How to choose good-fitting sandals

When you decided to go out for a walk, or maybe some hanging out with friends, besides than having the thought of 'what to wear', I bet the other question will be 'what kind of sandals should fit this attire?' True right?

Wearing sneakers might feel sporty, flats might seems formal, flip flops might just be comfy but too laid-back, but how about sandals? I see right now there are everywhere !

So many types to be chosen

Do yo know that sandals have been in our lives and it is the oldest styles of footwear in history and has been worn for thousand of years. Don't believe me? Remeber 'The Gladiators' ? Cool sandals huh. Hehe.

However, finding the proper, good-fitting shoes might seems impossible. Not many people know on how to choose the good-fitting sandals because they have no idea on how these sandals should be selected for a proper fit.

Try looking for straps that have locks on it

You won't find much issues on other women shoes because they could have just cover the entire foot to help tell if the shoes if properly support or not. On the other hand, sandals can be a lil bit tricky as you need to pay extra crucial attention on the fitting as it can affect your health and the comfort of wearing it.

By now you might just ask yourself that sandals comes in TOO MANY shapes and sizes and don't forget about the colours too ! There are types of sandals that seems comfy enough for beach wear, and sleek look for formal wear. Some even go for rough activity like hiking. So how to choose?

Make sure the sole is thick enough for you to be comfortable

I'll break down some of the basics rules aite?

1. The best time to measure your feet is at the end of the day.

2. Find shoes that fit the largest feet of yours.

3. Do not be fooled by the size inside the shoes, wear it and figure your size.

4. Remember to have atleast 3/8" to 1/2" extra for covered shoes. For sandals, please make sure you are comfortable wearing it by walking. Yes, walk around the store if you have too.

5. Do not ever, I repeat EVER, buy shoes that too tight for you and expect it to stretch to fit your feet.

Don't forget to have one in nude/earthy colors for easy match with the outfits

When looking for sandals, do not forget about Support, and making sure the sandals you have choosen have it. The sole should be a little bigger than your foot and should be thick enough to protect you from anything that you walk on and also to absorb the blow of your footsteps.

Do invest on a pair and get sandals from trusted brands so they can last longer ! Remember, its better to prevent than to cure. Lazy to go out? There are tons on types of sandals at Zalora ! Cash-on-delivery baby !

Grand Lexis Hotel, Port Dickson

Grand Lexis Hotel, Port Dickson | Last weekend, I was given an opportunity to stay one night at one of the most talked about hotels in Port Dickson. One of the most viral pictures in facebook. Obviously one of the most 'I-want-to-go-here-one-day' hotel. Say hello to Grand Lexis Hotel, Port Dickson !

Reception Counter

Lobby Area

It was an invitation by a good friend of mine, Atul, as she had an assignment to do over there. Since I have already set in my mind of going to Port Dickson, I packed my bags and drove off.

2 hours of journey, we reached there. One big white building with big red letters of 'Grand Lexis' had me in awe. Greeted by their friendly staffs, we check ourselves in.

Balinese-concept room is one of the specialties at Grand Lexis Hotel, besides being awarded 'The Most Pool In A Hotel' by the Malaysian Book of Records. The Balinese can be seen on their beautiful hard wood flooring and interior design as well as the wall decorations by the pool.

Room Layout for Sky Pool Villa

All 317 rooms have their own private pool which I guess all of us dream of in a hotel room. We were given the Sky Pool Villa, located on the 7th floor of the Hotel Tower. Two king-sized bed can accommodate up to 6 pax in one room and since I went with two other friends, we have the gigantic room to ourselves !

Loving the cute pillows in our room

By lunch, Miss Jini Sebastian, PR for the Grand Lexis Hotel, brought us to the 2nd floor for a Japanese treat at Genn Japanese Restaurant where we indulge on their Bento Set Menu consists of Terriyaki Chicken, Salmon and Tempura set. I had my first taste on the baby octopus which I literally close my eyes and hold my breathe while munching on it ! Baby meee. Haha. Eatable Edamame was also good !

In front of Genn Japanese Restaurant

Soft Shell Crab Sushi

Chicken Teriyaki Bento Set

The Eatable (for me) Baby Octopus !

She did a little tour for us, besides having a Japanese Restaurant on the 2nd floor, they also have Lex Spa for those who just want to ease down on those muscles, Indoor Game Room for little kids and adults and also a Karaoke Center for those who just want to amp up the volume.

Or maybe if you want a lil bit of sun on your skin, head down to the receptionist and ask about the 'Mix & Match' voucher for outdoor activities for RM25 and you can choose to play 3 games out of 6.

The Mix n Match Ticket

Me and my friends decided to play the 12 round of Archery, 2 rounds of Segway and 30 mins of KMX ride. Archery was fun, I think the last time I played this was in primary school.

This is how Cupid works. Hihi

Three Musketeers

Not so bad, Asilah. 

Trying out Segway was the best decision I have ever made ! Instead of 2 rounds, I managed to get 3 rounds after trying to sweet-talk with the care-taker. Hihi.

Segway-rollin'

KMX is just like a bicycle ride but lowered down to almost the same level as the ground, and you stretched out your legs and try to maneuver it with your hips and waist. Quite challenging though. How many accidents we have encountered among ourselves. Haha. And Adi kept on saying, "This is how accidents occurred."

Riding through the Water Villa

By dinner, we had a wonderful western delights served by Duyung Restaurant, in front of Lanun Bar for those who wants to spend their supper with good ol' live band.

Enjoying our western dinner

Private pool in the room basically is the main reason we wouldn't want to leave the room. 4 feet deep is just perfect to wind up the day. With an amazing view of the sunset overlooking the Water Villa is just speechless. Every free time we had, was filled by dipping in the pool.

4 feet deep of private pool

Can't wait to dip in !

Me, Atul and Adi, being overly excited !

Sunset view by our room

Though people say the price might just burned a hole in your pocket, but but buttttt, online booking has some serious promotion going on ! Some even goes half price ! Try booking on Agoda to grab that ridiculous price. Haha. (Psst, our room is currently at RM600, from RM1532) Enjoy !

My budget trip to Johor Bahru!

It was really a short-trip planned on a really short time. I have one week to cramp everything in a 3 days 2 nights trip or make it as 2 days 2 nights trip. As we departed after work by 8pm to JB. How it all started was, an imagination /idea came up to me on Monday in the same week of departing, where my mind said, "Hey, let's go to Johor!" and of course my parents wouldn't approve of going there alone, there came Hanyss as Atul couldn't tag along. Luckily she's free.

Thank you Hanyss-san for accompanying me to Johor :D

Through out the week I have been googling on interesting/historical places, foods, and budget hotels. Not just finding it, but preparing the itinerary (includes timing) as well, as I'm trying to make the most of the time that we had over there. Since this is a on-a-budget-trip, we limit ourselves of RM300 only to spend. Yes, we have the same thought as yours. "Is it enough?" I'll let you know by the end of the journey.

Front view of MZ Hotel, Skudai.

After days of searching on Agoda, booking, and others websites, we found MZ Hotel in Skudai for our accommodation. It took us about 5 hours drive from KL. Ranging from RM68 per night, and assuming through the pictures, the hotel seems okay. I would like to emphasizes here, if you were going to spend your days in JB, please stay at Skudai. As its only 20-30 mins drive and it'll avoid you from the city's havoc and jam. Not mentioning the expansiveness price of hotels over there and the inadequate parking.

Then came Saturday, one whole day full of places from morning till late. We started of with breakfast downstairs at a nearby mamak stalls and headed to Johor Premium Outlets. It's around one and a half hour. As we did not intend to do any shopping, we couldn't buy anything, though all of it looks very tempting. 

It is very convenient to have at least 24 hours mamak stall downstairs.

Trust me all of these shops at JPO WERE REALLY TEMPTING with their sales and discounts.

The big ol' foodcourt at JPO.

Then we took another 1 hour++ towards Johor's most southern tip, Tanjung Piai National Park. I've once saw about this place in a friend's instagram and on that day onwards, I've told myself, one day I'll be there. Upon reaching there, one must pay an entry fee of RM5 for adults and RM3 for children. The place is full of mangroves tree. But, I couldn't go to the globe of the southern tip as it has been closed for almost half a year now due to cracks at the bridge. The further that I can went was to a Jetty stating Strait of Malacca.

The Jetty.

The globe of the most Southern tip.

By lunch we decided to find some lunch on a nearby local villages, as waze guide us there, but I'm not sure Johor has it ways of celebrating holidays especially Raya, but no food stalls can be found open. I guess JDT loves their holidays. Hehe. While driving, I found a Bugis-ish infrastructure of a building near Jalan Serkap. Decided to make a pit-stop and do some photo-shoot with the owner's consent of course. You can find more of it under Homestay Tanjung Piai.

Build in Memorial of Daeng Haddadek.

Since we couldn't find any food stalls, we decided to head straight to JB town and it's the same. End up we went to JBCC to eat at their foodcourt. Sigh. One thing that amazed/annoyed me a bit was, the way we pay for the foods at the foodcourt. We have to use one card, like a debit card. Topup it first, use it, balance will be returned once you've done using the card. Not sure, whether its a good thing or the other way around. This is just my two cent though.

The card that was used.

As we all known, every states have their own historical places and so does Johor. We had the chance to visit the Sultan Abu Bakar mosque and Muzium Tokoh Johor (Sunday). The mosque is very huge and the design was what bring me there. Full of dimmed chandelier inside and my mind was on an amazed-mode. For the museum, its on big square building on top of a hill, with wooden stairs and panels inside, really makes the museum looks very inviting. Plus with the historical information and artifacts.

Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque

Beautiful chandelier on the inside of the mosque

Muzium Tokoh Johor

Now, let's talk foods! This is Sunday by the way. For breakfast, I suggests, go for Kacang Pool Haji at Medan Selera Larkin, infront of Balai Bomba Larkin. For RM5,  a thick toast, one bull's eye egg, bits of onion and green chilli, plus a bowl of bean-gravy with minced meat and spices, worth the money and the long queue.

Kacang Pool Haji at Medan Selera Larkin.

Nearby at about 6 mins drive, you can head to Jalan Kuning for an early desserts but make sure be there about 12pm sharp coz it might get busy quickly. La Gourmet Desserts, if you were able to google, you'll find a gigantic abc-ish concept that is full with fruits suitable for 8-10 people. But since we were only 2, we had the Mango Mountain Hill - shaved ice, blended mango with sagu, cuts of mango, mango pudding and mango ice-cream with mango bits in it. Only RM11,90.

Mango Mountain Hill not Silent Hill.

Before leaving JB, do try on a cafe called Sea & Saw. Do come at nigh to enjoy the lights. Foods are quite nice. and pricing is cafe-type-range. You know what I mean.

One of the seating inside.

Serving counter.

What is more important in Muar if not Mee Bandung Muar right? I was hoping to try the Abu Hanifah's but it turns out I was too late upon reaching Muar because they closed at 5 pm. Then, decided to went to Mee Bandung Central, but closed too. *Reason same as I mention earlier - holidayssss* Lastly, after asking some locals, they pointed to a restaurant named Mee Bandung Muar (Yes the names rhymes with what I'm searching for literally), after the shell at Tanjung Agas. Okay lahh for RM5.50. Dari takde kan?

That is basically how my weekend at JB. Pack huh? Lets break down the budget:

Hotel for 2 nights - RM58 x 2 + (RM20 deposit) = RM136 (divide 2)

Tol from KL to JB to Muar to Melaka and back to KL = RM75.80 (divide 2)

National Park Tg Piai = RM5 per person
Food at foodcourt = RM10

Sea & Saw Cafe = RM40 (divide 2)

Kacang Pool Hj Larkin = RM5 + RM2 drinks

La Gourmet Desserts = RM11.90 (divide 2)

Mee Bandung Muar = RM5.50 + RM2 drinks

Minyak = RM100++ (I'm using Toyota Rush 1.5)

Grand TOTAL = RM261.40*

*make sure the hotel is budget, and you know where to go and what to eat and no shopping. Hehe. I'll break down the stories on the places and foods individually soon aite. 

Food Review - Cake Jalan Tiung, Seksyen 9, Shah Alam

Knowing the name Cake Jalan Tiung, I bet some of them already known about their existence back in Bukit Robinson. By that time their famous bake was Red Velvet cake and Root Beer cupcakes. Now, they have been experimenting with lots of new flavour and invention. Look at all the pictures in their instagram. Surely will make all of the followers drooling from just looking at it.

Situated above of Ani Sup Utara at seksyen 9, Shah Alam, is just a perfect spot for cakes eatery. Do come early to get a seat for you and your bae (ehem).

Walking in you'll be welcome by the friendly crew of CJT and you can asked them for suggestions on which would you indulge.

The one that caught my eyes first was their Christiung Applegate. Yup that is what its name. An apple cake with hints of cinnamon, cream cheese and top with walnut. Its very delicious.

Cristiung Applegate (RM12)

Chilli Flakes Brownies (RM4)

This is not your typical brownies, when you taste it, you can detect a hint of spice afterwards. This is what they called as Chilli Flakes Brownies. Or what I would call it. Hehe.

Have you ever had Coconut and gula melaka marshmallow? Nope? Too bad. Hehe. I got first hand on it during ramadhan last month, and quite surprised with it because who would make coconut marshmallow right? But, its worth trying. After a few bite then will you get the taste of the gula melaka.

Coconut + Gula melaka marshmallow (RM4)

Picture from their instagram.

CJT is really famous with inventing and experimenting with new recipes. Latest in the family is, which will be my favourite, will be The Taufeefah cake. Tofu + coconut, top with pomegranate seeds and drizzle with gula melaka syrup. Smooth on cut and taste awesome.

Taufeefah cake (RM10)

Or maybe if you feel a lil bit down and craving for some childhood treats, ask for their Tiung Mess. A bowl of goodness (in terms of sweet-tooth) consists of crumble choc cakes, chocolate meringue, fruits, chocolate biscuits and a small shot of cold milk. Basically its like cereal. Hehe.

Tiung Mess (RM10)

Owh don't forget their everyday freshly press juices! Different juices everyday.

Watermelon + pineapple (RM10)

Watermelon + Beetroot (RM10)

Cool interior with the blue, yellow and white birds origami floating by the counter and furnitures from LAIN & Fine Grit Studio.

No more words can describe. Please drop by to CJT soon!