SKII Facial

My sister sent me a link to a promotion for $50 off an SKII facial so I went yesterday.

It started with a skin analysis - you know, one of those machines that magnify your skin wherever the scope rolls over. The therapist showed me what good skin and bad skin looked like. First time I did such a thing. Was mildly grossed out.

As my skin was rather "dull", the therapist recommended that I take the illuminating radiance (or something like that) facial, which was the third least expensive (normal price $160). Since I haven't been for a facial in a long time and I had been running around Little India and Chinatown the past two days while recovering from a flu, I decided to pamper myself and go with it.

(On a side note, I also pampered myself with a good lunch at The Handburger. Food tastes good, but I wouldn't recommend you order the onion rings and I guess similarly, the calamari. It tasted good - onion rings were sweet, batter was crispy, but it was WAY too oily.)

The facial itself was supposed to be an hour. I think it took 1h 15 min in all. It was pretty good. My face still feels "firmer" than usual (although it could be a psychological effect having spent so much on a facial). Would have been nice to take a longer nap though. =P

The staff weren't too pushy with the products and packages at the end of the facial. Could be because I told them that I'm not based in Singapore.

A good experience overall.

Ten

I'm going to complete my ASEAN 10 tour today. For the uninitiated, the 10 member states of ASEAN are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam (arranged in alphabetical order - habit from work). Hoping not to get mozzie bites and not to develop an allergic reaction to my malaria prophylaxis pills.

But really, what I wanted to blog about is my new bag! Well, bags actually, cos the big bag came with a small one. I bought a Nike Golf Boston bag yesterday. It's not like most golf bags where they have a separate compartment for shoes. This one is just a big bag, in a shade of pink darker than baby pink or dusty pink (apologies for the lack of knowledge of colours. Princess Di would probably be able to give a more precise description of the colour). What first attracted me to the bag was the size (not too big), the shape (stays in shape) and its waterproof material (can use it when I finally take up diving later this month when I return to AD). Then I discovered the clincher - it's got many pockets and compartments. I knew this was it. The bag. Yet I resisted for 15 min because I really wanted a bag more suitable for the office, and this one wasn't THAT cheap ($69). But I succumbed to it anyway. =P

I also succumbed shortly after to Azabu Sabo's sea salt and caramel ice cream. I blame Princess Di for this - she was the one who introduced it to me.

Looking forward to returning to AD next week after being away for a month... yet apprehensive about the 50 deg C weather.

Greenie bought her first pair of Crocs!

Nope, it wasn't at the Crocs expo sale, although I did go and get dizzy from the huge crowds jostling around and trying on tons of Crocs of different patterns. Went home wishing that my feet were 1 size smaller cos all the nice colours/designs were size 4 shoes.

It was at Robinsons Centrepoint. It was meant to be. I happened to go check out the sports section and remembered that the Crocs were there too and I took a look. Lo and behold! A single pair of black/lavender cleo sandals stood out among the hole-y ones. And it was my size! I don't know how long it waited for me to come by... so I hesitated for a while, and decided to buy it. Wore it home thereafter. =)

Going to wear it the next time I go to the hot springs of the Green Mubazzarah so I can wash the sand off easily after that. =)

Stung?

by something so my right eyelid is swelling? Not sure... Hope it quells soon.

Went to the Nike warehouse sale yesterday! Madness! All these women stacking themselves against the table and grabbing everything in sight, then staying there to wait for the staff to replenish stock. For the first time, I felt dizzy and faint from going to a warehouse sale. Managed to walk away with two dry-fit tees, a pair of shorts, a pair of capris and two pairs of socks. Everything was just $20 each except the socks which were $5 each.

Got my pre-trip vaccinations yesterday. Didn't manage to get what I thought would be the most important one - the Rabies jab, because there wasn't enough time before I fly to finish the course. You camels better stay away from me!

Pack, Pack, Pack...

Today was vouchers consumption day. Since the movers are coming tomorrow, I went out to buy whatever else I needed to ship over to AD.

Dragged my sister and her bf w me to IKEA and bought bowls, a picture frame and a laundry basket amounting to $84. Then used up my Best Denki vouchers with a hair dryer and food processor. Spent 2 hrs at Best Denki (in addition to an hour/week for the last two weeks) wondering what to buy.

Packed for the last two hours. Packed half my scrapbook stuff in. Must remember to pack my photos in too. Those that I developed before the PC crashed. Haven't had time to put them into albums, or buy albums for that matter. I think I developed them more than a year ago... =P

So hard to fill up the packing list. Had drawn up an excel spreadsheet to help me calculate the worth of my stuff. By my estimate, my books (comprising mostly DD's Neil Gaiman/Stephen King books and art books we bought on our honeymoon) cost $1200. Quite surprised that they cost so much. Means my clothes will probably cost more (forgot to count them by type before I packed them into my suitcase).

I hope I don't forget anything... at least nothing bulky. 3 more weeks to go...

Just barely...

Passed my driving test!!! I really thought I was gg to fail after I struck the kerb twice. Thankfully, striking the kerb when attempting to vertical park is only 4 pts. I didn't get tested for emergency braking or u-turn. I wonder if I wld have failed then. =P

SO GLAD I PASSED!!! As I got out of the car and followed the tester, I really thought I was going to fail. When he looked at me sternly and said I just made it, I really couldn't believe it.

Took my passport sized photos just before the test. After the test, in a moment of panic (stemming from the jitteriness that hadn't dispelled since the test was over), I thought I misplaced the photos... Quickly went to reprint. Subsequently found the original lot in my wallet's coin compartment. Lucky for me, DD says that my move to the UAE would require 12 passport sized photos at least. PHEW.

After that, went to Robinsons. I bought an Aquasource set two Fridays ago, but because they didn't have stock, the promoter got me to buy something of equivalent value first, then come back and exchange when the stock came in. Used a $5 discount voucher on that purchase. Was quite upset with Robinsons. First, the salesgirl was late for work (I wanted to rush off to my dental appointment). Second, when we went to the cashier counter to exchange, the cashier said that the discount was now INVALID and I had to top up $5. I was furious. If there was going to be such complications, the promoter/cashier should have explained to me when I first bought the product. The cashier subsequently went to look for her supervisor, and grudgingly exchanged my product. I never expected such lousy service from Robinsons. They really are getting worse. Two years ago, one of the salesgirls misled me into thinking that there was a discount on a dress I wanted to buy...

Anyway, overall still a good day cos I got my driving licence! No need to delay my move to AD to retry, no need to spend more money on lessons!

The shopping continued in earnest...

Sales commenced in Zara and Robinsons on Christmas day. Needless to say, I was there. =P Dragged my sister and her boyfriend down too (I'm sure they, or she, wanted to go anyway) and here's what i bought:

• A pair of Zara kids ballet pumps, $39.90- they were $20 cheaper and cute - dull gold coloured with little stars at the side in the front.

• A Zara shirt for the hubby, $59.90 - It looked nice and felt comfy.
  

• A Van Heusen shirt for the hubby, $40 - It was cheap! Regular price is $129! I blame my sis, who sis dug it out of the bin first. =P

• 2 pcs of unmentionables, $80 - Ok... on hindsight, I don't think I should have bought two pcs, but they were really cheap! less than 50%! =P

And the shopping continued on Boxing Day, when I asked Spinky to bring me along if she went to the Isetan private sale with parents. I really just wanted to but that light green cocktail dress ($79.90 after discount) that I've been eyeing for a few months now, but ended up also buying a white cardigan ($19.90).

What can I say? I'm a sucker for sales. I think it's a pre-move thing - gotta make sure I have variety in my wardrobe and be equipped for all occasions.

Now the one thing left that I REALLY want - the Canon SX 1 IS. Don't think I really NEED a camera cos my old camera - the Canon IXUS 40 - is still usable, just cranky - switches between photo and video mode by itself all the time. But the SX 1 IS looks really cool... 10MP, 20x optical zoom, shoots HD video... and not that ex (RP $999) if compared to buying a digicam and camcorder separately, which would easily cost $1.5k.

Oh. And need to buy golf accessories. The hubby thinks I should learn to play golf. EK's giving me her old golf set, but will have to get gloves and shoes and who knows what else.

So happy to have my yr-end bonus. =P

It's alive again!

Decided to revive my blog so as to document my move to the Middle East.

First step: Call the HR department and Business Support Centre to make arrangements to go. Easy enough.

Second step: To decide what to bring over. This is more tricky given that amount of stuff that I've accumulated over the years (even though mummy threw out some of my most precious stuff one year)... And X'mas sales are SOOO good!!! Here's what I bought in the last two days:

1. Pearly pink ballet pumps w stars, $59 (Trois+heel, Wisma Atria) - saw this on Thurs night and couldn't stop thinking about them! I think they are my all-time favourite shoes! bought them on Fri during lunch hr, and redeemed my UOB points for a $20 voucher so I don't feel how ex they cost. =P
   
   
2. Black poncho, $26.40 ( Giordano, Ngee Ann City) - on my way to lunch after buying my beloved shoes, I stumbled Giordano's lunch time sale! 40% storewide! But it didn't apply to accessories i.e. my black poncho. I tried on the white one, but decided that black was probably more practical. I'm such a messy person... will surely dirty it very quickly.
   
   
3. Pedra Branca: The Road to the World Court, $22 (MFA) - New book by DPM and Amb Koh. Thought that should get a copy and that DD would appreciate it. While on a high from buying my beloved shoes, decided to queue at the book launch to get the book autographed. Got the book autographed for my bosses too. Such a groupie I am...
   
   
4. Espirit Mini sweater, $29.90 (Espirit, Liat Towers) - I've been looking around for a new sweater in preparation of the strong cold winds of winter/spring in Abu Dhabi. Zara kids winter stuff were very pretty but ex, then I stumbled on this sweater! It's ivory in colour, and has a silver "E" printed on it.
   
   
5. Brown 3 inch shoes, $16.20 (Schu, Wisma Atria) - My first pair of Schu shoes! SO CHEAP!!! Schu's having up to 70% off and Qi spotted this pair. She bought two other pairs herself and we were very pleased with our buys. I think they are about 3 inches (haven't measured yet) but still feel quite comfy! I think it helps that they are round in the front and not pointy.
   
   
6. Orange knitted long top, $48 (G2000, Wisma) - It should have cost $4 less. My brother maxed out my DBS credit card for his interest churning scheme so we couldn't benefit from the 10% DBS card discount. Quite a downer after our good buy at Schu. Tried on suits at G2000 too but decided not to get yet since not sure what I'll be doing in Abu Dhabi.

I also spent $120 to remove pen marks on my first luxury bag - a Hogan leather bag that I bought on the honeymoon. Pretty sure the kid whom my mum looks after during the weekends was the culprit. Who else would draw on a leather bag like it was a pc of paper??? So sad... I think the repair costs might actually have pushed the cost of my bag to $1k. =(

If not for the repairs that I had to do for my bag, I wld say it was a good week in terms of shopping. =)