Flea market, to shop or not to shop..?

Hi, we meet again. :)

      Do you like to shop at flea market? How do you find the flea market available here in Malaysia? I, myself, loves to shop at flea market. But it's window shopping most of the time ;)..It's quite challenging though when we shop at flea market. You have to know exactly where to find what at the best price. Price differs slightly between flea market. And today, I'm going to review about Subang Parade flea market.

The flea market were held every weekend with different traders get to conduct their business every alternate second Saturday and last Saturday of the month. Good bargains were available from necessities to luxury. During this Ramadhan, this flea market is no exception. Varieties of raya cookies, cakes and local delicacies were available for bargain. Business starts earliest at 10am and usually wrap for "feuer Abend" around 3.30pm - 4pm. These booth were located at each floor and scattered randomly. You can also find shoes, dress, head scarfs, women accessories, children clothing, toys, home furnishings, and collectors items available for sale. One booth that is quite a favorite hit there is a booth selling hand made shoes.

Colorful, fancy, stylo shoes for ladies

It offers quite an affordable price. There were many colors to chose from to tailor to your clothes and styles. Sorry, I didn't get a good close-up snap of this one, will try another time and upload for you.  Another hit is a booth by a young lady and a young man ; Jaja Bakery. They sells macaroons and home made cakes such as the famous Red Velvet and Pavlova. They have this strange name cake, Heaven or something that sound like that. Don't be surprise, it wasn't that strange a cake, it's a fruit cake. Commercial isn't it? hehehe, good business by this booth. A piece of Red velvet cost RM9 and they also have macaroon in many flavors. Each priced at RM1.50.

The promotion

Delicious sweet macaroon with flavors (left - right : chocolate, coffee, lavender, blueberry,apple,strawberry,orange,lemon,vanilla, butterscotch)

From left : Pavlova, Red Velvet w/ cream cheese, each price at RM9/pc (by Jaja Bakery)

 Another favorite booth that I must visit every once in a fortnight is Didi Cake House Kek Lapis Sarawak. Located at the second floor opposite the Reliance, you can find variety of kek lapis sarawak for RM25 per box. I do not have the picture of the booth but you can try to visit their facebook 'DI DI Cake House' for more information. They were also available at the Harvey Norman's flea market every third weekend of the month.

Dream House dress (2nd floor of Subang Parade - opposite Levi's store)

 So, add this flea market spot in your list and make a visit there. There might not be that many booth to visit but each booth will worth your visit. Give it a try, after all, if the flea market bored you, you can always go and watch some movie available at MBO (2nd Floor) cineplex. I went to watch Ice Age 4 last Saturday...hehehehe

So, what say you?...

How much is the price?..

Assalamualaikum w.b.t,...*sigh* the pathetic blog of mine. Welcome back to ...eerr..my reader, ..my readers..if there is anyone out there reading this. Please don't say this blog a trash, although, I wanted to say that. It's not easy to find ideas to write especially when you're not trained as one. Today, I'm going to review a shopping complex which has been my favorite hang out for the past few years. It's cosy, less traffic and importantly it offers everything under one roof without having to walk a distance. It's not that massive a size and yet housed to Parkson, a cineplex, wonderful boutiques and restaurants that cater to all age and lifestyle. SUBANG PARADE. Yes, I love it! Although I'm an avid visitor to the mall, only these few years back that I realized SUBANG PARADE offers fantastic bargain for AidilFitri.

Located at the concourse level in front of Parkson Grand LG entrance, every year, Subang Parade will host a mini bazar during the whole of Ramadhan. It caters for all the preparation the Muslims need for their Aidil Fitri celebration; clothing, delicacies, cookies, home decoration, and there was a booth for zakat last year but I didn't see that this year. Maybe the booth has yet to begin its business. But surely it's a welcome for convenience of shoppers to pay their alms (zakat fitrah). It's an approach that has been practised widely by malls to encourage Muslims to pay their alms at their convenient. I am not sure though, what's the theme for this year celebration but a motorcycle, an old model of Honda can be seing parked at the main entrance to the bazar area. A constructed wooden hut functions as main stage for performance.

Apologize for the pictures, I was using my handphone camera yesterday so the image was not up to satisfaction. But anyways, I have to provide picture so, be it. It's like so full of colours when you walk pass the booths selling raya clothing. Among famous names that lined up at the bazar were Sireh Pinang, FiDAFisSS, Bhaju, Kassa, Adagaya Tailoring and some others like Shazztyle Boutique, Miss & Mrs by Bishara, Critria Apparels and Olumiz.

Here is a picture of baju kurung offered by Olumiz. I took the pix because I bought 3 pairs of baju kurung yesterday for my daughters. Olumiz offers great price and well, they were the cheapest there compared to others but the quality and design were of same. Embroidered sateen baju kurung for children, the bargain was RM250.00 for 3 pairs! I know, maybe you can get a cheaper price somewhere else, but this is Subang Parade, mind you. It's not Kenanga Mall.. And oh my, the cookies??? They were bountiful delicious cookies for bargain there. We have names like Airi Delight, Wana's Cookies, Qalbu delight, AZ Cookies.

. Prices were competitive, RM35 - RM40 per jar of novel cookies like choc chips almonds, oatmeal cookies, pineapple tarts, hazelnut chocolate finger and others. Traditional malay delicacies such as popia mini serunding were priced at RM15 per small jar, about 250g++.

Finish with clothing and cookie? Well, we head to home deco, hehehe. The bazar also slot a booth for home carpets.

(Sorry for the walking male figure in the image. He was suddenly in the picture, he was not there when I trip the button to snap the pix!). You can expect a good price, won't be commenting it here, go check for yourself maybe this weekend, give a visit tp the mall..?? Another rows of booths offering bargains for Aidil Fitri fashionable clothing can be found at the other end of concourse level. In front of Big Apple kiosk, you can find a bijou Souq. It caters from a high-end clothing line to those that can be afford for middle-class.

So, doing calculation for Raya budget? I suggest that you try to head to Subang Parade this weekend and see if you can get a good bargain. Always bargain with the traders before you made the decision to buy. My tips - always shows your "contemplating face" when they furnish you with the price, and do not showcase your desperate or really interested to buy their product. But do this with a polite manner and mistake that you should not do is, do not bargain when they are interested people around .....Wishing all of you lucks in search of your desired baju raya and other preparation. Always remember not to overspend and decide well of the choices available. Let's not forget those who are less fortunate and do them a favor will you this Ramadhan? After all, it's the month for giving and receiving. ....Till we meet again, I will review the flea market tomorrow with pictures. See ya!

The first of Ramadhan and it's story..

Alhamdulillah, I get to write again after , ..4 days for resting away from my lappie. Had a few urgent works to settle on, then came in the rush for Ramadhan, preparing a long list of what I should do this year. Malaysia celebrate the first of Ramadhan this year on Saturday. Many of us took the opportunity of weekend back to their hometown to celebrate Ramadhan with loved ones. Others took the chance to bargain hunting for Syawal preparation at shopping complexes and hotspots of Bazar Ramadhan nationwide. So where did I go yesterday? As with any other people, morning was spent at home with my family. We greet Ramadhan's eve a day before at home after a visit to my father's grave in the afternoon , spent the nite "talking" to Him for His forgiveness and pray for a blessed Ramadhan. After zuhur, we went to Shah Alam City Centre (SACC) mall and Shah Alam PKNS.

Bazar PKNS

SACC Mall Entrance

Bargain hunters flocking the complexes for their Syawal preparation; baju raya, cookies, traditional delicacies and of course, for the Pasar Ramadhan that offers a wide variety of local dish for berbuka puasa. These two were a hotspots among Shah Alam dwellers for bargains. Every years there were rows of stalls and kiosks offering bargains for Syawal preparation. And yes, I will review here what bargain can we get from these places. Generally, for clothing, there we no increase in price. We can get a modest, plain and nice baju kurung for a sum as low as RM50/pair.

Nice RM150/pair baju kurung @ PKNS

RM250 - RM450/pair baju kurung @ SACC Mall Bazar Raya

Capal for men, fantastic price @ PKNS

Design were floral to plain batik prada, korean cotton, vietnam silk and plain viscose. A range of RM100 - RM200 for a pair baju kurung also available for collection of latest digital imrani, beaded original viscose, and english cotton. These prices were available from PKNS complex kiosks. Also available were baju melayu with range from RM65 - RM100 for a plain design and for those opt to be a bit glamour from the other or planning to put on something from a boutique like Jehan, Dang Anum, Omar Ali, Pucuk Emas, or Salikin Sidek, can step into SACC mall just beside the PKNS complex for a higher bargain.

SACC offers

Ladies & Men from SACC ground floor

 Kiosks were also available at ground floor for customers who wants a limited spend on shopping at boutiques. A lot of choices are available for middle class to upper class. Price range were from RM150 - RM800 for a pair of baju kurung. Nice jubah and other islamic clothing range are also available for a price range of RM80 - RM500 (kutta for men, kopiah, capal, sampin sangket and others).

Kutta for men & boys

Salikin Sidek

Clutch and brooch from Salikin Sidek

So, check your budget and trust me, it's worth to shop here if you have the money..hehehe As for cookies, there is a price hike. Last year, a jar of cookies cost around RM25-RM37 (depends of jar size), but this year, price kicks off at RM28-RM40 per jar. Designer cookies (chocolate chips, almonds, raisins & nuts) kicks off at RM35 per box instead of RM30 compared to last year.

Rimbun Serai @ LG SACC Mall - dates, nuts, raisins

This is due to price hike for raw materials according to the sellers when asked on the price increased. Also available were selections of serunding, nuts and kerepek.

Novel cookies, nuts, kerepek, traditional malay biscuits

The price is still affordable I must say since people are still buying although, it is quite expensive should you ask me. For berbuka, Bazar Pasar Ramadhan PKNS offers a variety of food. Not much different from previous years, with most of the stalls were a comebacks, foods were much of the same-nasi ayam, nasi briyani ayam, briyani kambing, murtabak Anggerik, ayam percik, nasi lemak, variety of local malay dish, kuih-muih and drinks.

Colorful thrist quenchers

The famous DOnut Doraemon! PKNS Bazar

The taste-it's not that finger licking enough but you cannot expect everything to be good isn't it? Nasi ayam costs RM4.50 without the soup, nasi briyani ayam costs about RM5.50 - RM8. The only offer that maintain previous years price were the drinks.

Overall, SHAH ALAM CITY CENTRE mall and PKNS complex offers a good wide range of Syawal's must haves. Price were a bit higher compared to last year but still affordable since lots of people are buying. So people, if you happen to be in the Shah Alam vicinity, please do visits the spots. You won't regret but remember to spend wisely and not to forget to share what we have with those unfortunate ones..

Funny, it's not easy to write a blog..

..I lost count, how many days since the last time I pen down this blog.. I haven't finish doing my research on how to write the ultimate blog. The blog that many people will visit, read, put comments, happy to review and will be happy to refer this blog to others. But still, I cannot please everybody, including myself. Satisfaction as a writer (at least for me) will be the joys of my reader but still, I cannot satisfy everybody, therefore, I have to have a target. In my case, I chose to write review. Limited to my experience. But I'm considering to spend a little out of my tiny kitty bank which is filled with coins, hehe, to buy books, and on eateries so I can expand my review. Another problem that cause me a headache is design of the blog. I have a sister, a web designer, but this blog is not that critical until I have to hire a designer. Learning everything online, I still don't get it on how, many people can work out a good blog design. Tell me, tell me.. So, I'm still exploring, and hope I can strike a good and outstanding blog design in say, 3 weeks time. See if I can pull the brain out of me. So, if anyone read this and you think I suck at blogging, do advise me for improvement. Do not condemn but improve. Comments are meant to improve and not condemnation. Please, be kind to others, Allah s.a.w will be kind to you.

Ladies & shopping, money spent but where is the satisfaction?..

Again, I'm loitering around with for 2 days and bye-bye to this pathetic blog. Laughing at myself for weaving a web of dream to at least seriously pen down some words that could benefit others. I am so busy with myself and my own personal matters, until I forgot that part of what be given to us from Allah s.a.w , actually belong to others; time, money, food, luxury and many other things including brain (knowledge).

I'm going to review a boutique today. CALAQISYA. This boutique is owned by my nieces, my cousin brother's daughters. Young, beautiful and talented ladies. They have been around in this business for quite sometimes. Popular enough to be recognized on my first attempt of asking almost by every young fashionistas ladies I knew. They sell handbags, shoes and they have their own clothing line besides taking materials from Korea. I was at the boutique last weekend but didn't have the time to snap any picture so pathetically for me, I can't do any promotion here for the boutique. But I would definitely suggest and recommend this boutique to all the shopaholics out there. They have an extremely lovely shoes and handbags for ladies, casual or career wise. They also have the nicks of fashion; belts, brooches, socks, scarfs. And the most eye capturing were their own line - Calaqisya. Materials custom made and designed by them for the customers. Price, should you ask me, its very competitive. Affordable clothing for those working ladies, but their handbags and shoes can be considered affordable to everybody including students.

Located at Section 7, Shah Alam, in the vicinity of the entrepreneur zone. Located to the building next to Zaira Home Appliances, next to Saidatul Nisa boutique. You have to use the stairs so make sure you are in a good health and energetic enough to climb to the second floor of the shoplot. Anyway, it pays off soon as you reach the outlet.;)....

I hope this can payback my 2 days of lazying around. Hope you try the boutique, at least window shopping will you, ;). It won't cause a hole in your pocket anyway by window shopping, ..isn't it? oorr is it??...Just spend wisely and never forget that they are people out there who 'owns' a share in part of what you earned. So spend wisely, do not overspend meaninglessly (is there such a word??) and never miss to say thank you to Allah for what have been bestowed upon you by Him. Shop when you think that you won't be going home, with such questions, "Look what have I done with my money!", "Oh my, I still have lots of shoes and handbags that I didn't even get the chance to wear around", "Where shall I put these things? (when you have too many shoes and handbags and clothes) or worst, "These are not enough for me".  You shop, you spend but where is your satisfaction??

Pix here, dinner with Calaqisya's @ Hj.Sharin Low's.

Treat your Heart & Soul, masyaAllah..:)

Two days had passed by, had no convenient time to be allocated for writing. I was focusing on work and family matters, anyway it's just two day, ;)

I had been reading this new exciting book by Tuan Guru Dato' Haron Din titled "Rawatan Penyakit Jasmani (II)". Was very fascinated by the book series which I had been following since last year. The book was not that new anyway, it was first published and printed in 2011 but I just bought it a fortnight ago. There were five volumes in the book series, I owned and read three of it.

The first volume in the series is "Pengantar Pengubatan Islam". This book describe in detail on method and techniques used for treament based on the holy Quran and the Sunnah of Rasulullah s.a.w. Not limited to physical illness, this book entails treatment for mental illness, which suffered by so many of us without realizing it. Islam calls its adherents to strive and work hard to find a cure for the ailment. Hadith mentioned earlier not only clearly states that every disease there is no cure, but also encourages Muslims to try to find drugs. Word of the Prophet narrated by Usamah ibn Sharik which means, "I met the Prophet p.b.u.h and his companions while they are (quietly) as if the birds are on their heads, and I then sat down to greet the coming of the Arabs (Arabs Badawi) from here and there and they said: O Prophet's whether we can cure (treatment) , then the Prophet p.b.u.h replied: "Treat your illness, for Allah 'Azza wa Jalla does not constitute a disease but makes medicine for him, except and only an illness, (which no drug can cure) that is old"

(Quote fr : http://darussyifabbst.blogspot.com/2011/11/bab-1-pengantar-perubatan-islam.html)

This reading material then, should be followed by the next book in the series for more indepth information, entitled  "Rawatan Penyakit Rohani (I)".

This book explores topics on treatments for  physical ailments. Guides included prayers recited efficaciously to the patient,  also practices that can help patients recover from the disease suffered. Simple zikrullah such as "Subhanallah", "Alhamdulillah", "La ila ha illallah" and "Allahu Akbar" were some interesting zikir that we can practise at all times, and everyday that can help prevent our weak body & soul from being infected by environmental stress. Life is very stressful nowadays anyway, everybody is rushing to work, to school, to find the altimatum of this mortal world. But never forget Him , who created us, who blessed us with all the luxury in this world, our hands, our eyes, our ears, our pumping heart, the brain.

Then, enters the third volume in the series, "Rawatan Penyakit Jasmani (II)", the basic Ruqyah & endeavor to overcome the complex problems. Volume 3 of this book is a string argument against physical diseases in the previous Volume 2. However, clarification and debate in this volume were addressed for a different physical illnesses. There are 13 types physical illnesses mentioned together with efforts described for its treatment. Among these diseases were high fever, skin diseases, headache, abdominal pain, chest pain, toothache, and bedwetting.

I without any doubt, would suggest this book to those hunger with the knowledge of Islamic medicine practise. But do remember, do not simply read and practise the verses of Quran mentioned in these book without any guidance or reference of a knowledgeable person. Whenever we are learning about a knowledge without a teacher (guidance), then the Satan will be taking over. Always be careful because the devil is always trying to seduce the son of Adam.

Enjoy your experience reading should you buy the book, its something very essential in our daily life to have the knowledge of such, after all, we are going to be parents to precious little soleh & solehah of the future and we never know, when these thing comes in handy, don't you???....

Till then, Assalamu'alaikum wbt.

Rejab, Sya'aban and welcoming the holy month of Ramadhan

An hour before midnight, I am half asleep but since I pledged to write at least a 100 words at this blog a day, I cannot just ignore my laptop screen calling me softly, ;)...

19 Sya'aban, another 11 days to the  holy month of Ramadhan, the month that is very much awaited by Muslims around the world. It is during this holy month, Muslims working with all the nature that shares the same mission, with the purpose of obtaining the grace from Allah s.w.t. It is the month full of blessings and glory. It is the month of fasting, the month of 'tilawah' Quran, the month of 'terawikh' , and the month of giving. Despite of all the benefits and grandeur or this month, what about our spirit and our preparation of welcoming Ramadhan?

Shopping phenomenon began. Vehicles rushes to shopping malls during weekends, vomitting the passengers where they flock the doors of shopping malls with their loved ones. Roads were heavily congested and shoulders were brushed as we walk in the shopping malls. At least that is the view of Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Sogo shopping complex these few weeks. And its not even Ramadhan, ...:D...

What I am going to review here today were the tips to welcome Ramadhan ;

1) Pray to Allah the Al-mighty, that we shall be bless with good health to meet Ramadhan, so we can pull the strength and all effort we have for our ibadah puasa, solat, tarawikh and sedekah.

2) Praise and thank Allah for the gift of Ramadhan , to again be given to us

3) Rejoice the coming of Ramadhan.

4) Plan your activity to get as much benefits from Ramadhan. Ramadhan is a very short period of time. Therefore, fill the cavity of the month in each second with good deeds, precious thoughts and practise that can clean ourselves spiritual and physically, and get ourselves closer to Allah s.w.t

5) Look upon Ramadhan with determination for obedience to Allah s.w.t. Allah will help those who are being honest to Him and He shall ease His servants burden.

6) Celebrate Ramadhan with determination to leave sin and bad habits. Ramadhan is the month of repentance.

Nevertheless, do not misunderstood me by saying, shopping before the starting of Ramadhan is sinful. Have to be understood here that, many people now, chose to spend their Ramadhan peaceful at home with family or just to spend more time for their 'ibadah' rather than spending days, hours and hours of it at shopping malls finding the best of baju raya. It's a choice each individual opt and respect them. After all, 'twitting' is a sin , ..:)....so don't 'twit' other people.

Have a good night sleep, till we meet again, Assalamualaikum wbt.

Tips were reviewed from Panduan Ramadhan (Muhammad Abduh Tuasikal, 2009), Darussyifa' Online (www.darussyifa.org).



The first Kalam from an amateur

Today marks the 48th day since the last time I get to kiss my father's cheek when he was still alive. My father's funeral took place on the 22nd May, 2012 at 9.35am sharp. He was buried at the muslim cemetery in Jalan Sg.Sirih, Kg.Delek, Klang. Surprisingly, without any knowledge to us, our father gets what he always wanted. Ayah used to dream and wish that he could have a home down by a river, a calmly flowing river with lots of sugarcane plants, a quiet and peaceful village, with rows of stalls selling his favorite fruits and, do not be surprise, he would like to have a horse farm nearby. And he dreams to build a mosque nearby. Well, Ayah was a very good man, an obedient and humble servant to Allah, and he gets all that wanted near his grave. There were four mosques nearby flanking the cemetery with a peaceful azan five times a day. Subhanallah, I cannot imagine how peaceful the 'ahli kubur' would be during the coming Ramadhan. May Allah forgive their sins and place their spirits among those who believe. Amin.

I wept and still weep almost every night since the day Ayah left us. How can I not weep when I lost the man who used to bathe me, who used to caress me whenever I needed him, who used to laugh with me, who used to drive me around the neighbourhood, who used to sleep with me and woke me up for breakfast, who used to hug me when I'm scared. I have never parted from him since the day I was born. Yes, I married the man I love but I'm staying very much near Ayah. Down the road, Ayah did a few mistakes which raise a few conflicts between Ayah and his children and Mak but we love him dearly. He grew old and he gets grumpy sometime, but we cope with his temper. He always being cynical to us, the children, but behind his back, we laughed at his cynics.

Why am I writing this blog when I have been keeping a very private life all the while? This is one way on how I can shift my grieve loosing the greatest man I have ever met. I can vent my sadness here by channeling it into something that is more productive and who knows, there might be readers out there. :)....After all, my father was an educationist. He was very fond of literature and he wants his chidren to have the same grip as him. Plus, my english is getting worst. I did not get the chance of speaking in english at work. My english converse were limited to conversation with family members and my english-speaking colleagues whom are all foreigners.

What am I going to write here? I am not a writer, so far a cry a novelist or a good author! What am I thinking? *come on guys - laugh a little bit* :D.....Well, I have been to so many wonderful places, eateries, read so many books, met so many people, shop at so many outlets so why not I review them. So I can help my readers (if I manage to get someone to read, that is, ahahahaha) but furnishing them with good review so they can avoid 'junk places' or at least take caution and prepare for the worst.

Yes, I will write reviews. I will put an effort to write once a day, at least. But as for tonight, I guess the bed is calling and I need to wake up early for work. So til we meet again - Guten Nacht! Assalamualaikum wbt.