Japanese Loot

When I said I didn't shop much in Japan, I meant it. Mostly because I didn't have the patience to go into every store and browse through racks after racks of clothes, and also because I'm more interested in sight-seeing than shopping really.

After failing to find a Issey Miyaki BaoBao Bag in a colour of my choice, I ended up hitting the drug stores and falling off the organic/non-toxic bandwagon cos the allure of the Japanese drug stores is simply too irresistible. Given that I was plagued by really bad cystic acnes (ok, there were only two but they were HUGE) while I was there, I thought I would give the organic/non-toxic options a rest until my skin recovers and stabilizes with products that have been tried and tested before.

So here's my drug-store loot. Not that crazy really....I was mostly stocking up on the Maquillage foundation and Anessa BB Sunscreen which are a hell lot more expensive in Singapore. These two are freaking amazeballs with great texture and performance. I'm really hoping the organic brands can quickly come up with products that can rival the Anessa BB Sunscreen as it has such great texture that's non sticky, wears so comfortably and acts perfectly well as make up base!

Then in Kyoto, I bought a trial skincare set from Yojiya which is a Japanese cult favorite from Japan's old capital. Rumour has it that they're also a favorite among many Geisha so that can't be bad! They're on the pricey side but I've been using it for close to a month now and so far so good. Will write more in another post.

Then below is my favorite loot from Kyoto. A famous stationery shop at the Teramachi Mall named Kyu Kyo Do that sells things like paper, incense, calligraphy supplies and many artsy stuff I so love! These are actually courtesy of my amazing bf cos the shop was closed by the time we get there (they close at 6pm) the day before we left Kyoto. So, the next day, while I was still sleeping, he ran to the shop early in the morning to get the stuff I wanted before we left Kyoto!

Anyway, I was thrilled when he came back with gorgeously wrapped up packages that I couldn't bear to open!

This Japanese prayer beads, or Juzu in Japanese, is my favorite item from the trip. It's so pretty and they have an array of pastel colour prayer beads especially for women.

Kyu Kyo Do also produces their own incense too and these ones are great when I want to bring back my Kyoto memory in my room. Always perfect for a tranquil night in reading a book curled up in bed.

New York Minute Part 4: Shopping the Big Apple

I'm proud of myself. I didn't burn a hole in my pocket in New York. I guess the consolation for having a short trip there is that the limited amount of time available for my free and easy excursion also limited the opportunities for me to swipe the plastic. But since not buying anything at all for remembrance sake while traveling is bordering on being illegal, I did what I consider as minimal damage. If you're hoping to see truckloads of shopping, then I'm sorry as this post is probably gonna be a let down because I'm proud to announce that I'm really a reformed shoppaholic.

Anyhow, you might have already seen the limited edition Tsumori Chisato for Laduree candle in my previous post and just because you asked nicely, here's the rest of my haul. Nothing crazy.

The first few things I bought ended up in my stomach as they were a couple of cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery. After Magnolia and with one cupcake in one hand, another in my mouth and teeth stained with chocolate, I stomped my way to Satya Jewelry at West Village down Bleecker Street between Christopher Street and 10th Street. Viola! I got myself the turquoise Rest Assured Bracelet from their Spring 2012 collection with a delicate gold plated chain and lotus design printed on a small disc.

Satya Jewelry has been a favorite since I saw it being featured in Yoga Journal 8 years ago or so. What I love about the brand is that on top of beautiful jewelry, they're a philanthropic organization with The Satya Foundation , donating part of their profit to children around the world. Their creations combine colorful semi-precious stones with sacred symbols (like the Om, lotus, Star of David etc) and clean lines for a collection of classic elegant jewelries you can wear individually or in layers. I'm a sucker for stackable jewelries and Satya has been doing them way before the whole layering craze started. With my new resolution to spend wisely, I had a major battle trying to pick just one thing to buy. Such first world pain! Turquoise tends to win in any semi-precious stones contest due to my affinity with it. So a turquoise bracelet it was and how I love it.

If there's one shop in New York I could have in Singapore, it would be the Whole Food Market. Selling all things organic and wholesome, Whole Food Market is one of my favorite spots in NYC where you can pick up organic everything, from fresh produce, prepared food (like salads and such), flowers, toiletries and home stuff. It's essentially a giant organic supermarket and I took the opportunity to pick up some organic toiletries which are slightly cheaper in the US.

• Suki Body Velvet Moisturizing Cream
• Burt's Bees Radiance Night Cream
• Aubrey's Organic Moisturizing Mask with Sea Buckthorn and Cucumber
• Hemp Organics Lip Tint in Wine

Oops spot the odd one out! Yes, Nars Blusher in Orgasm was bought from the Sephora along Broadway. It's not clean make up as it's not organic but then I made an exception as it really is one of my favorite blushes. A corny friend said I "went down Broadway and bought myself some orgasm"....not funny.

Then here's the "other people's stuff" with chocolates for the office from the iconic fine food purveyor Dean & Deluca. Their SOHO flagship outlet at 560 Broadway is absolutely amazing with the best of everything you can get from a premium grocer. It would probably be the last time I need to buy Dean & Deluca's products from New York or their outlets in other countries cos Dean & Deluca is coming to Singapore this June. Amazeballs! I can't wait!

Yes that's very much it. Okay, I also bought quite a bunch of work out clothes from Lululemon which isn't shown here but it wasn't even that much to begin with. Many of my friends were surprised by my ability to restrain myself. Impressed much?

New York Minute Part 3: The High Line, The Met & Union Square

"First World Pain" would be quite the right term to describe my new york trip. Jet lag, too little time and too little money too many things to buy aside, it's a first world pain to do short trip in New York because there's so much to do.

Planning where to go in two days became an agonizing task that required great mental discipline to decide on something and stick to it without straying. The focus of a laser is a prerequisite to keep to the time allocated in a specific area and move on to schedule, while fighting the urge to linger longer with a constant onslaught of interesting and visually stimulating everything in sight.

With a miserly two days free to myself under the influence of jet lag, I've done pretty well, covering new grounds and revisited old favorites, sweeping the entire Manhattan from downtown to uptown via the complicated Subway (which I strangely think is a piece of cake). Among the many places I walked through, the three that made it to my musing list by providing the most pleasure were The High Line, The Metropolitan Museum of Arts and Union Square Farmers' Market.

The High Line
Being very much the only new ground that I covered this trip, The High Line was one I enjoyed thoroughly. Stretching from Ganesvoort Street near the 14th Street in the Meat Packing District all the way to the 34th street, The High Line is an urban park built on an abandoned old railway track. A stellar example of recycling old spaces and preserving heritage while breathing a new least of life into dated urban landscape.

Fully opened in August 2011,  The High Line is an unconventional walk in an elevated park above the city, spotting a partial view of the Hudson River to boost. It is now a favorite among many New Yorkers to chill, relax, sunbathe and soak in on a slice of garden in the Big Apple of urban jungle. The only shame was that the flowers weren't blooming when I was there since the plants are at their best and most colorful during Spring and Summer, but it was totally enjoyable nonetheless!

Sun deck near the 14th for some sun-worshipping

An amphitheater near along The High Line with a viewing gallery to the road below. A favorite hangout for many New Yorkers

A partial but still beautiful view of the Hudson River near the 14th street stretch

Part of the old railway track that used to transport meat around the Meat Packing district in the olden days is still clearly visible

No time wasted to catch some sun at the first sign of Spring and Summer. A respite from the bitter winter

Graffiti wall is not only legal, but part of its soul

An amazing bird house structure with colorful fruits makes an instant live art installation

The Met
An old turf that will forever be a favorite is the Metropolitan Museum of Arts. Being the largest museum on the Northern Hemisphere, it is said that the Met is so extensive that if you spend one day every week to carefully look at its exhibits, you can't finish looking through everything in your life time (according to my New Yorker aunt). Fact or Fiction, I haven't the honor to find out but I know that to attempt sharing all the photos I snapped during my fleeting visit might overload and crash my macbook.

The European painting section on the second floor will forever be my favorite spot in the Met and I took the chance to sit in the middle of a few different galleries surrounded by magnificent work of European masters like Van Gogh, Renoir, Monet and so many more. It's really not every day that you get surrounded by stunning painting and every visit to the Met will be a special one no less. You simply can never, ever, get enough. At least I know I wouldn't and that much I'm sure.

The famous steps outside the Met. Fans of Gossip Girl and Blair Waldorf would definitely recognize those steps where Queen B sat in her throne

Union Square
Right smack in the middle of 14th street lies Union Square. It's a simple square on Tuesdays and Thursdays with garden benches and people hanging out but for the rest of the week, it's the Union Square Farmers' Market where indie farmers in New York (usually not from the city) sell their produce. Not only do you get the freshest flowers, produce and products, you meet the people who farm or make them, giving what you buy some much-needed provenance in the faceless age of hyper mart and mega mart.

Being from a little island starved of such luxury, Union Square excites my senses every time. Food stuff and flowers aside, you see people playing chess everywhere. How I wish there's the equivalent of such lovely place in Singapore!

 

Photos overloaded yet? That's it for now! Till the next post which is very soon.  Yes, I really have tons to show and share!

Arm Party Additions

It's a fact that my recent trip to Hong Kong was historical because I bought the least amount of things, but truth be told, I still bought some. Just that it was nothing like how it was in the past where I bought so much I needed to buy a new suitcase type of scenario. Some of my very few loots are these lovely arm candy to add on to my arm party from a hole-in-a-wall shop called Amelie from a out-of-the-way mall in the faraway Yuen Long. I just happen to love the shop cos they do such lovely accessories that I'll make a pilgrim trip to this accessories treasure trove every time I get back to dim sum land.

I just love these ones cos they're simple and perfect for stacking into an arm party. The best part is that they're super affordable, retailing at about 20 bucks SGD each. Love them to bits!

With the success of minimal shopping in Hong Kong came the maximum challenge of minimal shopping for my impending trip to New York City this Sunday. The Big Apple's insane network of 468 train stations is a piece of cake. Navigating the urban jungle is potentially my super power, but resisting all the cool stuff in the 9 million cool shops in NYC might just be my Kryptonite. Going to NYC is not in line with my consumerism reformation! Resistance might really be futile but I would try! Excitement!

March Muse

Reading: Comics! It's super unlike me to read comics and the last time I read comics was more than 15 years ago. Embarrassingly, I used to totally dig Sailor Moon and I read the comics then (seriously, the comics are much better! No judgement please!). This time, my sister showed me a really funny one called Saint Young Men and I have to read it because it's about Jesus and Buddha coming down to Earth to live as housemates in modern day Tokyo. It's hilarious and I love all the jokes (harmless really!) about these two religious icons. It's so funny I would laugh out loud reading it and I'm hooked. There's a total of seven volumes and I definitely would want all of them. Now I just need to go somewhere to find the rest of the volumes. Wish me luck on that as I have no freaking idea where I can find comic shops these days.

Watching: New Girl with Zooey Deschanel as Jess Day, the quirky school teacher who lives with three other guys as house mates. I love it cos Zooey's my March's girl crush and I started a series after my friend J told me I have to watch it cos he thinks I resemble Jess Day with my weird ass ways. So I downloaded the series out of curiosity and I'm hooked! The season just finished with 14 episodes and I can't wait for the new season to start.

Wearing: Navy blue polka dot skirt from Mango. I love the versatility of a classic polka dot skirt and this Mango one can take me from work (just wear with shirt or a slouchy tank and structured jacket) to weekend (with slouchy tees).

Using: Intelligent Nutrients Harmonic Shampoo and Conditioner. These certified organic hair products are my all time favorites! Started by Horst Rechelbacher, the founder of Aveda (he later left the brand to start Intelligent Nutrients), Intelligent Nutrients does fully organic products using super safe, food grade ingredients. In fact, it's so safe that Horst actually took a swig of their hair spray in his mouth during a press launch as proof of its product safety. Anyhow, this shampoo and conditioner combo is such a winner with super fresh minty feel to leave hair thoroughly clean, soft and shiny. You can also use the shampoo as a body and even face wash as it's super mild! It's a total pleasure using them!

Burt's Bees Radiance Serum. This tiny bottle is jammed packed with the goodness of royal jelly, licorice roots, glycerin and tons of Vitamins (A,C, D & K) and amino acids. It promises to brighten your skin in four weeks and it works. In fact, it's been less than four weeks and I already feel that my skin is more radiant and even-toned. Zit marks also heal faster too! I absolutely adore this one and it's got a very light fluid texture that's quickly absorbed into the skin. You'll need only 2 to 3 drops each application. I highly recommend this one!

Drinking: Lemon Water. This is gonna be a new project. I'm gonna try and drink a glass of warm water every morning with the juice of half a lemon. There are tons of reasons to do so and it's great for health too! Not only does it detox you while packing in all the Vitamin C, it also maintains an alkaline pH environment in the body which is the ideal anti-cancer environment. Now the challenge is to wake up a wee bit early to guzzle down the goodness and that's gonna be a wee bit difficult!

Loving: The Clarisonic Mia! I simply can't gush enough about this little convenient contraption that thoroughly cleanses your skin with sonic vibration. It gives your skin a good micro massage with just a mere one minute a day. I really wish I had bought it earlier and maybe I won't be having so much tiny oily bumps on my forehead which thankfully, are going going gone with the Mia.

The Sakox Lollipop Pen. This is such an "act cute" pen with a fluffy pom pom fur ball but I really couldn't resist when I saw them in City Super in Hong Kong. I get attracted to colourful shiny stuff and I'm glad I got a purple one for myself cos it really brightens up my desk and make it looks all chirpy. It makes perfect gifts for your girl friends too!

Lusting after: The birdie ring from Twinkle Bird it's so cute!! I love all their stuff especially the cloud necklace! Things to collect slowly one by one.

The Ethical Consumerism Manifesto

Supporting my consumerism overhaul to consume less, choose well and buy ethnically, here's my new manifesto.

The Ethical Consumerism Manifesto:

• Say NO to mindless consumerism. Buy only when you need something, not when you need shopping to relief boredom or stress. Alternative to shopping, choose a service like a good massage
• Quality over quantity! Go for the good stuff that lasts. No more "Buy and Throw Away" mentality
• When possible, buy products that's ethically sourced with fair trading. Be aware of externalized cost such as pollution, exploitation etc. (Read more here). Don't buy from companies that exploit animals, human beings and the environment. For instance, don't buy any Disney or Nike products as they are notorious for underpaying factories and poor working conditions. Here's a list of unethical companies to avoid. 
• When buying something you don't need but want (eg, clothes or shoes etc), take some time to consider before impulse buying. Statistic shows that most consumers use only 1% of what they have bought six months down the road. 
• Fashion purchases have to be timeless and classic with good quality that will last. If the French can be fashionable with a few key classic items like stripes tees, black cigarette pants, and ballet flats, so can we. No need to deck up like a Christmas tree. 
• De-clutter and give away useful stuff that you don't use to people who need it more (but don't give rubbish to people!)
• Switch to non toxic toiletries and skin care with no harmful chemicals. With the human breast milk being one of the most toxic food (refer to the video I posted in Consumerism Overhaul), you'd like to think twice about using chemical and toxins laden toiletries. Your skin absorbs up to 64% of what you put on it, so don't put toxic stuff on it! Here's where you can check if your products are safe. David Suzuki has a pocket guide of a dozen of toxic substances to avoid called the Dirty Dozens, click here to print it out and keep it in your wallet as reference when you go toiletries shopping. 
• Use non-toxic household items like floor cleaner, washing powder, dish washing liquid etc. Yes, the toxic stuff is cheaper but think about this, it isn't just about protecting the environment, it's protecting your health too since your skin will be expose to the toxins. The fact that research has shown an insanely high amount of toxins and chemicals in the body of crawling toddlers and home pets  ought to make you think about switching to safer products. Also, when you buy less of other stuff, the money you save can use to buy these eco-friendly products. Create the demand and hopefully the cost will go down too! Good Guide provides a great database on the safety index of many products and is my favorite go-to source.
• Bring your own recycling bag! Reduce the use of plastic bags!
• Locally grown vegetable and produce are more environmentally friendly. Not only are they fresher, they require less fuel to reach your market
• Consume less, choose well and buy ethically!

Image from Grafter

Toxics In, Toxics Out! Choose Non Toxic Products!

GO ORGANIC! CUT TOXINS!!

That's my new mantra when it comes to my toiletries. I've always favored organic products but in the last two months or so, after doing some serious research and reading on the negative effects of chemicals in our everyday products, I've been progressively switching to organic for all the stuff I use from shower gel, shampoo to face cream. It's part of my plan in streamlining and buying less stuff by buying only good quality safe organic products that isn't a health hazard. It hasn't gone 100% organic yet but that's my plan in the next couple of months.

Meanwhile, here are some of my favorite organic stores and brands to check out!

Super Nature
@21 Orchard Boulevard, Park House
They're potentially my number one favorite place in Singapore! It's happiness every time I get there cos they have SUPER extensive range of organic everything from toiletries, homeopathic remedies to fresh meat and vegetable.


Bud Cosmetics
@Square2 (Novena) and Mandarin Gallery
My second favorite store for organic toiletries after Super Nature, they stock a pretty good selection of products including The Organic Phamarcy (not available at Super Nature) and Filthy Farm Girl soaps.

Pure Tincture
@OUB Plaza Level 4
Smaller range of organic products but they stock Suki Skincare, one of my favorites and have organic facials too. I'm gonna try that out soon.

Brown Rice Paradise
@Tanglin Mall & Siglap Center
This one needs no introduction, having been around for so long. I've been going to the Tanglin Mall outlet for the last 10 years I realize!

VitaKids
@Forum Shopping Center
Awesome selection of supplements!

Brands I love and use:
Suki Skincare
The Organic Pharmacy
Intelligent Nutrients
Avalon Organics
John Masters Organics
Sante
Balm Balm
Alba Organics

Choose organic! Choose well!

Consumerism Overhaul

In my quest to simplify, de-clutter and streamline my stuff, my things and potentially my life in a recent overhaul exercise inspired by the book The Joy of Less, I've chanced upon a youtube video that is completely life-changing. It's totally changed the way I look at consumerism and capitalism and I'm so sure that my serendipitous discovery of this video clip (I chanced upon it while researching on safe organic toiletries!) is a sign that I REALLY must change the way I participate in the whole consumerism cycle.


The Story of Stuff is a project started by Annie Leonard in 2007 when she got fed up with the whole "Buy and throw away" culture, prompting her to investigate and dig deeper into the whole cycle of consumerism and what fuels its fire. Along the way, she's uncovered many ugly truths about consumerism and exposes its nasty underbellies that challenges the way we would (at least I did) look at consumerism.

It's a pretty long video but I savored every seconds of it and it'll be something I'll re-watch every now and then whenever I feel seduced by the lure of advertisers and big money-making corporations. I'm even more determined to go through a "consumerism rehab" and re-program myself to not "want" and "need" things too much! This video is truly life-changing for me!

Hello 2012!

Happy New Year! It's 2012 and I declined all party invitations and proudly and unabashedly slept through the whole count down as I always do. I just don't believe in the whole count down party thing as a new year isn't something worth celebrating in my book (unlike say winning the lottery or something like that).

Anyhow, I love the whole festive year end period for the holidays and the much needed break and I got a Happy New Year present from Mr Bear!

Ohh it's a box from Kids 21 and anything from the Club 21 group is good and et viola! Meet my new cuddly friend "Uncle Twinkle" the bunny!

I'm a big kid at heart and I still love my stuffed animals and this super luxurious one from Club 21 is sooo soft! I've always wanted it!

And new year, new stuff. I walked into Massimo Dutti and accident happened.

Bought a pair of super soft ballet flats and two leather bracelets. Nothing like some good old retail therapy to herald in a new year!

Accidental Purchase

I'm very accident prone when it comes to accidentally buying stuff. I was merely accompanying my colleague to Rock Star to get a pair of Toms shoes during lunch today and I walked out with a  river stone and brass necklace from The Vamoose.

The Vamoose pieces are all handmade by brand owner, Kathryn Blackmore, in the UK with natural stones. Awesome designs great for layering! I wish they have more stocks and designs at Rock Star but you can always order online. I might just get the hammered brass necklace too cos it's so pretty!

Feel Good Supply

"It's too short!"....That's my answer to the standard "How's your weekend?"....Hopefully the lovely tea would make office a wee bit more bearable. Heavy week ahead!

• Pukka Cleanse, Organic tea with Nettle, Fennel and Peppermint
• Clipper Chamomile with Lemon Balm & Manuka Honey
• Dr Bronner's Rose Magic Soap
• Dr Bronner's Organic Hand Sanitizer

Mid Week Perk Me Up

I accidentally bought a necklace. Technically, this isn't a new necklace because I've had the same necklace in another stone but I lost it and so, I'm REPLACING it. So again, technically, I didn't really buy stuff, I merely replaced. 

 

To say that I've had a crazy week would be an understatement considering I was so busy I didn't have time to pee till 4pm on Monday. The crazy week would be spilling over to the weekend too as I have the misfortune of being mobilized at work this Saturday. Pretty full on for the second week of my new gig. Right at the deep end of the pool but I'm actually swimming fine! Despite the ridiculous rush and madness, I'm thriving on the adrenaline rush cos time passes real fast! Before you know it, it's time to go home! So I deserve a necklace! 

And hello my jade Healing Gem necklace from Dogeared, one of my favorite brands of affordable accessories from the US. I love it's super simple with just a drop of jade (available in many other stones as well as in sterling silver too). Perfect for layering but it's equally beautiful when it's worn alone too. I had so much problem sticking to just buying one but the green and gold combination makes it pop. 

 

The number one peril of working in town is compulsive shopping! What was supposed to be an innocent trip to follow my colleague to pick up something ended up with me getting a new Dogeared necklace. I'll need to be a hell lot more disciplined these days. Wish me luck!

Bag to Basics

Blame it on Carrie Bradshaw who started the IT bag trend in Sex & The City with what was possibly the first glorified IT bag, aka the Fendi Baguette. Suddenly, bags have become as important and essential an accessories as weird outfit is to Lady Gaga.

After the Baguette went stale, its successor, the Fendi Spy Bag, hogged the limelight, until the long reigning IT Bag, the Balenciaga Motorcycle bags deck the arms of every celebrities and IT girl wannabes worldwide. Then Chanel gave their classic 2.55 a new lease of life in 2005 with the 2.55 Reissue and celebrities, socialites and the plebs alike raid the Chanel stores, wanting a piece of it. The Mulberry Alexa has been a recent IT favourite that literally turned the Mulberry around and sent their profit rising.Thus is the power of the IT bags!

Many IT bags and hefty credit card bills later, I found myself lusting after the Celine Luggage Tote in Mini Size and in red. None is available. All out of stock. Please be on the waiting list (Tsk...how vulgar!). I've heard how some people would fight over it or harass the shop assistants just to land themselves a piece. I've personally seen how a rude local socialite publicly humiliated the shop assistant for not reserving one for her. A couple of friends trawl sites after sites day-in day-out from Bergdorf, Neiman Marcus to Saks hoping to find one. Much as I'm amazed by the effort put in to scoring an IT bag, I'm equally put off by it. After all, if you devote the same amount of energy you have for the Celine to helping in a soup kitchen, there will be a hell lot less people starving. It's really just a bag, or "a piece of stitched together animal hide" that my friend Ah Meow would aptly put it.

So my operation to score the Celine Luggage Tote has been aborted. If it happens, then good, but no more searching for it. Meanwhile, to satisfy my hunger for a new bag (I haven't bought one since my Balenciaga last December),  I'm now going back to basic, exploring non-IT bags that are just as beautiful and with good craftsmanship.And here comes the French and English Confectionery - A couture accessories shop created by Cordwainer-trained designer/maker, Lucie, who specialises in handmade leather bags and shoes. All in very affordable prices.

Expertly handmade in small quantities in a secret London workshop (ohh, don't you just love anything secretive?), Lucie's bags feature clean classic lines inspired by her 1970s childhood. The designs are basic and evergreen with excellent leather and craftsmanship. I treated myself to a small yellow patent leather sling satchel with scallop edges.

The perfect weekend bag. It even holds my Kindle.

See how even the stitching is?

I love it so much! The stitches are perfect and you can see how they are carefully made with no frays. It's just the right size for all your basic essentials, perfect for the weekend when you want to go hands-free without lugging a bigger bag. The fact that it's handmade by one person makes it extra special, it's a little like the equivalent of provenance of art pieces.

If this has tickled your fancy in getting yourself one, they do have an Etsy outlet you can check out on.

Lust vs Must

Lust

The Louboutin Cork Slingback Pumps

Must

Pedder Red Cork Pumps 

(they're a hell lot easier to walk on and more comfy too)

Jewel Rocks

In Bali, you Eat, Pray (Play in my case), Love. You lay by the beaches, many for you to choose from. You take walks in the padi fields in Ubud, you eat eggs cooked by burying them in the soil at the foot of Mt Kitamani volcano, you taste the mouth-watering beef rendang and other Indo delicacy but you don't quite shop there.

Unless batik, surf garbs, bottle openers in the shape of penis, painting and art stuff are you cup of tea, there isn't much chance for you to swipe your plastic and splash your rupiah for a bit of retail therapy. You're in Bali. You're supposed to enjoy the wonders of nature on this island of gods. The one exception (for me at least), is Jewel Rocks. Tucked away in Jalan Drupai in Seminyak, my favourite store in Bali sells gorgeous handmade jewelry with their famed beaded bracelets and necklaces that are pretty coveted world-wide.

Inspired by travelers and global trotting, Jewel Rocks makes the prettiest beaded bracelets and necklace with a myriad of material from crystals, brass, silver, tibetan gold, thread, wood etc etc. A note of warning: if you love beaded bracelets, you'll experience a case of hysteria when you walk into their quaint little shop with their big collection of original designs, all handmade with love in Bali. It was Christmas morning for me.

After regaining my composure and sending off the boy to the very lovely Vienna Cafe across the road (excellent place to chill), I ended up with 2,800,000 Rupiah worth of loot and a big smile.....yes, it's ridiculous, but my insanity wasn't unfounded with the boy buying up 2 of bracelets (for his friends) because they're so beautiful. And yes, Rp 2.8 million because these aren't your a dime a dozen cheap stuff from the tourist souvenir stores. These are well-made pieces with high grade stones, crystals and pure silver that let you remember your Bali trip with.

My Stash

Photos don't do them justice really. They look so pretty and colourful that looking at them makes me happy

The simple tassel silver necklace which I got a lot of compliments wearing. Works really nicely on white or gray tops

The only regret is that I didn't buy more. I was contemplating buying more to sell on my blog but well, not sure if that would work in these days where mass-produced lower-price stuff takes favour for many people. So maybe next time. I'm so gonna raid the store next time and I hope it'll happen really soon too!