Oct 22, 2017

The Viral Plates & Bowls From Pasar Seni

I hear ye... The last time I ran a survey on this blog, lifestyle topic was the third highest requested post for this blog (first: beauty, second: travel). So I will throw in more lifestyle posts during the weekend for your reading pleasure.

Today I'm going to talk about the viral plates and bowls from Pasar Seni Central Market. To set the record straight, the shop is not located inside Pasar Seni Central Market, but it is at the corner of the shophouse right outside Central Market main entrance. Although some call it the Central Market/Pasar Seni viral plates, you now know, it is not inside the building.


The vendor has been selling the plates and bowls for a few months now and they aren't going to be here forever. Once out of stock, that's the end of it. When I was there last week, there was hardly any human traffic and definitely not as crowded as how it was portrayed on social media when it first pops up. Perhaps, the hype already wears off, or maybe I was there on weekday working hour. Shopping was a breeze generally due to the lesser crowd, however, there are many designs been sold out, which means options are limited.



After the plates went viral, a UM professor warned the public of the danger of these plates. Apparently, it is painted and the paint tends to dilute as you use it. I'm not going into how bad it is to our health, common sense tells me, those free plates you get from toothpaste aren't safe to use as well.



Who should be visiting this viral plates shop:


  • Instagramer - I swear your photo will gain lots of likes.
  • Restaurant/cafe owners - Cheap beautiful kitchenware. Nuff said.
  • Beauty bloggers - Get some props for your next blogpost flatlays.
  • Housewives - Get all orgasmic over these beautiful bowls that will make your kitchen pop.
  • Artists - Inspirations everywhere!



When I was surveying the designs (I can't make up my mind whether to focus on the Japanese, Turkish or Chinese designs), one restaurant operator was bargaining for the plates. He told me that it was his third trip and his customers really enjoy seeing their meals on the beautiful plates. There you go.... even if you don't use it, somewhere the restaurants you visit are using the same plates. You really don't have to worry much about whether it is safe or not. Just don't use it for your babies' food.


If you're really OCD about it and still wants to buy the plates, you can use it for decor. This is my haul for the trip. I swear I could get more if they aren't so heavy. Since I had to take the train back to the hotel, I settled for these few beauties.


I got a matching square bowl and a rectangle dish plate for my console table. They will be holding my necessities so that it is easy for me to grab them before leaving the house.


My most favorite piece is the china porcelain bowl that has blue flowers imprinted on it. It is so pretty to look at and also gives a luxurious vibe to it. The size of the bowl is perfect for soup or salad. I love the flat bottom of the bowl, it doesn't look like other bowls that concave at the bottom.


If you're a blogger or Instagramer, you might find some pretty dishes to score a pretty #flatlay. Otherwise, you can use it as a place for your jewelery or makeups.

The next time you take the MRT, be sure to stop by Pasar Seni station to check out these beautiful plates. It takes 1 minute walk from the station. If you can't get to Pasar Seni, you can always shop online. Here are some of my favourite picks:

Imaginist Dessert Plates. Get it <<here>>.
Dansk Arabesque Dinner Plate. Get it <<here>>.
Porcelain Serving Bowl - Medium - Gray - Project 62. Get it <<here>>.

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Oct 9, 2017

Beautiful Bookstores & Libraries: Must-Visit for Bookworms

If you’re a book-lover and also love to travel, these are the prettiest bookstores/libraries that you want to look out for. Visiting bookstores & libraries are more than just checking out the books. It’s also a place where you can witness the culture of the locals, the architectural beauties and participate in the various literature activities that organized by the bookstore & libraries.

I am a big fan of books (more of a collector than a reader, I read Facebook feeds more these days) and I have my very own library with a collection of 800-1000 books. I'm proud of my little library at home. Whenever I travel, I constantly on the lookout for bookstores to snatch some books to add to my collection. Here are some serious book-places that are on my bucket list. Some I've crossed out, but some I have yet to explore. I think you might like to know some of these amazing places...

You may also be interested in: Book haul from Europe


#1 - Atlantis Books Santorini, Greece

Two American students visited the island for vacation and ended up opening their own bookstore. One of the most famous and renowned bookshops in the world, the Atlantis Books is also Craig and Oliver’s (the owners) home. The duo first opened Atlantis Books in 2004 at the basement of a whitewashed house. They never imagined that their bookstore would become one of the must-see attractions for people visiting Oia, a picturesque, traditional village famous of its spectacular sunset.



#2 - Et Ateneo Grand Splendid Buenos Aires, Argentina

This former theatre is now filled with numerous gasps of admiration that escape the lips of those who enter the world’s most famous impressive bookstore. Designed by architects Perand and Torres Armengol, the Teatro Grand Splendid first opened its door in 1903, and has hosted some of the world’s most important tango and musical performances. It was soon turned into a radio station, and then into a cinema where the first film with sound were shown in Argentina. Today, the theatre is one of the most famous bookstores in the world, welcoming more than one million customers every year. The velvet seats have given its way to the bookshelves, the balconies and boxes have becoming reading rooms; yet the real treasures, the murals, statues and curtains, remain intact and only accentuate the dramatic effect of this wonderful building.



#3 - Libreria Acqua Alta Venice, Italy

It is no easy task keeping a bookstore in Venice – at least not right next to the canal and in constant fear of flood at any minute. This bookstore was hit by flood many times. And the genius owner of this second-hand bookstore has solved this problem by placing the books in either on the furniture, in crates or small bathtubs – even a gondola, which stands proudly in the middle of the room.



#4 - Selexyz Dominicanen Bookstore Maastricht, Holland

Maastricht’s largest collection of English language books had found a very unusual home: before becoming a bookstore, this imposing cathedral was once a warehouse and bicycle parking lot. Even though the solemn atmosphere of the cathedral has been preserved both inside and out, the space exudes a cool modernity thanks to the metal structure built to create the bookshop’s different floors and levels. When you’re feeling hungry, grab a bite in their in-house cafe and take the best seat at the altar.



#5 - Melbourne Public Library Melbourne, Australia

Stands proudly in the middle of Melbourne city is a grand Palladian architecture building which houses the state library. You won’t miss the building as it is a favorite spot where youth loves to hang out around the library compound on the green grass when the weather permits. The building has a different characteristic when you step inside. It has a huge dome at the center, which is the element of neo-classical architecture. We’ve created a tagline for this library – Come for the view, stay for the books.



#6 - Yangzhou Zhongshuge Library, China

Step into a world of a psychedelic library at the Yangzhou Zhongshue Library. The library is specially designed to include a black mirrored floor that reflects the stretches of bookshelves. The shelves form a dome shape which gives an impression of endless corridor of books. This place not only home for amazing books, it is also a place where interior designers come for inspiration.



#7 - Livraria Lello, Portugal

Harry Potter lovers might have a few flashes of scene in the mind when step into the Livraria Lello. It was said that the movie adapted the concept of this bookstore into the library scene. The bookstore has a curvy skeleton of stairs and hanging bridge in between the upper floor. Even if you're not into books, this place is proven to be Instagram worthy. Don't believe me? Search the hashtag #livrarialello.



#8 - Book and Bed Tokyo, Japan

This hostel is on my Tokyo bucket list. Besides providing bunker beds and basic washrooms, the hostel is also a library. For a bookworm like me, there's no better place to be than to sleep among the books. You can conveniently grab any reading materials from the common room and step into your bunker bed with your bedtime story in your hand.



#9 - Benedictine Monastery of Admont, Austria

Can you guess from where you might have seen this library? Yes! Beauty and the Beast! This library inspired the Beauty and the Beast animation by Disney. The beautifully hand-painted mural ceiling is going to get your neck stuck 45 degrees. And the impressive gold plated art nouveau pillars standing luxuriously in between the bookshelves just asking for attention. Books? What books?



#10 - Library of Congress, Washington DC

You might have seen this library from a few Hollywood movies. The Library of Congress is one of the most comprehensive law libraries in the US. Other than American law books, this library also has an impressive collection of other law journals around the world.



#11 - Royal Portuguese Reading Room, Brazil

This neo-maneuline style library is a home of the most published titled by Portuguese authors - awkwardly, it is outside Portugal. The library is located in the heart of Rio de Janeiro, which has a fair amount of locals that speak Portuguese. If you don't read Portuguese or at least, Spanish, you might find only a few selections of books you'll be able to understand.



#12 - Library Stuttgart, Germany

Clean, bright and futuristic - these are the elements of my ideal library. Despite a booklover, I hate dark reading room that has a pungent smell of old books. And I also hate discovering silverfish in between pages. It makes me jump. The Library Stuttgart is not your typical public library. It has a bright reading room, well-lit aisle of bookshelves and white furniture. Almost like my little library, but on a larger scale.



#13 - Rijksmuseum Research Library, Amsterdam

Don't just visit the Rijksmuseum for the sake of the museum. Explore the Research Library as well. It is not the typical museum research library - it is an art research library where thousands of reputable artist's work are published in the books that are placed in here. If you are pursuing art, take a few hours to look into these historical work on art.



#14 - Beitou Public Library, Taiwan

Beitou is where people visit for the natural hot springs. While most people crowding the public hot springs, only a few know the existence of the Beitou Public Library (other than the locals, obviously). The library has a zen interior which promotes mindful reading through its relaxing environment. Most books are printed in Chinese.



#15 - Book Mountain & Library Quarter, Holland

Just take a look at the photo below, what do you first have it in mind? It looks nothing like your ordinary library with rows and rows of endless bookshelves. Instead, the books are displayed on a stacked platform. I love the glass ceiling that invites natural lighting during the day.



#16 - Thomas Fisher Rare Books Library, Canada

As the name suggests, this is the place where you come for rare books. What constitute a book rare, that I do not know. If you have been finding some hard-to-find titles, be sure to check this place out first.



#17 - Shakespeare and Co., France

You might have seen this bookstore from any Paris travel guide. Its shop front inviting for photos and make a really good Instagram photo. Although the name is Shakespeare and Co., this place is not associated to the author Shakespeare (besides, Shakespeare is from England). Despite its reputation as a second-hand bookstore, this place have amazing collections of fashion books (maybe because it is in Paris, anyway).



#18 - Bart's Book, California

Fancy a breath of fresh air? The Bart's Book is an open-air bookstore. Some of the books are placed in the bookshelf facing the road. These books are left exposed even after the shop is closed. The owner leave a coin box at the entrance where you can pick up any book and drop your money at any time of the day. For the more valuable collection, the books are placed in the courtyard.



#19 - Books Actually, Singapore

Books Actually is more of a subcultural bookstore with a lo-fi setting. Surprisingly, the main attraction of this bookstore isn't the book, but the residential cat that roams around the shop. Be sure to give him a pat on his head when you see him.



#20 - Cafebrería el Péndulo, Mexico

Plants and books are two healthy combinations for your heart, mind and soul. This bookstore combines foliage and reading into a cool reading space. To add more characters to the place, there is an in-house cafe within the bookstore.


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