Chinese New Year 2015: Once-in-a-year Reunion Dinner!

Happy Chinese New Year 2015!

And 

Welcome to the Year of Goat. 

Let's bid farewell to 'Horsie' and welcome the "GOAT". I'll see you 12 years later yeah 'Horsie'. Oh, it's my year too - Year of the Goat! Psst, guess how old am I huh?

I love Chinese New Year because it's all about the FOOD and GATHERING in my family. I have always been talking to my friends on how delicious meal served back in my aunt's home. And here I'm gonna flood your screen with all the food which I love ~ I grew up eating them!

What's the grand meal before Chinese New Year? It's gotta be the Reunion Dinner! Love this year's reunion dinner because there's all the food I love and large gathering during dinner. Okay, I'm used to dine with so many people while squeezing on a big round table. It's something you can do once-in-a-year. After experiencing this for more than 20 years of such reunion dinner, I think I would feel weird without this atmosphere. The scene where there's so many dishes and plate of rice that there's no place to put the soup :)

Let's welcome this new year with a lovely Reunion Dinner. 

Reunion Dinner 2015. Okay, soup is missing here.

The Hero among all the dishes: Poon Choi

Which festive is more suitable to eat Poon Choi other than Chinese New Year? Thanks to my pig who got this poon choi from Paradise Dynasty Restaurant. Yeah, I hand carry it back hometown :P And it comes with a beautiful coated claypot.

Here's what is inside the pot. After digging inside the treasure pot, I found prawns, abalone, sea cucumber, duck, chicken, broccoli, yam, pork belly, tau fu pok, scallop,white cabbage. I hope I didn't left any. It might look messy from the picture; as in it's not the same as those shown on the brochure. It was beautifully arranged when I received it (but of course it's not that huge like on the brochure - food photography huh) but we reheated it at home and thus here's the result (I'm sure you will stir a bit during the heating up process). Taste wise is ok ~ combination of seafood + poultry taste. However, something seems to be missing from the strong seafood + poultry taste.

Fish oh Fish 

Here's the must have fish. Steamed with bean paste and premium soya sauce (organic one to be precise). Topped with self-plated parsley and lots of onion and garlic. Love this. Fish still have the so called sweet and sea water taste. 

Chicken

My favorite salted chicken. Juicy chicken and eat it with the traditional sauteed onion, ginger and spring onion. 

The special sauteed onion, ginger and spring onion.

Chinese Sausage

Chinese sausage is a must have during Chinese New Year. These waxed sausages were brought back from Hong Kong during our last trip there. Oh yeah, they are from Yung Kee Hong Kong. It's waxed pork sausages (lighter red ones) and goose liver sausage (darker) here.

Greens

After all the heavy dishes, you'll need a wash it down with some greens. And it's grown from my aunt's own garden! So, it taste sweet!

Our family dinner always comes with a bowl of individual soup ~ vegetarian soup; to cleanse or cool down your body's heat. And all the soup which we had all these while are sweet; not savory.  It actually quench your thirst after all the salty dishes.

That's all for our Reunion Dinner 2015. 

More mouth-watering dishes coming soon during this long Chinese New Year week. 

Wishing you a Prosperous New Year ahead. 

~ Goat Xi Fa Cai ~

Valentine's Day Dessert Baking Class at ILOHA Culture Centre, Bangsar.

This year, my pig made another special Valentine's gift at a baking centre in Bangsar. He actually bakes the present:P He attends his first ever baking class at ILOHA Culture Centre to bake the Valentine's Day Dessert as a gift. Thanks a lot my pig.

ILOHA Culture Centre serves as a one-stop centre for learning Japanese Language, Japanese baking and cooking class as well as a cafe. If you know where's the well know Antipodean, Yeast and other popular restaurant along Jalan Telawi 2, Bangsar such as La Bodega; this studio is located on the first floor ~ on top of Chutney Mary Restaurant.

In conjunction with Valentine's Day, there was a special Valentine's Day Dessert Baking Workshop where you learned to bake the must-have Chocolate cake also known as Fondant au Chocolate, Chocolate pudding and Matcha & Strawberry Financier in heart shape. All these was done in 3 hours. 

According to pig, the class is good where you learn from scratch in baking them. And there's a limit in the number of students in a class; thus you get full attention from the tutor too. No worries if you have not enter the kitchen or no skills in baking, the product which you made from this class will definitely shock your friends who says you can't bake :) 

Here's the product which my pig bake:

1. Fondant au Chocolate

Once you slice the cake, the melted chocolate in the centre will greet you as if you are inside a chocolate fountain. 

2. Chocolate Pudding

The pudding is perfect and I kept them as breakfast the next day. The chocolate taste is strong and not too sweet.

3. Matcha & Strawberry Financier 

I love the Strawberry one more as I'm not a huge fan of Matcha. 

If you are coming for the baking class, do remember to bring your own apron and container to put the your finished products.

Here's some snapshot of pig thanks to ILOHA Culture Centre.

Source: ILOHA Culture Centre

Source: ILOHA Culture Centre

There's some upcoming dessert baking class too. For more information on these baking class, do check out their Facebook yeah.


ILOHA Culture Centre

21-1 Jalan Telawi 2, Bangsar Baru,

Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur

Nuffnang Premiere Screening: Kingsman The Secret Service

Thanks to Nuffnang and 20th Century Fox, I was happy to be part of the premiere screening of Kingsman The Secret Service recently. Since pig was unable to took time off for the screening, went with my good friend Jason instead :)

Source: Nuffnang

The movie lasted about 2 hours and 10 minutes excluding the long-winded advertisements shown before that. It's basically a spy action movie and rated R-18 due to the type of words used and actions shown in the movie.

Passes to the premiere screening.

This story follows a super-secret spy agency who had helped to save the world since World War 2. Its spy agent members are known as 'Kingsman' and they camouflage themselves by operating tailor shops specializing in man's suits. The hero of the story; Eggsy went through a different path of his life after he was recommended by senior agent Galahad; also known as Harry to join the team.
You'll go through the journey of how Eggsy transform and trained himself to be a 'Kingsman'. At the same time, this lunatic technology tycoon Richmond Valentine has nothing better to do with his money that he came out with a plan to save the world for the future ~ by reducing the number of populations on Earth. Through the free sim cards given by him to the entire world, it channels a unique sound through the smartphone and controls people to start killing each other. And you'll see how Eggsy saves the world. And it ends with a dirty sex joke between Eggsy and the princess.

There's some horrifying part where people went insane trying to kill each other. You'll see some gory scene of sharp objects being poked through the head, blood everywhere and masses of bodies lying around. And I'm amaze that they put fireworks celebration coming out of the human neck instead of the head flying up to match the scene where Eggsy managed to stop the soldiers from attacking him.

You'll also realize that a free product given out to the mass might eventually be the tool to kill you instead. Next time if you see something given out to the whole world for free, think twice before you queue up for it :)

As for the ending, watch it yourself in the cinemas yeah to know what is this dirty joke about.

Watch the trailer by 20th Century Fox below. It's good enough to tell you the whole storyline. 

If you can't view it, follow this link here.

Happy Valentine's Day 2015

 Happy Valentine's Day!

It's our 6th year celebrating Valentine's Day together. How time flies! I still remember our first celebration together :) Thinking back on all the journey from our 1st till 6th year, I'm glad that I have pig to accompany me through all the good and bad times together. It's not easy to find someone who understand you well without you telling him and most important ~ he tolerates with all your demands and wants. Any male out there able to tolerate with a girl who loves pink for everything she owns? My pig is the special one who can. Thanks for being surrounded by a pinky world without complaining :)

This 6th Valentine's Day, I decided to make a "Bedroom Display" - our own term where we usually display all the items together (both his and my gifts) on one side of the wall/bed/table and take a memorable photograph for safe keeping ~ like a summary of our celebration where by looking at this picture, it summarizes our moments during that particular festive. 

Every year, it's pig that decorate the display and he has done an amazing job in putting everything together. One of the most memorable one was during my 21st Birthday. Thanks pig :)

 For the first time, I'm decorating this display and made it as a gift for him :)

Happy Valentine's Day 2015

As promised, I received 24 roses this year as I'm 24 (by year) years old. Okay, I'm consider 23+ since my birthday is not over :) Instead of looking at the list of how many roses represents what; he sends number of roses according to age. Best part, the roses are mysteriously there when your eyes are ready for the first light of the day.

For the first time, fragrance is in the gift list.

And of course, cake from Sunny Yau, Big Boys Oven. We get cakes from him for all the special occasions.

Let me present you; the pink and white world for pig. Got them from the local IKEA store and some from the Singapore outlet thanks to my lovely colleagues. It may be pink and white but pig says it's cute. hehe. Because I like it pink and white :)

A gigantic card for pig with "Love Coupons" on the card. And realized that we hardly remember how we celebrate all the past Valentine's ; thus include notes on all the past year's Valentine's celebration. This giant card is available at Memory Lane gift shop.

I sew this small purple pillow from the Buddy Pillow workshop organized by Akemi 1Utama last weekend. Just happen to pass by that area and spot the workshop. It suppose to have eyes, ears and heart shape on it but thanks to my bad sewing skills; the best I could do it to sew the cloth to 'zip' up the pillow.

Got this from Jaya Grocer Empire Shopping Gallery. Since there's a lucky draw for a minimum spend of RM20 in a single receipt; I thought why not get the wine (since we need to buy it anywhere) and try luck in getting the vouchers.

Here's another heart pillow from Memory Lane. It's pillows for this Valentine's.

Finally, Happy Valentine's Day pig. Hope you love the gift:)

Pig in the morning when he's not on camera mood.

La Senza's Love Sexy Valentine's Shopping Party, Pavilion KL

 Valentine's Day is around the corner and everywhere you go; there's shades of pink and heart motifs.

Last Saturday, the La Senza Love Sexy Valentine's Shopping Party was held at its Pavilion KL outlet and thanks to Female Magazine for the invites. Was there with my good friend; Jade :) We had so much fun buying lingerie :P

Guess which outlet is this La Senza boutique located

Yay to Female Magazine.

I've been to their Valentine's Day event for the past few years consecutively too. Just like every year, their decorations focuses on the pink theme together with their new collection - it's pink too! And every year, pink balloons filled up the entire outlet's ceiling space together with a must-have photobooth for more selfies :) The event starts from 10am till 1pm and there's an exclusive offer for all the guests.

It's so PINK!

 An event is not complete without a lovely photobooth. Their photobooth cover visual is so unique this year. You can stand next to the girl; pretending that the real model is there and take a snapshot.

 With all the props according to the theme! It's a girl's party after all.

Their trademark is all lighted up with pink lighting.

Heart shape balloons filled up the entire ceiling space. The string end with another small paper heart shape and it serves as one of their treasure hunt game later.

 Introducing to you the La Senza's latest Valentine's Day collection or also know as Love Sexy collection. There's a few designs which focuses on shade of baby pink with a butterfly lace in the middle of it. If you feel that pink is not for you, there's designs in black and white too. See the new collection below - all the lingerie below the 'LOVE SEXY" text.

 Their main focus is the baby pink one with black laces forming a butterfly's wings as you can see on what the model is wearing. It comes together with a matching panties where you can surprise your partner this coming Valentine. There's also a sexy sleep wear piece which matches this new baby pink lingerie set.

In conjunction with Valentine's Day, there's a special edition gift box for purchase where you can place these sexy lingerie in the classy box and gift them on that special day. Oh, did I mention that this gift box comes in baby pink and black too?

During the party, we receive some exclusive discounts where there's a 50% off when we purchase above RM500. Besides that, we also received a RM50 cash voucher from our goodie bag! Also found in the goodie bag are water tumbler with La Senza motifs, an Iphone cover and a piece of lingerie. I think I have more than 3 La Senza tumblers already in my collection. hehe. With the great deal, we started our shopping and seriously; it took us more than an hour comparing the designs and its price before we decide our piece.

Let's shop till drop.

 Luckily, there's refreshment served too. Drinks and the snacks such as pizza, pavlova and cakes keeps us entertained throughout the shopping process.

Then, the pretty emcee of the day explaining the different types of bra and how each of them gives a different look. There's 3 mannequins on display representing a casual, office and a party look. The bras are the comfortable Body Kiss, the extra pus up Hello Sugar and the new Love Sexy collection.   

This is the Body Kiss collection one if I'm not mistaken for the casual wear. The Body Kiss is a comfortable one where the texture is smooth and soft just like your skin. You'll be walking and moving a lot when you are having some leisure activities; thus this piece can gives you a maximum comfort throughout the whole day.

Next, this is for office/work attire with the Love Sexy collection. The new baby pink piece's back strap can be adjusted to different style so match your office outfit. Some of your formal attire might be showing some skin at the back and since it's a formal environment, you would not want to see your strap sticking out from your clothes. This the new piece's strap is very versatile and make it your way.

Last but not least, it's the Body Kiss collection piece. This piece gives you that extra push up to boost your confidence in wearing your party outfit. There's a few choice where you can choose an extra push or a double push ones!

Then, there's a treasure hunt game where you need to look out for one of the ten balloons with a small La Senza sticker on the heart-shaped paper. I quickly spotted one and I got another goodie bag too. This time with a round pouch mirror and a dazzling pouch.

I think we bought a year supply of lingerie! With a total bill of more than 1k, there's a 10% discount for members, then we get a 50% discount on top of the bill and can also use the RM50 cash voucher given in our goodie bag. That's a great deal isn't it? With all the goodie bags and giant + heavy shopping bags in our hands, had some selfies before we left :)

Heavy bags of shopping bags and goodie bags.

Our tired faces from the 1 hour plus shopping.

Heavy shopping bags with other phone and cameras in pockets :)

Thanks dear Jade for coming to the event with me.

Squeezing behind the photobooth for a quick shot. Hopefully I didn't block those busy printing photos behind there.

 Oh, there was a best dressed couple and a lucky draw before the event ends too. Everyone went home with their hand full of new lingerie. A whole year supply I guess! Too bad that there's no pretty models fashion show and the dessert table display this time; there was when I went last time :( Hopefully next one will have models wearing their new collection for a fashion show then.

If you have not purchase your Valentine's gift for your partner, head to the nearest La Senza outlets now. You can purchase them for your partner (limited edition gift box available) or wear them to surprise your partner instead. Hurry! Valentine's Day is less than 4 days away.

If you don't know how to look good in these lingerie, La Senza comes with a guide to teach you how.