Friday, January 24, 2020

Favourite Friday | Disinfectant Sprays




Of course, I just had to bring a bottle of this disinfectant spray to work especially with so many unconfirmed and confirmed flu viruses and whatnot. This product is indeed a favourite item of mine for about 3 weeks now.

At this time, I'd suggest for you guys to avoid public places like shopping malls to reduce the risks of being affected by those unwanted diseases.

I wish you all a great long weekend ahead and take care until the next post!



Thursday, January 23, 2020

Throwback Thursday | What I Ate for Dinner One Year Ago Today


 

I have never bothered myself to check or remember what I ate yesterday or the day before but there's a notification on my phone showing these photos that I took exactly 1 year ago.

These are some of delicious dishes that my younger brother and I had on this day while we're celebrating our older brother's birthday at Sabah Keratang at Sadong Jaya, Kota Kinabalu.

Can't believe it has been that long since that visit to the restaurant so I might as well go soon.

Hope you guys are having a lovely week!


Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Wordless Wednesday | Missing My Brother


Saturday, January 18, 2020

Book Review | Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy




Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've finished reading this around the time I was about to finished the Shadowhunter series on Netflix. I have got to say that the final episode really does give me some sort of a glimpse of Simon and Jace Herondale relationship at some point of reading this book. I know, the series and the books are totally different but I can't help recalling the first chapter of the book when I saw the scene where Jace was training Simon hard although Simon remained as vampire till the end of the series.

I'm not gonna lie but I kinda want George to be alive and maybe Simon can visit London Institute, not simply because he was being summoned but I guess George's death (maybe Jordan's too) really just a pivoting moment that solidify Simon's determination on being a Shadowhunter. I truly love arriving to Simon's point of realisation that the point wasn't that he tried to live forever, the point was that he lived, and did everything he could to live well. The point was the choices he made and the people he loved.

View all my reviews

Reading Simon's journey on becoming a Shadowhunter truly humbled me in some way, as if he's a real character in real life. Overcoming his insecurities, fears for himself and his loved ones and most importantly, embracing all his memories during the Ascension ritual which is full of courage. 

It's also nice to be reminded that every story has 2 sides to it like the tale of the Lost Herondale but I've had a feeling there's so much to the story after being told by guest lecturer for the first time. More like a Herondale with no heroic quality? I was having a hard time to believe that. 

Overall, the book is great. Simon humors entertained me each and every time and it's really good to see Clary some sort of sharing Simon with Isabelle (it doesn't make sense to me that Clary asked Isabelle to be her parabatai in the series, really) plus I simply would love to see more of Jace and Simon!


Friday, January 17, 2020

Favourite Friday | Starbucks Handcrafted Beverage




I know that some of you might think that Starbucks beverages are overrated because I do think so too but as someone who is addicted to most of their beverages for over 10 years, I'll say this. Every single cup was a treat. Don't think so? You can simply ask the barista to make another for you. 

The brand's Americano (black coffee) is not as exquisite as Tenom coffee to me (although I only like the freshly brewed; not mass-produced sachets) and that's just me but when it comes to festive beverages, I love them! I don't know about you but I intend to indulge my sweet treats according to season. Like at this time of the year, aren't we all enjoying nutty delicacies, cookies and lots of keropok due to Chinese New Year? I sure am!

The above featured beverage here is indeed my first cup of Starbucks for 2020. I'm not overly fond of iced beverages so this Okinawa Brown Sugar Latte isn't that impressive, really. I definitely would prefer to make it as a frappuccino (ice blended, you mundane) and add a shot of vanilla or hazelnut syrup to enhance the taste.

Spotted the new 2020 Starbucks planner at the back? You bet you did! It's the limited edition one (literally limited as only one box of it was sent to every branch) and I have already butchered it. That's actually for my other blog and I'm gonna use the blue sister for TGLB. 

What's your favourite Starbucks beverage? Indulge me in the comment section down below. Until next post, ciao!



Wednesday, January 15, 2020

Series Review | Shadowhunters (2019)



Finally, I've finished the whole 3 series of Shadowhunters in merely less than a month as I've watched the special season finale last night. Like Clary after receiving the message from Angel Raziel, I can't help but tearing up throughout watching the whole last 2 episodes.

I don't want to talk about how this series is somewhat differs from the book as it's pretty much similar to Twilight saga before; there's just too much to be packed in a series plus I haven't finished reading not even the first instalment of the Mortal Instruments books so I can't really say much about it.

*spoiler alert*
But I can tell you this, I really wish that instead 2-episode special is at least 3 hours long. After all those dramatic entrance of the villain, the final battle to defeat him was too simple and plain for me. The series already gave us audience away about it when the villain emerge into a whole different level of villain when he allied with another enemy of the Shadowhunters so I was expecting a little bit more resistance from him. I can't help but feeling like the writers just want to finish off the whole thing and rush to the fairy tale ending.
*spoiler ends*

Still, I do love how the end just brings me back to the very first episode of the series. Somewhat similar to what I've felt with How I Met Your Mother. with all the feelings just wash all over me like wave of happiness with a tinge of sadness but as the title of the episode goes, all good things...


I guess it's time to finally go back to the books to finish off what I've started although I did actually finished a book that is a sequel to the whole Mortal Instruments series. I'll review that soon!

Which Netflix series that you're indulging yourself in right now? Tell me in the comment sections down below. I guess that's all of it and I'll see you guys on my next post. Take care!




Monday, January 13, 2020

Blogwalking | BLOGLIST 2020 by nasihattermasyhur



visit the above blog to join the bloglist!

Sunday, January 12, 2020

Movie Review | "Unbroken" (2014)





Finally! I've been waiting for Netflix to add this movie to their long-list of movies based on real life story like several years already! I've seen the movie in the cinema when it first came out and remember going out feeling numb from all the crying. 

I kept on thinking, how someone's trust in him/herself was built based on others' belief towards him/herself. Zamperini's brother believed in him. Refused to let him be nothing. I myself don't know or probably am blind to anyone who actually ever believe in me. 

Also, for Zamperini who probably yearning for audiences while striking victory in the Olympic, he probably felt much prouder of himself for gaining audience while he raised the huge block of wood in front of the Bird. He had showed to others that he can never be unbroken. At this point of the movie, I can't help feeling ashamed of my points of weakness for not being able to achieve certain things in my life. I failed in design studies hence my decision to quit architecture school. I never felt so depressed in my life.

Of course,  that was 5 years ago. I still feel I could have done better but one of things that I have learned as part of being an adult is to learn from past mistakes, embracing that part of myself today for tomorrow's wiser decisions. I do feel like as if I'm floating in between things in my life - not for 47 days in open ocean but it does feels like that some times especially when I'm between blogging jobs and that's when reality strikes me, pulls me back to the ground.

while the movie mainly pulls focus on Zamperini, I also can't help shed some tears for the Bird at the end of the movie too. As Zamperini was sitting against the wall of the Bird's room, looking how modest his room looked like; with a single photo of the Bird and his father, I can only imagine his frustration of being a single child of a renowned family with high expectation to hold high position in military only to be denied and forced to be prison guard. Obviously, I can totally relate that.

Now, this movie is more than just average to me. I haven't got the chance to actually read the book but I'd say Angeline Jolie has definitely earned the 1 million Dollars she got paid to direct this movie. I actually love Domnall Gleeson's portrayal of Russel Phillips' character alongside Jack O'Connel's Louise Zamperini's character. I feel like he is like the Tiger in Life of Pi; he kept Zamperini to go on and not give up even when they both captured and almost went insane.

Overall, I definitely would love to recommend this to anyone above the age of 18. Definitely inspiring. 

Do let me know if you have recommendation on similar movie to this by leaving comments down below and until next post, take care.


Friday, January 10, 2020

Blogwalking | Segmen Bloglisted 2020 by Misya


I'm in the mood to do a little blogwalking today so you guys can check out Misya's blog too. Please go to the link on the image down below to join the train.


Happy Fri-yay!
Thursday, January 9, 2020

Throwback Thursday | Starbucks Planner



So that's my Starbucks planner at the beginning of 2019. I just love it and its 2 other sisters - I got like 5 planners last year; spent too much time in the cafe thinking and worrying about stuffs that I barely remember now. Starbucks gave out stickers with minimum purchases that can be placed all over the black planner exterior. Kinda nice to have a custom feeling to it.




This is the very same planner, one year later. I'm too embarrassed to show you guys how messy it is inside with bunch of receipts, coffee spilled and whatnot but I kinda wish to find a refill for it but of course I have new Starbucks planners 2020 ready to be used. I'm sad that this is going into my archive but let's make room for new stuffs, shall we?


Do you use planners on daily basis? I've always wanted to do bullet journal but I'm either doing it prettily or messily (then I'll be correcting, printing things out over and over again) and there's no middle ground for me hence nope. I don't have enough time nor patience so for this is the 10th year since I've been using Starbucks planner and probably going to continue for more years ahead of me. 




Below | Starbucks Planner 2018 that comes in that blue and Christmas red with jackets.


Below | Starbucks planner 2015 that comes in Christmas Green and dark brown jackets although can't be seen here. lol


Below | Starbucks planner in 2014 that comes with iPad slot.



Now that I think of it, maybe I should take a fam portrait of my Starbucks planner. We'll see and I guess that's all of it! I'll see you guys on my next post!



Wednesday, January 8, 2020

Book Review | Clockwork Princess


source: here

Clockwork Princess Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Listening to Cloves - Don't Forget About Me

I don't even know where to begin with.

So I've finished the the trilogy within a week definitely not because it's less content or easily to thread but because it's very much gripping, filling my brains with who said what, referring to lots and lots of English classics and mostly just crying while thinking about the death of someone which is true at least for awhile.


If you're looking for one of the best love triangle then it's right here between Will, Tessa and Jem. I just find it very much interesting as when everything ended, it was full of love, kindness and respect. For I can never believe that it's impossible to love 2 people at once; as if it's truly back and white, I've found the gray area in that and it is in the name of yes, Tessa Gray. Maybe it's possible if there is such thing as parabatai in between those two people as it makes easier for one to understand one's other half and one to forgive one's other half. Not gonna lie, at this point I wished to myself that all legends are true.



This book has helped me realise (well, probably not wholly but a certain degree) that it is better to just accept and move on rather than sit and wait for something to happen. For I probably can never find anyone like my first love ever again, for I probably can never find anyone who can replace my soulmate, for I probably can never find true happiness, I am who I am and I know finding out all the truths about myself is a happiness. 

Have you encountered a story that helped you overcome your own fear of losing someone you loved?


Tuesday, January 7, 2020

Influencer Got Influenced



I was just finished my dinner last night; had mushroom soup and piri piri chicken (missing my best friend who's probably having the best time of her life vacationing in Japan right now) and as I walked out the Japanese restaurant heading towards the elevator, thinking to pick up more Lululun sheet masks from Sasa on the ground floor of Suria Sabah Shopping mall, there it was. Located right in front of the elevator (nearby Technocrats), the first Daniel Wellington store here in East Malaysia.


While telling the story of how I've gotten my first DW watch to the sale assistant; it was mostly thanks to @faafirds and @joankeem as I've coveted the piece and its accessories for couple of years before decided to finally made the purchase, the SA said, "so to say you're an influencer who got influenced?" and then we both laughed. I was just simply showing her some of my Instagram posts with the watch and that's probably why she called me an influencer. Truth is, I'm actually far from being one.


After spending like an hour at DW, I went to Popular to pick up a book by Holly Black who dedicated it to Cassandra Clare, The Cruel Prince which is the first instalment of the author's The Folk of the Air series. I'm about to finish Clare's The Infernal Devices series soon so whether I'm finally going to start on The Mortal Instruments or Holly Black's series, I'll be sure to update you guys here.

What are you enjoying in your free time by the way? Do indulge me in the comment section down below. I guess that's all from me and I'll be seeing you guys on my next post. Take care!


Monday, January 6, 2020

Music Monday | Light in the Darkness | YouTube Playlist





As much as I want to embed my Spotify playlist in here, I still can't find the way to do it but of course, it's much easier to share the link via social media e.g. Instagram Stories.

So, as you guys might as well aware that I've been into Shadowhunters books, series, extras, etc lately, it's probably given that I want to share with you guys my playlist! Obviously, these are the songs featured in the first 2 seasons of Shadowhunters - I haven't got into last year's season 3 (which is also the final season) yet simply because I want to savour the story of Clace a little bit more.

But I just want to point out that one of my favourite featured sing here is 'Unworthy' by Vancouver Sleep Clinic; first come up during Jace and Clary's scene in episode "Hail and Farewell" - obviously this song is made for the two but last night, as I was reading Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Device #3) and that moment I arrived to the chapter where Will was just pouring his heart out to Tessa, this song came to play. Legit goosebumps right that second as it's so perfect!

Oh, speaking of Spotify, you guys probably now that YouTube now have YouTube Music; similar to Spotify but it doesn't really do much to me as I love Spotify's 'Autoplay' feature so much - I can keep listening to similar tracks when my actual playlist ends so that's like a song recommendation feature to me too. I don't think I'm moving over to YouTube Music soon but do let me know what you think on Spotify vs YouTube Music.

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



Sunday, January 5, 2020

Book Review | Clockwork Prince



source: here


Clockwork Prince Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It's been awhile since I last cried while reading a book.

I wanted to start reading this sequel right after I've finished Clockwork Angel and I'm not going to lie, I've felt a little bit regret for finishing it merely within 2 days as I do want to savour the wave of emotions washed all over me.

when the betrayer within the Institute was revealed, I was not surprised at all because the person has every reason to, or desperate enough to but I, at some point, managed to understand the person. Of course, 'The Law is hard, but it is the Law' so I guess the punishment is inevitable especially at this time of the period, there isn't much of loophole.

My heart ached for Will Herondale, obviously and I often wonder whether James Castairs simply clueless about Will's longing for Tessa or he decided that he wanted to have fair chance of winning the maiden's heart too? Will James back out if he knew the reason why Will had been keeping everything to himself, pushing people away, suffering and longing, before he poured his heart's desire to Tessa? One simply might have said yes, given James' character but really? #typicallovetriangleissue

Overall, I love the pace, the setting, how Cassandra rendered the fighting scenes and my gosh, Will Herondale is just beautiful. haha

Also, there are many Collin's classic being used as reference here and there and that's definitely want to go back to our main residence to pick up some of those that I've read back in primary school - my fave would be The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. 

View all my reviews
Saturday, January 4, 2020

Changing My Domain, Finally!




I have to admit that the past month, I haven't been creating new contents on my main blog - Myra Beauty Diary simply because I've been investing my time in either tending to my plants (let's be honest, these are mum's plants and I only helped watering them every few days) or indulging myself in reading recently purchased paperbacks. 

As last month was filled with Christmas dinner events and parties, I'm going to write (rephrase) another article for one of Kota Kinabalu's most luxurious hotel upcoming Chinese New Year lunch and dinner promotion very soon so do look forward to that. 

Oh, ya! Almost forgot! I recently bought a domain for this blog http://www.thegreylinesbetween.com/ and I can't be more elated than that as I've been struggling a lot with the long name (including .blogspot.com) so I've decided to get the domain from NetKL at RM45/year. Unfortunately, I had to resubmit the blog for Adsense consideration so for the time being, I'm going to try my best to do daily update to show you guys that this blog isn't simply for product placement or event promotion but also a place to show you my hopefully-not-so-boring mundane daily life stories.

I guess that's all from me! I'll see you guys on my next update!
Friday, January 3, 2020

Book Review | Clockwork Angel


source: here


Clockwork Angel Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After I've finished reading The Red Scroll of Magic, I've decided to go through Shadowhunters novel chronologically hence this first book of the The Infernal Devices trilogy.

I've got to say that the pace is a bit faster than city of Bones that I've stopped reading after several chapter - I know. I'll get back to it once I'm done with this trilogy or maybe not as Cassandra is going to release the sequel to this trilogy in couple more months so we'll see about that.

I can't help myself picturing Jace and Clary while reading this book as I find a bit similarity. Not sure if it's 'history is repeating itself' kinda way as there are moments between Will and Tessa that reminds me of Jace and Clary's. Isn't it sweet, though?

I find the last few chapters to be thrilling and seriously, I've already started on the second book.


View all my reviews

Blogwalking | Segmen Bloglist 2020


Join the segment by clicking the link on the above banner!

Happy blogwalking, guys!



Thursday, January 2, 2020

Book Review | The Red Scrolls of Magic




The Red Scrolls of Magic

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was literally just finished Season 2 of Shadowhunters on Netflix and I have decided to take a break before beginning to watch the final season so I think it's the right time to actually start reading the books for the series, you know, to take a breather from #Malec

But I guess my planned 'ruined' as the only book from the series available in my local bookstore is this number from Cassie hence begun the hours of me, indulging in the two's adventures from Paris all the way to Rome.

Overall, I love the story! I've kept coming back to the book and managed to finish within several days -probably quicker if I don't have to attend several end-of-year parties. I love how Cassie rendered the visual and boy, I totally can feel the thrills between the two.

Oh, let me be clear that although I don't support LGBTQ+ , I do understand the struggle of gay Muslims among my friends ; the temptations mostly, so I was just reading this novel for the fun of it, not thinking or imagining #Malec is just one of those normal couples; they're gay but if they're real people then I guess let God be Merciful towards them and show them Guidance - as I always for my gay friends to come back to the right path. Only God knows everything that has written for us. 

Wednesday, January 1, 2020

Happy New Year 2020!

"Well, I just woke up from the most horrible New Year Eve party in my life!"

In all honesty, I spent my New Year's Eve in bed, reading books while cuddling my soft plush Kraftholic toy that I referred to as Yona. yes, from the Korean drama, 'Kill Me, Heal Me' Ahn Yona being one of the main protagonist's personalities who were suffering Dissociative Identity Disorder. 

Anyway, I'm thankful that I didn't actually have anything to regret waking up this morning other than I forgot to do my night skincare routine before going to bed resulting my face feeling so dry I had to use the thickest and heaviest moisturiser I have in my skincare stash, topping off with heaviest sun cream.

I've decided to simply spend the day hanging out with my younger brother, ordering takeouts from a new Chinese Seafood restaurant and indulging myself in my bubble tea addiction via Grab Food, doing our annual movie marathon; this year's would be Pirates of Caribbean and finish off with dinner brought home by mum from some food truck gathering in the city.


source: here

I was tempted to go out just now but I've figured I still want to go back to some books I'm reading - do check out my Goodreads for updates by the way. Last year was such a disaster as I barely read anything and simply reread some light novels in my personal library back in our main residence; I was so into Young Adult throughout my teens, 20s and well, even now in my 30s still. I'm thinking to pick up some Horror novels but once I've got my hands on a new YA series, that thought got pushed to the back of my brain. Currently, I'm indulging myself in Cassandra Clare's The Infernal Devices trilogy and I'm about to finish the first book, Clockwork Angel. 

So I guess that's all from me. I'll see you guys on my next post! Good night!