Beijing trip

Spent few days in Beijing with my friends on Dec. It's freezing cold and snowing when we visited the Great Wall, but it appeared so much pretty with the touch of snow.

 

 

 

 

Also visited some tourist attractions including the Olympic centres and 798 art zone.

 

Yummy food is on the list. Tasty beijing roasted duck. The skin is thin and crispy but tastes not oily.

Hidden treasure is the lamb soup shop next to my friend's home. It's almost like a "lamb-acholic" heaven~~~

 

Palmier

I love Palmier very much and suddenly came up with the idea on trying to make one~~~

Indeed, it's not that difficult. There's always nice puff pastry in supermarket if you're lazy to make your own.

The most exiciting part is to watch it "growing" inside the oven

 



 My first trial was not that tasty. However, on second trial, I managed to maintain the crunchiness and crispness, just more sugar is needed near the end of cooking.

I think this will make a great Christmas gift to all my friends~~~

Vogue's Fashion's Night Out

For the very first time, Vogue's Fashion's Night Out was debuted in Hong Kong at Lane Crawford on Sept 7. Various showcases for the A/W collections together with nail bars, runway exhibits, wine tastings and designers/bloggers hot picks. Very very crowded but I was lucky enough to meet my idol William So there~~~

Display of latest A/W collection

Fashionistas dress up~~~

Charity designer t-shirts for this event

Love this Stella flower cart.

Guests post their fashion moments

Look of the day

McQ Alexander McQueen black cape dress
YSL red tribtoo pumps
Alexander McQueen gold studs britannia clutch

Stuttgart, Strasbourg, Paris & Auch

My long vacation this year is Europe again, when the weather is nice and happen to go with other friends. First, we went to Stuttgart to visit some old friends. Then passed by Strasbourg and stayed Paris for exhibitions, concert and little shopping. Afterwards, a whole week at Auch where we do all the eating, drinking and hiking.

I'm lazy to post all photos but only some highlights of the trip.

At Stuttgart, an enjoyable lunch with great scenery above a vineyard after the long flight.

Strasbourg is only 2 hours TGV from Stuttgart. A nice little town.

After arriving Paris, a real treat with a nice french dinner.

I was very excited on knowing that Paris is the next destination after the MET for the Tim Burton exhibition. Being a real fans of his work, sure got to pay a visit there.

Was very lucky that the Helmut Newton exhibition at the Grand Palais was extended to end July due to overwhelming response.

Wanna capture the Alexander III bridge at night but gave up becoz of all the heavy rain, but there's always next time~~~

This was unplanned but seems planned for all of my friends. Madonna concert was held at Stade de France on my last night in Paris and sure grabbed the chance to watch it. But people (and even the French people sitting next to us) wondered whether we flied all the way for the concert, ha ha hah. Apart from waiting for 2 hours for it to start, the whole performance was real great, the sound, the visual and her singing. All people were so excited and this is sure one of the greatest shows I've ever seen.

Then we took a break from city life. My friends were back home to Auch for family visit and so we joined together. Auch is very famous on goose and armagnac and we got very good feast every day, on foie gras and goose products with all kinds of wines (French French). Then we drove to Pyrenees (Spain is just behind that mountain) for a short trip, the great scenery is simply breathtaking and we all wanna stay longer there.

Back home after around 16 days of trip and cannot help but start planning for the next destination. Croatia and the small islands around Italy are top on the list now~~~

Greatful

It's bday time again. Time really flies. Looking for changes this year and I really want that to happen...

I'm so grateful for all the blessings from family and friends. Plus got many bday cakes this year, all are yummy and from the thoughtful and loved ones~~~

Crazy about Yves

Visited the "Crazy about Yves" exhibition. A tribute to YSL by showcase the collection from Stylist Olivier Châtenet, a great fan and collector of YSL. Almost all YSL important moments are addressed, patterns, bold colors, le smoking suit etc and they still look trendy and classic and not out of style at all.

Cooking for friends

Cooking for friends is always fun. I not quite prefer ordering pizzas or sushi. I don't mind cooking all the way as long as I don't need to do the cleaning. Just met up with ex-colleagues and their children and made some of their favourite dishes

Pumpkin soup

I seldom make soup but this one is so easy. Just bake the pumpkin for around 30 mins until it's soft. Then use blender to blend it and then boil with cream and chicken booth until the desired consistency. Add some deep fried chopped bacons on top when serve.

French Escargots with herbs and butter

This one is ready made already. Just put into oven for 15 minutes. That yummy herb butter is best served with any bread.

Salted Ox tongue

Normally I make this the day before. Boil the ox tongue under salt water for 2 hours. Then marinate with huge amounts of pepper and wrap it under tin foil overnight. When serve, pan fry or bake it with salt and pepper.

Blue mussels in white sauce

I love fatty blue mussels. Simply add onions and white wine and some cream when boil. Simple but yummy~~~

German pork knuckles

Boil under sliced carrots, celery and beer for 2 hours. Then bake in oven for around 30 mins. I still yet to figure out how to make the crispy skin, will try honey next time.

Baked beef and broccoli Cannelloni

Love making cammelloni, just follow the instructions on the box. I like adding some vegi like broccoli to make it less meaty. Kids love it~~~

I should have make the desserts but people are just so full. Sure there's always next time~~~

Bday cake

DH bday. I combined 2 recipes and made this double chocolate crown cake. Almost hurt my fingers cause got to shape the caramel while it's hot.. The chocolate ganache adds the finishing touch~~~

Chanel interview

Early Feb, I received an invitation from Chanel on a customer interview by a private consultant company. Before then, I need to take some photos on my stuffs, like clothes, bags and accessories that I wear on weekdays and weekends and how to match with Chanel bags (luckily I still kept one after the H addiction).

As a coutesy, Chanel sent me flowers days before the interview.

The interview was on Sunday afternoon at Chanel VIP room at Landmark Mandarin Oriental hotel. A huge portrait of CoCo Chanel right after the entrance.

 

I ordered a XL raspberry macaroon with Valrhona hot chocolate as tea coz the interview lasted for 1.5 hour.

Indeed, it's more like a sharing session on what Chanel customer (me, though I seldom buy lately) is like and any opinion/comment is welcomed. Questions being asked like
- shopping habit and spending pattern
- Chanel experience and Chanel products I own
- comments on Chanel customer service (I did scold on the SA on their arrogant attitude)
- comments on customer serivice on other brands and department stores (like H, Celine, Lane Crawford)
- feedback on latest products like bags, clothes etc, and whether any intention to buy them

After the chat, the consultants and I visited the shop and gave comments on real products, also whether the display catches my attention etc.

A Chanel no.5 perfume is the gift as a token of appreciation after this interview.

I don't mind having such interview again if there's nice gift next time... =)

My wishlist for S/S 2012

This is my 4th shopping wishlist. I've been being naughty during the past winter sales and got to save $$ for Europe trip. So the list is kinda short...

1. White dress

This is a wardrobe basic but it's so hard to get the perfect one. Colorwise, I like bright white or ivory, not off-white. Material cannot be too think or too sheer or shiny. Lace or crochet is always preferred. Love everything in the Comme des Garçons collection but some are quite dramatic. Hope there'll be more wearable versions when hitting the stores.

Photos: style.com

2. Crystal flats

Personally, I like wearing heels when dress up (110mm, 120 or even 140mm). However, sometimes a bit walking is needed and crystal flats is a great alternative (no need to compromise beauty with comfort). I've been comtemplating on the Manolo Blahnik Hangisi (the "something blue" heels in SATC) and the Roger Vivier chips flats. Since I got the Hangisi heels in fuchsia at winter sale (that's meant to be when my size was still available at 70% off!!!), probably will go for the RV one. Should I pick black, navy or strawberry red?

3. Brogues

Ever since I got my first Church's wingtip brogues, I keep thinking on the next pair coz it's comfy and practical. The tomboy aesthetic adds little twist to the total look and it matches almost everything in my wardrobe (as you can see from my look of the day). Sometimes I do get tired of wearing ballerina and brogues is great for casual working day and weekend shopping. Love the stud ones from Church's and black/white mix from J.W. Anderson.

Photo: Blog from Susie bubble

Photo: style.com

4. Alexander Mcqueen clutch

I got 2 Mcqueen clutch already but seems cannot get enough of it. My next target is the knuckle style and just wonder which one is good, gold python, white python or white lace..

Photo: bergdorf goodman.com

Photo: Alexander mcqueen.com

Photo: net-a-porter.com

5. Bib necklace

Bold accessories are always on my top list, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, the bolder the merrier!! Only one piece will touch up the whole look (you won't wear everything together to look like christmas tree). This may not be a major trend but I always keep an eye out for special pieces since they may not be around readily. Holly Fulton is a Scottish designer who applies art deco design on her RTW and accessories. The necklaces are addorned with Swarovski crystal, perspex, python, leather etc which are fun and quirky.

Photo: hollyfulton.com

Guess that's all for now. I'd better keep away from all fashion magazines and blogs etc etc.