MALTE bar stool as a bed side table?

I just recently found this nice bar stool from IKEA. The height and the depth is just so perfect for my slim space bed side table. It's also available in three colour white/birch, black and red. I think all of them is nice. I am considering either black or red. The red will give a good punch to the room. The price is $49 AUD (which is good!). You can read the detail here.

Do you think it's hot or not as a bed side table? Red or Black?

G’morning

I need to wake up extra early to get in time since moving to the new house. It takes longer walk to the bus stop. It has been quite hard to wake up early during winter, since it's cold and the sunset was not even up yet.

Nonetheless, by the time I was ready and got out the house, the atmosphere outside was just so beautiful. The air is just so fresh (little chilly though). You can feel, its fills in your lungs when you taken a deep breath. Even the trees look so lovely in the morning. The grass were sparkling, covered with dews.



The first thing that we saw was this little guy. They seem happily hanging on the Australian wild flowers trees around our complex area. You can hear them cheeping every morning. They really make my day^^




It makes me feel very content every morning. It's such a blissful experience to start the day. And I am really loving it.

How is your morning routine? What time do you usually wake up in the morning?

I am back online

Finally, the internet get sorted. I feel quite relief that it goes well without any more drama. We signed up for wireless broadband plan with Optus. I was anxious that the modem won't be compatible with my macs. It works straight away out of the box, just needed to connect to the power supply and use the ethernet cable.

The wireless signal is quite strong, although from my observation, it seems the signal goes weak at night from 10pm. So far, the speeds is acceptable, it tends bit slower than ADSL2, but I am not complaining.

Quick Recap
ADSL2 doesn't work with our telephone lines. Surprisingly, even though, we had been using ADSL2 when we were renting where it located just another 10 minutes walk. The news was just dropped like a bomb. I was like going to face a reality to live without high-speed internet FOREVER. I wasn't even living in rural area!!! (They said we were on RIMS, some kind line sharing thing, rather than using the cooper wires direct to the exchange). It's one of the things you forgot to check when you're buying a house (sigh). But I blame it all to stingy monopoly Telstra!!!



My mum arrived here at Brisbane on Friday, picked her up at the airport straight from work. I am glad that she's here, I admit that I miss her. I was overjoy when she showed me the black heel shoes for me, it was what I always wanted (Mum always knows). Although, it was half size too big but I'll figure it out how to make it fit!!! (it's better than too small). It's from Charles & Keith.

We managed to shop at IKEA, it was so crowded. We didn't manage to get the dining chair, the one that I wanted was sold out, since it was on sale (half price!) So far, the house is still quite messy, but we'll get there.

Mondayne update

It's been such a rainy week and I was completely drench arriving at work T_T I think I really need to get a raincoat (I'm thinking navy blue). It is nice to have such a rainy day all week since we haven't got much rain. But it's not so pleasant if you have to catch public transport to go around.



I just stayed at home during the weekend. I managed to get my studio set up. My sister and I place our desk next to each other. The studio basically is at the same room with the dining room. It's probably my favourite room since there's so many sunlight comes through. (I call it, the sun room!!!) Even though, it's been raining on the weekend, but there was time when the sun shines brightly. So it's been quite a lovely day. (Although, we haven't got any dining table yet, lot's of boxes still stack in the dining room. To be honest, the dining room is the big dumped).

I am hoping to get the dining table and a bookcase at IKEA by next weekend. So no more messiness. I also want to get some frames to hang some artwork at the sun room.

I'll post photos tomorrow. Still no internet 'till next week

It started with a little note

I've stumble upon this sweet funny story via apartment therapy. A relationship started from a simple little note, placed by a girl onto the car windshield of the guy he likes. Both of them commute to work on the same schedule every morning. They've been exchanging glances and smiles for few months before she finally decided to left the note. The message on the small piece of paper was simple: "You are a cutie. Hi."A few days later, he reciprocated by leaving a note on her windshield with his phone number. You can read the original article from here.

This story reminded me my own past little love journey with Mr. Turtle :) Or perhaps giving me some encouragement >_< and hope.

Have you ever had a similar experienced before? Had a crush with a stranger you meet everyday?

Late update

Sorry, has been late posting an update. It has been such a busy week at least until after few weeks I moved into the new house. I might not be able to hook up to the internet for awhile. Depends how fast I can arrange to get the new internet connection done. So don't worry if I sort of gone for a month. I hope it won't take that long, I can't live without internet. I might even blog during lunch time at work.

I will be officially moved this weekend. So far, we have managed to move some little stuff and kitchen ware. We have been able to eat only using 4 bowls!!! I haven't packed all my books and magazine yet, they're still neatly sitting on FLARKE bookcase.

We did a big shopping on the weekend. We bought new vacuum cleaner, TV, and rugs. Now, I realise that credit cards always come handy. Finally, I reached that financial situations (it's either bad or good sigh). It was the first time, I used my credit card! for buying the new LCD TV, its Sharp AQUOS LC37D53X (37 inch with 100Hz, not full HD yet since my budget was under $2000). I've done lots of research with this one, so I hope its good. You can see the review here and other review with smaller size here. We had a good deal from JB HiFi, $200 less. It will be delivered this Saturday, so I will post more about it when I have it and also about my new house (I'm so excited about it!!!)

I found my self in the loop again

It usually take me a year to mend what's broken, but the marks will always there. Somehow, I always want to keep them alive in my memory. Since, it was the last thing I have to make me feel close.

I know perhaps it's no good, but let it be… time will blow them away.

It's been quite a melancholy week, the situations is not helping to improve my health or it could be the other way around. I feel so weak and tired easily

I'm pretty sucks noticing when I'm gonna get sick

It's been sicky day for me the past two-three days. I didn't see it coming, really. But after looking back it's all make sense I should able to prevent this to happen. It had been such joyful long weekend (with the extra holiday on monday as labour day). Then in the middle of the night I woke up feeling that my throat had been dried up like a dessert. I had a series of bad dreams that night, I had this dream like premonition of what going to happen in the office the next day where I got so sick then decided to go home. So in the morning, I decided to stay at home.

I was right. In the mid day things got worse. It's not only I got the sore throat but also catch the cold too. I was still feeling cold, even though I wore socks, sweater, and long pants and hid under the blanket, even the sun was shining so brightly. The lemon drink soothed me a little bit, while watching Operah show. Luckily, I haven't got the cough yet, but I got pretty bad runny nose.

Decided to go to see doctor this morning, unfortunately it was fully booked till Friday (disappointed T_T). Went to the next door chemist, got new medicine for my runny nose and a nice chewy vitamin C. I am quite optimistic that I will get better soon. I can feel an improvement from this morning.

I might even back to work tomorrow. Now, I will sit back, drink my hot herbal medicine and enjoy the sunny day. ps: I wasn't eating properly the past few days (perhaps it made my body weak) plus having instant noodle twice in a row!!! (definitely not good for your health).

Boys and girls, don't forget to eat healthy food plus vitamin C during this winter season!!! What's sickness you've ever had that you hate the most?

The talented person behind the catchy illustrations at QAG

I've been wondering who's the talented designer who creates the amazing characters at Queensland Art Gallery (QAG) and Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA). The very recent/most popular exhibition is Andy Warhol exhibition. I am sure most of Brisbane art/design lovers had visited this exhibition. You may recalled there are some wacko Andy Warhol's character appears in some of the walls, explains few bits more of his works. Then if you are a hoarder like me, you might grab the cute square children's activity book (the picture shown). All those nice illustration is actually designed by Fiona-Lee (a.ka. Bonsai Foi), the inhouse illustrator/designer at the QAG/GOMA.

I believe she has been working there for couple years by now. She has been behind all the great characters created in every exhibitions for kids. From the famous turtle mascot for Asia–Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art exhibition to the Yayoi Kusama exhibitions (the dots), there're also the cat, the gnome, the bug and not to forget the bat from other exhibitions. The list can just go on, please check her websites or her flickr set.



I wish I could do work as fun as hers. ps: I think she is my work mate's (a.k.a marshmallow cat) best friend, who her self is very talented illustrator too. I found it over flickr, yesterday morning.

Michi Yanagishita is my twins???

In a glance I thought I saw my self as Small Cool judges at apartment therapy. Michi Yanagishita is an architect based on NYC, she and her partner, Yen Ha is the principals behind Front Studio (the only Asian-women owned partnership at NYC!!!). Her self-portrait posed just so reminiscence of myself (giggles). What do you think? try covering her lips.

Mondayne update

I've got a spam on my comment!!! bit shocked -_-" luckily, it's all fine now.

I think my workmate planning to make a murder scene in the studio. He has been trying to run me down from behind with his (Herman Miller) wheel chair (note to my self: need to be extra careful when he is around >_<)

The long weekend was great, I finished watching MOYASHIMON (The tale of Agriculture) anime. The story is about a first-year college student at an agricultural university, who has the unique ability to see and communicate with micro-organisms and bacteria WITHOUT a microscope. The bacteria doesn't appear like what we studied at Biology. They look so cute which reminds me of Kogepan (the toasted bread). The anime was recommended by a new friend. You could watch it from Crunchyroll. It's quite a short series, only 11 episodes.



My papercutting experience is still in progress. But they aren't look so good so far, I think the paper is too thick to cut. It's actually harder than I thought T_T

I luv u, Museo

I fall in love with MUSEO at the first sight when I saw it at MyFonts Newsletter and this. I can see how a publication would look beautiful just set in MUSEO, both display text and body text. My only regret is, it doesn't contain the italic version since it has came with such a variable weight family. They have 5 different weights, 2 are payed and 3 of them is free, available from MyFonts of total $29 (USD) only!!!. Not to mention that it has lots of open type features, like a lovely ligatures. I just could not resist the beauty of this typeface, and I bought them. Even though, I have no projects to use this typeface yet (I haven't been doing any freelance anymore). At least, I could play around with it then I'll convince the company that I've been working on to buy this worthy typeface :D.

In my opinion, MUSEO is quite a sensible semi-serif typeface that would give a nice and sweet feels as body text. Its roundness make it a good pair with typefaces like Avenir as sans. Nonetheless, the look of MUSEO is quite related to the new ARCHER from H&FJ., PMN Caecilia, and the most similar is probably with Montag then perhaps Estilo text. They are all speak in the same language but yet each is quite individual. Hence, I love MUSEO the most, perhaps its looseness and warmness look that drawn me into it, which reminded me how I love Sauna and ended up using it for my portfolio.

I was imagining that it would be even better if there will be MUSEO sans and it will!!! I read it an interview with Jos Buivenga, the creator of Museo him self, over iLT. He said that he is working on Museo sans at the moment. To be honest, I am a big fan of Jos Buivenga's typefaces. All of his typefaces is very warm hearted and unique (Although, I didn't realise that Museo was his creation in the first place). It's hard to believe that he learned creating typefaces by him self. He is quite an inspirational man for me.

What do you think of Museo? What is the most recent typeface that you bought?

ps: MUSEO would look great paired with simple condensed sans serif typeface too

Visiting the strawberry farm

It was an unplanned trip, we decided to make a stop for our finale dessert. Just after we had a big meal ribs at a birthday lunch at Mike's Kitchen at Gold Coast. The strawberry farm is located in between Gold Coast and Brisbane (exit 49 from Brisbane).

It was my first trip to the strawberry farm, everything looked dry at that time. I wasn't quite sure if strawberry could grow in such hot climate, since it was summer. We parked our car in front of their small shop. They sell their own homemade products and strawberries (of course, heaps of them). The one that intrigues me the most is their chilli jam. I've heard of it once, but I still wasn't quite sure what was it. (if anyone know, could you tell me what it taste) Unfortunately, I was running out of cash. I needed to spare my money for the main thing, which is the strawberry ice cream. So I didn't buy anything much, just a big tray of strawberries.



I just love strawberry ice cream more than any other flavour. But this ice cream is not like any ordinary strawberry ice cream, it is filled with fresh, chopped strawberries covered with the strawberry ice cream (of course) and thick whip cream on the top. This wasn't my first experience eating this kind of ice cream. I had it twice at Ekka festival and it was the BEST strawberry ice cream I've ever had. (Ekka festival is held around early August).

I was so thrilled about the ice cream, since I thought I can only get this kind of ice cream at the festival. After I tried it, it turned out to be a disappointment. The strawberry wasn't really sweet, it taste a bit bitter. I guess it might not be the right season for strawberry.



The ice cream wasn't the only thing they served. They have strawberry fudge, waffle, and etc. So why don't you visit the strawberry farm for a break on your way to Gold coast. You can even pick your own strawberries at the farm if you have plenty time.

This trip was actually happening a year ago. I forgot to post it and yet it's an exciting story to tell.

What is the best ice-cream that you have tasted before? Any favourite pit stop that you would like to share?

The day when I met him again…

I felt so relief when he held my hands and smiled back to me. It was merely like another weekend date when we spent time together.

I am so thankful to be able to see him again. It was such a blissful week but yet so surreal.

Color Chart: reinventing colour 1950 to today

The sites companion for the current MoMA exhibition: Color Chart is so BRILLIANT. Don't miss the opening of the sites. The colour swirls is the best. I wish the exhibition came to Brisbane (very less likely to happen though T_T). Don't forget to read the introduction page. You'll agree that it is a great exhibition. (via swiss miss)

I feel very unsettled

My mind gone blank for a split second when I realised I misread his words. I was honestly so worried when I heard that his sister gone to the hospital. Even in my medical history, I was taken to the hospital only once, it was quite critical but I have my parents with me. So when he said his sister collapsed and brought to the hospital, I was shocked.

It would never come to my mind, that he is coming back… to Brisbane. My heart was tremble, thrilled with this excitement. I wasn't so sure of what I should be excited about. We are not together anymore. My mind was obviously gone wild. It was really inappropriate to get excited. His sister got sick (I keep reminding it in my mind). Both of his parents got really worried and I'm sure he is too.

I felt so miserable to have this delight over this situation. But somehow, I really can't control my thoughts to see him again. I wasn't prepared to see him this soon. I felt that somehow we're destined to meet again (or not). My minds flew back to old memory, where we spent so much time together. Tears starts glistening from my eyes. I really don't know how to act. I am so scared… so scared… to face him again.

I miss him so badly… I want him back badly…

I needed to be stronger.

I wish I made this

I found this lovely papercut card at Folio on my Friday night stroll. It was placed just near the entrance over the counter. It just grabbed my attention right away.



This wasn't really an exact papercut, it is actually made by the laser press. However, the details are just so define, it is amazing what a machine could do. This cards printed from the UK, but somehow the URL that they supplied wasn't working. In case, anyone ever heard of it, its published by Archivist and design by Cathy Dow.

A lucky person would received this. It would be perfect for a Valentines cards, too bad its a bit too late for that. I might keep it for my self ^^ hehehe…

Buying stock illustrations

This post is a continuation from my Spot it on post about similarity on two cover design. Quite awhile ago, I actually found out where the originality of the modular shape used in both covers. It was actually came from a suite of a stocks illustrations from stockbyte. I was quite disappointed by the fact that the designer just used a stock of illustrations as it is in the cover. Although, the whole stocks wasn't really bad, it is very psychedelic! '60s-style pop art. If you are interested you can buy it from gettys or fotosearch.

What do you think as a designer buying a stock of illustrations? Do you think its inappropriate? Would you consider its a sign of slackness of the designer to be creative? Especially when there's no further manipulation being done. What is the good excuse as designer to buy it?

Updating in progress

I am really looking forward to get a new fresh look for the blog. I can't stand looking at the brown tiles background anymore. Hopefully it will really happening (sigh…)

SPOT IT ON!

I recently spotted this Innovation Entrepreneur book at work, when my work friend needed to do a marketing brochure. It's a book designed by Wiley in the UK. We were admiring the circles that it actually looks quite unique. Then, later at night I found this Idea Spotting by Sam Harisson.

I am not so sure how Sam Harisson's book supposed to help, but I guess it does work! One of the exercises that he recommends to get the creativity started is to Be a Borrower. He said the next big idea is out there you just need to know how to spot it on. I found some of the excerpt from How magazine blog, which you can read in here.

I am pretty sure that the designer who designed the book spotted this Idea Spotting book somewhere or he/she even have the book on his/her desk. It is our nature as designers to be inspired by our surrounding. So I won't question the similarity between both books any further. Also. I still liking the overall looks of the book cover. It gives some colour in the boring business books cover. And definitely the designer have done much better job than the US edition (that I can't barely stand to posted in here).

Then again, it gives me enough reasons to check the Idea Spotting book on the weekend. The review on amazon wasn't bad either.