misscindee

Sea of shoes

2012-01-19T19:57:00.000-08:00

Shoes, bags, jackets, accessories...? what can you not get enough of? for me its shoes!

Wanderlust Wednesday - L.A California

2012-01-18T17:33:00.000-08:00

I love California. Ok - to be more specific, I love L.A. Particularly the weather. It's looking quite like a mirage in the desert right now since Im suffering in this cold city I live in. It's been below -30 for the past few days and I need a bit of sunshine. That's probly why I decided to post these photos.

How do you guys feel about traveling? Do you find it a treat like an occasional trip to the icecream parlor? Do you find it a necessity like fish needing water? Or is it something you find anxiety in like last minute christmas shopping? Its interesting that not many ppl share my love for travel. The first time I came across such a person I thought they were joking. But as the shock settled in I realized that not everyone is made the same way. I totally respect that bcos we all have our own ways of finding enjoyment...and shall i dare to say fulfilling?

Yes - to ME it is fulfilling. I think a lot of it has to do with how present you are in every moment. You cant help but have fresh eyes in a place you are unfamiliar with & you learn so much about yourself and gain a diff perspective to life. Its trying to bring that to everyday life that's challenging yet very worth attempting. I think one of the saddest and most common phrases I hear ppl say(including ME) when they get home from vacation is: oh - back to reality. Does our "reality" have to be so dreadful? It's kinda f*ked up if you think about it. We should always strive to live our lives fully and passionately - not only reserved for vacations. You know why? Bcos life is short.

I am very lucky to have these opportunities to travel. I never take it for granted. One thing that upsets me is when ppl don't respect of even understand where this comes from. I ran into a relative the other day and that relative managed to put me in such a bad mood. I have never met someone so critical and judgmental of me before. There were a few un-necessary and inappropriate words that came at me. I felt it came from ignorance more than anything. How can you manage be open to someone who is so CLOSED minded in their way of thinking. It's twenty twelve. Look around, things are different now. It's funny bcos growing up I used to look up to this person. Don't know why there's so much negativity surrounding them now but I guess everyone has their own battles to fight.

LA was full of one of my most favorite things - beaches. We went beach hopping and managed to hit up Laguna, New Port, Huntington Beach, Malibu, Santa Monica and Venice.

Do I have a favorite? They are all so different so its hard to say. Laguna and New Port were more quiet. It felt a bit retirement-ish but Laguna had the best paninis I've ever tasted. Malibu was closed off...I think its more of a private beach than a public one so we didnt get to see much. Venice was very interesting. So many diff types of ppl and things to see. I enjoyed it bcos it was so lively and colorful filled with artists, street preformers, vendors and shops. I remember wandering into a mystical store that sold belly dancing items. I was like - oooooh!

Here I am eyeing and drooling over some pasteries at the Famer's market. I noticed that they have a lot of bakeries and frozen yogurt stalls everywhere. Am I in heaven or what? Most favorite things: beaches, pasteries, frozen yogurt and yoga. hmmm... cali seems to be calling me.

These japanese crepes were to die for! I think we went there 3 times during our visit. Couldnt get enough. The batter was that egg batter...the one used to make those chineses honeycomb pastries. They break off into little balls if anyone knows what Im talking about. lol* but the flavors of the crepe went so well with the chicken and sweet sauce. Yummers!

Sweaty and sunkissed! oh ya!

hm, do you think I've perfected my red carpet pose?

2012-01-12T10:50:00.000-08:00

You are responsible for your own happiness. Yes - but its been quite a battle I've been having with myself lately. Even tho I have all these good things happening around me, I cant help but feel that there's a staleness surrounding my mind.

The city that I am currently residing in doesnt quite satisfy my big appetite. Of course there are many things that I am grateful for that makes it quite enjoyable to be in this city and I make sure I dont lose sight of those things. But there are days I slip. Like today where I long for more.

Build a foundation first before you fly - I agree. Like a beautiful palace needs structure and solidity before you can build upon it, so do your dreams. The trouble is, I have a tendency to become painfully restless. I blame is on my Sagittarian nature. Can you tell a bird that its an elephant? Its clearly not. Sure it can try at first but it will never find its potential when its trying to be something else. A bird is meant to fly.

Gin Cin

2012-01-07T18:14:00.001-08:00

Gin Cin wants to play! My starfruit gin mojito

Casting a spell for all things that glitter

2012-01-02T20:23:00.000-08:00

What kind of spell shall I cast for twenty twelve? 2011 had been such an amazing and magical year for me. Everything that I wished for in this year had come true. It wasn't in a POOF-genie-in-a-magic-lamp kind of way but in a quieter - sprinkle-of-some-fairy-dust kind of way. I caught myself asking - is it possible to be so in tune with the Universe? Or perhaps, the Universe is more in tune with me =) Same, same. All I know is that there is a lot more to life than what we see.

In 2011 I started developing a stronger sense of my inner self. I had to make some tough decisions, like leaving my design career to explore a different path that resonated with me more. I believe that I will pick it up again later on in the future bcos it has, and always will be one of me dearest passions. But happily, I am now in the process of getting certified as a yoga teacher. After I made this decision, everything started flowing so perfectly. I was no longer swimming upstream. All the pieces started to fall into place and I began to attract amazing things into my life. One of the things being my soul mate.

How often have you heard me talk about relationships or love on my blog? Pretty much, never. The reason is because I never really had anything to say. Not because I wasn't in any relationships but bcos literally, I had nothing to express about it. The things I choose to write about on my blog are things that I want to express to the world...that I have interest and passion in. So ya, Im telling you now that I found my soul-mate. Or actually, my soul mate found me. In "Child's pose" in the middle of our friend's house warming party. I had too much to drink. It's not the most romantic story but it is quite a funny one. Anyways, long story short - I've met my match. In more ways then one.

So what do I want from THIS year? My resolutions aren't the typical ones I tend to write every year. Like, being healthier or working out more bcos that has already become my lifestyle. Yes, there's always room for growth but this year I want to focus on cultivating my personal power. HOW?

♥ By letting go of resentment. Its a big one to tackle but it is one I want to work on. How do I become influencial if im resentful? I have parts of me that need healing. Practicing yoga has been extremely helpful. Its become more of a spiritual practice to me than a physical one. Its so mystical and interesting. The more I delve into it the more I want to know.
♥ By not giving a shiet what other ppl think. I am an emotional sponge and I tend to be quite sensitive to other ppl's energy. I want to stand in my own power & not be so easily influenced by other ppl's moods or opinions
♥ Showing myself more love and acceptance
♥ Continuing to blog because it is one of my creative outlets. It also connects me to a bigger world. It gives me a chance to get to know interesting ppl and make new friends
♥ Trusting and having more faith in myself. Confidence will always follow.

I can go on but those are the main ones. To sum it up, I want to shine brighter, love stronger and be fiercely me. Like a tigress - rawr. What are your resolutions?

OH! and one more thing - TO TRAVEL AS MUCH AS I CAN! So far for this year I have plans to go to Hawaii and Vegas. Let's add a few more destinations, shall we?

Cheers, to a new year oxo

The last dress of 2011

2012-01-02T20:13:00.000-08:00

Oh - how i LOVE electric blue.

Painting the town florescent pink tonight

2011-12-31T14:31:00.000-08:00

No big plans, just gonna see where the night takes us.
Sounds like I'm just asking for an adventure.
BE safe everyone. CU in 2012

Trapped in a beautiful skin

2011-12-29T16:17:00.001-08:00

Body con dresses are so hard to get out of. Especially when a zipper doesn't exist.

My Magical Birthday 11/11

2011-12-29T15:11:00.000-08:00

I felt creative this year so I decided to whip up some invitations.

Picked up some fancy paper from the craft store. I thought the different textures and colors combined well together. I think my fave was the gold glitter. I've been seeing it everywhere this season...starting from Miu Miu's collection.

After cutting up the paper I started to put it together by making them into little pockets. Half way through, I wonder what I got myseld into. Like when I damasked my wall. lol* But hey - when my creativity takes over it TAKES OVER!

Sparkle time! Call me a girl but I love making things pretty!

The damasked paper had a nice embossed velvet feel.

♥ The Day Of ♥

To start the day off I booked a private session with one of my favorite yoga teachers so me and my friends can play

Me and my sister

hmmm what should I wear for dinner?

I did some last minute shopping and found 2 runners up...

I chose this one ♥ Its from Urban Outfitters

We had dinner at Mango Shiva. Its a trendy Indian Restaurant on 8th Ave. My Indian Themed birthday wasn't intentional, It just worked out that way =)

2011-12-29T13:53:00.001-08:00

meow meow. happy holidays! I hope you all had a great Christmas. I feel a lot more refreshed now that I have had some time to myself. Just want to say thanks for the supportive comments and emails that I received over my last post. And I am also thankful for my special man for helping me remember what I loved about blogging.

My blog has always been a reflection of my passions and interests. Instead of focusing so much on what I think other ppl want to see from my blog Im just going to go back to posting spontaneously and expressively until I can figure out which direction to take it. So if you'd like to come along for the ride - GREAT!

2011-11-16T22:41:00.000-08:00

It would be such a shame to call it quits now but im just not feeling it.
need some time to contemplate on if i want to resume this blogging journey.
almost feels like a chapter wants to close but im swimming upstream to keep it open.
my energy wants to be directed elsewhere.

I want to make decisions that are life enhancing but lately blogging doesnt feel that way. so much effort goes into my posts and lately i question if its worth it. I have lots to share but I feel stuck in this space. Am I outgrowing my blog?

Perhaps this is only an impulse. Perhaps it is not.

Either way, Im going down that rabbit hole so catch me if you can.

Toodles for now.

Transforming your body with Agni (Fire) & review on fat burners

2011-11-07T13:00:00.000-08:00

Today we are going to talk about agni (digestive fire) which governs your metabolism and how to use it to help your body burn excess fat. A little disclaimer tho - that these are tips and tricks that work well for ME. Each body is different and complex so something that works for me might not be healthy for you. Pls listen to your body's intuition when taking any kind of advice.

What is agni? Agni is the Sanskrit word for fire & in Ayurveda it is responsible for breaking down food as well as absorbing nutrients into your body. The stronger your digestive fire, the stronger your digestive capacity. And this is always a good thing bcos when the fire is weak, you'll start to accumulate toxins and also unwanted fat. By increasing and strengthing your agni you can burn these things away and create more ojas(vigor).

Also, when energy & heat are created in your body, it will help raise your metabolism. And im sure you know what that means. lol* Metabolism is essential to weight loss.

On a deeper level, Agni creates that vital spark of life and brings energy into what you do. It goes with the words passion and enthusiasm. Can you achieve much without those qualities? Perhaps. But you wouldnt get very far.

So here are some of the things I do to create more energy and heat. Pls note tho, that if you already have a fiery constituion, some of my recommendation could cause an imbalance. It could show up as heart burn, indigestion, irritablity, anger....so remember to always check in with yourself. It would be good starting point to familiarize yourself with the doshas(vata, pitta, kapha) & figure out which type is more dominant.

♥ Drink warm-hot ginger water first thing in the morning. I dont always drink it with ginger. But it adds a bit more to the interal heating if you need it. And having a slice ginger before meals assists with digestion.

♥ Agni is highest during noon so it makes sense for lunch to be your biggest meal of the day -not breakfast, not dinner but at lunch. I try to add spice or chilli flakes to my lunch to give it an extra boost as well.

♥ This might sound crazy but I drink hot water when I workout. It makes me sweat more.

♥ I used to take energy/fat burners when I first started working out. It not a very healthy thing to do but I used it to help get me to the gym and help me keep going to the gym. On occasion I still take one if Im being a lazy & i need a kick in the butt. This is my last last resort tho. Its counter-productive since my motives have shifted to becoming more health conscious rather than solely focused on weight loss.

{Hydroxycut}: This is the first fat burner I tried. It had ephedra in it. tsk tsk. I didnt like it cos it made me feel so anxious and sketchy. For some reason if I took it consecutively each day a weird cough would start to develop. I thought it was just in my head but after a few times of testing it, my theories were correct. I have no idea why it did that but i stopped taking it right after

{abs+}: useless. i didnt keep taking these at all. no effect. na-da.

{Heat}: Im sad they stopped making this bcos this was my favorite. It really got me jumping up to go to the gym and it didnt give me the jittery feeling that Hydroxycut gave me. I had so much natural energy. I felt it in my body not in my head. If that makes sense. I felt so positive. I sweated a lot and I think I sound like I may have been addicted to it. I guess it was a good thing they stopped making it. Looking back I think I depended on it bcos when I ran out it took me a while to get back into the swing of being so insanely motivated to exercise. So the lesson is: dont depend on these things or get too attached to any of the tips Im sharing. Use them as tools to help you but remember that your health is always number one.

{Lipo 6}: The guy at the store recommended this to me after he told me they stopped making Heat. I didnt like this at first bcos it gave me a weird head buzz. But I continued anyway. I eventually started liking it halfway thru. Helped heat up my body and i sweat more while I worked out but as for energy I didnt feel any different.

{Ripped freak}: hmm. I dont know yet. I've only taken it 4 times. I think its bcos I dont have the desire to take fat burners anymore. This one gets in my head too and I dont like it.

♥ I fell into buying this body heating lotion. Its popular in Asia and it claims to heat up your body to help you slim down, but I've only used it once so I dont know how effective it is. I didnt enjoy using it at all bcos it makes your body feel sticky and dirty. Kinda like you've been rolling around in honey. I think I'll try it again in the shower but its kinda besides the point since its only gonna wash off. it doesnt even have a nice consistency to go on smoothly and evenly.
~~I think I'll give this product a second try. I'll let you know how it goes. I got it in Aberdeen Mall in Richmond BC if you guys are interested. Let me tell you tho that it cost me $40 something.~~ EDIT: dont buy it. Save your money. Tried it again and the only thing i like about it is that it smells like cinnamon.

♥ Tea. Drink tea! Chai tea is good. It usually has cardamom in it which is good for weight and fat loss. It improves your metabolism. Green tea is always good too. It aides in the digestion of fat and I drink oolong if i have cravings. It helps surpress them. Especially if Im grabbing for that cookie before dinner.

♥ Hot yoga! This should have been at the very top of my list. lol* But I guess I left the best for last. Where can I even begin to list the benefits of hot yoga. Asana practice has tons of benefits on its own so imagine what the bonus of doing it in a hot room would be.

♥ Practice Pranayama. Its one of the 8 limbs of Ashtanga. Yoga is not complete without these parts. When we hear yoga, us westerners think of it as the physical poses. But the physical poses (asanas) are only one part of it. The practice of yoga covers all these aspects: Yamas, Niyamas, Asana, Pranayama, Prathayara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi. I'll write a post about this on a later date but right now we are going to focus on Pranayama.

♥ Pranayama is the practice of breath control. Its a natural way to create heat inside your body. I try to do this right when I wake up in the morning. It gets my metabolism going & on cold frosty mornings it warms me up. The 2 main types of pranayama that I do most often are: Ujjayi(ocean breath) and Nadi Suddhi(alternate nostril breathing). I find right nostril breathing helps when you are feeling lethargic and lacking in energy and alternate nostril breathing helps balance the left and right sides of your body

♥ For added effectiveness I engage Ujjayi breath while Im doing my asana(physical aspect of yoga) practice. It helps your energy flow to different parts of your body - in the dark little corners where fat hides. I've noticed my muscles are a lot more toned from doing this. If you don't know where to start, try a few Ashtanga yoga classes. You'll learn how to align your breath with each pose.
Here's a youtube video to get you started:
*David Swanson. Go to time: 00:30 This is where he starts talking about breath

2011-10-31T22:53:00.001-07:00

Happy Halloween. Here is my creation.
We stayed in tonight and carved pumpkins.
Our plan was to hand out candy but only one group of kids showed. How sad is that? lol*
What did you do for Halloween this year? I'd love to see your costumes.
Comment with a link =)

╔══╗
╚╗╔╝
╔╝(¯`v´¯)
╚══`. unicorns

Flavored mojitos

2011-10-31T10:43:00.001-07:00

Mango and grapefruit flavored mojitos are so refreshing
I am desperately holding on to summer memories.
I have tropical blood. I don't do well in the cold

A little sparkle here, a little sparkle there

2011-10-14T12:55:00.001-07:00

I want to go over a few new things that I added to my blog just recently and maybe not so recently

♥ Related posts: I want to make my older posts more accessible esp to new visitors so I added the related posts at the bottom of each entry. Easier to navigate and prevents entries from being buried
♥ This goes hand in hand with the Labels I added to my right side column. Same concept but in word form. Here's a baby description of each.

-Beauty: posts on makeup, hair, skin care
-Cindee: personal thoughts, a lil about me, tags
-Creativity: art, projects, creative ppl, artists, ideas
-Daydreaming: my thoughts, inspirational photos
-DIY: do it yourself projects
-Fashion: designs I've created, style tips, fashion elements & design
-Fitness: weight loss, workout tips, gym music, motivation
-Health: posts on living a healthy lifestyle, nutrition
-How to: a mini guide to life
-Links: features links i've collected, loved and want to share
-Outfits: my outfit posts
-Personal Growth: articles regarding personal growth
-Quotes: just like it says. quotes =)
-Spirituality: ideas on how to connect with ur inner essence, holistic systems, authentic living
-Wanderlust: Anything & everything to do with exploring & traveling the world
-Yoga: my insights on yoga, philosophy, practice tips

♥ I have also included a menu underneath my banner. Home, Once Upon A Time, Cindee-rella & Contact Me. Its pretty much an introduction to who I am and what my blog is all about. I plan to add more to this menu later on
♥ Facebook like: I always have fun "liking" things that are posted on FB so I decided to add it to my entries as well. They are at the very bottom of each post
♥ Share: Share posts on ur twitter, FB...etc. Sharing is caring right? hehe. Who remembers the Care Bears?
♥ Made in Calgary/ Made in Vancouver: I have been collecting a list of local bloggers that I enjoy visiting. Some of them are friends and some I have been developing a friendship with. I love it bcos it makes us all more connected.
♥ Links: On my other list of links on the right side column I have collected links that I absolutely adore and think my readers would love too! If your blog/website should be on this list I would be delighted to exchange links with you.

White Blackberry Bold 9700 for sale

2011-10-14T12:36:00.000-07:00

SOLD

This was my cute white blackberry with Hello Kitty posing as the Statue of Liberty. Goes so well with the white. Unfortunately it stopped working so I sent it in to get it replaced. In the process of waiting for my new blackberry I impulsively went and bought an iPhone instead. At first i was a lil iffy about it bcos I was addicted to bbm. But now that I have an iPhone I wont ever switch back to berry.
Anyways...long story short. After a week my new berry arrived. Its been un touched...still in its case with the plastic sticker still stuck to the screen(i like to test myself & see how long I can keep my fingers from peeling it off). So if anyone is interested pls contact me.
♥ Model: Blackberry Bold 9700
♥ Color: White
♥ Includes: charger, white case, battery & SD card
♥ Provider: Rogers but you can get it unlocked
♥ Price: $250

Gobble gobble. How to eat turkey

2011-10-10T08:26:00.000-07:00

Its thanksgiving in Canada today. So Happy Turkey day!

I had such a huge dinner with my family last night and another one today *rubs her tummy* I think I can do it. I always look forward to these dinners. I just have to learn how to moderate my food intake bcos I can be such a glutton and that's not really what its about. Thanksgiving is about appreciating what we have in our lives and feeling gratitude towards the ppl that have become a part of it. I lose sight of these things from time to time when I live inside my head and forget to live in the present moment.

So this thanksgiving, when you eat your turkey, eat the drumstick first hehe and become mindful of the abundance we have in our lives.

Cake artist

2011-09-28T20:49:00.000-07:00

One of the things that really excites me is when i meet very talented ppl. You can tell that the things they create and express are coming from their heart. So today I'd love to share with you a piece of sweetness that I think you'd very much enjoy as well.

When I say a piece of sweetness I meant it literally. This girl creates such delightful looking cakes and desserts that are as appealing to the eyes as they are appetizing to the tummy. But then, I always have a hard time eating things that look too lovely =P

See for yourself.

♥ Tell us a little about yourself, what is it that you do?
My name is Jeanie Lam, and I recently graduated from SAIT's Baking and
Pastry Arts Program. I specialize in wedding cakes and special occasion cakes (ex.
Baby Shower cakes, Birthday cakes, etc..).

♥ Where are you from & how did you get into this industry?
I was born and raised here in Calgary, Alberta.
I've always enjoyed baking and making pastries. Growing up, watching my
grandpa make moon cakes every year with different designs and different fillings
and the little 3D piglets. He was inspiring.
I also loved watching all the different challenges they would have on the
Food Network and awed at all the competitors. I wanted to be like the competitors
on those show, or even like Buddy from Cake Boss. They're so inspiring and creative.
My friends would always tell me to go to SAIT and take the baking and pastry arts
program, since I baked all the time for farewell parties or birthday parties. So I
applied, went thorugh the course interview and got in. Survived two years of studies
and hands-on work and now here I am just steps away from fulfilling my dream.

♥ What did you deam of becoming when you were a little girl?
Growing up I always wanted to become a pediatrician. I never even considered
becoming a baker or a pastry chef. Now when I think back to it all, I'm not even
sure why I had that desire dream of becoming a pediatrician. In junior high I had
that dream and even wrote that in the year book and on a piece of paper that went
into our time capsule. I guess we don't know what we really want to be until we
really grow up and think about what we really want to do with the rest of our lives.

♥ What inspires you when you are creating a piece of work?
When I receive a cake order, I ask the client who it's for and if they can tell me a
little bit about the person it's for. Whether they have a cake in mind or a picture
they would like to use as their template and we go from there. I give the client my
ideas and suggestions and draw up a cake with both of out ideas. I always try to
spice up the cake with my own designs and combine that with the persons characteristics
and personality.

♥ What services do you provide (custom, from catalog...etc)?
Most of the cakes that I've created are custom. Some of the others
are templates from catalogs with my own little twist.

♥ Use three words to describe your creations?
classy, moderate, and creative

♥ So if we are interested in ordering from you, how do we go about?
E-mail right now is the best way to contact me.
jeanie.lam@hotmail.com
send me an e-mail, with details about the order and when you
need the cake or desserts. Preferably two weeks before the event,
that will give both of us time to discuss the details of the cake.

Wanderlust Wednesday - Langkawi Lagoon, Malaysia

2011-09-21T21:12:00.000-07:00

Run away with me!

I've decided to start a Wanderlust theme on Wednesdays. Since traveling and exploring are my most favorite thing, I want to share my discoveries & experiences with you. It delights me to capture memories onto film and it would feel wrong and rather unsatisfying if these photos go unseen. So pls enjoy.

First on my list is a resort called Langkawi Lagoon Resort that we stayed at. On their web site it says that it is a "5 star jewl of Langkawi, Malaysia". Langkawi is a cluster of 99 islands in the NW side of Malaysia & as we would find out soon enough, that it is a place of secrets and legends. As a birthday gift me and my darling sister decided to bring our papa here for his birthday.

When we first arrived at the resort we were greeted with these tropical drinks. It was perfectly refreshing considering how hot and humid it was that day. What are some of your favorite summer-time drinks? I still love my mojitos. Gin gin gin...cin. wait. Mojitos have rum. Not gin....

The rooms were traditional, clean and quite roomy. I thought it was rather cute how they incorporated a bit of modern into their decor, yet still remained true to the culture. Going somewhere exotic wouldnt be the same if the places you stayed at looked like a Hilton. Take me away....I laid on the bed so I could enjoy the air-con but only for a moment. There was something else I wanted to enjoy more. To the beach we go!

The Sea Villas are not attached to the main resort. These suites are what I call honey moon suites. They seem romantically alluring as they stand in these stunning, vibrant waters. Everytime I go somewhere so beautiful I always want my ~~imaginary~~ soul mate to come with me. Now its more than imaginary ♥

As we walked along the path we noticed on the outside of a suite were a fragrant arrangement of flowers. Taking a look closer, it was an entrance to Embunspa. Shall we walk thru the door that leads to bliss? Unfortunately we didnt get a chance to try any of the many services they offer. Perhaps next time? When I come back for my honeymoon? hehe. Asia is definitely one of the best places to go for massages.

She sells seashells by the seashore. She sells seashells by the seashore.

One of my simple pleasures is collecting seashells. Its interesting what kind of treasures you come across. I would like to stumble upon a seacomb adorned with pearls. that's what mermaids use.

This place is so photogenic. Wouldnt you agree? I didnt have to change the settings on my camera or position myself to get good lighting. It was just perfectly and naturally ready for its close up. These photos are obviously photoshopped for my own amusement but the originals didnt need to be retouched at all.

This resort was definitely a jewl and very pleasing to all my senses. Everything is so peaceful during the day and also at night. You can hear the stars twinkle as the waves gently arrive at shore....the slight breeze makes the leaves of the palm trees dance - expressing itself thru them. Stars, waves, breeze and leaves gather nightly to tell stories of the legends of this Island.

Gym Bunnie

2011-07-18T08:27:00.000-07:00

I am a gym bunnie. I can't imagine what my life would be like not to be active, workout and practice yoga. I have gone some days without and it already makes me feel like a lethargic couch potato. My motive for hitting the gym used to be to shed some pounds but over the years it has become a different kind of animal. I notice the shape of my body has changed and I feel that my life force (prana, chi...) is more dynamic. I feel stronger not just physically but mentally as well. Before I would have to force myself to show up at the gym but now its become something i want to do and love to do. Passion or obsession? lol*

I like finding ways to creatively motivate myself when I have days that are a little lacking but I've also learned when to back off and rest. There's a difference between laziness and exhaustion but its a very fine line.

Challenge yourself and try to be more active. When you take big bites its hard to digest so start off with small bites and savor the flavors that come with it. Make sure your intention(this will be different for everyone) is set and just have fun.

Read one of my previous posts to get started:
Building the right foundation

Journal Scribbling

2011-06-30T08:23:00.000-07:00

I found this piece I wrote in 2005 & I wanted to share it with you guys:

Dec 09 2005

" i*ve often struggled with my own sense of identity. who am i in this big world & where do i fit in? My appearence has changed & will continue to. Each day I experience moods, emotions & inner states that sometimes are so contrasting that I seem to be different ppl with each different circumstance that i come across. All these external changes can effect me inwardly just as inner change can alter you externally. But is there something that always remains the same? how do we know who we are?

well...i believe in a soul.I guess its not really who u are as an individual but how we experience IT (or God, to some) in us. We are all connected bcos we all share that essence inside. We CAN define ourselves as individuals but that doesnt explain who we really are esp since so much can change within & outside of us. Ultimately, who i am is who you are, who you are is who i am.

We are really not as seperate as we make ourselves to be bcos when you really touch on that essence inside it activates something we cant define. We start connecting with each other instead of setting ourselves apart...we see the innocence in others that we also recognize in ourselves. Sometimes we are brought to tears when someone has done something out of the kindness of their heart for us bcos their soul literally touched ours.

We always look up when we pray to God...thinking that he is somewhere up there or outside of us but what we dont realize is that God is IN us & when he speaks he speaks thru us from inside ur heart or in the actions & words of another person. If only we stop and take time to listen we would see lil signs that there is more than meets the eye. And if we paid more attention to ourselves inwardly, we can begin to open our eyes and that makes a world of a difference."

The art of Bento Box

2011-06-23T16:04:00.000-07:00

When you create, you share yourself with others

When I saw the shape of these loaves of bread, it got my creative juices flowing. I remember seeing some images floating around on the internet before of cute little bento boxes and pulled some inspiration from there.

This is what I came up with up...

This was my first time making it so I still have room for improvement. Its so fun to make esp when you are creating it for someone else. I made this for my sister and her hubby when they were going on a road trip to Fernie. They were delightfully surprised =)

So what is Bento Box art anyways?
In Japan, it is a trend for making cute lunch boxes for children. This form of art is also called "charaben" which means character bento. Instead of the plain paper bag or ziplog container that comes to mind when you think of a packed lunch, ur lunch is packed in bento boxes which contain different compartments for you to place your food. There are different techniques and even kitchen tools you can buy specifically for this. There's even molds to make your eggs heart shaped, star shaped...u name it(you can buy it on . I love japanese pop culture. They always have a way of making everything so cute and pretty.

How can you make your own?

You can start off with whatever containers you have at home. If you wanna dive in right away & invest in some bento boxes, there are so many cute ones you can buy online. Or if you have a DAISO (japanese $2 store. LOVE IT!!!) near you, u can search for one there. They also sell cute toothpicks, chopsticks, napkins....etc.

Some other things you'll need would be cookie cutters so you can cut shapes out of things like bread, cheese, veggies, fruits. Circle or face shaped hole punchers to make the eyes and faces out of Nori seaweed or you can just be like me and use sissors to do it. It takes too much time tho and as u can see in my photo, its not quite even. heh heh

Think of a theme or an idea you want to tie ur box around. "Under the sea", a heart theme, an animal...? Search the internet for examples. There are tons of photos out there. It usually containts 3 parts carbs, 1 part protein & 2 parts fruits, veggies and sometimes a small treat so keep that in mind when building your box.

When its time to pack ur boxes, make sure to fill it completely and tightly so everything will stay where it belongs. You dont want any room for your food to shift around after you close the lid.

So there you have it. I hope someday I can open up my lunch box and be surprised by a cute arrangement staring back at me °(• ᴥ •)° I would gobble it all up in a few seconds....of course after admiring it and take a few photos of it first. You know how asians are. We take pictures of everything - especially of food.

Unicorn love

2011-05-18T19:30:00.000-07:00

Everyone that knows me, knows I have a love for unicorns. I am a dreamer, I believe in magic and I believe that every story that begins with Once Upon a Time always ends with Happily Ever After. " The greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those that don't believe in magic will never find it. "

Is it possible to be so intune with the Universe?
The more I live in the present moment, the more my sense of awareness is hightened.

What I know for sure....

...that there will always be Mondays, no matter how hard u wish for it not to arrive
...that you fall in love when you least expect it
...that calgary will never have more than 3 months of summer weather
...that i am a free spirit
...that animals and the planet have a lot to teach us
...that angels and unicorns exist
...that ur girlfriends are your best allies
...that everything in ur world is created by ur thoughts
...that you write ur own fairytale. Thought by thought, choice by choice
...that I am enthusiastic at best, unpredictable at worst
...that imagination is a powerful thing
...that i feel better after expressing my thoughts in writing
...that "everything is interesting. Look closer"

Creating a beautiful bedroom & the art of Damask, Cindee style

2011-04-09T13:22:00.000-07:00

Hello hello lovelies. Today I am going to talk about creating a beautiful space for yourself. A place where you can daydream, relax and unwind from the day. I love being surrounded by beautiful things...things that inspire me and lift me up so I've always tried to include items, photos and colors into my space that have a positive affect on me. I've gone thru a lot of chapters in my life that have prevented me from fully creating an authentic space...whether it be not enough time or money but i've always managed to express that need regardless.

Like this one time i painted writing and pictures on the walls of my rented bachelor suite. Scrubbing it off when I moved out was such a pain but also a good memory to look back on and laugh at. lol* Right Rosa??

♥Here are a few photos of the rooms I've had ♥

This prob'ly looks like a little girl's room to you. But to tell you the truth I decorated this when I was 18. LOL*
It was the princess in me. I even had sparkles on the ceiling. It was a very magical space to be in especially when I lit up my candles.

This was when I first moved out to Vancouver on Richards St, downtown. I stubbornly insisted that I was to live in the heart of the city and even tho rent was pricey the experience was priceless. What a contrast to my previous room hey? I made myself some new satin sheets to go with the more "grown up" me.

This was the 2nd place I lived in Vancouver. I had to down grade. I was going to fashion school at the time and my place was always a mess bcos of the many projects I had on the go. Even tho this place wasn't my ideal place I made interesting memories. Like when the girls came to visit me in the summer, it felt like we were inside an oven. Couldnt open the balcony bcos there was a beehive sitting right outside.

Here's a post I wrote during this time: READ HERE

3rd apartment was by Joyce station. Pretty good location and a lot more SPACE!! I loved the view. I could watch the fireworks from my balcony.

And this is my room when I lived in Kits. How would I describe the style?
Well I was inspired by Hawaii. Had interesting patterns, exotic colors and brown furniture to ground it all.

And what does my room look like now?? I had more time to put effort into this one. If I could describe it in 3 words it would be: Modern, arabian, eclectic. I used a lot of dark colors esp grey. I damasked one wall to give it texture and interest to the eye and against the grey canvas I decided to add pops of color. It almost looks like a merging of my first two rooms. Sorry for the quality of the next photo. I had taken it on my phone.

♥How to Damask your wall♥

What you'll need:

*stencil paper
*a pad to put underneath to cut the pattern
*felt tip pen
*exacto knife
*paint
*sponges

-I bought some stencil paper from the craft store and searched online for a pattern that I liked.
-I traced it with a felt tip pen and cut it out with an exacto knife. A bit time consuming.
-It's probly a lot easier if you find one instead of making one.

-I had to stencil my wall one pattern at a time. Not the most efficient way to go about it but I couldn't find a damask stencil in calgary and I was too impatient to order one online
-You can create a lot of diff looks with damask....different colors, different textures like gold or silver. Its really up to you what you like. For me I used glossy black paint
-So when you have your paint picked out you can start by taping the stencil to your wall. Then dip your sponge in the paint and dab at the stencil.
-You'll discover your own technique as you go along. But make sure to keep the stencil pressed up against the wall
-The first few that I did looked messy bcos I picked up too much paint on my sponge so add a little bit at a time

-Here's my progress. Dont ask me how I got them all level. I had no strategy. I just eyeballed it. I dont think I'd want to ever do this again unless I was paid a ridiculous high amount of money lol*
-If you were to do this right, I think the best way would be to use a measuring stick and drawn lines to act as guides on where to place your stencil

All done - after a few days. I think it was definitely worth it. Now for the fun part...putting everything together.

♥It's all about the details...♥

This is my prince charming frog where I keep my rings. You can open him up.

My jewlery drawer

And my lantern to go along with the arabian theme

2011-03-15T09:34:00.001-07:00

A month has passed by since I've posted anything. I am struggling to stay ontop of my blog these days. Not just my blog but a few other things in general. Has this ever happened to you? You start reading a book, put it down for a few days and when you come back to it you realize that the bookmark has fallen out and you've lost your place. Bcos you havent read it for a few days you cant remember where you left off. You flip thru pages and re-read a few paragraphs, searching for familiarity until FINALLY you find the spot. Well that's how Im feeling right now. I hate losing track of myself. Me being the "book" of course. So now, where was I?

Ah, yes. So the winner of my giveaway is Alice P. from T.O Canada who answered: What I love about myself is my courage to live life fully. Thx for the 5 other ppl who entered. 5 is a very low number *ahem*

I also want to say yay! I won a BBcream from Riya's giveaway. So thank you for that, my dear. i just received it in the mail. Speaking of mail...i got a little surprise on Valentines Day from Mr. Wonderful. I havent been surprised with a sweet gesture like that in a long time. Brings out my romantic side.

♥kkcenterhk♥

I received these eyelashes from http://www.blogger.com/www.kkcenterhk.com. They are based in HK and have a website that you can order from. I didnt have to wait long for my order so it made me happy since Im not very patient when it comes to waiting. Im sure you'll find something you like bcos they have a variety of things to choose from. The eyelashes that I ordered are: ES A021 And ES A720 .

ES A720: I liked the hairs on this one bcos they are very natural but its too sparse and I dont really like the strip. Some strips are so thick and stiff, you feel the weight when you apply them but this one was the opposite. It's more on the flimsy side which made it hard to mold into a perfect curve to fit your eye. Usually it takes me a few seconds to apply eyelashes but this one I struggled with

The other set I ordered is: ES A021 . This one is for ur under eye. I LOVE these ones. They are soo natural you can't even tell that they are fake eyelashes but it gives you extra length(esp if you're asian and have short lashes). I found them very easy to apply and you can trim them just to fit in the corners for a more natural look.

Im still waiting on one other model bcos they ran out of stock. So i will let you guys know about those when I get them.

And thank you Lisa aka CocoBallerina for this award =)

Valentines Giveaway

2011-02-13T13:30:00.000-08:00

♥Happy Valentines Day♥

A few more hours before Valentines day! This post is a little early but I can never wait. lol* Valentines is my fave holiday. Surprise, surprise. im sure you guys can tell im the hopeless romantic type =P

First of all I'd like to take this opportunity to send some love to all my readers. It has been very awesome getting to connect with you guys and share opinions and interests with each other. To my new readers I hope we can become better acquainted this year. Its always so interesting to get to know new ppl. I get to gain more insight and learn more about the world around me. So pls dont be shy =)

One thing that Im grateful for is being able to build relationships with these ppl from all around the world. Some of you have been there since day one. And i'd like to mention a special shoutout to a few that have always encouraged me to keep going and always been so generous with their kind words that help keep me inspired and motivated.

♥ Sylvia: I know you've gone thru a lot but you've grown to be such a strong woman these past few yrs. You are one of the sweetest girls I know. thank u for bringing out the good in me & always believing in me
♥ Jo: All the way from singapore...my fellow hokkien lang. i always look forward to ur comments & hearing ur opinions. Our communication has always been pretty consistant and I hope our friendship will continue to florish =)
♥ Ligia: I havent talked to you in a while but I always remember your kind words and the connection we've built in the past few yrs. Just wanted to send some sweetness your way oxo

If you ladies can send me an email with your mailing address I'd love to send a little something your way

Also, a shout out to these lovely ladies: koOty, MizzJ, Miss P., Jimin, bunnie, christine, Betty

And now...from the heart of Valentines day, I want to do a Giveaway. I will be giving away a Lise Watier glitter liner. I am in love with this product. There are a lot of different ways you can use it and its only limited to your creativity. In the following video I show you how I use it. I've tried a few other glitter liners and find that the sparkles dont always stay in one place. When it gets loose it ends up on your cheeks or on ur clothes or even on your hunnie's face. But this one here stays put! Once it dries it's very obedient and remains only where you apply it.

It comes in a variety of colors but I think the gold and the silver work best for the way I used it in my tutorial below. In the video its harder to see. it's more apparent at night under any kind of lighting. esp candle light...oohhh how romantic. hehe

So to enter, pls choose a color: silver or gold and read the instructions below.
Besides the usual, follow me rule I also want to know what makes you fabulous...what is it that makes you so lovable to others? =)
Contest ends March 01 2011

♥ Love Toast ♥
And here's a little idea you can use to make that special someone some breakfast.
Hope you guys enjoy your Valentines Day. Much love oxoxoxoxoxoxox

So here are the basics you'll need. Everything else you can add your own creativity and ingredients.
Egg, Bread and a heart shaped cookie cutter.

Use the cookie cutter and press down on the piece of bread to cut out the shape

If you're like me and eat more on the healthy side skip the butter and use a bit of oil and heat up the pan.
Place the bread on the pan but make sure the heat is on low so that your toast doesnt burn while your egg is cooking.
Crack the egg in the hole but make sure you dont let it leak out from the bottom.
You can see it leaking a bit in this photo.
Now you can add some flavor to the egg but sprinkling on some cheese or spices like oregano.

Cook the egg until its the way you like. Its so yummy when you have it a lil undone. When you bite into it or cut it with your fork the yolk leaks out and absorbs into the bread. You can customize this anyway you like.
Make it into an open faced sandwich or eat it with scrambled eggs and ham. Be creative =)

BB Cream

2011-02-09T16:54:00.001-08:00

I've heard so much about BB creams but I havent had the opportunity to try yet so
I was super excited to come across this contest hosted by Riya from pinkstrawberries.
I hope I win one.

So what is BBCream?

It stands for Blemish Balm Cream. It's an all in one cosmetic/skincare product which I read, initially gained popularity in Korea. The difference between BBcream and other make-up applications is that it is a skincare product combined with make-up. I think its great for me bcos Im always on the run and traveling, so having a product that does it all saves me so much time and luggage space.

So BBCreams give you a flawless complexion by acting as a foundation or a make-up base to conceal blemishes & discoloration as well as supply ur skin with nutrients to make it feel smoother and softer. Most of them contain SPF and depending on the brand, may offer anti-wrinkle, scar healing or whitening benefits.

One thing that I noticed after trying the BBCream that I won from this contest is that the product is a little too light for my skintone. I dont have a fair complexion like most asians love back in asia so I had to experiment and mix it with my tinted moisturizer. Most BBCreams are formulated to be lighter. If you're a fellow tanned skin beauty, don't fret. Try this one: MISSHA M Perfect Cover BB Cream NO 31

2011-02-04T11:01:00.000-08:00

Memory... is the diary that we all carry about with us. ~Oscar Wilde

I've had this habit of buying calenders every year and filling them up. Im so glad I did because there are a lot of things I wouldn't have remembered. I already have trouble recalling what I did 2 weeks ago never mind what i did 2 yrs ago. This is a great way of keeping record and I want to share it with you guys in hopes that you will start doing so as well (if you don't already).

On each day I also write how Im feeling so its easy to keep track of my moods and my mood patterns. I notice my energy changes during the month and how they relate to the moon cycles as well. When you record these things down it gives you a chance to notice your patterns and energy levels so you can better work with it, not against it. For example, I know that I get irritable and have a hot temper 2 weeks before my period. So instead of doing reflective & inner work at this time and making myself even more frustrated I divert the excess energy into strenuous activity like cycling, or taking a aerobics class. I realized that I can also use this dynamic energy to work & burn thru difficult challenges.

Another great thing about keeping track and recording what I do each day is that if you ever need a specific date you can just go back and check. Say you're going thru your photos and forget what day it was taken. No problem. Or if you want to remember what day you met a specific person or when you and your man had your first date.

These are some of the calenders that I have gone thru in the past few yrs. The first one I started was in 2002. This is the perfect time to start especially since there are mad deals on calenders now. I just got mine for 2011. 75% off! Let me know how this works out for you =)

So it is the Year of the bunnie!

2011-02-03T08:52:00.000-08:00

♡Happy Chinese New Year♡

Hello lovelies,

This is the year of the Bunnie! And what does that bring for 2011? A lot of luck and wish granting. According to Chinese tradition, the Bunnie brings a year in which you're able to catch your breath. The Bunnie is also a symbol of the moon which means reflection is further emphasized. Coincidentally the new moon yesterday - on the eve of Chinese New Year. weird timing hey? ) The moon rules your subconscious & emotions. This is where all your hopes, dreams and fears live. This is a good opportunity and time to dig a little deeper and find out what you really want from life.

♡ I keep catching 11:11 on the clock lately. In Angelic studies it is said that your Angels are trying to get your attention and a reminder that something magical is happening. Whenever you see the sequence 111 or 1111 show up, it means that a "doorway" has opened up in which your intentions and goals will manifest extremely quickly. Direct your attention and intentions properly whenever you see 111 or 1111, it's like making a wish when a cake with candles is presented to you.

♡ If you add up the last 2 digits of your birth year with the age you are turning THIS year you will always get 111. Try it. It's fascinating but a lil creepy.

♡ This is a year of big changes so be sure to know what you want to accomplish and that all your thoughts are in alignment with where you want to go in life. One way to tune into your intuition is learning how to meditate. It can help you gain more insight. Follow this link to the The Chopra Centre. There you'll find some guided meditations =)

Celebrating Chinese New Year

My parents aren't very traditional so I don't know a lot of the customs that go along with celebrating it until my step mom brought it into our family last year. It's very interesting to say the least.

♥ On the days before the new year we thoroughly clean our homes to wash away the dirt and bad luck. Sweep away the residue of last year and start the new year fresh
♥ On new years eve a big dinner is prepared. Each dish represents something. I don't remember it all without asking or looking it up on google
♥ Members of the family that are married give away money in red envelops for good luck
♥ Red is worn to scare away evil spirits and also a symbol of good luck
♥ Ppl typically wear new clothes on new years. I guess it symbolizes a new beginning. Its a good excuse to go shopping =P

Hope you found that interesting. Happy New years everyone!

Turning inward

2011-02-02T12:06:00.001-08:00

Sorry to keep some of you hanging with my lack of updates but honestly I havent felt like updating and bcos I havent, its creating a conflict within myself. When I dont update I feel like Im neglecting an aspect of myself and neglecting an aspect of my creativity and on top of that disappointing ppl who actually take interest in the things I write and the things I want to express(im so appreciate of that. so, thank you).

I started blogging on xanga in 2004 and i found it to be one of the most enjoyable things in the world. It was an uncensored outlet for me to express myself. If you go back to my old blog you would see what i mean lol* but now my perfectionism gets in the way. Each photo has to be re-sized so it looks in harmony with the layout of my blog, everything I write I need to re-read over and over again to makes sure I accurately convey what I want to say, everything needs to be neat and tidy. That kind of mentality takes away from the joy of purely creating. Lately my procrastination takes over my enthusiasm to maintain my blog. Props to the ppl that can do it rain or shine.

I guess a huge part of my life was dedicated to expressing myself... working on my garment designs, creating ideas for my blog, expressing my passion. My theme word for the past 8 yrs has been PASSION & EXPRESSION. These words are dynamic...a little bit opposite of how I have been feeling. The theme word of my life has been slowly evolving into: HEALING & GROWING. Defintely a lot more inward focused. So if you've been wondering where I've been, I've been in deep yoga postures OM-ing and trying to come to a deeper understanding of my true self.

I've been practicing yoga for 10 yrs but it wasnt until recently that I started to deepen my practice. I found that in deepening my practice I deepen the relationship I have with myself. I cannot put into words the experience that yoga has opened in me. It's as if you've never eaten a banana before and me trying to explain to you what it tastes like. Its thru your own experience that you will truly know. Just like life. Life is an experience. You can read as many self help books as you want but if you cant apply it into your own life and see what life means to YOU then what's really the point? Live your own experiences. Make your own paths.

♥ Yoga is about revealing happiness
♥ Yoga is about connecting your mind and body
♥ The aim of yoga is not attention to the body; the aim is to pierce the mystery of what's beyond it
♥ yogajournal.com
♥ yogabasics.com
♥ Tara Stiles Yoga on Youtube

Happy New Years

2011-01-01T08:00:00.000-08:00

2010-12-15T14:17:00.000-08:00

The solitary candle cast a warm glow as it sat in the middle of the cake. The flame flickered and danced in her eyes - full of promise and fulfillment once it was blown out. She formed a wish in her mind. She felt it in her heart. Smiled and with one gentle blow the flame vanished & in its place, smoke swirled. Her wish was sent into the Universe. This will be the year. Happy Birthday to all my fellow Sagittarians.

♥ My B*day last year ♥

I didnt get a chance to post up my b*day pics from last year so here it is. I wanted to do a posh little soiree with my girlfriends. Jenni did an amazing job planning and putting it all together. I love theme parties =)

♥ My B*day this year ♥

I didnt do a crazy celebration. It was a pretty tamed night. I decided to do an Arabian theme so we went to a shisha bar. Have you guys ever been before? Its quite fun but I dont think I'll be going again anytime soon. I found out that its horrible for your health.
Even worse than smoking a cigarette.

photo credit {eaglella}

♥ What was one of the most special gifts u've gotten on ur birthday? ♥

ClubCouture

2010-12-13T22:08:00.000-08:00

Hi Lovers. My package has finally arrived from ClubCouture! What is ClubCouture? Its an online boutique based in Singapore (I know a few of my readers are from Singapore so def check it out) if not they ship to quite a few places in the world as well so don't fret. This online boutique was a real treasure. Their clothes are not only good to look at but delightful to wear as well. I chose a few pieces to add to my wardrobe...a butterfly printed romper which floatingly looks like a dress from a far, a pair of pleated high-waisted shorts that can be playfully belted with a ribbon, a sexy black sheer blouse, thigh high socks & cute flower earrings.

Here are a few looks I culled together:

♥ The Butterfly Romper ♥

Cropped leather jacket {H&M} woven scarf {Urban Oufitters }

♥ High-waisted shorts ♥

Fur vest {F21} Talula lace camisole {Aritzia}

♥ Sheer Blouse ♥

Talula lace cami {Aritzia} pants {Aritzia}

Being a designer and sewer I can tell that these garments are made well. Their pieces can easily be incorporated into your own wardrobe to reflect your personal style. Check out their website if you are curious. Im sure you'll find a few treasure as well. If you do, use the code: CCBLOG15 to get a 15% discount =)

http://www.clubcouture.cc/

Presenting...Cindee's Guide to Life

2010-11-23T16:28:00.000-08:00

I present to you my Guide to Life. It is the first out of 3 series' I plan to add to my very empty Youtube channel. The other 2 will be my Guide to Style & Beauty and my Guide to Fitness & Health. If you have any special requests, definitely send me a msg. I hope that the things I have learned so far in this lifetime can inspire you, motivate you or simply entertain you =)

I also want to give a big shout out to Tiffany from tifanani who put together my cute intro. She's one of the most talented and creative ppl I know ♥x♥

Spin, spin, spinning around in her pretty lace dress makes her feel like she's 5 yrs old again. She asks herself, what has really changed since then? There are obvious answers to that question but somedays she feels like nothing has changed at all. Dizzy and tired from the spinning, she flops down on her bedroom floor and stares up at the ceiling. Immersed in thought, she does not notice how quickly her heart is beating. It tries to get her attention, for every beat it beats to remind her that she is alive in this world & that's reason enough to keep going without all her questions answered.

cindee's to do list

2010-11-08T18:58:00.000-08:00

hi lovers. I have been a bit depleted lately. Gas running on low....emotionally, physically and mentally exhausted. Havent been feeling my best lately and just trying to figure out how i can change my mindset but I came across this lil cartoon today that lifted my spirits. Its so cute and I instantly wanted to share it with you. What kind of things have you guys been up to lately? Hope you guys are doing good. Have a little faith in me. I'll update more often soon.

French ME!

2010-09-21T14:41:00.000-07:00

Every since I was a little girl I have collected images and created daydreams of what it would be like to visit Paris. The City of Romance they call it but also the City of Art. Parisians are true to their culture and to themselves and I find this most intriguing. It is home to Couture houses such as Dior, CHANEL, Balenciaga, Givenchy and former members like Paco Rabanne, Patou, Poiret & Vionnet who were huge influences in fashion.

Parisians have a very confident way of holding themselves. They are chic, sophisticated and effortlessly elegant. So lets see how you can incorporate some Parisian into your style. How do you capture that Je ne sais quoi?

♥ Posture. The first tip I would like to give you is to correct and improve your posture. Not only does it make a difference in your appearance, it's also good for your health. Correcting your posture is pretty much a matter of awareness. Other things you can do is to strengthen your stomach muscles. This is your core and the center of balance. When you strengthen this part it can help you stand straighter. Taking yoga classes are beneficial as well

♥ Choose classic feminine pieces. You will wear these often because they are classics so invest in the best quality you can afford. It's like your canvas. And the accents you add gives it character

♥ Less is more. Here in America we are used to getting all dolled up for a night out. Before we walk out that door we have to make sure we have every hair in place, that our fake eyelashes are applied & that we're wearing our favorite push-up bra. Nothing wrong with that but its not gonna work if you're trying to go for the Parisian style. Don't over think and over do your look. Focus on your best features and dress with that in mind and choose clothes that fit your figure. You want to feel confident, powerful and classy

♥ Pay attention to detail. Are your nails shaped and clean, is there a run in your stockings, is your handbag full of old recipes and unnecessary items? They say you can distinguish a woman's personality by the contents of her handbag

♥ Wear sexy undergarments. This is more for yourself than anyone else. It makes you feel sexy, flirty and pretty. Isnt that what being a woman is all about? The French have a lot of sex appeal without having to reveal or expose too much skin. And I believe its one of the secrets to setting the mood and confidence for the day

♥ Add chic accents like lace, bows, pearls, diamonds and fragrance

And there you have it. I hope this can be used as an inspiration for you to enhance your unique personality and style. Experiment and have fun with it. I created a little video of how i incorporated a lil bit of french into my own style hehe. Salut.

Reinvent yourself. Shed that skin!

2010-09-05T10:37:00.000-07:00

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes - Marcel Proust

Do you like the new look of my blog? I felt a need for change. I suspect it has a bit to do with the changing of seasons; not like we got much summer weather anyways but there's something nostalgic about the crispness of autumn air & the changing colors of the leafs that i absolutely love.

The past few months I have gotten deeper and deeper into myself and discovered a lot of old patterns that I still cling onto that no longer serve me and that no longer aligns with who I want to be. I want to overcome inertia in certain areas of my life. Inertia is defined as the tendency of an object to remain in the state it is in - either in motion or at rest - unless acted upon by some other force. This force can be something we consciously decide or something that will eventually happens to us bcos we fail to listen to our true desires.

Sometimes we go thru life inert bcos we are afraid to break out of our comfort zones or fail to take any responsibility for the direction our life is going. If this goes on for too long something will force us to change. Some of the decisions we make dont appear to be significant at the time but eventually we will become aware of it. For example if you live an unhealthy lifestyle your body will let you know by creating physical symptoms quietly at first. If you still choose to ignore it life will finally shout at you with a full blown illness(worst case scenario).

Look around you and tell me what you see? The clothes you wear, the home you live in, the job you go to everyday, the relationships you hold - all these things you have created. Are you happy with the picture you have painting? If not, now is the perfect time to re-evaluate and give yourself a mental makeover. Live a life that you consciously choose to create every step of the way.

It really counts to accept yourself. How can you truly reinvent yourself when you hate the person you are? Reinvention isn't about turning into someone else, its about becoming more of the person you truly are - taking actions that are difficult or challenging and moving towards something new. This doesnt happen over night so give yourself enough room to breathe, to learn, to explore and to make mistakes.

It's all about working from the inside out & digging deep to uncover underlying issues but who says you cant have fun in the process. Some days all you might need for an instant boost of confidence is a fresh new haircut or trying a new trend. Just as long as you dont let external things define you. One of the things I love is adding a new element to my room like a painting, some fragrant candles or a new set of bedsheets.

Also learn to approach things differently - with a new attitude, an upside down perspective or with a killer smile. if you want to go somewhere you've never been before, you have to do something you've never done.

This is how you have fun in Vegas

2010-08-14T19:18:00.000-07:00

I've been lacking on my updates bcos I've been happily and excitedly occupied with wedding stuff. I am leaving for Mexico tmrw morning and soon will watch my sister walk down the aisle. Happiest occasion ever. I will return to my blog soon and reply back to all the wonderful comments I've been getting

In the meantime, enjoy this video I put together of our Vegas trip oxo

Tips from Ms Wanderlust

2010-08-04T21:47:00.000-07:00

By nature, I love to travel. There's something incredibly magical about seeing things with fresh eyes. Its almost a lesson in itself - to live life that way everyday no matter where you are. Of course its easier said then done especially when the drudgery of everyday life sets in. That's why its nice to get away from time to time. Each place that I have visited I have gained some kind of wisdom from. Whether it be chilling on Kuta Beach in Bali with some surfer friends we met and being taught that simplicity is bliss; to strutting down the streets of SoHo and falling in love with the individual forms of expression each person displays as they pass you by.

This particular indulgence is nothing like purchasing a new shade of lipstick or that pair of designer pumps that promises to complete my shoe collection. Traveling provides glimmering insights, delightful experiences and memories that will stay close to my heart forever. Knowing that there are so many places that are unrevealed and left to be discovered excites my spirit and I cant tell you how grateful i am to have been able to travel to so many places already. So here are a few tips id like to pass on to you whether you're just starting to see the world or if you're already a seasoned globe trotter

♥ Pack as light as possible and only bring what you need. Carrying around too many things and heavy luggage is pretty much like carrying around emotional baggage around in your life. Its not necessary. Ask yourself what the purpose of your trip is for? Are you being whisked away for a romantic weekend getaway in the mountains, partying it up for a bachelorette in Vegas, visiting some relatives or going sunbathing somewhere exotic? Think ahead bcos even tho you want to carry less you also want to plan ahead and be prepared

♥ When I know the purpose of my trip, I will plan my outfits. It is a lot easier to do when you're going to be away for the wknd or a few days. For longer trips I pack a few of my staple items that I can layer on, mix and match or pair easily with new items I buy on my adventure

♥ Bring with you a scented candle. You can choose one of those luxuriously scented candles if you like and tie it into your travel theme. Something musky and romantic for a rendezvous in Paris, an exotic floral scent for a Malaysian beach trip or perhaps a sweet and juicy scent for a wknd shopping get away in NYC with the girls. Light it as often as you can...while you're taking a cat nap at the hotel or anywhere in between waking up and getting ready for a night out. Smell is a powerful sense as it is tied very strongly to memories. So when you come back to the routine of ur daily life, you can always 'get away' anytime you want simply by lighting the candle

♥ If you wear contacts always bring an extra pair or else you'll be sorry if you end up losing or ripping one

♥ Make sure you prepare your camera before you go on your trip. Upload & back up all your current pictures so you can make more room to take more. Invest in a memory card that carries a name you trust... like Panasonic. One of my friends had bought a no name memory card on sale for half the price. Good steal you might think but when you come across techinical issues & find out that half the photos you took are corrupted you will cry!

Here are a few photos from my most recent adventures.
Where did you go for YOUR last trip? What are some of your favorite places?

♥Sibu, Sarawak♥

This is the hometown of my mom and dad. We visit here every few years to see my grandpa. Its such a small town that there's not much to do but to eat. Eat, eat and EAT! Im always inticed by the smell of food everytime we walk by the cafes. They have so many different kinds of noodle dishes here that I just have to give in and eat 5 meals a day

♥Langkawi, Malaysia♥

I dont think I've been to such a beautiful place as Langkawi. Its an island in Malaysia bursting with exotic colors and mysterious legends. We brought my dad here for his birthday to enjoy some father daughter time. We island hopped on speed boats, watched Eagel feeding, explored bat caves and enjoyed perfect tropical weather

♥New York City♥

Ouch. Bring a good pair of walking shoes. lol* I love this city for so many different reasons. Its overwhelming to even think of how to describe it. Visit it for yourself and you will see, its more than one can even imagine. Ever since this visit I cant seem to stop thinking about moving my little arse down there. Its just a matter of time =)

♥Los Angeles, California♥

"I know a place, where the grass is really greener. Warm, wet and wild there must be somethin' in the water. Sippin' gin and juice. Layin' underneath the palm trees..." Beautiful California. How can you not be happy in such a place that's full of life and is summer all year long. Perfect place to be a beach bum bcos there's so many diff beaches to enjoy. Definitely a breath of fresh air

♥Bali, Indonesia♥

♥Bangkok, Thailand♥

♥Las Vegas♥

This was my first trip to Vegas and I did not know what to expect. Sure, every tells me it's a party city and all that jazz but you dont KNOW what they mean until you are down there. I felt there was something in the air that brought out a diff side in me or perhaps it was bcos of all the glitz and glamour I was surrounded by. So many jammin pool parties, beautiful bodies and dancing till the sun comes up

Bikini Contest Winner!

2010-07-31T16:12:00.001-07:00

Pretty in Pink. I dont usually paint my finger nails anything but clear or a french mani but today I felt like painting them pink. Might as well go and paint the town pink while im at it.

Vegas trip was awesome. I cant remember the last time I had that much fun.

Thank you to all those who participated in my first give away. The winner is Jay from Kiss an Makeup. Congrats =)

Bikini Bod Countdown - Week 4 GIVEAWAY!!

2010-07-09T19:39:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to announce my first GIVE AWAY contest. Im sure you guys are sick of seeing pictures of my body so for the 4th and final week I decided to give you guys a little summer treat. A chance to win this sexy tie dyed bikini. I spotted it and actually wanted it for myself bcos I love the shade and style. But since I've already purchased a few new bikinis I thought it would be nice to give you guys a little something back. My appreciation for the comments and readership I have gained in the past few months.

Description: SIZE S, grey and black tie dyed pattern, triangle string bikini

So to win this sexy string bikini all you gotta do is earn as many points as you can. I also added a bonus question to break any ties. Make sure to comment and tell me which ones you have done and also include your name and email address. So the points go as follows:

♡ Follow my blog. There's the link on the right side column. If you're already a follower just let me know when you comment 8 POINTS

♡ Follow me on twitter(click here) 5 POINTS

♡ Tweet about my giveaway or you can on FB 5 POINTS

♡ Post about my giveaway on your blog using the following code for the banner 15 POINTS

♡ Answer: How would you wear this bikini (with what kind of accessories...etc?) If you want to get creative go to Polyvore and cull together a look based on this bikini 5-20 POINTS

I'll choose a winner when I get back from Vegas.
Contest ends JULY 18 2010

5 Fun Tips to Play Up Your Summer Style

2010-07-06T22:42:00.000-07:00

1♥ Accessorize by putting a fresh flower in your hair. Its the perfect touch to celebrate the warm weather while enjoying the sunset with your hunnie

2♥ Traveling this summer? Plan your trip based on an outfit theme. In the Sex in the City 2 movie their clothing choices were inspired by bold bohemian colors, desert silhouettes like harem pants, caftans & turbans. maybe you can do a nautical inspired theme or choose an animal inspired theme where you pair your LBD with peacock feathered earrings or accent a white summer dress with zebra printed sandalst. Use your imagination and be playful

3♥ Icecream tastes so good on hot hot days and so cute when the bubblegum shades are painted on your toenails

4♥ Protecting your skin from the sun is important(I just started to see some sun spots appear on my arms ahhh!) So why not do this in the most stylish way you can. Invest in some summery hats. Like a straw hat to wear to the beach with your new bikini and your sexy espadrilles or a cute boater hat unless you prefer a cowboy hat. Not only does it shield your face from the sun, it also adds some sassy style to your beach outfit

5♥ Walking barefoot on the beach? Why not try one of these foot accessories? I got THIS ONE when I was walking around Venice Blvd on my trip to Cali last year. I love it.

Bikini Bod Countdown - Week 3

2010-07-05T19:05:00.000-07:00

Im a little late posting week #3. It was a busy week full of activity, Canada day and birthdays so I haven't gotten around to this post till now. I also got my Victoria's Secret bikinis as well! yay! The one Im wearing was on clearance. They have pretty good deals on bikinis so check it out if you're looking for some new ones. Beach Bunny is a cute bikini brand as well. Very popular right now and the designs are very different. When I was in Bali we also stumbled upon this bikini store by Kuta Beach. It's called Blue Glue and they have a Canadian site too. I think I'm good for bikinis bcos I made a few too. I think Im all set =)

So its really important to switch up the exercises you do so your muscles dont get used to it. Week 3 I went hiking with some good pals on a trail called Troll Falls. Beautiful scenery all the way up and it was quite an adventurous hike bcos we had to climb up rocks and jump thru streams.

♥ Since its summertime go for walks after dinner
♥ Bike to the store instead of driving
♥ Swimming is also great and as a bonus you get a little tanning done
♥ If you're lucky to be around a beach go jogging in the sand
♥ Wall climbing!! This is next on my list

I also tried to mow our lawn. The grass had grown to almost a foot. Yikes! It was such a struggle pushing thru all that grass. I hate to admit it but I couldnt do it =( I tried with all my might hahaha

Links of the Week-Good Reads

2010-07-01T19:26:00.000-07:00

I think these 2 photos that I found capture those moments I have when I cuddle up to a book. I feel like Im in a different world where my imagination can run wild. I love the feel of books in my hands and the sound that's created when I turn each page.

One of my most favorite pastimes is to read so I felt like dedicating this week's links to some good articles that I have come across online. Not exactly book recommendations but just some stuff that I enjoyed reading. Hope you like them too!

♥ This article here at Abundance Tapestry made me become more aware of my actions and how they reflect my beliefs
♥ Define your personal strengths
♥ 101 most inspiring quotes
♥ The beauty of entrepreneurs
♥ Self Motivational Skills
♥ A letter to men
♥ Use your senses to refresh your soul
♥ Overcoming procrastination using self-talk
♥ Fashion & Posture
♥ How to find your own unique blogging style
♥ Parisian Style

Lux Pups

2010-06-28T11:52:00.000-07:00

These dogs are so adorable. LUXPUP is company located in Coquitlam, BC that sells luxury teacup puppies that are imported from Korea. It trips me out when I look at these photos for too long. These puppies look like toys & I wanted to share them with you. Realistically tho, I think these puppies are too cute for me. They are so tiny and precious and not meant for my careless tendencies. When I get another dog I'd want a Australian Shepard, a black Lab or adopt one from the pound.

Anyways, if you think these photos are cute check out the videos. They are posted on their website.

Bikini Bod Countdown - Week 2

2010-06-22T22:02:00.001-07:00

Thanks for the awesome feedback and comments. I will definitely get back to everyone =)

Week 2: So, not much change this week except for the fact that I felt pretty bloated. I hate being a girl sometimes. Honestly, it discouraged me quite a bit in the beginning of the week. I was frustrated bcos I felt like after all the work I put into keeping fit & being healthy, one small change in diet can effect my body so noticeably & adding to this issue was that it was that 'time of the month'. The more frustrated I got the more I munched out which totally counteracts my efforts.

Once I caught myself in this negative pattern I realized that you always have a choice. You can always pick yourself back up and not let negative thoughts rule your mind. Instead on focusing solely upon results remind yourself what you have achieved, how good your body feels & then ask yourself what's your next step. It's easy to feel defeated but taking things one step at a time will keep you on track rather than overwhelm you.

Here are some tips if you have problems with bloating:
-Find out the real cause behind it. Is it due to hormonal change, digestive problem, water retention? Once you know, its much easier to prevent or treat
-Drink chamomile tea. I hear ginger and peppermint also help
-Try dry brushing or a detox bath
-if you can, cut out coffee and alcohol
-dont eat when you're upset or anxious
-limit your salt intake
-try doing PAVANMUKTASANA. It's a very simple and basic yoga pose. Translated its called the 'wind release' pose

Bikini Bod Countdown

2010-06-14T22:37:00.000-07:00

Exactly one month today I will be in Vegas so I've decided to put myself on a bikini bod challenge for the next 4 weeks. I already exercise regularly but for the next 4 weeks I want to turn it up a notch & eat more healthy so I can lean out and build a bit more muscle tone. I will post my progress each week & if you want you can follow along. For some of you that are inconsistent with your workouts check out my first Transform your Body series for a bit more motivation. And if you're already there and just want to read some really cool tips, check out Katy's post on Health & Wellbeing. I love it.

March 2010:
This is what I looked like 3 months ago. A lil less toned and a bit wider in the waist due to winter fat. I worked out 4 times a week ranging between 3-3.5 hrs mixing cardio and weights but didnt watch what I was eating. I indulged in a lot of comfort foods and chocolate!! mmm*

Week one:
-For the first week I started doing a lot of exercises from Body Rock tv. I love this site bcos she seems to post something new everyday. I felt a drastic change in my strength already & developing muscles in places that I didnt think could be defined
-Did 2 yoga classes this week & went to the gym 3 times. Before I would be at the gym for at least 3 hrs but now I find myself cutting down to 1.5-2 hrs. I focus on training harder rather than longer. I try not to take any breaks in between and try to make myself sweat as much as possible
-I try to keep my metabolism high through out the day by using my muscles as much as I can. If im carrying groceries I will use them as weights while I walk to my car(yes i got a few funny stares lol*) or when Im going up the stairs I would run up them or go up them by twos making sure i engage my leg muscles. I would do pushups and situps while watching tv...you know little things like that. It makes a big difference
-This week I ate more often but I made sure the portions were small and that it had some king of protien in it. Whey powder put into a smoothie or added into my oatmeal, hardboiled egg... also been eating more fruits and veggies

Follow me little birdie

2010-06-14T17:49:00.000-07:00

Hello lovelies. If you haven't already done so pls follow me on Twitter. If you've ever been interested in what kind of magical things go on in my daily life then this is a good opportunity to find out =D

♥ Miss Cindee on Twitter ♥

Corsetry & the tightening of life

2010-06-10T16:53:00.000-07:00

Some moments in life you feel yourself expanding, exhaling and growing. Other times you feel yourself contracting like you're inhaling and holding your breath. Recently I've been feeling the latter - like someone getting a grip on you and squeezing tighter and tighter. You feel your insides squish and there's no room to move. When this happens I realize that I've become closed & have prob'ly come across a fear. All it takes in these moments is the acknowledgment that what you need now is courage and an openness to let life unfold.

A few years ago I took a course on Corsetry and learned how to make one. It was a very long BUT fun and interesting process. All the steps taught were very important to creating an actually corset, fully boned to give it structure. We took precise measurements from our own bodies and adapted it to our corset for the perfect fit & added a waist stay to ensure that it would give full support to accentuate our waists. Oh my god, was it ever structured!

The fun part was putting it on until I realized I couldnt breathe. lol*

To put on a corset you clasp it from the front & then from there you tighten it in the back with the strings. The back edge pieces are stabilized with metal bones(they used to use WHALE BONES back in the day yikes!) so you can pull as much as you want without worrying about wear and tear. Just when I thought it couldnt go any tighter, it did. I started off with a 25" waist which became 22". I honestly dont know how they did this everyday. I couldnt last 5 mins in it & doesnt it look a bit wrong to see how tiny my waist got?

I am intriged by corsets bcos of how they are made. Some corsets are soo beautiful & the craftmenship is just something to see - so intricate and elaborate! If you ever get a hold of a well made corset you'll know what Im talking about. Besides that I am not a supporter of the body being deformed and altered into such an uncomfortable, very unhealthy and disturbing way.

Corset vs Bustier

A lot of ppl get corsets and bustiers confused so FYI, the difference between a corset and a bustier is that a corset is more structured and made from heavier material. It alters & transforms your body drastically while a bustier just shapes it. A corset accentuates the waist and hips while a bustier accentuates the bust. Got it? hehe well im no expert but those are the major differences.

I love these 2 embellished corsets. Sooo beautiful.

Go nude!

2010-06-09T17:30:00.000-07:00

credit { ban.do }

Nude is one of the hot colors right now. Which is excellent bcos you can make your legs appear longer by wearing a nude shoe. And who doesnt want that? It's also quite elegant if you ask me and easy to match your outfit to. So if you're planning to spend money on shoes, Id say go nude! =)

♡ Nude Makeup. Less is more. True or false in your books?
♡ See how Kim Kardashian wears nude. Very classy I'd say.
♡ Wearing neutrals without looking washed out
♡ I love Posh's Loubs. 5 inches!! The highest heels I have are 4. And this dress Taylor Momsen's wearing.

Do you feel comfortable in your own skin? I think its time to stop obsessing over how we look all the time but instead focus on how we feel inside our bodies. Do we treat it well? Do we feed it well? Being comfortable in your skin starts with loving it so instead of trying to cover it up & adorning it with things just take a moment and ask yourself what it feels like to be in it. Just let yourself BE.

2010-06-07T20:13:00.001-07:00

Free Palm Reading. Limited time offer

2010-06-04T00:21:00.000-07:00

Hello my friends. Would you like to get your palm read? I have always been intrigued by the ways of a gypsie. I supposed its expected since I am a free spirited woman. I think that's what drew me to this Talula shirt I got from Aritzia which I wore under a cropped Wilfred top.

Tarot cards, tea readings, palmistry, astrology...name it and most likely I have touched on it. I mean, I have 3 decks of tarot cards all given to me as gifts lol* Even though these things entertain me, I believe that we have the ability to create our future. These things are just here as tools if you choose to believe in them or not. Anyways, lets not take it too seriously. Life isnt meant to be lived that way. So today, find a way to cast your spell.

My Wilfred top again tucked under my bra

Source { Talula }

♥ Try a LOVE SPELL
♥ I think this is the best horoscope readings that I have come across online. Very in depth esp if you know your birth date and birth time
♥ Light pretty candles everywhere
♥ Learn more about your chakras
♥ Figure out how to time travel

every morning something surprises me

2010-05-26T07:59:00.000-07:00

this morning i woke up from heart shaped lullabies and i thought to myself, today i will write. today is a good day to write. i will write about my dreams as i swim around in my soft cotton sheets. not yet fully awake. mornings are my favorite time of day bcos dreams and reality exists as one. everything is quiet. i can count my soft heartbeats.

i was prepared to describe my dream but im slightly amused by the fact that i seem to have forgotten. faded like Polaroids in reverse. Why is it that the more you try to remember, the harder it is. Reminds me of how I used to live life. Lesson #129: Sometimes you just got to let go

what are your first thoughts when you awake?
what is the last thing you think about when you go to sleep?

My favorite things to wake up to:

♥ the smell of coffee
♥ sunshine peeking thru the blinds
♥ the sound of waves, if im on vacation
♥ a whole bed to myself hehe. but sometimes its nice to share it
♥ kisses. but then again im usually the one who wakes up first
♥ breakfast in bed
♥ little birds chirping
♥ a tidy room

My LEAST favorite things to wake up to:

♥ a hangover
♥ the sound of zippers. Then you know you're in a tent camping
♥ the realization that you fell asleep with your contacts on
♥ crows cawwing. damn things are so loud
♥ snoring
♥ alarm clocks. im lucky i have an internal one

Links of the Week

2010-05-17T20:07:00.000-07:00

I havent posted links for a while so here you go guys

♡ Fear vs Love. An article written by Amy Fabulous and I think its definitely a good read.Check out some of her other posts as well.
♡ i love Becks' hippie inspired look
♡ Wanting what you can't have
♡ Dramatis Personae has a 4 part series on Developing your wardrobe palette
♡ feel like daydreaming? these are such lovely photographs
♡ experiencing wanderlust? check out these city guides at Design Sponge

My sister's bridal shower

2010-05-14T21:32:00.000-07:00

Hi guys. Sorry for the lack of updates. My sister is getting married in Aug so there have been many wedding planning events going on. First of them is her bridal shower. She wanted to do a "Spring in the Hamptons" theme so it was a lot of fun putting everything togther. the decor...the food..the outfits.

The tissue paper pom poms were so much fun to make. If you want to learn how to DIY click here. I think it would be pretty cool to make them out of newspapers too for an interesting effect

I thought it would be cool to incorporate eggs into the spring decor. But instead of having them sit there and just look pretty I turned them into jello molds. My mom used to make these for me and my sister when we were kids. Here's how:

DIY Egg Jello

♥ Gently tap the top of an egg on a hard surface. Make a hole big enough so you can shake out the yoke
♥ When you get the yoke out rinse it out with water and let dry
♥ You want the jello to be more firm so use less water to make it and add gelatin
♥ Set the jello in the fridge like you normally would
♥ Now for the fun part. when its all ready crack the egg open like you would do with a hard boiled egg
♥ Peel the shell off and enjoy the jello =)

DIY 'Cup'cakes

♥ For these cupcakes I used espresso cups but you dont have to limit yourself to these. You can use little teacups, your favorite mug or anything that tickles your fancy. Just make sure that it is oven safe
♥ Choose your favorite cupcake recipe and mix it up. The cupcakes I made were chocolate devil's food cake with cherry filling, almond flavoring and some chocolate chip cookies. If you guys are interested in this recipe let me know. I will post it
♥ I ended up a little short of the mix so i filled the cups about 2/3 but you want to fill it up at least to 3/4 full
♥ Bake as per your recipe instructions. While it's baking, make the icing and add your desired color of food coloring. For our I decided on baby blue and baby yellow
♥ After they are finished baking let it cool and ice it. Sprinkle with coconut shavings

DIY Butterfly straws

♥ I thought this would be a cute accent to go with our spring theme. I went to Micheals and picked up some scrap booking paper. You can even find a selection of choices at the loonie store
♥ Start out with a main stencil you'll use to trace the other ones. Fold a piece of paper in half and draw one side of the butterfly. Use this as your stencil to trace the other butterflies on your patterened paper. It easier to cut them out on the fold. It saves you time.
♥ After you cut them out cut into the fold 2 horizontal slits about hald an inch. When you open them up this is where you will slip in the straws

♥ love you dodo ♥

LuShae Jewelry

2010-05-01T14:44:00.000-07:00

I got a little package the other day from LuShae Jewelry. I was so excited bcos I love getting things by mail...well except for bills of course. But then again who ever likes getting bills. Anyways, the item I received was their Ribbon Ring. It's like a blinged out version of one of those ribbons ppl tie on their finger to remind them to do something. I think this ring will symbolize a reminder for me to trust myself. I very much like the design of this ring, as it is very unique and suits me perfectly. I like how dainty it is and how its just the right amount of sparkle so i can wear it on more than one occasion. The only thing I cant figure out is which finger it looks best on =P

♥ Go and check out their website: LuShae Jewelry. They have quite the variety..from rings, to bracelets, pendants and earrings ♥

I STILL LOVE U!! Courageously pursue your passion

2010-04-28T18:19:00.000-07:00

Artists don't get down to working until the pain of working is exceeded by the pain of not working

"Regardless of the form it takes, embracing creative passion offers you the opportunity to live authentically as you increasingly accept your uniquely evolving individual identity. If offers you the opportunity to connect with yourself by truly identifying what you feel and believe about the world as your role in it. At the same time, pursuing your creative passion is almost always accompanied by challenge, the confrontation of forces within you that resist and undermine authentic being."

I am in the fashion design industry and have been for the past 6 years. What a journey it has been. I started my own little business creating custom formal dresses with fierce passion right after I graduated from design school in 2004.

The past year or so I have grown so much yet felt like I havent been actively pursuing my passion and even questioned if it even aligns with who i am now. I felt like I put so much pressure on myself to get somewhere that I felt like I wasn't doing this for myself anymore. After expressing this out loud and after letting go of all the expectations I had surrounded myself with, I started to feel lighter and I now feel my passion is growing even stronger than before. I think I just needed to find my courage again after facing plenty of personal discouragements and inner conflicts I had with myself.

When you pursues a creative career you come across a lot of fear. You feel naked, vulnerable and exposed when you put yourself out there. When you dont get the results you expected you feel inadequate about your abilities & accomplishments. You're presented with so may self doubts that sometimes it becomes paralyzing. There's so much that comes with pursuing your passion...so much discomfort, anxiety, fear, disappointment, frustrations, guilt, shame...

Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakes

"Regardless of the unique issues that contribute to inhibit any individual's capacity to embrace creative passion, fear and anxiety are inherent in the creative process itself. Descending into the unknown, feeling vulnerable to the reaction of others, the tension you experience as you commit to temporarily suspend critical judgment; these factors interact in such a way as to threaten your progress and full engagement in the creative moment."

At this point some ppl find it too uncomfortable to move on. Their sense of identity is directly related to what they produce. If they create something favorable they feel good but when they don't they arouse anxiety and start being critical of themselves.

I've been there. I've been where the negativity gets overwhelming and it can literally put out the fire. But its something I needed to go thru to understand myself better and practice resiliency to move forward. There's a lot of patience and practice that one needs to cultivate to be really good at something. The greatest artists, athletes, writers and musicians didnt simply get to where they are just from wishing so. They got there bcos they kept going, practiced, learned and nurtured their skills no matter how painful it gets sometimes.

♥ KNOW YOURSELF. Know what time of day you have the most energy to maximize your productivity. Know when you can keep pushing yourself and when to sit back and give yourself a break.

♥ TRUST YOURSELF. Open up to life and have faith that the decisions you make will get you to where you need to go. Confidence in your abilities goes hand in hand with trusting yourself.

♥ CULTIVATE COURAGE. It requires boldness and a fearless attitude to express yourself. Courage allows you to keep going when you feel discouragement and it pushes you to move forward. Courage helps you take the risk to put your creativity out there.

♥ REMEMBER YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS. We tend to focus on what we did wrong or could have done better. This isn't necessarily a bad thing bcos it helps us see where we can make adjustments or improvements but if you linger here it can cripple you. So dont forget to acknowledge the things you have done to have gotten you to where you are now.

Earth Day. Go hug a tree

2010-04-22T16:30:00.000-07:00

SAVE THE WHALES. k bad shot cos my hair is in the way

I dont really know where to start. I've been an animal lover and a tree hugger ever since I can remember. This topic is very close to my heart and I cant begin to think of the words to express the empathy I feel. I try to do as much as I can on a daily basis but sometimes I need days like today to re-connect my heart with one of things i truly care about.

I watched Oprah today and wanted to share this with you guys Save the Dolphins. Dolphins have the same consciousness as us humans, meaning that they are self aware and have the ability to remember the past and the future while remaining aware of the present. It really hit a soft spot when Ric O'Barry was telling up a story of how Flipper was depressed and ended up killing himself.

There is so much going out there in this world that effects the Earth. I can't possibly cover it all but I did want to share that one story with you guys today. To the world you may only be one person, but to one person you could mean the world. Pls take action. Donate or sign the petition.

The Essence of a Dress. Meet Maia

2010-04-15T18:18:00.000-07:00

meow meow. This is the first entry for my ESSENCE OF A DRESS series. Being a creative person I've come to realize how important the progress of a project is. So I want to take you along with me...to see how I breathe life into the dresses that I create. The ideas, inspirations, sweat, tears and sometimes blood(all the needle pokes grr) that goes into the making of a dress gives it it's essence. That's why I decided to name my dresses.

So with that being said...pls meet Maia. Maia is the Greek Goddess of Spring. When I think Spring I think of blossoms. I think of fresh air, fresh starts and unexpected endings.

This is the inspiration board of images I culled to give myself a better idea of what I wanted to create. Inspiration can come in many different forms. It can come from the lyrics of a song, the smell of french perfume, from nature, architecture, people...anything and everything.

♥ My Creation ♥

I wanted to create Maia for a wedding I was attending so I was first inspired by how I felt. I felt light, happy and slightly dreamy so from that I projected it externally into something more tangible. I chose soft milky colors for Maia...lilac, pink and white. And since Maia is a Goddess I designed something that had an empire waist. For a feminine touch I created the neckline to resemble the delicate curve of a flower petal to follow the curve of a woman's breast.

Spring represents fresh changes and new perspectives but in order for something new to begin we almost always need to leave something behind. I wanted to incorporate this belief into the back design of the dress. I think this detail is very unexpected but it gives a bit of playfulness to Maia's character. Vertical lines also create length as well as feminine curves.

2010-04-15T16:07:00.001-07:00

2 cents a wish

2010-04-08T16:42:00.000-07:00

I used to wish for wishes like getting an awesome job, to lose weight, to move to a different city...etc but now I realize that those aren't wishes as much as they are goals. I would write a list of wishes in each area of my life (lifestyle, relationships, family, career, health, career...) and a year or 2 later id stumble upon them and realized that those wishes had come true. well most of them anyways. lol* or to a certain extent. i guess what im trying to say is that we can usually make most of our wishes come true simply by acting upon them.

I remember I used to have an unending list of wishes but I've noticed that it has gotten shorter each year. I look around me and can't help but feel gratitude for the things i already have. Regardless, I still do have a wish list.

The easier stuff
I wish...

...to find thigh high boots that fit perfectly. They always seem to bunch or sag by the ankles or behind the knee
...to melt away the last little bit of baby fat I still have
...i could blog more often
...to respect my body more and not fill it with unhealthy substances
...complain less
...be less judgmental

the not-so-easy stuff
i wish...

...look upon a sky filled with stars every night
...to live in a house on a beach so i can hear the waves every night before i fall asleep
...to live in NYC for a little white
...to have my own boutique where i can sell my designs along side others
...see the world. Next desired stops would be Paris, Milan, Japan, Australia
...be more consistent in my moods
...going on a shopping spree
...i had a glowing, flawless complexion without the use of makeup
...to be in a music video
...to finished re-decorating my room. need $ for that =(
...i had more energy
...learn to love ppl unconditionally
...to get rid of my debt

the hard hard stuff
i wish...

...to have a plentiful, abundant bank account that would never be depleted
...to have a pet unicorn
...to eat anything and as much as i want without unhealthy effects
...to be 3 inches taller
...to be rid of all my resentment
...to see my mom again
...it was summer. grr it snowed last night
...to have ppl stop mistreating the earth
...to save all the animals in the world
..to turn into a black panther for a day

What do you wish for?

Partying it up 80's style with a lil inspiration from Marc Jacob's Spring/Summer 2010 Collection

2010-03-29T16:40:00.000-07:00

Well hello ladies. Me and my gfs had planned an 80's themed bachelorette party. It turned out to be a very colorful night with really retro outfits. I think Jenni has definitely earned herself a gold star for the one she put together. "Vintage" pieces from her mum's closet. hehe.

As you know the 80's is full of crazy trends. It was hard to pick and choose which look I wanted to go for until I remembered Marc by Marc Jacob's SS 2010 collection. I was inspired by the bunny bows that Madonna use to wear in her videos.

What is your favorite look or trend from the 80's?

Making a few adjustments to my dress...

taa daa. crimped hair, blue eyeshadow, pink lipstick

the eye of the tiger..rawr! damn we all look like we're 12 yrs old in this pic. where are the rest of the girls?

Kiss winter goodbye.

2010-03-15T20:17:00.000-07:00

She would love to pack winter up in a little brown parcel tied with a bright pink ribbon and send it away. This seems like a big feat but it's time for some freshness in the stale air that has been surrounding her...gathering a sense of heaviness that almost chokes her when she tries to speak. She wants to be caught in the rain on a warm spring day - to feel the wetness on her skin as it washes away everything that is old.

Let's do some SPRING CLEANING starting with our closets.

"Closets are supposed to be a place to store the clothes, accessories, and shoes we wear. Many that we see look like archeological digs, filled with layers of stuff from days past. Others are more selective; they remind us of scrapbooks documenting a woman's life. You accumulate and hold on to all that stuff in your closet because of emotions, past attachments, or present challenges. - Judie Taggart & Jackie Walker

Go to your closet and look inside. What are the emotional reasons you hoard stuff? Memories? Potential? Ego boosting? Fear? Aspirations? Comfort? By acknowledging this, it makes it easier to get rid of things you really don't need. I used to have a difficult time getting rid of old clothes. I'd always think...what if it comes back into fashion...or what if i need it one day... you know what? that day never comes.

This is a huge exercise in learning to let go which we can also apply in our daily lives. I go through my closet once or twice a year(usually more often when i feel my life is in a transistion) & ask myself if everything hanging in your closet is really ME? Can I wear this NOW? Not, I can wear this when I'm 5 pounds lighter again...etc. After clearing out my closet and donating my old clothes, I find it so much easier to put outfits together. I dont have to go through a whole bunch of emotional clutter. When you get rid of things that no longer serve you, you make more room for positive things that align with what you want and who you are.

Here is a exercise you can do to help you along the way. It's from the book "I Don't Have A Thing To Wear":

Step1. Take a piece of paper and draw a circle. From this circle you are going to create a pie chart which will be divided into sections. Each slice will be based on your life's activities.

Step2. On a separate piece of paper list he activities you preform on a daily basis. Example: Work, Weekend, Evenings, Social, Casual, Exercise. Under these categories, write what you wear while you are preforming it. For your Exercise slice write what you wear to the gym, or to yoga class. For your work slice write down what you wear to work...etc

Step3. Determine the time you spend on each activity in a month. Return to your circle and divide it into slices according to the percentages you spend on each activity

Step4. Now take your circle and go to your closet. Separate the clothing you actually wear into the categories that correspond to the pie slices. Create a different pie for the items that either dont fit into one of your categories of items that you can't or don't wear.

Step5. Now compare the percentage of clothes in each pile you have created with the percentages of your circle. Do the percentages match? What percentage of the clothes in your closet do you actually wear? 20-40%? If you wear only 20-40% of what is in your closet, how can you dress 100% of your life? Get it?

Finding your inner Gaga

2010-03-14T16:58:00.000-07:00

photo credit { fashionista.com }

Have you guys seen her new music video ft. Beyonce? Some ppl may not like her unique sense of style or her strange ways of illustrating herself. But we can all learn a thing or 2 from this pop icon. And its learning to express the unique inner creativity we all have within ourselves. You may not be in a career that allows you to do this but that doesnt mean you can't apply it into your daily life.

Creativity depends on fostering independent thought. what is it that makes you uniquely YOU, how do you view yourself and life? Start with this and build on it. What type of energy do you want to put into the world? Find your inner vibrancy and show the world how colorful you can be. Go places you've never been before.

Here are a few online personalities that I very much admire bcos of their defining qualities and their unapologetic ways of expressing themselves. Their character really shines through. (in abc order):

♥ Doe Deere
♥ Gala Darling
♥ Miss X
♥ Sea of Shoes
♥ The Starving Stylist
♥ xppinkx

Do you guys have any?

DIY: I hate to see her go but...

2010-03-11T16:50:00.000-08:00

Hello hello ladies. This is my very first DIY(do-it-yourself) tutorial so I hope you like it and that my illustrations do justice. It would be awesome if you guys can give me some feedback =)

I think one of the most sexiest parts of a woman is her back so I wanted to start my DIY series with this in mind. The outfit I transformed was worn for a special occasion but dont limit your imagination to this. You can use this tutorial to turn a long t-shirt into a dress for something more casual & cute or you can wear it as a tunic or even apply the steps for a top instead of a dress OR you can incorporate a lace body suit underneath to create an interesting design. Use your creativity.

So I got this tunic from H & M. It's supposed to fit a bit loose but I bought it one size bigger than normal to give me some extra fabric just in case I need it.

Materials you'll need:

-The garment you'll be transforming. Make sure its a bit stretchy
-pins
-a sewing machines would be helpful but its not necessary. You can hand sew it
-needle and thread
-scissors
-some chalk to mark the fabric
-fashion tape (if you live in Canada you can pick some up at Shoppers Drug Mart for $14). This is a good investment that you'll be able to use over and over again for lots of different things. It has a very strong hold.
-and some confidence. it definitely adds THAT much more

ok. so let's begin....

Step 1: Nip Tuck. Turn your garment inside out and put it on. Take your pins and start pinning in the sides depending on the look you are going for(tighter or looser). This is shown as the dotted white line in the illustration.

Next, slowly slide the garment off so the pins dont fall out. Mark with the chalk where the pins are to indicated where you are going to stitch. Take the pins out and then either machine sew or hand sew. After sewing is complete put the garment back on to see if the fit is good. If it is, go ahead and trim off the access fabric(shown in the illustration as the solid yellow line)

Step 2: Distinguishing the sexiness factor. Draw a line down center back with the chalk. The length of the line depends on how far down you want the back opening to go. This is shown by the solid yellow line. Cut down this line and fold back the fabric where the DOTTED yellow line is on BOTH sides(i only drew the dotted line on the left side but do it or both)

Step 3: If you want to save time, instead of sewing back the folds, tape them down with the Fashion Tape. Also make sure you apply some fashion tape on your shoulders to keep your garment from falling down. Trust me, they will stay on all night. I love Fashion Tape. It's magic.

Quotes of the week

2010-03-08T20:02:00.000-08:00

White Rabbit: I'm late, I'm late. For a very important date. No time to say hello, goodbye. Im late, Im late, Im late.

Im sure many of you can relate to the frenzied energy of the White Rabbit - places to go, ppl to see. No time to say hello goodbye. Im late im late im late. Yes, this is how I am. Trying to be productive and pack as much into my day as i possibly can so I can feel that my life isnt wasting away. But there comes a point where one stops and wonder if they are keeping busy just for the heck of keeping busy. Lately, I've been trying to figure out what my next step in life is. And instead of stopping and giving myself the time and space to reflect I urgently jam pack it with aimless duties and projects. When I dont listen to my inner self it begins to try and get my attention. I become burnt out, I start to get irritable, I start to feel a sense of dread seep into my consciousness. I start to feel unhappy which quickly transforms into a feeling of hopelessness. This is when i have to stop everything Im doing & really listen and give myself the time to build a stronger inner foundation for myself. Grow your roots first. Everything else will follow.

Caterpillar: Who... are... you?
Alice: Why, I hardly know, sir. I've changed so much since this morning, you see...
Caterpillar: No, I do not C, explain yourself.
Alice: I'm afraid I can't explain myself, you see, because I'm not myself, you know.
Caterpillar: I do not know.
Alice: I can't put it any more clearly, sir, because it isn't clear to me.

Its important to know yourself and strengthen your faith in yourself. In this way it makes the path you take in life clearer and the decisions you make more intent.

The Rose: Just what species or, shall we say, genus are you, my dear?
Alice: Well, I guess you would call me... genus, humanus... Alice.
Daisy: Ever see an alice with a blossom like that?
Orchid: Come to think of it, did you ever see an alice?
Daisy: Yes, and did you notice her petals? What a peculiar color.
Orchid: [sniffing Alice's hair] And no fragrance.
Daisy: [chuckling, as she lifts up one side of Alice's dress] And just look at those stems.
The Rose: [as Alice slaps the Daisy's leaves away] Rather scrawny, I'd say.
Bud: I think she's pretty.
The Rose: Quiet, bud.

Has any of you experienced a time when you felt uncomfortable in your own skin and out of place bcos you dressed, spoke or acted differently than everyone else around you? I have many times & its one of the most vulnerable feelings in the world. Overcoming these moments can be difficult but it all comes down to self acceptance and love. Being able to appreciate yourself for who you are also helps you develop compassion to appreciate other ppl's differences. Work on your inner world and it will reflect on your outer.

Alice: I simply must get through!
Doorknob: Sorry, you're much too big. Simply impassible.
Alice: You mean impossible?
Doorknob: No, impassible. Nothing's impossible.

My Vancouver Trip

2010-03-07T18:13:00.000-08:00

I took a very impulsive trip down to Vancouver to enjoy the last 2 days of the Olympics. I definitely needed to get away bcos I was beginning to feel quite restless again in Calgary. Perfect timing and Im so glad I went bcos if I didnt, I would have missed out on this once in a life time chance to see the city full of great ppl & great energy. Here are some pics taken by me from my mini trip.

This is up driving downtown right after we won the Hockey Game.

no. this ticket wasn't mine. lol* i wish. how intense would that be?

What's Vancouver without any rain? No rain boots tho, just me and my pretty umbrella ready to go on an adventure

Van is always so green. Love the neighborhoods esp here in Kitsilano. So close to the beach too...

Stopped by my favorite restaurant Guu, for lunch.

Yes i am playing with my food. Pumpkin Croquette and some yummy beef udon noodles.

...and cute Lexus posing. of course.

2010-02-26T17:09:00.000-08:00

oooh last min decision to go to vancouver tonight. Just made it for the Olympics. woo hoo. See you guys soon. muah*

Looking thru lace tinted glasses

2010-02-24T20:10:00.000-08:00

♥ WHAT DO YOU MOST VALUE IN YOUR FRIENDS
Loyalty & when they are non-judgmental

♥ WHAT IS YOUR PRINCIPLE DEFECT
My impatience & being forgetful, esp with names

♥ WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE OCCUPATION
Being a Full Time Sagittarius

♥ THE QUALITY YOU MOST LIKE IN A MAN
Patient, loyal, ambitious & courageously passionate

♥ THE QUALITY YOU MOST LIKE IN A WOMAN
Interesting, not afraid to be themselves and beautiful on the inside

♥ WHAT IN YOUR MIND WOULD BE THE GREATEST OF MISFORTUNES
Thinking u know someone & realizing it was only an illusion, the loss of trust in someone, living life half heartedly, the loss of freedom

♥ WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FLOWER
Right now I love full blossom flowers like Peonies

♥ WHAT ARE YOU KNOWN FOR
Falling asleep in movies, over indulging in dessert , having messy hair when i get drunk, losing things, breaking things

♥ CURRENT OBSESSION
Belly dancing & neon pink

♥ WHAT INSPIRES YOU
Beauty. Ppl who can find beauty in the most ordinary things & in the most unexpected ways

Dreamer's Remorse

2010-02-23T08:30:00.000-08:00

Intoxicated from the previous night's dreams she wakes up & automatically reaches for her berry to check the time. The digital numbers read 8:17 am. 3 more minutes she tells herself. She had her alarm set for 8:20am but the past few mornings she had awaken always a few minutes before it sets off. Maybe its by instinct she wakes up a few mins earlier to avoid the panic she feels when the alarm cuts short her sweet dreams. By the time she shakes away the cobwebs, the memories of her dreams have begun to dissipate.

*sigh* time to start the day. Lately I've been feeling less than enthusiastic to do anything but roll around in my bed with my new baby unicorn that I got as a gift on Valentines. Save me from myself.

Links of the Week - Illustrators

2010-02-22T13:24:00.000-08:00

photo credit { miss van }

"Art is not about thinking something up. Its about the opposite - getting something down."

I believe that creativity is a form of energy that passes thru each individual differently. It goes thru one end the same but comes out the other end transformed. Transformed into inspiration. Transformed by the artists' perspective of the world, life experience, their passions, hopes, fears... Its one of the most interesting things in life. No matter what kind of art you create whether it be in music, design, painting, drawing, cooking, it is most important to be in tune with urself and the creative energy around you. This is when art happens. The kind of art that speaks to others and touches their spirit.

Here are a few of my favorite artists. After visiting a few of the links I think you'll catch on to a reoccurring theme. Most of these artists i love because they have a mix of 2 contrasting elements which are combined very well. Innocent yet erotic, whimsical yet twisted, mysterious yet playful. It reminds me of the contrasting characteristics I possess within myself. Ive always had inner conflict bcos of my clashing traits but its artists like the ones below that inspire me to believe that 2 can exist simultaneously. You just have to find the creativity to mix them well together to create an unusual and unique character.

❥ Im going to start off my list of links with none other than Audrey Kawasaki. I know she's not new with some of you bcos her artwork is quite popular. I would love to own one of her pieces. In 3 words I would describe her work as: Innocent, seductive and sorrowful

❥ Curiouser and curiouser...KuKula's childhood imagination was nourished by a mix of fairy tale fantasies and World War II horror stories which was a result of being neighbors to Holocaust survivors. Her work is full of symbolism and is sweetly disturbing. It's kind of like having your heart ripped out and then placing a cherry on top. What are your interpretations of her pieces? It would be interesting to hear her own. But then it would lose it's magic. It is not the job of an artist to explain their work - it's the viewers' own perspective & interpretation of what is being expressed that makes a piece more interesting & makes it art

❥ Peter Winnett is a fashion illustrator

❥ Danny Roberts is another illustrator but he's also a photographer & a graphic designer. He does a lot of celebrity portraits and I love his style of art

❥ Ray Caesar. Very dark creations. His subjects look very ghostly and vampire-like. Have you ever found yourself in someplace old, dark....dusty...empty and you cant shake off the feeling that you're not alone? Like someone unseen is watching you and you cant help but feel a chill run down your spine? Well that's how I feel when I view his art. It is truly genius when the artist can conjure up feelings inside you. Another important component of art

❥ Very chic fashion illustrations created by Cassandra Rhodin. You might have seen some of her pieces floating around over the net

❥ Aya Takano is a Japanese pop artist. Her characters are usually nude...girlie figures with raw knees. lol* I get a sense of naivete and precocious sexuality in her work as she has a very vivid imagination, painting futuristic and lively worlds

Will you be my Valentine?

2010-02-14T13:02:00.000-08:00

♥My Valentines msg to you♥

click click click to follow me =)

je ne sais quoi...

2010-02-09T20:45:00.000-08:00

photo credit: { Wildfox }

For Valentines Day, why don't you choose one of your favorite features and play it up, accentuate it...love it!
Love your cute small ears? Adorn it with something that sparkles. Or do you have big dolly eyes? Try on a new pair of lashes to accentuate them or a bold new shade of eyeshadow in your favorite color. Have you always been told you had luscious lips? Apply some lip venom and dabble on your favorite lip gloss on top to make them extra juicy. The list goes on. Use your creativity & dont forget the finishing touch. Confidence.

I've been working out my back muscles a lot so I designed a dress especially for Valentines Day that will expose my backside. Stay tuned to see my creation =) It's super cute and sexy.

2010-02-07T15:36:00.000-08:00

Sticking to the Valentines Day theme, here's a list of a few things that I LOVE:

Peanut butter and banana sandwiches. I like to have it with flax and sunflower seed bread and press it between a grill. mmmm* the texture of the bread is perfect with the warm and gooey inside. I love this as an afternoon snack
Getting letters in the mail...the old fashioned way. I actually received one from Rozzie the other day. These little things make me happy. I also love to see how ppl's handwriting looks like. It's very interesting to me.
Reading. I am the biggest book worm. Im always reading 3 or 4 at a time. But after all the ones that I have read I'd have to say that The Alchemist and Eat Love Pray are my most favorite!!
Having a movie marathon. When Im taking a break from my action packed life I LOOVE watching movies
Sipping wine and having a good conversation over dinner. One of the best things in the world
Italian food. mmm i love love LOVE italian food. If you guys are in Calgary you HAVE to check out Mercado if you havent done so already. If you're in Vancouver check out Trattoria. Kobe meatballs...mmmm*
I love the words: sprinkle, mint, glamour, daydream
Japanese mags especially JELLY & nutz
Eating at Guu with Garlic
Dancing, Pouffy voluminous hair, Slumber parties, Whispering secrets, Chocolate fondue, Making messes, Falling in love, The smell of suntan lotion, Long summer nights, Freedom

photo credit: {steffilynn }

Getting Cupid's Attention

2010-02-07T14:49:00.000-08:00

Valentines day is just around the corner. I've always loved Valentines Day. It's probly bcos im such a romantic at heart. Some ppl are so bitter about this day but really, why do they have to take things so seriously. Is it necessary to be so against it to the point where you fill yourself with anger? Stop being such a hater. I do agree that it is just another day. every day could be valentines if you wanted it to but its one of those little things that i look forward to.

The History of VDay: Cupid was born. Im still waiting for him to shoot one of his arrows my way. Hopefully I dont fall face flat into the floor when it happens. Maybe I should start wearing flats just in case. 4 inch heels would be killer to fall in =( Here are some ideas I brainstormed to get Cupid's attention. Let me run them by you.

❥ Sneak up behind him and scare him. Maybe that could startle him into accidentally shooting an arrow at me. But I gotta be clever about it and plan it so that a cute guy will be around to get shot too

❥ Buy him a few rounds of tequila and hope he gets trigger happy

❥ Offer to design him a new outfit. Cupid needs to look pimped out too

❥ If worst comes to worse I'll have to bribe him with sweets. I will use all the chocolates and candy I get for Valentines and leave a little trail of them behind me for him to follow. When he gets close enough I'll jump him and demand he hands over those arrows. Sometimes a girl needs to take things into her own hands hehe

Alice in WaterLand

2010-02-03T20:53:00.000-08:00

Photo Credit: { Elena Kalis }

Alice is not the only one falling down the rabbit hole. Lately I've been discovering new territory in my life. Im feeling a tiny bit out of control but i guess that's what happens when one is exploring new perspectives and doing things differently. Its rather exciting.

Transform your body. Part I: Building the right foundation

2010-01-24T22:59:00.000-08:00

Id have to say working out, being active & living a healthy lifestyle is one of the top priorities in my life even though I don't post much about it. So I've decided to dedicate a series on this topic. I'm not claiming to be an expert in this area but I want to share with you tips that are personally working for me. It's not just about looking good, its about feeling good from the inside out. I'm sure we can all agree on that. So let's start with a few basics...

Define your purpose & set your intention. This will help you stay motivated.
Is it to lose weight, feel better in your body, feel more sexxxy =P, to be healthy? Everyone has their own reasons. For me I wanted to lose weight and look good but as time went on my initial reason for exercising turned into something totally different. I started to understand how great it feels to be active...how great it feels to put good food in my body and I found it interesting to learn about how the body works.

Be realistic about your fitness goals. Telling yourself that you want to lose 10 pounds by the end of Feb is possible but is it a realistic goal for you? If losing weight & keeping it off is what you're after then the secret is not in dieting. It has to be a lifestyle change. One step a a time, one decision at a time. Gradually work your way up. If you jump in head first and tell yourself that you will work out 5 times a week you'll end up disappointed in yourself when you dont meet that goal. Even worse you'll lose confidence in yourself and your ability to follow thru. Instead tell yourself: today I will work out for an hour. or today i will walk up the flight of stairs to work instead of taking the elevator. Its the small actions that add up to the big ones.

Work with your interests & be creative. There are tons of ways you can be active. Pick one that works for you. Im the worst when it comes to cardio machines. I get restless and bored but when I have no choice i bring a book or a favorite magazine to flip thru. Other ways I try to incorporate cardio in my routine it taking cardio classes. It's more exciting. I take cardio kick boxing, hip hop dancing, Zumba and on occasion Step classes(the choreography is a bit more tricky for me tho =P). My tip for you is to keep it interesting. Working out doesnt have to be a chore.

Check out this article from CityGeisha on losing fat rather than losing weight. She explains it so much better than I can. =) She has a few other well written articles on fitness that I think you should read as well.

EDIT: Treasure your health. It seems that in life we are always striving to attain something....more wealth, knowledge, skill, happiness but with health most of us are blessed to be born with it. Dont you find it tragically funny how we take that for granted? Its a process but pls find ways to cherish your mind and body. Its a gift that was given to us.

Find music that pumps you up. Start a workout playlist on ur cute lil ipod & bring it along with you on your next workout and update them and add to them frequently. Keeps things exciting. What songs motivate you? Do you have any favorites. Feel free to share =) Here are a few songs that are on my playlist.

Quote of the week

2010-01-21T19:48:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you gotta forget what you want and remember what you deserve

Links of the Week

2010-01-17T16:35:00.000-08:00

I have a feeling that 2010 is going to be a sparkling year filled with wonderful surprises. Do something different this year. be more active, be more creative, laugh more, relax more...whatever it is find a theme for 2012. Mine is to take more action in manifesting my dreams.

♥ Turn your bedroom into a place where you can relax and daydream. Fill it with things that speak to you. Here's a cool collection of inspiring spaces. Im in the process of redecorating my room. I stenciled my walls giving it a damasked look, played around with feng shui (if you're serious about Feng Shui check out Feng Shui for Dummies. Its an excellent book) and made a folding screen which is also going to be my vision board. All I got to do now is add in the details. This will be an ongoing process bcos I definitely dont have the $$ to buy everything all at once. Which brings me to the next thing...

♥ Get your finances in check. I received 2 books this xmas from my brother in-law. One of them being Suze Orman's Women & Money & Smart Cookies. Im pretty excited to start learning to become better at managing my finances. I feel that its important to be in more control when it comes to money. Last year I was definitely out of control with my spending..taking 2 major trips to LA and NYC and also going to Mexico twice. Soo worth it but now Im left to deal with debt which i have to take full responsibility for. Carpe Diem right? But we still need to learn how to balance it out.

photo credit {i.Anton}

♥ Do something you've always wanted to do. For me its belly dancing. Ive always been very drawn to it. I find the music so enticing and the fluid movements look so sensual and almost hypnotic. So I went ahead and enrolled in a class with Goddess Dance and I absoultely LOVE it. The way your body moves makes me feel very in touch with my feminine side. Its an empowering feeling.

♥ Get in touch with your girlie side. Wear some pretty bows.Or how bout some floral necklaces?

♥ Invite more love into your life. Write more love letters. The Lost Art of Letter Writing. Scented Letters. Japanese Scented Pencils. There's nothing more delightful then receiving a hand written note. Dont be afraid to express yourself. Or get your dainty manicured hands dirty and start making handmade gifts. Check out some DIY projects and freebies at Creature Comforts and also i do it yourself is filled with lovely diy articles. BTW ill be adding a DIY section to my blog =P

♥ Start a blog. Here's a book of blog stars maybe they can help inspire you or read this article: 9 Tips to Start Blogging Successfully. Everyone has different reasons to start a blog...to make money, to share knowledge, to connect with other ppl with the same interests, to use as a creative outlet...the list goes on. Try it =)

♥ What kind of things do you collect? I collect postcards from the places I've traveled to. I also collect stationary. There's something about pretty blank pieces of paper that excites me. I also collect unicorns. obviously. =P Collecting things is a fun hobby just as long as it doesnt turn into clutter.

♥ Get a calender. I've been writing in a calender for years now. I jot down little notes on what I do each day so I can look back & remember things if I need to.

Happy New Years

2010-01-15T16:29:00.001-08:00

My little lamb slippers ^_^ very cozy

Happy New years, darlings.

Im sure most of my loyal readers realize by now that I have a tendency to go on Hiatus every once in a while. My reasons for being MIA are usually due to it becoming very action packed (full effects including BOOM, POW, KAZAM. Kind of like fighting crime the old school batman way =P). Especially since there have been a few changes & transformations that are going on in my life right now, I find that I haven't been on my laptop very often if ever. I do have the choice to post with the limited time ive got but I prefer to give my readers quality content not just post an entry just for the heck of posting an entry. I dont want my words to be floppy and stale. Ive tried to remain true to that and I hope it shows Don't worry tho, I have accumulated tons of creative ideas that i am dying to add to my blog.

Pls stay tuned. I wont be too long.
Luv Cindee

2009-12-23T18:50:00.000-08:00

"I am not going to talk about her Parisian flair or the fact that she never changes her plain hairstyle. Sofia is worthy of admiration because she is proof of the fact that being popular, dressed in designer rags, ultimately is not a valid measurement for beauty. She is worthy of admiration because she creates something beyond the easy, the frivolous; she seems eager to spend more time and thought fulfilling personal endeavors than she does preening herself.

A style icon, in my opinion, is a person who not only wears beautiful ensembles but who manages also to provide a context for the beauty to thrive in, who defines beauty by inventing a standard of their own rather than succumbing to ideals." -Madelene {Le Portillon}

LOST: My Pet Unicorn

2009-12-22T20:04:00.000-08:00

I stumbled into Aritzia today as I was attempting to do some xmas shopping. I had to do a double take when I saw this shirt. If you guys dont know by now i have this thing for unicorns. Unicorns represent purity to me. They represent something rare. I believe in them. Some ppl find it strange but in a way believing in unicorns gives me a sense of hope that purity exists in this world. Everything in life is precious. Look closer.

My Shirt Says
LOST. Have you seen my pet Unicorn?
REWARD Offered for safe return.
Last seen in a dream....

Here are some different outfits I made using my new favorite shirt as the main piece

Links of the Week

2009-11-23T20:06:00.000-08:00

photo credit: ME

{ catching the sunrise, Mexico }

Ive been quite the jet setter this year & I couldnt be more than grateful for all these opportunities to travel. I would love Paris to be my next destination. But now Im back home and ready to work my little bum off...and that definitely includes posting entries more often. If you guys have anything you want to see more of on my blog shoot me a msg. *Pew peww*

♥ Hansel and Gretel themed editorial

♥ nothingelegant is a store on etsy carrying the cutest products from korea.
I really adore their Rabbit Index Postit set I want I want I want!

♥ When i dream this is what it looks like...

♥ If you haven't noticed, braids are back in. It reminds me of my childhood when I used to braid my sister's hair.
Here is a cute Braid tutorial

♥ Love these collages from missDIORCouture

♥ Advice from Amy Astley (editor in chief Teen Vogue)

2009-11-12T15:49:00.001-08:00

leaving again. mexico wooot! see u guys soon

Quote of the week

2009-11-09T20:37:00.000-08:00

Perfectionism is not a quest for the best.
It is a pursuit of the worst in ourselves

Melrose Place

2009-11-05T11:20:00.000-08:00

I am pretty impressed by the new Melrose Place. I love the cast and the storyline keeps me interested so far. My favorite character is Riley. Her personality is so cute. Anyways now Im dreaming of Cali....

Shopping on Melrose

2009-11-03T10:05:00.000-08:00

Yes yes I know Im a little late posting Halloween pictures but here they are. This year I was Pyslocke from Xmen. Im quite pleased with how my costume turned out. The leg part was a bit finicky at first but there's nothing fashion tape can't fix. It definitely held it in place most of the night. By the end of the night I was a messy mess mess.

How to shine bright like a star

2009-10-30T09:44:00.001-07:00

Cindee's Guide to Shining

“To be a star, you must shine your own light, follow your own path, and don't worry about the darkness, for that is when the stars shine brightest”

One of the things that I have learned and re-learned over the years is that in order to shine your brightest you have to not be afraid of standing out from everyone else. This can be hard to do bcos you risk feeling vulnerable to other ppl's judgment and opinions. You shrink back because it feels more comfortable to fit in. But in reality are you doing anyone any favors by holding yourself back from life and not living up to your full potential? When I talk about "Shining" I dont mean Hollywood Glitz and Glamour. Im talking about being the best of who you can be from the inside out and not being afraid to sparkle.

♥ Begin with accepting yourself.
♥ Be true to yourself. Understand, accept and embrace who you are, not who you're not. Read this past article I had written.
♥ Identify & develop your talents so you can express them fully. What are you drawn to? The things you always gravitate toward are often related to your natural ability. What kind of things came easier to you than your friends? Do ppl compliment you on a specific quality or ability you have? (She's so compassionate, he has a good eye for color, he is very creative, she has good sense of style...)

♥ Concentrate on cultivating your strengths instead of focusing so much on your weaknesses
♥ Smile more
♥ Do what you love. I believe that you can only become truly fulfilled when you are doing what you love bcos then you are aligning ur life with your inner self. Yes you will still come across obstacles but bcos your heart is in it, you will meet these challenges from a higher & stronger place. You will learn to transform your adversities into opportunities
♥ Learn & grow. Be open to new information and ways of thinking. Wake up and explore your passions by trying a new class, pick up some books that interest you to stimulate your mind, do something that scares you.

♥ Wear lots of bronzer =P hehe

There floating across the pavement surrounded by a flock of men in tuxedos was a woman who was unmistakably Diana Vreeland. She was wearing a sleek yellow satin sheathe that my guess would be Dior circa 1955. It had a matching satin stole and matching yellow satin shoes. White stones sparkled around her neck and at her ears. She looked absolutely amazing.

Now Mrs Vreeland was no beauty certainly by that age. But then she never was – that was the point. But on this evening well into her 80’s, she was dressed to kill and clearly fascinating a large group of men of all ages. They followed her like puppies and hung on her every word. I watched her as she slowly moved to the car. She turned her head this way and that to chat with the men around her. She leaned back against one of the men, tossed her head and laughed. The men couldn’t look away and neither could I. I have never seen a woman move so elegantly (at least off the ballet stage) and more to the point, never have i seen a woman more alive. She was so clearly having the time of her life and her joie de vivre lit all those around her. Mrs Vreeland was perfectly magical and a good part of that magic was her style. It was unique, it was flawless and it was as bright as the sun....continue reading. Women With Style

It's coming up!!

2009-10-26T12:30:00.000-07:00

Remember I was telling you guys about my Halloween Project? Well here is my progress...

{ Here I am trying to do cat woman's head piece. I had to buy a Styrofoam head to use as a guide bcos I had no idea where to start. Im happy with the results tho. I thought it would have been more difficult }

{ I guess this one is obvious...Wonder Woman }

{ Pheonix. I had fun doing this one. I think the gold emblem looks good on top of the black instead of having it just on the red like how some of the versions look}

♥ Here are some of the final pieces. Ill get clearer pictures later ♥

Links of the Week

2009-10-19T08:47:00.000-07:00

{ Lady Gaga Hello Kitty }

♡ Closet Cravings is a blog I stumbled upon just recently. You find out what celebs are wearing & where you can buy it.
♡ How to make the legging trend work for you
♡Chanel recently launched a new handbag line called Chanel Coco Cocoon
♡ How do you make lipstick? From Doo Deere
♡ Halloween is coming up. Michelle Phan's Barbie Transformation Tutorial
♡ Supervillainess...goes well with my Halloween super hero project. Also check out Sombre heroines at CherryBlossomGirl.

miss*introvert

2009-10-14T15:17:00.000-07:00

Some of you may not know that I am an introvert. I may seem like a social butterfly (well...more so in my younger years) but Id very much prefer being in solitude than being surrounded by ppl at a party. It doesnt mean introverts are anti-social. It just means we prefer our own company than the company of others. Unlike extroverts who find being around ppl energizing, we introverts find it exhausting being around ppl for too long. So what does it mean to be introverted? I've culled a few things from the book Introvert Power by Laurie Helgoe and made a list below. See if it applies to you:

♥ We prefer to look at life from the inside out
♥ We gain energy and power thru inner reflection rather than external things
♥ Writing appeals to us because we can express ourselves without intrusion & interruption
♥ Time to think & reflect is not only a luxury for introverts; its a necessity
♥ We do not hate small talk bcos we dislike ppl. We hate small talk bcos we hate the barrier it creates between ppl. We want less talk, more understanding. We want to establish a deeper connection
♥ We like conversations that are generally about ideas and concepts, not about other ppl, trivial matters or social small talk
♥ For extroverts, who enjoy associating, getting to know a lot of ppl is not a problem. It is part of the fun. But for introverts, who have limited energy for interaction, we need to be more thoughtful & deliberate about who we meet
♥ Comfort in relationships is key for introverts. That's why family relationships can be important. Siblings already share a history so a lot of grondwork has been taken care of.
♥ For us, being "talked to death" is very much like being beaten over the head. It gives some of us migraines or feel drained of life energy

Example of a conversation between an extrovert and introvert

Extrovert: How are you?
Introvert: (pauses. taking in the question, thinking)
Extrovert: I had the craziest day starting with.....
Introvert: (thinking) Wait a minute! WHAT R U DOING?? Dont fill the void. i LIKE the void! I need the void to make room for my thoughts. So if you really want to know how I am leave the void alone until I come up with something. If you dont want to wait, thats cool-just find someone else to talk to.

LOL* I found this funny cos its so true.

TOP 10 LIST "Extroverts at their Most Annoying"

10. When everything has to be a party
9. When E(Extrovert) calls too often, talks too much and says too little
8. When an E that you DONT know asks "Are you ok?" just bcos you are quiet
7. When E brings someone along to your "one on one" as a surprise
6. When E assumes every silence is an invitation to TALK
5. When E talks at length without a single pause
4. When the above behavior requires you to interrupt in order to speak
3. When you finally get to speak and your words remind E of something else to share
2. When E calls to respond to the email you sent bcos you didnt want to talk
1. When E is oblivious to all attempts to end the conversation including "goodbye" or "i've really got to go now"

So to all my extrovert friends, dont take it personally if I go MIA here and there. It only means I need ME time to recharge my batteries or maybe it actually means u're exhausting me. LOL just kidding. you know i love you =)

Sorry if I offend any extroverts out there. This entry was written light heartedly.

Gratitude

2009-10-12T13:23:00.000-07:00

Happy Thanksgiving! I know in the states it isn't until November but in Canada its today. To be happy and to appreciate life I feel that its very important to remind yourself of the things that you are thankful for . Its easy to fall into thoughts of wanting more and not having enough but this kind of mindset is limiting. When I discover & recognize how many things i am thankful for it makes my life feel so abundant.

Gratitude. Psychologically, this is great training. It keeps you focused on what you have, and not what you lack. It is a great way to boost your optimism if you are optimistic; and shift you out of pessimism if you are not.

By being grateful, you are training your subconscious to guide you into getting more of what you want. An estimated 90 per cent of our mental activity (and hence power) is subconscious; this is the reason hypnotism is so powerful. It goes straight into the subconscious. (Why do you think hypno-therapists can charge so much?)

Read more...UrbanMonk

{ Santa Monica Pier, Cali }

My Gratitude List

1. Being surrounded by really great and support ppl. When you consciously decide what to let into your life and realize you have the control to get rid of things that are negative you make a lot more room for the things that you want. Even tho this is very true I also find myself very very blessed to be born into this world already having those type of ppl in my life. My childhood friends were there since we were babies bcos our parents are friends & I am lucky to have more than a handful of these ppl.

2. My family that is always so patient with me when Im being less than patient.

3. My childhood. Of course everone has a few memories that are tramatizing but overall I loved my childhood and being able to share that with my sister. I am also thankful for the fact that my mom had video taped so much of it for us to remember.

4. My opportunities to travel. This year Ive been quite a few places. In April we had a week in Mexico to check out some resorts for my sister's wedding, then I went b I back to Van at least 4 times, my big trips to Cali and NY and then I have another trip to Mexico next month for my gf's wedding. hmmm I wonder how many more I can fit in before the year ends. Back to NY for my bday perhaps?? hehe i would love that.

5. My love for reading. I dont know what I would do if I didnt like to read or found it hard to.

....there is soo much more. definitely so much more. But im gonna leave it here for now.

What are some of the things you are grateful for you in life?

How to get sunkissed skin

2009-10-08T15:45:00.000-07:00

{Huntington Beach, Cali}

Sorry it too me a while to address this question but one of my readers had asked me:
Hi Cindee, you always have a nice tan.
Which tanning product do you use and recommend for a nice glow tan?
Before I begin Id like to say that this is the method that I use to tan. It doesnt mean its the correct or safest way so pls use your own discretion. I know you've heard this many times before but its very crucial that you protect yourself and your skin. Use at least an SPF30 and make sure you apply it every half hr. With that out of the way we can begin.

ON THE BEACH
* When im laying out in the sun I always make sure Im greased up. If your skin is dry it takes longer to tan.
* I use HAWAIIAN TROPIC Dark Tanning Oil to get the job done. This is to be applied after your sunscreen has been absorbed into your skin. I reapply whenever I feel that Im drying out.
* Remember to apply sunscreen (environmentally safe is the best way to go) in between. Also you want to be careful if you have sensitive skin bcos the oil might burn you if you stay out in the sun too long. Take breaks. Every 15 mins or so.

AT HOME
* When winter rolls around and I dont get any sunshine I use self tanning products. I never go to the tanning salon anymore. It leaves my skin feeling tender, red and itchy. I was told it's bcos I got a slight burn from it. They say that your chances of getting skin cancer increases every time you get a burn. um ya.

* I know there are a ton of self tanning and spraying products out there but im really too lazy to try new stuff. Im even too lazy to self tan myself for an all year round tan. I only do if I have a special event to attend and wanna look delicious.
* Usually I start developing my tan 3 days before the event that Im planning to go to. * I use the Shoppers Drug Mart brand called LIFE. The product is called Bronze UP Self-Tanning Gelee in Medium or Dark(make sure its in Gel form). I like this product bcos it never streaks and the smell isn't overpowering like alot of other products. If you live in the States another alternative is Loreal Sublime Bronze Tinted Self-Tanning Lotion in DEEP. This works as good but its more expensive and it stinks
* Make sure you exfoliate your dead skin prior and then just put it on like you would with any kind of lotion. I do this 3 days in a row and I acquire the PERFECT shade. If I go a day more I start to get orange
* After that I just maintain the base tan I've created with Vaseline Healthy Body Glow in Medium. It does a really really good job

FACE
* Try not to expose your face to the sun too much. Its bad by causing premature wrinkles. I use LANCOME Flash Bronzer. I need to find a new one if anyone knows of any pls msg me. Bcos the one I use only lasts for a few hrs. I like it bcos it bronzes up my complexion but doesnt actually selftan you.
* For powdered bronzer I use Too Faced The Bronzed and The Beautiful. I recieved it as a gift from Jenni last Christmas and i LOOOVE it! My gf Trace used it when we were in NY and she fell in love with it too. You can find it at Sephora.

{Laguna Beach, Cali}

SHINE!

2009-10-08T11:41:00.001-07:00

"Who are we not to shine?" This theme seems to be popping up in my life lately...tugging at my sleeve for full attention. I was watching Ellen today and thought to myself how successful her show has become. She's such a wonderful person and you can tell she loves to bring joy & laughter into ppl's lives. That thought lead to the thought of talk shows in general. There are not many successful ones out there. The only 2 that stand out for me is Oprah's show and Ellen's. Why is that? I know there's probly many reasons to contribute to their success but I also think a main reason is bcos they both give something meaningful to the life of others in 2 totally different ways. maybe that's the secret. They stay true to who they are and grow and cultivate it. When I think Oprah the words that come to me are spiritual, strong, inspirational. When I think Ellen I think laughter, fun, dancing, joy and that seems to be their basic foundation to grow upon. All the other talk shows like Tyra Banks, Rachel Ray...etc seem to be so average in comparison. They seem to follow the typical kind of talk show.

So what can we do to be less average and more of who we really are? Let go of fear and instead of focusing so much on our weaknesses we should learn how to develop our strengths. In order to make a difference in other ppl's lives we need to find our unique expression in this world and to be ourselves as fully and as intensely as possible. Trust me, Im not there yet but like i always say, life is a journey not a destination. The first step is awareness

Links of the Week

2009-10-05T22:18:00.001-07:00

Your only point of power is in the present moment

There is so much wisdom in this. The only time you can make decisions and be happy is right now. You cant do it in the past bcos it doesnt exist and you cant make decisions in the future bcos it hasnt come yet. You can only take control of your life in the present moment. Accept where you are and realize you have the power to create the future you want. Here are some empowering links to start off the week. Enjoy.

♥ There are 2 really great articles Ive just read recently from The Personal Excellence Blog. Goal Achievement and Discover your Purpose. It is very informative due to the fact that each article is detailed and broken down into steps. It's a very good read and worth the time.

♥ “Success is achieved by developing our strengths, not by eliminating our weaknesses” – Marilyn vos Savant. Do what you're good at

♥ I love this article. I read it a while ago and it has stuck with me ever since. Languishing in the Genius Trap You can always get better at what you do. And also 8 ways to Build your Creative Skill Set

♥ Soulful Relationships

♥ This song never fails to uplift my spirits. It always makes my heart smile. Do you have a song that does this for you?

♥ Saying no

♥ Something I wrote a long time ago on my old blog:

i*ve often struggled with my own sense of identity. who am i in this big world & where do i fit in? My appearence has changed & will continue to. Each day I experience moods, emotions & inner states that sometimes are so contrasting that I seem to be different ppl with each different circumstance that i come across. All these external changes can effect me inwardly just as inner change can alter you externally. But is there something that always remains the same? how do we know who we are?

well...i believe in a soul.I guess its not really who u are as an individual but how we experience God in us. We are all connected bcos we all share that essence inside. We CAN define ourselves as individuals but that doesnt explain who we really are esp since so much can change within & outside of us. Ultimately, who i am is who you are, who you are is who i am.

We are really not as seperate as we make ourselves to be bcos when you really touch on that essence inside it activates something we cant define. We start connecting with each other instead of setting ourselves apart...we see the innocence in others that we also recognize in ourselves. Sometimes we are brought to tears when someone has done something out of the kindness of their heart for us bcos their soul literally touched ours.

We always look up when we pray to God...thinking that he is somewhere up there or outside of us but what we dont realize is that God is IN us & when he speaks he speaks inside ur heart or in the actions & words of another person. If only we stop and take time to listen we would see lil signs that there is more than meets the eye. And if we paid more attention to ourselves inwardly, we can begin to open our eyes and that makes a world of a difference.

A Vintage Summer

2009-10-01T15:21:00.000-07:00

{ Venice Beach, Cali }

How i miss the pink sky and the salty wind. They had become my best friends. My summer was filled with silly laughter, adventures and the smell of suntan lotion. But now it is the end...yet strangely enough I cant complain. There is something in the autumn air that I've always loved & found comfort in. The evident change in season reminds me of how everything in nature is impermanent & always changing and transforming...as with life and what's inside me

Ready to be sun kissed by the californian sun

2009-09-07T09:23:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, Just sitting at the Calgary airport right now waiting to board my plane to Cali. (Thx Tiff for the mags from Japan =D) Im so excited for this adventure. Summer has not ending just yet =) My first stop is Hollywood!! I will keep you posted so you can enjoy all the eye candy too.

Naughty Nights

2009-09-02T08:55:00.000-07:00

Netcandi presents: Heroes Ball

I know its a little early to post anything about Halloween but listen up. This year Netcandi is holding their annual Halloween party at The Big Four building on the stampede grounds. It's going to be massive and Im quite excited because I am working on a project for them. So the theme of the party is Super Heroes.. or villians =P and my task is to design and put together 12 costumes for the Netcandi models. Im currently working on it...trying to finish 4 before I head off to LA and NYC! Wish me luck... I've only got a few days left!

It would be so wonderful if you came out and supported and of course at the same time party it up! =) I'd love to see you there and see what kind of costume you come up with(psstt there are crazy prizes too!) Here's a short vid & contact me if you are interested. Ahem.. this is where you nod.

♥♥♥ If you have Facebook you can view the vid here: **VIDEO**

♥♥♥ And the event here: ***EVENT***

So here are a few of the characters I will be working on. Can you guess which one they've asked me to be? =P

Bunny ♥ i belong to you

2009-08-31T09:00:00.000-07:00

{ credit: LoveMore }

I've never been good with keeping boyfriends...i think its because i jump into relationships too quickly & never really stop to ask myself if this is what i really want. so im doing things differently now. I know its such a cliche but you really gotta love yourself first and do the things you need to do. when one begins to love themselves and accept themselves for who they are they can do the same when faced with another person. u need that foundation in urself. i think when i do fall in love it will be for real. next time it will be for real cos i know so much more now & my hear is opened so much more now. In the meantime i wish i had a bunny.... hehe

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Hello bunny...hop hop hop.....

{ i found this quote somewhere } ...the human spirit will always aspire to shine... to taste the elixir of life, & to bathe in the glory of love. The path we tread is fleeting but our souls all yearn to fly, to know & feel love, to soar beyond dreams, to be lifted to magical faraway places, & to be as big & as bright as the blazing sun...

Links of the Week

2009-08-30T07:21:00.000-07:00

mmm* designer cupcakes. I wonder if they taste as good as they look

♡ Lately Ive been feeling so burnt out from trying to balance out my life. So many things demand my attention.
Here's an article that helped: 9 Tips to Give Yourself an Energy Boost and also: A Guide for the Overwhelmed

♡ This song never fails to uplift me. Im so feeling it right now =)

♡ Tips for creating a happier you, How to Maximize Ur Pleasure and Joy and The Art of Smiling

♡ Sesame Magazine

♡ Delicious breakfast photos. Id love to wake up to this every morning...

♡ Aspiring Couture is a fashion blog/boutique I stumbled upon that features original work from aspiring designers