First post of 2016! (And a bit about unleashing the Shopaholic in me)

I'm trying my best to be an avid blogger like I used to, but I guess time doesn't permit at times.

Still, I'll try to update as much as possible - before my readers begin to think that I am forsaking my blog!

Well, I am starting this new entry in a brand new year - Yes baby, it's 2016! Time flies, isn't it? And this means that I'm one year older ? (No, I don't like the sound of it, please.)

And I have been crazy about online shopping lately - With all the awesome promotions going on, I would feel that I'm living my life with regrets if I don't buy them!

(Thanks ah, Shopee and Taobao) 

I guess I finally understand the definition of online shopping. It is the process of purchasing items that you don't really need but yet YOU WANT THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE TOO CHEAP/reasonably priced TO MISS.

Seriously, I've already lost count of how many items that have been delivered to my house on an almost daily basis. 

BUT THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT I HAVE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY.

NO. I only spent a few bucks purchasing stuff that were originally priced way higher than that. #shopaholicexcuses

I caught on the 12.12 fever sometime back, and got myself some stuff that are simply out of this world - based on their prices.

I posted this image on my Facebook when I got this - It's just so cute. (or was anyone actually tricked into thinking this is an actual Macbook?)

 It's just a portable mirror, lah. 

I'M NOT GONNA LIE. I got it at $1.20!!! Would you have gotten it?!

Shiok max. I have seen this before and wanted to get it a long time back - but it was priced way higher, approximately $5-$6 each. I was glad I placed my temptation on hold and caught on this promotion!

And I got myself a set of Mcdonald's Nanobricks too! (Of course they are pirated, lah... But I still had endless fun with them.)

These were just 3 out of the 6 I've successfully built after much heartache and frustration.

Cute?!

And I got the set of 6 at only $12!! (Actual price was actually $29.90) Faintzzz...

And a Tsum Tsum Lotso as well - $1.20!!!

Tell me, tell me - I can't justify this at all if I don't buy it, right?!?!

(I think this is not really an authentic Disney product also, but I don't mind since I am not a collector of the series. I just collect anything that looks cute to me!! LOL. So you Disney fanatics... Refrain from preaching or telling me that I've gotten myself a bootleg product. YES, I AM AWARE BUT I STILL CHOSE TO GET IT. Tqvm.)

There are still many other stuff that I have yet to post up, but I have gotten some really awesome products too. (Such as a 16GB Sandisk thumbdrive at only $1.20 and mini SDcard at $1.90!!)

What I thought was a scam (Referring to the Shopee app, an online shopping mobile platform) has proven me wrong.

Although Shopee did not take initiative to look me up to do any advertorial for them, but I shall give them a shoutout since they are so awesome, lah.

Thanks for the constant discounts that came with unbelievable price tags. 

OK, I can't believe I just rambled on for the past half hour.

I've more to share on my next blog entry! Stay tuned.. 

AND HERE'S WISHING ALL MY READERS A HAPPY BLESSED 2016!!! :)

GrabTaxi - Just a marketing gimmick!

With all the Promotion codes and marketing tactics offered by different cab-booking agencies (such as Uber, Hailo, etc) recently, I got into a cab frenzy.

With the promotions, I was able to enjoy booking cabs without hassle and not spending much money on my rides as most of them were waived off using the codes.

Somehow, I think their marketing was a success. Through the promotions, I knew about their existence and tried their services, which I thought was splendid.

Unfortunately, I had my FIRST negative experience with a new application that I have never tried before, and I'm certain it would be my last.
(Sorry lah, I really wanted to put in a good word or two about you.. But I just couldn't find any reason to.)

Their service was just... Appalling.

Yes, it's none other than GrabTaxi.

Sounds familiar?? Yes, it recently boasted of a promotion code that would entitle passengers a $15 discount of cab ride - as a "wedding gift" from their Founder, CEO Anthony Tan.

I know, some of you must be thinking, "Since they are already kind enough to give you a free ride worth $15, why are you even complaining??"

Now, let me tell you...

Will you complain if they do not deliver the slightest bit of service that they are supposed to offer?

Bluntly speaking, the promotion is as good as NOT offering to passengers.

As it was my first time trying the service, I used their promotion code "GRABLOVE", thinking that it might take a long while for the cabs to arrive since I was sure many would be utilizing the code as well.

I was okay with the wait as I did not expect much since it is free, but... I hate to say it that the wait was nothing more than a futile one.
(You know... more like wasting time waiting for a fruit to drop from the sky?)

Yes, I was shown a page that there were SEVERAL cab drivers within near distance and GUESS WHAT?!?!

NONE. Basically NONE of them took up my booking.

Fine. I tried again.

Again.

And Again.

And and... Again.

I guess I have lost count the amount of times I have tried - and you know you have to give up when getting a cab through the app seems like an IMPOSSIBLE task.

I was told repeatedly that there was NO driver.

It appeared that a MIRACLE was needed to make it happen, huh?

As I did not take any screenshot in the midst of my frustration that day, I managed to find a similar pic from one of the Facebook complaints that were posted.

Apparently, I discovered I was not the only one when I logged on to their page - with many complaining of the same issue that I faced. I scrolled through the comments and found only one comment from a passenger who managed to successfully book a cab on 27th June 2015.

To make matters worse, there were several people claiming that they managed to get a cab within seconds AFTER they removed the promotion code. 

Talk about being practical.

This goes to show that it was not that there was no driver! BUT they had REFUSED to pick up passengers who utilize the code (probably because they earn nothing from this promotion or they think that such passengers are cheapos?!) 

If the cab drivers are going to be such selective choosers, then why bother offering such promotions when it only PROMOTE frustration in passengers?

Basically speaking, if you can't COPE with such expected overwhelming response, then please don't risk your own reputation by promising to give something you can't deliver.

I have always thought of Grabtaxi as an app that I would love to try after hearing how highly raved it was by bloggers and vloggers, but I guess all is just a marketing gimmick.

Yes, I am sure the success rate of booking a cab will definitely be  100% now - because the promotion is over.

BUT YOU KNOW WHAT?

Thanks, but no thanks. Congratulations on the wedding and kind gesture in offering the free rides - probably I just am one of the "not fated" ones amongst the hundreds who were on the same boat, too.

I don't wish to compare... but back to Uber and Hailo!

[Event] Domino’s '4 Flavors on 2 Pizzas' Blogger Party

Guess where I was?

...

.......

..........

Yes! It's Domino's Pizza at Kovan! :)

Was honored to be invited to the Domino's '4 Flavors on 2 Pizzas' Blogger Party event last week  (Thanks, William from The Influencer Network!)

I was quite excited as Domino's Pizza has always been one of my personal favorites whenever it comes to pizzas (I love their thin crusts!) and was looking forward to what they have to offer.

Do note that I am not complimenting them because I was invited, but I do love their pizzas personally and patronize them myself quite frequently!

So.. *inserts random selfie here*

While waiting for the other bloggers to arrive, I went on a photo-snapping spree.

Here's the banner of their latest promotion -You will get to know more about it in my entry as you read on! You won't regret it, I promise!

Here's the lovely Ms.Linda, the Marketing Manager of Domino's Pizza!

(It was my 2nd time meeting her after my first Domino's Pizza event last year)

She gave us a briefing about their latest promotion - 2 for $22 pizza!

Now, this is really interesting as this is not just any ordinary promotion.

 Can you believe that combining TWO different flavors of pizzas to form a complete pizza of your choice is POSSIBLE?! Speaking about win-win situation. Heh.

Seriously, this would be a dream come true for any pizza lover when it comes to being spoilt for choices. 

Ever had those moments in which you JUST COULD NOT decide between two different flavors? 

That's it... That's IT!

Domino's Pizza has came up with this genius idea of allowing their customers to mix and match four flavors of their choice (2 flavors on 1 pizza each) at a price of only $22 for both regular-sized pizzas!

Best of all, they are offering FREE delivery - meaning that the price you see is the price you'll pay. I love it that they have no hidden gimmicks when it comes to stuff like these.

With a pizza theme, there was a game prepared for us (It was quite a good ice-breaker for bloggers who did not know each other well) and here's the first round - We have to make a correct guess of the pizza sauce according to the names written on the post-it notes.

We were split into different teams and one representative of each team would have to taste the sauce.

(Thanks to Vivian - one of the bloggers whom I was in the same group with - for tasting it and making the correct guess!)

Here's what we have got:

Yep - Pesto Passion Sauce!

(I know it doesn't look really that appetizing by the looks of it, but trust me - looks can be deceiving!)

Now... Here's another round of the game and the fun part - We were given different choices of pizza crusts and ingredients that would go well with our chosen Pesto Passion Sauce. 

We had to choose two different kinds (Half and Half) and combine them together.

We would then come up with a creative story (it can be anything - funny, romantic, cheesy... etc) and the winning team would be given Domino's vouchers worth $500!! This would make any Domino's fan go crazy. Urgh.

"So who will be the lucky winner of these $500 Domino's Pizza vouchers?"

And the representative of an interesting team would be given an exclusive "I am Incredible" apron designed by Domino's Pizza!! And it was said that this is the ONE and ONLY apron that was designed for this event!! How proud the winner would be to own this!!

So.. With a determination to win them.. Here we go.

We discussed and came up with a chicken + prawn love story (It was quite random actually.. but had fun laughing over it while making it up). And I have to EMPHASIZE that I am proud to have Melissa in our group - She is such a great illustrator! She drew the story in comic-strip form and made many of us going "awww" just by looking at the characters.

Took this shot secretly while she was at work - It reminds me so much of an artist at a live session drawing for fans. Hahaha. It's a surprising fact when she told us that she isn't a professional at art.

So.. Time for our "story presentation"!

Vivan presented our story in a bubbly manner.

(I was only a supporting cast. LOL)

(Photo Credits to The Influencer Network)

A group pic of us together:

(Photo Credits to The Influencer Network)

And here is the masterpiece!

Notice the top wordings "CaVaMel"? It is an adaptation of our names : CAtherine,Vivian and MELissa

Credits to Vivian for coming up with such a genius name. Haha.

And here are the presentations of other teams :- Everyone came up with really interesting and hilarious ones! It was amazing, especially with the fact that we were given such a short time frame to come up with it. Bloggers are always creative creatures, I guess.  

(Photo Credits to The Influencer Network)

Hey, that's a nice shot!

(Photo Credits to The Influencer Network)

I love the one that was presented below! Notice the famous James Bond sign? Yes, they came up with their own version of "James Prawn" story!

And...They eventually emerged as the winning team! Congrats, Dee! :)

(Photo credits to The Influencer Network)

Here's the winner who won the "I am Incredible" apron: -

Thank you Domino's Pizza for hosting the event and having us - and not forgetting that we had such a fulfilling stomach after the event.

What a feast!!

Kinda' hungry just by looking at these photos I took (and its in the middle of the night as I am blogging this! Damn, I hear my stomach grumbling now.... Oh no...)

(Photo Credits to The Influencer Network)

Oh Yes - Here's an example of how a half-half pizza would look like - So interesting right?!

Now you can get to enjoy two different flavors at one go! I REALLY LOVE THIS COMBINATION.

And oh, OH! Here's something I would like to EMPHASIZE on because it is my all-time favorite. In fact, I have been going around and introducing it to all my friends - even guaranteeing them that they will love it as much as I do.

Believe me - You HAVE to try at least once in your lifetime.

Ready...?

Yes... It's their classic CHOCOLATE LAVA CAKE. GOSH #*&$(#&$#!!

I tried so much to take a good photograph of the lava cake - Even went to the extent of inserting my spoon into it to dig out the warm, heavenly chocolate content.

Ok ok, here.. A closer look at it. Can you FEEL it? Soft, warm chocolate cake that literally melts in your mouth...

It was quite a highlight too as many bloggers attempted to get good shots of the lava cake as well. 

And... To express my love for the chocolate lava cake, I took up this sign and posed with it.

Woohooo!~ Make me the Chocolate lava cake ambassador!! LOL.

Here's a group photo of all the bloggers who attended the event: THANKS SO MUCH TO DOMINO'S PIZZA and THE INFLUENCER NETWORK for inviting us!! I had so much fun!!

(Photo Credits to The Influencer Network)

If you are interested to know more about the 2 for $22 pizzas, do check out Domino's Pizza's page at:

http://www.dominos.com.sg/twopizdealoct14.aspx

I think I am going to order the half-half pizzas for my family some time soon - they will be so impressed! HAHAHA.

It's Christmas! Gift ideas, anyone?

December is here, and so is Christmas!

Christmas is here, and so are the presents! *chuckles*

Now, speaking about Christmas... I know you are probably groaning of a headache as it's usually the season of shopping for gifts.

Yes, gift shopping can be a great deal of fun - but it can also be a brain-wrecking task.

Or probably you have something in mind, but you have no freaking idea WHERE or HOW to find that particular item in a physical store.

That's when the world of ONLINE SHOPPING comes in handy.

You know, ever since I got to know online shopping exists, I have relied greatly on it to shop for gifts I have in mind. It can be anything, be it just a coin purse, pouch, bag, etc.

Seriously, the internet has never made shopping easier. The excitement of scrolling through the online catalog with just a click of the mouse, and knowing that the item you've purchased is on the way to your house is just oh-so-thrilling.

I guess I am getting increasingly lazy nowadays that I refuse to get up from my comfy seat anymore. I admit, I do most of my shopping online - and one of the reasons is because I feel that the prices are ALWAYS cheaper.. and in some cases, the quality can be surprisingly better than what you would expect.

As Christmas is just around the corner and I suppose it's also a great *ahem* time so shop for nice stuff for myself at reasonable prices as well, I found myself at the Zalora main site again. (It's always one of the first few sites that I have in mind whenever it comes to online shopping due to its affordable prices and choices!)

I believe many online shoppers are familiar with the company - Even my boyfriend purchased a pair of shoes from them once and I was impressed by its price and quality.

 Hmm. Definitely legit.

I was at their website recently again - and check THAT out! All in the spirit of Christmas!

I love the fact how user-friendly it is. I can filter the price range just so I can view items that are within my budget.

I got so effin' excited just by browsing the catalog as I seemed to love every item I see.

*Note to self: Cannot, cannot. I must practice self-control*

Whether if you are a guy or girl, I believe  Zaloracan help to solve your problem for Christmas gifts. From simple accessories, shoes to even clothing, you will definitely find something that appeals to you.

And if you can't.... Here's a splendid idea to get for your friend and loved ones - E-GIFT CARDS!!

If you are having trouble in deciding what to get for them or worried that they may not like whatever you are buying (since different people have different tastes; unless you are VERY sure of it), it will definitely be one of the best gift ideas! Gifting a gift card is like a wildcard- they are entitled to their favorite item on the site, as long as it's within the given value!

Since Zalora offers such a wide range of items, I believe finding an ideal item isn't a difficult task.

And lastly... ... Not to mention that Zalora is having a sales (UP TO 80%) too - all in the spirit of Christmas~!!

Come on.. It's not often that you are gonna' get such good deals- and you gotta' owe it to Christmas, which is happening only once per year!
So.. Grab that perfect gift, either for yourself or your loved one.... Shopping can never be easier when it comes to using just your mouse to click!!
Shop away now!!

http://www.zalora.sg/christmas/

P/S: Pssst.... One more thing, do you know that signing up with their newsletter will entitle you to a S$10 CASH VOUCHER?! On top of that, you will be able to receive first hand info on their latest deals and promotions!! Awesome much?!?!