Sunday, April 19, 2009

It's All About Texture


I finally got around to getting some pics of my new stuff from the trip today. The weather wasn't as nice as I had hoped for, so I didn't get many outside snaps. That said, I still found a way to feature the gorgeous cherry blossoms that are in full bloom right now outside my house. I am also blogging from the EEE asus and I'm having problems with cropping photos so please excuse that.

I was so happy to have found three items from my HK Hit List: Fringed, Leather Jacket, and Cut-Out Bootie Sandals, all featured in this outfit. None of these items are brand names, but rather are from various boutiques in Hong Kong.

Brown bomber leather jacket: by Blues Heroes (haha not St.Louis tho - GO CANUCKS GO!). From Hong Kong
White beater fringed tank top: from a small boutique in Tsim Sha Tsui, HK
Blue Grey tiered skirt: from small boutique in Tsim Sha Tsui, HK
White leather mesh cut-out sandal slingbacks: from Causeway Bay, HK

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Daily Inspiration

Sorry about the lack of posts this week...I know some of you have been checking back in anticipation of my latest wares from my trip and I just haven't had time since I got back to sort out my picture and laundry.   Anyways, I will have some up tomorrow and hopefully the weather cooperates and I can get some nice shots outside.

Until then, here are a couple of other fashionistas I spotted on Lookbook (thanks to my friend Amber for the tip).  I'm in awe of how amazing the styling is from the peeps in this community, and how professional the shots look.  It's definitely inspired me to learn more about photography.

I love her Cheap Monday outfit, and her hair is amazing.

Her pink glasses are super cute, as are her tresses!  

Monday, April 13, 2009

HK Hit List #1


Ok this is somewhat cheating but as my trip is over as of tomorrow night (I depart midnight tomorrow), I have to get to the last Hit List item. It's actually items and I've already scored a few pieces here. Without further adieu, HK Hit List #1 - Fringed and Studded. I feel like I would be ready for Coachella in this ensemble.

I'm wearing -

Nirvana white tee (says "All in all is all we are" on the back and features graphic of Kurt Cobain from Smells like Teen Spirit video)
Fringed suede vest
Jean shorts
White woven, double wrap leather belt
Studded green leather strappy flat sandals
Baby pink "80's" satchel with fringy straps and hardware

Everything except for the jean shorts are items I have scored on this trip to HK.


Sunday, April 12, 2009

Asia Food Bytes


The past week has been a food extravaganza here in Asia. It's been a real treat eating all my favorite foods as well as trying some new stuff. I've been spoiled with a wide variety of cuisines - from traditional Shanghainese noodles and dumplings to Asian Fusion to home-made Cantonese fare. I've also indulged in so much dessert and ice-cream that I think I can't eat another bite of sweets for at least a week!

I didn't take shots of all the good things I ate but here is a little photo recap to give you a taste. Some of my faves and/or most memorable meals are also listed below.

Above: my niece about to dig into her favorite dessert, souffle (or "softly" as she calls it).

We enjoyed Easter luncheon at the beautiful Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong today. Besides a selection of main courses, there was a buffet for starters, salads and dessert, as well as a pasta and prime roast carving station. Some of the delectable sweets featured below included a green tea tiramisu, mini hazelnut chocolate mousse dome, mini creme brulee, a variety of pannacotta served in shot glasses, strawberry cheesecake and an ice cream station. There was a lobster and white asparagus salad (served in a cocktail glass) which was also outstanding as an appetizer.






In Shanghai, we ate at an modern asian fusion place called T8. It's a pretty sexy and modern lounge and restaurant that serves lovely cocktails such as the Xintiandi Fizz that I ordered (gin, watermelon, strawberry and lychee juice and soda). The interior features black and red lacquered wood and cozy bench seating and low tables. I ordered the Duck, Three Ways, shown below.


My fave and/or most memorable food bytes:
  • the best xiao long bao (meat and soup stuffed dumplings) and dan dan noodles (noodles in a spicy peanut sauce) at Crystal Jade Restaurant, Shanghai. The dumplings had beautifully thin skin and was stuffed full of soup inside.
  • freshly made rice-rolls with extra sweet, sesame and spicy sauce from the market downstairs.
  • five course meal featuring the Shanghai hairy crab in every single dish, where the meat is completely shelled. Some varieties included steamed crab served with sweet and sour vinegar, stir-fried crab legs with asparagus, stir-fried crab with hand made noodles, and in soupy dumplings.
  • japanese soft serve ice cream on top of a sweet potato slice, served with red bean and dumplings on the side.
  • smoked tea duck, "lion's head" (pork and spices) meatball in a clear broth, and dumplings at Fortune Palace in Shanghai
  • extra thick toast with butter and condensed milk in a typical Hong Kong style cafe...yum!

Friday, April 10, 2009

HK Hit List #2

Shopping yesterday was extremely overwhelming as there is just an incredible amount of goodies here. I already picked up 3 pairs of shoes, some pretty frocks and a few other items. I have to stay focused, and one good way to do that is to get back to basics to my hit list. I've got another long day of shopping ahead today!

This next item is one that I've been desperately for a long time now. I keep looking for "the one", and I won't compromise on this. Item #2 on my HK Hit List: The Leather Jacket.

Below: S.W.O.R.D. Pradua Leather Jacket

Below: Gryphon Mini Moto Leather Jacket

Below: Mike and Chris Woven Leather Jacket (note the gorgeous woven detailing on the shoulders)

All images from Shopbop.com

Shanghai Highlights


Had my first full day of shopping and brought back a trove of treasures...more on that later. First, a quick photo update of Shanghai.

On day 1 we traveled to Suzhou, about a 45 minute drive from Shanghai to visit the countryside towns and gardens. We visited the Humble Administrator's Garden, a world UNESCO site and considered one of China's four finest classical gardens. The garden was created during the Tang dynasty (618-907) as a scholar garden, and later was acquired by a government official and enlarged into a series of pavilions and ponds connected by walkway paths during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). We also visited some of the water villages nearby, some of which were built nearly 500 years ago also in the Ming dynasty.

Above and two pictures below: Humble Administrator's Garden




Pictures below: water village



Thursday, April 9, 2009

HK Hit List #3

I only have a few days left in Hong Kong and I need to ramp up my shopping efforts to tick off some items from the Hit List. On the hunt for my Hit List #3: Floral prints. Dark and moody, abstract, or small sweet buds, they are all equally enchanting.


Above: Kate Moss for Top Shop black floral dress

Above: Anthropologie Rain Washed Dress

Above: Forever 21 sweetheart neckline floral tank