40..

I am turning '40' this week. I can't believe it's finally here - to tell you the truth, I have been feeling a bit melancholy about it. I'm not sure why because I have a wonderful life and a fabulous partner...maybe it's because society tells us we're at a halfway point of our life and I'm thinking have I done as much as I could in my first half? I know with many people there's always an age which they hate turning. For those of you who are 40 and over, how did you all feel about turning '40'?

Image from www.life123.com

In any event, I'm going to embrace it and celebrate in style! I have about 35 friends & family joining me for the celebration in Phuket. So I'll see you back here in a couple of weeks.

Some sweet love....

I wanted to share some pics of these nursery rhyme inspired cupcakes from my friend Chooka. Aren't they cute?

I think Humpty Dumpty is my favourite!

Malaysian Classics

A visit to Kuala Lumpur is never complete without eating at the famous Jalan Alor....I was there for the weekend on a 'visa run'.

One of my favourite Malaysian dishes - Oyster Omelette with Chilli Sauce

Cooking Satays

This would have to be Malaysia's signature dish I think

I love the caramelised charcoal flavour with the peanut sauce.

Desk Snapshot

Initial sketches

Playing around with washes and pattern

Detail

W Hotel Hong Kong

I thought I'd share some of the details from the W Hotel in Hong Kong......

How clever is the doorbell and room sign?

Our room and hallway

Some of the textures.....

A great mix of organic and quirky details

The amazing pool with mosaic patterned wall

Desk Snapshot - Clea's Garden Final

Here's the finished commission - I got it framed in a beautiful wooden teak.

Chinese Cuisine

One of the things you have to love about China is that they eat virtually anything and everything!! Our hotel was also home to one the hugest seafood restaurant you've ever seen - tanks and tanks of every imaginable and unimaginable seafood you can find. I guess I'll let the pics do the talking.

Just a warning - some of them are quite shocking. And no, the crocodile or chicken testes did not go anywhere near my mouth!

The whole ground floor of the hotel was virtually the restaurant

Seafood from all over the world

How about some bugs or reef fish?

Anyone for C's?

This was just ghastly!

Something sweet to end with

Guangzhou

The main reason for this trip was to visit the Canton Fair. This is my first time back since 1985 when I came with my family to see my Dad's relatives. It's amazing how quickly a city can change in that time and how some things can stay the same. Enjoy the pics!

Top Left: Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall, random snapshots around town

Daily Life in Guangzhou

Shopping Snapshots: Everything from dried starfish to bedding to
fashion including 'Brenda Beige'. 

Guangzhou was 'wedding central' especially in the Shamian Island
area where there are beautiful old buildings and greenery

Canton Fair

Here's some pics from Canton Fair. Everything was available from garden gnomes to toilet paper and of course, ceramics & tabletop which is why I went there for. It was quite 'disgusting' to think that all this stuff is going to be sold and bought by people all over the world. 'Do we really need all this crap?' Well, I guess the answer is yes and as much as I hate it, it creates jobs, helps the world 'go around' and provides me with employment. It makes me even more determined to make sure that everything I design has integrity, purpose and is beautiful!

The show is massive

This is only half of the hall!

At any trade show, there is the good, the bad and the downright ugly!

Dragon Plate with Gold Embellishments - very Chinese!

The Chinese Guards marching through the show

Not sure how much good this would do but at least they're trying.

I loved this ceramic range - it's handmade.

The Red House

The Red House was built in 1908 and is an octagonal red brick building situated in Taipei's Ximen. When the Taipei Culture Foundation took over the building in 2007, it has become the creative and cultural hotspot of Taipei.  It's home to various different independent, upcoming brands in fashion, art and home and regularly hosts exhibitions etc.

The Red House

Home to upcoming Taiwanese artists & designers

Electrical Boxes

We found that all the electrical boxes in Taipei are all painted to make them pretty. What a great idea!

Toilet

If anyone has ever travelled to Japan, you would've experienced the Japanese toilet. It's quite remarkable and has really set the benchmark in what a toilet should be. I'll let the pictures do the talking.......

The seat automatically opens, closes and flushes.

The only thing it can't do is cook LOL!

Da Shan Wu Jia

One of our most memorable meals in Taipei was eating at the acclaimed Da Shan Wu Jia in the mountains of  Taipei. It was one of the rare times where we had no idea what we were being served as we don't speak Mandarin. An exciting dining experience followed - 12 courses of little Taiwanese dishes served beautifully on stoner tiles and Japanese ceramics with local fauna.

The restaurant - pity we can't read it.

Everything was fresh and wonderfully presented

Above: the lotus flower opened when dropped into the tea.
Below: the creamiest and luscious peanut flavoured tofu

Grilled Prawns with Vegetables

Dessert