Fire burns baby

I can see in your eyes that you're blinded by the flashing lights.

What lies beneath the charm is a snake, an insincere charm.

I am glad to have found out now because no one has room in their heart for someone like you.

Thanks for showing your true self that day.

Know that I adore you

There's one artist that I never ever tire of.

His groove, rhythm and smoothness makes my heart swoon and skin crawl because of how soulful he is.

For those who have never heard of American artist Miguel, you need to start you-tubing his music immediately!

Some useful suggestions FYI:

Start with his recent performance on David Letterman of Adorn - I love how he moves and sings with such emotion. Watching him makes it really hard to look anywhere else. It might just be me but I swear I developed a huge girl crush on him when the lights went up and he fell to his knees.

Follow this with a look at his sexy track Do You... which features him and his girlfriend in black and white. I love how trippy it sounds.

And finally, my all time favourite track by Miguel - Sure Thing.

Love love love x

'If I should have a daughter...'

Tonight I had the pleasure of listening to a really inspirational poet called Sarah Kay.

Never mind it was on my small computer screen where the video paused halfway to buffer. Never mind it was only 18 minutes. I'm so thankful to have stumbled over it after seeing that my cousin had recommended one of her speeches on TED last year.

The things she said during that speech really moved me. She described things with such fluidlity; in a way that females as daughters, sisters, mothers and loved ones can only understand. The words of wisdom that make us roll our eyes, yet if we take a second to reflect realise there is a grain of truth to it or at least a good intention of care that comes from someone who really cares, in a way only a mother can for a daughter.

Not only that but listening to the way she describes life and its experience with such wonderment, I really enjoyed it. To look at the way we grow older and lose that innocence and awe of life, it's sad. Because there's so much that is beautiful about this world. The way a stranger can smile to another. Or the way you help another in a way you would of your loved one. It's about those connections we share in those moments.
 
Anyway listen to her speech and stick around till the end to hear her second poem 'Hiroshima'. She's so inspirational.

10 things I know to be true

1. I get moved easily by things, thoughts and gestures.

2. I give people the benefit of the doubt, rather than doubting them in the first place.

3. I prefer not to talk 80 percent of the time.

4. I wish I had a job I felt more productive in.

5. I like elephants, mushrooms and octopus (toys).

6. I wish I could go far away and walk amongst trees

7. I hate explaining myself or being made to feel bad for not doing something.

8. I try to be a good friend.

9. I avoid people I don't want to talk to.

10. I hope one day I'll find something that settles my heart and mind.

Can you reach me from across the globe?

Just arrived back from a 5 day adventure in Singapore. I booked the tickets last minute because I was waiting for something to wrap up and so it did, just in time too!

So many good memories. So many things to look back and quietly smile at :) One of the key moments was racing across the bridge on foot to jump on the Singapore Flyer before it closed at 1015pm. Although our hearts were pounding, our feet were aching and the heat was suffocating us - we still managed to laugh hysterically about it during our dash, and made it- possibly because the ticketing lady saw the gallons of sweat pouring down our faces. I never thought I would run like that for the world's largest observation wheel!

But honestly it was well worth the run! The view was absolutely stunning, we were practically the only ones in the capsule and it felt like the perfect way to spend our final night in Singapore :)

Also going to Singapore got me musing about glitter and all things sparkly.

I particularly like these set of heels found in Topshop. 

 I also rekindled my love of Miffy, my childhood fixation.

Aren't these passport covers cute? I especially love the red one. I also managed to buy a cute white and light purple mini purse to place my cards and coins whilst I was in Singapore.

Finally I love this track by Australian singer Elen Levon - Dancing to the Same Song.

I'm wide awake

So excited that spring has officially shooed itself in and the shopping centres have gone all out with their new colourful stock and floral prints. Even just window shopping gives me the heeby jeebies!

Loving the floral pants and colourful heels on Jessica Alba - a little bit daring but feminine at the same time.

 

Also loving the heels below - lace ups on heels are very sexy, as is the lace contours on the sides of these pins! I love the different textures.

I also like the model below's singlet. I like how it's got that element of ferociousness but there's the subtle femininity of the bun on top of the head!

Finally I'm absolutely in love with the bright lippy of the girl on the right and how it contrasts with the blueness of her woollen top and yellow striped bottoms. Cute, cute, cute :)

I've bought a few little tops here and there which I'll be posting up here shortly - Warning: they are BRIGHT!!! But I think that's 75% of the charm ;)

Fast cars and orchids

Today a few wonderful, unexpected things happened. Wonderful because they were unexpected but also wonderful because I've been looking for a pick-me-up lately.

For one thing, I got a lovely gift from my partner which brightened my day. I'd mentioned to him how exciting it was to finally have my own desk and my own space and he got me a beautiful purple orchid which I can gaze at if ever I'm feeling down at work. I'd been thinking of getting a little $5 cactus or a tiny little succulent but nonetheless, it was very sweet of him, especially the message inside the card.

Also just wanted to post my favourite song of all time Fast Car by Tracy Chapman. This song never fails to make my heart shiver just a little.

Current favourite mashup

I was speechless within 40 seconds. I love these artists so this mashup is my dream come true.

Symbolic tattoos cover the scar

Back momentarily from a hiatus. 

Started my new job last week and it's been an eye opener. Lifestyle has completely altered and my body clock is thanking me for it. Came back from a wonderful getaway exploring Northern New South Wales as well and my head is currently tender from new information overload.

My friend mentioned that Tyga has a new mixtape out and am currently checking it out now. It's called Well Done 3. 

 

I'm a huge fan of Tyga's remixes of existing tracks like Adele's Reminded and the following track- Rick Ross's Diced Pineapples.  So chilled and a great way to wind down after work. 

Enjoy :)

I'm running away from my fear, I won't go alone

Today was my first day as a non-employee of the airport. It's always say to say goodbye but the hardest part is knowing that things will never been the same as that particular moment in time. However the past few days were a fitting closure to a fun-filled, exciting three years. My colleague organised a farewell dinner for me and it gave me a chance to say goodbye to everyone. Plus I feel like I've come full circle completing the last flight with two people I've come to know and admire very well and waving goodbye to a cabin services manager who happened to be the first cabin crew member I got to know. 

I feel very blessed to come out of this experience as a stronger version of me.

Anyway I want to do more with my life and make a difference however idealistic that sounds. I'm excited and nervous about my next job but there's something very liberating about that feeling.

Trawling through some inspirational pictures:

The above is how I feel with I'm not with him and most importantly, towards my little sister. I feel very blessed to have two very wonderful people in my life who are always cheering me on and supporting me when I doubt myself. I hope they know I heart them very much so.

Finally a track I've fallen in love with - Run Alone by Australian rapper 360. Here's a teaser.

Ear candy

Today I went shopping and found some really cute earrings while I was browsing. I'm loving the new look this spring with brights and geometric shapes - it's a bit of fun mixing and matching which is what I love about fashion :) Plus it's the focus on little details that make an outfit interesting - it's all in the accessories and prints.

This pair from Diva reminds me the sun.

And hexagons are so underrated - this pair of earrings reminds me of Year 5 Geometry!

As for more candy for the ears, I'm loving an old track by Chris Brown called Perfume.

Coming to an end

For the past three years I've been accustomed to a particular sort of lifestyle and I can't believe that it's nearly over. It's been three years of checking in, boarding, training, training and training. Three years of running around, waking up at unearthly hours and meeting weird and crazy people. Next Friday I'll officially walk away from a job, workplace and family that's been a huge part of my life. But I'm walking away from it a version of me that I'm proud of because I feel like I've been pushed to grow. When I left uni three years ago I had no idea what I wanted but now I know in my heart what I want to do.

I don't regret a single part of the entire experience and I'm thankful of all the opportunities I was given. Not only that but I've had the pleasure of meeting and working with some very special people over the years. 

It's been a lot of fun!

In other news there's a really awesome track by Neyo - Let Me Love You. Check out the clip - it's freaking sexy.

Random thoughts

Little things pop out to me when I'm out and about and I like to take photos of them so I remember those moments and smile.

Like the other day when I spent the day out with my mum in Cabra. We saw this jacket at the front of a clothing store. and mum was like, 'You wore that when you were a little toddler Lin - do you remember?' She started laughing and so did I because I actually remember!

It was this bright red leather jacket with cowgirl like frills everywhere and I remember photos of me wearing it proudly. Eeeek! That's so early 90s! I can't believe it's still floating around being sold to parents of little kids today!

Likewise, I was sitting at Strathfield Station Platform 7 earlier this year and was zoning out when I noticed this plant growing out of a drain pipe for the first time ever.

I found it really odd but cool. Mainly because I'd stood waiting at Platform 7 for years on end when I was in uni  and not once did I see this plant!

Just some random thoughts :)

My favourite things

My room's a forest of random things. I'm the type of person who hoards things or throws things on my study table figuring that if ever I need to get it in the future, it'll be easily found (in my mess).

There is however an orderly section in my room which is on top of my wooden bookshelf.

Here is where I keep a collection of things that mean alot to me. It's weird. I don't consciously stand in front of it with everything I get and assess whether it should be put there. If anything, it's an automated response. When I get home with the item, I'll automatically place it there without question because it feels right.


Just a few of the things I have (roughly labelled but not quite clear! haha):



1. A laminated bookmark commemorating the life of my grandma.


I keep it here because it reminds me each day to be a be kind to others and show care. Although I never had the chance to meet her before she passed which I really feel sad for, I could tell from the way my mum talked of her and the rest of my family in the States that she was a beautiful person who was so loving to others and bound the family together with her love. Plus, she was the mother of my mum and shaped her to be the loving person she is today which I'm very grateful for.



2. A school portrait of me when I was in Yr 4 with crayons in my hair.


Not sure why this photo ended up on my cabinet but I think it had to do with the fact that the frame was given to my mum as a gift from someone she knew. The frame came in a pack of three frames which were all shaped differently. My big sister and my little sister received the other two and we got each of the self portraits that were taken of us that calendar year and placed reach one on our personal cabinet. I guess I'm really fond of that frame because it's like link with my sisters.




3. A japanese golden print I bought the first time I visited Japan in 2004.


I think I only bought it for ten Australia dollars but this piece reminds me how wonderful those two weeks over in Japanese was. I had the opportunity to live and be with one of the kindest bunch of people who welcomed me with open arms - my homestay family. It was also the first time I met my Japanese father whose kindness and warmth is unbelievable. He treated me like his own daughter. It makes you realise it's not all about blood.



4. My egg man.


I think I bought him a few years ago in a random stationery shop on Burwood Road. Just looking at him makes me so happy - maybe because he looks so happy.



5. A simple vase of flowers.


It's weird - one day these appeared and I didn't know how until my mum told me that she bought it at the Salvos and thought it'd look nice on my cabinet. I thought that was so sweet of my mum. Plus it looks just right where it is - fits perfectly :)




6. My handpainted snail.


This little ceramic snail was given to my in Kindergarten by a friend I knew back then. But sure why but I'm really attached to it.



7. My 'I Whaley Love you' card.


I like it because it's so sweet and simple.



8. A card given to me from my boyfriend.


Meant alot to me. Not because that was when I became 24 but because it was from him.



9. My USBs.


These sticks contain all the files - hundreds and hudreds of files - I've ever created for my job as a Trainer. Every powerpoint, stencil, SOP, visa document is saved on these and it's like a mark of how much work I've invested in performing my role. Ready to move on but I will keep these as memory of how much I've taught myself from scratch.



10. My Kimmi Doll from Ivy.


Enough said :)

Eggs, sister and lychees

Today I woke up and decided to make some eggs. 

I was home alone and this made me miss my little sister even more because for as long as I can remember, her and I were always the ones who woke up and spent time together each morning with the parentals out of the house. We'd sit, chat and drink warm water together and she would tell me off because I'd always tip my warm water down the sink.

Here are my eggs on lightly toasted Bakehouse Light Rye bread. 

For those wondering, the flecks of black and grey particle aren't charred remnants of the pan (surprisingly enough!) - they are actually sprinkles of sea salt, black peppercorns, garlic, parsley and oregano. Eggs are lovely by themselves, especially the yolky runny centre, however this seasoning as subtle as it is, topped it off :)

Looking at this plate made me wish Ivy was here to share it with but I guess I'll see her soon enough next year. She would probably have a heart attack knowing that I made these :D

Anyway the weather outside is absolutely stunning. It's the perfect level of chilly and sun mixed together. The view from my backyard...

My view from the ground.

Heading out today in this beautiful weather so I think I'll put some Mor Lychee Flower Perfume Oil on. A very good girlfriend of mine gave me this for my birthday last year and I've cherished it ever since. Lychees are so delicious, sweet and subtle and a little of this scent on my wrists and behind my ears will brighten my day just a little.

Multilingual much?

I was trawling through forums the other day and came across some info that made me smile because it made so much sense.

Relationships are something which many of us find mind boggling. But the funny thing is if you look at it quite simply, perhaps a good many of our struggles and misunderstandings come from simply not speaking the same language.

Haha, ok allow me to elaborate.

When I say language I'm not referring to the conventional idea of linguistics. I'm referring to an idea that Gary Chapman pipped a few years back in a book he wrote called The 5 Love Languages. In a nutshell, he basically outlined that there's five ways for a partner to express their love and care and how important it is to express love to your partner in a way that they can understand.

As I was reading the article, it made perfect sense.

For one thing he outlines the following as the five languages:

Words

Perhaps you're verbal. It's the things you articulate, speak or text to your significant other to show how much you care or value them.

Quality Time

Maybe you believe it's the time you spend together that shows your love for each other. Doing things together, focusing on each other and appreciating each other's company.

Gifts

Although this might sound materialistic I don't really think this language has to be. For one thing, it may the little sentimental things you give to your partner in a metaphorical sense. Like a little post stick note on their wallet wishing them a good day or a little random thing you bought for them because it reminded you of them.. As cliched as it seems, it really is the thought that counts!

Acts of Service

Discovering what things you can do to help your partner can be just as valuable a form of showing that you care. It's those little offers of help to make their lives easier like offering to pick up the laundry or picking them up from places which I think are really sweet.

Finally there's physical touch  which in my opinion when used with sincerity and gentleness can express wonders. Little things like stroking your partner's back, holding hands, hugging and kissing them on the cheek show that you care too.

Anyway when I read all this I was struck by simple it all really is. It's about reflecting on what your strongest love languages are and speaking the language that you know your partner appreciates and understands. Something interesting was the thought that sincerity is great but sometimes it's not quite enough. Sure it comes from the heart but if it is packaged in a way that your partner doesn't understand, it will be lost on them so it's also about communicating your care in a way that your partner "gets."

After I read this article I thought about it and realised that I think the way I express my care and love for my loved ones are through a combination of the above. However I get the most joy from doing acts of service for my loved ones and physical touch :)

I love you too

Woke up to the sound of rain today and decided to have a day in on my day off.

Decided to migrate my blankie to the living room couch and watch a few movies I'd be meaning to watch for a while.

One of those movies was an Australian film released in 2010 called I Love You Too. I remember a really good friend of mine told me how good it was a few years ago and having watched it today, I completely agree with her.

If you had to pigeonhole this film, you'd probably label it as a rom-com. However I don't think that term lends this film justice. Sure it's funny and it's romantic which is precisely what this generalisation suggests, but it's so much more than that. Add to that, it's devoid of all the connotations of tackiness and cliches that often come with this genre.

In a nutshell, the premise of the film reads like a well worn cliche. The protaganist, Jim, a thirty something year old man, once a self confessed bachelor, finds himself hooked when he meets Alice. However after three wonderful years together, he loses her due to his inability to articulate his love for her in a very crucial moment. From this point on, the film follow's Jim's journey to win Alice back but rather than taking the traditional, well worn rom-com route of male pathetically proclaiming love for love interest time after unfailing time, it ventures into buddy flick territory where Jim actually meets Charlie, a guy who teaches him about the value of articulating love in both spoken and unspoken ways. It's interesting that the film plays out like a rather belated coming of age film.

Embarassingly, I was teary at particularly points in the film because it examined all types of bonds in a really touching way - not just those between romantic partners, but also between siblings, best mates and oddly coupled friends. Alot of it I think that people can certainly relate to because in the end, I really believe that people mean well in their relationships. We approach relationships of all types with good intentions. Whether it's parents, siblings, and good friends, we want the best for each other and especially when we see our loved ones in distress, we're not always sure what to do but we always wish we could do more.. But sometimes, or more often than not, we're all a bit clumsy and even our best intentions are misconstrued, even though the genuine feelings in their purest form, are there.

Also, it think the film shows not the values of gestures in everyday life, but also the value of simple statements, which whilst laden with meaning, are just as meaningful in their rarity. I think I'm starting to realise that myself. Watching the film, I know this sounds tacky, but I really felt like I could relate to Jim. It''s weird. I have no issues writing a 5000 word essay exploring topics about sociological theories and blabbing about a range of topics which are pretty convoluted, but I find it really hard to articulate how I feel or the things that go on in my head. I wish it came easier because there's times when I wonder if the people I love in my life know how much I care about them but I guess I show them in different unspoken ways. In the ways that I stick up for them, or fight for them, or think of them and would do things for them. However maybe I should take a leaf out of this film and realise that sometimes I need to say it in a more verbal way because it's really hard to tell and sometimes people need to hear it to know it.

Anyway this film touched me alot. It was funny. It made me giggle. It kept me occupied and kept me warm on a rainy day. But most importantly, it made me think, which is the best quality of any film.

Chino!

While shopping recently I fell in love with a pair of maroon chino pants I found in General Pants.

Although I didn't get a chance to try them in, it did inspire me to write a post on how awesome I think chino pants are - and how underrated I think they are!

Chino pants are termed as such due to the fabric that's used to manufacture them. The cotton materials that's used to make them was primarily used in British and French military uniforms in the mid-1800s but today it's a fashion piece which is timelessly elegant.

Chino pants come in a range of colours - navy, greys, khaki, black and tans but I think that sexiest shade is beige (second from right). Paired with a set of heels, this clothing piece is suitable in both casual settings or corporate environments. Also, not only does it look cute, but it's very comfy and the fabric lets your skin breathe!


Also been listening to some tracks by a Korean band I find really intriguing called Bigbang. 

Call me odd but I find their fashion and art direction kind of cool :D It's pretty outrageous but I think they pull it off pretty well, especially in their clip Fantastic Baby.

Ode to hoodies

Sticking to topics of things I love, I wanted to do a post on hoodies.

To put it bluntly, my favourite piece of clothing to wear is a hoodie. For those who didn't know, this piece of clothing's style can be traced back to Medieval Europe when the clothing formally worn by monks was a long, decorative hood called a cowl, attached to robes!

Then in the 1930s, what we recognise as today's hoodie was produced in the States by Champion. It's really interesting to think that this style of clothing was initially marketed to labourers who worked in freezing temperatures whilst in upstate New York.

Anyway I've always been a fan of the hoodie despite social connotations that it's associated with delinquency and concealed crime. I love its simplicity in being a hooded sweatshirt. I like its versatility in that it might have a vertical zipper down the centre much like a windbreaker, but most importantly I love its warmth and wearability. Whenever I traveled or backpacked for long periods of time, I always packed a variety of hoodies. I find them so easy to chuck on and suitable for any type of weather. Thin material ones worked wonders for hotter climates and thick, fleecy hoodies bailed me out when I was freezing my a** off!

I loved pulling the sleeves over my hands.

Add to that how hot hoodies look with a pair of skinnies or jeans pure and simple. To be honest I've always been a closest pervert at heart but I love a guy in a hoodie (and a girl at that lol).

Hot hot hot.

Plus my fondest memories were formed wearing these things :)

Polly Pocket and dots

Today I made a really random connection.

A few months ago I wrote about how much I love dots. So much so that if I come across anything dotty, in shops, on people's clothing, on ads, logos and photos, I'm compelled to stop, stare and appreciate. I even say out loud to whoever cares, 'I love dots.' And it's true - I really do love dots!

Anyway I never understood why I like dots so much. I'm the type of person who likes to muse about why people are how they are based on their experiences and what not. But I guess for me, I'm not so good at looking at myself reflectively and thinking why I like the things I do.

Well, out of nowhere, today when I got home, I started thinking about toys that I used to love playing with as a kid. Something very personal about me? My favourite toy of all time was the Polly Pocket range. For those not familiar with this range, it's basically a toy line of dolls and accessories which were first designed by a man in 1983 who created a small house for a tiny doll for his daughter. The best part about this story was he used a powder compact to create this house!

From this idea, Polly Pocket was born and a huge bunch of mini Polly Pocket dolls were played and appreciated by little kids like me worldwide. I loved the fact the dolls were so small and simple and lived in pocket sized cases I could carry around my neck.

Honestly I was in love with this exact piece.

For those not so familiar with Polly Pocket, this is Polly Pocket Lulu and her Seaside Locket. When I was in early primary school, I absolutely loved this toy. Just thinking about how fond I was of this tiny little thing (and seriously, it was that tiny) makes me really happy and kind of sad as well because I'm not sure where she and her home are :( I think I know where to look but I'll have to leave that for a rainy day when I have hours to look through a huge plastic tub under my bed which contains everything meaningful from my childhood that I couldn't throw away... because I'm a sucker for sentimental things.

I used to draw portraits of myself and my sisters on tiny pieces of note paper, rip them into little squares and place them behind the inside of the top cover so our faces would smile down at Lulu. Also I'd play with my big sister because she owned a larger home for her own Polly Pocket who lived in this big blue mansion and her doll would visit my doll and they'd lie down on the beach together.

Seriously, we had a blast with these tiny 1cm dolls back in the early 90s!

Anyway I could talk on and on about these dolls but I just wanted to say that the moment I laid eyes on this image of Lulu today I realised exactly where my love for dots came from.

Plus the funny thing is that I actually bought this exact patterned top last year and didn't even realise the connection until now.

Thank you Polly Pocket :)