Boxy Winter

My weekend doesn't start until Saturday noon, seeing as I still work from 9am-1pm every week. To compansate for looking professional on week days, I mix my Saturday attire to look more laid back and comfortable. It's not obvious but Melbourne is currently averaging 10 degrees Celsius during the day so keeping warm is my absolute priority.

OOTD: 

     Top 

• H&M wool oversized boxy coat - XS in size but it looks huge on me, though the armpits fit perfectly. I love this coat because its warm, comfortably fitted and the patterned lining inside looks so sophisticated. It was on special for $33AUD at Malaysia's H&M autumn winter 2013 collection sale
• White oversized button up knit sweater was an item I got at a night market in China back in 2008, the weather was getting cold and I needed something cheap and quick so I got it for about $5
• Temt loosely fitted sleeveless turtleneck top was from my mums wardrobe, again keeping me warm, comfortable and presentable for half a day of weekend work. 

     Bottom

• Forever 21 high waisted ankle trouser - I got this on sale in Malaysia for about $10AUD, though it's a little loose I don't mind, it never fell off and the length was just right so I didn't have to alter it. I've never had to iron these pants which is a double plus in my books. 

     Shoes      

• Massimo Dutti black patent contrast leather flats - I love these shoes cause they had it in my size (35) and once I broke into them, they are very comfortable to walk in, can easily be paired with a lot of styles. I like the tassels, cow leather and horse hair contrast because they compliment well with each other, giving it some texture on top of all this dull black. 

     Bag

• Salvatore Ferragamo black vintage leather bag on gold chain - simple and versatile, this is my go to bag when I'm in need of a small cross body or shoulder bag, I won this a few years back on eBay for about $120AUD with shipping, and haven't regretted this buy :)

OOTD: ROSY COLLAR

As a teenager this is how my cousin wears black and white - keeping in her comfort zone with the high top sneakers, flawy oversized sweater and flirty mini skirt, to complete this look without looking monotonous she added a white button up embroidered collar blouse

OOTD: white embroidered collar blouse, oversized black button up knit sweater, H&M Circular Skirt, polka dot stockings, Streetpop high top black sneakers by Naughty Monkey

ROTI ROAD

Hi everyone

I’ve recently decided to post something again, since all my studies have finally finished. This is a food post on the new “ROTI ROAD” Malaysian Chinese restaurant, which I have returned on several occasions.

 

Typically this is what we usually order:

Roti Canai - $5.90

These roti sheets are made in front of us so I guess they are freshly home made accompanied by three dipping sauce – curry sauce, dal, sambal.

I must admit I’m not a curry fan but this dish is a good introduction to Malaysian Indian cuisine.

Tom Yum Soup – we ordered for a table of 10, unsure how this was calculated; on the menu it states, “Serves two - $11.90”

I’ve had my fair share of tom yum soup, this had all the right ingredients but "it" compared to others I’ve had was ordinary. A little on the salty side, non the less this is my go to soup cause its got a sour savory taste which does help with my digestion for the upcoming dishes.

Satay Chicken - $9 for 6 skewers.

Another good entrée, chicken was smoky and went well with the amazing sweet peanuty satay sauce

the chefs doing their thing.

Traditional Three Coloured Milk Tea - $4.50

I am not a coffee drinker, so I wouldn’t know how to judge this one but it was recommended by my partner and he seemed to have liked it. I hate the bitterness in coffee, but this was weak with a hint of creamy cold sweetness, which wasn’t too bad to quench my thirst (water would have done the same for free).

Rendang Beef - $19.80

By this time I was getting full and seeing curry wasn’t appetizing, I had a piece and that was that. It doesn’t hurt to try but too much meat and curry mixed together isn’t what I personally would order for myself. If you are a heavy beef curry lover you might enjoy this dish.

Fried Chicken Berempah - $16.80

Got kids tagging along? If you like fried chicken this is yummy, the coating outside is salty crispy with tender unboned chicken inside (like KFC wicked wings but with different seasoning).

Belacan Kangkung - $14.80

This is water spinach stir fried in shrimp paste. This was over cooked which made the spinach too wet and soggy, and there was an overdoes on flavoring hence the overpowering saltiness.  I usually love this dish cause it's crunchy and refreshing with the minimal seafood aroma left behind in the mouth, but all was overdone that night. Lets hope it taste better next time, or maybe this is how Roti Road make this dish?

Honey Pepper Lamb Cutlets - $28.90 (don’t remember how many pieces)

All the right flavouring in my mouth, the bomb! Loved it, spicy sweet and salty at the same time which was well balanced out by white rice and steamed broccoli.

Banana Fritter with Ice Cream -  $7.50

My mum does some great fried bananas, but to compensate for not eating at home this was a good substitute, however for this price try the Roti Tisu (cause I don’t know many who can make this at home)

Roti Tisu -$9.90

This is thin crispy fried roti lightly coated with condensed milk and dusted with sugar. YUMMY! I could finish this whole thing myself even after having that much food, the portion looks huge but its deceiving to the eyes cause it’s like a thin upside cone of flour filled with nothing inside. It was not overly sweet because the bland thin crispy roti complimented well with the condense milk and sugar then dipped in the cold creamy ice cream it worked out just right.

FINALLY:

If you live in the western suburbs of Melbourne and love Mamak or Chef Lagenda, give this place a visit, it’s new and the fresh roti is like no other.  Highly recommended. I’ve visited Malaysia many times and have taken a few local Malaysians here, we all love the food and services here (quick, friendly and efficient).

Happy Mother's Day Mum!

What’s the most beautiful word in the World?

Mother's Day is coming and what better way to show my appreciation of my inspiration which is my wonderful Mother? then to show it off here on one of my post. There is no word to describe my love, thankfulness and appreciation I have towards her, so I guess I have to embarrass her today by showing off her styles when she was my age (in her twenties).

I loved what she wore in most of her photos as it showed her personality and skills, all of what she's wearing was made by her (except for jeans she wore). Mum's been a seamstress since she was 18 yrs old, she is very competent in a lot of kills especially sewing, and cooking of course.

I hope Mum wasn't bear foot here, but what the heck its the 80's no shoes were in style and still is today. I loved her simple casual look: black tank and blue high waisted jeans with a belt ... she wouldn't have worn ripped jeans in those day, back in our mother land ripped clothing was a sign of poverty lol. Look at us now, ripping up stuff so that we're "in style". I never remembered mum wearing her brown jade bangles but I would love to own one myself. 

similar outfit as the previous picture, but with sandals on and posing on a Honda "Dream", great flash back of when she could actually drive this so called "beast" with our whole family on it (4 passengers was the norm with no helmet). Mums hat not only gave her some shade it also made her look more feminine. 

the same tank with lighter jeans, untucked

location: old Saigon Airport Carpark. 

I think when you're a country bumpkin and you get the opportunity to travel into the city you make the most of it, like my mum, this is what she would call "dressing up" wearing her traditional "ao dai" (Long Dress) was a privilege. 

Can you spot the combi-van? 

another dress she made, its made of gold thread textiles on black and sheer net material to give the illusion of covering up but also exposing some skin. Top part looked pretty good until she integrated her white heels with white stockings, I guess looking white was a sign of wealth so she tried making her legs look whiter by wearing white sheer stockings.  

this is patterned from top to pants, she did a great mix up of large bold prints with small prints. Looking casual as usual with her aviators and flats and a white flap bag. I love this picture! I would actually wear that this summer if she still had it in her closet, lose boxy tops are back on trend.

more patterned textiled ao dai. I still can't over some of her hairstyles, some looked pretty awesome some just looked so old school especially with her poofy hair.

they called this lake of "romance", its where lovers would seek to be bitten by mosquitos lol, there are a lot of mosquitos in Vietnam (day/night). Jokes aside, I think my dad was also into his strips, and fully deep v-neck line shirts. Mum looked so cute in her own 3/4 red patterned jumpsuit design.

I really hope Mum doesn't find this post embarrassing, I posted these up because I loved her styles and olden day photographs so much. I remember seeing heaps more old photos of mum but I don't know where they've gone. My parents were separated for about 5 yrs because my Dad immigrated to escape the hardship of an over powering unfair government, so during the time he was stuck in limbo before getting accepted into Australia, my Mum would regularly send him photos of herself, my twin sister and I just in case he missed us, cause telecommunications back in days was very expensive. So I am very thankful for that we are all reunited in such a blessed country and for everything I have today.... THANK YOU MUM, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, LOVE YOU XOXOX

What to wear on a lazy day out?

Going somewhere casual? 

This is what my cousin wore to a friends place, something cropped with prints and keeping things simple, she added a sweater or jumper and tights to keep warm and comfortable.

OOTD

TOP: Kenzo embroidered tiger head sweatshirt, oversized white woollen cardigan (from the street market of China)

Bottom: H&M girls grey tights -  these are meant for girls but it seemed to fit me and they were on special for about $5 heheh so I got them 

Shoes: TOMS slip-on navy canvas Women's classics

Tasmania Easter Break

For the remainder of my 2014 Tasmanian Easter trip, my partner and I had lots of fish and chips, an overpriced dinner, some more amazing site seeing, farming and whatever else in between. This is not your typical Tasmania Cheese and Wine tasting adventure as I'm not a fan of cheese or alcohol - bummer I know... but this is how it kinda went...

 Welcome to our accommodation in Hobart, we stayed at Wrest Point Hotel Casino 

 this was our magnificent view from the 15th floor

thought I'd throw this in, as it was such a unique shower, there were 5 different shower nozzles lol, it looked impressive but it felt normal to me, water pressure had to be compensated due to the many water distribution route (hence the pressure intensity wasn't up to my liking). I must admit nothing is like taking a shower at home

we took to trip advisor, and #1 on the list was Louisa's Walk, unfortunately due to the public holiday it was closed, but when I called up to book for a tour Ms. receptionist told me that this tour was book out a week ago. So a tip before coming here would be BOOK IN ADVANCE!

This tour was on a Street named Cascade Road, and we stumbled across the Cascade Brewery (who would have thought heheheh). If you're an Australian, you would know that Cascade is famous for their premium beer and drinks, I got so excited when I realised that the beer I see everywhere was made right here, ofcourse I had to take a photo. I hate the taste of beer but I love seeing historical icons that still exist today. 

adjacent to the Brewery there was the Cascade Park, the atmosphere would have been calmer if it weren't for the Easter egg hunt, these kids were hunting for Easter eggs! it looked fun, innocent and exhausting at the same time. I wish I was a child again. I do recommend anyone who visit Hobart visit this place, its so refreshing to be able to breathe fresh air and hear child's laughter with cascading water in the background

#3 on trip advisor was Mount Wellington. It was under 5 degrees when we reached the top, but the bloody view was magnificent, I was over looking the whole of Hobart. there's not much else up here besides the view and winding road. Just don't go on a cloudy day, fog and cloud would block all your view

next pit stop was Barilla Bay, they specialised in fresh oysters, I'm not a fan of anything raw, but I must admit these Oysters were sweet and fresh from the shell. I recommend getting the dozen in the box as it was only $11, the other dozen with lemon & sauce on a plate was about $17, why would you pay more for the same thing?

Mid Way Point, Pitt Water

from there we travelled to Sorell Fruit Farm: most of the fruits here were out of season but luckily we managed to pick some strawberries and apples. The entrance fee was $8, and you get a small plastic container to take home from whatever you've pick.

picking and eating strawberries

birds getting full on apples

there were rows and rows of assorted apples.

This was our harvasting, two buckets of this. Cleaning fruit inside an ice bucket from our hotel room, improvisation lol.

Fish & Chips at Dunalley Fish Market was the next thing we ate, it's not a market but more of a "by the sea fish & chip family eatery" 

the view was again beautiful, it was so peaceful having lunch with a dog & a seal (solitary seal just bathing and showing off, very cute, I don't know if this is the Dunalley Fish Market pet or if it's from the wild which happened to cross path with us that day)

OMG BEST $10 FISH & CHIPS EVER! recommended must visit place for fish & chips in Tasmania Dunalley Fish Market, the seafood was fresh and it tasted authentic like home made food. This is a single portion made for 1, it was enough to fill me and my partner up  as we've been eating along the way. This is incomparable to our dinner at Mures Tasmania the night before which cost us $70 (waste of money)! 

this was dinner at Mures Tasmania the night before, sorry to say but it was expensive & not fresh, more like a fast food joint for Fish & Chips. 

 on then way back we passed Seven Mile Beach

On our way to Drunken Admiral Resturant

the theme & deco in this restaurant was impressive it was very detailed, just imagine yourself shipwrecked on pirates of the Caribbean 

more oysters with special sauce and fried garlic

mocktails

my $37, 3 skewered grilled scallop a salad and chips, my partner had the same grilled platter but with fish instead. Our total bill rounded up to $160. This place in my opinion has great ambience but the food was overpriced for something I could buy fresh and grill at home, it wasn't as special as the price was. 

just me lounging around waiting to depart, BYE TASMANIA!