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Thursday, November 07, 2013

Review of Hada Labo Deep Clean & Blemish Control Face Wash


Hi lovelies, I seldom do beauty products review here because
  • I'm not pretty, don't think I'm eligible to be a beauty blogger who can share beauty tips with you all
  • I have terrible skin condition (acne prone skin), therefore I do not switch my skin care product very often. Duh, I can never be a beauty blogger *sob*

However, after using the Hada Labo deep clean & blemish control face wash for a month, I was so amused with the result and can't wait to share with you all!

Hada labo always my top favorite because its products are free of fragrances, mineral oil, alcohol and colorants which can minimize irritation to our skin, therefore suitable for all skin types.  The addition of mineral clay from volcanic ash and hyaluronic acid into this new series of face wash give another plus point which claims to be able to achieve better cleansing effect without drying out our skin at the same time. Besides, this product contains salicylic acid which helps to control and prevent blemishes. 

This is how the product looks like

Direction of use: 
Squeeze sufficient amount onto your palm and lather with water. 
Massage onto your face gently in circular motion.
Rinse off with lukewarm water

See the foaming effect?


What I really like about this product:
  • I could feel my skin hydrated after washing my face.  No irritation or dryness were experienced.  
  • I have less breakouts after using this product for 1 month, except the few days before menstrual period which I think is quite unavoidable :p
  • This product is selling at affordable price (I bought it at promotion price of RM 18.90 in Guardian pharmacy)

Repurchase? Yes!


Another 2 products from the same series:
Deep clean & pore refining face wash
Hydra & Whitening face wash



That's all for this short review, hope it's useful for you :))
Don't forget to tell me the effects after you had tried it out!




Tuesday, October 29, 2013

[Food review] Brut Cafe, Kampar

Hi foodies, another food review for you, especially if you're staying in Kampar,  studying in Kampar UTAR, or you so happen to visit Kampar one day.

This review gonna be a bit different from the previous one because the shop is owned by someone I knew - Kenry, my ex-schoolmate.  Unbelievable huh? I just graduated from university and not even start working yet but he became a boss already.  Shall I 自愧不如? (be ashamed of myself)
But then I'm not receiving any benefits from him, so this review is based on my own opinions without any biases.

Back to topic.

From the name Brut Cafe, it means raw or unrefined in French.  That's why you won't be surprise to see there is not much decoration here.  Perhaps less is more, the interior is simple but nice. Good lighting is another plus point.  Together with the music circling around, I felt extra comfortable here.

Cozy, clean and simple design

"All day breakfast", this is what I heard before stepping into this cafe.
Flippin' through the menu, there are a few varieties of pasta, sandwich, egg benedict and coffee which you may choose from.  If you couldn't decide which one to order (like me), feel free to ask recommendation from the boss, he will explain and decide for you patiently.


So here are the food we had :))

Bacon carbonara spaghetti
Tasted average, would be nicer if it is more cheesy 

Egg benedict 
Seems to be small portion, but large enough to make you feel full
Taste good, I kinda like this one over the spaghetti

Iced latte
A big thumb up for this even though it looks like normal "kopi ais" in most kopitiam
Typical kopitiam won't offer something as good quality as this one 

If you were thinking food with good quality must be very pricey, I'm going to prove you wrong.  Two main courses with two drinks cost us around RM 35 only, so what you say?
I will definitely re-visit if I go Kampar again.  Hope to have more choices of food on the menu next time :))


Brut Cafe
59, Persiaran Batu Karang,
Taman Kolej Perdana,
31900 Kampar,
Perak.
Fb: https://www.facebook.com/BrutCafe



If you ever have a chance to open a shop, what kind of shop it gonna be?
I used to dream of opening a pastry house, how about you?



Monday, October 21, 2013

[Review] Geographer Cafe @ Jonker Street, Malacca

If you ever have a chance to visit Malacca, I would highly recommend you to spend an evening in Geographer Cafe, a cafe with great ambiance located in Jonker street which you shouldn't miss out.

Heard of this cafe quite some time ago because the movie 《夏日麼麼茶》 starring Richie Ren and Sammi Cheng.  However, never had a chance to drop by until this time, my 4th time of visiting Malacca (God knows why I'm so into this town).  All thanks to Xiang Xiang (friend of my sister from Taiwan) for insisting to pay a visit, I fell in love with this cafe immediately, or I should say magically.

Geographer cafe is also known as “地理學家咖啡館”

Geographer cafe was established since year 1999, operated in the pre-war colonial building.  Stepping into this cafe, looking at the old posters hanging on the wall, gave me a false sense of stepping into 60's or 70's. It was well decorated with antiques and some old photos along the theme of retro.  Don't be surprise, this cafe can be so crowded and flooded with tourists from all over the world, especially during weekend.  Thus, we choose to be seated upstairs to enjoy some quiet moment.

We were seated in front of the windows to have a view of jonker street from different angle

Spacious and cozy environment

You can find antiques from a few decades ago



They serve local delights and western food if you wish to have a meal here.  Otherwise, you may order some beers, liquors, cocktails, mocktails, fruit juices or coffee if you wish to have a light drink in late evening.  I ordered Daiquiri, a cocktail of rum, lemonade and rock sugars.  It was quite refreshing and taste good for a cocktail beginner like me.

Daiquiri (RM 19.50)

We spent a few hours there, chatting and observing the story of this town through the windows.  No doubt, this cafe would be my first choice to have some relaxing moment if I ever come back to this town again.  Perhaps a book plus a cup of coffee would be more than enough for you to spend couples of hours here.

Ps: Come here in evening or night to have a better ambiance!

Till then, see you again!



Friday, October 18, 2013

My Big Day - Convocation 2013

You know what, I was graduated from University Malaya last 2 weeks.
.
.
.
Or in excited mood I shall yell
"Hey there, I was officially graduated from UM, so damn happy, omg omg!"
Haven't get enough from the exhilaration I had 2 weeks ago, I admit :p

If getting married is the most important moment in life, then convocation should immediately go after it.
It was the day to receive the scroll from chancellor after studying hard for 4 years in university.
It was also the day where every parents would proud of and feel pleased with their child.
By the way, it was also my first time to step onto the stage of DTC (the largest hall in UM) after 4 years, HAHAHA.

Leaving university is bitter sweet.
The countless tests and exams, the heavy loads of assignment and the never ending presentations throughout these years never fail to darken my dark eye circles and double the pimples on my face.
Not to forget the research project in my final year, which had killed half of my total brain cells.
Did I mentioned the massive works I had when joining activities in hostel too?
It wasn't as simple as what I expected initially.

Yet, the memories created, the laughter and jokes we had, gave me a second thought about graduation: having to leave my besties in uni is such a difficult moment in life.
And stepping into working life soon is another big unknown which gives me a sense of fear :/
I bet this is the bitter part of graduation.

Anyway, I did it finally. 
The 4 years of study were eventually ended up with a bachelor degree of pharmacy (honours).
Thank you papa and mama for all your unconditional loves and supports.
Thank you all my ancestors ah gong ah ma for blessing me to pass all my exams. Lol.
Not to forget the lecturers who fed me with priceless knowledge and friends who made my university life a memorable one.
Thank you and thank you.

Here are the photos I took with my family and friends on my convocation day.
Sorry for the poor photo quality from my phone as I forgot to bring along my camera T.T (I guess I was in a way to nervous until miss it out and only realized it when I was already on the highway).
Such a melancholy every time I recall.

Disclaimer: Photos with watermark owned by myself and the rest were taken from my friends :))

And, please bear with my sweaty face and smudged makeup because the whole area around DTC was flooded with people and I felt so damn hot under the thick + heavy robes! HAHA


With my beloved family
Photo credits to Pooi Mun

With my second family a.k.a. the buddies
Thanks for coming to my convocation, love the bouquet and pressie a lot!  
Ps: Congratz buddy Sue for engagement with Dr Schee ya!
Photo credits to Pooi Mun

With Huei Erh (the 1st person I got to know in UM, also my "makan kaki") and Jey Vonn (who is super soft spoken since the 1st day I knew her)
Photo credits to Huei Erh

With Amelia, the person who always sit beside me in lecture hall, another "makan kaki" HAHA

With Karling, my roommate for first 2 years in UM
Photo credits to Karling (super hardworking in editing all the photos!)
With Shi Qi, who is very good in every field (academic, sports, cooking, art... you name it!)

With Beng Wong, the boss of my gang (can't wait for the "red bomb" from him, HAHA)

With Mery, Karling & SC (who is good in everything except playing the extreme games like roller coaster Lol)
With Huei Erh and Yoonsee a.k.a. Gigi Yeap, will never forget her epic "teeth show"  

Time will fade but memories will last for a lifetime.  I'll never forget the ups and downs, laughter and tears we shared together.  Memories created shall be kept for eternity.
Anyway, graduation is not the end, life is just about to begin, all the best everyone, take care and keep in touch always!
With loves.  

Hereby I end the last chapter of my study life with the photo of me in the robes and mortar.


Till then, see you again! xoxo




Tuesday, October 08, 2013

台灣之行,最終篇:台北可以這麼玩

《台灣之旅》系列來到了最後一篇,心裡湧起一股莫名的不捨。
去了台灣兩個星期,我卻用了兩個月的時間回味,也許我太愛這個國家了。

7月25日,陰/雨
這一天來到了台灣最大的城市:台北。
乘搭自強號火車,沿著海岸線,從花蓮到台北只花了兩個小時半(車費台幣440元)。
在台北車站與民宿老闆會合後便拖著笨重的行李步行到民宿去。
接下來5個晚上都住在Taiwanmex Guesthouse,一間匿藏在一排店鋪裡面的民宿。
雖然設計肯定不比之前的華麗,可是每個人一晚只需大概200台幣,而且地點蠻strategic的,步行可到台北車站和中山捷運站,算不錯啦。

由於沒有計劃到台北第一天的行程,臨時決定去台北101塔
乘搭捷運到市政府站再轉搭免費的接駁車(shuttle bus)便可到達,實在是方便。
其實裡面跟馬來西亞的KLCC沒什麼兩樣,賣的都是名牌啊,只好window shopping算了。=.=lll
順帶一提的是在101塔底下是拍不到整座塔的,結果沒照片看咯。

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7月26日,雨
在不見天日的民宿睡了很多個小時(裡面沒有窗戶),搞得我睡醒的時候還以為很早。
乘搭捷運到士林站後轉搭公車紅30,我們來到了故宮博物館,準備偽裝成文化青年(笑)。
普通入場卷為台幣160元,而持有青年旅遊卡的我們可以以優惠價80元入場喔。

裡面收藏了不少的歷史文物,入場之前別忘了租個語音導覽耳機,了解歷史背景 :)

由於博物館內不可攜帶相機或背包,在外面拍張照當作留念也好


還有我們的倩影
(Photo credits to Huei Erh)

台北似乎不太歡迎我們?連續兩天,雨,一直下個不停。
不過雨水並沒有澆熄我們的意志力,撐著傘,我們來到了鼎鼎大名的士林夜市
士林夜市不是蓋的,面積大得讓你走到腿斷也走不完啊!
吃的,喝的,穿的,用的,玩的,一樣也不少。

經過Stayreal,只差沒帶一件回來(後悔中)

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7月27日,晴
吃膩了燒餅,饅頭和豆漿,這一天的早餐來點特別的。
喝著奶茶,安靜的觀察周圍的人群,享受這份簡單的樂趣。

忘了店名,只記得享用早餐後的滿足感

這一天暫時告別鬧市的喧嘩,來到了歷史悠久卻不失神秘感的九份老街
據說,這裡還是日本著名動畫家宮崎駿的作品:千與千尋(神隱少女)的取景地呢。
乘搭捷運到忠孝復業站再轉公車1062號,一起走進千尋的世界裡。


一步步走在老街上,看著遭歲月洗條後的痕跡,彷彿在敘說著每一塊磚瓦後的故事

不過啊,也許是暑假的關係,人潮多的恐怖!
商家的叮嚀:看到喜歡的就買,因為待會你很難走回頭了(說得沒錯啊)

買伴手禮當兒別忘了去點一碗著名的九份芋圓嚐嚐
對我而言並不是很特別,不過沒吃過芋圓就不算來過九份了對吧?

逛完老街後還可以走下一道蠻長的階梯,到九份茶坊和昇平戲院拍照留念。

九份茶坊

昇平戲院 - 頓時有回到六、七十年代的感覺

依依不捨的離開九份後,我們乘搭1062號公車到瑞芳火車站再轉搭火車來到十分
十分,就是發現幸福的地方,因為十分 -> 幸福 0公里,這是在火車站的方向牌看到的,有趣吧?

通往幸福的車票

抵達的時候已是傍晚時分,所以先解決了晚餐再說。
走了一小段路發現這裡賣吃的不多,再無別的選擇下決定吃樹下的米粉湯。

店名取得還真隨便
吃飽後就當然要放天燈咯!
拜《那些年》所賜,放天燈好像是來到台灣的must-do?

其實沿著火車軌道的兩旁都不乏出售天燈的商家,而且大致上價錢也差不到哪裡去,所以根本不需要擔心價錢太貴之類的問題。
我們買的是四色天燈,一個台幣150元。
找個人潮較少的角落,慢慢地想好心願再寫,沒有人會催趕你。

果然一群愛錢的傢伙
(Photo credits to Huei Erh)

貪心的我們把想到的心願都寫到天燈上了,希望願望成真咯!

趕上最後一班火車回到瑞芳火車站再搭火車到士林,因為要回台北車站的1062號公車爆滿,結果眼睜睜的看著公車過了一輛又一輛,實在很納悶。

在士林吃了阿宗麵線,起司馬鈴薯,還有那比臉大的豪大大雞排(全部都是高卡的食物啊)

7月28日,晴

據說台灣的帥哥美女都集中在西門町,我又豈能錯過呢?(笑)
來到西門町主要是逛這裡的商圈或到附近的西門紅樓走走。
只可惜附近商店賣的東西都不便宜(比夜市貴),我們只好隨便走走看看,拍張“到此一遊照”就離開了。

西門町的街頭

有看過由《艋》這部電影的朋友對龍山寺肯定不會感到陌生。
乘搭捷運到龍山寺站,步行不到十分鐘便可看到這曾經出現在電影裡的畫面。

(台語稱Monga,也稱萬華),是一個充滿歷史文化背景的地方。
曾經是貿易商旅頻繁之地,昔日有“一府二鹿三艋舺”之盛名。
也許當時的風華已不再,然而艋舺的精神:強悍與團結,卻永不磨滅。

從捷運站走到龍山寺,一路上看到不少相學,算命,挽面等等的小攤子。
細心的打量了附近的商店,看起來也至少已有數十年的歷史。
悄悄的走進了時光隧道,開始品嚐老一輩子留下的回憶。


莊嚴的外觀

碰巧是神誕,龍山寺裡香火鼎盛,膜拜者多得水洩不通

很隨性的展示手中的物品(到底是哪門子的pose啊?)
Photo credits to Huei Erh

在我們準備離開之前,不遠處一條很長的人龍讓我們停下了腳步,忍不住想進去看個究竟。
原來是龍都冰菓專業家,想不到小小的一間店竟然有那麼大的魅力。
炎熱的夏天,可以來碗冷冷的芒果冰就最贊了!


左邊的是無敵芒果冰(160元),右邊是芒果牛乳冰(130元)
是蠻好吃啦,不過有點小貴捏~ >.<

接下來我們便乘搭捷運回到台北車站再轉換淡水線去淡水咯!
搞笑的我們竟然沒發現原來往淡水那個方向的捷運分為兩個終點站,淡水北投終站。
呵呵,結果我們竟傻乎乎的上了只到北投的捷運而且還一上車就開始呼呼大睡(汗)。
睡得不醒人事的我們不但到北投終點站也渾然不知,而且睡醒的時候已在返往台北車站的回程中了。囧!!!

其實捷運圖畫得很清楚,只是我們沒仔細看=.=lll

睡醒後在芝山站等下一趟到淡水的捷運
我想我永遠不會忘記這爆笑的場面吧!

這個故事告訴我們:看清楚才上捷運,還有在捷運上睡到不醒人事是很危險的 :-S

幾經風浪,我們終於抵達淡水啦!這裡可說是一個老少咸宜的景點 :)
來到淡水,你可以租輛自行車沿著海邊看夕陽、逛老街,也可以搭公車到漁人碼頭和情人橋去。
只可惜時間有限,漁人碼頭和情人橋我們去不成了,能夠看到漂亮的夕陽算是安慰吧?

大家都靠著圍欄,欣賞岸邊的美景
不時看到油輪經過或小鳥成群掠過,只差沒有帥哥和我搭訕 lol

偶然看到這一幕:街頭藝人和後面裝模作樣的小孩

是濃煙美化了還是破壞了這張照片的美?

忘了究竟騎了多久的自行車,當我看到這一幕時,心裡有種難以形容的激動

歸還了自行車之後,飢腸轆轆的我們便趕快覓食去。
來到淡水遊玩的朋友,一定要品嚐過淡水阿給,可口魚丸,淡水鐵蛋和許義魚酥才算完美哦!

所謂的“阿給”就是在豆腐裡釀冬粉再淋上醬汁的料理。
賣相雖然一般,不過QQ的冬粉配上醬料,口感還挺不錯的!

吃鐵蛋之前也要來拍張照片
(個人對於黑黑的包裝鐵蛋實在不敢恭維,只敢嘗試現鹵的)


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7月29日,晴


在很久以前就听過陽明山這個地方,因為這裡春天可以看櫻花,夏天可以看海芋和秋天可以看楓葉。
本來是希望可以一覽一整片海芋的景觀(因為個人超喜歡這種花),只可惜海芋季剛過了,所以這一天來到陽明山只可以去看涓絲瀑布,泡溫泉和看牛奶湖(哭)。

從台北車站乘搭260公車到陽明山公車總站再轉搭108公車便可以到遊客中心,竹子湖(看海芋的地方),小油坑,二子坪,冷水坑,涓絲瀑布之類的景點下站。
如果假日來的話可要有心理準備咯,因為公車班次不多,所以幾乎每一輛都是爆滿的。結果我們就這樣站在公車裡,東歪西倒的上山去(汗)。

由於沒做好功課,結果很迷茫·的不知道該在哪裡下車,呵呵,小朋友可別學哦!
繞了很長的一段路,最後決定在絹絲瀑布站下車,原因是名字聽起來比較吸引人! XD

下車後大家便發揮冒險家精神,一路沿著路牌踏進神秘的絹絲步道。
走了至少一公里,潺潺流水聲終於傳入耳裡。

“絹絲瀑布,名如其形,像白絹從天而降,輕柔飄逸。”
只不過也許期望太高,以為可以看到那種飛流直下三千尺、很雄偉的瀑布,結果有些小失望。
休息一會兒之後便同樣的走了一公里到路口乘搭同樣的公車離開。問題來了,下一站往哪裡去?
就像是我們的人生,有些時候期望越大,結果失望更大。得到的,卻往往都不是自己想要的。一路上跌跌撞撞,結果一次又一次地陷入迷茫,失去了方向感。
選擇接受吧,我總是這樣提醒自己。

在7-eleven下車,打聽了一下陽明山還有什麼好去處。
兜兜轉轉,到最後決定到冷水坑泡溫泉去。為了省時間,計程車就是最佳的代步交通工具,呵呵(在陽明山等公車實在不容易)。
至於為什麼泡溫泉的地方竟叫作冷水坑呢?那是因為這裡的溫泉都是在攝氏40度以下的。

由於當天溫泉浴室沒開放,所以只能在外面的泡腳池泡一泡

大家圍在一起,誰說夏天不能泡溫泉?
(Photo credits to Huei Erh)
泡腳過後還走到附近看牛奶湖。顏色如其名,牛奶湖果然像牛奶,不過湖水可不能喝,因為乳白色的是硫磺水呀!

冷水坑的牛奶湖

看到時間不早了,我們趕緊搭公車到士林捷運站再換817公車到五分埔瞎拼去。
在愁著晚餐該吃什麼當兒發現了鬍鬚張魯肉飯,大夥兒如在沙漠發現了綠洲那樣二話不說直衝過去。老闆應該不會以為我們是瘋子吧?

我點了魯肉客飯(台幣80元)

填飽肚子後原本想狠狠的瞎拼,誓要把所剩的台幣花光。結果逛了好久,只買了兩對耳環和一條手鍊,有夠失敗了吧?(我也是這麼認為)

結果就這樣帶著遺憾回到民宿去收拾行李回家咯!睡覺之前還開了兩瓶apple cider,吃著台灣零食“可樂果”,看電視上的綜藝節目。在談笑聲中,我們度過了在台灣的最後一個夜晚。


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7月30日,晴

快樂的時光過得特別快吧?兩個星期的台灣之旅已來到了尾聲。
離開台灣之前不忘了到周董的主題餐廳Deja Vu用餐。
乘搭捷運到忠孝新生站,再走到八德路一段的華山1914文化創意產業園區便找得到。(話說那天我們在炎日下找了好久)
雖然不是他的粉絲,不過來到周董開設的餐廳總難以遮掩心中那份雀躍的心情。

富麗堂皇的裝潢

幾乎每個角落都是拍照的好鏡頭

當然少不了周董的古董鋼琴

和他的招牌蝙蝠車

味道一般的食物
(注:這裡還規定每個進來的人得點一份主食,納悶-ing)

說實在的,餐廳裡的裝潢華麗得無話可說,只不過食物方面就真的還有進步的空間。
還有服務態度方面也是在令人大失所望。

拍完照片後便回到台北車站逛中山地下街,台北地下街,k區地下街和Q-square。
買了鞋子,leggings和一本書,購物清單總算沒交白卷。

匆匆忙忙的吃過晚餐,便趕緊回到民宿退房然後以奔跑的方式趕到台北車站A棟。
沒想到來到台灣的第一天和最後一天,我們六個人都拖著笨重的行李箱在馬路上奔跑,被詛咒的命運嗎?

乘搭國光客運,45分鐘後來到了桃園機場。

登機前
(Photo credits to Huei Erh)

帶著依依不捨得心情,跟台灣道別。
留下了足跡,帶走了回憶。

那一年,22歲的夏天,我們瘋狂過。



我的背包客夢想因為這趟旅程而再度燃起。
也許未來有一天我會放下一切,獨自踏上旅途。

因為我心裡住著一個小孩,懷著大大的夢想,隨時準備出發,勇敢的冒險去。




感謝你的閱讀,欲重溫可點以下的link :D

台灣之行,第一篇:台中美麗的邂逅
台灣之行,第二篇:日月潭 Sun Moon Lake
台灣之行,第三篇:埔里與清境農場數綿羊記
台灣之行,第四篇:花蓮趴趴走日記