Island Chic’s Babble

I know I have done a terrible job updating my blog. However, I am proud to announce that I now have a new hobby!

Photography has always been something that has interested me. The sheer lack of talent & having a point-and-shoot cybershot for the last so many years have kept me from pursuing it even [...]

I know it’s a bit late but I guess it’s better late than never!
It has snowed in Beijing for 2 days this week and the city looks beautiful! Inspite of -20 degree weather I can’t help but feel festive!

Here’s wishing everyone a beautiful new year 2010 full of blessings, love and happiness.

It’s been quite some time since I’ve blogged last. The reason – let’s just say some times uncontrollable forces can be held responsible for our controllable actions.
Since blogspot has been blocked in China, I’ve been unable to access my blog http://island-chic.blogspot.com and like what happens with all things rough and tough, I lost the [...]

I’ve always been a perfume freak and I consider it one of my weaknesses. It’s my favorite section in a department store and I never know which one to buy simply because I’d buy a dozen at a time if I have my way.

Inspired by some friends’ enquiries on recommendations for perfumes to [...]

A 44-storey luxury hotel nearing completion in Beijing, was destroyed in a blazing fire last night, which is said to be set off by fire crackers.

Celebrating the end of Chinese Lunar New Year and the lantern festival, the city of Beijing was set ablaze with fireworks throughout the city and everyone was in a festive [...]

In some ways, 2008 was by far the worst year of my entire life for reasons that some people may or may not know. Ironically it was also the best in many other ways. I’d like to leave aside the bad and concentrate on the good. I’m counting my blessings in 2008.

Here are ten [...]

Newsweek’s article “The Story of Power” lists the following 50 as the world’s most powerful people/families/groups/entities.
It is definitely a fascinating list. Starting from the enigmatic president elect who will now take over the helm of the largest economy in the world to affect the course of the world to the brains behind many revolutionary historical [...]

It would have been less surprising to see a luxury car that earned itself a whopping $14.5 million, to break all records and earn itself a spot in the Guinness Book of Records. But it is indeed a number plate that pulled it off!
I watched this video on You-Tube and thought it will be an [...]

Wish all my friends and family, a very happy and successful new year 2009. May this year be better than the last, in every possible way…

I’ve been mesmerized by the many beautiful images of Maldives, its folklore and culture portrayed by professional as well as amateur photographers on the web, especially Flickr.
Here is a great opportunity for those photographers to add value to their careers/hobbies by getting the due recognition they deserve!

China Folklore Photographic Association (CFPA) started an international photography [...]