New Chapter New Brand New Blog!

It's been a super long time coming but the migration is almost complete! I'm launching a new brand for all the events, dessert tables and styling work that I have already been doing this past year over at Carpenter & Cook, so that I can focus on developing this part of the current business and expand our scope and services! On top of what we already do, we will add Vintage Rentals to share our beautiful props with everyone (and as an excuse to shop more!), plus more to come.

Heaven In A Wild Flower (surprise surprise) is now live and all new blog entries will now be over here although the site is still kinda Work In Progress. Please hop on over to follow me on my new exciting adventure! The blog will take on a new direction, with less emphasis on my personal life and thoughts, and more on my experience as a stylist slash entrepreneur and sharing tips and inspiration on how to make your life and special occasions pretty. Oh, and I do hope to get back to sharing recipes and beautiful food as well :)

So much happening... can't wait!

Small Steps

It's been more than a month since my last post. Not intentional, but not entirely unintentional either. I had been waiting for things to fall in place before I start blogging regularly again. Things like - deciding on a name for the revamped blog & business, choosing a new platform (or not), blog/website redesign, and being sure I had the resolve blog regularly.

However, I have come to realise that, if I were to wait for abc to happen before doing xyz I will probably never get round to it. I was reminded that I should start small, take small steps, and be glad that I have at least started on this journey instead of waiting for everything to be in place before I dare take the next step. How often in life do we tell ourselves we need to wait for the perfect conditions before we commit to something? If I can't ensure that there's the job waiting for me/$X in the bank/acquire certain skills/have sufficient business, I won't take the plunge. Too often.

The reality is that things will never stop being in flux or be in the ideal conditions that you so wish for. So stop worrying, and just start somewhere. It's about having FAITH in your abilities, that things will fall into place, and most importantly that God will be there to provide and guide.

This will not be the prettiest of blogs, have many readers, nor have structured or regular posts or even a fancy new logo. Not yet anyway. But it will be a record of this phase of my journey that I will slowly unveil and share. And you're invited to join me :)

What Do I Want In My Life?

*peek*

Is anyone out there?

It's been a while. A very LONG while.

A lot of thoughts have been going through my mind lately, and a friend encouraged me to share them (Thanks dear, you know who you are). Indeed, so much has happened in the past year or so since this blog took a backseat. Those of you who have followed our progress over on Carpenter & Cook will know what an amazing journey it has been though! I'm not going to go through it here and now but I am thankful for all the blessings God has shown me in this past year. For those who've been along the journey thus far with me, thank you :)

Starting a business isn't easy and maintaining and growing it is even more challenging. Recently, I've taken to thinking about what it is that I truly want to do with my life. Yeah, big question with an elusive answer, I know. I still don't have the answers, but I feel it is this blog would be an appropriate place to share and document the process. Coming back full circle. Speaking of which, I think this year is the 10th year milestone since I started blogging (though I did take a long break last year hah).

Blogging doesn't come to me naturally. Words don't flow easily for me. I'm neither a witty or engaging writer most of the time, unless inspiration strikes. I enjoy letting my pictures do the talking. Over the years, I've also learnt to edit my words on this public platform, choosing to share the lighthearted and beautiful moments of my life, especially as the blog and my persona became more and more in the public domain.

I want to become more authentic in this new phase, to engage and connect with people, and most of all, through sharing my experiences and thoughts here, I hope to touch or impact someone's life out there, even in the teensiest of ways.

I leave you with an interesting article that I came across today on Understanding How to Frame Your Creative Expertise. I have been struggling with the lack of formal qualifications or years of experience in the areas that I wish to develop, and this really helped me to feel more secure about using skills and talents in achieving what I want to. This may seem quite a no-brainer to some of you, but to someone who's always been struggling with confidence issues and external affirmation, it spoke volumes. I think I'm somewhere between a "Survivor" and "Called" - what about you?

(The quote was made using a free chalkboard background from Foolish Fire and you can find all sorts of chalkboard fonts by here or simply google 'chalkboard fonts' )

Goodbyes and A New Beginning

It's 2012. In fact, it's already the second month of the new year. I am quite ashamed that I have not updated this blog in months, if anyone is still reading this! I don't know if it's because I've lost theinspiration to churn out blog posts, or the fact that I've gotten lazy, or that I have quite a lot going on generally that has caused the silence. Probably a bit of all three.

In truth, I have not really eaten at many new restaurants or made anything spectacular that I feel worthy to grace these pages but I have been spending time with friends, going back to familiar joints and hosting simple meals at home. Why favour routine over novelty you may ask? These are people and places that have become dear to me overnthe last two and a half years and I wanted to have strong memories to hold onto as I prepare to leave London this month.



Yes, my time here has come to an end and I will definitely miss my life here - the lovely city, the even more beautiful countryside, the dear friends I have made, the food, my lovely apartment, and the list goes on and on. While I started blogging back in 2003, it was only when I moved here that I made it more public - writing more about food and a little about travel, and less about my day to day life. And what a ride it has been! The blog opened up many opportunities - I made friends in the food and design blogging circles, it allowed me to hone my skills in photography and styling, and explore other creative avenues. I doubt I would have done all this if I were back in Singapore.

Blogging aside, I've also made many good friends in the last 2 plus years, you know who you are. Thank you for being the surrogate family to me and providing that support network here in this faraway land. Food is always something that unites us, especially the Singaporeans away from home and I am happy we have shared many a good meal togetherand hope that there will be more in the future.

This marks the end of a chapter, and as cliche as it sounds, it also paves the way for a new one. I am not just leaving London, but also leaving my day job - one which I have had for the last 8 odd years (or 12 if you count from the day I signed on to the job). It has come to define me in a way, people identify me with this job and it is become part of who I am, being an ambassador of sorts for my country.

But I am finally taking that step to do something I love, and to continue the creative journey that I have begun in London. I am very excited (and scared!) about my new adventure and am thankful that Inwill be embarking on it with a couple of good friends made here. I don't really know what my life will be like in 3 months' time but hey, that's part of the fun right? I am not sure if I will continue this blog or move over to a new platform but stay tuned. More will be revealed in time and I hope you will be as excited as I am! Here's a little teaser for you, it'll be something to do with vintage interiors, design, food, styling and hopefully more!



Right now, while I can't wait to get back and get started properly on the new gig, I am sad to leave and will be treasuring every moment of this last month in London. Boy, am I glad February has an extra day this year :)

Exploding Dog

Back in the day when I first started blogging (way back in 2003!), this was something I had shared. explodingdog is a collection of drawings by Sam Brown, a really talented artist who draws these stick cartoon figures based on titles he receives. Anyone can submit a title and if it inspires him, he'll draw it. Now that there's twitter, facebook and whatever other social media, guess it makes it a lot more interactive!

I had almost forgotten about it until yesterday. It got me browsing through the website again and admiring all the new pictures (there's obviously a lot like 8 years' worth!). I thought I'd start sharing my favourite ones here. Today's drawing is a classic from 2003, when his style was a little simpler and cleaner (which I prefer actually) entitled "I have no idea what I'm doing". Enjoy!

i have no idea what i'm doing

 

Book Review: Perfection In Imperfection by Janice Wong

If you are a dessert aficionado and/or lover of beautiful cookbooks, you have to get Chef Janice Wong's first book, Pefection in Imperfection. This hand-stitched, hand-made book (every cover is hand-torn and stuck on) is the product of many hours of loving labour.

It contains recipes that form Janice's signature dishes featured at her 2am Dessert Bar, all beautifully shot and artistically directed. The recipes are not meant to be direct replications of her dishes, but more to teach techniques that can be applied to your own interpretations and inspire you to create your own versions. Even if you don't get around to the recipes, the book is a visual treat for the eyes!

The book was launched a couple of weeks back in Singapore in a warehouse space filled with edible installations created by Janice such as marshmallow icicles, sugar crystal corals and rocks, edible moss, and fruit puree paintings. You can watch her interviews and see the launch here on Razor TV:

Part 1

 

 Part 2

 

 Part 3

 

I'm glad to have such a talented friend and she never ceases to amaze me with her energy and creativity. Follow her crazy adventures on her blog, and go get the book now on her Perfection in Imperfection website!

A Feature in Heart Home Magazine

I mentioned in one of my last posts that I was asked to contribute an article to a soon-to-be launched interiors magazine Heart Home Mag. Well, it's just been launched! And it looks amazing, there's so much great content by the creative community gathered by the founders Arianna, Carole and Daniel. I'm so honoured to be part of this inaugural issue!

The feature I contributed is of course one on food. I made, styled and shot the summer berry tarts and also various flavours of fromage blanc ice cream. The shoot was inspired by an artist's atelier. I wanted to highlight the vibrant colours of the berries and to make the food look like edible paintings.


I've posted my favourite shots that I styled and took here, as not all pictures could be included in the post. The recipes on how to make the tarts and a fromage blanc ice cream is over on Heart Home. Do go over to  Heart Home Mag and have a read!