The Brick Lane Effect

Bricklane... one of my favourite spots in London. Full of vintage markets, contemporary galleries, boutiques... this place attracts some quirky youngsters every weekend. There was a pop up sample sale shop open during our visit and my friend managed to find a few adorable summer dresses made by Japanese designer 'Tofu'. I probably wouldn't buy any antiques here (or anywhere in London for that matter) because they are obviously higher priced compared to pieces that i can find outside of the this tourist filled city. With a little patience, antiques can be hunted at nearly half the price in the countryside. 

The 'Boiler House' is full of pop up food stalls, serving dishes from around the world. Although many stalls serve fast greasy fast food, high quality, gourmet street food can also be found here. The Burmese noodle stall served some really fresh authentic dishes...definitely deserve a try! After choosing your food from around 30 stalls or so, you can sit outside in the courtyard and enjoy a bit of the british sun... 

Sunday Up Market is full of quirky little shops, selling everything crafted, hand made, bric-a-brac and some lovely second hand clothing. Brickane's 'Backyard Market' also supports local designers and artists, with an eclectic range of stalls, each one showcasing the designers' signature style. To see up and coming designers, this is a must visit for people wants to support the creative industry! I managed to find the most adorable pug print sweater designed by a young illustrator who had a collection of awesome artwork. 

Although Bricklane is a place filled with youth and colour... i prefer showing you my experience in black and white.... leaving your imagination to run wild...

A little rain does't stop the fun! Vintage Fair

The sun is finally here and we won't let a little drizzle of rain ruin our excitement! Recently my hometown hosted a vintage fair with dancing, live jazz, food and stalls full of antique treasures! It was lovely seeing families out enjoying the bank holiday weekend. People of all ages came together to celebrate the British summer officially approaching. Although i wasn't there for long, i could tell that people were really enjoying themselves in this delightful little festival. The cutest girl about town! Her whole family came dressed in vintage clothing. It was so heartwarming to see her dancing with her papa to vintage jazz music... it was a real education on traditional british culture to the younger generation.

Artisan Soap

I'm not usually a massive fan of soaps and fragrances etc.  I am relatively low key when it comes to bath products, a natural soap from boots would do fine for me. I am definitely no 'Jo Malone' girl. With fragrances, well... i am currently using the same ones as i did since i was in high school! I only wear perfume on special occasions or when i actually remember to. Don't get me wrong, i don't like to smell like sweat or anything, but anything that is too strong or sweet will give me a headache for hours. I am definitely a 'natural' girl when it comes to soaps and fragrances, but i found my heart skipping a heartbeat when i saw this lovely little shop in York. It may be a small family run business which started off in a kitchen, but their attention to detail and creativity makes them truly a one off! Even royalty has visited their shop!

I absolutely love cakes in general and to find out that they have made bath products to look like the most delicious treat, you can imagine how excited i got. Not only do they look fantastic, the most important thing is that they all smell wonderful... NATURAL...SIMPLE... and not artificial. Everything is hand made with love and you can truly tell the amount of effort and hours they have put into their family business. 

LOST IN LACE: PROJECT AT BOWES

Bowes Museum have been so lovely and generous, letting me  roam around freely in their 'Glass Cube', where one of UK's largest collection of lace is stored. The 'Blackbourne Collection' has lace dating back to 17th Century... some are nearly 400 years old! It is amazing how these beautiful pieces have been cared for and restored. To me, the craft of lace is such fine art and unfortunately it  is fast disappearing. Have you ever thought of how much patience, skill and hardship that goes into every inch of the lace? Hopefully  i can revive and sustain this beautiful hand craft in my own way. Stay tuned for my project...this is just a teaser hehe

School Boy Fashion

This half term holiday my cousin Henry came up to stay with us. Every time he visits, his dear older cousin (me!) always uses him as a 'playdoll' for her latest looks or creations. Since it was the weekend and being inspired by my new school desk, i decided to put together a little vintage school boy look. It sure made him look years younger.. thus making me feel years older! Though he might not look too impressed... i'm sure deep down he loved it! Bring back cute school boys please!

Hollister Shirt

Vintage Bow Tie

Vintage Boater Hat

Jacket TopMan

Weekend Bliss.. Weekend Read...

This has been sitting on my book shelf for way too long and i've always meant to read it. I've read most of Xinran Xue's books and this is probably my last one out of her entire collection. Her stories, fiction and non fiction are usually haunting and very political. They are usually stories of life, loss, love and death.  Sky Burial is tells the true story of a chinese women searching for her missing Husband who disappeared in Tibet. This extraordinary life story spans over 30 years, where she was lost in the wild landscape of Tibet. Through the changing seasons, and upon the people she meets, the legend of the sky burial tradition is unraveled...

Reading....Tea...Biscuits... Partying... Easter lunch.... this will be one brilliant Easter weekend.

A little excuse to dress up!

I just love dressing up so much. Some may call it pointless, but for me, it's a chance to break away from reality and become many different characters. I can be not just one Elle, but many. Any excuse for me to dress differently and i will go all the way! Halloween has become one of my favorite holidays because of that! Just before i came back to UK,  My friend and I decided to play a little dress up in Sheung Wan. Well, i was the only one who actually got dressed up... buy he was lovely and weird enough to accompany me on this little adventure. The dress code was 1940's british war girl and the theme was 'Lost in the city'.  See my next post for some of the photos!

Next time in Hk i am hoping people will join me for a little fun and play a little dress up! Let's revive 'cosplay' in HK!

Goodbye Hong Kong, Let's see what England Brings!

Thursday evening... goodnight and goodbye Hong Kong! I've been back in England for a few days now and finally I'm starting to adjust to life outside the concrete jungle. Life couldn't get anymore british as i kicked start my return with a full English Breakfast, as soon as i got off the plane. I was greeted by a blanket of snow... not sure if that was lucky or unlucky as i now have frozen toes constantly. Obviously there are lots of things and people i will miss in Hong Kong, but it's also so delightful to come back to so many special things.

Travel with Elle: Back in Time! Back to School!

One of my favourite places of the museum is the Country Village.. at the local school! It reminds me of my infant and primary school experience. My primary school was a very traditional English school, with strict values. When i was there it celebrated it's 100th birthday... i remember the biggest cake where every student got a piece! I was the only asian (or foreign) student at the school! All my friends were westerners, who were all extremely friendly and took care of me when i first arrived. I met my very best friend of 20 years on my first day of infant school, and we have not gone by a day without contacting each other.

I was a quiet child, who was rather shy and still adjusting to the culture. It was in high school when i came out of my shell and quite frankly, became one of the loudest students in my year! I was definitely one alternative/ troublesome student... sorry Sir/Miss!