How Easy It Is To Forget

We can choose our friends but we cannot choose our family. 

We sometimes take our family for granted.

Family is forever. 

So Pretty ❤

I was around playing with my camera and couldn't resist taking photos of these tulips and roses. Such vibrant colours. Happy Belated Valentine's Day 2012.

The Terrigal Escape

A mini escape away from the city with some high school friends. Photos taken at Terrigal Beach and Bicentennial Park - January 28th 2011.

Back to My Passion

Designing and sewing garments has always been a hobby that I have enjoyed in my high school years. I had even taken up Textiles and Design from years 9 to 12 in High School and had seriously planned a future career in this industry. However, as a result of suffering the gruelling Major Textiles Project, competitiveness, high amounts of stress, and lack of job opportunities in this industry, I gave up my dreams of becoming a fashion designer.

I studied Accounting in University because it was a "safe occupation", which I do not regret because I wanted to become an Accountant as well when I was in year 6 (I remember writing in my yearbook that I wanted to become an Accountant or Fashion Designer). I'm pretty surprised that I'm still sticking with my desired careers for over 10 years. I should get a gold star for my persistence :)

Over the past 5 years, I had forgotten my passion for designing and sewing garments, which is pretty sad because when I sewed, I was in another world. I could spend countless of hours sewing, unpicking my mistakes, hemming and cutting.

After watching bubzbeauty's video, it inspired me to return to my favourite hobby. Thanks bubz!!

Here are some snaps of me altering the hem length of my clothes. Btw, that Pfaff sewing machine you see there, is probably as old as me.

My pin cushion which I made from leftover material and an elastic band

So here's my first challenge of 2012: to recreate Taeyeon from SNSD's dress worn in an Athena Concert in Osaka from scratch. Just a word of note, I have never created any garment from scratch.

I will update you with my progress from time to time. This will probably take months as I work full-time during the week. So here goes, I need all the luck possible because I don't know how long this will take.

Post Boxing Day Sales Haul

Like any girl in the world, I get excited whenever I receive a bargain. Here are the bargains that I have snagged recently:

Mimco Bracelet

£44.95 originally 

Down to £23.95   

Mimco Flats

£79.95 originally

Down to £31.95

Country Road Silk Boxy Shirt
Originally $129.95
Down to $37.50

Country Road Silk Boxy Shirt
Originally $129.95
Down to $37.50

Marcs Silk Blouse
Originally $149.95
Down to $99.00

Post Christmas Sales ❤

Lets welcome in the New Year 2012!

2012 New Years Fireworks taken at Blues Point Reserve, Sydney

As I look back on 2011, I look back the achievements and moments that have been special and made 2011 such a great year to reminisce. Such achievements include obtaining my first full-time job in April. Even though its not what I originally wanted, its still a stepping stone to my career with the benefits of a friendly team and environment.

One special moment is my trip to Guangzhou and Hong Kong in late November and early December. After 5 years, I finally returned to see my mother's family. Much things have changed in Guangzhou since I last remembered. I can see why China is the fastest growing country in the world. The country keeps changing every year with work site constructions seen everywhere, gigantic shopping centres esp in Hong Kong and an efficient public transport system. After going to China, it has heightened my urge to travel around the world. I'm planning to go back to Hong Kong, Guangzhou in December-January and also want to visit Japan.  

Photo taken at Sky Plaza Hotel in Guangzhou, China

I don't really make New Years Resolutions every year, but as I'm older I understand why people do. So here are my resolutions for 2012.

1. Be successful in my career i.e. salary raise and promotion
2. Travel to China and Japan 
3. Save over $10k for future mortgage
4. Find love
5. Be wiser and mature
6. Sign up to a gym and go regularly 
7. Make new friends
8. Be nicer to my family 
9. Start the CA program
10. Stop being lazy (that's a difficult one)

Good luck to me!

When You Believe

A beautiful cover from the Wonder Girls Sun Ye Ye Eun. Their pronunciation has improved dramatically.

Olympus xz-1

Finally purchased the Olympus xz-1!! Well actually, there were problems with the first one I they gave me, so I had to return that one and swap it for a new one. Unfortunately, they only had the display one left and they weren't sure when they would receive their next shipment *very annoyed. Never buying anything from that shop again.

The picture quality is excellent! Loving the art options, super macro focus, SLR quality photos and the list goes on. Not loving the lens cap though, wish it was automated and it's not really small for a compact camera, but hey, I'm not complaining.

Cannot wait to use this camera when I go overseas next week. I haven't been overseas for 5 years....ahhhh so excited, plus I need a holiday.

Here are some photos I've taken with the Olympus...

Kpop 2011

I remember posting a side note in my Favourite Kpop Artists of 2010 post about what I was looking forward to from Kpop artists in 2011. 10 months later....

Side note: What I'm looking forward to in 2011 for Kpop Artists

• Wonder Girls debut US album. Fans have been patiently waiting for almost a year for Wonder Girls breakthrough into the US market. I hope this album showcases their talents and is not some manufactured mainstream auto-tuned crap song that you hear on the radio nowadays  - Still patiently waiting, hope its as good as their 2nd Korean album Wonder World
• Big Bang's long awaited comeback to the Kpop scene. Since the Big Bang members have been concentrating on their solo careers and Japanese promotions during the past two years, fans have been patiently waiting for their Korean comeback. Hope their album is a huge success and is not some album that is only promoted for a month (that's the tend nowadays with Kpop) - An alright come back for 2011, didn't blow my mind away. Sadly, not sure when their next comeback is due to all the controversies surrounding two of the members. But I am looking forward to a Taeyang comeback!!
• BoA's US film debut. She's got some sick dance moves!! - Hope its good!
• Reconciliation between SM Entertainment and JYJ - no progress?
• SNSD's Japanese promotions. Let's hope they release an original Japanese song not their Korean songs but in Japanese - I liked their Japanese album over their Korean "The Boys" album. Hope they produce another one!
• More understanding between Kpop artists and their agencies - unsure?
• Brown Eyed Girl's comeback. Let's hope its a ballad, but I doubt it. I loved their 1st and 2nd albums - "Cleansing Cream", their only ballad they promoted this year...I didn't really like it much
• More Kpop artists coming to Australia - The 2011 Kpop Music Festival just last week in Sydney and Shinee fir this mini-concert at Town Hall!!  

Current Obsessions : Electronics

I've been going through a technology frenzy lately. I recently bought a Toshiba Satellite laptop because I was in dire needs of a new one. My old one was lagging like no tomorrow. Computer lag irritates me.

Since I'm going overseas next month (can't wait!!), I've been itching to buy the Olympus xz-1. Photos are a must for overseas holidays. Sadly, I'm not going for tourist purposes, just visiting the relos and *drum rolls* SHOPPING. Well, that's no shock. Hey, any holiday is worth looking forward to, I'm not complaining!

From the sample photos and reviews I've seen, it seems to take fantastic SLR quality photos all in one compact camera. But it does come at a price, retailing at around $500, its not a friendly gesture to your wallet, especially if you're not a camera enthusiast, like myself. However, that's not going to stop me. I've been eye-balling this camera for months!

Since technology is increasing at an ever so fast pace, trends come and go like fashion trends. However technology is evolving rapidly and there is a constant demand for newer and exciting innovations. Whereas fashion trends just go in cycles, with a bit of innovation there as well. Tablets have currently been the technological trend with many brands of tablets on the market since the release of the Apple iPad.

The Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime, Asus's highly anticipated Andriod tablet, which is going to be officially released to the public on November 9 2011 has caught my eye. With its lightweight design, amazing features and exceptional battery-life, this fascinating piece of technology has totally won me over. Pricing is still unknown. I'm seriously going to buy this when I go to Hong Kong!

With all these electronics I want to buy, my bank account is not going to look too happy at the end of this year. I don't think I've EVER bought that many electronics in one year EVER.

1. Blackberry Bold 9780 outright $AUD 480 (July 2011)

2. Toshiba Satellite C665 $AUD 598 (October 2011)

3. Olympus xz-1  $AUD 479 (Will buy in mid-November 2011)

4. Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime, price unknown, hopefully it's around $AUD 499 (Will 

    buy in HK early December 2011)