Bean Sprout Husks pillow

Bean sprout husks pillow have been used for newborn and infant babies in Asia for ages. Due to the light weight of the husks, it is believed that it helps to calm babies and has a cooling effect too.

Take a look at the new bean sprout husks pillow that I have made for my little one, isn't cute! Just email me if you would like to have one, with the choice of the size as well as the fabric. cheers!

Asian Fabric, the Batik

Have you heard of the term ‘batik’? It is a Indonesian Malay term, which refers to the process of dyeing fabric by making use of a resist technique; covering areas of cloth with a dye-resistant substance to prevent them absorbing colors. Batik has become a very central means of artistic expression for many of the areas of Asia and a deeply integrated facet of Asian culture.
I am currently looking at using batik for the EastHaven, since it offers immense artist freedom as patterns are applied by actual drawing rather than by weaving with thread. Of course I love most is the durability. The colors in Batik are much more resistant to wear than those of painted or printed fabrics because the cloth is completely immersed in dye and the areas not protected by resist are allowed to absorb hues to the extent that the colors will not easily fade.
So watch out for the new items launched! Hee… hee….

Cards in process......

Design of the new EastHaven cards in process.......

Mother's Day Special

You realise that how great is your mother once you become one. The care and the love that you have been showering to your baby is not any lesser than those given to you when you were young. This year I want to give something special to her, and what about you?

Just sign up as a new member at http://the-easthaven.com, and you will be entitled 10% discount on any purchase before 13 May 2007. It is just a little appreciation that you and I want to give to our dearest mummies!

Motherhood

I like the quiet moment with her, touching her feet and hands. They are just so tiny, so fragile. All I know is that I have to protect her. Maybe this sense of attachment is what you called motherhood. A rewarding journey indeed. Now I realize how simple the happiness can be.

the EastHaven cash voucher reward

We love to have you to be part of the EastHaven. We really value your comments. Kindly drop us your review on any recent purchase, or testimonial on our service via your EastHaven account, and you will be rewarded with a cash voucher. The cash voucher worth USD2 will be sent to you upon any review received, which could be redeemed in your next purchase.

Cheers to the handiwork lovers. Keep up the spirit of the EastHaven with us!

Rich yet down-to-earth

I love Asian culture, for its mystical and rich background and culture. However I love to create the EastHaven style that has the asian essence, yet is down-to-earth. I simply love details that are able to elegantly piece themselves together.
Just look at this local corridor influenced by Colonial architecture in Singapore. Don't you like the vintage elegant look yet are still functioning excellently in this hot weather in Singapore? Love the unique floor tiles and suspended ceiling fans, for they are so unique and original to Singapore context.

the EastHaven Bag - Golden Joy

Going for something simple yet elegant? Take a look at this draw-string bag in silver silk against the dark brown overturn. It comes with an adjustable string for the opening. It is definite choice for the fun, outgoing people for all occasions. Features: String closure.

the EastHaven Bag - Secret Garden

This is the bag that many girls would dream of having one, either for her functions, prom night or even for her wedding day. It exudes the mystical and dreamy feel that every girl would look for!This beautiful silver silky bag is covered with lots of intricate decorative roses with a mystical butterfly. In its satin fabric, it presents a modern fusion in the mythical oriental world.

Deployable Shelter project

After years in archi school, this is still one of the most brilliant ideas of innovation that I had with my team mate. This Year 1 project involved the design of a deployable shelter, which would be built to the actual size. Therefore we unitlise the asian material bomboos as the main structure, by exploring the form of animals engaging in some form of activity. The mechanism is the exploration of the fluidity of the structure.

It is a elegant design, with simple design and steps involved in the assembly work. What a pity that I lost the picture of the actual mock-up, which I simply think is gorgeous! Allow me sometime to dig through my portfolio, maybe then you will share the same sentiment as I do:)

Why I like backpacking? Part 2 (from Enn+ Chiang Blog)

Photo: Rochelle, Mag and Me! Taken in Crete island, Greece
Min Wen asked why do I love backpacking? I think the very important reason: it is cheap! And this is extremely important for a student who has no regular income. I started backpacking around the age of 19, 1st year in Uni. In order to pay for the trip to visit Rochelle in Melbourne, I took up tuition as part time. Of course the money earned only sufficed the amount for me to stay in motels/hostels, take public transport and eat cheap food! This is how exactly Rochelle and I started the interest in backpacking. Two of us, the 2 young girls took up the journey from Melbourne to Syney, then to Goldcoast. To save money, we took bus throughout the whole journey. And we really pitied our butts by sitting on it for more than 10 to 15 hours in the ride.
However if you ask me the question now as a working adult, I would still prefer backpacking. It gives you the freedom to do the things you like, especially for someone like me who like to wander off and take great pictures. Also you would only have the chance of immersing in the local culture and lifestyle through backpacking, by staying with the local motels and hostels, and eating the local food. This unique genuine experience is something you would not get from the packaged tours.

the EastHaven Bag - Tote Freedom

The reason I name this bag as freedom, as it gives me the feel of carefree, get-away. I love this fashionable oversize tote bag, for it granting me the convenience and freedom to pack what I need. This wonderful tote bag is always ready for me. They’ll take me from the gym to the office to the poolside, and hold all your weekend shipping. Of course its whimsical and colorful design with beautiful embroidery works, makes a special companion for any location!

Live each moment

I received this interesting article from my secondary friend, which is pretty meaningful:

It's been 18 years since I joined Volvo, a Swedish company. Working for them has proven to be an interesting experience. Any project here takes 2 years to be finalized, even if the idea is simple and brilliant. It's a rule.Globalize processes have caused in us (all over the world) a general sense of searching for immediate results. Therefore, we have come to posses a need to see immediate results. This contrasts greatly with the slow movements of the Swedish. They, on the other hand, debate, debate, debate, hold X quantity of meetings and work with a slowdown scheme. At the end, this always yields better results.

Said in another words:
1. Sweden is about the size of San Pablo , a state in Brazil .2. Sweden has 2 million inhabitants.3. Stockholm , has 500,000 people.
4. Volvo, Escania, Eric sson, Electrolux, Nokia are some of its renowned companies. Volvo supplies the NASA.The first time I was in Sweden , one of my colleagues picked me up at the hotel every morning. It was September, bit cold and snowy. We would arrive early at the company and he would park far away from the entrance (2000 employees drive their car to work). The first day, I didn't say anything, either the second or third. One morning I asked, "Do you have a fixed parking space? I've noticed we park far from the entrance even when there are no other cars in the lot." To which he replied, "Since we're here early we'll have time to walk, and whoever gets in late will be late and need a place closer to the door. Don't you think?" Imagine my face.

Nowadays, there's a movement in Europe name Slow Food. This movement establishes that people should eat and drink slowly, with enough time to taste their food, spend time with the family, friends, without rushing. Slow Food is against its counterpart: the spirit of Fast Food and what it stands for as a lifestyle. Slow Food is the basis for a bigger movement called Slow Europe, as mentioned by Business Week.

Basically, the movement questions the sense of "hurry" and "craziness" generated by globalization, fuelled by the desire of "having in quantity"(life status) versus "having with quality", "life quality" or the "quality of being". French people, even though they work 35 hours per week, are more productive than Americans or British. Germans have established 28.8 hour workweeks and have seen their productivity been driven up by 20%. This slow attitude has brought forth the US 's attention, pupils of the fast and the "do it now!".

This no-rush attitude doesn't represent doing less or having a lower productivity. It means working and doing things with greater quality, productivity, perfection, with attention to detail and less stress. It means re-establishing family values, friends, free and leisure time. Taking the "now", present and concrete, versus the "global", undefined and anonymous. It means taking humans' essential values, the simplicity of living. It stands for a less coercive work environment, more happy, lighter and more productive where humans enjoy doing what they know best how to do. It's time to stop and think on how companies need to develop serious quality with no-rush that will increase productivity and the quality of products and services, without losing the essence of spirit. In the movie, Scent of a Woman, there's a scene where Al Pacino asks a girl to dance and she replies, "I can't, my boyfriend will be here any minute now". To which Al responds, "A life is lived in an instant". Then they dance to a tango.Many of us live our lives running behind time, but we only reach it when we die of a heart attack or in a car accident rushing to be on time. Others are so anxious of living the future that they forget to live the present, which is the only time that truly exists. We all have equal time throughout the world. No one has more or less. The difference lies in how each one of us does with our time. We need to live each moment. As John Lennon said, *"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans".

*Congratulations for reading till the end of this message. There are many who will have stopped in the middle so as not to waste time in this globalized world!

Therefore, take a slower pace in life to smell the roses, appreciate the nature around you, and be inspired by beautiful handiworks which are able to touch your heart...... Live each meaningful moment......

the EastHaven bag- Satin Elegance- An exceptional Asian Chic bag for you

It is a gorgeous silk bag with a tantalizing rose and vine leaves embroidery in same color thread, which gives it a soft feminine look. I love its elegance, intricacy of the handiwork. This wonderful bad Asian Chic bag makes a special companion to any function, and of course, an exceptional gift for her during any occasion. A classic and functional bag indeed!Features:Wooden handle, Snap closure, silk linen interior with small zipper pocket. Dimension (in cm): 35x25x8

Female Backpacking experience Part 1 (from Enn+Chiang blog)

Photo 1: Taken in Ho Chi Min (Yr 2004)
Rochelle dropped me an email, asking whether I am interested to share my female backpacking experience with My Paper (newspaper in Singapore). I replied: Why not? Since I am on maternity leave, and have spare time to do so. I am more than willing to share the many years of backpacking experience with others.
That's how I got to know Min Wen, the reporter from My Paper. We chatted, and she requested me to upload some photos for her to view. Initially I felt quite lazy to do so, since I have not been posting my photos online which I can easily show it to her. Moreover, I am more of the 'ancient' person, who picked up digital photo taking quite lately. Therefore most of my photos are in the 'hardcopy' developed format, which require me to scan them in order to upload them online. Also some of the photos I took long time ago, which I found them to be more interesting, are kept in Malaysia.
However after much consideration, I decided to dig out my photos to do it on the basis that I have promised Min Wen to do so. At the same time, I choose to upload them to share with others.
Min Wen, simply click on the images and links to have a feel of the trips that I have been making over the years!

American Red Indian

Red Indians are the indigenous peoples of the Americas. Look at the pictures, they look amazingly similar. Isn't it an amazing artpiece?

My cozy bedroom corner