Hitachino Beer

Date acquired: late May 2011

I'm not much of a beer drinker. In fact, I can't stand any beer except for dark beer. There's something about the after taste of normal beer which I can't stand. In saying that, I have started a beer bottle collection. So far, I'm being very picky with my collection, only keeping the ones with funky labels. But hey, we are all a bit shallow deep down.

I got this bottle while we were in Melbourne. We went to this vintage Japanese + robot themed bar. They had the full range of Hitachino beer, each with their own cute label. They have a really adorable website too, go check it out. I would have bought all of them if they were not so expensive. At $12 a bottle, I got one for Mat with the intention of keeping the bottle all to myself. I don't think the lady was very impress when she saw me putting the bottle in my bag.

I don't exactly know what I will do with the bottles, I'm thinking of placing them on top of the kitchen cupboards and use them as vases. What do you think?

I'm also going to my first Brown Owls meeting tomorrow night. I am quite excited but a bit apprehensive. Hopefully the girls will like me, I can get awfully shy in group situations. I will let you know how I went in my next post.

Emotional worth: 3 stars

Peppermint Magazine

Peppermint magazine
Do you have a soft spot for magazines? I don't mean those silly weekly gossip dribble, but ones with actual content that will make you stop and ponder. One of my favourite is Peppermint magazine, it is a bi-monthly magazine filled with all things eco and ethical. For their lastest issue, I was lucky enough to do some illustrations for them!! I had so much fun! Hopefully our path will cross again in future issues.
Emotional worth: 5 stars

I was shocked when I realized my drawing takes up half the page! Luckily I made the effort of writing out every word on the label.

On a side note, what are your new year resolutions? Mine are to do more drawings on this blog, maybe 2 per week, create a popper website for my graphic business (The bunny theory), look for more graphic/illustration job opportunities, sew more dresses and read more books. Doesn't seem like much, hopefully I'll be able to tick these off in twelve months time.

Red nail polish

Red nail polish
Date acquired: Various
I'm a sucker for colourful nails, but to have five nail polishes in different shades of red, that is just ridiculous!
Emotional worth: 0 stars

Blackwork

Blackwork
Date acquired: July 2010
I have a tendency to acquire lots of hobbies and this is my latest acquisition. I have never tried embroidery before except for a bit of cross stitching in primary school. It is so much fun!! The patterns are super simple but oh so elegant. At the moment, I'm embroidering a border for a soon to be dress. It takes forever, but I think it will be worth it once it is done. I'm already thinking about the next project after this. Maybe a new cushion for the couch? 
Emotional worth: 4 stars

Snake skin handbag

Snake skin handbag
Date acquired: January 2009
This handbag is older than me! Dad bought it for Mum when they first started going out many many years ago. Apparently there were matching shoes to go with it too, but the shoes couldn't last the distance. I love the texture of the bag, it's very delicate and according to mum, the only way to really look after it is to stroke it with your hand every few weeks so the leather wouldn't dry out. How interesting is that!
Emotional worth: 4 stars

Bunny hair clip

Bunny hair clip
Date acquired: January 2010
I received this bunny hair clip as a gift with purchase at this adorable little shop named Blackbird Corner in Newcastle. The clip is so adorable that it puts a smile on my face every time I put it on. Although it is only something cheap and disposable, it has a lot of emotional attachment for me because it acts as a reminder to one of the best weekends I've had this year. It was one of the hottest weekends ever and we were stuck in traffic for over 2 hours while getting there, normally this would dampen anyone's spirit, but we were having so much fun in the car that nothing else seems to matter. By the time we got to our hotel, we spent the rest of the afternoon splashing in the pool and exploring the lazy town. The day ended with an intimate gig with the oh so lovely Cat Power. Oh... how I miss Newcastle.
Emotional worth: 5 stars

Vintage bronze cuff

Vintage bronze cuff
Date acquired: June 2010
This cuff was bought at a little vintage jewellery shop in Paddington. Me and my buddy Lisa were exploring the back streets of Paddington when we accidentally stumble upon this little vintage shop. Once inside, we were like little kids playing with a dress up box, trying on one thing after the other. My eyes lit up when I spotted the cuff sitting in a corner, everything about it was just perfect, the colour, the weight, even the smell of the bronze. I even got a discount from the owner because she knew how much I like it.
Emotional worth: 4 stars

Wolf & Willow

The lovely Nancy was kind enough to ask me to be her guest blogger in her super sweet blog Wolf & Willow.  I was so over the moon that I have to do an illustration on my favorite library outfit. It is sad that people don't visit the library as much as they used to. Do you still visit your local library? Or better yet, do you have a favourite library outfit?

Masquerade mask

Masquerade mask
Date acquired: August 2009
I bought this for a masquerade ball last year. I have never been to any dress up party or masquerade ball before so it was a completely new experience for me. Although it was only a work function, it was still very exciting, the fact that it was at the Sydney Opera House was an extra bonus. I didn't wear the mask for very long though because I felt really awkward with it on. Maybe I'll be able to leave it on longer next time.
Emotional worth: 4 stars

Aesop skincare

Aesop skincare
Date acquired: Various around 2010
I am a big fan of Aesop, I love everything about them. The product, the packaging, the look of their stores, the friendliness of their staff, their marketing... One would think I'm a spokesperson for their brand.
Emotional worth: 2 star
Click here to visit their website.

Dessert girl

Erin from Dessert Girl was kind enough to ask me to be a guest blogger in her blog. I had so much fun illustrating my favourite dessert, it is a very simple treat but I've never been very good at baking or making sweets. What's your favourite dessert, love to hear from you.

Yellow pinafore

Yellow pinafore

Date acquired: around 2007

I love this little pinafore, it is so thick and warm, and the yellow always put me in a happy mood during the dreary winter. Unfortunately, I have gained a bit of weight since then and now it is quite tight when I put it on. I can't bear to give it away yet though, if only I can lose 3 kilograms then it will be a perfect fit again.

Emotion worth: 3 star

Milky lollies

Milky lollies
Date acquired: November 2009
I am in love with Milky lollies, I had my first encounter when I travelled to Japan late last year. It was the cute packaging which first attracted me, but the moment I tried the lolly I was in milky heaven. It was like having a big lump of condensed milk in my mouth. We ended up buying packets and packets of milky lollies from the Milky shop. Now I am down to my last packet and I can't bring myself to open it. If only I can have a lifetime supply of Milky.
Emotional worth: 5 star
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Jazz & yum cha, Chinese garden

Jazz & yum cha, Chinese garden
Date: 22 May 2010
I went to this a few weeks ago, but because I had such a good time, I can't help but make an illustration of it. This was a part of the Jazz Festival they had at Darling Harbour awhile ago, and as the title suggest, it was yum cha with a side of Jazz. I was extra impress because they were able to make me a special vegetarian tasting plate, definately going back again next year.
4 stars
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What not to say

What not to say
Date acquired: January 2009
I've got a confession to make. I love books, I love them so much I would turn my house into a library if I could. The books become so precious to me that I always save the ones I really want to read for rainy days. This is one of such books, it looks so fun and interesting that I'm scared I'll finish it early and my love affair with it will be over. It's sad isn't it?
Emotional worth: 3 stars
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Nintendo DS

Nintendo DS
Date acquired: November 2007
I'm a sucker for nintendo game boys, had one since I was a kid. I even owned a yellow pokemon special edition one point in my life. I don't play with it much anymore but still like to get obsessed with a game every now and again. I tend to like the repetitive games, my favourites are Cooking Mama and this camping game called Lost in Blue. The DS is something that keeps me in touch with my childhood.
Emotional worth: 4 stars
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Pink stripy dress

Pink stripy dress
I took a few days off work last week and thought I'd make a new dress to waste some time. The material is a very lightweight cotton with silver threads running through it and I've bind the neckline and sleeve with silver ribbons. It's a very simple dress, but I love it to death. Too bad it is approaching winter here, or else I'll be wearing it everywhere. 
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Chinese Garden, Darling Harbour

Chinese Garden, Darling Harbour
Date: 22 May 2010
The last time I was at the Chinese Garden was probably over ten years ago, I've forgotten how beautiful it is. Everything in the park is meticulously planned, creating a visual wonderland right in the centre of a busy city.
3 stars.
Visit the Chinese Garden

Harts pub, the rocks

Hart's pub, the rocks
Date: 15 May 2010
We went to the newly refurbished Harts pub for a lazy Saturday lunch. I had a Cribb's Porter and Mat had a Byrne's Red Ale. The food was amazing, we had the baked goat cheese skillet, stuffed mushrooms and the best chips ever! We were so stuffed that we had to take a long walk to the art gallery to walk it off.
3 stars
Visit Harts pub

Yellow Melissa shoes

Yellow Melissa shoes
Date acquired: March 2010
These are one of the most comfortable high heels I own. They are made of plastic and smells like bubble gum. The yellow is so bright that I'm surprise it doesn't glow in the dark. I always know that I'm going too have a good dat whenever I put these on.
Emotional worth: 5 stars