NOW YOU SEE ME

 

  

 

 

 

Photos by Mr. T

On me: Top WhatWomenWant, Shorts WhatWomenWant, Bag Jamin Puech, Shoes Valentino, Glasses Stella McCartney, Earring Bauble Bar x Honestly WTF

It was love at first sight when I saw this shorts' set. The simplicity of it and it's boxy cut, brought back childhood memories of summer pj's.

The lace makes it outside-the-house appropriate and the camo print toughens up the lace. Perfect.

xOxo

CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC

 

Photos by me

Jewellery organiser Howards Storage World, Jewellery Vintage Cartier, Bauble Bar, Honestly WTF, House of Harlow, Alexander McQueen, Sass & Bide, Yuki Mitsuyasu, Maria Calderara, Shourouk, Miansai, What Women Want, Erickson Beamon, Eddie Borgo, Cat Hammill

Ok, I must admit (and my friends can attest to this) I have a problem! Never mind the addiction to shopping,...I have OCD! I'm a neat freak (and germaphobe, but I'm not ready to talk about that yet, we shall save it for a future post) and there's many a night where I was not able to fall asleep because my mind was so focused on the 'mess' that I've actually gotten out of bed to spring clean. There you go - a peak into my psyche, please don't judge me haha.

Don't worry though, this post isn't about my weird obsessions, but rather, a good (discovery) spawn out of my obsession with organising.

Many of my jewellery pieces are vintage (thanks to my aunt and grandmother's closet) and or discoveries during my travels and places I have lived. Needless to say, a lot of the original boxes that it came in are long gone. Unlike my handbags and shoes (yes, I keep all my shoes in their original boxes and in their dust bags, and yes, I hate dust), dust bags for some of the more delicate jewellery pieces will not cut it. Not only do you run the risk of having those glass beads crushed, metal plates scratched, there's the (gulp) risk of losing them in gaps between other bits and bobs in your closet.

I've been shopping around for a nice jewellery box for some time. But everything I came across were too small (made for photo-shoots / film sets only) or too 'display-like' (i.e. for shops)... until I came across this jewellery organiser. Not only is it stackable - you could potentially build a pillar by the corner of your room, and no one would have guessed it's actually holding all your jewellery, no joke (not to mention, it makes the 'shop and hide from your partner' thing a whole lot easier too...), the trays,  which are sold separately, comes in an array of different compartment configurations for you to mix and match to your heart's content. Oh, and the flock lining is in a tasteful neutral colour. I came across many others that were lined in bright red or black - which meant a speck of dust would have stuck out like a sore thumb - can you imagine how sleep deprived I would be by then?

xOxo

LASER WHITE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos by Mr. T

 

On me: Top Lover, Shorts Zara, Bag Jamin Puech, Glasses Celine, Shoes Valentino, Jewellery Dominic Jones

 

 

I love white for summer. It's light, crisp and effortless. I've always loved a bit of lace with leather, and recently, I'm obsessed with laser cut out details on silk and leather (actually, did you see? I've even found some cut out details on the brick wall!) (photo 7), so this top perfectly epitomises me at the moment. Oh, before I forget, these Zara shorts were a sell out a few months ago, but they've done a re-cut and it's back in stores (while stocks last).

 

xOxo

 

 



 

 

EXPLORING HO CHI MINH PART II

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos by Mr. T

On me: T Shirt Zoe Karssen, Shorts Zara, Hat local purchase, Espadrilles Chanel, Bag Chanel Boy, Glasses Maison Martin Margiela, Jewellery Vintage Cartier, What Women Want & Miansai

Nothing beats street food! The local flavours gives you the best sense of a place...although I didn't go full street food feast this time 'round (I was a bit unsure if my stomach could take it after a massive night out), the closest I got was the 'banh mi' (photo 1) from a cart sitting half inside a random shop; the first time I had to employ the 'close enough is good enough' philosophy. This Vietnamese style sub is meat filled with a dash of fresh cucumber, coriander, pickled carrots and the best part... thick pork pate was spread all over like butter (all food groups covered in one baguette). If you ever want to have your first taste of street food in Ho Chi Minh, I do recommend easing your stomach into it with the banh mi (and try the mixed ham one first before moving onto bigger and better things like grilled pork, bbq pork, marinated pork belly and grilled chicken). The one we were recommended to go to, is on 'Nguyen Hue' (street), next to a bookstore called Fahasa (District 1, opposite the Duxton Hotel). Sorry, I can't give you the name, I don't think they have one(even the local who recommended this one used the bookstore as a point of reference - that's when we knew we were onto something good) and it's not on any travel reviews either.

Ngon Restaurant (photos 5 - 8): it's the best place to sample classic Vietnamese dishes anytime time of the day. At first sight it appeared very touristy, however, when I saw just as many locals coming here during their lunch break - I knew it was a winner (in case you were wondering, yes, I came here everyday I was in Ho Chi Minh). It's set in a old but well-aired colonial building, with seatings on the courtyard and cute little food stations all around (photo 8) preparing different signature dishes. I have to say, my favourite dish was the papaya salad (photo 7), but I do highly recommend the crispy pancake as well. It's a yellow coloured crepe with fillings of bean sprouts, prawns and herbs, then drowned in Vietnamese styled vinegar (I think the vinegar is the key to Vietnamese dishes). The skin on the summer rolls were a little hard...but that wasn't enough to deter me. As I'm not a dessert person, I didn't have any so I can't make a recommendation. In place of dessert, I had iced coffee which just hit the spot. It's traditional Vietnamese drip coffee with condense milk and a heap of ice - it may not sound appealing, but trust me, it's quite addictive.

Xu Restaurant Lounge (photo 9):  We didn't get a chance to do the cocktail lounge, but went straight for the degustation menu (ground level boasts the funky cocktail lounge with a DJ and the whole shabang, level 2 is a proper restaurant). The menu is modern Vietnamese, and you can choose from a la carte or degustation. We, of course went for the degustation paired with wine. Although, we went there on our last night and suffering from food overload, the food was still amazing and a must do.

Oh, if you ever go, you need to ask for the 'special rice cubes in dry ice' (it's not on the menu) - little tiny cubes of puffed glutinous rice, dipped in dry ice; the waiter then gives this to you in your hands, tells your to juggle it between both your hands pop it straight into your mouth. Bite into it and see the smoke come out of your face haha (make sure you have your video camera handy, it's quite a spectacle). Be warned, the flavour of the cubes are durian (the extremely smelly yellow mushy fruit with a spiky husk) - but lucky for me, it was quite subtle (yes, I'm a durian virgin 'till now) and the novelty of the ice distracted me long enough for me eat it then realise what the flavour was.

Renaissance  Riverside Hotel (photos 10 - 11)
Location : It's conveniently located in District 1, with a good view of the Saigon River. It's walking distance to all the main buildings, bars and clubs.

Rooms: The room are well lit (although,  lighting is not great for doing your makeup) clean and spacious. Tip: best lighting for doing makeup in the room is to use the mirror at the entrance / hallway.

Amenities: Cafe / restaurant at ground level; if you have lounge access, I recommend coming here for breakfast rather than the lounge (you can even have made to order pho for breakfast - note: apparently for breakky, you are not supposed to have all the herbs with the noodle); there is also a small gift shop near the check in desk, 'Diva Silk'. You can actually have tailoring done here. I got some trousers made and a pair of shorts (will show you next time). I would recommend you have one item made first, then, once you are happy with it, have the rest of your wishlist made. It takes about 2 - 3 days, including fittings (they will always promise you one day, but day one is really the fitting only). Tip: even though your measurements are taken, tailors (across the board) will try and scringe on fabric, so make sure you emphasise that you want a generous fit. When you try on your items, take your time, walk around in it, sit down in it, and, if you have a shirt made, even try hugging yourself (you will definitely look weird, but trust me, there's nothing more unattractive than seam seepage).

Till next time, xOxo

EXPLORING HO CHI MINH PART I

 

 

 

Photos by Mr. T and Me
On me: Shirt Honore, Shorts Zara, Shoes Chanel Espadrilles, Bag Chanel Boy, Glasses Maison Martin Margiela, Jewellery Vintage Cartier What Woment Want & Miansai

This was my very first trip to Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City definitely exceeded my every expectation. Although I stayed and explored mostly around District 1, due to time constraints, I had so much fun. The streets were clean and not as crazy busy as I thought - everyone warned me about crossing the road, and although the first few times were scary, once you get use to it... it was a piece of cake! Note: hold your breath and keep crossing calmly - the cars and motorbikes will know how to avoid you; but sudden running across and or stopping - will be a mistake. If you're still afraid, the 'Tourist Security' officers in dark green uniforms will happily help you cross the road (or do what I did a few times and tailgate a local crossing the road).

We did all the must-see: The Opera House (photos 7 & 8), Notre Dame Cathedral (next blog: EXPLORING HO CHI MINH PART II), Saigon Central Post Office and City Hall(all reachable by foot if you don't mind the heat). The architecture were amazing, retaining all their colonial charm with local touches. People were also uber friendly, you could stop and ask, and anyone will be more than happy to give you directions or suggest places worth visiting.

Now, the important bit of a trip: food. Vietnamese food is AMAZEBALLZ! The summer rolls (photo 12) were definitely my favourite! Bit of prawn, bit of pork, heaps of herbs and vermicelli noodles all wrapped in rice paper goodness and dipped in a beautiful vinegar sauce...I definitely will have to visit again very soon.

On me: Before I forget, my outfit - these shorts by Zara and this shirt by Honore, along with my Chanel Espadrilles, have to be the best buys of my recent times (in fact, I love this outfit and the combination of the print on the shirt and shorts so much, I wore it again - photo 5). They match (or purposely clash) with anything, super comfy, and weigh next to nothing when packing for short trips, definitely pieces to last me a lifetime.

xOxo