thrifting in KL & donating my preloved at Kedai Bless

I have known that donating unwanted clothes to the needy is one, but you can contribute more to charity especially at Kedai Bless. Your still useful but unused items from clothes, shoes, books and even furnitures can be donated which will then be resell by Kedai Bless to earn money to feed the homeless, Myanmar refugee children, the orang asli and more besides the operation costs of the store.

Do note that you will NOT be paid for the items you have donated. So donate with an open mind and heart! At Kedai Bless, they accept donations of still wearable clothes & accessories, books, even furniture which will be ship to their warehouse in Ara Damansara. Read up more info about Kedai Bless on their website or drop by to check!


Pre-loved books sold at Kedai Bless in 1 Utama~~

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Kedai Bless @ 1 Utama

To get here, take the escalator beside Old Navy (close to Body Shop/Uniqlo/Bershka) in the new wing heading down towards the car park basement and you won't miss Kedai Bless at the right. Don't forget to check out the promo bins outside which hold clothes sold at Rm5 for 3 pieces!

Here are some of the pieces that caught my attention. From top left, a checkered jacket which is back on trend of late, a super nice quality outer and an unworn Uniqlo sweater.

I kinda regretted and not yet over the fact that I didn't manage to get the jacket on the right. I'm actually a sucker for outerwear and with the price at Rm20 after 50%, I totally would not mind adding this into my collection. The weather these days been so cold, it's such a perfect time to wear outerwear especially at my office where the air-conditioning is blasted so high even on a cold, rainy days. Even the malls can get freezing cold! 

Still mourning over my loss as I'm writing this post FML Actually everything in this photo are gone when I revisit the place to donate my stuff.

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Kedai Bless @ Mid Valley Mall

The Mid Valley branch is accessible from the center court where you have to take the escalator beside Speedy to the lower car park floor. Took me awhile to find the place 'cause I almost always take the train to MV! Found out there are much prettier finds here so I am glad I checked the place out.

Some of the pretty dresses I found! The middle one is from DKNY!

Dug this decent piece from DoubleWoot! *whistle*

I find this one giving a picnic-y, vintage-y vibe. Not bad!

Lookie what I found_ a Missioni knock off lol! Like who hasn't watch Crazy Rich Asians by now? BTW, Missioni fans don't be offended. I'm not saying the dress is 100% lookalike as the one worn but somewhat the same style with the vertical color-blocks. Just a disclaimer 'cause these days people can get so sensitive!

And if that isn't enough, I found some other glam pieces!

The one on the left is quite extra, with the shiny gold fabric but perfect for date night or an event. It's definitely not something I'd want to spend a lot of money for but for under Rm30 (I'm not sure, didn't check the price but dresses at Kedai Bless are typically Rm40-60 before the 50% discount) I wouldn't mind getting it! I didn't get anything because I am trying not to shop until I am done cleaning up, so if you see anything you like which I posted from my blog, go grab them hahaha

That's it for my post today! I have yet another thrift store to recommend to y'all but that's on another day. Meanwhile, keep calm, declutter, donate and thrift shop at Kedai Bless!

Jalan Jalan Japan at Skypark @ OneCity

Just after I mentioned how I wish there is a Goodwill in Malaysia, I discovered Jalan Jalan Japan, a second hand store with used consumer products imported from Japan. Got my curiosity piqued I decided I had to check the place out. From their Facebook Page, it is mentioned that they have two branches in Selangor, the nearest to where I am staying is Skypark@One City, accessible via USJ21 LRT and a short Grab ride away. The other one is in Shamelin 1 in Cheras, which seems to be only accessible by car.

My first impression of Skypark @ One City was how almost deserted the place were on the weekend. Unlike the other malls around KL and Selangor, there were no local brands branches nor department store in sights. Also, One City is made up of 3 separate buildings which was confusing! While the building appears to be huge and well maintained, I find it wasteful that they weren't fully utilized. Perhaps they're much bustling on weekdays?

Jalan Jalan Japan occupies a huge section on the second floor and each floor of One City has a loft, so I guess you can say they made up two half-floors. I have no idea of a better way to describe it so I'll leave it to the photo at the top of this post to do the explaining.

You can find a whole lots of used apparels, shoes, scarfs to furnitures, luggages and even toys! While I think the choices are endless and it may be a haven for serious thrifts shoppers, a lot of the apparels quality are not something I will seek or wear. But then again, these are used itemslah. Maybe if I had more patient to run through the things I would have found something nice!

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Just did a round at #JalanJalanJapan. Bought a gem of an exquisite kimono obi. Wondering when I can use it 😂 Plenty of pretty yukatas and accessories which I would've bought if they had matching belt.. Surprisingly lotsa people shopping here!

A post shared by Vivien Tan (@voguelyvivien) on Sep 30, 2018 at 1:06am PDT

My favorite section got to be the used kimono and yukatas section. Found some decent looking yukatas ranging for RM50-80 but I would have bought them only if I can find proper belt to go with them, which I couldn't find... Seriously, where are the obis?? I did found an exquisite kimono obi that I super love and decided I have to buy it. It was such a steal at only Rm20!!!! Can you imagine how crazy happy I was! Gonna use it for a personal project, so can't wait! 

Pretty, pretty obi~~

Besides that, I do find quite a number of cute hifu, a vest with kimono prints typically worn by 3-year old girls in ShichiGoSan festival to celebrate children's coming of age and they are super cute!!!! Too bad there are no matchy kimonos to go with them else I probably buy for aesthetic value harharhar. But frankly, that will most probably happen.. 

Overall, I think Jalan Jalan Japan is an interesting place to check out. I would go to again, though not the soonest, just to check out if there are pretty yukatas hahahha. However, I do wish they could collect better quality apparels and come up with more programs by collecting used clothing or items from the locals to encourage more people to thrifts and reuse. It's not like we lack of this services, we do have sites like Mudah, Carousell and a dozens other apps which I do post my old or unworn pre-loved on these sites but the respond was so-so. At Jalan Jalan Japan, I noticed there were many families and individuals who does thrift shopping, some purchasing used toys, apparels for their growing children and even hunting for winter wears! So it is not like there isn't a market for used goods, perhaps just the lack of physical stores or bazaars selling used clothes. I wonder when will we have more of these stores?

2018 Minimalist Achievements: Hair Care Empties & Mini Reviews

Wanted to post this up last weekend but things kept caming up. For one, me having to dog-sit because the doggo was feeling really unwell from hemorrhoids so he was sad when left alone *sigh* Was just sitting beside him, patted him and borrowed my hand for him to rest his head on. Occasionally he  threw tantrum because of the discomfort.. so pitiful!

Anyways, I'm digressing. Post today highlights my second batch of empties! Read my first empties success story here. Minimalism is something I have been working on for years and it has been one marathon, you've probably heard me mentioned this several times by now. My main goal is not to be clearing away everything from my possessions but rather have enough without making my place a mess and partly, I have mini cases of OCD attacks lol. 

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#1 Midori Hair Treatment & Shampoo Midori is my favorite hair care brand right now and I definitely see myself using this brand for a long run! What I love about the Midori hair care range is that for one, it succeeded in making my unruly hair feel long lasting smoothness and tangle free I kid you not. I always wonder how my friends and many girls could maintain their glorious crown without resorting to straightening their hair and I believe I have found the answers. And this, people who are reading this, lies in Hair Depot.

Today, I have two 1-litre Midori Advanced Repair shampoo which I bought for half price during the Raya/Mid Year sales. There are smaller 330ml ones for RM45 which I didn't think is super worth it (Gotta stretch my ringgit)! I would also recommend the Advance Repair Nourish Smooth Masque (Approx. RM85 for the 530ml bottle) which I had been using. I didn't see a point getting it now that I bought the shampoo because even the shampoo alone works so well already.

By the way, I accidentally bought the Advanced Color Masque during the sale but didn't feel much difference with the Advance Repair Nourish Smooth Masque except for their scents, they both work wonders!

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#2 VS Sassoon Intensive Hair Mask Before I discovered Midori, I find this treatment works alright. While it does make my hair feel better when I use this very often, it cannot be compared to Midori.

#3 Hask's Kalahari Melon Oil No other obvious results aside from temporarily keeping my hair frizz free but that is all it does. Hair oil is definitely not my thing.

#4 Daeng Gi Meo Ri Vitalising Shampoo, a made-in-Korea scalp shampoo. Worse. Shampoo. Ever. Mark my words, it is that bad. This is supposed to be a scalp shampoo loaded with tons of natural herb, which according to one of my gal pals are the worse ingredients to be made the key ingredients. Apparently, chemical shampoos are better for hair albeit being, well, chemicals. It is so bad my other gal pal is using it as hand wash... Yeah, I was speechless when she said that.

Me on the other hand, has been using this shampoo interchangeably with #6 just for the sake of not putting this to waste. That turned out to be a bad idea. Weeks later I find myself with the worse hair fall episode in my life! It was so bad every time I leave the bathroom, tons of hair will be clogging up the drain hole. I find strands of hair everywhere _ on my chair, bed, bedroom floor and laundry, they drive me nuts! I could comb my hands through my head and find tons of loose strands...That was so serious, I was worried about getting bald! Never again will I be using this shampoo!

#5 Naturals by Watson's Argan Revitalizing Shampoo This is a shampoo I bought to try to use alternately with #5 in order NOT to have the latter dry my hair out too much.In the first few wash, I felt my hair got rougher but after some time, it does make my hair manageable but this does nothing like Midori (Obviously, I'm in love with Midori!). If you are ok shampoo that leaves your hair tingling with minty feel, feel free to give this a try.

#6 Ma Cherie Moisture Treatment & Moisture Conditioner Works alright only when use frequently because result isn't long lasting. Price is about RM70 per bottle of 500ml or about RM50 during promotion. This is a brand I was obsessed with for a period of time before I discovered Midori. Comes in several sizes from convenient travel size, medium and large (500ml).

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So those are the items which I'm so glad to get rid off! It feels great not too have so much stuffs lying around. Of course I still have some lying around but I think I did a great job clearing the above. Going minimalist is a long process! Next products I am looking to clear is my collection of facial masks. (☉_☉) I have no idea why I bought so much and not use them... By far in 2018, I only managed to finish using only a handful of facial masks *roll eyes* so it will definitely take a while to complete this goal. Wish me luck, guys!

2017 to 2018 Minimalist Achievements

Looking a few months' back to my journey to minimalism, I noticed I have quite a bunch of achievements! Here are they:

 

#1 Recycling, Giving away and actually wearing the clothes in my wardrobe.

 

This is something I have been working on and boy, did it took years! This year, I managed to get rid of two bags of clothes and gave away several pieces early this year while last year more so I'd say this is definitely an achievement. I'm glad my sis (albeit smaller size) can wear most of my brand new and unworn clothes.

#2 Cutting down on beauty hauls and to use up what I already have

  

There are things I am still working to reduce, especially in my beauty and body care department. I noticed I have just so many things for one purpose, such as my beauty products, body care products, hair care products and facial masks. I have no idea (now) why I need 3 bottles and 1 tube of body lotions, 2 shampoos, one hair conditioners, one hair mask, one hair oil and 2 leave-on treatment and over 50 facial masks. It may sound like nothing much but they are a lot for one person to use. I don't even use most of them!

 

#3 Cutting down on fashion hauls

 

I think I am doing a rather good job in this. In fact last CNY, I didn't get anything new but simply wear whatever I have in my wardrobe. This doesn't mean I do not care about my appearance _ I buy clothes that last and still make me look good or feel good about myself. Another approach I did was to wait. If I still want something a month later, I will get them. Sometimes I don't get everything I want. Sometimes I have second thoughts and ended up not buying.

 

#4  Reduce email subscriptions & retails memberships

 

This is easy peasy. All I needed to do was to unsubscribe and then wait to see if I miss any of the emails notification. 99.9% I don't. The remaining 0.01% is from TripAdvisor telling me how many people read my reviews LOL

 

 

#5 my minimalist approach on books

 

I try to make it a habit to read whatever books I have in hand before getting new titles. That meant no more purchasing books like nobody's business. Recently I am reading through two titles_ "How to be a Zillionaire" by Chelli Campbell and now-reading "The Cure to Money Madness" by Spenser Sherman, both of which I borrowed from my gal pal. They're not part of my dying-to-read books but books.

 

 

#6 One thing at a time

 

I want to do a hundred stuff! Blogging more, writing reviews on tripadvisors, maybe knitting a mermaid tail blanket, regrowing foodstuff, cooking, try a hundred cafes, making the most of my new DSLR and reorganize my bedroom. That's a lot to take in. While my hands are itching to get whatever I want (because I can), I try to calm myself down *meditates*

 

Only when I have achieved one thing do I get to the other. My goals now are just  to complete my 2017 Travelogues, learning about my DSLR and brushing up on Photoshop. The rest can wait.



Embracing Minimalism

Of late I've been trying to clean up and get organized. I mean, of course I do that from time to time considering I'm someone with an OCD for cleanliness.

Nothing to extreme though! I've known people who are just way-y over the top about this issue but I rather practice moderation.

Anyway, I always find peace having a clean space but despite all the cleaning, the clutter remains. I find there are just too many things, material items that I don't find myself needing most of the time. At times it gets really frustrating and one time I find myself cleaning at 12am.

And so, I start asking myself what I can do though its mostly recycling clothes that are beyond wearing, trying to sell my unworn clothing (though unsuccessfully because I just don't know where to trade locally and apparently 2nd hand culture isn't something here...) and reduce my other 'harta benda' (material assets) a.k.a. 'sampah' (rubbish).

On my journey to a more organized life, I came across the term called "minimalism" which, apparently has been trending in recent years though still limited sources online.

Perhaps you have heard of Marie Kondo's best selling book "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up" instead, there are more videos/bloggers/articles about it. Basically, it's a de-cluttering bible. I haven't read the book but would love to get my hands on it and see I could find new ideas to well, keep my things organized. IMO KonMari method sorta relates to minimalism for reason I'll be sharing shortly.

Here are what I learn:

From the term "Minimalism", I learn

1) Minimalism can be instilled in just every aspect of your life_from lifestyle, personal finance, attitude, life goals. The main purpose is to de-clutter to give you more time and energy to focus on things that really matters.

2) Transitioning to a minimalist lifestyle does not mean getting rid of everything but simply reducing to things that you find useful.

From articles I read on KonMari's book, I learn

1) To keep only items that "spark joy" to your life.

2) Assigning a particular space for all items and always return them to their rightful place.

Based on these ideas, I managed to reduce my things further and while it still feels like there are many things around, at least they have their own uses. It feels good too I don't feel too stress up with the need of reorganizing my things and cleaning up too often *phew*

I wanted to share what are the efforts I put to exercise minimalism in my life (besides the cleaning up bits) but this blog post is getting a bit too wordy so I'll leave it for the next blog post~! Thanks for reading!