I like this kind of news.

NEW YORK: Malaysia is set to become a shopping paradise with the opening of a world class premium factory outlet centre that is targeted to attract about four million visitors annually.

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the project, a joint venture bet-ween Chelsea Premium Outlets and Genting Group, would be developed in Johor as part of the Iskandar Malaysia project.

The Prime Minister had a discussion with representatives from the Chelsea Property Group here on Monday and was informed the project was now on track, with construction expected to take off early next year and scheduled for completion by mid-2011.

Chelsea Premium Outlets is owned by Chelsea Property Group, which is the world’s largest owner, developer and operator of upscale outlet centres in the United States, Japan and South Korea.

“It is the first (Chelsea) centre in the (Asean) region and I’m very happy that they have chosen Malaysia,” Najib said, adding that he understood other countries in the region had been trying to woo the Chelsea Group to set up the centre.

Its centre in New York – Woodbury Common – lures millions of shoppers to its discounted items of designer brands like Coach, Gucci, Zegna, and Burberry. Items, which are a season old and are between 25% and 60% cheaper. (More...)

A premium factory outlet in Malaysia? That's like every Malaysian shopaholic's dream! ;p

Labels: Sales and Shopping

The digital camera that I'm currently using - Canon Digital IXUS 860 IS - is one of my favorite wedding gifts. I love it so much bcoz back then I was desperately in need of a new camera and I've always wanted a Canon IXUS camera so when I got it, it was like a dream come true.


I love everything about the camera - from the stylish and clean overall design to its capability of capturing great images. I've been using it for almost 2 years now and never leave the house without it. And even though most bloggers I met at blog events are using those ever-so-canggih DSLR cameras, I'm happy with my compact camera.


Until recently.


My camera "developed" a black dot on its LCD screen due to constant dropping and sucking (thanks to my baby). I don't know what it is, but it's like a burnt-out pixel or something. It doesn't show on images tho, but it bothers me and quite embarrassing too especially if I ask someone's favor to snap pics for me. I always get "What's that thing?" from everyone who sees it and I would just tell them it's gerhana bulan! ;p





The dot wasn't as big as that when it first appeared on the screen. And I bet it would get bigger soon. It still functions well despite the "gerhana bulan", but sooner or later I would still need a new camera to replace it. I can't see myself (yet) lugging a bulky DSLR with me everywhere I go; what with the baby and everything. So I guess I'd still go for a compact camera (altho my husband is thinking of getting a DSLR).


So... What's the best compact camera at the moment? Any recommendations?

Labels: Gadgets

I've forgotten what it's like to have PMS after more than a year of "missing periods". I've been treating myself with lots of chocolates these past few days - hot chocolate drinks, Baskin-Robbins' World Class Chocolate ice-cream, chocolate cookies and biscuits, even chocolate-scented candles. The irresistible scent of chocolate is like aromatherapy. It's so calming, I feel like stuffing my face with chocolates!


And I did, literally. I found these chocolate masks at Watsons and thought of giving it a try. My God, they smell so yummy, like Nutella. I swear I almost licked my finger. My husband saw me, sniffed me and asked, "Is it edible? Can I lick your face?".




And then I had this nasty idea of spreading the chocolate mask onto his bread, instead of Nutella. He can't tell the difference bcoz they look and smell the same.


But of course I did not do it. I'm a good wife! ;p

Labels: Beauty/Skincare

Few weeks ago, MAS invited a bunch of bloggers for a dinner at Restoran Rebung. I've heard of Restoran Rebung before but never eaten there. You see, I'm a big fan of masakan kampung but rarely dine out to enjoy it bcoz my mom cooks like the best lauk kampung. Actually, dia masak apa benda pun sedap jer. Tu sebab saya suka makan. Heh.






I love both of their kerabu pucuk paku and kerabu mangga. Tapi masak lemak rebung tak boleh lawan my mom punya. Hee... Anyway I was hoping ada lauk ikan keli (it's my most favorite ikan in the world. I am a fish person, by the way) tetapi tidak kelihatan. So I had ikan pari instead (not in the pic).

Labels: Food and Recipes

I never had the guts to wear skinny jeans. I feel fatter and shorter in them than I already am. But I decided to give it a try tho, and bought a pair in dark gray from MNG just recently.




Pictured above is yours truly wearing it with a long sleeve t-shirt from Topshop, waterfall waistcoat from ClothesBucket and a pair of Aldo killer heels. The one on the left is being worn with a Topshop belt, and the other one is worn with pearl and gold chain necklaces from Forever21. I've tried wearing the jeans with other tops as well but so far I like this one the best. And I think I need more longer tops. I'm still in the midst of experimenting myself in it, hence the trying-ons.


I realized that there are 2 ways how people wear the skinny jeans - whether slipping the bottom part a bit over your heels like Victoria Beckham, or having the bottom part just below the ankle like Heidi Klum. I like the former one, but is it just me or is it kind of hard to walk in it when being worn like that?


Btw, if you're wondering why my pics looked somewhat bercapuk-capuk - it's my dusty mirror! LOL.

Labels: Fashion

(This is a 48-hour sticky post, scroll down for updates!)



Imagine a world without color, where everything is black and white...





The world would be dull and boring without color, bcoz color sets a mood. It brings emotions and adds excitement. It's no wonder that color plays an important role in our lives - and that includes our homes. The house we live in is our world, so the choices of colors we make is really important.


Few weekends ago, Nippon Paint held a workshop for a group of selected Bloggers at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. We get to learn some basic stuff about colors and painting. It was so fun and I learned a lot.











At around noon, light refreshments of sandwiches and roti jala were served (the roti jala was good!).




And then came the fun part - getting our hands dirty with paints! There were "mini walls" in various colors and each of us must choose one and decorate it using our own creativity.





And color 'em with different shades of pink and a little bit of greens.





As you can see, I'm not using a paint brush. Instead I'm using this small tube of paint which has a sponge applicator attached to it. It's so fun to use bcoz it's like applying liquid foundation! You know, Yves Saint Laurent invented the Touch Radiant Brush Foundation; perhaps they should invent sponge foundations too.




So anyway, here's the end result. It's supposed to look like a wallpaper or something. I'm not a good painter but so what. I had fun! Can't decide which one looks better tho (the colors, I mean)...




Finally, group photo.



Based on the things I've learned from the workshop, I'm gonna do a little makeover to my humble shoe cabinet.




Stay tuned!

Labels: Advertorials, Nuffnang

We've been planning to make it a routine to go out for a morning stroll in the park, but failed to do so bcoz there's always something that gets in the way. What usually happens is either one of us is too tired or it rains or Ayra is still sleeping or I'm just too sleepy bcoz Ayra didn't sleep through the night or - well, the list goes on. I know those are just plain excuses but really, trying to add something new to your daily routine takes time. You can't just like, "Oh, I want to start my day doing 20 sit-ups" or "I want to quit smoking starting tomorrow" or "I want to start a healthy eating habit" and the next thing you know, you're doing it successfully every single day without a miss! That's highly unlikely for most people, no? It takes a strong will and determination to do it. Even if it's just a morning stroll.


After what seems like ages, we FINALLY managed to go for our morning walk! All of us had a good night sleep so after having our power breakfast (shakes), we went straight away - we didn't even bother taking a shower!




It was a bright and cheery morning and the whether was perfect. There weren't many people as it was a weekday - we had the park all to ourselves. I want to jump! I want to run! I want to hop on one foot! I want to ride on the swing! And err... can I swim in the lake?







After a good 1.5-hour walk, we decided to have brunch at a nearby mapley. We started the day with a morning stroll in the park, and end it up later with an evening stroll at The Gardens (as in the mall ;p)! And the next morning we were too knackered from all that walking to go for our next morning walk. But that's okay; we're starting with once a week, then slowly twice a week and then maybe and hopefully every day (except on weekends; we try to avoid going out on weekend if it's unnecessary).

Labels: Mommyhood and Baby

I have been eyeing for the DKNY Cozy since a few months ago. It's probably one of the most genius fashion inventions ever - it's a long-sleeved cardigan that can be worn in 12 ways! That's a lot, no? I mean, how many ways can you get from wearing the same top? Exactly. And the best thing about the Cozy is, each way doesn't look like it comes from the same top. They all look so different, like wearing a few different tops of the same color.







My favorites are 3, 4, 5, 8 and 9. It's kinda amazing how the Cozy can be turned from something as simple as #10 to something more elaborated as #4. It could probably be the end of not having anything to wear! ;p


I hope I'd be lucky to find a Cozy at a cheaper price on eBay. Else, I'll just get Victoria's Secret Soft & Sexy Wrap instead. They're pretty much the same. Now the only question is, which color should I get...

Labels: Fashion