creative outlet: diary of an incurable francophile

I had no idea until recently that the most priced part of the...

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 11:27:08 +1000

I had no idea until recently that the most priced part of the tuna fish is the Toro. Essentially the fatty underbelly of the tuna, I was lucky enough to try some during my recent trip to Taiwan (pictured). It was fresh, sweet and simply heavenly.

My parents had made such an effort to show us all of the culinary delights of Taiwan during our short stay there.

It had been almost decade since I last visited Taiwan.

It’s hard to believe that it’s been more than 25 years since my parents immigrated to Australia in search for a new life. They had just experienced a devastatingly traumatic event in Taiwan, so emotionally damaging that they promptly made plans to leave the country. Now, retired and nearly three decades later, they seek more and more refuge in their home country as my brother and I one by one move out of the “nest”.

Given my long absence from the country where I was born, my parents urged me to join them for what turned out to be a reconnection with my childhood of sorts. It took me back down memory lane, remembering all those years ago when we travelled as a family. It was interesting seeing how my parents enjoyed us being their “dependants” again, as they guided us to the various parts of Taiwan.

The bonus was that they insisted on paying for everything - from accommodation, food, travel expenses and personal splurges… Perhaps another trip is on the agenda next year?!

I was so excited to have been invited to attend Lisa Ho’s...

Sat, 09 Jun 2012 22:26:00 +1000

I was so excited to have been invited to attend Lisa Ho’s summer 2012/13 collection show during the recent Australian Fashion Week.

Although pleasantly surprised to have finally received the invitation, I’d been secretly hoping that I’d receive it. You see, a few weeks before the show, I’d collaborated with Lisa and her team in hosting a corporate event for some of the key clients at the law firm I work at. It was held at Lisa Ho’s beautiful Woollahra store and proved to be a tremendously successful event, both in marketing our law firm and also in re-introducing the Lisa Ho brand to the corporate sector. For me personally, I was just thrilled to be part of a “live” fashion show!

Lisa’s summer 2012/3 was beautifully presented - canary yellow and emerald green stood out as the trending colours, whilst floral prints continue to be a key look for the season. I cannot wait to get my hands on the gorgeous summer maxi dresses (for the first time, they will very likely form part of my summer staples this year).

All in all, I very much enjoyed the show. The only thing that I really cringed at was the ombre hairstyle that all the models wore. Surely this terrible trend will not infiltrate the high streets?!

Without warning, the skies have decided to open up and the...

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 22:43:00 +1000

Kate Moss in Hunter Wellingtons

Without warning, the skies have decided to open up and the forecast is for rain, rain and more rain for the rest of the week. ”what happened to summer?” has long become a redundant question. The real question is, how does one look stylish whilst busily avoiding muddy puddles and torrential storms. As well as being miserably inconvenient, going about your daily routine in the rain is decidedly an unglamorous exercise…UNLESS, of course, one owns a pair of Hunter Wellies, in which case, one could fearlessly conquer rain, hurricane or snow in fashionable gumboot style. Hunter Wellies are not only the rainboots of choice for my fashionable colleagues, but also those of royalties, Hollywood “it” girls and trend setters like Kate Moss. Practical and stylish - I say, Gotta Have It!!

It is cool to be trendy, but it’s even better to be...

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 09:24:00 +1000

It is cool to be trendy, but it’s even better to be stylish. We may be deceived by the fashion industry from time to time, but deep down we all know that while trends come and go, style is timeless. It’s easy to forget even though people like Miranda Kerr can get away with just about every fashion trend, from harlem pants to denim on denim ensembles (eww), many of us are not so genetically blessed. Sometimes we have to work hard to find styles that suit us. Of course, it can be very frustrating. Right now, I’m insanely in love with floral pants that seem to be all the rage among the Hollywood A-listers. I just adore the print and the design (my personal favourite are the flower basket pants from Lisa Ho (centre picture)). Sadly, those beautiful floral pants are just not something that my petite frame can carry. For me, a floral printed dress would work much better (right picture). The silhouette works because it draws attention away from my short legs and the eye focuses on the waistline without cutting me in half, so even though it’s a busy print, it’s not too overwhelming. As Coco Chanel has been quoted to say, style is a matter of proportions. So let’s all be inspired by fashion and trends, but tweak them to create our own timeless styles.

I must say I’m not one with a sweet tooth but I love...

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 13:13:56 +1100

I must say I’m not one with a sweet tooth but I love making desserts and being able to decorate them in all the pretty colours. aesthetically pleasing and thoroughly therapeutic.

Love knot marshmallows. Taken during my marshmallow masterclass...

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:40:26 +1100

Love knot marshmallows. Taken during my marshmallow masterclass at Sweetness Patisserie. Sweet, in all senses of the word.

Ms little fashionista spotted outside Alexander Wang’s...

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:18:08 +1100

Ms little fashionista spotted outside Alexander Wang’s fall 2012 show at New York fashion week. Wish she was mine!

I really enjoy going to the gourmet farmer’s market near...

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 11:19:00 +1100

I really enjoy going to the gourmet farmer’s market near our place. I love the atmosphere of the market: there is a soloist on the guitar, a chef demonstrating his/her latest recipe on the makeshift stage, people nibbling away on the sample tasting plates. On the first Saturday of each month, you can bet that I’ll be amongst other local foodies stocking up on the fresh veggies, poultry and the like which the vendors have transported all the way from their faraway farms the night before. Plus, you just never know which celebrity chef you might bump into…!

I decided it was finally time to do something about my out of...

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 18:09:00 +1100

I decided it was finally time to do something about my out of control wardrobe. So as well as selling a few items on eBay, I got myself these stands online to store my accessories. I’m still not sure what to do about the shoes though…

15 course degustation at momofuku sydney. It was a culinary...

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:50:00 +1100

15 course degustation at momofuku sydney. It was a culinary delight comprising of shiitake chip, crispy milk, lamb neck with mustard seeds, mud crab with yorkshire pudding, just to name a few of the creative combinations…highly recommended!

Ramblings...

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:21:00 +1100

I’m tired. Really tired.

Despite my best intentions, my new years resolutions are not being fulfilled.

It would be nice to get time to myself, and do the things that I feel are important to me, my friends, my family. Why can’t I juggle? No, the real question is: why do I care so much? Not for the money, not for the status, but simply because I feel responsible and I want to make sure it is done, and properly. It’s annoying.

I keep reminding myself that these are the hours and days and years of my life that I will never get back. I keep resolving to not to repeat or fall into the same trap again. Yet I keep breaking my rules.

I think I need a holiday… France anyone?

New Year’s Resolutions 2012 I don’t normally make...

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 20:53:00 +1100

New Year’s Resolutions 2012

I don’t normally make New Year’s resolutions but this year I feel an unusual urge to make a list of my goals for 2012. So here it is…

1. Save, save, save. Do I hear GFC2?

Ok, I confess, I love to shop. But then again, what girl out there doesn’t? Over the last year, I have embraced the world of online shopping as my working days became longer. I’ve discovered that it’s a fascinating world out there: there is a near infinite number of choices with no restrictive trading hours! My hubby’s reminder of the possible doom and gloom that may come has not gone unnoticed, however, and I’m determined to curb those bad shopping habits..well, can’t go cold turkey but a reduced intake should be achievable…

2. Mix and match.

My alternative career choice would probably be something to do with the fashion industry. I love styling. I can’t say I’m very good at it but it’s something that I’d love to explore. Being able to create new outfits from items that I already own on a daily basis is something I aspire to do. This will surely assist with goal #1 above!

3. Blog more.

I want to write more in this blog. It allows me to reflect and share about all the things I enjoy doing, and so it’s really good for the soul.

4. Body is temple.

This is my motto for the year. I want to look after myself, physically and mentally. I want to work and stress less, challenge myself to exercise 5 days a week, do more yoga and follow a healthy balanced diet (yes, I’d even eat carbs!).

5. Read more and never stop learning.

I used to love to read. I guess drafting and reviewing legal contracts day in and day out does turn one off fictional books. But my desire to learn about things other than the law has been re-ignited - I want to know about our universe, how people live, how people used to live and learn for learning’s sake.

Wish me luck!

vogue: NOSTALGIA: The 1916 December Vogue Cover Illustrated by...

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 06:52:50 +1100

vogue:

NOSTALGIA: The 1916 December Vogue Cover Illustrated by Helen Dryden

So it’s back to work and reality for the most of us. For...

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 16:58:37 +1100

So it’s back to work and reality for the most of us. For me, it means time to ditch those flip flops and denim shorts and back to black and grey suit ensembles. Thank goodness for Casual Fridays! When I spotted this photo of Miranda Kerr, I was instanteously inspired by her effortless, yet glamorous, street style. So, determined to replicate this outfit for my first Casual Friday of 2012, I rummaged through my overfilled cupboards for anything that ressembled Miranda’s outfit. I was in luck! I’m already looking forward to the next Casual Friday…

(Items shown: tank top from yesstyle, chiffon jacket from yesstyle, necklace from witchery, khaki pants from Zara, bag from Mimco, shoes from Nine West)

I am currently crazy about Jewelmint, an online jewellery store...

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 11:31:14 +1100

I am currently crazy about Jewelmint, an online jewellery store created by actress Kate Bosworth. I love the pieces that are inspired by Kate’s travels around the globe. To me, her design concepts have very much got Nicole Ritchie’s ‘House of Harlow’ feel to them: part tribal, part mystical. I’m in love with a lot of their statement pieces. Sadly, at the moment they only ship to the US and Canada, much to my husband’s relief…

Louis Vuitton Spring 2012 Paris Fashion Week. I nearby fell off...

Sat, 08 Oct 2011 12:01:41 +1100

Louis Vuitton Spring 2012 Paris Fashion Week. I nearby fell off my couch when I saw snippets of the show on style.com. What a magical sight it would have been seeing models strutting around the circular runway on the whitewashed carousel at the Cour Carree of the Louvre. Paris + Marc Jacobs = a fashion fairytale.

Daddy's little girl

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 21:24:04 +1100

I have always been close to my dad. We may not be very good at communicating in words but the bond between us is silently unbreakable. I have seen my dad go through some of the toughest moments in his life so far: the unbearable pain of losing two children, the hardship of years of caring for a father with Alzheimer’s, the sadness of saying goodbye to his dying mother just months ago. To me, he has made every possible sacrifice for his family. After my grandmother’s passing, i really hoped that my dad would finally take time out to just enjoy HIS life and travel the world like he’s always wanted and not have to worry about anyone else. But instead of being able to do that, I learn that he is growing frail with aging and living in physical pain. It is so hard for me to accept…But I know I have to. He is the one that needs me now…

The Swinging 60s are back!

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 23:04:35 +1000

I am excited to see that the 60’s-inspired look is back on the international runways this season. Think short shift dresses in a variety of bold colours, swing coats, pleated skirts and first lady-like elegance inspired by Jackie Onassis, who is one of my all-time favourite style icons and a major trend-setter in the early 60s. Without her, there wouldn’t be mini dresses or pillbox hats, and definitely no oversized sunglasses. Thanks to Prada, Jean-Paul Gaultier and Alberta Perretti (among others) for bringing back the retro swinging 60s!

Michael Kors, Spring 2011, Prada Fall 2011 and Fendi Fall 2011

As much as I love the law and the adrenaline that comes with...

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 22:53:45 +1000

As much as I love the law and the adrenaline that comes with closing a deal, I must confess to craving for more creativity in my day to day life. I am more than conscious of the fact that lawyers do not create the law but interpret it. Thus, the need for this blog - this outlet - to express my appreciation of the many things that I find beautiful and wonderfully refreshing, things that literally take my breath away. To kick off, I wanted to share this fantastic illustration of a Balenciga gown by Bernard Blossac. I think I am inspired to do a course on fashion illustration….