Sushi*

"Some things in life are like two ends of a cucumber. 

Regardless of what happens in between, 

the two ends will always meet 

because they are still the same thing."

After spending the morning running errands, V & I took refuge at home to spend some quality time in the kitchen. May this be the first of many cooking adventures!

Assortment of Teriyaki Chicken, Salmon, Avocado & Cucumber Sushi

(Our initial attempts at making the sushi had too much rice, but towards the end there were too many ingredients!)

Salmon Avocado Nigiri

(Nigiri is the perfect solution when you run out of seaweed sheets and there are excess ingredients. Dad had mistakenly thought the the avocado was wasabi, but I reassured him it was only avocado!)

Tetsuya's*

"Landing in Sydney in 1982 with a small suitcase and a love of food, 

Tetsuya's first job was a kitchen hand at Fishwives in Surry Hills. 

In 2000, a heritage-listed site was refurbished to create a dream, 

complete with dining rooms overlooking an exquisite Japanese garden."

For many years Tetsuya's has been my favourite restaurant in Sydney. Only one slight criticism may be the lack of variation in the dishes. Pleasant memories each time I revisit to celebrate a special occasion, and this time it was for Q's birthday. After several experiences, I am still in love. 

Freshly baked White Bread Roll with Truffle Butter

(I am addicted to this truffle butter spread! What's more, it is comforting to know it is not technically butter as it consists of parmigiano reggiano, ricotta and black truffle- YUM)

Warm Chestnut Soup with Smoked Cream
(Smooth and silky warm starter.)

Pacific Oysters with Rice Vinegar & Ginger

(Optional extra course that is a must order! Freshly shucked oysters with a creative spin if you use the bed of seaweed shreds as garnish.)

Sea Urchin Custard

(One of the highlights of the degustation. Sea Urchin was perfectly cooked, with a sweet aftertaste. The Custard was light and provided a nice base for this ocean treasure.)

Sashimi of Kingfish with Blackbean & Orange

(Fancy black bean sauce with a hint of citrus.)

Confit Petuna Ocean Trout with Konbu & Shaved Fennel

(Tetsuya's Signature Dish. A classic that never grows old.)

John Dory with Ajo Blanco & Pil Pil

(Quite underwhelmed with this course, but it could possibly be due to my dislike for John Dory.)

Queensland Spanner Crab with Tofu & Foie Gras

(Immediate impression was a Japanese/French interpretation of the Chinese dish "Ma Por Tofu".)

Confit leg of Duck with Caramelised Eschallots & Brussels Sprouts

Seared Loin of NZ Venison with Salt Roasted Beetroot & Beetroot Jus

(Fond recollections of sampling venison when I was in New Zealand a few years ago, where it is a common delicacy. However, this venison was cooked to a much finer standard- tender, succulent and the distinct venison aroma was complemented with the beetroot overtones.)

Goat's Milk Ice Cream with Sorrel Granita

(Taking a wild guess I like the concept of this dish - goat and an allusion to grass from the sorrel granita. Initially I was quite apprehensive with the thought of goat's milk (or anything from a goat in general). First spoonful of the green shavings tasted like grass! Surprisingly, it turned out to be extremely enjoyable and not too overpowering on the palette.)

Bread & Butter Pudding and Tarte Tatin

(Love at first sight! Enticed by the layers of goodness in the pudding and different textures of the tarte tatin.)

Spiced Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Ice Cream & Salted Peanuts

Tea & Macarons

... until next time!*

~ ~ ~

Tetsuya's

529 Kent Street, Sydney

(02) 9267 2900

~ ~ ~

Chanel Haute Couture FW11/12*

"Circa. 5 July 2011

Grand Palais, Paris.

per Karl Lagerfield."

Featuring amazing fabrications and techniques I am too amateur to identify. The colour palette was predominantly black, white and grey with a splash of fuchsia and royal deep blue. Simply true to Chanel.  And might I dare say, markedly better than the Dior Haute Couture FW11/12.

To set the scene, let us turn back time to 1897 when construction began for the Grand Palais. Built in the style of architecture as taught by the École des Beaux-Arts. It reflects the movement's taste for ornate decoration through its stone facades, the formality of its floor planning and a glass vault.

Extracted below are my favourites among the favourites, although I adored every look in the collection!

Shu Pei

Chinese supermodel. love the outfit. LOVE her. 

From the runway, straight to the likes of Anna Wintour. 

Outfit worn by Wintour as she was presented a Chevalier of the Order, France's highest decoration from President Nicolas Sarkozy. 

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Christian Dior Haute Couture FW11/12*

"Dior cultivated structure, surface and a feminine silhouette,

to capture the spirit of la Rose Moderne.

Architectural exactitude inspires new cuts and construction to bloom,

as new fabric techniques are developed by the studio to create

an elegant new Haute Couture."

Loved the collection as a whole (how could one not love Couture?!), yet slightly disappointed. Some of the looks were borderline clown costumes and would arguably be considered tacky if they were not from Dior! Seven key pieces captured the story of the show: first face, a pick from each of the five inspirations and the finale outfit. 


Ettore Sottsass
Bold pastel palette combined with graphic black and white. Dior roses mix delicate petals in pleats, prints and folds of taffeta with light gazar waves and triple-layer organzas with leather applique. Crisp, clean lines contrast with a raw, hand-cut finish while tutti-frutti embroideries pollinate color. Leather and plastic embroideries give high glass to new draping techniques.

Frank Gehry

Shimmering soft metallics with glass sequins, neutrals and a new Dior rose. Modern waves are constructed in light mille feuille forms of natural beauty, frayed iridescent lame and muted taffetas. Metallic embroidery, circular layering and light deconstruction shape a new Gehry-style Dior rose of pure elegance.

Jean-Michel Frank and Jean Dunand
Wood and malachite sequined prints. Soft cylindrical columns in the Deco spirit capture the skill and glamour of creation as luxury, cut and movement showcase this contemporary new-wave couture.

Marc Bohan

Multicolored rose petals on hand-painted chiffons, while intricate hand-pleated pieces feature a modern-day homage to Murano glass in a rich bouquet of artistry and beauty defines the skill of Dior.

Jean-Paul Goude

A night at 'Le Palace', as Dior roses dance in a wild celebration of metallic streamers, color and embroidery strewn over innovatively pleated gowns. Refined craftsmanship ensures that Dior tradition fuses with the future as raw cut, bold technique and Dior Haute Couture make a glamorous statement for Fall-Winter roses.

As night dawns, the moon takes it place in the night sky. 

Another fantastic Couture show has ended, 

while another chapter in the House of Dior has begun.*

P.S. I Love You*

"Even after all this time,

the Sun never says to the Earth:

"You owe me."

Look what happens with a Love like that.

It lights up the whole sky."

Friday night in, switch on the television and to my delight the film "P.S. I Love You" is showing!

A timely reminder to appreciate loved ones ~

whether it be our family, friends or significant other.

Maybe?

We do not time for a catch up coffee with an acquaintance,

lunch with a good friend we have not seen for years,

or to attend family dinner with some distant relatives and cousins.

Maybe... 

We can find time amongst our busy schedules

and just make a little bit of time for those special people around us.

In whatever form it comes, and from whoever it may be, does not matter.

What matters is to appreciate the now, rather than regret the later ~

Because Love, will provide a different kind of warmth from Sydney's coldest Winter*

Heaven to Hell*

Nine Steps down Memory Lane*

"Fashion is in the air and the way we live.

Not measured by the number of breathes we take,

but the moments which take our breathe away."

Iconic moments creating a lifetime of style. 
Like a cat with nine lives, let me capture a life of fashion in nine scenes. 

1. Let us start with the bare essentials

Lily Donaldson in Christian Louboutin

(UK Vogue, December 2010)

2. What could possibly be better than an Hermès bag? TWO Hermès bags!

Hermès LRTW SS11

Transparent Crocodile Kelly

3. A Reality: waiting for the train (Perhaps dressed slightly less extravagant and without a stack of LV monogram trunks in tow).

Penélope Cruz in Rob Marshall’s musical adaptation of "Nine"

4. In our Dreams: wearing a once-off masterpiece.

Christian Dior FW09 Haute Couture

5. While a privileged few shall live a Dream as their Reality

Lady Gaga in Alexander McQueen

6. The Birth of an idea captured using colour pencils, paper and a whole lot of skill!

Manolo Blahnik Sketches

6. Back to Black on Black

Lanvin FW11

7. Although a hint of colour never hurts ~

Chanel SS11

9. As you can see... Fairytales do come true after all!*

Tim Walker "Fairytale Man"

BKSV LoVe*

"Four friends,

Four bags,

Four personalisations,

For LoVe."

Is it coincidence that Louis Vuitton represents tradition, innovation, modernity and creativity?In my language, these values are translated to symbolise lasting friendship. Regardless of the changes in our lives, we may reminisce upon close friendships every time a memorable item is used. For BKSV, this means toting our classic LV Monogram Speedy. 

Courtesy of Bryan Boy: WHAT IS THE ALTERNATIVE TO FASHION?

"Love is similar to fashion. We can’t survive without it. The love of family is similar to the fashion version of the classics. A classic trench coat can withstand weather, rain, wear or tear, like one’s father. The softness and comfort of a cashmere sweater is akin to a mother’s love. A great pair of jeans that you can bring to places is very brotherly or sisterly. Friends come and go over time so the love of friends are similar to accessories — the timeless classic bag, willing to be there while you carry your baggage, is your best friend. The must-have shoe is your other BFF. Acquaintances and all the people that go through the revolving door called life are trend pieces — they make you happy temporarily but after a few short moments, they’re disposable. Shoulder pads? Check. Sequined jackets? Check. Colour blocking? Check check check!

And when it comes to real, unconditional, special love from THE one and only? We’re all gonna have to go through many, many dresses, some tight, some loose, some probably ill-fitting, but there’s only only one, clean and pristine, dress that will march with us to the altar. It takes time to find that one.

Love is all we need."

For BKSV, 
with LoVe
xox*