First and foremost, thank you to everyone who had took the time and effort to celebrate our (me and K1's) most important day of our lives. I think at this point I have sounded like a broken gramophone thanking people over and over again but honest to God, apart from being not exactly the most sociable couple to most people (we kinda glided out of the CF community ever since we started work; attending mostly random yumchas organized by friends either by chance or appointments) .

Hence, my main worry was whether anyone would want to come for the Perak reception seeing that it is a 2 hour drive and it didn't help that it coincided with CF Day 1 (again, the dates were chosen by my parents. Because we know that month end is hell at work for me and early December would be too fast for me to recuperate from my month end work madness). And yes, seeing old faces that I haven't meet for weeks, months or even years on my big day literally kept me ecstatic (even though I looked tired by 3pm onwards, fail X_X) especially when everyone just mingled like good old times and doing what they do best ; eat, be merry and do super crazy stuff that K1 would normally never would agree to his in manliness >D

Ok, I rambled a bit too much on that. Moving on, let's start with... an LJ Cut :D

( Read more... )

Because too many changes have been made for the past few months, it has finally been decided as such :

Solemnization Location : Home sweet home <3
Reception Location : Clearwater Sanctuary
MUA for Pre-Wedding Photoshoot and Solemnization :  IYKS studio (Ipoh)
MUA for Reception : Marion
MUA for Bertandang/The Groom's Side : Fiza Zainuddin (Nearly 1K for sekali makeup but I steeled myself to pay for the deposit X_X)
Florist : Sunny Blooms (deposit paid. Fresh flowers all the way)
Bunga Pahar : Hikayat Cinta (crystal flowers whee ^o^)
Hantaran decorator : Sunny Blooms (also, we bought the trays from an Ipoh wedding favor supplier)
Photography : DeMomentz (pre-wedding, soleminization and reception at a special rate . Can't get any better than this)
Pre-wedding photography : ShutterFlickr for casual shoot, Demomentz for full outdoor bridal shoot
Soleminzation baju kurung : Ipoh tailor (might ask Oscar to bling it if it's too plain)
Reception baju kurung moden : Oscar Lagenda (went for first fitting, absolutely gorgeous!)
Outdoor pre-wedding bridal dress : Oscar Lagenda (who agreed to get me some to try on in the next 2 weeks, who wants to follow :D)
Wedding Veil for soleminzation : MyHannah
Bertandang baju songket : Ipoh tailor (to cut cost, but again, might ask Oscar to buat extra beading if ada rezeki lebih :D)
PA System : Family friend
Wedding Cards : Marryme (for simple and chic cards :D)
Wedding Favors (Guest ): Chocolates from aunt and contemplating between ordering macarons from an office friend or sugar cookies from The CookieCat
Wedding Favors (VVIP) : KK Home Mart. (Mum bought it, so I just need to reimburse her *phew duit lagi*)
Wedding shoes : ALDO and possibly Carlo Rino (has anyone seen the latest collection in Parkson?  Very classy :) )
Pelamin : DIY!!!!!! (My mum wants a mini-sanding at home after solemnization, she already bought the chairs and is prepping for the decor. So yes people, you can pelt me with rosewater now >3)

Things that I won't be getting/is unconfirmed yet

Henna Art : Honest to God, while I like to see henna art on everyone else, I hate to see it on myself. Quote friend, your skin already as fair as it is, having some weird art on you feels super sacrificial lol XD
Honeymoon : Manager kinda begged me to take a later honeymoon as the work for year end is incredibly crazy and we are already understaffed by default :\
Location of honeymoon :  I still want Pangkor Laut. But I promised Dimmie that we will go Singapore in January to catch a musical; how now brown cow?

Yes, I know my hopes for a simple wedding has now blown out of proportion but hey, I'm getting married once and so far I have restrained from making any unneccessary purchases while saving for my dream day.

Drat. Which reminds me, I need to compile a bunch of easy listening classics for my wedding. Suggestions anyone :D?

Solemnization : My new home in Bandar Puspa
Reception : Clearwater Sanctuary Batu Gajah


Preparation


MUA : Marion (Chinese, easy to work with and affordable. For both solemnization and reception. Deposit paid!)
Florist : Sunny Blooms (old family friend. Fresh flowers for the wedding yay!)
Hantaran decorator : Sunny Blooms (maybe. It may be DIY or we have to go to Ipoh Old Town for a quick fix)
Photography : Bicara Lensa (need to lock in a meeting with him to block my date)
Pre-wedding photography : ShutterFlickr (benefit of the doubt is placed here)
Soleminzation baju kurung : Tailor in Ipoh (because she has much experience with lace)
Reception baju kurung moden : Oscar Lagenda
Bertandang baju songket : Oscar Lagenda
PA System : Another family friend
Wedding Cards : Vision Greetings (waiting to get a proper map so I can finalize the details and pay my deposit)
Wedding Favors (Guest) : Chocolates (from aunt). Might get some mini jams if I have the time to approach KHM. Or is there any Cameron clients that do jam favors *_*
Wedding Favors (VVIP) : TBC. Need to visit SSF and KK Home Mart
Wedding shoes : ALDO (Warehouse sales in ALDO proves to be a fruitful one)

- Photographer (TBC, because 50% deposit is required. And still no B/W in sight, apart from the fact that he seems a bit too..nonchalant? I know how some people are afraid of being pushy but replying in 1 or 2 sentences only gives me a bad aftertaste :( ) Keeping the other options open in case this guy is a bit too mysterious for my liking. I like to have transparency in all my agreements thanks.
- Makeup Artist (December is a hot month for people to get married and all the good ones are already being snapped up here and there. I found one based on a friend's recommendation and am hoping that she's free on both my solemnization and reception. Otherwise, need to get a Perak based MUA la)
- VIP gifts (Monday/Tuesday will confirm final designs and bank in the money)
- Reception outfit (the balance is to be paid by November phew)
- Wedding cards (Tempted to get the most budget one because even at RM2 each can cost up to RM600 for 300 people!)
- Hantaran (waiting for sales to descend now, so far Parkson has been giving discounts at the wrong items sheesh. Tolong la, masa I tanak beli, discount Fossil watch sampai 10% ape cite sobs T_T)

I can has emo now. Sometimes I don't even know if I can earn enough to have my wedding.

Which reminds me. Minus RM450 each month for the house. I guess it means eating lots of sand until the wedding is over /sighs
 
....But it's okay. I'm still gainfully employed, Insyallah until year end, at least my contract is certain. Even if I'm not qualified for performance bonus, please God, let me find the will to earn my keep and pay for all the expenses that I incur.

 

( A bit of writing to keep my mind off things )

 

Frankly speaking, it was supposed to be a secret until the final week as me and the boyfie have been taking the privacy route for the past few months. But after enduring great lengths for the sake of getting that one ring, I felt that it's time to at least confess a little on what's been on me (and the boyfie's) platter as of late :

- We are getting engaged, and yes, it's a small family affair in Perak. 4th June's the date, right after my graduation and the company closing.
- Planning for the perfect wedding isn't what I would say a bed of roses. I've shed more than enough tears and have been consumed by too much irrational fear.
- Atifi is my unoffical wedding planner and also the retainer of my sanity. Way too often she sees me panicking under anxiety attacks X_X
- Originally planned to look for the ring after my graduation as I should have a free weekend after that. That didn't happen of course.
- Went to numerous places looking for the perfect ring, which you'd think with the excessive supply of diamonds especially in the city as compared to Perak, it'd be easier to choice. So so wrong.
- 3rd May will be forever etched in my mind. Along with Atifi (who acted as my supir lol because I fail in night driving. Maybe I should change my glasses to astig-friendly ones), we head to Habib HQ in Ampang. Call it coincidence or God's will, because we got parking right in front of Habib. I kid you not.
- Found the ring in less than 20 minutes, with a greater price to boot. Officially turned into the happiest B2B in that one moment in time :)
- I need an organizer. To keep me on track of things. It's already twice I forgot to complete the registration forms =_=;

And.....



I bought too much chocolates yesterday in the midst of planning. Gonna give some to Mum as a mother's day pressie, as for the rest, I might sell it off as I am after all, in dire need of looking like a radiant bride when the time comes *cough*

MSG me if interested yeah thanks. I can give good price ;)

1. Mille Crepe, Food Foundry with Dimmie on our random monthly bitch-fest (yes being a bad friend that  I am, I occasionally have problems planning for outings on a daily or weekly basis X_X). It's light, creamy and..RM9?! Ok. Maybe that hefty price is there for a reason. To stop people from over-indulging when they are supposed to be on a carb-free diet (pfft. Boyfie will snort with glee at this sentence)

2. Clarins = most unpushy sales assistant ever. Possibly because I don't look like the type who could afford their skincare orz. But I like, because at least I don't need to think of silly excuses on why I don't wanna buy their products. So yeah, go to the one in Subang Parade if you want to make a clean getaway like me. Also, they have 50% offers on first time facials. Prices are lower as compared to the Estee Lauder's Signature Facial...but as for now, my complexion is under control so I don't need it..yet =_=;;; /kedekut mode on

3. Saturday me time = Beef Moussaka at The Cookie Cat. Absolutely sinful but oh so delicious. Thank God most Saturdays are spent in office cubicles or else I can see my waistline expand as I visit a new eating place every other week just because I can *_*

4. Couldn't find fresh seafood agh! I wanted so badly to make bouillabaisse this weekend because no thanks to me re-reading my French textbooks from uni to get me sleepy, I salivate over French cuisine instead. Made monsieur croque the other day and wondered why hasn't anyone in Malaysia ever try to make it a snack food yet? It's simple and satisfying....but yeah. Maybe I could capitalize on this idea one day when I am jobless lol XD

5. Added responsibilities at work, not sure if it's a good thing but if you don't hear much from me, it's safe to say that I've been sucked by the demons of procrastination Thai requesters, HK team and Pinoy people. Not that I mind but meh. I guess I'm one of those boring people who like work.

6. Can anyone help run to Bank Islam on a weekday to pay my convocation bill? I don't think I can get leave for next week to do so T_T

Have a great weekend!

1. Swim
2. Cook
3. Sleep

Simple wishes. But it's amazing how I barely have the time to pursue all 3 when my life is scattered all over the place with endless things to plan and worry over.

I want my life back, thanks.

Last week's been good to me so far. Aside from the devastating earthquake and tsunami that has rendered hundreds killed and thousands missing in Japan (I may have gotten the actual figure wrong so all I'm putting is an estimation now as I'm sure that in reality the disaster is likely to cause more fatalities than I can imagine :( ), a number of people also got hitched (work colleague, ex-classmate) this week. Ah well, my brother got married sometime this week also like almost a decade ago so..yeah :3

Friday night dates were something I had less of ever since I started working. Sometimes, I will spend crazy hours into the night on more paperwork so more often than not I will have to forgo my movie dinner outings. Don't talk about going to movies during weekends, the queues are just insane and all I want to do is to catch up on lost sleep after stoning on the exit of the Damansara toll every weekday.

With a strong determination to cheer myself out of the work blues, me and the boyfie had took the effort to have our date : IKEA meatballs and Rango. Cheap, but incredibly effective in giving me a mood boost. With the animation industry having it's heydays again, I can't hardly wait for more new movies to be released by the next quarter of the year :)

Then come Saturday. Insert mundane work here for my AM hours + yummy chicken rice lunch.  Napped for a while before I drove to the boyfie's place and we head off to Bangsar Village II for a small birthday celebration. Braving the heavy rain (yay boyfie for driving, I would have panicked in my case), we managed to reach there in time..but er, not as punctual as a certain sea-otter who had been there since 2.30 p.m. X_X;; (yes yes, Malaysian timing is always off for some reason XD)

Apart from a minor wardrobe disfunction *cough*, everything went on fine and we had high tea. For photos, one can just google what are T Forty 2 high tea selections (in which I think it slightly differs from what Empire Gallery offers) as I am not photo-trigger happy anymore as of late. I'm just going to verbally regurgitate what I think me and the boyfie had on that day : black-forrest cake (THE CHERRY IS A LIE, TUNA IS SADDENED D8), madeleines, truffles, smoked salmon + egg sandwiches (with a base of wholemeal bread and topped with whitebread XD), macarons (passionfruit and lemon, no sucky artificial flavors LIEK YEAH!) and of course, the ever proverbial item when it comes to having afternoon tea, scones with clotte..wait, Devonshire cream *stares at the gang who obviously knows more on what that white thing in a jar is*. Ohh, and there's also..cake! (flavor is a mystery. Just ask Atifi, she also dunno :3)

Time passed by real quickly even though we've spent close to 3 hours there, acting so 'atas' but our conversations proved otherwise X_X;; Bidding everyone goodbye, we head back to Shah Alam in which boyfie went to shoot more zombies and I got into a food coma as an effect of having too much Fanciful Red Fruity Tea (or however it goes. That shiznit is the bomb X_X)

Sunday came, was supposed to be a normal let's-do-our-house-chores-as-slowly-as-possible-to-pass-time day when I slowly realized that it is the wedding day of an ex-classmate (eep! what did I tell you about me being absent-minded?). Made a few calls, got a posse (wah reference to Rango sekejap) and er, patiently waited for another ex-housemate to bersiap. Mind you, Shoji had put on 500 days of Summer (to help us pass time) while Iylia played Buddy Rush sekejap and Ayu hounds her Cityville and Cafe World progress.. it was close to 2 pm before they finally got ready. At that rate, the movie is already over, we are giggling over Oatmeal web comics, and make-up dah kena touch-up x 1000 times.

Fastforward a somewhat bumpy and crazy ride to Kapar, we made it at around 3, did the silly air-kiss thing with a bunch of old friends and plonk our stuff down before heading to the buffet table for the yummy spread. Awesome merewang stuff because it is a Javanese community so even with the limited choices, the ayam sambal, sambal goreng and kari sayur was lip-smackingly good. And if you know me well, I'm picky with kenduri food. Very. Made some small talk with a few familiar faces, felt a bit happier to meet some uni friends (even though if they are not my favourite but hey, that's what superficial relationships are for ;) ) and most importantly, reunion with a handful that still comes with a genuine smile. 1 1/2 hours later, we found ourselves in The Cookie Cat (tersilap jalan orz, but hey, might as well go catch up with friends over tea la kan?).

Bought a cheese brownie, choc chip cookie, choc chip cookie with raisin and blondies to 'test market (aka let the friends get hooked with the taste first)'. It didn't take long before Ayu topped up the dessert attack with a round of cupcakes (more red velvet and oreo!) and we were happily enjoying the ambiance and food. We had a good laugh for quite a bit and decided to make a move (well, that's because them girls were eying the roast chicken set and i need to drag them out before we end up eating more X_X)...insert MCD Mango sundae dessert out of randomness (yes, it was a sugar-filled weekend for reasons unfathomable to yours truly D8) and well, a productive weekend! Funny how most of my friends are associated with food outings but I guess that's the one common link and real raison d'etre why we are still good friends till now XD (though if my waistline expands anymore, I'm gonna disown some friends soon >3)

Till then, happy White Day everyone! 

(Psst. Me and the boyfie anniversary of  7 years is today. Happy, Lucky 7 to us ;) )