25

Watch by Daniel Wellington | Shoes by Rubi Shoes | Hat by MissShop

When I was little, I used to get VERY excited for my birthday. I used to bother my mum days in advance and I remember tugging at her or screaming at the top of my lungs, 'MY BIRTHDAY IS IN 4 DAYS!'. 

This year is really special to me because it's a year where a lot of transitions will start to happen and I couldn't have asked for more than the love I've received this year, which is where this post comes in. 

My best friend planned a surprise picnic.

I died inside.

There aren't a lot of pictures but it was a day to be remembered. The balloons and the cake! How beautiful is the cake? It was a vanilla and strawberry cream cake. If only my mouth and stomach were bigger! 

It was quite funny as well because I had broken something in the bathroom and I had went to Bunnings and they had sausage sizzle! I was so hungry but I wasn't allowed one. I'm glad that there was cake, that definitely filled me up!

This year I was definitely spoilt: I had great company, great food and lots of laughs.
For more birthdays to come and to spend it with those you love. 

Mon x 

Red and Yee Sang

 Photo by @jam35w

Chinese New Year was something I never grew up celebrating. I always celebrated Lao New Year so when I heard I was going to celebrate Chinese New Year, I got a bit excited. I finally got to celebrate the occasion this year with  a beautiful family and traditions with red pockets - my first ever! 

From the short period, I learnt that Chinese New Year is a 15 day celebration or as some would say, 'longest 15 days of my life' which is filled with family, love and lots of food! The dish that stood out to me was Yee Sang; it is a dish many Malaysian Chinese families have during the occasion and I knew what it was right away! The colourful salad is filled with prosperous ingredients such as salmon, pomelo, shredded radish and ginger, and crispy noodles, etc. 

The tradition is also what's important. The tradition is that everyone must have a pair of chopsticks to mix the salad together - the higher you toss the salad, the more luck that will come in the new year. You also have to make wishes while tossing the salad together, just slipping them here and there. It does get a bit messy but there were a lot of laughs. My wishes will be a secret, shhh. 

It was a Chinese New Year that I'll remember for a very long time. My first one and it was so welcoming! I got my first ever red pockets, I felt like a little kid on Christmas morning or like it was my birthday! I loved the designs on the envelopes and the different styles, and I'm so disappointed that I didn't buy any in Hong Kong before I came back! I'm definitely getting some next time! For more celebrations in the years to come! 

Gung Hay Fat Choy | Best wishes and congratulations. Have a prosperous and good year 

Mon x 

Return

Tank by Topshop | Bag by Zara | Shoes by Rubi Shoes

Mon in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

It has been a long couple of months, I think a hello is in order. HELLO! I'M STILL ALIVE!

Although I've been missing here, I've been really busy and I think it was all worth the hard work and dedication. What does that mean? Well, it means my volunteer marketing coordinator position is extending to 2016 AND I'm finally graduating university, yay!

With graduating and more adulthood responsibilities kicking in, I'll be turning 25 in March - quarter of a century. 

I'll be updating this blog twice a month and please watch this space to see my Singapore and Hong Kong travel diary, my first ever Chinese New Year celebration, and more fashion loves.

Have an amazing year beautiful people and with Valentine's Day coming to an end, I hope you've had an amazing day whether you've spent it with your partner or loved ones.



Mon x


Photo by Jayne | @tomototan