Tuesday, November 15, 2011

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

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Wednesday, November 9, 2011

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! 

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? :)


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Sunday, November 6, 2011

Camera roll update!







1. Life can be amazing when you take risks (so don't let them pass you by <3) - one of my latest Little Julie paintings, I liked it so much, it's one of my framed favourites for my own wall :)    2. origami crane photo #1 for the Red Cross Target: 1,000 Cranes Photo Competition     3. Another beautiful bouquet of yellow friendship roses from my lovely friends for my birthday! (love from Cat, Kim, Juan, Alice, Sarah and Tri! >.<)     4. A birthday present from my best friend back in Adelaide, Steffie, miss her so much >.< It's a Dior charms bracelet, with a little secret lip gloss compartment :)    5. Happy Birthday balloon from Julz, in Adelaide, and it came with a box of yellow flowers too! (>.<)   6. origami crane photo #2     7. My lita replicas purchase from Badbarbie shop from a month ago for $75aud :) I wore them for my birthday night out, and they were comfy for most of the night! :D definitely going to buy some real Jeffrey Campbell ones in the future!  8. A Mimco handbag from my sisters Anna, Jenny and cousin Vinh for my birthday (>___<) omg, you have no idea how shocked I was to open up this present from them... they really did spoil me this year (>_<) Thank you guys!!   9. My love for Mimco started years ago <3   10. origami crane photo #3, i likey the shadows in this one :)   11. my little paintings watermarked with my 'Julie's Little World <3' stamp! hehe, so in love with it~  

***

Less than a week away from my sister's wedding! 

Time's just flying by now, and the first wedding in our family is fast approaching. It's this upcoming Saturday for crying out loud! XD I'm excited, and yet all over the place feeling unprepared still i.e. what make up I should do, what earrings to wear, how will I do my hair?! 

Maybe you girls can help me out :) My dress for the night will be silver/grey, and it's a longggggg one! My first ever long gown dress (^-^) Here are some photos! 


I'm pairing this dress with some black heels that I bought on sale from Forever New a couple of nights ago! :) But really, it doesn't matter what shoes I'll be wearing since they'll be well hidden under all this!! You can tell from my 2nd photo that there's a massive train going on there LOL, looks like I'm the one getting married lmao, but sad story, my mum will be cutting it off when she's altering the dress to be shorter (coz I'm a lil shortie :)) - oh well! it would be majorly difficult to walk around like a normal person with a massive train behind me LOL. My brother didn't want to be the one to follow me all night, and hold it up for me :( no love. 




And I guess the wedding prep is finally coming together! Not so much drama anymore for the past week, so it's all good! Anna, Quang and I started putting up decorations around the house for the morning tea ceremony :) Anna found these awesome tissue paper puff balls, that we had to assemble and puff ourselves, to hang around the house! They're actually really easy to make if you've got enough tissue paper! :D Don't you just love them?! They seriously remind me of the scrubbing thing you use to wash your body lmao x) We'll also be sticking on red flowers all over the staircase :) These are all great ideas from Anna, good work man! :D 

Hehe, my mum just came into my room asking what shoes should she wear!  XD and went through my lil heel collection :P so cute haha XD 

*** 

On other news! :) 

I've recently completed a painting order for one of my good friends, Sarah, to be used for her xdollhouse blog! She asked me to create a little doll character for her blog header as it'd suit her site's name. It was a lot of fun for me since I'm not really accustomed to drawing dolls, but I am with drawing chibi characters! I'm pretty happy with how it turned out after finishing :) hehe, I added Tony Tony Chopper from One Piece because I know she's a fan of One Piece, I mean seriously, check out her car! XD I'm a big fan of Chopper too! So anyway, I thought it was very appropriate to have him as a little toy as part of the painting :) I love adding personal touches to my paintings. 


Check out Sarah's blog :D


Thank you again Sarah for this opportunity and for being such an easy going customer (^_^) 
It was my pleasure being able to paint for you! Muah xox

***

I'm actually up to date with my commission orders :) And I'd just love to post up my photos of them, but I won't until their intended purpose (i.e. given to the friend I painted for) is fulfilled! I wouldn't want to be the one to ruin a surprise gift :) 

You know what my favourite part is when I do an order? It's the moment when I can place my painting into a frame that just compliments it <3 I feel quite accomplished when I see my paintings in pretty frames :) That's probably why my room is currently filled up with a bajillion photo frames at the moment... (=_=) I might have gone a little overboard with the frame shopping... but it's only because I've got purposes for them now! :D And I'm excited to when I can fill them all up and find them good homes (^____^)

Haha, I make them sound like lost children.. :P 

***

Alrighty then! this was a major update with images galore! Just so much has been happening lately, and it's a little hard to keep up and have energy to blog about it >.< Next 5 days will be working, and then BAM wedding time! :D Can't wait to see my cousins again from Adelaide too! 

Hope everyone's having a lovely weekend so far, and got plenty of study done if you're under going exam revision! Make it count and good luck for your exams! :) 

Love, from Julie xox

P.S. My 22nd birthday was the best ever because I was just spoilt rotten with love from all my family and friends, from Adelaide and Melbourne (>_<) Definitely felt the love that day and well worth the wait all year long because you're reminded in an overwhelming wave of gratitude on how important you in everyone's lives. Even if it just lasted for a day, how everyone made me felt, I can still feel it now just by thinking about it :) Thank you guys <3


(hehe okay, I'll stop with my essay writing! :D)

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