When KL’s first installment of a Vape Con took place last year, i heard the turn-out was massive. Most people I know have already hopped on to the vaping bandwagon, smokers or non-smokers alike. The vaping trend in Malaysia started gaining traction particularly in 2015 and vape shops started popping up in most neighbourhoods.
Vapebar Malaysia is a notable vape shop that I would pass by everyday on my way to lunch, back when I studied in Sunway. Situated right above a motorcycle specialty shop on Jalan PJS 11/7, it is easily spotted as it stands out from the other shops around the hood with its brown exterior and fancy glass windows.
The interior of Vapebar gives off an industrial cafe vibe – wooden crates and furniture, concrete bar, zinc backsplash, plush seats, textured walls, contemporary lamp bulbs, multiple glass windows to allow lots of natural light; detailed with polished fixtures and tiles.
Three vintage racing bikes were used as show pieces in the open space. Oh, such beauties.
Founded by two brothers at the end of 2014 before being joined by an additional two partners, Vapebar started off by selling in a tiny humble space in PJ. Its success was built via word of mouth, and Vapebar was created to provide and educate the growing vaping community, many who have little understanding on how to operate an electronic cigarette safely. Besides guidance and advice, Vapebar provides quality equipment for intermediate and seasoned customers. Safety first, kids.
The establishment prides themselves on running ample research and development on equipment and e-juices that move quickly with the trends, while being active importing and exporting high quality products. (More info further down the post.)
The OCD in me gets very happy every time I enter a vape shop because everything is lined up neatly and often colour coordinated like this!
You can just pop by and chill because Vapebar serves coffee and various drinks too. My friends often drag me to vape shops to get their fix of juices/mod maintenance and I think having a place like Vapebar where I can have my fix of caffeine while waiting makes it… bearable. I don’t own a mod but since most of my friends do, I would only vape using theirs. I guess it makes me more of a social vaper?
Vapebar’s inventory of vape juices is pretty huge. Their premium juices are imported from both the USA and France, and two of their popular ones are Drip Nation and Cosmic Fog (RM95). There’s also a special edition of extra premium juices from Cosmic Fog, called the Lost Fog collection which has 3 special blends, retailing at RM105 each.
Alcohol dependence was a growing problem in the U.S. from 1920 to 1933 before Prohibition came into law. Prohibition was an effort to eliminate the people’s temptation of liquor but it turned many law-abiding citizens into criminals instead. LOL. You know when your parents tell you not to do something but that only makes you want to do it more? Yeah, that was exactly what happened. By barring alcohol, the government made it more desirable to the people so alcohol was commonly obtained by bootlegging. And that was how speakeasies came about. Speakeasy translates into an illicit liquor store or nightclub.
I remember someone asking me what a speakeasy was when I extended an invite for drinks and my reply was simply “Oh, you know the scene in the movie, The Great Gatsby, when Jay Gatsby led Nick Carraway through a hidden entrance in a barbershop for lunch and Jay-Z’s 100 Dollar Bills played in the background? Yeah, that’s what it is.”
(On a side note, if you haven’t already watch The Great Gatsby, you’re missing out on yet another of Leo’s greatest films).
Below, are a few Malaysian speakeasy bars we like >
Joyce: This bar is opened by Deep, someone whom i’ve blogged about lots. I met him at a bartending course 10 years ago when we were both covering it for separate publications, we became fast friends and since been on many holidays together (Kuala Kubu Baru, Kuching, Koh Lipe) which have all inevitably involved a lot of alcohol. When he opened this bar, my first response was, “FINALLY.”
Locker & Loft keeps it low-key by not having a signboard screaming its name and is discreetly located on the first floor of a row of shop lots typically known for fish noodles. Find your way up the stairs to the loft via the door right next to 99 Speedmart. Expect a blend of Malaysian flavours in their cocktail mixes like the Kg Pandan Don, pandan syrup and pandan bitters; Kelapa Rock, fresh coconut water infused with vodka; and Bang Pow, hibiscus-infused gin and house-made rose syrup, gin, jack fruit and mustard. Cocktails range from RM20 – RM30.
Amidst my never-ending busy-ness, i try to eat with the team at least once a month.
I sometimes feel like a guilty parent who doesn’t spend enough time with their kids.
Managed to squeeze in a buka puasa dinner with the gang last Monday JUST before Hari Raya hit.
Baby/Faridah suggested Serai Jaya (i’ve never been), and we were satiated by every dish ordered.
We had steam fish in lime sauce that we eagerly drank, egg yolk squid, deep fried brinjal, spicy ox tail that fell of the bone in a sorta rendang sauce, and kailan with salted fish.
Puas.
We even had leftovers i happily packed into my pink My Little Pony tupperware (that Mishie got me for my birthday) with separate sections so the sauce wouldn’t mix. Feels like winning in life to have it in my car at the right time.
Me, Rachel, Baby, and Andrew!
The restaurant was completely packed when we were dining, this was just before we left.
The deep fried brinjal was done so well, we were all mmm-ing and picking at it. I didn’t even try to maintain after some time and just went for it with my hands :p
I don’t think i really blogged about Rachel before… cos i was in a state where i wasn’t doing much blogging! Soooo Rachel joined KinkyBlueFairy as an intern for 3 months, after April introduced her to us as they went to the same school or college together (sorry guys, you know my memory cannot make it).
Rachel is one of those rare millennials i wave as a sign of hope to my other friends who deem that generation as hopeless workers (sorry but this is just what i hear from others)! After her internship, Rachel had a 4-month gap before attempting for a scholarship in England; so we hired her on contract till August. My selfish side wants her to stay on and work for us but my more nurturing side said encouragingly, “I’m SURE you’ll get your scholarship.” Of course she did.
Interestingly, Baby and Rachel have taken on some high-pitched cute accent when they talk to each other… This is a vast contrast to the Indian accent Baby and April used to communicate in last year. The first time i heard Rachel and Baby from my room in the office, i was like, “What the hell is going on… Why do they sound like chipmunks?”
This is how their conversations sound in the office >
B: Let’s go here for lunch!
R: Okayziesss!!
B: Cute or not!? Cute righttttt
R: Cuteeeeeee!
B: Awwwww!!!!
R: Hee hee hee!!!
It sounds like i have a merge of the Powerpuff Girls and Chip (from Chip & Dale) working there.
Maybe next time we’ll make a Hari Raya wish with their voices instead of a plain jpg image XD
I have a strong sweet tooth. Cakes, ice-cream, pastries, and desserts are MY thing. I had to cut all of that down when my blood test results showed my glucose level sky-rocketing… and that was when I was 20 ☹ But I soon discovered the existence of raw desserts which are (refined) sugar-free, gluten-free and dairy-free treats that I can enjoy without feeling sad and guilty.
Raw desserts are never cooked/heated above the temperature of 42ºC so that the ingredients retain its enzymes for their optimal health benefits, instead of killing off whatever nutritional values it initially holds. Besides being dairy-free and gluten-free, raw desserts can also be soy-free, nut-free, organic and vegan. They consist of ingredients and superfoods found in organic grocers, including the likes of raw cacao, cacao butter, cashews, coconut (oil, butter, nectar, flesh), spirulina, chlorella, maca, purple corn powder, agave syrup, activated buckwheat, and dates. [source: goodfood]
Raw desserts are made from whole foods which contain more nutrition, compared to processed food. Our body will recognize whole foods and fully digest it so that all the essential nutrients have been absorbed completely. Raw desserts contain a combination of nutrient dense ingredients which makes them beneficial for consumption.
The #KinkyBlueFairyTeam recently paid a visit to healthy establishment, Raisin’ The Roof which also has raw treats which you can read about *HERE*. I’ve noticed a popular trend in KL where raw treats can be seen popping up everywhere from our neighbourhood cafes to healthy food joints. I’ve rounded some of them up here for you! >
I wrote the below excerpt on this recent blogpost which i’m repasting here cos i was babbling about Bodytone and it’s totally related >
I’ve been working out once or twice a week (at Bodytone), when i can squeeze some time in. It’s the only workout i’ve been able to still go for and not get bored after 4 years because:
1) I need a babysitter, and the trainers there are so personable and dedicated to ensure you don’t waste your time nor money
2) If i want to cancel a class, i can only do so 4 hours beforehand, else it gets forfeited. So the chinaman in me will force myself to go even if i’m feeling lazy last minute.
3) It’s still challenging cos we just increase my weights as i progress. Tho many times i don’t go for weeks (traveling, work, excuses, bla bla) and then return to find my ability to carry certain kg has gone down
Powerplate is no joke… I’m pretty sure it’s the reason i was able to scale Kilimanjaro with no prior training.
On Monday i went for my usual class with Syazwan, who created a new circuit program for that day.
There were 6 circuit sets he got 3 of us to do. 1 girl backed out in the 2nd set. I felt like throwing up during the 4th set and tried to steady myself. By the time i finished the 6th set, i was lying on the floor and Syazwan said i looked like a crime scene.
Told Jun about it and he said, “Good! That means you were pushing yourself.”
I thought silently, I signed up to get fit, not unconscious
I whine but i like the push. Like i said, need a babysitter remember?
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Bodytone uses Powerplate machines, which vibrate at a specific frequency so it engages a higher percentage of total body muscles while you complete a conventional workout. Some people have assumed that all you do is stand on it and you lose weight. I want to laugh when i hear this cos there’s no such thing, no pain no gain people!
It’s using this machine that gives you greater results in less time. From what i remember when i first started Bodytone, working out on it for 45 minutes is an equivalent of working out in the gym for 1.5 hours. And hey, i’m all about saving time. I cannot imagine how i can dedicate over an hour in the gym, it cuts too much into my already-hectic schedule not counting time to drive there and leave! #CityGirlMeasurement
“Conventional resistance training with the use of weights to promote effective muscle development and weight management only engages approximately 40% of total body muscles. This is because only the body’s voluntary (conscious) muscles are engaged and not the involuntary (sub-conscious) muscles. This results in an exercise regime that is incapable of achieving its fullest potential.
Vibration training is conducted – with and without weight resistance – on top of a vibrating base to creates a micro-instable environment – like a mini earthquake – that naturally forces the human body to stabilise during training by engaging up to a staggering 90% of total body muscles – both voluntary (conscious) and involuntary (sub-conscious) muscles.” [source: bodytone.com.my]
After every workout at Bodytone, i FEEL muscles i’ve never felt before hurting. In a good way. I feel muscles on parts of my bum aching, and know that whatever i just did, was way more than from dozens of squats i could have done by myself. To be honest, it’s not like i LIKE to work out. I’d much rather have a magical awesome body that requires no heavy lifting but when your 30s hit you… denial is not a word on the cards any longer. I don’t have a choice. There, i said it. Well i do, but that choice would result in a KinkyFatFairy. Not sexy. I don’t want that. What spurs me to work out is how much better i’m going to look in bed with nothing on. (Maybe i should not be having a glass of wine while writing this, being very blatant here.)
I’m not just advocating Bodytone alone, but i like the idea of moving in whatever way i can for the pure intent of that – to MOVE. This core idea was generated from my reading Tom Rath’s Eat Move Sleep (great book, get it). In whatever way i can, i try to implement movement (jogging, yoga, hiking) cos it’s a natural human function which many of us have abandoned due to our urban lifestyles of everything being made convenient for us.
To further encourage progression in our movements, seeing each of us have individual bars set on our physical capabilities, Bodytone introduced MyZone® – a technologically advanced system (that connects seamlessly to the MyZone® MZ-3 Physical Activity Belt or MyZone® Sports Bra) to interact with a global network of users on a platform to accurately track personal fitness progress and optimize workout efforts.
I was one of the first to get my hands on trying it out, and looked forward to measuring how far i was actually pushing myself.
This is the device (worn with the belt) small enough to be tucked comfortably under my sports bra during workouts.
I downloaded the app from the Apple store and created my personal account from which i could use to:
– analyse my heart rate, activity time, and calories burned
– add friends (or even strangers nearby) and view each others’ effort charts, comment, like, etc
– update my personal fitness diary like goals and meal intake (meaning food pix, to spur each other to eat healthy!)
This is an example of a workout i did >
The colour-coded tiles show how high my heart rate is, and how much more i can push myself while the workout is going on real time.
In Joyce terms:
Black was when i wasn’t really doing jack.
Blue was when i was… exercising la.
Green was when i was getting out of breath.
Yellow was when i was super really out of breath but just going for it.
Red is when i’m having thoughts like “Are you crazy omg i’m going to have a heart attack”
The above is not the best example cos i was doing mostly weights and there were other (more cardio-based) workouts where i hit the red zone (90% heart rate and over) which means i was about to die. I kid. The red zone is where the trainer would try to get me to keep touching cos it meant i was hitting my personal level of intensity. It was quite difficult cos my endurance is not bad now (yay me) whereas someone who rarely exercises would reach the red zone easily cos their body isn’t used to movement. So for someone healthier (like Jun) he’d probably take even longer than me to reach the red zone. (Yeah, like after he runs 50km.)
I got 128 MEPS from that workout- every effort and move is converted into MYZONE Effort Points (MEPs) – with its ability to being converted into rewards from Bodytone to encourage more effort, and friendly competition amongst everyone.
Bodytone did a formal introduction to the MyZone® System along with the launch of its 4th studio in the heart of Subang Jaya, at the newly refurbished SS15 Courtyard.
The Courtyard SS15 Bodytone Studio is designed to hold group trainings where the uniquely designed classes and training regimes are crafted to suit different workout needs with the use of technologically advanced equipment and perfected techniques designed for visible results.
It is also Bodytone’s largest studio in Malaysia with an on-premise Lorna Jane Activewear outlet and Pure Juice bar, culminating in an active lifestyle concept studio to encourage everyone to fully embrace their well-being from inside out.
After going to Bodytone for so many years, i became friends with Christine (who founded Bodytone with her soon-t0-be husband Vincent) and she got KBF to do the PR for the launch. Damn pressure to work for friends. ??
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