Showing posts with label vintage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vintage. Show all posts

Friday, July 31, 2009

Friday Finds: Camera



After my little excited post on playing with toy cams, you'd guessed I'll do the Friday Finds on old school memory makers! :D I'd been surfing around etsy vintage section for as long as etsy was up. LOL Only in recent months have I discovered that there were vintage cameras in all shapes, sizes, in strangeness and wonder! My earliest memory of a camera is someone sticking his head in a box with a black cloth over his head. We're told to stay frozen in a tiny musty room with a stiff backdrop. Then suddenly, pop, a blinding flash and it was done. I saw stars for a while after that. I didn't like studio shots because I felt it was stiff. There weren't signs of life, so to speak. I loved shots of things in motion. Obviously the cameras I own then did not accomodate the accuracy of speed. Not that I can really afford a DSLR now, but thru Lomo-ing many years back, I've come to relish the slightly dreamy, light-wonky, unexpected pictures of older cameras and toy cameras. Not just cameras per se, talented etsyers are taking the old school memory-makers a couple steps further. Here's are some of my humble finds....

1) CHEESE KATAKANA Graphic Tee Womens

2) Vintage Rollei 35 Camera - Eco Friendly tote Graphic Canvas Tote Bag (Style no. ct278)

3) Vegas Sky - Lomography Fine Art 5 x 5 Photographic Collage Print

4) Photo Finish Bloom - SLR Camera and Film Brooch/Pin

5) Vintage Brownie Starmeter Flash Camera

6) Miniature Vintage Camera

7) Camera Gang. 6 Oldies

8) Kodak Duaflex IV with Flash

9) Vintage 1950's Kodak Metal Film Canister


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Shhh! florspace's anniversary sale starts in a week! About NY time 12pm, 7th August. ;+)
Need time converter?

Friday, July 24, 2009

Friday Finds: Mustard



This opens a new segment in this little blog world, Friday Finds! There are plenty, plenty of amazing vintage things picked by discerning etsyians, not to mention amazing crafters on etsy.com so instead of posting at randon or trying for the elusive etsy Treasury, I'm gonna try the Friday thing. Hopefully I'll be keeping it up duitfully! :P

This friday, I'm obsessed with Mustard Yellow! Ain't this the cheery sunshine color that always get forgotten in the blacks of metropolitain city? It reminds me so much of meadows and holidays in the country where time just crawl by while we just sit on haystacks watching the clouds go by..... Let's explore a little of this yummy summery color!

1) Rotary Telephone from VintageEye
I have one in blue and the loud yet classic rings always brings me back to yesteryears!

2) Leather Heels from 19vintageclothing
I'm loving this loads! I have a pair of vintage pumps in red but this is really egging me on to buy it! Will look amazing with dark navy denims.

3) American Tourister Suitcase from ResourceClothing
Ahh, the classic AT suitcases never fail to make my heart skip a beat. I own several but not in mustard yet. This color is getting rather besotting!

4) American Tourister Carry-On from SuzisCornerBoutique
Oooh! Another one of those Carry-Ons I gotta add to my collection eventually. Matches the Suitcase perfectly!

5) Colemans Mustard Spice Tin from AntiNu
Whats a list of mustards without the mustard? LOL Love vintage tins, they are the easiest way to add a bit of vintage-y touch to your casa without breaking the bank or putting in a nail. Sweet.

6) Mikasa stoneware plate from Kultur
Printed with simple tulips reliefs, these dinner roundies are not just for food! Carefully hung on the wall, they brighten up your kitchen or dining area! Just be sure to use strong plate holders to prevent crash mishaps!

7) The suit from lovethyvintage
This depicts the 60s so perfectly! Just add a hat with some netting and proper pumps and you're ready for lunch or the afternoon derby! The ladies will be so jealous!

8) Plastic Juice Pitcher from halfcaf
No retro kitchen should be without one of these! So bright, it'll pop on your kitchen counter! Mom has a muted latte plastic melmac pitcher, right out of the 70s, in our kitchen! I never appreciated it when I was younger, but I'd never give it up for the world now! Yaaay for vintage & moms!

9) Canister set from sassboxclassics
Last but not least, home retro-ness desperately needs these babies to be on the kitchen counter! Not just for its cute looks, they store biscuits, tea, and other foodie knick knacks in such mod beauty! Note the wooden knobs! woo-hoo!

Go mustard! :D

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Where's kawaii?


I heart my chicken schnitzel
Originally uploaded by florspace.
I admit, I'm still mildly bored being here. I want to do loads of things with my fabrics but can't at the moment. Feel like I'm stuck in a nicer version of hell. Where's the kawaii heaven I used to know for a while?

Granted, I have the cool weather all day and night like I've been yearning for, for a year but everything else seems to have wrenched away from me. No more kawaii things to find in the stores or stashed in my drawers somewhere, I feel kinda lost. Not to mention DH is rather busy and I've been looped into attending seminars and lectures at my uni because I "got caught" one day by my linguistics lecturer when I went by the uni. I was used to be known for a knowledge enthusiast, very keen to attend my linguistics and psychology classes, clocking in extra time and all, getting credits for being interested and making efforts. But now I simply feel exhausted having to go to any classes at all. Good in theory/paper. I can feel myself getting lazy in that sense but I spent 4 years in uni being inquisitive about the mysteries of life that I feel I wanna stop and be for a while. I answered many things about myself and my own perspective on life so it gets kinda boring when I have to go through that again. I think I'm kinda jaded in that sense and it takes quite a bit to shock me.

Anyways, I'm kinda stuck to shopping and consuming for now. The worst thing is, I used to be that way and the more I consume, the more I need to consume and it ultimately makes me feel empty, in every sense of that word. Well, except when I find my clothes getting snug and rings around my tum. Thats bad news, but what?

Bad stuff aside, I had a wonderful day at the Kirribilli Markets on Saturday. I bagged 4 vintage dresses, 1 glomesh wallet and one vintage suitcase in fab condition for next to nothing! And those were things I always look out for and never get! Pictures to come!

um, who said buying stuff didn't lead to happiness?

Oh, I did. Because we had to lug the stuff around town after that. :/

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Some stuff about me...

I got bored with posting and thought I'd do one that's totally illogical and pointless.
Wait, this list is prolly for me to reminise when my hair's all white and my teeth has fallen out.

Some stuff about me...

My shampoo is squid ink black. My hair was in weird colors through my teens coz school didn't allow us to do any weird stuff at all. Yeah, we were all against the law at some point or other. Now my hair's black, jet black and I intend to keep it that way. Isn't asian beauty coming back?

I work better at night (10-4am). I'm very very cranky in the morning and I refuse to take coffee. Coffee gives me an existence of about 4 hours and after that I am out. I used to take it only in the late afternoon or evening to get through the last hours of the day. Now I work at the comp at night so no need for coffee, the internet's as exciting as a rollercoaster.

I type better and faster than writing. I used to have penpals til I was grossed out by my own handwriting. I have a friend who had the same problem as me when we were in junior high. We were famous. So I now type. No penpals. Good writing, good fonts and easy erase. Best thing since sliced bread.

Grammar mistakes drives me nuts. I spend my waking hours scrounging for them. I swear any such mistakes made on my blog is totally unintentional and its due to lethargy. This place (Singapore) is a gold mine for them. I often tell sales people I refuse to buy their products because they can't articulate. Sue me.

I'm Sensory-Defensive. I get very upset when people unintentionally has sudden contact against my bare skin. All my neuro senses rushes to that area and I can't think of anything else for 5 minutes and I have to slap or scratch the area. And yes, it gets worse when I'm in Singapore. Its like being in India. I can't turn around without knocking into people. I need space.

I like lavender, lilacs, eucalyptus, sandalwood for smells. I don't do vanilla & sweet scents. I'm partial to fruity & woody notions. DH wears Chanel Allure, courtesy of me.

I'm not into kids and the usual family type stuff. I think I had my fill of it since young. And I can't deal with myself & my life, I refuse to bring someone else into this world to share my problem. My friend Aaron says, "Can't solve the problem, share it out". And I've seen waaaay too many parents who can't handle their kids. If, I ever have a kid, the kid will the center of my universe. No offence, but I think I can't handle a career, a family, a husband, parents and myself all in one lifetime. I'm a perfectionist and doing a half ass job on everything isn't me. Somehow I'm also not the marrying kind. I'm still single but DH is almost already DH so its like that for now.

I'm a visual and sensual person. I like lomo photography, art installations, craft, poetry. I visit museums & old places. I feel things, take it in and breathe it out in my own way. I like jazz for relaxation, classical sometimes & chillout for music coz they give me space to think a lot. Sometimes I think too much. Permanent radio station for here is Lush 99.5fm.

My imagination runs very wild. I don't watch anything remotely scary, unless I'm sure DH will be around 24/7, or at least at night. I can't handle things like showering alone after a scary movie. I can't be told things halfway coz I'd imagine the possibilities of the rest and settle on the worse case senario. I was notorious for mystery/supernatural essays in junior high. My teachers still talk about it. They tell me I have to stop when I get to high school so I did. But I still blame Agatha Christie.

I hate white flourescent lamps, bulbs, tubes. Neon ones too.

I like most colors as long as they fit the theme. My room is in black and white only. Somehow I dislike purple a lot and have no idea why.

I read magazines over lattes at cafes. American & Australian Vogue, Harp B (A&A), STYD (Aus), Cotton Friend, Cotton Time, Style (SG), Sometimes architecture magazines, Her World & Elle (SG) too.

I can't stay away from Blue Potato chips & ganache truffles. I like Prestat's handrolled ones. I also like really good mud cakes, krispy kreme, cupcakes & fresh brownies. I'm partial to milk chocos with nuts or fruits in it. I don't do much of dark and I hate white. No liquer chocs. I also like ice-cream from Haagen Daz's, Ben & Jerry's & Andersen's of Denmark. I have to finish the whole bag or tub when I open one. Its bad.

I love fresh raw salmon. I eat a ton of them when we visit the Fish Market in Sydney. Although I won't mind a fresh grilled on in olive oil or Japanese style, with skin and all. I adore a good Sashimi salad, a smoke salmon salad, greek salad with fresh goat's cheese, grilled chiken salad or a caesar's salad if I'm in a rush. I also like squid ink spaghetti with carbonara sauce.

I can cook. I love to use good chunk of beef skirt for a teriyaki & garlic pepper steak. I know its unconventional but its soft, totally juiced up & oh so yummy. I'm a medium rare fan. I paint the surface with thick teriyaki sauce then fry the outside on slightly lower-than-usual fry heat, then simmer it slightly with virgin olive, loads of fresh garlic mashed, fresh grined Tri-color peppercorns & chopped pasley. Try it. The flavor is a total explosion!
Of course I do other usual stir-fries, baked chicken in a myraid of flavors, Japanese dishes like onigiri, noodles & fried spam rice, recipe courtesy of my friend, TC. I bake as well, cakes, cookies, tarts, etc. The only thing I can't make is creme brulee & chocolate.

I'm allergic to tobacco & I can't drink much. Though, I'd love sips of Wolf Blass's Grey label red, or other slightly aged sauvignon. I seldom do whites, though I like dom perignon & vodka lime when I'm dragged out to clubs. Reason for why I don't club - tobacco. DH likes brandy & the grandad port. I much prefer green tea, wheatgrass & lemon or strawberry Pellegrino please.

My life is re-runs of Sex & The City, The Simpsons, House & a ton of other movies. I can't watch the programs here; they are Singlish loaded and wrecks my head. It was better in Sydney though I mostly grew up in American pronunciation. I read chick-lit now, had too much mystery & thrill in my earlier days. I do pick up things like Freakonomics & Affluenza by Oliver James.

I'm spoilt & hate generic wearables. I either try to get interesting designer pieces because they fit better & last or I make my own. I don't like T-shirts that say the designer name in big words on them. Though, I am forced to get basics from Bonds & Muji. I like quirky things & black shirts.

I'm allergic to mohair. I tried to put one on but after putting one arm into the sweater, I had to stop. My arm was red and horrid for a week after. I have to wear natural cottons, baby merino wool or cashmere. I don't do fur much. Its murder and its trouble coz they fall out. I want to shave my head because of the same reason.

I have to sleep on pure egyption cotton.

I choose bookshops & libraries over clothing stores for shopping. They are quieter, or at least people are forced to be quiet. New books and magazines get me excited. New clothes often smell funny. I do shop for my swaps at the usual cute places though. And I like Jason's Marketplace for groceries, Meidiya for Japanese ones & Liberty Market near my place for a quick in and out. Though, I can't visit the grocer's when I'm hungry. It gets disastrous.

I like vintage. I collect dresses from the past. I have 2 leather suitcases from Sydney's vintage shops filled with very old books and a very old leather hatbox from Glebe Markets which I had to fight someone for. I also have an American Tourister round hat case from a lady in the states which I absolutely adore. I like altered vintage jewellery and get them from talented etsyers. Naturally, I own bags and shoes from the past as well. I have a funny tendency to believe things were better in the past. I got over the funny smell from vintage things when I got a really pretty pink nightie from a store in Sydney some years back. It was my first vintage buy. I make it a point to visit markets & vintage stores in sydney when I get back there every year.

I miss my 29th floor apartment at Forum Tower in Sydney. DH still lives there, albeit at 11th. That apartment was the holy grail. We faced the north & the view was virtually unblocked for miles. We could see mountains and rainbows stopped in front of us. It was THE view, not a view. Reminiscing about having a drink on the balcony and soaking up the night skies really hurt.

I get upset when people tell me I'm cute. This translates as childish to me. Isn't it why I couldn't get the important jobs? They just won't believe I can do it if I look cute. But somehow it looks like there's no way in hell I can ever look sophisticated. Just doesn't happen.

I'm partial to french and japanese things coz IMO, they make the most effort at what they're doing, therefore yielding the best results. I learn from them as well.

I'm addicted to fabulous cottons and canvas fabrics from Japan and mangle linens from the west. I empty my pockets for them. Its insane.

Running around for my shop drives me nuts but I still love it. Somehow spending time on my shop really makes time run like hell. Its already April 07 but I don't feel it at all. I might need a marketing manager and secretary soon. Maybe a new studio and 2 seamstresses?

I dream of being an artist with solo shows in museums. I still want to own a massive white washed gallery in a prewar shophouse with a studio at the back. I'm partial to static and performance installations. Though, I won't mind Aleksandr Petrovsky's whole-floor thing in satc. Yum.

I'm also dying to do an installation with sound and touch as the theme.

Webpages I have to visit everynight. My shop, Flickr, Wikipedia, The Superficial, Google. Webpages I frequent. YouTube, Etsy, ebay, LOF, website, movie mistakes & a whole load of other crap.

**Edited 209589473298583 times because I have ADD and perfectionism.

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

I like Vintage & Shrooms

DH is listening to Japanese oldies, very old indeed. We just watched The Great Yokai War on VCD, coz it was cheap. Now he's in the weird mood. :P Anyways, I wanted to do a photo post coz I've received 2 fabulous swaps, made some stuff & had some discoveries....

I received my spanking old/new necklace by PetitOiseau & totally love it! Its a very very adorable vintage Pink thimble on a delicate chain with a tiny clear bead. Now I'm officially a sewer, like it or not....


I'm a big fan of Vintage everything.... and have recently made a discovery! Etsy has a huge untapped source of super designers with an eye for gorgeous jewellery pieces made even better with add-ons! luxedeluxe has a big collection of really pretty pieces I can't keep my eyes off of, I'm totally in love with this & don't know why, & recently bought this after much much contemplation but had to have it (sleepless nights! esp after her pieces started flying off!). I'm cleaned out for the month! Jordan from OpulentOddities is really really special. I liked them all with one visit to her shop. Doesn't happen very often! Gorgeous pieces with stories behind! I can't wait for my Wonderland necklace to arrive....



My swaps received from Isabella, France! She sent me a huge box of goodies! Unfortunately the box of choco has been cleaned out by me. :PI'm 5 pounds heavier and 10 pimples uglier. sigh! She really made a ginourmous effort for me! I've also gotten my really cute package from Kellie in USA! & my really beautiful swap from the equally beautiful Hazel! Gotta love the cute fabric, precious bag of great buttons, that cute squirrel & pretty ribbon! Thanks you guys! ;+)


Can you guess what this is?! Yeap! THE Au Jardin necessity pouch! I'll be listing it after the ginormous tote & the matching pouch gets grabbed so go ahead, grab them! Though, I'm seriously gonna miss them...I love the Au Jardin series coz its really one gorgeous fabric! From Japan, its printed with garden silhouettes, french sentiments & its unbelievably soft for denim! Oops....too much advertisement! I'll let the owners of the series speak for me then! hee

Did someone say Mushroom!? LOL I'm a big fan...I like smelling them, looking at them, eating them, designing with them, making up utterly cute purses from Shrooms! I've been hoarding this fabric forever! It was soooooo expensive I can't bear to use it! Its a Japanese retro production, gorgeous print on canvas, no less! Its vibrant, catchy & irresistible! I made it into an oversized wristlet, 8" by 5", with card pockets inside so you can use it as a wallet if you like. Just throw in one of those Mini Zippereds and you're ready! Will go on etsy soon. Check back or bug me for it. ;+)
Currently still busy with everything! Packing/posting, shopping, eating, designing, sewing, blog-bitching, etsy-listing....the list is endless! I totally love my life, no 4x4 feet box with boring paperwork for me! LOL We're going to Sentosa for a bit of a break & some fun on Thursday so more til then! ;+)

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