Happy Monday!

(pic via icanread)

Marc Jacobs Fall 2004 Ready-To-Wear

Hands-down one of my favourite collections EVER...

Love the girlie-ness of the frills...

... the nerdy-sexy look...

... the prim-and-proper chic...

... and the gorgeous colour combinations.

Oh, and how Marc Jacobs himself used to look so unaffected. When his work was still "emerging-indie", so quirky and fresh, and had that feel of unschooled genius.

Not to say that his stuff is not amazing now. His work is still crazy-cool, and so much more polished, sophisticated and, well, expensive. And, perhaps, that's why he looks like this now...

Gratuitous fabulous jewelry pic(s)

Some of the astounding pieces by Turkish jewelry designer Sevan Bicakci. Out-of-this-world gorgeous, aren't they?

Thing To Do Today

I am in a bit (well, actually, a lot) of a dilemma of late. Thinking about MAYA & RUHI, as well the real Maya and Ruhi, and how to balance it all.

On the one hand, I know MAYA & RUHI can grow. Yet, on the other, I don't want it to be at the expense of what is best for Maya and Ruhi.

So there you have my dilemma, in a nutshell. I should not go into too much detail until I settle on some things.

In the meantime, I shall keep chewing the cud, and try and come to a decision that will be based on my being happy. I think that should be right. No?



(pic via sweetblue)

Maya the Taekwondo Champ

Today, Maya brought home gold from the National Poomsae Competition. A poomsae is a series of taekwondo moves, so the competition is a non-contact event.

It was really interesting to watch all the competitors do their thing. Coz poomsae is really quite a beautiful thing to watch, if done properly. So graceful, yet powerful at the same time.

There are individual events, as well as pairs and team events, where their perform their poomsae in unison. Very nice... :)

Maya (in the middle of the pic), and her partner, Tze Enn, receive final tips from Teacher Suren (in black) just before going on to the mat.

Maya and Tze Enn, on the mat, just before beginning their poomsae.

I'm so proud of my Maya, the Gold Medallist! :D

Holiday Shopping

I shall be heading down to the travel agent's in an hour or so, to get some ideas on where to go for a holiday come June.

Nowhere faraway, just round the corner somewhere. Maybe Bali, maybe Langkawi...or Kota Kinabalu (since we have never been), or Koh Samui. I don't know...

Wherever it is, it's gotta have a rather souped up kids' thing going. With the usual beach get-up: canoe-ing, beach volleyball, trapeze... stuff like that. 'Coz the last time we were at Sentosa, Those Two were so busy doing their thing, I actually had time to lie next to the pool with a magazine! :)

(pic via yannickdecosse)

New Stuff at Etsy

A customer contacted me, and asked if I had any green drops for the Chic and Uniques, and whaddaya know... :)

She also mentioned that she was a bit apprehensive about the large Chic and Uniques, and so these medium ones were crafted up. Hence, they are now part of the repertoire.

And remember these? They are now listed and up for sale. ;)

Click on the pics to go to the listing for more info.

Thing To Do Today

I have been in a terrible funk the past few days. Completely lethargic, totally apathetic, and downright doldrum-ed. To the point of ordering take-out instead of preparing a healthy meal, and even forgetting to water the plants 2 days back.

It's quite a horror; not at all pretty. I'm just lolling about the sofa like a sack of potatoes, sleeping endlesesly, and dragging myself to accomplish bare necessities.

Even Those Two were asking: "Mummy, are you feeling 'bleeuurgh'?", before Maya jumps up to do what she knows need done around the house, and Ruhi promptly places her palm on my forehead to administer some hands-on healing...

According to my trusty horoscope, it was to do with the alignment of the planets, and things are expected to clear up by tomorrow.

Honestly speaking, I am feeling a little better today. More "up for It", and ever so slightly more gung-ho'd.

And since I was planning to fill my Etsy shop up with more Klimts (there are only 2 left), I shall be spending the morning crafting up the hoops and swirls for them. Nothing like some therapeutic wirework to get productivity levels up... ;)



(pic via argentacollaborative)

Hustlers in Training

Wherever there is a pool table, These Two will want to have a go.

Makes Me Believe

It's worth it to be optimistic. I know, sometimes, it takes a bit of an effort (sometimes, a lot). But hey, you know what they say at L'Oreal: "Because You're Worth It".

Here's to a super day!


(pic via icanread)

The MAYA & RUHI Facebook Page

All day yesterday, I toiled. What with the old computer dying (hence, no archive of pics to count on), I was saving pics from the Etsy shop, the facebook group, and past emails, so that I could upload them to my brand new MAYA & RUHI artisan jewelry facebook page.

Yes, the group was doing OK. But the features weren't entirely conducive to helping me keep organised. The Photo Gallery didn't have an Albums feature, so ALL my work was just in one massive "container", so to speak.

Since creating the Page, I have organised my stuff a bit more, and it's just so much more pleasant to be at. Plus it's linked with tabs to the blog, and the Etsy shop.

I think we might just have a lot more fun here. I am feeling more up to it already! ;)

*Click on the screen grab above to go directly to the page. When you get there, click "like" to receive updates! :)

New Stuff - The Kyanite Bars

Kyanite is known to be powerfully cleansing. I stumbled across these (along with the dyed agates), and was immediately drawn. You know what they say about being drawn to stones: that you are in need of the properties of the stone itself. So I suppose I am in need of some cleansing (?).

Anyway, I am so in love with how these are so raw and organic, yet so sophisticated and regal. I think it's got to do with that gorgeous steely, royal blue hue of kyanite. Out-of-this-world, I tell you.

Click on the pics to see more of it at the Etsy listing.

New Stuff at Etsy

Seriously, aren't these just to die for? I went into a fengshui shop a couple of weeks back, and these dyed agate slices just about punched me in the stomach, and slapped me in the face. They are absolutely breathtaking.

And so I came away with about 10 pieces. All of them so, so unqiue, and so, so gorgeous! These are a bit of a stray from my usual neo-classical looking necklaces, but I am just so bowled over by these pieces of agates with their lovely natural banding, and chic and modern colours. And that's why I kept it very simple and minimalistic, so that the stone takes absolute centerstage.

Click on the necklace for more pics of it at its Etsy listing.

Still to come are more purples and pinks, some blues and greens...

And I also got my hands on some pretty astounding kyanite bars... wait till you see them! =)

Happy Mothers' Day!

cheese sandwich

lime juice


A Mothers' Day breakfast that only a mother could love... ;)

May Giveaway Result

This month, Maya does the honours. She has been having her mid-year examinations in school this week, hence the goofy looks. With Maya, there's nothing like a little stress to let the silliness full on...

And the winner is...

Congratulations, Katia! Please email me your mailing address, and your prize will be on its way! :)

Thank you so much everyone for playing! It has been really good fun. Hope to see you around the blog AND at next month's Giveaway!

New Stuff at Etsy

I had fun crafting this, because it just evolved really quickly. I love how it's turned out so "nouveau Byzantine", edgy-hippie and bohemian-glam all at the same time. :D

There's gorgeous royal-blue lapis lazuli, transluscent amethyst, turquoise, and stunningly delicious pink agate. All brought together by non-tarnish silver wire, and lovely Bali silver accents.

The tassle of lapis lazuli with amethyst, 925 silver and Swarovski pearls tips turned out really cool too!

To see more pics, click here.

Tattooed Barbie

What Those Two did on a hot Saturday holed up in the air-conditioned room.

Not bad, huh?

New Commissioned Stuff

This luscious number crafted from lapis lazuli, turquoise, carnelian, freshwater pearls and vermeil, incorporates the client's very own lovely turquoise drop. She specifically chose the breathtaking centrepiece to replace the original zebra jasper drop.

I love how this has turned out so commanding and regal. :)

Ruhi's Thing For Taekwondo

Ruhi waits patiently for her turn to enter the dojang to do her thing

Over this weekend, Ruhi had her taekwondo grading, which is like an examination during which she has to display some kicks and punches, and then perform a poomsae, which is a series of fight moves that becoming increasingly complicated as you advance.

So if all goes well, Ruhi will receive her green belt, and will have to begin sparring as part of her taekwondo curriculum. She is super proud of herself, and is very much looking forward to sparring. I've warned her about falling and getting her ass kicked as part of the process of learning (coz Maya does end up with bruises after sparring sessions sometimes), and she still seems quite keen.

Inside the dojang just before the test

Next weekend: Maya goes for her black belt grading...

Monthly Giveaway

This month, a medium version of the Rainbow Hoops that are up at the Etsy shop. These cutesy ones are 3cm in diameter...

Just leave a comment at this post if you are interested in receiving these for free! The winner will be announced on May 7th's post, so you have until then to leave your comment... Good luck!

And Happy Labour Day, people! :)