View from my Deck

Anyway, as a lot of you know, I moved to Singapore recently to head up a new digital shopping magazine for a global e-commerce company.

The decision to make the move was difficult in some ways but easy in a lot of other ways.  Meaning, the good outweighed the bad and I (that is to say “we”) decided to pack up our stuff and high tail it to Asia.  Let the adventure begin.

So we’ve been here almost 2 months so far and to be completely honest, it’s awesome. Obviously, there are so many differences when it comes to life in Singapore as opposed to life in the US.  But, surprisingly, there are also a lot of similarities.

The similarities are the not-so-interesting part, i.e. I’m living in a large metropolitan city with all kinds of bars, restaurants, fashion, shopping, etc.  The differences, however, are more interesting, whether the small ones like to-go coffee in a bag or the large ones like the act of chewing gum being punishable by law.

So to keep things simple, here’s a list of some of the differences I encounter on a daily basis:

• To-go coffee often comes in small plastic bag with handles and a straw.
• It’s always hot here; no seasons, no fall foliage.
• I can hike through the rain forest and hang out with monkeys any time I want to.
• People love to speed up in order to walk in front of you and then slow to the pace of turtles so you find yourself almost stepping on them.
• Elevators are rarely air conditioned, making a ride in one of the small, stuffy lifts almost painful.
• Eggs are on a shelf in the grocery store, not in the refrigerated section. However, once purchased, everyone places them in the fridge.
• Hawker centers are where we eat almost every day.  What are they?  Outdoor “cafeterias” filled with stalls that sell all kinds of different local foods, from Indian and Cantonese to Japanese and Malay.  Because Singapore is such a melting pot, all of these kinds of food really are local.
• In a land of naturally very petite women, I have never seen so many of them so obsessed with “being skinny”.  Dinner is something a lot of them don’t eat. Difficult for a size 6 gal like myself who has never been one to skip a meal…
• Singapore is made up of some of the friendliest human beginnings I have ever met.
• Local coffee is thick as mud and everyday I order : Kopi C Bing Siew Dai.  Iced Coffee, less sugar.  (In the states I was a no sugar gal, here black coffee makes my toes curl).
• My coffee guy knows me now and calls me Ms. NYC.
• Everyday it pours for about 20 minutes straight, and that’s usually it.
• Giordano is a major low-end clothing chain here and I am always asked if I am related. (Don’t I wish!) It’s like being Sally Walmart.
• Every day I miss my family and friends but I really love who I’m becoming so I don’t regret a thing.

To check out pictures from around Singapore, click right here!

P.S. I owe you some of the city lit up at night… I haven’t taken any of those yet.

Thought these were kind of fun, so i thought I’d share.

Ceiling in a lobby of a hotel in Vegas...

Paris Hotel in Vegas

Bellagio Hotel water show

Cosmopolitan Hotel

Inside the Cosmopolitan Hotel

More inside the Cosmopolitan Hotel

I had followed this brand before ever meeting them at Magic, as I loved the family-run concept.  The brand is truly one that incorporates family values and I love that!

The bags are really quite sweet, with playful prints lining the colorful exterior. You can see here that I received the pretty blue color.  The interior is a fun red and tan floral print that makes me smile every time I open it.

One of my favorite things is that there is obviously a lot of thought put into the function of this bag.  The chain strap is easily hidden if you prefer to wear as a clutch or wallet and there is the perfect amount of  pockets and slots inside.  Organization is key!

I snapped a few photos while touring the booth at Magic.  Check them out here!

P.S.  My apologies for the silly looking face I’m making in this photo. Please note this is absolutely no reflection of my feelings towards Hobo International of the awesome purse they gave me!  :)

I know, I know, I’m behind on my travel logs.  In May (yes, May) I took a little trip to Arizona to do some camping.  It was a great trip and much needed respite. While there, I stopped at a little artisan market and stumbled upon a Navajo weaver making rugs.  I really wanted to buy one but first, they were quite expensive (as they should be!) and second, I was not about to try to fit one in my suitcase!

Alas, I had to settle for spending a few minutes in the weaver’s exhibit area, oogling and getting my honey to snap some photos.  Now, I would like to share those photos with you. How beautiful are the colors?!

Following pictures where taken by me (not the professional photographer in the relationship!).  Still worth sharing.

Here’s what a designer’s page looks like:

You can find out their story; where their from, what they do,  and how they create. Love it.

So I thought I’d write this quick post to introduce you to the site (if you didn’t already know about it) and to share that they’re having a SALE right now!  There are quite a few pieces I like.

How cute are these eco-friendly summer totes?!  They’re by Super Earth Goods in Indonesia and are made from recycled hessian sack and full grain leather straps. Plus, each bag comes with detachable pouch which can be worn separately. I’m lovin’ the green. You?

LovingEco.com

• Access deals on stylish hand-selected eco-friendly brands.
• Support change as each purchase gives back to charity.
• Shop natural beauty, eco fashion for women and for kids!

If you register before launch (June 6th) you’ll receive an invitation to become a member. Sweet!

Ok, I’ve done my part.  Now that you know, it’s up to you to register.

The installation, called METAMORPHOSIS BY CONRAD BOOKER, floats it’s way from one stylish downtown Philly location to the next, leaving a beautiful and colorful trail along the city streets. In addition, a grand butterfly installation will adorn the historic Head House Shambles throughout the summer. The closing event will take place at the Shambles the first week of August 2011.

If you’re interested in checking it out, here’s where you can follow the butterfly trail:

• June 1, 2011
  ‘Mourning Cloak’
  5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m
  BUS STOP Boutique
  750 S. 4^th st. Philadelphia

• June 8, 2011
  ‘Scarlet Jezebel’
  5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
  Carmelita Couture
  17 N. 3^rd st. Philadelphia

• June 15, 2011
  ‘Blue Doctor’
  5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
  Vintage Wine Bar
  129 S. 13^th st. Philadelphia

Though I now call New York my stomping grounds, Philly never seizes to surprise me with its overwhelming creative community. And this installation is no different. Now, to find the time to get there for a peek…. {sigh}

Alexander Wang ~ Small Emile Tote

In response to the post, a male friend posted this comment:

Nicole, help me understand women’s fashion a little better. What makes this bag so special? (I agree it’s nice; I’m wondering what puts it over the top!)

It was an excellent question.  I started to think about why this bag is as much as it is and whether I would really entertain the idea of purchasing it.

While the bag is $895, its quality, sturdy construction, and classic style make it a bag I would have for the rest of my life.  Now, I’m thirty years old.  Let’s give me another 50 years (fingers crossed).  That means the bag would cost me $17.90/yr. That’s damn reasonable, in my opinion.  I mean, come on, math doesn’t lie.

With that said, I try my absolute hardest to fill my closet with items that have some meaning behind them.  I very rarely purchase fast fashion, I love items that involve a nurtured craft, I love to support independent, up and coming brands and designers, I strive to buy pieces that were made locally lessening (although not completely obliterating) the possibility of unfair working conditions,…you get the point.  As far as I can tell, this bag does not fulfill any of those criteria.  So why did I allow myself to get so caught up in this bag?  Simply put: It’s beautiful.

I can’t help being attracted to beautiful, elegant design.  And you know what, I shouldn’t have to.  I can appreciate it for what it is, gawk and drool and day dreaming about owning something so stunning, but in the end know that my values are important to me.  If I am going to invest almost a thousand dollars in a piece of fashion, I need there to be no regrets, no wishing it had a better story behind it, no pretending that the lack of meaning doesn’t matter to me.

Instead I will wait until I find something that, besides being beautiful, has that something meaningful. Because, in my opinion, that’s what really makes it special.