I quickly cobbled together a short wishlist (we don’t want to burden friends do we?) and yesterday, I had a piece of happy news! She actually picked up something from my list! In all the crowds she found one item I was looking for and got it for me at such a hefty discount I was impressed!

I’m not going to say what yet, except that its not a bag. None of the ones I wanted were available. I wanted the Coach Sabrina:-

It looks a little aunty and I can’t remember what it looks like in store but I thought the bright colours were cute.

Now, I want to hit up a Coach outlet too!

Feasting aside, have you remembered to take your supplements? I am horrid at remembering even if I find Evening Primrose Oil beneficial, especially for that time of the month.

If you are a regular consumer of Kordels Evening Primrose Oil, you might be interested in this promotional offer.

Get 230 capsules of Kordels Evening Primrose oil of 1000mg at only RM98 and get a free trendy bag while stocks last. I’m going to check out Guardians soon – my stock is running out.

My Smart Money Tips is running a really easy giveaway for discount vouchers from Manhattan Fish Market and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.

Just leave a comment telling them what money saving tips you’d like to read about and you can win the vouchers. Easy peasy! No need to rack your brains and nothing as difficult as asking you how many Ferrari parts are there in a Ferrari LOL… Or do you know?

Picture by SAZUWAN

I remember many years ago during some boycott or another our Government launched a Buy Malaysian campaign or Belilah Barangan Buatan Malaysia campaign which was supposed to help our local industries. For some reason, that initiative was sidelined as Malaysia not only rode out the 1997 economic crisis but even managed to grow a little economically.

However, with the global economic recession practically on our doorstep, the Government can no longer deny the fact that we are suffering from a slowdown and not only are people not spending much, the local industries are suffering because no one out there is buying! So, here we have yet another Buy Malaysian campaign.

I’m curious to see how this one will work. Will there be special tax breaks for people who produce in Malaysia? Will it mean that Malaysian made goods will be cheaper? Will there be compromise on quality? I hope not. It may mean that Swatch watches might cost more since its imported but who really knows? I guess we’ll know come Jan 16 when the campaign is launched. I hope it isn’t another flash in the pan… or maybe it’ll be another excuse to slash prices and go on sale!

Yesterday, while I was at Midvalley Megamall, I popped by the Toys r us store to check out the price of Nintendo Game Boys. It was part of a bet I had with a friend. I remembered seeing the Nintendo Wii at Toys r Us before but to my surprise, this time, I could not find any electronic toys at all. I wonder where they kept them, or if they have done away with it. The store also looks smaller than I remembered.

Anyway, I was quite taken aback at the shelves of Barbie and Transformer toys related items like lunch boxes and school bags. Someday, someone might even come up with Disney cruises to suit a Disney theme… or many someone already has!

Anyway, what really caught my eye while I was there was the Rubik’s Cube!

I used to own one as a kid. I’d have endless hours of fun getting all the colours together and I don’t think I ever really managed to get all 6 sides done in their corresponding colours. They were on promotion for RM19.90. I was tempted to buy one just for the heck of it.

Heaven knows, I’m so stressed these days, fiddling with the Rubiks Cube might just be the answer!

Lookee what I saw on the YTL Platinum Plus site? A 50% off Jogoya meal for Ladies only! This is in conjunction with Jogoya’s 3rd Anniversary and Ladies get 50% off from October all the way to 19 December 2008. There are some restrictions of course.

The offer is only available on weekdays Monday-Thursday for all day dining and on Friday for Lunch or Late lunch only. I have only been to Joyoga once and I was not terribly impressed for the price that you pay. Essentially, for the uninitiated, Jogoya is a Japanese buffet restaurant from Taiwan in the upmarket Starhill Gallery and although you get a decent selection of foods, the price per head is expensive. I remember it as being something like RM88 for dinner.

Still, a 50% discount for ladies as an anniversary promotion beats giving out promotional pens or vouchers and I think I might want to visit again if only because with the discount it looks attractive.

If you are anything like me and refuse to buy the newspapers due to the lack of news and proliferation of advertisements, you might find yourself missing out on the latest promotions at our local pharmacies like Guardian and Watsons. Of course, it also means you have less temptation but heck, what is life without a little tempation yes?

I just found out that you can read some of the ongoing Guardian Pharmacy promotions online at their website. This is useful for when you need to stock up on things like shower creams or toothpaste or even diet supplements for those times when they have 3 for 2 promotions.

Currently, the ongoing promotion at Guardian Pharmacies until 30 Nov 2008 is a 50% off the 2nd item promotion. So, buy the first item and get the 2nd at 50% off. Not only that, you can get the new 2009 table calendar with purchases of RM80 and above in a single receipt. Yes, its the end of the year – time to stock up on 2009 calendars!

If you are an Esso Mobil Smiles card member, you can now redeem a 5kg pack of rice (900 Smiles points) or 2kg bottle of cooking oil (400 Smiles points) from Mobil and Tigermart. So, if you have enough points, you are getting the rice and cooking oil practically free!

I’ve got my points so I’m heading out to a Mobil or Tigermart soon. While stocks last and until 31 October 2008 only so hurry!

At a mere US$12 (RM39) for 2 eyeshadow pans in a cardboard case, I’d say its a STEAL! There are 3 sets available and all 3 look so good, I want them all You can just click the Buy button below if you are interested and it’ll take you straight to the site. If you get 3, you get an additional 5% off plus free shipping anywhere in the world so why not share the love and have your friends share in the deal?

Stila Eye Shadow Duo – # 10 Twilight/ SapphireBrightens your lids quickly Long wearing Never crease or fade away Gives striking effect & sexy eyes

Stila Eye Shadow Duo – # 11 Aubergine/ AmethystBrightens your lids quickly Long wearing Never crease or fade away Gives striking effect & sexy eyes

Stila Eye Shadow Duo – # 09 Platinum/ Potpourri Brightens your lids quickly Long wearing Never crease or fade away Gives striking effect & sexy eyes

What are you waiting for?!

Crabtree & Evelyn does some of the best gift sets around. I have not met anyone who isn’t smiling wide upon receiving a gift from Crabtree & Evelyn.

For Mother’s Day, Crabtree & Evelyn has come out with their hatbox sets – round boxes filled with Crabtree & Evelyn signature bath and body goodies in Lavender, Rosewater, Summer Hill and Nantucket Briar!

Get them now for only RM165 a set. Each set includes:-

# Soap Leaves for Travel
# Hand Therapy Shea Butter Hand Cream
# Body Lotion
# Bath & Shower Gel
# Body Powder
# Triple Milled Soap
# Oval Hat Box

Ok, so we don’t wear hats here in Malaysia, but the pretty boxes will make Mom happy to keep all her little momentos.

On top of that, if you spend RM250 and above, you will receive a complimentary teatime set comprising cookies, tea and honey. I really like the cookies from Crabtree & Evelyn. They are very tasty and make a nice teatime snack.

So, if you still don’t know what to get Mom for Mother’s Day, head on down to the nearest Crabtree & Evelyn store and see what you can pick up there.

p/s I personally recommend the Hand Therapy Cream if you really don’t know what to get. It softens hands immediately and keeps them soft and smooth. Awesome stuff!