Shortcake's Lair

After months and months of labor ... the physical, mental and emotional kind, we have finally settled into our little lovenest at a cosy yet busy section of Northern Petaling Jaya . I had a brief entry on the renovation progress here, but sadly I failed to follow up on the subsequent work-in-progress, but nevertheless, I've got loads of pics taken throughout. So, I decided go with a "before & after" angle here, to demonstrate the transformation of the bare empty house into this cute little place we call our own.

Before & After: The Living Area

This is the living room view from the entrance. The units in this part of the condo does not have a balcony but an enclosed area called a "lanai". We decided to build a book-bench so we can sit and stare out at the view.... see view below:

The Enviable View: Curve & Cineleisure

The Living Area: all that's missing now would be a super furry rug and a matching coffee table. Oh, and of cos, some nice decorative paintings and photos of the Shortcake clan.

The kitchen is always the most difficult part. Apparently the biggest chunk of all residential renovations goes into the kitchen, makes you wonder if everyone actually spends that much time there! We chose black, which was not advisable, according to the designer-contractor who probably hadn't experienced his clients asking for a black kitchen! Yup, it took us a WHILE to convince him we want it black. So paint it black dude. We had the creamy white top, gray tiles and bling bling mosaic to add a touch of contrast to the black. We removed the door which leads into the kitchen and added a black frame instead. The door leading into the wet kitchen was painted black to match the cabinets and bling bling mosaic.

Before & After: Kitchen

Before & After: Kitchen

Next, let's look at the dining area, getting this area done was not easy, we had the table custom-made to match the solid black wood finish of all the built-in units. There are no solid-black tables anywhere... in most places we went to, teak was the 'in' thing, followed by the other extreme of the clear glass and stainless steel variety *yawn* So we had a nice custom made solid timber black table (which no one can lift!) but then we did not have chairs for almost a month! Later, we found these gorgeous black suede cushion chairs with stainless steel legs at IKEA, the place we least expect to find them! We wanted the Ghost Chairs for an avant-garde effect but they cost a bomb and probably not as comfy as they are pretty, and the cheaper polycarbonate alternatives (from EZQT) just won't do for hours of sitting.

Before & After: Dining

This pic below is the wet kitchen, which was essentially an open-balcony for laundry etc. We closed it up and had windows and a ventilator installed. We built a concrete structure to house a laundry sink and a double burner hob for "serious" cooking.

Before & After: Wet Kitchen aka Laundry Area

Finally, let's stroll a little deeper into the dark secret abode of the Goth Queen ... the highlight here is the dream wallpaper, the built-in solid black bed frame, the built-in dresser (designed by yours truly) and concealed floodlights from above the bed frame. We split the room using an artificial wall (partition) to create a 'walk-in' closet some-sort. I'm very glad for this, it helps block out the morning glare if you want to sleep in till noon!

Before & After: Shortcake's Snooze Palace & Dream Dresser
(see Shortcake and Ashley getting cosy and cuddly under the covers!)

Shortcake and hubby are super blessed and thankful for all the help and support from our families and God above for this wonderful place. We couldn't have done it otherwise. Coming up next, what will Shortcake do now that she has her own little place to share with dear hubby ...? ;)

Ozmosis Day Spa RM50 Voucher

Ozmosis Day Spa RM50 Voucher: up for grabs…just post a comment or message me with your email or some mode of contact. If you can arrange pick up from me (at Glenmarie on weekdays) it would be good, otherwise I will just mail it to you. It's valid for 3 months from 24th July 2008. The spa is in Bangsar (contact details on website, click on name with hyperlink), nice poshy place and pretty expensive from what I hear. I just don't have the time for an all day spa and by the time I do, the voucher will expire… so I will do the world a favor. Anyway I have not been there nor tried their services and I am not affiliated with them at all.

I actually got this voucher (in a last night a party hosted by TSB at Bangsar, one of the outlets owned by Gastrodome (also own La Bodega, ring a bell?) Anyway I realize that I am way too old for crowded parties. But then again, half the people at the 'upstairs' party area were way older than me… so it's probably not age alone but more of a 'refining' and 'mellowing' of the senses. Besides, it was loud, hot, stuffy and people were just jostling for a bit of air. I can smell every body scent and feel everyone's damp skin as we squeeze past each other. This violates my personal space and I'm not sure if that's my idea of fun. Free booze and finger food galore does not appeal to me, unfortunately. But the party was a success from the overwhelming response, so kudos to Gastrodome.

So I now admit and confess that I am no longer a party animal. Sigh I think my idea of a party is a quiet dinner in a nice place with good friends and delectable eatables. Heck, at that moment I could actually think of a thousand things that I would rather be doing instead of partying …. Some of these would be ….

• Watching DVDs in the comfort of my own home
• Doing laundry
• Cooking
• Reading and re-reading books
• Blogging
• Sleeping
• Washing car
• Playing taboo at Champs

Don't get me wrong, I do like partying, but I'm really fussy when it comes to the crowd and music and 'space'. One of the best and most memorable parties I been too was the Salem Recharge (open-air of course) at Genting around 4 to 5 years back. That was what I call a real party. Cool air, plenty of space, great music and we had a nice sized group.

Get Real. Say No To FAKES!

I'm back!!! Oh gosh it's been so long. I really miss writing.

This issue has been bothering me, especially ever since I heard a discussion on this topic on a local radio talk show a week or so back. It saddens me that the "counterfeit" industry is going from strength to strength. Why? Because consumers are supporting them by increasing demand on these fake stuff. A few listeners actually called in and said that yes, they do and will buy fake designer goods as it is cheaper (duh) and looks as good as the real deal. It's true that nowadays they are so good you cannot tell the difference between them, unless you're a forensic scientist or something.

My stand? I am against all forms of piracy, especially on consumer and commercial goods. I do not understand the need to own a fake Gucci, Prada, Coach or LV merchandise. Quoting the radio deejay "You mean you would buy a fake just to give people the impression that you can afford a real one?" This is so true, it really speaks of pretentiousness and shallow-ness; giving a false impression! If you would not lie about yourself nor others, why would you want to give a false impression of yourself? My take is this, why would you spend 200 bux on a fake to give the impression that you can afford 2,000 bux? To show others that you have taste? To show others that you are financially sound? Buying a fake proves neither of the above. Some tai-tais out there buy loads of real stuff which are 'unbecoming' and yet loads of non-designer brands out there are actually classy and gorgeous; e.g. Zara, Charles & Keith and GAP. There is no need to resort to fakes. It is distasteful and embarrassing, not to mention illegal! Yes, that's right, it's illegal.

In Rome, if you are caught buying a fake from an illegal street vendor, the buyer will be arrested, not the seller! And I heard a radio caller mentioned that someone she knows was arrested at US customs for carrying a fake Coach bag. How embarrassing!

I am glad LV took a stand against eBay for selling fake merchandise online. This industry should not be supported.

In short, here are why I think consumers buy fake designer goods:

1. To give an impression that they are 'someone else', richer, classier, more tasteful etc (wannabes?)
2. They like the design of the real deal but are not willing to spend.
3. They think designer bags makes them special or rich or whatever, if it's not YOU, it's not REAL. Be yourself. If you cannot afford it, don't fake it!
   
4. They want to impress their friends. Face it, if your friends are familiar with the real deal, you would look like a fool, if they do not know any better, they are not worth impressing. Anyway your good friends would know the real you, whether or not you are deserving of it.

Here are some reasons why we should not support the counterfeit industry:

1. It's illegal! Seriously!
2. You can get caught and that is so low. I think they should eventually insert microchips into these goods so they can scan these bags at customs to weed out the fakers.
   
3. It's so third-world! Come on, Malaysia is a developing country, if these activities flourish, how do we take us to the next level?
4. It's unfair to the design houses as they lose out on royalties and their sales plummets, forcing them to hike up their retail prices even more, thus making these goods further out of reach. Imagine if you are the designer or brand owner!
5. It's sad for those who own the real thing, as then people wonder if yours is a real or a fake! The authentic stuff lose value. So sad!
6. Buying the real deal from an authorized store begets you fantastic level of service and after-sales services that you should not miss out on.
7. Because nothing beats walking into a real store and buying the real deal.
8. Because absolutely nothing beats HAVING the real deal.

Some interesting statistics:

• It is estimated that 1 in 5 Chinese women (China) owns a fake handbag and usually that is an LV bag. (source: http://www.fashion-era.com)

• A court in France has found eBay guilty of selling fake copies of designer goods on its web site. eBay will have to pay 40 million Euros to LVMH, a designer goods group. (source: http://www.shortnews.com)

Now, do we really want to be a part of such statistic huh?

I know this one post here isn't going to change the world, but I hope to create some awareness. The sun would shine when our country put a stand against imitation designer products. It's bound to happen sooner or later, if we're taking a stand on pirated softwares, music and movies, it's a matter of time before this comes on the agenda. This calls for a 2 pronged approach to this problem; firstly crackdown the sellers and 'smugglers' and secondly to change the mindset of these consumers.

Take a stand, say NO to fakes. Get real.

FIVE!!! A tag by Beatrice

Well, thanks to Beatrice who tagged me… heheh, I now have to share my answers to the “5 Questions” … I know this is rather delayed, but nevertheless, here I am! And, I am very ‘obedient’ too as I am posting this on the dot on a FRIDAY!

1. To watch or participate?

I’m a participating kind of person. Must be the exhibitionist in me *hyuk*hyuk* There is one thing I do not normally participate in; contests! I have no idea why, maybe probabilities are not my forte and I can’t remember winning anything from a contest, except an art contest, when I was in primary school!

2. Malls, catalog shopping, or the Internet?

I am a true blue retail therapy person, instant gratification is key! There is no greater joy than playing with products, trying on shoes and clothes, getting stuff in pretty paper bags and wandering aimlessly from one boutique to another! So it’s definitely the malls for me!

3. A bath or shower?

A hot shower is fast and nice. A bath makes my fingers and toes wrinkly and it’s a waste of water, so possibly a damper to the environment. But having said that, a nice Jacuzzi bath once in a while is a nice treat!

4. To talk to people by telephone, in person or by e-mail?

It really depends, chat is great, I can reply at my pace and time. I can express myself with cute emoticons and I can just shut off if I’m too busy, irritated or bored. I express myself with pen and paper better (or emails, figuratively speaking). Believe it or not but I do get tongue tied around new people. Of course, in the case of hubby, good friends and family, in person is the best! The closer the better!

5. Typing or writing?
I love to write, beautiful stationery, pretty notebooks and expensive colorful pens turns me on. However, over-reliance on ‘spell-check’ and 'auto-correct' at work on the PC is making my spelling horrendous!

And now is my turn to tag 5 more people …. here you go, the lucky 5 ….

1. Mrs Top Monkey
2. Baby Iguana
3. Golliwog
4. Cybermate
5. The Hobbit

Brisingr! Let the Flames Ignite!

Hold on to your dragons!!! Finally, after years of waiting, MPH announces that book 3 of the Inheritance Trilogy by Christopher Paolini is finally here!

Arrival date: 30th September 2008.
Hardcover list price: RM89
Pre-book online to save RM10 from 23rd May to 31st July 2008 only.



For the mortals among us who has never step a foot into Alagaesia, here's the low down; Christopher Paolini, born in 1983, wrote the first book Eragon when he was just 20! I believe the book was initially meant to appeal to teens and fans of the fantasy segment, but it has gained a huge following, especially for the new generation fans of Tolkien who needs a younger, more rebellious and feisty protagonist in Eragon. The trilogy is more than a fantasy story, it's an incredible epic saga, a heart wrenching account of a young village boy who discovers a secret identity and experience pain, loss, anger, vengeance and love, all together at the same time. But, like most fantasy books, it's only as good as your imagination. Keen to enter the world of Eragon? I would seriously advise that you read the first 2 books before Brisingr.

OK, I know everyone knows Eragon the movie, which is a disaster by the way *cringe* and I am sorry to say I wish they did not even attempt to turn it into a movie. Speaking of which, let's not even get started on how Prince Caspian the movie totally mutilated and destroyed Prince Caspian the book. I'll need a whole new post on that topic *sigh*

Let's get our claws on Brisingr fast....