New Dream Home! want to live next door?

Forget living on Wisteria Lane......I know what neighbourhood I would love to live in the HK neighbourhood........now that's what I call Kawaii living:):) in case u were wondering these homes are located in Taiwan.......Taiwan seems to love HK even more than Japan it seems as Taiwan is also home to the famous hello kitty hotel with suites at around $600-$3000 a night, so I wonder how much it'll cost to have a home like this?.........I better buy that lottery ticket;p........Does anyone want to move in next door?.......bye bye......love Jenn:):)

btw if are interested in the HK hotel here is the link:

http://www.grand-hilai.com.tw/english/kitty.htm

Shopping, Shopping, Shopping:)

Well I went on a lil shopping spree yesterday and it was a lot of fun.....but very expensive hehehehe....I bought a few new clothes for my library assistant job (not very exciting) some new moisteriser (again not very exciting)........but I also bought these impulse luxury finds:):):)


1: Juicy Couture Tote Bag: I loooove Juicy Couture and I have atleast 6 maybe 7 Juicy bags, I've kinda lost count:)......I work for a major dept store here in Australia (mostly on weekends) and I have been lucky to get most of my other Juicy Couture bags on sale at amazing prices through my store (I actually work for the rack store) and last year I had accumulated through a staff promotion over $2000 in store gift cards....so most of those bags were "free" purchases:):)......which is why it was hard to part with $323 (was $359 but I got 10% staff discount) of my own hard earned money to buy this one....(I have no gift cards left)......but I just had to have it......I fell in love with it the moment I saw it:):).......and it has just come out here in Australia.....like literally 2 days:):).....I'm going to keep it for my special going out bag......I love it sooo much.....and those of u who know me well know that I don't normally buy anything unless it's on sale hehehehe....I guess that has something to do with working in a rack store for 8 years (this nov).....I'm used to getting all my designer goodies at at least 40% off but usually 50% & 60% off:):):) plus staff:):)......so anyways without further ado here's my new bag......:):)

It's a very nice smooth velour......in a baby pink with the cutest chocolate Juicy Couture Scotty Dogs all over......with very shiny studded brass corners....and a really cute sporty/luxe G&P hang tag.......and chocolate brown leather small double handles.....and base:):) It was just tooo cute to resist:):):) and it's now my new fav Juicy Couture bag....maybe even my new fav bag of all my bags.....to which I have a lot:p.....:):)

2: now these two purchases were my first of the day so maybe that was an indication of how my day was starting especially as I then purchased the Juicy Couture bag less than 20 mins after these purchases.....and where were these purchases made.....at the Dior boutique inside the dept store......and even though the boutique is in the dept store, it's classed as a seperate entity so no staff discount......but one of the two dior necklaces I bought was 30% off so that helped:):).......so what did I get (and I apologise I tried to find pics on the net for them but surprisingly they r really hard to find, I guess that helps keep down people putting fakes up using the real designers pics) hmmm anyways.....the first one I fell in love with was 2 lil turtles one was a shiny silver and the other was silver with lil crystals covering it and in between them was a lil worded Dior.....as always it was on a cute dior silver chain:):) I looove Dior necklaces.....I already have 2 in my collection, and I wear my previous fav Teddyior all the time:):)

2nd of my 2 necklaces: it's a very pale pink butterfly with a silver Dior charm floating over the middle of the butterfly....again on the signature silver Dior chain......I did kinda find a pic of the necklace I have but it's in a different color but at least u can see the style: here it is:

And if u r interested in the price for both necklaces they were $355......I know some people consider blurting out prices as rude or uncouth but I always love to talk prices when shopping is involved cause it's interesting how some countries are more expensive than others......Australia for most designer goods in dept stores mark prices up usually by 50%.....for example I recently bought a $48 Juicy Couture necklace via Nordstrom (a US dept store I shop at a lot) and the same necklace in the dept store yesterday was $94 (the exchange rate is pretty much $1 for $1 at the moment) surprisingly though my Juicy Couture bag sells for around $250 US so it's not really that much of a big difference, but shopping for so many years online has taught me how prices vary......which is why I buy most of my goodies from the States.....but occasionally shopping down under will give me a good deal too:):):) I'm a global shopper hehehehe:):):) And that is pretty much my fun day out shopping:):):).....thanks for stopping by:):) Jenn:):)

My New Obsession:)

Well as you are well aware by now I have a love for all things kawaii.......and at the moment my new obsession is Blythe Dolls.........A lil condensed history: Blythe dolls were first introduced in the 1970's but they didn't take off (apparently they freaked the children out, it is obvious now that the dolls were just to ahead of their time) they sat alone and unloved in a toy vault until the early 00's when Photographer Gina Garan was given a vintage one from a friend because the friend said the doll reminded her of Gina........being the quirky and artistic photographer that she was she took photo's of her new lil friend in our natural surroundings......these same photo's soon took the world by storm especially in Japan where the dept stores and consumers went nuts......the toy company Takara started making in conjuntion with Hasbro what r now called Neo-Blythes 12" and petite blythes around 6" to satisfy this new Kawaii craze......and that is where my obsession has began.....at first I didn't really think much of Blythe dolls I had seen them on several myspacer friends pages but didn't really have an opinion.....then I came across one on eBay and it was their display box that caught my eye as opposed to the doll itself.....u see their display boxes r so retro so vintage that they are works of art in themselves and after falling in love with the box I took a better and more appreciative view of the doll inside......and now I'm hooked.....and my very firt Blythe Doll was bought last month:):):) here she is:
Her name is Enchanted Petal:

And here are some other Blythes on my wishlist:

Mod Molly:

Dainty Biscuit:

Gentle River:

Precocious Candy's Mush Room

New Hello Kitty Barbie

Above is the New Hello Kitty Barbie to be released exclusively with Toys R US next month.....it's definitely going to the top of my wishlist: it retails for $39.99 and is called: Barbie Collector Silver Label - Hello Kitty Apple Tree

here's some more info on it taken from the product page on the Toys R US website:

There's something perpetually trendy about Hello Kitty, the globally renowned icon that's embraced by kids and fashionistas alike. And who better to keep fingers on the fun fashion pulse than Barbie doll? Our favorite style maven adds whimsy to dark denim jeans and a black and white top through flirty Hello Kitty accessories in pink, of course! From the hip white jacket and bold pink belt to the hat, necklace and super-cute bag, Barbie doll displays the Hello Kitty logo everywhere, with pride. And why not? When fashion and fun collide, it's always a fabulous affair.

Thanks for stopping by:)

Hello Kitty Computer:)

If you love all things Kawaii then you have to see this.....I just had to share:):)

Evolution of crushes:)

The other day I did a blog using pictures to answer some questions......and as I’m bored again (ok really really bored again hehehehe) I’ve decided to do a montage of my celebrity crushes through the ages.....hehehehe enjoy:):):)

The Teeny Bopper Years:)
Joe Mcintyre (New Kids On The Block) Btw he is the only one I stuck pictures on the wall for:):)


The Teenage Years:)
River Phoenix (Actor)


Kelly Slater (World Champion Surfer)


Jason Priestly


Late Teens -Now:)
Howie Dorough (Backstreet Boys)


Paul Walker (Actor)


Chris O'Donell (Actor)


Matt Damon (Actor)


Channing Tatum (Actor)


Matt Czuchry (Actor)



And ok I think I'll stop hehehehe.....but that was fun.....and if u look at it from a psychological point of view (and to prove I'm not just really shallow hehehehe) a celebrity crush gives one a sense of the kind of guy she likes in real life too:):):)....try it u might be surprised....me I've realised that I definitely like the pretty boys....with cheeky smiles and kissable lips....dang their hot!!!!:):):)

sometimes tv and movies can change u for the better

Being an 80’s child I grew up in a very idealistic decade, I guess u could say we were the last generation to walk home from school and still feel relatively safe, a generation of emerging latch key kids, but most of us also had the stay at home mother too......we could play till it got dark then it was always dinner time and a night of tv filled with sitcoms like the Cosby Show, Family Ties et al.......it sure was an idealistic time alright, we r the generation of dreamers, the ones growing up thinking all was possible.....and anything we wanted to accomplish not only were we allowed to accomplish it but we were inspired to......yes it was a great time to grow up!!! and like most of my fellow 80’s kids, it is still the reason why we are idealistic dreamers searching for that ever inspiring path......and it is also why today we r all self confessed 80’s geeks.....I sure am:):).....just take a look at my dvd collection:):):) I truly believe tv and movies do influence the person we become......those ever so cheesy but oh so loveable sitcoms, and the myriads of inspiring 80’s movies I grew up on all have a special place in my heart and a few (one movie and one tv show in particular) really started that dream in me of being a writer........the movie was Stand By Me.......simply for the way it captured such profound lessons in friendship, it was also just the inspiration itself of the narrator/writer that made me stop and take notice and start looking at my own life in a different way....(yes even at 12)...and the exact same thing and actually more so can be said for the tv show The Wonder Years.....the wonder years narrated the story of a seemingly normal guy looking at the world from his own unique and thought provoking perspective....both of these narrators captured what it means to be human to see life to live life and capture it moment by moment.....these narrators showed us that we never get a chance to really look at ourselves and our experiences as often as we would like or as often as we should........needless to say they not only had a profound impact on me as writer but also as a person to, if anything these narrators show us how fragile and fleeting our moments in time are and why it’s so important to treasure them and those we meet in them along the way.......so to friends old and new.....I won’t ever forget ya.......I may never get to write it as eloquently as shows like the wonder years portrayed every week.....but i’m sure gonna try:):)


Stand By Me!


The Wonder Years!

where'd u get that? oh this, I got it on eBay:)

eBay one little world that can mean so much to a person, it can mean getting a sort after childhood toy mib (mint in box), a never can be found anywhere else dvd, designer bargains and only in America goodies (to ppl like me not living in America trust me this is cool), a place to buy new clothes, to sell old clothes, new junk, old junk, a veritable 24/7 sale on everything and anything, shout it from the rooftops if u need something to find, the first place most of us will look is within one word eBay.......yes eBay can mean a lot of things to all ppl, including me....to me it actually means all of those things I just mentioned......although I haven’t sold anything for awhile....I’m such a nice person i’m too scared to sell if it has the tiniest of marks i’m paranoid about not mentioning it...incase I get that dreaded negative feedback (btw I have never had one bad thing said about me ever)......no selling was just too stressful so I just shop instead:):):) plus I never made any money from it anyways:):).....and yes I’ve had some horror stories too as a buyer like things not being NWOT......but used, really used yuk!!.......ppl ripping me off especially for postage I HATE THAT!!!!!!! and on really rare occasions ppl just being a plain rip off artist and not sending stuff or giving me back my money for whatever reasons, but that is definitely rare......and I’ve found the best way to deal with ppl like this is kill them with kindness......make them feel guilty for ripping u off......it’s worked every single time.....and the biggest thing to remember if all else fails adhere to their sense of greed.....I once bought some jewelery from hong kong.....when it arrived both pieces were faulty I sent it back for a refund as they had posted I could do that to begin with.......did I get a refund.......nope.....oh I got promised that it was coming, and coming and coming.......and yeah so was the deadline for leaving feedback.....so what did I do.......I told them that my best friends birthday was coming up the following week and I had hoped to buy more from them but as I hadn’t gotten my refund yet I didn’t have the funds....low and behold the next day paypal had refunded me my money.......did I buy from them again.......ofcourse not:):):):) but I got my money back.......so remember if ppl rip u off.......u don’t have to get mean and nasty....hit them with kindness and guilt them into giving u your money back cause karma is a u know what:):):):) but hey.....99% of eBay is nothing but fun and bargains and finding that elusive treasure......whatever u r into it’s bound to be found on eBay:):):) just today I pre-ordered the My Melody and Tarina Tarantino barbies from one of my fav sellers:):):) I’m sharing all this because I came across this weird al video below and wanted to share it.......as always feel free to tell me your eBay stories....take care all Jenn:):)

Just when u thought it was safe to go in the water!

Ok, so most of u know that I am a shopaholic, a typical girly girl who loves all things cute and kawaii, butterflies, cupcakes, rainbows, hello kitty, just a few of my favourite things right.....well there is another favourite thing of mine that not many people know about......my love of sharks....in particular the great White Shark.....I know right.....how can anyone love sharks.....well since as far back as I remember I always have....sharks have always just fascinated me......from as far back as I can remember to now I have watched almost every documentary ever made and every book I could get my hands on, and at age 11 I was also finally allowed to watch JAWS:):):)...At age 14 I watched a particular documentary made by Al Giddings filmed here in Australia, he was one of the first people to dive outside of a cage with a Great White just himself and a broomstick (for protection) and a cage nearby, he proved that by watching a shark who is watching u, u take away the element of surprise and therefore the element they most need to ambush u and well bite u:):):)what intrigued me most by this experiment was the fact that he got in the water with one shark but in the space of a few minutes 2 more great whites show up so by this time he gets back in the cage, but he deemed the experiment a success because hey he didn't get attacked....well to a 14 yr old self wannabe shark expert the fact that 2 other Great Whites showed up raised many more questions for me,so much so that I wrote my theory to Mote Marine Laboratory in Florida (they hold the shark attack file for the entire world), the professor was really sweet and I guess humoured me but he wrote me back and said that yes that was an intriguing theory:):):).....to me it was like that first Shark watching Al was like hey Bob! hey George! come get a look at this guy???? and I must say it has since been proven that Great Whites often hunt in nearby groups, and will call each other over to check stuff out....so there u go:):):):) I just wanted to share this with u well because I'm bored hehehehe and also to state to the world that sharks and especially the Great White will always be my favourite animal of all time....simply because they r mysetrious, powerful, emote intrigue and fear and fascination in all of us whether we like them or not.....even today a shark attack will make front page news for those very reasons.....oh and if u r wondering...yes I did want to be a marine biologist for many many years....but I was really really crap at science:P....and well other dreams like being a writer took over too:):):) so there u go....I love Great Whites and u should too:):):)
isn't he cute:):)

In my 20 something years of research on Great Whites here is some tips and facts:):)
*Do not swim or surf at dawn or dusk
*Do not swim or surf on rainy and especially rainy and muggy days, the water is more murky and it also churns the sea which sharks just love
*Do not swim or surf near rocks or where the sea meets a canal/river or where it dips suddenly
*Do not wear bright colours or shiny jewellery this will attract sharks...they like a bit of bling just like me hehehehe
*Do not splash wildly or have irregular strokes this will attract sharks: true story a guy once got attacked in the States....about a minute after re-creating a scene from Jaws
*Do not go anywhere near seals if u see a seal u may as well hear the theme from jaws too
*Dolphins in the water does not always indicate it's safe to swim they can leave a lot faster than u if a shark suddenly appears

Shark Attacks:
Ok there are many theorys on shark attacks.....through the 90's and early 00's it was commonly said by experts that when a person was attacked especially if they were a surfer it was usually a case of mistaken identity the shark thought he was attacking a seal because surfers look a lot like seals from the surface and therefore sharks r more likely to attack u and for swimmers they r usually attracted to the sound of your splashing/swimming or they r just curious and come across u and bite u as an experiment....for many years I pretty much agreed with these theories but the last few years and with new research proving other theory's this is what I believe now!

Shark Attacks:
Sharks attack people for many reasons, it has since become a proven fact that Great Whites have many personality's some are even shy, others r very curious and others r just plain agressive and probably want to attack and dare I say it kill u.....most sharks though will attack u just because of their curiosity not neccessarily mistaken identity as perviously thought....they see u or more to the point hear u and wonder what u r so they check u out, they watch u, they may bump u and eventually they bite u, they usually swim away after just one bite(and sadly one bite can be all it takes) but on rare occassions or if the Great White or any other of the 300 odd species of shark (btw only 10 r considered man eaters)r aggressive they will attack u to kill u....but the chance of that happening is like so many million to one....99% of bites r just the one off test bites....so that is why some people get taken by a shark and others live to tell the tale. They r big animals that r curious it's as simple as that, and the only way they can test their curiosity is by biting u.

This concludes the end of today's lesson:):) as always thanks for reading:):):)

Excuse me, do you have the time?

ok ok, so most of u know by now that I'm a self confessed shopaholic, and being a self confessed shopaholic means that I will admit to buying everything and anything that I love and just have to have......which unfortunately for my bank balance is almost a daily accurance, on the other hand my credit card companies just love me hehehehehe.......so on any given day I will buy perfume, cosmetics, clothes,jewelery,hk/kawaii,home wares, and I have a particular weakness for handbags.....and lately watches, u see ten years ago I looooved watches and owned at least 10 (not expensive ones, just fashion/fun ones) a watch to me is like a necklace or a bracelet u need to change it to suit the outfit or color u r wearing that day.....of course u have the standby watches that go with almost everything and can be worn day to day, but it's just nice to have the option to mix it up a bit......so where was I, oh yeah so like ten years ago I had quite a fun collection.....but to make a long story short I moved o Australia, after a year in Europe.....and before leaving New Zealand for good I pretty much sold everything I owned (which was very cleansing when I think back on it) includng all of my watches.....bar one of course.....so I move to Australia in sept 1999, with just a few suitcases of clothes and trinkets from my travels and my new life began......and over the coming years I pretty much stick to just one watch.....until this past christmas......u see I discovered a page on amazon that has me totally addicted now......it was the ladies watch page at over 60% off all the time......OMG!!!! u signal a sale like this to a shopaholic and u may as well put the bull in the china shop cause u just know both of us will go nuts......and I did hehehehe......that christmas my mother, my best friend and I all all received a Lucien Piccard watch.....see the pick below for my choice....it was US$1295 down to US$179.....:):)

btw I also received the cutest hk watch from Gavin and Angela for Christmas....so now that's two watches to my growing collection:):):)
And last night I added another one:):):)u see I wasn't planning on buying anything I was just bored and thought I hadn't checked out the sale page in awhile and wanted to see what was new......and well I kinda found this:):):)

Totaling one carat in weight, 208 white diamonds are artfully arranged in both the bezel and sides of the case of this stunning timepiece. Crowned by a virtually scratch proof sapphire crystal, the shimmering white mother-of-pearl face features black Roman numerals, attractive blue hour and minute hands and a blue sweep seconds hand. Additional features of this luxury timepiece include a stainless steel bracelet band and a water resistance rating to 330 feet.

I couldn't resist:):):) it's US$1495 down to US$249.99......how can one resist a saving of that much!!!!!! 83% that doesn't come around everyday well on this site maybe it does hehehehehe.......but hey I'm turning the big 30 in just over a month and wanted something special to commemorate the occassion.....and now I have it:):)well actually I just ordered it so technically I don't have it but by this time next week I will have it:):):):):) and there u go.....and I have a feeling this is just the beginning of my new watch collection so far I have 3....and with this new one it'll be 4......so it's not that bad....yet....hehehehe.....and now that I'm older as u can see I'm definitely playing into my deisgner taste.....ahh it's good to be an adult with a credit card hehehehe......and btw I pay a huge amount off of my card every month:):):):) I have to hehehehe:):):):).....well I just wanted to share....does anyone have a particular weakness u want to admit too.....or something u love to collect:):):):)....thanks for reading.....take care....love Jenn:):):)

High School Reunion

A few years ago on VH1 or MTV or some channel like that they showed a couple of short series called High School Reunion, the premise was to get like 15 ppl from a graduating year from the early-mid 90‘s and put them in a huge house in Hawaii and watch the week long reunion unfold, u had the prom queen/jocks/cheerleaders, the fat/ugly girls or guys, the bully/bullied, the now gay guys/girls, the high school sweethearts, the shy/weird/smart guys/girls, the sluts/prudes well u get the picture, pretty much a representation from all the clicks, anyways these shows were riveting, their reunion was almost like watching ones own as it made u think about what happened to the various ppl and clicks in your own class (luckily most of us have reunion sites that help us in finding info)....but the show was so interesting to see how much or how little some of them had changed, and also some had unfinished business they needed to attend to like unrequited love/crushes, as well as big show downs between the clicks on various past issues on the drama,drama drama that went down way back when or even confronting how they had been treated by a particular group or person, so definitely an interesting show to see, btw at the end of the week/reunion they had another prom, a chance to put things right, and relive I guess some of their most happier memories. It was also a fitting end to the show.....so anyways a few months ago I found out that my old high school was having a reunion this March not so much for my class but for all classes from the last 50 yrs...so although I thought about it, and seeing my old school haunts would be fun and possibly meeting with old friends and crushes would be even more fun...I’ve decided against it for various reasons plus it doesn’t help that I live in a whole other country....but it was fun to think about for awhile...and I just wanted to know if anyone out there had ever gone back to their reunion and what it was like?

Too Cute!!! Too Kawaii:):)

For those of u who don't know about Kawaii.....it's the japanese word for cute:):):) and was invented by the hello kitty generation/harajuku girls who wanted a word to describe their lifestyle:):)but kawaii has become a sub-culture for cute lovers all round the world and I will readily admit to becoming a fan of everything kawaii myself....I mean who doesn't want cute in their life:):):)and I have to share with u one of the best kawaii designers I know of she is a spanish designer with a shop/website on www.charuca.net here is a few of her kawaii designs.....I'm sure you'll love them as much as I do:):) have a kawaii day everyone....love Jenn:):)

I heart NKOTB

Ok so there's been a few rumours around these last few days that maybe just maybe 20 yrs after launching into the hearts of young girls around the world...The New Kids On The Block could be making a come back.....the 10-12 yr old in me is squealing for joy hehehehe...they have even posted a new song on their official webiste a website I can't get into right now because my stupid computer won't let me download the flashplayer that's needed before u enter.....like so not fair ppl!!!.....hopefully I can fix in the next few days:):):) anyways I can only go by what I have heard through the gossip grape vine....and that is that yes there is a new song (I think) and there r hints of a come back arghh!!!! if they do come back maybe they can wait till I'm coming to the States in December 08 u know do it as a christmas thing.....but I bet it'll be a summer 08 thing instead which means I'll miss
out:(:(.....(I don't think my bosses will quite understand the need for 2 trips to the States this year especially when one of those trips is purely a nostalgia trip for an 80's geek like me hehehehehe.....nor could my creidt cards for that matter) so who knows.....if anybody knows anything please keep me updated:):):)......and if u r a closeted fan or even a still loyal fan with tee shirts and buttons lets hear from ya too.....anyways here's how my love of NKOTB started....so I'm 10 it's the summer holidays and I'm over at my neighbours house.....we r in her room listening to the radio when I hear cover girl come on....OMG I'm thinking who r these ppl.....anyways a few days later I'm in a book store and I see the new kids all over magazines back then in NZ we used to get all the teeny bopper magazines from the states.....and from there I was hooked.....I loved Joe the best followed by Jordan:):):) they were the one and only band to go on my walls and they covered them too....I loved all their songs as did all my friends...in fact my friend Lesley was soooo obsessed with them her parents spent $3000 buying her everything related to New Kids.....(no wonder she was the most popular girl in elementary school) anyways the love affair lasted from the ages of 10 to around 12/13....after step by step had come and gone.....then I moved to highschool and new kids became a distant memory...and I turned to more appropriate dis-enfranchised youth music that talked more to the tortured teenage soul that I was becoming:):):).....as well as other hotter boy bands of the day like Color Me Badd:):):)but the new kids will always have that special spot in my heart as they were my first.....my first celebrity crush (oh joey joe hehehe)....my first boy band.....and they will always be to me as well as i'm sure to many of u a symbolisation of the innocence of childhood..(my childhood)...so I'm sure millions of other 80's kids and teens who loved the new kids r just as excited as me to hear of the possible comeback even if it's just a one off.....it'll be nice to let that inner-child out to scream and fall in love with them all over again:):):):)

Pop Culture Barbie Dolls

I'd definitely describe myself as a collector.....handbags....perfumes and lotions and potions...jewelery.....hk and other sanrio/kawaii.....I collect everything and anything it goes hand in hand with being a shopaholic.....and lately especially since the HK barbie was released in late 2007 I have become interested in barbie dolls.....I especially love the pop culture dolls and I love their retro dolls to, and I have even started collecting the designer dolls (especially if they have handbags) I'm not going to be a full on collector I'm only going to collect if it means something to me.....or is just too too cute to resist....like the two dolls I have my eye on now:):):) the Tarina Tarantino barbie(I am a huge huge fan of Tarina Tarantino, I own several pieces of her jewelery especially her pink head range) and I'm also wanting the My Melody Barbie both will be super cute editions to my collection...too cute:):)


MY MELODY BARBIE/RELEASE DATE MARCH 2008


TARINA TARANTINO BARBIE/RELEASE DATE MAY 2008.

Retail Etiquette 101!

OK 12 years in the retail industry and customer service experience, I believe have qualified me to give this lil view into the world of the retail assistant and what to say and not to say to get the best service:):) Here r a few golden rules:):)

* DO NOT:See a person doing nothing at a counter, and say jokingly oh u look bored I better give u something to do, or anything of that nature....for most of us this 10second breather is all we have had all day....and we don't appreciate being told that we look bored (especially if a supervisor or manager is in ear shot)...when seconds before we have been flat out serving customers or doing many of the million mundane jobs we have been given.

*DO NOT: go into a store 5 minutes before closing...unless it is a real emergency and u will be in and out before the store closes.....we do not get paid after closing time (well most of us don't)....and we do not like working for free:(:( and this goes for customers who shop in the last half hour and come to the counter 2 minutes before closing with 50 items to buy....do not expect to be given the royal treatment as again we will now be late after work and have given our company up to 10minutes of extra work time that WE DO NOT GET PAID FOR!!!! add that to 5 shifts a week and that's an extra hr our company gets out of us for nothing!!!!

*DO NOT: Have breakables and ask the person at the counter to check before they sell it to u....please do this before reaching the counter as 1 most of us do not have the time to look over your precious item and put it back in it's box...and 2 if that isn't really our dept it would be best to have a sales person from that dept check for u or better yet serve u:):)

*DO NOT: Talk on your cellphone or decide to have a lil PDA (Public Display of Affection)infront of us...we have nowhere to go if we are behind a counter and do not like being subject to the intimate details of your relationship.....and to talk on your phone is not only rude but if we need to ask u something we have to interrupt u:(

*DO:If u r need of a refund or exchange....do check the policy of the store beforehand and if u disagree with it for any reason do not get upset at the poor girl behind the counter and especially don't get rude....we r only qualified to tell u and adhere to the store's policy we have no authority to change or bend the rules.....BUT.....we will usually offer to get a supervisor or a manager to help u.....AND....if u have been nice we will definitely put in a good word for u and help u with your case....our manager and supervisors listen to us and often judging on how u have treated us, will probably as gesture of good will bend the rules and give u a refund/exchange.....AND if u have been rude to us....be aware that when we say we will go and talk to a manager/supervisor for u and then leave u....be guaranteed that we r out the back of the store telling them how rude u were to us....and unless the manager is a complete whimp u will never have a chance of getting a refund or exchange:P

*DO: Be nice at all times not only for refunds or exchanges but just in general if we have the opportunity to give an extra discount or a free sample or something....be assured that by being nice to us, u will be rewarded too.....:):):) and u know what just be nice anyway because it always pays to be nice in life....because Karma is a u know what ppl:):):)

NOTE: Ok I must mention here that not all who work in Retail/Customer Service/Sales should ever be working at such positions because they have absolutely no customer skills whatsoever (I personally attest to having excellent customer skills:):):):) I have many "regular" customers who wait to be served by me only:):):)and I am always complemented on how nice/friendly/helpful I am (shame the boss is never around to hear any of that hehehehe)....but yes some ppl r just flat out rude (but for a lot of them that is just there personality and it doesn't matter where they work).....believe me I've encountered my fair share of rude assistants over the years....which baffles me even more working in the same industry.....as it isn't that hard to be nice to customers especially when it's the main thing we r paid for....unfortunately not all agree with me....hence why u encounter the rude/arrogant staff along the way.....the best way to get the service that u want is to speak to a manager....(if the manager is the biggest culprit and the whole store puts u off then definitely write to the head office and in a letter explain your discomfort as a customer because of the level of service the staff/manager provide....if a lot of ppl complain....the turnover of staff at the store will happen rather quickly:):):):) happy shopping everyone!!!:)

Thanks Lesli:):)

First of all I have to thank my friend Lesli for telling me about this blog website....and kindly giving me the link to make my own:):):) and now in true friend tradition I'm going to be naughty and steal a few of her blog ideas from her amazing blog site:):) check it out:):)http://www.bunnycakes.blogspot.com/ Thanks again Lesli u r the best:):):) love ya:):)

Jenn's Loves & Loathes:):)

LOVES:
Shopping....especially in dept stores....the one stop shops....I just bought a cute lacoste sweater and J brand jeans from Nordstrom last night...both were 40% off and I love how they ship to Australia....it'll be here in 3 days....I love planning for trips.....hotels/airfares/sight seeing/shopping I will spend a whole year organising a trip:):):) but I'm not an organised tourist I like to just go with the flow once I'm there....it's more the dreaming of a trip that I love....as u can see I'm a bit of a dreamer....:):):) what else....I love good movies.....good food....good conversation....I love ppl that u can talk about anything with:):) I love my tv:):) especially shows like The Hills, Newport Harbor, Laguna Beach, it's like having a reunion with ppl u went to highschool with only they r still young and glamorous with their whole lives ahead of them and u can just sit back and relish in their drama,drama,drama usually about nothing....which is why it's so entertaining like duh!.....I love chocolate, and cupcakes and anything Kawaii and HK related....it's become an obsession of late:):):) and I'm an 80's child so am def an 80's geek....movies, tv shows....toys I'm a sucker for all of it....I am currently collecting dvd seasons of all my fav shows.....cosby/family ties/charles in charge/growing pains/.....as soon as they release them I have to buy them:):)....I love travelling....because u get to not work for a few weeks which is always a bonus,but u get to meet the ppl of the world and expereience their way of life for awhile.....plus u can eat different food and see all the sights, and shop!!! u def get to shop for stuff u can't buy at home:):):) and i'm a sucker for souvenirs too:P

LOATHES:
what's happening to young hollywood right now.....ppl dying ad going nuts.....someone needs to help them.....and we need to stop being shown every minute detail of these celebrities lives....enough said.....(see other blogs for more tirades)I hate peas....I hate clay animation....it's just creepy and freaks me out....nothing good can come from clay animation it's evil hehehehe.....I hate rude people.....(I work in retail....and the amount of abuse we get it....well i'll have to save it for another blog)I loathe ignorant ppl and those who r intolerant and inconsiderate of others..I hate procrastinating, something that I tend to do on a daily basis...and did I mention I hate peas:):):)

Movies: Part 2:)

It's Show Time!

Ok now I've done the list of actors/actresses that I love and the movies that they have made that I love the most:):):)....and now it's time to announce the List of the movies I Jenn the movie Geek (I've decided to give myself a name hehehehe) love and want to share with y'all or no-one in particular whatever the case may be:):):)

I've decided to bunch them into categories to make it easier.

Ok in true movie geekdom I have to start with the 80's:):)

Now being a kid from the 80's, just know that there is nostalgia attached to every one of these choices…..I've found everything from your childhood means so much more as u get older and that counts for movies too…..ok here we go it may be long hehehehehe

THE 80'S:

*The Karate Kid: Still up there on my top 5 movies of all time....Billy Zabka as the bad boy helps cement it as a classic too!!!

*Ferris Bueller's Day Off:...OMG where do I start….I practically know this movie off by heart.

*Rad

*Pretty In Pink, 16 Candles, The Breakfast Club….all Molly Ringwald must sees.

*Some Kind Of Wonderful

*Planes, Trains and Automobiles

*Just One Of The Guys

*American Anthem

*Student Exchange

*Baby Boom

*Working Girl

*The Never Ending Story

*Flight of the Navigator

*The Princess Bride

*Back To The Future

*Big

*Funny Farm

*Top Gun

*Pretty Woman

CHICK FLICKS:

*Beaches

*Stepmom

*Steel Magnolia's

*A League Of Their Own

*Serendipity

*The Devil Wears Prada

*The Nanny Diaries

*The Lovely Bones (being filmed in NZ right now)

*Legally Blond 1 & 2

*How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days

*Romy and Michele's High School Reunion

*The Wedding Planner

*The Wedding Singer

*Never Been Kissed

*Sleepless in Seattle

*You've Got Mail

*French Kiss

*10 Things I Hate About You

*Mean Girls

INSPIRING TEACHER MOVIES:

*The Ron Clark Story

*Lean On Me

*Dangerous Minds

*Mr Holland Opus

*Freedom Writers

*To Sir With Love 1 & 2

*Finding Forrester

*Lean On Me

*The Emperor's Club

*Dead Poets Society

OTHER INSPIRING (Drama) MOVIES:

*The Pursuit of Happiness

*Miss Potter

*Good Will Hunting

*Field of Dreams

*The Shawshank Redemption

*The Power Of One

*Remember The Titans

*Pay It Forward

*My Date With Drew

ACTION MOVIES:

*Jaws (all of them even Jaws the Revenge hehehe)

*Die Hard (all 4 movies)

*Terminator Trilogy

*The Long Kiss Goodnight

*Point Break (I know this one off by heart)

*The Italian Job (Mark Wahlberg re-make)

*The Godfather (trilogy)

*National Treasure

And that my friends is that...and it is just a mere drop into the ocean of not only my dvd collection but also my love of movies collection, and believe me I will be updating this list A LOT!!! I hope y'all have a spotted a few of your favourites amongst my list and maybe u have spotted one u don't know about and are curious to watch...if u do let me know what u thought....these movies have made the list because like all movies in my dvd collection they r movies I love to watch time and time again...and that my friends is the real secret to a good movie....c u on the couch, and give me back my remote:P

Movies: Part 1:)

Movies: Part 1 Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities
Ok in my last blog I did a tirade on entertainment news and so on……well this blog is also about the entertainment industry but is about my love of movies……and please feel free to comment me back with your favourites too:):)
This blog has to go into two parts, so in the first part here is a list of some of my fav actors/actresses:)

Actors:
Morgan Freeman: Because he has a great presence on screen, he always tries to vary his performances…..he can play practically anything, he always makes good choices for roles, but he's not always the leading man so much as the supporter who makes u take notice…..and he has the coolest narrating voice I have ever heard……:):) fav movies with Morgan that I love, Lean on Me, Power of One, Bruce Almighty, Evan Almighty, and last but not least The Shawshank Redemption.

Dustin Hoffman: Another Actor who plays so many remembered and various roles….My stand outs for him are Midnight Cowboy, Tootsie and Rain Man.

Richard Dreyfuss: Mr Holland's Opus, Stand By Me (Narrator/The Writer was his character too), Jaws, What About Bob?

Matt Damon: What else is there to say:):)...some of my fav Matt Damon movies are: Good Will Hunting, The Departed, School Ties, Ocean's Eleven, Ocean's Thirteen (I didn't like Ocean's Twelve) and Rounders.

Leonardo DiCaprio: What doesn't he do that isn't great…..but a few of my fav Leo movies are….Titanic, Catch Me If You Can, Basketball Diaries, Blood Diamond, and the first movie where I noticed him What's Eating Gilbert Grape.

Johnny Depp: Again another actor who plays character roles like nobody else, First character role that I love him in of course captain Jack Sparrow from the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy, also love him as Willy Wonka in the re-make of Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, then there's What's Eating Gilbert Grape, and although not a movie and he hates to be reminded that that is how he started to get big, I did love him in 21 Jump Street:)

Tom Hanks: Big, Sleepless in Seattle, Forrest Gump, Castaway, Terminal.

Kevin Kline: The Emperor's Club, Life As A House, Dave, French Kiss.

Robin Williams: Jumanji, Mrs Doubtfire, Dead Poets Society, Good Morning Vietnam, Good Will Hunting, RV, Night at the Museum.

Tom Cruise: (have to say first that I don't like Tom so much as a person now he comes across as very arrogant and controlling these days, but you can't really fault Tom as an actor, or what he has brought to the movie industry).....o.k so here's some of Tom's movies that I like:):) Top Gun, Risky Business, Jerry Maguire, Cocktail, Rain Man, A Few Good Men, Days of Thunder, The Color Of Money.....btw did u know that Tom and his characters have some of the most recognisable catch phrases from his movies...some examples.....Show Me The Money!!! and... Shut Up! You had me at Hello (Although Renee actually says that line)...both from Jerry Maguire....I feel the need, the need for speed (Top Gun), I want the truth speech (A Few Good Men) and it's actually Jack Nicholsan who makes that one famous by saying You Can't Handle The Truth!!!....that's just a few anyways....:):)

Channing Tatum/Paul Walker: Because they are hot and also make good movies:):) Channing Tatum is certainly one to watch out for he has some good movies coming out in 08:)

ACTRESSES:
Drew Barrymore: Drew the girl next door that we all love….my fav Drew movies….E.T, Mad Love, Scream, The Wedding Singer, 50 First Dates, Never Been Kissed, Fever Pitch (in Australia it's known as The Perfect Catch) And although not technically a Drew Barrymore movie: My Date With Drew.

Meryl Streep: The Devil Wears Prada, The River Wild, Defending Your Life, Kramer vs Kramer, The Holocaust.

Julia Roberts: Steel Magnolia's, Pretty Woman, Stepmom, Notting Hill, Erin Brokovich, Mona Lisa's Smile.

Susan Sarandon:Thelma & Louise, Stepmom, Anywhere But Here.

Geena Davis: Thelma & Louise, Long Kiss Goodnight, A League Of Their Own, Quick Change.

Reese Witherspoon: The Man in the Moon, Fear, Pleasantville, Legally Blond 1&2, Sweet Home Alabama.

Kate Winslet: Titanic, Finding Neverland, The Holiday.

Julia Stiles: 10 Things I Hate About You, Save The Last Dance, The 60's, The Prince and Me.

The choices these actors/actresses make is why I love them because they all have the power to make any movie they want to, be it, drama, comedy, character, they all become these parts so believingly and that is why they are some of the biggest names in hollywood:):) And why they all deserve to make my list of favourites.

Note: These are my personal favourites, some are the big block busters that we all know and love and some I just love because the movie resonates with me or I just love for the sheer entertainment factor, which is why we all watch movies in the first place right:):)

So What Do You Write?

So what do u write? That is the follow up question I get as soon as I even remotely mention that I'm a writer......my reply is always the same I've written a few children's books.....(picture books, and no I'm not published yet).....and I'm about to start my first novel.....then they reply oh and go on their way....and my fraud is out in the open.....I haven't written much....so therefore how can I call myself a writer?......my answer.....because I am!.....Oprah once had a conversation with someone...and I think they also wanted to be a writer....and they said how do know when u r a writer.....(implicating how many words or pages must u be writing a day to qualify yourself with such a title) her answer was if u wake up everyday and the first thing u think about is writing...then u r a writer......that has always resonated with me.....although that is the 2nd thing I think of (the first is can I go back to sleep?) so yes! everyday I do wake up and I think of myself as a writer.....because and as the old saying goes....I think, therefore I am.....(I was also really good at writing in all years at school and I majored in (Creative) Writing in college....so it has always been a love and something I was good at:):):) so anyways what was I saying oh yes....so I wake up thinking like a writer....I conduct my day with a writers perspective....I see a million stories just pass through my head as I watch the world around me and wonder how would I use that person or that situation in a book.....i'm also a natural at guessing story lines and even actual dialogue in movies and tv (but that also goes hand in hand in watching way too much of both) but seeing it through the eyes of a writer gives these mediums a whole other level......I have a cherished book upstairs with dozens of book beginnings and ideas that have mostly hit me in a brief moment of clarity and silence......and that is also my problem....to write I need to be focused and quiet and that is not easy when u work 2 jobs and just want to come home and vege.....but when I think of writing I imagine myself in a log cabin in the middle of nowhere except me and a lap top.....(because my cabin still has all the luxuries of home) I didn't say I wanted to rough it:):):)....I just want to have an awe inspiring view.....and hear nothing but the sound of nature and my brain whirling of ideas.....yes, your right being a so called writer...I could imagine such a peaceful setting.....but it's always broken by the sound of every neighbour around me wanting to do every job they've been putting off to the exact same moment as well as the psycho two yr old next door (well he's almost 3 now) who's favourite past time is to sit outside and squeal/scream for hrs on end......there is only so much even a writer can imagine.....and so my tale of woe continues as I write the novel in my head and not on the page where it should be and definitely where a publisher needs to see it.......and I'll keep dreaming of my log cabin in my perfect spot just waiting for me to open the door and write:):):)

Oh The Humanity:P

I don't know about y'all but I for one have had enough and feel the need to speak out against the tyranny of what is now so called entertainment, and especially so called entertainment news. Now before I start this tirade just know that I am also very guilty of indulging in trashy magazines and watching hours of every trashy/fun show on the E channel and every other entertainment show going!!!…..but that doesn't mean that I WANT to see 24/7 of Britney Spears having a mental breakdown before my very eyes, or watching Paris Hilton being "Paris Hilton" or Lindsay Lohan being a drunk…..I watch these programs to find out about TV and Movie gossip, because I love TV and Movies and that's what I expect these shows will provide me, not countless hours of mindless dribble of these so called young hollywood beauties being stalked and pursued by the papparazzi….that to me is not entertainment…..is it to u????? ok on with the tirade!!!

Lets start with Entertainment Tonight which is regarded among many as the corner stone of all entertainment media reporting since I was a little one in the early 80's, I myself have watched ET religiously for some 15 years, but ever since Anna Nicole died they have gone absolutely nuts…well really they started going nuts when her son died, anyways I digress…ET no longer reports on movie premieres, and TV show news (ok they do but definitely not like they used to, it's barely a quarter of the show now) now it's all mindless gossip and hey opening story look what Britney did today……drum roll please…. she went to a gas station and got star bucks…..who cares!!!!!!!!

When did our media become so obsessed with these out of control celebrities????? And I must add, what I love is that they say how much we the ppl love it, and want to hear about it…..oh yes! we do don't we….that's what we want Britney and the rest of the gang having meltdowns and going to rehab, getting married/divorced/having kids……yes that's exactly what we the ppl ask to hear about every single day all day…..I know I do (sarcasm is intended hehehehe) why don't we just go the whole hog and have a Britney channel!!! It could be like the Truman show only she will know she is on camera….how can she not, with a million bulbs constantly in her face….

Have u ever asked yourselves….Why do they think that we want to hear about this kind of celebrity gossip every single day like it's a daily soap opera……Because and here's the real answer: "They" (and by "they" I mean the publishing, entertainment and media industries) want you to want to follow these celebrities like a soap opera!!!!! that's why they make them into characters and not real ppl) think about it Britney is no longer just Britney she was once the Pop Princess or Princess of Pop and now she is often referred to as the Pop Tart (oh how the mighty have fallen)….btw one of my majors at university was in communication and media studies, so I have an insiders opinion into how the "industry" and "they" works……for example……look back at a few months of your fav magazine doesn't matter which one (but usually magazines like US Weekly and People are the major culprits) one week stars are too thin, then the next stars are too fat, one week it's celebrities without make-up, so we think oh look they really are just like us…..this also happens when they are pointing out so and so is a mess (Britney, Lindsay, Paris et al) so we continue to think they r just like us we can so relate to them…..(btw, If u can directly relate to them u also need to be seeking help like poor old Britney hehehehe) then the next week the same star is at a movie premiere, or some opening/gathering (restaurant/designer store/charity event) and they are looking all glamorous and perfect, just to make us understand they aren't really a part of "our" world and therefore making us wish we were a part of young hollywood too…This feeds us, it makes us want more….we want to idolise and knock them down at the same time…..this is ultimately what sells the magazines, as well as the products in the magazines (especially if the celebrity is wearing it) all of this helps keep the economy going and gives us a dose of reality/entertainment/fantasy all in the one glossy and affordable package, your weekly gossip magazine.

You have to feel sorry for these stars in some respect…..because I can't imagine anybody wanting to be covered by the media the way Britney has been lately……but on the other side they are the one's that go out and party night after night, they are the ones who put themselves in the humiliating and controversial situations……if they really didn't like all the attention they could leave hollywood or even dare I say itJ have a night in…..now I'm not saying they can't have a life and go out and have fun…and I realise they need to live in L.A for work etc, but do u see all the other young famous ppl in L.A (for which there are dozens and dozens) being splashed all over the magazines the way, Britney, Paris, Nicole and Lindsay are….believe it or not, Britney, Paris, Lindsay et al, probably love the attention this frenzy gives them, it's that old adage any publicity is good publicity……and also in a way "they" have made these girls a sort of a click, like the cools girls in high school that by buying the magazine we can be a part of the drama, drama, drama….even so if my name was Britney and I was in a major custody battle, I for one would not be going out every night and degrading myself just so I can see my disgrace the following day on ET!!!!

It's like a car crash, we don't want to watch it, but some how we can't help but look…..and in the case of Britney look and look and look, until I for one want to go and smack her up side the head and tell her to grow up and go back to "normal" to the old Britney we understood and loved so much……or at least…grow up and take responsibility for her decisions in life…. For the record I genuinely like Britney….I think she definitely needs some help and certainly a good friend too kick her in the butt and stop her from destroying her life…..I don't want Britney to follow down the road of god forbid Anna Nicole….and that is the end of my tirade…..thanks for reading….comments are always welcome……take care all….Jenn:):)

OMG!! We have lost another one:(:(

Drugs and the pressure of hollywood teamed with young and reckless actors sometimes lead to a fateful demise........I can't believe Heath Ledger is gone:( I was an instant fan after seeing him in 10 Things I hate About You......it is such a tragic shame......he will be sorely missed.....especially when u think about everything else he could have acheived in the future......and he follows in the footsteps of other leading men who left us to early......like River Phoenix.....I still miss him........he went way before his time.......the movie industry not only loses these hollywood greats in their prime.......but think about all the roles they will now never get to play and the voices we will never get to hear from their perspective........it is so sad....it's just too many.....Brad Renfro just last week.....Jonathan Brandis.......Christopher Pettiet.......and too many more......but that is the price these guys pay when they play Russian Roulette with their lives......I just hope stars tettering on the edge like Britney stand up and pay attention.....before it's too late for them too.....so sad!!!! take care of yourselves everyone.

My Dream Home:):)

OK so whenever I feel like dreaming out loud......I always visit a real estate website that has a special area of Australia that is developing a community of suburbs full of every dream home a girl can imagine....and what's very exciting for me, most of these home r American style in architecture....like Cape Cod homes and other cute/dreamy/inspirational homes like that......see I believe a house shouldn't just be somewhere where u live it should be a home....a sanctuary....a place to feel safe and to dream.....and it wouldn't hurt to have ppl drive past your neighbourhood and want to live in your house too:):):).......yes, I do admit to having designer taste and tend to like the best things in life and it comes as no surprise that when I dream of my future home I would want to dream big too:):):)......but hey, I'm in reality here I can't even afford a one bedroom apartment :(:(:(..... and I'm not even dreaming of a 15 bedroom mansion or anything crazy oppulent like that nope I will never achieve that unless I win the lottery or something:):):) but my dream is for a 3-4 bdrm brand new house, in a tree lined suburb (with plenty of bedrooms to be writing/collecting rooms) :):):)......so for now it's a dream and it's my dream so I'm keeping it.......:):):):) and this house at the top of my blog (I haven't figured out how to put pics underneath tezt yet:( is my absolute dream home!!!