Kaki Shopping

Well, it’s finally here. The clearance sale at Chicwear, which offers discounts of up to 50% on selected items. I personally own a few pieces of these delicate little things, and I can tell you that they are totally worth it. Excellent quality, with superb fabric and finishing. Love it to bits.

If you’ve been itching to get yourself something sexy, now is definitely the right time! Guys, surprise your loved one with something she least expects. Check out the clearance collection now!  I’m sure you’ll be spoilt for choice…

…oh, and don’t forget…shipping to anywhere in Malaysia is absolutely FREE!

Tell me who can resist a free gift?

Well, okay it isn’t exactly free, but it’s a rather good deal.

You see, Estee Lauder has recently introduced its new mascara called Sumptuous.  This is a mascara that promises to add volume to the lashes.

Consumers are of course welcome to try this new mascara (retailing at RM85).  However, why not take full advantage of this sumptuous exchange by Estee Lauder?  Just bring along any of your old mascaras (even if it’s an empty tube, it doesn’t matter), and hurry along to the nearest Estee Lauder counter.  And simply exchange it for a deluxe size Sumptuous mascara worth RM43.  It’s not the full-sized one, mind you, but since mascara has a shelf-life of 3 months from the time it is opened, this would be sufficient.  The full-sized one is a gold tube, whereas the deluxe one is a dark blue tube.

Coincidentally, I had an old Clinique mascara that I had procrastinated in throwing out.  So I brought that along and exchanged it for a Sumptuous mascara.  I only had to fill out a short particulars form and I walked away with the new Sumptuous mascara!

Ain’t that a sumptuous deal indeed?

Hurry!  Go get yours whilst stocks lasts!

I have been using the Envirosax for a couple of months now, and I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love them! I was blessed to have won 2 of these shopping bags in a giveaway organized by Tiny Tapir a few months back, you see, and nowadays, I find every chance I can to use the bags when I go shopping.

For one, they are incredibly trendy. I have one in an orange hue and another one in a monochromatic black and white, so these pretty much allow me to effortlessly mix and match the bags with my outfits It really thrills me to no end when I tell the cashier, “No thanks, I don’t need a plastic bag for that,” and then I whip out my Envirosax and place my purchase in it.

Secondly, I love the extremely comfortable drop offered by the handles of the Envirosax. This really allows me to sling the bag over my shoulder, as opposed to lugging plastic bags with my fingers.

Well, I do admit that sometimes I do accept a few of the plastic bags that the supermarket packs the stuff I buy in, but more so because I want to separate the wet food items from the non-food items. For example, if I bought some fish and also some washing detergent, I would then separate my purchases and place them all into one Envirosax.

Another thing I love about the Envirosax is that they are mighty durable. And if they ever get soiled, I can easily just wipe or rinse them out with water. Also, it’s handy to carry one around in my handbag at all times because the design of the bag makes it so easy to fold and store in a compact manner.

I’m glad I am going green by using these reusable bags, because I know that I am contributing to a greener environment in my own personal way. And you know what? You can, too!

Here’s where you can get your hands on your own stylish reusable shopping bag, and believe me, there are other brands and designs to get you hooked too. Check them out here!

Photo credits: Envirosax

I wrote about the Clarins HydraQuench challenge giveaway sometime back, and I was surprised by the immense interest shown by my readers, some new ones too, really. After all, the word FREE will typically generate a considerable amount of interest. Even though I claimed my free product a while back, I had forgotten to share my experience until I was reminded of it yesterday when I read about Pinkelle’s not-too-good experience.

And it all came flooding back to me. Just like déjà vu.

Although my friend’s experience was at the counter in The Gardens, Midvalley, it did not differ much from my experience at the Clarins counter in Jaya Jusco Queensbay Mall.

I remember I was doing a quick round of lunch shopping, when I suddenly remembered I had to claim the free product from Clarins. I popped over to the counter and was delighted to note that there were no customers there. I called out to the sales assistant, who was doing something else OTHER than greet me, and she came with a listless expression on her face which seemed to convey, “What is it now?”

I then produced my e-voucher printout and she took out a folder and gave me a survey to fill out. The survey was about a show on TV which I don’t watch, hence I can’t recall what show it was. But in order to qualify for the product, I filled it out anyway.

Then she gave me the product, which unfortunately was NOT one of the latest range of Clarins HydraQuench products advertised. The sales assistant told me that they had already run out of the Clarins HydraQuench range of products which suited my skin, so instead I was given a moisturizer, but it was one from the old range. And yes, that was the EXTENT of my free skin consultation that was provided.

See, this was the “old-range” moisturizer I was given:

Anyway, I could not insist on the new product because the e-voucher did have a “while stocks last” condition , but then I told her that I did not have time for the makeover at that time, and asked if I could come back at a later date to claim it. She looked slightly shocked, and with a straight face, she told me that the product would only be given out TOGETHER with the makeover. I then asked her if I could give her my e-voucher, take the product and THEN come for the makeover some other day.

Reluctantly, she said ok, but she frowned and warned me that the makeover offer would only be available for a month from that date. I asked her if there was a number I could call to make an appointment for the makeover, and without even looking at me, she lifted the receiver of her phone to reveal the number and read it out to me in a monotonous manner. She didn’t even bother writing it out for me! The nerve!

I then asked whom I should ask for when I called up. I thought perhaps they had a makeup specialist who was in charge of makeovers. That’s when she looked up rather irritatedly and said, “Anyone who answers the phone will do.” She even issued an additional caveat that if there was a customer having her facial done at the time I scheduled my makeover, they would not have enough hands to attend to me.

Oh yeah, and all this time, not a smile from her at all!

No prizes for guessing if I ever went back for that 30-minute makeover.

While doing my grocery shopping a few weeks ago in Jaya Jusco Queensbay Mall, I discovered this:

Did you get it the first time? (by the way, all the different flavors of nasi goreng packets cost the same, i.e. 55 cents a packet)

Let me paint a clearer picture for you:

1 packet of Fried Rice mix = 55 sen
1 *value pack* of Fried Rice mix (consisting ot 4 individual packets) = RM2.40

Huh?

It doesn’t take someone with an honors degree in Mathematics to realize that it is definitely more economical to buy individual packets huh?

So be WARY when purchasing in bulk. And DO NOT be deceived.

*Updated: I checked the price the following week and apparently they have repriced the value pack at RM2.20 now, but they forgot to remove one of the RM2.40 price tags.

This time of year, when the malls are abuzz with excitement from sales and bargains, make sure you are in the pinkest of health before you even think of heading out into the crowds. I thought the crowds in Penang were already bad as it is, but when I saw the shopping mall in the Klang Valley, I almost reeled over from shock! The amount of people who thronged the malls is enough to warrant an ablation to someone with a weak heart.

Well, it could be due to the fact that there were a lot of Penang car number plates around at that time too, plus I overheard a lot of Hokkien being spoken as well. Hah.

While driving this morning, I caught an ad on the radio publicizing the Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival 2008.  I was surprised to note that they had a website too, and was eager to go check the site out.

The official website of the Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival was simple enough, catchy and interesting with a striking red background. I was eager to discover what goodies it contained, and so I clicked on the Sale Events link.  They had segregated it into the different states in Malaysia, and naturally, since I reside in Penang, I clicked on that first.

But I was disappointed to note that it only listed a miserable THREE shopping locations in Penang, namely Island Plaza, Gurney Plaza and the (hardly ever visited) Gama.  There wasn’t even a mention of Queensbay Mall!  And I honestly do not think it is because there are NO ACTIVITIES in Queensbay Mall for the entire Mega Sales Carnival, because I go there every week, and it’s really a place that is bustling with activity all the time.

Still, the official site did have a Tourist Privilege Card page which offered various promotions and discounts for tourists.  But truth be told, this site could still do with some major improvements, because it really is a far cry from the official shopping website of our good neighbor, i.e. The Great Singapore Sale site.

By the way, the Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival 2008 is happening July 5th all through September 1st 2008.

As I embraced motherhood, I found that my shopping trends had swayed somewhat. Often times, I find myself oohing and aahing over clothes and apparel in the kids’ section. Sometimes I find myself willing to sacrifice buying that sexy negligée just to get a few cute kid’s items. SIGH.

And this is why I am also drooling over the tees at Trendy Tadpole. Funky and tongue-in-cheek statements emblazoned on t-shirts that are bound to catch the attention of many, what’s there not to love? This is the place to shop fo witty, fun and trendy clothes for your bubs.

Photo Credits

Now for the good stuff: there are TWO(2) Trendy Tadpole tees to be won by way of lucky draw. Check out the details at Parent Reviewers now. The only catch is that this giveaway is only open to those residing in the US. But if you have friends with kids in the US, send it to them as a gift! I’m sure they’d appreciate it!

… but I will NOT be going.

Yeah, you heard me right….

Why?

I need to refrain from spending excessively and limit my spending to only on my needs. The last few times I visited the GAP when it was on sale, I ended up buying bagloads of stuff. Oh, they were all really cool and gorgeous stuff of course, and all were on sale, some even up to 60% discount! I have THREE black dresses from the GAP now, all favorites of mine and all bought during the sale.

So yeah, of course I am yearning to step into the GAP during the sale, but I am afraid I won’t be able to restrain myself. Well, perhaps if I walk in without a credit card, that could work… and I am also feeling an immensely strong force pulling me to the Baby GAP store too.

HELP!!!!

The GAP Sale starts today, July 4 2008.

As much as I love shopping in malls and shopping complexes, there is a quaint fascination and an almost intriguing, exciting splendor about shopping in tiny shops and stalls, selling all sorts of knick-knacks. I read that the shopping experience in Negril, Jamaica is nothing short of exceptional. Call it the Caribbean shopping experience if you must, but I am sure you will be spoilt for choice with the vast array of hand-crafted products, colorful beachwear (it is, after all Jamaica!), and authentic jewellery pieces that will make you the envy of many.

And once you are all done with your shopping spree, you can check yourself into one of the many splendid all inclusive resorts in Jamaica, which offer adult vacations that cater for everything you have ever dreamed of. Golf, scuba diving, snorkeling, spa and special honeymoon and wedding packages; you name it, they’ve got it.

With shopping and relaxation all rolled into one fantastic holiday, need we ask for more?