tiny hat

Last Wednesday it was Children's Day in Korea. We spent it strolling around the park next to our apartment building, gushing over the copious amount of cute kids (and their outfits). Particularly this little dear - red flats, beige skirt, navy cardigan...and that hat! I don't think I'll ever be a fan of tiny toppers for anyone over the age of 4, but I do think this little girl's miniature straw chapeau is fantastic. So much fun.

Mother's Day

I know everyone says that their mom is their best friend, but do you know what - I think if they met my mom SHE would be their best friend. Since I was two weeks old my mom has been my traveling companion; 24 years on and our family adventures haven't stopped. We share a love of flat whites, antler chandeliers, cowboy boots, white wine, and seeing the world. I'll spend my life trying to be as cool as her.

Sometimes we don't get to spend holidays together, so it's pretty extra special when we do.

Happy Mother's Day Mom... thank you for letting me ride kangaroos before I was even old enough to know I wanted to.

fiesta

A lot of good things have come out of Mexico. Jose Cuervo, ponchos, quesadillas. In fact, everything about this fiesta country is colourful and delicious. I have never been but would love to go someday. Anyways, a very good friend of mine (who insists she's half Mexican but is one of the palest people you'll ever meet) first introduced me to Cinco de Mayo a few years ago. Essentially, the fifth of May commemorates the Mexican army's victory over the French back in 1862. It is also a fantastic excuse to consume numerous mid-week margaritas on a patio.

While anyone who knows me (especially the slightly inebriated version of me) knows my affinity for a late night burrito, one of my favourite spots for Mexican delights in Toronto has to be Margarita's on Baldwin. There are delightfully tacky chili pepper lights strung up on the walls and the zesty margs are served in goblet sized glasses rimmed with salt. Yum. There is also a large enough enchilada/fajita/quesadilla/taco/burrito selection to keep you satiated til next year's celebrations.

So whether you're Mexican for real or just Mexican at heart I hope you find some time today to indulge in a little after work bebido to celebrate our neighbours south of the border(s).

strawberries and tea

There are few things more delightful than afternoon tea with scones, even better when dolloped with gluttonous amounts of homemade strawberry jam and cream. So imagine how happy I was to discover that this quintessentially British tradition is thriving just a few hours outside of Kuala Lumpur (my home for the time being). A three hour road trip takes you on a winding journey outside of the city to the picturesque countryside of the Cameron Highlands. In stark contrast to the skyscrapers and Starbucks of KL these lush green hills are a rural wonderland dotted with tea plantations, strawberry farms and plenty of wild orchids. Amongst the breathtaking landscape is a charming little English Tudor style hotel called The Smokehouse where we stopped for quite a while to enjoy the colourful rose gardens and some sweet homemade treats. I would definitely recommend a visit for anyone who finds themselves craving some colonial comforts on this side of the globe.

postcards

Have you missed me? I've been losing myself on the streets (and in the stores) of London for the past week. Today, somewhere in between cobblestoned markets and Sunday roast, I picked up these lovely little postcards to send home. Although I love them so much I think I might just have to save them for myself.

M.I.A.

Sorry to Katie and all you lovely readers (ahem, our parents) as it seems that I have been checked out of the blogosphere over the past two weeks and still haven't found sufficient time to make a fabulous return. My holidays were filled with ski trips, too much wine, not enough sleep, British accents and numerous dramas...lost luggage, trapped on the highway in a snowstorm, NYE in the emergency room - you know, the usual festive shenanigans. Anyways, hopefully you'll forgive my absence (my darling co-author holds down the fort here with such style I'm sure you barely missed me) and remember that it's not that I don't love you, it's just that I really, really needed some sleep.

by Hendra Permana
via

Today is my last day of work for the year and then I'm off to Thailand for a holiday in the sun. Happy Holidays and see you in 2010!

getaway

most photos from here, but some from here, too

tiny gingerbread houses

tiny gingerbread houses found here

Um, how awesome are these tiny gingerbread houses, made to perch on the sides of steaming cups of hot chocolate? I wish I could try to bake these - although my lack of oven would provide a slight problem. That being said, I simply love all types of Christmas baking (and was the lucky recipient of a goody-filled care package just this week thanks to my very talented mother and express posting). Gingerbread is, of course, one of my very favourites (which my mother can certainly attest to). To this end, some of my best memories growing up involve visiting the Lexington General Store to stock up on carefully hand-picked house adornments (i.e. 5 cent candies) and then coming home to bake/assemble/decorate my very own gingerbread house. This would then be displayed in our back hallway as part of a scenic ginger wonderland (which would slowly deteriorate every time I passed by). Sigh. I miss having an oven.

dear eloise

Well, these are rawther cute.

crazy little party girl

Katy Rodriguez Fancy Dress // Katy Rodriguez The Precious skirt
(both at Opening Ceremony)

barbie girl

I sort of love this Comme des Garcons Barbie (designed by Rei Kawakubo as part of the Jingle Flowers holiday collection). I love the fringe she's sporting, but even more, I love that flowery dress and wish I was wearing it right now.