PINKYLEONA

When MCO started, we feel the need to properly allocate Seff's play area (he previously, randomly play in front of the TV bench). This designation area serves well as he knows where to go/reach for toys. We finally realized how much toys he has!

The downstairs has more toys since we spent time downstairs from breakfast to dinner. Upstairs is a calmer area -where he still plays, but we are hoping he won't aggressively climbing and all. True to expectation, he spent time either cooking or playing with soft toys (keep hugging his late sister's Jellycat)

Update : Ok, husband bought it in-store already 💗

Then we added IKEA Duktig play kitchen that matches well with the colour scheme and boy, we never regret our previous purchases!

Future plan : Seff has outgrown this Sniglar cot for a while now, and it serves as "mini zoo" with soft toys inside, or you may say, a lounge? I plan to add in IKEA Kura bed, again, with the same colour scheme. Major love!

Seff has a lot of toys, even before he could talk/request for any. Blame #workingmomproblems. Hehe. I aggressively looking for a nice toy storage rack, and found nothing that I love online (Shopee). I then ordered few items from Australia, which are (ETA July 2020) :

1. Toy storage (wooden, car form)

2. Toy shopping cart

3. Toy utensils

4. Milk & Co room spray

Cannot wait for the addition, and for now I'd settle with this white, multipurpose rack to display Seff's toys accordingly. We setup a corner with a table and chair set, and surprisingly, the first thing he does when reaches downstairs is to sit on that table, open the ABC book (self-made), and check out his toys on the rack.

So far I am loving both the setup and proud of the look. We shall see how it grows in the end of 2020, probably with the addition of new toddler bed, toy storage (wooden, car form) and others, hoping they will match well with the initial setup. If too crowded, then everyone knows I'll give them away! To my siblings/niece, definitely. Hehehe

Until next post!

We celebrated the 2020 Eid totally different, like never before, away from our family. As a small family of three, our preparation is considered minimal and small  

When Seff is born, we made promise of going to the studio to have our proper photo (cuz we need help badly, with the posing direction and all) taken every Eid, hoping this will be the one tradition we will never skip.. Plus we really like to see Seff's look progresses every year (but this 3rd isn't much different than his 2nd raya?)..

Obviously recycled, from Seff's Aqiqah heheheheh

This is the one thing I made that is totally different than previous years. Every year, I usually made 2 to 3 types of Raya cookies, while topping up with mom's signature Pineapple Tarts. But since I can't have my Pineapple tarts this year, and shipping them from my mom's would be impossible (super fragile cookies, will break to pieces), so I decided to make my own Pineapple tarts.

As early as the 1st day of Ramadhan, I asked everyone for cookies recipes, including my SIL's signature Dahlia Susu. I made them all.. (and proud of myself!)

And while Almond London is my expertise, I know the best combo for this gifting hamper/gift to our neighbors would be this :

And they loved it (especially the Almond London)

But I made a total of 6 types of Raya cookies : Pineapple tarts, Cadbury tarts, Almond London, Dahlia Susu, Red Velvet Chocolate Chip cookies and Rice Krispies in cups. I clear up the Rice Krispies (straight into my tummy) in no time.. HAHA

I also made some cookies to my family around the same area (in jars of larger quantity) as mine

I started cooking my own (definitely non-crispy!) Rendang and Raya dishes (either Curry, Ayam Masak Merah, Kuah Kacang or Lodeh) in my first year of marriage. Pre-marriage, I used to help my mom cook, while being in-charge of/the one who cook Ayam Masak Merah in large scale) 

So, cooking is definitely an easy task for me this year. Rendang Daging is cooked the day before cuz they tasted better the next day, and Sayur Lodeh on the Raya morning (cuz veges stay fresher this way). Our Raya Food including :

The meals that can come out from this (if you wonder) would be :

Signature Raya Dish : (A) + (B) + (C) + (F)

Roti Jala : (E) + (D)

Lontong : (B) + (F) + (G) + (H)

and mix (and match) them all according to your liking!

Since we are in lockdown, we spent our Raya day video chatting with our family, and all of Seff's Duit Raya received through online banking. Reached MYR1000 already.. Well, kids nowadays..

I hope everyone is having a good time this year despite the Movement Control Order (MCO). I know everyone is celebrating differently -some able to went home after months of being away, some loses job, and others have their own story..

Selamat Hari Raya, Maaf Zahir & Batin to all !

Until next post!

What I really love about making my own drink at home is : I got the full control of my type of sugar and milk. In cafes, they are all extra $$. But in cafe like Dottys, although menu says they have soy options, in real life, we couldn't get it! I mean, soy milk is extremely cheap, fill in your pantry with even 1 box of 0.5L (0.46 USD) won't hurt. Pity my friend who takes no dairy..

My birthday falls on the very beginning of MCO (Phase 1). For future reference and just to make sure I'll remember this rare event, Malaysia's Movement Control Order (MCO) history are as follows :

PKP Phase 1 : 18/3/2020 - 31/3/2020

PKP Phase 2 : 1/4/2020 - 14/4/2020

PKP Phase 3 : 15/4/2020 - 28/4/2020

PKP Phase 4 & PKPB : 29/4/2020 - 12/5/2020

PKPB starts 4/5/2020, practising #newnormal

PKPB : 13/5/2020 - 9/6/2020

So my for my birthday in end of March, at first I thought the MCO is for about 1 or 2 months, aiming to only flatten the curve. So I told husband, can always celebrate later. Birthday present is well accepted and received with many thanks, hehe

On my birthday, my husband told me not to cook so we made pizza instead

And he wanted to order a whole cake, but during this quarantine, its not favourable to take up all the space (while there wasn't space left >.<) in our refrigerator, so I am agreeing to have a slice.

Plus, I have been baking almost every other day, making all outside dessert isn't as appealing as before haha

So here's our small celebration, for the memories. Can party/have gorgeous trip together in October together during husband's birthday, perhaps? (double celebration)

Until next post!

Many people knows I love cooking. I rarely eat out, except on special occasions (just for the sake of trying out new places, new items on the menu). When I do (eat out), I potentially establishing a baseline for my palate. To be honest, I love recreating the things I eat out at home! With better and premium ingredients, because that is extremely important to me

Among my favourite food is definitely : Egg Benedict

Since they varies from restaurants to restaurants, my favourite Egg Benedict composition are :

(A) Hollandaise sauce!

(B) Poached egg, yolk not too runny

(C) Smoked salmon!

(D) Toast, preferably Rye Bread

I've been keeping my hands away from recreating Egg Benedict at home just because I need something new and different when eating out. Since I have been to many restaurants, like Dottys, Jibby & Co and many others, I have to say I HATE THEIR Benedict.. I'm sorry, but their Hollandaise contains too much acid (lemon juice)!

For a big cafes and restaurants, there's a chance they outsourced and get things supplied, and they probably using the same, "reputable" supplier, but I assure you the Hollandaise isn't what I had in outside Malaysia.. (Please refer back to what I eat during travel. When travel, I definitely eat out!)

Do not let me start on another thing, which is authenticity. I once watched from an Instagram stories, a man from a French descent once went to a cafe and ordered a Pavlova, and he commented on the Pavlova being not authentic (he's an expat, currently living in Malaysia). Pity him. 

Note : Especially (spaghetti) carbonara, they are tad too creamy in Malaysia! I like mine only from Alexis..

My Hollandaise Sauce-Making Experience 

I succeeded only after failing 2 times, which is good number, right? The first time, I probably overthinking the process, I use melted butter and food processor, because I once read, the butter will cook the egg yolk. Nahh, if you plan to do this, skip it

The second time, I only use 1 egg, whisk it over a double boiler, on low heat and it was a success! But since I want to learn about Hollandaise, I keep pouring more butter, very little amount, and a little more, until it separates. Now I learn new thing about the butter amount to use. 

Being confident, I use 2 yolk, and make my Hollandaise.. I love it.

If you need tips from me, here they are :

1. I use very little lemon juice (real lemon, not some extract in bottle type one aa)

2. I seasoned with salt and sugar. Yes, sugar..

3. I use pure, unsalted butter. If salted, skip salt in tip #2

This is literally the best Hollandaise I could ever tasted! Not breaking any sweat at all

Taking from Chef Gordon Ramsay, you may store your Hollandaise in a food flask, but we usually had a clean plate in the end hehehe >.<

The Poached Egg

I am not rigid about the egg at all, since my preferences probably changes over time. But I usually like my egg yolk not too runny, so I cook my egg a little over 3mins.

The correct tips from the internet that you'll read and I'll recommend :

1. Boil water in a pot, make sure it is deep enough, don't rush good things

2. Create a vortex, drop the egg into the centre of the pot

3. Fresher eggs create better poached egg since it has firm tighter whites. Older eggs create more wispies, but my ultimate tip is : cut of the wispies or anything unaesthetic, using kitchen scissors. You'll get your perfect egg, don't worry..

My preferred yolk

The Smoked Salmon

I like my smoked salmon, but I also am willing to change it occasionally with beef streak, beef or chicken salami etc..


Beef streaky breakfast also can. This is another simple favourite. Egg is 6 minutes-boiled egg

The Toast

When I am eating healthy, I'd go for mostly Rye Bread (bought mine in Jaya Grocer). But these days since I master my Irish Soda (No Yeast) Bread, I love them in my Egg Benedict too, very yummy.. And since I lost 2kgs recently, so any toast will do. But for a healthier body and mind, Rye Bread, Multigrain or Sourdough, are all awesome

My current favourite, I found myself often baking this (use half from the recipe from previous entry)

What's your favourite food and did you know how to make it?

Now that I mastered my favourite dish, I'll have to find another favourite. So far, it would be a beef ribs.. with 3 to 4 hours cooking time, not making this anytime soon hehehe unless there's pressure cooker involved >.< (25 minutes, I believe?)

Until next post!