Aeroplane Trip

Aeroplane trip can be boring as well as dehydrating. The cabin temperature is only good for people who wish has frizzy hair. Flaky cheek and congested nose were also my problems. And when someone pick me up at the airport, I will be looking tired and pale.  However, I watched Lisa Eldridge's tips on YouTube and I was blown. How come I did not know this tricks? Here are my takes on beauty aboard!

Benefit: my top picks

Hi everyone! Happy weekend.. i wish you have a blessed week and enjoying this Sunday.. The weather is crazy hot in Tangerang, and even some plants at my home is drying even though I water 'em. Geeshh... So sad.. 

Anyway, today I would put my words on one of my favorite cosmetic brand. My make up approach is more in the simplistic side rather than the artisic one. Looking neat and polished is fine, but if it takes 1 hour to don a hair/make up/clothing, it's just not for me. That's why I always search for easy/instant make-up products.And, I began to fall in  love with benefit. I love how they translate the fun and easy part of creating super-easy make up without being super-fussy.

Benefit packes their stuff good-- paper-boxed powder, assorted eyeshadows in apper box, mini complexion kit, they're all gorgeous and can steal my heart (and money!!). I actually read some review that their product are quite gimmicky, but I think many of them are really really good and raved all around the internet. Benefit is a sister company to Dior cosmetics, but I think this brand is more targeted for the youngsters. 

My favorites are:

Organising My Make-Up Stash

Since I'm moving, I never had a day off to tidy-up my make-up collection. And yes, it's just piling up in a box, and I already find a place for my daily make-up and skin care. However, today I decide to take care for the rest of my make up. I tend to pile on cosmetics products and I still do not have special containers for them. So, I just take my zip-loc bag and categorise all of my products. This way, I can see clearly what's in my stash without taking up so much space. Plus, zip-lock bag is kind-of vacuum, so my make-up won't get dusty. I put each one of the bag in a clear plastic cabinet in my A4 tiny rack. Problem solved!

By the way, I made a mistake this morning. I wanted to make a DIY egg yolk mask for my hair (my hair is kind of falling right now..sigh..). This egg yolk mask  is supposed to strengthen hair and stimulate hair growth. But what I did was I use the whole egg, whizz em up with fork and put in on my hair scalp. Well. I just know that egg whites actually absorbs grime and oils from my hair and actually my scalp and hair feel clean afterwards. I have medium hair, so I use 2 eggs (free-range of course!).

By the way, I find two  really cool youtube channels today. One is life repercussion by Habiba Da Silva, and the other one is MissLeonova 21. I like them because of their perspective on glamorised social media on youtube or whatever. I like how these girls are awesome, opinionated, and content. Two thumbs up for 'em!

a LOL moment from a not-so-conventional surgery text-book

Current Beauty Routine

Hellaa..  Ramadhan month is passed, and in this Syawal month, some people I have a tendency to put on some weight if I do not watch my intake. I plan to live healthy by eating responsibly and incorporate healthy habits. I had some pertaining issues with my skin and hair conditions. My skin was perched and super dry last month, and I should say brown spots and fine lines under my eyes decided to step up to warn me about how bad I had treat my body. Yes, last two months has been physically demanding. I had to cover other hospitals in other districts and that burned me out. But, I won't let another excuse again. I have to do what I have to do.

Thus, I change my skincare regimen.

Perfumes: the Staples

I love perfumes. I use it sparingly, only at certain moods and occasions. Well, I like soft, powdery, flowery perfume. However, my nose usually search for certain fragrance which reminds me of my childhood memories, or certain people in my life. I always associate my late grandmother with L'Air du Temps and my late mother with Eau de Val from L'Occitane. Unfortunately, Eau de Val (Magnolia)  is discontinued. And me and my childhood  memories still searching for that fragrance. 

I like to try out new perfume, but I my staples are pretty consistent. They are Diorissimo, Chanel Beige, and I have two newcomers which are quite refreshing. Acca Kappa Glicine and Crabtree and Evelyn's Wisteria. Too bad, my Diorissimo bottle is left at my dad's house.. so.. I just have 3 of them to be shown here.  

Review: Laneige Snow BB Soothing Cushion

Hello semuanya.. How's your August days coming? Di Tangerang.. cerah banget dan sudah jam 2 siang tapi masih panas banget di luar. Untungnya hari ini nggak banyak wira wiri ke lapangan..

Dan.. kali ini aku mau nge-review LANEIGE Snow BB Soothing Cushion. Sebenernya, saat saya  ke konter Laneige nggak pengen beli Cushion BB ini. Tadinya pengen beli  foundation dan concealer nya yang 2 in 1. Terus, saya ngeliat si Cushion BB Cream ini kok kiyut banget yahhh...

I never had my hands on cushion-y type BB Cream. Tapii, pas dipakai keren menurut saya.. Why.. I'll describe it below..

Chocolate Pudding

Pudding

1 lt pasteurized chocolate milk

2 block of cooking chocolate

1 pack agar-agar

To cook

Melt chocolate in glass bowl

Mix chocolate milk and melted chocolate

Add 1 pack of agar-agar, then heat the mixture with low heat until it simmers

Pour the mixture in a pudding tray

Sauce

1/2 lt pasteurized plain milk

4 tbsp sugar (or as needed)

1 eggyolk

3 tbsp rum

a pinch of salt

3 tbsp corn flour, mix with 50 cc water

To cook

Mix milk with sugar, heat in a pan. Add eggyolk and keep stirring thoroughly. Add a pinch of salt then cornflour mixture. Stir continously until the sauce is thick. Turn off the heat, add rum to taste.

Sambal Goreng Petis II

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup coconut milk from 1/2 coconut

2 tbsp petis (black shrimp paste)

2-3 tbsp oil for sauteeing

Condiments:

3 shallots

2 cloves garlic 

2 red chilli

10 bird's eye chilli

1/2 knuckle turmeric

1/2 knuckle ginger 

1 stalk lemon grass

1 keffir lime leaf

1 tbsp palm sugar

1 tsp salt

2 cm lesser galangal and finger roots 

• crush shallots, garlic, red chilli, turmeric in a mortar
• crush lemon grass, lesser galangal and finger roots

To cook:

Sautee the crushed condiments over a slow heat, then add lemon grass, lesser galangal and finger roots.

Add coconut milk, black shrimp paste

Add keffir leaf, salt and palm sugar to taste

Keep stirring until the paste becomes thickens

Add bird's eye chilli

Lebaran Time

Lebaran. It is the most awaited time after Ramadhan. Eid -al- Fitr comees from Arabic language which means "Days to Eat". However, this Ramadhan I am  lucky to have this year's Eid with my family. Usually I just stretch myself thin allover Indonesia.

Living room

Table, decorates with fruits and flowers. Shown here is Soto Padang, sambal goreng ati, gudeg,  opor,  grilled chicken (Sulawesi style) and goat soup. 

Sambal kerecek, everyone's favorites!

 Old school chocolate cake..

In the kitchen. Sambal goreng ati, sambal kerecek and soto padang condiments.

the Heru Nova's family. I knew he's smiling from heaven when he sees this picture!

Wish you all the best Eid al Fitr!

Love,
Lif

Chanel Rouge

Chanel Rouge. 

There is something about Chanel lipstick that I adore. The sleek packaging (Chanel puts  a spring mechanism here). The sweet fragrance, the balmy yet pigmented red-hue.. Aahh.. Here she is, in the embrace of Mr Skeleton. Rouge Allure in Enjouee is not something I purchase. I am too thrift to do that.. at least for now.  It was given to me from my auntie. 

This product has been launched since 2012, but I barely know this product since 2014 when my auntie wear it. It's such a nice matte-velvety lipstick, I mean, it's sort of matte, but it does not feel dry to my lips. However, I still can see the dark pigmentation around my mouth when I wear this, so.. I should wear a lip pencil if I want a full cover lipstick on. However, it's still a very good color: a coral lipstick that makes me happy.

Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen WOW

For practical purpose, I have been a loyal devotee to waterproof, no-touch-up needed foundation when I have heavy duty job. I am talking about my ol' reliable Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation. Heavy? Yes. Need a quick hand because it tends to be dry and flaky during application? Yes. Flat matte finish? Yes. Heck, my face is gonna be tad oily by noon anyway!

Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow, is quite the opposite of Estee Lauder Double Wear. The formula is lightweight, and definitely will not suffocate pores. Thanks for it's non oil formula, this foundation would suit any skin type. The coverage is light to medium, and it will not look cakey on layering.The formula contains titanium oxide as sunscreen (SPF 25PA+++), vitamin C and E derivatives.

Known for their cute and practical packaging, Benefit delivers this product in a plastic pump bottle with a cap, means it’s travel friendly because it's quite light to carry on your luggage and will not spill everywhere, thanks to the plastic cap. AND I love the pump! It's so easy to squirt and control the amount of the foundation. It's waaayyy much better than Make Up Forever Face & Body Foundation. Did I mention I like the fragrance?

The application of this product is super easy. It blends seamlessly to my skin, even in the dry area at my cheeks and forehead. I thought the coverage will not be enough to even out my skin tone, but I am surprised with the result. The result is pretty close to flawless and I love how luminous my face after wearing this! I have my match in Beige (I am NC 40 on MAC). However, Benefit only provides 9 shades and most of the shades fall into medium skin-tone. So, olive skin tones girl is quite lucky now.

Actually, this is my second bottle of Hello Flawless.Last year, I had myself match in Toasted Beige when I was super-tan! It's bottled for $36 each, but the price is quite hefty in Indonesia (around 400 thousand rupiahs...). However, I keep coming back to this foundation time and again. Definitely in my top 5 foundation. Tell me.. What's your favorite?

Going Out with Maya!

Have I told you that my best buddy named MAYA? She is an OB/GYN works in Serang, the capital of Banten province. She is a devout Muslim, but she plays Call of Duty too.. We've been friends since we are in med-school. And after we finishes our specialist training, we remain close friends, especially since her workplace is just 30-minutes drive from Tangerang! We went to Ootoya, a posh Japanese restaurant in Summarecon Mal Serpong. We had sushi, salad, and pudding to break our fasting. We keep up conversations, and she remains a humble, funny yet witty friend. Our favourite dish in Ootoya. Salmon roll, torch-fried. marinated tuna with rice oblong major diet destroyer! our goofy selfie! Hope we can see each other soon!!

Hi Monday

Every Monday, I feel supercharged (most of the time). Because every weekend I meet my cute nieces and nephew. Fuad can call me Koko rite new... He's super cute. Anyway, life is quite busy now. I've been trying to keep myself highly pirated, but I just.. dunno... feeling kind of lame lately. I want to keep myself on the ground. I still want to reach dreams that I wanted. Where has all those kids dreams right now.. I just feel kind of meh.. I know I should feel thankful because I could have a life. I can eat, and now I can support myself. I should have been thankful for every bless that i have been given. keep up keep the good spirit

Petis Telur

Bahan:

Telur puyuh 30 butir, rebus sampai matang. Siram air dingin. Setelah dingin, kupas telur dan goreng sampai matang. Sisihkan.

4  batang sereh

6 lembar daun jeruk

2 cup petis Ny. Siok

500 cc santan kental dari 1/2 butir kelapa

1 sdt garam

1 sdt gula pasir

1/2 sdt merica putih bubuk

20 buah cabe rawit merah

12 butir cabe merah giling

1,5 sdt bumbu gulai

Garam

Vetsin 1 ujumg sdt

Bumbu halus

10 butir bawang merah

5 siung bawang putih

5  cm jahe bakar

3 cm kunyit bakar

2 butir kemiri sangrai

Campur semua, haluskan

Cara:

Panaskan minyak, tumis bumbu halus sampai matang

Tambahkan serai, daun jeruk sampai harum

Masukkan petis, santan, aduk rata dengan api kecil. Jangan sampai gosong

Tambahkan merica halus, masak sampai bumbu meresap, terakhir beri garam secukupnya dan vetsin

Matikan kompor. masukkan cabai dan telur.

catatan: jika akan disimpan, pisahkan cabai rawit dan telur. 

Sambal Iris

Bahan:

1 ikat kemangi

1/2 butir tomat, iris halus

2 siung bawang merah iris halus

3 buah rawit merah iris

1  batang bawang daun iris tipis

2-3 buah jeruk kip, belah dua

Cara:

Campur semua bahan, terakhir kasih perasan jeruk kip

Sajikan di atas lauk seperti ikan goreng/panggang atau ayam goreng

Notes: 

sambal ini di sajikan dengan lauk, jangan dicampur nasinya. Rasanya jadi tawar.

Kalau mau disimpan di kulkas, jangan campur sama air jeruk.

Pisang Santan

Another banana Ternate treats!

Bahan:

Pisang kepok 10 biji, harus tua, matang betul dan bagus

Santan kental 1 cup (asal kerendem)

Garam dikit seujung sdt

Pandan 2 lembae

Rebus pakai api kecil, sampai sat, dan menjadi krim

Alternatives:

Pisang + santan, Bisa diberi gula merah sama daun pandan, sampai sat

Terakhir kasih mentega

Red Fish Sauce

Resep ini saya karang saat saya di Tasikmalaya, dan di sana sangat susah untuk mendapatkan ikan segar. Walhasil jadinya pakai tuna kaleng saus tomat. Kalau ingin ikan segar, pakai saja 200 gram ikan tuna dan sausnya dibuat dari 4 buah tomat puree.

Bahan:

2 buah bawang bombay sedang. Potong kotak kecil

4 batang bawang daun

1 kaleng tuna in Tomato sauce merek Ayam Brand

1 ikat kemangi, ambil daunnya rajang kasar

1/2 sdt oregano

pala secukupnya

1/2 sdt garam

lada hitam tumbuk fresh secukupnya

butter 2 sdm

olive oil secukupnya

keju edam 100 gram

susu cair full cream (atau cooking cream)

Cara masak:

Di wajan, panaskan mentega dan olive oil. Masukkan bawang bombay dan bawang daun sampai masak.

Masukkan tuna kaleng, aduk rata, lalu keju, oregano, pala sampai betul-betul matang.

Tambahkan susu cair secukupnya sampai kekentalan yang diinginkan.. just at the right consistency

Tambahkan lada dan garam secukupnya

Disajikan dengan: nasi, spageti, roti pitta dan selada... Nyummyyyy

Lemon Fish Butter

Bahan:

1 ekor ikan tenggiri, ambil dagingnya saja

5 buah bawang putih

1 ikat daun kemangi, rajang kasar

5 buah jeruk nipis, ambil airnya

1 sdt minyak zaitun

Lada dan garam secukupnya

Untuk menumis: butter 3 sdm

Cara:

Campu semua bahan kecuali margarin, rendam kurang lebih 2 jam.

Panaskan wajan anti lengket, ikan digongseng sampai matang, sambil dagingnya dihancurkan

Good for:

sandwich filling, paling pool kalau makan dengan sambal cocol.

My Favorite Drugstore Finds!

Buying skincare and make up at drugstore can be quite tricky. The lighting was so harsh/almost impossible to review certain  color such as foundation and usually these stores do not provide take home samples. 

However, I believe that there are a lot of excellent products in drugstore waiting to be explored, and I do find a few things, which sometimes could be a real dupe, and even better than high end brands! Here is my take on drugstore best buys!

1. Bioderma Crealine H2O

One of the best cleanser ever! It takes off make up without feeling icky or oily. Plus, it does not sting into my eyes, so it's very good to use. The micellar water really do wonders as cleanser and toner. 

2. Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum

It is the first foundation that I use since the first time I am into make-up, which is 3 years ago. The foundation has a gel characteristics, and spreads easily and evenly to face. The coverage is light/medium but it's buildable. I never look cakey when I use this, and this foundation has a soft fragrance that evaporates quickly. Some says it's a dupe for Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua, but... I think this foundation has speak for it self. The downside is, in Indonesia, there are only 3 colors: no 51, 52, and 53. I use number 53, a light beige color.  I believe they should import more shades here since it's too good to be passed on. Available at Watsons, Guardian or other department stores. Price:  Rp 264.000

3. Wet n Wild Coverall Foundation

Another foundation gem in drugstore counter. I think Wet n Wild products have a more neutral base, so the foundations are not looking too yellow-y. Being gel-ish, this foundation spread easily to my skin, but make sure to use moisturizer first! This medium to full cover foundation can be a bit patchy for people with dry skin. Always use a setting powder, otherwise, this will wear off pretty quick.  The shade in this foundation unfortunately is quite limited too. 

Available at Watsons, Guardian or other department stores. Price: Rp. 99.000.

4. Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick

Seriously, this is lipstick done right. Pigmentation is good, nice vanilla fragrance, with just the right balm-y texture. It's semi matte and it does not feel dry on my lips. The color range  is quite formidable..

5. Maybelline Liquid Dream Mousse Foundation

This pump-bottled foundation is really good. Blend beautifully into skin and the texture is just right. 

Blogging: Things I’d like to do better

I like to write, although actually it’s kind of difficult for me to keep my blogging schedule on time. However, I make a note for myself to remind me of things that I wish I could do better on blogging.

1. Beautiful photograph

Yes, I am such a lousy photographer. I do not understand composition, white balance etc. But I do love to stare at beautiful food, beauty and make up tutorial photograph. Seriously. I hope I can do better on this.

2. Own a real camera, tripod, and do a DIY backdrop

I have been searching all over the internet that I do not need a full size DSLR camera to make beautiful photograph. To be honest, I mostly usse my ipad and camera to upload pictures. As for backdrop, I want to make an “infinity” backgraound from styrofoam and fabrics, nut I still don’t get the time since I’ve been moving from my apartment.

3. Focus on Content

I like to write about things around me, I mean like literally documenting almost anything. So, sometimes my posts are kind of very random-ish. Furthermore, sometimes life around me happened so fast, and I really do not have time to take pictures (let alone stylized picture). i do really envy those people who could make simple occasions beautifully documented.

Well, Here’s my rant for now. Asta la vista!

Nasi Kebuli, Kambing Kecap dan Acar

Saya senang banget makan nasi kebuli dan kambing kecap. Namun setelah beberapa saat mencari resep, buatan Jidah lah yang paling enak. Variasinya banyak, ada yang menambahkan kentang, cabe panggang dsb. Memang menu ini biasanya hanya keluar kalau ada perayaan di rumah kami, seperti akikah, lebaran atau acara buka bersama!

Bahan
1 kg daging kambing, campur tulang.  Kaga dicuci (don't ask! :)) )
1/2 kg bawang merah iris
1, 5 ons bawang putih iris
Sereh 10 batang
Jahe giling 2-3 sdm
Lada putih 3 sdm
Kayu manis
Cengkeh
Jintan

Cara Masak Kambing
Daging kambing 1 kg + lada putih + kayu manis 2 biji + kecap 3 sdm + 1 ons bawang iris merah + 1/2 ons bwg putih iris + cengkeh 10 + jahe giling 2 sdm. Diamkan kira-kira sejam 
Tumis kunyit halus 1 sdm,  1 sdm jahe halus,  1 sdm lengkuas halus sd matang. Pakai minyaknya harus rada banyak dan apinya kecil. Diaduk terus supaya tidak gosong dan lengket. Tambahi     bawang merah, bawang putih, n sereh. Biarkan sampai matang, awas jangan sampai hangus..
Tambah kapulaga,  jinten,  ketumbar, lada, cengkeh, kayu manis
Rendam sampai empuk, lalu kasi asam jawa 1/2 sdt yg belum diperas
Masak kambing dengan api kecil sampai lunak. Biarkan sampai mendidih, kalau airnya habis, tambahkan air panas. Proses memasaknya agak lama sampai kambing lunak.
Kasi air panas, cek daging sudah lunak atau belum. Tambahkan merica, kecap, garam sesuai selera.
Cara Masak Bumbu Nasi 
Cicip lagi. Tambahkan Royco sedikit (kalau mau). Diamkan sampai dingin

Acar:
Ketimun potong kotak
Nanas potong kotak
Sambal botol dan ketchup botol perbandingan 1:1, mix semua

Cara penyajian:
1. Kambing kecap dipisah sendiri
2. Nasi hangat dicampur bumbu nasi, tambahkan kismis
3. Taburkan bawang goreng di atasnya
4. Sajikan dengan acar dan sambal kering
Selamat menikmati..

FOUNDATION 101: Pilah pilih alas bedak

Kalau menurut statistik (dengan gaya ngomong cak lontong he he he...) produk make up yang paling banyak dibeli adalah foundation. Di sini saya akan sharing pengalaman saya dengan si alas bedak ini, yang ternyata... butuh beberapa waktu buat saya untuk tahu mana yang pas buat sehari-hari.

1. Kenali tipe kulit muka, dan kira-kira kita bakal berada di lingkungan seperti apa.
Ini pinting banget. Apakah kulit muka kita bermiyak? kering? kombinasi. 

Kalau sudah tahu jenis kulitnya kira-kira apakah kita bakalan sering indoor di tempat AC yang bikin kulit kering? Atau memang bakalan banyak kegiatan outdoor yang bikin kita gampang keringatan dan berminyak ? 

Untung kulit kering, selalu pakai moisturizer sebelum memakai alas bedak, karena kalau kulit kering foundation seringkali jadi ceplak ceplok alias patchy! Pastikan kalau moisturizer ini benar-benar take alias terserap di kulit! 

Kalau memang kulit berminyak/kombinasi dan seringkali kerja outdoor, mending pakai jenis HD foundation Make Up For Ever yang oil-free dan tahan lama! Baiknya juga pakai primer yang mattifying terlebih dahulu. 

2. Coverage

Kalau coverage sih, menurut gw soal selera. ada yang memang ingin full coverage, ada juga yang pingin medium atau sheer coverage. Kalau pas kulit nggak problematik atau tone kulit cukup rata, saya selalu milih yang light coverage. Favorit saya: Estee Lauder Invisible teint atau Make Up Forever Face and Body Foundation. 

Foundation medium coverage banyak pilihan: Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum, Maybelline Liquid Mousse, atau Benefit Oxygen. Wet n Wild foundation juga oke! 

Kalau yang full coverage: MAC studio fix, MakeUp For Ever HD, atau yang budget friendly : Revlon colorstay. Waktu saya masih tugas di Palembang sebagai dokter bedah yang sering gawean outdoor juga.. satu-satunya foundation yang gak lumer kena panas keringat adalah MUFE HD Foundation.

3. Warna

Beberapa jenis foundation menegluarkan 3 warna undertone: rose, neutral dan beige. Tapi gak usah bingung. Perhatikan saja warna kulit, dan mana yang paling masuk ke kulit wajah. Warna kulit memang terkadang berubah sesuai lingkungan dan musim, jadi foundation yang sudah dibeli gak akan cocok 100% selamanya. 

Beberapa brand rata-rata meiliki undertone kuning yang kuat seperti Bobbi Brown, dan MAC yang NC. Berhubung saya lebih cenderung netral, saya harus makai make  up ini tipis-tipis dulu, kalau nggak muka bisa keliatan oranye terang hi hi hi. Maybelline, Revlon, dan Wet n Wild punya warna dasar yang lebih netral di kulit.

4. Finish

Hasil akhir foundation ada yang matte (bebas kilap), dewy (kesan lembab), luminous (sedikit bercahaya, biasanya ada micro shimmer). Ini sih tergantung selera saja. Kalau saya lebih senang yang dewy dan matte untuk siang hari, sementara acara malam saya senang yang luminous.

All by all, alas bedak harusnya seperti second skin, dan bukan kayak dempul. Kalau liat foundation pecah karena dipakai overdosis serem deh... So.. go out and have fun!!

June Hauls

Hello!

Last month was very busy and physically demanding. I am happy with my practice and I am thankful about it.

I also had my hands on several beauty goodies and books. 

SKINCARE

In June, I had to drop my Hada Labo routine.. I had a breakout and it was awful. I had several acne on my forehead, which is rarely occured to me. I really liked the Gokujyun series, they are awesomely hydrating perched skin and budget friendly. However, i cant wear it anymore.

Clarins Gentle Renewing Brightening Peel
A part of Clarins White Plus HP series, this product contains alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) which suppose to exfoliate dead skin surface and reveal a luminous and healthy skin layers. This gentle chemical peel contains tamarind, white nettle and mimosa tenuiflora extract. It is VERY gentle (I compare this to Cliniques no.2 toner and Kiehl's cucumber toner which are stingy to my face!), and should only be used every other day. I dab this toner with a cotton pad to face and neck after using face wash, wait for 10 minutes, then I apply moisturizer. It does contain alcohol, but let me assure you, this toner is not irritating.

Decleor Aromessence White C+ Brightening Concentrate

This bottle contains essential oils & wax of acacia, parsley, lemon and camomile. Two drops of oil in the morning, and three drops at night. The fragrance is .. divine. Although many people are put off  by fragrance, I like this one!

Decleor Aroma Cleanse Fresh Purifying Cleansing Gel

I rarely use soap/gel celanser. I prefer a creamy and gentle cleanser such as Physiogel or Neutogena Extra Gentle Cleanser. I got this product for free from Decleor. It contains ylang-ylang essential oil and peppermint aromatic water. However, a major letdown for me- this product contains parabens. I don't think I will use this regularly.

HAIRCARE
Last month, I tried Aussie moist conditioner. it is awesome! I always need conditioner because I regularly use Selsun 7 Herbal shampoo which is very drying to my hair. I think I need to de-escalate my anti dandruff shampoo, so I will use this shampoo alternately with my good 'ol Selsun 7 Herbal.

Well.. that's all the update for now. How are you during this Ramadhan month? I wish we have many blessings this months!

Why I blog?

To blog or not to blog, that is the question.

Sebenarnya, saya menulis blog karena suka banget liat blog yang cantik-cantik kayak essiebutton.com atau abeautifulmess.com . They are visually engaging... Dan gw seneng banget belajar ngedekor blog (although the result ahem.. not always artistic!)

Kalau konten blog sendiri, saya seneng banget surgeonblog yang "gw banget!" hi hi hi.

Hari ini saya berhasil ngotak ngatik Pages menjadi seperti lama dengan post terpisah.. hehehe...
Mudah-mudahan saya bisa ngisi konten nya secara konsisten dan rutin.

Well, it takes courage to write about daily life in a public domain. But I think, life is too valuable if we don't document them..

Salam... Salut!

Lif

Sunda Resto: Gubug Mang Engking

Belakangan saya kangen banget makanan Sunda. Tiba-tiba pengen makan gurame goreng.. Dan pilihan saya yang paling dekat Tangerang sini yah cuma Mang Engking. Lokasinya di the Breeze, dekat gedung sinar mas.

Saya senang di tempat ini karena konsepnya memang seperti warung lesehan. Jadi nostalgia semasa kuliah di Bandung...

Tempat cuci tangannya juga enak (ada di tiap beberapa saung) dan kita makan di atas kolam hi hi hi.

Menunya.. cukup banyak. Gurame cobek nya highly recommended. Ayam bakar pun enak di sini.

Price-nya sesuai sama masakannya kok. Jadi jangan kuatir! 

Bon appetite!

French Woman Don't Get Facelifts

I've been reading almost all Mrs. Guiliano book.
Although many book critics resent her for Francophilia uproaring everywhere- well.. she states her brand down right. Being a "real" French ambassador in the US, she has certain wisdom of a 1000-years old culture behind her (yes, American culture is relatively young to Europe).

This book is a tongue in cheek descriptions about beauty, lifestyle and well being (as most of her book)- the French way. There are recipes, a few brand recommendations and skin care tips.

I do not think this book is superficial. Although her advices could be similar to columns in glossy magazines,  she got a better way to explain her beauty secrets which makes her writings far from boring endorsement scribblings.

Title: French Woman Don't Get Facelifts
Publisher: Simon&Schuster
Where to buy: Kinokuniya, Periplus
Price: Rp. 140.000

Make Up 101: a Surgeon's perspective

When I started to wear make up, I figured that this not particularly work in OR. Well, I had the wrong kind of mascara and eyeliner, so I looked like a raccoon after a surgery. Did the usual rep: talked to the parents after surgery, and I noticed she looked at me strangely. WHAM! Eyeliner smearing everywhere, lipstick feathered here and there.

I am not really a beauty expert, but here is my two cents on make up for women who take part on the surgery field:

1. Hydrate-hydrate-hydrate

OR anywhere is cold and for woman with dry skin, this condition will aggravate the problem, Use moisturizer at the very least. Try to massage the moisturizer to face rather than just slather it!

2. Foundation

Some of the foundation would transfer to the mask. It is expected. Using "heavy-duty" foundation such as Make-Up Forever HD will minimize it but personally, I think it's a bit heavy. I prefer lighter texture foundation such as Estee Lauder Teint Invisible. If my budget is real tight, Wet n Wild Coverall foundation is very nice. Always set foundation with powder, applied with light hand

3. Eyeliner & Mascara

Okay, usually I just wear one of them. I think my friends who got no oily lids problem can wear many high street/drugstore eyeliner brand. Trusted Indonesian brand is PAC, they have a really good pencil liner with a jet black color. For oily lids, I think the Balm schwing eyeliner and NYX the curve hold a better staying power. 

As for mascara, always pick the waterproof formula. Good brands: Maybelline Rocket Volume, Lancome Doll's Eyes and for a real budget option: Silky Girl Hi-Definition mascara.

4. Lipstick

I always prefer lip-balm-y Lip Crayon aka Revlon Lip Crayon. Not for the "coloring" purpose but for the mositurizing purpose. The peppermint accent is a plus! Lipstain is more practical than crayon or regular lipstick during OT.  

==

How's your day? Mine 's good! I watched How to Train Your Dragon 2 with dearest hubby last night. It's a really good movie. I like the concept art, the story. So hilarious. Moarr sequel pleaseeee!!!

Cheers,

Lif

Blog Makeover

Hai! Akhirnya, beres jugag make-over blog ini. I am happy with the result! Dainty Moonbeam is an awesome place to shop skins.

Hari ini saya belajar ternyata archiving, alias pencatatan itu sangat-sangat menolong. Tadi sore, tiba-tiba saya dihubungi oleh ortu pasien. Belakangan, untungnya saya lagi mayan rajin nyatet pasien di Evernote, jadi komunkasi dengan ortu pasien tersebut lancarjaya. Hmm.. Sebenernya, saya bukan documenter atau administrator yang baik (Heck! Most surgeons are!). Tapi mudah-mudahan blogging ini bisa membuat saya terbiasa mendokumentasikan segala sesuatu.

Btw, it's early in the morning. Masih belum bisa tidur gegara sakit perut. Note to self: jangan makan baso kepedesan lagi!

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Sambal ikan roa kering

Bahan:

1 kerat ikan roa asap, isinya sekitar 20 biji. Ambil dagingnya saja. Hati-hati saat memisahkan daging dengan durinya. Kemudian jemur di bawah matahari sekitar 3 jam supaya ikan kering (kalau nggak ada matahari ya dipanggang saja sebentar). Blender atau tumbuk ikan roa sampai agak halus.

20 butir cabai rawit merah, blender

1/4 kg bawang merah iris

1 sdt garam

Cara:

- Goreng bawang merah sampai matang, sisihkan

- Goreng cabai sampai matang, sisihkan dan tiriskan minyaknya

- Goreng ikan roa dengan 2 sdm minyak (jangan terlalu banyak), aduk-aduk sampai rata selama 5 menit, kemudian masukkan cabai dan bawang goreng. Matikan api dan aduk rata. Beri garam.

Resep courtesy of Lovely Jidda. Here she is. The most awesome grandma.

klappertart

Resep ini diberikan oleh mama sahabat saya, Emiliana. Kebetulan saya pengen belajar buat kue ini berhubung agak susah mencari klapertart yang pas di Bandung. Jadilah saya minta tolong mamanya Lia. Thank you so much!!

Bahan:

1 cup blue band (sekitar 250 gr)

1 cup gula pasir (sekitar 250 gr)

5 butir telur

150-200 gram tepung terigu

100 gram almond kupas

100 gram krenten/kismis

1 kaleng susu kental manis

1 gelas air kelapa

Daging kelapa dari 4 buah kelapa 

Vanili 1 ujung sdt

Rum secukupnya

Cara membuat:

- Blueband + gula pasir dikocok sampai halus, kemudian tambahkan telur 1 demi satu. Kocok terus sampai rata, kemudian matikan mikser

- Tambahkan tepung terigu sedikit demi sedikit dengan mengaduk dengan spatula plastik atau kayu. Kemudian tambahkan vanili.

- Masukkan susu kental manis, air kelapa dan daging kelapa satu demi satu sambil diaduk rata

- Masak dalam kuali/panci semua adonan tersebut sampai adonan mulai meletup. Adonan ini harus terus diaduk dan jangan sampai gosong

- Matikan api. Tambahkan almond dan krenten. Terakhir percikkan rum 1-2 sdm.

- Masukkan adonan ke dalam pyrex yang sudah dismer mentega. Panggang selama 30-45 menit

- Angkat dari oven. Tambahkan rum jika diinginkan. 

Catatan: 

- Baiknya memakai oven tangkring atau oven gas yang cukup aliran udaranya. Pakai oven listrik biasanya memiliki ruang yang terlalu kecil sehingga adonan justeru terpisah saat dimasak