Baby Items That I Regret Buying...

Now that I'm preparing myself for the arrival of baby number three, I realized that I am not as fussy and thorough at preparing for the baby's arrival. Not that I am not anxious for the new baby, but the main reason being that most items are pretty much hand me downs from AM and AZ. These items are still in good condition and as long as they work, I'm more than happy to reuse them. Save me some money also. I mean baby stuff can be really expensive.

And as I was looking through all the baby stuff in the store room, I can't help but wonder why I bought what I bought. I mean some of them I probably used once or twice only. Such a waste of money. I wish I've done my research before buying all these things. Well, I did actually. I must have let my ''first time mom itch'' taking control over my rational self. So for new moms out there, you might want to continue reading as this might be your life-saver (and your money too).


These are all the items that I regret buying in no particular order...

1. Baby Monitor

If you are living in a palace or a mansion, I don't see why you shouldn't get this. But reality is, most of us don't. During the first year and especially during the first few months, the baby is pretty much glued to me. Even when the baby is in the next room, I can still hear the cries. I don't need a machine to tell me that. And baby monitor is not cheap.

Our baby monitor is pretty much like this. I couldn't find the exact one because it has been ages ago and mine is missing the parent unit. Look so canggih, comes with lullabies lagi. This one cost us RM200++  which is still ok. The price of a baby monitor could go higher especially with the new models equipped with other cool features like camera, room temperatures etc. It could reach RM1k easily. So canggih the baby monitor nowadays that they can also be hacked. Might want to read this also.

So I used my precious baby monitor for a few times before my easily amused husband decided to annoy me with his new-found ''walkies-talkie"


2. Baby Shoes

Credit: Etsy

The baby can't even walk, so why bother. It is as simple as that. Socks should be just fine.


3. Newborn Sized Clothes.

My initial thought was babies can never have enough clothes. It turned out that they can. They grow up so fast that by the time I found that nice purple crochet tutu-dress or that green shirt that matches The Dad, my babies have outgrown them. Especially the onesies or bodysuits. Restrain yourself from buying too many newborn onesies. Purchase more  3-6 mths sized clothes than those for newborns. And with a weather like Malaysia, buy lots of baju lubang-lubang to be worn during the day.

It might not look that stylish, but it sure gives comfort to the baby. There are several brands in Malaysia where you can find this. They are Fiffy, Anakku, Cuddles, Puppy Winks etc. You'll find lots of them at any Aeon Baby Department or any other stores for that matter.


4. Headbands with Giant Flowers.

Credit: Etsy

I  mean, come on look at it. How can you not? The baby looks so adorable wearing it. My baby girl is going to look so divine.....but she hated it. She kept on pulling and tugging them. Haishh....And some of the headbands will leave a circle mark around the baby's head. Made me feel guilty afterwards. But some babies don't even mind about it. Just buy one and test it first. If your baby girl likes them, lucky you. Go ahead and splurge on those gorgeous headbands.


5. Walker

Credit: Amazon

Luckily, I didn't purchase one. Somebody gave it to us as a present. I was still working when I had AM, my first born. We had a full time maid who took care of him. So the maid found it easier to manage AM if he is using the walker. But, putting him in  a walker was my biggest regret and I strongly urge all moms out there to keep the walker away. It is not good for the baby at all. It didn't help with AM motor skills. We realized that he would normally tripped whenever he walked. Alhamdulillah, we opted for the neuro exercises to help strengthen his leg muscle and he has improved a lot ever since. So moms, you can cross out walker from your list.


6. Baby Swing

I hesitated a little bit whether I should put this in the list. You see, ours is this Graco Jungle Baby Swing. AM hated it. He didn't find anything amusing or comforting about it at all. He refused to be strapped in that thing.  He could only spend at most, three minutes?? on it. That was a record breaker for him right there. On the other hand, AZ loved it. If it is her bed time and right after feeding, she could fall asleep within minutes in this swing. Then, we just have to transfer her to her cot and she will be sleeping soundly. But then again this would go on for about a few months only. Once she reached seven months, she decided "No more swing for me."'

So I am not so sure whether I regretted buying it or not. It proved to be useful even for a short period of time. So I am 50/50 on this product.


So yeah, these are most of it. What other baby items that you regret buying? Fee free to share.


P/s: On another note, there will be a baby expo in Mid Valley this weekend. What are you waiting for? Head on there and be sure to shop wisely moms!!!

Farm in the City

This village-themed petting zoo will definitely exceed your expectation!  With more than a hundred species of exotic animals, birds in free-flight, pony rides, white crows, dinosaur turtles and much much more. Visitors are encouraged to feed and pet most of them.  True to its name, Farm in the City, expect various types of tropical fruits and plants. Reminisce the good old days as you watch the kids playing the old-school jongkang-jongket and climb the tree house. Bring out your inner child as you join the kids dredging the 'longkang' fish.

AZ trying her luck. I couldn't help but to also join in the fun. Mind you, the longkang fish were so agile and fast. Didn't manage to catch a single fish. We spent almost half an hour duduk tepi longkang cause you just ....gotta catch ém all.  

  

Most importantly, the trainers there are so friendly and let the kids pat the animals for as many times as they prefer. Some kids are a natural when it comes to handling the animals with their bare hands, some prefer to look from far far away. Let's face it, it takes somebody with a lot of nerves to hold a blue-tongued lizard as big as your arm!
 

Look!!! The goat can stand on two legs.  

The free pony ride if you purchased the family package

We've been here so many times. And the kids are still excited every single time. The entrance fees might be pricey to some but considering the fun and the number of animals that you can pet and interact with, I personally think it is worth every cent that you paid. Don't forget to ask for their family package. (Sometimes don't you just wish that all Malaysian theme parks, museums, animal encounters etc provide membership that gives you unlimited entry for all year long.)

Remember to pack sunnies and caps for the kids. Though there are lots of trees, you just need as much protection as you can. It will be hot and sticky, not that the kids will bother.  You might want to bring the small hand sanitizer as your kids well be touching a LOT of animals and other things also.Wear comfortable shoes and do take lots of photos.

So what are you waiting for?

Entrance Fees

Normal price      : RM48 for adult, RM38 for child 
MyKad holder    : RM32 for adult, RM27 for child

Family Package  : RM116 for 2 adults and 2 children,
-Free 2 Pony Ride for the children
-2 souvenirs for the children
-RM5 discount voucher from Souvenir Shop
-RM10 discount voucher set meal at Restaurant


Opening Hours

Monday	10AM–6PM
Tuesday	Closed

Wednesday	10AM–6PM
Thursday	10AM–6PM
Friday	10AM–6PM
Saturday	9:30AM–6PM
Sunday	9:30AM–6PM

Address

Lot 40187~40188, Jalan Prima Tropika Barat, Bandar Putra Permai, Seri Kembangan, 43300 Selangor
FB : Farm in the City

Tel: +603 8941 2099

What is it about dUCk scarves?

By now, I think most Malaysian ladies are pretty familiar with the dUCk scarves since its launched in 2014. Targeting ''cool and stylish ladies who appreciate a dash of luxury in their lives'' the brand has almost become like a cult to those loyal to it. These proud dUCk owners, who see themselves as true or genuine duckies would go all the way just so they can get a piece of the limited edition(LE) scarves produced.

The dUCk scarves collections range from premium basics to prints and inners. Their premium basics are various materials like Bamboo, Georgette, Jersey, Mixed Crepe, Peachskin and crowd favourites; Satin Silk. While the prints, which are mostly produced in LE are Blurred Lines, Kaleidoscope, KL Scarf, Singapore Scarf, Raya Weave, Mother's Day Scarf and the Eid Songket Scarf. The brand also collaborated with other brands like aere and latest product includes dUCk x Bowerhaus which has been showing in my instagram feeds for weeks.

Credit: Harpersbazaar

Credit:Nst

I'm definitely not what one would call a true duckie since I only have two dUCk scarves in my wardrobe. Nor do I feel at all alienated when people around me are all geared up, ready for the dUCk battle every time the LE is being released. What interest me most is the whole ''dUCk scarves phenomenon'' and people's amazing reactions to it.

1. Pricing
 

Each premium basic can cost you RM130 and RM260++ for prints. The Mother's Day LE Scarves (with twillies) is the most expensive with RM300 for every purchase. (updated: the retail price for dUCk x Bowerhaus is RM400). Reasonable or a tad too much? Who am I to judge? There are several occasions of course when you see some hardcore duckies proudly showing their closet full of dUCk scarves enough to purchase a MyVi!!

2. LE release

Whenever the dUCk team announces the release date, which can either be the night before or the morning of the release, expect a website crash. Major. This has been happening since the earliest LE scarves up to the Eid Songket scarves release. People just went nuts over it. These people were online way before the release time and the product were out of stock (oos) in minutes. I repeat, in minutes. The issues are a) Some products are said to be available but once they are in your cart, they are oos b) Products that are supposedly secured in your cart suddenly, poof, gone. c) The need to refresh your pages throughout the payment process and even when you think you have succeeded, you will soon realize that the scarves are gone d) Some can't even view the website pages. They have to type a specific URL address just to view the said pages. Thanks to the dUCk community in the instagram. 

Here, is when the fights get ugly. People get really angry so some would leave some nasty comments to the dUCk team as well as to the owners of Fashion Valet, Vivy and Fadza. Some would be nice enough to leave suggestions and there are also those who are kind enough to swap or resell the scarves purchased earlier. But I notice that there is always the matter of us and them. Us, the true duckies and them, the personal shoppers (PS). (People like me seems to be unfit anywhere, so we are definitely out of the equation)

Bear in mind that the duck scarves will also be restocked in Fashion Valet store in Bangsar so expect  a major turn up and long queues by true duckies and PS alike. The inability to grab one of the scarves will broaden the gap of these two groups. Each of them accusing the other of their unfortunate situations. PS are there initially to help ease those who would love to own the scarves but they are unable to do so because a) they don't have the luxury of time, fighting the online battle and b) they probably live outside KL so they can't go to the Bangsar store or dUCk store in Pavillion. And because of this they are willing to pay extra charge to these PS. So it is a win-win situation. Undeniably, there are some PS who would charge way too much, double and triple the price and yet there are still those who would agree to pay. So, the true duckies (serius dUCk scarves collectors) are blaming these PS for, I guess, making a business out of people's desperation..? To me, yes and no to some degree.  If there is no demand, there is no supply. Who are we to say that those who are willing to pay even when the price is steep are not true duckies? I mean, maybe that is the only way for them to own one? Maybe, there shouldn't be any limited edition scarves, then everyone can own one. No battle and all are happy. Keep on restocking them like the Mother's Day LE. It will solve the problem. Yet, you'll still see people complaining that the exclusivity is gone when it is no longer LE. So what do they want exactly?

It is simple really. If you get it, good for you. If you don't, it is not your rezeki.

3. The trend

Sometimes, it is easier to let ourselves to be sucked into the "in" thing especially with all things viral at the moment. The"Samyang"maggi, the "Shell Out"eating culture, the Korean made up face, the I want the same indoor plant in my living room, the dUCk scarves etc. Go ahead and experience all that. Just remember to not let all these define you just because you want to fit in or stay current. Celebrate your own you. And be you!!!!

So what are your thoughts? Feel free to share.

Why I don't do flat lay?

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Credit: Pinterest

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Don't get me wrong. I love great flat lay pics. I'll go ooohhs and aaahhs most of the time I see them. But flat lay seems to despise me. You see there are several key elements in producing a great flat lay shots and  here is why I suck big time.

1. Lighting

Flat lay is all about getting that soft, natural light. So I guess the best time to take the pics is early in the morning or in the middle of the day. Morning? Pfffttt... Good luck with the kids ever so excited telling me to hurry up or they'll be late for school. Or is it the other way around?

2. Backdrop

So you need to have a really simple backdrop that brings the attention to your products. So we are talking about wooden tabletop, white surfaces, nice tiles or fluffy rugs here. My biggest problem is to find a CLEAN one for that matter.

3. Organization

Flat lay means you need to plan ahead of time how you are going to place all the items so they all look effortlessly put together. It'll look crowded if you put them too close. You seriously don't want to overdo it. Nor would you want to look as if you are not putting enough effort at all. The balancing part is really putting me off. I'm having trouble to balance my life already.

Credit: snobfashionblog

4. Content

Should I do flat lays on my outfits? Oh yeah, people, you need to see my worn black flats (but they are the comfiest I promise), my blue jeans or baggy slacks (depending on which one I see first), my blue sling bag (so my two hands are free in case my kids need some extra care), my crumpled tudung (they are most of the time the instant one, where you don't need to belit-belit...haishh so effortless kan) or my shirt/tunic dress/jubah (only the one that is crease free and no need to iron maa).

Hmm what about that nice fluffy roti telur that I ate this morning at mamak. Maybe I should flat lay that together with the creamy teh tarik, perfectly served on the bright orange table. Talk about some nice colour palette. Nah.... When I see food, I just devour them straight away.

But I'm not giving up without a try. So here is my best attempt at flat lay after considering all of the above. But I add convenience as the fifth key element as you can see below.

I saw the mess on the kids' table and decided to take advantage out of it.  Would normally push them all in a box, but hey let me do a flat lay instead. Lighting- Yup, it is a bit off. I've opened all the windows, in my defense. Backdrop-white table ticked. Organization- I'm not going to rearrange them and question my kids imagination. It's a war zone down there. Content- My everyday battle.

Now you know why I don't do flat lays.

Why the need for blog?

Most moms can relate to me when I say we all need our ME time. And I guess this blog is my sacred place, my shrink, my savior, my hidden secret, my crossed item from the bucket list, my proclamation to liberty, my I-can-do-whatever-my-heart-desires, my reminder to be happy with what I have sort of thing. 

I realize that I am here to say it out loud and proud that I am far from perfect and I should cherish all of my imperfections.