family time

I was lucky enough to spend a whole month at home enjoying my mother's company- It was fantastic, perfect weather, wonderful food, and even better company! x

more cool street art

Thanksgiving!

 Thanksgiving.... A day to sit back and think of what you have achieved that year, give thanks for our healths, accomplishments, family love and friendship. Growing up, we would go to my aunt Cathie's place every year. All of my cousins and relatives would fly from around the world to spend time with family. Even if its a similar spread of Christmas, the vibe is so different. There is no stress on presents, hurt relatives (if you're not with them) and just the general craziness xmas brings... Its just family, and friends, and happiness.... (not to mention enormous amounts of food!)

I must say rivals the day of the dead as my favorite holiday. Its the one holiday I have claimed as mine, and go all out on it every year, inviting close friends who have impacted me throughout the year to share a wonderful spread, great wine, and more than a few laughs! For the first time, I have a flat that is big enough to host it at home! In the past, I've borrowed flats, rented cool galleries and have had to play it safe as was not on my own turf. This year however, was different.

I was in Madrid a few weeks ago, and the leaves were changing colors and oh how beautiful it all looked- I went into my crazy creative moods, and decided to carefully select the most beautiful maple leaves I could find, and press them in my mother's old hello magazines! I then returned to HK with over 100 leaves and a lot of good ideas.

I set myself to work- first wondering where in the world I was going to brine my turkey? Then I read a fabulous article, which instructs you to brine inside an ice cooler- How brilliant is that? After discussing with my confidant Laura, freezing many tetrapac ice teas to keep the bird cool, I was all set. Not to mention a huge hole in my fridge, which of course in my always hungry and ambitious mind, meant I could now cook even more sides and deserts for my feast!

I then went all around town, sourcing all sorts of different ingredients that each seemed more fabulous than the next (again, more items started appearing on my menu, when doe it ever stop!) I got myself with misenplace and then... it was time to go to the flower market!

Now, I don't know if I've mentioned my mother's love for flowers. She makes the most incredible arrangements, and her home always feels alive with her beautiful creations; alas I tried to recreate a few of her ideas along with many new ones...


On the day of the party, I was so excited (you've got to understand I may do this for a living, but its not every day that its a) thanksgiving and b) I'm hosting something for my friends at my home... So I was in the kitchen by 6am, and miraculously done by 2:00! (dinner was not to start till 8pm)

This gave me extra time to set my table, polish wine glasses, go for a blow dry, excitedly skype mom and show her my creations; and change my outfit several times! (note to self, gravy and silk don't mix!)

by the time my friends arrived, the house smelled divine, there were about 100 candles lit, and the flowers were incredible.
 I must say, it was a fabulous evening, and I can't wait for next year! Thank you to those of you who came; there are a few friends who could not make it due to distance and you were greatly missed... xxx

Dubai

I was in Dubai last week for the first time- I had zero expectations, except to see lots of high rises and expensive cars. Surprise surprise, this is exactly what I found! Dubai is a crazy place! To begin with, you see more woman in aba'ayas at disney world than you do in Dubai, making you feel like you're somewhere in middle America, and not the middle east; secondly they have EVERYTHING you would ever want!

I was so surprised to come across Bloomingdales, MAGNOLIA BAKERY, Galeries Lafayette, Dean and Deluca, Topshop, Waitrose, not to mention skii slopes (yes in the middle of the desert) and of course, the highest skyscraper in the world- It was funny to see a place like this. Its like they created this playground for expats, with all of the things you would ever miss from home. They are missing out on the main point though, they have no culture of their own! Everything is borrowed, local food- Lebanese, arts and crafts- Persia, Morrocco, etc. Restaurants in general, all have branches all over the world. 

Its not all bad, I was lucky enough to spend the weekend with some dear friends I had not seen since university and had a wonderful time- They all work in hotels; which in my experience mean long working hours, low salaries, pale skin, and generally unhappy with the lack of life... In Dubai this is all different- My friends live like kings and queens, with boats and cars and beautiful houses, fantastic tans, and even better stories. I guess its choices- Lifestyle, or Culture? What would you pick?

workisnotajob

inspiration and kind words are two things that get me going on the right foot every morning. A few motivational words can take you a long way. work is not a job is a fantastic art company blog shop and just a very cool site I follow. Here are a few of my favorite images of theirs- Suck in the encouragement and live your life! <3

BB&C Holiday Canape Menu

Blackberries and Cream Cupcakes for Clean Air Hong Kong!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmH3xCpOSW8

european grafiti craze

I've been in Europe for the past two weeks, and upon arriving I went to see Banksy's new film, Exit through the Gift Shop- It totally opened my eyes to the street art scene which is ever growing in Europe. (For those of you who don't know Banksy- check out his awesome work on www.banksy.co.uk

Wikipedia describes this craze as: 

Street art is any art developed in public spaces — that is, "in the streets" — though the term usually refers to unsanctioned art, as opposed to government sponsored initiatives. The term can include traditional graffiti artwork, stencil graffiti, sticker art, wheatpasting and street poster art, video projection, art intervention, guerrilla art, flash mobbing and street installations. Typically, the term street art or the more specific post-graffiti is used to distinguish contemporary public-space artwork from territorial graffiti, vandalism, and corporate art.

I have found some rad work through Madrid and Copenhagen- Here are a few of my favorite shots-