Getting ready
New collections are arriving soon. Indulge yourself with a nice pedicure and get ready for our pretty shoes! While waiting for them, leaf us through at
www.lavendaz.comWe have been very occupied with roadshows and getting excellent responses from teachers especially. Eve and I are having serious thoughts of extend special discount to educators....
Labels: lavendaz news
The party is near!.jpg)
Yes. She is turning one! The big celebration is this coming Sat. There will be magician, balloonist, fondue fountain and satay man. Definitely will be a wow-ing time for many.
That's Evie and Vera.
Labels: vera and evie
My loveMy Melbourne friends shared a common passion towards games - boardgames, card games...strategy games. It is a crazzee that we all shared. Recently, Josh ordered some games from the state and needless to say, we went 'siao' playing till past midnight, usually ending with a round of supper....and dragging out feet out of bed to church early next morning.
The loving menIntroducing the three closest men in my life (aside from my family la...). We have Andrew on the left - Tao-Kay of
Moomedia, the creative one. Moving on to the one in the middle, Joshua, the FLYer since he is always on the move and in the air. Then, there comes Colin, my closest brother...he's one charming man. They have one thing in common - they make me laugh.
How gross-ly-cute is this!
Rome - Vatican...uncovering the unknown
That's us strolling to Vatican City...20min walk from our apartment!Our first stop (after dumping the luggage at the apartment) was to visit the Vatican City, St. Peter's Square. Paid a visit to St Peter's Basilica and yes, it was much bigger than I imagined it to be, oh yeah…definitely bigger than The Duomo. It was said to be possibly the largest Church in Christianity and not kidding, it holds up to a capacity of over sixty thousands people. Awww…
That's the high altar!In case you do not know, St Peter is one of the twelve disciples that Jesus has chosen during his ministry years. Traditionally, it was understood that he was sentenced to death by crucifixion, head down by Roman authorities. While traditions has located the remains of St Peter, it was also impressive that they have built St Peter's Basilica at a later date, with his burial place directly beneath the present high altar of the Church.
That explains why there are over hundred of tombs located within the church and these include mainly the late popes and also the most recent and respectable, Pope John Paul II. I was a little caught my surprised that many were still crowding around his tomb today, paying their respect.
We returned to Vatican the very next day again to visit the Sistine Chapel. We were pre-warned that there might be a queue (as per norm) and also the last entry is at 3pm. Josh and I took another long walk to Vatican the next morning with no regrets manz!
Seizing the blue sky, and took a few pictures of the exterior. That's the Vatican City!
I would definitely encourage anyone to visit Sistine Chapel, even if you don’t appreciate Art. It is just beyond your imagination how man is capable of such creation. The pictures on the ceilings is breathtaking…it’s awe-inspiring and mind blowing. It is!
Seriously, these are ceilings I am talking about! More Awww-ing..
I was contemplating if I really want to post this here. At the sistine chapel, I saw mummy. It's an interesting thing to discover. This Egyptian mummy is kept in the Vatican Museums.
Traditions have left Egyptian culture to believe the body was home in the afterlife to a person, which without it would be condemned to eternal wandering. Therefore, they try all ways to prefect the skill of preserving the dead. In Egypt, the bodies' abdomens were opened and all organs (except for the heart) were removed and preserved in Canopic jars which is shown below...and following is the Egyptian mummy (no kidding!).
More Arts!
It’s a pity that photography are not allowed in the chapel itself. As you roam in the chapel, you would hear the guards loudly enforcing this rule, as well as constantly repeating “Shhh…Silence please!”…It became such a habit that I find it comical when everyone starts doing “Shhh…” whenever someone makes a little noise. Inside is amazing, Michelangelo painted over three hundreds over figures on the ceiling, and there were paintings just everywhere, any and every corner.
Josh and I just sat there for thirty minutes relating (and trying hard) to the figures. Many were abstractions of the various events in the bible – ‘The garden of Eden’, ‘Creation of Day and Night’, ‘Jesus was tempted’, ‘Jesus crucified’, 'Life of Moses" and there are many others that I can't identify!
Savouring every moment...
Labels: vacation
Lake ComoLake Como was discovered over 2,000 years ago by the Romans, who elected these surroundings as their favoured retreat. It's a lake of glacial origin in Lombardy, Italy. Having an area of 146 km², it is the third largest lake in Italy. We took a 40min train from Milan that bring us right to Lake Como...and stayed a night here. :)
Private boats and ferries travel up and down the lake! Josh and I took the public ferries (like above) that bring us around Lake Como, offering views of the most important villas, such as Villa d'Este and Villa del Balbianello, Villa Pizzo etc...
Check out the natural beauty of northern Italy's lakeland....
I actually find this place more magical than Milan city! Why am I not surprised that this place was said to be one of the most romantic getaways in Italy...
Labels: vacation
Milan...world fashion capitalThe 2nd largest city in Italy - that's our next stop (finally parting Germany)! We took a flight from Germany, Lubeck to Milan on Friday night and touch the Milan ground slightly after mid-night. It's definitely not a pleasant experience to move around Milan’s Central Station in the MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.
I have read and heard...and been leery of the area outside the station. The area outside the station is now the target of big crime clean-up plans by the city of Milan...and why am I not surprised that there are ALWAYS police-cars right patroling and stationed outside the Central Station.
This is the Milan Central Station. Looking really good in the day! Caught the blue vehicle at the left? That's a police car!
It's said that one have not been to Milan if you have not visited Duomo. Duomo di Milano is one of the world's largest churches. It is the second largest Gothic church in the world. It's hard to imagine how much bigger can a church be! It's just so grand, so solemn...so graceful! The exterior, with its complex designs, they are carved out of the marble.
The history of Duomo is complicated. Beginning in the 5th century...The result of today's Duomo was the effort of numerous renowned designers. The recent renovation as of 2006 (just!)... that explain the canvas-covered scaffolding obscures most of the facade as seen in the picture above. :(
The grand interior...
Sforza Castle is a castle in Milan, Italy (below). It's about 10min walk Duomo church. This castle is now open to public (free admission!) and houses an art gallery (which includes Michelangelo's last sculpture!) Original construction began in the 14th century but the castle was reconstructed and further modified by later generations.
I love the castle, not just for its majestic building...I love the green! There is a huge park in the castle, open to public for social activities. There's a beautiful lake with plenty of mandarin ducks hungrily, perhaps greedily waiting to be fed!
Enjoy the greeeennn...
The pigeons are countless....
More pictures Milan city!
This is a wonderland for fashion fans (below)! You would find all the big branding at this spot...The Duomo plaza!
Oh...and through the trip, I learnt that the German name for the city is Mailand... =)
Labels: vacation
Finally HomeKinda beyond words how much I just missed home...although it's only barely three weeks away. Strangely, I been staying aboard for years before and never felt like this. Perhaps there were so many outstanding tasks awaiting for me to settle back home....and a big reason is I am sick and tired of pizzas, pasta and sandwiches. I need proper FOOD. ha!
There are so much more photos to post....
Anyway, there are MORE exciting stuff ahead. My darling Evie is turning one! Not Mine exactly..erhhemm...(obviously she belongs to Eve) but I would love to claim her for myself, at least for this minute. :P
Well, we have been discussing on the party plans, food, cake and invitation card...so exciting!
I can't wait. I bought her a cutie denim dress from Europe and made Eve promised that she will dress Evie in that on the 'big' day.
Labels: Festive, vera and evie
Sold outEve and I love shoes. Enough said.
As we move into the eight month of our business, we are 'feeling' it better on where it is heading. In time to come, we would be moving to focus on corporate shoes, mainly covered shoes (including mules). I am proud of our covered shoes actually. We received plenty of feedback that they are really comfortable...and most of our regulars are coming back to us primarily for covered shoes.
I guessed most of us know that it is not easy to find a pair of comfortable covered shoes, especially for folks like me that have really sensitive skin. You never catch me in covered shoes. never. period. Well, except boots, which I only wear when I am on holiday.
My feet are very sensitive; it blisters upon little friction and well, we all know, an uncomfortable pair of shoes can KILL the day.
My first pair of favourite covered shoes -
Ling
I simply adore this pair, Ling. Made of suede, soft as it is! I have soft spot for peep-toes and let's say it is tough to find a pair of attractive black shoes that doesn't speak boring. I wear it all the time, to work, to church and to malls...it's black and versatile.
I would have grab
Cera for myself as well, if not that it is totally wipe out months ago. Well, that was one good reason why we manufactured Ling; it was a logically move. Cere sells, so Ling sells as well. Both sold out.
Which is why I am so upset...
My Ling was stolen two weeks ago. I left it outside the house...which is a usual practice for most, if not all of my neighbours! Moreover, I left it in between my main door and the gate, which would mean, the thief would have to stretch her (assuming its a lady!) hands through the gate and slip the shoes through. That's a fair bit of effort, isn't it?
I am trying to get over it still. Can't wait for the next collections to be ready, most probably in end March.
For many that have called/emailed to ask about
Cera, we are really out of them. We apologised to have disappoint you (I regret not keeping a pair for myself as well!).
I would really love to manufacture more Ling/Cera in other colours though. Any suggestions?
Labels: lavendaz news
Travemunde..More than just beach, sand and seaside resort It was said that Travemude was more than just beach, sand and a seaside resort. Find your cozy place in the beach chair and enjoy the splendid view of ships and the sea.
Sunday afternoon, Josh and I took a train down to Trave and strolled around the beach. It was a windy and cold afternoon and logically beach-ing would not be an ideal thing to do; the beach was just filled with people, kids and dogs!
For every ten steps I take, I can literally see another dog. It's like every other people own a dog here....the pets were allowed in the malls, restaurant, in anywhere that matters.
This (above) is the best hotel in Trave, overlooking the Baltic sea...
End the afternoon with some typical European food - Pasta, Pizzas.
Labels: vacation
Visiting HamburgJosh was finally off work during the weekend…and we took a trip down to Hamburg. It’s pretty accessible, just an hour train ride down from Lubeck.
Hamburg being the second largest city in Germany; it holds the principal port which is also the second largest port city in Europe. Hamburg is geographically centred between Continental Europe and Scandinavia; between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. Hamburg is an international trade city and one of the commercial and cultural centres of Northern Germany.
It was said that a visit in one of the world's largest harbours would be incomplete without having taken one of the harbour and/or canal boat tours…but seriously, it was too cold for any boat ride. I am struggling just taking the shots!
The Speicherstadt, an ancient brick-built warehouse.
I wouldn’t miss visiting churches definitely.
St Nicholas’s church. One of which that really hit me. The Church was destroyed in Great fire of 1842. It was rebuilt in 1845-1874; however destroyed in 1943 to 1944, leaving just the tower and outer walls. It’s sad to see its ruin state. It was maintained as a monument against war.
This is so interesting! They have an air-balloon in the malls for the children!
I love this....Burger King house. It's classic!
Look what I found....the closest I feel to home: Raffles hotel..and Doc Cheng.
Discover the town centre….where the government and parliament have their common seat in the City Hall.
The backyard...
The interior...
I love this site...
and Josh loves this more!
Labels: vacation
Guild of the Blue Water CaptainsJosh brought me for a nice dinner on Friday evening. Supposingly nice; but not necessary for me. I was seriously trying to spree through the dinner a.s.a.p.
It was supposingly a pretty cool restaurant and pretty much a tourist attraction – Schiffergesellschaft, in English - Guild of the Blue Water Captains.
It was situated at one of the most beautiful and prominent medieval buildings within the city of Luebeck. The brotherhood of Captains, founded in December 1401. The concept was unique, I would admit…mimic the atmosphere of a gilded ship during those times.
Even the so called banquet tables and benches are still the original ones. It was said that during those days, the skippers used to sit, divided into groups, around these tables, assigned according to the various harbours to which they used to sail, and to different commercial corporations in which they served.
They did a good job with the restaurant, indeed a unique and remarkable decoration; looking into each and every details.
Since 1868 this unique building is used as a public restaurant. The kitchen mainly offers regional and international food.
The place was kind of dark, well, it’s meant to be the ambience…so I didn’t exactly catch many nice shots. Also, filled with cigar smell…and the seats are uncomfortable, well, they are made of solid oak planks. It’s seriously a been-there-done-that experience, just experiencing the seafaring tradition.
Labels: vacation
Lubeck - St Mary's ChurchI have been looking really forward to visit the St Mary’s church which is located in the merchant's borough; near the market and town hall. It is the main church of the local council and the people of Lubeck; erected near the market and town hall.
It was constructed over a 100 years, between 1250 and 1350. During those days, No one had ever built a church complete with a vault this high before. In total the church has nine large chapels and ten smaller ones.
Known as the Germany's third largest church and remains the tallest building of the old part of Lubeck. Along with Lubeck, the church has been listed by UNESCO as of cultural significance.
Today the Letter Chapel serves the community as a church during winter, with services from January to March – was said that the main church area is far too cold to be used at that time of year. Yes! They still hold regular services here!
I tour around the church and from the exterior, the brick stones have lost the glamour of the old times…but it’s not difficult to imagine how majestic it must have been during its time. It would most probably been more well preserved if not for the burnt out during an Allied bombing raid in March 1942.
As I stepped through this huge wooden door (actually I wouldn’t have the courage to do it, if not that I caught someone coming out of it!), it’s beyond words and imagination. Awesome. Holy ground. My Father's church.
I will let pictures do the talking.
It's majestic. Enchanting. Be mesmerize by its beauty.
It was sad to know that many works of art in the church has been destroyed in the fire. The bells of the church which fell down during the blaze still lay on the ground in the position they fell to this day, where they remain as a warning memorial.
The church was protected by an emergency temporary roof for the rest of the war. Reconstruction began in 1947 and 12 years later the majority of this was complete.
That’s a quaint little creature sitting on the stone, just right outside the church.
It was said that when the first stones of St Mary were laid on the ground, the devil believed that this building would be a wine bar. He liked that idea, because many souls have already found their way to him after frequently visiting such a place. So he mixed with the crowd and started to help the workers. It was believed that of such reason, the building grew amazing fast and high.
However, one day, the devil come to realise this building is meant to be a church. Full of anger, he grabbed a huge boulder to smash the walls that were already standing. He was just flying near through the air when a bold fellow shouted as him to stop and offered to build a wine bar just here in the neighbourhood for him. The devil was very pleased with the idea and dropped the boulder beside the wall, where it is lying until this day.
It was said that one can still see the devil’s claws on the stone and true enough, just opposite the church, the workers built the wine cellar of the Town Hall, still standing today. So…just in case you still didn’t get it. The quaint little creature is the devil. Ha!
That’s my adventure for the day.
Labels: vacation
Lubeck - pirates on the board!Took a slow and long walk along the riverside…just capturing amazing shots time to time. It’s not an everyday experience that I am standing so near to the ships.
I find it interesting or rather strange why there are plenty of ships along the coast, a couple of them were pirates ships. Did a breeze read up on Lubeck history and realised that it was founded in 1143 as the first German city on the Baltic Sea. Due to the promising site, sailors were free to put off to the Baltic sea from its shore. The city's ruler (then) sent his men to recruit merchants from the neighboring places, in order to help the newly-founded town blossom and flourish. Thus Lubeck rose to head the Hanseatic League as the leader of the economic power in mediaeval times. However, during those days, there wasn’t any navy of its own, no soldiers.
It’s not difficult to imagine how those merchants climbed aboard these large trading vessels, braving wind, waves and pirates to bring their goods to their destination. Woo…
These are the mandarin ducks which I mentioned in the previous blog.
Labels: vacation
.jpg)
