New Makeover New Love & Japan Haul

how do you like the new look?

After blogging for 5 years, I think I have gotten into a state of confusion to what's blogging all about now. Times seems to have change what blogging used to be and I probably lost my fire seeing how it has become now. I decided to end a few activities that might affect me as a blogger like attending all sorts of events just to be out there. This doesn't make me a blogger, it only makes me tired, lost and hell, when will I have the time to post everything up with my time taken away. I will however attend events I find interesting for myself, my readers or to fuel my passion - shopping. Being on a relapse on shopping, I have already cancel two credit cards and using one as my only source of emergency which seems to an emergency every time I step into a shopping center.


Back to basics, is what I have always told myself. I didn't start blogging to get freebies or to sell freebies. I started blogging to share what's great out there to buy. I'm not being paid a monthly salary to blog (not that popular) and money don't grow on the bamboo tree outside my house. So it's really awesome for some brands out there who wants you to blog for free but blacklists you because you either blog slow, don't blog (there must be a reason) or because you can't attend their events.

real simple, if it ain't good, I ain't blogging about it
unless you pay me to advertise (fair?)

Sometimes I feel I'm being staked by brands because I sell some of the things I buy or get from gwp in my garage sales. I just want to say this is natural in us shoppers. We have an eye for good bargains, good products and if we have gwps or decides to let go our stuffs for less, we shouldn't be staked at the heart. There is a difference for someone who don't even buy your things but are getting it for free from events/workshop vs a shopper who shops and is clearing her things away.

Then there are brands like N***dos whom you help to promote but dropped you off and ignore you just because you voice out that you didn't like their price hike in their food menu (they've raise prices few times!). I guess I'm being stoned for voicing out the truth as a consumer. They're not looking for real people to hype about them, they're looking for fake people who say everything is great about them. This seems to be a trend now for brands and bloggers.

Also you might notice why I stopped sharing about warehouse sales reviews with price and product list? because at one point I got really "famous" and I was stopped from entering the place to promise I won't take pictures or blog about it. Real simple, it's not that I don't want to share anymore, it's I can't do it anymore because they know who I am. I always ask, why hide it if you're doing it? there is a reason to why you don't want me to blog about it. I will respect it if you respect me. I have stories which I can tell u guys :) when I'm feeling like it.

what do you think of my new blog makeover? please leave a comment!

Guess there's a love & hate relationship going on with me and blogging. Which is why I decided to have a blog makeover done this year by a designer all the way from Rome, Italy to start afresh. I love her simple and cute designs at Cappuccino Factory. You can buy pre-made templates from her or have one custom made to your liking. I absolutely adore the Tiffany Blue color and the social media buttons on it. I took several blogging advertorials so I could pay for it, it's an investment for my blog but I wish one day I could save enough or win a custom blog makeover *dreams*. Then I'll have a carton character of myself shopping and have my blog look like a shopping mall with cute pastel colors.

Somehow I don't have feelings for branded hand bags but I have feelings for branded beauty products. Is something wrong with me?

shopping haul from Japan is here!

I can say my love for shopping will never end. For some reasons, I always shop for reasons I give to myself. It's a devil's voice that says "oh this is so cute! I want it!" or "omg it's limited edition, let's buy and never use it at all!". I gain self satisfaction from shopping (under denial shopaholic self-assuring quotes). Like I was extremely pleased to get hold of the limited edition Laduree blusher pot RM60 (yes only the godamit pot) all the way from Japan thanks to Candy. It was a personal shopping project with her as she travels to Japan few times a year for work. This time, she wanted to help my readers get the moisture meter (received lots of inquiries about it) and some popular Japanese products. We started small because personal shopping is a lot more to do than just saying "I want to buy this".

all the way from Japan thanks to Candy!

 the limited edition face color rose Laduree mini case
(put blusher petals in it for travelling)

in love with Laduree make up concept & packaging

my current obsession, Laduree make up
(yes put some petals into the mini case)

Mostly I do personal shopping to fulfill my shopping urges and because somewhere inside me, I hope to help everyone buy things they want. BUT it's hell a lot of work that people often don't see. It's time consuming, the trips you take to post the thing is not even counted, your parking & travelling expenses, your effort, packaging with a high risk of consequences that nobody wants to bear. I'm lucky because my readers are nice people who understands and with that I always remember why I started blogging.

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Comments

  1. Omok, I love your new blog skin and color theme <3

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    1. thanks FurFer! <3 I also like the colors, i'm thinking to wear this color for CNY haha!

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  2. i love the tiffany blue...and i totally agree with your point. We have rights to tell our feeling or experience with in a honest way. If i were to fake all my review then there is no point of doing review or even to blog about it.

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    1. right on the dot Cindy! ppl read blogs to know the real deal. I know some brands don't like this because they got bad experience with people being too honest (using swear/curse/linking to really horrible things for the sake of drama), but suggestions and what we really feel about the service/product should be welcome for improvement.

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    2. exactly, we are providing feedback not complaining..At a point I think they should thank us because this where they can improve. We are actually putting money in their pocket...LOL

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    3. yeah! if their products are all so awesome there's nothing to blog already, new launch new product since so good why need to keep launching better ones and newer collection.

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    4. perhaps they think people will jus buy their product by just listening or reading! They will not be able to keep the customer as they will eventually found out the product is not good after the first try!

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  3. The new layout is absolutely adorable. Love all the soft and pastel shades.

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    1. thanks so much darling! btw I find your blog name really unique. Wish I thought of it sooner haha

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  4. Hi Tammy, I love the whole new look, very cute & pretty, I totally agreed with what you're saying, of course as a customer we have the right to voice out our opinion, go Tammy!!!

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    1. especially when we're pro-consumers! which is why we started blogging.

      Hey do u think the text is too small? or it's small on my screen (because I always zoom in n out)

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  5. Love your new blog!!! makes me wanna go and do mine... :)

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    1. thanks Food Dreams! u should, nowadays to buy premade templates is quite affordable depending on what you need. For basic templates price can be under RM50! for more added needs, price can go up to RM500 and bombastic designs with flash codings will cost thousands.

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    2. bombastic design cost a bomb!!HAHA..i think i'll jus stick to blogger designer template for now!

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    3. hahahha!!! yeah like Cheeserland land type blogs, friend say rm3k++

      but got those under rm50 if u wan something cute & different

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  6. cute.. but wonder is it today my company internet speed is having problem or what, loading is a bit slow..
    u bought another rose!! nice!

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    1. hmmm it should be much faster than before coz I removed a lot of widgets from my sidebar

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    2. viewing it at home is better, i think my company network is having problem.. aiks..

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  7. awww..poor you..I know right? Althought there might be lots of blogger outside there who are willing to say the good things about some brands but sometimes it can be too much..becoz we also consumer ourselves..

    anyway, you got Laduree!!omg..omg..*_*

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    1. oh don't worry Mizu, I'm okay just I can't stand not voicing out what I think anymore..

      Yeah LADUREEE omg.. love it so much!!! but they're so freakin mahal man.. i curse each time my friend what's app me the price of the products from Japan. U'll laugh at the foul language I use!

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    2. I knowwwwww!! That collection can make you very poor and crying wallet.. T^T

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  8. Couldn't agree more with your statement! Unless being paid to advertise! Bloggers aren't their free advertisement boards!

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    1. yeah it would just save everyone's time if we can shoot out advertisements from them on the spot or within the day. Reviews takes time! especially when a blogger has so many brands to review other than one! =_=

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  9. Loving the new look Tammy! It's beautiful! Your blog should be your happy place I feel...so just do what makes you happy and contented. Looking forward to many more years of blogging from you.

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    1. thanks Sri, u make me happy by saying that! it is indeed my happy place... where I retreat to editing photographs (well not a pro but learning to at least show decent pics) and talking about it.. I hope I can stay true as a blogger and not let the many challenges and evil side of blogging demotivate me

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  10. Dear Miu,
    It is really heart pain to see you get this kind of treatment!
    We love your blog simply because it is sincere & honest and that lead us to know the products too. I really have no idea why they want do the warehouse sales and yet hide it from public? It should be a good time for people to get to know the products and get it at good offer, isn't it?
    And for the price increase is also a fact. Whether you point it or not, people will still know the price changing from time to time.
    Anyway, I still support your blog! Don't lose heart. You still have lots of fans supporting you and keep you motivated!
    Love, shiro

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    1. Dear Shiro,

      I really enjoyed blogging about the sales, it makes my heart go racing each time I see something on sale. Being at the warehouse makes me feel like the world is a better tomorrow (what nonsense am I talking spewing haha). I learn from talking to them, the nicer ones who asked me not to blog that it's because of branding. I do understand that but I really would like to help bring more people to help them clear their sale, one of the best way is to blog :(

      The worst experience was Conningware, Pyrex, Vision sale at Atria. I remember the supervisor or someone came to me in a very rude manner. Boy was I shocked. I demanded to know why I can't write down the prices (yea even writing down prices) and he said he didn't care what I was doing but if I don't stop he'll throw my handphone away & halau me out. I had a cart of plate sets with me that I wanted, so I just continue shopping.

      Guess this is how the journalists feel when they're spying for a cover story or paparazzis spying at celebs. Bringing to you information that you want at the cost of dignity.

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    2. wow i'm surprised they do that! Perhaps u jus tell it verbally then we can still know there's good deal out there...

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  12. I love the new look of ur blog! Love the baby blue! Tammy, thx for giving me a chance to know more about the newly launched beauty products. Though recently I rarely comment, but I did come everyday to check if there's any update! Keep up the good work! I'm going to start working soon so I might have lesser time to visit ur blog as frequent as now. :(

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  13. Awesome makeover!! Simple and easy on the eyes! <3
    Truthfully I'm a bit lost with my blog as well. I'm trying to do more of things I love instead of taking on any random stuff. I want to make it fun again!!
    Lets do something different this year! :)

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  14. So sad to hear that's why you're discontinuing your warehouse sales coverage; I quite enjoyed those. I suppose your taking pictures of the price lists was pretty blatant. Then again, I'm not so rajin to do that myself and I just give wide ballpark figures :P

    At first I hate the Nando's in 1U, but after finding the TINY ASS 1/4 chicken in Midvalley, I've sworn off them. I think I'll just buy the sauces in the supermarket lah :P Tu lan already.

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  15. I love your new blog design. So simple but pretty at the same time.

    And I totally agree with what you said. And now your post inspired me to write something of my own thoughts along the same line.

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  16. Totally agree what you said! You pay me, I advertise for you. 'They' always expecting free ad! btw, very sweet and pastel blog with a soft touch :D

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  17. Gosh.. baru have time to read all the blogs. Yeah, I don't simply attend events anymore.. Just ones I'm interested in.

    Love the new layout btw

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