Wordless Wednesday

Epic hoarder is epic 

To Smell Good Under the Weather

"Fuh fuh fuh fuh" *Blowing dusts on my entry shelf.

God knows how much I love blogging over the weekend, especially when there's no job due on the following Monday but last weekend I just couldn't.

I've been sick. Sick to the point that I pooped in my own bed! Please don't imagine anything nasty because I was wearing a trustworthy Libresse's overnight pad (Aussino's sheet saved). If I were to be blogging then my entry would be on how distressing it was having to frequent the toilet! It all started on Friday, sometime around 4pm in a meeting. There I was fiddling my iPad and beginning to feel that my body temperature suddenly spiked. I started sweating and kept fanning myself. Hubs was scheduled for a futsal game that evening and our arrangement on game night normally being him in the court and me waiting for him at the Starbucks next door. I used to be so fond of this arrangement but that night, for the first time ever I hated it, I just wanted to go home. Nevertheless, I endured the 2 long agonizing hours, sipping warm water, (yes you read that right).and running through my emails, I thought of putting up an entry but my body didn't seem to agree. Good thing though there was a lavatory in that outlet. That night I slept for 16 hours. When I woke up 4 bottles of Air Badak were waiting for me, plus tubs of Chi Kit Teck Aun. Fast forward to today, I feel a bit pinkish. But if I had my druthers, I would have called in sick. But no will do; I've got to save up my leaves for Baby M's arrival. There, my illness journal.Full stop.

While recovering, I couldn't stand the sight of food so I surfed on something else but food. Of course there's a good one hour ogling for the Grenade Guy, then I had a good 10 minutes laugh when I stumbled upon this picture;

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Keeping up indeed!

I showed it to Hubs and he had a good laugh too but quickly did a killjoy when he said,

"So you're okay now?" buzzzzzzzzzzzzz.... Of course I'm still not okay. This picture proves that vanity must begin somewhere, usually from an awful taste, as exhibited. I mean what the hell where they thinking? Kris should have known better and the awkward position that she and Bruce had there didn't help much either. Just weird.

Then I moved on to something else, and I stumbled upon these babies!!

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DNKY Sweet Delicious Collection!!

Literally speechless. I ain't no fan of fruity smelling fragrances let alone an apple scent, because it reminds me of mak's Kuat Harimau but this is different and knowing me, here's why;

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DKNY Sweet Delicious Pink Macaroon

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DKNY Sweet Delicious Creamy Meringue

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DKNY Sweet Delicious Tart Key Lime

And the details, which I got from here:

DKNY Sweet Delicious Pink Macaroon is a gourmand scent of yummy almond macaroons, refreshed with fruity flavors. It opens with notes of nectarine and kumquat. The core of the fragrance consists of rose marzipan and pomegranate aromas, placed on the base of amber and tonka.

Top notes: nectarine, kumquat
Heart: pomegranate, rose marzipan
Base: amber, woody notes, tonka

DKNY Sweet Delicious Creamy Meringue combines fresh top notes of lemon cream, bergamot and "crepe suzette" accord with the floral heart of freesia, frangipani and passion flower and the base of cedar, white amber and musk.

Top notes: crepe suzette, lemon cream, bergamot
Heart: freesia, passion flower, frangipani
Base: cedar, white amber, musk

DKNY Sweet Delicious Tart Key Lime is inspired by the smell of creamy pie with citrusy aroma, opening with fresh notes of orange, tart key lime pie accord, bergamot and mandarin, with middle notes of neroli, ginger and basil, and the base wrapping it all up with violet leaf.

Top notes: tart key lime pie, bergamot, mandarin, orange
Heart: basil, ginger, neroli
Base: violet leaf

Don't the words 'creamy pie' 'almond macaroons' and 'crepe suzzete' make you drools like mad? These are gourmand scents! (Learnt that word like seconds after reading it) All this while I've been describing my favourite fragrance as yummilicious, bubble-gum-ish, sweet taste, and so on...and now I know, the right term is, repeat after me; GOURMAND [goor-mand]

My affair with gourmand scent started with Paris Hilton's collection, all of them except for 'Just Me'. Although her fragrances are made of fruity notes, the outcome somewhat screams bubble gum, cotton candy, lolly pop-ish scent. I love them all. And came in Carolina Herrera's CH where it distinctively denotes pineapple but to me it reminds me a lot of my aunt's crumbly pineapple tart. Why I'm so into gourmand scent simply because they tend to smell better over time especially once you start to perspire. And the scent is certainly pleasant when spritz accordingly. Most of the time I find people tend to make good remarks when I put them on especially in the mornings in the elevator; if not leading them to thinking that they're hungry! 

Just around last year, Eraman Malaysia took an initiative and brought in the ever darling Victoria's Secrets perfumeries and cosmetics  to their departure halls. There I started my love affair with Coconut Passion and Vanilla Lace. Adding watts to my smile is the price! 50ml at only RM52! And I tell you it lingers for days even after laundry! Just heavenly. 

 During my December's visit to Kuching however, I didn't see any of these VS's fragrances anymore, instead they replenished the shelf with the new versions of body mist. Quite a downer for a cheapo like me. I thought of getting a bottle of body mist for my hoarder's brain instructed me so but luckily I didn't succumb.

But as fate would have it, a colleague bought one for me for my birthday this year. Boy was I flabbergasted much. It smells so good that Hubs loves it too.

Forever Blushing

Oh this seems like a long entry now.

So, who's up to sponsor me those DKNY babies?

Laksa Sarawak

... a nose for scrumptious food that is yet to perfect.

The thing about being away from home i.e from your comfort zone, most of the times will force you to learn how to cook your hometown dish. Simply because the restaurant outside of your town would just temper the delish out of these dishes and charge us absurdly!

So we have just got to take matters into our own hands, not? Mine is of course the ever legendary Laksa Sarawak, been cooking it for years now, I think I have perfected my own version.

And just today my pregger sis texted me asking for the recipe,

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Laksa legend , okaaay!

I guess it's about time now I share the recipe with all of you, Laksa Sarawak ala Biena.

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The core ingredients:A packet of beehoon (i love Jati's)
chicken breast
tiger prawns
eggs
laksa paste (Hj Manan is my fav)
lemon grass
coconut milk (it has got to be Cocolin but M&S is equally as good)
Chicken stock cubes

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**for 2 packets of laksa paste, my ratio is to 6 stalks of lemon grass, 2 parts of chicken breast, 20 tiger prawns and a packet of coconut milk & bee hoon. 6 hours before preparing the gravy, soak bee hoon with plain water.

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Firstly, boil chicken breasts and the smashed-tip-lemon-grass together. Add 2 cubes of chicken stock or a 2 big spoon of bottled chicken stock (optional) .
Boil until tender and until the broth turns cloudy. 5 minutes before you take out the chicken breasts, put in the prawns.
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Once the prawns turn red (about 30 secs), take everything out;
the broth and lemon grass are to remain in the pot, still boiling.
Put them aside.

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Put in the laksa paste into the boiling broth. Stir slowly. Gradually decrease heat.
Maintain heat to simmer, need not boiling.
After 20 mins, pour in the coconut milk. Stir gradually. Salt to taste.
Gravy is ready after another good 20 minutes.

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While waiting for the broth to set, you can prepare the omelette.
It must be really thin. Crispy thin!! 

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Bee hoon, blanch for 30 seconds

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Shred chicken breasts to chunks, peel the top part of prawns, slice omelette into rolls.
Slice lime and add sambal to perfect the combo
(mine is ready made in a jar, got it from Giant!)  

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There, there, legendary as claimed by sis (pffft). 

All the best people!! Hail to Sarawak favourite dish!

**as I'm typing this, my tummy is growling mad!

Input equals output

And so 2012 is here.

Got my brand new planners in a cute bandeau courtesy of the employer. This year the planners are red. I suppose the employer welcomes the year of the dragon open-heartedly. On this day last year, my office desk was already cleared out, my 2011 management files were ready to be filled up and I was good to go. It was different this year. My desk is still in a mess with open 2011 management files. Even my table calendar still reads 2011.

Blah blah

Yux yux 

Simply, I am not done with 2011. They were so many things left unresolved, unspoken, undone, unforgiven; I feel that the year 2011 bid adieu way too soon it left me incomplete and unprepared. My mind is in constant clamor with my heart. The mind is consulting the heart to let go of the past and the heart is persuading the mind to be sensible. Conflict. Yet 2012 is steadily eventuating.

I must go forward. Time waits for no man as the saying goes, and I for certain cringed at the idea of being left behind. I must force myself to let go of the past, forgive and forget, trick my mind into starting anew and just never look back. If there was nothing to be proud of or be happy about, then why bother looking back? I've just got to remind myself that these feet of mine only walk forward.

And to do just that, the only way I could keep my mind off 2011 is of course the birthday month! My birthday month. January makes me happy. January cheers me up. January means love come pouring in. And January also means I turn a year older. As for this year I shall turn 32, insyaAllah.

And what is a birthday without a list of hopeful gifts coming from my loved ones? Last year was good as I got most of the items I listed; some came on my birthday and some came much later, any how they were given to me as birthday presents. Blissful moments I'd recall.

Now, why let go of a good tradition, yes?

I present you, the list.

FitFlop - Electra in Petunia

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A pair of TOMS in red

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Adele's Royal Albert Hall Concert DVD

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The Script 2008 debut album

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An end to my magazine clutter;
mags apps for my iPad 

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Downtown Abbey 1st & 2nd season

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Oz's advice is always the best!

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Bookshelf highlights of 2012

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Nate's book

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Murakami's most coveted novel

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Aqua vase

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A spa retreat at the Sembunyi Spa,.
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A Coach that is not to tote

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Something far-fetched,
not-in-this-life-time-handbag
PRADA's Saffiano

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There you have it, my birthday wish list for 2012, not in priority accordance. The last one on the list is a dream actually. And I guess it shall remain so until I retire. One can never dream too much, yes?

Nevertheless, the ultimate dream of mine for 2012 is of course to conceive. Quoting a friend, "Input equals output" hence I am trying to kick start the year living by that principle, which denotes the efforts you put in will eventually result into the things that you desire most. And I desire to become a mother, a better Muslimah, an obedient wife, a responsible daughter and sister. I also wish that this year shall bring good health to both hubs and I. And I hope for sheer sincerity in friendship that comes my way.

Here's to another twelve months of multifarious adventure; to your bliss and heartaches, success and falls, hopes and dreams!

Dear Wa Biena's sweet pea...

Dear sweet pea,

Read on my header that you are now 20weeks old. How's everything on the inside? The recent video showed the ingenuity side of you sweetie. I've been pestering your mom for that video where it shows you pulled off some sujud stunt, it freaked your mom a little bit but for Wa Biena that was a sign of intelligence, you may not realize it but you emulate your mom's good deed, she never fails to perform her solat, no matter how tired she  is. Clever little one. Ameen.

Oh how time flies... Seems just like yesterday when your mom did her pregnancy test at Wa Biena's crib. The excitement is still fresh in my memory and pretty soon in May you'll meet me. But up till now Wa still doesn't know what are you, are you a boy or are you a girl sweet pea? Only time will tell and for now Wa will just call you sweet pea, as your parents fondly address you.

Sweet pea, your nenek reminds Wa Biena all the time not to be too excited as we are welcoming the first grandkid in our little family. But I'm pretty sure she is way more excited than I am, in fact both nenek and pak nek. Wa Biena on the other hand is always thinking of you, imagining the day I'd react when you arrive into the world, the very moment when Wa Biena gets to greet you, "Assalamualaikum ____________ ". I pray hard that I'd be able to witness your arrival sweetheart. As much as your mom had been there in my life, I want to be there on her special day of welcoming you. I can't wait.

Of late sweet pea, do you know what Wa Biena's been up to? Despite nenek's advice not to be overly excited, Wa Biena has been hopping a lot on parental blogs, googling away baby's stuff and I've been persuading your mom and dad to consider water birthing. Do you think you'll be comfortable with that sweet pea? Well that all depends on your mom's strength, but knowing your mom I know by any means she will face no problem getting you out insyaAllah, she's one strong woman!

Here's something I want to share with you sweet pea. Your mom is at times stubborn but this is the one trait that encapsulates her strong attributes. Her determination to be close with your dad was driven by her love for you sweet pea hence the endurance when she was alone in KL. Even now sweet pea, your mom is driving alone in a tiny vehicle to work, tolerating a 45-minute drive. And your dad is going through hardship during his houseman term, so please understand when you seldom hear his voice . They both are taking all these step by step just like other newly parents. And I'm happy that you've been nice to your mom during her first trimester. I know you'll be a good kid.

And I'm pretty sure that of recent you noticed mom's heart has been palpitating more than usual? This is because she went up and down moving stuff to your new crib. And here's a little something you can remember your dad by; he put up the curtains and put on the bedsheet for your mom while she was at work. Now isn't that sweet? You are indeed one lucky kid.

Sweet pea, in the midst of our excitement to welcome a newborn, it's only natural that Wa Biena spent a lot of time on the internet googling away nursery decors for you. And here's some:

Now, if you're a boy

Tiffany blue is Wa's favourite and so as owl.

This is how Wa Biena would do it. If I had the chance.

This decor reminds me of your dad, very preppy and proper.

Your parents's initial

Wa Biena loves this too, sunny and bright,
the attributes that I want you to have.

And if you're a girl

Oh the 4 posts! Classy!

Wa Biena loves black baby cot

Is chandelier too much for a little girl?

Another lovely room

This is how Wa Biena would do it ;-)

But knowing your mom sweet pea, she would probably give you this,

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Notice that tutu over there? 
Yeah that pretty much sums up your mom.
source

Till then sweet pea, be nice, eat well and rest well. Kick only when your mom is not eating as much as she's supposed to ok?

And here's a song for you sweet pea. Ronan Keating's 'I Hope You Dance'

Hugs and kisses from Wa Biena.

PS: Sweet pea, apart from nenek and pak nek, I think the person who'd pamper you to the core is your Maksu Elin. Last I heard, she was surveying a RM1k car seat for you so, brace yourself. 

Kitty & its Hooman

Cute ginger kitty grooms hooman dad's hair.

Will you look at its hooman dad?!! Like he just popped out from a Burberry ad!

Especially at 0:48 to 0:52, insanely gorgeous.

Wordless Wednesday

Big Bad Wolf