Inspiration | Time For Coffee and Photography

Good morning!

We truly believe that what makes all things beautiful in life, is actually, honestly, really, from the eyes (and lenses) of great photography. Of course, these days, also with the help of photo-touching/filter mobile apps that make it even easier! The possibilities are endless. In a way, it does make "good" photography seem easily achievable, even if one has not much skill in "real" photography, so to speak. 

Here at LUMINNEJ, we love all things beautiful, no matter how you achieve that end result. At least, it shows that you are even bothered to make the pictures look presentable, in the first place. Of course, real photography is an art form that beats no others, if done absolutely well and we have such great admiration for such talents. Hence, we would love to share with you, today, just a few (among many others we admire) photography/travel/lifestyle/food blogs that we always love to visit (and be inspired by their talents and work). We also chose one of our favourite subjects to be featured - COFFEE. (yay!)

Le Voyage Creatif is a food, photography and travel blog of Marie. She says, "This personal blog is a journey through my creative world, where I document beautiful things I discover on my way and where I share some of my work". Indeed, all photographers are, in some ways, visual storytellers and discoverers, as well as wanderers in this world, searching for that little beauty, in all things that they are passionate about. We love her photography work on food, travel and life at large. Amazing blog to chew on *_^ Come dwell into Marie's world here for more splendour. You will definitely be delighted. See how beautiful her cappuccino is? (above) Simply gorgeous! Here for the blog post.

[Polyvore] Spring Into Pastel

Spring Into Pastel by luminnej featuring roman numeral watches

It's been a long time since we last worked on polyvore! Have a luminous and fabulous weekend, my lovelies. A birthday present for myself (and for all of you who are celebrating the arrival of spring *_^), here's our latest beauty board. More LUMINNEJ's creations on polyvore here.

The Glamourous World of Jaeger-LeCoultre

The art of watchmaking is an art form that demands great precision, dedication, craftsmanship and passion. The brand name, Jaeger-LeCoultre has been that Swiss brand which upkeeps such tradition and belief since way back in 1833. It is amazing to know that such passion, still continues till today. Perhaps, if you own a piece of a Jaeger-LeCoultre watch, you have own one of the world's most complicated and most prestigious watches. 

[Star Gazing] The Natural Beauty Of Rachel McAdams

Our most vivid memory of this beautiful soul whose acting come so naturally and effortlessly for her was her memorable performance in The Notebook (2004) playing Allie, opposite the enigmatic Ryan Gosling (the affectionate Noah). It is that sort of a love story that lingers on after you have long watched it, for a long long time, that sort of story that hits right into your core and soul, and impacts you and the way you look at love and life. The deep and fulfilling love that lasts a lifetime, one that most of us yearn for, that is the beauty of such a story. Such great awesome chemistry the both of them have in the movie! You can't help but to fall in love with this on screen couple *_^

The Oh So Pretty Burberry Bloomsbury Girls

Burberry recently revealed its new Burberry Prorsum womenswear Autumn/Winter 2014 collection called The Bloomsbury Girls. The collection draws creative inspiration from the British decorative art of the Bloomsbury set and Charleston, the country home and meeting place for the writers, painters and intellectuals who formed the group. The show marks the start of a partnership with the Charleston Trust, on a project to help protect the creative and cultural heritage of Charleston for the public. We think this is truly awesome and meaningful!

As always, Burberry shows were liven up by live music where Burberry supports the local singers and entertainers in the advancement of their art form, which is totally cool, we feel. We especially love the soulful rugged end number performed live by the lovely Paloma Faith called Only Love Can Hurt Like This. (video below)

[Inspiration] Editorial Julia Frauche by Camilla Akrans For Foster Magazine

I run my fingers through the soft petals of the flowers in the sun, I run towards the wind that promises to carry your words of love, I run towards the warmth of the sun that blinded my loneliness, but most of all, I run towards an imaginary you, for I have been waiting, waiting for your arrival. 

A Simple Yet Soulful ZECK by Jason Zeck Lee Collection

Jointly hosted by Jason Zeck Lee and Elegantology, this very first collection show of Malaysian fashion designer Jason Lee was like a breath of fresh air. It was simple, no fuss, and almost strip away the busyness of things that would distract you as the wearer of the pieces. You can almost feel like you can easily slip into (and out for that matter *_^) them, effortlessly, string together by the vibrant pop of colour blocks, yet underlined with the basic black colour, this collection feels very soulful. It very much reflects the fashion designer himself, we feel. 

Coming from working passionately in SOULwork for the past 17 years, Jason believes in serving humanity for the betterment of mankind. Therefore, it does reflect in his care for the collection as well. We love the small little details that Jason put into putting together the show, making it extra special. At the reception, each guests were given to pick their own "card" and they are filled with uplifting words of wisdom. We love his philosophy towards life and creative work! 

Someone who treats fashion as a communication tool to create a completion between one's soul to the SELF, Jason's designs centre around SOULwork which connects soul to the Universe. The colour BLACK was given a strong attitude. According to Jason, B.L.A.C.K collection is a word that represents these values:

B for BRAVERY, full of courage to move forward

L for LOVE, able to accept all possibilities and differences

A for ABUNDANCE, willingness to share and care without scarcity

C for COMPASSION, feel the empathy for others

K for KINDNESS, being nice and tender to SELF

[Home Made] Some Of My Favourite Food

I am not a great cook, but I do love to once in a while, assemble ingredients together or on some days, just like to keep it simple when it comes to "cooking". Home-cooked meals (or home-made in this sense) seems to be the best, at times, as I am more in control of what goes into me and my family's tummies (if I have the time). 

I love salads and I try to make them light, without the heavy mayo dressing and what not, just drizzle them with orange juice or lemon juice with maple syrup and olive oil. I don't really go by the book or rules, love to make up my own concoction as I go along, depending on my mood for the day (and basically what's available in my fridge, haha *_^).  So, it can be a green salad with fruits like papaya and banana like this one here (but later realized banana and green combo, can be an acquired taste, papaya works fine).

A Date With Yu Heng, Freshel's Brand Ambassador

Japanese skincare brand, Freshel unveiled their new brand Ambassador recently. A skincare brand that emphasizes on easy, efficient and eco-friendly approach to skincare regime, Freshel introduces all-in-one products that not only save time, but effective all together, definitely suitable for busy career women of today. This especially come in handy when one travels on trips, be it for leisure or business!

Yu Heng, brand ambassador of Freshel, with Mr. Masahiro Yamasaki, CEO of Kanebo Cosmetics Malaysia and Ms. Caryn Loh, the general manager of Watson Malaysia

A creative and artistic singer-songwriter, Yu Heng has been a loyal user of Freshel, so, becoming the brand ambassador seems like a natural progression. Juggling between marriage and her songwriting career, Freshel All-in-One Gel is one of her favourite products from the brand. Its exclusive five-in-one concept (Beauty essence, lotion, emulsion, cream and moisturizing makeup base) from this time-saving skincare range is too irresistible to be missed out. It comes in three formulas - whitening, hydrating and extra-hydrating. All products are to be used after cleansing. 

[FACES] Conversations With Mr. Yasuhiro Nakamizu from RMK Japan

We have been wanting to share this conversation of ours for the longest time (actually since we last met him at the recent RMK Play On Pink Press Launch) but we have been so tied down with some other work that we never really gotten around doing it. Now, finally, on this beautiful (but hot) Saturday afternoon, our time is devoted, to making this blog post a reality (FINALLY!)

It was seriously fun attending the press launch (blog post here), where Mr. Yasuhiro Nakamizu, RMK's make-up artist, came all the way from Japan, showed us personally how to create stunningly beautiful looks on two very different models, but LUMINNEJ was also priviledged enough to be given time to have a chat with him, face to face, for our FACES segment (Thanks Ching-An for the kind arrangement *_^)