How to Plan an Affordable Engagement: Top Tips and Tricks

Hey there, beautiful brides-to-be! Engagement or wedding season is an exciting time filled with love, joy, and the thrill of planning for your big day. However, it can also come with a hefty price tag. If you’re anything like me, you’re probably thrilled about planning your engagement but maybe a little worried about the costs. Don’t fret! With some smart shopping strategies, you can create a stunning engagement celebration without breaking the bank. Let me share my top tips and tricks to help you prepare for your engagement on a budget. If you would like to share your engagement preparation journey, feel free to drop a comment.

General Tips for Budget-Friendly Engagement Planning

Set a Budget First things first, set a budget. Knowing how much you can afford will help you make smart decisions and keep you from overspending.

Prioritize Essentials Focus on the most important items first. For instance, prioritize the engagement ring and attire over decorations and party favours.

DIY Options DIY projects are your best friend (if you have time or you can start early!). Not only can they save you money, but they also add a personal touch to your celebration. I had a blast creating my own invitations and decorations.

My Exciting Discovery: Temu.com

Now, here’s the part I’m super excited about! While hunting for budget-friendly engagement items, I stumbled upon this amazing website called Temu. I was blown away by the variety of affordable and high-quality products they offer. From engagement decorations like artificial flowers, arch boards, thank you cards, cake toppers to balloons and so many more, Temu has it all. 

Some of you might know about this site already. As for me, I personally found Temu to be incredibly helpful while preparing for my engagement. Here are some of my top finds and first few items that I bought to test the platform initially and I'm satisfied with the quality of the products received :

Shoes : I normally don't purchase shoes online and I was skeptical as I'm scared of the wrong size and quality received. On Temu, I discovered a gorgeous collection of wedding & engagement pumps that are both elegant and affordable. These pumps come in a variety of styles, from classic satin to trendy lace, and feature exquisite details like embellished heels and delicate bows. I bought these Women’s Solid Color Block Heels:

                                           

Women's Solid Color Block Heels, Fashion Buckle Strap Dress Pumps, Stylish Platform Heels

🎉 Coupon price[RM121.35] -67%

👉 item link: White Platform Heels

The height is accurate and the platform heels was tall. These heels are stylish and elevate your height, perfect if you're not planning on walking much on the day. Make sure to check the measurements to ensure a good fit! 😉 With Temu’s affordable pricing, you don’t have to break the bank to look fabulous.

This is the actual white platform heels I received (below) and how it will looks like with long dress. So, you have to make sure your dress type and length before selecting your shoes.  

When choosing your engagement pumps, consider your dress style and venue. Opt for classic pumps if you’re going for a traditional look, or choose something more modern if your style is more contemporary. Temu’s range allows you to find a pair that complements any look. These are few other shoes that attracted me. 

Women's Solid Color Block Heels, Elegant Square Toe Dress Pumps, Fashion Buckle Strap Design Heels

🎉 Coupon price[RM207.48] -58%

👉 item link: Elegant Square Toe Dress Pumps

Women's Faux Pearl Decor Stiletto Heels, Fashion Slip On Dress Pumps, Stylish Wedding Heels

🎉 Coupon price[RM155.99] -66%

👉 item link: Faux Pearl Decor Stiletto Heels, Fashion Slip On Dress Pumps, Stylish Wedding Heels

Whether you're looking for something classic or modern, you’re sure to find the perfect pair for your special day. 

Have you found any great pieces for your special day? Share your favorites in the comments below!

Next... 

Balloons : If you're into balloons for decoration, you can try get it here. I bought few types of balloons. These are some of them. However, there are so many variety of balloons that you feel like you want to get all of them even if you don't really need it 😂 I put some of the balloons on the table, for arch board deco and on dessert and snack table. If you have kids at your event, balloons will definitely be a hit with them.

20pcs She Said Yes! White Engagement Balloons - Perfect for Wedding, Valentine's Day, Bridal Shower Decorations - Oval Shaped Emulsion Balloons for Proposal, Anniversary, Romantic Celebrations - Versatile Party Supplies for All Seasons, Ages 14+

🎉 Coupon price[RM10.05] -71%

👉 item link: She Said Yes Balloons

142pcs Dusty Blue Balloon Arch Garland Kit - Versatile Latex Balloons Set for Birthday, Baby Shower, Bridal, Wedding, Anniversary & Themed Parties - Emulsion Material, No Power Required, Ages 14+

🎉 Coupon price[RM47.24] -62%

👉 item link: dusty balloons

1Set Dusty Blue Balloon Garland Arch Kit, Wedding Decor, Birthday Party Decor, Anniversary Decor, Graduation Decor, Holiday Decor, Mother's Day Decor, Indoor Outdoor Decor, Home Decor, Room Decor

🎉 Coupon price[RM37.48] -55%

👉 item link: Dusty Blue Balloons Kit

Decorations and Party Supplies Decorations set the mood for your engagement party, and Temu has everything you need. From balloons and banners to fairy lights and table centerpieces, you’ll find it all at great prices. I loved how easy it was to find everything I needed to create a festive atmosphere.

These are few examples :

1pc 70.8in Artificial Eucalyptus Garland with Flowers and Gypsophila - Perfect for Weddings, Home Decor, and Crafts

🎉 Coupon price[RM56.79] -62%

👉 item link: Artificial Eucalyptus Garland

1pack 300LED Curtain Lights For Bedroom, 298.7 X 298.7cm Warm Fairy Lights Indoor, 8 Modes String Lights With Remote, USB Twinkle Lights Outdoor Hanging Lights Indoor For Bedroom, Wedding, Christmas, Party(White, Colored, Warm White) Hook Included

🎉 Coupon price[RM19.39] -60%

👉 item link: White Fairy Lights

10/20pcs Glass Bud Vase, Small Glass Vases For Flowers, Clear Bud Vases In Bulk, Vintage Vases For Centerpieces, Small Glass Bud Vase For Rustic Wedding Decorations, Home Table Flower Decor, Multi-piece Set

🎉 Coupon price[RM69.41] -66%

👉 item link: Vase for table centerpiece

Invitations and Stationery Invitations are your guests’ first glimpse into your celebration. Temu offers stylish and affordable options, including digital invites and DIY kits. I went for the DIY route, and it was so much fun creating my own unique invitations. For my invitation, I'm using Photoshop and Canva, more on this on another post. 

However, I found some 'thank you' tags for engagement event on Temu that I really like. They might fit your invitation theme and come in a variety of options to choose from

100/200PCS Floral Thank You Tags - Green Leaves And Flowers - Paper Tags for Gift Bags And Packaging - Office Party Supplies - DIY Crafts

🎉 Coupon price[RM23.84] -62%

👉 item link: Floral Thank You Tags

Final Tips

• Plan Ahead: Start shopping early to avoid last-minute stress. Temu offers free returns and a fast refund process if items don’t meet your expectations.
• Compare Prices: Don’t settle for the first item you see; compare prices to get the best deal. I do compare with other platform such as Shopee. Temu gives great discounts and free shipping for the first purchase and after. So, make sure you select the things that are important and that you needed most first. 
• Stay Organized: Keep track of your purchases and budget to stay on top of your spending.

Planning an engagement on a budget doesn’t have to be stressful. With a little creativity and smart shopping, you can create a beautiful celebration that reflects your love and personality. And with a platform or websites/apps like Temu, finding affordable and high-quality engagement items is easier than ever. Happy planning and congratulations on your engagement!

If you happen to buy or try on this app, get the special offers as below:

Special Offers :

• Click the link here to get RM500 coupon bundle.
• Search acr943218 on the Temu App for 30% off your purchase.

❤you will get free shipping for first time purchase from the web (I'm not sure how does the coupon bundle works as I was interested on the free shipping offer initially, let me know if you have any experience using it)

❤for first time user, download the app (this will be different from the web purchase) and during checkout enter the code acr943218 for 30% discount (free shipping too!)

This is based on my purchase experience to get the best price and deals that's within my budget.

I have so many wonderful finds from Temu for my engagement day that I’m excited to share with you! Unfortunately, there's just too much to cover in a single post. So stay tuned and make sure to follow my blog for more details and upcoming posts where I'll dive deeper into each fabulous item. You won’t want to miss what’s coming next!

Happy Shopping! ☺ 

Design a quote post with Canva for International Women's Day

Join me with this step-by-step on how to design a quote post from scratch/blank page for the theme International Women's Day. 

1. Open Canva: Log in to your Canva account or create a new one if you don't have one already.

2. Choose a template: Click on the 'Create a design' button and search for the 'Instagram Post' template. Choose the template that you like. I'm using instagram post, square (1080 x 1080 px)

3. Select a background: Click on the 'Background' option on the left sidebar and choose a background color or image that fits the theme of International Women's Day. I used white background for mine and added watercolour splash effect from the elements selection. 

4. Add a quote: Click on the 'Text' option on the left sidebar and select a font that you like. Type in the quote that you want to feature in the post. You add in quotes that you like or ask chatGPT for famous quotes and select from there. I am using this quote from Coco Chanel "The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud." I also added this year's theme which is, “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality,”

5. Next, customize the quote: Use the editing tools to change the font size, color, and alignment to make the quote stand out.

6. Add a graphic: Click on the 'Elements' option on the left sidebar and search for a graphic or icon that complements the quote. Drag and drop it onto the post. I added peonies as it's my favourite flowers (tips for searching peony elements : type in peonies, peony leaves, line drawing peonies) 

This year's theme is, “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality,” which highlights the role of innovative technology in promoting gender equality and meeting the health and developmental needs of women and girls. 

So, for the graphic elements, I searched for keyword "technology" and selected the image that suit into my quote design. And I also searched keyword "strong woman" and selected the graphic that I like to be in the design.

7. Then, customize the graphic: Use the editing tools to adjust the size, color, and placement of the graphic.

8. Lastly, download and share: Click on the 'Download' button at the top of the screen to save the post to your computer. You can then share it on your social media channels to celebrate International Women's Day!

That's it! With these simple steps, you can design a beautiful quote post to honor women on International Women's Day.

Here's my take with Canva to design a Happy International Women's Day!

If you would like to edit from this post or this kind of design, you can click here to edit. I'm usign canva pro for this design but you can use canva free to edit according to your style as well. Or else you can always try canva pro trial for free to see if your preference on using Canva. Hope you will enjoy designing it with Canva like me.

Woman’s Day is an amazing opportunity to remind ourselves that fighting for our ladies is a very important thing to do. Support every woman around you and respect everything they do, because they deserve it.

Every life begins with a woman. We tend to forget about that. On this day, let’s thank every woman in our life and show them some love. Happy Women's Day!

Happy International Women's Day!

Today is a day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women around the world. It is also a day to raise awareness about gender equality and women's rights. In this blog post, with the help of my good friend "ChatGPT", we will explore the history and significance of International Women's Day and share some ideas on how to celebrate this special day.

The History of International Women's Day

International Women's Day has been observed since the early 1900s. It began as a day to promote women's suffrage and equal rights, and it was celebrated on different dates in different countries. In 1910, the idea of an International Women's Day was proposed at the International Socialist Women's Conference, and it was celebrated for the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland on March 19, 1911.

In 1917, Russian women observed International Women's Day on March 8, which eventually became the official date of the celebration. This date was chosen because it was on this day in 1917 that Russian women gained suffrage and the right to vote. Since then, International Women's Day has been celebrated on March 8th around the world.

The Significance of International Women's Day

International Women's Day is significant for several reasons. First and foremost, it is a day to celebrate the achievements of women and recognize their contributions to society. Women have made significant strides in areas such as politics, education, science, and the arts, and International Women's Day is an opportunity to acknowledge their accomplishments.

Second, International Women's Day is an occasion to raise awareness about gender inequality and the challenges that women continue to face. Despite the progress that has been made, women still face discrimination, harassment, and violence in many parts of the world. International Women's Day is a reminder that there is still much work to be done to achieve gender equality.

Finally, International Women's Day is a call to action. It is a day to encourage individuals and organizations to take concrete steps to promote gender equality and empower women. This can include advocating for women's rights, supporting women-owned businesses, and mentoring and supporting women in the workplace.

There are many ways to celebrate International Women's Day. Here are a few ideas:

Attend an event: Many organizations host events to celebrate International Women's Day. Look for events in your community that you can attend, such as panel discussions, film screenings, or networking events.

Support women-owned businesses: Make a point to shop at women-owned businesses on International Women's Day. This can include everything from restaurants to clothing stores to bookshops.

Educate yourself: Take the time to learn about the history of women's rights and the current state of gender inequality. Read books, watch documentaries, or attend lectures to deepen your understanding of these issues.

Donate to a women's organization: There are many organizations that support women's rights and empowerment. Consider making a donation to one of these organizations on International Women's Day.

Advocate for women's rights: Use your voice to advocate for gender equality and women's rights. This can include writing letters to your elected officials, sharing information on social media, or participating in protests or rallies.

In conclusion, International Women's Day is an important occasion to celebrate women's achievements and promote gender equality. It is a reminder that there is still much work to be done to achieve true equality between men and women. By taking action and supporting women in our communities and around the world, we can work towards a more just and equitable society. Happy International Women's Day!

Step-by-Step Guide: Creating Stunning Birthday Cards with Canva Pro - Impress Your Loved Ones Today!

Create Personalized Birthday Cards with Canva Pro

Are you tired of buying generic birthday cards from the store? Why not create your own unique card that your loved one will cherish forever? With Canva Pro, you can easily create personalized and stunning birthday cards that will make the recipient feel special and loved.

Here's a step-by-step guide to creating a birthday card with Canva or Canva Pro:

Step 1: Sign up for Canva Free or Canva Pro

If you're not already a Canva or Canva Pro user, you'll need to sign up. I personally fell in love with Canva Pro as Canva Pro provides access to an extensive library of design elements, including illustrations, photos, and templates. Plus, you can create custom designs and save them for future use.

Step 2: Choose a template

Canva Pro has a vast selection of birthday card templates to choose from. You can search for templates by keywords like "birthday," "celebration," or "greeting card." Once you find a template you like, click on it to open the design.

Step 3: Customize the design

Canva Pro makes it easy to customize your design. You can change the text, font, colors, and images to make the card your own. You can also add your own photos or illustrations to the design.

Step 4: Add special features

To make your card extra special, you can add special features like animations or music. Canva Pro has a range of animated stickers and elements that you can use to add movement and interest to your design. You can also add music or sound effects to your design to create a unique and memorable experience.

Step 5: Download and print

When you're happy with your design, you can download it in a range of formats, including PDF, JPG, or PNG. You can then print the design at home or take it to a print shop to create a high-quality physical card.

Creating a birthday card with Canva Pro is easy and fun. With access to a vast library of design elements, you can create a unique and personalized card that your loved one will treasure for years to come. So why not give it a try today and make your loved one's birthday extra special!

Here is my personalized boba tea theme birthday card with Canva Pro. You can make your own message and graphics. I put mine as below: 

To my dearest bes-tea, and you can put the name of recipient. 

Happy Birthday, have a Tea-rrific Birthday! May this day bring you happiness. It'll be a Tea-rrific one!

Lots of boba-love from, ....... I share the link below if you would like to try it

Click here to personalized it

Get yout Canva Pro trial.

ChatGPT is at Capacity Right Now

Designed with canva pro. Try the free trial

The viral artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot, ChatGPT, has been the most talked about software nowadays. Have you tried it? 

Is ChatGPT going to be the next big thing? 

As an AI language model, ChatGPT is a tool that can be used to assist with a variety of tasks such as answering questions, generating text, and even completing tasks. While it is a sophisticated technology that can provide useful assistance, whether or not ChatGPT will be the next big thing is subjective and depends on various factors. It's up to individuals and organizations to decide whether they find ChatGPT capabilities valuable and whether it can help them achieve their goals.

Sometimes ChatGPT will be not accessible as shown in this image (screenshot today), 

I guess there are too many users logged in at one time.

Status of ChatGPT today when it's at full capacity .... 

Explain the status of ChatGPT as a sea otter.

Squeak squeak! Sorry, ChatGPT is very popular right now. Please try again later! Squeak squeak!

Write an acrostic poem about the status of ChatGPT.

C: ChatGPT is currently down

H: Huge demand has caused the site to crash

A: All users will have to wait

T: Time is needed for the servers to catch up

G: Go grab a coffee and check back soon

P: Patience is key in this situation

T: Trust that the team is working hard to fix it up

And on 10 February, the ChatGPT Plus is made available in Malaysia :

and so, I asked ChatGPT "what is ChatGPT plus"?

The answer is: 

ChatGPT Plus is not an official product of OpenAI, but rather a third-party service built using the ChatGPT language model. It is an online platform that allows users to create and train their own chatbots using the power of the ChatGPT language model.

ChatGPT Plus offers a variety of features and tools to help users create sophisticated chatbots with a natural language interface. Users can create custom chatbot conversations using the platform's visual editor, or import and train their own models using the platform's advanced machine learning tools. The platform also includes features like sentiment analysis, user profiling, and analytics to help users improve their chatbot's performance and optimize their user experience.

It's important to note that while ChatGPT Plus can be a powerful tool for creating chatbots, it is not an official product of OpenAI, and may not have the same level of reliability or security as the official ChatGPT model. Additionally, ChatGPT Plus is not affiliated with OpenAI, so any issues or concerns related to the platform should be directed to the platform's creators.

and why is there charges for ChatGPT Plus?

ChatGPT is a language model developed by OpenAI that is available for free to the public. However, ChatGPT Plus is not an official product of OpenAI and is not affiliated with them. It is possible that the creators of ChatGPT Plus may charge for access to their service in order to cover the costs associated with running and maintaining their platform.

Additionally, ChatGPT Plus may offer additional features and services beyond what is available in the free version of ChatGPT, which may justify a charge for access to the platform.

It's important to note that while ChatGPT is a powerful tool for generating text, it may not be suitable for all use cases. It's always a good idea to carefully evaluate any tools or services before using them, and to make sure that they meet your specific needs and requirements.

Is there any difference with ChatGPT plus Malaysia?

There is no official version of ChatGPT Plus that is specific to Malaysia. However, it's possible that there are individuals or companies in Malaysia who are using the ChatGPT Plus platform to create their own chatbots.

Since ChatGPT Plus is a third-party service built on top of the ChatGPT language model, it is accessible from anywhere in the world as long as there is an internet connection. As such, users in Malaysia or any other country can access ChatGPT Plus and use it to create their own chatbots.

It's important to note, however, that the quality and reliability of the chatbots created using ChatGPT Plus will depend on the quality of the training data and the skill of the individual or team creating the chatbot. Additionally, as a third-party service, ChatGPT Plus may have different pricing, features, and support options depending on the provider.

That's all for now. Hope the info helps for you to get to know about ChatGPT.

Canva: The Perfect Valentine's Day and February Planner Solution

It's February!

Valentine's Day is just right around the corner, and it's time to start planning! Whether you're organizing a romantic date with your significant other or simply need to plan out your work schedule, Canva can help make your life easier.

Canva is a graphic design platform that offers an array of templates and tools for creating beautiful and professional-looking designs. It's a user-friendly platform that requires no prior design experience and is accessible to anyone with an internet connection.

One of the many features of Canva is its planner templates. These templates come in various designs, from simple and minimalist to elaborate and whimsical. You can customize the templates to match your personal style, add your own text, images, and even change the colors to match your preferences.

With Canva's Valentine's Day and February planner templates, you can create a personalized and visually appealing planner to help you keep track of your appointments, events, and to-do lists. Whether you prefer a physical planner or an electronic version, Canva offers both options, so you can choose the one that works best for you.

Many templates and design for you to choose or re-create or be inspired

For those who are planning a romantic Valentine's Day, Canva has a vast selection of templates to choose from. You can create a romantic invitation, create a special menu, or even plan a surprise date. With Canva's drag-and-drop interface, you can quickly and easily create a beautiful design that reflects the love and romance of the season.

In conclusion, Canva is the perfect solution for all your Valentine's Day and February planning needs. With its user-friendly interface, customizable templates, and wide range of features, you'll be able to create a planner that is not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing. So why wait? Start planning with Canva today and make the most of your Valentine's Day and February!

 

I designed this with Canva Pro. Try it out with their free 30-days trial or the canva free. 

Celebrating Chap Goh Meh with Canva Pro Designs: Creating Festive Graphics for the Lunar New Year

 

New blog post announcement image designed with canva pro. 

Click image to redirect to the blog post! 

And yes, with canva, you can design image for new blog post or content announcement too! Creating a new blog post announcement is an exciting way to share your latest content with your audience. To make sure your announcement is visually appealing and optimized for search engines, consider using Canva Pro.

Canva Pro is a graphic design tool that makes it easy for anyone to create professional-looking designs, even if you have no design experience. With Canva Pro, you can create eye-catching blog post announcements that will grab the attention of your audience and help improve your search engine optimization (SEO).

Here’s how you can create a new blog post announcement with Canva Pro:

1) Start by signing up for a Canva Pro account. This will give you access to all of the premium features and templates that Canva has to offer.

2) Choose a template that suits the style of your blog and brand. There are many templates to choose from, so take your time and find one that fits your needs. For my design, I change entirely the colour and image of the template. There are various, plenty of choices for you to design and customize your creation.

3) Customize the template with your own text, images, and colors. Canva has a drag-and-drop interface that makes it easy to add and arrange elements on your design.

4) Make sure to include relevant keywords in your text to help improve your SEO. For example, if your blog post is about a specific topic, make sure to include that topic in your announcement.

5) When you’re finished, download your design and share it on your social media platforms. This is a great way to reach a wider audience and drive more traffic to your blog.

By using Canva Pro, you can create a new blog post announcement that is both visually appealing and optimized for search engines. So, sign up for Canva Pro today and start creating your own blog post announcements!

Try Canva Pro free for 30 days

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