The bedroom is where my heart lies

Lately, (as you can tell from my previous posts) I’ve found comfort, relaxation and most importantly reflection time in my bedroom.

Just recently, I have also tried to keep my room -clean- (Yes, I admit, I’m not one of those neat freaky girls) and try to make it more of a personal space, that is what a bedroom is meant to be, yes?

I’m a person who loves;

1. Simplicity

Yes, although my room has had cluttered times, due to lazyness or rather, I’m a hoarder, bad habit. I dislike throwing things away, even if its course notes I know I wouldn’t ever read again, I feel bad for throwing it away (even if it gets recycled). Same goes to Magazines, which I only throw away when they are more than 2 years old. I have found, when my room is cluttered, I’m at my laziest, but when my room is clean, I’m most productive. I guess that is easy to understand. I’ve never seen my desk so free of ‘stashes’ in the longest time.

My room is small, but I try my best to hide the clutter, be it in my wardrobe, or in a corner where it won’t be visible to people passing my room. I hate wall shelves; ever since we moved in here about 5 years ago, my dad keeps suggesting that he builds some shelves on my wall (he love’s em). I refuse to! Whenever I detect seriousness in his voice, I lock my room just to prevent it from happening, hence my walls are shelves/hole-free 5 years later My belief is wall shelves will only make rooms smaller. I try to keep my walls clean anyways.

2. Subtle patterns

I love, love, love, French and the occasional Victorian patterns. You know the whole floral thing? Especially if its really subtle, it is just enough to add character to a room

3. Hint of colour(s)

Regardless of my passion for reds, does not depict my future home will be drowned in shades of red. Nah ah. Refer to point #1. Simplicity. White walls (or other bright colours) with a hint of colour is the way to go. It’s the easiest foundation to work with, especially when you want to change the look of your room, you don’t need to throw away your whole couch just because its red, instead just decor here and there. Much more, flexible and achievable on a budget.

You may wonder, why the sudden interior decorating post? I’m not sure myself too. I think it all started with my Google Image search for bed frames (I desperately need a new one, for the last few months I’ve been using a trundle bed base with my new mattress, I don’t think it’s doing the new mattress and myself any justice =/)

I’ve always wanted something like a daybed, that has double uses as a bed and a sofa, I don’t even know if I’d use it as a sofa, but… they’re so pretty! Especially the ones with nice floral patterns in the frame.

And then suddenly the thought of fairy lights hanging around the bed frame hit me, which I proposed to the boyfriend and got shut off straight away boo! Sorry bf, you ain’t stopping me!

More pretty fairy light decor…

I want to see stars in the sky too…

I’ve also been contemplating to get some white letters for my room, as cliche as it sounds, I want to ‘DREAM’ too

Then the search for bedroom furnishing began.

I stumbled on Samantha’s blog, Walnut & Ivory, a project she has started since purchasing her first home. She blogs about the process of refurbishing her place, the before & after’s are just amazing! What got me hooked is the similarities of her place (before), with what my appartment looks like at the moment.

(The above isn’t my place!) credits: walnut & ivory

What I have? Ugly minty green carpet, cream coloured walls, and white ceilings. OK, well the latter 2 ain’t so bad, I’m just sick of seeing green carpet, its so hard to decor too (my room anyways), how I’d love my parents to get cream coloured floor boards in near future would be so good…. Imagine how much bigger the apartment would feel. But anyway, I love her style! Low budget, with the smallest things can make a big difference!

I’ve already decided for my future home, white walls and cream-yellow coloured floor boards. I asked the bf today, “if we had our own place, what colour walls/floorboards would you have?”, his response? exactly what I wanted. I was like, awesome, that’s most of our house interior decided

But anyway, the point of this post is, I really want to try work on my room a bit this holidays, make it more comfortable for winter esp, when semester 2 begins, I’ll needa get productive!

Some bedroom decor inspirations… (not that much of them are possible for my little room )

The bed looks so pretty, even though it wouldn’t be so comfortable

this is somewhat Alice in Wonderland

Such a neat idea, I wish I had a door in my room to do this on, hm behind my bedroom door ain’t so good.

Sorry to disappoint you, no photos of my bedroom haha… it’s not in the best viewable condition yet. IT IS clean though

Totally looking forward to the IKEA trip with daddy & the boyfriend later in the week!

Happy Monday!

Kinnokuniya Design books haul

Oh, Anxiety, Where did You Come From?!

Currently feel like I’m experiencing an anxiety attack of some sort…

Why?

Just when I thought I’m on holidays, I suddenly got reminded I’ve got another stupid report to hand in ;(

Suddenly, a lot of overdue works started ringing its bells. omg. omg. !

Summary of these holidays; Photography & Web Design. Hopefully I can squeeze in some handicraft work *excited* need to go supplies shopping again and also try get rid of my whole cupboard full of fabrics…

After handing in my -last- essay, I set off on a mini shopping trip with my sister.

First stop, Ichi-ban boshi!

This is one of the places I get my ramen fix from. I never really noticed their separate laminated page that says ‘TONKOTSU RAMEN *blabblahblah* 10 BOWLS ONLY EACH DAY’.

Decided.

The thought of rich pork bone broth… nomnom. flavourful fat…. @_@

*poor iPhone pics, as usual -sigh- I better learn to lug my DSLR around, even if its with just a 50mm 1.4*

Ichiban-boshi; Tonkotsu Ramen & Iced green tea cappuccino

Result? it was quite nice! Could almost compare to the ones in Japan I reckon… It was just missing the perfect soft-boiled egg

I’m craving another bowl as I type. grr.

Oh, and best accompanied with a glass of Ice Green Tea Cappuccino! So Nice <3

Then we headed into Kinnokuniya, because this month only, ART & DESIGN books are all 20% off! This doesn’t occur often right? so, had to be there!

We set ourselves $100 budget each, and ended up blowing it, so instead of spending $200 together, we spent $252. We got about 5-6 books though, good, bad?

My sister got mainly illustration books, and iDn magazines.

I, on the other hand, splurged on

1. Web Design Handbook

2. LOS LOGOS 4 (I call it the golden book of logos, lol, because it has a gold fabric cover haha)

(2. was the most expensive =.= $125 before discount… but its so good!)

I have a lot of ‘studying’ to do! I’m so tempted to go back for a second trip, its so hard to decide what to get exactly…

I want to revamp my shelf! start design books collection!

Yeah, these holidays I -hope- to finally launch my main website/portfolio: www.clarzzique.com

& refurbish this blog ,yes new blog design that is more ‘clarzzy’!

I hope to get around to it… a month will seriously disappear in a flash

Happy holidays & studies!

<3 Clar.

Artbook?

I’m in class now, and somehow stumbled onto Amy Sol‘s blog after a long while.

Absolutely love Amy Sol‘s work, one of my favourite artists!I I love all the fantasy that’s involved. Truly imaginative. One day, I will fork out US$200-400 and purchase one of her artworks, for my wall framed.

Then, I found that she contributes to Gelaskins; an online company that prints skins for your piece of technology – phone, laptop etc. They’re artworks are primarily from prominent artists; Audrey Kawasaki, KaKuLa just to name a few.

I also love Audrey Kawasaki‘s work, although the medium which she and Amy Sol uses are the same, both has different art styles.

I love how she portrays femininity her her artworks. So far her gelaskins appeal to me most. Maybe because the wood grains are more visible. I wish that Amy Sol would contribute a few more of her artworks though.

Essentially, my macbook could be like a walking canvas. No longer will it be the obvious apple branded laptop at first sight.

Apparently these skins are anti-scratches, which makes it slightly more appealing.

Very tempting; I’m contemplating.

To buy or not to buy?

Audrey Kawasaki – She who Dares

Audrey Kawasaki – Odaijini

Amy Sol – Leave the Hair and Go Free

Audrey Kawasaki – Oiran

Not that I’d also skin my iPhone as well… unless if I can just do it on a phone cover (I like to mix and match my iphone accessories), then it’d b cool. This artwork just looks awesome on the back of a phone,

Don’t you think?

Leather Lace?

i Love Etsy.

I miss the days when I was once an active etsyian, sewing bags, and watching my sales go up – it’s a very pleasant feeling to see people are liking what you make!

I’ve stopped since a whole year ago, oh my inspirations, and most importantly motivations are running dry

but reading the daily etsy newsletter that comes to my inbox every morning, is some what inspiring (not that i’m getting much ideas)..

but i just love seeing what people come up with!

This morning, what caught my eye is, this Leather lace cuff, by LoveAtFirstBlush

Well honestly, I’m not sure if I’d personally wear it. Its really cool, but I just don’t have outfits to match! Another thing is, my arm tends to be too ‘small/thin’ for anything that’s meant to grasp tightly around it ;(

But, I can imagine it’d look like an awesome accessory for a photoshoot! The black, boldnessis so ‘strong’, yet feminine at the same time with the lacey pattern.

It’s a little pricey though, for someone who isn’t employed Sadly.

and the Etsy search continues….

1 Uniform Dress, 365 Days

Good morning

Woke up not long ago, still trying to recover from lack of sleep lately, but unfortunately there’s just too much that needs to get done!

One of the first things I did this morning, on facebook usually - Michelle Phan posted up a link.

One Uniform dress (well there were 7 to alternate with), 365 days, 365 different looks.

All for a good cause of giving kids an education. So amazing! How many different looks one can come up with, using the same dress.

For a moment I wished school uniform rules weren’t so strict, and we were allowed to spice up our uniform like so!

Uniform Project Picture Book from The Uniform Project on Vimeo.

Tell me, you’re inspired??

I wish I had so much devotion to myself, just to keep up on a 365 project My Design 365 failed miserably, after 17 days… and still trying to find the bothered-ness to start up again! I kinda need a buddy to do it with, heh maybe that’d keep me going! I have a bad habit of not being able to complete things… from drama series to … hmm

On another note….

Just to take a break from uni life and all… we’re going to Russell Peter’s Green Card Tour!

Don’t know him? In short he’s a canadian-’wanna be indian’, comedian (hah at the -ians). He’s good with his racist jokes, haha.

My fingers crossed is he will make us laugh our asses off!

Anyhow, back to uni work

x

~* Spring in April *~

A week into being 21!

So… in a blink of an eye, it’s already been a week since I turned 21.

For a fact, there is no difference between being 21 or younger.. perhaps I’ve felt about 25 for the longest time.

I’ve look (1) forwarded, and (2) dreaded my 21st birthday celebrations.

1) I’ve been so eager to put together a dream birthday party, which much inspirations gathered from wedding blogs (yes, desperate much?), wanting to see all my friends together … i’ve never had a big birthday party before.. so this was a first

2) because I’ve never had a big party before, I’ve never imagined myself to manage hosting so many people! and scared I’d make a bad host… I probably have a fear of crowds or something haha ;( but yeah, the weather was so 50/50… i was studying the 48 hour forecasts leading up to the day!… because it could make a difference between celebrating at a park (ideal), and hiring a function room (expensive and boring )..

Fingers crossed with the weather forecast yesterday, with a chance of storm around midday – 3pm. Thank God it did not happen!

Just downside the weather was very indecisive the whole time, sunny blue skies, cloudy gloomy, sunny, gloomy etc. and yeah it worked out well… it started pouring when we packed up haha

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Theme: Spring in April~

Dress code: Florals, Pastels, Smart casual

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Anyways I shall let the photos do the talking *sorry if my colours/photos hurt your eyes… with my tweety-ness + snow white look haha Alannah Hill <3

i brought home this little friend the night before, knowing that he wouldn’t be going home with me after the party..

beautiful bunch of flowers; hot pink and green combo is so pretty! yes its in a tall tea pot

my handmade pom-poms, really added to the ‘spring’ theme, so much nicer than balloons!

a closer look at my photo frame section (where my friends took instax with me and pegged it on the frame ) hanging on the trees are also my baby/childhood photos – just for some laughs/eye candy.

oh and do you spot tiffany & co. ?

my 21 key, with the red kikki.k photo/guestbook my sister bought for my bday

strawberry cupcakes with cream cheese icing cupcake bouquet!

on the cupcake stand…. don’t you just lovee the cupcake cases? they fitted in really nicely with the theme…

this was totally eye candy for me! love love loved it, my 2 friends managed to collaborate their decorations and their cupcakes to this theme really well… love it so so much! i regret for not personally snapping more photos of it

me in my alice in wonderland-like dress slash tweety slash snow white look

the best party stylist & cake maker!

tehe special occasion faux lashes

my beloved boyfriend

my little half, my favourite cousin – claire bear

clarzzy and claire bear!

beautiful girlfriends

it’s Clarzzy Trivia time! (no the bat wasn’t for punishments!)

everyone’s getting psyched for the prizes haha

everyone so eager to win

so who know’s me best?

boyfriend didn’t play of course, cos he would be such a big advantage!

speech time!

i get a little emotional when it comes to appreciating my loving family ;(

everyone gathered here for me

my best friends have put together this magazine for me! it’s soooo amazing *more on this later*

checking it out on the spot, with claire bear

my sisters ~

grandma, aunts, uncles, cousins

loving boyfriend, again

best-est friends in the whole world!!

the boyfriend’s highschool crew

& their girlfriends

uni friends! international business & media communications unite

and we got restless with the categories.. soo all the unique friends who don’t need a category!

& milo

i scored a kiss! jealous?

love him so so very muchie <3

this must be the customary air-chair haha, thanks love & martina told you i gained weight! aiyah.

loved the cupcakes.

thank you to everyone who came along to celebrate my birthday with me!! i was a very, very, very happy, lucky girl.

will never forget such a special day.

Stay tuned…. for more

Protected: UNSWPhoto T-shirt colours

Logos, Logos, Logos

Have gotten around to completing some design work while on vacation, which is a good thing – i’d love to get back to Sydney, debt-free and start fresh for work in 2010~!

Allworth Group; a construction consultancy firm.Yellow/’gold’, ‘silver’, maroon-red were amongst the colours requested. Symbols: house. The first logo has been a popular choice, it is also my personal favourite, as well as #3.

John Lum & Associates – I’ve been intending to design a logo (business cards/letter heads etc), for my parent’s business here on the islands. The business specializes in electronical appliances etc. So other than the modern approach i tried to give subtle hints of electronics, such as the ‘power switch’ in the right column. So far the first and second of the right column are popular favourites.

Cupcakes by M; this was done ‘for fun’, my friend has asked me to take photos of her cupcakes, and due to the ‘commercial’ feel of these photos, i decided to add some colour/design.. hence a logo! Love the colour choice and the ‘character’ . I have yet to hear from my friend what she thinks though!

Currently working on a logo for UNSWPhoto club and possibly a t-shirt design along with it, next: web layout for Sina Travels stay tuned!