Fancy announcement: Merry Christmas

Wishing all you crazy kids a merry merry Christmas. May your belly be filled with yummy puddings and chocolate coated goodness. Thank you for all your lovely comments throughout the year and I look forward to seeing you all again next year.

Fancy illustration: Spiracha sauce

Date acquired: We are never without it

Emotional worth: 2 stars

I'm more of a Tobasco fan, but Mat could not survive a day without Spiracha. It's funny how people can have such a tight emotional attachment with their spices. Some people even take their spice of choice everywhere they go, just in case there is a need for it. I have known people who bring their own chilli flakes to outings and I'm pretty sure I've read an article where this girl has her own miniature version of Spiracha for her handbag. I guess everyone has their own level of addiction. What's yours?

Fancy illustration: Korres Watermelon Sunscreen

Date acquired: July 2012

Emotional worth: 3 stars

I have never heard of Korres until a few month ago when I read a post by Michelle from Eat Paint Sniff Glue. Although she was mainly reminiscing about the greatness of their lip butters, I thought I'll venture out and try something a bit different. I have always been lazy when it comes to skincare, particularly when it comes to sunscreen, so when I read that their sunscreen comes with a hint of watermelon scent, the teenager in me knew I have to have it in my possession. How could you say no to a fruity scented product which also has the added benefit of protecting your skin from those nasty sun rays?

I have been using it for a couple of months now, and have to say am pretty impress with this little sun protection in a stick. It has a wonderful fresh watermelon scent which is not too overpowering but just enough to bring a smile to your face every time you use it. It is non-greasy and compact enough to fit into your handbag. Who needs boring chalky sunscreen when you can smell like a watermelon every morning?

Illustration Fancy: Digestive biscuits

Date acquired: whenever I need a biscuit fix

Emotional worth: 4 stars

What's your favourite nanna biscuit? Mine would have to be McVitie's Digestives followed very closely by Arnott's Scotch Fingers. It has the perfect density for dunking into hot milky teas, and is not overly sweet like majority of the biscuits out there. Mat is always making fun of me when I buy them in the supermarkets, calling me an old nanna, but I know he too has a special spot of them but just too shy to admit.

I'm trying a new illustration style by mixing photographic and hand drawn illustration. I think with this style the colouring need to be more pared back and not too detailed. What do you think? Would love to hear your feedback.

Illustration fancy: Toasted marshmallow creme

Date acquired: September 2012
Emotional worth: 2.5 stars

This was bought as a joke during a day trip to Bowral, however it has now turned into a full blown obsession. Currently I am on to my second tub and can seriously say this is hands down my favourite guilty pleasure. I love spreading the gluey marshmallow goodness onto salty crackers or just eating it by the spoonful if crackers are not available. There is also a handy recipe for a toasted fudge which I have yet to try. I should experiment and try out different recipes with this fluffy gluey creme, but for the time being I'm more than happy just spreading it onto tiny crackers.

What is your guilty pleasure? Leave a comment below, I would love to hear about it.

Desktop fancy: August calendar

Another month another lovely calendar for you to adorn your desktop. What have you got planned this August? At the moment, I am dreaming of a succulent wonderland, developing a close to sickening obsession with polka dots and hoping to develop some better time management skills. I am also planning to get back to regular posting, so stay tuned for more random musings from yours truly.

In the meantime, I do hope you'll like this little calendar.
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Desktop fancy: July calendar

Sorry for my erratic posting. I have started my new job this week and am still getting used to the new schedule. Although it is still early days, I am really loving my new job. It is a very creative role and the people are extremely nice. I was even welcomed with a hamper filled with cookies and chocolates on my first day! Spoilt!

Hoping you like the July calendar, I've decided to leave it fairly simple and just focus on line works. It reminds me very much of spring time, even though we are officially in the middle of winter here.

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Fancy illustration: Palmer's Cocoa Butter

Date acquired: spring 2012
Emotional worth: 1 star

I know we are in the middle of winter and one should really moisturise, but seriously there are better things to do than lather oneself in buttery goodness. I have tried very hard to be better disciplined, even placing the bottle in my line of sight in the vain hope that it will integrate into my morning ritual. So far, it is not working, my skin is suffering, it is sending me tingling sensations, screaming out for help. Why do I find it so hard to do such a seemingly simple task?

Illustration fancy: Caramel pudding

Date acquired: May 2012
Emotional worth: 3 stars

Ever since I've seen this King Pudding video on youtube (watch it, it's funny), I've been wanting to get my hands on my very own giant pudding. Couldn't find any store that sells giant puddings, so bought this instant mix packet as an alternative. It was extremely easy to make and it wobbles like there's no tomorrow. It tasted rather bland, doubt I will be making a second purchase, but the crazy wobble made it all worth it.

You have one more day to enter my birthday giveaway. Go now before it's too late!

Illustration fancy: Mimco ankle booties

Date acquired: winter 2011
Emotional worth: 3 stars

Slowly building a collection of ankle booties. I have always been drawn to shoes that has a bit of old world charm about them. These are no exception. They are not the most comfortable boots, but I'm sure I will get a few wears out of them this season.

On a side note. Not sure whether it is because of the weather, but have been feeling super uninspired at the moment. What do you do to keep the inspirations flowing? I'd love to know.

Illustration fancy: The Marriage Plot

Date acquired: early 2012
Emotional worth: 1 star

Do you sometimes have such high expectations of a book that you feel cheated when it is nothing like you imagined? Well, this book fits this category perfectly. The concept and the way it was written was quite clever, but the characters were so annoying! Half the time I wanted to scream and tell them to grow up! Well, at least the book cover is pretty funky.

Don't forget to enter this competition to win an illustration of your favourite book.

Illustration fancy: Choya Umeshu

Date acquired: May 2012
Emotional worth: 4 stars

I had my first taste of Umeshu (plume wine) at a tiny bar in Shimokitazawa in Tokyo. The bar itself was an accidental find, it fits no more than six people but had one of the biggest collection of liqueurs and spirits I have ever encountered. The wine was served on the rocks, the texture was surprisingly thick and it was like drinking honey with a hint of tartness.

Since then, I have had many not so great to awful Umeshu, but this bottle is definitely one of the best I've had. It has the same honey tartness as the one I tried in Japan and it even has four preserved plums inside for me to devour once it is finished. Drinking this brings back all the happy memories I had in Japan. I think an return trip will need to be organised in the near future.

Illustration fancy: Palmer's Fade Cream

Date acquired: April 2012
Emotional worth: 0

I have been lucky to be blessed with pretty good skin. However recently I have noticed an emergence of a couple of age spots under my eyes and on my forehead. It is nothing major and can be easily covered with makeup, but since then I have been more vigilant with my skincare, i.e. wearing sunscreen and using eye cream. I spotted this at Priceline and thought I'll give it a try. It promises to reduce the appearance of age spots, liver spots, freckles and melasma as well as preventing the spots from darkening and recurring after regular usage. To be honest, I thought this would be too good to be true, there is no such thing as miracle in a bottle. Instead, it was the 80's inspired packaging that won me over.

With little expectation, I started using it every morning and night as instructed. As predicted, nothing really happened, but after a couple of weeks, my face started breaking out. Not one or two little spots, but clutters around my chin and forehead! Since then, I have stopped using it and am about to throw it out the bin this very moment. My face is slowly recovering from the trauma, and I guess my search of a miracle cream continues.

Don't forget to enter my birthday giveaway, you can win your very own custom illustration!

Fancy illustration: Jil by Jil Sander

Date acquired: April 2012
Emotional worth: 3.5 stars

Do you have a signature scent? Or do you search for something different each time you've finished your current bottle. Lately, I have been wearing Jil by Jil Sander. I love the contradiction between clean and spicy. It is sexy and yet still light enough for everyday usage. Like a really good cocktail, the scent changes and adapts with you throughout the day, leaving you with a faint warm vanilla surprise by the end of the night. Not sure whether I will be feeling the same towards the end of the bottle, but right now I am more than happy to be wearing this everyday.

Illustration fancy: Little bear brooch

Date acquired: around 2010
Emotional worth: 3 stars

I love brooches, I think you can tell people so much about who you are from the brooch you choose to adorn yourself with. This little bear has been my loyal friend and saviour for the past couple of years. He made me feel comfortable in occasions where I had to dress out of my comfort zone (corporate wear) and kept me calm during stressful situations (work interviews). The world turned upside down yesterday when I broke his little front wheel, I should have been more careful. Lets hope I can fix him with a bit of superglue. Wish me luck.

Illustration fancy: Collette Sewing Handbook

Date acquired: Late January 2012

Emotional worth: 4 stars

I have been wanting this book since the day it was released, but was reluctant to buy because of the many dress books gathering dust on my bookcase. But since 2012 is to be a year of making rather than buying, I thought this little book will help with the creative process. Poor excuse really.

I am absolutely in love with this book. I love the modern vintage feel of the dress patterns, the easy to follow instructions and for the design/colour nerd in me, the muted pastel colours used throughout.

Being a haphazard dressmaker, not following instructions, and making things up as I go along, this book has taught me how to slow down and plan. So far I have only made the meringue skirt as seen here  but have already picked up quite a few valuable tips which I will treasure with me forever. I doubt I will turn into one of those people who make muslins to make sure everything fit perfectly, but at least I can start taking little steps towards the path of a tidy and well organised sewer.

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Illustration fancies: Camper booties

Date acquired: 02 February 2012
Emotional worth: 4 stars

Do you have a brand of shoes which you keep going back to because they are just so damn nice and comfortable? My favourite is Camper shoes, I'm not a big fan of their casual style, but every season they seem to bring out one or two designs that are filled to the brim with old school charms.

This is my latest addition, they are made from the darkest of suede with nautical inspired heels. It passed my comfort test with flying colours. I did a little dance in the shop to test out their comfort. Yes, you heard right, the only way I can tell whether I will take a pair of shoes home is by doing a little dance in the shop, sound silly, but how else will you know whether it will last a night of merry making?
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Illustration fancy: wicker basket bag

Date acquired: 05 Feb 2012

Emotional worth: 3.5 stars

Apart from clothes, I am pretty picky in terms of what I buy. Rather than going for "that will do" and replacing it at a later date, I would wait and wait until I find something that is just right. Sometimes this search for perfection would take years, it took over a year for Mat and I to find the perfect couch, 2 years for me to find the right watch and 10 years to find the perfect doctor-esque bag. It sounds excessive, but I firmly believe the hunt is usually a lot more fun than constant gathering.

I've mentioned we went to  Middle Head  last weekend, but what I didn't tell you is I found my perfect wicker bag in this little cafe/shop called  Burnt Orange . I have been searching for the right wicker bag for years, but they were always either too big, too floppy or just too gimicky. I wanted something not too small and not too big, something lightweight but sturdy, with distressed ashy colour, not the pine looking stuff you see in two dollar shop and chunky weave with a hint of that lovely wicker smell. I told you I'm picky!

Well, as you can see, I've finally found my perfect wicker bag, and I LOVE IT! Have been using it every day since, I am in love with the hint of wicker smell which reminds me of the beach, and on top of everything else I've mentioned earlier, its lovely raw heather handle and the candy stripe lining. I'm tempted to go back and get the other one with blue lining just in case I can't find another one just like it in 10 years time.

What do you do? Are you as obsessive as me in terms of finding the perfect item on your list? I'd love to find out what you do.

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Illustration fancy: fan

Date acquired: around 2010

Emotional worth: -5 stars

Who thinks fans are ugly? Since I've been working from home, I have developed a love-hate relationship with Mr fan here. Although he does keep me sane and productive during the really hot days, the rest of the time he just sits in a corner wasting space and gathering dust. Surely there are better looking fans out there, but I just can't bring myself to spend a lot of money on something which you will only use a few times a year. I guess I just have to accept this eyesore and learn to love him for what he is.

Aerogard

Date acquired: Summer 2011
Emotional worth: 5 stars

This is no exaggeration, mosquitoes loves me, they love me so much they will make strategic plans just so that they can suck on my sweet sweet blood. I told Mat once and he thought I was crazy until the night he saw an army of mosquitoes attacking me while him and his family looked on not even getting a tiny sting. They were horrified and could not believe their eyes, I honestly don't think any of them saw me the same way ever since.

Oh Aerogard, what will I ever do without you? You save me from armies of blood thirsty mosquitoes just so I can go for long bush walks, watch outdoor movies, have picnics with loved ones and sleep tight like a baby at night.

On a side note, this is my 100th post. This blog has evolved quite a lot since it started, from an illustration only blog to crafty projects, cooking adventures and just general random ramblings. People say you should only really focus on one topic and stick with it, but I would not do it any other way. Happy 100th post my little bloggy friend.