TLP Reads: The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd

So, you really shouldn't be all that surprised by now that quite a lot of my summer features will include book reviews. My university work load can get pretty daunting at times, so it's really only this time of year that I get the chance to sit down and lose myself in the world of books - fictional ones, that is. That being said, here's another installment of TLP Reads! I'd actually had The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd lying around for awhile (probably a year or so) and never really got a chance to start it, and when I spotted it on the bookshelf yesterday, I thought, why not?

Note: I did try to write a short review, but alas, that didn't happen. So fair warning. 

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For sixteen-year old Juliet Moreau, life hasn't exactly been a walk in the park ever since the scandal that changed her life 10 years ago. Barely making ends meet as a maid, Juliet seizes the opportunity to leave her life in London once she finds out that her genius of a father is still alive and continuing his supposedly gruesome work on a remote island. The accusations never were proven true, and Juliet is determined to find out the truth. Together with her father's assistant, and her childhood friend, Montgomery and castaway Edward with a shady past, Juliet makes the journey to her only family left, only to have her whole life rocked by the truth behind her father's exile to the island. Although she knows that what he is doing is wrong and against the very nature of existence, she can't help but marvel at his success - leaving Juliet to wonder whether she has a little of his maddening genius in her own blood. With the island falling into chaos and distress, Juliet is determined to leave her island prison before she falls victim herself, either to the Beast or her own father.

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What did I tell you? Brilliantly written period settings have definitely grown on me this summer, and The Madman's Daughter is no exception. Of course, the story does mainly take place on a remote island where the locals aren't exactly human, but the way in which the characters carry themselves and speak are true to the time period where horse carriages, lavish gowns, telegrams and brothels were a thing. I'm fifty-fifty on wanting to see this novel made into a film adaptation. Note: fifty-fifty - as much as I would love to see this on the big screen, I'm iffy when it comes to writers and directors putting their own, somewhat unnecessary, spin on already well-crafted written pieces. Why can't they just leave them be?

Now I can't write this review without telling you what it is Juliet's father does, so here it is - he experiments on animals, and has finally managed to make animals resemble and behave like humans, although not perfectly. They are the inhabitants of the island, and work as servants, carrying out every one of Juliet's father's orders as if he were their God. Technically, this wasn't a secret, as it is hinted in the first half and made prominent throughout the latter half of the novel.

Juliet Moreau's character has quickly become one of my favourite fictional heroines, with her quick-wit, compassion, spirit and boldness. Having gone through quite a devastating childhood and falling from her high-society pedestal, she finds herself struggling to keep herself out of the streets as a maid at a prestigious university. In the dark of the night, she sweeps and cleans, all while trying to avoid the advances of Dr. Hastings. She sounds somewhat like a weak and timid girl, but in reality, she's anything but. Juliet is a fighter and survivor, so when she runs into Montgomery and forces him to tell the truth of her father's whereabouts, Juliet believes that she finally has a chance to turn her life around. And during her time on the island, I love how Juliet is able to maintain that headstrong attitude, and how she grows as she comes to face certain challenges. You could almost think of her as a Victorian Katniss Everdeen, minus the bow and arrow and instead of trying to survive in a dystopian world, she's trying to escape the world she knows.

And of course, we can't have a story like this without a love triangle! There's Montgomery, her childhood friend who taught her everything she knows medically, who she considers a big part of her past life, and possible future. Raised and trained by Juliet's father, Montgomery is every bit the son he wished he had - only he is far more compassionate, thoughtful and intelligent than they thought. Not so much like the servant boy Juliet's father sometimes views him as. The growing attraction between Montgomery and Juliet is undeniable - so much so that you wished the ending didn't end that way. Now we have Edward, secretive and shady, yet protective and focused on getting Juliet out of the island. He's quite pushy, which did annoy me at times and made me want to scream "Leave Juliet alone!" but for reasons that I shall not mention as it would give away so much - albeit I did figure out certain aspects to his character half way through reading. Still, there are moments where you can't help but root for him. Don't worry though - the love triangle isn't the central part of the story, though it is expertly laced into certain situations the characters throw themselves in. Kudos to Shepherd for that.

As for Juliet's father? (who I can't recall the name of, if they did call him by name in the story) I both loved and hated him. I loved him in the way Juliet did - for his outrageous success in doing what he did and being able to further advance his capabilities. Hated him for his insensitivity and cold-heartedness towards everything, even Juliet. All I really do have to say about him, is that he got what he deserved in the end, genius or not.

Another element I loved about The Madman's Daughter is Shepherd's attention to detail when it came to describing the physical appearances of the islanders such as Balthazar and Caesar - their eyes, skin (err, fur for some of them), motions, etc. were so vividly written that my mind went nuts imagining how creatures like them would look like in real life. Hence why I'd love to see a film adaptation. Imagine this gracing the big screen:

"Beside me was a slanting-eyed, bald woman with oddly translucent skin that seemed to reflect sunlight. She splayed my hand with four smooth, strong fingers... The woman hissed, revealing a snake's forked tongue."

My only downside to this book? The parts in which Juliet found herself lost in the juggle, and I admittedly got lost too. I couldn't exactly tell what was happening, and that frustrated me to no end. Perhaps it was just me, but those moments did have me put the book down to try and make sense of what was happening first before continuing on with the story. But that downside is purely minor to all the positive things I found with this book - the story, characters, descriptions of the islanders and atmosphere are unique and greatly written, and I'm looking forward to getting my hands on the next book. Yes, I only found out too, that this was the first of a trilogy.

The whole 'being able to make animals resemble and behave like humans' did throw me off a bit before reading, but it was definitely this element of the story that captivated me throughout. Admittedly, this book has opened my mind to scientific things like so, and I'm welcoming anymore books circling around the same theme to my personal library. To be able to carry out such a feat, well, you must truly be a mad genius! And Juliet's father is exactly that, with the aid of trusty, 'devastatingly handsome' and equally brilliant, Montgomery. Is it obvious I'm Team Montgomery all the way?

If dark and beautifully written fantasy novels cleverly interweaved with romantic and family conflicts are your thing, I'd definitely suggest you check out The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd! It too, is a great breather from the typical fantasy novels out there, and you won't be disappointed with all the mystery and adventure the story captures you in. Perhaps you'll find yourself getting a little 'mad' too.
Happy discovering!

July Beauty (& Non-beauty) Faves

Time for another round of monthly favourites! In terms of beauty products, I haven't exactly used as much new items and instead, I rediscovered a few old loves from my stash.

Here's what I've definitely been reaching for this month - Olay's revitalizing eye serum (which was actually a new purchase cause I thought, heck I may as well start using eye creams), my Bobbi Brown gel liner in Sepia Ink and apply with my Eco Tools angled liner brush, Nars Daydream blush from the Guy Bourdin collection, my mini of Dior's Hypnotic Poison scent and my custom Urban Decay Quad that includes (l-r, t-b): Secret Service, Laced, Freelove and Toasted! As an everyday eye look I tend to put Laced all over the eyelid and put a smidge of both Toasted and Secret Service in my crease and outer-v. 

For lips? Definitely a pink/mauve appreciation month, as I have been reaching for my Happy Skin moisturizing lippie in 'The Morning After' and L'Oreal' Colour Riche in Rose Taffeta (174) as everyday 'my lips but better' colours. But of course, I do like to mix it up with my brights such as MAC's Toying Around (from the Playland Collection) and Pink Poodle (By Request, 2014).

My non-beauty faves!

Mhmm... my food favourite? These cheese cupcakes that my mom and I baked! Uber yummy (and I'm not being biased here, other people have said that these are good too) and I think I've baked these babies about three times now in the last month! Sorry diet, perhaps next month again?

 A new show I have been obsessing over is GMA's My Destiny starring Carla Abellana, Tom Rodriguez, Rhian Ramos & Sid Lucero. It's on every weeknights at around 9pm, and I have not missed one episode since it aired! Yes, I was in Phnom Penh for awhile, but that's what we have YouTube for right? It's this light-hearted romantic drama centering around Grace (Abellana) and Matthew (Rodriguez) who are destined to be together, however certain circumstances hinder them from having their happy ending, such as Grace's younger sister Joy (Ramos) who happens to be in love with Lucas, who, without her knowledge, happens to also be Matthew. It sounds quite cheesy and rather complicated, but I am really doing a bad job at explaining just how amazing this show is. I like how they don't over do the drama (you know, hysterics, tears, super pang-aapi to the main character, that sort of thing) and show that positivity is definitely needed to be able to get through the toughest of times.

And oh dear Lord, my heart! The chemistry between Carla and Tom is just... I'm speechless. I've loved them since My Husband's Lover, and I so wish that they were an item off-screen! Perhaps? Jokes!

So if you haven't guessed by now, I'm a huge Kapuso fan and another show I have definitely been loving is Marian! It's a "musical-variety" show hosted by primetime queen Marian Rivera every Saturday night at around 7pm and features Rivera rocking all sorts of dance genres and interviewing various guests. My God! She's amazing. It's a great breather from watching her on dramatic primetime shows, and she proves that there's more to her than meets the eye. Marian is another reason why I love, well, Marian Rivera, even more!
Saturday nights are Marian nights!
Edit: OMFG! Who was able to catch her special birthday segment! Holy...! I don't want to spoil anything if you haven't seen it yet (though I doubt that you haven't heard about it yet) but oh my! Kilig to the bones! My heart could not take it and I seriously teared up. No joke. 

My jam of the month will definitely have to be Demi Lovato's cover of Ed Sheeran's 'Give Me Love'. I am so in love with this cover, and even more in love with Demi Lovato. I've been a fan since her Camp Rock days, and am a true Lovatic, so don't judge. Her cover is full of emotion and you can see her raw talent in this, which makes it such a great listen. I've been listening to this cover everyday now, and I highly doubt I'll ever get sick of it. I can't help but sing along and feel quite happy every time it comes on my Ipod. If you haven't heard it yet (and love acoustic covers like this), do give it a listen!

How about you? What have been your favourite discoveries (or rediscoveries) this month?
Happy discovering!

Rediscovering My Love for Sketching

So here's another quickie post to fill the blogging void in my head. Lately my mom's been tapping into her artistic talent and she began sketching again, and well, it's infectious. While she's been doing portraits of a few of our family members, I decided to take things slowly and ease myself back into the sketching mode - I can't exactly recall the last time I ever sat down and actually drew a piece! Was it... over five years ago?

Since hair and hands have always fascinated and challenged me as an amateur artist, I thought, heck, why not draw hair to compliment my kikay-ness? And here are the results - I sketched these two pieces based off those I found on Pinterest (a.k.a. looking at my laptop screen and desperately attempting to replicate amazing pieces, repeat, etc.), and I have to say, I'm quite happy with how these turned out! I know, I'm so rusty it's embarrassing and I definitely have a long way to go, but hey, it's just a matter of practice and a lot of patience, right?

Have you been discovering any new talents, or rediscovering any old, rusty skills to brush up on these days?

Either way,

Happy discovering!

TLP Reads: The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

Here we go with another TLP Reads! I Picked up The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski during our layover in Singapore - I actually grabbed the first book that caught my eye while we were at Times, as my dad was rushing me a bit! I know, I know, never judge a book by its cover, but I could not resist. How pretty does it look? I didn't even get a chance to read the blurb, but I am definitely, very happy with my purchase.

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As a general's daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, Kestrel has two choices: join the military as her father wishes or get married.

One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in Arin, a young slave up for auction. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him - and for a sensational price that sets the society gossips talking. It's not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin. But he, too, has a secret and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid is much higher than she ever could have imagined.
(Taken from the back cover)

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*Squeal!* I'm in love with almost everything about this book! I swear, there's something about almost-fictional period settings in new worlds that have been captivating me this summer (Hint: you can expect more of those in the next few days). The descriptions of lavish homes, society events and horse-drawn carriages make me want to almost go back in time and live in that era. If only it were possible!

I love the whole concept of the Winner's Curse economically speaking, and how it's cleverly interweaved into this new world story of secrets, loyalty, forbidden romance and deadly games.

Protagonist Kestrel is a feisty, determined soul set on doing whatever she pleases, however is mindful of her decisions when it comes to pleasing her general father. She's instinctive and tactical, which again, isn't surprising as she's been raised in a community that thrives under war. As she heavily resists the choices that her father gives her, she finds solace in her music (which the Valorians strongly look down upon) and games of chance. I admit, there were times were I rolled my eyes towards her thoughts, but that is explainably due to her naivety towards the reality of the situations she puts herself in.

Now, Arin. Dear 'slave' Arin, a fierce Herrani loyalist who has intelligently placed himself in the general's home as a spy determined to free his people from the hold of the Valorians. I wasn't exactly a fan of his character in the beginning, but as we uncover more of his story and witness the slight change in his responsibilities, he grew on me. Rutkoski doesn't hide Arin's true identity and motives from readers, which makes the story more thrilling as both he and Kestrel must weight their sense of duty to their people against their growing feelings for each other.

I definitely liked the well-crafted and dynamic bond between Arin and Kestrel - they're not sappy love-struck teenagers who believe that "it's us against the world", which is a great breather from most fantasy novels *ahem* you know which ones I'm talking about. The whole master/slave paradigm is very prominent on their minds, especially Kestrel's, which is quite unique to her character and I love that. The moments where they both have their guards down and are able to share their stories (albeit, still withholding a few personal details) are touching, and I'm looking forward to more in the sequel.

 Kestrel's father - General Trajan - is a strong secondary character, and I'm hoping to see more of him in the sequel. He's the stereotypical father-turned-general who struggle to fulfill both his duties to his country and daughter. The father-daughter moments are endearing with their rarity, and you feel quite sympathetic towards Kestrel when General Trajan's fatherly attention can dissipate with a flick of the wrist.

Although the story does heavily revolve around the forbidden romance between Valorian Kestrel and Herrani slave Arin (which is quite Romeo & Juliet), Rutkoski touches upon the whole enslavement and rebellion theme which becomes more prominent towards the latter half of the book. And it's this half that I absolutely fell in love with. There was so much more Rutkoski offered to readers towards the end - more insight into the Herrani's history, more action and struggle and more romantic conflicts. It's just a matter of weeding through that first half to get to the really great stuff (not that you know, the first half wasn't good or anything.)

The major downside? The ending. (Warning: minor spoiler ahead!) It just seemed way too convenient and easy for the brewing war between the Valorians and Herrani to just be eased off by simple conversation. I mean, hello! Enslaved Herrani were rebelling and taking back what was theirs, tensions were rising, people were dying and this is how it's resolved? It's not really just the end of the book where that happens - although it really was that ending that frustrated me. I was expecting so much more in the end, and it was a bit of a let down. I'm hoping it all picks up again in the next book.

That being said, the juxtaposing heart-racing action and mellow, heartwarming moments were amazingly written, and I can't wait for the next installment in this trilogy. Kudos to Rutkoski for grabbing my interest into yet another series!

I can't exactly classify The Winner's Curse as a fantasy novel, but it definitely does have that mysterious, adventurous flair to it that I love about that genre. I didn't even mind Rutkoski's attention to the small details that sort of dragged the story a bit, as her nicely-spun phrases and wit definitely kept me wanting more. I am definitely gutted that the sequel to The Winner's Curse won't be released until next year or so (The Winner's Curse just released March of this year), but you can expect that I will be patiently waiting for my next adventure through the Valorian empire/Herrani rebellion struggle and  Kestrel/Arin fix.

If light fantasy and forbidden romances are your thing, do check out the first novel in The Winner's Trilogy! I'd also definitely recommend this to you if you want a break from the usual vampire, werewolf, warlock, fantasy novels.

Happy discovering!

Smoothies, Heading Home & Typhoon Glenda, Phnom Penh

 Alas, a month and a half later here in Phnom Penh, it was time for me to head back to the Philippines! Granted, I was psyched to be heading back, but I did feel a little sad knowing that I wouldn't be back in Phnom Penh for quite a while. It's definitely grown on me and taken me by surprise, and I will surely miss everything - the sights, the people, and of course, the food! 

 My parents and I actually got to the airport earlier than we had expected, so we chilled out for a while at the FCC branch there - you'll find it on the second floor after you check in and go through immigration. I was definitely happy to get a chance to try it out before leaving the city! (If you remember, I did mention wishing I had tried out the actual FCC place over by Sisowath Quay in a previous post)

 Because we had just had breakfast before heading to the airport, we decided to get drinks to cool off from the heat (yes, it was HOT outside!). I got the mixed berry smoothie while my mom got the coconut banana smoothie. I sort of wished I had gotten what my mom had ordered instead, as the mixed berry smoothie wasn't as cold or sweet as I had expected. But that's just me. Oh well...

  We actually had about a five hour layover in Singapore, and my my, you will not get bored over at the Changi Airport. We were at Terminal 2, and gosh, the things to do there are endless! My parents tried out the foot massage machines next to the boarding gates, and as much as I wanted to post a picture of it here, I don't want to embarrass them (hehe). If you've ever been, you'll know what I'm talking about. 

Teehee, despite wanting to have a healthier diet, I couldn't resist heading over to McDonald's to try out their Shiok Shiok Beef Satay Burger (my dad tried out the chicken version). OH MY GOD, it is absolute heaven! My dad took a bite out of mine, and preferred the chicken one, while I sided with the beef satay. I believe that these are out for a limited time only, so do seize the chance to try them out! 

 Almost there!

 By the time we reached Manila, it was almost midnight and darn rainy as Typhoon Glenda was on its way in a few hours ;( Our flight to Manila via Singapore Airlines was one of the last in to the Philippines, and apparently, the plane was damaged due to the typhoon. Thank God we had arrived safely at our hotel before Glenda graced us with its presence!

So, as it is, I've come to the end of my Phnom Penh adventure, and I will cherish every moment I spent there! I guess for me, the highlights of my stay are definitely visiting the Royal Palace and Sisowath Quay despite the heat, and trying out the local cuisine over at Mali's. Oh, and I can't forget Central Market. Or Paul's BrewHouse...

I do hope that my previous posts will help you plan out your trip to Phnom Penh, and I do hope that you have as much fun there as I did. I definitely can't wait until my next visit! 

Until next time, Phnom Penh!

Happy discovering!

What's In My Bag: Short Plane Trips

Here's a quick post for today as I am spending my last few hours here in Phnom Penh taking in as much as I can before heading home! And of course, fretting over how I'm going to fit everything I bought into my suitcase. Geez! The problems of a last-minute packer. 

Anywho, I thought it seemed appropriate to write a post on what I bring along with me for short plane rides (and you know, what I do to keep me busy during layovers)! 

Without further ado, here's a look inside my travel bag (which I got for Christmas from my cousin a few years ago, and seems to be from a local brand)!

- My trusty laptop and external hard-drive for writing up any blog entries I haven't had the chance to finish yet (I do have a laptop case, don't worry - I just happened to misplace it while writing this post)

- Of course, my passport holder that holds *ahem* my passport, frequent flyer miles card and any other small essentials 

- My mini camera bag (of course, blogger essential)

- Kate Spade sunglasses I have actually yet to use since I purchased them in New York last May

- Magazines to read when the wifi isn't cooperating with me at the airport, and for when I don't like any of the in-flight movies. I do usually bring a book with me, but on this occasion, I am holding out buying any while here in Phnom Penh so that I can get one I really want when I reach Singapore for my layover. 

- my Kipling pencil case to stash all my pens (well, a whole bunch of pens, highlighters & a ruler) that I don't necessarily always use but always have on hand

- Chewing gum & Icebreakers to chew on when I'm bored (and for when anyone needs a mint)

In this small polka dotted pouch (from NaRaYa), I carry my hand-dandy itty bitty bits that I know I'll lose if I just throw them into my bag! I've got a small flashlight, my Maybelline Baby Lips lipbalm, eyedrops, a sample of Stila's Convertible Color in Peony, a mini of Make Up Forever's lippie in N9, a mini Dior Hypnotic Poison perfume, bandaids and my earphones! I also do carry around a few meds for headaches, colds, etc. (not pictured) just incase. Also pictured is my notebook where I write down any blog post ideas and little reminders.

Other items that I do bring along with me (but have forgotten to take photos of in my rush to get this post out) are things like my wallet (duh!), my Ipod (which is charging as we speak), a cardigan, my phone (also charging) and an Apple charger just incase. Oh, and sometimes some chocolate too, just because I can.

What do you bring with you on your trips?
Happy discovering!

Phnom Penh Observations + Tips

 As I am heading back to the Philippines soon, I've decided to dedicate a whole post to a month and a half's worth of my observations and thoughts on the city that I have somewhat called 'home' this summer. Well, I wouldn't go as far saying that it's my 'new home', but I do admit that Phnom Penh has made a 'new' lasting impression on me. 

Note: these are just things that have definitely stuck with me during my stay here. I don't mean any negativity here, so don't judge. Remember, these are merely observations.

Observation 1 - The streets here are confusing. Though they are numbered, a majority of them do not follow any sort of pattern or order. For instance (and I am just really making street numbers up as for the life of me, I can't remember any of them because they are THAT confusing) walk down one street, and you'll be greeted with intersections at St. 110, 117, 124, 135, etc. If you don't have a map or guide, you're at a huge risk of getting lost. So you know, have at least one of those things before coming here. Oh, and you can call this Observation 1.5 - there are definitely those streets that are so uber narrow that it seems impossible for a car to fit through. I mean, it's nothing really new, but with the confusing street numbers? Just be glad that almost all of the actual street names are translated in English and you can get some idea of where you're at. 

Observation 2 - Lexus cars. There are quite a lot of them. And not just Lexus ones really. A whole herd of luxury cars can be seen on the streets of Phnom Penh. Granted, there are still a large number of motorbikes, but I swear, it's as if luxury cars are, well, not so much of a luxury here. 

 Observation 3 - Quite a lot of the buildings by the city's centre do resemble those that you can find in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Not that surprising as Vietnam is just a few hours away, but I definitely couldn't help but feel a little homesick at the sight of these thin, colourful buildings. However, as you do go further out of the centre, the houses do grow in size - and by that I mean, there are tons of mansion-type homes along the streets, decorated with elaborate gates and high walls. As in, damn! By Cambodian standards (and I may go as far in saying Asian standards), those mansions are like the ones you find in magazines and Hollywood films. The houses in our neighborhood here? Towers, mesmerizes and just takes your breath away with it's beauty. Not to say that those stick-figure homes aren't worth looking at. 

Observation 4 - There are a large number of restaurants here, and it fits the saying 'there's something for everybody.' Indian, American, Chinese, Italian, Cambodian - you name it, there's pretty much a 90% chance that there's a restaurant serving your preferred cuisine here. It's just a matter of being able to find it. I am a tad bit gutted that I haven't had a chance to try out every restaurant the city has to offer but then again, my diet's probably thankful for that. 

 Observation 5 - the colourful Tuk-tuks that are everywhere you look, and their very persistent drivers. The Cambodian tuk-tuks are what I would consider a cross between a Philippine jeepney and a Thai tuk-tuk. Some sort of Asian transport hybrid that appeals and serves the needs of both locals and foreigners. There's enough space for you to put everything and still be able to move around, but it's compact enough that it doesn't take as much space on the road. And of course, each tuk-tuk is different from the other in terms of aesthetics, so definitely keep an eye out for those that are adorned with all sorts of flowers, religious images and more modern, eccentric designs. 

Now, their drivers. Hmm... I am definitely not kidding when it comes to their persistence, and it's not really a bad thing. They do strike up friendly conversations with you, but they can shove a leaflet in your face and sweet-talk you into taking a tour with them. They can be a bit difficult to ignore, especially if you're walking along Sisowath Quay, but they'll leave you alone once you tell them you're not interested. Don't be afraid to say no and walk away. In terms of price? Don't be afraid to haggle - heck, make sure you haggle! That is key! If you know yourself that where you're headed to isn't that far away, do make sure that you're not paying more than the ride's worth. 

Observation 6 - A whole load of Phnom Penh's landmarks are so uber clean! As in, pristine and seemingly newly opened establishments that you can't resist staring at. Sure, there's still that rustic charm to it, but you know, the surroundings are very much well maintained. And of course, the huge amount of Cambodian flags and images of the King and Queen adorning said landmarks. These guys are really patriotic, and aren't afraid to show it :)

Observation 7 - speaking of well-maintained surroundings, well, the areas further from said landmarks aren't exactly that clean. Quite a lot of the streets are filled with litter and dirt, which is a bit of a disappointment, what with the whole 'pristine and majestic' thing they've got going on with the likes of the Royal Palace and Supreme Court. It is partly due to the large amount of construction going on in the city centre and partly due to the vehicles coming in from unpaved provinces, but you won't find as many street sweepers cleaning up the streets. Make sure to properly clean your face off after a whole day of sightseeing. Much of their 'gardens' along the roads aren't really tended to, and unlike in Vietnam, you won't find as many tall, old trees. But of course, the city's only starting to really develop and urbanize, so I'm sure that'll change in the near future or so.

Observation 8 - the friendliness of the people is infectious! During my stay here, I didn't meet a single person who was ill-mannered or had a frown on their face. Everyone seemed to have woken up on the right of side of bed, or perhaps they just go about their day with a smile plastered on their faces. Whatever the reason is, it was really nice seeing those smiles on a daily basis. Especially when the weather turned sour with the rain.

You may, or you may not, agree with me on these observations, but remember, these are my thoughts. Don't judge me if you don't agree with any of them. Don't let my opinions shape yours. Instead, use them as a guide and make your own. Perhaps you can enlighten me with yours?

Alas, my top tips for when you're here in Phnom Penh?

1. Stay hydrated - bring water with you as you will undoubtedly get dehydrated, especially if you're visiting during the summer months (March-mid June). If you're going to visit the city's attractions on foot, you will definitely need a nice, cold bottle of water. Prices can be a bit outrageous for a bottle of water, so do bring your own if you're on a budget.

2. The currency here can be a bit confusing, so you may be better off paying in dollars when making purchases. That being said, your change will be mostly in Riel so you can use those instead if you're making small purchases (i.e. drinks or small snacks).
For reference: $1 = 4000 KHR

3. Haggle, haggle, haggle! I cannot stress that enough! If you're at places such as Central Market, Russian Market or Olympic Market, be sure to bargain. And if they won't agree with your price, don't be afraid to walk away, as 100% of the time, the item(s) you want are a few stalls down at a more reasonable price. And they may be willing to bring it down a tad bit more.

4. Be respectful - no bad mouthing their religion, culture or members of their Royalty. Enough said.

5. Keep your camera on you at all times! Do not, and I repeat, do not leave it behind in your hotel room as you will regret it! And I don't mean this in a negative way at all. There are so many gorgeous sights here, from the main landmarks in the city centre to the lesser known attractions in the smaller streets that are worthy of your attention. Every opportunity you can get to capture your adventure here, take it! Although crime doesn't seem to be much of an issue here, be sure to keep your valuables secure though. You never know.

I know that I have probably missed a few observations and tips, but these are the ones that are more prominent in my mind. Hopefully you consider any of them on your trip here! And do share any of your observations and tips with me, especially if things have changed before I'm able to make my way back!

As always,

Happy discovering!

Street 240, Phnom Penh

I definitely didn't want to waste the good weather that graced us today here in Phnom Penh, so I took a stroll along Street 240, just to the left of the Royal Palace (and quite close to Paul's BrewHouse). I'd heard that there were a quite a few shops here in the 'fashion district' of Phnom Penh that I had to check out before leaving the city.

Aside from shops and restaurants, there are quite a number of houses along this street, and the architecture is amazing! As you may probably have guessed by now, I'm a sucker for colonial type houses, so if you're like me, definitely do take the time to stroll down this street.

Found Waterlily, a boutique that sells all sorts of hand-made trinkets made from buttons, plastic spoons and even small toy planes! According to their leaflets (my copy, which I can no longer find), designer and owner Christine Gauthier's creations made from all kinds of beads and recycled materials are frequently featured in fashion magazines and are used for various fashion shows, shootings and trade fairs around Asia.

I absolutely adore the lime green/blue exterior! So welcoming and refreshing.

Sadly, I wasn't allowed to take any snaps but the lady there did let me take a photo of her at work! How awesome is that piece she's doing? Though I've tried it out before, I don't think I have it in me to do anything of that scale!

Looking at the buildings, I sometimes can't help but feel as though I'm not in Phnom Penh - the only things that reminds me of where I am are the signage!

Another awesome discovery - D's Books! They've got all sorts of international titles here that I do believe are secondhand but are in tremendous good condition! Hence, they're uber affordable... I'd say, half the original price or less? Before coming here I actually checked out Monument Books - the National Bookstore or Chapters of Phnom Penh, just along Norodom Blvd. - before coming here and the prices were a bit much for me. So if you're looking for a good read while in the city, definitely stop by here first!

They also do have a cozy reading area at the back of D's Books. The bookworm in me squealed with delight, but thank God I didn't have that much money on me - I would have done serious damage. Not going to lie.

The 240 along, ahem, St. 240 is a 10-room accommodation with a restaurant and shop selling organic products on the ground floor. It definitely has a whole chic, refreshing vibe to it, so if that's your thing, do check it out! If only I hadn't eaten lunch before my walk, I would have definitely tried out the restaurant.

  

So, if you fancy a nice afternoon walk to unwind and window shop after a whole day of sightseeing, do check out St. 240! Heck, have a relaxing stroll down this street after visiting the Royal Palace! Like I said, there are definitely a number of shops that you should check out (both local and international brands) and restaurants that'll suit everyone's fancy.

Happy discovering!

Peking Duck, Donuts & Retail Therapy, Phnom Penh

Our family friend who also lives here in Phnom Penh invited us to lunch over the weekend to catch up, and of course I was game! We tried out the Yi Sang Chinese Restaurant over at the Almond Hotel, just along Sothearos Blvd., per her suggestion. 

Almond Hotel

#128F, Sothearos Blvd., Phnom Penh

Yi Sang Restaurant is on the ground floor, right by the main entrance - you won't miss it!

Mhmm, morning glory

Black chicken soup which tasted delicious!

The main highlight for me? The peking duck skin that you wrap up, with a few veggies and dip into a sauce. Gosh, I haven't had this in a long time so I was definitely savouring every moment of it.

After lunch, of course we didn't want to part ways yet so we headed over to Paul's BrewHouse, per our suggestion! I told you I'd be back here!

Having had the iced hazelnut latte before, I went for the iced Irish latte this time round - definitely a tad bit too strong for me, but nonetheless, pretty good. I wished the syrup they had was properly mixed into the drink though, as it was all in the bottom, and quite hard to stir with my measly straw. 

My mom went for the glazed peanut donut (which I took a bite out of and it tasted awesome!)...

...while my dad tried out the chocolate donut with sprinkles (which of course, I also took a bite out of and can say that chocolate lovers will definitely want to try this one out).

Sadly, they were out of the coconut donuts which I absolutely loved from my first visit here! I took that as a sign though to try out something else, so I went for their plain donut with chocolate sprinkles. And it did not disappoint! Sure, not as tasty as the coconut donut, but really good nonetheless. I really like how the donuts here are so light and fluffy, and not too sweet.

So yep, right after this (well, after an hour or so really...) we headed over to the Closeout Factory Outlet which surprisingly our friend hadn't heard of yet!

How was your weekend?

Happy discovering!