Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Double Scoops And Waffles At Inside Scoop, De Gardens, Ipoh

NIGHT TIME DESSERTS!
After a hearty meal with my in-laws, I suggested to have the evening completed with some cold desserts..... I know for sure Andy will readily agree to what I have in mind, no doubt about that!  LOL... There is one ice cream corner at De Gardens, apart from Haagen Daz, now competing with them is Inside Scoop.

The first time I had desserts at Inside Scoop was at Gentings.  I tried their Musang King scoop and got smitten by it.  And now they are in Ipoh, I wanted to try this flavour again.
Andy loves waffles while I love the double scoops!

We ordered two flavours....
One D24 durian ice cream and the other is the Banana Pecan....
For this kind of order, it came to RM22.30
Our "ice-cream" looks before we dug in!
LOL... 


The Different Benefits To Having Fountains

There are various advantages to having fountains in a garden.  Garden fountains are able to produce relaxing sounds, they are beautiful, and they are highly appreciated by humans and animals.  In addition to these dominant benefits, fountains also present with several subtle advantages.  For example, the falling water can increase the surrounding air's level of humidity by injecting moisture into the air and making it fresher or cleaner to breathe.  By injecting moisture into the air, fountains are also able to remove airborne pollutants or allergens from the air.

1.  The Beauty Of A Garden Fountain

One of the first things people notice when they come across a fountain is the sight of the water rising and falling according to outdoor water feature ideas.  The attraction of this water movement is obvious.  Take into consideration 'Old Faithful' in the Yellowstone National Park where people flock to witness the working of this stunning geyser that has been functioning for longer than most people have been living.  At regular intervals the pressurized steam from the depths of the earth will be released via a hole in the earth's crust and 'Old Faithful' will spout forth the steam through its narrow opening.  This is an intriguing spectacle that produces a sense of awe among all people who witness it.

Fountains available on the market today will rarely mimic forces of nature similar to 'Old Faithful'; however, a smaller backyard water fountain can provide us with joy at anytime of the night or day.  Garden water fountains are easily purchased and range from small models to tall fountains that present with their own ponds.  The tall options are preferable because they increase the babbling sound of the water and allow placement of lights to provide a shining effect on the water.

2.  The Advantage Of Falling Water

Aside from the unique visual display, a water fountain presents with several benefits that can be experienced on a subtle or unconscious level.  Water is crucial for survival and people are made mostly from water, so it makes sense that we would view clean water as a positive thing.  Unconsciously, all people hope that they are never left far from water or need to live without it for a long time.  When a cascade of water is produced, this element is injected into the surrounding air and the particles of water mix with the air to provide us with water.

The added moisture in the air is highly beneficial as it humidifies the air making it healthier and easier to breath.  Outside of the human body, the water particles will combine with airborne particles and remove any dust or free radicals from the air.  This is why air feels cleaner or fresher when in the vicinity of a fountain.  One of the best methods to feel this effect is by hiking up to the base of a waterfall and breathe in deeply. 

Many people perform this act at the Yellowstone Falls in the Yosemite National Park in the US.  It feels so good that many will sit down in the spot and enjoy the environment.  If you are fortunate, you may be able to see a rainbow over the waterfall - a natural effect of the spraying water from the waterfall.  Waterfalls and rainbows have always been considered a sign of beneficence and good fortune.

3.  Water In A Garden

The majority of people do not reside by a natural waterfall; however, it is possible to bring water fountains to landscapes and gardens as a substitute for waterfalls.  This has been done for thousands of years and the type of fountain used will depend on the country, its culture, and the dreams of the person using the fountain.  Water fountains are available in all sizes ranging from balcony urns to large status.  Nowadays, the fountains can also be created using different colors to suit the structure of the garden.



Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Cong Yin Branch At Theatre Street Ipoh Town

BACK IN IPOH AFTER A TWO NIGHTS STAY IN SG BULOH...and back to food exploring by Andy...

The very next morning we went to UTC to have his passport done.  Everything was ready within 2 hours and while waiting for the passport to be processed, we went for our brunch at a new place which we have not been before.  The noodles house called CY is in town, just opposite the famous Salted Chicken and the chicken rice shop Pak Kong.  This CY is a branch, originated from the Cong Yin noodles in Ipoh Garden South.  If not for my friend who informed me, I wouldn't know that there is a branch now in town.
My order.... Loe Shu Fun with minced meat and bamboo shoots...
Andy's order....
Mixture of two types of noodles...
Side orders... and one Bah Chang...
But I forgot to take that picture cos it came much later....
Our brunch including The Bah Chang and drinks came to RM29..
Lasted us throughout the day till dinner!


Online Games Visit

My name’s Karen, and while many of my friends have been avid online casino players for years, it’s not something I’ve ever tried before. I’ve been to casinos in real life occasionally and I enjoyed them but I must admit I let other people put my wagers down, and I didn’t try to understand the games or anything, I was busy enjoying the bar! But since a couple of my close friends have had some pretty impressive wins without spending too much to play, I’ve been wondering if I’m missing out not giving it a try myself. So I got their favourite website link from one of them – Slots Baby games casino, with their casino promotions – and paid a visit.

First impressions
Slots baby is not what I expected from an online gaming site. I was a teenager in the 70s so it’s got an appearance that I love – groovy! It’s really bright and colourful. I don’t know why I thought these pages would be mostly black, but that was genuinely what I was expecting, so I like the pink!
There’s a clear list of all the different games you can play and there are LOADS of them. As the name suggests they’re slots but I had no idea you could play so many different kinds. There’s film themes, TV show themes, even seasonal ones. And there’s a couple of other casino games like Roulette and Blackjack too.

My first deposit
So I think it’s worth going ahead. It’s easy to register, just click ‘join now’ in the corner. There’s a minimum amount for getting started which isn’t too bad, it’s just ten pounds. You can use Paypal as well as your card if you like. Keep an eye on the promotions when you join as you can get free spins and other bonuses too.

My first spin!
Wellthat’s that! I’m all set up and now I just need to work out what I’m supposed to do. Luckily for me, it’s pretty easy to get an idea of what’s involved to win. You just need to go to the window showing the game you’d like to try, click ‘read more’ and there are the rules. Not only that, but you’ll get other games recommended to you because you like that one.
So because my daughter is taking riding lessons at the moment, I thought I’d give the game ‘Horsing Around’ a whirl. Even though I’ve never played anything like this before, I can tell you pretty early on that I am hoping to see a black or brown horse on the screens as I win more if they appear on my line. A saddle or grey horse would be pretty good too though! I can set up autoplay or just spin myself. So here goes...

I’m keeping my result secret, but getting started was much easier than I thought. So if you’ve never been confident enough to get set up before, why not join me and go take the plunge? 

This guest post is written by Karen Davidson

Monday, February 26, 2018

Eating And Shopping On the Fourth Day Of CNY

FOURTH DAY AT SG BULOH...

We went for something spicy for our morning brunch.... easily accessible especially when it was still festive season and the Chinese shops are still unopened around the area we were staying.  Not sure what the name of the Indian restaurant is called but I know it is near the market. 
Our food ordered.... 
This looks like a pancake, right?
But it is not... it is actually fried rice wrapped with this layer of egg....
Fried chicken which is still hot and tasty....
My piece of Tosai which is a bit crispy too....
With some mutton curry.... 
Then proceeded to 1-U for shedding calories....
Our treasures inside the trolley....
Tea time at Nyonya Colors....
And my bowl of desserts before leaving.... 
Then for dinner, we had Steamboat at home.... 
After dinner, it is a time for "Jamming"...
Everyone loves to sing except the younger generation!
How come... hmmmmm....

Physical Activity for Mental and Physical Health

Years of research suggest that physical activity can help improve both mental and physical health. It is claimed that just 20-30 minutes of exercise a day can help combat negative moods, depression, anxiety and aid weight loss and the prevention of illness and diseases.

It is important to exercise for a healthier and happier life. Physical activity can also help improve mental health if the physical activity is a social activity. For example if you join a sports club, as well as benefiting from the actual physical activity, you are able to socialise with other people. This helps to improve social skills and you might even make some friends for life. There has been lots of scientific research carried out investigating the link between physical activity and mental well being and helping bad mental health. Although physical may not be the answer for everyone or fix problems completely, the overall significant findings show that all levels of physical activity have a positive impact on physical and mental health.

Children are given physical education lessons at school, allowing them to learn key exercise and sports skills. It is important for children to start exercising from a young age, as they are most likely to keep this habit going, in their later years. However, it is becoming harder for parents to get their children outside to play and exercise with the increase access to smartphones, tablets and TV’s. In the recent years, there has been a dramatic corresponding increase in the access to technology and decrease in physical activity. This is why sports clubs and extra curriculum activities are important and popular with children, they are a great way for children to keep busy and healthy. Children are more likely to go to a sports club if their friends are there, so be sure to encourage them for this reason. So be sure to help encourage your children to join sports clubs and exercise to help with their social skills and self-esteem.

Physical activity is an important part of a lot of people’s everyday life routine. From walking your dog, running for a mile or going to the gym, there are plenty ways to improve your fitness levels. It doesn’t matter how or when you exercise as long as it makes you feel good and gets you up and out the house. Enjoy the fresh air and time away from a screen for just half an hour and find a new hobby. 

Physical activity is of particular importance for specific groups of people such as children, older people, overweight people and people who are suffering from mental health problems. To help mental and physical health, it is advised that everyone should complete 30 minutes of exercise 5 times a week. 




Saturday, February 24, 2018

Third Day Of CNY In Sg Buloh

ON THE THIRD DAY OF CNY....

We went southward bound to Sg. Buloh, started our journey around 12 noon and reached our destination three hours later instead of the normal two hours journey.  Traffic was kind of heavy but at least they were moving...
At certain parts when the cars slowed down to a crawl.... 
My son told me that once a car slows down at the front, 
all the others behind will follow suit and thus the long queue...
Thankfully, better that than mishaps on the roads... 
Our dinner on the third day evening.... 
Buffet style... 
Thanks to a few cooks... we are able to have this scrumptious meal!
Of course, the cook is not me..... 
Taken with one of the "cooks".....
After the scrumptious dinner, we had a good time sitting around the table.... 
Doing something we used to do once a year... 
Guess what it is... LOL... 



Delightful Decorating - 5 Tips to Create the Perfect Look for Entertaining



Photo by +Simple on Unsplash

Entertaining guests is an exciting opportunity to show who you are; not only in the dishes you serve but also with the space you share with others. It can be hard to know just how to update your dining room or other entertaining areas for the most significant impact. Here are five tips to creating the perfect look for entertaining in your home:

Update Your Furniture
Instead of reupholstering your dining room chair set yet again, think about investing in some new furniture. By including modern pieces such as Brosa’s dining chairs or snagging a deal from Overstock, you can instantly change the feel of your dining room. Of course, new paint to old furniture is another great money saving tool to improve your surroundings.

Let There Be Light
Nothing can reset the mood of a room better than good old-fashioned lighting. Come to think of it, let’s forget the old-fashioned part. Smart lighting is here and can make entertaining even more fabulous with customizable settings for any event you have planned. Installation can be a breeze and once set, the right feel for the room is just a touch of a button away.

Find the Perfect Sideboard
Sideboards, otherwise known as buffets, are wonderful storage solutions for your dining areas that can serve as functional art pieces as well. Having grown in popularity in the 19th century, sideboards have found themselves housing linens, serving dishes, and acting as a stand for food needed in dining rooms for years. Opt for this timeless piece to make serving food easy and eye-catching for your guests with your favorite dishes or hors-d’oeuvres placed atop. Need more reasons why a buffet is a must have? Check out these ideas here.

Not Your Grandmother’s China
Okay, it can actually be your grandmother’s china that you inherited, but having formal dinnerware can boost your confidence when guests come to dine. You can create loving memories with friends and family around your treasured plates that add a touch of class and elegance to your table. No, they aren’t something you just keep as a memento, hoping to prevent any breakage. Get those babies out and use them! Thinking that fine china is not for you may be a decision that you regret down the track, so if you weren’t lucky enough to get your own set of passed down beauties, it’s worth considering. Pick a set that reflects your personal taste, leaving your guests with an experience that has them feeling valued as diners and privileged as your friends.

Creative Centerpieces
Nothing brightens up a room like a floral arrangement thoughtfully laid out for a special evening. Browse through your local florist and pick their brain on what they think could add that special touch to your dinner party. Don’t feel bad about skipping the flowers entirely and opting for something a little more creative if they aren’t your style. Beautify your table with a goldfish bowl of after-dinner-mints, or that thrift store discovery that caught your eye. Use your choice of centerpiece as a conversation starter, something that will have your guests thinking about for a few days after.

Entertaining guests in your own space can be exciting if you have the creativity for the challenge. Even if you aren’t a Picasso of plating, you can still find longstanding, traditional options for decorating a dining room in which anyone would be delighted to dine.




How to Give a Good First Impression as a Small Business Owner

Are you getting ready to launch your business that you worked so hard to start? We understand this business is like your baby: you put everything you had into it, and now it’s time to bring it out into the world.

However, just because you believe in your idea or creation doesn’t mean the world will too. It is extremely important to make a strong first impression as a small business owner in order to drive sales and create your first set of loyal customers.

It can be difficult trying to figure out how to get your first set of customers to believe in your company. It also takes patience; you won’t get everyone to trust your brand immediately. However, making a solid impression will jump-start your small business to success. Here is how to give a good first impression as a small business owner:

  1. Confidence Is Key

Stand firm in your brand and what it is you are promoting. Do not adjust the vision of your brand to help persuade more people to go with your business. Not only is that dumping your hard work out the window, but also it proves you aren’t a trustworthy company! Your customers want to see why it is you love your small business and why you started it in the first place.

A great way to exude confidence is to ensure that you are secure and covered in all aspects of your life, not just in your business. By ensuring you have reliable attorneys for car accidents or a personal injury lawyer, for instance, entails that you can walk and work with confidence knowing that you are prepared for whatever life throws your way.

Open your doors with confidence and you can trust that the right people will be brought to your business. People will see the hard work and the inspiring vision your business holds. There is nothing wrong with a little too much confidence—it helps show your potential customers you’re worth coming back for. You worked hard for what you have accomplished, so take some pride in it!

  1. Appearance
Appearance is crucial when it comes to giving a good first impression. This means you need to not only dress the part, but you need to ensure your business does too.

Always ensure you look professional when you are in your business or talking about it. This will ensure credibility and also let others know you and your business are to be taken seriously. When you are greeting customers into your business, you don’t want to be wearing a wrinkly t-shirt or your Sunday Only pants. This also means you want to look well rested. If your mattress isn’t supporting your sleep the way it should, consider upgrading your mattress. Looking well-rested, in control, and well-kept are all important factors for whenever you are in the presence of potential customers. It will help your credibility as a new and small business!

  1. Don’t Be Afraid to Talk About Accomplishments
Your accomplishments as a small business owner are something worth talking about. You worked with blood, sweat and tears to accomplish the things you have, so why not show it off a little?

As a small business, you need to show the world what you have to offer. That doesn’t mean being all talk and hyping up your company to be more than it currently is. It means letting your community know about your recent victories and levels of success. Take advantage of what you have accomplished to help motivate your potential buyers and attract new customers.

One of the best ways to share your success—or to give the appearance of success—is through an effective online presence. Make sure that you are using the best web hosting services for your company’s website and then get your website into the spotlight of search engines! SEO is a surefire way to put your company in the attention of your audience and expand your customer base. Whether you need SEO services in Australia or SEO services in the US or websites that sell, you will be able to better reach your audience and show them your accomplishments by boosting your online presence. 

If they don’t yet know who you are as a small business owner, don’t be afraid to highlight the good parts of your journey to help make your business seem new and shiny.

Everyone likes a small business that seems like they have accomplished a lot. It shows credibility within your brand and helps gain the trust of those who don’t usually choose to work with small businesses.

  1. Ensure You Have Clear Nonverbal Communication
Customers will form first impressions of your business within just minutes of entering your small business. However, have you ever considered what your business is saying to them? Your business has its own types of nonverbal communication, just like people do. Customers will come in looking for key elements to help them decide whether your business is for them or not.

While many small business owners spend more of their time on their product or service, it often gets forgotten that they need to spend time on their customers’ first impression. Things such as your outside entrance, signs, decorations, and what they see when they first walk in are all important factors. It also involves their experience inside your business whether that’s getting to meet the owner or being greeted by an employee.

Another overlooked aspect of the business that has a huge influence on how the business appears to customers is what is going on “behind the scenes.” What goes on in the parts of the business that customers don’t see can affect what they do see—the attitudes and functionality of your employees. If your bookkeeping is a mess, or your files are so disorganized that your admin assistants can’t keep up, then it might be time to look into getting advice from office outsourcing services. These pros will be able to help you streamline your admin tasks, so you can focus on what’s really important: your customers and your product.

Ensuring customers are feeling valued and impressed upon their very first arrival is crucial to your small business! Small business usually doesn’t have it in their budget to spend on commercial advertising, which is why your storefront and the way your customers are treated will have an effect on your small business’s first impression.



Friday, February 23, 2018

7 Ingenious Space Saving Ideas for Small Kitchens

Photo by JarosÅ‚aw Ceborski on Unsplash


Homes of grandeur have always been a kind of status symbol and a show of wealth. However, the 21st century marks the beginning of the “tiny home” phenomenon. People from all walks of life are now trading their large houses for small and efficient properties to simplify and declutter their lives. However, a diminutive home, while cosy, requires you to be smart with your space. Here are seven space spacing ideas for small kitchens:

1. Hanging racks

When it comes to items such as cookware sets that you use on a daily basis, it’s a good idea to keep them within easy reach. Hanging racks will meet the mark as a convenient storage option that takes up no floor or cupboard space, but houses your cookware sets easily. The best part is, your beautiful copper, stainless steel or ceramic pots and pans will look stunning displayed on the wall, or hanging overhead.

2. Pull-out pantries

Kitchens can often have a lot of wasted space, so why not use nooks and crannies to your advantage by purchasing a pull-out pantry on wheels? They are narrow but suitable for a range of food items. As kitchens are slowly getting smaller, such a pantry will be handy for your family.

3. Wall-mounted cabinets

If you start to sweat every time you have to open your kitchen cupboards, for fear of being lost under a pile of Tupperware, it might be time to look at wall-mounted cabinets. While the majority of your floor area might be in use, take a look up and notice the abundance of wall space. Remove that tacky print you received for Mother’s Day 17 years ago and instead turn the blank canvas into a storage space that can house many of your kitchen appliances and utensils.

4. Compact kitchenware

Do you need that six-burner stove, or does it just look nice? How about that double dish drawer, or double door fridge? If your appliances don’t suit your space, it might be time to downsize. However, downsizing doesn’t mean you need to downgrade. Top brands are bringing out ranges of compact kitchenware items to suit space-restricted homes, and by using less energy in the process, you’re doing your part for the environment. 

5. Get smart with drawers

Every kitchen has drawers, but how well utilized are yours? Most people don’t organise their drawers optimally, so getting creative can save you plenty of room. Tactics like two layers of cutlery in one drawer, or using the toe-kicking area at the bottom of your cabinetry as a drawer for oven trays can challenge conventional storage layouts.

6. Stack, stack, stack

Our desire for smaller homes is getting stronger. At the same time, we seem to be constantly accumulating more stuff, with nowhere to stash it. Therefore, always be on the lookout for items you can stack. For example, the average mug set doesn’t stack well at all, but you can now purchase mugs that are purpose-made for layering. The same goes for pot sets. Where possible, always choose stackable items over those that aren’t. It’s an incredibly simple strategy that can make a big difference when space is at a premium.

7. Build up

Some people find that building kitchen cabinets up to the ceiling isn’t necessary because you can’t reach it without a chair. However, how often are you going to use that breadmaker or yogurt maker anyway? Cabinetry built to the ceiling enables you to hide away unused appliances, keeping them out of your more commonly-used cabinets.

It may seem like a smaller space means more clutter, but that’s only true if you don’t know how to utilize less space to your advantage. Take notice of these seven space-spacing tips and reap the rewards of a small yet well-organized kitchen.








Home Is Where The Heart Is

 DISTANCE KNOWS NO BOUNDS...

He misses home during this festive season, the two F-s... Family and Food...

With the modern technology, we connect to each other every day... "How's your day, what did you all eat for CNY?  Where did you all go?  Did you keep the red packets for me???"  LOL.. And we can talk and talk until I say... OK, time to watch my favourite show!
Connecting even though we are thousands of miles away.... 

Chinese New Year 2018 from Ipoh with Love!



3 Ways To Cut Costs On Your Vacation

Vacations are goals in life. Everything we do points toward the things that we look forward to doing, and vacations are right up there in the list of goals for us all. Scaling the Rockies, snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, skiing the Alps: goals galore! The problem is, we all have grand ideas for our vacations, with not so grand wallets to go with them. Getting the most from your vacation in terms of experience is vitally important. Getting the most for your cash? Well, that’s just essential!

Travel costs are spiraling upward at the moment, with vacation companies upping their prices and things like war and terrorism spoiling the tourism industry. The thing is, planning a vacation isn’t just as simple at throwing a dart at a map and choosing to get on a plane. You need to shop around for the best deals and learn where you can cut corners without cutting on quality of your vacation. Don’t be left out of pocket and learning the hard way why you’re supposed to balance your vacation budget before you go. We’ve got three amazing ways that you can cut your vacation costs, without losing the quality of the destination that you choose!
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Transport. A road trip can provide an amazing way to see many different places at a very low cost. You could choose to get yourself a Jeep and head out toward the sunset, or you could check out used motorcycles available for you to buy instead. Two wheels, the open road and only what you need with you can provide you a freedom that may not have been otherwise possible. You can also cut down on your vacation transport by booking flights very far in advance – flight timetables and tickets are released 330 days in advance.

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Shopping. Vacation shopping is one of the best bits – it means that the vacation you’ve booked is finally around the corner. If you buy all your necessities early and before you go out to your destination, you can save huge amounts of cash. Holiday resorts are often ready to charge you far more for sunscreen!


Accommodation. The birth of Airbnb has been a revelation to holiday makers, as the rental of an entire home or condo is so much cheaper and a far better experience than being stuffed together in a hotel room with the housekeeping coming in and out to clean. You can save money by doing a shop locally and self-catering. The hotel experience is nice, sure, but it’s not going to beat the extra cash in your wallet.


Vacations are supposed to be relaxing and not stressful. If you ensure that you can stretch your budget properly when you book one, you will have a far nicer time away from home. Don’t just book the first vacation offer that you find, when there are hundreds of thousands of choices out there ready for you to look at. Take your time, save your pennies and go on the vacation of a lifetime!
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Making Your Wardrobe Last Longer


We all know the pain of buying an outfit for a stupid amount of money that in hindsight was a stupid move, only to wear it for two weeks of summer and then have it go completely out of fashion by next summer. It’s an idiotic thing, but we all do it. Clothes are so expensive, and shopping at cheap clothing shops can be harmful due to seriously unethical practices. And even when you do have items that you love, you wear them so much that the wear out quickly. No one wants to have to keep replacing items of clothing because they keep breaking, and making items that you have spent your hard-earned money on last longer is always going to be a winner.


Quality over Quantity

Rather than heading to a cheap store and buying a basket load of clothes, spend your money on a slightly more expensive brand that produces higher-quality clothing. Not only will this help reduce unethical practices, but it will also ensure that the items that you buy will last for longer - and that goes for anything you buy in life. More expensive clothes means that you are paying for better quality materials and, often, better made. A dress bought cheaply is likely to be hemmed with an overlocker and consist of one layer. Where if you spend a little extra, that overlocked hem should be folded and seamed and have a lining, which reduces friction and snagging, and doesn’t give away the lines of your underwear.


Washing

Rather than just bunging all your clothes into two loads of washing; light and dark - actually look at the instructions on the label. There aren’t there for the fun of it and the symbols are easy to understand with a cheat sheet. Split your whites from your lights, cotton from synthetics. Woolens have their own cycle, as do your delicates. Black jeans should always be washed inside out, and coats, jackets, suits, dresses and cashmere often need to be sent for a great dry cleaning service. Don’t use a dryer for your delicates and anything cotton. Some woolens are fine. But 100% use on for your towels, bedding and jeans. Hang shirts on a hanger as soon as you can - it drops out wrinkles and reduces the need for ironing. When placing items on a clothes dryer, make sure the seams a straight, nothing folded and that the fabric isn’t stretched.


Storage

Hang up as much of your clothes as possible, but anything created with a stretchy fabric should be folded so that the hanger doesn’t stretch out the shoulders. Hanging your clothes also ensures that the fabrics are getting aired; when you have clothes that you don’t wear often tucked into a draw, they can often smell dusty by the time you get round to wearing them. You can counteract dusty-draw smells with scented bags placed inside. It might sound like an old lady trick - but it really works. Use dried lavender, rose petals or jasmine in a little bag to keep your clothes smelling fresh.



Thursday, February 22, 2018

Ushering In Second Day Of Chinese New Year 2018

Second Day of Chinese New Year... also known as Opening of New Year...

This second day of CNY is considered a very auspicious day for the Chinese, officially ushering in the new year with lots of red crackers, making noise and of course, the glorious food on the table.  My late in-laws used to say, the more food displayed on the table as much as possible, it signifies abundant food for the whole year through.  Now they are no more here, we try to maximize what we can cook and usually ends up not as much.... we have tried our best to cook as much as we can to a certain limit. LOL...
This is half of the portion of the food compared to the time my parents-in-laws were around..
All the food were finished up in one go.. instead of leaving them overnight... 
This is from Reanaclaire's kitchen... 
Poon Choy from Singapore... 
One for the album before we ushered in the New Year!




How to Be Creative with Flowers!


You have to know that you can always be creative with flowers. There is a wide variety of flowers and there are so many ways to arrange flowers, too! Make a great combination of flowers can make them look more beautiful and fun as well. You can even be creative with the container of the flowers too such as:

Bouquet

A flower bouquet is definitely the most popular kind of flower arrangement. This is the most classic yet the most preferable way to arrange flowers and flower gifting.



Vase

After the flower bouquet, the flower vase also popular. Most people will use a vase to move the flowers from a bouquet to keep it longer. Either it is a glass or a crystal vase, your flowers will always look stunning if you arrange them well.

Bottle

A bottle is a more creative flower container here! You can use any bottle as the container of your flower arrangement such as an ex-wine bottle. Your flowers will look as elegant as they can be in just a simple container. However, you have to make sure that you clean the bottle before you put your flowers there.

Teapot

Other than a bottle, a teapot also can be a very creative flower container you can use! This type of container will make your flower arrangement look more vintage and beautiful.

Envelope

The envelope can look really sweet and classy when you want to give it as a gift or simple a flower decoration in your room.
After all, flowers and the special arrangement of them are just so hard to ignore! Not only they can immediately put people in a good mood and add such a happy vibe to the surroundings, arrange flowers creatively also such a fun activity to do!



Lunar New Year 2024 Before And After

TODAY IS THE SIXTH DAY OF LUNAR NEW YEAR.... And this is the day when I am now free to blog a few lines to activate back my blog after a lon...