Under Fire

I'm up for trying anything at least once—within legal limits, of course. So when a friend asked me to join her for a traditional Tibetan Huo Long treatment, I was in like Flynn Flint, so to speak. The procedure enhances blood circulation and balances the yin and yang of the body, but more specifically I was fired up!


After a vigorous thirty minute massage, water pails and torches were brought in and my nerves finally decided to kick in. I began to sweat. And ask a lot of questions, which meant nothing to the Malay speaking masseuse. Alcohol-soaked wicks were snaked across our backs and covered with a few lightly damp towels. The entire contraption was doused in more flammable liquid and then we combusted.


You're given a few seconds to cool before more flame throwing. Thankfully "HOT" seems to be universally understood for "put out that roaring fire before I'm extra crispy."

Once you're well done, roll over, baste the front side, and it's time to cook some more! Burn, baby, burn.


I spent most of the time praying my entire head of hair wouldn't go up in a blaze of glory as I was yin-ing and yang-ing. We walked out alive, only a little scathed [my stomach's battle wounds are finally fading!] and because I'm drawn to ridiculousness like a moth to a flame, I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat.

Peace, Love and Reggae

We spent the better part of Sunday evening [and technically some of Monday, too] in a quaint venue on Look Out Point listening to regional musicians create the chill sounds of Bossa Nova, Reggae, Jazz and Soul Funk—my favorite being the lovely Angelita Li. And though it took us well over an hour to find the local spot, which was only 4 miles from our house, the mellow tunes and sunset views over Kuala Lumpur were worth the hellacious drive. Sometimes it's nice to throw caution to the wind on a "school night" without stressing over Monday's tedious demands.

Candy Coated

It's safe to say I easily look at this photograph twenty times a day. Maybe I, too, need a bubblegum pink bow-backed kimono.

[photo by Max Wanger.]

How To Do Fall When You're Still Sweating Buckets 101*

* or alternatively titled Faking It.

It's cooling off in most parts, but many of us are still feeling the heat! So I'm turning to a few tricks that will incorporate a seasonal change in my wardrobe, if I can't get one in my torrid city. Wearing natural, breathable fabrics like silk – in a moody navy, no less – is a perfect way to allude to fall fashion without the weight of warmer clothes. I especially love how the lofty layers drape the shoulders and neckline without adding bulk. And though it's balmy outside you can still rock a boot! Just make sure they sit low around the ankle for your legs to stay cool and comfortable.


[1] Mystery of the Mojave Earrings; [2] Pleiad Shirtdress; [3] 1910s Bloodstone Signet Ring; [4] Virginia Johnson Gauze Merino Shawl; [5] Tied Ankle Boot; [6] Jasper & Jeera Messenger Bag; [7] OPI You Don't Know Jacques.

Deskmate

Does living in the jungle justify the need for a 3 pound monkey and elephant jobber on my desk? The Asia-appropriate duo is over-the-top, reminiscent of my Gerard Tully ring, and feeds my magpie addiction for all things shiny and gold. In other words, we were meant to be.

Set Sail

If the past few posts haven't given it away, I've been bitten by the travel bug. Everywhere I turn books, billboards and blogs are broadcasting tempting locales far and near, and I'm eating up their global message hook, line and sinker!

The most recent addition to my ever-growing Must See list is an overnight cruise aboard one of Indochina Sails' time-honored wooden junks. Leaving from Hanoi, Vietnam, the fleet set sail in Halong Bay and navigate throughout jutting limestone islands, islets, caves and grottos—some that have been hidden away for millions of years!

In Another World

One of my favorite sources for inspiration is Cerulean's Travelogue. From Madrid to Zihuatanejo, Maggie's stylish features span the globe. And while I love her worldly tips and savvy finds, the tiny but evoking photographs deserve a mention all their own. This female US foreign service officer is undoubtedly my favorite of the bunch. Her billowing abaya, worn over American underclothes, is show-stopping! The photo was taken during a vacation to Mada'in Saleh, somewhere in the middle of the Saudi Arabian desert between ha’il [pronounced hail] and al ula [pronounced ull oo-la], probably on what this map shows as Highway 70.

Maggie recently added interviews to her constantly evolving and ever fabulous site, and I'm honored to be among the first featured! Be sure to bookmark Cerulean because there's always something new and lustworthy popping up on its pages.

To India with Love

Lately I've had a few chats about my longing desire to visit India. It usually results in the other person[s] sharing horror stories, regurgitating vile third-party experiences, and positively declaring I surely don't want to travel there [said cloyingly] because it's "not clean." I know it's a developing nation. I know I'll likely see—and smell—things I never envisioned in my wildest dreams. I know it's not going to be an Eloise In Paris expedition. But my heart couldn't be hungrier.

In addition to braving this apparently controversial country firsthand, Assouline's hardbound homage to India is high on my list of wishes. With contributors like Wes Anderson, Adrien Brody, Cynthia Rowley, Matthew Williamson, Rachel Roy and Padma Lakshmi, To India with Love will not only serve as a scrapbook and tribute to the world's second most populous country, but profits will help support families affected by the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

In Play

The New York Times described Diane Birch's remarkable voice and 1970s vibe as “Zooey Deschanel meets Joni Mitchell, with the tiniest dash of Norah Jones.” I couldn't have said it better.

On Foot

Flipping through the premier issue of AFAR has me traveling the world over in someone else's shoes, literally. Click to enlarge this humbling globe-trotting spread.

More Bang for Your Buck

The Spring 2010 shows are just about the only things making me jump for joy over my perpetual summers. There seems to be a real Back to Basics sensibility with many of the looks focusing on silhouette, construction, contouring and an overall pulled together presence — all of which have been recently overlooked thanks to trends of heavily jeweled, studded, ripped, oversized and brightly hued fashions. The new designs offer something I crave: apparel mileage.

[Ports 1961, Chado Ralph Rucci, Rachel Comey]

Cooling Off

Urban Outfitters is looking very non-Urban in this shot and I love it! Not to mention these are some of the sassiest and nicest $88 boots I've ever seen. [It hasn't kicked in that I will have no fall or winter this year, so please run with me and let me have this half-baked moment of suedes and wool.]

Write Away

J.CO Donuts is the fastest growing donut and coffee chain throughout Southeast Asia. Their printed napkins are quite handy after you've finished a cup and your creativity is just getting juiced.

[photo via Jakarta Daily Photo.]

Take Cover

Monday night on a spur of the moment decision I boarded a Jakarta-bound plane to join J for the week. While the smog, scooters and traffic give KL a run for its money, the people and shopping are utterly divine. I immediately hit the streets in search of local designer finds. Though my sensory high was abruptly ended due to price tags not in my last minute travel budget, the clothing was out of this world! I may have left behind oodles of frocks that I will continue to dream about for days on end [The fabrics! The textures! The impeccable construction!], but I didn't return to the hotel empty handed. Yes, I traveled all the way to Indonesia and all I got [so far] was a Diane von Furstenberg swimsuit coverup. I'm so American.

What's for Dinner?

While ransacking a five-and-dime type shop I came across a stack of stainless cafeteria-style serving trays that I couldn't resist. Right away I envisioned lazy poolside dinners and outdoor barbecues, and for any finiky friends with Brumotactillophobia, well, their food will perfectly never touch!

Toronto-based photographer Brian Reiser's TV dinners inspire me to break out my new segmented beauties in lieu of everyday [read boring] plates.

Risky Business

I've been asked to write a monthly column for KL American, a small publication mailed to members of the American Association of Malaysia. While I've been knee-deep in writing, editing and racking my brain for article-worthy anecdotes about my life in KL, I was only sure of one thing: my first piece would celebrate my love for the wet market.

So the research began...

Months back I read about an elusive woman at one market who sells dragonfruit wine made in Johor state. On specific days she sets up shop hustling eggs and sweet treats, but hidden on the backside of her crate is a sign advertising the red wine. After a nearly 4 month investigation, I found her. I found her on a quiet, nondescript Friday morning perched in the courtyard's corner. I enthusiastically placed my order, sure as eggs is eggs this wine was going to turn my story into a magnum opus!

The following day I returned bright and early to make the RM49 exchange. The woman deserted her crate booth, strolled halfway across the market to an undisclosed location, crawled underneath a cabinet, and hurled my contraband into an opaque bag with a flick of the wrist. Meanwhile twenty loitering bystanders gave me the eye.

"Boy, do I have a surprise for you!" I gushed over the phone to our Kiwi friends. In less than one hour we were at their house, bottle in hand and proud as punch of our semi-smuggled stash — for research purposes, of course. Rachael cracked 'er open and grabbed a camera to document the awesomely odd occasion.


We gave a toast and took a swig. I believe that's about as far as any of us got to finishing the "wine." As the liquids burned the length of my esophagus, which at the time felt as long as a football field, so too went my pièce de résistance. You can be certain if I ever tout a suggestion or thrilling find, it's been field tested by me and my bribed willing guinea pigs; my credibility was not going down over this.

And if anyone says a writer's gig isn't life threatening, I'll assume they've never drank dragonfruit wine from Johor.