HOME KONG

Cape- 22 Septembre // Turtleneck- Thrift // Skirt - Vintage Alaia // Shoes- Topshop // Black bag- Vintage Coach // Shoulder bag- Rebecca Minkoff

Photography by Nicole / Edited by me

Happy February! Can you believe that this is my first post of the new year? Well actually I can. But tardiness aside, I'm back in cold, miserable London consuming boxes packets of instant ramen and contemplating how many tabs my chrome can take before it automatically quits. These photos were shot back early in January, when I was back in the +852 for a very brief holiday, having spent most of Christmas in Malaysia with my family. Still, its a funny thing to be back in a place thats home but not quite home and I found that I spent most of my time running around, trying to soak in everything and everyone I wouldn't see for another 6 months. Of course, no trip back home would be complete without at least one visit to Sham Shui Po, a haven for hoarders with its lines of stalls selling multitudes of electronics, toys, clothes, iphone covers, complete with hoards of people rushing to the nearest dim sum shops. The real hustle of Hong Kong. So while I may currently be residing on a little bed in Hackney, a part of my heart will always be in Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong.

xoxo

natalie 

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WINTER WONDERLAND

Jacket- The Ragged Priest // Beanie & Sweater - Lazy Oaf // Turtleneck- American Apparel // Jeans - ASOS // Trainers- Rick Owens x Adidas // Tote- Monki (borrowed Nicole's!)

Photography by Nicole

Christmas is without a doubt, my favourite holiday. There's just something about the smell of freshly cut christmas trees and endless nights sipping hot chocolate that just appeals so much to me. Of course, there's the much needed uni break, but that transcends seasons. Speaking of uni, first term has finally ended, our long but incredible White Show is over and in my rare period of rest, I climbed out of the comforts of my bed into the bewildering chills of the outside. As Nicole and I finally ventured to Winter Wonderland, on a Sunday (also my last full day here until next year), no less. Despite the insanely priced rides (£10 for a 5 second ride!), freezing temperatures (7º C? Lies!) and the lack of debit card accepting food stalls , it was everything that a commercialised, money-sucking theme park could be. There were crying children, haunted mansions (a bit off season don't you think?), hot chocolate stations and none other than, Santa land. One thing for sure, nobody does christmas better than London. The spirit is strong with this one. 

Also, to anyone who's heading to winter wonderland, please note that IF you wear white shoes, they will not come back white. I repeat, they will not come back white.

xoxo

natalie 

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SIBLING

Coat- Missguided // Top - Thrifted // Skirt- Choies // Shoes- Office

Photography by Nicole

Time flies when you're having fun and despite the intensity of work I've received over the past month, I've thoroughly enjoyed it and much has really changed. But before I digress, outfit backstory: These shots were taken a few weeks back when my fellow sibling and I attended a special Sibling runway show at the V&A, showing curated menswear pieces. Thus, we took this opportunity to shoot some outfit shots, taking advantage of the emptying runway and the grey walls of the V&A. As London permanently stays in single digit degrees, a coat is absolutely necessary to surviving the weather. I picked up this missguided beauty after realising a severe lapse of colour in my coat department and it hasn't left my shoulders ever since. 

I've almost finished my first term of uni, having handed in all my assessed work, done and dusted. I've only got one last thing left before I am temporarily freed of my studies. On Thursday, CSM will be holding its annual 'White Show', a fashion show that displays all the works of the first year fashion design students (womenswear, menswear, print, knit and fashion design management). Everyone's been working really hard on it and it would be very much appreciated if the website could be clicked on and the instagram could be followed! The design students are all incredibly talented and this show really exemplifies the skills they possess. Needless to say, I may very well collapse once the show is over so do send over indomie/instant noodle packets to keep me functioning.

I mentioned previously that I achieved my New Year's resolution, so I thought I'd quickly address it here. Everyone and anyone who knows me knows that my No 1 is James Franco. Full stop. And at the start of the year, I made a resolution to go meet him, thinking that it was funny and would maybe happen in about 10 years. Two weeks ago, my resolution came true. I met him and a book signing and I can gladly say that I can truly die happy now. James was incredible and I could go on and on (believe me I can) about my 5 minute encounter but I'll save the rambling for some other time. For now, here's the image that I will, and cannot, ever get over.

xoxo

natalie 

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FRALITE

Jacket- East End Thrift Shop// Top - Etsy // Skirt- DIY// Tote- Gallery Petronas // Shoes- Office

Photography by Nicole

Fair play London. The day after we shot this look, London decided to drop a few degrees colder and I can no longer wear this out without running the risk of hyperventilation. Fair play. And if my run in with Brienne of Tarth was any indication (yes that's right!), winter is coming upon us. So goodbye bare legs, constant jacket tying around the waist, sheer tights, cha xiu bao buns, green leaves, afternoon sunlight and lying on green grass eating crisp cut sandwiches (also cautiously watching demonic pigeons flying about). Hello hot chocolate (well this is a year long ritual for me), pumpkin spice latte, coat-over-jacket-over-cardigan-over-sweater sort of looks, indomie dinners (well this again is year long for me), snuggling in bed, mittens, endless excuses to buy new coats, that natural yes my cheeks are pale look, early dark afternoons and scarf fumbling. Truth be told, I've never experienced a real 'winter' (too used to spending 20˚C Christmases), so as scary and  as chilly it may be, bring it on winter.

xoxo

natalie 

PS: Apologies at how weather centric this post was. There have been so many things that have been going on in my life (including achieving my number one new years resolution!), I will definitely be sure to tell all in a more detailed post.

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HACKNEY HOME

Jacket- HK boutique// Top - Forever 21 // Trousers- Monki// Shoes- Topshop // Sunglasses- vintage.

Photography by Nicole

Nearly a month later and so much has changed between the past post and this one. For starters, I am now living in London! Departing one H to another H has brought on many changes, but I really do enjoy life here and all the little joys there are. London, is an amazing melting pot of opportunities and it hones creativity. In the past three weeks, I've cooked my own meals (that's for you mum), been instagrammed by Henry Holland, met blogger babe prettysickly, ran into Jim Chapman, cried my eyes at Wicked (it was very stuffy), met a lot of lovely people, watched Gone Girl after waiting xxx months for it, spotted ASAP Rocky at my university and, I can proudly say, I am a university student! I can now officially say that I am a student at Central Saint Martins and needless to say, its been the best thing that's ever happened to me. Though I can literally feel the work load, I wouldn't trade it for the world. And now I've got articles to write and places to see, watch this space soon and thank you for being so patient with me!

xoxo

natalie 

GOODBYE HONG KONG (3 outfits)

Today I will be departing my home of 17 years and moving across the pond to a new one, apologies for the pun. Its surreal just thinking about how much time has passed. No matter how many times I've pictured this moment, it never really quite hits you until you actually live in it. There are so many things I'll miss about Hong Kong like the $7.50 lo mein (indomie) and TST at night. But I'm so excited to settle in a new place and start a new chapter after this interlude. So I've combined my most recent (ish) outfits from my favourite places in HK a la fellow HK blogger and babe zoe. All outfits shot by my bff Conrad. So for now, so long, my Hong Kong.

Outfit 1

Hat- Tao Bao // Blouse- Thrifted // Shorts- Henry Holland

Outfit 2

Dress (worn as a shirt) - Zara// Skirt - Tailored // Shoes- Topshop

Outfit 3

xoxo

nat