Who wants a one-second stand?

by Arnaud | Oct 9, 2026 | Taste

5 min read

Who wants a one-second stand?

Instagram is wonderful, but let’s face it, most of what we see disappears in a second.
We scroll, we like, we save, and then we forget.

LISETTE

I recently bought the most beautiful magazine called Blumenhaus, an independent publication dedicated to art, flowers and the botanical world. It’s one of those magazines where every page is more beautiful than the last. The photography, the colours, the compositions. It’s an absolute feast for the eyes.

I discovered it at a very cute little pop-up shop at Else hotel in KL. Sadly, they’re no longer there, but I do hope they’ll return. They had the most incredible collection of independent magazines, and the saleswoman was probably one of the best I’ve ever met. She recognised me the moment I walked in, showed me this magazine, and naturally, I had to buy it. Now that’s what I call knowing your customer.

There’s something about holding a beautiful magazine that no screen can replace. The weight of the paper, the pleasure of turning a page, the freedom to stop at an image for as long as you like. You can put it down, pick it up three weeks later and discover something entirely different.

Personally, I save endless posts on Instagram that I never look at again. The same goes for all those inspirational quotes and ideas I copy into my phone. I have lists upon lists of things that are supposed to inspire me, but I rarely revisit any of them.

A beautiful book or magazine is different. It sits on your table, catches your eye, and somehow keeps working on your imagination even when you’re not consciously looking for inspiration. You might see a flower today, remember its colour next month, and suddenly find yourself designing something completely unrelated. That’s the wonderful thing about creativity. One image leads to another thought, which leads to another idea.

I think we underestimate the importance of surrounding ourselves with beautiful things that don’t disappear when we swipe our fingers.

After all, who wants a one-second stand when you can have something that stays with you?

A Malaysian summer in Holland

by Arnaud | Oct 9, 2026 | Design

5 min read

A Malaysian summer in Holland

There’s nothing quite like summer in Europe.
The long evenings, the warm light, and that magical golden hour when everything seems to glow.

LISETTE

I photographed our new collection, DIAMOND BRICK, in my mother’s garden in Holland this summer, just as the sun was setting. And I fell in love with the colours.

The print is inspired by the bunga raya, or hibiscus, Malaysia’s national flower. A symbol of courage, vitality and unity. Its five petals also represent the five principles of the Rukun Negara.

But this time, I wanted to see the hibiscus in a different light.
Warm brick reds, beautiful earthy tones, and that golden glow of a European summer evening.

It’s a little bit of Malaysia meeting Holland. Two places very close to my heart.

I love the warmth of this collection. It reminds me of those endless summer evenings when the sun takes forever to disappear, when the colours become richer and everything looks just a little more beautiful.

There’s something about that light that you simply cannot recreate and I’m completely in love with it.

DIAMOND BRICK launches this Saturday, with a beautiful selection of homeware and bags.

For now, exclusively online at happytimes.naladesigns.com.

Uncle Brandon’s gallery

by Arnaud | Oct 9, 2026 | Culture

5 min read

Uncle Brandon's gallery

We’re opening a little art gallery upstairs at our Beach Street shop in Penang and it’s beautiful.

LISETTE

The collection is called HERBS MALAYSIA.

It’s a celebration of the herbs we use in Malaysian cooking. But instead of looking at the leaves we put into our dishes, I decided to look at their flowers and I enlarged them.

Suddenly, these tiny flowers that we hardly ever notice become extraordinary works of art. The colours, the shapes, the details. All hiding in the herbs we use in our kitchens every day.

100% Malaysian. And quite possibly the beginning of another beautiful nala collection.

The original paintings are available for purchase, and from this Saturday, we’ll also have a small selection of limited edition archival prints. Just six or seven artworks to choose from.

The quality is extraordinary. They’re so beautifully reproduced that they almost look three-dimensional.

The prints are beautifully packed, ready for you to take home in your suitcase. And if you can’t carry them, don’t worry. We ship worldwide.

So come upstairs, have a look around, discover the flowers behind your favourite Malaysian dishes, and say hello to Uncle Brandon.

Welcome to Uncle Brandon’s Gallery.

WHERE TO FIND US

nala Beach Street
230, Beach Street
10300 George Town, Penang

For viewings or enquiries, contact Uncle Brandon at brandon@happytimes.naladesigns.com.

Worldwide shipping available.

Something big is moving.

by Arnaud | Oct 9, 2026 | Events

5 min read

Something big is moving.

We’re moving! Don’t worry, we’re not leaving Great World.
We’re simply moving to a new location within the mall, but where exactly is still a little secret.
You’ll soon see some beautiful hoarding going up, and all will be revealed in due course.

LISETTE

I’ve been so incredibly busy lately that most of my best ideas seem to happen somewhere between takeoff and landing. In fact, I’ve been sketching the designs for our new store on airline sickness bags. Don’t ask me why, but somehow they always give me the best ideas. Perhaps it’s the lack of distractions, or perhaps there’s something about being 35,000 feet in the air with nothing but a pen and a paper bag.

Whatever the reason, I’m incredibly excited about what we’re creating for our new home at Great World.

First, however, we need to make some room!

THE GREAT WORLD MINI STOREROOM CLEARANCE SALE!

We’re bringing out everything from our storeroom. Plates, bags, scarves, homeware, accessories. You name it, we’re bringing it out. It’s the perfect opportunity to discover something beautiful, perhaps even something you thought you’d missed.

Almost everything will be on sale, with the exception of our ALOHA collection, which will remain at its regular price.

Think of it as a little treasure hunt. You never know what might be hiding in our storeroom, and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our next chapter than by making room for something new.

SALE DETAILS

Great World, Level 2, Singapore

Friday, 9 October to Monday, 12 October 2026
Friday from 10am. Sale ends Monday at 2pm.

Just three and a half days to find yourself something beautiful.

As for our new location at Great World, you’ll have to wait a little longer. I promise it’ll be worth it.

What a JAM!

by Arnaud | Oct 9, 2026 | Events

5 min read

What a JAM!

Over 150 people. One incredible artist. A whole lot of strawberries. And a day I won’t forget.

LISETTE

Our official opening of Strawberry Fields at JAM PJ was everything I could have hoped for, and more. Our collaboration with Jefr from Jeffrey and Studio was absolutely wonderful. Watching his artwork come to life and seeing everyone enjoying the collection was such a special moment.

But what really touched me was how many of you came. Friends, family, loyal nala fans, familiar faces and new ones. Some of you have been supporting us for years. And so many of you had never even been to JAM before!

Now you know where it is.
And what a wonderful place to discover.

Everyone got to taste the incredible wood-fired bagels from Sonny Bagel Shop and those absolutely amazing sourdough doughnuts from HALO.

I love supporting the wonderful independent businesses around us. That’s what makes JAM so special. We’re not just opening another shop. We’re becoming part of a creative community.

The collection:
Four different T-shirts, beautiful cushion covers, caps and prints of Jefr’s artwork. We still have a few art pieces left, too.

Not to forget those adorable mini strawberry bags! Everybody loved them. For the lucky ones, we still have a few left. Make any purchase at Strawberry Fields and receive a FREE mini strawberry bag, while stocks last.

There’s always something happening at JAM, especially on weekends. Art, food, interesting people and little discoveries around every corner.

But most of all, I want to say thank you.

To Jefr for this incredible collaboration. To my team for making it all happen. And to every single one of you who showed up, brought friends, bought something, shared a laugh or simply came to wish us well. Over 150 of you. I am genuinely touched.

You made our opening so much more than just another shop opening.

And the best part? We’re only getting started.

Strawberry Fields at JAM PJ is open daily until 8pm.

Come and visit us. Bring your friends. Have a bagel. Eat a doughnut. Discover something new.

And come say hello.

With love and a whole lot of strawberries. ❤️

⸻

WHILE YOU’RE AT JAM…

SONNY BAGEL SHOP 🥯
Instagram: @sonnybagelshop
Tuesday to Sunday: 9am to 5pm
Closed Mondays.

HALO DOUGHNUT 🍩
Instagram: @halodoughnut
Thursday to Sunday: 9:30am to 4:30pm
Closed Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

STRAWBERRY FIELDS BY nala 🍓

Open daily until 8pm.

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