Ely1

As far as I know, Walmart, Kmart, Neiman Marcus etc don't allow non-US issued credit cards, so even if you get past the checkout system (which I have - even with confirmation order), the order will be reviewed by the sales people and they'll inform you the transaction has to be cancelled, and your money refunded. (You could always engage a vPost/Borderlinx concierge to do this for you though). Skinstore.com, Drugstore.com, newegg.com, Amazon - all allow international credit cards. But yes, do take RB's advice and shop around here first before buying online. The things I buy I know for certain are cheaper online, like my True Religion jeans which cost S$750 at Bread and Butter here!! -Ely

I am in complete agreement with RB here. FKN simply uses too many "..........."s in his sentences to even sound credible, that is, if you get over the "............."s to actually read his "advice" that is purely based on really strange anti-Brit sentiments and weird self-contrived logic, just expressed with so much conviction (or insistence and repetition - common tools for propoganda) that people actually WANT to heed it. From a very amateur's point of view, all I can say is 1) stick to your budget 2) listen to the different systems according to this budget 3) buy whatever you like best. Let KEC set up different systems according to your budget, and your preferences - give feedback like "this is not crisp enough", "too bass heavy for me", and they can better cater to your personal preferences. If you like further assurance, go home and do a Google search on the certain models you like and read reviews, then your cognitive dissonance will be satisfied, and you'd feel better informed when making your purchase decision. To a certain extent, I'd agree that popularity is based on advertising/endorsements, for example pet food like Science Diet, Eukanuba etc, but unlike FKN, I'm able to provide solid proof when I reveal the list of ingredients in comparison with other brands. Why pay for by-products and corn just because they're sold at vets when you can pay for real meat and no-grains? It's all about more bang for your buck. People just assume Science Diet MUST be a good food because they sponsor the Crufts Dog Show and sold at vets. So, do your own research, and really, really, just pick what you love listening to most. -Ely

They look fantastic, lazybum! Trust me - I've lived in more places than I can count - about 12 homes whilst renting in Australia - I was quite a vagabond and liked to shift yearly or twice yearly just to experience a different suburb, and I can tell you - GREY TILES ARE THE BEST. For concealing hair, dirt, stains, pet hair etc - GREY! One of the few places I lived in Australia with grey tiles in kitchen: And grey tiled bathroom: Naturally, I went with grey tiles for the wet kitchen for my current home -Ely

I'm more old-fashioned - I still love carrying spiral notebooks around and writing everything down. Like I suggested to you CutieCat, you don't really need "prove" that somewhere offered a better price. I simply told the HN salesguy "well, they're offering it for $xxx somewhere else" and he would excuse himself to "check the best price", then return to say he'll match it. I agree with weeeeee's advice about getting everything purchased in time for carpentry. As the pedantic Virgo, I printed out the specs of EVERYTHING - including everything that would go into the TV console, on top of the console, beside the console; the sinks and taps so he can customise the vanity with better precision, the electrical goods so the kitchen cabinets can be planned for better space management, then we can decide on how many drawers/cabinets etc, even down to the size of my laptop so it'd fit the study desk perfectly. If you haven't engaged an ID yet, you still have time - just jot down the models you like and make phonecalls from home, or check Gain City's/Courts' website. Much easier than physically going down to every store - you'll find yourself very tired indeed. -Ely

We got a 40" Samsung LED ($999) for the bedroom because of its sleekness!! It's much thinner than most we saw. For the living room, we got a Sony 3D LED 46" for $2799 - sleekness not so important since we're mounting it on feature wall. Go to the Gain City Expo and look at all the TVs imo, see which one you like! -Ely

RB would have a good idea about audio/visual equipment purchased overseas if you're interested in a HTS, so you can definitely consult with him on that. I think kitchen accessories is more of reglxt's forte I'm more a bit of everything - DVDs, clothes, bags, art, handmade stuff, pet items, workout gear, vitamins, skincare, cosmetics, accessories etc. I even buy my underwear online so... I tend to think *almost* everything is cheaper online P.S. But don't take it from me, I'm a self-confessed online shopping addict. -Ely

Haha, someone guessed it from the floor plan much earlier. But the cat is out of the bag - yes, it's Loyang Valley We love the place so much because it's so quiet and idyllic. -Ely

Your kitchen is gorgeous!! Really love how you put it all together. Nice job! -Ely

Nice, classic look! Great to know another East-ender! Enjoy your new home - it looks great! -Ely

Gorgeous coffee table!! <3 -Ely

I concur. A May-Dream tick system sticker on every tile in the showroom. 1 tick - prone to water stains, must wipe immediately 2 ticks - prone to liquid stains, must wipe immediately 3 ticks - may stain if left overnight, clean gently with soap & sponge 4 ticks - EVEN PERMANENT MARKER CAN WIPE OFF! 5 ticks - No discolouration despite alcohol penetration How the **** did no one think of doing this!! This one's for the books. You've set a new standard in tile testing, May Dream! -Ely

Yes Don't worry about sounding stupid, we all start somewhere -Ely

Yeah, I wanted as much control as I could over the amount of lights controlled by the switches, but recently had to make some sacrifices because we forgot about dimmers! Mostly, I group all the downlights into 2 with one switch. Since you're also in the East, perhaps you and your lovely Virgo wife can come over and help us with our HTS once we're more or less settled! I'm near Changi/Tampines. -Ely

They were designed by my ID, with the inclusion of the Halogen track lights when I said I would be hanging metal art on those two walls. The ones in the balcony are tentative, and only implemented if we get the wall water feature done. If not, I'm only looking at floor lamps for the balcony, which both the ID and electrician said would make it too dark, but I like it cosy! Even the bedrooms seems a little dark - Master has 2 ceiling lamps since we're closing up one window entirely, and the wardrobes are only lit within. The vanity would only be turned on when I'm using it to examine pores and wrinkles, whereas the other bedroom only has one ceiling lamp and a lit wardrobe. I'm actually the sort who lives with a 5w bedside lamp and blackout blinds. The downlights were recommended by my ID because he said we would turn on the lights when guests come and "the effect would be better"... which I predict would be very infrequently since we're so reclusive We have that extra odd downlight in the dry kitchen cos I'm using that nook as a study corner - don't want to be shut in a room as I'm on the computer a lot. I have a feeling a lot of the lights would be under-utilised~ The only lights I requested for were the T5 tubes, for cabinet and feature wall lighting. -Ely

Lighting Points I so need to alter the floorplan measurements... sigh. -Ely

I COMPLETELY understand. Coupled with the wedding and the home renovations, our bank accounts are not just bleeding - they're writhing in agony and oozing with pus mid-hemorrhage. Still, good to know another East-ender -Ely

Welcome to RT! Very nice transformation there - love the tiles you picked for your bathrooms, and the windows are simply outstanding! That awesome shade of pink in the kitchen was so unexpected and yet gorgeous! You're very good with colours! Looking forward to Part 4. -Ely

Yep! That's what I do - consolidate from all over - Amazon & eBay - and ship back. Way more cost effective! Look for "free shipping" deals to save even more (if you sign up with Amazon Prime - free for a month - you get the free shipping on most items - Just make sure you select "do not automatically renew" so you won't have to pay for the extended membership. Shopping frenzy for 1 month!!) -Ely

DAY 37 Finally changed all my bathroom sink mixers to non-mixers. Had quite a considerable credit which they wouldn't refund but were willing to give store credit, so we spent an hour "forcing" ourselves to pick items like shower racks, hooks, etc. Quite an awful experience actually. Till... The Husband suggested we splurge on the mirror I've been eyeing for a long time but wouldn't get because it was so pricey ($480!!). Best exchange ever! Totally heart this!! All windows and sliding doors are also up, with black glass though it's hardly noticeable. We're awaiting to swap the glass for clear glass for our balcony railing due to the MCST regulations. All lighting points are also being installed. Was very happy with how accomodating the electrician was, when we realised we forgot to add in dimmers for hanging lights. Master Bedroom windows (view from balcony - the windows on the right are basically dummy windows as it's all going to be covered with my wardrobe keke): Extended roof (awaiting glass for balcony): -Ely

Eggroe, Like RB mentioned, US/Canada codes are compliant with Singapore's! -Ely

The measurements of the floorplan is so askewed you can't rely on it. Even if it were true (by 1sqm!!), yours look MUCH bigger because you do not have the funny beams in the middle! I calculated mine again based on a surveyor's measurements, and it's only 32sqm!! *ENVIOUS* And yes, I agree - the modern condos are so tight on space, which was a big reason why we chose a 25-yr-old apartment. -Ely

Echoing everyone's sentiments, I do like the creative way you blog. It's visually appealing and very informative! Everything looks like it's going smoothly - it looks awesome so far! Can't wait to see when you finally apply the finishing touches! -Ely

OMG ENORMOUS!! I swear it's bigger than mine! Bleh. No wonder you have huge wardrobe haha! -Ely

Like RB pointed out, most blu-ray discs ARE region free. If not, it would be stated on the product information page, or the product listing on eBay. They normally specify so keep an eye out. If you use a consignment merchant, also understand that it's more worth it if you consolidate all your shipments, especially for vPost which charges a base charge. As for me, I check the shipping rates first, and if I know I'll be purchasing quite a number of things (which is monthly~), then I simply consolidate the shipments. Perhaps you can check under the specs of your blu-ray player. RB is a lot more knowledgeable about this, so I'm sure he can guide you better. -Ely

Gorgeous 3Ds! Can't wait to see how it all unfolds! Your TV feature wall is stunning! Your ID is so specific, it puts mine to shame. Mine was simply onsite pointing and nodding, and pencil drawings on the wall... I had to do my own cartoon drawing as a confirmation instead. Everything of yours - false ceilings, electrical points, tiles, paint - is so detailed!! Completely envious. I no longer remember what I agreed on~ -Ely