Mid-Week madness

Its the week of the Yellow Ribbon Concert. For those who didn't read the last blog entry on it, its this Saturday, held at Hall 10 at the Singapore Expo.

I just had a rehearsal with the girls today. They have come a long way. Its only been three weeks with a grand total of 5 rehearsals and you should hear them. They sound pretty darn good. I'm so proud! Its very touching to see how much enthusiasm they have. They rehearse in the mornings on their own and I didn't even need to tell them to rehearse! How I wish all my other students were like that!

My post wouldn't be complete today without uploading some stuff I found while trawling the net. I like these ideas for coat or clothes stands. They're so cute and pretty. Won't mind all of them in my house one day!







I also like these photos from the Sartorialist and garance-dore. One has such a lovely smile and the other such a delightful colour on!



And these umbrellas hanging overhead would make a great centerpiece at any party instead of boring old garlands and coloured paper with fairy lights.


Bringing back memories of my childhood are these pictures by Laurie Kang. I love my dad very much and these pics are so apt, for me.



I've recently created a new photo album on Facebook, called "I Heart". Collected in it are all the pictures that have touched and inspired me. Hope you go look at it and tell me what you think!
Facebook facebook. I can't believe I'm still hooked on that thing. By the way, I can't stand those people who randomly add me. OMG, can you imagine people with names like PRAWN TAN??!!! WTH!! I mean, is that even your real name?



At least you had the decency to add a photo of your face, not some nice cute fluffy animal. Did those people really think that nice fluffy animals would increase their chances of getting more friends?!?! Heaven forbid!

Biking Around and a great exhibition to go to

I came across these bike racks by David Byrne which are placed in New York. So colourful and unconventional, they'll guarantee a perk-up to any city.


On the subject of bike racks, here's another one. And guess where? At West Coast Park in Singapore! Its called the Elevacion designed by local industrial design graduate Adeline Thong.


On the subject of local work, a few days ago I uploaded the photography work of commercial fashion photographer Zhang Jingna in my Facebook (I Heart) photo album. Her Forgotten Fairytales theme caught my eye.



For those who want to see more, she'll be having an exhibition of her works at the Arts House from the 12th to the 23rd of September. Details here.

Dolls and Man

I just updated the "This Caught My Eye" box (which you can find at the bottom right-hand corner of my blog) with Karl Lagerfield and his new look-alike(?) bear. And then, I find myself looking at these photos from foto-decadent. Oh of dolls and man...



Creepy right? But strangely compelling.

Its time to D-I-Y: Display Boards

Soap and I went down to the shop yesterday after a gruelling two hours after running from Prints at Raffles City to Bras Besah Complex to get art materials. I went in and out of Art Friend several times, each time buying something because I didn't think of it before. Ha! The fourth time I paid for my purchases, the cashier looked at me kind of funny. He must have been wondering what this girl was doing running in and out of the store and why doesn't she buy everything she needs at one go.

Well, after that we worked at Suite Stuff for more than 4 hours on the two display boards and the cute mini wooden pegs I bought. And finally it was done! Definitely a major contrast from the previous fluffy display I made.

Michelle Chia

I thought I'd add a local celebrity to my babespread. Michelle Chia has been in the entertainment scene for over 20 years now and I've always thought that she was simply gorgeous, no matter what she wore. Pictures say a thousand words, so here you go.

Emmanuelle Chriqui

I would watch Zohan again just to see Emmanuelle Chriqui and her gorgeous wardrobe. She makes the simplest clothing, like a white tank and jeans look so wow. On and off the set, she just looks so good! Yes, you guessed it. She's next on my babespread. Enjoy these photos!

Natalie Martinez

I watched Death Race today with Rossi, Hairie and Soap. The lead actress in the movie is Natalie Martinez. I found her so familiar but I couldn't tell where I had seen her until I googled her. And got it. Yes, Fashion House!

Fashion House was a telenovela that I saw when I was in Sydney - a drama series focusing on the going-ons of a Fashion House - the House of Gianni. It wasn't very interesting though. The acting was at best only average and the plot superficial. However, the telenovela showcases familiars like Bo Derek and Morgan Fairchild - matriachs of the scene. They still look so good!!

So back to Death Race. Gory, violent but loads of racing action that makes Fast and Furious so lame in comparison. Well and also Natalie's gorgeous on-screen so that's another plus point. Boy, this does sound like a jock's blog.


More babespreads to come. I figured since I'm always posting about pretty things, I should post some entries on pretty humans as well.

What I Saw Today and Loved

Presenting to you some pictures I saw today and fell in love with...the best part? All three pics give a different vibe. Its like how life is never just black or white, but grey with bits of pink, blues, yellows and red :) Enjoy...

I am going to Changi Women's Prison

Before you get all worked up and start calling me to ask what happened, don't worry :) I've not done anything illegal! I'm going to the Changi Women's Prison for the next 3 weeks to train 6 female inmates to play an opening batucada piece for the Yellow Ribbon Concert. The concert happens on 6th September and tickets are free!

The concept for this concert is unique. There will be performances by Emil Chau, Dick Lee, Milubing and several others. But get this, these performers will be joined by inmates and ex-convicts on stage! My girls will be the opening show for the concert and I'm so excited! I wanted to take pics with them but unfortunately the prison does not allow us to bring anything inside. Not even water!

Please go for this concert if you're free on that day! If not, do spread the word around and lets all do our bit to give them moral support, an easier path for integration into our society and give them back their self-confidence!

Swordfish and then Concubine

The Singapore Theatre Festival has started! I'm in the middle of the Swordfish run. Its been a great learning experience especially from director Ivan Heng, from how he greets everyone with a big smile and a "How are you?" at every rehearsal to how he keeps thanking everyone at the end of each day or for redoing a scene for the umpteenth time. Also, he knows what he wants and is able to perform it to the actors skilfully, and that makes things alot easier for us as the accompanying musicians. The constant show of appreciation and concern is very uplifting and morale boosting. Its something that all directors should learn. Unfortunately, not all directors do that. Some are hesitant about what they want, some come late, some just don't offer thanks to others who help cover their asses. I can't think of how many times we've had to that. I hate this feeling of resentment. I don't want to, but there is just simply no choice but to have to feel that way. It has happened way too many times and i'm now too tired to even feel angry. Its like whenever something happens, a missed cue or a wrong cue, I just feel a momentary spark of anger, and then this slow burn and then nothing.

I feel that if one is to be a successful director, one needs to be skilled at what he is directing. You need to be able to convey what you want. Also, a director, in performing with the rest of your ensemble, has to be up there with them, at their level. If you put Ivan with the rest of the company to act in this show, i'm sure he'd be one of the better, if not the best actor in the cast. I mean, thats how you get people to respect you. You don't just preach and not do. Pull your weight, if not, just direct and don't perform. And learn from your mistakes and try not to do it again? But this is just a dream. It hasn't come true yet. I still get my hopes up that this time will be different, things will be better, but always, as always, my hopes are dashed. Disappointment sets in. I don't know for how long more I can take it.

A NEW ADDITION!

Looking forward....

to performing in the Yogjakarta Gamelan Festival. GammaRays, our fusion gamelan group has been invited! We're leaving this Thursday and I'm feeling a little nervous, performing two of my works in front of gamelan aficionados and professionals. Wish us luck!

By the way, our MySpace is up! Do go check it out! here's the link: www.myspace.com/gammaraysgamelan

Lastly, I'll leave you with this pic, taken from IS Photography. Its inspiring, the jaunty walk of this little girl as she walks towards some place, it seems, with a purpose. I wish I'll always have the courage to walk like she does towards my own bliss.

Tea Lights

This is so charming.

Hanging tea cup lights by Domestic Construction. They have more on their Etsy store so do go check it out!

My Favourite Author of the Month...

is James Rollins. His subjects range from expeditions in the Amazon to the sand deserts of Arabia. I've read two this month and still want more. Go to the library and check him out!


Any other authors to share? Post a comment and share your favourites with me!

My Beautiful Backside

Heh, not MY backside but this:


My Beautiful Backside is a collection of seats whose backrests are a composition of highly coloured, floating cushions in various shapes. Designed by Nipa Doshi and Jonathan Levien, these really cute sofas make a great statement in any living room! I so love the pebble shaped cushions!

I wanted to share this photo I saw on photographer Colin Byers site:

Back to my Childhood

I love these artwork by the gal behind vol25, Jessica. Makes me feel like a child all over again.

Especially after today.

Today, we (me and a few Lasalle guys) sat around in a circle at a dark deserted corner above the mrt tracks at Bishan, playing childhood games. Time flies when you're having fun, and we suddenly realised we'd sat there for more than 2 hours! I feel lighthearted - no wonder they say that laughter is the best medicine for your soul. But, Hai, you're really are a loser lah. Ha! If I had a dollar for every time he fouled up, I'd have more than a hundred bucks on hand :) that's how bad he is man. Heh. Anyways, enjoy the artwork! I did :D

P.S: My favourite's the one with the red boots! (Ha! P.S is so like how I used to end off my letters in primary school!)

I Didn't Want To Hang Up

This is how I feel. When I don't want to hang up but yet have no choice. Either because there was nothing else or nothing better to say. Or because there's this awkwardness now. I'm bleeding inside and no one knows. Sometimes, I really hate my life.

But because, Stan is such a positive being, she will end this post on a happy note. This is what makes her happy. Found this off flickr. Not exactly haute couture nor vaguely designer sketches but she likes it anyways. It appeals to her senses, though she's not sure why at this point of time.



And maybe she'll also look to refurbish Suite Stuff with stuff like these.


Enjoy the pics. Logging off now..

I want to be free

स्वातंत्र्य

Drama Queen

I was just telling Soap the other day that my life seems to be full of daily drama. As if the day can never be done with just mundane details.

Proven right, I had a major leakage breakdown on this Wednesday past. Part of my wall split open and water gushed out and down the stairs. Dirty water. From the choked gutter on the roof. Yikes! To make matters worse, some cracks appeared on the ceiling and water continually dripped down. Luckily some customers were around to help me move the mannequins to one side, and to remind me that yes, I had a pail that I could use. Why? Coz I was shocked into doing nothing. Absolutely nothing. My mind was thinking what I should do next but there were hundred and one nexts I should do. Haha. Jeremy from Quaint Secrets below went out onto the roof and cleared some of the debris from the roof. After one hour of cleaning up and waiting for the rain to die down, finally I managed to restore the shop to its usual resemblance, excluding the wet carpets and drapes.

Then I thought about it and started laughing. Its funny when you think about it. Tim says luckily I have a sense of humour. Which is true. Positivity and optimism helps in any situation. :D

Suite Stuff's clothes have been featured on December's issue of CLEO! Yaay!

Argentinian Indigenous Ensemble

On the fateful Friday that just passed, I watched a rhythmic, pulsating performance by the Argentinian Indigenous Ensemble. I didn't enjoy it. No lyricism, no melody. There was no one song that stood out. In an almost one hour and forty five minute show, thats a miracle.

There were spoken vocals that I (and I suspect, the rest of the audience) couldn't make out and some costume changes in the vein of animals. Oh, and not forgetting the Maracas Solo along with a backing track. I was thinking what "tape" meant - some indigenous instrument or something and came to realise it was what it was! Tape! And maracas solo? Thats just hilarious. Of all the indigenous instruments they could choose from, the maracas was the best they could do for a solo?

Oh well.



On another note, Beyonce looks fat here. Apparently, this dress is from the House of Dereon, that is, her label. Unfortunately, it doesn't do anything for her.

The Breezy Blouse

I love how this blouse can take you to so many places, whether it be lounging at Cafe Del Mar or just drinking mojitos at Cafe Libre. A punch of colour guaranteed to brighten up your day or night!

Out and About

For days when you just don't feel like wearing a dress. Nanette Lepore's Bandstand Blouse matched with Snow Wash skinny jeans from Topshop. This is my take on a day of shopping and then dinner and drinks with the girls.
Hang the gold and black ornamental scarf from Roberto Cavalli round your neck by day. Use it as a head scarf by night. Tan required.

When Coco Pops come into my life...

you know that i'm out of Singapore. Its funny how I only eat cereals when i'm overseas. Its like suddenly, the invisible shackles between me and that elusive breakfast cereal miraculously come off when I step onto foreign sand.

I'm still trying to make sense of this madness. Don't get me wrong, its not that I hate breakfast cereals. Au contraire, I love them! Especially Froot Loops! When I was in Edinburgh, I ate Coco Pops every morning, after bread and peanut butter just didn't cut it for me anymore. Yup, I finished the whole box in a week, pretty much the same situation here in Sydney now. Haha.

Maybe its my lifestyle in Singapore. The mad rush and chaotic crush. Those endless days of chores and work that doesn't seem to diminish even after you've put in so many hours. No time to sit down and have that bowl of Froot Loops in the morning because its a race starting from the time I wake up to the time I collapse on my bed. Mayhaps I need a change. And that bowl of Froot Loops may be just it.

The Whole Business with Kiffo and the Pit Bull

My current obsession is this book of the same name by Barry Jonsberg - full of witty humour plus a generous dose of drama...consider the following, taken from Chapter Four: Conversations with the refrigerator


Dear Fridge,

The casserole was great! Thanks. However, I feel that our intimate dinner was something of a flop. I made the effort, God knows. Candles, mood music. But, frankly, you were not receptive to my conversational overtures. In fact, solid presence though you undoubtedly are in my life, I sometimes feel that our relationship is not what it once was.
We need to talk.
In the meantime, my new English teacher, a charming woman of considerable charisma, has requested my presence at an after-school meeting tomorrow. Would you be so kind as to sign the attached permission slip?
Your loving daughter,

Calma

----------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Calma,

Permission slip signed. What have you been up to? Can you heat up a pizza for dinner tonight? I'm on late shift at the supermarket, so I'll have to straight to the pub. Will be home about two. Don't wake me, please.
Can you cut out the sarcasm in the notes? To be honest, I'm too tired to deal with it.
Love,

Mom

---------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Fridge,

How can you be so cold-hearted?
Love,

Calma

Party Dresses anyone?

The party season is fast approaching. No ideas whatsoever? Click to The Saloon @ The Chic Suite. A total of 13 yummy numbers in all, for your viewing and inspirational pleasure. Enjoy!

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The pain will be intense for a while. I know it and expect it. But it will fade. I don't intend to pine away. I intend to live. I have had my little glimpse of paradise and now, I will go back to living.

- Mary Balogh

Its so hard to do. If only I were brave enough.

Shake it down..

I love this 1974 Biba poster done by James Wedge. Biba closed down before this poster could go on display. Its for sale now...i want!

I Want to be Honest

I really do. It hurts. And I have to make a decision.