The Fog

London, a city filled with familiar language but in different key or rather more accidentals? (apologize for sounding like a super music nerd) but that was how I felt most of the time in London tho. I mean the city itself was gorgeous and charming just a bit cold (like cold cold, compare to Paris), and a little bit too gloomy for me. It's funny how when I went through my photos after three months and realized that I didn't take any photos of the "iconic buildings, or famous landmarks" of London, rather my photos are filled with strangers, beautiful corners and food - I guess these things spoke to me more, and they tell stories. I am pretty happy with how the photos turned out, perhaps I would probably edit them differently if I didn't put them off for this long. 

Life Update

After getting back from Paris all that dreamy situation, I moved out my studio and started a tiny Airbnb business over there.

Just Paris

It's so hard to begin because I don't know where to begin with. I have been really slow on the blog recently - it's not because I have nothing to share but it's so hard to start sometimes, you know what I mean? I have been reading this book "better than before", it talks about habits and I am kinda enjoying it - very slowly. I usually don't read that much but this book somehow keeps me going - but obviously this post is not about that, hah... 

Everyday breakfast - Avocado Toast with soft boiled Egg

For those who have been following me on instagram - you probably know that I have been eating avocado for almost every morning. I got a bag of these green babies from Costco a week ago because I was craving them and I thought why not share this recipe with you guys. I have this love-hate relationship with them because until you cut into it, you never know if it's perfectly ripe - to me it's like playing a touchy guessing game with it :p

I didn't discover my love for avocado until I go to the states - they are not that of a big deal here in Taiwan (but recently I start to find avocado toasts in coffeeshops too) I love to make these open faced sandwich in the morning because they are nutritious, fast and delicious. My favorite way of eating them is to top them with soft boiled eggs - oozing eggyolk is so satisfying to watch and eat :p 

This recipe is usually my go to when it comes to avocado - but it can really be seasoned in any way you like. I love going through the fridge and seek for topping inspiration - these are some of my favorites which goes perfectly well with avocado: smoked salmon, eggs, tomatoes, corn, mustard seeds... it's always fun to try weird combinations (hah) Don't worry the recipe below is completely normal and tasty, as long as you like avocado and eggs :p

  

Prep time: 5 mins     Cook time: 5 mins     Total time: 10 mins     Serves: 2

• 1 avocado
• 2 eggs
• 2-3 slices bread of your choice (I use olive bread here)
• 1/2 lime or lemon
• few drops of honey (optional)
• salt and pepper to taste
• red pepper flakes to taste 

Bring a small saucepan of water to boil over high heat. Using a slotted spoon or tongs, carefully lower the eggs into the boiling water and cook for 6 to 7 minutes. (for that perfect oozing yolk) Gently remove the eggs and run under cold water to peel.

Meanwhile, heat up a pan with high heat, lightly brush the bread with olive oil and toast them for 1-2 minutes on each side.

While the eggs are cooking and breads are toasting, place the avocado on a cutting board and cut lengthwise carefully, rotating around the seed. Twist half of the avocado off and remove. Carefully tap your knife into the pit so that it wedges itself in. Twist the knife and remove the pit. Place the avocado, cut side down on to your cutting board and peel off the skin. 

Cut them in to smaller pieces and smash them in a shallow bowl with a fork, season it with salt, pepper and lime juice (it also prevents it from turning brown). I usually give it a taste and add a few drops of honey to balance out the tanginess.  

Spread the mashed avocado on the bread and top with the soft boiled egg. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes (cilantro works well too) before serving. Cut into the egg, take a selfie and enjoy :p

Thanks for stopping by, see you next time :)

5 Hip Coffeeshops in Taipei

I am always amazed how the coffee culture has grown every time I come back and visit. Especially I have been living in New York for four years, I am just so used to walking into a coffeeshop and chill. The coffeeshops here in Taipei didn't let me down at all. They are all very unique, hipster and sometimes cute and most of them have great coffees. The biggest different I found in them are that they often have a minimum purchase and the rules for each shop is usually different -  some requires a drink per person, some requires a dessert ... which can sometimes be a little bit annoying, just a bit. But overall, I enjoyed them a lot, and today I am going to share my favorite 5 coffeeshops / cafes whatever you wanna call them with you - here we go :)

1. UNTITLED WORKSHOP 

I saw Untitled Workshop way too many times on Instagram, for their famous pineapple wall and the avocado toast - but unfortunately the avo toasts were already sold out when I went (tears...I was actually craving it) I guess I will need to hit them up again very soon.

My favorite part of this place is the vibe of the shop and their decorations - I have special feelings for those cacti at the entrance, I think I will have to get one for my future apt (hah)
  

"If u like nerds raise your hand, if u don't raise ur standard..."

They also got these cool layered matcha orange juice thingy and some yummy desserts - I think the girls next to me enjoyed them a lot :p

If you are not a fan of caffeinated drinks - they also have this cool super hyped "goth latte" - I guarantee you it's def Instagram worthy

Where: No.1, Alley 52, Lane 12, Section 3, Bade Road, Songshan District, Taipei City, 105
Tel: 02- 2579 2796
Instagram @ untitledworkshop


2. WONLAI COFFEE

Wonlai Coffee is a very tiny small coffeeshop that has delicious and fluffy egg cakes - they are traditional taiwanese snacks. It might take a bit time for each order but because they bake each batch separately, you get to have the most fresh made ones when you eat it.  I love the texture is slightly cake-like but not over dense, and it bounce right back when you bite into it. I didn't get to try their coffee this time but I would definitely recommend their egg cakes.
 

Where: No.13-1, Lane 335, Section 3, Nanjing East Road, Songshan District, Taipei City, 105

Tel: 02- 2546 5953

Instagram @  wonlai_coffee

3. PLANTS

Plants is a very cute vegan cafe, they serve light and healthy options for people who wants to eat clean. I miss eating vegan food after I came back from nyc - it's so common and easy to find in the States compare to Taipei. I am not a vegetarian but I like eating veggies and healthy food - it makes me / my body feel good.
 

My friend got this veggie bibimbap and it tasted wow really good! There are lots of different flavors going on, so it didn't make me feel like I am on a mission to eat all my greens - it was pleasant!

I am a sucker for acai bowls, especially when they are this pretty - I just couldn't say no. They have 2 different kinds of granola and I asked for  half and half, so I get more colors in my bowl (hah) It was actually super filling after eating this, and it again proves to me that healthy food can be tasty too!
I would definitely come back for other dishes and drinks next time!

Where: No.10, Lane 253, Section 1, Fuxing South Road, Da'an District, Taipei City, 106
Tel: 02- 27845677
Instagram @ plantseatery


4. TAMED FOX

Tamed fox is a fairly new place for the coffeeshop family - their most featured things on Instagram is the colorful donuts and their coffee. Although I am not the biggest fan for donuts, I do anything for the gram...jk, but I do love photogenic foods haha. 

After my friend and I sat down, the waiter came and explained how the minimum purchase works here - each person has to get either a savory/ sweet dish or a drink from the list that doesn't include coffee -.- ( because they said the coffee is a collab) So we ended up getting the carrot cake donuts with 2 different glazes and this almond milk matcha drink - I enjoyed the vibe in the shop a lot, each corner has it's own atmosphere but I just really hope that coffee was an option. Since they have the cutest garden / front door area, I will just have a cup togo next time :)

Where: No. 56, Lane 122, Section 4, Ren'ai Road, Da’an District, Taipei City, 106

Tel: 02-2755 7758

Instagram @ tamedfox.cafe

5. BOBII FRUTII

Here we came to the last shop of the month - okay I have to be honest here and admit that this is not really a coffeeshop, it's more like a hipster bubble tea place. I thought it would be nice to recommend  a place for people don't drink coffee and plus they don't serve regular bubble tea. They make colorful bubbles with natural flavors and come up with cool combinations that you would never think of. 

The one I got here is called - a wonderful time - it's layered from the bottom blue jello with black currant and Yakult sorbet in the middle and top with pink boba. It seriously gave me a wonderful time drinking it, while it was 100 degrees out - super refreshing and photogenic as well, trust me, you will like it!!

Where: No. 17, Lane 187, Section 1, Dunhua South Road, Da’an District, Taipei City, 106
Tel: 02- 2772 9887
Instagram @ bobiifrutii

Phew, that's a wrap, hope you guys enjoy the recommendations and the photos - feel free to comment below if you have any questions - until next time, oh and hi July!

#hellopaulsmith

The day after my recital, I decided to take a day off and finally got to enjoy Taipei in a sunnier and drier version. It has seriously been raining for the whole past freakin week -_- Honestly, I didn't know Paul Smith as a fashion designer that well before this exhibition but I know his "pink wall" a bit too well through Instagram. (hah)  So I thought, hm why not check it out today - and I ended up enjoyed it so much. I think he is very inspiring in a way that, he is observing and collecting ideas and information all the time - no matter it's something special or ordinary - and he can make it work and transform what he sees through his eyes into his works - it's quite amazing     

At one point, I was wondering how does he put all these bright color together and they still make sense to me - fyi I only have boring colors in my closet -

This Leica really caught my eyes at the moment that I still can't figure out why - it just seems so simple but special - and I finally found my answers from the words he wrote below

"Start something new
take pleasure seriously
life is not about shorter hours or longer hours, it's about every hour
stop making sense...logic is predictable...think differently
seeing by doing... doing by seeing."

He is not trying make sense, not trying to use ordinary colors, patterns, fabrics - he does it because they are pleasures and they are well worth it - that's definitely something I really admire about. It's okay to mess up, it's better to be yourself :)

Thank you for stopping by again and hope you guys enjoyed the photos  and some hsindy thoughts - until next time :p

singapore - eat and see

 Nylon Coffee Roaster

I have been wanted to share with you guys what I did in Singapore and how I survive taking photos only with my iphone 6. I feel like I am always behind on sharing new things with you, but I really have been busy until I finished my recital two days ago. (phew) Okay lets jump right in -


WHERE TO EAT -

 This acai bowl and their pancakes were on point - from Sarnies

If you love pretty wall and coffee like I do, check out - Bicky and Brew

Light, healthy and colorful option on a hot and sunny day - A Poke Theory

I would say this was probably my favorite meal - Song Fa Bak Kut Teh

 Looking for a cozy and perfect latte art? hit up - A.R.C Coffee

Some other yummy places that are not photographed -

Tasty Imperial Chicken from Boon Tong Kee
Local eats from Tiong Bahru
Fancy Traditional Singapore food from Violet Oon
Laksa from 328 Katong Laksa
Favorite speakeasy cocktail bar - Maison Ikkoku


INSTAGRAM WORTHY PLACES -

Walk through The Helix Bridge and take in the entire Singapore bay view 

You can'y miss this cool arch thingy if you are into any white things / weird shapes like me - it's by the Gardens by the Bay

 One day I am going to stay at this goddamn cool spaceship and go to that Infinity pool that I didn't get to see this time - Marina Bay Sands

 I love how they have really hipster shops in these old buildings - they are colorful and vintage feeling - I think this was around Arab Street

This cute old man was singing and playing ucalaly by the river - from here you can walk around the water and check out the old bridge - Cavenagh Bridge

I love symmetrical things -  although this was at the bathroom of Victoria Theater and Concert Hall  

 Night viewssssss - I think I was on the top of Raffle City, and I remembered that I walked into a bar, sat down, took the photo and left :p

Another great place to check out - the top of Esplanade

 Just loving the architectures - Amoy Street

 

Beautiful Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay

 Another must sea - Supertree Grove, they are very cool both in day time and night time

 Guess what they also have beaches at Singapore and it's only a 20 minutes drive from the city- Sentosa

Yup, so that pretty much sums up my 10 days trip there. I really enjoyed it, especially the last day when I finally explored with my feet and take the public transportation. That made me feel like I have completed this experience. The weather there was very humid but I guess it's not as bad as Taiwan (where is super moist with 100% humidity all the time) I love how the people there were very diverse and friendly! I would definitely want to visit again just for travel and eat purpose tho (hah) I wish I packed my camera with me so I would have more desire to capture all the cool little details - but thanks to iphone, so I can still share all these with you. Thanks for stopping by, looking forward to more wanderlusts ;)