Christmas Decor: Part 1

Christmas is nearly here! One favourite holidays of the year and this year I will be spending it at home in England. Last year was spent in Hong Kong  and it was such an eye opener for me. To kick start the festive celebrations I have been doing some DIY decorating. Nearly everything here is vintage and recycled...   Let's all try to Planet Earth Friendly this Christmas! This year I seem to have gone for a rather masculine, rustic and tonal style for some reason...but so far I'm liking it! Let the Christmas count down begin!

Vintage Christmas tree baubles... don't they look delicious?

DIY advent calendar made from vintage tins.

Vintage brooches... per

fect little stocking fillers!

Present for a gentleman in the making

DIY xmas tree... perfect for a those with a smaller home or on a budget! 

Recycled light bulbs as decorations. 

Old crystals, hand made hearts and old lights make an unexpected

excellent festive display...

The most simple way of gift wrapping without wasting too much paper...Let's do our bit for Planet Earth right?

Red Hot Florals

The weather in UK is still falling behind. The trees are still bare, flowers are still sleeping, nature seems to be a little lazy this year. It's already May but the temperature reminds me of winter in Hong Kong. To bring myself a little closer to Summer I decided to bring florals to my clothes. Modelling is my 6ft tall friend Ailsa, the sailor girl with the never ending legs! It also happens to be her Birthday today. Happy Birthday my dear friend of 13 years! You are beautiful inside and out and certainly one of the most wonderfully weird people i know! Please don't ever change yourself for anyone!

The Breton Top

It's finally starting to feel a little like spring over in England! I really do hope the snow is gone for good! It is finally time to transit my winter wardrobe into something more playful and fresh. One of my favourite wardrobe piece to wearing during this tricky transition period is the classic Breton top. Pair it with simple skinny jeans and ballet pumps, this look never goes out of style.

The Breton top originated from the Brittany Navy uniform, where people believed that by wearing this distinctive pattern, sailors could be easily spotted in the waves. The Breton top was made famous by Coco Chanel's Nautical collection in 1917 and since then it has become a staple in every girl's wardrobe. Chanel had changed the history of women's clothing, where clothes had previously been heavily fitted and restricted. She gave women a sense of freedom and empowerment to be able to dress the way men did. 

Fans of the Breton top include Audrey Hepburn, Pablo Picasso, James Dean and many more...

This is my version of the Breton top i bought a few seasons back. This adorable Sonia Rykiel cotton top simply goes with everything. It's effortless chic. The cute detachable Eiffel Tower neck piece gives this classic top a little edge and makes it ever more Parisian.  OOo la la.....

Finding Neverland in Hong Kong Part 2

As mentioned in part one, the house is so tastefully yet quirkily put together. It was quite cinematic... Kk's attention to detail made the place so special. His interests expands to the nature. His small, but cleverly decorated backyard is home to some charming little plants. Everything is simple and delicate... making the place so relaxing... i could seriously spend an afternoon there in the backyard!

Finding Neverland in Hong Kong Part 1

On the last week of Hong Kong, i was so lucky and happy  to be invited to a new friend's house. Although we have not known each other for very long or very well, we both share the interest for collecting, sustaining and appreciating old antiques. My dear new friend KK is simply one of the most interesting and exquisite characters i have met during my time in Hong Kong. His great passion for preserving Hong Kong's past in the form of collecting and sharing precious pieces from the past is truly respectable. It is a big project that not many can endure. Upon arriving at his place, the interesting and artistically put together entrance already excited me. I could have happily sat there in the sunlight for a few hours. Greeted by an antique Monkey toy and his tiny crocodile pal, i already knew i would be stepping into the somewhere quite special. Through the doors and it was a step back into time. It was a great education for a BBC (british born citizen) like me. I got a feel for what life was like back in 60s to 80s of Hong Kong. 

KK kindly took me on a tour around his house and talked me through every piece he had. He is simply not just an antiques collector, he has taken it a stage further and has become a family with these treasured pieces. Unlike most museums where things are guarded in glass box, Kk allowed me to play with everything...it was such an interactive experience. Every piece of furniture had it's own story. Every toy bought a smile to my face. There was surprise after surprise. In every drawer, there was something new to excite me.

 The reason i called this post Finding Neverland is because i truly felt that i had stopped in time... to somewhere very blissful, joyous and simply a lot of fun! At least it was my Neverland for day...

Travel with Elle: Back in Time!

Before i came back to Hong Kong in Nov, i had the most lovely day out with my loved ones. Not far from my hometown, there is a British historical museum called Beamish. Once you step through the iron gates, you are transformed back in time, to Edwardian England! This special place is where i escape life momentarily and spend a fun filled day with my friends and loved ones in such a tranquil environment. I highly recommend a visit because the experience is so unique. Not many museums allow such personal interaction... it really is like stepping into a time capsule to the past. Educational, nostalgic and simply the sweetest experience you will have!  Beamish has big plans to expand the museum to take their visitors from late Edwardian period, 30s, 40s....right to 1970s! No doubt i will be back again once i return to England and when the snow clears up!