Vintage Sewing Patterns

I don’t know how or when exactly I got so fond of all things vintage. But isn’t it fun to look at something old and think of whose hands it has passed through, what it meant to its previous owners, how things were like back then... It’s like attempting to peer into the past. And if you own something old, it’s like owning a little piece of history.

Today, I’m obsessing over these vintage sewing patterns from SelvedgeShop which I found randomly on etsy.

It’s not like I’m going to make cool dresses from them but owning them because of these beautiful prints on them would make me so happy! Don’t laugh but the second image reminds me of the vintage series of Archie comics (I said no laughing).


[images from SelvedgeShop]

Chocolate Love

I love chocolates. No, you’re not getting it. I LOOOVE chocolates. The act of taking a bite and having the flavour explode in your mouth, the velvety texture, the sweet sensation... followed by sheer warm, fuzzy happiness that fills your being from head to toe.

Perhaps feasting visually on some gorgeous chocolates will release some endorphins for me, minus the calories! How great is that? Here we go, chocolates galore!

Divine Chocolate – made with cocoa from farmers in Ghana who co-own the company. Because the cocoa is Fairtrade, the farmers are guaranteed an income. So everyone’s sweeter! I love it whenever I discover that there are more to companies than money-making. Read about the Divine story here.

[image from Divine Chocolate]

100% Chocolate Café - Ahh, Japan never fails to impress. These are 56 different types of chocolate. Am also loving their 365 days chocolate.
[images from Nekori via Lovely Package]

Mast Brothers Chocolate - Packaging papers to die for! Artisan-made chocolate bars wrapped in imported Italian papers. Breath-taking. They have a cool website too.
[images via from Cool Hunting via The Dieline]

Chocolove - The package design resembles a love letter and inside each wrapper you’ll find a classic romantic poem! Sweet!

[image from Chocolove]

Coco Chocolate – Isn’t the typography beautiful? Designed by Ruth Pearson.
[image from Ruth Pearson via The Dieline]

Chocolate Research Facility – This is right here in Singapore! Many have walked past the chocolate boutique wondering what exactly was being sold. Journals? Shoes?
[images from Chocolate Research Facility]

Milkman Chocolate – Aren’t these chocolates resembling old-fashion milk bottle caps lovely? Designed by Charita Patamikakorn and Nao Tamura.
[image from Box Vox]

Don’t forget about the wonderful Askinosie Chocolates which I wrote about here!

Back on!

Thank you for bearing with my absence the past week and thank you for the comforting words you left behind in the comments section. It's really nice to know that I can find support here in the blogsphere and that everyday as I blog, I am communicating with real and wonderful people like you out there. I'm back and hopefully the daily routine will help with the adjusting. Two things things:

First off, the lovely Karen from For Your Inspiration did an interview with me on things that inspire me, how I organise inspiration etc. You can read about it here. Thanks, Karen for the opportunity and I had great fun working with you!

Secondly, I've resumed posting, beginning with the 8th installment of the wedding series (see post below) which I put up every Friday. Do let me know if you have any feedback on this series or if there's anything you'll like to see appear.

Have a good weekend, everyone. Spend time with your loved ones, with your creative side, with nature. I'll see you on Monday!

[Wedding Series 8] - A favor for you

I have been asking a few people around me what they think of wedding favors. You see, traditionally in Singapore, favors haven’t really been given much attention. There are 999 other things a couple has to see to in the planning process and favors simply don’t feature prominently in the list of priorities. They are usually more than glad that favors are part of the wedding packages offered by hotels when they hold their reception in the hotel ballrooms. And because the hotels generally obtain their wedding favors from the same few suppliers, wedding favors here hold no surprises at all—luggage tags, chocolates, miniature photo frames, key rings…(yawn). You attend a few weddings and chances are you’ll have a few of the same items lying around your house.

In recent years though, with greater exposure and awareness (credit goes to all the wonderful wedding blogs out here), couples are now paying more attention to details (favors included) of a wedding dinner/reception, instead of just going through it like a ritual. Here are some wedding favor ideas:

Cakes and pastries

Candies

Cookies

Marshmellows and sugar coated almonds. I guess it’s obvious now that I have a sweet tooth.

Homemade goodness

I never thought of these but aren't fresh fruits a great idea? Healthy!

Cute miniature plants

Matches and sketchbooks

And now, to the crux of the matter: what should I prepare for MY wedding favors? A few friends have told me that I can never go wrong with chocolates while other lament that it’s oh so boring. What do you think? Any interesting suggestions that wouldn’t blow my budget?

[images from top, left to right: all from Martha Stewart Weddings, except 10 Miss Pickles Press via Ritzy Bee, 12 photography by Corbin Gurkin via Ritzy Bee, 13 Succulent Love Designs via 100 Layer Cake]

Till we meet again

My grandmother was a simple woman and she lived just as simply. When I was young, I stayed with her and she gave me the happiest days of my life. When I grew older and no longer lived with her, we started a goodbye routine which took place every single time I left her house. We would wave till we were out of each other's sight. This routine continued throughout the years, even when I became an adult. Even when grandma became weak, she would still make an effort to get to the gate with assistance to wave me. Then one day, she simply could not find the strength to do so and thigns happened so quickly thereafter.

From yesterday on, we no longer have to wave each other or say goodbye at all. She'll always see me from where she is, up above.

Till we meet again, grandma.

All my love,

Sandy

[image from SusannahT]

p/s Please excuse me for a couple of days. I'll be back with posting sometime next week.

Guilty as Charged - Kate Spade

I did something I shouldn’t do yesterday. Something that could have resulted in serious consequences.

I ventured dangerously close to a Kate Spade boutique. In my own defense, I have tried with all my might to fight it. But, the colourful as candy bags and accessories sitting daintily in the display window were beckoning. They are all of summer and girly-ness!

My sole lifeline was that it was near closing hours. Hence to curb my urge, I dutifully went home and trawled the Kate Spade website. I hereby bring you my favourites:

Needless to say, I have to update “I am Hearting”. Boy, it was real tough picking just one though.

[images from Kate Spade]

Au Naturel

The weather’s cool right now and it’s a welcomed respite from the heat. Enjoying the breeze and feeling calm, I’m loving natural wood furniture and accessories this morning.

[images from top: Design Public, Planika Fires, Drummond, present time, Design Public, all via design milk, furni via share some candy]