Take a smile...

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If you can't seem to find yours right now... 

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Have a slice of art...

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 I am no expert when it comes to analyzing art but the one thing I have learnt over the years is that one doesn't need to be an expert to appreciate something great. As the famous author and poet, Thomas Merton once said, "Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time". He couldn't have expressed the feeling of being consumed by something inanimate yet so full of life, any better.  

Recently, one such artist that has definitely grabbed my attention is Francoise Nielly. Her larger than life portraits produced with just knives and oil paints, captures the spirit of life with its bold, bright, vibrant colors. Illuminating and energizing the admirer, her paintings have inevitably been etched into my mind and list of favorite things!

Today's "To Do" List...



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The Interesting Thoughts of Edward Monkton...

Recently I walked into The Space (@ The Pavillion) , a unique store (each of it's 9 stores are individually designed) housing some of SA's best designers as well as homeware that makes you want to say "awwwww". I especially love the vintage humor diaries and funny coffee table books. Anyway, while doing my usual look-through of everything in sight, I came across these adorable and quirky greeting cards by Edward Monkton. I am sure I spent most of my time looking through all and smiling to myself (others must have thought I was acting weird). With "acting weird" over now, here are my top 6 (originally top 5) greeting cards by Edward Monkton...

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2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

If you want to learn more about the interesting thoughts of Edward Monkton, visit his website using this link

PS. “FOLLOW YOUR HEART for your heart will always know the answer. but if it tells you to strangle kittens or something then DON'T follow it anymore.I mean it's just a heart, right? It's not the Dalai lama.” ― Edward Monkton

Bring on the A, B, C...

In the world of blogging, I am most probably considered a newborn. Having just started 3 months ago, I already feel like I have learnt so much. One thing I have learnt for sure? Blogging is addictive!
I consider myself the newbie in this place but being the person I am, I never shy away from a challenge. No wonder I signed up for the A to Z April Blogging Challenge. During the month of April, I will be required to blog everyday besides on a Sunday (a girl has to sleep sometime). With 1 April starting on a Sunday this year though, it will be the only Sunday I blog on. Starting from 1 April, each day will be assigned a letter starting with A, making it all the way to Z. My challenge is to blog each day about something starting with or relating to the specified letter. It sure seems like I have my work cut out for me!
What I do have on my mind right now though is, do I just freestyle it for the 26 days? Take it day by day, use my emotions, hopefully make a new discovery everyday. Or do I find a theme? 26 photos that changed the world, 26 reasons why I am single, 26 things that... :) Ah, the joys of doing my first blogging challenge. Look out for more on this as I have continuous mind debates with myself. To freestyle or not to freestyle? That is the question! 

The Month in Covers - February 2012

This is my favorite time of the month. Staring at the news stand, admiring the new additions. All vying for your attention, they scream out to you silently saying, "Pick me! Pick me!" Your eye instantly gets attracted to one of them. Is it the one with bright, bold colors or the one with a simple white background that suggests freshness and simplicity? That inviting smile from the cover girl/guy makes it even harder to resist. Cover stories perfectly phrased to make you want to know more...

Ah yes! The power of a cover is indescribable. It tells you the story of what to expect inside with just a glance of the eye. Magazines have always been a joy for me so I decided that from now on, I will be posting my favorite local mags of the month. 

Here are some of the head-turning cover stories for the month of February:

"H-angry on your new year diet? How to keep happy & drop the weight." - Cosmopolitan.

"How to finish what you've started" - Shape

"50 Best Packaged Foods for Women" - Women's Health

"Why Funny is the New Sexy." - Cleo

"How to Seduce Absolutely Anyone!" - Fair Lady

"Sealed with a Kiss. Love letters straight from the heart." - Elle 

"Everyone Loves a Good Listener. Follow O's Tips to Help." - O

"Look HOT! 210 Super sexy fashion finds." - Glamour

"Crazy Stupid Love" - Marie Claire

Go on...get your dose of reading pleasure. Happy reading!

Not all things vintage smell funny but rather are just funny...

Vintage humor sure does create many a smile. Here are some of my favorites:

...and be known as a master chef.

We are forced to lie at times.

My predicament at times.

...or both.

My mothers' favorite words.

Enough said.

Don't work hard, work smart.

For many, it seems to be their favorite cereal. 

...Sometimes for days.

...And free!!!

We've all had those days but never give up because there will be days where...

The best days for sure!

O, So Inspiring!

The one thing that I have always believed in is that learning from another person's life experiences is just as significant as learning from your own. It is not mere words that one utters when giving advice, but something that they felt in that "aha!" moment of theirs that changed their lives for the better or sometimes worse which could inspire you to know better, do better and be better. If you really (and I mean REALLY) get what they saying, Take it! Use it! Never forget it!

I am inspired daily in life by quotes and sayings. One such person whose words have lead me to many "aha!" moments is the queen of talk, Oprah Winfrey.

Yes, she truly is the queen of talk! Whether it is asking the hardest questions, going to the hardest hit places or most importantly just being a fellow human, Oprah knows how to touch one's soul. My admiration for her over the years has been undying. 


In honor of this great woman, here is some of her wisdom that to keep in mind and use at all times:

• I don't think you ever stop giving. I really don't. I think it's an on-going process. And it's not just about being able to write a check. It's being able to touch somebody's life.   

•  Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough. 

• You know you are on the road to success if you would do your job, and not be paid for it.

• The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude. 

• Use your life to serve the world.

After all...

When you know better, you do better.

25 Lessons for Life

 Make it count. Be happy. Get ahead. Here are 25 Lessons for Life that I had come across a while back which has helped me immensely in becoming the person I am. Here's hoping it will better your life too..

1. Don't feel entitled to anything you don't sweat and struggle for.

2. Set goals and work quietly and systematically toward them.

3. Assign yourself. Don't wait around for others to direct you in life.

4. Never work just for money or power. They won't save your soul or help you sleep at night.

5. Don't be afraid of taking risks or of being criticized.

6. Take parenting and family life seriously and insist that those you work for and those who represent you do.

7. Remember that your mate is not your parent or servant, but your partner and friend.

8. Forming families is serious business.

9. Be honest.

10. Remember and help the world remember that the fellowship of human beings is more important than the fellowship of race and class and gender in a democratic society.

11. Sell the shadow for the substance.

12. Never give up.

13. Be confident that you can make a difference.

14. Don't ever stop learning and improving your mind.

15. Don't be afraid of hardwork or of teaching your children to work.

16. Slow down and live.

17. Choose your friends carefully.

18. Be a will-do, can-try person.

19. Try to live in the present while you prepare for the future.

20. Use your political and economic power for the community and others less fortunate.

21. Listen for the 'sound of the genuine" within yourself and others.

22. You are in charge of your own attitude.

23. Remember your roots, your history and the forbears' shoulders on which you stand.

24. Be reliable, Be faithful, Finish what you start.

25. And always remember that you are never alone.