Follow his blog / twitter
Sunday, 7 November 2010
David Otokpa Photography
Follow his blog / twitter
Friday, 5 November 2010
One too many shakes of pepper
Homemade wholesome Asian style winter beef casserole.
Ingredients:
Beef (diced or shredded)
Seasonal vegetables
Soy Sauce
Salt
Pepper
Ginger
Garlic
Spices of your choice
Cook the beef in pan with little bit of oil for about a minute.
Create a broth base with soy sauce, salt, pepper.... OR just by using beef broth cubes.
Place the vegetable and meat into a tray then pour broth over.
Put into oven on rougly 180C for about 20-30 mins or until meat is cooked!
Thursday, 4 November 2010
Tastes of Sweet Memories
Henri not only amazes me with his poetic photography (yes it's very true) and deep quotes, he continues to bring life to the bakery goods @ Guam Bakery.
Wednesday, 3 November 2010
LV gets me again & again!
Maybe I'm one of the billions of Asians that end up drawn to LV genetically, or it could possibly be because they never fair to bring back old styles with a new contemporary twist!
My interview with them is Monday so wish me luck!
My interview with them is Monday so wish me luck!
SC Bag PM Calf Leather
Tuesday, 2 November 2010
Bonner's Latest - worth a read
Bonner's latest - worth a read
It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.
It is certainly the best of times for economists with a sense of humor. Absurdity and cupidity are right out in the open where you can laugh at them. Today's financial events - predictable consequences of clownish meddling and currency debasement - are funny enough. The official reactions practically double us up. Central bankers and finance ministers are proudly doing things that they used to be punished for. Henry II brought his bankers together in 1124. Those found guilty of debasing the coinage - an earlier form of quantitative easing - were either castrated or they had their right hands cut off.
What can you say about that kind of monetary policy? It worked.
But as for today's monetary system. It is the worst of times. Not in 3,000 years, says Nobel prize winner Robert Mundell, have we experienced such "monetary instability." What? What about when a German Mark lost nearly all its value in a single day? What about when the French replaced the old francs for new francs at 100 to one? What about the Hungarian pengo hyperinflation of 1947? Currency crises come around much more frequently than Mundell, the "father of the euro," thinks.
In England, the government of David Cameron has announced the biggest cutbacks since WWII. He's going to lighten the UK government expense load by 81 billion pounds over the next 5 years. Nearly half a million government employees are to be given the heave-ho. So far, the British public is taking the news like a donkey informed about original sin."Carry on!" they said to each other as if it were the Blitz, as if there were something vaguely noble at stake.
In France, the government is implementing pension reforms, the highlight of which is to increase the retirement age for government employees from 60 to 62. This seems like such a timid reform. Anglo Saxons wonder what the frogs are so upset about. But they've taken to
the streets. Early this week, one out of four French gas stations were out of fuel. Hundreds of autos were torched. Even schoolchildren were on the barricades. At least most of the manifestants were in it for a good reason - to get money. The deluded students thought they were upholding a matter of principle.
On the surface, the two nations seem to be taking two very different approaches to solving a problem. The English buckle down. The French rise up. The English submit to reality. The French stick to fantasy. In London it is the season of Light. In Paris, Darkness descends
before noon.
"What separates civilized man from the wild beasts?" they ask in The City.
"The English Channel," comes the reply, followed by a good chuckle. On one side of the water, it is the spring of hope, or so they believe. On the other, it is winter of despair. And yet, they all hope to go to Heaven and sit on the right hand of God. That they are headed in another direction is the point of today's reflection.
The real problem in both countries is the same. The welfare democracies made promises they can't keep. "Government can have only two legitimate purposes," said William Godwin, "the suppression of injustice against individuals.and the common defense against external invasion." Beyond that the decline in marginal productivity of government spending is remarkably steep. The courts and police protection have real and immediate payoffs. Retirement, unemployment, bailouts, payoffs, tariffs, subsidies, free food and lodging, committees, councils, regulations - all quickly have perverse outcomes. More and more people switch from producing to conniving and chiseling. The more something for nothing is available from the government, the more people do nothing useful to get it - including getting control over the government itself.
In both England and France, the spending cuts on the table so far are too little, too late. A three percent deficit was regarded as such a serious threat to the financial integrity of the European Union that member states who surpassed that level were supposed to lose their
right to vote. France runs a budget deficit of nearly 8% of GDP. Its public expenses are about $1.5 trillion per year. Even if the projected savings of $96 billion by 2018 (when the pension cuts kick in) were realized, the amount is trivial. But so are the savings to be
realized by the Cameron government - also trivial, and likewise programmed so the presumed benefits are realized sooner while the costs are suffered later.
But at least give them credit for pretending. Over in the USA, the Obama government shows no interest in jettisoning any of the accumulated ballast of the last half a century of boondoggles, bailouts and bunkum. Instead, with new health care and regulatory programs, it is adding to them. The current budget deficit is close to 10% of GDP, with no plausible plans to reduce it significantly. Instead, the political elite dream that they will "grow their way out" of their financial problems.
They count on stimulus to rev up their economy. But what do they have to "stimulate" with? Only the same quack elixirs that got them into trouble in the first place. The government either spends more money.or creates more of it to spend. More fiscal stimulus is off the table in Britain, and probably in America too. Instead, they both aim to get bywith a little help with their friends at their central banks. Ben Bernanke has made it clear that he is ready to provide more unconventional stimulus - via money printing. The smart money is betting that Mervyn King will do the same.
And the really smart money is getting out of town.
It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.
It is certainly the best of times for economists with a sense of humor. Absurdity and cupidity are right out in the open where you can laugh at them. Today's financial events - predictable consequences of clownish meddling and currency debasement - are funny enough. The official reactions practically double us up. Central bankers and finance ministers are proudly doing things that they used to be punished for. Henry II brought his bankers together in 1124. Those found guilty of debasing the coinage - an earlier form of quantitative easing - were either castrated or they had their right hands cut off.
What can you say about that kind of monetary policy? It worked.
But as for today's monetary system. It is the worst of times. Not in 3,000 years, says Nobel prize winner Robert Mundell, have we experienced such "monetary instability." What? What about when a German Mark lost nearly all its value in a single day? What about when the French replaced the old francs for new francs at 100 to one? What about the Hungarian pengo hyperinflation of 1947? Currency crises come around much more frequently than Mundell, the "father of the euro," thinks.
In England, the government of David Cameron has announced the biggest cutbacks since WWII. He's going to lighten the UK government expense load by 81 billion pounds over the next 5 years. Nearly half a million government employees are to be given the heave-ho. So far, the British public is taking the news like a donkey informed about original sin."Carry on!" they said to each other as if it were the Blitz, as if there were something vaguely noble at stake.
In France, the government is implementing pension reforms, the highlight of which is to increase the retirement age for government employees from 60 to 62. This seems like such a timid reform. Anglo Saxons wonder what the frogs are so upset about. But they've taken to
the streets. Early this week, one out of four French gas stations were out of fuel. Hundreds of autos were torched. Even schoolchildren were on the barricades. At least most of the manifestants were in it for a good reason - to get money. The deluded students thought they were upholding a matter of principle.
On the surface, the two nations seem to be taking two very different approaches to solving a problem. The English buckle down. The French rise up. The English submit to reality. The French stick to fantasy. In London it is the season of Light. In Paris, Darkness descends
before noon.
"What separates civilized man from the wild beasts?" they ask in The City.
"The English Channel," comes the reply, followed by a good chuckle. On one side of the water, it is the spring of hope, or so they believe. On the other, it is winter of despair. And yet, they all hope to go to Heaven and sit on the right hand of God. That they are headed in another direction is the point of today's reflection.
The real problem in both countries is the same. The welfare democracies made promises they can't keep. "Government can have only two legitimate purposes," said William Godwin, "the suppression of injustice against individuals.and the common defense against external invasion." Beyond that the decline in marginal productivity of government spending is remarkably steep. The courts and police protection have real and immediate payoffs. Retirement, unemployment, bailouts, payoffs, tariffs, subsidies, free food and lodging, committees, councils, regulations - all quickly have perverse outcomes. More and more people switch from producing to conniving and chiseling. The more something for nothing is available from the government, the more people do nothing useful to get it - including getting control over the government itself.
In both England and France, the spending cuts on the table so far are too little, too late. A three percent deficit was regarded as such a serious threat to the financial integrity of the European Union that member states who surpassed that level were supposed to lose their
right to vote. France runs a budget deficit of nearly 8% of GDP. Its public expenses are about $1.5 trillion per year. Even if the projected savings of $96 billion by 2018 (when the pension cuts kick in) were realized, the amount is trivial. But so are the savings to be
realized by the Cameron government - also trivial, and likewise programmed so the presumed benefits are realized sooner while the costs are suffered later.
But at least give them credit for pretending. Over in the USA, the Obama government shows no interest in jettisoning any of the accumulated ballast of the last half a century of boondoggles, bailouts and bunkum. Instead, with new health care and regulatory programs, it is adding to them. The current budget deficit is close to 10% of GDP, with no plausible plans to reduce it significantly. Instead, the political elite dream that they will "grow their way out" of their financial problems.
They count on stimulus to rev up their economy. But what do they have to "stimulate" with? Only the same quack elixirs that got them into trouble in the first place. The government either spends more money.or creates more of it to spend. More fiscal stimulus is off the table in Britain, and probably in America too. Instead, they both aim to get bywith a little help with their friends at their central banks. Ben Bernanke has made it clear that he is ready to provide more unconventional stimulus - via money printing. The smart money is betting that Mervyn King will do the same.
And the really smart money is getting out of town.
Monday, 1 November 2010
Wardrobe clear out of designer merchandise!
Friend is clearing out her wardrobe, selling all the designer items found in this album.
Even better than sample sales!
Even better than sample sales!
Thursday, 28 October 2010
Wednesday, 27 October 2010
Bonny's Photography
I have always known Bonny to appreciate the tiny things in life, and she's expressing it in her simple way.
Door to Nowhere
Entrance of Brooklyn Bridge
Fire / Water
Old
Point of View
Door to Nowhere
Entrance of Brooklyn Bridge
Fire / Water
Old
Point of View
Wednesday, 20 October 2010
Tuesday, 12 October 2010
Monday, 11 October 2010
BIBA - disapprove
BIBA in Chamorro, the native language of my home island means 'to burst forth with exclamations of approval'.
This collection was a let down from my perspective.
The purple blouse I saw in the catalog looked so perfect, except it's completely see through in reality. A perfect pair of high waisted shorts had well...an unflattering hind view.
This collection was a let down from my perspective.
The purple blouse I saw in the catalog looked so perfect, except it's completely see through in reality. A perfect pair of high waisted shorts had well...an unflattering hind view.
Tuesday, 28 September 2010
Wednesday, 22 September 2010
MAN / James Long S/S 2011 Shows
Lovely Amy and I joined the WGSN journalist to the Menswear shows, watching the blog world dominate the press. It's amazing to observe how London is the most experimental fashion capital in the West. One could never feel like an outsider because people are marked by the personality expressed through their choice of clothing.
At the MAN show, the three different labels were easily differentiated by the styles of the clothing as well as the presentation. One thing is for sure, choreography does stick to the mind. Some humour doesn't hurt either. James Long's show was most impressive with paint splattered canvas looks, loose crafted knits, and panel constructed leathers.
Sunday, 19 September 2010
Hats on for Barbie Bride in Deauville
The Barbie Bride:
The 30 min firework show
Wonderfully decorated center pieces.
Thursday, 9 September 2010
London's Fashion Night Out - Peter Pilotto
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
HE who can make homemade food....
Homemade food from Marylebone:
-Salad: fresh market yellow courgettes shaved, washed mixed leaves salad, mini radish, finely chopped red peppers and quarter red onion, generous drizzle of Extra Virgin Olive oil, splash of white vinegar, shakes of salt and pepper
-Pimentos: grilled for 5-7 mins on low heat with olive oil, sprinkle with salt
-Fish: tomato puree, fresh fish steaks with bones (halibut), red onions, paprika, red peppers, rock salt
-Yellow Courgette: stir fried with olive oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper
Simple, delicious, and comforting.
Monday, 6 September 2010
Braille: '...re-imagining the modern wardrobe'
Braille's Menswear collections are absolutely impressive, ,making me wish they'd launch womenswear too. They've successfully claimed notice after launching their first collection A/W 2010 'A Gentle Wake' at Vauxhall Fashion Scout. This new S/S 2011 collection features a tranformable wool zip-up scarf (pictured on right, £75) I would buy myself. Their new collection is avaible to order online!
I admire the simple but innovative designs and ways of approach the designers have. It's an inspiration for young designers and the growing art world in East London.
Can't wait for their next collection.
Saturday, 4 September 2010
Miike Snow & Polpo
It was at the famous Polpo that I found my BA fashion show catwalk song. Miike Snow's tracks were playing in the restaurant at my first visit there a month after it's opening. The fun restaurant/bar staff wrote the artist's name down and it officially found space in my Ipod. I love sitting at the bar for dinner and watching my bf chatting away with the staff. They always remember him because he orders everything from the menu, sometimes twice.
This time we stuck with some favorites and tried some of the new:
New time will be Polpetto.
This time we stuck with some favorites and tried some of the new:
New time will be Polpetto.
Thursday, 2 September 2010
Trunk Clothiers Official Launch
Marylebone's Chiltern Street welcomes a 'cosy neighbourhood shop' - Trunk Clothiers
Prior to the opening of this shop, I took notice to how early in the morning the team from Trunk was at location to ensure all was going smoothly. Their soft launch has arrived and people are exploring this new offer in Marylebone. Although they are situated in a niche area primarily providing wedding gowns and services and fashions for taller women, their heritage based foundation will draw people in. Stocking collections that range from Japan, to Italy and locally, they are sure to make a impression.
I had the please of being greeted by one of the team members of Trunk and was invited to join the official launch of Trunk Clothiers on 9th Sept 2010 @ 8 Chiltern Street, W1U 7PU.
See you there!
Prior to the opening of this shop, I took notice to how early in the morning the team from Trunk was at location to ensure all was going smoothly. Their soft launch has arrived and people are exploring this new offer in Marylebone. Although they are situated in a niche area primarily providing wedding gowns and services and fashions for taller women, their heritage based foundation will draw people in. Stocking collections that range from Japan, to Italy and locally, they are sure to make a impression.
I had the please of being greeted by one of the team members of Trunk and was invited to join the official launch of Trunk Clothiers on 9th Sept 2010 @ 8 Chiltern Street, W1U 7PU.
See you there!
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