Survival Tip #1

Work has been so far, so good :)
Book Launch + charity sales of mushrooms and mangoes + Only liaise point for 360 schools out there + News Summary reports + reflection pieces for the website + cramming a whole new lot of acronyms sounds like amazing first assignments.

Create your own world,

Just came back from walking Cathy, it's late morning and I'm spending my time with a bowl of home-stirred noodles. (Fragrant sesame oil and a wok does the magic)
Was planning to play wii and hit the gym but I couldn't resist slouching on the couch with Ugly Betty on the play.
Four months for Molly to live her newly wed life , Three in a team towards the YETI project, Two marriage proposals, and a happy ending how romantic.
Okay scratch that, Molly just collapsed, this is such a redundant post.
Shall go bake for my last day of leisure.

It's a short week, I start work tomorrow!

Thursday joy,

Had a blissful time catching up with my two girls yesterday over lunch @ Penny Black, despite Sand having to hurry off to work an hour (or thereabouts) after, to whom we sent our love and warmth to in the office! ♥♥♥

Lunch next Mondaaayy when I start work again!

(Insert picture of Shiany who has been sucked into a black hole of work here for archiving purposes)

Really, really good to catch up with yunxiang with all the talking ♥ (heehee) once again over Cream parfait @ Marvelous Cream (which zhihong was raving about, more appetizing than aesthetically pleasing I must say) plus shopping all around town. (Thanks for accompanying to buy work related stuff!)
I'll miss you when you fly over to the big apple and windy city :(

Layout change,

Finally switched to the new layout scheme because I've been such a diehard on the old classic mode.
Meeting the girls later for lunch, can't wait :)

This post is dedicated to you and knitting,

With you still back in camp, it feels a tad strange to have so much free time in my hands.

Instant pictures work as pick me ups, and I hope your board's gonna be filled with them by the time you commission :)

And while he's knocking it down in the far West (In the hundreds, mind you) , I'm still drowning in yarnballs such as the one on my table below, knitting is really tedious especially when you keep making wrong stitches!
But I love the feel of the texture, and it feels like you're weaving out magic with your hands ♥

Went down to the fabric store earlier and I got free scrap fabric such as the one below as a bonus.
Material for a scarf yes no?
Floral prints (especially in jumpsuits and tights) are in once again, and Zara mixes them well with their May 2010 feeling neutrals which are more feminine than February's casual hybrid of romance and military.
Gallivanting Lookbook once again :}

Love this dress

If I had more time in hand I'd have loved to do dressmaking, aside from the cutesy barbie-doll sized outfits for my old dolls of course!

On a side note, I've decided to try something new and instead of Human Resource (because there's no current vacancy) or something more operational, I've taken up a job in Corporate Communications and International relations department.
I'm very thankful for the bountiful opportunities that He has provided me with, for one door closes and many others opened.
Still praying for His direction,

"For we walk by faith, not by sight."

2 Corinthians 5:7

By Faith, just like how the Bible tells us to "walk as Scripture directs" Romans 10:17 and that in all that matters, we live by them for His words are our sword. Sure, we can never be certain on what God really wants us to do, or perhaps sometimes it's that gut feeling or intuition that sways us from the inside. In fact, faith is something so intangible that it can't be seen through sight but experienced through your heart. (Relate to 2 Peter 1) Even if it means having something so dear to you being ripped away from your sight.

"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content."

Philippians 4:11

Local or overseas, bond or bond-free, employed or unemployed, it's really what you do to make the best of what you have and His plans and purpose for you will naturally fall through.
It stings in the process (especially through spiritual warfare) but the experience will leverage you to a whole new level.

Women spend an average 31 years of their life dieting,

It's Tuesday of week #2 and I'm watching Desperate Housewives whilst indulging in a late breakfast. (What's new)
Classic creepy mother-in-law trying to murder her daughter-in-law scene, yikes.

A bird just came perching on my living room window pane out of the blue, just completes the whole beautiful morning :}

Intend to trim my hair and catch up on reading today, and settle details for starting work next week.
Possibly renting a few DVDs and grabbing some groceries (Read: Baking materials) and spend some quiet time catching up on reading as well.
Need to get a knitted cardigan for work soon because my current grey knit has a hole which I doubt my sewing skills can salvage :(
In the mean time, my off-white cashmere shawl shall take it's place, I love how soft it is.

Picked up a black dress from Vivocity yesterday, perfect for a first-day outfit.
Attempt for room revamp isn't progressing much, on seeing that my shelving isn't done.
Found a way to store my jewellery better: and the vintage wooden case is such a hidden find!

Shall scuttle off to make myself an Apple and Orange smoothie, personal time is indeed empowering.

QTPY,

My nephew is such a darling!

Sorry, couldn't resist posting them up here :}

Reason for the season,

(Read: No winter lasts forever, no spring skips its turn)

Playing around with the cork board, hopefully not being swamped with deadlines once university term starts.
Nonetheless, I'm well-equipped with white push-pins all boxed up in a Jujubes classic metal tin.
Now that you're back at camp, I hope the bible verses and heartfelt letters serve as a bridge back home whenever that bout of homesickness kicks in, and as a reminder to give thanks to Him even as circumstances turn on you or times get mentally and physically tough :)

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and of a sound mind."
2 Timothy 1:7

DIY hand drawn shoes,

The shoes turned out pretty well, fabric markers and steady hands magically work a classic out :}

Jars of Clay - Something Beautiful

Everyone will be famous in 15 minutes,

Dinner with the girls @ 15 minutes, not exceptionally good food but definitely great company :)
Look forward to our sleepover, with Final Destination 4!
(Shiany please rise from the dead)

I miss my board, the one that faithfully stares at me every sleepy office afternoon, waking me up with it's endless trail of conversations and doodles by my colleagues who vandalize them. (Creative corner of expression they would say)
Never fails to brighten up my mornings, be it the cow in astronaut suit with a rocket launch in the wrong place or the Ipad (private joke here) which needs to be recharged.

I MISS YOU ALL ALREADY.
Have a lot of office farewell pictures, shall upload them into an entry soon :)

Asia Fashion EXchange - 30th April 2010

It was a rather impromptu decision to go down to 4 seasons hotel (for the Asia Fashion Summit) and the F1 pit building for the Blueprint event.Opened only for Trade and Media on the first two days, we got the glimpse of the fashion industry, especially the workings of local designers incubated.
(Note: One of TaFF's projects was the incubator @ Parco Marina)


In fact, many of them were presented on such an international platform e.g. Raoul which showcases that branding is highly important in marketing your label.In fact, the many pieces in Raoul's cruise collection 2010 promotes innovation in mix 'n match.Similar soft fabric (mostly blue pastures and floral) but in different styles. Daniel Yam was a bit shocking (Kinda fresh in a way) though, with their vibrant colours, so different from our perception of the brand being the last resort for safe evening dresses on the rack.

"Fashion is merely a form of ugliness so unbearable that we are compelled to alter it ever six months."
-Oscar Wilde

Retail trade is in fact one of the most dynamic industries to enter, and because inspiration doesn't come with a click, designers not only have to come up with functional garments but aesthetically pleasing and off tandem from the norm. Sure, it may be a monopolistic competitive industry with no barriers to entry or exit but I think the will to resist against turning into a chamelon and assuming the safe trends that the masses embrace has to be very strong in order not to turn out as just one of those labels on the market.

As I'm sitting at home hopping about in virtual world, was looking at Alexander Wang's Fall 08 collection which has some really simple pieces layered together.
Very different from her use of velvet and Wall Street image in her Fall 2010 collection
Even though the colours were mostly on the safe side and all, possibly linking to the Ready-To-Wear vision that it was labelled to be.


Bandage skirts are in again.
London dreams of coats and stockings/boots with beret.


The fall collection (below) also had a similar piece which I saw at AFX Blueprint event in the Second Issue booth, inspiration adapted by the local designer no?
And yes, the entire blouse is very sheer.

Anyway it reminds me of Rudy Gernreich's topless dress which made it to the Fifty dresses that changed the World. (Click here if you want to know more)

His signature dresses that made him famous. (pictured centre)

Some pictures from the event, none from the runway shows though.

Adios amigos, till later!

Would I lie to you,

Such a classic, I like.
I'm such an oldie.

Mess of words,

I'm honestly supposed to be preparing for my rehearsal tomorrow but all I can think of is a mess of words: this is not good.
These few days have been tough, with the bittersweet goodbyes at the end of the week in office.
I have scrolls of wisdom lying on my desks, with matt silver envelopes shimmering under the orange light and of course, names printed nicely in bold black ink - farewell letters all ready to be sent out in full force. (Okay I admit I'm still missing a few but still working on them)

Past few has been good: Asian Fashion Summit with Blueprint Fashion shows featuring A.W.O.L (A walk of life) and Raoul.
More about those when I get pictures!
E50 awards launch ceremony was insightful, it's always fresh to have different perspectives, especially from those whom we are indirectly or directly benefiting.
As with the past five years, OCBC bank is the main sponsor for the sixth consecutive year.
It's quite an interesting event, what a pity I don't get to follow up with it all the way up the forth quarter.

After which, I decided to walk down to catch a cab back to office where I met with an encounter with a long green snake.
Dazed, I accidentally stepped on it with my (already) screwed up ankle and feeling threatened, it slithered towards me. (To my gasp horror)
I ran so fast, my ankle hurts even more.
This happened outside Shangri-la apartments, within walking distance from Shangri-la hotel where the latter event was held. (Read: Danish pastries and fruit for breakfast!)
I am traumatized, yes.

Goodbye as I spew out more problems and thereabouts of bureaucracy.

Slow me down, for I will only find rest in You,

"What are you doing?"

"I'm breathing...God's word."

I think we essentially get so caught up with our daily jazz that we forget that our melody's all in His grace.
Those aren't invisible white threads, those are strings of faith and support from Him above.
Wondrous, indeed.

"In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

-Psalm 16:11

Journey to the West,

Visiting hours 0130pm.
I'm not complaining because I truly can't wait :)
Nine months, no one said it'll be easy.