My Eyebrow Embroidery Story.

So, I finally did it.

After years of thinking and almost-doing it, I finally did it.

I have tried quite a number of things in regards to my face (not cosmetic surgery la okay) because I'm vain like that. Heh.

My Braces Story

My Eyeliner Embroidery Story

My Eyelash Extension Story

My Eyelash Lift Story

It all began after I have given birth to Alex about 2 years ago. It was then when my eyebrow hair started falling. I know - what a tragic story really. Dahlah, hair started falling and I have obvious bald spots (back then), I had to also deal with the fact that my eyebrows were balding too! 

It was such a difficult thing to accept because how often do you hear women say that their eyebrows were balding? I didn't even know such a thing exists!

If you are reading this and your eyebrows were balding, please message me because then I know I'm not alone in this and I am not crazy! Hah. 

If you see the photo above, I was heavily pregnant with Sofia and Adrian took a photo of us chilling on the bed with no makeup at all on my face. WHERE DID MY EYEBROWS GO!?

I used to have good eyebrows okay - good means like no need to use eyebrow makeup at all. Yes, in case you were wondering, I made him delete that IG story and gave him a quick intense session on why he should check his photos/videos before posting them online because his wife is vain la okay. 

Anyway, so when your hormones go haywire, your body reacts funnily. This - I learned because both pregnancies acted differently. 

The biggest reason why I did not go ahead and do it earlier is that Adrian begged me not to do it! Yeah - begged. 

He was so determined to make sure I don't proceed with the eyebrow embroidery because he did not want me to look like some people with bad eyebrows embroidery experience in terms of how it made them looked worse. He was really sure that I will make my eyebrows looked worse if I go for it. 

His reasons were legit and he actually did put that doubt in me hence me not going for it - even though I know it could save me a lot of time and effort and money. I was spending so much time watching Youtube videos and practicing and I've had good days and bad days. Some days, I had to rush drawing the eyebrows because the kids were restless. 

I've had days when I feel like my eyebrows look so bad I just kept avoiding meeting people. It's bad for my confidence and I always believe that confidence is key. Hah. 

But after adapting to life with 2 kids for about 6-months, I decided that there is no time for me to slowly do eyebrows all in the morning. 

On weekdays, not only do we need to get ourselves ready for work, but we also had to bathe both kids and feed them milk (mostly Sofia) and by the time the kids are settled, I usually have only 5-minutes to myself to do all my finishing touches. 

That also, sometimes Alex will not leave me alone at my makeup table. He either wants to be carried or he wants to hold everything I used - if not he makes a big fuss and there goes our peaceful start to the day. Then again, who am I kidding? With two kids at home, no such thing as the peaceful morning. Hah. But I love it! Just not when I need to draw my brows. 

So, I decided enough is enough and it is time to get the brows done. It's like if I never try, I will keep asking myself what if. 

I told Adrian about it but he was still as keen and tried to persuade me. Since I didn't want to be influenced by him anymore, I took leave on a weekday and went for it - yes, without telling him. Hah. 

I found out about Des Aesthetic (Prima Tanjung) when I was searching for an eyelash lift treatment which I did and I found that the staff was very friendly and informative and gentle. I remembered being in good hands. So, I recommended to my mom and she went and did her eyebrows and she loved it! 

You know how eyebrow embroidery used to be painful and right after you do it, the colors are very obvious and when you walk out of the beauty salon, people will instantly know that you just did your brows. Not only that, I think because of the way people used to "tattoo" the brows, after years, but it will also leave like a permanent red mark which was what happened to my mom. 

She had this red mark on her brows that are permanent and when we consulted Des Aesthetic, they knew instantly what needed to be done. There are 2 types of eyebrow embroidery processes and they recommended the one suitable for my mom so that the red mark could be covered. 

Long story short, my mom came home with new and normal looking eyebrows and it didn't even look like she had just get it done hours before. I was super impressed. 

Then, I knew I had to get it done too, and only with the best I know - with Des Aesthetic! 

The first thing they did was applying some numbing cream on both brows - for about 20 minutes (I think). Then, Evonne (the lady who took care of me so well), shaved and drew the brows for me. She did 2-kinds and asked for my choice but I ended up asking her to choose for me because she's a pro. FYI - her eyebrows were so on point so, at that time, I legit felt so accomplished - like I know already she is going to do a good job. 

After that, I went to the room and lied down and I was afraid that it may hurt because if not why they need to put numbing cream right? It did not hurt la, please. Can only feel very minimal sharp pain but not painful at all - can fall asleep also. 

The entire process was very relaxing and pampering. 

Right after the process, a cool gel is put on top of the brows to cool the swelling. I had a bit of swelling because my skin is quite dry. 

 

It was like a 2-hours process and when I went home, no one could tell that I had just done my brows. Adrian himself also did not realize when he came to fetch us home. It was only when I stared at him and smiled a long time then only he was like, "YOU DID YOUR EYEBROWS?"

He was impressed because it looked os natural that he thought I drew them.

The next day, the eyebrows looked darker but no more swelling, and over the next few days, it peeled and then it became a lot lighter. A bit too light but natural for sure. 

No need to worry my eyebrows disappearing when I go swimming or when I accidentally scratched my eyebrows and when I sweat. 

It is so convenient please - life-changing too because I did not have to spend so much time in front of my vanity desk. Ohh if only I did this earlier. But never too late. 

So for those of you also thinking and going back and forth with yourself to whether you should go for it, my advice is GO FOR IT. 

I paid RM650 and it comes with a one-time free touch up and one facial treatment. 

Another concern Adrian has after this eyebrow embroidery was if I need to like go and touch-up every month or something because it's another "monthly" commitment right? 

The thing is I most likely will not go for any touch-up every few months because now that I have the "perfect" eyebrow shape/outline of it, I can now just use an eyebrow pencil and fill it up. I don't have to worry if one side is longer or thicker. 

No regrets whatsoever at all going for this eyebrow embroidery. 

Thank you Evonne for making me have eyebrows-confidence again! 

Till next time, bye now. 

Do You Want to Earn Extra Income?

I started taking these Isotonix when I was having a bit of difficulty in my pregnancy with Sofia, and ever since then, I have been a big user of these Isotonix. Read more her please before you continue reading more. 

It was recommended to me by my sister so I was pretty sure it will work since she is not gonna just sell me nonsense right. I trust her completely. But I also had a little bit of doubt about whether it will really work. 

Of course, time will tell and time did tell! 

It worked and now, my husband who is not a big fan of "these" things (in the beginning) even encouraged me to take the leap and turn this "shopping" into a business opportunity. Since I am already consuming these products and believed in the goodness of it all, I should also start earning side income from it. 

With that said, I finally caved in and joined and now, I am a business owner! Woooohoo! 

How exciting does that sound hah! 

Anyways, I have started to spend more time getting to know more about these products and it is so exciting because I feel like now our cabinets are going to be filled with the real good stuff and I can get rid of that other stuff that never helped. 

For your information, when I was having so many episodes of indigestion, I went to ENO and Gavisconn for help but it did not work at all! Hence, I became so desperate and decided to get from my sister this Isotonix Digestive. 

Now, I only take them when I have like super heavy dinner or when I feel super bloated. 

Okay so no more blabbing about these crazy effective products la, please. 

I just want to let you know that if you are interested to earn side income (of course you must believe in the products la ya because if you don't then what is the point?), please message me and I will tell you how it works. 

If you don't want to earn side income because you got too much money already (donate some to me please), but want to try on some of these life-changing Isotonix, please also message me so I can tell you more. 

Do not worry if I am gonna cheat you okay. I cannot even cheat my own husband! Everything also he had to like see proof wan - but so glad that he is now on the same boat as me. Heh. 

He is not part of this because he has too much money liau (kidding!). But really, because he wants to support me la. It feels great to "own" an online business thing actually. 

So for now, if you are thinking about it, you can click on THIS and earn points as you shop on this website (that works like Shopback) where you earn points every time you shop online. Amazing Graze and Watsons are in there too! So much win because my top 2 favorite online shopping heh. 

Ohhh before I go, I am also going to try on cosmetic products called Motives. Cannot wait for my box to arrive! 

Till next time, bye now. 

Six Breastfeeding Must-Haves.

I did it!

That feeling of accomplishment is really something!

I have breastfed Sofia for 6-months and it felt great. My breastfeeding journey with Sofia was really pleasant and easy and pain-free and lovely. She was a good drinker (look at her size you would know) and a great latcher (got such word?). 

Sofia is now reaching 7-months old and we have started to feed her with pureed food but she is not really keen. I feel she is going to be a picky eater - unlike Alex who eats everything. 

Due to some reasons and all, I have decided to stop breastfeeding at 6-months and patted myself on the back for coming this far. It is not that far compared to so many moms out there who breastfeed till their child is like 1-yo and that's impressive really. 

For me, I'm going to celebrate this small win of reaching to 6-months. I did only 1-month with Alex so this is a win, please. 

I am already missing a big part of breastfeeding but I decided to stop for reals. There were many days where I stop and went back to it because it was just a really difficult thing to do. The emotional attachment is real seriously. 

But anyway, I am thankful that it has been a great experience with my second-born. 

Through this 6-months journey with Sofia (and 1-month with Alex in 2018), here are some of the things that goes to the MUST-HAVE list to make this journey a better one.

This comes number one and I feel that I must share because it is such a life-changer and, that is the importance of having the right chair during breastfeeding/pumping, etc. 

It took me a while to convince myself to spend about RM700 to get this nursing chair, but let me tell you that it is worth every cent spent.

I got mine from Shopee at about RM600 and it comes with a leg rest stool and a pillow. IKEA is selling at RM699 and does not come with a leg rest stool or a pillow (I think).

 I put more pillows so I feel more comfortable during the night feeds.

It is also one of Alex's favorite places to be when he watches video on his iPad.

If you asked me now if I will still get the same nursing chair from Shopee, I would say no. I will definitely spend more money to get the chair from IKEA.

The one I got from Shopee is not as comfortable as IKEA's. And IKEA's chair comes with 10 years' warranty so yeah. Maybe I should sell my current chair at a discounted price and get the IKEA's chair. Heh.

Then again, I am no longer breastfeeding so not ideal to do the above said.

Anyways, this chair saved my sanity for when I needed to nurse Sofia so many times after midnight. It is one thing to not be able to avoid feeding your child when she cries for milk in the middle of the night but to get to do it in a comfortable nursing chair, now that is a life-saver. 

Just like how it is so important to have a bottle sterilizer at home for all the feeding bottles, pacifiers, and stuff - it is equally important to spend that hundreds to get this nursing chair. 

I cannot say this enough, but many times when I am not breastfeeding or pumping, I find myself sneaking into my room to sit on this chair because it's comfortable and it is so relaxing! 

Cannot believe that I am saying this but this chair really saved my sanity and my rollercoaster of emotions for the past 6-months. For those of you who have done breastfeeding before, you know how crazy our emotions can run during these times. 

So yeah. 

GET A NURSING CHAIR FOR YOURSELF. 

Even if your husband thinks it is too much money to spend on a chair. 

Please - trust me. 

Of course, maybe you are comfortable enough to sit on your bed to nurse your child or something, then it's totally fine. All I am saying is that this nursing chair should be on the list of must-haves after a baby is born (if you plan to breastfeed of course). 

Ohh, and there are so many types of nursing chairs out there okay so choose wisely. Hint: choose those that allow your head to rest (SUPER IMPORTANT & HELPFUL!).

Number two is the right nursing pillow. I have looked through different types of nursing pillows and finally settled for the U-shaped one because it is most common and cheapest. Heh.

With this pillow, Sofia is usually sleeping soundly during the nursing time because there is no body heat that I am transferring to her and in a way, the pillow is so much softer than my boney arms, please. Of course, sometime I will carry her because I overly attached like that. Hah.

The third must-have for me is definitely a nursing cover that is big, light, and thin in its material. The one I got was big but the material was quite thick so whenever Sofia feeds under the cloth, she will sweat for sure. So kesian. I wanted to get a better nursing cover but MCO happened and since staying home means I can freely nurse her anywhere without having to cover, I did not get a new one in the end. But yes, very important to get one that is thin material okay.

Number 4 is also super important because every breastfeeding moms need it wan. A super effective breast pump! I could never invest like a few thousand ringgits to get a breast pump because it is just way too much money so I kept searching and finally found one that has all the features that I was looking for.

WIRELESS.

Oh man let me tell you how a wireless breast pump can change your life. With Alex, I was using my sister's so it is the usual breast pump that is out there - comes with a wire, and tubes and bottles, etc. With a breast pump that is wireless, that only means I don't have to be seated at a place for the entire pumping time.

And with SuperMama's FlexiFit Electrical Tubeless Breast Pump, it was such an enjoyable pumping experience. I was pumping in the living room, at the dining table, in the car, in office, etc. There was no fuss at all. There were a concern that its suction power is not strong enough but please, there are nine levels and for me personally, it was enough. Supermama's breast pump was my best friend on the go.

I charge it every day at night after the last pump and it will last me the entire day. I keep one pump at my mom's and one with me all the time. So whenever, I feel like my boobs are going to ve engorged, I take it out and pump (with a nursing cover of course).

Got once we were at a party at a friend's house and I was getting super engorged, I covered myself with the nursing cover and pumped right at the dining table with all my friends present. I did not have to miss out on the conversations because it was really THAT convenient.

It definitely made life so much easier. And I only spent RM 380 for 2 FlexiFit Electrical Tubeless Breast Pump. Even Adrian was amazed by this product.

Now, Supermama had recently came out with a new version where you just got to put in in your bra and yes, wireless and no need to hold also. I was super tempted to get it but maybe for my next baby.

It's called SuperMama Air Breast Pump and costs RM299 for 1. If you are a working mother, I'd say that this is a great investment. 

The fifth must-have is of course disposable breast pads. No one likes leaky boobs especially when you go out because it's embarrassing to have milk stains. Heh. So, I'd always made sure to invest on good quality ones that is both comfortable and effective. So far, all brands also okay. None that is like bad.

I have considered getting reusable/washable breast pads but some of my friends shared that after a while, there is a smell on the pads (even after wash) and since I am a working mom, I prefer to have something that is more convenient.

Number 6 and final (for me) for this breastfeeding must-have is a good supportive nursing bra. I tried many brandless nursing bras that I get online and although some are quite comfortable and all, I still feel that the best supportive bra is the sports bra.

Yes, you see that right. SPORTS BRA.

Nothing supports the C-cup boobies like sports bra does. And it's quite easy for nursing also. I realized I do not necessarily need to get those nursing bra to have 'easier' nursing experience. I did with the sports bra and loving it a lot. So much comfort, please.

So these are my six must-haves for a smoother and more enjoyable breastfeeding journey.

Gotta admit that I am already missing it but no regrets okay. Last night, I tried to get Sofia o latch on, but she wouldn't even want to look at it anymore. Hah. She moved on very quickly it seems.

Now, we can focus on the next baby - I AM KIDDING!

Till next time, bye now. 

Spicy Korean Chicken Stir-Fry.

Korean food this time.

It is like cooking updates one after another because what else do you do when you cannot go out and spend the entire day at home, right?

I decided to get a small tub of Gojuchang sauce because initially, I wanted to learn how to make Sundubu Jiggae from my mom (and she did tell me the steps etc) but it seems like so much work so I'm just going to do other Gojuchang-related meals first.

I happened to see this recipe on Marion Grasby's website and it was so simple so I decided to do it.

For this, you actually only need Gojuchang paste and the rest is just fresh ingredients that you would like to add into this dish.

 I sliced a chicken breast and marinated with Gojuchang paste for a few hours. Actually, no need so many hours wan. I just had a lot of time so I decided to marinate it in the noon and cooked them in the evening.

No need to put salt or any other sauce because Gojuchang paste itself is already very flavorful.

I then opened my fridge and get some of the vegetables I can see and chopped them up into bit-sizes. I started with garlic and then in goes all the vegetables and once, my vegetables (I think) are semi-cooked, I then put in the Gojuchang marinated chicken slices.

Then, it is all just stir and fry until the meat is fully cooked.

To me, I think I added too much of the Gojuchang paste. I think next time, I will just put a tablespoon first and see. If not enough, only put another one. It was a lil too spicy for my MIL and husband. A little too thick too if you ask me.

But overall, flavour is superb and this is the easiest recipe seriously.

Go try please.

Till next time, bye now.