she hearts whatsapps over lunch

One said 'you look like you are having the time of you life' and the other sent me several images depicting the Life of Pi. Its good to have fun lunch buddies who make you smile, snicker, LOL and commiserate with you over the 'exhilarating' lunch conversations :)

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pen on paper

Before I left for my year abroad on a student exchange program {you can read about it here}, my aunty Lillian gave me a box of very pretty stationery from Marks & Spencer. I  loved it to bits and I deemed it too precious for me to bring to Australia {that and the fact that my luggage was overweight}. Well, my year in Australia came and went but my love for writing, putting pen to paper, never diminished. Of course these were the days when not everyone had internet connection and there was no such thing as smart phones and wifi. I did get emails, don't get me wrong and I remember fondly the days spent camping out at the high school's computer corner to check my emails everyday but honestly, nothing beats getting and sending out old fashioned handwritten letters ~ true story. 

I remember clearly the days and nights I spent writing letters to my parents, my then boyfriend {who sadly doesn't talk to me any more}, my best friend Catherine and a host of other friends from back home. I remember too the joy of going to the post office {the post offices in Australia rock cos they sell more than just stamps} and queuing up to buy stamps and asking for  stamps that were different from the ones I got before {stamps in Australia rocked - they had a whole variety of different stamps for different seasons and occasions, and one set of stamps was even scented}. I would feel such joy in sending out a handwritten letter complete with a pretty stamp and an airmail sticker on the left hand corner of the envelope ~ yes I get simple thrills like these every so often.

Then there was the anticipation of getting a response. Of going to the post office box and enquiring with the post office folk if I had gotten any mail. They came to know me by name and they would let me know when I got a letter or a parcel. Those were happy days to say the least *smiles* I would go home, shower, have my dinner, chat with my host family and then before bed time, I would snuggle up in my bed, turn on some music and reverently open the envelope or parcel. There were times when I laughed at the contents and there were times when I would cry over it {'cos I missed home and my loved ones} but most times it was just a good feeling to be remembered and to have a piece of home with me *snickers* 

Anyways, I left Australia and I came back to Malaysia and I still wrote to my friends who were overseas but with the evolution and rise of technology, the art of writing faded away. After all, it was easier to just type out the message {like what I am doing now} and clicking send and the person would get it in an instant. Now writing, pen on paper is something that happens so very rarely. Even my journal which I wrote in religiously when I was a teen and young adult is abandoned. I take it out every blue moon or so and just vent my thoughts but mostly I take to blogging or writing obscure poetry that never sees the light of day.

So last week when I received some snail mail from my Swiss friend whom I met in Australia and who now is living in Brazil {talk about globe trotter}, I decided to use the box of stationery and write him and my host family some handwritten letters. It was honestly so good. So good and refreshing to see the words form from the nib of my pen on to the pretty paper. It was good to see  my hands stained black from the smears of the blotted ink. It was good to hold the pen and construct my thoughts. I missed this feeling and never realised it until then.

Putting pen on paper was therapeutic to say the least and along with it I remembered so many things, so many memories, so many little joys. I recall the stacks of letters received over the years, some kept so meticulously, others sadly recycled, lost words now. I know one thing for sure would be that this feeling, this remembrance of putting pen on paper, will not be forgotten but instead would be practised more often... Anyone want to be penpals? Leave me an email at j2kc19@yahoo.com or weheartcrafts@gmail.com
Here's to writing, beautiful letter sets and stationery, post offices, stamps and putting pen on paper.

Seen @ My Instagram Photos on Ink361

Washi Tape @ H&C

Seen @ Hearts & Crafts

Hey guys. I have some exciting news.

Washi tape goodness will be available on my online

store 'Hearts & Crafts' soon. I am in the midst of

taking photos, working on pricing the like, but it 

should be ready by end of this week *smiles*

Looking forward to your support *grins*

Have an awesome day ahead all.

i feel like dancing

Seen @ JW's pinterest collection

I feel like dancing.

Spinning around.

Throwing up my arms
 in careless abandonment.

Jumping, prancing, twirling.
Dancing to a beat only I can hear.
Moving to the thumping and pouding
of the music that flows in my veins.

I just feel like dancing now.
In my slippers.
In my office attire.
With my messy hair.
With my geeky specs.
I want to close my eyes and be transported
to a dance floor somewhere
and just dance...
dance like no one is watching...
dance like there is no tomorrow.

I feel like dancing.

rolls of colour

Seen @ Fjeld Borg

Am loving this simple home craft work space.

It's simple but effective in the sense that it has the space

for everything that you would need within reach.

A good place for artsy craftsy stuff.

Doesn't help that this space is filled with lovely bits of colour

and has awesome rolls of patterned/coloured paper.

*smiles smiles*

amidst the chaos

Seen here

This morning I woke up hopeful that the day would be a carefree,

stress free day for me. A day to take it all in and sort out the clutter.

A day to just enjoy and breathe. I suppose when I wake up with

grand notions such as these, I tend to self sabotage myself, or

perhaps I am mentally preparing myself for a day that is less of a 

carefree day, but more of a 'normal' day, the ones with its fair

share of ups and downs because realistically speaking there

aren't any perfect days now is there? And true, the day started

out a little crappy {due to my carelessness and oversight} but 

who's to say that the rest of the 9 hours or so wouldn't turn

around and be just that, perfect, or close to perfect anyways.

I think the challenge for me today is to firstly stop making silly

and careless mistakes. I am not making excuses, for myself

and yes, its not a very big mistake but it still reflects poorly on

my work {and I am after all my own harshest critic - true story!}

and my ability to perform at work. Sometimes, I think my head

is in the clouds more often then it should be *snickers*

The next challenge for me not only for today but for the rest of 

my life would be how to experience peace and calm in the midst

of all the chaos around me. How to sit still in the eye of the 

storm and know full well that although everything around me is

literally going insane, I am going to be okay and that when

the storm passes, everything will be okay as well.

I honestly look forward to that day. 

I think it will be a mighty fine day when I realise that the days

events, that the people around me and the things that 

happen to me will not effect the peace I feel within me.

There are times I catch a glimpse of this fleeting peace, but 

its fleeting. I have not anchored myself well in peace, in God,

in His Divine peace, promises and blessings.

Well, here's to wishing I will grow in peace and serenity

through time {hopefully sooner rather than later} *smiles* 

 Anyways, as always I am every hopeful about things to

change and be better. I sincerely do believe it will.

Really. True Story.

Loving this paper collection

Seen @ Echo Park Paper

OMG! Checked out the latest Echo Park paper collection

'Today's Story', and I love love love it.

I love the colours and the designs and have a couple of 

ideas for the journalling cards. *loves*

I reckon it would be really good for those who are

doing 'Project Life' as well.

Can't wait to get some of this delicious paper.

Hope, Love & Joy clear stamps

Seen @ wplus9

I recently bought this pretty stamps 

and I have a couple of ideas in mind for it.

Technically they should be for Christmas but I think

they are quite versatile, hence why I tbought them.

*smiles smiles*

Will share pics once/if I do something with the stamps.

{lets hope I do} *snickers* 

a totally ramblish post

Today is Friday. I love Fridays for very obvious reasons such as the end of the work week *woot woot* and the start of the weekend *hoorahs* 

This week I will be going back to my parents place for Christmas Tree decorating. Since we now have a baby in the family {my newphew EE}, my dad has decided to get us a Christmas Tree. I have always wanted a Christmas Tree, a proper big one not the midget variety with the very fake branches and twigs {let's hope the one they got is a proper tree} *snickers*

A new shipment of items for Hearts & Crafts is slated to arrive soon, and I really should be taking photos of the existing products I sell so that people can actually buy online. Must motivate myself to take the photos. Also, there are tons of photos to edit, namely the Europe trip ones... about 4k photos! *egad*

I seem to be rambling today. Which is great. That means I am freer and my mind is freer and I am happier. I love this feeling but there is always this underlying feeling that something is brewing under everything about to blow up in my face. Ok... I am being a tad crazy here... probably due to my tummy being in knots and acting all crazy. Will cut out this negativity and enjoy this easy breezy feeling. 

Oh, I forgot to mention, the bosses and most of my colleagues are in Bali for the company which I am unfortunately not eligible to participate in due to the fact that I have not served my one year's servitude here. So being an obedient minion that I am, I am here in the office with proper office attire no less. But I am listening to music and enjoying the beats and stuff.

This is truly a meaningless post but in the years to come I read this post and think about this day when I wore my happy blue & white striped top with lacy collar and my black skinny jeans and turquoise slippers and I sang 'Hatin' on the club' by Rihanna and loving it {am feeling all Rihanna-ish at the moment}. Sweetness. Let's hope this happiness continues throughout the day and the weekend.

I miss you

Sometimes when you cross my mind, i miss you.

I Miss You 

Blink 182

Hello there the angel from my nightmare

The shadow in the background of the morgue

The unsuspecting victim of darkness in the valley

We can live like Jack and Sally if we want

Where you can always find me

And we'll have Halloween on Christmas

And in the night we'll wish this never ends

We'll wish this never ends

(I miss you I miss you)

(I miss you I miss you)

Where are you and I'm so sorry

I cannot sleep I cannot dream tonight

I need somebody and always

This sick strange darkness

Comes creeping on so haunting every time

And as I stared I counted

The Webs from all the spiders

Catching things and eating their insides

Like indecision to call you

and hear your voice of treason

Will you come home and stop the pain tonight

Stop this pain tonight

Don't waste your time on me you're already

The voice inside my head (I miss you miss you)

Don't waste your time on me you're already

The voice inside my head (I miss you miss you)

Don't waste your time on me you're already

The voice inside my head (I miss you miss you)

Don't waste your time on me you're already

The voice inside my head (I miss you miss you)

Don't waste your time on me you're already

The voice inside my head (I miss you miss you)

Don't waste your time on me you're already

The voice inside my head (I miss you miss you)

I miss you (miss you miss you)

(I miss you miss you)

collection

Seen @ The Cool Hunter

Loving this collection of 

items from The Cool Hunter.

Happy holidays folks *smiles*

less and less

there is a kind of intimacy 

when you put your thoughts on paper 

or when you type them out one alphabet at a time.

it is even more intimate 

when you  let someone in 

and allow them to read your words. 

when you allow them to peer into your world, 

into your mind, your thoughts,

your deepest recesses of your soul.

and i think that is why 

i write less and less 

about the things that truly matter.

there is no one to share these words with any more 

so my words are best kept inside.

she remembers

Sometimes the concept of time eludes me.

I try to fathom time and space and its overwhelming.

I should try to stop finding answers to 

questions that I don't even know.

I sound confused right now and to a certain extent I am.

I am torn between principles and wants.

I am taking frequent trips down memory lane with the aid of

music from the past and I remember.

I remember feelings, not memories specifically 'cos

some things are best not brought to the surface.

I do remember the taste of salt on my lips.

I do remember lying on my bed curled up into a ball, 

with a heart that seemed to fragile,

a heart that was maimed and shredded into

ribbons that was tossed by the wind. 

I remember the ache that came with a crushed heart.

I read the words and I hear the words and I remember.

I remember the promises made, the promises broken.

I remember much and yet it seems I have forgotten more.

These are just jumbled thoughts of an overworked me

who lacks sleep and who has pent up words and 

thoughts in her mind.

I will leave you with an old song 'Vindicated' by

Dashboard Confessionals. I remember.

"Hope dangles on a string

Like slow spinning redemption

Winding in and winding out

The shine of it has caught my eye

And roped me in

So mesmerizing, so hypnotizing

I am captivated..."

candy cane scent

Seen @ Sniff

This candy cane scented candle is supposed to smell

mint and vanilla. It's a little too expensive to ship over

but I can certainly try to imagine how it smells like.

I do have a powerful imagination *snickers*

Would like to have a Christmas smell though...

know where I can get some? 

Interior Ideas #13 - Framed!

For quite some time I have been thinking about feature walls

for the Love Nest. I thought colours and even textures 

{exposed brick or wall paper}. In the end however, we just decided

to have a sorta beige-ish colour for the wall with embellishments,

lots of framed photos and pictures and other knick-knacks.

I have several posts lined up which showcases beautiful and 

creative feature walls to inspire you {and me} in our quests to

create awesome homes *smiles smiles*

Enjoy these walls and frames. 

Seen @ Nordic Design 

its good..

...to revisit the past for a bit.

to laugh at days gone by

to heave a long sigh

to sing a song

to weep

to 

remember

and then to keepback

for another rainy day...

Festive Holiday Card Kit

Seen @ Simon Says Stamp

1 Simon Says Stamp set of photopolymer clear stamps 

"Gnome for the Holidays" 

(designed specifically to coordinate with this kit)
1 Sheet of Doodlebug Fancy Frills White Cardstock Stickers
5 Sheets of 8.5" x 11" Simon Says Stamp 120# Cardstock
1 Striped Vellum Tiny Envelope with String Closure from BasicGrey
1 American Crafts Christmas Roller Date Stamp
20 Red "goosebumps" from Queen & Co (perfect for reindeer noses!)
1 Package of Silver Brads from American Crafts or Doodlebug
18 Sheets BasicGrey Aspen Frost 6x6 decorative papers
2 Sheets 8.5" x 11" Bazzill Cherry Splash
1 Sheet 8.5" x 11" Bazzill Orange Peel
1 Sheet 8.5" x 11" Bazzill Sugar Cream
1 Sheet 8.5" x 11" Hero Arts Shallows
1 Package of 28 BasicGrey Aspen Frost Colored Die Cuts

Look at all these goodies!

OMG! I am so tempted to buy this kit but I am already

spending way too much money on other craft stuff

but I just couldn't resist capturing this kit on my 

Little Piece of Heaven.

There is just something magical about Christmas

and Christmas papers and decorations and etc.

*smiles smiles*

I really gotta start Christmas crafting soonest.

*woot woot*

Monday morning - 5.11.12

I started my morning well enough really.

Had a delicious breakfast of a firecracker sausage wrapped in pastry and I am having a good hair day.

Was also able to see B and have several of his awesome hugs.

And then I get into my office and fire up the laptop and find an email from my client basically telling me I did a shoddy job @ a job she assigned me to. A job that was not mine to begin with. A job I don't quite know about. A job that was last minute. A job that I tried my best to complete even though I didn't want to do it... and this is the thanks I get. A not quite polite email.

I am honestly trying to not let it get the better of me. After all it's just an email and the client is kind of hard to please but me being me has a hard time letting go of reprimands like this. They are just words. But I take them to heart unfortunately. Oh well...

I have told myself that I will not stay long here in this new place of work but at the same time I know that running away to another job is not quite the answer unless of course the job happens to be fabulously awesome. I am hopelessly confused about all this work business but I know I am not too happy here.

Not too happy that I don't have the chance to own the brand and do everything for it just like in my previous job. It's hard to explain how I feel if people don't get it... but that's just how I feel.

It was my hope not to rant too much but I feel better after having typed this out and ranted! *huhuhuhu*

The email has been archived into a folder and I am sure my boss will bring it up later today when he gets in but oh well... I can't turn back time and even if I did, I probably would have made the same mistakes again since I did try my best and was uber tired. Excuses? Perhaps. But I am not letting it get the better of me today and ruin a day that I should be rejoicing in simply because I am alive and I have people who love me and so many things to be grateful for. 

Hope your Monday starts of better than mine did and

that my Monday will only be heaps better moving forward.