Glitzer

Day 23 - April Fools' , Don't be Fooled

noreply@blogger.com (Glitzer) — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 14:06:00 +0000

It's April Fools' Day! I have yet to be fooled but you never know as I still have half a day to go. I suppose this is the only day that warrants people to fool each other (not maliciously) and not be mad at each other. As we fool, we often use a lot of words and expressions. Hence, I decided it is best to launch the new "Word Game" series for Glitzer today.

The new "Word Game" series incorporates the use of words and alphabets alongside with charms to create a series filled with expressions. Common daily expressions, horoscopes, phrases are included.

The series is available in Sterling Silver and in Antiqued Brass. These necklaces are simple and great for layering with your other chains and necklaces.

All words and alphabet charms are unique, as they are designed in-house at Glitzer. It is a fully customizable range, want your boyfriend's, husband's, best friend's, first or last name initial to be part of the necklace? It can always be customized for you.

Newsletters are always sent on a monthly basis, this month's newsletter may be found here. Feel free to subscribe a copy via this link. I hope you like this series!

Day 22 - Ja! My new loves!

noreply@blogger.com (Glitzer) — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 07:26:00 +0000

Ja! (German for Yes!) I have found 2 new loves in Germany!

1) Sleek Magazine

I was waiting in the train station the other day and was x-raying the book shelves in the station. Most magazines were in German. With my novice German understanding, I opt to scan for something that had an attractive cover over the content. Yes this time I did judge the book by the cover, literally! At one of the shelves, I found a magazine called "Sleek". It had an amazing cover, turquoise blue background, candied blonde girl decorated with meringue, pink ribbons, a hip, modern Marie Antoinette! I loved it! The extras touches that are included in the magazine that drove my purchase decision are as follows:

It has a spread of beautiful articles and amazing photos which included incorporation of food and fashion to adhere to the quarterly magazine theme of "Eat Feed". A true magazine that is dedicated for art and fashion!
Highly detailed magazine. I am a person that loves details. I was absolutely in awe that at the last page of the magazine they included a quote from Tyra Banks, "When I Am Full, I Stop Eating". To materialize this quote, as you bend the copy of magazine gently back and forth, page side facing up, you will see the phrase appearing at the edge of the pages!

Sleek Magazine Photo courtesy of www.sleek-mag.com

The magazine is published from Berlin and I was amazed to find out that the magazine has been in publish since 2004 and I have been missing it all these years! I loved the way that it has both english and german in the articles and it is covered with beautiful and mind inspiring pictures. Believe me, you would love to read the magazine over and over again. I have just purchased the latest issue and have been mulling it through! Check out the website to read more about the magazine as you can find excerpts of the magazine too.

2) COS

As I was strolling along Koenigsallee in Dusseldorf, I was intrigued by a chic children's wear display as I am in the midst of hunting some goodies for my to-be born nephew. In addition to the display of children's wear, adjacent you will find equally chic clothing lines for adults that are on display - elegant short cropped leather jackets, simple line black tops, skirts, trousers, simply anything that is trending in Sartorialist that is minimalist, versatile, elegant and simple. I simply love it, and still craving to make a purchase.

With my curiosity, I ended up investigating more about the clothing brand online, and found out that it is a new brand that is set up by H&M ! I am still browsing through the collection!

Photos courtesy of www.cosstores.com

Day 21 - White Asparagus + Poached Egg + Salmon on Muffin

noreply@blogger.com (Glitzer) — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 10:37:00 +0000

It's officially Spring and I cannot wait for the white asparagus season to start in Germany! I believe the season should begin some time in April. Normally farmers here tend to sell white asparagus alongside strawberries. As I crave for white asparagus, I decided to go with a bunch of Greek White Asparagus. By quality they cannot beat the white asparagus found in Germany, however to plug the crave it does the job.

I paired the white asparagus with poach egg and salmon on a toasted muffin. Asparagus with a creamy poached egg is simply heavenly. The recipe is as follows:

Ingredients:

White Asparagus + Poached Egg + Salmon on Muffin

8 stalks of white asparagus

2 slices of smoked salmon (I have chosen smoked salmon with dill for the extra herb zing)

1 english white muffin

2 eggs

1/2 teaspoon of sugar

1/2 teaspoon of White Wine Vinegar for White Asparagus

1 tablespoon White Wine Vinegar for Poached Egg

Pepper to Taste

Lemon Wedge for Serving

Olive Oil to Drizzle for Serving

Instructions:

A) White Asparagus

1) Asparagus is a woody vegetable. The best way is to snap the asparagus spears. At the point it snaps it is the beginning of the woody end of the spear.

2) Using a sharp knife, trim the asparagus and peel off the outer layer of the asparagus.

3) Bring a shallow pan of water into a simmer with just enough water to cover the asparagus, add the asparagus, along with a dash of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of White Wine Vinegar and 1/2 a teaspoon of sugar. The reason of the sugar is to ease the bitterness of the asparagus. I did not have any sugar, I substituted it with 1/2 teaspoon of honey which works well too.

4) Asparagus can take any where between 5-12 minutes to cook, depending on the thickness of the spears. Use a sharp knife to test your asparagus, if you can pierce through the asparagus gently your asparagus are done.

5) Once done, drain the asparagus on folded paper towel and set aside.

B) Poached Eggs + Toasted Muffin

1) Boil a pan of water add salt and 1 tablespoon of White Wine Vinegar. Turn down the heat to a very low simmering point but yet remaining hot.

2) Break an egg into a bowl.

3) Using a spoon, swirl the water until you have a gentle whirlpool.

4) Slide the egg into the water.

5) It will take roughly 5 minutes for the egg to cook with a creamy yolk with a slight run. Do one egg at a time.

6) Meanwhile slice the muffin in half and toast the muffins.

7) After 5 minutes, using a slotted spoon, scoop up the poach egg and drain it on folded kitchen paper.

C) Assembly + Tuck In

1) Place one half of the toasted muffin to the center of the plate.

2) Add a slice of smoked salmon. I drape the salmon over the muffin to make it look neat.

3) Add the Poach egg.

4) Lay the asparagus spears on top of the egg.

5) Crack fresh pepper and drizzle with olive oil.

6) Accompany it with a slice of lemon wedge and tuck in!

Creamy runny yolk with White Asparagus, Smoked Salmon on Toasted White Muffin

Normally with asparagus, hollandaise sauce is the perfect accompaniment. I have done away with the sauce and substituted with a drizzle of olive oil instead, for a lighter meal (less calories yay!) and to capture the sweetness of the asparagus as sometimes hollandaise sauce and be too over powering.

Day 20 - Conforming to Standards

noreply@blogger.com (Glitzer) — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 08:33:00 +0000

This is a reflective note based on what have been running through my head over the last couple of months. I suppose the trigger to write this blog post came from the Steinway and Sons case that I had to do for my exam. My ears kept on ringing with bright tones of piano playing whilst working through the paper.

The tune that was running through my head was Mika's Grace Kelly. The lyrics of the song kept stuck in my head along with the piano accompaniment. From what I have read, the Grace Kelly lyrics were written to reflect Mika's anger after being rejected by a record label. The label wanted him to conform what they wanted him to do as an artist in order to be marketable.

In life I believe we conform to a lot of standards, but should we? My take is as follows:

Respect Individuality and Style
Love in the way you want
Be Yourself and Enjoy being You!

I believe is only "You" that brings enrichment to life and not standards! Standards are for guidance (and to stay legal) but it is up to you to make a difference! Afterall, I am not mass manufactured from a factory, I am geared for uniqueness.

Lastly, the best line out of the song's lyrics which I always seem to forget and wind myself up in great frustration is "Getting Angry Doesn't Solve Anything"!

Enjoy the song as much as I do!

Day 19 - Fish Cake + Salt and Vinegar Salad

noreply@blogger.com (Glitzer) — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 21:26:00 +0000

After completing 2 papers this morning, I decide to reward myself with some good brain food - Fish Cakes. I have been craving to make them since last week. After a week long of book reading, traveling to Nuremberg for trade fairs, I finally have a bit of time to blog and cook.

Fish Cakes came to my mind since last week. I guess it is driven from my excitement to travel to London next week. All the British foods suddenly come swelling in my head. Fish and Chips, Salt and Vinegar Crisps are the main culprits. However, I am steering away from the unhealthy fats and transforming my crave into these Fish cakes and a sharp tangy Salt and Vinegar Lamb's Lettuce Salad.

The recipe is as follows:

Ingredients:

Fish Cake (4 pieces)

4-5 medium sized potatoes

125g of Fish (I use sea bass. Salmon, haddock will equally be fine)

2 good sprigs of flat leaf parsley

1 egg beaten

8 tablespoons of Whole Oats

Lemon Zest of Half a Lemon

Juice of Half a Lemon

Salt and Pepper to Taste

Lemon Wedge for Serving

Salt and Vinegar Lamb's Lettuce Salad

Lamb's Lettuce (one of my favorite salad leaves)

1/2 teaspoon of salt

2 tablespoon of White Balsamic Vinegar

1 tablespoon of Olive Oil

Pepper to Taste

Instructions:

1) Peel and cut potatoes into chunks. Boil potatoes for about 8-12 minutes till they are cooked. Once cooked, drain potatoes through a colander.

2) Heat a non-stick pan with a tablespoon of olive oil, pan fry the fish until just cooked.

3) Mash potatoes in a bowl. Flake fish into the potatoes. I used a skinless fish, if you pan fried a piece of fish with skin on, remove the skin prior to flaking.

4) Zest the skin of half a lemon and chop finely. Similarly, chop up flat leaf parsley.

5) Add the lemon zest and flat leaf parsley to potato and fish mixture.

6) Add in juice of half a lemon, season with salt and pepper and mix well.

7) Beat an egg in a separate bowl.

8) Add whole oats to a separate plate.

9) Mould potato mixture into 4 cakes.

10) Individually, dip each cake into the beaten egg, then coat it with whole oats.

11) Chill cakes for about 20 minutes.

12) Wash and drain the lamb's lettuce. Mix the salad dressing and toss the salad with the dressing.

13) Pan fry the cakes on a heated pan with about 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Serve up the fish cakes when they are browned on both sides.

14) Serve the fish cakes with the salad and a lemon wedge.

Nothing beats having good fish and chips with a good dash of salt and vinegar and a fresh lemon wedge, in a healthy way!

I have been using lemon zest a lot in my cooking lately. I have been adding them to pasta and risotto. The beautiful aroma from the lemon oils add great subtle essence to the food - simply flavorful! I highly recommend you to try it out. As spring is here, the taste buds are changing to crave for lighter and more delicate flavors.

Nonetheless, in an hour's time, it will be the start of summer time, as the clocks advances an hour ahead! Welcome Spring! 1 less hour to sleep tonight, but 1 more hour of day light tomorrow!

Day 18 - Egg On!

noreply@blogger.com (Glitzer) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:35:00 +0000

The last few days have been simply hectic, moving into another apartment in Düsseldorf as well as finalizing work deliverables, and also feeling a bit confused with life.

Nonetheless, I am so happy today, thanks to Piggy for informing me that one of my necklaces have made it to Etsy Front page! The necklace that has been featured is an absolutely fun piece for spring, let alone the upcoming Easter Festivities, it is the "Oh the Chick is Hatched" sterling silver necklace from the Sterling Sweet Surprise series.

I have also realized Etsy has made quite some technology changes, as once my item has been posted on the Etsy Front Page, the Glitzer Facebook Fan Page automatically posts the comment "My Shop has been featured on Etsy.com!" , how fabulous is this! Egg on the great improvements Etsy!

Day 17- Forest Themed

noreply@blogger.com (Glitzer) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:39:00 +0000

I have disappeared again! I feel like a gnome in the forest, where I have the power to appear and reappear. It is truly unintentional - due to a lot of traveling requirements with my personal life, I am exhausted from it too as I feel like a gypsy in transient. I am now back in Germany. Well anyway, back to the forest theme. I love everything forest themed - my jewelry displays, my jewelry, one of my favorite themes as I think the forest is always magical, whimsical with the beautiful flowers and animals. Also the dramatic difference in the wildlife in night and dark.

Today, I saw this video, Neopolitan Dreams by Lisa Mitchell and I am totally in love with it. To me, this is a my ideal forest theme to work with - fun, lovely colors and great portray of the different themes in a forest yet is kept in a very pretty and feminine way! The music is fun too. I hope you love it as much as I do!

Lisa Mitchell - Neopolitan Dreams

lisa mitchell MySpace Musikvideos

Day 16 - New Retail Point for Glitzer - Yay!

noreply@blogger.com (Glitzer) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:39:00 +0000

I am so happy! I have set up a retail point for Glitzer in Hong Kong today - Yay! If you are in Hong Kong, the retail point is at Playground (Shop 214b-e, DNA Galleria, 61-65 Chatham Road South (end of Cameron Road), Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong).

At Playground, you will find a great range of products designed by local designers in Hong Kong, from jewelry, paper craft, artwork, leather wallets, fashion, upcycled jewelry, leather prints, photos - a whole galore of products from talented individuals in Hong Kong.

My display is based on a nature inspired theme, similar to the display that I have done in Christmas a jewelry filled branch with vintage glass jewelry, chains, lockets accompanied by birds, owls, deer and felt flowers as spring is round the corner.

I am simply overjoyed today with all that has happened today, especially all the unexpected discussions, ideas etc. Simply blessed!

Day 15 - An Education

noreply@blogger.com (Glitzer) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 13:04:00 +0000

I have been trying to catch up a lot of the movies that I have been missing out through the long haul flights. My favorite recently has been the film An Education. The film is so beautifully styled, the lovely French music, the stylish dresses that Carey Mulligan wore, and most importantly I loved how she acted and portrayed the role of Jenny in the film. (I am so happy whilst in the midst of writing this blog post to know that Carey Mulligan has just won Best Actress at the BAFTA.) A highly recommended film if you have not watch it yet.

"An Education" photos from Sony Pictures Classics

The film reminds me so much when I was in boarding school in the UK, the uniform, the orchestra I played in, the french classes - a good reminiscence of my past. Unlike the story, I did not fall in love with a swish guy and had to decide between choosing a relationship or an education.

Even now I am doing my further education in business, I feel that it is imperative to have a good education despite relationship fall outs - persistence and perseverance are the key.

Day 14 - Gadget Time

noreply@blogger.com (Glitzer) — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 13:54:00 +0000

Polaroid PoGo - picture courtesy of www.polaroid.com

I am currently craving to purchase a new gadget - a Polaroid PoGo. The revolutionary Polaroid camera has revolutionize itself into the digital age!

Polaroid pogo, a digital camera and a color photo printer all in one - check out the specs and you would crave for one too - such a perfect idea, snap, fine tune the photos, choose a photo frame if necessary and print and share.

What's stopping me to buy - well evaluation of the product. I am still googling on product reviews, most reviews so far I have read are not that fabulous - most complaints are on the weight, quality of the photos. Hm... but mind you I am no gadget geek, if I wanted an all-in-one digital camera, with editing functions and can print this may be a great option, and possibly the only option that is currently available - truly TEMPTED!

Day 13 - If you were to design for someone who would it be?

noreply@blogger.com (Glitzer) — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 08:50:00 +0000

I have been terrible at keeping up with my daily blogging habit. After Germany in the beginning of February, I whizzed off to Singapore as part of my flight transit and did some craft shopping and hanging out with Piggy. Now I am back in Hong Kong. It is Chinese New Year over the last week, things have been busy at Glitzer, with new designs on the way, preparing for a retail point and many other things and family gatherings.

When I am designing, I always love to have a person in mind to design for. To visualize the person's style and ask myself what piece she would love to wear. My inspiration person, I suppose. Lately my choice is Marit Larsen. Ex band member of the teen band M2M. I absolutely love her style, the absolute girl next door, a hint of rock chick, casual but yet feminine. I hope one day she will wear a piece from Glitzer! Check out her video "If a Song Could Get Me You", which I have included with this post. This song has been one of my favorites in my nano. If you have never heard this song, I hope you would enjoy it!

If you were to design for someone, who would it be?

Day 12 - Snow and Flu!

noreply@blogger.com (Glitzer) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:11:00 +0000

I have returned from school, despite multiple train delays due to the amount of snow in Germany. Unfortunately I have caught a bad flu and have been in bed for the last two days. These are the snowy white scenes out in the garden that I look out from the bedroom, frosted tree branches and filled with soft snow.

Although it is a beautiful scene to look at, but slushy snow and slippery roads are everywhere. I hope I will not be stranded and my flight will not be delayed tomorrow! I am due to pay Mr Taxman tomorrow too, I am sure he won't be stopped by the snow as it is all meant to be electronic!

Day 11 - Back to School

noreply@blogger.com (Glitzer) — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 09:18:00 +0000

I have been neglecting my blog which is not intentional, as I have been back to school and have been swamped with exams and readings. Once again, today I am feeling like Harry Potter, especially the scene when he is sent off to school taking Hogwarts Express from platform 9 and 3/4. That is how I feel leaving the train station for my classes!

The excitement of meeting my classmates again is surely there, but I am a bit overwhelmed with my own expectation to try to take in as much as I can from class too. Magic of school!

Well, boarding the train soon, and I will be keeping my fingers busy on the train to finish up my essay which is due for class in 4 hours!

Did I mention, it is freezing here. About -4 degrees. I made goulash yesterday and will post up the recipe soon - a great warming comfort food to calm the chill!

Day 10 - Assets = Shareholder's Equity + Liabilities

noreply@blogger.com (Glitzer) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 05:40:00 +0000

Accounting - an intellectual topic to discuss here. However, I am no accountant to share with you on this subject matter, in fact is a topic which I really dread and loathe. However, I am currently using all my wits to prepare for my exam tomorrow on this topic.

My current definition of the equation is definitely as follows:

In order for me to succeed tomorrow, I better pull all my wits together, and pray for a good dose of luck!

I am keeping all my toes and fingers all crossed in addition to this formula - I am definitely stressed and a tad looney, enough for me to pull up such a formula + graphics!?! MAD!

Day 9 - Welcome Paradise!

noreply@blogger.com (Glitzer) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:18:00 +0000

Finally my new collection Paradise is launched, I have just sent out the latest newsletter - Yay! The collection is inspired by my recent visit to the Fiji Islands - a simply breathtaking place that I would want to return soon.

Paradise is a collection featuring mainly mini vintage lockets paired with sweet, cute embellishments, from red, pink, hearts to pastel floral, faux pearls and crystals. The design rationale for the Paradise collection is for keeping treasured moments. It is a flexible collection - you can wear multiple chains together for a layered effect, or have a combination of lockets strung onto a chain upon your preference. Every piece of the Paradise collection has a Fijian name tied to it and a translation of the names has been provided.

I have taken quite a number of product pictures whilst I was in Fiji. For the key collection picture I have chosen a picture where I have hung a selection of lockets onto a Frangipani tree - a demonstration of a multi layered chain wear possibility and a display of a combination of sweet charms.

These are some other pictures that I love to have included including snaps of the beach, frangipani flowers, hibiscus, sea side etc. Here's a collage of some of my favorite pictures.

Day 8 - Photo Shooting

noreply@blogger.com (Glitzer) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:39:00 +0000

It is a photo shooting day today! I am busy shooting product photos for my soon-to-be-launched new collection "Paradise" featuring mini vintage lockets - excited, but still have a lot more work to go!

A short post today, as I hope to reveal Paradise to you real soon! Speak soon!

Day 7 -Bills Sweet Corn Fritters

noreply@blogger.com (Glitzer) — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 08:45:00 +0000

I am going through a post-holiday depression, missing my holidays. One thing I really missed was the good food - particularly Bills in Sydney. Recommended by Piggy, I went to Bills for a good brunch on New Year's Eve. Yum! is how I would describe the experience.

Reminiscing the experience I have decided to recreate the experience. I googled the recipe for Bill Granger's Sweet Corn Fritters and that is what I have made tonight! The recipe calls for fresh corn, and I strongly recommend it. However with the cold wintry weather I could only have access to canned sweet corn which has plugged my crave for now.

Sweet corn Fritters at Bills Sydney

Whilst I was making the fritters, I totally forgotten both the spring onions and onions required on the recipe. I substituted it with chives and it was still fabulous!

Next recipe that I plan time to make in the upcoming few weeks is the Ricotta Pancakes from Bills! Crave, crave and get going with my exercise regime first!

Ricotta Pancakes with Banana and Honeycomb Butter at Bills Sydney

Day 6 - Broke My Promise 365 Day Blogging - A Tea or A Coffee to compensate?

noreply@blogger.com (Glitzer) — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 05:10:00 +0000

I didnt mean to break my 365 Day daily blogging habit - my excuse - I have been traveling half of the globe over the last few days. Last week the travel itinerary included Fiji, Brisbane, Melbourne, Hong Kong, Singapore for a transit and now Germany. Terribly jet lagged, and have experienced different weather extremities. From 43 degrees in Melbourne to now, -3 degrees in Germany. Bright sun, rain, moderate temperatures, and now snow I have seen it all in a week.

As I did not have permanent internet access in some of the locations hence I will pick up from where I blogged last and carry on my promise. To compensate, I would like to share with you my great experience with coffee and tea in Melbourne.

Sunday and Monday I was in Melbourne and I found great teas and coffee that I would want to share with you.

T2 Tea - Originated from Melbourne, Australia. They have one of the greatest selection of teas that I have found - a good 180 selection of teas. Especially breakfast tea, from Morning Red, Morning Tea, Afternoon Tea, Evening Tea etc a whole galore of great black teas. My favorite is the French Earl Grey - it has a lovely floral, vanilla aroma to the tea, a pretty tea to die for. In addition to the teas, there are a few other things I love about T2 -

Packaging - With the company's signature orange color, tea comes packaged in orange boxes and wrapped in chinese newspaper strips, thin orange plastic wrap and orange strings. I love the use of chinese newspaper - a different touch to conventional packaging.
Names of Tea - I love the inclusion of different Australian cities in the product names, which included Melbourne Breakfast Tea ( a vanilla scented tea), Brisbane Breakfast Tea (a mango infused tea), Sydney Breakfast Tea (bergamot scented tea) etc. In addition to city names, I love the more feminine names too Girlie Grey (a citrus flavored earl grey tea).
Website - If you have time check out the website although it is flash based, and takes a while of some of the elements to load, it has a lot of great fun elements in the website. From how to brew a cup of tea, tea that fits your zodiac signs - a fun way to discover teas!

As I have offered a cup of tea, I should also offer a cup of coffee to my fellow coffee drinkers. We stumbled across a coffee company called Sensory Lab. It is my first time to taste a cup of coffee in a lab based setting. The menu is on a clip board. A small menu covering only coffees. Apart from coffees, they only serve small slices of cakes or cookies. The coffee can be brewed in 4 ways, as an expresso, a cold drip, filtered or with a syphon . They have 3 main blends, S-1, S-2, and S-3. I tried the S-2 cold drip which should have tasting notes that are bright citrus, stone fruits and shiraz. A unique coffee experience alongside a slice of orange rhubarb cake!

Sensory Lab Coffee Store Setting

Sensory Lab Coffee Lab Based Setting - Clip Board Menu, Glass flask water jugs

Sensory Lab Coffee making area - Coffee Syphons

Sensory Lab Cold Drip S-2 Blend Coffee

Day 5 - Goodbye Fiji, I will Miss you!

noreply@blogger.com (Glitzer) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 19:41:00 +0000

We wanted to spend our last day here relaxing, where nothing beats going to the spa for a relaxing massage. Day 5, is mostly spent relaxing under the sun and going to the spa for treatments. We had a treatment that consisted of a body massage and an illumination facial - did we look bright and refreshed after the facial - YES we did!

Before going to the spa, I captured shots of Fiji that I will miss and would want to share it with you:

Bula Bus that brought us to and fro different resorts

Beautiful birds of paradise flowers that we rise up to every morning

Fragrant frangipani

Luscious red hibiscus

After spa, we looked the the remarkable sunset once more, a view definitely to remember of Fiji.

Day 4 - Finding Nemo - in Fiji

noreply@blogger.com (Glitzer) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 10:07:00 +0000

Today is Island Hopping Day! Hurrah! I am looking forward to find Nemo in the big Pacific Oceans. Early in the morning, we left from Port Denarau in Fiji and headed off in a boat to our Twin Island Escapade. After 30 minutes we arrived at our first stop - South Sea Island.

We were breath taken by clear blue green waters when we arrived. We tried to sail, unfortunately there was not enough wind. Therefore we snorkeled. I have not snorkeled since a child and was simply amazed what I saw in the beautiful seas. Fishes in a myriad of colors, silver, yellow, green, blue, red but there were no signs of Nemo however, we saw a blue star fish which is my first time.

After snorkeling we had a quick barbecue lunch provided as part of the trip and headed off to our next stop - Bounty Island.

We thought South Sea Island was not bad, but wait until you see Bounty Island - it was a paradise! The waters were crystal clear and magnificent coral reefs not far from shore.

We decided to give scuba diving a go. It was my first scuba diving experience I loved it! We were at most 6 meters deep but we managed to see different types of coral, some felt like velvet soft carpet, some changes color after you touched them, bright blue fishes, sea cucumber, sea urchin, striped tropical fishes, which included orange, white and black striped Nemo!

After an hour and a half, we returned to shore and we saw another Nemo welcoming us! A boat named Nemo!

It was so sad to leave the island and we definitely missed it and hope that we will return one day! Totally memorable.

Day 3 - Exploration! - from Fiji

noreply@blogger.com (Glitzer) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 09:13:00 +0000

Day 3 at Fiji is filled with exploration from all tangents. We explored the Port on the Island, Port Denaru. It was a surprise how modern the port was. Restaurants were all with international flavors, Hard Rock Cafe was amongst one of them.

Port Denarau in Fiji

As we wanted to further explore Fiji, especially for a country that consists of over 300 islands we looked for boat trips for island hopping at the port. To our surprise, for most of the popular trips, you will need to book at least 2 to 3 days in advance and most of the trips we wanted to go including Castaway Island, Treasure Island, Plantation Island were all full. Some islands were closed out due to full occupancy. Luckily we managed to find a last minute trip for two for a twin island escapade which includes visiting South Sea Island and Bounty Island for tomorrow - Phew!

An array of possible island hopping trips in Fiji

Our last exploration dimension for the day was on food - our dinner. Dinner was simply scrumptious and delectable! We were absolutely stunned by the quality of food and service at the restaurant Ports O' Call - we filled ourselves with Oyster Kilpatrick, Beef Tartare and the pièce de résistance Lobster Thermidor. We loved our dinner and could not resist not ordering dessert which we had a Soufflé and Crêpe Suzette. Luckily we skipped lunch otherwise we would not be able to sample all the great foods. It was dinner truly well worth it, especially with the Beef Tartare and the Crêpe Suzette prepared along the table side (videos have been taken will be posting them later!). Our pallets have surely explored a great feast!

Day 2 - Relax! - from Fiji

noreply@blogger.com (Glitzer) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 11:02:00 +0000

Fiji Denarau Island feast to the eyes

In my second day here at Fiji, I slept in. I managed to catch a full 12 hours of sleep and feeling completely refreshed! Part of my mission to recover from my sleep debt is accomplished! Yay!

Looking at the blue sea and skies with mild winds sweeping through the coconut palms I am so in love with Fiji it is a great feast to the eyes! It is my first time to relax on a hammock and I totally enjoyed it!

Photos will be my best way to share Fiji with you, so sit back and relax to these scenic views of Fiji!

Blue sea and skies of Fiji Denarau Island

Swaying coconut palms of Fiji Denarau Island

Relaxing hammocks at Fiji Denarau Island

Finishing off our day we had a great dinner at the Flying Fish restaurant in Fiji alongside a beautiful sunset!

Sunset at Fiji Denarau Island

Seafood Tapas from Flying Fish Restaurant at Fiji

Day 1 - Bula! - from Fiji

noreply@blogger.com (Glitzer) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 10:11:00 +0000

One of my new year resolutions is to blog every day, therefore, adhering to my promise after 2 days of traveling and getting an internet connection I am starting my daily habit of blogging. I am endeavor to complete the 365 days of blogging.

Bula! Bula means Hello or Welcome in Fiji. I have landed in Fiji! Fiji a country made up of over 300 islands is a beautiful paradise - filled with a cornucopia of tropical plants from coconut palms, elegant white hibiscus flower, green ferns and cooling blue seas - simply relaxing and a feast to the eyes!

For dinner we attended a Fijian cultural show whilst sampling a galore of local foods. First we were welcomed by one of the local rituals, drinking of a "muddy" bowl of water better known as "kava" in Polynesian or "yaqona" in Fiji. We have to clap 3 times, say "Bula" before we are allowed to drink the whole bowl of kava. Kava is root from a plant. The roots known as "waka" are washed, then dried and pounded into a powder. This powder is then mixed with water and served as a welcoming drink to visitors. It tastes rather alkaline, a bit like a mild cocoa drink without sugar and milk and has a mild numbing effect. I was advised by the locals if too much kava is consumed it will have a mild narcotic effect and would act as a great sleeping aid. Hm... I think I will still stick to hot chocolate for now as my best sleeping aid!

"kava" in a grounded powder form

"kava" - mild narcotic muddy water prepared as part of the welcoming ritual in Fiji

In terms of food there was a special ceremony led by the high priest to unearth cooked meats and vegetable from the earth oven "lovo". The earth oven is constructed with burning wood logs, covered with soil and layered with coconut and fern leaves. Whole chickens have been seasoned and wrapped in foil and coconut leaves; similarly with lamb cutlets. Local spinach are wrapped in foil and stewed in coconut milk and tomatoes. The chicken was so succulent, as the moisture was retained by the layers of leaves and the spinach tasted wonderful a simply wholesome vegetable that was simply pleasing to the palette. Another vegetable that I tasted for the first time was Fijian Fern "ota" mixed in a salad - simply delectable!

unearthing of meats and vegetable from Fijian earth oven

Apart from food, we were shown a wide range of Fijian dances. Here's shots of the Fijian Spear dance performed by men and Fijian fan dance performed by women.

Hope you have enjoyed my Day 1 in Fiji!

Fijian spear dance

Fijian fan dance

Z for ZZzzzZzzzz

noreply@blogger.com (Glitzer) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 04:18:00 +0000

It's the last day of the decade and the turn of the new decade tomorrow! I am so glad that I can wrap up the alphabet blog before the start of the new year!

I am endeavour over this new year period to overindulge in a lot more rest hence Z for more sleep ZzzzZzzz and play (of course!) as I have not had much over the last months. Paying for overdue sleep debt which I have accumulated over the last months and the only bail out is me resting over it!

Happy New Year to all and may I wish that all your dreams come true, may you be blessed with good health, happiness, family and good companions always! Take care!

Speak again in 2010! Signing off from Sydney!

PS. I am looking forward to the fireworks tonight in Sydney harbour though the weather is not as sunny as expected. I will post pictures of my trip in Australia once I have a more stable internet connection. I can't wait to share with you my trip in Australia, and looking forward to Fiji in a couple more days!

Y for YEAR

noreply@blogger.com (Glitzer) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:43:00 +0000

We are approaching Year End of 2009, and it has certainly been an interesting and fulfilling year for me. A year I will sum it up with the following descriptions:

Turning Point Year - changes in life, career and embarking on further study programs

Reflective Year - I have spent a lot of time looking back at what I have achieved or not achieved over the last few years. Surely been a year where I act on things that are very different to what I normally expect or would do. A year filled with trials and errors.

Youth Minding Year - I don't know how best to describe it. However, it is definitely a year where I am more worried about the ageing signs on my face - namely fine lines and wrinkles have seemed to arrive on certain spots on my face! Eeks - therefore it has been a year that I have definitely tried to spend greater care on the fine lines and sun spots!

Traveling Year - With my work and study schedule I have been on-the-move much more than I normally do. This year I have travelled to Germany, France, Luxembourg, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Japan, Australia and much more with the new year starting. I loved all the exploration of different cultures as well as feasting on beautiful sceneries and sampling great foods.

With a few days more and we will start a new decade, this also reminds me about writing a new set of New Year resolutions. Do I ever adhere to my new year resolutions? Hm... I start writing them, but I never seem to complete it as my list always ends up being rather long and ever changing. I guess, I normally just let life steer my direction but have a good general direction of what I would like to expect in life in a year's time. Time to start thinking and penning down my New Year resolutions... I hope you get yours down too soon! I guess, my first new year resolution should definitely be - "Complete a list of new year resolutions and stick to them!"