UK diary: LDN

2 days in London seems like a grim sentence, because there is no way you could do so much in 2 days especially when you've brought your mom along. Babu's idea of spending those 2 days in London would be braving the wintry conditions exploring every nooks and crannies of Oxford and Regent Street. So I asked her and my sisters to watch the Jersey Boys with me because a trip to London is not complete without ever attending a musical. 

If you have been following my blog, you might have caught wind that a piece of my heart belongs in Portobello Road, which is where we went the very next morning. We ambled through the great lengths of Portobello Road, stopping to rummage for little treasures and got ourselves little treats from Hummingbird Bakery. 

Afterwards, we strolled along the mansion-lined streets of Notting Hill fantasizing of living in a pastel house with climbing roses and a glossy front door, got a kwey tiaw fix at Oodle Noodle and stared longingly at yet more gastronomic porn displayed in the windows of Westbourne Grove road. And after we had our other senses filled, we head back to the apartment and  slept through the afternoon.

And for me, these are all the ingredients to spend a good time in London.

Anatomy of a confused spring outfit (a.k.a my default it-shouldn't-be-7-degrees-outside uniform)

Have a lovely Easter break,
A.

UK diary: Bicester round 2

Retail therapy is probably one of the best ways to counteract a stressful week and the dreariness of pre-Easter break. Given the fact that I've just gotten myself 2 bags from Bicester a few months back, I really should get over my penchant of spending like I can grow money in my backyard- I don't even have a backyard to begin with.

Me and my sister have been pressing our noses against the windows of every shops there were. We popped into Ferragamo, Ralph Lauren and Michael Kors (for more bank balance torture), and then to Busaba Eathai for lunch.

With the somber mood that usually comes with the winter weather we've been experiencing lately, I always feel more inclined to wear the brightest colours to blind everyone. Speaking of winter, when is Spring really coming?

#Shopaholic101: When there is not enough room to store your goods, cook for your housemate and see if she can let you use her space.

xx,

Lessons from my father

Like my mother, my father has had an extraordinary impact on my life and has taught me more valuable lessons than I can possibly count. Many of which I have blatantly ignore (Wear sensible shoes, save money, jangan boros), some were my first life skills (how to read a book), and others remain my most vivid early memories of fond moments spent with him (learning to play golf until I cried my eyes out because I was really horrible at it, playing kaki tiga with my little siblings). 

He has lived a remarkable life (with amazing children ehem) and is a downright genius, but it is the most basic of his lessons which have left the most lasting impression on me. And because I think fatherly wisdom should be shared amongst everyone, here are my few favourite lessons from my own babah:

1. Above all, pursue intellectual enrichment. By filling your mind with knowledge, you have a thirst for life and a constant craving to learn new things.


2. You can not substitute money and material things for tenderness. Do not get caught up with meaningless consumerism that don't make us truly happy. Many people go through life just looking for material goods that will never fill the hole that loneliness creates. 

3. Explore. Wander often, and when you do, really see each new places with an open mind. Learn about other cultures and different perspectives on living. I was extremely fortunate to spend the last 4 years travelling to the most exotic countries, and each trip taught me more about humanity than an entire semester in class. 

4. Be kind, generous and charitable towards others. I struggle to think of many people more charitable than my own father. And while 'charity' in today's society mean a self rewarding act i.e. to feel good about yourself, it is far more rewarding to do good deeds simply to help others.

5. Act as you wish to be treated. The energy and behaviour you put out will be returned to you many times over.

6. Family comes first. Never distance yourself from the ones you love.

What did your father teach you?

I love you so much babah ♡
love,

Bohemian Brighties in Switzerland

Apologies for the lack of updates, though that wouldn't be necessary as no one actually stops by on our blog anyway (and it has been more than a year). Capital El-Oh-El. Time flies so quickly. BUT if anyone was wondering where we were, continue reading my first quick rant.

Bonjour tout le monde, oui, the title says it all! My family recently moved to Geneva, Switzerland not more than six months ago (except for Kaka Amal). I didn't have the slightest clue that we were going to move a bit too soon. Not alone living in Europe! Nevertheless, it was a big change; from a less developed to a more developed country. It was also a hectic move, packing everything until we were left with 400ish boxes to unload afterwards and especially leaving all the people behind... again. Thank god for Facebook and Skype! Geneva is wonderful and beautiful (not to mention expensive). We also rented a cheesecake-like-house near the French border, Carrefour is just five minutes away! :D

First snow ❄

Here's to a fresh new (overdue) beginning!

xoxo,
F

Happy Mothers Day

Happy Mothers Day Babu! From all of us! Hope you like the cupcakes that me and Kaka Amal baked last night.

xoxo,

F