life. undressed

5 Beauty Tips To Save Mommy’s Time & Keep Her Sane

noreply@blogger.com (Leishia) — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 13:54:00 +0000

Being a helper-less mom with 3 kids under 6 to care for, one of which is still a breastfeeding infant, a husband to cook for, a few business ventures to manage (and trying to keep them afloat!), I tend to get frustrated about how I’m always the last one to get ready for anything; and by then, because we are already pressed for time, I’d be thankful to be able to have my teeth brushed and have on my tattered jeans (it’s fashion. I insist) and a clean top. Any top, with no stains and doesn't smell like sweat and yesterday’s dinner and is within reach.

See the thing is, let’s do real here. It’s a ginormous lie if I say I am happy enough to just see that everyone in the household is happy as a lark because mama has cleaned and fed them, never mind the fact that I'm still in my dirty pajamas and starving like a wolf. You know the saying “a hungry man is an angry man”? Yeah, newsflash, it applies to women too.

Truth is, I feel like I keep giving all of me 24/7/365/forever but no one is taking care of me in return and that bums me a lot. The “what about me?” syndrome unconsciously saps my energy and makes me grouchy, which I realized, it has got to stop at some point (at least don’t let it happen so often haha).

So then I figured if anyone would take care of me is really, myself because hey, I don’t think I’d trust my husband to actually dress me or that I would take any beauty advice from my 4-year-old (who thinks wearing a purple leggings under a floral dress is a must).

I started doing “things”, practical little things, to help save me time and they actually work for me. Here I'm sharing a few tips and I hope they will save your life too, well for a little while at least.

1. Eyebrow embroidery

That’s my first plunge, a little pricey, I admit, but for the long run, it saves me time and money to buy eyebrow pencils AND sanity!

I did some research and found one technician who offers an affordable price, is skilled, and comes with good reviews. The result? Best decision I've ever made in my entire career as a mother! Now, I don’t need to stand in front of the mirror for hours trying to get that perfect black caterpillars (according to my girls) drawn on my brows, and then only to have my hair all pulled out because I got so frustrated with the results of my rushed, shaky hands.

2. Eyelash extension

This is still on my to-do list. But same theory from above applies here too. With this, you won’t need to bother about curling your eyelashes plus it gives the illusion of you lining your eyes, so that’s cool. This will give you that put together look even without makeup on. But this might require a little more effort to maintain, I understand that you will need a touch up every 1-2 months.

3. Invest in your hair

I just came back from the salon 2 days ago and I am slapping myself silly for not getting this done earlier! I mean, I felt like a whole new person after I emerged from under my hairstylist’s hair dryer. And I was excited. And happy. And I just love my new do!

But the thing is, I didn't do much – just a digital perm and hair treatment, and I now rock a head of soft curls that lends me an edgy but romantic look. And! Permed hair needs no combing! Ding! Ding! Ding! Just get a good curling lotion, rub it on after hair wash, blow dry (or not hehehe), and you’re good to go. And this means, you skip the step where you need to style your hair before heading out! That just-wake-up-bed-hair-beach-waves is forever in trend ladies!

Note: remember only use a wide tooth comb to detangle your wet hair. The tip is to smooth out all the tangles while in the shower with hair conditioner, after wash, comb it through, and then curling lotion and don’t touch it any more lest you break up your curls and waves, leaving them looking scruffy and that perm might just won’t last as long.

If perming is not your thing, then do consider relaxing your hair (a treatment term, not literally relaxing. Your hair. Ok never mind, just ask your hairstylist.), the effect is natural-looking straight hair with good bounce and volume. Or even just get your hair a trim and color. Instant lift let me assure you. If all else fails, this leads me to tip numero four.

4. Buns

Like, literally hair buns. Youtube tutorials are abound on the internet land teaching hipster girls ahem like us how to give that X factor to our go-to hairstyles – ponytails and buns. Master one or two quick tricks, couple it with cool accessories like a pair of big assed sunnies/aviators-only-cool-kids-wear, and let me congratulate you for being the yummiest mommy ever gracing the wet market.

5. Long term hair removal maybe?

I haven’t got this done but am toying with the idea. This essentially cuts down my time in the shower because well, no shaving needed! There are tons of beauty salons out there that offer hair removal services which you can check out. Keep an eye out on groupon, et al too for good deals. I heard the current on-trend technology is electrolysis? If you have done it, share your views!

There. 5 tips. Do you have any to share? Do mommies the world over a big fat favour and add on to the list by sharing your tips down below at the comment section! :)

Testimony. Our 2014 In One Page.

noreply@blogger.com (Leishia) — Sat, 05 Sep 2015 03:02:00 +0000

Shared this testimony on AG Connect (Jan 2015 issue); I'm posting the unedited version here. Be blessed! :)

+++++++++++++++++++++++

The year 2014 had been a year of high ups and pit downs. We had an exciting start to the year as we organized our first family trip overseas and had the time of our life! At the same time, we were offered opportunities to travel as well as a chance to be on a TV show; to top it off, we had just bought a place of our own and renovation works were going on. Soon, we moved in to our new nest and found out I was pregnant with our third baby, one whom we prayed for – a boy – and God answered our prayers! We were elated!

As we rejoice with the happenings and blessings in that season of our family life, one visit to the doctor’s during the first trimester have robbed our joy. The doctor told us that our baby could be a Down syndrome baby. One statement and suddenly, everything became bleak and hopeless as we didn't know what to expect or how to cope with such a child if what the doctor said was true. We won’t deny that abortion was one of the first things that crossed our minds. But God is good, during that dark period, He sent people – both friends and strangers – to encourage us through one sermon that hit home and word of affirmation that gave us courage. He told us to seek Him, trust Him and press on. It was a breakthrough since then and we regained hope to move on by faith.

The pregnancy was dull and I didn't enjoy it, because although I consciously chose to trust that His gift is perfect, the many what if’s were continuously bothering me. I was grumpy and felt a piece of me was missing. Things got almost unbearable for me towards the end of the pregnancy as I started experiencing severe vomiting, heartburn, and breathlessness; I couldn't sleep at night nor take solids, and I was constantly thirsty. This went on for about a month, all the while having 2 young daughters to take care of. If you asked me now how I went through it, I can only say God sustains.

On the 15^th of December, my family realized something was amiss and insisted that I went to the hospital. On the 16^th, the doctor told us that my liver, kidneys, and heart were getting weaker, hence an emergency c-sect had to be performed on me to deliver the baby. On the 17^th, the doctors confirmed that I was infected with leptospirosis (rat’s urine disease). At that time I was unconscious and was placed in ICU, doctors weren't able to give any hope that I would walk out of this alive. I was later told that had we left it untreated for another 2 more days, that’d be the end of me. The thought of dying due to this crazy, utterly random condition truly have me shudder in heartache and fear but God is amazing!

His hands were truly apparent in this entire ordeal and I'm humbled by His grace, mercy, love, and healing upon me and my family. I am so blessed with a wonderful husband, parents and family members who went through hell trying to hold the fort, and themselves, the entire time, for me and my children. Words can't describe the emotional turmoil they go through everyday not receiving confirmed positive news from the doctors regarding the progress of my health. I truly, sincerely thank God for them!

And that suspected Down syndrome baby? He was a perfect, healthy 6.8 pounder. Results showed that he wasn’t affected by nor was he the cause of the condition. I didn't get to see him until almost a week later but when we did, we both hit it off really well and I was so glad to be able to nurse him too.

He was named Everett Micaiah Jason – Everett meaning courage, and Micaiah, who is like God? God gave us courage to carry him through despite the doctor’s suspicion. And if it wasn't for him, the outcome of the entire event will be very different.

We wanted him to be brave, yet he was the one who gave us courage during the ordeal. And God, truly who is like Him? I almost lost my life and my family, His grace has preserved me! Doctors declared both Everett and I a clean bill of health and we were able to go home in time for Christmas.

Christmas 2014 was made meaningful for our family because God has given us an amazing gift and we realized, Jesus is the only reason for the season!

What The Heck Happened Leishia?!

noreply@blogger.com (Leishia) — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 01:50:00 +0000

So the last post was dated back in 2013. And then a very long pause. 2 years to be exact. Wow.

I guess the reason I call it a pause is because deep down, I know I will always return to my first love – writing. But there is just this itty bitty fear that is gnawing away in me; fear of not being funny enough, or relevant enough, or entertaining enough, fear of what people think of me as a crap “blogger”, fears, fears, fears.

There is this huge silent fight going on within me recently, “imma go back to blogging today!” vs “nah maybe not. We'll wait and see. Wait and see”. Like seriously, wait and see for what I have no idea man! But today I say, enough is enough. Just start finger-banging the damn keyboard already Leishia!

So here I am.

Again.

Wow. I am truly so out of touch with the blogging world (but I'm glad I still remember the password back in here! Hah!). I wonder how it is evolving? What’s up? What’s out? How do bloggers do things now? How are you's?

My last memory of this little space was that I posted about Via’s (my second baby) birthday, she turned 1. Today, she is a noisy, crazy 3 year old! And she will turn 4 next month in September! MAJOR CRAY!

Oh. And did I mention? Baby #3 arrived 8 months ago. Hehe.

And oh! I almost died on the last lap of carrying baby #3. But that will be another story for another day. All I can say is, God is freaking amazing!

Anyway, in between all these, quite a bit happened. We finally moved into our own place, and started a few ventures, had our 5 minutes fame on tv via a "social experimental" reality show, the girls started kindie, if you remember Frappy, she is crazy talkative and very tall now. Gosh there’s just so much to catch up on, haven’t we?

But we shall take it slow, aight? For now, I am just so thrilled to be back. Taking the first step is always invigorating.

So. Taken any first steps lately? :)

The Diary of A Noob Gardener

noreply@blogger.com (Leishia) — Fri, 17 May 2013 09:22:00 +0000

Lots have happened since I last blogged here, I shall catch up slowly with photos as proof, haha. But for now, I just want to talk about my "garden", and that is all I want to talk about all day, everyday!

I don't mean to offend any gardeners, but to me, planting stuff is for old people, aunties and uncles, I mean, who has time for gardening?! Pfft! And then something in me snapped, or clicked, or whatever. Or maybe it's just the aging thing (I am now an aunty!), I now love planting stuff! How magical lol! But, right now, I'm only interested with planting edible stuff. Decorative flowers and bonsais and the rest are a waste of time, and it's just me, ok! Please don't take offence!

If you remember, I did briefly blog about planting a sprouted onion some time back, and then due to my total noobness and impatience, I killed the plant by pulling the whole damn thing out too soon too fast. And that was it. And then a friend gave me a baby basil plant last year end, which I almost killed too, but it's really quite hardy. It's still alive to this day, growing shoots and the leaves are looking lush and green and all that, only I have not an inkling why its... erm, "main" branch looks as good as dead - you know, looking like dead thick twig. But I figured it's ok, as long as it keeps growing shoots, that's the sign of life to me! The best part about having a pot of basil plant at home is that I get to pluck it fresh for my cooking!

And then I got my dad to get me a few Styrofoam boxes from the market and soil, and I started planting whatever I can't salvage for cooking anymore - started with a small piece of sprouted ginger, and then I also threw into the box a rotten tomato, a rotten lime, the leafy top part of a beetroot, and carrot, oh and a sprouted potato, AND I've saved 2 avocado pits. They are sitting in a cup of water now, once the roots start showing, I'll move them to the pots.

So there! Anyway, interesting noob story about my gardening adventure - one day I saw a bunch of seedlings started shooting up like crazy in that styrofoam box in one corner, and in another corner another plant seem to be growing too (and at first I thought it was beetroot, later I decided it's tomato, yes I decided.), so I took a picture and showed my gardener friend and asked what were they. She told me those shoots look like weeds and she didn't refute me for calling the other plant as tomato, so it was set in my heart that yes, I have a tomato plant growing and I need to re-pot it, which I did.

Until yesterday, after the cleaner closely scrutinized my plants, there were new findings - I first thank God I didn't remove the "weeds" - cos that's the tomato plant, and the plant which I called "tomato", is actually a lime plant! Noob dao~~~~~ But it was all good. The tomato plant has since been repotted and looks ok to me in the new container. Fingers all crossed it'll grow!

Ah, now, picture time! Let me also say, these are my pride and joy (I can't believe there comes a time in my life, I'll utter these words about plants -_-)!

basil

everything-goes-planting-box

tomato plant (earlier these were weeds haha!)

lime (I thought it was tomato earlier! don't laugh)

potato plant

On Meds, Quest, And THAT Frappy

noreply@blogger.com (Leishia) — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 16:52:00 +0000

It’s been an uninspiring, tiring week. In fact, it’s been an uninspiring, tiring first quarter of the year! Everyone in the family has been taking turn falling sick, rushing deadlines, having no fun at all. :(

This week (and the weeks before, but this week especially!), Frappy decided she has the power to push my patience button, oh and she makes sure she puts it to good use. She would defy everything I say, more so if she’s in a cranky mood and give me that shout-cry-scream-tantrum-mommy-go-away drama. And her voice! Let me tell you, Hakka girls are famous for being loud. And she’s half a hakka. So go figure. I was [this] close to poking my eyes blind with a unicorn! Grr.

Since the hubs has been working late the entire week, the job to put the girls to bed naturally fell on me and let me be honest, I can’t wait until 8pm roll around when I can herd everyone to the room and get ready for bed!

And tonight, after getting them drowsy with milk (neat for oli, and milomilk for frapster) and saying our prayers, in the dark, Frappy mumbled sleepily, almost begging “mommy, no grrk (you know, like that snoring sound? Means sleep? Yeah that). And so I told her “but the sun has set, outside is dark now, it’s time for us to sleep. Remember that lullaby song mommy used to sing to you?” And I went on singing that 10 little fingers, 10 little toes song. I don’t know why, but I was so touched with the memories came rushing back to me, I had to hold back my tears! Those days (erm, ok just 2 years ago), when she was that little bub and I’d lull her to sleep every night, singing, swaying, that tenderness, that bond, that romantic scene. Omg emotional max. T_T

I mean, she is but a child, barely 3, of course she doesn’t know her boundaries, of course she will piss the adults off by doing and saying things that she shouldn’t be doing and saying. Of course she will be childish. And it is the adults’ job to not be childish right? Instead we should set the example and guide them on the path to enlightenment right? Easier said than done. But true lah I know! T___T

After painfully finishing the song, I said “we’ll wake up to play tomorrow morning ok darling?” and she replied sleepily “okuay” (I always thought that's the cutest ok!). After a few seconds of silence, she said “mommy, da mam (good night). I o you (damn right you owe me -__- but what she really meant was I love you). Pat pat peese” and proceeded to stick her butt up for me to pat her to sleep.

SIGH. How to get angry, you tell me?! HOW?! Well, you don’t. You move on. And you pray for God to help both you and your child to adjust to each other better as you both age and grow. That’s what. Oh, what am I to do without God? :(

And while we are at it, let me just quickly jot this little episode we shared.

Frappy: Girl, girl ah, come *signaling me to go to her!*
Me: What did you just call me???
Frappy: Mommy girl ah! Girl, pikurt peese [mommy is girl. Girl, biscuit please]
Me: *what the!* Are you serious?!
Frappy: Yes ah, pikurt, mommy. Peeeeeeeseeee!!!!

Don't you agree that kids are always more eloquent than adults? :/


This was during CNY. Our meds!

Just before that my baby was admitted for lung infection and bronchitis :(

But she was an ace, didn't wince a bit during x-ray and blood test! I was majorly proud of her! And took her meds without drama!

The sisters were separated for 2 nights. So naturally they were darn happy seeing each other again

Only cartoons can keep them down and quiet. Tsk!

Oli stealing a kiss! Haha!

Frappy's work of erm, art.

Going on the right track. Let's just hope she keeps to it for like, the next 30 years.

Olive Baby Products Review

noreply@blogger.com (Leishia) — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 10:07:00 +0000

The bug came back to play! T____________T

This time, brought everyone down including the old boy too, but I was resilient, I refused to join in the fun! /fistpumpschest because I'm a goody-two-shoe like that haha. Yeah, so they got my throat itch a little and have to cough a little, but no, I’mma strong as a tough old granny!

The week when the girls first came down with the fever and cough, we had no choice but to feed them medicines, we generally try to avoid these as best we could, because we much prefer to let their bodies fight the bugs and recover naturally. Alas, there are also times, we need to do the opposite when things got a little out of our hands.

So they’ve been on medications and all that. One thing I noticed about Oli is that, every time she’s put on medication, she’d purge. I assume it’s normal? Does it happen to your littings? I didn’t get to ask the doctor though.

So there were times when she purged, we didn’t notice, especially at night during sleep and she didn’t signal us (which she would if she poos), she’d be wearing soiled diapers and that hurts her skin really badly. The private part area was raw and red, and there was even a wound, and boy did that bother her. :( You should see her when she pooed, and knew that I was going to bring her to the bathroom for cleaning, she’d ran and hid in a corner, crying and screaming murder! How heart breaking! T___T

Anyway, I am glad though, just a week or two before they both fell ill, I was approached for an opportunity to try out the Olive skincare products for baby and I thank God for such right timing!

Originated from New Zealand, these Olive + Tebe (pronounced as teh-be) skin- and bodycare ranges contain extra virgin olive oil, an antioxidant rich in vitamins and minerals which has been used as a beauty secret in the Mediterranean for centuries. Tebe also contains olive leaf extract which is rich in Oleuropein, a natural antioxidant extremely beneficial for one's skin.

Olive + Tebe products are created by the largest olive estate in New Zealand, Simunovich Olive Estate, with over 40,000 trees producing 150,000 litres of high quality, award winning olive oil every year, much of which goes into the creation of their skin care products. The founder of the estate, Ms Branka Simunovich said that “olive oil is like mother’s milk. It is the one product in the world that no one is allergic to and that makes it perfect for beauty treatments.”

I’m sure, for ~~a mother,~~ a woman, that statement is like music to the ears! In these modern days, our diets and hygiene regimens are unavoidably filled with all kinds of unwanted chemicals and artificial ingredients that not just pollute the environment, it also affects the state of our health. So these products are like a breath of fresh air to me and I was eager to put them to test.

And so, soon the girls fell sick and Oli with her nappy condition, I started applying the Olive Baby Nappy Cream on her. Before that, I’ve been using the usual nappy cream – Egozite, which works just as well, except, in this case, I’d much prefer something more natural.

By now, Oli was suffering with her skin condition and was highly uncomfortable, thus cranky and was unable to sleep through the night. It was a nightmare for all of us! I was pleasantly surprised that the first application of the cream already brought relief. The skin on Oli’s private part was much better, and she’s able to get through the day a happy baby. Best part, she didn’t ran away from me when she pooed like previously, and allowed me to wash her without whining and crying in pain and fear.

It took around 3 days for the wound to dry up and the skin to get back to its normal condition. So I am really, really happy with the product!

One more thing I like about the nappy cream, is that it comes in a tube with an attached lid. So there’s no fumbling in the dark looking for that tiny plastic screw cap during diaper change that got tangled and hidden amidst the sea of pillows and blankets!

Another product that I received was the Olive Baby Moisture Milk – a light lotion specifically formulated to guard against chapping, chafing, and dryness – according to the pamphlet. When I received the parcel, I was more excited about this lotion than the nappy cream, because my girls have really dry skin, obviously seen on their legs.

While light in texture, the lotion has a very heavy perfume scent which I don’t like. Babies should smell light and fresh, right (I'm pleased with the nappy cream's scent though!)? But that’s just a personal preference.

That said, the lotion, though looks creamy and heavy, is really quite light and absorbs so well and quickly into the skin! And it doesn’t give you that greasy feel and leave you rather handicapped because you can’t do anything with oily hands? Urgh, I hate that, one reason I don't use body lotion or hand cream! Anyway, after a few applications, I can see that those dry, chapping skin’s not that obvious anymore. Win!

Behold my dry skin! T_T

I'm not sure if you can see, but the fine lines/wrinkles are much more softened and smoother!

The bottle comes with a pump for easy application, but it’d be nice if the pump has some sorta turn-and-lock system to avoid children’s itchy hands from having a pump party and waste all the lotion goodness and slippery surfaces for the mommies to clean! Also it'll be handy to carry around in bags for instant dry skin relief!

Overall, I’m really happy with the Olive products for baby and I’ll definitely restock once I’m out of them! Though a little pricey (both retailed at RM92), the all-natural, skin-safe, pH-balanced formulations are more than enough to justify the purchase. If you need more convincing, here’s why:

- The products is said to be proudly made on the estate in NZ

- pH balanced
- Made with natural ingredients
- Made with pure spring water from the estate
- Fast absorbing, non-greasy formulation
- Nutrient-rich, concentrated formulations
- Recycable and reusable packaging
- Not tested on animals
- Gentle and suitable for all skin types
- Formulated in small amounts for greater quality (the nappy cream and the moisture milk is 75ml and 100ml respectively)
- Scented using natural hypoallergenic fragrances

Both Olive + Tebe have extensive skin- and bodycare ranges for women, men, and baby. So definitely there’s something for everyone in the family! Olive + Tebe is distributed under The Skin Topic and you can find them at Pavilion KL (P.5.12.00, Level 5) and Subang Parade Mall (Lot LGC01, Lower Ground Floor).

Also check them out on their website and facebook page for more info on the products, reviews, as well as promotions and contests to win luxurious Olive & Tebe products!

Do let me know how you like them if you happened to be using them now or in the future, even! :)

Sick Bubs

noreply@blogger.com (Leishia) — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 16:44:00 +0000

Last weekend the girls threw a party. The Let's Get Sick Together Party. Oh it was glorious, one that involved sweet cough syrup, pink paracetamol - both oral and suppository, sexy antibiotics called Augmentin, and there were even puke fest! We were beside ourselves with glee! There was no sleep and lotsa cranky hacking in the middle of the night, all through the weekend. Ah, good times.

Right now, I'm just happy to bid the sick bugs adieu, and I don't mean to be rude but, good riddance!

Time to clean up and sanitize the whole house. Urgh.

Have You Written Your Resolutions Hmm? Pt. 2 + Ellie.Bie Promo

noreply@blogger.com (Leishia) — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 06:21:00 +0000

I realized in a haste, I've used a stupid title for my previous post, and so I'm stuck with that "Pt. 2" bit in this post. This really has nothing to do with writing resolutions anymore. Haha. If you haven't, then get on with it because well it's for the good of the mankind! Read my Pt. 1 here! :D

I mentioned in my previous, previous post that I was going to “review” an online clothing site owned by a friend of a bunch of my friends and so we were not really connected, she’s really an acquaintance but we are also friends now, to a certain level. WHY DO I ALWAYS LENGTHEN ALL MY SENTENCES NONSENSICALLY I ALSO DUNNO HAHAHA SORRY I CAN’T HELP THE VIRTUAL ME TALK. OKOK I stop.

So yeah! I’m really excited for her, Elaine, the sweet petite owner of ellie.bie! I’ve always wanted to start some kinda blogshop but for one and all reasons, I never did. And to see someone you know doing it, I admit, it does make me feel a little envious, ok fine a lot. -_- but at the same time, so proud and excited! You know, as if the person is your child that made you proud. Or something…. Never mind me. -.-

So on to ellie.bie. Elaine was kind enough to loan me a couple of her sample pieces to try on, and boy was I sold. I’m not making these exaggerations just “oh because she’s your friend. You can say like that lah!”. The thing is, when I saw the process of how ellie.bie came to be, the hard work and effort Elaine puts into it, and how determined this girl is, really, my heartfelt salute!

And then when the samples came to me, I was very surprise with the clothes’ quality and cutting! I mean, honestly, there are so many online clothing stores out there, and most of their quality is well, just alright (for the price range around RM50-ish?). So when I saw ellie.bie’s pricing, the “ah it’s just another blogshop” did flash past my mind. How wrong I was.

I picked 2 pieces – one dress and one top – to try on, and both the pieces are made of quality, thick cotton, and so the good fabric lends the clothes a very good, tailored structure when worn.

Ellie.bie stocks mostly office wear, or at least most of the bajus look corporate-ish to me, and so this well-tailored/structured look is important when you are working in the corporate world to look groomed and chic.

Here this, is a Roland Mouret-inspired Margaret Pencil Dress (RM69.00). I picked the grey one because well erm, I’m a very grey person. Haha. I actually do love grey very much and find the colour so full of character! And this grey on this dress is just simply amazing! It’s very non-flashy, yet it is also very stylish.

The length makes it perfect for the office without losing that sexy edge. Ah, if I’m still an office lady, I’d definitely bag this!

Comes in grey, red, blue.

I also picked out this Sabrina Tulip Top (RM55.00), and went with a safe colour – black, because I’ve been looking for staple pieces for my wardrobe, and I think I’ve found myself one here! I just simply adore this piece! It’s so versatile; it can be dressed up or down. I tried it with a body-hugging bright yellow pencil skirt (which makes me want to go back and sit in an office!), a pair of shorts, and jeans, and I love every pairing! And the fact that it's black, it makes pairing super fun, because you can match it with bright colored bottoms, crazy statement pieces, or simple accessories like an envelope clutch and thin belts. They'll all work, like, mama for real!

I wish I could show you better and more professional photos with perfect angles and that how awesome this top is, alas a full length mirror I have not (@hubs, ONE OF my birthday presents, perhaps? ;), but I did have 2 crying toddlers locked up in the cot when I was trying on these clothes! Oh the stress I tell you!

Anyways!!! ellie.bie updates their site every Thursday at 12pm, so do check them out! Recently they’ve included some biker chick essentials in their stock, and they are all so drool-worthy! AND since Chinese New Year is right round the corner, they have stocked cheongsam-inspired peplum dresses in the most festive of reds and also lots of yummy lace fabrics!

Here are a few of my favs (click on the pics to bring you to the site):

Love this ensemble!

Cute yet elegant blouse

How cool is this?!

Enjoy a RM5 discount on ALL PIECES (not valid with other promotions) when you make a purchase! Just key in the discount code: letsbrewlove and save! Imagine that, if you buy 3 pieces, that's a saving of RM15! (Hmm, considering this is my birthday month, maybe I should update my wardrobe after all hmm? Hehehe)

Promotion valid till 31st March 2013! (That's a lot of stock updates in between this period! But don't hold out your orders too long, all pieces are quite limited, so grab them before they are gone! :)

Have You Written Your Resolutions Hmm? Pt. 1

noreply@blogger.com (Leishia) — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 17:58:00 +0000

Greetings! And a very Happy New Year I wish you, beautiful people of the earth!

Let me just take a moment and go, woouoah! Like, seriously, what’s the deal with time man, why the hurry?! It was just what, yesterday? That my second baby arrived! And suddenly, she’s like 1 plus. And then in a couple of week’s time, ahem, I’m turning a year ~~older~~ cooler!

WOUAH!

Really, exclamation marks are really an understatement, though very necessary haha. ANYWAY!
Regardless, I’m really excited about the year 2013! 12 months of endless possibilities! Thank God for His grace and mercy! Speaking of which, I saw someone shared a picture on instagram, and I find it so funny I made a mental note to share it ~~somew~~here. But I really don’t mean to be rude in any sense ok! Here, this:

HAHAHA! Funny right!!!

:x OK moving on!

So I mentioned that WELL, in a few weeks’ time my birthday will be rolling right over and I’ve decided to ~~be shameless~~ declare the month of January a month of celebration! Yes, please, you can take a day off and feel free to bask in my awesomeness for you will find no other. *angels sing*

But I’m super lousy in coming up with plans and stuff lah. So all I did manage was a pathetic list of things that I want to do (starting) this month –

1. Eat Korean bbq because erm, I’ve never tried it before? -.-

~~2. Start taking supplements and collagen and stuff because well it’s high time?~~ Actually, I don't know how is this part of my birthday celebration. Sorry wrong list. Zzz.
3. Plant potatoes and spinach. HAHAHA! Because it’s time I make myself useful by bringing some bread to the table too. I’m serious ok.
4. ~~To have a truckload of cool presents!~~
5. To own a ukulele! For no apparent reasons; it’s just something I’ve always thought it’s cool to have, never mind the fact that I play no string instruments. Uh, yeah.

So that’s it! For now. But really, how simple I am! The hubs should really be counting his blessings.

Oh and have lotsa makan and yumcha sessions with friends! Nothing makes me happier than just lepak-ing with friends, ~~gossiping~~ updating each other about the happenings.

Anyway, this being my grand birthday month aside, have you come up with your resolutions for this year? I was never a erm, resolutionist. But I figured (how smart right hehe) one needs some kinda goals or plans to motivate you through, I mean, otherwise, what’s the point of you being alive right? Takkan just wipe your babies’ shit and cook porridge for them only! But you see, even that is some kinda resolution already! You resolute to be a better parent who wipes their butts cleaner and better, see?! And you will act accordingly and that makes your life purposeful! SEE?! Light bulb! Nuff said!

So then, in place of a to-do list, I decided each year, I’ll give myself a word to live by. Last year my word was “NEW”. And I’m pretty proud to report back that I’ve lived up to that word, by seizing opportunities whenever I can and try doing new things – like organizing meetups and meeting new friends, both of which makes me wiggle in anxiety and discomfort; signing up for a makeup course that I don’t see the point of doing (but enjoyed it thoroughly in the end, plus met new friends, plus had good fellowship with the friends I attended the class with!); and going on a short holiday trip with ONE friend who was really just a hello-goodbye friend (in a much closer sense), and now I dare say we’ve found a friend in each other (I hope!); with the help of the hubs, I've also organized a crazy preloved clothing sales and I’m just so proud that I could even pull it off in the first place; and erm, dip-dying my hair haha never mind I look like an old lala mui now; dress up more, just because I can, why wait until I’m all gray and wrinkly right? Seriously what was I thinking when I was like, 10 years younger?! When I was 20, I lived in tents and men’s jeans, likka a real aunty. The late bloomer in me has once again, live up to its true character. Yerrr! Why! Y_Y

So yeah, stuff like that lah! I tried to go with the flow more, even if it makes me uncomfortable but eventually usually I'll end up having fun. And that was pretty much my 2012, on a personal level!

And this year, behold, my word – POSITIVE. *cues spotlight shining down from behind the clouds

This year, besides continue trying new things, I also resolute to learn to be more positive; to think positively; to see the positive side of every negative situation and thought. Because I think, how things turn out depends so much on how we think. Positive attracts positive. Positive words and thoughts reap positive results. Besides, if the mama is positive, the littlings will be happier too. You get my drift? Yeah…

OK NOW! After getting all these sappy a-year-older-a-year-wiser stuff outta the way! Let me give you a small little “gift”, ok not so much a gift from me, but you know, just a little something to get the fashion-loving blood in you pumping a teensy bit faster (thus more oxygen into your heart and brain! More oxygen means better well being! GOOD NEWS, THIS! :D)

**wait, let me cut this post into 2 parts so that you won’t get overwhelmed with all my words of wisdom! Haha!

Please stay tuned with the part 2! YOU REALLY DOWAN TO MISS IT (cos I’m modeling with a pathetic half-length mirror and an iphone camera. Self-shoot no less. z. Story of my miserable blogger life -.-)**

MEANWHILE, what's a blog without pictures right? (You saw that coming, doncha? haha!)

Dong Zhi Day, where we fought for tang yuen! Ah, good times!


Christmas Dinner and free choc drink! Because this lil missy smiled and waved to the barista and melted his heart! Think it'll work if I do the same? Hmmmmmm

A sisterly aww moment there. Right after that, Frappy told Oli "no more. one only!" -_-

Yummy dinner @ La La Chong with great company!

Our impromptu stay at Saujana Hotel, thanks to a sweet angel!

Buffet breakfast time! My fav!


Oli's first dip and frappy clinging on to her dear life.

We're chilling, no pictures please.

pic nipped from melly

Girly sleepover (with super noob boys in attendance, who got excited over exfoliating their faces. Like, seriously? Yes, seriously. HAHA! I don't know why I like to answer my own questions likka pro =_=)

Facial / brotherly bonding time

I know it's too late, but I hope it's not too late anyway, to wish one and all a very Blessed Christmas and an awesome New Year! May the Lord keep lotsa cool stuff in store for you in 2013. It's gonna be uhmaizing!

But before the uhmaizing begins, gotta crash now! I pretty much typed this whole thing with my eyes half closed. BUT! Remember to check back for the part 2 of this post k! Nightssss!!!

Lucky Strike

noreply@blogger.com (Leishia) — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 16:13:00 +0000

I can't believe my last post was dated October 25th! Just when I thought my blogging momentum was picking up, and then disaster must struck, of course! What disaster, you ask? Well, to begin with, Della the lappy was hit by some kinda virus, which wiped out most everything. And then it took a couple of weeks for it to be repaired, and it came back without Microsoft Office installed, and that, took more than a month to be done up. On top of that, just when Della finally came back to me, a week or so later the modem got struck by lightning and I'm out of touch again. -_- And when a new modem was replaced, it took forever for me to install the damn thing, even 2 calls to TM's service center at 2 in the AM, reset everything that can be reset and it didn't helped! And then the whole install, uninstall, reinstall, troubleshoot, retroubleshoot, install and uninstall and reinstall, and sent the modem back to the vendor and install again, and here we are, ladies and gentlemen, the problem, says the high and mighty of the techie world, lies in my phone line, please call your ISP provider kthxbai. @$%^*&(%^I&UTYT%%&^*&(*OIUTYGHJKU
-_______________-

Oh since I'm on the subject of disaster, might as well throw these bits in! Exciting!

In between the happenings of my lappy breaking down and modem getting struck, my new phone's 3G, without notice nor explanations, couldn't connect for a week, our car's battery died on a weekday morning, followed by punctured tires, or was it the other way round? /taps chin/. Anyways, during the process of the whole modem-installation-and-uninstallation was happening, just last Sunday, one of the car's tires got punctured by a darn nail. Again.

And yeah, I think that's about it! Pretty awesome huh? And just for the record, my internet connection issue is not solved yet, and it's a complicated situation on how I get to come online now, so let's just not exhaust ourselves getting that part explained.

BUTTTTT all these crazy mishaps aside, life went on - some days more awesomer than the others - and I'm practicing this whole positive thinking (so, hush!) and I'm surer ~~than a heart attack~~ that for every bad thing that happened to me/us, a hundred more good things' gonna happen, like, anytime now. Really.

And a quick report and record on my black-out month (that's November, where I was outta connection, remember? Z), I kinda organized a first tea party/meetup for a group of SAHMs, who mostly were only online friends before the gathering! I was crazy nervous about the whole thing, I mean, I'm not exactly a PR kinda person to begin with; and I got a little ambitious about trying to get sponsors for door gifts, just to make the participants happy. I sent out a million emails and only one company had the manners to reply me, though the response was negative. But still! Does letters sent without a company letterhead render us worthless? Such spirit breakers, these corporate players!

Anyhoo, the gathering came and went, and I can safely say the ladies had fun, and our objectives of having a little me-time with only girl-friends are met!

Oh and a week before that I was in Bangkok yo! Or erm, to be precise, Ms. Kate and I were around the Pratunam area, for the entire weekend. Yeah. How exciting right? I know! We were just such shopping noob lah! We didn't bring enough money in the first place, and then we got too excited and thought we overspent on the day we touched down (our first 4 Thai hours, uhm hmm), and so we got depressed on the second day and lost all mood to buy anything at all. And then on the third day, we realized that we, in fact, did have a little more kachings than we thought we did, and that we shouldn't be all so glum and go home empty handed, and so we speed-shopped in 3 hours and bought all that we could, before packing up and left for the airport at noon. How's that for noob travelers? Hehe!

Anything that happened before the trip my brain remembers not. And I blame this on epidurals! OHHHH BUT JUST BEFORE ANYTHING (erm, obviously after all the grandmother stories above there), I have an exciting "news" to share!
What? NuuuUUuuu. I'm not pregnant! -__- But that my next post is gonna be ~~a happy girly post~~ somewhat a review article of an awesome blogshop! Cliche much? Well, the only two reasons I write about a brand/business is either a) it pisses me off, big time; or b) it's pretty awesome and worth a mention. And trust me, I do have a list of brands/businesses that seriously pissed me off the roof that I so want to rant about, but then the thought of it alone just saps my energy and makes me tired, and in the end, count it their lucky day as their names are safe from being tarnished, for yet another day. We'll see when it ends. We'll see.

Right, urgh, lotsa digression (yes, the epidural!), so yeah, obviously this is a matter of b) and not a)! On top of that, the blogshop owner (ok actually yeah, she's somewhere in between an acquaintance and a friend!) is actually sweet enough to offer a little promotion for my readers (chewah sound so important! Just ok, please, no need to say the obvious, just play along ok and give me that 2 seconds of erm, importance -.-)

So yuppers, stay tuned!

Meanwhile, life in pikchas!!! :)))

My clingy lil bub finally started walking!

ootd! Ever since I received an iphone for our wedding anniversary, I've become this shameless camwhore haha :x

case in point.

Frap drew this and said, "mommy, me!" I was reduced to a teary pulp.

After the cut and the dye job that failed.

Primary through High school friends!

Went back for touch-up and had an accidental dip-dye job instead.

Frappy pre-haircut

Nipped this pic from Melly. Love our group pic!

This was taken before oli started walking on her own. Frap was helping her walk.

Bought this without even thinking if I'd wear it because it was that cheap!

noob travelers are meant to travel together haha


These cheeky+ghetto faces greeted me on the phone when I was away in BKK.

Green-tea tasting honey cake.

See my lilac skinnies? SEE?!

Frappy practicing her ABC scribbles. I'm impressed that she recognizes quite a few letters!

Love this drama pic! Haha Also love this floral number from Asos. Taken during the mommy gathering!

Our not-very-dainty tea party!

And people think sahm are ah sohs/aunties? Eat my dust! (HAHAHA! Totally irrelevant, I just want to say that!)

Midnight book shopping @ Big Bad Wolf Book Sale! Reached home at 3am x_x

If you can't beat them, join them. This crazy galloping fever. Z.

No Show

noreply@blogger.com (Leishia) — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 17:11:00 +0000

My lappy crashed! URGH THE HORROR! T__________T

I've been going on what seemed like ages without getting in touch with my online world, rather uninspired - blogs, fb, and whatnots - when I have a long list of to-do's to be checked off; and then when I finally picked myself up and vomited an article out to be published, made that arrangements for a tea party, thank god I got my translation work done (and invoice sent!!!! Oh thank You Lord!!!), and then my lappy (or rather the virus) just had to shut down on me, bit by bit, making sure I watched it delete every piece of file, and so deleting a big piece of me :(

So now I'm laptop-less (so wrong! Haha!) and wahey, I'm so inspired! To blog! To make announcements for the parties! To write! To edit photos! To basically do everything online! -_- I'm just truly amazed with my sense of priorities.

Oh never mind me. I'm using Jason's lappy btw. And also just to share with you a piece of something I posted over at friendlyfashion's. So do pop by and give me a yay, if, it's erm, yay-worthy. Haha. I'll have more articles coming up, both here in this blog and there at ff.my's, been bitten by the DIY bug lately! Hehe!

So yeah, bonne nuit you guys! Gotta crash or I'll auto-crash. Nite y'all.

Ham & Spinach Pizza

noreply@blogger.com (Leishia) — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 05:52:00 +0000

Uhm hmm, the title came to be because I need to salvage a can of near expiry canned tomatoes /satisfied

It's super easy to make and super tasty to eat! So there's really nothing to not like about it. Here's the lowdown:

Ham & Spinach Pizza

Ingredients:

1. Store-bought pizza base (in the absence of a pizza base, you can always use wholemeal bread, pita, baguette, etc. But I'd suggest to use breads that are hard enough to hold the fillings up.)
2. Ham, diced/pulled/chopped/however you like it
3. Spinach, roughly chopped up
4. A clove of garlic, roughly smashed up
5. Canned tomatoes
6. Grated parmesan and/or mozarella (I have neither, so I used a piece of cheddar)
6. Dash of olive oil
7. Sprinkle of salt

1. Preheat oven to 230 degrees Celsius. Line the tray with baking sheet and place your pizza base on it.

2. This is the fun part, there's no right or wrong, just do it your way - scoop the tomatoes from the can and smear it thickly over the base, distribute the mashed up garlic, layer on the spinach and the ham.

3. Drizzle the olive oil, sprinkle a little salt and the cheese over the pizza.

4. Send it into the oven and baked for 12-15 minutes, until the spinach is wilted.

5. Loudly proclaim bon appetit the Julia Child way and dig in!

Yum!

The Diva Is Officially One!

noreply@blogger.com (Leishia) — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 17:00:00 +0000

Dear Oli,

Today (ok, 1.5 weeks ago), you turned one! Imagine that! All grown up and ready to conquer the world, you! And we didn’t even see you growing! But despite the fact that we can’t lavish you with our full attention, please, please know that we are always, and I do mean always, always proud of you, precious!

Right this moment, you have cut 8 teeth. The double eyelid on your right eye is more apparent now (phew!). You can crawl on your belly and your knees with the grace and speed of a snake. You can stand supported and are showing signs of wanting to stand on your own already. You love to eat. You don’t like to drink water. You still wake up one time at night for milk (pfft, which is pretty annoying lah girl please just sleep through lah can? Zzz). You are climbing anywhere and anything like a pro, and giving us that smug face when you succeed. You know how to wave goodbye, blow kisses, kiss on the lips, and do that layan cheek-brush when you don’t want to lip-kiss, or smack people’s face away when you don’t feel generous with your kisses (mommy does have divas for babies!). You are making the mama/mum mum sounds already! You loved to be tackled and tickled, especially by your jie jie. You love “reading”. You love imitating us when we talk on the phone, by clasping your ear with one hand and go, ah! Ah!. You clap hands when asked to. You clap hands when you see your sister achieved a task or danced or sang or being praised by the grownups. You put away toys. Yes. Let me say this again, you put away toys! How freaking cool is that?! This, my dear, makes mommy so, awesomely proud! Honestly, I really think you’re a genius. I have you on videos putting away toys on various occasions. Genius. Nuff said.

You love to laugh. You love to cry more. You’re crazy active. You have the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen, the type that just freeze you in the moment and you pretty much turn me into a blob of messy goo. You also know how to sucker up to me when I’m angry with you – by gently resting your head on my chest/shoulders, then slowly and lightly plant a kiss on my cheek, and keep silent till I give in and bear hug you. You go to sleep in a jiffy if it’s papa who put you down, but you’ll go all demanding wanting to hold my hand/fingers to sleep when it was me. You still drink 6oz of milk. You have curly hair! You dance when you hear music. Did I mention that you love to laugh?

Oh that laughter is just glorious. It’s the most carefree, hearty laugh. The best thing to happen in a day is to hear you and your jie jie laugh. Together. So if there’s one thing you can keep, my baby, is that God-given laugh. No matter what life brings you, just laugh that hearty laugh. And you’ll see, no problems, no heartaches, are bigger than God, you hear me baby?

You are a fast learner, Oli. And your jie jie is your ultimate partner in crime; she’s always so supportive of all the mischief you have up your sleeve. I do hope you both will stay close that way. Just tone down on all those mischief, especially those targeted at me, alright love?

We didn’t manage to celebrate your birthday in a fast food outlet with the mascot and lavish novelty cake as planned. But we did plan out a weekend full of activities for you and your jie jie. It was so tiring for both mommy and papa but looking back at the pictures now, it’s worth it. I wish we had done more for you.

On your birthday morning, we had brunch with jie jie Rachel and Beatrice; and your birthday meal was a butter sandwich toast. Ain’t it awesome?! And that butter toast was just a starter baby! You have thus begun a relationship with oily food yo!

After taking a nap, you woke up and watched your favourite Madagascar (erm, I just made that up. Actually all animations can hold your attention). And later when papa came home, we brought you to McDonald’s! Haha! I was so excited I ordered the entire kitchen, I mean, we’re talking about celebrating your first birthday man! Bring on the fast food and the wicked black liquid (erm, coke?)! We had wanted to let you roam the playroom, but decided the boys in there were too rowdy (your jie jie got kicked in the face by them when coming down from the slide. Now, do you still think you want a brother?). So, you ended up in the high chair most of the night, chomping on fries! I’d say that’s a pretty awesome birthday already!

And then! On Saturday, we got ourselves tickets to… wait for it… tada!

Hi5 baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But then we were late by half an hour. As usual, because your papa did not listen when I told him a million times that the show starts at 3.30pm! Grr. And of course your jie jie was sleeping forever! So yeah. But still, we made it! Totally all out of breath. No matter, because they were awesome! One of the cute Hi5-er did the gagman style dance to the roaring applause of the ~~crowd~~ ~~parents~~ moms, actually. /shifty eyes

Anyway! That was Saturday. And Sunday was your big day! We decorated the house a bit (I just love that old school accordian streamers that I made! That's right, I did craft! Hee! I wrote about it at friendlyfashion.my), changed the lighting, catered food, oh and I bought you a beautiful cake! And your jiu jiu made the most amazing cheese dip for the party (for your jie jie’s fullmoon party too. Well he has this foolproof, sure-win cheese dip recipe that will get him any girl, or aunty, that he wants, if he wants; you just have to get it from him later ok?)

don't you just love the gradient? heart!

We invited your closest family and friends to celebrate the occasion with us, it’s a shame though your grandma from Melaka couldn’t make the party, but we will visit her soon so you can tell her how awesome the party went.

OHH! And you were dressed in the most adorable ballerina costume! I’m talking about legit doll-face adorable with all the multiple folds all over your tummy and arms and legs! If only I can have that moment with you in that costume forever…

sorry doll, it's once size too big. hah.

Baby Olivia, darling, thank you for coming into our lives, into my life. Your arrival reaffirms that I can be that strong woman I’ve always seen in other mothers and thought it crazy impossible to be like that. You, have helped me to be strong, to be that mother that I never thought I could be. I may not be the best mother on earth, far from it actually, but I’m learning. And I truly thank God for you and your jie jie everyday. I mean, what are the odds for ordinary persons like mommy and papa to be entrusted with the two most beautiful girls in the entire universe?! Man, it’s crazy! Ahh but let’s not get sappy now, shall we (because it's one in the AM and ma eyes oh ma eyes are burning sleepy!!! =__=)?

Baby here’s wishing you a very blessed first birthday, my darling! I hope this first will propel you to greater heights in the many years to come! And may God continue to keep you in the center of his Will and Love!

Now go out and ~~break some hearts~~ kick some butts!

Love always,
The One Who Gives You Those Good Genes
a.k.a Your Mom

The (Sad) Story Of A Lazy Baker

noreply@blogger.com (Leishia) — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 16:07:00 +0000

OK, so by now you should know that I'm a lazy cook and a lazy baker; I love recipes that are hardly recipes, a bonus when the result turns out amazing, that recipe will get lots of loving and raving, like duh, obviously. z.

And so the story goes like this, I've been dying and craving to bake and eat baked goodies of late, but it's a little impossible (mostly out of sheer laziness) for me right now with my two precious tornadoes ~~locked out behind bars~~ constantly standing at the baby gate whining and wanting hugs and attention all the time.

And so the craving shot up to its max one day and I just HAD TO BAKE AND EAT NOW!

And so. I took out my mug, anyhowly spoon in some flour, sugar, salt, oil, cocoa powder, nutella, gave it a good stir and in it went into a saucepan of boiling water, to be steamed to its perfection, of course! Erm, because I'm... creative like that?

I thought nutella mug cake is a foolproof recipe, I mean, 9 out of 10 persons who perused the method often came back with rave reviews, but yeah lah, maybe because I so smart go and steam it, not that the thing turned out awful, it just came out... funny. Like eating a mat salleh kuih. HAHA!

Ah well, the Frap took a bite and gave me the thumbs up. Heck, I took the first bite and gave her the thumbs up too. And then she refused it by covering her mouth tightly with one hand, and waving the other left and right vigorously to say no AND running the opposite direction by the third bite. Erm, maybe she's on a diet gua... /shifty eyes.

p/s ok fine, for reals, the texture was seriously like eating some kinda kuih, the taste was a little weird but I conclude that was because my cocoa powder has been kept for quite sometime, and really, by the third bite all my craving for baked goods are gone. For good.

Behold! Steamed ~~Mat Salleh Kuih~~ Nutella Brownies

Grace

noreply@blogger.com (Leishia) — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 10:30:00 +0000

When I brought Frappy's lunch out from the kitchen today, she quickly got herself up at the table, put her hands together, slightly bowed her head, and said:

"Ah ehka. AHH BAYBEE, ah oish ko, ah MUM MUM! NGAMI!"

O_O

Did she just said grace? I just sat there, watching in amazement, and for awhile there I didn't know how to respond nor remember how to laugh. Although it was really funny, I must say!

My baby just said grace! And "ngami" is amen; usually we would say grace and frap would end with ngami. The reason she mentioned baby was because normally I would feed her and Oli at the same time.

AND after saying her ngami, she called out to Oli,

BAYBEEE!!!! MUM MUM!!!!!

To which Oli would scoot over in her speediest crawl with the widest smile on her face, eyes on the food. Eyes always on the food.

HAHAHAHA!

Ahh! I guess we stay at home parents live (and suffer the down times!) for moments like this, don't we? Is it worth it? I don't know, but it's pretty darn priceless. :)

Sleepless Nights (And Days) In ZeeZeeLand

noreply@blogger.com (Leishia) — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 06:42:00 +0000

My picture folder is piling up with more and more photos, my to-blog list is getting longer and longer, yet I just can't find the time (and uh, inspiration... or rather willpower haha!) to sit down and write!

But before I get to those pics and stories (including one angry-fying story about Charles & Keith! Hmph!), here's a quick one for the Hari Ini Dalam Sejarah chapter.

You see, we lost Oli's pacifier on Sunday //downcast// when we were out lunching at Subang Parade's Manhattan Fish Market; we paid, we walked out, we realized, we turned back, and these guys there say there's no such thing on the table. !!! I mean, how can it be?! To be honest, I was really mad, mainly with myself - for one how can I be so careless! For another I was really afraid the monster baby Oli would turn into comes Zzz time, but mainly for yet another, the pacifier was attached to a silver pacifier clip, couriered all the way from erm, somewhere, and a gift from my bro! //wail!!!!/// I was determined to keep it for good! //stabs self//

So anyway, we thought, fine, let's just take this opportunity to wean her off the paci. And the first day without it was surprisingly... normal! Oli didn't look for it! She slept through! So obviously I was very, very pleased! And very, very proud!

BUT dear everyone, let me tell you this, there is of course no such thing as normal, as smooth sailing in everything, and I do mean EHVERRAYTHANG! T____T The next day, Oli was ~~looking for her paci high and low~~ wailing for her paci because she couldn't sleep without it! OH MY EARS! And the same happened came night time. She didn't want to hold my pinky as how she'd always want to, she didn't want to be held, she didn't want to be sung to, she just kept pushing us away demanding for her pacifier! And then because it was 3 in the morning, because Jason needs to go to work in the morning and was tired and couldn't sleep, because she woke Frappy up too (technically the entire taman lah) and she too demanded that I pat her butt, and because I got fed up calming her down AND trying to make Frappy sleep, going back and forth between the cot and the bed, tempers flared, tear ducts broke, and so, Oli got a good scolding from the father. And in the dark, she just sat there and sobbed. And sobbed. And sobbed to her sleep. How heartbreaking is that!!!!! :(((((

This is the face from awhile ago...

All tired out, wiggling in discomfort, losing her voice, crying to her sleep, hoping to see her paci again. I read somewhere that for a child/baby to break a habit, it takes only 3 days. Just be patient for 3 days. 3 freaking days leishia (and jason!!!)! How difficult is 3 days right? No of course not! It's only 3 freaking days! 3 long days that can drive me to insanity.T_____T

Baby mommy's so sorry! :(

My First Pre-Loved Closet Sale Party @ TTDI

noreply@blogger.com (Leishia) — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 02:46:00 +0000

So I'm finally done talking the walk and am walking the talk! Imma gonna throw a PRE-LOVED CLOSET SALE/PARTY this coming 1st September @ TTDI!

pls click for the fine print.
try saving it on to your computer to read. :)

How exciting is that??? Date, time, venue as stated in the promo poster. My aunt, who's a beautician and runs a beauty salon, is kind enough to lend me her space to hold the sale! /gamdong So. Yup. Here we are!

Organizing this "event" is truly exhilarating yet nerve wrecking! I mean, knowing me, the things I'd worry about is none other than, what if no body comes and not will people buy my ~~junk~~ gems, they are gems ok! T___T *chill chill* but it's ok, at least I try. Huhu

Ok , sob promos aside, please come! Even just to say hello! That'd be a heck load of motivation for me!

Anyway, just briefly - the sale will be held, as mentioned, in my aunt's thalgo salon @ taman tun dr. ismail (address @ the attached pic), from 10am to 4pm. I'm digging deep into my closet (and my sisters', my mom's, and my aunts') and basically took out everything that we are not wearing anymore, and hopefully find them some real loving in new homes. There are some really good brands (brand new and preloved but lightly worn!) here! No worn-out, pariah stuff on sale. Don't worry.

The objective is to clear my wardrobe, which I don't have one, actually, a physical wardrobe I mean. So my clothes are all hung out in a room - a sort of walk in... wardrobe? But it's not working! The dust and the mozzies are bugging me nuts! Besides, I'm just not wearing them anymore, but sayang want to throw out because they are in good condition and are pretty! Really, just for one reason or another, I've grown out of the erm, teen/college girl styles (I mean, a mother? Hello? I can't be donning that H&M mini skirt and I Luv ~~NKOTB~~ BSB band tee anymore right. It's just... off. Age-wise T_T)?

ANYWAYS!!! Giving clothes a second life instead of sending it to the dumpster is good for the earth. So!

I'm also going to donate 10% of the proceeds to Malaysia Independent Animal Rescue (MIAR) - a non profit volunteer group dedicated to saving the strays (receipt will be shown here upon making the donation). I've read a few of their rescue efforts and I'm really touched by it; I can't be on the ground with them, so I just want to do what I can. So, I appeal for your support too! You can check them out on their facebook page.

So yes, feel free to get in touch if you have any questions, I'd be glad to furnish you with as much info as I can. But yeah, it's not a complicated event, just make time and come say hello. And re-home my darling BSB tee. Please? /hopeful

Meanwhile, here's google map's link to the said location. So come! Don't make me wait from 10-4 and cry from 4-cows come home ok please.

p/s do bring along your own bag/recycle bag to keep your purchases. Save the earth! Use not plastic!

p/p/s OH YES HOW CAN I FORGET! DO HELP ME TO SHARE THIS OUT, I'D REALLY, REALLY APPRECIATE IT! THANK YOU PEEPLES!!!!! :)

Here's some of the pieces that will be on sale that day posted on facebook

Weekend Thoughts + FriendlyFashion.my Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Leishia) — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 08:07:00 +0000

Concrete Safari by leishia26 featuring statement necklaces

Off the shoulder top, 71 MYR / J Brand short shorts, 1,220 MYR / Green shoes, 595 MYR / FOSSIL messenger bag, 705 MYR / Statement necklace, 200 MYR

I'm obsessed with the colour mint/turquoise! It's so refreshing! Ah, heart! It's the weekend again! We were at Genting last weekend, and it was super cold and foggy! But we are headed for Melaka this week, my fingers all crossed the weather down there won't kill us! :(

Anyway, happy weekending!

p/s Since I joined friendlyfashion.my's Become Our Official Bloggers contest last week, I have been eating the humble pie, everyday - the girls out there contesting are super talented and awesome, just plain style blogger material if you will, while I, out of no where emerged the first place (at the moment la; the contest ends 15th of August) out of sheer love and support by you guys, I'm just speechless!

So yeah, please, go check out other girls' profile (my personal favs are Cute Granny Vintage, Colour Bites, and Evienereal!), you can vote for each contestant once. Or if you still love me so, you can vote for me too haha /shameless much!

This humble pie has taught me to buck up and learn to blog like a pro, even if I don't win a place in the top 15; also, winning is not everything, friendship is. I'm so, so, so happy, really, really happy that these girls are super friendly and nice, even if we are sort of competing each other to get on top, yet they are really nice to me! Such a humbling journey! Thank YOUs! Here's wishing you girls all the very best! :)

OK, as usual, my p/s's are getting too long to be p/s's. -_- Signing off then! Hehe

Hands-On Makeup Course @ MALswisse

noreply@blogger.com (Leishia) — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 16:16:00 +0000

Some months back, a girlfriend asked a few of us girls if we’d like to buy a groupon voucher for a makeup course! Now given the me from 3 years ago, I’d have shrugged you off and asked, rather rudely, for what? But since this year I’ve made a resolution to try NEW things, so I thought, heck, there’s no reason to say no. I mean, it’s high time I be a girl already! So after a few exchanged of giggly words, we bought the voucher and waited breathlessly for the day(s) to come. OK, it was just me being all breathless and jakun-ish. Zzz.

A little background - the course was conducted by MALswisse at Empire, and was divided into 2 lessons (dates of our choice) and all three of us chose Saturday afternoons; each lesson was about 3 hours long. The first lesson talked about skincare, you know, from makeup removal to double cleansing (very important!), and all that. I counted, a total of 9 steps, and that should equate to about plus minus 9 products per routine? Like, seriously? So that confirms what people say about being a girl is not cheap.

The second lesson taught us the basic makeup technique and this, confirms what people say something about there’s no ugly girls but lazy ones.

And that’s the grand summary of my experience! Haha! Oh I forgot to mention that the promotion cost around RM45 per pax through groupon, if my memory serves me well.

The lessons were pretty fun; there were less than 10 of us in both lessons, so it was cozy and that made me feel less shy to ~~talk back~~ ask questions. The trainer, Sharmaine, was friendly too, which made the whole experience very enjoyable, even more so when I went with friends!

Now, I’m not a full-makeup-on-everyday kinda girl, but at the end of the course, I was more confident with applying makeup on my own, especially applying liquid/cream foundation and eyeliner - the 2 steps that I'd avoid at all cost because did I tell you before? That once, I got a complimentary full face makeup at Stila's counter, and I was to attend a wedding after that. Half way into the wedding, where I've greeted like a gazillion people, I decided to pay the loo a visit, and by golly when I saw myself in the mirror I almost died! My lower eye lines "dropped" and I literally looked like a Red Indian ready for war with all the under-eye war paint. What truly killed me that night, was that when I asked Jason why didn't he tell me that I looked like some crazy woman?! His answer, was as epic as epic could ever be - "well, I thought it's supposed to be like that!". Man, srsly? -___- I died a million times that night, till this day, the thought of it is enough to kill me another million times T____T Since then, I avoided eyeliners like... like... you would a terrible ex from a bad romance. Ah. Those young, ignorant days! We shall reminisce in another post now, shall we not?

SO ANYWAYS! I’m also diligently practicing double cleansing now and I remind myself everyday to moisturize; seriously, the lack of moisturizing is the downfall of your skin. Hello flakiness!!! I think if we do the cleansing and moisturizing steps well, good skin is achievable, no matter how terrible your skin is currently!

So yeah, coming back to the course, personally it does feel good to be back in a learning setting, given a chance, I’d do this kinda short courses again! Whether to learn, to update ourselves, or simply to network, they are all pretty good reasons to go out and just have fun! :)

MALswisse conducts various beauty courses, do check them out!

p/s thanks for the fun girls! :)

Kuhrayzee Joolai!

noreply@blogger.com (Leishia) — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 15:56:00 +0000

I typed a one-page essay on how crazy things were in this household and decided truly, I’ve gone crazy to give such detailed report on the happenings, chronologically for that matter, down to the colour of oli’s poop. So I deleted everything and ~~decompose~~ recompose.

So, in a nutshell, oli came down with chicken pox, recovered, and then, together with frappy, came down again with the flu and high fever bug. That day when all these flu and fever thing was happening at the same time - was hell for me T_T. Thankfully, both recovered overnight after medication (the doc made me insert suppository for them both T____T), but the antibiotic caused oli to purge. She’s coming out of it, though, as of now. On top of that, jason’s been away a lot this month, like, half a week, every week kinda a lot. So whenever he's around he’s all stressed out from work and I’m all stressed out from weathering this… whole crazy month thing with no break. So yeah. There. More or less (definitely less! Haha!)

My plans to blog regularly is hence, upset. And picking up from where I left off is, so difficult. But I try.

So please excuse my ayat-ayat tergantung with no apparent writing style nor class. And to make it even more painful for you, Imma just gonna vomit a ~~truckload of~~ some photos to get things started. Erm, yeah. I promise the next post when I come back, I shall attempt to be more regal and elegant. With chanel, blings, louboutin's and all that. Attempt to ok.

So erm, bye?

pre-chicken pox. and silly sisters

Melted chocolates left in the bag. Trust me to do this sorta things. #1

on coffee bean's sofa

life as a city toddler is boring

Hit by the pox!

don't we all love sleeping babies?

cuppa cherries by the AC staff for frappy to snack on. how sweet!

Went for a business meeting and had to borrow a notebook with jack black's face
to scribble on. Trust me to do this sorta things #2.

In sickness and in health

that happy smile :)

posers much?

college. this way. went for an ossum play at sunway college!

epic meal to commemorate epic month

Easy Recipes For Kids: Beetroot, Pumpkin, Carrot Soup

noreply@blogger.com (Leishia) — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 16:35:00 +0000

I’m so excited to share this, once again, super-simple-hardly-a-recipe beetroot recipe! Now I was never a fan of beets. I don’t like the earthly taste. So when my mom gave me one and asked me to eat it, it’s good for you, I cringed loudly inside.

I rummaged the net for cool recipes, but they all call for spices and herbs and time and patience, which I have not. So I decided to anyhowly make a soup out of it with what little ingredients I have in the fridge – carrots and pumpkin!

And it turned out nice! The fact that I’m feeding my family beetroot makes me feel pretty good about myself too. So I hope you’ll like it!

Beetroot, Pumpkin, Carrot Soup

Ingredients:

1 pc chicken breast, chunk-cut
1 stick carrot, cubed
1 big slice of pumpkin, cubed
1 small beetroot, cubed

1. While boiling water in a medium sized saucepan, prep and clean up the chicken breast. When the water boils, put the chicken in the saucepan and bring to boil.

2. Add in the carrot and pumpkin, bring to the boil, then reduce heat to low, and let simmer for 60 minutes. Season with a little salt for taste.

And we are done!

Frap, Oli, and I shared a big bowl of rice flooded with the soup and it was glorious! If you do try this recipe, let me know how it turns out!

p/s you can also add corn and/or potatoes, if that’s what rocks your socks. Happy eating!

Yes. What About Boys?

noreply@blogger.com (Leishia) — Thu, 24 May 2012 09:03:00 +0000

So I was having a conversation with the frap, that goes something like this. And for the record, I did not dream this up ok!

Frap: Mommyyy, schatat bee me guys. Guys.
Me: Wha...? Did you say guys?
Frap: *smiles* Guys chu ba gai gao car ya ba eh yu bao cook!
Me: What? Are we gonna talk about guys now? Seriously?
Frap: Schatat mommy beeyo papa yuuba kabir da *sighs*
Me: I'm not sure you are ready for them boys, at least for now, you know.
Frap: Har? Guys car!
Me: Yeah, cars are nice, but they are not everything you know. I mean, you're so young! And, and fragile and naive! And boys being boys, you know. And the commitment! Oh, let's not even go there. Ugh.
Frap: Mommy.
Me: Yes darling?
Frap: Stay cool.

FOR REALS! PEOPLE! FOR. REALS.

The little lady actually said stay cool! STAY COOL! She's asking me, HER MOTHER, to freaking STAY COOL because, oh you know, it's only boys, mom and I can so handle them! *rolls eyes* oh won't you just kill me now? !!!

Exclamation marks. That's all I have for you now. -_-

Oh and some pictures from the week. /continue dying in exclamation marks

Stay cool, she says. Pfft!

brekkie

virgin beer

a whole new world from up that height

spot the red!

hope

yes, i'm afraid you can't choose your parents, oli

prisoned

icky!

obsessed about colours

rotterdam! it's like, wearing ten tiny pieces of starry night skies on you!

lazing around. everyday.

smelly bunnies

~~I'm sure the hubs and I would need helmets to face them boys head on. Sigh.~~
We will definitely make you wear helmet from now on. To fend off the guys.

Easy Recipes For Kids: Pasta In Potato & Carrot Soup

noreply@blogger.com (Leishia) — Sat, 19 May 2012 05:04:00 +0000

Whenever I’m out of idea on what to cook for the frap, carrots and potatoes are always my go-to ingredients. Always. Maybe because that's what my grandma used to cook for us as children. Ah, comfort food.

Here’s a super simple recipe, erm, it’s hardly a recipe! But it tastes great, Frappy finished her first bowl and requested a second!

Pasta in Potato & Carrot Soup

Ingredients:

1 stick carrot, cubed
2 potatoes, cubed
1 tomato, cubed OR a spoon of tomato paste
1 piece of skinless chicken thigh, cut
1 cup of shell pasta
3/4 saucepan of water

1. While boiling water in a medium sized saucepan, prep and clean up the chicken thigh. When the water boils, put the chicken in the saucepan and bring to boil.

2. Add in the carrots and the potatoes. Reduce the heat to low, and let simmer for 60 to 90 minutes. I didn’t have tomatoes, so I added a spoonful of tomato paste. Season with a little salt.

3. Come meal time, add in the pasta and let cook until al dente. Serve. (The Chinese in me like to add a dash of soy sauce in my clear soups, it gives it a sweet boost, somehow!)

What did I say? Is it simple or simple? Haha! You can always add celery, cabbage, peas, onion, and bacon (I'd sweat the diced onion and cook the bacon for a coupla minutes before adding the chicken and other root veges, and then water/stock), or whatever ticks your interest, to make it more flavourful and wholesome. I think this soup is somewhat like minestrone? Tis a chinese version! Haha. Anyway it goes wonderful with baguette and toasts, too! Or rice!!! YUM! Bon appétit!

Stolen Moments

noreply@blogger.com (Leishia) — Mon, 14 May 2012 06:40:00 +0000

I received an sms from a dear friend last evening, wishing me happy mother's day. Now throughout the day, friends' have been coming up to me wishing me the same and for lame-joking sake, I'd reply oh dear please don't remind me! I know. Don't ask me why I always, ALWAYS like to say lame things and embarrass myself like that! Ugh. Anyway, so when I was replying this particular sms, saying thank you, suddenly it hit me. I realized that, yes, I am actually, happy. Happy!

Not oh-boy-i'm-alive-everyday-cracking-head-what-to-cook-do-laundry-clean-up-shit-yay-i'm-loving-it kinda happy; but I am just, happy. Happy being where I am now, this moment. A wife, not a terribly good one at that, but a wife nonetheless, a mother (!), that fact that I am figuring things out (and the big picture's getting clearer) finally on how to move on and achieve goals socially, financially, personally, and uh, career-ly and I'm ready for that! And that caught me by surprise, because I've always thought I'm in such a rut, that I'm forever in that much dreaded waiting phase, waiting for that big break, only I didn't realize that that big break is now.

Now. I mean, every moment at home with my two girls is a milestone that says something big about their growth and I get to be part of it! Every decision made (and quarrel!) with the hubs about petty or important stuff says something big about a relationship shared for x amount of years. Every meltdown I experience says something big about the maturity process of my womanhood.

And one more big break? That in that split second, I'm finally coming to terms with myself, my family, my life. And I like it. I feel assured that, slowly but surely, things are falling into its rightful places, that I should really cut myself some slack and just at times, go with the flow, albeit patiently. So yeah. Happy. I am.

look who's peeking out and over the cot!


Jenny from the block

Breton stripe top from Azorias. Love it!

Suddenly She’s Two!

noreply@blogger.com (Leishia) — Tue, 08 May 2012 08:28:00 +0000

OK, I guess I cannot be in denial anymore. Frappy, my baby, remember? That tubby little wee thing that got everybody went all mushy with her expressionless face and sweet, silly smiles? Well, she’s not that little wee thing anymore! /wails!

She’s a girl now, a big girl who knows how to work her heels (ok not for real, but she loves to put on heels, correctly at that! Where lah did she get that from?! /shifty eyes); she wants to explore places (on her own) and is not shy to make new friends (it’s simple really, just open your mouth and say HAI!!! And then smile. There, you just got yourself a new friend. Simple but profound wisdom); she eats big people’s food; she answers back (!!!); she says xie xie (thank you) when given food or helped without being prompted; she puts away her toys (!!!! sometimes only haha); she is imitating speech, a lot. You should really see her when she’s watching her walt disney’s animations; she’d get very engrossed and babble along with the characters as if she wrote the script. Just yesterday, mickey from the mickey mouse clubhouse asked his audience to say “oh toodles!”, frappy did just that. She said Oh tootoos!

She is doing so many things these days - some new, some old but more refined and sophisticated, it’s scaring me sometimes! I mean, like, noooo stop! Stop growing so soon! Just stay and be that little wee thing who weighed a ton with all the oh-so-squishable fleshy chunks like that Michelin man for awhile, won’t you? Lookit you! You are all slimming down (except for the tummy haha!) and elongating! You’re wearing dresses and look properly like a lady already, except shorter. Much shorter.

But no, time says no. She has to grow, keep growing and moving with every tick of the hands on the clock. Oh how that pains my heart my dear frappy! But it’s a joy to be able to grow with you, I’ll have you know that missy! You are such a joy to be around with (but I’ll also have you know that you’re such a pain when you’re stubborn and so loud it’s embarrassing -__-). You know, when she knows I’m feeling under the weather, she’d come over and hold my arm, and when she hugs me, she’d give my back a gentle rub and my shoulders a baby squeeze! Such a grown up my goodness! Just stop! You’re giving me heartache just thinking about it!

Haiks. All I wanted to do was to pen down a few happenings from yesterday, the 7^th of May 2012 – Frappy’s 2^nd birthday; and of course I had to be random and go all over the place! Hehe. Ok then, I’ll leave you with some memories that no money can buy – my family came visiting (my parents just got off work and had a flight to catch this morning!), my brother sponsored the most delicious berries pavlova, and a group of our friends came celebrating the special day with us! It wasn’t a planned party, I was just going to symbolically give frappy a cake-cutting ceremony and call it a (birth)day, but Ju organized a whole bunch of dear friends over (on a weeknight! You guys make me cry!) and suddenly we have ourselves a party! And these people even brought gifts! I feel so loved whenever I have people coming by our house, and this is not even my party! Ugh. Why am I sucha mush!

At one point my mom was asking me, rather suspiciously, "these… are frappy’s friends? So old?"

Nawww, mom! They are not old. They are gold!

Ok, I should really stop, this is turning into an essay (that, and also I’m typing this whilst standing, with frappy clinging to my leg like a koala to a tree trunk, and oli grabbing my toe, like… like, oysters stuck to pier stilts. So very abruptly, and very cliché-ly, blessed birthday my sweet mocha frap! I hope you had an awesome time last night with your family and friends, donning new dress, sunglasses, fairy wings, eating that fancy branded pavlova with fingers, and simply being an all attention-grabbing star! I love you too much, baby! Just don’t be annoying ok? xox

Good morning! I'm two years old today!