They Have Arrived

I had a big grin this morning. My much awaited package from Karen's Cookies has arrived. True to their word, my order was shipped the next day I placed it online. It arrived at my local post office approximately two weeks after (just as it was stated on Karen's website for international shipping). And my "ever-reliable" local post office just sent it to me today (one week after the package arrived to them!). But all is well that ends well. Now all my apprehension has disappeared! :)

I may need to explain my "little apprehension"...

I used to work for the fraud department of a credit card company. We receive calls from people who either lost their credit cards, had it stolen, or were victims of counterfeit cards, online hackers, and the like. And believe me, criminals really have ways. So I was a little apprehensive placing online orders using credit cards. In fact, I NEVER do. At least until I saw Karen's website. I've been reading good words about her store from the blogs I love to read like Sweet Sugarbelle and Cookie Crazie, and I was compelled to check it. The first time I saw it, I felt like a kid in a candy store! I just have to have everything she sells! :) I think I browsed for hours! But with a little bit of self control and a handy dandy calculator in front of me (to check dollar conversion rates), I finally settled for this purchase. I couldn't be happier with it. I especially like the handwritten "thank you" note from Mike on the order slip, and the complimentary "extra". They really have good customer service, and I highly recommend them. I will definitely make another purchase soon, I've got a long list to go!


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All Set For Cookies

I went to my former company today to take care of some more docs and to get my final pay. After en-cashing my check, I went straight to the mall. (Of course!) The holiday madness at malls this year was a little too scary for me! Probably because I haven't been out of the house as much as I should, that the sight of so many people walking about in one confined building made my imagination run wild. Earthquake, bombing, stampede (and all other worst case scenarios) bombarded my thoughts for a split second there... It may sound severe but not at all impossible in this tropical country with political unrest. And the line of vehicles in slow moving traffic constantly reminded me of the road accident down South involving seventeen vehicles earlier this week. But enough of the grim stuff! Back to the mall. =)

I was still debating in my mind whether to do the decorated sugar cookies this year or to stick to the usual drop cookies I bake for Christmas day. Then I went to Cooks Exchange in Glorietta, one of my favorite baking supply store. My only goal there was to buy some disposable piping bags to stock up on (as a "just-in-case" extra supply). Then I saw piping tips... and I couldn't help myself, I just had to ask the store personnel if there was a #1, 2 & 3...just as Bridget recommended (I've been religiously reading her blog and all her cookie decorating tips, and even printed out her hand-outs). And then while browsing, I also saw Americolor Soft Gel Paste (another one of Bridget's recommendation!) So you see, I only had to ask if there's meringue powder available, and I'd be all set for a cookie decorating project! (Well, I still need some powdered sugar but that's already available in my local grocery store.) As you've already guessed, I've bought more stuff than what I had intended (it usually happens to me!).


It's a good thing I can still practice self control in times of panic buying, or I probably would've spent half of my final pay buying everything I see! It's addictive like that at Cooks Exchange...you just want to buy everything you see...it's like a baker's playground..my idea of heaven, really. =) And no, this is not paid advertising..I just really love that store! So then I went home, toting my plastic bag of goodies... with a satisfied smile on my face and a renewed excitement for my holiday baking. 


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