I’m not a fan of selling trend, but I cannot deny that outside manufacturing, culture moves collectively no matter who you are. Everyday affects us, and our tradition, generation, interests, and elements influence what we wear. For Pimkie, the live “Color Forecaster” reveals what colors are currently popular in major fashion capitals such as Paris, Milan, and Antwerp. The fun bit of this is, you can see how “trendy” a culture is to the carefully planned out, and promoted trends of the industry or to themselves as a culture. Watch it enough, and you’ll then see how individualistic cultures wear each color…

Maybe use this as a way also, to ask “What color should I not wear today?” No one should look to blend in, just be yourself!

Tonight, I’m heading over to East London, to see one of my favorite Japanese bands: Trippple Nippples. In the fifth part of the documentary, you can peak into the brilliance that goes into their art of performance. And, if you’re in town, RSVP on Facebook.

Start getting used to the idea that everything (mainly manufactured) in the near future will be “Printed”. Including your food! Chocolate is the start of the hyped 3D tech leaking into the edible department. Invented last year, University of Exeter’s Dr. Ling Hao, has finally released the “Choc Creator” to sell. I predict these will be raved about in Japan for “Giri-Choco” (義理チョコ) or even more so, “Honmei Choco” (本命チョコ) on Valentine’s Day.

Pure extravagance, is Versailles. A trip one must take when in Paris and perhaps more than once. I felt rushed on my tour, as it was just the main rooms. There are more you may book- but we took the one most convenient for our four day trip. I’m a fan of minimalism, but Versailles is a place of inspiration.



With the layering of wallpaper under golden crown molding, marble lining the arches, and sculptures adorning the painted ceilings- one may feel overwhelmed. But, alas, Versailles does it perfectly somehow. When entering the King’s chamber, flowers of gold fill vases, and the colors of fiery sun dominate.



Upon the Queen’s room, pink florals merge with fleur-de-lis, and wardrobes carved with Egyptian treasures stand beside the bed. Along the walls, secret passages Marie Antoinette had escaped through are open yet gated off. A peak through one certainly causes the urge to plan a second trip- for the viewings of Antoinette’s private apartments.


When making your way out to the vast garden and “Little Venice” lake, flowers differ depending on the season. And further beyond, are the playhouses of the royals such as Marie Antoinette’s cottage.

It’s difficult to avoid tourism when diving deep into Florence. The historic sights need to be seen at least once, and if you do not know any locals- those calm side streets are a bit of a time risk to explore. I did my fair share winding up and down residential roads and alleyways full of arches- but all that was experienced was just a mere peak into life in Florence. We had our local recommendations of course, planned for eating.

Trattoria Sostanza [Il Troia] is the place to indulge in chargrilled black, chicken. But we did not end up there as (almost) all things in Italy are closed at the awkward hour of 3 pm.

For dessert after a random lunch of crispy salmon, we dove straight to the center to explore the Duomo, and indulge at Cafe Gilli. I highly recommend!

In a food processor, hand mixer, or the related, blend 250g dates till smooth, with cocoa (to taste) and a pinch of salt.
Dice in 100-150g chestnuts, and candied ginger to preference (Make sure not to blend too well).
Roll the mix into balls, and let them sit in the freezer for 5-10 minutes.
Take them out, and roll in (unsweetened) cocoa powder for a balance to the richness.
Keep cold.

You can also switch up the ingredients, as this is inspired by Japanese flavours. I couldn’t find roasted chestnuts this time, so I ended up using macadamia nuts. They’re best when stored in the freezer.

Antica Macelleria Cecchini is a world renown boucherie due to its owner, Dario. Located in the Chianti District of Tuscany, Italy, one must drive a good distance- as the town is surrounded by vast countryside filled with vineyards. It is such a mission to get to this tiny shop that upon entering, you’re greeted with a freshly poured glass of wine and well-seasoned nibbles.






Dario Cecchini continues to perfect the techniques that go into the cutting and cooking of meat. Upon his thirty five years of career, he has created several complimentary products that bring out heavenly flavours of a meal. And at the pinnacle, his salt is the gold of Italian culinary. My family cannot go to Tuscany without stocking up to brag and hoard it. But, no matter what my batty god auntie says about it being exclusive, you can order the salt for yourself and have it shipped internationally! Just send them an email.

Measure Matcha to amount needed for a strong cup, and bring water to a boil.
Whisk Matcha into the water while on low heat, till it blends and foams.
Then, heat Skim Milk, whisking it on medium heat till a thick layer of foam forms.

Pour Matcha tea to a quarter of the glass.
Then fill with milk and a little foam. Leave room on top.

Scoop foam onto top of the latte, and sprinkle with powder and sweetener if wanted.
Stir milk and matcha gradually together with something slender, avoiding disruption of foam.

Asian culture has an obsession with doll like characteristics. The latest internet phenomena to go viral, is 3 month long blogger, Dakota Koti. Almost a million upload views and those looks! Why doesn’t she have an agency yet? was the first thought to cross my mind when stumbling onto her page.

The image aspired to, au naturel in one: perfect pout, big bobble eyes, porcelain skin, lolita complex, and milk tea colored hair. She’s the next personality star to be swept East, if she plays her cards right. Once a model agency picks her up- it better be one with multiple agents. I want her in London and Tokyo.

Modeling, a job that disguises what truly is day to day as much as its voyagers’ faces are. It is something which contradicts itself, with the start of being glamorous and austere at the same time. Transported around the world, a model’s stamina to be independent and alone, is a constant challenge. City to unknown city they travel being stuck in housing shared with multiple others. The indie film “Tiger” revolves around this world, choosing Japan as the backdrop. Fresh blood is constantly transported to to the capital, Tokyo, where isolation is put on display if you’re a foreigner.

The story follows two models in a relationship already doomed, tossing them through the whirlwind of fashion, and revealing the hardships which thousands of young models endure to maintain their career.

Filmed with no budget, pure film, and real models, only the raw grit of the industry is organically captured.

For the promotion of the Beaufort film, models were approached and asked a few questions which relate their life to the story.

Follow Beaufort on their blog and buy a copy of the DVD for $30AUD here.