Pass It Forward: 3 Bloggers

I can't wait to introduce these 3 fabulous ladies. Here we have a Kiwi, an Aussie and an American, all based in the US of A.

Jody of About Last Weekend is a fellow Kiwi whose blog I read religiously because 1) she understands my language. She knows what I'm jabbering about when I say bickies (biscuits), lollies (sweets), barbie (barbecue), gumboots (wellies),  tim tams (a type of biscuits) and JAFA (Just Another F**king Aucklander which I was until I moved to UK)  2) she's down to earth and a hoot to chat with even if it's online  3)  she's seriously funny. Like side splitting, gut busting type funny even when she's dishing out words of wisdom  4) she doesn't take herself too seriously   5) she's more toned and thinner than I will ever be despite being 50.

Hope in High Heels is a travel journal of an Aussie living in New York. She's from Melbourne, one of my favorite cities in the world where most of my friends are based so I'm a little biased. The combination of incredible photos and evocative writing makes me feel like I am right there beside her on her many trips as she explores the length and breadth of America. Her blog has taken me to places that I've always dreamed to go such as Memphis and New Orleans. I'll have to live vicariously through her until I have the opportunity to visit these places myself.

Sooae is the woman behind The Haute Cookie. Haute? I'm more inclined to rename her The HOT Cookie. She is a mom of 2 little girls. I mean just look at her. My jaw dropped to the ground when I first found out that bit of info. She's stunning, cooks like a dream and knows Chanel from back to front. Oh wait, there's more, she's also into home decor. She's the Asian version of Martha Stewart albeit far better looking.

7 Utility Jackets Under $250

It's not warm enough to step outside without a jacket. My current favorite for this season is definitely my Isabel Marant utility jacket. I'm sure I've harped on long enough here and here. The utility jacket is also known as military, field, surplus or army jacket. The mind boggles at the sheer number of names it's called.

I've found the army green color to be a great neutral as it goes with everything in my wardrobe. Red, blue, ecru, black, prints etc. I don't have to worry about mixing and matching which is something I'm not terribly good at.  It's incredible how versatile this simple and casual jacket can be. Pair it with a dress and wedge sandals and you get a feminine look. Swap the sandals with a pair of ankle boots to get a more rocker chic style. Most importantly, it has pockets. Lots of them. Enough to fit my junk so that I can get away without lugging a large bag.

A number of you have asked me about my Isabel Marant jacket. I'm afraid it's no longer available but I've pieced together a number of affordable options.

1. Topshop Army Shirt Hooded Jacket  $100
2. Paul & Joe Sister Spinner Jacket  $141.50
3. Ecote Classic Military Jacket  £75
4. Topshop Army Shirt Jacket  $96
5. Topshop Army Jacket  $96
6. Gap Boys' Convertible Utility Jacket  $36.99
7. Barbour Waxed Beadnell Utility Jacket $246

Quick & Easy Peking Roast Duck

I rate my trips based on the contentment of my stomach. I dragged the hubs on a month long backpacking adventure to China a decade ago covering Guangdong, Guizhou, Guiyang, Sichuan and our final stop, Beijing. We ate mostly at local restaurants or little hawker carts by the roadside. No trip to Beijing was complete without a taste of Peking Duck (or otherwise known as Beijing Roast Duck these days).

I was beyond excited about this restaurant which I was told to go because they served incredible Peking Duck. We queued up along with dozens of other locals. The queue was out the door, spilled into the streets and around the corner. I was lucky enough to pass as a local from the south but the poor hubs who has a thick Kiwi accent was told he was a xiang jiao (banana) by Beijingers - yellow on the outside, white on the inside. He spent the rest of our (okay, mine) amazing culinary experience being gawked at like an odd circus specimen. Poor dude.

I've had many Peking Ducks since but none came close to the one we had in Beijing. A variation of the Peking Duck has been in existence since the 13th century and was enjoyed by the Emperor as well as the upper class. It wasn't until the founder of Quanjude restaurant in Beijing developed the hung oven to roast the ducks in 1864 that contributed to the popularity of the Beijing roast duck. Furthermore, the fall of the Ching dynasty in 1911 enabled many Forbidden Palace chefs to set up their own restaurants that finally allowed the general public to enjoy the dish. The Quanjude chain must doing quacking well seeing that they sell well over 2 million roast ducks annually. The company is valued at slightly over US $1 billion.

The ducks used for this type of dish is actually from a variety called Pekin duck which originated in Nanjing. The preparation is extremely complicated which involved blowing hot air into the duck to separate the skin from the fat. The duck is then boiled, hung, glazed and then roasted. Whew! Seeing that I'm not a chef nor am I inclined to spend the next 48 hours trying to blow into the neck (ew!) and methodically going through all the different steps, I decided to create my own quick and easy version.
This is a bit of a cheat and may not be completely authentic. Nevertheless, it was delicious. It also involves little cleaning up - music to all mothers' ears.  





Please note that I don't normally measure ingredients as I tend to guesstimate so increase or decrease to suit your taste buds.


Ingredients (for 1 kg duck):
 4 sichuan peppers
2 tbsp five spice powder
2 slices of ginger


Basting sauce:
 3-4 tablespoons of soy sauce
3-4 tablespoons of honey
1 tablespoon of dry sherry or shaoxing wine

Other:
Several packets of chinese pancake
cucumber
scallions
carrots (if you've got kids to feed)
hoisin sauce

Method
1. Preheat oven at 200 degree Celsius.
2. Pop the duck onto a baking tray. Rub five spice powder all over the duck and chuck the sichuan pepper and ginger into the cavity.
3. Mix all the basting sauce ingredients together. Take a brush and gently baste the duck. Cover the top of the tray with aluminium foil to prevent the skin from burning.
4. Roast the duck in the oven and continue to baste the duck every 10-15 minutes. It takes approximately 2 hours to roast a 1kg duck. Take a skewer and slide it into the meatiest part of the duck (breast) and if the liquid that spurted out is clear, the duck is cooked. Remove the foil and continue to bake for another 15 minutes till the skin is brown throughout. Remove from oven and let the duck rest for 10-15 minutes.
5. Using your fingers or tongs, remove the meat from the cavity.
6. Steam the pancakes. You can microwave them as long as you cover the pancakes to prevent them from drying out.
7. Slice the cucumbers, carrots and scallions (spring onions) into long thin strips. Scoop a couple of tablespoons of hoisin sauce into a small bowl.
8. Put a couple slices of duck meat and the accompanying vegetables and sauce on the pancake. Fold and eat.

New in Box Hermes Kelly Parchemin Retourne 32cm

A client just shipped this beauty to me. A brand spanking new Hermes Kelly in retourne style. The relaxed and slouchy design is my favorite as I can pack more into the bag. The Parchemin color isn't easy to get these days. The togo leather is virtually indestructible.

The stunning Kelly Rutherford has a similar Kelly which is often seen on her arms. The brand new Hermes Kelly is available here for £8299.

Pass It Forward: 3 Bloggers

I'm starting a new series every Friday called Pass It Forward featuring 3 bloggers that I admire and regularly follow. I often stumble upon incredible blogs via Twitter or comments that had been left or through other social media platforms. I get so excited by my "discoveries" and then realize there are no proper channels to openly share this other than through my blog. So here it is.

Photo credit: Insideology

Annie of Insideology

A woman of many talents. Interior decor enthusiast. A walking encyclopedia of UK. Heck, she even managed to make Baker St station, the oldest tube station in the UK sound so intriguing that I'm planning to pop in just to check it out on my next visit to London. Frankly, what she doesn't know about this country is well, not worth knowing. Really.

Photo credit: The Habit

Tee of The Habit

Teresa or otherwise known as Tee looks like a model. Dresses like one too. I would've hated her if she wasn't such a sweetheart. This lady has a heart of gold. Her photos are what I call out of this world. If I could rate them between 1 to 10, it would be a definite 15. Oops. Never claimed to be good at math. This is the one blog to check if you suffer from an addiction to Isabel Marant clothes. Like me.

Photo credit: Susie So So

Susie of Susie So So

Susie So So is a journal chronicling the fashion journey and life of Susie. I was hooked and gripped by her writing the very first time I set eyes on her blog. She never fails to make me laugh with her self deprecating and witty remarks. Her blog may be barely 3 months old but I predict it'll grow by leaps and bounds by year end.

Top 5 Messenger Bags

1. Hermes Evelyne GM 3 £1880

2. Proenza Schouler PS1 Medium Leather Satchel USD $1595 (or here),

3. Longchamp Le Pliage Cuir Small Bag USD $490 (or UK, here)
4. Prada Vela Messenger Bag  USD $795 
5. Mulberry Postman's Lock Satchel USD $1100

It was love at first sight when I first tried on a messenger bag. There's just no going back. The fact that I'm unencumbered without having to deal with straps that kept slipping off my shoulder or lugging a large tote while running after a young child was practically a revelation. I'm a fan of large bags only because I can't live without my camera, lens, water bottle, fat wallet piled with old receipts, snacks, packet of tissues, kitchen sink..... (just kidding).

I think most are familiar with Heidi Klum's catchphrase in Project Runway - "As you know in fashion, one day you're in and the next day, you're out". Such is the way things are in the volatile fashion industry. In the past decade, we've seen plenty of IT bags come and go. Remember Luella Bartley's Gisele bag, Fendi Baguette or Chloe Paddington?

The landscape of handbags has become so cluttered with the plethora of offerings that it can pretty confusing to pick the right one for you. If you're anything like me, you'll find it tiresome to keep up with the trends. I'd much rather spend money on one good bag and wear it for years. I want a bag that will last the distance, not just in terms of quality but style. Let's face it, no one wants to throw hard earned money down the drain. I've found from experience that classic bags which have been looked after generally have good resale value. Imagine using a bag for 5 years and being able to claw back half the purchase price if not more, which effectively help fund your next bag.

I've been spoiled by my profession where I get to touch plenty of designer bags. I haven't been all that impressed with the quality of bags which usually do not correlate to the ridiculous amount they charge for. I often turn bags inside out because to me, good finishing denotes quality. Even stitching, proper lining and smooth edges with clean resin are amongst the 3 things I check for. If the designer has paid attention to the interior, you can be darn sure he or she would've made a greater effort on the exterior, materials and construction.

1. Hermes Evelyne GM 3

The first on my list has got to be Hermes Evelyne. The PM and GM sizes are the most popular. I've worn mine for 6 years now through rain, snow or sunshine and it has never let me down. If I were to calculate cost per wear for my bags, the Evelyne would rate in cents now and the Birkin, well....let's not go there.

Photo credit: Daily Mail

Photo credit: carolinesmode.com/stockholmstreetstyle/

2. Proenza Schouler PS1 Medium Leather Satchel

Proenza Schouler PS1 is edgy, contemporary and ridiculously well made. The finishing is second to none. The lining is made of fabric which helps to minimize the weight. I love the fact that the bag looks fab whether you carry it on your arm or worn crossbody.

Photo credit: Longchamp.com

Josh Duhamel

3. Longchamp Le Pliage Cuir Small Bag

I've owned several Longchamp Le Pliage bags in various sizes for close to a decade now. They've finally added the much needed strap to the leather version. One can't fault the practicality of the Le Pliage Cuir nor the affordable price tag.



4. Prada Vela Messenger Bag

Miuccia Prada first introduced the her range of nylon bags made of tough military canvas in 1979 but it wasn't until 1985 before they became an "overnight" sensation. They're still so popular that Saks Fifth Avenue limits the number of these Prada bags that a customer can buy. I owned two which I used to death but they never seemed to age. The Vela Messenger bag is not the prettiest bag but it's literally unbreakable and perfect for travel or used a nappy or camera bag.


5. Mulberry Postman's Lock Satchel

Mulberry Postman's Lock Satchel is durable and rugged, both traits that epitomize the popular English brand. It's under the radar bag that is quietly classy without attracting too much attention.

Isabel Marant Boris Tee, 2 outfits

Outfit: Isabel Marant Boris T-Shirt, Uniqlo rolled up denim shorts (similar here or here) and The Kooples wedge sneakers (similar here).




I used to think that it's such an English thing to moan about the weather. Now that I'm living in the UK, I've concluded that the temperamental weather is enough to drive anyone to despair. The ominous dark clouds are forever looming overhead so a ray of sunshine may disappear within a blink of an eye. I used to live in flip flops and shorts in New Zealand. Here, I'm always prepared with a jacket, raincoat, appropriate footwear and an umbrella because frankly speaking, the drowned rat look is not in vogue these days. See what I mean? I'm moaaaniiinng.





Outfit: Isabel Marant Utility Jacket (similar here ), James Twiggy jeans (U.K here), Isabel Marant Boris T-Shirt and The Kooples wedge sneakers (similar here).

Review: See by Chloe Low Wedge Sandals

Outfit: Etoile Isabel Marant Broderie Anglaise top (similar here), Karen Walker skirt (similar here) and See by Chloe low wedge sandals.

Sorry for being MIA lately as I've been curled up in bed with a nasty cold. Thankfully, the worst is over so back to regular blogging :)

After suffering from a year long of shoe drought, it's literally raining shoes. Or should I say sandals. I can't be happier. You know what I'm talkin' about. The kind of obsessive relationship women (ok, me) have with shoes does not extend to clothes. You've probably have heard enough of my rants (sorry!) about the lack of small sized shoes for abnormal individuals like moi.

 

Photo credit: JustJared.com

 

I've been like a woman possessed lately, muttering as I pounded away on the keyboard trying to locate a pair of mid heeled wedges. Just like these ones on the stunning Kate Bosworth's feet. The hubs was initially rather amused with my predicament, murmuring sympathetically whenever I ranted with ever increasing fervor. But he soon became rather alarmed when he spied his otherwise sane wife metamorphosed into a somewhat deranged shoe addict who may need a shoe exorcism performed on her.





I would've never guessed these were See by Chloe sandals and relatively affordable. I was thrilled when I found out that these low wedge sandals were on sale. I normally steer clear of anything that wrap around my ankle but these have a way of visually elongating the legs. The leather is thick but far from uncomfortable. Comfort is non-negotiable with me. I have a lifetime of dealing with blisters and agonizing pain from ill-fitting shoes. The wedge heel height is just 1.5 inches which gives a nice arch. The rubber soles are equally thick and perfect for rainy days as I often worry about slipping on wet surfaces.






These sandals run pretty small. I actually took the next size up which fit perfectly. I can't deal with wooden clogs as I prefer  cushioned insoles. These passed my school run tests which require a lot of running (we're always running late) and going uphill and downhill. They're available here for $219.99. Whew! My year long search for sandals are now over (I think.......).

Review: Sam Edelman Trina Sandals

I've been desperately looking for a pair of comfortable low to medium heeled sandals for quite sometime now.  I don't own a single pair. Nada. Zilch. Those of us with smaller than average size feet (US 4  EU 34  UK 1 or smaller) have little options out there so finding a pair that not only fit but are comfortable and affordable is comparable to looking for a needle in the haystack. Despite putting a list together in a previous post (click here), none could be found in my size.





I think the hubs was getting pretty sick and tired of listening to me moan incessantly about being completely shoe-less this summer. Okay, so that's stretching the truth a liiiiitle far seeing that I own approximately 7 pairs of flats. But flats aren't the same as heels, right? It's like comparing apples with pears.

After reading your comments and reviews, I decided on Sam Edelman Trina low heeled sandals. I was thrilled when I found a pair of Sam Edelman Trina in US size 5 but filled with trepidation as it IS a size bigger. Most stores, if not all, stock size (US) 6 and upwards here in the UK. I had to order a pair of Trinas from the US. The next step was to locate a store that ship will internationally. Enter Nordstrom.  I've bought from Nordies before when I was in the US. Ordering online from them even from the UK was a breeze. The shipping cost was reasonable. Despite having to fork out a little for duty, the total worked out to be less than the retail price here.



The Trinas are sturdy and pretty well made considering the price. I wore them out on a particularly busy day where I had errands as well as having to shepherd kids from one place to the next on foot. I live in a town where driving is a nightmare so everyone walks everywhere. The stacked heel is perfect on cobbled lanes. The cushioned insole makes a difference if you intend to do quite a bit of walking. I like the wide straps because they don't dig into the skin unlike narrow ones that truly hurt after a while. I love the fact that there's a piece of leather under the buckle for the very same reason. I have bunions and flat feet so it can be a pain finding something to accommodate these flaws.




I could do with half a size down but Sam Edelman doesn't do half sizes. Thankfully, the strap is of medium width so that stops my feet from slipping forward and the buckle holds them firm. Most importantly, I don't have to break them in before wearing the Trinas out. They're available in nude, whiskey and black. For those who live in the US, it's actually cheaper in Zappos. I like them so much that I'm thinking of ordering another pair in black later in the year. The Trina sandals are also available here in the UK.

1 Whole Chicken 4 Meals

I've been challenging myself to see how far I can stretch the dollar and still create healthy and nutritious meals. It's all too easy to succumb to the temptation of processed meals. Nevertheless there's always a price to pay for the convenience - the high salt content, additives and preservatives to ensure that the food stay "fresh" for unusually long period, plastic packaging which leak dangerous chemicals into our food. Is there any wonder why we're suffering from hypertension, cancer, ADHD and various other illnesses more than ever before?

I've found that buying a whole chicken is far more economical than buying portions. Let's do a few calculations here. I bought a 1.8kg (approximately 4lb) whole chicken recently for £4.80. Now if I had to buy the different portions to make up a whole chicken, the breakdown would've been:
2 chicken breast fillets:   £ 4.62
2 chicken legs             :   £ 1.90  (based on per kg price)
2 wings                       :   £ 1.60  (based on per kg price)
__________________________
Total                            :  £ 8.12


The total doesn't include the carcass as I often make chicken soup or stock. For argument sake, let's add a £1 to that so realistically, I'd probably have to fork out £9.12 for the entire chicken if I buy the parts separately. All you need is a sharp knife, a chopping board and a little know-how. Here's a video for those who haven't done this before. I do it a little differently as I like to leave the carcass whole.

Like many of you, much as I enjoy cooking, I prefer quick and easy meals. I actually managed to get 4 meals out of a chicken. This is based on a family of 2 adults and 1 child. Since my hubby eats enough for 2, I'd say this easily applies to a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children). Now if you have teenage boys, you may have to get a MUCH bigger chicken. So that's £4.80 divided by 4 meals = £1.20 per meal. The cost of potatoes, bread, thyme, carrots etc is negligible.



Meal 1: Roast Chicken  (Dinner)


Drizzle lemon juice all over the chicken portions. Rub salt and freshly ground pepper. Toss in some fresh thyme, tons of garlic and plenty of extra virgin olive oil and roast for an hour or so.



Meal 2: Chicken Katsu  (Dinner)

I've only used one chicken breast for this meal. Slice horizontally to get thin slices (just like schnitzel). Dip in flour, egg and lastly panko breadcrumbs (sprinkled with garlic salt if you prefer). Drizzle plenty of oil onto a non stick pan. Fry for 3-5 minutes on each side on low-medium heat.




Meal 3: Mayo Chicken Sandwiches (Lunch)



I dumped the entire chicken carcass into a pot of water to make chicken stock. Since I'm making chinese style broth, I tossed in some ginger, carrots and just let it simmer for an hour or so. Store the stock in fridge or freezer for use at a later date.

There was still tons of meat left on the carcass after I've made the stock so I carefully removed those. Mix the meat with French Mayo, a pinch of salt and a squeeze of lemon (optional) to make sandwich filling. This was enough for Lil L and hubby's lunch.


Meal 4: Udon noodle soup  (Dinner)



There are nights when you're just totally exhausted and can't be bothered to cook. This is the perfect time to use the chicken stock. Instead of downing packets of ramen, make this instead. Put the stock into the pot, add a couple dashes of soy sauce, cut up some green, toss in udon and eggs. You could  dump in fish balls or whatever that takes your fancy.