I want to be big like #GIRLBOSS

It all started with “I can do this.” This meaning making a petite bow even though I never really sewed before. I have always felt crafty and thought that I could teach myself.

I’m not going to lie. I was a complete mess. Sloppy stitching with poor construction. But I kept at it. I would spend my nights sewing till the wee hours. Just to get the perfect bow

At the time the handmade business was new in my world. I found that Instagram had this amazing community of small business owners and I was inspired from the start. I started off gifting items to my close friends. And after I got feedback, I decided to go for it and either go big or go home. From that point on, I was it for the long haul. Determined to make it work. I had this fear of what they would think and what the world would think. Putting a creation out there is gut wrenching.

People don’t realize the countless hours invested and sacrifices small business owners make. Luckily, I have the most amazing family support. With that said, owning a small handmade business is a freaking ton of work. I had to put the word freaking in there because it highlights TON OF WORK that include unwashed dishes, huge pile of laundry, and a room filled with felt dust.

I set aside weekend to concentrate on my house chores.

Seriously, when I first started I had no idea how stressful it was. I mean, you look on Instagram and everyone has glorified posts. So beautiful and perfect, but behind those glorified posts are wrinkles, grey hairs and tears. I don’t know about other handmade businesses but I have ups and downs on a daily basis.

So why do this you ask? Its a form of therapy for me. Colours and craft makes me happy. I have a permanent full time job during the day. I have been in the estate management for the last 15 years and in the same company for more than 10 years, work has always been crazy. So to come home, play with the kids, read goodnight stories, tuck them to bed, chill with coffee and netflix and cutting fabric is therapeutic for me.

There are many days when I just want to throw in the towel. When I get this feeling of defeat I try to remind myself of my business philosophy. Creating a Ny & Lu culture where mama, mummies, umi, ibu, mom, mak, unite to share the joys of parenthood, with fashion.

The clencher…seeing all my cute customers wearing my bows. So rewarding.

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10 years of Practice

I was called up by HR last week and she asked 'Why didn't u attend the DND? You are in the the long service list'

OMGGGG, I have been in the Company for more than 10 years?. Come November it will be my 11 years. Wah... I so loyal one ah... I'm quite impress with myself....

And for the past 10 years, I have not attended even one of my company event or diner and dance.

I just realised, I am really anti-social.

Need to improve on that bit.

Anyway, Happy 10 yrs to me... semoga bertambah rezeki I kat sini. Insyallah. Amin.

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This blog need a revamp!

First update that header.

Will do it first thing once I'm done with all Ny and Lu's order.

Better set reminder on my phone....*mcm paham!

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Little one

I have installed many of those pregnancy apps on my iPhone, and it’s been fun to check in a few times a week and see what baby is up to!

Right now, he  is the size of a large honeydew (43.7cm long from head to heal and weigh around 2kg). My last check up he was around that length and weight. Alhamdullilah. 

Since baby’s sense of movement and ears are fully developed, Baby L can hear me sing and the surah I on-ed from youtube. I always whine to S, 'Baby L ni tak boleh duduk diam' but I secretly love it. It’s the best reminder for me that this is happening and baby is doing alright in there.

Its been 5 years. At time I find myself daydreaming a lot about life with this new little one.  What it will feel like to hold this little new born close to my body and cuddle and sing and love on it all over again like when I was with Ny. Will I be biased, be fair to share the love?

5 years ago, as a new mum, I struggle with many things. It was not a 'boring' phase. It was definitely not easy. She was preterm and at time we need to go down to either KK or polyclinic 3-4 times a week. Her jaundice was terrible. Doctor from KK only gave clearance when she was about 2 months. I struggle with breastfeeding too. From birth to around 1 Month, doc adviced me to stop from breast feeding her due to breast milk jaundice. Not sure what it means, I don't even understand when I Google it. My aunt joked 'Harap (.)(.) berlambak but no susu' sikit pun tak kecik hati, as I was so so determined to breast feed her even if not exclusive. I keep expressing my milk. The pump was my best buddy at that time.

This time round hopefully it will be different. I have pre-prepared all the items. 5 years ago, due to preterm, everybody kalang kabut. Dah terbranak baru nak carik crib, baru nak beli bottle, baru nak jahit bantal. From the labour ward before the insertion of oxytoxin, I remembered instructing my sisters 'Ty, You go take the crib from the seller at Tanah Merah' 'Na, you go mothercare buy the mattress, use this size den go Ikea buy the crib sheet' 'S later you go down kat mothercare buy all the shampoo lah, sabun lah' 'Ayah, you help me take some baby baju from Simei to Hougang, adi dah ketepikan'

IT WAS HECTIC!!!!

I learn my lesson... this time kita settle all first den kita chill and relek....

Happy baking adik! We love you!

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Eid Lantern

I often did craft sessions with Ny on weekend.

During the first week of Ramadan, we did some lantern to hang at the balcony. S have also hang twinkle and fairy lights. Dah taruk lampu lap lip ni mcm lagi rasa nak raya.

I love fairy lights, like pelangi. (She learn the word pelangi from watching too much upin and ipin )
Macam Christmas eh mummy?
Our Hari Raya mcm Chinese punya Hari Raya eh, macam Cong Xi Fa Cai.

Woorrrhhh, I don't see that coming, mcm mana nak explain eh...

Ayah, explain kan Nyla please.

I asked S to explain to her, he replied with a very tajam jelingan, which i find really sexy. I excuse myself, untuk angkat kain. bahahahaha....

Lantern template from, in my studio. They have new design this year a black and pink design, but I think the green goes well with my balcony. I love love love Iva's website.

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Food for Ramadan

Ramadan is nearing. Alhamdullilah.

Every Ramadan, I will do a time table for Sahur and Buka. I will also include S's work schedule. On days he is having afternoon or night shift, I don't have to kalang kabut buy or cook food for iftar. I can also plan to iftar outside with the lovely cousins. I will update the list on a weekly basis.

Template printed from Diy - Home Sweet Home or you can just go to pinteret and search for weekly planner. Bertimbun keluar.

I did this every year. S needs to take his sahur and it sucks to be awake at 4am and godeh godeh the fridge. Three years ago, I fell asleep on the dining table while thinking 'Apa nak masak eh?'

My mum always say, nanti buka ada belen makan, just heat it up lah... Aiya the laki tekak a little mengada.

I found this website, Food to eat at suhoor that release energy thruout the day.Which i think is ahmazing!!! But S disagree, 'Apa ni healthy healthy oats semua ni... Goreng roti celup telur sudah... jangan lupa dengan milo or kopi...'

Iyelah bang.

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Past weeks

The past few weeks have been difficult for me in terms of balancing work and home life.  I am taking on more, not just with Ny and Lu but also with work.  I am so happy with the growth, but with growth comes worries and less time.

Less time to make sure everything is done correctly.  Less time to plan for the future.  Less time to organize.  Less time for home life.  I have spent more time worrying about deadlines and have seem to have taken a step back at being present.

I know this is a temporary feeling, I just can’t help feeling suffocated by not having enough time in the day.  Leading me to feel inadequate as a parent to precious Ny  My patience is short, my thoughts are elsewhere, and sometimes on weekend I catch myself thinking if only she would nap so I can get things done. Ironically on weekdays, I wish she would sleep a little late so that I can spent a little more time with her after work.

I’ve blinked and time has slapped me in the face. Time is everything. It is golden and I better learn to handle it well. Maybe one day I can get time on my side. Insyallah
On a happier note, my weekend start now. The little sis is getting married this week. Lots of things for me to do. Phone beep. Its the bridezilla. Till then.....

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Cinderella

This post by scary mom. Totally tickle my tummy!

So true!!! How the hell can she looks like that. She just squeeze out a 4kg baby. True she has all the hair dresser, make up artist, stylist kat tepi, but she just gave birth like few hours ago. And shes walking in heels.

I remember mine was more than 48 hours (I gave birth on Saturday night) and check out, eh wah, macam hotel pulak on Monday, I still terkemut kemut, terjongket jongket jalan tahan sakit.

Ohhh don't let me start talking about how I look. Rasa hati macam nak check out pakai baju butterfly... pakal I ni pemalu...

With eye bags and burst blood vein... I burst quite a number of blood veins on my eyes and on my face due to excessive pushing. Doctor say it was common. It went away about 2 weeks. Muka hancai, pakai concealer pun tak load. I was a total mess.

S kept telling, 'Dia kan princess, mesti lah ada fairy god mother. With magic wand terus jadi cantik' Sigh... too much Cinderella ni. Confirm Si Nyla ajar.

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Sunny Island set in the sea

Every time we travel my mum would always comment ‘Tak boleh lawan Singapore lah’.

In London when we have to walk a distance due to closure of train station, she commented ‘Tutup station suka hati eh sini, Tak boleh lawan Singapore lah’.

In Bangkok, when we saw riot just outside the Paragon she commented ‘Ni kalau kat Singapore dah kena tangkap, tak boleh lawan Singapore lah’.

In Bali, she made a fuss when I use the tap water to boil water ‘Eh use mineral water, ni bukan Singapore’.

In Australia, when we have to walk down afew blocks cause the transport system sucks she commented ‘Tak boleh lawan Singapore'.

When we board the metro in Paris, the stench of pee were so so strong ‘Kotor betol. Tak boleh lawan Singapore’.

From all the above comment made it is pretty clear that my mum is very proud to be a Singaporean.

I don't really love my country, I don't agree with some of the policies, but I cannot imagine a greener and safer home anywhere else. This place would not be where it is today. RIP Mr LKY.

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Glittered Life

credit: tumblr

Whenever I have a few minutes to spare, I will grab my phone and check out the social media.

Most time, I'll be flipping through Instagram and it will seem like various people have such easy lives. Their babies play quietly, snaps of their neat home, their dresses in place with matching killer heels, change their bags on a daily basis and their tudung is neatly pressed and always styled fashionably. They will instagram-ed their yoga poses/classes and flat lays of their coffee/food in some hip cafes. I envy these people.

How do they do it? Why can't I do it? Why am I aways rushing to work and from work. With stained marks on my top and my tudung.... Why? Oh Why?

Because I suck at time management. And I need to be more tertib and lady like when I eat. I badly badly need to improve on that.

S commented rezeki masing masing. You will never know the actual story. Its easy to show one thing to the world while experiencing quite another.

Wah my laki,  I am impressed, ada betol tu... 

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Shingling AND minggling

I was on 2 weeks Medical leave two weeks ago and only start work recently. I was hit with shingles. I have been toooo busy with life that I ignored all the signs and the symptoms.

When I only have time to go to the doctor half of my body was covered with rash. It's not itchy but it was very painful, very bisa, my whole body aches, I had bad headache almost everyday, I was running a temperature, vetting reports at night and continue doing bows for Ny and Lu, slept at 2am everyday and send Ny to my mum's place the next morning at 6am. Car red plate mah, so must be back home by 7am. Doctor request to slow down due to the high blood pressure. I feel so makcik makcik already, macam macam penyakit.

During the first week I was I quarantine.  My Mum forbid me from seeing my little girl. I was on antibiotic, that need to be eaten 6 times a day for a week. Rindu!!! But we face time all the time. I kemas store, colour code my closet, kemas my make up, sort out baju baju Ny yg tak boleh fit, cut some new fabric for Ny and Lu. I re watch again all 6 seasons of Gilmore girls. Indahnya hidup.

S was happy because there were always breakfast, lunch and dinner on the dining table siap ngan pau sambal and popcorn chicken with cheese dip lagi. Aiya semua beli kat AM frozen, tinggal goreng ajer >.<

After a week, once the rashes has dried up, my mum gave the green light to see Ny. Feeling Stay at home mum habis. Send her to school, fetch her from school, sew up some skirts for her, grocery shopping. Dah jadi makcik makcik NTUC.

We even went to Cool de sac on a weekday after school, no qs, no crowd and its only $10. A happy kid means a happier mummy.

On one of the days, Ny need to go for her follow up check up at KK. She went for scan and x-rays. I could hear the radiography laughing when they look at Ny's Solid body... Mampat.

'Don't laugh' she said... wah garang nya anak I. Mummy was asked to stand behind a protective cover during the x-ray. I was laughing behind too... tengoklah badan dia... hahaha.... She was asked to come down again in May. Ok KK we will see you again in 3 months time.

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Littlest Things

We went to Lily Allen concert last Monday and till today I am still having the post concert syndrome.

I have a huge crash on her for the longest time. I truly adore her, Love her songs, memorise the lyrics. During my honeymoon in London, we purposely stopped at Islington in the hoped to bump into her, 'Ini tak rumah dia, ker ni, ker yang tu' 

During the concert I sang along to all her songs, lupa skejab dah ada kain lilit kepala I ni. S Mandang sound 'Enjoy nampak' 

And when she starts to sing littlest things, alamak, retak hati. That song reminds me so much of my past. Sorry teremosi skejab. That song was on loop mode during my uni days when S and I fight all the time. Darah muda, sentiasa bergelora.  And that song used to be my ring tone during my Nokia years.... The lyrics... so appropriate.

http://parclulu.blogspot.sg/2013/01/life-happens_10.html

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2015

Woohoooooo...... 16 days.....

16 days belated  Happy New Year to all out there.

2014 is happening lets make 2015 more awesome.

Its good to start the year with resolution like every other years with the same points re-written all over again.

Its fun you know, so my list this year

1. Better time management
2. Better money management
3. Improve cooking skills
4. Exercise more
5. Eat healthily
6. Jaga my ibadah
7. More time as a family
8. Less complaint
9. Join a baking class
10. Join an art class

I am actually enjoying  keying in all the list above... I am smiling now, knowing that macam paham ajer aku ni.... still smiling while typing this.


Two Thousand and fifteen....... please be good!

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Risau

I was greatly moved by the #IllRideWithYou hastag. So inspiring.

I first saw the #prayforsydney posted by a few of Adelaide girls in my friend list in FB. Terus I Google. It was also on TV. I saw the hostages being asked to the glass panel holding some kind of black flag with Arabic word. Oh dear..

Earlier this morning the little sis, whatsapp that she was stuck in Amsterdam due to the national strike in Belgium. The strike has cause all air traffic, train and transport schedule to be cancel. All flight to London and Paris were cancel. I instructed her to contact the Paris hotel that they will have to stay for anther night at Amsterdam, just so that their deposit will not be forfeited due to no-show. She sound cool unlike her usual self. This little sis is very high strung, kancong spider, gembeng and cengeng kind...den I remember 'Ohhhh yah shes in Amsterdam...'

In another 10 minutes, the mum called my office "Jah, si Martina tersendat (tersendet eh) kat negera omputih, macam mana jah... anak aku...., dah suruh dia balik, balik sudah....."

I spent another 20 minutes on the fone trying to console and ensure that everything will be ok, while giving hand gestures to contractors coming in and out through my office door.

"Urgent call guys"

She replied 'Jah tengokkan ticket pergi sana brapa, susah sangat I go with ayah kau lah'

Eh eh, this is not like u naik bus go pasar geylang you know.

Mother will be mother.... I put myself in my mum shoes... I will definitely pack my bag at an instance... Mummy carik chance ajer nak naik eroplane. >.<

Anyway the lil Sis, is safe and sound in Paris now, enjoying her ass till she is tied down in May. Cant wait to be a kakak pengantin.... rub hands in gleeeee.....

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Its hot in here

The weather have been so so so hot lately. I am not desk bound and always on my heels for inspection and stuffs. The heat is so unbearable, ya allah. Jalan brapa round, satu badan belengas.

I whatsapp S, 'So hot ah today...'

S replied 'I am at the wing of a boeing bawah panas terik, so sapa lagi panas'

Aiya, action pulak reply.

I then received a Whatsapp from the cousin in B.C 'Its still snowing here... sejukkkkkk, tadi keter cannot start, engine too cold'

Feel like packing my bag and angkut the anak and fly there... The grass is always greener on the other side.

4 years ago in B.C with my favorite cousins in the world.  

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Rumah Cantik

Wahhh so long me never blog.

 

Life have been busy lately. Alhamdulllah keeping busy have kept me reasonably sane.

 

Am on half a day today, little cousin getting engaged tomorrow but the kecohnes macam anak nak nikah. Sedara dari hujang sana sampai ker hujung situ dijemput. Excited Mak.  I can imagine kalau dah nak kawin macam mana. Planning to be married in November 2016 and they have mostly finalise all the vendors.

 

Same goes to my little Sissy. Planning to be married next year May 2015 but she have settled all the vendors, Berkat kotak pun dah sampai rumah. The second sis commented 'Na, you nak kawin bulan depan ker?'

 

Vendors mostly dah booked. Cincin dah beli, rantai dah beli, gelang dah beli... Aiyo... I remember during my time, siang malam ajar tuition to get extra money. S, masuk OT most of the time nak bayar duit khemah... I remember mine dah nak satu bulan nak kawin baru lah mampu beli cincin kawin

The little sis, is the obedient one who listened, when Datin say no credit card, she listen. Is there any gold mine kat Hougang and Woodland they we are not aware off. Rabak tak share!!!

 

I am actually waiting till 1pm so that I can ciow. No mood liow. Just a while ago I stumbled upon this.

 

I kept scrolling down with ohhhh and ahhhhhh and when I think of my home, I sigh. 

 

I whatsapp S the the pictures and his reply was 'Tak bersyukur eh???!!!???'

 

 

Bersyukur, but when you see my kitchen you will definitely asked 'How do you cook in here?' There is limited space, I don't even have a place to put a microwave. We just placed it atas fridge. I need a stool when ever I need to use it.

 

I am obsessed with pintrist especially the home decor category. But sometime tak realistic. Rumah Singapore ni macam pigeon hole.

 

To new home owner. Check this out. http://hdb-interiors.tumblr.com/ Amazeball. Besauuu budget.

 

 

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Whatsapp Rocks!!!!

I am always on group chats. Whatsapp is heaven send. I swear. It literally brought us closer from all over the world.

I have a group chat which include a cousin in Vancouver,  another cousin from Melbourne, and an uncle in Perth. The Vancouver cousin will and on a daily basis whatsapp us pictures of whats cooking in her kitchen, any new item boughts, what she is doing, basically everything she does in the day. The uncle whatspp pictures of his work station just to emphasise that he is super busy.

Another chat which include my 2 sisters and my dad. That chat is solely for my dad to update on the technology and to action busy 'Jah, tengok anak kau, nak pakai kasut sendiri' and he will forward me a pic of Ny trying to wear her shoe.

My mum have start complaining 'Apa awak buat ngan fone ajer?' and he will reply 'Nanti kita nak message budak budak ni'. At times I will just laugh it out because my mum will end up calling my office 'Eh korang ni tak ada kerja eh? Anak kau tgh main lah'

Another is with my great kakis. Their outfit of the days, to correct their circular, 'Cuba korang tgk, sentence ni make sense tak?', what they are having for lunch, to gossip, 'Eh korang tau si Nurra Danish tu keluar ngan Bossned? Siapa siol?'

 

Another with the ding dong, 'Morning mummies, how are all the babies???' Maklumlah dah lama tak jumpa. We update each other often.

 

I also chat with Ny and Lu's customers, 'Is the bow colour ok with the colour of the elastic?' I get the answer right away.

 

I am always alone at work, and these chats keep me sane.

And now whatsapp have been sneakily creeping into my working life.

 

My work meetings reached a new level today- whatsapp meeting! Snap a picture of the PowerPoint and pictures of defects and discuss over whatsapp. The boss is on leave, dah on leave buat lah hal on leave right, ini sibuk nak tanya itu ini. Time kerja tak sibuk pulak tanya.

 

Now, I have residents and tenant whatsapping me in the middle of the night with pictures of their defects. Kalau tak reply, member will know that I was on line and have read the message. Terpaksa reply.

It’s sad to some degree, but seriously, I love Whatsapp! My life is so much more convenient ever since I got on it.

 

So apa apa just whatsapp lah eh!!!

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Missing you

A very good fren often heard saying 'Rindunya nak pregnant' 'Rindunya nak give birth' 'Rindunya nak rasa baby kick kick' I literally roll my eyes and comment 'Kau biar betol Ma'.

I was single back then, with no kids  or I was pregnant and thought that the fatigue and increase of waist line was really a pain in the ass.

Another good friend, gave birth to her second baby yesterday. It's a girl. One boy, one girl. Perfect. Close shop. If it's me lah... But I think she wants more. 

I hold little Alveena, precious. And that feeling kicks in. That smell. That sweet newborn smell, my goodness. I can sniff that all day. Ny no longer have that smell. Now she only smell masam mcm baru balik dari playground plus the smell of seba med and minyak telon combine. But still addictive. 

Now, I see where Ma comes from. In an instant I miss being pregnant. I miss when the baby kicks you from inside, I miss when you don't have to suck in your tummy all the time, and let it all hang loose. I miss the glow of pregnancy and most of all I miss the 4 months maternity leave and the baby bonus...

Another baby next year? 

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Bye October

Happy Halloween.

No we do no ceberate Halloween, this was taken from Ny's 2nd birtday bash.

But my workplace does. Every corner are fake pumpkins, beli kat daiso agaknya, and spiders and witch hats...

The expatriates are having a halloween party tonight...

 

On another note, its pulic holiday tomorrow... More time to spend with my little skeleton, who apparently has a lot of meat.

 

5 O clock, come quick!

 

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Sunday morning

Today, I woke up a little early. It was still dark outside

The little one is sleeping, S is still snoring.

I did my laundery

I fried nasi goreng kampung complete with the keropok.

Made myself a hot cup of tea.

Together with nasi goreng and my tea and my cushion throw, I snuggle cozily in front of the telly and watch 'You've got mail' while waiting for the laundry to be done.

Perfect perfect Sunday.

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