We, Girls Dress Up for OURSELVES

A very long time ago, I used to go out with a guy who attempted to restrict me from dressing up when I go out. "Why do you need to look dress up? So that other guys will look at you?", he always asked me. To the contrary, it has absolutely nothing to do about a guy or any other guy. It didn't matter to me whether other guys are looking or not. We ladies are very much concerned of our vanity. It is within our nature to like pretty things. Hence, there is no denial that looking good makes us feel good as well. So, really it really is not about others, but more about ourselves. Don't get me wrong, what my husband thinks does matter to me. In fact, that gleam in his eyes when he looks at me after I put that little effort in dressing up makes me feel as if I'm on top of the world. But what Betsey Johnson said is true. We dress up for ourselves. The working out, waxing, IPL, working on our cellulite and stretch marks remedies is for our husbands. Facials, Hair maintenance and nail treatments (pedicure, manicure and parafin wax treatment) is for the both yourself and your partner. If you think that we ladies, do not have need and desires, think again. We are human too. LOL! Sigh! 9 months of pregnancy and 2 months of confinement. In total, that is 11 months (ALMOST A YEAR)! I didn't really think of dressing up that much during pregnancy due to my expanding size but HEY! I can still dream right? The more you can visualize your dream, the closer you are in making it come true. So, dream closet, here I come!

Note to Cheaters

My Coach Lanyard from Intan Ice

After 4 years of serving me, my coach lanyard has bid farewell to me and is now resting in peace in my drawer.

Thank you my dearest lanyard. Served me so well and stood by my side ever since I first started working.

Coach, being an important brand, is pretty pricey here in Malaysia. I was so keen to get another lanyard to replace my previous one. Lucky me, I did not have to look further as I've know this lady who addresses herself as Intan Ice (but i just call her Kak Intan). Previously, I bought quite a number of Nyx make up from her as presents for my 2 favorite people, Tira and Sri. One thing I like about her is that I can ask advise about makeups and she will give an honest answer. It's not just about making the product sell but it is also about customer satisfaction. I contacted her to get a lanyard and she was very helpful. This time around, the item came slightly later than expected due to some unexpected delays. She felt really bad that she included a what she call a 'small' gift which is a full size Lavender Indulgent Body Lotion. Very humble you are, Kak Intan. Honestly, if I'm like super rich, I'll buy most of my make up supplies especially NARS from her. Haha! Too bad I'm not really the kind who wears all that much make up.

The 'Small' Gift and my new lanyard. Small la sgt Kak Intan. Thank you so much ok!

By the way, you can check her website out at Beauty Bazaar. Enjoy!

Once upon a Saturday Noon at La Bodega

A Recovering Footballer & his Manatee Wife had lunch with a Handsome Badminton Hero, a Demure Hot Grandma, A Shortie and A Well-Mannered Rock Star...

Random Ramblings from a Ruthless Soul.. Haha!!!! This is Madness!

People always say that if you can visualize your dream, it only means that you can achieve that dream of yours. So, really, that does give you the picture that it is ok to daydream and it is very important to match you daydream with reality. Having the dream very much in detail is good also as it tells you what you want and what you need to achieve. It is always good to aim higher. As for me, I am pretty much stuck in a transition mode because of the convenience that I need for my baby. But I can’t deny that all this waiting pretty much demotivates me and I’m honestly getting impatient. I would like to think that this is the chance for me to plan my steps. However, being human, I am often conflicted by my own fears which most of the time worry about losing that sense of belonging. I was told that sometimes, it is the baby who is affecting the way I think and feel (vice versa). Having all these mixed feelings made me wonder whether it is me or is it the baby? For some cases, I do have a solution for it. However, for others, I find myself absolutely ruthless and looking for a solution. Believe it or not, for some reason, I find myself a little bit more driven nowadays. Suddenly, I have all sorts of desires and plans. I pretty much have this thing that tells me, “OK, this is what I want. I want this kind of life. I want to do this. This is what I love. I want to go for it”. But wait, I just need to wait for another 5 months. So here I am, tap tap tap.. tapping my fingers on my keyboard… typing out what I want, click click click… clicking the mouse as I browse the net for the things that I want… as I sing, “I’ve got a burning desire for you baby~”.

Hubster's First Ever Dance Competition

Last Sunday was Hubster's first ever dance competition. I went there just in time for his performance and could only stay till his performance was over. Why? I was kinda the only one with keys when my parents just came back from their company trip (they brought all their staff for a short break. I have no idea why people find it hard to believe). I was at Taylor's Lakeside college for the competition when they arrived home. So, some of them had to wait for me outside of the house for quite some time. LOL! Anyway, Hubster's performance was awesome to me. They were very animated but I wouldn't categorize it as cultural. That would be the only reason why they didn't win. If it weren't an international cultural event, i strongly believe that they deserve to win. Nonetheless, Hubster had a lot of fun enjoying the experience and will be having even more fun the weekend after next when they'll be going off to Redang for a trip.

Memories of Hubster's experience uploaded by his friends via Facebook.

By the way, the girls won the 1st runner up prize, Congratulations! Too bad I didn't get the chance to see the performance. Can't wait for Emerson to upload the videos.

Wish List: : Louis Vuitton's Alma Bag

http://www.spottedfashion.com/2013/05/31/louis-vuitton-alma-bb-bag-reference-guide/

Wish List: Pretty Pastels

Is it me or my baby girl who is making me want all of these bags? Aren't they all pretty? I WANT THEM ALLL!!!! LOL!!!! Alasan!

Hectic Weekends Ahead...

With additional weight and swollen legs, you'ld think that I'll be slowing down my pace. Unfortunately, that is not the case for me. Sometimes I wish I can slow down or in better ways of putting it, I wish I would slow down. However, looking back at the circumstances and how much I'll miss, I think it is really not worth giving up the activities for some time off. Tomorrow, my favorite 2 Mat Salleh celups, Aby and Azrai will be coming to Malaysia for 3 weeks during their summer break. 

Aby and her brother Azrai

Since they're back, a whole lot of activities were planned. If possible, I would like to take part in their activities especially during the weekends (since that is the only time that I'm free. Staying in Cyberjaya really makes me feel as if I'm staying outstation). Being married, I will also need to accommodate my in laws plans. So you can roughly imagine how pact my schedule is. 

For example this weekend, I've delivery to make for the japanese cotton business I've just invested myself into for that little extra income, an appointment with Arene, an appointment with the hommies in BSC, a holy recital function at my in laws which would require my presence after lunch till the next day, my 1st hypnobirth class and Azrai's birthday party. I can't even say all of that in one breath. I will most prolly be exhausted. Owh, I would prolly need to squeeze in present shopping for the 2 little rascals in the picture above. GASP!

Next weekend would prolly be another whole hectic weekend with 1 akad nikah, medical check ups, 2 wedding receptions, a trip to PD to join my family and of course hypnobirth class before going to my in laws for some quality time. 

Which is most prolly why I am really looking forward to the week after. I will be taking a short break with hubster to celebrate our 1st anniversary. This includes a Romantic Rendezvous Package. Pictures to keep me motivated (pictures are from google):

Throwback: Mother's Day Dinner with my Mama!

In 22 days....

28th June 2013 marks the 1 year milestone of my marriage to my hubster, the one and only Ezry bin Ibrahim. At times, I still can't believe that we are married  and will be expecting our first gift of life. What I can say about marriage is that it is everything like how people say it would be but nothing like what you can imagine. Marriage is not always sunny. We still do make mistakes and hurt each other time after time. But what's important is that we stuck with each other through thick and thin. That is what marriage is. In Gossip Girl, Chuck Bass gave this speech with the phrase, "the importance of perseverance and that in the face of true love, you don't just give up; even if the object of your affection is begging you to". This may sound cliche' but only now I understood what it means. I also learnt the importance of forgiveness. Nobody is perfect and everyone's has something/someone to blame. Sometimes, the gift of second chance gives the opportunity to show one's worthiness. Yes, we have indeed been through a lot but look at how far we have come. The great love are the crazy ones. He has devastated me but he also makes me happier than I've ever been. Today, he has grown to be a much wiser man who is not only responsible but also caring. Blessed, I am blessed to be showered with love everyday and I could never thank enough for this gift. 

I've a few friends who is going through a hard time adjusting to married life. It's either they keep on fighting, or they are doing just fine but the nature of their jobs keeps challenging them. Well, i'm not even married for more than a year and I'm not in a place to give advice but I believe that nothing is easy. In our case, we've been going through so many challenges one after another which I have to admit, is pretty exhausting. All I can say that it is very important to have faith in God's plans and know that things will fall into place without you even realizing it. God is always fair. Every couple will go through the same impact even if the challenge is different. Just don't give up, persevere, be grateful and tawakal. In time, you will realize how blessed you are.

OMG OMG OMG!!!!!!!!!

This is too adorable for words! I'm so getting my kid a bear-y outfit!

Hukum Tak Nak Bayar PTPTN

During the critical political times, especially before the election, we heard so many debates for Free Education. During this time also, some of the opposition supporters told me that PTPTN is wrong and even if I took the loan, I should not pay it because it is considered as "Riba". For those who does not know what Riba means, Riba is forbidden in Islamic economic jurisprudence (fiqh) and considered as a major sin. Simply, unjust gains in trade or business, generally through exploitation. Here is a video by a renowned ustaz in Malaysia named Ustaz Azhar Idrus on not paying back the PTPTN loan for your information.

 

It is very important for us to not mix religion with politics. A loan is still a loan. We are not encouraged to take it but if we have to, we should pay it back.

Nursery Planning

Hubster and I will be pursuing our Wayne Manor project quite soon so we will most prolly be staying with my parents for like at least  2 years or so till the project is completed. Because of that reason, we can't have a room for Little Chicarito. Raised by my parents who gave me the best that they can offer regardless how much they have to sacrifice, I was very keen to give the best I can for my little one. The prettiest clothes, the best bed (my dad believe that it is very important to sleep comfortably with the best support), parties and those little luxuries in life. Not to say anything, if I can afford to give my children the best, I will. Discipline and being stern is very important in order to ensure that the child does not get spoil. Even tho I pretty much got everything that I ever wished for, I was taught that there is always value in everything. It could also be how my parents were pretty transparent with me when it comes to how much hard work and time it takes for them to get the final product. For example, before I got this Laura Ashley bed which I longed for since I was 15 years old, I had to settle with an Ikea bed and was taught to make sacrifices so that one day, that bed will be mine. Sure, the bed was a little too overpriced, but I got what I dreamed for and learned the value of patience and effort put into making my dream a reality. Honestly, I am very thankful for everything my parents has given me that if I could provide half of what they provided me, I'm be more than happy with myself. 

One of the things my mom gave me was the luxury of having themed bedrooms. From pink bedroom to Forever Friends themed to Outer Space themed bedroom to a Yellow with White Daisies themed room to a Lavender themed which then turned into my current room, a Laura Ashley themed room. All just to accommodate my dreams, passion and interest.  My room has always been my little haven where I can find comfort whenever things in the outside world gets a little darker than my liking. Whenever things get bad, I could always go to my room for a little escapade for a little peace and calmness while I work my way to finding that little courage and faith to face the world again. It could be the love being poured into making the room for me that I find that little security that I seek in order to continue with life knowing that everything will be OK. So, if you think that it is only because I like luxurious and pretty things that was given to me, you are wrong. What I see is the effort my mom put in to give me that little luxury and that sacrifice my dad put in to provide the financial need to make it possible. As a result of this experience, I would like to give Little Chicarito her little nursery corner. I would like my children to know how much I look forward to their presence in my life. Of course, the nursery is just a little fragment of the welcoming gesture aside from life insurance, education fund and what not.

Considering that we recently got a good bargain on Mothercare's Loved so Much furniture and my room being neutral colored, I plan to have Little Chicarito's corner to be Teddy themed and Jungle themed corner, a little bit more cheerful theme for her corner at my in laws place. Here are some inspirations I got from google image:

 

 

Unfortunately, judging from the space in my husband's room at my in laws, it is pretty much impossible to have a themed for Little Chicarito's corner. Which only means one thing, I can focus on just one themed and put all my efforts to it! Lets see, Brown Teddies and friends like white bunny and white lamb does sound nice, right? Less than 15 weeks to go, I hope that will give me just the right amount of time to prepare a little corner for Little Chicarito. Wish me luck!