This blog is seriously neglected, been busy thus lack of commitment.  Just post a recent picture of me...

P/s - 50 days left till my wedding day...

sorry seems to be the hardest word

Abang, if you read this...

just because...

I know you will be pissed if you read this post, but...yeahh..this was once upon a time

The sacrifice I made that wasn't worth it...a part that I want to erase but can never be

makeup wishlist

Recently, I'm obsess with makeup swap videos on youtube. There are a few makeup product that I really wanted that are not easily available here in Malaysia. In addition, I reckon the price of the products that I wanted are much pricey plus I can't get easy access to them here. Below are products that I really wanted to try, based on many good reviews from users.

1. Sleek Eyeshadow i-Divine Palette

2. Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush

3. Urban Decay Naked Skin Liquid Foundation

4. MAC Mineralize Rich Lipstick

5. NARS Bronzing Powder

6. Josie Maran Argan Oil

7. Guerlain Meteorites Perles

8. Cle de Peau Beaute Concealer

9. Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner

haunted movies based on true story *spoiler alert!*

I am not a big fan of horror movies, but I did watched them a lot during my study years as most of my housemates suggested that we watched horror movies together because it would be less scarier. I would say I've watched plenty of crap movies that didn't even make sense but I guess the director could get away with it since most supernatural occurrences didn't make sense to most of us. As for me, I prefer those horror movies that are based on true story. Below are some of the haunted movies reportedly based on true story.

1. The Conjuring

Based on the case files of the Warrens. Ed and Lorraine Warrens are two paranormal researchers who were called by the Perrons to investigate the paranormal activities that have been going on in their new home. Little the Perrons known, the entity that have been haunting the house are actually going after them.

2. The Exorcism of Emily Rose

Based on the exorcism of Anneliese Michel from Germany. A priest performed an exorcism on the girl whom he claimed was being possessed by demons that resulted to self-abuse. When she died, her parents together with the priest were found guilty of manslaughter.

3. The Amityville Horror

The Lutzs moved into a house which had been the scene of mass murder where a man brutally murdered his family. Ronald DeFoe or Butch came home one day and murdered his family with a rifle. His father, was known to be violent towards the family especially to Butch. Soon, Butch decided to fight back and the hated that has been building up was release on November 1974 when he mercilessly murder his own family. As soon as the Lutzs move into the house, they experience disturbances and when they couldn't take it any longer, they invited paranormal researchers, Ed and Lorraine Warren to investigate the house. The Warrens concluded that the house was indeed haunted.

4. The Entity

Doris Bither claimed that she was abused by demons and after many attacks, she turn to paranormal researchers Kerry Gaynor and Barry Taff. The researchers witnessed the disturbances but never witnessed the attack on Doris thus unable to prove her claims.

5. The Haunting in Connecticut

The Snedekers moved into a house in a small town in Southington, Connecticut with the purpose of being close to the hospital where their oldest son was being treated for cancer. The house turn out to be a funeral home. They experience strange phenomena with Carmen and her niece being brutally raped repeatedly, an investigation by the paranormal researchers revealed that one former undertaker was involved in necrophilia - the sexual attraction to corpses.

Malay wedding stages

A malay wedding ceremony is performed according to Islamic principles with a blend of Malay tradition.

1. Merisik

Nowadays, the Malays normally skip this part as this tradition is most suitable for arranged marriage. Merisik is the seeking ceremony where a man is ready to settle down, his family will seek out information about suitable/particular woman. Representatives from the man's family will pay visit to the woman's family, there may be or may not be further arrangement of marriage as this depends on both sides of family whether to further or not.

2. Bertunang or engagement

If there is further arrangement of marriage (means both sides agree), engagement date will be set. It is held at the soon-to-be-bride's home, a symbol that  the future groom and bride are reserved to be married. This is when both families discuss the wedding date and plan. Both sides will bring gifts for each other which normally in modern Malay wedding consist of dessert, shoes, accessories, sometimes electronic gadget like handphone.

3. Malam berinai

Three days before the wedding (nowadays usually a day before the wedding), there will be malam berinai or henna drawing ceremony, during this time, henna is worn on the fingertips of the bride. Today weddings, elaborate henna design is worn as it is fashionable.

4. Akad nikah or solemnization a.k.a marriage contract

Both bride and groom will sign the marriage contract witness by religious officials, family and relatives which is required by both Islamic and civic law to legalize a Malay wedding. Both newlywed will exchange rings as symbol of unity. The groom will present his bride with mas kahwin (dowry) which is a payment from husband to wife that is legally due by Islamic law during the solemnization ceremony either in form of money or something that has monetary value for example gold jewelries. For further information, visit Dowry (mahar) in Islamic Perspective.

5. Bersanding

the Crown Prince of Brunei and Princess Sarah was married on September 9th, 2004

The couple will sits on pelamin and as a mark of approval and blessing, family,relatives followed by guests will sprinkle the newly wed with scented water and yellow rice. The guests are given bunga telur as a symbol of fertility which nowadays modern Malay wedding replace this with various kind of doorgift.

6. Bulan madu or honeymoon

simple things that help to slow down the aging process

1. Wear sunscreen/sunblock

Apart from helping to prevent skin cancer, daily use of sunscreen slows the aging of skin that is caused by the sun's ultraviolet rays. But it is not 100% effective, thus it is best to seek shade and avoid sunlight at its strongest - if needed to be under the harsh sunlight, wear sunglasses or long-sleeved (yeah, Malaysia is hot but preventing is way better than curing)

How to read SPF (sun protection factor) in sunscreen?

The number on the sunscreen bottle indicates how longer our skin can be exposed to the sun without burning - thus, SPF30 means skin can be in the sun 30 times longer without burning than it could be without sunscreen. According to American Academy of Dermatology, recommends SPF30 or greater and should be reapplied every 2 hours.

2. Deal with stress

How does stress helps to quicken aging process?

According to Dr.Vivian Diller, "When we're under ongoing stress, it creates a fight-or-flight reaction and thus resulted to stress chemicals released into the body which creates biological changes. If one have a life filled with constant stress, little by little the body is breaking down".

That is why, vacation is important. After slaving yourself away with workload, going for a relaxing vacation may be able to help you deal with stress. By planning a vacation, you are able to look forward to fun,relaxing,stress-free holiday, and keep telling yourself "it's okay, soon I'll be on a happy vacation" when you have a hard time at work.

Another way to deal with stress is to get a much needed SLEEP. Sleeping is the time when our body is in repair mode - this is the time when we produce growth hormone which is a key factor to remaining youthful.

3. Anti-aging foods

• omega-3-rich fish

According to Artemis P. Simopoulos, author of The Omega Diet, omega-3 fats from fish act on area of the brain that leads to improved mood and attitude which lead to feeling healthier and more vigorous. Fish like salmon and tuna have the most potent anti-inflammatory effects.

What is inflammation? - it is the body's attempt at self-protection. When inflammation persists, or serves no purpose, it damages the body and causes illness.

• dark chocolate

Cocoa beans have high antioxidant that helps increase circulation in the skin and improve its ability to retain moisture which can reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Why dark chocolate and not any other kind of chocolate like milk chocolate?

It is because the refining process involved in making other kinds of chocolate strips away most of the skin-benefiting antioxidants flavanols.

• berries

They are rich in antioxidants which promote cell health and anthocyanins which help to protect against cancer and diabetes. Darker berries have the highest concentration of antioxidants that provide best anti-aging benefits. Apart from that, berries are good source of vitamin C which is good for skin as it helps repair damaged body tissues.

Really don't have the enthusiasm to blog lately...so this post is going to be just images that I found randomly. I thought it would be nice to have these in my home someday...

personal feminine office - I could hide it well too

really cool get together sofa

mini library...great idea...all it needs is a comfy couch

great when serving dinner party

clever design

just thought it looked nice...in alphabetical order too

this really saves up space

simple recipe: chili mussels

Ingredients:

Mussels (cleaned and boiled until cook)
Chili paste (posted about it before, click the link)
2 inch ginger (pounded)
2 lemongrass stalks (pounded)
couple of kaffir lime leaves
2 tbs chili sauce
Salt to taste
Cooking oil
1/4 cup of water

1. Clean the mussels and boil until cook, drain and set aside
2. Stir fry chili paste until a bit dry in medium heat, add salt
3. Add chili sauce, pounded lemongrass stalks, pounded ginger and kaffir lime leaves
4. Add mussels and stir well
5. Add water and stir well
5. Put a lid and let it cook for about 2 mins

jimi asmara

Thank you for your patience, understanding and support. May Allah swt bless you with more than enough and soothe your heart in your hard times.

jimi asmara