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

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

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

♥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

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

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!

♡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

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