tinafrog01's Profile

I collect fabric as well and use them in all kinds of projects for myself and as presents. Normally I make sundresses (2 yards) because there's no way I can have too many. I've also hung some beautiful scarves as wall art from a special frame I got in Bali, as well as:
Silk roman shades http://tinyurl.com/kodwrd,
quilted coasters http://www.marthastewart.com/article/quilted-coaster-set,
a bird mobile http://www.spoolsewing.com/blog/2008/05/16/bird-mobile/
book covers http://www.amybutlerdesign.com/pdfs/SweetGreetingsPortfolios.pdf,
and the usual of throws, runners, cushions, placemats, napkins, etc.
My next project will to use a beautiful black and white floral printed cotton from Japan as wallpaper - apply with spray starch stiffener.

I travel a lot and I use this packing list for every trip that I take: http://www.onebag.com/checklist.html Some of the items I find aren't necessary since I'm not backpacking e.g. toilet paper, but it's a good guide to follow. I also pack my own toiletries in 100ml travel size bottles from Muji. Muji also do these great laundry paper soap for washing your own clothes.

YES! considering I would need to carry all my groceries home, my current flat is within a 10 min walking distance to 3 supermarkets, a wet market, delicatessen and butcher. Then again I live in Hong Kong, where a big supermarket/drive everywhere culture just doesn't exist. My criteria is max 15 min walk to public transport and shops. It makes a BIG difference during the summer rainy season.

Heh Ciaran I agree with you that Oriental style jewelry boxes are really elegant. I am not sure about the metal pieces on the front specifically but why don't you check this lacquer jewelry box from Mai Style. I love the colors and they're reasonably priced.
http://www.maistyle.asia/lacquer/boxes-and-chests/jewellery-box-green-with-pink-interior.html

I have a white sofa, and love it but I recommend getting one with removable covers for easy cleaning - especially if you plan on sitting on it.

I grew up with outdoor and indoor shoes, a very Asian concept. When guests visit, I let them do what they are most comfortable with and if they choose to remove their shoes, there is a basket of slippers to keep their feet warm.

Both my husband and I are tidy, and currently vacuum and dust almost everyday because our cat is molting. We also have someone to come in once a week to properly clean the bathrooms, kitchen and do laundry. For a spring clean, we hire window cleaners to come, because it's just too dangerous for us or our cleaner to do them (floor to ceiling windows on an 8th floor).

My mother puts a branch of fake (but real looking) orchid flowers with the plant while she waits for the real flowers to bloom again. Growing up we practiaclly had a green house of orchids. I follow her tips and mist mine once a week and cut the stems down once all the flowers fall off. Other than that I ignore the plant.

My worst is not so much of a spill but an explosion… when I was at university; I wanted to make banoffee pie for the first time. My boyfriend sent me his mother’s recipe which involved boiling a can of condensed milk for about 3 hours. So I put a can in a big pot of boiling water do its thing, and about 30 minutes later there was a huge boom and the kitchen and I was covered head to toe in hot toffee (luckily I was far enough from the stove and had my back to it not to be burned). It took about 2 hours, a jar of peanut butter, bottle of baby oil, and shampoo to get all toffee out of my hair and I never did manage to get all the toffee off the kitchen walls, countertops, stove, floor, ceiling, etc. Turns out I bought the wrong type of can, one with an easy pop top lid. Luckily, when I moved out, the flat was sold and gutted, so didn’t have to explain that one to the landlord, but I have the feeling the permanent smell of warm toffee sold the place.

If you are interested in other lacquerware, you should check out: http://www.maistyle.asia/lacquer.html