Stuffed Toy Land Blog

Enter the Dragon

2012-01-23T22:22:00.000+08:00

It's been a while since the last update from the house of Michi. The toys are envious of Pookie's vacation! Anyway despite the stuffed-toy-as-a-gift ban, we've gain some new friends over Christmas and New Year.

Sleepy the Care Bear came over for a slumber party on the last day of 2011. Tarzan the Steadfast (the new reindeer with sturdy legs) joins our ever-expanding family.

A fire-breathing dragon joins us to usher in the Chinese New Year. Fok Lung (福龙) is proud of his auspicious, albeit slightly out-dated name. Meanwhile, Teddy Boy signed up for a new job with a talent agency. Turns out he was supposed to greet customers at the new Abercrombie & Fitch outlet in Singapore.

The gang celebrates Chinese New Year together on their mistress's bed. Huat ah!

Huang Yen the puking Merlion tried to buy some vodka from Kopi (bear from Coffee Bean), who decided selling coffee was never going to be as lucrative as selling alcohol.

Booze and Teddy Boy has been hooked on the BBC's modern adaptation of Sherlock and has done some reading on the original works of Sir Conan Doyle. They've adopted some steam-punk fashion for the CNY.

WTD sets up a temporary casino to ~~lure~~ provide high stakes entertainment for the slightly more ~~gullible~~ adventurous members in Stuffed Toy Land. Hock Kee and Tarzan have since been hooked on the jackpot machine. Meanwhile, Fok Lung the dragon looks on in disapproval.

Pookie in Bali - Part 3

2012-01-22T22:41:00.019+08:00

Pookie starts the day with a hearty breakfast.

And he's off again! Watching the countryside roll by from the air-conditioned comfort of the car.

What a hot hot day! Pookie stays in the shade to avoid an unwanted tan.

On the way to Tanah Lot. Pookie is fascinated by a mossy stone basin and the mini lily pads.

Pookie frolicks among the truckload of coconuts before they're devoured by thirsty tourists.

Finally! First glimpse of Tanah Lot!

Pookie poses for some must-have touristy shots of the scenic beach around Tanah Lot.

On the way back to the car, Pookie notices a familiar yet dubious sign.

The next temple had many little hats on the roof. Pookie wishes he had one of the hats to ward off the sun.

Lunch time! And so Pookie ends his Bali trip... with a yummy local dish - Babi Guling.

Pookie in Bali - Part 2

2012-01-22T20:51:00.017+08:00

Pookie visits the Sacred Temple of the Holy Springs. He looks up in awe at the Temple Guard.

It's required to wear either a sarong and/or sash upon entering the temple. Following the locals, Pookie wears a sash too.

Next stop - Padi fields! Pookie had to be restrained from jumping into the terraces to look for his field mice cousins.

Found a good spot to have lunch overlooking the padi fields!

Leaving the padi fields, Pookie was tired out from the morning's excitement.

Ahhh... candlelight dinner by Jimbaran beach

And a relaxing beer afterwards

Part 3 up next! Pookie's final day in Bali.

Pookie in Bali - Part 1

2012-01-22T19:15:00.018+08:00

Pookie took a short trip to Bali!

Waking up too early for a 7am flight, he had to be coaxed to take some breakfast at the airport.

In sunny Bali! Pookie found his mode of transport acceptable.

Thinking it was going to be a relaxing vacation of beach babes and surfing good times, Pookie didn't expect a 4 am climb up Mt Batur....

Resting at the first chance

But the scenery from the top was worth it! (ahhh.. the sunrise from behind Mt Agung would be prettier without the clouds).

Looking down at Lake Batur...

Pookie commemorates his trek by drinking soda in the good old fashioned way - from glass bottles!

Steam from the crater!

Ah.. it's a treacherous journey down. But Pookie felt safe in his little pouch.

Pookie vows to keep the secret and holiness of Mt Batur.

A visit to the spa after the trek! Pookie was content to lay down and rest.

Stay tuned for Part 2! Pookie visits the sacred temples.

Hello Timothy!

2012-01-22T10:26:00.015+08:00

It's been over a year since Timothy Softpaws joined the happy family in Pasir Ris! For all who doesn't know him, he's certainly been busy at home (well given his size, it's difficult to travel incognito...)

A typical day starts with his morning coffee. Don't talk to him before he's had his first coffee.

He starts cooking breakfast.. and checks for signs of food poisoning.

Seen as a wise plush in the community, he holds regular Meet-The-Plushies sessions.

In this particular session, the Whats had a run in with Crosses. And Garfield shows off his new plushie.

As night time falls, he reads to bedtime stories to other plushies...

And enjoys a cold beer while pondering over the day...

Before he knows it, Xmas is here! Posing proudly with his tree...

And welcome Dragon Year! "Is the decoration straight?" he asks.

Happy CNY, folks!

A Merry Merry Christmas to All!

2011-12-24T12:39:00.000+08:00

A Merry Christmas to all from the gang in Stuffed Toy Land!! It has been an eventful year indeed!

Booze the Moose wants the best things in life. ＾∇＾

Ellie the elephant and some new friends.

Karl Lagerfeld Doll for Sephora (via WWD.com)

2011-11-03T23:14:00.001+08:00

Karl Lagerfeld Creates Capsule Makeup Line for Sephora, Available in Singapore and Europe

Merlion en España

2011-10-26T15:15:00.001+08:00

Huang Yen the dishevelled (and often intoxicated) Merlion travelled to Spain for a short holiday. Here he is at the magnificent La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.

Backtrack to the start of the trip. Huang Yen began his sightseeing in Madrid.

Here he is at a sculpture of a fallen torero outside Las Ventas (bull-fighting ring), with an angel mourning him.

Hola Madrid!

Puerto del Sol, the heart of Spain.

Some cerveza alemana at one of the Café & Té outlets on the Calle Mayor of Madrid.

Sunrise on a foreign land.

It was one of the hottest Spanish Octobers in decades. But the intense heat suited the tropical merlion just fine.

On the way to Toledo, the capital of Visigoth Spain.

Old city of Toledo

Still pretty jet-lagged.

The Gothic Cathedral of Toledo

Surprising bit of baroque style within the gothic cathedral.

The Roman aquequct in Segovia has stood for nearly 2 millennia.

Some tinto, por favor.

Segovia Cathedral built in the 16th century.

HY popped by Portugal for a couple of nights. Most elderly Portuguese men seems to rock a tweed cap or hat of sorts.

In Lisbon. The Belem Tower at the mouth of the Targus River reminded HY of his stoic big stone cousin guarding the Singapore River at One Fullerton.

The Padrão dos Descobrimentos monument celebrating the great age of Portuguese naval explorers. Small nation with great ambition.

Taking in the sights at the cloister of the Church of Santa Maria at Hieronymites Monastery with the ornate Manueline limestone architecture.

The whole place has an intricate design with inspirations from the Portuguese golden age of maritime exploration.

Cabo de Roca, Portugal.

Looking across the Atlantic Ocean.

Tinto again in Sevilla. The rest of the day was a bit of a blur.

Malaga

The 15M cum #Occupy protests in Malaga. Throughout the trip he has heard the Spanish talking about the economical crisis and unemployment issues.

At El Trillo

Granada

Alhambra Palace

Some sweet Moorish architecture

Palacio de Generalife

Mijas in Málaga

Valencia

Shopping in Barcelona!!!

Barça tickets!

People watching along La Rambla

Watching Champions League.

The beautiful Barcelona City.

He spots La Sagrada Familia!

Gaudi was a genius. It's the first time HY felt something grotesque could be so hauntingly beautiful.

HY reckons he's in the belly of an extinct medieval whale.

Dead tired.

HY reading 'Short History of Spain'.

Huang Yen es muy contenta. He'll like to visit more of Barcelona on his next visit.

Plush Fashion Part 5

2011-09-27T22:54:00.000+08:00

Booze the Moose just came across this Coco Rocha fashion spread featured a year back in Tatler Russia. It's never too late for some plush fashion photography appreciation!

Coco Rocha (Tatler Russia October 2010) by Arthur Elgort

The Good Things In Life

2011-09-27T22:50:00.000+08:00

The gang discussing their favourite albums when their mistress is not around.

Misery Bear & Kate Moss

2011-08-21T16:17:00.000+08:00

Misery Bear is a grumpy, self-destructive. alcoholic animated stuffed toy character with the worst luck in the world. Its short films can seen on BBC Comedy. According to its website, Misery Bear is the 'saddest, loneliest, most suicidal teddy bear in the whole world'. His first book, Misery Bear’s Guide to Love & Heartbreak, will be out in October. What is it with the British and these maniacal depressive characters?

Wallowing in misery.

Always placing his affection on the wrong type

Numbing himself with acts of debauchery

In futile pursuit of happiness

Here's a look at one of the short films, starring Kate Moss.

More MiseryBear episodes can be found here.

La la la la la la ♫♪♫ ~ NooOOOoooo!

2011-08-04T22:03:00.001+08:00

Harrison Ford decapitates Papa Smurf on Conan at 0:37. -_-;

Hot Summer Night

2011-07-17T23:28:00.001+08:00

Moose playing with the front-facing camera on his iPad

Jackpot machines are FUN!

Chillin' with Monkey & Hindergaard

2011-07-03T13:14:00.001+08:00

Hindergaard and Monkey's weekend routine.

Watching BBC while their mistress goes for road runs. Monkey sporting slick, gelled-back hair.

~~Spying on~~ Looking at neighbouring swimming pools.

Listening to music on their iPod.

Angry Bird in China

2011-05-25T18:41:00.001+08:00

Angry bird (愤怒鸟?) in China.

Flipping through the Chinese fashion magazine angrily.

Reading epic Jin Yong novels, with a particular interest in 神雕.

Election Fever

2011-05-02T17:49:00.001+08:00

The toys have been keenly following developments of the Singapore General Elections online. One incumbent MP even visited their house to garner support. However, the loud and incessant blasting of campaign slogans in the neighbourhood every morning have made them pretty disinclined to entertain the politician.

Unfortunately as of the last Stuffed Toy Land population census, most of them are not Singaporean Citizens (mostly illegal PRs), and are not eligible to vote.

Jeremy Scott x adidas Originals Teddy Bear

2011-04-16T23:27:00.000+08:00

Now now, we love you Jeremy, but this is just hideous.

Jeremy Scott x adidas Originals Teddy Bear Kicks / Tuesday Creative

What the Duck in Siem Reap - Part Four

2011-04-13T20:59:00.003+08:00

Heading off to the last capital city of the Khmer empire.

In awe of the guardians of Angkor Thom.

WTD can't wait to snap some pictures with his non digital SLR. Lo-fi photography is all the rage, yo.

Checking out the bas reliefs depicting ancient Khmer lifestyles, beliefs and political exchange with other contemporary civilisations.

Deciphering the hidden message.

WTD is truly grateful that these stone structures survived all these years, and that the government allows tourists to access most of the areas.

The great temple of Bayon with its famed 4-faced Buddhas.

At Ta Prohm, where trees have managed to grow from within and over the ruins over time. The tree roots are engulfing the temple like some giant octopus' tentacles .

Back to the main temple. Reliefs of the Hindu-Buddhist devata goddesses of Angkor.

Remembering a scene from Wong Kar Wai's In the Mood for Love

At the upper gallery of Angkor Wat's main temple. Pity the top level is closed.

Ending off the tour of the Angkor Wat complex at Phnom Bakheng Temple.

Waiting for the sunset.

Back to the hotel..

And now for some drinks..

Breakfast

Randomly walking around the Old Market

WTD was about to get a heatstroke. He retreated to a cafe for some drinks.

Cooling down at The Blue Pumpkin

Back at the hotel again after a relaxing spa treatment!

He would consider outdoor bathing, but he didn't feel too comfortable with the fact that some residential units overlook the back-garden. (he forgot he was nude anyway)

Away from the mozzies!

Leaving this resilient country. Home sweet home!

What the Duck in Siem Reap - Part Three

2011-03-20T14:57:00.004+08:00

After the trip to the lake, WTD was hoping to get a taste of Amok fish and other local fares. He decided to have his dinner at Viroth Restaurant.

Nice ambience and friendly staff.

Food was great and cheap, but he wished there was sufficient lighting to know what he was eating!

Back at the hotel. For once, WTD felt perhaps his limbs were indeed too short.

He would have stayed in the tent overnight if not for the vicious mosquitoes.

Next morning. WTD woke up early to watch the sunrise over the main Angkor Wat complex (facing west), but it was too cloudy for picture taking..

He was really glad that this structure survived intact over years of colonial rule, war and Khmer Rouge reign in this stricken nation.

First good glimpse of the iconic Angkor Wat central structure.

Exchanging a few pointers with fellow photographers taking pictures of the reflected image of the complex on the lotus pond.

Big wat, small what.

Obligatory tourist shot

Taking in the sights

What the Duck in Siem Reap - Part Two

2011-03-17T22:16:00.004+08:00

Continuing from >>What the Duck in Siem Reap - Part One

But first, WTD found a watering hole to combat the intense heat. Khmer Kitchen

And draft beer is going at around USD $0.50 to $1 per glass here in Siem Reap. What more could a duck ask for.

Passing by lotus fields on the way to Tonle Sap, the largest freshwater lake in the region.

On the boat to catch a glimpse of the water dwellings. Squatter housing on the shallow banks of Tonle Sap. This city duck didn't know what to expect, seeing the sediments/construction work/packed tourist ferries along the inlet kinda dampened his hopes about this little excursion.

A glimpse of the water dwellings on the main lake, which is home to a sizable ethnic Vietnamese/Cambodian population. WTD suddenly felt very at home.

A slice of modernity with some ingenuity. Life seemed tough here but the residents are a resourceful lot.

WTD's plush camera lenses are met with much suspicion

View of Tonle Sap lake and the Cambodian flag

On the way back to the jetty, WTD witnessed some local boys bathing/frolicking (?) with their duck. "That's not how my kind should be treated!" he yelled, pouting. But the Cambodian duck seemed to be pretty much enjoying the treatment in the heat.

A thoughtful WTD after the trip to the lake. (to be continued...)

Gingy makes frens in Tokyo

2011-03-12T18:44:00.016+08:00

As Wat the Duck took a sunny tropical holiday, Gingy pranced amongst sakura blossoms in Tokyo. Having just heard about the quake in Jpn yesterday, Gingy wished all of Japan's residents safety and and peace to overcome this calamity.

Missing his friends at home, he wondered if he could find new friends here?

He didn't. But found an interesting sign while taking the subway. Having only seen brown bears, Gingy wondered why these 'brown bears' wore sleeping masks with 2 eyeholes. *weird stuffed toy in jpn* - he thought.

But... Gingy took back his words when he met the red panda while q-ing up for sushi. The red panda is also termed the lesser panda (?!).

The lesser panda proved she was not lesser to all other bears (don't you dare talk abt size in front of her!), by demonstrating commendable agility in balancing on top of a Georgia coffee bottle.

REAL pandas. Now we're talking.

Gingy decided to kidnap one back to the hotel: Camouflage, panda! He commanded.

Tada! Presenting BuiBui, the Japanese panda with humpty dumpty special powers.

They chatted like 2 old friends. It didn't matter BuiBui spoke Hokkien-tinged Japanese (?) and Gingy spoke Scottish-accented Cantonese (??).
Kawaii-ness is the international language of stuffed toy land :D

Wow! What an intelligent looking cat! He must be the lord of Namjatown. Gingy was keen to befriend this powerful looking cat. Sometimes, he wished he too could look intellectual, so people will take him seriously.

He didn't find the powerful cat. But stared wistfully in awe at how this powerful cat even displayed power (literally) in cuisine presentation... He felt hungry and decided to go searching for food.

Look out for Gingy's food adventures in Tokyo (to be contd...)!

What the Duck in Siem Reap - Part One

2011-03-11T15:57:00.002+08:00

WTD arrives in Siem Reap airport for a much-needed weekend vacation. With his trusty camera (no its not a pacifier) in tow!

Going through customs was a breeze, and that's the understatement of the year. WTD arrived shortly at his hotel and browsed the Cambodian newspaper.


The amenities at the hotel lobby looked very promising. p

Lounging in the hotel suite.

Cool drink and tropical fruits for the severely hot weather.

Ducks and bathtubs belong together.

Sauna in the Room!!

Somehow WTD didn't really feel comfortable with the idea of ~~roasting~~ heating himself in an enclosed area.

All set and ready to explore Siem Reap!

The Oath of the Peach Garden (桃园三结义)

2011-02-17T20:18:00.002+08:00

Monkey, Bean #1 and Hindergaard takes an oath of brotherhood under peach blossoms.

Monkey accessorizes his leopard outfit with Hindergaard's collar.

Happy new year!

Monkey & Hindergaard under the Peach Blossoms

2011-02-01T19:25:00.002+08:00

A Day in the Life of a Duck

2011-01-31T18:31:00.001+08:00

duc

WTD resting his tired legs after a morning of shopping at Orchard ION

US-born WTD has slowly come to terms with the Singaporean Chinese's love for roasted duck. He's learnt to channel his attention away at Chinese restaurants whenever he sees such acts of atrocities.

Duck-in-a-roll.

Catching a movie in town and enjoying it. Though he is quite unhappy with the lack of elevation of the cinema seating. Not very duck-friendly.

Yes. He went to watch The Green Hornet, of all movies.

He's spending his first Chinese Lunar New year in Singapore. Pretty psyched to learn about the 12 Chinese Zodiac animals. Why weren't ducks included?

This will be the year of the Metal Rabbit.

Helping with the decorations

WTD meets some auspicious rabbits

Cai shen ye is watching...

Hiding behind a pot of plant. Stalking the God of Prosperity (财神爷)

Firecrackers!

Perhaps 2 of these can propel him to the skies.

Alright, all this rabbit decoration is really getting way overboard.

New BFFs (best fauna friends)