Category Archives: Uncategorized

L’Occitane Brightening Cleansing Foam for Soft, Fresh, Radiant Skin

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It’s been said so many times but I will say it again: cleansing is an essential part of our daily skincare routine and should not be taken for granted. For those who wear full makeup almost daily like me, it is very important to properly remove makeup with extra cleansing step such as cleansing oils and eye makeup remover. Cleansing removes impurities, excess oil, dead skin cells and dirt from our skin. I am the type of person who, no matter how tired even after working late until midnight, will still go through proper cleansing steps to make sure that my face is clean before I go to sleep. And for this, I am very particular when it comes to my facial cleansers.
washing face cleansing


I’ve tried a lot of different cleansers since my teenage days. I started quite early with my beauty routine at the age of 13, I think. At that age, I already follow the basic 3 steps of cleansing, toning and moisturizing. My cleansers range from bar soap, cleansing gel, facial scrub, facial foam and more. As I matured into my 30’s (agh, I’m so old), I’ve been more exploratory and enjoyed trying different brands. Some of the cleansers I loved were Perricone MD Nutritive Cleanser, the Body Shop Seaweed Pore-Cleansing Facial Exfoliator and Estee Lauder Nutritious Cleanser.
Since I’m concerned with dark spots and uneven skin tone nowadays, I decided to try L’Occitane’s Immortelle Brightening Cleansing Foam. This is a soap-free, non-drying facial cleanser. The Brightening Cleansing Foam is a very gentle face cleanser, enriched in Immortelle floral water and citrus fruit peel to lighten the complexion.

cleansing foam brightening radiant skin

brightening cleansing foam


l'occitane immortelle brightening


What L’Occitane Brightening Cleansing Foam does:
  • Gentle cleansing
  • Makes your skin radiant
  • Evens the skin tone
  • Softens the skin
  • Brightens the complexion

I’ve been using it for 1 week and I’m lovin’ it. The promise of gentle cleansing is really true and I’m enjoying the burst of foam on my palm through its pump.
brightening cleansing foam

I still use my cleansing oil to remove makeup as my eye makeup consists of waterproof items but my skin feels soft, fresh and ultimately clean after using this cleansing foam. It doesn’t leave a drying sensation and the gentle scent leaves the face with a delicate floral smell.
This is the 2nd L’Occitane product in my daily skincare routine. I love the Immortelle Brightening Moisture Cream and this Cleansing Foam is just as good. Though I haven’t noticed yet if there is brightening result from cleansing (still too early to see), the L’Occitane Brightening Cleansing Foam is a definite star cleanser for me and will be an addition to my list of great cleansers!
L’Occitane Immortelle Brightening Cleansing Foam’s tolerance is dermatologically tested.  Effectiveness tested over 3 weeks:
•    Skin is gently cleansed:  100% of the women
•    Complexion is even and radiant:  96% of the women
Made in France
Price: RM110 (around US$34) for 150ml

Melbourne Food and Wine Festival 2014 is coming!

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Melbourne is set to make waves with 200 events across Victoria with a glorious celebration of food and wine: All events on sale 3 December. 


Celebration of food and wine

Melbourne Food and Wine Festival presented by Bank of Melbourne will reel in more than 200 events for a global celebration of the bounty of water, 28 February – 16 March 2014.
Over 17 days food and wine lovers are invited to celebrate the world’s ocean and river fare guided by the best seafood chefs, join exclusive behind-the-scenes tours both on and off the water, get amongst it at lively street parties, secure a spot at never-to-be-repeated dinners with Michelin-starred chefs, and much more. Launched as one single program, tickets to all Festival events go on sale 3 December 2013.
The Festival’s hub project and centrepiece of the 2014 program is a bold expression of the Festival theme exploring the cycle of water with a temporary bar, restaurant and raingarden, popping up in the city’s Queensbridge Square.
Following on from the Urban Coffee Farm & Brew Bar in 2013, this ambitious project designed for the second year by HASSELL, anchors three levels to the Yarra’s edge featuring a riverside bar, an open-kitchen restaurant on the concourse and a top-level verdant raingarden. Melbourne chefs including Florent Gerardin (Silo), Jesse Gerner (Anada & Bomba), Adam Liston (Borrowed Space) and Daniel Wilson (Huxtable & Huxtaburger) will bring their take on dishes inspired by the three states of water – liquid, solid and gas – to the restaurant, and by night, the country’s boundary-pushing bartenders will craft one-off cocktails and drinks that celebrate the cycle of water.


Bank of Melbourne World’s Longest Lunch
Festival favourite Bank of Melbourne World’s Longest Lunch (28 February) gathers 1,500 lunching revellers at one 500 metre-long table to kick off the first day of the Festival along the banks of the Yarra in Alexandra Park. The three-course menu will be designed by Jacques Reymond, Adam D’Sylva, and Stefano de Pieri and brought to life by Peter Rowland Catering. Celebrating the world’s waterways as the lifeblood of food and wine, each chef will draw on personal connections to the Amazon, Mekong, and Murray-Darling rivers respectively to create a menu made with Victorian produce.
New for 2014, the Flemington Grazing Trail & Cellar Door combines the best of Victoria’s wineries, craft breweries and artisan producers with Group 1 racing on Flemington’s Super Saturday race meeting. The event at the iconic racecourse offers trackside wine tasting and gourmet produce picnics just outside of the city.
Back in Melbourne, budding cooks can learn from Melbourne’s favourite chefs about our city’s diverse culinary heritage at Festival Foodies, an event for kids in Queensbridge Square. For those seeking to explore and debate the social and environmental issues connected with water, the Festival is collaborating with The Wheeler Centre for a one-off talkfest featuring a broad spectrum of speakers on 6 March.
At the hotly anticipated Langham Melbourne MasterClass, 8 – 9 March, learn from and taste the creations of the new wave of young gun chefs alongside global greats of the kitchen as they share their connection with the world’s most precious resource, water. Chilean food forager Rodolfo Guzman (Borago, Santiago), seafood crusader and Spain’s Best Chef Angel Leon (Aponiente, Puerto de Santa Maria, Spain), and Lummi Island locavore Blaine Wetzel (Willows Inn, USA), are among the star-studded line up.
   
Now at the core of the new dedicated wine weekend, 1 – 2 March, Acqua Panna Global Wine Experience returns with benchmark wine tasting guided by a panel of Australia’s most influential winemakers, writers and sommeliers including Rick Kinzbrunner (Giaconda, Beechworth) and Guill de Pury (Yeringberg, Yarra Valley).
Melbourne’s hottest restaurants will pull out all the stops to bring you dining experiences exclusive to the Festival. Brothers Matt and Andrew McConnell join forces for Blood is Thicker than Water, a street party between Casa Ciuccio and Cutler & Co with water and blood-inspired dishes; Darren Purchese (Burch & Purchese Sweet Studio) takes over the historic Johnston Collection for decadent desserts at Swan Lake’s Sweet Seduction; and chef Frank Camorra and food writer Richard Cornish will talk foodies through a gastronomic tour of southern Spain, from the secrets of Spanish seafood to tales of nuns making moreish doughnuts (A Gastro-Tour of Spain, MoVida Aqui).
Learn about and taste the state’s outstanding seafood at events on and off the water. Hook, Lunch & Sinker returns with a fishing trip and lunch at Stokehouse Upstairs lead by The Age Good Food Guide Young Chef of the Year Ollie Gould, or at Melbourne’s Fish Mongrels at Sanford Australia, Melbourne’s wholesale fish hub, take a tour and a first-hand look at wild-caught seafood.


Join other food and wine lovers in this celebration


Foodies are invited to tour through Victoria over Regional Weekend (14 – 16 March) with all Festival events taking place out in the regions. The weekend kicks off with 20 Regional World’s Longest Lunches at spectacular locations across the state including Queenscliff Harbour on the Bellarine Peninsula, among the vines at Elgee Park vineyard in the Mornington Peninsula and overlooking the ocean in Inverloch, Gippsland.
Also over Regional Weekend, join the ultimate ‘60s themed cocktail party at The Dispensary Enoteca (Bendigo), H2007 James Bond vs. Don Draper, as they pit the signature drinks of the two smooth operators against each other. Feast at regional events embracing Victoria’s waterways, from floating down the King River ‘river sledding’ on lilos followed by lunch at Dal Zotto Winery (High Country) for Lilos & Prosecco; to dinner with Ovens River produce in the Alpine Valley at Tani Eat & Drink’s Down by the River.
Union Dining’s Nicky Riemer will bring her provincial style cooking to Bress in the Goldfields for Raining Produce at Bress, and in the High Country, get back to the core of outstanding produce at Philip Lobely Wines’ Water, Wheat and Wine, learning about the role of sun, water and earth in creating wine and artisan bread.
This is just a small taste of Melbourne Food and Wine Festival 2014. The full program can be viewed from 26 November at melbournefoodandwine.com.au.

28 February – 16 March 2014 All Festival events on sale 3 December 2013
melbournefoodandwine.com.au

Guerlain Idylle Duet in Rose & Patchouli EDP

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Guerlain’s Idylle Duet is probably the first eau de parfum that I personally bought for myself. I still recall my gorgeous ex-colleagues who introduced this golden bottle oozing with luscious floral scent at Guerlain’s counter in Isetan KLCC sometime last year. The scent of Rose & Patchouli is captivating and its bottle is undeniably a lovely piece to add on the vanity table so I decided to purchase this EDP. That and the fact that Isetan was having irresistible deals that day (yey!).


Guerlain Idylle Duet in Rose & Patchouli


I’ve been using this for a few months now and it’s such a delightful scent worth talking about. Very elegant, classic and perfect for any occasion. Well, I do wear it to work everyday and sometimes switch with a less luxurious fragrance just because I don’t want to finish it too fast. This Idylle Duet is my choice when attending wedding dinners or hosting wine events. The magic even gets better after a few hours.


Guerlain Idylle Duet comes in this lovely box where the bottle sits like a queen in a specially shaped nook. Not your typical packaging, this box makes presentation of the fragrance more like a jewel rather than a bottle of scented liquid, no? The whole product and packaging is wonderful, which makes it an ideal gift for ladies (attention to boyfriends and husbands there who need gift suggestions!).

 

Guerlain Idylle Duet in box



My half-finished bottle of Guerlain Idylle…




35ml, purchased at Guerlain counter, Isetan KLCC


About Guerlain Idylle Duet Rose & Patchouli
Inspired by Hector Berlioz’s symphony “The Specter of the Rose”, Guerlain’s perfumer Thierry Wasser revisits the stylistic exercise of “duets”—compositions created from two floral notes, around a unique bouquet. This trail of musky and woody harmonies was designed to be like the ideal music of love, a floral and mysterious olfactory symphony.


Signature of the Guerlain House, the Bulgarian Rose is here combined with Indonesian Patchouli, for a grand duo—a unique fragrance with a carnal and mysterious tempo. This fragrance, with its original harmonies, exists exclusively as an Eau de Parfum, and is enclosed in a femininely curved bottle, released in limited edition.

Beautiful Nail Polish and Makeup Collection at Inglot

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I still remember the first time I was captivated by an Inglot shop. It was at Sunway Pyramid in 2011. That was the first time I saw the brand and I didn’t even know how the name was supposed to be pronounced. Is it ‘eeeng-lot’? Is it ‘eeeng-lohw’? Is it ‘eeeng-laht’? Well, it’s pronounced ‘eeeng-lot’. Inglot cosmetics was founded by Polish cosmetics maker Wojciech Inglot, who unfortunately died at the age of 57 in February this year.

inglot malaysia cosmetics makeup nail color beauty
Inglot Cosmetics Eye-Popping color collection
  
There’s something about Inglot boutiques that just captures attention. First, the shop design is simple yet it really makes colors stand out and pop to your eyes. The fixtures are in shiny, solid black against cream white walls and floors, making colors sparkle against it. The graphics also use solid black background that also makes colors gleam deliciously everywhere in the store. Creative and effective graphic and interior design is undeniably a great tandem for this brand.

inglot cosmetics makeup beauty
Inglot Cosmetics boutique in Mid Valley Megamall, KL, Malaysia

The first Inglot item I bought was a 2-piece eye shadow palette. I was so fascinated with the Freedom System that allows you to pick and mix the colors you want in your set. It’s such an enlightening thrill to pick the colors you like and create your own eye shadow set. Aren’t you tired of having those eye shadow palettes in your vanity kit and end up having 1 or 2 colors that you barely use? Inglot’s freedom system totally eliminates that waste of money. With their vast range of colors, it’s easy for anyone to pick colors based on their preferences. You can choose 1, 2, 4, 5 squares in whatever color you want. Look at these delicious colors!
 

inglot malaysia eye shadows
Inglot Freedom system for eye shadows

  
The Freedom system is also applicable for blushes, lip color and pressed powder. This is great for both makeup artists and those who simply love makeup.
A few days ago, I wanted to buy a new nail polish color and while walking along the brightly lit hallway of Mid Valley Megamall, which is still my favorite shopping mall since I arrived in Malaysia, Inglot once again caught my eye. And who wouldn’t be caught by this luscious display of nail color?
inglot nail polish color collection
Inglot Nail Polish Collection

  
The nail color collection is beautifully displayed in such a way that you can see all the colors popping in one glance. No need to rotate the fixture, no need to stand close and look down. Gorgeous and effective display that makes me want to grab them all and have a wall display in my own room like this.
   
Inglot nail polishes contain no toluene, no formaldehyde, no DBP (dibutyl phthalate), no camphor. A poster on top of the nail display announces O2M Revolutionary Breathable Formula, which is totally new to me. The sales assistant explained that this type of nail polish allows oxygen and moisture pass through! Mr. Wojciech Inglot developed this product to improve nail health. According to reports, the O2M nail polish has become very popular among Muslims because of its porous properties that make it acceptable to wear even during prayers. Inglot has recently announced that their product is ‘Halal certified’.
Among all the eye-popping colors, I picked this one in red-pink shade. I know its tempting to grab several polishes but this is my first time to try Inglot nail enamel so I have to do some test drive before I ‘indulge’.

inglot nail enamel in red-pink shade
My Inglot nail enamel pick for that day

I was also looking for a glamorous red matte lipstick and this vast display was very irresistible. Like the nail color display, the lip color collection display also allows you to see all the shades in one glance. To help you in choosing, there are also square swatches of colors in acrylic placed in front of each shade.
inglot makeup lip color beauty
Inglot Lip Color collection display

My Inglot visit to Mid Valley Megamall ended up with these 2 items in my beauty loot…
 

Inglot Lipstick and Inglot Nail Enamel

Nail Enamel in code 938, RM44 for 15ml
inglot nail polish enamel

Lip Color in code 409, RM52 for 4.5g

inglot lipstick in red matte finish



I’ll be test-driving these Inglot items and share my thoughts and experience with you soon!

Available at Inglot Boutiques/ Counter:
Mid Valley Megamall, KL
GF near North Court, Mid Valley Megamall, Kuala Lumpur

KL Sogo, Kuala Lumpur
GF, KL Sogo, 190, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman


Sunway Pyramid, Selangor
G1.36, Ground Floor, Sunway Pyramid, Subang, Selangor, Malaysia
Setia City Mall, Selangor
UG 55A, Setia City Mall, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
Queensbay Mall, Penang
GF.59, Ground Floor, Queensbay Mall, Penang, Malaysia
City Square, Johor Bahru
J1-05, Level 1, Johor Bharu City Square, Johor, Malaysia

The Malaysian Women’s Weekly and Guess Kids announce The ‘Most Stylish Mummy & Me’ Contest

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Attention to my fellow mummies who influence/ inspire their kids’ fashion and style: this contest is perfect for you!




Kuala Lumpur, October 31, 2013 – The Malaysian Women’s Weekly, a leading women’s lifestyle magazine in Malaysia, today announced the launch of the “Most Stylish Mummy & Me Contest”, a nationwide photo competition presented by GUESS kids. 


The “Most Stylish Mummy & Me Contest” is open to all Malaysian citizens and permanent residents. Mothers who wish to participate simply have to submit a photo of themselves and their child (between the ages of one and 14), capturing their most fashionable moment together. 

The top five winning mums and kids will be styled and photographed for the cover of an exclusive fashion booklet by The Malaysian Women’s Weekly, and they will also win RM5,000 worth of GUESS and GUESS kids shopping vouchers. 


There are two ways to enter the competition:


A) Upload a digital photo at the website http://www.mumandme.my or, 


B) Shoppers who spend a minimum of RM200 in one transaction at participating GUESS kids stores will receive a goodie bag consisting of shopping vouchers and GUESS kids merchandise worth more than RM200; a free makeover and portrait photo, and an automatic entry to the “Most Stylish Mummy & Me Contest”. Participants at the roadshow will also get to enjoy sweet treats and fun activities.


The roadshows will be happening at: GUESS kids Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, November 16 and 17, from 10.30am to 7pm; and GUESS kids 1 Utama, November 23 and 24, from 10.30am to 7pm.


The contest will run from November 1, 2013 to November 30, 2013. Winners will be decided by a panel of judges consisting of representatives from The Malaysian Women’s Weekly and GUESS kids. 


For contest rules and entry details, please refer to the November issue of The Malaysian Women’s Weekly, or visit the contest page at http://www.mumandme.my


About The Malaysian Women’s Weekly 

Launched in 2000, The Malaysian Women’s Weekly is a magazine that targets modern, multitasking working women who juggle many roles in life – wife, mother, career woman, daughter, friend… Inside the magazine you’ll find intelligent interviews with women making headlines, stunning beauty and fashion pages, and informative regular columns with expert tips on everything from career and health, to parenting and cooking. What makes The Malaysian Women’s Weekly a must-read every month is this unique and fabulous mix of the brightest in entertainment, the most inspiring real-life stories, the most practical solutions and the most trusted advice. With a circulation of 42,000, The Malaysian Women’s Weekly is on sale monthly priced at RM6.00.


About GUESS?, Inc.

Established in 1981, GUESS began as a jeans company and has since successfully grown into a global lifestyle brand. Today GUESS designs, markets and distributes full collections of women’s, men’s and children’s apparel as well as accessories. Throughout the years, the GUESS image has been portrayed in unforgettable, innovative campaigns that have made the brand a household name. GUESS is distributed throughout the United States and Canada in fine department and specialty stores, its retail and factory stores, and on its online store GUESS.com. GUESS has licensees and distributors in South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and the Middle East. In addition to shopping online, you can find more information about GUESS at http://www.guess.com.


For more information, kindly contact:

Neena Dewi, Manager – Marketing & Communications, The Malaysian Women’s Weekly
Tel: 03-7725 9998 / Email: gdneena@bluinc.com.my
Jeslyn Ho, Assistant Manager – Marketing Communications, FJ Benjamin Tel: 03-2056 8888 / Email: ycho@fjbenjamin.com.my
Emelia Soh, Executive – Marketing Communications, FJ Benjamin Tel: 03-2056 8888 / Email: emelia.soh@fjbenjamin.com.my 

The Body Shop Sale Malaysia: 18 Oct – 07 Nov 2013

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The holiday season is approaching fast! And now is the perfect time to take advantage of the sale promotions around!




The Body Shop sale with up to 70% off on a lot of items is ongoing until 7th November 2013. That’s seven days left from today! I think the offers and selections are just wonderful. Most items have a discount and you’ll definitely find something to buy.

The Body Shop sale
Body Butter, travel shower gel, sets and lotion



The Satsuma Body Butter






The Body Shop sale wide range of items


The Body Shop Dreams Unlimited EDP at 50% off (normal price: RM95)


4-Step Smoky Eyes Palette



My favorite bath lily is also on sale


Vitamin E Face Mist at 20% off (normal price: RM39)

Love your Body members enjoy 10% off on normal-priced items 

Most skincare items have discount as well




Just glad to share these with you, guys, and hope you don’t miss it if you’re a Body Shop fan. 

Enjoy! 


Photos taken at Mid Valley


You can also visit http://www.thebodyshop.com.my if you prefer to skip the queue.

5 Great Disney Junior Shows for your Kids!

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Like all parents who have or had toddlers, I also endure watching the same shows that my child likes over and over again. There was the Thomas and Friends phase, the Barney phase, Hi-5, etc. Yes, Barney and friends the entire day. Then there was Lightning McQueen and we had to keep repeating the movie disc. I probably know the characters’ lines word per word. And more movies and shows arrived…Cars 2, Despicable Me, Ultraman, Power Rangers. 


But there are regular TV shows on Disney Junior channel that I think are great for kids to watch, even over and over again. These shows assist in my son’s learning and development. So here are my top 5 choices of great programs from Disney Junior channel: 


1) Little Einsteins





This show is about 4 kids named Annie, June, Quincy and Leo who encounter challenges then try to solve them using music and actions. Together with the help of their rocket ship named Rocket, the 4 kids travel around different places and they feature different arts and music in every episode. It’s very interesting to see a show for small kids that features classical artists such as Beethoven and Mozart, even paintings by Vincent Van Gogh. Aden may be too young for these but it’s such a good effort to start educating young kids about great artists. 


2) Mickey Mouse Clubhouse





This is the modern day Mickey Mouse and friends. Similar to Little Einsteins, Mickey Mouse with his friends also deals with challenges and get assistance from Tootles who holds 4 different ‘mouseketools’ or items to help them overcome an obstacle. They do a lot of activities to solve problems such as counting, identifying differences, listening to sounds and combining colors. It’s really engaging and my son’s mornings won’t be complete without Mickey Mouse. This show has become my ‘pacifier’ to stop Aden’s tantrums every morning while getting ready for school. 


3) Doc McStuffins





This show stars a little girl who plays doctor to her toys. She encounters broken or ‘sick’ toys and finds out how she can fix or ‘heal’ them. It teaches a lot of good manners, proper actions and right attitude for different situations. Although I find it quite unusual for Aden to like shows with a girl as the main character, Doc McStuffins is a great program that gets Aden engaged and curious about how things should be done properly. 


4) Word World





This is probably the most creative kids’ show I’ve seen. Everything in this show is formed out of letters that spell the right word of each animal or thing. The program is filled with adventures wherein obstacles will be solved by building words. When letters are arranged correctly, it morphs into the object it spells. Word World is in fact an Emmy award-winning show and I think that it is a great program for kids to learn letters and spelling better because it makes them pay attention to how things are built through the letters. Clever, creative and fun. 



5) Timmy Time





This show is almost purely visual, as the characters don’t speak words but just animal sounds. Timmy is a little lamb who faces adventures in school, makes mistakes and learns how to rectify them. Timmy Time displays problems that a child might face in school and shows how it should be dealt with such as sharing, being patient, telling the truth and more. I think it’s a good program for kids as they can relate to those situations and they will learn how to act correctly.   


These shows are regular parts of our daily TV programme. I normally watch with Aden and some episodes are already stuck to my memory so I know what’s going to happen or how the story will end. It’s a good way to bond with a child. I talk to Aden about the show while watching, I ask him questions and I get him as engaged as possible so I can assess and make sure that he is paying attention to what he’s watching.  


Disney Junior has more educational shows and I’m sure that every child will find several favorites from the lineup. After all these years, Disney still keeps making magic that influences children across the world. And I’m just thankful that my son loves Disney and has the chance to enjoy its magical world!     

French dining with The Expat Group & Wine Talk

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The Expat Group, together with Wine Talk, hosted a French dining experience at Le Cordon Bleu in Bandar Sunway on 25th October 2013. 





Guests indulged into a delightful selection of French cuisine carefully prepared by Le Cordon Bleu’s top chefs and culinary team. Le Cordon Bleu is globally recognized for offering the most intensive and comprehensive training in classic French culinary techniques and Pattiserie. The famed culinary organization is now on Malaysian shores and has begun to apply the Blue Ribbon’s distinctive teaching methodology since 2012, where students gain culinary skills through demonstration classes and hands-on learning.






The Expat Group’s guests that included both locals and expatriates were welcomed by French canapés and white wine. Tables were beautifully prepared for guests and created an exciting anticipation for what awaited their taste buds and palate. 




 


The Expat Group CEO Andy Davison and TEG Digital General Manager Nick Davison

   

Wine Talk Malaysia, online wine delivery service, provided the superb French wines for the night. 

    


Wine Talk Malaysia General Manager/ Sommelier David Stephan gave a quick talk about the French wines: Arthur Metz Pinot Gris (Alsace, France), Gerard Bertrand ‘Art De Vivre’ Viognier (Languedoc, France), and Chateau Siffle-Merle, Blaye (Coates de Bordeaux).

   


Le Cordon Bleu’s chefs, Franck Bruwier, Thierry Lerallu and David Morris, personally welcomed the guests to the French dining experience.   




The French dining started with this appetizer:
Hot Foie Gras Quenelle
White Mushroom and Asparagus Fricasse
Duck Consomme Solferino
Wine: Arthur Metz Pinot Gris   






Main course:
Braised Beed Cheeks in Cabernet
Fava Beans Toast
Glazed Carrots and Daikon
Wine: Chateau Siffle-Merle, Blaye  



Dessert:
Plated Strawberry Vacherin
Petits Fours     





For inquiries on French culinary arts programmes, call:
Sunway Le Cordon Bleu Institute of Culinary Arts
No. 5 Jalan Universiti, Bandar Sunway,
46150, Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Tel. No. +603 5632 1188
Email: malaysia@cordonbleu.edu  


To be part of The Expat Group’s monthly dining experience, visit:
www.expatgomalaysia.com
www.theexpatcard.com
 
For wine requirements and sommelier advice, call:
Wine Talk Malaysia 1300 88 9788

www.winetalk.com.my

info@winetalk.com.my  

Dare to Wax with Bubble Gum Wax & Butterfly Project

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Always facing unwanted hair on certain parts of your body? Shaving regularly? Tired of it? Then you should consider waxing!


I say YES to waxing!



Dealing with those stubborn, excess hair is probably any girl’s daily or 3 x weekly affair. Hair on your underarms, legs, upper lips, brow area and even ‘down there’. I had the chance to be invited by Bubble Gum Wax and Butterfly Project to be part of a waxing session to experience Brazilian waxing by the experts from Bubble Gum Wax. 


I have to admit that I’m not a ‘virgin’ to Brazilian wax. I’ve gone through several times way back when I was still in Philippines. But the last one I had was more than 5 years ago and I never had the chance to have one again since I lived in Malaysia. I got pregnant a few months when I first arrived here and I guess I didn’t bother to be smooth down there when I became a mummy.  


And so I was delighted when I received a message from Tammy Lim to attend the waxing session. I miss Brazilian waxing! That Sunday afternoon, I happily joined other bloggers inside Bubble Gum Wax’s boutique for the first time.  


The guest lounge beamed with pink decorations and other pink stuff. Pink food, pink balloons and other sweet-colored things. We were also encouraged to be in pink and black before coming to the event. The theme was fun, sweet and pretty. Bubble Gum Wax and Butterfly Project really pulled a great one!
   

Pink stuff everywhere at Bubble Gum Wax

Yummy pink stuff



And this has gotta be the sexiest cookie I’ve seen in my life…    



Shop manager, Jess, Tammy and Illy welcomed everyone to the session. Jess gave a short introduction about Bubble Gum and some tips on waxing. I wasn’t aware that there are creams that should be applied to areas after waxing especially on sensitive skin.   




Tammy introduced another exciting part of the session. Guests are challenged to create a decorative arrangement using the Bubble Gum Wax products and a shoebox. Something like this…    






While the others started with their creations, me and 2 other pretty guests braved to be the first batch of Brazilian waxing customers. The waxing room is very welcoming with its candy and sexy legs posters. My first thought was, “Alright, let’s start getting smooth and sexy!”   





And in no time, I was pretty hairless down there. The biggest question in everybody’s mind, especially those who haven’t done it before, was ‘is it painful?’ To that, I’ll admit yes, there’s pain to deal with but the benefits outweigh the short-term pain. If it can help others to better understand and consider doing this, I’m sharing why I enjoy Brazilian waxing:  

  • Lasts longer than shaving. I have smoother area for a longer time unlike with shaving where I need to do it regularly. This is because waxing pulls hair from the roots so the growth of hair takes slower.  
  • No cuts. Since waxing does not deal with blades, I don’t get cuts which can cause discomfort and sometimes skin discoloration.  
  • With waxing, I have the option not to do it myself and leave it to experts. There are no shaving centers around, right? Not that I’m being lazy but sometimes, we hardworking ladies also need to feel the comfort of not doing everything ourselves.  
  • It’s just sexy and nobody can deny it. Being smooth and hairless down there is, without a doubt, as sexy as anyone could be. It feels very clean, you can see everything, makes you feel light and more confident.  


I enjoyed my waxing more because the waxing expert was also friendly and warm. Her name was Joyce and she was great. We talked about a lot of things while she’s doing her waxing expertise and without really noticing it, I was done in a jiffy.  


I then faced the challenge of creating the Bubble Gum goodie arrangement together with the other guests.  

A pretty guest wrapping her shoe box

Voila! This is my simple arrangement, which included Bubble Gum items such as a mug, Gelato cream, Aloe Vera cooling mask, hygienic wipe, spray, bubble gum sweets and more.   



I had time to mingle around, see how the other guests were doing, and I found this lovely girl, Lulu, with her pretty arrangement. Lulu actually won the grand prize for her very creative arrangement later.

Lulu and her lovely creation


This is my first time to attend an event with the Butterfly Project group and I was quite happy to meet new friends and, of course, see a familiar face again. Although we’re keeping in touch, Tammy and I last saw each other more than a year ago at a blogger session that I held for a beauty brand that I manage before. Cheers to Tammy for organizing events and becoming such a role model and leader in a short time after I first met her!   

Pinkish me with pinkish Tammy



The rest of the guests finally experienced Brazilian waxing and I believe everybody had a fun, enlightening time. Not only did they do something new but also enjoyed a creative exercise and 3 guests bagged prizes for their creations. Congratulations to the 3 winners!  


I’ve been a big fan of Brazilian waxing but I haven’t done on other parts. Bubble Gum Wax also provides waxing services on other body parts such as legs, arms, back, stomach and more. If you’re not yet sure of going for Brazilian wax, maybe you can try bikini wax first and take it further from there.  


Great news for men, Bubble Gum Wax has BOYzilian! Isn’t that clever?   

BOYzilian available at Bubble Gum Wax


The prices are reasonable and I think these are just right for the type of service you’ll experience — like a goddess.    




Enough said, there’s no better way to understand waxing but to experience it! So go ahead and give it a try. No more hairy secrets, no more shaving several times a week, just a smoother and sexier you!  



For inquiries and schedule bookings of your waxing sessions, get in touch with

Bubble Gum Wax – The Waxing Expert

(My personal waxing expert was Joyce Chew)

F-1-7 Block F, Plaza Damas, No. 60, Jalan Sri Hartamas 1,Sri Hartamas, 50480 KL

Tel. No. 03 6211 5038/ 39

http://www.fb.com/bbgwax


When and Why You Should Write Your Will

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First reaction I got from my husband when I told him that I’m writing my will was surprise, shock and a lot of questions. In general, people tend to think that only the old, dying or wealthy should write their will. I beg to differ.  


Image from web



Life is full of uncertainty. You definitely cannot tell when you might come across an accident, a mishap or, worse, death. Ever since I became a mother, I always worry about what can happen that is beyond my control. If anything happens to me, will my son’s life be financially secured? Would he have sufficient funds for his future? Will my family have access to my bank accounts to support my son? Will it be easy and convenient for them or will it take years to settle legal documents and all?  What if my family needs more money immediately?  


I’ve been thinking of preparing a will for several months now but I honestly didn’t know how to get started or even whom to talk to. One day, I came across a leaflet for will writing in my billing statement. And I finally had that strong push to explore getting my will done. I called the contact number indicated in the leaflet and had a quick chat with the consultant on how to get it started.  




The first step was to prepare some documents of beneficiaries, my trustees, executor and myself. Quite easy as these are just basic IC photocopies plus my passport and visa (I’m a foreigner who’s still waiting for my PR so I have no IC yet). Then I had a meeting with the consultant and discussed details of the will. The process was quick and easy: review the first draft then signing of final will. I’m quite busy and cannot meet during weekdays, not to mention my husband getting hospitalized for 11 days, so the consultant had to adjust to my timing. I’m sure it would have been even faster if it weren’t for my schedule but the process just took a few weeks. I thought this type of document takes months to complete.  


I firmly believe that more people should consider preparing their will at an early time. Don’t wait for that time when you’re at a hospital bed to consider making one. 


So when should you explore writing a will? 

1)   You’re aged 21 or older

2)   You have started acquiring assets such as, but not limited to, bank account, vehicle or property 


And why should you be writing a will?





1)   You can never tell when a mishap might suddenly take your life. Look at the news. Everyday, somebody dies because of something unexpected. 

2)   And if something unexpected does happen to you, having a will provides security for your properties — proper distribution of your assets based on whom you want to appoint as beneficiaries. Without a will, your assets will be distributed according to the law.

3)   For love of your family. The will is mainly for those people you will leave behind when you pass on.  It gives them access to your assets that can greatly help them or be their core source of survival. Even if you only have 1 bank account and 1 vehicle, don’t you think these can be of significant value to help your family survive when you’re gone? Without a proper will, it can take years for them to take benefit from your assets. What if they urgently need some money?

4)   Prevention of family disputes. I’m sure you’ve heard of family members fighting against each other due to properties or wealth left behind by another family member. With a will, your beneficiaries are properly specified and distribution of assets will be executed according to your wishes.

Assets distribution based on the law if there is no valid will 


5)   Charity. If you happen to have no immediate family or you simply want to help more people, your will can also benefit charities and other social welfare organizations. It’s not the value of your property that matters but the fact that whatever you own can nurture or save lives. 

6)   It will give you a sense of peace. I’ve always been worrying about so many uncertainties of our daily lives. I know that the will won’t protect me from accidents but it ensures that my family can benefit from my assets. 


How much will it cost? It starts at RM480 but this also depends on how many clauses you want to indicate in the will. Anyway, it’s also relative to the assets you have. No matter what, the price will definitely be a very small fraction of your total value. After all, if you can afford to pay for your monthly car installment for 5 years or more, then the cost of writing a will shouldn’t hurt much.   


You don’t need to be wealthy, dying or old before writing a will. If you believe in the concept of having insurance, then having a will once you start acquiring assets is basically the same. We buy insurance to prepare for accidents and death so does writing a will. 


If you value the hard work you’ve invested to acquire whatever assets you have now and if you care for your family, I strongly suggest being prepared for the worst. Don’t get me wrong; I accept that life is uncertain but I believe that life is great!  


If you want to understand more, get in touch with Ms Yvonne Sin at 012 271 9311 / 013 271 9322.  She made it very easy and manageable for me. You can also visit www.rockwills.info for details.