Rubberband + Neck?

I was in need of a DIY therapy. Saw a DIY rubber necklace from Rag to Couture's website. And I decided to get my hands on it. It looked very simple and easy to do, so that's why I took the challenge. Hehehehehe! Plus I needed a necklace to wear for that day. Got kinda bored with my old necklaces. Plus I couldn't bring all my jewelry from Malaysia to Shanghai. Because if I do, it'll be a luggage of it's own. Couldn't afford to beg my husband to pay for the extra luggage. I didn't have the heart too. He has done enough for me.

I don't know if I have given enough photo tutorial for you guys to see or have an idea of how to do it, but please check out Rags to Couture page for more detail. I used red & green for my tutorial, but I actually made mine in mustard color. Hehehehehehehe! Hope you guys understand my instructions.

I didn't follow 100% step by step from Rags to Couture tutorial. I changed a bit for the hooking part of the necklace. She uses a jump ring to close the 2 ends, but I used a paperclip to attach both ends. And I also used a lot of single loop, where I knot it (Green Rubber) more than the double loop (Red Rubber) which I only wanted enough to show it at my chest area. Reason being was, I didn't want to have more (Red Rubber) double loop near my neck's skin area cause afraid that it will give me rashes. So hoping that the single knot would do me justice. And so far, it did. :)

To start off, take 2 (Red) rubber band & pinched it. Use a single (Green) rubber band &
knot it around the double (Red) band. Pull (Green) band tight.

Pinch the (Red) band loop & insert 2 new (Red) band. Repeat for 21 times with the
(Red) band. Or till how long or short you want it to be. 

Use a paper clip to attach both ends. If you have a jump ring, it would be great too. Done!

I made one earlier in Mustard & Blue. And notice the single knot (Blue rubber band) used
for a longer necklace. And away from irritating my neck. :P

Good luck guys! And big THANK YOU to Madeleine (owner of Rags to Couture's blog) for inspiring me & my boring life. Now I have a new quirky necklace to fashion up my neck & chest! Jyeah! Hehehehehehehehehe!

Quick Fix-sion

I wanted a quick fix accessory  that day, and I didn't want to put on a necklace. So, was rumbling through my jewelry box and found them earrings I bought from H&M! And bam! It hit me. Why don't I just insert the earrings (or a piece) through the buttons of my shirt that I'm wearing that day. Brilliant! 

I wear the Hijab, so kinda useless that I bought a pair of earrings (my husband thinks so). BUT...! I can't help it! It was so cheap when I bought them that time. Aaaand... I did have something else in my mind with them earrings but haven't got my tools to DIY it. -Yet. *cough*
The earrings that I choose is so rugged yet stylish, so it was perfect fit to "chic-up" for my outfit of that day. Hehehehehe. Just a simple touch to help a women boost their confidence. Who needs necklaces or neck collar jewelry. Cheap, easy & pretty!  :)
Below is a picture for the simple DIY instruction.
1. Choose your desired earrings. You only need 1 pair.

2. Wear an outfit that have buttons, for easy insert for the earring stud.

3. Insert the earring's stud into one of the button's hole-through.

4. Use the earring back to secure your earring from falling.

5. Voila! You're ready to go out, girl!!

  

Eye See.

Photos are taken by me using my HTC Sense. All photos are non filtered. Not bad for an amateur like me. Hehehehehehe! *tap tap my own back*

I won't say I love living in Shanghai. Well, I love that we are living abroad to be able to learn, experience, see & embrace what's in front of us. Shanghai is gorgeous. The city, landscape & architecture is beautiful. I won't deny that. But sadly, the people is the let down here. They say Shanghai-nese locals are educated and well behaved, but those non-locals from other parts of China province area, are the ones that's making Shanghai a let down for tourist. With all the spitting, peeing, shitting, farting, talking loudly, screaming, arguing, bad tempered, pushing, do not follow the rules and regulation from road to pedestrian, to lining up at the restaurants & many many many more to list. Like what everyone else is saying, "Only in China!" Hahahahahahahahaha!

But despite the bad side of living in China, I have captured the total opposite of it. And I'm glad I am able to have memories taken just by using my "not-so-canggih" phone. So here it is. Shanghai at it's best. Enjoy. 

Sunset seen at the Binjiang Avenue. Weather was kinda hazy though
2 days before the Typhoon Haikui hit parts of Shanghai.

Silhouette of the architecture's roof at the famous Yu Garden. 

Sun setting behind the famous iconic building, The Pearl Tower.

Reflective ray light hits the staineless steel structure of
the Jin Mao Tower. 

It was a good weather that day, sunny & cloudy at the same time.
Breezy & cool too. Walking along The Bund area, Zhongshan (E) 1st Rd.

View captured from our home. Maghrib time. SubhanAllah. This is at Pudong (S) Rd.
Near the Taitongzhan Ferry station.

This happened after Shanghai got hit by the Typhoon Haikui. Traffic got congested 

as some of the areas were flooded, therefore schedules are delayed & everything 

was chaotic. We got stuck outside from 3pm & came home only at 10pm. 

Couldn't get a taxi, subway was full & even if we use the bus, the traffic 

was really bad that we rather walk home from Pujian Rd to Pudong (S) Rd! 

Another beautiful scene from our home. While we were walking down, we witness this.
Masyaa'Allah!

Night life in Puxi area. It was almost 12am, but that day Shanghai was having a
Mid Autumn Festival, therefore there were many people chilling outside.
Plus weather was heaven!

Durian Gravy ala Shortcut.

Eat your durian gravy with bread or even sticky rice. Delish! Enjoy!

This is a dessert. I made this dessert with just 2 cloves of Durian & the rest is magic. Here in Shanghai, Durian is freaking expensive! But that day, I was craving for it so much that my husband bought some for me. Some as in 2-3 cloves only for freaking CNY63! Hahahahahaha! I was so happy, that my taste bud was like, giving me all this delicious, excellent, and to die for thoughts. The smell was calling me & I took a bite. And that one bite made me disappointed. It was almost rotten. Not THAT rotten, but it wasn't a the Durian taste that I wanted. HAHAHAHAHAH! I'm such a DIVA! Below are the ingredients. Don't ask me about measurements, cause I measure by eye. I see & then I taste. Oh, btw, this is a shortcut method to make Durian gravy. The fastest way & easiest I have ever done. 2-3 cloves of durian only! 

Ingredients ala Shortcut :
1. A can of Coconut Milk/Cream
2. Sugar & Salt for taste
3. Pandan leaf (I used 2-3 for smell & flavour)
4. 2-3 ulas (cloves) Durian (Cause thats all I have left)

5. Dodol (sweet toffee-like confection)

(*photos above are all taken via Google Image Search. Would like to thank them for providing the images. Forgive me if I took your photos without permission.)

Directions:

1. Pour in coconut milk in a pot. Put in knotted Pandan leaves. Wait till slightly boiled. Then add in Dodol.

2. Keep stirring & till combined cause the Dodol will take a longer time to melt.

3. Then add in Durian (together with pit & all)

4. Add in the sugar for taste. Dash some salt too.

5. Done!

Who would know if  it's made from Dodol & not 100% durian.
Taste just the same! :)

PS: The whole wheat loaf was made by my baker husband, by the way. Healthy versus Nasty. kih kih kih!

Green Updates.

Finally we are home from the long holiday. And guess what. My green's are dying. *sob sob sob* Well, not all. Some still survived. Some are at the verge of dying. Just look at them photos. Poor, poor, poor Mr. Basil, Mrs. Minty & Uncle Lemongrass.

Before & After : My basil.

This is too funny. I have no idea how, but my Lemongrass died & there was my chili leaves coming out! Must've been accidentally drop some chili seeds in there. 

And above is my basil, before/after wilting & at their death bed. *sob sob* Yes you guys can survive! Don't die on me! Dammit! Wake up! Wake up! (Drama of the day. LOL!) Well, I hope I managed to safe them from their death. Lets see how they are in few weeks time. Crossing my fingers & loads of praying.

Quinoa ala Malaysian Twist

This looks so sinful! Plate your food in such a way, because you DO eat first with your eyes!

Lunch today. I made Quinoa goreng sambal. We bought the quinoa from Malaysia. All the way, I tell you! Maybe because I haven't found any yet over here in Shanghai. Well, I did get some information from Foursquare that there's this particular shop where this Chinese lady sells international products such as grains, branded chocolates, cheese, cereals, herbs & others. And quinoa was one of it. But, still, I haven't got the opportunity to recce it. Her shop is at 274, Wulumuqi Rd (M) at Wuyuan Rd, Puxie area. 

I was inspired by a friend of mine. She's a Yoga instructor and a VERY healthy eating Guruji herself. She even have her own healthy menu meal (Lunch only, from Mon-Friday) for those who wants to eat healthy but haven't got the time to make one or have no clue on how to make one. Hehehehehe. You can order your food of choice a day before, and it's either you pick it up at her place or they do delivery, but to certain area with a certain amount of orders. Check out her Facebook page, EatCleanKL for more info. You can even follow her EatCleanKL_IG on Instagram. 

Anyways, back to my lunch today. Here's a picture of it. Looks delicious, no? And it taste good too. Approved by my beloved husband himself. I was afraid he wont eat it, but he end up having a second helping. A bowl of quinoa is filling I tell you. I even added smoked salmon & avocados as sides, and yet, my husband is still hungry. The poor guy must've been working damn hard in his bakery kitchen.

How to cook Quinoa? Simple. Just use the ratio of 1:2. A cup of quinoa to 2 cups of water. I wanted to give a bit of flavour to the quinoa, so instead of just water, I used my home made chicken stock (chicken, chopped onions & ginger) & added a dash of salt to taste. So the usual way you cook rice in a pot, that's the same way you cook quinoa too. Or if you have a rice cooker, well then, that's easy-peasy for you! 

Cooked quinoa should look fluffy, a little translucent & you can see the spiral sprouting out. 

Let the quinoa rest. In the meantime, start your nasi goreng paste & vegetables. I used diced capsicum, carrots & bak choy for colour & crunch too. And since I love onions, I put a lot. Bad odor for them armpits, but good for them hearts. For the nasi goreng paste, I just blended some shallots, garlic, chili, toasted belacan, sugar & salt. If you are very, very, very lazy, go grab some instant paste from the grocery shop. Hehehehehehehehe...

Ingredients

Nasi Goreng Paste (blend all) :-

1. Some shallots (the more you have them, the sweeter the paste is)

2. Garlic

3. 2-3 Fresh Chilies (or Dried chillies are the best. Soaked them in hot water for few hours or boiled it, then blend)

4. Toasted shrimp paste (Belacan)

5. Sugar & Salt to taste.

Others:-

1. Capsicum

2. Carrots

3. Onions

4. Smoked Salmon

5. Avocados

6. Cooked Quinoa (I bought Organic brown/white Quinoa)

Heat up your wok, wait till hot before pouring some olive oil/vegetable oil. I like to saute & caramelized the onions. And I like to cook the carrot first too so. It's up to you which ingredients you want to put in first. It's nasi goreng, anyways! LOL! 

So once my onions & carrot looks caramelized & cooked, I pour the paste in. Cook till oil separates (so to make sure your chillies are cooked well, if not you'll get the tummy ache) Once you can see them oil separates, add the capsicum, & crack an egg if you like. Then add the quinoa & greens (put in last, so you will still have the crunch & Vits from the greens. 

Voila! Quinoa Goreng ala Malaysia. Enjoy your healthy lunch. See, there's loads of substitute for rice. We both love it very much. Thanks EatCleanKL! 

Fusion Mexico.

Andale! Andale! Arriba! Arriba! Heheheheheheheh!

This is a very simple, quick & easy meal. 

All you need is :-

1. Tortilla Wraps

2. Salmon (I deep fried them with flour, salt, pepper)

3. Cheese (of any kind)

4. Avocado (Diced it, sliced it, your choice)

5. Sauces (I used Malaysian Chili sauce & BBQ sauce)

Arranged them to you liking. Don't fill up the whole tortilla with the filling, unless you want it to be an opened tortilla style, but I just put some in the middle, drizzle them sauces so I can wrapped it tight.

Then put them wraps in the microwave & used the defrost button for 30 secs & the tortilla wraps should feel warm & soft. Or use the auto heat for 10 secs or more. I just like to use the defrost method so I know I won't cook the salmon/avocado filling, but just reheating the tortillas. 

Once heated, cut into half & get your favorite DVD movie & enjoy the satisfying comfort meal. Blessed & bliss. :)

Comfort food with some-what healthy fillings.

Or try them with Tuna Mayo in can. I love using the Ayam Brand's brand.

Aidilfitri 2013.

Alhamdulillah, we managed to come home for the holiday. Habibi & I went for our Aidilfitri holiday for 2 weeks. And we spent it well. We got a lot in our list of "Must-Do-List" but as usual & sadly, we couldn't achieve all of it, as most of the time was spent with family. We need a couples retreat holiday. But boo-hoo, Habibi used all his off annual leave. *sob sob* Hoping to get some "Surprise!-I-didnt-know-I-still-have-some-PH-left" leave. *crossing fingers*

See you in 2 weeks, Shanghai!

This year, we got home 2 days earlier therefore, we managed to go for a last minute, last day "Ramadan Bazaar". Gosh, I miss them bazaar in Malaysia. They sell the best & awesome food ever! We arrived pretty late as we got delayed for 2 hours, so instead of arriving 8pm, we arrived at 10pm. My cousins (who was kind enough to offer to pick us up) had to wait, which we hated that so much cause it's pretty far for them to drive all the way from their place. Nevertheless, I thank God for giving me awesome cousins who is cool with it, and THAT can't be replace at all! You guys rawks! 

As the sun is setting down. What a beautiful sight ever. Mashaa'Allah. 

First thing first. We had to get my car from my parent's house & mind you guys, non of our parents knew we were coming home. Had to ask my baby girl cousin to call my mom & lied to my mom, telling her my cousins are coming to pass some "thing" to her from my aunt. Pffft..! Yeah right. My mom was kinda suspicious, cause it was almost 12am! & I can hear my mom's voice from the mobile phone saying, "What "thing"? At this hour? Why did your mom ask to pass it tonight? Can't you do it tomorrow, instead?" And my girl cousin insisted that her mom wants to pass the "thing" by tonight. Hahahahahahaha! But my mom gave in and told my dad to unlock the front gate. Phew! 

Of course! Lemang is a must. It's glutinous rice with coconut milk cooked on a fire in a bamboo stalk.

When we arrived & when I saw my mom, I opened the car door & went, "Mommy!!! We're home! Supriseeee!" And her only reaction was, frustrated. Hahahahahahahaha! Her hands on her hips, and all I hear was "I knew it! Why are you two always want to planning to surprise us all the time! I knew there was something fishy about the phone call ealier!" My mom. Never knows how to just show her happiness. Hugged her so tightly & then I saw my dad who was a total opposite. Though he was looking all cool & composed, but I bet he was all joy & happiness to see his 1st baby girl. Ah, the sight to see my parents. And what makes me happier when I see my parents hugged my husband just like he was their own son. Priceless.

Took my car & bid them parents & beloved cousins goodnight & see you soon, we drove to my in laws. Total different story. LOL! We arrived & everyone was asleep. We got no credit to call my in-laws mobile, so my husband had to bag the locks on the gate loudly. Gosh, felt like we will wake up the whole neighbor up! And finally, our baby bro-inlaw woke up and with his blurred sleepy face, he peeked through the sliding door to see us standing outside, waving. Sleepy yet happy to see us, he fumbled to open the sliding door. We were greeted with "You said you guys are not coming home. You liar." Hahahahahahaha! 

Went up to see my in laws in their bedroom, so my husband knocked on their door, in-case they were sleeping, & all I heard was, "Ateq ke? Masuk lah.." My mom in law thought it was my baby bro-inlaw. Giggled. Then my baby bro-inlaw open the door & walked in, and said "Someones here to see you, mother & daddy." And we walked in. My parents in law are super chill & cool. Like my dad. My father-inlaw was kinda funny. He was like, "Who are you. I don't know you both. Who are you looking for cause both my son & daughter-inlaw don't live here. They are in China.." LOL! 

Last day of Ramadan fasting month, we spent it with my in laws & for this year, Aidilfitri first day celebration is with my family as the first Raya celebration as husband/wife was with my in laws back in 2011. Though we missed the 2nd year Raya as husband/wife last year (cause we were in Bahrain) so to be fair, we had this year at my parents. 

We managed to squeezed in our stay in Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur for 2 nights. Thinking we might get some "us" time since Habibi took 2 weeks off. But our own "us" time was, when we woke up for breakfast & sleep at night. Hahahahahahaaa.. *Sob sob sob* Habibi, lets go for a ship crusing. Nobody can disturb us.

We didnt get to see all our friends. Just some. Even that was because we managed to invite them to our parent's open house. Though our friends came, but we couldnt sit & chat that long cause we had to helped out our parents. 

Sounded like I'm complaining much, but please dont think it that way. It was still a good 'balik kampung" trip. And never will we replace what we had for this year Aidilfitri. Alhamdulillah. Enjoy the photos posted!

Us being cheeky. As usual. Happy to be home to celebrate my 30th Birthday. 

My parent's morning routine to bring Nincompoop for a walk is taken over by my husband. While we are home, that is.

My surprise cake from Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur. The Mandarin touch. :)

Our trip to Melaka with my in laws. With my brothers/nephew/nieces in law. 

This is Malaysia. Food galore!

Our trip "balik kampung" to Perak with my parents. Medan Ikan Bakar Hutang Melintang.

The activity. Cleaning up my dad's newly build grandma's home & of course, food attack!

Being a tourist in our own country is very much appreciated when one lives far away. Us at Menara Condong (Malaysian version of the Leaning Tower) Teluk Intan, Perak.

This old & slow service mamak shop makes the most nasty, yummy & damn good Murtabak & Mee Goreng Mamak. & they also have a very thick & "kaw-kaw" kopi-o (black coffee), too.

Us at Habibi's cousin's wedding. Feeling the wedding vibe. Makes me miss my own wedding day. Awww, we looked like we just got engaged. :P

My baby furboo, Nincompoop Al Juffair. Looking all calm & happy since we came home. But it was a sad parting when we had to bid him farewell again. Im sorry baby furboo. XOXO.

 I love this so much. few days before we fly off, we spent our cousin time with what we love most. Breakfast/brunch at a good place. We used to drink can drinks, but all is replace with coffee & teas. Time has moved very fast, and we are all aging. This time, we are so happy to bring my bro inlaws to join our cousin activity.

The sight of big ketupat/bahulu/songkok at the airport made me laugh. But when I looked back to see them waving at us, tears fell down. I hate this part. Goddbye Malaysia. Goodbye, family. :(

Green Gets A New Home.

I learned my lesson. After the death of Mr. C aka the celery incident, I begged my beloved to go out & buy soil. I don't want any of my other leafy greens dead. I can't bare it! (again being overly-dramatic here, lol!) Closest to our home (like, 'hell-o', it's like 40 mins through & fro) is Super Brand Mall which is located in Lujiazui West Road, Pudong.

Reached there with sweat as the summer heat is killing us, but compared to Bahrain, Shanghai heat felt more like being in Malaysia. Humid & hot all the way. Heheheheheh..! So we went & browse through the directory to look for a garden shop or flower shop, and found - 1! Just one. And guess what, they just sell flowers. Where's the DIY store? Or a home store? Anything! A mall is supposed to provide everything under it's roof! Times like this, I miss the malls back in my hometown. Even in Bahrain they have shops for EVERYTHING.

I dont want to grow up! I'm a Toys-R-Us kids! Grow in a tin can DIY. Cool.

Grr.. Think, think! Before my greens die! What and where to get them soils or anything that's closest to soil to save my plants from dying!! (Gosh, I am so dramatic! LOL!) A-ha! You can never go wrong with Toys-R-Us. I dragged my husband to the toy shop and looked around and found some "you can grow this" or something like that, in a can. It's written in Chinese, but who cares! I need those soil. They even provide seeds in it. So bought myself some Basil, Hot Pepper & Mint seeds.

Removing my plants from just water-based to soil & minerals. 

I was happy. Very happy I purchase them. The next day, I woke up and did my job to give my green babies their new home. But of course I was curious too with the items that I bought. I got chili, basil & mint seeds to grow. Took out the instruction and, hmmm... go figure. In Chinese. *sigh* But who cares! I'll use my command sense and go with the flow.

It wasn't really soil when I opened the can. More like some saw dust, wood chunks and other particles. Which I have NO IDEA what. hehehehehe.. Oh well, as long as it can help my green grows. Just look at them green smiling. Kih kih kih.. 

My lime's sprouting and growing. How cute are they!! 

I snipped off the top of the lemongrass to used for my cooking
that day. So hope it will grow more.

Lemongrass in their new home. 

Chives. Reused so many times. & it still keeps growing. :D

Letting them sunbath the sun. I'm sure they are super-beamed happy!

Hoping with loads of TLC from me, these babies will grow. 

PS: Recycle your bottles and start planting. It's fun! Or recycle your bottles & gave them a new use for rather than just throwing them away. :)