一个咖啡店的梦想

 

 

在MPH无意中看到了这本由日本人 - 田口護 - 写的《咖啡飘香一百年》，很有兴趣便买了下来。封面照片尤其吸引人。作者本身是一间咖啡店集团的老板。

 

虽然现在只读到一半，但蛮喜欢像散文般的写法，由于是之前在某日本月刊专栏连载内容，每一篇都很简短，跟一些教学式的写法比起来，这本让人读起来很轻松。

 

不久前，因为喜欢喝咖啡，所以有了想要开一间咖啡店的念头。因为如果想要自己当老板，不如往自己喜欢的去经营。有了这个想法以后，忽然，拥有一间韩式咖啡店，就算规模小，已变成了一个自己不曾有过的梦想。

 

只是，最大的问题有两个，一是没有资金，二是没有技术。一切都要从零开始。

 

其实到现在还是没有立下决心，只是有这么一个梦想而已。有个朋友兼老师告诉我，不妨把目标写下来，在目标旁边加上个时间点。就算没有实现也不用紧，至少有努力过。那就这样吧。

 

作者有这么写道，“经营咖啡店不是兴趣嗜好，是做生意，是工作。工作即使再麻烦也必须完成。如果没有如此坚强的决心，生意自然不会好。”

 

嗯，的确说到底，我最大的弱点就是没有很坚强的决心。

How to dress when you are petitie?

Short or petitie? Yes I prefer the later description. Sounds more "flattering". Ha!

Being petite and yet wanting to dress up nicely and fashionably is one of most challenging tasks ever. The most challenging is, of course, finding the right size that fits you or pants that don't need alteration. If you are not one then you won't understand. If you are one, let me know.

While searching for online shops selling petite clothings, I came across the following link:
http://40plusstyle.com/how-to-dress-when-you-are-short-petite/

If you are one of us, do you also often make the mistakes listed? Yes I do. The most striking ones are:
1) Don't wear high heels that are more than 5cm.
My comment: Oh ya? most of my latest heels are platforms and definitely more than 5cm high! but so far i've been receiving comments that those shoes are nice except one who commented that she only noticed those shoes but not me. Maybe I should have realised that they were saying those heels were nice but not me wearing them. Haha!

2) Wedge heels will look too boxy on you.
My comment: Yes I never like wedges because it never really does appeal to me. Another reason is I was "teased" by strangers at my back when I was young and was wearing the so-called 松糕鞋. But lately I bought this black wedge heel by 9W. Because I saw some ladies wearing this type of wedge and it's quite nice. And I purposedly choose all black rather than 2-tone which may make me look shorter. My hubby did comment that it doesn't look nice (anyway I never trust his taste).
Hmmph... I really wonder if it does look too boxy on me?

 

 

3) Choose a handbag that fits your physique. Oversized handbags aren't your best choice.



My comment: Yes, it's obvious and doesn't take a genius to figure this out. But I still tend to think that a bigger bag is more worthwhile to buy (and I'm referring to branded bags) since the smaller version is about the same price. So I tend to carry a bag that seems to be too big for my size but "what to do"... Those sizes are actually standard for those of average-sized body.

 

I don't actually agree with all the tips though. But the author did mention that those rules are not carved on stone, and that we have to play with the guidelines to find out styles that suit us. I do agree that petite women should go for fitted dress but it's always the hardest to find a fitted dress.

 

Hence, I've this idea of selling petite clothings for niche group of people like us. What do you think? Only big names like Topshop, Miss Selfridge, and Dorothy Perkins carry limited petite choices. However, although I like fashion, I've no idea how to kickstart this?? I've thought of going overseas to purchase on my own but I doubt if it's worth it given all the transportation, board and lodging expenses.

 

So, this idea will be parked at my house's backyard for the time being until I've researched more and some angels come to help me. I think the later will be the least likely to happen...

 

Fashion & Makeup for Friend's Wedding Dinner

29.12.12 ~ 是一位很恨嫁的旧同事的婚宴。

（但这个blog entry的主角不是她。嘿嘿~）

 

为此我已想好了要穿什么，也稍微研究了要化什么妆。

哈哈! 因已好久没化眼妆了...

 

What I was wearing:

Dress made in Korea and bought from Ashton Ashton @ De Garden, Ipoh 

Belt bought from a boutique in Sunway Pyramid

Nine West wedges in black

Zara hair band

 

Tada~ 好像通常女生都是在晚宴穿无袖的，我却穿起长袖来了。因为没什么机会穿这件妈妈买给我的洋装, 所以只好在这种场合穿了。

 

这张侧身照我蛮喜欢。因为有点像韩国明星河智苑的说。（羞）

 



 

Zara hair band at RM49.90



 

坦白说，这张自拍照真的真的很不像我在镜子中看见的我。没办法，iPhone4的相机效果真的不好。（bleh~)

这眼妆是韩国模特Park Sora inspired makeup。最主要是她的signature eyeliner。很抱歉这张照片看不清楚。而且是自拍，所以反方向了，左分界发线变右分界了。

 

这就是Park Sora的signature look。就是她的上眼线细细长长的，在眼尾沿下再画长一些。比较起最近较流行的winged eyeliner，这个look蛮特别，可以一试。
当然要声明一下：本人没有她十分之一的美，只是想学她的眼妆而已。

Big Bad Wolf 2012

These are the books I've bought at Big Bad Wolf Book Sale 2012 at The Mines Convention Centre. A total of 10 titles at RM100 only (one title was taken away by my sister though)!!! Those who have missed the sale will have to wait for next year.

Except for "The Concise Encyclopedia of Fishing" which is for my hubby, you will notice that all are of non-fiction genres. It's either about business, marketing, or self-help/self-enrichment.

Haha! Fictions are just not my cuppa! I read because I want to gain or learn something from the books. For me, reading is not for fun/enjoyment only. Of course I enjoy reading non-fiction books if it's interesting.

Since mid Nov, I've finished reading 4 books, and now into the 5th book.

Wow! I feel so accomplished and enlightening! I hope this habit will continue.

I'll probably share the 5 books that I've read in my next blog entry. Till then...

More Obsessions from Sigma Beauty

 

 

Yes, I'm buying beauty stuff from Luxola.com again, which is based in Singapore. This time, the prices are higher than before, probably after they have brought in new stocks from the US.

 

This time I've bought a brush cup holder and Dry 'n Shape, both from Sigma Beauty. Both costs me around RM165, which is still cheaper than if I were to buy from US, since Luxola is giving me a RM25 discount voucher. So happened that they have these 2 items as new arrivals which are already in my wish list.

 

Dry 'n Shape, as the name suggests, is for drying while shaping your brushes. It claims to allow drying in 4-6 hours! Normally I'll leave my brushes overnight to dry, especially those thick ones like face/foundation brushes. I haven't tried this Dry'n Shape though but am definitely looking forward to this "patented-pending" method of drying brushes. Do you really need this aid?! For me, I want the "shaping" effect as sometimes, brushes tend to be frizzy and may go out of shape after contact with water.

 

Haha! I do appear like a professional for having to use all these tools but seriously, I'm not. Perhaps I just like to buy stuff and try out new things. I hardly put heavy makeup.

 

I do read from an article that applying makeup with brushes do give better effect. I did try the contour brush for applying blusher and somehow, it does give a better contouring effect than using normal brush. So give it a try!

 



A casual Sunday outing

Feeling great today!!
This photo was taken before going out for shopping.

What I'm wearing today:
Beige top by Zara
Black printed pants from Zara
Loewe Amazona bag




Ended up buying lots and lots of skincare from Clarins...




And went to Popular to get myself these 2 books -
1. 大口吃遍首尔甜点最幸福
2. NLP速读术

Oh, by the way I've finished reading "The Most Important Graph in the World" and is now reading "这样吃，一定瘦” by 王勇明. Hopefully will continue with this reading habit!!


Sigma Beauty Mrs. Bunny Essential Kit

 

This is my newly bought Mrs. Bunny Essential Kit (brush set) by SIGMA BEAUTY.  

I bought it at RM333 nett from Luxola.com, a Singapore based retail outlet. Luxola is offering free shipping by DHL to Malaysia for purchases above RM100. I'm glad to have bought from Luxola because if not, it would have cost me USD120 + min. USD20 shipping fees which may end up RM420 or more!!! Imagine the cost saving I've gained.

 

This essential kit consists of 12 brushes for the face and eyes which include:

 

E05 - Eye Liner: Create smooth and even lines. Use with gel or liquid liners.

E30 - Pencil: Soften and smoke out lines. Soften pencil liners along the top and bottom lash lines, add shadow to line the eyes, or use to highlight inner corner of eyes.

E40 - Tapered Blending: Soft blended crease. Using just the tips to apply color, sweep back and forth through the crease for a diffused and blended finish.

E55 - Eye Shading: Even application of color. Place color across the whole lid for an even and strong application of product.

E60 - Large Shader: Uniformly cover the whole lid with product. Apply cream shadow base or cream shadow for quick and even coverage.

E65 - Small Angle: Create precise lining. Moves fluidly and easily across the upper and lower lash lines. Use with gel, cream or powder liners.

E70 - Medium Angled Shading: Soft application of color. Use for brow highlighting or to blend the crease.

F30 - Large Powder: Even powder application. Uniform blending of powder products onto the face and body.

F40 - Large Angled Contour: Subtle cheek application. Use the angle to softly contour the cheekbone. Can also be used to apply blush.

F50 - Duo Fibre: Creates an airbrush effect onto the skin. Can be used with powder, liquid or cream products.

F60 - Foundation: Smooth foundation application. Apply liquid or cream products such as foundation and primer.

F70 - Concealer: Conceal small areas. Conceal the hardest to reach areas such as around the nose and eyes. 

Wow!! Definitely it looks professional and do one really need so many brushes? You must be thinking that I'm very good in makeup. No. In fact, I'm only a beginner and I doubt if I will ever use up all.

Then, why am I still purchasing this kit even though I'm not using all?!
Of course other than the more you buy the better bargain you get, brushes from Sigma Beauty are relatively cheap compared to brands like Bobbi Brown or Shu Uemura which costs around RM100 per brush!!! With RM333 I can only buy 3 brushes from Bobbi Brown but now I'm getting 12!!


Even a travel brush set like the image above (Caviar & Oyster Collection Travel Brush Set by Bobbi Brown) costs RM380. It comes with 6 mini brushes and a hard cover. I've compared prices from Shu Uemura and they are offering something similar too. 

 

This Sigma Beauty brush set comes with a Cup Holder for you to hold the brushes and is handy for travelling. The only down side is Luxola doesn't have the black color. The light blue is cool but gets dirty easily.

Today's fashion

Shopping with sister today at Pavilion KL. X'mas decoration is up already and the silly two trying very hard to do a selca with the decoration. Yes, trying very hard to fit the decorations into the picture. (^_−)−☆

What I'm wearing today:
Black long-sleeve shirt by H&M
Blue jeans by Levi's
Brown leather belt by Massimo Dutti
Black boots by Aldo (not captured in the picture though)
Balenciaga giant rose gold city in anthracite

忽然想学韩语

学了多年的日语好久没用，已大部分给忘记了。但简单的还会读一些、说一些，至少去到日本也不怕。

现在却心血来潮想要学韩语的说。
不是因为韩流所以想跟着学，也不是要看、听得懂韩剧（虽然有常在看，但都有附上翻译）。

我想是自从我从韩国回来以后，发现韩国人的英语真的很不行。觉得韩国人蛮artistic，如果想要学习更多，就得看得懂韩语才行。如果有生意来往，懂得韩语就会更方便。又因为忽然有些很好听的韩语歌，我也想跟着唱。就忽然间很想学了。

这首歌是我在韩国逛一间店的时候店内所播放的，一听就爱上。当我很想有个冲动想问店员这首歌的歌手是谁的时候，忽然灵光一闪，就想到了。全因我对声音的辨识能力超强！回国以后就立刻给我找到了！！

The Most Important Graph in the World

Yes I'm reading this recently. Although I haven't finished reading (because I don't normally read), it's really a good book worth reading and recommending.

Tony Buzan is the guru of mind mapping and this book teaches us how to improve our memories and be more creative and successful in what we are doing. To the contrary of what we used to think, memory with proper training improves over time. If you want to find out more, go read it!

As I have said before I don't like to read and good book that appeals to me is hard to come by. Many times I started with first few pages and the book was eventually left somewhere untouched. It simply doesn't have the "element" to attract me to continue reading. Is it a lame excuse? But I prefer reading educational or inspirational books like this rather than story books or fictions. Nothing wrong with fiction but just my individual preference.

The last time I read a good and eye-opening book is "The World is Flat" by Thomas Friedman. Haha! The one and only. Do let me know if you come across good inspirational book like this. I would like to do more reading. Just a little bit more persistence though...

Long time...

 

It has been a rather long time since I last updated this blog of mine...

The reason/excuse being - lazy+busy...

 

Yes I've made the decision. The decision which I'd been pondering over and over. Let's hope that with the new challenge I'll be happier...

 

On a separate note, just want to share my latest style, for my memory, while I'm still considered "young".

  

I'm wearing:

Printed peplum top in black from Zara

Tight jeans in black from H&M

Pumps from Pedro

Loewe Amazona bag in Gold/Mink (my latest fave collection~)

 

 

Crossroad

我那新上任的boss有一天在聊天的时候跟我说，你这个年龄应该已经很清楚自己要什么。
是吗？

我本来以为这是我要的，但两年以后又觉得这好像不是我要的。这是我个人问题吗？
就像她说的，都什么年龄了，活到这么大还犹豫不决，还不知道自己想要什么。
别人看来会觉得这个人很有问题。
是吗？

我忽然觉得那么拼是为什么，为钱吗？
好像也赚不很多。但不为钱吗？
好像也说不出个所以然来。
只觉得别人都在看，自己成功与否。

忽然觉得好累，不想再拼了，好像不值得。
可是别人都在拼啊？！也不是只有自己在辛苦。
如果现在放弃，好像两年的累积下来的功夫都白费了。

可是好想暂时什么都不想，将一切抛开，
好好认真对待自己，你说好吗？

这样的十字路口，只有我一个人有这样的问题吗？

Taeyeon唱的电视剧主题曲

我很懒惰写blog, 只是喜欢写beauty和音乐。所以喜欢在这里分享我喜欢的。我知道未必合别人口味。可是没关系，就算没有读者我也乐在其中。
最近一直百听不厌少女时代团长兼主唱的TaeYeon所唱的OST。
尤其是最新的这首《疯狂地想着你》，真是唱到心坎里头去了。
如果有看The King 2 Hearts更有共鸣。



接下来就是这首《贝多芬病毒》主题曲 - Can You Hear Me


还要推荐的就是《Athena》主题曲～I Love You
可惜没有现场版

2012 Birthday Dinner

This year we had my birthday dinner at El Fresco Italian restaurant @ Empire shopping mall, Subang.

We ordered our fave pasta and a grilled salmon which we picked from the Jaya grocery wet market ourselves.

An ordinary but nice and happy dinner ~ thanks to hubby!!

让人鸡皮疙瘩的声音

在FB看到朋友分享了这首歌的MV, 而且还写道: "powerful voice", 引起了我想要听的欲望。怎知一听之下。。。

开场的时候还好，中规中矩，还算是一把好声音。直到听到chorus部分，竟然像变了另一把声音似的，让我起了goose bumps...

到底是怎么回事呢？
自己听听看吧。。。

我喜欢live version，比较可以考验实力。


来一首慢歌又怎样，更可以听得出一个人的唱功。


听后感：音域很阔，再一次证明了韩国人很会唱。听了Ailee，李佳薇请靠边站。音乐无分国际，所以我是对人，不看国籍。 我喜欢这种powerful voice，而不是呐喊或刺耳的尖叫。

Styles to steal

My fave Japanese model ~ Mori Erika and her fashion sense ~ love it!
Pictures I "stole" from her blog~~












Love her boots and her Chanel sling bag especially~
Overall she looks simple yet impressive~~

Love the jacket and the pleated skirt.

Don't dare to try short skirt like this as it might look too young on me~

She pulls if off well without looking girly~

I love this look ~ she looks feminine and elegant
Especially love the pink Balenciaga ~~ so itchy to get one!!

Life of a Brand Manager in Abbott

Today while entering multiple entries for coming appointments & meetings, couldn't help but to snap pictures of my monthly schedule.

This is my Janurary schedule. I've entered only for meetings & appointments, not to mention time to properly sit down and do my work.

My February schedule is even worse. Again, these are just meetings, appointments & training. I've not even included a long, long "To Do" list.

And my March schedule is filling up already by now. More to come...

So, basically I work averagely from 9am to 12am, Monday - Friday. Yes you are right. I bring work back to home and my laptop is on until I'm ready to sleep at 12am. That also explains why I hate and unwilling to work on Sat or Sun, although there are times when I need to.

This is a typical lifestyle of a marketing personnel in Abbott. There is no work-life balance in our dictionary. My colleague who has joined for less than a year asked me, "how long could he sustain?". Ya, I started asking myself the same question from time to time....

下雨天

这是一首2008年的歌，却是我在2012年第一次听到。
而且是第一次听就爱上了。
虽然不会特别钟情像Lara般娇滴滴的声音，可是这一次她诠释得很好。
旋律一听就喜欢。还以为是新歌，怎么一回家找一找才惊觉是4年前的歌。
南拳妈妈的音乐有带丁点周杰伦的味道。。。

不可错过的new fave

最近蛮喜欢一个女子组合 ~ T-ara。虽然不是新组合，也蛮有知名度，却是最近才发现她们的歌蛮合我胃口。韩国歌手厉害的地方就是能跳能唱。而我也是看了她们的舞蹈觉得新异、很棒！

这首是我看了而对T-ara改观的舞曲。很喜欢她们的shuffling dance和80年代feel。
Lovey Dovey



Cry Cry ~ sexy dance moves


Roly Poly ~ Japanese version but equally good as 韩文原曲!
又是另一首80年代feel 的舞曲~ 正!!


We were in love - 很surprised她们也可以唱像连续剧主题曲般的歌曲

重温N年前喜爱的歌曲

星期日的下午， 重温以前喜爱的日文歌曲，有回到从前的感觉。
随着韩曲的流行，已渐渐把日曲给忘了。
如今重温，还很喜欢。

Kou Shibasaki ~ Tsuki no Shizuku
她的声音虽属普通，这首歌却很好听。


Ayaka ~ 三日月
她的powerful voice不用置疑。