LOOKING FOR BAS BUKU

"Momma, tengok tu! Bas buku!"

I have to hide my chuckle. If she sees me making fun of her words, she'll protest and pout - LOUDLY. I was driving, you see, and a cries of protest Was the last thing I needed. You need your sanity while you're navigating through the roads of this sleepy town but traffic busy ya-amat-macam-pekan-Tanjung.

What bas buku is she talking about? Well, it's the mobile library of course! At first, I was quite surprised she could still remember her last experience with the mobile library. It could be almost 2 years ago, during the time she was still under the care of Mak Nab the babysitter.  The local mobile library would come by twice a month around their area and the kids and most of the SAHMs would swarm the bus. 

At a very young age, she shows such great interest in books and learning (nowadays, it's a different story altogether!) but she loves her books till now. I have to keep our collection growing coz she gets bored fast with her old ones. Though it's just a modest collection, I observed that in a typical Malay household, especially in the rural ares, a bookcase filled with books is viewed as a luxury., and they complain that books are expensive. Therefore, the local library and mobile libraries plays an important part in spreading the love of books in the community. 

However, children's books are very affordable these days with the emergence of online bookstores. One such store that I just adore is Littleparade.com. The selection of books are amazing, and the best thing about it is the price. Also, my past shopping experience at the store was such a pleasant one - the service was warm and fast. I really appreciate a proprietor of an online store who doesn't just treat you as just another faceless customer just because we make transactions online. A business needs a personal touch, without it your store is a cold place. 

I really hate it when I took time to compose a nice email inquiring about something and all I get is "Sorry, item tu dah sold out". WTF???

It's different with Rozela, the lovely lady behind Littleparade. We smsed, we exchanged emails and now we've become friends. It's important to make your customers your friend too.

 The latest book I'm getting for Nunu, among other titles.

OMG, I've lost track about what I'm supposed to write? Am I supposed to write about bas buku,  childrens books or good online etiquettes? Haha, point is - inculcating the love of reading in children is important, especially English books. It is so depressing when my husband comes back from school and lamented that his students could barely understand English because early exposure to English reading materials are lacking at home. Even parents in the suburbans areas are still clueless that good English materials for children aren't necessarily expensive and can be purchased online.

So spread the good word around, mothers/parents. Be informed, be proactive and encourage your children (or any child you feel responsible for) to pick up a book and read. And YOU, you read too! I agree with Dato' Seri Rais Yatim here we cannot let the digital era to take over the importance of reading. So, take it easy on your FB, your Farmville, you Cafe World or whatever, and pick up a book and set a good example for the kids.

And once in a while, go look for that 'bas buku' that's making rounds in your area :)

CHIC CUPCAKES

I am a simple girl who doesn't have that many wants in her wishlist. Other than a new mixer and a dressing table of my own (sharing it with a guy who has 30 bottles of perfume sucks, you know), I couldn't care less about material things. I know I should work more on that, "It's not bad to want things, Will" (Terri from Glee, Episode 1)

But when it comes to indulging in sweet treats I've been hankering for a while, I'd brave hailstorm for 'em!

I don't care if you think I'm so kampung & jakun, so excited to finally taste these heavenly cupcakes. Heck, I didn't even care that it was pouring catberts and dogberts at the time, grabbing Nunu & my Mom by the arms with my eyes glazed and a silly grin on my face while we rushed to this chic cafe while my brother went to get the car after we finished Ikea-ing

Well, I have a good reason to be so. Cupcake Chic is ALL about flavours, they're no dumb blonde cupcakes (pretty cakes that taste blah). What you see is what you get, and I took a long time looking. I was shaking in my boots when I saw all those yummy cupcakes lining up in the glass counter, like a giddy little girl picking out her new pet puppy (excuse the metaphor, I just watched Lilo & Stitch a few days ago)

L-R: Choc Mint, Back to Basics, Red Velvet, Lemon Meringue

After much thought, I picked my top four favourites. At RM4.50 each, they sure burnt a hole in my purse a little (my Mom balked at the price!) but I think they're reasonably priced, considering the size, quality, location & the all the hard work for coming up with the cupcakes and the concept as well. All these ain't cheap, I know. I'm a baker (ooh, I'm so ashamed to call myself that, but I am!)

Back to Basic, the vanilla on vanilla is absolutely gorgeous! Perfectly done, the cake's subtle sweetness matches with the smooth buttercream that didn't clog the roof of your mouth. The slightly grainy texture is there, which is forgivable in all American-style buttercream. I love the vanilla, tastes just like mine :)

I was not loving the Red Velvet much, though. The texture was okay, but I could taste the bicarb soda in the cake! It also need a little bit more red colouring/beet root juice or whatever they're using for the colour. The cake looked more brown than red. The cream cheese frosting is so-so actually and looked a tad curdled. I'm not really sure why, but I'm guessing if it could happen if the ingredients used are not at room temp. I could be wrong, don't sue me. I couldn't finish this one.

I love the look and the taste of the lemon meringue. Very light, but I prefer my cupcakes more, should I say, lemony? I don't know, I like my lemon cupcakes taste sharper, but this? I can live with this. Besides, who doesn't like their food with a little touch from a kitchen torch?

Ooh, kitchen torch. I should put that in my wishlist...

Last but not least, my favourite flavour... Chocolate Mint!

I get funny looks from people when I announce that this is favourite flavour ever, but I usually return them the funny look. I mean, how can you NOT love the breezy peppermint sensation on a sweet chocolaty taste? I'm sensitive, I feel very hurt when people say they hate minty food, that mint only belongs in toothpaste :(

Cupcake Chic's version is not bad at all. My brother comments that the cake would taste better if it's  more moist and didn't crumble too much. I defended that those qualities he looked for might have in the other chocolate flavours available. My only complain is, there's too little frosting! Haha, I'm the type who will go for the frosting (provided it's really goodlah) and in this case, I need more of the frosting. Sure, it's hard to please everyone, some people prefer their cakes to have a thin layer of frosting. But not me, it's good stuff, eventhough the good stuff usually goes straight to your thunder thighs :)

So there you go, my little review/ ramble about Cupcake Chic. The score I give 'em - 4/5! Can't wait to go there again and indulge in Othello, Fatal Attraction & Persian Love. Don't know what I'm talking about? Then head over to any of its three cupcakeries at the Curve, the Pavillion or Sunway Pyramid  and find out for yourself!

WHO WANNA DROOL OVER SOME CUPPACAKES?

For the longest time, I've been dying to try out the Cuppacakes by Wondermilk. I've been an avid follower of their progress for years and their story is an inspiration to not just me, but a lot of other cupcake bakers around. Imagine my surprise when my brother told me a while back that he and the proprietors of the cupcake cafe are pretty chummy. So chummy that he even get a staff discount *turns green*

He's nice enough to get me a box when I visited him a couple of weeks ago *shrieks!*

 The unboxing of Cuppacakes

From top, left, clock-wise- banana cupcake, blueberry cupcake, peanut-butter & jelly cupcake, rainbow buttercake

The rainbow buttercake. Nice and moist, not too sweet. The vanilla's frosting had this gritty grainy texture which is fine by me (my frosting is always never creamy smooth). 4/5

Peanut butter & jelly. Love the PB, love the jelly, hates the crunchy peanuts. I'm not allergic or averse to peanuts, just don't like the taste of it. 2/5

My favourite pick. Oops, or what's left of it. The blueberry flavour of the cake is surprisingly yummy. The buttercream was smooth and lighter than the average buttercream. 4/5

Nunu took the banana cupcake. Wouldn't even let it go for a shot. The banana cupcake could do with more flavour actually, a bit bland for my liking. And I can taste the bicarb soda in the cake. Sorry, 2/5.

Overall, I give Cuppacakes full marks in design and branding. In terms of taste, an average mark of 3/5. They probably would taste better fresh, rather than a day or two old spent in the fridge. To be able to give a fairer review, I will have to spend all day in their cafe and do nothing but taste each of their cupcakes flavour (and gawk at their pretty designs) :D

Anyhoo, thanks bro for the special treat! Next up, Cupcake Chic (I hope)