Photographs, Time and Cakes

I was catching up on some of my favorite blogs and was very surprised when I came across this vintage photograph in a post by A Subtle Revelry.

Vintage Photo ca. 1940.

It’s so similar to photographs I took of my dad on his Birthday a few years ago! My favorite part was the reflection of candles in his glasses.

Mail Surprises

I love snail mail, especially small packages. This is a gift I put together for a friend’s birthday. Hopefully it will give you some fun ideas and inspire you to surprise someone.

I recycled Birchbox packaging by gluing a card on top of the box; the tissue paper and shipping carton it came with also came in handy.

You can put glitter or confetti into a greeting card before sealing it in an envelope (place it with the card’s spine facing down). The recipient will get an unexpected glitter shower when they open it.

I filled the bottom of the box with tissue paper and flowers I cut out of felt.

For a heartfelt gift of a wish – wrap a birthday candle in a small box (I decorated this one with origami paper).

Some other fun items you can include: stickers, costume jewelry, balloons, key chains, notebooks, and candy. If you make sure that the items weigh under 13 0z, you can just drop the package into a mail box instead of going to the post office.

Most importantly – have fun with it. Happy Mail Day.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Seven countries in three weeks! It took me much longer than that to go through and edit all of the photos. I definitely want to go back to many of these countries and spend more time exploring them. Though it was not a very restful vacation, it surely was an exciting one.

I spent most of my last vacation day at the park and butterfly garden.

Thank you for following my Asia series. Please subscribe to the blog or follow it on facebook to stay up to date on my other shenanigans 🙂

Indonesia

What Traveling with my dad is like:

You are in Singapore. He asks you if you’d like to go to the beach. Why, sure you would! Next thing you know – you are in Indonesia.

P.S. If someone offers you gong gong (sea snail) – eat them and get some beer.

Doughnut Plant

Doughnut Plant is a great place to unwind and chat with a friend. I usually get the creme brulee doughnut. Creme brulee is my favorite dessert and doughnut form makes it even better. Nothing can beat that burnt sugar and custard taste.

Lisa, my usual partner in crime for food adventures, got a latte and a pistachio doughnut. I will definitely continue to come back here, there are a lot of doughnuts to try (square, jam filled, rose petal – you name it). Everything is delicious and this is the only place I know with a fully mirror-tiled restroom with a disco ball.

Chinese New Year Celebration Downpour

I celebrated Chinese New Year in Singapore this year. There was a concert before the grand finale – presidential speech and midnight fireworks. The moment the president was announced, it began to pour.

News and Updates

I’ve been busy working on new exciting projects, including a collaborative Etsy shop, and finishing up my school work. Below is a sneak peek of my thesis. If you are in NYC, I invite you to come see the amazing work done by the graduating class at the Fashion Institute of Technology Design Museum. The work will be on view till May 22.

Singapore

Thesis Progress

Some of the steps involved in making a tote bag. I love watching as a quick sketch becomes a functional three-dimensional object. No matter how many bags I make, I always feel a bit surprised by this.

Sewing Break

I’ve been busy working on my thesis. I designed four handbags and am in the process of sewing them and creating accompanying artwork. Can’t wait to finish and share the results with all of you.

This is a bag I made a year ago (you can see it mentioned here and here on the blog). The photo was taken by a good friend, A Vee Photo who is also a part of the duo at Ian and Inna Photography; you should go see her wonderful work.