Travel-Sabah, Island of Borneo

Posted on August 5, 2011 by Grace

For my husband’s birthday, we decided to venture across the South China Sea to East Malaysia on the Island of Borneo, which is the third largest island in the world.  The Island of Borneo is divided among three countries:  Malaysia (the two states of Sabah and Sarawak), Indonesia and Brunei.  Specifically we flew into Kota Kinabalu, also known as K.K., in Sabah – so we were still in Malaysia, just a different side of it.  Kota Kinabalu is a popular tourist destination and jumping off point to some smaller islands that house some of the most beautiful resorts I have ever seen!  So, we headed to K.K. for some relaxation, some scuba diving and most importantly some time away from the city.

Once arriving in K.K., we quickly boarded a private boat that whisked us away to Gaya Island, only about 15 minutes away.  When the boat turned the corner into a nearby cove, we spotted it, our home for the next 3 nights – Gayana Eco Resort.  It was beautiful!

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After getting situated in our ocean view bungalow over the water, we relaxed on the porch and looked out at our backyard…

(This picture may look familiar…it’s the picture used for my “TRAVEL” icon on the main Wrinkled Chiffon page!)

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We explored a bit more of the resort…

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And then got ready to go to dinner…

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See more of these shoes on this trip on my SHOE SIGHTS page!

We got ready and went to dinner, a beautiful, gazebo-shaped restaurant right over the water.  The menu consisted primarily of fish, so walking in to see a bunch of fish tanks wasn’t a complete surprise.  However, the surprise was that once you sat down to order your dinner, you were quickly ushered over to the tanks to pick out THE VERY FISH you wanted to eat.  Much like the little chickie story, I had a hard time with preparing my food for eating and decided I didn’t want to be the one to choose a poor fishy’s fate.  Is this a Malaysian thing or what???  I left the decision making up to my husband.

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getting-fish

With one swoop of the net, my husband grasped the fishy and it was on its way to get weighed.  Poor fishy!

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Twenty minutes later, that very fishy was on my plate and being served to me for dinner.  I felt very sad at first, but at least it was fresh and believe me, I didn’t let one piece of that little fishy go to waste!

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Shortly after we finished dinner, the restaurant surprised my husband with a cake.  The entire restaurant, employees, guests, the chef…all serenaded my husband and sang a distorted version of the American “Happy Birthday”…it was so sweet and thoughtful!

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After dinner, we enjoyed the rest of the beautiful evening and walked very slowly through the resort back to our room.  It was so nice enjoying the peaceful sound of the waves crashing and the slow humming of the crickets in the rainforest.

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What an amazing first day at Gayana Resort and a fabulous birthday for my husband.  GOOD NIGHT!

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Next week stay tuned for the rest of our adventure as we explore Borneo…

 

Posted in Asia, Malaysia, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Designer Spotlight-Michael Kors

Posted on August 3, 2011 by Grace

For this Wednesday’s designer spotlight, I wanted to highlight my favorite new watch by Michael Kors.  There are many items that I love from Michael Kors including the shoes in this post and the Michael Kors tote that I feature in many of my WORK Style posts…to name a few.  The Michael Kors label is famous not only for shoes, bags and jewelry, but of course for clothing for women and men, accessories and a Michael Kors fragrance.  Beginning his career at the early age of 19, Michael Kors caught the attention of the fashion world and went out on his own in 1981, when the Michael Kors label was formed.  In 2001, Michael Kors launched his accessories line, with the men’s collection following closely in 2002.  Two years later in 2004, the Michael Michael Kors line was unveiled which includes women’s ready to wear, swimwear, accessories to include handbags, belts, shoes, eyewear and timepieces.  Growing more and more each day in popularity, Michael Kors has become a favorite designer of mine.  Currently you can find 60 Michael Kors stores in North America, along with stores internationally to include the Middle East, Munich and Seoul.  Hopefully Michael Kors will expand throughout Asia and maybe, just maybe, even come to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia some day.

WORK

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A neighborhood dog called Dannies stopped by to say hello to me during the “photo shoot”…such a cutie!

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Ironing Out the Details:

Dress -TOPSHOP Brown and White Polka Dot Dress (no longer available); Similar dresses here, here, here and here
Blazer -TOPSHOP Coral Blazer (no longer available); Similar blazer here and here
Belt -TOPSHOP heart belt (no longer available); Similar belt
Necklace – Gifted gold coin necklace; Similar necklaces
Earrings – CHARMING CHARLIE gold earrings
Watch – MICHAEL KORS
Heels – GUESS nude colored pumps (no longer available); Similar pumps: Jones of NY or Stuart Weitzman
Bag – LONGCHAMP

Change up the look by changing the accessories…here I just changed the belt, shoes and purse.

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Ironing Out the Details:

Belt – BRIGHTON (Check out my Designer Spotlight post on Brighton HERE)
Heels – GUESS Carrie Pump in black
Purse – Gifted satin quilted makeup bag (used as a clutch); Similar clutch 

Posted in Accessories and Handbags, Clothing, Designer Spotlight | Tagged , , , , , , , | 20 Comments

Poor little chickie

Posted on August 2, 2011 by Grace

I’m sorry, but I just can’t get used to the way they sell full chickens at the grocery stores here in Malaysia.  In the Harris Teeter or Giant grocery stores back home on the east coast, I always enjoyed walking in with the aroma of the rotisserie chickens completely cooked lingering through the store.  But here, it’s a different story.  The chickens are sold very raw and with everything still attached!  I have the hardest time opening the package and seeing their little necks, claws, and feet all still there…it’s so sad!  I usually scream for my husband and quickly ask for his assistance in cutting off these parts for me, while I stand by with a sad look on my face.  As he starts cutting I usually say, “Poor little chickie, poor little chickie, I’m sorry!”  This is just something I will never get used to while living here in Malaysia.

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We did make a really yummy soup out of the chicken, however.  So it went to good use, poor little chickie.  Here’s the recipe below, found on the blog, “A Year of Slow Cooking“.  We used our crock pot!

Recipe:

– 1 store-bought rotisserie chicken carcass, or 1 1/2 cups already cooked chicken meat
– 6 cups water
– 1 or 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and chunked
– 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules (check for gluten, this was clearly labeled gluten free)
– 1 cup broccoli florets
– 1 small onion, diced
– 1 tablespoon, plus 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
– kosher salt to taste (probably a good 1 teaspoon, since the base is water)
– 50-cent piece size, or so, handful of raw spaghetti noodles to add at the end
– 1 large handful raw spinach leaves to add at the end
– Parmesan and Asiago cheese, optional garnish

The Directions:

If you’re going to use a chicken carcass, cook it on low overnight in the water.  In the morning, unplug the crock and let it cool before digging in with CLEAN hands to pick out the bones.  Strain through a colander (retaining liquid!) if desired.  Or, start with a slow cooker with 6 cups of water, and add chicken.  Add all vegetables except for the spinach leaves.  Stir in the bouillon and vinegar.  Salt to taste.  Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours, or until sweet potatoes are tender and the onion is translucent.  15 minutes before serving, put in raw spaghetti noodles and a large handful of spinach. Cover and flip to high.  Garnish with Parmesan and Asiago cheeses, if desired.

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Posted in Food and Sweets, Living in KL | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments