Stresa... stresses me!!!

Just when I thought I'm done with my "fascination" with LV handbags, and looking out to other brands to salivate and dream about... I had to check on the LV's official website to check out someone's wishlist and discovered STRESA!!! OMG!!!

I have not checked out the website for months and also have not entered the LV boutique for ages, this afternoon at lunchtime, I happened to come face to face with Stresa (that I only discovered early last week) as I came out of the ladies on my office floor. This lady thank goodness, wasn't staff, or else I risk bumping into "Stresa" everyday in the lift, in the corridors... imagine the agony! She must have just finished a meeting here at our office. Didn't see her face, or even noticed her company tag, cause my eyes fell first on what she was carrying on her lucky shoulder. Sigh! My stresa... well no, technically it's her stresa but you know what I'm saying.

My first reaction was eeerkkkk!!! What's she carrying??? Already??? But I just knew about it last week!!!! Nooooo! But it's so pretty!!!!!! OMG!OMG! I am in love! That's it, there's no turning back. If I thought I was off LV, I'm back on!!!

Stresa PM

Stresa GM

Some facts about my latest... "if I have some $$$ to burn on a new handbag it'll be on this".

Premiered in New York several months ago on Louis Vuitton 2010 Cruise Line, Louis Vuitton Stresa is made in Damier Azur canvas. But the Monogram Canvas version has hit the market much earlier than predicted.

The new line is name after Stresa, a small town on the bank of Lake Maggiore in Italy and a peaceful resort for the wealthy. Designers manage to bring out tranquility and leisure from the graceful yet practical look as a long holiday in Stresa. I’m just crazy for its elegancy and sophistication.

With a convenient zip opening, the Louis Vuitton Handbag features two interior patch pockets and an interior D-ring. There are metal studs on the bottom for more protection and two flat handles to carry or shoulder. It comes in two sizes PM and GM with measurements at 15.7″ x 8.6″ x 8.3″ and 17.3″ x 9.4″ x 8.6″ respectively, which is enough to hold a A4 document. Louis Vuitton Handbags are great accessories for almost any ensembles, but The LV Stresa line is more suitable for business occasions considering the large space and durable material.

Source : http://www.louis-vuitton-review.com/

Oh if you are wondering, it's just a fraction of the 40K handbag, perhaps 1/8 th! Ha!ha!ha!

Are you sure there's only 24 hours in a day?

This is already the 7th day of the New Year. One week has gone by, 3 days of work week. Things accomplished at work? Let's see perhaps 2/10 or am I being semi-honest and have not been listing everything in my daily to-do list this week. Perhaps it's actually 2/15? Sigh!!! So many things to do and yet so little time. I haven't even manage to go to the gym at all this week. OMG!!! This is so not a good way to start what was supposed to be a productive, prosperous and fulfilling year (or rather what I hope it would be)!!!

Where did all the hours go? 8 - 5 p.m at work seems to be a breeze now??? How come? When I was heavily pregnant, 8 - 5p.m seems to take FOREVER!!! I just need more time!!

Or perhaps I need more hands?

(ok, get real people! focus on the hands in the picture ok, that's not how I dress for work.

That's not how I dress full stop.)

Help!

1st 2010 Update

2nd day into 2010 already. How was your New Year Celebration? As usual, we'd try to stay awake till the stroke of midnight, but the kids gave up around 11:10 p.m and we gave up around 5-10 minutes before midnight. So, New Year was celebrated in bed all tucked in, comfy cosy even though, we actually can see KLCC and KL Tower from the balcony. He!he! Yeah, we're not really party animals. Ha!ha! perhaps when the little one is a little older, we'd do something together somewhere a little farther away from our bedroom & balcony.

What's your New Year Resolution? I don't have any simply because I haven't actually sat down and think about it. Ok, one thing that keeps popping in  my head is to eat less. Not less meal times, but eating less at each meal time. I do need to stop having our local dishes for breakfast. Sticking to cereals and toasts. Must bring cereals and bread to work! Must! must! must! Easier said than done, I'm sure. Sigh! That's it. One major 2010 Resolution.

The kids are going back to school on Monday. Everything is ready for the new school year for both schooling kids. Nayli is in Year 3 and Zarif will be in his final year at kindy, 6 years old already. How time flies.

Added something new to my blog too, for this New Year. Can you spot it? Like it? Hope you do. Till later. Have a good Sunday tomorrow!!!!

Waffle Maker Search Update

Back at work after another 4 day weekend! I am enjoying this long weekends. Second long weekend in a row, another one coming! Woohoo! Loads to tell, just no time to do so. Before any weekend updates, here is one update that cannot wait any longer, yes about my waffle maker search.

Two weeks back I found another electrical shop that had the waffle maker that I was scouting for. It was at TBM, Bangsar Village. This time I confirmed that this is no simple sandwich come waffle maker only. This happens to be a "multi snacker". As shown in the picture on the box - previously, the box was not at the display shelf and the salespersons don't seemed to know much about the product. As you can see the machine can be opened up like so, and it can become a grill! Cool eh???

This was the cheapest by far at RM200 after discount. The discount is only till year end. So I really need to decide don't I??? Hmmm whadya reckon???

Before I sign off, remember the update about something's brewing??? Well, you will find out soon. Very very soon!! He!he! Check on me again soon yeah!

In search of a waffle maker.

I have been thinking about preparing waffles for my Sunday breakfasts for a change, at least there'll be a choice between pancakes/toasts and just recently scones (though this will not happen very often) to be eaten with the usual eggs, beans/peas and sausages & nuggets. I found an easy to make and supposedly good recipe online, however, I do not have a waffle maker just yet. This requires a wee bit of investment and research (a.k.a window shopping). I like the 2nd part bit.

So, my search started yesterday in KLCC Best Denki. The only sandwich maker that is convertible to a waffle maker was this KENWOOD model SM 580 which was going at RM229.00 and even with this major Malaysia Sales going on at the moment, there was NO SALE at BEST DENKI!!! So people out there please do not even bother looking for any electrical goods/appliances at this place. Obviously they are targeting the tourists only!!!

Price Tag.

The Waffle Maker - that makes 4 pieces at one go.

The fact that the waffle maker makes 4 pieces at one time, I quite like that, saves time. Though I don't know how long it'll take each time, need to check on the model spec online. Maybe this weekend I would try to check out other stores around my area, could get it much cheaper. Wish me luck!

Anybody out there been making waffles??? Wanna share your recipe?? What is the brand of your waffle maker?

Birthday Lunch at Low Yat??

I had my birthday lunch on my birthday itself at Low Yat Plaza. Another reason to be grateful on my 35th birthday actually. I have been wanting to get to this place for ages! And I mean ages, (to think in years!!!). The reason is I needed to get another external hard disk. When supposedly a birthday lunch with colleagues were postponed since the organiser a.k.a Miss Tabby Pretty was on sick leave (on my birthday too!), I jumped at the chance to go to Low Yat when Fida (a.k.a Pn. Fida Towkey Kambing) said she was going with another friend to get a computer.

I can understand why gadget freaks / geeks LVoe this place! Me? Hey, I'm neither, I'm a confirmed Shopaholic so anything goes, even external hard drives!!! :-) Since Fidah has arranged to go with a friend, I needed another partner, you know 2's a company, 3's a crowd thing... I managed to get Azleen to join, apparently she has been planning to get a new laptop/netbook too, so I called the right person at the right time! Gosh, where did all their money come from, really?

The Ground Floor

Azleen checking out one netbook after another.

A closer look at the SAMSUNG, very nice, if only they had it in black - not that I was looking. Visited a few shops, but we kept going back to one, because the Salesperson was nice & cute :-). Yup, we were guilty of being "look-alistic". Once the choices were getting a bit much and Azleen became totally confused, we took a lunch break. The only thing that we could see from the escalator was this Kopitiam.

It was almost empty, so good cause we were famished. We ordered the Set Lunch which had this tomyam noodles, kaya toasts and Lime Juice. Nice!

Eating up before making the big decision. In the end, we did go back to that one particular shop and bought that particular netbook. Whilst, waiting for the shop to configure her PC, we went to look out for a wireless broadband package.

Deciding on a package.

Still deciding.

Another thing that would be nice to have, have been in my wishlist for quite sometime. Anybody want to get me one of these? Digital Photoframe, I LVoe!!!! I also managed to check out the BB pricing here, not bad at all. Hope I'll be coming back here to get it soon.

The Proposal... left me hyperventilating!!!

Well, not the movie exactly, but Sandra Bullock's wardrobe and mostly her gorgeous Hermes Birkin. Aaaaaaarghhhh!!! It's just sooooo beautiful. Love the scene when she arrived at Ryan Reynold's hometown. She was of course carrying the gorgeous orange Birkin, and 2 LV suitcases, I am not so wild about Pegase (the wheelie thing) but I do so love what I thought was a Keepall (correct me if I am wrong), a lovely oversized Speedy to me. But then again if someone shoved me the Pegase... I have no objections whatsover. Ok, take a deep breath before you proceed...

Here you go... isn't this just so beautiful? I might go for the black one, but just look at that Orange on black, the contrast is just stunning isn't it. Sigh! Been telling hubby that the queue (yes there is one, haven't enquired the KL store about it ...YET!!!) could be 2-3 years, since I am not a celeb nor a socialite, it might even be longer, anyway, I was like, can I like get my name in the waiting list now? Do you reckon you could be able to get me one of these for me in 2-3 years time??? How much is one of these, he asks??? So I told him and he's like WHAT!!!! May be when he decides to get his Naked Bike, I might ask him again... Suddenly, I am praying that he'd buy the bike soon. Ha!ha!ha!

Sigh!

Even in this mayhem... What a sight!

This is a Prada, not crazy about it, but the size is just my kinda size.

Again, throw it to me, I'll make sure I'd catch it.

The proposal scene, ha!ha! I didn't see the knee pad in the movie, clever!! And the killer Christian Louboutin heels, goodness gracious, pretty but I'd never last 5 minutes in them. Unfortunately, I am fated to wear only kitten heels and boring flats!!

Another look at her heels.

Love the shades that she wore too. Apprarently, upon checking they are The Face to Face Ylang 1 (an exclusice French eyewear brand)... do I need to know all these things... Really, just feeding all sinful ideas into my head.

Pictures courtesy of: http://www.celebrityfashiotips.com/ & http://justjared.buzznet.com/ & http://beautify-flr.bogspot.com

So a few reasons as to why you should not miss this movie:

1. Sandra Bullock looks super chic with superb clothes, handbags and shoes.
2. Ryan Reynolds looks gorgeous, hilarious and there is a topless scene!

3. A lot of Birkin scenes!!!

4. A lot of Prada scenes.

5. Beautiful scenery

6. Makes you laugh your head off

7. Makes you go aaaaaahhh!

8. Makes you laugh your head off again... even when the credits were rolling!

For all the shoe lovers out there

Stumbled upon this blog update, what attracted me to it was the title for the post: "The Shoe Strategy or How to Save money without really trying..."

Mister: I love your shoes. Are they new (he says with an enquiring look)?

Missus: Yes, my darling aren't they gorgeous. They are the latest 10.5 Divas.



Mister: Yes angel, I can see that they are very beautiful but...



Missus: Don't you think my darling that they make my legs look longer and I just adore the way my ankles seem slimmer and my calves more supple. They are so comfortable, I really can't believe it.



Mister: Your legs do look sensational in those heels I will admit... but angel...I thought we had agreed to put a temporary halt on any discretionary spending for the next few months ...Remember my ange, we thought we might take it easy and spend a little less with the way the economy is, credit crunch and all. We did speak about this...



Missus: (interrupting) Of course my darling I totally understand and that is why I am saving money with these divine darlings.



Mister: Oh how silly of me, I misunderstood you my angel. You mean that you are saving money by buying these shoes?



Missus: Yes my darling, I am saving so much money because these shoes are completely updating last season's wardrobe. I have saved a fortune by buying these - Don't you see? I haven't had to buy any other new outfits - I can wear these babies with all my old clothes. This is like investing in a pension fund my darling - all those savings for the future... you know the 'spend a little save a lot' strategy.



Mister: Of course my angel....Why didn't I think of it like that? Perhaps you should buy two pairs and save even more....



Missus: My darling, I knew you would understand...



If you feel like investing in a little shoe strategy then the blogger recommends some shoes for your portfolio please click here to drool over the shoes.

Shoes & Handbags, very important to invest in good ones (plenty of 'em), don't you think?

************************************************************************

Ferragamo's Classic Bow Pump, still unchecked on my wishlist! Sigh!!

I am Berry Berry busy nowadays...

However, I still have time to dream about owning this beauty! I wish wish wish.... with unlimited data plan puhleeees!!! pretty please!!!!

The thing is I may be able to scrape my savings, or max out my credit card to buy this thing, my problem is the monthly data plan. Painful!!!! If only my current sponsor is willing to upgrade my current status... ehem! ehem!!! Trillion pretty please??? :-)

Tod's "D" Bag Fall 2009... I want!!!

My last handbag purchase was in September 2009. So, that has been... what mmm about 9 months!! Already, I am having this urge for a new bag. I have yet to own a nice black bag, that I am proud of (read: designer!). So I'm thinking of this new baby by Tod's.If it comes in black... then it would definitely be my next purchase. Isn't it just gorgeous? I love it, it looks like it's as functional as my Speedy I think. I love the slouchiness too. I have been dying for a Tod's for ages.

"A good bag wardrobe is one with solid foundation pieces like this that you can pull out to use season after season without worry of current trends. Whether you are a novice bag snob learning to build your bag wardrobe or a seasoned pro, you can not go wrong with a timelessly chic Restyled "D" bag in your collection! Available in 2 sizes, the Piccola (small 27cm- $1,345) and the Media (large 32cm- $1,445) ranging from 8-10 colors in three different skins-- patent leather, calfskin, and buffalo." ... Bagsnob. Need I say more ladies???

Gotta go find the loot to buy it though! :-P

Long weekend #01

Long weekends are always something that we look forward to. What's there not to, 3 whole days away from work right? We didn't have anything planned. We thought on Friday we'd just take the kids to the Zoo since Zaim love birds, we thought he would enjoy a day at the zoo. Saving the bird park for the coming school holidays.

So here's us at the main entrance. Standard photo shoot every time we come here. I really should take the time, to think of a more creative angle of getting this shot. Next trip perhaps. I'm behind the camera obviously, so not in the shot (as usual, sigh!).

It's feeding time for the giraffes.

What are these? Storks or Pelicans? Let's just go with birds...

What ever they're called... Zaim was totally transfixed!!!

Some animals just go on with "their business" much to Zarif's dismay.

Walking like an Egyptian... mmm emu actually.

The beautiful hornbill.

Hey, how come I'm not included in this hudle??

King of the Jungle, or as Zarif put it, King of the Zoo.

Bored stiff!

Tiggerriffffic duo!

Consulting the Zoo map... checking out what other animals to look out for.

Zarif loves to read the maps around the Zoo. Check out the new battery operated and fume free trams.

Oooh what's lurking in the muddy water???

Taking a snack break.

After the Zoo, we went to Jusco, Setiawangsa for lunch. While waiting for their dad performing the Friday prayers, I let the kids go at the playzone. They had a blast, but poor little Zaim, was stuck in his pram with me.

On Saturday, as usual the older kids have their weekly swimming lessons at the club. Normally, Zaim and I just stay home. Last weekend however, we joined them cause I missed having breakfast at the club. The thosai telur bawang and chilli is quite good. Plus, Zaim could always go with a dip in the pool.

Enjoying the water fountain.

Down the slide. Look at the panic stricken face.

Splash!

We did it yeah!

Going up a flat slide. Good thing he's crawling already.

All tired after the swim.

Then it was off to the Nike Warehouse Sale at Queen's Park, in Cheras. I thought that place is quite cool. Plenty of Outlet stores around. I'd definitely come back to this place again. There is a Mango, Esprit, Ashworth Outlets and even a Starbucks. The plan was to look for running shoes for the father, but look who ended up with his first pair of Nike??? All at 11 months, and to think that my first Nike was when I was 11 years old, or was it 12??? Sad!!!

Here's the entrance to the Nike Sale. Practically empty. Nothing like the Adidas Warehouse Sale that we went to the last time, where we had to queue for an hour before we managed to get in!

After the Nike Sale, we walked around the place and we spotted a barber shop. Since Zarif was in such a bad need for a haircut, and since Zaim was behaving, and the place was empty with excellent air-condition... why not??

Zaim must be wondering what on earth is going on here? What is this strange person doing to my brother? Am I next???

Snip snip snip. Look at Zarif's fringe, how long it has gotten to.

All done.

Even a picture with Uncle Barber. Pssst, Zarif is not happy, he said it's way too short. He prefers his usual barber at home. Demanded to be taken there next time, and kept on asking when his hair will grow back.

That was Saturday, oh after we reached home, I took a quick nap for about 20 minutes, then we went out again to Giant. Don't worry no picture in Giant. I was too zonked out anyway, cause I took a flu tablet. I somehow, got my sinus on the way home from Cheras. Perhaps it was because I didn't but anything for myself. Ha!ha!

Sunday was cooking day for me. I had an urge to cook, having bought the stuff at Giant the day before, I was excited to try out something new. First I started with Pumpkin Soup for Zaim. First I boiled the pumpkin separately. Then I boiled some potatoes, carrots and onions. I didn't have the recipe with me, but if I remember correctly, it also called for celery and cream. I had no celery and cream, but I substituted the cream with fresh milk. Once, the second batch of boiled items have soften, I added beef stock and also the pumpkins and some fresh milk to thicken it even more and make it a little more creamy.

Then I blended it to become a smooth puree/ very soupy texture. Then I scooped some into bowls for the kids, myself and Zaim. I had an assistant to help me feed Zaim as I had to continue with my next dish of the day.

Zaim loved it, he even had second helpings. I feel so appreciated. Ha!ha!

Yummy!

Here' s the kakak feeding him, don't know if more went into his mouth or the sister's.

Ok, my next dish is called... Roasted Veggies Spaghettini. Whose recipe? No one in particular, just mixing up cooking methods from my years of watching AFC.

Prepare the onions and garlic, no need to peel the skins, infact I should not have even cut the onions in half, leave them whole, just nip one end of it to allow them to absorb the marinate.

Mushrooms and Pepper/ Capsicums

Cut them and dump them all together.

The simple marinating elements are just Olive Oil, Salt and Pepper. Dead easy.

Lay out everything in a tray like so, you can sprinkle more oil, salt and pepper if you think more is needed.

I forgot the aurburgines(eggplants), same treatment with the marinade.

Finally, everything is ready to go into the oven.

I let it roast covered first for about 20 minutes or so.

Then, I open it and turn on the grill function.

I also prepared a simple watery tomato based sauce with loads of mushrooms for a basic base for the spaghettini to bathe in without being too mushy nor too dry.

Grill away until you get the desired charred marks.

Done.

You'd want to slice up the capsicums, after peeling the skin off.

Chop up everything into bite size.

Squish out the roasted and grilled garlic out of the skin. Mmmm yummm!

Mixed them all together and serve.

You get that charred roasted grilled taste of the veges. Should try it with seafood too next time.

Plenty of veges left, I boiled a second round of spaghettini and tossed them again with the leftover veges. Enough for breakfast at the office the next day. Reheating doesn't even spoil the taste.

What shall I do next weekend now???