Incoming: Singapore

When Natalie approached me to exchange parcels a few months ago, I immediately jumped at the opportunity because SINGAPORE!!! Having grown up in Singapore, the country and its culture have contributed greatly to who I am today. I still consider it my home, and am always super excited to interact with fellow Singaporeans!

How adorable (and appropriate) is the drawing of the girl in hijab!?

Inside was a parcel wrapped up in the cutest wrapping paper ever. As you'll see, Natalie has an amazing collection of the prettiest paper ever. I definitely spent a few minutes just stroking them, because omg soft, pretty paper!!

And inside that were even more bundles of joy!

She sent me a brush pen from Daiso, which I've actually spent a considerable amount of time looking for! She also included a letter-transfer sheet, which I'm really excited to try out since my typography skills are non-existent.

Tucked inside an envelope labeled "Pretty Things" was an altered picture that she took a while ago, a pressed wildflower (I definitely remember seeing them all over the place, but had never thought of pressing them!), and an adorable drawing of a puppy whose eyes I will certainly look into forever.  

Natalie is a designer and illustrator, and was kind enough to share some of her merchandise! The funky robot stickers and the (mystik) narwhal were all designed by her, and they are the coolest! I love them so much!!

She really has a knack for gathering the most random assortment of little things and making them work together perfectly, and my favorite of the lot has got to be the shells! A bit of background: I grew up with a German Shepherd, who sadly passed away when I was 14 (and still living in Singapore at the time). In line with our beliefs, we threw his ashes in the sea, and the shells that Natalie sent me were from the same beach! My heart swooned when she told me, and these shells will always be precious, because puppy. 

She also made me a mini-schedule book (!!!) and included two bookmarks, including one of her own designs! I actually have been looking around for a proper schedule book, so this came at the right time!

A peek inside the book...those little illustrations could turn anyone into a workaholic!

I say this all the time but I really am surprised that my pen-pals have been able to figure me out so well, and Natalie isn't an exception at all! She sent me an assortment of postcards, all of which are just perfect. The one that really made me gasp was the Bubble Balloon postcard, made by When I Was Four. I've been lusting over their goods on Instagram for a long time, and this postcard was actually the one that I really wanted, because I still can't get enough of those Bubble Balloons. Some of my friends can attest that I go absolutely insane when I find them in a little store, and spend hours entertaining myself with them. Because seriously, they're bubbles. That act like balloons. And they smell really good.

I think she's the only person I know who can make construction paper look so good. I love that she made a little diagram to tell me about herself, her background, and her aspirations! I thought that was particularly clever.

Natalie, thank you so much for your delightful parcel, and the lovely trip down memory lane!! I'm so happy to have had the opportunity to exchange mail with you, and I am seriously blown away by your talent and generosity. You've figured me out so well and I truly love and appreciate everything that you sent me!

If you're as impressed as I am by Natalie's work, you can find her on Facebook, Behance, and Society6, where she has various merchandise for sale. She is also available for commissions and is an all-round awesome person!