The primary objective of the trip was to get myself a food processor. Since we started on a slow carb diet, I’ve had found myself pureeing and cutting ingredients much more creatively. Relying on just my old school blender and knife was more difficult than I had anticipated.

Plus, I needed a food processor to make short crust pastry…for those wonderful diet cheat days :P

Behold…my new Braun Multiquick 7 K3000 aka the Kitchen Machine.

# – The large box to house loads of accessories.

Our initial plan was to get something from the Philips Robust Collection or a Magimix, but to our surprise, none of the products were carried by the land of Singapore.

The Multiquick 7 caught our eyes and after reading 9 stellar reviews on Amazon, we decided to take it.

# – Wasted no time to test it out.

# – The french fries cutting blade was amazing! 3 potatoes cut to perfection in under a minute.

Unfortunately, as I was too engrossed with my new toy, I burnt my first batch of fries made with the Multiquick 7 :(

But it’s okay, I expect the machine to last me through to my mid 50s. That’s a lot, a lot of fries.

# – I cleared out a drawer specially just to store all the accessories so everything is within reach. The last thing I want is something to sit at the back of the cabinet collecting dusts.

In the midst of hunting for the food processor, we managed to do some unnecessary shopping too.

By the way, we dropped by DFS Galleria, that place is quite scary lor. Lots of ravenous looking rich middle aged PRC women shopping and their men dozing off in the plush sofas waiting.

I can’t say I wasn’t wishful but for now, my man & I happily crossed the bridge to Far East Plaza which is directly opposite DFS, hehehe.

This bag caught my eyes.

# – $49.90 SING for a full leather bag. SCORE!

# – It has baby skulls all over it. SCORE!!

On our last day in Singapore, we also checked out Bencoolen Plaza for cheap Casio watches.

While the man got himself a serious, features-packed G-Shock, I got myself a pink watch.

With pink illumination. Hehehehe.

# – My pink G-Shock.

# – <3

This was by far one of my nicest trip to Singapore filled with good food (yeah, I’m surprised too) and good shopping. The weather held up nicely for us too, not too hot or humid. Will blog about our food trail soon.

Have a good Monday!

# – The “deal”.

Earlier last week, I called a published number to make my reservation and the call was received by a man who seemed to be in a mighty rush. I could barely hear him. Halfway through saying my name and details, he cut me off by saying “Text me”. I was still half-way speaking when I had to stop to clarify with him, “You mean to SMS you the details?”. He said, “Yeah, I’m not in restaurant now, just use this number”. I said OK and texted him my details. He replied with another SMS..

# – Our SMS correspondence.

Reservation was efficient and swift, almost downright robotic. Interestingly, I felt mildly abused.

So yeah, yesterday I took my bf to the restaurant. Honestly, I didn’t have supremely high expectations but I did expect fair service for RM40 a person.

Well, at this point, I really don’t feel like elaborating my experience there, why don’t I just list it down in point form?

1. We we were seated by a toilet.

Okay, first of all, the restaurant was not full. Not even close. As to why he sat us by a toilet when there were plenty of seats elsewhere available baffled me. On top of that, I made a reservation a week prior so seriously, he could have seated us somewhere more comfortable.

2. He asked to see my vouchers barely 10 seconds after I sat down.

“Can I see the vouchers?”. I obliged him. Okay, it’s efficiency, I tried to remind myself. But there it was, the unfamiliar lingering sense of being abused washed all over me again.

3. He gave us a piece of laminated menu with only the dishes offered on the deal printed on.

I didn’t give much thought to this at first. I selected my choice of appetizer, main & dessert but as I was beginning to be inundated with feeling of dissatisfaction at my “Flame Grilled Sirloin Steak (Australian grain fed beef, served with baked potato, sweet corn and a tangy side salad)” courtesy of the amount of inedible & chewy fatty bits, I started to wonder whether they had better stuff on the menu and then it hit me…

They didn’t even bother to show me their full menu. They didn’t care whether I’d return or not. Nice one :)

4. Clearing up plates really fast.

Wow, lightning speed clearing up of plates. Good thing I guess till our next point……

5. Bringing dessert really fast.

My bf has finished (or stopped attempting to eat, depending on how you look at it) his main course while I was still trying to eat mine. The efficient waiting staff cleared his plate. And then they brought him his dessert.

And mine too, while I was still eating my main.

It was ice cream atop an apple crumble. I was pissed mad.

6. There were no refillable drinks.

In all the times they approached us to clear our plates, not once that did offer to refill our drinks. NOT ONCE.

# – Free flow? What free flow?

We resorted to putting our empty glasses by the edge of the table hoping to attract some attention but yet, none noticed. Or none cared…I wonder?

At the end of dinner, I truly felt I had overpaid my dinner. RM39.90 for bland, tasteless mushroom soup or 2 pieces of miserable brushetta and the laughable stringy, chewy, fat beef they market as Australian grain-fed sirloins? The only decent thing I had eaten from the deal was the apple crumble dessert, but it wasn’t enough to sweeten the bitter taste I had acquired in my mouth.

As for the customer service? Wow, I’ve never felt so slighted in my life. I mean there are places in Malaysia that you don’t expect to be treated as a paying customer but this restaurant, with it semi-classy setup should not be one of those places. Not especially with the prices they’re charging.

In comparison, I went to Jake’s (a family steak house known for its rich & famous guests as well as its delicious but expensive steaks) dressed in a free t-shirt, sweat pants & dirty sneakers with NO reservation during their peak times and yet I did not feel remotely slighted. And most importantly, they did not seat me by the toilets. And they kept refilling my ice water.

Unless these restaurant owners are properly educated that these deals are platforms for them to prove that they’ve got it, I don’t think I’d ever buy a restaurant voucher from any group-buy website anymore.

Then Michelle (affectionately known as Ah Meow), an old friend started this website showcasing and selling her very own needle felted wool crafts. My willpower imploded almost instantaneously.

With not a minute trace of hesitation, I sent out an email to her, attached with my son, Charlie’s picture. The email subject line was simply, “omg omg omg omg”. I was literally starring at my inbox, waiting for first sign of response from her side. That was how much I wanted it!!!

# – This was the picture I sent to Ah Meow.

Fast forward to last week, Ah Meow called to tell me that the needle felt doll is already finished. I tell you, I seriously felt a rush of euphoria upon hearing from her and promptly got her to meet me the very evening.

# – Welcome to your new home, mini Charlie :D

I am so impressed with Ah Meow! The resemblance is uncanny! She’s got all the details down, even the way the flesh around his eyes wrinkle up!

# – Mini Charlie and Big Charlie.

You can read about Ah Meow’s post on making Mini Charlie for me here.

It’s hanging in my bag now but I’m hoping to pimp up my crackberry soon and use it as a phone charm!!! Ya, everyone deserves a first time!

# – Big Charlie approves of Mini Charlie :D

Neko-Meow’s Little Corner (http://www.nekomeow.com/)
Email: mail.nekomeow@gmail.com

Thank you so much Ah Meow. This is the best early Xmas present I’ve ever gotten!

At first I had no idea where to go because I had never been to a shop that sells tailoring stuff in my life. Except for the one that my Mom used to go hem her curtain but it’s too tiny and uninteresting for me to go all the way to Cheras for scissors :P

So thanks goodness for Twitter! All you need to do is just ask!

So yesterday, I made my way to PJ Old Town to find Syarikat Sin Wah. It was located on the row of shoplots just next to McDonalds (imagine if you’re facing the road from Mcdonald’s, the row of shop is on your right).

When I walked into the shop, I was in awe!

Walls of buttons.

Walls of fabrics, threads & laces.

Beaded ribbons.

I wish I could take more pictures but I was afraid that my sniper happy behaviour would make the owners (an old couple) uncomfortable. Lets just say that my pictures are not doing the shop justice. There are so many stuff & tools for craft as well as things for making both malay & chinese weddings favours.

I even saw some faux leather fringes that I think I could work with in some future sewing projects! For a short while, I almost forgot the actual reason I was there…

I asked the aunty what sort of scissors is best for a beginner. She asked me whether I sew curtains or clothes. I said clothes. Then she said I should get something lighter for easy maneuvering although the heavier & more expensive one would last me a long time.

Heeding her advice, I got this pair of beauty:

Only cost me slightly less than RM30.

I can’t wait to go back!!!

No.64, Jalan 1/19, 46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, D.E, Malaysia.
Petaling Jaya
Selangor
46000, Malaysia

Tel: 603-77826989
Fax: 603-77823989

And this is what Sabrina replied to me in matter of minutes. Thanks babe!

I made the call to Hairkunst while still driving and managed to score an appointment with Jojo.

At The Curve, I called them again because I couldn’t find their premise. It’s because the shop is located with the offices. You have to take the lifts behind Sakae Sushi to 2nd floor. Nice decor, nice music and complimentary internet usage (with a laptop!!!).

The service was outstanding. Jojo was a joy. She patiently listened to my hair predicament and then told me what she could do. She was never once patronising and best of all….none of those product pushing bullshit.

I told her I wanted a soft fringe and layered body to offset the kink where my straightened and natural hair meets. She gave me exactly what I wanted but better.

#1 – Before

#2 – Shampooing

#3 – Nip Nip Nip

#4 – Final touches

#5 – Result

#6 – Ms. Jojo of Hairkunst, The Curve

The price for my do? I had earlier withdrawn RM500 to make sure I had enough to pay for the cut and some impending products I may succumb to purchase.

I was shell-shocked to be charged the grand sum of RM55.

Hairkunst,
The Curve,
Lot 226, 2nd Floor
6, Jalan PJU7/3, Mutiara Damansara
47800 Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Tel: 03-77105585

am nursing a cold with loads of lemsip. it’s the best thing ever. panadol soluble? bah. we bought loads of lemsip on our last trip to uk. i wonder when we’re going to have them here. lemsip is the shiznit.

#1 – Lemsip

my cosmetic stash bought from strawberrynet has arrived safely. i’m quite impressed with the way they had packed the stuff. each item was meticulously wrapped with silver coloured paper or bubblewrap and then placed in a box stuffed with styrofoam.

#2 – it has arrived!

#3 – styrofoam nuggets.

#4 – the goodies.

#5 – unwrapping. this is the part where it felt like xmas morning.

#6 – xmas came early.

#7 – arezia 36 colours!

anyway, i’ve been following this forum thread about a puppy owner seeking donation of RM1500 for CAT scan for her sick 3 month old puppy. seemed like a legitimate case until it was revealed how irresponsible the owner is and how the pet store owners (who sold her the puppy in the first place) themselves have taken to task to care for the poor puppy instead (kudos to the folks at Fluff Pet Store in NZX). all because the owner claims she and her family members have no money. wtf, no money why get a puppy? stories of irresponsible pet owners get me really fucking angry. if you can’t afford it don’t get em. they’re not toys that you can chuck and dispose when you’re bored or when they’re sick. caring for a dog takes up a lot of money, time and patience if you’re lacking of any of those just don’t fucking bother ok.

now, back to figuring out this income tax thing -__-

i got my supply from eu-yan sang, a leading chinese traditional healthcare company in malaysia. i’m supposed to take a bottle of this on a weekly basis. i can’t really tell whether it’s working but i’ll know when my next period arrives.

#1 – eu-yan sang bak foong pills.

anyway, this morning, in a mood for some light reading i decided to check out the ingredients of the bak foong pills. check em out:

#2 – the ingredients.

okay, at first i thought they were just some tragically spelt words but imagine my surprise when google revealed that Faeces Trogopterori are indeed poop. rat’s poop. flying rat’s poop to be specific.

at this point, i wasn’t so sure about googling for Semen Sesami Nigrum. click the link if you want to find out what’s google’s explanation for Semen Sesami Nigrum.

well, i’m not going to stop taking my bak foong pills, they did cost me about RM90 for 6 miserable bottles. so how far would you go for good health? chugging your own urine, anyone?

#1 – Kin Kin in Kuala Lumpur, Off Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman. Spot the Paul Teh?

Place was packed. And service was incredibly slow. I think we waited for like 45 minutes before our food arrived -_-

#2 – Packed.

When the pan mee arrived, it was all worth it.

#3 – Kin Kin dry pan mee.

#4 – Yeah, one branch is good for now. Cause they’re not very good at QC.

After lunch and some work, we left for PJ office. At the turnoff from the Hartamas highway to Section 17, I got stopped by traffic police for speeding :P

He asked why I was speeding. I told him I didn’t realise I was. Then he asked for my driving license, then proceeded to ask if I wanted “help”. I said no, give me the summon. He asked me if I were sure. I said, yeah give me the summon I did something wrong.

And guess what…dude told me it’s okay, he’s letting me off because of my “smile”.

“Takpe lah..boleh pergi. Kerana you punya senyum”. wtf -_-”

My good day continued all the way to the office. My mineral makeup stash has arrived all the way from US of A. I was so excited when I saw the security uncle carried a brown envelope into my room. Almost did a dance when he passed the envelope to me (not trying to be drama but you know how much burden is lifted knowing your online shopping has arrived safely in your hands). Aside from the stuff I ordered, Silk Naturals has even given me 1 perfecting powder and 3 eye colours for free! I love shopping with Silk Naturals, so many surprises :)

#1 – Bubble envelope.

#2 – Meticulously wrapped.

#3 – Unwrapped!

#4 – Free gifts :D :D :D

Yeah and I just danced along to Dancer by The Killers with the babber before clicking ‘Publish’. Happiness is derived from the simplest of things. Hope my good fortune continues.

I’m a big fan of Skittles. I never really got it why they made the original Skittles smaller when they’re already small but I do now. It is because the people over at Skittles have creative ideas that don’t work. Fortunately the severely miniaturised Skittles can survive by the virtue of its taste alone.

Anyway, when I was in Singapore and saw these Skittles Spray Candy, I had to try it. Spraying candy onto tongue…wow! So I bought 3 tubes. About 1sing per tube.

I tried it as soon as my feet touched Malaysian soil. My excitement soon turned into utter disappointment. I had genuinely believe the sweet liquid mist would crystalise upon contact with my tongue, it didn’t. You can get the same effect by filling up a spray bottle with any flavoured syrup you like, aim at your tongue and squeeze. Yes, Skittles Spray Candy is that stupid.

p/s: And I guess I’m more stupid to have fallen for it.

p/p/s: Yes, this is a filler post.

On my first day I wore a mini floral dress accented by a pink ribbon.

#1

#2

The following is the dress I’m wearing for the second day of CNY. A gingham dress I got from Jo’s online boutique before the brick and mortar shop was launched.

The yellow chiffon shirt is from MNG (conveniently, a shirt I got for CNY last year and never wore) and I’m wearing it because I don’t think Granny fancies seeing so much of her little granddaughter’s cleavage =P

#3

#4

I’ve got another dress and high waisted skirt from Paperdoll I’ve yet to show here. Will feature them when I find an occasion to wear :)

Happy Chinese New Year, how was your angpow collection?

Paperdoll
Tropicana City Mall
Lot L1-43, 1st Floor
3, Jalan SS20/27,
47400, Petaling Jaya, Selangor