It seems like we’ve almost not participated in any of the commercialized Valentine’s Day celebrations since the Bo & I got married in 2008; because well…like they say, when you’re in love,  ”everyday is a valentine’s day” right?

Anyhow I was really feeling in the mood for love this morning since I didn’t have to wake up & rush off to work as I usually do on almost every valentine’s for the past 7 years, so I surfed a few sites and came across these photos which conveyed what valentine’s would probably mean to me now… and not some overpriced $10 stalk of rose coupled with blind dates or mundane activities which are done for the sake of doing – stuff which I used to be part of (guilty!) in my previous relationships.

{source: The Decorista, Tumblr}

Here’s wishing you a happy valentine’s day, however way you are or are not celebrating it. It can be just calling someone to tell them you think of them, catching up with an old friend, pampering yourself with some me-time (and spa time), having a meal with your parents, writing to someone instead of just face-booking them…among many other activities. I’m having a meet-up with my wonderful mommies bunch!

One of my very good friends is also getting hitched at the ROM this afternoon! What a lovely date to remember your wedding anniversary as opposed to just being exposed to the commercialization of V-day!

xo.

With the ongoing idea for room improvement and how we can better improve the work station area in the bedroom to avoid making it look like a bulk of clutter (read: more stylish) while being able to hold more stuff and pleasing to the eye; here’s what I came across on Refinary29 today:

Perhaps a trip for some furniture ogling is in order this weekend.

I’ve been a huge fan of The Coveteur & The Selby for a while now, always delighting me with a tease & glimpse into some of the world’s most coveted homes & closets (I so wish to own one someday!).

So when I chanced upon The Glow recently (thanks to blog links on my reader list), I was too excited and in awe that it featured wonderfully photographed moments of fashionable & stylish moms (coupled with fascinating & fab snippets of their little tricks of the trade or their thoughts of the moment). I’ve always wanted to be a stylish mom when the time comes (or at least an inspiring one to my future bubs) – and hopefully this will encourage me in some little way or another :) …or at least motivate me that its possible to still have lots of fun on days when I’m all weary from feeding, cleaning & crying :x

Loving these lovely moments that are being beautifully documented. Can’t you just see the glow on the moms’ faces (pun intended)?

Gorgeous Painter Jemima Kirke & her bub, Rafaella enjoying moments together – bliss!

Designer Consultant Laura Garcia getting a lovely kiss.

Lovely inspiration for future bub’s room

Absolutely loving & secreting coveting designer Lynn’s apartment & Marc Jacobs dress.

And absolutely fantastic preggy advice from Meredith on beauty…

“Use your natural glow to your advantage and reduce the amount of make-up you wear while pregnant. The most radiant you will ever be is during pregnancy so don’t waste your time covering it with make-up. When you become a mommy, make-up becomes last on your list; the quick application of foundation and under eye concealer is key. Then, all you need is basic blush, lip moisturizer, and mascara.”

I’ve always had a soft spot for all things moms and bubs, so this will definitely be on my blog radar for a long time to come. :)

[Source: The Glow]

I love the simplicity of the outfit.

[Source: WhoWhatWear]

[via apieceofmymind]

And I think my husband knows that :) 

I’ve always wanted to learn how to wear a sophisticated chignon on my head, especially on days when I don’t feel I’m ‘dressed properly’ enough for our lovely dinner & wine sessions out whether its just the 2 of us or with some friends.

So I was thrilled when I read Jo’s post today on creating a beautiful chestnut bun.

Now while I know some of you may state how unsophisticated a bun is versus a beautiful chignon which has many variations of style, let me disclaim how

1) the only buns I’m good at are the really messy, half-way ponytails that i deliberately left it there with some bits of end often sticking out sort, that usually goes with spring cleaning a house and never out of the house.

2) this version shown was actually a suggestion for DIY wedding hair which I think is a simple, brilliant idea that you can wear to almost anywhere.

The steps and photos are really easy to follow and I managed to master it pretty quickly (3 minutes tops!)

I might just be wearing this style out during our Saturday date!

Here are the steps as shared on Joanna’s blog

1. Gather your hair into a high ponytail and secure it with a rubber band. You want the band to be pretty tight (otherwise the sides of the ponytail will droop after you do step three).

2. Next, slide your rubber band down a little so it’s no longer tight against your scalp.

3. Create a little “hole” in the loosened part of your hair (between your scalp and the rubber band).

4. Pull your ponytail through the hole you just created.

5. Note: Be sure to pull the ponytail UP through the hole (instead of DOWN through the hole, like the topsy-tail we used to do in the 80s:)

6. Pull the ponytail all the way through so it hangs over the top of the rubber band. You may have to fan out the ponytail a little to create an even shape.

7. Next, loop the end of the ponytail under, towards the rubber band. If your hair is super long, you may have to wrap the ends of the ponytail around your hand a few times before you tuck it under. (I did!)

8. Pin the ends that you just tucked using a few bobby pins. Make sure it’s pinned very securely. Then keep pinning the sides and bottom of the bun until it feels secure. You can spray with hairspray for extra hold, and feel free to bring some extra bobby pins for touch-ups throughout the night.

Thanks Joanna (and Caroline) for sharing this wonderful style. ;)

Source | A Cup of Jo

Its 2 1/2 weeks before my godson lands back in Singapore again. I miss him so much already.

I hear he can managed 2-3 steps on his own now, he can hold a phone conversation with his babbling (at least not dropping the phone and leaning his ear towards the phone), he’s grown quite  a bit and all.

I chanced this little cutie of a daughter at the lil bee today and just went wow. I love everything about the photo – her inquisitiveness, that little smile, the round eyes, that cute hair, the awesome tshirt, her boots and that pose – and decided that I needed to share.

Happy Tuesday everyone, I’m off to a really busy eating & coffee day.

These muffins look absolutely delish and I hope after my first baking class in 2 weeks’ time, I might be more gear up to bake something similar to this.

Its pouring really heavily right now which makes me a little reluctant to step out of the house although I love Saturdays so much.

In better news, the husband just told me that he’s taken the day off next week to spend time together for our 3rd wedding anniversary. Hooray! Kudos on his initiation which really is a special treat itself.

For most of the weekend that past, the husband whisked me into shops of bags & watches & shoes asking me if I liked anything enough as his 3rd wedding anniversary present to me.

The usual me would have jumped at the opportunity. Especially when chances of me getting anything new, now that I’m unemployed, 40% annually namely wedding anniversaries, christmas & my  birthday.

But apart from taunting him that I would lurve to have the iPad2 when I knew that it was sold out islandwide, at least for the 3G model, which I wanted it more for him ironically when I was the one who lost his iPad 1 (nevermind that) some weeks back, I was totally out of it.

Nothing really caught my eye or mind as we mall hopped from Shaw Centre to Wheelock to Ion Orchard to Wisma, Takashimaya & Paragon. I know that the husband really tried his best, but I just wasn’t feeling it.

But today while browsing some online sites, I chanced upon these some YSLs and wished that they weren’t sold out so that I could add them to my shopping cart. Well, maybe not :X

I did appreciate the husband for coming by the comp. to check out these bags though and asking how much they cost. Then I shoo-ed him away to continue listening to his new audio set-up.

Perhaps the best present is spending quality time with him and the thing that did ‘crack’ me up was him taking an entire day off tomorrow just to do us-things together. Who knows, shopping may be on the agenda!

Source | Yves Saint Laurent

Source | Tumblr

Today when I looked at Andy’s blog to gain some inspiration, I was blown away by not only her (always) lovely choice of outfits but by the destination she is currently at right now : Santorini, Greece

I’ve been lusting to give the European cities another visit since our maiden one in Oct 2008, but when I saw the backdrop of Santorini in Andy’s I couldn’t help but go ‘WOW’! and kept clicking for more photos of the place.

The blue skies, the Aegean sea, the tall cliffs, volcanic remnants.  Something we’ve definitely not experienced (yet) and (I) would love to for a 2nd honeymoon perhaps?

If not this year, probably in the next 2! Perhaps another big motivation to get me considering job offers again and to take my mind off some trivial worries I’ve been having of late. After all when you get to go to a paradise like that, you want to excite all senses and taste buds without constantly worrying about budget, right? Ideally.

Source | Style Scrapbook

I’ve been struggling with the set-up & layout of our Master bedroom for a while now. While I’m thankful & appreciative that we’ve such a big room space that we can fit about more than 5 people comfortably (with their own leg and stretch space) at any time, I’ve been challenged by the husband to think of better ways to spruce up the space.

And for the longest time, I’ve been around the ‘loft’ theme. For the very reason that everyone who hangs out here keeps saying that our room looks like a self-sufficient studio apartment. We’ve got a mini TV-and-living-room-idea which I’m tempted to banish, a well-equipped & mid-entry range of audiophile worthy equipment, a personal washroom, a large balcony area to hang some clothes & enough picnic/booze space, a king sized bed, walk-in closet etc.

So when I came across this ‘Before & After’ project at Design Sponge today, I just knew I had to paste it here for to add on to my inspiration board of home & decor ideas. Who knows, with the future expansion, this idea could come in really handy :)

Happy Friday y’all.

To read more about the specifics of this project, click here

Source | Design Sponge