Of Browns & Neutrals

The stamping and typing of ribbons to dress the invites were surprisingly calming, I thoroughly enjoyed the manual work and I'll gladly do it all over again. The cards have been sent and posted, let's hope it reaches all the intended recipients in time! *yes, all 250 of those cards*

That said, it seems I'm going through a phase of nude and neutral shade, I never seem to get bored or unexcited about nude ballet pumps, tan hued oversized top, brown shorts to go with it and even the invites didnt escape the whole brown and neutrals hype. It is not for the worse, everything just goes so well with each other so who cares?

Our new sparkling Cath Kidston Mug

Since we are here, how is your Christmas so far? I've not popped any champagne here and guess what, Christmas shopping is only starting today! All because we have been rather caught up witht the wedding so the celebrations for Christmas is quieter than usual. I hope the mood will soon pick up and of course you will be having a good time partying too!

Merry Merry Christmas & Have a Blessed New Year!

Defeated

I'm not a weakling to cry, I'm merely expressing my emotions.

When something in my life is unshiftable, there is only one way but to tolerate and deal with it my way.  Enough is sometimes enough, it is another story to be not appreciated and trampled upon just because I don't make much noise about it anymore.

Have to stop asking whys and start thinking how. The only solution is in the near future, I make a stand to detach myself, and I pray it comes sooner than expected.

Consider This..

We all know some poor girl with a formidable mum-in-law. What if SHE plans the wedding?

Extracted from BlushingBridezilla

The rise of Mumzillas?

Comrades

These are the people I hang out with everyday, we laugh and cry together and tell ourselves our emotions are not dictated by the people we have to handle.

It's a pink life!

Merry (then) Marry

Peppermint Mocha Frappacino



Feel a tickle of Christmas yet? I knew I had a tingle when a voucher to redeem Starbucks Christmas drink creation landed on my lap.

It makes me happy when bits of Christmas unveils around this time of the year. Usually when Christmas songs come on in the shopping centres, you know we are now into the end of year mood!

How are you planning to spend Christmas? It's never too early to think about it, perhaps it is time for a getaway to somewhere snowing.. *i wish*

Almost Hitched! - Every Step is Meaningful

I think the haze is getting to me. It is humid and stuffy all day, the air is murky and I just don't want to take deep breaths in case my lungs get more polluted than they already are!

That aside, work still has to be done. We '1 stone killed 2 birds' last night. We collected the wedding invitation cards and had a meeting with our wedding planner AND went to the bridesmaids dress shop to put in an order for the girl's dresses. (All thanks to Corinna this went really well!)

Hint: Bridesmaids dress is cream in colour :)

The latest update for wedding prep is our notice of wedding has been officially filed with the Registry of Marriages Singapore. When the whole online process was completed, I can't help but smile. This is definitely a milestone and it means the wedding is less than 3 months away!

Next steps? On the hunt for a good wedding invite designer/printer. I hope Kel and I have the energy to keep going on like this - work like mad in the day time and run errands like crazy in the evenings.

Weekends? What weekends?

Almost Hitched! - Malacca Photoshoot

In a blink of an eye, we are back! The trip had its ups and down but I would not change a thing of the past few days.

And for the record, I have a tan on my shoulders!

Shooting outdoors in what a photographer would call good weather is endurance. I did not expect myself to say being able to wipe sweat off my face was bliss, I just couldn't use the tissue to do a swipe as I had layers of makeup caked on and it had to STAY on despite the heat and humidity. Now I have a new found respect for professional models. In fact, they must be the most patient and tough girls around!

That said, the experience is out of this world. Having gawking by-standers watch us strike a pose and pretending to have a laughter in the middle of the road is something to get used to. Oddly, I very quickly adapted to a thick-skin mentality whereas Kel was still reluctant to let loose till end of the day.

The actual photoshoot started for me at 6.30am and we called it a day at 10.30pm. Lunch and dinner was squeezed in and I had to minced my food to keep shape for the dress; which was difficult to do because we packed Chicken Rice Balls for lunch and I was so tempted to stuff my face!

All in all, we couldn't have had a smooth day shooting without Ginny's help. Ginny was a lifesaver providing tissues, umbrella, makeup touch-ups etc and she even fanned me so I could feel a breeze. Love you, Ginny! And I owe you a million! *grin*

We did not see much of the pictures taken so I'm really looking forward to viewing them in 1-2weeks time!

As stressed as I was before we went to Malacca, I'm relieved that we had fun and it was completed and now we are one step nearer to our big day!

Some shots taken by Ginny behind the scenes

By the way, when in Melaka do check into Puri Hotel's junior suite! It was perfect for us in terms of space and privacy due to the loft concept so when my Mum and relatives came over, I could still change upstairs and get prepped. Also, this romantic room is great for couples on a relaxed getaway!

Pictures of Puri Hotel Suite taken by Ginny



Almost Hitched! - Slow & Steady

Friends ask how is the wedding prep going, I say we are taking our own sweet time but it is actually us procratinating. We are moving on with things as it is thrown to us, taking it as it comes.

October is the photoshoot and this is what we are busying about at the moment. Getting the gown and suit ready, making sure we have all we need to coordinate the location shoot in Malacca. It is going to be fun! However, it did not cross our minds we should be buying the wedding bands already before the shoot, or getting wedding shoes as we were so focused on the actual day planning.. I just thought I would need most of those things in January that so many aspects just caught us off guard. Right now, it feels like we have a lot on our plate!

But should I wear a qipao or not? Should we have the videographer do express highlight video of the gatecrashing? Is it a good idea to send the save-the-date out now? Juggling all these thoughts (which not always result in any actions.) and work IS a lot of time and energy. Slowly and steadily, we are getting there :)

We have appointments lined up with vendors in the evenings, trying to run errands and do research during the weekends. We just want to enjoy the process and think back after the wedding to feel that it is all worth it because we did it with our own effort, instead of taking the easy way out of having a wedding planner.

A little sneak peak of my favourite gown~

And before I go, anyone has recommendations where I can find comfortable and chic wedding/evening heels??

ReBorn

It was something I had to do for myself before getting married and it was the most meaningful thing I've experienced since I became a believer.

I'm especially thankful my family and friends are all supportive and I am renewed and refreshed.

Still Here!

In case you have been wondering, I'm doing great!

It has been some time since I have updated myself online but it is for a good reason of adapting into the routine of a new job and wedding preps. Good excuses always, isn't it?

Remember some time ago I set some goals? Ever since then, I have moved 1 step towards the list by enrolling myself in sewing class! It is actually more technical than I thought but it is fun :)

I miss blogging here and at DeeryLouAromas because the new workplace has restrictions. I'll try to be online more often because sharing here is a way I bring myself back to honesty.

Life is Good

Good things are happening in my life!

- I’m moving along in my career and looking forward to an experience in a new company in July.
- My iPhone did not crash (as a lot of feedback says) when I did the upgrade to iOS4.
- My lovely sisters and besties agree to be my bridesmaid AND did not protest alive and screaming to the dusty pink choice of dress colours they have to look for.
- I’m not THAT mad with Dad anymore, just a little cross.
- I’m not sick anymore and just enjoyed steak for lunch

Life is good and I thank God for it. :)

iPhone Jacket Frenzy

I've been waiting for my Cath Kidston stash!




vPost has took some time to reply at many stages of my parcel shipment, this has been a pretty nervous wait for the package the arrive - at one point I wonder if it even would arrive, so you can visualise the glee on my face when it did!







Like a little kid with her only Christmas present, I couldn't wait to rip open the package and unveil the new iphone jackets~ I bought not one, not two but THREE! Two of them in vintage flower prints and the other is in irresistable polka dots.

I think i will be heading back to Cath Kidston's website for more pretty soon.. Yums!

Be at Rest

Some battles are not mine to fight; all I want to do is sleep on it and have faith when I wake up, it is sunny again.

(image from Decor8)

Never say never

How do you train a dog that has marked spots of territories in the house all his life to give that messy habit up? Likewise, how do you get a person who is nearly 60 year old to change his temperament and be a nicer person to live with?

Just like how some people repent and receive Christ just before they take their last breath; it is never say never for a dog or a person to be a better being.

I beg to differ the saying of “a leopard can’t change its spots”. Do you?

Who says?

The doctor said today that my body is currently fighting 2 virus at the same time.

Jesus says the fight was, is and will remain finished. I remain in faith.


Have a good labour day weekend all.

Why is it always the toilet?

I can’t believe neighbour downstairs furiously knocked on our door 10pm last night to tell us their toilet is leaking from the pipes again and it should be from our apartment.

I can’t believe my contractor says it is his worker’s fault for missing out something during the 3rd attempt of fixing it by taking my toilet out from the concrete.

I can’t believe this Saturday, and if you have forgotten it is a Labour Day holiday, will potentially be a fix-reno-glitch day when our toilet will be out of action again.

I can’t believe this Saturday, which is a Labour Day holiday, I would most likely have to walk all the way to Tiong Bahru Market to relieve myself whilst fix-reno-glitch is going on.

I can’t believe on top of dealing with renovation going on upstairs leaking into our apartment, I’m still fixing my own apartment on a Labour Day holiday.


Ok, I’m done whining.

Fat Day

Today is a Fat Day.
No matter how much feel-good porridge I eat will not make me feel better.

Since I'm here, these are some Melbourne photos to make me smile back at the recent holiday.

It's time to Wake Up

This is not my moment, to say that the holiday season on my calendar is over. Melbourne trip and Bangkok Company getaway is done! To sum it up, the two holidays were… okay.

It was so good to see my friends back in Australia where the weather is great but somehow the trip was riddled with many little incidents making it uncomfortable.

The past weekend in Bangkok was erratic due to the rally just right smacked outside our hotel, it was inconvenient for us to venture out for shopping or massage – my only massage session was a make-do shoulder and foot session at the airport and I did not get to stock up on favourite tissues as I do always when I visit the city. Managed to do a little shopping but I realize free-sized clothing from Bangkok were too small for me, Thai girls have to eat more!

After all the money and time spent away, it was not as satisfying as I imagined it would be when I was jumping up and down looking forward to being away from work. To have escaped from the mundane for a few weeks, I’m back to thinking, now what?

So I got thinking. What are my short term goals?

1. Plan and execute a smashing wedding
2. Learn Adobe Photoshop
3. Learn Sewing
4. Start a business
5. Stop wasting time on counter-productive commitments

These goals should not be a surprise to any of my close confidantes, I have been talking about them and hope to achieve within the next few years. This little blog serve as my diary entry and I look forward to read this when the time comes to see how much I’ve progressed.

This is my reality check.

A Modern Geek Gadget

VS

images from www.amazon.com & caribbeanbookblog.wordpress.com

The IT Fair was the last crazy weekend. I’d rather shop on my own while Kel braved the crowd because I wanted to continue having my toes as mine. The gadgets I wanted to buy were all there and they were going to be dangled at my squashed face with lots of freebies so I decided it is not good being open to temptations in the wake of Melbourne trip this Friday!

We all heard that the IT Fair blew its sales record this year, guess the economy has risen from the dumps so consumers are more willing to indulge in techie stuff they were deprived of. One of the products which flew off the racks within 2 hours of the IT Fair start was the e-reader named Cool-ER. I’ve heard of the Kindle by Amazon and know that Barnes & Noble and Sony have their own version of paperless book systems. Is this an eco-trend?

So I was just thinking if I would purchase an e-reader for myself.

Yes, because…
. I can access the newspapers, magazine and even the internet all in one device
. Help save the world by encouraging reduction of paper production
. Cheaper to pay for a online book download?(have not exactly researched on this yet)
. E-book device may be lighter and thinner than most books to carry around
. It can read to me! How long since anyone read to me like a baby?

and No, because…
. I love being in a bookshop and buying books
. I love the smell of newly printed books
. I love the feel and texture of crackling paper when pages are flipped and the anticipation of running my fingers on future pages.
. I love stacking my books on my bookshelf after reading them; it makes me look like a smart well-read kid.
. One of my favourite book categories are biographies and anthropologies, where books come with photos of the person/culture I’m reading about. Does the e-reader have pictures too?
. Charging my gadgets is not something I do very well. I will be miffed with myself when I want to use it and it is out of action.

Undeniably conclusive - halfway typing through why I would NOT buy an e-reader, I know I’m a paperback book person (this saves me a couple of hundred dollars!!) because I love the whole experience of browsing for books, buying them and lugging them home and then devouring them at night before bedtime.

What about you? Do you think this gadget will take off in Singapore on genuine interest or Singaporeans are just intrigued by a new techno device?

Pretty Home Decals by Vinyluse

I’ve seen so many tempting home decal designs around but have not bought any but I might change my mind after looking at what Vinyluse has in their collection. My God, they are pretty!

The grandfather's clock comes with a working clock dial and the farm animal decal allows you to scribble chalk on it, maybe the grocery shopping list?

Predictability of Melbourne Weather (not!)

Weather forecast tells me Melbourne would be 20-ish celcius over my planned trip. Looking forward to sunny and cool climate for 9 days! Humidity, bye!

Then again, its Melbourne - what am I talking about weather forecast?? Gotta play safe and pack some cardis.

Can't wait!

In His Shoes

In all honesty, I would not want to be in his shoes because it is a tough job. I know and I appreciate all that he gives and takes and love him altogether for that.

Thank God for bringing us together, I cannot imagine otherwise. I love our synergy, how we have unexpected coincidences in thoughts and the way we fit into each other’s jigsaw.

I pray all this doesn’t change, 1 year, 10 years and 40 years to come. I pray for me to be a better partner and as time goes on, I pray we overcome the hurdles of life, grow stronger and see the end together.

The Brown Picture

This picture has been hanging on the wall of Grandma’s home for years; I think this is priceless. Grandpa is no longer with us anymore but my memory of him is nothing but good.

There is a small space in between the seating area and the staircase to other parts of the house, I remember fondly how Grandpa would have me sing and dance for him there and that would make him smile.

Happy Chinese New Year Grandpa, I miss you.

The Ugly Side of Man

Yesterday, the online news showed a picture of a cruel man in China dragging a dog chained to its neck on a motorbike going at 50km/h. Today, a Tiger was caught, killed and chopped into half and guess what the poachers were doing? They were sharing about the Tiger’s last moments.

What IS WRONG with these people?

It angers me and I’m extremely sad these unfortunate things are happening. Not too long ago, the dolphins in Japan were being reported on how brutally they were (and still are) harvested and killed. The video I watched on this issue just made me weep.

I love animals. I love all animals because they need to and absolutely HAVE the right to survive and share the earth because God made all living things for a reason. I love Chester to bits and I can’t bear to see other dogs being ill-treated by uneducated, selfish individuals.

So what if we are turning off the lights diligently to save on power usage, so what if we are planting more trees and turning to hybrid cars to save the earth on resources and so what the heck if we are recycling our tins and plastics to minimize wastes when we are killing animals that complete the food chain and keep the earth going through its natural cycle?

Why don’t all of us wake up and see the truth and stop making unjust use of creatures who can’t speak for themselves for our selfish purposes and sometimes entertainment?

I’m embarrassed by my own kind. I truly am.

What a Lux!

If there’s anything I want so much at this moment, like right now, it would be a Leica D-Lux 4. And of course it has to come with the brown leather carry case to complete the whole retro look.


I’ve come to realize this past CNY that my trusty Sony point and shoot badly needs an upgrade. I can’t depend on my mobile phone for emergency pictures forever. Not just the delicious outlook but also the raved performance of this camera we are talking about here. This is just what I’m looking for; to have a powerful compact cam to replace in my handbag yet with features to play around and produce great pictures.

When, oh when would I have a whiff of Leica?

I’m melting badly for this toy. >_<

CNYs after this will not be the same?

Chinese new year shopping for new items is fun, did I say clothes shopping?

Traveling home for reunion dinner is always something I look forward to.

Rushing with the middle-age crowd to buy for mummy the animal-of-the-moment home decorations sprinkled with glitter is a practise I cherish.

Spending time with extended family at an once a year occasion is something I know will get more difficult in time to come.


All these that I know of and have been doing the same for so many years may change very soon. This is the last year I will be a child to my parents. This is the last year they will bless me with 压岁钱. Right now, I can't help but have mixed feelings that this is going to be the last CNY the way I know it.

Anywayz! Any change will be for good, of course. This rest of the year will be an exciting and hectic one, I can't wait for everything to unfold and our big day to arrive!

Town is Painted Red

Couldn't help mucking around with our phone cameras at the Four Seasons Hotel lobby area while waiting for our wedding coordinator. That’s what happens when we are left alone, we take the space our own!

Lunar New Year is here, this is the last year I’m receiving red packets because by the next Chinese New Year, I 'upgrade' my status as a child to being married. So from next year onwards, concerned relatives are anticipated to move on to a set of conversations related to nappies…

Anyways, it would be nice to have a long weekend of quality family time, dressing up, feasting and mahjong in 2 weeks time!

Daydreaming

Tuesday is a victory by itself because i have passed Monday.

Mental & Blocked

Maybe I need a short holiday. (i say this too much!)

Maybe I need a pampering massage.

Maybe I just need to sleep.



No, actually I just want to feel the adrenaline rush of uncertainty.

I'm waiting an answer if that would happen and I know I'm not ignored.

January starts with Green

Spadey is here.

It’s a terribly long story I won’t want to bore anyone with, my 2010 planner has finally arrived. From the time my 2009 calender expired, trusty mobile phone and sticky notes have been reminding me of schedules. It really was just not organized enough.

Absolutely love the olive green strap on this!

On a sidenote, is there internet shopping anonymous in Singapore? Me armed with internet and a credit card is really doing no good.

Twinkle Twinkle Chubby Star

Why don’t I ever have any sporty genes in me? Because if I did, it would have been so easy to burn off those holiday calories! Seriously, I wish I could drive a golf ball and had the guts to sky dive.

A seriously overdue pictures update from festive December 2009.

Heading to Kl..


A&W on the road trip

Lounging at Trader's Hotel KL


Indulging in Godiva