July 2013 - Yosefien | A Review Blog

Last weekend, finally oh finally, I went to Lembang Floating Market with bf (Well, recently it was difficult to match our free time these days). Lembang Floating Market is a new (just known it, lol, I'm so outdated) local attraction in my city that recently becomes so popular among people around the capital (Jakarta) and Bandung itself. Well, here I will share my experience and I really, really recommend you all to visit this place during your holiday.

The Location

Just like the place name 'Lembang Floating Market', it's located in Lembang, around 1 hour from Bandung city, West Java, Indonesia -in assumption, normal traffic condition. First time I got to know about this floating market was from my cousin's pictures collection which were taken there and also I used to see this modified bus which used as a promotional public transport taking people to the market - just everytime I go to Lembang.

The bus

Floating market. So where does the word floating come from? Actually the location was originally a lake, Situ Umar, which ever used by people to fish. But rather than being demolished and transformed into a residential area, Perry Tristianto the developer chose to build a tourist attraction spot while still preserving its beautiful lake but now with adding a new concept: Bandung's Culinary in One Spot, yes the market will be above the lake, so that's it the idea of floating market.

Lembang Floating Market

Explore Bandung's Culinary

The entry ticket is quiet affordable, only IDR 10,000, and surprisingly we can redeem the ticket paper with another welcome drink on the spot. So it means actually we pay for nothing to enter this site! Entering the gate you will notice a booth 'coin exchange' Yes, that's how we do the trade, we won't use our Rupiah currency to buy things here instead we have to exchange our money with coins (similar like plastic chips). The price range starts from IDR 5,000 and there you can start exploring the market. And don't worry for not having enough money in your pocket because there is also ATM available for you always.

Once you ready with the coins, we will start walking around the lake and see many boats selling various kind of food from Bandung; baso tahu, lumpia basah, pancake duren, sate jamur, cotton candy, 'lava explosion' pizza, satay padang, lotek, potato twist, roti canay, rujak, and so many more! We can choose whether to use another boat to buy the food or just walk through.

Boats selling food

The food price ranges from IDR 5,000 - 50,000 as you can see from my picture. I just didn't upload all the pictures to avoid spoiling you too much, dear readers. I didn't taste all the food, sorry, since I was looking for another unique food other than Bandung's culinary but I just couldn't find it. Well, I'm a Bandung resident and all those food are just so ordinary for me and in my opinion there are all quiet pricey compared to 'real' price which I can get in another place.

Not every food stalls are using boat, anyway, there are also restaurants -which built as joglo-like along the road which facing the lake, so you can still enjoy your roasted corn or grill sausages while looking at the scenery. How beautiful!

Another food restaurant

But the good side is, for you who wants to try all Bandung yummy culinary collections without feeling bother (and tired) going to many places, you can try everything here, yes... It'll save your time a lot.

The Field

Finish with your meals? Let's continue our walk entering the 'Kampung Leuit', a small field-like with so many (organic) plants planted there. I really love the scenery in Lembang Floating Market, very fresh and green. There are strawberries, oranges, berries, rice plants and also organic vegetables for you to see, during the harvest period we also could pick fruits by paying some amount of money, of course.

We can sit and relax in a hut (it's actually written for rent: IDR 70,000/ 2 hours, Eh?) while enjoying those swimming fishes among the rice plants and those flying butterflies around the flowers. Awesome!

Mini Zoo and Outdoor Playground

Lembang Floating Market is just like a small zoo - well, limited zoo, we can feed geese and swans, do fishing, play and feed with the rabbits, see the pretty birds. Even the kids are feeling excited for being here. It's really a good family travel spot.

Kids can play flying fox, ATV, go-kart while the parents are photo hunting or just.. eat and eat and eat...

Tips: be ready to leave your diet for a moment.

There are lots of photo objects that can be found in this whole area so don't be surprised if you see mostly people is doing photo-hunting. Well, be sure to enjoy you trip first then you may start taking pictures :)

Water fountain

Sadly the sky was cloudy and it was raining I barely can capture the blue sky.

Fruits boat

The Water Games

You may want to complete your water experience by playing some water rides such as canoe, dinghy, water cycle or paddle boat - you can check the price list. Once again, you coins.

Price list of the water rides

I chose to ride dinghy, because I would like to take pictures from the middle of the lake while I let my bf to paddle and paddle. I paddled too.. Once in a while. It was fun, definitely fun you guys must try! Tiring though.

Tried to capture

Finally...

Definitely will visit this place again in the future and I'll make sure to taste some other food I could't taste last time. I'm sorry for not showing you the exact direction toward this place because.. You know I'm not a good navigator and I'm bad on remembering directions. Bf did all this job :) But all I know that this place is easy to reach, really easy like everyone in Lembang already know it. lol.

Happy faces

Thank you for reading, see you soon.

Thursday, July 25, 2013 No comments

To be honest, I'm not a person who likes -and moreover, able to wear makeups. I don't know whether because of my limited skill (and the urge to learn which never come) or I don't feel confident since I don't have perfect skin to show off in the first place. But, anyway, my aunties just came from Netherlands and they gave pack of makeups #ohno. I wanted to say "thanks but no thanks" but replied "cool" in the end. Yes, I can take this as my very first kit by the way.

Let's start with three eyeshadows from essence as for now, an unknown brand for me since it's not available yet in Indonesia when I did searching while ago.

Product Description
Name: Mono Eyeshadow by Essence
Brand: Essence
Net.: 0.08 oz (2,5 gr)
Price: around $2.49 (reference)
Website: here

The advertisement write them as Mono Eyeshadows with a high pigmentation guarantee a colorful start to the season. whether shimmering, matte, metallic, or even holographic, the essence shades create unique effects on your eyes and give your final look an extra special touch (source).

The Packaging

Perhaps you've seen from the pictures -just like the brand name: "mono eyeshadow", the form comes as a single palette with one color each. With its circular form, I find it's quiet easy to handle also pretty convenient to open the case. The overall case-design is truly simple, doesn't have too much details on edge or pictures at the front cover -only words instead. But the floral swirl carved on the eyeshadow is lovely, actually I just don't want to use it forever (aw yeah, my first eyeshadow!). I couldn't inform whether it comes with the brush since those are gifts.

The Ingredients

No ingredients written on the palette but I find a website that clearly state the general ingredients for each product. However depends on each color, I assume there are some different ingredients added.

Talc, Mica, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Myristyl Myristate, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Silica, Isopropyl Myristate, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Linoleic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Ci 77499 (Iron Oxides), Ci 77891 (Titanium Dioxide). (Source)

Okay, so you found paraben written there, as I've ever mentioned on my previous post that paraben is mainly used to prevent bacteria to reproduce in majority skincare/makeup products, as a result those products could last longer for years (2 years max.). Of course, the amount of paraben used is believed to be under certain regulation that I think we shouldn't worry. But, still some people 's skin give bad reaction toward paraben so this is really something you should concern since I'm doing good -for now, with paraben, although they're not my friends from many ways.

Swatches

I have three colors here and I do really sure that these are good to make a smokey eyes, everyone.

04 BLACK GODDESS

Black goddess is my favourite, it has sparkling effect, well I could say: glitter. Also, it has a deep black color which could sharpen my eye-look.

14 IRRESISTIBLE
Metallic Effect, my another favourite color. Definitely a must when I'm about to attend a night occasion, glamour-look and elegant effect.

53 POP EYE

The shimmer one, it doesn't bring a bold color, I love black goddess more instead. But this is good for daily use for creating smokey effect (which I rare do).

So here are their swatches on my bare brown skin:

Final Look

I'm not good with makeup, for now. So please forgive me for the bad and not so good looking picture you got there. I used all the three colors on my eyes, without eyeliner and mascara so you can get the real look. All I could say that these three colors make a good gradient effect for smokey eyes. Too bad I already have large eyes so I don't have the guts to go with smokey.

Conclusion about these eyeshadows:

(+) Applies smoothly
(+) Blends easily - good for making gradient color
(+) Cheap!
(+) Great color options (you can check their websites for more colors)
(+) Highly pigmented
(+) Long lasting
(+) Silky texture
(+) Easy to remove/clean

(-) Cheap-looking / too simple compact case
(-) Smudges or Flakes when you don't put it properly
(-) Not available in Indonesia
So, anyone ever use essence make ups too?

Thank you for reading and see you!

Tuesday, July 23, 2013 No comments

Last March was the greatest month I've ever had, so far. My Indonesian-written article won a third place in a writing competition "Fresh and Healthy Skin Everyday" sponsored by Biokos - Martha Tilaar, a famous cosmetics manufacture from Indonesia. As a prize, I got a trip to Thailand on last May! (Yes! Will write the report soon, of course). On my writing I included a special review about one of Biokos skin care sets, Derma Bright, a skin care set from Biokos with tagline 'for brighter, healthy & younger looking skin' and I chose Derma Bright Night Cream to be featured. If you're interested to read, you can check my writing.

In addition, when I met the Biokos representative on May regarding the trip, they gave me another Biokos hampers and guess what: I received Biokos Derma Bright Intensive Brightening Day Cream SPF 25 and a facial wash -which I will also review on my next post, she said "This will protect you from Thailand's sun" - oh, yeah, Thailand is so darn hot!!

After two months using, now I decide to give my review, be ready!

The Packaging

Let's open the box...

White cylindrical shape, very elegant and it's worth the price

Very exclusive look

Description on back side. Patents pending, noted.

Press! To get the cream

The packaging somehow made from plastic based on my limited knowledge about material, be careful when you're going to pull the caps because mine was cracked easily (ouch).

The Cream

Press the surface to let the cream comes out, however, I need to adjust my energy flow to determine how much cream I need, or I'll let lots of cream comes out more than I expect.

Looks like pigmented cream at first

It's very creamy and thick, a bit sticky and doesn't have a good scent - I don't mind about the scent, anyway. I need to get at least five drops to cover my face entirely.

You think it's a pigmented cream? It's not. It certainly won't cover any of blemishes as it roles as a daily moisturizer and sunblock (SPF 25!), I use this as my daily base after my toner. It makes my face looks more glowy everytime I use this cream, after that I will then add my bb cream/foundation and last my powder.

Eventhough the cream looks thick but it's quiet easy to apply but somehow I have to deal with the stickiness on my face, sometimes I skipped my foundation and just go with powder instead. Well, in my opinion, the SPF thing is the most important here in Indonesia, you won't go anywhere without feeling protected right?

The Ingredients

Water, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexy Methoxycinnamate, Benzophenone-3 (Oxybenzone), Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Phospholipids, 1,3-Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-3, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Titanium Sioxide, Alumina, Silica, Sodium Polyacrylate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Alpha Arbutin, Sodium Palmitoyl Proline, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Strobile, Saccharomyces/Xylinum Black Tea Ferment, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Dipotassium Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Aluminium Oxide, Tin Oxide, Methylisothiazolinone, Decylene Glycol, Polysorbate-60, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronic, Pentaeythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Fragrance.

Contains Oxybenzone.

What is oxybenzone? I took my time to google around and found that oxybenzone is a common ingredients used in sunscreen cosmetics, it is absorbed by skin when applied, and surprisingly based on research, it can cause damage to cells and bad affects for hormones in long term using. Unless you wash it. So don't forget to frequently clean your face!

Promises and Facts

Derma Bright from Biokos promises skin to be brighter and younger, acts as spot concealer, lightening, brightening, UV Protection, Anti Aging, and Anti-irritant - if you use all the complete sets. Because after two months using, I didn't feel a fast progression on my skin, it becomes more glowy though but to have a brighter one, I don't notice any.

You can buy Biokos Derma Bright - Intensive Brightening Day Cream SPF 25 for around IDR 203,500 in Martha Tilaar Online Shop, it's good for me that I got it for free. For my combination-skin type, I didn't get any purging or bad effects since my first application and that's what I love from this cream, it can deal with any kind of cosmetics I use so far, no breakouts or whatsoever.

Result:
(+) SPF 25 sounds promising, makes me feel protected
(+) Gives me glowing skin in daily and frequent using
(+) Spot concealer works after some of time periods, but not in significant result
(+) Easy to apply despite the stickiness, I have to wait for around 2 minutes before add other cream
(+) No bad effects when used -as for me.

(-) Pricey, okay, it's worth anyway
(-) You can't use this as a single thing, use the complete set to get better result
(-) The pump-packaging type is such a waste and makes me difficult to see if my cream is already empty.
(-) It won't work in old acne scars, large pores and other related.

Rating 3,5/5

Not going to purchase it, but... I will try the serum instead.

Thank you for reading.

Monday, July 15, 2013 No comments

My first attempt making Banana Compote -

The idea of making Kolak Pisang or Banana Compote with Coconut milk -an Indonesian dessert, was because I have some remaining coconut milk in my fridge which has been there for about 3 weeks (?!) I know it's not well recommended but still I don't want to throw it away, yet and the article I've had read online said that coconut milk which kept in a refrigerator can last until 1 month, why can't I trust it?

How to keep coconut milk for long term:

1. Boil coconut milk with adding a pinch of salt, let it cool, and put in a plastic container. Keep it in freezer. Coconut milk can last for 1 month.
2. Keep coconut milk in a plastic or sealed container. Put it in the freezer and let it freeze. In this way, milk can last up to 3 months. Keep in room temperature for approximately 24 hours before use. Of course we can't avoid the fact that the quality itself will decrease.
3. Canning, this way coconut milk can last for 2 years. Source.

My freezing coconut milk

So I went to supermarket with bf this evening, bought all the supplies we need including for our dinner. The reference recipe (- there are lots of kolak pisang recipe out there!) I got from tempatonlineku with some changes, eg: I want all bananas only!

Local banana kepok, IDR 20,677 for around 1,7 kg

Ingredients
10 kepok bananas (saba banana), sliced crosswise
250 ml of water
500 ml curdle coconut milk
3 pandan leaves
250 gr palm sugar
3 tbsp sugar
1-2 tsp salt

Directions:
1. Boil palm sugar, sugar, and salt to 250 ml of water until dissolved, strain.
2. Add coconut milk and pandan leaves. Simmer over low heat, stirring constantly.
3. Put sliced bananas just before it boils, continue stirring.
4. Ready to be served.

Note:
1. My cousin said that it's better to add bananas first before coconut milk and pandan leaves, somehow I will try this method later.
2. Constantly stirring to prevent the coconut milk breaking.
3. Do not let the compote boils too long (just immediately turn off the heat) and do not re-heat the compote over and over, it will cause the compote become oily.
Each made a dish with coconut milk, even though it was a sweet dish, use salt to taste. Salt will give effect to the savory coconut milk.

Palm Sugar

The result? Well, this was my first attempt so I had learned a lot! First thing, how bf taught me how to select good saba banana, I always envy how he can pick great fruits while I'm not, lol. You can see that I didn't select good one after all. And, I boiled the banana compote too long! That's why judging from my photos, the coconut milk texture is broken and it's really bad. Thanks God that it tastes good in the end. However, I notice the quality of my coconut milk also had decreasing.

Well, a good lesson though, I will try to make this again next time. Thank you for coming.

Monday, July 08, 2013 No comments

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