My best friend wrote about this publication in her blog awhile back. I've been keeping my eye out for it but to no avail. I love a good read(or rather the images that accompany it) on the interior spaces of the randoms or the equally famous because there is nothing I find more intimate and intriguing than being able to go into someone's private space to see how they live. Its so interesting to see the images because unlike words, they capture something so much more precise, unable to alter anything about it. Its nothing they can explain or show, it just is what it is. Apartamento is a publication on peoples homes and interiors(who are supposedly creatives) that have not had any help from any designers. Today I found out they have a website and have just ordered its second issue. The very good news for people who have less access to these kinds of circulations is that as long as you have paypal, they deliver to anywhere in the world. The very bad news is that it might put a slight dent in your wallet.

These are images of my favorite Aesop store in Mayfair, London. Inspired by Artisanal British craftspeople, bronze and original fixtures, I love love it all. Aesop is known for their philosophy on how design can improve our everyday life (agreed). They started out of Melbourne, Australia and have now expanded to several major cities around the world, including Singapore, Paris, Zurich and Taipei. No two stores of theirs are alike, and each are designed and heavily inspired by its natural surroundings. And not forgetting the products themselves, which do wonders for the skin(I started using them couple of months ago). That communal sink is sick...I want one.

Apologies for the late update. I got busy cleaning out my things that came in from Miami couple months ago, the boxes have just been sitting in the computer room so I'm slowly sorting them out. With the renovation I had done on my room recently, its a little easier to organize. Its starting to come together so I will post some images up soon! I also got a little busy (and major foot cramps!) because The Malaysian International Fashion Week/MIFW is here. It opened on Wednesday and I managed to catch a couple of shows. Some were promisingly good, others not so much. YC Phoon from the Streething and Femmething took some snappies of the people who made it out to opening night. I'm in there somewhere...

Japanese tea pot, by Tachi Masaki. A famous tea pot maker in Japan. Known not only for his Banko Yaki (purple clay, which enhances particularly the flavor of green tea), but also for his one off pieces. Was at the store for literally three hours (I know I know, I'm kinda crazy) but I finally settled on this piece. Tea pots nowadays come in all shapes, patterns and colors but this one people tend to overlook. The work on it is amazing, the grey inside is unlike any other and the simplicity I love even more. For the past three years that I spent searching to replace the one I bought from Harvey Nichols (it broke), never have I come across one that even comes close to resembling this. From Masaki's own private collection himself, apparently made from a special kind of clay (no longer available today) which he had gotten from a friend at the time. It is an old piece and very rare, which he had kept until recently when he agreed to sell it to the owner of Hojo, so that makes a lucky me, yay!

For those looking to start with baby steps, you can still find a good selection of equally beautiful pieces(if not as rare and expensive) from the Tokoname collection, which are made more for the commercial market in Japan. It may not be a collector's dream tea pot, but you will still get the joy of tea making. If you don't know what I'm talking about, try it. It is literally the only little time you can make for yourself on a daily basis that can bring about an intimate kind of joy only you can learn to appreciate...

Mark your calenders...

Or get on the waiting list, because this collection will almost immediately sell out once it hits the stores. Even though they are two of my favorite labels, their collaboration on this somehow didn't really do it for me. Nevertheless, it will still probably sell out, fast!

Images via Browns Fashion.

My favorite couch, by George Smith. At $14530 a pop, its not in my budget at the moment and unlike exotic embroidery bags, I doubt it will turn into an impulse buy (though I wish!). So until I have a space of my own, visiting the A.P.C. store in Soho will have to do. They have the same exact piece, which has been there forever, and it just keeps getting better with age...

From the Sartorialist. Love love her style....

I still can't believe I missed out on those Givenchy's.

This was the year of 1956, when Grace Kelly was photographed getting out of a car covering a baby bump with an Hermes Kelly. It made the cover of Time Magazine and pretty much the rest is history..

This image is marking an end to a 5 year wait for me. Lets just say its a vintage piece from the 1960s..(thanks to Cameron and his team at Decades!) Can you just imagine the stories and the history it has gone through? Crazy... Which is what I truly love about them really :)

If ever you are in a jam about finding the right gift for a guy, look no further than Jack Spade, *other half and husband to Kate, Spade that is. His line of mens bags and accessories bring about a kind of discerning quality you just won't get anywhere else (I recently got my brother and boyfriend the laptop messenger bags while in London and that one in the photo shown is a personal favorite). And don't even get me started on his store in Soho (the photos can speak for themselves). So while he won't be opening a boutique on our shores anytime soon, he will be stocking pieces from his collection at the new Kate Spade Boutique here in KL. Yay!

*I stand corrected, Kate's husband name is Andy. Jack Spade is his label. Thanks Jess!

I am trying to get a copy of the Vice Photo Book, which will be a nice add to my DO's & DON'T collection. If you've not heard of them, you sure are missing out my lovelies. They started out circulating their magazines for free(they still do) out of New York and have now expanded to some other countries. They feature real people, with real stories (some funny, some painfully funny and some others sick) accompanied by real photos. Basically, they make fun of everyone. Go pick up a copy, and you'll know what I'm talking about.

I don't usually do any kind of metallics, but this bolero by Lutz and Patmos has caught my attention. Maybe because it gets me thinking of.. a faraway exotic place like Cuba or Panama, just dancing the night away... Plus, its 30% off, at Lagarconne.

Ok, so I couldn't help myself. Satine stocked up on this(they only had one) right after the other one sold and since I've done nothing but watch all the others go by season after season, I thought I'd treat myself to an early christmas present. And if my calculations are right, it should be on my doorstep in approximately 3 days. Look at the colors!

Matthew Gray Gubler from tv show Criminal Minds (I am obsessed) has a little website of his own which he handwrites and paints and draws himself (illustration shown above is a Gubler original). Its one of the most endearing websites I've seen in awhile. Some other interesting information on him...interned with Wes Anderson (the guy that brought us Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums) and subsequently played a small role in The Life Aquatic (also an Anderson film). He also just recently directed a video for the band The Killers for the track "Don't shoot me Santa". And like me, he thinks Buffalo 66 is one of the best films ever made.. I seriously doubt there's a cooler guy in Hollywood right now.

Bird makes a pretty sick collection of bags. Use of exotic leather and embroideries inspired from places like Mexico and Peru, they sure don't come cheap. Its definitely not in my budget right now, even though this one shown in the photo is already sold out. I sure wish it was my birthday..

My roommate from high school Paulina had told me about Hotel Condesa when I was making plans for attending her wedding in Mexico late last year. Unfortunately for me, I never made it out to Mexico City this time around as the wedding took place in Acupulco. But here's the good news, Grupo Habita who brought us Condesa is giving us another reason to head out there. Hotel Basico is definitely all play and while this may not be an Andre Balazs property, it could just very well give The Standard, Miami a run for their money. In line with the hedonistic concept, this playground is heavily inspired by 1950's Mexican taxi cabs and petroleum oil rigs. While the sister hotel brings a more homey vibe, Basico offers a more chic surrounding. Not for private honeymooners, this is definitely a place for couples who want to see and be seen.

Jane Mayle bows out, with grace.

I'm sad to see Mayle go. She is absolutely one of my favorite designers and has been ever since I walked into her cute little space in Nolita. Her clothes are so unpretentious and effortless. You can just never go wrong with her. And so, since her holiday collection will be her last(she isn't showing a spring collection come 09), I have decided to add this last piece to my personal collection. Her F/W 08 line was inspired by a piece written on Jeanne Moreau who found the Japanese culture of getting pleasure by approaching the everyday with an attentive elegance and ceremony, hence the Japonaise prints mixed with chic parisian tailoring.

Damien Hirst is pretty busy these days. First up, his celebrated platinum cast human encrusted diamond skull is on a pit stop (on an International tour) at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, now throughout December 15. I'm sure you've seen his work before, like this famous shark suspended in formaldehyde enclosed in some kind of glass casing. Saw it at the Met which is pretty amazing in person. Anyway, he's also just come out with a video he art directed with Sienna Miller for the band The Hours which is nothing short of disturbing, well.. for a good 15 seconds at least in the cow scene. I think I like the song better.

America has voted. Artwork by Shepard Fairey, the guy famously known as OBEY. I'm not really a fan but given the scope of the campaign (and the very nature of politics), I'm pretty certain his work made an impact one way or another.

Elizabeth and James long john leggings, F/W08. Leave it to Mary-Kate and Ashley to come up with something that is effortlessly cool. I definitely see this becoming a staple in my closet.