Hiking At Bukit Dinding

During the recent Hari Raya holidays, my friend, Elaine asked me to stay over at her house so that she can bring me for a hike at Bukit Dinding near her place. It sounded exciting as I have not been hiking since the pandemic. So off I went to spend a night in her house and next morning we woke up pretty early and left the house at 7am.

Bukit Dinding is a short drive from her place. That morning was pretty cooling and quiet as it was the Raya holidays and not many people went hiking.

This colourful wall greeted us when we arrived at the entrance. What I did not expect after we passed this is an uphill climb for about 15 minutes or so. My friend did not tell me what to expect and I thought this hike on the tarmac and cemented road is an easy walk. Well, to her is easy peasy because she is a pro hiker who joins run marathons and ultra-trail marathons.

Going up, up and up. I was hoping that this ascending path would end after passing the corner but it did not! I was literally gasping for air here.

Alas, after 45 minutes or so of climbing, we reached the peak of Bukit Dinding which is a telecommunication tower

This climbing trail has a length of about 4.7km and an elevation of 246m.  After snapping a few photos, we went down. Elaine took me the other hiking trail that she goes to. I wasn’t wearing a suitable pair of hiking shoes and it was rather slippery the forest trail. I fell down while making my way down some rocks so we decided to turn back out.

We also saw a wide forest trail for bikers and for safety reasons, hikers are not allowed to go into that trail as the bikers may be careening down and cannot avoid the hikers

I was pleasantly surprised to see that we almost did 10k steps that morning.

  Saw this beautiful tall tree while coming down.

After we were done, Elaine brought me to a coffeeshop for some coffee and breakfast. Overall it was an enjoyable hike and we got to catch up on our chat. I hope to follow Elaine to explore the forest trail at Bukit Dinding or Bukit Pau nearby.

Posted in being a mom, exercise, me | Leave a comment

Branded Clothes Shopping For Less Again

A little update about my shopping from the stall in my neighbourhood where I could get branded clothes for less.  This is actually a back-dated post as I have bought these items last year. Some of the gems that I managed to get hold of are as follows:-

A black and white long sleeve cotton top

Yes, they have COS too! I was elated to find one in my size. They only have one piece and I am so glad that I could fit. As you can see, the label is cut because it is not from the original COS store but is actually stock overrun item or a sample.

This is the exact same one selling on their website now.

I also bought a multi-coloured stripe top for missy from COS but I didn’t take any photo.  I found a similar one online.

Then I couldn’t resist another red and pink striped long sleeved top for missy. It is from her favourite brand – Monki. When she saw it, she was happy because she found the same at Monki but it cost like 7 times more than what I paid.

The label is cut too.

Found it on Zalora too.

Just love all these good buys. Retail therapy is the best therapy!

Posted in being a mom, Fashion, good stuff, shopping | Leave a comment

Shapewear Dress Tips: From Office to Party 

Shapewear dresses have increased in popularity and as a result, many women have been looking for them to be used on a daily basis with their services, as well as for parties looking for something more sophisticated. 

Therefore, figuring out how to choose the perfect shapewear dress for each situation can be a very difficult path, but we will help you at this point. 

How to choose the best shapewear dress for the job? 

Choosing the best shapewear dress for work requires consideration of several factors, such as comfort, style and work environment. As the first point we have to determine the level of control you need based on your body type and your personal comfort. Some shapewear dresses offer light control to smooth problem areas, while others provide firm control for more intense body shaping and sculpting. Choose the level of control that best suits your needs and preferences. 

Additionally, you need to be aware that the dresses are breathable. To do this, opt for dress with built in shapewear made from breathable and comfortable fabrics, such as nylon, spandex or elastane. These materials will help keep you cool and comfortable during work hours. 

Also check that the shapewear dress has flat seams to avoid visible marks under your work clothes. Flat seams also provide greater comfort, reducing skin irritation. Another pro is choosing a shapewear dress with a versatile style that can be worn with a variety of work outfits. Opt for designs that have discreet necklines, adjustable straps and appropriate lengths to suit your professional environment. This will help you a lot in the service. 

And also for use at work, it is recommended to choose a shapewear dress in a neutral color, such as black, nude or white. Neutral colors are more understated and can easily be paired with your existing work outfits. 

How to choose shapewear dress for parties? 

Choosing shapewear dresses for parties is a great way to ensure you feel confident and comfortable in your festive attire. In addition to the aforementioned levels of control that for festive events, you may want to opt for shapewear dresses with a firmer level of control to obtain a more sculpted and defined silhouette, you also have to think about the fabrics. 

Therefore, look for shapewear dresses made from luxurious and glamorous fabrics, such as lace, satin or silk. These materials not only provide a luxurious feel but also add a touch of elegance to your party look. For an even more convincing result, choose a shapewear dress with elegant details and necklines that complete your style at the party. 

You also need to choose a shapewear dress in the color that best matches your taste and that also shows what you want to convey to the party, as it is with this that you will show your style and also how you want to look to people. Here you have to see if you want to wear a more midi dress or if you are going to wear the shapewear maxi dress that is one of the main features for the festivities. 

Make sure the shapewear dress is the appropriate length for where you are going. And while it’s important to get a shapewear dress that offers control, it’s also essential to ensure you feel comfortable while dancing and having fun at the party. Choose a shapewear dress that is not too tight or restrictive and that allows freedom of movement. 

Why choose Popilush for these moments? 

With Popilush you can be sure that you won’t have any problems when going out to work or going to a party and all this due to its variety of shapewear dresses. 

In addition to this variety, you will find comfort in the materials that lace slip maxi dress and others are made of, as they define the body without the strongest compression, thus giving you freedom of movement throughout the day you are wearing them. 

Another favorable point are the more basic dresses that can match both your style and also with just a few accessories make a change of scenery, as long as it has some accessories it can be used for work, but with the right accessories you can wear the same for the party. 

So, take the opportunity to get to know this variety and build a closet for all your most special moments. 

Posted in Fashion, shopping, useful tips | Leave a comment

Welcoming The Year of The Dragon

A backdated post. This Chinese New Year celebration has been a memorable one for me and my family. On the eve of the new year, I was feeling a bit off. My body was tired and I thought it was because I have been cleaning the house and getting ready to welcome the new year.  Then I had very bad acid reflux and I couldn’t even eat the steamboat reunion dinner that night. The following day, hubs drove us back to Ipoh and in the car, I was starting to have a bit of a runny nose. I thought perhaps it was cold and I had the aircond facing me throughout the journey.

I still felt funny the whole day when we celebrated at my cousin’s house, followed by a dinner in a restaurant that night. I popped an antihistamine pill and went to bed. The next day, I felt a bit better but still with runny nose. I met up with my best friends who were back in Ipoh. I felt very tired as the day went by.

The next day, we headed home and I wore my mask in the car for the whole journey as I didn’t want to spread my runny nose to hubs and missy. My body still feel off but I didn’t do a test. The next morning I had to go to work and so I decided to do a test because my sister did a test the day before as she was also unwell and she tested positive for Covid.

Alas, I am not a Covid-virgin (a term coined by my friends) anymore. Since the pandemic, hubs and I have never gotten Covid. Last Chinese New Year, I was sick on Day 15 and I tested myself but was negative. However, I lost my sense of taste and smell for a week. Not sure if the test kit was not accurate or I had gotten another kind of illness.

So I quickly went to the pharmacy to stock up on test kits, cough meds, cold/flu meds, lozenges and Tiger milk mushrooms. Luckily my symptoms were mild. I only had runny nose. I recovered in 3 days after I tested positive. Actually I quite enjoyed myself when I quarantined as I just laid in bed and relaxed with no one disturbing me.

Just when I recovered, my hubs also tested positive. My mother and my other sister also tested positive as we have been together in Ipoh and staying in the same house. I am not sure if I was the superspreader or my other sister who probably got it from her husband, who also tested positive 2 days before Chinese New Year but he quarantined himself.

Luckily missy, my dad, my friends and other relatives were spared. So this Chinese New Year celebration was indeed a memorable one for all of us.

Posted in Celebrations, me | Leave a comment

Get Glowing Skin For Your Prom With These Simple Steps

With spring here, it means the school year is coming to an end. This also means that the night that high-schoolers is waiting for, is right around the corner. It is none other than Prom night. As this is a special occasion for most high school students, many would want to look their best during this important event. The girls will go all out to find the perfect dress with shoes and accessories to match.

If you are going to prom and want to be camera-ready for this important night, you would need more than a great outfit. What you need is healthy and glowing skin. Having healthy skin is the best accessory for any occasions, whether you have makeup on or not.

How To Have Healthy Skin Before Prom Night

When it comes to preparing your face for prom, you can start with a simple routine. Choose products that are good for your skin type. Establishing a consistent routine is important for healthy and glowing complexion.

Cleanse Your Face

Try a cleanser that is gentle enough to remove dirt, oil and makeup from your skin. Use single use face towels to pat your skin dry after cleansing. Avoid using regular towels as they absorb water and remain damp for hours, and this is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. When you re-use towel, you are transferring these harmful micro-organism to your face and may cause breakouts and acne.

Alternatively, you can also use the disposable face towel from Ditoibeauty to clean your face with a cleanser. Wet the disposable face cloth and wring out excess water. Then pour some cleanser onto the towel and gently massage your face using circular motions. Then rinse your face and use a new disposable face cloth to dry your face.

Moisturize Your Face

Apply moisturizer within minutes after cleansing for optimum absorption. Massage the moisturizer onto your damp skin, to help retain the moisture on the skin’s surface.

Mask it

One or two week before prom night, use a mask that is ideal for your skin’s needs. If you have oily or blemish prone skin, go for clay masks as they will help to reduce oil and dry out acne. For normal or dry skin, go for masks that soothe and hydrate the skin. Applying mask a few weeks earlier before prom night will allow the build up of color on your skin gradually.

Drink Enough Water

Water is essential if you want beautiful glowing skin. Dehydration can cause your face to look dull so make sure you drink lots of water weeks before prom so that your skin is healthy for the big day.

Sleep and More Sleep

Having lack of sleep is bad for the skin. It can leave you with dark circles and eye bags. When you sleep, your skin will restore and renew itself to give it a gorgeous glow. Have an appropriate sleeping schedule of at least 8 hours a night before prom.

Posted in beauty, Celebrations, useful tips | Leave a comment

Y2K Fashion Is Back

Stephen King, the famed American author of horror novels, once said that “Sooner or later, everything old is new again.” And this quote couldn’t be more true when it comes to fashion trends. Fashion It-girls know that fashion is cyclical. The fashion industry is constantly changing as new trends rise and fall through a process known as fashion cycle.  If you have a favorite fashion piece right now and if you want to hold on to it for years or maybe decades, it will eventually come back in style.

Over the past couple of years, the 90s minimalism was one of the biggest trends that fashion-It girls and social media influencers gravitated towards. But today, there has been an upsurged on the fashion of the early ’00s. Remember the Y2K fashion? It has emerged as one of the biggest trends in 2021 and still is today, thanks to social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Y2K aesthetics or Y2K fashion has been trending hard amongst the Gen Zers. They are fully embracing the Y2K shirts, crop tops, midriff baring tees and low rise cargos and denim that were the favored looks in the early aughts.

Designers like Balenciaga, Dsquared, Bluemarine and Diesel are currently incorporating Y2K elements in their capsule collections. The fashion runways were evoked with nostalgia with the ’00s fashion style being recycled and given an innovative twist. Y2K trend is all about making a statement. During that period, Britney Spears, Christina Auguilera and Paris Hilton became the fashion trendsetters with their Y2K baby tees, velour tracksuits from Juicy Couture, bedazzled t-shirts by Ed Hardy, low-cut denim pants with low slung belts, cropped tops, and last but not least, Von Dutch trucker hats.

Currently, many designers are embracing the Y2K fashion trend and this fad is gaining momentum. Celebrities such as Dua Lipa, Bella Hadid, The Kardashians, Rihanna and many others have been sporting the Y2K look with a modern twist.

If you want to jump into the Y2K fashion trend and elevate your fashion game with some Y2K crop tops, well you are in luck. You can find all things Y2k at CherryKitten a Y2K shop with  a huge selection of baby tees, crop tanks and many more. Step into the vibrant world of Y2K fashion with the mesmerizing collection of bold and iconic pieces from Cherry Kitten.

Embrace the spirit of the early aughts and add a touch of Y2K vibe to your wardrobe. Visit Cherry Kitten’s collection of baby tees and discover even more ways to express your unique style and embrace this nostalgic era. 

Posted in Fashion | Leave a comment

Keto Ice Cream From Kind Kones

Whenever I am in Bangsar Village, I would usually pop over to the Kind Kones stall and order my favourite Keto Chocolate Sorbet. As I do not take any sugar, this is the only ice-cream that I can eat.

Kind Kones Keto Chocolate Sorbet is made with cocoa mass, cocoa powder and xylitol, a sugar substitute. This 1 scoop ice-cream is rather filling and sometimes I cannot finish the whole cup.  Even missy who is not a fan of my keto food (she always say they taste bitter or bad) enjoys eating this keto sorbet.

Are you a Kind Kones fan? What’s your favourite sorbet?

Posted in being a mom, food, keto, low carb | Leave a comment

Get Motivated With Trendy Workout Shirts For Women

The days of throwing on a baggy cotton T-shirt and a pair of old shorts for working out are long gone. Today, there is a myriad of workout shirt, shorts and leggings in all kinds of design and colors for women. These exercise gear change are available with thoughtful designs that go with the trends and also make your attire both comfortable and functional. 
When it comes to finding the best gym clothing for women, you would want something that is stylish, functional and fits well. Being intentional about what you wear for your workout class, gym or run outdoor does have its advantages. Your workout clothes have the power to impact your mood, performance and motivation.
How Does Your Workout Gear Impacts Your Performance And Motivation
A well-fitted workout attire such as workout shorts and workout shirts for women that are not only comfortable and functional, they can also enhance your confidence to push you through roadblocks to reach your fitness goals. 
If you find yourself dreading the exercise, you may want to practice enhancement dressing or dopamine dressing. So what is dopamine dressing? In a nutshell, it it means dressing for joy. Wear the clothes that can boost your happy hormone. Choose gym shirts and leggings or shorts with vivid colors to promote the release of dopamine and this will optimize your mood. 
If you go into your first yoga or HIIT class wearing a random t-shirt and an old pair of shorts or leggings, there is a good chance that you are not going to feel your most confident self. Your clothing choices can reflect how you feel about yourself. Research shows that having positive feelings about what you wear has been linked to having  positive views of your own emotions, sociability, and work competency. If you wear a workout attire that you are comfortable with, you are likely to feel more self-assured and at ease. This will give you a confidence boost and better performance. 
Just like the equipment you would use at the gym, your clothes should be taken as an important tool that will help you perform well. Your outfit should be clean, well-fitted and designed for working out. IronPandaFit has got you covered when it comes to exercise wear. They offer a wide selection of new and fresh gym tanks, gym shirts, crop tops, sweatshirts, shorts, leggings and more.
From lightweight gym rocker tank, t-shirts and gym leggings to fashionable crop tops and hoodies made from high quality fabrics, there is something for everyone. 
Posted in exercise, Fashion | Leave a comment

Sensitive Skin? Why Ditoi Disposable Face Towels Can Help

Our skin is the largest organ in the human body that is exposed to the external environment such as dirt, pollution, bacteria, injury and etc. When that happens, the skin releases a huge amount of free radicals like acne, fine lines and become red and dry. Long-term inflammation can also cause the loss of collagen and elasticity, hence the skin will appear rough, wrinkled, and have spots.

Those who have acne-prone skin and sensitive skin know that they have to be extremely careful about the products they choose to use on their skin. One irritating product can cause the skin to breakout and have allergic reaction.

No matter what the issue is, the root cause of it could be aggravated by that one innocent item that probably never been given a second thought. It is none other than the face towel. Re-using face towels can expose the skin to germs and fungi as damp face towels are a breeding ground for these micro-organisms that are harmful the face. On top of that, a dirty towel can expose the skin to dirt, oil, makeup and other irritants. Also regular cloth towels are rather rough on the skin. Using these towels can cause friction and result in rough patches while stripping away the good natural oil from the skin.

Therefore, for those with sensitive skin, Ditoi’s disposable face towels are the best bet. These single-use cleaning cloth are gentle and soothing for the skin. They are the perfect solution that can alleviate the frustration and discomfort of those suffering from sensitive skin.

Made from 100% natural plant fiber, Ditoi’s daily cleaning towels are super absorbent and offer superior cleansing ability. They are lint-free, fragrance-free and chemical-free so you do not have to worry about your skin being irritated. That’s not all! Ditoi Disposable Face Towels conform to the BSCI standards and are 100% biodegradable so you can take care of your skin while being kind to the planet too.

How To Use Ditoi Disposable Face Towels

It is very easy to use Ditoi face towels. They can be used either wet or dry. You can use the towel to pat dry your face after cleansing. Or you can wet the towel with lukewarm water, wring it and add your favorite cleanser to the towel. Then gently cleanse your face with circular motion to remove dirt and oil.

Ditoi Face Towels are available in two different sizes – 7.8 x 8.7 inches and 10 x 12 inches.  The smaller size is ideal for targeted use while the generous larger size is great for covering a more extensive areas.

They also come in two different textures. Plain textured disposable face towels are thinner and softer for those with sensitive and dry skin who prefer a gentle touch. Pearl textured towels are thicker and provide better water absorption. They are ideal for those who want intense hydration, exfoliation and more intense cleaning.

Ditoi’s daily cleaning cloths are convenient to use at home, while traveling or on-the-go. After you are done using them, just discard and they will biodegrade, making them an excellent choice for those who want to minimize their carbon footprint. So if you are looking for a solution to help you maintain a clean, healthy and beautiful skin, Ditoi face towels are what you need

Posted in beauty | Leave a comment

Family Mart x Pokemon Collaboration

Our family is a big fan of Family Mart. We just love going to the Family Mart near our home for their oden, crispy chiki, sofuto and coffee. Recently, we were there for a quick dinner and I ordered the hot snack. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the food came in this cute and colourful Pokemon-themed packaging.

Cute right? I felt bad throwing it away.

Missy ordered the Gengar’s Treat Sofuto which is actually Blueberry soft serve and it came in purple, her favorite shade.

Also available are Bulbasaur drinks such as Bulbasaur Passion Pine, Bulbasaur Avocado Latte, Bulbasaur Avocado Milk Tea and more.  If you are a Pokemon friend, head over to your nearest Family Mart and check out the Pokemon-themed foods and drinks.

Posted in family, food | Leave a comment