Wanderlust.

Yet again, we hit the streets. I took a while to post these photographs (almost forgot about 'em!) I was hoping to capture images that were not just of buildings/places but rather, details and abstract shots that appeal to me. So, here goes!

How it all began ...

~ THE ring from Tiffany.

I don't think I've even mentioned it. I promise photographs soon! and no, I'm not crazy about Tiffany. I'l pick character over popularity anytime. It's always the thought that counts. Really!

Keepin' it Personal.

I love what Meg from A Practical Wedding has done with the flowers she got from the wholesalers. And I adore her unprofessional tips, tricks and thoughts. My fav ones (almost all!):

• Don't be scared. I'm not sure how we got so convinced that flowers were scary, but flowers are not scary. ...
• Forget this "I'm an amateur, I should do something really simple, and not mix flowers" idea. Where did we even get that?
• Pin up pictures of arrangements you like and let them inspire your decorating.
• Mix textures, mix flowers, mix color. Be brave.
• Use crazy flowers! And herbs! And spiky things! And leaves! And twigs! And feathers!
• Work in pairs. One person will be your eyes while you are the worker bee. Then switch.
• Remember scale. Just because you can afford to have flowers the size of your head doesn't mean you want to have flowers the size of your head. ...
• Make your peace with the fact that your flowers will not be perfect, and that you'll need to make them the day before (hot tip: if you paid for the flowers they wouldn't be perfect either, but you would pretend that they were).
• Every time you make something, sit back and guess how much a florist would have charged you for it "$75!" you'll say, "No, maybe $150!" Then applaud your cost savings (feel free to be wildly inaccurate with these numbers).

I sense so much enthusiasm and can relate to what was running through her mind when she was thinking DIY. I'm gonna attempt to do my own masterpiece yet again as I'm not in favor of yet another cookie-cutter wedding that people here are so fond of. See how my flowers turned out the first time 'round!

Phenomenal Blogger Support.

~ Blue Lilly Photography via NY Times.

I just have to write about Stephanie and Christian Nielson, from Utah. Whoever dissed blogging as a medium of any significance, should be eating humble pie. Stephanie and Christian Nielson, parents of 4, were involved in a plane crash last month and their story made headlines, in State Newspapers and in the virtual world. The couple is in critical condition with Stephanie suffering from 85% burns and Christian, 30%. Stephanie is an avid blogger who blogged about her zest for life, marriage, motherhood and other simple pleasures. She has a following, mostly mothers who are inspired by her infectious optimism. They have not met her, but ever since the accident, these fellow bloggers rally support and work towards raising money for Stephanie and Christian's recovery through auctions, selling cookies and spreading the word. They have so far raised about US$100 000 together coming from all corners of the world. Amazing isn't it? From about 2000 hits a day, her blog now sees about 30,000 hits. I just am awed by the phenomenal blogger support Stephanie and her family are receiving from people they have never even met. I will certainly pray for them tonight.

On my favorite day of the week.

I felt totally random and, with a camera on hand, we wandered into a back alley. This is what we found.

Saturday snapshots.

... as we wandered off hand in hand, some isolated observations gave me an urge to whip out my camera, yet again.Shop houses built between 1900s to 1940s are best known for their spectacular ornamentation like this multi-colored glazed ceramic tile above. These buildings built during this time reflect the sophistication of the builders.

It feels good to not race time after a long week.

More Tine.

Tine K Home.

*inhale* I do not know where to begin. I came across an amazing website, selling home accent items, furniture and even clothings. The e-catalogue is breath-taking and the owner, Tine K invites [website] visitors into her home in the inspiration gallery. I believe Tina uses her home as the studio/gallery. How nice, right? The home canvas (floor+walls) are in neutral colors and she is able to fit in almost everything (different types of fabric, lassi cups, moroccan tea glasses, vases, chairs, plants, pretty flowers etc) seamlessly. How inspiring!

On a roll!

~ image via The Knot.

Palette: colors from top left: #006b91, sherpa blue, loblolly, #009ec8, #b44407

middle from left: french grey, surfie green, dust storm, just right, eastern blue

bottom from left: alto, galliano, #00b3d7, vista white, dawn pink.

Getting the perfect color palette.

.. comes easy! Especially with sites such as, Big Huge Labs [Color Palette Generator]. Pick a favorite picture/photo and voila! Out comes a spread of harmonious colors extracted from your favorite photo! I'm totally thrilled with this and just when I thought my obsession with creating color palettes/inspiration boards is over, I stumble upon this site. Now totally intrigued, I'm trying to extract colors from all of my favorite photographs! Hopefully this will help me decide on a color scheme once and for all!. There're just SO many colors, and I LOVE colors, ALL of them. URGH. Here goes:

~ image via thoughtful day.

Generated Palette:

colors from top left: fiji green, schist, #be3f00 from bottom left: #c34c01, peru tan ~ courtesy of Big Huge Labs.