HAPPY NEW YEAR!

To all my readers: I wish you all love, laughter, champagne and chocolate!  Happy New Year!

Recap 2012

 

Is it me or time flies after 30?!?  Well, I honestly cannot complain as I've had a fantastic year: our family's move to Shanghai, all the traveling in Asia (HK, Taiwan, Korea and Bali) and most importantly, my pregnancy with baby Liu #2!

As I am embracing my last two months before my daughter is due, I apologize the lack of ODJ...feeling and looking like a whale is really not that inspiring for any pictures...But be assured that I will make it up next year as soon as I get enough sleep after giving birth (hopefully within the first week!).

Happy New Year!!!

OBSESSION DU JOUR - Cinderella Shoes

(Jimmy Choo Anouk in Silver)

I need these modern Cinderella shoes - aka Jimmy Choo Anouk pumps in silver!  Ok, I don't exactly have a midnight dash but they would be so perfect for New Year's Eve.

Christy

(Vogue Paris Dec '12/Jan '13)

How does she do it?  At almost 44 and still looks that amazing!!!  Is it the yoga?  The healthy diet?  The good genes?  I need to find out how to age gracefully (as if she looks like she aged at all!?!) like Christy...

Cirque du Cholesterol

After a whole day of shopping, exhausted and defeated, I met up with a dear friend to fuel up at m:brgr, a gourmet burger joint that offer the best sweet potato fries, cole slaws, milk shakes and of course, burgers!

My order: a truffle, oyster mushroom, caramelized onion, Monterey Jack cheese AAA beef burger.  It's a tall order, but I swallow the whole thing in 5 mins!!!  2000 calories later (and I'm not even exaggerating), we headed to watch Saltinbanco, one of the Cirque du Soleil's original shows that is doing its grand finale here in Montreal.  What a great way to end a day!

SHOPPING - Pistol

My boxing day shopping was, unfortunately for me but fortunately for my hubby, very unsuccessful!  I knew I probably wouldn't score any clothes, but was determined to hunt down some uber cool jewelry and shoes...however, I ended up with only a Mezzo decaf latte and a chocolate chunk cookie at Starbucks!!!

Huh...defeated, I went home and clicked on checkout from my shopping cart page(thank you reliable online shopping!).  Acne Pistol boots in Mustard colour: after seeing them on every off duty model for the past two years, I'm convinced they will be my go-to boots.  This will be my second pair from the Swedish brand (I got the Acne Hydro wedge boots last year and have been wearing them like slippers) so I know they're a post-baby approved.  And in this buttery shade, it'll be perfect for spring, summer and fall!

Dear Santa...

Dear Santa...

I've been a good girl over the past year...in fact, I've been a good wife, mother, daughter and friend!  All I want this Christmas is the Cartier Juste un Clou bracelet in rose gold.  I've been lusting over the modern and edgy design for a while now and would really be happy if it can miraculously appear under our tree tonight!

Janet
xxx

ps.  I've left an assortment of gourmet cookies and champagne (I think you deserve more than a glass of milk) by the fireplace.

I've got ears!

(Disney Electric Holiday @ Barneys)

While shopping online at the newly added 60% off selection of Barneys.com, I came across the cutest last minute gift!  How cute is that?  Mickey Mouse ears with veil from L'Wren Scott, exclusively at Barneys.

And at only $48, it's a great gift for a quirky friend that really doesn't need anything!

HOLIDAY INSPIRATION - Chic Dinner Party

I'm always amazed when I see the work of interior designer Kelly Wearstler.  So naturally, when Vogue asked her to create a holiday table using her latest collection of home ware, the result is nothing less of chic & fabulous!

I love the fashion designer guest list theme with their personalized seating card!  A stiletto heel for Christian Louboutin and a skull for Alexander McQueen...what can be more fitting?!?  And how she incorporates mismatched objects/furniture to create such an warm yet sophisticated setting.  I only wish I can one day master the art of hosting fabulous parties!

Good Morning Montreal!

Sorry for the lack of post this week...I've been busy with packing for my 3 month trip back to Montreal and fighting the jet lag...In fact, we've just landed last night after an almost 24hr trip, including delay from Shanghai departure, missing the connecting flight in Toronto, dealing with Air Canada for putting my son and I on separate flights back to Mtl (don't ask how they decided to put a 2 yr old toddler on a different flight from his mom?!?), etc.

And now, just gotten up from my supposedly "nap", I'm enjoying my Fairmount bagel (Montreal has the best bagels in the world!!!) with cream cheese with a big cup of latte at 1:30am!

WINTER BEAUTY SAVER - The Good Oil

 Its this time of the season where it's cold & windy outdoors and the heat is blasting indoors.  Result: dry patches on my cheeks (and sometimes accompanied by broken blood veins)!  Nice...

My skin is rather thin with a tendency to be on the combination side, so I have to be careful with slathering lots of heavy creams on...I mean I don't like the dry patches, but acne during the holidays (or any day) is even worst!!!

Having that said, I was reluctant to try the sample size Seaberry Moisturizing Face Oil by Fresh I got while in Canada this past summer.  But I'm going flying back to the land of Winter Wonderland (Montreal, QC) tomorrow and I know the weather is going to be even more of a shock for my delicate skin.  So, why not try it and see if it works?  It was free after all...

And I love it!  It did not feel oily...in fact, it absorbed quickly and was just soothing.  And because you don't need a lot (2 drops for face/neck/chest) so my sample should last at least two weeks...or at least until I get a chance to get a full bottle.

I also noticed, from their website, that Fresh has an Elixir Ancien Face Treatment Oil (with a much higher price tag!)  I wonder if it's 5X better?  I guess it wouldn't hurt to ask for a sample!

MAIN EVENT - All Pink Baby Shower

Yesterday was my surprise baby shower!  But this time around, everything was pink...even I was in the mood and wore a baby pink sequin top...  And it's always a lot of fun getting together with your girlfriends for mimosa (or two)!

Thanks for everyone who came and special thanks to Lisa and Taylor for organizing everything!!!

Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend

(Vogue Russia Dec 2012)

I totally agree!!!