Monday, December 31, 2018

The Final Post for 2018


2018 was quite eventful for me especially the past few months towards the end of this year. So many things had happened and I was actually quite surprised seeing myself jumped out of my comfort zone chair of this administrative position in my company as I joined local blogger, YouTuber and social media influencers community.


Meeting new people, experiencing different kind of vibes, attending events, struggling through different language even among locals; just few things I've gone through that had made me realise the fact that I should've gone out more and do more! I always find myself having fun while engaging with fellow bloggers and social media influencers on my Instagram for beauty @myrabeautydiary and often neglected my personal Instagram account which I now turned into this blog's social media channel where I post teasers for programs or events that I attend followed by more postings afterwards. 


Few days ago, an acquaintance of mine posted on her Instagram Stories; asking what's the biggest lesson I've learned in 2018 and I straightforwardly answered, "social media influencers are so different in real life." If you know me personally, I bet you'd know that how you see me as a person in real life is pretty much the same if you were to approach me on social media. 

...or at least that's what I want you to think of me?


I've came to know about how bubbly I am while I'm engaging with people on Instagram DMs or replying on a long thread on Twitter when my followers and personal friends told me about it. Most of them said it's okay to be nice on social media i.e strangers while engaging on a topic that we're all love like beauty products and whatnot. But none of my friends nor followers warned me about catfishing. 


Being social media enthusiast such as myself should have made me well-informed about scams on social media but I guess I'm just naive when it comes to that. A person actually catfished another KK-based influencer that I'm following merely because she's part of the blogging community that I've mentioned above. Thinking that she really was asking for help, I followed through half-way before realising that the person isn't genuine and indeed was a scammer. I've lost RM100++ due to this but because I was having the most expensive lunch in my life so far and I was actually with my parents at the time; spending a good 3 hours after months of clashing schedules, hospital nights, and many weekends spent apart despite the fact that we're all living in a single apartment, I decided to shut my frustration and moved along. 


As my phone bills rolling in as it's the end of the month, I'm now full of regrets of not being able to handle the situation better but of course, I'll take it as another lesson to be learned. Apart from realising that other social media influencers that I've come across personally are so different; not that this is a bad or good thing, encountering such selfish social media scammer for the first time in my 30 years on this planet can actually be a good thing. I hope.


Now, onto the New Year's resolution.... I'm going to maintain my 2018 resolution which is to less spending and more saving. Monthly bills and commitments aren't included which means less trip to SEPHORA, beauty stores, etc and focus more on ASB investments and life savings.






What about you guys? Are you ready for 2019, yet?

I guess that's all from me! I'll see you guys soon!

Happy New Year 2019! Have a blast, stay happy and healthy!




Signing out of 2018.


Sunday, December 30, 2018

The Original Thai Tea Since 1945 | ChaTraMue Opens Second Outlet in Kota Kinabalu




Earlier today, I had the pleasure to attend the grand opening event of ChaTraMue; famous Thai Tea brand second's outlet here in Imago Kota Kinabalu and such a great event it was as there were lion dance performance, local and international personalities appearances, gathering of local YouTube community with @emceejason from @talentshopco hosted the whole session.




Customers have started lining up around 9 in the morning!



Even with huge numbers of customer, the staffs were well coordinated and handled each and every customer with smile hence orders went in and out smoothly.




At 12.00 noon, the event kicked off with the Lion Dance which is usually performed on auspicious occasions such as the opening of businesses. The Lion Dance is believed to bring good luck and fortune to businesses.




ChaTraMue Kota Kinabalu business owners posing with fruits handed by the Lion dancers which symbolises the passing of good fortune.




Business owners during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. ChaTraMue Imago Kota Kinabalu is officially open for business!




The event was also graced by local beauty pageant Unduk Ngadau 2018's winner, Hosiani James Jaimis also known as Keewon.




One of the highlight of the event would be the appearance of Happy Polla hailing all the way from the land of White Elephants who serenaded customers and visitors alike with "Flashlight" originally sung by Jessie J for the movie Pitch Perfect 2.



Seen here Happy Polla teaching @emceejason saying I love ChaTraMue in Thai.
It's "C̄hạn rạk ChaTraMue" by the way.



Us, the Sabahan bloggers posing with Happy Polla, Thailand's comedian and Internet sensation.




Overall, the event was fun and entertaining for all of us attended the event. There's the 3-day Grand Opening promotions going on starting today till New Year, 1st January 2019 so do check out my previous post for that!




As of currently, ChaTraMue offers various of milk teas, refreshing beverages and soft serves. Check out below details for more information on the brand. I guess that's all from me and I'll be seeing you guys on my next post.





||| Information |||


ChaTraMue Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

From Lim Meng Kee tea shop to Siam Tea Factory, the brand collected an experience of making Thai Tea for more than 60 years. Considered as the No. 1 Brand for Thai Tea, the brand  has unique recipes and is neat in every production processes for making quality Thai Tea that has been loved by Thai people as well as foreigners for a long time. The brand is still developing their new products such as green tea, milk green tea, Ceylon tea and all kinds of tea in response  to the popularity of drinking tea among Thai people and foreigners.

In order to build up the trust among their customers alike, the brand has developed a factory manufacture standard such as GMP Codex and Halal certification therefore will continue to provide the best product as they are aiming to own factory that can produce all kinds of tea; concentrating on aromatic and delicious tea that can make all people put their trust on not only high in quality but also comes with reasonable price.


Facebook Page | ChaTraMue Kota Kinabalu
Instagram | ChaTraMue KK Sabah
Location: SPK 1-03, First Floor, IMAGO Shopping Mall
Operating Hrs: 10:00am - 10:00pm.

Saturday, December 29, 2018

Happening | ChaTraMue Imago Mall Outlet Grand Opening!




Famous Thai milk tea since 1945 will be having their Grand Opening for 2nd outlet in Kota Kinabalu on 30th of December 2018 (Sun) at 12:00pm!

Popular artist Happy Polla from Thailand will present singing performance so don’t miss out and be there for their 3 days opening offers as well!

3 days opening promotions:

30th of December 2018
  • Buy 1 FREE 1 for First 500 cups (* only FREE Milk Tea & Milk Green Tea)

31st of December 2018
  • Buy any drinks get 1 mini cone Soft Serve for FREE

1st of January 2019
  • 50% off for 2nd item (1pm-7pm)

***

I'll see you guys there!


***

||| Information |||


ChaTraMue Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Facebook Page | ChaTraMue Kota Kinabalu
Location: SPK 1-03, First Floor, IMAGO Shopping Mall
Operating Hrs: 10:00am - 10:00pm.
Sunday, December 23, 2018

Festive Indulgence and Year-End Celebration at Hilton Kota Kinabalu


I hope you guys are enjoying your long holiday because today I'm going to talk about what's going down at one of the most luxurious hotel here in Kota Kinabalu this upcoming 2 weeks as I've hinted in my post few weeks ago. Let's get into it!




Celebrate the festive season with a line-up of gastronomic delights, specially prepared for the joyous season. From 1 December 2018 until 1 January 2019, start the journey with Zest Café’s choices of festive pastries and bakeries including whole roasted turkey, followed by an indulgent buffet spread at Urban Kitchen to Rooftop Poolside Bar & Grill first wet countdown party!


Sweet and Savory Takeaways at Zest Café




Choose from 13 selections of traditional biscuits and cakes to brighten up the festivity!

 

Biscuits!

 

Love those meringues, cakes and puddings!

  

Who doesn't love chocolate? I for one, love dark chocolates!

To make the season merrier, enjoy a Hilton Kota Kinabalu special of 5kg whole roasted turkey to go for only RM 475nett each and includes roasted potatoes and vegetables, turkey stuffing, cranberry sauce and gravy for the private family dining at home. One day advanced order is required and offer is available until 26 December 2018.


Festive Indulgences at Urban Kitchen




Celebrate Christmas Eve and Day with an elaborate buffet of Christmas delights at Urban Kitchen with its festive signature dishes for lunch or dinner or both!

  • Christmas Eve High Tea Buffet

Showcasing Malaysian dishes with hints of Christmas selections that is sure to impress both domestic and international travelers alike. Fill up and get energized for that last minute Christmas shopping or simply take a break and just enjoy the choices. RM 88nett per adult.

  • Christmas Day Lunch Buffet




Spend the day relaxing with friends and family and enjoy an extensive buffet spread of local and international selections such as roasted turkey and beef in the carvery section; lamb Navarin, stewed seabass with clams and honey glazed chicken in the Western hot section; vegetable biryani, butter chicken masala, lamb korma, vegetable dhall curry and Goan fish curry in the Little India corner; beef rendang, sambal sotong, ikan masak lemak and grilled chicken and beef satay in the Nusantara section; wok fried vegetable vermicelli, deep fried chicken with lemon sauce, soy ginger braised beef and baby pak choy with mushrooms in China Town section. Pescetarians will definitely enjoy the seafood on ice featuring fresh salmon, octopus “Tako Sashimi” and yellow fin tuna.
Price: Rm 138nett per adult




Choose whatever you want for your pasta!

 

Little India corner

 

Nusantara section

 

China Town section

  

Salad station

 

Seafood on ice.


  • Christmas Eve and Day Dinner Buffet 

 

Features festive favourites such as roast turkey, roasted whole lamb and slow roast beef rump accompanied with a myriad of condiments and sauces. 



Other specialties include black truffle chicken and mushroom pie, barbecued beef brisket, mussel diavola and chicken giblet, kidney beans pilaf rice and these delicious choices as well!


 

Mussle Mariniere and Cinnamon Chicken with preserved lemon and chick peas.

 

Oven baked seabass with cranberry and lemon crust and Rosemary-pecan mashed sweet potatoes.

Price: RM 168nett per adult


Festive Simplicity at Rooftop Poolside Bar & Grill


For something more relaxed, choose any of the seven specially crafted festive ala carte dishes with prices starting from RM 22nett per dish. Signature dishes include smoked salmon carpaccio, wood fire oven roasted turkey, duck confit and black cod. Available for lunch and dinner on Christmas Eve and Day, and New Year’s Eve.

  • New Year Celebrations at Urban Kitchen and Rooftop Poolside

Spend more time with family and friends as we say goodbye to 2018 and welcome 2019 with Urban Kitchen’s dinner and high tea buffet, specially crafted just for the evening and party the night away at Rooftop Poolside!

  • Buffet Selections for the New Year!

Lookout for Chef’s specialties of poached whole salmon, seafood and chicken terrine and smoked fish and meats cold cuts in its New Year’s Eve spread. With its extensive selections of appetizers, mains and desserts, you are surely equipped to enjoy an after-dinner countdown party.

A Splashful Countdown at Rooftop Poolside


Usher in the New Year with a huge splash! Celebrate New Year’s Eve at the poolside in Hilton Kota Kinabalu’s first ever wet countdown party. Bring along your best swim wear and change of clothes for that memorable year-end celebration. Slots are limited, so call us today to make your reservation!
Price: RM 88nett per person (includes two drinks).


Still can’t get enough of Urban Kitchen’s buffet selections? Head on over for high tea on New Year’s Day and enjoy the chef’s specialties and other Malaysian favourites

  • New Year’s Eve Dinner Buffet, RM 168nett / adult
  • New Year’s Day High Tea, 1 January 2019 RM 88nett / adult



Everything looks amazing, isn't it? From food, to overall ambiance at the lounge, cafe and all the way to the dining area, enjoy all the Sugar, Spice and All Things Nice here at Hilton Kota Kinabalu. See you there!


||| Information |||


Hilton Kota Kinabalu
Location | Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Asia City, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
Contact | +6088 356 000 or email kotakinabalu_fnb@hilton.com
Instagram | Hilton Kota Kinabalu

Hilton Dining members enjoy up to 25% discount and selected credit cards enjoy 20% discount, except for Year-end Countdown Party at Rooftop Poolside.
Sunday, December 16, 2018

Jollibee Opens First Store in Malaysia!


Towards the of 2018, another fast food chain company has landed  in KK city and managed to position its first branch in the oldest, most-known shopping mall  in Sabah; Centre Point.


Friday, December 14, 2018

Grandis Hotel Hosts Annual Christmas Tree Lighting




Hotel Grandis ushers in the festive season with a calendar of delicious dining and fun-filled entertainment throughout Christmas and the New Year to celebrate the most joyous time of the year.



As a special highlight of the season, The Hotel's Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony welcomed the public last Wednesday where the hotel is dressed to impress with holiday décors.



From the main entrance all the way to their lovely Rosea Café at the first floor, you can experience such warm and delightful festive ambience at Hotel Grandis.


The ceremony was held in front of the hotel entrance where by-standers were able to enjoy the beauty of the 15-foot tall Christmas tree. Plenty of bright LED string lights were strung vertically on the Christmas tree; adding to the air of festivity.




This year, the hotel is very much pleased to have the Montfort boys from the Montfort Youth Training Center, performing popular Christmas carols to spread the joy of the festive month. The training center based in Kinarut is dedicated to the youth's welfare and development in providing character formation and industrial skills training. The Montfort Youth Training Center offers critical intervention to hundreds of Youth-in-need, to give them hope for a better future and a new lease of life. Further information can be found in their website


 

Mont Fort Boys while enjoying their dinner.


The hotel celebrates the festive season with bountiful Christmas offerings.


 

Chicken with green curry and beef rendang.

 

Lamb stew and roasted duck.

 

Fish with wasabi sauce and squid with chilli sauce.

 

Crab with Italian sauce and stir fried mixed vegetables.


Noodle station!


Seafood on ice!


Assorted sushi, turkey toast, smoked duck, smoked salmon and pastrami.

 

Salad station.


Fruit station.


Dessert station!

Patrons are welcomed to dine in with loved ones in the family-friendly setting of Rosea Café at RM108 nett per pax during Christmas Eve and Christmas Day; buy 6 tickets and get 1 ticket free.




Other offerings include the above 6kg Roasted Turkey with traditional trimmings available for order RM488 nett per order.




At the carving station, there are also beef Wellington, roasted ducks and 2kg roasted lamb leg with sides which is available for order at RM338 nett per order.

Now onto some delicious Christmas-themed cakes, breads and biscuits!

 

Christmas stollen and gingerbread.

 

Look at those rich colours of mini cupcakes and biscuits!

 

Below is just one of those Christmas decor in the café. Lovely isn't, it?



Christmas cookies and gingerbread houses are also available for purchase at the Piano Lounge, up until the 23rd of December 2018, from 12pm to 8.00 PM daily. The Piano Lounge is located on the hotel's first floor.


Overall, it was such a warm and lovely event spent at the hotel. I do appreciate their wide array of food stations and hotel staffs were very friendly and I personally felt very much welcomed. On that note, do come to the fully decorated Rosea Cáfe to enjoy a wide array of local specialities as well as a delightful variety of holiday classics on New Year's Eve at RM128 nett per pax. 


I guess that's all from me, I'll be seeing you guys on my next post!


|||     Grandis Hotels & Resorts     |||


Hotel Grandis offers 188 rooms which comprise 118 superior rooms, 52 deluxe rooms and 18 upscale suites, all of which are beautifully designed in a contemporary style. Guests are greeted with spacious and elegantly furnished rooms with tailored amenities such as LED TVs with satellite channels, complimentary high speed internet access, an in-room locker and a power shower. All rooms are equipped with floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows that provide either a sprawling view of the bustling city of Kota Kinabalu or a spectacular bird's-eye view of the magnificent South China Sea and the tranquil islands close to shore. There are three food and beverage outlets; all-day dining Rosea Café, the Piano Lounge and Sky Blu Bar, two functions rooms and a board room. Grandis is a non-smoking hotel.


||| Information |||


Grandis Hotels & Resorts
Location | Suria Sabah Shopping Mall, 1A, Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
Contact | Mobile: +6016 837 7073 Tel.: +6088 522 883 +6088 522 883 (Rosea Café)
Instagram | @HotelGrandis
Twitter | @HotelGrandis