All things kawaii and yummy in Japan

Just returned from a business trip in Tokyo. Weather was fantastic, like you are in an air-conditioned room while walking on the streets.

Japan is full of vibrancy and the fashion magazines are always bundled with attractive gifts to lure people like me to buy. I like some of the gifts featured in one of my favourite bloggers' entries but I could not buy in Singapore due to various reasons, besides not able to understand the language:

1. Highly-priced at Kinokuniya
2. Hardly have the chance to hit town to get
3. Am always too slow to catch up on what's newly arrived here

So I scoured many bookstores in the evenings and it was not futile as 2 eMooks (Jill Stuart's 5th Anniversary and Cath Kidston's Thank You Box) were already sold out at Kinokuniya here. Some bookstores in Tokyo have also emptied these popular eMooks. I also managed to get a Jill Stuart tote from CanCam and a Jill by Jill Stuart cosmetic carry pouch from Spring.

I also bought some pretty stationery and small scarves from Burberry, Paul & Joe Sister and Lulu Guinness. Too lazy to take photos of the scarves as I bought them just hours before my return flight.

Next best thing in Japan is the FOOD!!!! Freshest ever, I can't get enough of toro (fatty tuna) sashimi, unagi and all sorts of raw fish (aji is great too)!!!

A huge surprise came at Grand Hyatt hotel lobby at Roppongi Hills where I was staying when I bumped into Jon Voight (Angeline Jolie's dad). He smiled to me and I said, "Hi, you look familiar!" and he replied, "Hi, you look familiar too." Boy, I was floored. He obliged kindly and may I add, fatherly too when I asked for a photo to be taken with him. When his companion apologised for taking the picture a little too far, I said, "No problem, I can always crop it..." and my new found idol said, "Oh, don't crop me out." Isn't he humourous? He is very handsome, no wonder his famous daughter is so pretty, though she looks very much like her mom.

More decades of love

9 October 1999. I got married to a wonderful man who loves me dearly.


9 October 2009. We celebrated our full decade of love in a laid-back fashion, very us, and just us. Had a simple casual lunch at Relish by Wild Rocket. Had wanted to go Wild Rocket at Mount Emily but it was closed for renovation. At Relish, he had a yummy blue cheese beef burger with rucola, poached pear and walnut butter with fries while I had succulent beef cheeks with mashed potato. Desserts were perfect - warm molten chocolate cake and black sesame puree, both with vanilla ice-cream.

I wore a LBD from Guess Jeans, which my little angels helped pick. I love it and the 10th wedding anniversary was a perfect occasion to wear it.

I insisted of getting a cake to complete the celebration with our little ones. They were thrilled, involving them is a natural thing to do for a mommy.

After 10 years of marriage, our love is like an unspoken relationship, at least for him (hence no flowers, very pragmatic). I am very expressive and I like to be told that someone cares, etc. Hubby on the other hand, is more reserved and he always thinks I should know what he is thinking without him saying it.

I asked him why didn't he ask me to call him every time I travel on business to know if I have landed or reached my hotel safely. He said it's because I used to call him so it's understood that I would call and there was no need to remind me to call him, and of course he cared about my safety when am overseas. But this is not the point. Men..... most men are like him, I guess.

Whenever my male colleague told me about where he would be going for short vacation because, "my wife likes it" or where they will dine because, "my wife likes to eat that", I can't help but have pangs of envy. Deep down, I know my hubby does things my way in an unspoken way. BUT, I still like it if he tells and says so.

I have to accept for what he is; afterall he gave me 2 beautiful boys because I wanted kids (though a little princess will complete the picture).

To more decades of love!

I wish Jill was here...

I mean Jill Stuart, my favourite cosmetic brand. An American brand made good debut in Japan, now it has counters in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Seoul. It has a stream of followers who scour around Asia to get any of its oh-so-romantic products. My favourites are Mix Blush Compact and Eye Palette.

It launches limited edition products from time to time. There are even special coffret sets available only in Taiwan in conjunction with the Republic's famous annual department stores' anniversary sale! Taiwan is also my favourite place to buy Jill Stuart stuff, not only there's 5% VAT refund, the prices in Taiwan are relatively cheaper from the rest of the world, except for a few items in Hong Kong.

Check out Jill Stuart's Christmas 2009 LE set here.

Mid-Autumn Festival & Children's Day Party by the Park

Raeyen's Kindy organised a party yesterday to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival-cum-Children's Day at a park near our place and families were invited. That, was a very nice gesture and a great opportunity for family bonding.

Kids were thrilled, took their Transformers lanterns, picnic mats and snacks. Kieran got to see his ex-classmates and teachers. It was a cloudy day and the moon was not visible, as a result.

During registration, Raeyen saw his favourite teacher, Mrs Rai and took a photo with her. He also joined his schoolmates at the "stage" singing songs that they learned. He really loves performing. Now he and Kieran are into the Wonder Girls' Nobody!

There was a walkabout around the park and some games. Raeyen was busy playing catch with his buddies while Kieran played ball. Both were drenched with sweat in the unbelievable heat! And, I was attacked by the irritating mozzies, arrgh!

We didn't win the make-your-own-lantern by parent-and-child contest and Raeyen could not understand why he didn't get a prize. He persistently asked, "Why Mommy, why I don't have a prize? Where is my prize?"