Sam Hessamian

I am so enthralled by Sam Hessamian's photographs. Especially these two photos. I tried to make them each my twitter background, but it didn't quite fit so I'll have to do with the current Sam Hessamian photo :)

{via Sam Hessamian's blog}

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Go on Time

India's IndiGO Airlines just released this new ad entitled, 'On Time Client' which is what we wish all airlines would try to do! I thought it was a really fun and modern commercial and it's nice to see an airline acknowledge what can happen if all their flights ran 'on time'. I like the implied chic hotel and the mod 70's outfits too! Such fun! :)

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Playing the playsuit

I'm not sure what's wrong with me. But all of a sudden, I'm in love with playsuits (Rompers. What ever you want to call them.). I never took a liking to them, but this summer I really want to get one. But how can I only pick just one?!



Clockwise from top-left:
Kate Moss for Topshop Open Back playsuit
Topshop Stripe Frill playsuit
Chloé Belted Cotton playsuit
Forever21 Claudia Floral romper
Vanessa Bruno Athé Strappy Broderie Anglaise playsuit
TIBI Ditsy Silk-Charmeuse playsuit
DKNY Sequined Silk-blend playsuit
Forever21 Sleeveless Linen romper

And I still love these See by Chloé Scalloped silk-satin shorts. Maybe in another colour? Like Blair's from Gossip Girl...

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Time Stealer

So I've been writing this 100 things to do list, as mentioned here, and I've come to realise that life is so short that I may not even get all these things done! It's kind of a scary thought because I'm a goal oriented person, and I want to be able to check all these things off my list! But because of this realisation that life is so short, I now also know how important it is to fulfil those awful (not really) niggling, tickling, knocking-on-your-door dreams. If life is looking too short for me to fulfill my 100 things list, imagine that one huge dream that you have always had and still have. It may take your whole life to do it, so you may as well start now! {via Daydream Lily}

Here is how my list is looking (yes, I've only made up to 10 - it's really hard!):

1. Sit courtside at a LA Lakers basketball game

2. Visit 20 countries before I’m 25/30 countries before I’m 30 years old

3. Write and publish a book of some sort

4. Learn French and/or Spanish (at least conversationally)

5. Attend a fashion show in New York City

6. Visit Ayers Rock (Uluru)

7. Own a Chanel 2.55 Quilted Leather bag

8. Get a Master’s Degree

9. Get a feature story published in an internationally recognised magazine

10. Devote at least a year to Missionary work in the heart of Africa

Do you have a list? Please share :)

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Blake Lively for Vogue

I hate her in Gossip Girl, but love her in real life. I think Blake Lively is naturally beautiful (except for in Gossip Girl where her boobies are always pushed out to phenomenal 'heights') and has a really down to earth personality (that I can understand from interviews). I guess she's been surrounded by the industry from a young age and has got her head around it all. But I guess I'll find out more if I go out and buy the June issue of Vogue, won't I? She totally has that 'California Cool' thing going for her!

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Korea Sparkling

On CNN they play an abundance of tourism and airline commercials. And you know what? They all sucker me in! For example, the last one was on Sri Lanka, and this time? Korea. Sparkling Korea. The music's introduction gets me every time, and the two things this ad makes me want to do in Korea is a) snowboard and b) go to the beach. Extreme to extreme! I swear I am a tourism advertisers dream consumer!

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Afternoon Delight

How beautiful is this Lace Wrap Dress by Kate Moss for Topshop? It is a part of her new summer collection released today and I love it!

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The Factory Girl

You must know by now that Vanessa Paradis is Karl Lagerfeld's new muse. She has fronted Chanel's new Coco Cocoon and lipstick, Coco Rouge, ranges. Karl has captured Vanessa in a Andy Warhol - Edie Sedgwick-esque photoshoot. They are close, but I think Sienna Miller did a better job at Edie in the movie :)

Vanessa Paradis by Karl Lagerfeld for May 2010 Madame Figaro

{via Fashion Gone Rogue}

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Wish You Were Here

BREAKING NEWS! Well kind of not really, but here is my little write up that I did for our fundraising trek to Mt. Everest Base Camp published on CNN Go Asia. I like seeing my name in print...
Check it out here...

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Summer Fest

Uhh, probably not all meant to be worn at once :)

Clockwise from top-left:
ACB Suede Tassel Chain Necklace
Sass and Bide Don't Go Breaking My Heart Top
Eugenia Kim Max Straw Toyo Hat
Belle by Sigerson Morrison Flat Hippie Wrap Sandals
Anna Sui Paisley Scarf Dress
Ray Ban Large Wayfarer Acetate Sunglasses
Current Elliot The Boyfriend Denim Shorts
See by Chloe Lace Up Rubber Wellington Boots
Jimmy Choo Tallys Fringed Bag
Net-a-Porter

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Wanderlust List

Recently my husband was inspired by this blog to make a list of 100 things to do before he dies (God forbid anytime soon!). Naturally, it rubbed off on me and next thing you know I'm ratting my brains trying to think of even 10 things to do! But one that is a high priority on the list is visiting 20 countries before I'm 25 years old. I turn 25 in December 2011 and I'm nearly there on the list, but just need a little push along!

Here is where I've been so far:

1. Australia
2. Philippines
3. U.S.A
4. Fiji
5. Thailand
6. New Zealand
7. Bangladesh
8. China (Hong Kong)
9. Nepal
10. Qatar
11. Oman

This year we will be visiting the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, U.K, France and fingers crossed, India! So that's 16 countries, leaving four to visit next year.

There are a few ground rules: airports don't count, at least a day (12 hours) must be spent outside of the airport's surroundings and some sort of cultural experience is to be had!

Any suggestions for next year?
You can visit my husband's blog here (he is quite the artiste and illustrator - far more creative than I am!)

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Coral Toes

I'm so proud of myself. Because summer is coming up I'm finally pushing my black clothes away and welcoming whites and brights. And this is just some proof I had to share :)

And see those coral painted toe nails? They really want to be hanging out in these Miu Miu Corked and Leather Wedges...

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In the Sun

The weather is spectacular here in Kathmandu at the moment. Clear blue skies and warm winds (don't worry, I won't start on my "there's no beach" rant again), and it really is inspiring me to get out and do some active stuff in the sun. In the blogosphere, lots of European bloggers have recently been to a concert by She & Him, in which the intriguing Zooey Deschanel is the 'she'. I thought I'd listen to some of their stuff and get acquainted. I'm not sure if I love her or hate her, (definitely didn't love her/her character in 500 Days of Summer), and I'm still not sure what I think about She & Him's lolly-pop sound. But one thing I know for sure, is that this song is perfectly suited for today...

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I love them ♥

I love them together!
Joshua Jackson and Diane Kruger at the Chanel Cruise S/S 10-11 show in St. Tropez. I'm still trying to forget about my teenage crush on JJ...

For more photographs of Diane Kruger frolicking with other amazing women for Chanel in St. Tropez, check out Garance blog.

P.S. What do you think about my blog's new look? Like or dislike?

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"Relaxed Glamour"

I love this look book by the British, Mint Velvet. Stunning, simple pieces that I could wear forever...
Yes, it's true. I did nearly post every single page of the Lookbook! I just couldn't choose the best photographs!

via {this is glamorous}

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Dion Lee's pleats

There was lots of rave and accolade for Dion Lee's S/S 2010-11 collection at the Rosemount Australian Fashion Week last week. It was a beautiful summery collection with pastel blues and lilacs, but my favourite was the delicate pleating on pretty skirts and dresses. New obsession: pleating!

{I love this dress!}

{notice the pleating on the back}

via frockwriter

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Guess!

It's Friday today and I couldn't let this day pass without something travel related!

So please take a guess as to where this beautiful city is that I will also be visiting this coming October...

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French Apple Pie

This week has been a bit crazy for me, so sorry for the lack of blogging. In Nepal there have been some crazy political protests and the whole country has been 'closed' by a political party, so no shops open, no vehicles on the road and I've pretty much been working from home all week (with lots of tea breaks and movie breaks :P ). Anyways, so I haven't really been in the frame of mind to blog about wonderful things.

But one thing I did bookmark this week that I'm going to try to make (once all the shops open), to prepare us for our trip to Europe is a French Apple Pie. The recipe can be found at that link, but I thought it would be nice to post it up here with some pretty pictures too. If you try making it let me know how it goes!

The Filling
5-6 Medium Apples
120ml (1/2 Cup) Sugar
60ml (1/4 Cup) Honey
45ml (3 Tbsp) Butter (unsalted*)
10ml (2 Tsp) Lemon Juice
(from a lemon, for crying out loud, not a bottle!)
Lemon Zest (1/2 of a lemon peel)
2ml (1/2 Tsp) Salt

The Crust
240ml (1 Cup) Flour
(Use the best all purpose flour available.)
2ml (1/2 Tsp) Salt
10ml (2 Tsp) Sugar
100ml (7 Tbsp) butter (cold and unsalted*)
~30ml (~2 Tbsp) Ice Cold Water

The Technique

Important Notes:
This recipe requires a 25.4cm (10 inch), cast-iron skillet. No other type of skillet will do! You will love it! So no complaining.
Use oven mitts to handle your cast iron skillet.
Start with the crust because it will need to be refrigerated while you prepare the filling. Important: Chill your butter. The success of this crust depends on it!

Step 1: Prepare the Crust
Pour the flour, salt, and sugar into a medium bowl. Combine them well with a large spoon. Cut the butter into small pieces and add it to the dry ingredients. With a pastry blender, blend the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture forms pea-sized grains. Continue to blend and add small amounts of the cold water until the mixture begins to stick. Flour your hands and press the mixture into a ball. Wrap the dough ball with plastic wrap and refrigerate it while you make the filling.

Step 2: Prepare the Apples
Peel and core your apples into 6 or 8 slices each. Place them in a large bowl. Add the salt, lemon juice, and lemon zest to the apple slices and toss thoroughly.


Step 3: Preheat your oven to (195° C.) 380° F.

Step 4: Cook the Filling
Note: The golden color is controlled by the temperature at which you melt the butter in this step. If your skillet is too hot, the butter will become quite brown and your tarte will look muddy. We want a golden brown appearance. So start with low heat.

Preheat your cast-iron skillet under low heat and melt the butter. While you stir the butter, add the honey and sugar. Continue to stir and slowly bring the mixture up to medium heat. The mixture will have a granular quality to it at first. As it warms, the texture will become smooth and the color will become light gold. This process will take from 6 to 7 minutes from the time the butter starts to melt until the texture becomes smooth. Remove the skillet from the heat. Use an oven mitt on the handle!

You will make two layers of apples in the skillet. Place the apples into the skillet in a round pattern to form the first layer. Then add a second layer of apples. Place the skillet over medium heat and cook the apples for about 15 minutes. (Be careful! Do not let the mixture boil over.) Remove the skillet from the heat. Let the mixture cool for about 10 minutes.

Step 5: Apply the Crust
Take the dough from the refrigerator and remove the plastic wrap. Roll out the dough on a well floured surface to make a circle of 28cm (11 inches). Transfer the dough to the skillet. Press the edges of the dough to the inside edges of the skillet. Cut a few vents into the crust. Let everything rest for 5 minutes.
 
Step 6: Bake the Tarte
Place the skillet into the oven and bake the tarte at 195° C. (380° F.) for 45 minutes or until the crust is golden. Remove the skillet from the oven and let it rest for about 3 minutes.
 
Step 7: Turn out the Tarte
Note: Be careful and remember to use your oven mitts. This is a little tricky, but you can do it!
Take a large serving or dinner plate and center it, bottom side up, over the skillet. Hold the plate firmly to the skillet. With an oven mitt, hold the skillet by the handle. Quickly and confidently turn the tarte from the skillet on to the plate.

Step 8: Enjoy!
You can serve your Tarte Tatin warm or cold. Purists say to eat it warm. I prefer to refrigerate the tarte overnight. This allows the honey and apple flavors to harmonize into that resonant chord of sweetness that we talked about.

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Mrs. O

I would just like to start the working week off with this...
Doesn't Michelle Obama look absolutely stunning in this vibrant red gown by Nepal's Prabal Gurung? She really was the belle of the ball at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in Washington DC on Saturday night.

If you want to keep track of what the First Lady wears, visit Mrs. O and that is where you will be in the know!
Now I also mentioned Prabal Gurung. And I'm oh, so proud of him. I'm not a Nepali, but after living in the country for nearly a year and a half, and seeing how it's slowly declining instead of going forward (that's a whole other development/social article in itself!), it's nice to see promising things coming out of Nepal. And the best part is that Prabal Gurung isn't ashamed of where he has come from, because he knows how important it has been in making him the designer he is today. His designs are classic, relevant, recession-proof, elegant, stunning, magnificent, I could name 100% adjectives to describe his dresses.

Anyway, if you want to know more about him and his down-to-earth persona, read this article my friend here in Kathmandu wrote for CNNGo...

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