Outing

Today is really a tiring day. We went to the Zoo. Thanks to our colleague to pass us the corporate pass.

Below are some of the animals that was taken in my mobile.

Donkey

This donkey is so cute. The Zoo Keeper ask her whether she want to want to eat the food a not. She will nod her head to answer the Zoo Keeper.

Rabbits

It is a great way to exercise and slim down. Hopefully, it helps us to lose some weight. After visiting to the Zoo, we went to Comcentre at Somerset to return the corporate pass. As we were fatigue, we decided to have our lunch cum dinner first. In order to have some rest and gain some energy to go to orchard.

We managed to brought out letters for our wedding. Yeah! Below are some of the materials bought from Daiso and some materials that I managed to find it from my cabinets.

Lastly, below is my update on my cross stitch after sewing it for about 1 week.

Wedding Preparation: DIY Ang Bao Box

It is really a tiring day for both yesterday and today. I was been requested to stay after office hours on a Friday evening due to a user request. Today was also a busy day. 

I was doing research to find some ideas for my wedding preparation. I happened to see the following: 

Letters

Picture credit to : http://jonoandrina.wordpress.com/tag/diy-ang-pow-box/

It is like finally find out the exact place to purchase it. According the blog the address should be: 

Typo (Wistma Atria)

Add:435 Orchard Road Wisma Atria #B1-54/61

         Singapore 238877

Tel:+65 67334761 

Fax:+65 6733476

Website:http://shop.cottonon.com/shop/typo/

Other than that, I have also found some ideas for my Ang Bao Box. I think the following is really very nice.

DIY Ang Bao Box

Picture credit to : http://www.modernmunchkins.com.my/wordpress/ 

Fairytale Ang Bao Box

Picture credit to : http://littlebowgirl.wordpress.com/2011/09/29/our-wedding-dinner-shangri-la/

I loves the fairytale Ang Bao Box. However, I think it would be too costly.

Picture credit to : http://www.mywedding.com/vinloveshui/blog_post_70705.html

I think the above is a fun way for guest to tell us they wan to contribute to which fund.

Below are some of the ideas for DIY Ang Bao Box: 

1) http://planningtheperfectwedding.blogspot.sg/2008/10/our-ang-pow-box-completed.html

2) http://journeydownaisleandbeyond.blogspot.sg/2009/07/diy-ang-pao-box.html

3) http://weddingbureau.com.sg/blog/real-wedding-lynette-kaywee/

4) http://singaporebrides.com/articles/2013/01/diy-of-the-month-wedding-ang-pow-box/

5) http://diva79.wordpress.com/2007/09/15/diy-wedding-protrait-wedding-inserts/

6) http://www.perfectweddings.sg/forums/wts-anna-nucci-shoes-size-5-flowergirl-stuff-pillows-guest-book-ang-pao-box-table-decor-6960/

7) http://www.modernmunchkins.com.my/wordpress/

8) http://littlebowgirl.wordpress.com/2011/09/29/our-wedding-dinner-shangri-la/
9) http://www.mywedding.com/vinloveshui/blog_post_70705.html

I like to do craft works. However, all this DIY stuff will take up quite alot of my time. Well I still hope that I can DIY it myself.

Wedding Preparation: Felt Flower Bouquet

It is quite sad to receive two bad news. But we cannot be sad forever. Jia You!

After something sad, lets talk about something happy. I was happy that my lovely colleague Ger bought a cupcake for me from Twelve cupcakes which I have never try it at all.

Orea Cupcake

Next talk about my wedding preparation. I did some research and saw the following : 

Felt Flower Bouquet

  Picture credit to : http://mexibride.blogspot.sg/ 

I may consider to have this felt flower bouquet instead of fresh flower bouquet for my wedding. I will also consider making it for my bridesmaids  However, i will have to consider the difficulty and whether I have enough time to prepare for my wedding. This is because it seem like that more and more stuff to prepare for the wedding. 

Below are some of the link to related to felt flower bouquet: 

1) http://www.thebridescafe.com/?postID=1075

2) http://papernstitchblog.com/2011/12/14/diy-felt-flowers-five-ways/

3) http://www.etsy.com/search/handmade/weddings?search_type=all&includes%5B0%5D=tags&q=felt+flower+bouquet&ref=related

4) http://www.rocknrollbride.com/tag/felt-flower-bouquet/

5) http://www.positivelysplendid.com/2013/03/diy-felt-flower-tutorial.html

6) http://www.craftinessisnotoptional.com/2011/11/felt-flowers.html

7) http://www.howjoyful.com/2011/06/felt-rose-tutorial-and-pattern/

8) http://makeanddogirl.com/2011/10/tutorial-diy-felt-flowers/
9) http://keepinglifecreative.com/tutorial/diy-felt-bloom/
10) http://www.thecraftedsparrow.com/2012/04/felt-flowers-tutorials-5-to-choose-from.html
11) http://pinklemonade.typepad.com/my_weblog/2012/05/winners-winners-a-how-to-make-felt-loop-fringe-flowers-tutorial-to-boot.html
12) http://www.red-brolly.com/red-brolly/2011/10/tutorial-stitched-felt-flowers-part-2.html
13) http://www.simplysalvage.com/no-sew-felt-flower-tutorial/
14) http://ohmyhandmade.com/2011/what-we-love/tutorial-make-a-long-stem-felt-rose/
15) http://debbie-debbiedoos.com/2013/03/learn-how-to-make-felt-flowers.html
16) http://www.salttree.net/2011/05/craft-felt-flower-tutorials-compilation.html

Hopefully, I will have enough time to make a pretty bouquet of flower. Gdnite and Take Care.

四点金 (Dowry Jewellery)

What is 四点金 (Dowry Jewellery)?  

The si dian jin (四点金) is a 4-piece set of gold jewellery presented to the bride by the groom's mother. This refers to a Necklace, a Ring, a Bangle, and a pair of earings. Traditionally, these items are made of yellow gold and the traditional design is the Long  Feng (Dragon and Pheonix) design.The si dian jin (四点金) is to be presented during the Guo Da Li. This is a Teochew tradition. 

The origins of this customs stems from the times where houses in Teochew province have 4 curved rooftops that looked like the word “Jin” (Think shape of umbrella). When the mother in law gives her daughter in law Si Dian Jin, it is meant to tell the girl that she will always have a roof (or rather 4 roofs) over her head. It remains an obligatory practice for grand or small scales weddings depending on the families’ preferences.  Especially for the Teochew dialect group which pays great attention to this practice.These 4 pieces always come as a set for a sense of unity and looking aesthetically complete. It indirectly reflects on the wealth and status of the groom’s family when older generations used to take immense pride in this ritual. Depending on dialect groups, most Teochew families continue to practice si dian jin with a complete set of all four items. Whilst the Cantonese and Hokkiens dialect groups are less extravagant, who place importance on a pair of dragon phoenix bangles (symbolize harmony and completion) and a pair of simple gold bangles respectively. As with popular belief, the dragon and phoenix give an absolute balance in relationships, bringing to the newly weds a new chapter of eternal love and fulfillment.

A si dian jin set could cost from $500 to thousands of dollars. Selection and purchase of the jewellery is usually made 2-3 weeks before the wedding day and delivered together to the bride’s home with the traditional wedding cakes and biscuits.

There is no fixed rule or superstition involved should the couples choose to not practice si dian jin . It was mainly a matter of pride in the past where jewellery bestowed to the bride and worn on the wedding day is an exhibition of the wealth of the groom’s family and how much the mother-in-law favours the bride.

With intercultural marriages on the rise lately, si dian jin might be a lovely way to add a touch of tradition to the most important day of your life. Perhaps sharing a part of your cultural root with your the other half and his/her family who are unfamiliar brings great joy and pleasure. You have plenty of options for the traditional si dian jin with a modern twist.

Where to buy 四点金 (Dowry Jewellery)?  

Below are some of the Jewellery shops to buy Dowry Jewellery:

1) Poh Heng

2) Heng Heng (AMK Central)

Si Dian Jin from Heng Heng (AMK) at $2728

Image credit to : http://enchantedlovestory.wordpress.com/2012/05/23/si-dian-jin-finally-settled/

3) Chung Hwa (people park complex 2nd level) no GST and workmanship

Chung Hwa at People Park Complex 2nd Level

4) Jin Bao (people park complex 2nd level) no GST but got workmanship

5) Ngee Soon jewellery no workmanship, got GST

6) Ban Cheong

7) Tian Po

There is hallmarks and the lionhead mark on the shop for Poh Heng, Heng Heng and Jin Bao. There is no hallmark for Chung Hwa and Ngee Soon.

Most people bought item from Heng Heng (AMK) , Ngee Soon and Poh Heng for nice designs and bought from Chung Hwa for their classic designs. 

Heng Heng(AMK) and Poh Heng workmanship is very expensive as compared to Ngee Soon and Ban Cheong.

The above research is gathered from prefectweddings http://www.perfectweddings.sg/forums/where-buy-916k-gold-4-dian-jin-wedding-band-712/index4.html

Below are the url to check the gold prices:                                http://www.kitco.com/charts/livegold.html                                                                http://www.bullion-rates.com/gold/SGD-history.htm#.UYptOrVTC-U

After some research, hopefully we will be able to bargain and negotiate for a nice set of Dowry Jewellery.

May 2013: Wedding Preparation

It is already May 2013. We are having limit time left for our wedding preparation. Our flat is reaching level 10. On 6 May 2013, I decide to go to amk centre to purchase cross stitch for our wedding preparation. He come and join after his work to have dinner with me and choose the cross stitch together for our wedding. In the end, we have chosen 2 cross stitches. Hopefully, I will be able to complete it in time for our wedding next year.

One of the cross stitches

Elsie Departmental Store

Blk 709 Ang Mo Kio Town Centre Ave 8 #01-2607 Singapore 560709

6451 5519

Open Daily 10:30 am - 8.30 pm

Other than that, I have also bought Deep V-shaped Free Bra from Qoo10 at S$6. I ordered from the following seller.

Seller: Choice Fashion
URL: http://list.qoo10.sg/item/Qoo102013-NEW-KOREA-DESIGN-WING-SHAPEDQoo10/407032119?selectedOptions=

It can be as cheap as $4.90 exclude $0.70 shipping fee. I noticed that there is a bad review from one of the buyer. 'Terrible item and it is totally cant be used. Bought two pair and you can see from the photo attached, the adhesive portion already "melted" after removal of the protective plastic film. Full of disappointment ! ! ! !'. Therefore, I am quite worried. I ordered and cancelled the order. Afterwhich, the seller sent an email to me and mentioned that they actually provided 1-1 exchange for defective items.

Seller: Classy Style
URL: http://list.qoo10.sg/item/BANDEAU-NU-WING-MAGIC-STRAPLESS/407801448

I bought it because the wedding gown may not allow us to wear normal bra and I don't want to just wear the gown without any bra.  I think it will be a good choice to at least wear a Nu bra.

Deep V-shaped Bra / Magic vBra

It is really stressful. This is because I have to work, study (e-learning) and prepare for our wedding. However, I will still hang on and work hard. I will put in my best effort in all aspect.