2013: A Year in Review

With 2013 coming to a close, I look back to a wonderful year I had.  My business reached a new height.  Thank you to all my clients.  Without you believing in my vision for your home/ office, I would not be where I am today.  Thank you to all my readers for keeping up with this blog.  I know readership for blogs has gone down year over year as people's lives had gotten more and more busy.  So I appreciate you still stopping by.  I am thankful for the good health my family has because without it, life can be miserable.  Lastly, I am grateful for the freedom I enjoy.  Having just visited a few communist museums in ex-communist countries in Europe, and watching the movie 12 Years A Slave, made me grateful for living in this country in 21st century.

I can't wait to see what 2014 has in store for me!  May your 2014 be a healthy and prosperous one.  See you next year! :)    

Machedron chandelier by Bec Brittain

 
How gorge is this chandelier?  It looks like a meteor!  The light is very retro looking... reminds me of something came out of 1970s.  But at the same time, it also feels very now.  I can't quite explain it but I just think it's the chicest thing I have seen in awhile.  I can totally see an installation of this down a large hallway... like five of them in a row.  It would be the coolest thing.  This light would look great in a super modern setting but I think it would also juxtaposition quite well against a traditional interior like a wood paneled library.  Light comes in 24", 30", or 42" configuration.  It would also look very cool if you put all three sizes together say in the foyer area and hang them at different height.  Get your fix at Roll & Hill.

Jannis Brevet at Ikarus Restaurant

Ikarus is a restaurant in Salzburg that invites top chefs all around the world to come and be a guest chef for a month in their kitchen.  It has one Michelin star.  But as you can imagine, quality of food varies from month to month.  Luckily for me, I got Jannis Brevet on my trip to Ikarus.  He's one of the most respected chef from Netherlands.  His restaurant, Inter Scaldes, has two Michelin Stars.  And yes, the food I had at Ikarus was definitely a two Michelin star quality.

Here was my menu with non alcoholic drink pairing (indicate below with *)

Egg with cauliflower, smoked eel and basil sabayon

Langostino with a cream of onions, granny smith, sea banana and lavender vinaigrette *Cucumber sour

Dutch caviar with a brandade of sturgeon and white grapes *Grapes chai

Luke warm potato salad with black truffle, radish and parmigiano reggiano *Quince bitter

Cream of Peking ducking with popcorn foam and fig chutney * Carrot fennel

Atlantic turbot with fennel, pumpkin seed oil, marinated vegetables and mace broth *Soothing pear

Anjou pigeon with epoisse cream, carrots and white truffle *Soya cabernet

Relief construction, cardamom, blueberry, caramel, tomato *Cassis shake

I have never seen any non alcoholic pairing with any food before in any restaurants.  This is a first and I'm a fan!  The food was so delectable.  Let's just say next time when I go back to Netherlands, I'm stopping by his restaurant!!!  Btw, Ikarus restaurant is in Hanger 7 which stores Red Bull's owner's "toys".  What I mean toys is fast cars, planes, etc.  It was cool to walk through the museum.  The service at Ikarus was very formal and exact; no complaints from me for sure (unlike Joel Robuchon in Las Vegas...Just saying...).

F/W 2013 Sale Round up!

Merry Christmas!  

It's that time of the year again.  Sale sale sale!  So many things to buy and not enough money to go around.  But at least everything is marked down so you can get more bang for your buck.  Here's a list of places where you can find your guilty pleasure at:

Ssense: Some of the stuff are already at 70% off.  This is the best place to get the best bang for your bucks right now.  But be aware that sometimes for one item or two, Ssense will price it higher than other stores so I would check around to make sure you are getting the best deal.

Neiman Marcus: It's up to 60% off.  Key words "up to".  That means most of the stuff you want will probably be more like 40-50% off.  Still not a bad deal but just not that 60% off deal in the headline.

Saks: Now it's also up to 70% off.  But the discount differ from brand to brand.  I saw Brunello Cucinelli stuff are only 40% off while a prada iphone 4 sleeve is marked down 65% off.  Don't forget to enter "Holiday" for free shipping and as always go through sites like Ebates to get additional 8% rebate back.

MatchesFashion: Up to 50% off but most of the more desirable stuff are only 30% off.  I say give it some times before everything hits 50% off.  Most of their listing prices are 10-20% off other retailers already from the get go so I give it some slacks.

Lanvin: Its ready to wear were marked down 50% off few days ago when I checked.

Bottega Veneta: Same as Lanvin, this venerable brand has most of its F/W 2013 collection marked down to 50% off when I check few days ago. 

Marc Jacobs: As always, MJ never cease to amaze me at their 70% off sales.  Rarely does a high street brand cut their prices so low on their own website.  Only MJ does it.  The markdown had been going on for awhile.

Missoni: Again 50% off.  What's there not to like?

Mr Porter: The day of instant 50% off sale are gone.  They torture you with 30% off with some whatever brands at 50% off.  It's no longer exciting to check Mr Porter anymore.  Other websites like MatchesFashion and Ssense give better discounts IMO.

Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest

With plethora of luxury hotels in the world, one of the hotel that consistently ranks in the top 10 in Conde Nast Traveler magazine is Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace in Budapest.  I can see why.  Like all Four Seasons Hotel world wide, you get top notch services but this particular one, really go out of their way to make you feel cuddled.  I really felt cared for when I stayed here.  Without a doubt, I would rank this as one of the top three hotel I have ever stayed at.

First, the hotel is absolutely gorgeous.  Unlike most Four Seasons Hotels around the world, this one is special as it's historical in comparison.  I believe it was built during Art Nouveau period and it definitely looks it.  While I appreciate other Four Seasons Hotels like the one in New York city that was designed by I.M Pei, there is just something more special about staying at a 'palace'.

Second, the food is top notch.  I would say the bar food I had was just as good as the ones I would get at any other Four Seasons hotel.

Third, the service was just unbelievable.  They really go out of their way to make you feel special.  Every night they leave several petite fours as a night cap when they do turn down service.  These petite fours are restaurant level not some stale day old left over from their restaurant downstairs.  The night before I checked out of the hotel, they left plastic zip lock bags for my toiletry.  I have never seen that before in any hotel stay.  While it's only a plastic bag, but it felt they really thought about all their guests' needs.  Budapest also is known for theirs thermal baths around town.  This Four Seasons hotel gives out free prep bags with various amenities such as slippers, towels, lotions, etc. for their guests to take to baths.  How thoughtful is that?!

If you visit Budapest and stay here, definitely make sure you pay the extra bucks to face the Chain Bridge side of the hotel.  I see some of the rooms face side streets or interior courtyard.  Personally I feel if you are flying all the way across the world to go to Budapest, you might as well stay in a viewed room.  Interestingly, the hotel has a mezzanine floor so if your room is on the 1st floor, that means it's actually on the 3rd floor (in American term since 1st floor in Europe is American second floor).  My room was on the 3rd floor which means it's actually 5th floor.  With double pane windows and french doors, even though I was facing the busier street in front, my room was rather quiet.    
    

How to wear a starchitect on your toes?

Don't believe me?  Well, you can..... if you can pony up a pretty penny.  This pair of shoes designed by Zaha Hadid for United Nude is absolutely incredible.  United Nude's design director, Rem Koolhaas (another fellow Starchitect) said "Zaha consistently reinvents the program with her own ideas and interpretations. Her visionary creations are often unexpected, yet reinforce their origins.  I could not resist the challenge to work with Zaha. We gave ourselves the greatest degree of experimentation and used the latest digital design and manufacturing technologies to create one of the most innovative shoes ever produced.”  Get your limited edition (100 per color with three colors available) shoes here.

There is tape dispenser and then there is Cube Tape Dispenser

Another great and affordable Christmas gift for that someone who has everything is Cube tape dispenser from Georg Jensen.  Pretty much everyone has a tape dispenser or two in their homes, but how many of us can actually be proud of the tape dispenser we own?  I have quite a few from OfficeMax and Scotch.  All of them are hidden in a drawer.  After all, they are not pleasant to look at so why would I put them on top of my desk?  But if I have a Georg Jensen Cube tape dispenser, 99.9% chance I would have it proudly displayed.  So if you have a love one or a friend who has everything, I think this will be a perfect gift for them because chances are, their tape dispensers are aesthetically challenged. You can purchase the said dispenser on Georg Jensen's for $65.

Another gift idea for someone who has it all

I always love stationery items.  Not that I write that many letters these days.   In fact, I don't think I have written any letters since high school.  I guess writing a letter is more or less a thing of the past.  However, I always feel there is certain amount of romanticism when one sends a letter versus an email or a text.  Somehow it just doesn't seem very personal the way we do things today.

I got a catalog from Louis Vuitton couple weeks ago.  They always send me these delicious catalogs that I just wish I can afford everything in it.  Anyhoo, upon turning onto the last page, I saw an inkwell.  I'm like there is no way Louis Vuitton makes inkwells.... this has to be a prop.  I look on the price list, sure enough, there it is.  $1290.

It's not cheap for sure.  But for someone who has everything, I think it may just be one of those perfect little gift (if you can comfortably afford to give it).  Wouldn't you love to receive one of these goodies?

Damien Hirst for Christmas stocking

Well, as we inch closer and closer to the holidays, one question typically pops into my minds is "what am I getting for that so and so who has everything?"  I think I have found just the right solution for that art loving so and so:  A Damien Hirst butterfly mug.  He has been using the butterfly motif since 1991 and it's one of the most recognizable DH "signature" in his oeuvre.  Plus this mug is less than 15 pounds shipped to US... and you thought you may have to break your piggy bank.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Dreamy Graffiti scarf giveaway winner!

Drum roll please!  The winner of the Marc by Marc Jacobs Dreamy Graffiti scarf is Emmy S!  Please contact me with a week with your US mailing address.  Thank you everyone for entering and have a great holiday season.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Dreamy Graffiti scarf giveaway!

Here comes Thanksgiving!  To thank my readers, I've decided to give away a Marc by Marc Jacobs Graffiti scarf.  It's 100% modal so it's as soft as it can be!  In the mean time, I'm signing off for a couple weeks.  I will see you all in December!  As Heidi Klum says "Auf Wiedersehen!"

Please note: apologies to my international friends - I wish I could extend these giveaways to you but legal restrictions prevent it. Thanks for understanding.  
 

Shawn “JAY Z” Carter and Rick Owens = OMG

Well, I know you have been looking forward to Jay Z's collection at Barney's New York!  Like all the hip hop artists these days, it seems like whatever these guys touch, it turns into gold.  For example, Kanye's collaboration with A.P.C. was sold out in within one day and crashed A.P.C.'s website.   But I digress.  Jay Z, of course, had to out do Kanye.  He's collaborating with brands such as Rick Owens, Moncler, Lanvin, Balmain, etc. (basically all my fav brands).  The proceeds are being donated 100% to his charity.  But you gotta have a pretty deep pocket to get your hands on this collaboration.  Prices range from an affordable Barney's New York T for $70 to eye-popping Rick Owens Mollino Crocodile Jacket for a cool $58,000 (slightly out of my price range... just slightly.. lol)!!!  In case you are wondering who's crazy enough to spend that much money on a jacket, let's just say S, L, XL are all sold out.  But if you are a M or a XXL, you are in luck... provided that you move fast and have some serious dough.  

Update (Dec 20): Just came across Barney's dedicated page to Jay Z's collection.  Apparently this $58k jacket is sold out!

And the winner for Isabel Marant Scarf giveaway is.....

And the winner for Isabel Marant Etoile Scarf giveaway is..... Corrie V!  Please send me your shipping address and thank you everyone for entering.  Happy thanksgiving and happy holidays!

National Geographic. Around the world in 125 years

I remember growing up in my uncle's home, he had National Geographic magazines proudly displayed in one of the cabinets.  I always thought the photographs looked stunning.  Well, apparently Taschen feels the same way too!  In fact, they are collaborating with National Geographic magazine to celebrate its 125th anniversary.  The end result is three stunning books with gorgeous photographs that celebrates earth with all its riches.  The books are divided into Americas and Antarctica, Europe and Africa, Asian and Oceania.  These books will surely delight anyone's eyes and are perfect Christmas gifts.  Checkout Taschen for more information.   

Not quite H&M, but nonetheless Isabel Marant scarf Giveaway!

Well, we are almost here!  Just one more day before H&M launches its collaboration with Isabel Marant.  How excited are you?!  Some of you I bet are already lined up on the streets to get those coveted pieces that you have thought about a month ago when the photographs of the collection leaked.  While I don't have any Isabel Marant for H&M scarf on hand, I do have an Isabel Marant Etoile 100% modal scarf to giveaway.  This made in Italy scarf will surely give you a dash of color for your fall/ winter outfits.

Please note: apologies to my international friends - I wish I could extend these giveaways to you but legal restrictions prevent it. Thanks for understanding.  

Nikolas Weinstein's glass sculpture

Bar Agricole in Soma is one of those place where I go for brunch or dinner here and there.  I always find the interior architecture rather interesting...but what really catches my eyes every time are the glass sculptures in the ceiling.  I just couldn't quite figure out what is it?!  Well, 7X7 Magazine finally solve that mystery for me.  The sculptures are done by San Francisco local glass artist Nikolas Weinstein.  His claim to fame was architect Frank Gehry commissioned him to make a massive chandelier for a bank headquarters on Berlin's Pariser Platz.  The chandelier took four years to complete.  Since then, one can find Nikolas' gorgeous sculptures everywhere; from Inter-Continental hotel in Shanghai to Bar Agricole here in San Francisco.  Perhaps I will find a client who "needs" one of these gorgeous sculpture in near future!? 

Dragon Chandelier by Baylar Atelier

Talk about drama.  If this chandelier doesn't bring it, I don't know what will!  Love the fringe looking chains draping down from this chandelier.  It almost look like a piece of tattered fabric hanging down on two chains.  But the finishes bring it up a notch and instead of looking like fabric falling apart, it emotes luxury and romance in stead.  It also has a mysterious quality about it.  One wonders what is inside this tattered fabric?   More info can be found here. 

Nazi looted art trove found in Munich that is valued up to $1 billion euros!

Just read an article on NY Times that an apartment in Munich held over 1,500 works of art that Gurlitt (one of Hitler's art advisor) stashed away for himself.  Apparently Gurlitt, his wife, and now his son had been selling the artworks off one by one through the years to support themselves.  German government found the trove in February 2012 but failed to inform the world until now. Apparently the stashed away treasure includes art works by Matisse, Picasso, Dix, Chagall, Marc, Toulouse-Lautrec, Liebermann, Kirchner, Beckmann, Dürer, Canaletto, Courbet, etc.  Basically the who's who in any art history book.  Custom officials are not going to make art works public but ask people (or descendents) who had art works looted by Nazi to contact authorities directly.  I think the easiest way for rightful owners to come forward would be sell the artwork in a group of say hundred at Sotheby's and Christie's auction house.  You bet any rightful owners of any looted Nazi artworks will read that catalog forwards and backwards.  Any artwork not claim, the proceeds should be donated to Jewish and gay causes.

Parabola Chair by Carlo Aiello

First time I saw this chair I was like what is that thing?  Looks like a piece of sculpture or something....  Upon further investigation, I realized it's a chair!  According to the creator: "The design intention of the Parabola Chair was to create a simple and porous yet highly sculptural chair. The challenge was to achieve a single surface that serves as seating, armrest, and backrest supported by a minimal structure. Although the chair exhibits curvatures in two directions (hyperbolic paraboloid) all its components are straight and easy to manufacture. In order to achieve perfect comfort both curvatures were carefully calibrated to hold the body in the best position."  Find out more at his website. 

And the winner of my Missoni headband/ scarf giveaway is......

Congrats to Natasha S!  Please send me your address within one week and your sparkly Missoni goodie will be on its way!  Thank you everyone for entering.  Mark your Calendar for November 13 of this month, I may just have another giveaway....