Let's Talk About Sex!

Want something to spice up your marriage? Is your hubby complaining that all you talk and care about is baby? Every woman must not neglect the very reason why baby came about... the Mister! Once little one is born, the dynamics of the relationship changes and it becomes easy for a couple to take each other for granted which results to an unhappy marriage. Show your hubby you care about him by looking great and giving him what he needs... some lovin!

And if you are not married yet, the more reason you would want to look and feel sexy. Get yourself a pair of beautiful knickers. Every woman deserves to have some luxurious pieces. Put aside your Victoria Secret (for now) and slip into expensive underwear, after all is what's underneath that counts.

Are you the sweet and romantic type? Then go for Elle Macpherson Intimates.


Feeling a bit naughty? Kiki De Montparsse is the one for you.


A bit angelic? White can also look hot (especially under a golden tan) with La Perla.

Want to unleash that inner animal? Do it with Dolce and Gabbana.



All available at Lane Crawford.

(Darn) This Little Piggy...

I don't like watching the news (or even reading it for that matter). Most of the time what's being shown or written are bad news! And since I am in media, I know how this can be manipulated, commercialized or exaggerated. Perhaps, I am more of an idealist and also don't want to delve into matters I can't control... the recession, Obama's performance, and the most disturbing news to date, the Swine Flu. I really don't want to take this disease so seriously but how can I not when posters about it are all over our building, they talk about it non-stop on TV and even Twitter. Now, I am officially scared.

To be honest with you, I wouldn't feel the same if I was single. I always used to think Que Sera Sera or C'est la vie! But, when you have a one-year old daughter whose health is at stake because of these damn pigs, you start becoming concerned.

They just announced that someone has it in Hong Kong and was staying in a hotel in Wanchai. I was thinking... that's close to my office in Causeway Bay... my daughter's nanny lives in Wanchai... we went to the beach yesterday and there were tons of people. My gosh! I can go nuts thinking of all the possibilities. Going back to Manila is not an option when hubby and I both started work. Should I limit going out with baby now? I feel a bit ridiculous but I am sure all moms feel this way.

Now, I have to think of all the precautions. I am starting to obsess with washing my hands. Eeks, but I can't stand wearing these surgical masks. I wanted to strangle my former boss when he suggested I wear one just because I was coughing. Perhaps, someone can come up with a designer mask so at least I wouldn't look too hideous wearing one. I found this butterfly design that's pretty cute.


I wish there was one by Alexander McQueen or the winner of Project Runway? Told you this Swine Flu is making me nuts.

Things that Make You Go Hmm...

I had lunch with my hubby near my office the other day (hail to nannies, we are going on mini dates again). We were going out of the lift when he was complimenting my outfit and blurted, "You shouldn't have sold your Louis Vuitton!" He didn't want me to, in the first place, knowing I would only get half of the price of what I bought it for. But when he flew to Beijing, I went to Milan Station and got rid of it.

Well, LV is a good brand and their stuff are very good quality. But if you live in Hong Kong, you would end up puking if you see another monogram. Whether you are at the MTR, bus, street... even in the neighborhood wet markets, someone is wearing LV. Don't ask me if they are real, most likely not!

The point is my hubby is suggesting a get a new bag. Hurray! I guess he didn't fancy my Rebecca Minkoff. Well, it's perfect timing since he has a new business to look after and mother's day is coming up... I have to rush and search for my gift. We passed by Lane Crawford and saw that the Marni bag I liked was only photogenic and not as nice in person. There's another style that was okay... but not the best bag for work.

But, I saw the Chloe Ethel, which a friend got also for her birthday (jealous). I want one too! For sale at US$1,295.

Another bag I like is classic and non pretentious, Anya Hindmarch. Not a lot of girls wear her bags (that's what I love about it) but they are really nice and practical. Since I already have black, maybe light gray would look good for work? Buy it for US$1,195.


Fendi bags are always hit or miss but I like the classic look of this white peek-a-boo. Although it is a bit overpriced for more than US$2350.


And if on a budget, I think the Dr. Groovee by Marc by Marc Jacobs is okay for US$498. A bit heavy though but I think this style will last since this has been out for several seasons already...


Sigh, I want all! Wishful thinking. It would be a miracle if I even get one...

House Sitting

When it comes to baby stuff that are placed in the common area of our home, like the dining or living room, I prefer that it matches our furniture rather than it looking too kiddie, if you know what I mean. Good thing there are contemporary baby furniture around! When my baby needed a bouncer/rocker, I bought the Kate Spade one because it was black and red and it matched our crimson colored walls. Good thing my daughter loved it too! I found out later that the normal Maclaren version (not branded) was half the price and I regretted buying it... but then again it will look out of place in our living room if it wasn't Kate Spade. Too bad I couldn't convert it into bag after my daughter used it (for only a couple of months) so I just sold it on Asiaxpat.

I still haven't bought a proper high chair and it is becoming a nightmare since my daughter stands on her seat and it is just an accident waiting to happen. Good thing I got an email from Our Baby, the baby warehouse near our place and they happen to sell Bloom. I checked their catalogue online and boy their stuff are really neat...

I don't need a bouncer for my daughter anymore but for those who do, I would suggest you get this one. Really sleek!


I have been seeing the Bloom fresco high chair around but in white and I didn't fancy it too much but when I saw the black and hot pink version, I thought it looked great!


There's also a slimmer high chair called Nano and looks less like a bar stool compared to Fresco, I think this is more practical and occupies less space.


They also have tables and chairs for kids but I don't really need them yet now. Again, they look so nice, you wouldn't think they are for kids.


I wonder what they'll think of next! Since we don't have a garage, my daughter's ride-on-toy and walker is parked inside our apartment, I wish Bloom can come up with their own designs to replace the multi-colored ones (Vtech and Little Tikes) we have now...

Sneaking Around

Everyone just loves my daughter's baby Converse (she does too). Too bad she's already growing out of it, like everything she has. Tsk! Tsk! Time to get a new pair of sneakers...

Trumpette does not only make cute socks but also has these cool sneakers. The gold one reminds me of Hogan, only cheaper. If metallic is not your thing, be daring and let baby wear bright purple. Baby will look like the next Punky Brewster (if she is a girl) and needs to wear a different shoe on the other foot.



Hi-cut ones are actually better for baby so he or she cannot take them off (they just love doing that for some reason). If you want something cool and unique, check out these Sourpuss sneakers at Oliebollen. Umm, I think they are more suitable for boys though.



Daily Candy Kids just featured Keep Company, a sneaker brand. Their stuff for babies are not bad...



And of course, sneakers from my fave Ralph Lauren. The plaid is funky and the striped one is preppie but if want something more basic, they have plain colors too. I think they have a yellow one, the green one is nice also...



Gotta run to the stores now!

Adventures in Parenting

One of my favorite blogs on parenting is Motherlode, Lisa Belkin's column on the New York Times' website. She covers topics that are a bit more serious. She recently posted an article on Consumer Reports vs. Attachment Parenting. Talks about how unsafe baby slings and co-sleepers are... a bit controversial! I never believed in attachment parenting though. I let my daughter cry it out once in a while plus she sleeps alone in her own room and it works for her (she is a light sleeper and when she sleeps beside me, she sleeps less). Besides, I like my daughter to be independent and easygoing as she is now.

Her article on New Moms and Internet Addiction is a bit disturbing, only because I am guilty of it! I guess the internet is an escape for moms when tired of their daily chores. The sad part is they or should I say we, miss out on playtime with baby. If am not out for work, I am on the computer. Poor baby!

Okay, maybe I should just buy Lisa's book called Life's Work: Confessions of an Unbalanced Mom and log off the computer now...

Babies Who Lunch

I find it cute that I get emails from friends recommending that I feature stuff in my blog from clothes, online stores, to mommy sites... thanks to you all! That's what I love about friends who are moms, they are always eager to share information, experiences and shopping tips. As soon as you have kids, you instantly become part of the Mom Club! No membership fees required... just breastmilk, ability to withstand sleep deprivation and tolerance for crying children is good enough.

My friend told me about Cupcake, nope not the yummee cakes (oops! I just heard my tummy growl when I typed that), but the club for Moms in London. They offer antenatal classes, workshops plus their own cafe and spa! What a cool concept! Ugh! Why am I in Hong Kong? This city that is not child- friendly at all (nobody opens the door for you even if you are pushing a pram). Well, they do have Annerley Midwives in Central and joined their class once but they don't have a cafe or spa. When you're a Mom, sometimes you just want to be with fellow moms and hang out, and not have to pay for silly classes.


I also got the latest newsletter from GOOP (recommended by another friend) and Gwyneth Paltrow just wrote about child-friendly restaurants in New York. I would love to check out Sweetiepie one in Greenwich Avenue. If only, I can go there and not worry about the swine flu (plus losing my job!) Their children's tasting menu sounds so appetizing... pancakes, macaroni and cheese, ice cream, heaven for kids! This place is perfect for children's parties too. Too bad I am not in New York! The closest thing they have here is Babycakes in Ap Lei Chau, where my daughter's best friend celebrated her first birthday.

Okay, I make it sound that Hong Kong is a terrible place to live if you have a family, not true! There are some child-friendly restaurants too but not as fancy as Sweetiepie.

1. Pizza Express
I ate there even before I had a baby, their pizza is delish and reasonably priced too. They even have pizza making parties for kids, great idea!

2. Fat Angelo's
A bit more old-fashioned than Pizza Express with black and white picture frames and leather couches but they have a special area for kids.

3. Le Meridien Cyberport
A friend recommends the cafe by the pool at the hotel where the kids can run around, just cross your fingers they don't dive into the pool.

4. Copacobana
If you want to bring baby to the beach, would be great to go to this resto in Deep Water Bay and make sandcastles after.

5. Discovery Bay
If you want to go to baby-land, why not ride the ferry and go to Discovery Bay? There's a row of restaurants with seaview that would be nice for children.

6. Top Deck
One of my favorites places for Sunday brunch is Top Deck at the Jumbo Restaurant. Love the free-flowing champagne, peking duck and crepes! The babies there always well-dressed too so make sure your baby wears Ralph Lauren.

7. Hong Kong Yacht Club/Hong Kong Football Club/Cricket Club/Aberdeen Marina
Of course, the best option is to become a member of a club. Just don't ask how much the membership fees are...good thing we have friends who are members.

8. Cafe Deco
If you don't mind taking the cable car up to the Peak, Cafe Deco is a great place for kids. Sunday buffet is yummy plus kids have their own area too!

9. Cafe Too
My friend sent an email about Island Shangri-la's afternoon tea every Saturday and Sunday where they serve cotton candy, cupcakes plus a clown that twists balloons.

Hmm... I wonder where we can go for Mother's Day, hopefully not McDonald's!