I am a character in a photography world...

I just love photography. Well, if you were to ask me to take photographs for a wedding or some part of advertisement, then I would honestly say no. Don't get me wrong, I may love looking at them but I just don't have the passion or patience, to do wedding photography.

I came across these two photography-related videos (via YouTube), one for American Vintage fashion and the other is Evertale cinematography. Now while, I may not have test both areas before, I would just love to get experiences in both. Whether, that is to be an photography assistant to Tatiana Margaux Bonhomme, the photographer below...

or film a whimsical way of still photography, by simply trying to capture a nostalgic or romantic way of photography.

I am hoping to go back to University, because there is a lot more for me to experience. And since, I am a mother living in a village, it is hard not to be around with the the like-minded artists as much as I like. I just love the bohemian way of life, by travelling and pretend to imagine that I would live in Paris or Melbourne.

How do you define motherhood?

There isn't just one answer or word for it. For me, it is almost indescribable. How do you convey an emotion into words when it is a physical or mental attribution?

My 13 years old son have been away for the full three weeks at the end of the summer, and in his returns, he is no longer just my boy but turning into a young man. His voice breaks whilst he was away. It's almost like missing his first walking steps in a way but in this case, have he turn into a different person without my knowledgement?

One of my very first pictures with my new digital camera (then), few weeks before I enrolled myself onto HND Photography course. He was 7 then!

I love this saying: "A boy becomes an adult three years before his parents think he does - and about two years after he think he does!"

At this next stage of my son life, I know society & circumstances will play a very big part in his life and only he can then decided where he will go along with the current of that life. I am just hoping that he will acquaint us with his growing principles along with our guidance, because I can just see that, it is almost out of our control.

There is this poem that I love, by Julia Johnson Davis and it's called:

To a Young Son

In your face I sometimes see

Shadowings of the man to be,

And eager, dream of what my son

Will be in twenty years and one.

But when you are to manhood grown,

And all your manhood ways are known,

Then shall I, wistful, try to trace

The child you once were in your face?

You know, I have a nickname for him from when he was a baby, and it's always been the same "cuddly cud", so let me finish this off with a quote by Millie P.Lorenz:

...someone who will never be too grown up for me to put my arms around.

Taken on our wedding day by my other half's uncle. :-) He was 6 then!

And I will, for the life of me, cuddle him so!

it is not so 'impossible' to get instant film these days...

I have just ordered these two instant films (from Impossible) for my polaroid 600 camera, for the first time; and I can't wait for it to arrive. It have been a long time coming.

Before the ingenious Impossible Project came about and brought instant photography back to life, for people like us. I had to search high and low for the discontinued polaroid films; and they weren't cheap nor easy to find. So I was gutted for a while but lo and behold, I found some in a small supermarket somewhere in Sardinia, few years back. I could only buy a couple of them as they were left on a shelf, in a very warm temperature & of course, out of date; so I was intrigued to see if it will produce any images or to what effect it will have.

Well, the images (taken in France, couple of years ago) did come out and I loved how it gave out these warm 70s palette to it.

As soon as the new films arrive, I will have to hide them from my other half as I just know he will be just as keen as I am. He would be just like Gollem, in Lord of the Rings saying: "He wants the precious. Always he is looking for it. And the precious is wanting to go back to him... But we mustn't let him have it."

I will have to contain my excitement until then...

i love London with all my heart....

....for anyone who would likes to visit there, i could recommend a few cafes for you, if you like...

(Picture from: the chocolate consultant blog)

* Look mum, no hands - Joe & I just happened to walk by this quaint place (Old Street, London), whilst collecting something for my photography project & we both fell in love with the very "laid back" bike cafe with simple home-cooked food. (By the way, we loved their name, it's very catchy!)

* Crumpet - a brilliant all round cafe (on Northcote road, Clapham), from breakfast to afternoon snacks whether you are on your own or with a family of little kids. They do delicious porridge, by the way & serves rooibos!

* Breadstall - (on Northcote road, Clapham) Sebastian Vince is a lovely man, who alway serves you with a smile. He serves delicious variety of breads to pizzas and of course, delicious pastries. You will be spoilt for choices there.

* Muang Thai - (on Chalk Farm Road, near Camden Town) If you crave for something spicy or Thai, then I would recommend this little restaurant away from the limelight & somewhere that you could chill out with your friends or even a romantic evening meal with your partner.

* Amano - It have been years ago now, but whilst visited Tate Modern as part of my photographic trip, I happened to spot this place behind Tate Modern. It just a perfect place to fill my hunger & thirst for an hour or so.

* Lantana Cafe - Now, I have not been there but I have been wanting to visit this cafe for couple of years now, purely for coffee (& food, of course)..... and hopefully, this summer I will get to go. But if you happen to stop by this cafe, do let me know what you think of it.

* Barbecoa - This is another restaurant that I have not been to but would like to visit this coming summer. (Do tell me all about it as I want to wet my lips here.)

waiting at the window...

While I was saying goodbye to Mr P, this morning. I turned around and saw Miss C waiting at the window, I just had to take this picture there and then. (And, .....I'm glad, I did.)

Mr P & his camping gear...!

Today have finally come for Mr P's second school trip away from home, for over the next few days. I still just can't get over at how he have become this handsome young man, in front of me.

Eleven years ago, never did I expected that my son will soon be wearing this giant rucksack of mine. (I misses him already, even though, he have only left about 3 hours ago. It doesn't matter how many practices I have, throughout his years. All this is just a preparation that one day, when he will soon be leaving this cosy family nest of ours.)

P.S. Ooops, we just never got round to getting his hair cut (or trim, in his case) before his camping survival trip!

(P.S.S. Please excuse the brightness of these photos.)

summer time, the memories just waitin' to happen

There is something special about summers and I love this next unknownst quote: "the tans will fade but the memories will last forever".

For me, at the ripe age of 16, summer reminisce freedom and a new-found independence. Learning who I have (or want to) become as a person (but I can't say the same for my dress sense though, and I say it with a wink!). I got to travel to Canada with a friend, whose mum had a "lake" house (it was actually by a wide river & not a lake), out there; and it was the first time I get to travel without my parents. How cool was that?!

That summer was everything I dream of and more; I actually came home with a real tan, would you believe it? Anybody with an Irish skin, would know what I'm talking about.

Here were some of the good times:

This same friend (thank-you) there have just retweeted this beautiful quote today, and funny enough this same quote was hand-written to me by an old teacher of mine at just 16, too (as I couldn't understand then, why some people have to be so spiteful):

"True friends are like diamonds, precious and rare. False friends are like leaves, found everywhere."

Summer is so much more, with dreams and wishes that are yet to be fulfilled. Such as these:

Source: lululemon.com via Katrina on Pinterest

I would love to learn how to paddle-boarding, as apparently it's good for the abs!

Source: i.imgur.com via Katrina on Pinterest

Doing these ideas with my kids or travel freely.....

Source: myfriendjules.blogspot.com via Katrina on Pinterest

Source: beingbrazen.com via Katrina on Pinterest

And to go somewhere new, to re-new our vows in the summer sun!

This is one of my many, but how about you my lovely (unknown) followers? x

Birth Storytelling...

Never have the photograph of giving birth captured me more than this beautiful, yet powerful picture (below today), taken by Lynsey Stone (although, I first saw it on Pinterest); its really does feel so wonderful to reminisce about mine.

Source: dfwbirthphotographer.com via Katrina on Pinterest

Now I'd love to share a short video of my youngest one's birth video. (Unfortunately, I didn't have a birth video from my first one.) It really was a magical time and it still makes me feel a little weepy watching it.

I haven't forgotten my life experiences above (except that I have forgotten how much hair she had when she was born), this video have instilled a small and yet an incredulous part of mine (and my special little family) large story, filling with so many memories.

P.S. My labour was just happened to be brought on, by my son's accident in B & Q. Boys being boys, he have decided to take a peek under a garden table, made of metal. Unfortunately, there were boxes of them nearby and they all suddenly collapsed; well, luckily, it just escaped him by the skin of his teeth.

x

Miss C's {Alice in Wonderland} birthday tea-party

As Miss C's didn't get to have a birthday party with friends last year; I have promised her one this year, that she will not forget in a hurry.

By hook or crook, she had a ball at her party with a twist of modern versus traditional. By starting off with some wicked dance moves from Funky Feet Dance party (taught by an excellent woman named Stephanie) along with Miss C's favourite music and then with Alice in Wonderland tea-party thrown in.

There was this famous quote by Alice saying: You're nothing but a pack of cards! With this, the grand entrance were made up of bunting made with playing cards at the party.

playing card: at any big supermarket

string: art craft shop

staples: at any big supermarket

Mad Hatter: Do you care for tea? or how about this one: Have a very merry unbirthday! Well, since it was Miss C's birthday, she can have a merry one, indeed.

gorgeous crockery: Sunshine Bakery!

"Eat me" Party Picks: Vintage Twee

Alice in Wonderland's Fortune Teller Favours: Vintage Twee

bottle: any empty bottle will do

red heart paper straws: Pipii

The March Hare: You're all late for tea! Thankfully, none of the tea-cups was thrown like he did in the movie.

Beautiful silver teapot: Sunshine Bakery

I first saw this idea from sweet designs's blog and I just knew I wanted to do something similar for my daughter's birthday party!

birdcage: Ebay

mini-cup cakes: M & S

It seemed befitting to have parents to join in the birthday wishes at the end of the party, with this delicious cake made by my utterly genius half. Since Miss C is not a cake person at all, but have her love for brownies & all things chocolate so came across this gorgeous idea from made in melissa's kitchen.

And as for the gift bag idea, again with a little bit of help from sweet design's blog; filled with a mini-version of playing cards, Alice in Wonderland's Fortune Teller Favours, sweets wrapped in tissue paper/newspaper cracker & fruit winder. It was just a perfect party with a perfect ending.

ribbons: art craft shop

candles: any supermarket

paper bags: pipii

candy necklace: candy shop

Alice behind Curtain from Alice in Wonderland wood mounted rubber stamp: etsy

Photographer's "quote" of the day

I am without doubt an avid twitterer (& a fan) on many levels.

Seriously, I wouldn't have come across so many utterly genius fashion photographers out there, if it wasn't for twitter. And here is one cool example of who I followed daily as she got a wicked sense of humour with the use of hashtags about everyday daily life; her name is Jessica Klingelfuss or otherwise known as 'mintred' on twitter.

I could not help but love this funny and apt quote out of her tweet:

I'm having some sort of prolonged eyegasm, the light is incredible in Melbourne right now. #photographerswetdream


What about you, what is your favourite quote of the day?

A Thousand Origami Cranes for Japan

The beautiful drawing, I came across by Birdy and Me is here.

Photographer's "quote" of the day

There is something comforting in reading other photographers' thoughts/quotes, to the extent where they can simply either enhance or encourage your perceptive to the various individuality within photography.

A photograph without emotion is like a person without a soul. You can only perceived the beauty that lives outside you, when you feel the beauty that lives within. Only then are you beautiful. - Mark Liddel

Sharing an intimate note with you...

As mentioned in my post here, I am going to share another one of my many intimate notes with you...

This time, it was set up via calendar on my phone by my darling 'J' (I would get them repeatedly, few times a week whether it is via morning or by night):


"Maybe we argued today. Maybe we had fun. Maybe we both was plain daft. Maybe we was bored today. Whatever it was, I love you all the more. xxx"


Il va sans dire (needless to say), he is still an old romantic in a very modern way! ♥

I have got to start up my own engine...

I am loving this quote of the day from EarthCafe via twitter: "Don't depend on others to create your happiness, they can add to it, but it's up to you to start your own engine, to keep an upbeat attitude"

I will be totally honest with you, this whole past year haven't exactly been great for our household or even, for the past 3 years for that matter; and generally, I am just literally starting to get fed up of battling against all the bad lucks or karma that have thrown our way.

Both my husband and I are literally worn out. Since the year of 2011, I have been doing a lot of hard soul-searching, but more so this week since my kids have been taking a wee break with my parents for their half term. So far, slowly, I have been clearing out my facebook account - it wasn't an easy decision but alas I do feel a whole lot lighter than I have been in years.

This week, my husband and I have come to a hard realisation, that we do not have many 'real' friends at this stage of our lives. But you know what, we are not expecting sympathy at all, it is just to show where we need to move next, in our lives.

Anyway, I want to end this with an upbeat "attitude", here is something I have come across today that I think is a fabulous 'Vintage Style Retro Caravan'

via Rockett St George. Wouldn't you just love to buy this and then perhaps even to rent it out to someone who just want to have an fun adventure?!