How to save more...

Another way to keep your business travelling cost low..

12th September - Business Meeting at Singapore


During the bad market condition, there are many ways to save if you are looking into minimizing travelling cost (one of the high variable costs in operating your small business).  I experienced the first time stay at a hostel in Singapore and  it's a pretty cool one.  I fell in love straight away...

I browsed into hostelworld.com and found many hostel around in Singapore and the only one that caught my eyes was Tree Lodge Hostel; located at Bugis - Tan Quee Lan Street --yeah!! just next to Toni and Guy Academy..how cool is that!

I checked in very late; 12.30 am, late flight after work in the salon.    And met the front desk guy with the spec( whom you can see on the first photo and gosh I forgotten his name..sorry..) as I was too tired and my head was spinning and needed a sleep for the next morning meeting. I paid S$29 for the one night stay..hihihi...so so affordable thanks to Tree Lodge..I checked normal 2 stars hotel's rate room for 2 was about S$150 per night (which is around RM 370) ...Wow!...for myself and Lewis; we paid total of only S$58 per night and saved S$92 for the next day expenses.

I was given all the information and rules and regulation staying in Tree Lodge  as I was a first-timer there. Honestly I was very nervous if I could not sleep etc; and reminded myself I am only going to stay for a night so it is just a place for me to rest and fly back the next day after the meeting.  

My room was Angsana; named after a tree. In Tree Lodge; everything went green...very environmental...The place was really clean and hostelworld.com and Tripadvisor.com really gave accurate review on it...phewww....  I booked for 12-sharing double decker bed hostel and lucky my bed  was on lower level. 

The entrance to my room..

                                 My room

I put all my stuffs in the locker and I was really careful because I did not want to wake others up.  After checking in; I went down to get some food..The street nearby was still busy; and..people were gathering up for nearby steamboat and other delicacies. 

              Bathroom - 5 min bath to save water..

I went back to the hostel at around 1.30am and realised I have forgotten my towel..but lucky enough we can rent the towel for S$ 2 each..The bathroom was huge and for sharing and they have bathroom that is just only for the girls..and each of us have a key..It is very safe as no guys can come in without a key.

                                Hair dryer for sharing....












The bath was really good..hot shower.  I did not managed to take the photos of the bed as it was dark and the next morning I woke very early to prepare myself for the meeting..The bed was very comfortable and clean..the best thing was that all the bed was equipped with personal curtain where you can have your own privacy and space; and a on/off small wall light so you can read if you just want to lay lazy and read before sleep.  With the curtain, the look of your face while sleeping was not revealed hahaha....

              Breakfast...





I was so surprised that the next morning, I could have a breakfast for free..Eventhough it was a simple one (milk, tea, coffee, bread, butter, jam, toaster, cereals), I felt very grateful that I can have a cup of hot tea with toast; sat down enjoyed the nice and comfy common room...I really felt happy to have found this place and will definitely come back and stay again in near future..I told Lewis, this hostel will be my good companion whenever I have meeting and training in Singapore...Too good to be true!
                                                                                        

                                                                   




Cheers!
                                                                

The Malaysian HairShow That You Cannot Miss!

Malaysians for Malaysians!

Hey guys! I have a great news to share here....  This year Malaysia Hairdresser Association (MHA) Gala  will be held at Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur on 29th November at 7pm.  It is a yearly gathering of the industry's top local hairdressers.

                                          Me and team mates at MHA Gala 2010

                                                 Some photos from past MHA Gala

                                                    MHA Committee Members 2011
                                                           
In short, it is a platform created by a team of  Malaysian great hairdressers; for all Malaysian hairdressers to share their ideas and creations; and this year theme will be Illusion Hair Fiesta. The theme itself sounds really interesting...illusive creations I must say! I've been told by Malaysia renowned hair guru Winnie Loo that we will see all famous hair teams performing including herself.. She added that all stage models will be recruited from Amber Chia Academy.  Additionally, big brands like  Loreal, Wellsen. Craft, and PCQ are also teamed up as sponsors to support this year hair gala.


Everyone thought that a hairshow is just for hairdressers.  It is not true because in clothing fashion show; you will see spectators from all different industries; and not only fashion designers.  Hair show is very likely the same too.  So we hope to see more people; not only hairdressers but also the public to join us and celebrate the event with us.  Tickets from RM 220 (Non VIP) - RM 280 (VIP) per person and RM 2200 - RM 2800 per table are available now.  For those who are interested and keen to experience the show, you are welcomed to contact MHA President Billy Lim at 012-9744900.

See you there!!

Cheers!

BEHIND THE SCENES - FASHION SHOOTS with BOWERHAUS 2011

12th August 3.17pm: I received whatsapp message from Shentel Lee (co-founder of BOWERHAUS)..The first message was a Boo...hahaha ...and followed by an invitation to work on a model's hair for BOWERHAUS shoots on 24th August. She is a sweetheart; politely and genuinely asking me if I could work for the shoots...OF COURSE! I was so excited and more than happier to work on it.  I know it would be FUN! And was told the model is Elena Cheurina..wow... a wellknown model flown in from KL..how cool is that...

24th August

I  reached  Four Points by Sheraton Hotel at 9.10am with Pei (my world class assistant  hahaha....); and we went up to 2nd Floor - the Function room.  Spotted Shentel and we were welcomed to the function room..it's huge and comfy and saw all the preparation done.  Shentel will be directing the whole shoots with her sister Elizabeth.

Elena will be in soon; so I prepared all my gadgets...My head was filled with nothing but hair... 

 

 Elena Cheurina, The Gorgeous.

Elena reached the room and I started to check on her hair..very fine hair indeed...but at the same time was attracted to her blue eyes..(wow..love her eyes and even asked if she could give them to me hahaha)...

...I decided  to wash her hair to freshen up the scalp to ease my work in volumizing her fine hair.  With Shentel's help; we went up to the hotel's Suit...wow..it was really an amazing room they got there..

Elena's professionalism really helped a lot..she was really helpful and let her head bent down on the bath tub to let me wash.. It's awesome as Four Points conditioning shampoo worked well on her.. 

Elena is really a nice model to work with..no complaints, no diva, friendly and committed to her work. Now I know why  she is getting more and more famous and in high demand.  Great working ethics and very down to earth...!

 

Classy...

"curi tulang" take photos haha...

Constantly making sure her hair is in great condition

I looked awful whenever I am super-focus in my work..muahahaha...

Behind the scenes..

Preparing Elena; together with Shentel for the shoots.  It was the first time I have worked with Shentel.  I watched how she arranged all the things and made every minute counts...effective, efficient and steadfast..way to go girl..Girl Power :)   She knew exactly what she wanted; and creative too.  It's really an honour to be able to work with her and hope we can do it again soon.

                                             Restyling                                                   

Lunch break..Pei's Favourite Session of the day...

Look at all the food below...wow...delicious menu from FourPoints. Thanks to Bobby Ting, for being really friendly and helpful.  He really took great care of all the crews who worked behind the scene that day...by making sure our lunch was a full one...hehe..

The make-up artist ordered huge plate of lamb shank..

My lunch-savoury spagetti bolognese; and Pei's fish and chips..yumyum...

A great team..model Elena, Shentel and Elizabeth of Bowerhaus and Bobby Ting of Four Points by Sheraton Hotel...and of course, me and Pei (not in this photo) haha...

 I finished about 5 pm and headed back to salon as fast as I can as I've got a cut and color appointment at 5.30pm.  Real luck that Essensuals was just 5 min away since I knew how to shortcut.  It's been a fun day and me and Pei enjoyed every bit of it..24th was a long day as we finished work at salon until 11pm..We were super-tired, but  we were contented...

Before I signed off, I would love to thank Shentel Lee and Elizabeth Lee of Bowerhaus for the invitation.. and Bobby Ting of Four Points Hotel for his hospitality during the whole shoots and ....well Pei have something to say here..She would love to thank Bobby for the best lunch she ever had; Fish and Chips...;)

Cheers!

Love always

Jac

A NICE BREAK FOR A WORKHAHOLIC...

Are you a workhaholic? I admit I am; because I love what I do. My works nature requires long hours; but I believed I have been working without an off day; 12 hours a day for more than 3 years now, along with my hubby, and 2 other colleagues. It's not a job anymore being a hairdresser...It is my lifestyle and it blends in very very well and I love it!!..

18th July was a great day for all of us; as it is the first time after so many years we get to get our 5 days break we longed for. Well, trust me, we count-downed 18th July since November 2010..So... these 5 days were our precious moments. We spent every moment every day every hour every minute and every second like there is no tomorrow.. It was really a break without having to work even 1 second after so many many years...I finally realised the pure happiness...the tattoo on the back of my neck reminded me at all time...

We chose K.L. as it is nearer and convenient and most importantly RM currency is more useful haha..; and with my hubby, daughter, mum and 2 other team mates; it was the time we shared our love and time together...GOLDEN TIME....

We craved for so much shopping and "fooding" and finally we reached Bukit Bintang KL 18th July at 6pm and straight after checked in, we went for food hunting!!! Woooohooooo....we eat, eat and eat...buy buy and buy....walk walk and walk..We did not even felt tired until we went back to hotel...from morning till night.


Below are some memorable photos taken during our golden holiday...


My quality time with my baby..golden breakfast session..English breakfast..our favourite!!

Tyan was so happy to see such a huge plate of breakfast...

My precious...we may not have the quantity time..but we have quality time...I love my jobs too much...hehe...

Look at my mum...She was so happy and hungry all the time..I was so happy that during this trip she enjoyed herself well. Bringing her along making my holiday so perfect; as I got to spent more time with her. She has been complaining about me for ages hahaha but still she is the most understanding mum in the whole wide world..muaksss love you mum...! And not forgetting Pei..look at her..she concentrated too much on the food..serious eating..muahahahaha.....but am happy seeing her happy too...!


Hubby Lewis with Tyan..playing and shopping at the same time..seeing them playing was so nerve cracking..too noisy haha..


at Bintang Walk...


Meeting old time pal from Kuching, Edmond..He is my egg tart...So fun and loving..and creative person...happy to know that he did great now..and made Borneo proud too..Bravo darling...







If I were in KL, I will surely meet up with my idol Winnie Jie for a chat, and updates myself with her. Thanks Jie for the nice dinner hehe...

She is truly an inspiration..and great mentor. She updated me about her progress...Wow..she has been progressing so far far far..and she is really an asset to Malaysia... She won so much awards ..Ernst & Young was the most valued one ...and how she has been involved in New York fashion week etc..Hope one day I can be like her but after all the past pressures and stresses, I told myself I need to take things easy and if it is really happening..I am blessed...but if it does not...I have to be okay but I will still do my best.,hahaha...

Jessie J said; "It's ok to be not ok..and don't lose yourself in the blur of the stars...Be who you want to be and be a go getter..!" True....




Best colleague Pei,with Mum and Ern..

Durian!!
My favourite "cucu" haha...

Made Mum and Tyan took LRT to KLCC haha...

My Angel, Mum...

My growing up baby...



Has been with Lewis for more than a decade now...and from there we produced our love, Tyan.. It's a blessing and I thanked God for it.. 3 of us have been gone thru so much ups and downs, and pains and failures...Life is never smooth and in between these years, we might forget each others but at the end of the day the bond is still there..I prayed to God for health and love and I hoped that we will stay happy like this forever..



Being a full time hairdresser since 2000, has made my time became so limited for love ones as commitments and pressures were too high...Going thru all the ups and downs in my career trying to be a good hairdresser is never easy and I finally realized the more I try the less is working.. 2011 is a first step to really relax and balance my life as I promised myself pure happiness..my 2011 resolution..

I felt good...that now I can give some quality times for my love ones...because honestly I confessed I love to do what I do now..even worked everyday from 10am to 10pm doing salon works..I felt it is just part of me and my work is already my life...

I really can't imagine my life would be like if I wake up one day not being a hairdresser...


Love,
Jac