Aunty in wonderland. Come, let TTW show you her top picks from Daiso.

 

"I will pop into Daiso and get that one item I need... says no one ever" - quote from my wise friend, N.

If you are located in a country with access to Daiso, you will probably agree with that statement. 

 

If you do not know what Daiso is, or have never been to one...

source: www.catster.com

 

(sad face) Awwww....I'm so sorry to hear that. 

Daiso, in summary, is a Japanese chain of 100yen stores (in Singapore, its S$2) that sells everything under the sun. And I do mean, everything. They also bring in new items frequently to keep you coming back (like drug like that, really).

 

I visit Daiso at least once a week (which inn my opinion, is an acceptable frequency) to get my household necessities, snacks, stuff that I didn't know I need until I see them. There have been many "OMG, where have you been all my life" moments at Daiso.

 

I don't know how many items a typical Daiso store carry. But having been a brand manager in my previous life, all I can say is,  'Boy, I really don't want to be doing forecasting for their SKUs". Daiso Forecast Manager/ Operations team, I salute you. But hor, sorry, there are some lapses at times leh.

With a million and one items in their store, you might find yourself disappointed when you return for your favourite item, only to find it out of stock.... forever.....*echo trails * ever... ever... errr.

Case in point - my favourite dishwashing brush (bottom left pic) , purchased a year back. I am down to my last pack of replacement brush heads. After I'm done with them, I will be left with the handle (bottom right). Then how? Daiso, you tell me how? What am I supposed to do with a stick? Play fetch with my cat is it?

Did you mention me? Do I look like I can be arsed to play fetch with you? 

But I digress...
The point I was trying to make - always, always stock up when you find something you like.

Back to TTW's list of most awesomest Daiso items.  

Entering the danger zone.

 

1) Microwaveable instant rice

This belongs to the ''OMG where have you been all my life category". 2 minutes in the microwave and voilà, perfect Japanese rice. I can sense the health nuts going ballistic upon reading this. Yes, I know, I know... I will probably get cancer from eating this at some point. (On my deathbed - Doctor looking at the clipboard, shaking his head grimly "it is not looking good. It is probably due to all the instant rice she has consumed over the years").

But till then, this item will be a mainstay in my kitchen.

It took me a long time to try this item, cause I thought it looked kinda dodgy in the past. After consuming many packs of this, I'm happy to report that there are no side effects. yet.

 

 

 P.s. Meidi-ya sells this same brand of instant rice at twice the price. yes, score!! Sorry, the auntie in me needs to celebrate.

 

 

1) Cotton Pads -

 

Daiso stocks a good selection of cotton pads. Don't know which one to get? Fret not, TTW is here. I've evaluated each brand of cotton pad by two criteria, 1) country of origin (made in Japan still holds a premium over the made in China ones), 2) quantity. So yeah, go with the Good Puff. It is made in Japan and has 160 puffs in total, that is 10 more than the rest of the brands, which typically contains only 150 pieces. Do I spend too much time in Daiso? Hell yeah.

3) Cotton Buds - Shower type

 

Not just any regular normal cotton buds, mind you. It is the cotton buds - shower type . I think other Daiso shoppers have latched on to this fantastic cotton buds, cause it was totally out of stock in my last visit. This disappears really fast from the shelves. Luckily, I am a seasoned Daiso shopper (remember advice) and I've got 3 of these at home *smug smile*.  

 

You know how you get out of the shower and the feeling of wet ear canals is just ewww... With a normal cotton ear bud, you kinda have to wiggle it about and even then, it seems as though your ears are still as well as ever? That feeling is kinda meh (or is it just me).

The shower cotton bud has extra thick and bouncy tips. so using them after shower is super shiok.

 

It is extremely challenging to describe shiok to a non-Singaporean, but I think Calvin does a pretty good job in this strip -

 

(Bonus Learn Singlish section for my non-Singaporean readers ) - Calvin, kenna a mosquito bite. It was very itchy, but he tahan and never scratch. But then hor, he tahan until buay tahan anymore. He scratched and scratched and scratched. It felt so damn shiok.

 

I'm so enamoured with this cotton bud that I did a picture comparison of it with a regular cotton bud.

 

4) This particular snack

Japanese snacks are da bomb. I've no idea what the following snack is called, but it has a picture of a fake doraemon like creature on it and it is so gooood.
I used to travel to Tokyo for work, and I'd cart home cartons and cartons of it from the Japanese convenience stores. Although in Tokyo, they come in mini circular hollow bars instead of rings and cost like 20cts per bar. The bars still taste better, but heck, I'm not complaining.
The mentaiko flavour is my go-to flavour. mmmmm...




So this concludes the first instalment of TTW's recommendation of Daiso must haves. You can be assured that there will be a part 2 to this.

Now, for the Daiso misses.

This peeler.

You suck. According to the small image on the cardboard backer, the peeler works like a ''mini vegetable sharpener'' and is suppose to give you nice long strips.
Well, It broke my cucumber into half.

 This belongs to your recycling bin.

 

This pie plate

 

This also belongs to your recycling bin. But please remember to separate your recyclables!

Or anything from this range for that matter. I washed and left it on the drainer to dry. It rusted overnight. I didn't even know that it was possible for something to rust that fast. Then again, science is not my strong suit.

And concluding this post with the  Daiso - WTF?

 

Ah... what would a Daiso experience be without finding a new wtf-is-this item.

 

This week's honour goes to this Egg Hole Puncher.

(WTF? you say.. my sentiments exactly.)

 

 

The picture is slightly blur. But the description basically says

"This item creates a small hole that makes it simple to peel eggs. Comes with magnet that helps a neat and clean kitchen"

 

And just how does the small hole make it simple for you to peel the egg?

(If we were in a Korean drama, there will be a Korean ahjumma yelling "EOTTEOHKE!!!!???"  right now).

source: dramabeans, screenshot from my fave k-drama, city hunter. Actually, I only liked it for Lee Min Ho.

Can you feel her anguish?
 

I have no idea. It remains as one of life's mysteries.

Until I buy and try it, that is.

 

No, but I'm a calm and sensible shopper. I have incredible self restraint.

 

This concludes an edition of Daiso shopping with tai tai wannabe. Although, I'm aware that no self respecting tai tai will be caught dead shopping in Daiso.

 

Sigh. Daiso- 1, Tai tai- 0

 

Hong Kong- May 2014 #2 Much ado about shopping pt.2. How to survive ashanghai tang private sale.

THIS. was what derailed me from my grand plans to explore Kowloon. 

Heck, I wasn't even a shanghai tang fan before this. "Hmm... I will just take a quick look. I will be out before lunch", I thought. 

Then it started pouring, like seriously pouring (I was pretty sure that they might raise a typhoon warning ). So it was for my own safety that I stayed indoors, at the sale. 

I think KW bought my explanation. 

 

Check out the crowd. This place was filled with fierce taitais. 

There were no fitting rooms. Just racks and racks of clothes and a handful of mirrors littered around. Watch the taitais go apeshit battling over the mirrors.

I'm not kidding. I actually heard an Ang mo lady tell a PRC lady to F off , "you, go other mirror, go there", shooing her away. 

Take a deep breath. Go forth and conquer. May the odds ever be in your favour. 

Other than luck, the following tips might help too. 

* these tips are also applicable to all other crazy sales in SG e.g. Luxasia, l'oreal sale. Don't be shy, Admit it, I know you've been to one at least one of them.

1. Snap a pic of the discount chart! 

Important tip- you will not remember the gazillion different color coding later when you are frantically browsing through the racks. Snap a pic of the discount chart for easy reference. Trust me, my calculator app was on overdrive when I was assessing which pieces I should buy. 

P.s. This sales chart is obviously not meant for those who are colour blind. Check out the shades of black, brown, grey and silver. Kanasai, got difference meh?? 

2. Adjust your pace of shopping 

Tai tai shoppers are a different breed. In my younger days, I will approach my mango, Zara sales with chop chop efficiency. Tai tai shoppers have all the time in the world and they shop in groups. 

They will hog the mirror. 

They will converse. 

They will take their time. 

"How??" 

"This one ho~leng wor.."

"But I have something like that.. Like therreee.. You remember that blue one that I wore to xx, at yy's wedding" *starts recalling different pieces of clothing in her entire possession that may or may not resemble that item 

You need to be very zen. Ohmm. 

3. And you need to be Thick-skinned. 

Shoppers here are top notch. They apply the "grab now, think later approach". While standing in line for 1.5hrs to pay for their items. The furious discussions and consultations with friends take place. Heck, I was snapping pictures and having my own furious debates over whatsapp - 

Like this beautiful two tone jacquard jacket that was a bit tight around my she-hulk arms. Should I get it? 

Whatsapp conversations went like this

N- "It's gorgeous."

Me- "I've nowhere to wear this to. I'm not gg to travel for a while"

N-"you can wear it in air conditioned places"

In another chat

Kx-" don't waste money if it doesn't fit. It's a jacket, you will layer under, it will get too tight" 

(After a close up pix of the fabric was sent over)

Kx- "Eh quite pretty, I think you have to get it" 

I've got useless friends. 

I was still undecided. I raised the jacket up in the air, peering closely, checking for flaws, reasons for me to discard this piece, when I felt a tap on my shoulder. 

"Excuse me, are you taking this piece? If not, can I have it?"

That's when the jacket became insanely desirable. I shoved the jacket firmly back into the basket.

I realised that all the tai tais started barter trading in the queue. And I soon joined in the fun. The trick is to not sound too desperate when you try to swap items, see failed e.g. of lady trying to get my jacket.

Ok, on to the loot again!

Err.. I will not post the prices this round (in case kW reads this). Let's just say that the price ranges from the black to silver sticker. 

Not from shanghai tang sale, but I got this Kate spade bag for S$100. WTH! Forget about The great singapore sale.

No more shopping posts after this. I promise. 

Hong Kong- May 2014, #1 Much ado about Shopping

*warning* - May contain disturbing images of decadent shopping. Female readers may experience accelerated heartbeat and temporary breathlessness due to excitement.  Male readers may also experience similar discomfort, but this is likely to be stress induced. Reader discretion is advised.


Ok, I lied. I am going to start off with a shopping post after all.

I followed da husband, KW, who was there on a work trip. With time to spare and no one to hold me back.. It was quite jialat (but jialat in a good way).

In my defence, the Hong Kong trip was not supposed to be about shopping. It was supposed to be about exploring Kowloon, hunting down  Chunking Mansions, delicious  tomato, egg, and beef noodles tucked away in a forgotten old building. Ok, and maybe with a wee bit of shopping here and there.

Then hor, I chanced upon the annual Shanghai Tang sale (more on that later). No choice, I had to say bye to my original plans. but you guys understand right? I had no choice.

But before I go on to that, lets cover another good ol' shopping spot Horizon Plaza (details at the end of the post).

Horizon Plaza

 

Exterior (not fancy like outlet shopping in Europe, but still awesome)

Source: Discover Hong Kong website


I first learnt of this place when I travelled to Hong Kong for work in my previous job. Then, my hongkie boss spoke highly of this place (in thick HK accent)
''IT iss da best outlet shhhorppin in Hhong Khong, 好犀利呀! youu girls will go craay-zee" . And we did.

P.s. This boss eventually became head honcho for HK tourism board. So you know that his advice gotta be good.
P.p.s. Yes, he allowed us to shop on a work trip. He was an awesome boss.

With 28 storeys of shopping, it is easy to get lost. KNN, the stores are closing, I spent all my time in these 3 shops. @#$#$!. This is a common refrain you will hear in the lobby at closing timing. Ok, fine, substitute KNN for other swear words, depending on nationality of user.
Do not make that mistake.

#1 - Strategize - what are the shops I die die must go to.
When you enter the building there is on your left a small recep with brochures. THE BROCHURE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND. Take a copy and check out the store listings.
If not, snap a pic of store listing on right of building with your smartphone for easy reference later on..

Source: Discover Hong Kong website

#2 - Fk! Why the lifts so slow.
They really are. With only 2 lifts servicing 28 floors, and 234235 eager shoppers wanting to get to different floors. it will take-a-long-time....
Take the lift to the top floor and work your way down via the staircase. It will save you precious time.

#3 - walau... what are all these strange shops. don't waste my time la.
Wrong, you are wrong. In a building with big brand names like Marni, Ferragamo, it is easy to ignore strange sounding names like Via Monda etc.. Give them a chance! Some of my greatest bargains are from these independent retailers that carry an assortment of familiar brand names.

#4- Go Lane Crawford
Whether or not you emerge with a bargain, depends purely on heng, suay (i.e. depends on your luck). But it is still a great outlet to just browse or window shop with its fantastic variety. Look, these two pairs of shoes were literally next to each other.

Probably one of the few places where you can find that many pairs of Jeremy Scott Adidas bear sneakers.

 

 

Gorgeous Charlotte Olympia shoes, going for around S$400. No, I didn't get it, cause despite my blog name, I do not have the spending ability of a tai tai

 

 

Okay, enough blabber. Let me post my spoils from Horizon Plaza!

The Winners!

Diesel dress, from the Diesel outlet for S$80. Not the most flattering shot. But let me assure you that it has the most gorgeous print, purple/pink gradation with fossil-ish design. Oh wait, I found a photo of diesel dress when worn (see right). Yes, I'm filthy, I did not wash the dress prior to wear.

Melissa red glitter heels, from one of the small outlet store for S$50. Squeal.

havaianas gold leopard preeen slippers, from Lane Crawford for S$15. I've forgotten how comfortable authentic havaianas are after countless pairs of fake ones from Phuket. For the first time, colour does not transfer from the slippers to soles of my feet. awesome~




The shit-maybe-I-should-have-thought-about-it-more.

 

J brand from Lane Crawford for S$70. This was the IT brand jeans for celebs and I felt so good finding this pair of S$70.

 

I was also having a Ines moment, thinking that I was channelling French chic -

 

 In reality, I think I probably looked more like this -

 

 

 

Okay, I'm super tired now. Shanghai Tang Private sale will have to go into the next post. Till then.... Keep your credit cards safe.

Horizon Plaza

Address:2 Lee Wing Street, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong Island

Tel:+852 2554 9089
Opening Hours: Not listed, though I understand that most shops close around 6-7pm.

How to get there: 1. MTR Diamond Hill Station, Exit C2. From the bus terminus, take bus 671. Alight at Horizon Plaza and walk to Lee Wing Street. 2. M590 from Exchange Square bus terminus in Central (near MTR Hong Kong Station, Exit D). Alight at South Horizon, then walk to Lee Wing Street

 

(Taitai-wannabe (TTW's) advice on how to get there - Take a cab. Seriously. If you are going to go shopping and walking around with big bags, cabs will make your life way easier. Cab rides from my hotel at causeway bay took around 20mins (non-peak hrs) and 40mins (peak hours), and averaged around S$20.
Still relatively cheap vs. the exorbitant fares (+24 hr peak surcharge, +erp, +etc etc) we pay in SG. 

Source: Hong Kong Tourism Board website, Discover Hong Kong