Hi there, you look familiar!

I’ve missed you. After a 9 month (labour, LOL) hiatus from my precious space – TheJessicat.com – a new blog is born. How’d you like the new look of it? 😀

In case you’ve forgotten how this blog used to look like, here it is!

But first! Before I go into the details of this brand new, revamped blog that you’re looking at, I think I owe you – my dearest readers – an explanation on why I totally went missing in action on you.

Read on to find out what I’ve been up to! 🙂

Good evening folks!

This week’s The Sunday Times had been delayed as I’ve been out of the country for that famed beach rave & turned into a hungover zombie over the weekend.

But yes, I’m back in Malaysia already and my past seven days have been a whirlwind!

The start of my week gave me a very invigorating experience. I’m honoured to be one of the select few to dine with a brand-new concept to hit Malaysia’s food & beverage scene.

I was invited to try the ‘Dining in the Dark KL’ by Werner’s on Changkat

*blogpost HERE!*

Spent some time in Pavilion KL and checked out Burberry’s latest Autumn/Winter collection.

Had been eyeing something in particular the moment I spotted it on London Fashion Week.

Wanna see? 

It’s now here in Malaysia! The Burberry Prorsum Alma Gold Fox Clutch! 

Had dinner with Konzy, Pam & Rama thereafter at Komugi Cafe in Tokyo Street @ Pavilion KL

I recommend the Pumpkin Soup served in a bread bowl & the baked marble cheesecake! 

Indulged in some Jap cuisine at Shogun Japanese Buffet @ 1 Utama for lunch the next day

Made time for my workout routines at the gym.

Don’t have time for gym? MAKE BLOODY TIME! 

Monday madness!

Wacky Wednesdays!

You’re running on guts. On fumes. Your muscles twitch. You throw up. You’re delirious.

But you keep running because there’s no way you’re not crossing the finish line.

It’s a misery that non-runners don’t understand.

– Martine Corstello

Can’t wait for the run at the end of the week!

Had some extra time on my hands and thought I deserve some pampering.

Gave myself a pretty manicure with my new nail lacquer from OPI!

A deep shade of red, aptly named Bastille My Heart.

Oh don’t remind me -_-“

Had a good breakfast the very next day…

Honey Oats with Roasted Almonds & a dollop of Peanut Butter!

And off I went to Singapore for an extended weekend of my annual pilgrimage… ZoukOut 2012! 

So much to say, show & share the footages in my next blogpost, but first here are two photos that somewhat summarizes both my days at ZoukOut!

ZoukOut 2012 Day 1

ZoukOut 2012 Day 2!

Surprisingly, I was supremely kind to my wallet (and bank account!) this time round!

I used to incur exorbitant expenses each time I’m in Singapore all because of the shopping at twice the amount of money; no thanks to exchange rates! 

For this trip, guess how much I spent in Singapore, in total?

Only RM250 for four days! Amazeballs, if I do say so myself 

The bulk of my expenses all went to commuting via public transportation and of course, good food.

If it’s something I’ve learnt throughout the years, it’s to never to be stingy on food.

Nothing more satisfying than a good meal of something you really enjoy eating! 

Here are some of the food I ate whilst in Singapore:

Teppanyaki Chicken McGrill from McDonalds!

Before you snort at my eating McD of all things in another country, it’s because we don’t have that in Malaysia!

Neither do we have pork bacon in our McBreakfasts, for obvious reasons. 

Ergo, I literally PIGGED OUT when I dined in Singapore!

The next meal I had was:

The popular Bak Chor Mee (Minced Pork Noodles with Pork Balls) from Bedok 85!

Fried Oysters with Eggs | A combo of both Black and White Carrot Cakes! (aka turnip cakes)

I was quite exasperated that night. Hear me out?

The stall owner refused to speak in English with me when I placed my order in English.

I tried communicating with her in English; only to be responded in Mandarin, again & again. 

Fine. Assuming she couldn’t speak a word of English, I mustered all the little Mandarin I knew and spoke to her quite terribly, after much struggle.

The next thing I know, when my Caucasian boyfriend placed his order with her, she smugly spoke in (simple yet fluent!) English to him.

Got trolled. JESUS CHRIST, WOMAN! You made me go through all that hassle for nothing LOL!

The next day, my lovely host & buddy June took us out to Octapas Spanish Tapas Bar @ Clarke Quay

As if the waterfront view isn’t fabulous enough, here are some photos of our scrumptious feast!

I had some personal favorites! 

Allow me to list my recommendations 

Among those which topped my list were: Bacon-wrapped Prawns with Tomato Salsa, Grilled Squid with Balsamic Vinegar Reduction, Leg of Lamb Stew with Courgettes & Aubergines, Beef Tenderloin Cubes sauteed with Olive Oil & Garlic and finally, the Pan-fried Cod with Poached Onion 

I had my first Vegan Burger at ZoukOut 2012 from Vegan Burg.

The patties were made of soy with plum sauce. Tasted rather odd and bland to me 

Perhaps I just wasn’t used to it. After all, it is a far cry from the usual meat & cheeseburgers!

Sorry environmentalists, looks like I’ll always love my meat 

The next night, we had Vietnamese baguettes from Bag★ette : The Viet Inspired Deli at Vivo City.

Chicken for me, and pork for him.

The baked cheesecake that came with the set was very light, smooth and soft to the touch.

The type that melts in your mouth! Would someone deliver it all the way to Malaysia? 

***

Apart from my extreme dosage of bottles and bottles of Meiji low-fat milk…

…which I never fail to pick up whenever there was a 7-11 in my immediate vicinity, I had my favorite Weissbrau mango beer with some friends, at Brotzeit German Bier Bar & Restaurant @ Raffles City.

Drink up! 

The final day in Singapore saw us having a goodbye lunch with June dearest 

I had Claypot Glass Noodles with Soft Shell Crab in Thai Express @ Vivo City

Well recommended! I loved this to bits 

Farewell Singapore!

Although I love your little country, I’ll always be glad to cross over the causeway back to Malaysia where I regain unlimited 3G data on my iPhone and where we can smoke (for smokers!) or chew gum anywhere we please without so much as a fine 😛

Dropped by Chilis Bar & Grill for some pub grub.

Cajun Club Sandwich for him & Southwestern Eggrolls for me

Needless to say, I had a splendid week! Hope yours was just as fun-filled as mine

Have a perfect seven days ahead of you! Seize every day like it’s your last 

Much love,

Jessicat

———————————————————————————————————————————————–

The Sunday Times is a weekly series; published every Sunday night to recap the highlights of my week, capture what piques my interest and to briefly highlight my recommendations for to-go and to-eat places!

Some of the photos in this edition are posted instantly on my Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr & Facebook

Do follow to get instant updates and pretty photos of the sights & sounds all around me!

My favorite designer brand has always been Burberry, for many, many years to date.

And I'm not afraid to say this, but I think Louis Vuittons are ugly. I mean, honestly? Dark boring brown monograms? Eww. I know it's an icon. But it doesn't change the fact that it's hideous! Even Chanel,  Prada and Gucci certainly look way better.

No offense, but I've always deemed LV as the bottom of the good-looking designer bag chain

But maybe this trash bag looks quite pretty 😛 😛

Don't hurl your LVs at me if you have one, it's too expensive and you might scratch it in the process.

Unless of course, they're imitation… you cheapskate. Har har har.

Anyway, I don't know what got into me but I went online shopping again. I don't usually (correction: never) shop for designer brands as obviously I don't earn that kind of moolah at only 21. 🙁 I only go for high street brands and  mass appeal brands as of now.

BUT. Something caught my eye 5 minutes ago and I knew instantly I was in love.

It's the Burberry Nova check hearts tote bag. And more importantly, in my fave color too.

Berry Red.

And yes I know it is 2010's Spring/Summer collection.

I may be almost a year late but its because I ain't as privileged to check out luxurious goods often enough to know the latest collections

You're one heck of a gorgeous tote bag.

You're reddish. You're Burberry. You have charms dangling down. You personify me.

More and more oggling over this bag of beauty got me a tad carried away.. even further!

I did even more research on Burberry's official website and I saw more and more models under this Nova Hearts series.

Nova Hearts Shoulder Bag

Lighting differs, so it may look darker hmm.

and here's how it looks like in real life too :

And here's the backside!

It would be the best thing, if it was ever mine

*bigwateryeyes*

QUESTION: Between the Tote Bag & the Shoulder Handbag above, which would you vote for?

As in, which do you think is nicer/more worth getting/suits me better?

*****

Anyway, as I was saying…

Nova Hearts Checkbook Wallet

Nova Hearts Bowling Bag

Nova Hearts Travel Bag

(Although I doubt this is a wise idea as rough aircraft boys might manhandle them)

Nova Hearts Canvas Luggage Bag

Nova Hearts Rainboots

haha this is crazy! 😀 😀 

Nova Hearts Wristlet

I know I might sound bitter upon saying this but I hate (read: am jealous of) rich kids. I mean, c'mon. We ALL know it's not your money, it's your parents'. And yes you're pretty damn lucky to be strutting around town in designer goods even way before you hit puberty or even started your 1st job.

Well, what can I say? Good for you, really.

I may not be as lucky as you unfortunately,

but I'm gonna buy them with my own cold hard cash.

Dear Burberry, please come up with a similar (or even better!) gorgeous collection in Berry Red again soon. Maybe in a few years time when I'm a financially comfortable working adult! I *may* not spend on luxurious goods often but I swear I will get you…

…at a time when I won't be left with only Jacobs and plain water for a month after the purchase
Just not now, it isn't my time yet 🙁

I even ranted on my Twitter timeline the moment I got so hooked onto it. Sigh. Those following me on Twitter would know this by now, as I have been raving about the bag for 2-3 days now.

Okay, chapter of fantasy over. Thanks for listening. It's back to my MNGs and Forever 21s for now. I'm still a happy girl sans my dream Burberry Nova Heart bag. Or perhaps I'm in denial. I'll never know 🙁

A girl can always (still) dream.