MM – Little Things by AHMIR*

The month of August came and left with quite a few challenges, good and bad. Not wanting to dwell on the latter, my focus this post is the good namely the official nuptials of my little brother, which happened to fall on the same date as my birthday.

So it was a double celebration this past Merdeka weekend and though it was a little hectic, all's well that ends well for my brother and his new bride who are now taking a break before resuming preparations for the groom’s side of the wedding reception at the end of this new month.

This joyous end in August calls for a musical start to my first week of September and what better song to feature than the beautiful birthday dedication I received from my Love this year? 

Originally performed by the awesome (yes, I am a fan!) One Direction, this number with a soulful take by AHMIR is one that has recently made it to my Spotify playlist. So here’s sharing this wonderful dedication with my readers. Have a great September people and Happy Music Monday!

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MARIUCA LOVES

Toy Shopping @ Tropicana City

Running late is what I’m all about lately and that includes giving my niece her belated birthday present right before leaving for Monaco, a few weeks after her actual birthday.

Where's my present Aunty Marzie?

Prior to shopping for Issy’s gift, I had spent days browsing through a recommended site called Firstcry, which offers great FirstCry coupon deals and is also Asia’s largest online retailer of baby supplies and kids toys. 

With over 15,000 products from leading international brands like Disney, Barbie and Hotwheels, I was hoping to get some cool gift ideas for my niece. Upon discussing with my sister Mel however, I decided to stick to my initial idea so off we went to Tropicana City Mall to do a little toy shopping for our adorable and oh-so-chatty Issy.

Mel & Oscar

It was good to have Mel’s company that day and she helped me decide which Dino to get for Issy. My super smart niece knows a whole lot of different dinosaur species, which she identifies by name and a little narration of each creature every time I ask her.

How about this?

Jurassic Park collection

 

We stopped by  Brickboy Brothers toy store and as usual the cool toys on display called out for attention! I mean, who doesn’t know Chucky and Master Yoda right? I would love to get the huge Master Yoda for B’s Star Wars collection by the way.

Me and my fave, Oscar the Grouch!

Who do we have here?

Chucky

Fear of Chucky!

Master Yoda

 

We got home and I surprised Issy with her gift. Initially, she seemed a little sad that her Aunty Marzie came over empty-handed but her eyes definitely lit up when she saw the nicely-wrapped box I hid behind my back!

Thank you Aunty Marzie!

What is it?

I love it Aunty Marzie!

Another Dino for Issy's collection

 

Late or not, I hope my gift helped put a smile on her face and judging from her excited reaction, I daresay it did! Happy Birthday Isabella, we love you!

Mariuca ♥ Issy

MARIUCA LOVES

LADY JAVA

Belated Wishes

Is it too late to blog about my Aidilfitri celebration this year? I think not especially since I’ve already prepared my story in draft ages ago!

Raya ang pow

Aidilfitri 2013

Cuteness in Red

Dad & Mom

Where's my Raya ang pow Grandpa?

 

Well, Aidilfitri this year saw me falling sick on the eve of Raya. Nursing a terrible fever and cough, I did feel slightly better halfway through the day but was unable to taste the delicious feast served thanks to a very blocked nose.

Home-made cakes

Pineapple Tarts

My fave this year - Cheese Pineapple Tarts

Rendang & Ketupat

 

Having said that, it was still a pleasure to have celebrated Aidilfitri 2013 with family and friends and after entertaining and mingling with guests, posing for photos and packing loads of cookies and leftover ketupat and rendang to bring home, I was ready to call it a day.

Marzianna & Marzueani with cute Issy

Me with Joanna

BFFs

With the pretty Kelly

Mariuca ♥ B

Happy Hari Raya from Mel & Friends

 

By the weekend, I was feeling heaps better so we graciously accepted my sister’s invitation for Raya dinner at her home in faraway Putrajaya. I was looking forward to sis’ Laksa Johor Chef Wan style, which was a first-attempt recipe for her. I gotta say, the Laksa was delicious and B added to the compliment by saying it was one of the best he ever had!

Yummy Laksa Johor

My adorable niece Isabella was her usual friendly and talkative self and she took me for a tour of her play-room, which was filled with all sorts of kids stuff and toys! The twins had a ball and with so many toys to play with, it’s no wonder that they stayed inside the play-room most of the time.

So huggable!

We want toys!

Fun Time!

Playing Hungry Hungry Hippos

Twin hugs for Uncle B

 

By the way, Issy turned 6 a few weeks back and I still owe her a birthday gift! As usual, I am stuck for ideas. I know she loves and is fascinated with everything dinosaur so I’m thinking one of these will do the trick!

RAWR?

Is it a creative gift you ask? Well, it’s definitely a cool collectible toy and one that I know she’d LOVE but fickle-minded me is still undecided so I’ve been searching for great gift ideas for babies and kids online. 

I found myself with a Firstcry Coupon, visiting Asia’s largest online retailer of baby supplies and toys. Featuring well over 15, 000 products for babies and kids including those from favourite international brands like Hotwheels, Disney and Barbie, you would think I’d be able to get more ideas and finally decide right?

Well, you would be wrong! With so many products to browse through and ooh and aah about at Firstcry, I was truly spoiled for choice and I did end up with some fantastic ideas. However, all the cool toys and children stuff I saw online only made me even more confused and undecided so I’m back at square one!

Issy and Furby

Oh well, for now I will stick to my Dino idea but if I see something cooler when I go shopping tomorrow, don’t be surprised if I end up bringing home something else for my niece. Happy belated birthday Isabella!

 

MARIUCA LOVES

LADY JAVA