Travelling makes us happy

This year's Easter was very well spent! It is my third Easter in Australia, and it surely is, one of the most memorable, only because I managed to squeeze in a short holiday. Destination was Perth, I know - AGAIN?? I have been flying to Perth every other year since year 2000 and seriously, it is more like a second home rather than a holiday destination. Well in my case, I guess I can just call it my "holiday home".

Perth has a very special place in my heart, because I get to see three of my most favourite people and also because it really does feel like home. Although there is not a lot  to do, these three favourite people always fill out my itinerary with different activities all  the time.

This trip was "extra" special this time because, it was "meet half the family" session + my first Easter with Caitlin. As usual we packed our luggages filled with gifts for Princess Cailtin, however this time the culprit was not me, but my very excited boyfriend.

We didn't plan many days because I did not have much annual leave to spare and Andrew could not take too many days off from work. So what did we do in Perth, I will let the pictures do the talking. We...

ATE

SHOPPED

PLAYED

PAINTED 

 WORKED FOR OUR FOOD

WE ♥ PERTH

xoxo

Project "knit for boyfriend"

It was my 100th day-sary on the 20th of March. I know, you must be thinking, what the hell, who celebrates 100 days of their relationship? Well, apparently, Koreans do. "100 days" is significant for a couple's relationship- some will express their love to each, some go on a date wearing matching couple clothes, the guys will normally buy a couple ring and give it to his girlfriend and the girl will buy or make something.

Since we already expressed our love to each other during our first month of dating, and since he got me a ring for his Valentine's gift, I suggested to go away somewhere for the weekend. Of course with this busy boy's schedule taking two days off from work was impossible, so he compromised and he booked us a room at the Hilton and booked a table at the Glass brasserie. I wanted to but him a present, but I thought that wouldn't be meaningful, so I decided to knit him a scarf, and winter is just around the corner so it just all tied in perfectly.

It took me quite a long time to decide which pattern I was going to knit. I finally found a free pattern by steamykitchen. Iit was the perfect look, not too girly yet soft and comfy to look at.

I did change the yarn to something else, as I didn't have the time to order the one she recommended- although I was really in love with how her yarn looked! Maybe I'll order it and knit one for myself ^_^ !!

Here is the free pattern, enjoy and I hope you have a pretty knitty scarf!

Yarn used: Cascade Eco Duo (3 hanks)
Gauge: 4.5 stitches per inch
Needle size: US 8 (6.0mm)
Finished measurements: 11 inches wide x 56 inches long (If you want to make a skinnier scarf, decrease cast-on stitches, but keep it an odd number of stitches)

Cast on 49 stitches or to your desired width of scarf: 2 stitches on each side for the border and 45 stitches for the herringbone pattern. You should have an odd number for the herringbone pattern.

Row 1-3: Knit 3 rows garter (knit every stitch)

Row 4: (Right Side) Slip 1 purlwise, k1, *K2tog through back loops, but slip only the first stitch off the needle, leaving the
second stitch on the left needle*. Repeat to end until you only have 1 stitch left before the border stitches. Knit this last stitch through back loop, k2 (for the border)

Row 5: (Wrong Side) Slip 1 purlwise, k1, *P2tog, but slip only the first stitch off the needle, leaving the second stitch
on the left needle*. Repeat to end until you only have 1 stitch left before the border stitches. Purl this last stitch, k2 (for the border)

Repeat rows 4 & 5 until desired length of scarf

Last 3 rows: Knit 3 rows garter (knit every stitch). Bind off and weave in ends.

A rather sweet memory

Nothing can be cuter than the marriage of dessert and stationary.
I am here on a Tuesday evening chilling at a café called "My Sweet Memory", down on Bathurst Street. It is a Korean-shabby chic inspired dessert + stationary café, serving your normal selection of coffee, teas, dessert, cakes and a cute range of stationary.

Fifi had a green tea latte- creamy and yummy and I had a gelato vanilla shake- I know, how boring can I get. right?

I heard they open till late on the weekdays! Come on Sydney siders, get your bums off those dining chairs and head to town for a cuppa and shop for cute stationaries that you do not need!

I didn't get a chance to look at the price tags, but even if you don't make any purchases, a cute café that opens late in Sydney will surely make you happy as can be.

My sweet memory is located at- 95 Bathurst Street, Sydney.

http://www.mysweetmemory.com.au/

Good Bye Summer!

Today is a very special day, it is the 29th of Feb 2012 -  an added day to the calendar because it is a leap year and also, it is the the last day of summer! A lot of my friends are whining that summer is over, I appear to seem like I empathize them, but I am actually secretly doing a celebration dance behind their backs!

I absolutely love the cold, no sweat patches, no stuffy trains and no putting up with the excruciating summer body odour f other commuters in the packed morning trains.Another reason is because I get to wear jackets and scarves to cover my chubby body!

I recently completed a scarf for a friend, this scarf was way overdue, we bought the materials last summer. I admit it was plain laziness - no excuses at all. Anyway, the main thing is, I completed it finally and she loved it! The blanket stitch gave it a little more cosy warm touch! I love the colour too, Navy Blue with a hint of blended red streaks! I am so proud of myself.

Since we are on the topic of knitting, I want you to have a look at a project that my friend Amanda urged me to get into. We are knitting a new scarf for winter! My project is about 60% completed and the results are looking fantastic! What scarf am I talking about? The scarf is a cute little foxy number. Yes, literally foxy! It is a cute little plushie scarf. Will show you more pictures soon.

Have a merry winter, and I hope everyone is as happy as I am!

xoxo
Your chief elf

I have a ring flash and I like it!

Hi Bloggerville!
How have you all been? Sorry I have been away for so long! I swear I can explain! Its been an exciting and busy year for me, thus I haven't had the time to update anything! In a nutshell:

1. I did a change of job role in my company, Pre Sales for Software isn't my thing! So meet the new receptionist at Epicor Software Australia. The Job role seems simple, but it really requires a lot of hand, eye, mouth coordination!  
2. My friends have been visiting me, first it was Edna & Kerry almost at the same time, then it was Kerry again and then Meliza
3. My bestie Allyson arrived in Feb to further her education
4. I finally went back to Singapore for a long awaited holiday
5. My other bestie Amanda is preggers with another lovely baby girl - almost due son actually! 

So, enough of my life and on to today's topic- Ring Flash. Have any of you looked and admired some product shot photographs and wonder how in the world did they manage to pull a shot so perfect. Of course a lot of it is in the "Eye for Photography", but some people have this and some don't. I guess its almost similar to singing and dancing, some people can sing and dance, others just are not as gifted. The difference however, is that, for photography, besides having the "eye" for it, a little help from technology, really kicks your end results up a notch. Ever heard of "bad photographer, good camera". So for all online shop new starters out there, if you have spent money on a DSLR camera to do your own product shots, I suggest you add on to that and get a Macro Ring Flash. 

What is a Macro Ring Flash? It is basically a circular photographic flash that fits around the lens of your camera. Very commonly used in macro (or close-up) photography. One of it's important characteristic is providing even illumination with few shadows visible in the photograph. The origin or source of light is very close to (and surrounds) the optical axis of the lens. When the subject is very close to the camera, as is the case in macro photography, the distance of the flash from the optical axis becomes significant. Also when  the object is close to the lens, the size of the ring flash becomes significant, hence creates further softening of any shadows, this is very similar to the soft box theory. 

You can even make your own D.I.Y Ring Flash Video 1 Ring flash Video 2, if you are good with your hands. If you don't really have the time, just eBay it, I am sure you will be able to find a lot of third party compatibles - I did :) - I got mine for $40, I wanted it so I can use it for product shots.

I haven't had a chance to test my ring flash out, when I do, I will post some pictures.

I am glad that new age photography is less structured, the basic composure and all is still as important , but less, if you know what I mean. If it is anything I have learnt so far, I have learnt to just point and shoot + a ready in hand, relatively good camera + gadgets like lenses and flashes, you will be able to see a difference in your pictures.

Most importantly, any camera you have in hand to capture the moments is a good camera.

Enjoy Shooting!

Earrings, Earring, Earrings!

Hi People, Sorry the Glucklich family was away for so long. We needed a break to put our little hearts together. So! Whats new? Earrings! Check out these pretty earrings we made Here.

Thank you for your support!

Thank you all for supporting us at the markets!