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Having a phase with lounge chairs.

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Best Albums of the Decade

One thing I've been doing with fervour in the last few weeks of 2019 was ploughing through 'Best of' lists. Best films, best books, songs... albums. It was a result of moments of FOMO that I was experiencing, and also anticipation on whether I've been in the loop on the good stuff that the world has been offering. I ended up with long lists of things to listen to, read and watch - and I'm not complaining. I love having something to dive into, things to explore, and new favourites. What got me most excited were new and old musicians I've discovered in these lists. And that's when I realised that for the whole of this decade, I've committed to finding music I'll love. I've a strange preference when it comes to music, and to be honest it's hard to find friends who'd appreciate the music I love. Enjoying music has seen been a lone affair - be it hunting for new music, listening to albums or attending concerts. My early days of hunting for music was through Bandcamp, where I would download any free digital album I could find within the genres of indie and alternative. Then a few years later Spotify came along, and my life changed completely. I decided that paying $7 a month for good music is worth it, and honestly it's one of the best decisions I've made in life. Every Monday, I start the week with the 'Discover Weekly' playlist that recommends new tracks based on music I've been listening to. And since the March of 2018, I've started to create bi-monthly playlists to curate tracks that I love in those weeks. I got so excited when Spotify introduced Wrapped in 2017, where it recapped tracks you've replayed for the year. I still love the songs in my 2017 playlist and they bring back so many memories. Perhaps it has to do with the way I live with music - music has always been with me at every episode, good and bad. Because I enjoy music alone, I put on my earpiece during commutes, walks, work, in the toilet, travels, after quarrels, before meetings. The songs I've been listening to somehow has a connecting image of an event that happened in life. Yesterday when I was browsing through my playlists, I realised that I want to do up this post to thank the music that has defined my life from age 16-26. It's in this decade that I figured out music I truly love, and learnt how to lean on music for comfort. So here goes, my 10 best albums from this decade.

The King of Limbs Radiohead, 2011 I'm lucky to chance upon Radiohead in my mid-teens. I don't know how it happened but it did, and Radiohead went on to define what quality means. I guess that's how mainstream music fell off my radar very quickly from then onwards. It took me a while to fall in love with this album, but the musicality and skills of the band shone through with this album. The layers and textures they offer with their songs are always so spell-binding, and it led me to appreciate genres like alternative, experimental, eletronica etc. Favourite tracks: Bloom, Lotus Flower, Give Up The Ghost

Coexist The XX, 2012 The XX's distinct sound really proves that composing music is a work of balance. Their sound is clean and minimal, yet textured and dense. It has just about the right amount of everything. Coupled with Romy Madley Croft's etheral voice and Oliver Sim's deep and husky vocals, The XX is pure magic. I recall being completely swept away when I first discovered their works. Favourite tracks: Chain, Tides, Unfold

Woman Rhye, 2013 I found it unbelievable that the vocals behind this album are from a man when I first listened to this album. It has a similar etheral quality to The XX's sound, but with the vocals and lyrics, I remember feeling a lot of sadness when listening to it. Woman made me feel really lonely and lost, and I used to play The Fall just to have a cry in my room. Favourite tracks: Open, The Fall, One Of Those Summer Days

Midnight Snack HOMESHAKE, 2015 HOMESHAKE is one of my best finds through Spotify. I think I started listening to Mac DeMarco's Salad Days and this was later introduced as a recommendation. This album, along with In The Shower have significantly shaped the rest of the music I've discovered through the app. I'm now listening to a lot of lo-fi, blues, dream pop and psychedelia. And it's the start of what my friends call 'music you listen to when you are high' haha. I don't know what that exactly feels like, but from HOMESHAKE's music, you'll seem to be able to catch a whiff of it. Also, a special mention to my top 3 tracks of all-time - Midnight Snack that's featured in this album. I just want to close my eyes to this song and gently sway along with it. Oh, please. Feelin' like I'm falling asleep. Not ready to visit my dreams. Nothing in the world let me feel. Alone, while she's here next to me. Favourite tracks: I Don't Wanna, Midnight Snack, Real Love

Skiptracing Mild High Club, 2016 Mild High Club brings a little jazz to lo-fi psychedelia, and I also love the vintage 80s vibe he layers the tracks with. I felt Brettin managed to create a unique sound that I really haven't found anywhere else. Mild High Club's debut album Timeline is a favourite as well. Favourite tracks: Skiptracing, Cary Me Back, Chapel Perilous, Kokopelli

Ego Death The Internet, 2015 The Internet are the ones who introduced me to hip hop, soul and funk music. I listened to this album heavily when a friend got us free tickets to Laneway where The Internet would be performing. It's an album that makes you want to stand up and groove along to the beats. Syd's laid-back but delicate vocals also makes The Internet's sound even more appealing. Favourite tracks: Get Away, Under Control, Go With It, Just Sayin/I Tried

Currents Tame Impala, 2015 Another band with a really distinct yet familiar sound. It feels more futuristic, almost foreign, and the narratives to the songs are also pretty fresh - on sexism, courage to tackle the unknown, embracing change.. It's an album that's high in contrast, colourful and very self-aware. It feels like it could be the soundtrack for Star Trek haha, the visuals just go so well with how I've experienced this album. Favourite tracks: The Less I Know The Better, Yes I'm Changing, The Moment

Cold Shower Triathalon, 2015 Triathalon is officially my artist of the decade based on Spotify's statistics. And it's true, I love all their albums and I've faithfully followed this very indie band for quite a while. I gave them a shout-out on Instagram to celebrate the status as artist of the decade and they so kindly replied me with "Yooo *prayer hands emoticon* *heart emoticon*" haha! Cold Shower is more of an EP, and I love all 4 tracks. It's so smooth, so groovy, so easy. Slow jams that stole my whole heart. Favourite tracks: South Side, I Want It, Come Thru, Smooth Move (hahaha yes, it's everything)

Drowsy Bane's World, 2016 "Dreamy psychedelic bedroom pop" is how fans defined Blanchard's sound. I didn't listen to this album in a seating - I was recommended various tracks one after the other and I only recently realised they are all from the same album. Some tracks are fun and cute (Still Lovely, You Bet I Stare), while others feel really eerie or melancholic (Dream Boat, Drowsy). It also took me a while to fall in love, but now I'm hooked. I've to say I do agree that his music is really strange - but it all just feels together and in the end they sit well. Favourite tracks: Dream Boat, Valentine's Curse, Stay Away From My Baby

Déjàvu Matty, 2018 I remember feeling really excited when I discovered Matty. It's the typical high-and-slightly-off pitch voice I found familiar with HOMESHAKE and Tame Impala, but he offers it with really beautiful compositions from instruments other than lo-fi keyboards and synthesizers. For some tracks I felt I was watching a movie unfolding while listening to them. A great find that wraps up my decade! Favourite tracks: I'll Gladly Place Myself Below You, Clear, Butter

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Take Five/25

It's been a while. Wishing for cold seasons here so that I can dress up and look like a bear.

Images from @fundachristophersen, @mvb, @livebetterplo, @commonmuseco and @jju_yo.

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I filmed, but I didn’t think I would compile a vlog with these footage from May. Went back to them a week ago and they made me remember how beautiful the trip was. Keeping them as a story will be worth it. I hope you’ll enjoy them as well.

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Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai

In May this year, we visited Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai for a little over a week. I went with a group of secondary school friends. We meet once or twice in a year, but it's one of those cliques that you know you will always keep in touch even if you don't get to meet them frequently. We had been discussing going on a trip and eventually decided on Chiang Mai since it offered a good mix of relaxation and activities. The nearby Chiang Rai also had a few sites worth visiting. Well we didn't know that it would hit 40 degrees in May, but otherwise it was still a good decision because I really loved the pace of life there. I remember our first night at a Chiang Mai night market, where we watched the locals dancing together at a square, while others ate and moved along with the music. I felt wonderful amongst them. It felt like everyday was a celebration, and you don't need a huge reason to put on your makeup and party dresses. You head out and have a good time whenever you feel like it. There's life everywhere - even in the 40-degree weather. I've shared some places I've visited on Instagram and in this vlog, but finally - here's a massive post that consolidates my favourite spots in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Chiang Mai Other than temples and night bazaars, Chiang Mai also has some of the cosiest cafés and shops. If you're a lover of home decor and tableware, there will be lots of shopping for you to do. Baan Kang Wat This is easily one of my favourite places in Chiang Mai. Baan Kang Wat is a little art village that houses a book café, restaurant and shops selling handmade crafts like baskets, jewellery, leather goods etc. It might seem a little far off on the map, but Uber there is really affordable so it won't hurt your wallet to travel there. Gateway Coffee Roasters You'll see bags of fresh coffee beans piled up once you walk into this café. They are known for their quality beans and I bought a bag home to enjoy. I loved how they decorated the space with beautiful wooden furniture. Khagee Another cosy café, Khagee is a popular spot for their homemade bakes. We enjoyed a scone, a canelé and a custard puff during our visit. I've also written up a post specially for Khagee here. Enough For Life Enough For Life is a café, a shop and a guest house all at once. We easily spent half a day there because we spent so much time deciding what to bring home and what to let go. If I could, I might really bring the whole shop home haha. They have a curated collection of secondhand homeware and tableware, and I brought home a few vases and bowls. Enough For Life also deserves a post on its own, so more pictures will follow! One Nimman I love the architecture of this place and its curation of shops. The glass roof at the main walkway invites light to fall in; the brick walls, wooden pillars and clock tower also make you feel like you've stepped into the streets of Italy while shopping there. There are also a few unique boutique shops right beside One Nimman. Take your time when visiting One Nimman and its neighbourhood, it's worth spending a slow afternoon there. Rivers and Roads A little shop tucked along an alley, Rivers and Roads carries a mix of secondhand objects and items made by local craftsmen. It's one of those homey shops where you'll end up striking a conversation with the shopkeeper and find it comfortable to touch and browse the items there. I found a vintage rectangular-shaped basket there which I still love it dearly. Rustic and Blue This is a café made for your Instagram stories haha. But other than that, I've to say that the food's pretty good and affordable. I'd prefer the mains to their bakes. POR POR was our choice of accommodation, thanks to @mossingarden's recommendation. It's a modern and minimal boutique hotel and I loved the touches of greenery there. The pool was my favourite of all. I can't swim, but it was still really nice to take a dip in the morning and chill by the deck. The only thing was that the mosquitoes bothered us so much during our stay. It might be because of the climate, I wasn't sure. But do request to stay at the upper floors if you can to avoid the bugs.

Chiang Rai We decided to stop by Chiang Rai since it was a few hours' drive away from Chiang Mai. It's recommended that you book a tour when in Chiang Rai, since most of the sites are only accessible by car. We booked a tour through the hostel and were lucky enough to meet a grandpa who brought us around to some of the most beautiful and hidden spots. He didn't do much talking since he's not fluent in English, but from his excitement, you could tell how proud he was to show us some of the sites. And I'm eternally grateful for his patience when he waited for us at the pottery haha. I'm pretty sure he didn't expect that we would spend hours there looking at ceramics! That said, there were SO many temples and we got really tired from visiting them. Most tours are flexible, so I'd recommend the White Temple and Black House as the must-visits, and you can skip the rest if you'd like to enjoy other activities. Wat Rong Khun, The White Temple I still don't know how the locals managed to build such a intricate temple. It's owned and built by Chalermchai Kositpipat, who spent his whole life working on the temple. The temple is very well taken care of, and the shade of white brings an element of surreality when you visit it in real life. Baandam Museum, The Black House I personally love the Black House though it's architecturally very different from the White Temple. The Black House reminded me of influences of zen and Japanese wabi-sabi with its dark wooden building, unpolished sculptures and rock formations. It's interesting to know that some found it creepy or even gothic (perhaps because of the displays of animal skins and remains). I was just mesmerised by the textures and muted colours of the space. Doi Din Dang Pottery I don't think this pottery was in the initial itinerary but our guide brought us there and I was so grateful for that. Got to see some of the potters working on their craft and I brought home a few of their beautiful pieces which I still don't bear to use. Their teapots and cups are definitely worth collecting if you are a fan of tea or sake. Mae Fa Luang Mae Fa Luang is a humble garden complex. It's hard to be blown away by gardens anymore after you've visited Singapore, but Mae Fa Luang had this homely feeling to it. It's almost like visiting your aunt's garden, a garden where she had devoted most of her life pruning and taking care of the plants, and invitingly opens its doors for all neighbours to viist. Choui Fong Tea Plantation Perhaps because of the melting weather, we had the whole plantation to ourselves when we visited. I appreciated that they added a deck around a huge old tree that was rooted in between the plantation, instead of hacking it down. That tree and deck added a beautiful touch to the greenery. I recall the five of us, sitting on the edge of the deck, looking towards the plantation - almost like a scene in those Taiwanese art house films haha. May we never forget the adventures of our youth. This is a very long post and I know I'm tired after having to look up the thesaurus for words other than 'beautiful' haha. I hope you'll find it useful though! Chiang Mai is truly a gem of Thailand and I enjoyed its balance of culture and craft. Take your time when you're there - there will definitely be a piece of Chiang Mai that you'll end up bringing home.

[stylohotmilo]

Take Five/24

Black and ivory.

Images from @larcf, @yyjeeo, @commonmuseco, and @ouswe.

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Khagee

I almost gave this café a miss when we visited Chiang Mai back in May. But a dear friend insisted that I had to go to Khagee because it was the best café she's visited. And when the cab reached the door of Khagee, I could easily see why. It's a humble café - no fancy interior or furniture, and the menu is small. But it's a beautiful space and homely space. We ordered iced coffee to escape the 40 degree weather, and also a scone, a canelé and a custard puff with a golden glaze. Small bites, a sip of coffee, and feeling the warmth of the sun's rays. That was a wonderful afternoon break. I've also put together a vlog for this Thailand trip. View here.

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KHAITE Luggage

I've been searching for an everyday leather bag for the longest time but I've still yet to find one that I know I will keep forever. I found KHAITE's Luggage collection during my search and the Envelope Pleat Tote is just the most luxurious bag that has completely stolen my heart. It's only available for pre-order, and at a hefty price tag that's way out of my budget (so I can only dream about it) but I keep going back to the site just to take a look at it whenever I'm almost going to make do with a high-street fake leather bag. This will keep away all the distractions.

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Take Five/23

It's spring.

Images from @commonmuseco, @mari_giudicelli, @jwon______, @heesungahn and @tamumcpherson.

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Hat Yai

We went on a family trip to Thailand, Hat Yai last year. Hat Yai sits at the border of Thailand and Malaysia and my dad told me that it used to be frequented by Singaporeans for a quick retreat. But it seemed like the city has changed in the past 10 to 20 years. Most of the restaurants and streets were deserted for most part of the day. It's still full of local flavours though - I enjoyed our excursions to the local markets and temples. I hope they won't be forgotten.

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Lemaire Fall 2019

It's been a while since I've fallen in love with such a strong ready to wear collection. So many great pieces and the styling is just perfection.

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Oh drip drip drip drip...

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In Praise Of Shadows

Photo by Fan Ho I suppose it is hard for those who praise the fleshy beauty we see under today's bright lights to imagine the ghostly beauty of those older women. And there may be some who argue that if beauty has to hide its weak points in the dark it is not beauty at all. But we Orientals, as I have suggested before, create a kind of beauty of the shadows we have made in out-of-the-way places. There is an old song that says 'the brushwood we gather - stack it together, it makes a hut; pull it apart, a field once more.' Such is our way of thinking, we find beauty not in the thing itself but in the patterns of shadows, the light and the darkness, that one thing against another creates. - Junichirō Tanizaki, In Praise Of Shadows

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Alma Stack Rings

New favourite - Alma Stack Rings by Common Muse.

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Beetroot Chickpea Hummus

Decided to try making some hummus at home to satisfy my pre-dinner snack cravings. Carrot sticks dipped in hummus is one of my favourite healthy snacks. I was pleasantly surprised when I found out that it's pretty easy to make hummus at home. You'll just need a food processor, a can of chickpea, tahini, garlic, some salt and a lemon. I threw in some raw beetroot as well after seeing a friend's Instagram story that featured beetroot hummus. It's a brilliant idea since beetroot is so affordable and it adds a certain sweetness to the hummus. I love raw beetroot but if you don't, roast it before you purée it for even more sweetness! Beetroot Chickpea Hummus Makes around 1.5 cups Ingredients 1/2 can of chickpeas (uncooked) 1/2 beetroot, raw with skin peeled or roasted (chopped, roughly 120g) A clove of garlic (roughly chopped) 1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice 1/4 cup of tahini (find this at the peanut butter section) Salt to taste 2 to 3 tbsps of water (depending on consistency of your hummus) Steps 1. In your food processor, add in the tahini, lemon juice and process till they mix smoothly. You'll need to scrape the sides and fold the mixture in now and then to smoothen it. You should get a creamy consistency before moving to the next step. 2. Add in the chopped garlic and a pinch of salt next. Continue to blend the mixture till smooth. 3. Rinse your chickpeas and add them into the mixture. Start blending again and remember to fold the mixture in now and then. Then add the chopped beetroot in slowly, making sure that the mixture is well blended. Do this slowly - don't add in all the beetroot at once! Go ahead and add a few tablespoons of water if you need it smoothen it further. The end consistency should resemble a spread (slightly thicker than cream cheese). And that's it! If you'd like to store it, make sure to keep it in an airtight container and refrigerate it. It's recommended that you finish it in 4 days. If it starts to smell sour and you spot water seeping out from the hummus, that's time to throw the hummus away.. So make sure you finish before then! Other than using it as a dip, another way to use up your hummus is to pair it with your salads or spread it on your wrap. I grilled a steak and made myself some tacos with the hummus as a spread. I didn't really have to marinate the steak, the taco was full of flavours with the beetroot chickpea hummus and some parsley (coriander is fine as well). I also added some Japanese cucumbers for an extra crunch. I think pickled onions will go with this really well too, but I'm already contented with mine.

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Take Five/22

Pink daze.

Images by @darby_gray, @aj_duan, @lifeofboheme and @needyourlight.