Saturday afternoon in London

Since it was such a lovely day on Saturday, I decided to join the hordes of tourists in London. I must have suffered temporary insanity when I jumped onto the train to London with Little L because there are literally thousands of young students from France, Italy and Spain who'd arrived en masse to the UK to study English. Some were only 9 years of age sent to stay with hospitable but slightly bewildered English host families who didn't realize they'd be getting kids this young. It's hard to miss them as they tend to congregate on the streets, in front of Harrods, and pretty much everywhere I turned. I'm not complaining as the UK needs an injection of cash. I battled the crowds just so that I could check if Bluebird on King's Rd has received a new shipment of Isabel Marant's autumn/winter collection. Pretty mad when a phone call should suffice.

Both myself and my mini me are foodies so there's no way we could walk down King's Rd, Chelsea without checking out the weekend market on the Duke of York square. There's an incredible array of delectable international cuisine on display. Every shopkeeper was offering little morsels of temptation to taste. I would've gladly spend £50 on food alone if I didn't have to worry about carrying them for the next 6 hours. It's not an easy feat lugging tons of shopping bags while chasing a 5 year old on her scooter.



I've yet to find a baklava that topped the ones I'd tasted in Hydra, Greece.



These are adorable but I'm all cupcaked out.



I had a taste of their chocolate chip cookies but I have to say, the ones I'd baked, thanks to the recipe on Jo Pratt's book "In the mood for food" are tons better.




I was very tempted to try these Moroccan bread with lamb tagine all wrapped up inside. I'll definitely give them a go on my next trip back to the market.




Nothing makes Little L happier than being surrounded by food.




I just HAD to take a photo of these Hello Kitty banner. Even I got sucked into the Hello Kitty hype. I wasn't too impressed by their sushi selection though.



I have a love-hate relationship with tomatoes. I detest tasteless soggy slices of tomatoes which can be found in most of the store bought sandwiches. However, there's nothing I love more than sweet and tangy cherry tomatoes sprinkled with a teeny bit of salt and then drizzled with extra virgin olive oil.



The Vietnamese style laksa at Phat Phuc was scrumptious so this time round, I had pretty high expectations for their pho. To my disappointment, the prawn roll was pretty tasteless and the beef pho broth was salty. In addition, the slices of beef were rather tough and it was almost akin to chewing rawhide. Little L didn't seem to have any complaints and inhaled everything placed before her.






I decided to pop into Chanel at Sloane St to check out their necklaces. I didn't have much luck the previous week and things weren't looking up this week either. There were throngs of Asian tourists milling around in the shop waiting to be served. The security lady was curt and couldn't answer a single question (how long is the wait?), stating that all she does was guard the door. Next up was Hermes which was a delightful experience after Chanel. I've had 3 friendly sales associates walking up to me asking if I require any assistance. I spied a Collier de Chien bracelet in fawn and palladium which I'm sure will be snapped up within a day. Other than a couple of Picotin, Marwari and Victoria bags, there wasn't anything that caught my eye.



I love the design of the Steve bag. It's a stunning bag albeit a very heavy one.



Only an ostentatious store like Harrods would have their own carriage and footmen (do correct me if I'm wrong). I'm not a fan of Harrods, a store with so many strange rules (backpacks must be carried by hand, no large bags etc etc) that it's more troublesome to enter the store. The building is made up of numerous windowless and claustrophobic rooms. Trying to find your way around is like figuring your way through a maze. However, I can't fault their customer service. I did a mad 10 minute dash through the beauty counters while hubby stood outside with Little L's scooter (NO SCOOTERS IN HARRODS, announced the vigilant security guard).



The SA at the Chanel counter persuaded me to try Paradoxal, an iridescent purple varnish with a grey undertone instead of Vendetta, a deeper purple shade which apparently is more suited to winter. I tried it on as soon as I got home and was rather pleased with the color. I'd bought a Bobbi Brown pot rouge cream for cheeks and lips a few months back and it'd worked well during the colder months. My skin's naturally oily particularly in summer so it's back to powder blusher again. I was recommended Nectar, a pink coral blush this time and thought I'd give it a go. So far so good.....

Gifts For Her under £25

Previously, I'd compiled a list of gifts under £10. However, there are times when you've got to spend a little bit more so I decided to put together yet another list. This time I've included goodies that cost no more than £25.

1. Laduree Sucre: The Recipes £22.50
Their macarons are like manna from heaven. Now you can have access to their recipes in a beautifully bound book.

2. Chanel: Collections and Creations £14.48
Any Chanel lovers would be delighted to get this book.

3. Benefit Cosmetics "Big Beautiful Eyes" £24.50 
These shades are universally flattering.

4. Alessi Minou Purse Hook £13.50
£25 won't get you a handbag but every purseaddict know the importance of a purse hook. These are a lifesaver. I don't fancy putting my bags on the floor so these come very handy especially when you're in a restaurant.

5. Caudalie Beauty Elixir £11
The name says it all! One spray promises an instant burst of radiance.

6. Chanel Le Vernis Nail Color £17.50
No woman in her right mind will turn down a bottle of Chanel nail varnish.

7. Cavallini City Guide Notebook - Paris £10
The notebook comes complete with important addresses as well as a map of the metro. It's the perfect gift for a Francophile.

Naughty Chocolate Fudge Cake

Lately, I've had a stream of visitors come through my flat. Among them, were two Korean students from our church who were dying for Asian food. After a diet of mostly potatoes and ramen noodles for 6 months, they were ecstatic to get an invitation for an authentic Malaysian meal. While one of them entertained Little L with her impressive repertoire of arts and crafts, the other ended up helping me in the kitchen. Yup, that's me. I get my guests to work for their supper. 

Little L came out of her room in her new "sandals" courtesy of our Korean friends

I was racking my brain for a dessert that would satisfy everyone. Luckily, I came across the Naughty Chocolate Fudge Cake recipe. It has got to be the easiest chocolate cake recipe I've ever come across. You literally dump all the dry ingredients in one bowl, the wet in the other and mix the two together. The result is a moist, light and absolutely delicious cake. Just so you know, I made my own icing as I don't like overly sweet cakes. For the ganache, I melted an entire bar of Green and Black cooking chocolate into 75g of unsalted butter and beat the mixture with 130g of icing sugar and a drop of semi skimmed milk. You can try different variations of frosting to suit your taste. As usual, I've decreased the sugar by at least 30%.

Mulberry Carter Vs Chanel Reissue Camera bag

Are my eyes deceiving me? When I first saw Mulberry's latest creation, the Carter, I had to do a double take. Is it or is it not a carbon copy of Chanel Reissue Camera bag minus the diamond quilting? The Carter has the same rectangular shape, chain strap and front pocket. Mulberry has had an exponential growth particularly after the launching of the Alexa bag (many thanks to Alexa Chung) which saw the craze sweeping amongst the fashion conscious crowd worldwide. The Bayswater is a staple amongst many ladies in the UK. So why oh why couldn't they come up with something more original? I won't be surprised if Chanel files a lawsuit for blatantly stealing their design. It looks like the Carter is a big hit with the celebrities already.

Photo credits: Mulberry and fashionphile

Photo credits: Daily Mail

Summer necessities

After all the whinging and whining about getting SAD (seasonal affective disorder), the sun has finally decided to shine on this part of the world. Funny how my mood has improved tremendously since yesterday. Although it's nowhere near as hot as the US at the moment (I don't know how you guys are surviving the horrendous heat), there are 3 things I can't do without.







1. The hat
This has been a lifesaver because although I love the sun, I suffer terrible migraines. It doesn't help that black hair absorbs heat faster than my super duper Amway wok my mom bought me. Thanks to my lovely genes, I not only have to contend with size 34 feet, I have smaller than the average head. Anyone who tries to find a hat with a 52cm circumference will know exactly what I mean. This is the ONLY hat that sits on my puny head. However, I still need to tie my hair back in a ponytail and then jam it in to hold the darn hat in place. I think the trilby can look good on just about everyone.

2. Sunglasses
Reason? Same as above. Hat + massive sunglasses =  reduced glare which also = no migraines. While I'm taking preventative measures, I won't say no to Chanel sunglasses (thank you, hubby!). Mine has prescriptive lenses as I'm rubbish with contact lenses.

3. Neutrogena sunscreen
Ever since I bought my first tube, I've been hooked. These are the only ones that are completely non greasy, glides like silk and are relatively inexpensive. While I do tan a little, I don't get all that brown. What I don't get is the ubiquitous whitening lotions, particularly in Asia. I've had salesladies who try to foist these products on me. If I get any whiter, I'll look just like those vampires in Twilight.

An Insider's Guide to Paris by Sandrine

I've been to Paris on six different occasions yet each time, I left with a feeling that there were so much more I've yet to see. I've always wanted to find out all the favorite local haunts that remain undiscovered by tourists. To my delight, Sandrine and Tiphaine, my two Parisienne friends who are now based in the UK happily agreed to subject themselves to my torture. I will feature Tiphaine's interview at a later date.


We'll be spending a week in Paris soon so these tips couldn't have come at a better time. I'm looking forward to checking out all the places that Sandrine has mentioned. Paris is a fashion mecca for those of us Francophiles who revere the names Hermes, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Laduree to name a few. Let's not forget the incredible French cuisine, architecture, art and multiculturalism all represented here in this city. I hope you have fun reading these tips. Many thanks to lauraloo and febster for their help with the questions.

Sandrine

View of Paris from the top of Eiffel Tower

1. In your opinion, what are the 5 must sees in Paris and why?

La Tour Eiffel (view from the Trocadero)

Metro: Trocadero

At the age of 18, I moved from my small village in Southern France to Paris to seek freedom and adventure. Young and alone in the big city of Paris, the Tour Eiffel was for me, a comforting figure and a reminder of endless opportunities. I would get up at dawn and go to Le Trocadero to reflect on my life under the attentive eye of “Miss” Eiffel as the day rose. Today, I still think the Trocadero is the best place to view the Tower for the first time. Then it is an easy walk down through the Gardens and across the River Seine to end up at the feet of this glorious building. 

Le Musee d’Orsay

1 Rue Belle chasse, 75007 Paris - 01 45 49 42 33

The history of the museum is quite unusual as it used to be a former railway station. It was built for the Universal Exhibition of 1900). The building is magnificent and is situated in the Centre of Paris, on the Seine River Banks, opposite the Tuileries Gardens. I especially enjoyed their Impressionist Collection.

Le Musee Rodin

79 Rue de Varenne, 75007 Paris - 01 44 18 61 10 - Metro : Varenne or Invalide

The house and especially the garden are a lovely oasis of peace in the centre of Paris. Rodin’s sculptures are beautiful and sensual. You can view Rodin’s most famous sculptures including Le Penseur (The Thinker) and Le Baiser (The Kiss) among other famous pieces. Who could resist Le Baiser, a very romantic destination indeed!

Le Musee du Louvre

Place du Louvre, 75001 Paris - 01 40 20 50 50 - Metro: Palais Royal - Musee du Louvre

It goes without saying that you cannot go to Paris without visiting Le Louvre. But due to the overwhelming size of it, I would suggest not to be too ambitious and select before end the sections you would like to visit. If the prospect of an exhausting day in a crowed place is too daunting, only come to see the building from the outside. The building itself is a piece of history. It was originally built as a fortress in the 13^th Century and rebuilt in the 16^th Century as a royal residence. In 1793, the Revolutionary Convention turned it into the first national museum. In the 1980s, Francois Mitterand our then President decided to revamp the museum and commissioned the Pyramid. I still remember the controversy surrounding the project at the time, but like most people, I believe the Pyramid is a success and complement the old palace. 

Notre Dame de Paris/ Le Sacre Cœur

(Notre Dame : 6 Place Parvis Notre Dame, 75004 Paris - 01 56 81 14 20 - Metro : Cite)

(Le Sacre Cœur : Place du Terte, 75018 Paris - 01 53 41 89 00 - Metro : Anvers or Abbesses)

One is a Gothic Cathedral that took almost 200 years to build between 1163 to 1345, the other is a Romanesque-Byzantine style basilica that took 40 years to build in the 19^th century. Those 2 churches and their surrounding cannot be more different but both are equally worth visiting. Notre Dame de Paris is located in the Ile de la Cite, a very posh area of Paris, close to the Seine River. Not too far is “le quartier latin” (the latin area) where the Sorbonne University is located. The basilica of the Sacred Heart is located to the highest point in Paris, the Butte Montmarte (Montmarte Hill) where you have a lovely view of Paris. During the 19^th to the early 20^th century, Montmartre was a place where painters such as Pissaro, Toulouse-Lautrec, Van Gogh, Picasso and many others met. The place has kept a village atmosphere but is a bit too touristy for my taste. 

Gargoyle (Notre Dame) pondering over the view of Paris

2. What are Paris' best kept secrets?

Le Cafe Maure de la Mosquee de Paris (The Great Mosque)

Rue Saint Hilaire, 75005 Paris - 01 43 31 18 14 

The Café Maure d is a North African cafe and tea room located within La Grande Mosquee de Paris and serves wonderful traditional pastries and mint teas.I used to go there with friends to enjoy a lovely mint tea and relax in the beautiful exotic surrounding.

3. Eating places popular with locals. And Boulangerie?

La Boulangerie du Moulin Vert 

Rue du Moulin Vert, Rue des Plantes, 750014 Paris

This boulangerie is not located in a tourist area, so not sure how many of you would like to go there just for their pain au chocolat, but if you do, you won’t be disappointed.

Hediard, Fauchon, Dalloyau

Of course, you also have all the “epicerie fine” that sell extremely refined food and wine, it is great for bringing presents back home. The most famous are Hediard, Fauchon, Dalloyau. Shops are scattered all over Paris and it would be too long for me to list all of them, but I am sure you can easily find their locations. I was a bit disappointed by Fauchon last time I went there to buy some Madeleines. 

Vietnamese restaurants (13eme)

I was introduced to Vietnamese food by my friend Dorothee who had many Vietnamese friends. As student we used to go to China Town and gorged ourselves with Pho (Vietnamese noodle soup with beef and coriander). I definitely recommend Vietnamese food in France. It is excellent thanks to the large Vietnamese community in France.

Creperies

I love creperies! Savoury French pancakes are delicious with a large selection of fillings. This is great with a glass of cidre (slightly alcoholic apple drink). And then you finish the meal with a sweet pancake. This is very French (the galettes de sarasin - savoury pancake - are originally from Brittany), delicious and cheap. It is not fine dining but a lovely meal out. 

4. What would you consider as quintessentially French?

To be honest, I am not sure.

5. Where do most Parisiennes prefer to shop? 

I would say, the easiest places are Le Printemps and Galeries Lafayette, close to the Opera. Those big department stores are elegant, beautiful and very convenient with all you need under one roof. Service is not great, as sometime arrogant sale assistants would look the other way when you try to get their attention. 

6. Which area (where) would you recommend if I want to rent an apartment for a week? I'd like an authentic French experience and avoid places that only cater to tourists. In addition, I'd like an area that's not too far from the main attractions, restaurants, shops as well as child-friendly.

There are several areas of Paris which I like, le Quartier Latin (Latin Quarter, area of Sorbonne University, not too far from Notre Dame de Paris and quartier St Germain); le Marais (the Gay quarter of Paris - station Hotel de Ville or Saint Paul), Opera Bastille where the modern Opera is located. All those areas are fun, with lots of cafés, restaurants and shops.

7.  Both of you know that I'm such a handbag girl, which brands do Parisiennes tend to buy?

Longchamp is a popular choice. Nice, practical bags at very reasonable prices. Louis Vuitton is also popular if you have a bit more cash to spend.

8. What's your number one simple pleasure that can be found in Paris? 

Going to le Musee du Parfum and buy Fragonard perfume. The museum and his boutique are located on 39 Boulevard des Capucines, 75009 Paris - 01 42 60 37 14 

Staff are lovely and helpful.

9. Paris splurge and steal: What's one thing you love to splurge on in Paris (food, a special spa treatment, drink, etc..)

As mentioned above, my little treat is a little trip to Fragonard boutique. I also cannot resist going to the Trocadero to say “hello” to Miss Eiffel. My 2 sons love the Eiffel Tower too, so this always a must-see for us.

10. Paris is considered to be a very expensive city to travel to and live in. What's one little known Paris steal or bargain that you want to share with others?

Maybe because I've lived in Paris for 5 years when I was a student, and maybe because I always stay with friends when I visit again, I don’t find Paris more expensive than anywhere else.

11. Where do you go in Paris to find a bit or serenity or peace and quiet when you need it? 

The Seine River banks. I’ve always find the river bank a romantic place, it is even better at night, with the lights reflecting on the water. 

Les jardins du Trocadero, as metioned before I love this area. 

Les Buttes de chaumont. This a lovely hilly park. Unfortunately you cannot sit on the grass in France.

12. What does Parisian-Chic mean to you?

I generally find the French women has a good sense of what suit them. They don’t necessarily follow the fashion but develop their own style that suits their body shape. They seem to manage to mix all and new effortlessly.  (I love this answer!!)

Autumn/Winter jackets

I know I keep harping on and on about jackets but seriously, a beautifully tailored jacket can enhance an outfit. I seem to have developed a rather unhealthy obsession for jackets with character.  I know we're only just approaching the summer months so I should be thinking about dresses and sandals (sorry, bikinis aren't part of my fashion vocabulary unless I have Gisele Bunchen's body). Lately, we've been getting a spate of bad weather with temperature dropping faster than my souffle experiment. So it's back to boots and coats again. Drats.

I've diagnosed myself with having SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) or otherwise known as Winter blues. In this case, I'll call it Bad Summer Weather disorder. My brother who's a GP often shakes his head when I tell him my afflictions, all self-diagnosed with the help of the internet.  I mean, who needs a doc when you've got the internet, right? Just kidding.

Let's go back to my current preoccupation with autumn/winter jackets. I'm afraid it's yet another list because I can't help myself. Virtual lists and cyber window shopping are FREE and non calorie inducing activities.  Hence, they're two of my favorite pastimes.

Photo credit: Isabel Marant Lexy jacket £265 available at Ruby & Tallulah, Patrizia Pepe tweed jacket £295 available at Flannels Fashion, Burberry Trench coat £795 available at Burberry, Iro Agnette boucle jacket £290 available at Net-A-Porter

Gifts under £10

I can't deny that I find shopping for gifts a pain. It's the guessing, trying to figure out what the recipient will like without breaking the bank. In fact, I was discussing with fellow moms about thank you gifts for the teachers. I was stumped. Since there were so many teachers to buy for, we had to be budget sensibly. So I decided to set myself a challenge to find interesting gifts with a budget no more than £10. It helps that we're right towards the tail of the sale season when retailers are desperately slashing prices to get rid of their spring/summer stock.

1. The Bodyshop Jasmine & White Frangipani scented candle £10. Their natural candles with essential oils are paraffin free without the exorbitant price attached.

2. Liberty print Floral notebook £9. A pretty journal in a floral Liberty print.

3. Denby "Linen" teacup and saucer £4.48. Denby is synonymous with superior quality. At this price, you can buy a set of 2 and throw in a box of tea bags for £10.

4. Griffin Aircurve Accoustic Amplifier for iPhone £6.95. These amplifies your music but requires no charging, battery nor electricity.

5. Cath Kidston Provence Rose cosmetic bag £6. I have a similar toiletry bag and it's fantastic for travelling. Despite its small size, you can fit a lot in there and it's waterproof inside out.

6. Magnolia Bakery Cookbook £9.34. I've tried their recipes and was blown away. I'm sure those who are keen bakers will be delighted to get this cookbook.

7. Montezuma Organic Stack £9.49. These handmade organic chocolates come in a stack of 4 will surely satisfy any chocoholics.

8. Pierre Herme macarons starting from 4.50€.  No one in their right mind would ever turn down an offering from Pierre Herme.

9. O.P.I Mini Texas Collection £7.95. You'll have the prettiest lil toes in no time.

10. Russian Doll measuring cups £9.95. No it's a set of Matryoshkas. No, they're measuring cups. Hang on, they're both.

Making a difference

The events over the past couple of weeks have got me thinking. How easy it is to submerge ourselves in our frantic lives to the exclusion to all those around us. Or to fill our days with frivolities and superfluous activities that make us temporarily happy. While the acquisition of material goods fulfills our superficial desires, I think there's a part in all of us that wonders if we will make a difference before we depart this earth.

My apologies for the heavy and slightly morbid topic. This is a small reminder to myself to remember every now and then to peer beyond my self contained bubble of a life. I may be a tomboy in my past life (desperately trying to forget the gawky teenage years with a fringe teased into the shape of a bird's nest and hardened with so much hairspray, you couldn't crack it with a hammer) but I love shoes, handbags, make up and clothes like every other girl out there. I still tremble with excitement when I remember the day I first set eyes on my Birkin after 3 years of waiting. But nothing is more thrilling or fulfilling than knowing that you've made a difference in someone's life. It could be listening without being judgemental, offering a shoulder to cry on, mentoring a young graduate who's desperately looking for a job or perhaps encouraging someone who has been kicked to the ground so often, they think they're worthless.

As I look around the circle of friends and acquaintances around me, there are many who had been hurt by discrimination, painful circumstances and rejection. Myself included. It doesn't cost me anything other than my time and perhaps, a cup of coffee to listen and show that I care. In certain parts of the UK, class divisions can be so distinctive that one is categorized into an appropriate group within minutes depending on your accent, diction, education, background and clothes. But I think one mustn't forget that the color of your blood is no different to that of a princess or an aristocrat. Furthermore, cancer knows no boundaries. As a Chinese proverb goes, wealth does not pass three generations. Who knows the person who makes coffee and picks up the mail for everyone in the company may well be its General Manager one day? And sometimes one good deed may change a person's life. 

Rainy Days

The weather here has been so unpredictable that the temperature seems to swing from one extreme to the other like a pendulum. It could be so hot that anything more than a light floaty dress or a pair of shorts seem almost unmanageable. Conversely, it could be raining every single day which is EXACTLY what has been happening for the past week. 

Thankfully, my new Gloverall duffle coat arrived just in time because I haven't stopped wearing it for the last 2 days. I was rather surprised to get several inquiries from friends wanting to know where they can purchase it. It seems that there are others just like me who prefer to look fairly decent in the rain rather than schlepping around town in ugly raincoats.

Outfit: Gloverall Wax cotton duffle coat, Petit Bateau striped top, Hermes belt, Uniqlo jeans, Hermes Thalassa Birkin 30, Repetto ballet flats.

These black Repetto ballet flats just arrived in the post today. I was thrilled that I only had to pay £56 instead of £165. I try to avoid paying full retail price unless I absolutely have to. I've recently noticed that Repetto sizing can be a little inconsistent. In the past, I'd only ever bought size 35s but I found the patent ones a little snug and stiff. I bought a pair from Repetto's flagship store on Rue de la paix last year and these have a little more toe cleavage than the ones I'd purchased. They turned out to be way too tight. Mistake number 2: do not buy shoes earlier in the day because by late afternoon, your feet would've swelled. These are size 36 which are a little big but after making a few adjustments with the leather laces, they seem to fit much better.

Since it feels like autumn EVERY SINGLE DAY, I'm glad that there's an abundance of summer produce. These green olives are the best I'd ever eaten. They're from the farmer's market and are so different from the usual soggy and salty crap that comes from a can. They're crunchy, luscious and oh so delicious after being marinated in basil, garlic and lemon. I love the sweet tartiness of the vine ripened cherry tomatoes with fresh mozzarella, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and a touch of balsamic vinegar. 

In search of an Anorak

I have an aversion to carrying umbrellas. More often than not, I get distracted and I leave my umbrella behind. I got sick and tired of replacing them so in the end, I just don't bother carrying one at all. The only problem is it rains A LOT in the UK. I've been drenched on many occasions. I resemble a soggy cat with wet hair plastered to my scalp like a cap and make up running down my face. I've been relying on my Burberry quilted jacket for the past 2.5 years. It's a wonderful jacket which I picked up for, get this, £40 from their sample sale (instead of £395) but waterproof it's not. *sigh* Sad to say this but they stopped running their sample sales last year.

Perhaps I'm vain because none of the sporty looking parkas appeal to me. I'm all for North Face and Columbia jackets on days when I'm trekking into the mountains. Which I will avoid like the plague. The ones sold at High St stores look cute but aren't waterproof which defeats the purpose of wearing them. I went really cheap and got a blue polyester raincoat from Asos for £12. This was truly a case of "you get what you pay for". I wore it once. Cost per wear: £12. Yup, that made it an extremely expensive raincoat which not only was as ugly as sin, it was bloody uncomfortable.

There are ones that are so remarkably shapeless (who designed those crap!) I look like I'm wearing a sackcloth. I'm not tall and thin. Heck, I'm not even short and thin (rotund comes to mind particularly after a meal) so a waterproof coat with a nipped in waist really helps to create an illusion of a curvy silhouette. A hoodie attached is a must for practical reasons. Seeing this is the sale season after all, it's a good time to invest in a good raincoat at a discount. I have a budget of £150 which I feel is rather generous . It's recession after all. With utility and food bills rising faster than wages, one has to be sensible. I've seen a few strong contenders but they're no good for spring and summer months. I just happened to see this Gloverall Wax Cotton duffle coat on sale while doing some virtual window shopping. Perhaps this may be the answer to my prayers.

Photo credit: Gloverall Wax Cotton Duffle Coat available at Coggles £112.50

New discoveries on Kings Rd, Chelsea

On Saturday, we made a short trip to London with the hope of catching up with a girlfriend of mine. Instead, we were caught in a torrential downpour having to squelch down Kings Rd in wet socks and shoes, Little L flying across the footpath and landed on her knees after being accidentally tripped by a very apologetic passerby and half dragging and half carrying the poor child who was complaining of painful knees (she did pretty well in school sprints and obstacle race the day before) and terrible blisters on both her feet. In the end, I had to cancel my dinner plans which I've been so looking forward to and hurried back home with the bedraggled child in tow.

Despite the rather unfortunate events, Little L and I managed to explore and discover the little pockets of Chelsea. My first stop was Petit Bateau. To my surprise, they had a huge cardboard display of photos taken by none other than Garance Dore.  She's an insanely awesome photographer and writes the funniest and most candid blog. What a wonderful collaboration! Of course I'm biased since most of my basics come from Petit Bateau and Garance Dore's one of my favorite bloggers.






As you know my current obsession with Isabel Marant Dicker boots (and all her jackets but let's not go there for now). I was surprised that Comptoir des Cotonniers has launched a similar looking pair. Check out the photo below but do ignore the droplets of rain. Little L admonished me for taking such a terrible photo but hey, I was wet, cold and hungry. I was too frazzled to go in to check the price. The heels look like they're slightly higher than the Dicker.






I had a mission and nothing, even being caught in the rain with a bored little girl in tow was going to stop me from finding The Shop At Bluebird. I kid you not. That is the name of the shop. It is one amazing shop with carefully edited collections from Jason Wu, Isabel Marant, Balenciaga, Rick Owens, Missoni to name a few. They literally have all my holy grails in one spacious shop complete with a spa, salon, furniture, mini bookstore, deli and cafe attached. I guess you could call it your one stop shop. The sales associates are wonderful to deal with. I managed to sneak in a shot (the SA reluctantly agreed but I felt guilty nonetheless). Lauraloo, I'm dragging you here the minute your plane lands in London! I could happily spend half a day here but Little L who has been patiently following me around with nary a complaint was starting to get hunger pangs. You know what they say about hungry kids. They turn rabid in a blink of an eye.






Off we went to search for a place where we could rest our weary legs and fill our tummies. I spied a red signboard with the words "Phat Phuc Vietnamese Noodle Bar" right next to a small florist counter on the roadside. I haven't had good Vietnamese or Cambodian food since we left NZ so that'll do. The noodle bar turned out to be this tiny hole in the wall with tables and chairs in the courtyard. I had my misgivings when I placed my order seeing photos of celebrities who'd eaten there before. Usually it's all hype without any substance if you get my drift. The food turned out to be fantastic and cheap. I ordered the Vietnamese version of laksa which I adore. The broth was thick and incredibly tasty with a generous serving of King prawns. Little L scarfed down her roast duck pancake within seconds. The pancake cost £4 and my laksa was only £6.95. I have a feeling we'll be making plenty more trips to this noodle bar in the very near future.

My kid weighs just under 16 kgs. Let's just say she's scrawny but boy, can she pack it in. After we're stuffed to our gills, Little L suggested we look for "pudding". That's dessert to you and I. We stopped by Paul for a slice of their delicious but light chocolate cake and washed down with a gigantic glass of passionfruit and mango frappe. I hope you've enjoyed our little adventure in London.



See that tall glass of frappe. The entire content vanished into one little girl's tummy. Guess she must have an oversized bladder.

Frances: Part 2

4. You have one of the most unique and spectacular costume jewellery collection I've ever seen. How did this all started?

Goodness, thank you! There is little doubt in my mind that Turkish costume jewellery is spectacular, even if it is not to everyone's taste. It tends to be large in scale, bright and asymmetrical. There is also an established bead culture there. Turkish women and men of all classes make jewellery. My own collection grew as I kept copies of all the designs I have created which I continue to wear.



Pot: Afghan. Made by Frances. Birds are from Benares. a city in India. Lapis Lazuli purchased in Turkey. Blue birds carved lapis Afghan.



Armenian designed ring, purchased in Istanbul, in lapis lazuli box carved in Afghanistan

Bought in Turkey. Perhaps of Indian origin. Dyed agate or low grade rubies on tribal turq

5. You also make your own jewellery and had a business selling your own designs when you were living in Turkey. Can you tell me more about this?

There is a specific bead market in Ankara and you can buy wonderful beads in the Kapali Carsi and elsewhere. The beads in Turkey come from all over the world and I purchased most that you see in the photos in Turkey. India also has a wonderful bead culture. Fabulous beads from Kashmir with tiny mirrored work on them, clay animal shapes from Benares and glass beads galore. The beading started whilst I was recovering from an operation. I had purchased some basic materials and knew how to put a clasp on but had not got round to starting any necklaces. So soon after surgery with some down time  I literally started at the kitchen table and was hooked! Turkish jewellery was so omnipresent, so inspiring. I immediately seemed to veer towards Afghan beads and worked a great deal asymmetrically.

Afghan beads waxed with gold leaf

One day not too long after I started I decided to finish a piece at a coffee morning as 'multi tasker' is my middle name. I had this piece in an empty old yoghurt pot with other pieces I had recently finished and by the end of the morning I think about all of it the necklaces had been sold! I did not mean to sell them there, it was not in my mind before I went and I had to think of prices on the hoof a bit. I was simply making and experimenting and not even focusing on what to do with them all at that point.  I will never forget that morning seeing people's reactions, I was so surprised!

Then the awful happened. Like all works in progress I discovered the crimps I was using were not strong enough. I remember what I refer to now in badly chewed language as a 'receptionis horriblis' with five or maybe six ladies asking me to re-string their broken pieces and then one crashing apart at the event - all of them purchased from the yoghurt pot! What a nightmare! Further research revealed the ultimate crimp and the re-stringing began in earnest. From then on I was proud to see women with such different styles wearing things I had made to all sorts of events -  and no re-stringing!

Nepalese carved dragon bead. Underneath it, Indian silver tassel, agate (green), and coral beads

Hand made tiger beads from Benares, India, strung with coral and citrine hung on top of an Indian tiger pot. Purchased in Pakistan in 1996 in Swat valley.

6. You once mentioned that your grandparents spent sometime in Borneo. How fascinating! I'd love to hear more about this.

I was not close to them as a child, unmoved by my grandmother's remote personal style and almost physically afraid of her grisly string bean and lamb dinner. However, years later I found out about their extraordinary past in Borneo and so a brand new appreciation for both grandparents formed. If only they had sat with me as a child and talked about it!

My Scottish grandfather went off to manage a rubber plantation in Borneo some time in the mid to late 1920's I guess. He did that and then subsequently decided he needed a wife. He found one back in Scotland: not in the least bit decorative but very brave and I suspect quite resourceful. I think of them both journeying to Sabah through increasingly dense and isolated terrain. What can this red headed, short and short sighted woman from lowland Scotland have thought? At the time there were men with poisoned blow pipes around! Maybe they are still there!

My grandmother was persuaded to talk about her time there years later so I found out that my grandfather helped construct a local building, I believe a mosque and my grandmother had a real affection for orangutans, allowing at least one to sleep in her chest of draws! They were both prisoners of war, both survived and both went back for a subsequent tour. Given they had two children at that point, both born in what was then Jesselton (or known as Kota Kinabalu now), it was very questionable whether they should have returned. But they did, drawn by another world. I understand this draw now utterly. They belonged to a club which rooted them in a world they had come from but it is pretty clear from her memoirs that they both immersed themselves in native fauna and flora. I have no idea of their relationship with the locals.

Our time spent in Turkey is a very, very distant echo of these Empire like wanderings. In my heart I am a total nomad. I was not born in the UK and am not overly attached to it. I also like to think that I am not overly attached to material items but that could be self delusion! One day the wandering will start again, the bead collection will grow and hopefully the creativity go off in another direction inspired by a new country!

Frances: Part 1

I often bump into Frances during school runs which is not a difficult thing to do seeing our daughters are in adjacent classrooms. After months of seeing her wearing one incredible outfit after another, often complimented by beautiful one of a kind necklaces, I had to interview her. She has a devil may care attitude to dressing wearing pieces that are rare and extraordinary. She has the most remarkable way of wearing vibrant colors and making them work for her. I thought I had pretty crazy adventures but nothing compared to her! She along with her husband and two young daughters have been to remote villages infested with the Taleban. Frances also made some of the jewellery featured here. She can be contacted on [email protected] for any inquiries regarding her jewellery.  I'll let you read her story yourself.

1. You seem to have led such an exciting life. Can you tell me more about your life as an expat in Turkey?

Well, first off, thank you so much for giving me this opportunity to think about my life.  I have never thought about it as 'exciting' but now I am sitting down to reflect on my life experiences I can see there have been some very satisfying and interesting chunks to it. I lived in Turkey for four years with my family. We posted out to Ankara , the capital, in 2005. During our time in the city I thought of my expat existence as a sort of 'life finishing school'. I mentioned this to an extremely well travelled friend I met out there and she agreed. You meet so many nationalities on the expat circuit, well travelled individuals with such diverse life experience. You also attend a great deal of events. The formal ones are known as receptions (see my reception nightmare below) and are dressy, other events informal.

I should add that expat life could be very mundane in part. For example, some days I would do my teaching work and then shoot to Migros for groceries. The difference between the UK and living an expat life out there was that after Migros more than likely you would change and go out to meet all sorts of fascinating, and frankly not so fascinating people in the evenings.

 There were a lot of opportunities that I would not have here. For example, my mother had a stash of fabric purchased in Dickens and Jones of Regent Street back in the late fifties and early sixties. She had always meant to have it made up but never got round to it. I took most of it back to Ankara along with some dress patterns I selected from the 'Vintage Vogue' collection. I had the fabric made up by a wonderful tailor who loved working with the patterns and the fabric. I left all the patterns with her when I left. I recently wore one of these beautifully made outfits to a Buckingham Palace garden party. It was a 1950's pattern dress and jacket with a design of emerald green gerberas. The fabric is very eye catching and the outfit was certainly good enough! I wore it with a peacock fascinator, purchased to wear for a play I was in in Ankara. Great fun!

Dress worn to the Buckingham Palace

2. Where have you traveled to? Of all your adventures, what would be your most memorable experience? And the worst?

Oh my. Well, travelling to Pakistan in 1996 was a real eye opener. Frequently I would be the only observable female in the vicintiy. A memorable experience was using the shower in a guest house in the Swat Valley and the light going out due to power shortages. There was a hole for a window (no glass) but a very bright moon shining a distinct light. All was going well when in through this hole came an enormous black spider. My apologies to lovers of these creatures but the sheer size of it's thick black legs and bulging abdomen was too much for me. I bolted with only a very small thin cotton cloth making me decent, streaking onto the balcony like an ill fated palid shooting star. My (now) husband was chatting to some very local gentlemen on the balcony as they smoked nargiles. I guess he talked them through it. Not a good idea to bolt in such attire, in such company, in that country!

The worst? Well, there have been a few rum episodes: notably a dinner of two lollipops eaten in a concrete room under bright light with no water, sanitation or light switch in sight! Plus a gentleman not quite 'all there' remaining outside the door all night muttering and groaning. Or witnessing my much cherished electric toothbrush skitter down a large hole filled with excrement in Mysore, India. On the plus side you can never forget the Hindu Kush or apricots drying on the rooftops in the villages of Hunza. My two best nights ever have been sleeping out under the stars in deserts on Charpoi (string beds).

3. Your home is a treasure trove full of antiques and souvenirs handpicked from all over the world. Is there a particularly favorite piece? When did you start collecting these mementos?

The momento buzz really started when I was about seven but I could neither have afforded or shopped for them, being young, penniless and essentially tasteless! My mother took a very daring holiday in 1976 to Turkey in a camper van with two friends (not my father). She sent back a wonderful seventies post card of the Kapali Carsi, or covered market, in Istanbul. I still have this card. A lady in purple chiffon leans seductively over all sorts of copper vessels that I realised many, many years later were cezves, nargiles, yoghurt containers and all sorts. She stares out with outrageous amounts of kohl on her eyes, eyes that demand you buy these bits and pieces nestling under her bosom. Well, that post card did it! By the time I was twenty I had travelled to Jordan and on a separate occasion to Israel, both on a pittance, and come back with nothing from either country.

So I really started buying things when I was about twenty-four and found a wonderful metal Tibetan tea pot with dragons on in a shop in Upper Street, Islington. I found a beautiful lacquer Chinese work basket in a charity shop nearby and keep Uzbek textiles and tassels and a talisman in it now. I added saddlebags purchased from a young Afghani guy called Aziz at Camden Market, the Afghan pot in one of the pictures is also from him. One of my favourite pieces I purchased was a saddlebag mended with a sock. I loved that as  it showed the humanity of the piece. I use the past tense as it has never surfaced from Turkey and I guess was lost in shipping. I still think of it.

 I subsequently added bits and pieces from visits to India and Pakistan and my time in Turkey. I actually like to buy clothes from my all my travels and I wear everything I purchase. I have four treasured pieces: one is my now rather fragile nightgown which is an extremely  fine example of Chikan work from Lucknow, India. Traditionally Chikan work is white thread on cotton or muslin. The piece is beautiful light muslin heavily embroidered  and created for the Saudi male attire market. I had to have it.

Chikan white muslin nightgown

I treasure the two scarves  purchased from a Tibetan lady during a dust storm in Himachal Pradesh. A Tibetan opera was going on near the shop.They are both large pure silk Tibetan opera scarves, designed to be used in performance. Each scarf has two wonderful, fierce tigers on with vast claws and teeth and thick and satisfying hand rolled edges. I purchased the two she had, one for my much loved and extremely talented late aunt and one for me. My aunt had a marvellous eye for mementos. She could also upholster with kelims and make tassels. These scarves will be passed on through the family.

 Tibetan opera scarves

In winter I wear an antique Hungarian waistcoat purchased in Budapest, the leather is beautifully and skillfully embroidered. Such pieces will no longer be available soon I am sure.

 Hungarian vest. Take a note of the door handle. It's in the shape of an elephant trunk.

 

 I'll be back with Part 2 very soon!