Christmas Shopping

The festive season is back but I won't be celebrating it much this year. Not on the eve nor on the day itself because I didn't managed a plan. However, I still managed to do some shopping for myself and a bit for others.

My perfume is fast depleting so a stand-by is in place

Some necessities

Used someone pen before and it felt great.
So I got one where I'm supposed to get a red pen instead.

Something for the festive occasion.

Ridiculously comfortable.
Rydikulez-ly mine

Taiwan Splurges

A holiday that I managed to shop unlike Penang. Some of the items are really on impulse while the others are just too awesome.

Souvenirs for the office

Travel Mementos/ Fridge Magnet Travelogue

An impulse purchase - A solar powered head bobbers

My facial care which is cheaper in a set - currently out of stock in Singapore Airport

My Porter Obsession's growing. I maybe disappointed if they launch this in Singapore but Taiwan cost cheaper.
Beat Messenger

The temptation of the whole trip. Saving the best for last should I have enough to last the trip.
Adidas Stan Smith LX Winter Collection Limited Edition

More Books and Bags

I just updated on my latest book and bag purchase and I have to update more again. I needed a smaller backpack for my travel to Taiwan this coming November. It was a long shot as I found this over G-Market which was tremendously cheap. I know it won't last but the size will do for whatever function that I needed.

Kinokuniya was having it's Autumn Sale where members gets a 20% discount during the period. I took these opportunity to stock up some books to last me till year end or to it's next sale. I still have 2 other unread books so I got my time pre-occupied.

The New Fave: Books and Bags

Double B's - Books and Bags, I found a new interest since heck I do not know when. I would look up to bags to fit my carrying requirements and I'm digging my nose in books whenever I'm free.

Orchard is still the best place to hunt for them both from Kino to {prologue} for books and all the Bag havens all around Ion to Taka and even Wisma.

Firstly books, Instant Chinese is more of revision for me. I've been out of touch in Mandarin due to not eavesdropping Mandarin conversation. MY workplace is mostly Malays and the only Chinese I'm listening to are Hokkien. Also it's to polish up my Mandarin for the upcoming Taiwan trip.



Next up: Bags. This purchase isn't exactly a bag purchase, it's more likely a magazine purchase about bags in Japan. MonoMax is a man accessories magazine which features a lot of bags. And like most Japanese catalogue magazine, there are freebies - a laptop bag by Fred Perry.

The Fuss is Over

Well, the fuss is over. I finally gotten what I wanted when H&M first opened. They featured in their catalogue but it was not on sale. 3 weeks later,  I am one happy soul. I accomplished my H&M shopping needs.

Time to concentrate on my getaway savings.

H&M Singapore

Firstly, I'm both happy and unhappy that Singapore opened up H&M. I'm happy because now that great clothes are easily accessible and I'm unhappy because this clothes will no longer be unique in Singapore. After my first visit to H&M in Japan and several boutiques in Hong Kong, I've been fascinated with their unique clothing variety and the affordable prices. I've bought several clothes which is rare in Singapore. Now, it'll just be a common thing.

With the grand opening at Orchard Building on 3 September 2011, the place will surely be crowded. I had a family event the whole day and decided to go when I'm done. I reached the place 2 hours before closure and the place is not that hectic as I would predict it'll be in the day. The queue was moving and the interior was spacious enough for the crowd. The concept of the store is similar to most of the stores I've been to especially at Shinjuku, Harajuku and Mongkok. The variety are definately unique from common shops but sadly it'll join the ranks of the common shops sooner.

I've managed to get a shirt and a cardigan at an affordable price.

But my main intentions were the boot feature on its' H&M Singapore online catalogue on both website and apps. That was the whole reason for me to visit the store. I saw the boots on the mannequins but could not find it on the shelves. I've asked the people around and was told that it was past seasoned and is not for sale. They freaking place it on the online catalogue with the price and now they're telling me it's not for sale. I was surely pissed and I provided the feedback when I got home. Such a disappointment.

The un-accomplised purchase

I stomped out of H&M in disappointment but had to wait for my dear sister who was happily enjoying herself in the store and uncontactable. So I headed to Planerds and got myself a book just to please myself from the disappointment.

I have several books that I bought but have not started reading. I was told it was a good book and found this manga version at Planerds. This would surely be a fast read so I continue on to my other numerous volume of books that were purchased recently. Most likely, I'm going to get more books.

Books Impulse

I've received an email about {prologue} Borderless sale and didn't realized it even existed. Bad enough I have a membership card for it. {prologue} is situated in Ion on the fifth floor. It's collection of books is not as intensive as Kinokuniya, Borders and pageOne but it sells rarer books similar to Kinokuniya. They even have a good comic corner.

{prologue} is managed by Popular hence the reason why I'm a member. So I was lucky to get additional discount. Just need to remind myself to extend membership because it's expiring in a months time.

Another store that I visited was another Popular managed store - Harris Planerds. This was not listed by Popular but I get to know it during my visit to SGTCC(Singapore Games Toys Comics Convention). It's truly a nerd heaven - there's tons of TPB and notable collections of toys at reasonable prices. Temptation truly overwhelmed to get hold of some action figures. Though there was a book I'm tempted to get.

With {prologue} and Planerds, I have another source to find the books I need. I was thrilled that I managed to get hold of The Psychopath Test which was sold out at Kinokuniya and a cheap hardcover copy of What On Earth Is Going On?

SINs of August...

It's the month of Ramadan and it is time to stay away from SINs but how could you when it's time to celebrate after the long month. And in time of preparation, we'll shop like crazy for the Hari Raya day to come. So shopping is a must.

In preparation for Hari Raya, I didn't intend to get new traditional clothes as the old ones still fits and that I use it only once a year except for the black one which I use it regularly for religious purposes. However, that black baju Melayu has been greatly used and was torn. So it was time to get a replacement and lucky enough that my siblings thought of using black this year. Score!!!

I also managed to get a new replacement for my iPhone cover as the older one has started to crack. I do have other replacement but I still prefer these black cover. It looks great on the phone.

Yup, it's a black Raya this year. I got a new black baju Melayu, a new black iPhone Casing and a new black underwear(CK one Micro - one every 3 months remember).

On top of that, my PC started to act up this month too. I was minding my business online when the CPU blew up, non-lethal nor fired up but the explosion shut down my PC for good. Thank god for my diploma, I managed to troubleshoot and found that only the power supply was damaged. Hence a replacement power supply to kick start the PC up to life. At least I only spent 1/7 of the price of a new build-your-own CPU.

And lastly, Singapore Game Toy Comics Convention was held in August rather than December last year. I was reluctant to attend but since I was in the area and had time to spare while waiting for my friends for dinner, I managed to sneak in. STGCC 2011 was not that that bad but not as great as 2010. There isn't much  of great Games and Toys featured. Slightly disappointed. I've could have bought some stuffs but I only bought this Funko Batman figure out of impulse.

Preparation for Ramadan

It seems like I can only update SIN once a month but it'll surely be wrong if I update it regularly - a definite Sin.

My list of books are piling up after my last visit to Kinokuniya but for now I had to pick only 1 book for the spare time - How To Live Safely In  A Science Fictional Universe by Charles Yu. I kinda judged the book by it's cover but wouldn't you want to know how to survive in the science fictional world. It does seem interesting but I kinda side-tracked by another purchase.

 
It's the fasting month and somehow it became a ritual that I get a game to play to make time pass faster till breaking fast. Ignoring that I have a new book to read, I intentionally bought a game still - Final Fantasy XIII. Yes the game was released ages ago on PS3 which I was envious about because I only have an Xbox 360. And after Microsoft released it on the XBox, it was only on the NTSC region. So I gave up and they purposely released it on Asian region. So after a long while, the game was released on the Ultimate Hits which was cheaper. Alas, I gotten it as my time-waster for the month of Ramadan.

Caramel, Iced Caramel and Mocha

 While I glued my eyes on the screen throughout this Ramadan, I was concerned for my regular Starbucks fix. After breaking fast, I foresee the laziness to go out for coffee. Thank goodness my friend asked me if I needed anything while he was in the states. While reading, Starbucks Onwards, I'm truly curious to try their ready-brew coffee, VIA. So I've asked my friend to get the flavored coffee.

Verdict: A great substitute for the usual latte and mocha. Though the additional flavor isn't that distinctive but it still works the punch. I'm still figuring out the proportion for milk and water for a great substitute but so far all is well but I've only 5 sachets per pack. Time to ask some stewardess friends to get for me.

Eau de Toilette

The Great Singapore Sale is coming to and end by 24th July. A lot of shops are slashing off prices further and it isn't a good sign especially when your pay just banked in. So I took the opportunity to get my hair cut at Icon by Shunji Matsuo and a  simple purchase to end the sale with satisfaction.

Hugo Element Perfume

As planned, another perfume to replenish the depleting ones. I'm left with one more which I can't decide which to get. Maybe the same replenishment for the following line up.

Paul Smith Man, Hugo Element, Lacoste Essential, Givenchy Play and Sean Jean Unforgiven

High likely be a bigger Paul Smith Man or Givenchy Play. Though I'm eyeing on Burberry's Brit for man. So what will it be???

Post-Trip Shopping

I'm back from Penang and was quite disappointed with the shopping because there's nothing there to spend. Or maybe I'm limiting my spending there. Apparently, there wasn't much that captivated me. I've managed a $150 budget for expenses and 2/3 of it are spent on food. It's truly a full-feeling holiday.

Not satisfied with shopping even back at Changi Airport, I've ventured to Orchard Road and did some spending.

Dining at TWG with some doggy bag of macaroons, a birthday present for dear nephew, and a perfume for myself and another perfume for another birthday gift (not pictured because present was given)

Thank goodness I did not buy any perfume at Penang or Changi Airport because I found perfume/body care shop that is having a 50% of most of its items. I managed to get 2 perfume at the average original price of 1. Saved my pocket. I got a Hugo by Hugo Boss for a present and Paul Smith Man. Now, I need another 2 perfumes to refurnish my 2 other depleting perfumes.

May Shopping

First, the purchase of my tri-monthly and now moving on to the pre-start of the Great Singapore Sale.

 A book selected from Kinokuniya member's sale for a stand-by after completion of current book.

 A replacement from River Island sale after an accidental foot mark on my white shoes

And a non-sale but an anticipated game of the Summer.

Tri-Monthly Commitment

The older I get, the more exquisite my needs became. My normal affordable needs grew slightly expensive and I grew fond of quality products.

Firstly, I love the quality of microfiber undies, the sense of freedom. I committed to purchase an new underwear every 3 months to replace all my cotton ones. The second microfiber after numerous unsatisfactory cotton undies.

CKone Microfiber Trunks

And lastly, my current facial product looses its effectiveness. So I've decided to change to a line that I sampled a long time ago.

Biotherm Aquapower

Now I made this commitment for every 3 months.

Birthday Parcel

Awesome!!! The orders I placed before my birthday have arrived. I have a new toy to fiddle with, a new earphones Beats by Dr. Dre.

My New Toy

And what of HeartBeats by Lady Gaga? It's a belated birthday present for a friend. He adores her sooo much, might as well I get one for him.

A belated birthday present for a friend

PS: I bought this directly from manufacturer, but one of the packaging feels damn fake.

A Cover for my Pad

My expenses for my new toy should be burning a hole in my pocket. But since it's my birthday week, someone got me a cover for my iPad. Thank you Evelyn Koh and Hakimbo Hakim.

Born Day Shopping-Spree

Pay just in and the overtime pay is tremendous. All other expenses have been cleared and and there's plenty of leftovers. So it's best I'll splurge and pamper myself for my birthday since I'm not overseas(desperate enough to go KL but expenses calculation doesn't justify whatever that I intended to do).

The first day of celebration was a tremendous splurge. I've gotten myself 2 new books.My book reading were slow due to completing a game. Now that I completed the game and another book, I got this to broaden the knowledge.

On top of the books purchase, I've also bought a present for a friend. It did cost a bomb but thank goodness there was a discount, thanks to his friend. 

Besides the books and the present, I've also bought somethings online. A Beats by Dr. Dre earphone. Make that 2, one for me and the other as a belated birthday present for another friend. Will definitely post again once they arrived.

So those were physical spending. I did some pampering too. A haircut/hair treatment at Icon by Shunji Matsuo and spa treatment at Healing Touch.

In all, I did spend A LOT. But thank goodness the ERS money is coming in next week.

Just Can't Help It

As per subject, I just can't help it. I just got to have it. Like last year, I just have to treat myself.

iPad birthday present from myself

It's way too much to ask someone for an iPad for my birthday. Just like last year, it's way too costly for someone to get me an iPhone. So for past 2 years, I treated myself with my own birthday presents. It got some people asking me what I want for my birthday. Go figure.

An I'm just damn happy.

No More Excuses

I've been excusing myself from my running routine because my favorite running shorts was torn. I have no idea how that happened, seriously. Even when I tried using my brothers shorts or the army shorts, it just doesn't feel right. I know that's an excuse but I still managed a weekly run unlike my 3-4 times a week run.

And with my Remedial Training commenced, I'll definitely need a nice looking (not flabby and limited workout clothes). Hence I managed to get this off the rack from Royal Sporting House, thanks to someone whose enjoying working with the company.