“Mesdames et Messieurs, it is with deepest pride and greatest pleasure that we welcome you tonight. And now we invite you to relax, let us pull up a chair as the dressing room proudly presents – your outfits!”
Belle
Three outfits? She’s the star, so pourqoui pas?
The Beast
The tie actually has little Beast faces printed all over! I’m obsessed.
Gaston
My, what a guy!
LeFou
Suddenly craving cider in a mug.
Lumiere
“We tell jokes! I do tricks with my fellow candlesticks, and it’s all in perfect taste that you can bet!”
Cogsworth
“If it ain’t Baroque, don’t fix it.” (chuckles to self)
Mrs Potts
In terms of aesthetics, I love the original Mrs Potts so much more. There’s just something especially endearing about her design and colour scheme.
Plumette
In other versions, the feather duster is called Babette or Fifi, but I like Plumette best. Similarly, this is one of my favourite outfits of the lot. Those lashes are lush.
C’est tout! I hope that you’ve enjoyed everything – which outfit was your favourite? I haven’t watched the live-action remake yet, so no spoilers (if any). My Disney soulmate Natasha will be coming up to Hong Kong next week, so we’ll be watching it together then. And yes, it’s going to be magical, so you can expect some of that Disney magic to feature on the blog in the near future!
Cheesy cliché aside, just want to share a few more snapshots taken during our stay at the Parisian Macao during our anniversary celebration. (Part One is here, where you can take a peek at the room that we stayed in.)
While it isn’t “authentic” and isn’t backed by rich history, the fresco is nevertheless breathtakingly beautiful.
Haven’t explored much of Paris, so I’m not sure if this was a replica of a famous landmark. If you know what it is, please let me know in the comments. It’d be much appreciated!
Love the Parisian skyline on the display. Yes, it felt a bit like a theme park, but in a place that’s been dubbed “the Las Vegas of the East”, you’re there to have fun and embrace the artificial construct and all.
I was highly tempted to get some eclairs or petit fours, but we already had the macarons, so we had to pass on them. 😦
Watching “Thriller”, the resident attraction at the Parisian. It was a wonderfully done tribute that had us out of our seats and singing along to Michael Jackson’s many hits over the years. The King of Pop will always be irreplaceable.
Keeping it short as usual and calling it a night. Bonne nuit mes amis!
For our fourth wedding anniversary in October, Edwin and I celebrated at the Parisian Macao, which had opened just the previous month. We were really excited about exploring a brand new hotel and its accompanying shops and attractions. Moreover, it’s definitely a lot more affordable than actually flying to Paris, that’s for sure!
Our spacious hotel room with a view of the Eiffel Tower replica.
The luxurious bathroom, complete with a bathtub for taking long, indulgent baths. Ah, to live like the other side…
As it was our anniversary, we also received a couple of gifts, to commemorate our stay at the hotel!
Macarons! A teensy bit disappointed that there weren’t any chocolate ones, but hey, what’s not to love about these extravagant sweet treats?
A snow globe featuring the Parisian Macao! *heart eyes emoji*
Leaving you with the view from our window. As you can see, it’s got some stunning features, from the gorgeous pools (didn’t swim as it was too cold while we were there), to les galleries, to the mini Moulin Rouge!
This time, we had a weekday lunch at La Parole. The bread was rather chunky and required quite a bit of force to tear apart, while the amuse-bouche was a nice touch.
STARTER
Fried Calamari with Crispy Zucchini. While this isn’t what I would associate with French cuisine, it was done very well. Nicely crispy without being overly greasy.
Crabmeat Mango Salsa. Two of my favourite foods (mango and avocado) + one of Edwin’s favourite (crab) = a sure win.
SOUP
Mushroom and Black Truffle Soup. I enjoyed this very much.
Fish soup. They were nice enough to let us try two different soups (the menu stated only one type of soup) since Edwin has a mushroom allergy.
MAIN COURSE
Pan-fried Salmon with Spinach, Hot Vinaigrette Sauce. I love cooked spinach. It’s one of the few leafy greens that I really enjoy. The salmon wasn’t bad either, but where was the crispy skin? It just seemed a little incomplete.
Pan-fried Prime Angus Ribeye Beef with New Potato and Green Salad. Oh gosh this thing was MASSIVE. The potato looked positively puny next to it. Overall, it tasted fine, but it could have done with more searing on the outside, as it was a bit too soft and there wasn’t much contrast in the textures.
DESSERT
Fresh Mango Cream Cake and Lychee Delight. The cake was on the dry side, but combined with everything else in the same mouthful, it was alright. While Edwin didn’t care for the lychee dessert at all, I really liked it. I suppose as with all dining experiences, it really just boils down to individual taste.
VERDICT
As with La Locanda, the starters and desserts fared better than the main course. Something worth pointing out is that the service at La Parole is one of the best that I’ve encountered anywhere. They’ve done a superb job at training all their servers, that’s for sure. In fact, I’ve been so impressed that I would want to head back there in the future to try their usual menu.
Now, I hate to say it, but Restaurant Week’s been really underwhelming for us so far. Nothing’s been horrible, but there haven’t been any “wow” moments either. We’ll be headed for Round Three tomorrow, so fingers crossed!
La Parole 3/F, The Pemberton, 22-26 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong Tel: +852 2436 4099
A quick post about a quick and simple dinner date!
Our food arrived all at the same time so I thought I’d do a single shot. Clockwise from top left: pesto pasta with chicken and sun-dried tomatoes, bread, mushroom soup, galette with duck breast.
I enjoyed the soup the most, while the rest were pleasant but not amazing. Since we weren’t that hungry, we skipped dessert that day.
It’s a nice place for a date. I’d love to go back to try out their dessert crêpes, and the affogato looked especially good!
Odelice!
Shop 9, 2 Landale Street, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2520 2311
This is a quick (and yet another long overdue) post about our experience at the Lancôme x Joël Robuchon afternoon tea event, back in November 2015. I can’t remember how I came across this event – it was either somewhere online or in a magazine. (Not particularly helpful there, oops. :x)
Et voilà! C’est très mignon, non?
A close-up of some of the items. And in case you want an even closer look…
Crab meat roll with piquillo pepper.
Foie gras and berries jelly.
French green beans with smoked duck breast.
Scottish smoked salmon with caviar.
Squid ink toast with sardine tartare. This was one of my favourites!
How adorable is this mini croissant?
Cassis mousse with the Lancôme rose printed on white chocolate.
Raspberry “lipstick”. Pretty themed desserts get me every time.
That’s all for the photos. I didn’t take photos of all the desserts because our plates were too dirty towards the end. In any case, they weren’t spectacular. The scones in particular were really dry and tough. I also didn’t think it was necessary to put gold leaf on everything. Is that how they justify the cost?
In general, the savoury items fared better than the desserts. I’ve been finding this to be the case for a number of afternoon tea sets. For some reason, none of the desserts have impressed me. I should just give them up and do tapas instead. Maybe we’ll do that for Valentine’s Day?
By the way, the afternoon tea set also came with two mini Lancôme gift bags. Each contained little samples of day cream, night cream, and eye cream from their Absolue line, as well as 1.5ml of Trésor Midnight Rose l’eau de parfum, which was a nice touch.
Who says food and beauty don’t go together?
Le Café de Joël Robuchon
Shop 2608, 2/F, Gateway Arcade, Harbour City, 17 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
尖沙咀廣東道17號海港城港威商場2樓2608號舖
Tel: 2327 5711
Bonjour! Is there anything more glorious than brunch on a Sunday? (Actually, there are lots of glorious things and experiences out there, hence there’s always something to be cheerful – and write – about.)
Edwin and I had brunch at Angelina Paris at the start of the month, right before he flew off to Shanghai. It was lunch hour in the city, so the usual suspects were out of the question – the queue at Crystal Jade was o_O.
It seemed like every restaurant was full, until I thought of Angelina. Tucked away behind the makeup counters in Lane Crawford (upscale department store in IFC mall), it’s not someplace one would happen to walk past. I suppose it’s a good thing, since it makes for a more intimate dining experience.
The brunch set includes eggs “your way” (I opted for soft-boiled), bacon, hash browns, and a salad, but that’s not all…
Pastries and jam, bread and butter…
Juice…
Tea, coffee, or hot chocolate “L’Africain”. I had to go with their famous hot chocolate, bien sûr!
And finally, a choice between a fruit salad and pain perdu (French toast). I went with the former. As much as I love bread, it’s all too much for one meal!
Edwin had the crab club sandwich, which was MASSIVE. It even came with a side of fries!
While our meal was on the expensive side, the portions were generous and service was impeccable. In fact, I had to take the pastries and jam home – there was no way I was going to be able to finish all that in one sitting!
Taste-wise, it was pleasant but not mind-blowing. Items that stood out were the orange juice (super fresh) and fruit salad. The latter was as refreshing as it was pretty to look at.
I’m afraid I’ve been bitten by the brunch bug. In fact, for our anniversary next month, we’ll forgo the gift-giving in lieu of a fancy brunch, which is how I like it. Jewellery is nice, but food is everything. #alwayshungry
Be right back, off to hunt a sandwich.
Angelina Paris Hong Kong
Shop 3031-3070/ 3025-3026, IFC, 1 Harbour View Street, Central
中環港景街1號國際金融中心商場連卡佛3樓3025-3026 / 3031-3070號舖
Tel: 3188 0842
While creating outfits for the Parisian style post, some pieces on Polyvore reminded me of the infamous queen of France. I thought why not put together a Marie Antoinette inspired ensemble, just in case one is inclined to dress up while touring the château.
Floral prints, pastels, and lace, oh my! There are lots of details, but they’re all quite subtle. I love how it’s soft, feminine, and a little edgy.
I miss being on Polyvore! It’s a virtual playground/shopping mall, though the latter makes it rather dangerous. :p At the moment I’m working on something fun, so watch this space!
What does one wear to the style capital of the world?
In case you didn’t already know, I’m all for dressing up during a holiday. Vacation pictures are forever, especially with the Internet, so travel outfits are worth putting a thought into. These days, I’m all about marrying style and comfort. The latter used to rank much lower on my list of priorities, but age has since changed that!
The Little Black Dress
Much has been written about this timeless wardrobe staple. Taking into account length, cut, fabric, neckline, sleeves, and dozens of other details, one woman’s LBD can be vastly different from another’s.
For travel purposes, I recommend something made from a lightweight material that packs well and doesn’t show obvious creases. It makes for a perfect “blank canvas”, and while in Paris, go for the quintessential French accessory – the scarf.
The Blazer
Transform a basic tee and jeans combo with a crisp blazer. I love the versatility of everything in this picture. The blazer could easily be paired with a simple dress (such as the one below), and voila, dinner date.
The Leather Jacket
Going from breezy and nautical to something a bit more rock ‘n roll. A great leather jacket is such a classic, especially in the fall, and can be layered in a multitude of ways. The top provides a pop of colour while the accessories add interest without fighting for attention.
The Navy Sweater
Navy blue, how I adore you! It works as a neutral, but isn’t as sombre as black. It’s a must-have for a nautical colour palette, but honestly, it goes with a variety of other styles.
This navy sweater comes with a detachable collar, but I’d keep it on for its preppy vibe and up the feminine factor with soft pink and mint accessories, while leopard print keeps the look from being too sweet.
The Trench Coat
In the winter, stay warm (and stylish) in the ultimate Parisian-chic ensemble: a khaki trench coat over a striped top and dark jeans. It doesn’t matter if everyone else is wearing it. Just know that you’re in good company.
This will be a long and winding post, so you might want to start with a little mood music…
Bienvenue à Paris!
Walked into the first boulangerie-patisserie we saw and bought a croissant. What? I’m allowed a couple of clichés, am I not?
After fueling up with buttery carbs, it was time to explore the city! Guess where we headed to first?
La Tour Eiffel, how I had waited for this moment! The weather was perfect that day, the very epitome of “il fait beau“.
It’s just you, me, and 19, 236 tourists in between. How romantic.
Tip: Pack a drink and a snack before you leave to see the Eiffel Tower, especially if you plan to be there for a while. A bottle of water costs 4 Euros! C’est trop cher, non?
Posing with our expensive bottle of water.
A beautiful arc en ciel! The spray from the fountain reached far and wide. Well, far enough to “rain” on us as we lay on the grass.
Crossing la rue.
❤
More frolicking on the grass after dinner.
Just when I thought that it couldn’t possibly get more beautiful than this…
THIS. This insanely sparkly, glittering display. Pictures don’t do it any justice!
It went on for maybe 5 minutes, and it was the most magical moment of my life, up until the fireworks at Disneyland Paris. Two massive reasons to go back to the City of Lights, and then there’s the food…
Of course, Paris isn’t perfect. As we crossed le Jardin des Tuileries (pictured) to get to Musée de l’Orangerie, we were approached by two young women who wanted us to sign a petition for something I couldn’t quite catch. They then demanded that we make a donation, which we declined since we didn’t have small change, and I wasn’t about to donate 10 Euros to some unknown agency even if it were legit. They got angry and started shouting at us, and one of them pushed me, but we kept on walking.
As we left the museum, we saw the two of them and their friends (group of five, all young women) being rounded up by the police. However, I doubt that they were arrested and thrown in jail. My colleague encountered the same thing in the same place later that year, so it was likely to be same group, or coincidentally it could be another group running the same scam to cheat unsuspecting tourists.
We also had a close call with a pickpocket while in Rome, so the stories you hear aren’t just rumours. There really are pickpockets and scam artists, and you’ll have to exercise caution where necessary.
As a general rule, I don’t queue during a holiday. Time is doubly precious, so we didn’t queue to go up the Eiffel Tower, despite it being on my #30before30 list. Also, I recommend tours that allow you to “skip the line”.
We didn’t queue to get into the Notre Dame either, but I’d love to see the interior. Maybe next time? I’m definitely planning to travel to Paris again anyway.
You have to admit, the view from the outside isn’t all that bad.
No, not bad at all.
Les belles fleurs.
The gorgeous views as we walked back to our hotel.
Arc de Triomphe at sunset.
How to look taller: stand next to a really short traffic light.
Trop mignon! Can one even call this a car?
Bonus picture: Versailles, which is just as beautiful and demands a return trip…
Et c’est tout! After this, I’ll have one more post about Paris, and then it’s off to London, and eventually… Melbourne. Hahaha, procrastinate much? It’ll all be here in due time, please bear with me!
Daydreams and Day Trips 