Ibyang
Ibyang

Charmed Life of a Mrs

Style Musings: Cherry Blossom Charm From Pandora

When I had my first charm, a camera, I didn’t know what my next charm will be. As mentioned in my post then, I want my future charm bracelet to be special so instead of buying charms in one go, I’m creating my charm bracelet one charm at a time.

A few months after my camera charm purchase, Pandora came out with the Spring Collection and it included Cherry Blossom charms! I was soooooo happy. It was the perfect charm to buy! At that time these charms came out, the Husband and I were preparing for our comeback to Seoul for the Spring Festival, where the city will be filled with Cherry Blossom trees in bloom.  

Why a Cherry Blossom flower?

I’m enamoured with Cherry Blossom flowers. I first saw them when we travelled to Seoul in 2011 and I fell inlove with its dainty beauty. Whenever I see Cherry Blossom flowers, all my Husband can hear me say is, “They’re sooooo pretty” with matching dreamy look (hahaha). I’m really charmed by them.

Cherry Blossoms signifies my love for Seoul and Korean culture. After a few years of learning about Korean culture and travelling to Seoul twice, the Husband and I feel a connection to the place and its culture. It’s not just a simple fascination. It’s something deep and wanting that we simply say that Seoul is our third home now.

Spring is my favourite season. This Cherry Blossom charm will remind me of our Romantic Spring wedding. This charm will remind me of the beautiful flowers we’ve seen during Floriades in Canberra. This will remind of all the Cherry Blossom flowers I’ve seen during Spring time. Most of all, this charm will always remind me of beginnings and hellos, which for me are happy moments of life.
Style Musings: Pandora's Cherry Blossom Charm

The nice thing about Pandora was that they came out with Cherry Blossom earrings and rings too. When I arrived at the store and saw the earrings, I can’t help but buy a pair. The flower comes in pale pink, although in these photos, they are somewhat white due to lighting at home.

Style Musings: Pandora's Cherry Blossom Charm

Since I don’t have charm bracelet yet, I used my two-toned necklace for the Cherry Blossom charm and wear it on my neck for now. 

Style Musings: Pandora's Cherry Blossom Charm
I love these Cherry Blossom charms. Simple, dainty and very significant. 
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Mornings In My Creative Space

Mornings are when the Hubby usually finds me in my creative space. It is when he finds me typing away on my laptop, doing photography shoots, stamping on my sketchbook or reading a book. I love the morning light and I love to start my day doing something I love.

In my creative space, I’m usually accompanied by a book, camera, crafty things, a notebook or sketchbook, pencils and a cup of coffee. These are a few things that fuel my inspiration. 

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Live In The Moment And Be Happy

I’ve written this affirmation a long time ago and since then, I’ve made it my manifesto. 

Live in the moment and enjoy being.

“My concept of ‘Being’ means embracing whatever life brings you…it may be joy, sorrow, pain, hardships—the key is to cherish it (even if its painful) and learn from it. We honor our joy, we might as well honor our pain too. Life is so much sweeter when you know you’re able to go thru happy or sad moments with no shortcuts.”

– an ibyangism i learned when i moved in Sydney and found out that life is more beautiful when you have gone thru cherished tears.

Last weekend, I got inspired by the Happy Quote Book and decided to make variation of my “Live in the Moment” manifesto.

Discovered Inspirations: The Happy Book
Discovered Inspirations: The Happy Book

Live in the moment and be happy. 

Wishing you all a great week ahead!

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Elizabeth Gilbert – Life After Eat Pray Love (January 2013)

This month, “A Wife’s Charmed Life“ is celebrating its 6th birthday in the blogosphere. I sometimes look back at the journeys this blog has taken and I always wonder in awe at how much it has grown and how much I’ve grown too as person. So as a gift to my beloved readers, let me share a special moment that happened on my birthday six months ago: attending Elizabeth Gilbert’s talk at the Sydney Opera House where I also got to meet her.

-o0o0o-


Elizabeth “Liz” Gilbert is intelligent, funny and endearing. Her aura illuminates with such positive energy. Listening to her talk about her life and advices when it comes to following one’s passion was a very inspiring experience.

I love Liz Gilbert. Her book Eat Pray Love brought a lot of sense to me and thru it I learned the missing link in my life then which was the value of balance. It was a dream come true to see her and learn a lot from her stories. 

The best part was I got to meet her too! She did this talk three days before my birthday in January this year and it was one of best gifts the Universe has ever given to me. When we met, she complimented me that I have a beautiful name (she referred to Ivy) and then greeted me a “Happy birthday!” when I mentioned that she is fate’s birthday gift to me. It was so surreal! 

Elizabeth Gilbert, Life After Eat Pray Love (January 2013)

Here she is signing my old Eat Pray Love book. 🙂

Elizabeth Gilbert, Life After Eat Pray Love (January 2013)
I’m sharing a video of her talk at the Sydney Opera House below. It’s lengthy but it’s worth your time. However, if you have no time to watch just yet, here are some things I learned from Liz Gilbert’s talk:

On her life:
Writing is her only talent, she does it good and had always been her path.
She’s experienced life in Wyoming as a ranch girl.
She’s gullible…she easily believes in everything.
She enjoys the company of men as men are more interesting.
She describes herself as an introvert trapped in an extrovert body.

On writing 
When writing, one should have a particular person/audience directed to .

On writing Eat Pray Love
It was a letter to her friend Darcy. 
It’s her most intimate book as it is her story but she had no regrets writing it, it is a great blessing to her life.
The best thing that has happened during her journey was the 4 months she spent in India as she finds a peace resolution to herself.

On overcoming that judgemental voice
Be more stubborn to that voice; quiet that voice so your own voice will come out.
Be kind to yourself and forgive yourself.
Push hard, be relentless because it has to be done.

On making your dreams come true
Anything challenging is worth doing.
It is your passion, it is your responsibility.
Stop complaining.

On empowering women
We as women need to constantly be realistic perspective on how far we’ve come in such a short time.
Relax and don’t be hard on yourself.
It doesn’t help when society dictates what women should do etc. but there are new freedoms.

Last year, the universe gifted me with Roger Federer. This year, it was Liz Gilbert. Words cannot express how much I’m truly grateful for these inspiring encounters. Moments like these will always warm my heart.

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Discovered Inspirations: The Happy Quote Book (And My Thoughts On Being Happy)

Happy 1st day of July, everyone!

Let’s start the second half of the year with a cheerful post, shall we? 

I discovered this book at kikki.K early this year and the first thing I thought of was to get a few pieces to give to friends. I have always believed that happiness felt from within should always be shared with the people you hold dearly. As much as I would love to give a copy of this book to everyone I love, well, some of them would have to wait (haha!) because I can’t afford to give each one a copy–yet.
Discovered Inspirations: The Happy Book
The HAPPY Quote Book is a compilation of quotes on Happiness interpreted thru wonderful artworks and illustrations. It also includes a fold-out poster which you can frame and hang on your wall.
Discovered Inspirations: The Happy Book

Here are a few of my favourite Happy Quotes and a bit of comments from me:

Think happy thoughts. 

_MG_26Discovered Inspirations: The Happy Book82

Most times, it’s the little everyday things that give us a joy. 

Discovered Inspirations: The Happy Book

This quote supports my belief that happiness should come from within us. The pursuit of happiness must start in us and we should never depend on someone else or some things to make us happy. 

Discovered Inspirations: The Happy Book

A quote from a famous song which I love. One of the recipients of the books I gave out took a photo of this quote via instagram and tagged me. I was very touched by my friend’s gesture.

Discovered Inspirations: The Happy Book

Dedicated to the love of my life. 

Discovered Inspirations: The Happy Book

I always relate happiness to gratitude. I believe that being happy is appreciating the blessings we have ALL the time. It’s like seeing rainbows of opportunities in a sea of challenges. And I also believe that as long as there are things to be grateful for, there is no reason to be unhappy.

Discovered Inspirations: The Happy Book

Happiness is a choice.

Discovered Inspirations: The Happy Book

I love this book! It’s inspiring and fun (because of its adorable illustrations) at the same time. A pocketful of reminders to live a life filled with happiness and inspiration.

The Happy Quote Book is available at kikki.K.

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