500 days of summer...

Rewatching movies is always fun particularly on a quiet night in... tonight I rewatched 500 days of summer -  one of my all time favourite movies about love.

This scene always cheers me up + Joseph Gordon Levitt is such a cutie!

Olivia Palermo

I have previously blogged about Olivia Palermo - I'm not really sure why she is famous but she always has ridiculously gorgeous clothes and always looks impeccable.  I really love her style.  Her latest editorial is for Marie Claire Spain - so feminine, floaty and pretty...  lots of inspiration for Spring.

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Sergio Rossi spring 2012

It's the end of the week and these sky high vibrant, bright and pretty heels from Sergio Rossi's Spring line are brightening up my Friday night (the metallicy blue ones are my fave) ... all set for the weekend ahead!

our new local..

Moving house means discovering new locals and haunts to hang out in.  Although we only moved about 10mins walk away from our old place we are a lot closer to Orchard Road now... hence the last few meals for us have all been located unsurprisingly at Mandarin Gallery... For those Aussie readers you might think it's weird that you can get decent food and decent restaurants in shopping centres, but it is pretty normal in Singapore and Hong Kong where some of the best restaurants and cafes are either found in shopping centres or hotels.

Whilst not new to us, we hit up Tonkatsu by Ma Maison on Friday night.   I am going out on a limb to say that I think it is the best tonkatsu in Singapore.  Deep fried goodness - seriously how can you not like it? Nice and crispy outside and served with all you can eat cabbage, miso soup and rice.   I personally can't go past the katsudon which is one of my favourite Japanese meals despite it being a bit of an ojisan's dish :)

Saturday morning was breakfast at Jones the Grocer, an Aussie chain selling decent coffee, breakfast and deli/tapas etc. For those in Singapore, the Dempsey outlet also has a good wine list and a pretty awesome cheese room.   Another breakfast option is Wild Honey which serves all day breakfast - I have been there for dinner before and I must say having eggs for dinner is pretty fun!

Our Saturday afternoon respite from unpacking was spent at Ippudo Singapore - a ramen restaurant hailing from Japan.  I must say it was freaking good ramen - the soup was delicious and full of so much flavour.  Fresh noodles so none of the dry icky stuff - makes such a difference! Yummy gyoza too.

Will keep you posted on some of our other fave places...

Source: via Phuong on Pinterest

Perspective...

Sometimes you just need to get over yourself and get some perspective.  No one better than a loved one  giving you a little gentle reminder... xx

The Lumineers...

I belong with you, you belong with me you're my sweetheartI belong with you, you belong with me you're my sweet...
Beautiful song to round out the weekend.  Check out this great playlist for some more lovely weekend tunes. 

Hipster Branding

Great take on the logos of some well known brands...  see more on the Hipster Branding tumblr.

I think the KFC one is my fave!

love is...

Source: via Phuong on Pinterest

changing stereotypes...

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I previously posted about women in the workplace and this article is a great first hand account about a female software engineer at Facebook working in the tech industry doing her part to change stereotypes...

Some highlights from the article:

"I immediately felt like an outsider in the programming class. I drew even more unwelcome attention to myself when I wore my cheerleading uniform to class. The first time I did this, the teacher laughed unapologetically at the sight of a cheerleader in his class. According to him, cheerleaders don't program.  My self-consciousness quickly faded when the first test of the term came back, and the top score came to me. As he handed back the test scribbled with "100%" on the top, he looked me once over in my cheerleading uniform and gave me a nod of surprise and approval. I said nothing at that moment, but I knew I had silently screamed a disruptive message to him: Cheerleaders CAN program. And they can program damn well...

Ever since high school, I've thrived on breaking the stereotypes of what it means to be a software engineer. I remember getting advice before starting my first job about dressing professionally, so people would take me seriously. The rules were:

1). No high heels. 
2). No skirts. 
3). Nothing "girly."

Apparently, to be taken seriously meant blending in as best I could. But I didn't want to compromise my self-expression. I love wearing nail polish. And four-inch heels. That doesn't mean I'm sacrificing any part of being an engineer."

Yay for being yourself!

such true words...

Source via Phuong on Pinterest

bdba spring/summer 2012

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The Spring / Summer 2012 collection from Spanish label BDBA captures lots of my favourite elements - floral, lace, bows, pastels, simple lines, mixed textures.   Lots of inspiration for any summer wardrobe.

inspired by balzac..

Tonight we checked out a new French bistro that has opened just around the corner from our place, Balzac Brasserie.

A fabulous + cozy little French place serving all the traditional French dishes.  I gobbled down duck confit and the Mr ordered the 48 hour braised wagyu beef cheeks.  Our mains were served with sides of truffle mash, macaroni and cheese and grilled asparagus.   We rounded off our meal with a glorious citrus tart - it was a wonderful meal in a gorgeous setting.  A little bit of France in Singapore.

A cute little touch was handing us the bill within the pages of a Honore de Balzac leather bound book.

Will definitely be back!

Balzac Brasserie, #01-01 Rendezvous Gallery, 9 Bras Basah Road, Singapore

John Butler Trio...

We just got back from seeing John Butler Trio live.  It was an epic gig.

Listening to them play brought back such fond memories of seeing them live in Brisbane with Pete and the Mr a few years back.... John Butler played "Ocean" and it gave me goosebumps.  Sheer amazing talent.  Such an incredible and moving piece of music.

See for yourself.  The below version is from Fuji Rock Festival a few years back.

My other favourite is Peaches and Cream (which was our wedding song) but unfortunately they didn't play it.  I got a copy of the full set list though - score!

Source: via Phuong on Pinterest

MSGM Pre-Fall 2012

Amazing collection from Italian label MSGM - lots of mismatched prints, bold colours and textures.  I had never heard of this label before so it's always so lovely making new discoveries...

Mirin Glazed Salmon...

The Mr and I have been trying to eat more fish lately and our go to fish is usually salmon - I loves it.

I tried out a recipe from Nigella tonight for mirin glazed salmon and it was a winner.  So quick and easy. Recipe is below...  I adapted it a bit though by taking out the rice vinegar (as I didn't have any) - I served it with soba noodles and a side of blanched bak choy with the glaze poured over it.  num nums.

INGREDIENTS

• 60ml mirin (Japanese sweet rice wine)
• 50g light brown sugar
• 60ml soy sauce
• 4 x 125g pieces salmon, cut from the thick part of the fillet so that they are narrow but tall rather than wide and flat
• 2 x 15ml tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1-2 spring onions, halved and shredded into fine strips

METHOD

Serves: 4

1. Mix the mirin, brown sugar and soy sauce in a shallow dish that will take all 4 pieces of salmon, and marinate the salmon in it for 3 minutes on the first side and 2 minutes on the second. Meanwhile heat a large non-stick frying pan on the hob.
2. Cook the salmon in the hot, dry pan for 2 minutes and then turn the salmon over, add the marinade and cook for another 2 minutes.
3. Remove the salmon to whatever plate you're serving it on, add the rice vinegar to the hot pan, and warm through.
4. Pour the dark, sweet, salty glaze over the salmon and top with the spring onion strips.
5. Serve with rice or noodles as you wish, and consider putting some sushi ginger on the table, too

the heart...

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the button up shirt...

Today I wore a navy and white striped business shirt to work.   A few people in the office said I looked different.  Maybe I did... it was the first time in about 5 years I have worn one.  It's been years since I was a little law clerk and trainee lawyer when I used to spend most of my days in a suit and collared button up (every year at law firms you can always tell who are the newbies as they often always have the crispest and newest clothes!).  Anyhow, I had been a bit averse to the business shirt over the years mainly due to my hate of ironing (also because I am terrible at it!).

However, over the weekend, I spied a great little bargain button up collared tunic from one of my favourite stores, Uniqlo.  I couldn't resist the bargain and thought I could get heaps of wear out it of so I snapped it up.  Worn as a business shirt for the weekday and then dressed down with a belt as a short dress or with some shorty shorts for a more casual feel on the weekends.. let's just say I will be returning to get some more as staples.

I know a lot of people like to keep their work wardrobe separate from their 'fun' wardrobe but I am a big believer in messing it all up.  It is often the unlikely or the unexpected things in life that just work...

Below is some inspiration for that 'boring' old button up shirt you have or perhaps one borrowed from your lover?

Paired with some shorts

white with lace

gingham + floral.  the unlikeliest of prints but i love it.

colour blocking for a bold statement

pretty and comfortable

images via Phuong on Pinterest

sunday...

We had a big night out last night - date night at the wonderful Tippling Club (thanks to our friends at Survival Chic for the discounts!) and late night sake with good friends at one of our favourite haunts, Orihara to farewell the lovely Sandra.

So today I have tried to take it a bit easy whilst recovering - Maccas for breakfast (naughty but there is something so magical about hashbrowns after a big night out!) watching random tv, decluttering in preparation for moving house, cooking, a run... hmm perhaps I haven't been taking it as easy as I had hoped!  Finishing off the evening and the weekend sitting up in bed, blogging and a cup of tea is pretty golden though xx

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friday love...

Have we all become busier or does it just seem that way?  I am taking a moment to slow down for a while and enjoy the little things...

1. Summer!  It is starting to get super steamy again here in Singapore

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2.  heart the new Marni for H&M collection.

3. Affogatos - We have been making lots of these at home lately.  Yum.

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4. breakfast in bed.

via Phuong on Pinterest