Chinese New Year 2013

Chinese New Year is one of the very few or only occasion in the year where businesses and many other activities come to a stand still, including my gym sessions and diet-watching. I don't regret it though (just need to get back on track quickly), and here's why.

1) Food galore

For each day of the CNY holiday, I've only had one meal a day. However, each meal lasted 6 to 8 hours long. After eating, I snack. After snacking, I eat. It's just not the time to deny all the delectable home-cooked dishes laid out at every house visit. Some of my favorites are:

Fried chicken wings

Credits: kitchenrap.blogspot.com

I don't have many pictures of food because I was really too busy eating. Sigh. Anyway, my uncle usually prepares and marinades the chicken wings, and they are fried at my Grandma's place. Yes there are many awesome chicken wings out there, but home-cooked ones can be just as good too!

Ayam Buak Keluak

Credits: epicurative.blogspot.com

This is a Peranakan dish, with nuts from the Pangium edule or kepayang tree as the main ingredient. The flesh of the nuts is mixed with chicken, chilli paste, and other spices to produce a rich gravy. My mum makes this every year and it's a must have for me. I'm happy that I'm usually one of the first few visitors to my grandma's place, and I make sure I get to savour the nuts (at least 4 nuts in one go) before they are finished by my other relatives.

Do you know that the raw seeds are actually poisonous? They contain cyanide which can cause fatalities if consumed in a high quantity.

Hot plate cooking

Credits: www.atelierdeschefs.co.uk

Over at my mum's side, we have steamboat for our 团圆饭. In recent year, the hot plate stove was mobilized as well. Ever since then, I only cook at and eat from the hot plate because I totally dig hot plate / barbequed food.

鱼生

 Credits: www.otcafe.com

I only pick out the crackers for this dish. Heh. It is still fun to join in the tossing with family and friends though!

These are some of my favourite snacks. It explains my 6- to 8-hour long meals. I had a slight sore throat pre-CNY, from munching on these goodies. By the end of 初三 it developed into a full-blown sore throat from the incessant overindulgence. Well done.

Pineapple tarts

I've never been much of a pineapple tart fan until I tried this particular one from Katong. I first tasted it when my colleague brought it to office. The pineapple paste is sweet, moist and tangy, and I really like nibbling on the pineapple 'fibre'. I think the winning component is the pastry, it's light and buttery, with a slight crisp to it. My colleague asked for the tarts to be baked a little browner for that extra crisp.

I doubt I'll be open to trying pineapple tarts from elsewhere after having this heavenly little treat. The only drawback is that I don't know where exactly this shop is located. All I have is a handphone number, but I have not been successful in contacting them despite multiple tries. I'll be relying on my colleague to help me order them for now.

Indonesian prawn crackers

This is highly addictive. I've been having a little of this everyday ever since I got my hands on them, and I never fail to look out for these crackers when CNY is around the corner. I don't know what makes it so addictive.. perhaps it's because it is shaped like fries, which makes snacking on it really easy as compared to your regular palm-sized prawn crackers?

Ba Kwa

 Credits: www.sparklette.net

美珍香 seems to be the dominant player in this barbequed pork jerky market, but I personally prefer those which are sliced thinner (don't fancy the thicker ones from 美珍香). The only type of ba kwa that I really like from 美珍香 is their Gourmet Bakkwa (has bacon in it). I remember being unable to stop snacking on this particular brand of ba kwa at my boyfriend's place. It looked as thin as the picture above, and according to the article where this picture came from, this brand is Kim Hwa Guan (金华源). I don't recall having been there before, but I'll be sure to check it out the next time I'm in Chinatown! I also tend to heat my ba kwa till the edges turn a little black, because I like them crisp!


2) Pretty dresses

Well I didn't manage to wear all the festive dresses I bought for CNY, especially the Megagamie Feline Cheongsam Dress. Nevertheless, I'm still keeping the unworn pieces as they are unique, and I hope to find another suitable occasion to don it.

Here were my outfits for each day

Day 1 - Love Bonito Camella Dress

No pictures for this :( Was busy running around (and eating...).

Day 2 - Love Bonito Lorenze Cheongsam

Review of the dress here.

Day 3 - Love Bonito Ashleigh Cheongsam 

Review of the dress here.


3) Angpow collection

Probably the highlight for single and unmarried people like me. 'Nuff said.

 
How was your Chinese New Year spent? :)

Review of Love Bonito Lorenze Cheongsam and Klarra Chendelle Lace Midi

Love Bonito Lorenze Cheongsam (Cream, size M)

Following my review of the Ruby version, I received the Cream one a few days later. Although it's the same size, it feels slightly, just slightly longer  and looser than the Ruby dress, but I have no complaints. Similar to the Ruby one, the lace pattern is also lined with gold thread.

Now I'm trying to kick the bad habit of keeping the exact same piece of clothe in different colours, so I would like to let go of one. The problem is, I can't make up my mind. Ruby is a gorgeous and striking colour, but I'm not sure if I would wear it out on normal days - would you? Cream on the other hand is more muted, which might make it hmm.. a bit less outstanding?

Would love to hear your opinions!


Klarra Chendelle Lace Midi (Blue, size S)

I was captivated when I saw Beatrice wearing this on her blog, and I told myself that I had to get my hands on this one. I did not manage to snag it during the launch, but I'm glad that they opened a backorder and it arrived earlier than expected. I was confident that size S was suitable for me as it fitted well on Beatrice.

The blue is brilliant, the lace soft, smooth and intricately designed. For taller ladies, the dress reaches to the knee, which lets it double as an elegant work, shift dress too. Though stretchy, it fits snugly when worn, so seamless undies are recommended. There is no side or back zip, so do note that one will have to do some wriggling into the dress. Hence, if you're wearing this to a nice dinner date or event, I suggest that the dress be worn before you apply your makeup as you would definitely want to avoid smearing your makeup.


For your reference, I'm 1.67m, UK8.

How are your new year resolutions coming along?

It's now the second month of 2013, and a timely checkpoint on how our new year resolutions are panning out.

For me, I think I've been consistent with what I've set out to do so far.

1) Get my driving license

I signed myself up for driving lessons again and have been making good progress, partially thanks to understanding instructors from the driving school who try to clear as much as possible for each lesson upon knowing that I was a student with the school before. I'm now waiting to book my practical test and really hope I'll do well this time. Fingers crossed!

2) Join the O School Recital

No updates for this as the auditions and trainings for the recital only start in the second half of the year.

3) Read more, 2 books a months

Have been sticking to this too. The first two books I read this year were The Timekeeper by Mitch Albom, and Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire. I might as well do a short review on them too.

The Timekeeper

I liked how the story was written quite simply, as if you're reading a script for a play. I always thought it would be difficult to describe or write about something so intangible such as time, even more so as we experience 'time' every moment of our lives. Therefore, I loved how the author brought a fresh perspective to such an abstract and everyday concept - he essentially gave life to something that we in reality, find so simple and universal.

In particular, I liked how the process of Dor's discovery of time, and the development of time measurement was described. It gets better when we find out how Dor controls time, and uses it at the climax of the story - where he, Sarah's and Victor's lived get entwined. The interjection of fantasy with everyday reality makes this a refreshing and creative novel.

Beautiful Disaster

A typical story of good girl meets bad playboy and he falls madly in love with her and she changes his life forever. This story started off with a splendid portrayal of how both were hopelessly attracted to each other, but were trying in vain to stay away from each other. It gets rosy when the female protagonist finally submits to her desire and emotions - but only to leave him the very next day. It is revealed that she was deeply unsure and apprehensive about their relationship due to her emotional baggage from a broken family. However, to me, it seemed like she was merely being indecisive, leading to a series of dramatic break ups and getting back together in the later part of the novel. I found this extremely annoying.

In addition, the book reeks too much of idealism. Yes, some of that is good in a tale of romance, but this was just overboard. For example, Travis reverts to his violent behavior whenever he is heartbroken, or does not hesitate to punch the daylights of out men who try to get funny with Abby. Personally, I wouldn't accept someone who uses physical violence to seek comfort or scare people away as you never know if he could one day use it on you too. The conservative side of me also shakes a disdainful at how quickly they got married too. Seemed like a lifetime decision made on flitting teenage love to me.

I'm not sure why this was one of the bestsellers when I visited Times. I would advise interested readers not to expect too much from this book.

My next read will be The Casual Vacancy by J.K Rowling. It's another best seller and I'm looking forward to find out if she still delivers as well as her Harry Potter series.

Actually, maybe I'll read the hotly debated Population White Paper first. ;)

4) Gym at least once every two weeks

I've actually managed to hit the gym once a week! I'm proud of my progress so far..

Ta-dah!

I'm not insanely fit - I can't do 5-minute planks nor run a marathon, but the progress I see is encouraging. *beams happily*

It feels good to be working out, knowing that I will definitely see some progress every time I exercise, be it in terms of physical fitness or energy level. Exercising does improve one's psychological well-being indeed, as you take your mind off a day's or week's work and refresh yourself with a good night's sleep for the next day.

Regular exercise also on the overall, result in a long list of health benefits.


Enough about me. Now, how are your new year resolutions coming along? :)

Review of Megagamie Feline Cheongsam Dress, Love Bonito Lorenze Cheongsam and Waverly Dress

Megagamie Feline Cheongsam Dress (White, size M)

  

Seeing how the dress seemed to be tight around the hips of the models (from the pictures it looked a bit too stretched at their hips), I decided to opt for a size M, and it was a good choice. By the way, do you notice that many of the online shops' cheongsams seem to have a smaller cut? I can usually fit into size S for most dresses, but I would need a size M for the cheongsams to fit me comfortably.

It was love at first touch for this dress. The Gabardine rayon blend and the lace were soft and smooth! The lace is not scratchy at all, which is an important point as it covers much of the back. Fabric wasn't too thick either, which made for a comfortable wear in this ridiculously hot weather that typifies these several weeks. The highlight of this piece is the low-back lace design with non-functional buttons. It brings out a sultry vibe, while not being too revealing for CNY visits to perhaps, some conservative relatives. A stick on bra was worn with the dress as the lace part ends below the bra line. Do note that despite having an inner lining, nude and seamless underwear is still required as the fabrics aren't very thick.

This dress doesn't come across as being too festive-looking to me. My only gripe is that despite sizing up to and M, it still rides up a little when I walk. So if you intend to buy this, do note the hip measurements as they might be exceptionally small. For me, because it only rides up a little, I'm willing to put up with the slight hassle of having to pull the dress down when I walk, and will keep this piece.

Does anyone know how else to prevent dresses/skirts from riding up?


Love Bonito Lorenze Cheongsam (Ruby, size M)

This is the immensely popular cheongsam that was sold out within the same minute of the launch and is actually my first cheongsam dress purchase. I managed get hold of a piece from a re-seller.

When I saw the previews, I was sold by the inverse-V-shaped design of the back. Again I decided on size M as the dress appeared taut at the models' hips. Indeed, size M was just nice for me and S would have been too tight. I'm awed by the gold trimmings throughout this lace dress. A stick on bra was worn with the dress as the drop-back feature ends below the bra line. I'll decide whether to keep this after I've tried the Cream version (just bought it from another seller).


Love Bonito Waverly Dress (size M) 

Yet another hot seller from Love Bonito. Size M is comfortable around my hips and slightly loose around my waist, but this can be easily corrected with a belt. I'm not sure if size S would have been a better fit, but the person who sold this to me said that her sister was a UK6/8 and found size S too snug for her.

I was expecting more from this dress - thought it would be of bodycon material, similar to the Oregon Dress, but it turned out thinner than what I had in mind. I suppose that this material had to be used in order for the prints to be made on it. It comes with an inner lining so no VPL worries here. The prints are vivid and certainly true to pictures.

While this is overall still a good buy, I won't mind letting it go if there is an interested buyer.

*** UPDATE: Waverly Dress has been sold. ***

For your reference, I'm 1.67m, UK8.