Oh baby!

Baby Arwen is here, and I'm just about a month late? How pretty is her name? Congratulations dear Rachel on this dreamy package from the stork!

Baby's first gifts, inspired by Mr. Bunny

Click here for more updates from mommy on the lil 'un.

Life of Riley

Bali was exactly what we needed.

The few days we were there, I could barely keep my eyes open because they were in such a dreamy state, opened just enough to see the beauty in things, but closed ever so slightly to simply relax. We stayed at an obscure villa that came with its own pool, sun deck, bed on the sun deck (mmm...), kitchen, entertainment center and private chauffeur. While built to seem like it's off the beaten path, the place was within walking distance to the coolest hangout spots like Ku De Ta, Samaya, and Laksmana/Oberoi Street. Don't you just love how these words form on the lips? It's like a song.

I couldn't have been more enamored with this island, and yet I've only seen a small part of it. Everything was bliss to the senses. The coupling of nature and city-like entertainment blew my mind. It's not hard to imagine why some tourists choose never to leave. Of course with the luxury of refreshing early morning dips in the pool, affordable spa treatments, cocktails by the beach, candlelit baths, and fine local dishes with crispy pork rinds (fortunately not experienced all at once) we couldn't complain.

There was one bad experience, and it was snorkeling at Nusa Dua. We should've known it was a bad idea. US$35 for a single yellow fish in murky waters!!? You've gotta be f*king kidding me! I knew when the bf said, "Let's get the hell out of here and make the most of our day at the beach" trying not to swallow any of the water from the choppy seas, that we make good traveling buddies.

On our last day, both he and our driver Sugi, were such troopers entertaining my idea of stopping at a local design shop to pick up a blouse I fell in love with, having seen it on a chic girl at Ku De Ta. We drove down Seminyak street looking out for store signs, stopping wherever we could. It was hilarious.

Admittedly, our only regret is that we didn't have enough time to travel to Ubud, which you can be sure is on our list as a next destination.

Lunch at Kafe Warisan, a restaurant by a paddy field

The food was good here. Kinda like homemade French food from your local bistro


Wang wee wang wah wow wow. That's the sound I feel I should be making, looking like this. Wang wee wow wow wow


After dinner at the ever popular Ku De Ta


After an even more memorable dinner at our villa, by a pool of petals. The bf revealed his surprise for our 5 year anniversary, having lied about that suspicious newspaper-wrapped box in his luggage. I know it's not another 3 weeks before the real day but wow! It's a lovely present, which I promise to share another day. Thanks love!


Yes. That's my bf over a romantic dinner


...


The ambiance made up for the silly company. Lol


Early morning dip with petals in the pool. It's quite an unusual pampering feeling, almost like a spa without the aromatherapy. This reminds me of the time when the bf and I celebrated one of our anniversaries at the W Hotel in San Francisco. The staff had formed the shape of a heart on our bed with rose petals. And for the longest time, we tried so hard not to mess it up. Didn't have that problem this time! *Splash


I don't know why I never considered spending hours at the beach tanning and reading as an ambition. Mom, when I grow up, that's just what I'd like to do. Be a sunbathing book expert. Now that's legit


Fresh pineapple from a one-woman operation on the beach


The bf at the Babi Guling (suckling pig) restaurant


This Indonesian dish is a myriad of flavors, mainly a suckling pig served in many different ways. Seasoned meat, crispy skin, blood sausages, crackling, and knuckle (I think?). Our driver told us that it's the "complete Balinese dish because it has a little bit of everything. Vegetables, meat, soup and rice. Oh and crispiness too!" Gotta love the crispiness. We definitely got ripped off here at 68,000 rupiah, when babi guling should only be about 10,000 rupiah per person.

Oh well


Sunset by the beach


So busy making a statement that we missed the sunset!


Last meal in Bali: nasi campur ayam (chicken mixed rice) at Ibu Malek


It's so cute how the restaurant was in a mini lush tropical forest/garden


We tried to play it safe on the plane what with the recent H1N1 scare, but it was really uncomfortable breathing through the masks. The bf playing the fool. What am I gonna do with this man? *Shakes head

For more photos of the trip, click here>

Gone fishing (or diving more like it)

We're headed to Bali for the weekend!

Here are a few recent finds that will keep you occupied for awhile:

Fashion inspirations from Betty magazine issue #1

Star cookie pops by Inchmark


Park Avenue Peerage which replaces the now gone Socialite Rank


Matt Dorfman's super cool wedding invite


"How to undress in front of your husband" shot with the Panton chair


Healdsburg's Cyrus menu from a faraway friend *Drool

Happy Father's Day!

Think these are your usual fast food favorites? Think again

Image (and goodies) by the ever-creative Bakerella

Eyeing:

Pencey cube print dress

Address file made entirely out of recycled paper and sustainable maple wood, from Lovely Design

Cleobella Cantina vintage-inspired leather bag with super long straps


Marc by Marc Jacobs Puff Dot dress in white. Suen and I coined the term "Meet the parents dress" for this one


Everything from alldressedup's SS09 collection. And I mean everything!


Alexander Wang corset top or dress, as worn by Diane Kruger

Presence

I had the best of nights today.

It didn't even start of well, which makes it the more treasured. The day began with me cursing softly into the mouthpiece of my phone followed by a tense afternoon constantly thinking and thinking about nothing at all. Or more accurately, nothing that could be fixed. As I rushed out of the office to make it to my last yoga class at Como Shambhala I felt even more tense at the prospect of walking into a room full of disapproving people in downward dog position.

At the light, I SMS-ed a friend lamenting how I wasn't zen and continued cursing in short form at my inability to make time. She chuckled, as one manages via SMS, and consoled me with jokes. How lovely it is to be heard. During class, I performed well having repeated the routine a few times this month (my membership's expiring!). I can't describe the rejuvenating feeling one gets after a good yoga session, but it's akin to being on the mountains of Bhutan, taking in long breaths of fresh air and waking up to the sounds of waterfalls. It's just amazing.

A quick stroll on Orchard told me MickeyD's was right around the corner and that I should watch the new Transformers. I ended up at Isetan trying on bright-colored cardis and dresses at Marc Jacobs. The night could've ended there but as the bf would have it, I joined his fam in a packing session at the office. Five mere minutes in the quaint old shop house led to the discovery of unused tax invoice forms tinted pink. If you don't already know, I'm on a hunt for pretty recycled paper. After packing up my goodies, we made a quick trip to Serangoon's famous Hokkien Mee stall.

The sky was clear and I could smell the broth wafting into the air in puffs of steam. Gazing at the bf who was making small talk with the spindly man tossing fried rice with a heavy wok, I felt relaxed. At that moment, I was living in the now. And it was beautiful.

Chris Superman Nat Farmgirl

That's how the bf titled his email when I begged him to share this photo. I love him immensely and can't figure out how not to, especially when I see this face. Nat and I call it the "I'm trying really hard to smile but can't quite" look.

More photos to come cause we're digging through old boxes!