Experience of a Mystery Shopper

Yesterday was my first time being a Mystery Shopper. I put on my Sunday's best minus accessories, jewelry and make-up. Putting those on are just not me. My usual self when shopping would be t-shirt and jeans. Sad to say, I did not look rich enough (my hubby said that) to be entertained by the staff in one of the outlets that I went. It is either I failed being a Mystery Shopper or they failed in entertaining any type of customer, whether looking rich or not. Anyway, their most expensive product is only RM2k++. I can pay cash for it if I want too but but them I do not look that I can afford them. *sigh* I failed them! Eh...no, they failed themselves! hahaha.

Need New Clothing

The last time I bought new clothes for myself was for the CNY. They were maternity clothing. And I am still wearing them to church! I so need to buy new clothing for myself. The clothing at cpshades are not bad. I love their shoes collection. I have not been buying shoes for ages too. The last not so new shoe I got was a hand me down from my mom. Money, fall down from Heaven please. ;)

Stainless Steel Pot

Since I started cooking after the family maid left, how I wish I could change all the pots in the kitchen to a stainless steel pots. It is easier to wash, it heats up faster and it does not rust or corrodes when cooking food that is acidic. I tried cooking using my mom's Frymaster stainless steel pot once. I especially like how it heats up fast and cook my food faster too. Since I often need to rush in preparing lunch/dinner, this kind of stainless steel pot is perfect for me.

Barcode Scanner for Show Only?

It is very frustrating shopping at a supermarket where they have lots of barcode scanner but none is working. It is ok if there is a price tag on the product but there is none. On top of that the products on the shelf are mix with other products. Even if there is a price on the shelf, we are not sure which one belongs to the particular product that I wanted to buy. Is it so difficult to buy a good quality barcode scanner? I see plenty of good quality barcode scanner online. No need to travel all the way to US to get them.

Extreme Couponing on TLC

I only managed to watch Extreme Couponing on TLC once. I was amazed at how coupons can reduced the total price of the items that you purchased from hundreds of dollar to just a few cents. I wonder whether online shopping coupon codes can do the same. I know where to get free shipping codes and a few other coupon codes but those coupon does not reduced the price until more than 50%. No chance of learning how those shoppers do it coz hubby has disconnected the Astro at home. :(

Pay for Quality

We just bought a wall fan for the shop. It was not a well known brand and the price is fairly cheap. Unfortunately, after using for 3 days, the fan can't turn from the left to the right vice versa. Well, I kinda expect it. You can't expect much from a cheap and obviously low quality electrical product. But after 3 days, it broke down; I think we paid way too much for the wall fan. Sent it for repair just now though. Let's see how long it can last after this.

Tips To Get Cheap Spectacles Frame

I didn't realised that some Optical Shops do give special price even though they do not have promotion banner hanging outside their shop until last Saturday.

My last frameless glasses was bought during free frame promotion. I only have to pay for the lenses price. Recently my frameless glasses cracks because my 11 months old baby always grab and pull it from my face. I have no choice but to change to a framed glasses. And I can't wear contact lens because my eyes are sensitive and dries up easily and I have astigmatism too which will make my contact lenses very expensive.

So, I walk in an optical shop with a budget not more than RM200. It is because, the lenses cost only RM180 and if you are their regular customer, you might even get it at RM150; those with multicoated, UV protection and dunno what not.

I asked, "Do you have free frame promotion?" If they don't have I will just walk out and wait till they have the free frame promotion. My glasses is still wearable. ;)

To my surprise, the salesman offered me RM200 for the frame and lenses.

So, today, I have RM200 poorer with a new pink half frame glasses. I have been wearing frameless for a few years and felt very uncomfortable seeing lines all around my eyes. I shall start with the half frame first. Then I'll go nerdy with full frame glasses in a year or two. :P

Costume Jewerly

If I have the money, I would like to collect costume jewelry for my girls. Being a girl they just love jewelry and to look pretty wearing them.

As it is, they are eyeing my youngest sister's jewelry that she left behind in her room at my parent's house. Since I have a hole in my ears, I have to become their model, modeling my sister earrings collection. Other type of costume jewelry, they put on on themselves.

I was just checking out Holsted Jewelers. My hands are itchy now to buy their collection of earrings, they are so beautiful!

Personalized Baby Gifts

Love, marriage then baby/ies. Some came planned and some came unplanned. Mine came all unplanned because we leave it to God to bless in His perfect timing.

This year, a few of my bloggers friend got a surprise gift from God. Their pregnancy was unplanned. It came as a shock to them but they accepted it when they see how beautiful God's creation is.

As usual, I didn't want to crack my head on what gifts to buy for them and leave it to other bloggers to decide and I just send my share of the cost.

If you are looking for personalized baby gifts, hop over to BabyNest. Babynest.com has an array of adorable, creative gifts for parents and their bundles of joy.

Price of Elba Electric Oven

Thanks to my newborn Angpows and my last year's birthday Angpow, I am a proud owner of an Elba Electric Oven.

Bought the above from Carrefour at RM259.00. This is the 35L Model: EOT3586. I actually wanted a bigger one, 40L or the 50L but considering the watt, I opt for lower ones; must save electricity.

If you want to buy the same one, do head over to Carrefour, Melaka because they are having promotion from time to time. You might get it cheaper than mine!

Shopping Again

Just came back from Jusco. Went there for dinner at Windmill and then checked out the sale that they are having. Bought 2 packets of Pampers diapers. I already have 2 packets of other brand and hope they would be enough for baby for the first month.

Saw some good bargain comfy shoe but they do not have the size for me. What a waste; it was only RM20. Oh ya! We forgot to buy some light bulbs. MIL did mention that the bathroom light bulb started blinking already; time to change.

My Valentine's Gift

Valentine's Day was a week ago. Are you still admiring the beautiful diamond that you love ones bought from holsted jewelers or the bouquet of flowers that easy cost him a few hundred dollars? You are one blessed gal you know.

As for me, I may not receive any physical gift on Valentine's Day but everyday is a Valentine's Day for me. Hubby showers me with love everyday and we celebrate our love as often as we could. We go dating often you see. ;)

He does buy me jewelry when he travels oversea but I often tell him not too because even after marrying me for 8 years, he still don't know my preference! LOL

Jewelry from Mission Trips

When hubby was still serving full time in church more than 2 years ago, he used to travel oversea quite frequent, mostly on mission trips. He will often buy souvenirs that I would not use! Some of it are the magnetic bracelet, designer costume jewelry, pajamas, and more silver jewelry! These items will usually ended somewhere in my cupboard or my children's toy! So, before the subsequent trip, I will remind him not to buy anything for me as he will be wasting OUR money. I am very picky when it comes to buying jewelry and he does not know my preferences. Better give me the cash and I buy for myself.

Super Cheap School Shoe

While I was at Mydin looking for slip-on for my 2nd girl, I couldn't believe my eyes to see that they are selling school shoe at RM4.90 a pair! It's the canvas type, no sponge. I worn this type of school before when I was in school; they are comfortable too when wearing with thick socks.

Unfortunately the design is quite boyish and I don't think my girls would favor it. Anyway, I saw one girl's school shoe; soft and with sponge at RM14.90. Cheaper than buying a pair of sports shoe for kindy.

RM199.90 for 21' TV

Since all apartments are furnished with TV, we have no choice but to do the same in order for it to get rented. So we went to scout for it at Bintang and I was prepared to spend around RM400 for a 21' TV. Much to my delight, I saw one 21' TV selling at RM199.90. The brand, Vision Pro. Definitely made in China.

We bought it coz we don't have the money yet to spend on good quality and expensive TV. Hope the TV can last for a least a year or two.

Wedding Gift

Beautiful isn't it? Twenty-one carats of beautiful, blushing synthetic pink sapphires hypnotize along this 7 1/4" stunner, interspersed among 48 twinkling white cubic zirconia accents.

I am thinking to buy the above as my sister's wedding gift. Normally during the tea-ceremony, close relatives will give the bride gold jewelery. As for my sister, she has lots of gold jewelery already and I am thinking to buy her something different and more fashionable from Holsted jewelers. The above bracelet only cost $60. Not expensive right? On top of jewelery, we still need to spend on her Angpow for the wedding dinner. I will be broke in November!

Cloth Diapers: Which Brand to Buy?

I noticed that many mothers are into using cloth diapers instead of the disposable diapers. One cloth diaper is not cheap; minimum RM80 per piece and some come without the inserts.

However, they said that in long run, it saves a lot of money. Come to think of it, it does save a lot because one packet of disposable diaper is more than RM40 for 60 pcs which can last for only a month or less. Buying cloth diaper which work like disposable diaper that keeps baby dry for at least 4 hours is only a one time investment.

So I am thinking to start investing in a few pieces for my coming baby. There is homework for me to do before buying because this is still new here and not many mother that I personally know that is using cloth diaper. So far, only one of my SILs is using it.

There are a lot of brand to choose from and with the help from Branding Company, all of them sounds so good not to buy.

I guess I'll start chatting with some mommy bloggers who has been using this cloth diaper for a while. I am sure they could give me good advice. :D

Maternity Clothes Are Expensive

Last weekend I went to shop for some maternity clothes because mine are mostly for office use.

Unfortunately, none of the maternity blouse catch my attention. They are huge and ugly and very expensive too.

But thanks to today's fashion whereby most blouse are flare below the chest, I just bought a size bigger and it serve as maternity blouse for me. Cheaper some more!

Before I was pregnant, I was complaining that I can't find new blouse for me coz most of them will make me look pregnant even though their design are nice.

Now I am wearing them and I not only look pregnant, I AM pregnant! LOL

Buying Baby Clothes

My sister was backed a few weeks ago and she wanted my baby clothes. After looking through my piles of baby clothes, I was quite ashamed to hand them on to her baby girl. Most of them are stained and faded. Looks like I have reason go shopping for baby clothes soon. No more ogling over those cute baby clothes. I can buy them now BUT I have to make more money in order to do that!

Practical Baby Gifts

Even though I am a mother of three, I still scratch my head when it comes to buy baby gifts. What to buy for the baby? Which Baby Gifts would be the most perfect for him/her? How much will a Baby Gifts cost? Can find Cheap Baby Gifts ones arh? What is the more Practical Baby Gifts? Etc etc etc...

There are a lot of baby gifts shop online that sells cute lil' stuff fr babies but I like practical gifts like diapers. We need to use the diaper every single day and it will never go to the cabinet for safe keeping like the baby bottles; how many bottle can your baby use a year especially if you breastfeed your baby.