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. :/

Noh performance and 28 weeks later

I went for a Noh performace/lecture by quite a famous performer, Sakae Terai, who was actually named an intangible national treasure by the Japanese government. Excuse my tiny explanation if you'd already know what it is. Noh, in my own humble little opinion is respectable for what its worth but it almost is a sure way to fall asleep since its extremely slow, with minimal tiny and deliberated movements by the actors. The songs could very well have been buddhists chants because we have no lyrics. The "music" consists of a bamboo flautist, and peppered with 2 drums, one big and small hit in various rhythm thats difficult to follow coz I realise that when I somehow managed to figure it out, I was in a micro sleep motion, embarassing to myself and others. For what its worth, it was a fabulous insight to what Noh actually was, with detailed explanations to the origins, songs, instruments, costumes, stages and masks. DH says that Noh was enjoyed by Japanese aristocrats a long time ago. I told him I preferred Kabuki and um, according to him, the latter was enjoyed by the 3rd estate. Nonetheless, we were exposed to a cultural experience we wouldn't have otherwise had the chance to, considerably rarer than Sado or Ikebana.

I watched 28 weeks later on Tuesday (cheap movie day!). It was nightfall when the movie ended and the weather was cold and unforgiving and it left me far more depressed when I already was about everything. I'd always loved zombie movies. DH and I were obsessed with watching them and collecting the DVDs, everything from Night of The Living Dead, which we believed was the first zombie-esque movies. I'm not sure if the 28 series belongs to the zombie category but I guess we can lump them in. 28 days later, the first installment begun with the guy who awoke to an empty city and albeit hopeless and bleak, there were uplifting moments of the supermarket shopping scene and finding the military, supposedly the savior. In the sequel however, it was just plain depressing throughout with mass destruction and torn families. Every shred of hope was gone the moment it is realised. The thing that was really eating into me was that the whole thing was so real and possible. I sympathize with Londen-ers since the whole scene was set there. I'd imagine its reminiscence of the Black Plague?

So, I'm about into the 4th week in Sydney. Truth be told, I still find the whole place kinda depressing (or maybe it was the movie?). I have no idea if I should be broadcasting this at all but it seems that this place is hit with all kinds of negativity which I suppose all other big cities gets, crime, kidnapping, lousy train system, bad-mouthing politicians and major corp people, crummy and ridiculously expensive food and essential supplies, general rudeness & obliviousness, smoking.... I could go on and on. Would it be the same to be living in New York or Paris?

Happiness is suddenly a quaint notion all over again....

Suitcases

this I love
Originally uploaded by girlhula.

Anyone can find me this?
You'd be my best friend forever! Not to mention loads of good stuff from my shop! Or you can ask for my 1st born. ;+)
They come in a stacking set of 3 I think....

Locked out

I'm not in the best of moods now. DH has just gone back home to meet the locksmith who supposedly's going to unlock the menace. The only time, only time I hadn't reminded him of "did you bring the keys" before the heavy fire-maindoor slammed and the silly DH forgot the keys. They were hanging at the noticeboard just beside his wallet and the door.

We were in a bit of a hurry this morning. Lindfield Craft Market. 3 words I won't be forgetting for a while. I grit my teeth as I write this. We woke early to catch the best, which was what we usually do for markets. Insert famous catchphrase here ("early bird catches the worm" ring a bell?) We went there bright and early, all dressed up, me in my layers - black skinny denim pants, red summer dot dress over and a blue denim jacket plus my swanky new Paul Frank wellies. I thought I'd commit the cardinal sin of wearing denim with denim; something I'd never do, but I figure the dress bought me a whole panel of seperation between the jacket and pants. Oh well. Arriving at Lindfield, DH assured me he'd checked the map and had it in his head, he even did a demeandering action of poking his temples. Men....*eye roll*

He lead the way, all over Lindfield but no market in sight. It was a quiet saturday morning with just a handful of people walking their dogs or off somewhere. It was horrible to be walking up and down hill all over the suburb, with no breakfast. My ankles and back were aching before we decided to give the whole thing up. No market, no breakfast and no hope. The only postitive thing worth mentioning was we got a walking tour of Lindfield and DH bothered to ask the people around if there was going to be a market today. The North Side Courier lied. They usually don't. In fact, the listing for this particular market didn't come with a calling number. The rest did. I guess I should've been more suspicious.

Dragging our tired cabosses, we arrived at Chatswood, inbetween our place and St Leonards and Lindfield, its a shopping town of food and salvation. Barely 2 bites into my breakfast of a 6-inch sub, DH asked if I had the key. Then all hells broke loose. The rest writes itself.

So here I am now, with my credit card abducted by DH ("I'll pay you later" he said), the only solace is to sit at this Everywhere Internet terminal furiously typing away. And yes, I've discovered that the the Everywhere Internet in the city demands a different account then the one here. Why the hell would they call this Everywhere Internet when its obviously isn't everywhere?!

I'm inclined to blame everyone, myself included for this lousy episode. What have we learnt today, boys and girls? Northside Courier and DH are not to be trusted. In fact, I'll like to add that most services & hell, everything in Sydney is not to be trusted. I must regard everything in suspicion from now on. What a tough life!

Augusto is coming...

For lack of a better title for this week's update. Couple of days ago, I told DH "Augusto is coming..." after Supahfunk sent me a flickrmail telling me Augusto is asking to be adopted by me. He was bewildered. Eyes wide open, he asked me curiously, "Uh, who is Augusto?". I was hoping he would think that its my new Spanish boy toy. LOL Eventually after bouts of supressed laughter, I showed him who Augusto was. I could tell he heaved a sigh of relief and smiled. I however, still look forward to Augusto coming. I'll let you know.



I was at North Sydney Markets on Saturday. Thats me with too-shiny-hair, wearing the brown beret from nimblefingers. She makes one of the best berets around, to your specific color & size, even for my um, super large head. You don't want to miss her.
Anyways, I had to drag DH out coz he was wacked out by a series of academic stuff that render his brain mushy for the weekends. I was glad to be there. This quiant little market happens only once a month, and its a great place for unearthing the great stuff. I found this Paul Frank tartan gum boot for A$15, condition new with tags. SOLD.


Apart from a myraid of interesting stuff, they also have great food. DH bought this plate of mini Dutch pancakes called Proffiterjes, correct me if I'm wrong. Warm mini panckes bathed in maple syrup and dusted with icing sugar plus strawberries on top. What could be better for a Saturday morning breakkie? YUM city, population ME! ;+)




I'd also caught sight of this gorgeous dandelion at the market after breakfast. I love them because they are so pretty, eternally round yet fragile and short-lived. I don't see them much in Singapore yet I've always known them them thru fairy tales, when you blew the petals off and you get 13, it'll be the witching hour. Hmm....I didn't blow this one though.


We stopped for starbucks in the afternoon. Yum rocky road crunch slice with Venti skim latte. Its already showing as another layer of fat on my tum. Its gonna be bad! Winter's the perfect season for hiding fatness but come swimsuit season, it'll be so much to cry for. No more skimpy yellow polka dot bikinis! :+(


Last but not least, I came home to find my ipod radio wrapped in the muffler I made. Looks like its getting cold...

Augusto Sit Down!

Augusto Sit Down!
Originally uploaded by supahfunk™.

He's my favourite softie yet!

I finally had some extra time to surf thru the Softie group on flickr and boy was I delighted! People are truly talented there. They've taken everyday things and turn them into totally ownable and squeezeable objects!

I can picture supahfunk saying, "Lyn, keep your hands away from Augusto!"

Everywhere Internet isn't everywhere....

Hey girls and boys...

here I am again! LOL I'd just came back from another mini battle with the Everywhere Internet guys. I had a username and password at the Chatswood outlet but apparently the city outlet doesn't recognise it. :+( I jumped from computer to computer thinking its the comp not working and in the end, had to waste another $5 to get a new account. Funny how things work here. I should've known though. Singapore's waaaaaaaay too efficient and we get so spoilt that everything should be working all the time. People here shrug when things don't work or when they simply have to go without. I remember the time when DH and I was at the Blue Mountains. It was winter, sun sets at 4 but we decided to be explorers and walked all over the mountain town. By the time we got to the train station, Katoomba, the trains had stopped. Excuses, tons of them were made by the train drivers that this train was going back and that train was ..... suffice to say that none of them wanted to take a train back to the city with a handful of passengers stranded at the quiet station. We were upset, tried to call and cab but none would come so basically we either had to wait and beg a driver to take a train to the city or find a motel for the night. Eventually we were taken back to the city, on the train. This would obviously not happen in Singapore but it is a very cosmopolitain city with cabs anywhere and everywhere anytime. I told DH, if we have to migrate, get a car already. Funny how we take for granted things for ourselves all the time.... especially being in Singapore when our asses get covered for us and um, even wiped. LOL

In the other news, I'm experiencing serious withdrawl symptons of not sewing, creating, packing, posting and all the other shop knick knacks. Jez louise, I am going nuts pretty soon! I keep hallucinating and um, thinking about sewing in my sleep. Before this, I spent everyday running around doing stuff so not being able to move as often feels "itchy". I am slightly agoraphobic as well so going out alone without some purpose feels pointless and um, naked. And, DH is kinda busy with his presentations and classes, I chose to mostly sit at home watching daytime TV like Dr. Phil and Oprah, Judge Judy even. Don't know if I should post about this. I'm kinda worried about my taste recently. LOL Yesterday I spent 4 hours uploading couple of sydney pics and food pics on my flickr. I might have more so keep checking! :+)

And the very very nice Ella sent me my Bag of Treats April swap which I received 2 days ago which really really cheered me up! Thanks Ella! She's a fabulous swapper! ^___^

Anyways, to keep sane and my more money from flying out my wallet, I bought some yarn to keep busy. I'm not entirely sure what will come out of them yet but I'll let you guys know! If anyone's doing fund raising, I'll be happy to donate my works. I'm pretty good at crochet. ;+) Though I prolly won't be selling any. I know you people prefer the cute fabrics. hehe

Ok, I'm gonna go before I start sprouting nonsense. (I had a creme brulee espresso)

I love you all! FREE HUGS! *hugs*

p/s: I just got a message from mum - her colon cancer check thing is CLEAR. *phew!* woohoo!

So lucky....

Well, I'm in Sydney! Sorry for not uploading any pics yet coz I'm actually using the internet at a public mall and there are no usb jacks on the station. :+( DH's internet is uh, dial-up, hopelessly slow and he's busy doing his presentations this week. No computer use for me at home. Boo. And I was too lazy to bring my own. The flight - I was actually proud to do a Jackie-O spin for my flight. Black trench, oversized glasses, skinny pants, brown balenciaga handcarry. Until I realised I forgot a good amount of things like my LOMO fisheye camera. Double boo.

Anyways, the flight was delayed, again and again. I met someone at Changi airport on another Qantas flight that was delayed too. See? Its not me anymore, its Qantas. I wanted SQ but it wasn't for me to choose. My budget did the math. It got delayed again in Adelaide during the connecting flight to sydney. It wasn't funny coz I was very tired and cranky. They changed my seat too, to make way for the 1st class passengers. They couldn't be in 1st class coz the door in first class won't open. Anyhoo, its a real stupid long story. I was rotting in Adelaide for 2 good hours when I could've reached sydney, or well, my place already. Quarantine was smooth for once and the nice china cab guy was nice too though the cab fare came up to be more than usual. Sigh.

THE SURPRISE. I told DH to stay home coz I needed him to "wait for something to be delivered". Well, I was late, so I guess he couldn't wait and he went out to get stuff before the shops close. I knocked on the door and nothing. Suffice to say I had to call him and told him to get his ass back. He thought it was some flower guy coz it was our anniversary and I used to send roses. His eyes, almost popped when he saw me! LOL It was priceless...best anniversary gift ever.

I went down to the city yesterday for a while, picked up some tops and walked all the way to the Circular Quay with a starbucks grande latte in hand, I felt warm and happy. I sat on the bench facing the opera house, watching life go by. A guy was singing and playing on his guitar some outback Australian tunes and with the sunset in the background, it couldn't have felt more real. It was so beautiful, so surreal. I was finally able to "be" for a while. I took time to watch the clouds go by, to watch a baby's reaction to its surrounds, the tunes to sink in and the birds to walk by....

Today's even better, shopping wise that is. DH is real busy these 2 days so I decide to make good of it going shopping. Guys are well, never really good at that and they get tired to easily and um, tend to drag us down, non? I found 2 black tailored pants, one black scooter mini dress and get this, a Stella McCartney Cashmere Bell coat! It was just hanging in the back and no one thought it exists anymore after that mad rush months ago. *phew!* Fits like a glove, feels like heaven and on discount too...what better way to end the day!

Stay tune for more! ;+)

Leaving on a jet plane....

Leaving on a jet plane....
Originally uploaded by florspace.

Can't believe it. Its just 2 more days and I'll be gone. For a while, tha is. After completing some more custom orders, (I've got to learn to say no!), I'll be off to get some supplies today. Mum will be helping with my little Mini Zippereds production factory. Apparently, she's learnt to enjoy making them. IMO, they're terrific things. Small, relatively cheap, nifty & you can't live without at least one! After my Private Reserve Collection at $8 each, I'm sourcing for gorgeous fabrics locally so I can continue to bring you quality without the cut-throat prices. ;+)

Anyways, I work at 5.20am today, right before it started pouring heavily. Its been pouring rather frequently these days and its become tough to even go out. I'll be lugging some packages to the PO today so rest assured, rain or shine, they will go out. Couldn't sleep after that, and I spent about 2 hours watching the sun rise, the rain pour and the clouds move. Add some romantic music and this is virtually a movie! Think of how often you can sit around watching the clouds change. Can be therapeutic. Try.

Ok, I'm off to the PO, supplies shopping and getting ready for the big Phantom of The Opera thing tonight.....

lamentations

Yikes, I've forsaken my blog. Many times I want to do a post but somehow manage to wriggle out of it. Travel date is nearing and um, still not packed. I've been shopping too. Bought some stuff I've always wanted, small stuff. Actually I've been missing my Luella recently. I'm not much into IT bags but I had to have the pink Luella when it came out couple of years back. I had to go to Japan so I made a painful decision to sell it for the trip. It seemed like a good idea at that time but now it just hurts. I hadn't even used it then, it was new, luscious leather in a very enchanting pink. Double sigh. Like every other girl, I feel the leather bag will complete me. Now its feeling a bit empty and very naked. :P

Today was a going out day. I don't like going out so much here coz there's nothing much else to do 'cept shopping and thats detrimental to my wallet & plastic, not to mention eventual pointlessness. I intend to visit museums, sit around in alfresco cafes and read in the botanic gardens in sydney, all because the weather permits. In 33DegC here, all you want is get into a mall, or any air-conditioned place for that matter. Its a tuesday so pple generally want to get home after work. Going out during early weekdays mean a little more space for breathing. I love walking around when people are rushing by somewhere. I found some lovely large deco tapes, a ton of Q-Lia irresistible stationery, Kamio die-cut notepads and Tenorikuma stationery & pencils. I'd prolly take pictures in the morning. I ended the day with a Mocha at Coffee Bean. They were shutting but the nice lady made my drink anyways. I drank it while reading Cold Feet, a novel.

I've been looking for music too. Recently I found out the tune Carrie & Miranda ran around to in the cold war episode, satc was by MC Solaar. Spent a night listening to his tunes on youtube. Listen to him if you haven't already. I always thought rap was crap but this guy.... I can't place it, its definitely something else. Its really touched me in some ways. I like La Belle et Le Bad Boy like everyone else but Caroline makes me wanna cry and Solar Pleure feels heavy. The effects for Nouveau Western & lalalala is great. Its difficult to place a feeling but Solaar makes me feel like the problems I face are so tiny compared to what people face out there. In a way, I'm whining about nothing... when I actually have everything...

I hate making decisions. Hate when I have a choice, crossroads, fork, whatever. I'm afraid that if I make a decision, and things happen, I can never revert to what I was before. Its like getting married. If we break, I would never be single, I would be a divorcee. Its a harsh realisation but thats me, afraid of forever committments & responsibilities, afraid of being labelled, afraid of losing anything. I'm allergic to "you have to do X", it makes me wanna run off. It takes a lot more courage to do what I have to than to just yield to the little voice in my head to run off. I treasure the freedom to change to do anything, but is there a time when we have to make a decision to grow up, settle down, get a job, mortgage, insurance, cars...? Emma of Sugarcane gave me something to think about - what can I do without? I don't want to predict the future me but I know it drives me nuts to think about money, the eternal dividing of resources, opportunity costs, credit card debts, bills, all drives me up the wall. I don't need designer items all the time but I'll be lying if I say I'll be happy in sweats & jerseys for all my life.

Is there a way to actually balance the need for creativity and the need for financial stability? Or do we have to pick something and stay there? And even if we decide to pick the other more desirable/seemingly unstable choice many years later, will we be the same person in the same frame of mind, making the decision for the right reasons? Good on paper vs uncertainty, which decides your life?

What's in the bag?

Here it is...The pinnacle of crafting....the ultimae decadence! LOL I can't seem to rave enough about this one. I made it last week before um, I got dizzy spells again. It took 3 days but I had fun! Fabric placing was a bit tough but at least I got some decent placements out of it. I think the Mini Zippereds are kinda like those swedish circular prints which I totally love as well.

Me thinks this makes a great bag starter set! All you need is well, your stuff! All descriptions are available at the listing. I know its short and all but I'm totally beat from crafting all day. I had to finish Tisha's Doll wallet coz I've been sick & slacking off and she needs it for someone's birthday this weekend! Yikes, Its totally horrid of me but I've gotten it all done, thrown in some real good goodies so hopefully, it'll make up for the lateness. Whew! I've also gotten recent packages all packed and ready so it'll be dropped off tomorrow when I accompany my mom for the colon check. I'm gonna have to sleep early tonight, my biological clock's all screwed up and I've done too much shopping. I blame PMS, migraines and procrastination.



So I leave with one last look at this bag of decadence.

B back soon.

Plush for Pup & today...

I'm making Mini Zippereds for Plush For Pup's raffle! Those poor animals need our help. So PLEASE, go buy their raffle to win stuff! Raffle tickets are only $5 to PlushForPup@yahoo.com and you could win baskets full of swell goodies!


How to make a lunchbox from cd spindle. Random surfing brings out the best in life! I can't believe we missed this idea entirely. I love bagel sandwiches. But wait, are we supposed to dig a hole thru the inside stuff as well? Oh well. I still love this idea anyways.

I finally get my lazy ass onto updating the zakka section on my website. Its annoying how procrastination can really get the better of me. Though, I've been working non-stop and time is still somehow flying. Hm, maybe I'm just tired.

Stuff I really want, after sneaking into some stores today. - Flip Flap, the big one with the white pot. I've been wanting this for a long time but never got around to buying it and I figured a plant can't be worth paying that much for? We'll see. I also need a black satin cocktail dress, like those from the 1950s. Good for weddings, operas and concerts. Yes, I watch operas and classical concerts ever since high school. I'm kinda sick of wearing black pants and floaty tops. No dress off the racks seem to please me. They are either too small, too frilly, too complicated, to lousy.......God, I'm picky. I'm just short of visiting bridal salons for fear of pestering me about bridal packages. Do people in the states/UK/rest of the world get this problem? DH used to enjoy the attention and teases me. I do so much eye rolls, its funny how my eyes still stick around. I kinda like this one, but worried about the material & workmanship as usual. Sigh.

I'm in the process of making a really really cool Bag starter set with the Rillakuma (San X's Relax Bear) fabric I scored. Its a really decadent set so keep your eyes peeled!

Zakka updates

This pic was taken yesterday at 7am when I was, yes, still awake....well, before I was knocked out of course. Sunrises are rare for me.

I don't even know why I'm still here. Its 4.30 am in Singapore and I'm thoroughly a nightbird now. I've broken my own record of staying up all night working at the comp, packing orders and answering people's messages. To think I used to sleep at 10pm. And the worse thing is time seems to slip away like running water. I'm barely breathing, working non-stop, pictures, sewing, mailing, buying supplies, running around, packing....And yeah, my suitcase's still lying around with a tiny heap of things inside.

Shouldn't I start packing already?
What the hell. I like blogging. So here goes.


This bag - courtesy of Melissa who entertained my neuroses when I told here I'm besotted with it. She did a swap with me. It was actually made for her for the Handmade bag swap on swapbot. Actually I can't cable knit worth a damn. I can only do straight knits and crochet which I do for fun, punctuating my sewing so I don't burn out and well, burn everything. Anyhoo...this bag is as lovely as expected. Its insane, but I slept with it beside me when I received it yesterday. The yarn isn't scratchy, its actually pretty sturdy yet soft cotton. I love this style very much as well coz I'm a huge fan of clutches. I still can't forget the one Carrie took to Mr. Big's place and discovered he was leaving New York. That one was great. And now I have a fabulous clutch too...good for loads of stuff. Thanks Melissa.


Obnoxiously adorable mugs I couldn't help picking up. Is that why I hate shopping? My money keeps flying. These are mine!



More additions to my deco tape collection. Loads of cram cream and stuff. They are actually for sale. Big ones are $5, medium rolls in the second pic at $2.20 and the small ones at $1. Email me.

This is my new dish. - "We missed the Chicken Dance" I like dishes of late. Funny thing is I don't have 2 matching ones.

Yummy candy for people who buy stuff.

Restock! Yummy Strawberry purses. They're furry but the fur doesn't come off unless you yank. Its ultra adorable... Duck egg blue popcorn pot picked up at a sale. Cute acrylic strawberries ready for charm making.

I think I'll hit the hay.

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.

Warring week...

Pictures from top clockwise - Lunch at Delifrance with mum after Malaysia cemetry visit, Marks and Spencer heavenly choco biscuits aka the reason I'm fat (that reason becomes Krispy Kreme when I'm in Sydney), Newspaper clip about Sydney saving the world from global warming (where the hell are you guys!?), Pellegrino - my one weakness (oh and blue potato chips!), Black Sheep Mini Zippered also featuring Blossomhill's Pink Elly coz I love them!

What a week! After the launch of the whole Private Reserve Collection, I've been busy busy busy! Definitely not complaining coz I really enjoyed making them! This time my dear mum chipped in quite a bit which is why I could manage to churn out that much! It was like a factory down here! We joked about being our own little sweatshop. Not that mum found it to be particularly funny coz she was doing it out of kindness. But in the end, she loved sewing them up! She's a really great dressmaker, does quite a few pieces of my clothes. I design them, she makes it possible! I'm a really bad picker so I appreciate her tolerance. :P I'm just real glad people love my creations! Oh yes, I have to tell you guys this, the price is a tad higher coz the fabrics were really really costly. DH said I should've raised it higher but I thought he was nuts! I mean rationally, I won't even pay as much myself, so I didn't. I'm still living on instant noodles, but I'm happy making stuff under the sweltering heat here. Whee! Sauna life! *eye roll*

Then Something Happened Tonight - Tim of Etsy Administrators convo-ed me and told me Sanrio things ain't allowed on Etsy! Boy was I crushed and a splitting headache on top of the incessant cough and throat problems hit me. I knew I had to remove a couple of my listings and move them to my website. But it also meant 4 hours, which was what I did just now. *wipes sweat* But I guess its all going to happen anyways. Though, I guess I'd better count myself lucky I actually got to list and sell quite a few Sanrio fabric-ed items at my etsy shop before. My arms are falling off as I type this and my back is calling for help. I might go sleep soon. Its like 4 am here and I've almost totally beaten my own record for staying up for work. I'd already spent hours today working on totes, purses and packing up my very very messed up work area! My mum was giving the ultimatum. :P

I feel like I've been through a war this week.

Hope you guys are having a better easter!

(My throat's not allowing chocolate eggs. I think I want to buy a stuffed bunny.)

Happy April Fool's & *Drum Roll* The Private Reserve Collection!!

Its been a long wait or what?! Well, not so long for me coz I'veen been busy preparing for this big launch. Yeap, I'm finally deciding to bust out with my private loot in very very limited numbers so hurry if you love them coz no more thereafter! As you know from my previous post, I'll be leaving at the end of the month for Sydney til the end of June so hurry hurry! ;+)

These fabrics need no introduction at all. All pure Japanese imports, pure quality and pure joy! I get a real sense of happiness whenever I take a whiff of these fabrics. Don't ask why!

The second set you're seeing here is the Sanrio Collection. All super duper cute! There's no way you can find Sanrio Linen and cotton canvas anywhere! Its all here, up for grabs! ;+)

This set is the French Collection, all the most adorable french fabrics all the way from Japan! If you love everything french like me, you'll love these!

So, there you go! I'll let the pictures do the talking! See you soon at www.florspace.etsy.com

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p/s: I heard some protests about the too-limited numbers so I'll try to accomodate as its needed. See? I'm nice! LOL

I needed a new wallet....& leaving on a Jet Plane!

I needed a new wallet....
Originally uploaded by florspace.

Loads of stuff happening these days and I always wanna blog about it but end up crawling into bed. Maybe I'm getting old. DH says I work too hard. Strangely I don't feel it, even though I single-handedly made a couple of hundreds of purses, I still feel I could do more. Its bad enough I don't feel the same about my second degree. My first one made me realise what I really wanted to do in life, my second one came along and messed everything up. The latter also made me realise that there are some things that we simply can't have in life and that the evil guy is dangling the carrot (read: passport) to moving out of this dump. Unfortunately, I'm calling it 60% dump again, yeap, gone up, because recently as I am preparing for my second wave of the Private Reserve Collection, I realised I was working in a sweatshop, quite literally. I was standing and cutting fabrics when beads of sweat simply fall from my face. It felt nothing less than being in a sauna. I was breathing fire though I wasn't fuming. So thats it. Thats why I could eat buckets of ice-cream and bars of chocolate (from my dear swap partners!) and not get any fatter! I was sweating it out during the day. Only bad thing is I end up having to have a good shower every evening coz I stink like hell, oh wait, like the dumpster (Lorong Halus, Singapore's renowned dump). Ewwww.

That said, yes I have finally applied for the second degree on wednesday morning. Yeap, I'm dropping from ACCA coz its driving me up the wall for 2 years now with no conclusion. It was a tough decision to make & its sad to give it up but I can't go on wasting more time and money (esp!). I hate myself for saying this but I'm not getting any younger. Hence the big switcheroo.

Oh and I was at the PO the other day and realised not all people here are bad. One guy, very cute guy, opened the door to the PO for me, which almost never happens, the usual lady at the parcels counter was really nice and smiley and my bus came on time. It was quite a nice day. I noticed that my buses always made me wait 15mins or more unless I'm with someone. Somehow being alone's jinxed. Having a person around makes things luckier. Or maybe its just me. Oh well.

I am hoping that DH doesn't read my blog. Its official. I'm visiting him at the end of April til the end of June, 2 months in la la land. 30th April 2007 is our 10th year anniversary of being together. Last year I couldn't be there so I send him a box of columbian reds with chocolates and he still has them at his desk even though all the fengshui people in the world preach that dead stuff are better thrown out. :P I guess I can't afford to send Columbian blacks (he loves black-everything) so I'm going to show up at his door in black! Not naked, lewders! LOL DH, if you're reading this, act surprised. :P

SO SO SO, you peeps have only 1 MONTH more to grab cute & fabulous purses from my shop and thereafter, I'll be gone for 2 months! I might bring existing stock from my shop to Sydney so if you're grabbing anything, I'll be mailing from Sydney but shipping would be significantly higher. I hate it too. :+(

p/s: I made that wallet coz I needed a risk-free-guaranteed-happy-change in my life. If you feel you need such a cute change too, feel free to mail me. ;+)

Review

How time flies. Its been an interesting week. Its amazing how bad swaps and good swaps can affect one's mood. Stefanie's came and it really really lifted my mood. She sent me everything I totally need and want. The chocolates & tartlets are so good...

Then, there's always the real life part. I spend so much time online, its like I'm living 2 lives. The real one isn't nice. I'm close to the deadline of the application of my second degree, something I won't like to do but have to, in aid of migration later. I bet you've all at some point or other, hear about how I dislike this place. Yes, I've switched from pure hatred to a more endearing dislike. Perhaps someday I'll learn to love. LOL

I'm currently in the middle of a course I plain dislike. Its too much of a challenge I can't afford the time for. The lecturers speak in Singlish which irks me to no end, my classmates are mostly Chinese nationals here for more play than work. Most of my friends are working in real jobs and I hardly see them. Maybe its more rewarding to stay home, bolt the door, tune in to chillout music, eat my strawberries and administrate my little shoppe. Anti-social? Yes. Stupid? I don't think so. The thing is, everytime I leave the house, I leave myself open to random attacks by people. Bad manners, selfishness, violence, frowners, you name it. It leaves me nothing to hope for but to quickly run home and take cover. Just Saturday, I agreed to leave the house and go visit some travel fair at the convention centre. Boy, did I regret. I don't know about you guys, but I'm sensory defensive (sensory malfunction, not a psychological problem!) and get very irritated at slight uncessary and sudden contact with my skin. All my sensors will run to that spot and I won't be able to think of anything else for 5 minutes, except to slap, rub or scratch that spot. Why did I have to be born in Singapore? Navigating my way through the mall was like trying to get through a massive crowd counting down for Christmas at Times Square or something. The people all behave like they own the paths. No offence but strollers and families piss me off a lot. The ones here will spread themselves out, walking slowly enjoying the stroll oblivious to the mass of people behind trying to get through. I used to be polite and nice. Now I just plain push. Its no use bring nice anymore. Nice doesn't cut it in a selfish and cosmopolitain city like this one. Suffice to say I'll much prefer to stay in with my 2 metres radius of comfort zone for free play. I hear the government is desperately trying to increase the population by another million. *Shudder* I plan to get out of here before that happens. I lament too much.

There it is! Launch of summer totes at my website! Cheap and chic totes I couldn't help picking up to share. Very limited numbers and at only $5 each! Go grab some! ;+)

I've been procrastinating these for too long. Sometimes it just takes time, photo shooting, editing, uploading, concentration, efforts, mood, the works. Glad I spent sunday doing work! I fell asleep on the couch after dinner and woke to I, Robot on TV. I think I'm fully depreciated now and I'll go rest.

Helluva start to week

So, I found copies of my mini zippereds on etsy and I've received both nice and reality checks feedback from you people. I don't feel bad about the reality checks comments even though they do hurt initially, I do recognize facts so instead of sitting and whining, I'm going to focus on the good sides, like what Jill said, I sold a lot and am thankful esp when Martina convo-ed me on etsy telling me my stuff looks better than others even though they may use similar fabrics. She bought 3 minis from me that very day! So so so...instead of wrecking myself with negative thoughts (which I'm used to doing for most of my childhood), I'm going to continue creating more fabulous things for you people who love my stuff!

Very soon, I'll be launching a "Private Reserve Collection", already seen as a section at my etsy shop, containing all the most fabulous fabrics I have in my collection. Full of the cutest and most coveted Japanese imports! :+) Still at affordable prices, I promise. Not revealing too much yet so keep your eyes peeled!

I'm still struggling with my very naughty throat who still refuses to behave, annoying me every 5 minutes, causing my head to go into convulsions and hurt. :+( Custom orders will still be worked on so not to worry, they are coming. Doctor's medicine didn't help. Big sighs.

I'm also having a bad swap week, receiving not-so-nice things and people not bothering to say thanks for my package. I guess I shouldn't say too much but I do appreciate enormously people who read my preferences and send things put together with an effort. Or maybe that was already effort to them. Oh well, at least I got something. I know I'm picky but at least I am proud to say I make efforts to send people things they want and thank people when they send me stuff. I think I'll be more careful with my swaps in future.

I'm still not figured out in my course thing. Its mighty confusing, mind boggling and thoroughly boring. I would choose to do a BA in Fine Arts if I had the choice. My Financial Management & Control lecturer says we should sleep 4 hours in order not to "waste" our lives away. I can't decide if he's being smart or plain crazy. I do agree its his choice, his life to do a lot before he turns to dust. But unfortunately, I don't function well with 4 hours. I prefer to have more functional hours than a lot of half-ass work in my day. Besides, the best things happen when I sleep. Dream, rest and egyption cotton sheets. I won't regret even if I was to be dead because I did what I really want to do. Since when did you let your heart lead you?

It may be a geographical location thing, but its my personal opinion that people here could learn how not to shove their own ideas of life and personal preferences down others' throats. We are different. Can't stress that enough. "You should do this to get this", "do this and you will get this result" etc. Don't wanna hear that anymore. My life is the way it is because I like it. I like working through the night and sleeping in the day. I hate corporate high flyers and corner offices because I've been there and I wasn't happy. Even though my office was on a high tower with spectacular views and beautiful surrounds, I never had time to appreciate anything. Because I was working, just plain working. When I had money, I spent more, waiting for my next paycheck became a painful routine. At the end of the day, the fact that I could be replaced simply allude to the fact that I wasn't working for anything, not for myself, but for an organisation that I felt nothing for. I had to ask myself that painful question that when I'm on my deathbed, could I go knowing I had done what I wanted to or did I wait and waited and never got the chance to do what I actually wanted to? Parents here would tell their kids, study hard and you'll get a good job, good pay and that usually equates to good life. But they never did realise that this path is never the only one, nor is it the right formula for everyone. They would tell us, you can do what you want when you have money. Yes, corporate high flying pays well but do we really have the time to do what we want outside of the job? People here work 12-14 hours on a standard basis. I want no part of that unfortunately. My life is not about spending my days in a box working for something I don't care for. I'd much prefer to bake cookies and make stuff for people who appreciates them. To me, its much more meaningful to actually make someone's life better than to be rich and never have enough of time and money to actually be happy.

But that's just me.

Japanese Collection + sick (again...*yawn*)

I'm feeling a little wonky tonight, coz I'm sick, yes, again. Throat infection from Thursday, fever Friday, Doc on Saturday, blah blah blah. I'm basically coughing my lungs out right now and each time I do that, my head goes banging and blacks out for seconds. I knew something was wrong on Thursday coz I didn't eat much, felt cold and my head was burning in the night. I didn't have a good night and I knew I was in a lot of trouble coz I have classes on friday. Nonetheless, I survived on painkillers and wrestled through 8 hours of classes on Friday and stumbled home at 11. I woke with a really bad throat, so swollen and hurt, I couldn't talk. Mum dragged me to the Doc's. I got some medication which gave me some rashes by now, warranting another trip to the Doc's tomorrow. :P Anyways, regardless of the Doc's orders to rest, I made my usual mail trip to the PO as scheduled, mailed stuff and collected my only salvage of the day - cute fabrics. I spent all Sunday sewing again, oblivious to the fact that I'm sick. I think I can't sit around, or I'll feel sicker than I need. It'll be so much more productive to be active. Not to mention the amount of work waiting. Maybe this is it. The job I won't feel repulsive to wake to on Monday morning and the job I'll continue pouring my heart and soul into even when I'm sick. Medication made me a tad weak-ish but, "meh!".

I got some big orders after launching my Japanese Collection. I had those fabrics for a couple of months before really bringing them out. I'm such a hogger and I know if I don't at least use a bit of them, I'll have to rent a warehouse soon right before the folks kick me out! Anyways, I love them and really enjoyed making them though I had them scheduled to launch in January but you know, DH was here and he'll be so mad at me if I didn't spend time with him before he goes back to Sydney. So now he's gone, I'm back to sewing up a storm, listing everyday and stuff. I'm also secretly planning to pull out a bit of my neo-japanese fabrics for minis. So look out for them.

Painful things to note - I wonder if its ethical to be using another's product names? I ran a search on etsy and realised people have been using "Mini Zippered" to sell their pouches. Before I started selling them on etsy, no one really put both these words together for the description of their pouches. I'm thoroughly hurt and annoyed. Its horrible to me since I was the one who came up with the name and the idea to make these pouches only with fabulous materials. I didn't go on etsy and observe popular products before merely copying my own. I took time to think, design and experiment before I dared to sell them. Though I recognize that copies are inevitable in current markets, I feel horrendous when it happens on etsy, a place for indie designers and originals. I don't deny the idea of a zippered pouch is that avant garde but do people have to even stoop so low to steal a name? I wish they were nicer which is why I totally support people who make real originals. :+)

Anyways, for people who have been supporting me so much, HUGE thanks & warm hugs! You know I love you guys and will continue to create the best because I know you deserve it. ^___^