enq's blog

Japan shopping

Despite too much shopping time during our tour in Hokkaido, I really didn't buy much other than boxes of Potato Farm.  ;)

This was the exception... In theory, it looks like it should work to create waves & volume.  In reality, I haven't tried it out since I'm trying out new hair products from the US (but that's another blog post).

Japanese curler

Packing for a trip

My packing style:

1. take clothes off hangers, fold & stack on bed (2 minutes, time varies depending on how many items I bring).
2. Surf the net, check Facebook and/or Twitter, read, etc (another 45 minutes).
3. Pull out toiletry bag from drawer & check on level of shampoo, cleanser, etc.  Top up if needed.  Leave filled toiletry bag on the floor next to suitcase.  On occasion, this is also put on the bed.  (10 minutes)
4. Repeat #2
5. Put shoes into plastic bag & tie tightly.  Put bag on floor next to suitcase. (1 minute)
6. Repeat #2
7. Put various chargers/USB cables/power outlet adaptors into large ziplock bag.  Leave ziplock bag on the floor next to desk  (30 seconds)
8. Repeat #2
9. Take out underwear, socks, etc and fold.  Leave on bed.  (1 minute)
10. Repeat #2
11. .....

Sometime during the night (I always have to pack the night before I leave), I'll realize I still have an empty suitcase and start dumping everything in.

Despite what this looks like, I'm actually a really good packer... hardly ever forget anything and my clothes are always presentable after I unpack them. 

I just happen to procrastinate a little.   :)

Still alive

But insanely busy at work until at least March.  I even have conference calls scheduled during the CNY holiday period... *sigh*

Shoes again

But I bought almost a month ago so they're not really new yah?  I bought them from Tangs at Vivo City when they were having a special discount for Krisflyer members.  They were sooo meant to be mine because I'd just come back from a trip & my travel wallet along with my Krisflyer card was still in my bag.  :D

These are the black shoes I was talking about here.  Very plain but good to go with everything when I'm feeling lazy (which is pretty often).  They are a little flat in the toe area so a little harder to break in than I'd like unfortunately.

 

Black patent flatties

 

 

Then I fell in love with these.  Sooo comfy!  I know I only wanted the black pair but the discount was too good to pass up and these are a little snazzier than just plain black.

 

Faux snakeskin ballerinas

Enough shoes for now, I don't have any more room in my shoe cabinet.  :P

There's a pair of shoes somewhere...

... calling my name.

Shoes and happiness

Mooncakes!

Ok, I know it's still early.  And I know I said I wasn't having any this year because I'm trying to lose weight. 

But... that was before I was given a box of these mooncakes.  The factory manager of one of my suppliers gave them to me on Thursday, someone appropriately dubbed them Torpedo mooncakes.

Torpedo mooncakes

As you can see, the shape is definitely not traditional and they are presented in a box of 3 which is also not very traditional.  The "skin" is also not the usual baked type but more of a soft crumbly like texture.  Apparently it's only available at this bakery leading up to and during the mooncake festival and I was told the bakery gets orders from all over Johor.

Torpedo mooncake source

I've tried them many years before when our office got some boxes from the factory and the mooncakes were literally wiped out in minutes. 

The mooncakes were as good as I remembered, the crust is really buttery and the top is flakey...mmmm.... sooo good!

Inside the torpedoes

 

Does anyone know what dialect group or clan makes mooncakes like these?  I've never seen or heard of this kind of mooncakes before.  Apparently outside of the 8th lunar month, the bakery makes traditional Chinese pastries which are also very popular.

New Shoes from Tangs

They were having a 15% discount for Singtel customers so I took the opportunity to grab the shoes I wanted.  Unfortunately they were out of stock in my size for another pair I liked (a flat black patent leather pump) so I just got these.

Red flats

 

I caved in

and shopped yesterday. 

Nine West shoes

They were on further reduction so I got a good deal.  :)  I also bought a top and a cardigan from Massimo Dutti and another top from French Connection UK.  I'm lousy at taking photos of clothes and couldn't find the items I bought on the website so no pics.  Happy with my purchases  :)

Weekend inspiration - PS22 Chorus

I put one of their Youtube videos on my Facebook account but I also really like their rendition of one of my favourite Coldplay songs.

An inspiring story of a dedicated teacher and some very talented children:

The PS22 Chorus

PS22 Chorus VIVA LA VIDA by Coldplay acoustic guitar version

Sssnakeskin shoes

Snakeskin pumps

I might not have a job tomorrow but at least I'll have cute shoes.

I've been looking for these shoes so when I found the very last pair at a shop in Raffles City, I made up my mind very quickly.  I would have liked them in a different color but I decided this bronze shade is also quite pretty.  It's a little hard to see but the shoes are metallic bronze snakeskin with a slight green iridescence. 

I didn't buy a handbag I liked that I saw on Saturday because I don't need another purse but I definitely needed another pair of flat shoes so it sort of justifies my purchase.  Sort of.