.cacophonic musings

A Little Piece of the Sun

2012-01-18T12:07:00.000-06:00

This was taken a few days before we had a few inches of snow. I was starting to get worried that it was already January and there was no snow on the ground, but temperatures dropped and snowflakes fell. Even so, there's has been relatively little snow compared to past winters. But perhaps that's a good thing for now since I have yet to get some snow boots.

A Time For Change

2012-01-13T12:39:00.000-06:00

I decided to change the blog just a bit because a little change is good. It's not to my complete liking but I'm rather lazy to learn the CSS codes so this will do for now. And I also changed the blog title as well. I feel that .cacophonic musings encompasses my thoughts and interests more than my former title, which was not personable at all.

What's new for 2012? The biggest thing is I've started the 365 Project, but I have been sick so I haven't uploaded the first few photos of 2012 until now. If you're not familiar with it, it's basically you take a picture every day and then upload it. By taking a picture every day, you can allow yourself to see things from different perspective and to ultimately improve your composition and photographs. Of course, many people garner different experiences from this project, but I hope this will be my experience. You can check out this project at my flickr.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

2011-11-23T10:08:00.000-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope you all have a lovely weekend feasting with your loved ones and sifting through cherished memories.

Whimsical Fragments

2011-11-12T11:17:00.000-06:00

I miss days like these - full of sunshine with the fickle waves beckoning me into their embrace. And I forgot that the world existed. It was just me and the beautiful blue sea.

A Secret Garden

2011-10-11T18:44:00.000-05:00

There's a secret garden. Full of lies and deceit and love and sadness. You may find your deepest desires or your deepest fears. But it's mouth remains closed. All that can be heard is the soft lullaby of a stream.

There's quite a bit of photos in this post, but I couldn't help myself. The weather this weekend was simply gorgeous and the lighting was just perfect. We went strolling through Olbrich Gardens, which consists of several smaller gardens. My favorite would have to be the Rose Garden because the roses are just lovely when they're in bloom.

A Kaleidoscope of Rainbows

2011-10-07T11:42:00.000-05:00

I can't believe autumn is here and almost gone. Where did all those summer days go? They come and go like the life of a dandelion. The golden flower turns into a white cloud and the seeds disperse with a breath of wind. Just like summer, where the leaves suddenly change color. The wind suddenly a little cooler. The air not as sweet. All that remains are soft and light hazy dreams filled with endless laughter and warmth.

A Summer Scent Lingers

2011-09-19T19:55:00.000-05:00

I just recently upgraded my internet so I'm terribly sorry about not updating this blog in so long. I just had basic internet before which I was too impatient to wait and upload photos and such so I have just been putting it off until now.

I'm not too fond of the color in this set of photos, but it was one of those overcast days with clouds most of the time and then a snippet of sun. But I have to say that I love this dress! It totally reminds me of an Edwardian dress, minus the high collar, long sleeves, and puff sleeves (on some styles). It's a perfect summer dress to frolick in the fields with.

A Bittersweet Taste

2011-07-20T15:03:00.000-05:00

It's only about two and half more weeks until we will be moving into our new apartment. A bittersweet taste is left behind. I am going to miss the walks along the lake and running along the trails in the forest when the sun is about to set and the heat settles like layers of dust. But most of all, I am going to miss this place of which we have called home for two years. Home is not simply a place, but one where boundless memories are created and where happiness, love, and sadness lingers. Change is inevitable for things must transform for the future to come. But a home can be anywhere, in a bustling city or in a cottage by the sea or a cabin in the forest, because a home is more than a place.

Sprinkles of fairy dust in a summer's glow

2011-07-11T11:00:00.000-05:00

We took these pictures really late evening so I thought they would be too dark, but the light turned out to be amazing! I really need to invest in a tripod and remote soon so I can have some pictures of me and the boy. My little brother came to visit us for a week so we were lucky to get these shots from him. And I don't know if you can tell, but I definitely have a farmer's tan. My arms and calves are darker than my face (due to wearing long skirts and hats).

I hope you all are enjoying summer and the beautiful weather!

Sultry Evenings

2011-06-29T12:51:00.000-05:00

- This is a descriptive piece I wrote for my speech class. I've been meaning to shoot a short video with it but in the meantime, I hope you enjoy it.

Trickles of salty sweat slivers down the nape of my neck as I stand on the edge of the pier looking at the picturesque pristine lake in front of me. The sapphire water glistens under the sweltering summer sun. With each slight puff of the scorching July breeze, the shimmering light would coquettishly frolic from one speck of water to another, dancing until the lake scintillated and shimmered like a thousand raw jagged diamonds.

I take a deep breath and the pungent aroma of prickly pine trees, so heady and succulent, engulfs my senses. The biting scent tickles my nostrils while the dry air parches moisture from my lungs.

Thin sharp needles of heat soon greet me, piercing through my thin cotton sundress. To cool off, I dip my feet into the lake and feel tepid tresses of velvety liquid caress around my toes. A small sigh of contentment escapes my lips as my feet playfully swirl with the water. Swoosh, swish, swoosh. My feet flicks up and the water ripples like a beating drum. Fast thumps that soon hushes.

The scorching sun was relentless in her rage and I soon gave in. Taking off my dress, I plunge into the gleaming lapis waters. Darkness echoes around me like a bittersweet symphony as I let myself sink, deeper and deeper into the endless dark abyss. My lungs start to burn, my heart starts to pound, my ears start to ring. I pull my arms up. My feet pedal upwards, faster and faster. Harder and harder. Gasp! I push to the surface and take a big gulp of air. The sharp scent of the pine trees meet me once again.

As the roaring fire in my lungs calmed and the throbbing of my heart dulled, I float on my back and close my eyes, listening to the soft soothing lullaby of the waves dancing against me.

I Carry Your Heart...

2011-06-27T11:39:00.001-05:00

I carry your heart with me (I carry it in my heart)
I am never without it (anywhere I go you go, my dear;
And whatever is done by only me is your doing, my darling)

I fear no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet )
I want no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)
And it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant
And whatever a sun will always sing is you

Here is the deepest secret nobody knows (here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
And the sky of the sky of a tree called life;
Which grows higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
And this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart

I carry your heart (I carry it in my heart)

- E.E. Cummings

Summer Reads

2011-06-20T12:29:00.000-05:00

I finally checked out some reading books I've been meaning to read: The Bell Jar (Sylvia Plath), East of Eden & Grapes of Wrath (John Steinbeck), and Dreams From My Father (Obama). I'm starting with The Bell Jar and I think I'm going to use many quotes from there. It seems like such a haunting and eloquent read so far, which tend to be my favorite reads.

I hope you all had a fabulous weekend!

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

2011-06-15T14:12:00.000-05:00

"Somewhere over the rainbow, Bluebirds fly.
Birds fly over the rainbow. Why then, oh why can't I?"
- E.Y. Harburg

Yes, I Wear Pants Too

2011-06-13T12:03:00.000-05:00

I've noticed that pretty much all of my blog posts have been of me in a skirt or dress so I decided to do one wearing pants. Yes, I do occasionally wear pants, mostly in the colder days of Autumn and Spring and Winter, but if it's warm enough then I usually live in skirts and dresses. I just love the texture of dresses, whether it be the soft, cool caress of cotton or the luxurious feel of silk.

And I swear, I am getting addicted to polka-dot prints this year. I just bought two playsuits from Goodwill and both are polka-dots! I am quite excited to wear them as I've never donned on a playsuit before because of my short stature. But they didn't look too shabby in the dressing room.

And happy Monday dearies!

Friday Inspirations

2011-06-10T12:31:00.000-05:00

Frolicking through a golden field of flowers...

(Images found on weheartit.com)

Another Year, Another Age

2011-06-07T10:35:00.000-05:00

I turned 22 yesterday! It wasn't much fun since I couldn't do much because I was sick with a sore throat. When I woke up I was barely able to speak. My voice was so hoarse, it sounded quite scary to my ears. I really want to do a small barbecue and eat s'mores and tell ghost stories around the campfire this Friday, but we'll see how my throat feels.

Waves Crashing Against the Shore

2011-05-31T11:29:00.001-05:00

Hello lovelies! I hope you all are doing fabulous and having tons of fun with your summers. And I hope you all had a great Memorial Day! I have my first job as a photographer this weekend so I'm quite excited. It's a family celebration so it's nothing fancy but I'm still giddy about it. It's nice to be appreciated for what you love doing.

Other than that, I'm still just lazying around. My mum is quite busy fixing up the house so I haven't gotten around to sewing (or attempting to sew) a dress yet. This will be my second time touching a sewing machine so I'm not comfortable using it yet without supervision. I think I'd probably freak out if something snagged or broke so I'll be waiting for my mum.

Oh Summer

2011-05-19T15:05:00.000-05:00

Hello lovely readers. Sorry I have been MIA for a bit as I've been quite bummed about not receiving the summer job I wanted. I know that you can't get everything and that there will be ups and downs with some doors closing and others opening. But at the same time, rejection still hurts.

To cheer myself up, I have made a summer-to-do list (not in any particular order).

Take at least one photo each day
Learn how to sew a dress
Study for the GRE
Sew a few dresses
Practice video shooting
Shoot at least one short film
Go on a trip to New York
Go canoeing
Read books I've been wanting to read
Go see the last Harry Potter film in theater
Work out daily

One thing I'm going to really look forward to doing is reading. I haven't been able to read any books I wanted since there's so much reading with schoolwork already so book reading will be a summer delight. Yes, I'm a total bookworm. I can totally get lost in a book, which is sometimes more fulfilling than a film because it's all in my imagination. Have any of you stayed up all night just to read because the book is too good to put down? That is the sign of a bookworm and a good book.

And another thing, I cannot wait for the last Harry Potter film! Anyone else planning to see this? I have not read the books because I saw the movies first so I think it would ruin the books for me. I dislike knowing what's going to happen because it just ruins the suspense. But yes, the last part seems so intense and full of tragic and bittersweet endings. "Can't wait!" (If you know where I got that quote from, thumbs up.)

A Light Window

2011-05-11T10:40:00.000-05:00

I see there, beyond her sweeping arms and her thin, gossamer fingers, many bright lights. Lights that seem to shimmer and twinkle under the glaring sun. Away they move, quick and fast, like bows in the air. They flap their small but flighty wings, heartily and freely in the summer sky. The sparkle fades slowly as the birds fly away from my sight. I squint but I see them no more.

Oh, Tulips!

2011-04-29T21:08:00.000-05:00

It's officially May flowers since so many flowers have been planted this week! I wish I lived near Oregon, where I could go to the Tulip fest. All those lovely tulips just look delightful. Tulips aren't my favorite flowers but they are quite beautiful when in bloom.

And I am loving midi skirts this time around. I was never a big fan of mini skirts since I would always have to wear a short underneath so as not to show any undergarments, but now all that is gone because the midi skirt is here! I was hesitant about them since I'm rather short at just 5'2 so I feared they would make me appear even shorter. But that's not necessarily true. For shorter gals, they look best when worn with high heels so as to add a little height to us. And what's even better than midi skirts are pleated midi skirts. I am in love with pleats this season as they just add a subtle romantic and vintage feel and look to an outfit.

Happy Friday and have a lovely weekend!

A Taste of Summer

2011-04-18T18:23:00.000-05:00

This week is projected to be rainy and cold. What a bummer since I was looking forward to taking pictures in my midi skirts. April is really living up to its expected showers. At least there were a few sunny days before a week of rain settles in.

I never did like crop tops because they seem to look like shirts you've outgrown, but I have to say that I adore this top! I love the red checkered print. It reminds me so much of a lazy picnic at the park soaking in the sun and sipping ice-cold lemonade and ravishing sweet, juicy watermelon slices.

The Sweet Taste of Spring

2011-04-11T19:19:00.000-05:00

I think I can say that Spring is finally here! Yesterday was a nice, balmy 70 degrees! It was just such a perfect day after a week of cloudy days and rain. The sun was shining, a nice cool breeze was blowing, and the skies were a clear baby blue. There was a thunderstorm late in the evening, but the morning was just amazing.

I must say that I am now an avid lover of boater hats! I was never a fan of boater hats (or of hats in general) since hats never seem to match me, but I decided to try this one and I love it! I love its vintage look and the faux floral on the brim. I also love that it can be paired with almost any outfit. It just seems to add an extra sweetness to an outfit.

(Outfit: F21 dress, hat, shoes; Target purse)

Skirt of Roses

2011-04-09T00:02:00.001-05:00

Hi lovelies! I found some more spring blossoms! These are bright sunny blooms and so cheerful! Since everything is still dead around here, I thought I would liven up my outfit with a skirt full or roses! I am quite happy that floral prints are so in this season because I adore floral prints! I used to have problems finding floral prints, but now I have problems deciding which pieces to choose from.

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

(Outfit: Urban Outfitters blazer & leggings, H&M shirt, F21 skirt)

Orange You Lovely!

2011-04-02T09:43:00.001-05:00

I love the bright orange color of this coat! It's a bit contagious, I think. Wearing it makes me quite cheery as well. And it also pairs beautifully with rusts, reds, and blues (colors which I'm starting to love). I love it, but not sure if it's definitely a keeper or not. It is a tad too big since I am still not quite getting the hang of ASOS sizing. This makes me appreciate stores so much, where you can actually try on clothing before you buy it.

And the weekend is starting so I hope you all have two days of rest and laughter.

(ASOS jacket & tights, F21 dress)

Spring Blossoms

2011-03-26T15:52:00.002-05:00

The weather has been quite cold this week, but guess what I found at the garden near my apartment? Spring blooms! The lily of the valley blooms were such a delight! I don't recall what the yellow blossoms were called, but they are also beautiful. It was pretty cold so I was only able to take my jacket off for a few minutes. And after about 15 minutes there, my hands were starting to feel numb.

I went to the garden to test out my Yashica film camera since it keeps eating up my film, and it ended up eating it again (after I tried to rewind the film). I want to do a shoot entirely in film, but my Yashica is not cooperating. There's just a soft and poignant look to film that I absolutely love. White dresses in fields of green just look absolutely beautiful on film. Skin also comes out natural and so smooth and creamy. I thought the film look would not be too hard to recreate digitally, but boy was I wrong. I can sometimes come somewhat close to it, but the looks is always a little off.....Film is somewhat fading but is anyone else a fan of film?

(Outfit: H&M sweater, F21 dress, Modcloth leggings & coat, Target purse)

A Little Picnic in the Sun

2011-03-22T19:25:00.002-05:00

This weekend was quite warm so my boyfriend and I had a little picnic at the park. It was just a fun little trip we decided in the midst of the warm weather and it was also a little celebration for our third year anniversary together. Sometimes, I still can't believe we were together for that long. But it's been a great three years.

For our little linner (lunch and dinner hehe), we made some rice flour wraps topped with spicy peanut chili. The peanut chili was so spicy that my mouth was literally burning. But luckily, I bought some milk to wash away a bit of the hotness. And then we also brought a few of the cupcakes I made earlier in the week. Some pedestrians looked at us oddly but I can't help it. I was joyous about the warm weather for a change. And there are no pictures of my boyfriend because he would not allow me to take any of him due to his longish hair. Sadly, the weather has turned somewhat cold and very rainy so no more picnics for awhile.

Iced Tea and Cupcakes

2011-03-18T12:32:00.000-05:00

Ordering from ASOS was quite a failure. I am a size 2/4 but I went off of the measurements ASOS provided which put me at a size 6. And when my clothes came the other day, they were quite big on me as the measurements ASOS provided were not correct at all. The size 6 coat I bought was a regular size 6 coat you'd find pretty much anywhere in the U.S. The coat size I want seems to be out of stock on their site so I think I would be quite upset if it truly is out of stock. Some items ASOS have out of stock comes back in stock so I hope the size I want is not out. It's just such a beautiful spring jacket.

So, to relax myself after the disappointing order, I made these delicious cupcakes. The frosting was way too sweet, but I loved decorating it. And the Thai iced tea with it was lovely. If you haven't tried Thai iced tea yet, it is really good. It's a orange-brown mixture of brewed Thai tea and milk cream that is just oh-so-yummy.

The Smell Spring in the Air

2011-03-15T12:48:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was so beautiful out! I was fine wearing just my cardigan and knit leggings. So I hope this means that Spring will soon be here to stay. Blossoms have not sprung up yet, but I have hope. I think you can tell you happy I am about the warm weather with the cheesiness of my photos, but I can't help myself. A little sunshine and warmth brightens up my day.

And I guess you know by now that I love polka-dots. There's just something retro and vintage about polka-dots that it never gets old for me. It gives an outfit a classic vintage look without even trying. The print of this dress is quite darling, but I am not a huge fan of the material. The dress itself tends to ride up my waist when I move and the fabric can get quite static. But it's light and airy so it's perfect for summer walks and outings.

A Week of Relaxation

2011-03-12T20:38:00.000-06:00

Hello all! After being MIA due to a hectic week of essays and midterms, I can finally rest for Spring Break. I plan to attempt to sew which will probably be a total failure, but I'm okay with that. I have to start somewhere. I also bought the cutest little girls' sewing book, Carefree Clothes for Girls, the other day. It has the most adorable outfits ever and the pictures are styled so beautiful as well. That gorgeous sewing book should help motivate me to learn how to sew.

The weatherman has projected 50s for Thursday and Friday so I cannot wait!!!! Hopefully, I can get some gorgeous pictures outside again.

If You Come Softly....

2011-02-28T11:29:00.000-06:00

If you come softly
As the wind within the trees,
You may hear what I hear
See what sorrow sees.

If you come lightly
As threading dew,
I will take you gladly
No ask more of you.

And if you come, I will be silent
Nor speak harsh words to you.
I will not ask you why, now
Or how, or what you do.

We shall sit here, softly
Beneath two different years
And the rich earth between us
Shall drink our fears.

- Audre Lorde

Tweed and Polka-dots

2011-02-26T12:09:00.000-06:00

I was never much of a fan of tweed or other similar fabric types, but now I'm falling more and more in love with them. I've come to quite like them because they add a different texture and pattern to an outfit. A lot of the times, I see them on outdated styles so I guess I just assumed that they are outdated as well. But as my sense of fashion as grown, as fashion being more than just the current fad out there but as a mixture and an embodiment of past and present styles, I am seeing all prints in a new light. And I have come to appreciate tweed for its uniqueness. Altough, even with lining tweed can sometimes be a bit itchy, I forgive it.

Pink and Plaid

2011-02-22T19:15:00.000-06:00

I'm quite bummed that I won't be able to go to San Francisco for Spring Break. The airfare has increased in price so San Francisco is not an option anymore. I guess staying home during the break will give me the opportunity to start on my sewing projects and hopefully to finish them. I have been hesitant on starting sewing because I'm not familiar with all the little details and hate to mess up (although I most definitely will) so I've been kind of putting it off.

The Clash of Heels

2011-02-21T12:12:00.002-06:00

And I was right. The weather is cold again, no longer in the nice 40s. I can no longer wear my nice boots due to the slippery and slushy snow. But I must look on the bright side because Spring will surely come.

And I may be a wimp, but I don't care. I saw these gorgeous wedges at Target, for only $20 no less, but I decided not to buy it. Why? Because they were not comfortable. After wearing them for 5 minutes or so, my feet started to have a dull ache to them. Those heels would probably last me 1 to 2 hours before I start to feel unbearable pain and I expect 3-4 hours for heels. So I decided not to buy them.

I have a love-hate relationship with heels. I love them because some of them are really adorable and would look fabulous with dresses. And I also love them because they make me look taller, being the short girl that I am. But I also hate (the lot of them) because they are so uncomfortable to wear. Maybe it's just my feet, but I don't usually last long in heels. Some gals can go for a whole day in heels, but I max out at 4 hours. Is there a secret to wearing heels that I am clueless about? If not, I'm starting to think me and heels are just not meant to be.

And I totally do not buy into the "heels make your legs look slimmer" that has been mentioned several times in fashion magazines because the truth of the matter is, they simply don't change the way my legs look. I am not changing my legs in any physical way by wearing heels so they are not slimmer or appear to be slimmer. Heels only serve to add height and dress up an outfit.

Red dress and white polka-dots

2011-02-17T21:21:00.003-06:00

Today, I randomly went into Urban Outfitters and I'm glad I did because I found some great pieces on sale! There was also a 30% off on the sale items, which made me even happier. I'm always for saving money so finding pieces that I want on sale always make me feel satisfied. I try not too buy a lot of items at full price since my bank account would be depleted quite fast. Especially at Urban Outfitters where the clothing is quite expensive (for my budget). The quality of their clothing is not that great but I just adore a lot of their prints. It's good to wait for sales but the only bad thing about waiting is that they don't have my size half of the times. So, I will buy an item at full price if I absolutely love it and have to have it. But I tend to find that my love for clothing doesn't last forever so I should learn how to wait more.

And, I don't know why but a lot of the girls working in the Urban Outfitters here are quite stuck-up. It's not like they say anything to me but they just seem to give me a brief what-are-you-doing-here look. What's up with that? Sheesh.

P.S. Don't mind my hair. I wasn't motivated enough to do anything with it so it's just hanging there.

A Little Sushine

2011-02-16T12:23:00.000-06:00

This week has been so nice, with the weather around 30-40s and the sun peeking through the clouds. A lot of the snow that we received two weeks ago has melted away so I finally see some grass. The weatherman says it might snow next week so I am not looking forward to Spring yet. This is Wisconsin after all and I should know that Winter is far from over.

I just have so many ideas for Spring and Summer photo shoots but I can't until the snow has melted and the grass is green and life is in the air. So patiently, I wait. Is anybody else waiting for Spring?

Red & White Balloons

2011-02-13T16:53:00.002-06:00

Last night was a lovely evening spent dancing and then ending with a small dinner. The Valentine Dance was really fun with a lot of sappy songs mixed with hip-hop. The decorations could have been better though since it was pretty minimal. I had expected a lot more streamers in the ceiling, but there were none this year. I guess the members of the organization that hosted it this year were too lazy to clean up afterwards. The dance was still great so I'm a happy camper.

Happy Valentine's Weekend!

2011-02-12T10:46:00.001-06:00

I got my camera back today, and I have to say, it feels like I have an appendage back. I have missed it so! And the thing is, my brother did not even take it on his trip since he had too much stuff. So I was missing it all this time for nothing.

But nonetheless, Happy Valentine's Weekend! It's not officially Valentine's Day, but this weekend will be when most people celebrate since the 14th is on a Monday, so I would just like to wish everyone a romantic weekend! Valentine's Day can be a little overrated since it's not the only day we show love and appreciation for our significant other but it still matters. We cannot skip it. No can do. And when you give a gift, it's not about what you would like to have as a gift, but what the other person actually likes and/or wants. That is true giving.

The last two years haven't been great Valentine's so hopefully this year will be better. It's not even like I want an expensive gift or anything, but something that is romantic and sweet and will melt my heart. For example, a scrapbook of how we met or note cards posted around the house of why he loves me. Is that so difficult to do? Why are a lot of good men lacking in the romance department? Cause it's a sure way to show your love and to receive love. Of course, women can lack romantically as well, but from my experience and observations, men tend to be the ones who are more romantic illiterate. And just a note, but I hate it when my boyfriend asks me, "What do you want for Valentine's Day/your birthday/Christmas because then it's not even special anymore. If he knows me well, he should be able to think of a fabulous gift on his own. I shouldn't have to tell him what would make me deliriously happy.

Romance is important because I believe it is human nature to want to love and be loved because we are social creatures. It's nice to know and feel that someone loves and appreciates you for who you are, as cliche as that might sound. So, if you are lacking in the romance department, work on it (as I always tell my boyfriend).

So once again, have a fabulous Valentine's weekend and hopefully I'll hear a lot of romantic stories next week. ^___^

Gossamer Wings

2011-02-10T15:23:00.000-06:00

If you hold my hand,
           I'll hold yours.
If you want a song,
           I can sing you a
                       sweet, sweet melody.

                       We can walk through the field of green,
                                  where grasses grow up to our thighs.
                      We can wander through the forbidden forest,
             and be amazed by graceful beauty,
                                       and eat delectable red berries.
           We can swim in the wanton fickle sea,
                      where the lapis waves tell a tragic tale.

If you come with me,
           I'll go with you.

                         And when you hold my hand,
             I'll hold yours too.

Dreaming big and small dreams

2011-02-08T16:05:00.002-06:00

I am a dreamer, whether they may be small little things or big dreams and aspirations. And that means that sometimes, I miss out on precious moments that happen in the present. Moments that should be loved and appreciated for their sentimental value, but sometimes these moments feel a bit rushed. Before I can even indulge in the present and its treasures, I'm already thinking and planning about the future. So one of my New Year's resolutions is to enjoy the present more and stop thinking so much about the future. What is to come will come, but what treasures I miss now, I can never relive.

But planning for the future is also an inevitable part of living and planning in the present. So I really want to do something this Spring break. I've pretty much stayed home during the last three years, but I want to do something different this year. I am planning on either visiting my friend in San Francisco or going on a trip to Florida with my friends. I would have more of my friends to hang out with in Florida but San Francisco would be less expensive and I would be visiting California for the first time since I moved from Sacramento in 1998.

But either way, I should have an awesome time! Plus, I will get some rather nice weather instead of the cold Midwest winter. Does everybody know their spring break plans? ^_^

Superbowl 45 Champs!!!!

2011-02-06T22:17:00.000-06:00

President Obama, here we come! But oh my gosh, what an amazing super bowl game and thrilling ride! I almost had a heart attack during the third quarter when offense couldn't get anything going. But defense held on and won the game! And victory is so sweet!!!!

Superbowl 45 here we come!

2011-02-06T11:01:00.002-06:00

I still have so much readings to do but am nervous and excited for the Superbowl 45. It's Aaron Rodger's first time so I just don't know if he can handle the pressure. I am a Packers fan since I live in Wisconsin ^__^, but I also don't want Ben to get his third ring after his sexual assault allegation last year. That was not his first, but second assault allegation so I think there's truth to it.

But other than that, I haven't been able to get any pictures of how much snow we got since my brother jacked my camera for the past week and this upcoming week. We didn't get as much snow as some other cities, like Milwaukee, but there was still plenty of snow. Not as much snow now though since some melted away.

For all of you planning to watch the Superbowl, have fun! And root for the Packers. ^____^

La Vie de Bon Bon

2011-02-01T19:36:00.000-06:00

Watching Amelie is a guilty pleasure of mine. It's just a beautiful film filled with deep meanings and the simple pleasures of life. More than anything, I love her innocence and unassuming nature. The way she finds happiness in the little things, such as sticking her hand in a bag of seeds or cracking a creme brule, is touching and inspiring. And I think Yann Tiersen is just amazing. The pieces he did for Amelie captures the mood of the film so beautifully and eloquently. If you haven't seen the film yet, I highly recommend it. It's quite old being released in 2001, but you'll want to watch it over and over again.

On a side note, the wind is blowing a storm outside, and the university just announced that there is no school tomorrow! That means I can sleep in and catch up with my readings. ^_^

Under the Twinkling Lights

2011-01-30T19:31:00.000-06:00

It wasn't too cold yesterday so I went ice-skating with the boyfriend, my little brother, and my cousin. It was quite fun and I'm happy to say I did not fall and embarrass myself. =D I don't go skating except during winter so every year I have to relearn how to ice-skate. I guess it's not something I'll ever be adept at. I'm quite jealous when I see little 6-7 year-olds skate so professionally, but alas, I must be content since I can barely stop without using something for support.

The ice-skating rink we went to was a small one that's located in downtown Milwaukee. It's beautifully decorated during winter with twinkling lights wrapped around the trees so skating there at night is a delightful treat. Well, the small park areas located downtown are always nicely decorated during winter. If it wasn't so cold at night, I would wander along the streets and enjoy the view at night.

It's Still Winter

2011-01-28T09:51:00.000-06:00

As much as I have been lusting for Spring to unravel, it snowed yesterday. It's not too bad here in the Midwest since we probably got 1-2 inches only. The East coast sure snowed though with 17-18 inches. Wheww.

It's not that I hate snow because fresh fallen snow is strikingly tranquil and beautiful. But the matter is that I detest winter. I don't know what to wear because I get too cold too easily. What puzzles me is how some people can wear leggings during winter and stay warm because if I did, I'd probably freeze to death or get the flu for the duration of winter. So I'm literally dressed like an Eskimo to preserve warmth. I get terribly sad looking at my dresses, hanging so lonely in the closet. But, c'est la vie.

I'm off to the dentist so hopefully I don't get too traumatized by the experience. Stay warm!

A New Chapter

2011-01-27T17:57:00.005-06:00

It's been such a long time since I blogged. I just lose track of time and with school and work, I sometimes forget to even visit at all. So one of my New Year's resolution is to blog more consistently on my blog.

I am ecstatic to say that over winter break, I received the best gift ever, my very fist DSLR from my mum. It's so amazing, the speed, the image quality, and the capabilities of what it can do. I will still love film cameras, but digital photography will be much more convenient and cheaper since developing film these days are terribly expensive.

Another resolution I have this year is to sew my own dress. I spend way too much money on simple dresses that I can make myself and plus, I can make something uniquely for me. I bought the Built By Wendy book and it's very friendly for first-time beginners. However, I still don't fully understand the all the technical stuff to sewing, but part of that will be due to trial and error. I really wish there was a step-by-step photo illustration or DVD that is dedicated to showing all the steps to beginners. But alas, I haven't found that book or DVD.

Simple Seductive Melodies

2010-08-29T18:52:00.001-05:00

"Time, often it’s so strange. Maybe if it’s plated in gold, you’d like it more. When the seas and the oceans pull, feels like we were miles apart. And all these sunny days that we sleep inside, destiny is calling us home."

- Jason Glick, "Hey Now"

A Sweet Carousel

2010-08-10T11:13:00.006-05:00

Sometimes words muffle what the soul wants to say. Haunting secrets and stories that must softly uttered. One cold frozen word at a time. Like sand that seems to sift through my fingers, unable to grasp the tiny amber-hued specks. Bright lights flashing and spinning. Endless spinning. Hot red blood rushes into my head and I try to hold on. Round and round I go, faster and faster. But when the ride is over, all that I want to say is lost. All that lay in my hands are raw jagged pieces unable to fit together. Footsteps retreat, fainter with each step, and my soul closes the door.

Show Me the Roses

2010-08-02T15:49:00.003-05:00

Follow me and I'll show you where the roses lie. A secret place, a treasure hidden beneath worthless scraps, that only I know of. The pungent aroma, so heady, so sweet, so succulent. We can share secrets under the big oak tree as the clouds wave at us ever so slightly from above. You can hold my hand and I yours. Trace every line of our palms, read between every crack and crevice. The birds may cry out for us but we know we are safe. Safe. Safe among the bloody red roses in our secret garden.

Kling Summer 2010

2010-07-29T16:00:00.009-05:00

I'm pretty bummed out that I haven't been able to go to the beach because there has been an algae infestation in the water. Going to the pool isn't just quite the same as a hot evening spent frolicking in the cool lake water and building sand castles. But I guess I'll have to live vicariously at the beach through these lovely photos from Kling's Summer 2010 collection. The somewhat vintage-inspired outfits are just adorable and of course, I love the quaint beach photos the most. I think the white dresses would be my absolute favorite outfits on here just because I love white dresses. What's even more fabulous about this collection is that these outfits are not extremely pricey.

Quaint Evening at the Pier

2010-07-22T17:05:00.004-05:00

Today, it's raining quite heavily here but yesterday was a nice evening spent at the pier. Madison is right by a small lake so I love going to the pier when the sun is about to set. The view is just beautiful. It's just such a relaxing end to my day and it really clears my mind, even if I have a headache. I haven't actually gone swimming in the lake since I'm not a very good swimmer and I'm really shabby at free-floating, but other students do swim in it all the time.

I also took some pictures, but my camera doesn't do the view justice. I think it's just me since I'm not an expert yet at my vintage Yashica TL Electro X. It could also be that I had accidentally put in the 160iso instead of 400 which wouldn't be the best under semi-light conditions.

Swedish Hasbeens

2010-07-20T16:30:00.006-05:00

I really like these photos from the Swedish Hasbeens Fall 2010 Collection. I love the style, color, lighting, everything. It's just too bad I couldn't find these photos in a larger size. My favorites shoes in this collection would have to be the red boots. They just look deliciously red. =)

I've never really been one for clogs, but every time I see these Swedish Hasbeens, I like them a little more. The first time I saw them, I thought they were just plain ugly. But I'm slowing changing my mind. Maybe it's the wood platform, the low heel, and the simple design that is growing on me. I think the biggest factor may be that they look awesome with vintage outfits and the pictures above just proves it.

I really like this pair in this color. I just adore this shade of marigold yellow and it is perfect in these Hasbeens.

(refinery29 & bonjouritsjinah)

Lazy Wednesday

2010-07-14T14:35:00.003-05:00

I just got back recently from my three weeks working with PEOPLE and it has been an exhausting experience, waking up early and going to sleep late. In short, PEOPLE is a program geared at promoting underprivileged students towards achieving higher education in general, but specifically at Madison. There were about 550 students total and some of them had terrible attitudes and were incredibly rude. They were not supposed to wear inappropriate clothing (no tank tops, cleavage, or short shorts) to present themselves in a respectful manner, so most of them always complained and talked back when they were told to go change. But it was a somewhat positive experience overall. I had a lot of fun hanging out with some of the kids, whether it was eating or playing games.

So now, I'm going to take a few days off to rest and then I have to start studying and getting ready for the GRE.

Vintage Shopping

2010-05-20T19:20:00.005-05:00

Today, I decided to go vintage shopping, but with no such luck. Four stores I went to went out of business. I'm so bummed since I was really looking forward to it. There are a few more vintage stores I haven't hit yet, but I just hope those aren't closed already too.

There used to be a rather nice vintage shop on State Street, but I think they have closed down now. The last time I went there was around 4 years ago when I was a HS senior and touring Madison. I wasn't into vintage finds back then so I didn't look around the store thoroughly. But I do remember some gorgeous dresses on display though.

Test Roll Pictures

2010-05-16T20:53:00.005-05:00

Oh my goodness, I'm falling so deep in love with my Yashica TL Electro X! Man, I can't believe this amazing equipment was made in the 70s and it still works like a charm! About 1/3 of the shots were ruined since I accidentally popped the back cover open a couple of times and exposed the shots to sunlight. Some photos were rather dark since I keep forgetting to check the light meter. But overall, the photos weren't too bad since they are making me learn more and more about my camera.

By the way, developing film is so expensive. A roll of 36 exposure costs about $12 at Walgreens. :(

More photos can be viewed at my Flickr. =)

Rose Bush and Film Bust =(

2010-05-14T12:25:00.004-05:00

Yay!!! I'm finally done with finals. But now I have to clean my ridiculously messy apartment. =( But I'm back on blogging and I'm done with finals so I'm still happy.

I bought this mini rose bush at Copp's on Sunday and it's already dying. =( Well, not the entire plant, but parts of it. The plate under the plant got stuck in the shades as I was trying to pull the shades up and my plant crashed onto the carpet. In the grueling process, I killed two baby buds and the big rose is dying since the stalk is half severed. Gosh, I'm such a terrible mother. This makes me rethinking about wanting to buy more small plants for my apartment. I may just kill them too.

Some more bad news. This Yashica TL Electro X is an early birthday present from my boyfriend. When we finished shooting the first roll of film and I rewound the film, I found that my boyfriend had put the film in wrong and so the film wasn't able to rewind. Thus, the first roll was completely ruined. =( I was looking forward to seeing how the pictures turned out, but sadly that's not going to happen. I put a new roll in so I'm praying this roll turns out fine.

But I do absolutely LOVE the look of this vintage camera. I love it's design, especially the Yashica tattoo. You can't really see it in this photo, but it's at the top of the pyramid head. The only downside is that this camera is heavy. I swear you can kill someone with this thing. It is that heavy, especially if you pair it with some big lenses.

I also bought this Yashica 35 Electro GSN for myself. I popped in a roll of film already so I hope it's not a bust like the first roll on the Yashica TL was. In my 5th shot, it got stuck. Although I did manage to fix it, I hope that's not a bad sign that the entire roll is ruined. *Fingers crossed.* Comparing the handling of these two models, I think I like the TL more than the GSN though. Focusing on the GSN seem really awkward to me since the area of focus is so tiny! But I'll see how the pictures turn out to judge it entirely.

Stop Falling In Love?

2010-05-02T13:35:00.006-05:00

I think my problem is that I fall in love too easily. I see something and crazily fall in love with it. And then my love for that thing dies down and it's just all such a waste. For example, I bought some painting supplies when I saw some gorgeous watercolor paintings and sketches, but I haven't touched my painting supplies since my first attempt! Then I bought a sewing book because I really wanted to learn how to sew my own dresses, but I haven't even gotten around to reading the book yet. I'm just glad I didn't buy a sewing machine or a mannequin yet. And now, I'm falling in love with photography since I just bought a Holga and two film cameras.

I feel like sometimes I'm really impulsive when I fall in love with hobbies at first sight. I don't have all the time in the world nor the resources to do everything I would want to do, not if I really want to explore and do well in those hobbies. I also think not having instant gratification kills my love for those hobbies. My first painting turned out terrible and I just lost the passion to paint.

I think photography will be the real hobby for me since I have always loved it, from my first film camera back in middle school to my first digital point-and-shoot. And unlike painting, I've gone ups and downs with photography. Some pictures turned out horrible and were a waste while some were average, and a few were really good. As for sewing, I might still try it out since I did buy the book and I did borrow my mom's sewing machine. But I just don't know when that will be LOL.

But I think I should post a big post-it note somewhere that says to "Stop Falling In Love!!!" ;p But then again, I also feel like if I don't try something that I like then I'll also never know so........I don't really know where that leaves me. Maybe I should look at exploration as a good thing (even though it does waste money).

P.S. I think this is the longest post I have ever written LOL.

Holga Happy!

2010-04-30T11:33:00.004-05:00

My Holga arrived yesterday! I'm so excited to go and shoot something today. I know my first roll will be messed up already since it took me about 15 minutes just to load up the film. I just had a hard time locking the film into the spool. But I'm still uber excited. It definitely does feel a bit odd going back to film though, but also nice in a way.

On a side note....I wished my apartment smelled like freshly baked bread every morning. So warm and toasty.....

So much to choose from!

Everything looks so deliciously good here! I also love the vintage flour and sugar cans in the bakery.

(1. Interludio, 2 + 3 + 4: by Annika Vannerus, 5. Cannelle-vanille)

A Little Light

2010-04-28T16:58:00.002-05:00

I'm enjoying the beautiful light streaming through my windows and here are some shots.

Let's Sail Away

2010-04-26T15:29:00.004-05:00

After watching The Lovely Bones, I'm in love with these ship-in-a-bottle collections. I just love the intricacy of the ships tenderly placed in the glass bottles. Although I have never gone sailing, these collections do project the feeling of a perfect leisurely day out at sea.

(1. Gettyimages, 2. Mosaic Telecom, 3. Charles Wesley Hobbs, 4. Gettyimages, 5. Dragon Gifts)

Going Holga

2010-04-23T15:32:00.006-05:00

I decided to do it. I got my own Holga. Until yesterday, I didn't even know what a Holga was! It happened accidentally as I was browsing through UrbanOutfitters and I saw the Holga camera. I fell in love with its design so I researched about it and my oh my, it took my breath away. I love the vintage-esque look about the pictures that I can't get from a digital point-and-shoot. And although, I can get photos from a digital camera to resemble a Holga look, but it doesn't have the same texture or lighting that makes a picture truly a Holga.

I was hesitant at first since it would mean going back to film and not being able to delete the mediocre work while keeping the brilliant pieces. However, I decided to take the jump since it seems worthwhile and totally enjoyable.

When I did decide to get one, I was also debating between the Holga 120 and the Holga 135 since Holga 135 would be much cheaper in developing prints. But as I googled the image quality between between the two, it seems that Holga 135 does not have the same vintage style as the Holga 120. The image quality of the 135 looks similar to a cheap digital camera. This may have been just a fluke with those certain photos, but I decided to be safe and go with the 120 since it's the retro effect that I'm aiming for. Of course, I did order the 35mm adapter so I can have the option of shooting 35mm on my Holga 120 as well. My Holga will be coming in at the end of next week so I can't wait!!! =)

This is the model I ordered from BHphoto. I decided to order it from there and not UO, where I had originally saw it, because it was MUCH cheapter at BHphoto ($36 compared to $48 at UO) and they gave free shipping.

(Holga images from Urban Outfitters)

These are some of my favorite Holga photos from the talented Microbai.

These look like big, red, juicy berries that you just want to pop into your mouth.

I love the sky....

What a beautiful path this is, so peaceful and tranquil.

I love the blue in this photo, so light and relaxing.

Let's Dance Shall We?

2010-04-08T14:53:00.005-05:00

The weather has receded to 40 degrees (I can't believe it was just a nice 65 degrees on Monday!) and it was softly snowing this dreary morning. Well, that's Wisconsin weather - always a teaser. I guess that's good since I will be less distracted this weekend as I study for my exam on Tuesday, but it would still have been nice to see sunshine from here on out until Winter. Although the cold weather of Spring is not participating with me, I feel like dancing and twirling and dancing (especially as I'm listening to Forever - Chris Brown).

(images by Anton)

Chest Full of Treasures

2010-04-06T19:27:00.007-05:00

I think I may have found something I really want to collect - vintage suitcases. I used to collect stamps and aluminum soda caps but I lost interest and eventually gave both of them up. I just couldn't find any interesting stamps or caps to keep my enthusiasm alive so I quit. After that, I just never really found something that I really wanted to have a collection of.

But now, I think I have found my calling. Vintage suitcases are not only hip and stylish, but they can also be used as storage - a two for one for anybody. I think they would be perfect for storing my scrapbook photos and other miscellaneous items. They would also be good for storing my fabric scraps. I would love to hit a vintage shop and score one of these babies but these photos will have to do for now.

How cheerfully pink!

So many to choose from...

This one is just too cute! It's supposed to be a coin purse and a bit small for my liking, but still so lovely.

(1. Yvette Inufio, 2. Yvette Inufio, 3. Gabrielle Kai, 4. ZSita, 5. Yvette Inufio, 6. Alphanumericc)

Pretty Braids

2010-04-05T15:09:00.004-05:00

I wish my hair was not so flat and straight, but had a little more volume in it. I would love to dress it up in braids. Braids are very simple, yet so romantic. You can also get very creative with them - just look at all the styles below! In addition, they can easily transform from romantic braids during the day to loose waves at night.

I love this one. Very couture.

(1. via Suzywire, 2. via rndmrndm, 3. via misswallflower, 4. WeHeartIt, 5. WeHeartIt)

I Dream of Paris

2010-03-30T11:05:00.004-05:00

Paris seems like such a beautiful city, full of charm and romance. If I had a chance to go, one of the first things I would do is to ravish their sweets since my French teacher said their chocolates are just divine. I would also love to try French cuisine because they just look terribly delicious. I love their architecture as well, especially the ones being rustic and antique in appearance because they really define the city and gives it its romantic charm. But since I can't afford to visit Paris right now on my budget, I can only dream of being there through these lovely, lovely photos by Lis Rusby.

5 Things I Love About Spring

2010-03-29T14:40:00.009-05:00

Spring may be superseding Autumn as my favorite season. It's just such a refreshing change from the cold and dreary Winter.

5 Things I Love About Spring:

1. The floral dresses

I love dresses. I love them so much that I would probably not wear any pants unless I really had to. I'm not kidding. It takes me forever to match tops with pants and it's so easy and hassle-free with dresses since it's a full outfit. I especially love wearing floral dresses during Spring because it's so fitting with the season.

(1. The Cherry Blossom Girl, 2. Google images, 3. Beautiful Gravity, 4. WeHeartIt,)

2. Enjoying the Ride

Spring is the perfect time to enjoy a bide ride because it's warm enough to enjoy the weather, but not hot enough so you are sweating like crazy - which makes the perfect ingredients for a fabulous bike ride.

(1. WeHeartIt, 2. WeHeartIt, 3. Ginger Lily)

3. Drinking some refreshingly cold lemonade...

while relaxing on the porch

(1. WeHeartIt, 2. WeHeartIt)

4. Listening to the sound of rain drops

(1. WeHeartIt, 2. WeHeartIt)

5. Vintage-shopping!!!

Spring is such a good time to go vintage shopping as I prepare for summer since it's not too cold out. I'm always on the lookout for gorgeous vintage dresses although I haven't had much luck yet (and yes, I know I'm a bit obsessed about dresses).

(1. Liekeroomijs, 2. Flickr, 3. WeHeartIt)

Saturday Laundry

2010-03-20T16:47:00.004-05:00

I can't wait to wash my vintage finds...

1. The Lost Princess 2. Jhamidon; 3. Gingerlilytea

Breath of Freshness

2010-03-04T21:14:00.004-06:00

There's still quite a bit of snow on the ground, but I can smell Spring in the air. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping that this will be the last of winter because Spring has been long awaited. The days are getting sunnier and slightly warmer so I'll keep my fingers crossed. For now, I shall have to enjoy these lovely images.

(Photos from Leenah)

Along for the Ride

2009-12-21T00:25:00.006-06:00

I have not been here on here in a long time, so I thought I would give the blog a new look. It did take me about 5-6 hours to learn how to do a basic customization on blogger though LOL. And yay, I finally got done with my finals! =)

I'm seriously thinking about getting a bike for the summer. It would be very beneficial in getting me my exercise, saving money on gas, and decreasing CO2 into the atmosphere. When I tried with my friend's bike, I've never really liked riding on campus since I was always so slow and almost everyone passed me by. But I guess, I should get over that fact and just ride ;p.

On a note, bicycling should really be promoted more for its health and environmental benefits. A lot of the daily activities that we do, we can get around on a bicycle. Sure, it may take a while longer to get there and back, but we're also exercising so we don't have to take the time to go to the gym. People seem to exercise more when it's integrated into their lifestyles so I think bicycling will be a great way for people to be more active.

I was looking around and came upon these stylishly gorgeous bikes. I love the bright blue and crimson red bikes. They just give me a warm, vintage vibe.

Bikes are also being used somewhat more in magazines.

I just love the woven baskets on her bicycle - trendy and functional.

(images from Riding Pretty)

Fresh Friday

2009-07-24T14:44:00.003-05:00

I just adore this lovely arrangement of peonies. I just love how the bright pink peonies pop against the aqua blue mason jar. And yes, Happy Friday! =)

(It's Pretty Good)

Reminiscence of Summer

2009-07-22T22:34:00.006-05:00

My, oh my, how quickly the days are passing by these days! I can't believe August is almost here..........

Once in a while, I love to gaze at these amazing photos because for me, they capture the quintessence of summer. I love the fiery of the sun's glare, blasting its heat waves at you, just itching to caress you. I love gulping down tart and fresh-squeezed lemonade, so refreshing you can feel each drop tingling down your throat. But most of all, I love the scintillating sunset, woefully waving its goodbyes as the wind softly whispers its cool breath.

(1.DanielleT, 2 & 3.cannelle-vanille, 4.Deviant Art - AlexEdg, 5.Estellamestella, 6.lassekorsgaard, 7.forgot)

Delectable Delights

2009-07-16T19:22:00.005-05:00

Don't these decadent delicacies just make your mouth water? I saw these images on Sarah Kaye and just absolutely had to save them because the desserts just look so yummy. ;p I hope you don't get too much of a craving for desserts by my post. =)

I love the decoration and display of the cupcakes, from the dainty details of the flower petals to the blue-pink-green icing is just beautiful.

Those raspberries look so yummy in this photo - so plump and juicy that I can imagine them squishing in my mouth.

This is simply a breathtaking arrangement. Not to mention, the tiny bite-sized cookies look adorable.

The teapot and cup cookies are so creative and lovely.

The first and last cupcakes remind me of the Chinese embroidered umbrellas.

Ohhhhh look at the cream.......

(All images from Sarah Kaye)

Calming Rooms

2009-07-13T18:01:00.004-05:00

Wow, it's been awhile since I've been on here - almost two weeks! Anywho, it's going to be busy from here on out. I have a lot of family and friend social functions for the rest of this month and then next month I will be busy moving into my new apartment, and then school will start. I don't want to go back to school yet for I haven't even fully enjoyed my summer yet!

But for right now, I'm loving these lovely peaceful rooms. They're simple and calming - slowing down my hectic days.

I love the the plain white walls with minimal furnishings - sometimes less is really more. The room feels like it's a cloud floating in the sky.

I love the splash of floral in an otherwise all-white room. There is just such a tranquilizing peacefulness as sunlight softly streams in. I think I would definitely fall into a deep slumber sleeping in this lovely room ;p
.

This room is so lovely. I especially adore the black chandelier hanging up because it adds a stark contrast with the soft muted colors in the room. The wood-beamed ceiling are also another lovely touch - adding a small architectural elegance to the room.

I adore these white and blue pieces adorning white rooms. They simply transform a plain one into one emanating regalness and elegance.

(1. forgot, 2. forgot, 3. Jason Lucas, 4. & 5. Judith Miller)

Black Lace

2009-06-30T16:35:00.004-05:00

Right now, I am loving pieces of clothing with black lace. They just add such a romantic and seductive feel to the piece.

I just adore everything about this piece, from the neckline to the embroidered black sequins. It's just simply divine.

(1. Spicyforum, I don't remember the rest of the photos)

French Elegance

2009-06-23T15:07:00.006-05:00

I'm really loving vintage clocks and trunks. They just add a simple touch of Frenchness into a room.

These vintage clocks would look fabulous displayed up on a mantel, whether by themselves or with a cluster of vintage clocks collection.

This lovely romantic clock below can be found at lauraashley.com

I love everything about this vintage clock, from the faded and old look, the chipped cream and gray paint, the soft pink roses gracing the center, the French words, and the Greek numbers. I just simply adore this vintage piece.

I adore suitcases and trunks because they are such a lovely display and can house as a storage spot as well. Isn't this flower painted suitcase just adorable?

(I forgot where I found this image.)

And big trunks like the ones below can be used creatively as a sturdy coffee table.

(Find these lovely trunks at Great Room Decor.)

(I think I found this at one of my reading bloglist. I can't quite remember.)

Ink-pen Drawings

2009-06-18T18:01:00.003-05:00

These are my first attempts at ink-pen drawings; they aren't the best, but they turned out relatively okay. I got really inspired after seeing some fabulous ink drawings on Google so I tried my own. Ink pen drawings are a bit tricky though since I can't erase them. On these two drawings I just started right off with a pen so maybe that's why there were a lot of mistakes on them. I think they would have turned out better if I started a rough sketch with a pencil first - but then that ruins the spontaneity though.

This was the first one, and I messed it really bad on her eyes. They aren't symmetrical with each other in that perspective, with one being way bigger than the other and my alignment of them is off. I think I should start with the left eye just because it's easier for me to coordinate accordingly using the right on (from my eye perspective).

This one was a bit better although I did mess up on the mouth a bit. It was supposed to be from a self-portrait but I don't think I was highly successful LOL.

Empty Frames Decor

2009-06-15T14:09:00.003-05:00

Empty frames are a lovely decor embellishment, don't you think? They are so simple yet also alluring with a hint of elegance. What I really love about empty frames though is that they aren't costly decor since you can find some lovely ones at your local goodwill for a small price. I adore chiseled amber wood frames the most because they are so versatile with any color and texture against a white wall.

Publish Post

Falling In Love With Flea-Market Style

2009-06-12T15:33:00.005-05:00

Flea-market style decor is fabulous. I love how the decors are not perfectly matched but they implement each other through their color, style, and texture. What flea-market style says to me is that a room doesn't need to be adorned with expensive and perfectly matched items to have grace and style. You can decorate with anything as long as you are creative and you do it with love and zest and your room will simply show that. As Sam Keen eloquently said,

"We come to love not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly."

I think that quote just fits flea-market style perfectly. Each piece is old and rusty, but so lush and rich with history that to see its grace and perfection requires a keen eye. Flea-market style is not for everyone, but I simply love it. I wish there were some flea markets near where I live because I would really love to go to one. I just adore looking at old, antique things even though I may not buy much, or if anything at all. Sometimes just looking is enough to satisfy me. =)

A Disappointing Birthday

2009-06-10T03:53:00.003-05:00

It was my birthday this past weekend, and my boyfriend did literally nothing to make it special for me. I don't expect anything grand or big from him, but he could have done something small and special like a card and flowers. It's not like I get cards and flowers every week so surprising me with them would have made me really happy. But no, he didn't do anything at all! We went to St. Paul for the weekend since his baby sister's birthday was on the day after mine, so I guess he thought that celebrating our birthdays together was making it special enough for me. But it's not! It may be selfish, but I wanted something personal from him. Is that just so much to ask for??? I was already bummed out since it was raining the whole weekend so we didn't get to go to the flea markets up there, and he didn't even do anything to make me a bit happier.

I feel like whatever I want to make me happy, I have to tell him what it is specifically. That's fine, but sometimes I just want him to know and surprise me. Why can't he try some new things and see if I like it instead of me suggesting it to him all the time because doing so just takes the romance out of everything.

No one is perfect, and being romantic is one of his shortcomings. But why can't he at least try to be romantic on my birthday????

Gosh, I am so very disappointed in him.

Vintage Keys

2009-06-09T16:33:00.004-05:00

I'm lovin' vintage keys right now. They would just look so lovely on silver chains as necklaces because they're simple, yet also elegant and lovely. I have two key necklaces, but I would love to collect vintage keys and display them in a collection.

(Pictures from flickr & google)

IKEA

2009-06-08T19:28:00.004-05:00

Oh, how I wish I was living in the UK right now. It seems like my favorite designers are located over there, like Cath Kidston and IKEA. I just love IKEA furniture for their simplicity and moderate pricing.

The Ektorp 3-seat sofa sells for £263.28. But in the U.S. which takes into account shipping charges and the difference in currency, the sofa price rises up to $400, which is still a relatively moderate price for a sofa. This sofa would look great in my living room, but sadly, I can't afford it on my budget right now being only a poor student.

I also love the Liatorp bookcase. It's a lovely mixture of country and modern.

A Beautiful Dream

2009-06-06T03:10:00.005-05:00

These lovely works of art by Shana Rae are like visions in a dream. They are simple, soft, and thoroughly captivating. This lovely woman has so many beautiful prints that I wanted to buy them all for my home, but sadly, I don't think she offers them in prints. Maybe it's a good think she doesn't since I'll probably be broke buying all her prints ;p. They are just lovely, lovely, lovely.

Edit: She does have prints available! Her website is called Flora Bella. =)

(Pictures taken from flickr.com)

My Dream Kitchen

2009-06-04T19:49:00.006-05:00

I love kitchens that have both style and function because a kitchen is one of the few places that brings a family together. Almost all families eat together in which thoughts, laughter, and sometimes disagreement are professed between them. The kitchen really is the one place where you most often see everyone - a lively place of cooking and laughter - so it should perform for the family occupying it. A family should create a kitchen to fit their style and needs. And this is what my future dream kitchen would look like.

I would have beautiful wood counter tops and white open-cabinets. Not to mention, I would love to collect white dinnerware as well.

The moldings would be this lovely.

Stainless Steel appliances are a must...

Floors and a table this lovely and elegant.

There will be plentiful of flowers....

An old, rusty wooden sign would hang somewhere....

And last but not least.....I must have a lovely blackboard for quick messages.

Inspiring Fashion: Kate Towers

2009-06-03T17:44:00.004-05:00

Kate Towers has designed such simple lovely dresses! I love how she mixes a romantic elegance with classic modern lines in her designs. I love all her designs and photos - conveying a story behind each design. I had such a hard time choosing which designs to show because I just love them all. But in the end, I came down to these few dresses. If you want to see more of her work visit her site here.

Vintage Poster Prints

2009-06-03T04:04:00.004-05:00

I think it was a really bad idea buying buying a chunky chocolate chip cookie from Insomnia because now I really have insomnia and can't go to sleep. How terribly ironic. So hopefully, blogging will make me sleepy soon enough.

Onto the post at hand.....I was at Border's today browsing through their books and I became enraptured with vintage poster prints as I came across Lisa See's Shanghai Girls book.

I just loved the play of bright colors emanating from the book. Thus, I went online and found some amazing vintage prints of some lovely Shanghai ladies. I think these vintage prints would look fabulous against my white walls.

I really adore these two prints together and how they contrast each other so well. I am not a fan or orange at all, but I am seriously digging the red-orange of her kimono against the mustard backdrop.

These are also some other vintage prints that I would love to frame on my walls. I just love how the bold play of the yellow, red, and black colors.

Plates Infatuation

2009-06-02T20:21:00.005-05:00

I am currently infatuated with collecting dinnerware. I just adore seeing pictures of kitchens with stacks of plates, hearty bowls, dainty cups, and mugs filling up the cabinets. It reminds me so much of my childhood kitchen and brings back so many warm and loving memories. In addition to being lovely eye candy, a dinnerware collection is also very usable! =)

I absolutely adore white dinnerware because they exude class and elegance, no matter their style.

But these flea market dinnerware collectibles are also so lovely. The fact that they are mismatched leads each different element to show off the other element, creating a very nice contrast overall.

Snapshots of the Allen Centennial Gardens

2009-06-01T16:40:00.008-05:00

Here are some pictures of the Allen Centennial Gardens in Madison, WI. It's located in the UW campus - also a great campus, and I'm not biased ;p. The garden is small but really beautiful with a variety of plants and flowers. Numerous small weddings have also taken place there. If you ever get a chance to be in Madison, go visit it. Of course, Madison is a beautiful city and there are plenty of other lovely spots to see, but this is a beautiful spot if you happen to be on campus. =)

Music for the Soul: Yiruma

2009-05-30T12:02:00.006-05:00

Yiruma is such a fabulous and amazing piano player! His compositions are so beautiful and heart-wrenching. I've never heard anyone else compose such beautiful piano music like him. I do wonder where he finds his inspiration though. He has a website, but it's in Korean so I don't understand anything on there.

If you are a piano music fan, I urge you to listen to him if you haven't already. You won't be sorry you did. He really is simply amazing. My two top favorite pieces from him are Kiss The Rain and River Flows In You.

I just couldn't resist putting up these lovely images from Yiruma's Kiss The Rain album. These images implement his music so well being delicate and whimsical.

I have provided River Flows In You below for your hearing pleasure. Enjoy!

Get this widget

Track details

eSnips Social DNA

Decor Do's & Don'ts

2009-05-29T19:34:00.004-05:00

Since I am planning to decorate my apartment, I have made a list of do's and don'ts to guide me and help make decorating easier. I haven't done much into my project but buy the fabric for my accent pillows. I've somewhat gotten the hang of sewing so hopefully when I do actually sew my pillows, they won't turn out to be a total disaster.

Well, here goes my list for now....

5 Decor Rule of Thumbs

1. Don't try to buy everything at once. Doing so won't benefit you because the pieces you buy will not be for your home but are just to complete a project.

2. When buying anything, make sure you love it first before buying it because if you don't love it, you will never use it.

3. Be adventurous and creative! Don't match everything to be safe because most of the times, safe is really boring.

4. Don't shy away from contrast. Include something light, something dark, something boring, or something exotic - your boundaries are limitless! Doing so will not only add different textures but a variety of elements into your home.

5. Don't overplan and clutter your home. Space is just as important as furnishings and decor because it creates a calming illusion, allowing you to breathe and move. Remember that sometimes, less if often more.

I have to say that I am really guilty of #2. I tend to buy a lot of things that I just partially like and then I wind up never using them and wasting my money. I tend to think that because I like it somewhat, I'll like it more later on - which is not true! So I'll have to be very careful of #2 when shopping LOL.

Must Have Vases!

2009-05-28T19:29:00.005-05:00

These blue and white print vases are a lovely addition to any collection. They just look so regal and sophisticated. I think I might like to start my own personal collection soon =). I just love the stark contrast of the dark blue prints against the white. In addition, any kind of flower would also look pretty in these vases. I think it would be a worthy investment, wouldn't you say?

Eco-Friendly Cottage

2009-05-27T15:25:00.005-05:00

What a very lovely eco-friendly cottage home this is. I love the light and cheery colors fused with the used wood furniture. The apple-green sofa covers are so yummy! They make me crave granny smith apples dipped in pepper LOL.

What a yummy living room. I love how the pink flowers complement the green-striped sofa covers so well! This room makes me want to jump in there and sleep all day ;p.

Who doesn't adore an old collection of glass jars? I'd love to collect some! =)

Isn't that just the most adorable lamp ever?!

Seeing the Light

2009-05-26T19:42:00.013-05:00

I am going to set out to be a creative designer ;p. I'll be moving to a new apartment during the fall so I'm planning the decor for it. It will be a fantastic opportunity for me to try my hand at interior decorating. My budget will roughly be $200 so I'll have to plan carefully what I want and look around for the best price possible. Right now the rooms will all be white since I can't paint my walls and because I don't want to anyway. Color rooms are great to look at, but I would never be able to stick to a color room since I would get tired of it way too soon. I can live with white because it's so versatile, being able to work with any kind of decor. It's also a very small apartment so the planning is not going to be extensive, but I'm still really excited. When it's finished, I'll post the pictures up and hopefully my decor will be lovely.

This will be my very first time trying my hand at interior decorating so hopefully it doesn't turn out to be a total disaster. In the meantime, these rooms will be my inspiration for they are ever so breathtaking.

This is my favorite room because it looks and feels like such a warm and inviting room. It's simply love!

I just love how the the light blue, dark prints, and flowers work and complement each other so well. The old wooden table is also a very lovely touch.

I love the pristine whiteness of this room with just a hint of color. It reminds me of a languid summer day lounging at the beach.

Even though the artworks are not matched, that's perfectly fine because they add so much character and depth to the lovely sage walls.

Lovely Terrariums

2009-05-23T02:00:00.002-05:00

Oh goodness, I'm falling in love with terrariums. They're so lovely to look at; green life brimming inside of a glass vase. I have been trying to find to find some glass vases to plant to make my own terrariums, but I haven't found any great glass vases that I want to work with yet. It's a bit hard since I'm so picky about everything. Maybe I'll just construct synthetic terrariums since I don't know if I have much of a green thumb.

And just a side note....I wanted Magics to win Game 2 just because they're the underdogs, but I'll have to admit that the 3-point shot by LeBron James with one second left was amazing. I think it was 90% skill and 10% luck just because he had so little time to make sure his shot would be accurate. But still an amazing shot nonetheless.

(Sorry, I don't quite remember where I got these images from)

A Pocketful of Sunshine

2009-05-20T17:38:00.001-05:00

I am not a big fan of yellow, but it works so well in these rooms. I never thought yellow could look this gorgeous. Instead of being generic and boring, these rooms use yellow to accentuate the accents so well (if they aren't the accents themselves).

I love the yellow accents against the white bedroom; such a lovely contrast.

(Images 1 & 2 from Decor Amor, and I forgot the rest. Sorry!)

Fabulous Designer Wedding Dresses

2009-05-19T20:24:00.000-05:00

I wouldn't obtain a designer dress for a wedding simply because it's unnecessary to spend so much on a dress that you will wear one time only. Wedding are a bit overrated, in my opinion. So much emphasis is put on it being the perfect day. Everything has to go right like the hair, the flowers, the dress, and the location that the reason for marriage is somehow lost and partially loses its meaningful. A perfect wedding will not guarantee a perfect life ahead. And the dress is just a minor detail. The bigger picture is that you're marrying the one you love and cherish.

But that doesn't mean I still can't appreciate these lovely dresses. These designer wedding dresses are simply amazing because they're so breezy and intricate. Enjoy.

Smell of Spring......

2009-05-12T18:07:00.000-05:00

Today is such a beautiful day, the air smelling ever so sweet and green. Spring is my favorite season because it's so fleeting that you enjoy every moment of it. Summer and winter are too long that after awhile you take them for granted and get tired of them. But not spring for it doesn't linger. It's barely a whisper that you can feel unless you take a moment and simply revel in its pure bliss. (image from deviantart)

And who can forget about those lovely spring dresses. (images from shopruche.com)