A Trip of a Lifetime - to the US and the UK (Part 7) – A great time with brother and SIL

After seeing off the rest of the group go off to where ever was planned earlier, my brother and SIL stayed on awhile to snap a few more photos.

Then it was to a craft shop that I have been dreaming of that someday I get to step foot into the shop!

It was about an hour’s drive from New York, with a picturesque view all along the way.

When we arrived at Joann’s, I felt like another dream just came true again!

Thanks and syukur alhamdullilah to Allah for making this dream come true!

I had one hour to spend at Joann’s as we other places we wanted to go to.

Boy! I was really spoilt for choice!

Luckily, or, was that unluckily, I am not a millionaire. If I were, I’d buy the whole store! LOL!

I dabble in so many hobbies, and trying to decide what to buy and to buy something that is worth it, coming all the way to the US, which I can’t find in Malaysia or are too expensive, was difficult, because a lot of the things were either not so easily available in Malaysia or, they cost an arm and a leg.

I couldn’t decide between which hobbies that I wanted to spend on – scrapbooking? Cross stitching? Patchwork and quilting? Rubber stamping? Baking? Crocheting? Sewing? It was like trying to make a major decision! LOL!

I went around and around Joann several times before finally making my choices.

Thanks, NikAi, for taking the photos! I was so excited I was in Joann's that I forgot to snap photos of my own!

Just look at all those fabrics! Trying to decide which one was hard! I want them all! LOL!

I finally decided on some patchwork and quilting stuff, a few things for my scrapbook and rubber stamping hobby and bought a couple of patterns for my sewing hobby.

The stash? You will have to wait for a separate posting dedicated just on the stash that I bought, but I am sure my craft friends are going to be envious when they see the stash that I actually managed to haul from this trip! LOL! *wink*

Next stop? The Woodbury Common Premium Outlet!

I am not actually a person who goes crazy buying branded items, especially when they cost a bomb. I’d rather spend it on craft stash. But, occasionally, when I find something branded that I like and it suits my budget (which isn’t exactly sky high *grin*), I would buy it, but that does not happen often.

I prefer to buy something that would either make me look good or makes me feel good about myself, and gives me confidence to go about my day, and it may or may not be a branded item.

So, I wasn’t initially excited about going to the Woodbury, but since everyone said that if you are in New York, you must visit the Premium Outlet. If not, your New York trip would not be complete. So, I was excited about the fact that I finally get to visit the much talked about Outlet!

It was an hour’s drive from Joann.

I never imagined how big the Outlet was going to be, and now that I have arrived at the Outlet, now I know why it is a must visit place when in New York!

I was in awe of how big it was and how many branded shops could be located all in one location! It was awesome, and yes, I was awestruck! I could not believe I was there! LOL!

When my brother and SIL asked me which shop I wanted to visit, I was at a lost.

There were so many shops to choose from but most of them were selling items I know I could only dream of ever being able to afford them.

Furthermore, I think I have better things I would rather spend my money on. Also, I don’t think I could ever bring myself to buy a handbag where the price is the cost of half of my salary. I‘d be crazy to spend that much money!

But in awe I was, and I wanted to visit them all as I don’t think I will have an opportunity to visit Woodbury again in the near future.

But Coach is a must visit store as this is one brand that many of my friends and relatives have been talking about and I was told it is one of the more affordable brands. I told myself that I must at least come home with one Coach Handbag! LOL! *wink*

I brother said that I should visit the Prada store as in Malaysia, I might never dare to step into one! LOL! He is right about that!

So here I am with a Prada handbag that I could never afford! LOL! Not yet, at least! *wink*

Just posing in front of another store I could never imagine buying from their items – Gucci. At least not yet! *grin*

So, let’s walk away for now.....

We chance upon members of my group who also took the opportunity to come to Woodbury.

We got to the Coach store, and oh my, I was spoilt for choice, and most of the items were, err.....kind of affordable! LOL!

I fell in love with this beige bag the minute I set eyes on it, but the price made me put it down again. But, wait, it was on sale! The final price? I am not telling! LOL! *wink*

The red salmon bag is lovely too!

Checking out a bag at Vera Bradley.

No, I did not buy anything at Vera Bradley as I think most of the items sold looks like something I can make myself. Maybe I can someday promote Uniquely Aznique too? *wink*

We just gave Burberry a pass as it was way too expensive for me to buy anything from there.

We took a short break at one of the many food courts available at the Outlet to enjoy Eli’s home cooked Nasi Lemak.

It was delicious! Really love it! Nasi Lemak all the way from New Jersey! See that satisfied look on my face? I look rounded too! LOL!

Thanks, NikAi and Eli!

After the short break, it was another round of going around to see more stores!

We stopped by Nine West and I almost did not buy this pair of boots when another lady would not let go of the other side of the shoe when she saw me trying it out.

I decided to just let it go. I did not feel like arguing with her over a pair of boots.

However when we came back later, she did not even buy the boots, so I decided to buy it as it was 60% off, if I remember it.

I am glad that we went back to get the boots because it was these pair of boots that kept my feet from freezing up the next few days as the boots I brought with me from Malaysia were not thick enough to sustain the freezing weather of New York and London.

Next stop, Kate Spade, as my brother wanted to get something for my mum.

I like this colourful handbag my SIL chose for my mum.

I feel like a little kid posing with my mum's Kate Spade! LOL!

If I wasn’t too worried about my luggage being in excess, I think I would have gone overboard and over my spending limit buying all the handbags I like! LOL!

In actual fact, I did actually buy an extra luggage, but that was planned well in advance as I had pre-ordered some craft items to be sent to my brother’s house well ahead of my journey and I needed another luggage to bring them back home with me as I started the trip with only a single standard size luggage. My brother had advised that I get the second luggage in the US as it would be cheaper and I would get a better quality luggage at the Outlet.

I could not, however, resist buying at least one Michael Korrs Handbag though! LOL! *wink*

It was another bag that I fell in love with the minute I saw it at the store front! LOL!

After that purchase, I told my brother that we are not making any more stops as I might not be able to resist buying another handbag! LOL!

I have no regrets about buying the things I bought that day, although I am not about to reveal how many pieces of handbags I bought that day *wink*, but, no, I did not go mad and bought 10 handbags! LOL!

Maybe if my luggage could fit,.....maybe..... LOL! *wink*

By the way, I also bought my son 2 pairs of High Top Converse shoes in red and black, and bought my hubby a Bostonian shoes at the Clarks Store. Unfortunately, I bought the wrong size. Hubby said that he will be keeping them for when Aiman can fit into them.

We arrived at the hotel and took a short rest before we headed out to dinner at the same halal shop I had dinner with my friends just the night before.

We were hungry and too tired to venture any further for dinner.

After dinner, we decided to go sightseeing......

Day 5 to be continued...again! – 6th February 2013 – the night is still young!

Went shopping but came back with nothing to show......

Huh? Went shopping but nothing to prove it? How’s that?

Well, read on.......

Epal had some sort of a road show to sell fabrics, gadgets and what nots related to sewing on the 7th of November, 2010. I thought they were having a sale. At least I thought that was what they told me when they called me to inform me about the event a week earlier. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a sale, but just a road show (they call it that) to sell things which before this are not available in their shop. I went there after 2.00pm when the weekly maid had left and after lunch was done with.

I think I will let the photos tell the story as a picture paints a thousand words.

Just look at all the fabrics on sale!

I went crazy looking at all these fabrics! I think I bought almost 1/3rd of what was sold! LOL! *blush! Opps! Shhhhhhhh! Better not let hubby here me say that! LOL! *grin*

Seen here is Ain writing down my very long list of orders! *grin*

There were samples of bags to give you ideas on how to use the fabrics on sale. Alas, they don't have classes on how to make the bags. *sigh* If they did, I think I'll probbaly sign up without even giving it a second thought! LOL!

There were also many quilts on show giving you more ideas and tempting you to buy more stash! LOL!

I especially like this quilt of tea cups and saucers!

I went crazy shopping for all the fabrics (like as if I don’t already have enough fabrics at home! LOL! ), almost bursting my budget but came home feeling like something is missing as I could not come home to play with my new stash of fabrics, as we can only order what we want, and it will only be made available in 2 weeks time. *sigh* Doesn’t that make you feel odd?

Anyway, here are SOME of the fabrics I bought.

I have many ideas on the types and design of bags that I want to do with all these newly acquired stash. The only problem now is that I need to find the time to do them. Now THAT is a BIG problem as work in the office does not look like it is going to slow down! *sign* Maybe around Christmas time when all the bosses go on holiday? I can only wish....

In the mean time, I shall be sleeping with my stash........ LOL! *wink*

Eating, shopping and more eating!

Heheh...seems like I am talking about food all the time in my last few postings, huh? LOL! I sure sound like as if I have been doing a lot of eating lately. LOL!

Anyway, last weekend, we wanted to do something a little different than the usual Saturday activities of taking Aiman to his usual Saturday classes. I have been wanting to do some shopping for the house and the office. I have been so busy with work that the house is showing signs of being neglected and my office is starting to reflect the stress that everyone is undergoing to get the daily work done on time. It is looking dull and boring, an ambience not conducive, especially when we want to get people happy to come to work despite being under daily stress.

So, last Saturday, 1st May, 2010, we decided to let Aiman skip his Saturday class this weekend *grin* so that we can get a head start on the activities that we had planned for Saturday.

We started the day by having breakfast at Puteri, a restaurant in Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI) owned by my hubby’s uncle who is married to actress Rubiah Suparman. We didn’t actually plan on having breakfast there, but, as we were driving around trying to decide where to eat, we remembered the restaurant as our plans to go shopping that Saturday was at Mutiara Damansara, a short drive from TTDI.

My hubby’s uncle, Ayah Tik, was around and so, we decided to have breakfast there. It was a good start to the day as all the food served was really delicious!

I had Lontong which was really really nice and yummy!

My hubby had Nasi Lemak, and it was also really nice that my hubby wanted seconds, but, unfortunately they had ran out of the rice.

My son enjoyed his Roti Telur so much that he asked for seconds and finished every single bit of it! LOL!

After breakfast we made our way to Tesco Mutiara Damansara. While my hubby went to the gym, my son and I went to do some shopping at Tesco. I also went to do some shopping at IKEA, which is just across the street from Tesco.

I bought quite a lot of things at IKEA, among which is this black chopping board and strainer which can be placed over the sink.

I also bought two stools, some fabric boxes, rugs and some shelving. I notice that each time I go to IKEA, I could never walk away without buying at least an item! LOL! Such is the attraction of IKEA! LOL!

For lunch, we decided on Secret Recipe as I have a craving for the lamb shank.

My hubby decided to have the mushroom chicken which was served with rice.

My son ordered the Fish and Chips, from the kiddie menu.

It was a day spent spending and I think I spent quite a lot that day at Tesco, IKEA, and for the lunch while my hubby paid for the breakfast. My hubby said that the country thanks me for spending as I had just contributed 5% to the economy of the country! LOL!

Happy 10th Birthday, Precious!

My baby turned 10 on 22nd April 2010. We have been so busy with work lately that we haven’t had any time to plan a big birthday celebration for him. So, to make up for it, both my hubby and I decided to take leave on that day as a birthday gift to him.

We didn’t have anything concrete planned, but we told him that he can choose where he wants to go that day within the Klang Valley limits and he can chose the restaurant to have lunch.

I did however planned a little surprise for him when the night before, on my way home, I stopped by the bakery and bought a small cake. It was so impromptu that the only cake available was a German Chocolate Black Forest cake and it did not have any kiddie designs on it. So I had to get creative and asked the girl at the bakery if she could put some cartoon character just to give it that birthday feel to it.

The results? Not too bad really. *grin* She put on 2 pieces of Ben-10 sugar stickers and I bought this two ultraman figures which I placed on the cake. Pathetic, huh? LOL!

We surprised this cake to Aiman at breakfast time on his birthday, but he got a little embarrassed by it! LOL! But, he went ahead and blew the candles anyway.

I remember a time when he was between 2 – 5 years old when each year we have a birthday celebration for him, and it was time to sing him a birthday song and blow the candles, he would always end up bursting into tears! LOL!

We take it that he must have been overwhelmed with emotion by all the attention! LOL! I wonder if we were to tell him or ask him about it come 5 more years, what would his answer be to this reaction of his of bursting into tears each time we sing him a birthday song. *grin*

By the way, the cake was delicious! Not too sweet. Just the way we like it!

We had Nasi Lemak for breakfast, but, no, I did not cook it. I bought it the night before and kept it inside the fridge. It still looked and tasted good after it was heated up although the rice was a little on the dry side. The accompaniments, especially the `sambal’was delicious!

For lunch, we went to check out this new building, Empire Shopping Gallery, in Subang Jaya, which just opened that day in conjunction with Earth Day.

It was quite a big shopping mall, and I was surprised that almost all the shop lots were already occupied, this being the very first day of opening.

We even checked out this self rated Boutique Hotel called Empire Tower Hotel located on the 2nd floor of the shopping gallery. I just simply love this awesome ballroom!

The lighting changes every few minutes to give it such a romantic and mysterious ambience. I could sit in the ballroom all day just to see the colours change! LOL!

The ballroom can seat about 350 people. A very intimate crowd, certainly not meant for malay weddings where the invitation can sometimes run into the 1000s. Next we were brought to see the Coffee House which looks onto the Federal Highway.

It has the same decor as the ballroom. It was not yet quite finished but I bet the ambience they are trying to create will probably be almost the same as the ambience in the ballroom.

The hotel will only be opened in the middle of May.

After checking out Popular Book Shop, we made our way to Kenny Rogers as Aiman chose to have Kenny Rogers for lunch.

There was nothing unusual about what we ordered – just the usual ¼ chicken with the side dishes.

However I did notice that the decor and ambience of this particular Kenny Rogers is a little different from the other Kenny Rogers that I have been to before this. I would have taken photos of the restaurant, only I did not want to end up being embarrassed in case I might get sounded off like this restaurant in Kelana Jaya where the manager came up to us and told us off not to take any photographs.

I think he is either very stupid or very ignorant of the power of blogs and the IT where he could have easily gotten himself free advertising through blogs and Facebook. He had just lost his chance. I will write on that in a later posting.

Anyway, back to our birthday treat for Aiman, after lunch was over with, Aiman wanted to make a trip across the street to Subang Parade as he wanted to look for some books at MPH. He also wanted to go to Toy R Us as his grandfather had given the mandate to my hubby to get our son a birthday present. Aiman wanted to chose his own birthday present from his Atok.

Unfortunately the Toys R Us at Subang Parade has closed down as they have moved to the Empire Shopping Gallery but they have yet to start operating from the new location. With that, we made our way home as my hubby was starting to feel tired and I wanted to get back home to work on a bag and to get dinner ready. I had also brought home work, so that needed taking care of before I go back to work the next day.

It wasn’t much of a celebration day per say, but I hope that Aiman had enjoyed his outing. I am glad that I took the day off to spend time with him. It is getting more and more rare lately my time spent with him, so I appreciate whatever little time I have with him. I hope that someday he will also learn to appreciate that.

HAPPPY BIRTHDAY my precious one! I hope you will have a great year ahead. Hugs, love and kisses from Mummy and Abah.