Inspector gadget on the prowl again!

Am looking for a compact camera to take lovely photos of our new baby. Yea sure I got a DLSR, but I don’t want to be lugging that around together with a diaper bag, stroller and of course my own fancy handbag :P A little bit too much baggage to carry around.

So what am I looking for in a compact camera? Simply good high ISO capabilities. What does this mean? It just means that I can take good, sharp, no noise (no grains) photo at low lighting conditions without firing the flash. Yes people, this is what you should be looking for if you don't want to use your flash. Don't fall for those non-shake marketing gimmicks. Chances are those will produce pictures that are very yellow. So what is a good high ISO capability? Your camera should be able to take sharp and low noise images at ISO 1600. This is a typical ISO for a good low indoor lighting shot. Canon is a champion with this feature and other makers are fast catching up.

I narrowed down my search to two cameras. The Lumix DMC TZ7 and the new Canon S90.

The Lumix has super wide angle, high ISO capabilities and easy to use. Just put on auto, disable the flash, and it takes excellent pictures. It has no manual functions but plenty of scene modes. It has HD video quality! The LCD screen is huge but the camera as a whole is pretty large too. But the grip is nice. Price is RM1,599.

The Canon S90 is a new camera. Just out into the market maybe only a few weeks ago. It has excellent high ISO capabilities up to ISO 3200. It has manual functions and its aperture can go down to an impressive 2! That is impressive for a compact camera. Also, just set to auto, disable the flash and its good to go. The camera itself looks a bit boxy and not that stylish. Its very gadgety as it can do a ton of things. Sadly, its video is not HD. Price is RM1,799 at one shop but RM 1,599 at another! A tie with the Lumix!

Initially I thought the Lumix would be a whole lot cheaper than RM1,599 as it was launched in March 09. But since I can get the Canon at the same price, I might as well get the Canon!

Maybe I will wait a few more months and see if the price drops. Baby is due in March 2010 anyways.

I am a gadget freak

Of late I've over indulged myself with luxuries, namely in the category of gadgets.I am a gadget freak. I can't explain why, I just love them. Maybe its because I feel in control when I have my gadgets.

OK, about 4 months back, I bought a Nikon D80. I've been wanting it for quite a while, so I thought I get it. After consulting my bank accounts, credit card bills... I thought, OK, I got room for this one. So I got it. Nikon D80 kit, speedlight SB600 and a Manfrotto tripod. Yup, I got the whole shebang.

And then I thought I would be happy. Noo........ I felt that itch again. I was itching for a Macbook. Actually I've been itching for it for quite a while too. Again back to the bank accounts and credit card bill..... OK, I got some itsy bitsy room for one more. Hint: those 0% instalment things are great!!

So now I am content and happy with my new range of toys. Keeps me busy and occupied while hubby is away on his business trips.

By this time, I am a big fan of Mac. I mean, after using a Mac, I could not face using any other kind of computers! Its dam cool! So to complete my Mac family, I bought the iphone 3G. This time, I did not consult my bank accounts nor my credit card bills.

I figured ok, I need to sell something to payback some of the stuff I bought. So I decided to sell all my Canon stuff. Yup all of them and convert fully to a Nikon. Well the original plan was to get the D90 with the proceeds and perhaps a wide angle lens. Will see how. The second value is great! And to date, I've sold off everything except for my speedlight. Yea I think I will get the wide angle lens. I'll get the D90 later.

Now, consumed with excitement and guilt all in one,  I have all my toys and gadgets to keep me busy and occupied.  At least I hope this is the last of the gadgets I will buy this year!

The fridge

Currently am in the market for a new fridge. The one we have at home is far too small and can’t fit most of our junk food, oops I mean fresh vegetables, meat and such.

As mentioned in one of my previous post I’ve always wanted a side by side door one. Just because it looks cool. I like how everything is neatly compartmentalized. I like how the freezer is full length and not just at the top bit of the fridge.

This particular one is 580L, and I thought WOW its huge. Price is RM4,399.

 

And then I saw this one. Its called the top mount type.

A whole lot cheaper and a whole lot bigger! A whopping 700L! Price is RM 3,399!

The auntie working at Best Denki told me, “you can put very big pot in one” and I thought, why would you want to put the whole pot into the fridge?? Then it dawned on me that the space is much bigger than the side by side door one. The capacity of the fridge maybe the same, but this one is wider. Indeed you can put a big pot in one!! Notice the black square bit? Its a soft touch ice bar. Quick access to ice cubes.

 And now to raise the funds to get it.

As usual, donations are open. All proceeds shall go to my refrigerator fund.

Many thanks

Btw also *cough* it matches my microwave oven :D

 

 

 

I love Anya Hindmarch!

I love Anya Hindmarch!, originally uploaded by Selinz.

I got these babies from Jakarta and they were DIRT cheap!! Would have gotten more but I had to save the money for Zurich.

So gals, if u want Anya Hindmarch stuff, go to ITC, second floor. The shop is somewhere in the right of the escalator, kinda hard to explain exactly where as the place is like Sungai Wang Plaza.

A girls day out

You probably won’t believe it but last Sunday was my first time at the Pavillion. And I loved it!

June and I decided to have a girly Sunday eating and shopping. So we started the day by having brunch at La Bodega. I had the English breakfast set. My favourite! I usually have scrambled eggs, sautéed mushrooms and baked beans. The set comes with a coffee and juice. June had the eggs benedict.

With tummy’s full, we headed in for our mission. Shopping!!

I wanted to get wedges. Weaved wedges to be exact. So we explored Parkson, Tangs, but found nothing I liked, but we tried on lots of other shoes. There was this cool clutch bag that want. It was an evening one, but since I have no fancy/posh dinner parties to attend, I decided not to get it.

We drifted towards the lingerie section at Tangs. Guess what… they have costumes there!! I mean, kinky costumes. Firewoman, lady santa, nurse, nauty office mate, and lots of different body suits. All very very sexy! But they are soooo expensive. The costumes costs around RM300. Too much for me. My dreams of becoming a stripper will just have to wait :P

I LOVE the changing room! Its really cosy with lots of plush velvet seats. June and I had fun trying on all sorts of lingeries. I ended up buying a pair on impulse. The most expensive I have ever spent on underwear!

After that we decided to eat again. We headed off to The Loaf. I did not know that they are famous for their cheesecake! There were lots of ppl buying boxes of 6 with all different flavours and sharing them with the whole family. Besides that the pastries looked yummy too. June picked out 2 types of chocolate pastries and a chocolate cheesecake. Everything chocolate. And you wonder why I gained weight??

Needless to say everything was yummy. I usually don’t like pastries. But these were exceptional! Very light, crispy and not too buttery. The chocolate cheesecake was the soft kind. Not too rich or sweet, just nice. Very very yummy.

With tummies filled yet again, and gossips updated, we headed back in again.

More walking and more exploring. We tried on hair accessories, make up, more shoes, looked at handbags.

We spent almost 5 hours there and we only covered 2 floors. And I did not find the wedges I wanted. I am too picky when it comes to shoes.

We had lots of fun. Just a simple girls day out. Will definitely do it again.

Thanks for the great time June!!

Shoes

What is with women and shoes you might ask? Like, how many do they need??

Well... as many to match the outfits we have!

When you get a new outfit, you look for matching shoes.
At times of boredrom or depression, you buy shoes.
When you get your pay, you buy shoes.
For no apparent reason, you buy shoes!!

And when you've got all the shoes you need( though we never get to this stage) you look for matching handbags.

Same reasons as above.... you get a handbag.

So whats your favourite IT bag. I happen to like oversized bags. So I look smaller :) If I get those little ones, where you can only fit your credit card, it makes me look huge. So huge bags, for huge girls :)

Brands. Am not very particular with brands. When it comes to shoes, it just has to be comfortable. Though a shortie would opt for those 3 inch ones, like those at Nine West or Zara, my poor ankles can't take the torture. I am rather cheapo, so Vincci is one of my favourite haunts. But I do want to treat myself to an expensive pair for once. Maybe I go get one from Zara. High end designers like Ferragamo and Channel, will have to wait until I become CEO or something.

For handbags, I am willing to splurge. Yes I will buy branded ones, and yes I will break my budget for the month for one.

OK clothes.... (gosh I always digress from my title). For some reason, I love Zara. I love going in there and browse. Even though I don't buy anything, I just love looking. Right now they have their spring collection in oready! I wish I could BUY EVERYTHING! Droooools. Most of all, I wish I had ocassions to wear them! They've got LOVELY tops to go with jeans, gorgeous dresses, party and casual alike, great work wear. I want them ALL!

I got to get my head out of the clouds and get my ass back to work now.

My kitchen sink

My kitchen sink at the apartment I rented out is in shambles. Water had damaged the counter top, causing the cupboard to get wet and warp. So I have to change it.

Am I’m thinking, if I replace the countertop and cupboard with a new one, and the apartment is being rented out, the tenant is not going to take good care of it and its going to get all damaged again. The quotation I received to replace it is RM1500!

Another option is to replace it with the aluminium sink / table thing at Ikea. Ala… the one that looks like an aluminium table but with a sink moulded into it. According to my SIL, it cost several hundred RM je. Plus it looks quite funky, and of course, its more long lasting.

So the choice is pretty obvious. But now I have to look for a handyman who would remove the old, damaged sink and cupboard, replace with the Ikea one and do the piping.

Like I’ve elaborated in one of my previous posts…… who on earth do we call for a handyman?