One Year

Hi lovelies, how was your Christmas? So, this is the last day of the year. Boy, did this year went by fast, eh? It got really tiring at times but I enjoyed how eventful this year has been for me. Personally I would rather a roller-coaster life than a plateau. I’m going to take stock of what I’ve achieved or didn’t this year. Blogging and crafting are a big slice of my life and I’m so grateful for all the experiences it brought me and friends I’ve made through it. I also want to thank all of you for being a part of it! Even if you’re a silent reader, thank you for your support (though I do hope to get to know you as well). I didn’t know how life would be when I embarked on this path but I’m grateful for how it has turned out-- the unexpected, the little joys and even the lows.

I’m also planning for the brand new year ahead. The great thing is, I’m excited about the goal-setting, knowing that it’s up to me to make things happen!

If you were with me at this time last year, you may remember that today’s also my 1st wedding anniversary. It’s been an amazing and fun year with someone who’s my touchstone and constant source of support. He sees the good in me which I don’t even see myself.

Thank you, T, for a wonderful year and for teaching me about love.

It's That Time of The Year Again

Hello there! I’m so excited we’re entering the week of Christmas! We didn't put up a Christmas tree in the house but I was determined to have a tree and enjoy some festive cheer! So, I made my own! Take a look at it:

What do you think? I'm pretty happy with my tree. I simply got out my favourite MT tapes and taped them onto the window pane. Done in a matter of few minutes!

Are you feeling the mood yet or are you too caught up with last minute present buying? I hope you do find the time to slow down and simple enjoy this lovely season with your loved ones. I will be doing so and hope to steal some time to do the things I wanted to but haven’t found time, read some books which I’m excited to devour, and simply enjoy the days. So blogging will be less frequent this week and next. But I’ll still be around and if you want to comment or drop me a mail, I’ll definitely be reading it! Otherwise, happy holidays, lovelies!

My Love for Taiyakis

A little while ago, 2 lovely Japanese ladies (friends of T) gave me this little basket of taiyakis. The packaging was so beautiful I couldn’t bear to tear it open and when I finally could find it in me to take a bite at one of these little fishes, I found it stuffed full of red bean goodness all the way to the tail end (no empty floury bit at the end)! Oishii!!!! Thank you very much for this little bit of heaven :)

A Friend in Another City

I was in Kuala Lumpur for a couple of days last week. Since I’m in the city, I couldn’t pass up the chance of meeting up with sweet Jacqueline of So Cute it Hurts! We arranged to meet one afternoon and I turned up at the agreed time and venue. I stood there looking around at the people walking by and wondering if that was she. It felt a little like an old-school blind dating scene sans red rose pinned to my top etc. Haha.

We spent a really lovely afternoon chatting non-stop. It was our first time meeting face to face but it felt as if we’ve known each other for a while (credit goes to blogging!). Before we went our separate ways, Jacqueline took me to a little craft shop she frequents. There, we hugged goodbye, not sure when we’ll meet again, but I’m so touched by being connected to a kindred spirit living a distance away.

The sweetie that she is, she gave me a little gift from Delectable. I love the cute packaging and am savouring the goodies as I type this (trying not to have too many at one go). Thanks, Jacqueline! I hope there’ll be a next meeting. Meanwhile, keep crafting!

Next Best to Eating

The next best thing to eating delicious good is to ogle at pictures of really good-looking food.

Love the food photography of Beth Galton.

[images: Beth Galton]

Have a Seat

If you’ve been reading my posts on interiors and furnishings, you would know that I have a thing for the rustic look. Is it any surprise then that I’m smitten with these stools made of recycled wood and steel? They’ve been given a coat of colour and each seat has "have a seat" stamped onto it. How cute is that?!

[images: Bodie and Fou, via Poppytalk]

Cafe Weekend - The Plain

One of the things I enjoy doing on weekends is to visit nice little cafes (that is when T and I are not both tired out and vegetating in front of the telly). Thanks to Sarah, we went to The Plain and very much enjoyed ourselves. Inside a clean minimalist space, the friendly folks there serve some simple but yummy breakfast inspired items. Totally fine with T and I since we’re both breakfast people!

I didn’t have my camera with me, so I’m sharing some not so great iphone photos. Hehe. Oh, I don’t know why but the name of this cafe always has me chanting in my head:

The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain

Haha!

A Year in Japan - Kate T. Williamson

Hello lovelies, welcome to the new week! Did you have a nice weekend? I mentioned in the previous post that I was going to take part in a half marathon. I did it! Other than the fact that my legs nearly died, I'm glad I did it.

Did I tell you that I bought quite a few books online lately? I can’t help it! It’s so convenient! With a few clicks of the mouse, I’m done and just have to look forward to the day the postman knocks. One book which I’m really enjoying is A Year in Japan by Kate T. Williamson. It reads like a journal with text and illustrations of her time in Japan. I love that it’s intimate and it’s filled with observations of everyday Japanese life that outsiders often fail to notice. But it's exactly these subtle nuances that I take delight in finding out about.

I know I’ll be re-reading this book again and again, and drawing inspirations each time I revisit.

Little Drom Store

I popped into Little Drom Store not too long ago just before they pulled the shutters for that day. The friendly owners welcomed us anyway. Love looking at their nostalgic toys. I always delight in seeing something that reminds me of my childhood days (is this a sign of aging?).

They also had some cute decor. The plant in the shoe reminded me of something similar which I saw in Tokyo.

Please forgive my poor mobile-phone taken photos.

Happy December, lovelies!