograph style but the extra 3 sets of counters for date, seconds and 24-hour are not too big as the usual chronograph-style watches.

Solvil El Titus Purple Strap Watch


And lastly, my days will not be complete without a few minutes session with my son’s baby feet! I know I’m only left with a short time to enjoy these before they turn into non-baby feet and before he gets old enough not to allow me to play with them…



I have more blessings to be thankful for and a few more favorite things. Sometimes, people, including me, tend to focus on the bad things that happen or those things that cause disappointments. But in life, I should learn how to count my blessings instead, those small things that make me smile or make my life wonderful, even for just a few minutes or seconds in a day. Hope you find your favorite things as well, no matter how big or small they are. 






Despicable Me’s Minions Invade Pavilion KL

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Hooray for school holidays! Kids all over Malaysia are celebrating, I’m sure. And for us, employees, this is also something to look forward to as there will be less traffic jam in the morning.
Pavilion Kuala Lumpur has once again delighted children (and children-at-heart like me) with their HOORAY HOORAY IT’S MINIONS COOL HOLIDAY. Despicable Me’s popular minions have invaded Pavilion’s concourse area with eye-popping display and colors.
The set-up is located at Pavilion’s famous concourse, host to numerous exciting and stylish events and launches. Despicable Me 2 minion adult-size and kid-size posters span across the place.
Fans can catch a sneak preview of the upcoming movie in this 2-TV display where Despicable Me 2 snippets are continuously played.
Guests of all ages can also enjoy different activities with all the booths across the concourse area. There are games where you can win toys and other goodies. Grab a lick or two of Italian ice cream from Gelatomio, take a joy ride on a kiddie ride or pick free Despicable Me balloons…
Take home plush toys as prizes from these booth games
Gelatomio serves delicious ice cream (yum!)
Kiddie joy ride
Grab FREE balloons from this booth
And you can buy Despicable Me 2 merchandise! Stuart, Dave, Gru, Gru’s fart blaster… 
The wonderful display was launched last 22nd May and will continue delighting Pavilion’s guests until 4th June.
Bababa—babanana!

Starhill Culinary Studio Launches its Creative Culinary Classes that Truly Inspire

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I admit that I’m one of those working women who have been so focused (or should I say engrossed) with work to the point that they never had the time or interest to learn how to cook. At this age of over 30 years, I can only survive with a few simple dishes like scrambled egg, fried egg, instant noodles and rice using the rice cooker (!). I wasn’t so concerned before but now that I have a 3-year-old child, I know that I should soon learn how to cook beyond the basic fried or boiled meals. Even if I am quite lucky to have a mother-in-law who cooks like a chef…

Last 22nd May, Starhill Culinary Studio was launched in Starhill Gallery at Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur. The program was held at the Basement Level – Feast where distinguished media representatives arrived. 



Jeremiah Tan, Director of Starhill Culinary Studio and Autodome Sdn. Bhd., gave a brief welcome speech. He explained that attending Starhill Culinary Studio’s classes will give epicureans an inspiring gourmet experience. Experts, both in-house and external, will lend  their expertise on how to enrich their daily lives. Creative juices will be flowing through fun and engaging classes conducted by Starhill Culinary Studio’s team of passionate individuals. 




After Jeremiah’s witty and enlightening speech, Starhill Culinary Studio’s team was called upon the stage. With a dramatic yet lively entrance starting from the escalator where everyone can see each of them arriving, the team came up to the stage in their black attires and posh hats/ scarfs. 

When I first saw the stage backdrop with the photo of a man wearing a head scarf, I was actually wondering who was he. I thought he was some celebrity brand ambassador as I am not really up-to-date with local celebrities. And to my surprise when he was introduced, the photogenic man on the backdrop is Chef Wai, Executive Chef of Starhill Culinary Studio. In the photo above, he’s in the middle with Jeremiah Tan, wearing his signature head scarf. Together with his entire team, Chef Wai “creates magic in each class where an insight into a whole world of different cuisines is delivered in one place.” 
Guests were then invited to take a look inside the goodie bags and wear the chef’s hat and apron. Each hat has a label to direct where in the studio will each guest be taken for a culinary experience. Maybe, technically, not all culinary as Starhill Culinary Studio also has this wonderful and fun place…the Wine Studio. Well, more of that later.
Here you’ll see the guests wearing the hats and chef’s apron.
And off we go to Starhill Culinary Studio at Muse Level!
Upon entering the Muse Level (doesn’t that make you feel pretty?), you’ll be welcomed by a warm and friendly lounge. I love how this reception area was designed to make you feel welcome and relaxed, like you’re actually entering a home. 
And on top of the lifts, you’ll see this classy and ‘inspiring’ line:
Starhill Culinary Studio conducts classes for different cuisines or simply for different culinary interests. On the right side is the Pastry and Baking Studio while on the left side are Wai’s Dining Room, Wai’s Kitchen and the Wine Studio. 
Guests for Chef Wai’s kitchen were the first to arrive. The kitchen is very enticing (yes, I know, even if I am ignorant in the kitchen). This really looks like a fun environment to learn about cooking. “Wai’s Kitchen is created to showcase different cooking methods with live demonstrations and interactive classes, teaching how to create amazing dishes from recipes that are usually kept close to a master chef’s chest.”  
Outside the actual cooking kitchen is the classroom with LCD TVs placed strategically so everyone can see and follow preparations done on the table. The place is admittedly very nice and comfortable for those who are interested to learn more about cooking. 
And so the guests got a first-hand experience on how Chef Wai conducts his classes. Here he’s demonstrating a dish preparation. Chef Wai is very easy to spot with his head scarf…
Chef Wai heads YTL’s restaurants at Starhill Gallery in KL and is the pioneer of Pangkor Laut Resort’s signature restaurant, Fisherman’s Cove. His culinary skills have delighted some of the world’s most recognized names including Elle Macpherson, Keira Knightley, Ralph Schumacher, George Benson and many more.  
Starhill Culinary Studio also have a special place for those who just want to enjoy sumptuous dishes created by the Executive Chef, none other than Chef Wai. At Wai’s Dining Room, guests can experience bespoke themed private dinners and dine in sophistication and grandeur. 
For those who want to make creations to satisfy savory cravings, the Pastry Studio and Baking Studio provide the perfect place. Entering the area immediately gives a whiff of something good and mouth-watering…
Beside the Pastry Studio’s cake display is a glass wall with a colorful display of round things. Guess what these are…I was amazed upon looking closely…
Delicious-looking dummy macaroons mounted on the glass wall! Very clever…
And here are more delicious stuff…(drool drool)
Of course, I saved the best for last. Off to the Wine Studio!
The wine session was conducted by one of Starhill Culinary Studio’s guest sommelier, David Stephan. Born and raised in France, David has more than 20 years of wine experience and remains passionate with the wine industry. He enjoys sharing his knowledge through tasting sessions where he personally demonstrates skills, techniques and tips about wine. David Stephan is the Chief Sommelier of Wine Talk which offers an easy access to great wines through online ordering with direct delivery service to your home.
Starhill Culinary Studio’s Wine Studio is very conducive and well-equipped for wine classes. It’s classy, elegant and displayed with wine inspirations. 
Mini sinks that serve as spittoon (a receptacle for spitting used by wine tasters to spit samples of wine in order to avoid alcohol intoxication during tasting) are installed in between 2 guests or students. 
Wine bottles are neatly displayed on glass shelves at the back wall. 
David Stephan conducted the wine tasting session where guests sampled different wines: Arthur Metz Pinot Gris from France, Monte da Peceguina red wine and Monte da Peceguina rosé wine, both from Portugal. For the Wine Studio’s upcoming sessions, David Stephan will be conducting classes as guest sommelier on 21st June, 25th July and 23rd August. 
Here’s David Stephan with some gorgeous ladies and gentleman of Starhill team. 
And here with more gorgeous ladies of Starhill…
Paula Conway (above photo – right), Operations and Marketing Manager of Starhill Culinary Studio, explained YTL’s vision behind Starhill Culinary studio: “Bintang Walk started out as a YTL vision and through the company’s continuous involvement, it has developed and grown over the years to become a synonymous street name around the world. A name that will now not only be recognized for its wealth of shopping outlets and fine restaurants but also for delivering rich experiences with Starhill Culinary Studio.”
Starhill Culinary Studio’s media event was truly a memorable experience. I never expected that cooking, baking and wine classes could have such creative and inviting environment, not to mention stylish and classy. For those who want to experience ‘Creative Culinary Classes that Inspire’, Starhill Culinary Studio is the perfect place to explore and learn your gourmet aspirations and dreams. 
Thanks to Starhill Culinary Studio’s creative and inspiring team for this wonderful event. May you all continue to create magic for more epicureans!
If you’re interested to know more about Starhill Culinary Studio’s classes, visit
For more wine info, visit
http://winetalk.com.my
Here’s my naughty son enjoying the chef’s hat which I brough back home together with other goodies:

St. Patrick’s Society Charity Night 2013

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Last week, I attended an event that gave me an up-close experience of how many good people are out there. It was a totally enlightening night, a gleam of light amidst this world full of tragedy and heart-breaking news. 

St. Patrick’s Society of Selangor is a non-profit organization, promoting the social life and community of Irish people and people with Irish connections in Malaysia. They have social and cultural events while strongly involved in organizing charity events to raise funds for orphanages and other groups.  

St. Patrick organized a charity night last 11th of May held at the Irish ambassador’s residence in Jalan Ampang Hilir. Interesting items for the silent auction were displayed by the foyer, together with auction sheets where guests can easily write their names and bid price. Some of the items for silent auction were these amazing paintings:





All of the items for sale at the event were donated by members, local businesses and other groups who share the same vision with St. Patrick’s Society. So this means all the proceeds will go to the charity funds and will be awarded to the beneficiary group of this event. It’s really amazing. And look at these paintings! Kudos to the artist of these really unique images. These surely took a considerable amount of time to create and the style is simply beautiful. 

Before the program started, guests arrived and registered with the reception team. For the benefit of this charity event, all guests have to buy their tickets for drinks which include soft drinks, beer, wine and other liquor. Food was ready to be served, which, as I learned, was also fully sponsored by one of the society’s members. And mind you, the food looked really great, served by a caterer. I managed to try some of the dishes later that night and they really had good stuff. 


Each table was prepared with wine glasses, a free bottle of wine and event information sheets. 

On another table was an artist who worked on a seriously impressive piece of artwork. The artist, Melanie Bayoud, started from a blank sheet of paper and her finished artwork of a Celtic harp drawing was auctioned on the night itself as well. 




Soft drinks, beer, wine and other liquors were also sponsored. Tables serving the drinks were waiting next to the food banquet. One of the sponsors was Wine Talk who provided wines through wine tickets purchased at the reception and another box of wine for live auction. Here was Wine Talk’s sommelier, David Stephan, with St. Patrick’s Society members, Tony and Cherry Beadsworth:




The program started with introduction from the organizers and a brief discussion about the beneficiary of the charity event, the Chin Student Organization (CSO). 

Education is important to everyone. Unfortunately, not all are fortunate enough to be given  the right to education. The CSO is a voluntary organization created to meet the needs of Chin refugee children. It was formed in March 2005 by a small group of Chin university students who came to Malaysia in search of a secured and safer life away from the turmoil of Myanmar. They aim to provide education to the Chin refugee children who are not eligible for formal education in Malaysia.

All the teachers are working as volunteers to teach these children. But aside from education, the organization also needs to provide meals, school items and other basics, especially uniform. Some people might think that uniform is a small thing and shouldn’t be a priority but for refugees, having a uniform is important as this gives an instant recognition that they belong to a school or a group. This will protect them from being taken away, mistakenly captured or other worse possibilities. In a world where children are helpless, safety measures save lives. 

Food is definitely a priority as well. Children need to have their basic meals provided, including milk. My son is highly dependent on milk for nutrition and I know how important milk is to growing children. It’s a challenge at the moment for CSO as they don’t have sufficient funds to provide milk daily. 

Some of the children from CSO were at the event and gave a short presentation. Each student shared a short experience and what they hope for in the future. This was a highlight of the event and gave everyone a heart-warming moment, hearing each child’s thought and hope in their lives. 




The evening continued with dinner for everyone and the live auction where the society members gave more donations to the charity. 


I was really surprised that a charity event could be so lively and fun. Everybody seemed to be having a good time. But on top of it all, I am amazed at how generous these people are. The members of St. Patrick’s Society are such a blessing to these refugee children. Couldn’t there be more of them in this world? The event raised more than RM150K plus 100 uniforms and a new sewing machine for crafts! This will make a valuable difference to these children and their lives.
As a mother who works her way through life to provide a good future for her child, I cannot imagine my son not having a chance to good education or even milk everyday. To Chin Student Organization, to St. Patrick’s Society of Selangor, to the Irish Embassy and to all who supported this event, may you all succeed in making this world a better place to live in for more children. You make miracles for each child and for their loved ones. 

To know more about CSO, check out their site:

To know more about St. Patrick’s Society, check out their site:












Screw Cap or Cork?

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(image from net)
Being a wine newbie (okay, I’m not so much of an idiot anymore after 4 months in a wine-related job, huh), I’ve been wondering what’s the deal with the wine bottle cap. I believe that, generally, a lot of people believe that a cork means that the wine is of better or higher quality, hence, would taste better. But this seemed to be a misconception, as I have learned from our wine sommelier. 
A bit of info on corks first. Wine corks can be a single piece of cork or composed of many small particles. A cork made of particles are referred to as ‘technical cork’. 
Single Piece of Cork
(image from net)
Technical Cork
(image from net)
On a technical cork, you can see that the top and bottom has lines, showing the cork discs placed on each end. 
Majority of corks across the globe come from Portugal; some come from Spain and Italy. Cork has a lot of uses aside from wine stoppers:  floor and wall tiles, shuttlecocks, fishing rod handles and musical instruments. 
Both have their one benefits, pros and cons. Cork has been the wine stopper used by winemakers for hundreds of years. It comes from a renewable source because cork can be harvested from the bark of the cork tree without harming or killing it. Amazing. Winemakers use cork as wine closure for a lot of reasons, among which include the following:
  • Cork is light and low in density.
  • Cork is compressible and flexible. It can be compressed to half its width without expanding its length and still maintain its flexibility. 
  • Cork is resistant to moisture penetration. Despite its lightness and flexibility, it doesn’t allow water or moisture to get in (or out). 
  • Cork retains its properties despite extreme temperatures and lasts for years without deterioration.
  • Cork is biodegradable. 

But cork is not perfect. Corked wine, as you may have guessed, is caused by the cork. No, corked wine doesn’t mean that there are small particles of cork on the wine. Corked wine refers to a wine that has been contaminated with cork taint. Cork taint is caused by the presence of a chemical compound called TCA or 2,4,6-trichloroanisole. This TCA is formed when naturally-occurring airborne fungi combine with chlorinated phenolic compounds, substances which can also be found in pesticides, bleaches and preservatives. This cork taint affects the smell and taste of wine. Although it is not harmful or poisonous (don’t worry, you won’t get sick from corked wines), nobody would really want to drink wine that is corked.
Screw cap is a metal cap that screws the neck of a wine bottle with a metal skirt in a length meant to resemble the wine foil. In Australia and New Zealand, screw caps are now used more widely than corks. Winemakers use screw caps for these reasons (and more):
  • Screw caps prevent cork taint since there is no cork which might be contaminated with TCA
  • Screw cap is modern while cork is viewed as traditional
  • Screw caps are more consumer-friendly, can easily be opened with bare hands, without the need for bottle openers
  • Screw caps are easier to put back when you need to cover the bottle again while some corks can be difficult to put back in

So what’s the deal then on wines with screw caps and corks? 
It’s more of consumer perception and preference, I would say. Until now, a lot of people still perceive wines with screw caps to be cheaper or of less quality than wines with cork. Some are also looking for that cork ‘popping’ sound which goes with the celebration mood of opening a bottle of wine. While screw caps are undermined for the quality, it doesn’t really compromise the taste and aging ability of the wines as opposed to corks, as a lot of winemakers who have embraced screw caps would say. Australia and New Zealand produce great wines and their market are huge makers of screw-capped wines. 
In terms of convenience, I personally vote for screw cap. Based on experience, corks can sometimes be annoying, especially when you’re not really good at removing them. There’s a chance for you to break the cork while using the bottle opener then it all breaks and drops to the wine. And, of course, you need a bottle opener with cork. Screw caps are convenient. I can bring it to a party without having to bring an opener or asking if the party host has one. 
I’m not saying I’m opposed to corks at all. There are instances when corks change the entire presentation and mood with wines. Champagnes or sparkling wines, for me, are still best served by corked bottles. That ‘pop’ is just a classy factor with bubblies! But, again, the ‘pop’ does not ensure great  quality. 
As a consumer, I would suggest fellow wine drinkers to choose wines based on what you read on the label and good advice from a sommelier instead of looking at the cap. Taking note of food that you will dine your wine with is also important. If you’re not sure of what wines to serve, I strongly suggest getting advice from the experts. Find a good sommelier you can talk to. Or better yet, start exploring more wines for yourself and identify which ones (and which aren’t) are great.

Don’t judge the wine bottle by its cap. Cheers!

Great Exercise Books for Toddlers

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Just this January, I entered into another exciting phase of ‘mummy-hood’…sending my child to his first school. I actually had some nervousness about this phase as I have heard of challenges on leaving a child for the first time in a new place where he doesn’t know anyone. And to leave him there even for a few hours was still heart-breaking for me.  

The first day was probably the toughest. I even took leave from work just to be ready and on-call at any time of the day, if in case something didn’t go well. Waking up early at around 7:30am was still new to Aden so, as expected, he had some tantrums. Everything after then was alright. We drove to school, I walked him into school up to his classroom. Until it was time for me to leave, the chaos started. 

He cried and cried. It was breaking my heart but I had to run away quickly and hide from him. The teacher and her assistant were doing their best to calm him down. He kept running out of the room. They closed the door and from outside, I can hear someone kicking the door. I am sure that was him, showing his temper while crying away. I waited for a few minutes, I knew he was still crying but I had to tear myself away and be strong. 

This continued for a few more days. Having some improvements each time until he got used to it after 2 weeks. It has been 4 months now. He still has some tantrums occasionally which we have learned how to pacify. 

The sad thing was he has been sick on and off since January. I sometimes don’t understand anymore why he catches cough and colds so frequently. When he does, it always comes with regular vomiting and sometimes fever. This is why he was often absent from classes since he started. And he was getting left behind with the lessons. So the teacher advised to teach him at home as well. 

Everyday since April, I have been teaching him at home. At first, I just started with writing on blank paper, teaching him about numbers and counting. But then it became boring for him so I bought several books. So far, his favorite book was this one:

RM9.90 at MPH




For parents with kids who just started school, it might be great to have this type of book at home. The pages are colorful but there are also exercises where your child can do coloring. Aden loved the sticker exercises. I think the book was created intelligently to make a child more interested and not easily bored. 

It also helps to have a few different books at home. I have a book for numbers, for letters, for both, for phonics and a plain drawing book. Kids have very short attention span so when he’s getting bored with one, I switch to another book, maybe from numbers to letters. I observed that having choices make him more interested and eager to explore. 



I’ve made it a habit to spend at least 15 minutes with him everyday to study. When his mood is good, we can even go for 30 minutes. No matter how tired I am, I must always spend this time with him. Except, of course, when he’s the one who’s too tired and sleepy. 

RM8.00 at a bookshop in Bangsar Shopping Centre


This K1 Maths workbook is good to focus learning on numbers. All the pages can be colored and it has several exercises to review each set of numbers. Aden enjoys coloring and I normally color with him. He finds it more fun when we color together.

RM6.50 at MPH


I also have a book to focus on learning the alphabet. This book has 1 sheet for each later, upper case and lower case. There are outlined letters for your kid to practice, a picture for each letter that begins with the letter.


RM6.90 at MPH


This last book is still a bit advanced for him, though. Aden has to learn the alphabets and numbers more before he can start with this. 

I’m enjoying this phase of Aden’s childhood. I know that in the next few years, he’ll be independent soon and won’t be needing me to study with him. So for parents who have a child, I encourage you to spend study time daily with him or her. It gives you a very productive bonding time and would encourage your kids to study more.  


(Image from web)

Arthur Metz Pinot Gris – A Must-Have Stock at Home!

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These past 3 months, I’ve probably tried 16 different wines. That’s more than all the wines I’ve tried in the past 32 years…until now. How time flies and how life can be so good and classy when you have a wonderful job, a career that involves wine.
I’ve gone through a few media events, a blogger event and a tasting session within the office. For my personal development, I have been buying different white wines which I consume during dinner. Too bad I’m the only one drinking wine at home. Occassionally, my in-laws and sister in-law drink with me.

 

I am happy to introduce my favorite wine so far. The Arthur Metz Pinot Gris, from Alsace, France, is simply wonderful. During all the events, everybody, take note, loved this wine. It’s an easy crowd-pleaser, as my boss would say, and not expensive at all. For only around RM74 a bottle, the Arthur Metz Pinot Gris can quickly liven up your dinner or whatever celebration. And as I have witnessed, both beginners and long-time drinkers have been pleased with this wine.
I also found it easy to match with food. I normally eat rice for dinner with different viands and this Arthur Metz wine never failed to please my quiet dinner. It’s fruity with a very balanced acidity that I preferred over Chardonnay. I personally decide that this is a must-have stock at home so yeah, I need to always have a bottle or two, carefully kept inside a dark and cool place in my room until it’s time to uncork!
More Information about Arthur Metz Pinot Gris:
Vintage – 2010
Region and Country – Alsace, France
Alcohol Content – 12.5%