Rinnah's Marketplace

New house

2008-08-07T14:15:00.001+08:00

I've moved!

Please point your browsers to Rinnah's Consumer Views from this point onward.

Thank you and see you over there!

Creative ensembles with Polyvore

2008-06-22T23:37:00.004+08:00

So I had me some free time this weekend and I thought it would be fun to come up with this creative ensemble using Polyvore.com as touted by Tongue In Chic...

I call this outfit High Society Chick cos it's what I think they might wear. Heck, I would wear this outfit myself if I had the cash and the standing to do so!

Why don't you head on over to Polyvore.com and create an ensemble or two of your own? Who knows, you might see your creation looped at Urbanscapes. For more info head on over to Tongue in Chic.

Cardigan? Or wrap? You decide

2008-06-09T16:29:00.005+08:00

My good girlfriend the Giddy Tigress pointed me in the direction of Shopaholics Unite! and I have to say that I'm loving their blog! Oh, another avenue for me to spend many minutes drooling, dreaming and ogling their pretty wares.

Just today, this caught my eye...

Picture taken from Shopaholics Unite!

You say nice or not? I would absolutely love to own this in cardi-wrap in a dark grey - so classy, can?

If you liked this, there are loads more over at the Shopaholics Unite! blog. So be sure to check them out, yeah?

Nokia N81 8GB review - Part 1

2008-06-05T14:12:00.003+08:00

Part 1 - Who fits the bill?

About two weeks back, I became the proud owner of a brand spanking new Nokia N81 8GB. I didn't *need* a new phone - I had a perfectly usable though outdated Nokia 3100 which I had been *forced* to use ever since my Nokia N80i (see my previous review here) got snatched by thieves in March. While the 3100 allowed me to make and receive calls and SMSes, I was moaning about the lack of multimedia capability on the phone (which was something I missed badly). So, I went phone shopping.

Unlike most general shoppers, I had a checklist of minimum features I demanded my new phone *must* have. They were (in order of priority) :

~ WiFi aka WLAN access
~ Camera
~ Calendar-ing features
~ Music / video player (bonus feature)
~ Games (bonus feature)

Since I am a die-hard Nokia user, I only looked at phones from that brand primarily because I am very used to their navigation system and didn't want to be bothered to learn anything very different from what I already knew.

Right off the bat, my first requirement - WiFi - knocked out most phone models, leaving me with the higher range N and E series models. And since all the N and E series came equipped with the rest of my want list, I then used my budget to narrow down the choices. At the lowest (read : cheapest) end of the spectrum would be the E65. At the highest point, it was the N95 8GB with the rest in between. If it were a ladder, it would look like this :

N95 8GB
N95
N82
N81 8GB
N81
E65

Yup, not that many models to choose from (I omitted the outdated/no longer in production N80 and N80i which also has the WiFi feature because I owned that previously) and of the six models up there, two are repeats - N95 and N81.

As I had done my research previously and knew exactly which models I was on the look out for, my next step was to shop around for the best possible price. With a fixed budget in mind, at the very least I knew I would walk away with an E65 or a N81 (if the price was right).

Image credit

As it happened, I got myself a pretty good deal on a new edition N81 8GB a little above the target price I was prepared to pay for an older edition N81. The difference between the two is in the 8GB of internal memory on the phone as compared to the original 2GB.

(Note : I need to disclose that while I got an original set, I did not get my phone from an authorized Nokia dealer, so I don't feel comfortable disclosing the price I paid for it on my blog. But I will say that I got my phone from Plaza Alam Sentral, which is pretty much like Low Yat, if you know what I mean. *wink*)

Up next in Part 2, how does the N81 8GB measure up in terms of looks?

A switch of focus

2008-06-04T17:00:00.000+08:00

Rinnah's Marketplace is going to take a brief break from all the girly, cosmetic reviews for a while and focus on some technological stuff for a change. (Yes, I'm a techie geek-ess under all the feminine frippery. Lawl.) Hehe.

Stay tuned for Part 1 of my review on the Nokia N81 8GB! *grin*

Clinique's Lash Power™ Curling Mascara

2008-05-15T10:48:00.004+08:00

Pre-post note : This has got to be the fastest review I've ever done! LOL.

**********

Tagline : Lash curler no longer required

Description : New Lash Power™ Curling Mascara holds a curl for up to 24 long hours. Celebrate dramatic curl achieved through a formula that stretches lashes to their limits and a wand that scoops up, lifts up every last lash. Won't smudge, flake or smear. Lasts through rain, sweat, humidity, tears, yet removes easily with warm water. Ophthalmologist tested. Appropriate for contact lens wearers. Allergy tested. 100% fragrance free. Formulated for Asian eyes.

Colours : Black Onyx, Dark Chocolate

Packaging : 6ml

Recommended retail price : RM 75

**********
My review :

I got my hands on a free travel-sized sample of the Lash Power™ Curling Mascara in Black Onyx and immediately put it to the test.

The packaging for the travel-sized sample is a plain gray plastic tube, which does not resemble the real thing, which is a matte silver slim tube.

The brush head is small and slightly curved, which I suppose is meant to help you "catch" every last lash for the curling effect. I like that the brush is teeny enough to reach the fine lashes at the corners of my eyes, unlike previous mascaras which I'd used that had big chunky brushes. But of course, brush size is a matter of personal preference and also depends on what you want your mascara to do. If you're going for volume, then a bigger brush would work wonders. But if you prefer length (like me), then a smaller brush allows for better control. (Note: Since I received a travel-sized sample, I'm not sure if the original packaging brush size is the same - the Clinique counter I visited did not have an opened sample.)

The first few swipes of the brush resulted in lengthening of my lashes, but defining the curve took a little bit more work. A colleague who analyzed the end effect for me said that the curl was not as visible as she expected it to be, but I think it's because the major effect of this mascara on me is that of length rather than volume and curl. There is some noticable difference when I look closely in that my lashes are curling upwards but only towards the end. However, it did do a nice job of "opening up" my eyes without seeming overly mascara-d, which is a look I try to avoid at all costs, and looks very natural (I like!). I did find the first application to be a little clumpy right out of the tube and it required multiple swipes of the brush to even out the distribution on each lash. (Not sure if the reason is because it's a sample?)

This mascara dried nicely and instantly, so I did not end up smudging my lower lashes when I blinked. The staying power is commendable as even after 12 hours, my lashes still looked as they did when I first applied the mascara. Nice!

And for those who like me have found removing mascara (especially the waterproof type) a huge hassle even with make-up remover, I think I've found my perfect product. Like the claims say, it removes easily and simply with warm water. I used warm water from my shower, splash splash and voila, the mascara began to remove itself just like that. Of course you will have to rinse a few times to make sure that the last vestiges of mascara are fully removed, but this is the easiest time I've ever had in removing mascara (and oh yes, it removes cleanly - no stray lumps clinging onto my lashes at the end). Needless to say, I love this aspect of the product.

Yes factors : Nice length achieved, small brush head for reaching corners, excellent no-smudge staying power, easy to clean
No factors : Minimal curl achieved contrary to product claims, seems a bit clumpy when first out of the tube, careful application required (steady hand)

If you go to Clinique Malaysia's official website (it calls itself an official website but is strangely not listed if you go to Clinique.com) you can register yourself with them for a free sample of their famed 3 Step System here.

End-post note : The opinions expressed in this blogpost are purely that of the reviewer's own and she has received no monetary compensation to do this review.

I want myself some Benjibox shoeboxes!

2008-05-13T14:00:00.002+08:00

If you are an average woman, you probably have more than one pair of shoes. If you are a stereotypical woman, you probably have a love of shoe shopping.

Me? I wish I could be: a) Imelda Marcos (for her famed collection of shoes); with b) Mariah Carey's gorgeous walk-in closet that has space for her many pairs of shoes! and c) own a branded shoe shop so that as proprietress, I'd get to swipe a pair of every latest design that came through my doors. Wuahahaha. Okay, enough of my fantasies. Back to reality.

Now, I have so many pairs of shoes currently (about 20+ pairs, give or take a few) that there simply isn't enough cabinet space to display them and the majority is stored in the boxes they came in and stacked in the storeroom. It's not cluttered, but finding the right pair of shoes is getting to be a problem unless it happens to be one of a brand (which is rare because most of my shoes are from the same brands). So I often spend some time opening and closing shoeboxes every morning in an attempt to find the right pair. A bit frustrating and not the way I want to start my mornings!

Anyways, I read about these nifty shoeboxes on Karen Cheng's blog recently and they seem like the perfect solution to my shoebox woes.

Picture grabbed off Karen Cheng's blog

See? Clear, see through shoeboxes that let you see which pair is inside which box and a sliding drawer function that makes grabbing the perfect pair to match your outfit a breeze.

Find out more about the Benjibox here, as well as a full price list. (Each shoebox costs AUD 9.95 and the price reduces according to the package you select.) The only thing that's stopping me from getting some for myself is the price (AUD vs my MYR at a multiple of close to 3x) and international shipping charges. :o(

I wonder if I can find a local alternative?

Clinique's Lash Power Curling Mascara sample - free

2008-05-12T18:16:00.006+08:00

I just received an email notification from Clinique Malaysia promoting their latest product - the Lash Power Curling Mascara.

It promises dramatic curl that will last for up to 24 hours without smudging, flaking or smearing but yet is easily removable with warm water.

I must say, I'm intrigued enough to want to check it out!

Oh, by the by, if you go to this site and leave your details, you could possibly redeem a free travel-size sample of Lash Power Curling Mascara while stocks last. I just got the email like half an hour ago, so it should still be available. :o)

Go, ladies go!

Edit @ 18:33hrs - I just got my e-coupon in my email. I shall be off to get my free sample tomorrow afternoon!

Addendum on 13 May 2008 @ 13:00hrs - I have my sample mascara! Review ~~to come soon~~ here.

Clinique's Attracted to Colour makeup workshop

2008-04-19T00:29:00.005+08:00

Since I had registered with Clinique's website in January in order to receive a free deluxe sample kit of their famed 3 Step system, I was pleasantly surprised to receive an email from them earlier this month promoting their new Attracted to Colour workshop.

The Attracted to Colour workshop runs from 14 to 27 April 2008 at selected Clinique counters in the Klang Valley. What you get from it is a basic makeup session with their consultants who will teach you how to apply makeup, especially in those areas that you face difficulty in. And while stocks last, they will also give you a sample of their newest blush and a travel size makeup remover.

Being the compulsive bargain hunter that I am, I made an appointment for the first day of the workshop itself. I went to the Clinique counter in Isetan, KLCC during my lunch hour. The makeup session was alright, but I did feel that the consultant I got was a bit junior. And she was more interested in giving me her style of makeup, even though I did specify that I preferred to learn a natural look, especially for my eyes. Uh, I don't think the amount of eyeliner and mascara used would be a natural look, but I do have to say that I liked the way it made my eyes look very big (perfect for an evening look but not for work). Unfortunately it was rather startling, so definitely not a natural look like what I had in mind, but perhaps that was natural to her.

This is the freebies that I got - the sample blush and travel sized makeup remover. I haven't tried the blush yet, but I've been using the makeup remover and I like it very much (product review will be in another post).

If you are thinking of trying out this workshop, please ensure that you make an appointment in advance as the consultants are quite high-handed (on the verge of being rude) to walk-in customers.

SKII is giving out free samples of their Aqua Physics range

2008-04-16T10:49:00.002+08:00

Thanks to my ex-colleague for giving me the heads up on this...

Apparently, SKII is giving away samples (while stocks last) of their Aqua Physics range. Go to http://aquaphysics.com.my and register your details - you'll then receive an SMS that is valid for 10 days to redeem a sample of Aqua Physics from any SKII counter.

I've never tried SKII before due to it being out of my price reach, so you bet I'll jump at this opportunity! Updates on the product to follow...

Why I'm happy to be a Maxis customer

2008-04-08T21:00:00.004+08:00

When I owned my first mobile phone, I started off with that other service provider - Celcom. (You know, their latest promotional gimmick is "A Great Sale". I don't understand the concept of a telephone service provider having a sale. It's like, what's there to have sales about?) Coverage was so-so but the bills were really costly every month for a single user.

That's when the family decided to consolidate all lines under a single service provider. Not only would it be cheaper, it would also be logistically easier - Dad was on Maxis, Mom was on DiGi and I was on Celcom. We also liked the idea of "free" calls between family lines la.

Since my mobile phone got stolen recently, I had to go and get myself a replacement SIM card. Since the line was registered under Dad, I couldn't do it on my own but needed to have a letter of authorization plus a copy of his NRIC. Armed with the necessary documents, I went to the Maxis Centre in Taman Tun Dr. Ismail (TTDI). Why TTDI when I don't stay in the area? I was already there mah. *wink*

Firstly I was stunned at the number of people there at 2pm on a Saturday afternoon. It was like our gah-men office... that many people and some small overflow outside as people went in and people left. I mentally prepared myself for a long wait and stepped inside. Did ya know that Maxis has these nice customer service people to open the doors for you and greet you? Well, now you do. And it was a nice feeling, I tell ya. It could've been a bit better if they actually directed n00bs like me to the right counter, but can't blame them for that.

Stopped by the customer service counter and explained to the staff there that I wanted to get a replacement SIM card. He gave me a number - there were three in line ahead of me. Hardly had I put down my laptop, took out my camera and snapped this quick pic (that's like only 1/5 of the people milling around), they called my number! Within the space of 2 minutes! I was impressed. Of course, it also helps that they had like 10 counters open at the same time, helping to move the people along quickly, like factory processing.

Went to my assigned counter, produced my documents to the lady there. She only asked for my NRIC to verify that I was the sub-line owner specified in my dad's letter of authorization, click here click there then she gave me my new replacement SIM card, telling me that it would be activated in 2 hours time. So efficient and fast!

Earlier before I went to the Maxis Centre, I had called the Maxis Hotline to verify the type of documents I needed to ask for the replacement SIM card, and the customer service personnel there had mentioned a replacement fee of RM25 for the SIM card. So when I got the new SIM card, I asked the lady if I needed to pay for it. Her reply:

"No need to pay one. We normally issue replacement SIM card for free."

You say nice or not? :o) I was very happy to hear that and even happier that the whole trip to Maxis Centre took me less than 10 minutes total in and out. So, I'm very happy to remain as a Maxis customer!

Bamboo as clothing

2008-03-11T22:57:00.000+08:00

I was surfing the Net and happened upon this very interesting concept of bamboo as clothing! Who would imagine that bamboo could be turned into wearable and comfortable clothing? The fibre cloth made from bamboo is all natural, breathable and has outstanding anti-bacterial and moisture wicking qualities but yet is soft enough for babies. It's interesting to read how the clothing is made, and I like the fact that bamboo clothing may be the most environmentally friendly and "green" clothing choice around.

I am thinking of getting myself a bamboo fibre t-shirt to try. But I'm more partial to the Bamboo Original camisole, which looks super trendy and comfortable. What say you?

Metrojaya Pre Stock Take Sales

2008-03-11T22:13:00.004+08:00

I popped into the Metrojaya stores last week to check out their month-long Pre Stock Take Sales and have to say that I came away quite impressed with the range of discounts given. Some brands were going at prices up to 70% off whilst other similar departmental stores were selling the same thing for just 50% off. I grabbed some good deals, but missed out on others due to sizing issues. *grin* But all in all, I think this is one sale you should check out!

Earn more with Snapbomb

2008-03-02T23:20:00.002+08:00

Did you know that you can earn money with your blog? Advertisers are now looking to create marketing buzz by using bloggers to promote or review their products and services. It's a new phenomenon known as blog marketing. Those bloggers who want to make money would have heard of or joined some of the more well known outfits out there like PPP (who was one of the first).

Well, there is a new kid on the blog called Snapbomb. And let me tell you that using the Snapbomb interface is so simple and user-friendly that even the most new blogger would find it a snap to register their blogs. All it takes is a simple two step process of signing-up for an account and registering your blog before you can start bidding for opportunities that you can write about. I was up and running within 5 minutes.

Snapbomb even takes the work out of wondering how much you can make per post with their system of listing out how much you can earn per opportunity with each blog so that you can pick the best blog for you!

So, why don't you try out Snapbomb and see for yourself how easy it is to earn with your blog?

Get a free Clinique sample

2008-01-18T21:39:00.000+08:00

I cannot resist free stuff, and when the free stuff happens to be branded, there's just no excuse for not picking it up, is there? *grin*

Clinique Malaysia is giving out free deluxe samples (15ml) of their famed 3-Step system to those who are willing to leave some details with them - Name, NRIC number, mobile phone number and email address. Click here to register yourself for the free sample, which is available at only selected Clinique counters in the Klang Valley and is valid for redemption until 23 January 2008.

I've never tried Clinique before but have heard good reports about it, so I shall be off to pick up my samples real soon!

Tommee Tippee for baby and you

2007-12-09T20:02:00.000+08:00

I don't have children of my own right now, but I do look forward to the time when I do and I'm learning all I can by being an observer of my close friends and their babies. I'm quite lucky in the sense that their children are close in age - all under two right now - so I sometimes join in the mommies group as they trade tips and tricks on bringing up baby.

One of the hot topics in the beginning was breastfeeding. I now know that it's a tough challenge to want to breastfeed your baby as long as possible and even more so when you're a working mother. Their stories of trying to find time to express milk in the office have made me think twice about what I want to do when the time comes, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. Then after the breastfeeding time there has to be a time of weaning and that's another huge responsibility for mommy. The transition from a purely milk diet to semi-solids and then solids can be a trying time for some, like my friend whose daughter seems to prefer milk over any kinds of solids. I do believe she's tried nearly every trick in the book - from tricking her baby with different types of food and tastes to cajoling and even buying pretty cute bibs and cutleries to tempt her toddler to eating instead of demanding for milk.

I personally like the Tommee Tippee range of cute bibs and sipper cups and the toddler weaning kit seems to be the perfect pressie for the special little one in your life. Why Tommee Tippee? Well, they've been UK's leading baby accessories brand from over 50 years and hey, I used stuff from them when I was a babe too. It's a pity that it isn't more readily available in Malaysia, but if you can get your hands on 'em elsewhere, I'd definitely recommend you do so.

Malaysia Year End Sale (2007)

2007-12-07T22:38:00.000+08:00

We (Malaysia) wanna be known as a better shopping paradise than our Northern and Southern neighbours so we have nationwide sales thrice yearly. Of course, we must end the year with a big bang, so some brilliant chap came out with the Malaysia Year End Sale (2007 edition). That is great news for locals and tourists alike because that means sales, sales and more sales. And sales mean discounts! *grin*

Photo credit to shoppingnsales

Beyond the normal sales discounts, tourists can get additional privileges by showing their passports and selected shopping malls will have later closing hours. So shopoholics, get your shoes and wallets ready and shop til you drop!

Do you shop til you drop?

2007-11-24T12:50:00.000+08:00

I saw this quickie quiz on my shopping buddy Giddy Tiger's site and naturally, I couldn't resist taking it too. I don't think the results are that accurate for me because...

You're a Window Shopper!

You know that shopping's a blast, but you prefer to save your money
You hardly ever give into an impulse buy, unless it's a total steal
You've always got the most money of your friends - and you never have to borrow
And you've got a nice wardrobe too ... of classic pieces that last years!

Do You Shop More Than Most Women?

~ I window shop a lot. A whole lot. Like every Saturday and Sunday I do nothing more than haunt the shopping malls. Which in turn leads to temptation to buy stuff that I don't need.

~ So yes, I do impulse buy stuff on a regular basis but hey, they're always total steals! I never pay full market price if I can help it.

~ Hurhurhur. I shall take it as a prophecy that I have got the most money of my friends and that I'll never have to borrow to shop.

~ Yes, my wardrobe is full of classic pieces that I can wear for donkey years, which made my mother comment that I have the wardrobe of a 40 year old. Ha!

The new Nokia N82

2007-11-16T17:48:00.000+08:00

Have I found my new love? I know it's a little too soon, seeing as how I got my Nokia N80 baby in August and am honor bound to keep on using it for at least a year... but just reading about the specs of this latest phone from Nokia on Colbert's blog makes me drool and sets my heart aflutter with anticipation. I can't wait to see the real thing once it's launched...

Everyday Minerals Multi-Tasking Concealer

2007-11-15T19:18:00.000+08:00

Yes, after so long, I finally got down to checking out my mineral makeup purchase from Everyday Minerals. I was somewhat thwarted from initial plans to review it straightaway by a minor breakout on my cheeks, so I decided to err on the side of caution and wait until it had subsided before I tried out something new on my skin.

So far I've only test run one product - the Multi-Tasking Concealer - and am glad to say that my experience is quite alright. As mineral makeup comes in loose powder form, I first had to get myself a proper tool. It so happened that I was at an Elianto cosmetics stall so I picked up their Foundation Brush (which I hope to review later on) as it seemed to be the right size for the teeny tiny Everyday Minerals pot. Getting the mineral powder onto the brush in the right amounts proved to be a little tricky at first as there is a secondary tray under the lid of the pot. I got around this by shaking it upside-down with the lid screwed on tight then sweeping the brush around the tray to pick up the mineral powder. Perhaps a little powderpuff would have worked better for me, but that's just my opinion.

The mineral powder is pretty fine and the foundation brush worked like a charm to pick it up and dust it onto my face. I'm not much of a makeup fan, preferring to go natural where possible and also keep the appearance of having applied any makeup at all to a bare minimum, so my routine was pretty simple. Dust on the Multi-Tasking Concealer where needed, apply a slight touch of blush to the cheeks, draw in my brows (a must for Asians, unfortunately) and a light touch of lipgloss and I'm good to go. The mineral powder went on quite well, and didn't show up as glaringly as my Maybelline loose powder used to do in the facial lines besides the nose and under the eyes. In fact, you could hardly tell that it was there. I still had a bit of redness and spots from the breakout and perhaps because it's a concealer (I've yet to try it in conjunction with the foundation powder), it did work quite well in minimizing the redness and covering up the spotty areas. But I do qualify my statement by saying that it wasn't a really bad breakout, just bad enough to be visible without any concealment.

The color of the concealer seems to suit my skin tone well - I could hardly tell that I was wearing any make-up on. However it should be considered that I didn't really layer it on, just a light dusting all over and a little more on the red spot area on my cheek. So far so good and I'm going to try the other foundation colors next!

How to shop smarter

2007-11-14T23:57:00.000+08:00

When one is a fervent shopper like I am, you will most probably look for ways and means to get the best deal for your money. My favorite tricks are to shop only during sales times, compare prices a lot and use discount cards or coupons if I have them. Some of the best coupon discounts can be found whilst online shopping; compared to the few coupons you can find in the newspapers or leaflets circulated to houses.

Some of the online discount codes that I'm just hankering to use are from Classic Closeouts. With top name designer fashions going at 85% off plus less $10 and free shipping, what's not to love? It doesn't matter to me that the fashions may be at the season's tailend or perhaps one season later. I go for classic stuff that doesn't follow the seasons (it's not very practical to do so in tropical Malaysia).

Plus I like this coupon code from Benefit Cosmetics that promises 2 free gifts with every purchase. I love free stuff even more than discounts. *grin* I suppose I'll eventually get around to getting their Georgia or Dandelion powders after reading good reviews about them.

Shoe Fetish #002

2007-11-09T23:24:00.000+08:00

Another pair of shoes bought during the recent sales last month... again from Vincci. Was out shopping with a good girlfriend of mine and she basically encouraged me to buy this pair as I did the same for her with another pair. This time, 50% off the original price of RM75.90 meant that I only paid RM37.95 for it. At first I was afraid that the tri-color stripe at the side would mean that it would be hard matching it to my clothes, but I find that the maroony brown color goes very well with quite a number of outfits - it looks like I had specifically bought matching outfits when I didn't! So, a bargain overall and a welcome addition to my Imelda Marcos collection of shoes. Heh.

When it's hard to find jeans that fit

2007-11-06T15:38:00.000+08:00

I don't know if this is a problem that affects almost everyone universally, but I find it such a pain in the butt (literally!) to find jeans that fit me. Every time I try on a pair of jeans, it's like playing a game of chance... the waist fits and the length's wrong. Or the hip part fits but I can't button it! LOL. I was out shopping yesterday and by chance I managed to find a pair on sale that fit just right. (The only catch is, I cannot put on any more weight la.) So of course I bought it!

I like this pair...

If money were no object and if I could fit myself in, I would love a pair of jeans from the brand seven for all mankind. You know, the one that outfits stars like Scarlett Johansson and Hilary Duff. (I hear Britney wears their jeans too.) Women just rave about how comfortable and how well their jeans fit and how flattering the cut is. There's a whole range at Tobi.com to drool over, plus if you're intending to do a little online shopping, do remember to make use of their online stylist to help you choose the right ones that fit you.

Men are not forgotten either. Have you ever heard of the brand nudie? Kinda makes me think of nudist beaches. LOL! But apparently, nudie jeans are a cool brand to have too.

So, what are you waiting for? Go strut your stuff in jeans now!

I Disclose

2007-11-02T11:51:00.000+08:00

This policy is valid from 01 November 2007

This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. For questions about this blog, please contact Rinnah Lee (rinnah dot lee at gmail dot com).

This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation.

This blog abides by word of mouth marketing standards. We believe in honesty of relationship, opinion and identity. The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post will be clearly identified as paid or sponsored content.

The owner(s) of this blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, we always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the bloggers' own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.

This blog does contain content which might present a conflict of interest. This content will always be identified.

To get your own policy, go to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org/

Step One on the PageRank ladder

2007-10-29T18:06:00.000+08:00

Yes, my humble little blog, Rinnah's Marketplace, has managed to step up to PR1 on the PageRank ladder. I have to admit that I haven't really been paying much attention to this blog, but just letting it grow by itself slowly. No more! It's time to up the pace and really let this blog shine! Now to motivate myself to go for PR2!

Also, I just realized that I've passed three months and twenty posts for this blog, which means that I can finally take the step of monetizing it! More moolah coming my way... ka-ching!

Shoe fetish #001

2007-10-25T20:32:00.000+08:00

This is but one out of the many new pairs of shoes I have indulged myself in during the recent sale season. I call this pair my 'pseudo' Aldo shoes. *grin* Why? Because I saw a somewhat similar style in the Aldo store at KL Pavilion recently and lusted after it. So, this is the next best thing lor. Heh.

Bought from Vincci, the original price is RM69.90 less 20% for a final sales price of RM55.92 which is a fraction of the price I would pay for the Aldos and a pretty good substitute, I think.

What's your shoe fetish?

Discounts at Times Bookshop

2007-10-22T11:38:00.000+08:00

Note: Received this tip-off from Angel's blog.

If you're a voracious reader like I am, you'll be glad to know (if you don't know already!) that you can get a 10% discount at Times Bookstores in Malaysia with your Jusco card. If that isn't an excuse to go out and buy one more book, I don't know what it is! *grin*

It's here! It finally arrived...

2007-10-20T11:34:00.000+08:00

Yes, my free sample kit from Everyday Minerals has finally arrived, after one false alarm (the first shipment never arrived) and 1 1/2 months later. Better late than never, in my opinion!

At first I was worried that the makeup might have spilt because the idiot postman hurled the envelope into my garden, but thankfully it was all intact. This is how it looks like when it arrives.

Note that it comes with a color chart of their product so that if you're going to order another round, you can follow the chart instead of peering at the colors online.

The sample kit consists of three shades of foundation, one concealer and one blush. Since I'm quite fair, I followed Paris Beaverbanks' suggestion of picking the lighter colors when selecting foundation online. I ended up with the following colors:

~ Cool - Fair Medium foundation in Semi-Matte formula
~ Cool - Sandy Fair foundation in Semi-Matte formula
~ Cool - Multi-Tasking Neutral foundation in Semi-Matte formula
~ Multi-Tasking Concealer
~ Apple blush or face color

I love how cute it looks in the mini jars. Cute is always a plus point in my book, but I have to wonder how easy it's going to be dipping a brush in there to get the powder out.

I'll be reviewing the product itself next, but do bear in mind that I'm no expert on makeup nor mineral makeup, so I'd suggest you take my review with a pinch of salt, k?

Where's my purchase? - Part Two

2007-10-12T14:23:00.000+08:00

Remember my earlier post that wondered where my mineral make-up had disappeared to? Well, the good folks at Everyday Minerals came back to me last week, saying that my shipment had probably gotten lost in the mail, and very kindly offering to refund me. *grin* I like how they promptly offered the refund without my asking for it, and that's customer service to me. (Or maybe they just didn't think it was worth it to re-process my order? LOL!)

Anyway, I asked if they could re-process my order again, since I really, really, really want to try out mineral makeup. That was last week, so hopefully in two weeks' time I'll be able to update that the package is with me, safe and sound!

Lancome Miracle perfume

2007-10-11T17:40:00.000+08:00

My first post on what I want, and not what I already have! LOL!

Anyway, I was browsing the Lancome counter in The Gardens when I smelled the loveliest fragrance. Where did it come from? The counter salesgirl, naturally. I didn't ask her right there and then what fragrance was she wearing, but as I was walking away, I thought, why not ask? So I trotted back and asked her. Her reply?

Lancome Miracle perfume

She was also kind enough to spritz my wrist with it so I could go figure out if I like the scent. I like it better once it has settled down, and yes, this perfume is going on my wish list of things to get! However, since I rarely (if ever!) use perfume, I think I shall get one of those perfume miniatures instead of a whole big bottle.

Attention shoppers

2007-10-05T09:38:00.000+08:00

This may be of interest to those with shopping or beauty themed websites or blogs. New blog directory Myzaak seems to specialize in listing blogs that fit into shopping or beauty categories and offers to list your site for free in return for a reciprocal link.

As they are still new, I'm not sure how effective this will be, but if you don't mind putting up your site for a bit more traffic, give it a shot.

A penny saved...

2007-10-02T16:17:00.000+08:00

... is a penny earned.

My shopping kaki Giddy Tiger wants to know the bestest bargain I ever got for RM10. That's pretty hard for me to do, seeing as how most of my stuff costs more than that. LOL! But, fear not, I have some things that are cheap and good, so I shall oblige.

My personal pick is something that gives me great enjoyment for a long period of time. I picked up this book from Borders' bargain books section and fell in love with it straightaway because I had tried to write something similar when I was younger. And, at exactly RM10, it fits the bill perfectly for this tag. Hehehe.

~ Start Copy ~

Name something you have bought that was worth every penny you spent, and add it to the list below. Feel free to spice it up with a photo or two. The catch is that the amount must not exceed 10 units in whatever currency you are using.
e.g. If you shop in Malaysia, list down something good you’ve bought for RM10 or less. If you shop in US, list down something you’ve purchased for RM10 or less.

1. Gorgeous ethnic earrings from Beadszone (3 pairs for RM10) - Kaki Shopping
2. Time Stops For No Mouse (book) from Borders @ RM10 - Rinnah's Marketplace

~ End Copy ~

Now, who else is a shopping kaki who would indulge me this meme? I pick...

Pink Elle
Simple American
Little Miss May

Where's my purchase? - Part One

2007-09-27T10:28:00.000+08:00

On 31 August 2007, I wrote about my latest purchase of a free sample kit from Everyday Minerals. I've been patiently waiting and waiting since then, but to-date it has yet to arrive at my doorstep.

The website of Everyday Minerals says that I should allow for 2 days for the processing of my order and between 8 - 15 days for the International Shipping. Now these are business / working days, which means that weekends are excluded. By my calculations, my sample kit should have arrived on 25 September 2007.

On 25 September 2007 I sent an enquiry email to Everyday Minerals using the email address provided in the PayPal receipt (everydayminerals [at] austin [dot] rr [dot] com). I waited, and today, 2 days later, I still haven't received any reply. So I have sent another email to the shipping email address of Everyday Minerals (shipping [at] everdayminerals [dot] com).

Let's see if I get any response this time. I really, really want to have a good experience with purchasing online with them!

How to shop better in 100 tips or less

2007-09-26T12:48:00.000+08:00

Since my very good friend Giddy Tiger opened up a new blog on shopping, I thought it would be nice to give her a little "house-warming" gift. In the form of a tag, of course!

~ Start copy ~

It's very simple. When you receive this tag, copy the whole list and add your own shopping tip to the bottom and pass it on.

1. Wear comfy clothing when you're shopping. You don't wanna fuss with too many laces and buttons when you're trying clothes on. http://rinnah-marketplace.blogspot.com

~ End copy ~

Now, GT, I present to you this tag for Kaki Shopping! Happy blogging!

I'd also like to pass this on to:

Paris Beaverbanks at All About Shopping
Pink Elle at Pink Elle Reviews

Nokia N80 Internet edition phone review - Part Three

2007-09-21T11:52:00.000+08:00

This is Part Three (the final part) of my Nokia N80 review. You can see Part One and Two here.

**********
Games, office and surfing
I haven't really explored the games on my phone to date but it did come bundled with the Spanish version of the Sims for mobile phones. Pity that it was only a demo version, so the game automatically ends after a few minutes. Not that I minded much anyway, because there wasn't anything to do with the Sim except make it go to the loo a lot. LOL!

There are a number of office applications bundled with the phone like notes, Adobe reader, calculator and others but I seldom use them too. So, any office users out there who want to comment?

Ahhh... we come to my favorite part of the review. Surfing the Internet! Woot! No as I've mentioned previously, the whole reason why I wanted this phone was because of its Wifi capability. I specifically got the N80 internet edition because I had read that they had bundled a mobile browser that was specially optimized for surfing. And let me tell you... it rawks! Even my Dad commented that surfing on my phone was far better than surfing using his PDAs - the O2 and the Dopod 818 Pro. Scrolling thru a webpage is a breeze with the mini-map application that lets you jump to wherever you want to go. Surfing speeds are also significantly faster when we are testing out the phone vs. PDA at the same wireless spot. But... there is one drawback to the N80 - the range of wireless reception is not as sensitive at the PDA phones. I have to be nearer the Wifi spot to be able to detect and connect, and in a place with overlapping multiple access points, the N80 detected fewer access points compared to the Dopod 818 Pro.

Overall, a good phone for those who will make use of its features (especially the wifi!). If you're looking for a normal phone or a really good camera / video phone, I'd suggest you look at other brands / models.

**********
What I like about it: Wifi capability, Internet browser optimized for surfing, 3 megapixel camera with inbuilt flash and dual shooting modes

What I don't like about it: Battery runs out rapidly, seems a little sluggish in response, erratic wifi pick-up signal, no autolock feature, bulky

Tesco Clubcard

2007-09-13T14:02:00.003+08:00

If you've been to Tesco recently you would have noticed that they have stopped offering Bonuslink points for shopping at their stores as at 23 August 2007 and instead introduced their own inhouse loyalty card called Tesco Clubcard. I found out about this over the Merdeka weekend and at first thought about signing up for it: a) Because it's free; and b) Because we do a fair bit of shopping at Tesco. Then after some thought, I decided against it. Why? Because what they offered just wasn't good enough to entice me to sign up.

You can only collect points at Tesco and no other place. Unlike Bonuslink, where I can collect points at Parkson and Shell, just to name the two places where I do my shopping. And, I can accumulate my Bonuslink points to redeem free stuff, like the Panasonic Dect cordless phone we just redeemed two weeks back. But what does Tesco do? They send you a rebate voucher for the amount of points that you are entitled to every quarter. As you get only 1 point for every RM2 you spend there, it's not that much in my opinion. Let me prove my point.

My family shops on average, say RM75 at Tesco every week. Over three months in the quarter, that works out to RM900. Being given 1 point for every RM2 spent means that I've accumulated 450 points. Sounds like a lot? Not really. Each point is worth RM0.01 or 1 sen only. So for spending RM900 at Tesco, I get back a rebate voucher for RM4.50.

Worth your time and effort to shop at Tesco using the Tesco Clubcard? I really don't think so. Not for me anyway.

For more about the Tesco Clubcard, please visit their local website here.

Nokia N80 Internet edition phone review - Part Two

2007-09-10T22:12:00.000+08:00

Part Two of my Nokia phone review! You can see Part One here.

Sound and Sight
The speakers and sound quality is rather good, especially when compared to both my Dad's O2 and Dopod 818 Pro. The N80 renders clear sound, and my only gripe with it is a lack of bass. Some songs with a thumping bass riff and drums turned into lite versions of their former selves. LOL. But since merely having the ability to play mp3s with the phone is a bonus for me, I was not too chuffed about it. However, running the music player (or video player) on low sound (around 30 - 40% strength) seems to drain the battery more rapidly than I expected - I had to recharge the phone after 1 1/2 days of use (and even faster if I have been surfing).

One thing that puzzled me (and still is puzzling me!) is how to get the phone to recognize mp3 files as ringtones. The phone comes with the predownloaded Nokia pack of ringtones that can be selected through the Profile menu, but mp3 files stored on my Mini SD card were not recognized as such to enable ringtone selection. You can only select ONE mp3 tone as your main ringing tone through the gallery menu and this is set for all profiles, meaning you can't customize it further to suit your liking. This kinda bothers me because I'm the type who likes to assign different tones for different people / groups. Not being able to expand my SMS and clock alarm tones from the standard Nokia tunes also turn me off a bit.

Playing MTVs using the N80 also rendered reasonable graphic quality, although faster moving scenes would be blurred around the edges. As the phone isn't a tv, I don't expect crystal clear moving pictures from it, so this wasn't much of an issue for me. Folks who like to play lots of MTVs and shoot their own videos should opt for the N93 instead, which is optimized for that purpose.

The N80 boasts two cameras - a higher resolution camera in the back (main) and a lower resolution camera (secondary) in the front for video calling. Both cameras take both pictures and video and supports an image capture resolution of up to 2048 x 1536 pixels. Taking pictures with the N80 was a breeze, although I admit that I was more interested in clicking away rather than fiddling with the numerous shooting modes available. Testing normal picture taking and macro shots with the N80 showed accurate color rendition and high picture quality. A comparison macro shot of sushi by both my N80 ( 3.2 megapixel) and my dad's Dopod 818 Pro (2 megapixel) resulted in both pros and cons. The Dopod won out for being better able to focus on the sushi, but the N80 had better color rendition and picture clarity. (Or maybe it was the photographer's lack of skill in handling the N80. LOL!)

Having test run the N80 in a party-like gathering, the inbuilt flash garnered quite a bit of attention as my friends asked if I was carrying a camera or a phone! Haha. But the picture taking response is a bit too slow for my liking as I like to capture candid shots of people around me. A 2 second gap between when you depress the capture button and the saving of the actual shot results in people moving, unless of course, they are busy posing for you. Posed photos are clear and fine, but shots on the go are blur and grainy.

Part Three is coming up soon!

Want to try mineral makeup for (almost) free?

2007-08-31T09:40:00.000+08:00

As a female, I simply cannot resist shopping. For anything. And even though I don't wear makeup on a daily basis (due to highly sensitive skin), I still devour beauty magazines and blogs for the latest tips and reviews on that next product that will make me, well, more beautiful! And when you throw in the words FREE SAMPLE... well, I'm your customer. Heh.

Some random blog-hopping from Paris Beaverbanks' All About Shopping! site led me to Viva Woman and to this entry titled: Free samples from Everyday Minerals. Yup, that got me hook, line and sinker.

Now Everyday Minerals really wants to get you to try out their product and since not everyone is interested in buying a full size product before they're really, really sure they like it, the folks there have come up with a free sample kit for you to try out a range of their stuff. Called their Free Sample Makeup Kit, you get small sample sizes (good for 3 - 6 applications) of 3 foundations, 1 blush & face color and 1 concealer. It's completely free, only you have to pay the international shipping cost of USD5.05. (Which for me is like writing one sponsored post. This is definitely NOT a sponsored post, okay?) In Malaysian Ringgit that works out to about MYR17.17 based on an exchange rate of 3.4.

I'm pretty keen to test run mineral makeup since it's supposed to be all natural and won't clog pores so I selected my colors, paid for the shipping cost and am now waiting for my samples to arrive!

p.s. You may also find Paris Beaverbanks' review on mineral makeup to be rather enlightening. *grin*

Nokia N80 Internet edition phone review - Part One

2007-08-30T22:02:00.000+08:00

Yes, as I've been going on and on for ages now, I got a new phone - the Nokia N80 Internet edition. When it first debuted, it was supposedly THE phone to end all other phones. That is, until the Nokia N95 and Apple's iPhone came out. Haha. Anyway, humor me by reading through my review, okay?

I wanted the Nokia N80 Internet edition for a couple of reasons. Uh, so it was actually only one reason. I lusted after a phone that had wifi capabilities and would allow me to surf to my heart's content (or as long as the battery lasted, whichever came first). Anything else that came along with the phone was simply a bonus in my books.

Phone Design
The N80 is a slider phone and a first for me as I've only used candybar phones all my life. While there were some complaints about springback problems in slider phones, so far I have not encountered any (or maybe they have remedied it by now). And this is despite opening/closing it several times a day.

The phone is a little bit chunky and is quite possibly the "fattest" phone built by Nokia. Bad news for the ladies - it doesn't fit into the standard mobile phone pockets sewn into handbags nowadays. It would fit into a man's shirt pocket, but then you'd get that hanging pocket look that doesn't exactly endear you to the ladies.

Because of its considerable size, the N80 looks and feels solid and secure. But I read a couple of user reviews that said it was rather delicate - i.e. should not be dropped. I didn't want to damage my precious, so I'm using a crystal case that I got from the vendor for free. The downside? The crystal case bulks it up even more, and feels a wee bit oily to the touch. It also keeps finger and palm prints very well too. Grrrrr.

I have had no problems with the buttons, seeing that I have regular sized fingers and I use a two handed style of texting. But one handed texting works just fine for me too although those with smaller palms might find it harder to reach the buttons on the side. The numerical buttons are lit up with blue light when you activate the phone by opening the spring slider, so you can text in the dark if you want to. My only gripe is the four-way directional button, which is silver and a bit dodgy to touch. It doesn't give a nice feel when you press it to select, and I worry that this button would eventually give out on me one day! (Especially when I use the phone to surf and scroll down a long webpage or something.) But that's just a minor gripe.

The screen is considerably large enough that you don't have to squint at it, and there is a secondary camera on top for video-calls. Because the N80 features a power save mode, there is a flashing blue light to indicate if the phone is on or off. I found the light to be both helpful as well as distracting. It helps me to locate the phone in the dark recesses of my bag, but the blinking blue light was so strong that I could see it dimly through the lining of my bag! Definitely an attention grabber in dark cinema halls. Heh.

On the sides you'll find the Mini SD card slot and dedicated camera button (no zoom button though) and on the back, the main camera. I didn't particularly like the fact that the plastic over lens is unshielded (no external cover) unlike other Nokia designs because you might accidentally scratch it unknowingly.

Operating System
The N80 uses the Series 60 interface, which is a great change from my old phone (even though it was a Nokia too). It took some getting used to and I found myself going around in circles on the menu for the first two days. After I got the hang of it, it wasn't so bad and I quite like the icons and menu setting. There are a number of background themes for you to use or you can choose the option of setting a picture as your wallpaper. I tried that at first, but reverted back to the pre-set background themes because I couldn't read the icons and menu when the picture showed! And maybe it is the reflective nature of the crystal case covering I am using, but I needed to change the light intensity to read the phone outdoors in bright daylight conditions. Works fine indoors and at night though.

On first start-up, I found the operating system sluggish to respond and I reasoned that it was probably because the battery wasn't fully charged then (this was when I was testing it at the vendor). Taking it home for the full 8 hour initial charge helped things somewhat, but until today, I don't feel that the system is running optimally. Opening / closing certain applications like the calendar or notes took a few seconds longer than I imagined it would take. Using similar applications on my mum's new Nokia 3110 Classic (also running the same OS) was significantly faster in comparison. However, the more often I use an application, the faster the phone seems to work.

You'll also want to tweak the menu around so that applications and programs which you use regularly are accessible from the main menu of the phone itself, without having to go into submenu levels. It took over two weeks of trial and error before I had my main screen user-friendly for me and I'm still rearranging some of the icons by number of times used so I can call it up quickly. But then again, different people work differently, so you may not find this affecting your phone usage. I'm still getting used to the different functions that the buttons have even after a month of owning the phone as I occasionally press the wrong button when I intended for something else instead.

Stay tuned for Part Two!

Hush Puppies Happy Hour sales

2007-08-20T14:45:00.000+08:00

As a recovering shopaholic who now limits herself to only whatever is truly necessary, I suppose one might be forgiven if I binge every now and then. It is unfortunate that the month of August is the Malaysia Mega Sale month, which means that every shop worth its salt will be having some form of sale. And I would be doing my fellow shopaholics a disservice if I didn't let them know about a truly great bargain, right?

Yesterday, I didn't have to be coaxed to part with some of my hard-earned moolah at the Hush Puppies Happy Hour sales. What's the big deal about this sale? Nothing much except that the good folks at HP decided to reward you for shopping there with a further discount on top of the already discounted price. How does that work out? Take for example a top costing RM99.90 at 50% discount. That's RM49.95. Now tack on the happy hour additional 20% discount to the already discounted price of RM49.95. Your final purchase price? RM39.96. Is that a good deal or what?

There's a catch, of course. The catch is that the additional discount can only be gotten during the pre-set "happy hour", which was between 4.00pm - 5.00pm yesterday. And, the additional 20% discount doesn't apply to all items, just selected ones. As normal, let the buyer beware. :o)

The Hush Puppies Happy Hour sales will be running daily until 02 September 2007 at the Subang Parade outlet (not sure if other outlets also have this promotion).

My VMI experience - Part Three

2007-08-14T21:25:00.000+08:00

In Part Two of my VMI experience, I blogged about purchasing my VMI card. In Part Three here, I use the VMI card to make my first withdrawal.

My VMI card came by PosLaju the day after Michael mailed it out. Extremely efficient, both Michael and PosLaju! Inside, I found the VMI card, terms and conditions and instructions on how to confirm registration of the card online. When you purchase the VMI card from the reseller, you have to provide your personal details to them so that they can register the card for you online with VMI and email back to you the online confirmation. Once you have your physical VMI card with you, you will need to log-on to the VMI website and do a very simple confirmation with the confirmation number in the letter under the card. Once you have confirmed with this number, VMI will prompt you to choose both a password (6 digit) and PIN number (4 digit) that will be used in future to access your accounts. These are very important numbers, so don't forget it!

Upon confirming my VMI card, I logged into PayPal and added my VMI card as my US bank account. It went smoothly, and I transferred an initial sum of USD70 to try it out. Why USD70? Because I wanted to withdraw USD50 as an experiment, and you need to keep USD10 in your VMI account at all times, and USD10 to cover the cost of miscellaneous fees. The account will be credited with your transfer within 2 - 3 working days and it should be noted that no matter how much you transfer at any one time, VMI charges a transaction fee of USD3. Also, when you withdraw your monies from the ATM, VMI also charges a flat fee of USD5 so you should think carefully when you actually decide to make a withdrawal.

I made my transfer on Sunday night and checked my account on Thursday and voila, my money was there. On Saturday I headed to the ATM machine at CIMB Bank and with great anticipation, used my VMI card to withdraw RM170 or approximately USD49+, just under USD50. And yes, it worked! I couldn't believe I was holding on to the crisp new ringgits earned from my part-time blogging.

So yes, VMI does work for me (and well, I might add!) and I'll be using this in future to withdraw my earnings. If you're thinking of getting the VMI card yourself, be sure to read and understand the fees as well as the terms and conditions.

For an excellent pictoral step-by-step guide of how to add VMI to your PayPal and the withdrawal process, please visit Hong Kiat's blog here.

My VMI experience - Part Two

2007-08-05T23:49:00.000+08:00

In Part One, I blogged about why I chose VMI and their local affiliate. In Part Two here, I will blog about my experience in purchasing the VMI card.

Having decided upon the Malaysian affiliate for easier contact, I was pleasantly surprised by the speed of response to my email enquiry by Michael Choong. Not only did he confirm that he was a supplier of the VMI card in Malaysia, he also provided me with the latest promotional rates of VMI as well as the registration form in his initial email. At that point of time (25 July 2007), VMI was running a promotion where each card was sold at USD 28 (normal price USD 30) inclusive of free shipping within Malaysia by Pos Laju. He promised immediate posting of the card on the same day as payment, meaning that I could get my hands on the card within 1 - 2 business days of confirming my order.

I had only one burning query - could he confirm that the VMI card was suitable for use with the PayPal account? Michael reassured me that there were Malaysians who had managed to withdraw their PayPal funds with the VMI card as recently as yesterday. With that assurance in hand, I decided to go ahead and place my order for the VMI card in order to take advantage of the reduced price promotion (which was until 31 July 2007). Michael accepts payment via PayPal, and on the same day that I made my payment and returned my completed registration form, he sent me an email to say that the package was on its way and that I should receive it the following day (which was a Saturday).

And sure enough, the Pos Laju envelope arrived on Saturday. So far, so good!

In Part Three, I register my VMI card and perform a money transfer. That's coming right up!

p.s. If you are interested in getting the VMI card from Michael Choong, please do let him know that I referred you - my email is rinnah.lee[at]gmail.com - there is a small commission involved for me! *grin*

My VMI experience - Part One

2007-08-02T21:08:00.000+08:00

Part of the reason why I blog is so that I can make money. Money, moolah, dinero, dollar, yen, rupee... it's all about the $$$. I like to write and if I'm paid for doing so, great! Now most of my blog-for-money efforts are paid for using PayPal. I'm paid in USD and PayPal is a good system that's secure (I haven't heard of any fraud cases happening yet!). But the thing about PayPal is that it's so secure, I can't touch any of my money in there. This is because PayPal only recognizes banks from certain countries ( e.g. Singapore) or a US bank account. And therein lies the problem for Malaysians using PayPal. Unless you happen to have bank accounts in the approved countries, all you can do is look at your money as it exists only online. But... there are ways to get around this PayPal system. There are a number of ways you can do it, but I'm going to blog about my experience with VMI.

What is VMI? VMI stands for Virtual Money Inc, a US bank (Southwest Bank) backed international debit card. Using VMI as your US bank account, Malaysian PayPal users can then transfer money from PayPal to VMI and use the local ATM machines to withdraw their hard-earned cash. Sounds simple enough? It is.

My VMI journey started on 25 July 2007, while I was searching for the cheapest and easiest way of getting my PayPal monies. A number of Malaysian bloggers had blogged about the methods they use (HSBC, e*trade, VMI, 3rd party transaction) but what made me choose VMI was Hong Kiat's blog entry on how easy it was to use VMI. I'm always looking for the easiest (but legal!) way out. No sense in making things any tougher for yourself, right?

There were a number of people who were VMI affiliates, so I emailed two or three of them to judge the speed of response. They were all super prompt (amazing!) but in the end I chose a Malaysian affiliate. Might as well have a local whom you can contact in case of any trouble.

And how did the first contact go? That's in Part Two...

Brides of Prairie Gold by Maggie Osbourne

2007-07-27T16:11:00.000+08:00

It figures that the first thing being hawked for sale here is a romance novel. LOL! Yeah, I have shelves of books to clear out to make room for more! I picked up this book on a whim a couple of years back at the MPH warehouse sales and am selling it as my bookshelves are simply bursting! As it's a secondhand book (me first-hand mah), the condition is not as perfect as my other books, but it still sports an uncreased spine and pages free of marks or dog-ears. p.s. Although secondhand, looks way better than the books in Pay Less Books (just that pages are going slightly yellow. Sorry!).

This book could be classified as historical romance - think Little House on the Prairie grown up - and recounts the adventures of twelve women (mail-order brides, so to speak) discovering who they really are as they journey across America in a "bride train" to meet their future husbands in Oregon. Life on wagon wheels, encounters with bandits and Indians, fording streams, yup all the necessary ingredients for a traditional prairie book are here. Not forgetting the compulsory hero(s) and unconventional heroine(s). *wink* There are 12 women after all... ... ...

So this is the synopsis on the back of the book...

The twelve women from Chastity, Missouri, meant trouble for wagon master Cody Snow. He was used to transporting guns and whiskey, not mail-order brides. Then he looked into the beautiful, defiant eyes of Perrin Waverly, a woman who had a past as painful as his own, and discovered an even bigger problem - his own desire. Now when he yelled "Wagons ho!" he set into motion a perilous odyssey for these spinsters and widows, a seventeen-year-old innocent, a Missouri belle, and the wagon train's handsome half-breed scout. All of them had reasons for heading west; all had secrets. Now all would discover that the greatest dangers lay within the heart, and at journey's end, a few just might find love...

***Item description and price***

This book is secondhand, but still in good condition with an uncreased spine and pages free of marks or dog-ears. The pages are slightly yellowing though.

Going cheap for only RM6.00. :o)

***Payment terms***

Payment for items can be made by either online transfer to my HSBC account or PayPal account (account details will be emailed to the buyer). For cash bank-ins outside the Klang Valley, please add RM0.50 for outstation bank charges.

COD may be considered within Klang Valley. Elsewhere, postage / courier rates are as follows: West Malaysia from RM4 / Sabah & Sarawak from RM7 – dependant on size of item. (All charges include shipping, handling and postage.) Item will be well packed and sent out within one (1) week from date of payment clearance.

For further queries regarding payment / shipping please feel free to email me at rinnah.lee[at]gmail[dot]com.

Marketplace is open for business!

2007-07-26T16:04:00.000+08:00

Wheeling, dealing, and spinning. That's the nature of this blog. Rinnah will wheel, deal and spin about just about everything retail and services here.

To wheel
Is to promote any retail items or services for sale / consumption. Said items or services may or may not be sponsored posts but if it is, I'll be sure to let you know it is.

To deal
Is to shake hands on / seal a deal / make a contractual agreement for the items or services in any given blogpost.

To spin
Is to review (in my humble opinion, of course) items or services that I find interesting. Again, said items or services may or may not be sponsored posts but if it is, I'll be sure to let you know it is.

Comments, compliments or critiques can be sent to rinnah.lee[at]gmail.com.

So come on and wheel, deal and spin with me!