And we have begun folks!

I have been sleeping super late {and hence waking up super late as well} these past two weeks and I know I should quite this horrid habit and I will... soon... but tonight, I just wanted to write {it's been awhile}. It's not something super that has happened but it has been a packed day!

• It's my nephew Ethan's full moon today {he is one month old!} so I got a whole chicken and red eggs and the like. I wanted to eat the chicken but was too lazy to chop it up and had char kuey teow instead {I waited for more than an hour but it was worth it!}.
• I may have chosen the hotel for our stay in London. It looks super promising *smiles*
• I met with a head hunter person who gave me pretty good tips for future interviews.
• An old friend, P, came over to the Love Nest and got me my Biotherm facial cleanser {for a steal!} and some other skin care goodies {I think there were about 7 tubes and tubs of facial and body goodness} ~ and it's not even my birthday *woot woot* ~ thanks P!
• Visited my in-laws and my family.
• I saw Belle the beagle today after missing her for a week. She refused to even look at me and gave me a sulky face when she eventually did. What a dog I tell you! But I love her all the same 'cos she is just awesome possum. {Belle's sulky face below and me trying my darnest to coax her into being the lovable, adorable, slobbery beagle that she is}.

• My Simon Says Stamp {they have awesome craft stuff and duh! stamps!!} stuff arrived in the mail and I finally got them in my hands ~ oh joy!!! {I will write more about the awesome stuff I got in another post {if I remember!}. Btw, I just love receiving things in the mail ~ happy things and not things like bills and boring crappy stuff.
• I had ChaTime bubble tea and put in the drinks holder in the loaned Perodua Kenari car {our car's being sprayed and what not!} ~ super awesome! Drinks holders in cars are just one of the greatest inventions ever in my book.
• I came home and decided to make a Mother's Day card and a card for my niece's 30th birthday tomorrow. So I took out the supplies and tried and tried again and finally I got it made. Two "creative" things. I don't have photos of them but they look pretty decent and I kind of liked the outcome of it. I used mostly rubber stamps, washi tape and patterned paper {all my favs}. 
• Then I realised {and shared with B} that the craft projects that I did or will do doesn't quite need to be perfect. Perfection, or more likely the idea of me needing to make things perfect, hinders me for actually starting to craft which is just horrible as I have amassed ALOT of supplies so much so that the arts and crafts police would definitely fine me or throw me into crafty prison for not using all the goodies I have collect since forever! But it's honestly a big thing for me to have made two creative things. I know, I know... it's just two things but really, to me, it's a BIG thing. Baby steps! Baby steps! Btw, my back is killing me as I was crafting on the floor. My table was filled with a whole lot of other stuff ~ ouchness! {Note to self: Clean table for craft purposes and putting food but of course!}
• *On a side note, I have been doing a little bit of crafting for Project Let's Create, but that's a whole different type of crafting ~ updates when I get things done. The printer has gone wonky just as I needed it to work *tsk tsk*

So yes. A very long day it was today but it sure was fulfilling. I even watched "MoneyBall" {with Brad Pitt} but I was crafting mid-way so I don't know if that counts *snickers* Well, tomorrow is Mother's Day {HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all your readers who are mums or mums-to-be ~ you guys are awesome!} and my niece's 30th party which is a karaoke do. I can't wait for lunch with my family and then singing later with my extended family. It will be our first family karaoke party! *woot woot*

Seen @ DW's pinterest collection

Good night folks! It's been lovely typing all this down {like typing diarrhea} and thanks for visiting this Little Piece of Heaven! I feel so happy when I see that people are actually visiting my blog *smiles* Thanks again. Happy Sunday all. 

Creativity Rules

Seen @ DW's pinterest collection

It's been creative central here these past week

and I am loving it! 

Project Let's Create is on!

*smiles smiles grin grin*

Creativity Rules!!! 

Caitlin Wilson's Pretty Pillows

Caitlin Wilson has such lovely fabric. I super heart her fabric.

Enjoy these pretty pillow cases. 

My fav is the mint fleur chinoise pillow! 

{the centre pillow in the photo below}

Seen @ Caitlin Wilson Textiles

The Pink Tutu Project

I read about The Pink Tutu Project and thought that it was an amazing one. For more information on the project, click here. The following excerpt below was taken from Shine.

For photographer Bob Carey and his wife Linda, a man-sized pink tutu has taken on incredible meaning in their fight against breast cancer. The Tutu Project started in 2003 when Carey donated a picture of himself wearing a custom-made ballet skirt as part of a fund raiser for the Arizona Ballet. Soon after, Linda was diagnosed with breast cancer. "It wasn't about her when I started," Carey tells Shine. But when she was recovering from surgery, he found it was the one thing he could do to take break. "It takes a lot of love for him to put that tutu on," Linda tells Shine. "And it makes us laugh."

Using a tripod, Carey has now shot more than 110 images of himself in settings ranging from the desert in New Mexico to the Staten Island Ferry. He plans to compile them into a book called 'Ballerina' which will be published this fall. Currently, the project's website is selling individual prints and t-shirts to raise money to assist others suffering from the disease. The website has been up for a week (it launched March 12, 2012) and has raised about $8000 so far.

"So many women need help," Linda tells Shine. The couple wants to aid women who need meals brought in or can't afford transportation to their chemotherapy sessions. The money would also help pay for alternative therapies such as acupuncture that aren't covered by most insurance.

Linda's cancer recurred in 2006. "But I'm feeling good," says Linda. I've been in chemo for five years and most days I'm okay." Since the beginning, she says she refused to be defined by her condition and told her oncologist, "I don't do statistics." Her husband adds, "She's kind of a rock star at the cancer center."

Seen @ The Tutu Project

Prada Market

Seen @ The Cool Hunter

This ain't a new thing but I thought it was a cool idea. Prada the Italian fashion house, staged a mammoth event in the city of Valencia in Spain to celebrate the America's Cup. The event was held at the Central Market which normally a home to a bustling produce market. 

The event attracted a slew of local and international celebrities who lapped up the unique ambience – organizers left a lot of the stalls intact including fruit stalls and delis, and guests were invited to sample the produce on offer. One deli housed the event’s DJ, who mixed tunes amid the Parma ham and anchovy tins, while other stalls where converted into mini showcases of Prada accessories; with belts and bags hanging from hooks as if they were pieces of fruit. In one deli stall Prada even displayed its silk turban range.

I thought it was a really interesting way to throw a party. 

Check out The Cool Hunter for more info. 

World's Apart

I love this song from the movie "Waiting for forever".

Makes me think of my 'younger' days.

It always brings a smile to my face.

Another awesome song from The Mostar Diving Club

is "World's Collide". You can read/listen to it at this post.

"Some day you will find me

I haven't gone too far

I miss the way we were back then

How we laughed

I can feel you in my heart

There's a world in your eyes I can see it getting brighter

All the hours that we turned into days

We were young seemed like life would go on last forever

All I had was you by my side

Some day you will answer

Remember how we were

When all our hopes and dreams

Floated in the air

I feel it in my heart

I can feel you in my heart

That's the way that it was in the past you remember

When we ran through the wind and the rain

We were young seemed like life would go on last forever

Now everything has changed."

~*~*~*~

Written by Damian Katkhuda

Performed by The Mostar Diving Club

Produced, Recorded and Mixed by Will Worsley at Trouble Studios

Additional Vocals by Ange Boxall

{Lyrics from their site}

We Bought A Zoo

“We Bought a Zoo” is the story of Benjamin Mee (Damon), a devoted father and husband who, during a turbulent time for his family due to the death of his wife, decides to relocate his family. Consisting of 14-year-old Dylan (Colin Ford) and five-year-old Rosie (Maggie Elizabeth Jones), Benjamin buys a run-down Zoo in Southern California but soon realizes he may well have bitten off more than he can chew as not only must he take care of his disjointed family, but 200 animals, rising debts and his new staff of zoo keepers, including Kelly (Scarlet Johansson). Benjamin is not deterred and is determined to succeed in his new life and to rescue his family.

While this might sound like a story dreamed up by Hollywood, the film is actually based on real life. “We Bought a Zoo” is a book by British Journalist Benjamin Mee who documented his family’s decision to purchase Dartmoor Zoo in Devon back in 2006. But unlike the movie, it was the death of his father and his mother’s desire to move which prompted the purchase. 

It wasn’t until 3 months after moving into the zoo that his wife, Katherine, 

unfortunately passed away and the enormity of the task began to hit home.

The real Benjamin wrote in the Guardian back in 2007 “as the grim living conditions, bad weather and lack of money came home to roost fending off creditors became a full-time job.” Not very glamorous at all, but it seems that Crowe has managed to produce a feel good movie without compromising his indie style. What more would you expect from a director that has been called the “great heart of American cinema”. {from Groove Korea} 

I thought it would just be a "bleh" movie to be honest but I was mistaken. This is a really feel good movie which touches on letting go, exploring, going on adventures, forgiveness, lost and friendship. There were several scenes in the movie that moved me {yes I got weepy eyed!} and it was good to see B enjoying the movie along with me. The beagle in the movie reminded me of Belle though Belle is heaps naughtier. Beagles just rock! Anyways, just wanted to say that this is an awesome family movie and even if you don't have a family and would like a heart tugging movie, get this movie *smiles* I wonder how it would be like to own a zoo and have such a grand adventure... its seems like hard work but heaps of fun. 

The real Benjamin is wonderful.

I am sure all the animals thank him for not giving up.

Read more at Groove Korea, The Good Review, 

The Focused Filmographer,  Wikipedia and

We Bought A Zoo Movie Trailer.

{Images and text taken from these websites}

The List ~ Update 1

      Dear Blog Readers,

On 16 January, I wrote a post titled "The List" which comprised of 52 things to do and since time has passed us by so very quickly and we are more than a quarter way through 2012, thought I would just take stock of where I currently am and update the rest of your readers out there of what has been going on in my life.

So enjoy this rather long list and feel free to drop me any questions about "The List".

1.   Make time to be with God. To pray. To listen to His promptings and to just be with Him.

Update: I have tried my best to pray more regularly. It’s not to be honest such a dramatic change to my prayer life, but I find myself speaking more to God and am disciplining myself to read the Bible more. A pastor told us during a Christian Fellowship gathering at work that we do not have to say prayers that are long and lengthy but short, sweet, simple and frequent prayers from the heart is what is needed and I think that he is right. Hence I am giving that a try… short, sincere and frequent prayers.

2.   To live in the moment.

Update: I have been trying to soak up new experiences. To enjoy the atmosphere, the smells, the sounds, the tastes, the feelings … and it works. I find that I enjoy things more now. I need to just learn to relax and not over think things but to just stay in the moment and live it instead of thinking about the ever growing “to-do” list in my head. 

3.   Enjoy and savour my Wedding even if there are so many things that are not in our control.

Update: The wedding was epic!!! It deserves a post of its own and I will be developing one. {I know I promised a post ages ago but things have been picking up on my end, so please bear with me with me.}

4.   Learn how to sew something {ornaments, pouches, pillow cases… whatever. Just sew!} 

Update: Dear readers, you will be glad to know that I have tried my hand at sewing. I started with a heart shaped ornament and I would love to take photos of it but it looks so out of shape that I shudder to photograph it. I obviously have to work on the sewing but I shall not give up. I have also re-opened my cross-stitch box and picked up an old pattern that I started several years ago. It’s getting there and will definitely post up photos of it once I am done. I forgot how therapeutic cross stitching can be.

5.   Launch "The Knick Knack Box" proper

6.   Plan, prepare and photograph items for The Knick Knack Box

Update: I have sadly not taken the time to photograph nor meddle around with The Knick Knack Box. I plan to start working on it on the first week of May.

7.   Start working on my play lists for Lexy {Lexy is my new Samsung Galaxy II phone}

Update: Ok. I have not done this either. I have also not read the manual for the phone and thus have not maximised its usage just yet. Btw, it sucks to surf the interweb on my phone as my service provided Digi, sucks big time! I can’t cancel the subscription as I am with a two year contract with them *grumbles mumbles*

8.   Think about different kinds of posts for My Little Piece of Heaven

Update: I have already thought about the different kinds of posts for this little blog of mine and am fine tuning it. Will definitely post about the new changes when they take place.

9.   Pack, pack and pack to move into the Love Nest

Update: I have packed several boxes to the Love Nest however a huge amount of stuff is still at my parents place reason being is that my husband has yet to clean up the closet and make room for me. I plan to do quite a bit of shifting in May.

10. Get down to a 'friendlier' weight

Update: Am eating lesser rice and lesser snacks. The next step is to cut down on desserts, sugary drinks and soda. Of course there are plans to also exercise as often as possible {wish me luck… I am quite sloth-ish}.

11. Get highlights

Update: Need to save for highlights so this will be something that is for later on in the year.

12. Perm my hair

Update: The freaking perm failed and spoiled my hair at the same time. The miserable curls lasted for a day and then prompty lost itself in the days after that leaving my hair in a dry mess. So instead of perming my hair again at a more expensive hairdresser {I bought a Groupon from my perm and the hairdresser was kind of sucky}, I decided to go to my old hair dresser and chop it all off. So, goodbye long long long hair which I have kept for my wedding. Hello short-ish hair ~ slightly above the shoulder.

13. Remember to be more grateful for the things in my life – try writing one grateful thing a day

Update: I have not been able to remember to write one grateful thing a day however, I am more aware of the many blessings I have and am continued to be reminded about it. Thank you God for everything.

14. Go to Europe and ROCK it {slight snag encountered but am positive it will be okay}.

Update: The snag that we hit was that the airlines that we had originally bought tickets from {Air-freaking-Asia} cancelled their route to Paris and London. We were given several options {read here for the full story} and we decided at the end of the day to just purchase new tickets. It was sad that we had to pay quite a bit more for new tickets with another airline but this is a once in a lifetime trip for both B and I and we both decided that the price was okay. So as of today, the flights to Paris and the internal flights around Europe have been booked. More on this on another post ~ it is definitely going to be an interesting post for us *smiles smiles grins grins*

15. Remember to document the Europe trip well

Update: Note to self to remember!

16. Go for at least two local holidays {Cameron Highlands? Langkawi? Malacca? Thistle PD?}

Update: Can you believe it? I have already gone on two local holidays *Yay! Yay!* I went to Cameron Highlands a week before my wedding and stayed at a lovely bungalow and had such a quiet relaxing time with B and my close friends. And the second trip was in Malacca with my host family and B after my wedding. Both B and I played tour guide to my host family the Eaton’s as they came down from Australia to celebrate with our families and B and I at our wedding. This warrants at least two posts and I have heaps of photos from both trips mostly unedited yet.

17. Brush up on my photography skills (see here, here, and here}

Update: I have not brushed up on photography skills as of yet but I did however get an awesome new camera. Yet another post to come about this gorgeous new toy of mine! *woot woot*

18. Try my best to get rid of the procrastination problem

Update: Rome wasn’t built in a day and I am still struggling with this. Some days are good and some days I slide back to where I first started which is procrastination central! *huhuhu*

19. Get into the habit of handwriting letters / post cards to friends overseas

Update: Have yet to start doing this however, the materials are all ready!

20. Organise my photos {soft & hard copies}

Update: Organised my photos on my hard disk. So now, I would need to tackle the hard copies instead ~ the more difficult task to be honest! *gulp*

21. Arrange my new reading/ craft room

Update: Am in the midst of doing this. Got two new book shelves into the room {thanks to my handy man husband!} and am bringing in more of my things in May.

22. Endeavour to cook at least once a month 

Update: I made pasta in January and subsequently did not make anything in February, March and April. I did however make awesome instant curry noodles and meatballs and sausages. Am thinking that May may be the month to cook more dishes.

23. Try making 12 cakes / cookies this year

Update: I went for a macaron baking class last month with a good friend of mine Yin Yin. This class warrants a post on its own so I will share this some other time but as for making any other baked goodies, nothing yet. Perhaps in May… *snickers*

24. Start creating art {mini albums included ~ hehehe} Inspiration: here, here, and here.

Update: Nothing yet for this as well though I have jotted down quite a few ideas. Small steps! Small steps!

25. Start creating mini albums for: the Trip to Philippines and Vietnam, Project Love Nest, Project Happily Ever After

Update: Nothing yet as well.

26. Look for more fulfilling careers

Update: Have update my resume and have been applying for various jobs the past month. Nothing awesome has turned up yet, but I am ever hopeful that something great is going to come my way. If you know of any good jobs in corporate communications or public relations, drop me an email, k?

27. Backup all my files on the external hard drive

Update: I did the best that I could however my hard drive is full. Will be buying a new 2 terrabyte hard drive soon.

28. Try a 30/31 day photo challenge {see here, here, here, here, here, here, and here}

29. Try snapping a photo a day {this is one awesome project}

Update: Nope. Have not done both of this yet!

30. Sell all the things I don't quite need

Update: Am still in the midst of going through my old things. Who knew I had so much stuff… okay I suspected it but to actually go through all the stuff takes time. Lots and lots of time.

31. Organise my craft items

Update: Can’t wait to do this as half of my supplies are at the Love Nest and the other half is at my parent home.

32. Delete toxic people from my life

Update: Am still quite a softie {more like an idiot at times} so have not really gotten rid of them toxic people in my life.

33. Bring Belle the beagle out for more walks

Update: Have managed to bring Belle the beagle out for more walks and luckily my mum has been so kind as to bring her for works almost daily since I don’t live at home anymore. Thanks ma!

34. Learn more about marketing online, social media and branding

Update: I am learning new things each day through the interweb and through talking to friends from other departments. There are always new things to learn however and sometimes I get overwhelmed. One step at a time I tell myself ~ it works most of the time!

35. Stop comparing myself to others

Update: Easier said than done but am trying to be grateful for everything that I have been blessed with.

36. Read at least 20 books this year

Update: Managed to read a few books already. More on this soon. Am in the midst of reading “Clash of Kings” from George R.R. Martin of Game of Thrones fame and Cecelia Ahern’s book “The Book of Tomorrow”. So far am on track and will begin 'The Hunger Games Trilogy" soonest *woot woot* 

37. Catalogue all my books

Update: Not started on this at all though it would be quite a project indeed!

38. Stop buying new books {unless I really really need it!} *snickers*

Update: I really needed wanted those new books… I about maybe 7 new books?? Some of them include “The Hunger Games” trilogy, George R.R. Martin’s new book

39. Try my hardest to fit some form of exercising into my week {walking in shopping centres count}

Update: I have been walking more than usual… does that count? I think it does *hehehe* Will definitely need to do a little bit more each day so that I can loose some extra unneeded weight.

40. Put at least 15% of my salary into the FD account

Update: Hmmm… I wonder what possessed me to write this down. Am trying my best to start saving but its really not easy at all. Baby steps really do apply here.

41. Start creating my photobooks

Update: Have done three photobooks already. One for my Bali trip which turned out really really nicely {photos up soon}, one that I gifted to Brian for our one month anniversary {one page was torn and another two pages were crinkly} and one more for Belle the beagle {yet to deliver the mini album}. Will be buying a few more photobooks for our wedding photos.

42. Try to do a facial monthly

43. Buff my nails at least once in three weeks

Update: Both these things have NOT happened. I plan to go in May and start buffing soonest!

44. Limit my ice blended coffees

Update: Have successfully managed to cut down my ice blended or iced coffees *yay yay* I just need to keep it up.

45. Drink more water and tea

Update: Am trying my best to do this. Have also added milk to the list.

46. Eat more fish, fruit and vegetables

Update: Definitely have eaten more fish however fruit and vegetable intake remain low at the moment. Maybe I should try more juices.

47. Downsize my wardrobe

48. Go through my shoe collection and discard old shoes

Update: Will be doing this when I move the things over from my new house to the old house.

49. Catalogue my Eeyore collection

Update: Not the most important thing to do at the moment but would love to do the catalogue this year! *smiles*

50. Do at least two MAD (Making A Difference) projects {visiting an orphanage, volunteering at a soup kitchen and etc.}

Update: Have not done anything yet either *tsk tsk tsk*.

51. Search and try new restaurants and cafes.

Update: Have tried a few new places. Nothing stands out though. Am making a list with B on places to try. Shall write about that I when I have a good nice list.

52. Just be me!

Update: *smiles* I think I have done this quite well. I have smiled more, laughed more, sung out loud more, told more stories and jokes and just enjoyed being clumsy, slightly geeky me.

All photos from DW's pinterest collection