doublexuan

Photo

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 04:28:14 -0400

This is just breathless in its simplicity and...

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 03:05:23 -0500

This is just breathless in its simplicity and grandeur.

flavorpill:

The 20 Most Beautiful Bookstores in the world . This beauty is Selexyz Bookstore, Maastricht, Holland

What if I have a blog named what if...?

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 20:24:33 -0500

Sorry for the lack of updates. Here are the reasons why:

1) I just reached Singapore some days ago and was dragged into a whirlwind of Chinese New Year festive.

2) I am working on an awesome blog called “What if I have a blog named what if…?”. It is basically a blog illustrating various “what if” scenarios. I also have always had low-confidence in my handwriting so I tend to avoid illustrating anything text-based… but not anymore! With this blog I shall face it head first like a man!

Here is a little preview:

Why wait? Come join in the madness here!

SEASON TICKET Shoreditch Underground Art

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:38:00 -0500

So last month I visited SEASON TICKET presented by High Roller Society and Alex Daw.

I was greeted by a huge jaw.

These looks suspiciously like some character off Sesame Street. Just so you know, I have disliked the show my entire life. I will probably get a lot of hate out of this but I cannot see the appeal of awkward, non-aesthetically pleasing puppets talking about alphabets in squeaky or throaty strange voices.

Merry belated Christmas you all! Sorry for not being consistent with my posts lately. Will definitely be speeding up on my productiveness when I am back in Singapore in a week’s time. I have some projects in mind and I will be revamping my outdated website header (it’s not Christmas season anymore) soon!

Bird creature sketch.

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:47:00 -0500

I have always liked hand-drawn lines and so today I did a quick test to see how it would look like. I scanned in a pencil line drawing and colored in with Photoshop. I think a pen will work much better though. It is so much less time-consuming too… why didn’t I do this earlier?

nickthejam:

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:54:25 -0500

nickthejam:

Dreaming of 3.1 Philip Lim...

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 11:55:00 -0500

I am head over heels with this 3.1 Philip Lim collection. Pictures taken from Park&Cube, a gorgeous fashion blog.

I love these clay faces created by Tuesday Bassen. I do think...

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 07:44:43 -0500

I love these clay faces created by Tuesday Bassen. I do think that the bottom one resembles me! Click here to see more.

I love New York when...

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:53:00 -0500

What an awesome T-shirt slogan from Desigual.

“I love New York when i live in London but I dream of Barcelona.”

Replace Barcelona to Paris and we are all set (not that I mind Barcelona at all)! It is indeed true that London has made me miss the buzzing energy of New York. It is also the place where I had my first delicious macaroon from Almondine Bakery situated at Dumbo. On a side note, Ladurée is now open at 864 Madison Avenue, which means that New York is officially perfect!

Croissant craving in London.

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 12:01:00 -0500

I know I know, I have been moaning and groaning about croissants for way too long. Therefore I have decided to take matters into my own hands and find delectable croissants in London. I heard that Paul makes pretty good ones, and although I was a little skeptical since it is such a huge chain spread across France, UK and even in Singapore soon, I decided to give it a try.

Almond croissant! I must say it looks pretty good! It doesn’t taste like a block of fluffy airy butter like the one in Fauchon (which by the way is a good thing, a very very good thing), but not too much to complain about!

Paris withdrawal.

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 10:53:00 -0500

It has been 2 days since I left Paris. It was a solemn affair, to see the train take me away from the city of great food and intense culture. The only places for food on the way home in London was a few scattered fast-food joints and a couple of small supermarkets with a restrained amount of fresh produce. Exhausted and depressed, I ended up eating a microwavable dinner.

I had a lot of trouble getting Parisian croissants off my head. I understood that if I were to buy a random croissant across the street in this isolated London neighborhood, it would only encourage resentment. My next few meals consists of mainly salads. I figured that since good food isn’t rampant and within reach nearby, I should at least eat healthy.

All that remains of Paris are some ticket subs, a map, a Ladurée candle, and orange blossom flavored marshmallows (heavenly by the way). Oh, and also that patch of ugly bruise from falling on the Parisian road.

I dreamt of Paris...

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 07:29:00 -0500

Here I am inside the Eurostar train, looking forward to leave behind the non-functioning transport services and greasy fried food. It was a bright morning, always a positive start. Then, breakfast was served. Ah, don’t you just love train food? On the far left is a bread that can only be accurately described as tough rubber, which explains why my fragile jaws and teeth did not manage to work its way in for a bite. On the right of the plate is a half eaten croissant, gloriously cold and limp. In the middle sits a chocolate danish, left completely untouched, for I have given up on a hearty breakfast by then. I should have given the spiced apple yogurt some props for having a nice consistency. Unfortunately I am neither a fan of spices nor food that tastes Christmas-y.

I will stop boring you with the minuscule details of my train food and move on to the exciting parts. Like the part that I was about to reach Paris, the imagined love of my life. So, go to hell, bad non-Parisian croissant!

2 hours and 15 minutes later, I set foot at Gare du Nord light headed with a huge smile on my face, trying not to faint from happiness.

Here I am, in a random cafe at the station waiting for a friend, compensating my anxiety of having bad morning croissants with a beer and a sub-par crepe. But hey, the Parisian air makes everything taste better!

(Source: Dining In France)

We had lunch at Maxim’s, which was an oversight on my part, for the scene of this place in the movie “Midnight In Paris” doesn’t quite match up to reality. But who cares? I am in Paris!

Just across Maxim’s was the Christmas Market. It comprises of 2 never ending streets of repeating stores selling beautiful dried sausages, cheeses, mulled wine and children oriented rides.

The Louvre is insanely beautiful at night, just like everything else in Paris.

I adore the street lights.

If only I am given a penny every time someone says,”Watch out! Horse behind!”. Yes, I was almost trampled by horses a few times.

The person at the hotel recommended a restaurant nearby- Le Roi du Pot au Feu. I have always wanted to try Pot au Feu so this was perfect!

Ah, fatty bone marrow on bread. This was a memorable dinner. Lovely unassuming homely food in a cramped corner while more and more people squeezed in the place waiting for a table. I miss it already. This marks the end of Day 1.

That night, I dreamt about visiting Paris. Yes, I did dream of Paris while asleep in Paris. I did tell you I was obsessed didn’t I?

Day 2:

Waking up with a window facing an opposite wall of windows. i have stayed in a fair share of places with a view blocked by walls outside, and this is one instance which I do not mind. Did I mention that the area I am staying is called “Madeleine”? Ah, Paris is spoiling me with pretty and yummy names.

The next thing I am about to do holds a great deal of weight. Yes, I am about to fulfill another one of my lifelong dream, perhaps the biggest one of all- eating the perfect croissant. This is particular important especially after the travesty of the cold and limp train croissant.

I would love to give the designers of Fauchon interior and branding team a hug.

(Source: Midwestern Masticatory Musings)

No, I did not take this picture. I was too busy eating to care. This Fauchon almond croissant on the right my friend, is what heaven taste like. Accompanied with the hot chocolate, I have risen above heavens and back. Hands down the best breakfast of my life.

(Source: Fashion Beyond Fashion)

Some of you may know about my other obsession- Ladurée. There is one just across the street, beautiful and welcoming, but overcrowded with people and tourists. No, I refuse to be Team Ladurée then! Must be unique! Must look for other alternatives!

My rebellious spirit led me to Gérard Mulot, with various online promises that its macaroon triumphs over Ladurée’s. So I walked up to this humble looking shop, stripped off of any Marie Antoinette-ish romance that Ladurée exudes.

Gérard Mulot:

(Source: David Lebovitz)

I would love to say that I have found my new favorite macaroons (taste-wise), while frowning upon Ladurée’s sell-out status- but I am humbly crawling back to Team Ladurée after this.

Went pass Museum Pompidou. Apparently people queue for museum tickets here with the same passion as Singaporeans queuing for 80 percent discounts. It was a sight to behold but no, I am not spending half of my 3 day trip queuing in the cold.

Lunch was at this beautiful area which to be honest I have no idea where. You become indifferent to the beauty after a while, which is how it should be. I believe that beauty ought not be a luxury but a birthright.

Ok food… let’s move on, I am hungry looking at it already.

More pretty places… and then off to Le Musée de la Poupée. I have wanted to visit this doll museum for years and years... and I have just come to realize that most of my lifelong dreams are situated in Paris.

This middle doll in the polka dotted blue dress, though not from the best period in doll history, is my favorite of the day.

Dinner. We were recommended Chez Flottes, where I experienced the best butter of my life.

Day 3:

Breakfast at Café Madeleine. Everything tastes better with Nutella. I am starting to see a trend here. In Fauchon, they serve chocolate on the side of their hot chocolate. At Café Madeleine they serve madeleines alongside tea. So at Terre de Truffes, surprise surprise:

A truffle on the table??? They were smart enough to put a fake one.

Wonderful truffle soup.

Truffle risotto.

So, what do I think about Paris? Having someone there to communicate for me, my french vocabulary need not extend to more than “(oh here’s my food) Merci!” or “(here’s my macaroons) Merci!”. All these stories about rude Parisians, terrible service… What are they talking about? The only letdown was the lack of compulsory accordion french music lingering in the streets while you walk down the clobbered stones like how they show in the movies EVERY SINGLE TIME.

During the last 2 hours in Paris was the only time that I was left completely alone and unguided. Armed with my 1.5 years worth of French classes (did I mention I was last in class?), I braved my way back to my train station. For the first time I felt lost and confused, but I made it to the station in the end, though not before having a dramatic and embarrassing fall while crossing the road.

I was stuck at the train station for a while, and thus decided to stay in the station cafe. For the first time being left with little choice, I attempted to order a coffee with my own disgusting version of french, which led to a look of disdain from the waitress.

Ah so this is what they are talking about, the wrath of Parisians, experienced just right in time, 30 minutes before I leave the City of Light.

Thoughts before Paris.

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Coming from a city where relatively few train breakdowns can cause outrage and resentment among the citizens, London’s transport service is definitely one of the biggest culture shock I have ever received. During Christmas Day, all transport services stopped completely, including the tube and bus. It is then followed immediately by train disruptions on Boxing Day and Bank Holiday. The strikes and various engineering works at selected stations have also rendered the tube completely useless. I often wonder how do Londoners travel in such circumstances, or do they simply stay home, resigned?

Cabs are not rampant (at least not in my area), so the next best way is to book a minicab in advance. Those minicabs sadly, do not come in mini prices. Feeling an utter lack of confidence in the transport system and not wanting to miss my train to Paris, I decided to book a 30 pound cab earlier than needed to gain a buffer time in case any form of unexpected tragedy strikes. That also means that I had to wake up at an ungodly hour (6.30am).

Everything went well. Here I am in Eurostar, braving my 2 hours and 15 minutes train ride with the unavoidable cries of children and the complementary symphony of coughs that seem to to plague the country. I oscillate from furrowing my eyebrows as every noise threatens a knife through my zombie-like state, to smiling to myself every time I am reminded that I am indeed, going to set foot in Paris.

Check in for my next post on my review for Paris.

Paris.

Sun, 25 Dec 2011 09:50:00 -0500

Dear Mr Pilot,

I think I made a mistake. Please drop me off just a little further… yes that place with freshly-baked flaky croissants and perfect little macaroons.

I have never been one to be overly excited in anticipation when it comes to exploring new lands. Don’t get me wrong, I am generally happy once I reach there, but still my heart will be void of fluttering butterflies.

But Paris. I am in London but my heart and mind is in Paris. I think one of the reasons why I have put off my virgin trip to Paris is due to the fear of disappointment, shattering my long-held dreams on the grandeur and perfection the city offers. The truth however, will reveal itself in less than 2 days. My heart is pounding in suspenseful joy, while I read through other Paris “groupie” blogs such as A Moveable Beast and Hip Paris.

Sadly, my stay in Paris will only last for slightly less than 3 days. That gives me less than enough time to assimilate the air of the city (hopefully not harsh windy air). So, what should I do there? I have never been one who plan itineraries, though in this case, I am completely lost on what I should do there- I want to do EVERYTHING. I want to go to Centre Pompidou, Château de Versailles (I nearly had a heart attack looking at some selected Versailles exhibits at the MET in New York). What about paying my respects to Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir’s graves? What about Bonpoint, a kid’s clothing store I am so in love with that I actually dreamt about it?

I am torn between spending hours within the boundaries of a museum or similar establishments or simply discarding all itineraries to fulfill my primal (albeit cheesy) desires for Paris.

1) Freshly baked croissants in the morning (I have never eaten one good croissant in my life and is feeling rather sore about that).

2) Sitting al fresco at a cafe and ~~contemplating on my existential crisis~~ watching the world go by.

3) Having a salted caramel crepe while walking alongside the Seine.

4) Weaving aimlessly through random clobbered streets.

5) Eat delicious food to compensate for the fish & chips and my own badly cooked pasta in London.

6) Eat the best macaroons. (Even though the “best” macaroons are within reach in London and also other occasions, I have not been compelled to eat them. It is the french air that makes them alluring…)

I have also resolved not to get drunk in Paris. Only less than 60 hours in the city! No blurring out of consciousness! Must take in everything with alertness at all times!

And here I shall end (for now), my declaration of love for a city that I have never been.

My illustration promo postcards arrived!

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:34:00 -0500

I printed 500 postcards from Solopress yesterday at noon, and I received them today at about 3pm. They offer free delivery within London, and yes you literally receive them overnight right at your doorstep. How wonderful is that!

Pricing: I do find them a little pricey- 114 pounds (including VAT) for 500 postcards. However I have come to discover that printing (and everything else in general, except alcohol) is expensive here anyway. I guess I am just too spoilt by the good-for-value print shops in Singapore. Though honestly the fast delivery do make it worth the price.

Service: I had some trouble with uploading my files and payment, hard to say if it is due to some technical issues or a result of my own stupidity, but the staff at Solopress saw that I had some issues with checking out, and proceeded to call and assisted me through the whole thing, and everything was quickly resolved.

Quality: 400gsm on Silk postcards. I personally prefer uncoated paper, but for some reason I have trouble finding that in London. The printing quality is very professional, however I feel like hitting myself with a brick because the colors came out duller and darker than I anticipated. Can’t blame Solopress with that though, I forgot that colors come out darker in print.

All in all, I had a very positive experience with Solopress. I have never felt secure with online printing services, but this experience has put me to ease.

Illustration for Family Tree.

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 14:09:00 -0500

I love that Grandpa and Grandma are the roots of this family tree.

Fitzroy Tavern.

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 09:21:00 -0500

The Fitzroy Tavern is a public house situated at 16 Charlotte Street in the Fitzrovia district of central London, England, to which it gives its name.

It is currently owned by the Samuel Smith Brewery. It became famous (or arguably, infamous) during a period spanning the 1920s to the mid 1950s as a meeting place for many of London’s artists, intellectuals and bohemians such as Dylan Thomas, Augustus John, and George Orwell.

(wikipedia)

Fitzroy Tavern consists of 2 levels. The first level looks pretty much like an average English pub. The basement however, transports you 60 years back. It is old, slightly neglected, and extremely charming in my books.

We were the only ones at the basement. There is a non-functioning bar at the right of this picture. I love the booth seats!

Butterscotch sponge cake with ginger topping and warm custard.

I would love to go back again soon!

Work-in-progress.

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 08:44:41 -0500

It would be absolutely perfect if it isn’t 6 degrees without a working heater.

Preliminary drawing for Family Tree.

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 09:27:00 -0500

This is my interpretation of Family Tree. Check back to see how it looks like finished!

There is only one question: to use or not to use?

Sun, 11 Dec 2011 05:31:00 -0500

Yesterday, I was just ready to send out a number of emails when I thought, “Hey! I should do my own email signature!”.

And voila! Here it is. However after creating this, I am unsure if it is a wise idea to put a broccoli headed, sausagy thing with latex mermaid tights as my signature. What do you think?

(P.s. I just installed a comment box! Use it freely!)