postcard giveaway

I'm giving away 2 Much Love postcards! For your chance to win, just leave a comment and tell me: who would you like to send a postcard to?
Feel free to be creative with your answer, it can be anyone at all - in the past, present, or future ;) Extra entry points if you blog or tweet about this too (make sure you let me know if you do). Competition ends on Monday, the 7th of September, and the winner will be randomly selected soon after.

P.S. You can also get a free postcard by taking advantage of the 25% off special at the Much Love shop. Or just buy them cheap here.

fly away with me?

I love the sight of hot air balloons. When I lived in my old apartment, I had an excellent view of hot air balloons flying above Melbourne almost every morning at sunrise. It sure beats the view of solid walls that I see these days from this place.

I was inspired to "scribble" on my photo after seeing Lisa's Likes.

I got this top ages ago, but have never gotten around to wearing it in this chilly weather (it's a tank top). I discovered it one day in a shop I hadn't been to before, and I instantly fell in love with the print - and the fact that it was on sale.

top - Side Show Design; skirt - Melbourne Central (remember?); cardi - Target; necklace - made by me using an old charm.

Have a wonderful weekend!!

7 traits

{one of my favourite movies ever}

I've been given a sweet award and task by the lovely Anna (no, I didn't give it to myself!):

The Premium Meme Award
{For this, I have to list seven traits about myself and then pass the award onto seven other bloggers who deserve recognition for the personality they share through their blog.}
So my 7 traits: I am a dreamer ♥ painfully shy ♥ a big worrier ♥ a big kid ♥ smiley ♥ a pack-rat ♥ easily amused

Passing this on to:
♥ Gabbi ♥ Claradevi ♥ Ambroisine ♥ Rebecca ♥ Emily ♥ Diana ♥ Micaela ♥


P.S. What do you think of the new layout?? Yes, I've changed it yet again -and I still plan to add more stuff to the graphics as well. Maybe I should've put "gets bored too easily" in my traits list ;)
*EDIT* btw, does everyone see the girl holding the umbrella in the top corner? It might be cut on smaller resolution screens.

P.P.S. Don't forget the 25% off sale I'm having in my shop!

repeating:

{source}

I need to keep reminding this to myself.

Have you had a "brave" moment recently? Perhaps it's something really simple, or perhaps not (after all, what's easy for some may be scary for others). How did you push though the fear? Do share. I'd like some inspiration.

xo


{source}

pop up

I absolutely love pop-up books! Don't expect fairytale castles in this one though.
This fantastic book was created for Australia's Harper Bazaar. You can see a short video of the pages in action here. My favourite is the one where the runway models are coming towards you. Clever!




source

sale and shop stuff

I've mentioned in the blog that I'll be travelling to Indonesia next month. So my Etsy shop will be closed while I'm away, and I'd really like to clear most of the stock before I go. Plus, I could really use all the extra pennies I can get to cover my travel expenses! So, what better way to do that than have a storewide sale?

Until 10 September, everything is 25% off, including already reduced items. Refunds will be sent through Paypal, or you can wait for a revised invoice before you pay (just make sure you let me know). I'll even throw in a free postcard for every customer!

Etsy Buy Handmade muchlove (click to see more)

I'll be continuing to relist and add new items for the next few days, so make sure you check back often. One last thing, I've finally added an "art" section in my shop, featuring a couple of my illustrations. Not much there yet, but I'll see how it goes first.


OK, I'll stop the shameless self-promotion now.

If you have any questions, feel free to send me a Convo on Etsy. Alternatively, leave a comment anywhere on my blog and I'll get back to you.

P.S. did I mention that most of the items are one-off pieces?
P.P.S. did I mention the free postcard? Oh wait, I did.

*comments for this post is disabled*

Wendybird

I love the picture above. Although looking at it is rather bitter sweet - and maybe it's just my mood lately - but I honestly can't remember the last time I embraced anyone like that, or shared any hug for that matter, which is sad, and embarrassing to admit. But enough about my silly woes. On to these gorgeous photographs by Ellen von Unwerth. They are behind-the-scene shots from "Wendybird", the short film for designer Erin Fetherston's A/W 2006 collection, featuring Kirsten Dunst (that's Erin and Kirsten in the first photo).



The film tells the story of a group of girls who escape their dull lives for a while when they find a fairy box of clothes, and then the usually monotonous lunch-break afternoon becomes a joyous and playful one. Filled with childhood games, giggles, and pretty dresses. Perfect.

If you have several minutes to escape also, then go ahead and grab yourself a cup of tea, sit back, relax, and join them:


Images from here.

we get around in hand me downs*

dress: vintage
earrings: Our Tea Party
ring: hand-me-down from a kind friend
shoes : thrifted (changed the bow)

*title: Hand Me Downs by Bob Evans.
See the quirky stop-motion music video, involving a ton of clothes:

the uniform project

I've come across the Uniform Project through a couple of blogs, and many of you probably have too (yes, I'm a bit late!). But just in case you haven't, then you must check it out.

Since May of this year, Sheena Matheiken plans to wear the same little black dress for a whole year, as an exercise in sustainable fashion. Every day she embellishes her look with a creative variety of layers and accessories, many of which are vintage or handmade (she also takes donations). Each outfit is documented on the website (fast becoming a daily favourite of mine). Just goes to show that you don't need a huge wardrobe to have fun with fashion!

Just some of my favourites:



The project aims to raise funds for the Akanksha Foundation, which helps provide education for less privileged children living in Indian slums.

Inspirational in so many ways, no?

diy - denim drops

an old pair of (ruined) jeans + tank top + thread & needle + some spare time =


illustration by me.

the happy 6

I've been tagged by Babalisme to list 6 things that make me happy. I've done similar tags before, but I like how it challenges me to think of new joyful things every time. Not so easy after all (maybe it's just me)! But fun, nonetheless, and it acts as a lovely reminder of things worth being thankful for.

image source: 1 2 3 5

Anyway, here's the 6 things I came up with:
1. Knowing that I'm going home to Indonesia next month!
Have booked my flight tickets, and will be there in time for the Eid celebrations (practically *THE* holiday of the year for us, and I can't even remember the last time I was home for this). So excited, and looking forward to seeing family and best friends again!
2. Waking up extra early to watch the tennis*
*does not apply when my favourites lose.
3. Sending mail, which is just as fun as receiving!
4. Being sent a vintage magazine that has the same name as me! (thank you Jennifer!)
5. Gilmore Girls marathon
Can anyone guess which episode that picture is from?!
6. You, my dear blog readers. You have no idea how much your wonderful comments mean to me. Seriously: thank you!!

I tag anyone who wants to play along!

OK, I will stop with the excessive exclamation marks now.

polaroid postcards

Aren't these so sweet? Two of my favourite things in one: polaroid + postcards.
Available from Papermash. You can also win a whole year's worth of stationery from them. More info here.

another reason to love Audrey

These artwork were created by Audrey Hepburn during her childhood in the 1940s. They are so delicate and beautiful, it's hard to believe they are not by a professional illustrator. She surely was one very talented lady.

First 2 images from here.
The rest is scanned from the book Audrey Hepburn, an Elegant Spirit.

♥

And... the winner of my Hot Air Balloon illustration giveaway is: miriam! Congratulations! I'll be in touch with you shortly to get your details.

♥

P.S.
If any of you are familiar with the blog Daisy Chain Dreams, which you may have noticed has unexpectedly disappeared, I just wanted to spread the word that Laura has moved her lovely blog to A Daisy Chain Dream.

duckies

None of my full length outfit posts turned out right, and I got one too many weird looks by people passing by to keep trying. This was the first shot of the day, which I hated because of the sun glare, but I admit I kind of like it now.
blouse (I love the collar!) - thrifted, skirt - AA, belt - that package from Rebecca

A couple of darling duckies swam over while I was taking pictures. I like to think they were attracted to my yellow Swan necklace.

I made the necklace using a vintage metal pendant - which I was thrilled to discover during one of my thrifting trips. There are several more in different colours. Expect to see them in my Etsy shop soon (it's about time I updated that thing, no?)! *EDIT* Listed and now available here.

P.S. don't forget to check out my giveaway in the last post, if you haven't already.

giveaway / feedback wanted

Some of you may remember this drawing from this post. Well, after reading some of your comments and putting some thought into it, I am considering selling this type of artwork on my Etsy. They will be original illustrations (as in each one will be an original drawing, not a print) on a vintage book page. Subjects will vary from hot air balloons, ballerinas, and any other dreamy images I can come up with. I will layer the vintage book page on a thick card, and it will be about the size of a postcard (to fit in an average letter envelope).

For a chance to win this Hot Air Balloon illustration, simply leave a comment and answer these questions:
1. Would you, or anyone you know, be willing to buy this type of artwork?
2. How much would you be willing to pay for it (considering what I have described above)?

Please be as honest as you can. Even if your answer to question 1 is "no", that's totally fine and you'll still be entered in the giveaway. If you answered "yes", do answer question 2.
Any other feedback and suggestion would be highly appreciated, although not compulsory (what images do you like? would you like it as a greeting card? etc).

Please make sure there's a link to your blog or leave an email, so I can contact you if you win.
Competition ends this Saturday, and I will randomly select a winner soon after.

Thanks, and good luck! :)

tempo doeloe*

*= the old times

I enjoy looking at vintage photographs, and catching a glimpse of people's lives in a time before my own. The fascination increases immensely when the photographs are of a country that I call home. Despite living abroad for years, being an Indonesian is always going to be a strong part of my identity.
These photos were taken by a US pilot who served in Indonesia during the WWII era (late 40s).


There are 2 pictures here. You can see a faint image of a man behind the sign (sideways).

my hometown! You can tell it's raining by the ground, as well as the lady in the middle with a parasol. Ironic that the name of the store in the background (toko "Terang") means bright/sunny.

This photo made me laugh. First of all, it say "Paris", and there's absolutely nothing Parisian about this place. Then the words "Toekang Sepatoe" underneath translates to Shoe (repair) Man, which not only makes me wonder where the shoes are, but also makes me wonder what's up with us Indonesians associating shoes with the west. You see, this isn't the only instance of shoe places using foreign locations as names. In the next photo taken in Bandung, there's a shoe store named "London". Also, when I was young, I often passed a shoe store named "Canada". I bet people who bought shoes there found amusement in telling their friends where they got them from! Any Indonesian readers out there want to back me up on this?

Photos, except for last, from this flickr.
Last photo from Djawa Tempo Doeloe.
I highly recommend checking out the second link if you're interested in Indonesian "tempo doeloe" images (they have great photo caption information too).

PS. I know this is probably really different from my usual "pretty" posts (it's gorgeous to me, but I'm biased), but I hope you didn't find it too dull.

by the sea

I thrifted a stack of magazines at the op-shop this week, which included Nylon, Frankie, Oyster, and Russh. Being a fan of pretty mags (what can I say; I like pretty pictures), and being too cheap to buy any new ones, I grabbed them ASAP. They're all fairly new too! So they must've been donated very recently.
Funnily enough, I noticed most of them had editorials with photographs by the sea. Here are a few I thought I'd share with you. I found it interesting comparing each magazine's different take on a similar theme. From Frankie's lush summer days, Nylon's chilly breezes, to Oyster's stranded-on-a-beach glam. Sorry the scans aren't that great, my scanner distorts the colours a little.

Frankie, Jan/Feb 2009


Nylon, Jan 2009


Oyster, issue 80