Desacord

I’m utterly charmed by this little French company Desacord & their whimsical, hand crafted wares. I mean, hello? A stuffed & mounted unicorn head? A bird house that lights up? Yes, please! Do visit their online shop & be prepared to want to drop a couple of hundred Euros on their work.

Via Decor8.

Catch Me Next At...

Thought you’d be able to relax after Chic Pop? Well, think again! In a mere 17 days from today you MUST, and I mean it, check out KL’s best creative arts festival; Urbanscapes! Taken from their Facebook: Urbanscapes is the first and only all-day “user-generated” creative arts festival in the Klang Valley. [It] aims to bring together communities and participants from the fields of music, the arts, design, film and other creative discipline under a single banner to showcase the best of the local scene.

And the best you shall get!

Taking place for the first time at Padang Astaka instead of KLPac of previous years, you will be sure to have lots to do with shopping at the Tongue In Chic Turf (where I’ll be at) & Frinjan Books Bazaar, catching a show or two from an awesome line-up of musicians & performers, taking part in a lively discussion at BarCamp & heaps more! It will be a day of sensory overload, I promise.

Here are the deets…
When: 16th July 2011
Where: Padang Astaka, PJ
Time: 12pm-12am (They’re serious! 12 hours of non-stop fun)
Website: http://www.urbanscapes.com.my/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/urbanscapes
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/urbanscapes

I’m frantically trying to get my stuff sorted out after Chic Pop but I promise to bring you lots of whimsical goodies. Watch this space!

Chic Pop 8

As usual, I had a lot of fun at Chic Pop under the Markets@Jaya One! Even with the crazy heat & overwhelming crowd, I really enjoyed meeting the many folks, some familiar faces & some new, who took the time out to drop by my table to say hello or to give one or two of my creations a good home.



I added a few new pieces to my display but the pictures turned out kinda dark since I only had time to snap them in the morning when the sun wasn’t quite out yet. Luckily, Zaahira (thanks babe!) was nice enough to send me an email of the pictures she took & I love my trees for the buntings + how colorful everything looks! Check it out below…



Did you make it to Chic Pop at the Markets@Jaya One? Which one was your favorite booth & what was your favorite purchase? Do tell!

P/S: I'm so sorry to hear from a few people that they had trouble looking for me at the market. The layout was a little weird & the crowds of people + racks of clothes blocking this way & that probably didn't help. Next time, if I get hidden away somewhere, I'll be sure to put out "breadcrumbs" k? ;)

David Stark’s Book Theme Party

As a book-lover, this birthday party that New York City event designer David Stark pulled together is pure perfection. “David was inspired by fairy tales and books – from the castle on the hill, to the Princess sleeping on the pea in a stack of book mattresses, or a golden egg nestled on shredded pages, and infused every aspect of the party with sweet reminders of how importance of charting your own story.” I couldn’t agree more.

Via Design*Sponge.

Carnival

While I recover from Chic Pop, thought I'd share this little ditty which is one of my all-time favorite songs from my teens. I haven't heard this song in ages truth be told, but last week I was reminded of The Cardigans thanks to Darwin Deez. This type of music is making a huge comeback now but back in the 90s you’d be considered pretty strange if you weren’t listening to Green Day or Nirvana 24/7. Anyways, it’s kinda hard not to love The Cardigans infectious music once you give them a chance so have a listen & hope you enjoy it as much as I do :)

Don’t Forget!

I’ll be at Markets@Jaya One bright & early tomorrow under Chic Pop Street Market so look for me at table number 27 (marked with a heart), within the vicinity of The Bee restaurant. My neighbors amongst others will be Old Blossom Box, Things Eye Made & Trendy Confessions so I’ll be in good company (here’s a complete list of who will be there). As you can see, the market is going to be H U G E & pictured here is just a fraction of what’s in store because it only shows the vendors under Chic Pop, whereas there are still the Crafty Market & Bettr Weekend section! Didn’t I tell you it’s going to be huge? Bring lots of extra shopping bags folks, you’re going to need it. See you tomorrow!

DIY: Salted Caramel Spread

 
It seems whenever I tell someone that I love Salted Caramel flavored anything, I get an incredulous look thrown at me. “Whaaat? It’s sooooo gooooood! Haven’t you tried it?” I ask. “No, but salted caramel sounds… weird,” they usually reply. Aaah, that explains it.

Well, my friends. I believe if you have a sweet tooth like me, you haven’t lived till you tried Salted Caramel & here’s a simple recipe by pastry chef Kathrin Koschitzki to make your own spread to try.

Just looking at these pictures are making my mouth water. Quick, someone hand me some sugar & butter!

Via Design*Sponge.

Theater Clouds

 

Elly MacKay creates miniature theater sets with her original drawings on paper. She then plays with lights & filters to create atmosphere & photographs the scene. I find her work oh so dreamy & I’m saving up to get one of her prints but I can’t decide on one. Help?

Via Happiness Is. 

Look What A Reader Made!

In all the years I’ve been blogging, it thrills me to no end to hear from a reader. So imagine my delight when Kristine dropped me an email to show me the awesome gift she made for her boyfriend with the TIny Polaroid Magnet Tutorial I shared last month. I’m so stoked & I bet her boyfriend loved the thoughtful gift too. Way to to Kristine!

Radar Detector

I can’t get this song out of my head & I don’t intend to any time soon! I love the quirky lyrics, catchy tune & omg, the video is so hilariously reminiscent of the 80s that it cemented my love for Darwin Deez (who is like a kooky, male version of The Cardigans, another band I love). Have a listen & you’re sure to crack a smile.


lyrics:
you and i buy star maps and drive my car around los angeles
you and i buy star maps and ding dong ditch a televangelist
it's only been a week
but i know that you are mine to keep
you are a radar detector
i drive 1,000 miles an hour
i won't go on and on
but you are always looking out for me
you and i go shopping and find exactly what we're looking for
you and i go shopping and fall asleep inside the mattress store.
we cruise the neighborhood
but it's not supposed to feel this good
(chorus)
you are a radar detector
(chorus)
when i'm driving around, you are a radar detector

Art For Grabs

I’ve been really lucky that I’ve taken part as a vendor in lots of awesome events like Chic Pop, Urbanscapes, Crafty Art Market, KLPac’s Open Day, Bijou Bazaar, Lah Lah Land, etc.. However, it sucks that I never get to shop at these events because I have my mind my own booth so when Art For Grabs rolled in, I decided that I can not miss this golden opportunity to shop to my heart’s content. To optimise the shopping experience, I decided to go by myself (I shop best when I’m on my own) & took my own sweet time browsing & snapping pictures, so here’s what I saw…

AFG took place at the Annexe Gallery at Central Market

A gasing or spinning top demonstration took place at the front steps of Central Market. I love those tiles.

The crowd at AFG. Trust me, It got seriously packed at one point that I had to do this funny shuffling, duck walk in order to maneuver my increasingly expanding & heavy shopping bag.

 A somewhat shy Dura of The Fashion Forest & the ever friendly Nirwana of My Glass Cubicle

One of these “flower elf” amigurumi by AChiBuu came home with me 

After leaving Central Market (& exhausting my purse), I decided that I had to get some flowers for my “flower elf.” I think she approves.

So my lovelies, how was your weekend?

What’s In My Bag

I was tagged to do this a good long while ago by the lovely Ami of Sputnik Sweetheart but didn’t get around to it till recently (eep, sorry Ami! Better late than never right? Hehehe). I did a fair bit of decluttering for this shot so what you see here is just a fraction of what used to be in my bag. I mean, honestly, who needs 10 tampons, 4 different shades of lipstick, a handful of paperclips, 6 pens & a mountain of receipts & bills in their bag? No, not me (anymore).

Anyways, here’s what I carry around with me:
1. This is a new bag that I got for my birthday recently (thank you Kak Lin! I love it!). It’s a small Piccolina in dark brown by Etienne Aigner & surprisingly roomy. I generally like huge bags & was pleasantly surprised that this size works for me too.
2. A black leather purse I bought in Bangkok for less than RM100. I love it as the finish & hardware is superb but I wish I bought it in bright yellow instead because well, black is practical but so boring.
3. Keys to my house(s), car & access card in a handmade sleeve on a handmade silver leather heart keychain.
4. My beloved iPhone 3Gs. I tell myself that I should wait for the iPhone 5 before I upgrade but darn, the iPhone 4 is sooo tempting!
5. Chanel Mat Lumiere compact powder. I never leave home without a dab of this.
6. My favorite gloss of the moment is Revlon’s Colourburst Lipgloss in Peony. I also carry my own homemade lipbalm in French Vanilla & right now I’m testing out my new tinted balms which are great (if I do say so myself)! I also have a vial of my new favorite scent (Viktor & Rolf’s Flowerbomb) & a pocket mirror with a saying I repeat to myself at least 5 times a day.
7. A wooden comb from Body Shop for those flyaway hair days.
8. Pens I can’t live without. An Artline 250 permanent marker & a black Pentel Slicci 0.4 pen.
9. Watson’s wet wipes in Grapefruit.
10. An emergency iPhone battery charger by Mili & a pink iPod Shuffle my hubby bought for me “just because” with matching pink earphones.
11. A small hand fan I bought at Daiso. Perfect for when I’m at the markets.
12. A pink bag organiser with an “I Heart Ampang” badge I bought at Urbanscapes last year.
13. El cheapo sunnies from Bangkok. Tempted to buy proper sunnies but the thought of losing or breaking a RM1k pair gives me the hives so I’ll just stick to RM10 pairs for now.
14. Eclipse Peppermint flavored mints
15. A purse hook I bought yonks ago but always forget to use much to my chagrin.



And here’s how my bag looks with everything stuffed in! Forgot to show you my Rume shopping bags that I always tuck in there somewhere. Now, what’s in your bag? Please show me & share the link in the comments below. I’d love to have a peek ;)

Catch Me Next At…

Sorry for the lack of blog posts this week my lovelies. It’s been crazy around here with orders (alhamdullillah!) but today I decided to give myself a break & thought I’d better pop in here to say hello. Well, hello :)

Bet you noticed that nice poster at the top of this post. It’s for the biggest market I’ve ever taken part in since Urbanscapes & I’m super excited! The market is a combination of the “fabulously fashionable Chic Pop, the lovingly handcrafted Crafty Art Market & the holistic Bettr Weekends” so there’s sure to be a little something for everyone! Needless to say, it’s going to be massive.

Don’t miss out!
What: Markets @ Jaya One
When: 25th June 2011, 10am - 6pm
Where: Jaya One, Petaling Jaya
Click here for more info

I will be taking part under Chic Pop & will be bringing in my all-handmade lovelies: jewelry, lip balms & buntings + a few more surprises up my sleeve so stay tuned! Click here to RSVP to the event on Facebook. See you soooooon!

Craft Party Hangover

awwww, i can’t believe the party is over! i have a hangover headache, i kid you not.

hangover aside, let me express my thanks & gratitude to all the partiers who sacrificed their Saturday morning to come celebrate Etsy’s birthday by crafting with yours truly & Team Etsy Malaysia. i loved seeing everyone’s individual take on their tshirt refashion & i really hope everyone learnt a new thing or two but most importantly, i hope everyone had heaps of fun & enjoyed meeting fellow craft lovers! more than one of them also commented that Wondermilk was the most perfect venue for a crafty morning & I couldn’t agree more. yaaaay, Wondermilk!

every time i plan one of these craft parties, i tell myself i must take lots of pictures. however, time & time again i fail when i have to tend to many, many things simultaneously so this time i kept my camera close & snapped when my hands were free. unfortunately, my hands (& wits) were kept very busy but i did manage to sneak in a couple of shots while everyone was busy planning their tshirt designs within the first 30 minutes of the party (hence the look of serious concentration on everyone’s faces!).

Getting down to business

The craft supplies “buffet” table. Nadiah contributed heaps of fun buttons & ribbon scraps while Ira added some cute & colorful fabric scraps.

digging into the fabric scraps pile

repeat after me: "cut, pin, sew. cut, pin, sew."

i even brought my sewing machine for those who wanted to give it a go (i have to say Wondermilk has the best decor! love that black wall in the background filled with little tchotchkes)

the Hot Mama group were the first to finish their tshirts! Needless to say, all their tshirts were for the little ones (Cerys, held up by Cindy is wearing the tshirt her mummy helped her cut & sew).

last but not least, a big THANK YOU goes out to our prize sponsors, Mai & Nadiah! Mai of Okinokiyo gave an awesome goodie bag filled with a fabric zippered bag & stuffie plus fabric scraps for the Most Creative Tshirt award which went to Lynette & her very cool slashed & weaved tshirt. Nadiah of Nukilan in turn offered up a pack of her gorgeous handmade cards (which you can see here) to our very own Miss Congeniality won by Shelby! i also wanted to offer a little something as a prize, so i made a little fabric bunting banner for our Most Hardworking partier, Sara who tried sewing for the first time & never gave up!

so there you have it folks. i really hope everyone had as much fun as i did & i can’t wait for the next one. how about you? ;)

p/s: if any of you craft partiers took pictures, please send me a copy. pretty please? also, if you blogged about it, let me know & i’ll link you up here on the blog. thanks a bunch!

A Little Peek

Here are some of the bits & bobs that are going to be available at the craft supplies “buffet” for this Saturday’s Craft Party taking place at Wondermilk. Can’t wait to see what everyone is going to whip up for the tshirt refashion project & I’ll be sharing the pictures here so stay tuned!

DIY: Paper Ribbon Flags

Looking for a cheap & cheery way to add a little color to your party? These paper ribbon flags just might be the ticket. With some snipping & tucking, you’re good to go! Check out the tutorial here at the Yuppie Lifestyle.

Via 100 Layer Cake.

DIY: Pop Up Card

Ever wondered how pop-up cards work? Well, I did. For the longest time too. That is until I saw this nifty tutorial & hot damn, it’s soooo easy! I felt like face palming myself when I read the post. Have a looksee & try them out for yourself. That balloon design above would make a great party invitation & speaking of parties, we’re THREE days away from the Craft Party!!!

DIY: Napkin Bow

Looking for a way to (literally) dress up your dining table for a fancy party? How about turning your napkins into bow ties? Thought so you’d like that. Here’s the tutorial over at Martha Stewart.

Psst! 4 days to go to the Craft Party! Are you excited yet?

DIY: Party Hat

With mere days to the Craft Party this Saturday, I thought I’d post up some awesome DIY party decorations & ideas that I’ve collected from the world wide web. First up are these insanely adorable DIY party hats from Oh Happy Day. I will never again buy party hats from party supply shops… these are waaaaay better!

Click on over here to check out the full tutorial & download the template.