Meet Minou, The Alessi Cat

On my recent trip to Zurich, I added a new item to my Alessi collection. The only difference is that I am able to bring this new acquisition with me almost everywhere I go.



Meet Minou, the cute bag hook from Alessi, designed by Frederic Gooris. Forget about boring and fugly bag hooks, this is one sleek feline that I will be hanging my bag on.

Available in black and silver, I bought mine for CHF 26 at Globus in Zurich. I don't remember seeing it in Singapore and Hong Kong, but I am sure they can place an order if you enquire.

If you like a game of cat and mouse, there is also the "Pip" key ring to add to your collection. Cute!

Please visit www.alessi.com for more details.

Zurich Report - Hiltl Restaurant

If you are ever in Zurich, you should check out Hiltl Restaurant. Established in 1898, Hiltl is the oldest vegetarian restaurant in Europe! It may be over a century old but you will never be able to tell from its modern design and youthful team of staff.

What is interesting with this buffet concept is you get charged CHF5.50 per 100 gram of food that you put on your plate. After you made your selection from the amazing buffet spread, all you have to do is put your plate on a weighing machine and you will be issued a ticket stating the weight of the food and the cost of the content.

I think Singapore should adopt this concept to deter greedy diners from wasting their food. It is actually a good concept for small eaters like me too... as I love the variety but could never eat enough at buffets to make my money's worth.

The buffet spread here is so amazing that you would not even consider ordering from the a la carte menu. From cold starters (a wide variety of salads) to warm dishes (e.g. onion rings, fried rice, pasta, curries, stir fry), and even an all-day breakfast with muesli and fruits. By the time you are done with main meals, I bet you won't even have tummy space left for the desserts.

The All Day Breakfast Buffet Section

The Cold Buffet Section

The Hot Buffet Section

Check out the website at www.hiltl.ch/en/

The Art Of Champagne Tasting

If there is one champagne house that has its roots in artistic collaboration, it would have to be Perrier-Jouët. Ever since it was founded in 1811, Perrier-Jouët Champagne has been cultivating its taste for artistic creations. In 1902, artist Emile Galle, leader of the Art Nouveau movement, designed a bottle decorated with elegant Japanese enameled anemones. The bottle was used for the launch of Perrier-Jouët most prestigious cuvee, the Cuvee Belle Epoque. It is now one of the most recognised champagne bottles in the world.



Faithful to its artistic tradition, the champagne house partnered with French designer Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance to create a unique champagne tasting table: The Perrier-Jouët Flower Table. Having a specially designed ice bucket no longer cuts it and pales in comparision to this exquisite table.



The Flower Table was first unveiled in April 2010 at the International Design Exhibition in Milan. It traveled to the finest establishments of Paris and Rome, and now made its debut in Singapore.

Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance is a French interior designer/artist who was initially trained in metal sculpture at the Paris School of Art & Design, before he moved on to study Art Deco furniture. Hence, he is the perfect artist to create the Flower Table, given his understanding of Art Deco designs and sculptural forms. The Flower Table is designed with the philosophy of creating a unique tasting experience that touches all the senses, inviting one to share a spontaneous and intense moment.

As Cellar Master Hervé Deschamps says aptly: “It’s fascinating to see how oenology, art and gastronomy combined together to reveal the style and elegance of the Perrier-Jouët Champagnes. The experience is simply sublime”.

In Paris, Perrier-Jouët invited 3-star Michelin French Chef Anne-Sophie Pic in Paris to come up with some culinary delicacies to enhance and complement the sensory experience. In Singapore, Chef Julien Bompard from Le Saint Julien has been invited to create special amuse-bouches to complement the range of Perrier-Jouet champagnes.

Limited in quantities worldwide, with only 25 tables signed by the designer, one signed Flower Table will be displayed exclusively at Le Saint Julien from 10th February through 15th May 2011. To celebrate the launch, guests will get to enjoy complimentary amuse-bouches specially created by Chef Julien to accompany a glass of Perrier-Jouet champange.

For a virtual "Flower Table" experience, please visit www.perrier-jouet.com.

Lessons From The Sartorialist (Part 4)

I couldn't resist a quick post on the 5 looks that I saw on The Sartorialist just minutes ago. Inspirations for my wardrobe this week.

Look #1 - Modern Day Red Riding Hood

Ain't this cute with subtle innocent sensuality? Love the touches of red accent.

Look #2 - Menswear Inspired

I am so wearing this look. Time to start wearing my Thomas Pink shirts and ties again.

Look #3 - The Future Is Bright

I love that all the colours in this palette are perfectly in harmony. I need a pink jacket. This will be a great look for me in Paris.

Look #4 - The Heroine's Maxi

Maxi skirt is back again this season. I shall look for a nice one at H&M when I am in Zurich this Thursday.

Look #5 - Leather, Fur & Maxi

Speechlessly amazing look. Love the way the textures blend together. Brown distressed leather, Chanel fur, long black maxi. Fashion genius!


For more looks, check out http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com

I Lock You

While researching for trendy shops in Paris, I chanced upon this nifty device on L'Eclaireur's website. I Lock You is a revolutionary anti-theft device that can also be worn as a piece of jewellery. With a name like "I Lock You", it can actually have a poetic meaning of locking the love of someone. For me, I will wear it as a bracelet and use it as a bag lock when I am dining out.

This is how it works... but I don't seem to quite comprehend it. I will ask the shop assistant to demonstrate instead.

I am so buying all the 4 available styles when I head to Paris in March. It is an ingenious device that is practical and elegant. Quite a steal at 25 Euros... and it will ensure my bag won't be stolen.

Check it out on http://leclaireur.com

Hello MR PORTER

Hot off the press. Listen up, ladies and gentlemen, MR PORTER is ready for transactions. Ladies, you may know Net-A-Porter, and now MR PORTER will be your best online destination for fashionable gifts to deck your man in (or simply for yourself). As for men, MR PORTER will be your best shopping mate as he has tricks up his sleeves to share with you.



So, what's sartorially hot about this site? Everything! From the clean and easy design interface to appeal to men, to the cool brands being stocked. I'm talking about brands such as Valextra, Cutler & Ross, John Lobb, John Smedley, Charvet, Ralph Lauren Purple & Black Labels. *I am weeping as I am overwhelmed by fashion ecstasy*















Damn, the men even got their own wardrobe manager? Where's my personal shopper function on Net-A-Porter? This is truly a case of "The women don't get it". What fashion injustice! I admit... I am suffering from a case of true fashion envy now.


Check in tomorrow on my top picks for him and for myself. Shopping online knows no boundaries. I shall conquer even on the masculine site. *wicked fashion laugh fades out...*

www.mrporter.com