All posts filed under: Reviews

Once upon a time in little China | A trip to China House, Penang

Published by

China House  | 153, Lebuh Pantai, Georgetown, 10300 Georgetown, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia Contact  | China House Price  | Tea and cake will set you back around 30 MYR I sat at the cafe side. I’m sure that by now, everyone is sick of me talking about tea. But, as any tea obsessed person will know, it is a lifestyle. I’ve gone nearly two decades in this vein, and it doesn’t look like I’m going back now. While the rest of the world has disloyally moves on to cocktails, mocktails and the likes, us tea-folk (that’s my new name for those in the fold), are still at the lunch table sampling all the dried and preserved goodness that nature has to offer. Am I the only one that misses dinner ladies at school? I went to China House. Now, that’s a sign! I really didn’t know what to make of it. A famous landmark on the George Town scene, it borders on blasphemy to  leave without paying a visit to this eclectic home of cakes, coffee, art and music. I …

It all ends at Enzo’s | Sushi at Khao Lak’s finest

Published by

Enzo  | Takua Pa, 62/2 Moo 5, Bang Niang Beach Road Kukkhak Contact  | Enzo Price  | A good meal with wine, around 700B ; the Enzo degustation menu (recommended) 1500B pp There are some places where time stands still. For a brief moment, something slices through the humdrum of modernity, pulls you by the ear and makes you stop and feel. You don’t have to be a foodie to experience it, but let’s just say that it’s akin to an out of body experience. Cue Enzo. An empyrean getaway amidst the lesser claptrap that heralds the way to Bang Niang beach. The location doesn’t exactly scream fine dining, but I had been told it was an unmissable experience. Oh yeah? We shall see. In the past, with the exception of the traditional Thai food, I’ve been quite disappointed at the provender available on the islands. So the thought of yet another Japanese restaurants, didn’t exactly tickle my fancy. After all, why would anyone go to all that effort to provide fresh, locally sourced and delicious food to the many tourists that would simply take whatever …

… because toys are not just for kids | My first impression of the FitBit Charge Hr

Published by

I pride myself, on my controlled lack of self control. Wait. What? In an age where people seem to wantonly abandon all sensibilities, I’ve always seen myself as a sort of maverick among the bunch. Oh! I’ll scoff down that pie, I’ll chow down on that cake. Ice cream? Sure. Why not? But then… There’s no such thing as a free lunch. If you’re body is a temple, mine is an alter to a hedonistic God of food gluttony. I salivate at the thought of flavor. Hot, sour, spicy and sweet. Come at me boys. Yet, every sensible maverick knows that just because you don’t pay the piper today, doesn’t mean you’ll never get your just deserts. I’m plagued by the thought of waking up one day and finding I can’t see my legs. Not through the decay of time, or something appropriate like cataracts, but because my skinny-fat ratio has finally leveled up. Hence my venture into fitness. I won’t pretend that I haven’t always been active in some way or another, but when I finally hit …

On the Road to Acne-Free Skin | What’s in my kit?

Published by

Some people have without trying, others want it but never really bother; the rest of us mere mortals will slather, slap and rub in anything, just to get the rare glimpse of it. What am I talking about? Good skin. I come from a family of faces riddled with acne. So much so, that by the tender age of 16, I had pretty much given up. I knew even back then, that the odds were stacked so high against me. Considering my grandmother still fought her battles against the pustuled menace, what chance in hell did I have? It wasn’t a diet or a hygiene issue; my body was against me. Yet flash forward to the present day and I sometimes get asked about my skin. The first time this happened, I recoiled in both shock and shame. How could anyone think, that the girl once likened to a puffer fish (by a mean boy in the school playground), could have good skin? I had gotten so used to hating my skin, that I didn’t even register that it had …

On a lighter note | Hand made organic Thai soy wax candles

Published by

The Bangkok Art and Culture Centre is a treasure trove of various odd bits and pieces. There’s certainly something for everyone. And by everyone, I actually mean someone as picky and as stubborn as, well, me! I bought this candle a couple of weeks back out and I think I need another one. I don’t know about you, but I get exhausted by the ‘same-ishness’ of everything. When we talk about luxury candles, I’ve noticed that most people’s eyes glaze over and they unknowingly regurgitate the same brands. I liken it to something out of that classic children’s tv show, ‘The Demon Headmaster’. They seem to always come out with the same names: Dyptique, Yankee and Jo Malone; although not necessarily in that particular order. And aren’t they great? Well… Having worked at most of the luxury department stores in London, I’ll admit that they are. Yet, not quite the ‘be all and end all’ they’d have you believe. Admittedly, there was a time I’d probably have gnawed my own hand off, just to get my hands on one. …

My Dream Zalora Valentine’s Day Outfit

Published by

My Dream Zalora Valentine’s Day Outfit by shedoesliving on Polyvore Valentine’s day is the one day of the year when I turn into a cake eating monster. Kidding. I’m always a cake eating monster! Give me chocolates, give me sweets, give it all… to me.But boxes of chocolate and gorging aside, I do sincerely love the whole spirit of the season. Spring is in the air and you get tons of candy! What’s not to love?You probably can already tell from the picture above, but my recent exploits into Asian fashion has been taking a very interesting turn. Although there have been some outlandish ‘frou frou’ outfits, that belong on set of a Tim Burton movie; I have also found ensembles that have really grabbed my attention. I’m by no means a fashionista, but I have never turned down an opportunity to get all dolled up. And with the fact that my German is coming down for Valentine’s day; I’ve put together an outfit that’ll sure to bring out the inner girly girl in me. One thing …

Bangkok Discoveries #3: Rasayana Raw Food Cafe

Published by

I’m baack. Back to Bangkok. What a journey! Japan has just effortlessly made its way to the top of my list. It is my new heaven on earth.  We all dream of escaping to some beach side retreat, but even beaches can get boring. Trust me on this one, spending much needed ‘me’ time can quickly turn into hell on earth; once your kindle decides to give up the ghost and abandon you mid chapter. What happens when you crave the company of others? What happens when you want to experience unsullied and pristine nature, but at the same time still be connected to society? What happens when you get sick of being gawked at by everyone, and just want to perform simple tasks without the staring, the inane giggling and shouting? That’s right. You go to Japan. This isn’t a jab at Thailand, and I’m not going to get all political, but the two weeks I just spent in Japan has showed me just much I put up with here in Thailand. It has showed me …