{ On The List } Take Me Away

Well, guys, I am taking next week off to Phuket for holiday, and this is my first holiday this year so I am freegin' excited! Why said "first"? Because it sounds more exciting to me!! (But I do have other 2 coming up, yeah!) 

I am sure any girl like me would overthink before the vacation, and might "accidentally" make some purchases before the actually holiday, like new bikini, new hat, well, basically new everything. (If you didn't do it, then it's not really a holiday, it's more like an escape in my standard...) So for me, this time is kinda an escape since I haven't done any irrational shopping yet and we are flying this Sunday, so I can say the goal is to be relax and enjoy the humidity and infinity pools in tropical heaven. Life is good, isn't it? Even coming up, still lots challenges await us, but we have to recharge our souls in some ways, at least that's what I think. Don't you think?

Secondly, there are also some tips from my experiences about traveling:

1. Do not pack up too many accessories, only if you are sponsored(?!), otherwise you will end up being too cautious or losing them. That's not a very good memory.

2. Enjoy the actual moment, it's good to have beautiful images to tell the story but the most important part is sharing good times with your beloved companies.

3. Be kind, even you are not sure what is the local food content on the table, don't make a scene. You can calmly say no.

4. Don't be afraid of being lost, we love lost, that's how we found super tasty Udon in Osaka last year. 

5. Make sure you have different levels of restaurants, so then you can criticise about the food fairly. 

Lastly, although I didn't do the shopping, that doesn't mean any of you couldn't have some inspirations from my current favs, for you who are about to embrace the summer, lucky you as well!!

Have a dry week!! Heheheh

xxx Aka

Girl image here  | Bikini Pintest | Hat Seafolly | Sunglass Beach Riot | Beach bag Seafolly | Sandals Shop Bop

{ Freebie } Get ready for April

Graphic design by me

The seasons certainly have paced up to its exchanges, and also the days, then we are having April with us just at the doorstep. April to me, comes with endless rain, beautiful scents of the washed green and blossoms, and I love the feeling of the subtle changes, that made me a bit sentimental and grateful that I had such a great summer/winter.

Continuing my desktop calendar series, I tried to keep the style of this series constant. The concept of this design is based on the beautiful blossoms, and pedal colour to give the image a soft spring-like touch. I found it challenging to get the flower image resource and was struggle with my composition since I don't want to reuse the black and white style. In the end,  I am very happy about what it came up! Sometimes it's hard to experiment without thinking about the outcomes and I guess the best way to push it just keep doing it till you finish it. What do you think? Anyways, just simply click on the image to link to the original image and voila!

Have a good week and stay dry!


xxxAka

{ MIxtape } Chill Out Monday

Hello guys, How's your weekend? I know I have been quiet for last couple days since my last post and I didn't meant to! I've just been really busy with Andrew and family, and that made me so hard to put away weekend mood and work.

Anyways, I picked some uplifting songs for you if you would love to have some old school songs to be around. Some of them are very old but I always have a thing to listen to old songs in the mornings. They are just so magical to me. I also linked every songs to the youtube to save you some time, just simply click on the song names. Enjoy!

1. You and me song- The Wannadies
2. There she goes- The La's
3. Two Princes- Spin Doctors
4. Shine- Laura Izibor
5. Ohh La La- The faces
6. Mr. Sandman- The Cordettes
7. I Will- Holly Palmer
8. I Got You- Jack Johnson
9. Lovely Day- Bill Withers

Have a good week guys!


xxx Aka

p.s. I forgot to save the original psd file and I cut the girl image out without a mouse and image size is a bit too small...Mind the detail!

{ Little Talk } Hear Us

Quote and graphic by me.

Beside the headlines of the missing Malaysian plane and the conflicts between Ukraine and Russia, there are some things happening in my homeland, Taiwan. Taiwan, is where I come from and its national identity is always lot of debates involved.

Firstly, I disgust to spoil my little space with this horrible matter, but gosh, I really hate Taiwanese politics and under this circumstance, things are getting a little bit too hot to handle. Last couple days, my friends went silence protest, and the tension was just off the grid. I won't say anything about the details of the protest and how government transforms the truth and slaughter people's right alive because I don't wish to mislead anyone.  But if you are a little bit curious about what's happening, please check on some news about Taiwan. I know Taiwan is a small island, most people don't even know it is one hour flight from Hong Kong, and South Korea, but it's a place you can find people with cultures, characters and respects. Sometimes I do act like a kid who doesn't give a damn and live my own life chasing fairies in my own world. I never really watch news and this just brought me tears. We Taiwanese have tried so hard to have a place to stand in the world and we never stop contributing to this world. It's real life not hanger games!!Maybe I am being a bit emotional but who doesn't want to live in a healthy society and work hard together to make the world better?

Secondly, I would love to address that hypocrite is hypocrite and there's no alternatives to change the fact. I can't believe that democracy now is democrazy and people's voice are being ignored in front of every one. If this ignorance is not crazy, what is? I am very proud of those civilians who have strong will to go on the streets and fight for the freedom. Wisdom includes the ability of distinguishing right and wrong, and there's big difference between riot and rebel. However, the government's response to people was just simply absurd. I feel in pain because my country is in pain, I know we are just the easiest prey in front of the giant. I know a country like us is hard to raise international attention worldwide and it is controversy. But hello world, we are humans and we live hard too, we definitely need your supports and notice! Don't look the other way because we are not so familiar/ far away to you, every little help helps.

Anyways, too much anger and sorrow in this post and I wish the situation will change very soon. Share you a few quotes that I found on Pinterest. I found them cheering and hopefully you can always stand for your right and what you fight for in life.



Related news you can check:
The fact of the conflicts here,
University and college professors offer supports here.
Protestors have been supported here.
Thank you for listening/ reading, and this is what we really need.

Enjoy your day

xxx Aka

{ Inspiration } Shakoor Bukhuth

Hello guys, how's your day so far? Some of you might already know I have certain obsessions in image collages and here comes this graphic designer, Shakoor Bukhuth with absolutely awesome style. 

I love his style with heavy amount of mirror effect and geometry shapes, I also love the way he used one of my favourite element - feather for his project, Altern-Natives. His style is so versatile and looks fashionable. I believe his work will look good on every thing like snowboard, iphone case, dress...you name it. The colour scheme is timeless yet trendy, he is definitely very gifted!!! Anyways, I hope you all keep being inspired and have a lovely week. 

xxx Aka

Check out more about Shakoor Bukhuth here. 

{ My Footprints } Taste of Sydney

 Hi guys, how's your weekend? Mine was pretty busy and mouthful! We attended a food event held in Centennial park last Saturday, called" Taste of Sydney". It's not really a secret that Andrew and I love cooking and trying out restaurants, tasting some good food and fine wines, especially some nice restaurants have special dishes particularly for this kind of event. Share you guys the pics I took on Saturday, and attention: photos might have some alcohol involved...

This one is my picture of the day!! Love the Scooter!

Also, there are a few points that I love:

1. Bean bags. So every one can just relax and chat while sharing the food and drinks.

2. Decoration. Every shop is different and well prepared, some are very cheeky, and some are very sophisticated. The other part I love is most of the shops used lots green elements to stay refreshing and organic.

3. Drinks. I am not saying I am alcoholic, but some of the brands there were very new to me, and they did a good job to impress me. 

4. Our luck(!). Apparently, it rained in the evening and we went to the afternoon session. Lucky us!!

Every venders made so much efforts to impress the guests

I love that Swedish cocktail

Whose legs are these?!!! They are not real human legs by the way...

That cocktail hit the spot in a hot day

 There are quite a few surprises as well, look at how Andrew smashed that monkey's arm!!

Oh, you might see Non-human and non-animal there but the alcohol beverage is real!!! Haha I am just joking.  Beside wine tastings, you can also so Japanese sake tasting, all you need to do is just book it!

Finally, share you our toasts with Expresso Martini!!! Have a good week guys!!

xxx Aka

{ Moody Moodboard } A Midsummer Dream

Images from Pinterest, Edited by me

Hi guys, sorry about my slow updates lately, I have been immersed in endless lunches and dinners with family and friends, and I think I am lucky enough to have them around to top off a great summer time to make the memories even more special. 

Now, back to the topic, summer, where should I start. Summer, I adore summer, that golden haze in a squint with salty air and olive tan. That sizzling sand stalk you everywhere, that bubbly sound in the champagne glass and that persistent ocean try to pull you into its arms and so on. It's like you can celebrate anything in this season. I just can't love summer enough because it guarantee me so many great times. And sadly I couldn't help noticing the day is slightly shorter, and the evening is slightly colder, apparently, summer is preparing to withdraw its magic. So here's a few pieces of the beachy summer vibe that inspired me and I hope you like it. Oh, if you live on the other side of world, that's even better, your good time is just about to start. 

Enjoy rest of the Summer, guys!!

xxx Aka

{ Inspiration } David Woodward

I always love collages, especially the kind of styles with a bit retro or rustic touch. And I am so jealous because I really wan't to scoop the technique into my creative factory in my brain and produce it like crazy. Look at these great pieces of David Woodward, I love his colour scheme (fan of smoky salmon colour ) and grainy images. Hopefully one day I can step up to that level, I really hope so. 

Anyways, hope you have a great week so far and pardon my slackness this week. I really tried to have some pieces this week and I didn't like it so I rather share you with the goodness not my horrible rushed works.

It's pouring rain now and stay dry everybody!!

xxx Aka 

{ Little Talk } Pain

Photo found Flickr, edited by me.

How's your weekend guys? Just like I mentioned before I went for a 30k ride last Sunday and I took so much muscle pain as souvenir!!! This unpleasant feeling also inspires me to post about "pain" today.

There are so many different kinds of pain around. Some hurt you, some changes you and made you a different/better person. It can be really petty and trivial and still made you rather hang yourself, like my big fat curly hair in traditional Asian eyes while I was a kid. It can be very heavy and tragic but you learnt so much about it and appreciate what you already have in life. Pain normally also comes along with un-acceptance which we human always dream for. but I leant to accept it. I always try to keep this in mind:" Without pain, there's nothing comparative happiness." And I want to taste this world, and I want to experience as much as I can, so I open my arms to it, with a shout ( with a smile would be a lie because I still hate the pain) and maybe I did swear a little bit.
But I am really proud of myself this morning when I woke up, then I sang the "happy" of Pharrell Williams with my moves. I feel like I am on the top of the world. That's the pain we want to embrace and that's the sensation we need.

I said that to myself in the gym today when I couldn't move my arms anymore. Also, todays is the Academy Award, Dallas Buyers Club is another good example about pain. It's not just as simple as no pain no gain. We have all kind of strength to do anything, it's more about commitment and determination. I still have a lot to learn but I will keep it in mind. Matthew Mcconaughey and Jared Leto have shared such inspiring story and mental strength and I believe that they definitely deserve to win.

Hope you all fight your pain with an awesome attitude


xxx Aka


p.s: Original photo from here.