Milano

As a part of our trip, DF and I spent 8 days in three Italian cities: Milan, Florence and Rome. We were constantly on the go as 8 days were really short for 3 cities and it gave us just enough time to see the main tourist attractions. Our first stop in Italy was Milan. For the very first time, we voted against flying and gave the overnight train (operated by Thello) a go as we would be able to sleep on the train and arrive in Milan early the next morning to make the most of our day. We got a private double sleeper just for the two of us so we definitely felt safer and comfortable even though Thello trains are fairly old.

 I have been to Rome and Florence before but this was my first time in Milan. DF and I took the iconic red City Sightseeing bus around the city as we only had 1 day in Milan and hopped off at the Duomo ('Cathedral'), the most oustanding architectural building in Milan. I have seen it in photos but as I was standing there, I could not help but repeating "wow" over and over. The white marble facade with thousands of spires are amazing and the space inside the Duomo is equally impressive. I especially love the spectacularly large stained-glass windows behind the choir in the back. And of course, we took the lift up to the roof where DF and I enjoyed a panoramic view of the city and some very cute over-sized blue snails sculptures.

We briefly visited the beautiful shopping mall next door to the Duomo, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. The mall itself is grand with such elegant architecture, stunning glass dome and beautiful shop fronts. I also managed to get something that I have been wanting for while at La Rinascente which I will reveal very soon =)

 ZARA lace top / ZARA peplum skirt / Forever New coat / Louis Vuitton ballerinas / Prada Saffiano lux tote / Tiffany & Co. bracelet / Follie Follie clover rings

From Paris with love

After 9 hours on the plane from Curacao to Amsterdam, six hours layover and another 1 hour flight, we arrived in Paris last Saturday afternoon. Coming from hot weather, the cold and rainy weather in Paris along with my jet lag left me with just enough energy to drag myself to the hotel and jump straight into bed. My second day in Paris was better than I could have hoped for. Clear sky and no rain!! I've been to Paris before but this is DF's first time so we decided to revisit all the main attractions and also go off the beaten paths which I have not had a chance to do before. I didn't think I'd need to use the thick coats that I originally packed in anticipation for the trip in January but now I am so glad that I did! It has been raining here almost everyday and I find it to be even colder than Paris in December. I guess being an over-packer pays off at times =).  

We have been venturing out and about non-stop since we got to Paris and I am enjoying every second of it. I am also super excited to try out the new Nikon D5100 camera that we finally decided to purchase a couple of days ago. DF and I have always been interested in photography but never really had the time or opportunity to practice. Since we are traveling quite often now, we decided to start learning by investing in a middle range camera that allows us to have some creativity even after we move pass our current 'beginners' phase.

There are so many things that I love about this city, no amount of words can describe it and even though nothing beats being here in person to see with your own eyes, I will leave you with some photos to imagine (if you have not been to Paris before) or relive the experience (if you have been). 

Paris surely holds a special place in my heart, I feel so at ease walking and admiring Parisian streets. The beauty of the city never ceases to amaze me and I feel so happy to finally be able to experience it with the one I love.

 Forever New coat 

Dress from Storets

Prada sunnies

Prada bag

House of Harlow rings

Louis Vuitton Tutti Lucky charm bracelet

Louis Vuitton ballerinas

Island escape - Bonaire

Last week DF and I took 1 day off work (we are helping his parents with the family business while we are here) to visit Bonaire, a nearby island that is just a short 10-minute flight away.

ASOS Size Tape

I was just browsing through ASOS website today when I noticed that there is something new...a 'SIZE TAPE' tab under 'Size Guide'. I cannot express how happy I am that ASOS has finally made an effort to go a step further for its customers, something that many online retailers should follow suit. Basically, the size tape from ASOS will help you choose the right fit based on colour instead of by size. The concept of this size tape is explained in this video. I immediately ordered my free ASOS size tape and it will take 10-14 days until I receive it so for now, I remain optimistic. Hopefully this 'size tape' will finally end the endless sizing doubts going back and forth in my head each time I want to order a new item (may it be a style or item of clothing from a brand I have never purchased before) from ASOS.

From past experiences, I can honestly say that the fit of ASOS clothing is fairly consistent. I am mostly a size 6 (for both normal and Petite), however, for high waist pants/skirts or dresses with back zippers and tight waistline sometimes I need a size 8 just to be able to zip it up. I have purchased jeans from ASOS only twice (one of which I had to return as the jeans did not fit) due to me being unsure of the sizing and I would very much like to purchase more in the future because they offer such a wide range of colours and size. If the Size Tape is accurate, it will make my online shopping experience much more enjoyable and hassle free.

If you are interested in ordering this ASOS Size tape, get yours now here

Happy Friday everyone! 

xox

Favourite looks from Venice Film Festival

Fiammetta Cicogna In Alberta Ferretti 

*Source:  http://www.redcarpet-fashionawards.com/

Fiammetta Cicogna wore this breathtakingly gorgeous gown by Alberta Ferretti for the Venice Film Festival premiere of "The Reluctant Fundamentalist" and all I can say is..wow!! I love the intricate lace applique and mesh detail which is often featured in many Marchesa and Elie Saab gowns, giving them an amazingly soft and ethereal look. The pink waistband completes the look.

  Kate Hudson In Atelier Versace Fall 2012

Maika Monroe in Marchesa Fall 2012

*Source:  http://www.redcarpet-fashionawards.com/   

Take me to the moon

Take me to the moon by pixiesparkle featuring a lace cocktail dress

Alberta Ferretti lace cocktail dress
albertaferretti.com

Charlotte Olympia glitter high heels
$945 - net-a-porter.com

Vintage clutch
$63 - coast-stores.com

Fashion Illustration 13"x16" print- Oscar de la Renta Resort 2013
etsy.com

VinPearl Resort - PHOTO DIARY

Some photos of my 10-day stay at VinPearl Land Resort in Nha Trang back in June. 

"Banh Cuon" - One of my fav Vietnamese dishes of all time!!!

ARUBA

I've been in the Caribbean for a month now with DF, visiting his parents in Curacao, an island that is part of the Netherlands Antilles. We had a short trip to Aruba recently and it was just the perfect break we needed! Our flight to Aruba was on a tiny 15-seater prop plane which took around 40 minutes (also the smallest plane I have ever been one ..it was rather nerve wrecking for me actually) but luckily we caught a bigger plane back to Curacao and the flight duration was only 10 minutes =).

Vinpearl Land - Nha Trang

I have been back in my home country, Vietnam, for 2 weeks now and I spent 10 of those days at Vinpearl Resort in Nha Trang so far. It was my 3rd time at the resort and like previous years, I went with family except this time my DF joined us. The weather there is so much nicer compared to the humid and extremely hot weather in Hanoi that I feel like I'm in a different country. I am back in Hanoi now and can't wait to visit Vinpearl again next summer!

For those of you who haven't been before or have not heard of it, Vinpearl is a 5-star luxury resort located on Hon Tre island, Nha Trang. It has the biggest pool in South East Asia, its own private beach, recreational park and longest cable car line over the sea in the world as well as many other awesome amenities. Out of all the resorts I've been to, Vinpearl is my favourite. It has everything that one would like to enjoy in summer: the sand, the sun, the cool wind and ofcourse, the beach =). Highly recommended!

More pics of my trip to follow soon!

For now, here are some pics that I took of the view from my hotel room and at the beach via Instagram: