I AM MY OWN BEST CUSTOMER..

Well.. its true.. i love to buy things from my own boutique.. Please pay attention to the word BUY coz i don't simply take things from it.. what i want, i pay ok (of course at a discounted price ;P)

Its part of the perks of owning your own shop with clothes that majority of it are hand-picked by you.. if you were me, you would have done the same.. dont deny it..hehehe

Before this I used to worry if i have nothing nice or pretty to wear when i go out or attend any functions.. well now i don't worry anymore.. hahaha

And best of all.. my hubby can't complain coz its better i spend my money at our shop rather than others. . Most of my friends, customers or relatives often asked if the clothes i wore came from the shop so hey, its free marketing & advertising =)

Hmm... now the only thing missing is shoes & sandals... i really need to get some for my shop so i can complete my outfits without going to look elsewhere.. InsyaAllah by end this year ok.. stay tune ya!

Nak N8 gak..

Rata2 sume orang sibuk nak beli Blackberry & iPhone.. tapi entah ngape i ni masih lagi setia ngan Nokia.. mungkin dah terbiasa and rasanye nokia ni mmg user-friendly compared to other phones pastu my first phone was a nokia (banana phone.. ingat tak?) Member2 matriks i dulu mesti ingat sbb dulu phone tu umpama public phone bilik hostel kiteorg..heheh

So baru2 ni nokia ada keluarkan model baru yg mmg i sungguh teruja nak beli -> NOKIA N8

Antara sebab utama is the 12 megapixel camera.. For those doing online biz mcm i ni kamera ni mmg penting and since die ada apps utk edit pix/viedo and all so lagi la senang nak upload gambo baju or bag terus ke fb or website..

OK la.. malas nak citer panjang2 pasal phone ni sbb rasanye almost ari2 kuar iklan phone ni kat paper.. kalu nak tau further.. click sini ok..

Oh ya.. unlike BB or iPhone.. this one is more value for money and more affordable... sejak dah brenti kerja & biz sendiri ni.. i dah ikut jejak hubby dlm berhati2 memilih & membeli brg and to always remember that expensive doesn't always mean better quality.. Its how you use it thats important..

Sukati la kalu org nak kata i ni berkira sgt atau cikai ke ape.. duit i ok.. i tak suka berhutang so lagi baik beli brg yg tak mahal dgn cash dari beli benda yg mahal2 beribu tapi berhutang semata2 nak look good and for bragging rights.. excuse me.. credit card tu is still berhutang ya... insyaAllah in a few months, i'm heading towards paying off all my credit card debts (sib baik maintain satu credit card jer..kalu tak mau berkurun nak bayar balik..huhu)

AM I CONTENT?

In certain ways.. I am content...

Now I have time with my kids and my kids are quite secure & happy knowing that their mom spend most of the day at home.. They know that when they are sick or just cranky & needy that their mom will be there to nurse them back to health or just sit & watch them play.. My hubby is also happy coz he knows that I won't leave them to rush to work early in the morning and come back home late or have to work during weekends or public holidays.. For this I am content because my family is happy..

Don't get me wrong ya.. I am not a full-time housewife.. I have a maid to do some of the house chores & take care of the kids.. I have two stores at Bangi and two blogshops to manage.. For the stores, each have one full-time staff & one part-time staff and so far their are quite good at handling the stores so i don't have much problem with them..

For the blogshops, i manage them when i'm free which now is a bit tricky coz the kids are quite demanding of my time and i don't have the heart to work when they clearly want me to spend time with them.. InsyaAllah i'm trying to find a way to work around this situation..

My typical day now is usually like this:

Morning-
- Ready breakfast for hubby & the boys
- Online to check/reply order, inquiry or comments
- Bathe & clothe the boys (they love the water so this will take some time..hehe)
- Feed the boys (which take quite some time too coz they will not sit still so the maid & I need to chase them or in some cases persuade them to eat)
- Play or watch tv with the kids

Afternoon-
- Cook lunch/dinner
- Feed the boys lunch
- Put them to bed (which need some persuasion..huhu)and sometime take naps with them
- Get online to check email, comments, orders, etc
- Twice/Thrice a week went out to check on the store at Bangi or go out with my biz partner Nowwa since she's also self-employed like me so her time too is quite flexible
- If hubby comes home early so ready lunch or tea

Evening/night-
- Ready dinner
- Bathe, clothe & feed the boys
- Have dinner together with hubby
- Play with the boys before getting them to bed
- Get online if have time
- Spend time with hubby watching tv, talking, etc =)

Hmmm... some of you might say my day is boring but to me I'm quite happy with it coz i have time for my kids, hubby and sometime i have time for myself.. i can go out anytime i want (but with hubby's permission of course).. pamper myself when i want to.. Take the boys here and there when i feel like it.. Go to my mom's or MIL anytime..

Oh yes.. my hubby is also self-employed so sometimes both of us do go out together when we feel like it.. so I am content =)

YOU WOULD HAVE THOUGHT...

That after resigning from my eight years of employment at PLUS, i would have ample time to update my blog... I thought so too but alas no such thing.. huhuh

My last day of resignation was 2nd July 2010 but this is the 1st post after resigning (exactly 2 months!)

The reason? Was very busy preparing for the opening of my 1st clothing boutique, PRETTY FLAIR BOUTIQUE which Alhamdulillah open it doors to public on 1st August 2010.. So many things to do from cleaning up the place after the renovation (which was done most by hubby.. thanx Yang!), taking stock and inventory and estimate pricing, finding staff, check hundreds of clothing for defect and iron steamed them, tag and pricing, not to mention rearrange them accordingly and so many more.. I never knew it was this difficult but yet very exhilarating and fun!

I never dream that one day I would be owning my own clothing boutique.. i think most of us ladies/girls have secretly wished that they have a boutique of their own with lots and lots of clothing that they can play dress-ups (which i love doing!)..

This would not have been possible without my dear hubby's never-ending support (and financing).. InsyaAllah, I'll try my best to make this biz a success ya while having time for you and the kids.. -Ameen-

Now my new journey begins as a work at home mom while managing my online biz and boutique.. wish me all the best ya.. so far i'm loving it!

UPDATE SEADANYE..

Lately am too busy (and sometimes lazy) to update this blog.. Dah bersawang dah blog ni.. Siann..

Well.. just a quick update (randomly and not in sequence ya). All these happened before my trip to China.. a special post on the trip will be posted in a few days..insyaAllah

A few days before going to China, bawaklah Hafiy ke SMDC for his shots and ultrasound.. Alhamdulillah.. doc kata bengkak kat kidney tu dah tak nampak and both kidneys seem normal.. Bersyukurnye kami! Rasa lega yg amat and kurang sket berat hati nak ke fly ke china tinggalkan budak2 ni.. Terima kasih Ya Allah kerana anugerahmu ini!

Few weeks before the trip macam2 nak setelkan.. tu tak termasuk kerja berlambak kat ofis ngan mcm2 event coming up.. apa2 pun because nak habiskan cuti before resigning so i took leave every monday or friday.. time tu selalunye petang kuar makan2 or minum ngan Nowwa..

Had a belated mom's day celebration for all the mommies at my department courtesy of my lady boss @ Villamay, Shah Alam.. Last year pun celebrate at the same place gak but the place mmg very beautiful and private for this kind of celebration so kiteorg mmg excited.. Ramai juga (including me) bawak goodies for each mommies.. Pastu we had story telling competition on best family moments and exchange gifts.. We had so much fun! Thanx boss!

And not to forget my best friend from UIA, Shu finally got married.. Tak penah rasanye gi wedding kawan or sedara mara sampai naik flight (except when my bespren/cousin also named Sue married a Sabahan which me & my family flew to KK).. Well back to the story at hand.. Shu ni tengah buat Phd di UK but bertemu jodoh dengan orang Kelantan hasil kenen2 kawan2.. So me & hubby pun flew to Penang for her wedding reception.. balik hari ok so mmg kagumlah naik flight berlenggang dgn satu handbag jer... takde luggage lain.. time tu cuti sekolah so tak sanggup nak harung jam pergi balik.. Thanx Nowwa sbb pinjamkan hubby utk fetch and hantar kiteorg ke airport.. Congrats Shu! Semoga bahagia sehingga ke akhirat kelak..

Others?

Berjaya belajar masak shepperds pie dari Nowwa sambil tunggu our hubbies main badminton..

Tadaaaa.. hasilnye tak sempat nak snap sebab by the time abis bakar our hubbies dah lapo sgt so lupe langsung nak snap.

MY HOME OFFICE..

This is my new home office.. its actually our third bedroom but my resourcefull hubby converted it into an office and part storage area.. InsyaAllah, I will be spending lots of my time here after this..

As you can see, I also have a mini studio to take pix of Elyzzmode products.. The orange chair which i lurve was a gift from dear hubby.. There is also a comfortable chair beside the workstation for discussion purpose with family/friends (Nowwa.. actually aku masa letak kerusi tu with u in mind ye.. heheh)..

Its not that big but its just perfect for me :)

Thanx Yang!!

A YEAR OLDER BUT WISER?

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I do think that I am a lot more wiser than last year..

32 is just a number.. After turning 30.. adding years after that is actually not so bad..

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Alhamdulillah.. This past year I have achieved quite a lot..

An adorable baby boy, a bag boutique with my name on it (the feeling of seeing your name up on a store signage is simply awesome!), an online business, supportive family & friends and having the guts to finally quit my job of eight years..

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Hmm.. Not too bad for a 32-year-old..

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And this year I got to celebrate my birthday (although it was the next day) with my wonderful hubby.. just the two of us :)

Alhamdulillah.. I am blessed and thankful for so many things in my life..

Looking forward to another wonderful year ahead which I think will be challenging as I will be embarking into the unknown after my final days at work..

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Thanx Nowwa for the delicious and addictive home-made oreo cheesecake! As you can see, it was demolished immediately..heheh

The pink white cake (American Chocolate) was a gift from Kak Bedah, Pandan Caterer. Very yummy!

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PLASTIC PUTIH..

" Checkkan brg i kat bwh meja seblh rack kasut tu dalam plastic putih..Simpankan, tadi takut Hazyq main.."

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SMS ni dapat dari hubby kul 9.30pm semlm.. Masa tu die kat badminton court clubhouse.. Aku lak masa dpt sms ni baca skali pintas jer and jeling kat bawah meja dari jauh.. Tengok plastic beg tu tak terusik so ok la kot asalkan Hazyq tak main..pastu terus lupe sbb 5 saat lps baca sms tu tengok si Hazyq tengah nak angkat dukung Hafiy.. ape lagiii..panikkk la.. sib baik takde ape2.. si adik sengih jer lak bile abangnye dukung.. harunye HAHA boys aku ni..

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Kul 11.00pm hubby balik tapi langsung tak teringat pasal plastic putih tu.. Last2 kul 12.30 mlm statement ni kuar dari mulut hubby --> "U ni mmg tak ikut arahan ek.."

Eh, pesal lak hubby aku ni.. Bile pandang die baru la perasan die pandang plastic putih tu..

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me: "Oh tu.. Hazyq tak main pun brg tu"

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hubby: "I kan suruh simpankan.."

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me: "iye laaaa.. i gi simpan la ni.. tadi tak buat sbb ingatkan yg paling penting Hazyq tak usik brg u" Dalam hati.. hmm..pesal la die tak simpan sendiri kat bilik..

Pastu terus la capai plastic putih tu.. Bile angkat mcm berat.. Hishk.. ape lak dlm ni..

Dah time ni sifat busy body mula amik alih so belek2 la brg kat dlm..

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Terus nampak kotak Samsung and bile belek lagi and punggah content.. ni rupenye brg dlm plastic putih tu

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Ni la my belated birthday gift from hubby yg terchentaaa..

Samsung Netbook N150 in RED.. mmg cantik laaaa... I love u Yang!! Thanx Yang!!

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Mmg klako suprise kali ni (mmg nak pun netbook tapi cara presented tu yg unexpected and lawak)

Lenkali bile u suoh check.. i check ok.. heheh

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MUWAHHS!

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For birthday cakes nanti nak buat post lain... tunggu ye Nowwa.. heheh

YESSS... VERY SUREEEE

ARE YOU SURE?? .. SURE OR NOT??.. DAH PIKIR MASAK2??.. MUKTAMAD KE NI??

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I have been asked these questions many times when my family, friends & colleagues know about my intention to resign.. Although it took me almost two months from my target date but finally i've submitted my resignation letter to my Boss and also to the HR Head dated 3 May 2010..

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I was expecting to be scared and overwhelmed by the finality of my decision (once you've submitted the 'R' letter, you can never undo it) BUT I actually felt GREAT! Its as if a burden has been lifted from my shoulders and now I found myself doing my work happily and smiling.. Its such a wonderful feeling knowing that I have just two more months to look forward to changing my status from a full-time working mom to a WAHM (Work at Home Mom)..

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Don't get me wrong here.. I am very much aware of the challenges I'll be facing after I resign.. No more monthly fix income to rely on (which although not much to some but it does pay the bills and afford me some lil luxuries of my own).. After this i need to be prudent in my spending.. Cut down on unneccesary expenses and hopefully I can pay off my credit card debt so that i can be debt free by the time i resign.. Importantly, is to make do with what I have by resisting the urge to shop for unnecessary things (this will be definitely the hardest thing to do)

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Looking at the bright side of it... This will give me more time with my family especially the HAHA boys.. At least I will save money on fuel from commuting to work and also I dont have to shop for work clothes anymore and I will definitely save a bit more on the breakfast, lunch and sometime tea expenses I would have to fork out during work..

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Another silver lining is that now I will definitely have more time to concentrate on my biz and also venture into new biz and projects.. So Nowwa..tunggu ye 2 bulan lagi ok pasni kite boleh luaskan empayar kite..hahahaha

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Tangguh lagik..

Haha.. this is sooo funny.. rasa2nye boleh ke buat resign letter macam ni?

(Image googled)

.Atas nasihat pihak tertentu.. i have been asked to postpone my resignation to 1st May 2010.. Why? Katanye increment akan masuk bulan ni..walaupun dah tau seciput tapi at least duit jugak kan so apa la salahnye tunggu 2 minggu lagik.. Tapi yg suspen tu ada lak ura2 kata kalu ranking Silver tak dapat increment langsung.. hmmm... tak salah kan being optimistic.. .

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Pasal kes bonus tu, suka tak suka i redha jer la and bersyukur.. Cuma skang staff kat company i tu masih marah lagi and ramai juga yg akan resign.. FYI, ramai staff kat company tu sudah gi keja ngan company our ex-MD coz sume tau die jenis yg akan fight for staff welfare and respect staff contributions....

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.Korang ingat company yg diterajui pompuan ni bagus sgt ke? Ingat dieorg ni lagi prihatin ke? Family oriented ke? Concern pasal welfare? Hmmphh... sungguh meleset andaian korang kalu tu yg korang pikirkan.. Tu sbb Allah kata lelaki yg sepatutnye jadik pemimpin.. Sejak company being run by the Divas.. mmg ramai yg sengsara.. kalu cuti dipanggil masuk keja, kalu anak sakit pun susah nak cuti, raye lagi la org yg keja operations tu mmg tak dibenarkan cuti, asyik nak mengampu org gomen jer smp skang org gomen dah pijak kepala kiteorg ni, sanggup spend beribu dan berjuta utk entertain contacts masing2 tapi when it comes to staff susah sgt nak reward.. kalu boleh sume nak slash..

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I prefer keja ngan lelaki garang and strict dari keja ngan pompuan2 yg emotional, giler glamer, fickle and hati kering.. (Unofficial survey kat company tu says staff mostly prefer the old management male team dari skang ni).

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Alhamdulillah la my hubby bagi brenti keja and fokus on anak2 and biz.. Kalu gamaknye kena keja gak, mmg jawabnye apply keja tempat lain sbb dah tak tahan sgt dah ngan situation kat company skang ni.. Member2 kat luar tu gaji sume dah lebih RM 5k and dah naik pangkat ke manager.. I ni keja dah 8 thn tp still Senior Exec pastu gaji.. hmm.. beza sket jer dr masa start keja dulu....

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FYI, according to the consultant, gaji staff kat company i ni actually is below the current industry ye and walaupun our MD is among the top 10 highest paid GLCs CEO/MD and our company is the cash cow to the parent company, rupe2nye our renumerations (salary, benefits, etc) are among the lowest compared to others in the Group.. .

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Kesimpulannye, terima ape yg ada and kalu dah tak boleh terima, keluar sajelah.. mungkin rezeki kite bukan di sini lagi..

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P/s: Lega rasanye bile dah luahkan sume ni.. therapy betul blogging ni kan..

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