❤ Hello February ❤

{now closed. Congratulations, lucky winner!}


#1 It's February already! And here comes my favorite month of the year.

A month that's full of goodness. Needless to mention, it's my birthday month (that's why February is super awesome) and followed by the sweetest and most romantic day ever recorded in history, Valentine's Day which is just a few weeks away. Tell me how could you not in love with February? I'm in such a festive mood right now!

To make this month even more exciting, I'm gonna host a giveaway for a $25 Apothica gift card~~

Yes, everyone of you who are reading this right now stands a chance to take home with a $25 gift card! There are hundreds and thousands of beauty products available on Apothica, from skin care to cosmetic, from drugstore brands to high-end goods. You name it, Apothica has it ;)

And they even offer some unique makeup brands that you probably haven't heard of, like CARGO Cosmetic. Launched in 1996, CARGO Cosmetic offers makeup products that allow you to express and enhance your true beauty effortlessly.


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How to win? As easy as ABC. Just leave me a comment by letting me know you want to win this! Example: I want to win a $25 Apothica gift card!

Well, you can just copy & paste the phrase in the comment box. See, how nice am I, making your life so much easier ;) I'll then randomly pick the lucky winner and announce it before my birthday, February 9th.

Good luck everyone!



p/s: The giveaway opens internationally. Apothica ships worldwide. However, shipping costs vary per country, the shipping rate will be provided upon checkout.



XOXO,
Bev

Miyaki 3th Bithday

Can you believe how fast time goes by? It has been 3 years since I brought Miyaki home.

It was a gloomy & chilly morning, the day Chean promised to drive me to a local pet adoption event at Pet Smart. I picked a magenta coat that I purchased in HK & childishly shouted "huge success" at the front gate before stepping out the house. Ya, I was utterly desperate, dying to get myself a loyal companion after searching high & low for a month; from licensed breeder to non-legitimate seller to numerous local pet stores. I found nothing.

If you own a pet before, or owning one now, or ever experience the intense pet-finding moments, you probably know how it feels. It's like choosing the prefect gown for your dream wedding, you kinda know what you want yet you don't, but you know it right away at the first glimpse, this is it, that's something that will complete your life.

It's exactly like that when I saw Miyaki, a nine week olds puppy lying on the floor, sleeping close to his mum & his bro. Then there's a rush of blood through my head & veins, indicated that I need to bring him home. I must. So I talked to the person in charge, I said I want that puppy, so ignorant like I were shopping in the LV boutique. You know, the pick & pay kind. But the lady, Samantha not only kept me well inform about the adoption fees, process & agreement but also carefully observed the way I interact with Miyaki before handing him to me officially.


#1 The day when God sent Miyaki to my arms.

And then he fills our lives with all magical & beautiful moments...


#2 He was just 9-week-old. So teeny ❤❤


#3 Matchy matchy~~ We splurged a lot on his toys, clothes, and accessories.


#4 Chean brought him along while walking through the home inspection for our condo in Portland. So manja right?


#5 Three-month-old. I have this pic hanging on the wall, just too precious.


#6 We always wanted to give him the best, pet insurance, vaccinations, annual physical exams... Were so busy running in & out the vet office for the 1st year. A healthy pooch is a happy pooch! Chean sent him to training classes too, hehe.


#7 He loves sunbathing~~


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#11 Unkempt & disheveled, he's ready for his first grooming session.


#12 Taa Daa~~ Clean & tidy :D


#12 With Rocco~~ Adore their smiley faces.


#13 Celebrated his 1st birthday at Cannon Beach, Oregon.


#14 Took him flying with us to Boulder.


#15 He got real sick last Christmas holidays... Chean & I went vegetarian for a month, then did the meatless Monday for about 3 months to pray for him. We can't be more thankful for his health and well-being now.


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#17 And this Jan 23, he just turned 3!!!


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#19 I actually baked a big chuck of Salmon for him but his bowl is too small to fit. What you're seeing is just quarter of the whole portion.


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#21 How do you like Mummy's new car Miyaki? Hehehe...


#22 We rarely allow him to run or jump after his previous back injury. Sorry Miyaki, we are doing this for your own good.


#23 Brought him strolling around Wonderland Lake, what a cloudy & windy day!


#24 Now even a 15 minutes walk could get him extremely excited.

Well, not really...


#25 "Daddy, I'm scared,"


#26 "I don't think I can do this..."

Man up Miyaki!


#27 "I... I... I..."


#28 "I can't do it. H.E.L.P!!!"


#29 "Phewwww..."

He is boy but I have no idea why he's so timid. You think neutering has anything to do with that? LOL...


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#32 See the ice? It was super chilly I tell you.


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Ok, that's all for today. Really can't help but being super duper emotional now, tears streaming down uncontrollably like there's no tomorrow... Guess what, Miyaki is sitting right next to me and curiously staring at me; he must be wondering why am I secretly crying in front of my laptop, hmm...

It's because mummy loves you too much Miyaki baby. Do you know it's a total bliss to have you around? Thank you for being such an awesome pet.

Happy Birthday again ❤❤



Kisses & hugs,
Bev

To The Year of Water Dragon

Happy Birthday to you!!!

It's the seventh day of Chinese New Year (CNY), traditionally known as Rénrì (人日, the common man's birthday), the day when everyone grows one year older (Wikipedia, 2012). Although I don't have 鱼生 (YuSheng, tossed raw fish salad) this year, that doesn't stop me from enjoying CNY & having a great time! Guess what, I know how to make some traditional CNY dishes, F.I.N.A.L.L.Y!!! Yay, my life doesn't have to be so miserable anymore.

I made all of these except the roasted pork on the 1st day of CNY. Totally have no idea how I actually did it, super proud of myself!


#1 南乳五香炸肉. Mum taught me this over the phone and I also referred to a recipe that Sock Peng shared me on FB.


#2 Roasted pork. Bought it from Ocean Pacific Market, an Asian market located in Broomfield. I don't eat this so I don't know if it tastes good but Chean insisted it's a must-have in order to complete our CNY menu @.@


#3 欢乐笑哈哈 aka Ketchup Prawns.


#4 Veggie & Mushrooms.


#5 年年有鱼, Garlic & Bean Sauce Steamed Fish. A recipe I stole from my mum over the phone, again.


#6 This dish was kinda like a spur-of-the-moment thing, I spontaneously invented it by adding a little bit of herbs & spices and surprisingly, it tasted amazing! Wanna called this 相亲相爱 or 一家团圆 cause it's made of chicken & eggs; however, Chean thought it sounded too cruel, we then called it 金鸡报喜 (what, chicken lays eggs mah, duh @.@).


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#8 Dinner for two! Ya, just me & Chean; I'm not confident enough to invite guests over.


#9 Tea time~~


#10 Ended the second day of CNY with 菜脚／酸菜 (a spicy & sour Malaysian dish that's made of leftover foods). Y.U.M.M.Y! First attempt ever, thanks to my mum again!


#11 Spot the luggage? I haven't completely unpacked it since my Aspen trip, but well, I'll soon be flying again~~ Why bother :p


#12 Dolled up and went out makan again on the 5th day of CNY.


#13 Ordered Lobster Yee Mee again, I know, I'm crazy about seafood, I can eat them everyday! :p


#14 And, he is crazy about Chicken Rice, especially the Hainanese Style, hehe...

Ohh... Before I forget...


#15 Thank you Maria for sharing the 年糕 (rice cake) that she brought over from Vancouver, Canada with us! I searched all over the town yet can't find these in any Asian markets, A.R.G.H =____=lll


#16 I only wish I could make better flour mix... Rice cake, why you no good-looking one?

Nonetheless, we feel super blessed to be able to celebrate CNY before the end of the world, if the 2012 prediction is true. LOL... I'll see you all in Malaysia next year!!!



Gong Xi Fa Cai,
Bev