Next up! ; latest hauls from Sephora.

leaving for hometown tomorrow! will be updating as soon as I get back in a week. so below is a little tease, just a little. xx

Happy CNY!

Surprised! + dinner @ Frontera's, Jaya One

Won't be writing too much on this post ; visual vomit ahead!

To put it very simply, it was my breast flen's surprise birthday yesterday! (albeit an early one, exactly one week to be exact) Annnnd it was another friend of ours' birthday so we decided to make a double celebration that started out with 7 people crammed in a room busy decorating which ended with a simple Mexican dinner at Jaya One. 

; blue velvets from Bisou Cakeshop 

; well somebody is excitedddd. (disclaimer : he asked to be taken with his food lol)

; of steak, burgers, burrito, fajitas, Coronas, iced lemon tea and limun-ades! 

; beef fajitas! 

; lamb burrito! (tastes pretty good actually but I had a bad experience with burritos in Bristol, can never stomach one ever since, blek)

; beef nachos! 

; chicken and beef fajitas!

; tortillas served this way! how cute!!

; the ladies! (seated are the birthday girls)

; my breast flen. (whom needs no long, sappy essays dedicated to her on every networking site because there is such thing as iMessage for us)

Anndddd, my plus one to the dinner. (and in life)

; finally updated my profile photo. *butterflies*

; he dressed to the nines while I wore the-everything-dress (the dress I wear when I don't know what to wear and because I had to run around during the evening lol)

; because two idiots are better than one. <3

Prep + Me time ; DIY paper pompom tutorial

felt pretty disoriented these past couple of days ; no appetite and making bad decisions that lead me to wrong turnings and driving around aimlessly. 

Mom woke me up at 6am so we could get our hair done in the morning (she just has a thing for being early for everything in life and because she needed to get to work). Well since she didn't tell me the night before I kept awake until 3am. My circadian cycle is officially messed up thanks to my nocturnal habits. Somehow, if mom and I spend TOO much time together, we'll almost always end up arguing over the little things like how she wants me to do things her way (and of course, being me ; I find it extremely difficult to give in). At times, I kinda get where she is coming from because I see myself doing the same sometimes. Happens when you care so much about a person that you want the best for them. And the best, well, meant MY WAY. That's why nowadays I try really, really hard to not be such a control freak and let things run its course. Of course, I do wanna have a say but I try to let people have their way too. Because different people do things differently.

So after I got back from the salon, I went straight for my bed and had a good one hour nap. Woke up totally ready for the world (somewhat) and washed up before crossing things off my to do list for today. Made a few calls and drove out to run some errands. And because its impossible to get a parking during lunch hour in Taipan, I drove to Paradigm for very good reasons that I can justify for each one of them. First, it's the least crowded mall (other than Empire). Second, loads of parking ; even on weekends you won't have to wait for hours. Last, the mall is quiet and air conditioned hahaha.

Decided on coffee bean because I needed a workspace and they had bigger tables that nobody bothered using. (yay!) Got myself an iced hazelnut latte (and if I may add, packs a stronger punch than Cosans I had last night lol) and sat myself beside the window.

And in 30 minutes…

VOILA!

; workspace for la pompom 

; looks real, eh? x

basically, all you need to make your own pom pom are crepe paper, floral wires and scissors! first you stack eight sheets of crepe paper and fold them like how you would to make a paper fan. then, tie them together at the centre using the wire and cut the two ends ; rounded or pointy. lastly, slowly separate them one by one from the centre. simple and effortless. 

xo, Rie.

My 15 seconds of fame...

… as a blurred out backdrop!! (woots)

I don't normally laugh out loud watching really funny videos or scenes ; but I do get very easily amused. This video made me do both. Latest video by Grim Film! WATCH IT. SO CRACK. (totally unbiased hah)

xo, Rie.

Cosans Coffee @ SS15 ; just words.

crazy delusional indecisive over-thinking marie has strike again ; this time she picked an iced coffee after staring at the menu board for 5 minutes but decided she wanted a hot drink... after we paid. z stopped me with his usual, "Please ah." 

Iced caramel latte it is!  - not bad. 6/10

No photos this time because I was too shy to take any in front of z's friends but his friends were snapping away so I'm not sure why I didn't just take them. I think I have this inferiority complex when it comes to meeting people for the first (or second, third time lol). Only big groups, if one on one it's usually fine, quite good actually haha maybe I only desire one person's attention and not a herd. I tend to talk less and listen A LOT as in I would observe their behaviours and the way they spoke because I was afraid I would pass off as trying to hard to fit in. I mean these people know each other for a fairly long time so I don't think they would want someone new barging in on their conversations. So I just take a step back and talk when I needed to or whenever I could contribute. I found that to be more my style so I've been sticking to it lol. 

Back to Cosans. Pretty decent place and atmosphere ; very woodland inspired and they have an eclectic set of chairs, stools and some that look like office seats hahaa. I was siting on a cushioned chair that had patterns akin to what your grandmother would sit on while she knitted sweaters for her grandkids in the cold weather lol. 

Their coffee was fairly decent although the drink z tried ; the Nutella Strawberry was really, really below par. Quite bad actually. It tasted like milk and cream infused with sourish strawberry puree. It had no taste of Nutella whatsoever. 3/10, because I like creamy stuff lol.

Mine was the Caramel latte which is pretty good and very kau or concentrated and surprisingly it didnt taste diluted even though the cup was half filled with big cubes of ice (that were still hadn't melt after I finished the drink lol). 6/10, because it lacked caffeine and probably had a lot of sugar.

p.s ; You get the second drink at half off IF you add COSANS COFFEE on KAKAO TALK and show the staff at the counter the digital coupon that you'll receive almost immediately after you've added them. :) Oh well, worth a try la since its 50% off the second one. Other than that, meh.

xo, Rie.

Coffee Stain by Joseph @ Publika ; 3D Coffee Art.

Okay, so I've got to admit this - I only came here because it was one of the few coffee places that does uh-ma-zing 3D coffee art. Recently, it was also featured in a short by Jinnyboytv ; appropriately titled, Coffee over Conversations. Also, JT's Mirrors is blaring in the background from the tv in my downstairs living hall ; brings back beautiful memories in 2013.

I was being jakun because I really wanted to pop my 3D coffee art virginity. So, I quickly flipped through their wooden clip board menu and asked to order. My friend spotted their special which was their warm milk and coffee cubes concoction whilst I proceeded to ask for their 3D art drink which was only available with their chocolate drink. Oh well - chocolate it is!

And oh ya, I even asked if we could switch from our small two person table in the back to their spacious long wooden table since it wasn't occupied (because it has better lighting hah).

; the milk was warm! that was a pleasant surprise and it melted the aromatic coffee infused ice cubes. 

; opening ceremony after like 10,000 photos (haha) - pouring the foamy warm milk into the cubes.

; the light came after the opening ceremony :(

Surprisingly out of like the 12-15 tables there, most of them ordered this drink. I could see so many of these babies going out from the counter because I sitting right across. Well, they did put this drink on a full page of their menu. Maybe because we aren't really used to the bitterness of the coffee so we asked for the syrup but we only put in like a teeny weeny teaspoon. (the gods of coffee beans would kill us for this). After that, it was purrrr-fect. Not too sweet, not too strong. And the perks of having coffee infused cubes, no more drinking diluted coffee drinks you get at kopitiams (or Old Town, blek). I'd give this a 7/10. :)

Here comes the big boy,

; the drink I've been waiting for. CUTEST. THING. EVUH. maybe because it's so fragile (made out of foam) that even when you carry the cup, the bear kinda wiggles hahaha. 

Definitely worth the drive to Publika and getting lost (even after 10000 times), the drink itself isn't too sweet and you could still taste the chocolatey goodness which tastes a lot like 70% dark chocolate bars. Make sure you GENTLY stir the bottom of the drink with your straw because there's where all the chocolate are concentrated at. And don't worry, if you're careful enough you could still keep the bear unharmed until you finish your drink! heh.

; case in point. and if it's any consolation, it kinda gets cuter as you see your bear drowning (self comforting hahaha)

10/10! 

; serious coffee business.

xo, Rie.

• D4-G3-01, Solaris Dutamas,
• 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Phone : 603-62112022 (Solaris) // 603-21102428 (Parkamaya, Fahrenheit88)

• Email  : enquiry@coffeestain.my
• Websitte : http://www.coffeestain.my
• 
  

Mon : 9:30 am - 9:00pm Tue - Thu : 9:30 am - 11:00pm Fri - Sun : 9:30 am - 12:00 am

Oh my, Lists.

I've always had this (little) obsession with making lists. It helps me visualise the things I gotta get done in a span of a week… kinda therapeutic.

Places I hope to visit in a span of a month and a half….

1. Artisan Roast, Section 13.
2. Coffee Stain by Joseph, Publika.
3. Fuel Cafe
4. Jam and Kaya
5. Feeka Coffee Roasters
6. Quartet, ttdi
7. Butter + Beans
8. Some singapore cafes.

Will be consistently updated. 

xo, Rie.

M.O. for the year.

Looking at my boyfriend while he's prepping for his exam in an hour. He's been coming over a lot before his classes ;  I've been practicing my instant noodles culinary skills so to speak.

I've been told that if I were to go over to Bristol for my final year (2015), I would have to wait until the new intake starts… which is in September. This would leave me with 8 months of doing nothing and everything. So, I opted to skip working/interning for the 2 months I have left of my break this year since I could easily do them next year. To fill out the free time I have now, I'll be updating this space here and visiting as many cafes as I can for the next couple of months! Also, I'm gonna brush up on my non-existent Photoshop and makeup skills. (haha)

While I'll be busy spending time with family in my hometown during the first week of cny…. I'LL BE GOING TO SINGAPORE ON THE 6TH. (woots) ; My first vacay with momsie. More things to blog about! 

Also, when I'm not out uncovering the new, I'll be doing reviews on previously visited places and food. 

xo, Rie.

Let the reviews roll in!

I have tons of photos with plenty to write about. So, why not? :) 

Gonna start writing reviews on food, fashion and places. Some might be old finds and others recently discovered.

Happy (belated) 2014!

Today marks the 22nd day into the new year and it has been pretty… normal. Albeit having celebrated the last night of 2013 and welcoming the first day of 2014 with the one and only person who has made my 2013 the best it can be. My boyfriend.

He came in a form of a tall, lanky, inked 23 year old being who has slowly but surely crept up into a spot in my heart and made his nest there. (lol.) To be honest, he was never the type I'd imagined being with but his kindness, honesty, patience and loyalty has turned me into a gooey mushy marshmallow dusted with fairy dust and rainbow sprinkles; a complete dork in love. And I love who I am when I'm with him - myself. I wouldn't say it was the easiest thing to do, being in my first relationship - there was a lot of selflessness involved. Something that isn't easy for an only child. But, he made it easy to be in love with one another. It didn't matter because at the end of the day, what's important is that there is love and trust. We have both. 

So here's a recap of NYE. (waaaaay late post)

 ; made my New Year's eve morning. (laughs)

After doing some Instax film hunting in Pyramid, I was determined to make the most of the whole hype on NYE. I didn't care if I was being overly obsessed with the last day of the year because for the first time in my life, I have someone special to celebrate it with. :)

So, determined I was. Since my friends kinda bailed on our NYE outing, I decided to go ahead with Z's  and his friends. Not willing to just settle on a house party, I picked my brain for a New Years spot after researching on the Internet days before (yes, obsessed). HOORAH. i-City was just a 15-20 minute drive behind my house. PERFECT. 

I rushed home to get ready and in less than an hour, we stopped by 7-E for some chips and drinks for the road and head on to the "city" of (LED) lights. And lucky (or maybe not) for us, we managed to catch a short fireworks display from i-City en route on the highway in the car lol. The last time I was there, it hadn't been a good one because of the rain. This time was far different. We reached before the crowd came in and managed to get one of the parking outside. Parking fee was a hefty RM10. (gulps) I  was so excited, it didn't bother me at all. 

; #ootn posing with the ferris wheel as the backdrop lol. fyeaaaahh!

; candid shot during a phone call in the ferris wheel. (killin the romance….)

; best part of the night - pichaaasss! look how beautiful the lights were!  

we (well, I) wanted to see the little car thingy that goes around the park in a trail but it was RM20 per person! waa seriously con job. I'm not THAT delusional lol. so we skipped that and went for the ferris wheel which was just RM10 each. to be honest, i-City looks phenomenal…. in photos. in reality, it's just a place that looks like a fun fair with muddy ground and LED lights that photographs beautifully for Instagram haha.

my other half ; together we're even more idiotic, manic than we are individually. but when we are mellow, all we do is sleep in. ALL DAY. nothing else but the comfort of each other.

 ; the third polaroid we've taken for his wallet. (cuz he lost his wallet, twice in 2013)

headed over to one his friend's apartment somewhere on the hills of Bangsar. met some of the people there for the first time (including the host lol awks) but towards the end of the night everyone was pretty high on alcohol so totally takes away the awkwardness. wonders of the booze. played some game, then they made me stop because I had to drive. so they put me on couch duties (sleep lol) with blankets and making sure I was comfy while they were busy trying to get Z drunk off his ass in the other room.

annnnndd I, really, really wanted to see fireworks (because I haven't on NYE before) and he swore on his life that the place has the entire view of the city's skyline so we could see ALL the fireworks go off at the same time. 

true enough, WE COULD. well this was just one because my phone camera like myself, have tunnel vision lol. We could see fireworks from the KLCC, Mid Valley, somewhere near Amcorp Mall all the way  to the Curve.

the clock stroke 12, he kissed me before saying the words, "I love you." 

; got a little tipsy, but could still drive us both home. In two perfect pieces lol.

; momentos of the night. x

Hi, boo. I've probably said this already but just wanna let you know that you are a blessing in my life and to be able to spend the first NYE with you made me realised how I want us to celebrate 20, 30, 40, 50 more NYEs like this; together. Knowing that you have to put up with me a lot even with this ridiculous idea of mine to see lights haha. I also know that you ain't a kid anymore and to do this with me not just because you wanna layan me but to enjoy the night as much as I do however I wanted; made me appreciate you even more. I have also realised that you are trying your hardest to be the best boyfriend you could for me. That is all that matters, I don't need no Sabo or Swarovski to tell me that. All I need is your love and trust. Thank you and I love you.