Accomplished!

The last few weeks have been trying to say the least -- instead of the kids falling sick, it's the adults who are taking turns to drop like flies! (moi excluded, thank you immune system) For a while, I really felt down in the doldrums what with the lack of sleep, stress from feeding a fussy baby (she doesn't like sweet stuff - so milk cereal is a no NO. Strange kid.), a challenging preschooler (whose latest catch phrases include "i don't want!", "i don't like!", "fine!"), a sick hubby, a sick helper, a sick grandma.... Thank God that His mercies are new everyday cos just as I wanna scream and give up, something comes through and makes it all better :)

Among other news, we are also proud to have finally:

1) kicked the daughter out of our room into her temporary cot room cum work studio till she's older, sleeping better and able to share her brother's ginormous space upstairs

2) cleared the boxes which have been sitting around from last Nov so the studio is at least presentable - you can see the floor now!

Unlike messy old me, the mister is a house-proud fella who couldn't be happier that the worst room in the house is now a tidy spot and is continuing his rampage through the rest of the house to make them every more cozy and er, minimalistic. Toys and random stuff strewn around? No way jose!

This studio has been a long time in the making and though it's far from perfect, I'm just so glad for this little oasis of muse and inspiration! I can quietly tool away while the daughter is napping on the studio couch or take a break to caress my collection of jewels and knick knacks and of course the dresses! Vintage frocks all a happy alongside the vintage bags.

Guess who's a happy girl now? :)

A photo booth story

Here I am trying to get a decent photo of the young lady for her first passport.

And as all parents would know, babies make the worst photo shoot models!!

How do you get a child to

a) look straight into the camera so her eyes, eyebrows and other facial features are obvious

b) without some sort of grimace/ funny face / hands flapping about

c) with agreeable lighting conditions so there will be no shadows?

It took 2 days of trying + whole lot more of coaxing + a frustrating 2 hour attempt of wonky online application (which failed) + another 10 minutes of calling the helpline (which merely told me to send an email to their IT help desk) + 3 days of waiting for the IT help desk's reply. Not the best week of my life for sure.

But here we are! We survived the gauntlet and the long-awaited red passport is now ready for collection. In case you were wondering, both Nathan and Sarah are full-fledged Singapore citizens. Here is my contribution to nation-building -- a "foreign-talent" engineer hubby and 2 little cute hybrids to boost the declining birth rate :)

Majulah Singapore!

Tallis Girl - SGD 65 - Sold

Inspired by Cecilia Tallis' (Keira Knightley) famous satin green frock of love and loss in the Atonement movie (I bought the DVD for the wardrobe alone -- me and my favourite 30s tsk), here is another emerald stunner.

An amazing brilliant deep green pendant with accents of apple green chrysoprase rondelles and green onyx cubes on a brassy link chain. Necklace measures approx. 18" in length.

Voices in my head

♥ St. Claire necklace

♥ Duchess necklace

♥ La Chanson necklace

♥ Bejewelled necklace

All these pieces here were sold in the blink of an eye, thank you so much! I feel incredibly blessed to have such wonderful support, it really spurs me on to keep persevering despite the naysaying voices in my head!

Sometimes I wonder if I should look at this endeavour as a "professional venture" when in all honesty I know I don't. In this season of my life, my primary role and focus is wife, mother, homemaker. If my kids fall sick, if the larder needs replenishing, if overseas friends come to visit, I instinctively and unquestioningly take time away from the workroom to do what needs to be done. And surely you don't do that if it's some kind of "official" or "professional" job?

Not to say I don't enjoy my time in the studio, oh I love just hanging around there! It gives me great satisfaction and immense enjoyment and I wish I were more able to juggle my time wisely so I wouldn't feel this dissatisfied from being pulled away by daily obligations. Perhaps the lesson I need to learn is to not let what I do determine my self-worth, or let myself be subject to the world's definition of success. There is nothing embarrassing about being a stay home mom and not having to go back to a regular job. So why do I still hesitate in replying when people ask what I do?

Birds of a feather flock together

I love seed pearls in my old jewellery and you already know my not-so-closet obsession with our winged friends so when I stumbled upon this pretty on Ebay last year I couldn't resist it. Thankfully no one bidded ferociously against me for it so it's now one of my prized possessions! I haven't quite seen the likes of an antique 10k gold amethyst and seed pearl birdies necklace like it since then so I guess this was quite the find! You wouldn't believe the price I paid for it too. Utterly disgustingly worth it. *beams*

Proof of time not idled

I am not holding out on you, promise!

Work is slow as the daughter is reaching a needy phase - sometimes it frustrates me to be wanted so much though I quickly reflect and know it is really a blessing to be loved! One day she is going to prefer hanging out with her friends then spending time with mama. I just have to learn to give up my own selfish desires with what I think is "my time" and appreciate the moments I have with my sweet baby who needs me. Dying to self is a lesson I have to learn everyday!

Sweet Cheeks

Nursing a bad throat while the daughter has a cold, must be all those kisses! We are passing bugs all around. Still lightheaded but I couldn't resist these pictures snapped over the weekend. She is so cute! Biased, I know. Now if only I could get the son to pose for me too....

I think I am obsessed

Took these photos for a really thoughtful hubby looking for a birthday gift for his wife to put pictures of their bub in. How sweet is that! Eventually he chose one from a different set - a pretty heart-shaped cameo locket - which I think makes a wonderful gift for a new mom!

Going through my jewellery chest (it's no longer just a box or two) made me realize just how many amazing pieces I have and that I really need to make sure none of them feels left out and neglected. The above lockets are but a few from my own collection, I haven't photographed those that I love and wear a lot cos I don't wanna disappoint folks with tantalizing pictures of pieces that ain't available! This is just a selection from the locket section. Now is this jewellery-collecting an obsession or what?

Kungfu Sarah

Snapped over lunch at Tampopo by my BFF Val.
This girl likes to nurse and practise gymnastics at the same time.
You probably can't tell but she is grabbing her foot through the shawl here.
Did I mention she sprouted 2 teeth last month at 5 mths?
Oh woe is me mother cow!

Nocturne - SGD 108 - Sold

Last of my vintage Napier owls, I just love the white enamel feathers and emerald rhinestone eyes on this cutie! Perched on another vintage floral wreath with aqua rhinestones, a large midnight sapphire swarovski pendant sways below. 2 trails of the best moonstone and lapis lazuli rondelles lead up to a vintage Germal vitrail glass jewel in a similarly dazzling hue. More lapis lazuli rounds and a wide ribbon in the perfect shade of blush nude brings this nocturnal interlude to a beautiful end. Necklace is approx. 24" long with a 3.5" centre-piece drop. Toggle clasp closure.

Treillage - SGD 105 - Sold

A beautiful 1920s pink paste and pearl floral fern is the prima donna here with accompanying delicate hues of pale aquas, shimmery blues, soft peaches and pretty pinks. Gemstones used include a long aqua chalcedony briolette, keishi petal pearls in a lovely oyster blue, pink garnet, rhodochrosite, rose quartz and apatite with 14k gold fill components. Approx. 20" in length with a 2" pendant drop. Ethereal frailty at its best.

Etoile Filante - SGD 89 - Sold

The mysterious beauty of a shooting star is captured here in this lovely, lovely vintage rhinestone charm with an emerald-cut aquamarine glass jewel. A puff gold star, petite pearls, gems in beautiful soft gleaming moonstone, dusty blue, prairie green and rose pinks. Approx. 17" in length. A delicate, romantic everyday necklace.

1920s Golden Amber ring - Sold

I do love vintage filigree rings! Do you? These art deco rings are getting harder to find
so thankfully I have amassed quite a few and I am sharing one here.

A pretty 1920s costume ring featuring an emerald cut golden honey-hued plastic stone. The ring setting is plated base metal with a decorative floral filigreed pattern round the band. The faceted glass-like stone has a beautiful crown and pavilion held in place with 6 prongs. There is some plating loss and light scuffing to the plastic stone commensurate with age but overall condition is still wonderful. It looks just as amazing today as when it was first made in the speakeasy era! SGD 89.

Size: US 6.5, British/Australian N, Japanese 13
Era: 1920s-1930s
Markings: The sign for Uncas Manufacturing Co.

Provencal - SGD 105 - Sold

A charming romantic necklace featuring an immaculately gorgeous vintage 50s floral sash bow pin. The brooch has clear and blue rhinestones prong-set and the metal plating is a lovely soft shimmery gold tone. Gemstones and other components used include amazing blue-flash moonstone briolettes, a labradorite nugget, freshwater pearls and antique-cut crystal barrel beads. Chains are 14k goldfilled. Necklace measures about 20" in length with a centrepiece drop of 2.5".

Rising Phoenix - SGD 108 - Sold

A lovely vintage soaring phoenix brooch with pave-set rhinestones spreads its wings amidst a cluster of pastel-hued floral blooms. Flowers are a mixture of vintage lucite and enamel with subtly shimmery burgundy brown beads on a vintage-repro brassy gold crimped link chain. Necklace measures approx. 18" in length.

Faux Bois - SGD 65 - Sold

Faux Bois is a tribute to nature with its sienna browns and taupes. Shimmering agate barrels, glittery swarovskis, pretty vintage-repro rose charm, vintage crystal drop and a large copper rutilated heart briolette on an approx. 18" rhodium chain. Earthy and rustic for everyday wear!