Kung hei fat choi hong bao na lai !
After working non-stop for 6 months, it’s finally my turn for a holiday. I will be in Japan from 24th of January for nearly 2 weeks and will have tonnes of stories & pictures to share with you in February ! Also gong hai fat choi to all those celebrating (I hope you got lots of red packet :-b) ! Amy was right in saying that we’re lucky to get another chance to start the new year afresh if things didn’t quite to go plan the first time around on the 1st, considering that Chinese New Year is on the 23rd of January this year. I’m quite nervous and excited about 2012. New job, Japan, could be the end of the world, the start of some newfound challenges & ventures, or a year that will push me to new limits. Whatever comes my way, the dragon is ready (aka bring it on .. slightly joking) ! All I have to say is, I have a rather large collection of red under garments.
Oh, I also got a hair cut. For some reason I like to document these relatively trivial things on my blog.
Mind my creepy stare. I have a thing for top hats these days !
This post relates to goal #10.
The day I started packing
Favourite beauty products of 2011
I know, I know. Everyone has already posted theirs and I’m two weeks late ! Here is a list of beauty-related things I discovered or embraced in the year of the rabbit.
1. Nars velvet matte lip pencil
I discovered these gems on a family trip in Hawaii. Many hours were spent in Sephora swatching pretty eye shadows, blushes, and lipsticks and other girly items. Although, the fun was not just had by the girls. Even dad tried some foot cream .. I know right – who samples foot cream ?! (I have a polaroid as proof !). Pity I don’t work in a less conservative environment (although I’m thankful that I have a job !) as Nars has some of the most gorgeous shades of lip colour I’ve ever set my eyes upon ! Moreover, a wonderful matte lip colour range. I’ve always prefer matte textures over glossier finishes, maybe because it draws less attention to my lips.
Wearing Nars velvet matte lip pencil in Red Square. And yes, I am wearing a scarf over my head.
The time I had stage fright
Hello lovelies. I hope you are all lovely. I have just uploaded a video (since it’s been AGES) and also because I am performing at Stage Fright event so I need to practise a lot more. The website‘s pretty scant at the moment but you can check it out for more info about the venue etc. We are also having a fundraising pre-loved goodies sale (aka garage sale !) on the 14th of January (this Saturday). I will post a flyer underneath the video. We are raising money for Able Australia which aids people with disabilities. So please come and support all the wonderful artists & musicians as well as Able Australia by coming to the event. I would love to see you there !
Sorry I’m incoherent when I talk in front of a video camera. Skip forward to 1:52 for the ukulele-ing ;-)
On a completely different note, here’s what I’ve been doing in 2012 so far..
Read more…
The day I posted about Christmas & such
1. The present that kept us guessing. “Everyone needs one“, Nicole said !
2. My French mum’s mini village. How she manages to find room in her trinket-full house to store it astounds me.
3. Fruit bomb = SO AMAZINGLY GOOD ! (Basically fruit drowsed in cream & alcohol and all things good)
4. A very sweet present from Thom. Yes, I was trying to hold back tears !
5-6. Cherry picking at Red Hill Cherry farm
7. Thom being a risk taker.
8. Thom & I.
9. Of all the (very few) photos of Thom & I this one is my favourite X-D !
10. Japanese style shoes to boost my height to a new 165cm ~ sugoi !
I hope you’re all amazing !
I always say if I’m going to do something, I’m going to do it big and take it too seriously. Like getting a tattoo. If my indecisive mind were ever to decide on a design it would probably be a yakuza-style full back tattoo (with a dragon). So when I say I went shopping and I impulsively bought some falsies they turned out to be the none other than the over-sized, show-stopping Shu Uemura black velvet feather false lashes. I’ve never worn false lashes before but I thought it might be fun to one night some time.. out in party town. I suppose it’s silly season & you can get away with a lot more !
..
Obviously I still need practice putting falsies on but I think they look rather fab if I do say so myself !
I’m probably not going to post an awful lot between now and the 31st of December so if you don’t hear anything from me it’s because I’m having too much fun and eating way too much. I hope you all my best wishes for end of 2011. Let’s enjoy it while it’s still here !
The day it was 5 days till Christmas
Christmas isn’t really a big deal in our family. We’ve never had a tree up and the 25th of December has always been spent in PJ’s (and the next few days after .. ). I’m not sure why that is. Maybe because my family isn’t traditionally traditional. And I suppose because my mum reckons that hoarding gift giving till Christmas sends out the wrong message to kids — you should give all year around (particularly to your children who will make sure you live comfortably in retirement :-P) ! True, we don’t get a huge sack of presents like my childhood best friend does every Christmas Eve (they’re European and we always celebrate at their place on the 24th) but I love the atmosphere, food, and just being together with everyone you love. That is what I look forward to the most at this time of year. Oh and did I mention my french mum’s coquis st jacques ! Yum yum yum.
As such I hope you’re all having as festive a season as I ! This month is flying by very quickly filled with Christmas dinners & experimental cooking, surprise 21sts, and gift shopping ! We’re nearly there public holidays :-)
Haircut & the land of kawaii-desu !
I think I have a problem.
This is basically all the stationary I have accumulated within the past fortnight. That is: 34 pens, a variety of 30 notepads, 3 diary/journals, and 8 filing folders. These stats do not include the stationary I have recently given away. Haha.. but I just can’t resist a bargin, or a pretty coloured, nice-smelling notepad. Some people collect perfume or tatts, I collect more than enough stationary to last me a lifetime !
In any case, if you have the same addiction as me, All Books 4 Less on corner of Bourke St & Elizabeth St is selling / giving away stationary for $1 per item. Also, Notemaker will be at Design Market as per usual this December 3rd at Fed Square market from 10am – 5pm with lots & lots of discounts on diaries, writing instruments and other stationary accessories. Really worth checking out !
Christmas Gift Ideas Part I
I remember doing a gift guide awhile ago but stopped after one post. I just love buying presents & gift shopping so this Christmas here are some of my top picks and ideas for the clueless :-P
For the artist / architect ..
1. Palomino Artist Colour Pencils – Set of 12 / Set of 24
These are such stunning pencils. Highly pigmented and come in a very presentable, sleek wooden box. The Palomino Blackwing graphite pencil looks good too. NB. If anyone wants 20% discount at Notemaker, type in ‘popupsale’. The code is valid until December 31st 2011.
2. Pantone mugs set (Red & Pink)
I’ve been eyeing these for awhile. I think they look great in a set with all the different shades of pantone colours. I’m attracted to the beautiful colour choices and simple design. You can find them online at various sites and I’ve seen them in-store at Magnation too.
3. Terry Fan prints
I recently discovered Terry Fan’s artwork and I love how whimsical they are.
For the traveller ..
1. Monocle 12 issue special subscription
I’m not a huge magazine reader but I was hooked as soon as I picked up my first issue of Monocle in 2007. I’ve since been an avid fan & reader, and I think this would be a great gift for someone who likes to travel. I remember someone on youtube saying “if this magazine was human, it would be 007″ haha ! It is sleek, sexy, and is packed full of information about current affairs, design, and lots & lots of stuff on traveling, with regular travel guide inserts to many different locations around the world such as Taiwan, Tokyo, and Madrid.
2. Snapfish luggage tag
My whole family uses Snapfish these days for ordering prints (as well as creating a family mug which we regret only ordering one since mum & I fight over it !) just because it’s so convenient and in terms of quality, it’s not bad at all. I recently found out that they’re doing luggage tags as well and while you might think it’s a lame idea, someone like my mum would love it as a frequent flyer !
3. Soaper Heroes – Travel Gift Box
I love love love Soap & Glory. Smells great & lingers after showering, plus the packaging is cute (although pink..).
For the inner girly girl (or your gf) ..
1. Christmas In My Kitchen Kit
Which girl doesn’t like to smell good ? And you can never have enough yummy smelling body wash for that matter.
2. Diptyque – Feuille de Lavande
I’m not really huge on candles but they are good for getting rid of nasty smells in the house (sometimes my cooking is the cause of this). You can find a fair selection at Mecca Cosmetica even if they are rather overpriced ..
3. Folklore plate set
Okay so my mum would probably prefer Spode or Alessi branded plates but I think these are rather cute.
4. Nars Limited Edition Sweet Disposition Mini Multiple set
You can’t really go wrong with Nars. High quality stuff & sucker for the packaging. Other favourites from Mecca include Escentric Molecules, Smashbox Photo Finish Primer or this Smashbox set, and Too Faced Shadow Insurance.
What are you getting your loved ones for Christmas ? (Hopefully they don’t read this blog).
The day I jumped on the Instagram bandwagon !
1. My favourite cupcake store – Joy Cupcakes (I have nearly tried all the flavours X-D)
2. Limited edition Melbourne Cup Day cupcake ^^
3. Mamie monster noodle chip ! (Available at Big W)
4. A storm’s a’ brewin’ !
5. Thom & his new sleek glasses.
6. Thom & I = 8 eyes.
7. Wearing Nars matte lip in Train Bleu. It’s a new favourite bold lip of mine. Click here for swatches. I bought it here because it’s not available in Australia as yet.
8. My nerdy sister.
The day the turntable played Beethoven
One of my absolute favourite animation pieces by one of my favourite artists, Salvador Dalí !
Story behind the title –
My mum bought me a stack of old, heavy Beethoven vinyls after stopping at an antique store during a road trip with relatives off of Great Ocean Road. The casings are just so beautiful.
mookxi 
