Finders Keepers Melbourne

Last weekend, I've visited the Finders Keepers Market at the Royal Exhibition Building. It was full of handmade products ranging from jewellery to cards and homewares. E bought me one of Emily Green's lovely necklaces (above) for my birthday. Here are some of the photos I've taken at the market.

For more photos, click here. :)

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Happy Birthday, Jo!

Last evening, Cindy & i had a lovely catch-up with Jo (My Wey of Life) 

at Senoji Japanese Restaurant, Vic Park.

green tea at Senoji

curry croquette (front) crispy! & tori karaage (back) juicy!

grilled Kingfish head & wing -fresh!

love these drawings on the ceramic plates from Japan

We had prepared a mini birthday surprise for Jo. Her birthday is coming up soon so we thought it would be lovely to celebrate it before she goes on her holiday.

ta-da! 

Tweaked all together 'birthday' cake (recipe adapted from 'Afternoon tea' by Frankie magazine.)
cute cake toppers handmade by Cindy.

and yes, amazingly Jo finished most of the cake! Thumbs up*

(check out her blog to read about her birthday awesomeness)

birthday girl, Jo

it was a memorable evening.

Here's to all the laughter and things we shared together. Cheers!

 Thank you again, Jo for the chocolate treats. They were so yummy! Well done!

made by Jo xoxo

Love Always xx

Here's a little bit of Valentine's Day...

a few Valentine-related items i gathered from my study table.

Made a red pom pom a while ago

kikki.K Love conversation starters card from a dear friend. haha.

felt alphabets, XO

a page torn from a vintage book with kikki.K Love rubberstamps

Heart shaped ceramic buttons

Heart shaped butter cookie i've baked

Heart felts

Heart cookie cutter

&

a heart balloon.

...i think of Love.

  Love that makes you all warm and fuzzy inside.

I think of the people i love and care about.

It was a day for me to be all cheesy and to that one special person. hehe.

Sending them messages of love & smileys to fill them up with love to the max!

baked a heart shaped chocolate cake for my dear sis whose birthday is today!

Went to visit my little niece and sprinkled little heart felts on her. I love her pretty pink dress! Too cute!

She's turning 1 very soon...

baked with love for my Valentine.

lovely Afternoon tea recipe book by Frankie! Valentine's gift from him. 

paper cut-out Love Never Fails (1 Corinthians 13:8). Gave it as a gift for my sis. 

Kuching in snapshots (2)

More pictures from my Kuching & Sibu trips. All taken with iPhone 4. 

Captions for pictures from top left to right. 

These were some of the memorable highlights from my trips.

1. SugarBun! (Fast Food exclusive to Sarawak only!) Love the pickles & raisin rice.

2. Pomfrets! tasted so yummy fried.

3. Wonton aka Bien Nuk (Foochow) made by my uncle (The Best in Sibu!)

4. Laksa Breakfast with my friends!

5. 3 different sizes of milk tea (teh C) the Largest was about 1 litre!

6. My cousin's sweetheart turned 3, her super hot chic barbie cake! tasted so Good! (Mango spongecake)

1. Kuching Cat dressed up for CNY

2. Make-up session at Shu Uemura

3. Hanging out with my childhood friend

4. snapshot with mum 

1. Love to order different drinks in kopitiam (Cafe) I had hot lemon tea.

2. Mum's longlife noodle with chicken soup on first day of Chinese New Year.

3. Ice Potong Kacang Merah (Red Bean ice-cream) My favourite! must have it everytime i went back!

4. Kampua!! (Foochow delicacy) grew up eating this in Sibu!

5. Laksa (the Best in Kuching) haha

6. childhood memory relived! what do you call this anyway... it's so fun!

1. Ah Yeo's ice kacangs (ABC) The shop owner was super hilarious! Tell him what you feel like, and he will intro the right combination for you! Definitely will quench your thirst.

2. Fort Margerita (Historical building) go google to read about it. hehe.

3. Doodles with a bunch of friends at Bing! cafe late at night, chilling & playing iphone games! :P

4. Sampan (little boat) trip crossing the Sarawak River to the Fort Margerita.

5. Waterfront Kuching. Dragon or Crocodile?

1. Mount Santubong 

2. At Orang Ulu's house (in Sarawak cultural village) He was playing 'Better Man' on his electric sape! 

3. Gigantic traditional house (in Sarawak cultural village)

4. Sape (Local Iban instrument) I think it's so cool!

1. Damai beach, Kuching

2. Performances in the Sarawak cultural village.

3. Interesting bridge made from wood logs and bamboos. (in Sarawak cultural village)

4. Gigantic Hornbill sculpture at Damai beach.

1. Hiking trip with friends up to Mt. Singai.

2. Visiting Iban Longhouse at Annah Rais.

3. Free Range chics, Annah Rais.

4. Part-time tour guide as my friend said. haha.

5. Angry looking rooster, Annah Rais.

6. Good company. :)

1. Sunny Hill Ice-cream! Must try Pandan flavor! haha.

2. Sarawak Laksa again for brekkie. 

3. Cats Museum, Meow~!

4. Gorgeous Orchids at orchid garden

Last but not least, it was the good company that made it all even better & enjoyable! 

For friends who shared fun & laughters, I thank God for each of you. :)

This Chinese New Year has been so special & meaningful as i get to celebrate it with my beloved family and friends. (group house-visiting with friends above)

Throughout this trip, i have been reminded of God's amazing grace & providence, also the rich culture of my hometown. It was truly amazing.

Couldn't resist to add a snapshot of my little niece (she's so cute in her cheongsam dress & big pink bow)

O Holy Night

Jesus we adore You

Jesus we celebrate You

You are the Reason for the Season

You are the Source of all Joy

You are the Greatest Gift 

All Glory be unto Your name

Luke 2:10-11

Wishing all my friends
 a Blessed & Safe Christmas
& 
A Joyful
New Year!

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

Much Love Monday: Moonlight Cinema

2 tickets for 'The Help' at the Synergy Park, Kings Park on 11 December 2011.

you & me

Little snacks 

 Cheers

We watched the movie 'The Help' starring Emma Stone.

We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves that night. 

The weather was lovely and warm. 

Even better if the sky was full of stars.

But clouds were fine.

i love clouds.

We found a nice spot for our picnic mat. 

Nice and early.

We shared a bean bag. 

lying there talking & snapping random photos.
I love the time we spent together.

&
i miss you lots.

The movie was perfectly cast, heart-warming, witty 

& i simply adore the 1960's. 

The friendship and compassion in the movie moved me to tears. 

One of my favourite movies of 2011. 

Watch the trailer here.

today i joined the lovelies of 'Much love Monday'.

Please check out the rest of the lovelies by clicking on the icon.

Happy Monday!

The 12 Days of Christmas Trail

On 13th December (exactly 12 days to Christmas), 

friends and i went around Perth CBD with a little guide book on the 12 days of Christmas,

 following an enchanting trail through the colourfully decorated window displays.

we started from 12th - 12 Drummers drumming at San churro on James st, Northbridge, then to 11 Pipers Piping at New Edition, William st, Northbridge.

10 Lords a leaping at the Fox Hunt on William st.

9 Ladies Dancing at Specsavers on Barrack st,

 to 8 Maids a milking (relocated to 268 Barrack st) 

7 Swans a swimming at Pigeonhole in London Court.

6 geese a laying at very cool shop, VENN shop on Queen St. 

Then to 5 Golden Rings at Jean Pierre Sancho on Hay St. 

4 calling birds at Jurlique on William st.

the cutest 3 french hens at the Little Lolly Shop in Carillon City,

 2 turtle doves in Roc Candy, Picadilly Arcade

Finally, a Partridge in a Pear Tree at Murray Street Mall! :-)

Anything interesting in your city this Christmas?

Garden Wedding at Werribee Park

I was honored to be part of this 

beautiful wedding of Eileen & Joshua 

last weekend in Melbourne.

Thank God for the fine weather.

It was an extravagant wedding.

The new Mr. & Mrs looked stunning 

and the special occasion was joyfully celebrated 

with closed family and friends.

i simply adore the cute succulent that i get to keep.

everything was green. love the green tea cupcake. yum.

Guests having little nibbles before reception.

More photos of the wedding and Melbourne trip over at my Flickr.