here come's high street fashion...

London!

Top-of-mind : the Queen, the Ritz, the Eye, Harrods, high street fashion!

Was fortunate that I had the opportunity to visit this world city... courtesy  of  my full time job :)

Didn't really get the chance to prepare though 'coz it was a very last minute decision to fly here... like not even a week and to think I still have to secure a visa. Well, wonders beyond wonders, I made it right on time. 

This then became the inspiration of my cuff, as described in my shop.

" High street fashion is the first thing that pops into my mind whenever I shop at established UK retailers at this side of the globe. It's cosmopolitan, stylish and totally wearable."

There's just one story that I must share with you. Hubby told me not to take a cab when I get there 'coz its way too expensive. But unfortunately, I was so tired when I arrived (imagine Jakarta - Kuala Lumpur - London!) and can't barely carry my luggage. Plus, it was damn cold! So I flagged a cab and paid 50 pounds for that 30 minutes ride! Whoa!

My must have bracelet.

The inspiration of my mishmash allure.

Penang. 

A hodgepodge of old colonial English neighborhood, Oriental Chinese, beach, mountain, and most of all, good food.

My first road trip out of Kuala Lumpur was in Penang.  It was five hours drive one Christmas break. Roads were fantastic, weather was cooperative and destination was definitely  worth it.

If you have the chance to go to Penang, I highly recommend that you stay at this hotel to have a feel of the city.

...and time stood still.

"The smell of baguette wafing in the air. Early morning risers following the gentle, flowing movements of Tai Chi. You just savor the moment as you inhale the fresh air at Hoan Kiem lake."

Hanoi, served as the inspiration for this gorgeous keishi pearls necklace.

I lived in Vietnam twice in 10 years time but it was only in 2008 that I was finally able to visit Hanoi for work at that.  Hanoi is totally different from its sister city, Ho Chi Minh.  For one, life here seems slower.

If you only have time to visit one place in Hanoi, Hoan Kiem lake is a must! And be sure to be there during  sunrise when everyone is embracing life to its fullest.

You'll feel the French legacy in the capital and to be honest, I kinda like it. 

Don't you just love this charming city?

Life Down Under

Sydney will always be special.  We had our honeymoon here one New Year's eve. So yes, I did see the amazing fireworks at the Harbour Bridge.  

 

I vividly remember that Sydney skyline had the bluest sky I've ever seen in my life. No pollution and I really had to squint because it was so bright.  The people here were friendly and very casually dressed. Everyone seemed to be wearing shorts and flipflops.

My Sydney bag charm was inspired by the easy going and casual vibe of this harbour city.

Oh yes, how can I forget Manly Beach. I so love this place.

(understated ) Luxe Luxembourg

It was July, six years ago that I went for the first time in Luxembourg. We went by car from Belgium, it was almost a 3 hours speeding through the highway. I didn't exactly know what to expect as Luxembourg is not familiar in Asia and the only citizens I encountered from that country was a couple I've met in Cambodia in 2003. 

First impression: understated sophistication, a bit more formal workwear attire (suit and all) and lots and lots of banks (you don't need to declare tax, I heard -- so, a swissbank wannabe?).

Colors I remember seeing were gray, navy, and black. Looks like fall season but it was actually during summer.

I even witnessed the changing of the guards. Though it was not as grand, choreographed and commercialized as the one in London's Buckingham Palace!

That's why the Luxembourg necklace I've created was inspired by this sophistication. Here's how I described it on my etsy site.

"I just love the understated sophistication this country has to offer. From the not-so-glitzy castle, to the small town modern small city feel."

But not all were gray though. In the city center, there was a dance performance from the Polish kids. No idea or better yet, I can't seem to recall why there was a performance anyway. It was fun to see and that's what's important.

Dieng Plateau -- the Java road trip

Last April, I had my first long road trip in Indonesia. It took us 5 days and 4 nights, traversing a part of the island of Java. Told myself that time that I want to wake up on top of the mountain as I turned a year older. It was indeed a milestone since I've never done it before and it was very special. 

"Dieng Plateau is picturesque, it's like a jewel that greets you 2,100 feet above sea level. The place is not for everyone though. You have to look deeper to appreciate it especially since the road to go there is not for the faint of heart", this was what I wrote on my etsy site and the inspiration for this piece..

I clearly remembered the potato field. I haven't seen one before. It was amazing seeing those farmers carry kilos of potatoes in the slope when I can't barely catch my breath climbing up the hill. 

On the d-day, went to (almost) the peak of the mountain to watch the sun rise. I had to give it our trusty old Honda CRV for making this happen.  Just make sure that you are a very, very good driver as the slope is not for the faint of heart. I'm not a good driver though that's why we brought one :)

By 7 am, we were on our way to Sikidang Crater, one of the most active volcanic activity that I came across. A 'smoking pot' was belching smoke and sulphur. It was very surreal but I thoroughly enjoyed this natural occurence.

The oldest Hindu temple is also located in Dieng. The Arjuna complex though not as magnificent and spellbinding as Angkor Wat, it was nevertheless amazing because it was built on top of the mountain, when there were no machines to carry those heavy stones and cement to bind the stones together.

And one more thing, if you're not a backpacker or you have no sense of adventure, this trip is not for you.

Bruges, my Bruges!

This lovely, lovely necklace is inspired by Bruges.

 Bruges, as described on my etsy page.

"Medieval city, romantic canals, Venice of the north, Van Eyck paintings, world famous lace, cobblestone that talks history and so much more. This city is just bursting with creativity -- a vacation in Europe is not complete without stopping by here -- a must everytime I go to Belgium." 

I just love the vibe of this place!

And of course, the trip was not complete without coffee -- my must have.

Seoul's soul

My recent trip was in Seoul, Korea -- solely for business  though as I was there for a global workshop  cum meeting (with shopping and exploring the city on the side *wink*).

But three months before that, I have already crafted my Seoul necklace inspired by watching too many Korean telenovelas. 

Here's a short description of the inspiration.

"Korean fashion strikes me as feminine with a tint of quirkiness and usage of pastel in their color wheel. My observation must have come from a number of Korean friends plus countless of hours watching the Korean telenovela."

But of course, Seoul is more than the feminine frills. After the trip, these images  vividly stuck into my mind. All I can say, they're so hi-tech! Perhaps second to Japan?

Presenting, my most fave technology...the toilet bowl with tons of buttons!  First the toilet seat was  being kept warm by the electricity, then you can press the buttons for any sort of (ehem) toilet needs that you can imagine. 

I did the cafe rounds as well. Who can live without coffee nowadays anyway? The most amazing thing was this 'service buzzer/bell'. This is how it works. First you purchase your coffee from the counter. Then they give you your receipt and this service buzzer. You go to your table and once your coffee is ready, this thing will buzzzzzz and voila, you can now get your coffee from the station.  They have this as well in restaurants. When you want to call the waiter, you just need to press this and the waitstaff will be at your service.

 

Lastly, in the plane  enroute to my destination, they even have a USB port! So while I entertain myself by playing chess with the inflight entertainment, I was also happily charging my Blackberry!

And yet again...

Finally, after more than a year since I started selling my accessories on Etsy, I am yet again to embark on a new journey. This journey of documenting the two things that I love the most, travelling and doing this craft.  I'm a self-confessed avid globetrekker. My days revolve around planning my next destination (that is if I'm not caught up in my 'real' job as an advertising practitioner).

I don't know where this will lead me, as far as I'm concerned, I will just enjoy the ride.