Turning over a new leaf

I’m putting a stop to my shopping. Is that even possible? Even Becky Bloomwood has her down time! For I dropped by The Gardens on Saturday and failed to make a single purchase (or succeeded not to make a single purchase).

After the hype about newly opened Pavilion KL, everyone was anticipating the opening of The Gardens at Mid Valley City. Surprisingly, the launch on 26^th Sept was rather quiet, without even a launch ad in the main papers. Do they expect the crowd to turn up merely because Mid Valley is constantly packed with shoppers as it is?

My first impression of The Gardens? I’m not wildly impressed like I did at Pavilion KL. A bit of a disappointment actually, maybe because Pavilion KL had set a high standard to my expectation.

Things that I’m in favor of…

• The architectural design of the mall is rather impressive compared to most shopping malls that are built for functionality and not on aesthetic

• Robinsons is here! One of the leading departmental stores from Singapore, Robinsons offers some interesting brands that we don’t usually get here (I can’t wait for their sale! Opps.. yes yes, repent!).. But I have to say that the layout in Robinsons is a bit too cluttered (I can imagine people stepping on my toes when it is on sale) – maybe they are trying to fit all these new exciting brands into a limited space

• No complaint over another Isetan in town – always one of my favourite departmental store (but then in about 2 weeks time, I'll be in Isetan's country of origin)

• The mall directory with interactive touch-screen! A refreshing change and instantly elevated The Gardens to another level up from its competitors. But knowing Malaysians, the screens are very likely to be spoilt by my next visit

Things that do not impressed me..

• I was practically eating dust at that place! Everywhere you turn, workers are frantically cleaning and scrubbing away the floors and the wood railings. The mall shouldn’t even be opened to public yet. It’s a health hazard! (Ok, this can easily be rectified with more scrubbing & polishing..)
  
• Most shops are similar to that of what Pavilion KL has to offer. The exceptions being their anchor tenants, Robinsons and Isetan, probably Marketplace by Cold Storage as opposed to Mercato in Pavilion. Retail shops that are not in Gardens, are available in Mid Valley (however, still not housed under one roof unlike my new love, Pavilion)
  
• No connecting bridge from Mid Valley to Gardens (even 1 Utama new and old wings are easily accessible in a seamless structure). You can walk over from Mid Valley where Starbucks is, but the canopy walkway looks crappy and can hardly accommodate the throng of people trying to cross
  
• Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) is opening its first boutique cinema in town. A fancy name to cater to only Gold Class and Premiere Class halls. Not fair! I won’t be able to afford! Hmpt!

• The adaptation of the parking system from Mid Valley is so not happening. The ticket counters are still manned by ticketing personnel (er.. what about installing payment machines? What happened to the hi-tech mall that uses touch-screen for directory??)

Ok, just my personal view. But still, I’m quite happy that there’s this new mall for my future shopping whim.

Shops and more shops opening soon...

2-Storey Gap, with Gap Kids and Baby Gap on the upper floor


Levi's Kids, first ever in town


Yes! Another Mooks! :)

Well, this Becky Bloomwood is hibernating for now.. maybe the bug has been passed on to Luke Brandon.. you don't want to know what dear bf bought! OMG! *fainted*

Kawaii!!!!

Remarkably cute! Hello Kitty, the beloved adorable white cat.

I was contemplating if we should go to Sanrio Puroland in Tokyo, the home of Hello Kitty and friends. Or to Universal Studios Japan in Osaka? Anyway, while researching, stumbled upon Hello Kitty’s profile.

Guess what??? Kitty and I... we shared the same birthday! And not only that, we have the same blood type too!! How freaky is that??? Yes, Kitty is sooo adorable, BUT I don’t want to turn into some cute little cat who loves to bake! And bf is freaking out that he is dating Hello Kitty.. hahahaa..

But isn’t this car cute beyond belief?? Hmm.. I can possibly turn mine into this! :)

Turning into Becky Bloomwood

If you have read or heard of the Shopaholic series of novels by Sophie Kinsella, then you’ll know whom I’m referring to. If you haven’t, look out for the movie. But this is Becky without Luke to save her ass. For I have found a new shopping paradise!

Pavilion KL was launched on Thursday, 20^th Sept, but I only managed to check it out 3 days later (I have to work, ok?!). Spent 6 hours on this very first visit browsing through the whole mall. I have to say I’m impressed! And I’m mighty excited to have a new well-equipped playground for my shopping escapades.

It has high ceilings and wide corridor for walkways

OMG! All my favourite stores under one roof!

Mooks is here too, finally..


Esprit! I think this is the first ever 3-storey store in Malaysia. With an Esprit Café too!


And Parkson Pavilion – where I get my usual fav brands e.g. United Colors of Benetton, Warehouse, Sisley

You'll also get A Cut Above, Zang Toi Café and Toys"R"Us all in Parkson itself! Even the art works displayed on the walls are for sale.

Mercato, the supermarket looks classy and high-end

Etoile! Right in the middle of the centre atrium

Etoile at Equatorial Hotel is always the choice when we want to be secluded and have a chat in private. This is definitely the exact opposite – this is a place to be seen and to look at people walking around. Kampachi from Equatorial will be opening too.

Had breakfast at J.CO Donuts, a bakery retail from Indonesia that is highly rated. Maybe my life is too full of bitterness, donuts in any case are too sweet for my taste bud

Not all stores are open and there are still renovations going on and some unfinished touches all over. But those are minor details. I can’t wait for Golden Sreen Cinemas (GSC) to open. With that, and when all 450 retail shops are operational, Pavilion KL will really beats Suria KLCC as THE mall within the vicinity. Next, I’m anxious to see how The Gardens measures up when its door opens this coming 26^th Sept.

Finally, having skimmed through the whole mall, there’s not much time to shop in individual stores. But I, Rebecca Bloomwood in making, need only take one round in Zara to feel all giddy! The clothes were stunning! As I hand over my Visa card, I feel a glow of satisfaction emitted through my body. I can’t breathe. In that one single shop, I managed to spend a massive sum of RM630 on 3 items (if only you know how broke I am currently, that is a huge, enormous amount of money to me right now).

I'm happy for now till the arrival of my credit card statements. Shall I hide them when the time comes??

It's a Big, Big World

We used to stare at this huge world map on the wall to decide where to head to (or dream of heading to) for our next holiday destination, and then tried to make out if it's within our means to get there. We went from “Hawaii is way too far to attempt. We have to transfer flight in Japan to the other side of the globe!”.. to “But I always thought Bali is up above near Thailand!”.. and other ignorant questions like “Where exactly is Austria?” Yes, I have heard the same question asked about Malaysia on many occasions before too, so don't blame us!

Those were the days..

Yesterday, I received an invitation from Swisspiper to create a travel map and share it with friends.

Sounds fun! So I started on a high note happily marking the cities that I’ve been in the world map.

The end result of my masterpiece? This is how my travel map to-date looks like..

click to enlarge map and view locations

Did you see all the uncovered white space? How disheartening is that? When will I be able to cover the whole wide world??

Ok, correction to my very first post – who says it’s a small world after all?? It very definitely is NOT a small world!

Bourne Ultimatum

I asked bf if he likes the movie, he said ‘ya, it’s action-packed right from beginning to the very end’.

What I like about Bourne Ultimatum? I get to arm-chair travel to Moscow, London, Paris, Madrid, Tangier and New York City, albeit in a fast-paced Bourne style! And what I love about it? Jason Bourne’s ability to speak in all the foreign tongue! Haha… ya, I’m a sucker for guys who speak foreign languages :)

Not allowed to be spellbinded by this post (to avoid bf making a fuss out of this!)

Will Fairy Tales come true?

When its gates opened 2 years ago, the dream-come-true backdrop of Sleeping Beauty Castle of Hong Kong Disneyland brought magic to this part of the world. Well, I wasn’t one of those lucky kids who get to go California, Florida or Paris Disneyland. So.. ok, I’m all grown up now and might not go gaga over all the spectacular splendor of a Disneyland, but still, I was pretty excited to go on a trip to HK Disneyland last May, with all expenses paid!

Imagine… it’s Disneyland! Home to Mickey Mouse, Snow White and all Disney characters beloved the world over! A timeless realm of imagination and enchantment where all happy dreams become reality. This is where make-believe and MAGIC are reborn.

When we got there…



WT#$%^&*!!

It was RAINING the whole day and there were NO parade, NO fireworks, NO love in the air, NO living happily ever after, NO MAGIC…

The horror of it all! My only consolation? – the Mickey raincoat I bought.

BUT, as Walt Disney's philosophy goes.. as long as there is imagination left in the world..

I am going to give Disneyland another chance. I am all into risking being disappointed yet again by going on another enchanting adventure. This time around, to Tokyo Disney Resort!

Will I get to live and magically brought to life my own happily-ever-after story?

For Our Own Amusement

Yes, it’s a miracle we not only made it for dinner on Friday, but were on time surprisingly without being caught at work for last minute deadlines. Dinner was pre-arranged as a belated birthday celebration for Piggy.

Occasion : Piggy’s Birthday Celebration

Birthday gift : The most practical gift only close girlfriends would ever thought of fulfilling. Click here only if you really want to find out

Topics covered : From industry gossips to ears-dropping next table’s conversation to planning for coming trips to reminiscing past holidays..

Which brought us back to Vietnam few years back on a company trip. We were at Vung Tau, a favourite beach destination about 125 km from Ho Chi Minh City. A notable monument in the city is a large statue of Jesus (similar to the one in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) on top of Nui Nho mountain. The statue is 30 m high and was built in the early 70's. The statue is hollow, with a spiral stair of 129 steps that leads to the head for a panoramic view.

Anyway, the memorable event happened at the bottom of the pathway before we hike-up, when Olive, a colleague, excitedly exclaimed “Oh look! Guan Yin! (the Goddess of Mercy)” what??? you mean Jesus actually looks like Guan Yin?

Thus, for years, this has turned into our own private joke.

Sorry, digressed.. Piggy, a very Happy Belated Birthday to you again! Here’s to many more laughter to come!

My Weekend Shopping

Bought this pretty bag from Miss Selfridge. My only purchase over the weekend. Sadly, it is not mine to keep.

Blue sky turning grey

No, unfortunately I wasn’t on a holiday at the beach or anything close to that. But was waiting outside a car wash, mesmerized by the beauty of the moving clouds.

Making Great Progress

Task 1
Japan’s day-to-day travel itinerary has been submitted by well-organized bf. Subject to (my) review over the weekend.

Task 2
Hanoi’s air tickets are booked too. Finally! 1st draft of itinerary is done as well.. WOOHOO!!

I’m getting closer to making my dreams come true :)

Japan vs Hanoi

Task 1 - Japan
Air tickets in hand, Visa applied 2 months before trip

Task 2 - Hanoi
over 30 emails flying around past 2 days, endless chat via messenger, travelling dates not confirmed yet

Planning in progress

What’s your travel style or preference? Are you a solo traveler? A twosome traveler? A book-a-tour-and-leave-itinerary-to-travel-agent kind of traveler? Yes, it makes a difference to the whole experience. I don’t like traveling in large groups nor going on tours. I like to do things at my own pace, be spontaneous and flexible in adjusting my roughly planned activities.

To me, discovering a destination starts from planning for the trip. Currently, I’m multi-tasking with 2 plans in hands (I’m good at that, that’s what I do for living btw).

Task 1 – Planning for Japan (travel companion – 1)
Task 2 – Planning for Hanoi, Vietnam (travel companions – 4)

Of course with the help of fellow travel companions. I can’t decide which task is more challenging. Travel companion for task 1 is a self-proclaimed control freak or in his words, he is just being systematic and love things to be in order. Travel companions for task 2 are a bunch of typical fickle-minded girls. It took us approximately 3 weeks of discussing, checking and locking in each of our diaries just to set a casual dinner appointment recently. That is if they all turn up this Friday.

So you go figure.. both tasks are taxing :)

Piccolo Mondo

So they say the world is small. Whenever I feel reckless, I dream of going on holidays. Sometimes I manage to make it happens, most of the time they remain in my dreams. If only my bank account is bottomless.

So, my holiday wish list includes

• Japan (in 4 weeks time, yay!)
• Greece
• Barcelona, Spain
• Portugal
• Hanoi, Vietnam
• Bali, Indonesia (last trip was 3 years ago, time to go back)
• South Africa (postpone indefinite..)
• Sicily, Milan & Venice, Italy
• Krabi, Thailand
• Amsterdam, Netherlands (out of Schiphol Airport! Thanks to all the KLM flights I took in the past, I’ve roamed around the airport)

Leaving it as such so I can strive to achieve half of it at least before end of 2008. Too ambitious?