Take me to your world - Thayer Allyson Gowdy

These interior images from the talented photographer, Thayer Allyson Gowdy are so lovely! I close my eyes and feel like I am right there in those places. I feel the warmth of the sun on my skin, the occasional gentle breeze caressing me... Come feel it for yourself through the images below (additional texts are mine).

[click on images to enlarge]

[images from Thayer Allyson Gowdy]

Connecting Dots - doll houses

As a little girl, I loved doll houses. You’ll find me in the toy shops, peering into the little windows of the doll houses. I wanted to see if the design and décor were detailed or was that doll house a mere façade. I would be thrilled if I saw miniature sofas, beds, tables… It would delight me even further if I saw pint-sized paintings on the walks, table lamps and pieces of clothing. I never had my own doll house though because my mum always said it’s better to save that money for my own house. A real one (I’m still saving…).

[click on images to enlarge]

As an adult, I find that I liked looking into opened windows and doors of houses. I enjoy the same thrill when I see that it’s a beautifully furnished house and I imagine what it’s like live in such a house. From there I would think about the people who lived inside—what kind of people are they, how their lives are like…. It’s a fun thing to do!

I never thought that my kiddish fascination with doll houses meant much. Surprising as it may sound, it’s only now when I decide to post about doll houses (after reading about it in passing) that I am able to connect the dots—my interest in interiors existed even when I was a child. It’s so blatantly clear but I just never put the two together.

[images top, left to right from Flickr photostream of: haraheart, Ian Dewar, em'lia, skoop102, haraheart, The Shopping Sherpa, Viche]

Birds in the house, Sing their Songs to You

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a bird? Owning a pair of feathered wings and hence the natural ability to fly. To fly with grace and style unlike the bulkiness and noise associated with airplanes. You know when you cycle real fast and you feel the cool wind brushing against your face? I imagine that’s how soaring in the wind is like. I’ve always associated flying with freedom. The sky is there for your taking. The ends of the earth will only be where you want it to be. How liberating!

So, we’ll never be birds but well, there’s no harm having them in your house. In your decorative pieces, that is. They’ll sit prettily and remind you of what they stand for and that you can embrace that same spirit too!

[images from top clockwise: Dwell Studio, Atelier Abigail Ahern, Orson & Blake, Graham and Green, UK Habitat, Graham and Green]

Pretz

You remember Pocky, don’t you? Everyone snacks on when they were a kid and some still snack on them well into their adulthood. Ahem…guilty as charged. Well I ahem..., also used to stick one into my mouth and pretended I was puffing a cigarette and of course, looking very cool too. C’mon, ‘fess up. I can’t be the only weird kid who did this.

Glico are the people who make Pocky, and you might also know that they make Glico Pretz too, right? But, you might not know that they now make Glico Prez in purple potato flavour! They’re real yummy! Kudos to their taste engineers because these really do taste like the real thing! I kid you not. They also come in new re-sealable packaging. But if you ask me, I see no necessity because you ain’t gonna stop till the pretz are no more.

I keep getting amazed at the array of flavours being launched over the years.
French toast and beer:

Edamame and ume shio (pickleed plum):

I'm partial towards this vintage version!


Hey hey you there! You dashing out to the nearest Japanese-stocked supermarket? Ok ok, at least you waited till I finished.

[images from top, left to right: 1-2 Japanese Snack Reviews, 3 Luckykatt's Flickr photostream, 4 Toast Blog, 5-6 Glico Pretz, 7 loveberry's Flickr photostream]

[Wedding series 9] - Alternative venues

Wow, Friday’s here and one week has passed yet again! I barely blinked ;p Well, this brings us to another installment of the wedding series!

You know, I’ve always lamented the lack of interesting and “characterful” venues for weddings here in Singapore. With envy, I droll over the gorgeous images of overseas weddings held in farmhouses, in the open fields, by the hills. Like I mentioned in my previous post, weddings here are typically held in hotel ballrooms. This is primarily because hotels dangle attractive packages. This translates into great convenience for couples as most things such as food, décor, set up are covered.

Oh, and I must add that one of the reasons is also that we have huge guests lists. Guess what? I have a guest list of 300! How in the world did the list stretch to such a length? My memory tells me I’ve never won Miss Popularity in school or anything of that sort (nope, neither did my fiancé). The last I did a count, my personal guest list came up to no more than 30. Well, the reason for this is that Asian weddings are family affairs. One’s entire extended family (paternal and maternal) are involved. Additionally, your parents would want to invite their business contacts, some colleagues, some friends etc (you get the drift). I would love for a small intimate wedding dinner with close friends and family, like this image here (which I just can’t get out of my mind.) We can all be ourselves, be relaxed and laugh a lot.

[image from Tec Petaja Photography]

But well, a huge wedding dinner is part of my culture which I must accept. Afterall, it’s your parents chance to share their joy with everyone else, surely you can help them with that?

But, if your guest list is not that huge, there are beautiful venues (other than hotels) in Singapore where couples can hold their weddings. Here are a few:

Sentosa – One of the benefits of living on an island-- no need to head to Bali or some exotic beach for your dream beach wedding.

Halia Resturant – Singapore is also known as a garden city. So, have your wedding in the beautiful Halia Resturant nestled in the lush Singapore Botanical Garden.

Flutes at the Fort – A wedding in a charming black and white colonial bungalow built in 1908. Nice!



The White Rabbit – A beautifully-restored former chapel. I was considering this place but it would mean shrinking my guest list.




The Arts House – An arts and heritage venue in Singapore, this was built in 1827 and was Singapore’s first Court House and former Parliament house. I particularly love the Blue Room and Chamber shown here. It would be a stately wedding! Your guest would have a thrill sitting in the chamber as they witness your solemnisation!

By the way, a number of these are resturants/bars, so you can check them out if you visit too!

[click on images to enlarge]

[images accordingly from: Sentosa, Halia Resturant, Flutes at the Fort, The White Rabbit, The Arts House]

Wallpaper Obsession

Since perusing my copy of June’s Living etc, I’ve been obsessing over wallpaper. So pray thee, indulge me just a little. I seek but an outlet.

For the longest time, wallpaper is all fuddy duddy to me. That was until I stumbled into the world of interior decor/design here on the web a couple of years ago. And then, my entire concept of wallpaper was revolutionized. See, before that, holed up me was trapped with the image of peeling yellowish dull wallpaper. Since then, I have been dying to have wallpaper in the apartment and even resorted to painting on the walls when faced with budget constraints.

And now, onto the range of wall papers which are my current objects of obsession:

If you think bright and colourful screams “gaudy” and worse still, can’t in the world imagine these on an entire slab of wall, these wallpapers below from Brian Yates will totally change your mind. They are bright, cheerful and oh so cute! Similar designs in different colours create such different moods and effects. I really really *heart* the one with vintage-looking postcards (if I had it in the apartment, I would be starring at my gorgeous wall all day)! These are happy wallpapers!

[click on images to enlarge]

These wallpaper panels designed and handprinted by Deborah Bowness really caught my eye for being truly unique. Doing away with what are traditionally associated with wallpaper- floral designs, repeated patterns- Deborah integrates photography with wallpaper. Think images of everyday objects like clothing, books, chairs.



Thank you for indulging.

[images from top, left to right: 1-9 all from Brian Yates, 10 inspire*inspire, 11-14 all from Deborah Bowness]

Simplicity Rules - jackson, johnson & roe

Do you dress according to your moods? I do and this means that I sometimes am quirky with my dressing, but at other times I totally blend into the crowd (blaah…). I sometimes accessorise like a school girl who just discovered fashion, but at other times, simplicity rules. I love it this way! It means variety and it’s exciting too! Of course, it’s also a fantastic excuse to shop for clothes (I need them in all styles!).

Today, I’m into the simple and classic look. Have you heard of jackson, johnson & roe? It’s a womenswear line by 3 talented childhood friends, Sara Moffat, Teo Griscom, and Riley Salyards. Their brand name is inspired by their mothers' maiden names. I’m loving their simple, feminine and vintage style!

[images from jackson, johnson & roe]