Saturday, December 19, 2015

Things Totally dun wish to receive for Xmas

Well, it's time of the year, December ~~~screaming.. 
My favorite month of the year, in addition, it's also my wedding anniversary month.. 
This year celebrate our first year wedding anniversary and I'm Berry contented I have Hubb by my side (always❤️.... 谢谢你老公).. 
Since this year we had spend a bomb on flying, we decided to lay low, not booking anymore holiday ( shhh... Btw I'm going to JB with frenz for Xmas..), and also no stayactions, maybe juz a lovely dinner-just the two of us ( okay like as if we have plenty of lightblub!! Oh well..)
I love receiving prezzies, two times in a year to receive prezzies(once on my birthday, and xmas season too..!!) 
Suddenly feel like to write up a post stating the worse xmas prezzies or maybe I should say a post stating a list of stuffs which I totally dun feel excited upon receiving it.. If any of my frenz is reading, please dun buy all this in the list for mi.. I'm a berry simple kind of girl, a simple plushie can make mi berry happy..

1) Body Shop
I know right!!! 
Frankly speaking, body shop stuffs if not cheap so why bother to get this when most of the people dun like to receive this.. Maybe you can choose Sephora  or Innisfree, at least it's a hot thing right now.. As for the price, maybe it's a few dollars more but let think this way ~ it's for your friends (if they are not why bother to get a prezzie at the first place!)

2) Perfumes and body lotion
Firstly everyone have that particular brand he/she is using.. Nobody would wanna have this for Xmas.. Trust mi!

3) Decorative soap
Love Hate relationship.. 
Nah.. I really not into soap, especially decoration soap..
Oh please.. Nobody will use it, or I should No one ever use it.. In fact it will sit and sit in my storeroom for years. After years, into the dustbin... 
Guys, decorative soap isn't cheap either..

4) Photo frames
Okay.. I admitted that I love taking photos and printing them.. 
But I cannot be changing photo frames every now and then right. I believe many of us would love to buy the photo frames ourselves rather than having plenty on standby..
(who the hack will be buying photo frames to friends every year... ~ oh pls, I have one who did..!)

5) Daiso, $2 shop  
Dun get me wrong.. I love to go Daiso and I went there almost every week.. 
Unless you are getting for a group of 30-40 ppl party, why would wanna get it at Daiso when everyone noe exactly how much it is..

6) Cups, Mugs etc
Okay 
this is the worse Xmas gift I ever think of..
It is that feeling when you got the cartoon cups for buying toothpaste..

Well, this is based on my liking.. Some may love to have the mentioned items la.. But totally a NO-No for mi la.. 
Like many ppl dislike receiving towels but actually I love it.. 
Well, but I always show 100% appreciation cause it always the thought that counts..

Happy shopping peeps..!
6 days to Christmas...
Merry Christmas!

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Brunch @ Symmetry


Had a unforgettable brunch with Symmetry..
Simply enjoy myself on one Saturday with Hubb after buying loots for SurprisingMylove.. 

Shoutout!
Have you ever wanna have a candy bar but not wanna spend a bomb on it?
Have you ever wanna have a candy bar but no have the time for it?
Simply drop us message to find out more..


We love cafe hopping ~ I love cafe hopping especially with "All day breakfast" and truffles fries!

The aroma smell of truffles oil around the cafe totally knock mi off..

I turned and say to Hubb, ' I want to eat truffles fries, I dun care'!


So, we ordered big breakfast (S$24.00) and Potato fries aka truffles fries (S$15.00) to share, mocha for Hubb and Iced Latte for myself..

I fall deeply in love with the the chicken cheese sausages and together with truffles fries, is totally heavenly.. 
Oh ya, the scramble egg is topped with truffle oil too though I find that it abit too pricey but Hubb prefer scramble egg over poached egg.. Oh my gosh!
Okay seriously, I wouldn't mind going back to Symmetry for this if I happen to be around the area..

And I definitely will choose Symmetry over Wild Honey though Wild honey is much more accessible..

Symmetry Cafe
9 Jalan Kubor #01-01 Singapore 199206

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Travel Guide for Bangkok

If you notice from all my travel posts is mainly Bangkok.. Just this year alone I went to Bangkok for 3 times and I flying over this Dec again.. Even more frequent than I fly to Taiwan.. Ehh.. I still wan to go Taiwan if I have the choice..
Anyway, and So I thought it will be nice to gather all travel information guide in one post..
I'm definitely not a bkk PRO, so just my two cents worth..
Okay on this post, I will be sharing on where I stay, what I eat

1. Air tickets to Thailand

Flight duration ~ 2hrs
I usually fly with budget airlines with the price less than S$200..
Always update on promotion especially Budget airlines always on promotion...
Scoots on every Tuesday and Jetstar on every Friday..

However, recently Singapore airline is having promotion and is way much worth it, simply just $20-$30 more, why not ya...
And yes, I flying to Bkk in just 2 more days.. I had booked my air tickets with SQ at the price of S$249..
Oh ya.. I always recommend my friends to take to Suvarnabhumi Airport instead of Don Muang airport as Don Muang is much further and older..
Take note that Scoots only fly to Don Muang airport

2. Transport

From airport to hotel to airport ~ Well, it always depend on who you travelling with.. If you are travelling with young children and elderly, I would seriously recommend to book your airport transport before you travel.
One of the recommended Taxi Good Service 1200 baht per way
If you are travelling with friends or like mi travelling with my travel companion, my Hubb, I would recommend to take Suvarnabhumi Airport's rail link which is much faster and cheaper than taking cab...
For travelling around in Bangkok ~ Different transport for different location and of course depending on the distance..
Cab: For long distance and to save travelling time for shopping! How great isn't it!
For places like Chinatown, Thonglor area, Terminal 21 and even Chatchuchak market, I would highly recommend you to take cab instead of tuk tuk..

Tuk Tuk: For short distance travel. Main reason is they are not safe and healthy especially it's opened air and it's berry easy target for pickpocket! To be frank, tuk tuk rides is much more cheaper and faster than cab.. Cause to avoid traffic jam, tuk tuk driver usually will take short cuts using small alleys and even went against the traffic flow.. It's really up to you if you are to take the challenge!
For places like Pratunam to Siam area or MBK and even back to Pratunam

Train: You have to do a lot of homework before you travel to Bangkok..
Yes, by train, you sure gonna save a lot on transport . Example, minimum for Tuk Tuk is usually 100-200 baht but if by train is juz 30-40baht..

3. Accommodation

Many of my friends tend not to spend much on accommodation in Bangkok since most of the time you wun be in hotel and they rather to save the money shopping and food..
Frankly speaking, hotels rate in Bangkok is really not that high rather compared to SG hotel.. Just a stayaction will cost you about S$300 for the same star hotel in Bangkok..
I will always book different hotel every time I fly there and usually Pratunam area.

Baiyoke Sky
Pros: Breakfast spread ~ I love the breakfast spread..And it located in the Pratunam...
Con: the room is huge but I heard from my friends that this is the last hotel you should stay de.. Hmm... sound scary isn't it.. Hubb mentioned he did encounter something weird which he didn't tell me at that point of time..


Novotel Siam Square
Pro: Just opposite siam paragon, walkable distance to siam night market. Many yummeh thai restaurants around the hotel... I love this hotel the most.. The staffs all are way too friendly and helpful...
Con: The price is too steep for Bangkok stay especially for budget travelers... We only manage to book this hotel due to promotion and it was our anniversary trip...


Budacco Hotel -
Pro: Rooms are rather pretty because of the color theme if different room.. Good location, located one of the small valley in the middle of Pratunam market..
Con: There's ants everywhere even on the bed...
Other than the location, I dun see any reason for me to book this hotel again.. Just top up $20-$30 more to have a better hotel ba..

Glow Pratunam -
Pros: One of the best thing is their flooring. Cause I dun really like carpet flooring cause we wun know how clean the carpet is.. Dun forget the fluffy bed which make the whole hotel stay complete!!
Overall, I still love the entire hotel ~ One of my favourite hotel in Bangkok.. I already stay 3 times in this hotel..

Con: Not much massage places around the hotel.. The only 1 is located in the same building with Glow and the price is much more higher.. Lucky enough the massage is good which I dun mind spending more for it...  Not much stuffs to do and buy after 10 pm.. (anyway, heard from my frenz that the area near glow change alot.. Not sure about the massage area but definitely there's food stall selling seafood which they mentioned it was good... Too bad I dun have the chance to go try the seafood.. My itinerary is always full of food already... Anyway the hotel rate had been increasing too fast so I dun think I wun be booking Glow..

The Berkeley Hotel Pratunam
Pro: As you can see, the room is big and the bed is huge.. My daddy love it, he mentioned the bed is better den Glow hotel.. For mi.. Glow is still better coz I prefer fluffy bed, here, the bed is abit hard kind.. still not too bad...
Walk-able distance to central world and big c
It located juz diagonally Platinum Fashion mall, and there's night market at the foot of the hotel... Even the famous chicken rice is juz opposite...
Con: They have 2 towers, unless you book luxury room at main tower which cost you slightly S$10-S$20 more, if not you can book their premier room at north tower which require to take lift at main tower to level 11 and you still have to walk to take another lift...
One more minus point is the dangerous traffic.. there's no proper way to go to platinum mall or even to the opposite road.. You really have to run across the road and watch for cars...

4. Shopping

Chatuchak Weekend Market - Friday night, Sat and Sun
Not many tourists found during Friday night.. Maybe all catching their sleep for the berry next day..
Totally different kind of CTC market to seen during the day.. Of coz maybe due to the cooling weather at night.. Hmm.. I still prefer the day with the hot sun.. hahaha
Take note that, not all shops open during the day open at night... it actually different side of the lane..

What to eat in Chatuchak Market?
Grilled pork Chop, Fried fish cake, Fried moshi, Coconut icecream
Highly recommend!! Grilled pork chop!
Located at Soi 4 area 22

Union Mall
Frankly speaking, I dun really like to shop here..
The price here is selling 2-3 times more than any other places in Bangkok... What you can find here can be found at Platinum fashion mall and Chatchutak market so why bother to come all the way here... ohh.. unless you have time to spare..

The Platinum Mall
My family and friends all love this mall alot... This mall is huge and usually you will walk till your leg break...
To tell the truth, I never at once walked finish the whole building(both towers) in one day.. Maybe this time in Dec coz I will be staying at Novotel Bangkok Platinum, just above the mall.. SO excited...!

Pratunam Morning Market
They are open from 5am-9am (actually it open throughout the day but juz different vendor is selling at the same location.. but still isn't it the Pratunam market..!)
Important note is most of the shop is selling wholesale price meaning.. you gotta buy 3 pieces and above to get the price stated otherwise the price is will be much higher wor...
So it will be great if you are going in a group and of the same styles, I know it kinda hard to find at least 2-3 girls of the same size and styles hahaha... Den I would suggest that you buy 3 different designs/color.. Tat what I usually do..
If I were to choose, I prefer Pratunam morning market than Chatchutak market

Bobae tower/Bobae Market

Located juz ten minute tuk tuk ride (about 50baht but, normally tuk tuk driver will quote 100baht and mostly wun go any lower...) In the case the driver does know where (which is impossible ...) you can ask them to drop you at Prince Palace hotel..
Many sellers at Platinum mall, pratunam market and even chatchutak market came here to purchase..
I rem buying 4 dresses for 500baht, 1 short for 50baht...

Siam night Market

One of  my favorite night market, shopping distinct in Bangkok..
It located just below Siam BTS, whole stretch of street and ends just opposite MBK..
It starts around evening to around 12am daily..
You can find alot clothes quite up to trend and fashionable..
PS: Rem to bring along your shopping bag.. Although in Thailand, they dun charge for plastic bag, avoid getting plastic bag for every purchases as at the end of trip, you will just going to throw away all the plastic bags while packing your luggage.. 
So, let's be a little eco friendly while traveling ❤️

5. Massage
Please dun skip massage when you are in Bangkok..
It only cost as cheap as 100baht, eq: about S$4.00 so why not..
I love foot massage, if I can, I dun mind doing it every night.. At least I can walk further and longer the following day...
Common massages are Thai body massage, foot massage and head & shoulder massage. Personally, I love fott massage cause I dun like lying on the mattress and facing the pillow which I dunno how clean it is.. Sorry to sound like I'm a clean freak as I got breakout everytime I did full body massage so not gojng to risk it anymore.. Definitely, full body massage is shiok and Hubb love it alot...

6. Tailor Made (specially for the guys)
There's plenty of tailors in Bangkok, but Hubb always go to Paul's fashion located at Armai watergate hotel..
The prices and quality is comparable with others..
But Hubb realised he should go to other Tailor already cause they had limited choices for us to choose from already...

8. Erawan Shrine

Not sure since when, it has became a must for Hubb and myself to go 'bai bai' at Erawan Shrine.. Usually we will go once we check in hotel but if it was too late, we will go the next day for sure and we will make the effort to go down on our last day if the time permit..


I hope this guide helps your way in your planning BKK trip..
Have tons of fun in BKK!

Monday, November 16, 2015

Berry first try - Vanilla chocolate chips cupcake

Not the first time baking, but first time using an oven to bake cupcake.. Normally I use air fryer and toaster to bake cookies and once try cupcake on toaster(was totally a failure!!)
Finally Hubb agreed to buy mi an oven, not those atas oven, at least it able mi to start my interest in baking..
And 
I berry excited and happy

IT'S A SUCCESS!
Even the most picky M say it tastes good.. (Only without the frosting cupcakes!)
But my piping/frosting technique failed badly.. 
Hahaha... 
Thanks to all the photo filters, dun looks that bad isn't it...?
Not sure why did the frosting so runny, so hard to pipe.. 
Lesson learn: Follow recipe exactly 100g means 100g, no more no less even it is just 100.1g..

I just dun wish to end it that way.. 
Decided to bake again the following night and followed just exactly...
It turned out pretty good even the frosting/piping turn out well and I'm satisfied with the outcome...

Of course, I had a wonderful Hubb who support mi all the way, he even praised the ugly cupcake ..
Thank you Hubb, at least this give mi strength to continue...
Love you..
Isn't it beautiful!!!
Tried 2 recipes and manged to get the right recipe
Recipe makes 48 mini cupcakes
Ingredients for cupcake batter

2 cups of flour, sifted = 220g flours
3/4 cups of unsalted butter at room temperature = 170.1g of butter
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1/2 tablespoon of baking powder
1 cup of sugar (1 1/2 cups of sugar if you prefer a sweeter version)
2 large eggs 
1 large egg yolk
2/3 cup of milk
1 cup chocolate chips 

Ingredients for Chocolate frosting 

1/2 cup butter = 115g of butter
1 cup icing sugar = 110g of icing sugar 
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder  = 30g1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
1 tablespoon milk

Directions for cupcakes

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 170 - 176C degrees
  • Fill cupcake tray with cupcake cups
  • In a large bowl, whisk all dry ingredients; sifted flour, salt and baking powder 
  • With an electric mixer, beat together butter and sugar until smooth, about 4 mins 
  • Add in eggs one at a time until everything is evenly incorporated
  • Slowly add in dry ingredients and milk and mix until fully combine
  • Spoon or Pour batter into a zip lock bag (just the way like piping) and add the batter among the cups, making sure to fill 3/4 full 
  • Bake for 20 mins or Insert a toothpick and if it comes out clean and smooth, it's done
  • Remove and allow cupcakes to cool on a wire rack and proceed to make chocolate frosting
Directions for chocolate frosting

  • Cream butter until smooth, using mixer 
  • Slowly sift in icing sugar and cocoa powder, mix until combine. Make sure no clumps of sugar and cocoa powder
  • Add in Vanilla extract and milk, continue until smooth
  • To frost the cupcakes, fill up a piping bag with a tip with chocolate frosting. Slowly swirl the frosting on the completely cooled cupcakes.

Sunday, November 8, 2015

First stage of Korea Planning❤❤❤

Hi again..
As you all know I will be flying to Korea in March 2016, I already started my planning.. Kinda stressful, still kinda fun and exciting..!
I even bought a wind proof jacket from Uniqlo, and it's couple jacket wor... 
(okay I forced Hubb to get it too since it only $49.90...)

Though this is not our first free and easy trip planning (the first one is to Taiwan..), we are facing alot more difficulty.. 
Planning to Taiwan is so much easier than Korea, berry important is due to language barrier even though I can find a lot information through many blogs but most of the korea website is in Korean.. * scratch head* hahaha 
Another headache is domestic flight and accommodation etc.. For Taiwan, we can easier plan to travel by their high speed from Taipei to Taichung or Tainan or even Kenting.. Not tat it is berry difficult to plan for Korea la.. just that I need to put in more effort when planning to Korea especially we wanna go Jeju island... 

Our flight from Singapore to Korea is 1455 - 2220.. (Oh man.. what a timing...!!!)
We are planning to go Jeju island for 2 nights but can't decide to catch the last flight to Jeju or stay a night near Gimpo airport.
We even think of saving the $$$ and remain at the airport then book the earliest flight to Jeju.. However, Hubb kinda rejected this idea, I believe he dun wish mi to be too tired and shag for the whole trip. But staying in the airport dun sound that bad isn't it?? Still appreciate that Hubb always put mi in the berry first place...
In the end, we decided to book a apartment through airbnb website.. After all the searching and comparing, I feel more easy to stay in apartment rather than the hotel, partly is because it's so much cheaper.. 
Anyway, at least right now, our first night accommodation is settle.. Now left with domestic flight and Jeju itinerary..
I know all this can slowly, but I can't rest my mind as long as long there's thing undone.. Well! hahaha

Planning stages
- Book accommodation for 1 night(20-21 Mar) near Gimpo airport, check for train n bus last timing.. 
1st Nov - Booked with Ian and Leona for S$110.00, they respond berry fast to my queries. They helped mi check for the train timing.. Last train to leave Incheon airport to Gimpo airport is at 23:57..  and told mi that they will meet us at the Gimpo airport.. They even told mi estimated to take taxi to their apartment is USD45.. Really appreciate it alot... Hope we will have a wonderful stay with them... 
- Book domestic flight ticket to and fro Jeju
4th Nov - Booked our domestic flight with Jeju air.. Whipping up a post for Jeju flight booking.. Stress!
- Book accommodation for 2 nights ((21-23 Mar) in Jeju
18th Nov - Booked our 2 nights stay at Ocean Palace Hotel.. I'm getting more and more excited!!
- Jeju itinerary
30th Nov - Booked our Jeju tour with Mr Seoung Hun Koh recommended by Hubb's colleague..
- Book accommodation for 5 nights (23-28 Mar) in Seoul
18th Feb - Finally booked our final 5 days stay in Seoul from airbnb.. Getting more and more excited!
- Seoul itinerary
17th Mar - YES! 3 more days and our itinerary finally ready to print.. Can't wait to show all of you.. HUBB effort... Love ya...!



Thursday, November 5, 2015

Summary of MJYL Travel - Europe Honeymoon (24th Dec 14 - 8th Jan 15)

Summary of Europe Honeymoon trip❤❤❤

This trip was a awesome trip... with awesome Hubb together with awesome group mates to awesome tour leader. I definitely wanna go back to Europe and of course travel with this bunch of awesome peeps.. (though I know it kinda difficult already... just wish we could stay in contact..!)

For easy viewing, I decided to do up a summary post... Plus I just got hold on the group shot from the tour manager..


SG --> Dubai ---> Italy--> Switzerland --> Germany --> France --> Dubai --> SG


Our Lodging


Plaza HotelCorso Milano 40 Padova, Italy 25 Dec 14
Datini HotelViale Marconi 80 59100 Parto, Italy26 Dec 14
Idea Hotel Roma Z3Via Amos Zanibelli 18 Rome, Italy27 Dec 14
Galilei PisaVia della Darsena 1 Angolo Via Aurelia, Pisa Pisa 5600 Tuscany, Italy28 Dec 14
Hilton Evian-Les-Bains Quai Paul Leger, France29 Dec 14
Bellevue Palace Hotel Kochergasse 3-5 CH-3000 Berne 7, Switzerland30 Dec 14
City (Group) Hotel Gersauerstrasse 21 6440 Brunnen, Switzerland31 Dec 14
Mecure Centre Stanislas 5 Rue Des Carmes 54000 Nancy, France1 Jan 15
Mercure La Defense 5 18/30 Rue Baudin Place Charras Paris courbevie la defense, France2-3 Jan 15
Mövenpick Hotel & Apartments Bur Dubai19th Street, Oud Metha Area, Dubai | United Arab Emirates5-6 Jan 15


Tour Agency and Tour Mates
EU Holidays

Highly recommended Eu holidays, especially for the sledging(as far as I know they should be they first and only to have sledging in their itinerary..)


Total distance covered by...
Aeroplane:

  • Singapore to Dubai: 5,813 km
  • Dubai to Milan: 4,657 km
  • Paris to Dubai: 5,241 km
  • Dubai to Singapore: 5,813 km

Bus
  • Milan to Venice:
  • Venice to Siena:
  • Siena to Rome:
  • Rome to Pisa:
  • Pisa to Lausanne:
  • Lausanne to Interlaken:
  • Interlaken to Bern:
  • Bern to Black Forest:
  • Black Forest to Nancy:
  • Nancy to Paris:

Sledge:

  • 7.6 km long


Total Damage to the pocket....
Tour package: SGD$ 7,272/=
Optional Tour: S$1,200/=
Meals: ~SGD$ 300/=
Shopping: ~ SGD$ 7,000/=
Grand Total: S$15,772/=


Landmarks / Highlights / Photo of the day
Links to Post

Love in Europe - Day 1 and 2 ❤ Italy Milan
Castello de Sforza
Gothic Duomo Cathedral

Love in Europe - Day 3 ❤ Italy Venice
St Mark's Square 
St Mark;s Basilica

Love in Europe - Day 4 ❤ Italy Siena
The Mall
 Siena

Love in Europe - Day 5 ❤ Italy Rome
Colosseum
 Roman forum
 Pantheon
St Peter's Basilica 

Love in Europe - Day 6 ❤ Pisa, Evian
Pisa
 Leaning tower of Pisa
Love in Europe - Day 7 ❤ Switzerland
Chillon Castle

 Mt Bussalp

Love in Europe - Day 8 ❤ Switzerland
Bern
Mt Titlis


Love in Europe - Day 9 and 10 ❤ Germany Paris
Germany Black forest 
 Eiffel tower 

 Arc de Triomphe du carrousel

Love in Europe - Day 11 ❤ France Paris
River Siene, Lighten up Eiffel Tower

Love In Europe - Day 12  ❤ France Paris
Lourve Museum 
 Montmartre 

Love in Europe - Day 13-14 ❤ Dubai
Global Village
The Cheesecake factory
Desert Safari Tour
First time blogging travel post other than Bangkok and Taiwan.. Hope I didn't do badly..
Summary donut of the entire trip..


~~~ The End ~~~