Paper Shoes

Well-shod: Taiwanese fashion designer Colin Lin has turned old newspapers into shoes.

CONFRONTED with an ever- growing pile of old newspapers, Taiwanese fashion designer Colin Lin came up with the idea of using them to make shoes and tote bags for her environmentally friendly footwear company.

Lin, 50, says they are now hot items in Taiwan as well as markets from the United States to Europe, finding a niche with green-minded customers who have a fondness for novelty.

Since the products were launched late last year, the firm has sold about 4,000 pairs of shoes made of recycled papers, Lin said, a fraction of its many lines of footwear. Both the shoes and tote bags are very much in line with Lin’s environmentally friendly approach to business – an approach that in recent years has led her to use fish skin and raffia as replacements for leather.

“My concern is for comfort, fashion and the environment,” she said.

Lin’s shoes and tote bags stand out in a crowd because they are replete with the tell-tale Chinese characters that are printed in Taiwanese newspapers and the colourful photos and advertisements that accompany them.

Both of the items go through a time consuming manufacturing process and neither comes cheap. A pair of paper shoes takes three to four hours to make and sells for US$100 to US$150 (RM360 to RM540), while a tote bag takes as much as two to three days and can go for up to US$260 (RM936).

“You can’t imagine how many chemicals are used in each process of regular shoe-making,” said Lin. “And I try to do away with them as much as possible.”

To make her newspaper strips durable and sturdy, Lin attaches a cotton lining to the back, and adds a plastic coating to give them a shiny, waterproof finish. Then the woven top is attached to a plastic cap-toe and glued to a rubber sole.

The soft-spoken Lin, who has been in the shoe-making business for 26 years, publicly encourages her business rivals to follow her lead and think creatively about the connection between the environment and manufacturing.

“I only contribute very little to recycling all the newspapers dumped every day around the world,” she said. “But other footwear and bag manufacturers may want to copy my idea and so contribute their own share to dealing with the problem.” – AP

http://thestar.com.my/gogreenlivegreen/story.asp?file=/2009/12/1/gogreenlivegreen/5157347&sec=gogreenlivegreen

Baby birds!

found them in front of the lifts at ma house long ago. quickly step on chair to take pic of them~!. they were afraid of me. see how they trying to hide away from me when i wanna take pic of them. now they are grown up n flew away already.

Can u believe it?!

these are my make-up collection. Can u believe that?! Others girls might have tons of the same shades but i like to finish out a product by product before i buy a new one. i just trying to save cost n go green. i just can't imaging how those girls finish up their make up stuff. make-up has lifespan. i can't take the risk to put something expired to my skin.

let me tell u about my collection. the 1st pic is my brushes. the 2nd pic is my limited edition MAC eye brushes. 3rd is my face products. I have TheFaceShop BB cream, MAC liquid foundation, MAC dsquared powder, Silkygirl blusher n Za face powder. 4th pic is my eyes products. I have Stila in natural shade eyeshadow, Maybelline eyestudio in green, Beautilicious eyebrow kit, Maybelline full n soft mascara, Za white eyepencil, MAC black eyepencil, Silkygirl blue eyepencil, L'oreal eyeliner liquid n a sample of Estee Lauder mascara.

A long long update

Can't sleep. The weather is hot although it rained during the evening or the weather is not the factor maybe I did not take my medicine. I just want to train myself not too depend on the pills to sleep. I hope I am not pyschology depending on the pills. My blog is boring. I think there is no one interested in reading it n I seldom update it because I'm not a good writer or blogger. I not good at expressing myself. How am I gonna improve it? Read more to improve my vocabulary? Mingle with people? Update myself with the hollywood gossips? I just update my blog whenever i feel there is need to. Ok,here are the updates.

on 1st dec, I am admitted into hospital due to my legs skin infection. This is because i was get bitten by mosquitoes n scratched it little too much n caused there some big wounds n it formed blisters. Luckily, after 4 days 3 nights I am fine n allow to discharge. it was unpleasant to stay at hospital because there is a needle at my hand all the time for the IV solution. it is uneasy to perform tasks. The wounds at my legs are getting smaller n drying off. New silky n fair skin are coming!! I still need to rest n I'm unable to go to work or out as my immune system is weak due to the medication. I missing gym!! I also gained weigh. omg! I hope i still able to fit in my CNY clothes. Is all the medication fault!! I definitely need a hair grooming too. A hair cut n colour my hair will bring back the happy-go-lucky me XD!

My friends are in colleges or universities being students, having assignments, presentation, preparing for exams. OH WHAT AN ENVY!!! I gotta wait till April 2010 for resit for Economic paper. WAITING IS TORTURING!!! What is the big deal of that subject in my course anyway?! I hope I Gonna pass that paper so i can enjoy my college life again n finishing my course as soon as possible. Get my ICSA qualification n work as a company secretary. During this 'break' I was 24/7 on Facebook n the idiot box

Jealousy...desperate...lmaoness....stupid....childish....miserable?

saw people get to celebrate their bday with their friends n loved one having party, cake, blowing candles n lot of presents is so heart-breaking........ when can i have that leh? they not only celebrate it once a year but many times 1 wit friends n then, 1 wit bf n lastly wit family..... saw their pics look very happy n fun.......

saw people often went holiday travel with their family or friends also heart-breaking. i want like that too..... so nice.......their family or friendship bond must be very strong........

i wish i have friends will throw me a bday party! i wish i could visits places wit friends n family! who able to listen to this?

i just want to have fun. I WANT FUN. I NEED FUN THROUGHOUT MY LIFE!!!

Jon and Kate plus 8!

If u love kids or a mother, betcha has watched this show from Astro discovery home n health at channel 733. this is a reality show from the usa consisting of parents Jon n Kate and their eight children: fraternal twins and sextuplets. The show follows the family through their daily lives, focusing on the challenges of raising multiple children. this my favourite show! i love kids! the gosselin's kids r so cute!

but sadly in April 2009, it was reported that Jon was having an affair after he was seen partying late one night with various women and leaving with one of them. The couple has denied these allegations, saying the woman Jon left with was just a friend. However the woman's brother insists that she was romantically involved with Jon. This is supported by the existence of video and photographs of Jon with Deanna Hummel. Kate has also been accused of having a personal relationship with one of her bodyguards, Steve Neild. Kate has denied the allegations, stating that she requires a bodyguard for protection. in their latest season, season 5 jon n kate stated they have made up their mind to separate but still devoted to the kids (thanks God!)

in my opinion, what happening to jon n kate is bcoz of kate. jon has snap! u know snap! he has enough with kate's new attidude. kate has changed. she has became the queen control. she shouts n orders jon to do this n that. jon just follow her orders without talking back. she also has big-mouth where she spoke rudely to jon. if u guys don't believe me, u guys better watch the show. to all the ladies out there better listen: do not try to be queen of control n rude to ur guy! they naturally HATE IT! jon has been sacked from his job even though he was telling in the interview sessions that he quit his job. the reason is he always surfing the net for free stuff for his kids (poor thing got fired bcoz of the kids!) not only the kids get free stuff, kate got it too. she has her tummy tuck which cost 10000 us dollar for free!

Criticism has been raised regarding Kate's intentions of continuing with the show, as well as whether or not the children are being exploited or may be under emotional distress. According to child advocate Gloria Allred:

"Every state does regulate to protect the health, the safety and welfare of little child performers [...] And these little ones are only eight years old and five years old, they can’t protect themselves, so the state has to be sure that they are safe in their workplace."

Kate react to this statement by saying they just want to show to people what a mother of 2 can do, they can do it too. yeah right, she just wants to continuing getting free stuff for her kids or maybe for herself........ as she knows she n jon is unable to raise up 8 kids with the life they having now as the saying say "mums know what best for her kids"

slide, shout, swim, splash

Went to sunway lagoon yesterday!!! it was fun. it was my DBM2 2008 farewell ermm....party? or farewell gathering? whatever..... we swim n roller coaster-ing. it have been LONG time i didn't been to sunway pyramid or sunway lagoon.

girlz power!

BoA - Girls On Top

Everyone's telling me, I should be, somebody I don't wanna be

I feel you watching, my every move, The pressure's coming down on me (I'm much more than the girl next door you see) Don't you tell me what to do, Gonna make my decisions on my own (Are you ready) 'Cause I'm ready to move up

This is who I am so I just wanna be true to myself (That's just the way I like it, don't wanna be somebody else) If you could understand, why it's never enough (I'm gonna make it happen, who says there can't be girls on top)

A pretty face, sexy waist, pearls and lace, everybody wants to have a taste Fake and superficial, it ain't what defines a perfect girl

Take the chance today, doesn't matter what they say about me anyway (Get it up) I'll show you how (Get it up) Let's do it now

It's the point of no return, there are lessons that you've got to learn

Imma give it to ya, take it up higher

This is who I am so I just wanna be true to myself (That's just the way I like it, don't wanna be somebody else) If you could understand, why it's never enough (I'm gonna make it happen, who says there can't be girls on top)

Everyone's telling me, I should be, somebody I don't wanna be

I won't ever let them get me. Shake it like the way I like it

Open up your mind, we can make it work if we take the time To realize we're all the same inside You can't judge me by the way that I look on the exterior, no

I just can't take it anymore

All my girls on top if you're feeling me, throw your hands up high yeah (Go baby, girl rise up, throw your hands up, do you like that?) Free your mind today, don't be afraid to take the lead yeah (Go baby, go baby) Yeah

This is who I am so I just wanna be true to myself (That's just the way I like it, don't wanna be somebody else) If you could understand, why it's never enough (I'm gonna make it happen, who says there can't be girls on top)

vacation in australia

was in february......

I really miss my old friends........

Li peng, Kee, Sar, Mira, Goh, Moorthi, Raes, fuadi n harithas. i miss u guys so much when we can gather n have fun again like the old days? playing badminton, went to genting, went to karaoke. i feel jealous looking at other people gathering pic with a bunch of friends n they do gathering annually. we like 3 yrs once?! we should gather more often to keep our friendship alive! i think everybody is busy with studies and with another half of them. Everybody has found someone when they going to tertiary school. my time will be soon. but hey, u guys should spend some time with your old friends too.

this is the way of life

Do something. If it doesn't work, do something else. No idea is too crazy.
Jim Hightower, The New York Times, March 9, 1986

Only by seeking challenges can we hope to find the best in ourselves.
Robert Rodriguez, Spy Kids 3-D Game Over

There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power.
Washington Irving (1783 - 1859)

Happiness depends upon ourselves.
Aristotle (384 BC - 322 BC)

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy: They are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.
Marcel Proust (1871 - 1922)

And when it rains on your parade, look up rather than down. Without the rain, there would be no rainbow.
Jerry Chin

It hurts to find out that what you wanted doesn't match what you dreamed it would be.
Randy K. Milholland, Something Positive Comic, 09-07-04

An optimist stays up to see the New Year in. A pessimist waits to make sure the old one leaves.
Bill Vaughan

Had a bad 2009 chinese new year

I don't enjoy this year cny bcoz first i went to have body check-up n my cholesterol is high!!!! no sea cucumber with pork, no prawn n no chinese cookies for me. totally need to diet. for the worse case scenario, i still have 1 more exam after cny n it is company law darn!!! it is making us worry, nervous, anxiety n guilty if we enjoy the whole day without doing revision. as u know law, we need to remember the section n there are many sub n sub n sub sections also the name of case law with the so called 'unique' names. < no sea cucumber with pork, no prawn and no chinese cookies for me. totally need to diet by eating oat everyday!

my friends have suggested to visit penang after the exam. earlier i already told that i wanna go but i was left out bcoz the car was FULL n i was told on the last minute *sad n hurt like my heart being ripped off n throw into a blender* saw their trip pic, went somewhere interesting n beautiful. huh.....when it's going to be my time? it's ok, i going to make more friends next time

*wiping tear n smile*

Paper Bag Curls Tutorial : No Heat

At the same time you care for your hair and the earth too!