Last time, it was Millie's cookies and muffins.


Recently, someone else emailed me...


"Anyway Iza, I've read in your blog sometimes ago that you crave chocolate, I didn't go to Paris/UK, but I bought some chocolate Australia origin (tim tams original and love portion) for you... "




Awww.... I'm touched! :)
Thank you, dear one.


p/s: I am recently "craving" for LV Trevi bag... *batting eyelashes*

Labels: Random Stuff

I have a sudden craving for something sweet.


A cold dessert, but not icy cold.
Something creamy... A little fruity perhaps.
Something with peaches. Or strawberries?
I don't know.


But when I saw these mini desserts, my heart leaps. I could almost taste the creamy custard, all rich and smooth... I can feel myself salivating. This must be it!





Must. Try. Them.

Labels: Food and Recipes

According to Wikipedia, babymoon is...


"...a vacation taken by a couple that is expecting a baby in order to allow the couple to enjoy a final trip together before the many sleepless nights that usually accompany a newborn baby, even if the vacation is just a hair's breadth away from where the couple lived..."


Ok, I made up the last part of the sentence ;p


Our babymoon isn't a lavish getaway, complete with luxurious pregnancy spa treatments at a great resort and whatnot. But the main objective of babymoon is to relax and reconnect with each other regardless of the place, so that's what we had - in our own fun and casual ways at The Gardens Hotel.


One of the things I love about most (5 star) hotels is the bathroom, especially the see-through ones. Although it can give me a massive heart attack when I saw my husband's reflection in the mirror while I was shampooing my hair which led to a scream that can be heard on the entire building (phew, that was a mouthful!), having a shower or bath in a see-through bathroom is really sexyyy. But seriously honey, don't ever do it again. I might give birth right then and there sebab terkejut punya pasal!




The first night (ooh, doesn't that sound like honeymoon?), we spent hours relaxing together in the tub. I filled the tub with warm water and floral-scented bubble bath, and had somehow turned the bathroom into a garden. The whole bathroom smelled of roses! And there were bubbles - lots and lots of them, all thick and luxurious (well of course; I emptied half bottle of the bubble bath!), that I could sleep in it...





Later we had dinner-in-bed while watching It's a Boy Girl Thing on the telly. Sitting on a nice comfy bed with your partner, watching rom-com movie, eating pizza and donuts for dessert... rasa macam slumber party! And I think my hubby actually enjoyed watching that movie bcoz he didn't flick the channel, not even once like he always did back at home (either that, or he was just being nice bcoz we were on babymoon).




We woke up early the next morning to have our big breakfast - or at least, mine was big! Being pregnant is a bonus bcoz not only can I have 2 rounds of omelettes without feeling abashed (hey I'm eating for 2, remember? ;p), I was also given the privilege to cut the line without having to queue up for my waffle!





I was invited for a food tasting session at Italiannies. Which means we had free lunch! Yippy! I will blog about it in a different post.




I supposed the highlight of our babymoon is doing the pregnancy belly cast. It wasn't as easy as I thought, but it was fun and something different! We turned the bathroom into a project station and it was extremely messy. You should see my husband - macam construction worker, what with the old t-shirt and gloves and the serious let's-get-to-work face!



The whole casting process took about 2 hours. The drying process is another 48 hours!
Here's the masterpiece that hubby and I made:



It isn't completely finished as I haven't sand and decorate it yet, but I have a rough idea how I want it to be. I just need to find acrylic paint. Do you know where I could find one?



Anyways...

Labels: Going Places, Pregnancy

I've been suffering from extremely dry and flaky lips ever since I'm pregnant, despite my habit of applying lip balm 88 times a day. I know the main reason is bcoz I haven't been drinking plenty of water like I used to. Now that my bump is the size of a prize-winning watermelon, I am easily bloated than ever. Drinking more than 1 liter of water a day makes me feel like my watermelon-bump is gonna explode bcoz the baby has taken up most of the space so there ain't much left for water, making it almost impossible for me to "drink for two".


Ok, lame excuse. But I couldn't think of any other reasons why I haven't been drinking more water ;p


So back to the flaky lips...


I've tried The Body Shop Lip Scuff years ago, but I found the granules a bit too gentle for my overly chapped lips (plus I don't like the minty smell) so I didn't bother to use it again. I also tried exfoliating my lips with wet towel and applying Pure Shea Butter hoping that it'll moisturize my dry lips but nope, my lips are still flaky and fugly. It looks even fuglier when I apply lipstick on. Brushing my lips with a toothbrush doesn't seem like a pleasing idea so I passed that up.


Then I decided to make my own lip scrub - using only Vaseline and raw sugar. After about 3 times of good scrubbin' my lips are almost flake-less! But you have to make it a habit to do it every 2-3 times a week to see the result.


Here's how to make your own lip scrub:

Labels: Beauty/Skincare

Sometimes making up your mind whether to keep some of your unused-but-still-love stuff can be intricating. You still like it, but you don't use it. At least not anymore. You just want to keep it for as long as you could, hoping that someday you would feel the need to use it again.


But the thing is, you don't know when that day would come - or if it ever comes.
How exactly do you know if you would ever use your unused stuff in the future? How do you know if getting rid of it is the right decision? That you won't regret it?


That's the issue I'm having with this bag.


I bought this Flatiron Shoulder Satchel from Banana Republic (but mine is in yellow) way before I was pregnant. And I have only wore it once. I love the design, but the color explains why I haven't been wearing it. I just can't bring myself to wear (bright) colored bags. Don't ask me why I bought it anyway. It's just one of those impulse "wow-this-is-nice-I-can-do-with-something-different-and-it's-the-last-one-I-just-have-to-get-it" moments.





It's a pretty bag. But it's yellow - the color that I'm not used to wear.


If you were me, would you still keep it and try to wear it... or would you just get rid of it once and for all?
Help me make a decision please.

Labels: Bags

The November 2008 issue of Vogue Paris featured a model, Eniko Mihalik (one of Gucci's Fall 2008 models), photographed in different ages - 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 years old - using superb makeup and lighting techniques.

Labels: Beauty/Skincare

Hi ladies!


I just set up my new sales blog - Shopper's Sanctuary - which can only mean one thing: MY SELLING MODE IS BACK!


I need to clear out my closet and there are TONS of unused/unwanted stuff that I need to get rid before the baby arrives. So do drop by at my new sales blog from time to time for any updates!


As of now, I will start off by selling Tie Rack scarfs :)
Hurry, before they're sold out!


p/s: I won't be updating the old sales blog anymore.

Labels: Sales and Shopping

Classic English scone, lovely with raspberry jam and rich thickened cream.


Honey, can I have ten of that for dinner tonight? ;D

Labels: Food and Recipes

Despite my lack of clothing to wear nowadays, I have to refrain myself from buying anymore tops since I have less than 30 days before my baby pops out, InsyaAllah. Baby pops out = bump disappears = smaller clothes. I guess I won't be wearing maternity clothes after all.


But I make exceptions for some (non-maternity) S-sized tops that I could fit in bcoz I know I would definitely be able to wear them when I get back to my original size (read: money is not being wasted). This dress by MNG is one of them (I got it in fuchsia btw). It's a dress with batwing sleeves and it's gathered below the bust. I just love the slinky fabric and the vertical draping effect at the sides. Très chic!




But since I am *ehem* short, this dress falls below my knees which makes it looks funny when being worn with a pair of pants. I'm going to shorten it a few inches well above the knees so that it doesn't really look like a dress.




Okay, obviously this dress looks more flattering and chic on a non-pregnant figure (bcoz it's not meant for preggers), but I like how it accentuates my bump. It's pregnant-friendly, alright! And don't you just love the color?


The necklace looks just fab with the dress that I couldn't resist, so I got that as well. The SA had to take it off from the mannequin (after asking me several times if I was really keen to buy it) as it was the last piece left. Phew, I'm glad I was fast!




Now I need a matching clutch (something gold/bronze-ish, perhaps) to go with the rest of the outfit :)

Labels: Fashion

This conversation took place in the car.


Hubby: Kat office saya dah ada xbox 360. Best giler main!
Me: Really.. xbox tu macam PS3 ek?
Hubby: A'ah lebih kurang la tapi lagi best. Graphic dia cantik sangat sampai nak nangis tengok.
Me: *raising eyebrow* Ha?? Kenapa nak nangis? Mana ada org ckp cantik sampai nak nangis.
Hubby: Adaa.. That's the right expressionn!
Me: No it's not.
Hubby: Yerrrr...
Me: Ouh so, saya tak cantik sangat la sbb awak tak nangis pon tengok saya?
Hubby: Err... Ni lain la *lol*


Hee hee.


Pelik-pelik la ayat suami aku nih ;p

Labels: Random Stuff

The 3 of us went to Anya Hindmarch's Tea & Cake party today, which is an event mainly untuk "menjamu mata sambil menjamu selera".





This preggy mommy had a hard time deciding what to wear as the clothes that could fit her now are pretty limited, but in the end she settled for something as seen in her Chanel makeover! ;p Lantak... At least it's nice to know I could still fit in my favorite top. Tee hee!





I didn't bother to have a look at the bags even tho they were on sale, probably bcoz I just got a new AH bag yesterday... or it could be bcoz I was so swooned by the cakes! The macaroons especially (I like the green ones the most). I feel like I'm in a candy land! They're so colorful and cute, and there's even Anya Hindmarch bags and chocolates with its signature ribbon logo. How fab!








Later on, Hanis and Wani had a few trying-on sessions with the bags... and so did this little boy!
Let's see which bags caught his eyes...








Btw each of us gets a goodie bag, which consists of some booklets and an Anya Hindmarch notebook. I'm not sure what to do with it - I might give it to my hubby, who he is a sucker for notebooks! haha.

Labels: Bags, Events/Activities

*clap clap*


My husband sang that song when he entered the room (I was in front of the laptop). He had a big white box in his hands and a big smile plastered across his face.




Excitedly, I leaped off the bed. I gave him a kiss and quickly tore open the box (no wait; I think it was the other way round), and lo and behold...



... it's my "Mommy Bag" a.k.a the Small Elrod Pecary by Anya Hindmarch! (this bag is made of cowhide leather with peccary stamping btw). I guess luck was on my side after all :D


I'm going to wear it tomorrow to Anya Hindmarch's Special Pre-Sale event at KLCC (there's gonna be tea and cake).


Ahh... I loveee the smell of a new bag!

Labels: Bags

My estimated due date is exactly 30 days from today. T-H-I-R-T-Y.


I am now at the stage where everything hurt - inside out. I am clumsier than normal, I have difficulty to move around, my fingers and feet are mildly swollen, walking/standing even sitting for a mere 15 minutes is enough to give me all-over pain that lasts for days, and unlike some people (who have mood swings during the 1st trimester), I am snappy, and more cranky and moodier than ever. I know those are part and parcel of being pregnant so stop telling me to be grateful instead bcoz I'm able to get pregnant blabla... It's not like I hate being pregnant. I'm just tired of being restless and I'm sure it's normal for most pregnant women to feel this way when they're at the very last stage, kan?


But at the same time, I'm not sure if I'm ready for this pregnancy to be over bcoz it kind of felt too soon. To be honest, I don't feel like I've been carrying my precious little one for almost 9 months already; I feel like I've only been pregnant for 5 or 6 months, despite my size and everything.


I still haven't packed my hospital/baby bag, the baby's clothes and other items are not washed/cleansed yet, and we haven't set up the (mini) nursery for our baby. The room is in a total mess. But since we're done with our babymoon, we can now concentrate on the arrival of the little one and start settling those things... probably this weekend.


Meanwhile...




Can this bump get any bigger? ;p

Labels: Pregnancy

My fingers are swollen and they are starting to feel numb. I could no longer wear my wedding ring :(




*sigh*


I feel so fat.

Labels: Pregnancy

I would like to thank those who suggested all the natural remedies to cure sore throat, especially the kicap + limau nipis and air asam jawa + pinch of salt. I think those two helped the most! At first I was a bit skeptical, especially the kicap thingy... I mean, kicap? What does that got to do with curing sore throat? Is it soy? But I tried it anyway bcoz I was so desperate to get better... and the taste wasn't so bad. At least not as bad as the air asam jawa. That is the most disgusting stuff I have ever tasted in my life! But I stopped coughing the minute I finished up the whole cup and I was cough-free for an hour (I was coughing non-stop before that). I was amazed. It's almost like magic... now you are coughing, now you don't! I've been drinking it 3 times a day now since yesterday and I'm feeling much better - but I still have that "boy-just-hit-puberty" voice. Any remedies for that? ;) I can't wait to totally get rid of this sore throat.


Anyways, I think I just "discovered" my love for honey. I just couldn't get enough of that sweet golden stuff. I eat it with almost everything I could think of - drizzle it over crackers, spread it on breads/buns, cicah dengan capati, mix it with cold (Dutch Lady) milk, or just eat it on its own... Yum!


Mmhhh... Makan scones dengan honey pon mesti sedap....
I hope they have scones for breakfast at the hotel. Else, I would have to run down to Dome Cafe for their heavenly English scones.

Labels: Random Stuff

We've been deciding where to go for our babymoon ever since before Raya. It ain't easy especially bcoz MZ could not afford to get any more leaves since he's saving 'em for his paternity leave, so it's just going to be a 3-day babymoon.





At first, we were planning to go to Bandung. But MZ's cousin told us it might be quite dangerous if it's just the two of us. He told MZ of his recent trip and it didn't sound like a pregnant-friendly place.


Then we thought of Singapore. But a chat friend of mine told me about a disease at that time that might harm pregnant women. Demam ke apa tah. I don't want to take a risk, so no Singapore.


Then we planned to go to Redang Island. But since I'm pregnant, there's nothing much I can do. I can't go snorkeling, scuba diving, even the spa. So we thought it would be a waste of money. Maybe next time.


Next on the list was Genting. It was a last minute decision and we totally forgot school holiday starts this weekend, so all the nice hotels are fully-booked. Plus, I'm due in about 5 weeks' time - both parents are quite against the idea of us going up there in case something happened.


So last2 tau babymoon kat mana?


The Gardens! Haha. So much of planning going here and there, huh! ;p


But well, at least it's a nice hotel (located just above a shopping mall!). I'm already looking forward to just lazing around, enjoying each other's company. I just need to go somewhere else - somewhere nice (and romantic) and just the two of us, so it doesn't matter if jarak dari rumah macam sekangkang kera jer. Plus, I am so craving to have hotel breakfast buffet!


We're going tomorrow, so I gotta pack now. I'm thinking of making our own spa session, so I guess I can't pack light as hubby wanted.

Labels: Going Places

Helloo..


Ehem! Hi, my name is Iza *coughing* although I don't sound *coughing again* like I normally do. *cough cough*


My voice cracked *cough* and it sounds like a boy... who just hit his puberty *cough cough cough*


Okay I think I need to go to bed now. I'm not in the mood to blog *coughhhh*
The flu medicine is making me drowsyyy. I think my baby is drowsy too. She didn't kick a lot like she normally does.


C'mon baby. Let's sleep with mommy...


*cough cough cough*


Too*cough*dles!

Labels: Random Stuff

I'm craving for so many things now, but all of them are NOT "sore throat-friendly" food. Starbucks' Iced Toffee Nut Latte is one of them. I've been waiting for a year, and now when it's finally here, I can't have it! It's so depressing when I have to tahan nafsu just bcoz of the sore throat. Grrr....


I hope I'll get well soon enough.


Had dinner at PappaRich Kopitiam (again). Since I can't have my regular Iced Hazelnut White Coffee and Roti Bakar, I ordered Fresh Lemon Honey drink and Roti Stim instead (or "Horny Bread" as Wani puts it ;p). Sedap la itu Horny Bread. Ianya lembut bak buntut bayi. Saya seakan-akan nak tido semasa memakannya.




Hubby made me eat Chicken Porridge btw (I wanted Char Kuew Teow!).


Anyways, I bought Limau Nipis and honey which are to be mixed with hot/warm water like my Bibik and some of you recommended. Both my mom and MIL suggested I go au naturel this time since I've finished 2 bottles of cough syrup and about 8 packets of Strepsils and Woods' lozenges and my sore throat is still not showing any signs of recovering.


One question tho; limau nipis tu yg besar ke kecik? Bcoz yesterday at my mom's house, my bibik used limau yg kecik tu (but she calls it limau nipis). I bought the big ones btw, as the small ones are Limau Kasturi. And the taste is slightly different. I don't know if it's bcoz of my sore throat hence the funny taste of some things, but the honey + limau nipis drink tasted like err... Asam Laksa. No kidding! Is there any difference between those 2 limau or bole jer guna mana2?

Labels: Food and Recipes

This is the worst sore throat I have ever had. Being pregnant makes it a lot sakit and harder to handle (my lower abdomen hurts when I coughed so hard).


Last night was the worst. I coughed non-stop, my throat was so painful rasa macam luka, I could barely manage to swallow let alone talk, and to make things worse, I had a nose blockage. I had been sucking on Strepsils, Wood's Peppermint Lozenges, cough syrup, drinking cups of hot water, honey, gargling warm water with salt... but none worked! I tried to bring myself to sleep, but I couldn't. I cried in the middle of the night like a little kid bcoz I could no longer bear the pain and didn't know what to do... and that woke hubby up. He took my hand and hushed me. We sat on the bed; I rested my head on his shoulder and he put his arm around me, with the other hand on my throat usap2 sambil baca ayat2 and doa and tiup (konon2 macam jampi). I was crying and coughing at the same time, but what my husband did was soothing. We sat like that for a good 20 minutes and soon the sound of my cries and coughs ceased.


He stayed with me all night (at least until I was asleep), gave me another cup of hot water and tucked me to bed. I slept like a baby - I only woke up twice to pee.


This morning I woke up with a sore throat. Not as bad as last night, but still irritating.
I think I need to be "jampi-ed" again.

Labels: Random Stuff

I had different cravings in each trimester of my pregnancy.


In the 1st trimester, I had a mad craving for really spicy food - cili padi and sambal belacan to be exact. I found that spicy food eased my nausea. So if possible, I want everything to be flaming hot! Imagine eating sambal belacan with Maggi noodles, Chicken and Cheese soup, bread, mashed potato, and omelet. Sedap tak terkata. And when it comes to eating rice, fresh chopped cili padi is a must (if there's no sambal belacan). The "firey" sensation felt on my tongue gave me a complete satisfaction!


Then in the 2nd trimester, I craved a lot of seafood besides creamy and cheesy dishes. Japanese food is one of the sources to satisfy my seafood hankering. Shrimps (especially), crabs, mussels, eels, scallops. And I love fruit juices too, especially JuiceWorks'. By then, my craving for spicy food has toned down a little bit; at least tak segila macam masa 1st trimester tu la.


Now in the 3rd trimester, my cravings are more specific and... diversified. Like, I craved for Shish Kebab only from Tarbush, Big Apple's Chococinno donut, Subway Melt sandwich, and Roti Bakar + Iced Hazelnut White Coffee only at PappaRich Kopitiam - no other!


Anddd hmmm...


Lately, I have this sudden "craving" for Anya Hindmarch and MBMJ bags too (no, seriously. It's not funny).

Labels: Pregnancy

Call me boring and unadventurous, but I am not one who would wear colored bags. At least nothing other than the families of blacks, browns and whites.


But this G Mediterraneo Tote from Ferragamo makes me weak at the knees. I actually prefer it in purple rather than black. It's so stunning!





I love EVERYTHING about the bag - the shape, the color, the size, the patent leather, the flap closure, the silvertone hardware, the handles and strap, the pleated front... Every single thing! Except the price.


Aiyaiyaiyaiyaiiii!

Labels: Bags

Has anyone purchased a bag/bags from any International website that ships directly to Malaysia? Websites like Net-A-Porter, Mulberry, Anya Hindmarch, Lulu Guinness, etc (I don't mean eBay tho).


Apart from the shipping cost and whatever charges from those websites (which will be stated during the checkout process), is there anything else I need to be pay for? Like custom taxes and duties ke apa when it arrives here... Or will it safely arrive at my doorstep tanpa sangkut2 kat airport and whatnot, just like purchasing items from eBay?


I'm planning to get a bag online and this is my first time, so I don't know what are the processes other than dealing it online. Perhaps anyone who has experienced this could share. It's only for one bag. If there's so much hassle, I might just cancel it (and look for other alternatives)...


Thank you!

Labels: Sales and Shopping

Tagged by: Hanis

Starting time: 2.25 AM

Name: Iza

Sisters: 2 younger sisters who actually look older than me (jangan mara yer adik-adik! ;p)

Brothers: Only 1, the youngest.

Shoe size: 5 or 6

Height: 5' 1", but I can be as tall as 5' 6" with the help of my stilettos...

Where do you live: Currently with my PIL.

Have you ever been on a plane: Yes, and I actually enjoy it. Especially long hours flight. I know, pelik kan? Maybe I could be a flight attendance. Or even a pilot! ;p

Swam in the ocean: I remembered "sitting" in the Dead Sea. Does that count as swimming? I don't know how to swim tho.

Fallen asleep at school: Never. I was a good student ;p

Broken someone’s heart: I guess.

Fell off your chair: Macam penah. Masa kecik2 kot...

Sat by the phone all night waiting for someone to call: Yes. That's what long distant relationship does to you! :)

Saved e-mails: Yes

What is your room like: Messy and looks more like a store room than a bedroom with all those boxes from our wedding presents.

What’s right beside you: My sleeping husband.

What is the last thing you ate: Capati and Roti Canai.

Chicken pox: A week before my Orientation Week, which was about 7 years ago, and it lasted for 2 weeks!

Sore throat: I haven't had sore throat for more than a year... but thanx to my husband who refused to take his medicines, I'm starting to get one! Bahh!

Stitches: None... yet.

Broken nose: No.

Do you believe in love at first sight: I don't know as I've never experienced it.

Like picnics: Honestly, no.

Who was/were…The last person you danced with: I don't dance.

Last made you smile: The little person who is constantly kicking and wiggling and turning and doing all sorts of funny movements in my tummy! Gelii laa...

You last yelled at: The air-cond. It refused to swing!


Today did you…

Talked to someone you like: Besides my hubby, yes.

Kissed anyone: Everyday oso kiss one!

Get sick: My back aches a bit.

Talk to an ex: What's an ex??

Miss someone: My nephew, Hariz!

Who do you really hate: Ntah la labuu... Malas nak pk.

Do you like your hand-writing: Sometimes.

Are your toe nails painted: No.

Whose bed other than yours would you rather sleep in: 5-star hotel beds.

What color shirt are you wearing now: White.

Are you a friendly person: Mmhh... Not really. I'm a shy person.

Do you have any pets: Used to have cats.

Do you sleep with the TV on: I don't even watch TV nowadays.

What are you doing right now: Typing this very sentence...

Can you handle the truth: I supposed so.

Are you closer to your mother or father: Mother.

Do you eat healthy: I have my Herbalife shake daily, I love veggies, I eat my vitamins so yea... I guess I do.

Do you still have pictures of you & your ex: Sheeeeshh!

If you’re having a bad day, who are you most likely to go to: My husband. His hug is all I need.

Are you loud or quiet most of the time: Quiet.

Are you confident: In certain situation, yes. But to be honest when I managed to lose tremendous amount of weight, I have higher self-confidence than before...


5 things I was doing 10 years ago:
- Sat for PMR and I got straight A's.
- Performed Umrah for the first time.
- Applied for MRSM, bcoz my parents wanted me to.
- Hated guys! ;p
- My siblings said I was "budak skema". Haha. Can you believe that?

5 things I would do if I were a billionaire:
- Do the things I can't afford to do at the moment.
- Have the things I can't afford to have at the moment.
- Go to the places I can't afford to go at the moment.
- Basically, live the kind of lifestyle that I want.
- Oh right, I'm left with another one *scratching my head*


5 of my bad habits:
- I sleep really late.
- I would wear my clothes 3-4 times before washing 'em.
- Malas tukar bedsheet + quilt cover. Berat la!
- Lately, pemalas mandi. I would only take my shower, 2-3 hours after waking up. And yes, I think it's my pregnancy hormones ;p
- Procrastinate.


5 places I’ve lived/living:
- Shah Alam
- UK
- Melaka
- Taiping
- KL


5 people I tag:
- Naya
- Nadia
- Fadd
- Mrs. Imran
- Kaezrin

Labels: Tagging games

My belly goes thump...thump....thump! I think my little princess has hiccups. She's learning to breathe!
This is not the first time tho, but I managed to record it this time.






Can you see the thumping?


It's so cute, although it could be uncomfortable at times (especially when I'm trying to sleep). But just as long as everything is normal and perfectly fine, I'm not going to complain about it. It's actually quite "entertaining" to feel and see your belly twitching like that. The feeling is indescribable, knowing there's a little person living in you and sharing your body.


Mommy loves you, baby!

Labels: Pregnancy

Salam kak..

Labels: Bags