EVE LOM - Iconic Cleanse Ornament Travel Set pseudo-review

I got this using the birthday voucher from Kens Apothecary (they've tweaked their membership so that you don't have to spend RM600 to join the in-house membership, but that's another story for another time) awhile ago, which is why I finally cracked the thing open recently. But it's been raved about everywhere for years now, so got it just to try it out at some point, which was last month. 

Contents: 20ml cleanser, 1 muslin cloth 

Because a little goes a long way, this will last about a few weeks if you use it daily. 

Instructions (from here): 

• Warm a small amount of Cleanser between your fingers and use circular movements to massage on dry skin. 
• Place the Muslin Cloth in hot water and wring out. Press the warm, damp cloth onto the face and hold for 5 seconds to open the pores. Repeat 3 times. 
• Rinse the cloth in warm water and remove all traces of makeup and cleanser, making circular movements to exfoliate. 
• Rinse the cloth in cold water and re-apply to the face for 5 seconds to close the pores. 
• Gently pat skin dry with towel.

My take: This is assuming that you have a hot-cold tap in your bathroom (not really a thing in Malaysia) that you can get easy access to hot tap water? Because I don't, I have to boil some water in a kettle for the muslin cloth to soak in. Which is kind of annoying, because it would be too hot to handle if I did just boiled water, so I would have to temper it with some regular tap water so that I can actually touch it. 

You apply the cleanser like you would any other similar product - dry hands, dry face, massage it in circular motions, etc. There's something in the cleanser which makes it smell like Zambuk that I can't put my finger on. (Ingredients: Egyptian chamomile, hops, clove, eucalyptus oil & cocoa butter). I realise now as I'm reading back on the instructions that I've been forgetting to do penultimate step. Haiyah. There also might've been a signature massage technique for maximising the benefits, but come on... 

While my face feels great right afterwards (not dry, etc), but I don't think I'll ever get the full size of this, it's just too cumbersome. But will definitely be hanging on to the muslin cloth cos that shit is expensive for what it is. 

Taste Test: Brand Castle In The Mix Candy Cane Brownie Kit

Bought a couple boxes of Brand Castle Candy Cane Brownie mix as they were on clearance at RM5 a box in Cold Storage back in December. 

Add a festive touch to warm, delicious brownies! Contains brownie mix, vanilla frosting mix, and peppermint crunch. Makes 8 - 12 brownies.

Finally opened one over the weekend. Instructions were pretty straightforward. Glad they have instructions for fudgier brownies (don't get me started on cake-y brownies), which I went with.

Brownies: I burned the top of the brownies probably because I preheated the oven way too long when I chucked the pan in. Mum noticed the smoke coming from the oven (I was in the bathroom) and I got it out toot suite. Didn't really need to check the done-ness since they were barely an inch thick (I wanted fudgy, not cakey), but I had to make sure. Tasted fine. 

Frosting: Way too much work, having to cream the butter (unsalted, duh), deal with the icing sugar, etc. Just as well that they included sweet ass frosting to cover up the burn. The brownies by themselves were also not too sweet, which I guess that's where the frosting comes in. Also came out a bit too yellow and not frosty white like on the packaging. It can't be due to too much butter, I would think. 

Only had corn and rice flour in the house instead of plain flour (for the buttering and flouring of the pan), so I substituted with corn flour there and it was fine. Also covered the pan in foil before I butter-ed and flour-ed it for easy removal and clean up. Anyway, burnt brownies and too-sweet frosting is not gonna stop me and the sibling from finishing the batch (16 pieces with six cuts) over the next few days. Methinks next time I'll just leave the frosting out with the next box :P

I wouldn't have paid full price for this, but I probably won't buy this if I ever see it again on the clearance shelf.

Podcast review: BFM's Mat Salleh in Malaysia

(For all intents and purposes, I'm gonna call it a podcast because it is available for download).

If the title is not self-explanatory enough, Mat Salleh in Malaysia (MSiM) is a weekly radio show about one white guy (Englishman Richard Bradbury)'s questions, musings and observations about life and living in Malaysia. He ponders stuff like...

• Why motorcyclists here wear their jackets back to front,
• The malls, and
• Tongkat Ali

It started off with specific topics early in its run, but lately it became like his audio weekly diary of of sorts. 

Average run time per episode is about 15 minutes, which is still bearable and not all that long.

I like it because Malaysians (for the most part) wants to know what every incoming white person thinks about Malaysia (kid you not), so MSiM is one man's point of view that just happens to be on radio. 

I didn't know that there were 66 malls in KL alone until I started listening to this show. I maybe local, but it doesn't mean that I know everything there is to know about Malaysia. 

My only gripe about the show was the man's glowing review of William's, a place I wouldn't go to voluntarily even though I live less than a minute's drive away from the place. Aside from that, I still like the show and I still download it after it airs, anyway.

You can catch up on episodes here and you can listen to it on Saturday afternoons on BFM.

Related articles

• Podcast review: BFM's A Bit of Culture (lifeasacynic.blogspot.com)

Podcast review: NPR's How to Do Everything

I'm a sucker for NPR podcasts, especially ones like "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!", even though it's supposedly a weekly current events quiz show.

So two people from the "Wait, Wait" team now have their own podcast called How to Do Everything. 

Every week, hosts Mike Danforth and Ian Chillag attempts to answer listener-submitted life's questions like:

• Tipping situations (how much to tip this person, and so on)
• How to pick a name for a military operation
• How to run for public office, 
• etc

In case you haven't picked up the gist, it's questions that one might ask based on the week's headlines, as well as "half survival guide, half advice show". If they can't answer it themselves, they'll find someone who can.

I like it because it's not too long - an episode lasts an average of 20-something minutes, no longer than 30 - and it's entertaining. What I like even more is that they do an episode summary, which is great for my short attention span.

You should give this podcast a listen.

MBeze Deodrette and Dabber Dust

I honestly didn't know about MBeze's (embeez) Deodrettes and Dabber Dust until I browsed around serendipity's website and decided to try it out for shits and giggles (because they have free Poslaju postage for a week recently to celebrate the 1,000 Facebook fan milestone) as I'm kind of always on the lookout for deodrants that won't eventually KILL me. So I bought a Deodrette in Cruizee (cucumber, jasmine and mint tea) for RM35 and the Dabber Dust for RM32 as they're supposed to be used together (not at the same time, obviously). I had them delivered to the office (like most people would), and I got it early Tuesday morning, yay!

Online shopping - slightly delayed gratification, but getting nice stuff in the mail is always such a sweet feeling

The Dabber Dust is about 5 cm wide and 3 cm high; the Deodrette about 6 cm high and 2.35 cm in diameter, the latter is small and compact, perhaps one of the smallest I've ever seen. The predominant scent in the Cruizee is the jasmine. A small tube like this is expected to last about a month and the Dabber Dust, about 3 months. Yes, these are organic.

Read more after the jump...

I tend to sweat in the oxter areas even in the coldest of places, whether I like it or not. I like to think that I don't smell too badly (and I do take measures, unlike some people I know), but I don't make it a point to sniff them everyday. But the wetness is a given.

So I've been trying them both out for about a week and using them both in the morning takes a little more time compared to using a deodrant stick, which some might find annoying. The stick is a little too soft and mushy on application and some spillover is inevitable. But the smell is amazing and even at the end of the day, I can still smell the jasmine, so as a deodrant, it does work. Also no unsightly marks on clothing.

The Dabber Dust (the one I had hopes for) is another story: the ribbon that was attached to the powder puff frayed on me. As far as keeping the pits dry - unless I reapply the Dabber Dust throughout the day (which I'm too lazy for and I don't carry these things around with me), I still found myself with wet pits at the end of the day in the tropical weather. I also think that the size of the powder puff is a tad too small for the axillary area. 

I haven't suffered any adverse allergic reaction or whatever in using these together since I started using them.

Pros:

• No unsightly white marks on clothing when used properly.
• Deodrette still works at the end of the day, even with perspiration.
• They're both portable and easy to carry around (if you're so inclined)
• It's organic.

Cons:

• Cost - at RM35 for a Deodrette, it's several times the cost of the average deodorant stick at the local drugstore.
• Deodrette can't be used by itself; Dabber Dust still needed.
• Takes a little too long to use, especially when in a hurry.
• Dabber Dust too small for axillary area and doesn't keep the area dry for the entire day even when running around outside in the tropical weather.

Conclusion: While I like these and I like the idea, the chances of repurchasing are slim for me personally, but if you're into organic products, you must give these a go as individual differences may vary.

Serendipity: Cult Beauty Discoveries is the only retailer in Malaysia carrying MBeze products here in Malaysia (or in Asia, it seems), so you might want to try there. For everyone else, check out MBeze.com.

Follow Me Oil Control + Whitening Hydrating Sun Shield SPF20 PA++

Got the Follow Me Oil Control + Whitening Hydrating Sun Shield SPF20 PA++ (50 ml) because I couldn't believe that it's under RM10 (it was around RM8 something and there was a 10% discount when I got it) and I'm always on the lookout for facial sunscreen that I can apply on its own without looking like an oil slick and having to resort to facial powder to blot it out..

It's supposed to minimize pigmentation, pimples and freckles and also supposedly light and non-greasy for daily use.

I never did find out whether it did minimize pigmentation, pimples and freckles because I would be too disturbed by how oily my face looks with just this on. There's also a cooling sensation on application.

This was an epic fail in the non-greasy front. Not wanting to waste the money, I've been applying this on other parts of the body, where it didn't matter whether it resembles a greasy frying pan or not. 

One thing's for sure - I sure as heck am not buying this again. Not for the face, anyway.

Pros:

• Affordable (under RM10)
• Nice cooling sensation on application
• Scent is bearable.

Con:

• Too oily to wear on its own - needs powder to reduce shine. Non-greasy, my ass :P

Vaseline Aloe Cool & Fresh Light Moisturising Lotion

(Image: Unilever Malaysia)

The first thing that crossed my mind when I first saw this was, "Hey.... haven't I used this before?"

I can't remember how long it's been since this made an appearance on the Malaysian market, but I remember using this (or something like it) back in 2005 when I was still in the States. It was probably a bit too light for the cold and dry climate at the time (I was still shedding dead skin cells like how some animals shed their fur), but it was indeed nice and cooling on application.

So I have another one (the 400ml pump) and it was like meeting an old friend from way back when that you haven't seen in a while.

The Aloe Cool & Fresh (supposedly) has aloe and cucumber extracts to freshen and nourish the skin.

What I like about this is: Like most Vaseline body lotions of its ilk, it is LIGHT, it is also not sticky nor greasy after application and is absorbed pretty quickly even when you put it on a few hours after showering. The smell is pretty fresh and also bearable.

The 400ml may last at least a month if you seriously apply all over the body, but as I've mostly been applying on my appendages, it easily lasts longer than that, doubled with the laziness as well :P

My only beef with it is that pump nozzle tends to clog up for some reason; but whether you want to unclog it is really up to you.

I might get this once I finish the rest of the lotion stash I have... which might take awhile.

Review: flip & tumble reusable bag

I know I had probably mentioned about wanting a flip & tumble reusable bag ever since I first heard of them a couple of years ago because they're SO cute - you don't have to fold them to store, you just smush it into its own stretchy pouch and you're golden. And I also have plenty of the double-handled reusable bags, so the single handle-strap was appealing.

It took awhile, but I'm glad that there are finally local distributors for these bags - yay!

So in the span of two weeks, I got not only one, but TWO flip & tumble reusable bags; one was the messenger-style, larger 24-7 bag in eggplant (or dark purple) from serendipity: cult beauty discoveries at their stall during the recent Chic POP street market for RM35, and the smaller, 24-7 mini bag in Aquamarine from The Lil Caliph for RM29 minus postage (which I had to suck up and pay because there was no point doing a COD meet for a thing like that).

Before

After

About the larger 24-7 bag (taken from the website)... 

bag size = 12" x 14" x 5" = large enough for 3 half gallons of milk and then some
ball size = 3" in diameter = the size of a peach
weight capacity = 25 lbs. = strong enough for a bowling ball or two
compacting system = premium stretch = like a sockball 
material = ripstop nylon
felt patch = keeps the bag on your shoulder
washing instructions = machine wash cold, drip dry
plastic bags spared = 1,000+

and the mini 24-7 bag...

bag size = 8.5" x 10.5" x 4.5" = large enough for 2 half gallons of milk 
ball size = about the size of a small plum 
weight capacity = 20 lbs. 
compacting system = premium stretch = like a sockball 
material = polyester
washing instructions = machine wash cold, drip dry
plastic bags spared = 1,000+

Pros:

• Attached storage pouch - no worries about losing separate, loose pouches (which is my issue with Baggu bags).
• They're cute and fun to play with :P
• No folding necessary.
• They take up less space than the RuMe bags (sorry!), which I do have and like using.
• The mini 24-7 is indeed the right size for a lunch tote.

Cons:

• The grey felt pad did not help; it was still slipping off my shoulder. But that's a personal issue, I just don't have the shoulders for shoulder bags :P
• The grey handle of the original 24-7 bag is too long to carry normally (for me, anyway - being 5 feet, 2.5 inches tall) - the distance between the bottom of the bag and the ground is pretty small, and I sometimes find myself dragging the bag on the ground if I'm not careful, which is not a good thing. The handle is also too short for carrying it across the body, like a proper messenger bag.

Long story short: I prefer the 24-7 mini bag over the original 24-7 bag. 

The Brazilian, Solaris Mont Kiara [Groupon MY]

Bought a Groupon voucher this week for a RM45 wax session (U.P. RM100) at The Brazilian at Solaris Mont Kiara, which was timely because I was due. After using a RM5 Groupon token, I ended up paying only RM40. With a name like The Brazilian, I think you know what you're signing up for.

Aside from taking a wrong turn and ended up paying toll (don't trust the road signs in that area, that's all I'm gonna say), I was only a few minutes late because it didn't take me too long to find the place after parking at the Soho KL's underground parking lot (RM 1 for first three hours Saturday morning) as street parking was almost impossible, especially when in a rush. After filling out the usual paperwork, I was taken to the room. IKEA fans would recognise the rest of the furnishing in the room - without having seen the rest of the rooms, they're all probably furnished the same way. I mean no malice.

There's also a step for the vertically-challenged,  never mind that's an IKEA foot stool which I needed even though I'm not under 5 feet. Better for the waxer's backs, not having to bend so much.

What you might end up staring at; and yes, there's only curtains between you and the hallway

The waxer used a hard vanilla wax, which was okay, just that the smell reminded me of baked goods, that's all. Haha. If you must know, they also don't reuse spatulas and it was all on the up-and-up.

The job was quick, and also cleaner than the last Groupon waxing offer I bought last year. Not bad. I was also offered a RM15 serum for the aftermath, but after being told that I would have to bring the excess home (cos it's enough for several uses, apparently) and to bring BACK for subsequent visits, I declined as politely as I could. Too much work and commitment - sorry.

I've been told that I'd get a 10% discount on my subsequent visit (if any), and more if I brought friends with me. I saw flyers advertising that first time walk-ins get 50% off their first wax (considering that a Hollywood wax there is RM100, it was okaylah).

Based on the quality of the wax job, I would go back, if it wasn't in Solaris Mont Kiara. Seriously. Maybe if I was in the area and they can squeeze me in...

(If you're a stickler for landmarks - it's the same row as the Coffee Bean in that area), was I glad I was done with the wax when my period came after the appointment, cos if it happened earlier, I would've had to reschedule :P

Podcast review: BFM's A Bit of Culture

It's been several months since A Bit of Culture (ABoC) started on BFM 89.9, the local private business radio station. You can hear it live on Sunday afternoons at 5 p.m. on 89.9 FM for an hour, or if you're like me, download the podcast afterwards and listen to it whenever you want.

Inspired by another culture roundtable discussion podcast, Slate's Culture Gabfest (which has been confirmed to me as much :P), it's hosted by regular hosts: Writer and author Kam Raslan and BFM's own She Fah Szetu as well as a non-permanent third co-host (that I can tell). They each pick a topic of interest related to culture (art, music, pop culture, artsy movies, what have you) which they discuss the crap out of (and I'm saying that in the nicest way possible) before closing the show with their recommendations for the week. 

It's still a pretty new podcast, so I can't judge too harshly, but it does okay for itself. Some of the topics might be a little old for me personally, which makes me feel sometimes that I'm not exactly their target listenership. But as it's called A Bit of Culture, so I plod on with it. At least the production value has improved since the first episode, and it's only been 11 episodes.

Even though BFM is now in the iTunes podcast directory, I've still not seen ABoC there as I type this, so we're still stuck downloading it manually from the BFM website after the fact or listening to it live on Sundays. I know I could manually drag BFM podcasts to the iPod, but it's too much work.

[Update: You can now download ABoC on BFM's iTunes podcast stream and sync whatever you downloaded into your device of choice]

Overall, an okay local version of a culture discussion podcast - 4/5.

Other links:

• ABoC Facebook Group - you have to request to join, but one of the admins will let you in easy.

The Last Polka's Teh Tarik and Horlicks ice cream

The Last Polka celebrated their first anniversary last Friday (18th). To celebrate, they gave away a tub of Horlicks ice cream with every order on that day only.

I've been waiting for something like this to happen ever since I first heard of it last year on The OmNomCast. So I sent the good news to a friend, who ordered the French Toast ice cream and was willing to drive to PJ to pick them up even though she doesn't live here anymore.

Then I ordered the teh tarik flavour online and waited to hear back. I got an email the next day, saying that they are processing the order; then another with the dates when I can pick them up at The Bee (the pick up spot in PJ), which was this weekend. I later got a call Friday afternoon saying that I can pick them up already - yay!

On a rainy Friday night, I picked up my ice cream at The Bee - signed for them on the sheet and paid at the cashier counter there. They survived the trip home (which was probably more the weather than anything). Of course I couldn't wait to taste them both once I got home. Both ice creams were creamy, dense and very delicious - I couldn't stop spooning the ice cream out in turns.

Horlicks flavour

As someone who doesn't drink a lot of Horlicks (or have any in the house for years), I say the Horlicks ice cream was really (if nothing else) Horlick-y. If you liked the plain Horlick drink, this is a must-try.

Teh tarik ice cream

I love the idea of the teh tarik ice cream, but what stopped me from loving it more was the hint of cinnamon (which I hate so much). The sibling mentioned that it should be called chai ice cream instead. However, I can still taste the tea in this, so that's not so bad. I have no idea what the black specks are in the ice cream, but if I had to guess it's vanilla bean..? I should also stop having it at night cos I think it's what's keeping me up later at night; the tea is that strong :P 

I'd get this again, sure - next time I want to get a tub of the White Coffee ice cream. The price is not too bad when you think about the choice of flavours, how it's made, the reusable container (very green chic); and it's definitely cheaper than pints of Baskin Robbins, Haagen Dasz and Ben & Jerry's in the supermarket freezer (1 US pint = 473ml). Major selling points, in my opinion, but it'll be an occasional indulgence for me.

I've also tried the chocolate chilli ice cream and it is also not bad: the chilli only kicks after the chocolate, so you don't feel the kick right away.

To try for yourself, individual dessert portions are available at The Bee in Jaya One, and Marmalade in both Bangsar Village II and Mont Kiara. Tub (500ml) prices are from RM23 onwards, depending on the flavour.

PS. Not paid for this - just thought I'd tell people what I thought about it. 

PPS. The Last Polka now has a scoop shop at Taylor's College Lakeside campus's Syopz; so if you're ever travelling on the LDP towards Puchong, make a pit stop at the Lakeside campus to try for yourself :)

Count me out on the ToxOut

Got two sachets of ToxOut Fiber Detoxification powder in the mail this week, thanks to sample2you.com. It even came with both a pamphlet and an order form if you're so inclined to get more of the stuff.

The ToxOut formula supposedly consists of apple pectin, oligosaccharide, oil palm trunk dietary fibre (eep), spirulina and other ingredients - components that one typically hears when it comes to digestion aid.

I like how you take this is dependent on your body size (taken from the website)...WTF

For those who are obese: for the first 7 days, take 1 sachet every morning (at least 15 minutes before breakfast) and at night (at least 3 hours after dinner or before sleep). Please refer methods of preparation at the packaging.

For those who have ideal body weight: start with 1 sachet a day before sleep and observe the reactions on the following day. If the bowel movement improves, continue with 1 sachet a day before sleep; if there is no reaction after 3 consecutive days, then try to consume 1 sachet in the morning (15 minutes before breakfast) and 1 sachet at night before sleep. Try for 10 consecutive days , if there are improvements, then back to normal consumption of 1 sachet a day before sleep. Please refer methods of preparation at the packaging.

Children below 7 years old are not encouraged to consume ToxOut. Children between 7 to 12 years old may consume ToxOut according to their body conditions. Those with serious defecation problem may consume ToxOut, but not exceeding 1sachet a day. Children above 13 years old may consume ToxOut daily but not exceeding 2 sachets a day.

Decided to try one sachet a bit too late after dinner and pretty late at night. Even though the instructions call for mixing in the entire contents of the sachet into 180ml of drinking water, I decided to pour it into some OJ and shook the contents (as instructed) and the entire thing turned GREEN. Much as I still hate the taste of wheatgrass shots (that I take when I feel like I've not taken enough greens), but this is worse (for me). And I had to have an OJ chaser to clear the taste out of my mouth, it was that gross.

Even the detox tea tasted better than this.

Finally emptied myself after exactly 12 hours (well, it's either one end or the other, right?) and I don't know if I feel clean enough. But it solved the constipation.

Conclusion: Not likely to have this ever again - gave the other packet to the sibling.

Shoulder massage at Chow Yang

I think I slept on my shoulder wrong and I was in pain when I woke up today. It was agony.

Shot out a tweet for suggestions for places with decent shoulder massage (not full body, mind) near me that didn't involve driving to a mall and paid parking. Someone tweeted back a couple of places in SS2. I'm not one to go for massages, let alone pay for them because I'm horribly ticklish and squirmy.

Long story short, I ended up at Chow Yang Foot Reflexology as it's the only one where I can see people getting massaged from out on the street - which is a good sign, no?

Was given the choice of lying down on one of the lounge seats or the massage chair - went with the latter. The guy laid out a towel on the head rest and the rest of me (yes, I remembered to wear a strapless bra) was covered in a towel and contact was mostly made through the towel, so no skin-to-skin contact and possible hanky panky. And the Chinaman masseuse had his way with my shoulder blades, trying to get out the knots that have been in my shoulders for years. I managed to mumble to him that my left shoulder was killer and he worked on it. Entire massage experience personally hurt like hell, but mileage may vary. People were falling asleep as the masseuses were working on their feet - there was even an old guy snoring as well.

Paid RM26.25 for a 20 minute shoulder massage (plus 5% government tax)

While I still can't turn my head to the left, but at least I have some use of my left arm than before I went.

Chow Yang Foot Reflexology (same row as EON Bank)
32, Jalan SS2/67
47300 Petaling Jaya
Selangor.
Tel: 03-78736180

The Body Shop Deodry™Dry-Effect Deodorant Stick

Bought the Body Shop's Deodry™ Dry Effect Deodorant Stick (Cool & Zesty) back when it had an introductory of RM25 (I think - it's been awhile) several months ago.

The selling point of the range was that there are no parabens or aluminium salts and are basically for the environmental nuts (haha) who are worried about the aluminium salt in the deodorants clogging up their underarms. The DeoDry range boasts a "unique blend of volcanic mineral and refreshing essential oils".

Another selling point was that it wouldn't leave white marks on clothing - which is definitely true for me. When I first started on it, there was white stuff on the stick itself which is probably residue from the previous deodorant. What I like was I don't find myself scrubbing off white residue from my underarms in between uses with this particular deodorant.

I've been using this for a while now since I dropped and broke my last one, so here's my two sen on it: You think with a name like DeoDry it would also serve as a anti-perspirant (which it doesn't). I was still sweating like nobody's business, but at least it's a sign that the sweat glands there are still working. I sweat as much as the next person residing in a tropical climate, and the only thing that held up for me was the scent at the end of the day. I'm not sure how it'll hold out for people that sweat more than I do.

Pros:
✔ Great for people who are paranoid about parabens and aluminium salts in their underarm deodorant.
✔ Smell holds up for the sedentary.
✔ No white mark on clothing, but you will see some white stuff on the stick when you first use it.

Cons: 
✖ Anti-perspirant it is not.
✖ Normal price is a tad steep for most people when they can get an antiperspirant for slightly cheaper.

I probably won't buy this again once I finish the one I'm using.

Uber short review - RoC Minesol Triple Defense Multi-Protection Atomizer SPF 50

What it is: RoC Minesol Triple Defense Multi-Protection Atomizer (SPF 50; 150 ml) - basically, spray-on sunblock.

Pros: No rub-in necessary after spraying; pretty high SPF for what it is.

Cons: Overpowering scent (smells like talcum) which I could still smell on myself even with clothes on - might work for people with body malodour?

Gave this to Mum cos I can't stand the smell and the idea of unintentionally inhaling this on application. I'm also not used to not rubbing in sunblock. I also wouldn't really pay for this myself.

San Francisco Coffee/Nathalie's Macarons

When San Francisco Coffee FINALLY announced on their Facebook page and other social media outlets (with the teasing before that) that they're finally selling macaroons (I know they're macarons, but whatever lah), it was good news... until they announced that they would be selling those out of Nathalie's Gourmet Studio - which, if you've read anything about the place or the macaroons on the local blogosphere - are pretty pricey to begin with at RM4.50 EACH. You read right - those little things cost RM4.50 sebiji.

So guess what the pricing is. They're selling FIVE of these (as pictured above) for RM25 - RM5 each; a fifty sen markup.

The initial promotion is that you get to choose either an 8 oz (small) Coffee of the Day or a Caffe Americano when you buy a box, which runs until 14 November. Check the ad here for more details.

So I bit the bullet and bought a box at the KLCC outlet and I picked a Coffee of the Day (which was some Mexican brew, which was wasted on me) for a drink. Cost RM26.25 plus tax, just so you know. They're prepacked, so don't bother trying to CHOOSE flavours or anything like that. If you want to choose, you might as well make the trip to Solaris.

Because of the price, I'm gonna take my own sweet time consuming them... if no one else has gobbled them already. Had the caramel one so far - crispy, sweet (duh) with a strong buttery after-taste.

As far as I know, they're not available in every single outlet as of yet (only KLCC, Menara Milenium, Sunway Tower, Menara Citibank & Etiqa Twins at this point). I'm not sure if I'll bother going to Nathalie's in Solaris just because, but I can't rule anything out.

Pro: Great gift idea and marketing tool for Nathalie's Gourmet Studio. If you ever wanted to try Nathalie's macaroons, this is a way without going to her place.

Con: Too expensive for my wallet. Might as go to Solaris if want to try more without breaking the bank too badly.

Vaseline Healthy White Skin Lightening Lotion

Image from Unilever

Have been using Vaseline's healthy white skin lightening lotion for a little over a month now, perhaps not everyday but every other day. It's also meant for the Asian market, where skin fairness is sought after. Oddly enough, the only official looking link I could find is directed at the Indian market.

The only reason it's lasted this long is because I've only been applying it on my arms and legs which have tanned a little bit from the few times I went swimming outdoors in the afternoon in cloudy weather (yes, you can still tan and burn), plus I wanted to see if it does anything to the freckles on my arms. Plus the rest of me is pretty fair already.

One of the claims on the bottle is that it's "clinically proven to give visibly radiant, naturally lighter skin in as early as 2 weeks", and it also has

1. Vitamin B3 - to help bring out the skin's natural freshness
2. Triple sunscreens - to prevent further darkening
3. Yogurt serum - to moisturise and nourish skin

Obviously you can't apply just this alone and then walk outside for hours in the sun; you still need proper sunblock on top. 

I have tried applying it twice everyday after every shower for 2 weeks straight, but I fell off the wagon about a week and a half in - it's just not in my nature to apply body lotion in the morning after a shower, I'm usually too much in a rush then and I usually do it when I have some time at work when no one's looking. 

My reactions

• It does not have that sticky feeling, which is good because it means that it's been absorbed. 
• The smell is not my favourite in the world (neither can I describe it), but negligible after a while.
• My arms are still freckly, but a little lighter and not as freckly as before.
• The colour on my legs are a little lighter, and I wear cargo shorts a lot.

Verdict: If you want really fast results, don't get this - otherwise, it's not a bad body lotion to use anyway. I'm not sure if I'll actually buy this myself (the bottle I got for free), but see how it goes.

[Disclaimer - NOT a paid review, nor am I a beauty blogger and this is NOT a beauty blog]

Kath Kelly's How I Lived a Year on Just a Pound a Day

Finished the book I got yesterday (How I Lived a Year on Just a Pound a Day) in a few hours because it's pretty light reading compared to the other books that I've not finished... -_-

First of all - If a Malaysian were to attempt this, it would probably have to be RM10 a day. There's no way urbanite Malaysians can survive on RM1 a day, which is RIDICULOUS because of the first world/third world thing. 

Second - she walked/cycled/hitched her way around town, which is good for her.

a) It's too hot to walk ANYWHERE outside most of the time

b) Ditto cycling

c) Too many abduction cases to even think about hitch hiking

I give her props for scrimping where ever possible, even the free hairstyling. It was one thing that she discovered some of the things she discovered (like Bookcrossing), and I'm glad to know there are other sites/services. But most of those sites just doesn't apply outside the UK, in my opinion.

And membership to the public libraries here aren't worth the price value-wise.

But good on her for finding a significant other towards the end of the experience.

However, I would recommend it to people in the UK for a quick read/flip.

Richard Castle's Heat Wave

Cover of Heat Wave (Nikki Heat)

Got done with the Richard Castle's novel, Heat Wave.

First of all, Richard Castle is not real. He's a character played by Nathan Fillion on the show Castle. The basic gist of the show is that best selling novelist Castle follows a NYPD homicide squad led by smoking hot detective Kate Beckett for "research" for his new character Nikki Heat (whom he's basing her on) after killing off another character.

If you've seen enough of the show Castle, you would know by now that Castle's released his first Nikki Heat book called Heat Wave (duh) on the show. ABC has cashed in by releasing the book to the masses as well. Luckily the print version of the book is being sold cheaply, but I found the audio version to conserve physical shelf space.

The basic plot is that a real estate tycoon was found dead in the middle of a heat wave. Nikki Heat is being followed by famous magazine writer Jameson Rook for an article on homicide detectives. Plot was negligible.

It's not written by Nathan Fillion, but by a ghost writer; which might be one (or more) of the show's writing team. The book is also NOT narrated by Nathan Fillion. While I give the narrator props for getting some of the accents down, but I didn't really enjoy listening to it.

The book reads like a typical episode of Castle, but not as great. I thought the case was pretty meh - then again, I'm not into American crime novels, so...

You have to really, really like the show to give this book a chance, but I say don't bother.

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