Monday 17 September 2012

Trip to Singapore

Came back yesterday from a long break at Singapore. Ok..Technically I was there for a course, but since I was already there, I might as well do some shopping right?
My training was from Wed-Fri and so I thought I'd just stay over extend the trip over the weekend so I had "one-full day" on Sat for shopping. Turns out, I should've just gone back on Sat morning, or maybe Friday night itself! I didn't even have to wait for the weekend, right after my trainings I went around shopping.
I stayed at the Intercontinental Hotel, it had beautiful architecture but I found the room somewhat simple as compared to the rest of the hotel. I was fortunate to get the Club Intercontinental room which meant I got to check-in on a different floor, was entitled to some freebies like the Club Lounge and complimentary pressing for 3 pcs. I wasn't able to maximize those priviliges though as I was mostly stuck in the training room the whole day, plus the food wasn't halal so I had a limited range for breakfast (not that I had the time to eat much... training started at 730AM!!) and I decided to swap my hi-tea time with shopping.
Wednesday night I went around Bugis Junction and Bugis Plus but I didn't really find anything interesting - ok well there were some stuff that caught my eye, but the prices didn't really attract me. Things used to be slightly cheaper in SG than in KL, but now they're relatively the same prices. Thought I'd head out for dinner with some colleagues, Shahrul and Azila, at Marina Bay Sands, but my eyes were red and I was kinda tired so I opted to drag my Manager around Bugis Junction instead. I was thinking of having Korean BBQ but I couldn't find the place, so I settled for Siam Square. When I eventually found the Korean place, I had done ordering a feast. I usually like to take photos of the food I eat, but this time around I was too hungry to even look at my phone. The food was okey, nothing out of the extraordinary but not too bad either, but the price did shock me. But we did order happily... appertizers, soups, drinks, main, main, main.....
Thankfully I chose to just have dinner nearby and not join Shahrul and Azila at MBS since they were there till midnight. Thought I'd be able to sleep longer but I was awaken by a phone call from Jaye, my cousin, who decided to show up almost nearing midnight. Brought her to the room and well, just continued sleeping.
The course was pretty intense, so I blame that as the reason to why I splurged happily right after the course. Went to Raffles City since I particularly wanted to go to Sacoor Brothers. Me being the crazy fan of SB was excited to see more shirts, and even more excited when the sales assistant told me they were 30% off. Grabbed two shirts (would've grabbed more if I was really really insane, but I managed to hold myself together) and a T-shirt and thought that would be it. I think I fell into their cheap marketing trap where I was offered a drink and Ferrero Rocher chocolates, so I sat down and suddenly spotted this pair of brown shoes... Walked over to the pair of shoes and tried it, naturally they had it my size. Jaye who was of no help, was also oggling at the pair of shoes and telling me to buy them. While I was testing out walking in those shoes, I spotted another pair of heels. Cut the story short, I gobbled up the chocolate, gulped the whole bottle of Evian, and walked off with the two shoes, on top of the shirts and tshirt. Well at least I got S$19 worth of GST refund and also a 50% off voucher when I spend S$220.50 next time I come. What? Another cheap marketing scheme? Nooo, of course I won't fall for it. (Plans what item to buy during next trip to SG)

They were both 60% off, how could I resist??
I had a small chat with the store manager there (I think she's the manager) and found out she'll soon be managing the KL branch (which opens on Sept 25 - yes, I foresee myself buying something too). Was practically begging her to ensure that the KL branch also has a membership card system and that the points can be shared. That way, I'll be able to reach the Gold Membership soon!
Enough about SB. Walked around Raffles City after that, but didn't really find anything interesting so Jaye and I took the MRT to Orchard to get my mom's Char Kuey Teow at Far East Plaza. Ahh... Far East Plaza is another dangerous place for me to go. Although I don't remember that being the case last year. But last year, I was still thrifty. Haha. Besides the good, cheap, halal food, they have many fashion outlets which have pretty tops and dresses and accessories. Not necessarily cheap, but you could bargain at that store. Managed to squeeze a 20% discount from one of the stores (not quite sure what the name was) and got this top and bag. They had a really pretty peplum top but it fitted me too well, I wouldn't have been able to eat in it.

Not a very good photographer so I prolly didn't do justice to the items...
Shops at Far East close quite early plus we were already late delivering mom's CKT, so we made our way back to the hotel. Along the way, dropped by Rubi (a sister shop of Cotton On) and picked up 2 bangles for S$10. Arrived back at the hotel and while I was getting ready to sleep, Jaye showed my mom the stuff I purchased and even my mom couldn't deny that the shoes I bought were pretty. Heheh.

Training ended on Friday afternoon and so I got a cab out to Tampines (Temp-uh-neese) to my aunt's place and hung out for awhile. Since the data plan on the prepaid was utterly expensive, I shamelessly asked her for the wifi password. Needed (yes, needed) to Google where the closest shopping mall is. Made my way to Tampines Mall and found this pair of lilac open-toe pumps at Charles & Keith for 30% off.


Bought it and made my way to the MRT to meet up my mom and her brother + wife back at the Intercontinental for dinner at Gardens by the Bay.

Unfortunately they didn't have any halal restaurants except for a fast food outlet called Texas Chicken which reminded me of Popeye's. Think it kinda set the mood in the wrong way, plus I was tired and didn't feel like walking much in my heels, so I didn't really bother to walk or enjoy much of the Gardens. Don't get me wrong, it is a nice scenery, but I couldn't really appreciate much and the World Plant thingy was already closed. Perhaps next time.

Rested on Saturday morning and took off to Haji Lane in the afternoon. Haji Lane reminded me of Jonker Walk, although less complicated since it's only one lane so you could easily go one row first and made a turn and explored the shops on the opposite row. They have quaint little shops, you'll see they put quite an effort in the interior design. It was a good exercise since my aunt and I went into almost all shops downstairs and upstairs. And just as you think there's only one shop upstairs, you'll discover that some shops are connected to another one, i.e. two shops on the upstairs. Definitely justifies the climbing of the stairs. Haha. Didn't really purchase anything except for this bangle.


Wanted to get a bag at the shop I bought the bangle from but somehow decided that it wasn't that worth it after all. Jimat duit aku~ Ok technically it was my mom's money. Heheh. Ok, there were some other stuff that I purchased from Sweet Dessert, go Google up what they sell.

Met with my mom and uncle + aunt again, this time joined by my cousin and her (I think) boyfriend. Had dinner at Bumbu opposite Mamanda at er.... I forgot, but it was nearby the old palace of Kampung Glam (pronounced glum, not 'glam' in glamor). After a whole-hearted dinner my aunt and I decided (or well I decided for her) to continue shopping at Bugis Village something like a night market but with proper shoplots and aircond. Found a lot of cutesy stuff meant for tiny Koreans and not big burly hijab-wearing ladies like me. They weren't superbly cheap (except for maybe some but the quality's cheap too) and I thought I'd get a better bargain somewhere else. I did find this brown + gold bracelet and being a sucker for cheap marketing, I bought a pink scarf along since it was 2 for S$20...


Come to think of it now, that bracelet for S$10 ain't that cheap afterall....

Since we were tired, we took a cab back to Tampines and I started packing. I managed to fit all five pairs of shoes (3 bought, 2 brought for the training) into my luggage along with my clothes and toiletries which I think contributed to the heavyweight (but all in all was only 15kg, I came with 13kg). My cousin Azman came around 1230AM but I was well asleep by then. Got the chance to chat with him and taste his cooking (he's a chef) in the morning before I left for the airport. He modified my aunt's pasta, quite a new and refreshing taste. Planning to try that recipe soon.

Well I guess that pretty much sums up my trip to Singapore for this month. Will be heading there again on Oct 1st. Hopefully don't spend as much as I did this time around......... Hmmm.....

Back to work tomorrow, *yawn*. Still haven't thought of what to wear (yes, even with the many many new shirts I have). Unfortunately I was mostly rushing for time during my course so I couldn't really snap photos of my outfit. I will post photos of the ensemble later. Till then.

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