Wahai dulangku

I've been thinking.

My dulang hantaran will cost me $45 per tray. And I know that normally people will have things listed like bags, wallet, belt, quran, sejadah, telekong, cosmetics, toiletries, perfume set, clothes, shoes and food items as part of their hantaran "team".

However, it dawned on me that it does not make sense to splurge $45 just for the decorated tray to be a throne for maybe, a few varieties of keropoks ---> ruffles/jack n jill etc, to sit on. Errrr =/

So I went through the general list one by one, and tried to weigh its significance and value (fyi, these are all my personal opinions only):

1. Bags: Suitable. A good quality bag can last. Sensible to be seated daintily on the tray. Can get it personalised. Maybe initials of the bride & groom. Or the wedding date. Meaningful, huh? =D

2. Wallet: Same as 1.

3. Belt: Same as 1.

4. Quran: No questions. Straight yes. It's a part of a Muslim's life. You can never throw away an Al-Quran. Will last you a whole lifetime, insyaAllah.

5. Sejadah: No questions. Straight yes. You need to pray, no?

6. Telekong or Baju Kurung: No questions. Straight yes. Let me ask you again, you need to pray, no? Heh.

7. Cosmetic: Sure, I did thought about having some cool luxurious Chanel makeup set modelling nicely on the tray. But come to think about it, its only a matter of time before those paint colours will be gone. Obviously will need to get it replenished. Doesn't last. The clock is ticking.. tick..tock..tick..tock..

8. Toiletries: Same as 7.

9. Perfume Set: Same as 7.

10. Clothes: Sure, u can get them. Again, quality is priority. Im not sure what clothes will last though. But, im giving a no.

11. Shoes: Ah hah. This one. I really like oogling at those skyscraping heels, glittering on those trays. However, Im not sure. After a while, shoes will wear and tear. Wouldn't it then be depressing to see the gift your husband gave to you finally giving way into the trashbag? =/

12. Food. Tricky. If my tray costs almost 50 bux, i don't wanna be having cheap keropoks or chocolates in it. Its like, im paying for the look of the tray and not the quality of item in it. Food, will be gone down your tummy. Poof! *Now u see it, now u don't*  Nevertheless, I will have to start sourcing for some really yummy (and pricey sikit, ehem ehem) food item, Still. Because I happened to read somewhere that said: "Food items for the family members to enjoy." I almost forgot that I should not be selfish. I should offer some sweets to my new family members. So, yes. Maybe 1 or 2 trays.

The reason why Im being particular about the items of my hantaran is because

Hence I want my items to last. Not after few months or years, I have to face the sad truth of disposing them somehow.

To me, They are precious. They are solemn. They are extremely meaningful. They are really valued - not monetarily - but of sentimental value.

Xoxo
R

SK-II is coming to.... MW! (*sings to the tune of Xmas)

So very happy! And here's why:

(Photos courtesy of SK-II Boutique Spa by Senze Salus)

SK-II is getting nearer and nearer to me! Its newest outlet, which would be opening in a matter of days, is at Millenia Walk! Just a hop away from my office. Literally. Think of how extremely convenient it is for me!

Sure, the spa at Raffles City is also around my area, but this means that i save at least 20 mins of walking time. I also no longer need to travel to Somerset for my facial. And I don't have to specifically request for weekends session only. The best part? My only therapist: Ivy, will be based at MW! Woohooo! :)


Well I admit I haven't been for facials regularly since early this year. However since 2013 will be an important year for me, ahem-ahem, my resolution is to religiously go for monthly session wef January 2013.

I can't wait for their official opening!

Xoxo
R

I want(ed)... No, I dont want. :)

I want to hold my wedding at hotel, country clubs or community centres. But my pop insisted that we just have it at the MPH. Typical reasons: spacious, able to accommodate 1000 half-of-them-i-have-no-idea-who-they-are guests, easy access to my home should any relatives need to rest privately at, and so save my bucks for my own house which would be ready about 4 months after.

I want to have candy buffet for little farts to enjoy themselves. But my pop thinks that it's a total circus. So save my money on that for my own house which would be ready about 4 months after.

I want to have live stations like pisang goreng or putu piring. But my pop AND mom disagreed. So save my kaching-kaching on that for my own house which would be ready about 4 months after.

I want, die-die want to have ice cream booth that carries softee and other scoop-flavors! But my pop refused to give in. It's a plain NO. The kind where the response came with a complete "non-negotiable" look. He didn't even entertain my pleas. So.. you know what im about to say.

Of course, my mind did wailed numerous times, "It's MY bloody wedding anyway!"

Thank God I told myself to mengucap and stay cool. No point blowing my top. And certainly I do not wish to become insolent.

After looking at all of the positive angles, pop IS helping me. I should be grateful. Syukur alhamdullilah amin ya rabbal al amin.

I have read on forums about how some parents of BTBs are demanding in the sense that the poor stressed-out BTBs are trying so hard to cut costs but the momma & poppa want this and that. Why? Face-value lorrrr. Has to be grand, otherwise, paisey to face relatives and friends. If they (parents) help to fork out the moolahs, fair enough. Otherwise, nasiblah.

Mom related to me about a relative's recent wedding where the bride's (or was it the groom's?) parents actually sold their roof..... just so they could afford a lavish vavavaBOMB wedding. And being the curious or kaypoh makcik, my mom just casually asked how much the wedding cost them. The parents answered, "Alah dua puluh ribu je.." and giggled. Translation: "Oh.. only twenty thousand.."

I was stunned. I was stunned. And boy, was I stunned.

I am definitely not laughing nor am I trying to be mean. But hello? Are you joking? You people sold off your house which holds tremendous amount of sentimental value, just for a (only) 20K wedding? Seriously? I thought it was more like for a 200K wedding. =/

Frankly in my most honest opinion, 20K is the average that a Muslim bride/groom will need to spend in this age. It is not impossible to save 20K. You (referring to BTBs and BGTBs) know you are getting married, so jolly well get your jiggly bums off and earn your fluffy, rich, melt-in-your-mouth cake. You need to save. Thats a fact everyone knows. So be firm on yourself and diligently stash a specific amount monthly. Bonuses and extras from OT, add it on. Don't be sad or even hurt, coz that money ain't going anywhere but towards your big day! :)

I understand if you (blog reader) may be thinking, "Easier said than done, honey."

My retort would sound, "Im doing it too now, sweetheart." :)

Still, everyday I doa to Allah for He would guide me strongly through, and distance me from untoward happenings. InsyaAllah amin.

So hence! When I sat down and reflected on all these, I am very blessed that my parents love me and are thinking for me. They know I have the means to spend on extras for my once-in-a-lifetime event, but they want me to keep and use it more meaningfully for my other last-a-lifetime things/events. Awwww.. how I absolutely LOVE my parents! =-) *teary-eyed*

Xoxo

(ps: in case you are wondering, that family who threw their home is currently renting a place in JB. Seikhlas hati I, I really, really hope and doa that it was all worth it for them.)

Indonesian Batik

Oh. My. God.

Im really besotted by Anne Avantie's materpieces! She's so creative that before I've seen her works, I never knew batik are so versatile! Her designs are mindblowing! Here's some as found on Google images:

Well well, maybe I can incorporate some batik with heavy prada as 1 of the costumes.. Probably I'll get it tailored.. :)

Xoxo,
R

Henna: Syraskins

Yay! Just secured date & time for Syraskins to paint my hands & legs, and for my bridal party too!

Quraisha is very prompt in replying. She even called! Im amazed! Alhamdulillah...

Xoxo

Andaman: Weddingku Gallery (WKG)

Take a look at this:

Familiar? Well, Fiza O wore the same exact dress that I donned for my engagement! :) 

And... so was her makeup artist, Kak Linda (on the left)! :) :) :)

Anyway, 

Chosen them for our andaman. Kak Lynn & her team always gave us very good service and prompt reply. Sopan and langsun tak mengada-ngada. We signed Emerald Package.. which consists of 8 pairs of baju EACH, actual day photography, studio and outdoor photoshoots.  Also their photographer is Gary Chai. Plus for wedding gowns to be used for studio & outdoor shoots, we are to choose with their partner, which is from a chinese bridal company with TONNES of amazing dresses! :) :)

Sukkaaaaaa sekali!

Xoxo

Time for ME time

*Photos: credit to SK-II Boutique Spa, Urban Spa & Google images

Wef now, 1 weekend will be allocated for quality me-time. Oh-so-very precious.


25 May - Mani & Pedi
29 May - IPL Underarm
1 June - Massage
2 June - Chemical Peel for Back
2 June - Hairspa
3 June - Back Facial

Xoxo

Deco: DaunDco

I texted Kak Jannah of DaunDco, who told me that the date I wanna book had only 1 slot available. AND someone had also expressed interest in booking that very same date!

As usual, being the kiasu girl, I roped H and headed to Kak Jannah's place to place the deposit (aka grab the slot).

A.L.H.A.M.D.U.L.L.I.L.A.H *dances*

But still, Im not that kiasu. Trust me, she's received bookingSSS for 2014! And by the way, we had to wait 1.5h to see the ever-popular Kak J. Her place was packed with couples & families of brides/grooms-to-be.

Im a happy BTB!

Xoxo

Sold!

Alhamdulillah.. The couple eventually made good to their promise and bought my catering package at 4.30pm today. :)

Hearts & Hugs
R

Hoping to clinch the deal

Remember my 2nd previous post, the one i mentioned that i got myself into a scrambled egg mess but i was still excited about the whole thing? Hah, here's the story:

It has been my plan to organise and pay for my wedding myself. so that means i'll do the sourcing, liaising and paying. And because i was very kiasu, i'd actually inked a deal with the caterer who'll be supplying food for my 500 guests. Trust me, it was a really good and complete package. They were throwing in amazing freebies as well since it was the last week of the year. So H went with me and did the questioning. All appeared great, hence i made a deposit of $1,500 which was the minimum.

Somehow..... when we were at my cousin's place for her engagement ceremony, my dad very confidently and joyfully told me that he had already confirmed with my aunt that he wants her to cater the food for my W-day. And when i asked about the separate costs of having to rent the tables/chairs/dais/mushollah/helpers, he just told me not to worry about a single thing as it's just a few hundred bucks. With his hands gestures and facial expression, I knew he wanted me to stop questioning and just go with his flow.

I really wanted to pay everything myself, but at the same time, I want to make my parents happy too.

So, I decided to forfeit my deposit with the initial caterer. :(

Thank god for wedding forums! The moderator actually suggested me to sell off the package rather than just allowing it to "vanish" into thin air. Now, why didnt it dawn on me? Only God knows how stupid I felt at that particular moment.

I went into facebook and dropped messages to those people who I saw enquiring my caterer for 500 pax 2013. A couple replied to me. One actually met up with the caterer, she brought along all my correspondences and my copy of invoice. Thank god she called me up right after the meeting. Well, it seems now that we'll be having a transaction this Sunday *cross fingers*

Pray for me, love.

Hearts & Hugs
R

If....

If wealth is coming my way, here is the list of what I'll do with my kachings:

1. Will
2. Send my parents to Haji
3. Send my parents for their 2nd honeymoon and many subsequent ones
4. My maternal grandma will get WHATEVER she needs/wants. (And whatever I feel she deserves, after all these long years)
5. Pay the current house balance in full
6. Pay my future house in full
7. Get my bacne FULLY cleared. Best hospital, best doctors.
8. Veneers
9. Facial package
10. Massage package
11. Mani & Pedi package
12. Salon package
13. Car with chauffeur
14. Maid
15. Get married - in an ambience setting that I've always dreamt of
16. Insurance for my children
17. Take my 2 besties to Europe and buy them Chanel!
18. Travel round the globe
19. Invest / help the less fortunate people across the world
20. Set up a business with Kak Dewi
21. Help my other siblings and less-fortunate cousins in best ways I can

insyaAllah..

Eggcited!

im excited! i know i got myself into a scrambled egg mash, but having it solved (i reckon it is), surprisingly i can see the sketch of my W-day clearer. Basically, theme. Hahaha.

U might be thinking "what the hell is she talkin' abt?" Well, i'll explain it on my next post.

Any-oh-how, im exxxcited!

Hearts & Hugs
Rin

Another year kicks in!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

It's 2012 already!

Hearts & Hugs
R