Colour. Joy. Romanian traditional motifs

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I'm growing a deep interest in traditional patterns and motifs... I guess it's 'cause of that hippie part of me that's always longing for a back to basics kind of lifestyle :) Anyway... today I found around the house a traditional Romanian tablecloth that we received as a gift (cause you only find them in gift shops nowadays, don't imagine that's what people use every day :P) and I thought I'd explore this theme.
I don't know if being far from home makes me rediscover my own national values or it's just the fact that folk patterns are in fashion right now - probably a little bit of both :P
Actually this kind of traditional Romanian blouse is quite an original design and it served as inspiration for some contemporary collections from YSL, Anna Sui, Emilio Pucci - you can see them here
And last summer if you were a really really hip person in Bucharest you would have definitely had one! :P

And I was happy to find out about this website www.romanianmuseum.com which is not the greatest website in the world but has lots of pictures like the ones up here - there are traditional costumes from different regions (I wouldn't be able to recognize from where's each one). It's very funny to imagine a time when everybody dressed like this. Now they're only occasionally used for festivals or celebrations.

I found these pictures on this website http://www.eliznik.org.uk/RomaniaPortul/ that is very well documented (and it's in English if anyone's interested).
These costumes are hand embroidered and there are few people that still make them- especially the leather jackets and vests. There aren't many young people who wish to get trained to carry on this craft, it requires a lot of patience and great skills.
I used to love going to traditional craft fairs. I love the colours and the geometrical motifs. I would like to integrate this kind of pieces in a contemporary design. I like this kind of mix: rugs, throws, pillows in a contemporary interior... traditional embroidery in a cool outfit...I'm thinking of using these motifs in some way...I don't know how yet... but I'll let you know when I do :D

picture sources here  here here and here

Guest Blogger: Erica from Acire Adventures

Hello, everyone!

I’m so happy to be here, and so thankful to meet everyone at Stilettos and Diaper Bags. I’m relatively new to Lisa’s blog, but I’ve spent a ton of time over the past couple weeks soaking up all the style (and wishing my pregnancy had been so fashionable).

I’ve been totally inspired by all the beautiful stuff I’ve found here so I want to talk about fashion for late fall and early winter! I love the styles this season because I’ve finally found something that is both flattering (which includes a little concealing) as well as comfortable.

What you need to know about the current styles is this: skinny on the bottom, bulky on top. Does this seem a little counterintuitive? Maybe, but I promise it will grow on you.

For your bottom half, some must haves are:

tights, leggings, skinny jeans/jeggings, leg warmers, and cute boots (step away from the Uggs, ladies)



For you top half, some must haves are:

long tops, loose-fitting tops, belts (wide or thin), long, oversized jackets (the best have BIG buttons), oversized scarves, and maybe even a hat that can hold it’s own amongst all the large items.


I know we don’t all look like H&M models, but these styles are designed to flatter us normal women, too! Plus, there are tons of variations out there right now. You can turn the volume up or down with colours and patterns. I created both of these images using H&M's Fashion Studio, which you can try out for yourself here!
Thanks for having me, Lisa. I hope everything is going wonderful with your new addition!

Erica
Acire Adventures

Rochor Original Beancurd You Tiao With Video

Beancurd is one of our most cherished local desserts, and is often paired with a pair of delicious you tiao or fried doughsticks or similarly local fried pastries.

For me, the best beancurd is this particularly popular one found in Selegie, just opposite Wilkie Edge, and housed in a rustic 2-storey shophouse.

They serve not only classic beancurd in syrup, but also beancurd in soy bean milk, which is how I prefer to take it.

Besides beancurd, they have a delectable range of pastries ranging from fried doughsticks to egg tarts to butterflies (fried dough that is shaped somewhat like a butterfly). Whichever way you take it, they are all very good.

Beancurd in Soy Bean Milk

Just take a look at the gorgeously smooth beancurd here. Not overly sweet and the soya bean milk gives it that extra creamy flavor and having it warm just goes nicely down your throat. You can literally finish a bowl in a minute, and nothing beats having this bowl of beancurd goodness in person!

Butterfly Dough Fritters

The butterfly dough fritters had a fragrant aroma to it, and the dough is not too thick or too flour tasting, which makes this easy to consume. The nice sesame seed coating just give it that slight crunchy texture to go with the delicious softness of the dough.

Egg Tart

The beautifully baked egg tart actually outshone the beancurd. The crust was baked to perfection, flaky to the touch, yet outrageously crispy and had that slight burnt but not overly burnt effect. The egg custard was also nicely balanced, and undeniably smooth.

Excellent Selection of Local Desserts

 It is a simple way to consume a snack or breakfast, and very inexpensive as well, considering how well known this stall is. You will see countless executives and working folks packing this place during lunchtime and coffee breaks.

They even have an air con space on the 2nd floor for those who are unwilling to brave the heat in the alfresco sitting area downstairs. If you enjoy beancurd, and have never patronised this place before, go give it a try.

As far as Singapore desserts go, Rochor Original Beancurd reigns pretty supreme.

Check out winekaki's review of the same beancurd stall as well.

Rochor Original Beancurd You Tiao
2 Short Street
Opposite Wilkie Edge

Click here for the YouTube link.
Click here to download the HD version.

Written, filmed, edited and directed by Silverchef Productions.
Shot and edited entirely on Apple's Iphone 4 and on a roadside table.
No butterfly dough fritter was harmed in the shooting of this video.
"Jesus, Etc." performed by Wilco.

broken dolls

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our lost innocence...

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It Came, It came!

My first delivery from New Beauty Test Tube came today! I quickly tore open the box to find all sorts of goodies. Along with all the fun samples came a full size can of hair spray, a full bottle of vitamin chews, the latest copy of New Beauty magazine, and a $20 gift card to spalook.com.
I can't wait to start using some of these. I'm going to try the night cream tonight and the hair serum tomorrow. I'll keep you posted if I find any must haves in this round!

Good Year Local Hainanese Chicken Rice Ball

After my earlier post on Hainan Chicken Rice Ball at Jalan Besar, a reader brought my attention to another similar stall at Braddell.

This chicken rice ball stall is situated at a HDB block coffee stall very near to the MRT at Braddell and seems to be run by a friendly elderly couple.

Like the Jalan Besar one, this also serves the very hard to find chicken rice ball and is, of course, hainanese by nature.

They do have a wider selection of sides and their chicken and roast pork is more conventional than at Jalan Besar, which is fine as long as the quality is there.

Chicken Rice Ball

The rice balls were the main attraction here and I must admit, they certainly did not disappoint. They were more fragrant here and the texture is just right as well. There is less hint of ginger, but the chicken fat that powers the ball is certainly more evident too. They were so delicious I had 3 at a go!

Hainanese Chicken and Roast Pork

The chicken served here is the usual hainanese style of preparation, and is not as oily as a number of similar stalls. The meat is also just tender enough without being too salty, which in itself, is very desirable.

The roast pork is just par for the course and having gone there on a late evening, the skin has lost its crispiness, which is a shame. The only negative about the dish is that the cut of the chicken was not too well done, as there were a lot of bones in them.

Chicken and Peanut Soup

As with most chicken rice stalls, I always believe the best ones always come up with a different and better soup as a side, and this one was no exception. The soup has a darker color texture to it, and it was filled with peanuts and had a sweeter taste to it. I saw by the side that they do offer a rather unique chicken claw soup as an item on its own.

It is good to know that there are at least 2 chicken rice balls here, and offer us a chance to savor this unqiue chicken rice variation without having to travel to Malacca. I do hear the Malacca versions are still superior, but then again, how often do we get to travel up north to our neighboring country?

Good Year Local Hainanese Chicken Rice Ball
Blk 111 Lorong 1, Toa Payoh #01-366
Chang Cheng Mee Wah Restaurant

Guest Blogger: Alicia from Shaken Not Blurred

Can you believe that the Christmas and Holiday season is almost here? November has just begun and I truly love this time of year. When the leaves change and the weather becomes cooler and crisper! We will soon be getting together with family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving. I don't know about you, but I really like to have my Christmas shopping completely finished by December 1! That way I can truly enjoy the spirit of the season without stressing over what presents to buy and the crowds at the local mall.

I LOVE jewelry. Real, fake, big or small....I love it all! One present that I am sure every girl would love to recieve is a little bling! So I thought that I would help you out with your holiday shopping and give you some ideas that you can either buy for your sister, mom or friend. Or you could just slip these ideas to your significant other and make shopping easier for them too!

One piece of jewlery that I feel EVERY girl needs is a cocktail ring! A cocktail ring is perfect for parties, and with New Year's Eve right after Christmas, this is a perfect gift idea!

I love this ring! It is even more beautiful in person!

Canary Crystal Ring Judith Ripka $800

I think this is a perfect cocktail ring! It is oversized, cut beautifully, and will go with anything that you are wearing!

Moonshine ring by Swarovki $290

Another cocktail ring that is perfect this time of year. I adore this ring because it has a lot of deep rich winter colors and it is very unique the way it wraps around your finger.

Louie Jet Ring by Swarovki $170

I really like Swarovski because they stand behind their product. If your jewlery should lose a stone, or discolor, they will fix the problem or replace it. Not too many companies do that anymore.

The other staple that all fashionistas must have this year is pearls! You can do so much with pearls. Wear a single strand for a simple elegant look. Or you can layer them up in different sizes and lengths to wear with jeans, skirt, or dress. They are so easy and a lot of fun to play with because you can dress them up or down! Here are some of my favorites!

I about died from excitement when I found these!

Pearl Snowball necklace in Rose Shadow by JCrew $98

The next piece I found is already layered for you!

Glass Pearl/Jet/Fireball Multi Row necklace White House Black Market $48

Of course, you can never go wrong with the classic strand!

Classic strand 6.5-7.0mm Cultured Akoya Strand with 14k clasp $270

Don't forget about your wrist! You always need a little sparkle there!

Classic David Yurman Bracelet

Diamond, Sterling Silver, and 18k Gold 5mm Cable bracelet $675

Cuff Bracelets are really "in" right now! I am in love with this!

Crystal Cluster cuff $88

Rose Gold it really hot right now!


Ipolita 5 Stone Rose Gold Bracelet $495

I hope these ideas really help you and you have fun shopping!! I know that whatever "bling" you choose, your loved one will adore it!



Shaken Not Blurred