Alqvmia

Eye contour cream


Anti-aging elixir serum

Anti-aging face cream

With the uncertainties in the economy these days, we have to skimp and save more. One area I find that I could not skimp is skin care. I have tried to use drug store brands, but the results are mediocre at best. I don't think the money saved is worth the price I have paid for something that don't work.

The place that I get my facials done uses Alqvmia products. I am very pleased with the resulting plumpness and hydrated skin after the facial. The best part is that the effects will last for days!! I am so pleased with the result, that I bought 3 products to use at home. Afterall, a full facial there is not cheap!!

I got anti-aging products for the eyes and face. I have tested them for a week now and even with the dry winds and low humidity, my skin remains moist. Plus, the lines are not that visible. I guess the best part is when you apply the cream, you feel that you are luxuriating in the smoothness of the cream and the goodness of the aroma oil and natural ingredients.

This is a second best buy after the Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv eye cream.

(photos : www.thenaturalstore.co.uk)

Flower name

I was searching the name of these flowers I bought yesterday, I didn't have a clue what they were called, only that they smelled heavenly and available all year round. I finally looked for it on facebook's growing gifts application. :p

I looked at a couple names and typed them in the search engine. After a couple of trial and errors, I found out that these lovely flowers are called snap dragon and come in shades of pink, lilac, white, yellow and other colors.

Christmas Part IV

Dayee says "AHAHAH" Merry X'mas


Dayee's Christmas honey & seeds bar treat


Dayee attacking the honey treat with gusto


Last time I went to the bird store to get Dayee's food, I got a honey treat bar for her as her Christmas present. While I was unwrapping the plastic covering in the kitchen, she was already making her unique "cooing" sound when she knew we were getting her food or her peanuts.

Just one look at it and she began attacking the bar, all the time making her "cooing" sounds to let you know how much she appreciated the treat. Well, it wasn't a small bar, but she finished it in less than 5 minutes, with 1/5 on the floor though!!

Meantime, B Chan and the cats were looking up at her to say "It's not fair!!" :D

Christmas Part III

Maman et B Chan


Santa B Chan


Santa B Chan

Same old tree at KCC

Six years ago today on Christmas eve, I brought a fur ball home. My best friend Pascale named him B Chan and he is my "one true love". I am always joking that I don't need to find a significant other, coz I have found the love of my life already, and it's true.

After dinner with the humans, which I find is a chore, I came home and took Porky to our favorite cafe downstairs. I had some wine and an onion soup. As usual, Porky got his bread gratis. B Chan is one very satisfied Porky and he is snoring heavily now. Joyeux Noel!!

Good Tidings

Christmas Tree


Christmas Wreath

Thanks to the support of good friends, I am happy to announce that Pastel b.'s X'mas collection cards are SOLD OUT.

I hope all who received the cards will be pleasantly surprised by what they get in the mail!

Happy Christmas everyone!!

Tokyo Trip

A friend has kindly invited me to go to Tokyo with her. She has a free ticket exchanged with Asia Miles. We were at her place planning our 5 days' trip.

First Day - arrive Narita at 3pm - Airport Limousine to Hotel in 新宿- Tokyu Hands, Muji, Comme ca - Yakitori - 西口迴轉壽司 -Street Food Stalls close to Takashimaya - 100Yen Store, 激安

Second Day - Rappongi 國立新美術館, Mid Town - Lunch at Kani Seryna - 新宿小田急電鉄 to 箱根温泉

Third Day - Gotemba Outlet shop till we drop - 5:35pm back to 新宿- Dinner at Takashimaya's 金半

Fourth Day - Ginza shopping - Fancl Outlet - Lunch at Kondo Tempura Restaurant - Meji Temple - 原宿, Bvlgari Cafe, Pet store, 八爪魚丸

Fifth Day - 築地魚市場 early lunch - Check Out -Flight back home

Looks pretty hectic!! Hopefully I could see Pascale and Leigh!!

(Photo of my boudoir)

Christmas Part II

These are other lovely presents I have received. The puppy magnets, kitty/puppy note pads and Yorkie mug are from my sis. The hand made swarovski crystal star pendant is from Josie, my jewlery consignment partner.

Such nice and thoughtful gifts....Thank you!!!

Christmas Part I

White Poinsettia

My Barnes and Nobles Order

Gift from my sister Beatrice

There has been a lot of waiting this Christmas. I have decided not to have a X'mas tree this year, since I am pretty sure that the cats, especially Camille, will jump on it and take the tree and all the ornamnents down in one swoop. I opted for some poinsettias. When I went to my usual flower stall down the alley in the neighborhoodsome weeks ago, all I could see were pots of red poinsettias.

I asked the lady if there will be some white ones, and she told me that she'd have to order them, so it was a 2 weeks wait. The delivery was delayed again and again, and I was afriad that I won't get it at all, or maybe it'll be past X'mas. The flower stall lady felt so bad about my white poinsettias that she gave me a teeny red poinsettia.

Another wait is that I ordered 2 books from Barnes and Nobles. I am so grateful that my aunt was in the States when I made the order, so I could have the package sent to my sis's place in San Francisco instead of international. The international shipping cost would be more expensive than the cost of the books!! I just received my prized J.K. Rowling's "The Tales of Beedle the Bard" and Obama's "Audacity of Hope" last night along with presents from my sis.

Knowing that I am an Obama fan, my sis bought 2 Obama magazines as my X'mas gift. I am told that they cost more than US$60. Thank you!! I am so happy to have all I wanted after the wait, my beautiful pot of poinsettia and books I'll cherish for years to come!! Happy Christmas everyone!!

Acquired Family

Today's entry on "A Year of Living Consciously" bears a remarkable resonance in my life. The title is "Having a Honey".


"...My family is fortunate to have had the same babysitter for almost 4 years. Two of my sons can't even remember another sitter. It's not just the long-standing nature of the relationship that's important, of cousrse "Honey", our sitter, is part of the family.

She is a child at heart and an adult in mind, the ideal combinations to make children feel happy and parents feel safe. Christopher, my eldest son, introduces her: "This is Honey. She's not just our friend. She's family." And this is the magic of Honey-she is one of those people who is so enmeshed, in all the right ways, in our lives, that she is, indeed, family. She is aquired family, the kind that I hope you also have in your circle of friends.

You are born into whatever family creates you. This is not about choice. (A sad fact) As children, you often absorb the ways of that family in ways that stay with you forever-although you do have choices about what you keep and what you discard as you get older. (Thank GOD)

But friends, friends are all about choice, about the freedom to surround yourself with the kind of people you want in your life. There is nothing artificial, nothing forced or contrived, in the best of your friensdhips: they are freely chosen, freely continued, and they make you larger that you might otherwise be. :D

Today, think about the circle of friends in your life: new friends and old familiar friends. They are woven into the fabric of your experience, knowing things about you, about the way you see the world.

Take a moment to appreciate your family of friends, they are a gift you give yourself every day.

PETA

It's the holiday season and a time of giving. Personally, it's a time to donate to a charity I truly believe in. I have been a staunch supporter of Animals Asia for years, a worthy and noble cause in saving Moon Bears from bile farms.

This year, I plan to continue to pledge money to these beloved bears and do my part in helping to end this cruelty in abusing animals for human vanity.


The famous ad "I'd rather go naked than wear FUR!"

Another worthy cause I am considering is PETA.

In the December 22th, 2008's issue of Time Magazine, the co-founder of PETA, Ingrid Newkirk, took 10 questions from readers.

Excerpts:

Is there a simple,everyday way people can help animals?

Absolutely, Give your dog or cat respect, patience, understanding and love. And if you just change to one vegetarian day a week, that's a wonderful step that will save animal lives. It means you have chosen something kind instead of something cruel.


Is PETA against the consumption of meat? Do you want us to be vegetarian?

I think if you're against cruelty and you look at what happens to farm animals in slaughterhouses and on factory farms, you have to be completely against eating meat. And we don't need animals. It's the 21st century. It's healthier for us, better for the environment and certainy kinder to be a vegetarian.

I have never worn fur in my life. A family member tried to give me a fur coat one year, and the smell of the coat is one I'll never foget, the smell of animal blood. It gave me the chills and I simply told her that I don't wear fur.

Gradually, I have turned from buying leather goods into buying canvas and fabric bags and shoes. I haven't taken red meat since I was 16, and that is 25 years now. I still take seafood and chicken, but I plan to quit that, too. I guess to some people, it's over the top or irrational. Hey, everyone can choose their own lifestyle.

The operative words that Ingrid has used in the excerpt above are kind and kinder and that means a lot to me.

Marianne Williamson

I have just finished reading "A Return to Love" by Marianne Williamson. The book mainly revolves around the principles in "A Course in Miracles" and that the main reason behind negative things happening in our lives is that we have deviated from the path of love into a path of fear.

The healing comes when we return to Love and return to God, because God is Love.

The book that I turn to when I feel down is a more recent book by Williamson. "Everyday Grace". I am particularly drawn to the concept that all of us can use "magical wands" to change our lives. Everyone is endowed with these wands.

We suffer because we have lost sight of the "magic" in every day miracles.

Everyday is a miracle, if we choose to let go and let God. :)

God has planted Angels around us to hear our prayers and protect us.

(Photos : http://www.mydreamwedding.ca/uploads/Image/Kyla/8111.jpg)

Thanksgiving

I am really thankful that I made a career change last year. As I read the daily news of people being laid off, especially in the financial sector, I am so grateful that I left my old job.

I have ongoing writing projects which I am really grateful for. I am also blessed in more ways than one because I am working in my "ideal" enivronment, in the comfort of my home, a nice working pace, no commuting, no customer service, no office politics and in the company of my kids.

Yes, I have a lot of thanksgiving to do.

Catching Up

I lost touch with a girl friend for almost 4 years and we finally managed to catch up last week, thanks to facebook. A lot has happened during the past years, and we talked non stop for 5 hours. She came to the studio for a visit and then we went for a very nice Japanese hot pot meal on a cold friday. It was really nice.

She commented that I am on better terms with my human family now, because she has seen the pics posted on facebook. Well, I told her that they were pictures tagged by others. The only albums I have posted are pics of my family - my kids, my craft and the studio.

Some things don't change and some things do. The family relationship hasn't changed, but I have changed. I am not tense and bitter now compared to before. Now that I have a life of my own, with my own extended family and my own work , I don't mind that some things stay the same. Afterall, I am used to it already.

p.s. This is a lovely mail I got from a friend.

Dear Bonnie

Talked with Josephine, and know more about what is going on around you recently.
Lady, you can't fight your family and win, nor can you wake them up. Those are the work of Jesus.
Be Happy! If you are doing what is right in the eye of Jesus, the World and anyone who does not know Him will rebuke you. You win by being happy, joyful, for this joy is not something you have (you know clearly), but this joyful life is from Jesus.
Let this life flow! Only this joyful life can touch and hose down the fire of rage within your family! Note I am not saying you can ignore everything your family member says, just cling your emotion to Jesus, who has been doing wonders all the way!
Praise the Lord! He is doing wonder in you and your family! This is your chance again, we have replayed this many times, and let's win this old game now and get on to the next level!
May His Will Be Done!

乳酪 (Cheese) and be happy!

Hauter

Reinventing Oneself

Little do men perceive what solitude is, and how far it extendeth. For a crowd is not company, and faces are but a gallery of pictures, and talk but a tinkling cymbal, where there is no love. - Francis Bacon

I firmly believe that if you want something bad enough, you would devise ways to achieve it despite all odds. I also believe that people can reinvent their own lives.

What I don't believe in are limitation beliefs. People who believe that they are victims of circumstances. People who stick to their comfort zones and old habits because of fear and insecurity. People who are stingy with love and appreciation. People who criticize.

What's worse, is to instill these limitation beliefs on little children, when they are still so curious about the wonders that life could bring.

To me, the sky is the limit, whatever your age.

She Walks In Beauty

SHE WALKS IN BEAUTY

by: George Gordon (Lord) Byron (1788-1824)

SHE walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellow'd to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impair'd the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.

And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!

Christmas Collection II

This is the second design in Pastel b.'s Christmas Collection Cards. Since I am insistent in keeping true to the spirit of using pastel colors for the cards, I had a long debate of how to design Christmas cards without resorting to using solid reds and greens.

This is a design I came up with. The silhouette of the Christmas tree is outlined in Satin Ribbon, and the tree is decorated with Pastel b.'s signature hand sewn petals, topped with a silver sequin. I think it turns out better than I thought. I have even come up with the perfect response to using the pale colors. It's a snowy Christmas. :)

Love

When you are still single and still searching... for the elusive one true love, welcome to the the realm of "Insecurity". You start to question yourself, question the person you are attracted to and ultimately, question your sanity.

A friend is mighty confused these days and the sense of insecurity has overwhelmed and obliterated all the joy one should cherish in the beginning of a relationship.

I think it's because we live in a result oriented world and often enough the process is a means to the end. We are so focused on the end result, we forget to enjoy the process. We live in the future rather than in the moment, in the flow of things.

When this friend started to ask me a lot of hypothetical "what if" questions, which I have no answer to, I said STOP. What's the worst case scenario here? The worst case is you two don't work out. The thing is, should you work yourself into a frenzy, worrying about what might or might not happen and miss out all the happiness now?

I am a firm believer in living in the moment and the process is as important, if not more important, than the result. So what if the lunch date won't turn into a permanent relationship? The least and most you can do, is enjoy the lunch with the person you like.

Order a dessert and share it. Savor the moment when you both dip your fork into it. When you miss that person, go and eat the dessert alone and feel his/her presence. When things don't work out, go and eat that dessert again in tears. Love is a bitter sweet experience, and because of that special someone, this dessert will forever be transformed and committed to your memory box with him/her.

Nobody could predict how things will pand out in the future. The most you can do is to live in the present, coz the present is a gift.

This is a bouquet of pale green sweet peas and white chrysanthemums I bought from the flower stall in our neighborhood.

Autumn Excursion

Mommy made me pose...


Again...



Maman et moi

Vanilla Milkshake

Kobe passed on a year ago and November 7th was the 1st anniversary. Time really just flew by, coz I couldn't believe he was gone that long. One of our favorite outings is going to the Peak. B chan and Kobe loved running on the grass, with ears flapping and tongues out.

We went to the Peak on the 7th. Seeing B chan run round and round the park made me miss Kobe all the more. He would have enjoyed the mild weather and the sun. Most of all, he would be rolling in the grass and then nap in the sunlight.

We even managed to catch the sunset when we went for refreshments at the Peak Lookout. I ordered a Vanilla Milkshake and a warm chocolate cake. The food was yummy and I just wished Kobe were here, coz he would have loved the vanilla ice cream.

Translation Project

This is a copy of the translation project I did in September. It was surreal to see my own words in print. I went back to check my drafts and realized that over 98% of the contents were from them.

I was whining a lot about the deadline and the amount of material while I was doing it. Well, now that it's in front of me, I am so happy I persisted with it. It's immensely rewarding.

Christmas Collection

This is the first design from Pastel b. 's Christmas Card Collection. The Christmas Wreath features Pastel b.'s signature hand sewn petals and leaves, swathed in pale pink and mauve, with a beige satin ribbon and a silver sequin, to bring some festive glitter to the jolly season!!

If Obama Loses

Ok, I am an Obama supporter, have been since the primaries when he faced Hillary. Now that it's election eve, I have received some worst case scenarios should "my man" loses the election.

Friend A - move to Mars
Friend B - we'll all die
Friend C - all owners should check quarantine requirements on Mars/Venus for respective pets

It's not funny when Obama is not President.

Waves of bad news

The news these days is depressing, with all kinds of investments tanking, savings shrinking and worst of all, lost confidence. It takes courage to see the stock prices in my portfolio. My reaction is, take a deep breath, glance at the prices, go yikes, and move on to something else. My biggest worry is if the prices have bottomed out yet and should I cut loss.

I guess I have less worries than other people. I had a drink with a girl friend last week. She is married, with a teenage daughter and a 10 year old son. Well, she is the bread winner in the family. We are old friends and have both seen each other's struggles through thick and thin. We were talking about something, and she started to cry.

She said that she has made the most money with her company the last 2 years, in all the 8 years she has been working there. Since she has a lot of expenses, her bring home salary every month is reduced to nil. She knows that she has growing kids and that's to be expected. However, when she checked her retirement account with the company, her portfolio is 50% gone.

She then said, after slaving away all these years, she can't even get a decent retirement. My mind went blank and I could not think of anything remotely comforting to say to her, like the economy will be rosy when we reach 65 or something...

As if this is not depressing enough, we got a visit from the police yesterday morning. A newborn baby was found wrapped in newspaper and plastic bags, with no clothes on, and left at a supermarket a few blocks away. The police are conducting a search to see if there are any clues and they left us with a circular describing the case and their contact number, should we have any information.

I could not comprehend how any mother could abandon a child, making it a stark contrast to my friend, who has given up hope on her own retirement, trying to provide for her kids.

What kind of world is this and what are we reduced to?

Blessed

I have been a whiner lately, complaining about deadlines and project size, etc. Since it's almost November, I decided to take out my New Year's Resolution for 2008 to see how I have done.

Ok, I made 3 columns: Things I did good in 2007, Things that need improvement in 2008, and Mission and Goals for 2008.

Things I did good in 2007

1. Quit job I hate

2. Set up a budget

3. Develop a savings habit

4. Have a financial cushion

5. Develop financial literacy

6. Enjoy a simple life

7. Conserve resources

8. Go within for power & answers

9. Be self-reliant

10. Develop confidence

11.. Adopt a Positive attitude

12. Choose to bond w/ positive people

13. Learn how to cut loss

14. Say "no" without guilt

15. Discard baggage along the way

16. Cultivate a value system that speaks for me

17. Clear Priorities

18. Clear Boundaries

19. Innate desire for a better life

20. Cleared away clutter & chaos in life

Need Improvement

1. Need a bigger nest egg

2. Do not fall into a limitations trap

3. Be more creative in living

4. Welcome abundance

5. Be grateful

Mission and Goals for 2008

1. Passive income increase exponentially to be free from rat race

2. People pay me fabulously for my talents and abilities :p

3. All source of income pouring in and opening up

4. Earn respect for my beliefs

5. Value doing what is right over doing what is easy

6. Think/say/express my values in my actions, walk my talk

7. Stop settling, stop being a victim of circumstances

8. Financial calm

9. Continue and refine all the great accomplishments in 2007

After taking stock, I can honestly say that I am truly blessed, and I have stopped whining. :)

Out of the blue

I have a tough deadline to meet in a week. I procrastinated on this project, coz I just handed one in and I really needed a breather. After a few days of taking my time, I discovered that I was very behind on my projected schedule. So, I gritted my teeth and worked on the project for 3 days straight. My head was spinning when I woke up this morning, with a migraine and a very sore wrist.

I had a missed call from my partner. I decided to have a cup of coffee before I returned the call. Am I glad I did! The first thing she said was, "Stay calm, ok? Stay calm". My first reaction was something had happened to the studio. Is it on fire? Did somebody take off with the cards and the baby clothes? My mind was running wild.

My partner then went on saying things that didn't make any sense, like " There is this album, and I saw your name....I clicked on your name and there was you....at first I didn't recognize you....., there is this job referred to me...and there is this photographer....."

She was speaking so fast and was miles ahead of me. I said, "Hold on, what's this again?" Then, she repeated this frantic speech again, and it finally dawned on me who she was referring to and what she was referring to.

Out of the blue, a person from the past has appeared. Just like that, out of the blue. This person and this particular episode is so far from my mind, that never in a million years would I relate that past to my current life.

It's funny how people say things happen for a reason. All through these years, I have found that Someone Up There has a real good sense of humor. The humor is, if you don't learn the lesson well, it'll happen again and again, albeit in various guises, till you do.

I think this is a pop up test on "Have I learned my lesson well enough to graduate this time around"? I think I passed with flying colors this time. Not only did I not mind, I don't really care about this apparition that apparated out of the blue.

Hey, Someone Up There, your choice of timing just goes to show that your humor is not lost.

Since Halloween is around the corner, I'll just say this, let the dead stay buried.
(photo by Terry Bear)

Friend or Foe?

No one can deny that Facebook is a phenomenal success. I guess the original purpose is finding long lost friends and networking. However, it has evolved so much that sometimes I wonder if it is friend or foe.

A male friend always calls me up to test his privacy settings. He doesn't want certain friends to see pictures or information of him that would "sabotage" his friendship with another group of friends.

I have tempered with the privacy button as well. Not that I have any secrets on facebook, of all places, but I certainly just want "my friends" to see my status and stuff that goes on in my life. So, my privacy setting is always "only friends".

On a particular day, I found 3 girlfriends changing their status from "in a relationship" or "it's complicated" to "single". Then came the bombardment of comments and questions from other friends about their new found status.

On another occasion, a friend has repeatedly stated that she was feeling sad/blue/disappointed in her status. Her boss's boss is so concerned about her, that he has called her boss to see if she is okay.

Well, I think that the last example is a bit like Big Brother watching. Has facebook become our foe?

B Chan's Birthday

This month is B Chan's birthday. I don't know the exact day, but when I brought him home 6 years ago on X'mas eve, he was 2 months old . So, I deduced that his birthday must be some time in October. We celebrated with his and our favorite, blueberry cheese cake from Jam's Bakery down the block.

This year, we are missing Kobe, the cheese cake is also his favorite. Kobe is very picky with his food, but this one is definitely a winner! Here are some pictures taken today, with B chan trying to stay still and not gobble the cake in fromt of him. Happy 6th!!


It's my Birthday, I just turned 6...


Huh, mommy, still can't eat yet?


I hope it's birthday every day, yummy, yummy.....

Cheese cake from Jam Bakery

New Cushion Collection

Pastel b. has expanded into wedding accessories. This is our first Collection of Ring Bearer Cushions. The cushions will come with detachable satin ribbons for tying the rings. The idea behind is that after using it as a Ring Bearer Cushion, the couple could detach the ribbons and accessorize their home, serving as a momento of their special day.

Satin Ring Bearer Cushions from

Pastel b.

Pearl White Satin Cushion with

Interweaving Pale Pink & Pearl

White Ribbons

Pearl White Satin Cushion with

Interweaving Pale Grey & Pearl

White Ribbons

The Gift of Blindness

This is the title of October 12's entry from the book " A Year of Living Consciously". The entry is about a man driving under the influence and in the aftermath of a car accident, blinded. He says it's the best thing that happened to him. The incident "awakened the compassion and consciouness in him".

The man says he has been a really selfish person before, and didn't really know what love is, coz he has "never felt it as a child or grownup". But the man says the love he has for his guide dog is "the purest form of love" coz the man and his dog are linked together in a continous circle of service and gratitude".

The quote for the day is by Helen Keller:
"I thank God for my handicaps, for through them, I have found my work, and my God."

I think that "the gift of experience" of my most painful moments, have taught me to be more humble and most importantly, not to take anything or any person for granted.

Cashmere Mafia

I was flicking between channels one night and came across an episode of Cashmere Mafia. The screen lit up with Lucy Liu. I have always liked her and I think she is kinda cool, so I ended up watching a whole episode.

It's about four long time friends, who knew other way back in business school. All four have successful careers, but not so successful love lives.

There is this scene with 3 friends finding out that one of the girls' husband is having an affair, and they were thinking if they should tell their friend or not. They decided to, and then they took out their blackberry to check which day works for all of them to be there to tell their friend. This is funny. When they arrived at their friend's house, they discovered all of them are dressed in black. Lucy quipped, "did somebody die?" The reply is, "this is New York."

The setting is in New York, and the storyline basically revolves the lives of the four girls. Reminicent of SATC? Definitely. Still, it's really about girl bonding and I believe the the importance of having great girlfriends around you through thick and thin, and sharing little jokes, laughs maybe some tears. Now I am hooked to watching the program every week to see how the story develops.

Nice Diaries

My previous job requires the usage of Palms, the only model supported by the company, to synchronize datas. Many colleagues use their Palms as appointment books and more so, as game consoles during the endless and boring meetings.

I never felt secure about battery gadgets. What if I lose all the data when the power is dead? I have a few nightmares with the 4 Palms I have gone through with 6 years on the job. For me, using pen and paper is the safest.

Every year, around this time, there will be diaries for the upcoming year beckoning you. I got my previous 2 diaries from Franc Franc and I really love them. With all diaries, they come with yearly, monthly, weekly and daily planners, but what I love best are the many nice blank pages and tear away notes which satisfy my list making habit nicely. Yes, I am addicted to writing lists.

I came across this article in Newsweek about some really nice diaries. You could find them at the "upmarket British stationer Smythson of Bond Street". This year, 4 contemporary artists have created limited editions appointment books. Since it's an artsy diary, it also includes extensive listings of upcoming exhibitions and the best art hotels and cafes. They don't come cheap though. The price tag is US$700 each, but the nice thing is that all of it will go to charity of the artists' choice.

Check out http://www.smythson.com/, you will find many other nice stuff. Great for browsing!!

(photo : http://www.smythson.com/)

New Cabinet

New Cabinet

I bought a new 7 feet tall cabinet in anticipation of the new and expanded collections of Pastel b. and Petit enjel. The cabinet has 5 shelves and 2 drawers.

The top drawer is very shallow, but it's perfect for storing Pastel b. cards, ribbons, threads and beads.

The bottom drawer is much deeper and I am using it to store Petit enjel boxes and bags for packaging the angel suits.

Now we have 2 cabinets for bigger collections of our brands. Yay!!

Bottega Veneta Desk

I came across this little article titled "Maximalist" on Newsweek. Quoting here "Meeting deadlines is just a little bit easier when you work from home on the sleek and stylish Bottega Veneta desk in leather...". Well, the price tag is US$15,070.

It is a nice desk, but I don't think that even working on this desk will make meeting deadlines any more pleasant, and just imagine the number of projects I have to take to buy this desk? As far as I am concerned the best thing is no deadlines, period.

(photo : http://www.bottegaveneta.com/)

Taking a break

I submitted 6 translations yesterday. I started on them the next day ( the day of Studio White's opening) after the client confirmed the project on Sept. 25th.

I slaved away and out of stress, opened my bottle of limited edition Black Label!! Anyway, 6 down and 14 more to go, but today I am taking a well deserved break.

I got a 7 feet tall display cabinet for the expanded collection of Pastel b. and Petit enjel. The cabinet will be delivered this afternoon (2-6). Before that, I will head out to get some more ribbons and threads, something I enjoy.

I found a seamstress in the same building of Studio White. She is a super nice lady, and we will be working with her on the new collection of Petit enjel and Pastel b., something I enjoy, too.

I guess the reason why I was so cranky is that I have been postponing the things I wanted to do and instead, stuck with slaving away with this project on topics I totally despise. The project is related to the job I left almost a year ago. As I translated the 'lofty goals and accomplishments' of these committee members, I could just feel bile in my mouth. Ok, I exaggerated, but you get the picture.

Anyway, I am dumping this project today, yes pity just for today, and heading out to do something I really enjoy, working on the happy items of Petit enjel and Pastel b.!! Yay!!

Deadlines

I have retired from "active work" for almost a year now. During this sabbatical, I have lots of time to unwind from the accumulated stress from my previous job, and do what I love best. I spent a lot of time reading, browsing in the libarary, bonding with my kids and pottering around the house. The best thing is - there is no deadline!!

All of a sudden, I am bombarded with freelance projects from all sides, and the dreaded deadlines are looming before me with the capital 'D'. Along with it is stress, stress and more stress. People don't understand why I am so stressed and ask me to take it easy, dada, dada....

What they don't understand is that I have to put my name and my company's name on each page of the project. This calls for perfection, at least a standard I could accept with conscience. I have accepted that I have a type A personality. I set very high standards with my work and this is the only reason that people entrust their projects to me.

Geez, I only hope people with mediocre standards would shut up, go on with their mediocre lives and quit criticizing. I, on the other hand, hope to expand my horizons and lead a better life. :)

Studio White II

Beaded Partition for added privacy....


View from the Makeup Section....



Makeup Section....

Another view of the Makeup section.....

Welcome sign from YY.....

Today is Studio White's grand opening. YY has made a really nice 'Welcome' sign for us and Karen has sent us a massive bouquet that smells heavenly.

The beaded partition hangs gracefully, subtly dividing Pastel b. and the Makeup Section.
Friends came over for a celebrating toast and we ordered take out from a nice restaurant. It's a cozy gathering, which was what I intended in the first place.

Thank you everyone for your well wishes. This is indeed a great start for Studio White!!