Bakita & Birthday's.

I love nights out when it is relaxed. And you know it's one when you have great company, a good flow of alcohol, a chilled out atmosphere and the fact that your wearing comfy shorts and a pair of your fav flats. A group of us met up this weekend for a little post birthday over drinks at Bakita, Changkat and its becoming a little of a hangout. Will talk about it later but firstly, thanks Juls & Ryan for the b'day shot of Tequila, Sambuca and Tabasco Sauce. I can't remember the name of the shot but i do know that it was HOT HOT HOT as in your lips are on fire and you can feel it burning down your throat straight to you heart. It was actually really good, of course the sauce was the really kicker.

Back to Bakita, it is located around the corner just behind Werner's on Changkat. It's good cause you still get the whole Changkat vibe bustling with the local party-goers, tourist, expats, lotsa drunken Hen Parties and underage teens but it's a bit more secluded and quieter. The crowd in Bakita is more of the locals and working crowd plus the music is a notch lower than all the other bars so it's not that rowdy. Thank goodness. You could still have a party and dance away if you head upstairs to their cocktail bar that they designate it to be just that. I can't comment about the drinks as all we do is order beer but i heard that they have their own menu of party drinks which is really good. And one thing that i love about the location is that the jockey service is right in front of the bar and it's only RM10 plus there is a mamak right across from it. Overall, the service is good, it's super convenient and so far, it's been my only favourite on Changkat.

Bakita
33, Jalan Berangan
Changkat Bukit Bintang
50200 Kuala Lumpur
T: 03 2141 7733
http://www.bakita.com.my/

These day dreams, these day dreams, let's go.

This is me relaxing on a cool breezy late Saturday afternoon on a comfy red chaise lounge chair listening to Kings of Leon while reading up on dreamy faraway destinations on Conde Nast Traveller and flipping through a Rolling Stones magazine just because the very sexy Mayer is on the cover. It was quiet, the water was inviting and all i was missing was a nice cold beer in my hand if only hotel bars did not charge that much.

Just as the afternoon sun was slipping away and the palms of the coconut trees slowly sway, i was lull into a sweet slumber. While gently closing my eyes, behind me was the far distant faint sounds of traffic lingering below and the occasional of children laughing as they play in the shallow waters of the pool. It was becoming one of my favourite afternoons so far. This was something i could do over and over again.

Well, one must know though that it could be possible because this afternoon was just a mere 15 minutes away from where i live. It is of the concept of getting away on a weekend getaway without really getting away so your get away right in the city. No travelling required. Just a great hotel deal and time to spare. So scour the Internet for a great deal, pack your weekend best, compile your favourite chill out music, grab a good book you have been dying to read and just have a wonderful weekend xx

B'day.

Thanks for all the love & b'day wishes.

Love, Bern.

24 going on 16.

So it's the big 2-4 tomorrow.

It has finally arrived and I've been doing alot of thinking lately.
After all those other birthday's, this one is under the impression that you are all ‘grown up’ (read : graduated, first job) as expected by all.
It seemed a realistic expectation that we all know, agreed on and the reality is, it is true in all sense of the word.

We dream and make plans, working hard along the way to then achieve it all during this new phase of life to be.

The perfect begining to an adulthood of more responsibilities, paying your own bills and taking care of you, yourself.

As i realized, looks like i am the only one clearly still figuring things out.

But it is what it is and we are all different.

We will each write our own definition on life through our own observations and experiences.

And it is through that, we will surely get through and just deal with it.

Well, i believe that the hopes of that perfect job, dinner parties, travelling around and finally having a nice place on your own wouldn't be that far off.

Just keep on pursuing what you love.

Guilty Pleasures.

SPICY CHAI LATTE // Makes 4 Small Cups

*Sprouted Kitchen

4 Bags of Black Tea (English/Irish Breakfast, Darjeeling etc.)
1 Cup Milk
2 inch. piece Fresh Ginger, cut into pieces
1 tsp. Cloves
1 tsp. Cardamom Seeds
1 tsp. Black Peppercorns
3 Cinnamon Sticks
1 tsp. Ground Nutmeg
Star Anise (optional)

1. In a small plastic bag, combine the peppercorns, cloves and cardamom. Use a heavy mallet or skillet to crush the spices into coarse pieces.

2. In a saucepan on medium heat, combine the milk, crushed spices, cinnamon sticks, ginger pieces, and fresh ground nutmeg. Allow the milk to come to a gentle boil, then cover and turn off the heat. Allow everything to steep for about 15 minutes.

3. While the spicy milk steeps, bring water to a boil. Combine the 4 tea bags with two cups of boiling water. Allow the tea to steep for about 4 minutes and discard the tea bags. Add the tea to the warm spicy milk.

4. Put a fine mesh sieve or coffee filter over a pitcher, and strain the spice chunks out of the tea. Put one Tbsp. of muscavado sugar or honey in each cup and pour the tea latte on top. Stir and enjoy warm.

All things pretty.

Mignonne handmade

Mignonne handmade was born out of a love for embellishment, deorative forms and above all pretty things. The asethetic combines handmade flowers with vintage pieces and a dash of whimsy. Things that inspire Mignonne handmade creations are nature, films, fashion, art, French vintage, cooking, books and bygone eras.

The 2011 Edition : Travels

For this 2011 edition, i am listing the places that i would love to visit and also the ones that i hope to return back to. I was watching "Eat Pray Love" recently and it conjured pleasant travel feelings. If you watched the movie or read the book you will come across the words "il dolce far niente" which means the sweetness of doing nothing and that says everything about how i want it to be.

Here is this year's list.

1. Langkawi Island - Every time i leave the island, it's as if a part of me is left behind. It always feels good to be back. We will return every year without a doubt and we will be so this coming August.


2. Bangkok, Thailand - Love the city, love the people, love the food, love the shopping. So much so, we will be back this coming July. Can't wait.


3. Kuching, Sarawak - This year's return will be cause of the Rainforest World Music Festival 2011. I had the most amazing experience over in Santubong last year and the impact it left me still gets me talking about it till now.


4. Bali, Indonesia - A beach paradise on earth waiting to be discovered. Hopefully if it all works out, this will be slated for the end of this year.


5. Jakarta, Indonesia - One word : Java Jazz Festival 2011. Click on the link, check out the artist lineup and you will know why i would like to be in Jakarta in March. Enough said!


6. Tioman Island, Pahang - I fondly remember visiting the beautiful island when i was around 7 or 8 years old. I must had a really great time cause i have been contemplating the idea of revisitng this rugged little island for a while already.


7. Pulau Lang Tengah or Pulau Gemia, Terengganu - Two gorgeous heaven on earth beaches right in our own backyard. Gemia made it on my travel list in 2009 but so far, it hasn't happened. I really need to get myself to the East Coast pronto.


8. Phuket, Thailand - I think i am a festival junkie because in February, there will be the Phuket International Blues and Rock Festival 2011. Not only will the music be great, it is held by the beach at The Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort and Spa. Plus the band Akasha from M'sia will be one of the headlines. Festival + Beach, what an ultimate dream holiday.

Adieu.

#1 Resolution.

Life is better when you decide you don't care

So you do what you love, and fuck the rest.

Have a gorgeous 2011.