Throwback Food Snaps

Throwback food snaps of breakkie with the hubs and mil recently:

At Bai Wei Kopitiam:

Chicken soup flat noodles, Polo bun with spam and cheese, Mee Siam with spiced fried chicken, and milk tea topped with a cube of gigantic ice in the shape of a cute bear (cafe's signature beverage).

Breakfast at a coffee shop in our hood:

Dry hor fun noodles with chicken, fishballs, fried fish and fish paste soup and fried char mee hoon topped with fried wallet egg.

Jumbo local avocado, grown in Johor.  A seller from our neighborhood Facebook group advertised these avos and I bought two to try.  I didn't order more as I was apprehensive of locally-grown avocados. But these babies proved me wrong.  These Malaysia-grown avos are super creamy and even sweet.  The flesh is in a pretty greenish-yellowish hue and perfect inside!

Don't judge the fruit by its skin. Blemished on the outside but beautiful on the inside.

Lilac Bridesmaid Dresses

When selecting bridesmaid dresses, it's essential to consider the color palette of the wedding, the bridesmaids' skin tones, and the overall style of the wedding. If the wedding has a soft and romantic feel, then lilac bridesmaid dresses will be a perfect choice. Lilac can also look beautiful in outdoor or garden weddings, as the soft purple hues can complement the natural surroundings.

Tie-neck Halter Sleeveless Wedding Bridesmaid Dress With Ruched Waist

Lilac is a beautiful and sweet color for bridesmaid dresses and even the bride’s dress. Lilac is a soft and romantic color that can complement many different wedding color schemes, particularly pastels, analogous shades of purple, and other light shades.  For a bright palette, you could contrast it with colors like orange, yellow, olive green, gray, and much more.

Pleated Bodice Chiffon Cold Shoulder Tie Back Bridesmaid Dress

Lilac, being a soft and feminine color can look great on a variety of skin tones and can be a flattering choice for many different body types. However, it's important to consider the preferences and styles of your individual bridesmaids, as well as any other colors or themes you are incorporating into your wedding.

 

 

A-Line One Shoulder Chiffon Flutter Sleeve Bridesmaid Dress

The choice of lilac as a color for bridesmaid dresses will depend on the bride’s personal preferences, the overall style and theme of the wedding, and the overall aesthetic you are trying to achieve for your wedding.  It's essential to consider factors such as the venue, season, setting, and time of day of the wedding, as well as the colors of the flowers, decor, and other elements of the wedding.  

Additionally, it's a good idea to involve the bridesmaids in the decision-making process and consider their input and preferences as well. You may also consult with a wedding planner or other professionals to ensure that the color lilac will work well with the other elements of your wedding.

 

Chiffon Sweetheart Straps Long Bridesmaid Dress With Pleated Bodice

 If you are planning to add a touch of whimsy and enchantment to your fairy tale wedding, lilac bridesmaid dresses can be the ideal color.  With the right accessories and styling, your bridesmaids are sure to look like they've stepped out of a fairy tale.   Choose fabrics that have a dreamy and ethereal quality, such as chiffon, tulle, or organza.  These fabrics will flow beautifully and create a romantic look. Yelure.co.uk has a neat range of lilac bridesmaid dresses in a variety of styles, fabrics, and sizes at really affordable prices.

Add some sparkle and magic to your bridesmaids' dresses with accessories like delicate floral crowns, hair pins, dainty necklaces, or earrings with gemstones or pearls. You could also consider adding a touch of glitter to their shoes or adding a shimmery shawl or cape.

Ultimately, the most important factor is that the bride and bridesmaids feel happy and confident in their dresses, so if lilac is a color that everyone loves, then it can be a great choice for bridesmaid dresses.

In conclusion, lilac bridesmaid dresses are a beautiful and versatile choice for any wedding. They offer a range of styles, fabrics, and accessories to fit every personal style and body type. With the right shade and accessories, lilac dresses can add a touch of romance and elegance to your special day. 

Choosing Dusty Blue Bridesmaid Dresses For Your Bridal Party

Choosing dusty blue bridesmaid dresses can be a cool choice for your wedding. Dusty blue is a lovely, muted shade that pairs well with a variety of other colors, making it a versatile choice for bridesmaid dresses.

 

A-Line Chiffon Strapless Bridesmaid Dress With Front Ribbon And Open Back

This unique shade of blue is a beautiful and versatile color that can be a great choice for bridesmaid dresses. Here are some things to consider when choosing dusty blue bridesmaid dresses for your wedding:

 

1) Color coordination:

Consider the color scheme of your wedding and make sure that dusty blue complements the overall look and feel of the bridal party. Dusty blue can work well with a variety of colors, such as blush pink, ivory, and gold.

Chiffon Straps Bridesmaid Dresses With Ribbon

Chiffon Straps Bridesmaid Dresses With Ribbon

 

2) Skin tones:

Dusty blue is a universally flattering color that can complement a range of skin tones. However, it is always a good idea to consider the skin tone of your bridesmaids when choosing their dresses.

 

3) Dress styles:

Consider the different designs of dresses that your bridesmaids might prefer. Dusty blue can look great in a variety of styles, from flowing maxi dresses to sleek cocktail dresses.

 

4) Wedding theme:

Think about the overall theme of your wedding and make sure that dusty blue fits with the aesthetic you are going for. For example, if you are having a rustic or vintage-inspired wedding, dusty blue can be an awesome choice.

Cold Shoulder Chiffon Open Back High Low Bridesmaid Dress

 

5)  Season:

Consider the season in which your wedding will take place. Dusty blue can work well in both the spring and summer months, as well as in the cooler autumn and winter months. 

 

6)  Venue: 

Consider the setting of your wedding when choosing your bridesmaid dresses. Dusty blue may look particularly stunning in the spring or summer when paired with lighter colors and natural greenery. If your wedding venue is outdoors or has a rustic, bohemian feel, dusty blue can help create a romantic, ethereal vibe.

A Line Keyhole Back Chiffon Spaghetti Straps Bridesmaid Dress

 

7)  Accessorize thoughtfully:

Metallic accents, including silver, gold, and rose gold jewelry can look stunning against the cool blue tones of dusty blue. You may also want to consider adding in some natural elements like flowers or greenery to play up the romantic, bohemian vibe of the color.

 

 

8) The Style:

Dusty blue can work with a variety of dress styles, from flowy chiffon to elegant velvet. Think about the overall style of your wedding and choose bridesmaid dresses that complement your bridal gown and the overall aesthetic of the day.

 

  

Overall, dusty blue can be a beautiful and great choice for bridesmaid dresses.  You can shop for a good range of dusty blue bridesmaid dresses at Yelure.co.uk at prices that will not break the bank.

Just make sure to consider the factors above when making your final decision and everything will come together beautifully on the big day!

Colorful Meals

Maria has not been consistently coming to work for us lately.  From thrice a week to twice a week to  once a week to only once in 10 days now.  Her excuses were headache, feeling dizzy, stomachache and other excuses. I wonder if she's telling the truth or she has jobs from other houses where she's paid higher wages.  I know that she's now working as part-time maid in other households vs. only working for us in the pre-pandemic years.

I really think that she has to be forthright with me. If she really wants higher wages, she has to ask me and not keeps giving me endless empty promises of coming to work only to tell me at the eleventh hour that she's not coming.  I think it's not acceptable and very unfair to me to have to wait for her till 5pm, only to be told that she's not coming. 

For the record, I have increased her wages twice over the past 12 months. I think she wants even higher wages. 

During the pandemic years when we were worried of having her work for us due to how rapidly Covid was spreading, Maria begged me to allow her to work for us, asked for a pay cut, as long as she could work for us.  I gave her full wages and took her in.  

Because of Maria's unreliability, meals dished out at home are now pretty simple. And we get takeout and food delivery several times a week. Sometimes we have food from hubby's kitchen.

I cooked this meatless vegetables soup, using dashi and vegetable stock from Melaleuca.  I added onions, garlic, a whole head of cabbage, carrot, tomato, seaweed, and shimeji mushrooms.  It's naturally sweet and Cass loved it. 

My lunch with Cass on Sunday at La Juiceria, my favorite cafe, just the both of us.  The hubs, Alycia and mil were in Ipoh for Qing Ming. Sherilyn was at the Sunway Uni Open Day and Education Fair at Mid Valley Megamall.  

Bangkok Salad for me. Loved this so much that for once, I licked the platter clean.

Torched salmon poke bowl for Cass. Very yummeh too.

Free 1 Mini Bowl (beef) of my choice for takeaway.  It's a freebie for new members. I'd dined at La Juiceria only once a couple of months ago. There's another freebie waiting for me, which is a birthday gift and is a cup of smoothie. We'll be back to La Juiceria again soon to try other healthy meals and to claim my free smoothie 😁

Is Burnt Orange A Good Color For Bridesmaid Dresses?

Are you planning on choosing burnt orange as your wedding theme instead of the more popular hues like baby blue and dusty pink? But you're not sure if burnt orange is a "good" color for your bridesmaids.

You may feel skeptical at the thought or suggestion of dressing your bridesmaids up in bright burnt orange dresses. And the look you’ll get from some people because when we think of burnt orange color, it’s easy to jump right to that Jack-o'-lantern and grilled carrots. But the color orange is much more nuanced than that and comes in so many shades.

Whether or not burnt orange bridesmaid dresses is a good choice ultimately depends on personal preference, the overall wedding color scheme, and the time of year the wedding is taking place.

A Line Princess Spaghetti Strap Chiffon Bridesmaid Dress with sweet ruffles.

Burnt orange is a warm, earthy color that can be a great choice for fall or autumn weddings. It can also complement other fall colors, such as deep reds, yellows, and browns.   Burnt orange can be a lovely and unique color choice for bridesmaid dresses, particularly for fall weddings or events with a warm and cozy vibe. However, whether or not it is a "good" color choice will ultimately depend on several factors, such as the bride's personal preferences, the wedding theme and color scheme, the skin tones and preferences of the bridesmaids themselves.  

If the bride likes the color burnt orange and it complements the overall wedding theme and color scheme, it could be an excellent choice for bridesmaid dresses.

Cold Shoulder Ruffles Chiffon Bridesmaid Dress with open back, bra pads, and pockets

It is important to consider the personal preferences of the bridesmaids as burnt orange can be deemed as too bright and loud to some. While some may love the idea of wearing burnt orange, others may not feel comfortable in the shade or may have difficulty finding a style that complements their skin tone. Therefore, it's crucial to have an open discussion with your girlfriends and ensure that the color choice is something they feel comfortable wearing.

Cold Shoulder Open Back Chiffon Ruffles Long Bridesmaid Dress

It's also essential to consider the skin tones of the bridesmaids. Burnt orange can be a flattering color on a variety of skin tones, but it may not look as good on those with very dark skin tones. If you have a diverse group of bridesmaids with different skin tones, you may want to consider choosing a color that looks good on everyone.

 

A-Line Chiffon Strapless Bridesmaid Dress With Ruffles for the busty bridesmaids.

In conclusion, if you are fond of the color burnt orange and it fits with your wedding's overall color scheme and season, it can be a great choice for bridesmaid dresses. It's important to consider all the factors and make sure you and your bridesmaids are happy with your decision.

Ultimately, burnt orange can be a beautiful and unique color choice for bridesmaid dresses, but it's important to consider all the above factors before making a final decision. To shop for burnt orange bridesmaid dresses, check out Yelure.co.uk to browse their range of beautiful bridesmaid dresses.

NOi Mixed Vegetable Chips

Whenever I have to wait for Cass to finish her figure skating class, I will window shop at Food Merchant, the supermarket at Pavillion Bukit Jalil.  I always tell myself that I will only window shop as I don't really need to buy anything urgently.  I also do not want to add on weight to my shoulder, only to aggravate the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome symptoms.  But somehow, I always ended up with some unnecessary snacks.  

Two Fridays ago, I ended up with one huge bag of cherry tomatoes (almost 1kg) at only RM10, a bag of ready-to-eat washed coleslaw and a bag of NOi mixed vegetable chips.  The chips was totally unneeded but at the time of shopping, I was feeling a tad hungry. Dang it!  So I grabbed the bag of chips. 

But good thing I bought the chips to try as they were really yummy - crispy, fresh, not overly salty and they're made from real veggies. Besides palm oil and salt, nothing else is added.  

What is in the RM6.80 bag of 60gm chips - Pumpkin, Potato, Green Radish, Mushroom, Beetroot, Palm Oil and Salt. 

I like the green radish and shiitake mushroom the most. 

The chips are cheaper on Shopee Supermarket @ RM6.49 a bag.  I recently bought 3 bags of chips together with some other groceries from Shopee Supermarket and enjoyed discounted shipping, 800 coins (equivalent to RM8 cash voucher) and redeemed some of my coins to offset the total bill. What a good deal this el-cheapo aunty managed to grab on that day 😁

Choosing Sage Green Bridesmaid Dresses For Your Wedding

Choosing the perfect bridesmaid dresses for your girl friends can be a challenging task, but if you are looking for a unique and elegant color, then a sage green bridesmaid dress is an excellent choice. Here are some reasons why sage green bridesmaid dresses are a great choice for your bridal party:

1. Versatile Color: Sage green is a versatile color that complements various skin tones and wedding themes. It is a soft and muted green shade that has a sophisticated and calming effect, making it perfect for weddings with a natural or rustic theme. Sage green is also a great alternative to neutral colors like beige and gray, adding a subtle pop of color to your bridal party.

Tassel Straps V Neck Chiffon Bridesmaid Dress With Slit Skirt. This dress comes with bra pads and even pockets! Don't you love party dresses with pockets to stash your essential items?

2. Timeless and Classic: Sage green is a timeless and classic hue that has been trending in the wedding industry for several years. It is a color that hardly ever goes out of style, making it a safe choice for brides who want their wedding to stand the test of time.  Choosing sage green bridesmaid dresses can add a touch of sophistication to your bridal party. This color will stand out beautifully in photos.

One Shoulder High Slit Chiffon Bridesmaid Dress With Sash. One-shoulder dresses are perfect for curvy bridesmaids as they highlight beautiful curves and are very flattering. 

3. Complements Other Colors: Sage green is a versatile color that complements many other colors, making it easy to incorporate into your wedding color palette. It pairs well with soft pinks, pale blues, and other neutral colors, creating a romantic and cohesive look for your wedding day.

Sweetheart Straps Chiffon Bridesmaid Dress With Pockets. A gown with two convenient pockets on the sides.  

4. Accessorizing: Sage green bridesmaid dresses are easy to accessorize. You can add a pop of color with bold jewelry or keep it simple with delicate pieces. Additionally, sage green dresses look great with both gold and silver accessories, making it easy for your bridesmaids to choose their jewelry.

5. Flattering: Sage green is a flattering color that looks great on many different skin tones. It is a soft and muted green that is less harsh than brighter shades of green and won't overpower or clash with any complexion.

3/4 Lantern Sleeve V Neck Chiffon A Line Bridesmaid Dress for the modest bridesmaid or mother/mother-in-law of the bride.

6. Natural and organic: Sage green is often associated with nature and the outdoors. It's a soothing color that evokes feelings of calmness, serenity, and tranquility. It can be a great choice if you're having an outdoor or rustic wedding.

In conclusion, sage green bridesmaid dresses are beautiful and are a timeless choice that can complement a range of wedding styles, color schemes and different skin tones.  It is easy to accessorize and looks great with many other colors. So if you want a cohesive and sophisticated look for your bridal party, consider choosing sage green bridesmaid dresses for your wedding day from bridal dress stores like Yelure.co.uk which carry a wide variety of timeless and modern designs. 

My Advanced Birthday Celebration In Ipoh

The main reason for my trip back to Ipoh from 13-15 March was to visit my parents since the timing was right.  It was Sherilyn's last day of SPM and Cass had a few more days of school holidays before school reopened the following Monday.  After sending Sherilyn to school on Monday morning, I booked a Grab car to bring us to the KL Sentral station.

Back in Ipoh, my parents told me that they had ordered my favorite cempedak cake from JJ Cakes & Swissrolls. They had also booked a table at Sushi Zento to celebrate my 50th birthday 💓.  What a sweet surprise!

It's been yonks since I last celebrated my birthday with my parents because my birthday hardly ever coincides with the school holidays and also, no thanks to the pandemic. This year the celebration was totally unplanned.

After fetching Cass and me from Concubine Lane, papa brought us to JJ Cakes & Swissrolls to collect the birthday cake.

Birthday dinner at Sushi Zento @ Festival Walk Ipoh.

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the food at Sushi Zento.  The food was lip-smackingly delicious, the service was excellent with polite waiting staff and the prices are reasonable.  Cass and I think that the food is even better than some of our favorite Japanese restaurants in KL.

Everyone loved the super fresh and highly addictive cempedak cake, with generous amounts of fresh cempedak flesh wedged between the layers of sponge cake with light cream.  JJ Swissrolls' cempedak cake is always a treat for all the senses, from its appearance to its flavor, texture, freshness, and aroma.

50 years young but always papa & mummy's little girl and I still received an ang pow each from them 💗

Dad is a member at Sushi Zento and got a 10% off the total bill.

Cass and I had evening walks around the neighborhood every day.

On one of our walks, we saw a troop of monkeys at the hillside and they were eating crispy tosei!

Cass and I could hear the crackling sound of the crispy tosei as the monkeys bit into it.  I think an Indian family nearby must have made the tosei and fed the monkeys. There's a kind Indian couple near my parents' house who would feed stray cats and dogs every evening.

Bidding each other goodbye at the Ipoh train station.
Mum could still snap pretty clear photos of me with her fractured right hand 😂

My Life In Photos The Past One Week

School reopens today after a one-month-long break, phew!  School holidays are suffocating for me.  My me-time, morning exercise, peace, space, and freedom at home are literally gone.  The littlest one can be such a handful though she's already 15.  

Besides making a trip back to Ipoh for 3 days and 2 nights, Cass was mostly at home or at the skating rink.

Now that school has reopened and the pandemic is almost behind us, co-curricular activities are back to normal.  Cass will stay back for the first time in high school this week.  CoCo activities were conducted online for the past 3 years. Cass also has to sit for her UEC exam this year. And a few more tests on figure skating.  Cass is going to be one very busy girl this year.

Me at the loo at Pavillion Bukit Jalil.  After sending Cass to the skating rink, I had nothing to do.  To kill time, I did a selfie and rambled around the mall with nothing in mind to buy.  Cass' classes are now from 8-9pm on Fridays 😩

Even though I had absolutely nothing to buy, I still ended up with some stuff from Guardian Pharmacy and a bunch of unnecessary snacks from Food Merchant.  Sherilyn texted me and asked me to help her buy make-up removal oil and I bought a bottle of expensive body shampoo simply because it was on offer and the scent is irresistibly fruity - a mix of grapefruit, apple, peach and all my favorite fruits. That's the reason why I hate going to the mall when I have nothing to buy as I will always end up buying unnecessary things 😁

While window shopping at Guardian, I stumbled upon this - sheet mask for your bust, butt, and belly.  Seriously, would you buy this to nurture your assets? 😆

Ever since mum fractured her right arm two months ago and was down with Covid a month ago, my 80-year-old papa has been taking over all the chores at home in Ipoh.  Mum even taught papa how to bake bread using the breadmaker.  Here, he's removing freshly baked bread from the breadmaker and slicing it, for me to bring it back to KL the next day 💗

The smell of freshly baked bread is heavenly!

Papa also made his signature pandan kaya for us. He stood next to the stove for over 1.5 hours, patiently stirring the santan+egg+sugar+pandan juice mixture, turning it from liquid to a thick kaya paste.  His kaya is the best in the whole wide world. 
This is my air-fried homemade whole wheat bread spread with papa's pandan kaya. It's so delish!

Cinnamon rolls baked just an hour ago - Sherilyn's first bake, post-SPM!  

'Tai Yee Ma Kar Lui' for dinner tonight. 
Hairy gourds are currently on promotion at our neighborhood supermarket @ RM5 for two.  I bought four and gave one to the girls' grand aunt.  Today the MIL cooked all the hairy gourds. Dinner for tomorrow is also settled!

Besides braised hairy gourd, we had steamed free-range chicken with ginger paste and steamed pomfret fish (tau tai chong) for dinner tonight.