First Hand Update From My Instagram

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Coffee Pairing with Mike Yung and Pacific Coffee

Coffee these days are more than just a morning starter, it's more of a life style, indulgence and a symbol of social status. A cup of Kopi O from a local pasar might be comparable to a cup of long black in high end coffee cafe, but why younger generations are more willing to get a sip of similar flavor with a high value of money?

Frankly, I am not a coffee fanatic. I enjoy hanging out in the afternoon with a cup of beverage and a few tidbits. Either with or without company, it will still be great enjoyment.
Thanks to Mike Yung and Pacific Coffee, give me an opportunity to learn more about their coffe and dessert and the art of pairing them.

Although I know Pacific Coffee is available in Malaysia, my first attempt of Pacific Coffee was during my visit to Hong Kong. I do notice Pacific Coffee is indeed significantly better than most major coffee that put a ton of syrup in every drink, I wasn't sure is that a Hong Kong(every food is so much better in Hong Kong, except the one in Disneyland) thing or a Pacific Coffee thing.

Another reason Pacific Coffee Pacific didn't attract my attention that much is due to their way of cnducting business is just like everyone else. 3 size of beverage, tall, grande and alto.
You can buy their design thermos, mug and coffee cup in their shop.

Even the menu is quite similar.


With guidance of Mike Yung, PCC coffee ambassador(left) and Pacific Coffee Company centralized kitchen's cheft (right), a journey of coffee and desserts begin.

Sumatra (left), Ethiopian Mocha (center), Costa Rica (right)

 
Sumatra: From the well-known Indonesian Island, the Sumatra blend has a fascinating complex herbal and earthy aspect to the aroma which is derived from the highlands of the tropical forests and the surrounding area of lake toba.

Tiramisu: A popular coffee-flavored Italian dessert that is usually served in a small cup for a refined presentation.

Sumatra and Tiramisu: The smooth texture and flavours from the Tiramisu with wanut, releases earthy flavours to enhance the Sumatran coffee, make it the right complement for each other.

YY's thought: Sumatra is very strong bitter coffee. It doesn't have too much of superfluous taste. If Sumatra is a person, she is the kind of bitch that goes to your cubicle on the morning and slap you on the face and shout "wake up!" Perfect for the morning dose to wake you up. Tiramisu is also a kind of dessert that is bitter and nutty. The bitterness of the Sumatra blends brings out the nutty complexion of the Tiramisu even more.

Costa Rica: Costa Rica is famous for its beautiful tropical landscape and fine coffee. Full bodied with a pungent characteristic, coupled with maple syrup and herbal notes, this coffee exhibits the typical sweet taste and bold richness.

AMerican Baked Cheesecake: A typical American Baked Cheesecake is rich as it has a dense, smooth and creamy testure. It relies on citrus flavour to enrich the cheese flavours.

Costa Rica and America Baked Cheesecake: The American Baked Cheesecake is paired with Costa Rican coffee to bring out a refreshing taste from the coffee bean and rich flavours of the cake.

YY's thought: Costa Rica blend is typical chocolaty and high acidity coffee. The acidity brings out the the citrus flavour of the lemon zest in the cheesecake and balance the overall fatty complexion.

Ethiopian Mocha: The Ethopian Mocha is rich in taste with notes of leather, wood, earth and nuances of berry fruit. It is a dry-processed coffee, unlike any other in the line, The processing of the beans tends to produce a heavy-bodied coffee with exceedingly low acidity. 

Blueberry Cheesecake: Blueberry on a wonderful cheesecake strikes a perfect balance between sweetness and tartness.

Ethiopian Mocha & Blueberry Cheesecake: Delicious blueberries, rich indulgennt cheesecake and Ethopian Mocha coffee forms a unique fruity fragrance.

YY's thought: Ethiopian Mocha is a very surprise blend as I have to put it. It has so many different flavours that emerge at different timing. I typically like the berry sweetness at the end of the cycle.The blueberry cheesecake can bring out the berry flavour of the coffee to an earlier and stronger appearance.

My personal number 1 choice of pair is Ethiopian Mocha & Blueberry Cheesecake. I like the delicateness and complexity of Ethiopian Mocha blend which is opposite to the strong bitter and strong acidity in the other 2 blend. Do try out this combination during your next visit to Pacific Coffee.



Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Laser or not to Laser [Part 1]

Do you guys know LASER is a short form of something? Laser stands for "Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation". Learned that during my Form 6 Physics class. 

I admit I am not the beauty freak that wants each inch of my body to be perfect, but I do upset by certain area of my body some times. Like most girls, I always hope that I have smaller waist, slimmer arm, less cellulite, fairer skin etc. The only reason I didn't had any Aesthetic procedure is finance constraint. I know society have very polar opinion on plastic surgery. They claim it as not normal, against "God" 's will etc. I even heard of a case where husband sued wife because the child was born ugly [1][2]. As for the other half of the society, they don't against plastic surgery because they believe their fate is control by their own hand. I am definitely the later, but I, for sure will let my future husband (also my current boyfriend) know that I am undergoing such surgery. Their decision will not affect me too much, but I do respect their rights to know.

Come back to the topic. I always have this problem, where people keep asking me to wipe my left cheek because there is some dirty there. Those are not dirt; those are hyper pigmentation, which also identify as freckles. I have no idea why, since I was in my teenage years, those freckles develop more and more every now and then. Friends that rarely meet me keep complaining those freckles are becoming larger. Even my boyfriend tries to wipes my cheeks sometimes only to realize it's not dirt :( I have used different products like face cleanser, toner, moisturizer, essence, spots cream etc. of different brand like brand O, brand H, brand G, brand N, nothings works. My face did get down 1 tone, but the freckles remain.

When I was deployed to Thailand last year, I see Aesthetic shops EVERYWHERE. Every mall has tens of different Aesthetic shops. When I walked by, I had a strong will to go in there to get my freckles done. Be it laser, injection, or skin renewal. Those Aesthetic shops’ display price is surprisingly low. However, I didn't do it during my stay there. The most dominant reason was communication barrier. Even for just a simple meal, I am not able to deliver what I want to order, how do I have confidence on a mini surgery that affect my face? After return from deploy, I had a little bit of regret, but soon after, hopes come knocking. I was contact by Mediviron UOA for a sponsor treatment. Hooouuu... Kot...... there might be a REAL GOD out there that heard my will....

Mediviron UOA Clinic
LG9, Lower Ground Floor, 
Wisma UOA II,
No. 21, Japan Pinang, 50450,
Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-21635699
Fax: 03-21635698
Email: contactus@mediviron-uoa.com 

Mediviron UAO has both out patient and Aesthetic services. You may go to any Mediviron clinic for out patient but only Mediviron in Wisma UOA II has Aesthetic services (also skin & laser treatment)

During my first visit, I consulted Mediviron UOA's Aesthetic Dr. on my hopes in doing laser.

She inspected my freckles before came into conclusion.

She suspect the pigmentation was caused by sun damage. Pigmentation cause by sunlight might get a reverse effect from laser i.e getting more pigmentation. So, we have a test on certain area. IF the result is positive, then only we will continue with the rest of my face. Else, we will need to change to other treatment.

So, the assistant help me with some numbing cream the test area.

This is before the laser. Prepare to say good bye to those little bandit that rob my beauty xp ~~

The Doctor did a few shoot under my left ear. When shooting onto the numb area, it was like a light spark of static electric with virtually no sensation. Since she was not the person that applies numbing cream for me, she did a few shot onto un-numb area. The sensation was not good. It was a real electrical shock-like moment and a heavy sunburn sensation follow after.

Immediately after the laser. The area that shoot by laser was elevated. Soon, it turn into a basil seed like bump. Wonder how basil seeds looks like?
credit to http://importfood.com/

credit to http://www.seriouseats.com/

It's like a small seed was raise from the skin and on the middle of the skin is a black dot i.e. the freckle.

Doctor then prescribes hyperpigmentation treatment cream named Quinbloc for me to use once during night time. It has 4% Hydroquinone with sunblock.


3rd day after laser. Those bumps has reduce quite a bit, but those affected area has bruise like marks left on the "crime scene". Skin feel sore like sunburn.

4th day, I use a better camera, yeah my personal DSLR that I used to shoot those yummy food on this blog,

The bump was totally submerged but the marks are visible. The sunburn sensation was also on the minimum level.

5th day, the mark looks like little red ant crawling on my neck. I started to feel scared and kindda regret of my decision to do laser. Seems like I got reverse effect from laser.

7th day, skin barely feel any difference, no in-comfort sensation, so I used a brush ( Clarisonic) to sweep through those marks. I usually use Clarisonic once a day. But I skipped it for 1 whole week, afraid that it might cause scar on this sensitive area. After a 1 minute sweep, all the marks was gone! No bruise mark or freckles spotted on the affected area.

9th day, laser has no reverse effect. Those freckles now stay clean from my laser treated area.

I am very excited. Although the downtime for laser treatment on my skin is quite long, the effect is positive. Tomorrow, I will return to Mediviron UOA II again to execute laser the remaining of he freckles. Wish me luck! ^_^ 

[1] http://entertainment.ie/wtf/Chinese-man-divorces-and-sues-wife-over-ugly-children-And-wins/227669.htm
[2] http://www.examiner.com/article/man-sues-ex-wife-over-ugly-children-and-wins-daughter-s-looks-horrified-him

Notice: This laser treatment was sponsored by Mediviron UOA




Sunday, March 9, 2014

Moving comfort for Neubodi Active

Not long ago, I just finished my  #neubodi #28DaysFIX .Although I haven't reached the targeted one pants size down, but I do get a lot improvement on my edema and cellulite. Last week, Neubadi official launch Moving comfort for Neubodi Active.

Neubodi is announcing the collaboration with Moving Comfort, a U.S brand with more than 37 years of expertise in fitting women into the perfect sports bra. This collaboration named Moving Comfort for Neubodi Acive marks the crossover of two iconic brands rom different playing fields with a shared passion and dream of fitting women into her perfect bra. The collaboration fuses superior fabric technology, fit expertise and impeccable support into every sports bra design to create the ultimate work out experience that will be changing women's life.

The show started with our pretty fit emcee Nadine Ann and Linora Low.


After speeches from our VIPs, Ms Anne Tan, Founder & Director of Neubodi and Mr. Chia, representative of Moving Comfort, we have our Neubodi #28DaysFIX Insta winner: Evelyn 

With support and collaboration from Bodytone, our celebrity has a round of circuit routine's personal trainer.

An insta-video is available on my Instgram http://instagram.com/p/k6Sh8-FJo9/


Event is then wrap by a planking challenge from our celebrity.

So, there are so many types of bra and sport pants, which is more suitable for you?


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Luna: Enduring support from an all-day style that provides shape and a no-show look under a tee.
Key Features:
Bonded neckline, straps, armholes, and back opening
Moderate-contoured seam-free cups
DriLayer® Powermesh fabrics wick moisture away to keep you cool, dry and light
DriLayer® Buzz provides moisture management, UV protection and odor control
Streamlined design for a seamless look under clothing
Wireless design lifts & seperates, reduces bounce, and banishes the uniboob
Back-adjustable straps  & adjustable back closure

Size: 32 - 38, B - E Cup 
Price: RM 179


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(Ana) Rebound Racer: Serious support is the result of this racerback’s arsenal of features, packaged into a well-ventilated design.
Key Features:
Subtle-contoured seam-free cups
Lightweight, soft, stretchy, front and back mesh zones
DriLayer® Powermesh fabrics wick moisture away to keep you cool, dry and light
DriLayer® Buzz provides moisture management, UV protection and odor control
Front-adjustable straps with concealed hook-and-loop closure
Adjustable keyhole back closure, cup lining for coverage

Size: 32 - 38, B – D Cup 
Price: RM 149


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(Helena & Yana) Juno: This gravity-defying powerhouse has it all—offering everything fuller cups need for a custom fit and no-bounce support.
Key Features:
Molded and lightly padded cups
Interior front yoke
Non-chafing seamless inner won't rub you the wrong way
DriLayer® Power Stretch fabrics wick moisture away
DriLayer® Buzz provides moisture management, UV protection and odor control
Bonded front-adjustable straps with concealed hook-and-loop closure
Adjustable soft padded back closure

Size: 32 - 38, B - E Cup 
Price: RM 169

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(Nathalia) Jubralee: Advanced construction features offer no-bounce support and a precise fit in a flattering, streamlined, and sporty design.
Key Features:
Seam-free interior molded cups for support, shape and maximum moisture transfer
Interior front yoke
DriLayer® Power Stretch fabrics wick moisture away
DriLayer® Buzz provides moisture management, UV protection and odor control
Reduces vertical and side-to-side bounce
Bonded front-adjustable straps with concealed hook-and-loop closure
Wireless design lifts & separates, reduces bounce, and banishes the uniboob
Adjustable soft padded back closure

Size: 34 - 38, B - D Cup 
Price: RM 169
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( Ana & Helena )
  
( Luan & Nathalia )
 
( Yanna )

Urban X-Over: The ultimate support with a side of attitude. Contouring, fun straps, and pop colors give this bra a sexy vibe.

Key Features:
Maximum-contoured seam-free cups for shaping
Cross-back, adjustable straps
Adjustable, soft padded back closure 
DriLayer® Powermesh fabrics wick moisture away to keep you cool, dry and light
DriLayer® Buzz provides moisture management, UV protection and odor control

Size: 30 - 38, A - D Cup 
Price: RM 149
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Haute Slim Pant
Key Features:
Four way stretch neoprene for adequate compression and flexibility for low to high impact workout.
Neoprene-heating technology effectively heats up and slims the waist, hips, buttocks and thighs
Targeted cellulite reduction
3D-cylindrical design to promote a snug fit
High on back to hold-in and smooth rolls and bulges
Heavy Duty zipper for easy on and off

Sizes: S – XL
Price: RM 189
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Haute Slim Capri
Key Features:
Four way stretch neoprene for adequate compression and flexibility for low to high impact workout.
Neoprene-heating technology effectively heats up and slims the hips, buttocks, thighs and calves.
Targeted cellulite reduction
3D-cylindrical design to promote a snug fit
Adjustable waistband style for easy on and off

Sizes: S – XL
Price: RM 189
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If you still can't decide what kind of sport bra and pants you need, you may visit Neubodi's to get their professional suggestion.

Visit Neubodi speciality stores:
~ One Utama Shopping Centre
~ Empire Shopping Gallery
~ Hartamas Shopping Center
~ AEON Bukit Tinggi Klang
~ Suria Sabah Shopping Mall
~ Bangsar Village II
~ Paradigm Mall
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neubodi/info
URL: http://www.neubodi.com
Email: info@neubodi.com
Phone: 03-6150 1288