Chic in Bangkok

This is the first time I have ever bought an issue of Australian shelter magazine Belle and I purchased a copy because I was drawn to the stunning images of this show flat in Bangkok. The show flat is designed by David Collins to promote the Ritz Carlton Residences located in the MahaNakhon tower which will be completed in 2012.

I am in love with all the shades of blue especially these sliding panels in the dining room. The panels are actually embroidered silk.

The bedroom is just exquisite with its neutral shades. I am in love with the elegant moss green sofa in the small sitting area in the bedroom.

Isn't this such an inviting bath?

Chic Finds: Hermes Home Collection

I love everything Hermes and I am loving their new home collection especially this reissue of the Home Valet which the house first launch during the Art Deco period.

There are also wonderful bed linens and throws. Who wouldn't want to be wrapped in a cashmere Hermes throw?

Chic Home in Atlanta

When I flipped open the August issue of Town & Country magazine with Julianne Moore on the cover, I experienced real estate envy as soon as I saw this Miles Redd designed house. It's really gorgeous in every way — the architecture, the manicured lawns, the interiors.

I love all the rich colors and textures in the living room and library. The light blue walls and the dark plush furnishings in the living room are exquisite. And the brass border on the deep red bookshelves is absolutely glamorous.

Chic Reads: Summer Book List

I returned to Hong Kong from New York with these books that I purchased at Barney's and favorite bookstore Rizzoli.

1. Yves Saint Laurent. Icons of Fashion Design. This is a book dedicated to the first 25 years of the house of Saint Laurent (1962-1988) and it is rich with wonderful images from renown photographers. Most of the photographs are from fashion editorials from different magazines. There are also runway shots and sketches by the designer.

2. Classy by Derek Blasberg. I picked up this book because it seemed like fun. Kind of like a modern Emily Post book of manners guide with a fab-bitchy gay twist. I have yet to sit down and read it but having flicked through the pages casually, I've found really funny bits.

3. I Heart Your Style. How to define and refine your style by Amanda Brooks. This would please a lot of fashion people as it touches all sorts of fashion styles and icons - from the classic Americans to bohemians to jet set to rock and rollers. There's lots of great photos too of every fashion icon imaginable.

I got my iPad while I was in New York and have been in love with the iBooks and Kindle applications. Above is my iBooks bookshelf which is really quite amazing.

I read this book on the flight to and from Toronto via New York. It's an easy read about a promising literary agent turned crackhead. There are a lot of sad and depressing turns as he struggles with his addiction. It's actually quite good and the author is quite good looking too.

Who knew that nobody wanted to touch Breakfast at TIffany's, not even its star Audrey Hepburn. This book is brimming with lots of juicy details above the film, Truman Capote, the actors and everyone involved in the making of the film. There's bits on Edith Head being disappointed at not being able to work on the major costumes as Hepburn wanted to wear Givenchy, which, in Head's opinion, was ridiculous because Holly Golightly was a call girl and could not afford French couture! And there's also the story about how Moon River was almost cut from the movie. Can you imagine!

A light summer read which I have just started reading. This is my treadmill read.

I had great hopes for this book as I thoroughly enjoyed Danielle Ganek's first book, Lulu Meets God And Doubts Him. The Summer We Read Gatsby is a beach read. That's that.

I am a huge fan of House & Garden and was saddened when Conde Nast folded the magazine. It's editor Dominique Browning tells of the days when the magazine she help buid was shut down and how she dealt with unemployment.

Adventures in Hong Kong's Flower Market

This past Sunday morning was spent in Hong Kong's flower market on Prince Edward in Kowloon. We made the trek to buy flowers for our apartment for the photo shoot on Tuesday for a shelter magazine called Home Journal here in Hong Kong. All sorts of blooms were everywhere in the market and while there were the usual suspects — roses, lilies, peonies, tulips — I found myself and my camera drawn to the unusual variety. Those blooms that won't make a bride's list.

Chic Shops: Tod's Home Boutique in St Tropez

What could be better than summer in St. Tropez? Summer shopping in St Tropez of course. Shorts, t-shirts and flip flops won't cut in this most glamorous of holiday hot spots. You'd need Tomas Maier swimsuits, Missoni cover ups, Borsalino hats, Goyard totes as beach bags, and Vuitton beach towels. If you're lucky enough to be in St Tropez this summer, be sure to make a stop at the new Tod's Home Concept store. As the name implies, the store is set up like a very stylish home with plush armchairs and sofas, and gorgeous end tables. I love the combination of regency blue and yellow armchairs in the photo above and it reminds me one of my favorite Mark Rothko pieces (below).

On the walls of the store are framed photographs by Elliott Erwitt especially commissioned by Tod's. The photos, some of which are used for the advertising campaign, evoke the casual chic spirit of the Italian house.

And We're Back

After three weeks of not posting anything (on holiday in New York), I am back and I would like to share with you my new column with Harper's Bazaar Singapore called Manner Born which is all about modern social graces.

The first piece is about the importance of sending thank you notes, something that I firmly believe in and espouse as well.

Click on the image to enlarge

And it is cherry on top that one of my favorite models Carmen Kass graces the cover.