What's in my bag,

Happy National day to all my Singaporean folks! I've recently transferred my usual Kate spade (I love it because it's so simple and roomy) into my new black quilted bag. It's elegant, but small so it doesn't seem to contain much of my much needed necessities at times. Here's what in my bag on a random day:

1. AHAVA Deadsea mineral hand cream
Perfect for any light pick me ups, especially when you're enclosed in an air-conditioned room and your hands feel dry to the touch
2. GOSH velvet touch lipstick 150 kitten pink
Bought this from a drugstore in London for about 8 pounds, I love the subtle pink and how it softens your lips.
3. Ashley series 140R pointed brushes
No. 2 and 4, snagged them from an Art Friend sale, can't wait to start art classes soon!
4. Painting knife
Also from Art friend, it's my favourite store so I can spend the entire day gallivanting in it.
5. Renoma leather wallet
I've had this classic gem for years now, and it's still such a loyal friend, I love it.
6. Sunglasses
Bought from an Optical shop sale along Camden High street, they make me feel like a mini John lennon. It broke the week after I bought it because I sat on them....but I glued it together and it lasted me through Greece as a backup pair of sunnies (because I broke my current pairs then by sitting on them, once bitten twice not shy)
7. Gold dove earring
One side of my gold dove earring, absolutely no idea how this fell into my bag
8. Buffalo journal
As mentioned on my previous post here, I like to write down my thoughts now and then and also perfect for those moments when you have to do lists and doodling on long bus rides. The sparkle helps me deal with Monday blues.
9. Foldable comb with mirror
Also bagged this from a drugstore in London, it's my perfect travelling companion because my usual comb is so bulky. I was using a small wooden comb R got me from a resort in Phuket but I left it in Singapore....

10. Eyedrops

Solve dry eyes immediately.

11. Small white canvas board

R's subtle way of getting me to paint something for him, aww :')

12. $1 coin

I make it a point to have loose change in my bag, because its always turns out to be a life saver! The last time I was craving pushcart ice cream, I had to redraw from an ATM which only pressed out 50 dollar bills. Needless to say, the ice cream vendor raised the price by 20 cents since then (though I would like to think I played no part in this price hike)

13. House keys

Everyone tells me how oddly shaped my main door keys are, and they really are! Duplicating it burns a hole in your pocket. The charms were scored from Camden market, and remind me of Carpenter court, where I used to stay in London - had them on my keys for six months.

I usually pack in a book - reading Norwegian wood at the moment - and a shawl for the cold indoors since Singapore buses always feel like subzero temperatures. On a side note, the past few days have been good, meeting friends and spending time with loved ones. Last Wednesday saw me suffering from really bad cramps and being really fainty in Outram before meeting S and S for lunch: sprawling on the floor like a hobo with the cleaner chasing me out from the restroom, with everyone staring and walking around me to avoid a commotion, except for two friendly Bangladeshi workers who made small talk with me in an attempt to see if I'm okay, so touched :') And also thank God for my amazing friends and R who rushed down to get me and not judge even though I looked pretty beaten up :') Without them I would have probably continued to lay the floor in the open for a few more hours....yup, that pretty much sums up my drama for the week. Ciao!

Homemade picnic,

R left 3 months ago for London, and we decided to hit Singapore botanic gardens for a lovely picnic to busk in the local greenery and hopefully scenic backgrounds. Spent some time prepping for it (brownie points for homemade takeaway soba in Japanese tea cups), so I was quite bummed out when the skies were looking ominous as we headed out. Made a quick grab for wine at Holland Village, and when we reached it started raining. Ain't no rain gonna dampen our spirits though, the pavilions by the Swan lake were perfect and the weather was cool. Plus we had a gorgeous view of the lake when the rain simmered and swans came swimming by ♥ 

Got all giggly leaving a bread trail for the birds who meekly stole them and quickly hiding back in the bushes (Okay fine only me, but they were extremely adorable). The swans, fishes and turtles all came by to visit too - even in the light drizzle. So first half of the evening was great, but in the second half we got so full of chips, the remaining bread crumbs had rats encircling our indoor picnic mat and I went to the restroom only to lose my way in the dark getting all creeped out and ended up probably running around a quarter of the trails in the gardens - what a night indeed! But we'll definitely be back ♥ 

Saturday mornings,

I had a new student today, she came in with sweet plaided hair and an oversized blue bag that seemed to weigh down on her shoulders. Elle est petit they would say in French, she was tiny but boy was her enthusiasm immense! It reminds me on how we all used to be, and how things around started to get smaller as we grew up that now everything fits into our head. Or perhaps everything seemed larger because there were so many things rioting for our attention. Paradoxically, the more we see of the world, the more vast we perceive it to be - which is pretty overwhelming because we still have so much more experiences to soak in. I'm also getting to know the other students better, it's like a Saturday morning routine without its mundane predictability (trust me it's anything but predictable) Even though I'm really the teacher, sometimes I learn so much more from these kids. And it doesn't even require a verbal connection.

Shop@Petalsandpedals,

Just to let you all get a glimpse on what I've been working on (and off haha) and may be rolling out, amen to no procrastination. Just a humble venture, yet significant to call my very own. It's still in the early preliminary stages of conceptualization, the nook and corners of tech-savvy wonders aren't the easiest of all to grasp but I'm definitely learning step by step, fumbling around at times. (SOS to my techie friends teehee) And of course also finding time to draw out designs and going behind the camera lens, as seen above because I really take delight in hand drawn images - it gives that homely personal feel that a clinical typeface can never offer. Please lend some love and support if I manage to roll this out ♥ 

HΔppy 21,

21st July was indeed a memorable night ♥ Held a humble gathering at my place, at the clubhouse rooftop area which proved to be really cosy yet having a laidback charm. The party wasn't for jumping the bandwagon but what can I say, I'm clumsy with my words so this was what this small get-together was for :) Nothing too wild or fanciful, just a day for giving thanks to many of you whom have brightened up my life in one way or another for my past 20 years or so. Think lighted tea light candles, fairy lights, clipped on polaroids on wood coloured rope, mats and cushions strewn over the floor - so pleased with the set up! I'm so immensely grateful to all my lovely guests who came by and made an effort to dress hipster style (Best dressed would definitely be my girls Sand and Shiany) especially those who stayed all the way to set things and clear up; and for all the gorgeous letters and gifts I'm so touched :') I'm really blessed to have such a wonderful family who helped me out patiently and fervently with the preparations, and to all my loved ones who selflessly helped out in many ways or another :') God bless you all ♥

It hasn't really sunk into me on turning 21 yet, but it has definitely changed certain perspectives I have on life - crawling out of my shell to see the world and yet not forgetting my place in homeground. And being contented with what we have, even though that's not easy in this modern society. Not to mention of course being an excellent time to give thanks to God for all He has placed in my life - my family, loved ones and friends! Even amidst all the material gifts, I sincerely seek for contentment and to continue to be delighted in His presence, of which this bible verse aptly resounds:

"One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple."

Psalm 27:4

P.S. Will do up a post for the party soon!

I'm not sleeping now, the dark is too hard to beat;

Song of the moment: Ellie Goulding - Lights

Happy Monday to all! I love how the sun was positioned in a way that its rays reflected against my window pane, the shine help my lifeless darkwood shelves come alive. Catching up on my sleep debt after last week's party weekend, and coincidentally my last week at work too. It's the first day after my 10 week long work stint (which I somehow miss already), home feels pretty empty on a weekday morning even with Ellie Goulding on top volume in my room. Loving the post shower rain smell lingering in the air, and cool breeze - perfect for a day spent indoors ♥ Trying to decide on a theme for my 21st party, along the lines of floral chic and indie but the guys are obviously not going to follow suit...

Phuket Part II,

 

We woke up early the next morning after a long night, only able to manage Pandan bread we bought the night before for breakfast in the arranged mini bus - for a day tour of the islands around. We went to Phi phi island, Maya bay, Monkey island, Viking's cave and many other attractions around. For a place so widely publicized for ecotourism and holidaying, the beaches and bays we visited were stunningly beautiful and seemingly untouched! Except for the waves of tourist visitors they receive, it would have been a gem if they were more secluded. It's pretty picturesque for landscape shots as well, with high cliffs on the sides. 

Maya bay was the location where The Beach (1999) was filmed, which starred Leonardo DiCaprio (our guide was prompt to emphasize this point repeatedly). The bay had really soft sand, which was a refreshing change compared to Singapore public beaches. If you enter it on your own, you're required to pay a National Park entry fee of THB200, however this was included in the price of our booked day tour.  The best time to visit Maya Bay is between November and April where the seas are calm.

Favourite group picture of the trip!

We also made a pit stop at Khai island to chill around for 90 minutes (which was way too long in our opinion, felt a bit gimmicky) While the rest slumbered into siesta, YM and I went on our little adventure around the island and snapping shots. The tall rocks were really fun to climb to feast upon a panoramic view of the vicinity. While the rows of colourful umbrellas and beach chairs were a visual delight against the blue horizon of the sky, and perfect to go with a beer and possibly an afternoon siesta in the heat. The beach, however, was a disappointment because it was way too crowded and strewn with bone dry corals that were really painful to step on barefooted.

 

Beer drinking monkeys

 

It seemed like there were a few designated areas where drivers of the speedboats moored for us to get into the waters, snorkel or canonball onself into the waters. The water here was pretty deep, but the coastal waters at Khai island were clearer and we enjoyed it more because the fishes were more visible to feed. Unfortunately, because the waters were really shallow near the beach, I got many deep cuts from the barnacles in the area which kept bleeding :(

Delvin's somersault into the water won us hands down hahaha

 

 

Washed up and headed to the Phuket weekend night market, located along Chao Fa West Road opposite the temple Wat Naka. Chicken rice for dinner before Xiner and I walked around the non-food section while the guys went off in pursuit of more snacks. Caught a Tuk tuk to Phuket Town and roamed around.

That's all the pictures I have for Day 2, Ciao!

Phuket part I

Phuket part III