My mission to find something yellow for my wardrobe is almost accomplished. "Almost" bcoz this is the closest thing to yellow that I could find.




MAS invited my husband and I for a dinner gathering at The Courtyard Garden last last weekend. They were announcing the winners for "The Great Escapade Contest" (which yours truly didn't manage to join due to my lacking of creative juice). The dress code was semi-formal and that was what I wore - the top which is actually a dress that has been shortened is from Eclipse, necklace from MNG, Forever21 jeans, Tie Rack scarf, Ferragamo snake skin clutch and I wore my new mirror-like platform heels.


The color of the dress-turned-into-a-top is actually olive and eventho olive is more to the green side, the color does look somewhat like yellow, no? Well it does - especially under yellow lighting! ;p

Labels: Fashion

We're going for a short trip (2D1N) to Johor tomorrow to attend my husband's cousin's wedding. I'm kinda excited bcoz I haven't been outside of KL for ages (the last time was when I was 5 months pregnant), plus this is going to be Ayra's first trip!


The only thing that concerned me a little is... my husband told me to pack LIGHT. Seriously, how do you pack light when you have a baby? The thing with babies is, you just have to bring extra everything bcoz you don't know what's gonna happen - extra towel in case she pees on it right after her bath, 10 extra clothing in case she gets dirty/hot/cold/uncomfortable, lots and lots of burp cloths, extra socks, a dozen of diapers and the list goes on. I will be bringing my breastpump and bottles as well, so does that mean I have to bring the sterilizer too? And oh, let's not forget baby bottle cleanser and bottle brush bcoz of course all the pumping equipments need to be washed after using.


Tu baru barang baby. Belum masuk my stuff lagi.
There is no way I can pack light!

Labels: Going Places

It was around noon. We were in the living room - my baby was in her bouncer and I was munching on a bowl of cereal while watching the TV. As usual when I was finished, I went to the kitchen to put the bowl in the sink. My baby was happily playing with the hanging toys, so I didn't bother to buckle her up. I thought she would stay in the same exact position when I left her. After all, I was only going to be away for like 5 seconds.




But boy was I wrong. When I walked back into the living room, I was shocked to see my baby in a strange position so I shrieked, "Hey sayanggg!". It looked like she was trying to get out of her seat! How did she do that?




She looked up at me with an innocent smile on her face. It was darn cute. But this must never happen again!


Lesson of the day: Do not leave your baby unattended/unsecured, even if it's just for a few seconds!

Labels: Mommyhood and Baby

I feel the need to make an entry about this after a few people asked me personally about it. After all, this is one of the major reasons that concern those who wants to start a blog, and why some Bloggers are privatizing their blogs.


I've been blogging for almost 7 years, and I've come across a lot of negative/hateful comments before - be it mine or others. One thing I've learned, the best way to handle them is to completely ignore them. Don't fight back. You won't lose anything. It can be tempting not to ignore them, but instead of wasting your energy by focusing on the negative comments, focus on the good and positive ones, and just carry on with your life. It really does help. Keep in mind that it's just not worth your time and emotion to respond to these trolls no matter how bad it gets. They are the type of people that you just can't reason with.


Here's an article I'd like to share about how to handle such thing.

Not everyone is going to like what you write. The majority of them will tastefully rebut and you can carry on an intelligent discussion among the members of your community. If you go ahead and respond to the people who are looking for a fight, it will only hurt your reputation and spill over into your community. Don't do it.

Here's how to handle the trolls:

1. Ignore them – Let them say what they want and then ignore them. Do not respond, no matter how many times they insult you. You can't reason with them.
2. Delete their comments – When it comes to comments you're damned if you do and damned if you don't. If you let nasty comments stand, it makes your community uncomfortable. If you delete them you're accused of stifling free speech. The bottom line: It's your blog and your community, cater to them, not the trolls.
3. Moderate comments – If the trolls are bringing friends and they're piling it on, moderate your comments. This doesn't have to go on forever, just until the furor dies down.

Must.Not.Engage

Here's the thing. The people who are really negative are doing so for a reason. They're trying to provoke a response. The more you give into it, the more you respond, the more it will continue. No matter how much it kills you not to set matters straight, don't give in. Even if you're right, don't give in.

Your community comes first

When your blog becomes a battle zone your regulars will leave for neutral territory. They're not visiting your blog for the drama, (well, most of them aren't). They're visiting for the advice and the atmosphere. Do the right thing and think of them first.

Source.



On the other hand, it's normal to loathe or feel disgusted at a person or a blog or whatever bcoz we're only human. There are things that triggers our likes and dislikes. But how we handle our reactions towards them is what makes us different from the rest. Don't let your emotions overpower you bcoz everything you say, everything you do, is a projection of what's inside of you.


Ini adalah peringatan untuk diri saya sendiri juga.... :)

Labels: Blogging

I have never - I repeat, NEVER - got the chance to go on a proper shopping spree ever since my baby was born. I miss spending hours at the shopping mall like I have all the time in the world. I miss trying on countless clothes and shoes. I miss being 'lost' in my own shopaholic world, sauntering from one boutique to another. As much as I love spending time looking after my baby, I miss having my me shopping time. But having a small baby limits all that, and the only shopping I do besides online is just a quick dash to the department store or the supermarket, and everything must be done in less than 2 hours before my baby starts to be cranky. It still amaze me tho, how a tiny purchase like a toy for my baby can lift up my mood after a long week. But still, that wasn't enough.


After 5 months, 2 weeks and 2 days, I finally got my shopping spree pass. My husband agreed to let me have my own sweet time at the mall while he and my baby stayed at my PIL's house. I was elated! I spent the first few hours with my sister and my mom at the Valiram sale (they both baught a Fendi and Gucci watch each), and later continued my shopping mission on my own.


I had a blast! Shopping is really therapeutic. I even skipped my dinner bcoz I forgot that I was hungry (plus, I had a quick bite with my mom and sister earlier before they went home).


Of all the purchases I made that day, this is my most favorite:




Spotted at Eclipse is a mirror-like platform heels. I love that it's a peep-toe, a slingback and it's a 5-inch heels. The heels may look like a killer, but they are the comfiest I have ever worn. They are so comfy that I could even walk down a staircase while carrying my baby without tripping. The mirror-like effect is simply stunning. It's like a glass slipper. A gunmetal glass slipper. I love it. It comes in black as well; I think I'm gonna get that too. Don't be surprised if I told you that my favorite shoes are mostly Eclipse. They make comfy and stunning high heels at the price that won't hurt your wallet. What more could a girl asks for?


On another note, my brother wants to have a shopping date with only me and my sister whenever both of us are free. He wants to belanja us anything we want as our belated birthday presents, and allocates a few hundreds each! Isn't my brother the sweetest? I am so looking forward for that day. A mommy needs a break once in a while too, no?

Labels: Sales and Shopping, Shoes

Don't have any plans for the family this weekend? Then let's join Johnson's Baby Powder Jom Main! Family Day this Saturday at Padang Timur, Petaling Jaya! It's a one-day event, from 8.30am till 6pm so be sure to bring extra clothes, wear sunhats (and sunnies) and lots of sunblock if you must! There'll be loads of fun activities and games especially for kids and be sure to check out for these fun zones:

• Kite Flying Zone (I've always wanted to fly a kite!)
• Bouncing Zone
• Kids Challenge Zone - obstacle course
  
• Cool Zone - a place to powder up and cool down after rounds of activities
  
• All Around Zone - meet the roaming balloon clowns, stilt walkers and face painter, and get your hands and face painted!
  

There's a F&B Zone as well, where you can find carnival foods like popcorn, cotton candy and some local delights. And since the event is located at a field, you can bring a picnic mat to have a picnic!


You know, the last time I went to a Family Day was when I was about 10 years old, with my parents of course. This time it's my turn to come as a parent and bring my baby! She is going through the stranger anxiety stage, so I guess this would be a good way for her to get used to be around people in the outside world. I wonder how she would react when she meets a clown.


C'mon guys, jom main-main at Johnson's Baby Family Day...


Date: 23rd May 2009
Venue: Padang Timur, Petaling Jaya (opposite Amcorp Mall and beside A&W Restaurant)
Time: 8.30am - 6pm


Entrance is free!

Labels: Advertorials, Events/Activities, Nuffnang

I don't usually carry a diaper bag when I'm out and about bcoz my handbag is partially a diaper bag. It holds not only my necessities, but my baby's too.




1. MBMJ wallet
2. Burp cloth
3. Baby changing pad (which can also be used as a mini towel)
4. iPhone
5. Notebook
6. Jordan Go travel toothbrush and toothpaste
7. Mints
8. Baby wipes travel size
9. Diaper (usually 2)
10. Pen
11. Bloom compact powder
12. Compact mirror
13. Oil blotting paper
14. Dettol hand sanitizer
15. Baby teether
16. Tissue packet
17. Keys
18. Stila Lip Glaze
19. FreshKon eye drop
20. Estee Lauder Lip Gloss
21. Make Up Store lipstick
22. LipIce lipbalm
23. EMAB Bottom Balm
24. L'occitane hand cream
25. Digicam (not in the picture)


This is the reason why mommies need large handbags - to lug everything!


Diaper bag on the other hand, is left in the car where extra diapers, baby wipes, socks, hat, burp cloth, romper, towel, nursing cover, lotion and potion are stashed in case of emergencies.

Labels: Bags

I never thought I would wear bridal makeup again, now that I'm married (with a baby). But when Red Glow invited me for a makeover, I jumped at the chance. I miss being a bride, and the closest thing I can do to be a bride is to get a bridal makeup! ;p


The whole makeover session took about 1 1/2 hours. The best part of any makeover - besides the heavenly strokes of brush - is when you look at your own reflection in the mirror, appreciating the magic touch of the makeup artist. My makeup was mostly done by Kak Najwa, and touched up by Kak Ina. They are the makeup artists of Red Glow. I was given a pair of gray contact lens to wear like most brides and OMG, I almost didn't recognize myself. Can you recognize me?




Altho it was fun trying on a different eye color, I think I look better in natural colored contact lens (dark brown or black) bcoz... well, I look more like myself. Now let's have a closer look at my makeup. Excuse the un-photoshopped pics, people. Please don't focus on my un-flawless face. Instead, look at the color of my lips. I so love the color! I have been trying to find a lipstick in this color, but none looks as pweety as this. If I'm not mistaken, Kak Ina mixed 3-4 colors of lipsticks to get this exact color. Niceeee... Tapi saya malas la nak mix banyak2 color.




And look at my eyes! It looks bigger and erm, can I say kind of dolly? Eye has always been my favorite part when it comes to makeup bcoz how you shade your eyes can make a big difference to your look.




Like most makeup artists, Red Glow uses lots of MAC makeup along with Clinique, Loreal, Shu Uemura, The Body Shop, Estee Lauder and lots more.




The price for bridal makeup by Red Glow starts at RM400. You can take a look at their portfolio at http://redglow-portfolio.blogspot.com.


If you're interested to learn how to do your own makeup or you have a dream of becoming a makeup artist, Red Glow also offers makeup classes where you could learn different makeup techniques at a fee of RM250. The class starts at 9am and ends at 4pm (meals will be provided), and you will be given a brush set, sponge, false eyelashes and a certificate each.


Here's a timetable for the upcoming makeup classes:




You can log on to http://redglow-class.blogspot.com for more info on the courses and classes.


Then there's Akademi Red Glow, which offers 'Sijil Jurukecantikan' under MLVK (Majlis Latihan Vokasional Kebangsaan). This course is open for budak-budak lepasan SPM yang berminat nak jadi makeup artist or beautician; anak-anak FELDA, FELCRA or any agencies under Kementerian Kemajuan Luar Bandar would be lucky as they get to join this course for free. And not only that, food and accomodation (hostel) are also provided, and they will be given a monthly allowance of RM200. Visit http://akademi-redglow.blogspot.com to get detailed info about this program.


Do spread the words to anyone you know who would be interested. Any queries, please contact Najwa at 012-3588999.

Labels: Advertorials, Beauty/Skincare

We planned to have lunch at The Gardens today, so I went to the other room to iron our clothes and...


I forgot to turn off the iron! The last time I ironed my clothes was on Friday night. Which means I let it on for more than a day! How can I be so careless?!


Alhamdulillah, nasib baik takde ape jadi. And nasib baik I put the iron in a standing position.

Labels: Random Stuff

Did you know that cows too need to drink a lot of water to produce more milk? I didn't know that until I watched the new "Susuman" Astro ad, which is a continuation of the "Suparman" ad. I thought that only applies to breastfeeding moms but come to think of it, it does make sense.






This ad still takes place at Tok Wan's warung, but with other new characters. There's the milkman a.k.a "Susuman" who has a funny accent. He pronounced Tok Wan as "To Wannn". One of his funny lines: "Ayoyoyyy To Wannnn!" ;p





Then there's the delivery guy, whom the Susuman calls as "Suparman" instead of Superman bcoz he runs like the wind. Wait, does Superman runs? Bukan terbang ker? ;p





Anddd the other new character(s) is...




... cows!


It's so cute of Tok Wan to give the cows drinking from glasses in an attempt to get the cows to produce more milk! I guess she must've gotten that info from watching National Geographic. She even mentioned about making Rava Ladoo, which is a type of Indian dessert that requires milk as one of its ingredients. Now that must be from watching Asian Food Channel (AFC) kot ;p





Well anything is possible when you have the source to everything - like Astro. Macam-macam ada!

Labels: Advertorials, Nuffnang

I have a new found hobby of snapping pics of my baby when she is halfway dressed. And by halfway I'm referring to her head - it's halfway in a dress (or romper or dungaree). I think she looks ridiculously cute in those what-supposed-to-look-like-hats! ;p

Labels: Mommyhood and Baby

What is the longest time you have ever spent in a shop?


I spent 2 hours at the jewelry sections at Forever21 last weekend. They are having a promotion until 31st of May - purchase anything Rm150 in a single receipt and you'd be entitled RM50 jewelry voucher (I didn't spend to get the vouchers anyway). I had 2 of those vouchers, which means I can get RM100 worth of jewelries for free. Lots of choices and free vouchers - it should be pretty easy to grab anything right? Wrong!


Sure, there are hundreds of necklaces, bangles, bracelets and rings on display but none really caught my eyes. I surveyed every single piece of them twice just to make sure I didn't miss a thing. I tried some of them in front of the mirror - a handful of jewelries at a time, trying to visualize the outfits that go with them. I wish whatever's on the website is available in store bcoz I would've easily get these:




I ended up choosing two gold-toned necklaces (one of them is chain and pearl) and a gold flower pearl bracelet. I don't really like pearls but I guess I'd give it a shot.

Labels: Fashion

If anyone asks me what's it like to be a mommy, I can't quite describe it exactly in words. I have only been a mommy for 5 months and it never crossed my mind just how hard it was to be everything for such a tiny creature. It is hard work and challenging, but despite all that I would never trade it with anything else. I'm sure all mommies would agree with that. Seeing your baby smile or watching her sleep is enough to make you forget just how exhausted you were.


If you've heard that being a mommy is the toughest job a woman can ever do, it's inarguably true. It makes you wonder how simply amazing your mom is, raising you and your siblings. Supermom, that's what all mommies are. And that's why there should be a special day just to honor all mommies in the world.


Happy Mother's Day to all mommies and mommies-to-be!



On another note, yours truly is one of the Top 10 finalists for the Supermummy Amazing Blogger Award. I was surprised bcoz it was merely for fun and I wasn't expecting anything. But it's such an honor to be listed in the Top 10, I couldn't hope for more. Thank you to all you voters! :)

Labels: Mommyhood and Baby

My baby just turned 5 months today. She can do what most 5 months babies can do - she laughs, she can roll over, she plays with her hands, she grabs things within her reach (if there's nothing to be grabbed, she'll grab my hair or my hubby's nose and glasses instead), she mouths objects, turns when I call out her name, talks in her own language, smiles responsively....


But she doesn't weigh like what most 5 months babies would weigh. And I'm kind of worried about that. Her birth weight is 2.8kg and at 5 months old, she's only 5.7kg! She hasn't double her weight yet. Should I be concern?




The doctor said my baby's weight cukup-cukup passing mark and altho she's doing fine, it would be better if she could gain a bit. I want her to gain more but how do I do that? Is there any way to make babies gain more weight naturally?



Most of the time, I breastfeed her directly since I'm with her 24-7, so I don't know the amount of milk she drinks. But I have a feeling she isn't drinking much bcoz she's a "rester" - she falls asleep easily on my breast. She can only concentrate drinking at most 5 minutes. Lepas tu mula meresah nak let go (if she doesn't fall asleep). I usually breastfeed her sambil baring during the day and sometimes it could take up to 2-3 hours (sampai mak anak dua2 tertido). I'm literally a human pacifier and I love that I am her source of comfort, but I wish she would suck more than just kemam-kemam. Kalau minum ikut bottle (EBM), she only drinks about 4oz and would be hungry again after like 1.5-2 hours later.


So what do you reckon, mommies? How do I turn her into a chubby baby? Should I start giving her baby food now? Or should I just continue doing what I've been doing bcoz some babies are "small-eater"? But it makes me feel kind of sad when people said I have a small baby. It's like I'm not feeding her well.


But come to think of it, aku pun dulu masa baby kecik halus ...

Labels: Mommyhood and Baby

Ladies (and gentlemen),


If you're looking for COACH bags and purses at really affordable prices, check out my sales blog. I just updated it with a few COACH stuff at incredibly low prices!!!

Labels: Sales and Shopping

Mmhhh... There's nothing more appeasing than watching your favorite TV show (in my case, it's currently Gossip Girl) on your bed in the middle of the night when the husband and baby are fast asleep, while you slowly sip a mug of luscious hot chocolate. Endorphins released; every sip brings you to a relaxing state of mind. It's life's sinful little pleasure.


But one should not confuse hot chocolate with hot cocoa. The latter one is made from cocoa powder, like the Cadbury Instant Hot Chocolate you found in supermarkets. Hot chocolate on the other hand, is richer and has a stronger chocolatey taste as it's made of melted chocolate.


Making your own hot chocolate is almost as easy as mixing the sachet of instant cocoa powder with hot water, but with a big difference in taste. All you need is a cup of milk and a bar of your favorite chocolate...



Chop the chocolate into small pieces (the smaller, the faster it melts) and add into the mug of milk. The appropriate way to make hot chocolate is to slow cook the milk on a stove, then add in the chocolate pieces, but since this is the express way, I just pop it into the microwave for 2 minutes, give it a good stir and hey presto it's done!




The amount of chocolate is really up to you; if you like richer thicker drink like I do, put more chocolates. I added a couple of Toblerone bcoz I found one bar of Cadbury chocolate is not enough (yes, that's the floating nougat in my hot chocolate).




It may not look that good, but give it a try and you'll know what I'm talking about!

Labels: Food and Recipes

Happy (belated) birthday, dear lucky guy. You know you love us.

XOXO,
The Cuties ;p

Labels: Random Stuff