Discovering the World in Miniature at LEGOLAND® Malaysia’s MINILAND

Being a Sarawak girlie, I was so happy to see the old court house!

Walking through LEGOLAND® Malaysia’s MINILAND honestly felt like stepping into a whole new world. I have always been a huge admirer of architecture and culture, and this time, I felt like I was traveling across Malaysia and beyond without ever leaving Johor. It was such a unique experience that I knew it deserved its very own post.

It's literally a whole cite of every state in Malaysia!

The very first thing that struck me was how beautifully each Malaysian destination was brought to life. Every state has its own character, and here in MINILAND, you could see it reflected in the intricate details of the builds. From historical landmarks to cultural highlights, it was like being reminded of how diverse and beautiful Malaysia truly is. I found myself pausing at every corner, appreciating how each state has its own story to tell through its architecture, festive activities, and even the little LEGO Minilanders scattered around living their everyday life. It made me even more intrigued to one day revisit some of these places in real life.

Like, it literally had every detail right from my hometown! I was mind blown!

They even had the Magunatip Dance setting

And here, we have the whole setting of the Taj Mahal. 

And then there were the regional and global icons. The Taj Mahal stood tall and majestic, capturing the elegance of one of the world’s most admired wonders. The Angkor Wat display from Siem Reap was equally breathtaking. The way the LEGO bricks captured the temple’s ancient beauty and symmetry was just mesmerizing. And of course, one of the highlights was the newly refreshed MINILAND Singapore, featuring landmarks like Marina Bay Sands, the Singapore Flyer, and the Merlion fountain that even shoots out water when you press a button. Watching my kids’ eyes light up as they pressed the interactive buttons to make vehicles move or hear sound effects made the experience even more special.

Since I've visited Angkor Wat, its pretty accurate when it comes to the detailing

What really surprised me was how much effort went into making MINILAND more than just something you look at. It was immersive. There were buttons that triggered movement and sounds, making each display come alive. One of my favourite corners was the LEGO Garden, where classical music played softly in the background, and there was even a subtle sense of fragrance in the air. It appealed to all the senses, sight, sound, and even smell, making the journey so much richer and memorable.

Other than this garden being filled with Lego flowers, it even had a floral fragrant scent too!

I have to say the attention to detail completely blew me away. It is not easy to capture the essence of a building or a cultural landmark in such a small scale, and yet, here it was, meticulously recreated, brick by brick. Whether it was the shape of the domes, the symmetry of a façade, or the vibrant colours of a festival scene, every model carried its own charm. To me, this was not just play, it was an appreciation of design, heritage, and storytelling.

Here we have the kids admiring the beauty of MINILAND, they were litrally running EVERYWHERE!

What made it even more heartwarming was watching my toddlers, aged 4 and 6, exploring with so much excitement. The minute we stepped into MINILAND, they gave out the loudest “wow,” and for the entire walk, they were just as invested as I was. It is rare to find an attraction that appeals equally to both adults and kids, but this one managed to do it effortlessly. I thought it would be a quick stop, but it ended up being one of the highlights of our day at LEGOLAND.

The forbidden City in Beijing

Singapore honestly was its own attraction of the whole island

I honestly left MINILAND feeling inspired. Inspired by how beautiful Malaysia is, how rich our neighbouring countries are in culture and history, and how LEGO managed to capture it all in such a creative and interactive way. It reminded me of the power of design, how something as simple as tiny bricks could spark curiosity, encourage travel, and even educate in the most playful way possible.

I mean, the detailing of construction? I just cant! Too cute ~

Honestly, this spot is such a gem and you will definitely want to take your time wandering around. The photos I snapped along the way say it all, because no amount of words can truly capture the level of detail and artistry here. The best part? I can now cheekily say I have travelled through every state in Malaysia, ticking them off one by one, just in LEGO size this time.

If you’re a parent, educator, or even a student who wants to dive deeper into what LEGOLAND is doing to spark creativity, you can always check out the LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort homepage. They also share the latest promotions and activities on Facebook, and Instagram, so it’s easy to stay updated.

Witnessing Young Talents Shine at the LEGOLAND® School Challenge 2025

[From Left - Right] Ashely Xie, Country Manager Malaysia & Brunei; Thila Munusamy, Director of Sales & Marketing, LEGOLAND® Malaysia Resort; Tuan Haji Kamal Bin Ahamr Untong, Deputy Director of Student Development Sector, Johor State Education Department; Encik Zainal Bin Abas, Deputy Director-General, Ministry of Education; CS Lim, Vice President, LEGOLAND® Malaysia; Mohd Amin Bin Kamarudin, Deputy Director, Tourism; and Leina Rehim, Senior LEGO® Model Production Manager, Asia, alongside the three categories of LEGOLAND School Challenge 2025.

As an architecture graduate, I have always been fascinated by how ideas can be brought to life through design, structure, and creativity. Being at the LEGOLAND® School Challenge 2025 this year felt like more than just covering an event. On 23 September 2025, I had the honour of being at the LEGOLAND® School Challenge 2025 in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, and it felt like more than just covering an event. It was such an inspiring experience that reignited my own love for building and design.

To see students, some as young as seven, pouring so much imagination, teamwork, and persistence into their LEGO creations reminded me why I fell in love with architecture in the first place. It is never just about building something beautiful. It is about problem solving, working together, and believing in your vision until it stands proudly before you. And that was exactly the spirit of this competition.

Champion | Treetop Builders – Queenstown Primary School, Singapore

In the Junior Category for ages 7 to 9, the spotlight was on Singapore as Queenstown Primary School’s Treetop Builders claimed the title. Their teamwork, creativity, and enthusiasm were truly infectious. Close behind them were SeasonSpot from Temple Hill International School in the Philippines who impressed with their originality, while Malaysia’s very own CYBERSPARKS from Sekolah Kebangsaan Cyberjaya took third place with an energetic build. Dream Builders and Star Girls, both from Sekolah Kebangsaan Bukit Damansara, also shone brightly in the Top 5, showing just how much passion our younger generation has for creativity.

The top 5 winners Primary Category

Champion | LEGEND INSPIRE – Sekolah Kebangsaan Port Dickson Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

In the Primary Category for ages 10 to 12, Team LEGEND INSPIRE from Sekolah Kebangsaan Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, blew everyone away with their Switzerland inspired masterpiece. These young builders spent weeks staying back after school to perfect every detail, including a cascading waterfall that even made me, as someone trained in architecture, pause in admiration. Water features are tricky to execute, and yet they pulled it off beautifully. Their persistence even carried them through the high pressure Speed Build challenge, earning them a well deserved trip to Korea. Right behind them were The Mavericks from Sekolah Kebangsaan Kubang Kerian 3 who impressed with their creativity, while BrickByte from Sekolah Kebangsaan Cyberjaya secured third place. Dreamz Builders from Sekolah Kebangsaan Bukit Damansara and SKI LEGO BRIGADE from Sekolah Kebangsaan Ibrahim also made it to the Top 5, proving that Malaysia has no shortage of young talents ready to shine.

Champion | Lucira – Sekolah Berasrama Penuh Integrasi Gopeng, Malaysia

Then came the Secondary Category for ages 13 to 17, where Team Lucira from Sekolah Berasrama Penuh Integrasi Gopeng, Perak, proved that persistence pays off. All sixteen years old, these students spent two months on their build, drawing strength from their experience last year when they did not place. Balancing boarding school life with such a massive project was no easy feat, but their resilience and teamwork brought them to the top, and their victory means they too will soon be flying to Korea. Right behind them were Four Blocks Ahead from Sekolah Menengah Setiabudi who claimed second place with their innovative ideas. Cyberian Buddies from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Cyberjaya took third place, while Egret TechnoHub Crew from Manila Xiamen International School in China and Group Amir Afiq from Sekolah Sultan Alam Shah rounded up the Top 5 with equally impressive builds.

By Team LEGEND INSPIRE from Sekolah Kebangsaan Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan

By Treetop Builders – Queenstown Primary School, Singapore

By Lucira – Sekolah Berasrama Penuh Integrasi Gopeng, Malaysia

This was no small competition. Now in its fourth year, the LEGOLAND® School Challenge has grown into Asia’s largest interschool LEGO® building competition, drawing nearly 2,000 students from Malaysia, India, Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, Australia, and China under the theme Build Your Dream Destination. From futuristic theme parks on Mars to eco friendly island retreats, the interpretations were jaw dropping. Out of nearly 500 entries, only 15 teams made it to the grand finals, and each one brought something extraordinary to the table.

The energy in the hall was electric, especially during the first ever live Speed Build Finale, where teams had to race against the clock in front of an audience. There were also many milestones this year, including the debut of the Junior division, Singapore and China joining as finalists for the very first time, and the Philippines making their much anticipated return to the finals since 2023.

Cs Lim, Vice President of LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort with Sekolah Kebangsaan Cyberjaya, Malaysia

As I watched the students proudly explain their builds, I could not help but be reminded of my own studio crit sessions back in architecture school. The passion, the nerves, the joy when others finally understood the story behind your design, it all felt so familiar. And that is why this Challenge is so special. It is not just about LEGO, but about encouraging STEAM education in a fun, hands on way, helping students build confidence, and nurturing values like teamwork, persistence, and innovation that they will carry with them for life.

The rewards were just as exciting as the competition itself, with over RM200,000 worth of prizes given out. Winners took home LEGO® trophies, annual passes, exclusive LEGO® sets, and unforgettable trips. Both Malaysian champion teams will soon be heading to Korea, while the Junior winners earned a dream adventure at LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort. Visitors can also catch the finalists’ incredible creations on display at MINILAND, LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort until December 2025, and if you love creativity, it is definitely worth a trip to see them up close.

I left the event with such a big smile on my face. As an architecture graduate, I saw so much of the same fire I had in my younger days, the spark of creativity, the persistence to push through challenges, and the joy of seeing a vision come to life. What LEGO and LEGOLAND Malaysia are doing through this competition goes far beyond play. They are empowering the next generation of dreamers, thinkers, and builders. And after witnessing what these young talents can do, I can honestly say the future looks incredibly bright.

If you’re a parent, educator, or even a student who wants to dive deeper into what LEGOLAND is doing to spark creativity, you can always check out the LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort homepage. They also share the latest promotions and activities on Facebook, and Instagram, so it’s easy to stay updated.

Sunday Staples Has Finally Landed in Malaysia – Hello Pavilion Bukit Jalil!

Okay ladies, this one’s for us who are forever on the hunt for shoes that actually look good and don’t murder our feet after two hours. 🙋🏻‍♀️ I just discovered that Sunday Staples, Singapore’s fastest-growing comfort footwear brand, has officially opened their very first store in Malaysia at Pavilion Bukit Jalil, and honestly… I think I’m in love.

From Humble Beginnings to Over 200,000 Pairs Sold 

The story behind the brand is pretty inspiring too. Sunday Staples was started by Cherriann Wong, and what began as a small home project in Singapore has grown into a huge success — they’ve sold over 200,000 pairs in just five years, with four retail stores across the island. Now, KL finally gets to experience what our Singaporean sisters have been raving about.

My First Impression: Comfort Meets Feminine Vibes 

Walking into the store, I didn’t know where to start. There were heels, flats, ballerinas, and even chic everyday staples,  all in neutral tones that can literally go with anything in my wardrobe. The best part? Their Cloud Series. The moment I slipped my feet in, it was like stepping on mini trampolines (but elegant, not bulky). Soft, bouncy padding, wrapped in a sleek silhouette. Basically… style and comfort shook hands and made magic happen.

Designed for Us (Yes, Asian Feet!) 

One thing I love is how much thought went into their designs for Asian women. They’ve got extra heel padding in ballet flats, soft leather straps, Flyknit uppers, and more low + block heels (my personal fave because, let’s be real, skyscraper stilettos aren’t always practical). Plus, the brand is super smart about Malaysia’s humid weather — introducing Waterproof Linen, Satin, and Suede, on top of durable vegan Microfibre Leather. That means no more babying your shoes every time it rains.

Why This Store Opening Matters 

I had a quick chat with the team and what struck me was how they’re not just selling shoes, they’re offering a solution. Like Cherriann herself said, “We’re not just opening a store – we’re bringing a solution to Malaysian women who are tired of choosing between comfort and style.” Honestly, I couldn’t agree more. For someone like me who’s constantly running between meetings, errands, and events, having footwear that survives long days while still looking feminine is such a win.

Where to Find Them 

So, if you’re ready to give your feet the treat they deserve, head over to the Sunday Staples store at Pavilion Bukit Jalil (Level 3-64, Pink Zone). Trust me, once you try them on in person, you’ll understand why our neighbours have been obsessed. 

In the meantime, you can also stalk them online at Sunday Staples Website, or follow them on Instagram @sundaystaples and Facebook @sundaystaples.

✨ Verdict: Stylish, comfy, weather-proof, and finally here in KL — Sunday Staples is basically what our shoe racks have been waiting for.

Understanding Skin Science with Cetaphil | My Takeaways from the SkinLABS Launch

Obviously making an appearance at Cetaphil's latest launch event

As someone who’s always on the lookout for skincare that actually works without leaving my skin angry, I couldn’t be more excited when I got invited to the Cetaphil SkinLABS launch in Kuala Lumpur. If you know me, you know I’ve always had a soft spot for Cetaphil it’s one of those brands that has been around forever, and for many of us with sensitive skin, it’s been a quiet lifesaver.

But this time, things felt different. The launch wasn’t just about new products it was about understanding skin science on a deeper level. Cetaphil is rebranding itself with an advocacy-first approach: instead of just selling us bottles of cleansers and creams, they’re making sure we actually understand what our skin needs, with the help of dermatologists, pharmacists, and yes, even influencers who have been through their own skin struggles.

My Key Takeaways from the Day

Featuring the OG Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser

Sensitive skin is more common than we think.
Did you know that about 50% of Malaysians deal with some form of skin sensitivity? That’s half of us! No wonder there’s so much confusion out there when it comes to finding products that don’t sting, burn, or break us out. What I love is how Cetaphil is really trying to cut through the noise of social media skincare “hacks” and ground everything in dermatologist-backed advice.

Gentle doesn’t mean ineffective.
This one really hit home. For the longest time, products for sensitive skin had the reputation of being “too mild”  like they were safe but not powerful enough to show results. But Cetaphil is flipping that narrative. Their new products are proof that you can have efficacy without compromise.

Science can be simple, if explained well.
The SkinLABS walkthrough was like a mini crash course in skincare. Different “zones” Hydration, Exfoliate, Radiance, Gentle, showed us how each product fits into a routine. It wasn’t overwhelming, it was fun, interactive, and honestly, I left learning more than I expected.

The Star of the Show: Cetaphil’s New Innovations ✨

The new player in the Cetaphil Family: The Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser and Lotion

Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser & Lotion.

 If you’re oily or acne-prone, this duo is worth looking into. It uses a combo of PHA, AHA, and BHA. But in a way that’s surprisingly gentle. I tried the textures at the demo station and my skin didn’t feel stripped at all, just smoother. The stats were also impressive: 28% fewer blemishes, 45% fewer blackheads with continued use.

Cetaphil Baby Soothing Moisturising Cream

My go to when it comes to baby skincare, The Cetaphil Baby Range

As a mom of two, Cetaphil Baby has actually been part of our family journey since my little ones were newborns. Both my kids grew up with Cetaphil Baby products, so seeing them launch the Soothing Moisturising Cream felt extra special. What stood out to me is how it’s fragrance-free and petroleum-jelly-free, yet still so rich with sunflower and almond oil. It’s designed to protect delicate baby skin against the five signs of sensitivity, dryness, irritation, roughness, tightness, and a weakened barrier. Honestly, it made me think back to those early baby days when finding something gentle and effective was such a relief.The event wasn’t just a product showcase, it felt like a reminder that skincare should be kind. Kind to our skin, kind in the way we talk about it, and kind in the way we choose products that don’t cause more harm than good.

The official launch gambit at the Cetaphil Exfoliating SA Range at Cetaphil’s SkinLABS event in Kuala Lumpur. (From Left to Right: Iman Troye – Singer-songwriter, Ms. Cindy Tiu – Country Manager, Galderma Malaysia and Mr. Danny Hoh – Chief Operating Officer, Watsons Malaysia)

I walked away with a new appreciation for the “gentle but effective” philosophy that Cetaphil has been standing by for over 75 years. And in today’s world of viral trends and 10-step routines, that kind of consistency feels refreshing.

If you’ve ever struggled with sensitivity or felt lost about which advice to trust, I think you’d find the SkinLABS ethos really comforting. It’s about going back to basics, with science, not hype, leading the way.

📌 For more info on the new Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser & Lotion or the Baby Soothing Moisturising Cream, check out Cetaphil Malaysia or follow them on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook for updates.

Because at the end of the day, sensitive skin deserves to feel seen and most importantly, cared for. 💙

5 New K-Variety Shows Are Coming To Disney+ Hotstar

If you’ve been bingeing K-dramas, drooling over K-food reels, and casually adding Korean phrases to your vocabulary (don’t lie, I see you), then brace yourself – because your screen time’s about to level up.

Starting August 22, Disney+ Hotstar is serving five brand-new Korean variety shows – one for almost every day of the week – packed with laughs, love, food, fitness, and even a peek into celebrities’ quirks you never knew you needed. And the best part? Each episode is a snappy 25 minutes, so you can easily squeeze it in between your coffee break and your next scroll session.

Here’s what’s on the menu:

Fridays – Anchovy Physical Camp (Aug 22)

Think fitness camp… but for people who are comically bad at sports. Watch some of Korea’s least athletic celebs give their all (and their dignity) in a series of hilarious challenges. Spoiler: you’ll be laughing more than they’ll be sweating.

Saturdays – 60 Minutes to Love (Aug 23)

Running Man’s Ji Yeeun is on a mission – find “the one” through 60-minute speed dates. Across 20 episodes, she’ll meet all kinds of personalities, from awkwardly shy to over-the-top charming. Will she walk away with a soulmate or just 20 great dinner stories?

Sundays – Belly Showdown (Aug 24)

Six big personalities, one epic food challenge, and zero shame in eating way past full. This is comfort-watching at its finest – and yes, you might want to have snacks ready.

Mondays – YOO Got a Minute? (Aug 25)

This one’s a two-parter! For the first 10 weeks, Yoo Byungjae digs into celebs’ wildest, most unnecessary purchases in You Bought What?!. Then, things get even more ridiculous in The Quiet Interview, where the only rule is: don’t laugh… or the interview’s over. (Spoiler: they almost always laugh.)

Tuesdays – Chef’s Go-To (Aug 26)

Follow Korea’s most beloved chefs into hidden back alleys and off-the-map eateries for their favorite secret bites. It’s like a foodie treasure hunt, but with Michelin-level tour guides.

And yes, all five shows are running until the end of the year – so your K-content calendar is officially booked.

If 2025 has already spoiled us with hits like Nine Puzzles, Hyper Knife, and Low Life, then these new variety shows are the perfect cherry on top.

📅 Mark your calendar: starting August 22, grab your snacks, find your comfiest spot, and get your daily K-variety fix on Disney+ Hotstar.