Chic Delights

Happy Easter: From Tragedy to Hope

noreply@blogger.com (Chic Delights) — Sat, 20 Apr 2019 08:00:00 +0000

As we celebrate Easter this weekend, we reflect on the rising of Christ from his crucifixion and on the heartbreaking and shocking fire that engulfed the Cathedral de Notre Dame de Paris last Monday in Paris, France. As we all watched in horror the fire that burnt the roof of the cathedral, there was good news that emerged 12 hours later that the exterior foundation of the cathedral and the two north towers were saved by the firefighters. The excellent strategy and courage of the firefighters saved the total destruction of the cathedral which is the heart and soul of France and the French people. The first photos that emerged from the fire showed the main altar with its golden cross of Jesus, the Pieta with the Virgin Mary and the surrounding angels are all intact. Even the famous Rose stained windows are all intact. The fire fighter pastor was able to save the relics especially the crown of thorns, some priceless works of arts and the blessed sacraments. One of the miracles is that the copper rooster, symbol of France that was on the tip of the spire that burnt, was recovered and found to be slightly damaged. The rooster had the relics of St. Denis, St Genevieve and a thorn from the crown of thorns inside, placed to protect Paris. It was touching to see that there were french people praying on the streets of Paris for the Notre Dame. The hope here is that with collective effort, the cathedral will be rebuilt. We thank God, Mother Mary and the firefighters for saving the Notre Dame. We witness a miracle of the cross still standing and from this ruin, a united effort to rebuild which is truly a message of Easter.

Happy Easter!

Photos 2 to 6 from Reuters.

It's Finally Spring!

noreply@blogger.com (Chic Delights) — Sat, 23 Mar 2019 08:00:00 +0000

It's finally Spring time. Although here in Toronto, we do not have blooming flowers yet unlike in London which seems to be blooming now. One thing that is blooming here at home is the fashion all around town. At Holt Renfrew, Spring's fashion and trends are already out in full display. Of course there are the classic floral and printed styles in vibrant spring colours of red, pink, yellow, sky blue, greens and white. The trending colours for spring are the khakis in green and the classic beige. For spring, whilst it is still stylish to wear pink, it is also stylish and chic to wear khaki green paired with black or beige top. I hope you get inspired by Spring as this is a season of new beginnings, new style and it is a time to move forward with hope, positivity and enthusiasm.

H Project: Uncrate Southeast Asia

noreply@blogger.com (Chic Delights) — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 08:00:00 +0000

Let us take you shopping to see all of the wonderful products from South East Asia. Holt Renfrew Canada recently launched their fifth H Project called Uncrate South East Asia which celebrates the craftsmanship from South East Asian countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, among others. The products are carefully selected and curated based on their craftsmanship, sustainable fashion and contributes to economic growth in their various regions. Almost all of the products are handmade by the designer or the artisans and gives back to their communities. One of the products I purchased was the candle by Kandila Co. made with natural soy wax with Bergamot and Patchouli oil poured in reusable glass. This company is owned by Filipinos living in Australia. They donate 50% of their profits towards children's education in the Philippines. I love it that these products are handmade, made from sustainable materials and most of all gives back to their communities.

Shop Uncrate South East Asia at Holt Renfrew.

Love Beauty And Planet

noreply@blogger.com (Chic Delights) — Sat, 09 Mar 2019 09:00:00 +0000

This week I will launch a new feature on the Blog called Environment Product that will focus more on environmental and sustainable products. During this time of climate change, I have been more conscious of products that are environmentally focused, based on sustainability, recyclable and reducing their carbon footprint. One of the products that I discovered is Love Beauty And Planet which are sold here in Canada at Shopper Drug Mart. Love Beauty and Planet believes in producing their beauty products, particularly shampoos and conditioners, made from natural and organic ingredients like Bulgarian roses, lavender from Provence, Ylang-Ylang among other natural ingredients. Their goal is to use the least amount of water, reduce waste and use recycled containers. Their goal is to continue their research and commitment in further reducing their carbon footprint and waste. As stated on their products, there are no parabens and no guilt, not tested on animals and use organic and naturally sourced ingredients from around the world. Their shampoo smells so good and very soft on the hair. I am sharing below their 6 Goals for Beauty and Planet.

1. Sourcing ingredients responsibly: Examples of their products are Murumuru Butter & Rose and Argan Oil and Lavender.

2. Reducing waste : Their bottles are made with 100% recycled plastic with the commitment to further make their caps and pumps at least 50% made from recycled plastic by 2020.

3. Saving Water: Use technology to use less water on their products, making these shampoos and conditioners fast rinse.

4. Counting our footprints with honesty: I am impressed that this company is very conscious of their carbon footprint that they don't mind contributing to the carbon tax fund.

5. Love beauty and people for the planet project: They not only support the environment but they also support environmentalists.

6. To brave and benevolent beauty: Their commitment to make naturally sourced products that will contribute to make us beautiful and also our planet long lasting and beautiful.

To make you more beautiful and give a little love to our planet.

- Love Beauty And Planet

Vancouver: Cactus Club Cafe

noreply@blogger.com (Chic Delights) — Sat, 02 Mar 2019 09:00:00 +0000

One of my favourite restaurants in Vancouver, British Columbia in Canada is Cactus Club Cafe. This is a fine dining restaurant that offers a global cuisine mostly Asian fusion combined with Canadian and European dishes. One of their locations that I enjoyed during our visit was at the Coal Harbour as it has panoramic views of the Shore Mountains, Stanley Park and the Olympic cauldron during the 2010 Olympics. The restaurant also offer a view of the Harbour Air landing platform. We saw seaplanes depart and arrive from the Bay as we dined. Their food were really delicious with ingredients coming from the Northern Pacific Bay and farms. Their service was friendly and efficient. The restaurant have many different locations across British Columbia and all the way here to Toronto. It's a place worth to visit with great food and amazing views.

Schwartz's Charcuterie de Montréal

noreply@blogger.com (Chic Delights) — Sat, 23 Feb 2019 16:27:00 +0000

Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall there is always a long line up outside of Schwart'z Deli, the world famous smoked meat deli. The deli in Montréal is the oldest in Canada for over 90 years old still keeping the tradition preparing and serving the original smoked meat sandwich and Quebec's poutine which is french fries topped with cheese curd - originally produced in Quebec only and gravy. As the smoked meat was so tender that it just melts in the mouth and served generously on a sandwich. The restaurant is a small place and cannot handle big number of guests but it is worth the wait outside. This place is a food institution in Montréal and there's no other place to be for a smoked meat sandwich.

Street Art with a portrait of the legendary Leonard Cohen.

IceFest Toronto 2019: Hollywood North

noreply@blogger.com (Chic Delights) — Sat, 16 Feb 2019 09:00:00 +0000

It felt so good to finally get out despite the freezing and snowy winter. Last weekend, we had the Icefest Toronto at Bloor Yorkville celebrating this year Hollywood North. The event was very lively with DJ music, lots of food and drinks all served outdoors. Toronto has been the centre of film making of Hollywood here up North. There are numerous movies and made for TV movies that were shot on location in Toronto. Every summer in September, we have the Toronto International Film Festival with major Hollywood stars coming to town to present their films and interact with their audiences. It is just fitting that this year, the Ice Festival celebrated our Hollywood North through the artistry of ice.

Cultural Night At Silom Village

noreply@blogger.com (Chic Delights) — Sat, 09 Feb 2019 09:00:00 +0000

What a night we experienced at the Silom Village Trade Center, one of the popular cultural restaurants in Bangkok, Thailand. We had a night of shopping, ate authentic Thai food and was treated to a traditional Thai dance, music and costumes. The traditional Thai costumes were so colourful and made from luxurious Thai silk. The dancers danced so gracefully showcasing their traditional dances and music. Thai food was equally delicious and colourful with cooked vegetables, seafood, chicken combined with coconut milk and spices. It was a spectacular night of Thai culture and delicious food right in the heart of Bangkok.

Jungle Hotel: River Kwai Village Hotel

noreply@blogger.com (Chic Delights) — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 09:00:00 +0000

This winter week has been a week of snowy blizzards and freezing temperatures. How I wish that I am back in Thailand right in the heart of the jungle of Kanchanaburi staying at the River Kwai Village Hotel & Resort. The resort is located at the historic River Kwai, which was made famous during WWII. The prisoners of war by the Japanese from countries like UK, US and the Dutch were put into forced labour to build the railroad that transported the Japanese military ammunition and soldiers. All of that is history now as this place has been revitalised as a tourist area for relaxation and recreation. The resort is in the middle of the jungle and offers many amenities including swimming, kayaking and even has a fish spa and hot springs. Many local Thais from Bangkok usually come up here in the jungle resort to relax and enjoy the cooler breeze of the mountains. Now, I will always enjoy the more warmer and humid temperature of the tropics.

Thai Summer Palace: Bang Pa-In Palace

noreply@blogger.com (Chic Delights) — Sat, 26 Jan 2019 09:00:00 +0000

One of the beautiful places to visit in Ayuttaya is the Bang Pa-In Royal Palace, a summer royal palace for the Thai Royal family. The Bang Pa-In is a complex of buildings used by the Royal Family for their recreation and entertainment. As we walked along the well trimmed gardens, there are various buildings built in traditional Thai and European style buildings. The whole complex is well maintained and has an ambiance that is peaceful, comfortable, informal and elegant. It's a modern palace complex that is worth a visit outside of Bangkok.

Weekend In The Ancient Ruins of Ayuttaya

noreply@blogger.com (Chic Delights) — Sat, 19 Jan 2019 09:00:00 +0000

I am one of those travellers who enjoy visiting ancient ruins and learning about their history. During our visit in Thailand, we visited the ancient city of Ayuttaya to see the ancient ruins of the Wat MahaThat, Temple of the Golden Relic, believed to be built by Thai Kings since 736 to the 1400s to store the relics of the Buddha, the most revered in their Buddhism religion. Despite it's beauty, holiness and majesty, tragedy struck during the Thai-Burma war in the 17th Century. The Burmese army burnt the temples and the prangs, even beheaded a Buddha statue. But nature knows better than the destroyer, that not everything can be destroyed, as the head of the Buddha survived to this present day, wrapped by the roots of an ancient Bunyan Tree. The monastery is an ancient ruin now and we saw all the damage and destruction in the remaining statues, prangs and temples. There is still beauty and lots of history all around. Even up to now, Thai families, friends and couples, come here dressed in their traditional Thai silk costumes to have their photographs taken amidst their historical ancient ruins.

The famous Buddha's head wrapped by roots of the Bunyan Tree.

Discovering Jim Thompson In Bangkok

noreply@blogger.com (Chic Delights) — Sat, 12 Jan 2019 09:00:00 +0000

During our visit to Bangkok, Thailand, we discovered the famous Jim Thompson Thai silk stores in the historic and luxurious Mandarin Oriental Bangkok. Jim Thompson was an American businessman and allegedly a CIA spy who helped revitalise the Thai silk industry in the 1950s and 1960s. He lived in Thailand in the now famous House On The Klong which is now a museum that displays his collection of Thai furniture and fabrics. There is a great mystery on the disappearance of Jim Thompson from Malaysia's Cameron Highlands on Sunday March 26, 1967 as his body was never seen again. His legacy remains on the retail stores under his name all around Thailand continuing the high quality and design of Thai silk scarves, bags, clothes, accessories and home decor. A trip to Thailand will not be complete without bringing home one of his products as an elegant souvenir.

Read about our visit to the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok Hotel.

Gucci For Home

noreply@blogger.com (Chic Delights) — Sat, 05 Jan 2019 09:00:00 +0000

It's finally the New Year 2019, new beginnings, new trends both in fashion and for the home. One of the luxury brands that is expanding to luxury home decor and furniture is the brand new Gucci Decor collection ranging from luxury candles, throw pillows to furniture like tables and chairs. The whole collection is now in Canada at the Holt Renfrew stores. All decorated with Gucci floral wallpaper and mannequins dressed head to toe in nothing else but Gucci. I would love to have the throw pillows, the side tables and the chairs with the embroidery message "Loved" with the design of the bee. I am just thankful and feeling blessed that after many years of sharing on this blog that I can share chic, delightful and luxurious fashion, travel and lifestyle stories with you all. Here's wishing you all love, peace, joy, prosperity and excellent health in the New Year!

All Is Bright This New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (Chic Delights) — Sat, 29 Dec 2018 09:00:00 +0000

Toronto the tallest Christmas Tree decorated with Swarovski crystals and always towering over the Eaton Centre Mall so tall and bright. Besides the Christmas tree, there are several gigantic and bright reindeer towering over the mall and shoppers. It makes everyone look up and admire this charming display of brightness all over the shopping mall during the Holidays. Just like this coming New Year, we remember the lyrics of Silent Night: all is calm, all is bright...sleep in heavenly peace. May we enter the New Year with hope that everything will be turn out calm and bright, have joy, love, peace and trusting in the magic of new beginnings in our lives and all around us.

Happy New Year!

Christmas In the Neighbourhood

noreply@blogger.com (Chic Delights) — Sat, 22 Dec 2018 09:00:00 +0000

I love the Christmas season in my neighbourhood, east of Toronto. Every Christmas season there are many families who decorate their houses to the max. Lighting their houses with the symbols of Christmas from the manger when Jesus was born together with Mother Mary, St Joseph, angels, all the way to Santa Claus and the Toy Soldiers. All decorations in colourful lights which brings joy and delight to both adults and children. Christmas is a time to see the beauty, peace and love all around us. I am wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and may this season be bright and happy to everyone.

We wish you a Merry Christmas!

Christmas Windows Bloor-Yorkville

noreply@blogger.com (Chic Delights) — Sat, 15 Dec 2018 09:00:00 +0000

It's that time of the year that every luxury shop at the Bloor-Yorkville area of Toronto are all decorated with Christmas cheer windows. Every window are so colourful and festively displayed their goods in creative ways. Despite the cold, I enjoy walking around Bloor Street, known as the Mile High, for it's kilometre long array of luxury shops to view all of these Christmas windows. Just seeing them brings joy and childlike enthusiasm to my spirit and mood.

Holt Renfrew Christmas windows.

Harry Rosen.

Coach Christmas windows.

Dolce & Gabbana Christmas window.

Sephora Christmas window.

Holiday Magic At Bloor-Yorkville

noreply@blogger.com (Chic Delights) — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 09:00:00 +0000

Toronto is celebrating Christmas with Holiday Magic at Bloor-Yorkville. The park is decorated with holiday lights and sparkle everywhere. To see these lights bring joy to everyone around. We may be busy shopping Christmas gifts for everyone dear to us but remember to stop and see the spectacular sparkling lights around that reminds us to celebrate some holiday magic.

Enjoy the Holiday Magic!

The Santa Claus Parade

noreply@blogger.com (Chic Delights) — Sat, 01 Dec 2018 09:00:00 +0000

Here comes Santa Claus finally in the original Santa Claus Parade in Toronto held two weekends ago. The coming of Santa Claus into town signals the start of the Christmas season. A parade of colourful and animated floats and musical bands played live Christmas music in downtown Toronto to joyful and excited children and adults. Here are photos taken by my cousin Eric Gorospe as he captured the parade through his childlike eyes. It reminds us to always keep the childlike wonder and enthusiasm inside us in all seasons.

Photo credits: Eric Gorospe

Afternoon Tea At The Mandarin Oriental Bangkok

noreply@blogger.com (Chic Delights) — Sat, 24 Nov 2018 09:00:00 +0000

One of the most elegant, historic and luxurious hotel in Bangkok is The Mandarin Oriental Hotel. The hotel is a five star Luxury Hotel along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. It is easily accessible through it's complimentary hotel boat shuttle coming from the Metro Station. The Hotel has an Old Asian luxurious ambiance, complete with a dress code of flip flops, tank tops, backpacks, casual shorts were all not allowed within the hotel property. When we visited, we made sure to stop by for their legendary Afternoon Tea where even Royalty like the late Emperor of Japan, the late Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco, the late Princess Diana with Prince Charles have visited. Everything about our Afternoon Tea experience was so luxurious, dressy, elegant and the food was so delicious. This experience will always stay with me from our visit in Bangkok.

The Best Street Food In Asia

noreply@blogger.com (Chic Delights) — Sat, 17 Nov 2018 09:00:00 +0000

Bangkok is well known for having the best street food in Asia. During our visit last month, our first stop was at Chinatown where their famous Street Food was on full show. As we arrived, the locals walked around side by side with tourists to shop and taste the various street food. Besides the crazy traffic on the road, the vendors were so friendly and busily cooked their food to sell and present to buyers. The food looked so fresh, delicious and so colourful. Everything on this street was like an entertainment showcase of local Thai and Chinese food for our eyes and stomach to delight and feast on. Despite the heat and humidity, never miss to visit this delicious gourmet part of Bangkok.

Temples Of Wat Pho and Wat Arun

noreply@blogger.com (Chic Delights) — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 09:00:00 +0000

During our visit to Bangkok, we were fascinated to visit the Buddhist temples of Wat Pho, known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha and Wat Arun, known as the Temple of Dawn along the Chao Phraya River. The Wat Pho, should be one of the wonder of the world as it has the biggest reclining Buddha ever built in the world. It's a huge Buddha in gold. Then the temple is surrounded by stupas pointing all the way up to the heaven, made in colourful porcelains which usually holds the ashes of monks or Thai Royalty. Visiting these temples truly gave us an experience into the wisdom, tranquillity and peace of Buddhism and the grandeur of Thai culture and architecture.

Temple of Wat Arun

View of Temple Wat Arun from the Chao Phraya River.

Bangkok View from the Chao Phraya River

noreply@blogger.com (Chic Delights) — Sat, 03 Nov 2018 08:00:00 +0000

We just completed our tour of Thailand this month. Our first stop was the capital city of Bangkok which is known for its Buddhist temples with golden Buddha, Royal Grand Palace, street food and the famous Chao Phraya river which snakes around the city. The Chao Phraya river has a network of boat filled transport for regular commuters without the congested traffic on the local roads around the city. All of the five star International Hotels including the Ramada Plaza Menam Riverside Hotel, where we stayed, are situated along the river and has their own private boat shuttle to transfer their guests to the major Metro station. Travelling by boat along the river is so convenient and very scenic including a sighting of a crocodile on the river. Riding a boat along the river truly shows the essence of Bangkok.

Fall Fashion Style

noreply@blogger.com (Chic Delights) — Sat, 27 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000

Here comes Fall again with its cooler temperatures, falling leaves and colour hues in golden brown, yellow, red, green and orange. For this year the trends at Holt Renfrew are black with a touch of pink and gold at Chanel, lots of prints including floral prints at Gucci, plaid print on coats and cropped pants together with ankle boots. During the time I was shopping here, I spotted a fashionable and chic lady dressed in luxurious fur vest, knee high boots and her extra large Hermes Birkin which truly shows that this is the time to wrap up and dress up in chic warm Fall clothes, bags and boots.

Manolo Blahnik: The Art Of Shoes

noreply@blogger.com (Chic Delights) — Sat, 06 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000

This weekend Canada celebrates Thanksgiving long weekend with family and friends remembering all of our blessings and being grateful over a traditional meal of turkey, vegetables and apple pie or pumpkin pie for dessert. It is a filling weekend full of laughter, good time and delicious food. This long weekend could also be full of art and fashion by visiting the current exhibition at the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto to view the current spectacular exhibition of Manolo Blahnik: The Art Of Shoes. The exhibit shows Manolo Blahnik's inspiration in his craft of designing shoes. There are displays of his drawings of the shoes which look like paintings from a master down to the actual production of the shoes. Wearing his shoes is one of my favourite because the design is so creative and the craftsmanship is impeccable. The shoes are super light that wearing Manolos is like wearing nothing. Besides shoes, Manolo shared his inspiring advise on how to live our life. As Carrie Bradshaw in Sex In The City said "You can never have too many pairs of shoes."

#1 Always Look Impeccable

#2 Always check Everything At Least Twice

#3 Remember To Have Fun

#4 Be Curious

#5 Keep Going!

#6 Be True To Your Style

Bata Shoe Museum

May 6, 2018 to January 6, 2019

Celebrating Louis Vuitton 35 Years In Toronto

noreply@blogger.com (Chic Delights) — Sat, 29 Sep 2018 08:00:00 +0000

Toronto is celebrating this month of September with the first ever Louis Vuitton Time Capsule Exhibition to commemorate 35 years of Louis Vuitton in our city. What a way to celebrate this special relationship with our city with a mobile and spectacular exhibit showcasing the history of the maison from 1858 when it started as a luxury maker of leather trunks for travelling to presently one of the most sought after luxury and stylish fashion in clothes, shoes, bags and accessories. The whole exhibition is free and this weekend is the last weekend for this show in our city. After the exhibition, there is a store right inside Union Station to purchase Louis Vuitton travel and fashion books. Louis Vuitton never fails to impress, even choosing the Union Station to truly showcase their long tradition of travel and adventure not only in fashion but also in our lives.

From Trunk Travel to modern four wheel roller luggage.

Zinc travel trunks.

Plastic fabric leather boxes from Autumn - Winter 2015-2016.

Madonna for Louis Vuitton.

Free Admission till 30 September 2018

Union Station

65 Front St West

Toronto, Ontario