Friday, April 30, 2010

I'm Enamoured With a Lace Top ....


I had been searching for this lace top (or something similar with those beautiful scalloped sleeves and bottom) which I'd seen Emily from cupcakesandcashmere wearing here (below) way back in around Jan this year. (Don't you just love the way she teams this rather fancy/dressy top with something so basic as jeans, making lace so wearable?) ... Then, as though she could read my mind, Emily wore it again here just today! Me thinks this is a sign!



I started searching for it on the Forever21 website online, hoping I could ask a friend to get it and send it to me, but ... I couldn't find it. So, the search continues ...


Thursday, April 29, 2010

Craving for Oden ...


During my recent trip to Tokyo, I enjoyed my oden from 7-11 so much (it doesn't take much to satisfy me ... hahaha) that I started to crave for some when I came back to Taipei from my Rome/HK escapade. So, off I went to Mitsukoshi, hoping I'd be able to find some authentic oden ingredients from Japan. And this is what I got ...


Two different varieties of Japanese style fishcake, lobster balls (as opposed to fish balls), vegetable fishcake, and beancurd.


This kelp soya sauce really made all the difference in making the broth that much more tasty. It's my go-to soya sauce when making soups.


I also got some seaweed to scatter on my rice ... yum!


While browsing around for my groceries, I stumbled upon some natto. I was first introduced to this when I was in Japan a couple of years ago. Natto is actually fermented beans, and is renown amongst the Japanese for being very good for one's health. Because of the fermentation process, these beans are especially stinky (like smelly tofu), gluey and stringy. Doesn't sound appealing, but I thought it was worth a try since a Japanese friend highly recommended this.

The way I was taught to eat natto was with a raw egg. Pour a little cup of natto on top of a bowl of rice, crack a raw egg (ensure it's super fresh!) on top of everything, then use a pair of chopsticks and start frantically stirring! I discovered the egg and the brisk stirring would reduce the stringiness. And though I found it tasty, for most, I think this is an acquired taste.



My oden!


Tuesday, April 27, 2010

I'm Really Lovin' These ...


Isn't this blouse so pretty? I'd wear it with everything! I wish I had bitten the bullet and bought it when I was in the states. It's from Urban Outfitters ... one of my fav shops in America. When I was in Rome, I saw a fellow passenger wearing this*, and she looked so good in it, I regretted not getting it ... sigh ...


Scalloped Shorts (also from Urban Outfitters)! Ever since I saw a similar pair by Chloe ages ago, I've been longing for a pair!


... so who could blame me for succumbing to temptation when I came across this pair of scalloped shorts with the cutest bow details ...


* PS. You know you're a shopaholic when even in Rome with passengers from UK, HK, Taipei and all other parts of the world, you can recognise your fellow passengers' clothes from shops in America!


Trendy Shoes!


Ever since I saw Emily (from cupcakesandcashmere) posing in her beautiful wooden platforms, I've been longing for a pair of my own. But it was difficult finding a suitable pair as I was convinced the gladiator kind that is so trendy now would make my legs look even shorter. Then I came across these at the Shida Night Market ...



I loved the way they looked when I tried them on with my skinny jeans. I bet they'll look great with leggings too!


These were really nice too! I love the shade of brown, and the sleek look of the leather. Cos of the rather simple design, they're actually pretty flattering on the legs :)


Maybe it's the trip to Rome that inspired me ... the gladiator shoes above, and these lovely white woven thongs with the interesting side details.

PS. All these are made in Taiwan!



Around Beitou, Taipei


The special train to Xin Beitou!


Look inside! Each cabin has its own decor ...





Beitou Public Library ... what a beautiful building!


Beitou Hot Spring Museum ...


I liked the "benches" outside the museum. It's interesting the way they put together wooden slates to form the top of the seats, and build them on stone benches.


A lovely natural hot spring stream ...


People enjoying a hot spring foot bath in the stream ...


Villa32, Beitou, Taipei


After taking two over 10-hour flights nearly back-to-back, my neck and shoulders were aching ... airplanes have some of the most uncomfortable seats ever ... So, with the weather dipping to 17 deg C over the weekend, I was looking forward to soaking in a nice hot spring bath at Villa32 in Beitou.






Our private hot spring room ...





The water here is sulfuric - yellowish and smells distinctly metallic. Apparently, the mineral composition of different types of hot spring water has different health benefits. One of the benefits of sulfuric hot springs is that it treats various skin conditions like rashes, eczema etc. Another is that it's good for athritis. And also aids digestive disorders... amongst other things.

Well, personally, I felt my skin was a lot smoother after a good soak, and I slept like a log that night!



Monday, April 26, 2010

Lunch at Tau Shan, Taipei


Hubby had a morning off, so we decided to try the lunch menu at Tau Shan, Taipei. The lady chef/proprietress is really excellent at what she does. Not only does she serve up fresh and wonderfully tasty food, but she's also terrific at taking care of her customers and making them feel so welcome. I definitely highly recommend this place.

First up ... sashimi ...


Fishcake sandwiched between slices of lotus root ...


Chawamushi ...

Complimentary dish: fried fish bones ...


My main: sashimi ...


Hubby's special unagi/eel rice...


Green tea + ribena flower syrup/juice + milk ...


Dinner at Yuet Wah Wui Restaurant in HK


Yuet Wah Wui restaurant is one of my favorite eateries in Hong Kong. Everytime I go to Hong Kong, I try to come here for dinner, and I usually order the following, which are my absolute favorites!

Razor clams ... this is soooo yummy!


Deep fried tofu ... the outer shell is oh-so-crispy and the inside is silky soft ...



Delicious pork ribs ... in a special sauce ...



Dim Sum in HK


While on transit in HK, waiting for my connecting flight back to Tpe, we had some dim sum ...

Some delicious "har gao" ...


My favorite "Fu Pei Kuin"


Deep fried shrimp wantons ...


Century Egg and Shredded Pork Porridge ...


Friday, April 23, 2010

A Momento of My Rome Adventure


The day after our day out in Rome, everyone was a little more on edge with worry about the worsening volcanic ash situation in Northern Europe. Then Cathay Pacific announced they would be arranging a flight back to Hong Kong, and all non-EU residents were encouraged to board this flight. With much relief, I quickly signed up for this flight, and even managed to snag this little momento at the Rome airport :)




My very first Prada wallet!


I fell in love with the subtly contrasting pink interior and the lovely curves on the various compartments in the wallet. The numerous compartments were also a definite plus :)