Being natural

Now here's something worth blogging about. If you have been following my blog, I once wrote about Hardcore Natural Products which I talked about of course, natural products :) That ranged from baby diapers to haircare to household products. After about over a year since I started with my 'all natural products campaign', many stores have came up with various options for these products which gives me more options especially when it comes to price. Speaking of price, these products, like I mentioned previously can be a couple of times more expensive than the typical products you find in pharmacy stores. However, to me, this is definitely worth the investment. I don't want to spend thousands in the hospital no no.

Please note that some products with "natural" labeled on them are really not what it says it is. If the ingredient still contains "sulphates", it's NOT natural. Even if it says "SLS Free", it is still NOT natural if it contains Ammonium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate or anything that ends with Sulfate/Sulphate.

So let me share with you what I have been using eversince I started to "go natural". For my skincare, I have been using Burt's Bees - facial cleanser, facial scrub, Radiance toner, Radiance moisturizer with SPF 15. It's definitely a cheaper alternative to Aesop and Origins, although I might opt for Origins in the future. I really cannot stick to one product just yet until I found the perfect kind ;)

from here

For my haircare, I previously had been using Body Shop's latest Rainforest Shine Shampoo and paired it with Rainforest Shine Conditioner. Smells great and its "Sans Silicone, Sans Paraben, Sans Sulphates, Sans Colorant" so I had been using their products quite confidently and happy :)

from here

And just recently when they have ran out, I invested in John Masters Organics Zinc and Sage shampoo with conditioner. Heck this bottle costs me RM100 of course I opt for the one WITH conditioner so I wouldn't have to spend more! :D But I bought this after many many research on the internet. Many gave great reviews, unless to those who don't prefer their hair to smell like vanilla/caramel/coconut-ish. Hehe. I'm fine with mine. This does not contain any sulfate so I pretty much get my arm workout by trying to lather up this liquid on my scalp. And no, I do not have to use conditioner after and my hair doesn't get dry.

from here

For bodycare I was previously using Body Shop's Apricot and Basil Shower Gel because of it's ingredients too. But now I'm opting for soap bars. Not any typical soap bars as they contain aluminum :S Right now I'm loving soaps by kindersoaps. I was introduced to these soaps by a good ol friend of mine, Alia. They smell like spa and really good for my skin especially when it contains jojoba oil, coconut oil and various kinds of essential oils - avoiding harmful preservatives. At the moment, I'm 'ditching' my typical facial cleanser and use this soap (Summer Fizz) instead. Yes, on my face. So far, no complains at all and my skin does not feel dry afterwards. I bought Tangy Lavender (110g) and Soap Sampler which consists of 3 bar of soaps over 10g each of Summer Fizz, Goats Milk and Honey, as well as Clarity.

Songbird by kindersoaps

Oh, it doesn't stop there. My latest 'craze' right now is also to try on different homemade products. Besides kindersoaps, I found a few cute homemade products by Bisou Bonbon & Bisou Rose in Kaleidoscope in Publika Solaris Dutamas. So I couldn't resist and got myself their Lemon Mint lip scrub and Lavender Body Scrub. These scrubs are made of Himalayan salt which when I was scrubing my lip, slight taste of salt diluted from my mouth into my saliva. Haha.

Next, I have also been testing on products which ingredients you can find in the supermarket like honey, sea salt, sugar, etc. Okay, not products but food. Literally food. The other day I tried on the banana hair mask. Kids! Don't even try this mask if you're too lazy to mash it, blend it and sift it. It's because if you try to skip it, you'll end up with bits and pieces of banana stuck in your hair! Lucky I sifted it well yet there were a few of these bits still stuck to my strands when I was blow drying it. But it was a good attempt :)

Just now (which inspired me to blog about this) I scrubbed my body and brushed my teeth using baking soda. I will continue on that soon. I gotta go!

Oh before that, let me share you this very interesting video. At the end of the day, it's YOU who choose to accept it or to ignore it ;) Enjoy!

potpetpotpetpotpet!

I just realized having very low tolerance towards people who talk too much. Maybe if its something beneficial or interesting then I wouldn't mind. Sometimes it's something that could go on and on about things that if you talk about it for days doesn't even help you to solve it in the first place. You got that?

I can't stand those who talk about things that I don't understand and tries to rephrase it. Dude, I don't bother to understand you so don't try.

There's a lot more I have low tolerancy with but I should stop now.

Aspiration

I aspire to be great. Who doesn't.

Can I be as successful as Ivanka Trump? At least being able to afford my own house. A comfortable landed property. Still afford to pamper myself with manicure, pedicure, facial and of course, massages. Not forgetting essential skincare, haircare and such. They are not that cheap especially when I am very much particular in their ingredients. I don't expect top of the range products that all the Hollywood stars use, but considering all-natural ingredients in these products means I have to invest more. More like up to 50% more than normal products at the pharmacies.

I also like to see how women around my age take pride of their career. Gives them a lot of confidence which i hope to possess too. What's better is when they're successful in career and managed to have her own family. My turn is probably a long way to go. A lot of hardwork and a little bit of luck. I suppose.

it's been 8 months!

.....since i last blogged! wow!

happy 3rd year anniversary my dearest dearest Alchemists! :))

How it's been

I have returned my laptop to my (now previous) company last Friday after been given the privilege to fully utilize it for the past 2.5 good years. It had served me very well and I haven't been on without a laptop/pc for a long time :( Plus, it doesn't make sense for an IT degree without such essential necessity. Hee.

I am now blogging from my Blackberry. Not cool. My (lack of) capability to write easily is being held back by these tiny keypads. I don't like blogging from an iPad. Not that I have one nor do I say I will NOT get one because I might just eat my words right out someday.

Nevertheless I will still try to keep blogging. But with lack of photos if via the Blackberry :( I welcome Macbook Pro if you wish to get me a laptop. Thank you.

Take care!
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone

Christmas shopping

Yesterday my sis invited me to join her and Aufa on some christmas shopping for her friend's annual christmas party. We had lunch in Ole-Ole Bali - I had Grilled Chicken Pasta and she had Sauteed Lamb Pasta. To those who have not been or heard of Ole-Ole Bali, it is a Balinese restaurant that serves food similar as Waterlily and Bumbu Bali's concept. Aufa was a handful walking here and there playing around with the cushion. But he's really smart enough not to play with the water features, at all!

Taken from Ole-Ole Bali website

Then we walked around and stopped by Burt's Bees. It's pretty new in Malaysia and has been around for 8 months, in fact I saw the first shopped opened right after returning from Australia where I first noticed this brand. I took no attention on this brand until recently I read it was listed as amongst the brands with Paraben Free products. My sister has introduced me to natural ingredient products for some years now. To be able to change most of my skincare and bodycare to all natural products, it consumes a higher cost because of the price. Besides using Melaleuca products for my household products, my toothpaste, mouth wash, deodorant and haircare, I have been fortunate to be able to use Aesop for my skincare for a slightly cheaper price because it was bought from the origin country Australia.

I particularly love Aesop because of the use of essential oils as part of the ingredients therefore they all smell so heavenly! I have checked the ingredients are all paraben free too! Anyway, the point is I'm running out of the stocks I bought from Australia so I was looking for alternatives that could maybe replace Aesop without compramising quality (and smell i hope hehe). Burt's Bees have been the ultimate option for me. I just purchased the Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream as my makeup remover and cleanser, which I can use in the office. The other product I purchased is the Royal Jelly toner (I cannot find the product online. boo) My sister bought shampoo & wash for Aufa as well as Radiance Exfoliating Body Bar which I find it smelling extra yummy! The price is really affordable and if you live in The States or going there, it's a lot cheaper than here :(

from Burt's Bees official website

I am quite satisfied with Burt's Bees product that I bought (received free Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream and their Lip Shimmer in a nice Burt's Bees round tin) as part of the lifetime membership gift. Membership entitles you to 10% off all items, 30% off all products on your birthday week and to be able to join their environmental campaigns in the country. Collection of points entitles you to cash vouchers too. I'm loving this product I foresee will be using them for a long time :)

Next, an hour session of head, back and neck massage with foot reflexology at Arokaya House Thai Massage. 50% was paid by dearest sis as I was already running low on cash. :D We have always loved this place because they give superb service and always leave us feeling utmost satisfied. Hehe.

So there, blogging with 1001 things to say with no actual photos. I seriously need a camera.

Aufa's TT

TT stands for Terrible Two - that's his age now. He turned 2 last 21st Oct. Smarty aunt I am that I booked my Bandung flight exactly on that day so we sort of postponed his birthday celebration to last Tuesday. My sis (Aufa's mum) booked a place in Kidz Zone in Hartamas for the "Balloons, Balls and Bubbles" theme party. I thought it was a fun venue because it has these air compressed 'machines' that shoot out these 'soft balls'.

Photo by Kidz Zone FB

Guests and kids arrived at 11 and played freely around the area. Even us the adults were pretty much amazed with the machines we were also busy filling them up with these balls to be shot out.

he thinks he's so macho

cheeky!

fun balls fell on them!

priceless!

fraction of those who came

i have a beard that goes right from my hair :S

(all photos were taken by amadnabil except the first one)

Salam Maal Hijrah

Salam Maal Hijrah/Awal Muharam 1432H to all.

6 Dec 2010 marks exactly a year since arwah mum left us. Things have never been and will never be the same. However it has tremendously changed me into someone stronger- someone who doesn't easily tolerate little dramas here and there. I realized I've been able to brush off unneccessary stress and anger that was once one of my weakest behaviour and surely not something I am proud of. Honestly, at this age, I am still struggling  to find myself, especially after losing her, I tend to lose direction easily - not socially, just emotionally. One time I'd be so determined to achieve something, next thing I knew I was already looking at a diferent path. One thing never changed, I still cannot specifically express myself into words that I'm taking all of you around this pointless paragraph :D Sorry!

I love you mum and I miss you all the time. Al-fatihah.

Us in Bangkok

Anyway, I want to try to blog again. Although this decision is not really the best time because I'll be handling back this laptop to my company as I will be undertaking a different role at a different company real soon - therefore I will be losing the convenience to blog straight from the laptop. I might need to opt to type from the phone or email the post from my office (after office hours obviously! hehe). I still haven't decided how to solve this as purchasing a laptop for myself is definitely not at the top of my must-buy list. Maybe I might bump off some other things at the top list to make way for the laptop because hey, it's quite ironic an IT degree holder is without a laptop! ;) Unless.... Someone buys me one.

No, no iPad for me. No thanks. Just a conventional one with actual feeling of typing on a keyboard..and weighs like AIR. Geddit? ;)

At the moment I'm trying to fill myself in with a lot of inspirations and knowledge and experience before welcoming the 2011. I have quite a lot in my sleeves right now hoping things will go well next year. InsyaAllah. I'm very ambitious you have no idea.........! haha. (Okay, maybe you might know a little if you managed to read the recent post I just hid a moment ago hee hee)

Leaving you off with umm.. with a photo of umm... with a photo of me! hahaha.

Kampung Gajah, Bandung

Congratulations Lyana and Mir!

27th November 2010 marked as one of the most memorable date for one of my greatest friend in the worldd Lyana who got engaged to the love of her life Mir. They have been together (and still going strong!) for 8 years (and counting) and I couldn't be happier to be able to be a part of the joyful ceremony.

The couple had a merisik session earlier in September during Syawal month that went well and should be expecting the big day next year (date will not be enclosed without consent of this couple with all due respect) :)

Merisik

Congratulations again sweetheart you were beyond beautiful - beyond any words could describe. We were tremendously happy for you and we're all praying for all things to go well until the big day arrives, insyaAllah. May you both be blessed with eternal happiness and rahmah till the end of life. No, I don't have to wait until your wedding day to wish you all that because you deserve all the best things in life for being the amazing friend you are, not just to me but to other souls out there too have been touched by your kind, most thoughtful deeds. Love always to the couple who never left me alone in the dark - Lyana and Mir.

the couple (photo by: panikphotography)

allthegirls (photo by: panikphotography)

Over a year

To some who have been following this blog for at least a year, today marks almost a few days over a year since arwah (late) mum was diagnosed with Lung Cancer stage 4 with brain tumor.

I blogged and tweeted about what my family and I had gone through over the period of barely 3 weeks before she passed away. It was the shortest, most hardest time we had as a family. But we know for a fact she is now in a much, much better place because Allah loves her more. No more pain, no more suffering for her.

My family and I still talked about her like, "If mum were here, she'd say/do ..." all the time. At home there are photos of her on the wall, photo frames and admittingly, some of her things are still untouched in the bedroom. And no, Dad has not moved up to the bedroom- he's been sleeping in the guestroom till now. And unfortunately, I have NOT improved my variety and quality of cooking :(

And you know what else still brings tears to me? Watching friends and relatives getting married to have their mothers by their side. Up till now, I could never imagine myself in that position without my own mother running around and sitting there watching me getting married. I don't know, when the time comes I will find out.

Honestly, there are a million things in my mind that involve her. It's an emotional and mental rollercoaster I'm going through but I'll persevere. I'm accepting life as it is. And I am upmost grateful for all my support system. Syukur.