Summer Escape

We are in the midst of summer and over in our little island, we sure are feeling the heat (ok, except for the ocassional flash flood periods). It’s a lazy Wednesday today and I’m dreaming of lounging around in these beautiful summer cottages/houses. C’mon join me! It’ll take you away from your workstation for just a while. Our little escape! :)

Just a little note to let you know I've relisted 2 sets of coasters in my little shop. You can check them out here and here.

[images: 1 My Ideal Home, 2 House Dreams, 3 My Ideal HOme, 4 Car Moebel, 5 Pretty Stuff, 6 - 8 Canadian House & Home, 9 The Bubb Report]

Taste Buds

We all change with each day that passes. I realised that this applies to taste buds and how adventurous I am with food as well. Can you believe that I used to be not very keen on Japanese food and I didn’t dare entertain the thought of popping something raw into my mouth. Of course, this has got to do with exposure too. I still remember the first time I went to a Japanese restaurant. Despite the wide array of food in the menu, I opted for ramen because I thought it the “safest”. It resembled local soup noodles that my palate was accustomed to. “Too salty” was my verdict.

It’s a totally different story now. Japanese food makes me VERY happy. I appreciate both simple Japanese home cooking as well as what they serve in restaurants. So much pride goes into the cooking and presentation. Don’t even get me started on my love for sashimi. As for adventurous. I’ve sampled cow’s tongue, sazae (a kind of shell fish), ika sumi (squid ink), shirako.... Are you an adventurous or conservative eater? Share my love for Japanese food?

Our dinner yesterday:

I Doodle

(click to enlarge)

Fun House

Happy Friday! The weekend's on the way and I hope yours will be lots of fun! Speaking of fun, I seriously don’t mind having these in the house! Would certainly up the fun factor, don't you think?

[images: Gizmodo, We Heart It, Jeltje]

Making my hands work

Hi Lovelies, how have you been doing? Caught up in the soccer fever lately or have husbands/boyfriends who are? I’m not crazy about it but T is such a fan. He doesn’t watch every single games but there were certainly nights when he watched at 10pm - 12am, caught a few winks, woke up again for the 2.30am game, and hit the sack from 4.30am to 7am before heading to work. I try to be supportive and at times, I would vegetate in front of the telly with him. But never for the 2.30am game. The opportunity cost is just too great! But tonight, Japan is playing at that time slot and I’ve of two minds if I should catch it. I’m supporting them for my own trivial reasons and of course because they are asians.

Other than soccer filling our lives currently, I’ve also been working my hands. I’ve just listed 2 more journals with cute Enid Blyton book covers in my Etsy. Interspersed with blank pages for your doodling/notetaking are 3 short stories/chapters from the original books.

I’ve been itching to start sewing again and just completed a little tote bag that I’m pretty happy with. Working on a second one right now. Stick around for the pictures which I’ll be posting soon!

Bowl Pond Platz

Simple, comfy and beautiful apparels from a Japanese shop in Osaka, Bowl Pond Platz.

And their shop looks just like the kind I could spend a lazy afternoon dwelling in.

[images: Bowl Pond Platz]

Simple Everyday

Thank you to all you lovely folks who expressed concern over my fly saga (see previous post). I’m glad to say that except for the disgust which is still lingering, I’m pretty much fine :) Hey, I just added something interesting to my lifestory! :p

I bought vol. 20 of the Japanese magazine, Come home! and it came with 4 gorgeous postcards of photographer tsukao’s images. Shot in Serbia, I love them for they capture the simple beauty and joys to be found in everyday life.

I hope you have a happy monday!

[images: scans of tsukao’s photos]

A Favor for You

Something unfortunate happened to me while I was out on my morning run (consumed too much junk food in front of the telly yesterday night) today. I’m not your super runner who breezes through the distance like nothing. So, naturally I was replenishing my air intake with relish. Then guess what? I inhaled a fly (or some sort of flying insect) and because I was maintaining my breathing pattern, it went down to the back of my throat so quickly before I realised something just happened there! I didn’t even see the thing so don’t ask me what exactly it is. But I am sure something went down my respiratory system and got lodged in my throat! Argh, I coughed and tried all I could think of to get it out, while still maintaining my pace (hey, it’s one of days I managed to dragged myself out of bed, I can’t throw it all away). Thinking of those tiny little feet wedged in my throat made me want to throw up. In the end, I swallowed it.... What could I do? You can be sure this one is gonna make an entry into my doodling book.

Okay, enough of disgusting talk. I went to a young boy’s birthday party recently and adored the favors the parents prepared. Today, I visited Martha Stewart’s website after a long while and loved the many favour ideas they had. Regardless of whether it’s a wedding, shower, birthday party you are planning or if you are simply thinking of packaging ideas, these will be great inspiration!

Now, excuse me while I go gurgle Listerine for the 3rd time.

[images: Martha Stewart]

Idyllic Countryside

Living in a city (and a tiny one too), I’ve always looked enviously at those who spend their days in the idyllic countryside. The fresh air, the soft sounds of flora and fauna, the green fields and gorgeous flowers. I’ll love to be in the embrace of Mother Nature! I wonder too though if those who live in the country rather be in the city. Is it a case of the grass is always greener on the other side? Tell me what you think.

For now, enjoy these images from an old issue of Vogue Nippon. Model Julia Stegner draped in soft romantic pieces and in the arms of nature. Shot by Carter Smith.

[images: Fashion Gone Rogue]

I Doodle

I hope everyone’s having a nice morning. It’s raining over here so I’m enjoying the coolness. Here’s more doodles for you (click to enlarge). I’ll be posting them sporadically.

NB: “Dar” or “Dar Dar” is my term of endearment for T.

Father's Day 2010

Hi Lovelies, I hope you had a good weekend. I spent most of mine indoors as T is currently obsessing over the World Cup. I made him some quesadillas on Saturday night. Because I don’t have a grill, they turned out looking a little like local prata. Haha!

For today’s post, I’m sharing some of the Father’s Day cards (yes, it’s just round the corner!) I’m seeing online. Letterpressed of course! :)

Have a good week!

[images: 1 Darling Press & Stationer, 2 Dutch Door Press, 3 - 5 Egg Press, 6 Kirtland House, 7 Old School Stationers, 8 Red Oak Press]