Wish You Were Here

Art: Art Basel Hong Kong

callixto — Fri, 24 May 2013 05:05:06 +0000

There is not a lot of culture in Hong Kong (when I say not a lot I mean none.) So when Art Basel started on Wednesday I threw myself at it. I went early and went to every single stall, looked at every single piece on display. I was a little bit underwhelmed as I expected more, but I saw some (not a lot) of great pieces. The artists of the below works, in order of appearance from left to right are: Juan Genoves (x2), Sheba Chhachhi, Tomas Saraceno, Catherine Yass, Byron Kim, Doug Aitken, Manolo Valdes.

Video: Yoga Breakdancing

callixto — Wed, 22 May 2013 04:28:52 +0000

Wow just wow…

Photography: Surf and Jaider Lorenzo

callixto — Thu, 16 May 2013 04:01:41 +0000

There are a couple of things I wish I could do but I know I am too old to ever master. Fencing and surfing fall into that category. The desire to fence comes from all the Alexandre Dumas books I read as a teenager. The desire to surf comes from seeing pictures like the ones below by Jaider Lorenzo. It just looks see free and empowering and exhilarating. If I ever have children I will make sure they learn how to surf from a young age.

All pictures via Mymodernmet

Callixto Style: Bare Midriff Part II

callixto — Wed, 15 May 2013 09:42:50 +0000

Once I decided that I liked the bare midriff look it was go go go. Everywhere I look I am seeing cute little outfits. I got this little number in Bangkok at a brand called Asava. I wish it came in more colours and prints. I could wear this everyday..

Callixto earrings, Callixto Evil eye necklace, Callixto hammered bracelets, Callixto Turquoise ring, Callixto Leaf ring, Callixto Blue Issaya Ring, Lulu Frost code ring, Callixto Evil eye, Sandra D’Auriol Infinity bracelet.

Decor: Bali Bistrot

callixto — Tue, 14 May 2013 08:57:27 +0000

My favorite beach resort in Asia by far is Bali. It might not have the crystalline waters of Phuket and the other Thai islands, nor is it as untouched as the Malaysian options but it is the most interesting beach resort by far. One of the things I love most about Bali is the amazing restaurant options available. New places are constantly opening and not only is the food great but the decor is really sophisticated and interesting. Bali Bistrot is the new kid on the block, and dont tell me that it can’t hold its own when compared to London or NYC joints. There is nothing like this in Hong Kong for sure.

Photography: Abandoned Buildings by Matthias Haker

callixto — Fri, 10 May 2013 04:50:07 +0000

“They used to do it better, back in the day” is probably a saying as old as time. Every generations harkens back to a time where everything was better. For me nowhere is this more true then when it comes to architecture. I had the immense privilege of growing up in a house that was hundreds of years old. Yes, the pluming wasn’t great, there were certainly no ensuite bathrooms and at night there were creeks and it could get outright spooky. But I had the pleasure of living in huge rooms, with 4 meter ceilings. As a child I played in cavernous attics and cellars. As in adult I took pleasure in all the details of the house, the detailed cornices, the intricate parquet, the thick walls, the carved statues. Photographer Matthias Haker takes pictures of abandoned places and it is heart breaking to see these beautiful places abandoned and decaying. What is wrong with our society that we are allowing this to happen. Why do we no longer treasure the old? We are allowing these beautiful building to just rot? The pictures are stunning, and there is a nostalgic beauty to them which is unique. Nevertheless I wish that these places were treasured and lived in as opposed to forgotten and empty.

Check out Matthias Haker’s Deviant Art page. You can order prints of some of the pictures.

Callixto Style: Matchy Matchy

callixto — Thu, 09 May 2013 05:13:45 +0000

Remember your grandmother and how her shoes and bags always matched? Remember her twin sets? Well the time has come to embrace the matchy matchy look again. More and more I have seen matching tops and bottoms for sale and I finally decided to take the plunge. I bought this outfit in Bangkok at the Platinum Mall and it cost me all of $30. Not to be outdone by my clothes, I matched the jewellery as well. Matching earrings and ring. Why not? The olive leaves earrings and rings will be all online later today. Stay tuned. If you want to see it all live, head to Edit on 67 Hollywood Road.

Callixto Leaf earrings, Garrett Leight sunglasses, Bimba & Lola necklace, Callixto Python bag, Callixto Olive Branch bracelet, Callixto Leaf ring, Callixto 2 Stone ring, Callixto Olive leaf ring, Amethyst Stripe ring

Photography: Looking up in Hong Kong

callixto — Wed, 08 May 2013 06:09:07 +0000

Hong Kong is such a hectic city. Everybody is constantly running around from one appointment to another and I very rarely take in my surroundings as a result. What I absolutely never do is look up. I always thought there would be nothing to see if I looked up. Pollution ensures that there is very rarely a blue sky. There are no surrounding mountains like there are in Austria. Buildings are not exactly noteworthy either. Photographer Jacquet-Lagreze has proven to me that I could not be more wrong. There are amazing things to see when looking up in Hong Kong. If you want to see the photographs in the flesh head over to the Dark Side to Hotel Panorama, 8A Hart Avenue. Click here for the exact details. For those of you living in Hong Kong who wont be able to make it, remember to look up every once in a while. This city might still surprise you.

Fashion: Indian Song

callixto — Tue, 07 May 2013 07:10:53 +0000

My favorite thing about India is the way women dress there. The colour and embellishment on display is really inspiring. I am no shrinking violet and I love colour, but I have never felt that I could pull it off in my every day life. I own a sari and I have worn it for a wedding but that is about it. Stylist Dorothea Gundtoft does an amazing job with the styling of this editorial. I wish I had the guts to dress like this all the time.

All pictures via Fashion Gone Rogue

Travel Guide: Sydney

callixto — Mon, 06 May 2013 07:26:21 +0000

I was in Sydney last week for a wedding and I have to say, what a nice place. If they could move the entire continent a bit further west and north I would move there tomorrow. Good weather, better food and great shopping. What is there not to like? The whole drinking thing is a little bit strange. For those who don’t know what I am talking about, in Australia one cannot drink at the beach, or on parks, or on the street. This means no beach clubs, and some very strange drinking laws due to the “Responsible Drinking Act.” But whatever, I can live with that. I think. Below are some of tips for Sydney..

Hotels

Harbour Rocks – Trendy hotel in The Rocks with great views of Sydney Harbour and the Opera House

The Westin – Solid business hotel with great location.

Restaurants

The Flying Fish – The best meal I had in Sydney. Fresh Oysters and pacific fish cooked in fusion recipes. View of the water was a bonus

Otto – Excellent Italian restaurant on the water in Woolloomooloo

Rockpool – High end degustation menu. Great if you want something fancy to celebrate an occasion.

Bills – Best scrambled eggs I have ever had.

The Grounds of Alexandria – I was very excited about visiting the Grounds before I got there. It did not disappoint A great breakfast joint. Get there before 10:00 to avoid the queues.

Sydney Fish Market - I am not sure why this is not mentioned in all the guides. We arrived at 11.30 and had a picnic lunch on the grass by the water of freshly shucked oysters and sashimi. Heaven.

Things To Do

NSW Gallery - Situated in the Botanic Garden this is probably the most important museum in Sydney. If you have any interest in informing yourself about Australian artists this is a great place to start. There is also a great cafe in the Museum.

MCA - Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney Harbour

Maritime Museum – They have an exact replica of Captain Cook’s boat the HMB Endeavour AND an real submarine you can visit. OF COURSE we went into the Torpedo Submarine. I had my own little Hunt For The Red October moment.

Shopping

The place to go in Sydney to shop is Paddington on the corner of Oxford Street and Glenmore Road. If you can’t make it out to Paddington then the Strand Arcade in town is your next best bet. Stand out Australian brands are:

Josh Goot - Structural with great prints.

Sass & Bide – The place to go if you are looking for cool and sexy party dresses

Ellery – Great for separates. Very well cut.

Zimmerman – Australian favorite for swimwear but they have some great clothes as well.

Camilla – The Kaftan queen

Cameo the Label – Trendy with affordable prices.

Alice McCall – Cute dresses with cute prints