Happy New Year! I hope 2019 was everything that you wanted and dreamed of and I also hope that 2020 is better than all your previous years! Looking back the past decade (can you believe that a decade has passed?!), I've grown so much in person and have achieved so much. So I really wanted to do a recap of this past decade with today's post.

2010

I started the decade by landing a job in an advertising agency. The competition was tough in the design world and every designer dreamed of working at an advertising agency downtown. So the opportunity was very much coveted among my peers. I had “friends” who I rarely talked to approaching me on Facebook and asked me to review and give feedback to their portfolios. It was a digital producer position, a role that I was unfamiliar with and had no experience for. I didn’t want to give credit to my luck though. I worked hard in networking, building my portfolio, website and resume. I took it as a deserving reward from my perseverance and commitment.

Popular posts:

• Make Your Own Felt Cherry Blossoms
• Back to High School Birthday Party

Student cosplay for my "Back to High School" Birthday party

2011

The agency lost one of their major clients and so the entire team working on that account was laid off. And I was one of them. It was short but definitely a memorable experience. I had learned that I really hated commuting downtown to the city every morning and that the agency life was not as glamourous as it seemed. So I wanted my next job to be more stable and corporate with a shorter commute. I ended up getting a designer job in a bank working in Marketing and started a side hustle with a colleague doing custom baked goods.

Popular posts:

• Mad Men Makeover
• Felt Rose Ring Tutorial
• Cupcakes Bouquet Tutorial

Makeover for a Mad Men themed party

2012

Travelled to China and Taiwan with my family in May. Then I went on a trip to New York with some friends via Megabus. Lesson learned that year: Never take the Megabus to New York again.

Popular posts:

• My Birthday Gift Card Spending Spree
• Make Your Own Timbits at Home
• All You Can Eat in New York City
• Bullet Bill Costume Tutorial

2013

Went on an all-inclusive trip to Cuba with my family for the first time. Started playing more badminton. And met the love of my life through numerous rounds of friendly games. Highest record was playing 8 hours straight. Oh the energy!

Popular posts:

• Alice in Wonderland White Rabbit Costume Tutorial
• Candy Crush Birthday Cake Tutorial
• DIY Minion iPhone Cozy

2014

Flew back to my hometown, Hong Kong to celebrate my grandmother’s birthday milestone and reunited with my extended families. My grandmother passed away a few months later. It was a tough time for our family.

Popular posts:

• What to Wear to a Baseball Game
• Wedding Cake Gift Box Tutorial
• What is Bubble Soccer
• Sushi Halloween Costume Tutorial

2015

I bought a house with Will and went to Punta Cana together. Career-wise, I transitioned to a digital marketing role with a focus on content creation.

Started an annual tradition of our #HosGoGlobal trip with the extended family in honour of our grandmother. Our first destination was to the Mediterranean. Later that year, Will proposed in our new home!

Popular posts:

• Han Ba Tang Restaurant Review
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Cake Pops Tutorial

2016

Best Year Ever! This was the year when we tied the knot as Mr. and Mrs. Although, I didn’t share many details of our wedding on the blog here but it was a day to remember. Planning a wedding was a LOT of work. Thankfully, there won’t be a second time. LOL!

Went on our Honeymoon to Japan a month later. Visited Tokyo and boarded on a cruise to Hokkaido then took the train to visit Osaka and Kyoto.

Popular posts:

• What to Wear for an Engagement Photoshoot
• Kitchen Reno Diary 3 - Before and After
• My Flirty Fall Essentials

2017

This year was mostly about travelling as well. Flew to Banff, Alberta early in the year and hit the slopes with Will together. I was very thankful that I actually survived the cold and the Rockies. Later the year, we travelled 22 hours across the planet to Australia and New Zealand. This was our longest flight yet! We visited Sydney and tried our first scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef.

Popular posts:

• The Must Eat, Drink, Play in Tokyo
• What to Wear for Formal Nights on a Cruise
• DIY Gold Handlettering Christmas Ornaments
• SueFestive Holiday and a Year in Review
• Spice Girls Halloween Group Costume Tutorial
• How We Upgraded Our Kitchen on a Budget
• Ferrero Chocolate Bouquet Tutorial

2018

Was definitely an interesting year for me. Lots of ups and downs. I got promoted to a senior at work but felt that my passion was elsewhere. So I diverted my focus to creating content for the blog and started my Etsy shop selling digital products.

Will started a new job and couldn’t take any days off, so we only did a road trip together to Montreal this year.

This was also my strongest year in terms of achieving my physical goals. I accomplished a personal milestone by finishing my first 10K run and also a 50 km bicycle charity ride.

Things then hit a wild turn when I fell down the stairs at a restaurant which resulted in a mild concussion. But it gave me a reason to finally do a digital detox and rest. After recovery, I spent the last bit of summer in Muskoka but fell out of an ATV in the woods. I thought I broke my leg and got sent to the hospital for the second time. Lesson learned this year: always wrap myself in a bubble wrap.

Later the year, I still travelled (of course) to Spain and Italy (post still to come!) and then flew back to Hong Kong for a wedding with a side trip to Seoul, Korea.

Popular posts:

• My Scuba Diving Experience in Great Barrier Reef
• How to Make Your Instagram Story Highlights
• DIY Spring Wreath for Your Front Door Tutorial
• Free Mother's Day Card Printable

2019

Started mediocre but had gotten better towards the end as we found out that we are expecting our first baby! YES. You read that right! Our baby will arrive in Spring 2020. So, we quickly went on a babymoon to Europe (post to come!) as soon as I passed the 3-month mark and am now spending the rest of my pregnancy preparing for our little one and motherhood.

Thank you so much for all the support you had given me throughout this whole journey. I can’t wait to see what 2020 and the new decade have in store for us! Have a happy New Year!

It's less than a week away until Christmas! As part of my holiday gift-giving series, I'm sharing 5 downloadable SVG design files that you can use to create these beautiful cutout Christmas cards shown here (the last one is a mystery design)! If you haven't had a chance to pick up some cards for the holidays, consider making your own. You can customize this by adding a layer of coloured paper to change up the look and feel. If you have a cutting machine, then you can easily cut out the lettering so that it becomes hollow. Just upload the SVG files into your machine's design space and make it away! The cards are measured 4"x6" but you can also size it up or down as you wish. If you're good with using a craft knife/blade, you can also cut the lettering out to make it hollow. I glued a piece of tissue paper inside the card to create a stained glass effect. When you put it against the light, and the light shines through, it's absolutely gorgeous!

I'm in love with these paper cutout cards! I've made a few different designs using this cutout technique and I'll be sending these away for the holidays. Here's another design that I've created and it is available in my shop for you to download instantly as well.

Check out my other Christmas DIY ideas!

Rudolph the Reindeer Christmas Cake Pops (Tutorial)

DIY Gold Hand Lettering Christmas Ornament (Tutorial)

Sweetest Present to Give: Christmas Cupcakes Bouquet (Tutorial)

Tis' the Season to Make Gingerbread Cookies

Holly Jolly Chocolate Cake Pops (Tutorial)

You've probably already started counting down the days until Christmas (only a week away!) and finishing up the holiday shopping. But you can't really spend the holidays without making something adorable for your family and friends, right? Every year, I tried to make something special for the holidays. And today, I'm sharing this tutorial on how to make these adorable looking Rudolph Reindeer Christmas cake pops! If you have a Christmas party or pot luck coming up, these are great to make ahead of time. And plus, both kids and adults would love them too! I like to wrap these with a small cellophane bag so the kiddos can take them home and eat them later.

For the base, I used a classic vanilla recipe and dipped the pops in S'mores candy melt. The S'mores flavour tasted great and gave a little more than the typical chocolate. Plus, it's also brown in colour which is just what I needed for the reindeers.

Check out my other Christmas DIY ideas!

Make Your Own Christmas Cutout Card (Free Download)
DIY Gold Hand Lettering Christmas Ornament (Tutorial)

Sweetest Present to Give: Christmas Cupcakes Bouquet (Tutorial)

Holly Jolly Chocolate Cake Pops (Tutorial)

Tis' the Season to Make Gingerbread Cookies

It’s no secret that men can often be difficult to buy for. They tend to have simpler tastes and less desire for material things. This can be tricky when it comes to a gift giving occasion. Something that looks great while being practical is ideal. Here are some gift ideas that most men will use, especially for your male fashionistas!

A tie

Most guys wear ties at some time or another, whether it’s daily for work or just for special occasions. Having a few nice ones that they can rotate is useful and if you know your guy would have use for one then this makes a nice gift. You could go with an expensive designer one as a main present, or a less expensive one towards a main gift or just a stocking filler. If they’re a little more quirky go with a bow tie, this article from Wardrobe Hackers explains how to tie one.

A wallet

Wallets get a lot of daily use, and so do wear out after a while. If the guy you’re buying for hs had his for far too long then a new one could make a great gift. If you’re unsure of their style, a plain black designer wallet with a simple logo is an easy choice and would suit just about everyone. If you know more about their tastes then you could go with something a bit more unique.

A watch

Watches are both stylish and practical. Whether it’s a smart watch, a watch for every day or an elegant dress watch, it’s something most people would love to find under the tree at Christmas. A nice watch will cost a bit more so it’s perfect if you’re after a main gift and are looking to spend a little more on the guy in your life,

A belt

Another practical yet stylish item, a nice leather belt is perfect to wear with a suit or just jeans. Again, since belts are used often they do wear out, and so even if the guy you’re buying for owns a belt, chances are an upgrade would be appreciated. It’s easy to get right when it comes to styling, unlike say clothes which are much harder.

Sunglasses

Buying sunglasses for someone else can be tricky and isnt always a good route to go down. This is because it really depends on the persons face shape and features as to what will suit them, you can’t always guess from looking at sunglasses in a shop. However, if you have a similar pair of their sunglasses that you know they love but need upgrading then you have this to go off. If your guy only ever wears simple aviators for example, chances are a similar pair will be easy to find- just make sure you’re going for the same size.

Going on holiday means something different to every person. Some people are looking for a relaxing trip to a beach and an all-inclusive resort; an escape to somewhere warm in the sun for an opportunity to get a tan. Other people are looking for a time to sightsee and experience new places whilst learning about different cultures. Of course, some people might be looking for the best of both worlds. So, if you’re looking for a relaxing holiday with sightseeing opportunities, here are 3 best destinations to visit.

Lisbon, Portugal

The capital of Portugal is a beautiful city to visit if you’re looking for a sightseeing experience coupled with stunning views. The idyllic city of Lisbon is a spectacular place. You can start by exploring its aesthetically-impressive winding streets in one of the city’s iconic yellow trams. This will give you a real feel for everything that Lisbon has to offer. You’ll find colourful street art painted onto the side of buildings, and that really gives the city a lively and exciting vibe. There are plenty of ancient and historically significant buildings in Lisbon, too. Take some time to visit the Jeronimos Monastery if you’re interested in seeing an architectural masterpiece that took a century to build. The capital of Portugal has both an intriguing modern and ancient side. It takes great pride in its history, but the city isn’t afraid to move forward with the times.

 Source

The Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

You can also consider a trip to the utterly incredible Galapagos Islands if you want a holiday to remember. Part of the Republic of Ecuador, these magnificent islands are beautiful havens that you simply have to see for yourself. You might want to do some research on how to tour Galapagos. The islands can either be toured on land or by boat, but it’s all about choosing the option which best suits you and your goals for the trip. A trip to these islands wouldn’t just be a beach holiday; it would be an opportunity to witness new types of wildlife and a precious ecosystem. Make sure you explore all of the islands if you want a true experience of this beautiful archipelago.

Source

San Francisco, U.S

Last but not list on this list is San Francisco. A beautiful little city on the west coast of California, San Fran is one of the most exciting destinations in the entire state. It might not be as big as Los Angeles, and it might have a slightly more relaxed vibe, but that works in the city’s favour. Quaint cable cars serve as a fun and culturally significant form of transport in the city; you can use them to get around San Francisco at some point during your stay. Make sure you visit Alcatraz Island. Its history as a military position of defence and prison will intrigue you, but it’s also a beautiful place. The island is now full of vibrant and colourful gardens. It even has its own ecosystem. Obviously, it wouldn’t be a trip to San Fran if you didn’t see the spectacular Golden Gate Bridge, too.

Source

What's on your list for a perfect destination to travel?

I can't believe summer is already over and October arrives in a blink of an eye. While I was putting away my tank tops in exchange for my fall sweaters, I also dug out some of the outfits that I wore for Halloween in the past. They gave me so many fun memories. So today, I wanted to share some of my favourite Halloween moments with you along with the tutorials for making these costumes! These costumes are easy to put together, especially when you don't have a lot of time.

Sushi Halloween Costume Tutorial

If you like to be cute for Halloween (which is what I usually go for), sushi costume is a perfect choice. I made this costume to wear for work one year and everyone loved it! I even got voted for the best costume that year! The piece of shrimp sashimi was sewn from a piece of orange and white fabric. To go with the look, I referenced the sushi condiments and made a hairpiece out of felt. This costume can easily be done in other fish sashimi, which makes it a group sushi platter costume! Read more on my tutorial where I showed you step-by-step on how to make this costume for Halloween.

Check out my Sushi Costume Tutorial here

Spice Girls Group Halloween Costume Tutorial

If you're looking for a group costume this Halloween, this is definitely a fun one to do with your gang! My group got pretty creative with thinking up the spice names for each of us. If you look closely, they're also culturally appropriate! This is a great group costume idea to add some humour to the Halloween festivity. In my tutorial, I'll show you how to assemble the costumes for your group. I also offered a free template for you to download in which you can print at home.

Check out my Spice Girls Group Costume Tutorial here

White Rabbit From Alice in Wonderland Costume Tutorial 

I decided on this White Rabbit costume at the last minute for Halloween one year which was quite fitting for this character from Alice in Wonderland. The entire ensemble was from pieces that I already have in my wardrobes. All I did extra was the pocket watch that I made out of cardboard and a chain. You'd be surprised just how easy to put together this costume. Hence this is why this is one of my favourites. It was effortless.

Check out my White Rabbit Costume Tutorial here

Bullet Bill Halloween Costume Tutorial

Not a lot of people are aware of the side characters in Super Mario Brothers. But Bullet Bill always has a place in my heart. And it's super easy to replicate! The most important element for this costume is the hat! In my tutorial, I showed you how you can also create one yourself!

Check out my Bullet Bill Costume Tutorial here

Mad Men Halloween Costume Tutorial

I actually didn't really dress up as a character from Mad Men for Halloween, it was actually for a friend's birthday themed party. But I absolutely love what I put together and just had to share it with you. Do you have vintage pieces that are sitting around the house? If you do, then you could easily pull this off. A simple and low-budget costume that's also great for work and as a group.

Check out my Mad Men Costume Tutorial here

What's your favourite costume?

I know it's been a while since I last shared some DIY tutorials. Don't worry, they are coming! And today, we have guest blogger, Lori Wade with us to share some of her quilting craft tutorials!

-

If you like quilting crafts as much as we do, then this article is for you. Today we will share with you a few easy crafts that you can make for your home. They're so easy that even beginners can do! Let's get started.

1. Fabric Basket

Source

A cute quilted fabric basket is perfect for storing knick-knacks in the living room or bedroom. It’s also the perfect project to discover quilting and patchwork fabric. You’ll need ½ yard of exterior fabric and ½ yard of lining fabric, as well as medium-weight fusible interfacing.

To start, cut two 18” squares out of all three fabrics. Attach the squares of fusible interfacing to the exterior squares by placing the glue side of the interfacing on the “wrong” side of the exterior squares. Use an iron to melt the glue so the interfacing sticks to the fabric.

Next, stitch a ¼” seam on three sides of the exterior fabric. Stitch the lining fabric the same way, but leave a 4” opening at the bottom edge. On each square, turn the bottom seam over so it meets the side seam, creating a triangle. Perpendicular to where the folded edges meet, measure 4½” down and stitch along that line.

Now you can turn the fabric squares right sides out. Place the exterior fabric inside the lining fabric and stitch along the top of the basket where the fabrics meet. Pull the exterior fabric through the opening you left in the lining fabric. Stitch the opening closed and fold the top edge of the basket down to expose some of the lining fabric.

2. Lined-Back Tab Curtains

Source

Bring any room up a notch with this fun quilted curtain project. These drapes are meant to hang from high, wide curtain rods, so keep that in mind when you’re measuring your fabric and add 10 extra inches. So, if the finished curtains are going to be 85 inches long, cut the fabric to 95 inches.

Due to the size requirements, extra wide quilt backing fabric will be the ideal choice for this project. Along with fabric, you will need lining, bias tape, and thread. When it comes to cutting your lining, add 2½” to the finished product. So, in this example, the lining would be 97½” (95 plus 2½).

Next, at the bottom of the fabric, fold the edge up 4” and iron the fold. Fold it up another 4” and iron that fold, too, before pinning the fabric folds in place. Stitch along the hem.

Then, take the lining fabric and fold it 2” up from the bottom and iron the fold. Fold it up another 2” and iron that fold. Pin it in place and stitch along the hem.

The next step is to stitch the lining to the curtain fabric. Do this by laying the curtain fabric flat on the floor and placing the lining on top of it. Make sure the curtain fabric is right side up and the lining is right side down. Line up the left-hand sides of the fabric so one is on top of the other. There should be 1½” of curtain fabric showing beneath the lining.

Pin the sides down so they stay, then stitch the two sides together. Next, line up the opposite sides of the curtain fabric and lining. The curtain fabric is wider than the lining, so for the two sides to meet, the curtain fabric needs to be a bit wrinkled and bunched underneath the lining. Pin the sides down and stitch the two sides together.

At this point, turn the panels inside out so that the right side of the curtain fabric is showing. You might have to move the curtain fabric around so that there is equal bunching on each side before ironing the side edges.

Cut the bias tape into 10 or so 2.5”-long tabs. Fold over 1” of the top edge of the curtain and iron it. Intersperse the tabs along the top edge of the curtain (on the back) and pin them in place before stitching along that top edge. Then, sew the bottom of each tab to hold them in place.

3. Seat Cushions

Source

You can use these adorable seat cushions indoors or outdoors for gatherings with friends and family. They ensure that everyone stays comfortable while adding some hominess to the dining space.

To get started, you will need the fabric of your choice, 1” foam, and a Velcro One-Wrap pink strap. The amount of fabric and form you will need depends on how big the seat is. For this example, the cushion will be 12” x 14”.

Start by cutting out a piece of foam the same size as your seat. In this case, it would be 12” x 14”. Cut your fabric so that there is an extra 1½” to account for the hem. Cut the Velcro strap into four 4” long strips.

Lay your fabric flat on the seat, the wrong side out, and decide where you want to put the Velcro strips. Stick two of the strips together, giving them about 1½” of overlap lengthwise. Wherever you place those two strips, do the same thing on the opposite edge of the fabric. There should be about ½” of each strip hanging over the edge of the fabric.

Next, stitch along three edges of the fabric, making sure that you stitch over the Velcro strips to keep them in place. There should be one open edge remaining. Stitch halfway across this edge, and then turn the fabric inside out.

Through the opening, insert the foam and smooth out all the corners. Then, stitch the fabric shut. You should now be able to secure the cushion to the seat, using the straps to keep it in place on the chair.

This post is contributed by: Lori Wade
Lori Wade is a journalist from Louisville. She is a content writer for who have experience in small editions, Lori is now engaged in news and conceptual articles on the topic of DIY and quilting. If you are interested in crafting or lifestyle, you can find her on Twitter & LinkedIn. She has good experience and knowledge in the field. 

Most people like to be a trendsetter or be seen as fashion forward. But sometimes old pieces that were popular many moons ago can make their comebacks once again. One particular style of antique jewellery that is getting a lot of interests lately is the Art Deco style rings - as seen on Cressida Brondas' engagement ring. Its abstract designs and geometric patterns in contrasting colours easily makes itself stand out among antique jewellery styles.

The Art Deco movement was a popular style that began in the mid-1920s, continuing throughout the 1930s.  Jewellery produced during this period are considered as antiques and as such bear significant value. But how could you identify an authentic Art Deco diamond rings from other antique rings?

First, you must be familiar with antique jewellery. For any item to qualify as an antique, the age of the item is the principal criterion. Appraisers continue to debate on the length of time necessary for such a label, with some declaring that the item must be at least 100 years old and others stating a more lenient age of at least 50 years old. Art Deco rings are now over 50 years old, approaching a century in just a few more years.

There are rings that look like antique pieces but are actually not, so be extra careful with your purchases. Check to see if these items are marked as reproductions or are modern rings designed to look a lot like antiques. If you want to be sure about the authenticity of antique jewellery, make sure that you are dealing with reputable antique dealers who can assist you in identifying authentic antiques. You can also consult qualified appraisers and gemologists for accuracy of dates to know which design period your ring belongs to.

Here are some characteristics that can help establish the age of a ring:

1. Motif - The overall style of a ring is a spot-on identifier of age. The symbolisms, the choice of embellishments, the lines and patterns on the ring reflect the spirit of the times when it was first produced. Significant events, whether historical or cultural, can also influence motif.
2. Gem Cutting Styles - With the advancements in techniques and resources, gem cutting styles also progress and change with the different time periods. The gem facet styles and the shapes of cut gemstones can help pinpoint which era the antique engagement ring belongs to.
3. Popular Gemstones - Different gemstones became available at different periods in history, and their popularity as ring stones tend to follow colour and fashion trends. For example, diamonds on engagement rings were non-existent until the Renaissance. The first of which is Archduke Maximilian of Austria’s betrothal ring for Mary of Burgundy in 1477.
4. Metal Used - The types of metals used or the combinations used to create the ring can also help date a jewellery piece.

Art Deco Jewellery

Art Deco rings are currently considered as the most popular antique engagement rings. These are also the most abundant styles in the market. You might be wondering how could you tell if they are  authentic Art Deco engagement ring? Here are a few things to consider:

1. Motif - Popular motifs are from nature, such as the sun, animals, trees, and nudes. Egyptian, African, Oriental, and American Indian art influenced their designs and enamel accents were widely used. Bold geometric patterns and colours were also in style during this period.
2. Gem Cutting Styles - A distinctive characteristic of Art Deco rings is its choice of intricate cuts, ranging from Old European to calibre cuts.
3. Popular Gemstones - Diamonds were huge hits during the Art Deco era, but other precious gemstones such as emerald, sapphire and ruby were also used.
4. Metal Used - Majority of jewellery made in the Art Deco era were fashioned in either platinum or white gold. In fact, white gold was first introduced at around 1915, bumping yellow gold down the popularity scale. Plus, in the late 1920s, jewellers had perfected the art of filigree, which made it another feature typical of Art Deco jewellery.

Follow the above tips and they should help you spot an authentic Art Deco jewellery piece to start your collection.


How to Care After Your Silver Jewellery