Pies & Cake

Simple ingredients, easy to put together and so delicious.

Bacon & egg pies, egg hearts for Choko

Bacon & Egg pie with cheese, cracked pepper and rosemary

(Need: Bacon, bread, eggs, cheese, butter- the rest optional)

1. Butter/Grease a muffin tray, line with bread or pastry sheet

2. Add a rasher of bacon, crack an egg into it (there may be excess egg white, keep aside for egg hearts)

3. Sprinkle some cheese, cracked pepper and rosemary

4. Shove into oven and bake for about 15 minutes

5. Eat!

Egg hearts

1. Whisk remaining egg whites from above and pour into moulds (no butter if serving to furry friends)

2. Bake until set

3. Serve to friends, family or even doggies!

Different colours of cake batter

Pink ombre butter cake with cream cheese frosting
(Need: Butter, flour, cream cheese, food colouring, sugar, vanilla pod/essence, eggs)
1. Use a butter cake recipe of your choice and whip up batter
2. Separate batter into 4 bowls, add food colouring (a little goes a loooongg way)
3. Bake cake layers
4. Once done, wrap in clingwrap and refrigerate overnight
5. For frosting, use a firm cream cheese recipe so it holds shape
6. Layer away!

*Tip: Frost your cake layer by layer and refrigerate at least an hour before adding next layer of cake. This prevents the top layers from "sinking" to the bottom.

I used a mixture of Betty Crocker's Cream Cheese frosting + normal cream cheese + confectioners sugar to make my frosting. Never again will I use store-bought frosting! It tastes so much better made with 100% real cream cheese and vanilla.

I will attempt this cake again because I wan't happy with neither the taste nor texture.

Any ideas what to do with the remaining 1.5 tubs of Betty Crocker cream cheese frosting?

Little Twin Stars x Sophie Monk Skincare

I am rather partial to Sanrio collaborations/packaging despite my age..

I've had the Brightening Mask and Body lotion for a while now (expiry next year, better get to using them up) and recently picked up the 2-Day Mask set (blue packaging) at Watsons; but only after scrutinising the ingredient list and making sure where it was made in.

Taiwan generally does good masks so I didn't think twice about purchasing it. Plus the tag line caught my eye "Dullness? Large Pores? Tired skin?" Check. Check. And check.

Brightening mask ingredients

The 2-Day Masks actually come in 2 separate packs- the first is a Intensive Hydrating Mask to be used on Day-1 and for Day-2, there is a Deep Whitening Mask. There are 2 steps for each day and they are packaged separately. I am pretty sure these masks are meant to be used consecutively.

Day-1 and Day-2 steps

Ingredient list for Day-1, Intensive Hydrating essence

The ingredients looks fairly hydrating to me, with collagen and aloe extract high on the list. Judging by the list, I don't think I will experience any irritation with these 2 masks.

Ingredient list for Day-2, Deep Whitening essence

I am no pro with ingredients but I have read enough to know that Niacinamide is used to treat acne, lighten scars and is anti-inflammatory(amongst other functions). Aesop Control Gel also uses this ingredient and it works well for me. Camellia leaf extract is meant to nourish the skin and Chanel uses this flower in their Hydra range too.

All in all, these masks sound promising!

Retailing at around MYR13 for a set of 2-Day Masks.

CHANEL Resynchronizing Skincare

"Reset time for beautiful skin.

In an ideal world, your skin’s functions would perform in perfect balance. However, daily life, lack of sleep, travel and hectic schedules disrupt skin’s natural rhythms, causing signs of dullness, fatigue and stress to appear. The complexion can appear tired, with an uneven texture.

To restore the complexion to its optimal state, Chanel created three skincare products, customized to your weekly needs. Together, the products help to resynchronize skin’s natural rhythms throughout the day, the night and the weekend for a perfectly balanced complexion - even-textured, smooth, supple and beautiful."

The latest offering from Chanel skincare; which can be used in conjunction with your current regime- Le Jour, La Nuit and Le Weekend.

I have gone through the ingredient list and they seem promising, and safe enough for me to actually consider getting all of them (without testing it out). Le Weekend sounds very much like Alpha-H's Liquid Gold which I have recently started to use and I am very keen to see how this compares.

Will definitely be checking this out when it hits the counters.

Image source

Check out Weekend Rambling's Blog for more pictures/a review.

Indigo

This morning a friend shared something with me, and it struck me odd that I was not affected at all about it. I thought it would, and I waited for that pang of hurt to hit but it didn't.

Infact, I don't even feel a thing.

It's a good thing.

xxx

I remember a time when I only saw the light in everyone, even those who had hurt me or who shared different opinions/values. Somewhere along the way, I lost the energy to look at the light.. choosing to focus instead on their flaws and faults (to me). It was easier. Easier to say mean things and laugh it off rather than seeing the good in the person.

It wasn't always like that. Or rather, I, wasn't always like that. I can't take back the things I've said or made fun of but I can choose to light the flame I once saw in everyone.

When I was around 20, I wrote something along these lines describing myself in Facebook:
"I have strong opinions which may come across differently to people who dont know me well.
I still have strong opinions, but I never meant that other people couldn't have one. 
Even to people who know me (well), it still comes across wrong. I don't expect people to understand anymore.
I am judgmental and have a sharp tongue but I value trust and honesty above all.
The word "judgmental" isn't as harsh as it sounds, as I believe no one can truly judge you unless you accept it or believe it to be true yourself. Then you have nothing to be offended about.
I still have a sharp tongue. And I still value trust and honesty. Above all. 
I find it hard to let go of things which I love- be it material or relationships but once I do, I won't remember why I wanted it in the first place."
This still rings true, but it gets easier to let go. The memories of how I felt will always remain, but the people who were in the moment inevitably fade away.

It has been 7 years since. This was, is, and will always be me.

I will light the flame for no one but me to appreciate. If you happen to see the light too, then let's enjoy the view together.

xxx

I understand who I am and what I am.

Even if you don't believe or understand my truth, I still love you (all) the same.

There are those who are just like me in essence, and I am consoled knowing that it is okay to be different.

xxx

Empties: June 2013

Moving into the 2nd half of the year, my inventory is looking much much more manageable. 

When I first started the monthly Empties post last year, I was so hopeful thinking I could substantially downsize the beauty pile by this time of the year. I'm not quite where I expected but I'm getting there.

My purchases have been really minimal, rarely impulsive or compulsive. Staple items are also emerging and I am finally able to make a list of products which work for me.

Sometimes the best products for your skin might not be the most expensive or heavily advertised *looks at sukin foaming cleanser lovingly*. I've tried my fair share of luxury products, some work to a certain extent- others just caused me irritation no matter how many times I attempted after my skin cleared up *evil eyes at SK-II essence*.

In the shower..

1. Aesop Rose Hair & Scalp Moisturizing Masque [500ml // MYR310]
Recommended by Ally, gifted by my sister. I like the scent which isn't full on rose but mixed with other plants, and also that I could use it as a scalp treatment. It didn't leave my scalp oily nor weigh my hair down. I find that it doesn't leave the hair silky smooth (as expected from a plant-based hair product) but it does feel nourished and bouncy. I still have a 120ml tube to go through but am not sure if I would repurchase. Like, not love.

2. Clarins Smoothing Body Scrub [200ml]

3. Crabtree & Evelyn Bath & Shower Gel [50ml]

4. Soap & Glory Clean Girls Body Wash [500ml] LOVE the scent and packaging from this brand! Not a "natural" brand but I like their body products, not harsh nor drying. This really has a lovely scent! Their price point is a plus too.

5. Joico Silk Result Shampoo & 6. Conditioner 

Mostly Clarins..

7. Clarins Gentle Refiner

8. Carole Franck Clay Mask

9. Clarins White Plus Gentle Brightening Exfoliator

10. Clarins Pearl-to-Cream Brightening Cleanser  

11. Clarins Whitening Pure Aqua Lotion [200ml]

12. Clarins Iris Toning Lotion [50ml] I rarely use this on its own, instead mixing it with the Lotus Face Oil, works wonders for my congested sensitive skin.

13. Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser with Tamarind

14. Clarins Skin Beauty Repair Concentrate I wish I had known about this product earlier! A must have SOS item in my stash currently and fully approved by Caroline Hirons. LOVE! Have gotten a bottle already!

15. Clarins BB Cream I've tried quite a number of BB creams- Korean versions (skin79, Dr. G, etc.) as well as Western versions (Garnier, Maybelline..) but this is in a class of its own. I LOVE IT! The colour matches my skintone perfectly and the coverage is the best I have tried. I dare say it is better than most foundations I have previously used and I don't even need a concealer with this. I use this over my moisturizer and set with loose powder, just as I would with a foundation. It is long lasting, has an SPF40, doesnt irritate my sensitive skin and is SO comfortable to wear. I have also purchased a bottle already and am considering getting the jumbo size. Seriously, if you have sensitive, acne-prone skin and need the coverage but still looking natural and moisturized please try this. This has effectively replaced my foundations!

16. Aesop Bitter Orange Astringent [200ml] This toner works well on oily skintypes, but now that my skin is balanced, I have found it to be drying. 

17. Clarins Super Restorative Total Eye Concentrate

18. Clarins Instant Eye Makeup Remover LOVE!! Not the cheapest in the market but definitely the best performing. Removes waterproof and long-lasting liners like a dream. Chanel is good, but lost out due to price point; Helena Rubenstein is good too but not readily available in KL; Lancome stings my eyes; and I find Bobbi Brown drying. Would definitely repurchase and totally recommend!

19. Clarins Renew-Plus Body Serum ANOTHER LOVE PRODUCT BUT NO COMMENTS TODAY AS I HAVE BEEN SINGING TOO MANY OF CLARINS' PRAISES IN THIS POST ALONE!!

I am really taken by quite a few of Clarins' products and I say it in an unbiased way. Some of their products really work well for me and I appreciate that they are plant-based which is much better for my sensitive skin.

Hand creams..

20. Cath Kidston Honeysuckle Hand Cream [30ml] Out of the 3 scents available, I like this best and am actually hooked on it (the scent, not the cream). Makes me want to purchase a Honeysuckle-based perfume.

21. Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream [30ml] One of the best handcreams I've tried, absorbs quickly and leaves the hands soft. However, the scent is not for everyone. My sister finds it offensive and has banned me from using this when she is around.

22. Etude House Mini Anti-germ Hand Lotion [30ml]

23. di palomo White Grape with aloe Hand & Body Lotion


24. Anna Sui LOVE EDT This scent will always remind me of my first year at college, the early morning classes, the people I met then.. it was one of the first few perfumes which my mother had gifted me. I stopped using it a long long time ago but I held on to it for sentimental value. About 1/3 of the bottle was left; the scent remains unchanged (surprisingly) so I used it up as a bathroom spray.

25. Clarins Par Amour Toujours EDT I actually really like this; soft, delicate but fresh. Lasting power isn't very strong, by mid-day it will start to fade. It is a limited edition from many years back as well but I still see a few floating around on eBay. Might try to purchase one there.

26. L'Occitane White Blossoms Scented Candle 100g

27. Guerlain Meteorites Perles Light-Diffusing Perfecting Primer

28. Yves Saint Laurent YSL Radiant Brush Foundation This is a excellent foundation, great coverage and though scented it never gave my sensitive skin any problems. It comes with a brush head which works quite well but my only gripe is that I had to wash the brush applicator quite often as I am a bit of a germaphobe. Will not be repurchasing anytime soon as I have replaced my foundations with an excellent BB cream (above).

Total January - June: 145!!!

Previous Empties:
January
February
March
April
May