Give me a break!

I'm counting down the days to : 1. My last day of work. 2. The long awaited holiday!

I'm finally making this announcement, guess where I'm heading to, 1. I left my heart in 2. Celebrities, movie cameras and paparazzi. Figured it out yet? 

Hollywood here I come! I'll be going to San Francisco too. I hope can practice enough self control to not go overboard with the shopping. I might just be in huge debt after this trip. All the brands just starts running thru my mind, H&M, Urban Outfitters, Forever21, Anthropology, Benefit, American Apparel, Gap, Banana Republic... I CAN'T WAIT!!! If anyone has anywhere in this two states to recommend, like a die-die must go obscure shopping paradise, PLEASE DO!

It's only a month away!

Obsession #499 - Vintage suitcase

With the recent travel plans we're making, tik and I started scouting for luggages. Modern travel luggages are boring and awful. The hipper/cooler/nicer ones can cost a huge bomb (think Samsonite). So I started thinking about fashion bloggers traveling in style and this image of Agatha of StyleBtyes came to mind. 

With that in mind, I start trawling the pages of etsy for a vintage suitcase and these are what I found. So darn adorable, funky and so retro, even tik got excited looking at them!

What a way to add some sunshine into traveling! You can spot it from miles away and be absolutely sure that no one will be carrying anything similar to yours (and it's Samsonite too!). Vintage Yellow Samsonite suitcase from cafeKOKO

I ABSOLUTELY adore this one! Blue with white trims, it speaks style and more style. But a tad bit expensive (exchange rates) and the shipping is atrocious! 

This Vintage red suitcase with yellow and black trim is sooo retro! I likey!

So much effort made into one suitcase. This Vintage brocade suitcase is so lovely but a tad small. Idea for short travel trips I guess? Like one to some near-by resort trip!

So many lovely choices but the shipping for some is just ridiculous, it actually cost more than the item itself! le sigh. What should a girl do?

Hong Kong Part 3 - Food glorious food

Warning! If you haven't eaten, do not continue with this post! 

Hong Kong is the land for shopping and eating, like their travel campaign - "mai dong xi (buy things), chi dong xi (eat things)", they definitely stay true to that slogan!

Jade Restaurant, better than any other yum cha places i've tried! Ever tried shark's fin or Foie Gras on siew mais? It's divine.. and i have photos to prove. 

Paper thin Chee cheong fan skin in 3 different stuffings. Very very yummy.

Jade Restaurant

4/F Star House, 3 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui.

Peking Garden - A MUST go for all Peking Duck enthusiast. THE BEST, let me repeat, THE BEST! Peking duck i've ever eaten! Mouth-watering, tender and fragrant. One more duck please!

Not only the duck is good, they have awesome dishes as well. Such as this chicken thingy with some peanut paste + sesame oil combo sauce. And the banana fritters is divine! Comes to you hot and sticky, they dip it into ice cold water to "set" the melted sugar coating. Very yummy..

Peking Garden

3/F Star House, 3 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Shui

(Don't even think about going without a reservation)

I have never taste egg tarts until I bit into one of this during my last trip to Hong Kong. I fell in love instantly and swore that I will return for them. Crispy on the outside, soft inside, a little salty and a little sweet, the egg custard melts in an instant! I queued in the cold just to bring a dozen back. They've been crowned the best egg tarts by word of mouth, better than any other form of publicity!

Okay I do not have the actual address but here goes.

It's located below the mid level escalators to SOHO in Central, stop to walk down when you see Dymocks Bookstore on the right, walk into that same street until you see a queue of people (or just follow the smell). 

Easily one of the best roast goose ever tasted. Yung Kee Restaurant is half a century old with tons of history and dozens of awards. It has attracted tourists and locals alike, and we had to queue for a whole solid hour during lunch on a Friday afternoon. The best food in Hong Kong comes with a queue. Expect to pay approximately S$35/pax.

Yung Kee Restaurant

32-40 Wellington Street, Central 

(Take the D2 exit from Central MTR, turn right in the alley and turn left to Queen's Road West, walk towards Lan Kwai Fong)

Be prepared to queue, or you can make a reservation via their website

Tsui Wah Restaurant can be found almost everywhere, and their crispy buttered bun with condensed milk is simply amazing! 

Instead of going to Hui Lua San, we headed to Honeymoon Desserts instead. The mouth-watering Mango Sago Pomelo has the right texture without being too sweet. And the sesame paste is awesome too! Unfortunately, there was too much food to try in HK, we only had chance to go there once!

This is cute, it's hot corn soup in a can by Asahi. Only the Japs are capable of such things. According to tik, it's quite yummy and there wasn't any alcohol content (in case you're wondering -  Ok lame).

Hong Kong Part 2 - still the Sights and sounds

This is where we stayed, Hotel Jen. It's a small boutique hotel located along Queen's Road West. It was a pleasant stay. Probably the most chic hotel (on a budget) i've ever stayed in. Think minimalist zen, LCD tv mounted on wall, crisp white sheets and light grey walls. They even provide a hair dryer and ironing amenities in the room. This is one hotel i will definitely go back to. 

Oh I forgot to mention the touristy things we did this trip. Hopping on the tram and the star ferry as forms of transportation instead of just the usual MTR. As well as taking the cable car up to Lantau Island to see the Giant Buddha standing at 34meters high.

And of course I couldn't not take an outfit shot. How often do I get to wear a coat!

images courtesy of Gary.

Hong Kong Part 1 - the Sights and sounds

IHEARTHONGKONG! And I can't stop saying it. It was an awesome trip, the long awaited break that didn't disappoint. It wasn't all shop shop shop thru out the trip, but it was good. And best of all, I didn't overspend this time round (yay!). 

Hong Kong is currently having their WinterFest (a winter version of Summer sale) and the discount rate is fantastic, especially at the bigger stores like Lane Crawford. There was a queue at Louis Vuitton since 10am!

Okay, I couldn't resist a huge sale sign with flowers! Luxury brands are going at 50% off and I was almost a proud owner of the YSL Besace (S$1600!! Half price!). Taken at Lane Crawford. 

Christmas installation by Hong Kong artist Carrie Chau for Times Square @Causeway Bay. Adorable little Russian dolls, there were tons of them all round a huge pillar.

In a room full of art pieces by Carrie Chau. Too cute to resist!

Window display at Vivienne Westwood along Fashion Walk @Causeway bay.

The saturated signages along the streets of Mongkok, and us after a shopping spree at H&M (can you see the bags!) You know what the fascination is? If you notice, the signages are extended out, one competing against the other. 

Oh and i took the opportunity to wear all my colored tights! The weather was incredible, it's cold without freezing your ass off. Hong Kongers are a bunch of dressy people, young or old, they make an effort to look presentable 24/7.

I love how in the midst of the smaller shops, one such as the i.t shop stands out in charcoal brick wall with luminous light. i.t is like club21, it carries brands such as Commes des Garcon, Tsumori Chisato, Hussein Chalayan etc and they will sprout at the most unexpected places. The retail industry in Hong Kong is very much different from how it operates here in Singapore. In Singapore, retails are clustered accordingly to the range - low end, mid - high and high/luxury. You will never find a high/luxury store in a place where low end stores are placed. 

And this was why we went to Hong Kong for the new year. We stood in the blistering cold (ok a little exaggerating here. but It was pretty cold that night) for 2 solid hours (eating ice cream and egg tarts), right smack in front of the IFC tower at Central to view this spectacular display of fireworks. A little disappointed I must say, we were expecting huge flower blops in the sky above us, but what we got was streaks of fireworks shooting out from the building. Pretty much different from what we are used to seeing here. But all's gone in a flash. 

Excellent crowd control but the traffic police and clearing from the area was a breeze. And the first thing that happened to me in the new year? I was carried over high fences by friends (i was in a dress and i couldnt climb!).

Last but not least, this is the start of a vibrant display of the Chinese New Year decorations for sale along Hollywood Road.

More to come..

Winter in Hong Kong

NEWS FLASH! I'll be spending the new year in Hong Kong (my long awaited break!). I need to know how cold will it get and how warm should i keep. When i think of New year's day in Hong Kong, I think of Andy Lau in the streets wearing a trench, it's probably a scene from some movie i've seen. But seriously, I need to know how thick my jackets/coats should be. Are boots mandatory or are flats sufficient? I've been to Hong Kong in September mostly and the weather is just like sunny Singapore, so any and everything about winter in Hong Kong will be great, thanks!

I'd love to look like these ladies during those times, warm and snuggly under those coats and layers. I'm already preparing for my holiday wardrobe.

images: stockholm streetstyle, garance dore, copenhagen streetstyle