Red

I’m inspired by red today. Hope that this will inspire you as well.

[images clockwise from top left: We heart it, yoshiko314 Flickr, Gaaya, Kelly Oshiro Events, Peta M Flickr, Bohemian Musings, paulie-nka, gine Flickr, Snippet & Ink]

Autumn in Japan

If you recall, I did a post sharing about summer in Japan through some photos. If you’ll like to revisit, it’s here. Now that we’re a few days into September (and by now, most of us would have accepted that summer’s gone), I thought I’ll share about the autumn I experienced in Japan through the visuals I captured.

I experienced the greatest thrill when I first noticed a leave turning red (this is from someone who never had the opportunity to experience the season before). I stared at it, trying to take in the sight, and at the same time, my mind was overflowing with possible images of, falling red leaves, red mountains, momiji (Japanese maple)…

During that period, I loved taking solitary drives up the mountains. I had my windows down and the fresh cool air poured in. It had that effect of refreshing one’s entire being. The most magical moment I had was when the light wind blew and cradled some red leaves across my windscreen as I drove through them. I felt like I existed completely in that moment.

There was an autumn festival which I thoroughly enjoyed. The drizzle did not dampen anyone’s mood at all. Looking at these photos now, I can almost still hear the children’s singing.

A few school kids showed me what was the best way to have sweet potatoes. The taste of the piping hot sweet potatos which they dug out from under this pile is now lingering in my mouth.

Kyoto: one of the best places to witness autumn in all its beauty and grandeur.

[Click to enlarge. Images: Cookie Cutter]

Weekend through the eyes of my iphone

Everyone had a great weekend? To the folks over in US, did you have a wonderful LONG weekend? I thought I’ll share mine with a few iphone-shot pics like I did for last week.

Nothing beats the luxury of getting up late from bed and I got to do just that last Saturday. After breakfast and flipping through the newspapers, I set out for the day. Firstly, I went to the craft supplies store! Being in there alone made me happy (all day later when I thought of the purchases in my bag, I was even happier)! I usually go there with something in mind to purchase. But I simply couldn't help wandering the aisles and I soon spot something which caught my eye. Then before I knew it, I had my heart set on starting another crafty project. Yes, yet another.

I was to catch up with a friend over in Starbucks. En route, I ogled at the window displays in the malls and boutiques. Only ogling allowed right now since I’m cash-strapped. This did not hinder me from falling in love with this cutie here with the mustard-coloured ribbon and red heel. I would have kept swooning over it, if not that the salesgirl came over to tell me no photography was allowed.

I never seem to stray too far away from bookstores. I particularly like this one I visited which has a huge collection of design books. My only grouse is that the bookstores in Singapore have freezing temperatures! What’s with it? Does it help preserve the books or something? Brrr…

My choice of liquids for the day:

You might have guessed from the last drink that I had dinner in a Hong Kong style café. These usually have a mind-boggling menu! It thrills me just to flip through their menu and look at the wide array of items they have. But this leads to me wanting to try a little of everything which inevitably means I take a long time to decide on my order. My dining companions would understand. Hehe!

Remembering how to draw - Rebecca Horwood

You might be familiar with the Design for Mankind banner but do you know the creative soul behind it? If you do, you can go gaga over her work once again. If you don’t, let me introduce you to the talented UK-based illustrator, Rebecca Horwood.

As I’m typing this, I wanted to put into words what it was that I love about Rebecca’s work. I thought about the illustrations/art works I’ve obsessed over here. The similarity that emerges across them is that they are simple (often cute, of course) AND while being drawn by sturdy and creative hands, they are reminiscent of children’s drawings. There’s a certain innocence and carefree attitude that Rebecca’s work exude. Didn’t we all used to work our pens however we wanted them? Drawing/doodling/painting was a creative process that held no boundaries. It allowed for sheer unleashing of expression. This was until society came along and told us what was the “correct” way to draw.

Smitten, aren’t you?

Enjoy your first September weekend! I can’t believe it’s 4 months to my wedding!

[images: Rebecca Horwood]

Manga love - Chibi Maruko chan

Are you a comic-reader? When I was in 5th or 6th grade elementary school, almost my entire class was reading Archie and Friends. We would buy and after reading loan it to others. It was a great system because we got to read a lot more! But of course the disadvantage is by the time your book comes back to you, it’ll be dog-eared (Ouch! The pain just resurfaced again :p).

As a way to interest me in Mandarin, my mum introduced me to Doraemon manga that was in Chinese. I remember wishing I owned this awesome cat with a bottomless pocket full of amazing gadgets (I still wish so)! But I’m not sure how much it did to improve my Mandarin because I’ll simply skip the word if I can’t figure it out. I also recall reading a few Beano when I was a much younger. That was about it. Basically after 6th grade, I pretty much stopped reaching comics.

Then I got to know Chibi Maruko chan (!), a series of semi-autobiographical manga by Momoko Sakura (Miki Mura), which was later adapted into an anime. Set in mid-seventies Japan, it depicts the simple, everyday life of a 9 year old girl nicknamed Maruko. Like most kids, she is lazy, dreads homework, is wildly imaginative, squabbles with her older prim and proper sister and takes advantage of her grandfather who always gives in to her.

With her best friend, Tamae

Motley crew of classmates

She makes me laugh with her numerous facial expressions!

Other than then humour and that Maruko is kawaii, there is something nostalgic and representative of the lost innocence that I really love about this series.

Do/did you read comics too?

Lazy

I’m feeling lazy today and want to enjoy my own company.

[images from here, here and here]

Cool Uncool

Just read in the papers that prolonged wearing of contact lens causes corneal aging due to oxygen deprivation. And gasp! This effect is irreversible! Singapore has one of the highest myopia rates in the world and yours truly contributes to the statistics. And I’ll honestly admit that vanity is the primary reason I put on contact lens.

However, since about a year ago, I’ve been smitten by huge, old-school, dark-framed glasses. It makes uncool cool! Love love love!

But I have yet to get myself a pair. Reason being that I presume most of these folks wear them as a fashion statement and they’re not really prescriptive glasses. Imagine huge AND thick lens. Secondly, I’ve always thought my face is kinda small and wearing such huge glasses would envelope it. But it's been a year and I'm still in love with these glasses! Isn't that ample proof that it's no short-term infatuation? Hmm…what do you think?

[images from top: 1 We heart it, 2 Gallery.Ru, 3 le FASHION, 4 LOOKBOOK.nu, 5 Garance Doré, 6-8 The Satorialist]