Music says everything.....

So I had to post this video on my blog because I love it so much.
It makes me smile, even when I am sad inside.

And this week, I have been treated to INCREDIBLE music.
It was Faithless at Fort Canning on Tuesday
which I think is the best concert
I've seen since the Prodigy 2 years ago.
Then Andy Fletcher on decks last night at Kudeta for the Dope party
plus a bonus when Brian Tiong and Mark Lee hit the decks at the restaurant sky deck bar.

And tonight, I am on my couch, watching the Grammy's on Star World HD.

Totally blessed.
So now turn up the volume, open your mind and enjoy this awesome video.

Feel good staying home.

I spent last weekend at home.
I must admit it felt a little strange especially since most of my friends were out celebrating.
But I wanted to hibernate and spend some time in solitude.

So I got down to doing things I often put off, just to make my time at home seem more productive.

Here is a useful list that I go by;

- Clear out your work desk/study area.
Yup, sounds boring but one of the sure fix ways to feel good about staying in.
Go through all those bills, papers, receipts etc, rsvp to invites that you have been putting off.
Wipe down the desktop and dust all your books.
Trash everything that serves no purpose to me anymore.
To inprove the feng shui, place a potted plant on your table
and make sure your back doesn't face the door of the room so you don't 'turn your back on your career/work'.

- Try out that recipe you've always wanted to master.
Jamie Olivier, Nigella Dawson, whoever tickles your taste bud fancy, try out their recipes.
If you don't have the ingredients at hand, make do with what you have.
Check your pantry then google a recipe that works all the ingredients together and voila...
satisfied and full. :)

- Bathe the pets. 
If you don't have any, water the plants, trim them and sing a song to each of them.
They'll bloom tomorrow!

- Go through your wardrobe.
Give those unused outfits away...
pass it on,  and give it to someone who'll make much better use of it than you.
Goddess knows we can never quality control our fashion enough.
And it feels even better if we can spread some style around.

- Get with the program and get online.
Spring clean your computer.
Tidy up those wires and back up your hard drives.
Don't wait for the mercury retrograde.
Go through emails long overdue, reply to faraway friends,
update yourself with current fashion or hip blogs.
It may sounds trivial but time flies by when you are engrossed in good writing and reading.

- Do the laundry. 
Yup, and those chores you have been procrastinating on,
little things like wiping the fan blades down or putting in the order for new sofa covers. Get to it.
The end result is so rewarding, you can have a bloody mary after and feel no guilt.

- Put that exercise routine to use.
Yeah the 1 dvd or video file, be it yoga, belly dancing, or dance class
that we either ordered through the mail, downloaded or picked up at the fitness center
that we swore we'll do religiously but has been gathering dust in the dvd station for months. 
Go sweat!

- Meditate
Sit in a comfortable position, close your eyes and focus on your breath.
Observe the thoughts that come into your mind then radiate love, peace and joy from your consciousness.
You'll be amazed at how good you'll feel after sitting still for 20mins, focusing on yourself.

- Clear out your make-up or toiletries
Eye shadows and powder packs should be chucked out after a year.
Applicators like brushes and sponges should be washed weekly.
Let's not forget, all this goes on your face and skin so if you find it wasteful,
think about all that bacteria you are spreading around.
Also, if there is a cream or lotion sitting in the back of the lot,
which you haven't opened or touched in months,
give it away to someone who'll use it.

Well, that's it for now.
There are heaps of other things to productively do at home but personally,
sorting your own shit out first should be priority.

I've always been a 'house proud' personality.
Now I can be 'productive house' personality too.

Have a lovely weekend ahead.
:)

What I'm really about.

I wish I could categorise what I like to write about.
But the truth is, I like writing and forming my own opinions on almost everything.
Somethings I write about more than others but all have a philosophical influence to them.
If you read all the pieces in my Charm's Life blog,
I write about love, life, challenges, experiences, the Old, the New, the natural, and the World.

Although I have been in the fashion industry for almost 2 decades now,
I have never considered fashion to be my repertoire
so I don't write about the latest looks or currents trends.
I am still one of those 'traditionalist' who believe that confidence pulls every outfit together.
And I believe natural products and holistic remedies keep my body in shape and my skin glowing.

So for me to write about the latest underground brand
or the new "IT" place in Singapore tickles my fancy for about one whole minute.
Just about the same time it takes for fashion season to come and go.

Health and Living, on the other hand, enchants me.
Self improvement and bettering one's self is the tune I like to sing.
Recommendations for wellness centers and recipes for nourishing foods
is just the kind of stuff I would gladly research and document
as I believe knowledge like that is useful and priceless.

The healing properties of herbs, the magical energies of crystals and gemstones,
the power of the planets and the elements are bountiful sources of information
that affect, help, guide and power us ALL.
Mother Nature has answers to every question we ask, it only comes down to how we pay attention.

Travel is another topic I love.
Maybe because of how exposed I was, and am to it.

But let me be clear that travel to me
is the unique cultures I get to learn about,
sacred lands and architectural marvels I get to visit, 
the locals and indigenous people I meet and learn from.
Holidays to me are more about island hopping, cuisine indulgences and pilgrimages
as oppose to shopping sprees or group tours.

One more topic that hits close to home for me is Spirituality.
The ability to draw messages to oneself,
to affirm positivity, to spread joy and to help other people.
To meditate, to observe speech,  and to acquire focus.
All the habits that help us as human beings find our true purpose in life.

Well there is it, off the top of my head.
A little more insight on me.

Namaste and Gong Xi Fa CAi.

Welcome Rabbit. :)

An ideal Sunday.

Last Sunday was rather blissful, I must say.

I started the day at 10am doing yoga with 63 other people at Verita Advanced Wellness centre in Phoenix Park... amongst other some serious yogis. :)
It was a practice in dedication to the women in Uganda.

We watched a short docu, before the practice started, on women in Uganda,
their hard labor and how difficult it was for them to make a living.
The video then went on to tell us about the "Beads for Life" program.
This program helps women in Uganda earn their own wage from making paper beads.
These organic adornments, rolled from paper are then covered in lacquer
and strung together to make bracelets, necklaces and earrings.
Buying their hand made jewelery would directly help them build their lives and feed their families as 100% of the purchase goes directly back to them.

After an intense hour of tree poses, back bends and attempted 'crows'...
We headed down to the cafe where the beads were displayed.
After ordering a mushroom aglio olio organic spiral pasta dish, accompanied with a Hibiscus and Cranberry soda from the Verita cafe ....I got to shopping.
Picking up beads for myself, close friends and loved ones.
Knowing that every contribution I made would directly help a woman,
maybe even a family across the globe.
It felt empowering and precious.
The beads sold out but if you are keen to know more about where to get them,
or are keen to throw your own Bead for Life party...
visit www.beadforlife.org for all the information.

That same day, for sunset...I went to Labrador Park to sit by the star gazebo and listen to the sound of the waves.
It was magical.
I got lost in my own thoughts and achieved some walking meditation.

And just to close my day, as healthily and lovely as I started it.
I made a broccoli pasta for dinner, with fresh home made pesto sauce and Parmesan cheese, with a chili padi garnish. (for that kick, you know.) :)
With a warm and comfy tummy,
I climb into bed to read my book before falling into blissful sleep.

How ideal.
An accomplished Sunday.

Sleeping in Singapore? Dreaming of Bali......

What is this thing with me and sleep.
I want it.
I chase it and I love my bed but somehow I'm running on a separate clock seemingly.
I just returned from an amazing 9 day trip in Bali and I had NO problems sleeping there
so I cannot help but wonder if it's just in Singapore that I have such a hard time sleeping soundly.

I have always been a night bird, a self proclaimed 'more creative' at night kind of chick.
Although I love mornings, and the smell of dew and the crispness in the air
and eggs done sunny side up,
my imagination unwinds more at night.

Bali was fantastic.
We got to enjoy the luxuries of the Ayana Resort and Spa for 3 nights
where we had drinks at the Rock bar (quite an incredible piece of architecture),
did yoga under a bale,
visited my good friend Fa's treehouse in Kabar Kabar and chill in Brawar.
We also got to hang out with Luke Stedman who is just an amazing guy with no chips on either of his sun-kissed shoulders.
I think we always expect famous or successful people to be difficult or snobbish
but I think it's important to understand how many and what kind of people they have to deal with and face and meet everyday.
And how difficult it must be for them to relate to people especially if they travel a lot and spend time with people only for limited periods of time.
It gets hard to invest time and energy in people you may only see a few times in your lifetime.
And I find when you are open, honest and receptive to people ...
there needs to be certain guards up within oneself to protect your heart and personal space.
I know Luke has done a lot of interviews for surf magazines and press in Hawaii where he surfs professionally and people read about him and watch him all the time.
That probably makes them feel like they know him.
And I can see that Luke has taken that responsibility well and tries to use it as best he can to inspire others and motivate them.
Anyway it was beautiful to spend time with souls like that.
The end of our trip we spent up east. Near Klung Klung.
The Bali Safari and Marine park has a lodge called Mara River which put us up for about
1million rupiah (us$120) in a cozy cottage room which has a balcony
overlooking part of the safari park.
So you wake up to antelopes running through your 'backyard' or
rhinos drinking from the moat outside your room.
The restaurant sits next to the lions den and most meals are accompanied with roars and frolicking or just plain lazing.
Quite amazing dinner entertainment, if I must say so.

The most lovely thing about Bali, I find, is the feeling of oneness you feel with the
Universe when you are there.
When you witness the morning rituals and the evening blessings.
Whether it rains or shines or the sunsets are gorgeous or cloudy,
the energy on the island
reminds you of how easy it is to be happy, simply.

Waking up every morning in Bali was a joy, knowing that the people you were bound to encounter would bring a smile to your face, or inspire you somewhat,
with a kind gesture, or a message of peace, or a happy glint in their eyes.

And it's such a karmic place where lessons are sent swiftly and reality is what you make it.
I guess now that I have shared a bit of Bali with you, I can sleep easy.
I can go to bed in hopes that I'll dream of the island tonight.

*Yawn*

WELLLL I guess I'll have to then, WON'T I?

Imagine someone calling your mother or daughter a 'c*#t' and
feel that boiling blood within you.
Try imagining watching someone speak the way you do to me,
and observe if what you feel is disgust.

Everyday you get a little more rude.
With your snide remarks and your immaturity.
What I find most repulsive of all, is that arrogance and inability to see your faults and mistakes.
And repeating them, over and over again, sometimes with sickening glee and even pride....
making it all the more off-putting.

If you don't want to stop yourself from being this way,
who's to even try and help you?
If you get SUCH a kick out of power and being so oblivious to empathy and compassion,
are you even capable of being saved?

Do you even realize that ALL this energy, the one you are blowing when you lose your head,
the energy you are draining out of the people around you, the energy it takes to make you understand...
could easily but put into so many more productive and powerful things.
Your Merry Go Round of a life is kicking you in a pattern so stagnant in personal growth
but you are arrogantly unaware.

"Digging yourself deeper in your own shit" has new meaning with you.

Someone needs to wake you up.
Because you definitely are too fast asleep to wake up yourself.
I know talking to you hardly works.
Or maybe it's because it's been me that has been the most honest and frank with you
so now whatever comes out my mouth MUST be bullshit since I called you out on all yours.

There is this monster and I'm not sure if it's in you, or coming out of you but it's there.
And if you don't recognize that and try and sort out your demons within
then nobody else can help you, even if they tried to.
SO good luck.
We all know you need it. And will need it.
When it all comes back to hit you.

If you think I'm a bitch, wait til you meet KARMA.

The Lovers

In the scope of our personal relationships this card stands for the great love that deeply touches and flows through us.
It has little to do with "failing in love," which Erich Fromm rightly says is at most an indication of our previous loneliness.
The card can indicate a new relationship or mean that our great happiness is to be found here and now in the partnership we already have.
The important decisive character of this card makes it apparent that we can only tap this source of fulfilling experience when we voluntarily "limit" ourselves and affirm from our hearts that we will follow this path with a certain person.
Each of us would certainly be prepared to take this step if we could just meet the Dream Woman or Prince Charming.
This card challenges us to stop deceiving ourselves and recognize that such mythical figures do not present themselves in completed form to us, but rather that they could be within our partner, hoping and waiting to be discovered.
The path that leads to another person is: the decision.

~ Tarot of Dreams

Images from the Tarot of Dreams® Deck, reproduced by permission of Ciro Marchetti,
http://www.ciromarchetti.com Copyright ©2006. Further reproduction prohibited.