The Oh-So-Simple DIY Bracelet

You should all know by now that we are all about stacking bracelets on our wrists. The more, the better. In fact . . . the most, the best! With that being said, we’ll show you how to master a version of the ever so popular wrap bracelet. It’s so simple and addicting, you’ll soon be churning out these wristlets with your eyes closed. Clearly this arm party train isn’t stopping and it’s about time you get on board!

You’ll need (for a double wrapped bracelet) :

• 44 inches of 1.5mm leather cord
• 12 inches of brass ball chain or crystal chain
• 58 inches of waxed linen cord (scroll down in link)
• a 1/4″ brass hex nut
• a pair of scissors

Fold the length of leather cording in half to form a loop. The loop should fit around the hex nut, which serves as the clasp. Run the tip of the waxed linen upwards along the leather cord and towards the loop. Then wrap around the base of the loop at least 5-6 times, working downwards in the opposite direction. This secures the waxed linen cord and is the start of the bracelet.

Place the ball chain along the leather cording with the end of the chain meeting the end of the wrap. Holding the ball chain against the leather cord, wrap the linen around tightly.

Continue wrapping while checking it for fit around the wrist.

When you have reached the end of the ball chain wrap the linen cording around the leather strands 2-3 more times. Tie a knot with all three strands.

Thread the hex nut through the strands and tie a second knot.

Trim with scissors and your wrap bracelet is finished!!

The materials are listed for a double wrap bracelet. For a single or triple wrapped bracelet, divide the measurements by 2 and multiply by accordingly. Experiment with crystal or other types of chain!

It’s a party!

(tutorial adapted from Ornamentea; top image via Jak & Jil, rest of image by Honestly…WTF)

Top 25 Travel Destinations in The World!

Still in the holiday mood! was looking around & happened to chanced upon an article from a blogger's site on the world TOP 25 travel destinations!

Looking at it was so excited that i copied the whole chunk of article here! lol

And if you are thinking of going for a GOOD holiday during year end but don't know where..
in no order of preferences, THERE YOU GO!

1. CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

Cape Town glistens at the southern tip of the African continent.
It is the top destination for it's tourist brochure-views at Blaauwberg Beach and Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, according to TripAdvisor.
Other places to visit include Table Mountain and Robben Island, the prison where Nelson Mandela was held for 27 years.

 
2.LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, USA

Sophisticated hotels, world-class restaurants, Elvis impersonators and indoor Venetian canals.
Honestly, TripAdvisor says there is no place on earth quite like Vegas.

3. RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL

Rio is a lively city that knows how to party hard.
If you are there in May, the high-octane annual Rio Carnival is a highlight.

4. BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA

Latin America's shopping capital has a vibrant nightscene. You can check out the Tower of Babel when you're there.

5. VENICE, ITALY

Sail through the Grand Canal on gondola and soak in the romance of Venice and you'll feel right from the scenes of The Tourist,
starring Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp.

6. HONOLULU, HAWAII, USA

Not to worry even if surfing is not your thing.
You can alway sunbathe and be a cam-whore to make your mark on the legendary Hawaiian beach.

7. PHI PHI ISLANDS, THAILAND

8. FLORENCE, ITALY

The city, which was declared UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982, is a major centre rich in historical roots and the arts.
TripAdvisor recommends watching the opera at St. Mark's Anglican Church,
get magnificent panoramic views of the city from the Piazzale Michelangelo and visit the Basilica of Saint Mary of Florence, a Gothic-styled cathedral.

9. ST PETERSBURG, RUSSIA

The second largest city of Russia is a rich cultural hub, according to TripAdvisor.
Must-sees include architectural gems like the Winter Palace and the Kazan Cathedral.

10. SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, USA

The financial and cultural centre of about 7.4 million people or more is a lively hub with much more to it than its iconic Golden Gate Bridge.
TripAdvisor recommends checking out Fisherman's Wharf, the Aquarium of the Bay, Mission District, Ferry Building Marketplace in the day,
and Chinatown and clubs on the West Coast at night.

11. GRAND CAYMAN

The largest of the three Cayman islands.
There's scuba diving and snorkeling at Stingray City, where you'll find stingrays swimming alongside you in the clear blue waters.

12. NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, USA

If it is your first time there, the Empire State Building and Central Park are must-sees.
However, if you've been there, done that, pick a neighborhood and go deep, suggests TripAdvisor.
You'll find hole-in-the-wall bars, great delis and quirky shops.

13. PETRA, JORDAN

Petra means "rock" in Greek.
The historical city of Ma'an is famous for its rock cut architecture and water conduits system.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site has recently been named as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

14. ROME, ITALY

Known as the 'Eternal City', it has a jaw-dropping list of historical sights that can overwhelm even the most experienced traveller.

15. LONDON, UK

16. HONG KONG, CHINA

The metropolitan city is not just known for its financial district and shopping.

17. BARCELONA, SPAIN

ou'll find Europe's best-preserved Gothic Quarter here, according to TripAdvisor.
Also, check out The Mind House in World's Strangest Buildings.

18. QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND

Known for its Hobbits, it was where the Lord of the Rings trilogy was filmed.
There's much to see and do for outdoor enthusiasts, according to TripAdvisor.
Try bungee jumping, white-water rafting, or simply kayak at Milford Sound,
a serene lake at the heart of the Fjordland National Park.

19. KYOTO, JAPAN

ancient capital of Japan

20. PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC

The Prague Castle which has overlooked the city since the 9th century,
and the synagogues and cemetery of the Jewish Quarter are must-sees.
Also check out the nightscene at clubs and wine bars that are trendy and full of life.

21. JERUSALEM, ISRAEL

Yearly, thousands of pilgrims visit the old city of Jerusalem.
Don't miss the Western (Wailing) Wall, Temple Mount and The Citadel (Tower of David) when you are there.
But other than visiting the major tourist spots, take time to soak in the rich atmosphere of the city too.

22. SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA

23. PARIS, FRANCE

It's hard not to fall in love with the world's most romantic city, with its rich heritage and culinary delights.

24. MACHU PICCHU, PERU

Situated on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley and 80km northwest of Cusco,
the mid-1400s architecture is perched on a high plateau deep in the Amazonian jungle.
The site is a spectacle and archaeologists believe that it was built as an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti.

25. SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
 
City slickers, culture vultures and beach bums alike will fall in love with Sydney, according to TripAdvisor.
Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge at night, get fresh seafood at Sydney fish market and more.

Credits to : http://www.relax.com.sg/relax/media/636488/Top_25_destinations_in_the_world.html
***

stay happy... how about a holiday?

i read about there are actually six strategies to stay happy, and guess what falls on the list??

1.Accept yourself (which i already had, exp: who cares if i'm short?)

2.Happiness is a state of mind (a smile on your face, that's what it takes, be positive!)

3.Prioritize your life (loved ones come first, pampering myself or my family with a holiday:D)

4.Take care of your health (stop eating junk food & exercise regularly)

5.Stay in the company of happy people (cheerful people makes me happy)

6.Be grateful (of what i have now)

and to keep my life on a cheerful track, try practicing these strategies & i might be living up to 100 yrs old! 

so... on my recent trip to s'pore, what made me happiest wasn't about being there nor shopping for new stuff, it was seeing my dad's happy face.. after so many years (30 yrs) since his first honeymoon visit, s'pore has undoubtedly changed so much as according to him... me on the other side, was just so amazed by the cleanliness of the city as compared to my own country. Nonetheless, what i'm saying is i'm glad and happy to bring dad along with me on the holiday, even though it was just a 4-day trip. Rather than staying at home all.... the time, at least he had a good exercise walking along with me and my bf through the stretch of orchard road.

Dad posing outside ion orchard :)

there are more pics during my s'pore visit, but i just wanna share this pic as this is the priority of all.  

I'm Back!

yeah, back from the long hiatus! this blog has been abandoned for one month! just passed Hari Raya holidays ya'll! tomorrow gonna start working... i've been slacking around for the past whole week (think eat, sleep, eat and sleep again :P) Nonetheless, i'll just summarized the events that happened during August! (brilliant eh?) yup... this is what i remember... hmm... went for a buffet dinner with ma'colleagues... we hit the monthly sales target and buffet is sponsored by the company! it was a Ramadhan Buffet in Park Royal and the only food that caught my attention was... guess what.. the desert!

yum yum... i like the raspberry+dark choc cakes (first row)

However, the rest of the food was just 'ok'... I heard the buffet in Rasa Sayang's Spice Market was wayyyyy better! 

Some pics i took from the buffet dinner... (sorry for the bad quality of my pics, it was taken from my cheap phone, did'nt bring ma'cam the other day)

Spot some 'Kuih Pulut'?? :)

I'm not sure what are these... I think they are the frozen meat slices to be given to the chef to cook.

I did not take many of pics as everyone was busy eating and i was too embarrassed to take pics with my old phone, i was lucky enuf to get these three pics! :) thatz all for the buffet!

Then, just recently... i think it was just last week... me and the boyfie went to Penang's Straits Quay, then he spotted something...he said: 'jamie, come! come! come and see this!' I thought: what?? Then i saw this:

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A cake that has decorating bunnies that represent my zodiac sign and my name? 

Hence, i decided to blog about this shop in Straits Quay called 'Sugar'. The cake was one of the many cakes being displayed in the shop. This is what i got:

'From beautiful cakes to quirky home decor and gifts, Sugar takes all things sweet to a whole new level. At this unique cake studio, you can bake in their in-house kitchen or have fun at their baking workshops. Then, pick up all the equipment and know-how you need to try out your new recipes at home. For birthdays, weddings or any special occasion, just tell them your story, and they'll help you create something sweet and unforgettable.' -StraitsQuay.com

Sounds interesting? You can get basic baking ingredients, cake decorating tools, and also workshops on cakes, cupcakes, and bread related. Besides, you can also order cakes made by them or get some quirky and fun imported home decors that are perfect as gifts! Btw, you can find out everything from their BLOG.

Hope this helps! i think thatz it for now... gotta prepare for my works tomorrow :)

My Very Own Favourite Top 5 Malaysian Online Blogshop

after almost one year of online shopping, i might as well post about my favorite blog shops. The ratings are based on their services, clothing, presentation of the website and most importantly, the price of course. I wouldn't buy some expensive things from pictures that i will not be able to try it on! that's the most frustrating thing about online shopping, you will not be able to see whether the clothes fit you or not! after a whole year of experience, i already have in mind about which blog shops to browse when it comes to choosing certain clothes for certain occasions, as well as whether these clothes will fit me or not...

1. My number one blog shop is White Circus

If you are looking for some very pretty work wears, or simple yet versatile clothing that is great for both work and play, this is the best place to go! The clothes are hand picked by its owner, Justina based on her very own personal taste, which i think she has a good one. With limited pieces of good quality clothing, it is no doubt a blog shop that offers all the clothes that i am looking for!

2. My number two will be Cocktails & Martinis

Judging from the blog name itself, the owner does a great job by bringing all the pretty dresses and gowns for day or night at a very reasonable price. You can find a lot of beautiful dresses that are similar to those in the shopping malls with a huge price difference! The selection of clothes would be those of elegant and flattering pieces. Great choice from the blog owner, Kayc, a penangite! That would explain my repeatation of purchases. Updates will be on every Thursday and Sunday nights! Check out the lavish collections! :P


3. My number three is Beautiful Disaster!

The is the only Malaysian blogshop that offers things that you wouldn't find it any where else! If you are looking for something 'different', this is the place! the blog offers unique multiple different designs of clothes and accessories with a twist of colour. It is a blog for fashion goers that is similar to those people who strut their fashion styles in lookbook.nu. When i first stumbled upon this blog, i was like 'OMG'! I kept browsing and browsing on its (a lot of) quirky and colourful outfits! love the pieces that the owner, Celine, brings in! The blog also offers pre-order shoes and clothes that i guaranteed you won't find it elsewhere! However price a tad higher, but i wouldn't mind paying that extra to get something that is different from the others. :P

4. My number four is Vivace Cabin!

What i like most about this blog is most probably the tapered pants! If you are looking for a good quality working pants with superb reasonable price, this is where you should go! Also offers a lot of simple yet versatile tops that are great for both work and play. The clothing line is more 'easy on the eye' type, very laid back and most importantly, of great quality with a good price! You won't regret buying things from this blog shop! and oh, the owner gives the best services ever among all blogs that i stumbled upon!

 5. Last but not least is Ugly Duckling Closet!

This is a blogshop that will get you come back for more, and i'm not saying purchasing the clothes (of course i have a self-control!), i kept myself aware of its updates as the owner brings in a lot of  'Topshop and H&M inspired pieces' and all those pretty coloured clothes that is either too sweet or too cute to resist! I'm not sure whether i put it right or not, but you should check out the blog shop and you will know what i am saying! The clothes sold out so fast that if you missed out the update in a day, you will see almost all the clothes are either being sold or reserved! In a nutshell, this is the blog shop to go if you like Topshop but thinking it is too expensive for you!

 

waking up with this question every morning and i really don't want it to happen but somehow it does... I guess it's the same thing I've always been afraid of. all those years. though, I thought things had changed for me after all this while. I guess not though. but this time's different I think. well, I know it is, actually. but I guess the same fear still lingers somewhere there. guess it applies too, in its own way. but apart from that, there's also the other thing I'm afraid of. the thing that happens between an end and a beginning. the transition. well I guess at that precise moment, there's nothing to be afraid of. it's the anticipation; when the things still matter to you. knowing that if you keep this up, that point will come sooner or later. and there's no avoiding it. good thing is, when it does come, you don't care much about it anymore. I guess that's why I jumped the last time. I took that 'leap of faith' and don't get me wrong, it was for the best. but somehow I'm back to my old self. of being overly cautious. of wanting to be entirely sure. and in wanting that, it kinda messes up a lot of other things too I guess. and brings about a negative consequence overall. the only difference is that over here, it's more confined. there's no running away from things you don't want to face. you can't selectively avoid these things. they're bound to turn up every now and then and they'll bring about all those weird feelings. feelings that make you regret it all in the first place. but I guess it's true that you should never regret what once made you happy. albeit just transiently.

If I Die Young...

This is just something i would like to share... this song touches me as i would cry every time i listen to it thinking about what i've been through and the journey ahead of me as i once endured so much pain in my life. utterly the best country song so far

If I die young, bury me in satin
Lay me down on a, bed of roses
Sink me in the river, at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song

Lord make me a rainbow, I'll shine down on my mother
She'll know I'm safe with you when she stands under my colors
Life ain't always what you think it ought to be, no
Ain't even grey, but she buries her baby

The sharp knife of a short life, well
I've had, just enough time

If I die young, bury me in satin
Lay me down on a, bed of roses
Sink me in the river, at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song

The sharp knife of a short life, well
I've had, just enough time

And I'll be wearing white, when I come into your kingdom
I'm as green as the ring on my little, cold finger, I've
Never known the lovin' of a man
But it sure felt nice when he was holding my hand, there's a
Boy here in town who says he'll love me forever,
Who would have thought forever could be severed by
The sharp knife of a short life, well,
I've had, just enough time

So put on your best boys and I'll wear my pearls
What I never did is done

A penny for my thoughts, oh no, I'll sell them for a dollar
They're worth so much more after I'm a goner
And maybe then you'll hear the words I been singin'
Funny when you're dead how people start listenin'

If I die young, bury me in satin
Lay me down on a, bed of roses
Sink me in the river, at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song

The ballad of a dove
Go with peace and love
Gather up your tears, keep 'em in your pocket
Save them for a time when you're really gonna need them, oh

The sharp knife of a short life, well
I've had, just enough time

So put on your best boys and I'll wear my pearls