Too Early to Quit Now Julie!

It's always too early to quit - Norman Vincent Peale

I've been quite overwhelmed with the amount of work I've gotta finish before Stage Fright comes around the corner - that I find myself quickly doubting my capabilities to do anything. Hence comes along procrastination and me not really accomplishing anything, and STILL lacking sleep (-__-)" but I just came across this little painting that I did a while ago for Stage Fright and it reminded me that it is too early to quit when you know you still have time. 

I just gotta keep doing my best and keep in mind what's important.

***

Hey there everyone! :) 

How's everyone's new year going for them? Can you believe it's already February and I completely missed out on posting up my Chinese New Years post (-_-)" been a little too stressed and busy but I've returned to blog because I'm in a middle of a mental breakdown at the moment and having a little stress attack on what needs to be done for Stage Fright (>_<)" In other words... I NEED A BREAK! (O_O)" 

Only 3 more weeks till STAGE FRIGHT!! 

It's so hard to believe how fast time is flying now (>.<) and can you believe, I'll be flying to Vietnam for a week before Stage Fright even happens!! This time I'll be flying over for my PorPor's 80th birthday celebrations :) so it should be an awesome one! I'll be flying off this Friday night and will be returning on Sunday morning (aiiyahhh!!) so that gives me even less time to build up my stall for Stage Fright :( but hopefully I can get some work done while I'm travelling! (Unless I get too absorbed into reading the Hunger Games... T___T" too many distractions!) 

Stage Fright Promotional Flyers - You might have seen a few floating around Melbourne :)

***Support Stage Fright Funds by buying a few raffle tickets (HERE)***

***

Since a picture is worth 1000 words, I'm just going to update you lovely followers on what's been happening lately with me through a mini camera roll update!! (>_<) Sorry I've been so slack lately!

1. Just me and Anna being a lil goofy after my Family's Chinese New Year Celebrations :)  2. Alice, Kimu and I at Lisa's 22nd Birthday @ The Apartment last weekend <3 LOVED the service there!!  3. My business cards have arrived!! (>_<) They arrived much earlier than expected!! Thank you so much Cat & Juan (^__^) <3 I'm looking forward to giving them out on Stage Fright Day!  4. My shop sign that I made last weekend :) Loving the colours!  5. A few instax shots from last night's clubbing with the girls @ Maze Motel Fridays! Didn't really anticipate on getting more than tipsy.. but it was fun ;D 

And last but certainly NOT least... 

♥ Meet Jiji Nguyen (short for Momiji) - our newest family member (^_^) ♥

OMG SHE'S SO PRECIOUS! ♥(>_<)♥ I can't stop showering her with love every time I see her scurry my way!! She's a shihtzu puppy, 3 months old and we only bought her this afternoon! Jiji was known as the friendliest puppy that has ever set her little paws into the pet shop (>_<)" She kept pawing at the windows when we would come close!! ♥♥ We're so lucky and grateful that we came to buy her when we did, because another couple came just after us asking for her!! It took a while for my family to settle with a name for her though - it was initially Moshi, but my parents had a hard time saying her name (-_-)", then we kind of changed it to Mei Mei (little sister), and then there was my little brother calling her Panda on the side.. (=__=") totally confusing!! Now it's Jiji :) short for Momiji! (the rabbit character from Fruits Basket!) I reckon it suits her well coz she hops like a rabbit when she runs (>__<)" ♥♥♥

***

Okay, back to doing some work before I hit the hay :) I wish weekends were longer! And I know this blog was a little all over the place (>_>)" that's what you get for leaving everything to last minute! Anyway, hope you enjoyed it regardless! :) 

I hope everyone's having a great night, keep smiling <3 

Love, from Julie xox

[ Facebook ♡ bloglovin' ♡ tumblr ♡ twitter ♡ Stage Fright Event ]

Happy New Year 2012

1.  It does not matter how slowly you go, so long as you do not stop - a painting that I'll be donating to the STAGE FRIGHT hamper basket raffle :)  2.  My wedding gift for Noy & Pascal, for their wedding in Laos next year on Jan 3rd (^__^)   3. Part two of Cat's birthday present (^_^) I can't wait to see it hanging on your wall, so happy you love it man! :D don't miss my essay on the back! haha  4. A birthday gift for Aaron's little cousin Natalie's birthday <3 Can't wait for her to see it :)  

*** 

Just a quick blog to say ...

HAPPY NEW YEAR FOR 2012!! :) 

This year has passed so quickly and a lot has happened, but I'm happy where I am today :) I can't wait for the future, especially for Julie's Little World and for Stage Fright!! I'll definitely be graduating next year, one way or another, and I'll be striving to make things happen for myself! Aja aja fighting yo!! 

I wish everyone the best new year's eve, and I hope your 2012 will start with a bang bang! :D Thank you to all of my loved ones for your support for the past year, and for all you fellow bloggers for supporting my work and my blog :) It truly encourages me to keep going! 

Life's short so smile while you still have teeth =D

Love, from Julie xox

[ Facebook ♡ bloglovin' ♡ tumblr ♡ twitter ♡ Stage Fright Event ]

Vinh's 24th Birthday!

These are just a handful of my favourite snaps on the same night of Thao & Loi's Wedding (^-^) But this was all about celebrating my cousin Vinh's 24th Birthday! We all bought a change of clothes and shoes, and got ourselves to the city via train for the after party! :D We went for karaoke, had a couple tequila shots (by then, I was already giggling like a mad woman at everything), and then we headed to Joo-Mak, a korean bar, to continue our drinking party! Their strawberry soju was so yummy, it didn't even taste like alcohol! (^____^) I made a mistake of drinking it with a spoon because I thought it was soup LOL As you can see from the last photo, I'm just suffering from a serious case of the endless giggles, couldn't even take a proper group shot because of me :P It was so much fun! Vinh was totally gone though, we had to take him home with us (-__-) at least he didn't chuck up in my room! Phew* 

I didn't wake up till 3pm the next day (>.<) wah, what a night! The wedding and that just knocked me out completely! Can't wait for our next drinking night with my sisters and cousins (^-^)

***

I've been so behind with my blogging lately (>_<) but I guess things are starting to settle down now, and I can actually make a good move on with my paintings. I've got so many ideas, so it's time to turn them into dreams come true yo! Rah rah rah! *determined face* :) 

Today I got to see the girls again, along with Tri, and we went sunglasses shopping because of Cat's great deal with Sunglasses hut (^-^) we each had $250 credit to spend! And I decided to use it on a pair of Ray Bans! :D WOOOOOOO!! It was the first pair I tried on and I just loved it LOL! Can't wait to hold them again in my own little hands, mine oh mine (>.<) Thank you so much Cat!!! <3

Okay, I'm gonna NOT nap tonight and be more productive with things! :) 

Hope everyone's having a lovely week so far! 

The weather is just beautiful at the moment in Melbourne , loveeeeeeeeee! 

Love, from Julie xox

[ Facebook ♡ bloglovin' ♡ tumblr ♡ twitter ]

Thao & Loi's Wedding Celebrations!

So last weekend was my eldest sister's wedding! 

We were so fortunate to have such beautiful and flawless weather for the entire day during our wedding celebrations :) It all started out from 5:30AM for me and the other girls, but for the bride and mum, the day started from 3AM (>.<) due to make up and  hair! OmG! You can imagine how tired everyone was, but that didn't stop us from smiling non-stop for photos through out the day! hehe (^-^) 

The tea ceremony commenced at 7:30AM, but we were running a little late as the boys took their time arriving at our doorstep! As you can see from the super hot pink and electric blue ao dai, it was a traditional tea ceremony between two families, where the wedding couple offers tea to the elders, and exchanges gifts :) Perhaps it was a little unrehearsed, but no big drama and the photos from JWP Photography turned out lovely! (^___^) 

Here are more photos from the morning tea ceremony on Facebook! (here)

***

Once the tea ceremony was over an out, it was only the girls that were left at the house, while everyone else had to head on over to the groom's house for continuation of the tea ceremony :) and guess what we did while we were waiting to go to our hair/make up appointment?! 

WE TOOK PHOTOS OF COURSE!!! :D 

Hehe it was probably the most fun I've had in a long time with my sisters and cousins (^-^) we were all still dressed up in our ao dai, so we took pretty photos along the stairs, and then all changed into our night dresses for a quick photo shoot with them too ;) how can we not?! The lighting in the front room was just perfect! 

As you can see, we were just being complete dorks in our photo shoot LOL! :) 

Here are more photos on Facebook (here)

***

Hair and make up time!

At 10:30AM, we rushed off to Glenny to get our hair and make up done by Aqua Hair Salon :) I just told them to make my hair curly, and put it up in a classy up-do! It kind of took me a while to like my hairstyle (>.<) especially the fringe curl, but I came around after a while :) But it's a shame there isn't a clear photo of my hair done up from the back, but apparently it looked real cute/classy according to everyone :) haha!  and the make up was pretty! But this all took about 3-4 hours for everyone to completely finish (~_~) and so, I do what I do best in times like these, I napped on the couch LOL I waited a good 2 hours to get my make up done (>.<) couldn't help myself! 

Rushed back home by 4:00PM, get changed quickly to catch a maxi-cab to Preston, which was where the night wedding reception was! It was nearly 45 minute drive.. so I napped again LOL :P 

***

The Wedding Night Reception! 

We arrived at the venue by 5:30pm, which was a little late (>.<) and already, my feet were starting to hurt from wearing heels! Boo! They were comfy when I tried them on in the shop (-_-) Anyway, everyone was just running around trying to get last minute things done, and organising tables! Our mission was to guide all the guests to their tables, after signing their name and getting a photo with the wedding couple :) Virginia and I did our best, till our feet killed (-_-) so we were told to just go sit down LOL

Food was served not long after most guests have arrived, and we were just STARVING!! So you can imagine, our whole table just gobbled their food down every time a new banquet dish came out! I must commend on the restaurants quick service! Every time any one finished with their plate, BAM, the plate was gone! LOL I was usually the one they were waiting to collect from coz I'm a little of a slow eater hahaha! XD My bad! It was a 10 course banquet, and we were just stuffed afterwards :) some odd dishes here and there, but I was satisfied! Didn't take photos of the food though >.> oh well! :) 

Through out the night's banquet, there were speeches and little festivities hosted by the MC! There was even the toss of the bride's bouquet! LOL It would have been okay... except for the fact that the MC kept saying: can all the single ladies step up, ALL SINGLE LADIES PLEASE STEP UP!? (this went on for a bajillion times more before our table stood up looking super embarrassed LOL) 

And it was Anna who caught the bouquet hahahaha XD good job man :P 

As the reception started to draw to a close, the restaurant finally played Jenny's CD mix for the night, and we all started dancing! (^___^) At this point, we all changed into our flats from our heels, and we were just dancing up a storm!!! Omg, the chef from the cafe,  Greg, was just a dancing diva! LOL And I had no idea my little brother could be such a good shuffler ;D I sure hope he keeps it up, that boy has potential!! 

Here are snaps from the night (^0^)

Here are more photos on Facebook too! (here)

My sister Thao looked beautiful on the night :) Her wedding dress was just so pretty! I didn't get to take a full shot of it though, but I'm sure the professional photographers did! The rest of the girls in my family, sisters and cousins, all looked gorgeous too! Rahhh!!  (>___<) I mean check out Jenny's hair!?!! She looked like a freaking movie star! XD hehe! 

Anyway I can just keep on rambling :) the night reception finished around 11:30PM, and that's when we all got changed for a little birthday celebration for Vinh's birthday afterwards! (but that's just gonna have to be a different blog post, this one is already too packed with photos LOL XD) 

It was definitely a night to remember, and I sure hope my sister Thao enjoyed herself, despite it being non-stop for her all day with all the wedding celebrations (>.<) She had multiple dress changes during the night, and she looked stunning in every one :) Loi is definitely a lucky guy! 

***

Once again, congratulation to my sister and Loi, the newly weds! :) 

I wish you all the best for your happily ever after guys! 

Love, from Julie xox

[ Facebook ♡ bloglovin' ♡ tumblr ♡ twitter ]

Resist Nothing!

This painting was for my first customer's order - fulfilled and delivered today! :) 

I guess it's safe to reveal who my first customer was since the painting has been given to her friend already (^-^) It was Phuong! and she called me up over a month ago asking if I could paint her good friend, Viet-My, a painting that would lift up her spirits. She noted that the words - "Resist Nothing" - is Viet-My's favourite saying. I was a little slow on understanding what it meant, but Phuong helped me along the way. She gave me a handful of ideas of where I could start off illustrating the concept of 'Resist Nothing'. 

It basically means, go with the flow, set yourself free from trivial matters so that the bigger picture of life can be appreciated more. The more I worked on the idea, the more I grew to like the idea of 'Resist Nothing'. Whenever I would think about those two words put together, I could feel a small feeling of empowerment growing inside me, giving me confidence that I'll be just fine if I were to allow things to just be, and keep moving forward. There's no need to make a fuss over small matters right? :) Just let it roll off your shoulders and appreciate how great it feels to not carry such an unnecessarily heavy burden on yourself everyday. Life's too short! 

In the painting, Viet-My is happily falling with her arms up high, not caring wherever the wind may take her through life. A flock of birds accompany her through her free falling because what represents freedom more than seeing birds flying free through the blue skies? ♥

This commissioned painting was definitely a challenge, because there were so many ways in which the concept could be drawn out.  It was tough, but I'm really proud of the outcome, and I'm really happy that Phuong and Viet-My were very pleased with it too! :D I didn't think that when I was delivering Phuong's painting today that I'd be there when she gives it to Viet-My! Yup.. I was definitely nervous (>_<)" but she was happy with it! Phew* :)

Btw, Viet-My is a freaking awesome digital illustrator! 

If you have time, check out her deviant page (ravenskar) for her wonderful and intriguing illustrations! You'd be blown away, I promise you! Was definitely inspired by her work. It's impossible not to be :)

& Thank you again Phuong for giving me this opportunity! :) 

Definitely pushed my boundaries with this one! Now I'm excited for my future paintings :D 

***

It just struck midnight, and my tummy is just rumbling and grumbling like a washing machine.. (=_=)" but I should definitely hit the hay early tonight. Been sleeping at 2am or later lately, and it's kind of messing up my sleeping pattern lol, and I'm just exhausted when I go to work too! How silly of me! 

Well I guess one of the reasons why I've been staying up so late is due to me really getting into setting up my online shop for Julie's Little World. :) When I think about it normally, it's nerve-wrecking, my mind is just buzzing with ideas and I can't believe that I'm actually going ahead with this! But when it comes down to it, this nerve-wrecking feeling, I believe it's actually excitement and it's exactly that that's feeding me the strength to continue with this new adventure! 

I'm aiming to have it opened by the end of this year, ready for the new year 2012! :) 

And also in the meantime, I'll be kept busy with more commission painting orders that have come in this week (>.<) Ohhh.. *big smile!* I can't help but smile, knowing that this is really happening! (>_<) Rah, I'm a little goofy like that haha! 

Alright, enough of my rambling.. as per usual! Time for me to get some rest! Hope everyone is having a good week so far! Seriously, the weather in Melbourne has been so emotional lately lol (-__-) I just hope this Saturday will be a beautiful day for my sister's wedding! (oh yeah, the train for my dress is gone now, it's so much easier to walk in :)) 

Love, from Julie xox

P.S. If you're living in Melbourne and you've got hidden talents in music/arts/creative arts or any art you can think of!!, take some time to check out this wonderful event (link below) that my friend Phuong, Viet-My and a few other of her friends is organising for next year in February! 

STAGE FRIGHT

February 18th 2012

Cross Culture Church (Swanston Street)

Cute name ay? I'm definitely going to be a part of it! (^-^) I'm actually very excited about this! It's basically a festival day that artists anywhere can showcase their talents to boost their confidence in themselves, and to allow the community to learn more about them. Any money that we've raised for the day will be going towards charity :) Everyone is welcome to be a part of this event! 

Let's get over our stage fright together, shall we? :)


[ Facebook ♡ bloglovin' ♡ tumblr ♡ twitter ]