A visit to JPO

Last weekend, Bo took me back to his hometown to attend a nephew's wedding.  It was a short trip to Johor for us, didn't leave me enough time to cross the border to Singapore.

But on the way over, we made a stop at the newly opened Johor Premium Outlet.  I heard so many things about this place.  It's supposedly a place where you can find designers or premium brands at cheaper price.  I didn't have high expectation, nor was I excited about going there.  But wanted to check it out anyway.

As we were approaching.

I was excited to see Michael Kors!

Stealing a shot!

The other side, not sure if we went there (?)

Brand Listing

Brand and Service listing

Michael Kors! Which I was excited about but got disappointed since there were no shoes!
(I super love Michael Kors pumps, the York especially)

The most popular outlet, Coach.. Don't ask me the price range, I didn't  get in line.

Just in case you run out of cash!

This is a nice touch knowing how far the parking lots are.

Front view

Again stealing a shot

The parking area is massive but we wondered what if it rains?

All I got was a pair of running shoe from Adidas for RM115. I thought that was quite cheap.  JP outlets price ranges, I think around 30 - 60% cheaper than in KL but they mostly sell back season and extra stocks so if you don't mind wearing (or carrying) something out of season, you may like shopping here.

As for me, I'd rather save me the fuel and toll money.  But I don't mind dropping by on the way to JB again! :)

Impromptu patriotic visit

Just like the title suggests, we didn't plan anything for the first day of Chinese New Year.  We woke up early to have breakfast in downtown KL knowing that the traffic will be a breeze.  The traffic was a breeze but to get a decent place to have a breakfast was not.  We ended up having Nasi Lemak Tangling nearby Bo's former office.

After breakfast, as we made our way out, we stopped at the red light on a junction where I spotted the sign board to Tugu Negara.  I said to Bo "You know sayang, I 've never been to Tugu Negara".. to which he replied "The last time I was there was probably in 1986"... Knowing that we had the whole morning to ourselves, I suggested we visit.  I was so sure not many people would be around..

There were not THAT many people but there were people nonetheless.

Another park beside the Tugu Negara

Spotted a group of students from Sabah

Salute!

Around!

plats on the ceiling are of the regiments involved in the war

Sure felt good to finally visit a national monument, it is never too late.  It taught me to be more grateful for a peaceful country.  I think some people should go there and do some "reflections" on their lives.  There are a lot of things to be grateful about!

Spa Village

Remember my spa therapist sister? She is now working for YTL in one of their luxurious properties.  When she came to visit recently, she booked us a two-hour session at Spa Village.  Just what I needed!

Spa Village Kuala Lumpur is located on the fourth floor of the Ritz Residence, which shares the same building as the Ritz Carlton (although they have separate lobbies and separate doors).  As I've never been there before, I parked at Starhill Gallery. I was so tempted to go to Sergio Rossi but we were already late (note that general spa etiquette is to arrive at least fifteen minutes before your appointment time; read here).

As soon as I opened the main door to the spa, the aroma from the essential oils calmed me.  It was so quiet and I totally forgot that I was in the middle of KL! My sister paid and we chose our treatments, which was 90-minutes aromatherapy massage for me and Balinese massage for my sister and then followed by 30-minutes body scrub.  

The reception.

The main display at the reception area

We were then ushered to a very dark waiting room and were served tea and rose-scented cold towel.  Nice!

Tea & scented towel

A TV with sound of waterfall and to the right is the hair salon. Convenient!

And then, we were led to the treatment room.  We had a couple room that comes with rain-water shower and bath tub, outdoor!

Our treatment room & outdoor massage beds!

Outdoor bath tub & shower. Loves!

Essential Oils to choose from, I chose "Purifying" (purple)

The treatment was so good that I refrained myself from falling asleep, just so I could enjoy the massage.  The therapist started with stretching my back and then before the massage started, she told me to inhale some oil to help me relax. She also checked my pressure preference. So professional!

After the massage, she helped me sit to scrub my back.  That was a different style from any other spas I went before.  All the other spas I went before actually had me lying face downwards while the therapist scrubbed my back.  I actually prefer sitting up!

After the scrub, we went to shower outside and by the time I finished with my shower, I came in to see the treatment room was already clean and looked like nobody had treatment in it.

After I dressed, the therapist showed me back to the waiting room where they served us ginger tea. Again, nice!

 Before leaving for our super late lunch, I asked if I can go to the exclusive poolside just to take pictures.  And here it is!

Exclusive pool!

Because I came with my sister, we paid good price.  So I didn't contemplate to tip.  When I said good price, it was very good!  Because there's no way I'd go if I were to pay the published rate.  So expensive! Check out their website here and have a look at the menu.

Will I return? Definitely!

Enters the dragon

It was a very very busy week leading up to this long Chinese New Year weekend that my new colleague and I stayed back at the office up to 9pm everyday. Thank God for the long weekend, as I felt a bit feverish and so mentally exhausted.

Anyway, in all that working long hours, I managed to steal some time for a Yee Sang with my colleagues at a Tai Tong Group's Chinese restaurant in PJ.  Although I was the only one who doesn't speak Mandarin at the table, I felt the warmth and the togetherness.

The restaurant

Ready to toss!

Toss toss toss for good luck!

Full & happy!

And I also put together Chinese New Year giveaways to pass around in the office.  Something like what I did for Christmas.  This time I didn't get strange looks, but a silly bitch actually remarked something stupid.  Made me regret that I actually gave her one.  All I can say is she is a shallow person who has never been to Sabah and probably never had any friend with diverse cultural background.  The epitome of ignorance, that she was.

Pussy Willow for the decor on the bag

the inserts - mandarin oranges, kopi tenom & kacang kacang

The end result!

Today, on the eve of the new year I kept the tradition alive by spring cleaning the house and had Dim Sum with Bo at our favorite Chinese restaurant.

Gotta take picture with the decor now

GONG XI FA CAI to all! May the year of the Dragon brings you luck, wealth & health in abundance.

New Year Eve

It's two weeks into 2012 and I've been meaning to blog about my new year's eve.. So here goes.. Better be late than never!

I didn't really have a specific plan to celebrate new year.  Since I was back in KK and was going back to KL on the 1st January, the last thing I want is to travel with hangover.  Believe me, it's not good.  So drinking the night away was out of the question.

So I decided at the last minute that I'd better be with the family; barbecue & gambling at my grandma's.

But before that, a friend wanted to send some food to a care center for the disabled people in Penampang. What noble thing to do so I tagged along. We brought food from McDonald's and I got ice creams for them.  We spent a little more time with them before we left for grandma's.

Tolumis - help them when you can.

With one of the residents, her name is Amanda. Isn't she a cutie?

They're enjoying the McDonald's we delivered!

What a nice way to end 2011! I truly feel like it's a good conclusion to a very good year indeed!

So I didn't have time to go back and shower, I thought what for since there'd be barbecue and I'd still be smelled of smoke anyway. We had the biggest fresh water prawn I've ever seen in my life and it was so fresh and sweet!

And since the kids wanted to go to the river at midnight, I was asked to inflate a huge floater with just air in my lung!

It was a miracle I didn't pass out!

I left to go home with dad at 15 minutes before the countdown began and had shower at home at exactly 12am and went straight to bed!

Not before I sent some new year wishes to some friends!

"Cheers to a fabulous new year, and to the one we just had"

Ladies Blogger Gathering 2012

One of the thing that I looked forward to in this particular Christmas trip is the gathering with the lady bloggers.  Since I'll be meeting some of them for the first time!

The gathering was held at Little Italy KK and isn't it the perfect place?! All thanks to Carol for organizing and for coming early to secure the table.

We had fun chatting and exchanging gifts! I got Carol's gift, which I love so much.. The Moroccan Rose is my favorite from the Body Shop range.  Packaging's cute too! Thanks so much Carol!

Enjoy the slideshow! And I am already looking forward to the next one.

"Ladies Bloggers Gathering"

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