Saturday, November 4, 2023

Taking you to the OATSIDE Dessert Trail


Are you itching for something sweet to eat? OATSIDE is collaborating with more than 50 beloved cafe partners across the country on an enticing campaign that will leave you wanting more! Dessert enthusiasts are welcome to explore the delicious OATSIDE Dessert Trail from November 1st to November 30th!


As we reveal a trail of exquisite creations from Malaysia's most talented dessert artisans, get ready to embark on a dessert lover's dream. OATSIDERS have the opportunity to support neighbourhood cafes, participate in a national search to find their favourite candies, and enter to win special prizes!

Here’s how to join in the fun! 

Order the exclusive OATSIDE-infused dessert! 

There are two categories; 
OATSIDE Dessert Premium and OATSIDE Dessert Essential.

Scan the QR code during checkout; collect points to win big! 

For every purchase of OATSIDE Dessert Premium you’ll collect 2 points/per purchase; and for every purchase of OATSIDE Dessert Essential you’ll collect 1 point/per purchase.

More points = More chances to win!

Be one of 10 lucky winners and snag amazing prizes! 🎁🌟

"We're genuinely thankful for the strong partnerships with our cafe partners. Together, we've cultivated a strong community of OATSIDERS who always yearn for a more sustainable and healthier dessert option. Luckily for us, OATSIDE is so versatile and can be infused in so many dessert creations, from classics treats such as croissants to local-inspired delights such as Pandan Gula Melaka Panna Cotta. Personally, I can’t wait to try them all!" 

-Jessie Chuah, Country Manager for OATSIDE Malaysia.



#OatsideDessertTrail #OatsideMY #IndulgeYourCravings

Hada Labo | We Care For Nature for Tapir Conservation


Hada Labo, a brand renowned for its commitment to environmental conservation, has taken significant steps in furthering its dedication to Mother Nature. Building on the success of its ongoing 'We Care for Nature' initiative, which was initiated in 2020, the brand has proudly contributed to the planting of 3,150 trees for the past 4 years.

This year, Hada Labo and Watsons Malaysia and the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) have formed an impressive collaboration to plant 750 trees, comprising of species such as Alangium Javanicum, Metualang, Antidesma ghaesembilla, Guncak, Xerospermum noronhianum, Rambutan Pacat, and a few others that are known to be preferred by tapirs. For the next three to five years, these trees are essential to the survival of the vital food source for the critically endangered Malayan tapirs.

This noble endeavor directly supports the Pusat Konservasi Hidupan Liar Sungai Dusun (PKHL Sungai Dusun). The trees planted trees will help to assist PERHILITAN Tapir conservation efforts and nourish tapirs that are in the PKHL Sungai Dusun.

Lim Mei Yuen, General Manager of Rohto-Mentholatum (M) Sdn Bhd

In October 2023, Hada Labo demonstrated an even greater dedication to the cause. A donation of RM1 was made to the 'We Care for Nature' campaign fund for each bottle of their recently introduced Micellar Water sold. Thanks to the unwavering support of Hada Labo's loyal customer base, an impressive RM50,000 was raised, all of which went towards this commendable project.

Lim Mei Yuen, General Manager of Rohto-Mentholatum (M) Sdn Bhd, emphasised the brand's unwavering belief in the power of giving back. It goes beyond the production of high-quality skincare products; it is about their responsibility to preserve the environment and the magnificent creatures that inhabit it.


Underlining the significance of this initiative, Mr. I.S. Shanmugaraj, the Executive Director of MNS, emphasised that reforestation is not only vital for greening our environment but is also essential for sustaining ecosystems and ensuring a continuous food source for the animal kingdom.

He added, "The tapir is a unique and endangered species, and it is our responsibility to ensure they have a sanctuary with a consistent food source. We are delighted to have Hada Labo as our first partner in this tapir conservation project of ours and we look forward to more collaborations with Hada Labo. We would also like to express our gratitude to FELDA and PERHILITAN who are the stakeholders in making this tapir food bank project into a reality.”


This conservation effort not only exemplifies Hada Labo's unwavering commitment to the environment but also mirrors the brand's core values and dedication to making a positive impact on our world.

For more information or to support the ‘We Care For Nature’ campaign in the future, kindly visit https://hadalabo.com.my/ or the official Hada Labo Malaysia Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/MyHadaLabo/.



Friday, November 3, 2023

Penang Sportswear Brand Promotes Malaysians’ Active Lifestyles on Shopee Live


Earlier this year, Elgini Apparel Sdn Bhd (Elgini), a Penang-based sportswear brand, acquired a 30,000 square foot factory in Nibong Tebal to meet the growing demand for their affordable and high-quality sportswear. Elgini credited the strategic shift to online, with a particular emphasis on live streaming, as one of the key factors for their growing popularity in the local market.

Joining Shopee in November 2020, Elgini immediately started participating actively on the Shopee Live platform after recognising its potential to help sellers grow their online reach, build communities, and better engage with users in real-time. Elgini utilises the platform's tools and features, such as Shopee Coins, Shopee Live Games, and Live-exclusive Vouchers, to increase sales revenue, buyer engagement, and the number of followers.


One of Elgini's proudest achievements is their high rate of customer satisfaction, leading to a significant number of repeat buyers, and they boast 310 thousand followers with 4.9 star ratings from almost 500 thousand reviewers on Shopee.

In September, Elgini observed that their live streaming on Shopee contributed to almost half of their total sales. During the recent 10.10 campaign, their Shopee Live sales increased by 1.9 times compared to regular days, and they achieved a peak viewership that was 3.7 times higher than usual. Their primary target audience consists of Malay buyers, and Shopee Live serves as a direct link to this demographic.

During their live sessions, hosts wearing Elgini attire drive sales by interacting with customers in real-time and providing product education. They showcase a range of clothing items, including windbreakers, yoga pants, and best-selling tracksuits (more than 700 thousand sold), emphasising features that cater to the preferences of Malaysians, such as cooling, stretchy materials, and modest styles. These products are popular with Malaysians of all backgrounds, ages, and sizes, popular among riders and outdoor enthusiasts who engage in sports, hiking, jogging, aerobics, gym workouts, travel, or leisure at home.

These sessions run for two to three hours each throughout the day, with sellers going live for up to 14 hours daily to maximise reach. From their observation, their live stream sessions perform exceptionally well, particularly when they pin their stream at the top of the Shopee Live page and at night. Regular live streams also allow Elgini to forge deeper bonds with users, leading to the building of strong online communities and loyal customer bases.


Mr. Lim, the CEO of Elgini said, "Shopee Live is a platform of choice for Elgini that has helped us scale and succeed online. It helps businesses seamlessly engage shoppers and deliver fun and enjoyable shopping experiences while effectively reaching out to and engaging users who are browsing and actively looking to buy. Looking ahead, Elgini Apparel has exciting long-term strategic plans for our Shopee livestream where we are eager to expand our creativity and engage viewers with improved features for a better shopping experience."

Originally an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) with 15 years of industry experience, Elgini transitioned into an independent brand in 2018 and joined Shopee in 2020. Being both the brand owner and producer allows them to adjust pricing to meet customer needs, allowing them to achieve their mission of offering affordable, high-quality sportswear to all Malaysians.


Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Texas BBQ Barn | November Special 2023 BBQ Ribs with Mac & Cheese

Hello guys! Finally found another joint to enjoy ribs within Selangor and it's definitely worth a review to write on. My mother in law actually stays in Cyberjaya, so we decided to explore the eateries in Cyberjaya which then we stumbled upon Texas BBQ Barn which looked interesting as we were passing by. Best of all, it's Muslim owned by a Malaysian! What a great way to support the local businesses in town. 



Now, in todays post, I'll be sharing a review of the November Specials from Texas BBQ Barn in their Cyberjaya outlet. For your information, they change their menu specials every month, and for the month of November, they're featuring the BBQ Ribs with Mac & Cheese which is great for sharing. Since I was with my husband and kids, this was the perfect platter to order for our small family, 


The service was extremely efficient, which also means the waiting time wasn't that long. But maybe also it's because we visited on a weekday, making it very convenient for them to attend to us, Despite the short waiting time, while we were ordering, they were nice enough to let the kids play with some crayons and paper, so that they can draw while we ordered our dish in peace. Love the family friendly service here.

Within minutes, our platter arrived and as a first impression, I would say that the portion was plenty despite it being a couples menu. Honestly, I would say the highlight of it all was this big slab of ribs that was slow cooked at 16-18 hours at least to get it prepared. Since it came with Mac & Cheese, this made it perfect for the little kids to enjoy. My kids definitely enjoyed their Mac & Cheese as it wasn't over seasoned, and it tasted like cheesy goodness without being salty. It also came with sides of Cheesy Chips which I enjoyed indulging as it added interesting textures to enjoy. 

FOOD REVIEW

Now, let's jump into the food review. I started off with the ribs and Im not going to lie, I love that it's not over seasoned and it tasted really good and tender. In terms of taste, it had this good ol Smoked flavour, and it was so unbelievable that I was told that the seasoning was mainly just salt and black pepper. Literally mind blowing but it's also no wonder that I could really taste the juice from the meat itself. The ribs were literally the kind that Fall-off-the-bone perfection! 



The sides came with Mac & Cheese, Nachos and pickles which was a favourite for the kiddos. The Mac & Cheese was the classic cheesy goodness which just lingers around your taste buds, and the nachos and pickles added an interesting texture and sourness if you're creative in enjoying it with your ribs. The pickles was also a great palate cleanser which enhanced the experience of enjoying the ribs with different sauces.


The drinks were something different, especially for the sunset one which tasted like a blend of strawberry F&N with fresh orang juice. Different than the usual, but super refreshing! The set that we ordered came in with the Teas Sweet tea and that was one of the best parts considering that we didnt need to top up our order with extra drinks. 

VERDICT

This being my first time actually making my way to Texas BBQ Barn, I would say that I cant wait to repeat. The highlight was definitely that they had ready set meals thats catered for couples and even for families of four. Be sure to check their monthly specials to plan your week ahead and enjoy their lovely combinations to pair with the Smoked Beef Rib. Well thats all for now and I cant wait to re-visit to get the real taste of Texas Ribs only ate Texas BBQ Barn.


A little fun fact, Texas BBQ Barn is ruined by a Malay couple, Encik Fazal & Shermeen who used to live in Texas working in an engineering company that was based in Texas. They came back to settle down in Malaysia, as they missed the Malaysian essence and decided to bring a part of Texas back to Malaysia to share the flavours of Texas. It began as a home business as they catered to neighbours and family members which then grew in demand with the public asking for more. With that being said, now Texas BBQ Barn produces over 800kg of ribs daily to cater to F&B businesses within Malaysia. 

About Texas BBQ Barn

Visit any Texas BBQ Barn outlet to dine in and relish the irresistible flavors of Texas right at our restaurant. Or, for the ultimate convenience, place your order online at https://bit.ly/3YLxrJy and enjoy the same Texas BBQ experience in the comfort of your own home. Don't miss out on this limited-time opportunity to savor the best smoked beef ribs in Texas! Come on over, or order online, and let your taste buds embark on a flavor-packed journey.