Seriously Serious about 2009

Nothing beats being in a rut then making goals for the new year and being inspired to accomplish them. Since the beginning of December, Muntedkowhai had enjoyed constant sales and now I'm coming off that high and a day without sales= woe me! I know, I'm totally ranting and shouldn't be. Why I should put all that energy into creating new designs, I mean, I have new vintage buttons and charms and chains to work with now! Alright, rant stops here!!

I will divide my goals and put them into categories that are most important to me:

*Love

Eat my words at the end of 2009. If words are eaten, I'll be single.

*Muntedkowhai

Be one of Etsy's featured seller or be featured in a printed magazine!

*Science

Practice science in all honesty and cut no corners. Publish that Myeloid Derived Suppressor cells paper.

*The bank

Save save save save save save!!!!!!!!! Specifically, save over $5000 for rainy days.





This year besides going to PokPok for dinner with the olds, I don't really feel the urge to go drink and celebrate. It's kinda sad but I've got work the next day and I have so very much to do for Muntedkowhai that a whole day hung over seems to be quite wasted. (No puns intended!) The least I can do is dress for the last day for 2008 which is why I'm wearing this little number to work:

2008 just ended so very very quickly!
(Plum military dress from UO)



Celebrate safely everyone and Happy New Year!

LOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELOVE

LOVE my new purchase! Yesterday I met up with my old college friend Micah in the Pearl for dinner. I got there half an hour earlier and decided to go to Diesel because they had huge 50% off sale signs plastered all over. That's fine by me! Clothes, eh. Undies, eh. Pass, pass, pass! Boots. WIN!!!!! They were just majestically standing there. In all its' tan glory, with that 50% off sticker. Next, will they have my size? Yes. They had my size and it fits like a dream. They are the perfect pair because:

1) Flats! They have no outrageous heels. They're practical and comfortable.
2) Classic and simple. I'm a no fuss kinda gal and clean lines get my heart all flurrified.
3)$100. Enough said.

Now I can start taking photos of tshirts I had screen printed which has a science nerdy undertone because my dear sister got me this:

Fit for the czars

It seems like a while since I have listed something new in Muntedkowhai but here are three that I've done recently. I've been captured by peacock green lately.

Now available at Muntedkowhai

Bye bye snow!

It is now 50F in Portland and we can see our roads again! It was a bittersweet thing to be snowed in and spend quality time indoors and now that it is gone, I'm glad I don't have to hold my breath every time I drive out. I worked this weekend to make up the days I was snowed in and found it rather nice. An entire week of nothing but crafting has left me lazy and burnt out, a balance of science and craft is best for me. Well, maybe a day off here and there is good as well.


This morning, before I went into work, I visited REI and got myself a down sleeping bag that weighs only 1 pound and is good for 15F temperatures. I also bought a bigger backpack for the hike up Mt Kinabalu. I'm so very excited, from what I've seen, it is gorgeous. Since Mt Kinabalu is in Sabah, Borneo, it's base is tropical and climbing up the mountain, one get to see the ecological changes due to temperature. Visually, here are the reasons why I want to go:

Courtesy of Hazah

Courtesy of Micheal little

Courtesy of Vivfyer

Now, back to Muntedkowhai so that I can have new pieces to list tomorrow!

Munted's guide to a Long Distance Relationship (LDR)

There are 20 days until I get to be kissed and held by my man and that got me thinking about long distance relationships and how we've been surviving so far. I'm by no means an expert on LDRs having only 2 on my belt, however I believe that that is actually enough to have my two cent on the internet.

Courtesy of Norman

I'm in Portland, Oregon and Aaron is in Christchurch, New Zealand. Google the distance if you will but the numbers mean nothing to me because distance is still distance. Aaron and I have been dating since early 2006 and lived in the same town for 6 months between 2006-now. Yes it is insane. So how is it done?

1) Besides dedication, faithfulness and communication, most people forget the most important thing you must have for a less painful LDR; being on the same page and having a goal. A LDR without goals and a light at the end of the tunnel is doomed and highly frustrating because the negativity of the LDR never seem to end. In my first LDR, I often questioned myself : "What am I doing? Why am I still dating him? It is as if I am single and I'm only attached when I get that sporadic email or phone call" Having a goal and timeline not only save your sanity but both parties are working towards a goal and it is productive. Everyone has their reasons to be in a long distance relationship and when you enter one, you are undoubtedbly going to be struggling with the green jealousy monster, self esteem and borderline insanity.

Our goal is to be in Melbourne at the end of 2010 whereby Aaron would have graduated from Uni and I would have accumulated enough research experience to get up to the next pay level. Meanwhile, every year, we go on a holiday to meet up with each other and explore different countries. Thus we have mini goals and long term goals that keep us more intact. However, having goals does not guarantee us a smooth ride, I often think why don't I just get all my things and move? I'm a very logical person, I think (ha!) and in my mind I am romantic but when it comes to action, I am not so. When something jeopardizes our mini or long term goals, I get very upset and re-analyze the entire relationship, always coming back to only wanting to be with him.

Courtesy of Imago

2) Dedication. When Aaron and I first started going out, we lived 6 hours drive apart. Nearly every other weekend, he would drive down after work on Friday and then drive back early afternoon on Sunday. That is around 12 hours of driving per weekend! That is endearing to me. For me, actions speak louder than words and for Aaron to drive all those hours to see me for a day or so, made me fall hard. I often think of Aaron when I am driving on a road trip. When people tell me that they are doing a LDR and they live 2 hours away, I often fight hard to not roll my eyes. 2 hours LDR will not get my sympathy and it boggles me to no end when those LDR don't even see each other on most weekends.

Courtesy of Bossbob

3) Phone calls!! Emails, online chats, text messages are all very very nice and quick but alot of things get lost in written communication. Borderline moods are hard to pick up online and in short messages, it is amazing how much we get from vocal senses. A joke intended to be funny can sound like a jab when the receiver is not in a good mood. I didn't used to be a phone person, I'm always wanting to get off the phone double quick. I'm very awkward on the phone but I've learnt to talk to Aaron and it has been very crucial for us. I look forward to our 2+ hour phone talk every weekend and most of the times, we talk about nothing in particular, bullshit (which is what we do when we're together anyways) and how much we miss each other. Text messages are super duper nice because they of the moment and a small quick reminder that you're thought of. I often text Aaron before I go to bed to say I love you and sweet dreams. When I get a text message from Aaron, I often think of what he is doing and where he is.

Courtesy of Thorinside

4) Trust. This one amazes me. I have never trusted any boyfriends as much as I trust Aaron and despite that, I still have insecurities lurking in the back of my head. It is insane how your mind can turn on you when you're emotionally vulnerable and those made up scenarios can really wreck your trust. Whenever alcohol is involved, your trust crumbles a bit even though it shouldn't but that is just how human nature is. I'd love to meet someone that is in a LDR and say that they never have made up scenarios when they know their partner is drinking because then I can call them a liar. I know I do but it is by no means that I don't want him to go out and have fun, I think if he didn't, it would be abnormal. Trusts is hard to build at times and so very easily broken.

Courtesy of confusedvision

Getting back into the swing of things

I haven't been making any motifs lately except for this new one; a deep peacock green motif paired with a raw brass filigree. I'm heading back into work starting today and there is so much to be done! (This is when I'm most productive, when I'm over worked with work!!)

An igloo for tinkerbell, button confusion, capucine and 2 new dresses

In the spirit of Christmas, I made an igloo. Since I am not religious, I made this igloo for Tinkerbell, Paris's true BFF. It was patted down with love and comes with its' own jack in the box styrofoam ball head, like a flag if you will. I was quite worried halfway because it started to look like a urinal but in the end it looked like this:

A snow teepee, if you will.

I spent the better half of the morning, oo-ing and aw-ing at Capucine. I was first introduced to her via Katie Runnels from The Constant Gatherer but did not see the other videos until today. Capucine is a delight to watch and if you have not seen any of her videos, you should be forewarned. You will:
a) spend hours going through the video
b) telling anyone near you to watch it with you
c) want a french toddler yourself
d) want Capucine's eyes and eyelashes
e) get clucky, like, really really clucky.
f) want to be as awesome of a mother as Anne at capturing her child's cuteness

It is hard to pick a few but I have only picked 2 of my favourite Capucine videos:


Disco Fever from Capucha on Vimeo.

Once upon a time... from Capucha on Vimeo.

If you love to procrastinate and watch adorable children be themselves, you should go ere.

Since we had been snowed in for the past 5 days, we decided to venture out to the closest shopping place to stretch our legs but boy, the side roads were awful! It went: BUMP BUMP BUMP! The city does not plow the side streets so it is a mess and even though the snow has stopped, it is still quite dangerous to drive. The iced tracks easily make the cars spin when they try to get out of the track ruts. There was not much at the shops that I wanted and even though I'm still presentless for Aaron, I just could not see anything I would want to give him...but I did buy two dresses. I got them from Urban Outfitters and one of them I need to exchange because I took the wrong size. I brought in a small and a medium and gave the lady back the medium! Yelps. Am waiting for a less bumpy road condition to head back and hope that the dress size is still available! The other dress I got was a Lark and Wolff shirt dress which was on sale and I love love love the idea of:

Excuse the blurriness but I love love this dress.

My cords arrived today which means I can commence crocheting again! Yay! I bought a peacock blue/green thread and am going to try it out, it looks so luxurious! I am having trouble with button selection, if you could help me out with which you think fits better with the motif, I'd appreciate it. Perhaps the right button has not come along yet. I do not know.

Merry Christmas!



Also, to read about fellow Portland designers and my prediction for 2009 fashion read this Mercury on Design article!!!!

Munted shares:

The past snowed in days has allowed me to roam endlessly online and I discovered: I only enjoy roaming endlessly when I have things to do! When I have no deadlines or work to do, I do not like to procrastinate. However, that is neither here nor there.. or way over there! Here are two internetz related finds that I'd love to share with you guys:


1) I know I'm going against Tavi's wish when I'm writing about her blog but I will just merely mention it here: I watched the interview of Tavi with Rich, the co founder of Weardrobe. What the heck is it? It's a mecca of clothes loving, cam whoring geniuses that upload photos of what they're wearing for today and tagging sensibly to enlighten everyone on how to wear those cowls/tight pleather pants etc. It's really neat! I signed up already and am fully game to do it except on the weekends because since I work in a lab, I'm not wearing anything inspirational at all. Trust me. So check it out! I'm looking very much to having an excuse to cam whore. Yay!


2) Perhaps you love the idea of Weardrobe but have nothing decent to model off, you need to go shopping! (Has there ever been a better reason not to?) Well, especially if you visit Allencompany, an etsy store that has to DIE for vintage wears, presented impeccably and makes me all excited, seen their prices?!

Vintage 1960s wool dress. 1960s Coffee leather clutch.
1970s sling back leather shoes. 1960s grey and white mini uniform jumper

It was hard to choose only four but you should visit their store if you have a soft heart for gorgeous vintage wears.


Tomorrow is Christmas eve here in the States but Christmas day in NZ tomorrow. I am a horrible girlfriend who did not send presents for her boyfriend in time and thus there is nothing sitting underneath his tree for him, from me. I have bought something but nothing that I think is really Christmas worthy. Which brings me to the point of:

23 more days until:


(No, not a wedding but us meeting up for our once a year date!)

Marie Antoinette's personal hairdresser

I am! I've been feeling the resurgence of painting creativity the past few days so am recreating this image I had sketched down a year ago. It is done in indian ink and since I have trouble with drawing the bottom of faces, always always, I've left it blank for now. Perhaps I'll draw a hankerchief over the bottom part of her face, like an old thief.

Art work

I just listed this ink drawing of free form paisley patterns, you can find it here.




I'm also working on finishing on this Aubergine one:

I haven't crochet all day and I'm starting to miss it! Yelps, I need help.

Stay at home scientist

Another 6 inches fell on top of the foot of snow we had. I know, I know, all you east coast and mid west people are laughing going " Ha ha ha, that's small potatoes!" It is but Portland is not equipped with the resources to clear all this wonderful white snow for the city to commence work. I spent two hours getting a combo of snow/ice/snow off my car and my step dads' car and then to shovel all that snow somewhere to clear the driveway. It is fine and dandy to move up and down your driveway but when you can't get onto the road because there is a foot of snow there, well, it seems all in vain. So now that it is 11am, I emailed my boss to tell him that I will not be able to make it into work.


So what is on the list today?

*Drawing
*Finishing Rachel's present
*Reading the stash of "snowed in" magazines I bought

Whilst snowbound, I did some shopping.. for myself!

I'm an organizer starter-phile, this means that I love the idea of organizing and the stationery that allows me to but after a while, I get super duper lazy and don't carry on with it. However, any organizer starter-phile knows, beautiful planners sure help fuel that organizing start. I got this:

It is red. I mean, hello! RED!
(I'm keeping this planner for Muntedkowhai related business)

Ever since I saw LC wear her big checked flannel shirt, I scoured the internet for an affordable version. Boy, I had the hardest time but I did manage to track down and buy this one:

Billabong's Booyah shirt from Zumiez (what am I 12 again?)

I have around 8 packages I need to send out for Muntedkowhai but I can't get out and the postman is possibly not coming. Eeeep!! Relax relax, now I'm going to get out of my ultra warm snowgear and bid you a warm and safe Monday.

All I want for Christmas is a hand massage

because I really need one. This morning, I woke up and there is a foot of snow and 2cm of ice so that when I walked onto it, it crackles and breaks into big jaggered pieces of ice sheets. It is amazing. Global warming induced crazy weather much? The rain is supposed to be coming and so I only shoveled part of the driveway. I don't suppose we'll be driving anywhere soon. (Inside glee) All this inside time has created these:

All available now at Muntedkowhai

For those of you enjoying your lovely warm temperature, here's something to cool you off:

Now for my favourite part of the weekend: bundled in my blanket watching mind rotting reality tv shows and crocheting. (Boy I sound old!)

The motherload..

I was on Etsy searching for vintage buttons and supplies when I came across Raindropsonroses's Etsy shop. Holy crap! I want everything in her store. I mean, lordy lordy, the way she presents her charms and baubles, it's heavenly! It makes you want to sip tea. That's how darn cute it is.

Gah! Everyone wipe the drool off your keyboard.

Tortilla soup

It's been snowing non stop and I love it! Everything just looks so pretty and I even had a few attempts at snowboarding again at the nearby park with some success. (Still not enough snow which is why I'm stoked for the 28th when the crew and I are heading up to Hood)

My main thing this weekend is to build up my inventory and make Tortilla soup. I love love love love Tortilla soup. Oh my goodness, if you have never had it. It is super duper easy to make and so very nice to your tummy.

You know how to make chicken soup right? Right! Well make that and put in tomatoes and onions as well. Right before serving, you prepare these:

*Chopped up cilantro
*Shredded cheese
*Tortilla chips
*sour cream
*avocado slices

All these ingredients go straight on top of your hot hot soup and mix. It's a soup you eat and one of my all time faves! I will post photos later but my stomach just did a flip because it is so excited to have some!

Before the storm on Friday

Endearing roses