In the Fitting Room

I'm not one who shops regularly, nor do I like to hunt down sales, and the thing I hate the most is shopping with the crowds, yet over the Christmas sales period I chanced upon some pretty good buys. And so I'm now pretty broke, but I also have the fodder for a blog entry, haha. So come with me into the fitting room and check out what I have in store~

I had a job interview some time ago, hence I desperately needed office wear, or something that isn't out of my wardrobe. A peek into my wardrobe and you can only find beach wear, casual wear and several dresses, nothing decent that would make me look like a mature young woman confident to get a job. Hence I needed to buy some clothes. The timing for this clothes hunt couldn't be any worse, it was during the post Christmas sales. Yes, things are dirt cheap, but I hate sales. I can't get the size I want, there isn't any new piece, the things are all over the place, and the crowd and queues are crazy.

And a convenient advice my friend gave me before I went hunting for clothes, "if you like it, don't buy it". Thanks hor...


It looks really ugly.
The white blouse is too transparent, and when matched with black pants I just look like a waitress or something, an ugly waitress somemore.
The black blouse with grey skirt is even more horrendous I can't even describe it.

I wanted to buy perhaps a striped blouse with striped pants, but after trying on various pants, I realised that my hips and thighs are too huge and my legs are not too fat, hence I cannot buy sizes that fit my legs because I wouldn't be able to zip up, and neither can I buy sizes that allow me to zip up because then the legs would be too loose. Hence I thought perhaps I would buy a skirt instead, but well, all the skirts are really ugly.


Thankfully, not all the office wear I tried on was that bad, this is one good set. I bought one set out of this two, can you guess which it was?

I bought the one on the left even though I think I look better in the one on the right. I had tried out the one on the right earlier, at G2 Black Label. It was expensive, even with the discount. And the clothes were not in the best condition, buttons were held by a single thread, about the fall off, fabric a bit dirty from too many people trying it on I supposed.

But I'm glad I ended up buying the one on the left. It was the last place I visited and well, it was a very good bargain. Let me talk about the pants first. I picked up the pair of pants from an unmarked rack, and there weren't any price labels on the pair of pants, I just took two pairs in different sizes from the rack to try which is my size. It turned out that the two pairs of pants aren't the same in different sizes, the smaller size one which I couldn't fit in was a capris. But the larger size one was the perfect pants for me. Before paying, I asked a sales assistant how much it was and she told me $49 before discount, so it should be $29 after discount. What a steal! The best part, after she scanned the code, it turned out that there was further discount and the pair of pants cost me only $23~

The blouse also had another interesting story. I spotted the blouse on display on a mannequin, and went to look for it on the racks. There was 3 pieces left, two in 34 and another in 36. I usually fit a size 36, but I think the cutting of G2000 is smaller than most other brands. After trying out a whole ton of clothes, it is indeed that I fitted into a size larger in G2000 than the other labels. Anyway, I tried on 36 and although it fitted, it was too snug, and my tummy was bulging out. There weren't any in a larger size. I was so disappointed as I was walking out when I spotted the display mannequin again. In a spur of a moment decision, I went to check the size of the display mannequin, and guess what, it was a 38!

Immediately I wanted to get someone to help me strip the mannequin of that piece, but my sister advised me against it. She used to temp at another label and their policy is to have as little trouble as possible so no stripping of mannequins. But I didn't really care. I once bought a mannequin display piece of a dress from Celia Loe, that sales assistant was so patient even though I told her that don't need to go to that trouble. Anyway, being a demanding customer, I decided to get someone to strip that mannequin. I mean, I was 95% sure I was going to buy that piece. Unfortunately, the guy who tended to me looked like a temp staff who was totally clueless. He went to the racks and back and told me there was no more 38, I had to repeat that I wanted the display piece because I already know there's no more 38 on the racks. Then he went back to the racks and came back saying that they have it in black. damn! Is this guy dense or what? But I had to keep my cool becuase if I look like a troublesome customer I might not get the help I needed to get my way. I told him again plainly and obviously that I wanted the display piece. It was only then that he ran off and looked for a more senior staff to see how she could help me. And that senior staff was really good, she stripped the mannequin and gave me that piece, and didn't bother to check if I was definitely buying it, and went ahead and clothed the mannequin in that black version of the blouse.

Yes, I am very happy with my buy, more satisfied because I knew I did all I could to get my hands on that piece. Totally no regrets at all. $59 before discount and $41 after discount, much pricier than the pants but every cent worth. The pants is really dirt cheap la. Ooh, and I really like that sash thingie around the neck, it was the reason why I bought that blouse. All striped blouses all look the same, and Joan isn't the kind of person who likes to look the same as others, haha...

After those purchases, I thought I was done shopping at Parkway, but on the way out, we spotted OP have storewide sale. A little pop inside made me $40 poorer. haha~


I love tunics, they can hide my tummy, cover my fats, very cool and comfortable, and makes my boobs look existent.

The white piece was a bit transparent so despite me having tons of clothes in red, I went for another red piece. The piece I bought was the last new piece~ I really like the butterfly print by the side of the tunic. Then I bought another pair of skorts too, the black one in the right picture. Good for school since I'm now like rotating among that few pieces of shorts/skorts/skirts. My sister bought another white and red/pink tunic which I would be sharing with her, so we can maximise our wardrobe while minimise spending. yay, for having a sister~


Remember the black dress I wore when I went out with the girls? Yup, I bought this a little before Christmas at Marina Square. My sister and my aunt were buying Christmas presents for our relatives while I was just lurking around when I spotted this dress on a mannequin on display. I really like the beaded things around the neck and it made a simple black dress so much more exquisite, besides, the cutting of the dress was nice and airy and could flatter my fat body. But the shop only had one piece left, in S when I wanted an L. But bo bian, then I went around the area and walked one big round before coming back to that same shop again, and this time, I spotted the neighbouring shop selling the same dress, just that it wasn't on display. I immediately went in and asked for an L, but that person only had it in M. I was a bit disappointed, but was egged on to try the M since the shop assistant said the the cutting was big. Let's just say it was a perfect fit. haha~ And it was on discount, $35 for a dress only, I'm so easily contented.

I thought I had enough of clothes already when I went by thirtyseven degrees at VivoCity. I was heading to the cinema and never intended to buy anything from anywhere until I saw that dress on a mannequin on display. Yes, I only see clothes which are on mannequins, haha. Similarly, there was only one piece left for S and M and no Ls. I was a bit skeptical when I decided to try on the M one because thirtyseven degrees is notorious for having very small cutting. But the M fitted me very nicely, in fact it was a bit loose even. I had to try on the S too. Between the S and M, the S had accentuated my armpit fats and the zip was a bit spoilt, which the M was a bit loose around the neck and back area. I went ahead with the M in the end. I'm still very happy with my $49 purchase, and I'll save it to wear on Chinese New Year. I can pig out and the dress can hide my fats.

Joan is a happy girl~

Fairprice Finest

Fine but not Finest.

Ever since I saw the advert about the opening of a supermarket selling higher end groceries, I've been excited. I might not be wealthy, but I do like to indulge in better quality stuff once in a while. And especially after my exchange programme stint in Europe, I've come to want to have all the European qualities of life. Hence, I though Fairprice Finest might hold the answer to my wants. Hence, a trip down to recce the place. Hence, ta-dah, this supermarket review!

I knew that the Fairprice Finest was at Bukit Timah, I thought it meant at Bukit Timah Road, and proceeded to go to the only Fairprice I know in Bukit Timah, at Coronation Plaza. But when I reached there and found out that that wasn't the place I was to be at, I was disappointed, and quite humiliated. After checking the sign directories at the bus stop, I summarised that it was more probably to be at Bukit Timah Plaza, which ironically was not in Bukit Timah but at Upper Bukit Timah, and hence my misunderstanding. Anyway, I popped back into a bus and headed up to Bukit Timah Plaza.


Yes, I finally got the place right.

I was excited when I got there. A totally different sign, with its orange logo plastered tastefully over the trolleys and the signage and nowhere else to lessen the gaudy factor known throughout all the other Fairprices. Nice and clean, with upmarket written all over it. I like.

Going into the supermarket and taking a quick walk around, I was somewhat disappoint. There weren't anything truly exciting, or at least nothing exicted me. The things were upmarket, but not really upscale. There weren't a large variety of good quality stuff, but lots of better stuff selected from the normal supermarkets.

The suaku me thought that there was only one level in the supermarket because I was blind to notice the escalators right smack in the middle of the supermarket. Anyway, the other level didn't really feature much other stuff which made my excitement die down pretty quickly. I wanted to take pictures of everything, and complain about all the lackings, but I was afraid that taking photos would be too attention drawing. Instead I took pictures with my handphone camera.



Think we've heard a lot about the square watermelons in the news. Looking at it, they looked quite sad actually. There was a sign pasted above them saying that these weren't for consumption, but only for display. Like what crap? Buying a watermelon and not eating them, what a waste of money that even rich people also won't throw their money around lor. The expensive musk melons look great though, and I bet they're real sweet, I'd rather get that if I've the spare cash. But the musk melons aren't anything new. I know I can get them from Jason's at Raffles City where I frequent. So no biggie.

The portobello mushrooms were also nothing new to me because I know where else to get them, and it's not even Jason's. Fairprice Xtra at AMK Hub carries them also lor, and there's a wider variety of mushrooms at AMK, and a higher quantity of everything in general. Thus say, Joan is not impressed. That caviar seen on the racks were also not the best sort of caviar I can find in supermarkets when I was in Europe. In fact these look quite dodgey even though I read that those were imported from Europe, think one was from Germany because of the language written on the bottle.



What was great was the wider selections of gravy and sauces offered. I love gravies and sauces because they can truly make or break a meat, so I was quite excited at the sauces offered there. But after looking at them carefully, I realised that they weren't imported, ie they were halal stuff. That's a huge turn off to me because I firmly believe that pork and lard do enhance the taste of food, and I need them in my cooking. Oh crap, I'd still be heading to the German supermarket to get the condiments for pork cooking. I'm seriously wondering if the wine sauces actually contain wine at all, or have I to add them in myself. geez...

The Meiji selections of chocolate were nothing new also la. I saw in a blog about people raving over the black chocolates. I first saw them and bought them from Isetan in Parkway some eons ago.

But there was one thing I've never seen anywhere before. The Alaskan King Crabs. wahaha~ I so wanted to get them, but I don't really know how to prepare them so I'd let it pass. A stop by the butchery disappointed me in fish and seafood. I always thought the epitome of high end eating was seafood, but nopes, not much selection, not premium stuff. But over at the meats section, there lay a Wagyu grade 4 and an Angus. Okay, I can get better at specialities stores but this the best I can get at a Fairprice already ba, I guess.

The hams were pathetic. There were two versions of my much love and cannot be found blackforest ham, but both weren't what I want. A quick check at which butchery supplies the hams there saw that most of the meat were by Hubers which well, isn't what I'm looking for, and it's probably not the best out there. If only Fiarprice could get supplies from the Swiss Butchery instead. The sausages were also nothing special, Cold Storage, Carrefour, Fairprice Xtra all offered more varieties, better quality, higher quantities of them.

You know the poster advert for Finest is the champagne and cheese and the whole idea of yuppie living? I went there in search of good cheese and was disappointed by the lack of cheese. There's just one small little square of normal cheese in the deli, and the dairy rack were normal cheese found in any small little Fairprice outlet. The Xtra had more stuff lor, greater variety, high quantity, better quality. Carrefour, Cold Storage, Jason's had much much much more of offer. So much for high end grocery shopping.



Even though Finest didn't have many cheese, they did have a cheese slicer, which I learnt to use and come to love after my host family taught me how to back when I was in Germany. I haven't been able to find one here, until I saw the new kitchen supplies shop in Raffles City. I think it's call Zone, think it's either Swedish or Danish I can't remember. Ya, but my point here is that Fairprice was selling a China made one for $15+, but Zone was selling for $7+. Just tell me, which should I choose instead? geez...

But what got me all excited again was that whole rack of gummies. I love them. They were my childhood staples, but I don't know why as we grew up they disappeared from our lives which was very sad. I saw a little revival some weeks back when I bought the apple and orange flavoured ones in Isetan at Parkway, but now there was a whole rack of them in many many many more flavours including my favourite peach! wahahaha~

Funnily, there was a KFC within the Fairprice Finest compounds. erm... Chocz there was great, you know, rich expats and great chocolate cafe go together, but KFC? Is that for the American expats? I don't think so, neither do I think it's for anyone else. It's quite a bit out of place, unless that's what the Finest is targetting their consumers to be.

In all, Fairprice Finest is fine but not finest. Think I'll still go to Jason's and Cold Storage, and the respective speciality stores for the speciality items, and maybe wait for Cold Storage to launch their Select line of supermarkets. I wonder how Select is it going to be...

I Want To Buy This

I don't know why my pocket's been pretty tight this month and half the month's not even gone yet (ya, I get my allowance mid-month). It's so weird how money keeps disappearing, $10s can just disappear within the day, and by the end of the week some $50s can just be wasted away on most probably food, food, my biggest enemy, make me poor and make me fat. grr... I've been trying to ration the remaining of my allowance hoping that I can stretch my dollar as far as possible, and usually, I'd be able to do so. However, this bloody thing came in the mail.


Thank you Body Shop on your promotion of the Tea Tree Oil range of product, thank you very much.

Before this came in my mailer, I already made a list of things I need and want from Body Shop.
Things I need:
- Oceanus Bubble Bath
- Tea Tree Oil Facial Wash
Things I want:
- Tea Tree Oil Blemish Fade Night Lotion (new product!)
- mascara

I planned to put off buying these stuff until probably next month because I'm severely lack of funds now, but but but there's the promotion from 2-22 August. See the words "25% off" and "FREE"??? Those are words that make my heart soften as much as the Body Shop wonderful ladies saying "Do you want to top up to $xx so that you can get a free gift worth $xx/get another chop?"

Since I already need to buy a Tea Tree Oil product, the facial wash, I can make use of this opportunity to get the blemish fade night lotion at 25% off, it's sort of like saving money isn't it? I'm currently using the blemish gel which says it's for occasional blemishes so I don't think it works very well on me since I've regular blemishes, and this night lotion seems to be just the thing I am looking for to zap those spots off the face. I want to try! I was at the Body Shop counter the other day and tested the lotion, it seems quite nice and easy to apply and it's quite a sizable amount.

Then because I also need to get several more products so, why not just purchase $80 worth of stuff and get that free gift worth $49.90? I've already bought so much worth of Body Shop products that I've got TWO different gift sets free from the last two promotions in the span of like just a couple of months. I've since then given away the Grapefruit gift set to my sister's Taiwanese buddy (damn! I should get my sister to reimburse me sia) and used more than half of the stuff from the make up gift set. I want another gift set~ Actually I've been given this gift set free before, maybe a couple of years before from another promotion. haha~ I'm such a sucker.

But then, I foresee yet another problem. If I purchase $80+ worth of stuff, then I'd be so tempted by the salesgirls when they as if I want to top up my purchase to $90 to get another chop. wahaha~ Why is Body Shop sucking away my money just like that in ein Augenblick?!!

I think I can count for Body Shop's most loyal customer already, with my continued spending with them, and the yearly free renewals of my STAR LOYALTY card because I simply just have spent too much with them. If I'm keeping with with my purchases like this, I don't think there'd be any problem with me hitting the minimum spending to get the free renewal next year. And 1/6 of the year hasn't even passed...

I need to save up to buy these things to make me pretty. I need to cut down on my eating so that I can have more cash on hand, and also to lose some weight so that I can become pretty. I want to become pretty. hai... All the perils about being a woman, ya woman, no more a girl, no more youth being on my side. *sad*

Anyone care to sponsor or willing to donate to this poor old woman?

Why I Hate Haircuts

I went for a haircut over the weekend, on Friday actually. I hadn't wanted to cut my hair, but my mother wanted to go for a haircut and hairdye, and that I was at home doing nothing, she called me along for the haircut, which also meant that she was paying for me. There wasn't a reason for me to say no, especially since the tips of my hair were fried and dried and horribly spilt, I needed a trim, and so I agreed to go with the mother.

This trip down to Jean Yip reminded me why I absolutely hate haircuts. And it also reminded me why my last trip to the hairdressers was a pleasant one. You see, I've a haircut like every year, most of the time I go to where my mother goes, which is Jean Yip, sort of like the trip I went two years ago, alone. I had just returned from my immersion trip and my hair was very dry. The moment I stepped into Jean Yip, I was bombarded my treatment packages and other sales talk. I hate it! Two years ago, I succumbed into those sales talk and ended up about $200 poorer because of a treatment package which honestly didn't make my hair any softer than it is touted to be.

Last year on the back of my return from my exchange programme, I had yet another haircut which was surprisingly pleasant. That time it wasn't a planned trip to the hairdressers, I was loitering at Marina Square after school, missing Germany and everything when I spotted a saloon offering haircuts at a flat rate. It was a no-frills saloon, but not the $10 a haircut kind, it was $22+ but it was a flat rate, and it was hair cut only. I just needed to specify the hairstyle I wanted and voila, done. No sales talk, no additional payment, no washing of hair. And the best part, the length my my hair was just right.

I hate going to regular saloons like Jean Yip also because I never seemed to be satisfied with my hair length after cutting. My hair is always cut way too short for my liking. And worse, it's not possible to regrow overcut hair unlike the possibility of recutting undercut hair.

So there, after my Friday's trip to Jean Yip, my horribly short hair.


I wanted brastrap length hair, meaning hair falling to just under the bra strap, that woman went to cut my hair to just over the bra strap, so my hair is like one whole inch shorter than desired. Damnit.

Not just that, I was subjected to those sales talk recommended treatments and stuff. And although I resisted the talks for treatment, I succumbed and bought a bottle of oil for the hair, supposedly to prevent split ends and to make the hair shiny. bah~

My mother was not much better as she succumbed into doing a hair treatment, but it isn't too bad for her since she dyed her hair and she doesn't condition her hair regularly, so okay la, still acceptable for her to do hair treatment. For me, I condition my hair and do leave in conditioning, and that I had done treatment before and I know it doesn't work, and I don't dye or perm my hair, so hence therefore.

Financial Woes

I didn't realise the extent of my financial discapabilities until my mother just highlighted to me that I've now one less channel of income, which came really at this very bad time when I just found out that I'm below par in my financial health due to overspending no thanks to the Great Singapore Sale.

The first warning sign came when I was cashing my purchases at Mango but my Masters couldn't get through, I had to pay by NETS. I have been boycotting NETS recently because I think that their fee hike is unjustifiable, but because my Masters couldn't get through, I had no other choice. When my Masters couldn't get through I knew with a sinking feeling that it was because my account balance ran below the minimum of $500 so needed for the Masters to get through. Immediately, armed with the remaining of my monthly allowance, I had $250 deposited into my bank account to top up my account balance to the minimum $500 so that I won't need to pay the bank levy for the month.

Side track a bit, I don't understand why does the bank charge a levy for accounts with less than $500. Isn't it because these people don't have enough money in the first place that they fall short of $500, why still add onto the financial burden? Crap... Banks only know how to make poor people unhappy and rich people happy no thanks to the so called privatisation.

Anyway, I was hoping that after depositing the $250 into my account, I'd see my balance to stand at about $600-700, but it came up to a little more than $500, even after that $250. That only meant that before my $250, I had less than $300 in my bank account. Horror of horrors!

And because I won't be getting my allowance anytime soon (I get my allowance in the mid-month), it also means that I cannot spend anything until I get my allowance, because any spending will cause my account balance to fall short of the $500 minimum. Okay la, I still have some token sum kept in my milo tin can to tide me through difficult times, but that still means that I cannot buy any more stuff unless I starve. It's still opportunity cost, if I eat I can't buy, if I buy I can't eat, and Joan being Joan would of could find it extremely difficult to resist food.

My sister says that my dire plight is due to me overeating. I've been going out close to five days a week (ie every weekday, I'd be damned if I were to go out and squeeze in the crowd on weekends) and eating out ever so often that it's no surprise that I'd be broke. This is especially so in contrast to my last vacation when I was practically a hermit hiding myself at home and watching anime all day long. But in my defense, I think that I haven't been overeating. Yes, I've been eating out a lot but I haven't been spending as much on food as I usually do because because I don't, I know it. With my allowance, my budget on food should have been more than enough for me. So where did the money go to?

I think it went to basically four places, The Body Shop, Mango, Zara, and Comfort delGro.

I just busted more than $110 at The Body Shop buying godknowswhat. I was at AMKHub looking at the stuff there when I picked out some essentials such as facial wash and make up remover and the bill came up to $40-50. The very helpful salesgirl then proceeded to tell me that I should top up my purchases to $65 to get a free gift set worth $50+. Joan being Joan decided to pick up some make up which she uses daily but already have spares at home. The bill came up to $80+ but she was happy because the free gift set was worth $50+. So now Joan has TWO free gift sets at home because the last time The Body Shop had a similiar promotion and Joan overspent to get that other $50 gift set, thank you very much. Anyone wants a Grapefruit gift set or a make up gift set please let me know, I'm willing to SELL, price negotiable. The story doesn't end there because later that evening, I was with my sister at Parkway when we saw another promotion. My sister wanted to pick up the perfume set, but because The Body Shop have another deadly thing called the stamp rewards, I decided to buy some other stuff to top up the purchase to $30 to get another stamp. At this rate, I will definitely be able to qualify for yet another year of free Love Your Body STAR LOYALTY membership.

Mango and Zara sucked my money in the usual fashion, pun not intended but left because it's so apt. The usual Mango sales, Zara sales, Joan enjoying a horizontal growth sprout, Joan need more clothes to accommodate her new size, Joan buys clothes, Joan buys more clothes, Joan becomes broke. Total damage came close to $200, but but but, it's still okay la, since the original price of those clothes would have came up to $300++ so still worth it la. And besides, the new semester is coming up and I'd be needing more clothes to wear, especially when I don't have the luxury of a three day week next semester.

Comfort delGro earned a ton of money from me because I started paying my cab fares with my Masters hoping that I can win something in their Mastercard Promotions stuff. And also because I seemed to always be running late for my appointments because I've been sleeping late, and well, sleeping late. I don't know how much I spent on these cab fares, and I don't want to find out. grr... I shall not be opening up my Masters statement for this month.

After all these major spending, it's no wonder that money can disappear from my hands just like that. grr... I hate going cashless, it's so convenient, it's too convenient.

Another reason for my severe financial woes is also because I started a savings programme. Ya, weird right, because I'm saving I'm broke. It's like those kind of monthly investment, you need to pay a premium every month to save, and because you need to set aside this sum of money, the disposable income is greatly reduced. I'm not so advanced in my savings programme la, my savings programme is the traditional and conventional piggy bank. Because I managed to clear my table of stuff, I managed to unearth my piggy back previously for the past twelve months or so hidden under piles and piles of worksheets. I'm now putting ALL my loose change into the piggy bank. Although it might be loose change, but if there happens to be dollar coins, then my daily savings is actually pretty high, on very good days I can be saving up to $4 a day. This was actually a savings programme I devised when I was a secondary school kid, and I was saving a lot of money using that method, hence after eight years, I decided to try it again. As a long term plan, I can be richer.

Actually, it's not really that long term since I plan to count my money and hopefully get about $200 from it and stuff it in my savings account because of the loss of one of my channels of income. This is needed to replace that channel.

Yes, if you're following my blog you'd know that my grandfather recently passed away. My grandfather used to give me money every month to save. My mother would force me to save the additional income from my grandfather because she knows that I don't save. I try not to dip into that pot of money but there are times when I overspend and I'd dip into that reserve. Now, after his passing, I'd be cut of this savings reserve and financially, I've nothing to fall back on if I don't save and I overspend. Hence, there's the need for the above mentioned savings plan and the need to create another pot of reserves.

I don't know why but a lot of people seem to have this warped idea that if I overspend I can just stretch out my hand to ask for money from my parents. I'm sorry to disappoint, but even though I'm one spoilt girl, that's not the way how things work. I'm proud to say that ever since I started receiving allowance in Primary One, I never asked for more money from the parents to tide my overspending. Yes, sometimes I'd ask my parents to pay for stuff, but that's the other way round, I need to buy something but I don't have enough money so I ask from them, and not because I am in debt that I need to get money from time. Right now, most of the stuff that I'm buying are not things that I'd ask my parents to buy for me, in fact, now I don't even ask my parents to buy anything for me. I may be a spoilt brat, but I'm financially responsible.

With regard to my financial plight, I'm not really that hard up for cash, just a little unhealthier than usual but I'm in no means of poverty, so no worries about me. I can still go out as often just that I cannot indulge nor can I buy anything that I don't need, which is that I not buy anything at all.

Just two more weeks to endure~

Lelong Lelong

Following the passing of my grandfather, the family decided to close down the shop and rent it out instead since no one wants to tend the shop, neither do anyone have the time and energy to do this everyday business thingie. Since the shop is due to be rented out, it means we have to clear everything left within, EVERYTHING. SO now, everything is being sold dirt cheap, because everything has to go. If no one buys it, we'll just throw it away in the end. Yup, and if the item is sold, it's gone forever, we're clearing stock so there's no way we'd be getting any replacement stuff.


The shop's located at 57 Serangoon Gardens Way. It sells all sorts of stuff, plates, pots, pans, vases, tea cups, mugs, household items.


These are the more expensive stuff, really nice large vases for decoration and ornamental purposes. They're considered to be collectors' items already.


These are my favourites! Wedding tea sets. There's the Double Happiness one, and the other is the Dragon and Phoenix one. It's very nice. haha~
The quality of these porcelain is also quite good, really well made, kept for a long time, and made to last. My parents and my aunts all said that they each have a set of those wedding tea sets.


A bit more stuff as can be seen in these pictures. The cheap items would be the plastic plates and bowls, tea cups and mugs people use in hawker centres and other eateries, the more expensive stuff would be the porcelain pieces and the antiques. All the sundries have to be sold off too, so come down and grab!

hai... Hopefully everything will go well. I hate this sort of family politicking and fighting for a slice of the pie and stuff like this, but well, family's a family after all.

yup~ All items whilst stock last, the sale will last until either all sold off or it's time to turn over the shop to the tenant, or some other reason that is not disclosed to me.

Presents from Afar

You know when friends go overseas, then they'd ask you what do you want, would you really open your mouth and request for something? I would, well, if there's really something I want and it's not difficult to get. I managed to get tiedans from Taiwan before the Taiwanese stall opened in Marina Square from friends, but sometimes I was disappointed. I have been asking for a large sized canvas hanging poster of Wubai for the longest time from friends going to Taiwan, but until now no one managed to successfully source for one of those.

For me, I'm a lazy shopper, so I don't put in much effort to get for friends stuff they requested, and I also don't really expect much from the requests I made, so I don't really get too disappointed. In a repeated manner, these "Do you want anything from such and such place?" becomes much of a routine question people would ask, and I'd ask people. But somehow, because I love stuffs from all over the place, I still put in the effort to think of what stuff I want when people ask me that question.

Of course, I'm also not the kind who'd create difficulties to friends, I'm not that bad... haha~ When Terrence went to Shanghai, I really thought hard, but there wasn't anything convenient I wanted from Shanghai. I think the only thing I can possibly want is the xiaolongbaos, which would be impossible to be carried back to Singapore. I'm also not the donut fan, so no need for boxes of Krispy Kreme the usual folks would ask for.

Today, I struck goldmine with my requests, twice!

I was awakened at the ungodly hour of 8am by an SMS from Huijing who went for a Europe tour. She just got back. She bought my stuff for me! omg...


My Blackforest Ham!

I at first wasn't quite sure if she'd be going to the place I knew had the stuff I wanted. She described to me the place as a tourist attraction, in the Blackforest, lots of cuckoo clocks, I had guessed Titisee, but I wasn't sure, personally I had hoped that it would be Titisee because I knew that they sold vacuum packed hams there, so I requested what else but ham from the Blackforest. My favourite ham since my days living in Freiburg which was part of the Blackforest region. Indeed, Huijing went to Titisee, and managed to locate the ham and bought me one whole block of it!

If you look carefully at the picture, the block of ham is 0.756kg heavy, the price of the ham converted to Singapore dollars would be about $24. Compare that price to what I'm paying for for the ham in Singapore, $7+++ for 100g, and the ham is sold as far as I know, only in two places, the Swiss butchery and the German supermarket. But Huijing is kind enough to give me that block of ham, so Huijing, the next meal's on me~

Now the only problem left is how to I cut the ham up into slices. I was thinking of bringing it down to a butchery and see if they can help me slice it up, but it seems a bit weird because I'm not buying anything from them. I don't mind paying for their services though. dunno leh... Or maybe I can trying shaving the ham myself? haha~

After the success of getting Huijing to help me bring back the ham, I'm very tempted to ask Damien if he can help me buy the ham when he returns to Singapore. He's at Freiburg now... Lucky him~ hmm... Speaking of those group of people in Germany, I still haven't got an answer from my friend regarding the Elisabeth musical recordings, if there are any to be found. Maybe I should ask around more of the folks over there. wahaha~ I'm turning greedy.

Then to add icing to my already orgasmic day, Someone's friend who just came back from Japan managed to help me procure the Buck Tick CD I wanted. I can't find it in Singapore, they only have their single in the CD shops I've looked. I hadn't actually expected much to come out of this request, so I'm really very glad~ Seems like Someone must be good enough a person to have such a good friend to help look for the CD. haha~


So cool right? I just love old men doing rock~ haha...

I heard a couple of songs from the album, and it's really cool. I like the whole idea of a band making music rather than some producers synthesising music in a studio. And I really like the rough voices of the lead singer, very masculine, very charming. But maybe it's so late in the night, the longer I played the CD, the noisier I felt it became. haha~ Shall save it till day time to play~

I am such a happy girl~

Anime Fanstuff Pushcart

Fans of anime and manga can remember there used to be a pushcart at Cineleisure selling all sort of anime fanstuff like keychains, plush toys, cosplay costumes, pictures, blah. That stall was tended by this boy who was very short but very cute. Then one day that pushcart disappeared.

I had wanted to buy the Full Metal Alchemist State Alchemist watch but didn't have the chance to. But it was all right, didn't buy it meant some money saved.

That stall attendent was also a very interesting figure. He came up to about my chest level, very short, even Cindy also thought that he was short, erm... Cindy, no offense hor. I tried guessing his age, putting him at like primary six, but I don't think he's really that young because Singapore do have underage employment laws to protect the children. Besides, we met him again at a cosplay event and he was all decked out and was hanging around with people who looked older.

Even though he's like damn short, and highly likely to be way younger than us, visits to Cineleisure seemed to have a highlight to visit his stall and ogle over eye candy. He's really damn cute. hahaha~

Anyway, as I was saying, after the stall disappeared, I can't get my usual fanstuff fix anymore. Until I saw another pushcart at Tampines Mall that day! I was standing around with a couple of friends waiting for a friend when I saw from the corner of my eye a Kyoya plush toy. Damn kawaii~ So I inched closed and dug out from behind Kyoya, a Tamaki plush toy! Even more kawaii~

I was fondling the plush toys when this tall cute guy decked in cosplay costume come up from behind me to tell me the price and show me other plush toys. $8.90 to own Tamaki, not that expensive, but it's really unnecessary money, so I decided to to buy it. Then I went back to my friends.

But after waiting for a long time, and me being very bored, I strayed over to the pushcart to look at more fanstuff. I browsed through all the keychains, but they were mostly Naruto and Bleach stuff, then that cute guy came over again to show me even more cute stuff. But since I already decided that I wasn't going to buy anything, I kinda felt bad for him having to show me all the stuff knowing that I'm not going to buy any. I tried to tell him I was only looking, and he can go back and sit down, then I went back to my friends.

While chatting with my friends, I pointed out all the interesting stuff that was being sold in the pushcart, a Death Note pillow in the shape of the notebook, and can open it somemore. Damn kawaii~ Then still got the FMA State Alchemist watch. wah lau... I was showing my friend that and telling him about my experience in Cineleisure when I wanted to buy it but the stall disappeared.

Then the cute stall attendent cam up and tell us that this is the same pushcart as the one from Cineleisure. Apparently, they are a mobile pushcart thingie, so they make rounds around Singapore around all the various malls. And also that they would be relocating again in June. He offered to take down my contacts so that I can be informed when they relocate. I gladly wrote down my contacts. That cute guy also took a liking to my Detective Conan chain hanging down my handphone and kept asking where I bought it from. haha~ Paiseh, it's Someone give me one...

After finally waited for the arrival of the remaining friend, we left that standing area. I was commenting to my friends that the cute guy was very cute. Then my friend was like, why didn't you ask for his number. Oh yar hor... Then my friend added, but he has your number already mah. dot dot dot...

Maybe I should go back to Tampines Mall one day to look for the FMA State Alchemist watch. Is it worth it anot at $17.90?

Post CNY

Pardon me for my previous post, I wasn't feeling that all too good, I'd wanted to delete away that post but seeing all the words of greetings from you guys, I bu she de delete away that post. hehe~ So touched leh, within that few hours of posting, you guys commented on it so quickly.

So, to liven up spirits, shall post up a slew of pictures to entertain you guys.

A couple of weeks ago, I went on CNY clothes hunting and bought quite a bit of clothes for the new year. Not only had I bought clothes, but I also tried out a lot of clothes I can't afford. It's through the hunting of clothes that I realised that I'm fat. Gone are the days when I could fit into a size S and wear nice nice clothes looking nice and pretty, and thin. I now can't wear any tight fitting clothes which would just make me look fat, neither can I wear any midriff baring clothes let everyone can see my big tummy. In short, the fatter I am, the less choice of clothes I have.

My new year resolution:
- to aim to get back my figure.
To get back to my year 1 figure. Only only can I get to buy more nice clothes then, I can wear back all my nice clothes which I no longer fit. Really lor, I've about two very nice and short mini skirts which I've never worn and can no longer fit.

Damn those Germany trips, made me fat fat fat. Okay, I shall stop ranting on how much weight I'd gain, instead, shall go on with my Chinese New Year garbs~


Those marked O are those I bought and those marked X are those I didn't buy. Sorry for the cluttered look of the dressing rooms, I bought too many things, had too many bags and stuff. Oh, and those were on two separate shopping trips, so there were two different sets of my original clothes you can see hanging on the walls.

This was my garb for Chu Yi, yup~ You can see both the top and bottom featured in my shopping trail gif above. I matched it with a red hair clip. I very seldom tie my hair up, but it was hot that day and I didn't want my hair to get messed up when travelling from place to place. I think tying up of my hair makes me look younger, but the only problem is that I need to paint my face and cover up the spots if I want to tie up my hair. Usually I just use my hair to cover up the spots. lol~

This my garb for Chu Er. I wore the red nightdress looking thingie coupled with golden stockings and a gold belt. I know I know, I look like an ang bow. I'll never wear that combination anymore. I bought that pair of stockings thinking that it was a pair of tights, and actually the dress wasn't that short so I could have just went without the stockings. But then hor, when I bought that dress, its tag said that it was actually a blouse, actually, it said "blouse" on top of a cancelled out "dress". Whatever. The mother said that I looked pregnant when I wear it without the belt. bah~

But hor, that night I was too lazy to change so I wore that dress sans stockings and belt, like how I look in the above gif, to sleep. It was so very comfortable. I think I shall either wear that with a belt as a dress or as a nightdown next time. The best thing about it is that I can wear it without a bra and I still won't look bad. *wink wink*

It's a pity I didn't buy new shoes and bags this new year. The bag I carried was a birthday present from last year but have never used it before. It's an Armani Exchange bag, so bu she de carry, scared will dirty. I wore old shoes this year, and my sister's shoe. I tell you, my sister bought LOTS of clothes shoes and stuff this year. *shakes head*

But I did buy a new pencil case. My old one was getting dirty, so I got a new one, from Levi's. Saw it when my sister bought her pair of jeans~ It's nice and small, I don't have many things anyway, and looks quite cool. It wasn't that expensive also, even though it is considered expensive for a pencil case. I actually have a couple of pencil cases given to me during Christmas, but I do no like huge pencil cases which are bigger than my handbags, so well, let's just say that the new owner is very happy with it, and I am very happy about it.

It's like me giving away my long wallet, the one the girls gave me for my last year birthday, to my sister, with me choosing to carry a small little purse my cousin gave me instead, even though the wallet which I requested in my wish list was for a long one. I think I'm more into small things than big ones. It's like my foolscap pad, I'm using a B5 sized one instead of an A4. lol~ chibi!!! If only I were smaller... hehe...

But I'm not without a new bag this year. My sister just bought me a cute little adidas original royal handbag for me for my birthday this year. I saw it a couple of weeks ago, along with the royal belt. I even tried the belt on, asked for the price, but the belt was too small for me, and the price was too high for me. So when we were in adidas again yesterday, I picked the bag.

I love my sister~

Earrings

I haven't worn a earring for at least half a year already, sometime between I did stick in a ear stick to keep my earhole open though, kept it on for a couple of days. I had to keep it on because I had trouble getting it in initially, think my earhole was on the verge of closing up then. I forced the stick in which led to slight bleeding and quite a bit of crud even though I wash my ears every day. I guess it's different washing the ears and washing the insides of the earhole. Anyway, sparing the gross details I shall carry on with my entry.

My sister came back from her shopping trip the other day claiming that she bought a lot of earrings. I thought that she had only bought perhaps like 3-4 pairs, but it turned out to be like A LOT more. Seeing that she has too many earrings and that I haven't bought a new earring for about a year, okay, maybe a couple of months, yea, since the last day in Germany, I bought a pair of crystal ones from the duty free shop in Frankfurt Airport, but before that I haven't bought a pair for a couple of months. Didn't buy any thoughout my stay in Germany.

Seeing that I have no new earrings, and that my sister had so many, I cajoled her into giving me a pair, which she readily agreed. I think it's because she also only have two ears, cannot wear that many earrings. Okay, although she has two ears, she does have five ear holes, so she can wear a lot of them, but that's not the point.

Anyway, check out the cheap earrings that my sister bought.


She allowed me to pick one pair out of all those and she'd give me ANY pair I picked, ANY, she won't change her mind. hehehe~ I knew she liked penguins, and she liked that penguin earrings, so I hadn't considered that, I don't have a special fondness of penguins anyway.

Then before I told her the choice I made, my sister said that she wanted to guess which pair I chose. So I let her made her guess. I thought that after being my sister for all her 16/7 years of life, she should know my taste quite well, seems like I was disappointed. lol~ She picked my choice on her last try, like after picking all the other earrings and only when left with that did she realise. diaoz...

Okay, a short guide to what kind of earrings I like even though I normally don't wear them.
- I like hook earrings.
- I like pearl earrings.
- I usually like flowery stuff.
- I like earrings that are of colours I like.

I didn't like most of the earrings my sister had, they were either studded, or hooped, only a couple of hooks, so I picked from the hooks. I chose the Scorpio one because it was pink and I like Scorpio guys in general. I would have picked the butterfly one if it was not hooped nor that the paint on the hoop part was peeling off. It didn't look that sanitary. lol~

I was only after revealling my pick to my sister, that I suddenly remembered that she was a Scorpio. lol~ I wanted to change my choice so that she could have her Scorpio, but she said it didn't matter. She only bought that pair because there were two in the range, the scorpion and some other animal which she didn't like. Because of her generosity, I didn't decline.

After I happily picked my earring and kept it with my other earrings (I didn't even bother to try it on), my sister suddenly said, actually there was another earring, and another earring which was part of the selection, which was not bought by her but by our aunt. And I was supposed to have one of them and my sister the other. She said that if I saw the other earring I'd definitely want it. hehe...

I was like, no wonder she's so good to give me one of her many earrings, she wanted to keep the earring my aunt gave us. wahaha~

My sister revealled a pearl hooked earring, with flowers painted on the pearl. Of course I wanted it la.

I was like,
joan: eh, you like pearl meh?
sister: the earring nice what.
joan: you will want the earring meh?
...

And then, and then, and then, I managed to cajole my sister into giving me that pair of earrings, and I didn't even need to give her back the earrings I picked out. two free earrings~

My sister then made me promise that I'd wear the earrings I'd cajoled from her, but well, it's been quite a couple of weeks and I haven't worn a earring since, nor a earstick. heh... But I think I'll be wearing one tomorrow if I manage to remember, not so sure which one I'd wear though, it's be either the above mentioned painted pearl earrings, a pair of frangipani earrings my friends bought for me for my birthday last year (see here), and yet another earring which was cajoled from my sister. It was a earring one of her friends made for her.

Europa Woven Dress

I was supposed to be out shopping for a prom dress with my sister for her prom come December. Well, as how nature goes, usually, the person intending to buy clothes would not find anything suitable, and the person tagging along will buy loads of stuff. I didn't really buy loads of stuff, but I bought one expensive item.

The Europa Woven Dress by adidas.

From the online description from here:
Europa Woven Dress
Trends and styles seem to come and go, but good design is forever. Proof of that comes in this lightweight woven dress. Inspired by an archived piece from the '70s, this slim-fitting garment looks both sleek and sexy when worn as an overcoat or dress.

-27" outseam (size Med)
-Front zipper pockets
-Ribbed cuffs
-Shaped, feminine fit
-Embroidered Trefoil and adidas wordmark on left chest
-98% cotton / 2% spandex twill
-Imported


Front.


Back.

The moment I draped that over myself, and looked into the mirror, I told myself that I was getting it. And so I did. Set me back by a lot, but it's so damn worth it.
adidas original~

The thing about the dress that I like about it is that is has two zippers, so I can unzip from the top and from the bottom and wear it like a trenchcoat, but because of the two zippers, I can also wear it as a dress in cold places. I think I'll wear it to school one day for the exams~

I checked the website, it comes in four colours, but Singapore's only retailing the black one, just about it, I think the black one looks the nicest. Okay, the Mustang doesn't look too back, with the red trimmings, but there's something about it that doesn't make it look classic enough. The pink one is just too pink. I do like pink, but that's just too much. The green one just looks like a Christmas tree, especially with the cutting of the dress, it flairs out quite a bit like a Christmas tree. The black one is still the best, but what's better than the best is that I OWN IT NOW~

Haven't been this happy with my purchases for so long~

Body Shopping

Imagine one day receiving a mail that looks like this, what would you first think of?


My first thought was that Body Shop sent me a couple of flyers introducing some new product. I receive tons of those product advertisements periodically in my email, and I receive SMSes informing me of promotions and discounts every now and then, so nothing's wrong with the mail. With my debit card statement (which I don't bother opening to find out to my utter horror the amount of money I spend every month), I tossed my letters onto the couch and plunked down absorbed in my television show.

Then during the advertisements, I decided that maybe I should open up that letter since it felt pretty thick. Maybe there were great deals, like 20% discounts, or some really interesting new product coming in?

The first thing I saw that came out in the letter was this card.


It was too wordy for me to take it after a day of German classes, so I merely scanned through it... Picking out a couple of key words it said that my current Body Shop membership is expiring. I thought it must be something asking me to renew my card or something. Then I went on further... Then it said that they were giving me a new card, free. I thought huh? were they that hard up? Then it said that I NOW AM ENTITLED TO 15% DISCOUNT WITH MY CARD! Oh my God... Then I squinted, it said that I am now a Star Loyalty Member. Because I spent more than $450 in a year. erm... Did I really spend that much?

Bah~ But I don't care. What matters most is my new card.


Look at the Star Loyalty in bold~

I know it's a little blur, okay little is an understatement, I know it's very blur, but that's the best you can get out of a handphone camera at this hour of the night.

Look at it compared to the old card, with nothing written under my name and above my IC number~


And better still, enclosed in the little envelope included these discount coupons. 30% discounts~


After I got that membership, every personal care item I needed was from Body Shop ever since. Currently, I'm using Body Shop's facial wash, body wash, face exfoliater, make up (my entire make up collection is from Body Shop, including foundation two kinds, conceallor also two kinds, eyeshadow a lot of kinds, blusher, lip balm also many kinds, loose power, and not to mention my full brush set, and travel brush kit, and fragrances). I have face mask, nose pore mask, body mask, spa treatments and god knows what other weird stuff from Body Shop too. I still have two not yet used shower gel too, in peach and rose.

Not only do I spend loads on myself. In all, over the past year, almost every birthday gift, Christmas present, gift exchange, whatever present, I get them from Body Shop, thereby spending a lucridous amount over there.

As a Body Shop member, we get this card. So much I can use to pamper myself before I finally take off. You know, one of the first things I did when I was in Freiburg last June was make sure I know my way to get to that Body Shop branch. I guess come summer I'll spend lots of time there even though I dont get any discounts with my card outside Singapore.

I first flirted with the Body Shop membership last year. I remember that day pretty clearly. It was just when they started selling memberships, and I happened to want to purchase something (I can't remember what) after dinner in middle February. I was persuaded by the salegirl to buy that membership. I cost $10, with 10% discount with every purchase, and I was entitled to that discount immediately. I calculated, I just needed to spend more than $100 to earn back what I saved by buying the membership, not to mention that there were also lots of freebies thrown into the membership too. By signing up, I got a free gift. With every certain amount of spending, I get more free gifts. And there's also lots of member discounts and promotions offered too. I thought, it's a pretty good deal.


With every $30 purchase we get a stamp, every three stamps entitles the member to either a free gift of a discount, except for the last $25 discount, four stamps are needed.

In one year of my membership I accumulated 20 stamps. I completed one card of 16 stamps and started a new card and have 4 stamps in that new card. When you calculate in that each stamp is worthed $30, altogether I had spent *gasp* a grand total of more than $600, bearing in mind that if I spend $46, I still only get one stamp. Oh my God! I must be mad.

But seriously thinking, consider my make up set and my fragrance set and not to mention my full brush set, that would have set me back by like $400 already, so what's more with a couple of facial wash and body washes and gifts and presents and what nots. hmm... I think I'm just trying to make myself feel less guilty over my spendings.

1GB MMCMobile

I've got some good news partly related to my blogging. But before I share the good news, maybe you'd like to visit here, http://nusartsclub.org/blogfest/ to vote for me. I'll promise that my next couple of blog entries, with my this piece of good news will be solid sia... wahaha~

Remember this post which I said I wanted to buy a 512mb memory card to replace my old one for my new phone? Well, I've got myself a pretty great deal.



This is like double better!!!

The father went down to Suntec City's IT fair this evening with the mother and the sister, and well, he bought that for himself, my sister and me. Before tongues start wagging about whatever whatever, I must state clearly that the memory card was bought at half price. Great deal. It's so worth it that I think I'll make a trip down to Suntec City this weekend myself to get a 1gb compact flash card for my camera. yea... The father got one of those for his camera and didn't get any for me. hehehe...

I suddenly realised that now my phone's got more than the power of a boring mp3 player and a boring camera, it's both! and more!!! It's everything except my computer packed in one small candy bar.

And the funny part about my phone, was that I tried video calling this evening with my sister. I forgot that I was on the bus when I picked up her video call. It turned out pretty bad since I didn't dare talk very loudly, in the end I started gesturing and making actions to better convey my words across. It was damn funny. And the funnier thing, the sister tried posing in front of the camera. Gross.

I'm starting to love my phone more and more~

Nokia N70

I realised I can pretty much get anything I want from the people who care for me. From young, everytime I whined long enough, the parents would eventually relent, I knew that, coupled with promises that I'd always break, like being the good girl, finishing my homework early, I could get anything I wanted, as long as it was pretty reasonable. Some really useless stuff I got out of these tactics include an ice cream maker which I only used once, some ugly supposedly would talk and cry doll which I never really liked playing with. Some might say I am spoilt, but I know fully well that these things are within reach. I'd never ask for something outside my reach.

hmm... Can I ask for votes for the blogfest thingie, I wonder?
http://nusartsclub.org/blogfest/

As far as everybody knows, I'm extremely satisfied with my handphone I bought 21 months ago. A Nokia 6230.

Before that I was carrying a Nokia 3200. It was a few months old phone but the value was dropping rapidly, and the phone wasn't that functionable. When my plan expired, and with my whole family getting new phones since everyone's plans expired, I got mine upgraded to the 6230. It was the best Nokia phone out at that time, and I totally digged it. It had everything I wanted and needed. Bluetooth, mp3 player, camera, video, radio.

Check this out for the full features.
The only regret I have with this phone was that I bought it earlier than the upgrading of the phone into the 6230i version.

But anyway, I still loved my phone. I bought fake covers which looked totally ugly to decorate it, before I reverted it back to it's original dignity. I bought handphone straps to accessorise it. I even bought a $88 cable to do PC suite and the uploading and downloading of files, namely photos and songs. Then came the biggest thing I bought for it. A 512mb memory card. I use my phone as a camera, an mp3 player, an alarm clock, and almost anything I needed. Especially with the 512mb memory card. I also pinned up ringtones to fit my mood. That phone is totally my phone.

Then as the 21 months came nearing, I hadn't really had any intention of changing my phone, but my sister wanted a 3G phone, and Singtel had this promotion of which the second 3G phone you buy would get you a $200 discount, which makes the phones cheaper by $100 each. My sister persuaded me to get the same phone as she wanted. The Nokia N70. Reviewing all the bulky 3G phones, this was the only one which appealled to me. 2megapix camera, bluetooth, mp3, and most importantly, it was a Nokia candy bar phone. All my previous handphones were all Nokia candy bar phones, 6110, 8310, 3200, 6230, and now the N70. I'm a lazy girl, so it's a nono for me to get clamshells or slides.

Since I gave my word to my sister that I'd be getting that phone, I thought I was going to buy that phone. My birthday was over, the angpaus I collected was enough to my me two of those phones, so I thought, I really thought that I was going to buy the phone.

Then it turned out that the day my sister went to buy the phone, she went with my parents, and I guess my dad succumbed into the pleasures of having a new handphone which was touted to be so good. He bought the phone, and my sister's phone, and he bought another new Samsung non 3G phone but with camera and video functions for my mother. When he came back, he said perhaps I can get a new phone when I got back from Germany.

I guess I was pretty disappointed. I was quite looking forward to getting a new phone upon getting psyched up by my sister, but I understand. I am perfectly happy with my old phone, i can do so much with it, so I didn't questioned my dad. I don't think I even appeared to be very much interested in the new phones since I had other things on my mind, including an impending tuition.

That night, I did whine to my sister a bit. I asked her, I thought we were the ones getting new phones. She said actually my dad was planning to let me have the phone if I asked for it, but I didn't. After a little exchange, I didn't know what to do. My dad could use a new phone, and after all that he had spent on me for my birthday party, and my birthday gifts, not to mention my horrid display of spoiltness over the birthday diamond issue.

My mother was planning to get me a diamond for my 21st birthday, I told her I wanted a solitaire, but in the end she picked a necklace out for me without my approval. I was very disappointed. The necklace was 40% above budget, but I felt it was not me, it was so dainty and sweet, and I voiced my displeasure. I even asked if we could get it changed. In the end, we went back to the shop and instead of changing it, we bought another piece, a solitaire at 30% above budget. It's like them spending more than double on my present. I really felt bad.

So, my point over here is that, I really didn't want the parents to fork out any more on me even though I'm disappointed.

But after my tuition that day, my dad came over and asked if I wanted the phone. I guess my sister went off and rattled to my dad. I was a bit reluctant, but I guess I was a bit vain and did wanted a new phone when everybody had one. In the end, my dad when down to the shop the next day and got another one. Since it was the third one we bought, we still had $100 off for that phone, so it was quite worthwhile.

My new baby~

front view


back view


a view of the camera

In the background is an old sock, one of my Esprit towel socks. I brought my phone out the other day but was pretty freaked about throwing my phone into my bag and getting it squashed, so I pulled out a random old sock to protect it. I never had any handphone pouch ever since I bought my 8310, and I only used that for like a couple of weeks before I got lazy, so this is really an effort for me to preserve the love I know my parents shower onto me. But I still love my 6230 too.

A little advertorial here. I badly want to sell away my 512mb memory card to get a new memory card for my new phone since it's incompatible. It's a 512mb reduced sized multimedia card from Kingston and is 3.3v. I got it last May before I flew over to Germany and it has neverbeen removed from my phone since I first put it in, so no scratches no nothing. I'm fine with the price, just nothing too rock bottom. I'll remove all my materials inside, unless you want pictures of me (yea, right).

I'm planning to buy a bluetooth port for my laptop so I can sell away my Nokia cable too. Definitely not that the retail price, anything about the price of a bluetooth port would be enticing.

I don't think I'd be selling away my 6230 anytime soon, unless i get really good offers. I still would like to keep the memory intact and I have yet transferred my contacts over to my new phone, but I might hurry have and do it if the offer is great, and I'm also willing to put down my past, and leave all those messages from my phones and all those memories those messages can bring me, if the price is good. Ya, and another thing, I have FIFA2004 inside my 6230, if that's anything enticing for you.

I still have the box set, charger, earphones, and a 32mb memory card all in the box. If anyone wants the whole package, with the cable, and the 512mb card, I'm perfectly negotiable. Actually I think my phone's in a pretty good condition. I don't think I've ever dropped it. It doesn't hang on me, I think it only auto shutdown like once in two months but it'd auto on again so it's nothing big.

Similiarly, if anyone has a 512mb dual voltage RS-MMC, or MMCMobile card to sell, can email me. I'm looking for something almost brand new. Or if you have a brand new bluetooth port you bought but not used, still in package, I'm also negotiable. Oh yar, and I don't mind if I get more than one offer since the father and the sister want to get those add ons too.

Actually, that day I was sitting down and exploring my N70. I realised that there was this one thing that lacks from my phone that might make it a perfect phone. Wifi. If any handphone can pack in wifi too, I guess that would be totally perfect. But of course, it has to be from Nokia, a candy bar phone, has all those functions I have in my 6230 and my N70. I have wireless at home, and there is wireless like in school and everywhere, with wifi phone I can be always online. GPRS is expensive and damn slow for my liking, and I don't think I'd get a PDA because it looks pretty useless (why would I need an organiser when I won't use it and I'm totally disorganised that nothing is going to help me, why bother?).

I realised I ranted on and on so much about the phone but I missed reviewing the phones functions and usebility. Well, I have not been taking photos or downloading songs into it yet, although I did take some pictures and transferred one song to be used as my ringtone. The phone is pretty slow since it works using that new interface. Messaging and calling, no problems. Photo and song quality, no problem. Quite a standard Nokia phone to use, but I'm not used with the new keys the "C" button especially since I always tend to press the top right hand button instead. And I have yet figured how to put a wallpaper on my face, any tips people?

But in all, that phone packs a lot in a small package. My Canon will be getting pbsolete pretty soon if I were to going to rely on my handphone as camera. wahaha~

Shopping with Jasmine

I went Body Shopping with Jasmine last Sunday, and it became a mini shopping trip. I like hanging out with Jasmine, she's so cool~ In a way, I won't feel that bimbotic when with her as Jasmine never fails to flaunt her bimboness. erm... hehehe~

Put two girls in a shopping trip, one with a camera, and see what havoc we can do.

But Sunday was a bit subdued. We concentrated on getting the necessities from Body Shop, then we headed about for some light shopping. Jasmine wanted this pair of Diesel shoes. I think we are very bad influences for each other. Everytime we go shopping together, our mothers get angry over the stuff we bring home, and the amount we'd spent on them, so I guess it's evident to whether Jasmine bought that pair of Diesel shoes.

I'd say it's money well spent. Good shoes are hard to find, especially shoes that care comfy and don't cut your leg and can allow you to walk a hundred miles in them without giving way. I'd say Birkies are all we need, but then again, not everyone is like me who've gone to Germany and snagged Birkies at half the local retail price.

After getting the shoes, we headed for the toilet.

Remember Parkway? At the place where John Little used to occupy, it's now a dozen new shops and a spanking nice and clean female toilet and baby room. If you notice the sign beside Esprit and Topshop, the toilet sign is only the female toilet sign. At first I thought it was a signage error, then upon entering the corridor, I realised that there was only the female toilet. I guess, the men just don't get it~

The toilet has this huge mirror and a ledge for women to prim themselves.

I leaned on the ledge and waited for dear Jasmine to be done using the toilet. Then we noticed that the toilet was very nice. Jasmine said a little something about taking pictures in the toilet when I suddenly remembered that I did have my camera with me.


"Jasmine, You've managed to camouflaged yourself!" I exclaimed.

Then I turned back and exclaimed, "Hey! I can camouflage myself too, but just my shorts. Jasmine, help me take a picture too,"

And Jasmine took this...

"Eh, where's my head ah, Jasmine?" me asked.
"Oops..." Jasmine replied. "And I'm in the picture too. heehee..."
"Help me take again can?" me asked.
"Sure, no probs," Jasmine replied.

And she took this...

"Erm... You best lor, Jasmine," me said.
"I guess next time your wedding you won't want me as photographer," Jasmine mused.

Then Jasmine looked into the mirror and said, "Hey! Let's take ourselves in the mirror again!"

Oop... Me did a Jasmine.

So, we tried again.

Nice~

That was not the end of our bimbotic theatrics. We went into Kalm's and oohed and ahhed over this jewellery box that looked like a closet, complete with a hanger from the top which can put earrings and necklaces and drawers for little bling blings. And I lifted up the top of the box, a little ballerina stood up and spinned with a soft tinkling sound. "Oh my God!" went the both us us immediately and audibly. And we continued a few more "Oh my Gods!" before we left the store.

Can someone help the both of us? I think we are very bad influences on each other. But I still love shopping with Jasmine. Brokeback Mountain and late night shopping at Cineleisure, girl~

Then we went for dinner at Pastamania. Actually I brought my camera to take picture of my food, but I forgot all about taking pictures when I saw food. Seafood pasta on Sunday. I so love seafood. I just had seafood pizza from Cartel on Friday night and I still had cravings for seafood on Sunday night.


I cleaned off all the clams when I remembered that I was supposed to take pictures of my food.


That's what left when I remembered.
One stubborn clam which I can't seem to manage to open. So wasted... The idea of having one more clam but not being able to eat it sucks. But I tried to console myself that usually bad clams don't open up, so there's a high possibility that that clam is bad since it's shut tightly.

After that Jasmine walked home, I took a bus home. but our escapades did not end there. It started to rain. I got stucked in the bus stop outside my house, while Jasmine got stucked in 7-11's. Maybe it's girl thing, we ended up both separately calling the daddies to come pick us up even though we are not more than a couple of walks away from our house. hehehe~

Jasmine, we should do this more often. Beats stuck at home, or in school, or in anywhere and getting depressed for no reasons or whatsoever.

Magenta Nails

All along I've decided to visit my manicurist on the Thursday before Chinese New Year. I thought that it was a good time to get a manicure and a pedicure done so that I can have beautiful nails for the Chinese New Year, and Thursday was my free day, I can get lots done on the Thursday.

On Wednesday afternoon or was it Thursday morning, I can't remember, I told my mother I was going to get my nails done. And to my greatest horror, I heard from my mother that my sister had gone to get her nails done, and there was a price hike of 20%. At first I thought that 20% for beautiful nails on Chinese New Year was still okay. I mean, the bak kwa too has got price hikes.

So on Thursday afternoon Joan went to the nail bar and to a greater horror than the price hike, she saw a long queue. I went on Thursday naively thinking that being a weekday there would be less people, but sorry hor, that wasn't the case at all. So I asked the manicurist if there was space for me to do. She gave me two slots, one on that day 6.15pm with a price hike of 60% and another on Saturday morning 9.30am with a price hike of 100%.

Thinking that I wasn't able to make it for the 6.15 slot, I picked the 9.30am one. But after walking for a few minutes, I realised that a price hike of 100% and having to wake up at a godforsaken time was absolutely horrendous. So I went back to the nail bar and crossed my fingers and asked if the 6.15 slot was still available. Luckily it was still available.

As I waited for my turn at 6.15pm, I the queue dragged on. There were still a lot of people waiting for the manicurists. I knew I was going to be late for my later appointment. I started regretting.

But I still went ahead and chose a colour for my nails. I wanted something red for my toes but I didn't want bloody reds. I went through the colours and finally picked one that was red with a dark pick tinge. Ladies Magenta it read as it colour. And that would be my colour.

As I was waiting for my turn, I noticed most other women colouring their nails dark red, I felt bright among them, and slightly regretted. Then I realised that unlike them, I've got what it takes to choose an eye-catchy colour, I might feel old, but the numbers on my IC can determine my youth. So that colour stuck.

I did my toes first. Once the colour went on my toes, all feelings of apprehension vanished. The colour was absolutely beautiful my my toes. Then it went on my fingers. Euphroia overtook me. BINGO!!! This is so my colour. Magenta, the colour of my shawl, the colour of a number of my clothes, including the piece I bought that day, and more accurately, it is my colour.



I've always loved the colour magenta, but this is the first time I'm going to acknowledge that as my favourite colour. All along magenta has this romantic image in me. I remember the days from my history lesson. It was said that the town Magenta was so named because of the blood during the war painted the whole area that shade of red. Sadistically, very lovely. It was also said that it was because of that scene after the war that led to Louis Napoleon pulling out of the military agreement he had with Cavour.

With this, I shall add under the favies section magenta as my favourite colour. Actually, this is also my favourite colour in the Blogger default colours. I might use red for my MSN, but when I use Windows Messenger, it's also this colour I pick. And most people dont know that my default colour for my MSN message window, it's this shade of pink/red that I use. hehehe~

I love my nails~~~

On Another Clothing Trail

This afternoon I went with my sister and my cousin on yet another shopping trip. With the experience two days ago, I continued the fitting of clothes frenzy and tried on a whole lot more clothes. As with the previous experience, I bought one piece out of all the pieces I tried on. I hadn't wanted to buy anything when I went on this trip, but but but...

Unlike town, I realised one thing about fitting rooms in Bugis, they are a lot smaller and darker hence some of the photos didn't turn out very nice. Actually, after reviewing most pictures I realise that the angled shots taken don't really do much justice to me. I've long legs, to make my legs look nicer, it would be better to take photos from down-up, but as me stuck in the cramp little fitting room having to take self-taken shots, I can only take photos top-down, and that I feel, don't really do justice to my legs. wahaha~


A black dress from Elle Active I seen in Bugis Seiyu, $59. I thought the hood looked cute on the dress, reminds me of something Zihui would wear. It also comes in purple and weird red and some other weird colours, black looked the most decent though. But it's also straight cut, so it doesn't really look that flattering on me, cannot show my curves. lol~


A red and white batik designed spaghetti strap sundress from Urban Co, $59. It's the nicest dress I tried on this afternoon. The material is nice and soft to touch and feels very comfortable on me and it makes my boobs look bigger and hides my tummy well and shows off some curves and cleavage. Just too bad I was wearing a tube bra when I tried on that dress.


A red bikini from this bikini shop in Bugis, can't remember the name of the shop, $130. I thought the cutting of the bikini looked pretty interesting, just that as like most bikinis, because me don't have the substance to fit in the bikini, me can't wear it well. And me got tummy. No photoshopping out the tummy. But hey, life is fair, I get my nice legs in exchange for the horrible tummy. Just too bad this picture didn't show my legs cos I was wearing a short short skirt out shopping today. hehehe~


Grey shorts with white details in print from Surf and Ski, $89. It's soft cotton denim like material, a very comfortable wear and looks very nice on me. And I am looking for another pair of shorts having worn the same pair like over and over again. But I didn't like this colour, grey looks a bit deary on me. And the thought that they have the same design in red, my colour, but the red they don't have it in my size. wahaha~ $89... Maybe I wouldn't have bought it either, but it is the greatest temptation of the day.


See the red one, looks so much nicer on me. But this is one size bigger than my size, I can wear it as a hipster, but it's already a hipster so it's super hippie for me and the cutting around the thighs also feels very "open" and "airy". hehehe~ So, I didn't get it in the end. Seriously, I think if they had that in my size I really might have bought it.


A black skirt with white and lilac details from Billabong seen in the same shop as the shorts above, $59. This skirt isn't my size, it's one size larger so it looks super hipster when it is already a hipster. It was actually hanging precaciously on my hips and with a light tug you can get the skirt down.


The same skirt in brown and white and pink details in my size. Looks and feels better than the previous one, but brown... I already have a brown short skirt and I was wearing that that day too, you can se it in the above bikini photo vaguely. So I bought the black one in my size. Yup~ I bought this!!! Okay, not this but the previous one, which brings my tally of new skirts to three. I've now bought and have not worn three new skirts. All three new skirts are still in their packaging and hanging on my room door waiting to be washed and worn.


A black dress with a rose pinned in front by ICE, $109. I didn't really look that nice in the dress, it showed my bulging tummy but Suelynn looked splendid in it. She ended up feeling torn the whole day wanting or not to get that dress.


A black tube dress with crumples over the tummy and a flair skirt, some little shop in the Edge in Bugis, $49. This photo looks horrible cos this shop was little and the fitting room was not only little, it was also dimly lit and hence the photo cannot really show those details of the dress which make the dress look special. And also the dress was pretty loose, these dresses come in freesizing so if it's loose, it's loose.


The same black dress with the same details only in halterneck version, same price. I prefer halternecks cos I have nice boney and square and broad and nice shoulders and collarbone, so halternecks actually brings out the beauty of my shoulders and neck, and it makes my boobs looks bigger and my whole body a bit more shapely. But black? I did a double take and tried on the next piece...


The same dress in red. This this photo shows the details a bit clearer. Imagine these details on the previous two black dresses. Red is more of my colour and it looked pretty nice on me, but but but but but... This time got 5 buts. I was telling my sister, this looks like a dress worn to commit suicide. Looks like a dress worn to jump off a building. Reminds me very vividly of a screenplay I wrote, Scarlet Flight.

I think I'm on a roll lately. But don't think I'll actually dare to go on another shopping trip with those two girls in the very near future. I spent like more than a hundred dollars today, other than skirt I bought sever comic. I bought three Fruitsbasket after not buying it for a very long time, the latest Tsubasa, and Full Metal Alchemist, Chuangyi's English version at $8.50 per piece, I bought three pieces, I'm so broke now. I think Chuangyi is discriminating English readers. This is so unfair! English versions of the same titles are like 20% more expensive.

Me think me go read me comics liao.