Saturday, December 29, 2018
Friday, December 21, 2018
towards something you love
Hey ya'll, it's been awhile since I wrote a reflection about something but no worries; I ain't abandoning it cause here I am!
Saturday, December 1, 2018
Tis' The Season for some Cookies!
It's the start of the month of December and well, have ya'll been doing well in November? Well, I'm okay I guess. I hope you are doing better than me heh. :) ANYWAY, I've decided to write about food again on the start of a new month so here it is! I hope you enjoy!
As a person who LOVES cookies, I've got to know something interesting through a good friend of mine that Caffe Bene is having a 'Blogging Event' for their Cookie Connoisseur's Menu & obviously, I got all excited and started planning when to go and what to write about. :)
Saturday, November 24, 2018
4 Food Photography Styles
Hey ya'll! I'm guessing all of you might have got the hint about what I'm blogging if you've read the title.
Other than portraits, I love taking pictures of food too if you still don't know! ;) You can actually see how most of my Instagram pictures are mainly on food (other than my portraits in it obviously, check it out here). So! I'm gonna show you some of my food photography styles & of course; I hope you'll like it and if you really do, you can try it out! :)
Sunday, November 18, 2018
I Kinda Graduated...
Hey ya'll lovelies!! Well, It was just yesterday (Saturday) that I graduated but to some who might already know, I'm currently doing my progression in Degree so apparently I didn't pay to go for my Diploma graduation (That explains the the title very much) because it means you need to go twice and have to pay twice and well, I can't afford that much money spend on graduation honestly even if it's a 'one time thing'. Degree will be that 'one time thing' for me so yea! ;)
Sunday, November 4, 2018
TWENTY
Hey ya'll lovelies! I just celebrated my 20th birthday yesterday and so it came across my mind that I should blog about how I feel right now.
Turning 20 got me jumbled up on feelings that I can't even describe honestly but if I were to put it into the simplest form it would be mixed feelings. I'm guessing you know how mixed feelings feels right? I feel happy but anxious at the same time (with other feelings that I can't interpret it). Happy because I'm finally going into adulthood life but anxious because I have no idea whether I'm ready to step into adulthood with piles of responsibilities waiting for you at the end of the road.
As I look back into my teenage years, I don't feel nostalgic honestly just because I didn't like my past self who was timid and shy. But I'm thankful for those years of trying to find ways to be the opposite of what I was. I would spend hours searching for personality quizzes from time to time to find out whether have I improved myself and even search for articles on how to be confident and positive back then. Of course, it did worked out a little. Today, I could say that I'm confident enough to face my fears and shyness at some point (not much but better) and I do have to say it's all thanks to those who have helped me.
Friday, October 26, 2018
A Bigger Splash
One crazy(?) fact about me; I don't swim. BUT why am I in Swimming Club KL? Well, ya'll already know I love taking photos and I'm working hard on my blog so I only went there for the Instagram posts heh. BUT not only that of course, I thought I'd try out their drinks and some snacks there and yea I did! :)
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
I love them.
Hey all, this post is dedicated to the people who stood by my side up till now through thick & thin (you know who you are haha). So, if you are the person, I hope you'll understand how grateful I am to you. To those who are not or have yet; I'll just say thanks in advance that you were willing to scroll and read all the way to the end of this post cause I have something for ya'll too! ;)
Monday, October 1, 2018
Dim Sum @ Yun House, Four Seasons Hotel, KL
"Dim Sum-body tell you that you are Siew Mai type?"
Hey ya'll! :) I'm guessing the quoted PUN gave you some idea about what I'm gonna write about right? Or maybe you just got the answer from the title... OH WELL! It was a recent event where I got to try Yun House's Dim Sum with two of my best friends (1 is missing unfortunately, you know who you are). We went there to celebrate one of my best friend's belated birthday and to tell you the truth; it's worth it if you decide to go there on a 'Once in a Lifetime' basis hahaha. So here's a picture of the birthday girl below cause we all LOVE her! ;)
Friday, September 28, 2018
6 Favorite Aesthetic Quotes
Hey ya'll! Recently, I've asked on Instagram whether I should write a blog post on some of my favorite quotes that I love and majority said yea! yea! :) As I was thinking for a few days to a week on what type of quotes I should blog about; I felt like I didn't want to write the usual quotes I see on the Internet but instead, I wanted to write something more than just a quote.
From here onward, I bet you'll be thinking I'd be showing you some motivational, inspirational quotes that you can live by right? Well, you're technically half correct just because they are actually called 'Aesthetic Quotes' and these quotes may not be your ultimate source of motivation nor inspirational quotes BUT trust me; it speaks the TRUTH.
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
My First Portrait Photoshoot (As Photographer)
"The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are."
- Unknown -
Saturday, September 8, 2018
"Unexpressed Feelings"
Hey ya'll! :) It's another post on the heart's emotion so it may sound a little sad but don't worry! There will always be a happy ending even if it's not that great of an ending since simple is always preferably for me heh. To make this post a little happy, here's a picture of me trying my best to be expressionless in the picture taken by my friend and yes; I know I have to work on my poses and facial expressions but yea.
ANYWAY, do you have feelings that you wanted to convey to a special person but you just couldn't because you are afraid of ruining the friendship you have with him/her or maybe because you just can't bring yourself up to tell that person about your true feelings and is scared of rejection? Yup, no worries ya'll cause I feel you too.
Saturday, August 25, 2018
Café Hops in M'sia 4.0
"I like adventures, and I'm going to find some."
- Louisa May Alcott -
How are ya'll doin' these days? Well, I guess I'm both happy and sad at the same time. :) Happy cause I've been keeping myself busy and its' a FIRST for me to have my sem break filled with more than five events and meet ups with my friends! However, sad cause happiness won't last forever as I try my best to look forward to the start of my new sem. There's a random selfie of myself treating it as an OOTD above (the worst #ootd I bet HAHAH) cause... why not? ;)
Wednesday, August 22, 2018
English High Tea @ Park Avenue Lounge, Genting
"It's the people you hang out with makes you happy, not just the food."
Hey all! xoxo I'm back to the blogging world with a High Tea indulgence and I do had a lovely tea with my friends! Just a quick update about me: I've just finished my finals of semester 1 and I'm having my break right now so I'll try my best to blog more so do keep watch on my social media updates about my blog posts!
Sunday, July 29, 2018
Café Hops in M'sia 3.0 (PJ edn.)
"There is no sincere love than the love of food."
- George Bernard Shaw -
It's been a tough and rough month for me during the middle and end of July to be honest. I almost lost my passion for everything especially in writing but with the help of my closest friends and family; I was able to piece my life back together bit by bit again somehow and someway or another. Be it having to dwell a little on my past favorite moments to make myself smile & comfort myself a little and not be sad or just trying to put on a fake smile in front of everyone so they wouldn't worry about me too much. To tell you the truth, I'm still struggling & I bet it will take quite awhile for me to lose the pain BUT "It's okay, I'll be fine.", "Maybe it's just not the right time", "Let's wait for the right time then" is what I tell myself every single day and night with a naive hope that I carry in my heart in order for me to live now.
Monday, July 23, 2018
"Why do I live?"
"God gave you this life because He knew you were strong enough to live it."
This post is dedicated to myself and those who are having a hard time living life. It's a short reflection but it means a lot. More words don't mean it has more meaning; it's how you 'word' them that creates the meaning of what you want to portray.
"Why do I live?"
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
4 MUST to-do things in NYC
I know it's been quite awhile now since I came back from the States BUT U.S.A is still my ALL TIME favorite country and I would LOVE to go there again just because I still haven't had enough of it HAHAHA.
To some of the people I know, you might say 'I haven't even visited yet' and here's my answer: You are able if you continue to believe in yourself and work hard to save those money for another 6-8 years time cause that's what I've been doing ever since I got back from the States. Do you understand my GREAT love and passion for U.S.A now? ;) Here's a picture of the city view!
During my trip to the States, New York City was and always will be my top places that I want to visit even if it means again and again. I only went once so I do regret we weren't able to explore a 100% around NYC but I do know a few things that we must do when you're in NYC so here are some of my MUST to do list when you're in NYC:
Sunday, June 10, 2018
What is true love?
"Love is bitter yet addictive; just like caffeine"
What does true love feels like? Having butterflies in your stomach? Tingling feels when you see him/her? Nerve wrecking experiences when you knew its' just a few more hours till you're gonna meet him? Well, for me its different I guess; at least that's what I think it is.
What is true love? To be honest, I still can’t understand 100% completely. I can never say I'm a love expert too. But for me true love isn’t about materials, it isn’t about appearances either. It’s about kindness, loyalty, going the extra miles for that someone and the random acts of those kindnesses. Well, you all might think the definition of kindness is being kind and considerate to the other opposite but in this particular aspect; it’s totally different.
What is true love? To be honest, I still can’t understand 100% completely. I can never say I'm a love expert too. But for me true love isn’t about materials, it isn’t about appearances either. It’s about kindness, loyalty, going the extra miles for that someone and the random acts of those kindnesses. Well, you all might think the definition of kindness is being kind and considerate to the other opposite but in this particular aspect; it’s totally different.
Wednesday, June 6, 2018
A French Indulgence
"The smell of freshly baked pastries, friendly waiters & a lovely indulgence with a close friend of yours are what makes the day satisfying."
Well, here's a picture of me (taken by Jia Ai, xoxo) trying to pretend being candid with a messy hair while sipping on my Raspberry Lemonade drink. It was one of the most 'refreshing' shots that my friend had taken of me (if you get my pun. pfft.).
Friday, June 1, 2018
Ugly Location Photoshoot Challenge
Hey everybody! xoxo It's finally June and I do hope ya'll are having a great 1st day of June while reading my blog heh. :)
If ya'll have not known me, I'm a girl who lacks confidence in herself and is SUPER camera-shy in every way possible; whenever you point your lens towards me, I will cover my face as fast as I can by reflex. BUT just two days ago, I've agreed and challenged myself with the 'Ugly Location Photoshoot Challenge' where one goes to a place they think its ugly and would take pictures there and try to come out with a picture that doesn't look ugly AT ALL. It's actually quite a trend right now if you watch it on Youtube. Well, I wouldn't call it an ugly location in my case; I rather call it an unexpected place to take pictures at (In other words, its not a location that we would want to take our portraits at.). But my boyfriend and I decided to take up the challenge just because we wanted to try something new and also I want to improve my camera-shy personality. I would try my best to pose as natural as I can as he shoots with his Nikon camera. you can check out his Instagram account here.
Wednesday, May 16, 2018
Café Hops in Malacca
All of you might already know that I'm a lover for cafe hopping and on my previous post I have already written about my trip to Malacca with my friends and if you haven't read it... What are you waiting for? go read that now and then only come back here HAHAHA. Anyway, Malacca also have some famous cafes that are worth visiting instead of just going to the same cafes in KL right? My friends and I decided to visit some of them too and it was awesome, lovely and delicious of course! ;)
Monday, May 14, 2018
When in Malacca
It was in the month of May where my friends and I decided its time that we'd go on a trip just ourselves to enjoy before we take our next BIG step in our career paths. We would suggest different places to go to from Cameron Highlands, Genting Highlands to Penang. As a result, we chose MALACCA! Why you ask? Well, apparently one of my friends involved named Jia Ai did her 4 months internship in Malacca and this came up as a conclusion that it's easier to walk around having a friend who was familiar with the streets there. So we made our decision and started planning our itinerary for our trips and also scrolling on AirBnB to find the most affordable stay-inns that we could find. We planned a 3 days 2 nights to Malacca and that's when our exciting trip goes:
1. Photoshoot in Malacca Streets
As a lover for photography, of course I would bring my favorite camera to shoot as much as I can wherever I go to. I tried my best to capture what I think attracted my eyes and also the foods and streets in Malacca such as the famous Jonker Streets where all the delicious foods and colorful streets are there. Other than having my visions focused on food and scenery, portraits are what I love most and you guessed it right! I just held onto my camera; having my index finger placed on to the shutter button and took lots of pictures of my friends as if I was some professional photographer having a photoshoot at a chosen location with the models and here are some pictures that I took of my friends and some strangers:
Friday, May 11, 2018
Appreciation Post
The first time of my uni life if I flashback to the day of orientation, I met some new friends and well, it became a little rough as time passes. I'm not sure why but I guess that some friends were not the fated ones who would be by my side whenever I needed them BUT as each semester goes by, I did met 3 friends who I believe they were the fated ones where we were genuinely comforting and also backing up each other when we were down. We would also support each other in every other way best friends could do and I truly am proud of having them by my side. This post was requested by them and I promised to write about them each individually with my own words of thanks so here it goes girls. HAHAHA
Throwback to the first day of orientation, I didn't really know she existed in my group just because I'm the type who doesn't mingle around much and was not the sociable kind of person but after it ended I went down to the entrance to get picked up by my parents and while waiting; there was a girl who came to me and introduced herself with a big smile on her face - It was Clarisse. I was kind of awkward of course but she made it less awkward by smiling and laughing and we ended up exchanging phone numbers until I realized she was in the same orientation group as me. From then on, we chit chatted a few times and as time passes, we became close friends and of course I'm proud of it. :) Until now, she was the lovely girl with all smiles on her face and I think that's her charm as a girl. Her sweet smile would comfort you at moments when you feel down and her jokes would cheer you up and sometimes just face palm just because we couldn't help it so yea. Here are some pretty pics of Clarisse ;)
Another person is the one who I actually saw her for the first time during orientation and literally couldn't help but compliment her that she was so pretty and made her put on the embarrassed laughter HAHA. Her name's Annabelle and well we weren't that close for the first few semesters but at some point we started hanging out together and soon after; we became as close as ever. To be honest, if you asked how we got so close, I have no idea how to answer it just because both of us didn't know how we ended up being a gang that makes lots of people question us if either of us weren't beside each other. All we know after being close was both of us originally had in mind that we wanted to get close to each other and I think its awesome that we really got closer to each other. She's the one who gave me lots of advice on literally almost everything and always reminded me not to give up on what I wanted to have and achieve in the first place. Of course, I am proud of her too for everything to be honest, she has done so many things for me and I hope that one day we'll always continue to back each other up whenever we go down. Continue to scroll down if you wanna see how pretty Annabelle is:
Last but not least, the person who has been with me ever since middle school though we weren't that close during that period of time. We got close during our high school years and I'm not sure how too just because we were actually in different class but it ends well anyway so its good hehe. Her name's Jia Ai as I would jokingly call her either "False Love" or "Add Love" just because her Chinese name sounds like it. I would also call her Nasty just because she calls me Stinky LOL. But anyway, she's been with me for quite awhile now and I must say that we do have arguments at times but we'll just end up being together again and that makes me happy too since it shows how strong our bond is. we registered to the same university together and we also stick together through almost majority of the group assignments and I can say we make a pretty great team as we helped each other out with what we don't understand or can't find. She's the one who would actually comfort you in many ways she can too and I appreciate that just because we both experienced the worst case scenarios in relationships and we both understood how painful it was as we hug each other with love and sincerity and even telling each other to always never be easy on others to avoid people from using us easily. We've been through so many things together and I do hope that we'll always continue to be together as we continue to create even more interesting and thrilling memories in the future. Please scroll down to see the very chic model, Jia Ai HAHA:
These 3 girls in the end was the one who made my university life interesting I can say. We would go to cafes we've never been before, hang out on holidays where Clarisse would drive us out and btw, THANK YOU FOR DRIVING US GURL!! HAHAHA and also we would help each other out in assignments and studies if we can. We've been having each other backs for quite some time now and I really do feel grateful for having them come into my life. I also do hope that we'll be together forever despite our different locations, and careers we choose and also that we would try our best to meet up once Annabelle comes back to KL. To all 3 of you, thank you for being a part of my life and making it so interesting that I couldn't even catch up sometimes hahaha and also please thank me after reading it all the way here. Also, I realized I have very little of ya'll portrait pictures, especially Clarisse and Annabelle so fast fast let's meet up and take some pictures! AHAHAH I also fulfilled your requests on writing about you people so.. THE END. Love ya'll!!
Sincerely with love, Shannon
Thursday, April 26, 2018
Café Hops in M'sia 2.0 (ft. friends)
Recently, food and friends is probably the only thing that could make me smile genuinely. Well, majority percentage lies with my friends. They make me smile the most and forget all the worries and problems I have in my mind recently. This may sound cheesy but to me, their smiles meant the whole world to me; seeing their smiles made me happy and unconsciously, I smiled too. But it's not just them who made me smile but also the food we were willing to share together made me felt that I was part of them cause food always does bring people together right?
Just yesterday, me and my friends went to two types of cafe; one is dessert cause who doesn't love to eat desserts right? and the other one is more to breakfast and brunch menu. Well, both were suitable to be recommended in my point of view and one can also just take a 3 minute walk to each of the two cafe technically! :) It was fun since it was our first time hanging out going to cafes instead of just going to shopping malls and window shop; it was a whole new memory made for us and we loved it. It was decent and to be honest, I do hope we were able to continue the moments for a little much longer than the usual 24/7. Anyway, cafe hopping is fun when you go in groups just because you're able to share the costs and also enjoy the moments of chit chatting and catching up with each other's lives at the same time and at least for me; we were able to have enjoy good food while we laugh at each other's funniest stories.
1. Jao Tim
To those who are not the morning type of person that you are and you tend to feel a little fancy wanting to go out to have some brunch with your closest friends because why not right? Once in a while, it feels good to hang out with friends to have brunch with them; maybe you would still see their sleepy faces at times but it's worth the hang out just because its FRIENDSHIP GOALS - having breakfast or brunch with your closest friends. Well, back to food of course, if you're that type of person, you can go to Jao Tim located at Petaling Street; same lane as leaf & co cafe. It has a modern vintage feel to it and although it may look a little empty, it's peaceful. :) Peaceful to have a cup of coffee or tea and some croissants or sandwich. Music was played softly so it wouldn't interrupt our conversations with our friends, the great wide spaces in between each tables felt like they were giving us the spaces we wanted to have instead of the crowded tables that made it narrow in between. The food? Well, I could say it was lovely and light. The beverages? It was okay I could say in my opinion. But overall, it was pleasant as you get to enjoy quietness and vintage feel at once and it is a great combination.
Here are some photos I've took during our visit to Jao Tim:
The entrance of Jao Tim. It felt like it was hard to find the cafe at first but their doors were kind of unique and with the golden signage, it was practically easy to be spotted so yeah. |
The staircase of Jao Tim. |
A closer look of the Grilled Cheese Sandwich. :) |
Our drinks: Latte, Hot Chocolate, Mocha and Earl Grey Tea. You could say it's the usual common drinks. |
A cup of latte ordered by my friend. |
The vintage feels that I was talking about was the decorations that they put in the cafe too. HAHA |
2. Urban Artisan
The next stop was desserts OF COURSE!! In Malaysia, the weather is ALWAYS scorching hot 24/7 and to kid you not, you can sweat easily despite it was only a 3 minute walk from Jao Tim. This dessert shop has been quite the popular topic when it comes to frozen yogurt ice cream. Its called Urban Artisan which is basically located in Petaling Street too, you can also say it's kind of the opposite lane of Merchant Lane cafe. Their ice creams are famous for the unique combination of two different flavors, they also have single flavors too if any of ya'll wants to savor only one flavor. Oh!! and they changes the menu every week as I was told about when I asked them for more information. Their flavors? I could say it's REALLY unique and different from the normal ones you try at llao llao or just any other Fro-Yo shops. I think that's what makes them unique and popular. The visuals? Splendid HAHA!! It's insta-worthy, TRUST ME! But try not to take it outside of the shop to have it especially when the weather is typically hotter than usual because it'll literally melt immediately. It's worth going to visit if ya'll wants some awesome perfect visuals frozen yogurt ice cream or just wants to have something that are more different than your go-to ice creams.
Here are some photos of Urban Artisan:
Urban Artisan cafe outlet, its all white so it's easy to be spotted. ;) |
Well, I do hope I can visit more cafes soon so if ya'll have any cafe suggestions that I should visit please feel free to drop a comment or just text me if any of ya'll know me HAHAHA. For more photographs of the two cafes I visited, you can visit my VSCOGrid just by pressing the icon on the left side of the blog or you can click here OR you can visit my Instagram (@shannonpsl) Thanks for reading all the way here!! I appreciate it very much!! :)
Sincerely, Shannon
Monday, April 23, 2018
"1, 2, Cheese!"
We can see most of us girls tend to cover up our faces with layers of foundation and concealer and that is fine! It's really pretty and I understand that some would only feel confident with makeup on but one thing that hit me hard is that we girls were trying so hard to cover up our flaws with powders and cream that we tend to forget we will never find out who will accept our flaws just as we are if we continue covering up completely. We hid it so perfectly but once we reveal it, who will accept them? We tend to think so much about it and sometimes it may lead to anxiety and depression and that is bad of course! BUT no worries girls, makeup is fun but try not to overdo it till you realized you tend to rely on makeup too much and can't accept your flaws AT ALL. You've got to appreciate them ONLY then people will appreciate your perfect imperfections too. So 'balance' is the key to everything girls! ;) LOVE YOURSELF is what you need to do :)
Portrait photography also taught me how to accept others' imperfections. Yes, its others' imperfections we are talking about too and not only ours we need to appreciate. We should understand that some people never wanted to have these flaws on them but ended up having it and we should accept them just the way they are. Just like how we accept our friends just the way they are; they may be talkative, they may have acne on their faces, they may have weird personalities but at the end of the day there are people who will accept the way they are and that of course the people might be us too! Also, God accepted the way we are too so there's no fret in worrying who does not accepts your flaws people!! The ones who accepts you at your worst and ugliest are the ones who are true to you - they are basically your true ones.
Not only that, portrait photography shows what you truly feel in the picture that you were shot of. Well, some might be poses directed by the photographer themselves BUT for me, no matter how they instructed you on how to pose; your eyes doesn't lie in the picture; they reveal your inner feeling someway or another. The eyes of yours can never deceive the ones who can see through you. They'll know it; what you are and how you are feeling. That's why I like portraits; it shows me the true feelings of the ones I took of. They tend to show what they feel at the specific moment too when one shoots them; some might be looking everywhere and not the camera lens because they are camera-shy and have no confident in posing, some might be confident and potential in posing, some might feel demotivated at times too without smiling maybe because they had a rough day but still; posing effortlessly. Again, the eyes doesn't lies and those who shoot portraits; I believe they'll know it too somehow and someway.
In conclusion, Portrait Photography tells a lot of a person's character, personality and feeling and it depends who wants to accept them for who they are and who wants to be in their life as a support and encouragement for them. Well, of course, It's not all about accepting and appreciating the flaws, it can mean nothing but as an enjoyment too cause photography is an activity to have fun and experiment anyway as we pick up our camera and press the shutter button to shoot with everything we've got to produce a good portrait. :)
There are some portrait photographs that I've taken and would like to share with everyone too! So please do enjoy my artwork hehe ;)
Model: Clarisse Place: Garage 51, Petaling Jaya |
Model: Jia Ai (Kailyn) Place: OW:L Espresso Lab, SS15 |
Model: Carmen Phuah (My twin sis) ;) Place: Pier 84, New York, USA |
Model: Annabelle Cheah Place: Sampling on the Fourteenth, 14th floor, Berjaya Times Square |
Model: Joel Song Place: Merchant's Lane, Petaling Street |
Inspired by Brandon Woelfel (check out his Insta!) Model: Carmen Phuah (My twin sis) Place: Ota-Ya Japanese Restaurant, Newton, Pennsylvania, USA |
Model: Carmen Phuah Place: Rawang (My hometown) |
Model: Joel Song Place: Wild Sheep Chase Cafe, Taman Desa |
Model: Random kid I saw HAHA He looks cool so yea :) Place: Statue of Liberty Island, New York, USA |
Sincerely, Shannon.
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