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.

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!

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! =))

The Simple Things in Life

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

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.

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)

Gypsy Chandelier

Simply adore this Gypsy Chandelier from Australian website Mini-Style.

Cool sleeves for your laptops

How cool is this? This laptop sleeve looks so much like a real envelope! You just have to make sure it doesn't go out in the OUT tray together with your laptop by mistake. Available here.

Above: Wonder Threads Laptop sleeve designed with velcro seals.

And if you are looking for a waterproof one, this one below from manilamac would be perfect.

Shonah

These gorgeous necklaces handmade from resin fabric and wood shapes from Melbourne-based jewellery designer Shona. Shona uses a blend of her original screen-printed fabrics, patchwork and vintage fabrics on each piece which is mounted on Tasmanian oak. To see more of her work, click here.

Bang-bags sale

The very talented Argentinian illustrator Ana Laura Perez, designer of bang-bags recently emailed me to let me know about a big sale she is currently having. Most of the art, accessories in her etsy shop are one of a kind item and all has to go to make way for a new line she is currently working on. Do check it out and don't miss this chance to get one of her incredibly beautiful artwork!

(above) collage on paper

Eurobad74

Retro interior fans should check this website out. It is called Eurobad74 and showcases some of Europe's "worst designs" from 1974. Some of it is not that bad, really. Would make a lovely backdrop for a fashion shoot today.

Bathroom picks from Anthropologie

1. Madeleine shower curtain
2. Ornamental Hand Mirror, Phoebe

3. Refracted Ambiance Jar

4. Sculpted bath linens

5. Oversized Eyelet Bathmat

Cassette Tape USB Hub

Now this will make a cool gift for a techno geek. Available here.

H for Hannah

UK born, LA based ceramic designer, Hannah recently emailed to let me know about her new collection, The Jewellery Collection. Inspired by all things fashion, all designs are handmade in the UK from beautiful English bone china. To see more of her work, click here.

10 Most Influential Design Bloggers

The time has come to find out who are the current movers and shakers in the design blogsphere!!

After the smashing success they had with last year's inaugural poll, The Home Rejuvenation's poll on '10 Most Influential Design Bloggers' is now back again!

This year, The Home Rejuvenation has consolidated a long list of design blogs (see below) culled from votes received during last year's poll.

2Modern Design Talk
30 gms
Absolutely Beautiful Things
An Indian Summer
Another Shade Of Grey
Apartment Therapy
Beach Bungalow 8
Behind The Curtains
Better Living Through Design
Bloesem
Blue Ant Studio
Brilliant Asylum
Casapinka
Charles And Marie
Contemporist
Cool Hunting
Core 77
Cube Me
David Report
Decor8
Design Boner
Design Boom
Design East
Design Milk
Design Observer
Design*Sponge
Design Spotter
Designers' Block UK
Designers Who Blog
Desire To Inspire
Dezain
Dezeen
Dezona
Fabulously Green
Freshome
Grijs
Happy Mundane
Hemfeber
Home Rejuvenation
Ikea Hacker
Imedagoze
Inhabitat
It's (K) not Wood
Josh Spear
K-Fresh Designs
Karin's Style Blog
Katiedid
Laissezfaire
Land+Living
Lena Corwin
Made By Girl
Materialicious
MocoLoco
Mod Mom
Modern Roost
ModishNotcot
Oh Joy!
Pan Dan
Patricia Gray
Poppy Talk
Print & Pattern
Product Dose
Sensory Impact
Sfgirlbybay
Shelterrific
Style Court
Swissmiss
The Cool Hunter
The Design Files
The Peak Of Chic
The SCOOP
The Style Files
Treehugger
Trend Hunter
Trendir
Uncrate
Yanko Design
Yatzer

Laissezfaire is honoured to make this list, together with many other worthy candidates!

To vote, simply send in a maximum of 5 choices from this list by 15th October 08 (click here to vote; you may need to disable your pop-up blocker for the voting form to show). Though not compulsory, it would be great if you would also briefly mention why you think the blogs which you've voted for are influential.

And to make things slightly more rewarding and exciting for voters this time, The Home Rejuvenation has also teamed up with international design purveyor Wallpaper* to reward 3 lucky voters (picked from random) each with a free 1-year subscription to the print magazine. The results of the poll and the winners will be announced in mid-October. I am so excited to see if this year's results will differ from last year.

For more details on the poll, click here! Thanks THR for organising this.

Another Aesop Interior

I had blogged about Aésop previously here and here. What I like about Aésop is that every store is different, each conceived and designed individually so as that every store is a reflection and celebration of its location.

Here are more pictures of another unique store Flinders Lane, Melbourne. This store is designed by local interior architects Rodney Eggleston and Anne-Laure Cavigneaux of March Studios. The entire store interior, from the display shelving, to the façade and counter tops is made entirely of industrial-grade cardboard.(via the cool hunter)

Plush Pod

Now this will make a lovely home for all you cat lovers out there. There is something very appealing to me about curling up in a cocoon like this and perhaps even rolling around in it. These pods are constructed out of 83 layers of laser-cut double wall corrugated cardboard and include bored holes for your kitties to stick their little paws into and do their scratching thing.

Thuss Farrell

Literally eye-candy project that photographer Thuss Farrell did for his book 'Lines and Shapes - vol2'.

Bringing play into the public realm

This is a brilliant project by Bruno Taylor entitled "Playful Spaces". It is a study into different ways of bringing play back into public space and asks us to question the current framework for public space. (via woostercollective)

New laissezfaire sponsor - Green Tea Design

Laissezfaire is proud to welcome on board a new sponsor - Green Tea Design. You can find the link to their site at the left column of this blog.

Green Tea Design is a wonderful online source if you are looking for contemporary and antique Asian furniture. It also offers custom services to meet the particular taste and needs of your home.

With its clean lines and simple forms, Oriental design has a style that can be easily adapted to suit modern lifestyles. While its intricate carvings and traditional motif bring elegance to any interior, oriental furniture is incredibly versatile and often can be combined effortlessly with other design styles to reflect the diverse taste and experiences of its owners.

Here are some pictures and ideas that will hopefully inspire you towards incorporating some Oriental pieces you can find from Green Tea Design into your home.

(above) The brightly coloured bowls act as a perfect washbasins while a clawfoot bath fits perfectly into the oriental theme of this bathroom. I simply love the green coloured walls and deep turquoise curtains here.(above) I love the strong visual effect created by the bright red tiles and clean lines in this washroom.
(above) The toilets are cleverly concealed within these custom-built antique style chests.

(above) A traditional Chinese dining table with long benches forms a great discussion table in an office here.

(above) Mix and match a modern Ikea bookshelf with Oriental elements, such as an antique Chinese medicine cabinet here.(above) These brightly coloured kitchen towels and tin plates with traditional kitchy oriental motifs really give this kitchen a lift.

(above) A typical 1920 old Shanghai bedroom deco. Love the deep brown typical of aged antique oriental furniture.

(above) Love the old industrial feel of this room with the bare bulbs and antique rosewood treasure chests

(above) Classical Chinese furniture is paired with vibrant saturated cushions on the day bed. The floral elements adorning the arched doorway also gives this room a nice touch.