October 30, 2014

The one where we picked the surat saman...

Last weekend, Baobei and I brought his family over to Pasar Pandan to get the cards chosen since my parents have no preference as we are combining cards as well (meaning both our parents will be printed on a card). Since our wedding is a small 300 guest event, we decided to print only 200 cards (in case we have single friends etc).

Anyway, let me introduce our surat saman people:





So basically whatever you want, they have it. They have a lot of templates from you to choose from. rectangular, square, passport, newspaper headline 'Utusan something' (Baobei's fabbret) and like an exercise book format as well. Name it, they have done it. They have the higher class with better finishing, IMO but they only print 500 for that kind.

We initially went for the rectangular, in which Baobei wanted to put our face in front. Menyumpah orang nanti. Baik baik nak datang, tak jadi! HAHA. This boy is really something when it comes to choosing things related to wedding. Out of this world, you know? That's why I am marrying someone who is just as crazy.

Anyway, we didn't want to burst our budget for something that people won't even keep it. I mean, I don't remember keeping any wedding cards that I have received. My cousins' are with my mom who keeps it but other than that, we just don't. So why make it so fancy and then... get thrown away? For me the card has to be presentable and clear, that's all. Anyway, I know I am the kind that will throw wedding cards haha, so I am sorry. I just think you're wasting money for people going "Awwwh so nice," and then it gets forgotten after awhile and you spend $1.50SGD on a card? I'd rather feed you with food okay.

There's one card which was really cute where it says

Both born (insert date), met on (insert date), got engaged (insert date) and getting married (insert here). 

But, nanti orang ingat kita hinting birthday present pulak. Hahaha. So we decided on a classic black design. We switched from rectangular to square because we felt there's more space to put in details. Filling up the form was the worst because it was in Malay and I had no idea what was what. Malaysian forms are no joke man. Haha, but Ibu-Baobei was helping me so I was doing okay after awhile.

Then we needed the address of Gurame, but I forgot to take note of it (thought it was somewhere that Keith send me, but ended up was just a map). Asked the kind lady if we could borrow her compute address and she went:

"Ni yang tepi pantai eh? Ada satu couple yang buat card kat sini, baru kahwin 2 minggu lepas. Lawa sey tempat nyer. Best kahwin tepi pantai."

It feels normal right having these kind of conversations that she has Singapore customers? Then she said something that truly made our day.

"Couple yang buat wedding mereka kat sana print map tapi asing dari card. Ada extra, awak amek lah. Taruk dalam envelope. Tak per, tak payah bayar. Rezeki."

So thank you kind couple, who indirectly paid for the maps for our cards. It totally solved the whole debate we had since last week about "Nak taruk map ke tak nak?" because we figured there's google map and that it takes a lot of space in our card. But then again, we cannot expect older generation to be tech-savvy. Nice things totally make our day.

But it doesn't end there, all customers of Adam Hawa Kreatif will also do a good deed when they do their cards with them. A small percentage of your amount that you spend, will be donated to a rumah anak yatim by the boss on the following Friday with your name. Basically, you write your name and amount and put in a box with a niat yang baik. On Friday, the boss will count all the amount on the white paper collected and will give to any rumah anak yatim for that Friday. So nice to know people do these things. 

I, of course, niat yang kita sihat selalu dan murah rezeki for all our family. (In Shaa Allah, Amin)

They also have packages with printed posters and some other stuffs that you may need for your wedding etc. They also have those signs that people use for photobooth at RM30? Okay kan, for a bunch of signs if you're on budget.


We were asking Ibu-Baobei what's bunting (because isn't that preggers?) haha but found out that its like a huge poster stand. Aiyah, I am not very good with this kind of terms. But it feels so good to have decided on the one thing that our parents have been nagging non-stop because we need to give out the cards in December.


Here's the brave cutiepie who is trying to pet a cat. I think he will have a blast when he comes over our place because we are definitely getting lil kats in our house. Hehehe. 

Anyway, sorry there isn't anything interesting about the updates. I am still working on my entry pedas and trying to juggle not being addcited to Running Man and studying for my exams. Also, trying to settle wedding and moving at the same time. Can't believe how time flies. But I am so excited for 2015. Being Syahrul's wife has got to be one of the best decisions I have made, after doing an Instagram account.

I can't wait for tomorrow's date with Baobei. Ever since we have a lot of wedding errands, we hardly have some alone time to ourselves to talk about stuff. Even at work, he is too exhausted as he has more responsibilities on his shoulders. So proud of my man. Little things like holding hands or letting me rest on his shoulders while he drives are the best kind.

Til I have a better structure update, xo

PS: Finally have our first fitting & discussion with Katt next week. HURRAAAH! Confirm pening giler nyer but super soaked. Dapat try dresses after dresses.

October 23, 2014

The one with the November logic...

Two weeks back, I blogged an entry which needed to be edited but assignments were piling up so I saved it in drafts. Time passed and now the entry seems invalid. Grrr. Well whatever, I am here now. I was out of wedding inspirations but now I have a whole new project for the wedding which I will elaborate in awhile.

Currently, there are so many things running my head in which will translate to  #MPKGirlBoss Project that will be up and running by April 2015, In Shaa Allah.

Wedding countdown has turned double digit. I know right?!!! When we started planning the wedding with Baobei, it was 13 months to the wedding. When some 2016/2017 BTBs are already booking or asking for quotation. Sabar boleh? Biar Kakak-Kakak 2015 kahwin dulu pls (kakak in this context is according to year of the brides getting married, and not age). Now look at us, super near the wedding date already and totally looking forward to spend an evening with the ones matter close to us. After all the nagging I got from Mama that November is coming (which means 2 months to the wedding) when it was not even mid October, we are kind of freaking out because there's still a lot more to do. It feels like never ending pulak. No matter how prepared you think you are, you're not.

Wedding things left:
  • Wedding cards: We are still undecided how we want our cards to look like/colour etc. We were at Pasar Pandan, JB, with Mama last Saturday to have a look-see. This Baobei comes up with the most unusual things you know? One of the design was to put our face on the card! Menyumpah sia people! HAHAHA! We are going back for a round 2 with Ibu- and Ayah-Baobei this weekend. (This is so difficult because we don't want to spend a lot when people are going to throw it away. Post-it boleh?)
  • Wedding favours: We have decided on what to give so I am leaving to Baobei to design it before we send it out for printing! Super soaked for that!
  • First fitting with TWB that is scheduled for next month.
  • Food tasting with Gurame that is also scheduled for next month. We will be finalizing the wedding itinerary for the rundown of the whole event after we meet up with the Team Orang Kuats haha.
  • Collection and final fitting of our baju nikah.
  • DIY projects for the guests tables (to be done in December).
  • Ring collection from Fairy's Inc and sleep wearing after. HAHAH, I am still thinking about my baby and imaging how chio Sandra will make her. If you have not read the entry, click ME!
Then, suddenly I realized that we have so much more things to do apart from wedding. Since we are not buying a house anytime soon, and will be shuffling between our parents' house, we need to:
  • Buy a bed for our room in Serangoon, shift 70% of his clothes to the other half of my wardrobe and remove unnecessary furniture.
  • Paint our room in Jurong, shift in my current bed to Jurong and bring 30% of my clothes to the other half of his wardrobe.
His current is huge as compared to my tiny one, but Serangoon is easier for me to get to places so we are going to reside at my parents'. Anyway, his parents has plans to shift nearer to Kak Moi (Baobei's sister) so anything works for us. 5 year plan remember? Heh.

Anyway, let me introduce Project Sanding 3.
Haha, Actually I just came up with that name, like 3 seconds ago but cool kan. If you have been reading me for awhile, you know that I have this fascination with sanggul lintang and how much I want to wear it for sanding. However, there was one reason, and only one reason why I took up TWB because of an outfit that I fell in love with. Lately Katt (not me, the owner of TWB) has been coming up with pretty outfits (I seriously cannot wait for first fitting sey), and they come with sanggul lintang (I mean it's optional but can be worn together). So I figured a way to do have 3 outfits for our whole ceremony instead of the initial 2 outfits without forking out another $900. Best part, Baobei can also wear his Number 1 for the finale. So now, I am 1/3 done with purchasing for my very own DIY 'western' outfit which will be the last outfit for the wedding at a small cost (which will be shared after the wedding). I am thinking of asking Kak Fad (@gorgo20) to stay for my wedding reception after dolling up my bridesmaids and help me with the last change since I am not using TWB outfit so Katt is not obliged to stay. But Shiqs thinks that 7 bridesmaids will do just as well as one professional person. The only concern is the hair. Sanggul lintang means hair up but my last outfit I want my hair down. I am not sure if you can imagine the whole process. Okay, this is still a mess but I will keep you posted as I go along with Project Sanding 3, with little sneak peaks until wedding day. 

Please note that there's a difference between keeping it a secret and being selfish about it, and will do the sharing later after the whole wedding is over. I still like a bit of privacy until the wedding day itself. I mean, I didn't even reveal the wedding date haha. But I am pretty sure when it is nearing, you will be able to feel it. HAHAH.

So with that all aside, I have an upcoming pedas entry called 'The one with the Upcoming Generation of Makciks KPO'. This is dedicated to all those who said things like "if the guy mampu, why not?" and "tak pakai duit kau pun." Really? You wait.

Anyway, discussing about #MPKGirlBoss makes me so excited for next year. So many things but let's breathe while we countdown to the very important day of my (and Baobei's) life; 

The KireKattKrown Wedding

xo
October 10, 2014

The one where he bought me a ring to put on it...

Disclaimer: Please always remember that I am not the typical girl which translates to the most bochap bride, but that doesn't mean that I pick any Tom, Dick and Harry. I just pay what I feel that is worth my money. So you don't find me oogling over designer things. But hey! To each of her own wallet ok.
If you have not read the engagement post, you need to know that I don't care for diamonds. I have never taken interest in the size and the cost. So if you ask me about the diamond of my engagement ring, I have no idea. I just know this was the ring Baobei thought of when his mother put in on me.

So with that being said, it goes the same for my wedding ring.

People I know are very particular about their diamonds being GIA certified. So I, of course, wanted to know what the hype about this GIA certified about. Don't worry, I am not going to post a whole entry what it is and shit, you can read tons of blogs and google for that. I just wanted to know the reasons why people pay shitloads of money for that. 

"With a GIA certificate, I can trade in or sell to get a bigger diamond in the future. Simply put, it means your diamond has value."

Okay, before I continue, let me introduce behind the mastermind of our kickass wedding ring/band:


Sandra, one of the two owners, who is designing our wedding ring/band (I will explain in awhile why ring/band) explained reasons behind the GIA certified diamonds;

"You are paying for the colour and clarity of the diamonds, so you know the money you're paying is for a certain grade of these diamonds. So the more you are paying, the better clarity (shiny) and colour. Anyway, in Singapore, there are not many shops that take trade-ins. It is cheaper to get just a whole new one."

Here's my take why I did not care about the carat of my diamond, as well as why I requested for a non-GIA certified diamond:

  1. I will not be trading in my wedding ring, ever. It is my WEDDING ring, there's no way I am going to alter it in any way. I will not be changing to a bigger diamond. If ada rezeki, I will get a whole new ring with fresh, clean slate for new memories. But this ring will forever remind the day when Baobei declared me to be his wife in Allah's eyes (and our close family and friends).
  2. I am not the kind who looks at a ring and ask if it is GIA certified, so I am certain that the people I meet and be friends with, they will not ask such thing. It is like hantaran. I don't care, as long as I am happy. So the same thing should apply here. If not, please don't bother being friends with me okay or better yet, don't breathe near me.
  3. I will not pay shitloads of money for a certificate ever. The only certificate that I will be paying is my education. Plus, it is not as if I will not be carrying the certificate in my wallet, EVER. You know like some people who find the need to validate the authenticity of their branded bags because people say it is from Pertaling Street. So if you think my diamond is from the machine that I put one dollar and turn turn the knob until a ball comes out, so be it. I don't need to validate the authenticity of my diamond. It is my fiancé's hard earned money. I know it, that is enough for me.
  4. I can spend more money on making my wedding ring to make it even more chio than a simple design because most of the budget went to the certificate. (Which, if you continue reading this entry, you know that I did that.)
Of course, the same narrow minded people who commented same shit about TKKTKC Series,  will say, "If the guy mampu, why not?" Yeah, by all means spend tons of thousands on just a ring, it doesn't bother me really because I will never ask you how much your diamond ring costs. Haha, so maybe you can "story" to people who are just like you.

But in this entry is about girls who are obsessed with the need of a GIA Certificate. Nak sangat, download lah online and print HAHA. Okay, so anyway back to my entry.

I went to Fairy's Inc Diamonds sometime in August with Ean just to have a look see see because Baobei was at work and he was busy during that period. Sandra, one of the two owners, was there and showing me different samples that they have. Okay let me tell you what is very special about them.

  • They design the rings from scratch. There is no such things as mass produce in their book. Sandra and Evelyn make the rings in their workshop. Yes, they are just damn talented like that. They do not design two rings similar. 
I was quite pleased about that because I am all for that. Sandra was telling me to find inspirations on Pinterest and we will tweak and make it more beautiful. I mean how is that possible but boy, did she prove me otherwise.

Went back like about 2 weeks back, this time with Baobei. When we left the shop, I realized we spend close to 2 hours just designing. I was actually feeling very dreamy about the rings we designed. When you go to Fairy's Inc Diamonds, you need to have a budget in mind. What's great is that they will do everything within their means to keep within your budget. And if you think your partner cannot surprise you, Baobei surprised me again. He designed his own ring, and I was amazed with his design since he went in the shop saying, "I just want something simple." There's nothing simple about your ring, baby. In this, we spend more time designing his ring than mine because I already knew what I want, and Sandra was just drawing what I was saying:


Amazing right? I, for one, can't draw for nuts haha. When Sandra was drawing, she kept saying "I have a suggestion", "Why don't I draw you another version" etc. And she kept drawing like many versions of my suggestion. I was impressed! I like the fact she throws a lot of ideas and make you feel like you want everything on the ring. HAHA very busy, but whatever. 

So after everything, we came with a 'finalized' design. My ring was within the budget but because Baobei's ring is platinum (which is expensive even at Tiffany's) and his ring size is huge, it was over the budget but Sandra said she will discuss with Evelyn and get back to me, since we are getting both rings from them.

And a couple of days later, we were back to confirm the final design, sizing and make a deposit. They waived off the $300 top up for Baobei's ring because the size is over 20, and they reduced his by a bit, so that I didn't have to pay a lot (we both are paying for each other's rings. My ring is the mas kahwin while his will be a gift from me) and they wanted to be fair when it comes to paying haha super cute!

Guess what lah friends. We spend over another 2 hours tweaking my ring because I had a sudden inspiration and Sandra drew like 4-5 versions just from the inspiration. It was so fun because I am not the asymmetrical kind of person, so weird it is the direction we are looking for. Finally Sandra said, "I have never done this kind of ring before. Yours will be one of a kind." Damn right, it will be. Haha, I have not showed anyone the final design except Azri because I was too damn excited, and he happened to be around. Anyway, I wanted everyone to see the final product itself instead of the sketch. Everyone else saw the first version though haha.

Now aren't you just as excited to see? Wedding day via IG (first) okay? I will not be posting it up even after picking them up in December. But what you need to know about our rings are:

  • Mine is an asscher cut diamond which is something similar to princess cut. It is not GIA certified. I will also be putting in 3 natural pink diamonds. Like my hantaran, my obsession with the number 3 doesn't stop there. Sandra also added a few more things without bursting our budget (no extra costs although small little diamonds do cost money) because she is nice and wants me to have such a beautiful ring. I am also super nice hahaha!
  • Baobei's platinum ring has 3 different finishing. That's all I am going to say.

This was Sandra lining up the asscher cut diamonds for me. I picked 2, or rather Baobei picked them because he says the insides looks like it was coming out. Though I think I know what he was talking about, I am not sure how to describe to you all. Maybe when I do an entry after the wedding lah huh. Sandra then weighed both diamonds and said "Take the heavier one okay. Bigger." Haha, oh I still don't know how many carat so please don't ask me. I also didn't ask. We also didn't ask. 

SO FUN LAH PLEASE. 

I was telling Baobei now he knows where to go for special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, thank-you-for-carrying-our-baby-for-9-months gift you know? Haha! I am actually planning to save money to design another ring for working hard all these years. Managed to convinced my 2 bridesmaids who are my primary classmates to have a friendship ring once it hit our 20th anniversary HAHA. 

Oh, guys who are planning to propose you can head down and design one of a kind ring without bursting your wallet. They have worked with many guys who wanted to propose, and you know I actually went to my guy friends after the second meeting and said "I know you don't have a girlfriend, but if you're planning to propose, go here!" Haha one of them thought I was crazy but when he saw their rings, he was damn impressed: 



And these babies that can be worn apart and together.
Perfect for an engagement ring then wedding band.



(All images are taken from Fairy's Inc Diamonds)

And here's my wedding ring inpiration:

(Taken from Pinterest)

Inspirations means I took some ideas and tweak so my ring doesn't look like this though.

Okay, sigh. I am going to dream of my ring, and Baobei's that is a band for the next 115 days or so. Maybe just until the collection in December and secretly wear it sometimes to sleep hahaha.

Post note: If you do take up Fairy's Inc, ask for Sandra and tell her you know me (Renny, not MyPussyKatt) and I can assure you that you will be well taken care of, in terms of design and price. She's the best (I didn't work with Evelyn, but she is damn friendly too when she saw us at the store!)! Or you can ask me for her number.

Post Post Note: They do carry GIA Certified diamonds too, in case people get the wrong idea from my entry. And prices of the diamonds are the same as those big names too. But if you're like me, they bring in the best kind of diamonds that look amazing without certificates. They have good taste, so trust them!

Girls, go ahead: hint! 
October 6, 2014

The one where I love myself...


Lately, I have been avoiding the wedding countdown app on my phone because I have this habit of opening every few days, and it feels really, really slow. So now, I open once a week and it feels amazingly fast. Haha psychology hancur! Further more, I have been meeting my bridesmaids, one by one, over the week while having our little catch up sessions, making me feel more excited because they keep asking me about my preps and how they can help. I am actually contemplating to DIY my wedding invites, HAHA see how lah hor. 150 odd cards!

Anyway, it looks like I have come a long way. Not we okay, I. When I was 14, I never dreamed about getting married. Along the way, I envisioned about getting married at 24, have my first kid at 26, close factory at 30 after my 3rd kid. That has always been at the back of my head, and +- 3 months, it will come true. Well, the first part of the whole dream. In Shaa Allah.

I was different. I grew up, a little chubby on the thighs and a little darker than the 'ideal' shade. I took things very hard, so when I got into heart breaks, it was not easy for me to deal with. I didn't grow up being close to my family because I distant myself, so it always felt that the world is on my shoulders. I used to cut myself. I started at 14 and only stopped at 21. I had this disgusting habit of eating disorder because I wasn't skinny enough at 15, that Mama threatened to take me to the hospital if I didn't eat, after fasting for 3 days with just water. I don't have the perfect skin. My face often had quite a breakout and leave with marks, even if I left them alone. My back (still) has acne and scares of old ones because I am allergic to my sweat and sea water.

But one day, I stopped pushing myself to the edge and stopped thinking about 2 hoots what people think of me. I am proud of my scars and have never made an effort to hide them. I wear sleeveless tops even though my back can be quite ugly on some days. But you know what? I learnt that if you love everything about you, there is nothing that people can use against you. There's no one in this world can make me feel ugly because of whatever society deems to be ugly. No such thing lah. I have always been straight forward about my story because if you're going to judge me, do it at first impression. I don't have time for second or third round of judging that is going to make you change your opinion of me.

I remember when I told Baobei about the horrible things that happened to me when I was growing up, and honestly I was not afraid if whatever he thought of me changed, because this is something that is not going to change down the lane. Instead, he hugged me and said "You're the best person in the world."

I remember the first time he tried to tell me that he had feelings for me. It was back in 2012 and he was in Batam with his colleagues. It was at night when he what'sapped me and said that he has something to tell me. Fast forward, we were in the MBS Infinity Pool, looking at the skyline and I asked him to tell me (again, because I was impatient and demanded him to say it via whatsapp haha tak sabar betul eh).

My colleague got us girls at night when we were at the club, and I told him no and went back to the hotel room with another colleague. That was when I knew I had feelings for you.

Truth to be told, Baobei has never asked me to be his girlfriend or proposed. Actually on one of those days I did ask him (angrily hahaha) why he never propose to me, and he said "I said I am not going anywhere what. That means I want to marry you." Ye lah Baobei, boleh lah. Anyway we went from getting to know each other via IG, to his parents asking for my hand in marriage to engagement and now, just waiting to be husband and wife. I am just glad we never went through the "BTO then to proposing," which I don't have an issue but it defeats the purpose. And we will have only ONE anniversary to celebrate (engagement was not a date chosen by us haha so tak nak. Plus by the time our first anniversary as fiancé and fianceè, we will be married by then).

9 months of knowing each other (on and off), dated and stayed together for 14 months, and engaged for 8 months and counting before tying the know in January 2015. That is definitely an achievement for the both of us, and we are planning to stay that way.

What I learnt that is important in the world is love myself first before falling in love with another human being. I learnt to respect myself for letting go of the things I can't change (yes, have some self respect!), and falling in love with the wrong people. Baobei used to say "I wish we met earlier so we would have more time together. But it's okay, forever is a long time." That's right, baby. Anyway if you would have met me earlier, you wouldn't know what is it you DON'T want in life.

So a note to myself; if you love everything about you and your partner, there's nothing in this world that someone can make you feel crappy about it. You can throw anything in my direction that is about me or my partner, and there's nothing that is going to make me love less. So once you have come that long way, those small little things in the past can't get to you. You know the famous pinterest saying


So there you go.  Absolute powerless. 

You think my back is ugly? Stop looking at it.
I am childish for cutting for myself? It is done and over. I moved on, so please do too.
I am fat? It won't kill me to be on the plus size.
I am ugly? I own a mirror, and it says otherwise to me. Then again, to each of their own.

I love myself most, but I love Baobei more for showing me that I am capable of much, much more love.

Anyway, more wedding updates soon because I have a couple of things to share with all of you! Especially after we spend close to 2 hours designing our rings. Honeymoon updates when I have more (after all I don't think I have mentioned where I will be going).

Eid Ul Adha Al Mubarak, to all.
(Sorry, I just copy + paste Baobei's caption haha)


 I will be back with more.
Love me or hate me, I will see you soon.