6 Father’s Day Gifts my Husband Secretly Wants

6 Father’s Day Gifts my Husband Secretly Wants

By Lisa Sabrina Ambrose | Writer & Content Director 

With plans for school holiday and Hari Raya coming up, did we all just forgot about Father’s Day? Oops.. it’s on Sun,17^th June ladies! So after being married for nearly 10 years, I realised that I need to up the ante a bit. I must think out of the box this year and try to be a mindreader to what my husband really wants. I know men secretly wish their wives can read their minds. Neckties, wallets, briefs, perfumes, dinner at 5 star restaurant, Shirts, watches – I’ve done all that. I should try to be more unpredictable! So after doing some thinking, (extensive) research and inspiration-seeking, here’s what I think my husband secretly wants!

#1 Handmade and Homemade

The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach!

Being the simple man that he is, my husband would definitely appreciate a homemade dinner cooked up by me, assisted by my kids VS an expensive fine dining affair. I’d make a fancy shmancy heart shape Nasi Lemak and the kids can help with making his favourite pie. Food will be presented after he reads a cute handmade card by us.  

We’d make sure the kids don’t take their afternoon nap so they’ll get knocked out early and we can get on to ‘dessert’ 😁

Investment: RM75
Effort level : 5/10
Love level : 8.8/10

#2 A Surprise morning picnic by the beach

To level up a bit from No.1, I think he would very much want me to repeat the surprise picnic Serene, my 6 year old daughter and I coordinated for him last year! With our helper, Aunty Kis as the accomplice, we drove out to Tg Lipat Park at 7am with a car full of pastries, overnight oat jars, yummy food, a mat, a parasol and some decorative items. Early morning joggers looked puzzled and some thought we were selling stuff!

Once ready, We texted ‘instructions’ to daddy and asked him to meet us there at 8. The genuinely surprised and touched look on his face was the best reward for all of us! He remarked that the “breakfast fit for a King” picnic was his best memory ever!😚

Investment : RM45

Effort level : 7/10
Love level : 9.8 /10

#3 A BBQ Grill ala Pitmasters

Known as the “Tukang BBQ” of the family, my husband loves an evening grill at our backyard ‘bila datang rajin’. Last year he DIY-ed a BBQ grill out of a ‘dorom’ (a used metal drum) which had been put to good use and had created so many memories for us.

But I think he secretly wishes to be standing behind a Dual Function 2-Burner Propane Gas and Charcoal Grill in Black and Stainless Steel from Weber or Coleman – he instantly looks more masculine when entertaining in front of friends and family! 

The price tag on this thing would probably mean that we have to sacrifice eating out for 6 months but it’ll be well worth it!

Investment : RM4500

Effort level : 9/10
Love level : 9.8 /10

#4 His own Bedroom TV !

When you have three kids, the Living room TV (and your whole life actually) gets taken hostage by them! The only shows on TV are either Baby Shark doo doo doo, Paw Patrol and Luna Petunia in our home these days🙄😏. We don’t even get to watch our favourite Netflix stand up comedy once a week anymore (largely due to all the vulgar language our kids pick up too quickly.  “What does d*ck mean mummy?” – for example 😅)

So I’m guessing that his own 32” TV and cast device where he can enjoy uninterrupted shows might be very much appreciated and needed. It’ll also create that exclusive hotel room ‘vibe’.

Should I throw in an adult subscription as “icing on the cake” 😆? Win-win!

Investment : RM700

Effort level : 8/10
Love level : 9.8 /10

#5 Penis Pokey “ Activity Book “

I nearly peed from all the laughing when I saw this! This is not your Sudoku book, ladies and gentleman. It is no child’s activity book. “The Book Where You’re the Star!” is how the author describe it. Each page has a large die-cut hole in the centre so your guy can put his ehm, manhood in fun situations. It will turn his manhood into a banana, a hot dog, or a sea serpent. It’s a genius invention! 😜

He would secretly want this because after 10 years of marriage, I think we should put some sense of humour to spice things up! Imagine all the tickling laughter this book will generate! Not to mention the various “selfie” opportunities for me and him to “look back on” 10 years from now. Laughter is the best medicine, they say. And I can’t think of a better stress-relief book! 😬

Investment : RM70

Effort level : 5/10
Love level : 7 /10

#6 ME (in a birthday suit)?

Many articles say men are simple beings with simple needs and I think it’s no exception for my husband! Should I get myself “Jamu Rapat Menawan” and “Jamu Sedap Malam” to prepare for it so my husband will ‘mengaum’ as what the product claims? Hahaha! (seriously go google those testimonials guys) 

As for ehemm.. the “props” ..-There were so many sexytime kits suggestion I found on Google, some even shocked the old auntie out of me. I don’t even know where to start. Ann Summers has got some beautifully designed products and loads of ‘interesting’ ideas if you’d like to explore your inner naughty mummy. I tried going through ‘50 Shades of Grey’ for more ideas but I got too horrified with the complexity of it. So I’ll probably skip that! 😆

As funny as this idea may seem to me, I think just giving myself to him would be the winner. Not only will it help with de-stressing, it’s an important high level communication that will bring two tired parents closer. 

Dr. Willard Harley asserts in his book ‘His Needs, Her Needs’ that while a man has emotional needs too, a man’s view of romance is much more focused on a single experience: sexual affirmation and intimacy. So mayyybe... that’s what my husband secretly wants for Father’s Day? 😇😬

Investment : RM0

Effort level : 10/10
Love level : 20 /10

Property Hunter Convention 2018 Closes to Great Public Reception

Property Hunter Convention 2018 held on 9 – 10 June 2018 brings a new breed of convention to the Sabah market. A total of 2,550 convention goers ranging from first-time buyers to industry experts to seasoned investors converged on The Magellan Sutera Harbour Ballroom where the convention was held over the two days. 29 companies and organizations showcased their products at the convention with more than 30 projects on display.

A big attraction to this year’s convention were the talks that were held concurrently on two separate stages, namely the Apprentice and Master stages. Topics ranged from investment mistakes, to Airbnb, to tourism, to industry-specific topics like mall management, design and real estate agent certification. Notable speakers present at the convention included Georg Chmiel, Daniele Gambero, Siva Shanker, Ikhram Merican, Humphey Ginibun, Miichael Yeoh and Richard Oon, to name a few. A total of 20 exceptional speakers, all experts in their respective fields, presented their talks, sharing deep insights on their specialized industries with attendees. 


The convention differs from the norm by having multiple events happening at the same time. These fringe events, some open to public while some required pre-registration, included the Speed Dating and Matchmaking where developers, agents and the public can quickly match and make a deal; The Lunch and Learn sessions, sponsored by Hap Seng and Nippon Paint Malaysia which saw an outstanding turnout; The evening’s Night Crawl, a networking session, and Buka Puasa event for invited guests, both happening in parallel, garnered great reception.

Elson Kho, Director of Maxx Media Sdn Bhd, parent company of Property Hunter, says that the inaugural convention was a massive success. “The convention was a fresh new concept that we carefully curated and we hope it has been a good learning experience for the visitors and conference participants. Our exhibition, which includes property developments as well as home and alternative investment products represent the variety of options available when it comes to buying a home,” he said, adding his thanks to everyone that attended and his team for all the hard work leading up to the event. 

Property Hunter Convention 2018 was sponsored by Nippon Paint Malaysia, KOHLER, Tanjung Aru Eco Development, Sinobest Pacific Investment, Regus, Asia Plantation Capital and supported by DBKK, MIEA and SHAREDA. 

For more information about Property Hunter's services and events, 

kindly visit their website at www.propertyhunter.com.my

Inaugural Property Hunter Convention Kicks Off This Weekend

Inaugural Property Hunter Convention Kicks Off This Weekend 
News Release | Kota Kinabalu

Property Hunter under Maxx Media (S) Sdn Bhd will be hosting its first ever Property Hunter Convention this weekend from 9-10 June 2018 at the Magellan Sutera Harbour.

Property Hunter Convention gives value to everyone coming to the show by having multiple programs happening concurrently within the convention. This unique 2-day event will observe the presence of prominent industry players under one roof, empowering the audience by welcoming them to mix with industry players.

Property Hunter Convention, touted to be the largest property exhibition in East Malaysia, will be an opportunity for potential buyers and sellers. This two-day event will be free but attendees are encouraged to pre-register at the Property Hunter website to skip the queues. Talk sessions require tickets, however.

For those seeking to attend the myriad talks happening at the event that caters to first-time buyers to seasoned investors to industry players, tickets must be produced and are sold online at the Property Hunter website. These tickets will enable access to all the talks throughout the 2-day event and will be sold at-the-door on event day for RM150. 

Michael Hiew, Director of Maxx Media said that this is a special one for Property Hunter saying, “It's about time we did something big and different for the property industry. From a conventional property roadshow to a large-scale exhibition, we’ve covered it all over the years, but this is our biggest event yet. Thanks to our clients for the tremendous support.” 

Grab is also offering a promo code to attendees to and from Sutera Harbour on the event days. Using promocode GRABPHUNTER on the Grab app, riders will be entitled to RM5 discount per trip.

The Convention will see familiar property players – Gamuda Land, BinaPuri, Titijaya Land Berhad showcasing their latest projects, among others.

There are also some notable projects to look out for namely, Weston Development Pty Ltd (34 Merrifield Avenue Kelmscott, Western Australia), NCT (Grand Ion Majestic, Genting Highlands), Hap Seng Land (Akasa, Cheras South and ARIA Luxury Residence, Kuala Lumpur), Mah Sing (M Vertical, Kuala Lumpur) and UM Land (Albury @ Mahkota Hills, Negeri Sembilan).

Property Hunter Convention is supported by DBKK, SHAREDA, MIEA and sponsored by Nippon Paint Malaysia, KOHLER, Tanjung Aru Eco Development, Sinobest Pacific Investment, Regus and Asia Plantation Capital Bhd.

Property Hunter Convention will kick off on 9 – 10 June at Magellan Sutera Harbour Resort. This two-day free-admissions event will be open to public from 10am – 6pm. For more details about the Convention and talk tickets purchasing, visit www.propertyhunter.com.my/convention.

Is my baby teething? Here are 7 signs to lookout for.

Is my baby teething? Here are 7 signs to lookout for. 

Written by Stella Matilda, Editor

Every baby will go through teething differently. But all babies will go through their first teething during their first year. Some are born with their first tooth, others around 4 months but most babies start teething at around 6 months. If your baby is anything like mine, you will probably notice these 7 signs of teething: 

1. Increase in Dribbling.

Your baby's mouth will develop more saliva during teething to lubricate the tender and bulging gums. So, do stand by a towel at all times to help clean it. 

2. Want to chew and bite more than usual 

You probably notice your baby is chewing their fingers and even try to bite you by now. Of course, there are many teething toys on the market that will help. I would also recommend teething gel as it helps on the spot. 

3. Fussy and Cranky 

Teething pain will make your baby fussy and cranky. Even being picky on food! Perhaps stand by some teether biscuit, it worked for me. 

4. Difficulties Sleeping

Due to the discomfort of teething, your baby will nap less and wake-up earlier in the morning. At night, your baby who once slept through the night will wake up several times for comfort. 

5. Decreased in Appetite

The pain normally would make your baby not wanting to eat. But keep trying to feed them as much as possible to maintain with their caloric input. 

6. Rubbing Ears, Chin and Cheeks

You might find scratches by behind your baby's ears, chins and cheek. This is because your baby is actually doing a self massage to create a counter pressure to ease some of the pain. 

You can also help with some baby foot massage using this information below:

(the purple colour would help for soothing your baby's teething pain)

7. Fever, rashes, cough and diarrhea

It is common that baby will get some slight fever during teething, coughs, diarrhea, fever rash and diaper rash. Although some doctor disagree, but many moms have detected these symptoms when their baby is going through teething, including me. My 9 months old baby is currently experiencing all the above, he has 6 tooth now, and we are suspecting more coming out soon. 

On the side note, during teething is also a time where your baby is most likely to catch viruses as they are always chewing on their fingers and biting everything. So you have to watch them closely and keep clean at all times. Clean their fingers every hour or so to avoid catching Hand Food Mouth Diseases (HFMD). 

Some baby may even go through teething with no pain or discomfort at all. At other times, some will go through all the above. You know your baby best. But do seek medical advice if your baby have any symptoms that are causing you concern. Its better to be safe than sorry. 

On The Cover: CHLOE MAJINBON

ON THE COVER: CHLOE MAJINBON
A family-oriented person, enjoy going on trips and hope to have a pair of kids of her own.

Interview by Stella Matilda | Image by Carynn Tanduba


Chloe Majinbon is the winner of our special pregnant mom category in COVERSEARCH 2018. She is such a beautiful person inside out and fun to talk to! We had the opportunity to ask her a few question to share with you. (Pssttt... we really love these photos. Pregnancy glow beautifully here!)


Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I am a pretty regular person, nothing extraordinary about me. I am a very family-oriented person and love spending quality time with my husband by going on trips and short vacation with my love ones.

What is your idea of a happy family?

My idea of a happy family is a family that sticks togerher, it really doesn’t mater who you are or what you do, but as long as we stick together through thick and thin, support one another, respect each other - that makes a happy family.

How did you feel when you found out you are pregnant with your first child?

It was a total surprise! I admit I was in shock and at first I didn’t know whether to laugh or scream. My husband and I just got married last year July, and getting pregnant in the first year of marriage was not in our plan, we wanted to enjoy the first year as husband and wife, we have planned for many outdoor activities. I took a pregnancy test a week before we were schedule to climb the Mount Kinabalu in October last year. Boy, am I glad I took the test! As that was how I found out I was pregnant! I just had that feeling that I MUST do the test. I guessed my “mama instinct” kicked in early!

How many kids are you both planning?

We hope to have a pair, a girl and a boy. I come from a rather big family so if we are blessed with more, I will be just as grateful. Growing up with 3 other siblings was “dramatic” but joyful.

What is your most memorable moment so far being a pregnant mom?

I will never forget the moment that I first heard my baby’s heartbeat. I teared up and cried. I just could not believe that I am creating a tiny human being with such a strong heartbeat in me. It was surreal.

You are now 6 months pregnant and definitely glowing so beautifully. Any tips for our readers?

I would not say I am glowing but pregnancy has a way of changing a person’s appearance. Being pregnant is not an excuse for you to not take care of your looks. Because you will gain weight ( A LOT!), you will feel bloated most of the time and pretty uncomfortable. You will also feel horrible sometimes because you have lost your body shape and sometimes you get comments from people saying how “big” you have grown and judge you. I cannot stop by body from getting bigger, my baby is growing and so is my belly. Therefore, I try to look at my best while being pregnant to keep my confidence while embracing my heavily pregnant body. And when I feel great, my baby feels great too.

What are your top 8 essentials in your handbag?
1. Hand sanitizer
2. Wet tissue
3. Lip balm
4. Travel size stretch mark cream
5. Handkerchief
6. Dental floss
7. Mints
8. My phone!

8 Things About C-Section That We Don't Talk About

8 Things About C-Section That We Don't Talk About

By Stella Matilda, Editor



Just a few months ago, I delivered my second child, a baby boy, through c-section and I would like to share some of my experiences with you. There are many things to learn about when it comes to a c-section as this is considered to be a major abdominal surgery. So the road to recovery can be quite an interesting one.

1. There will be hands on your vagina. 
Even though it isn’t the baby’s exit route, your vagina will still be involved in your c-section and recovery. After my second c-section, a nurse came in and said she needs to clean me. I’m sure my first c-section was the same and perhaps I had forgotten about it. So, I will refer it as a ‘vagina car wash’ which involved a little rinse-down with a peri bottle and a pat down with tissue to clean up any blood that was leaking out after the surgery. (More blood for the next couple of days). They do the cleaning twice a day.

2. Freezing during delivery, like super ice cold! 
Not sure if you noticed, but it seems like all operation rooms set the temperature so cold. I believe this is a way to maintain sterility and prevent humidity formation and combat bacterial colonization. I remember freezing till my arms were shaking (the other half of my body was numb at that point from the spinal so I couldn't feel a thing). The good news is that you can request as many blankets as you wish to combat some of the cold. Be sure to cover your shoulders!

3. Feels like your stomach is tugged around. 
At this point, you’ll be totally numbed half body down during surgery (and for a couple of hours afterward), so your cesarean won’t hurt a bit. For me, I felt like vomiting a little when I feel the tugging and pushing during the surgery. I could also see my belly being cut open from the tiny mirror like reflections from the spotlights hanging above me.

4. Stool softeners is probably your new best friend for the next couple of days after surgery. 
Pooping can be a major problem and can be scary, since it’s tough to push when you’ve just had major abdominal surgery. It is painful! Taking stool softeners after delivery will ease you back into pooping again. Don’t be surprised if your nurse asks a few times about your poop, it’s their job to make sure you are on the right path to recovery. Just remember to drink lots of water and walk around as soon as you can. This way you keep your bowels awake and get a little exercise to get your blood circulation flowing nicely. And no, you will not burst your stitches open, it just doesn’t happen that way.

5. Blood and more blood. 
Although the baby did not come out vaginally, you will still bleed. Our uterine wall has to heal itself after the placenta has been detached and the thick lining that grew to support baby throughout the pregnancy will need time to shed itself. So expect bleeding for at least 6 weeks after delivery. If you bleed more than 6 weeks, please do consult your doctor.

6. Your scar will look like Frankenstein! 
No, I’m only joking. But you may freak out a little anyway especially for first time moms. Back in our mother’s generation, their c-section scars were more prominent. We are very lucky today as the medical industry have advanced so much. The scar will be pretty small and will fade away in time. Plus, after 6 weeks have passed, you can request from your doctor for scar-fading ointments (nothing sooner to avoid an infection).

7. Coughing and sneezing will hurt for the next few weeks. 
Feel like a cough or a sneeze is coming? Grab a pillow and place it on your abdominal scar area. It won’t stop the pain, but it will help ease the pain. You can also consider getting a Belly Band or other compression garments to help support your abs, since applying pressure to your muscles after they’ve been cut will help combat the pain from your movement and muscle contractions.

8. Exercise is the key. 
I am not suggesting you to hit the gym right after surgery. But just getting up and walking around as soon as you feel human would be a good idea. This will also help to prevent blood clots. With my first c-section, it took me nearly 6 months to finally have the confidence to hit the gym and go for Yoga classes. I was so afraid that it will be painful. If you are unsure as to when you can start hitting the gym again, please ask your doctor. After all, every one heals differently so better be safe than sorry.

I hope this will give you a little glimpse into what to expect from a c-section. There is more to share, but I think this is a good start. If you need to know more, please feel free to contact me and we can have a little chat over coffee.

When can I apply insect repellents on my baby?

When can I apply insect repellents on my baby?

We live in a country where mosquitoes are a real problem. They are everywhere. In your toilet. In your kitchen and even in your car! It's unfortunate that babies tend to get bitten more frequently than adults. This is most likely because they are an easy prey as they are not aware of these insects. It's hard to avoid, but we can minimized it.

Insect repellents play a key role for protecting our children from mosquito-borne viruses especially when living in places where these illnesses are prone to happen often. For mothers with young baby, you can start putting bug repellent when your baby is at least 2 months old and above.

You can start using insect repellents containing DEET. According to the Environmental Protection Agency in United States (EPA), DEET is tested and approved for use on children with no age restriction. 

Here are some important points when using insect repellent on your baby:

• Repellent with DEET should not be applied more than once a day, and is not recommended for babies younger than 2 months old.

• DEET can be used on exposed skin, as well as clothing, socks, and shoes, but should not be used on the face, under clothing, on cuts or irritated skin, or on the hands of young children.

• Read and follow the label directions to ensure proper use;  be sure you understand how much to apply.

• Apply repellents only to exposed skin and/or clothing. Do not use under clothing.

• Do not apply near eyes and mouth, and apply sparingly around ears.

• When using sprays, do not spray directly into face; spray on hands first and then apply to face.

• Never use repellents over cuts, wounds, or irritated skin.

• Do not spray in enclosed areas.

• Avoid breathing a spray product.

• Do not use it near food. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that repellents containing the ingredients picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus also can protect against mosquitoes:

Picaridin is a compound found in many mosquito repellents used in Europe, Australia, Latin America, and Asia. Its chemical name, which you might find in the list of "active ingredients" on a product, is KBR 3023. Years of safe use of picaridin in other parts of the world attest to its safety and effectiveness.

Oil of lemon eucalyptus is also known as P-menthane diol (PMD). PMD is a plant-based repellent that gives protection time similar to low concentrations of DEET products. It is not recommended for kids under 3 years old.

You may want to try a natural insect repellent such as citronella, but read the label first to make sure it's safe to use on babies. (Repellent products must state any age restrictions.)

Natural repellents generally don't last as long as chemical repellents, so you may need to reapply frequently.

As a side note, there are 66 dengue fever cases and one death in Kg. Likas just last year according to the Borneo Post newspaper while The World Health Organization (WHO) estimate there may be 50- 100 million dengue infections worldwide every year. So geared up, keep your surrounding clean and be safe everyone!