This will be my fifth Lunar New Year in Hong Kong. While I will admit that Christmas is my favorite time of year, Lunar New Year is a very, very close second (with Mid Autumn Festival coming in third). You can really feel the energy become more positive and hopeful. After everyone puts their Christmas decorations away by 1 January, everything switches gears for Lunar New Year, which usually takes place in January or February depending on the full moon. Christmas trees are swapped for peonies and orchids, green Christmas garland is swapped for red lanterns, and Santa is swapped for lions, dragons, and snakes (this lunar new year will be Year of the Snake).
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Lai see. Lion dances. Dragons. Prayers. That's just a small glimpse of the liveliness that happens around Lunar New Year. Since moving to Asia at the end of 2019, I have been able to experience a few Lunar New Years here in Hong Kong (and Têt in Vietnam), and it really might be one of the best times of the year. It's everyone coming together to welcome spring and a new year (this year will be Year of the Snake), and the streets are lively with vibrant colors and gorgeous blossoms. Popular colors this time of year are red for good luck and good fortune, yellow/gold for hope and power, and pink for love and happiness.
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Lunar New Year Outfit Ideas
Holiday Season in Taipei // Mandarin Oriental Taipei
To start off the Christmas season this year, I was invited by Ritz Carlton Hong Kong and Clé de Peau for a special afternoon celebrating the holidays as well as Clé de Peau's City of Dreamlight collection. I am no stranger to both Ritz Carlton Hong Kong or Clé de Peau, so these two brands coming together for an epic tea collaboration meant for a very easy yes to the invitation.
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Holiday Afternoon Tea With Ritz Carlton and Clé de Peau
Returning to Wat Phnom
A Morning At The Royal Palace, Phnom Penh
Getting The Royal Treatment at Raffles Phnom Penh
Down The Shore at Jenkinson’s Boardwalk
Summer Peach Picking in Manalapan, NJ
A Trip Back Home to New Jersey
I'm going to get straight to the point - did you know you can access the roof of the Duomo di Milano and get a bird's eye view of the city from atop one of the world's most iconic landmarks? I didn't! Getting the chance to walk across the roof and touch centuries old stone? Yes please. I had previously been to Milan in spring of 2016, and even then I did not know this was someone one could do. The beau, who has been to Milan many times, has also never been to the top of the Duomo and did not know it was an option.
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Views From The Top of the Duomo di Milano
Since becoming parents, date nights have become even more precious and special to us. They don't happen as often as they did before we welcomed little bean, so whenever we travel without our darling little one we always make sure to have a fabulous date night while abroad. We know little bean is happy and settled at home, so now we can relax and enjoy some time together. For our trip to Milan, the beau left all dining plans to me since he knows I love looking up the best spots. I was more than up to the task of finding the perfect restaurant for a romantic dinner in Milan with the beau.
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