Oh finally. A real post.

I know. I promised that I was b-a-c-k, then promptly disappeared.

First off, the home moving was helluva exhausting task. In addition, I (happily, of course) found torrents of queries awaiting my attention, daily. The e-conversations and phone conversations – the most fulfilling aspect of Happiness, as I get to connect with people – stretched out much longer this shopping trip than usual, because of the sheer numbers involved. And the subsequent endless documentation/categorisation of the orders to ensure that I get everything right, phhhew! I am currently in search of a like-minded assistant who’ll help me with this, and already with prior bag knowledge. Know anyone? Important note to self: Get an email address dedicated to Happiness, so that my clients’ emails don’t get lost in my tons of daily e-junk!

Allow me to thank everyone here who’s been so patient with me.

And oh yes, there’s the pressing issue of my full-time occupation

To top it all off, Kiefer started primary school. Though manoeuvring around the school to sneak a peek of him during the first few days was by no means an overly physical task, it was emotionally draining. I returned home absolutely exhausted and slept at 9, a concept previously alien to me. Also, it was an entire lifestyle change, having to wake poor Kiefer at 6am. Though we are near, the hubby decided it was wiser to send him along on a 6.15am school bus (!!!) than get stuck in the jam going in to school.

And of course, the entertaining during the new year. I swear, tufts of my hair went instantly from black to white, with no chance of grey.

Let me do this post properly by picking up from where I last left off. The Christmas Capella stay.

I don’t know if I’ve been spoilt by my various villa stays, or that my bar is set too high, I have to say that the villa kinda fell short of expectations. When measured against the one-star-less Amara Sanctuary’s view-less villas, it felt smaller and more like a really big suite, than a standalone villa. Whilst you can swim (a really) short lap in the Amara Sanctuary villa’s pool, it really was just a lap pool at Capella’s. However, that was promptly was made up by the fact that they supply us with Hermes Eau D’Orange Verte toiletries.

The one great difference is that we’re able to get a view of the sea with Capella, whilst Amara’s villa is entirely walled up.

Here are some shots I took (yeap, still using my Blackberry):

The living room is set in a longish fashion. Enter from the front door into the spacious living room. Walk through to the bedroom to the capacious bathroom, and through the door to the outdoor shower and bath. All outfacing doors lead out to the disappointingly small outdoor lounging area and lap pool.

My parents joined us for the festivities. Lounging in the Library, that indulges guests with five daily food presentations.

Kiefer occupied with his good ole’ Xmas staple – the Gingerbread house that he MUST have, every year, gifted by my parents.
Pure concentration.

The boys up to their usual nonsense.

Santa and Santarina paid a visit too, asking for Kiefer by name! He was starry-eyed. Kudos to the Personal Assistant Zirah, who even made arrangements for Kiefer to have his own personalised gingerbread.

Santa and Santarina brought a toy for KB
And of course, the perfect finish. I tucked KB into the luxuriously soft Ploh-outfitted bed and without wasting a second, stole into the outdoor bathtub, which I had filled with hot, hot water and crazy-much bath salts. The contrast with the deliciously crisp cool air, the sharpness of the bubbly cut by the oakey Cuban… Heaven.

Undoubtedly, the best way to ring in X’mas!