Missy Celine

Missy Celine

Friday, July 18, 2014

The Grand Bazaar Istanbul


I really love to write more but I've so many things to do that I've absolutely no time, or I used all my free time to do yoga or rest. My wedding is another 2.5 months from now and I've so many things undone, unconfirmed and unknown maybe. 

Nonetheless, I manage to catch a breather amidst my hectic schedule, and yesterday I went to the grand bazaar in Istanbul. It's been few years since I last came here and I really love going out to explore or even going back to places that I've visited years ago. 

The Grand Bazaar is the biggest in Istanbul, merely a 10 minutes walk from the landmark - Blue mosque, or a 10 minutes cab from tasking square. It's the largest covered market with thousands of shops selling lamps, pottery, carpets, spices, tea, jeweleries and accessories, and it's a must go for tourists visiting Istanbul. 



I love the vibrancy, colors and the hassle bussle in the bazaar, the sellers are over friendly at times but they are humorous and can be helpful, and they speak a few languages too. Rule number one for shopping here, BARGAIN! You need to know how to bargain in order to grab a steal here! Things here are mostly price higher than what they worth! 



I really love the intrigue designs of all the pottery here, they are bursting with zest! 





My favourite is these chandelier looking vivid lamps, but I've no place for them at home. 



A note to everyone whenever you are in a foreign land, always keep an eye on your belongings and keep your valuables close to you. If you are taking a taxi, you can bargain the fare with the driver too. Remember to check with your hotel on the estimated fare of your journey and bring your hotel name cards with you, because language can be an issue in Istanbul. 

Lastly, every time you are making a payment to a seller at the bazaar or a taxi driver, please take out the notes and open it and show the person clearly the amount of notes you are giving him. They will try to swap your notes very quickly, like in a blink of your eyes, and tell you that you have short change them. I took a cab back to my hotel, and the agreed fare was 55 lira, and I have given him a 50 lira note, while trying to fish out my 10 lira, he told me I gave him 5 lira! It's a common scam in Istanbul, so be safe! 

Meanwhile, take care! 

Xoxo, 
Missy_Celine 


Wednesday, March 12, 2014

年初六, steamboat gathering!

This has been my 2nd year going to Joanne's place for steamboat gathering, and I'm always looking forward to her delicious soup base and the sumptuous ingredients that she had prepared for all of us. She always tell us not to bring anything, just bring an empty stomach and help her finish all the food, she's just so sweet!

This year, besides having steamboat, we have BBQ too! Joanne's awesome mum has specially air flown some fresh, juicy and tender lamb cutlets from Australia, and she has marinated some very tasty chicken wings for us!!

Look at the amount and variety of food they had prepared for us!














And that's our beautiful lady host BBQing the chicken wings for us!





After a sumptuous and full to the brim dinner, Jo had prepared wii for our entertainment and to help us burn a little carbs from all the eating! The boxing game had us all laugh out loud and dropping on the floor, and it's so hilarious especially when you see the funny things the couples and best friends do when they versus each other!














It's a fun night filled with laughters and great food! Thanks once again Jo for the lovely dinner and your hospitality! I really love your soup base, share recipe next time k! Oh yah! We were having some body ache the next day after playing too hard during the boxing game!

Til then, take care and see y'all!

Xoxo,
Missy_Celine

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Recent short trip to KL

Last month, I've been to KL with hubby and our friends for a short trip to collect some stuffs and do some lunar new year shopping. Well, it's the chinese tradition that we will try to wear new things from head to toe to usher the new lunar year to receive all the good luck and prosperity! Usually we will stay over in Puchong, where my KL home is, but this time round hubby decided to pamper ourselves a little and we're put up in Hilton PJ. 


The location is quite convenient for us as hubby will be going to kuchai lama to run his errands, and we will be meeting our friends who put up in Eastin and it's near to town if the traffic is smooth. Checked into our cozy room... 


Not really a fantastic view from our room as Hilton PJ is not a skyscraper. Love the amenities provided by Peter Thomas Roth, the scent is refreshing! 


We went Chili's at One Utama for a simple dinner, it's on the way to hubby's aunt's place and we were going to drop by for a visit. We ordered ribs and buffalo wings to share cos we weren't that hungry. The ribs is good but I like Tony Roma's one more, while the buffalo wings were really yummy! 





We called it a night and spent time cozying in our room snacking and watching cable, hubby is going for a game of golf early the next morning. My friend saw me posted this pic of fish slices and told me it's her hubby favorite too, and she won't kiss him after that! LOL! Glad that my hubby ate together with me, so we stink together.. haha.


While the hubby went to hit the green, I enjoyed my buffet breakfast all by myself at Paya Serai restaurant at the hotel lobby. I've always love buffet breakfast back home because you not only get the western breakfast eggs, cold cuts, cereals and bread; you will also see a variety of your favorite local breakfast dishes such as Nasi Lemak, Dim Sum, Roti Prata, Porridge and noodles stir fry! I totally love the east meet west style breakfast! 



We spent the rest of the afternoon shopping for lunar new year clothes with our friends, the very lovey lovely couple - Kahoo & Sherwin; totally love Kahoo sense of fashion! He's very adventurous and bold in trying on different style and designs, and his versatile look makes him look good in every different style! 


We had dinner together at the Vietnam Kitchen, they served some very localize and scrumptious Vietnamese cuisine and we polished up every single dishes! 



Highlight of this trip; we went to the Sky Lounge at One First Avenue, a new venue for the night life in Bandar Utama area. Sky Lounge is located at the highest level of this 25 storey office tower, and with 5 distinguish theme lounge, bar and restaurants to cater to the different crowds.



Their main feature is the green infinity helipad converted champagne lounge - Stratosphere. The guests will make their payment or cover charge at the entrance, which is at the same level with the rest of the bar, lounge and club, and then you will be urshered into private glass elevator which brings you to the helipad.  

That's us in the elevator, mind my ugly looking double chin! 


Arrived at the helipad with a spectacular view of Damansara and a glimpse of the Twin tower and KL tower. 


It's windy and cooling, definitely a great weather to chill but not the designs and the decoration. The grass patch was not level and it's not the kind of fine Bermuda grass that I thought they will put on. The sound system were just plainly made up by 3 or 4 very noisy loud speakers, they were insufficient lighting and were way too dim to see what you are drinking, there's a bar with a bar tender in the middle of the helipad, some bar seats, high tables and chairs for guests who buy only 1 bottle of alcohol, and sofas seats for people who spend more than 2 bottles. 

As you can see from the pictures, the view is great, but the place is just so-so only, we were glad that we only opened a bottle of gold label, spent 15 minutes taking pictures up there, we were irritated by the lousy speakers and the dj cut off the songs intermittently for a few times, that had us left for the rest of the bars and lounges downstairs. Seriously, I don't think I will ever go to Stratospher again, it's not as good as what I've read. 






We adjourned to the whiskey lounge - Malt & Leaf, which I think it's a beautiful and classy place for whiskey lovers! 


The lounge is tastefully decorated with leather couches, big open windows which allow a view of the vibrant city; it's definitely an elegant and refine venue for whiskey and cigars connoisseur. 


The Malt & Leaf is very crowded compare to Stratosphere, which now I know why after coming down from Stratosphere, it's definitely more sophisticated compare to the grass land upstairs. Select your favorite poison from their vast collection of over 150 international single malts and fine cigars, and other liquors and beers too. They also feature a finger food menu to satisfy your craving after a few drinks, I particularly love their chicken wings, it's so finger-licking good! 

There's another bar, a club and a restaurant at the roof, unfortunately we were not able to visit all 5 of them this time. Signature by the Hill is their restaurant offers you a gastronomy dining experience 25 storeys above ground, it looks like a very romantic restaurant which I would love to try on my next visit. 


The Play is a club which can accommodate 700 guests and with state of the art visual and audio experience, with regular appearance of top notch local and international Djs. 


And finally a sports bar which I didn't have a chance to take a snap, A unique sports bar that features major sporting events and live telecasts for sports enthusiasts. 

The Roof, a multi concept entertainment hub offers a new variety and experience of night life for party people around the area; one stop and you get to wine and dine, and chill and club. It's located next to One Utama with vallet parking at the lobby. 

Ending this post with some selfie while waiting for my hubby in the hotel room. 



It's the 7th day of Lunar New Year today, 初七人日生日快乐!And Happy Horse Year everyone! May you have a prosperous and fruitful year ahead! 一马当先,马到功成,马年行大运,發啊! 


Xoxo, 
Missy_Celine