Saturday, October 25, 2008

102 Dwelllings by Dosmasuno Architects


Spanish architects Dosmasuno have completed an apartment block in the Madrid suburb of Carabanchel. Encased in a pristine galvanished white mesh on a linear facade facing the sun, this block is designed with playful cantilevered modules on its opposite side. Kind of like a Sejima-meets-MVRDV project.

Despite the seeming irregularities on the protruding face, this apartment block actually consists of 102 dwelling units of the same layout. A wonderful example of how economies of scale achieved by repetition can also create interesting forms.

For more pictures, click here.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Marie-Thérèse Gown GIVEAWAY!!!!

I guess now with 2 girls, one cannot help but venture into baby websites and blogs filled with pretty little things just for girls. Like this Marie Antoinette-like dress I saw here today. And the creator of this dress, Kathleen, is giving this dress away!! All you have to do is to link back to her post! Deadline is Friday 10/24/08.

The very very talented Kathleen does bi-weekly giveaways on Grosgrain and I must say that almost everything she whips up with her sewing machine is beautiful! I also love this, and this, and this. Somehow, her pictures really captures the mood of the dresses and costumes she makes. Glad I found this site today.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Sharing the journey

I am feeling so much more refreshed now after a 2 hour nap in the afternoon. The past week has been a big process of adjustment for our family since we returned from the hospital...

Juggling the different needs of a newborn and 2 year old has definitely been challenging, especially with very little sleep, nursing round the clock while while fighting a cold virus, and maintaining an online shop with a backlog of orders and enquiries received while I was away. Hopefully things will settle down to a more predictable schedule soon. For now at least, I feel much better after a nap and the house is all quiet as the babies are now sleeping.

I really missed surfing the web and blogging over the past 2 weeks. Thank you all for checking in and for your well wishes. It really warms my heart to know there are so many friends round the world that I got to know through this blog that are able to share my joy at a time like this. There are a few special people I need to thank at this point and whose work I have been wanting to share on this blog for the longest time.

First of all, Ron of Eyedeas Photography, a very talented wedding photographer whom I got to know through laissezfaire. I was very touched when Ron offered to take my pregnancy pictures when he first heard I was expecting back in March. We feel really blessed to have Ron document this very special moment in our lives for us. He has not only blessed us with his friendship, but also he very special talent in photography. Thank you so much again, Ron!
(above) My pregnancy pictures taken by Ron at week 34.

Ron also does overseas wedding shoots so do contact him if you like his work to check on his availability. He does get booked up quite fast so you have to reserve his time early! You can also check on more of Ron's current work on his blog and website.

And just before I left for the hospital last week, Dorothy, designer and founder of the Dotted Line sent me a beautiful package of her latest creations from her new design label specializing in nursing wear, Dote Studio. Thank you again, Dorothy!

Dorothy, whom I also got to know through laissezfaire, recently gave birth to a beautiful baby, Ellis. Before entering the fabulous world of fashion, she spent her days in a small cubicle at a large international financial institution. She decided to follow her passion a few years back when she took up a course in fashion design and started the Dotted Line. With her new journey into motherhood early this year, she wasted no time in getting started with her second business venture, Dote Studio when she got fed up with the lack of stylish nursing wear available in Singapore.

Dorothy had contacted me some time back to help design her new label. While I was occupied with several projects at that time, I am really glad I took on this project as I wanted to be a part of it since I was once a nursing mom myself who was frustrated with the wardrobe options currently available. The process of designing the label for Dote Studio was very enjoyable as Dorothy would be what I call an "enlightened client". She knew what she wanted...something simple, feminine and elegant, but did not limit me in terms of the design process.

I can't wait to try on the clothes that Dorothy sent me below once that postpatum tummy becomes less visible.

above: Mist puff sleeve dress (S$109, US$75 approx)above: Slate Top. (S$69 or US$48 approx.)

I probably won't look as good as the model above but at least I will feel good! No more frumpy nursing clothes....yay! Dote Studio ships internationally at S$15 (or US$11 approx) per item. For more info, do visit their website.

Dote Studio will also be collaborating with Maternity Exchange, Singapore, to offer more nursing options in the coming months. I am also glad to be involved in designing a simple clothing label for this -Dote for MX.

Besides designing 2 fashion labels, Dorothy also writes regularly on her blog Drastic Measures which covers fashion, crafting, design and daily life. Another 2 thumbs up for this multi-tasking mom who has ditched the corporate rat race to follow her passion!

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Nadya Vitalyevna Zagorodnova


I have not been able to blog as much as I would like to over the past week as our family just welcomed a little bundle of joy over the weekend.

With praise and thanksgiving to God, Nadya Vitalyevna Zagorodnova was born on October 11, weighing a hefty 4.535kg (or a perfect 10 lbs to be exact). Apart from the lack of sleep and endless feeding over the past few days, our family is overjoyed!

Do bear with me if I don't manage to keep up with my regular posts at laissezfaire over the next week or so as we adjust to the new addition in our family. I promise I will be back soon! I will also be blogging more about my second journey into motherhood and other baby-related discoveries at my other blog, Pupsik. Meanwhile, I better catch up with some sleep while I can! =))

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

The Simple Things in Life

...that bring the most joy. ( from Fredflare via sweet-low)

Monday, October 6, 2008

Milk and Bread

While I am not a huge fan of dog tags, this is something that I would love to have. Made from sterling silver, this tag comes custom made with the words and/or date you want. Available here.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

No smoking

Think these eraser matchsticks and cigarette pencils would make a good gift for someone you are trying to get to quit smoking? Probably not but it will be fun. (via pencil talk)