Photobook Malaysia review

Honestly speaking, I'm one of many people who got hooked to discount and deals website like Groupon, Everyday and Ilovediscount; just to name a few.

Hence, when I first bought this deal for a photobook last year, I was intrigued and wondered how it would work. In a nutshell, it is very simply to select and drag your images then tweak it a little in the photobook software to compose your photobook. (Will review the software the next time)

However, be careful when it comes to "dateline to redeem coupon" period as their servers and customer service will be overloaded. Who can blame them? But it is scary to purchasers like me who keeps on wondering if the order goes through, it the file got uploaded and if they are ever going to get their book.

Here's my review of redeeming it last minute.


26.2.12:Made an order. (Given a PBOXXXXXXX)
28.2.12: Took the effort to drive and send a CD with my files directly to Photobook office since server was too slow to upload.
2.3.12: Called Photobook and was told the order encountered error but they have received my files. I had to submit a replacement order
3.3.12: Made a new order to replace the old order. Got a new order no:  PBOXXXXXXX.
Called Photobook office on 3 Feb 2012 to confirm my order and that everything is in order. (They confirmed receiving my CD files). Reminded that I opted for self-collect. Was told it is possible and I would be refunded RM15 for delivery in cash upon self-collect.

From 5 March onwards, no calls to Photobook office or support was available since no one picked up the calls.

5.3.12: Received email from Photobook stating I have not uploaded my file.
5.3.12: Send email explaining my situation
6.3.12: Received email to upload file again.
6.3.12: Send email explaining the whole situation and that I have directly given the files in person. I also reminded that I have requested a pick-up option as stated in the groupon I bought.
6.3.12: Reply that have received my CD copy of files and all is in order. Hazwan from Photobook support confirmed all in order and I would be informed for self-collect.
10.3.12: Query on status of book. No reply.
14.3.12: 2nd Request to upload file
20.3.12: Finally replied that my file is corrupted and I had to upload again.  Why does it take so long to inform so? Are the files misplaced ?
21.3.12: Uploaded my file through photobook
26.3.12: Received email saying my order is being sent.
26.3.12: Send query requested self pick-up as mentioned earlier.
27.3.12: Received my photobook. Good condition and satisfied with product but dislike  the long process. Thank God! I was not in a hurry. 

It took 1 month for my book to arrive.... I was very patient and understanding with their "overload" and didn't complain. But why did they have to lie to me and just posted my book without the self-collect option? I wrote back this exact review to them and no calls or apologies obtained from them.

It is so sad to find a useful online photobook book but I hate "CRAPPY CUSTOMER SERVICES"!!! Yes, we are Malaysians and we are in a "developing country" but we always get this kind of service from our own kind. Bad customer service is expected in Malaysia unless you're foreigner-looking - "kwai loh" only.

Arghh... Anyway, scenario over and as I have another book to redeem; I remind myself to redeem 1 month earlier and hope I do not encounter this kind of problem again. If that is so, I guess I'll have to try with all the new numerous photobook companies popping out here and there and forgo Photobook Malaysia.

Wave of People

Alas, again, another co-worker leaves the team. I feel sad being left behind and facing new faces to get used to and build rapport with.

Why does it happens? Many reasons due to different reasons but in general, it is part of our life.

It has been 2 and a half years since I have been working on a project and the team of people involved has changed according to different waves.

Scenario
1. First year "wave": Change of consultant company (once)
2. Within these few years "waves": Change of project managers ( 3 times to date)
3. 2nd year "wave": Change of person-in-charge (2 different people from different companies)
4. 3rd year "wave": Change of GM, change of person-in-charge (another 2 different people from different companies)

Why they leave?
1. Personal reasons: better opportunities, internal politics in company, insufficient man-power
2. Company : reselection of people, "nepotism"

What do they leave behind?
1. Unfinished work
2. Unresolved issues (either informed or not to the successor)
3. Buffer time needed for successor to get accustomed and up-to-date on all the items
4. Delayed time for the team to work together again.
5. New ideas and potential of redoing work due to "new ideas" from "new people"

And then, the cycle repeats over and over with the new "wave".

In between this, sometimes I get frustrated and feel inclined to join the waves but I tell myself to persevere another year and see how it goes... Sighhh..

Storage for Shoes Fanatics

I admit, my weakness is in shoes; but not the fancy-smancy stilettos or branded shoes, but just booties and boots. Too bad it is too humid to really wear them but when I do, I always remember to air them.

Anyway, for all those ladies who have several dozen of shoes, a question everyone asked is "How do you store your shoes? How do you organise them for your convenience?"

I myself have tried several method and I can't wait to move to my own place to store all my lovely shoes clearly and easily accessible. In the meantime, here are some ideas available in the market for those in need of a little organising. ;)

1. The shoe wheel - when I first saw this, I was intrigued. Yes, it is nice to see as a decoration too but a wee pricey for me and not really space saving.

2. Transparent Shoe shelf - I randomly googled this and found this shelf which is easily assembled by parts. Look interesting. Wonder if we have it here.

3. Transparent flap box - I actually bought this from an online seller in lowyat.net for a mere RM5/each. It is sent to be flat and can easily form it like any other boxes. The size is large and fits most heels except my boots. I put one side in a box each. Only thing to note that it is soft plastic and there is pre-punched holes for ventilation! ;) In the end I still put this boxes into a shelf.

4. Transparent Shoe Storage Drawers - I first saw this in groupon with 6 units for RM98 (RM13.30 each). Based on the assembly images on these drawers, it looks similar to the above material but has reinforcement at the sides to make it more rigid. Plus it has the external drawers to slide into.

5. Shoe space savers - I think I've seen this in Daiso selling for RM5. A blogger was showing how she saves space by arranging this way. But knowing myself, I would not have time to arrange my shoes let alone putting in this gadget.. lol...

6. Shoe rack - An open shelf shoe rack for easy access. I guess this is ideal but I would still like to put them into a covered room eg the shoe closet to avoid dust, insects, grime, etc.

7. Fabric shoe organiser - This kind of thin fabric material allows breathability to your shoes and also makes it easy to store in small spaces like under your bed. I'm not too keen because it's limited and troublesome to unzip. Yes, I admit I am lazy but when you're in a hurry you won't have time to unzip and look for you shoes. It is more suited for those precious shoes that you seldom use though! ;)

Currently, I'm using type 3 but I'm actually more keen for Type 2 and Type 6 inside a shoe closet/ walk-in-wardrobe. How have you organised your shoes?Obviously, a girl's dream would be a shoe closet like this:

Contact Lens Review: FreshLook Colorblends Amethyst

Update on June 2012: I didn't win the camera..  :(  At least I got coloured contact lenses!! :)  But a heartiest congrats goes to Elle! Read other reviews from this link.

Finally tried out the FreshLook Colorblends contact lenses (courtesy of mrlens.com.my and plusizekitten) and managed to do a makeover while wearing them. Here is my review in 4 parts:

1. Shopping online review
2. Background on online retailer
3. My review on FreshLook Colorblends and finally pictures of me... (if you follow my blog, I normally avoid posting pictures of my shy self.. )
4. WHY I am using Contact Lenses .... because it is inspired by my English teacher in SCHOOL!!(Read at the end of my post on this)

1. Ordering from MrLens.com.my

Step 1: Create an account first.
Step 2: Log in to select your item want to order. The categories are as follows: daily disposable, 2-week disposable, monthly disposable, toric lenses, colored lenses, silicone hydrogel and multifocal.
Step 3: When you are done shopping, just check out (make sure you have selected the right item, diameter, base curve and power for your eyes). You can also save all this info under your "Contact lens passport" for future orders. :)
Step 4: Make payment either with credit card or online banking.
When you are done. Then wait for your order. :)

This is the history of my order to show how efficient their delivery is:
16 April 2012 - Ordered my lenses.
18 April 2012 - Received my item with free samples of Fisherman Friends' candies too..

2. A little background on this new online retailer:
MrLens.com.my claims to be the largest online distributor of contact lenses from Europe in Malaysia currently. It  is also the finalist in the prestigious Swiss Economic Award in 2008 with the largest online inventory of Contact Lenses at the lowest price in Malaysia with Free Delivery (within a specific radius in Klang Valley)

Examples of the brands that they offer:
Acuvue Tru Eyes, Acuvue Moist, Acuvue Oasys, Acuvue Oasys Astigmatism, Acuvue Define,
Soflens 38, Soflens 59, Soflens Toric, Purevision 2, Purevision HD, Biomedics 38, Biomedics
55, Proclear, Definition, Focus Dailies Aqua Comfort, Focus Night & Day, Air Optix, Air Optix for
Astigmatism, Freshlook One Day, Proclear 1 day, Sauflon Clariti 1 day, Soflens daily disposable,
Acuvue 2, Acuvue Advance, Adore Dare, Adore Imagene, Adore Pure Eyes, Air Optix Multifocal,
Biomedics 55 Evolution, Biomedics Toric, Blincon BB, Blincon Big Eyes, Blincon Classic, Blincon
Elegance, Blincon Jazzy, Blincon Sweetie, Chameloen, Colorvue, Freshkon Alluring Eyes,
Freshkon Color Fusion, Freshkon Dezigner, Freshkon Mosaic, Freshlook Colorblends, Maxim
Color Blue, Maxim Colors Orange, Maxim Color Pink, Maxim Color Toric, Sauflon 55UV, Sauflon
Bioclear, Saulfon Bioclear Toric, Sauflon Clear Comfort Aspheric, Soflens Multifoca and etc
Other promotions:

• Recommend a Friend Program and earn discounts to shop with MrLens.com.my
• Coupon Share with Friends and earn vouchers to shop with MrLens.com.my
• Occasionally in their Facebook, there are discounts too in May 2012: there is 10% discount off for Facebook fans.
• Click "share with friends" on MrLens Facebook campaign to earn RM20/discount when 10 friends like their page

3. My Review on the Freshlook Colorblends Amethyst colour... :)
 
Actually I ordered 2 boxes with 2 different colours but since it is a monthly disposable contact lenses, I'm only reviewing one of them. The invoice I received shows that the main headquarters for Mrlens.com.my is in Penang. Since I received the items safely, I haven't tried calling their helpline to check on their effectiveness.

Receiving the contact lenses.. yipee!!

BEFORE shots of me in my dark-brown-black iris with no makeup. Yes, I know - typical Chinese looking girl... lol

AFTER SHOTS

And then, I attended a wedding dinner wearing the Freshlook Colorblends amethyst lenses with some makeup to dramatise my own look.

My dinner makeup look with the FreshLook Colorblends amethyst lenses. I always feel very cat-tish looking when I wear coloured contact lenses like this.

2nd attempt: A makeover with purple-black smokey eye shadow effect. How? Does it bring out the purpleness of the lenses too? ;)

Am loving how my amethyst eyes matches the purple eyeshadow I'm going to use for my wedding dinner. Love the makeup which makes my eyes look larger. In RL, it does look over the top. ;)

3rd attempt: Finally I decided to use the Shu Uemura false eyelashes I bought from Miu last time for a photoshoot.... Does this dramatised the eye makeup and also my amethyst eyes? 

 Happy I finally got to use the false eye lashes with this lenses to complete my seductive look. Lol.. I know, the expression is just a simple smile! :)

A note of caution, remember to remove your contact lenses before removing makeup. I accidentally rubbed the lenses with my cleansing oil together which is not very good to your lenses. Silly me...



4. In short, why use contact lenses?
My English teacher made me... Seriously, indirectly she did push me towards using contact lenses.

I used to have an English teacher in secondary school who shared her experience with us. I can remember vividly 2 important things she told us then:

a) Contact lenses make eyes bigger (I have squinty small eyes so yes, by wearing contact lenses, I find my eyes slightly bigger and it also gives me confidence!)

b) Wearing tampons is like wearing contact lenses. (even though no relevance to this post - but I tell you, this sure stuck in my memory after many years later... lol) I guess they can be considered quite similar; both are small/thin/tiny and placed into your delicate body parts.

I also like the variety offered by these lenses. It is similar to changing clothes and hair colour.. (I always admire red haired girls with green cat eyes... somehow, they just seem so much more interesting to look at)

Hence, happy shopping online for your contact lenses to make you look pretty, confident and best of all, maybe "Ah-moh" looking too?? Also, remember to check with your own optometrist first to determine your power and suitable types of lenses before making any online purchases. :)