And then there was light!

DH and I have been hunting for lights for our new home for a really long time. Several trips to Balestier and visits to the new lifestyle hub at Marina Square yielded nothing. Perhaps it was just me being fussy, but nothing caught our fancy. We were so desperate for pretty lights we even contemplated shipping them in from the States – except that the voltage is different and shipping cost too much. We were almost convinced we’d have to live in semi-darkness for the rest of our time in this apartment… until we chanced upon the Laura Ashley sale! We didn’t even know they brought in lights – always thought it was just girly floral dresses and bedlinen…

We’ve paid for (but haven’t decided on which) one of these petite chandeliers for the spa/guest room:

A touch-sensitive (cool!) floor lamp with ivory drum-shade for the living room:

And a pair of these for our bedroom:




Now all we need is for the furniture people to deliver our bedside tables….

30

Hubs turns 30 today and we had a little dessert party last night to celebrate. Grand plans of baking a cheese cake and a chocolate tart fell through when the oven tripped the electrical circuits in the apartment. So I cheated and got a double chocolate praline birthday cake from the patissier and an assortment of macaroons from canele to stand in… heee…

Wines, cheese, fruits, desserts, and great company made for a very lovely evening indeed!

Happy Birthday, dear!!

Birthdays BBQ

for Wei, XL and me

the singing

The cake-cutting

The toast

all of us

with Wei and Kay

27

the days leading up to and the day itself were spent at day-long meetings which were followed by night-long drafting sessions. what a bummer. didn't even have time to get all mopey and pensive about creeping one more year nearer to the big 3-0. but i was starting to get really depressed when it was fast approaching 10pm and i was STILL stuck in the boardroom of X firm, tapping away on the computer and taking instructions.

Thankfully i got off the hook and managed to have a quick dinner, lovingly prepared by mummy dearest (complete with red eggs!), with hubs, before zipping off to join the girls for a drink. sadly, i arrived AFTER midnight! *fail*

in view of the very sad situation of having missed my very first birthday with hubs after we've been married, the 16th of December (the day after) was declared my birthday for this year instead. hee...

slept in late and woke up to a big breakfast, courtesy of hubs, then traipsed down to the new (to me!) Marina Square pick out furniture for our "spa room". 'twas a lovely lovely day! even though i had to get back to work again on Sunday.

oh please... let me get through the rest of the week...

Birthday Flowers

to replace the ones i'd lost on the evening of our wedding...

It's Christmas! and i'm inspired...

Don’t think I’ll be having a very Christmassy Christmas this year, what with all the work that’s coming my way – the long weekend looks burnt – BUT that’s no reason for not dressing up the home, right? :)

Am in the process of “making” a wreath too. Didn’t very much like the prickly ones that the artificial Christmas trees are made of, so I picked a plain deep-green leafy bough mounted on dried twigs – love the forest-chocolate colour contrast, and will be adding on some of my own berries, acorns and red poinsettia (unfortunately all artificial though…) to complete it.

DH didn’t want a Christmas tree this year (time and space constraints), so I’m settling for 3 antique-bronze finished candle stands in the corner, adorned with festive holly and berries and a silver platter of natural-finish and gilded acorns!

Busyness

the past few weeks have gone by in a blur - where did all the time go? things just popped up one after another, and all i feel is exhaustion. the weeks ahead look dismal, and i'm not looking forward to losing the upcoming weekend - especially not when i'd made plans! anyways, the notable events of the past few weeks include our department retreat to Hanoi, Kimi's baby shower and the sis-in-law's wedding just last weekend. Brain's too tired - will just let the pictures do most of the talking... [soon as they’re uploaded… sorry…]

Hanoi

Didn't get much time on our own since we had to attend several compulsory dinners, breakfasts and workshops. but it was an interesting place, though the awful traffic was a little too much to deal with. it's dangerous to walk along the streets and cross the road, cos the motorists (cars, vans, scooters, bicycles and all) just don't stop for nobody!

Li Sher's Birthday

We checked out the 3-week old Hacienda at Tanglin Village/Dempsey Road - a nice chill place but the drinks were nothing to rave about. The watermelon martini that came recommended tasted a little odd. Lychee's much better, methinks. It was a devil-themed party so we all got to wear horns and a cute devil-cake.

The Sis-in-law's wedding

A sweet confection of pink and chocolate hues! Char & J had an early morning (9.30am!!!) ceremony followed by a lunch at the Hilton, where J belted out a very touching rendition of爱很简单. We ended up with a very funny-when-drunk couple by 7.00pm… ;p

Friday Night Cookout

Alex is back from Sydney, and visited us at our new place for the first time. We made dinner – linguine in pesto sauce with pine nuts button shrooms, with wok-fried giant prawns – and got tipsy on some bubblies. *giggle*

The Breakfast Club

Not too many people I’d sacrifice a rare Saturday morning of sleep for…

Dinner in the neighbourhood

Char and J were coming over to our place for drinks, and we got lazy thinking about where to eat, so popped over to the new-ish Robataya Yoyogi at The Pier for what we had thought would be a good dinner. It was quaint and interesting - they serve you your food on a long paddle – and it was packed with Japanese, so we thought it must be authentic. Turns out the service was bad, inattentive staff and a really grouchy cashier who looked bored and unhappy about collecting your money, and teensy portions of very normal tasting but exorbitantly priced food. Never again!!

After-dinner drinks were much better. We polished off a refreshing sauvignon blanc and some cheese and Char & J hung around to chat till late. No burping madness from the newly-weds this time… hehe….

Sunrise, sunrise...

Looks like mornin' in your eyes...

Wedding Pics!!!

Finally... after a long night of waiting, the pics are uploaded. Click on pictures for the series.

Pre-Ceremony

Church Ceremony

The Afternoon


Tea Ceremony

The Banquet

Quiet Night

Hubs is out for a "boys only" outing - a friend's stag night, so I have the house to myself, and some quiet time to catch up on the housework (urgh, yes...) and reconnect with the world of internet (the boy had been working from home the past few weekends on our only computer...).

It's been a less than ideal day at work, but at least it's a public holiday tomorrow, and we are off to Hanoi for a department retreat come Friday. Yay! Except, I've somehow been roped in to help out in the organising committee, so that means it isn't all play for me. Still, I hope to get some shopping and lotsa eating done. *grin*

OK, resolution for the short break this week - upload our wedding pics. Promise.

So the haze has finally gotten to me. And in a very bad way - my throat is inflamed, nose is running and my ears are buzzing away inside. Though I really ought to be resting, that's impossible at the moment. We found that the water wasn't draining out of the shower stall last night, and there was backflow this morning and the pipe spewed what looked like construction debris. Sheesh!!! So the developers have sent their plumber to our place and there is much noise, much water running and much *good* smells. as they poke/pump/vacuum and whatever else they can do... and it's all a mess. They've even removed both toilet bowls - like literally ripped them out from the wall/floor. I'm hoping they get it all cleared up by today, else we'll probably have to move back to mum's place for the night. URGHK. And I don't even dare to think about the major cleanup and super-disinfecting i have to do later...

Only consolation - (despite the barrage on my olfactory senses from the crap they're stirring up in the bathroom) - our luscious bed...


Now if they would only hurry up, cos my head hurts and I want to quickly finish up the springcleaning so I can shnuggle back into bed....

a reprieve?

After days of smoke inhalation, the air cleared for a little bit this evening, and we spent some time just cuddling at the bay window, enjoying the cool gentle breeze and the city lights twinkling softly in the distance.

It's so surreal - we're married and living in our very own home. Maybe it'll all finally sink in when the bills come in. haha... but till then, i'm in bliss! :)

The First Week

So we’ve moved into our new home, and over the past week or so, it’s taking shape. The curtain man came in over the weekend to install the drapes and blinds so we don’t wake up at 6am anymore, and we’ve started stocking up the kitchen with some decent food and the necessary apparatus to prepare them. There are still some inconveniences here and there that need to be fixed, and we haven’t entirely moved all our stuff from our parents’, but I’m sure it’ll work out slowly somehow.

Sorry, can’t post any pics at the mo, cos there’s no internet connection at home, and I’m posting via email on the blackberry. But we’ll hopefully fix that tonight when I get the router.

On a separate note, the haze has been really depressing. We woke up on Sunday morning feeling like we were in Genting Highlands when we looked out the window. Comfortably ensconced in our air-conditioned room, wrapped between luscious sheets and looking out the window to Fort Canning, it looked like mist, but as soon as we opened the windows, the sharp smell of smoke hit us. It was so bad, the PSI reading hit 140 by late afternoon, and we couldn’t even see Swissotel. We really need some rain here…

haze bad...

before:


after:


Give us back our view!!!!

Back in Singapore

Arrived home early Sunday morning and was greeted with haze. Oh joy… as if hot and humid wasn’t enough. Nonetheless, it was good to be home, although it still feels like we’re living out of suitcases – our apartment isn’t ready and we’re staying temporarily at our respective parents’ homes. Hopefully we can get the place cleaned up and in a liveable condition this weekend…

We kinda went radio-silent towards the end of the trip and stopped updating the travel blog, partly cos the blackberry had stopped working and partly cos we were just too tired. We ended off Argentina with a trip to the Perito Moreno glacier, amazing grilled lamb, and a fiery tango show before heading back to NYC for a *spot* of shopping. Well, enough shopping to have to attempt to get past airport security with 4 pieces of check in luggage (one of which was large enough to store 2 of me without chopping up), and 5 pieces of hand luggage. We did it!!

But reality bites. We’re back at work and the weekend seems so far away…

updates

1. preview pics of the wedding at the Bridezilla blog
2. travel updates at Rambling Roads
3. stuffing our faces with the amazing food in Parilla-land *grin*

New Lace! Yippee!!! :)

24 days to our wedding

i'm ill (again).
the gown's not ready - lace didn't arrive from France!
the guest list is out of control.
the apartment's not ready.

and i have a ton of work to do. i need a holiday!!!

on a happier note, i think we're going to have a really fun honeymoon! :) we've booked ourselves into this hotel in San Telmo - the heart of tango district in Buenos Aires. It's housed in a historic mansion with it's own tango saloon and we get free tango classes everyday we're there. Brandishing the "honeymoon" card definitely has its perks. hee...

We've also scored ourselves a reservation at Per Se, Thomas Keller's (of French Laundry fame) outfit in NYC. World No. 8, here we come! *slurp*

Mini!! This one's for you...

Lychee and Peking Roast Duck flava! ;p

Far and away...

Our regular weekend time together got cut short this week cos i had to fly up to HK for some meetings over the next few days. Even though I'd chosen to fly the latest possible flight out, it still felt like we didn't have enough time together, and I was getting increasingly depressed and mopey as the day wore on.

The comfort food I ordered for room service helped a little and hearing XJ's reasssuring voice over the phone made the distance seem much less, but I still can't seem to get through this blue mist. I know, this sounds so wussy... it's only for a coupla days, and I'm even taking the last flight out on Tuesday so I won't miss out on the public holiday, we've survived worst - weeks on end 10,000 miles apart, months away in London and all... but I miss you!!!

Sigh.. maybe a hot shower and a long soak in the tub will make me feel better...

Lazing in the jacuzzi pool at the rainshower trellis

Je ne veux pas travailler!!!

Ate a worm and feeling ill. Sniff.     

Wedding Website

Our wedding website is (mostly) up and running, in preparation for the invitations which are supposed to be distributed next week. Check it out here!

Wedding Frenzy

It's a little scary how time flies - we only have 47 days to go before the Big Day - and there's so much left undone. It doesn't help that we have to deal with the apartment and 12-hour work days.

Majorly freaked out when the invitation cards came back in the WRONG colour. But they've agreed to do a reprint, so i'm keeping my fingers crossed the cards turn out right this Thursday. I don't have the time to do a third run. I'm still wondering how on earth green could turn out grey. Nevermind. Bygones.

We've also just collected the keys to our apartment last weekend. It's all very exciting, but stressful at the same time, cos we have to do it up to a live-able state before September, and that requires time and money - very much in scarcity at the moment! I suppose at worst we just can't have visitors over for a long while. Either that, or you'll have to bring your own stool! haha.

Work's been sucky and I may have to make a trip to HK next week. Ordinarily, I wouldn't be complaining - good food, all expenses paid, free air miles! But I really can't afford the time away, what with all the preparations.

Sigh. This really is a boring and blue post. I'm just not in the mood. Maybe tomorrow.

I'm out of here.

Sneak Peek

view from the living room

rooms at the back look out to town

balcony looks into bathtub?!

rainshower trellis - we can pretend we're on a spa holiday! :)

Shenn's Barney Sunday

Took the little tyke out for the day to see Barney & Friends "live" at Plaza Singapura. He's a real cutie!! 'cept when he takes 2 hours to finish lunch...

I also learnt that Barney's green friend's called Babybop and the yellow 'un is BJ. "I love you... you love me... we are one big family..." *urgh* but the big smiles, exuberant giggles and baby "bear" hugs made my day. :)

Take me home?....

One year ago, he asked and she said yes...

One year later, he remembers the date! :)

Mock-up of my wedding flowers, minus the hydrangeas. Love that Shellen's creation almost replicates the alencon lace on my gown - big, luscious blooms speckled with delicate blossoms for a textured look and the eucalyptus leaves were an interesting touch. Smells lovely too!

The Faces of Super-Formaggio

Unidentified cheese at Wine Garage - some say it tastes like giam hur (salted fish), others say 皮蛋 (preserved century egg)... This must be what durian is like to angmos!

Wedding Bells

Our dear friend registered his marriage today at a lovely, intimate ceremony at Windows East, Four Seasons. It looked like a page right out of Martha Stewart's - tall floral centrepieces, gold-rimmed bone china, sterling silver teasets, crisp white linen and homemade cupcakes topped with white, baby pink and frosty yellow icing. Sweet!

Wannabe Tai-tai

What's a girl to do when her man is away?... Pamper herself! I've lined up a host of body-blissful treats for today. Part of my "I'm a bride - indulge me" campaign.

So off I go now for my body scrub, massage, facial, mani, and pedi... Woohoo!

Laterz...

...the sale worth waiting for...

So my nesting instincts went into overdrive today, and mum and I headed down to the Robinson's preview sale.

In just a little over 2 hours, I managed to amass a fortune of bedlinen, feather pillows, down duvets, more bedlinen, bath towels, kitchen towels, and a whole set of crockery. Mighty pleased with meself, I must say.

Best thing about this shopping trip? I didn't have to lug any of it home - they're delivering for free! Can't wait to hug those fluffy pillows and run my hands over the cool sateen sheets when they arrive this Saturday... mmm...

A Weekend of Firsts

Voted for the first time at the 2006 General Elections. My vote is secret. ;p

Disclaimer: This post is "persistently non-political"!!!


Under instructions from my wedding makeup artist, I highlighted my hair for the first time in my life. Serious. Colour therapist almost didn't believe me....

Now I suppose I'm a certified ah lian? Haha...