Monday, February 29, 2016

Dim Sum At Maxim, Sungai Ara, Penang

IT WAS A SATURDAY MORNING WHEN WE DROPPED BY AT MAXIM dim sum shop at Sungai Ara... My girl suggested this place in fact, I, for one, had forgotten all about this place.  Looking back through my posts, it was in 2013 when we last came here as a family, more than two years ago...

Maxim at Lebuh Pekaka 1, Sungai Ara... 
,,,,deemed to be one of the best Dim Sum in the island? 
It was around 11am plus when we reached there... 
And my girl wasted no time to collect the goodies from the dim sum section... 
Her favourites... and after eating, they become mine too..
Crusty pastry and the egg fillings is soft and tasty....
I took one of these....
I prefer the chives dumplings... 
I was surprised my girl got these for me... 
These are not bad too... 
Squarish fish "balls"
Did we manage to finish them all... 
Phew... we didn't actually... some went to the doggy bag.... 
I wanted to try their Wanton noodles... 
I remember loving the taste of them in 2013.. 
hahahaha...
And their giant dumplings... 
And not to be forgotten, this plate of steamed flat noodles with seabass... 
Not oily at all... can be eaten even when we are not feeling well....
And the address of Maxim...
Total cost came to around RM43...
Not too bad...
We managed to finish them all during our supper! 

Home Transformation Tips For The Conscientious Homeowner

As a homeowner, creating a more loving environment for your family to grow is always high on your agenda. In truth, the home improvement challenge is a battle that is never fully completed. After all, every property will need modernisation from time to time. However, there’s nothing to stop you from achieving the desired results in 2016.

However, it’s not all about building a home that looks nice and pretty. You should also take your responsibilities into account. That means making the most of your resources. If you can achieve this with decisions that will benefit other people, then that’s a bonus too.

Here’s everything you need to know. 
 Stop Wasting Energy 
Running a home isn’t a cheap, and energy bills are a major issue. As a smart homeowner, removing any faults here should be a priority.

There are various strategies that will help you reduce wasted energy. Whether it’s improving insulation to cut heating bills or using better appliances to cut down water waste doesn’t matter. Every upgrade is a step in the right direction.
  
Meanwhile, a few habitual changes can make a world of difference. Harvesting rainwater to keep the garden watered can save you a lot of time, money and hassle. It’s good news for the environment and great news for you.

Of course, you could go the extra mile with solar roof panels. They will save you money in the long run and add value to the property. However, not everyone has the money to make that investment. Ultimately, you have to do what is right for you. In any case, making those improvement where possible will enhance your home and your finances.
  
Repurpose Items
Fundamental energy sources aren’t the only thing that homeowners tend to waste. We live in a society that is far too keen to get rid of items. As soon as something becomes faulty, we’re far too keen to toss them aside. Change that habit, and you’ll see noticeable improvements.
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Upcycling is a growing trend, and you should join the revolution. Using old toys to create decorative items for a child’s bedroom can give it a unique flavour. Meanwhile, the garden is a fantastic place to utilise old items that no longer serve their initial purpose. A little TLC goes a long way. Do not forget it.
  
Not all items can be saved to improve your life. But it doesn’t mean they can’t help someone else. After all, one man’s junk is another’s treasure. Organising a yard sale or selling items on eBay can earn you some extra funds while 
also gaining back extra space.  And those items might help someone else find a bargain. 

Support Fair Trade 
When it comes to interior design, there are various trends that we all like to follow. There’s nothing wrong with that. Nevertheless, a home void of any personality can become very bland. If it looks like a page out of the local showroom’s catalogue, you’ll never feel at home.

One of the best ways to inject a burst of character is to support the fair trade. Ian Snow furniture will instantly give the property a unique charm that will help your family enjoy a better home life. The fact you are supporting a worthy company can only be a positive factor too.

It’s the people and personality of your property that will make it feel like home. Embrace those sentiments with smarter interior design choices, and you will not regret it.

Remove Harmful Elements
Green living is something that we should all aim for. However, cutting waste isn’t the only option. You can have an equally huge impact by making smarter choices.

Switching to biodegradable cleaners will instantly lower the emissions flowing through your home. This will help the environment. But, more importantly, it’s great for the health of your family too. Considering it’s a change that will make no negative impact on your life, it should be considered compulsory.

Meanwhile, treating early signs of damp and other harmful elements can protect the building and your family too. This means that you’ll be preserving resources and your finances too. It might sound like a small change, but the impact is massive. Do not underestimate its importance. 


Start A Neighbourhood Watch
If nothing else, the family home should make your family safe. This is your castle after all, and you should look to protect it and your kin at all times. Setting up a neighbourhood watch scheme could be the ultimate solution.

Of course, there are various other steps that you can take to improve your home’s security. Improving the security of doors and windows will serve as a solid foundation. Meanwhile, automated gates add further protection. Likewise, advanced CCTV and alarm systems are a worthwhile investment that will protect your family. After all, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Nevertheless, it’s still important to love thy neighbour. Starting the vigilance strategy can make a huge difference to the community. This can be particularly beneficial for any elderly citizens.

It’s not strictly a home improvement upgrade. But it will certainly boost the home lives of you and the people around you.

Give The Garden Purpose
Every homeowner should appreciate that the garden is a fantastic place to make the home feel happier. However, it can also be utilised to bring physical improvements to your lives too.
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 Many of the upgrades above are about helping others. However, your family should still be number one. Learning to grow fruitand veg can actively encourage healthier diets. Meanwhile, bringing garden games and other fun items to the yard can promote greater activity. There’s no substitute for living a healthier lifestyle. If your garden can be used to create a positive impact on your loved ones, then you should grab that opportunity with open arms.

You could always install a swimming pool or patio area to encourage increased outdoor time too. Aside from the physical benefits, the world just feels brighter when you’re out in the fresh air. And if the home makes your loved ones happy, then it’s the perfect place for you.


Sunday, February 28, 2016

Worth Coming By Thai Baiyok, Lorong Selamat, Penang

BESIDES THE HAWKERS' SPREE IN PENANG, we took a nice Thai dinner at the Lorong Selamat, a shop called Thai Baiyok.  My friend recommended this place for us to go... since my girl and I love Thai food, we readily went for it.  At first we could not locate the place along Lorong Selamat, we overshot it, the shop is on the left side, just a short distance away right after the turning.

Thai Baiyok... wonder what it means... 
As usual, we had our dinner early to beat the crowd....
The first customers to patronize so that we could get our food in no time....
This is an appetizer dish...
I would highly recommend this... 
Sweet and spicy at the same time...
Just put some fillings onto the leave.... and into the mouth it goes.....
And I bet one will not regret once it is there...
hahahahaa...
Here is the closer version.... 
Surprisingly we saw Otak-Otak in the menu...
And it came out like this...
Wrapped like a bird.... 
Kind of special, right?
Oh, are we eating Thai or Nyonya now.... 
Just look at that.... filled to the brim....
Aromatic and fragrance fillings such as prawns and squids and of course, fish too....
I was thinking of the boys when this came out...
They would love to have the special Thai otak otak!
As for the greens, we have bitter gourd stir-fry with salted eggs...
I know many do not like bitter gourd but I am glad my girl does not mind at all...
Another to go for is the Tomyam Fish...
One must not leave Tomyam out when it comes to Thai food, right?
Pineapple rice to try.....
And we preferred the taste of Belacan rice with these condiments at the side....
For this meal the bill came to around RM100 for the three of us...
Looking back at the pictures, we are considered "Big Eaters" eh....
We managed to clear all the dishes without any difficulty!
Shall we come by here again?
Our smiles has given away the answer... I guess... 
hahahahaa...

Friday, February 26, 2016

My Choice Of Penang Delights

ALRIGHT, I KNOW I AM NOT SUPPOSED TO BE TRAVELING AND DRIVING SO MUCH...  Well, I think I really cannot sit still in Ipoh, something must be "prickly" there and despite my "limp", I still managed to pack my bags and "eloped" the very next morning after my trip down south.  I am not Batman or Batwoman but"BAGWOMAN"...  for I always seem to be leaving with my bag going here and there... hahahaha....

So this "Bagwoman" has landed in the Pearl of the Orient and will be here for some days for a few purposes only known to my family and selected friends.  Since I am here, I will make use of this time to post up what I have eaten for the past few days.... nothing special such as fine dining of the sort instead most of my meals are from hawker stalls on the roadside and in the market....
Prawn noodles at Batu Lancang Market... 
Pasembur with sweet potato sauce, I super LIKE!

Koay Teow Th'ng should not be missed as well....
Hokkien mee at Pulau Tikus coffeeshop....
Fried Kueh Kak....
Cendul at Penang Road....
Ice Kacang on a super hot day at the same stall....
I like the "Atapchee"
Is that what the white thing is called?
Then night came, we went to the Jelutong Market...
Sitting next to the drain for the added ingredients...
Fried koay teow with fish balls and prawns... 
And my favourite dessert soup is "Mutt Toe Yau"
aka "Everything got"
Yes, my choice of food from different stalls...
Will post up more of Penang delights in days to come...

10 Quick Beauty Tips Every Busy Mother Should Know

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Short on time, tools, resources or funds? There are loads of ways to pull together a fresh-faced beauty look with whatever you have to hand. Just because you’re a mum doesn’t mean you can’t wear makeup if you fancy! Read on for ten beauty tips every busy woman and mother should have in her repertoire.

1. Long day at work, or up all night with the little ones? Slapping concealer all over your undereye bags? Stop right there. Only apply to actual shadow for a far more nature, far more wide-awake look

2. Ripped your tights but in a rush to leave the house? Before you take off your whole bottom half to put on a new pair, just dab a little clear nail polish onto the ladder. This will help it hold in place until you can change them later.

3. Heading out to run around the block with the dog, or take the kids to the park? Beat shine by always having a pressed powder to hand, like these from Ben Nye. Just three or four seconds sweeping powder over your T-Zone will help soak up oils and sweat.

4. Don’t splash out on lip scrubs! You can get just the same effect by using your toothbrush. Whenever you brush your teeth, take a few moments at the end to gently brush any dry, dead skin of your lips. You can even mix your own little pot of homemade scrub. Just combine coconut oil and brown sugar together, or make up your own recipe!  Coconut oil is also great for whitening your teeth you can do it the old fashioned, messy way or opt for a quick, modern fix with these whitening strips.

5. Need to glam up a bit but only have the basics? Vaseline is a wonder tool. Apply to your lips, of course, but then smooth a little over brows to tame them. Pinch your cheeks like the Hollywood starlets used to, and then swipe a little Vaseline over the cheekbones. This will give an instant highlighter effect. You can see seven ways to use this little tub of miracles here.

6. Second-day hair look limp? No dry shampoo to hand? Talc powder works just as well, just be sure to rub it in well!

7. Can’t find your makeup brush for your lips or eyes anywhere? Raid your kid’s colouring box. A small paint brush will work fine for the time being. Just be sure to replace it before they notice!

8. Got a full face of makeup but just want to get some sleep? Give the removal routine a miss for one night only. A dab of baby oil on a cotton pad will do until the morning.

9. Want to build up some amazing eyeshadow colour for a special occasion but don’t have time to keep layering it up? Use white eyeliner. It really makes the colour pop. This goes for white nail polish as a base makes top coat colours brighter, and for white mascara under coloured mascara too.

10. Learn how to use scarves in your hair. The result will be quick, pretty and will keep your hair off your face. It will also help cover up any greying or greasy roots on those particularly manic days. There is a handy guide to a few ideas over on Buzzfeed.

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Our Wine & Dine At Citrus, Ipoh

BEFORE WE LEFT FOR KUALA LUMPUR LAST WEEK, I took my sister and my BIL for a nice western dinner.... Initially I was undecided to where I should take them, I had three choices in mind, David's Diner, Ye Olde English and Citrus.  And at the last minute, I made up my mind, it will be Citrus, known for their quality food and ambience ...... 

We arrived at Citrus around 7pm, first customers to enter for dinner.... and after we sat down, some other patrons entered.... We took some minutes ordering and while waiting, we took some pictures near we sat....

Towards the rear....
I took some pictures but they turned out too dark for the it was pretty dim inside...
One for the album before our lipstick "vanishes"
hahahahaa...
Another one while waiting for our main meals... 
For starters, BIL ordered Abalone chowder with garlic bread....
Followed by wagyu beef..... a mini sized one!
I wonder where it fits into when eaten...
hahahahaa...
His Comfort Food, I was told...
My sister ordered some crabmeat patties.....
And she was going to start on it when I suddenly clicked...
As for me, this is my choice...
Grilled chicken with pumpkin sauce... 
Two whole pieces, I couldn't finish them all...
One piece went to my sis...
And a meal is not complete with desserts....
Banana ice cream with brownie that just melts in our mouths!
The total cost came to around RM255....
Definitely it melts my heart too!
hahahahaha...

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Pan Heong Restaurant Batu Caves Before Departure

BEFORE WE LEFT FOR IPOH, we had lunch at Pan Heong Restaurant near Medan Batu Caves....It was a perfect suggestion by my sibling for this shop is bookmarked as one of my favourite Eating joints!  I think my kids will be drooling over these dishes we ordered on that particular day before we left Sg. Buloh.  It has been ages since they last went and I am sure they would love to go again some day.

As for me and my siblings, we had a yummylicious time savoring these orders before... but one setback though, after eating, I think I could drink a whole tumbler of water!  Anyway, I think that is not surprising with any outside food... sigh...  That just makes the whole meal more than satisfying with the added seasoning, I guess...

Good to be here once again.... 
Started off with a plate of Mee Jawa which increased everyone's appetite with a mouthful... 
Followed by The crispy beancurd fish paste.....
I took countless pieces of this.... 
Smoothie fish porridge with century eggs....
Eaten with crispy fried "Yau Chau Kwai"
Everything looks so "sinful" right?
Another plate of "fried" stuff... especially for someone....
Their special fried rice with mini anchoives... 
Someone was not told that they were "ikan bilis" and he ate a bowl of that.... 
And a big plate of fried noodles with three Giant prawns....
Lastly and not least... steamed fish!
We seem to be eating a lot of fish these days.... 
Someone was "finger licking" good the fish bones!
Oh my goodness... I was wrong...
I was thinking all these while white people don't like bones in their food.... 
He is one exception!
And part of my foodie family....
With the food and drinks, the bill came to around RM225...
That ends my KL trip and time to go back to 
Home Sweet Home...



Lunar New Year 2024 Before And After

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