I always thought that the lucky draw contests published in magazines are just gimmicks for the marketing companies to get hold of new contacts. But when you see all the wedding gowns, wedding banquets, pre-wedding photography, etc that are put up for the lucky draws in the wedding magazine, you will probably just tell yourself "No harm trying, why not just send in the lucky draw ticket and try my luck".
So I sent out my lucky entries and wished for the best. I checked my emails frequently hoping that one day I would receive a notification email to inform me that I had won something. Just when I least expected, I received a letter (instead of email) to congratulate me on winning a pair of original silicon NuBra. Hahahahaha .... better than nothing!
Sonia
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
The ticker says it all...
It was a Friday.
Setting: The meeting with a client.
The insistent beeping on my mobile signalled that someone somewhere was looking for me rather urgently.
I excused myself and answered the call.
Cue the sweet voice on the other end of the line - "Thanks, dear. "
She liked it. And didn't have a clue about it.
I only had the time to reply with "Anything for you, paozy" before I exceeded the time allotted for courtesy calls.
Her smile, quite simply, completed my day.
Bob
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Our wedding bands are ready
We finally received a call from Lee Hwa to inform us that the wedding bands are ready for collection. Let's take a look at our wedding bands ...
Take a closer look
Next Friday will be 18 September 2009 ... exactly one year to go ...
Sonia
Our rose gold and white gold Destinee wedding bands
The wedding bands on the ring pillow ... so lovely
Take a closer look
Next Friday will be 18 September 2009 ... exactly one year to go ...
Sonia
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Shopping for our wedding bands
This year's National Day fell on a Sunday so we got a Monday off for the week ... weeeeeee. Since there would be no work on Monday, we decided to go wedding band-hunting. We had been scouting around for the ideal pair of rings for a few weeks now and we had been to Lee Hwa, Soo Kee, Tian Po and SK thus far.
Although the current designs for the wedding bands were pretty standard across the different jewelry dealers, there were still a few unique designs that caught our attention (Lee Hwa's crisscrossed, white- and rose-gold wedding bands [left] vs Soo Kee's white gold and rose gold digitalised wedding bands).
They looked something like this:
So we thought it would probably be good for us to start doing some serious comparison work and probably make our purchase on 9 August 2009 (sounds auspicious).
Our day begun with the intention to make our rounds about the Orchard locale, with our first destination being the newly opened Ion Orchard and then the other jewellers around the area. Fate had nothing to do with our divergence from our original objective, as we were soon to learn (to the peril of our collective savings). The large 50% off posters at each jeweler's entrance were ominous signs of things to come...
Stop 1: Larry Jewelry
Our first stop was to visit the branch of the place where I had bought the proposal ring in hope that we could find something that suited our fancies. A mere 5 minutes of looking was enough to convince the both of us that Larry's was not going to be our choice du jour.
The designs were relatively dated and quite forgettable, which certainly highlighted the fact that they were a specialty diamond shop.
Stop 2: Lee Hwa @ Ion Orchard
Armed with 2 x birthday vouchers courtesy of her mum and Auntie Irene, we stalked out the largest Lee Hwa in the area, inside the spanking new Ion Orchard. It was no easy feat navigating around the mall though as the jewelry street was located away from the main mall itself. We made a few fruitless trips around the complex before finding the outlet.
However, we spent the better part of the next 6 hours in this shop agonizing over the bands. And more [signed an NDA therefore no elaboration will be made on this part].
We were initially quite disappointed to learn that they did not have the crisscrossed rings in stock, as they were our bands of choice from the onset. However, a pair of Destinee rings caught our eyes. They were similar in design and looked more solid (the crisscrossed ones looked as though they were welded together. Unfortunately the 50% off did not apply to wedding bands. Smartasses.
We looked at them for a while before heading over to Goldheart. Unbeknownst to me, she was stealing glances at the diamond sets (which she had always dreamed of having).
Stop 3: Goldheart @ Ion Orchard
The Goldheart designs were nondescript, nothing fancy and pretty safe.
NEXT!
Stop 4: Soo Kee @ Ion Orchard
At Soo Kee, we rediscovered our liking for the digital / checkered wedding bands. But her mind was on something else altogether...
Stop 5: Lee Hwa @ Wisma Atria
Although the service we had received at Lee Hwa @ Ion Orchard was excellent, Sheena had specifically requested that we spend our money at Wisma if we could (she had some rewards points to be earned). Unfortunately, the store did not have the bands that we wanted in stock.
The retail executive was pretty persistent, and kept presenting us with bands that we did not quite like. We then adjourned to Starbucks for a Green Tea Frappe and to contend over our findings and observations.
We then decided to wait for her mum (who, like most women) are BFFs with their jewelry. I even had the time to pick out 3 shirts at the G2000 nearby.
Final Stop: Lee Hwa @ Orchard Ion
I suppose it was apparent that we would settle for the pickings at the Ion Orchard Lee Hwa store by now, and unsurprisingly, the selection of the bands took a back seat to the diamond jewelry which took up most of our time.
We chose the Destinee wedding bands without much hassle, and I was thankful for not having to settle for the initial pair of keychain-ish bands.
And so, proudly presenting the fruit(s) of our labour (the male counterpart is a mere peripheral of the female):
I wonder what has religion got to do with Gross Sales though. The Merchant of Venice harks to mind. Of Jews, Shylock and Usury :)
Ryan Bob
Although the current designs for the wedding bands were pretty standard across the different jewelry dealers, there were still a few unique designs that caught our attention (Lee Hwa's crisscrossed, white- and rose-gold wedding bands [left] vs Soo Kee's white gold and rose gold digitalised wedding bands).
They looked something like this:
So we thought it would probably be good for us to start doing some serious comparison work and probably make our purchase on 9 August 2009 (sounds auspicious).
Our day begun with the intention to make our rounds about the Orchard locale, with our first destination being the newly opened Ion Orchard and then the other jewellers around the area. Fate had nothing to do with our divergence from our original objective, as we were soon to learn (to the peril of our collective savings). The large 50% off posters at each jeweler's entrance were ominous signs of things to come...
Stop 1: Larry Jewelry
Our first stop was to visit the branch of the place where I had bought the proposal ring in hope that we could find something that suited our fancies. A mere 5 minutes of looking was enough to convince the both of us that Larry's was not going to be our choice du jour.
The designs were relatively dated and quite forgettable, which certainly highlighted the fact that they were a specialty diamond shop.
Stop 2: Lee Hwa @ Ion Orchard
Armed with 2 x birthday vouchers courtesy of her mum and Auntie Irene, we stalked out the largest Lee Hwa in the area, inside the spanking new Ion Orchard. It was no easy feat navigating around the mall though as the jewelry street was located away from the main mall itself. We made a few fruitless trips around the complex before finding the outlet.
However, we spent the better part of the next 6 hours in this shop agonizing over the bands. And more [signed an NDA therefore no elaboration will be made on this part].
We were initially quite disappointed to learn that they did not have the crisscrossed rings in stock, as they were our bands of choice from the onset. However, a pair of Destinee rings caught our eyes. They were similar in design and looked more solid (the crisscrossed ones looked as though they were welded together. Unfortunately the 50% off did not apply to wedding bands. Smartasses.
We looked at them for a while before heading over to Goldheart. Unbeknownst to me, she was stealing glances at the diamond sets (which she had always dreamed of having).
Stop 3: Goldheart @ Ion Orchard
The Goldheart designs were nondescript, nothing fancy and pretty safe.
NEXT!
Stop 4: Soo Kee @ Ion Orchard
At Soo Kee, we rediscovered our liking for the digital / checkered wedding bands. But her mind was on something else altogether...
Stop 5: Lee Hwa @ Wisma Atria
Although the service we had received at Lee Hwa @ Ion Orchard was excellent, Sheena had specifically requested that we spend our money at Wisma if we could (she had some rewards points to be earned). Unfortunately, the store did not have the bands that we wanted in stock.
The retail executive was pretty persistent, and kept presenting us with bands that we did not quite like. We then adjourned to Starbucks for a Green Tea Frappe and to contend over our findings and observations.
We then decided to wait for her mum (who, like most women) are BFFs with their jewelry. I even had the time to pick out 3 shirts at the G2000 nearby.
Final Stop: Lee Hwa @ Orchard Ion
I suppose it was apparent that we would settle for the pickings at the Ion Orchard Lee Hwa store by now, and unsurprisingly, the selection of the bands took a back seat to the diamond jewelry which took up most of our time.
We chose the Destinee wedding bands without much hassle, and I was thankful for not having to settle for the initial pair of keychain-ish bands.
And so, proudly presenting the fruit(s) of our labour (the male counterpart is a mere peripheral of the female):
I wonder what has religion got to do with Gross Sales though. The Merchant of Venice harks to mind. Of Jews, Shylock and Usury :)Ryan Bob
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Hotel confirmation received
We have finally received the confirmation from Orchard Hotel for the wedding banquet on 18 September 2010. The $5,000 deposit for the confirmation has also cleared. Earlier on, we are informed by the hotel that my credit card cannot be processed. We are so worried that we would miss the settlement deadline and lose the offer.
The confirmation package came in a nice folder with some interesting documents such as ... ...
Based on the Wedding Dinner Programme, we are supposed to exit the ballroom to prepare for the second march-in at the end of the first course ... and we will return for the second march-in only after the third course. Most likely after the champagne pouring (right after second march-in), we will need to tour the ballroom to take photos with the guest. Hahaha ... hope the pre-dinner snacks will be good.
Sonia
The confirmation package came in a nice folder with some interesting documents such as ... ...
The Wedding Dinner Programme, a sample Toastmaster's Speech and a list of Wedding Songs for reference
Based on the Wedding Dinner Programme, we are supposed to exit the ballroom to prepare for the second march-in at the end of the first course ... and we will return for the second march-in only after the third course. Most likely after the champagne pouring (right after second march-in), we will need to tour the ballroom to take photos with the guest. Hahaha ... hope the pre-dinner snacks will be good.There's also a mandarin version of the Toastmaster's Speech!
Sonia
Friday, July 31, 2009
Nice gowns
Some nice gowns from La Belle Couture ... ...
Lady in Red
(I love the hair accessory)
(I love the hair accessory)
As colourful as a Rainbow
Royal Yellow
(the jewels straps on the back look beautiful)
(the jewels straps on the back look beautiful)
Elegant Black and White
(the lace is fantastic)
(the lace is fantastic)
I can't wait to go for my gown fitting ... ...
Sonia
Sonia
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Finally decided on the wedding venue!
My family felt that York Hotel still lacked that "special" something. At that point of time, Bob suddenly remembered that the coordinator from Orchard Hotel had called him recently to follow up on our decision. Since Orchard Hotel was just round the corner (York Hotel was located behind Goodwood Park), we decided to make a trip there.
The Orchard Hotel coordinator, Haze (HY), was really nice to repeat the wedding package to my family as well as to bring us to view the ballroom. It was also very thoughtful of her to give us a call to follow up. If she had not done that, we would not have reconsider our choices. Anyway, my family was truly satisfied with Orchard Hotel after the "site visit".
After much consideration, we realised that we have decided that the wedding banquet venue shall be at Orchard Hotel. Although we didn't managed to get any further perks (even though I know of someone who is now working in the hotel), we are still quite ok with the wedding package. Since the hotel is already extending the perks under the wedding promotion to us, I kind of expected that it will be difficult for our co-ordinator, HY, to offer any further benefits to us. But she did offered to up the free parking coupons from 20% to 30% of the confirmed attendance. We really appreciated that.
My mum and sisters went along with us as well. HY also showed us the selection of table cloth, cutlery and wedding favour that will be available for us to choose. There was this silver glitter rimmed serving plate among the selection of cutlery and I knew immediately that my sisters will love this design!
Now, I can finally announce to everyone that I will be getting married on 18 September 2010!!! And I am really grateful to er jie for sacrificing herself because that day is supposed to "冲" people born in the year of OX. So she probably would need to "回辟" from the time the groom arrives until the bride steps out of her room (based on the geomancer's instructions).
This is just the beginning and I am already feeling so excited!
Sonia
The Orchard Hotel coordinator, Haze (HY), was really nice to repeat the wedding package to my family as well as to bring us to view the ballroom. It was also very thoughtful of her to give us a call to follow up. If she had not done that, we would not have reconsider our choices. Anyway, my family was truly satisfied with Orchard Hotel after the "site visit".
After much consideration, we realised that we have decided that the wedding banquet venue shall be at Orchard Hotel. Although we didn't managed to get any further perks (even though I know of someone who is now working in the hotel), we are still quite ok with the wedding package. Since the hotel is already extending the perks under the wedding promotion to us, I kind of expected that it will be difficult for our co-ordinator, HY, to offer any further benefits to us. But she did offered to up the free parking coupons from 20% to 30% of the confirmed attendance. We really appreciated that.
My mum and sisters went along with us as well. HY also showed us the selection of table cloth, cutlery and wedding favour that will be available for us to choose. There was this silver glitter rimmed serving plate among the selection of cutlery and I knew immediately that my sisters will love this design!
Now, I can finally announce to everyone that I will be getting married on 18 September 2010!!! And I am really grateful to er jie for sacrificing herself because that day is supposed to "冲" people born in the year of OX. So she probably would need to "回辟" from the time the groom arrives until the bride steps out of her room (based on the geomancer's instructions).
This is just the beginning and I am already feeling so excited!
Sonia
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