Tag

Malaysia

in Beauty & Fashion, Expat Life, Kuala Lumpur, Skincare

Good to Know: The Body Shop Malaysia Launches Online Shopping App

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It’s literally a few days from Christmas and I feel like an exhausted elf working in the North Pole. While buying gifts and wrapping them are fun, I have to admit that it can really take its toll on me, physically. In fact, I’m typing this at 1:30 in the morning after finishing up another batch of gifts.

However, I just know that I had to log in real quick here to share with you some good news. The Body Shop here in Malaysia has launched an online shopping app! You know what this means, right? You can now shop for your favourite shower gels and body butters on the go!

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D Legends Bar, Kuala Lumpur, TTDI, Taman Tun, Drinks, Bar, Restaurant, Comfort Food
in Asia, Expat Life, KL Food, Kuala Lumpur, Travel

Foodie Adventures: The Best of D Legends Bar’s 2016 Menu

Back when I was in uni, my friends and I had a special hang out. It was a stone’s throw away from our building, in one of the tiny alleys along Dapitan. A totally chill place where, whatever time of day I go, I will definitely find some of my friends there. The menu was simple, the drinks were easy on my measly student allowance.

Having a go-to place is pretty standard. Especially if, like me, you enjoy a good drink and great company. Had a great day? Round up the gang for some drinks and celebrate. Had a bad day? Round up the gang for some drinks and get over it. Life is simple when you want it to be, no?

Recently, my friend Pita and I were introduced to a new go-to for when we want to unwind. A neighbourhood hangout if you will.

Located in TTDI, D Legends Bar is a place that you may be quick to dismiss since it’s surrounded by tons of choices. After all, this neighbourhood has a reputation for having establishments that are approved by local food snobs. Word of advice, my fellow expats: Do not argue with Malaysians about food. They know their stuff.

Although I do believe that this is one establishment you should try when you’re in the area. It’s approved by locals, and expats living in the area are fond of it as well. The great price points are a huge plus as well.

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in KL Home

Expat Life: Trying out Haftarent – Malaysia’s Hassle-Free and Long Term AirBnB

** This is a review of the service. For my article about Haftarent on Forbes, click here.

Being married to a diplomat, I’ve been thrusted into a life that entails periodic moves for the next couple of decades. Not that I’m complaining but I have to be honest here: While moving to a different country may be a fun adventure, the moving process itself is stressful. Those who tell you otherwise, are lying.

All the farewell dinners you have to be in where you’ll feel sad knowing that it will be a while before you see your family and friends, the tedious packing, the journey, and finally arriving at your destination – these can really take their toll on your energy reserves. When we arrived in Malaysia, there was the flat hunting to consider, the furniture, how we would decorate our home, and settling in. Again, fun yet tiring.

We got lucky that our embassy has a go-to landlord and once my husband and I visited the units in his building, we fell in love with the location, the size of the unit, and the view. (A separate post on moving, flat hunting, and buying furniture in KL coming up!)

That part was easy for us, thank goodness. A lot of expats in Malaysia, however, are not as lucky. I’ve heard of flat hunting that took from several days to weeks and people who had to deal with inconsistent deposits.

I was recently introduced to a new service that a lot of expats and diplomats can use for convenience. Haftarent is a service that connects landlords to possible renters and all transactions are done online. I tried it out last month and here’s how the experience went:

Booking and checking in

Booking through the site was a breeze and so was check in during a sunny weekday. I was met by one of Haftarent’s people at the lobby of Vipod Residences where the unit I will be staying in was located. I chose this building among the properties listed on the site due to its location. It’s along Jalan Kia Peng, a street that’s a few minutes from Pavilion Mall, the KL Convention Centre, Suria KLCC, and the Petronas Towers.

Also, I was quite curious with this building. Alvin and I considered renting here but after seeing our current unit, we never looked back. Later on, a Singaporean diplomat told us that her unit in Vipod (which is a new building, only a few years old) has cockroaches. I still went for the Vipod property though since I heard they have a gorgeous pool. I was praying not to see roaches as we went up as I am deathly afraid of them.

Spoiler alert: No roaches. Whew! Thanks goodness for neat landlords.

When I arrived, this is what welcomed me:

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Allove, Allove Diamond, Diamond, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, SK, Engagement Ring, Jewellery, Launch,
in Expat Life, KL Shopping

Jewellery: The Allove Diamond

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Marilyn Monroe once said that diamonds are a girl’s best friend. I’m not that shallow but I will have to admit that they are pretty and an un-boring investment to boot. 😉

I was recently invited to the launch of SK Jewellery’s new diamond. Aptly called Allove, what makes this 81-facet rock unique is the perfect pattern of 10 hearts and 10 arrows on it.

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Allove vs Ordinary Diamond

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Ido's Clinic, Sumuzu Hair Removal, Beauty, Treatment, Beauty Clinic, Aesthetic Clinic, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Malaysia, Idos Clinic,
in Beauty & Fashion, Hair, Skincare

Beauty + Review: Let’s Talk Hair Removal – Sumuzu Treatment

**TMI Post. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Also, no prudes please.**

Unwanted body hair has always been the bane of my existence. Okay, I’m exaggerating. But really, unwanted hair removal is something that I’ve dabbled with for years.

Being half-European and half-Asian, I was born with crazy hair growth rates. I came out with a full head of hair and through the years, I realised that it only takes literally months for me to go from having a bob to medium-length hair. I grew my bob into waist-length hair in less than a year, I tell you.

And while I’m happy with the close to bionic hair growth rate I have for my head, I would have to admit that body hair wise, it’s the same. And it’s not as fun.

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Masjid Wilayah, Federal Territory Mosque, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Mosque Tour, Visiting a Mosque, Tour Guide, Guided Tour, Mosque, Islam, Travel, Asia, Non-Touristy, Not Touristy, Locals, Things to do, Places to visit, KL,
in Expat Life, KL What to Do, KL Where to Go, Kuala Lumpur

KL Adventures: Masjid Wilayah Persekutuan (Federal Territory Mosque)

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As a diplomat’s wife, I often get the fun yet daunting task of taking visitors of the embassy around KL. Fun, because I love playing tour guide. Daunting because sometimes, people I need to show around KL have already been here before so I need to find a new place to take them. I wouldn’t want them bored, repeating the same sights and activities they’ve done before.

This is where the Masjid Wilayah Persekutuan comes in. The husband and I actually saw it from afar months ago – during our first excursion to Publika.

It’s a gorgeous, imposing structure that really had us wanting to visit for the longest time. However, we never got around to doing it – until recently.

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Tai Zi Heen, Dim Sum, Eat All You Can, Dim Sum Buffet, Unlimited Dim Sum, Promo, Kuala Lumpur, Restaurant, Where to Eat in Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur Restaurant, Food, Food Review, Restaurant Review, Pullman Hotel KLCC, KLCC, Pullman, Prince Hotel KL,
in Expat Life, KL Food, Kuala Lumpur

Food + Review: Tai Zi Heen, Unlimited Dim Sum Review

Since the hype over this restaurant has been off the charts recently, I thought I’d give it a try with the husband and give you guys my honest, no-fuss review of the place.

Also, full disclosure: We do love dim sum and a great deal on food is enough to get me really excited over a restaurant. 😉 We also paid for this meal so I am in no way bound, expected, or persuaded by the restaurant to wax poetic over their food and service.

The current promo is as follows:

 

Tai Zi Heen, Dim Sum, Eat All You Can, Dim Sum Buffet, Unlimited Dim Sum, Promo, Kuala Lumpur, Restaurant, Where to Eat in Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur Restaurant, Food, Food Review, Restaurant Review, Pullman Hotel KLCC, KLCC, Pullman, Prince Hotel KL,

Photo grabbed from the Tai Zi Heen Facebook Page

Since it’s a Sunday and I’ve been craving for dim sum as per usual, we made our way to the restaurant which was located inside the Pullman Hotel in KLCC.

FYI: The Pullman KLCC is formerly known as Prince Hotel.

Parking was a breeze and only took us a few minutes. Tai Zi Heen is located at the hotel’s 2nd level and from the 5th floor parking area, you’ll have to go down to the lobby first before taking a different lift or hopping on to the escalator.

We were seated right away. We had reservations (which is actually required) so this wasn’t that much of a shocker but I did expect the restaurant to have more people. Based on my experience here in KL, Malaysians love a good deal as much as I do.

Tai Zi Heen, Dim Sum, Eat All You Can, Dim Sum Buffet, Unlimited Dim Sum, Promo, Kuala Lumpur, Restaurant, Where to Eat in Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur Restaurant, Food, Food Review, Restaurant Review, Pullman Hotel KLCC, KLCC, Pullman, Prince Hotel KL,

Tai Zi Heen, Dim Sum, Eat All You Can, Dim Sum Buffet, Unlimited Dim Sum, Promo, Kuala Lumpur, Restaurant, Where to Eat in Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur Restaurant, Food, Food Review, Restaurant Review, Pullman Hotel KLCC, KLCC, Pullman, Prince Hotel KL,

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in Diplomatic Incidents, Personal Musings, Uncategorized

Expat Life: On Making Friends and the Struggle for Something of My Own

It’s always a lot harder to do this when you’re older, no? But let me back track a little.

When I first moved to KL with my husband, I would have to admit that while I was looking forward to our new adventure, I found myself feeling sad during the first few months. This is probably the first time I am ever talking about this. But I guess, it’s time.

I was in a different country with no friends, no job to keep me occupied, and nothing to do for the first few months except scour the internet for interior design inspirations and trying to nail down a ‘look’ for our new home. A job that I was even sharing with my husband who also has a passion for interior design and homeware. (A post on this later, I promise)

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I won’t say I was homesick as I have always been very capable of adapting to a new place. I didn’t get the urge to hop on a plane back to Manila and I was hell bent on making it through whatever it was that I was feeling.

It’s the first few weeks or months where you have nothing to keep you busy that are the hardest. I was on my phone a lot – a lot more than usual – bugging my closest friends from home and egging them on to tell me about what’s been happening back home. I was in the mall a lot during office hours, window shopping by myself and thinking to myself – for the first time ever – that it would be nice to have a friend around.

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