My son

I realize I have not taken many new pictures of Landon, ever since he started walking, he is so fast and mummy is not. A few pictures we do have, either  Landon was all seat belted in stroller or highchair, or he was watching something so concentrated and I could never get a smile during that moment. So were these two snaps I took this morning.

Yesterday I saw a post from Alliot about a beautiful school project she did with her daughter Iza. It made me think a lot. How important creativity should be in a child's life or what is important in a child's life. I grew up in a society that is so competitive academically. To get a good grade, go to a best high school, go to a top university was all we were told and we were after.  Now I thought back, I don't remember when I truly enjoyed learning. For me learning was always associated with exams and grades, happy parents or upset parents. The first week of July was China's university entry exams days. Those three days usually decided our future( at least that's what we thought), outside the schools, the roads were packed with hopeful parents, anxiously waiting for their children finishes the exams, Nanjing's summer is always hot and humid, I can still see my mum waiting for me under the Wu Tong Tree's shade... and the last thing you want to do is to let your parents down. I don't my kids to go through this again.

This is just the beginning of my motherhood,  I love Landon so much, he is more important than life itself to me. Motherhood is such a humble experience. I want to give him the best, but what is the best? I wan to let him run, but should I let him fall, when to pick him up, when to let him stand up by himself. Alliot is right, we are forever a learner as parent. For now, Landon, just let mummy loves you, we will learn together as the day goes by

simple tags

I like a lot those minimalist stationary by bluepoolroad shared by one of my favorite blog: of paper and things today. Went to their website, how lovely are those simple tags

My things

I am going to get a copy of 'My things' by Gabriel Grundler that I saw on 'its edition'. I like the idea that the things you own are not just objects, they reflect who you are and what you do. I actually had similar ideas in the past, I wanted to make a book/booklet with only polaroid pictures of my wardrobe, to have some sort of recorded memory of them. And the reason behind the idea is not because of my vanity, my closet is filled with things that I feel they are 'very me'. They remind me how my style and taste has changed in years, how brilliant and stupid choices I have made in life.  I probably should really do it, especially now since I hardly ever put on anything in that closet. They become history, and history needs to be recorded right?  Those are memories of my 'cool days' and those days are gone... 


Here is why:
1. I can't get into most of them. It is understandable that I couldn't get into those before Landon was born. But I actually bought many pretty nice ones after Landon was born, and they don't fit me either. When I bought them, they were slightly tight, I thought to myself, hey, I am going to drop all that baby fat, and they will fit soon. The truth is, the baby fat stayed, the last 5 pounds, ok 10 pounds has glued on me. They stayed.

2. I never had chance to wear them. I am home with Landon, nobody sees me except my son during the day.  My little man loves me no matter what I chose to wear. 

3. I live in the Suburbs, even those chances I do get to go out, its mainly  supermarkets and parks, my Comme des Garcons and Yohji look very out of place there. You could say, who cares what people think. But I do, they do look strange in suburban supermarkets.  They are out of place there. 

4. Can't run(walk) in heels(anymore). I remembered when I was pregnant with Landon, I read an article said your feet will become bigger even after your baby is born. I was pathetically worried that would be the case for me. Sorry not so modest, my shoes are nice! Now looking back, why should I be worried. even though I do fit into my high heels, they don't fit into my lifestyle anymore. They don't go with PJs, at least not those ones I am wearing these days, they don't go with stroller, they don't go with chasing a 15 month-old running boy. 

Some days when I walk into my closet, I do feel a bit nostalgic, but when I hear my little man calling : mama, mama; his little voice brings me back to my reality, this is my life now, this is what matters to me now, this is all I want now!

China-Part 2

 I have not been able to write anything. My last week went by so fast, I was exhausted every night, yet I couldn't remember what I have achieved that day.

Yesterday we had a 'winter' storm, it rained so much, I am looking outside the window, the flowers of our just bloomed bouganvilla were everywhere on the lawn but on the tree now. It feels so cold, different from the cold weather in the north, it is those humid cold. Like the winter we had back home in Nanjing. I really need a cup of hot tea.  This tea set is designed by a Chinese designer Fandi Meng.

Also love his design of this couples alarm clock, the vibration will wake you up, but not the one next to you, it is also brilliant for people with hearing disability.

I never like bluetooth headset. I will never wear one. Unless they are invisible. Maybe not even then...But I still want to give credit to Fandi for his creativity on this one. It is the pretties I have seen.

A collection a day by Lisa Congdon

Enjoy the new blog of Lisa Congdon. Love how she brings out the beauty from the most simple objects.

China- Part 1

I was quite excited these days since I started blogging, I met a few very nice Chinese ladies,  Alliot from Hongkong,whose blog inspired me to start blogging myself,  Fei An who lives in Oslo, whose comments are so warm that puts a big smile on my face, Grace, a talented young accessories designer from Texas, Ah-Yi, a lady from Taiwan who kindly offered me many suggestions on finding a good photographer in LA. In one of the emails exchange between me and Grace, we laughed about how rare to find Chinese in creative business since most of our parents prefer us to have a 'real' job. My parents were sad that I left my corporate job and security behind, I think it is hard for them to understand my passion to unbleached linen and tea towels. But they let me, although I am in my 30s, it is still important for me, a Chinese daughter to get approval from my parents, at least in some level.

When I was in China, I noted two very talented young designers, one is Wang Yi Yang from Shanghai, first I saw some of his work from his project 'Cha Gang' and then went to the store of his new brand Zuc zug. His work is very conceptual  and minimalist.  If the shop assistant in the store could be friendlier, I would enjoy more in browsing his pieces.

Another one is Ma Ke, what a delight to discovered her brand: mixmind(例外) . I think those images can't really justify her garments, you really need to touch the textures of the fabric, feel the weight of the heavy linen and chunky knits. I like how she choses a modern way to interpret the original simple Eastern living philosophy

Anna Emilia

I want share  again my love to Finland, the far away northern country where I spent 7 years and married one of its finest man! But today what I want to write is how brilliant and creative the people are there. Before new year. I started reading a blog by a young lady called Anna Emilia and was so moved by her paintings. Her attention to the most delicate detail, her sensitive touch on each piece. It brought me to the cozy cottage where a cup of hot tea is steaming and snow is falling outside of the wooden window, the kind of blue sky you only see in the northern winter, just before the darkness arrives.

Trunk for Junk

This would be a nice way to hide all the junk in my studies.