That 1 year itch

Apart from the almost-weekly-sinful retail shopping, I realized I have a terrible habit. It usually comes as a yearly itch that I find it hard to curb.

I thought I would have made it this year without any new purchases but this was too hard to resist...

Balenciaga Classic City 10th Anniversary Edition in Lizard Embossed skin

Interior fabric is in animal print

So will I break the curse next day? It is undeniably a challenge considering that we'll be going to Europe in March!!! *beams* How is it possibly acceptable to come back from Europe EMPTY-HANDED?! (as I typed this, the hub in background is shaking his head)

Of course, how can I miss X'mas not buying gifts for the two boys in my house? Then again, isn't X'mas supposed to be a season for spending, spending, spending? :P

A wife has to wear many hats

It's time to dish away the notion that a wife's job only involves around the 4 concrete walls of a kitchen.

These days, being a wife means you'll need to be able to don many hats. Not only do we have to work as an extra source of income to the family, be the food supply of your infant, the educator and disciplinarian to your child, the soul mate and companion of your husband and sometimes dress as a teaser to make yourself still look appealing to the man (ok I'm really joking about the last part), you'll soon be also needing to know how to replace the lightings in the house or fix a clogging toilet bowl.

There you have it. And we don't even get paid for being a Jane of all trades.

Why am I whining?

The husband has gone for a 3 days 2 night sales seminar at the Ritz and have left the task of single-handedly ferrying the son home and to school for the next 3 days. No big deal considering that I've done this a few times when he was in reservist.

Now, the brilliant husband must be thinking that his wife is also capable and knowledgable to decide on the appliances to buy for his parents currently-under-renovation kitchen. He has rendered me the task to get "the best but reasonably priced (which simply means cheap and very good) kitchen sink".

Sure. I can do it. Easy peasy.

So I dropped by SSC last evening.

Not wanting to sound like a noob, I asked confidently to the SA, "I need a kitchen sink".

"Any particular brands? One hole, two holes, gloss finish, matt finish? Ceramic or stainless steel finish? Tap integrated with the sink or over the counter?", the SA enquired helpfully.

I JUST NEED A BLARDY SINK. HOW COME THERE'RE SO MANY REQUIREMENTS ONE????

The many types of sinks to choose from

To ensure that I made the right choice, I called the busy husband. "Hello. So what kind of sink does your mom prefers?" To which the assuring husband reply "You decide." -_-

Cheapest is from China. Scratch that. Second is Australia. It even comes with free integrated chopping board and drainer. Old people like freebies right? I asked the friendly SA. She must be thinking I'm using my in-laws as an excuse to buy a sink.

Ini mini miny moe.

Finally, I decided on Reginox (from Holland) sink. Matt finish, less prone to scratches, deep basins. Ang mo brand cannot go wrong right?

After rounds of mind boggling to choose the 'perfect' sink, I proceeded to the cashier to confirm my order.

"Miss, so what kind of tap do you want to go with it? Mixer or non mixer? Short one, tall one sturdy one or thin one?

!!!!!????!!!!!!!!!!!!????!!!!!!!!!!!!????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!??

The many types of taps to choose from

Luckily, taps only come in ONE color. I was pretty impressed that it took less than an hour to purchase the items. C warned beforehand that delivery is not included and that I would have to cash and carry home.

Thankfully, the showroom didn't have ready stocks and so they offered to deliver the items FOC. How do you expect me to hand carry those things in my stilettos?!?

I passed the receipt to my in-laws when I reached their place and explained on how I managed to decide on what sink was supposedly the best.

They nodded doubtfully and proceeded to ask, "So when are you going to get the cooker hob?"

Seoul in 5 days

I've come to realize that flying in the midnight hour is no child's play. Arriving at the destination at an unearthly hour with an atrocious line of crowd is not amusing at all.

Arrived at Incheon airport at 7:07 Seoul time = 6:07 Sg time!! *yawn yawn* Not enough sleep. And look at the maddening queue! I wished a rain would chase them away. -_-

The very "not-so-funny" driver told me we would reached the hotel in 30 mins. I dozed off shortly after and awoke 1.5 hours only to find myself still stuck in the streaming morning jam. "How long more do we need to get to the hotel?" I asked. "30 mins" said the driver.

I realized later that "30 mins" was the only English word he knew. At least I thought so. -_-

Stayed at the Intercon and the room was HUGE.

The subway in Seoul was like a labyrinth! With no time to lose, I had to carefully pick the "MUST GO" places to get the "MUST GET" things on my long long shopping list from friends and family.

So first, it was to Jamsil - where Lotte Mart is and the nearest Toys R Us store I could find. Yes, toys for my boy first. He is priority!

They have cashiers moulded like trains, so cute! In the end, I bought 2 sets of the same things - one for Jayden, the other for Ziv's coming birthday.

Next, to the famous Dongdaemon. Sadly, there was NOTHING I could buy. Perhaps with limited time, it wasn't wise to comb through the flea markets - in the freezing windy weather.

Myeong-dong, on the other hand was livelier. And that's where the beauty frenzy starts. BB cream, face masks, foot masks, whatever cream/gel/moouse that you can slap on your face at crazily affordable prices! I bought so many facial masks, people must be thinking that I have a serious skin problem!

When the fun ends, it's time for real work - meetings, late nights and lots of drinking over a sumptous spread of dinner. Cel made me felt worst by saying that she goes to the gym everyday. *stare*

Hot shabu shabu for lunch

Cherry blossoms on the way to work!

And cheers to Apple Soju!

See. Eating like this everyday, how not to put on weight ah. *stares at erupting tummy*

And the rest of the week were spent like a recycled routine. Wake up, rush for meetings, talk, eat, drink, then crawl back to hotel late at night to get 4 hours of sleep. And tomorrow starts again. Kind of reminded me of late night feedings. *shudders*

The loots!

4 baggages and 2 more at the airport. I had no idea how I managed to lug them home.

I have never been happier to be back home, in the familiar heat and my personal slave aka Dylan to help me carry my shopping bags. Tee hee hee...

I need to get that gadget!

March has got to be my highest spending month!

From beauty spree to holiday trips, I have now succumb to venturing into IT fairs and come out with loots that I'm not sure if I will fully ever use.

On top of that, I have also purchased my very VERY early 30th birthday gift - no thanks to the attractive additional discount that fateful day. I was pacing up and down outside the shopping outlet for hours before I decided to step foot and burst my credit card limit. (more on that later)

Yep. I had over-spent.

Ahhh... but such hedonistic purchases are self-gratifying. Besides, I have a friend who shared her 'wisdom' with me - "Life is short. Money is meant to be spent". I hate her guts. But more often, I admire her for always taking the plunge and living life without regrets. ;)

And indeed, shopping is therapeutic - regardless of what I buy. Of course, I try to not to open my letter box too soon. Seeing the bills sent promptly is a killjoy.

Bought a 500GB HDD to store the heaps of photos and videos of Jayden. Yes. It's only meant to store his stuff and it is THAT MANY. I was about to sieve myself out of the jam when I heard a luring voice over the loudspeaker - "Cheap Sale! Netbook for sale! Only 5 sets!"

That froze me on the spot.

I pushed the idea of buying a netbook a gazillion times for the fact that I hardly use the com at home. But having to fight with Dylan on who gets the mouse sometimes peeves me. Coincidently, the color was the same as the HDD.

IT MUST BE A SIGN.

It makes both me and Dylan happy. After all, Money is meant to be spent right? *winks at knowing friend*

The Beauty Regime

... ... is a very expensive routine to maintain. However, one shall never compromise on the quality of the products as the end result would evidently show on your face.


ALRIGHT.


The above is merely an excuse to redeem myself from the mad buying spree I had last week at the Robinsons sale. I was happily swipping the credit card without a hoot. In a mere half and hour, I am a 400 bucks poorer. If the credit card could function like the EZlink, I'm pretty sure I would have broken the record.

My loyal 'friend' for the past 10 years - SKII

MAC cosmectics for daily use

Clinique facial wash in jumbo size (limited edition)

The Sequel

It was supposed to be a bag. The word "Out of Stock" does not exist in my shopping list. And hence, I have got to get something from Europe! And thanks to Rach, my dreams are fulfilled.

Finally, a long wallet to fit all the cards and bills. It also doubles up as an evening clutch! Yums!

Addicted

It used to be that four letter word that sends my heart pulsating rapidly. Getting the feet all burnt and sore was part and parcel of getting the good deals and discounts.


But when project B (for baby) came along, the shopping rendezvous slowed down and eventually stopped. Bringing a kid in tow just didn't seemed comfortably feasible any more.


Lately, I started to develop an addiction. The adrenalin was far more exciting than having to travel down town in search of something I may not eventually find.


The sheer exhilaration of pounding the keyboard, clicking the mouse and anticipating the arrival of your purchases a few weeks later in a neatly wrapped parcel was gratifying. Whoever said we need to get out of the house to do shopping?


From clothes, to accessories, toys, kids stuff, and even shoes. All you need is a very healthy mouse and keyboard that won't die on you when it runs out of battery. And when meagre item shopping doesn't satisfy, it's good to have contacts who travel overseas.



Introducing my latest hedonistic purchase... ...




Ahhh... ...whoever said early Xmas shopping hurts?