Everydayflair loves HK style

 the huge official Apple store in IFC mall

alleys such as this, clean and pretty, nice touch with the flowers

a cute cafe by the MTR station, how cute is that?

how Chinese design is so distinguished

everywhere you see English ads or signs that I'm wracking my brains thinking of what they mean only to find humor in it, gotta love that

clean, highly organized, efficient train system

mobile softees, so old school, so cool, so current

the Laduree store, just because it's dainty


Another thing I enjoy when going back to HK
is that it never stops to amaze me with how they continually develop
It also has both old school touches and huge in culture
but also very modern and hip

I fit this place because of my natural tendencies to be neat and organized
I have low tolerance for mediocrity
Pardon me for saying that
We're given a life
Give your best in living it

Here, things work hence life becomes easier
Even in the grocery, they only have the cashier
very fast, no talking, doesn't need a bagger, puts everything in a bag
or oftentimes too, people just put them in themselves
No senoritas, hence, they progress

I hope someday, my own country will be as developed and disciplined.

Have a relaxing weekend ahead!

Laduree, now in Hong Kong!

The famous Laduree from France is now in Harbour City, Hong Kong!

A little bit pricey but well what do you expect? :)

It is really good but I am not sure if it's the best macaron I've tried or the one from Pierre Herme' in Paris

1 macaroon costs 23HKD, you do the math

A place of happiness

 Our ride to Happy Valley

our first stop, Dim Sum in Happy Valley, I would eat here 3 times a week


Well, as we were visiting our old hometown
Which funny when people asked me where we were going during Easter break
My immediate, unthought of response was
We're going home

I think I have mentioned countless of times how Hong Kong will always be special to me
It was our first home
When my husband & I were engaged, he got the job in HK
So we had a long distance relationship for several months
Til we got married and I officially moved to HK

HK was so special to me as my dad passed away 4 days after our wedding
I was  daddy's girl
and when I moved, I didn't feel alone, even if most of the time I was as my hubby works til late
I had the spirit of my dad with me
I had my relationship with God and everyone up there
I felt secure
Though I would think a lot about my Mom and how she was doing
At that time it was just all regular overseas calls, no Skype. no FaceTime

I must say I found myself in Hong Kong
Not that I was lost ever
I've always been pretty steadfast
But I just found independence and a new life
I was very happy building a home, building a family

My children's godparents were all our friends from Hong Kong
Joey, my bridesmaid, was based there as she was working for Cathay
Pat, my colleague from Shangri-la got married to an expat HK-Chinese
so we started married life the same year
Cielo, my high school friend was based there too
They, to this day, hold special places in my heart
They were part of my wonderful life in Hong Kong


I remember how my husband was so scared that I will be lonely being away from home
The only time I was away was when I studied in the States
He was surprised when little by little
phone calls would be for me
Letters (yes!  we still wrote letters then, actually I still do until now) in the mail were for me
E-mails were for me
And I sometimes won't even want him home in the afternoons during his break cause I had things planned
Haha

Everytime I go back, which is pretty often
I literally feel my heart beat faster
And I glow
We started our family there
I gave birth there with no family around except my husband
And during the day I was alone in the hospital as he was at work
and visiting hours are limited

My only visitors were Joey & Pat and our neighbor, Ronnie
But I was so happy & fulfilled
No one advised me how to take care of my newborn baby
I had to do it on my own

I love Hong Kong
I love the life we had there
It was special

It was, as I've always said, our home
And in my heart, it will always be

Bo Innovation, Hong Kong

my teen gourmand

sorry about my old camera and lighting

outside Bo Innovation



Was just in our old hometown for some R&R
My hubby suggested we try Bo Innovation
Being the gourmand that he is, he knows the hip, cool places
I was suggesting the usual Robuchon, Amber, etc
Good thing when it comes to food, I listen to him
He knows the restos for the "in the know"

Bo Innovation by Chef Alvin Leung (too bad he was touring that time)
Was a gastronomic surprise and delight
A little bit molecular, eclectic but still  very modern Chinese
It is listed by San Pellegrino as #15 as Asia's best restaurant
and #52 in the world's best.
Now that is something to accomplish.

The place was in Wanchai in a secluded street
We got there by tram from Admiralty taking Kennedy Road
Place was small, and just like any cool space
You already have that feeling of hip-ness to it
As opposed to the usual classic restos

The chef is eclectic, just as his food
Tattoos, long hair and all
Somehow it works
Part of the stage he's setting

When in Hong Kong
Try Bo Innovation
It won't disappoint

In this neighborhood

our old bakery, King's Bakery

our neighborhood flower shop

where we used to buy fruits

our parish

waiting for the tram to Happy Valley


Just sharing with you our old neighborhood, Happy Valley

Neighborhood where I first called home as a married woman

Where I first became a mom

Where we first lived as a family

Where I grew into my own

How I miss it!

How can you not miss a place where even the name has happiness to it...

Happy weekend!

Just arrived!

Me standing outside Times Square
One of my usual stops in Hong Kong
This is where we usually go to shop, eat at City's Super
shop for some groceries, go to Page One bookshop, watch movies, etc

It's funny how when one travels
One tends to navigate and be drawn to the familiar

I love Hong Kong
It's home
Haven't I said it enough?

Everydayflair loves Hong Kong...

Dim Sum, Sing Woo Road, Happy Valley

As a former local, I kinda know what I'm talking about when I say this is the best dim sum place in HK.
Even Gwyneth Paltrow promotes this in her blog - http://www.goop.com/ , go to GO then HK.

When I was pregnant with my eldest, I would eat here alone 3x a week. The place is always full and you need to wait to get a seat. NEVER did that. The attendant would always remove a reserved sign for me! Even when I visited with the whole family years ago, she still took out a reserved sign and made us have a table! I just love the food and the people!
Everytime am in HK, this is a must go. My old neighborhood, my old dim sum place, still my favorite restaurant of all time.


The Kee Club, Wellington Street, Central


Lucky us for knowing the right people, hahaha.
Our good friend , Jan Svoboda (Thomas' old friend way back in Singapore) is the Managing Director/Partner there, so, of course, he invited us to dinner.

It's a members only place, exclusive , if you know of someone who's a member, ask them to bring you.

Again, Ms. Paltrow promotes this in her blog - goop.
Kevin Spacey was supposed to come that night but I was so sleepy , couldn't stay and wait.




Alfie's (Alfred Dunhill) by KEE Club, Prince's Bldg
w/ Jan & T

Most of the best meals I've had are with these two guys. As hoteliers, they always have access to the best restaurants in town.

Alfie's as in Alfred Dunhill is very English, clubby interiors, run by KEE Club.
In Prince's Bldg, opposite Landmark, Central.







Public transport, the tram

One of the things I loved about life in HK is the accessibility and the public transport
Trams, double decker buses, mini buses, MTR, red taxis, you name it, you're sure it's safe and clean and you get a good view of the city
Makes such a huge difference







grEAT Cafe in Pacific Place

A decade ago this was just EAT, if memory serves me right
Now, it's called grEAT
Reminds me of Wholefoods in the States though not all organic
Lots of choices for easy, fast dining
This is where you eat when you need a break from shopping








Michael Wong (outside Dim Sum)

How can you not love a place where moviestars just roam the streets
Michael Wong was a neighbor of mine, we lived in Happy Valley
Would always see him around when we were living there, sometimes alone, sometimes with his wife
I even saw Chow YunFat inside the tram one time
People don't mind them
I didn't mind them til I got a BLOG!!!
Would not do this but hey, am thinking of my readers, hahaha
Saw him just outside Dim Sum and asked for a photo
My husband had to tell me, "I thought you weren't like that?"
Me (defensively): "It's for the blog!"













HK Airport

What's there not to love
Clean, spacious, modern, well thought of architecture
I can be here for hours and be alright















the vibe and energy (to Times Square, Causeway Bay)

Would frequent this place as this is so close to our old home
Too many people of diverse origins that everyone blends
I just love the spirit!

More to come in the next posts...

Excellence

Pacific Coffee, Hong Kong

Our Global Home

red vase bought in one of our road trips to Tagaytay, 2005

painting by Romulo Olazo circa 2007

coffee table from India

1930's wooden bench/couch from Bangkok, oversized back cushions custom made in Bangkok using Jim Thompson silk

curved stool from Bangkok

red chest - gift from my hubby, Hong Kong

century old bishop's chair from Rome, Italy

big red chest from China

hurricane candleholder - Villeroy & Boch, Hong Kong

candlestick from Tequila Kola, Hong Kong
rug from Turkey
armoire from India bought in Hong Kong

kerosene lamp from Vietnam

blue & white jar as a gift

all coffee table books were gifts

Art book from my children on one of my birthdays

Lofts book from our architect on my 40th bday

Jean Georges Vongerichten book for my husband from Jean Georges (they were colleagues in NY)

mango wooden vase from Bangkok

mother with sons sculpture from Lordi, Switzerland, Christmas gift from my hubby

Many people ask me where I got our stuff at home

I must say our pieces say much about our history

Even my kids feel right at home despite the many places we've lived in

Because, as my eldest cleverly put it

What's inside is the same so wherever we are, we feel right at home right away

I was never one to copy what's the latest or what's in

whether in dressing up or in interiors

I remember a friend of mine was saying

how she knows of some people who already know what's in even before they become popular

Told her, that's being trendy or fashionable

True style is more than that

Designing a home is giving it a personal touch

Something that would be reflective of the people living inside

We've collected our pieces over the years

We didn't go through the phase of buying for the sake of

We always waited til we found the right piece for us

Especially living overseas, I think my hubby saw the importance

of having a home I love since I would be staying in it most of the time

At the end of the day, these are pieces, part of memories

What really matters most is that they gave you good remembrances

and make the people in that home

Feel so much warmer just remembering

Where they've been, where they are

Without forgetting where they're headed to.

May your home always hold special memories for you.

Have a good Wednesday!