This Time in Seoul

After the striking portrait photographed at Atelier & Project in the previous post, I returned to Philippe (a dear friend) and this lovely portrait drawn by Matisse, hanging in Philippe’s home in Alexandria, VA.
The first time I entered Philippe’s home it was during a dinner party that he was having. Although I was engaged in witty conversation that night, I could very well have sat there alone with a great glass of wine, staring at this doe-eyed beauty, content and joyous, oblivious to all and everything surrounding pure soul.

I took this photo at Atelier and Project in Apgujeong.

Well, I’m really flying to Virginia tomorrow afternoon.
Yes, folks, it’s that time again. I have come to the end of my contract with my present company and will gladly return to Virginia to escape Seoul’s nasty as hell humid summer. You know that I love this city but seriously I cannot deal with the “human titty” as my ex-boyfriend used to say, his jokes never amused me, hence his title of ex.

Anyhoo, I will be visiting my beautiful family and friends in ole’ Virginny’, hop over to London, then Paris and eventually back to Asia. My heart is racing!

Don’t think that I am leaving Asia. Oh no, I’m not finished here. I would love to either live in Japan, Hong Kong, Turkey, etc. Turkey is looking really good right now but the kindness of Koreans keeps luring me back to doing another year here.
I had the pleasure of having acupunture and moxibution practiced on me yesterday and dammit if I didn’t walk out of Dr. Royer’s office feeling like a million bucks! His expertise and charming, professional demeanor alone would be the reason I’d stay here. I’m so curious about Oriental Medicine now thanks to him and Nurse Eun Hye.

There are so many things to consider right now, so many important projects that I will start and complete when I get back. When I get back I want to considerably lessen my teaching hours so as to focus on creating timeless photos for my upcoming book, write more for the magazine, study yoga, etc. You see? Lots of things to do?

I leave for the summer with mixed emotions. I know that I will love seeing my family…for about three weeks, and then want to break the hell out of dodge! Ha!

Do you think living for many years in another country or countries actually turns you into a foreigner in your own country?

While visiting the States, I will make a conscious effort to discover it all over again. I hope that you will like what you see. The best place of where I come from is the ocean. If you love mountains, the ocean, laid-back folks, then you’ll like Virginia. I’ll show you my Virginia and maybe learn something new about my “home” in the process.

P.S. While traveling I will still connect to Korea. Korean neighborhoods are everywhere in the world, just like wonderful people like yourself.

On a hunt for some inspiration and less crowded streets to walk down, I headed to the one of the “Beverly Hills of Korea”, Apgujeong. In Shinchon (where I live) where neon signs and people seem to outnumber the very stars above, Apguejeong was a welcome respite even though it’s exorbitantly overpriced.

I followed the money and it led me to Second Hotel, where my wallet could breath a sigh of relief.

I was actually expecting to find a lounge located in a chicly designed hotel and what I found was a great concept, not like Colette in Paris, something even better, a collection of designers each sparking genuine interest and not just desire to acquire. Second Hotel’s greatest object is inspiration.
I was told that while First Hotel is actually in the works, the owners felt that they’d want to feature some friends and other artists they liked in an atmosphere that nurtures curiosity and not hyper consumerism. Excellent, because what je deteste the most are stores that tell me what I should buy, where, read, etc. If I want that I’ll look at television, all in the comfort of my brand new studio apt., thank you. Here you can find the latest in cycling gear for bike messengers, hip recycled Heineken classes, modern lighting and of course, great music.

I loved the shape of the building itself, the back of the building is all glass letting in the perfect amount of light, shadows here and there which only make shopping more relaxing and strangely enough, the objects more beautiful.

Songha Heo, Art Director at Second Hotel, invited me to their annual garage sale where some of the top designers, fashion editors and photographers attend to either sell or swap some pretty snazzy stuff, no doubt.

Many thanks to Songha Deo of Second Hotel. I hope to stay in First Hotel very soon!

Address:
Second Hotel
647 2, 3rd Fl. Sinsa-dong, Kangnam-gu 135-896
tel: 82 2 542 2229

I was asked to photograph and write about antiques in Itaewon. I love it when my editor lets me choose which store, cafe, etc., for my monthly feature in Seoul Selection. After you pass all of the cheap clothing and souvenir shops in Itaewon, pretty much selling the same thing, you’ll start to glide into the antique lover’s section of Seoul. Now, do NOT think that this section resembles in any shape or form the glorious antique flea markets of northern Paris.

Itaewon will never be Paris but hey, it isn’t supposed to be. This is Seoul.

I stepped into Morning Calm Antiques Store both literally and figuratively a couple of weeks ago and was enamored of the small, tiny antique chinese oil lamps and tea pots. So precious and rich and color that I wanted to wrap them in plush velvet and head to Istanbul (it’s a real possibility folks, Istanbul) for more exciting adventures!

As I turned the corner from my hotel in Bangkok I first saw the bright pink polos but then smelled the freshness of shampoo. I followed the bubbles and saw a little doggy gettin’ his or her little body rubbed and scrubbed with Pantene! The way it looked at me! It was as if I surprised it in the shower and the it expected me to join in the fun. I’ve seen that look before in men, Ahem!

I believe his owners were waiting inside the pet shop for a later fluff and dry.

What a fresh dog! I fell in love immediately.

Aland has opened up its second location in Apgujeong, a very chic and quite expensive area of Seoul.
I fell in love with Aland first store while strolling through Myeong-dong. It’s filled with modern/vintage clothing and home accessories all at a great price. They’ve just added APC to their stock which is the priciest brand in the store.
After my acupuncture appt. I wandered around and saw Aland. I was not surprised that this store is also infused with great design: the walls, the floors, the lighting and most of all the cafe.

The cafe, located upstairs reminds me of one of one of my cousin’s house in the countryside of North Carolina. I think that it’s the old comfortable furniture, the wooden floors that creak under my feet and good bread.

Oh! They have clothes here as well.

Usually when traveling alone in a strange city I tend not to trip the light fantastic under the moonlight. The reason? I usually walk myself to exhaustion during the day time. I can’t deny it, I am a Bon Vivant!
Sprawled across my bed at the hotel, ceiling fan coaxing me to sleep, I suddenly became bored. Even though my feet were saying no, my short attention span said yes to the idea of heading across town to check out this joint. Chic, sexy shadows, delicious Thai beer, and chill people. I’m there!

The jazz alone is worth the drive!

They have a good thing going at Shades of Retro: great music, good people, no snobbisme. Go! Now!

Have a great weekend!

No matter where I am, Je deviens folle at the sight of animals, especially dogs in all of their forms.
Just a few of the animals I was lucky enough to come across while sojourning in Chiang Mai.

Animal lovers unite!

Much love and care went into designing this hotel. Though it took some time before actually locating this oasis of cool, calm and chic in steaming Bangkok, damn, my nerves were calmed when they opened those awesome doors and revealed Seven Hotel!

This is a fantastic boutique hotel having only six bedrooms, each room has a specific color according to the days of week, an interesting twist in Thai culture. I was offered to experience the Pink Room (Tuesday) as it is deemed the best room. You know a room is great when you do not feel guilty for not going out to discover the city that you’re visiting.

I was a little apprehensive as I’m not a “girly girl” and could never imagine myself wearing pink, let alone sleeping in a pink room! This is not Barbie pink, folks. This particular room is subtle in color. I particularly love the sleek but not slick design of the bathroom. Dare I say that I felt sexier in this room as the shower is transparent.

Note to self: Must bring my Frenchman here next time!

Located on a cul-de-sac, this place is beautifully quiet, but not secluded. No, luckily it is in one of the toniest neighborhoods in Bangkok: Sukhumvit. Here you will find, spas, galleries, and of course great food and fashion.

I was shown the other rooms (just four floors) and I marvelled over the rich colors that were selected, the balconies, and of course the hotel’s knowledgeable and endearing staff.

I thank the gracious staff and those heavenly sheets and pillows at Seven Hotel!

A great surprise: A cell phone! You won’t have to worry the staff about making reservations or even calling a cab! Seven hotel provides you with a sweet little cell phone (local calls only) with important pre-programmed numbers.

For a fashionable treat without exorbitant prices (by Western standards) head to Seven Hotel!

Seven Hotel

Just yesterday I was asked by Anne, creator of Pret a Voyager to give her some tips or information about traveling to Thailand. Of course I gave her advice about mosquito repellant, proper attire when visiting temples, etc. but I also had to share a gem that I discovered just before traveling to this extraordinary country: Phranakorn Nornlen!.

This is such a wonderful hotel that I stayed there twice! Why? After my horrible time at Good Time Resort Hotel on the island of Koh Mak, I was praying that “P.N.” would have a room for me! They did and it was even better! It was like being a child at Grandma’s house in the country, complete with ceiling fans and waking to beautiful music! They treated me like a queen (they surprised me with a gorgeous birthday cake and sang for me as well!) and I occasionally ate dinner with the staff members at their favorite haunts around the city. They were so welcoming, helpful and kind. It really was like coming home, except these family members were of Thai descent! Ha!

The rate is reasonable, the decor will leave your mouth agape and your eyes wondering how a place this lush, this green and relaxing, can be in one of the busiest cities in the world! Upon entering you are surrounded by tall and short green trees, bushes and plants, the coolness that they provides envelopes you as soon as you take your third step.

Phranakorn Nornlen is built to remind you of an old Thai village. You will find vintage fabrics, lighting, etc. They also have their own boutique where colorful sarongs, blouses, etc. are sold. They also have a sweet little cafe downstairs as well.

I was allowed to peek at their latest creation: an organic farm that they will have on the rooftop!

Added bonus among many: They serve a hardy organic breakfast every morning that is included in the price of your hotel room! Perfect!

Before visiting my family in the U.S. in June, I plan to travel to Laos and Cambodia. I will also book the nicest room at Phranakorn Nornlen. It will be my home away from home whenever I’m in Thailand.

I will post the second, and in my opinion, the chicest hotel in Thailand, soon!

Bon Voyage, Anne!