Melisasa

My ideal apartment should consist of lots of natural elements. There should be a variety of plants and greenery, wood, elements of the beach, sand, nature, mountains, forests, and etc. The following are inspirations I've pinned on pinterest!

This DIY caught my eye and I couldn't resist trying it out, given that I already had all the necessary materials. There were some steps I couldn't follow as I didn't have the tools, but I improvised and I'm sure this version is easier to craft!



Materials needed: 

1. Embroidery thread


2. A single thread


3. Beads (3 colours - Gold is a bonus!)


4. UHU super glue


5. Scissors

Steps:





1: Fold the single thread into half and use UHU to glue the ends. Feel free to use other type of glue, as long as it hardens when dry. Here, I'm trying to use the single thread in replacement for the wire beading needle Honestly WTF used.

2: Thread the embroidery thread through the single thread needle

3: String the bead into the single thread needle

4, 5 & 6: Push the bead down into the embroidery thread

7: String the beads according to the morse code pattern created here. I used gold beads for the dashes and coloured beads for the dots, alternating the colours for alternate words.

8: When you have stringed enough beads, cut the embroidery thread and string the 2 ends into the single thread needle

9: String a bead through to "close" the bracelet.

10: Tie a double dead knot on the end of the embroidery thread

11: String a bead through, it will be blocked by the double die knot tied in step 10. Secure it with another double dead knot after stringing it through.

12: Repeat step 10 and 11 for the other end of the embroidery thread and cut off the excess

& tadah! (featuring my misfit flash :D)

Wearable fitness trackers has really been the hype for 2014 and I have been considering to get myself one. But with the wide variety of choices and new brands turning up each month, it's hard to keep track of which one is really suitable for my lifestyle. So today, I'll be sieving through the more note-worthy models of fitness trackers and eventually, reveal the one I got for myself and my boyfriend this Christmas :D

The considerations I have in mind when shopping for a fitness tracker are mainly, aesthetics, price and functionality.

1. UP Move by Jawbone

For the first fitness tracker that I would like to introduce, it definitely scores high on price and credibility. UP Move by Jawbone is definitely one of the cheapest fitness trackers around, at USD$49.99. It comes in a variety of colours and the clip and straps are interchangeable, to create a different mix of colours. Jawbone is also known for its other fitness tracker, UP 24, and it's UP app highly credible and user friendly. The UP system also tracks sleep cycle in addition to physical activity. This was definitely one of the first few fitness trackers that caught my eyes, and got me seriously considering a purchase.

-

2. Misfit Shine & Misfit Flash



Misfit Shine first caught my eye with its aesthetics appeal. It was the first few fitness tracker that was design to blend in with the business suit/fashionista. It was a fitness tracker that was meant to fit with the clothing worn by the masses, not merely the by the sports enthusiast. However, it is a little pricey at USD$99, and this is where Misfit Flash comes it. Like Up Move by Jawbone, it's USD$49.99, but this time, it comes with both the clip and the band. Better yet, both Shine and Flash are waterproof, and can be used to track swimming and other activity in the water. It also automatically detects sleep, unlike Up Move by Jawbone. Afterall, it can get pretty tiring to set the tracker to sleep mode every night before sleeping and when waking up. However, it Misfit Flash isn't as aesthetically appealing as Up Move and this is a deterrence. Reviews have also rated the app to be too simplistic, with much room for improvement.

-

3. Fitbit FlexThe Fitbit Flex was another tracker that caught my eye, due to the wider variety of functions it came with. One of the features I was particularly attracted to, is the silent wake alarm, where it gently vibrates to rouse the user from sleep. No more slamming of the alarm and grumpy mornings. It can also track the route taken on runs and present it on the mobile app, a feature missing from the above two trackers. On the downside, it does not come with built in batteries and have to be recharged every 5 days. Also, it came it a little pricey for me at USD$99.

-

In summary: 

Ultimately, I got the the Misfit Flash as it was on a christmas promotion and was sold was only USD$25. That was hard to resist. Last I checked, the promotion is over and Onyx Black is out of stock as well. Next Christmas yeah!



PS: I have been using the Misfit flash for about a week now, and will be posting detailed reviews on it soon!

Christmas is 5 days away and I'm really getting into the mood! These cards has caught my eyes on Pinterest and if you have yet to finish your christmas prep, give these cards a try! They'll take no more than 5 mins (Y)

-

1. Pipe cleaner christmas trees - These are so easy to make and extremely kid friendly, if they are too young, just get them to place the finishing touch of sticking the star on! 

2. Recycled materials Christmas trees - It's so easy to make these if you have lots of leftover craft materials to finish up. Kids can go creative over these cards as well, choosing their favourite patterns and colours 

3. Paint chip Christmas Trees - 1. Cut triangle, 2. Cut square, 3. Paste, DONE! 

4. Embroidered reindeer - This is so adorbs and totally carries a touch of sincerity to it. I would sew it with a thin piece of paper on top the card, that has the design on it, before tearing it off when the sewing is done. Otherwise, it is rather hard to sew a perfect circle 

5. Button snowman - And it's eyes are already there! Avoid one/four holed buttons 

6. Cross stitched reindeer - This is a digital design, but I think it would work great if the design is embroidered on, using string, needle and paper 

In my recent years of travel, I've been using airbnb pretty frequently to settle accommodation. Not only are some of the listings cheaper than local hotels, it also offers me insights to how the locals live, how the neighbourhood is like and it's just adds to the fun and advanture of travelling.

While browsing through, I've came across some pretty amazing living spaces and the following are some of my favourites

Singapore - This apartment is located in Tiong Bahru, one of the oldest neighbourhood in Singapore. It's surrounded by traditional coffee shops and newly sprouted cafes. The atmosphere in this neighbourhood is peaceful, serene and definitely perfect for a getaway or staycation!  

Texas - Staying in a caravan is in my bucket list and if I get to choose, I would go with this! The hammock and outdoor bath is great for watching stars at night, or for watching the sunrise. I can picture just snuggling with my closed ones on a warm night, talking about anything and nothing till we drift off. 

Iceland - Iceland has always been a dream destination and this airbnb getaway just bumped it higher up my list of countries to visit. The architecture itself looks fantastic and the vast field and skies feels instantly calming. The lake in the distance looks great for a little row on those cooling afternoons as well.

Norway - I've been looking forward to hit Norway as well, and to hike up North to view the northern lights. I love how this cabin is located in the middle of the forest, great for camping outdoors, or for evening walks. And in winter, you can ski up to your cabin. 

All photos are taken from airbnb, click on the photos for the link.

I've loved interior designing since young and it has always been a wish for me to convert an industrial warehouse into an apartment, filled with bright light from the big glass window that looked over the city.

But, this dream will be quite hard to fulfil in Singapore, given the restrictions and high land prices. Thou shalt fear not. For there's always ways to bring that sense of industrial, factory warehouse atmosphere into the living space.

-

Such a unique and way to separate the toilet area, the frames adds a level of chic to the interior atmosphere too 

-

Mirrors like these can be easily collected from fleas, and doesn't need much maintenance, the older it looks, the more industrial it feels! 

-

I love how the ladder can be so easily converted into a frame, and how the hanging bulb has a dual role of providing light and serving as decor

-

Upcycle those paint chips! And these are so reusable, just like a whiteboard. Looks like a piece of art too

-

Omg, perfect toilet paper hangers. Great way to use those old skates too

-

Just like (1), the frames instantly separates the room, yet allowing light to fall in, expanding the space of the room

-

Whoever thought of this is so so smart, it's such a great way to deal with those pesky corners

-

Upcycle those pallets! Serves as the perfect couch surfer spot too

- 

I love that metallic pot that complements the black and white theme of the hallway so well

 

Sources can be found on my pinterest board here.

 



1 2 3 4

Who said fluorescent can't be an interior decor? I'm so obsessed with these white lights now, they bring an edge to the room's feel and decor, but aren't too over the top. White is a more neutral neon colour too, totally complementing the wood texture. Wonder how I can get my hands on one of these.

 

As someone who does sports regularly, its important to have the right clothing gear. And for every female, the most important one is the sports bra. It's not easy finding the right one. I've tried one with a really bad cut, that gave me abrasion every time. And another one that doesn't provide sufficient support. And this one that have paddings that are always misaligned. Awkward. I know.

Eventually I settled with Nike's and not only do they come in all sorts of colours and design, they are non-padded, yet thick enough for coverage. Occasionally I still get some abrasion when training gets intense, but it's easily prevented by applying Vaseline in the area.

I haven't tried VS' but they look so good and comfortable too. And they definitely don't lose to Nike in the variety of colours and design.

I really love how sports clothing are getting more attention in the recent years and brands are finally making beautiful sports clothing. And how there are more sports wear business using design as a niche, like this one.

Source: 

Women down: Nike

Women left: Nike

Women right and left sports bra: Victoria's Secret 

Right sports bra: Victoria's Secret

Top sports bra: Victoria's Secret

Background bras: Nike from Eastbay

This image above is humbly put together by myself using my favourite tool: microsoft ppt.