Laura Ashley Shopping

Love Laura Ashley

Apart from baking, I love Home Decor so much, that I love to browse home-styling magazines. I have been ignoring this part of my life lately, but last week I have managed to do some home decor shopping. Oh, I love Laura Ashley so much. Laura Ashley was definitely my first love back in 1997 in the UK, but it was their clothes that I was in love with. Apparently, it was definitely cheap in the UK, however, unfortunately, my love affair with Laura Ashley ended in 1999. I couldn't afford Laura Ashley in Malaysia. Laura Ashley was incredibly expensive back then. However, last week I went into Living Quarters ( a home decor cum crockery, etc store) and well, what I discovered was their sale... Yes, sale- 10 to 30% off the original price. So, yours truly, has definitely rekindled her affair with her first love, this time with its home decor products. It was worth every single penny or in this country- sen- and I would definitely loved to be meeting again Miss Laura Ashley. Now, who ever invented the word retail therapy is definitely a genius... ;) I went home happy and couldn't wait to start baking again... as I have rekindle my romance with Laura Ashley....

Levain's Macaroons

Lemon, Blueberry, Chocolate and Raspberry Macaroons

I went to Levain, a French-themed cafe in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, yesterday- and what I discovered was their macaroons, apart from the variety of buns and sweet bread. I bought them - six macaroons all together- for RM 19.80. They were quite cheap, considering that some shops were selling them for RM 3.90 per piece. Well, I would say that these macaroons were nice too, but I particularly liked those blueberry ones- they were definitely thumbs up for me. I do not want to rate them against any particular shop churning macaroons, but I personally think that if macaroons are not that sweet, we could always eat them in a go. I am yet to do another attempt on macaroonage, as I am too scared of the result - the last time I did try, the batter went straight into the bin- that is why it is safe to test and try macaroons at many sweet parlours. Those macaroons at Levain were plump with generous fillings, but for patrons- be warned for the limited parking space as there would be too many people especially during weekends. Colourful, plump macaroons with generous fillings, these are definitely worth it....

Macaroons @Chocolate World

Raspberry, Lemon and Mango Macaroons- In A Box



A feast for the eye- Macaroons at Chocolate World, Empire Gallery, Subang Jaya



   I love macaroons to bits.. I really do. At this moment, I give up on trying to do macaroons as I have failed once. So, I stick to- buying and testing them until I find the courage to do them-macaroons. This is supposed to be an earlier entry- but I just couldn't find the time to blog on this. For your information, I have discovered the kiosk of Chocolate World first in KLCC back in December 2011, and then bumped onto another one in Empire Gallery, Subang Jaya recently.

    Oh my, I am glad that Empire Gallery has finally reopened- I got to do my shopping again. What I like about those macaroons in Chocolate World is they come in boxes, for take-aways. These macaroons are just divine, I love their fillings- some macaroons are just  too sweet to my liking, but these are just nice. I could always finish them up with a cup of coffee. The way the macaroons are lined up, really turned me into a little kid entering a candy store. Well, I could say that these macaroons baked by Chocolate World topped my list on the quest of the best local macaroons.... Shall I say these jewels are worth to try, definitely good for any sugar fairies out there. Now, it's time to head to Chocolate World....and you will know what I mean. Macaroons to die for- yes they are- at Chocolate World.

A New Beginning

Life is like a flower blooming

It shoots high up to the sky

It paves for us the many "firsts"

Learning new things, adapting to schedules



Teaches us the meaning of responsibilities, leaving behind our loved ones in their nests

       My son who turned six recently, started school officially--this year. He's definitely one grown-up boy. Apparently, he is really into school these days, such as the way he zooms into the school canteen right after the last bell, leaving me speechless. He no longer needs me to be around, even warning me not to come near him during recess time. One year has passed and where do we go after this, I wonder...I did not know what really happened to the year 2011, there were definitely many on-goings, headaches and happy moments. And suddenly we are here in 2012. Seeing my son happily settled in his new environment, made me sad. Not that I am thinking about myself, it made me think of my own mother. How would my mother feel seeing each of her children leaving the nest finally? Seeing her own children scattered all over Malaysia, not even a single child stays near her now.  What was really the feeling,  being in an empty  nest.... Now, when should I start planning my homecoming down- south to historical Melaka, despite the ever demanding hectic schedule- I could only wonder?! 

A Rainy December...Adieu 2011


 


Rain dripping through the pot hole...

     


Yellow flowers at my parents' house in Melaka..

     

Life and its surprises. Nobody would have predicted them at the first place. I do not know how the future would look like. There are so many plans in my life that I have to shelve out, put aside in 2011. Sometimes, life is good without any planning, sometimes it is not. We aim for the best in our career, our personal life is going to suffer any how. I used to do a wish list for every coming new year, but somehow rather the wish is not going any way or it does not become  significant anymore. So, I stop to wish, just like  I wish that I would do more baking in the year of 2011. However, I was not baking at all towards the quarter end of  the year. Work commitments have taken  a toll on my life. I wished that  I would have baked and blogged more, sharing my thoughts and recipes. Oh, I could only wished. Blogging and baking used to be the therapy of my calling, but time is my biggest enemy. I lacked of time to do things of my own passion, and ended up feeling miserable most of the time.

 With the coming year of 2012, I certainly hoped that  my readers, friends and alike would achieve bigger things personally and professionally. I hoped that happiness and good health would surround you. I hoped for all the best things in life. We may have our own sadness and unhappiness, but there is definitely hope. Life is HOPE and let us dream of better things to come. Thank you for reading this entry. I am humbled for the initial beginning of this blog, back in 2008 and it has definitely grow, and I grow up too- in a way. Happy moments ahead everyone, may I blog more in 2012 and share wonderful stories and recipes with all of you. Adieu 2011, welcome aboard 2012- with a lot of dreams and definitely HOPE...

I Went South



A clock in one of the restaurants in Malay Village



                                                  



Mee Rebus Stulang in Johor Bahru



Kacang Pool -Johor Bahru

I went South-(accurately Johor Bahru and Singapore) this time, and revel on many different things. There were so many things that I took for granted all this while, and this time- I took time to do some shopping, trying out new dishes and sight-seeings. Johor is a food paradise and Singapore on the other hand is a shopping heaven.

Masjid Sultan at Arab Street, Singapore

Murtabak Singapore - Arab Street

What's left....

Ice cube box outside of 7-Eleven, probably because of space availability

A rainy day, indeed

Shopping in Takashimaya, Orchard Road

Toys fair

Handbags anyone?



Art deco near the escalators in Takashimaya

 To sum up, it was definitely a marvellous holiday- going to the South. The only drawback was the lack of time and $$$$...Oh, if only I had tonnes to spend. Yes, every one needs a wonderful holiday and some retail escapades.

A Birthday Wish

Six years of existence....

 

Classic Chocolate Cake- I have double the recipe- seen here,
this cake is quite overbaked.



The Birthday Cake- Classic Chocolate Cake frosted with White Chocolate and Buttercream, topped with fresh strawberries and blueberries



Celebrating birthday with friends- daycare at kindergarten

  

Six years ago, I would have never known that my life would change with the arrival of a bouncy young baby boy. He was anticipated by yours truly as I have always wanted many children in my life.  But God has his own plan. This bouncy baby boy came into my life and commanded my full attention for six fine years as he was the only child. I've changed along the way, growing up and learning to become a mother as well. I learnt to rely to my motherly instincts and made many sacrifices in the last six years of my life. God knows how difficult it is to balance work commitments and responsibilities at the same time. You see, I have a very demanding job which required paper chase as well. Sometimes I wake up at 4 on Saturdays just to be in one of the places by 6.30 in the morning. I might as well keep saying that I hate my job, and I always dream of quitting and concentrating on baking- for leisure and pleasure, of course. That is why as much as I like to update my blog and trying new recipes- I fail in that area, simply because I don't have much time and energy to spare. I am too exhausted by the end of the day. And for this birthday celebration, I slogged like a crazy woman just to bake a birthday cake as wished by my son. I was tired before that. He was actually asking for a chocolate cake with white frosting and fresh fruits as seen from the picture. I tried to oblige as I didn't really spend time with him lately ...... I was busy with work. Eventually, I have managed to bake a birthday cake as what he had requested, only after a second attempt in baking. The first cake was a failure (even a baker failed miserably at times). Finally, after nearly giving up - I have managed to bake a Classic Chocolate Cake, overbaked it a little bit {Choc Cake recipe-click here } frosted with White Chocolate and Buttercream.  I did something horrible with the frosting, and after three hours managed to get ready for the birthday celebration. Well, that settled, I was exhausted by the end of the day. But, glad I did bake the cake.. (phew). That's what we call Love, right!

The portion of the cake- 3/4 left



Little Azeem when he was just a baby...seen here with his grandfather



 

This cake is a proof of a mother's love to her child....

Happy 6th Birthday dear son- may you grow up to be a wise and knowledgeable person....May we have more birthday celebrations in years to come...