Blinging up Casa HK for Christmas 2012

Pseudo Tai Tai's Hong Kong Headquarters has been officially gussied up for the Christmas Season! 

This handsome Santa chap is Prince and Princess PTT's advent calendar. We started it on November 20 as we use it as a 'count down to Australia' calendar.

Here's Princess PTT enjoying what can now be described as a 'festive luncheon'.

The two outer friends in this shot were given to Prince and Princess PTT by Great Aunty S last year.

Everyone looks happy to be released from their boxes, don't you think? Princess PTT is convinced that the boy and girl are holding donuts. I beg to differ..

The front door.... Management will probably ask me to take it down before too long.

The hall way door inside the apartment...

Don't think the bathroom remained untouched. Prince and Princess PTT now brush their teeth unti the dancing Christmas tree stops its routine. I always think a little naff is necessary at Christmas.  

Here's a vignette in Princess PTT's room.

Even Tom our Monk is embracing the season!

I'm on the fence as to if we get a real tree or not. They aren't available until December 1 and we leave on the 14 but Prince and Princess PTT keep asking. Not sure where we'd put it though...

Have you started decking the halls yet?

Yours

Pseudo Tai Tai xx

It's the small things...

When you tell people that you live in Hong Kong, their common response is "the shopping must be amazing". Well frankly, its horrendous. I crave a good department store. I crave catalogues that you can casually flick through on weekend mornings. I crave online shopping from local stores. I crave online shopping from supermarkets where you get what you order and not substitutes, milk that will expire in a day, rock hard fruit and a list of products that were unavailable after you have placed and paid for your order. I crave more middle market variety. Everything here either falls into the category of high-end deluxe or market garbage.

With only four weeks to go until our annual Australian Christmas pilgrimage, our toaster has decided to kick the bucket. It was on the cards as it kept tripping the electrics but I thought it could last another four weeks.

   

Its had a good life and has served us well but do you know how hard it is to get a four slice toaster in Hong Kong? My only choice is a Dualit which retails a little shy of HKD$4000 (nearly AUD$500). Don't get me wrong, I love high-end products but toast is toast - wouldn't you agree? I'd rather spend that amount of money on something pretty.

I tried to dry-fry my bread this morning with little success so I think we're going to invest in a 2 slot toaster and the PPT family will just have to take turns in the morning like some sort of Dickenson boarding school.

Shopping shouldn't be this hard for products MADE IN CHINA!

In cheerier news, here's some vignettes...

Still gloomy outside...

Yours,

Pseudo Tai Tai xx

The First Hint Of Christmas

I went up to the Prince Edward flower market earlier in the week to get a few Orchids (way cheaper and better quality than the ones you can buy in Central). They were unpacking the first Christmas Poinsettias of the season, so I bought five to start getting into the spirit. 

I plonked them in my antique fruit basket that I dragged here from the London Columbia Road Flower Market. It's one of my favourite possessions due to its gorgeous gnarly wood. I'm not sure Australian customs will let it into the country when we eventually move back home so it's currently enjoying prominent position in Hong Kong.

A big typhoon may be hitting on the weekend which is giving the flat a wintry gloominess which is adding to the atmosphere. Here's what the living room looks like at 9:30am. It's like living in a cave. Don't be fooled into thinking its cold, its actually humid. I'll be on mould patrol before you know it.

Azure, our nemesis building that recently showed up at our boundary wall, isn't helping matters in the light department. Thank goodness we are going to Australia for Christmas and Bali for Easter.  

In other matters, I'm coveting a Heston Blumenthal Christmas Pudding and Coles, Australia is selling them this year!  

In the middle of each pudding is a whole orange. According to my research, last year they sold out in the UK by the end of November and were being sold on Ebay for up to 250 pounds! I've send Nanny PPT on a sourcing mission.

Coles will also be selling Heston's fruit mince pies which according to the Coles blog are, "Filled with rich fruit mince and the added ingredients of lemon curd, rose water and apple puree, we recommend heating them in the oven and sprinkling with the include pine-scented sugar for a unique Christmas taste!".  

Getting excited... I love Christmas!

Yours, 

Pseudo Tai Tai xx 

You might as well call PTT's HK Headquarters Seminyak...

I thought you'd like to see some of the little gems I picked up on our recent trip to Bali....

First is this twee Balinese umbrella that can shield my warrior statue as he prances around the apartment....

Makes a nice vignette - don't you think?

Next, is this very useful decorative silver purse that will occasionally moonlight as an evening bag. Watch this space for its future outings in the streets of Hong Kong...

Finally, there is this basket come candle holder come plant holder that has also recently been my Bali to Hong Kong hand luggage. I couldn't resist its pleasing rotund form....

                                                  

Whilst we are on the subject of decorating, here at the PTT HK Headquarters, the turn of season requires a turn of cushion. I picked these jaunty little numbers up at that wonder known at the Lane Crawford Warehouse. Here they are in their plump-tastic ready for spring glory....

Its now Autumn in Australia and Spring in Hong Kong so you have no excuse, get out there and re-cushion!

Yours, 

Pseudo Tai Tai xx

PTT's HK Headquarters gets a mini mid-winter makeover

After all our trips away, it was high time that PTT's HK Headquarters was lavished with attention. Princess PTT and I paid a visit to the flower markets late last week...

Today, Mr PTT took Prince and Princess PTT on an adventure to the dark side to visit the flower market in the exotic depths of Mongkok. Here's the result of their intrepidness:

I think the orchids will enjoy their new view!

Prince and Princess PTT also took it upon themselves to get some new additions to the family at the adjoining fish market. Welcome Jessica and Daisy along with your 5 prawn friends!

The prawns are there... they are just camera shy...

The Mini Makeover also prompted some new vignettes around the traps. Look!

Yours,

Pseudo Tai Tai xx

Real gardening as opposed to inside pots 36 floors up...

A real garden excites me so....

Grandad PTT is particularly G&T (gifted and talented) in the gardening domain and prepared some mighty fine outdoor vignettes for our Australian Summer return...

Our front entrance...

Princess PTT's 'Pinkalicious Garden' in celebration of her 4th birthday...

Grandad PTT's Anthurium collection...

Christmas themed display of petunias...

Yours,

Pseudo Tai Tai xxx

Princess PTT's 4th Birthday Celebration - Hong Kong Edition

Princess PTT is turning 4 and we are having a little party with her BFFs this afternoon.

I thought I'd tempt you with a few tantalising vignettes of the celebrations to come...

The Australian Woman's Weekly 'Baby in a Bassinet' cake...

Drink table complete with felt flowers made by our very talented Helper:

Afternoon tea table...

What would a 4th birthday party be without 'Pass the Parcel'?

Necklace making station:

Preparations for Lavender and Raspberry Bellini station for the Mummies...

Excitement is mounting...

Yours,

Pseudo Tai Tai xxx