My-SECRET-Corner

I love the design, texture and look of the Snake's Skin so I prefer the snake look style for my bags , shoes and even clothes. In fact, I just realized I've got loads of them. I'm a Capricorn Wood Snakes . Maybe that can explain why I'm so fond of snake style products . I love my own kind !

The Snake (蛇) (also known as the Serpent) is one of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar. I had read in the internet that People born in the Year of the Snake are deep , say little and possess great wisdom. They never have to worry about money; they are financially fortunate. I hope that's true ... Snake people tend to overdo, since they have doubts about other people's judgment and prefer to rely on themselves. They are determined in whatever they do and hate to fail ( In my case it's super true indeed ! ). Although calm on the surface, they are intense and passionate. Snake people are usually good-looking and sometimes have marital problems because they are fickle ( am I ? OMG ! Now I'm starting know more about myself ...giggles !). They are most compatible with the Ox and Rooster. Oh no, my hubby is a sheep ... am I in big trouble here then being married to a different one ? Tsk, Tsk , tsk ...

Anyway, since I had unearthed all my "Snake's Skin Stuffs " out of the closet today, I took the courage to take photos of them to share with you . Then you can see how much I had accumulated since I came to Singapore ( I'd been living here now for 10 years ! ) and tell me If I had too much ... Ok let's start the counting :

# SHOES No 1 = I was by Takashimaya in Orchard Road yesterday ( Thurs. ) Aug 20, 2009 to upgrade my 4 yrs old Samsung Phone at Hello Singtel . Instead of getting a new phone ( can't help it if Singtel won't let me upgrade the phone by myself since the phone / line was registered under my hubby's name ... I was so hopeless and dissapointed after leaving the place with my still old phone in hand ... but never mind ! ) walking around with a heavy heart, I found this Super Duper Diva Red Shoes with Snake Skin style accent in Charles & Keith . It suddenly brightens up my day ! I didn't have any intention of buying anything like what girls always say when they start walking around somewhere in a shopping area . But I just couldn't resist the look of this Red Shoes. So by impulse, I decided to try it and voila ! It fits ! No choice but to buy & take it back home . How can I say no to myself this time hah ! At home, I was happy to be able to match it with my 3 yrs old Snake Skin Style PVC Bag sitting in my cabinet . I bought this very spacious bag in one of the small shops in Bukit Timah Plaza ( Singapore ) . They matched perfectly ... yuppiee !

#SHOES No 3 = This set of NINE WEST Bag & Wedges had a very striking Moss Green Color which attracted me in the 1st place when I was in Isetan Scotts one day . I like the Gladiator Style of the Wedges but if you wear it all night long on the dancefloor and you're not used to wearing high heels , better bring an extra flip flops or flat shoes in your bag. I'll bet that you would be walking back home barefoot when the party is over. So goodluck with your feet ... don't forget to bring some band aids too and remember that I had warned you he-he !

# SHOES No 4 = This is another set of NINE WEST Bag & Shoes. But I didn't buy them together or at the same time & place. The shoes were bought in the Philippines in November 2008 while I found the matching bag by luck here in ISETAN SCOTTS in Singapore sometime this year.

# SHOES No 5 = Ok the Leather Bag in this photo was bought from Selina a Singaporean Seller from Yahoo Auction Singapore in 2003. I had Never used it yet after all these years and I just took it out of its' plastic wrapping for picture taking today. The Shoes ( New & not worn yet ) was just bought this Aug 2009 at Charles & Keith here in Singapore.

# SHOES No 6 = I love the way the shoes & the bag matched here in terms of color and material . They were Perfect together ! I got this PERLLINI Bag from CK TANGS ( Orchard ) 3 yrs ago ( Not used yet ! ) while the shoes which I bought last year in Charles & Keith by the Anchorpoint ( Alexandra Rd. opposite IKEA ) had already gone to dinner and a bit of dancing one night here in Singapore. Yessss !

#SHOES No 7 = Black Genuine Leather Evening Shoes from ITTI & OTTO bought in CK TANGS about 4 years ago ( 70% off the price ! ) . Got damaged 1st time I'm going out for dinner. The sewn part holding the strap snapped open and need some expert sewing . Eager to wear it that moment, I solved the problem by tying a Maroon lace ( recycled from a a gift wrapped box ) to support the straps. It was such a relief coz it looked great & sexy with the ribbon lace at the back of the ankle plus it matched the color of my dress . Good thinking !

# SHOES No 8 = This super comfy pair of leather based Valentino Shoes was bought in Isetann Scotts less that a year ago and it was the last pair left at that time . So lucky it was my size ! It was just waiting for me and meant to be mine I guess ! I had walked along Orchard Road , Clarke Quay and gone to parties with it . It was soft and had nice support. Thumbs up on this one !

# SHOES No 9 = This nice Velvety soft Tang's Studio Shoes were bought in CK TANGS in Scotts Road. It was on sale and was a sure bargain for its quality & style. I had worn it a few times during daytime meetings with friends for lunch or when just chilling out. The Black Beaded bag was from Yahoo Auction in 2004.

# SHOES No 10 = This Elegant Purple Leather High Heel Shoes was bought in Charles & Keith in VIVO CITY 2 years ago . While the HandBag and Wallet set from GUESS was bought in OG , Orchard Road. I love the nice unique purple color and design of the whole set that I had taken the bag with the matching wallet to my Belgium Summer Holiday last year . The women were always staring at it whenever I go to the city .

# SHOES No 11 = This pair of Ultra Sexy High Heeled shoes is Brand New ! It was one of the Latest Arrivals from Charles & Keith ( Takashimaya ) for this month of August 2009. Couldn't wait to use it & go dancing soon ... Ladies Night out girls c'mon let's go ... !

Ok, Let's see ... Don't they look nice on my feet ?

Anyway, last 2 pairs I need to show you guys are :

# SHOES No 12 = The very 1st Leather Snakes Skin Boots I ever bought ( with 50% OFF the Price ) in Singapore . I found this pair in AMERICAYA shop at The CENTER POINT in Orchard. Even though this Americaya Brown Leather Sole Boots is now 8'/2 yrs old it's still looking almost like new without any damage at all after all these years. Matched with a PVC Belt Bag bought from Metro PARAGON in Orchard Rd .

#CRBR73 =CRYSTAL BANGLES (RED) SGD$25

I had been trying this design several times last year but gave up on it a lot of times too since I can't really read the instruction on the book ( published in Taiwan ) which was in either Taiwanese, Chinese, Korean or Japanese ( whichever it was I was surely doomed ! ) so I was particularly just following the directions on the drawing . Alas , following the drawing was still not good enough to be able to create the design. Oh well, after all these failed attempts the last few months, I decided to try the design again one more time this week and told myself , I'll beat it this time ... after several trials & errors, I had created the piece finally ! Oh ... I was so happy that I made a second piece immediately the same night ! Following day, I made 2 more of this bangle design in different color combinations available now for sale in my ebay store !

#CRBR73 =CRYSTAL BANGLES ( Violet )

#CRBR73 =CRYSTAL BANGLES ( Indian Sapphire )

#CRBR73 =CRYSTAL BANGLES (Pink Champagne )

The design was a bit complicated during the start of the 1st 3 rows but goes easy after a while and a lot of deep thinking to keep me from confusions when connecting the 2 ends together. I'm not so sure what to call the kind of stitching used in this design but basing on the outcome of the bangle I guess it was a Spiral Stitch .The combined beads go on a spiral style once you keep progressing with the beading. It doesn't really require any clasp at the end but it's all up to the beader to add so if preferred . I did mine without the clasp just like in the Beading book . This design takes about 1 hr 15mins to finish and can be created in a variety of color combinations.

#CRBR73 =CRYSTAL BANGLES

Materials Used :

4mm Swarovski 5301 Bicone Crystal Beads ( 72-80 pcs)
size 11 Seed Beads ( 5 gms )
4mm Glass Pearls ( 72 - 80 pcs ) Fireline ( 6 pounds test )Beading Needle

An excellent project requiring only 3 kinds of beads in particular ! Try it !

It's been a while since the last Family or Ladies Only Night Out event I had attended with the LOH. The Last family Day I 'd been was the weekend BBQ at East Coast where the LOH members headed by the present LOH President - Jasmin cooked up a storm by presenting and offering a delicious BBQ dinner for HOG / Harley Riders and their extended families .

YUMMY !!! No chillies for me Please !

Jasmin had even brought her totally new BBQ Picnic Tools ... You can see that She's very much prepared for the event !

Well Anyway, I'm missing the laughters and the food ladies ! But the good news is, I was able to catch up with some of the LOH members last Aug. 12 = Wednesday night ( especially seeing Nen, Sharon, Alicia , Patsy, Marie, etc. ) during the Lady Gaga Concert at Fort Canning Park. Our Harley husbands were on duty as the security for Lady Gaga that night .

Nen was back temporarily from Australia ( Welcome back girl ! ) and we're talking excitedly amidst the loud noise from the fans of Lady Gaga about this coming Saturday night for a Ladies Night out . Hurray ... Count me in ! BTW, where do we start anyway ?

Nen & I during Phuket Bike Week 2007

I need that Saturday night out to go dancing with LOH & also a good chance to wear my stilletoes again ha-ha ... by the way, Nen really could dance to the max too !

Farewell Party in INSOMNIA ( Chijmes ) for LOH member Emi who went back to Japan with her husband ...

Photoshoot of 2009 LOH Calendar where kids & Dogs were models ...

CRYSTAL SPIRAL BRACELET

#CRBR72 =EMERALD SPIRALS SGD$50

I 'm so glad this morning to take photos of my 1st Crystal Spiral Bracelet I had finally finished last night. A Spiral pattern I saw from a book titled :

"A Beading Journey with Sheilah Cleary "

I had found this last piece of book accidentally in a bookstore at Funan The IT Mall on Tuesday last week while browsing on the magazine stand. I guess it was just meant for me to bring home !

This book with soft cover has inspiring Beautiful projects in it and I was so excited to make my 1st Spiral Bracelet with the basic steps on how to start the spiral stitch taken from the book while the rest I have to manage on my own. The designs looked quite complex but once you had started the pattern , you'll just keep repeating the same and the same method and array of beads over & over again until you reach the desired lenght of your bracelet. It was really easy in the end in fact !

I did a bit of Peyote Stitches & Ladder stitches in the ends where I connected the rings and the S- hook classp. While making Ladders, it is important that I had kept a good hold of the ladder as I progress. This kept gaps to a minimum. If I still have large gaps after finishing the ladder, and since I had used Delica Seed beads with good sized holes , I threaded back through all the rungs. This had straightened out the ladder a little.

I had added a beaded drop charm on one of the ends to give some extra weight to provide more ease when trying to close the bracelet. I had used Gold Plated over 925 sterling Silver S-Hook Clasp from Bali to hold the ends securely in place.

Bracelet measures approximately about 8" in lenght and 1.5cms wide.

Materials Used :

• 180 pcs = 4mm Swarovski Bicone Crystal Beads
• size 11 Toho Seed Beads ( in 2 different colors )
• size 8 Transparent Gold Seed Beads
• size 15 Mettallic Gray Delica Seed beads
• 2 cms S-Hook Gold Plated Bali Silver Clasp
• size D Nymo beading thread
• size 12 Beading Needle

" It Stands out as a one-of-a-kind creation, with beads that vary in size being used to achieve the deep spiral grooves. Its unique construction makes it an ideal way to get away from the everyday " - By Gail Seidner

I had finished this Button Pearls with Swarovski Crystals Accented Bracelet last week but got no time to upload it immediately. Created by doing the Right Angle Weave Stitch below :

Right Angle Weave is a stitch made up of units with 4 sides. The thread passes through the beads at right angles – never going straight to the next “box”. This causes the stitch to flow in a clockwise and then counter-clockwise motion. It makes it easy to know where you are going because you are always making a turn before adding any beads.

The Crystal beads & Seed Beads used have bigger holes than the Pearls so I decided to use my newly bought 1-G Beading Filament made in Germany which was really quite handy , strong & smooth plus a size 12 needle which can easily pass thru the small holes a few times without problem .

Bracelet measures about 7 inches long and 2 cms wide .

#GSBB466 = PEARLS & CRYSTALS $50

All materials used :

22 pcs 8mm Side Drilled Button Pearls
42 pcs 5mm Round Swarovski Crystal Beads
10 pcs 3mm Swarovski Bicone Crystals
2 way Gold Plated Box Clasp
Size 8 / Size 11 Toho Seed Beads
1-G Beading Filament ( or Nymo Thread )
Size 12 Beading Needle

Excellent Beading Project for Beginners / Intermediate

Logo of the 44th National Day Parade held today August 9, 2009.

Have you ever visited any Radio Station in your area ?

Yesterday , Thursday 6th of August was a big exciting day for my 2 kids Tacha / Tristan & a friend Julia ( Tacha's Schoolmate ). Why ? we were invited by a nice happy and kind person we met in the Ladies of Harley BBQ event at East Coast park a few months ago. This person happened to be Mr. Rod Monteiro , one of our favorite DJs from 91.3 FM here in Singapore. He and with the help of his colleagues ( Mohd Aidil & Adam ) gave us the chance to visit and make a tour of the famous Radio Station in Singapore -

It was Located in 1000 Toa payoh North which was surrounded by HDB . We arrived before our time of appointment but the friendly Adam looked after us with a smile and brought us all the way up to their canteen to wait for Mr. Rod Monteiro .

Rod came shortly after with a big smile on his face and took us to their studio. He gave us a brief summary of their organzation from their highest boss , technical staffs, Djs and so much more. We personally met Jamie who was actually recording his voice for some cartoon stuffs & DJ "JJ" who was so kind to accommodate us and even joined our picture taking !

DJ "JJ" and us in his studio ! Cool !

DJ "JJ" on Air so we were quiet in one corner !

DJ Rod showing us the line of songs and music going ro play soon ... awesome !

DJ Rod Monteiro with us !

Geee ... kids & I were so happy indeed ! What a great experience to see how they manage their music & voice comments while on air and facing at least 4 computers infront of them . All these at the same time .. Wow really spectacular !

Rod even led us to their Technical room where all their main power equipments were located. So surprised that only 1 person manning the technical room takes care of all the trouble if something happens . With all the wires and stuffs I'd seen there , it must have been a very hard job.

One thing I really gained from the Radio Station tour is the fact that we had personally met the real people behind the voices we hear everyday in our car ( you're right, our car radio is set to 91.3 FM every single moment ! No kidding ! ) When hubby tries other stations, kids and I start screaming " 91.3 please !" With 3 against 1 , of course hubby puts 91.3 back on ...

Meeting these people and hearing them talk infront of me and the children gave all of us a great feeling. We're very grateful for the opportunity they had given us to meet them face to face . Thanks so much again guys and more power to you !

By the way, they also have these marvelous freebies up for grabs everytime . So guys , tune in to the best music of the best radio station in town now for more fun and surprises !

91.3 FM Radio Station

The One that really ROCKS !!!