A LIL BIT OF CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

SHOES GALORE

You know what I mean. Those crazy Christmas Sales here and there. A slice of heaven perhaps. Ah being dramatic but I still love it.

 

I have acquired two pairs of shoes (would have gotten more, thank you BONUS!).

Kenzo Tiger Flats

 

Pictures from Matches.com

My Purchase :)

Got myself these really comfy flats. It was on 50% and an additional 10% when I purchased these on Boxing Day. Wohoo.

Next damage was:-

Gianvito Rossi Blue Suede Pumps

The pumps were comfy as it is 3 inches in height only. Prefer low heels these days. Cannot bear 4 inches these days but I really cannot live without height. If only Sophia Webster offers heels in 3 inches and not 4.5 inches!! How to walk in them I wonder.

 

 

Photos from Matches.com

 

 

So bye 2013 and welcome 2014. My wish for 2014 is for world peace.

 

Happy New Year.



 

BLUE SEASON

Tod's Sacha Bag

Aha another blue bag.

Having a blue moment. I think I have to stop spending on bags. OK this is another casual go to bag that I can use when I go and do my grocery shopping with my kids. Not leather so it would not get soiled by oily little fingers.

I ordered the bag from Reebonz again as it was relatively cheap.

 

This time I was gifted with the Reebonz Year 2014 calendar.

Happy weekend :)

HAVE U BEEN NAUGHTY OR NICE?

Naughty

For Spending Way Too Much $$ on Bags!

Yup exactly that. I am guilty.

 

H said how many bags do you need really? Urm ... in my head I said plenty but I said to him, oh this bag is different as it has a cover or lid over the opening so my things wont fall off (I am referring to Alexa). Besides I said that will be my good travel bag - good size. Ha ha, he just rolled his eyes at me. Nah I do not care as I pay for most of my bags using my own salary (it's very empowering) and the other 10% is paid by H who indulges me in my most 'worst' habit (does a word even exist). OK more justification, I do not purchase my bags off retail a.k.a at full price. The bags I bought are usually discounted or at a lesser value than the retail price.

 

So my next acquisition which so happens to be a bag which I have been eyeing and so desperately waiting for it to be discounted was finally put up for discount at 30%! I grabbed it of course.

 

I introduce to you the Alexander Wang Jamie Bag in Pebbled or Waxy Grey. Love Love.

 

 

Photo taken from Matches Alexander Wang Jamie Bag

 

 

The Process of Unwrapping My Gift * Happiness

 

 

 

Sweet :)

 

 

 

TO REEBONZ OR NOT

Bag Online Shopping @ Reebonz

I love Bags! So who (women) don't?

Anyway I believe almost everyone have heard of Reebonz and I myself have bought several items from them before. My latest purchase is an Alexa Mulberry (in midnight blue).

 

My review today is not about the bag but about Reebonz. So here goes:

Products

Reebonz (will be known as R in short) has an extensive range of products. Variety of brands are under one umbrella, and you can always look out for older or the latest model in the market at the site.  Of course if you have been on the site the products do get rotated constantly, so do not worry if you miss the opportunity to purchase the item as the item will surely pop up again in a day or two (if no one has bought it yet of course).

 

Prices

 

The prices of the items on R can be reasonable considering the fact that R offers you free shipping and all customs cost paid so you do not need to fork out extra on top of the price of the item (kinda like all included in one cost).

 

However, if you are looking to purchase the latest bag or an 'IT' bag, you cannot expect the price to be slashed to 50% off the rack price. Nevertheless for older version items (or off season which term does not really apply in the Malaysian market, thank gawd) you can get a decent price.

 

R every now and then do slash off the price of one or two item and you have to be quick as the price is really attractive but I always get beaten to it as I am not online at R's website at 10 a.m. sharp (as that's the 'store' opening time) but there are heaps of people who does that (people with the privileges offered by R).

 

I have searched for more popular bags on other website around the globe and some websites are very competitive. Prices can be far lower (at least 20%) and with better selection, however for some you need to pay for shipping and of course the customs tax is not included in the price (customs rate at 10% of your purchase price). The idea is always to buy from websites that offers you free shipping and if the total price (inclusive of tax) is still lower more often than not I purchase from overseas website.

 

Authenticity

 

For all the products that I have bought from R, they are authentic. I have heard that some people are duped but I think they are more unsatisfied for the fact that the avenue to return/exchange is rather limited and people are 'angry' for they really thought that there was something 'wrong' with the product that they have purchased. However I think R is being too prudent as well. Read further under Returns/Exchanges and Change of Mind heading.

 

Packaging and Delivery

 

I do admit that I love the packaging from R. It comes in nice black sturdy box and with a gold ribbon on top. Now who does not like that. However if you purchase smaller and/or less expensive items you will not be given the same treatment.

 

R used to deliver a lot faster (like within 3 days from the date of purchase) but beware if you do purchase during a holiday season as it can take up to 10 days (which happened to me and the customer service sounded angry when I asked her about my delivery - that girl should be sacked).

 

 

 

Returns/Exchanges or Change of Mind

 

This is the part which gets to everyone. Ha ha, me too.

 

I have once bought a YSL Muse Bag and let's just say that it was a let down. The gold tone of the hardware especially on the lock was tarnish and it is no longer shiny like how new bag supposed to look like. So I contacted the customer service asking for a refund as why should I pay for a considerable amount when it does not match the quality of the product.

 

OK, R asked me to send in the photos which I did and they state that the condition of the bag is 'like that' and the lock is meant to look brassy. It's funny how R's customer representative ("Rep") said that, as the rest of the hard wares like on the handle and the strap are still gold and shiny. I believe the bag must have been a display bag and more often than not the lock (at the front of the bag) is being handled the most. I said the same thing to the Rep. What irks me most is that her comment is that the YSL bag distinct feature is the brassy lock. I almost fell of my chair thinking 'Seriously, do you think this is my first time buying luxury items'!

 

In any manner to cut the story short, I fought and I assumed R reluctantly allowed for the item to be returned and a refund to be made (though the Rep did say that usually they only allow store and not a credit refund). Again, I find that annoying as I have shopped extensively online and all overseas online stores allowed for return (with credit refund) with no questions asked provided the return item complied with the rules that they have set. So I was offered a refund after going though so much hassle.

 

I do understand that R needs to protect itself especially against some 'naughty' purchasers who may have bought the original item and try to return a fake bag to R, further I have also heard that some used the item for an occasion and then wanted the item to be returned and so on. I guess there are bogus purchasers everywhere but R needs to be better in improving its Return/Exchange services for genuine purchasers.

 

I did not purchase from R for a long time after that purchase as I do not want to fall into the same trap again. From that day onwards I only make sure that I purchase the item I am really desperate for and after I have seen the actual item in a store. 

 

The Extras

 

R do give cute gifts during the holiday season.

 

I received this complimentary coasters with my purchase this time around. Nice touch R!

 

 

Conclusion

 

Will I buy from R again? Yes I would but with much caution and if I have lots of time to spare to wait for the bag/item to arrive.

 

Just my short story, I purchased a bag from UK like 3 days after I purchase a bag from R - Guess what I receive the bag from UK and R on the same day. So go figure.

 

OK, enjoy shopping and the holiday seasons. Be safe.

 

 



 

 

 

 

LBD: LOVER

Little Black Lace Dress

Now that is yummy!

I have been wondering about the rage of Lover (The Brand) clothing line. Yes, they look beautiful online and they are really expensive, yet fashionistas, supermodels (like Miranda Kerr for e.g.), and bloggers love this Brand.

 

I manage to purchase a dress from Lover after contemplating for nearly a year and well, I was looking for either one that is on discount and/or in a certain colour. However the size is always a challenge too, as smaller sizes run our pretty fast. I do like the Sara Lace Dress however they do not have it in my Size and it is not on discount.

 

Sara Lace Dress

 

So I went for the Rosebud Lace Dress instead. I bought the one in Black, though I really do covet the Red one.

 

 

Black Lace Rosebud Dress

 

 

My DRESS :)

 

 

The Red Lace Rosebud Dress

 

Who wears Lover?

 

 

 

 

Nice !

 

 

 

NEW DRESS FOR X-MAS / CNY?

Most Beautiful Red Lace Dress Ever

I bought a new dress!

Yes I buy clothes every other day.

But I am loving the dress that I just got for either Christmas or the Chinese New Year.

I'll probably be wearing the dress for Chinese New Year since I will be away for the Christmas holidays (so no party to attend).

The dress details as follows:

Brand: Self Portrait Check it out here Shop
Name: Starlet Midi Dress

  

 

Am so loving it.

 

Happiness.

NEPAL: DAY 6 - PART 2



Kathmandu Still

After lunch, I head to another UNESCO Heritage site. I do not remember the name of the temple this time as I have been visiting quite a fair bit actually. I enjoyed watching the daily life of the Nepalese people and have captured some pictures of what they do on a daily basis.

 

I saw a woman selling chicks in woven basket like these.

  

A woman prepping her stall, unsure whether she is ending or just starting her day.

This temple is taken near Patan.

An old lady selling Sal leaves (from the Cotton Tree) which leaves are weaved and formed into a bowl which is used to place offerings to the Gods in all the temples that I have come across

Kumari (Ghar) Temple or accommodation. Read more about Kumari here Life of A Kumari

Kathmandu Durbar Square

Part of an old palace and temple which is now a museum

 

Have you seen so many pigeons in a square

Yup and cows everywhere too

The temple which was supposed to be related to the Kumari legend

where the actual Goddess resides in

 Kathmandu Durbar Square

Kathmandu Durbar Square or Hanumandhoka Durbar Square is the plaza in front of the old royal palace of the Kathmandu Kingdom. It is one of three Durbar Squares in the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

 

The Durbar Square is surrounded with spectacular architecture and vividly showcases the skills of the Newar artists and craftsmen over several centuries. The royal palace was originally at Dattaraya square and was later moved to the Durbar square location.

 

The Kathmandu Durbar Square holds the palaces of the Malla and Shah kings who ruled over the city. Along with these palaces, the square surrounds quadrangles revealing courtyards and temples. It is known as Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square, a name derived from a statue of Hanuman, the monkey devotee of Lord Ram, at the entrance of the palace.

 

Read more here Kathmandu Durbar Square

The old palace

 

Wooden sculpture and carving of the window

More wooden window frames - the way the wooden frames were designed is that the occupant inside the palace is able to view outside whereas anyone from the outside can never see through the window into the palace

 

The palace has been converted into a museum and most of the items them cannot be photographed. those are the stone carvings and the relics from the palace. Most of the carvings depicts the Gods the Hindus pray to and some does not look 'too good' to be photographed.

 

After this I went on a mini shopping trip around the square. A lot of tourist souvenir looking shops selling t-shirts and etc. However I was only looking for cashmere items. My guide took me to a reputable seller and his goods were definitely of the high quality but it does not come cheap. I did not end up getting anything as I was looking for a specific colour and style. So my pocket did not hurt but my heart did ache as the cashmere was so soft to the touching and I really wished they had what I wanted.

 

Well it's the end of Day 6.

 

NEPAL: DAY 6 - PART 1

All About Kathmandu

Pashupati

It is the start of a very interesting day. I am on my way to Pashupati to see the Pashupati Temple where live and open cremation are done on the temple ground.

 

A little bit of history first. Pashupatinath is the Lord Shiva i.e. the God of Gods to the Hindus. The Pashupatinath is considered one of the holiest temple in Nepal and Hindus and Buddhists alike worshiped there. In the sanctum of the temple stands a Jyothirlinga (a devotional object representing Lord Shiva believed to have self appeared) and the like of which is not found existent anywhere else in the world. The temple is located on the western bank of Bagmati river in Kathmandu. The precincts of the temple of Pashupatinath and its surrounding areas spreads over 264 hectares of land, dotted with ancient temples, archaeologically and architecturally important monuments, vihars, monasteries, stupas and so on.

 

A typical looking petrol kiosk - mind you it is not like the modern ones we have back home

The entrance to the Pashupatinath Temple

The 'open' crematorium

As you can see smoke is rising from the open crematorium (urm dead body being burnt there)

 

I was told there the dead will be prepared (bathed and covered with white linen) and funeral rituals will be done at the temple prior to the crematorium of the body at the podium of the temple. Logs of wood shall be placed at the bottom of the podium before the body be placed on top of the log of woods which shall then be covered with smaller pieces of woods surrounding the body. Finally the fire shall be set alight on the top later and bottom layer of the wood. The whole process takes about 3 to 4 hours. After which it shall be inspected by the caretaker to make sure that the 'burning' is complete. The family members shall then gather to watch the ashes of the dead being strewn into the river below. As it says 'ashes to ashes, dust to dust'.

The opposite site of the 'live' burning podium

Below the temple is the river where the dead is bathed prior to the funeral rituals, the full view is blocked by the bridge unfortunately. When I was there, one family was doing a ritual and I did not want to take the picture of the family out of respect.

Stupas opposite and above the area where the 'bodies' are bathed

 

After witnessing the ritual, I explored the temple grounds. Some other interesting sights as below.

 

 

Have you ever seen so many pigeons and cows in an open area?

 

The cows (all male) at the temple grounds are presented by the Hindus in exchange of blessings from the Gods. Only males are presented as female cows are kept at home for its milk. It is an offence to kill a cow in Nepal as it is considered a sacred and it is the national animal of the country. The penalty of killing a cow is 20 years in goal. Further when the cow dies it is to be cremated. The skin shall be taken off from the cow and only the body is cremated. Urmmm, then use the skin as leather goods?? Does not make any sense if the cow is sacred and all but you use the skin ... no?

Shops near the temple ground

 

Great Stupa of Baudhanath

 

My next stop is the Stupa.

 

The stupa is commonly known as Boudha or Boudhanath, meaning lord of wisdom. It is (supposed ) to be a protective, purifactory and wish granting stupa according to the Newar people.

 

There are many stories and legends concerning the origin and history of the stupa. The Himalayan Buddhist believes that a widow name Jyazima aspired to make a great offering to the Buddha, using her hard earned savings as a poultry keeper. She approached the local king for permission and it was granted, on condition that she used an area of land measuring the size of a single buffalo skin. However, Jyazima cut the skin into thin strips and claimed the land enclosed from the strips lay end to end. The mere woman.s ambition to build such a magnificent monuments offering to the Buddha caused much jealousy between the rich and the powerful at the time. The jealous lords petitioned the king to have the stupa demolished, but the king who allowed this happened replied by saying that since his permission had been granted it shall not be rescinded and thus the stupa was named Jyarung Khashyor.

 

 

 

 

 

The Stupa and its sights

The shops surrounding the Stupa

 

Types of souvenirs sold and the special 'thanka' (hand painted paintings on sheet of silk or cotton - usually set to harden first by some solution usually depicting Hindu Gods and the Buddha) which is not captured in picture here but I have inserted a photo I found in Google.

 

 

I had Indian style lunch today and it was decent. The restaurant is near the former palace in which the palace is now a museum. If you can remember I think it was sometime after the 2000 Olympics, we heard about the massacre of the Royal family by the Crown Prince Dipendra (actual event took place in year 2001). Read the Nepal Royal Massacre.

 

The entrance to the former palace

 

This is somewhat a long day so I have broken this piece into two parts.

 

Time for a bit of work now. Chow.