Not about sales but about shopping

All things Chinoiserie


Picture by yewenyi

I never fail to marvel when Chinese New Year comes around. Suddenly, what is tacky during the rest of the year becomes Chinoiserie chic – the redder the better, the more silk the better, the slinkier the cheongsam the better! Not that I’m complaining actually. I love the whole kitchsy feel of the Chinese New Year even if I’d probably have to take Leptovox to fit into any cheongsam!

Its a time for feasting and dressing up and making sure only nice happy things are said with no black faces to be seen. You can get away with a LOT during the Chinese New Year if you are a kid!

Yesterday I was at Parkson at Pavilion when I saw something quite interesting. Firstly, if you have been to the Pavilion recently, you would find yourself walking into a veritable pink forest – plum blossoms (fake of course!) are everywhere and there’s a HUGE golden bull right at the entrance purportedly for good luck. People would believe anything won’t they?

But Parkson was RED – redder than red actually and I passed by a display case with some interesting looking Chinese looking printed plates – red with peonies etched on them. You don’t get more Chinese than that! I thought it was a little overboard but hey! At least I know they are coming out with special edition crockery for Chinese New Year and not just for Christmas!

January 20, 2009 | Filed Under General | Leave a Comment 

How does Ikea plants look so good?

Everytime I walk past the plant section of Ikea, I never fail to marvel at how lush and green the plants look. A palm for example, will look green and lush, quite unlike some plants I see in some plant nurseries. I’m sure that even if they were to sell Oak trees it would look lush and lovely LOL… Not that oak trees would flourish in our tropical weather.

But yes, I always wondered how Ikea gets their plants looking so green, lush and healthy. If you go to Ikea, their plant section has even been expanded outside of Ikea where their plant selection is even larger than before. I know what’s popular at this point of time – money plants, lucky bamboo, pussy willow and flowering plants – just in time for Chinese New Year!

Time for me to pick up some curly lucky bamboo yes?

January 20, 2009 | Filed Under General | Leave a Comment 

An early DKSH warehouse sale

I remember when DKSH only held sales twice a year. Once around April/May and another around Nov. Then, it became 3 times a year and now its nearly every 2 months that we hear of a DKSH warehouse clearance sale! That much to clear meh? :P

Anyway for those interested, there’s a DKSH warehouse clearance sale this weekend so expect traffic jams in PJ and around the area. I used to hit them up when they were held less often – the deals were good, people go crazy grabbing 5 packs of Quacker Oats at one go and the toys and pet supplements (I think it was, or was it dog or cat food) were uber cheap!

Then, when they started holding it more often, the prices also went up and sometimes, there isn’t much difference from retail! However, if you plan to go, do be careful of expiry dates. Most food products are close to expiry and unless you can finish up 3 boxes of Kellogs Frosties within 2 weeks, it might not be such a good idea to pick them all up. :P

Watch out also for the Rubbermaid stuff. I picked up quite a lot the last time – enough to last me a long while anyway since these things don’t “expire”. So, if you are going, go early and have fun! Me? I’ll be snoozing in bed :)

January 16, 2009 | Filed Under General | Leave a Comment 

Envirosax – reducing the use of plastic bags

Malaysians are generally not an eco friendly lot. I don’t mean this in a derogatory way. I myself am Malaysian and I’m not always eco-friendly either. However, I try and the main way I’m trying is in reducing the use of plastic bags.

Envirosax

I use the Envirosax which I go grocery shopping. I love the new Botanica design!

These wonderfully thin and compact polyester bags are surprisingly very strong and can fit a ton. They fit up to 20kg which is equivalent to 2 bags of rice! I’ve never tried it myself (my shoulder would drop off) but its apparently been tested and it works.

The best part is that they roll up into a very compact tube that can fit in your back jeans pocket. So, there is no excuse to say you forgot your reusable bag the next time you go shopping. I keep one at home and one in my handbag so I always have access to it.

However, I must admit I don’t always say no to plastic bags. I use plastic bags for my rubbish so when my stocks run low, I still say yes to a plastic bag or two. If I use it for my rubbish, does it count as recycling too?

Envirosax reusable bags can be purchased at Tiny Tapir in Malaysia. Don’t expect nice shipping boxes to come from them – they are an eco-friendly store after all! But your goods will come safe which is whats more important.

January 12, 2009 | Filed Under Online shopping | 4 Comments 

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