Weddings and cake

My brother who is getting married asked me to sponsor him a wedding cake and I said OK. Browsed the internet to a order a wedding cake ideally Batu Pahat based. Found a few and asked for a quotation. I even googled on wedding cake designs and here are some of my favourites (all from the Internet. Sorry to owner of pictures as I forgot to copy your links ;-(

This is what I call simple and sweet

This is also simple & sweet. Cute with the dots

I first attracted to the polka dots contrast with the shape of the cake

This is what I call simple and sophisticated. I assume people will eat the chocolate frosting instead of scrapping it. Nothing goes to waste thus money well spent.

Love the colour!

The blue is refreshing but I know I won't be able to get that colour

Idea to combine cake and cupcake

I often see wedding cakes are impressive to look at with its grandeur presence but always left uneaten after the 1st taste. Wedding cakes are sometimes not nice at all with overfrosting that makes you feel immediately fat after eating it. Usually people just scrap the frosting off the cake because it looks too 'fattening'.

My original plan was to order a 3 tier (so it will look grand) delicious chocolate indulgence cakes (to ensure money is well spent) but that was before I knew wedding cakes are expensive. Cakes that fulfill my wishlist costs from RM500 to RM2,000! My budget is not even RM400. I have to choose either taste or grandeur. After some queries, possibilities and budget constraint, finally I decided to scale down to 2 tier and combine 7' pandan layer cake and a 10' chocolate cake. Decorated with steamed buttercream with swirls and sugarpaste flower/butterflies cam dlm gambar nih (well, not exactly). Nanti kita tengok hasilnya ya.....

And I ordered the cake from Lovelycakes based in Batu Pahat. A colour combination I like from the blog is as below:

Fingers crossed!

3 Jan 2013

This is the cake made by Lovely Cakes. I picked up the cake myself (the baker was a young lovely lady). I was so happy with the outcome, couldn't stop taking pictures of it (not my camera though). I think I would be so happy to receive this cake if I were the bride. So sweet & pretty!

Nothing went to waste. The icing was edible (not too sweet) complimenting the chocolate cake.

  

Don't know why the pic just doesn't want to rotate....

New camera

I need to get a new camera! The one I have right now is broken :( . It's not attractive reading my blog without photos. And Irdina has shown some interest in photography and ask me to get one. Insyaallah ye nak, mama survey dulu....

Spa treat at Pullman

On 29 June, I took a day leave just to experience a spa treatment at Pullman Putrajaya. I perceived Pullman as quite an expensive hotel thus when there was a Groupon offer of Pullman spa treament @ RM158, I didn't need to think twice! It was what I've been looking for, a treat after being diligent at work.

My plan was to go there early so I could have a swim before the treatment booked at 10.00am. However, I left Bangi at about 8.45am and reached there at about 9.15am. Definitely not enough time to swim but I asked the spa lady whether I can delay my treatment to 11.00 and she said yes, they were willing to wait for me! (wow! good answer! Anyone would feel special with such courtesy!) I think there were hardly any customer (because Pullman is new & expensive?) so it was possible for them to wait for me...hihi

So changed my clothes (as well as admiring/taking pics of the finishing of the changing room), had a dip about 1 hr, shower and back to the spa lounge 10 min before 11.00. I can say I was the only one there either at the swimming pool (although a girl & mother and a foreigner joined me later) or at the spa.

Pool overlooking PICC

I will start with my conclusion of the Pullman spa. Good to experience so I could brag that I've been to Pullman. Whether I might come again? Yes, if it has Groupn offers :P because Pullman is near to Bangi.

After noting the reception, I was brought to a superb receiving area served with a cup of ginger tea while waiting for the spa room to be ready . Niceeeee.... Then I was brought to the spa room equipped with own toilet and shower cum sauna. The feel of the spa room is modern with a charm. Usually, spa plays Javanese type of music and so is Pullman except it plays a modern version of the music.

My Groupon offer outlined the treatment as:
[Up to 77% Off] 2-Hr 10-Min Full Body Massage + Javanese Lulur + More in 5-Star Pullman Putrajaya Lakeside Hotel. For 1 (RM158) / 2 (RM258) People. From RM129 per person. For men / women

• 2-hour 10-minute full body massage package.
• Javanese lulur scrub exfoliates and smoothens skin.
• Includes steam bath and access to swimming pool.
• Suitable for all skin types.

The sequence of treatment is different from my previous experience. Usually:

Sauna then massage, then scrub then bath. At Pullman, they start with sauna (which was not mention in the offer, yeah better value for me) and end with the massage.

I think the spa treatments target business travellers/executives because the smell of massage oil is not that strong (I'm comparing it with Cyberview Spa) so people can go straight to the office/ appointments etc. There was hardly any smell once the oil dried out. So not a + point if you are on leave specifically for a spa treat and expect the smell to stay until you go to bed. My rating:

Sauna_nice interior
Massage_ok. Prefer Cyberview
Lulur_ok. Not a strong smell though (I like strong smell)

As an overall, it was a good experience. I guess I didn't put up a high expectation, I just wanted to unwind. Another blogger review and more pics here.

Not feeling so good

I've been good these days... Focusing on work and not everything else!... Raya mood not here yet. Haven't pack my bags, still need to find coordinating tudung for my 2nd baju raya. Not feeling good because I look old! And big in pictures! Arrrgghhh.....! Last week I bought a pink Guess clutch to match with my RM10 pink shoes I found at Abbies. Excited to bergaya for whatever event but when I saw myself in pics, gosh! I don't look nice at all! Please help me....

My HOTPANTS

I received my Hotpants on 21 March which I ordered on the 5th. Can't wait to use it to see whether it really works as they claimed. The next day was Gym for Ladies day... perfect! My first day with Hotpants!.... Walked as usual. After 20 mins, checked out whether I swaet a lot. And yes I did! My lower part was soaked in Hotpants which then I changed to my jeans. When I was reached home, the jeans crease at back of the knee was wet. Wow! I totally amazed! It really make you sweat!

I still wear Hotpants to work and exercise. However, I don't sweat like I did when I wear it the 1st time. Maybe because I soak the pants in Clorox(just tiny bit) thus affect the FIR?... I don't know. Thinking of getting another one (Flares) but before that, i need to figure out how to care for the pants.

Flares costs GBP59.99 (RM364) but I can get from Groupon at RM199. I have credit card debt crisis at the moment so I will have to wait until I can afford to purchase one.

Home Improvement 2nd phase

My cousin just renovated her house. She gave us an old cupboard she doesn't want anymore (she installed floor to ceiling wardrobe). I took the cupboard thinking to replace my old DIY kids cupboard which has already fallen apart. Unfortunately we couldn't get the cupboard upstairs as the cupboard is heavy and big. It ended up in the study room but it is way too big and make the space looks small.

Now, I have started to daydream about our next home improvement project and have agreed with husband to have it done 5 years from now (2016) so we can start saving. Among plans included:

wallpaper for wall at the stairs
wardrobe for both kids room
aircond for both rooms
space for laundry (washing machine, small sink & board, drying area)
sliding door for smaller room
new sofa sets

2011 shopping bargains

From Vincci. I think it was about RM30 each

The one I've been wearing a lot. To work or anywhere...

My bargain still in the carry bag.... Tadahhh!

From JPO. I think total was about RM150. Not bad eh...

I like the simple yet stylish designs of ESPRIT. It's my official casual handbag now.

I think this was about RM30. I bought 2, for my mum too.

The lining inside the purse. Fit for 8 cards

The purse is nearly as big as my UCB denim handbag.

This was from Rengit Parade. RM15 for a Charles & Keith. Can you believe it!

 

I love this one so much. Can't stop taking picture of me wearing it.

Can't remember where this was.

Another Charles & Keith. Will leave this a the office for 'emergency' use.

 So these are me initiating myself to care for my image and appearance. I'll take picture of everything that i buy. From this collection, you can see I was into brown. And yes, I agree. Shopping can be a therapy when you get what you really like and not bothering the price!