Travel: The Mira Hotel Hong Kong

The Mira is an über-trendy hotel right in the heart of the Tsim Sha Tsui shopping mecca. I was uncertain in the beginning to stay at this hotel because I was traveling with my Mom (and not my gay friends) so I didn’t want a club-electronica sort of accommodation. Thankfully, it didn’t look like that. The techie-contemporary design of the hotel was muted and stylish. I was G.L.A.D :)

The lobby had interesting sculptures. Modern but not daunting.

Our very clean and sleek room, perfectly perched on the 17th floor.

The beds were comfortable and I liked the soft, non-scratchy white sheets. I only sleep in white sheets so felt right at home and slept like a baby.

Simple and no-fuss amenities. I like that the sink is outside of the bathroom. I can do my make-up in peace.

THE MINI BAR IS FREE. 5 words I keep repeating to myself. I couldn’t believe that I am free from extortion. Translation:  no bills for a $20 bottle of water.

Our amazing view from my bed.

I was enjoying all this while sipping my FREE oolong tea.

…and at night. Wishing my hubby was with me.

Harbour City, Uniqlo, Muji and Yohji Yamamoto are only steps away. I’m in heaven.

The VIP club lounge.

The open-air lounge bar, Vibes. Okay, this is my dream backyard from now on.

The spa lounge. I can imagine P. Diddy enjoying this.

The award-winning european restaurant, Whisk is also at the hotel. I wanted to take one of those hanging glass thingies back home with me but didn’t want to go to jail. I’ll just try and see if there’s a dupe from IKEA.

The customer service at this hotel is PHENOMENAL. My life has been divided between America, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Unfortunately, I spend the least amount of time in Asia and I always forget how much value is put on “respect and hospitality”. Well, because it almost doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world.                                                  It’s a sad reality how perplexing it is for me (and for most people, I’m sure) when I come across people that go over and beyond their job description. I cannot count the times when I’ve confronted the concierge (at some very expensive hotels), “if you don’t like dealing with people, you should get a different job.” So, it’s rare to find managements that still take pride in their work in this generation when lack of work ethics is considered normal.

No, I didn’t pay for a Presidential suite. We have the less expensive accommodation but we were treated like royalty.The staff helped us with everything. From finding bubble wrap at 12 midnight for an antique abacus I bought to finding an iPad case to handling my Rimowa luggage with care and for just simply being genuinely nice, I am in awe.          Great location, great food, great service. I’m so happy to be in this side of the world.

I’m already blocking dates for next year’s visit. This time, I’m taking my husband.

I was sad to go and that doesn’t happen too often.

If you’re thinking of going, it’s worth it. The Mira Hong Kong.

Eats: Yamm in Hong Kong

More than shopping, I love visiting Hong Kong for the food. I’m always on a mission to find great food and there’s always a wealth of choices for places to eat in HK. I was prepared to gain five pounds, happily.

Yamm is located at the Mira Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui, right smack in the middle of all the shopping you can ever dream of. The price for the breakfast buffet for two was just around HK$ 500 which amounts to US$ 64. Gawd! My husband and I pay that amount at Chili’s in the States!

One of the best  and chicest breakfast buffets I’ve had in Hong Kong!

I gobbled these pork buns like I’m just about to go to war. Sorry, I didn’t take pictures of the huge selection they had laid out, I was too busy enjoying my food.

They also offer an a la carte menu for lunch. We were in a hurry one afternoon and decided to try it out.

The vegetable tempura  platter was light and airy, done just right.

 Char Kway Teow – wok fried flat rice noodles with shrimp, squid, fish cakes, preserved sausage and bean sprouts. This dish was so good, I’m speechless. Perfect with a cold bottle of Tsing Tao beer. 

They have a patisserie called COCO in the same establishment and they had an array of cute sweets in display. I was going to grab one of these lipstick chocolates but completely forgot! They look like Shu Uemura lippies !

Yamm is so Yum!  Highly recommended for all  food lovers out there.

For details check them out at Yamm at The Mira Hong Kong.

out of the closet: the shopping uniform

 My shopping uniform when in Asia is pretty predictable. When you don’t plan on checking in any baggage, my solution is stay monochromatic. In my case B&W. That’s the only way I can pack without thinking. And since cardio-shopping in Hong Kong is the Olympics of all shopping, comfortable flat sandals is a must. Plus, I don’t really care that my shopping outfits are boring, they walk too fast over here to even notice !

Outfit A:

  1. chiffon top: Koton
  2. shorts: Zara
  3. sandals: Chanel
  4. bag: Chloé

Waiting to fuel up with dim sum and Tsing Tao beer at the hotel restaurant before braving the heat and the haggling marathon.

Outfit B:

  1. silk shirt: Equipment
  2. shorts: Zara
  3. sandals: Chanel
  4. bag: Chloé
  5. aviators: Nina Ricci

Riding the star ferry from Tsim Sha Tsui to Hong Kong Central. Uhmm. I don’t know that guy behind me, but he looks just as confused as I am when I’m working with my camera.

Have a great week! xx

For my Mom, the ultimate “Tiger Mom”

I just got back from Hong Kong to celebrate Mother’s Day with my Mom. I really wanted to make this year special for her. We used to go on shopping trips to Hong Kong when I was a kid and I remember begging for a pair Dr. Martens, to no avail of course. She is the Tiger Mom after all. She said ” if you want those boots, buy it yourself, you don’t need those boots, you need to study.” No negotiations allowed.

Well, I’m over that DM’s phase, I want Celine shoes now, but I learned a very important lesson that most kids these days don’t understand. I never felt I was entitled to what she worked hard for. I am thankful because I know that the good life I have now has been the outcome of my Mother’s love. I was grateful for what I had and I never expected more than what was given to me. Fast forward 17 years later, it’s my turn to give back. It’s nothing compared to what a single Mom had to endure raising two girls on her own, but the look on her face when she opened this red box, priceless. I am beyond happy.

Within hours, we were already frantically scouring HK  to look for a wallet to go with her new bag.

I said, “what’s wrong with your wallet now?” She said, “it has to match!” Of course, why did I even bother asking ? Mental note: The Tiger Mom is so in her element, get the hell out of her way.

To all the single Moms out there, you deserve only the best.

Happy Mother’s Day!

And please, say ” I Love you ” to her not just on this day but everyday…

Hope you had a great weekend with your Mom ! I did!  XX

out of the closet: white shirt monday

Saw the dentist today, not a good way to start the week. I’m lucky my dentist is as kind as Mother Theresa. I firmly believe that it should be mandatory for all dentists to attend some sort of “saintly kindness to suffering toothache victims” seminar.

see: my new shoe cabinet at the corner. so loving the mirror. instant lipo! 

  1. shirt: IRO
  2. jeans: J Brand
  3. heels:  Castañer
  4. tote bag: Roberto Cavalli
  5. sunglasses: Christian Dior
  6. necklace: H&M

I thought I’ll reward myself for bravery with my ultimate comfort food.  The Hainanese Chicken rice at the Mandarin Oriental is the best I’ve ever had. I finished this plate within five minutes. Toothache, gone.

Hope you’re having a good week so far!

Happy Eating! xx

out of the closet: Part 2: Weddings in yellow

The ethereal bouquets  held by the wedding entourage was an arrangement of phalaenopsis orchids, hydrangeas, wax flowers, green thistles and hypericum berries ~  my special gift to the bride.

The circle of trust. Young love.

We were doing a photo shoot for the official videographer and I was playing with the kids (rowdy teenagers) when my cousin took this photo of me.

The Make-up:

  1. face: Giorgio Armani Luminous silk foundation
  2. eyes: Nars in Alhambra; YSL Ombres Lumières no. 7; Chanel Illusion D’ombre in Epatant and Emerville
  3. brows: Chanel perfect brows and Shu Uemura
  4. cheeks: Nars in Gilda; Edward Bess in Montecarlo; Guerlain Terracotta bronzer
  5. lips: Guerlain Rouge G in Gala

  1. silk gown: Halston Heritage
  2. clutch: a custom handmade mother-of-pearl and stainless beauty, gift from my Mom
  3. heels: Brian Atwood
  4. necklace: Dannijo

This photo was taken 9 hours later after the wedding when I got home. Surprisingly, the hair and make-up was still intact :)

Happy Sunday! xx

Photo credits: Julius Mangahas