INSTAGRAM: @danetellechua

Wednesday, 23 July 2014

Chapter 7: The First Batam trip with the Sims.

Always feel so loved and blessed to be part of the big family of the Sims, my maternal side of my family. We often gather together for celebrations and it has been quite some time since our last mini getaway.

We used to have major family overseas trip on annual basis, for a least once a  while I was really young. Probably due to a series of "unexpected" surprises that came into our family, we weren't be able to frequent our trips We are pretty determined to get together often.

This would be the first out of the many that I would start logging.

It was rather impromptu decision heading to Batam. Organised by my talented cousins Albert Sim, Sera and cousin-in-law Bailing. For our short getaway which happened last weekend, 19th-20th July'2014, they have so much to do.

On the day,
My casual yet colourful getup to start my weekend right.

Woke up pretty early to get myself refreshed before meeting the beloved family. Dajiu ferried my family of 4 to Habourfront Centre that morning. Though meet-up time is 12 noon, we reached around 10.20am. Had my Macdonald's breakfast of course, and waiting for everyone to come. Was pretty excited for trip as I have been so busy these days I have so little time for them.

Before we enter the departure hall, at around 1-ishpm,
We took a group picture altogether. Hola we are the Sims.
and a wefie with the Papa Chua, Mama Chua, Mei Mei Chua and Jie Jie Chua.

While waiting for our ferry to be here, the young girls in our family put my sister mono-pod into great use. Selfies with the cousins featuring our Princess Alethea. :D






It turns out all the pictures are really well captured, and we can't exactly wait to share them all. Teeheex.

I have totally no idea when this was taken (pardon me expression, I really woke up pretty early can't help but stoned a little :P), but it was a pretty good that we are actively engaged on our social media platforms.

Finally we are boarding.


One more before I board.

Some pictures aboard, before I nap on sail.  

Batam is 1 hour behind of Singapore, sail journey of approximately 50minutes - 1hour. It wasn't too long before we realised we have arrived.

Okay besides the mother and me the rest ain't that ready. Pardon my messy hair I just woke up abruptly knowing we have arrived.



Would say the arrival mall is much more sloppy, looks like the I have stepped into the mall in Malaysia in the older days.

There were arrangement made by the hotel we have booked, Harmoni Suites Hotel and I am pretty impressed by the service when we were greeted.(http://www.harmonigroup.biz/suites/home.php)

 the Majestic Horse Statues <3
Simple and spacious lobby.

*Grasp*
Just Guess what we are welcome with?!

Mandatory Group Picture with it of course. :D
One with the Chua and the niece and nephew <3

Heading back to our room for a short break.


Most single bedrooms Sims are located on level 3, while the rest having the twin beds were at level 7, much much nearer to the pool.

Alright here is a visual tour for the room of the night (Sorry they were that perfect, because I was using my iPhone 4).



Bolsters! It was definitely a refreshing encounter for me~ I always have to accommodate my night with thin pillows as my bolster so I could hug them to sleep. Cheap thrills. :D 


Pretty spacious I would say. For each night inclusive of a breakfast it cost $180 per night which I thought is pretty reasonable for me. :D

After a short break,

our chillax schedule continue, while waiting for all of us to be down at the lobby, here is my outfit for the day. Decked in The Stage Walk sold out Snoopy Paradise Sleeved Dress, which I pull of us a Top and Denim Skorts and Sling Bag both from Alescere.  



More Cousins wefies before we head out since we are refreshed.

Yearning for massage, we then headed to Nagoya Hill Shopping Mall, which is about 10 minutes away from our Hotel. Traffic there is pretty scary I thought. Because there isn't a traffic light nearby for us to cross over to the other side. 





So fierce?! 
Little Nephew got so drawn to the cars. Hehe cutie.

Hola~ Very sporty everyone!

Basically the building seems pretty dimmed even though it is in the day. Went for some snacking before we go for our massage.

There were a few choices but we finally settle with this. As recommended by the Albert Kor.

Finally massage.!

Guess what? I was doing hair treatment and foot massage altogether. Foot massage was super impressive and the complementary head massage for my hair treatment was super awesome too. They cost me about 275,000 Rupiahs which is approximately SGD $28.00 (whut?!)



Went to Lau Pat Sau - alike place for our dinner.

Our happy faces due to the cheap good food~! :D Don't be decieved by our sweaty appearance, it is pretty chilling that night. Just because we played a little with the children. Haha.

Night was still young for us and we can't just let the night end like this.


Always wanted pillow talks like this. Ended our night in a warm way. :D

Rise and Shine. Woke up as early as 6.30am (Singapore time 5.30am O.O) just to get myself ready for breakfast which start at 7am. 






my favourite has to be this cute little sandwiches and
Hakuna Matata~ Yums.

Head back to pack and get ready for early checkout as we head to our last location. 

It was a pity meimei Chua and me wasn't able to have a quick swim that morning, as we weren't very well. They do have a small but pretty pool.


Pictures with courtesy to my cousins.

After a hot bath and packing a final picture before I leave the room.

Checked out and headed the Megamall, just opposite our ferry terminal. As we are early, we settled our lunch there and did some last minute shopping before leaving.
A&W of course~!

Waffles for the last time.


Bought little souvenirs too. :D




Before we bid goodbye to Batam.

Heading home.

Day 2 Outfit
Decked in The Closet Lover Sora Cut-in Top in Pastel Blue and Klarra Idonia Floral Flare Shorts.

Shall consider doing a monthly consolidation of my top favourite OOTDs in the next post. It would be so fun.

Often, we are so busy in our life that we tend to family who are there for granted. I am so glad that I am part of this fun and loving family. It requires 2 hand to make a clap. I am blessed that every single one of us feel the same way for each other in the family. We care and we share every happy moments together. So blessed, so fortunate to be embraced in this family for life. I love the Sims and forever will be.

May our next trip be soon and fun.

Till the next.

X.O.X.O. 

Saturday, 12 July 2014

Chapter 6: The Stage Walk Warehouse Sales + DecemberXVII Launch Party.

Just exactly last week, I was really excited to visit one of my preferred online webstore, which has been newly situated at the Lion Building, next to MacPherson MRT, for their warehouse sale.

That's right, its The Stage Walk! www.thestagewalk.com

Some brief introduction to The Stage Walk (TSW). It was founded by owner Jamie Low ( http://jamie-low.blogspot.com) since June 2008, TSW is an online fashion retailer based in Singapore. They do have retail racks in Kiss Jane Bugis and Vivocity, that is shoppers-friendly for people that need to grab and urgent piece off the shelf. 


The best thing I felt that was important about online webstore is the brand have their own self-manufactured designs. TSW did not disappoint me in this factor. Their quality for the self-manufactured pieces I have so far are really great. Designs are pretty brightly coloured too.

Besides that, TSW offers a point system programme, which works like rebates to customers, which I felt that they are pretty clever to grab loyalty customer with this. They are pretty generous in terms of their points rewarding deadline, as you can keep your points for as long as 1 year before it actually expire. :>

Also, they give very clear and detailed information about their back order items, which could be checked via the back order tab.

Lastly, whenever you have enquires with regards to the item or exchange, TSW do give very prompt respond whenever they could. I had direct experience before, and it was really splendid, which left a great impression of them since.

Decided to bring one of my girl-friend, whom happen to be my best friend too, along for this event and the first person I thought of is YB. Due to earlier experiences with YB in other warehouse sales, we decided to be early on the day. 

We met up around 9-ish and headed straight down to the location. We brought our breakfast along of course and we were the 3-4th in line when we reached. 


早起的鸟儿有虫吃。Because we didn't win the VIP passes we need to do it the traditional way, that is to come early.

Just when we are about to enter the venue, we met a familiar face - FA, our secondary classmate. <3

 It must be her lucky day, 2 minutes of chatting the door opened and we entered together. :>



Yes yes, we were very busy shopping, but I still bother Yanbing to take a picture for me while I am choosing my loots. It took us about 1 hour or so, go through each racks for about 4-5 times. The sale venue is considered small, given that the location is actually at their actual office, but it was sufficient of us to go crazy over their stuffs.

Finally, got to meet the super friendly and kind founder of the Label, Jamie Low, before we sign off.

Mandatory Selfie with the Sales Board.


and our Loots. Everyone is happy. Keke.

While FA headed home straight after her purchase, YB and I continue the day with our plans.

We were intending to go for our fellow friend Label launch, at The Co - 75 High Street for Fashion In A City event . As we are early, we headed to Plaza Singapura for chill and tidy our loots before heading down. Whilst we are at the washroom to freshen ourselves, I tried on the shift dress Yanbing bought from TSW. I was never a fan of shift dresses because of my big hips, this dress sort of shaken my idea of Shift-Dress-Denial Syndrome.

Should I even start investing on shift dresses?

After getting Lunch for our fellow friend Kym, we headed down to support her at the event - December XVII ( http://www.decemberxvii.com/ ) 



Spot the busy boss.

Met Jasmine the model for the home-coming Love Bonito. She is so sleek I look like a giant beside her.

Me and YB while waiting.

Finally a selfie with the boss. 


After the models are gone, we took the stage. Muahahaha.

Decided to help Kym pack after her event. Since it was still early, YB and I decided to go for proper OOTD shots outdoor.





Some of favourite shots. I just simple like colors. Credits to my super friend YB. :)


And this 2 are my top likes for what I took for her. She is so gorgeous right. :D

Basically have a really great time with her the whole day. Can't wait to meet her again.

One final picture before we start packing. Haha.

We started packing and we were pretty absorbed then, before soon we were done, exhausted.

Headed to Raffles City for the intended short break before we call it a day, but ended up too happily engrossed with chit-chats here and there we only gone home after 11pm. :X

Nonetheless is a day well-spent. ^^
Girls shot

Friends are easier said than done, always. Here is 2 pairs of BFFs for 10 years and counting.

I always believe, true friends never come easy. It takes 2 willing party to dedicate time and effort in maintaining one great friendship. Hence I really treasure every moment when I am with them. Especially when we get so busy these days, meeting them really take a lot effort and time. I am so glad whenever I wish to meet them they will be there. So loved.

Well. Till my next post.

Signing off,
XOXO