Heat Group make up warehouse sales

Few days ago, my colleague, K made a copy of the above flyer for each of us. Seeing how I have been shopping off late and am supposed to be saving money, I told myself I shouldn't bother going. I really didn't give it a second thought 'till today.

After work, I asked the hubby if he minds detouring to this warehouse - 'cos I realised how near the warehouse is to our home - and he said, yes.

I wasn't sure what to expect and told the hubby that my budget is $50 maximum and to make sure that - no matter what - I am NOT to exceed the amount.

We arrived, parked our car and made our way into the warehouse. A guy greeted us at the entrance and gave us a recycle bag to place our desired items. Tables after tables were lined up with boxes of lip gloss, foundation, eye shadow, nail polish, mascara etc from Cover Girl, Max Factor, Bourjois, to name a few. 

Most items ranged between $1 to $3 except by those from Max Factor and Bourjois that ranged from $5 - $8. I am assuming this two are the more 'atas' (higher end) brand.

There were hoard of ladies flitting from one table to another excitedly looking for a steal!

 

Covergirl lip glosses of all colours mainly nude range

Rather lot of Indian looking ladies and a few that kept getting in my path :(

I just bagged items I saw that I liked, thinking I would sort them later nearer to the exit and take out those that I don't fancy as much. Mistake though. 'Cos I ended up putting item after item in my bag! With $1 and $2 or $3 price tag in my head, it plays with your mind that everything is a bargain and worth buying.

I was feeling a bit lost 'cos I don't buy much of make up, hence, I didn't really know how to see if it's a good make up or if the pricing is worth it or if the make up is outdated and shouldn't be bought! What a noob, right?

So, I observed the ladies around me (the pros) as they go about making their choices.

The hubby was a real gem waiting patiently as I walked from table to table bagging items. Felt really bad for the dude but he swore he was fine and he just wanted me to enjoy myself and get what I want.

And bagged items, I did!

Saw a lip gloss in a shade I liked, bagged it. Saw another funky coloured lipgloss , bagged! Nail polish, bagged! Another different colour, bagged! $1 nail polish??? BAGGED, of course!! Oooh, a different sort of lip gloss shade from  my usual boring me, bagged! 

Feeling the adding weight of my bag, I practiced some form of restrain, bagging only those that I really wanted. By then, I had already walked 2/3 of the area. LOL.

Went to the sorting station to sort out my bagged items. I had close to 10 lip glosses lined up and ditched 2/3 of it. Discarded fake nails and foundation and just couldn't discard the rest, so I made my way to pay.

The queue to get items priced and totalled

From a girl who hardly wear make up in the past to wearing light make up everyday for work, I think I did fairly alright with the below. Bought the Tweety Bird body spray for my colleague, H. Not because she smells but because she likes birds and I reckon, Tweety! ;p 

If you have time this weekend, head over to Heat Group at Scoresby for your own make up purchases!! :)

My damage for the night...

Arrived home and tested the lip glosses. Dark lip gloss just makes my thickish lips look thicker. But in the picture, it looks pretty decent! Laughed when I tested the Burgundy one. Not used to dark lips on me. And I realised my upper lips does not have a dip in the middle to give me defined lips. *bummer*

Trying to remove it was a bit of a nightmare. Used tissue to wipe it off but it stayed on. Used cotton pad and it still stayed on. Silly me forgot to read the instructions before hand! So, I read the instructions which said to use an oil based make up remover.

Did that and the lip gloss was finally off! *phew*

Now I know why it's called 'Lipfinity'. *haha* Lip gloss that stays on forever. What the... 

Don't fancy the Red one among all three colours tried. Loved the Matte Pink best! Au natural is the way to go.

Ok. Some lame looking pictures of me and my colourful lips.

Burgundy 

Red (Pardon the round face)

Matte pink (and pardon the closed eyes.. really dislike my SG4's camera!!)

My own lip gloss

We've moved!!

This past week has been a busy one for us. We moved houses. From a spacious house with a lake behind our house to a street named Lakeview ironicially named without a view of any lake. It's a smaller house but with a really big backyard. 

Mr. C's colleagues are already planning to tape the grass with badminton court lines. This house initially looked a tad drabby and icky but after a fresh coat of paint and change in carpets, my, the transformation lightens up my opinion of the house.

Last Tuesday saw Mr. C and I moving ALL our things from the old place to the current humble abode. It took the movers from 1.30pm till 5ish pm to pack everything, transport and unload our junk at the new place. And for that, it burnt a hole in our pockets of $400!

And we definitely needed the movers because we had washing machine, dryer, couch, dining table set, bed frames, mattresses and what not to move over. 

My first time being part of the moving process. 

In Malaysia, when we moved house in 2009, it was my peak period at work, hence, I couldn't take leave to help my parents but they managed well. 

And in 2011, I was in Malaysia for Chinese New Year when Mr. C was offered a job in Melbourne seeing him packing and moving everything over from Brisbane on his own.

I was expecting to be stressed out by this whole move from the way people make it sound. But I find packing and moving was rather alright. It's the unpacking that I find a hassle. 

I have to wipe down the cupboards and be grossed out by creepy crawlies and dirt and reorganised everything. See, I am feeling so lazy by it that I am here, blogging about it. LOLs.

Alright.. just some pictures and I got to get back to unpacking the plates, cups, bowls and utensils before Mr. C comes home and finds out I've been slacking. *hehe*

Ensuite (room and bathroom) with new carpets before blinds were installed

Mini walk in wardrobe BEFORE the clutter of clothes and what not

Awwwww.. what a helpful hubby who insisted taking on vacuum duties!

Our first accommodation in Melbourne for the past 1 year and 6 months!

Day of move... busy and yet, I found time to take pics of self. Lols.

You never realise how much junk you have till it's time to pack and move

Goodbye tv room with a backyard view of the lake

The organised movers and my jewellery cupboard on the left

Ensuite with our mattress inside with bed frames and side tables brought over

Living room with our nonsense temporarily placed whilst the walls get a make over

Boxes after boxes of our stuff waiting to be sorted outside dining room area

Went flower and plant hunting at Carribean Market 

Not that pretty flowers ;p

Did you know you can't eat olives straight off the tree?? 
You have to soak them in water and salt first

Sweet little blooms

After I vacuumed and tidied up the old house

Adieu house for 1 year and 6 months... you will be remembered.

The bigger person

Today, I was the bigger person than Mr. C.

When you're in a relationship, it's all about compromising and giving way to the other partner. Of course, I don't mean giving in all the time.

But sometimes, even when you don't feel like it or when you think you are right and he's wrong, you got to take the first step and say,"Are you alright? What's bothering you? Why are you upset? Let's talk about this".

Often times, Mr. C is the one that comes to me first after an argument. I can be rather hot headed and hard headed. These days, he, too can be so. Hence, I learnt to meet him half point and at times, I approach him first.

And it's harder when I am right or when I think he has no right to be mad in the first place.

But that's what relationships are about. Finding your footing and learning to deal with each other's expectations and opinions.

We've been together for 12 years but it's always an ongoing work-in-progress. So, where ever you are and whom ever you are with, when you feel like throwing in the towel, when you're upset, when you're mad, take a deep breathe and slowly exhale.

Then think, what brought you to be with this person? I am sure with all the down times and arguments, there must be many good times. 

Take the first step. Say you are sorry (if you really are). Tell him or her, you may not agree with their opinions but it doesn't have to mean one is wrong and the other is right. It just means, you've to learn to agree to disagree and leave it be.

And sometimes, it means, being the bigger person.

Sunday karaoke at Partyworld

Sunday was a beautiful day. The hubby brought me to Partyworld Karaoke and it was awesome. We bought a Scoopon deal online for AUD29 and it was worth every cent! For AUD29, we get AUD100 credit worth of food and drinks PLUS 5 hours of singing time.

I used to be super shy singing in front of people. The first time a good friend brought me to the karaoke, I sang one song and just laughed at him the whole time to cover my awkwardness and my reluctance to sing further. 

He, however, made me sing a few more songs and I realised that I liked it.

As the years got on, whilst working, colleagues love to celebrate birthdays and farewells at the karaoke outlets. But I was still rather shyish about it. However, a colleague who loves to sing and can't exactly sing well put everything into perspective. If she can't really sing but doesn't give a *toot* about it and I? I can at least hold a tune, what's there to be embarrassed about? 

I think I really got over my shyness just two years back when I'll go with Miss Juice. Just she and I, 4 hours singing straight and somehow, I am no longer a closet singer. 

Anyways, back to Sunday. Here we were, at the line into Partyworld in Melbourne Central. The queue was pretty long and no surprise 'cos many were holding Scoopon vouchers just like us! Reminded me just of karaoke in Malaysia.

The difference here is that there are security guards to check your bags before you go in and your identity. It was a bit of a foreign concept 'cos you don't get that in Malaysia. I reckon it's done here because they want to ensure you don't bring any food and drinks in instead of buying any from the karaoke place (they kept my macarons, a birthday gift for a friend, at the counter).

Then again, it could also be because alcohol is served on the premise and perhaps, those underaged can't enter, too. Australia's quite strict about underage and alcohol. For example, it's illegal to walk on the streets, in public holding alcohol. You have to carry it in a doggy bag and you're not allowed to drink in public.

 

Mr. C choosing songs whilst I sang emo Fish Leong songs

Phew. Anyways, we made it in after the queue and the security check. A small room just for the both of us. Nevertheless, the sound system was good. We, in fact sound like superstars! But the screen to choose songs were not user friendly. And you can't change the song a (many) key up or down.

There were many English songs to choose from but it was somewhat, limited more to newer songs. But we were still pretty satisfied and come on, we sang 5 hours worth, so that's pretty good!

The room was cosy and the food was actually quite decent tasting! We ordered two entres and a main each and two drinks each.

 

 
The two men in my life (Mr. C and Jay)

Agedashi Tofu (thumbs up)

Unagi with egg and rice

Sze Chuan noodle with curry pork and noodles

Queen's Bohemain Rhapsody

After 5 hours, with hoarse and tired voices, we left for dinner with Sal in Carrums Down. Bought her a pot of simple flowers from Rowville Stud Park Shopping Centre's House of Blooms. Loved how they have such simple but beautiful flowers and arrangement.

 

 

Chocolate, hazelnut, lemon, pomegranate, pistachio etc..

 

Earl grey, blueberry, raspberry, raspberry with chocolate, sakae and champagne

 

We got the flowers and a box of macarons from La Belle Miette! 'Cos I know she really, really loves macarons. How can you not? Especially with such mini perfections from this favourite place of mine.

We drove nearly an hour from the city to her place and went nearby, to Monta Verde for dinner. The food was REALLY good and I'll blog about it another day. That's all for today. :)

Gold Class experience at Jam Factory!

Quick dinner at Salsa's before the movie

Yet another long overdue post. End last month, Mr. C and I had the privileged to a Gold Class movie experience in Villlage cinema at Jam Factory in South Yarra. If you followed my tweet or plurk, you would know this was all thanks to @NuffnangAU and @RoadshowAU!

Why pay more for a Gold Class experience? Well, you get super duper comfy seats that recline for optimum comfort!! Just look at Mr. C. He was sooo comfortable that he dozed off to dreamland! KIDDING!! He definitely is a good sport, always posing for pictures knowing full well that it'll be uploaded onto my blog. ;p

A really darked and semi creepy photo of us

Lol. Everyone was happily tweeting away #NNArtistDVD and saying their thanks to @NuffnangAU and @RoadshowAU for this complimentary experience. We were given drinks each and popcorns, too! I really wished all cinemas here would serve caramel popcorns like the ones in Malaysia. Mr. C, however had no complaints finishing his and MY super salty popcorn.

Besides two drinks and popcorns, we get to take home a DVD of the show we were watching. The Artist, a silent movie in black and white. I send my copy to Malaysia to a friend who helped me a lot for my wedding and has been wanting to watch this show. 

I've been saying so much about the freebies and Gold Class experience but never did state clearly what movie was in store for us that night. We watched The Artist. I wouldn't say it was mind blowing like Inception but it definitely was different. A change. LOL. After all, it was a silent movie in black and white. Something you don't see these days.

Apparently, this movie is the winner of 5 academy awards for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Director (Michael Hazanavicius), Best Original Score and Best Costume Design. The only actor I know in the movie is John Goodman.

This movie was set at the twilight of Hollywood's silent era and shows the story of a famous silent actor struggling with the change of new talking movies. At the same time, he met a dancer just starting out who later on took the talking picture world by storm. His wife left him when he refused to conform to talking pictures and lost his fortune investing in the making of lackluster silent movies. In the end,  the dancer proved to be his salvation.

His very devoted dog that saved his life... literally

The actor Jean Dujardin and actress, Berenice Bejo

A mixture of drama, comedy and romance that relies on images, music and the actors/actresses to make the show work. Rotten Tomatoes have given it a 98% rating. So, that itself speaks a fair bit of the show. 

All in all, Mr. C and I welcome a relaxing night out watching movies. It was like an unofficial date that someone else paid for! :)