A wee Christmas present

...for me

Rebecca Taylor quilted silk corset in 'tea.' Big ♥

I'll be home for Christmas this year. Can't wait to sit by the Christmas tree with family and open gifts in our PJs. That's one of the great things about having a big family (of girls with good taste and a generous father). Psyched!

Happy Holidays everyone! Hope you get to spend time with your family too.

We heart Chris

Who doesn't?

For the bf's 30th birthday, we're planning an all-about-Chris party. 24 more hours till the big event! Will post photos after :)

Inspired

...by the blogs of these sisters:

1
2
3

Each one is filled with so much life and pretty little things, my heart swells. There's mad abundance of love and support for one another. For their loved ones. Just so much (too much!) love in general, I found myself in shades of red over some posts. And did I mention, such great bone structure??? They're all just beautiful!

The only part I couldn't relate to were the religious mentions. But agnostic me can still learn a lot... Enjoy the rest of your weekend folks! There's not much of it left. Did I say much again? Eep!

Everything. Just doubled

Yikes! I haven't blogged for 2 weeks now? What's up with that man.

If I were in school now, this wouldn't be happening. I even forgot our anniversary this year (sorry hon!). Major boo boo. I didn't believe it myself, when the bf gently reminded me after work one night, but had mere seconds to ponder the issue before I passed out in bed.

In my defense, we've been moving about a lot these past weeks. Casey and Merlin's wedding was a lovely event that took place in Jakarta. Congrats darlings! And last weekend was all lil sis + family time. I can't believe the lil un is off to college. They grow up so fast don't they? Next weekend is the littlest sis' birthday.

Can you see me running around in circles now?

I actually have a lot to announce, though most have to be kept on the down low *jittery with excitement* So for now, you'll just have to enjoy Casey and Merlin's wedding shots. They're super cute :) More deets here.

Spring's here

These dreamy shots from Anthro's March catalog make me feel like a walk in the botanical gardens...

Can't wait...

1. for date night #5 of 2010
2. for my turn to organize date night
3. to see my family in April
   
4. till all my current projects at work launch well and good
5. for our next vacation to the States and my first time in Canada
   
6. for our weekend retreat to Malacca where I can finally dive in a pool for a swim
   
7. to bake for Macarune's April Variety Pack event
8. to lose 5lbs and feel like my old self!

I heart "The Lover's Pocketbook"

by Raymond Peynet, published 1954.

This year, Valentine's day was overshadowed by the rambunctious more festive Chinese New Year. And while the bf and I hardly ever took this date seriously, I've always loved it for its pinks, reds and all things sweet. The only pink and reds we saw were lai sees and hong baos filled with $$$ - not that I'm complaining - but they were hardly Valentines.

So when I saw this lovely set on Flickr I got all giddy with excitement. What lovely illustrations! *swoon* Each carefully drawn piece says so much without having to say anything.

And my all time favorite drawing is rightly placed on the cover

So a very belated Valentine's wish to all with this, thanks to the generous folks on Flickr and dear Mr. Peynet.

PS: doesn't Peynet sound like penyet from ayam penyet? Just another one of my favorite things :)

Who the deuce can parlez vous a cow?

A 19th century hit cover by Andrew Bird

Nonsense

TGIF!

Current love

To the bf:

I kiss you on the brain in the shadow of a train
I kiss you all starry eyed, my body's swinging from side to side
I don't see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you

Here is the church and here is the steeple
We sure are cute for two ugly people
I don't see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you


To the best friend:

Up up down down left right left right B A start
Just because we use cheats doesn't mean we're not smart
I don't see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you


To little sisters:

You are always trying to keep it real
I'm in love with how you feel
I don't see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you


To big sister:

We both have shiny happy fits of rage
You want more fans, I want more stage
I don't see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you

Occupied

because these came in the mail:




$200 short and happy :)

Friday humor

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Loving Demetri Martin

All over again

Demetri's "Art" from Comedy Central

Am going to start using larger fonts on this blog for readability purposes. *Testing 123*

What weekends are for

Sleeping in, leisurely evening jogs, yoga, manis, pedis, movie nights and experimenting in the kitchen. Random photo postings yet again (because I'm a lousy blogger).

Upon discovering the bf's mom's rum butter in the fridge, I got really excited. You can't not bake something when you're faced with tradition that came all the way from Cumberland - right?


Rum & raisin anyone?


Turns out, rum butter goes perfectly well with raisin scones


Afternoon tea at Club 55


Sometimes you chance upon the most unexpected events just by leaving the house. Like these F1 tickets. Thanks JK and Helen!


Because work is now in a slightly more remote location (there's no MRT in the area), I'm making it a habit to bring my own breakfast. Hence the homemade pepita granola, which just wouldn't be the same without hand-stirred pumpkin butter and shaved apple. Smells like fall in a bowl


Occasionally, we like to take a break from baking and let others do the job. Here's an Empress Dowager from The Patissier, a delicate strawberry mousse enveloping layers of sponge cake atop a crispy chocolate pastry crust


Mid-Autumn festival was a long forgotten tradition since we moved to the States. Now that we're back, there's no reason to skip these champagne truffle mooncakes from Raffles Hotel, which are just to die for

Wish I could share more from the weekday events such as the bf's birthday celebration or Model's night at Oosh, but it's late and I have an early day tomorrow.

While we don't go out as much in Singapore, I'm really glad it's starting to feel a lot more like home.

Weekend project

Before I post more photos on NY (sorry I've just been busy all week!), here is what I've been up to these weekends:







Making stationary for faraway friends! This one's made of recycled paper, old maps and post office themed rubber stamps. Gift tags included.

The friends we're sending these to are truly the most darling couple we know (we know many, so this was a tough label). Alice and Ron have retired long ago and been traveling the world for many years now. My family met them through a memorable trip to Florida when I was only 16, and we've been "pen pals" since.

Every time I get a letter with news on their raspberry patch in NY, a photo of their travels or sometimes even homemade cookies, it's like a pleasant little surprise in the mail.

So what's more appropriate than a traveler's theme letter set? :)

Photos from our trip to the U, S and A

Click here>
Here>
and here>


Quick teaser before you go :D





I love his sense of humor and sometimes have trouble remembering what life was like before him.

Good times

We were fortunate enough to have visitors in town these past few weekends. That usually means good company, good food, thus good times!

When my sis and her bf visited, we discovered Akanoya, one of the coolest Japanese restaurants in town, serving food the robatayaki way. Though on Tanglin, the izakaya-style place is so unassuming we only chanced upon it while looking for a place to eat around 12AM. The Japanese (we think) chefs cook fresh bbq food right in front of you and serve food using wooden paddles, which they extend from across the bar. It was all very novel.

We also went to the Tippling Club to sample the closest to molecular gastronomy in town, and was slightly disappointed by the food. Though not so much with the lofty ambiance and decor. The bar was unique with liquor bottles hanging from hooks in the ceiling, secured by cable ties. And we had a lotta fun just chatting and happily eating green curry foam.

Sis and Danny


Singaporean Hokkien mee at the Wisma Atria food court. I know mall food courts aren't always renowned for rustic good food, but I loved this dish. And if you're lucky, you may just get to watch the chef cook while waiting in line

Bobo and me


Bailey's cake at the Cookie Museum. Worth the whole $20 *Gulp


Having afternoon tea with Serene and Anita


Brunch at Jones the Grocer where cotton candy costs the same as a plate of bacon and eggs. There's something funny about that :) Loved the mushrooms!

This Friday, it's our turn to be visitors. Can't wait!

Smiley face of the day

Is it crazy that I'm totally crazy about this kid in Knocked Up? I mean I am SO smitten that I actually googled her name to discover she's Leslie Mann's daughter. That makes me like Leslie twice as much knowing this giggly cutie's her lil' un:




SO adorable! I can't wait to see her again in Funny People.

Family portraits

My fam


The bf's fam


MRM fam


PubMo fam


Dexter fam. Love y'all!

Home is where the heart is

Especially when one has many places to call home.

I've been MIA lately because the bf and I flew to KL to spend time with family. We had 3 solid days with mine, only to arrive back in Singapore to his. Not to mention my other one at work.

Menu for Chris' mom's birthday last night

...

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Pictures of these recent events to come.

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PS: we saw Denise Keller on the plane, and the bf barely recognized her. Sometimes I surprise myself with how much I've learnt through the local media.