of RAYA Prep 2009

I am blessed with a wonderful and hardworking husband. A very good cook. Our food preparation for Raya was smooth. I made 3 cookies, but ONE couldnt make it to Raya. It TOTALLY finished within 24 hours. Kids...

Nabil (and his cousin Haziq) helped  decorating the house, change the curtain/sofa covers and vacuuming the house. 

Nazreen helped with the ketupat. 

My personal chef was working hard in the kitchen until midnight. The food are TASTY!

RETRO 101

The Corporate Club is holding their annual dinner on 30^th October 2009 @ Kelab Golf Perkhidmatan Awam. The theme chosen is RETRO.

Retro is a term used to describe, denote or classify culturally outdated or aged trends, modes, or fashions, from the overall postmodern past.

Last year, I won the Best Dress (Female). This year, well.... let others to have it. I really into fashion and this is the least I can do to help. NOW, for those out there who will be attending the dinner, here are some pointers that I wanted to share. ELEMENTS of RETRO.

Bold patterns

Bright un-coordinated colours

Polkadots

Bell-bottom jeans

Big sunglasses

Funky jacket (Commonly Adidas Classic)

Bright red lipstick

Pampadour hairstyle

Ponytail

Heavily-lined eyes

Platform shoes

Mini dress

Maxi

Flared trousers

Kaftan

Knitwear

HUGE shoulder pad (Think of Dallas / Dynasty)

Peep-toe pump

etc...etc...[ endless ]

I received some questions regarding the theme :

Dear Garlic, I am more interested in Hippie style. Can I be a hippie that night?

Well, retro can be anything before the 90s. Hippie is specifically in the 70s. Yes, you can.

(Info : Hippie style – head band, tie-and-dye shirt, bell-bottom, long hair, tight shirt for men, gypsy-style skirt)

Dear Mrs Butter, I am a cute girl but I have a wide waistline and huge bottom. What do you suggest?

I would suggest an empire-cut maxi dress.

Garlic Ma’am, I love vintage clothing.

Sir, that is a statement. Not a question.

Garlic Ma’am, I love vintage clothing. Is it okay if I wear one of those for the dinner? Sorry, I accidentally click on the “SEND” button before I finished typing earlier.

Oh, alright. Vintage is term used to attribute something as old or antique. Retro is vintage. You can wear them. You can also go for Victorian or Edwardian. They are vintages as well.

Where can I find something RETRO?

There are many online stores and blogs that sell used retro clothing. Due to the strict garlicandbutter blog policy, I could not publish them.

Off the record ;

[ or you could just RENT them ]

But, I have a dear cousin who collect and sell retro clothing [only] to her close friends. I borrowed a few for Retro 101 education purposes, snap some photos and I mix-n-match them with retro accessories. In case anyone interested, she is selling them at RM10 – RM15 per piece. Stay tune (still updating).

Dear Mdm.. u mentioned kaftan... is it the one we usually wear to bed?
That is the basic kaftan. The Hippies of the 60s had brought with them clothes from other ethnic groupings which had often never even been seen before in the west. They were suited as glamour dressing when sewn in exotic fabrics and edged in silver, gold or other metallic embroidered trims. I've attached relevant photos for you, Puan Zoora.

siapa nak tengok orang bogel

Reading Sofa

During Raya break, we scout around for WHITE furnitures. Now I know I am very particular when it comes to furniture selection. After visiting 10 (or was it 13?) furniture centres, I did not find anything that suit me and out of pity [ to our tired kids after running around in 13 furniture centres ], I bought these.

We call these "Reading Sofa"s. They HAVE TO read a book if they want to sit on it. Am trying to create a reading habit in the family. Suprisingly, they are getting attached to books (walaupun tengok gambar saja) - since the sofas are soft and irresistable :o)

WORLD HABITAT DAY 2009

Happy World Habitat Day 2009.
[ This is mt 100th post ]

Bed oh bed

My brother went to Germany last August. He took some interesting photos. I like these beds with sleeping bags. Mmm… I need to travel more.

I have a lot to give : UNICEF

I've been involved with UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) for quite sometimes. (Being a mother of three, it really means A LOT to help unfortunate kids around the world).

Couple of months back I received a certificate of appreciation from them. Not to mention endless letter from Mr Youssouf himself telling me how my contribution had helped a 10 yo girl - who works as a brick breaker since she was 8 - go to school and learn to count. She is now able to tell when her boss (intentionally) miscalculate the brick, so he can pay her lower. *jahat..jahat*


















Last time there were a group of celebrity came and join our activity. I didnt know him but since everyone snap their photo like crazy, so, here it is... I manage to get a few. Just to show it to my hubby and ask him, "Siapakah orang-orang ini?"

Heartbreaking

It is heartbreaking to see them (Nazreen and Baby Nazran) on this every 6 hours.

baazar again and again

I have to be in hiatus mode again.

The Nabell team is pretty occupied this time around. We received invitation after invitation since the beginning of this holy month and until today, it is endless. We have to pick the suitable location and study the target group in that area *first* before we can say YES.

In the same time, we have to scout around for an urgent romper / kids wear supply since it runs really fast. So far, we have two baazars in Damansara Town Centre (and TWO more to go!) and currently (1 - 4 September 2009), we are @ Menara 2 DBKL (or PKNS building), Jalan Raja Laut.

Here are some of the new stock for Ramadhan. We cant post it in the blog since it ran fast.

*Vibrant colours*Bold pattern*Retro*Celebrating stripes*Cute dresses*Cheeky*

wallpaper

still looking for white background n black polkadot wallpaper (wah, so specific ah??). We have this small wall in front of the toilet that we need to re-design. I've sketched a design and demand the same outcome on the wall.

Have been looking for it since last year but to no avail. Browsing wallpaper webs everyday turns me into a wallpaper freak and i think all walls shud be cover with wallpapers. Now they even have wallpaper with swarovski crystal to match my baju kurung.

First book from our family

My brother (the only and youngest) had published his first book. I am proud to be the first one to buy his book [although I didn't understand those mathematical things he wrote], right after the publisher sent some of it to our house :o)

Toppey!

This is what happened when we have a lot of kids in the house and a LOT OF used t-shirts lying around. Toppey!

Mr Bean going to the Zoo

Nabil really likes art. And craft. He also likes Mr. Bean. We made simple zoo for Mr. Bean to visit, using what we can grab around the house. He was very proud. [me too].

Trying out

Trying out my digicam. My son's. He was a model for Wear Me.

stroller power

Nazreen really wants to see UNTA (camel). So, in Feb09, we went to the National Zoo. NO, it is not hard to bring all the kids - who will be running around - to the zoo, or some other public places. All you need are sufficient food and liquid, plus a very strong stroller :o) You don't even need your patience.

TERJAH!!

We are going to have Futsal Tournament on the 20th. And some other sports (badminton, bowling, volleybal, etc) afterwards. I am the head of the TERJAH clan (don't ask where they got the name). We are going to have Terjah's own T-shirt. Thanks for the help from YM Tengku Azam from Tay Art & Trading.

Liberalisation

I was given a few hours to come out with a detail paper and MULTIMEDIA presentation on liberalisation.

baby cocoon

This is what I plan to do during my lazy Sundays.
Cozy for newborn baby and superb for photoshoot.

*must search for the right yarn first*

Hannan Gallery @ The National Palace

THANK YOU VERY MUCH NANI from HANNAN GALLERY!!

I have less than 24 hours to prepare for a function @ Istana Negara. Called Nani around 7pm, went to her house at almost 10pm and she got the right baju kebaya songket for me. With a matching SELENDANG. A must-have for attending any Palace's function. Thank you. Thank you. Lucky enough, my husband have the matching baju melayu set.

(I left my camera inside the car since I only brought a tiny evening clutch - hence no photo during the function).

Nyam..nyam.. Marche revisited

Went to Marche@The Curve. Unplanned. And we eat a lot (as usual). My sis' treat. Before we went back, we put his son on the RED COW and she duduk jauh2 like taknak mengaku kenal org2 ini. HAHAHAH.

Habitat fever is here...

We are now having habitat discussion e.v.e.r.y.d.a.y - for World Habitat Day 2009. Am currently preparing the multimedia presentation. We'll be having lotsa TRIPSSS to all over Msia, sleepless nights, etc etc LATER (as in, next week).

BAAZAR update

Just as I expected. The first batch is run out of stock in less than two hours. Made an SOS call and the second batch arrive ON TIME from Gombak. 1.00pm. I dont know the current flow of the 2nd batch, but I know I am proud because..... isk isk... [ below ].

NEW PACKAGE!!

I received a HUGE package today. It is full with Old Navy Sleep Set for 3 months up to 5 years old. VERY CUTE. I dont plan to post it in Nabell because I am sure it will be out of stock in NO TIME at our baazar. Have a look :o)

PAC M48

I joined PAC M48 2009 from 22-24 May 2009. It was a BLAST! I will update this post in stages because I have to edit a lot of photos.

For a start, PAC M48 was held at INTENGAH, Jalan Emu. (Yes, it is Jalan EMU). *lol*

This is an Emu. (Alright.. I will delete this when I found it not funny anymore).


















Once arrived in INTENGAH, I searched for registration counter and received my MAGIC NUMBER.

When you are a PTD Officer, you have to expect to wear this Magical Neckgear, around your neck *duh*, at least ONCE. In this case, it was my second time.





*to be continued after Malaysia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement negotiation ends*

Lazy Sunday 02

Experimenting with t-shirt crochet since I received a bag full of old t-shirt from cousin Niza and her family. [thank you].This time I go for a bowl. I found out that thicker t-shirt is the best for crochet bowl since it will stay in shape better.

Also made a CHICKEN FINGER PUPPET for my husband, for no reason. He likes it a lot. Then, comes lion finger puppet, elephant and mickey mouse for the kids.

korek hidung

*catchy title - on purpose* it supposed to read holiday maker.

I told several friends that we plan to go to Perth to celebrate my sons' birthday. It was just a PLAN. [It could be Singapore or Miri or just Langkawi]. I got several remarks which owe my explanation.

NO, i dont make A LOT OF money monthly. [frequent *nightmare* oversea travels with VVIPs actually makes me poorer. No, it doesnt increase my payroll :p]

NO, i am not that RICH although I have an online business.

My emolument meant to cater my commitments - PTPTN, savings, mom, dad, bills, childs' saving, childs' education plan, car + motorcycle installments, buying nappies [no I dont plan to use cloth diaper for the moment] and other neccessities.

My income for Nabell meant to buy new products and topping up current stock. Plus our staffs' salary.

And we dont have EXTRA money to spend for Perth. [or Singapore, or Miri, or Langkawi]. We dont plan to mess with our savings, either.

The interesting part is, we are going TO CREATE THE MONEY. And I'll be updating you on our effort. I will introduce you to Shortfingers. Short, what?
Shortfingers.

PEMBERIAN T-SHIRT SECARA IKHLAS

All,

Saya memerlukan t-shirt terpakai (yang masih elok condition-nya, wangi, tiada koyak atau kotoran, yang tidak lagi dipakai kerana fashion-nya sudah tidak in atau badan sudah jauh bezanya dengan saiz t-shirt tersebut atau t-shirt tersebut dihadiahkan oleh pakwe/makwe yang sudah clash tidak lama dahulu). Warna-warna vibrant amat dialu-alukan. Namun warna gelap tetap disukai.

T-shirt tersebut boleh diserah tangan bila jumpa di mana-mana gathering nanti. Atau kita reka2 saja gathering semata-mata nak serahkan t-shirt. Tangan saya gatal untuk buat beg crochet. Malangnya, sudah habis t-shirt terpakai di rumah saya, saya kerjakan.

[wah... i found it really hard to type a post in Malay].
searching for a proper word is hard.
Anyway, I realllllly like my fren's blog. She have "that" sense where most people doesn't.

New "thing" for our playground! Yay!

Thank you DBKL (yes, thanks to you Y. Bhg. Dato' Ahmad Fuad Ismail, my former boss who now is the Mayor of KL).

Although the thing (still, I dont know what people call it) has not completely being installed, but we decided to give it a try. Everyday. Their favourite spot is the CHICKEN POX area.

Go Green Júlíusson way

Since many of my friends is going green nowadays (cloth diapers, reusable bag, composting, recycling, bla bla bla), so, here it goes. Another area to venture.











Check out that ring on her finger. It’s a combination of jewelry and gardening. Iceland designer Hafsteinn Júlíusson wants to bring nature into everyday couture. This form of jewelry is not for everyone, however. One must take good care of their Growing Jewelry or else it’ll fade like any other plant uncared for.

Hafsteinn states: “It is important to take good care of Growing Jewelry. The owner must water it regularly and nurture it like any other plant. So it’s up to the owner to make sure that the jewelry is at its best.”

crochet freak

what stand between me and my son's ultraman is... a crochet headgear to protect him from the dark force attack.