Gratuitous Fabulous Jewelry Pic

Bijoux Heart earrings, inspired by the ocean, with Swarovski crystal "coral reefs" cascading over turquoise.  Glamorous, dramatic, and organic.  What's not to love? *slurp*

(pic via net-a-porter)

Scenes from the Park

Summer's here and the time is right to Park it.  How different it looks from the winter!

The sun is blazing down and the playground is overflowing with kids, families picnic-ing everywhere - all the happy signs of a generally sun-deprived people.

And that's why I quite like this four-seasons rigmarole.  It really lets you appreciate what you've got. :)

 

I should point out that all pics here are all thanks to Maya, who traipsed around with my phone camera.  Nice eye, Maya! :)

Summer's Here

Yesterday was the hottest day in the year so far.  And today is even hotter.  All of 28 degrees C - boiling!!

Which means I need to put all the big coats away, and whip out them T-shirts that have not seen light of day since we left Singapore.

Here are some pics of Them Two sifting through Ruhi's botanical collection from the Common, to complete her homework.  You can so tell Summer's here. :)

On My Lust List

Usually, my Lust List is more materialistic and less gastronomic.  But having been in London more than 6 months now, I get vulnerable sometimes, and dream of "proper" food...

Bak chor mee... *slurp*

Char kway teow... *groan*

Popiah... *weep*

Fishball noodles... *sob*

Wanton mee... O_O (someone kill me now)

Hokkein mee... *_* (die already)

Gosh.  This has been very hard.  And to think I shall have to have a salmon, cheese and rocket sandwich for lunch (bleeyuck!) makes it even harder... *sad sigh*

(pics via insing.com.  Click on the captions for more)

New Stuff

Fresh off the worktable and at the Etsy shop...

Agate geode slice with 14k gold plated chain and freshwater pearls

Jubilee earrings

I figured it would be a nice idea, to have something for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee up in the shop, now that I'm sitting here in London.  I've had this design up before, but not  in these colours.  And I do love how the sheen of the cream pearl, the facet of the red glass, and the matte of the navy blue sodalite stone, all come together so nicely. :)

Work Inspiration

Before I head off to the worktable (I really should start calling it "studio" - sounds so much more, erm, pretty), here are a few pics to get me going:

A couple of gorgeous workspaces I wish mine would look like...

... non-stop inspiro at marthastewart.com

via imgfave

Some amazing pieces of art to get the creative juices flowing...

"Hydra II"by Tobias Tovera

Underwater ink photographs by Alberto Seveso

And, finally, some lovely words of encouragement...

by RockTheCustardPrints

Now, I'm good to go. :)

MAYA & RUHI at Two Red Trees

I received an email recently from one Anna Ward, an artist and entrepreneur based in Cornwall, dedicated to putting the soul back in things.

Two Red Trees is an online platform that focuses on helping artisans in the UK eke out a living.  As such, the site features very unique, and lovingly handmade, items.  So perfect for gifting (even to yourself), because handmade is always so much more special.  

So, to make MAYA & RUHI a little special at Two Red Trees, here are a couple of pieces not over at the Etsy shop. ;)

Medley of Agates

Turquoise necklace

Happy Monday!

And that includes loving Mondays.

(pic via moonandlion)

Gratuitous Fabulous Jewelry Pic(s)

So I've been seeing a lot of feather earrings on the young 'uns around town.  Subtle yet super-dramatic, they float sexily about.  But check these "feather" necklaces out!  Feather shapes, cut out of leather.  How supa-cool and goddamned-gorgeous is that?!  

Brainchild of Sabrina Chin, Love At First Blush is an Etsy shop where you can find a host of very interesting pieces just oozing with edgy glam.  You should really check it out...

Isn't this white one too lovely for words...? *happy sigh* :)

Scenes from Edinburgh

So we did Edinburgh this recent long weekend.  Took us 4 and a half hours by train - longer than it took us to get to Paris.  Although I must say, it was quite a comfortable ride, with lots of beautiful scenery whizzing by.  But I certainly could have done without the Hen Party cackling away two rows behind us... -__-

Somewhere past York

Somewhere past Darlington

Somewhere near Durham

Somewhere (I can't remember)

The Royal Mile is a long street (longer than an actual mile because it's, erm, Scottish.) from the centre of town to Edinburgh Castle, full of quaint little shops, interesting eateries and gorgeous little pubs, punctuated by tourist traps flogging everything Tartan, complete with blaring bagpipe soundtracks.

 

You will not believe how nice the people here are, until you stand at a street corner holding a map and looking confused, and the next random couple immediately stops and asks you if you need help.  They look about 100 years old, but are as fit as fiddles and holding hands like a pair of teenagers.  They point you very warmly to where you need to go and bid you a very good day.  Now THAT'S what I call Nice. :)

Forget the breathtaking Gothic architecture, the rich and gripping Scottish history, and the whole romance of being in Edinburgh, home of haggis, neeps and tatties (a.k.a. sheep's guts, turnips and potatoes).  These Two had the most fun at Camera Obscura Museum.  A small, archaic location, jam-packed with optical illusions of every kind.  From mirrors to graphic patterns, shadows to light shows.  I wasn't all that keen to start with, but it proved pretty entertaining.

 

 To say Edinburgh is "hilly", would be an understatement.  The entire city is undulating.  As such, I had to face my arch enemy, Uphill, many times during this trip. And as a result, I was having none of Holyrood Park, a hill-type park where you trek up some crags and get to Arthur's Seat.  Even if it boasted amazing geographical features and the best view of Edinburgh, I'm happier taking a picture of it from afar, thankyouverymuch. :)

New Stuff

I'm on a roll (at the worktable) with these gorgeous slices of banded agates.  They're literally slices of rock, so every one is absolutely one of a kind.  No chance of turning up at a do, and someone is wearing the exact same thing.  I hate when that happens.

Purple and Amber

Seafoam Green

Hot Pink