An Oriental Opulence @ Tao Chinese Cuisine, InterContinental Kuala Lumpur

The Chinese New Year of Golden Ox is fast approaching. It's time for us to usher in health, wealth and prosperity with a feast of good food. This year, the award winning Chinese restaurant - Tao Chinese Cuisine at InterContinental Kuala Lumpur brings us an oriental opulence not just for the palate but for the eyes with the creations from their master chefs: Chef Wong Lian You and Chef Lo Tian Sion.

Tao Chinese Cuisine at InterContinental Kuala Lumpur

Chef Wong Lian You

Start the feast with a toss to prosperity and welcome good fortune, health and happiness with Tao’s all-time favourite Yee Sang. It takes a healthy twist with their Sea Grapes (Green Caviar) with Chia Seed sauce - making it a guiltless indulgence. Imported from Okinawa, Japan, Sea Grapes is rich in omega 3, vitamins and minerals.

This delectable and healthy sea grapes with chia seed yee sang is indeed a great way to usher into the New Year.

Celebrate Chinese New Year with The LEGO Group with New Sets Inspired by the Chinese Culture and Activities for the Families

The LEGO Group revealed three new LEGO® sets celebrating classic Chinese culture and legends within themes such as the popular LEGO® Chinese Traditional Festival and LEGO® DUPLO. They will make delightful gift toys for children and anyone interested in the Asian culture as they offer fascinating building challenges and hours of creative play.

LEGO® Story of Nian (80106) is inspired by the Chinese legend where a mythical beast Nian comes around to attack villagers every Spring, and is only driven away by the colour red, fire, and loud noise. Villagers back then would also stay up late to keep a watch for Nian during the eve of Chinese New Year. It was said that the story started the festival traditions of lighting firecrackers, Chinese New Year Eve’s vigil (守岁 shou sui), and the practice of wearing red for luck. It is also especially apt as we look to usher in 2021 with optimism and good luck after a challenging year.

The set features a brick-built Chinese residence with traditional decorations including buildable fireworks, firecrackers, hanging lanterns and Chinese couplet, a snowy scene that is brought to life with a posable Nian creature, a snowman figure and six minifigures including grandpa, grandma, three children and a person in an ox costume to mark the Year of the Ox in 2021. Children will thus be able to learn the story about Nian and the various traditions that stemmed from the folklore in a fun way with LEGO bricks.

Healthy Chinese New Year Hamper / Gift Set 2021 by Purple Cane Tea

It is 1 month to the 'Oxpicious' Chinese New Year! This coming lunar New Year of the Golden Ox, we may not be able to visit our friends and family, but we can still gift them the blessing tea gift hampers specially curated by Purple Cane Tea. As a traditional Chinese, we drink Chinese tea almost every meal because it brings good health. Hence, I am thrilled when I know that my favourite tea shop - Purple Cane Tea has launched numerous types of healthy hampers set and gifts set for us to share an abundance of renewed fortune and good health with our loved ones.

Purple Cane Tea's CNY sets is priced from only RM49.90 onwards, there is 1 hamper suitable for every budget.

I can't wait and I have got the Lucky Fortune Tea Gift Set for my mom. The gift box includes:

• 1 pc Celadon Tea Pot
• 2 pcs Celadon Tea Cups
• 1 pc Mini Blossom-shaped Puer
• 1 pc Petite Mandarine Orange Peel Puer
• 1 Box Year 2008 Guan Cang Puer (65g)
• 1 pc Imperial Chrysanthemum
• 1 Can Green Tea Pumpkin Seeds (100g)
• 2 pc Gift Box

The original price was RM 197.80, but it is only selling at RM 99.80 now! The Celadon tea pot and tea cups are so artistic yet cute to brew and drink the tea. While Puer tea is good for digestion, it is best pair with Green Tea Pumpkin Seeds that is high in antioxidants. They are packed in beautiful gift boxes and there's also free Ang Pao packets and voucher in each set.

Let Creativity Bloom with New Botanical Builds From The LEGO Group

The LEGO Group has revealed a new range of mindful models for the green-fingered. The decorative LEGO® Botanical Collection includes a stunning LEGO® Flower Bouquet to brighten the home, and a LEGO® Bonsai Tree for those looking to be more zen in the new year.

While many people seek out green spaces to destress and relax, adults can now bring a touch of nature into their home and unwind as they create and customise their botanical builds….and the great news is that LEGO plants don’t need to be watered to stay fresh.

With 7 in 10 adults saying they often research new ways to destress1 and over 8 in 10 saying play helps them relax2, the new sets could provide the perfect perennial project for those looking to get creative, destress and find moments of mindfulness in a day.

Both sets in the new LEGO Botanical Collection include a number of elements made from plant-based plastic, produced using sustainably sourced sugarcane.

LEGO Flower Bouquet

Surprise a friend or show yourself some love with a gift that keeps on giving, a beautiful flower bouquet that’s anything but ordinary, and won’t wilt! The 756-piece set features a host of beautiful blooms in an array of stunning colours that older builders can customise as their flowers flourish.

Whether you’re treating a loved one or are looking for a new creative project, the flower stems are adjustable so it’s easy to tailor the arrangement to suit any vase. A combination of snapdragons, roses, poppies, asters, daisies, and different grasses can be arranged in the bouquet in a number of ways to suit the mood of the builder and the design of the room.

Da Long Yi Hotpot - Authentic Sichuan Mala Hotpot Restaurant

When it comes to Sichuan cuisine, the addictive Sichuan Mala hotpot comes into mind instantly. Sichuan Mala is all about the bold flavours, particularly the pungency and spiciness resulting from liberal use of garlic and chili peppers, as well as the unique flavour of Sichuan pepper. No wonder Sichuan is known as the city of gastronomy.

Now, even though we can't travel to Sichuan, we can still taste an authentic addictive Sichuan Mala hotpot here at Da Long Yi Hotpot. Originated from Chengdu, Sichuan, Da Long Yi Hotpot is a renowned restaurant with over 300 branches worldwide. The first outlet in Malaysia was opened at Kota Damansara in 2020, 2nd outlet at Johor, and the 3rd outlet will be opening soon at Bukit Bintang golden triangle.

As a foodie, we were honoured to be invited to Da Long Yi Hotpot, Kota Damansara for a food review recently. You will see the red colored Da Long Yi Hotpot restaurant once you turn to Sunway Nexis building. Walking into Da Long Yi, you will first be greeted by friendly staffs and numerous awards certificated at the entrance. The restaurant fitted with an imperial palace look with comfortable seating arrangements. If you prefer more privacy, there are 2 rooms available at the outlet too, where the small room fits 6-8 persons and the big Room can accommodate 10 persons.

Once you sit down, you will notice a small red tin of sesame oil placed on the table. It is a specialty sesame oil that’s flown in directly from Chengdu for us to mix with the dipping sauce. The special sesame oil is the secret to eating mala hotpot because it actually helps to coat our stomach and protect it from the extreme spiciness.

Guardian Rewards Loyal Customers in The New Year with an Orange Party on 1 to 3 January 2021

Malaysia’s leading pharmacy, health and beauty retail chain, Guardian Malaysia has welcomed the new year with an ORANGE bang!

Anna Ng, Retail Marketing Director, Guardian Health And Beauty, Malaysia and Singapore said: “2020 was a challenging year for businesses so we decided that 2021 should kick-off with a renewed zest for life which is why we have launched the ORANGE PARTY today.

We wanted to reward our valued and loyal customers with our biggest ever store-wide sale called the ORANGE PARTY. For three days only, from 1 to 3 January 2021, our customers will enjoy never-before savings with up to 50% discount on selected products and WOW deals on more than 1600 products from top brands in ALL our stores nationwide.

They will also enjoy 40% off across a wide range of hair care and skin care products. In addition, customers get to earn special ORANGE PARTY reward coupons. For RM80 spent in a single receipt, they will get a RM10 reward coupon, for RM120 spent, they will get TWO RM10 reward coupons and for RM150 spent, they will get THREE RM10 coupons.” Now is the best time to stock up on all your beauty and health essentials!

As part of the New Norm and because Guardian cares passionately about the health and safety of its people, Guardian will distribute exclusive ORANGE Guardian face masks for its team members too.