A • Toast - Breakfast & Juice Bar

Ever since I've started working, Sunday mornings are the only day of the week where I can choose to either sleep in or hunt some new place for a hearty brunch. After seeing several posts of this humble little sandwich shop on Instagram, I've decided to drag Kev along to try it out. Their sandwiches simply look irresistible!

Located just a stone throw away from the Pudu LRT Station, this place serves a variety of sandwiches, french toasts and salad for breakfast as well as some pasta for lunch at affordable price. Open as early as 6am during weekdays, it's the perfect place to grab a healthy and filling sandwich before work. The only downside is probably the limited seats since the place is pretty small in size. Since it was the weekend, we pretty much mentally prepared ourselves to queue. True enough, there was a queue when we arrived and we had no choice but to settle with a outdoor seating despite the hot weather cause we are starving already.

Basically it's self service, so you have to head to this counter to make your order and you will have to collect your order at the same counter as well.

 What I love about this place is that they serve a variety of fruit juice as well! A cup of refreshing celery+apple+cucumber juice (RM8.90) for me and hot chocolate for him (: 

We ordered the signature Bamboo Charcoal Toast with scrambled egg and cheese (RM5.90) and the Kimchi Grilled Cheese Sandwich (RM12.90). 

For the price we paid, we felt that it would be better if the sandwich has more than just egg, vege cheese and kimchi. Perhaps some chicken slices to complete the sandwhich? Besides, The kimchi was too overpowering as well that we couldn't taste any cheese.

On the other hand, I truly enjoyed this sandwich, the amount of scrambled egg and cheese was just perfect along with the soft fluffy bamboo charcoal toast. 

So thoughtful of them to provide some gloves; good for those messy eaters, no worries about dirtying your hands too while chowing down those delicious sandwiches!

So if you're searching for some healthy yet affordable place for breakfast, you should give A.Toast a try; especially if you love sandwiches (Y) 

A • Toast 早餐店
No. 291, Jalan Pudu,
Pudu, 55200, Kuala Lumpur.
Tel No: +6013-277 5654
Operating Hours: Mon-Fri: 6:00 am - 3:00 pm
                             Sat-Sun:9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Official FB Page: www.facebook.com/atoast.my

xx 

Happy Birthday, Althea! | ft Unboxing Video

Go, go, go, go go, go, go, shawty!
 It's your birthday
We gon' party like it's yo birthday!

 //cues "In Da Club by 50 cents" in the background // 

We surely cannot deny the fact that the Korean culture has influenced us significantly in so many ways. One of them is definitely the Korean beauty phenomenon! All thanks to Althea, we can now have easy access to  authentic Korean beauty items be it cosmetic or skin care products at the lowest price without flying ourselves all the way to Korea.  In case you haven't heard of Althea, they are Korea's premier online beauty destination where you can find the best of K-beauty products under one site. And guess what? They are turning one today, how time flies!

In conjunction with their birthday celebration from 20th to 31st July 2016, there will be a few promotions that you don't wanna miss. Good things are meant to be shared, so don't say I didn't tell you. You will receive the limited edition (pink!) birthday box with the DIY Party Kit for every order made from 20th July onwards. Besides that, be one of the first 1,500 shoppers to win yourself free goodies /cough/ we're talking about full-size beauty products here. And that is not just it,  there is a birthday giveaway as well, where you can get a 100% rebate when you pick their 3 top sellers.

Last but not least, Althea is also organizing a  #AltheaTurns1 Instagram Contest starting today. Once you have received your DIY party kit, all you have to do is to wish Althea happy birthday with #altheaturns1 and stand a chance to win amazing prizes such as Macbook Air, Ipad Air 2, iPhone 6S, Galaxy S6 Edge, Canon EOS M10 Selfie Camera, Althea credits and beauty hampers from Althea. Sounds tempting? Just so you know, the contest ends on 15th August 2016 so hurry up and place your order today! /adds everything into the shopping cart/

I did a special shout-out along with a unboxing video as well :D In case you're curious what did I got for myself from Althea, be sure to check it out!

Once again, 생일 축하합니다 Althea and congratulations on achieving yet another milestone! Thank you so much for the generosity and spoiling me as well on your big day /kisses/

xx

For Better Hydrated Skin — DocLab Face Ampoules

Ampoules has been quite a trend in the Korean skincare routine (don't we all admire their super smooth skin?!) for a while now. These highly concentrated, serum-like substances are basically a booster shot for your skin and they are meant to complement your existing skincare products. Just when you thought that your current skincare routine is such a hassle, be prepared because you’re about to get another step.

Claiming to be one of the best ampoules in Malaysia is the DocLab’s Hyaluronic Acid Face Ampoule that originates from South Korea. Made of natural ingredients, it is alcohol free and paraben free as well. Unlike collagen, the DocLab Hyaluronic Acid Ampoule can penetrate through the superficial layer of skin when applied. It then penetrates to the dermis, thus boosting the elasticity and hydration of the skin. The protective barrier on the skin locks in moisture and gives the skin a youthful appearance.

Each box of DocLab HA Face Ampoules comes with five little bottle of the ampoules that are stored in airtight glass containers. Designed to address various concerns such as repairing, hydrating, brightening, anti-aging — they sure are a handy pick-me-up in times of skin dryness, dullness, breakouts, irritation and inflammation. Essentially, you’ll want to use one whenever your skin is not looking at its best.

Skin moisture boost and deep hydration with Hyaluronic Acid

Restore skin suppleness and elasticity with Collagen 

Retexturize skin, smoothen fine lines and reduce wrinkles with Ginseng Extract 

Natural anti oxidant and skin protection with Vitamin E 

Powerful skin whitening and lightening with Arbutin 

Skin soothing and refining with Witch Hazel Extract and Aloe Vera Leaf Extract

Basically, ampoule is being applied after cleansing and toning your face followed by serum and moisturizer. In this case, you can actually skip the latter as DocLab's Face Ampoules are rich enough. On days when you think your skin is in need of some TLC, you can apply a mask after your ampoule to aid its absorption into the skin. And oh just a tip, it is best to exfoliate (in moderation) before using an ampoule to maximise its benefits as dead skin cells sitting on the surface of your skin can hinder absorption.

Ampoules are filled with highly active ingredients like pure vitamins, enzymes in various combinations, and most of the time do not contain preservatives or chemicals thus once the ampoules are opened, it can only last you for a day. It is recommended to use one bottle per day for day and night.

Pour an appropriate amount and distribute them all over the face and just gently massage it. The four areas to cover are the cheeks, the nasolabial folds to the ridge of your nose, the forehead and lastly your chin line.

I tend to have dry skin cause I usually spend long hours in air-conditioned environment. So I'm a big fan of any skincare products that contains Hyaluronic Acid as we all know its super ability to retain moisture; it’s considered to have a greater capacity to hold moisture than any other natural or synthetic polymer. (Fun fact: one gram of hyaluronic acid is able to hold up to six liters of water!) Anyways, this is actually my first time trying out ampoules so I was not quite sure what to expect.The packaging of the bottle was pretty simple and easy to open. The ampoule has a watery-like texture which is really light. I've found that a little goes a very long way, and it absorbs into my skin within minutes. Definitely a plus point to me as it does not leave any sticky and oily residue on my face. So after the first application, I can really feel the instant hydration and refreshing effect on my face. Of course, you can't see a vast difference by just merely 5 days. Thus it is advised to use the ampoules for 14 days continously for better result.

DocLab HA Face Ampoules is now selling at RM138 per box but fret not, just key in the promo code doclabbeauty to get a RM50 discount from the total bill. No harm giving it a try, it might turn out to be a pretty good investment for healthier and better skin! If you're interested to purchase, feel free to contact Miss Lim at 0192062386 (: 

http://www.doclabkr.com/ | https://www.facebook.com/doclab.my | https://www.instagram.com/doclabkr/

xx

Zen Korean BBQ Buffet

Korean BBQ? YESS! Nothing beats grilling different cuts of rosy-red slabs of meat over a tabletop grill, to be enjoyed with complimentary sides; and not to forget soju and beer, ay? With the Korean revolution still going strong in Malaysia, the numbers of korean bbq joints have  increase over the years as well. No doubt, it has become an integral part of our lifestyle.

If you're a big fan of korean bbq, you shall not miss this place. Free flow of Samgyeopsal and Mok-sal for only RM25 per pax! Yeap, you heard me right. Zen Korean BBQ is tucked away in a corner of Ampang (slightly further from the famous Korean Village) and may look somewhat ordinary from the outside, but you know how the saying goes, NEVER judge a book by its cover.

Hidden in one of the corners of Ampang, Zen Korean BBQ is the place where you can eat your heart out  for only RM25? Yeap, I repeat. For ONLY RM25 per pax! But of course for the price you're paying, do not expect a full buffet spread. You'll basically get a set of refillable banchan and lettuce, free flow of samgyeopsal and mok-sal according to the number of pax and a bowl of doenjang jiggae. I was abit bummed that my favourite steamed egg wasn't included in the variety of side dish but it's available in their ala-carte menu for RM10 T__T 

Don't hestitate to ask for refills! 

The meats here are pretty decent quality and huge cuts,  I must say. 

And of course, there will be no server grilling the meat for you so you'll have to do it on your own. But the owner was nice enough to occasionally check on you, just in case you're not grilling it right. TIPS: Cook as a whole slab then snipped it into smaller pieces later on. And oh, keep your eye on the meat! Flip from time to time for even cooking. If a piece looks done, place it to the side so it doesn’t overcook. Or better yet, eat it! 

Mmmmm look at those heap of mouth watering and juicy pork belly! :P 

This is how you should eat your meat; wrapped with lettuce along with some chopped chilies, garlic, kimchi and gochu jang!

Super comforting doenjang soup! 

These are some charred goodness; slightly crispy on the edges. They were really generous with their meat servings that me and Kev both surrendered after the second round. It felt like eating a whole week worth of meat! *slipping into food coma immediately*

Zen Korean BBQ Restaurant offers quite an extensive Ala Carte menu as well, so you can try their kimchi pajeon or bimbimbap if you feel like having some carbs to complete your meal.

The restaurant itself is pretty spacious and they even have a private room with karaoke. Definitely the place to catch up with a bunch of friends over some grilled meat or to have a hearty family dinner! 

The downside would be their limited parking space (the road itself is always congested) and the poor ventilation. Be prepared to leave with a smoky after stench. Overall, I still personally think that their Korean bbq buffet is value for money (if you're not expecting much and just literally wanna have a satisfying meat feast) and the staff there are extremely helpful and attentive. I've visited them thrice and it never disappoints me so far.

Zen Korean BBQ Restaurant (Non-halal)
14-L2, Ampang Putra Residency,
Jalan Ampang Putra,
68000 Ampang.
Tel No:+60 3-4256 2007
Operating Hours: 11.30am to 11pm (Daily except Tuesday Lunch)

xx

Surviving Public Toilets with Kleenex Wet Toilet Tissues

No doubt that it is a universal necessity to find available public toilets and restrooms whenever we are away from home especially when nature calls. I personally dread having to make the inevitable toilet stop, knowing how bad our public toilets can be.

More often, the facilities are found unhygienic and in a state of neglect. Imagine dirty wet floor, urine stained toilet seats, unflushed toilet and the odour emitted which is beyond any descriptive words that I can find in the Oxford Dictionary. Let's not even think about the amount of nasty germs that could be possibly residing in the cubicle itself // puke. But that is not the worst yet; running out of toilet papers or having no proper water supply is the mother of all public-toilet-nightmares. Unfortunately, I have been in this kind of situation in major shopping malls before. I have to either cover the whole toilet seat with tissue papers (I'm so sorry, trees T__T) or just do a mild gymnastic routine (read: squat without my tush touching the seat) and end up with sore thighs. Sometimes, I would really risk rupturing my bladders rather than to dash into the nearest toilet. 

Just earlier this month, Kleenex was lovely enough to send me this Public Toilet Survival Kit containing their latest, or should I say genius innovation, the Kleenex Wet Toilet Tissues for me to try out. I was beyond excited when I received it cause this is like the ultimate saviour for people with toilet pet peeves like me!

There are also some other useful items like a mask, a compass as well as a band-aid included in the kit, how cute!

 

Alcohol free, safe to flush and hypoallergenic, the Kleenex Wet Toilet Tissues are infused with natural ingredients and formulated 9-step purified water for 99.99% assured clean and gentle on the skin, leaving users feeling cleaner and fresher after use. It's just that simple, wipe and flush! I really like how convenient it is to bring this small pack of wet tissues around as compared to disposable toilet seat covers. Going to public toilets is definitely much more easier now and hey no more nightmares! :D

Kleenex Wet Toilet Tissues are available in three sizes - a pack of 10 sheets (RRP: RM2.10), a value-saving pack of three (RRP: RM5.80) or a 40-sheet pack (RRP: RM7.40). What are you waiting for? Grab yours today at any leading hypermarkets and supermarkets nationwide!

xx

GUESS Connect Smartwatch

There has been a recurring trend recently with smart watches, as they seem to be churning out like hotcakes all over in the market. Of course, who's to say that smart watches are only limited to the ones being developed by the big names such as Apple and Samsung? Guess would like also to chip in with one of their own wearable technology timepiece, Guess Connect that is powered by Martian technology. These boldly styled unisex smartwatches aim to deliver multi functions which includes receiving texts and various social media notifications as well as making calls all from your wrist.

What makes it so unique is basically its design. Unlike most of the smart watches out there, it has classic designed analog face with a little bit of bling and a polished rose gold finish. Pretty stylish, no? It's quite well built with a stainless steel case that comes with a white silicon strap and buckle. This design totally won my heart at first sight. However, I must admit that it was a tad too chunky for my small wrist; available in 41mm and 45mm size and each watch is about 15mm thick.

The watch has three buttons on the right side, the middle of which is simply a crown for changing the time on the analog dial while the micro USB port is on the left side, cleverly hidden under a rubber flap.

As you can see, there is a tiny monochrome OLED screen that sits nicely at the bottom of the watch face which displays you the date and alerts coming in from your smartphone. Unfortunately the gripe that most users have is when the screen is doing nothing, it appears to be just a black bar sitting across the watch face. Perhaps Guess Watch would like to address this design flaw in their next revision of the product. The LED screen runs on a separate power source from the main face watch and needs to be recharged once emptied. If you're not a heavy user with just a handful of notifications daily, the battery can probably last about four to five days in our experience. And as for the analog watch battery, it is said to have a shelf life of up to 2 years.

Just so you know, Guess Connect works best with iOS 8.1, Android 4.3 and above. To connect the watch to your smartphone via bluetooth, you’ll need the Guess Connect app for Android or iOS. The app itself is simple and straight forward, it allows you to control and tweak the content to be displayed on your watch – from various world time zones and the date, to your emails, texts, phone calls and other app notifications with personalised vibrations for different alerts.

There are couple of things that I really liked about the Guess Connect, and of course, me being a lady, would obviously appreciate the fact that you can take photos on your phone remotely using the watch! Now how bout another selfie? Heh.

Secondly, the function to make calls via the watch itself; because face it, who here has never dreamed of speaking into a watch just like those spy movies we used to watch when we were kids? The audio seemed to have been a little bit unclear at times, but perhaps I can attribute that to the environment or simply the quality of the connection we had at the moment. Be aware that you need to speak into the watch, as being too far away would cause the person on the receiving end of the call barely being able to hear you clearly. No doubt, you might find others staring at you while you're at it but still it's a pretty cool thing to do :P

Last but not least, is the most simple and basic function that everyone seems to underestimate and dismiss as unimportant, which is the silent alarm and reminder function. For me this function is rather useful, as I am someone who is sometimes forgetful, and my phone is often times placed away from my person. The silent alarm will alert the user with a vibration on the watch. This is set up via the Guess Connect app and not the local phone alarm app. For reminders, you can simply press the command button on the watch and speak into it clearly create one. (eg. "Set appointment, August 22nd, 8am for brunch date with the other Fat half).

My final verdict - if you're looking for a stylish watch and a smart watch, the Guess Connect is for you. But be forewarned that it takes a lot of familiarization with the manual and how the interface works in order to use it to it's maximum potential. I fumbled with it myself in the beginning until I looked up on how to use the watch and its functions.

It isn't anything like the smartwatches from Apple or Samsung, but this is a gentle reminder from Guess Watches that it hasn't dropped out from the race yet. I'm hoping for a more improved version with fitness tracking functions, without losing the sleek and elegant finish! Guess Connect retails at RM1,499 each, available at most major Guess stores, be sure to check it out yourself (:

xx

Claire Organics' Grand Opening @ Da'men USJ!

Two weeks ago, I had the chance to attend Claire Organic's Grand Opening at Da'men USJ. Thanks again to Louise for the invitation, it sure is an honour to be a part of your big day! If you haven't heard of Da'men USJ, then where have you been?! Hahas jk. It's like the latest hip mall in town, more precisely Subang Jaya and trust me, it's gonna be better and more happening in the years to come. 

I guess Claire Organic needs no detailed introduction as I've previously blogged about them and reviewed two of their products here as well. It's basically a homegrown brand founded by Louise who ventured into chemical free handmade soaps as well as home remedies and later on created even more awesome organic skincare products. It's amazing to see how far Claire Organics has come after all these year, so proud of them!

You can find a plethora of handcrafted soaps made with love and all natural ingredients here in Claire. Each is unique as you can see from the labels itself but they are fantastic for the skin, you just have to find one that suits you. Fret not, they have a common range made to cater for everyone and yes, that includes males and females (: 

One of my favourites would definitely be their body scrub especially these ones from the Suke Quto series. It's actually scrub for anti cellulite and brightening made from Suke Quto coffee beans. I would highly recommend this!

A variety of Essential Oil Roll-on Perfumes and lip balms. 

Their best selling healing balms (works wonder on scars and mosquitoes bites!) and the Bug Off herbal balms. 

If you're a big fan of aromatherapy, you'll be spoiled for choice (; Look at the amount of essential oils that they have!

Spot the cute Hello Kitty diffuser? Definitely in my to-get-list (｡♥‿♥｡)

What I love about Claire is their friendly staff who is always keen to explain their products and the fact that they provide tester for every products in their store, so you can always try it out before purchasing. Not to forget, very affordable price as well! Now you can pamper yourself without burning a hole in your wallet HEH

What's a grand opening launch without ribbon cutting and confetti right? Weee! 

And in case you're wondering who this lovely little girl is, she is the ambassador of Claire. Meet Nora Claire, everyone! Daughter of Louise and yes, the brand is named after her :D

How can I miss a photo with Louise herself? (:

With Kahwai, Choulyin, Elvina and Carmen (:

With Nicole, who reminded me of the good old days where I attended events with the bloggers friends. Sure feels good to see familiar faces again (':

Thanks to the other fat half who accompanied me throughout and just so you know, he is actually the one who introduced Claire to me (x

Last but not least, here's a walkthrough video of the store!

Claire Organics @ Da:men, USJ 
Lot G-34B, Ground Floor,
1, Persiaran Kewajipan,
USJ 1, 47600 Subang Jaya,
Selangor.

For more details of their latest products and promo, feel free to check out their FB page! With Valentine's Day just around the corner, you can also customise your own gift set for your loved ones (:

In case you're wondering what was in my goodie bag...well, a whole-load of Claire goodness!(*≧▽≦)

EDITED: Sad to inform that this outlet in DaMen USJ is no longer available. But you can always check them out at their other outlets around Klang Valley, more details here.

xx