Lovely Room

Lovely Room has moved !!!

2008-04-20T00:23:00.006+08:00

Lovely Room has a new home, come visit me now at www.thelovelyroom.com!

If you have bookmarked my site, do update your bookmarks too!

Thanks you. :)

Ikea Lovin'

2008-04-17T22:16:00.005+08:00

Scouting for a couple of things for my utility area.

I know their stuff are cheap but I nearly fell off my (Ikea) chair when I noticed the prices -- $0?

A Puzzling Need

2008-04-16T17:49:00.005+08:00

This morning, I decided that my life would be more complete if I had a Rubik's cube. Not just any cube (I have two standard issue rainbow coloured cubes), it has to be a pastel one(j). Failing which, I'd settle for a platinum Bedlam cube (UK).

Simplehuman Dishrack

2008-04-14T11:46:00.004+08:00

I like the fact that the drip tray of this dish rack from Simplehuman has a pivoting spout that drains water collecting below the rack. Oh, the matte steel with fingerprint-proof coating is sexy too.

Teeny, Tiny Slices of Life

2008-04-11T13:56:00.004+08:00

Beautifully detailed creations to rival Re-Ment. Above, from Kimie Okumura. Below, Blog Noir, an amazing blog dedicated to clay miniatures. Wow.. just wow!

In case you want to try a hand at creating miniature furniture or flowers, there's a also tutorial at this site.

Heart-Shaped Yolk, Anyone?

2008-04-08T15:13:00.004+08:00

Dear Internet people,
How does this thing work?

Dreamland egg mould From Obentou.

Update: The answer at Bentosupply.

Say Cheese-cake Again!

2008-04-03T15:57:00.018+08:00

Today, I'm going cheesecake-crazy. I'm dedicating this entry to Fanny of Foodbeam - Your email made me very happy today and I believe you'll love these beauties. :):):)

Everyone sitting comfortably? Good, then we'll begin.
(All websites are in Japanese)

Handsome-looking rectangular cheesecake from Anniversaire. If I have to fight for this, I'll grab the ends first. I ♥ cheesecake crust.

A perfectly-sized-slice-for-me chocolate cheesecake from Nissen. Though I love to eat them, I like to have small servings at a time. This looks like the perfect size to me. I'll have 5 slices, please. Ooops!

Stripey crust cheesecake from Potager. Ah, reminds me of circus tents -- fun!

File these under "interesting". 55cm-long cheesecake and zunda(edamame paste) cheesecake with edamame beans from Enfan.

Related posts
Cheese(Cake) Sticks
Say Cheese-cake! In Japanese

Be Juicy, Kids!

2008-04-01T17:39:00.000+08:00

Cute illustration (if the auto-translation is to be believed, it's drawn by kids) for kids' fruit juice packaging from Be Juicy! (jp)

All Kinds of Sweet

2008-03-31T17:32:00.002+08:00

Sweet, sweet sugar in various pretty forms from Can À Suc (fr).

Caramel Apples

2008-03-25T22:50:00.003+08:00

Beautiful gourmet caramel apples from Mrs. Prindables.

Re-Ment ♥ - It's No Secret

2008-03-23T13:05:00.000+08:00

Re-ment (Reform The Entertainment) is a Japanese company that manufactures Puchi Petites -- scaled miniatures of everyday items. If you're into dolls, Re-ment miniature replicas would be a great addition to your dolly's world:

Speaking of dolls, I saw a woman carrying a Volks Super Dollfie (a 1:6 scale ball-jointed doll) in her arms at a bookstore the other day. She treated it like it was her baby, talking and fussing over it. It was... weird. But even if dolls aren't your thing, there's no reason why you can't appreciate the realistic-looking collectibles:

Rement products are not expensive, most selling at 200-400 yen (around USD3), but they are sold in a series of mystery boxes ala trading cards so you may need to buy a few boxes from the same series before you could get the item you want (though it is possible to buy single unboxed items at a higher price). I didn't know this prior to my trip to Tokyo so when I insisted to a salesgirl there that I wanted item no. 9 on the box she was all "Secret! Secret! All SECRET!!!"

Great Little Toys

2008-03-20T20:40:00.000+08:00

Retro wooden kitchen set and soft barbeque set from Great Little Trading Co.

Easter Eggs

2008-03-19T14:37:00.005+08:00

Austrian hand-painted easter egg ornaments and copper flower cookie cutter set from Sur La Table.

Umbra

2008-03-18T16:47:00.001+08:00

Handsome photo album and coin bank from Umbra U+ collection.

Mr Moffles

2008-03-18T16:15:00.003+08:00

What's a moffle maker? Mochi (or muah chee) is glutinous rice pounded to a paste and formed into shapes. A moffle is a mochi waffle. A moffle maker makes moffles.

Feeling Colourful

2008-03-14T22:12:00.011+08:00

And very thirsty. Above, Glacéau VitaminWater, below, Complan energy drinks and Innocent Drinks Smoothies for Kids.

It's Always Greener

2008-03-13T15:12:00.000+08:00

I know for a fact that I enjoy green tea neat as a drink but don't really fancy having it in cakes or biscuits, but somehow, I am yearning for these wonderful looking goods from Daisan(jp):

My theory is if you put Japanese characters around large, bright photos of a product , it will confuse your brain into thinking that it looks and tastes more delicious than anything you've ever tried before.

Dreamy Desserts

2008-03-12T13:50:00.008+08:00

I will blissfully believe that something bought from a convenience store can look like this:

To be honest, the actual products - panna cotta, green tea and latte pudding - from here(jp) look quite good too. Mmmm...

How Now Moo! Cow?

2008-03-10T16:00:00.000+08:00

Moo! wallpaper and picnicware from Minimoderns by Absolute Zero Degrees.

Something Cold

2008-03-10T14:01:00.004+08:00

Despite nursing a cold, I'm craving for something sweet, cold and preferably healthy. A frozen yogurt sounds just about right. Like this Plaisir de Yoghourt Banana sorbet from Movenpick. *sniffle*

Eggs-xactly What I Need

2008-03-07T17:02:00.007+08:00

Colourful easter egg cookies from Eleni's New York (a lot more fun cookies on the site), available at Dean & Deluca.

Not easter-related but I can't help it, this is too sweet!

You might also wanna see Joycelyn's egg-ceptional creations at Kuidaore.

Sounds So Rich

2008-03-07T14:58:00.004+08:00

Chunks of bittersweet chocolate, walnuts and the warm flavor of Madagascar bourbon vanilla. Gourment cookies from Rich Design.

Airdeje

2008-03-05T23:58:00.004+08:00

I love the uncommon colour combination of grey and red for a kid's room, from Airdeje(fr).

My Cup of Tea

2008-03-04T16:13:00.000+08:00

Looking forward to eating these assorted treats from Vicenzi for my tea break. (BTW, the puff pastries are delicious. Yum!)

Slip On Something Pretty

2008-03-03T22:39:00.003+08:00

Check out the Moroccan-inspired collection, such as the sweet Madame Roba fleur babouche(flower slippers) at Paris-Morocco(jp).

It's Magic

2008-03-03T12:58:00.002+08:00

This magician's top hat tissue dispenser from Atypyk is almost as entertaining as an actual magic trick.

Cotton On to This

2008-02-29T12:47:00.001+08:00

Organic cotton line of clothes for babies at Couprio(jp).

Go On Fancy Puff, Make My Day

2008-02-28T17:13:00.004+08:00

Gourmet marshmallows (flavours include lemon meringue and toasted coconut) from Plush Puffs.

Dance Steps

2008-02-27T13:08:00.001+08:00

The yummy ballerina flats from French ballet shoes company Repetto(fr) make me wanna dance.

Pretty Wallflower

2008-02-26T11:50:00.004+08:00

I am totally enamoured by the website as much as I am by the pretty decals from Mimi'lou(fr).

Related post
Delicious Wallcoverings

A Touch of Spring

2008-02-25T12:18:00.003+08:00

Loving pretty colours and prints that say Spring! Stationery available from Violet.

Related post
Gifts of the Season

Creative Kits for Kids

2008-02-24T15:22:00.002+08:00

Creative kits - knitting, building, stitching - for children from The Little Experience. (I'm tempted to buy the Knit It Sheep kit for myself) There are also instructions on how to reuse the packaging to act as props for your creations. Genius!

Feeling Flowery

2008-02-23T22:27:00.002+08:00

Pretty bags from Catherine Manuell.

More Tea, Please

2008-02-22T14:36:00.003+08:00

I've run out of tea. Surviving on pictures now. Tangerine white tea sounds so refreshing. PureLeaf tea from Lipton.

Tea and Sympathy

2008-02-21T20:47:00.005+08:00

Right now I could really do with a cup of something warm and comforting. Blossoming tea from Teaposy

You Sassy Dog

2008-02-20T18:37:00.002+08:00

Machine washable hand-crafted rope toys from My Sassy Dog.

Now THIS is a Lovely Room

2008-02-18T15:49:00.003+08:00

Romantic Princess collection at Seikatsuzacca.com(j).
Warning: Pink-addicts, this website might waste about 50 minutes of your life.

Cheese(Cake) Sticks

2008-02-17T15:42:00.003+08:00

Here we go again! Cheesecake from Hanokuni(j)

Related posts
Say Cheese-cake! In Japanese
Matcha Madness

Great Combo

2008-02-15T11:03:00.004+08:00

Still on a V-Day high? Here's a quiz : What's red and brown and goes well together? Why, strawberries + chocolate, of course! Chocolate-covered strawberries from Emily's Chocolates (nice packaging too).

Love Sweets Love

2008-02-14T15:16:00.006+08:00

Yay, I'm in love with...Q-Pot Valentine Collection!(j)
Happy Valentine's Day!

Related posts
Love, Sweet, Love
For the Love of Chocolate
Qpot

Words Are Flowing Out Like Endless Rain into a Paper Cup

2008-02-13T13:55:00.003+08:00

The latest entry at Growing Happiness is about paper cups.
Bonus: New "Starbucks" logo. LOL :)

For Once, I'm Not Craving for Chocolates

2008-02-13T11:56:00.002+08:00

Gimme a sweeat, nutty nougat now. I need one. Maybe one of these Viba Nougat, which claims to be "light and tenderly melting"(ooh, I like the sound of tenderly melting).

Or perhaps one that has bits of green and red and comes in a lovely box, like the one pictured at Notebook Magazine. Mmmmm...

7-in-1 Transformer Dress

2008-02-12T11:23:00.001+08:00

This comfy-looking jersey dress from Victoria's Secret can be worn 7 different ways. If I got one in black and red will I never have to worry about buying another dress for the next two years? Hmm...

Tea and Company

2008-02-11T22:06:00.000+08:00

I love the Ladybird ceramic tea set from Whittard

Living the High(Chair) Life

2008-02-11T12:50:00.000+08:00

If I had a couple of thousand bucks lying around, I'd buy a Sibi Henry IV convertible high-chair for my imaginary babies. Available at Growmodern.

Knit-Pickings

2008-02-10T21:30:00.000+08:00

How's this for adorable? Colourful knitted goodness for the home (and babies) from Anne Claire Petit, available at Orfeo Design.

Quiet Beauty

2008-02-09T20:51:00.000+08:00

Charmingly beautiful 3D illustrations, reminiscent of painted wooden dolls, from Seiko Ohmori.

Love, Sweet, Love

2008-02-06T16:01:00.000+08:00

Oh no! I've fallen for all things pink and heart-shaped. Luckily my new obsession is limited to window-shopping online. Phew!

Sweet images from Williams-Sonoma Valentine's Day collection.

Feeling Yellow

2008-02-06T15:38:00.000+08:00

Cheery yellow flats, wedges, boots and a whole lotta other shoes from Piper Lime by Gap.

Let It Rain

2008-02-05T14:17:00.001+08:00

Kids rain boots in fun colors from Western Chief.

G... That's Nice!

2008-01-31T10:33:00.000+08:00

Beautifully crafted wooden toys by Takeji "Take-G" Nakagawa.

Matcha Madness

2008-01-30T09:47:00.000+08:00

Matcha is the powdered green tea used in the Japanese tea ceremony. It also used to flavour and dye food. It lends a toxic green colour to the exquisite goods here(j) and I love it!

Ice, Ice Baby

2008-01-29T12:46:00.000+08:00

Cabernet sauvignon, caramel cookie, uji matcha, darjeeling tea, hokkaido cream cheese, belgium bittersweet chocolate! Gelato flavours from Lotte Snow(j)

Chasing the Toilet Blues Away

2008-01-27T23:23:00.000+08:00

Pictures that cheered me up while I recover from a nasty bout of stomach flu. Toilet seat covers available from Zakka Shop (j)

Growing Happines

2008-01-16T15:03:00.001+08:00

My new website, Growing Happiness is about sharing growth, gratitude and inspiration. Hope to see you there!

Tokyo No Banana

2007-12-10T15:42:00.000+08:00

The good news is I did go to Tokyo; the bad news... I didn't have enough time to find a Tokyo Banana. :(

Amongst all the things sweet, cute and frilly(Baby, the Stars Shine Bright et al) and all things dark, gothic and punk (Moi Meme Moitie et al) in Harujuku and Shinjuku, I fell in love with this tiered coat from Miho Matsuda at MaruiOne.

Unfortunately it was way above my budget... I did, however get a couple of these. :)

Gifts of the Season

2007-11-13T11:54:00.000+08:00

Things I love... illustrated gift tags from Red Bean, floral perfumes from Bath and Body Works and Nantaka Joy's beautiful card and notebook collection.

Miracle of Life

2007-11-06T16:56:00.000+08:00

I love this Albert Einstein quote, taken from a thought-provoking DK Holland article (in Nov 07 issue of Commarts).

"There are two ways to live your life.
One is as though nothing is a miracle,
the other is as though everything is a miracle."

I hope you choose the latter :)

For the Love of Chocolate

2007-10-25T16:05:00.000+08:00

Why am I so in love with this dress from Victorian Maiden(j)?

And why do these chocolate biscuit accessories from Q-pot(j) winter collection tempt me so much?

Consumed by Cuteness

2007-10-25T15:56:00.000+08:00

From Mochi Mochi Land

Gone Bananas

2007-10-04T14:22:00.000+08:00

"I wanna go to Japan and eat a Tokyo Banana!"
"Why?"
"Because."

My computer has risen from the ashes. YAY!

This is Not Lovely!

2007-09-30T17:32:00.000+08:00

My computer's been in a deep coma for more than a week now.

:'(

Delightfull

2007-09-17T12:06:00.000+08:00

LightFull Satiety Smoothie has only 90 calories and is so packed with fibre you'll get full without loading on the cals.

When I Grow Up I Wanna Be A Dentist...

2007-09-14T14:47:00.000+08:00

Or perhaps a barber? Futuristic-looking(in a retro kinda way) Bloom Fresco high-chair available from Modern Seed

Q-pot

2007-09-09T22:49:00.000+08:00

Love the food-themed accessories (croissant necklaces! macaron rings!) from Q-pot(j).

This Wood Be Nice

2007-09-03T17:01:00.000+08:00

When I was a kid in kindergarten, I only played with the boys -- but only because I loved the wooden toys set aside for them. (The girls were given dolls for playtime - grrr! gender stereotypes! )

Contrary to the amount of cuteness featured on this site, I do not own any Hello Kitty products or the like. I do however, eat lotsa chocolates and ice-cream. :)

Hello Kitty Wooden set from Sanrio(j).

Interior Decoration

2007-09-03T16:57:00.000+08:00

There's a quiet serenity in the works of Stephanie Levy, an American artist / illustrator currently based in Munich.

All Your Choklit Are Belong To Me

2007-08-31T16:59:00.001+08:00

I love this quote by Marianne Williamson found in an article by Gail Blanke from the September 2007 issue of Real Simple.

"Our deepest fear is not that we're inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond all measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually who are you not to be? You are a child of God.

Your playing small doesn't serve the world."

Yo Gabba Gabba!

2007-08-30T17:16:00.000+08:00

I saw a preview clip for Nick Jr's Yo Gabba Gabba! on E! last month and instantly fell for the pretty, colourful sets. I really don't know why some people feel so strongly against the show, but it does feel kinda trippy - and I like it!*

*I don't have kids and count the teletubbies as one of my fav kiddy shows... so feel free to judge me. heh.

Moomin

2007-08-29T17:04:00.000+08:00

Aaah! Too cute! Moomin 3d paper character book available from AssistOn (J).

Happy Days

2007-08-24T11:26:00.000+08:00

Today is another wonderful day! The weather is perfect (it's raining- and I simply love it!) and I have the company of a talkative, purring cat on my desk. Everyday is just so much more beautiful now that I've chosen to live life with fierce optimism! Yay for me!

Focusing on the things I'm grateful for makes me a happier person. It helps that I have been keeping a list of "Things I'm Thankful For" in my notebook so that I can literally count my blessings everyday. I'm not saying that having this list will help everyone, but it's definitely worth a try!

:)

See also Pleasurable Read

Letting the Cat Out of the Bag

2007-08-24T10:11:00.000+08:00

Shhh! They don't know it yet, but I am dumping my moggies for a chi-chi french poodle to match the red Hermes Kelly(or Birkin?)-inspired pet carrier from Cece Kent!

Okay, just kidding!!! :D

Love at First Bite

2007-08-24T00:42:00.000+08:00

I had a vanilla cream puff from Beard Papa's for the first time this week and it was everything I expected it to be. Mmm...

Time for a Change

2007-08-21T11:29:00.000+08:00

I love the one-bag-four-ways-to-carry Society Satchel Cake Diaper Bags from Petunia Pickle Bottom. They are launching two new clutches soon and I must say they look mighty fine too!

These Boots Are Made for Cuties

2007-08-16T15:54:00.000+08:00

How precious are these lil boots from Janie and Jack?

No Cream Ice-Cream

2007-08-15T00:00:00.000+08:00

Dairy free ice-cream from Turtle Mountain.

100% vegan ice-cream from Mondofragilis

In All Honest Tea

2007-08-12T11:13:00.000+08:00

I think I want a pack now, exactly as pictured above -- right down to the translucent purple straw.

Organic ready-to-drink teas From Honest Beverages.

When Pigs Fly...

2007-08-10T18:11:00.001+08:00

Can your bag of chips give you at least half a serving of fruit or vegetables? Impossible?! Not if they're from Flat Earth. (Well, according to them, anyway)

Epicurious

2007-08-10T16:10:00.000+08:00

A curious selection of ingredients the world over - black truffle olive oil and 23k gold dust - made available to the discerning gourmet by L'epicerie.

Open Sundaes

2007-08-09T15:39:00.000+08:00

Is it wrong to wanna take a bite out of these cupcake-shaped bath bombs from Open Sundaes?

Ooh, sticky!

2007-08-08T18:09:00.000+08:00

These recently launched StickerBooks, from the people who gave you the Minicards, turn your photos into perfect, little stickers. Lovely!
Check out Moo for details.

Haute Chocolate

2007-08-08T18:00:00.000+08:00

Curry and coconut ice-cream? Just one of the mind-blowing flavours available from Vosges Chocolate.

Want more? Why not try some white chocolate with lemon oil and crushed peppercorns from Kshocolat?

Height of Perfection

2007-08-08T13:47:00.000+08:00

Don't you just love the feeling of finding a pair of heels that's just the right height? I found these at Kate Spade.

Food Drive

2007-08-07T19:55:00.000+08:00

Check out these cute, yummy-looking USB drives! From Vavolo

Cutting Edge

2007-08-07T13:16:00.001+08:00

Cutlery set designed by Zaha Hadid(yes, the award-winning architect) for WMF

Gift of Good Taste

2007-08-05T14:00:00.000+08:00

Distinctive gifts from Torn Ranch

Wood/Food

2007-08-05T13:29:00.000+08:00

Zero calorie creations from Erzi, Haba, and Decole "Decolello" collection.

Available from Willow Tree Toys and Chocoa(JP)

Divine Cause

2007-08-04T01:18:00.000+08:00

Fairtrade chocolates from Divine.

Never Too Much of A Good Thing

2007-08-03T18:03:00.000+08:00

What only 25 calories a serving? I'll take 8 please!
From Pink Berry

Cups Runneth Over

2007-08-01T11:25:00.000+08:00

"But it's double-walled -- it'll keep my coffee warm longer!"

"No. The ice-cubes are not even floating in one of these cups. There must be some evil force lurking between the walls!"

Ugly inner conflict vs beautiful mugs and cups from
Bodum

Your Not-So-Average Cone

2007-07-30T12:52:00.000+08:00

Another entry on cones? Why not!

With flavours such as black raspberry, peanut butter chip and (Oprah's favourite ice-cream according to them) butter peacan, these cool treats from Graeters look irresistible indeed!

Coffee-Coloured Day

2007-07-29T20:52:00.000+08:00

Top and bottom: Brown tote and wrapping paper from Container Store
Centre: Chocolate tiles from Katjes Gruijters

Not Your Average Cone

2007-07-27T19:45:00.000+08:00

So I said, " What do you mean you don't have chocolate?!"

Savoury Crispy Cones

When The End is Beautiful

2007-07-19T10:54:00.000+08:00

One of my lovely cats had been sick for quite some time.

I watched him go from a strapping ginger tom who prowled the neighbourhood with a regal presence to just a slight shadow of his former self. From terrorising everyone in the house with his fearsome stalking to being a frail cat thoroughly humbled by his growing weakness.

With every dreaded trip to the vet, every bitter pill to he had to swallow, every struggle to live through the day, I cried with him.

When the end finally came last Saturday, I felt a burden being lifted off my shoulders. My dear, dear friend, finally relieved from the pain of his sick body. I cried one last time as I watched him took his final breath -- not of sorrow, but of joy that he is finally free. I never thought I would say this about death but his passing was a beautiful, generous gift for both of us.

I miss him terribly but at least I can rest easy in the knowledge that he is now at a better place.

Thank you for your companionship, old friend.

Tea-time Cravings

2007-05-27T16:01:00.000+08:00

I need a cookie now!
And maybe a cup o' nice tea!

Tiny Things

2007-03-26T23:57:00.000+08:00

This little Unazukin(jp) fairy will listen to your stories all day.

Unique hand-made jewellery from Swank.

A new kitty in da house!

Sweet Things Make Me Happy.

2007-02-16T01:47:00.000+08:00

I'd get these Baumkuchen(European ancestor of the Indonesian lapis legit) Turm® for the packaging alone.

White Day collections from German confectioner Juchheim Japan site.

And I wish I could sink my teeth into one of these like NOW!

From Mister Donut.

V. Sweet

2007-02-14T20:00:00.000+08:00

Love these very realistic chocolate phone accessories from
Strapya

Have a sweet V day! :)

Waffles Are Good, Oui?

2007-01-22T16:08:00.000+08:00

This site (in Japanese) made me smile for 3 reasons:
1) Delicious pictures of waffles ;
2) Fun illustration; and
3) "Please choose various tastes freely" :D

Babylicious

2007-01-21T12:36:00.000+08:00

Fresh designs for hip babies from Babylicious