Never Enough Stuff

Is This The Right Time To Invest?

noreply@blogger.com (Shemah Sham) — Tue, 08 May 2012 15:05:00 +0000

You might not know this about me, but I am a licensed financial advisor when it comes to investment in unit trusts. Yes, I am actually certified and licensed. Passed my exam with flying colours. LOL!

Some people ask me whether it's the right time to invest in unit trusts at this time when the market doesn't look too good. Well, let me tell you that, dollar cost averaging makes it worth your every penny to invest right now. Don't drop a lump sum into the investment, but gradually invest your money every quarter of the year and see the progress. When the market is down, don't think about “losing money” but think of how much more units you'll be able to purchase.

Of course with most blue chip unit trusts, there's no fixed annuity rates of return but still, there's always other options that are less volatile and steady that can give you a good return rate in the long run. Think about it. And always remember, unit trusts are like a bouncing ball, it will almost always rebound higher after hitting a low point. But then again, you have to consider your own risk factors as well.

Whoa. Look at the time. I've got to run. Gotta wake up early to attend MITBCA! That's about it for my financial advice this week. Perhaps I can share some more knowledge in the future. Till then. Ciao!

Searching For Bedframes

noreply@blogger.com (Shemah Sham) — Tue, 08 May 2012 15:02:00 +0000

I am currently on the prowl for a new bedframe. The one we currently are using is only about 3 years old but it's already feeling like it's going to break apart one of these days. I was hoping I could get a four poster bed like the one in my old room back in my hometown. Super king. Ah.. bliss.

Not only does it look good, it's held by super strong dowel pins which my current bed, does not have.

Unfortunately, my room here is much smaller than my room back home so it's not exactly feasible to have a bed that huge. But I could really use a really nice bedframe from Pottery Barn with a mattress from Thomasville. Now THAT would truly be divine.

But since there's no Pottery Barn here in Malaysia, I think I have to go to reliable ol' IKEA for some new bedframes.

Sunset Music Fest 2012 @ Simpang Mengayau, Sabah

noreply@blogger.com (Shemah Sham) — Tue, 08 May 2012 09:09:00 +0000

The annual Sunset Music Fest is back this year with local performers Syafinaz and the Jesselton Philharmonic Orchestra among the lineup. The 2-day event will take place at Tanjung Simpang Mengayau, Kudat, Sabah, which is the northern most tip of Sabah. Yes, just point to the northern most tip on the map and that's where the event will take place.

The Sunset Music Fest is a one-of-a-kind outdoor musical experience in which the audience will be serenaded with classical favourites and contemporary tunes performed by both local and international artistes, on a centre stage set against the dramatic backdrop of a beautiful sunset at the meeting point of the South China Sea and Sulu Sea.

Date : 29 – 30 June 2012
Time : 5.30pm onward
Ticket : RM50.00 per entrance p/day (Age below 12 – Free)

For ticketing and details, please contact Sabah Tourism Board or Sri Pelancongan Sabah at 088-212121 or 088-232121 or e-mail : info@sabahtourism.com

Decorative Switch Plates

noreply@blogger.com (Shemah Sham) — Tue, 01 May 2012 05:26:00 +0000

I am constantly on the lookout for things to share with my readers. Things that you can use around the house, gift ideas, cool random stuff, new gadgets, etc. As you all well know, there's never enough stuff in the world to keep us satisfied. Humans are always left wanting more. It's just human nature!

Just when you thought you had your hands on an awesome phone, another model comes around and blows you mind and makes you pant, covet and lose sleep over it.

So here's something that I found that's pretty cool and random. It's not necessarily something that you NEED. But when has that ever stopped us? ;)

If you're re-modeling your home or just re-decorating your room, you can always enhance your room through little details. No need to break down a wall. Sometimes the little things that you change are the things that your friends and family think was brilliant. So why not change your switchplates to something cooler than the usual boring white ones?

Perhaps something like this?

The Dream That Was

noreply@blogger.com (Shemah Sham) — Tue, 01 May 2012 04:53:00 +0000

I have given up on my ambition to become a surgical doctor like eons ago. Okay, maybe not eons, but a long time ago. I guess it's not something that I TRULY wanted. Besides, like my biology lecturer pointed out, my hands are pretty unsteady. And I always felt that I was too short to become a surgeon (somehow I felt that was a reason!). That is, until I saw Dr. Miranda Bailey from Grey's Anatomy perform her surgeries on one of those medical step stools.

Watching Grey's Anatomy actually reinforces my sentiments on how glad I am that I didn't choose to become a surgical doctor. I have never would have made it through 100 hour weeks and the thought of having to put marriage and kids, well.. that's not something I'd like to compromise on. But I still respect others for going all gungho on their careers and not giving the marriage and babies a second thought. Everyone has their own prerogative.

So to those who surgical doctors saving lives, my hats off to you! :)

Somebody That I Used To Know - Gotye feat. Kimbra

noreply@blogger.com (Shemah Sham) — Tue, 01 May 2012 04:08:00 +0000

My sister told me to listen to the song since I had no idea what to post for Music Monday. I originally thought the tune and melody was pretty weird but it grew on me. Like really grew on me. The music video is pretty idiotic, though, IMHO. But anyway, feel free to let me know what you think of this song.

Happy Music Monday, everyone!

New York, New York

noreply@blogger.com (Shemah Sham) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 04:01:00 +0000

I just finished watching a wonderful movie, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close this past weekend and as the movie was set during the 9/11 tragedy, it was really sad to see how much pain New Yorkers and families of the victims went through during that horrible period. But it also really reminds me how united the community became after undergoing a traumatic and horrible experience.

I, for one, would love to go and visit New York again. Been there as a child and I really couldn't wait to go there again as an adult.

There's so much to do, so much to visit and so much to experience in any of the 5 boroughs of New York. Whether you want to check out the art galleries, the 4 Bs of shopping (Bendel's, Bergdorf's, Barneys, Bloomingdales), the array of delis, or just the architechture of cool residential steel buildings, New York is the city to visit.

Gift Idea for My Son

noreply@blogger.com (Shemah Sham) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 03:59:00 +0000

I have been searching for the perfect gift to give my son for his 8th birthday this coming 23rd of April and I think I have finally found one. I think I'll get him a ukelele.

I saw some really nice ones at a nearby music store and I think it's pretty cool. I don't even have to worry about tuning it because that's what the Antares autotune software is for!

The actual gift I have in mind for him is signing him up for music class. I know most parents don't consider it a present because most parents these days will sign their kids up whether their kids want to or not. I just don't like the idea of signing my kids up for something I want them to take, because they'll end up feeling pressured and resenting the fact that I'm makig them do something they don't want to do, you know?

But since it's my son's request and I've said “I'll think about it” for the past few months just to see how long his interest can stand, I think it's high time that I do. I think it's perfect and he'll like it. I know most parents will say, “That's not a gift! That's your personal obligation as a parent to provide them with opportunities like that!”

Well, it's easy for other parents to say that when they have money coming out of their asses, and everywhere else, right?

Wholesale Perfume - Scentsational Deal!

noreply@blogger.com (Shemah Sham) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 03:57:00 +0000

Prior to my first pregnancy, I was fine with perfumes. It was just some time after having my first child, did I notice that I couldn't stand to use perfume or being in close proximity of someone using perfume. It would make my eyes water and I'll be sneezing non-stop for more than day. It can be that bad.

After a long bout of forgoing perfumes, running through department stores and avoiding perfume sales assistants that spray you from nowhere, I have got to say my allergies are slightly better now. I can stand certain scents now but body mists and deodorant sprays are still out of the question.

However, I went to Sephora the other day and couldn't resist checking out perfume scents.. and I've got to say, I am hooked on a couple. The plus side, it didn't even make my eyes water. I'm even contemplating on getting myself a bottle of Miss Dior Cherie Blossom Bouquet. I even found a site that sells wholesale perfume where I can get buy in bulk, if that's the only scent that doesn't trigger my allergies!

I know my friend, Mariuca, would love that site, since she's an avid perfume collector. She has pretty miniatures on display and perhaps, she could even find some discontinued or hard-to-find scents there!

Diet Pills That Work

noreply@blogger.com (Shemah Sham) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 03:55:00 +0000

Due to some health issues (nothing major, thank God!), I was advised by my doctor to take it slow and easy with my exercising. Not that I'm a total gym freak, but apparently, jogging and continuing to train for 10k runs are out of the question for the moment. However, I do still zumba a little, taebo a little and do my 8 Drill Workouts (with lengthier rest periods) because that's as lightweight as I can get.

During times like these, when my weight loss rate hasn't been showing the results that I want, I am sometimes tempted to try out diet pills. I have never been a big believer in diet pills because 1) I'm not confident of the success and 2) I always question the safety and side effects of them. However, even after reading a lot of reviews like the myoripped review, and some of my worries have been assuaged, I still am not jumping into it just yet.

Some of my friends do recommend taking them as they swear by it, especially when coupled with working out, but I'm still on the fence about it. What say you? Yay or nay to diet pills?

The Perfect E-Reader

noreply@blogger.com (Shemah Sham) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 03:54:00 +0000

The Perfect E-Reader (NES)

I have always wanted an ereader like a Nook or a Kindle. That was before the iPad came about. Now, with all sorts of tablets out there, most of them are compatible with most PDF documents and ebooks. So it's a doozy choosing a gadget especially for ebooks when I can get a tablet that comes with all sorts of applications that doesn't just apply for ebooks. I'd rather get an all in one tablet that allows me to read ebooks, blog, do some web browsing and play games.

However, the Kindle is still very much a cool gadget and it comes in an array of attractive colors. Plus, it's much cheaper than getting a tablet. If you get it from Kindle Malaysia, it only costs RM490! The battery life also lasts much longer than that of a tablet and basically, if you're a bookworm, this is a must have.

Features Details:-

Lighter, More Compact Than Ever - Less than 170grams. Lighter than a paperback, fits in your pocket.
Massive Selection - Over 1 million books, newspapers, and magazines, including latest bestsellers, Kindle exclusives, and more.
Holds 1,400 Books - Carry up to 1,400 books - keep your library with you wherever you go.
Low Book Prices - Over 800,000 books are RM29.99 or less.
Most Advanced E Ink Display - Kindle's high-contrast E Ink display delivers clear, crisp text and images.
Read in Bright Sunlight - Kindle's E Ink screen reads like real paper, with no glare. Read as easily in bright sunlight as in your living room.
One Month Battery Life -No battery anxiety - read for up to one month on a single charge with wireless off and a half hour of reading per day.
Books in 60 seconds - Find a book and start reading in seconds with our fast, free wireless delivery.
Free, Out-of-Copyright Books - Millions of free, out-of-copyright, pre-1923 titles such as Pride and Prejudice are available. Learn More
Free Book Samples - Download and read first chapters for free before you decide to buy.
Borrow From Your Public Library - Borrow Kindle books from your public library and start reading on your Kindle. Learn More
Built-In Wi-Fi - Connect to Wi-Fi hotspots at home or on the road.
Simple to Use - Kindle is ready to use right out of the box - no setup, no software to install, no computer required to download content.
Free Cloud Backup - We automatically back up your library in the cloud, so you never need to worry about losing your books. Re-download wirelessly anytime for free.
Buy Once, Read Everywhere - Kindle books can be read on your Kindle, iPhone, iPad, Android devices, BlackBerry, Windows Phone 7, Mac, PC, or web browser with our free Kindle Reading Apps.
Whispersync - Our Whispersync technology synchronizes your last page read, bookmarks and annotations across your devices so you can always pick up where you left off.
Adjustable Text Sizes - Read comfortably with eight different sizes and three font styles.
Faster Page Turns - Kindle's powerful processor is tuned for fast, seamless page turns.
PDF and Personal Documents - Email personal documents and PDFs direct to your Kindle to read and annotate on-the-go.

Kindle Fire

What more do you need? I have a lot of ebooks on my laptop and not having a tablet or ereader to read it on is quite a pain. Plus, this is all I need to enjoy on my flights back to my hometown. I'm tired of carrying books in my hand carry.

Baby Shower Gifts

noreply@blogger.com (Shemah Sham) — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 04:24:00 +0000

In these times where times are hard, business is slow, the one business that I can think of that people will always have a need for, are baby products! Last year, I can't begin to tell how many friends of mine gave birth. Seeing their baby pictures flooding my Facebook wall. For a minute there, I thought all my friends turned Curious Case of Benjamin Button on me.

That also means, not only are parents buying stuff, but people like me are also going broke buying baby shower presents for my friends. I remember a friend of mine requesting a Maxi Cosi Mico infant seat for her baby shower. After having two pretty much grown up children, I've gotten a lot of their baby stuff, that I wish I could just re-gift. Some items are hardly used! Would that be too unethical even if it's still in good condition? I've never re-gifted anything in my life. My guilty conscience is just too loud.

If I were to register for a baby shower though, I'll ask for an Anne Geddes inspired baby photography session.

At least it's something I get to keep for a lifetime and not something my baby could grow out of like booties, onesies, infant seats, etc. Right?

So tell me. What is the most ridiculous item have you ever seen on a baby shower register list?

GRBK Classics (Gerobok Store)

noreply@blogger.com (Shemah Sham) — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 19:25:00 +0000

GRBK Classics or also known as Gerobok Store is a local clothing line developed by Phiber Wryte Connects and AMPG Collective. A creative force that combines passion for music, art and fashion. Like their music, the clothing line is geared towards the hippity hop, my late dad would say, or "hip hop" as we younger generations call it. Their clothing line is simple but cool and different. And no, just because it's hip hop, doesn't mean they sell Mr. T-like gold chains the size of a python. However, they do have cool accessories for guys such as this:

GoodWoodNYC Red Diamond retails at RM108

GRBK Classics T-Shirts

They also feature products from: CROOKS and CASTLES, MITCHELL and NESS, ROCKSMITH, MIGHTY HEALTHY, NEW ERA, THE SEVENTH LETTER and many more. By the way, their Spring 2012 collection is coming real soon. So if you wanna check it out and know more about what they have, feel free to follow them on Facebook and Twitter. GRBK Classics is based in Wangsa Maju, K.L. so I'm sure you can arrange to meet up with them. Just contact them at gerobok.ent@gmail.com

"Don't hate the playa, hate the game, yo!"

Takut - AMPG feat. Yuna

noreply@blogger.com (Shemah Sham) — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 18:13:00 +0000

The first time I heard about AMPG Collective was through my sister who happens to know one of the guys in the group. A friend of her friend's. So she was telling me to check out this hip hop version to Yuna's song, Penakut. They got permission from local singer/songwriter Yuna to do the male version of Penakut which is the "guy's response" to the girl's accusation. Remember No Scrubs by TLC and the guys' response, No Pigeons by Sporty Thieves? Well, it's something like that.

AMPG Collective is a group of individuals who have shared the same passion for music, fashion and art. We are made out of people with different backgrounds who come together as a collective. On the music side, we have Motion (Rapper/Producer), Saph (Rapper/Beatmaker), Paan (Vocalist/Songwriter) and Madzslang (Rapper). On the other side, Adi & Emil runs a clothing line called GRBK Classics (also an exclusive online store called Gerobok Store). GRBK Classics is the official clothing label for AMPG Collective and Phiberwryte Connects (PWC).

These Ampang dudes (hence the AMPG) are pretty cool if you're into the hip hop scene and their GRBK clothing line is also pretty hot.

Anyways, back to the song, I love both versions, Penakut by Yuna as well as Takut by AMPG feat. Yuna. Take a listen. What do you think?

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. Rules are simple. Leave ONLY the ACTUAL LINK POST here and grab the code below and place it at your blog entry. You can grab this code at LadyJava's Lounge Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.

PS: Because of spamming purposes, the linky will be closed on Thursday of each week at midnight, Malaysian Time. Thank you!

Back To Training

noreply@blogger.com (Shemah Sham) — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 06:17:00 +0000

I haven't run in a while. I do my regular cardio workouts -- Bodyrocking, Tae-bo and Zumba during the week but I miss running. For one, my running shoes are worn out so it hurts my ankles when I run without the "suspension" and cushioning. Secondly, it's been raining in the evenings and obviously, I don't run in the rain.

But I do really miss it. I'm planning to join the Energizer Night Run 2012 and the Standard Chartered KL Run 2012, and this time I want to bring my bestie along with me. but the Energizer night run is 15.5km and I've never run more than 10km before. So.. maybe I won't sign up. I don't know. Closing date is 23rd March or they'll close it earlier when registration is full. So we'll see.

As for losing weight, I feel like I have been losing minimal weight. It's so freaking annoying. I haven't been losing as much as I'd like to and it's getting on my nerves big time. My metabolism is shot and there's nothing I can do about it. How I wish I was back in time 10 years ago when just exercising for a week will make me lose the weight I want.

There are some friends (who don't believe in eating right and exercising) actually have tried to sell me slimming corsets and undergarments or slimming pills, but I just don't believe in those even if the side effects of 7 day slimming pill show that there's NOTHING TO BE WORRIED ABOUT.

But still.. I believe in the old mantra, no pain, no gain!!

DIY Guitar Pick Punch

noreply@blogger.com (Shemah Sham) — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 06:05:00 +0000

I still remember the days when my brother was so into his guitar that I swear it was an extension of his arm. It also meant that through all this guitar playing, he would have numerous picks that he just keeps losing. And who would be his target? My sisters and I. Apparently, we were to be blamed every time he loses a pick. Annoying was an understatement.

So when I saw this DIY Guitar Pick Punch at ThinkGeek, I immediately thought of getting one for my brother. He no longer has to cut out picks by himself out of expired loyalty cards.

Never be without a guitar pick again - just punch your own!
Can punch a variety of materials - up to 0.9mm thick!
Punch a few slimmer picks and glue them together for a truly custom pick experience.
Pick Dimensions: similar to a 351 style picks - approx. 1.1875" (30mm) x 1.0625" (25.5mm)
Punch Dimensions: approx. 6" x 1.25" x 4.25"

This DIY Guitar Pick Punch only retails at $24.99.

Park Model Homes

noreply@blogger.com (Shemah Sham) — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 05:51:00 +0000

Long gone are the days when trailer park homes look like trailers. Now, for those who can't quite yet afford a house but can afford something better than a trailer, these park model homes are the perfect choice. Perhaps not so safe in the land of tornadoes and earthquakes, but at least it's a better alternative than just your average trailer.

They can make them really nice these days and transportable too! They also make great vacation homes. Make it your home away from home.. you don't have to pay for accomodation (save for transporting and installing your park model home), but you can spend the whole summer without costing you a bomb!

Stress Cupcake

noreply@blogger.com (Shemah Sham) — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 05:32:00 +0000

Everyone knows that STRESSED spelled backwards = DESSERTS. So, it's only natural to want to curb our stress by eating the sweetiest, stickiest, gooeyest, chocolate-y thing you can find. However, a moment on the lips is forever on the hips, I say.

So if you want to rid yourself of your stress and STILL have your cupcake WITHOUT gaining some pounds, then get yourself a Stress Cupcake. Like a stress ball, but in a more appealing form. Low in calories, high on relief.

So what are you waiting for? Stress be gone for only $4.99!

Playground Equipment

noreply@blogger.com (Shemah Sham) — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 08:02:00 +0000

The playground in my neighbourhood needs some serious reconditioning and maintenance. Perhaps they should just buy some new play sets while they're at it. I seriously can't stand the sight of the deteriorating playground. Playground equipment aside, the benches for the parents and guardians are in such poor condition that planks are missing and some are just plain rotten.

I've only been in the neighbourhood for about 3 months so I haven't really gotten around getting to know that many people especially those in charge of matters like this. I could ask my neighbour but she's just a tad bit nosy so I try to avoid her if I could. Actually, I'm lying. "Tad bit" is me being kind. She is a lot nosy and one has got to be careful with the information one shares with her. But that's another story for another day.

I wonder how a play set like this would cost.

Pop Art Toaster

noreply@blogger.com (Shemah Sham) — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 07:38:00 +0000

I love toast. I can have toast anytime any day everyday. I can become obese just by eating toast. I love it more than Wayne from Higglytown Heroes. (Don't ask if you don't have kids who watch Playhouse Disney).

When I saw this toaster on ThinkGeek, (you guys know how much I love and stalk that site, right?), I totally had a freak out moment.

This bad boy comes with:

Unique all-in-one table top toaster burns "Bite Me" and "Ugh..." into your toast
Easily removable templates for when Mom comes to visit
Adjustable thermostat control
Non-stick baking plate. Cool touch housing
Free additional USB Coffee Warming Plate!

Don't you just LOVE it? Doesn't it make you want to break into dance?

I so want one!! Anyone feeling generous today? LOL! This Pop Art Toaster retails at $44.99.

Disclaimer: I do not receive any compensation for writing this post.

Tips On Decorating Your Home

noreply@blogger.com (Shemah Sham) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 03:40:00 +0000

Decorating your home is not an easy task even with the help of an interior designer. If you don't have a plan, or at least a picture of what you have in mind, then you'll just end up buying random things that you like and end up not making it "connect" with the other things that you have in your home.

So have a plan of what theme you're going for, what style, what color scheme or the general look of the room you want. Then measure the room and measure the items when you go shopping. You don't want to get furniture that's over-sized for a small room and vice versa. Even if I found the perfect rustic bar stools, if it doesn't bode well with the other furniture, it just won't do. It needs to be unified and old furniture need to mesh well with the new furniture.

Traffic flow is a good thing to focus on. You don't want your living room or home space to be a maze of sorts.

Balance and proportion are key to decorating. Don't over-stuff your bookshelves with books. Add other items such as photo frames, flower frames to make it more interesting. Minimize your clutter. Too many photo frames, too many books on the coffee table, that sort of thing.

When decorating a small room, you don't always have to think of what color you should use to make it bigger. You can always go for colors that will enhance the rooms liveliness and add some dramatic elements to the room.

A lot of people also always focus on the floor space. Remember your walls. Nowadays, there are a lot of wall shelves, wall sconces, and window treatments that can enhance your room and create storage space without using floor space.

I still have a lot of decorating to do in my new home, but I'm taking my own sweet time. So it'll be a while before I throw my housewarming party!! Here are some cool housewarming gifts I've written quite a while back, by the way.. *hint hint*

My Mermaid Doctor

noreply@blogger.com (Shemah Sham) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 03:09:00 +0000

Ever since I've been going through my Grey's Anatomy marathon, my daughter has taken a fancy to all this medical stuff. She's been playing with her toys and pushing around a tray which I assume is one of those medical carts.

She's gone as far as saying she wants to be a lady doctor.. much to her father's delight.. although, she added that she wants to work in the mermaid world.

Yes, she's obsessed with mermaids.

But then again, she's 4 years old. Her ambitions might change in 2 weeks, when I start on my Vampire Diaries marathon. Perhaps, she'll take a liking to being a vampire slayer ala Buffy.

World Press Photo of The Year

noreply@blogger.com (Shemah Sham) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:41:00 +0000

The World Press Photo jury has selected a New York Times photo taken in Yemen last fall as the photo of the year for its encapsulation of the anguish that accompanied the Arab Spring uprisings.

"A thin man rests his head on the shoulder of a burqa-clad woman, the pair collapsed together against a wall," Kerri McDonald writes on the New York Times Lens blog. "The expression on her face can't be seen. But her body language--right arm wrapped tightly around his neck, left hand clinging to his arm-—conveys everything her expression cannot."

New York Times Spanish photographer Samuel Aranda took the shot--which the Times describes as having "the mood of a Renaissance painting"--at the entrance to a mosque-turned-hospital. Koyo Kouoh, one of the jurors, added: "It stands for Yemen, Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Syria, for all that happened in the Arab Spring."

- Yahoo! News

So moving and heartbreaking. :(

Other winners include:

1st prize Daily Life Singles category of the 2012 World Press Photo contest by Damir Sagolj, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Reuters, shows a picture of North Korea's founder, Kim Il-sung, decorating a building in the capital Pyongyang, North Korea, Oct. 5, 2011. (AP Photo/Damir Sagolj, Reuters)

1st prize General News Singles category of the 2012 World Press Photo contest by Alex Majoli, Italy, Magnum Photos for Newsweek shows protesters cry, chant and scream in Cairo's Tahrir Square, after listening to the speech in which Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said he would not give up power in Cairo, Egypt, Feb. 10, 2011. (AP Photo/Alex Majoli, Magnum Photos for Newsweek)

1st prize Spot News Singles category of the 2012 World Press Photo Contest by Yuri Kozyrev, Russia, Noor Images for Time shows rebels in Ras Lanuf, Libya, March 11, 2011. (AP Photo/Yuri Kozyrev, Noor Images for Time)

2nd prize Sports Stories category of the 2012 World Press Photo contest by Adam Pretty, Australia, Getty Images shows divers practicing during the 14th FINA World Championships at the Oriental Sports Center in Shanghai, China, July 17, 2011. (AP Photo/Adam Pretty, Getty Images)

1st prize Arts and Entertainment Stories category of the 2012 World Press Photo contest by Rob Hornstra, The Netherlands shows the Sochi Project: Sochi Singers Marika Bajur sings 'Kuriu' in the restaurant Eurasia. (AP Photo/Rob Hornstra)

1st prize People in the News Stories category of the 2012 World Press Photo Contest by Yasuyoshi Chiba, Japan, Agence France-Presse shows the aftermath of the tsunami in Japan, April 3, 2011. Chieko Matsukawa shows her daughter's graduation certificate as she finds it in the debris in Higashimatsushima city, Miyagi prefecture, Japan. (AP Photo/Yasuyoshi Chiba, AFP)

Check out Yahoo! News for more winning photos from the World Press photo contest.

Wedding Bands

noreply@blogger.com (Shemah Sham) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 01:27:00 +0000

The husband recently took one of my chunky rings and used it on his pinky and asked me what I think PEOPLE would think if he went out wearing one of those. I said, if you're not related to the Salvatore brothers from Vampire Diaries, don't bother. (That went over his head obviously.. he has no idea what I was talking about).

Anyways, I told him, if he's not wearing his wedding band, then there's no way he's using any other ring. He doesn't wear his wedding band because he has sensitive skin. I've seen how raw, dry and itchy it gets if he does wear it and I don't want some infected, ewww-looking hand roaming all over me during sexy time. So yeah, it's fine with me if he doesn't wear one.

Last year, my brother and his wife got matching Bvlgari wedding bands that were really simple and understated. It was gorgeous but personally, I still love me some diamonds. It doesn't have to be Jennifer Lopez big. I like them simple. Perhaps for my 10th wedding anniversary next year I can upgrade my wedding band to something like this!

I don't normally like gold, but the wedding band I'm using is a mixture of gold and platinum and it looks good on my skin. It makes the diamonds pop out! Not that diamonds really need the help, but I think they're gorgeous. And it's not even that expensive if you get it now from Reeds Jewellers. It was $895 but it's at $599.95 now until March 31st, 2012! So brides and grooms-to-be, don't wait!

The World's Largest Coffee Cup

noreply@blogger.com (Shemah Sham) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:58:00 +0000

Coffee is a great pick me up. When I drink my coffee, I totally snap out of it. I become more focused at the task at hand and the aroma is just... hmmm.. yummm!

People say not to drink coffee before bedtime in order to get proper sleep. But personally, if I'm tired and sleepy, I'll still sleep. Regardless.. coffee or no coffee. However, I might have to eat my words if I drink out of THIS coffee cup before bedtime.

The World's Largest Coffee Cup weighs a little over 10lbs.. EMPTY. So not only will you end up like an over energized Energizer bunny, you can forgo your morning sessions at the gym as well. The cup holds up to 20 normal cups of coffee, just so you know. It holds more than a coffee maker! I think it's even bigger than my soup tureen. I can imagine one of my aunts getting drunk on eggnog during Christmas drinking from this cup.

The World's Largest Coffee Cup retails at $39.99 and can be found at sites like ThinkGeek but it is now currently out of stock (at time of posting).

p/s: Not affiliated with ThinkGeek or receiving compensation for this post.