Sip & Paint @ Mont Kiara

I think the last time I actually pick up a paint brush was about 10+ years ago when i took Art as a supplementary paper in my SPM examination.

I would paint and lost in time because it is just so therapeutic. 

Now that I am an adult, I had always wanted to paint again for the sake of relaxation.

Was so happy when my company organised this event call Sips and Paint for us 'talented artist' who wish to have a break from all hustle and bustle. Of course I grabbed this opportunity once it is open for registration. You know, for the me time.

The Venue is at Art&Bonding in Mont Kiara. It is a very cosy place minus the difficulty to find a good parking spot. All supplies are provided and you only need to bring yourself there.

Wefies while waiting for others. This lady beside me is my colleague, who is also my doppelganger! I had been mistaken numerous times and there are lots of funny stories to be told. I can even unlock her phone using facial recognition. Hahahahahha!

Long story short. This is the process...the rest is history. It may look pretty complicated but it is really not so especially when the 'teacher' demonstrate to us the step-to-step. I was so amaze that the green colour of the leave is form using black and yellow paint! 

It is a paired painting thingy. So we have to work with our partner to paint a matching tree (at least). My partner is non-other than LLY.

This is our finished product. Luckily the tree matches.

And doppelganger have to paint the same side too. Darn, we are so alike that we even have the same vein visibly seen on our forehead.

Overall, it was a great experience. Strongly recommend this 'atas' activity for those who need some room 'show-off-your-hidden-talent' or even just wanna drink (*Wink)

They offer all sorts of event. Check them out here!

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Anniversary Trip to Sungai Lembing

We had always celebrated our 'Pak Tor' Anniversary instead of Wedding Anniversary. I prefer to celebrate both days. Why not since life is short?

Instead of having dinner and buying present, this year we decided that we should go somewhere as parent-holiday! Kill two birds with one stone.

Sungai Lembing had been in our travel list for a long long time. Since it is local and seems like a healthier options, it is the best place that we can go. Plus, this is the first time we will be away from our boy too, so staying 'closer' is a wiser option.

We took off our journey in the wee hours so that we could catch the best glimpse of Sg.Lembing and we are so glad that we did. Just look at the stunning 'Cloud of Sea'

Come down from the little tracking and head straight for breakfast at the local 'marketplace'.

Followed by a mandatory snap of the Signature Tree which is still standing strong and tall after so many years.

Another must drop-by makan place in Sg.Lembing for the famous roasted pork. Can still hear the 'crackling' sound when its being cut. Just look at that victorious face.

Of course the not to be missed 'Waterfall Tau Foo Fah'. I wonder if they really use water from the waterfall to make the dessert. You need to cross the hanging bridge to reach to the other side for this baby. No la, can drive there too, but crossing the hanging bridge seems more romantic la.

Follow the crowd and you will be there in no time. Seriously, this shop is full of people. Although we were just wandering around, we also cannot resist but to buy some local food (cos everyone seems to be fighting over who get first). Cannot lose to aunty/uncle.

For lunch time, we drop by randomly at some roadside stall (very limited choice there). Quite some special CCF here. cos every pieces are made fresh there. The aunty & uncle are super friendly and they even shared local stories with us. Apparently, people in Sg.Lembing is famous for the high life expectancy. You will see a lot of elder person here and their age will easily be 70 and above. 

Ps: Me being so environmentally friendly asked for this reusable plastic plate rather then the one-use polystyrene plate. Uncle happily agree to me when i tot i am bring too demanding.

The next day, we drove to Kuantan town to explore before checking out. Round and round and finally we found the beach. Had the most relaxing Mcd beside the beach. So warm and with occasional sea breeze blowing to our faces. I wish we have similar places like this nearer to our home.

The beach is rather clean but with lots of sand flies. Got bittern a few and we googled how to get rid of sand flies. The last option was to bring a penguin along because apparently sand flies prefer penguin than human. We laugh like crazy over this little information after imagining a poor penguin being surrounded by swarm of sand flies.

It's rather sweet and loving to be able to laugh together at the sillies things in life. Thanks for the trip. It was 'Romantic', Healthy and most importantly relaxing.

Happy 19th Anniversary my Love !

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Beanpaste flower piping

What do you do when you feel empty, loss and even start suspecting on your own capability? You stand up, explore and discover new skills.

That is exactly what I did when I was so lost at one point of time, wondering what else I could do other than my 9 to 5 job.

I signed up for Korean beanpaste workshop without even thinking twice (impulsive). Never regretted it because it is fun and therapeutic at the same time.

I think the ‘teacher’ is a baking enthusiastic because she actually major in Accounting instead of bakery.

A little snapshot of what i did whole 5 hours there....piping will my hand shakes

Since this is a piping class, no baking actually involve. About that cake, is just a dummy cake made of Styrofoam. If only it is real cake then my 5 hours there is gonna be even more worth while.

As it was getting really late, i couldn't get the best lighting for the final product. Nevertheless, here is how it looks like with 'cement based colour'.

(Left : Mine; Right : Teacher)

The teacher is so generous that she allow us to stay back to practice. She even gave me some of the beanpaste to practice at home. Which i did! Though still far from expectation but I am super satisfied with how it look like. Just wondering who will eat this this flop of flower made of beanpaste...lol

I still hesitate to really use this beanpaste though:-

1. It is difficult to get hold of this korean beanpaste in Malaysia. It has to be korean beanpaste because it has lower oil content. Those sold in Malaysia bakery shop is usually very oily.
2. It is usually sold in big package and definitely not a good choice for hobbyist baker as it is quite expensive too. 
3. It is quite sweet to my liking. Most importantly I am skeptical about who will eat my hard-piped-flowers. I kept my dummy cake for like months and there is not even a single ant on it (sweet but no ant like??)
4. Yes. You can definitely make this at home but it is going to be time consuming. The pro is that it is homemade and you can control the sweetness. The cons is that it is not going to last for very long.
5. Store bought paste can last much longer but then I will start to wonder what they had put inside to make it last.
6. Not quite sure what cake is suitable for this beanpaste. The original is using rice cake which is almost tasteless

Of course there are good side of it compared to buttercream :-

1. Store bought and save time
2. Very stable and won't collapse even in our scorching sun
3. Cleaner workspace mean shorter cleaning time
4. Can re-do as many time you want (provided it is handle with most hygienic manner)

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Buttercream Flower Cupcake

It's Kent's Birthday!

This year is slightly more special because i bake a cake for him! Is Chocolate caramel cake! And you bet it, i learn this new skill! Is buttercream flower cake. 

Is quite presentable for the first time. Was supposed to be more colourful but i have not manage to get hold of those colours. So will just keep it to original!

It was a fun session though tiring as hell. You get tensed up when your muscle is learning new routine.

Is no joke, i get a certificate for completing the one-day basic buttercream flower class.

Love how the cupcake turn out! 

This is the cupcake decorating situation. The table is covered with beautiful cupcake!

The most satisfying part is to see happy faces digging into the cupcakes!

So here is my findings:-

1. The recipe for the buttercream is superb. Not sweet and is silky!
2. With our weather, buttercream tends to melt fast which means we need to work in a air-conditioned room or else it will melt before you can even pipe the first flower.
3. Good thing about this buttercream is that it will hold its shape even in room temperature (unless you touch it). 
4. It is messy to work with especially for newbie. I had to keep washing hand because of the buttercream. Maybe because i have warm hand...
5. Although it is not sweet, too much buttercream flower will usually be rejected by people. Then you will be so heartbroken seeing the beautiful flower being thrown away.
6. Delivery may be a nuisance especially when it is so delicate. Need to find a really secure way for delivery if you are thinking of doing home baking business.
7. The recipe call for egg white which again i am quite sceptical on the safety level of it even though it is supposed to be cooked with the hot sugar
8. Colour is a must for beautiful flower but again if for home bake, i would prefer using natural ingredient but it just don't seems to turn our as bright. So, is between beauty and healthy.

Overall, i think this is a good experience! Now I can make my favourite cupcake with beautiful frosting!

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Botanica & Co

Finally I get to go out with Sean for my girl (aunty) outing! Is Ribbongirl B'day (a.k.a my cousin and sister)

Fake smile alert here.

We may be a little too late to step our foot into this green space but better late than never right?

We were seated at the 'outdoor' as the indoor was "full-housed". Not so bad as we get a bit sun-light and breeze now and then. Feel like ang-moh enjoying the hot weather here in Malaysia. I sneaked in (why do i have to?) to snap a quick photo of the indoor counter.

The food is alright and the portion is huge. We can barely finish the food.

Really good service here and Sean even got a complimentary babycino.

Website : https://www.botanica.com.my/restaurant/

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