ali.k

sun ++

2015-06-12T05:15:00.000-07:00

Here's to summer and everything that comes with it!

Myself and a friend traipsed our way to one of my favourite districts to grab a bite and kick off summer the best/most edible way possible;

Top: Raspberry Lime Tea Cake

Bottom: Pineapple Meringue Cupcake

An obvious first stop to make is at Plain Vanilla Bakery, which not only boasts a superior range of decadent desserts but also has a comfortable, spacious reading area stocked with some of my favourite magazines;

There's nothing like a laid back post-rain wander on a breezy day to set just the right vibes for summer, which is exactly what we did.

Summer is all about comfort, so it made perfect sense to dress in the cosiest clothes possible, pictured here as a plain white t-shirt and fitting denim overalls coupled with a pair of the cutest art socks in the district. And, to top it off with a burst of vibrance, a colourfully adorned bag to make even the cloudiest days brighter.

Nothing is quite as irresistible as a cold, icy popsicle to counter the unrelenting tropical heat. My favourite brand of it can be found in the artfully curated shop "Strangelets" located just down the road from Plain Vanilla Bakery. Popaganda ice pops are fresh, natural and ice-packed with unique flavour. From lemon olive oil to pure unadulterated coconut lovin', these are by far the best all-cure for a typical case of summer heat.

See you around!

Plain Vanilla Bakery: 1D Yong Siak Street, Singapore 168641

Strangelets: 7 Yong Siak St, 168644

glitter glass

2015-05-14T07:10:00.001-07:00

It's funny how the most chaotic of things can produce the best photographs.

About a month ago, I (not unsurprisingly) dropped a new tub of glitter polish onto the floor. Of course, nothing less than pure mayhem ensued, consisting of desperate efforts to get the glitter off the floor before it dried. Whilst everyone rushed around, I grabbed the camera and snapped a few shots before I got shooed away from the scene of disaster. This was shot on a new camera (for me at least), which I've never used before, so settings took a little while to get used to. I've got the best three photos down below to give a little sneak into the incident.

Canon G16, f2.5, ISO 250

up in the air

2014-12-08T02:53:00.004-08:00

Hello to New Zealand and deliciously cool weather!

I'm currently watching the sunset and drinking homemade soda (10:1 soda water to syrup ratio works every time), thinking about how crazy this holiday has been so far. I'm always reminded of what this vast land has to offer; I never get tired of coming here-- there's always something new to do.

In today's case, this "something new" was a breathtaking helicopter ride over snow-capped mountain ridges, through the fiords and valleys and past looming cliffs. The term "bird's eye view" had a whole new meaning to it, after soaring and gliding over glassy lakes and feeling like a bird in flight.

We landed on a glacier for a while during the trip; the feeling of snow in summer was certainly a strange one. Through the fiords, we flew to a secluded beach, right by the sea. If there's one main takeaway I had from today, it would be that cold seawater is not something you would want to touch on a windy morning when you're wearing trainers.

Before my big photo spam, however, I'd just like to take a moment to gush about the absolutely gorgeous new watch that arrived in the mail just in time for this trip. I chanced upon the brand online a while ago, and recently decided to get one. Definitely one of the best purchases I've made this year. It's hardy, durable and yet simple and very, very, aesthetically appealing. I've found that it automatically becomes usable in practically every situation, even my adventuring through the wilderness.

instrmnt 01-B RG/B

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dynamics

2014-12-03T20:18:00.005-08:00

Exams: check. Coursework: .. not check.

So recently, I started my 6 month journey into long days and longer nights filled with a gazillion mental blocks and paint splattered furniture: art coursework. I'm currently in the what-am-i-supposed-to-do stage of experimenting and being utterly clueless as to how to begin this project.

I've decided to document my progress here, from time to time, so I can keep track of my progress! Hopefully it isn't /too/ boring.

This is the first photo set I've finished editing (for now -- I may make a few changes in the future). It's not much really, and I'm not are where I'm going with this, but I thought it'd be a good place to start. This photo set is titled "Dynamics" for its completely free, fun, extremely blurry pictures. I have some edited to black and white just to see what it looks like and stuff.

camera : Olympus OM-d E-M1
thankeu to drew for being a cooperative hair swinger

this is my favourite bw

testing lower exposure

desaturated -- not a standout

bit more colour?

find me.
insta @ruminaries
tumblr @diseurium

see ya around!

not all who wander are lost

2014-11-07T09:47:00.002-08:00

A week away from the vice-like grip of the internet brought me (along with a whole bunch of schoolmates) to the lush jungles of Cameron Highlands, Malaysia, teeming with wildlife and solace from the tropical blaze of home. We embarked on our journey not knowing what awaited us in the thriving jungle, ever ready for the adventures that were to come.

Of the countless wonders we encountered during our days of trekking the unmarked paths of Malaysian jungle, none were as rewarding as the tea plantation we walked through at the end of our second day.

One of the most surprising things was the sheer beauty in the idyllic campsite. I was fool enough not to notice it until the last day of the camp, compensating slightly by taking a load of pictures. These were taken on the morning we left, just as the mist was beginning to recede.

see you around!

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now playing // yellow - coldplay

impulse marketing

2014-10-26T03:59:00.002-07:00

Jetlag is a terribly proper excuse to go on a foodventure. Pictures below:

it's always Pimm's o' clock

Pimm's in the making--

turkish delight !

irresistible bruschetta

extras !!!

with a friend donned in urban outfitters

PUG.

now playing: strobes pt. 2

get in touch !

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see you around--

of fur and sundays

2014-09-04T07:00:00.001-07:00

I haven’t posted in a while, mainly because I’ve been going through school (and we all know what that’s like).

The past few weeks have been an engaging few, in which I managed to do a few interesting mini-shoots—some of them planned and some on impulse—namely with a few of the furrier kind.

Mini photo spam below!!!

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extras!!!

find me here:

instagram / ruminaries
vsco / overtures
tumblr / diseurium

another escape

2014-08-16T16:25:00.000-07:00

A week or so ago, I took a trip down to a street jam packed with quaint shops and corner cafés; home to the infamously sinful Plain Vanilla bakery, as well as Books Actually, with its extensive collection of vintages.

lazy sundays are generally the best time for good reads

To my stomach's disappointment, Plain Vanilla was closed (cons of a public holiday), so I settled on a little bit of local food at the end of the street. A little quickly turned into a lot, and a lot ended up in the beginnings of a food coma. Nevertheless, we ventured on to whatever shops were open.
Thankfully, Books Actually was a pleasant exploration-- addictive, really. I bought my first magazine-esque lifestyle book, Another Escape*. Despite having only gone for the aesthetics of the cover (rather shallowly, I'd suppose), I found it to be the kind of thing you'd read by the windowsill with acoustics** in the background and whatnot.

The typography and layout of the book was, aesthetically, more towards a minimalistic look, allowing for focus on certain images. I wasn't too taken by the font, but it complimented the look nicely. Overall, it's a worthwhile buy, for enthusiasts of well written lifestyle articles and photography.

If only there wasn't school so often, I'd be able to explore so much more. It's alright though, because I can probably find another excuse to come by again.

Till next time!

** now playing : simple as this

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extras!!!

find me here:

instagram / ruminaries
vsco / overtures
tumblr /diseurium