from brooklyn with love

I haven't been on The Selby for a while, but whenever I do I end up spending a lotta time browsing through all the new images. Selby's subjects just get better and better, and I was thrilled to see the Mast Brothers and their Brooklyn chocolate factory being profiled recently. They make one of the most sinfully delicious chocolate bars I've ever tasted, and their trademark patterned paper packaging is equally delightful. You could almost taste their immense level of dedication in each handcrafted chocolate bar, from cocoa bean roasting all the way to the paper wrapping. My favorite is the Dark Chocolate w/ Fleur de Sel, and I have been craving it ever since I moved back to Hong Kong. Mast Brothers alone is enough of a reason for me to open a gourmet store here just so I could have a constant stock of their dark chocolate bars. I'm not exaggerating, go get a bar (or three) to share with your Valentine next weekend and I'm sure he/she will love you just a lil' bit more.

I used to pass by their factory every day after work!

Images via The Selby

oh so Prada

I almost forgot that the Prada book was recently launched until I went on the Prada website trying to look for wallet styles for Christmas present. The book, beautifully bound in Prada's signature faux pressed leather, documents the fashion house's every runway collection, ad campaign, and product catalog since Muiccia Prada became creative director in 1987. Besides all the pretty clothes and covetable leather goods that we are so familiar with, the book also covers Prada's involvement in the artistic world from architecture to animated films to its Rem Koolhas-designed epicenter stores. It is truly visually stimulating, the book, and reminded me why Prada is, well, Prada. If you don't believe me, check out the website or better yet flip through the actual thing at a Prada store and you'll sure be awed.

images: Prada.com

good morning, Vietnam

I took some time off from blogging during Christmas while I went on vacation with my family to Vietnam. We covered three cities - Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An (which really is a town), and Hanoi. Being the only one in the family who hasn't been to any part of Vietnam prior to this trip, I didn't know what to expect of this country - not that I'm completely ignorant of its culture, after all my brother-in-law is Vietnamese-American and I've probably had more pho (noodle soup) and spring rolls than say, hot dogs in my life, but to experience the country first hand is a whole different story.

The three places we visited represent three distinct regions of Vietnam. People from the south (H.C.M.C.) and central (Hoi An) are evidently friendlier than people from the north (Hanoi), and the language accents. cuisines and local souvenirs are slightly different in each place, but apart from that, my impression of Vietnam after this trip mainly consists of motorbikes, insane traffic system, air pollution, yummy street food (the most delicious meals we've had were all at dingy restaurants with no decor whatsoever), skinny Vietnamese girls, lacquerware and embroidery handicraft goods, lemongrass and fish sauce and rice paper rolls, strong coffee with condensed milk, and, here's the most important part: lots and lots of bargaining. One might be tempted to forgo the bargaining part since most things are already pretty cheap relative to Western standards, but in Vietnam (likewise in China), one must learn how to bargain because you can almost always end up paying half the marked price if you master the skill.

I wish I could document everything here, but I've always find it difficult to blog about travels, since the experience itself is so personal and there's way too much to cover with only a few pictures and paragraphs. That said, I'd still like to share some travel tips and adventures from this vacation, and maybe even an outfit post here and there (though be prepared for some not-so-exciting resort + flip flop looks) throughout the next few days. Oh, and word of advice for visiting busier cities like H.C.M.C. or Hanoi: if you have even the slightest form of nasal allergy, get a mask!

say whaaaaaaaaaAAAtttt?

Swagger - delivering the swankest street style from Paris to New York. Last night Swagger: New York hit up CMJ with their own event held at Public Assembly featuring 5 indie bands, along with a Polaroid "photo booth" (which actually was a wall projection of Polaroids taken during the night by their photographers). Long live Polaroids - for they are still the funnest way to capture a party's best moments. Plus we got our pictures taken twice, hence twice the awesomeness!




Images via Swagger

mini photographer

My free Diana Mini camera came in the mail last Friday and I just couldn't wait to show it off (even though I still have yet to get my 35mm film)!! It's just the cutest darn camera ever. I had to wear something that would match those retro colors, so I chose my favorite fall skirt that has the exact same shade of teal as the Diana. Now I'm all ready to go point and shoot. 1-2-3 Cheeeeeese!!

*Wearing tank top by Topshop, navy mesh dress by American Apparel, teal skirt by d'Artagnan, and vintage belt.

jazz baby!

Yesterday's weather could not be more perfect for the Jazz Age Lawn Party. Governor's Island was transformed into a magnificent Gatsby Party, filled with Charleston kicks, scrumptious picnics, Eldferflower cocktails, parade of hats and headbands, dance performances, pie contest, beautiful Dreamland Orchestra music, and indescribable joy and laughter.
Nothing felt more heartwarming than to be surrounded by my favorite people on such a fabulous day.

*Wearing a mini-boater hat by White Rabbit, vintage top from Beacon's Closet, vintage bloomers from Beyond Retro, vintage Oxfords from Amarcord Vintage Fashion, and fabric-wrapped beaded necklace bought in Paris.


Images partially taken by mikomiao

crazy beautiful

Penelope Cruz - is she one of the most exquisitely beautiful women on earth or what? Vanity Fair's October issue reveals the passions of the stunning actress and portrays her unusual beauty in black and white photography.

I love her the most in Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Crazy ex-wife, crazy hair, crazy personality - crazy beautiful. Oscar well deserved for that role.

Her upcoming role is in the star-studded movie Nine, based on the original musical Broadway and directed by Rob Marshall, who had previously directed the film version of Chicago. Cruz will be starring alongside other gorgeous if not, talented actresses such as Nicole Kidman, Marion Cotillard, Judi Dench (Dame Judi is awesome), Sophia Loren, Kate Hudson, and Fergie (5 of whom, including Cruz herself, are Oscar winners!). Oh, so much beauty (and lingerie) in one single movie, complete with steamy and sultry Italian drama! Mamma-mia!

NINE: Movie Trailer - The best bloopers are a click away

Images via Vanity Fair Oct '09 issue, playbill.com

what is old is new again

This past Saturday I joined my foodie partners in crime (aka sis and bro-in-law) and went to Le Fooding d'Amour Paris New York at P.S.1 Contemporary Arts Center for a special night of food and booze. Acclaimed chefs from Paris joined forces with equally celebrated chefs in New York to cook up six different dishes, accompanied with Veuve Cliquot bubbly + special cocktails and finishing off with the Greene Ice Cream's Bourbon Vanilla and Salted Caramel Pretzel ice cream. Food was great, not spectacular, but the atmosphere was fun and I've always liked hanging out at the P.S. 1 lawn anyway. The last time I was in the neighborhood was a year ago, when I brought my good friend from home to check out the Warm Up party and the nearby Five Points graffiti buildings. We snapped a bunch of Polaroids in front of the graffiti then, and seeing it again this weekend made me a little nostalgic. So I dug up some old Polaroids that I've taken throughout the year to share a short trip down the memory lane with me.

Clockwise from top left: 3 little pigs in front of Destination store (which is no longer here) in Meatpacking; Bryant Park; Five Points graffiti; last year's winning project for P.S.1's Warm Up; fall leaves at Stone Barns; crystal mirror door at the Swarovski store

Diana who?

Happy Friday Happy News! I just found out that I won a free Diana Mini camera from Stylecaster's giveaway contest with my pictures from San Sebastian! I am uber excited since I never win anything from giveaways and raffles, and the prize being a Diana Mini(!) just totally made my entire weekend. I know the original Diana has been a long time Lomo-fan favorite, but the pocket-size Mini is just so damn cute and so much more portable. The last time I shot with a Lomo camera was probably in high school, when I first got my 4-frame Action Sampler, which since then I had completely abandoned at home home (I know, I'm horrible, but that's also when little digital camera thingys became popular). But I'm really excited to pick up lomography again now that I have a new toy and hopefully this time around I'll be more loyal to my Mini! I just need to get used to shooting with 35mm film and minus digital zoom (hah!).

on the road again... Part II

Day 5: San Sebastian, Spain

San Sebastian is a lovely coastal city in the Basque country. Beautiful scenery, serene and relaxing, it's like a friendlier and less pretentious version of Cannes (plus they both hold international film festivals every year). It was fun just being the tourist and enjoying the sun-soaked seascape along with the locals who filled the beach on a Wednesday afternoon (hence once again reinforced our hypothesis that Spanish folks know best how to enjoy life).

*Wearing a vintage hat from Amarcord Vintage, Elizabeth & James sparkly T-shirt, Warehouse harem pants, Dolce Vita sandals, and vintage Trifari bracelet.

on the road again... Part I

9 days, 3 countries, 6 cities, 4 friends, and 13 hours of driving. My Euro trip last week almost feels like a less glamorous version of Mario Batali's food show "On the Road Again... Spain", especially the portion in Basque country when we basically stuffed ourselves with pintxos (Basque-style tapas) and 1.50-Euro per glass of wines. I experienced some technical difficulties with my laptop during the trip so hence the blog abandonment, but now that I'm home and back to my 17-inch and normal internet connection, I'll be documenting some highlights from my travel adventures and sharing some of the tastiest foods I've tried for the next few posts!

Day 2: Lisbon, Portugal

Here we're at the Jeronimos Monastery, a magnificent monastery with a late-Gothic style facade and a spectacular cloister inside. The walls around the cloister display a mix of European and Moorish decorative elements, turning it into a truly unique and serene place to be.

*Wearing a Built by Wendy bustier top, Staerk high-waist shorts, Staerk reversible belt, Dolce Vita sandals, and Urban Outfitters necklace.

A block away from the Monastery is the Portuguese cafe Pasteis de Belem, famous for its pastel de Belem (or pastel de nata), a local pastry which resembles some kind of egg tart. Pastel de Belem is actually believed to have been created by the monks of the Jeronimos Monastery in the 18th C, so that's why this nearby cafe is known to have the best ones in town. These little custard tarts are so delicious and tasted nothing like Chinese egg tarts or the "Portuguese egg tarts" I've had in Macau. Powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar is sprinkled on top of each perfectly browned tart. On the inside is a smooth, "curdled" custard surrounded in a crispy phyllo pastry shell. The four of us cleaned that plate up in 5 seconds. Yum!

color my world

No, your eyes aren't fooling you, this right here is a real life rainbow made of 5,000 Pantone color chips! Pretty (and pretty impressive), isn't it? I wish all rainbows would stay in the park like this one all the time. The world would be a better place then.

Click here for more info about this project.

*This post is dedicated to a special friend (titled after her tatt) - hope she's reading this!
Images via Scene 360 Illusion