Hong Kong, January 2014: Day 2 IFC, Pacific Place & Tai Hang

After spending our morning at Horizon Plaza in Ap Lei Chau, we went to Citygate Outlets too. If you are into sneakers and athletic wear, or you are the type to wear Gieves & Hawkes, Aquascutum, Brooks Brothers and such, you will love Citygate.

While bargain hunting at outlet destinations are fun, a trip to Hong Kong is never complete without going to IFC and Pacific Place. The same can be said of COS too actually, ahihihi.

When we were there, most of the stuff at COS were still for Fall/Winter though, so I miraculously left empty handed. I suppose another trip sometime April/May is due.

I really wanted to go to IFC  because supposedly, Lane Crawford stocks the eyeglass frames I've been meaning to buy for Berry. While the store was abuzz with shoppers ogling and trying on their fantastic assortment of shoes, bags and accessories, I was told the kids section in Lane Crawford IFC is nada! Like, it used to be there, but is now long gone. Ugh.

But of course, I was just happy browsing the shops. From outside. My conscience was with me. As in a living, breathing conscience, aka Dada. Haha.

I want that divine white dress from Chloe. Its perfect with those blush chunky heeled pumps right below it

Only because my friend Kaye asked me to check out these 3.1 Phillip Lim bags

I wish I had the chance to leisurely go around IFC, but given that we had to get back to our hotel to scrub up and change for dinner, I didn't get to spend as much time as I would have wanted to. Which was ok, because, who the heck wants to torture herself looking at pretty things she has no serious plans of buying? Pray tell!

When we got back to Pacific Place, Dada went straight to our hotel room to rest and freshen up while I wanted to make full use of my 1 hour of free time to walk around the mall. It is a lot more quiet here than IFC, that I could hear myself think. "Go inside, take a look, no one is stopping you" Parang ganon.

Checked out the bags for my friend Kaye, only to report that Mini Luggage Totes are now HKD22000

Mainit sa mata! If I were a burly bag snatcher I would go for this bag, so fantastically donya! Or maybe not. A sharp-eyed policeman would  immediately spot this, put two and two together, and decide we don't belong together

More hot pink and bright yellow - ipikit ang mata, baka mapabili ka!

After stumbling into the doors of Chanel, I was faced with an all black, canvas, double soled version of my two-tone espadrilles. In. my. size. Can you guess what happened next?

Anyhoo, change topic. Did you know that Tai Hang is so happening? 

Dada and I met up with our friends Paz & Buddy Carale, Paul & Dot Pery and Connie Chu for dinner at Island Tang in Central and after a delicious dinner (a must try is their Braised Fried Rice with Diced Chicken, Black Truffle and Wild Mushroom)

Island Tang at The Galleria in Central

We went dessert hopping (as Connie says, this is the bar hopping of people our age) at Tai Hang. First stop was Lab Made Ice Cream.

What makes it different from other ice cream joints is that there's a science behind how they make their ice cream. Using only fresh ingredients, their ice cream are frozen at-196℃ with super cold Liquid Nitrogen, which allows them use less cream than other premium ice creams, yet still retaining that super smooth texture, all in 60 seconds.

Apart from that, it's just a cool place for young kids to hang out. Even if it means just standing on the sidewalk, because really, there is no seating here. Unless you would count the stackable plastic stools they have lined up against the wall.

I got the crunchy sea salt gelato with caramel sauce,  and ordered the tai chi tofu pudding for Dada.

delicious, but melts quickly!

At HKD44 a scoop, it's an indulgence that you pay for such a novel concept. You can pretty much get a pint of Ben & Jerry's at that price. Or 3 scoops of Bono Gelato here. And Bono Gelato is by leaps and bounds so much creamier and yummier.  But I did enjoy our ice cream, so, Lab Made is still definitely worth a visit, if only for the novelty of saying you've tried it!

Lab Made Ice Cream
G/F, 6 Brown Street
Tai Hang, Hong Kong

Xiao Tian Gu across the street was our next stop. They make traditional desserts made of fruits, almond cream, red bean, black jelly, shaved ice and such. I really enjoyed it here.

We all sat on stools around a flimsy table, in an alley way converted into a seating area, with the electric meter behind me & Dada. I was half expecting Jackie Chan to roll off the tarp awning, bad guys in hot pursuit, and my almond cream with mango spilling into my leather trousers. It was that authentic. I. loved. it.

Xiao Tian Gu 小甜谷 
G/F, 10-11B School Street
(across Lab Made Ice Cream)
Tai Hang, Hong Kong

Los Angeles Day 3: Melrose Avenue

From artistic and conceptual, let's go commercial! Heehee! Here we are at the Western End, where Fred Segal,  and my fave online hotspots Madison Los Angeles and Creatures of Comfort hold fort:

I visited the original outpost of CoC, and it was love! It's just the kind of store I want to put up, filled with  pieces that are just so focused and tell a story. CoC stocks my favorite labels like Repetto, A.P.C. and Isabel Marant so I really made the effort to drop by. Unfortunately, they didn't have my size for the Repetto BBs in Tomato, and I didn't really see anything else I had to have. I didn't really get to shop, but I did find a button down shirt from Equipment for just a little over $40 at Madison Los Angeles. Score! There were other amazing finds at Madison LA - from  Elizabeth and James button downs and White & Warren cashmere cardigans at deep discounts to Marni dresses for $300 (down from $1000+), but since we were still going to Vancouver from LA, I erred on the side of packing light.

Well, window shopping was still a good way to bond with family and new friends:

My brother-in-law Jun, and my sister Trina

With Steph (Liza's sister), Berry and birthday girl Belle
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BELLE!

Steph told me we should have stayed longer in LA, because I ought to check out  with them the sample sales and vintage shops that brim with promising treasures. Suddenly,  at that moment, visions of  Nation Ltd. tees at sample sale prices and Hollywood cast-offs flashed before my eyes. Wow, that would be interesting! Till our next trip then, sigh.

Anyhoo, change topic! Here's what we wore to our Melrose Avenue jaunt:

Berry: Gap jeans and coat, Tiny Toms for Neiman Marcus

Me: Gap military parka, Saint James striped shirt, J Brand Lovestory jeans, 
Chloe wedges, H&M scarf, Celine luggage tote

Dada says my style reminds him of The Soloist, remember that movie that Jamie Foxx starred in? Well, this is LA. That's where he is from right? This is what I call, HOBO CHIC!

We capped off our last night in LA with dinner at Casa Sanchez, where we were treated to, or if I may say - tortured by, a Mariachi band. LOL. Overflowing nachos and salsa and yummy food though! Coupled with quality time with family and friends, it was a great way to cap off our LA stay before heading off to Vancouver to see Berry's Angkong & Amah!

Inside The Alexa

As requested by JCD!

See, it's very roomy...and this is just the Alexa. How much more the Oversized! Has two inner pockets for easy access to your phone/Blackberry and keys. So you don't have to dig around the bag for them!

Fits all my essentials: big wallet, pouch for odds & ends, reusable bag, sunglasses. There's plenty of space for a cellphone, camera, plus car and house keys. I've tried stuffing it with a Born Free baby bottle and two little snack containers of Berry's and there was still room to spare. You'll fit much more, with the Oversized! Like more baby stuff, you can practically use it as a diaper bag!

Take note, the pouch is pretty huge. It fits my hand sanitizer, compact, gloss, lip balm, cheek tint, tape measure, plus other tiny stuff to keep them from getting lost inside. So this is a really roomy bag, so worth buying! I am sure your smart, generous and kind dear hubby will be more than thrilled to gift you with such a classic and practical bag! Oh, did I mention extremely handsome? Hahaha! I hope this helps in convincing!

P.S. - Follow me! @CD_MFO

Sea of Deals at Neiman Marcus Last Call

Not as fabulous as that of Jane and Judy's Sea of Shoes, but if you're looking for great deals on chaussures, 30% OFF last price marked (plus a $50 coupon to use if you were lucky enough to bring one during the days they were valid, like the time we were there) would allow you to a start a small designer collection nonetheless.

Manolo Blahnik Crocodile Pumps

Azzedine Alaia sandals

Prada metallic sandals

Chloé Raised Leaf Boots

Manolo Blahnik jeweled sandals

Pierre Hardy metallic zipped sandals

YSL gladiator heels

Balenciaga gladiators

Manolo Blahnik metallic sandals

Balenciaga heeled gladiators

Of all these tempting treats, it was still the Marnis that called out to me! Not that I did anything about it, because we all know I walked away. Just saying.

P.S. Sex & The City Tour Blog Giveaway ongoing until May 8 EST! Join -- here!

Style Star: Kate Bosworth

Have I told you much I love Kate Bosworth's style? I really think she's a real style star. I don't think I have given her enough mileage here, and that's practically a sin. Because I love love love her look. Whether she's out on the streets or all glammed up, she's proven she's got serious style chops. Let's try and dissect my favorite looks of her here.

There's that oversize Chloe sweater coat again from above. She really incorporates her favorite pieces into her wardrobe. You can't see it here, but she's wearing Chloe Poseidons that go so well with her gray sweater and bag.

Paraty on the side! Love the knee high boots, and of course, the Chloe Paraty!

Cute look.  The tiered skirt is unexpected and fresh in royal blue. Plus, that Alexander Wang bucket bag. Please be mine.

Key pieces that make a look: Isabel Marant booties, the Leica camera case, the scarf wrapped around her neck. Easy and understated.

How can she look so chic in a loose jersey dress and flip flops? It's unfair. There's that Alexander Wang bucket bag again.

Here's another version of Kate wearing an oversize sweater coat. The plaid tunic shirt is a want. Classic Ray Ban aviators complete the look.

Love the relaxed, slouchy jumpsuits. And those Chloe wedges in the first photo!

Let's cap this series of photos with the look that started my Kate B. obsession (well, after Blue Crush!) Love the plaid shirt, the high waist wide leg denims from 18th Amendment (so obsessed I had to have one!), and that red Chloe Betty that is still quite adorable up to now.

Come to think of it, Kate always has a piece or two from Chloe most of the time. I wish I can do that too! I love anything and every thing Chloe! Incidentally, when Berry was still in my tummy, I wanted to name Berry either Kate or Chloe because I felt Kate was such a cool name. I was hoping she'd take after Kate Moss and Kate Bosworth's style genes haha! I also liked the name Chloe - so she can wear stuff from Chloe and see her name somewhere in there! Shallow Hal!

Next up, Kate's dressed up days! If you think her day to day style is chic, there's more to see!

(Photos from katebosworthonline.com)

NST2010 Day 1: Like Mother, Like Daughter

First, I want to thank all of you for your moral support as I tackle my "No Shopping" challenge! 1 day down, So far, so good!

I stayed home the whole day today, to stay away from temptation. Also, my last purchase for the year, the Boyfriend Military Jacket from J.Crew arrived today. Seeing the unopened package was bittersweet. I was happy it arrived, but kind of melancholic knowing that it will be the last package I will receive for the year, if I stick to my course (and I know I will!).

To keep myself distracted, my sister Trina and I decided to play dress-up with Berry. See, I have this picture of myself taken when I was still a wee one!


And we decided to do a version with Berry! Doesn't she look adorable rocking an Hermès scarf and Chloe sunnies?


Side by side, I have to concede, she's the new, improved version of me! Hahaha!

Sharing My OutfitS Day: Mad Woman

...at 19 Weeks

I woke up this morning feeling like I wanted to play dress up. For some reason, now that I'm pregnant, I've been wanting to wear heels, but Dear Hubby is discouraging me because I can be a klutz, and that plus me having the Little One is a teetering combination!

Have you seen the series Mad Men? It revived my love for '50s fashion. When I was little, I took great pleasure in looking at my grandmothers' photos wearing dresses with the poofiest skirts and frequently bugged my mom for a poodle skirt like those worn by girls in '50s period movies (not easy to find in the '80s haha!). I love old-ish clothes and I've been obsessed with the '50s housewife look for the longest time! Think full voluminous skirts and waisted dresses and all that fabric!

It might still be winter, but with the heater turned on, I thought I'd pull out my housewife-y clothes and wear heels, even just inside the house, and with nowhere to go really...

I bought the dainty printed fabric at Cotton Touch in Market Market, and had my Tita Au's seamstress sew 2 yards of material into this outfit -- which is actually a top and skirt that can be worn together as a dress or as separates.



This pintucked detail was inspired by a Chloe top I saw at net-a-porter...


I loved that shirt dress that Diane Lane wore in Under The Tuscan Sun. So when I saw my friend, designer Debbie Co-Teng, wearing a white shirt dress with a full skirt, I asked her to make one for me in brown and with side pockets...





Now this one is the most housewife-y of all I think! A vintage top from France, a vintage belt from my MIL, and a full skirt from H&M...


I wore it with a mustard cardigan from Madame à Paris - which can be worn like this...


...or belted like this...


Here's a detailed shot of the top...pretty no? Something my grandma would wear, heehee! And I love love love it!


Now this last piece isn't very '50s. After all, I got it from H&M back in October when I was going around The City (haha!) with Grace. But I like dainty floral prints and shirt dresses...




I concede, as much as I like dressing up like a housewife, I don't do a good job of ironing these clothes, as you can see from the close-up pics! Hahaha!

Mom, Dear Hubby, these are old shoes! And please understand, this is a fashion blog and I have to do the requisite close-up of shoes...

Left: nude wedges from Chloé, Right: wine pumps from Louboutin

Heehee!