☺ Daily Smile | the ring is on it

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DEVIATION

Did you think it was me? Don’t worry, it’s coming. Lucky chum. Instead…

Yesterday had a great girls’ nite dinner – delicious food, lovely company, on point conversation. Then…one of my friends relates a story about meeting up with the on-again-off-again man of hers. *sigh* You didn’t let him into the heart again, did you? we chastised (guilty as charged).

We get it, he’s a good man but with boyish tendencies (the immature ones not the endearing ones) — commitment issues, wanting to prove himself before settling down, you know, yada yada life life life. We like him. We adore him. He, not that it matters, is handsome, tall, European (where the gooood hand-dipped chocolates are from), younger, intelligent, smart, driven, owns his home, has tight ties with his family, has close knit bunch of loyal friends, has a great career and even better smile. (Yes, he’s for real.)

But he made mistakes. She made mistakes. He made some more. Hence, You didn’t let him into the heart again, did you? Of course, as people do, he changed, he grew up, he grew some, and our boy stepped up and put a ring on it, à la Beyoncé.

The best is that it came from left field. Detour right. Risk. Venture. Hit target. Encountered forcefield. Shock. Push button. Release shield. Open heart. Yes.

*Jumpy claps*

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♡ Home exterior inspiration

via dwell

via weheartit

via meggielynn

via prettymystyle

via thedame

via theabsolution

via incredibleelovee

 

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I ♥ florigraphy (language of flowers)

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FLORIOGRAPHY

I enjoy receiving flowers just as much as the next gal. My favorite season for flowers is spring, since my favourite flower is the peony. I also have a soft spot for cherry blossoms, tulips, crocus, freesias, and daffodils.

I have always been fascinated with florigraphy, the study of the language of flowers. Throughout the ages, flowers have been used to communicate messages, sometimes spiritual (such as the “purity” of the lily in reference to Mary), sometimes magical (as in medicine). The Victorian Age in England led to flowers being used as a means of communication in which flowers, posies, bouquets, and arrangements were used to send coded messages. Yes, you could express feelings with flowers that otherwise could not be spoken.

But it’s not just the British. The Japanese also have a language of flowers called Hanakotoba, used much the same way. I’ve touched upon both of these flower languages in a post about tulips (refresher HERE).

In the very least, I find it so artful and sweet, and useful for all bouquets, including wedding, friendship, courtship and the like. I’m just going to highlight the flowers I like the most here…

AMARYLLIS – pride (F); shy (H)

Amaryllis

AZALEA – Take care of yourself, Temperance, Fragile (F); Patient/Modest (H)

Azalea

BIRD OF PARADISE – Liberty, Magnificence, Good Perspective

Bird of Paradise

BLUEBELL/BELL FLOWER – Humility, Constancy, Gratitude (F); Grateful (H)

Bluebells

BUTTERCUP – Riches, Childishness

Buttercup

 CALLA LILY – Magnificent Beauty

Calla Lilies

 CAMELLIA – Admiration, Perfection, Good Luck Gift for a Man, Gratitude

CAMELLIA (PINK) – Longing

Pink Camellia

 CAMELLIA (RED) – You’re a flame in my heart (F); In Love (H)

Red Camellia

 CAMELLIA (WHITE) – Adoration, Perfection, Loveliness (F); Waiting (H)

White Camellia

 CAMELLIA (YELLOW): Longing (H)

Yellow Camellia

 CAMELLIA (JAPANESE): Unpretending excellence

Camellia Japonica

CHERRY BLOSSOM: A good education (F); Transience of life, Wabi-sabi, Gentle, Kind (H); Feminine Beauty (C)

Cherry Blossoms

CHRYSANTHEMUM (RED): “I love”

Red Chrysanthemum

CHRYSANTHEMUM (YELLOW): Slighted love (F); Imperial, Elegant (H)

Yellow Chrysanthemum (via elisedean)

CHRYSANTHEMUM (WHITE): Truth/Self-Esteem (H)

White Chrysanthemum

CORNFLOWER – Delicacy, Refinement (F)

Cornflowers

CROCUS – Cheerfulness, Abuse Not, Gladness (F)

Crocus

DAFFODIL – Regard, Unrequited Love, Sunshine, Respect, The Sun Shines When I’m with You; Uncertainty, Chivalry

DAFFODIL (YELLOW ): Chivalry

Daffodils

DAHLIA – Dignity and Elegance, Forever Thine (F); Good Taste (H)

Dahlias (via rclark)

DAISY – Innocence, Loyal Love, I’ll Never tell, Purity, Beauty (F); Faith (H)

 DAISY OX-EYE – Patience (F)

Daisies

DAISY (RED) – Beauty Unknown to Possessor

Red Daisy (via melissawrzesniewsky)

FORGET ME NOT – True Love, Memories

Forget-Me-Nots (via nodov)

FREESIA – Innocence, Trust (F); Immaculate, Childish, Immature (H)

Freesias (via lonoak)

GARDENIA – You’re lovely, Secret love, Purity, Refinement (F); Secret Love, Pure (H)

Gardenia

GERBERA DAISY – Innocence

Gerbera Daisies

GLADIOLI – Generosity, I’m sincere, Flower of the gladiators

Gladioli

HIBISCUS – Consumed by Love, Delicate Beauty, Rare beauty (F); Gentle (H)

Hibiscus

HYACINTH (BLUE) – Consistency

Blue Hyacinth

HYACINTH (PURPLE) – Sorry, Please Forgive Me, Sorrow

Purple Grape Hyacinth

HYACINTH (RED OR PINK) – Playful Joy

Pink Hyacinth (via o_lesyk)

HYACINTH (WHITE) – Unobtrusive Loveliness, I’ll Pray for You

White Hyacinth

 HYACINTH (YELLOW) – Jealousy

Yellow Hyacinth

HYDRANGEA – Thank You for Understanding, Frigidity, Heartlessness (F); Pride (H)

Blue Hydrangea

IRIS – Faith, Wisdom, Promise in Love, Hope, Wisdom & Valor (F); Noble Heart, Good News (H)

Iris

IVY – Wedded Love, Fidelity, Friendship, Affection, Dependence, Endurance

IVY (SPRIG OF WHITE TENDRILS)- Anxious to please, Affection

JASMINE (WHITE) – Amiability (F); Friendly, Graceful (H)

JASMINE (INDIAN) – Attachment 

Indian Jasmine

JASMINE (SPANISH) – Sensuality

Spanish Jasmine (Jasminum Grandiflorum)

JASMINE (YELLOW) – Modesty, Grace, Elegance

Yellow Jasmine (Jessamine, Gelsemium sempervirens)

JONQUIL – Love Me, Affection Returned, Desire, Sympathy

Jonquils

LAVENDER – Love, Devotion, Distrust

Lavender (kbhew)

LILAC (GENERAL) – Beauty, Pride (F); First Love (H)

 LILAC (PURPLE) – First emotions of love

Purple Lilac

 LILAC (WHITE) – Youthful Innocence

White Lilac

LILY (all) – Majesty & Honor, Purity of Heart

LILY (TIGER) – Wealth, Pride, Prosperity

LILY (WHITE) – Virginity, Purity, Majesty, It’s Heavenly to be with You

White Lilies

LILY (YELLOW) – I’m Walking On Air, False, Gay, Gratitude

Yellow Lily (via v4vikey)

LILY OF THE VALLEY – Sweetness, Tears Of The Virgin Mary, Happiness, Humility (F); Promise of Happiness (H)

Lily-of-the-Valley

LOTUS – Estranged love, Forgetful of the Past

Pink Lotus

MAGNOLIA – Nobility, Perseverance, Nobility (F); Sublime (H)

Magnolia (via Jörg Dickmann)

MAGNOLIA (CHINESE) – Love of Nature

Chinese Magnolia

MORNING GLORY – Affection

Morning Glory

ORANGE BLOSSOM – Innocence, Eternal Love, Marriage, Fruitfulness

Orange Blossoms

ORCHID – Love, Beauty, Refinement, Chinese Symbol for Many Children, Thoughtfulness

Orchids

ORCHID (CATTLEYA) – Mature Charm

PANSY – Merriment, Thoughts (You Occupy My Thoughts)

Pansies

 PEONY – Shame, Happy Marriage, Compassion, Bashfulness

Peonies

PERIWINKLE – Early Recollections, Pleasures of Memories, Sweet Memories

Periwinkles

PLUM BLOSSOM – Pure & True

Plum Blossoms (via Eiki Yasuda)

RHODODENDRON – Danger, Beware, I am Dangerous

Rhododendron

ROSE (BRIDAL) – Happiness

Bridal Roses

ROSE (BURGUNDY) – Unconscious Beauty

Burgundy Rose

ROSE (CHRISTMAS)- Relieve my anxiety

Christmas Rose (via Imogen Eve)

ROSE (CORAL) – Desire

Coral Roses

ROSE (DAMASK) – Freshness, Persian Ambassador of Love

Damask Roses (via pedroam-bang)

ROSE (DARK CRIMSON) – Mourning

Dark Crimson Rose (via WS2)

ROSE (LAVENDER) – Enchantment

Lavender-Purple Roses

ROSE (ORANGE) – Fascination

Orange Roses

 ROSE (PINK) – Perfect Happiness, Secret Love, Grace & Sweetness, Indecision

Pink Roses

 ROSE (DARK PINK) – Thankfulness

ROSE (PALE PINK) – Grace, Joy

 ROSE (PEACH) – Immortality, Modesty

Peach Roses

 ROSE (RED) – Love, Respect, Beauty

Red Roses

 ROSE (A SINGLE RED ROSE) – I Love You

Single Red Rose

ROSE (TEA) – I’ll Remember, Always

Tea Rose

ROSE (WHITE) – Innocence, Charm, Purity, Humility, I am Worthy of You, Secrecy, Silence

White Roses

  ROSE (YELLOW) – Joy, Jealousy, Friendship (one yellow rose with 11 red ones means love & passion)

Yellow Roses

ROSES (ASSORTED) – You’re everything to me

Bouquet of Assorted Roses

ROSES (BOUQUET OF FULLY BLOOMED ROSES): Gratitude

ROSEBUD – Beauty & Youth, A Heart Innocent of Love

Rose Bud (HKM Photo)

ROSEBUD (RED) – Pure & Lovely

 ROSEBUD (WHITE) – Girlhood, Heart Ignorant of Love

ROSES (Single full bloom) – I truly love you, Simplicity.

* SNAPDRAGON – Gracious Lady, Strength

Snapdragons

SNOWDROP – Hope, Consolation

Snowdrops (via prolandscaper)

 STEPHANOTIS – Marital Happiness, Desire to Travel

Stephanotis (via alispoems)

 SUNFLOWER (TALL) – False riches, Pride (F); Love & Respect (H)

sunflowers (via imisshowitwasbefore)

SUNFLOWER ( DWARF) – Adoration

SWEETPEA – Good-by, Departure, Blissful Pleasure, Thank You for a Lovely (F); Joy (H)

Sweetpeas (via crudlynaturephotos)

 TULIP (GENERAL) – Perfect Lover, Fame, Flower Emblem of Holland

 

* TULIP (RED) -Believe me, Declaration of Love

 

* TULIP (VARIEGATED) – Beautiful eyes

 

* TULIP (YELLOW) – There’s Sunshine In Your Smile

 

* VIOLET – Modesty, Virtue, Affection (F); Please Love Me (H)

 

* VIOLET (BLUE) – Watchfulness, Faithfulness, Love

 

* VIOLET (WHITE) – Let’s Take A Chance On Happiness

 

* WISTERIA – Welcome (F); Beautiful Birth (H)

 

* ZINNIA (MAGENTA) – Lasting Affection

 

* ZINNIA (MIXED) – Thinking (or in memory) of an Absent Friend

 

* ZINNIA (SCARLET) – Constancy

 

* ZINNIA (WHITE) – Goodness

 

* ZINNIA (YELLOW) – Daily Remembrance

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♡ TGIF

 

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♡ TGIF

(credit:Eliza Cerdeiros)

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I ♥ foreign films

I HEART FOREIGN FILMS

Do you? I have to admit they can be infuriating because often they end open-ended, unlike Hollywood movies. They can be slow and monotonous almost. I get it, I get it. Sometimes they can be a bore. But sometimes they can be surprisingly good. You can even hone your foreign language skills, and get your wanderlust on because they cinematography makes you want to go to whatever country you’re watching.

Here are some of the ones I have really liked (not in any order):

POLISSE

SCENT OF THE GREEN PAPAYA

AMELIE

I AM LOVE

THE GREAT BEAUTY

LADY VENGEANCE

OLDBOY

A ROYAL AFFAIR

HAUTE CUISINE

GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO

RUST AND BONE

LIKE FATHER LIKE SON

CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON

INFERNAL AFFAIRS

IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE

BATTLE ROYALE

IMPOSSIBLES

 

 

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✈ Travel | Kaua’i

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KAUA’I PARADISE

This summer included a girls’ reunion week on the majestic island of Kaua’i. A reunion, of sorts, because the gal pals I met up with live in three different countries, and we haven’t seen each other for almost 8 years!?! I know, seriously. We used to live in the same city, once upon a time — and then we went to all points across the Pacific Ocean (south, north, east, west).

So, I had no idea what to expect from Kaua’i — I came there with clear mind and open heart to just discovery its beauty and warmth. It showed up in spades.

HURRICANES x2

I had a layover in Seattle, where CNN informed me that two hurricanes were hurling towards the islands of Hawaii. TWO. You know what they look like on TV? Whirling dervishes, my friend.

Not to worry, by the time the first hurricane made its way to Kauai, it was downgraded to a tropical storm, what with Big Island and Maui getting the brunt of it. We had one day of morning rain. That’s it. The second hurricane decided to change course and it deviated north, away from the islands, and that was that.

*MY RECOMMENDATIONS*

So here is what’s most important to you. We beached. We snorkelled. We hiked. We chilled. We shopped. We explored. We ate. We ate. And we ate. You basically drive around the outskirts of the island in one big loop. We stayed on the east-side of the island in Kapaa, which is basically between the North Shore and the South Shore, and a tad north of Lihue, the capital. Kaua’i is not as bustling as Oahu or Maui, it’s more of a nature enclave, and thank goodness for that. These are the sights and eats and in betweens we enjoyed the most:

♡ WAIMEA CANYON

Oh holy wonder. It’s apparently called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific with a chasm over 3,000 feet deep. You’ll drive up and stop along the way for lookouts that crop up every here and there. There’s a variety of hiking trails you can take too, but the easiest one is Cliff Trail, which is 3.2 km (2 miles) long.

♡ NORTH SHORE

Lush green mountains. White sandy beaches. Clear blue ocean. Surfers. Bikinis. Fish. Pure love. The best beaches on the island are situated here — but get there before 10:00 or else you’ll be driving around looking for parking.

NA PALI CLIFFS

WALUA FALLS

PO’IPU BEACH PARK

MAKUA (TUNNELS) BEACH

HAMURA’S SAIMIN STAND

Somewhat hidden from the main road, so you better have GPS to figure out where to find it. Saimin = ramen, if you’re wondering. The lineup is ridiculous and the place is this slapshot diner, with the cutest Nikkei women running the kitchen.

I love their noodles — chewy, long, just right. Their broth tastes subtle like a really good ramen shop in the backalleys of Shinjuku have to offer. This is a good thing. Sometimes noodle broth in North America is too salty to appease North American tastebuds. There’s tons of bowl sizes, toppings to choose from, but I went for the prawn.

We sat with locals, including “living treasure” Beverly Muraoka (hula queen). Her family was there to celebrate her honour at the Kauai Museum (but the hurricane threat postponed the event until October). So friendly and lovely!

After you finish your saimin, enjoy a piece of lilikoi chiffon pie. Oh.my.word. Best thing ever. Lilikoi = passionfruit. A spo

ORIGINAL JO JO’S ANUEANUE SHAVE ICE

OMOIDE BAKERY & WONG’S CHINESE DELI

TAHITI NUI

OASIS ON THE BEACH

PACO’S TACOS

JAVA KAI

MERMAID’S

KAUAI COFFEE PLANTATION

CHICKENS

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