Koonhor SS12

Our little red dot, as Singapore is so often called, has never been deigned a fashion capital, but look how far we have come. Local labels have emerged in recent years and they are no longer the poorer cousins of established international fashion labels. A prime example, Koonhor, or APERCU as they were previously known, has been making their rounds at Paris Fashion Week and guess what, they are home-grown and have made a name for themselves in the cut-throat and fickle world of fashion.  Like the designers Koon Lim and Catrine The said, the design philsophy is to 'create alluring womens' wear that is effortless in its appeal, timeless in its construction and consumately bold in its attitude.' We agree wholeheartedly. Ogle...

wish we can still draw like that

Humptydump chanced upon this simple but effective rendering on the sesame street site, which brings to mind Pablo Picasso's beautiful quote 'Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist when he grows up'

Another gem from Kings of Convenience

In the sky the birds are pulling rain,

in your life a curse has got a name,

makes you lie awake all through the night

that's why.

She's intoxicated by herself,

everyday she's seen with someone else,

and every night she kisses someone new

never you.

You're waiting in the shadows for a chance,

'cause you believe at heart, that if you can,

show to her what love is all about,

she'll change.

She'll talk to you with no one else around,

but only if you're able to entertain her,

the moment conversation stops she's gone,

again.

support local talent - hansel

humptydump has always been a fan of local labels, more so when Hansel creates their own prints and collaborates with fellow designers. So whimsical, slightly off-beat and totally original. more here

The Little Barn Owl - iittala - Oiva Toikka 1973 - Birds by Toikka Collection 2007

Credit to Oiva Toikka for such beautiful masterpieces, mouth-blown glass done to perfection. Each so handsomely made, unique, timeless and a privilege to own.

Quote from iitala 'Oiva Toikka's boundless inspiration and imagination find expression in his glass birds. Toikka's birds are handmade in Nuutajarvi, a glass-making village in Finland that is over two hundred years old. The creation of the birds demands great technical and artistic insight from the glassblowers. Each and every one is unique, featuring its own distinctive color variations. The collection is renewed annually.'

Edgy Homeware, courtesy of Bouf.com

Everyone, go visit Bouf. it has everything and more. enough said.

http://nick.bouf.com/hires. clever

He is the guy who thinks the world of himself

Don't think he has ever flown anything let alone fly a paper aeroplane. But Howard's ego is huge like a hot air balloon, literally. He wears his pilot attire proudly, and goes around telling everyone tales of his travels, albeit from his fantasies.

Kings of Convenience - Misread

one of those soothing songs you can listen to for hours, just to sort out your thoughts. Listening to it feels like someone is talking calmly to you. And by the way, lovely acoustics help.

Here are the lyrics:
If you wanna be my friend
You want us to get along
Please do not expect me to
Wrap it up and keep it there
The observation I am doing could
Easily be understood
As cynical demeanour
But one of us misread...
And what do you know
It happened again

A friend is not a means
You utilize to get somewhere
Somehow I didn't notice
friendship is an end
What do you know
It happened again

How come no-one told me
All throughout history
The loneliest people
Were the ones who always spoke the truth
The ones who made a difference
By withstanding the indifference
I guess it's up to me now
Should I take that risk or just smile?

What do you know
It happened again
What do you know

And Dumpy makes it through again

Humptydump had a roller coaster week, what with granny's hospitalization and moving into a new place all at once. But there is always therapy in the form of our glove dolls. Introducing Dumpy. He slouches too much, is imperfect but he doesn't care a hoot. He lives life the way he wants it.

The Desk 51 from Bludot

This amazing desk, so streamlined and effortless, yet contradicting with it's uneasy legs which suggests the tendency that the desk has to lean against something for it to balance itself. Yet it need not. Love it! See it at http://www.bludot.com/modern-desks/desk-51.html

A Tiffany-inspired ring pillow for a special couple.

Humptydump sewed this in all of one week, and nearly killed ourselves in the process. Materials include cording, a Christmas decoration, Tiffany-colour cloth (approximately 20cm by 20cm) and lots of patience. Sold at S$30. See another one of our gingham creations here. Sorry guys, we dont make lacy kitschy traditional pillows. Yucks those, and we are not apologetic for it. Here's to you Nic! Lovely Martha Stewart ones here too!

H&M comes to Singapore!

Fashion-starved Singaporeans often steal a short flight out to the nearest H&M stocked country, Hong Kong. Now that this Swedish store has finally landed on our shores, does this spell the dearth of high-street stores in Singapore? Top-shop, Abercrombie, Gap, Uniqlo, these have all opened up in a country known more for its hoity-toity political landscape and inscrutable laws than a shopping haven. 

It is without a doubt that H&M fills the gap between over-priced high-street Zara and hitting-rock-bottom Mango, and that inevitably creates a niche that drives us Singaporeans into a frenzy. But how long will this last before we crave for the next masstige brand? Perhaps its time we look at creating individual style than let labels dictate us and define who we are? Still, I am succumbing to the beautifully-styled ads and as we are writing this, heading out to join everyone in the H&M vortex. Who can resist a $99.90 MARNI look-alike? arrrrgggh. We hate ourselves.

Interior of H and M featuring the Commes des Garcons collaboration. Photo courtesy of WWD

The beauty of the local hardware store

we love going to the local hardware store. You are in for a surprise everytime you go. And not forgetting it inspires us to make something new. From the old school coffeebags to screws and nuts and even the forgotten toy for a kid, it is like a genie lamp. Rub it and wish for something, you might just get it.

This is so bouncy (the last time we poked it) and looks like it is longing for an owner

look carefully and see what you can find

Enough said

The bottled plants factory is open again!

thanks to a dear friend, we opened for business again! thanks, you know who you are! They are going for $40. height: Approximately 13cm. Base Diameter 6cm across. All in vintage food jars with metal levers. If you notice there is just one species of plants, that is because through our experiments, we have discovered that Fittonia thrives best, is colourful and requires minimal care, so that does it.

We do not believe in over-landscaping with unnecessary decorations. This is our idea of a rainforest.

The Amazing Expedit - IKEA

humptydump bought the by-now iconic IKEA EXPEDIT bookcase and is looking for inspiration. We welcome suggestions!

Lovely storage options from ClarissaJane

We think the crucial thing is the organisation

this is so infectious - Sophie Ellis Bextor x Spiller 'Groovejet'

This single by Spiller (vocals by the the ethereal Sophie Ellis Bextor) keeps ringing in our heads. We are dying from humming it.



More of the song statistics here

Small Spaces need not be cold

just a small space, but so many ideas. rug settings, picture placement, absolutely divine...           Apartment Therapy

simple bathrooms

humptydump is in a dilemma. English or clean minimal lines? Please help.

humptydump gets inspired by collar necklaces

humptydump bought many vintage lace collars from Chinatown. Think this is the most dignified way to turn vintage into beautiful wearables. Inspiration from Bryndis

Usually we do not do this...

humptydump made this especially for a lovely couple.

the sequins carefully sewn on for the bridal head-piece

The shy bride and the gleaming groom

hand-made beads lovingly sewn on around the collar

MARNI RST 2010

MARNI RST 2011

Derek Lam RST 2012

ROCHAS RST 2012

FENDI RST 2012

CBIHatePerfume - a tribute to scent and the memories it triggers

'Imagine it's about 4 o'clock on a golden summer afternoon and you've been at the beach all day rubbing yourself with Coppertone suntan lotion –but Coppertone as it existed in the 60's, not quite as it is now... You walk into the surf as the waves break on the shore and, bending down to touch the surf, you notice the smell of your warm skin and of the salt water that seems so cold by comparison. It has just the faintest hint of watermelon rind!'- CBIHatePerfume

Very often, we smell something in the air that instantly brings to mind a distant past. Christopher Brosius, perfumer, might be the only person in the one who understands this phenomena. His 'accords' speak of 'burning leaves', the smell of mildew 'in the library' and even 'cellophane tape'. Used to retail at the Asylum and hope they will bring it back again.

How do plants survive in a terrarium

 

We had friends asking us how on earth do plants survive without water and oxygen in enclosed terrariums. Through trial and error, we realised that as long as you place terrariums (also known as bottled plants) in natural light (not direct sunlight), they will continue to flourish. The selection of plants too, are important. Here's what we think works. Try it, or if you prefer a little help, get a kit from us today! It comes complete with everything you will need to be a budding gardener. 

Plant Type

We tried using the Polkadot plant, also known as hypoesthes (See pic above). They are easy to care for and comes in red and green. You can easily purchase a pot at S$5.00 at Cold Storage. Click this link for more species. Cactuses work only if you have an open-top terrarium.

Bottle

For beginners, choose a bottle that has an opening that big enough for your fist to fit. This is so that  you can easily place the layers in. 

Layers

There are a few ways to do this. Layering is the most critical step towards a thriving terrarium. As there are no drainage holes in the enclosed container, there must be layers that draw water in and layers that fiter water away from the roots to prevent root-rot. See pic above for layers. Bottom layer: Charcoal reduces moisture and draws it away from the roots. Place soil and the plant into it. The soil would trap enough water for the plant to grow well. Thereafter add some pebbles/sand for condensation at the sides of the container to be drawn into the soil. Moss forms the top-most layer to draw moisture in too.

The Water Cycle in the terrarium

Many have asked us, 'Are you practising plant torture?' No we are not. The terrarium has its own micro-climate. In the day, the plant takes in carbon dioxide it has produced at night and makes food, resulting in the formation of oxygen and water droplets. The water droplets condense on the walls of the container and drips back into the soil, so no watering is necessary. The water in turns helps the plant to grow.

A Tribute to Dandelions

Dandelions are such fragile and lovely creatures.
When we got one recently from a local supermarket, we wished it took its time to fade.

Humptydump has a strange feeling our bed will look like this. From Vinyltastic

how to display your knick knacks

humptydump has so much junk. How can we display it more creatively? hello kitty, strawberry shortcake, starwars, drawings, you name it, we have it. Suddenly remembered The Selby and we feel so inspired again. 

From Misha Hollenbach and Shauna 

Jake and Gen at The Selby

Whoever said that cactus have to sit on planters? The Selby

Whoever said  we can only display small pics in small spaces. The Selby

Displaying irregular objects. Gidon Bing from The Selby

Humptydump goes to the LASALLE Arts Market!

We love each and every of our hand-made dolls, so much that we can't bear to part with them every time we complete one. Thank you to everyone who has adopted one/two/a few of our babies. The last we asked, all of them have found lovely owners, and that's great to hear.