[Taipei] - VVG Everything

If you've read my Taipei series from 2 or 3 years ago, you may remember VVG? It's a small chain of cafes/shops. This time we visited VVG Everything which has a lifestyle shop housed on the upper level of its restaurant. I love the design-centric and vintage items. I thought things were a bit on the pricier side but it's great to browse anyway. I left a happy browser :)

Updates

The past couple of weeks felt like a whirlwind, but in a good sort of way. If you follow Cookie Cutter's Facebook Page, you'll probably know why. I was involved in The Book Show, an exhibition on arts and craft inspired by books. I made a set of plushies inspired by Alice in Wonderland, met lots of people on the opening day and had lots of fun. The exhibition has moved to another venue. It's currently at Lomography Gallery Store Singapore. So if you haven't checked it out, you can do so. It runs till 18 Nov.

Thanks to the exhibition, my plushies and I made a little appearance in the local broadsheet and I found out about this while I was visiting my Japanese "hometown". I was thrilled to share the news with my wonderful friends whom I haven't seen for a while. The week or so in Japan was like an emotional roller-coaster, filled with the highs of meeting after such a long time and also the lows of goodbyes very soon after. But I'm still very happy to have seen them  as I believe new memories need to be made. 

So, I guess there will be a few Japan posts coming up soon! Happy Monday, folks!

Packing My Life

The common local practice over here is for young folks to live with their parents till they get married. Although I got married a few years ago and no longer stay with my parents, I still have quite a bit of my belongings in their house. 

All’s good until my parents told me that they’ve sold the place and are going to move since there’s no longer a need for such a big house. So I’ve been forced to go through my things every weekend when I return.

 

This I found to be quite an emotional exercise. I spent most of my growing up years in that house. I’m now trying to pack close to 20 years of my life into boxes. Where do I even start? The hardest is deciding whether to dispose of things which aren’t worth much at all but yet has nostalgic value attached. I found notes which my classmates and I scribbled to each other during class. There were boxes filled with greetings cards I received (pre-digital days those were) and I still love the look of ink on paper. Lots and lots of CDs. I contemplated converting all of them into soft copies but I remember the excitement of buying the CDs and checking out what’s in the sleeves. A huge container of mindless things but which are reminders of my one year life in Japan. Then there’s the last red packet my grandmother gave to me before she left us. And so much more... 

Those days have forever passed but if there are tangible remnants of them, I feel like I want to hold on to them as long as I can. If you’ve gone through a similar experience, you may understand what I’m trying to express. It has been a couple of trying weekends. I may have been forced to dispose of some things, but I hope it also means I’m now creating space for new memories to be made. 

[image: Mental Ambiguity]

Happy 2012!

Happy new year, folks! Did you have a lovely holiday. I certainly did! I gave myself a little break, found time to read, caught up with friends, ticked off what I’ve achieved in my 2011 resolution list, and had an awesome new year’s eve. I also want to say thank you for sticking with me for the past year and for the sweet comments you left which kept me going. 

Today’s the first official work day of 2012. While there is an inevitable slight sense of dread that all the celebration has ended, I’m also excited about the brand new year that lies ahead. I have some plans lined up for Cookie Cutter and can’t wait to have them realised. Let’s all make this an awesome year! Never stop dreaming because it’s when you dream that you can have a dream come true!

Happy 2012!

First workday breakfast of the year.

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.

I Doodle

(click to enlarge)

This Weekend I'm going to

Hi lovelies, it's a long weekend that's coming up. I'm going to:

Celebrate Easter

Share my friend's joy at her wedding

Think of the Sakuras now blooming in Japan

Laze

Refocus on my goals, dreams, the person I want to be

And then let go of what I should let go.

What about you? Care to share your plans for the Easter weekend?

[images: 1 Fashion Poetry Lalanii, 2 Meg Kroeker Flickr, 3 We Heart It, 4 Eleanor Rask Flickr, 5 Baybeexjackie Flickr, 6 Kyracee Flickr; 4-6 via Audrey Hepburn Complex]

Good Food and Sweet Endings

Thank you for your sweet comments on my blogiversary post! They sure put a smile to my lips.

I tweeted last week that I was enjoying a wonderful meal at Margarita’s. Here are the photos. Ahem, they are once again taken by the terrible camera on my iPhone (but otherwise great phone).

The cool weather that night made al fresco a good choice. On all other ocassions, we Singaporean dive for the cool respite of air-conditioned rooms. The indoor seats by the windows are the hottest properties because they are closest to actually being outdoor.

Of course, a drink to start us off. You know, set the tone.


Not the healthiest but oh-so-yummy!

We hit the very very crowded Ben & Jerry’s to give it all a sweet ending. You bet running was my agenda for the next morning!

A Year in Blogging

I still remember it: Let There be Blog. It was a little like penning your first words in a brand new journal. You almost gasp as the ink touches the paper. Then the first letters form on a pristine clear page. With that, I began this blog with only the thought that I wanted to pursue something creative and my somewhat elusive dream with it.

But I neglected it, as I would because of work, everyday concerns, lack of time… There were always other things more important, more real. Nobody’s going to be reading it anyway, I told myself.

3 months from those first words, I had a creative calling again and signed up for Holly’s course of which the requirement was to have an active blog. So I dusted and resurrected my so-called blog. In the next couple of weeks, Cookie Cutter officially took shape as I gained a more concrete idea of what I wanted it to be. Little thrills I had along the way encouraged and urged me on, not to mention the friends I made from the course. It helps to know there is a supportive creative community out there who understands the path I’m on. Not that long after, I took a step I never knew I could. I leapt. I quit my day job. It was based on nothing more than faith. I can still feel the excitement as well as fear when I penned this post.

So, I was liberated! But I’m not going to lie to you that food miraculously appeared on my plate, I continued shopping to my heart’s content etc. No, I had rocked the boat. But for once, I felt that the future’s going to be whatever I make it to be. I had to make my days count despite not seeing tangible results often. Despite contact questions like “what do you do everyday?”, “are you intending to get a proper job?”, I had to trudge on with my blogging, with my creative projects. When pressed for time, it was a struggle between these. I had to forgo some dreams in exchange for this one.

Along the way, I also discovered what is my voice. So I stop myself when I’m over-thinking the content. I attempted a few weekly columns and sometimes adopted a different writing style. I had fun and love it the most on those days when upon stringing the first sentence, I felt like the rest simply flowed out from me. I also want to let you know, lovelies, that your comments and emails mean so much! It gets me going and tells me I’m not talking to myself over here everyday.

As I mark this one year blogiversary, I celebrate what Cookie Cutter has become, the friends made here, the sweet people who have added Cookie Cutter to their blogrolls, and of course, YOU, my readers! Thank you for hanging out here! Say hi if you haven’t ever and for those who often, I look forward to even more interactions. I’m striving to make this blog what’s it’s meant to be—style and design. The future’s still a blur but I’ll just keep my eyes peeled on the part that’s clear—the dream.

Cookie Cutter is one!

[images: Small Business Trends, Amanda K Flickr]

Afternoon Party

Thank you for your birthday wishes! I had a simple but sweet birthday weekend with T. I’ll love to celebrate it with you too and so I’ve decided to have a little make-believe party here! The only thing you need to bring is a light-hearted spirit!

Ah, here you are!
On time as usual.
It’s a gorgeous sunny afternoon
Highlights the green of the grass
Have a seat at our little age-worn wooden table
I dragged it out the house
Flipped grandma’s floral tablecloth into the air
And watched it fall slowly
Voila! The table is ready.

I love all things sweet
How can one not?
Get a little spoon or fork
and sink it in the cakes and pies
It’ll make you smile from inside out
They’re happy food!

I love to look around
see the lovely people surrounding me
listen to their laughter punctuates the chatter
We talk about the years passed
recollect childish but funny memories
And laugh at how we haven’t changed a bit
We’ve accompanied each other through life’s stages
And along the way
the proud moment during graduation
the climb up the career ladder
moving across continents
and perhaps the one that got away
Through it all
we witness ourselves become the persons we wanted to be

Life is beautiful
precisely because it’s unpredictable
And I’m so blessed
because you’re a part of mine

[images: 1-3 Tec Petaja, 4 via Green Wedding Shoes 5 We Heart It]

Break

Hey lovelies, I’m a little under the weather today (both physically and emotionally) so I’m gonna take a little break today, ok?

You have a good day and I’ll see you tomorrow.

[photo: We heart it]

Random iPhone photos

I have a second post for today! Was looking through the photos in my iPhone and decided to post some random pictures which I’ve taken with it. They aren’t superb but I just thought it might be fun.

I went jogging this morning and forced myself to do some stretching to cool down. This little thing was sniggering at me from where it lay on the grass as I grimaced in pain (embarrassing note: since I stopped trying yoga, I can’t touch my toes!).

T bought me one of these bangles from Agatha last Christmas. Guess which one?

This is more for the local readers, remember this logo? I spotted it recently.

I don’t know why but I feel moved whenever I see old folks holding hands, strolling the park or hanging out together. It’s so sweet, isn’t it? This pair was sitting in front of us in Subway. Older folks here usually aren’t used to foreign food, so I thought they were pretty cool!

The very first plushie I made some time back. T named it Chatapong. I don’t know why he decided it should be Thai. So, we took Chatapong with us when we visited his homeland on one of our trips.

Back home

Hello there! Did you miss me?! I sure did miss all of you! How's it been while I'm gone? THANK YOU for all your well-wishes! We packed them, took them with us on our honeymoon and now that we're back home and settling down, we're keeping them stored in our hearts.

I'll be lying if I say it's easy peasy getting back into the swing of things. As much as I enjoy blogging and connecting with you out there, it took abit of self coaxing for me to get back online! It's been a wonderful break and I had decided to disconnect myself from the cyberworld after some consideration. There had been concerns, of course-- I'll be leaving the blog pretty much stagnant for about a month etc. But in the end, I decided that there is a time for everything. A honeymoon is once in a lifetime. Readers who love Cookie Cutter will stay and those who don't simply won't regardless. And I'm glad I took this break. It's definitely for the better.

So, I'm back! Luggage still not totally unpacked and there's still some settling down to do, but I can't wait to share the photos and bits of self-indulgent stories with you! Come back tomorrow, ya? I'll take you through it :)

[images: Vintage Rose, We Heart it]

Happy Holidays

It's the eve of Christmas eve! Christmas gives me this warm fuzzy feeling that no other festive day can. Because it falls at the end of the year, it's also the time when I pause to recollect on the year passed, resolutions made at the beginning, friends and family who have tolerated me for yet another year. This becomes the perfect opportunity to show them I appreciate them.

As much as I love the beautiful lights of the city and the decor that the malls have put up, I think one of the most beautiful way to spend Christmas is also at home, with the family, over a warm home-cooked meal (throw in a fire-place and it'll be most perfect). Regardless of how you're spending your Christmas, I hope that you experience the hope and joy of the season.


With all the wedding prep going on, I feel as though I've missed out on the anticipation of Christmas this year. But I guess it's not too late. So this will be my last post till after Christmas. I'll be back for a short while after that and it'll be the big day. So, happy holidays to you, dear readers. And I just want to add that I appreciate your being with me this one year. It wouldn't have been possible without you!

[images: Martha Stewart, Coco Kelley, We Heart it, Raspberry]

Cards now in a store

Hi lovelies, how was your thanksgiving weekend? I hope everyone had a wonderful time with the family as well as shopping. I'm afraid I can't make this a long post today. So I thought I'll leave you with this refreshing image. It certainly perked me up for the Monday!

I also want to give a little shoutout to the Singaporean readers: my notecards and Christmas cards from my online shop can now also be found in a lovely shop, Cat Socrates, in Brash Basah Complex. So if you want to save on the shipping or find pay pal and conversion rates a chore, this will be perfect for you!

Cat Socrates

#03-39b Brash Basah Complex

Daily 12 - 8pm

[image: from here]

The wings of time

We’re in the end of November. The weather has turned cooler (yes, even over here). The year is fast slipping us by. I can’t remember when it was that I first started feeling like I wanted to grab hold of time and slow it down. So that I can enjoy for longer those moments with loved ones whom I miss, so that I can lick that chocolate brownie ice-cream a while longer, so that I can always be a little girl, so that I can put off for a longer time having to buy age-defying face cream… Of course, my fingers never truly grasp time at all.

Perhaps it does make sense mathematically too that we feel like time passes by a lot faster when we are older than when we were kids. When you’re 7, the one year you lead if 1/7. When you’re 50, that one year is 1/50.

But the truth is, we can’t change it. And since we can’t, the only thing then is to embrace it and make each day count. Cliched as it may sound, I find I have to remind myself of that every now and then. I want to make sure the things I spend my precious time on are those things that matter to me. Not things that I do to pass the days by.

And I just want to let you who’s reading this know that you matter because I devote part of my time everyday posting here. It’s nice knowing that you may be half way round the globe but our love for design gathered us here. It delights me when I hear from you because then I feel we kindred spirits are actually interacting. So, “hi, you over there! How’s it going?”

[image 1 clockwise: boopsie.daisy Flickr, alice b. gardens Flickr, taste the rainbow Flickr. image 2 clockwise: Samantha Lamb Flickr, We heart it, We heart it]

The Swing of Life

Is it me or there just aren't as many swings in the playgrounds these days? Being rendered too dangerous? If that's the case, I think it's a real shame. I mean, what's a playground without swings? When I was a kid, only playgrounds with swings deserved my precious play time. As far I remember, I've always loved them! Even when I hadn't learnt how to swing myself, I'll pester my parents to push me from the back. And the only words you'll hear from me were "higher! Higher! or "harder! Harder!" (yes, I do sound like an irritating kid!). As a result, we would have to strike a deal at the beginning-- 5 minutes only but non-stop pushing offered.

Imagine my glee when I learnt to swing myself! No need to beg and settle for 5 minutes deal! Once at the playground, I sprinted straight for the swing. I loved the exhilaration that rushed through me in the split seconds when the swing dived downwards with gravity. I loved how the wind caressed my face in those instances. I would close my eyes to savour the moment. When I did that, I felt I existed totally in that moment. On the other hand, at those points when the swing stood that its highest point, it gave me an elevated view of everything and more importantly, a sense of freedom. And I relished it.

As I grew older, I sat less on the swings. Less time for play, I got heavier... But once in a blue moon, when I spot a swing that looks like it can take a little more weight and there are no kids waiting eagerly in line, I get on it. And I found that my love affair with swings never ended. Sure, I was a little afraid of swinging higher. I felt ungrounded, insecure but with a few more swings, the little girl in me resurfaced.

That's so true of so many aspects of life, isn't it? We lose sight of who we really are, we lose our love for the unplanned and adventurous. We certainly weren't like that when we were kids. We hated structure, we dreaded following the rules. I really want to live a life that's true to myself and I think I can work on it by remembering how I was like as a kid.

What about you? What do you think? Do you share my love for swings?

[images: We heart it, Merde., Emily Blakely, We heart it, anastasiyamaleeva's Flickr, sayinbayan]