My battery charger for my Macbook managed to sizzle and spark before dying a slow and painful death. So I'm left with gazillions of photos and no laptop to upload or edit these. I've ordered a new charger from Apple but that won't get delivered until early next week.
Thank heavens for the iPhone! I can't live without my laptop and Internet access. I can't believe how much things cost in Greece. A replacement charger costs £49 plus postage back in the UK but the retailers charge 96.75€/£82.10! No wonder my poor Cretan friends launched into tirades each time I asked them about the cost of living here.
Yasas!
Thursday, 20 May 2010
Or otherwise known as hello in Greek. It was rather nerve wrecking having to check updates continuously to find out whether our flight was going to be canceled or not due to the ashes blown over from the Icelandic volcano. Whew! We made it to Iraklio in the end. Twelve years have passed since I last stepped foot in Crete and Iraklio hasn't changed all that much. The city looked like it was built rather haphazardly with no semblance of order whatsoever. Steve actually said it reminded him of a smaller version of Jakarta and I secretly agreed. Motorcycles zigzagged everywhere even on the pavements and graffiti and rubbish are a common sight.
However, it was so lovely to feel the sun on our faces especially coming from the gloomy UK. Cretan hospitality is second to none. Their love for children is legendary. It helped that L is chatty, exuberant (I was going to say, hyper-active) and is prone to dramatic gestures so she has sweets piled on her that she wasn't allowed to eat.
Our first stop after dropping our bags at Marin Dream hotel was food. Before I go any further, the service there is exceptional and our room was spotless and completely adequate. In addition, the location is superb as we were minutes from the bus station and the town centre. All for £55 per night including breakfast. We were absolutely starving and managed to find an ouzeri filled with locals having a late lunch. The food was DIVINE. The best we've had so far.
The tomatoes weren't kept in the fridge like other tavernas I've been to. They were sweet, succulent and juicy.
Taramasalata. Pureed fish roe which Steve inhaled within seconds
Grilled octopus with butter rice. Yum!
Fresh fresh fresh sardines. Simply grilled with a wedge of lemon
Fried kalamari
I'm very particular about my fried potatoes. These were done just right, none of that limp, lukewarm crap.
Courtesy of the taverna owner. I don't know what this is called. It's a custard/pastry cake. Steve normally detests cakes but as you can see, we gulped down half of it before I remembered to take out my camera.
The ouzeri is on a little alleyway, just off the main shopping strip heading towards the Venetian Fortress. The address for this place is:
Ouzeri Katsinas
Kosma Zotou
Iraklio
Our next stop was along the harbor towards the Venetian Fortress. We passed by the fishermen repairing the nets.
One of many stray cats on the island.
Morosini Fountain. We found a yummy souvlaki place at a very reasonable price just opposite the fountain.
Church of Ayia Aikaterini of Sinaites
No trip to Iraklio is complete without a customary visit to Knossos. Since it was my second visit, I whizzed through the entire ruins under an hour, preferring to entertain my 4 year old diva at the cafe nearby.
However, it was so lovely to feel the sun on our faces especially coming from the gloomy UK. Cretan hospitality is second to none. Their love for children is legendary. It helped that L is chatty, exuberant (I was going to say, hyper-active) and is prone to dramatic gestures so she has sweets piled on her that she wasn't allowed to eat.
Our first stop after dropping our bags at Marin Dream hotel was food. Before I go any further, the service there is exceptional and our room was spotless and completely adequate. In addition, the location is superb as we were minutes from the bus station and the town centre. All for £55 per night including breakfast. We were absolutely starving and managed to find an ouzeri filled with locals having a late lunch. The food was DIVINE. The best we've had so far.
The tomatoes weren't kept in the fridge like other tavernas I've been to. They were sweet, succulent and juicy.
Taramasalata. Pureed fish roe which Steve inhaled within seconds
Grilled octopus with butter rice. Yum!
Fresh fresh fresh sardines. Simply grilled with a wedge of lemon
Fried kalamari
I'm very particular about my fried potatoes. These were done just right, none of that limp, lukewarm crap.
Courtesy of the taverna owner. I don't know what this is called. It's a custard/pastry cake. Steve normally detests cakes but as you can see, we gulped down half of it before I remembered to take out my camera.
The ouzeri is on a little alleyway, just off the main shopping strip heading towards the Venetian Fortress. The address for this place is:
Ouzeri Katsinas
Kosma Zotou
Iraklio
Our next stop was along the harbor towards the Venetian Fortress. We passed by the fishermen repairing the nets.
One of many stray cats on the island.
Morosini Fountain. We found a yummy souvlaki place at a very reasonable price just opposite the fountain.
Church of Ayia Aikaterini of Sinaites
No trip to Iraklio is complete without a customary visit to Knossos. Since it was my second visit, I whizzed through the entire ruins under an hour, preferring to entertain my 4 year old diva at the cafe nearby.
Bib Necklace
Saturday, 15 May 2010
I rummaged through my closet the other day to hunt for long forgotten summer clothes only to find 2 out of 3 were black. I wear a lot of black and frankly speaking, I'm sick of black. I know they're slimming, hide a multitude of sins, yada yada yada , yawn. I don't want to get rid of my clothes but I thought a nice BIG and colorful necklace should liven my wardrobe up a bit. From now onwards, I'm on the hunt for colored outfits. I'll start with navy and work my way towards slightly brighter prospects.
I certainly won't deny the fact that any necklaces by Lanvin or Chanel would certainly fill the gap in my closet but my budget doesn't stretch that far. I wanted something bright and bold. After months of searching, I found this on H & M for £7.99.
I certainly won't deny the fact that any necklaces by Lanvin or Chanel would certainly fill the gap in my closet but my budget doesn't stretch that far. I wanted something bright and bold. After months of searching, I found this on H & M for £7.99.
Chanel Tweed Jacket
Friday, 14 May 2010
I've always been crazy about Chanel tweed jackets. They're timeless and so nonchalantly decadent when paired with a simple t-shirt and jeans. I've been lucky to have bought a few vintage Chanel jackets at ridiculously low prices but since I knew nothing about tailoring and lived hundreds, if not thousands of miles away from the nearest Chanel store, I gave up trying to alter them to suit me so off they went on eBay. *sob* I've regretted my actions ever since.
Take a look at this. I tore a page out of a magazine back in 2003. The look is still current even though 7 years has passed.
I love everything about this. The contrasting red boucle jacket against the striped tee with a black stole thrown carelessly over the neck.
Here are more examples of Chanel tweed jackets worn by celebrities.
photo credit: www.Fabsugar.com
photo credit: www.celebrityfashiontips.com
photo credit: www.superqueen.wordpress.com
photo credit: www.superqueen.wordpress.com
I found a fascinating article on Time magazine which talked about the history of the Chanel tweed jacket. Take a look at this
Take a look at this. I tore a page out of a magazine back in 2003. The look is still current even though 7 years has passed.
I love everything about this. The contrasting red boucle jacket against the striped tee with a black stole thrown carelessly over the neck.
Here are more examples of Chanel tweed jackets worn by celebrities.
photo credit: www.Fabsugar.com
photo credit: www.celebrityfashiontips.com
photo credit: www.superqueen.wordpress.com
photo credit: www.superqueen.wordpress.com
I found a fascinating article on Time magazine which talked about the history of the Chanel tweed jacket. Take a look at this
Avebury
Wednesday, 12 May 2010
Over a long weekend, our friends decided to join us for day trips to explore the surrounding villages. I haven't driven much in the UK but what I can't get over is how polite English drivers are. The minute you indicate to switch lanes, the driver right behind you as well as the fellow on the next lane actually slow down! Wow.
You see, we do things a little differently in New Zealand. North Island, in particular. We like our "personal" space on the motorway. If you indicate, we take it as a sign that you're ready for a race and we speed up. Steve is as laidback as you can get but turns into a snarling lion behind the wheels.
Now, getting back to the point of this post. Another friend told me that Avebury is a must see. The 5 of us packed ourselves into a compact rental car and headed for Stonehenge and Avebury. I know I'm going to get an entire carton of rotten eggs thrown at me but honestly, Stonehenge is a historical site which has been highly publicized but it is just a field with a pile of big megaliths. It was such an anti-climax when we got there. However, we first drove past the Alton Barnes White Horse formation on the slope at Milk Hill. Mr Robert Piles of Manor Farm hired two men to design and cut out the horse back in 1812. Apparently, you can see it 25 miles away from Salisbury.
Avebury in Wiltshire county is a fascinating and charming village. In fact, it is the largest and apparently the finest neolithic display of boulder formations to be found. How old, I hear you ask. 5000 years old! We call a 100 year old building as wow, ancient. Over here, everything is centuries, if not, thousands of years old. It's also considered the spiritual centre for paganism, Wicca and druidry and has its fair share of ghosts. Since I'm easily spooked, it was a good thing I didn't know too much of the history BEFORE I got there or I would've never dredged up enough courage to explore the place.
I have absolutely no idea what he's doing but I'm guessing he's trying to see if there's "energy" emanating from the rock?
St James church dating back to approximately 1000 A.D.
Here's the blurb from pub-explorer.com
The Red Lion is set in the tiny village of Avebury which is three miles in radius and some 2000 years older than Stonehenge! The pub is 400 years old and located at the centre of the stone circle where every six weeks a pagan festival is held. It is in the Top Ten list of most haunted pubs in the country and has been seen on TV as such. The main ghost is that of an old landlady "Florrie" who was killed here by her husband.
You see, we do things a little differently in New Zealand. North Island, in particular. We like our "personal" space on the motorway. If you indicate, we take it as a sign that you're ready for a race and we speed up. Steve is as laidback as you can get but turns into a snarling lion behind the wheels.
Now, getting back to the point of this post. Another friend told me that Avebury is a must see. The 5 of us packed ourselves into a compact rental car and headed for Stonehenge and Avebury. I know I'm going to get an entire carton of rotten eggs thrown at me but honestly, Stonehenge is a historical site which has been highly publicized but it is just a field with a pile of big megaliths. It was such an anti-climax when we got there. However, we first drove past the Alton Barnes White Horse formation on the slope at Milk Hill. Mr Robert Piles of Manor Farm hired two men to design and cut out the horse back in 1812. Apparently, you can see it 25 miles away from Salisbury.
Avebury in Wiltshire county is a fascinating and charming village. In fact, it is the largest and apparently the finest neolithic display of boulder formations to be found. How old, I hear you ask. 5000 years old! We call a 100 year old building as wow, ancient. Over here, everything is centuries, if not, thousands of years old. It's also considered the spiritual centre for paganism, Wicca and druidry and has its fair share of ghosts. Since I'm easily spooked, it was a good thing I didn't know too much of the history BEFORE I got there or I would've never dredged up enough courage to explore the place.
I have absolutely no idea what he's doing but I'm guessing he's trying to see if there's "energy" emanating from the rock?
St James church dating back to approximately 1000 A.D.
Here's the blurb from pub-explorer.com
The Red Lion is set in the tiny village of Avebury which is three miles in radius and some 2000 years older than Stonehenge! The pub is 400 years old and located at the centre of the stone circle where every six weeks a pagan festival is held. It is in the Top Ten list of most haunted pubs in the country and has been seen on TV as such. The main ghost is that of an old landlady "Florrie" who was killed here by her husband.
I want I want I WANT!
Tuesday, 11 May 2010
Little L starts each day with I want.... and I want.... and I want. My response to this is "I'm not your slave". Not that it made any difference because her bossy demands would somehow turn into a prolonged whinge and whine session. I call it the battle of wills. She who backs out of the fight first loses. She needs to learn I'm the adult, thus mistress of the house and she's the child. My house, my rules.
Impressed with my parenting skills yet? Ahem. *more throat clearing* I'd like to think I emerge as the winner 100% of the time. The reality is she gets away with it when I'm pressed for time or I'm so embarrassed because I can see the whining has just turned into wailing at the checkout counter and the queue behind us is a mile long.
The other day, she pointed out this amazing princess chest from Playmobil that she's got to have. No, it's not my birthday but I WANT this. Unfortunately, she didn't forget about this toy the next day and the next day and the next day.... She may be an only child but I'd hate for her to turn into a spoiled brat.
So, I decided to start her on a course - Financial Planning 101 for 4 year olds. Chapter 1: There's no such thing as instant gratification. In order to get this, she'll have to go through all her toys and sell the ones she no longer plays with on eBay. She will ONLY get what she wants IF she makes enough from her sales.
Now, she's also a hoarder. Like her dad (who knows I might need my 20 year old high school exercise books one day) . And her grandparents (3 lawn mowers, dozens of paintings/prints from garage sales). So, I guess it's a genetic thing. After a long drawn out process with dramatic good-byes, we managed to agree on 4 items to list on eBay. One's sold and 3 more to go.
Impressed with my parenting skills yet? Ahem. *more throat clearing* I'd like to think I emerge as the winner 100% of the time. The reality is she gets away with it when I'm pressed for time or I'm so embarrassed because I can see the whining has just turned into wailing at the checkout counter and the queue behind us is a mile long.
The other day, she pointed out this amazing princess chest from Playmobil that she's got to have. No, it's not my birthday but I WANT this. Unfortunately, she didn't forget about this toy the next day and the next day and the next day.... She may be an only child but I'd hate for her to turn into a spoiled brat.
So, I decided to start her on a course - Financial Planning 101 for 4 year olds. Chapter 1: There's no such thing as instant gratification. In order to get this, she'll have to go through all her toys and sell the ones she no longer plays with on eBay. She will ONLY get what she wants IF she makes enough from her sales.
Now, she's also a hoarder. Like her dad (who knows I might need my 20 year old high school exercise books one day) . And her grandparents (3 lawn mowers, dozens of paintings/prints from garage sales). So, I guess it's a genetic thing. After a long drawn out process with dramatic good-byes, we managed to agree on 4 items to list on eBay. One's sold and 3 more to go.
Memories
Monday, 10 May 2010
I was going through all my photos on my hard drive and found these.
I was in my brother's car traveling from my sister's place in Palmerston North to Auckland which was a 6 hour journey. They were finally moving to Auckland after much persuasion. I remembered feeling rather carsick, thanks to my brother who thought he was racing the in the Grand Prix. Seeing the sinister looking cloud, I got him to stop the car to take a shot.
Lake Tekapo
We were heading to Queenstown but stopped at Lake Tekapo for a breather. I rented a 2 bedroom apartment in Queenstown and took my parents to Queenstown to spend our Christmas there. It was rather cold despite being smack in the middle of summer. The apartment was beautiful and the view from the balcony was stunning. We ate our dinners al fresco and made full use of the barbecue.
We drove along the coastal roads between Queenstown and Lake Wanaka that one night because I was obsessed with getting a sunset shot of the bay.
*sniff* Feeling a tad homesick after seeing these photos.
I was in my brother's car traveling from my sister's place in Palmerston North to Auckland which was a 6 hour journey. They were finally moving to Auckland after much persuasion. I remembered feeling rather carsick, thanks to my brother who thought he was racing the in the Grand Prix. Seeing the sinister looking cloud, I got him to stop the car to take a shot.
Lake Tekapo
We were heading to Queenstown but stopped at Lake Tekapo for a breather. I rented a 2 bedroom apartment in Queenstown and took my parents to Queenstown to spend our Christmas there. It was rather cold despite being smack in the middle of summer. The apartment was beautiful and the view from the balcony was stunning. We ate our dinners al fresco and made full use of the barbecue.
We drove along the coastal roads between Queenstown and Lake Wanaka that one night because I was obsessed with getting a sunset shot of the bay.
*sniff* Feeling a tad homesick after seeing these photos.
H(ermes) it Up
Wednesday, 5 May 2010
One of my favorite forums, The Purse Forum or otherwise known as TPF has a thread called H it up. Basically, members contribute photos of themselves complementing their outfits with Hermes accessories. Call us obsessed or weird but hey, I love the inspirational shots of all the ladies there. So here's my contribution for my newly acquired dresses.
Joules Navy ShirtDress
Repetto Flats
Hermes Buffalo Horn Necklace
Hermes Clic Clac Enamel Rouge H bracelet
Hermes Kelly 28cm Retourne
TopShop Smock Cotton Dress
Giuseppe Zanotti flats
Hermes leather belt
Hermes Kelly 25cm
Joules Navy ShirtDress
Repetto Flats
Hermes Buffalo Horn Necklace
Hermes Clic Clac Enamel Rouge H bracelet
Hermes Kelly 28cm Retourne
TopShop Smock Cotton Dress
Giuseppe Zanotti flats
Hermes leather belt
Hermes Kelly 25cm
Bank holiday weekend
Tuesday, 4 May 2010
We had the pleasure of hosting close friends of ours over the long weekend. I had all these exciting adventures planned and none eventuated due to the horrid weather. On the other hand, it was so lovely just sitting around the table, enjoying a good meal and chatting through the night.
tetrahedral Our bingeing session continued for the next 3 days. Our Sunday menu consisted of corn fed and free range chicken marinated in lemons, whole cloves of garlic, fresh thyme, extra virgin olive oil, sea salt and freshly ground pepper and roasted until it's tender. To accompany the main dish, we had organic beetroot cooked in its juices as well as a dash of extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, sea salt, freshly ground pepper and a sprinkle of fresh oregano. I then blanched petit pois and seasoned accordingly. As a treat and a promise to exercise twice as hard over the next few weeks, I decided to roast new potatoes and smothered them in goose fat. Our dessert was to be a marble cake which I baked earlier but we inhaled it within seconds after J and A's arrival.
I begged J and A to teach me how to make Zongzi or otherwise known as bak-chan (in Hokkien dialect) or rice dumpling. I remembered my grandmother sitting on the stool and making dozens of these Zongzis. I never learned (wasn't interested in cooking in those days) but I always hung around when the Zongzis were ready to be eaten. To cut a long story short, Zongzis are eaten during the Dragon Boat festival which falls on the 5th day of the 5th month of the Chinese Calendar. This is to commemorate the death of a patriot and famous poet Qu Yuan from the Chu kingdom who committed suicide by drowning in a river. Zongzis were thrown into the river so that the fish would leave his body alone. Since we're Southerners, our Zongzis tend to be more of a tetrahedral shape.
I was a complete disaster at wrapping and tying so poor J and A were left to the task. My only contribution was stewing the pork belly which was used as the filling and of course, *burp* eating the final result.
tetrahedral Our bingeing session continued for the next 3 days. Our Sunday menu consisted of corn fed and free range chicken marinated in lemons, whole cloves of garlic, fresh thyme, extra virgin olive oil, sea salt and freshly ground pepper and roasted until it's tender. To accompany the main dish, we had organic beetroot cooked in its juices as well as a dash of extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, sea salt, freshly ground pepper and a sprinkle of fresh oregano. I then blanched petit pois and seasoned accordingly. As a treat and a promise to exercise twice as hard over the next few weeks, I decided to roast new potatoes and smothered them in goose fat. Our dessert was to be a marble cake which I baked earlier but we inhaled it within seconds after J and A's arrival.
The things I miss about New Zealand....
Monday, 3 May 2010
It's a given that I miss my family and friends when I moved half way round the world. What I also miss is Karen Walker. For those who don't know this amazing and talented Kiwi (New Zealander) designer, check out www.karenwalker.com.
I treasure every single piece of Karen Walker I've ever purchased. She has the most amazing sale twice a year. Everything for NZD $150 or under. She designs clothes for women and puts a lot of thoughts into her collections. Her clothes are easy to wear (none of that fumbling around trying to get in or out or zip up), edgy but timeless and unique. My wedding dress was an ivory grecian evening dress from her Spring/Summer collection and cost me only NZD $350 at the sale. Her salespeople at the stores have been with her for years and years. My favorite sales associate has worked at the Newmarket store for close to 10 years. Here are some of her designs from her previous and current collections which I covet.
I treasure every single piece of Karen Walker I've ever purchased. She has the most amazing sale twice a year. Everything for NZD $150 or under. She designs clothes for women and puts a lot of thoughts into her collections. Her clothes are easy to wear (none of that fumbling around trying to get in or out or zip up), edgy but timeless and unique. My wedding dress was an ivory grecian evening dress from her Spring/Summer collection and cost me only NZD $350 at the sale. Her salespeople at the stores have been with her for years and years. My favorite sales associate has worked at the Newmarket store for close to 10 years. Here are some of her designs from her previous and current collections which I covet.
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