ROM - Flower Bouquet

One of the important elements for a wedding is the flower bouquet. They don't serve much purpose though. Rather, they give a bride something to hold on to during the march in and the photo taking.

Since our bridal studio is in Taiwan, the flower bouquet is not included in the package. So .. for the past 2 months I have been sourcing for quotes for flower bouquets for ROM. The thing is, once the florists heres the word ROM, the price of the flower bouquet will go up 3 folds and can reach 80+ 90+ depending on the types of flowers, number of flowers and the type of wrapping. Surprisingly, the prices for bare stalks (just a length of ribbon that winds round the flower stalks) where less material is used than the covered stalks are much more expensive.

I have almost given up on finding a bouquet that costs less than $70 but my guardian angel must have been looking out for me. I managed to find a 85 Flowers that sells these bouquets at less than $70 inclusive of 1 boutenniere for the groom, additional boutenniere or corsages are also half the price of other florists. We might also use them for our AD next year if we are happy with their service. 

I am now deciding on the following 2 bouquets to match my theme of Red, White, Black. But the 3rd bouquet also looks very nice with the peach rose buds in half bloom.

Source: www.85flowers.com.sg

~~ Looking forward to being Mrs Tan ~~

Mexican Delight - Cafe Iguana

This post is rather late. 2 Saturdays back, when J was still in Myanmar, I met up with C and her husband for a bout of shopping followed by dinner at Cafe Iguana along Greenwood Avenue. I've been to this bar a few times for dinner and drinks with my colleagues previously and the Mushroom and Cheese Quesadilla and Flank Steak Fajitas have never failed me. The corn chips were complimentary and they helped stave off our hunger before the mains arrived. The fajitas were free flow so we ordered another serving to finish up the very generous serving of flank steak. This bar also serves wonderful Frozen Magaritas and Tequilas but I was driving that day so I gave the alcoholic drinks a miss and stuck to iced water. This is one place not to be missed. IMHO I think this is better than Cha Cha Cha or Chillies..

~~ Looking forward to being Mrs Tan ~~

Botejyu

2 Saturdays back, we were walking down the Orchard shopping belt and were discussing our options for dinner. We finally settled on Botejyu at Orchard Central. I have eaten at the Jurong Point and Vivo outlets before but it was the first time for J. We ordered my fav Seafood Okonomiyaki and pork noodles (I forgot the name) to share between us. The Seafood Oko that I ordered had prawns, squid and scallops aplenty in them and it was filled with lots of cabbage. Yummy.

~~ Looking forward to being Mrs Tan ~~

"Barnie's" Back

Me and C met up with B who came back for a short visit from Sydney after work last Monday. We settled for Raku Zen at Millenia Walk for dinner and I must say it was a great choice. We ordered a combination sashimi to share amoung ourselves. The sashimi was very fresh and although it costs slightly more than those at Sakae, the quality is very much better. For the main dish, I ordered the beef sukiyaki and it came with pickled cucumber, rice, chawanmushi, miso soup and watermelon with cubed jelly. And I finished everything. Will definitely be going back again someday with J.

~~ Looking forward to being Mrs Tan ~~

A Lovely Gift from Sydney

My cousin went to Sydney and brought this back for me. I fell in love with the doughnuts from Krispy Kreme the first time I ate them in Sydney 2 years back and have been missing them since. The nearest KK is in KL and I have not had the chance to travel down. Thank god for cousins who have to travel to Sydney for work. These babies are still soft and fluffy after 2 days. After the 3rd day I just have to pop them in the microwave for 30 secs and they are just as good. Maybe I am just biased.

~~ Looking forward to being Mrs Tan ~~

Wedding Flats Fit for a Bride

Yes. You read correctly. Its wedding flats not heels. I bought a pair of 3" Anna Nucci wedding heels for close to $140 after discount previously when J was still entertaining the thought of purchasing a pair of shoes with inbuilt heels. But he did not like any of the designs so I have to get another pair of flats.

After going in and out of so many shoe shops for the past few weeks, imagine my happiness and J's sigh of relief when I finally found a pair of wedding shoes that I like. A plain white peep toe flat from Giovanna for $20.70 after a discount of 20%. It is quite plain so I might be doing some DIY if I am able to find some embellishments which are cheap and sparkly or pearly. Thats also saying that if I have the creative cell to put those embellishments to good use IF I do manage to find some. Even if I don't add any blings on it should be fine cos I am ultimately going to be wearing a long wedding gown. It all boils down to time and my laziness if I don't manage to DIY my shoes.

As to the initial pair of bling bling heels that I bought way back in Feb, I might be selling them off at a discounted price during the flea market that I will be taking part in end Aug. But I might decide not to sell them after all if I can think of some occasion that I can wear to.

This wasn't meant to be. But I love it anyway. <3 the details on the heels.

This will be the one for my solemnisation. Plain but functional.

~~ Looking forward to being Mrs Tan ~~

Another Sunday gone ..

Its been a pretty productive day today. Did my mani and pedi this morning before meeting my parents to buy a DVD recorder for their room and getting some containers from Toyogo before heading home for shabu-shabu .. chinese steamboat style. I also managed to finish up the invitations card for our solemnisation. My fingers are hurting now from all the cutting and pasting .. But I am very happy with my finished products.

~~ Looking forward to being Mrs Tan ~~

3 more days ..

J's been in Myanmar for 5 days and it feels like months since .. This song aptly sums up how I feel when he's not by my side .. The lyrics are pretty meaningful too ..

When You're Gone by Avril Lavigne ..

I always needed time on my own

I never thought I'd need you there when I cry

And the days feel like years when I'm alone

And the bed where you lie is made up on your side

When you walk away I count the steps that you take

Do you see how much I need you right now

 

When you're gone

The pieces of my heart are missing you

When you're gone

The face I came to know is missing too

When you're gone

The words I need to hear to always get me through the day and make it ok

I miss you

 

I've never felt this way before

Everything that I do reminds me of you

And the clothes you left, they lie on the floor

And they smell just like you, I love the things that you do

 

When you walk away I count the steps that you take

Do you see how much I need you right now

 

We were made for each other

Out here forever

I know we were, yeah

All I ever wanted was for you to know

Everything I'd do, I'd give my heart and soul

I can hardly breathe I need to feel you here with me, yeah

~~ Looking forward to being Mrs Tan ~~

SHE - 只为爱上你 Lyrics

如果说这世界不够完美不够好

一定是在等我们亲手给它变得美好

就像爱看起来会那么少一定是

在等我们一起勇敢的寻找一起找到

一片片落叶为开出个花园

手牵手捱过整个冬天

每只蝴蝶为了飞

为了翩翩起舞先做一个茧

最美海岸线总是要很蜿蜒

才足够让人忘返流连

你的身边要不是

比天边还遥远勇气怎么出现

当我终于住进你的心里

分享同一个世界

身后错过痛过漫长情节

都变甜美

只有我了解这幸福感觉

美得值得去付出一切

能够遇见你认识你喜欢你爱上你

感谢我每滴眼泪

只有你明白我有多珍贵

好得值得你为我改变

请你继续温柔交换我灿烂笑容

一天一天到永远那一天

yeh 爱上你有多幸运

像是天使的礼物

我们不要辜负这幸福

一定要更加幸福

如果爱真的是那么的少

我们就

一起守护我们得来不易的爱不被打扰

当你终于走到我的面前

完整所有的画面

就算苦辣酸甜尝过一遍

只剩喜悦

像是大雨过后晴朗的天宽阔而耀眼

每个黎明都需要有夜成全

往回看每兜一个圈

每一条迂回的曲线

都是为爱上你必须留的伏线

Lyrics scource: www.Baidu.com

~~ Looking forward to being Mrs Tan ~~

Missing you ..

J is in Myanmar as I am writing this post. I was so looking forward to him coming back this evening but he called me yesterday afternoon to say that his work there has to be extended and can only be back on Wednesday. I wasn't expecting him to be gone so long and am seriously missing him. I don't like to be so dependant on him but I also can't help being dependant on him. I did not used to be like that. Baby I miss you .. come back quick.

Maybe I can make use of this weekend to finish up the invitations which I was suppose to have done last week.

~~ Looking forward to being Mrs Tan ~~

Now Listening to ..

I'm in love with this song. However this MV is not the original one. They used the MV from another song and just superimposed the lyrics on. But enjoy the song anyway.

~~ Looking forward to being Mrs Tan ~~

Counting Down

.. 10 more months to our wedding ..

And we still have not confirmed our PG, VG and MUA. I have gotten quotations from some vendors and have shortlisted a few. Going to have to meet up with some of them in the coming weeks to see their work. J has a friend who is a PG and MUA so if we like their work and their price is within our budget, we might just sign up with them. We'll see how things goes. 10 months seems so near yet so far ..

~~ Looking forward to being Mrs Tan ~~

Tailoring Woes

One of the disadvantage of getting our package from Taiwan was that my measurements are not taken by a professional and there is a chance that the gown will not fit nicely. I have been fretting over this issue for the past 3 months and have been scouring the bridal forums for a seamstress willing to alter wedding gowns. I have 1 WG for my solemnisation and 1 WG and 1 EG for my AD that requires tailoring. Usually they will refuse to alter wedding gowns as they are much harder to sew due to the heavy fabric used and also they fear that they will be blamed if the gown falls apart from numerous alterations which is not uncommon in OTR bridal gowns that have seen many changes of hand.

My efforts finally paid off in the form of Shirley who used to sew bridal gowns and is now doing freelance home-based tailoring. I am thinking of getting her to tailor a qipao or a gown for my mom for my wedding next year if I like her handiwork and if the price is reasonable. Might also get her to tailor one for me for CNY.

~~ Looking forward to being Mrs Tan ~~

Shopping causes "impotency"

I can't believe it. Now they have a study that says that shopping can also cause males to lose their sex drive?? What next?

... researchers have discovered that the levels of hazardous substance Bisphenol A (BPA), which remain in inks in receipts, could reach high enough levels to shift the sex hormones in men towards oestrogen ...

In the long term, this leads to less sexual drive, encourages the belly instead of the muscles to grow and has a bad effect on erection and potency.

- Prof Frank Sommer

Source: Straitstimes.com

Read the article here

~~ Looking forward to being Mrs Tan ~~

My Wants ..

I have been lemming after this for the longest time .. Since the Euro is weak now, I'm going to start changing part of my salary to Euro's every month until I am able to get this.. I have a choice of Monogram or Azur .. and I feel that Monogram is more for older women so Azur it is..

Louis Vuitton Azur Galliera PM

Image source: www.louisvuitton.com

~~ Looking forward to being Mrs Tan ~~

A Fishy Weekend and A Flat Tyre

Last Sat, we had a flat tire and had to send the car to the workshop to get new tires. It was a good thing that J has this habit of checking the tires before getting in the car. If not I think the damage would have been worse. We ended up changing the front 2 tires at a discounted rate as this was the usual workshop that we go to for major servicing for his sis's car and J was on good terms with the boss. I'm nursing a bad headache now so I'll let the pictures do the talking.

Removing his barang barangs from the boot to get to the flat tire

That's our car missing its front tire

While waiting for the tires to be installed, I wandered into the convenience store and look what I found. My favourite drink.

After the repairs, we headed down to Orchard and initially wanted to have dinner at Fridays but the queue was stationary the 20 mins that we were queuing there and the waitress look so disinterested in serving us that we decided to spend our money elsewhere. Finally settled on Fish & Co. We were lucky the the outlet at Heeren had no queue at dinner time. I think it has to do with the crowd moving down to Somerset 313 and Ion. Heeren has become soo quiet. But I like.

Their Trademark placemat

Clam Chowder for starters. They had loads of whole clams in there. Very generous indeed.

Passion Fruit Drink. Part of the set.

Seafood Platter for 2.. Just nice for the 2 of us. Look at those prawns and calamaris.

We took a walk around orchard after dinner and decided to rest our legs at The Coffee Bean at Orchard Central. The crowds were also absent here so it was a breeze getting our orders and looking for seats.

Carrot Cake for dessert

My current favourite. Apple Rooibos tea latte

New place to try out on our next visit - EwF

~~ Looking forward to being Mrs Tan ~~

Apple iPhone 4 issues

The iPhone 4 will be released in Singapore sometime this month and I have been waiting anxiously for its arrival on our shores. However, with the recent reports on the issues that iPhone 4 users are facing, I am having second thoughts about upgrading my phone before Apple has solved the issues. One of the main problems that users have reported are that dropped calls are fairly frequent.

This morning I came across and article in MyPaper addressing the issue of dropped called by a scientist in a leading American university who requested not to be named so I do not know how true his statement is.

"Dampness and naturally occuring salts on the hands of the general populace help them form a better connection with the iPhone 4's exposed antenna. And that exposure is what causes dropped calls... Having bare metal antennae purposely handled will absolutely short (circuit) the signal"

Source: MyPaper - Reported by Wired UK quoting a Post doc biochemistry scientist at a leading American university who asked not to be named

Here's the full article from MyPaper. Click on article to view it.

~~ Looking forward to being Mrs Tan ~~

2 more months ..

.. To our solemnisation. Everything is on track but I am getting lazy. I have bought the materials for the invitation cards and the boutonnieres and corsages. But due to my laziness, they are all chucked into a box on my desk. I will have to start preparing the invitation cards by this weekend as I will be meeting some of my girls next week. Can take the chance to pass it to them too. Gotta get J to help me with the invitations this weekend.

I will also have to start doing up the boutonnieres and corsages too. In case it does not turn out how I want it to, I still have time to order them from the florists.

Speaking of florists, I have gotten some quotations but they are all so expensive. Once the salesgirls know that you need a bouquet for solemnisation, the price will double sometimes even triple. But the size of the bouquet is almost as big as those hand bouquets that girls always receive from guys. I am left with one more option that is to ask my cousin-in-law who works as a florist to give me a quote. Hopefully her prices are much cheaper.

As for my birdcage veil, I will be doing away with it as it will be vying for attention with my gown. So I just be tonging my hair and doing a low side ponytail. For bride-to-bes who would like to DIY their own birdcage veil you can look here, here and here.

Hopefully by the end of this month I can get more things off my TO-Do list so that the final month will not be so rush. J's birthday is also coming up next month and I have absolutely no inkling of what to get for him. But, I have already booked a hotel room for his birthday so that we can have a private celebration. Watch out for a review of the hotel after 15 August.

 

~~ Looking forward to being Mrs Tan ~~

Macy Gray - Beauty in the World

I know you’re fed up

Like a lead up for us

All they talk about is

What is going down?

What’s been messed up for us?

When I look around I see blue skies

I see butterflies for us

Listen to the sound and lose it

Its sweet music and dance with me

There is beauty in the world

So much beauty in the world

Always beauty in the world

So much beauty in the world

Shake your booty boys and girls for the beauty in the world

Pick your diamond pick your pearl there is beauty in the world

All together now

We need more lovin’

We need more money, they say

Change is gonna come

Like the weather

They say forever

They say

When they’re in between

Notice the blue skies

Notice the butterflies

Notice me

Stop and smell the flowers

And lose it the sweet music and dance with me

There is beauty in the world

So much beauty in the world

Always beauty in the world

There is beauty in the world

Shake your booty boys and girls for the beauty in the world

Pick your diamond pick your pearl there is beauty in the world

All together now

Heya throw your hands up and holla

Throw your hands up and holla

When you don’t know what to do

Don’t know if you’ll make it through

Remember god is giving you beauty in the world

So love (Beauty in the world)

Yeah love (Beauty in the world)

There is beauty in the world (Beauty in the world)

Beauty in the world (Beauty in the world)

Shake your booty boys and girls (Boys and Girls)

All the beauty in the world (Beauty in the world)

Pick your diamond pick your pearl (Pick your pearl)

There is beauty in the world (Beauty in the world)

All together now

Yeah love

Yeah love

Oh love

All together now

Hey baby when I’m looking at you

I know it’s fact is true

There is hope for love

There is beauty in the world

Hey baby

Hey baby when I’m looking at you

I know this vibe is true

There’s love

There’s hope for love

There’s beauty in the world

Lyrics Source: http://www.elyricsworld.com/

~~ Looking forward to being Mrs Tan ~~

Now Listening To ...

~~ Looking forward to being Mrs Tan ~~

Fish Head Steamboat

Last Friday, it rained the whole afternoon. I was feeling cold and hungry as J picked me up quite late from work. With the wet and cold weather, and both of us feeling ravenous, we decided to head down to Whampoa food center for Fish head Steamboat. The traffic was very bad the whole journey what with accidents and vehicles crawling along due to the wet weather. Thank God we did not have to wait long for our food that night. I think the rain kept most people indoors.

This is one stall where I will definitely frequent. The fish was fresh and succulent. The soup was robust and flavourful. And the amount of fish they served was very generous. The perfect food for the perfect weather. What can I say. We went home with our tummy warm and satisfied.

Fish Head Steamboat

J was super hungry and can't wait to tuck into his dinner

~~ Looking forward to being Mrs Tan ~~

Taipei: Days 7 and 8

Day 7

.: Breakfast at 阜杭豆漿‎

.: Ximending

.: Back to hotel to rest

.: Dinner near hotel

.: Judy Wedding

.: Taipei Main Station

J was still nursing a fever on Day 7, so I told him to sleep in the hotel while I explore the city on my own. I did not go too far as he was worried about my safety.

Found myself back at 阜杭豆漿‎ for their chilled dou jiang. There I experienced an earthquake. It was later reported in the news that the earthquake which originated at Tai Tung measured 6.5 on the Richter Scale. No one panicked but everyone stopped in their tracks when it happened. It was rather mild at Taipei which measured only 2.

After breakfast, I made my way down to XMD in search of the wholesale center which I was unable to find during our 2 previous visits there. This time round, I managed to find the place and had an enjoyable time looking at all the beauty products and tools which were selling at a much cheaper price. I forgot to bring the camera out with me so no pictures for that day.

Day 8:

.: Breakfast near hotel

.: Ximending

.: Back to hotel

.: Pickup from Hotel to Airport

.: Back in Singapore

J felt much better on our last day. Still slightly feverish but nothing a cold compress could not cure. We had a quick breakfast near our hotel then made our way down to XMD for some last minute shopping. Settled our lunch there and then made our way back to the hotel where the driver was waiting to send us to the airport. We had our dinner at the airport before boarding the plane back home.

This is the first long trip that we have gone on with just the 2 of us. I really enjoyed our time together. And this trip have certainly brought the 2 of us closer together.

  

~~ Looking forward to being Mrs Tan ~~

Taipei: Day 6

Day 6:

.: Breakfast near hotel

.: Back to hotel to rest

.: Dan Shui, Fishermen Wharf and Dan Shui Lao Jie

.: Back to hotel

J woke up with a splitting headache and fever so we went out in search of breakfast so that he could take his medication. We chanced upon this cafe near our hotel and settled breakfast before heading back to the hotel for him to rest.

His breakfast

Mine

In the evening he felt better so we ventured out to Dan Shui to see the Lovers Bridge and also explore the Dan Shui Lao Jie. I didn't get to see the bridge my previous trip as it was raining heavily so I'm glad I got to go there with J this time round. The wind was pretty strong and I kept worrying that his fever would come back but he assured me that he was fine.

Fishermen Wharf

Lovers Bridge @ Fishermen Wharf

We made our way down to Dan Shui Lao Jie in search of food.

He had a bowl of piping hot fishball noodles at this eatery which I think did wonders to his body. He felt mch better after that. While I had my Strawberry snow ice.

We then chanced upon this bean curd stall and ordered tang yuan dou hua. We were expecting those big glutinous rice balls with peanut fillings and were stumped when we saw this. Later I remembered that this is the traditional pink and white tang yuans that we used to have during the winter soltice.

We went back to our hotel shortly after as J started feeling feverish again.

 ~~ Looking forward to being Mrs Tan ~~

Taipei: Day 5

Day 5:

.: 小人國 @ 桃園

.: 东区粉圆 @ 忠孝东路

.: 五分埔

.: 饒河夜市

.: 西门町

.: Back to hotel

This day was the most intensive for our whole trip as we covered quite a number of places. We got our butts out of bed at 9am and grabbed a quick breakfast at the same sandwich stall where we had breakie the day before. It was then training down to catch the bus to 小人國. The weather started getting cold and raining that day and we were dressed in our warmest clothings.

Our bus ticket to 小人國

At 小人國

Cafe @ 小人國

In one day...

We travelled from Taipei ..

.. To China ..

.. Conquered the Great Wall of China ..

.. Met Doraemon ..

.. and his friends ..

.. Took a train ..

.. To India's Taj Mahal ..

.. Went on to Russia ..

.. and saw the windmills in Holland ..

 .. and finally ended up in France ..

After all that travelling round the world, we were wet, cold and hungry .. So we went to get some hot fen yuan to fill our tummy ..

Afterwhich, we made our way down to Wufenpu for some shopping. Bought a couple of bags for mum and sis and also 2 Jackets for me and J for only $150. It would usually cost $500+ for 2 in Singapore.

We were hungry again so we walked down the street to raohe night market for more food

J queued up for about 30mins for this pepper biscuit .. it was quite nice but not really worth the wait.

It was a Saturday night and was still early .. so we made our way down to XMD again .. J had his favourite cong you bing ..

We were exhausted after the whole day out so we went back to the hotel and J fell sick that night from being caught in the rain ..

~~ Looking forward to being Mrs Tan ~~