my darling
sunshine

Everyday inspirations that make you wonder, think, and smile.
Think of it as the bright side of things, because life is so full of Passion, Lifestyle, and Creativity! Don't you think?

my darling
sunshine

Everyday inspirations that make you wonder, think, and smile.
Think of it as the bright side of things, because life is so full of Passion, Lifestyle, and Creativity! Don't you think?

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Welcome to My Darling Sunshine!

First and foremost, my name is Renata. I embrace the creative things in life--from art & design, photography, music, to the culinary art of cooking and baking. Sometimes I like to be able to do many things, especially things that inspire me. I love to learn something new and be challenged. With that, I would like to share the creativity that exists in life.

Now, you might already have an idea what this blog is all about, but you will find things or objects that are inspirational that I will share with all of my readers. You may even find things that are unrelated to those topics. They could be something that are simply... unique. All you have to do is subscribe, tune-in, and get INSPIRED! :)

Loves / Insipirations /
Axioo ♥ Amedeo Tessuti Photography ♥ Bonbini! ♥ Hello Naomi ♥ Love On Print ♥ Momiji ♥

Friends /
Adam Mulyadi / Axioo ♥ Adrienne Allen / NomNom-Nation Blog ♥ Alex Bruno / Design ♥ Amedeo Tessuti Blog ♥ Amie Maulit / Love On Print Blog ♥ Benjamin Rocha / Achor Design Blog ♥ Caitlyn Gibbons / Design ♥ Colin Wright / Branding ♥ Colin Wright Blog ♥ Derek Smith / Design ♥ Jayde Cardinalli / Design ♥ Jeff Quebral Blog ♥ Keith Dolezel / Industrial Design ♥ Marek Djordjevic / LandAirSea Design ♥ Tyler Adams Blog ♥

Remember when I said I have a long list of projects I wanted to do but didn't get a chance to? Well, this was on that list. I have been wanting to do paintings on wood, and... finally! It feels so good to know that you have accomplished something.

This was my first take on oil paint and painted portraits -- my very very first wood art. I titled it "Reincarnation #1." The medium: oil paint, oil pastels, and colored pencils. My initial sketch was going to be a bit grungy, but I figured it wouldn't work out with the color palette I started so I made it a "pure" version. The result I think is pretty good, but I would try a different approach and technique on the next one. I will be producing a series or similar type artwork to sell. It'll be a start up of my side business. I will keep you posted once I produce enough to sell :).


*Selling Note: This type of artwork will be handmade and original, therefore expect a higher price range than those that are digitally printed. I may produce some digital prints, but don't expect the same outcome as the originals. These artwork will be modified from the original art to work for digital prints.

Hope you enjoy it! Please give me some suggestions and feedback too! Would love to hear from you!
Comment on the "comments" link below.

Labels: painting, wood

I was able to capture Tuna's precious self, right before she went to bed. She looked so adorably sweet with her puppy eyes -- I just had to document it!

"If you haven't met me, I'll tell you a little bit about myself. I am a female Rat Terrier, currently 11 months old... it's almost my birfday! I wonder what Mommy and Daddy will get my for my birfday................. Anyhooo, I'm a bit shy and nervous when I meet strangers, but I'll slowly warm up to you if you treat me kindly, patient, and give me attention! I honestly have 2 big ears --That's how I have super amazing hearing! Everyone tells me I'm super duper cute, but I just like to look at them and pretend like I'm not with my big eyes. Yes -- I love to sleep! I'm hyper, but I use up all of my energy for a few hours, then my body crashes. I sleep on my bed, but I love Mommy's bed the most. I like to cuddle with Mommy because she gives me comfort and a lot of attention. These are the only things I would tell you. If you want to know more, you can meet me and I will give you all of my love."

I realized this could be a start to my doggie album...
I'll gather up my old to current photos of Bella and Tuna. Although, I don't think I have many photo series of Bella... I'll see what I can find. I'll probably do Tuna first, since her 1st Birthday is near!

Labels: dogs, photography

If you didn't know, Beignets are French Doughnuts -- usually served with Café Au Lait. 
Mmm Mmm good...

These mouth-watering (famous recipe) fillers are sold at a French Market Coffee stand called Café Du Monde in New Orleans. People rave about this Café and their infamous doughnuts. So I found this recipe that (they say) is close to the original recipe! From what I've made and tasted, they are AMAZINGLY good-alicious!

Labels: food, photography

If you don't already know, we are now in the season of Lent.

In the Catholic tradition, Lent is the period of the liturgical year leading up to Easter. Lent is a time of sacrifice for Jesus. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer -- through prayer, fasting, self-denial, Christian growth, penitence, conversion, and simplicity.

Lent, which comes from the "Teutonic" (Germanic) word for springtime, can be viewed as a spiritual spring cleaning: a time for taking spiritual inventory and then cleaning out those things which hinder our corporate and personal relationships with Jesus Christ and our service to him. Thus it is fitting that the season of Lent begin with a symbol of repentance: placing ashes mixed with oil on one's head or forehead. However, we must remember that our Lenten disciplines are supposed to ultimately transform our entire person: body, soul, and spirit. Our Lenten disciplines are supposed to help us become more like Christ.



Undecided whether to Fast or to Feast this Lenten season?

Fast from judging others; feast on the Christ dwelling in them.
Fast from focusing on differences; feast on the unity of all life.
Fast from apparent darkness; feast on the reality of light.
Fast from words that pollute; feast on phrases that purify.
Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger; feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism.
Fast from worry; feast on trust.
Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation.
Fast from negatives; feast on affirmatives.
Fast from unrelenting pressures; feast on unceasing prayer.
Fast from hostility; feast on nonviolence.
Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others.
Fast from personal anxiety; feast on eternal truth.
Fast from discouragement; feast on hope.
Fast from facts that depress; feast on truths that uplift.
Fast from lethargy; feast on enthusiasm.
Fast from suspicion; feast on truth.
Fast from thoughts that weaken; feast on promises that inspire.
Fast from idle gossip; feast on purposeful silence.

May our fasting and feasting during this season of Lent purify our hearts and minds that we may more worthily heed the voice of the One who beckons us, "Come and follow me." (taken from the Holy Family Bulletin / credits to Monica Obaldo).

Labels: personal

Seeing those ab muscle definitions popping up! :)
To be honest, I love looking at them first thing when I wake up in the morning, hahaha.

I've lost 3 pounds -- approximately 10-20% fat and gained muscle mass. Definitely more toned.
I love the way I feel everyday. Eating healthy really changes your lifestyle -- especially when you combine it with exercise. I have definitely boost my metabolism because I get hungry every 3 hours, and sometimes I treat myself ice cream or cake and not worry about getting fat because my metabolism is burning it for me. Of course, I don't eat it every day and only little amounts.

I'll tell you some secrets about how I do it... The things I limit and stay away from to stay fit and healthy. You have to keep in mind though, the number one thing you have to do if you want results is Exercise -- no doubt, but eating the right food kickstarts your weight-loss. Exercising at least 4-5 days a week speeds up the process. I do intense cardio workout 4-5 days and strength on nonconsecutive days twice a week with 4 nutritious meals per day: Breakfast, Lunch, Snack, Dinner. NEVER skip a meal! Because 99% of the time, that causes weight gain. Drink a lot of water, since this will help flush out toxins. Eliminate juice, sodas, or any sweet beverages. Try to drink green tea instead or coffee without sugar -- Also, Unsweetened Almond, Rice, or Low-Fat Milk are really good for you. I include high protein food everyday at every meal when I can (eggs, fish, beef, pork, or chicken), combined with legumes, cheese, a variety of vegetables (choose: spinach, arugula, cucumbers, edamame, celery, bell peppers, zucchini), nuts, and flax seeds. I completely eliminated sugar and limiting only a pinch or less of sea salt per day -- too much salt can bloat you up. Try to substitute salt with something tart, like pepper, lemon or herbs for flavor. Don't forget the fruits! Remember, eat this moderately because they do contain carbohydrates and sugar. Sugar is sugar, so I suggest eating them before meals as a snack instead of after meals. Consume VERY little carb-type foods, such as: pasta, bread, rice. I substitute those with beans when I don't feel like eating grains. I actually have been replacing white grains with whole grains, but a friend of mine who has been reading the book, "Nourishing Traditions" told me that whole grains are actually bad for you. I also found an article about why you should go Grain-Free (click to read). It's really surprising that something you thought was good is actually bad for you. I've stored my kitchen with some whole grain foods -- I don't want them to go to waste. So, I'll just have to wait till I run out and stop buying them.

So, there you have it!
My advice: AKR
Always, Always read ingredients! Know what you're eating. Any kind of processed food are bad. Try to eat Organic. Do your Research!

Week 3 baby! Results results results!

Labels: health

Haven't done my training routine yet for today, but so far I feel SO great!
Some soreness here and there, but they are more like stronger kind of sore... you know what I mean?

I've noticed some changes: no binge, no crave (I have built a strong-will to say "No!" to food I don't need), I feel stronger, healthy, and more energized internally, AND I get to sleep like a baby! I'm a light sleeper. Sometimes it takes me 30 minutes to finally sleep, believe it or not! But the exercise helps me sleep like a rock --- honestly! On top of that, I haven't had coffee in 3 days... so I've just been using my energy from the food I eat and green tea. Yes, I get sleepy by the end of the day... but I usually wake up when I'm off work. Sometimes fresh air is all I need!

Labels: health

Feeling healthy and feeling good about yourself is not a luxury -- it's an absolute necessity.

I recently became very health conscious about what I eat and how much I eat. Being Indonesian and growing up eating the food... I realized that some of the food aren't very healthy. Don't get me wrong, the food is SOOO good (My friends, Amie and Jeff know it), but I just can't eat it everyday anymore. Too much Carbohydrate intake for me.

I have been watching the types of food my family cooks & eats and I have transformed them a bit. I gave them a Nutrition 101 and try to cook something healthy, but my dad is really hard to please because he is so accustomed to Indonesian food that he doesn't like that simple and healthy meal. Whatever it may be, there will always be white rice on his plate. He's very picky. It'll be a gradual change for my family. But for myself, I couldn't be more than happy to eat healthy and live a healthy lifestyle. Better start now than never! When you stop trying to change others and work on changing yourself, your world changes for the better.

Ever since I lost 24 pounds back in 2007, I became very motivated and active. I used to weigh 118 lbs. (Talk about CHUBBY), then without me knowing.. I was down to 94 lbs. I didn't even expect it! I felt SO great! Living in San Francisco really changed my lifestyle. Thank goodness for that -- I rewarded myself with brand new wardrobes! Over time, I gained 3 lbs. -- I have been 97 lbs. for the past year up until now, but not as active as I used to be because of the working life. Sometimes when you work, you forget to take care of yourself. Especially when you're always sitting when working -- a bit of exercise can really help that lower back. I honestly have been getting a lot of back pains and tense neck... and I figured it out... The solution: Exercise. I know being active will change that and I am going to change that!

I am starting a 5-week training (4-5 days a week) followed by my 1350 Calories day-to-day Nutritious Meal Plan. Today is my Day 1. Believe it or not, you have to eat at least 4 to 5 times a day (Breakfast, Snack, Lunch, Snack, Dinner), whether or not you want to boost your metabolism or lose weight. But it's all about eating the right nutritious meal and portions. Combining the right amount of Protein, Carbs, and Fats is crucial in maintaining your blood sugar level, so that you gain energy instead of crashing at the end of the day. It seems like a lot of work planning and preparing all the meals everyday, but it's worth it. Food is Fuel. You can eat anything, but think about what it's going to do to your body. You can eat a bit of cake or any kind of sweets, but keep them small. Eat everything in moderation. I still get tempted at times, but I stick to a small intake. My goal for this training is to boost my metabolism, get energized, build lean muscles, and get toned. When you eat healthy and exercise... it shows. With this training I can't drink any alcohol... That's going to be a downer... But I'll deal with it for the sake of my body!

Well, that's the gist of my resolution. I hope I have motivated some of you who are considering changing your lifestyle. It's truly worth it. Not only you'll feel great, you'll look great!

The power of One: One thought, One action, One solution...

Be Healthy, Be Happy!

Labels: health

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Newer Posts Older Posts Love For Creativity ★ The Windy City / 7.2011 ★ The Mermaid's Gaze / Wood Art ★ Reincarnation / Wood Art ★ My Precious Little Tuna ★ Beignet Galore ★ Fast or Feast ★ A Healthy Lifestyle / Week 3 ★ A Healthy Lifestyle / Day 3 ★ A Healthy Lifestyle ★ October 2010 ★ November 2010 ★ December 2010 ★ February 2011 ★ March 2011 ★ April 2011 ★ May 2011 ★ August 2011 ★ © 2010 / My Darling Sunshine