H E L L O J U J U B E E

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Gula Melaka Butter Bomb

•A• Bring to a boil and set aside to cool

200g Gula Melaka chopped up

100ml of coconut milk

1 stalk of Pandan leaf

1 pinch of salt

•B• Sift together and set aside

200g Flour (recipe said cake flour but normal organic flour I bought in Australia seemed to work fine)

1/2 tsp Baking Powder

1/2 tsp Baking Soda

•C• Whisk till super fluffy

250g Butter (I used salted Isigny Ste Mere)

36g brown sugar

•D• Whisk gently and set aside

5 eggs

Steps:

Preheat oven at 170 degrees Celsius and bake for 35-40minutes. 

Combine A (Gula Mixture) into C (Butter Mixture) and gradually add C (Egg Mixture). Once you've mixed up all the liquids it'll look like it's not melding well but once you fold in the flour gently at the end, it'll start to look normal! Check if it's cooked through with a skewer. I put cake batter into two square baking pans lined w baking paper but you could also fill up some cupcake paper with this mix. So you easily share with friends and family. What I'd do differently next time: I would stir in slightly larger chunks of Gula Melaka like you would chocolate chips into cookie batter so that we would get some oozy bits in the cake at the end.

Happy Baking!

<3

[hellojujubee]

The trippiest honey on the planet!

[hellojujubee]

GO WEST

We spent a long weekend away in Western Australia and despite having lived in Melbourne and hearing about how boring Perth would be, we were wonderfully surprised.

The breakfast scene in Fremantle was spot on! We had this amazing brisket and eggs two days in a row. But the highlight of our tour was the truffle hunt with The Truffle & Wine Company.

Our group found 600+ grams of black truffle with the help of Jazzy the cutest and cheekiest baby of all the working dogs they have on the farm. We wrapped up with an amazing lunch at the restaurant, seriously best Gnocchi I’ve ever had (better than the ones I had in Italy!) and to think I almost didn’t order it because we ordered too way too much. Also because we caught truffle fever, we bought fresh truffles and made scrambled eggs for brekkie the next morning! So much win in that one morning!

Accomodation-wise, we stayed at the coolest house off Caves Road called  Black Box. 4 Bedrooms and super stylish, we enjoyed the prettiest sunsets and got to see kangaroos hop around the yard while we had breakfast. They had a nespresso machine and Netflix. Two Ns some of us can’t do without. Bring extra capsules if you’re there in winter, sipping a hot cuppa on the deck in the morning is magical.

After all that nature and amazing food, we spent a whole day shopping up a storm and yes, we brought home a Weber Classic. ALL 17KG OF IT! We’ve already put it to good use ;)

My Verdict: Western Australia is a must visit if you’re looking for a nice relaxed pace to eat well, drink well and soak in all that fresh air. I’m already looking at booking my next trip to cover all the other wineries I didn’t get to visit. Can’t wait to hear from you if you do visit, let me know if you find any gems!

[hellojujubee]

Mad Pancakes at Roast Bangkok

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by popular demand!

Ok, maybe just ONE wonderful reader (shoutout to ♥︎mariamoonshine♥︎) wanted to know what was behind my vanity mirror. Like almost every product junkie, I hoard because I love experimenting and products that work get used up while those that don’t live up to their claims end up sitting on the shelf till they expire. I have to start by category because there’s wayyyyy too much stuff. Let’s kick things off with body perfecting potions and lotions!

Top Faves for the Body

1. Birch Cellulite Oil from Weleda - Cellulite or not, this has an amazing scent and it WILL work if you apply it religiously every time after a shower. I mix it with the next product for my arms and legs.

2. Avalon Organics CoQ10 Repair - For firmer skin and some reviews said it’ll help in the boobies department. Perky boobs and firm skin, give me 10 of these thanks!

3. Aquaphor Healing Ointment - It was magical and helped me through dry Tokyo winters. Especially when we hit the ski slopes almost every weekend, Auqaphor protected my skin against the cruel cold winds when going downhill. Mindy Kaling endorsed it when she said she put this on her face at night and woke up to baby soft skin (or something to that extent) Trust Mindy, she’s funny and won’t lie to another woman about beauty products. *fingers crossed* Now that I’m back in Singapore, I use it on my feet before bed. You won’t believe how dry my feet get here. Someone said that the best way to keep feet from drying out or cracking is to immediately dry them with a towel when you come out of the shower. I just did a Baby’s Foot peel from Japan and I’m trying to keep my punished toes and heels in good shape. I’ll review that in another post because let’s not ruin this entry with pictures of my peeling feet.

Let me know if you do try these products and no, I was not sponsored for this review. These products are just too good not to share and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do and please remember that using a product once or twice and expecting results is just plain delusional, please use at least 2/3 of the bottle before you write it off!

<3 Jujubee

[hellojujubee]

Woodwork

We commissioned wood furniture some months ago while on holiday in Bali and although it was completed fairly quickly, it took forever and a day to reach us. Dealing with the shipping company in Indonesia and Singapore was a nightmare. Just to ship three boxes, over a hundred emails were sent back and forth but finally our dining table, bench and solid table top arrived yesterday.

In the crate came a solid Suar wood top that will be used as a side table complete with old school sewing machine table legs and that’s another project!

The huge boxes arrived and the delivery guys dumped them in our basement because the boxes couldn’t go into the lift. They then left us to uncrate everything because unboxing, disposal etc was an extra $230 on top of the huge fee we paid to ship the items. So armed with a crowbar and brute strength (mostly Billy) we undid all three boxes in one night. We made sure we wore gloves and were extra careful because the nails used were numerous, sharp and mostly rusted.

The table wasn’t like the example she showed us but I can live with it. It’s made of recycled wood from decommissioned fishing boats and old wooden houses from around Indonesia. The topside of the table was whitewashed and tbh, I love the unfinished underside but the chevron pattern is what I was after and they pulled it off!

I wonder if they used anything from this treasure trove of recycled wood they hid in their back yard! It was fascinating and when we were introduced to Wood Mountain, my brain was just racing to figure out what else we could customize from all this!

Overall, it was a good experience being able to customize your furniture and I’m so grateful for the recommendations from our friends. I would however research more into how I can get furniture shipped with less stress. If anyone knows, please drop me a line. 

My tips for shopping for customised furniture:

1. Make sure they can actually do it. The pictures they show you sometimes are catalogue images, not their own.

2. Shop around, make sure you do the math and figure out shipping costs before you put down a deposit. Our shipping ended up costing more than $1000 because we had large items and also the item had to be ‘warehoused’ when in Singapore and we got charged and extra $400+ for that. Why? I still don’t know.

3. Combine shopping with friends so that you can share the cost of shipping. Let your shipper know all the places you bought things from and as a service, they’ll collect and consolidate everything for you.

4. Buying wood products will incur more charges as it will have to be certified as sustainable and fumigated and the fee is quite fixed.

5. Even for shipping, shop around. Some stores will recommend their shipper but it’s not always the best price. 

Good luck and if you find something you like there, I hope it won’t take as long as ours to arrive. And now all that’s left to do is assemble the table and party on!

Love,

hellojujubee

[hellojujubee]

Swirled Geode Knob from Anthropologie I used for my wardrobe door <3

USD$24 each and I have the front two left over. Email me if you’re keen!

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/home-hardware-knobs/35797075.jsp#/

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✈️ Let's fly again! Taking a break from our unpacking and final renovation bits and flying off. This time I've got my trusty old iPod that has so many songs in it for company. How many of you still have this ancient keeper of songs? 😁 featuring my fave accessories from @we_love_bandit and @onceuponacloud.sg (at Singapore Changi International Airport Terminal 2)

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Suddenly missing Japan a whole lot. And winter too.

8 March 2014 - Yamanashi Prefecture

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Top 5 Must-Eats in Petaling Jaya

This list has probably been done a million times over but my beloved hails from PJ - Petaling Jaya, so I may just have an ace up my sleeve! Made up mostly of local delights and personal preference, I hope you find something you like on my top 5 list the next time you’re in Petaling Jaya. Eat well and say hi to your happy bellies for me ;) Note: This list contains non-halal options.

1. Village Park Nasi Lemak

A local breakfast favourite! Go early is all I can say. People drive from all over just to get here for their Nasi Lemak fix. Their coconutty rice and the dishes that go along with is pure magic. Don’t forget the fried chicken, you’ll never be the same again.

Located at: 5 Jalan SS 21/37, Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya

Open: Daily 7am - 7.30pm except Sundays when they close at 6pm

2. Toast and Roast

Visit T&R for the most delectable char siew or caramelized roast pork you’ll ever inhale. We used to have an old favourite Meng Kee but this is da bomb. Especially if you count the number of times people around the table keep repeating in disbelief how good the char siew is. Kinda felt like we were all part of a cult and chanting It’s sooooo good every time we come up for air. It’s so mad good that I suspect they’re using genetically engineered meat. How is this lean and fatty meat combo possible? Try it yourself and let me know. Caution: It gets a little too rich once you’ve had too many pieces. So go easy, pace yourself and douse it in the sour chilli sauce they provide at the table.

Located at: No.20, Jalan SS2/72 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, 47300

Open: daily from 8.30am - 4pm (Closed Tuesdays)

3. O&S Coffee Shop

If you’re pressed for time, head to this coffee shop where everything is located under one roof. They have chee cheong fun laced with shrimp paste instead of the usual sweet sauce. The yong tau foo here is also pretty damn yum. The coffee shop food here still tastes highly authentic, a little like Singapore back in the day. Edit: The Boy says I have to include the Char Kway Teow here because it’s legit. It’s not the sweeter Singaporean style I’m used to but it’s legitimately legit. 

Located at: Jalan 20/14Taman Paramount 46300 Petaling Jaya Selangor

Open: From Breakfast to Lunch

4. Original Penang Kayu Nasi Kandar

Nasi Kandar is like mixed rice topped with the most amazing curries and meats. The best part for me is the Kayu Special Powder, a fried rempah kari concoction that adds that special zing to your platter of rice and curry. FYI, this ain’t the cheapest eat so be prepared to shell out more Ringgit if you choose squid or seafood. 

Located at: Address: 64, Jalan SS 2/10, SS 2, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

Open: Lunch till late

5. Ooi Noodle House - Pork Noodles

Not the original photo but I couldn’t find the hundreds of pictures I took of the Pork Noodles at Ooi Noodle House. Eeps! This is the ultimate soul + comfort food for me when I’m in Malaysia. The chef makes it bowl by bowl, each bowl filled with rich broth and amazing flavour, so be prepared to wait for 45minutes to an hour. Bring a snack if you’re starving or send a good friend to order ahead!

Located at: 78, Jalan SS 15/4b, Ss 15, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor

Open: Daily 7am- 4pm

6. [BONUS] Donald’s Durians

Donald’s Durians are my favourite especially when it’s durian season. Not for the faint of heart, their Mao Shan Wang durians are a hit and if I’m not mistaken, they do have durian buffets for a flat fee. Crazy but true, then again, how much can you eat before you pop? Wash it all down with a chilled fresh coconut or mangosteens and you’re all set for the next season.

Located at: 15, Jalan 19/29 Seksyen 19, Petaling Jaya, 46300 Petaling Jaya

Picture credits from here, here and here.

Love,

Hello Jujubee

[hellojujubee]

Hello Positano!

In early August we went on a little holiday to Barcelona and made a quick visit to the south of Italy too. Positano wasn’t the first stop on our summer vacation but it was one of the most magical. I was getting holiday fatigue because B decided that we had to do everything and go everywhere. We spent the day before sailing around Capri, riding to Anacapri and ended off with an adventure that included steep slopes, almost getting stranded on private farmland and harassed by bees. But that’s a tale for another time. 

Our trusty Vespa, the one that didn’t die on us the day before, was not too comfy and I was very reluctant to haul my tired bones out of our room which had a sweet view of Mount Vesuvius. I did eventually and I was rewarded with this pretty terrace.

Where we had G&Ts at the hotel’s terrace and some stupidly expensive oysters. A little over the top you say? Then again how often do you do summer holidays like these? I say live a little! Pssst! We didn’t pay for the drinks btw, we were actually paying for this view! 

I got out of bed for this? I GOT OUT OF BED FOR THIS!! YAY! And boy was I glad I did. I was actually super cranky and listing all the reasons why I wanted to just laze on the balcony in our room. Oh the crap I put B through... Bless his well-intentioned heart. I explored the hotel further and stumbled upon this gorgeous dining room.

Table for two, pretty please! I can’t believe we didn’t even score a night’s stay at this hotel but next summer, I’ll be sure to book early. We got to Positano via Vespa on pretty scary coastal roads but if you don’t ride, it’s accessible by ferry too. And the hotel? As much as I’d like to keep it a secret, it’s too pretty not to share. La Sirenuse in Positano, drinks are great but waking up with a spectacular view would be life-changing I suspect. 

Happy Long Weekend! 

Love,

J

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Fifteen. The number of bulbs that'll be burning above the new kitchen island. I can't wait 🔥🔥🔥 because Singapore isn't hot enough!

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Sunset in Sorrento, Italy. 

Summer 2015.

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fixer upper

We’ve been in a rental unit since July. It’s the same size as our old apartment in Tokyo but now we have four people + 1 dog! Not quite easy breezy living but it’s just temporary so we’ll be all right, for another two weeks...

Before we started on this massive home renovation project, we were inundated by horror stories of evil contractors who make away with your deposit and late handovers. I refused to believe our contractor would be that way and I let her, yes I engaged a lady, take control of this massive project. She’s a driver and she’s been able to deliver on most things but I think her aesthetics and mine are completely different. She’s about sleek, dark and sexy while I’m about light, chubby, not-so-sexy with coconuts on a deck chair. I had to keep pushing her towards my vision and I think we’re almost there.

My advice when dealing with an Interior Designer/Contractor:

1) Know what you want exactly And be prepared to pay for it because dreams cost money. #truestory She rejected our ideas so many times because it wasn’t quite her cookie cutter standard but we got our way on some things because we insisted and because we were willing to pay for that teeny tiny dream. 

2) Ask a million stupid questions if you have to and then confirm things twice because misunderstandings can happen. 

3) Start with low budget (e.g. 25k if you’re only willing to spend 50k), never tell them the maximum you’re willing to spend because they will add 50% to that price. #anothertruestory 

4) Ask for options for everything from handles, door stoppers, marble counter tops to alternative quartz counter tops. There are a tonne of options in the market and sometimes they don’t give you too many options because you’ll take up more time trying to decide. BUT, once you decide, don’t keep changing your mind, it annoys the heck out of everyone.

5) Understand that there will always be hiccups. Like our Hobbit sized door and the mild steel partition walls that will cost a gazillion dollars instead of the initial $3000+++

6) Get stuff done and decided on AND don’t let things get to you. It really isn’t worth it losing sleep over your renovation. I’m just happy that the basics are done well and the rest is really furnishing and decorating with your impeccable taste.

GOOD LUCK!

[hellojujubee]

Fireworks in Kitasenju with the best bunch ❤️

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crafty biatch: bed head

When I first moved into our new apartment we bought in Singapore, my bed was then living in Tokyo so mom bought us a new bed so we wouldn’t have to sleep on the floor. It wasn’t my cuppa tea but I lived with it and didn’t think of changing its colour till I moved back to Singapore recently.

BEFORE: It was black faux leather. It attracted mozzies. Two motivators that made me haul the sewing machine out of the basement and pedaled my way to a newly refurbished head board.

My sewing is atrocious and I have zero patience for accuracy but this took me under 30 minutes to complete. #proudmoment

AFTER: Taaaaadah! I chose this refreshing shade and it really brightened up the room. Pity that my original bed is arriving from Tokyo today and I might have to say toodles to this bed frame. Any takers? I promise to neaten the ends for you ;)

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They packed up and moved out all our stuff but they left a few stickers behind. Why do I get the feeling Japan doesn't want me to leave? 😹 don't worry, I'll be back, let's not get emotional. #whoscuttingonions #ffs #stopcuttingonions! Such amazing memories in this apartment and you can even see Toby's nose prints on the bottom of the sliding door. Gaaaaah! It's raining cut onions! (at Park Habio Shinjuku East Side Tower)