Bundle Shops

I recently learnt from my dad about "bundle shops" or "kedai bundle" and basically they are vintage or second hand shops... usually specializing in unique vintage items such as shoes, bags, t-shirts, jeans etc. These bundle shops are usually like treasure troves of items sold at a fraction of the original price. I suppose you can consider them thrift shops as well. They often stock vintage branded items and you can haggle/bargain with the shop owners for a better deal. I couldn't find much information online regarding the location of these shops, I tried searching for newer posts (2012 - 2013) about bundle shops as some of these shops close down or relocate within a few years but couldn't find much info. I've been told that there are many around Ampang, Cheras, Chow Kit areas.

So anyway, I decided that I'll make a post with a list of bundle shops whenever I find/stumble upon them. So I'll constantly be updating this post. (hopefully. haha.) There are some online but it's very different from the physical shops.

Bongkar Vintage Wardrobe

We found a bundle shop near our home in Cheras, located in Bandar Sri Permaisuri. Dad found it online but the address given was wrong so we couldn't find the location. My dad happened to chance upon it when he went to a supermarket near Q-Bistro.

There are two floors, filled with men's jeans, shirts, T-shirts, shoes, denim or leather jackets and accessories like leather belts. Items like jeans are usually arranged according to size so it's pretty easy to find what you want. You can try on the jeans/ T-shirts as well. Some of the clothes looked pretty worn out, some looked new. You need to ask if it's original or not as they do have imitation items there. The seller was pretty honest with us about the origins of the clothes and jeans. Saw a bunch of vintage football jerseys too.

Pretty good collection, though I did not go upstairs. Prices are reasonable and affordable... depending on the item. Some vintage hard to find items are priced above RM200. Other stuff like Uniqlo, Lee, Levi's jeans can be bought for RM50 - Rm130. 

Bongkar Vintage Wardrobe

No. 21 & 21-1, Jalan Dwitasik,

Dataran Dwitasik,

Bandar Sri Permaisuri,

56000 Kuala Lumpur.

017-9824297

(Approx. GPS: 3.09951, 101.71284)

Same road as Q-Bistro, opposite the supermarket.

Bonk's Kuala Lumpur

Bonk's is the sister shop of Bongkar... located close by on the same street, just behind Old Town Kopitiam. Bonk's stocks ladies and children items, however in their second floor they stock some men's leather jackets and some winter wear. I found a small brown leather bomber jacket for RM60 (I think) but didn't get it cos I didn't really like the colour.

You have to take off your shoes before entering the premises, it's pretty small compared to Bongkar. The kid's collection is really cute. There are women's jeans, some handbags, travel bags etc. Saw some Rayban sunnies for sale too.

Lacoste shoes, jeans of various brands arranged by size.

There are more jeans and clothes upstairs if you don't find anything suitable downstairs. The staircase is located outside, beside the shop. Not as extensive a collection as Bongkar but still pretty nice. You can use any of the rooms/ closed space as a make shift fitting room to try on the clothes or jeans. Prices range again depends on the item, same as Bongkar and you can haggle for a lower price. :)

Bonk's Kuala Lumpur

No. 51 & 51-1, Jalan Dwitasik,

Dataran Dwitasik,

Bandar Sri Permaisuri,

56000 Kuala Lumpur.

017-9824297

(Approx. GPS: 3.10049, 101.71299)

Behind Old Town Kopitiam

Cosmobox Dec'12

So the December/Christmas edition of the Cosmobox was very much hyped about and made all us subscribers anxious to receive our boxes to see what's inside. Box Culture even had a special one month subscription just for the month of December. However for all that hype... the box turned out to be a major disappointment to many. :(

Personally I have mixed feelings as there are things I liked and disliked about the Christmas Cosmobox. After receiving my box before Christmas and opening it up on Christmas eve (I couldn't wait. lol.), I went to their FB page and saw many comments echoing the same sentiments. That we all expected so much more from a special Christmas box. While I'm not expecting full sized products in my beauty boxes, I'm very aware I'm subscribing for samples, it would be nicer if the samples felt more "exclusive" or were like the samples in the november box. More deluxe/mini/travel size samples. Sachet samples are just... meh. :(

It gets worse when you compare the Cosmobox with other beauty boxes available (which I'm just only finding out about. darn.) Wonderbox's Christmas edition box looks amazing. Mivva's as well. According to Box Culture they had 6 different combinations sent out... which personally I think isn't a very good idea as people then start comparing boxes and start lamenting about which products they would have rather received. Anyway, here's what came in my December 2012 edition of the Cosmobox. 

Christmas themed greeting card

Product brochures, a YADAH bookmark (very cute, I'm using it already)

The Christmas/December 2012 edition of the Cosmobox.

This I LOVED. I'm a sucker for mini-sized or travel sized products. I find them really convenient to bring around and for sampling this is the perfect size. What more it's a benefit product! Never tried their mascaras before and after using this I'm really liking it! Prolly one of the best items available in the box this month.

benefit | they're Real! Mascara - A mascara that lengthens, curls, volumizes, lifts and separates. This jet black, long-wearing formula won't smudge or dry out. A specially designed brush reveals lashes you never knew you had! (8.5g/RM85)

This little sample looks kinda meh, but I really like it. :) More so because I'm constantly having rashes popping up randomly on my face and I'm a mozzie magnet. I tried it on a mozzie bite I had and it instantly soothed the itch!

I might repurchase this once I finish using my sample, though I do wish they sold it in this size and not the 25g size. I find this size perfect for popping into my cosmetic pouch. :)

*Bisou* Bon Bon | First-Aid Salve - An ointment for elbow graze, insect bites, finger burns, eczema patch and irritating rashes. Infused with antiseptic tea-tree oil, lavender, shea butter, rose hip oil, vitamin E, manuka honey and chamomile. (25g/RM16)

This sample I have mixed feelings about. I've never heard of this brand so I was glad to have a chance to try it out. However I'm not a fan of the sample bottles, only because it's so hard to get the product out. :( I've been trying this toner + emulsion for a few days now, I always have to shake and hit the bottle on my hands to get a bit of product out. It's frustrating. T_T Oh and the BB Cream sachet was leaking. :(

Yadah | Vitamin Toner - Enriched with organic Opuntia Ficus (cactus) to soothe and hydrate the skin. Formulated with orange and lemon extracts filled with vitamins to help refresh, tone and brighten skin. (80ml/ RM49)

Yadah | Vitamin Emulsion - This light matte-fluid when paired with he Yadah Vitamin Toner leaves skin naturally moist, brightened and velvety soft. (80ml/ RM49)

Yadah | Sun Cream SPF40 PA++ - An extremely gentle and light weight waterproof oil-free cream that offers effective protection against harmful UV rays. Natural and organic-based extracts make it less irritating to the skin (50ml/ RM35)

Yadah | Angel BB Cream SPF20 PA++ - A multi-functional makeup base and primer with botanical vitamins and skincare benefits including anti-wrinkle, anti-oxidant, brightening, UV sun protection, moisture and sebum control (40ml/ RM49)

RM10 voucher for purchase over RM50 of Yadah products as StageAsia outlets.

The upside of this sample, is definitely this pouch. haha. Love the illustrations and this is something I can at least reuse and put my other stuff. :)

Prolly the least favourite sample in the box...and the consensus online is the same. The Nov box's SP product samples are so much better. I'm not a fan of sachets like these especially for hair care unless it's meant to be a one time use only product. Cos this gets really messy and you can't really tell if the product is working or not from the few tries you get outta sachets. It also feels like those normal sample sachets I can easily get elsewhere for free.

Sebastian Light | Shampoo - Purifying Sebastians' mind to the notion of clean with the weightless shine shampoo and conditioner (250ml/ RM64)

Sebastian Light | Conditioner - Pro-shine conditioners cleanse and purify the hair's condition for weightless, flawless shine. color safe. (250ml/ RM69)

Sebastian Hydre | Treatment - Intense nourishment formula rehydrates dry, frizzy and chemically treated hair for invigorated silky body and bounce. color safe. (150ml/ RM89)

The box came with two special Christmas items - a hair clip and a red ribbon. Cute gesture to include these items though I haven't found use for the red ribbon yet. The hair clip however, my mom decided to put to good use:

LOL. Hope you had a Merry Christmas! Have a wonderful year ahead! Happy New Year! :)

Ps. I'm thinking of not continuing my Cosmobox subscription after it ends in January. I've subscribed to a month's subscription for Wonderbox and 3 months for MIVVA. Will wait and see if the other boxes are more worth it. :)

♥Di

*pps. This is a personal review. Not a paid/sponsored post. ;)

Cosmobox Nov'12

Received my very first beauty box, the "Cosmobox" by Box Couture today! :D

Cosmobox by Box Couture is supposed to be the Malaysia's "luxury beauty box" subscription, much like the ones available in the US... which I often watch beauty gurus on Youtube reviewing/raving about. I happened to see Box Couture's FB ad and decided to give it a try. :) 

According to their FB page, "Cosmobox by Box Culture brings you the best in premium beauty products. The most convenient way to discover new grooming and beauty products curated by beauty enthusiasts, delivered to your door step monthly."

It's RM33 per month (inclusive of shipping) in subscriptions of 3, 6, or 12 months. Since there was no one month subscription option, I signed up for the 3 months subscription... just to see if this is something I would actually like and benefit from. The idea is that every month, you'll receive a Cosmobox with 5-6 miniatures/sample size beauty products from various brands to try. Each month's items are a surprise so you don't know what you will be receiving.

I like the idea of receiving product samples to try out before I splurge on the full size product... but I don't know if it's something I'd find worth paying RM33 per month for. I guess it'll depend on what other brands are going to be featured in the boxes in the next few months. Will see how it goes after the first 3 months. :)

A note about the packaging. Since the box is shipped via GDex, there's no worries about receiving a damaged/crumpled box (plus point for me). The white box itself is extremely sturdy and very good quality. Something I'll definitely keep to store my other stuff in. The Cosmobox logo is embossed on top of the white box.

First thing that greets you when you unravel the black ribbon is an welcome card (message in front, item details at the back) and a black envelope with some product brochures.

Peel back the pink wrapping to reveal this month's products. I sorta knew what brands were going into this month's box (they revealed clues on the FB page) but had no idea what the products would be. Was pleasantly surprised. All things that I would like to try. :)

Since I forgot to take a pic of the item descriptions on the back of the welcome card, I'll post the details beneath each product pic.

System Professional | Smoothen Shampoo - A soothing hair cleanser with Active Cashmere Complex controls and cares for unruly and coarse hair giving it delightful suppleness while providing anti-frizz protection. (250ml/RM65)

System Professional | Smoothen Mask - An intensive treatment for coarse hair that detangles, calms and controls the hair structure giving it a luxurious suppleness. (200ml/RM100)

ELIE SAAB | Le Parfum, Eau de Toilette - An ethereal fragrance of evanescent orange blossom mingled with a soft, subtle rose honey. An offering of the freshness of the mandarin tree blossom, the round sensuality of the gardenia and the sparkling vibrancy of vetiver.

30ml/ RM180

50ml/ RM278

90ml/ RM378

Revlon | Photoready™ 3D Volume Mascara - A revolutionary mascara designed to give you glamorous, expressive, big volume lashes from every angle. The unique reflecting formula also help lashes look magnified and multiplied. (Full size/ RM39)

YEAP. The Revlon mascara is a FULL SIZE mascara. Woot woot. :D

Origins | Check and Balances™ Frothy Face Wash - A gentle and clever face cleanser that carefully does both jobs by discouraging excess oil production and protecting dry prone zones. (150ml/ RM93)

I'm actually excited to try this...heard many good reviews about Origins products but never had the time to go check them out.

The Nail Shop | 6-Way File and Buffer - The perfect way to create beautifully shaped and highly polished nails. (Full-size/ RM9.90)

There were two vouchers/coupons that came along with the products. One for a free Origins stress relieving Mini Facial and the other to purchase the ELIE SAAB Le Parfum Christmas Set 2012 at a special price.

First impression of the Cosmobox? Not bad at all. :) Can't wait to see what's in store for Dec 2012 and Jan 2013...

In case you're interested to subscribe:

http://www.boxculture.com

https://www.facebook.com/BoxCulture

♥Di

*ps. This is a personal review. Not a paid/sponsored post. ;)

New kid on the block

So the strangest thing happened recently... we actually got ourselves a dog.

Strange because we never thought we would be able to have a dog again...and we have 5 cats in the house...of which my youngest cat Sayang is trying to be friends with the new pup. :)

So here's Chanel! :) She's a Pekingese pup..roughly 3 and a half months old. And I must say she's the definition of cute: ugly but adorable.

And she has super soft cottony fur! ♥

"Hi! I'm Chanel ♥"

We're still working hard to toilet train her... apparently Pekingese are super stubborn/dumb and hard to train. We're just gonna keep trying and give her positive reinforcement. :) It's been 3 days but she already knows her name, can "come" and "sit" (with a tasty treat of course). We're also crate training her and so far she loves sleeping in her crate...hardly whines/barks/howl at night. I'm thankful that she's not the hyperactive, noisy type as we can't afford to have neighbours complaining about her. :(

I haven't had a dog in such a long time... last dog I had was when I was still in secondary school... about 10 years ago. haha. So this experience feels new to me. Very different from having cats who can be litter trained very quickly. And dogs have a distinct smell, unlike cats. But she's so lovable and adorable, so we're gonna keep trying to bring her up well. :)

♥Di

Bestie's Birthday ♥

Went to Hyotan Japanese Restaurant at SS15 for Jacintha's birthday dinner. :) Too bad Gary and Kenny couldn't join us. :( So it was John and the girls that night. haha. All photos here are by the talented pro photographer John Lim! (Anyone needs an event/wedding photographer?)

First time going there for dinner and I must say it's not too bad! It's on the same row as Rakuzen and a few other Japanese restaurants but much further down...not as crowded as the other restaurants which meant parking was a breeze. :D

The menu was kinda hard to navigate...bad layout design...but the service was good and the food tastes good. Some of the dishes we ordered (that came to about RM260+) :

(Sorry Auds :p)

Happy Birthday Tha ♥ :)

♥Di