Thursday, May 29, 2014

Cleaning Silver Jewellery

Last weekend I set about to clean my most worn silver jewellery. I try to do this every few months but I think the last time I polished them was 6 months ago?

Most of them are in okay condition, the 2 most affected pieces were the Tiffany heart and the Thomas Sabo charms. I usually clean silver with a silver polish and then buffed with a soft cloth.

The silver polish I have used was bought from Tiffany & Co, it isn't expensive and because you only need a few sprays each cleaning session, the huge bottle really does last a long time. However, this product isn't available in all countries. Mine was picked up in Melbourne, Australia but when I asked the store in Kuala Lumpur recently, they didn't carry it.

A handful of tarnished, yellowing silver jewellery
Before... (how gross is that heart pendant lol)
After!
As good as new after the polish session! So shiny and clean now. If you have heaps of silver jewellery and don't mind cleaning them yourself, this polish is worth picking up.

Aside from doing this I also made Chicken rice, baked a banana cake (both were successful!!! yay) and spent 2 hours building the 2nd floor of the DIY project. It was a productive weekend!

Will share the recipes soon, have a good weekend ahead (: 




Sunday, May 25, 2014

Empties: April 2014

Running late on the empties post- April was a productive month, I managed to finish up some oldies which were just sitting around and threw out a few as well.

I've gone through 3 tubes of this REN ClearCalm 3 Clay Cleanser 150ml and it does soothe blemish prone skin but now that my skin is much better, I would not be repurchasing. I've been without it for a few weeks, and so far so good. The Aesop B Triple C Facial Balancing Gel (what a long name!) is the most I've spent on a moisturizer (MYR359//USD115) and is meant for normal-combination skin. Infused with vitamins, the texture is a little odd- honey like but it's a oil-free gel and absorbs well. The scent is herbal-y but I like it and used it over the REN ClearCalm Serum at night. I did see better results the second time using it (I stopped halfway previously) but I'm not sure if I am willing to spend that much on a moisturizer yet.

Travel sized toner which I finished; Clarins White Plus Aqua Lotion, Extra-Comfort Toning Lotion, Chanel Hydra Beauty Lotion and Melvita Rose Floral Water. My favourite is still the Extra-Comfort. No alcohol, hydrates my sensitive skin and doesn't aggravate blemishes. The Rose Extraordinary Water and Narcissus Extraordinary Water are both thicker in texture, I soaked cotton pads with them and used those as masks. They were hydrating and didn't irritate at all. The Chanel La Nuit is a product which I have already repurchased (before finishing this haha), used at night it does make my skin smoother and more hydrated the next morning. Without it, my face definitely feels a difference. Though it contains alcohol, this is one of the rare Chanel products which doesn't irritate my skin. 

I have been using the same Clarins Multi-Active anti-ageing serum for months, I find their iconic Double Serum still too rich for me so I am sticking to this for now. So far so good, I guess it works since I haven't noticed any new wrinkles or creases. The Aveda Intensive Hydrating Mask is also really good, it is unscented and my skin does look more supple even the morning after. Am going to try out one other brand of gel mask before committing to either. 


One of the last High Definition Body Lifts I have, a new formula is already out. This stuff does work! My butt and thighs are definitely firmer and toned but to see results you have to be consistent. The Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser is a gentle low-foaming body wash, I quite liked the scent and I know many people enjoy a more sudsy shower but I've come to prefer less foam (unless it's in a bathtub hehe). The Clairol Herbal Essences shampoo and conditioner were travel sizes from a magazine, which I used up during a recent trip. I am always filled with nostalgia when I catch a whiff of the scent. The formula has definitely improved as my hair was smooth and quite full-looking; whereas previously it left my mane dry and coarse. 

Peter Thomas Roth Mega-Rich Body Wash is a product which I definitely want to pick up, I like everything about it- the scent, texture, little beads which dissolves. I seem to like products with beads in them. The Clarins Hand & Nail Treatment Cream is one of the better hand creams I've used, it absorbs quick and doesn't leave residue on the things I touch which is a big deal for me. Can't be leaving fingerprints all over documents or the car haha.

I've so many Clarins products.. most of which were given by my mother. She's a long time user of the brand. The Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch Base is a good cover for pores and lines, you only need a tiny bit each time, but I prefer the Line Correcting Pen which actually smoothens and helps the wrinkle plump up over time. I have repurchased as it did indeed help soften my laugh line!  The Dolly Wink eyeliner didn't work so well for me, and the Chloe Roses perfume vial was from the gift set I shared previously. 


Threw out this Clinique palette as it has been sitting around for too long. The blush is a flattering colour but doesn't last, and the rest of the rectangles (2 lipglosses, 2 eyeshadows) weren't flattering on me.

If you got to the end of the post, you are truly a beauty junkie! Thank you for reading :D

Total January - April: 49

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Kitchen: Easy Comfort Food

Simple comfort food which hits the spot every time. 

Plain rice porridge (or congee, they're the same I think) with sides:
I only have this at home and our little spread usually includes pickled cabbage, fried Spam, canned black bean fish, salted eggs and the green stuff in the jar is actually shredded olive. Super delicious.

A dish which I have discovered recently and really like is the Baked Sushi Rice from Cocobella Ballerina:

Very easy to put together, I forgot the spring onion but it was still delicious. Not heavy at all and so so addictive! Everyone in the family loved it. Success!

Another recipe which I came across (also on Cocobella Ballerina) was the Shepard's Pie which I modified a little..


The mince was made with a recipe I always use for sloppy joes or bolognaise, but the mash was made as per the link above. I've never had cauliflower in my mash before and now I don't think I will make it without ever again. It was really good and I liked the different textures in my mash, a mix of smooth potato and bits of crunchy cauliflower. Yums! Plus, more cauliflower = less carbs as well, WIN! :D Thank you for sharing your recipes, Lisa!

I'm a sucker for one-pot-wonders and I have a folder of recipes (cut-outs from magazines as well as saved from blogs/websites online) which I have yet to attempt. Minimal prepping, easy to make, everything goes into one pot/dish, less cleaning up.. what's not to like?

Hoping to have some time this weekend to make another recipe I've been eye-ing.. Chicken Rice! The recipe I've saved has instructions for everything, from the chicken to the rice and even the tangy, pungent, chilli sauce. Mmmmmm. Getting hungry thinking bout it.

On a side note, I only have one more week to complete the Kyoto Ancient Walk paper structure! Eeeps!!





Monday, May 12, 2014

Some things you never forget..

Earlier in the week when my latest purchase arrived:

Papa: Do you know how to cycle? 
Me: Yes, of course! You taught me.. Don't you remember??
Papa: Yeah, but that was with training wheels when you were a child. Can you still cycle?
Me: !!!!! 

Glad to report it only took me two tries to pedal off successfully! It has been more than 15 years since I rode a bicycle, almost forgot how relaxing and free it feels. 

This bicycle is a vintage imported from Japan, nothing fancy and there is no speed gear, even the horn is in the old design. I love it!! Been looking for a while and I am so happy to finally find this beauty!  

Looking forward to more rides...

Friday, May 2, 2014

Chanel "Art of Layering" Event

Chanel is currently having a special launch event on at KLCC Centre Court until 6th May.

Their setups always amaze me, no exaggeration here. Even if you aren't interested in their fragrance or skincare I would recommend just taking a stroll around their beautiful event area. No pictures as I was too engrossed with talking to their fragrance specialist and had to rush off somewhere else after that.

RSVPed for the event and asked my sister along for an afternoon of discovery and pampering. I found the session very interesting as we were led through the history of Coco Mademoiselle by Jean Loy, Chanel Fragrance Specialist who came in specially from Singapore. 


I picked up the limited edition Gentle Body Exfoliant, which has the same scent as the Coco Mademoiselle perfume which I already use. What I like about this scrub is that the exfoliating bits are made of clear jojoba jelly-ish beads (they resemble little bubbles in the jar) which do not dissolve and isn't harsh on the skin.

Image source: Beautezine
My sister and I were lucky to have Jean introduce and explain the different perfumes in the Les Exclusifs range personally. She did urge us to take the Personalised Perfume Journey but unfortunately we were pressed for time. Besides perfume talk, we also chatted about macarons, travels and how much we enjoyed the other's home country fare. 


Jean is based in Chanel (beauty) Marina Bay Sands, and I will definitely be taking up her offer for the olfactive tour when I visit Singapore again (I was just there recently). Thank you, Jean for the informative session and additional gifts for us!

Each attendee also left with a appreciation gift; some travel sizes of the Re-Energizing range, a Les Beiges BB Cream as well as a perfume vial. There were also guys in suits hired to take pictures with the ladies (in line with the fragrance launch video).


Thank you Chanel for the opportunity to learn more about the Coco Mademoiselle fragrance and the story behind it.

This special launch event will be on until the 6th of May, do drop by the check out the setup and learn more about their offerings.