For Gooding Sake! » Shopping

Day 204 – Krispy Kreme Donuts and NZ MAF Biosecurity

mrsgooding — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 11:10:55 +0000

If you are familiar with New Zealand’s Biosecurity regulations, you will be able to appreciate my happiness in finding out that the longed for, craved for, Krispy Kreme donuts can be brought into the country without a problem!

Well, I wasn’t sure the donuts were allowed but I just had to try.

On my recent trip to Melbourne, I bought a 3 x half-dozen boxes of these creamy delights!

and like I said, no problem at all when I arrived in New Zealand.

As long as you declare the food items you have and present it to the MAF officials at the airport, you shouldn’t encounter any difficulties. They’d either let you in or tell you to bin the item.

So guess what I’m going to be buying and bringing into the country every month? Goodbye diet! LOL

Unlike

Popular Posts:

WE RECOMMEND: Plush Baby NZ

TheGoodings — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 00:08:13 +0000

No, before you ask – we are not pregnant nor did we just adopt a baby. It doesn’t mean though that I don’t check out maternity and baby stores online for pressies for my friends and family who are expecting and those who have little bubs.

If you are pregnant, have a baby or you are looking for that perfect gift for someone, we definitely recommend you check out Plush Baby NZ.

Why do we recommend Plush Baby? Because we know the owner, Angela Day. Ange used to work for us before moving to Wellington and until now, we haven’t found the right person to replace this wee gem! That’s how great she was!

Check the rest of this post because at the bottom, I’ll let you know how you can win more than $10,000 worth of prizes!

Ange looked after us really well at Shannon’s Way and I can say without a doubt that Ange will ensure that the quality of the goods she sells are A+, the prices are affordable but we also know that she will look after your needs as a customer.

Plush Baby is an online retail store that specialises in maternity lingerie and clothing, babywear and accessories.

Some of the brands you will find include:

gorgeous NZ made HOTmilk Lingerie
Seraphine maternity jeans
Nearly Nude underwear
Oobi and
Tip Toey Joey to name a few.

Plush Baby also have their own line of ‘belly bands’ which are a definite ‘must have’ accessory for mums to be – they solve so many pregnancy wardrobe issues by enabling you to wear your pre pregnancy clothes longer and get you back into pre pregnancy clothes sooner.

The Plush belly band is also perfect for covering your belly during breastfeeding so you feel less exposed. Other products on the site are their best selling maternity leggings, baby hair accessories, leg warmers, petticoats and more.

Plush Baby is a relatively new business and is adding to its product range all the time; they are open to any suggestions or requests if you can’t find a particular product. Their customer service is very good and they provide an easy return and exchange system so you can shop with confidence…….plus your order will arrive beautifully gift wrapped so you will feel extra spoilt!

Do you want to follow Plush Baby? Go visit their blog and join their Facebook Page

You can win $10,000 in prizes!

Did you know that Plush Baby has recently been nominated in the Kids Fashion Review Style Awards for 2010 in the category for NZ’s Online Kidswear Retailer – PLEASE VOTE FOR PLUSH BABY!

By voting in this competition you automatically go in the draw to win one of many prizes worth over $10,000 – definitely worth checking out!Popular Posts:

SELLING: Genuine Louis Vuitton Ebene Damier Hampstead PM Tote Bag

mrsgooding — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 00:33:45 +0000

Yes, the rumour is true. It is with a heavy heart that I am selling one of my Louis Vuitton bags! It has to happen one day, I suppose.

Does this mean my baggaholic days are over?

Of course not! I just bought a bag last week which I will blog about next week. It was bought for a special occasion

Why am I selling this bag? Well, when Simon and I decided to send Bea to a private school for her secondary education here in New Zealand, I promised the Hubby that I’d curb my spending and not buy a bag this year (next year? who knows!)

So if I indulge in another bag this year (have you noticed how I’ve stressed that I only promised the Hubby that I won’t buy a bag THIS YEAR? LOL), I have to let one go.

This was not something Simon imposed on me.

Investing on our daughter’s education is SIGNIFICANTLY MORE IMPORTANT than my bags. No matter how much I love my designer handbags, the welfare of our daughter and our family would ALWAYS trump any material obsession I may have.

It’s a simple fact.

So yes, Internet….I am selling one of my pre-loved bags. My “loss” is another one’s gain. If you are a Louis Vuitton virgin or a serial luxury handbag collector, then you will have no regrets owning this bag. I sincerely hope this bag goes to a lovely home.

I love this bag because unlike LV’s Monogram collection, this bag does not scream “I’m a Louis Vuitton bag!” from a mile away. This bag is subtly elegant. One wouldn’t know it’s an LV unless someone is familiar with the Damier design OR until one inspects closely.

That’s just the way I like my bags. I hope you like it too

This bag is currently listed on New Zealand’s TradeMe auction site. Please go to the listing for further details about the bag.

If you are from outside NZ and interested in this bag, you can email me privately on mrsgooding(at)gmail(dot)com

Unlike

Popular Posts:

Days 175 to 178 (24-27.06.10) – Friends + Shopping = Fun in Melbourne!

mrsgooding — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 11:35:30 +0000

PJAANAD4NZ55

It’s been so long since I went away on a trip overseas with a girlfriend. The last time was a 5-day trip to Singapore in 1999 with my good friend, Kathy. That was before I got married!

Sure, I went away with friends within and around New Zealand in the last 10 years or so but they were mostly sight-seeing trips and while I enjoyed these trips immensely, going overseas with a friend with nothing planned but a few days of shopping can also be heavenly.

No guilt feelings that the hubby and daughter were getting bored out of their minds while I shopped till I dropped during this trip. I had the perfect shopping companion in Arlynn.

As I go to Melbourne a week a month for work, we thought it’d be nice if Arl joined me towards the end of the work week I’d be in Melbourne in June for a few days of shopping, girl talk and shopping.

This girls’ shopping trip is also extra special as Arlynn is a friend I just recently became close to and this recent trip helped cement a new friendship which I hope would last a lifetime

So, what did Arl and I get up to the last few days?

Food galore!

We had lunch at Le Triskel – a French Creperie in Hardware Lane in the Melbourne CBD. The staff were arrogantly French but the crepes were to die for. WIf you plan to go there make sure you have cash as they don’t accept credit card payments.

We also had yummy Bavarian food at Cuckoo Restaurant in Mt Dandenong; brunch at Lindt Cafe, coffee at Starbucks, yum cha dinner at Yum Cha Dragon BBQ Restaurant (the only yum cha dinner service in Melbourne) and a meal at a pizza and pasta restaurant in Docklands. It was great that my friends were also able to join us. We had so much fun!

Arl and I also explored Melbourne’s Crown Casino where I taught her how to play Black Jack and in exchange, Arl shouted me a giant Strawberry Daiquiri. I loved it! I’m not too sure if it’s good for my liver but I’ve been good for so long since my medical misadventure that I thought I deserve this treat

If you’re thinking of where to dine in Melbourne, I highly recommend these restaurants and eateries! I’d have loved to take Arl to other food places in Melbourne but we ran out of time!

Shopping at Australia’s Fashion Capital, the city of Melbourne!

Bourke Street Mall, Melbourne Grand Central, Chadstone Mall, stores in Crown Casino Towers and Collins St. We were going to explore the shops along Chapel Street too but ran out of time so that has to be something I plan to check out on my next trip.

And no, I didn’t buy the iPad. I did visit the Apple Store in Chadstone because I just had to see the iPad in person. It’s not available in NZ yet. How sad is that? My friends were right though, the iPad looked like a giant iPhone!

Girl talk and bonding! – Arl is one of those friends that is so easy to talk to and who’s got lots of stories to share. We spent the whole time chatting about anything and everything under the sun! It was soooo good! Who needs therapists when you’ve got friends like Arlynn you can share your secrets and innermost thoughts with?

A tour of the must-see places around Melbourne CBD

We went to Federation Square, Royal Exhibition Building, Docklands and Flinders train station on our last day in Melbourne.

Melbourne is lucky to have the tram as it made touring the city so much easier.

The trip was also made extra fun with the chance to catch up with my good friends based in Melbourne and meeting new ones too. I love meeting new people!

Thanks for a lovely shopping trip Arl. I enjoyed it and I look forward to our next holiday together! Maybe this time with our lovely hubbies and Bea, of course!

Re-booking my new flights online at the Melbourne Airport

The only downer of this trip? My flight back to Christchurch got cancelled so I had to stay an extra night in Melbourne. Oh well!

I wasn’t happy with the way my airline, Air New Zealand handled the cancellation and the story about that requires a separate blog post.

Unlike

Popular Posts:

Day 174 (23.06.10) – I thought Bags were my only downfall

mrsgooding — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 11:57:59 +0000

You can rightfully conclude that I’m not just a baggaholic, I’m starting to become a shoe-a-holic as well. No point in “praying” the Shopaholic’s Prayer eh?

Presenting my latest purchase.

My new babies will be right at home with their siblings I bought this pair from the same shop in Melbourne ages ago.

If you happen to be in Melbourne, make sure you visit Siricco – seriously, they have great discounts on designer shoes and other stuff.

I don’t check out the leather bags, jackets and such. They are mostly heavily discounted especially if the items are from the past seasons.

I am meant to be saving but I just couldn’t resist these wee cute puppies. PLUS, they were heavily discounted. I have said already, haven’t I?

I TRY not to buy designer shoes full price so when I do get a bargain, I am very very happy!

My boots are stored in another cabinet.

I know my collection is not much compared to other serious shoe-a-holics BUT I think I really need a Shoe Room. Seriously.

Or perhaps a shoe and bag room? Maybe in our next home.

Yeah, dream on, Christine, dream on….

PJAANAD4NZ55Popular Posts:

Day 168 (17.06.10) – A Shopaholic’s Prayer

mrsgooding — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 04:31:05 +0000

I’m working out of our Melbourne offices the whole of next week.

Melbourne is a mecca for shopaholics like me. And I can’t indulge (too much). I have made a promise to myself that I will *try* to be frugal this second half of 2010.

For this I pray:

Armani who art in Hermes,
Hallowed be thy Gucci.
Thy Rolex watch, thy Prada bag,
On Collins St, as it is in Tiffany’s.

Give us this day our Visa Platinum,
And forgive us our overdraft,
As we forgive those who declined our Mastercard
Lead us not into Louis Vuitton, and deliver us from Balenciaga
For thine is the Chanel, the Gaultier, and the Versace, For Dolce and Gabbana…
Amex.

Lifted from MrsFabulosity (I did change some brands that were not included in the “prayer”)

Unlike

Popular Posts:

Day 127 (07.05.10) – Latest FIND: Call us the UGG Girls

mrsgooding — Fri, 07 May 2010 07:31:50 +0000

Well, you’re allowed as long as you don’t add -LY after UGG. LOL!

I finally succumbed to the call of the UGG Boots.

Truth be told, I didn’t want to buy a pair of shoes (or anything for that matter) just because they’re the “in” thing. I wanted to buy something that I see the value of, either value in aesthetic, sentimental or financial.

This time, just like KFC’s mashed potato and gravy which I grew to love in time (after being exposed to it in Uni for years!), I fell “in like” with the UGG Boots….it just took me 3 years to do so.

I think I was heavily nagged, err, influenced by Bea on this matter.

So there I was at the UGG Boots Shop in Melbourne and was about to buy a pair for Bea..

But then, a thought struck me. Why can’t I buy a pair for myself too!?!

So I did I didn’t buy the same style as what I gave Bea. That would’ve been too weird. LOL

What’s nice about UGG Boots?

They’re uber-comfortable. I love the feel of sheepskin on my skin. Plus over the years, the makers of UGG Boots have come up with stylish designs. I didn’t want to wear a pair of shoes outside that looked like winter slippers.

I also bought a leather spray protector that I used prior to wearing my UGGS. Makes them last longer.

What are the ways you can wear the UGGs?

You can wear them with just a bit of the sheepskin showing or none at all.

Or fold them away from you like the one pictured above. Bea did say I looked like a dwarf wearing my UGGS with the sheepskin showing. LOL. I think I do too but whatever! I like it.

When is it not kosher to wear UGG Boots?

When it’s wet outside (you don’t want to ruin the soft leather. Trust me.) and you don’t wear them to formal occasions.

Please. That would be a a fashion-epic failure.Popular Posts:

Day 113 (23.04.10) – Have I told you I’m a Baggaholic?

mrsgooding — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 21:30:42 +0000

Oh yes I am. I love my bags. I love them dearly.

I love them dearly because my bags are dear. Literally.

My fascination with bags started when I was 9 or 10 I think.

Even at that age when I had no mobile phone or money that I could call my own, I always had a shoulder or hand bag as a fashion accessory.

I didn’t care that all I had inside were play money from playing Monopoly all day long

My fascination with bags stayed with me….well, until the present time, really.

But I was in my freshman year at University when I fell in love with designer bags.

Not the Guess, Nine West or Lacoste brands of this world. No….I discovered the real deal. Luxury handbags all the way!

I was 17 years old when I first clapped eyes on a genuine Louis Vuitton bag. My best friend took it to University. She had a Louis Vuitton handbag and we were barely out of our teens!

So I fell in love with Mr. Vuitton at a tender age of 17. No man has ever captured my heart the way Mr. Vuitton did.

And there was no looking back.

That was in 1990. It was not until 17 years later that I was able to afford my very first Louis Vuitton handbag.

And yes, because my Husband loves me so much, he also bought a bag shelf to house all my bags.

I normally have the LV bags in their dust bags but took them out of their dust bags for the purpose of taking this photo

I thought the obsession will stop after I “acquired” (I call it “investment”!) the first bag (the black one in the photo above) but it didn’t.

So I saved up some more and bought another one. And another one. And another one.

And another one.

Yes, that is why they call this an obsession.

While others “invest” on high-end wrist watches, golf clubs, their vino collection or their yachts, expensive gears for their cycling or mountaineering or scuba diving hobbies, I invest on my beloved bags.

Because I consider my bags investments, they are all well looked after. Each bag has fillers to ensure they retain their shape.

They’re also insured.

I take each bag out of their dust bags and check them out from time to time. I didn’t want my bags thinking I’m neglecting them or anything.

Oh and yes, I keep all the boxes (and the paper bags!) the bags came in to. Just in case. Yes, I admit…I’m a hoarder too!

All my bags have their own nicknames. I won’t divulge here though. Coz then you think I’m really crazy! LOL

Me at the Louis Vuitton Christmas cocktails for "special" customers.

What about you? What is your ‘obsession’ in life?

AD:
You might like this bag organizer:

Classic Mommy Transfer Bag – Pink Stripe

Unlike

Popular Posts:

Day 104 (14.04.10) – Our Love Affair with Mr. Apple

mrsgooding — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 22:11:29 +0000

I wish I can tell you that Bea and I love apples. We don’t. Well, we like the fruit but not as much as other fruits like mangoes, melon, peaches, banana and such.

However there is one fruit of a geeky fruit that we do love. One geeky fruit that dominates our day without which we find it hard to breathe (exagg).

Like mother, like daughter.

Yes, well…Bea and I love our Apple – if it’s the kind of apple that graces all our lovely techy gadgets. We love Apple so much that at a recent family trip to the US, we had to visit the Apple Store in New York.

A trip to the Big Apple would’ve been a total waste if we didn’t visit Mr. Apple’s flagship store. Going into the store was like coming home to the hot, humid tropics of Manila – the store was FULL of people, it was crowded, noisy, hot….but everyone were happy as Larry just playing with the gadgets.

We didn’t get to go into the store’s circular lift — queue was way too long.

Anyway…..what have we got?

We have the Macbook and Macbook Pro.

The iPod shuffle.

The iPod Nano.

The iPod Touch (2nd gen)

The iPhone

what’s next on our list?

The iPad?

Not sure yet. I’m not a big e-book reader but the tablet-like feel of the iPad is appealing. I don’t know.

I just feel it’s too much and can’t see why I want it given that I have my iPhone and my Macbook Pro BUT I may eat my words and buy one, probably the 2nd or 3rd generation release.

Who knows?

Unlike

Popular Posts:

Day 54 (23.02.10) – Say Hello to my new baby

mrsgooding — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 10:04:06 +0000

Whew!! My Day 52 Project 365 entry was way too serious and melodramatic. I think it’s time to mix it up with some light and fun news

Say hello to the newest member of my techy gadget collection, my new MacBook Pro. I’ve been lusting after this since it came out last year and after I was able to “play” with this mean machine on my last visit to an Apple Store during my recent US trip.

It is love at first sight indeed!

Check out the specs! woot woot!

2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM – 2×2GB
250GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
MacBook Pro 15-inch Anti-Glare Widescreen Display
Backlit Keyboard (English) / User’s Guide (English)

I’ve only been using my new laptop for a day and a bit after migrating all my files (thank God for FireWire and our good friend, Paul W for helping me out!) from the old laptop but I can see the big difference in performance in terms of speed, quality of the graphics and sound.

I’m no tech whiz by any standard but I have used most computer brands available in the market (HP, Dell, Compaq, IBM, Acer) since the very first one I owned back in 1993 so I’m no ignorant luddite either.

So far, Apple’s Mac is the only one that satisfied my “computing” needs

I love the way my new Mac effortlessly handles all the switching I do from one application to the other. I tend to have multiple applications and web pages open at any given time and this baby is handling it beautifully. Just beautifully.

Can’t you tell I’m hopelessly, utterly in love?

Sorry, I know it’s pretty sad to get this excited about a computer but if there is an item in your life that you use ALL THE TIME whether for work or leisure then for me, it has to be my Mac

I made the switch from PC to Mac in early 2007 and I never looked back.

It’s time to say goodbye to my old love, my 2007 Macbook Pro which I intend to sell. I’ve offered it to a true geeky friend of mine and he’s still thinking about it. If he decides not to buy it then off to TradeMe this my old love goes

Unlike

Popular Posts: