Right Place, Right Time

|| Paulo Coelho ||

Elusive

Very much like the perfect handbag, happiness is seemingly elusive. The search is ongoing. There just is no singular bag which halts the process. Perhaps then, its the path and not the goal?

Sometimes, a poem sums it all up concisely. I came across this while clicking around the Selby (Ingrid Schram) and thought to share:-

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others,
even to the dull and ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be
greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career
however humble;
it is a real possession in the
changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you
to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit
to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore, be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham,
drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

PENELOPE OP ART by Coach

A throw-back to the days of full skirts and train travel. Such a striking bag:-

Much love for Bagaholic Boy and his succulently bagaholic blog!

The Magic that is the Selby

The Selby

Veronika Decides to Die

I’m a big fan of Paulo Coelho’s work and am very excited about the Veronika Decides to Die movie depite being dubious about it being varnished with hollywood and starring Serah Michelle Gellar.

It’s time to fish the book from the realms of my bookshelves for another read now

Binge

Sometimes when I travel, I go on a bit of a make-up binge at duty free. The appeal of the idea of cheap(er) cosmetics

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Apricot, Dior Ultra Shine lipstick (the magazine ads lie about the shine factor!) and Clarins toner stuff.

Yesterday I popped by the pharmacy and ended up with Revlon’s Colour Stay lip-liner and mineral lip glaze, Lucidol hairwax (so exciting, these come in a whole range of like 6 colours for different types, like, super sleek, curly, layers etc) and a MAC brow tint

No more make-up buying for a while, I say.

In Shanghai, there was this Lomo shop on Jinxian Road, and its an official lomo shop, very cool and with a bottle of vodka in there, free shots for any walk-ins! These are really cool:-

the Diana; and

the LC-A+

Shanghai Lovin’

Just back from my Shanghai holiday. I love that city so much, I could live there! Good food, affordable tailors, one massage too many, DVDs galore! Haven’t been able to access this blog while in China as WordPress is blocked there!

Vanity

Around the dressing table.

Amazing

Alternative MBA - this is nothing short of amazing!

Some nice things

Andrea Joseph’s illustrations are amazing – almost photo-like precision. Absolute talent and effort. I never fail to be inspired by her work.

These interiors are a little bit hotel-esque in style, but I love the clean, plush, white, white, white feel of it.