True Self

真實的我

如實地做自己，是勇氣；也是最令自己舒服自在的選擇。

小時候，老師、父母用過許多個方法教導我不能說謊，什麼「講大話會掉大牙」、「警察叔叔會來拉你」「說謊的小孩不乖，會沒人錫」甚麼的，用著恐懼來哄我就範。但是，到最後，能真的解釋「為什麼說謊不好」的原因，只有一個：

「每日如實的說真實的話，便不用每時每刻的記著，害怕謊話有日會給拆穿⋯⋯
要每天記著那麼多謊話，不是很累的事嗎？

說實話，就只需直接的回答就行了。」

這就說服了我不說謊。

然而，說謊也有許多不同的面向，
包括：你說的話、你的行動、你塑造的「形象」，也有分真實與不真實。長期戴著面具，用著「以為別人會喜歡的自己」去生活；日復日甚至連自己也被自己騙到。

曾經，我是很執著我在平台上所發佈的照片的「完美度」：不夠光的，不行、不是用專業攝影機拍的，不行、跟上個Post色調不夾的，不行⋯⋯ 曾經，對美學、風格上，有許多執著，後來甚至在分享的內容上，也愈來愈多控制。一天又一天，當讀者、followers開始增多，徬彿有一個無形的間尺在我的腦海中，有許多聲音在我創作/ 分享的時會出現：

「寫素食吧，大家也喜歡看健康的生活」
「跑步、行山的相片最大回應」
「又白又乾淨的簡約風最流行，調色時一定要這樣」

的確，這一切都是真實的我，可是我自己知道，光的底下充滿陰影⋯⋯ 我還是一個缺乏安全感的人，經常會壞疑自己的外表、能力；常不常會被憂傷、負面的情緒困著，也很害易會受情緒起伏而影響到工作和生活。我以為這些也是沒有人想看到的，所以我刻意把暗黑面的自己收起。

就如，手機中總有暗黑的照片，如果調色不合心意，包裝不了的話⋯⋯

寧願收藏。

可是，愈被壓抑的面向，出現率愈來愈密；憂傷的情緒像一頂大帽子，想除也除不了。慢慢，會覺得自己有點抽離，看著親了「塑造」的自己，竟有點陌生和抗拒——她不是在說謊，只是她在說的，不是事情的全部。

不喜歡，要找原因。我發現自己經常性在「要不要忠於自己」的問題上猶疑不決，便索性對症下藥⋯⋯

不再花力氣在勉強自己，只努力去成全自己，而我相信，當無論黑、白兩面也能不抗拒表露，100%做回真實自己時，是最有感動人的能力的。而我也發現，當我有勇氣承認自己的黑暗面，其實也讓在同路上爭扎的同路人有陪伴的安慰。

每天，如實地做自己，便是最自在、最輕鬆的事。

也許版面不再有完美的配色，但我的心卻透徹無比。沒有恐懼、沒有掩飾，只有純粹的紀錄，真真實實的生活與靈感日常。

願 大家也可以自在做自己！

Love,

Charlotte

Genmaicha Cream Bun: Ovule Bakery
Plate & Glass Mug: MIDWAY shop
White Mug: BASAO tea
Coffee drip bag: The Literal Coffee

Photo & Text: Charlotte In White

Sustainable Fashion: Slow & Green Styling

【環保時尚——讓穿衣也慢下來吧】

「快很好，但慢更有價值。」

想環保，除了日常減少外帶、自備水瓶購物袋之外……

穿在身上的，也可以有環保意識嗎？

大家應該還記得，幾年前我曾經開Fashion Online Store，那幾年的時間，學到的許多，但感受的更多：衣服太易買、太常買，麻木地花了金錢又佔了位置。素食後，更進一步，讓我真的反思衣物生產時對工人、地球、動物及面料帶來的影響。

近年，除了貼身衣物外，我也很少再買衣服。因為，在香港，要找到Sustainable Wardrobe不容易，外國買有時要付上大筆運費。前陣子發現Sherilyn，單是色彩的美學就跟我很配，設計細節位也簡單俐落，最重要是，日本製的面料穿上去非常舒適，其中有件我這兩星期都經常穿呢。而且他們都選用有環保認證染的面料，染布都選用天然植物萃取的植物染；要知道化學品染布其實都很衍生許多環境污染問題，減少污染其實是環保的第一步。

「快很好，但慢更有意思。」

現在到Sherilyn下單，可享85折優惠呢！
🌵15% off discount code: SlowStyling

View fullsize

PS：這條好喜歡呢！（我身高171CM，體重56KG，穿M or Free Size)

PS: 穿了兩星期也常常想穿的一件～

with love & blessings,

Charlotte

About LOVE

關於愛情的小二三事

有時候，我喜歡在Instagram上發問，想知道你們的想法，想我寫什麼呢？想不到的，是有朋友叫我多分享「有關愛情」的事。

寫作靈感大多來自個人經歷，我也非「愛情專家」，戀愛次數，一雙手數得完。最大原因是我不容易喜歡上一個人，當然，同時由細到大我也不是多人追的女生——在男生眼中，大概我也不是gf-able的女生，安靜又帶點獨特的「奇怪」；but it’s ok，懂性以來，我也相信「有緣就會遇上」。不過，從這十多年的小小經驗中，慢慢地看到了一些自己在關係中的缺失。這些經驗，都提點著我在下一次的關係中，要怎樣去愛，怎樣成為一個更好的人。

Sometimes, I love asking you guys about the blogging topic on Instagram. Few days ago, one friend suggests that she is interested in reading more about “love & relationship” - which I was quite surprised.

My writings are usually inspired by story of my life. And by no means I could claim myself as a love & relationship expert (sorry, I have just a few serious relationships in my “history”). But, I guess through out some up & downs in these years, I have understand much more about myself & my partner; and thus maybe I could share some little reminders (for myself) in building future relationships. Or more importantly, and simply, how to be a better person.

Partner, not Boyfriend/ Girlfriend

還記得小時候二人三足的遊戲嗎？請放棄「男朋友、女朋友」的慣性稱號吧！一段感情當中，其實我們是希望找個可以一人一步、步伐一致、陪伴大家一起走下去的人。關係當中包括了信任、支持、尊重及互相成長。伴侶(Partner)，這個名稱其實更合適。

Still remember the “Three-legged Race”?
Give up the usual names of "Boyfriend or Girlfriend". In a relationship, in fact, we want to find someone who can walk together along the way in a similar pace. It is about the accompany, which includes trust, support, respect, care and mutual growth. “Partner”, which means a pair of people engaged together in the same activity, is much more precise when we come to talk about a relationship.

在他出現之前 Before he/she comes

了解自己、接受自己。如果一部分的你還是空洞、未知的，期待有一個人出現就會把它解決的話，對不起…… 這是不可能的。即使在短時間內，他的存在填補了你一部分的空虛；時間一長，要不你會感覺太依賴對方，要不就是覺得自己好像比以前空虛了。我喜歡一個比喻，說一段關係，不是0.5+0.5=1，是1+1=我們——不是倚賴別人來完整自己，而是要一起走出完整的人生。別急，好好認識自己、更深的了解自己，對的人便會出現了。

Don’t be hurry, please spend time to know yourself and befriend with yourself. If part of you is still feeling empty, and expecting the “Mr./Miss Right” will magically solve those problems, I'm sorry ... this is IMPOSSIBLE. Even if his/her presence fills a part of the feeling of emptiness at first, as time goes by, you will either too dependent on your partner, or you will feel even emptier than before. There is an analogy, saying that relationship is not 0.5 + 0.5 = 1, but 1 + 1 = us. We are not relying on others to complete ourselves, but by having each other accompanied, we figure out our life together. Know yourself well, understand your mind, and the right person will … Tada! He or she will be there.

在他出現之後 After he/she comes

一，有記性。
一開始你為什麼覺得這個人特別，第一次認真看著他眼睛的感覺，第一次擁抱的感覺。這些感覺都是非常個人和獨特的，也是幾段感情過後，我學到的第一件事——要把它們都放在心頭，好好記著。在一段關係中，我們會很容易習慣大家的存在，很容易take each other for granted，慢慢地就忘記了彼此的特別、觸動到你內心的地方。時刻懷著感恩的心，去欣賞對方的每一個舉動，也許是保持關係甜蜜的秘訣。

First, have a GOOD MEMORY.
It is all about why you started. The very special human being in front of you, his/ her beautiful eyes, the intimacy between you two… These feelings are very personal and unique. In a relationship, it is easy to take each other for granted, slowly forgetting the special feelings and loving moments. Always with gratitude, admiring each other may be the secret to maintaining a loving relationship.

二，別小覷原諒的力量。
現世代，我們追求平等，追求完美的對象，對方稍有犯錯稍有缺點，我們就覺得：這個人不太值得我去愛。放棄成為了很容易，也大不了的事。可是，我卻覺得應該要聆聽自己心裏的聲音。除了表面的對錯，你有想過對方為什麼會犯錯嗎？嘗試去了解對方的想法，去明白對方。最重要是，「如果明天是世界末日，那今天的你還會選擇去愛他嗎？」Bingo，你內心就有答案了。

Second, don't underestimate the power of forgiveness.
In modern times, we pursue equality and always hope to look for a perfect partner. If he/ she makes a few mistakes, we may feel that this person may simply not the one. It is always easy to give up on a relationship. However, apart from the “who is right and who is wrong”, have you ever wondered why he/she made the mistake? Try to not be caught in your own thoughts, but to understand his/her situation behind the mistake. And, "If tomorrow is the end of the world, would you still choose to love him today?" Bingo, you have the answer in your heart, listen to it, trust your intuition.

三，不再為小事動氣。
一時周圍放的污糟衫、偶爾忘記了的重要日子等等的小事，不要太在意而動氣吧！不發脾氣，其實你可以選擇好好的解釋，又或者以一個輕鬆、開玩笑的方式去取代。別忘了，一段關係，一段partnership是互相支持不完美的大家一起走下去；而支持、鼓勵永遠也比負面情感奏效。小事情，一起笑笑，然後改過吧！

Third, don’t sweat the small stuff!
Maybe it is the dirty laundry all over the floor, the important event that he/she occasionally forgets… and so on. There are 90% of the stuff that your partner did annoy you! But hey, before losing your temper immediately, can you think of something else to react? Explain to each other by teasing or making a joke of him/ her? Don't forget, a partnership means to support encourage each other along the way, even if we are not perfect. A positive attitude is always the key. Don’t sweat the small stuff, just laugh it out and change!

四，不要停止做最好的自己。
不要停止、拒絕成長。即使走的路不一樣；但步伐一致，是走在一起的關鍵。

Fourth, don't stop being your best self.
Don't refuse to grow even in a comfortable relationship! Mutual growth, support and encouragement are the keys in a long-lasting partnership.

許多人說，遇上對的人，會完整了自己。我卻認為，遇上(認識)自己，好好專注發展自己，你自己便是對的人。有趣的是，當你不覺得有任何缺乏的東西，甚至不缺乏一段關係之時，那個對的愛人，就會被你吸引到、出現了。

When you start understanding yourself much more, focusing on your own growth, you will attract the right person. When you feel there is nothing lacking, the right one, will be attracted to you.

with love & blessings,

Charlotte

PS: HELLO!

Jessie Jing, the beautiful cover girl in the photo, is publishing her first book 《Manuscripts of the Mind》.
The book is a series of poetry and prose dedicated to and inspired by the fantastical world of the bipolar mind and how one journey through the metamorphosis of one’s state of living to a state of being. 

Pre-order available: 《Manuscripts of The Mind》

Photos in the article:
Art Direction • @charlotteinwhite
Photography • @nylllllk
Set Design • @makeyourchoicesss_floralab
Wardrobe • @futureclassicsofficial

5 Morning Habits to Calm Your Day

早上完成這五件事，會給你平靜的一天

有些事情，我每天起床也會做。不知不覺成了生活日常的日常，這些事不難做也不太花時間，只需要提醒自己就可以了。

“When you keep doing something for 21 days they become a habit.”
And yes, there are something I will do every morning, and doing so it makes everything different - not only my health is getting better, I feel a lot calmer throughout the day too.

1. 每天起床，花5分鐘時間坐在床上或坐墊上，閉上眼晴，靜靜地聆聽自己的呼吸。

2. 整理及收拾床舖——整齊的睡房不單立即讓你感覺舒服自在，晚上回家時也能讓身體心情好好休息。

3. 早上淋浴，可以嘗試使用半冷或全冷水——它會讓你的鼻子都非常暢通，有一種早上在大海暢泳的感覺。（踫到冷水記得要保持呼吸，別閉氣，呼吸會讓你容易適應水的溫度；也可以先撥一些水在肚子讓身體適應）

4. 挑戰自己，起床別趕緊去沖咖啡，反而在睡覺前倒一杯水；起床後，加一點檸檬汁，把它整杯喝完。

5. 預早15分鐘出門，時間鬆動一些，也許會發覺心情也放鬆一點。

1. Don’t look at your phone immediately at the moment you woke up. Try to sit on the bed, or on a cushion, cross your legs, softly close your eyes, pay attention to your breathing for 5 minutes.

2. Make your bed - a tidy and clean space not only brighten up your mood immediately, and when you back from work at night, it provides you a warm welcome with a space for you to rest.

3. Take a cold shower in the morning. Cold shower will help your breathing to be smooth, and nothing is better than a feeling of diving in the sea in the morning. (little reminder: Keep breathing will let you to adapt to the temperature of water, and you may want to start with pulling some water to your belly first.)

4. Challenge yourself: Rather than going to make yourself a coffee, start your morning with a cup of still water with some lemon juice. It helps to detoxify your body.

5. Try to leave our home 15 minutes earlier than usual to get to work or school. With abundance of time, you may feel the whole day is much more relaxing.

你也有屬於自己的早上習慣嗎？

Do you have your own morning rituals too?

Love,

Charlotte

How I Stop Judging & Start Loving Myself

活在自己的外表下

「活在自己的外表下」這句說話很奇怪吧，不是所有人都叫妳「別活在自己的外表下」嗎？

Everyone told us we shouldn’t be limited with how we look, no?

我曾經是患嚴重「討厭自己」的病人。

現世代的女生很難當，活在大眾的眼光下，那「美」的標準高得不容許半分的差距。假如你像我一樣，也是個完美主義者，也許常常也會問自己同一堆問題：
「我有沒有看起來肥了一點？」
「我的皮膚太差嗎？那暗瘡有沒有太搶眼了？」
「天啊，我的髮形是想怎樣⋯⋯怎麼每一天也是Bad hair day。」
「（滑Instagram的同時）我也想好像她線條那麼美，今天的晚餐不吃好了⋯⋯」

我不知道社會的標準從何時開始變成這樣，廣告、社交媒體上充斥著完美無瑕的臉孔。一模一樣的審美觀，也讓我曾經在路上迷失過。是的，幾年前的我也拼命的做運動和節食，為了看上去、照片拍上去不用再美圖修瘦一點，也不用去除臉上那過多的斑點。為了迎合大眾，為了迎合潮流，為了自己喜歡上自己，明明沒有吃過早餐也會去街上跑個五公里，每次也快要頭暈的倒下、明明背就痛得不得了，也會迫自己做Sit up。

身材瘦了、比例好了，得到的稱贊也漸漸多了。社交媒體上發的照片也愈來愈多人留意，因為我替自己做了一個「健康」的形象——我做運動、我吃得健康、早睡早起。每個人也喜歡這個看上去清爽、有型的女生。是的，我也喜歡這個我塑造出來的自己。可是，我卻受飲食不協調而困擾。日復日，看著自己在磅上的磅數愈來愈低，我像上癮了的感覺。

直到有一天，我再看不過眼自己「造」出來的自己。我得到幾多人的追隨，得到幾多人的喜愛，有令我對自己感覺好一點，愛自己多一點嗎？

I used judge myself a lot, like all day, everyday.

You cannot imagine how difficult it is to be a woman. We are all being judged by media and society, the “passing line”, the standard of being beautiful, is always hard to reach, almost impossible to fulfill. If you are a perfectionist like me too, maybe these questions will always be on your head:
”Do I look fat? Because I ate too much in the last holiday?”
”Why I always having such an acne-prone skin?”
”My hair looks horrible…”
”Why is she so skinny? I’d better skip the dinner tonight… (while looking other’s profile on instagram)”

I have no idea why this standard becomes so normal nowadays (or even for decades, already). And yes, I’ve had lost myself in this journey of “Pursuit of Perfection”. Back to few years ago, I ate little and I kept on exercising every single day - not because I love working out, but it is for another hidden reason - I don’t have to photoshop myself in computer anymore in order to look tiny and thin in pictures. I thought it was the meaning of perfection, I thought if I look perfect, I would be happy. I forced myself to run 5km every morning even before breakfast, kept doing sit up even I was suffering from back pain… I thought by having such discipline, I would had the control over my body, and my happiness. That was me, 4 years ago.

And after just two months, I started losing a lot of weight. And then… the pictures I post on social media got more likes, and I gained quite an amount of followers too. Seems that everyone loves a sporty, healthy girl with a “well-balanced” life. However, the truth was I am suffering from eating disorder. Seeing the dropping numbers on the weighting scale everyday, I was totally addicted to this feeling of “controlling & regulating” myself.

Until one day, I couldn’t accept this anymore.
No matter how many followings I gained, how many likes I got - I didn’t feel happier. Deep inside, I knew something was wrong inside me… I didn’t know how to stop judging myself. My heads were full of judgements and negative emotions that I couldn’t let go. I don’t know how to start loving myself.

But I wanted to change.

我開始看很多不同女生的語錄或是文章。我開始明白，要懂得愛別人，先要學懂怎樣愛自己。對自己再不要太苛刻，要懂得欣賞自己。我也開始接觸宇宙的世界觀。明白到，想要得到一樣東西，先要讓自己知道自己的目標和想法，宇宙才會安排你想要的事情發生。而最重要的，是懂得愛自己，要和自己好好相處。

現在去上一課瑜珈課，是因為可以令內心平靜下來；去行山、呼吸新鮮空氣，是因為讓身體吸收自然養份。做這些事，是為了讓自己愛自己多一點。每每在躍動、流下汗水的一刻，我感到實在的快樂，那不再是來自磅上的數字跳動。

依然愛發社交媒體上的照片，是因為，我發現，沒有其他的事比可以影響到別人來得更有滿足感和快樂。（現在還寫專欄和出書了！）如果你下次在鏡子前嫌棄自己、想餓自己的時候，會記起我的文字，那對我來說，就是莫大的成就和快樂了。

雖然，踏入二十八歲了的我最近開始受身體一點點的小老化（像新陳代謝開始變慢、臉上的色斑開始愈來愈多等等）而影響。但在擦保養品的同時，我清楚意識到我擁有了年月給我的經驗、歲月給我的啟發，而這些一點一點，也讓我變得更為動人。

So I started reading. Reading a lot of online articles, quotes about self-care & self-love. I started questioning myself where do these negative thoughts come from, and observing them one by one, passively acknowledging it. I started to understand I have to heal myself through self-love, before I could know how to care for others. The more I know about spirituality, the more I believe in the law of attraction. I started to find my goals, understand my thoughts, witness my emotions. Most importantly, I started practicing self-care and self-love…

Now, when I practice yoga, it is because it calms me and remind me of love & compassion; when I go hiking, it is because of the fresh air and to relax the body. I move because I love my body and honour it. Every time I feel my heart beating and sweat dropping, I am thankful for being alive, being able to walk on earth. And, the true happiness comes. My emotions no longer affected by the fluctuation on scale. I am free.

I still love posting pictures on social media, writing for blog & magazine and even published a book last year. Being able to spread positive messages, share inspirations with others, bring me the biggest satisfaction and happiness. If… next time, when you are judging yourself in front of the mirror, and thinking if you should skip meals, and suddenly think of my story, and remind yourself to drop any judgements - that would bring me tremendous joy.

Although I am now approaching 29 and I begin to notice some changes on my body (slower metabolism, more and more freckles on the face, etc.). However, I clearly know that they are simply a sign of maturity and wisdom, and that makes me more beautiful too. I accept what it is as it is.

「別活在自己的外表下」，說的冠冕堂皇，但真正能做到嗎？我就未有這修為了。更實際一點的，定義你個人專屬的「好」，然後透過改善生活的細節去令自己變得更好（別只在模仿，要真心相信和實踐）；別讓外來的標準去判斷「不好」，也接受那些你眼裡不好（這是困難的我知道）。只有這樣，當你即使「活在自己的外表下」，也能找到自身的美好，就這樣，人類最強的美麗就出來了——那叫自信！

要記得，學懂欣賞自己的美麗吧，因為世界上就只有你一個，獨一無二的存在。有一句張國榮的在演唱會上說過的話，我一直放在心裏，常常提醒自己——

「人最緊要既就係，你懂得點樣去愛人之外⋯⋯最緊要既，係你識得去欣賞你自己。」

“Don’t define yourself by how you look.” It sounds nice, but how can we really pursuit it in everyday life? It might be hard, but you start from shifting your mindset, changing your thinking habits - try not to make judgements because of the outside standard, don’t engage the negative thoughts, simply observe… Witness where did these thoughts come from, and slowly you will know it is all coming from LOVE, because you want to be a better version of yourself.

Remember, learn to see and admire how beautiful you already are. Because you are the one and only one, the most special human being on this earth.
Treat yourself as you treat others; love yourself as you love others.

LOVE,

CHARLOTTE

Vegans in Bali 0.1 : Two Beautiful Raw Food Cafes in Ubud

【峇里素食：烏布兩間超美Raw food Cafè】

烏布是植物性飲食和純素食者的天堂！

第一次到訪峇里的我，除了對它們的景色非常著迷外，也很欣賞他們的素食文化。

特別是烏布市（Ubud），因為是瑜珈的天堂，所以相對地多素食餐廳；即使普通餐廳，素食和純素的選擇也不少。在烏布留了一個月的我，當然要找出特別又好吃的咖啡店。當中有全生機素食Raw Food、純素Vegan和提供蛋奶素和純素的餐廳，每一間也令我印象很深刻。

今天就介紹兩間全生機素食Raw Food的餐廳。

Ubud is a vegan & plant-based food paradise!

Many years after hearing a lot of goodness about this place, I had finally visited Bali for the first time earlier in April this year. Not only attracted by their spectacular landscapes, their plant-based eating culture also impressed me.

Especially in Ubud, a paradise and centre for Yogis, they have a high proportion of vegetarian restaurants - raw food, vegan, vegetarian or restaurants serving veggie options. And each one of them is just so special and unforgettable. And of course, the foods are wonderful, delicious & nourishing.

Today, let’s start with two beautiful Raw Food Cafes!

Colourful & Clean healthy Food

Raw Food cafe - The Seeds of Life

The Seeds of Life是一家全生機素食餐廳，除了有大約20款新鮮果汁和超級食物果昔選擇外，他們也提供一系列從前菜、小食到甜點的餐點（是我看過最多選擇的菜單！）。生機素食，意思是食材不經攝氏47度以上烹調，吃天然食材，把養分全部吃進體內。他們的果昔碗（Smoothie Bowl）不但口味特別，是我最愛的熱帶水果紅肉火龍果，賣相也很特別和漂亮。其他的餐點，例如生機薄餅、沙拉、小吃等等也是利用簡單的蔬食，用特別的做法製成的。
另外，他們的店分兩層，充滿了墊子和“榻榻米” - 超級舒適，也非常適合一個人拿著書待上幾個小時。在布吉炎熱潮濕的天氣下最合適吃生機素食了！

Raw food cafe and tonic bar in Ubud. They serve fresh organic juices and superfood smoothies, not to mention they have the largest raw food menu that I have ever seen! Smoothie bowls are eye-catching and well-presented, with unique flavour with my favourite red dragonfruit bowl. Other dishes such as raw pizza, salad, tapas are made with simple plant based ingredients in a special recipe. Not to mention their place is super cozy, filled with cushions and “tatami” - perfect for chilling with a book and nourishing food! (And large range of dessert too!)
Raw food is simply the perfect food to eat under hot and humid weather of Ubud.

The Seeds of Life
Address: 2 Jalan Gootama, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.

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A holistic raw cafe & shop

Raw Food cafe - the alchemy

健康生活，是一個整體的概念。當中包括衣、食、住、行，The Alchemy 就把這個概念完全的演譯出來。
我們最簡單容易接觸得到的方面，是食物。除了每日新鮮的沙拉吧和全素食菜單外，還提供生巧克力和甜點，素食冰淇淋和小吃。我去過兩、三次，當中除了試過Acai Bowl巴西莓果碗外，他們的腰果奶咖啡也是香滑的。
他們旁邊的小商店，則出售有機農產品，和各種天然產品如護膚品，精油和衣服等。他們也偶爾舉辦瑜伽班、音樂會和烹飪課程；二樓則是結腸水療診所。如果你喜歡Healthy Lifestyle，我認為必須去看一下！（它們寬敞的室內設計和超大的靠墊椅子也是重點～）

A holistic raw food cafe which brings you beyond food. They also sells organic produce with a selected shop with a range of natural products like skin-care, essential oil and clothes. Not only to mention they have a high ceiling, specious design and big comfy cushions filled chairs.
Aside from the daily fresh salad bar and a full-vegan menu, they also serve raw chocolate and desserts, raw vegan ice cream and snacks. With occasional events like yoga classes, mini-concerts and cooking classes, and a colonic hydrotherapy clinic above them, they made healthy living into a holistic living lifestyle. A must visit in my opinion!

Alchemy
57 Penestanan Klod, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia, 80571

炎夏的峇里最合適吃冰涼的食物。像雪糕一樣，卻沒有雪糕的精製糖份和罪惡感。
Acai Bowl rich like a much healthier version of creamy ice cream!

美麗又具空間感的餐廳。
Beautiful & spacious restaurant.

下一篇文章再分享其他好吃又特別的素食餐廳！
I will share a few more vegans restaurants in my next article! Stay tuned!

LOVE,

CHARLOTTE

You Smell Like GREEN

【法式簡約。零化學物的綠色香氣】

女生，總喜歡聞上去香香的。

身邊有些朋友卻容易皮膚敏感，就算無論有多喜歡香氣，也沒法使用香水。早陣子受 100BON 的邀請，做過一個 “100BON EXPERIENCE” - 對這個綠色品牌概念非常有好感，所以希望在這邊介紹一下。

Fragrance is an invisible (& the most attractive) accessory.

However, some friends of mine have to avoid perfume because of allergies (chemicals). Last week, I was happy to be invited by 100BON for a "100BON EXPERIENCE" - and I’ve fall in love with the green concept behind the brand immediately.

它來自法國，兩位創辦人以前都是國際香水品牌的香水專家，不過因為想專心製作好(BON)、健康及純淨的香氛，也不願意添加對人和地球有害的化學物，所以才創立 100BON。當中，所有香水來也是來自於100%天然原材料——不含石化原料、人工香精、致敏物質等等，讓擁有敏感肌膚，甚至是懷孕女性都可以安心使用。

此外，你會發現這個品牌有一點不同：它捨去過度包裝，也不做動物試驗，原料也是來自可持續的農業。100Bon，英文唸出是Scent Bon，意思是美好的香氣，回歸『香味』本質。

的確，有理念的綠色品牌是美好的。

100BON is the first French perfume manufacturer 100% dedicated to natural ingredients. With a collection of 100% natural fragrances, which are rechargeable, green and accessible. The perfumes are designed and developed in France based on essential oils, without colour, phtalates and petrochemicals - a safe & clean perfume for those with sensitive skin, even during pregnancy.

Their products are not tested on animal, with 100% vegetables ingredients, and minimises costly bottles and too much packaging, with a holistic “Green” philosophy.

自己搭配的專屬香氣

那天，我上了一課「香水體驗課程」，在三十多種不同香氣中找出自己喜歡的香氣，把多款香調堆疊——搭配出屬於自己的味道。每支100BON香水都可根據其香調分類分成前、中、後調，並按照個人喜好組合出完整香水結構；100BON特別之處，就是可以根據個人對香味的取向，選擇自己使用的順序而疊噴出獨特的香水組合，每款香水的呈現方式亦因此變得各有不同。基本上，是沒可能和別人「撞味」！

這個Tailor-made的過程其實很好玩～

Tailor-made & Layering

On that day, I took a “Discovery Workshop” - learning their concepts and natural perfumes as well as learning how to mix and match for creating my personalized perfume. With over 20 kinds of scents, I played with endless possibility with the sequence of layering. There were a lot of “experiments”, but that was really fun.

“So what is Charlotte’s Layering Combination?”

Charlotte’s Layering Combination

後調 Base Note：雪松&鳶尾花 CEDRE ET IRIS SOYEUX
些許的甜味，結合了細緻的木調
A wooden floral hint, a powder & exciting scent with an aura of fascination


中調 Middle Note：含羞草&天芥花 MIMOSA & HELIOTROPE POUDRE
一個同時帶著花香與粉感的香調，溫柔而甜美
A delicate, soft sweetness with floral & powdery notes.

前調 Top Note：橙花&苦橙葉 NEROLI & PETIT GRAIN PRINTANIER
春天的青澀味道
A mix of floral & suave hints, like a spring bud.

“The secret ingredient is always LOVE.” 太喜歡這一句了。

真正的可持續香氣

最後，最令我深刻的是，每一家店也可以重覆補充香水——只要拿回空瓶就可以了（價格也很相宜！）這樣不但減少耗材，也為地球盡一分力。

環保不只是說，而是要做啊！

A Sustainable & Rechargeable Perfume

What impressed me the most is their GREEN 100% REFILLABLE method. All of their perfumes can be recharged and refill this as many time as you wish in 10/10 HOPE store. Not only this minimise the waste, it also make each perfume much more affordable.

A collaboration with 10/10 HOPE & 100 BON

Love,

Charlotte

A Lesson to Self-Care

好好照顧自己

這幾年，我經常聽到幾個經常形容我的形容詞，清爽、獨特、平靜。不少訪問會問我茹素以後，心靈會否變得平靜起來。茹素雖然不是魔法，卻讓我意識到「要好好照顧自自己」的道理，除了應用在飲食上，應該應用在生活各方面——好好吃一頓飯，好好穿衣，好好工作，好好生活。那麼，同樣道理，可否用在心靈層面上？你有沒有好好照顧自己的情感？

There are always a few keywords describing me - fresh, unique and calm. But I have not always been a calm girl since childhood. It took me many years to be who I am now, to learn those lessons I have to learn. Although following a plant-based diet is not a life-changing magic, it inspired me to “how to live well?” in other aspects, such as having good meals, wear comfortable clothes and work well etc. Meanwhile, can we apply the same concept into our inner self?

什麼是身心靈健康？
What is well-being?

簡義來說，一個健康和快樂的狀態。
(n.) A state of feeling healthy and happy.

身、心、靈三方面是相互連繫，相互影響。一個人的健康，身就是身體、生理；心就是心理、情緒；靈代表靈性、靈魂，這三方面之間必須維持一個平衡，我們才會在一個真正健康的狀態。

Body,Mind,Soul - three are related and affecting each other. Healthy body may be the most common definition we hear health. Healthy mind, which we may think of peaceful emotions and mindset. Soul, about our spiritual health, help us to find happiness and meaning of life. One must achieve a balance in these three aspects in order to enjoy a healthy life as a whole.

“Self-care means being switched on, fully present and engaged in your life. It’s the opposite of switching off and retreating from the world. Ignoring your own needs leaves you depleted, but self-care will energise you.”

— 《self-care for the real world》

曾經，當我對外界的煩擾而感到疲累時，我會選擇逃避，讓自己躲在家中，對外不聞不問。那時候的我覺得，我需要這一點安靜又安全的時間去休息。不過，休息的愈久，卻會感到無力感更重。

I used to “switching off” myself when I have negative emotions and anxiety. They just glue me to my bed for hours of uselessness. I thought I needed that space to rest and think. However, the longer I indulge myself in switching off, the more powerless I feel towards everything.

真正照顧自己，意思是讓自己完全投入，百分百的參與在你的生活中。這與隔離自己、避開外邊世界的方式完全相反。 忽視自己的需求會讓你感到疲憊不堪，但好好照顧自己卻可以激勵你，讓你重新感到自己的力量。嘗試把專注力重新回到自身，打開耳朵好好聽一聽身體的需要、觀察自己對事物的反應，慢慢地訓練自己的敏感度和相信自己的直覺。

Caring for yourself means to let yourself be fully engaged and presented in your life. This is the exactly opposite of isolating yourself from the outside world. Ignoring your own needs can make you feel exhausted, but taking care of yourself can motivate you and make you feel your inner strength again. Try to put concentration back to yourself — listen to your body's needs, observe your reactions to the surrounding, and slowly train your sensitivity and start beliving your instincts.

照顧自己的日常練習

Practice these few steps

聽上去好像很難明白？不如由生活上幾個簡單細節開始吧！

在晨光初起的早上，練習瑜珈、冥想，放鬆呼吸，把筋骨放鬆；好動的你也可以選擇做一點肌肉訓練，把專注力都重新回到自身。
在忙碌的下午，為自己泡一壷茶或沖煮一杯咖啡，讓自己慢慢從急促生活中放慢節奏，享受一下平靜和放鬆的時刻。
在寧靜的晚上點起心愛的香氛蠟燭，放點輕鬆的慢音樂，偶爾使用讓人放鬆的精油搽在手腕，或是睡前噴幾下天然香氣的pillow mist，好好舒眠及舒緩情緒。

Hard to understand? Don’t worry… It's always better to start with a daily routine.

In the early morning, start the day by practicing yoga and meditation, try to relax your breathing and your body. If you are an active person, you may try doing some muscle training, and put the concentration back to yourself.
During a busy afternoon, make yourself a cup of tea or brew a cup of coffee, let yourself to slow down from the rush of life, try to enjoy a moment of calm and relaxation.
In the quiet evening, you can light your favourite scented candle, play some slow music; and maybe use relaxing essential oils to massage your hands, or to spray a few drop of soothing sleeping mist before going to bed.

對我來說，奢華不等於是物質上的種種，而是對生活的細節有要求，講求生活上的質感；美好的生活，從照顧好自己的需要開始。

To me, luxury is never a materialistic concept, but it requires your attention to every details in life, looking for the quality of life. Well-being begins with you treat yourself with good care.

最後，想感謝 10/10 HOPE 的邀請，在剛剛的倫敦之旅給了我到 bamford 的體驗。品牌的理念不但跟我很相近，「用在身體上的跟吃進去的同樣重要」，還有他們holistic（全面的）的想法和理念，也帶給我對身心靈不一樣的看法。

Last but not least, I would like to thank 10/10 HOPE for their invitation and bamford for their warm welcoming. Not only I appreciate their brand concept and belief - “What goes on the body is as important as what we put inside.”, also they inspired me to have deeper understanding about well-being.

我和他們也合作拍了一個短的影片——很快就會跟大家見面，請期待喔！

I have also partnered with them to create a video, please stay tuned!

PS: 那天在Brompton Cross的 Daylesford 吃午餐，全素的選擇很多呢；就像我手上拿著的Pizza，滿滿的antichoke洋蓟，新鮮烤出來的就是特別的滋味！除了Cafè外，他們也有賣新鮮、有機食材、家品等等，果真是一個全面的體驗。

PS: After visiting bamford store, the staff recommended that I should visit Daylesford for lunch. Plenty of vegetarian/vegan options and healthy meals, perfect for gathering with friends and family. Also, remember to check out their grocery store (with organic natural food) and homewares shop, I am sure you will spend quite a lot of time there!

Daylesford
76-82 Sloane Avenue Brompton Cross
London SW3 3DZ

Love,

Charlotte

Vegan Fine Dining in Two Michelin Stars Restaurant London

【純素FINE DINING：倫敦米芝蓮二星餐廳】

是的，植物性飲食和純素食者也可以在米芝蓮2星的高級餐廳用餐！

The Ledbury 不僅是米芝蓮二星餐廳（2018年米芝蓮指南），也是2017年世界50佳餐廳（排名第14位）。 位於諾丁山（總是讓我想起電影“摘星奇緣”），一個非常美麗又具詩意的地區。

它們除了午餐和晚餐菜單外，還提供Tasting Menu組合菜單和素食（Vegetarian）版本的菜單。 訂位前，我們先打電話來確認他們是否還有純素的版本（總是預先打電話查詢一下比較好）。純素的Tasing Menu為160英鎊，含6道菜。 對於倫敦的一家二星米芝蓮的高級餐廳來說，價格其實還蠻合理的。

Yes, even Plant-based Diet and Vegans can enjoy fine-dining experience in Michelin 2-stars restaurant!

The Ledbury, not only one of the restaurant with Two-stars Michelin (In Michelin Guide 2018) but also the World’s 50 Best Restaurant in 2017 (Rank 14th). Located in Notting Hill (the area always reminds me of the film “Notting Hill”, yes, beautiful Julia Roberts”), a very beautiful and poetic area.

Other than lunch and dinner menu, they also offer a tasting menu, along with a vegetarian tasting menu. We called to double confirm if they have a vegan version (always better to call and check beforehand), and they said it is totally fine. The vegan tasting menu is GBP $160 with 6-courses. For a two-stars Michelin high-end restaurant in London it is actually pretty fair priced.

appetizer 頭盤

White Beetroot 白紅菜頭

Toasted bread with Goat Butter (vegetarian) or Olive Oil (vegan).
烤麵包 配 羊奶黃油（奶素）或橄欖油（純素）

“Hen of the Woods, Potato Emulsion and Rosemary” - it’s roasted mushroom that taste so yummy!
烤菇配上馬鈴薯汁和迷迭香，吃起來真的有烤雞的香味！

Vegetarian Dessert, ice cream & cheesecake. （蛋奶素）雪糕配芝士蛋糕

Vegan chocolate Soya Sorbet. （純素）朱古力豆奶雪糕

The Ledbury
127 Ledbury Road, Notting Hill, London, W11 2AQ

What Is a Vegetarian?!

【素食101 - 素食有幾多類？】

Japanese Vegan Dinner - Cold Soba.

吃素以後，聽得最多的問題，就是：「素食？你吃不吃魚？」「有些人食素也吃蛋奶，為什麼你不吃？」「我有親人也吃素，不過他是會吃碟中的蔬菜、豆類等（葷菜）。你也會吃嗎？」

解釋了多次，也發覺真的有需要向葷食的朋友好好介紹一下不同種類的素食者，好讓大家日後挑餐廳、食物時有更好的知識基礎！

I got to answer these questions quite often:

"You’re a vegan? So do you eat fish?"
"Some vegetarian eat egg milk, why don't you eat them?"
”My relative is a vegetarian too, but he will pick vegetables and beans from the meat dishes. Would you eat that too?”

After explaining these for so many times, I realise there is really a need to introduce different types of vegetarians to friends who might not be familiar with the “Veggie Concept”. I hope this article would help everyone to have a better knowledge about their “Vegetarian” friends afterwards! (Especially when picking restaurants and what to eat!)

Steamed Veggies.

素食小分類

因由各異，素食絕不單一，也有不同的定義，主要分以下幾類：

蛋奶素 (Vegetarian)
不吃來自動物的食物和其相關製品，例如肉和內臟，但吃蛋類和奶類製品，觀察所見大多香港的素食者也是屬於這範圍。

蛋素 (Ovo-Vegetarian)
除了蛋類，不會吃所有動物性食物和任何奶類製品。

奶素 (Lacto-Vegetarian)
不吃動物性食物和蛋類，但會吃奶類製品，包括乳酪、芝士等。

全素 (Vegan)
不吃肉類，連帶一切有動物成分的相關製品也不吃，包括奶類、蛋類、燕窩、蜜糖等。

鍋邊素/方便素 (Flexitarian)
不直接吃肉類，但可在葷菜中挑蔬菜、豆類等非肉類來吃。

其他例如：魚素者(Pescetarianism)，是指戒食紅肉、禽類肉食，但仍進食海鮮（以魚為主）的人；和果食者(fruitarian)，只吃植物的果實。不同的飲食習慣的確五花百門。

Different kind of Vegetarian

Because of the different reasons, vegetarian food is not single, but also has different definitions, mainly divided into the following categories:

Vegetarian:
They do not eat foods from animals and related products, such as meat and internal organs, but eats eggs and dairy products. It is also within the scope of observing most of the vegetarians in Hong Kong.

Ovo-Vegetarian:
They do not eat all animal foods and any dairy products except eggs.

Lacto-Vegetarian:
They do not eat animal foods and eggs, but eats dairy products, including cheese and cheese.

Vegan:
They do not eat meat, and does not eat all related products with animal ingredients, including milk, eggs, bird's nest, honey and so on.

Flexitarian:
does not eat meat directly, but can pick vegetables, beans and other non-meat in the leek.

Others, for example, Pescetarianism refers to people who quit eating red meat and poultry meat but still eat seafood (mainly fish); and Fruitarians, who only eat the fruits of plants.

Miso Soup.

我希望這個簡單化的解釋會讓你認識更多吧！立即跟不是素者的朋友好好分享～
（下次你便不需要再一次解釋了！）

I hope this simplified explanation would help! Share with your friends who are not a vegetarian!

LOVE,

CHARLOTTE

My Vegan Journey

我的素系之道

有時，一個簡單的決擇會影響一輩子。
Sometimes a simple decision can change your life forever.

四年前，我從食肉獸轉為素食者。雖然當中有經歷過困難的高高低低，我從沒有後悔過這個決定。素食，不止是飲食習慣上的改變；而是無論對自己，還是身邊的人，也有著微微的正面影響。

I became a vegetarian (and later, vegan) four years ago. Even when it was testing to my mind and my family at times, I have never regretted this decision as it has transformed my life entirely. The diet is more than just an eating habit. Time and time again, it has brought me to the most positive results, and eventually influencing the people around me.

從小就是食肉獸
The Little “Meat-Monster”

在典型的中國家庭長大，從小到大我們也對肉食——習慣了。「薯仔炆雞翼」和「蒸三點蟹」也食我最喜歡的菜色。即使蔬菜類的菜色在中國菜的各種佳餚中從不缺乏（就如蒜蓉蒸小白菜）；可以，一餐之中假如沒有肉類或海鮮，中國人也許不太習慣吧。

過年過節時，我們也總有一桌子的「大魚大肉」。燒肉、火鍋、自助餐⋯⋯ 最受歡迎的聚會地方，九成也是肉、肉還有肉。彷彿愈多肉，就肉好；愈惹味，就吃得愈過癮。飲食習慣，其實都是跟家人養成的。

雖然我從沒有討厭過吃蔬果，可是我以前也跟很多人一樣，認為素食是刻板沈悶的。素食未流行起來之前，就只有一些傳統的中式素食館，古舊的氛圍、老氣的菜色，看上去就跟年輕潮流完全拉不上關係⋯⋯ 也不會太吸引到普通肉食者用餐。（那時，我沒有任何的朋友是菇素，也不是沒有原因的。）

Being raised in a traditional Chinese family, we naturally followed a meat-oriented diet. “Roasted Chicken Wings with Potatoes” and “Steamed Crab” were among my favourite dishes. While there has always been an abundance of vegetable dishes in the Chinese cuisine, one could not have easily imagined a meal without meat or seafood with all these delicious flavours and varieties. 

It wasn’t just about the eating habit too. In any family gatherings, our tables were always “big meat big fish” as we called it. Asian barbecue, hotpot, buffet at the hotels, 90% of these popular places are all filled with meat, and more meat. The more, the better; the heavier, the better. It is how we were simply raised to be.

Although I had never detested vegetables or fruits, like everyone else I often thought that the vegetarian diet is only strict and boring. Before it became a trend of itself, there were quite a few traditional Chinese vegetarian restaurants in Hong Kong, but most of them were old-fashioned, with austere decor, unappealing presentation, and perhaps unexciting flavours. None of my friends were vegetarians, not without reasons too.

What changed my mind?

我的跳舞老師 My Dance Teacher

把素食這個概念重新向我傳譯一次的，是我的跳舞老師。大約十年前，我開始學習現代舞。當時教舞的老師吃了十多年素，每次練舞後他都會帶我們一起到素食餐廳。當時我只是好奇，為何能吃素十多年仍有力跳舞、又是非常健康的呢？

As a vegetarian for 20+ years, Andy Wong (a renowned contemporary dance artist) was the first person who introduced me to a vegetarian lifestyle. His way of living totally changed my perception of vegetarianism. I was inspired to see that even for a dancer who needs a lot of energy everyday, he could still follow a vegetarian diet while being so healthy and physically ready at the same time. He was my first model for being a vegetarian.

一次瑜珈斷食營 A 5-day Yoga Retreat Camp

 是因為快大一歲了，想給自己一個改變的機會；與其買一份一星期後就會忘記的禮物，我想過一個有意義又可以 「抖抖氣」的經歷。 對，短短五天讓我對食物的看法改變了。知道了素食，或者看起來更好吃的「蔬食料理」不但易做也很好吃、我也開始喜歡上吃水果和喝果汁後輕盈清新的感覺、真正的意識到肉食為身體帶來的負擔。這種種對身體和心靈的正面影響，驅使了我決定要成為素食者。

It was a gift to myself on my 24th Birthday - rather than getting myself a present that I would probably forget in a week, I decided to experience something more meaningful by joining a yoga retreat camp in Tainan. For a week I adhered to a whole new lifestyle - following a strictly vegetarian diet with lots of fresh, nutritious smoothie, juices and food, gradually experiencing a positive change to my body, as well as practicing meditation and mindfulness with guidance. I was surprised to see that my stomach and digestive system had gotten much better, my skin looked clearer and I felt so much lighter physically and mentally. Ever since this marvellous experience, I decided to be a vegetarian.  

痘痘和敏感皮膚 My Acne-Prone & Sensitive Skin

去年的夏天，我經歷的一段嚴重的「青春痘」問題時期。老實說，雖然我已經吃素一段不短的時間，但有時候，對於一些喜歡的食物，我仍會控制不了而多吃的。尤其是塗滿牛油的麵包、曲奇餅、芝士拼盤、水牛芝士沙律、牛奶咖啡等等⋯⋯全部都有牛奶成分。經過我在網上進行了一些研究之後，我決定要跟長期最愛——牛奶說拜拜。 不過，這並不是件容易的事。 要小心的是，必須注意日常食物有沒有含奶的成分，特別是麵包或甜點。

I experienced a serious acne problem all of a sudden last summer. After doing some research online, I decided to give up my favourite dairy products and followed a strict-vegan diet. It was not an easy process, even a painful one - you cannot imagine how hard it is to stay away from so many milk-related ingredients in food like bread, cakes and even soup!

這就是我的決定和轉變了。現在的我，並不會想念吃肉，因為素食的選擇和替代品也有很多。當然，我間中仍會十分想念香濃咖啡上的綿密奶泡，以及奶油與芝士的質感和味道，但為了更好的皮膚，更好的身體，同時也出於消費良心上的考慮，盡可能減少為動物帶來痛苦，我決定堅持下去。調查指出，素食是對減碳排放和對環境保護最有效益的方法。對，一開始並不容易的，但慢慢地，心癮過後，就沒有那麼難了。或者像我一樣，把好奇心轉至找出美味的替代品，就如純素甜品/蛋糕，又或是植物奶咖啡⋯⋯

So, this is my story of transformation. Now I do not miss meat at all, as there can be thousands of alternatives and vegetarian options. I do miss the richness of dairy products at times, but my stomach and skin are way better since eliminating them completely. Besides, avoiding animal products is also the best way to stand against animal cruelty and exploitation. Research has found that veganism is also the most efficient way to save our planet by reducing carbon emission and conserving water. Yes, It might not be easy at start, but I promise you that it’d become easier when you get over the addiction. It is also certainly another curious habit to search for tasty substitute too, the fascinating vegan cakes and pastries, or just a cup of plant-based milk latte…

「愈簡單，愈豐足」不只是飲食，而是生活
Less for More, not only for Eating but also Living

素，不單改變了我的飲食，而是從食啟發衣、住、行等生活細節，情感甚至心態的轉變。吃一個真正的、全食物，總比吃加工食品更簡單和有營養。對我來說，這個道理可以應用到生活的每一個方面——無論是穿衣、居家、人與人之間的關係等等。當你開始選擇一個更簡單的生活，你會發現生活的美好，找到日常的快樂泉源。

The plant-based diet has not only nourished my body, but also transformed the way I see my life. Eating a whole, organic planet-based meal is always more nutritious and fulfilling than any of those harmful processed food. “Less for More” - it is way more than a eating habit. For me this lifestyle applies to every aspects of life, including how I dress, the way I live and even the perception of our relationships with other living beings. Once you decide to consume healthier food, simpler clothes, comforting homewares… Soon you will find out that you are not only living a simple lifestyle with less belongings, but also towards a much wholesome and happier lifestyle. It is “LifeStyle In White”.

  “The simpler we are, the stronger we become.”

LOVE,

CHARLOTTE

想看更多我素食路上的分享，我的新書《素系風格——素食與簡約生活練習》現於香港及台灣各大書局有售。

按此看更多資料：《素系風格——素食與簡約生活練習》

To read more about my vegan journey, my new book 《LifeStyle In White》is now available at all major bookstores in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Click here for more information: 《LifeStyle In White》

Being Eslite BestSelling Author & Book Sharing

素系分享會 與 誠品暢銷榜！

素系誠品分享會

Two Book Sharings in Eslite Bookstores
 

剛剛的週末，我在誠品香港 2018 Reading Summer「靈感解密室」的主題活動中，分別在銅鑼灣和太古店舉辦了書本分享會，講述我書中的靈感與分享我的素系生活。很感謝到場的每一位，兩節一小時的分享中，見到很多原本陌生的面孔，卻因為《素系風格》連結起來；你們用心的聽，讓我感到無比榮幸。（對，很抱歉我的嗓子太差了；幸好你們也不嫌我棄我沙啞的聲音。）

Last weekend, I hosted two book sharing sessions, one of the events in 2018 Reading Summer organised by Eslite Hong Kong - to share my inspirations of the book and life. I can never imagine how 《LifeStyle In White》 has brought all of you together, and I'm really grateful to see so many new faces, paying so much attention during the 1-hour book sharing. 

(I am sorry that my voice was terrible - and fortunately, none of you has any complaints about it!)

我是誠品暢銷書作者！

I'm the Best Selling Author!
 

另外，其中一個很叫人興奮的消息，就是《素系風格》登上了誠品暢銷榜！記起剛剛出書的時侯，和哥哥走到書店，說要拍在書店上架的照片。我笑說：「放New Arrivals邊夠啊，等我放去暢銷榜影張相呃下人先！」

然後，新書出版未到兩個月的今天，這個小願望實現了。看到「BestSellers 誠品書店暢銷榜」的貼紙貼到書本右下角——實實在在的，《素系風格》得到了大家的肯定。

Another very exciting and unexpected news -《LifeStyle In White》 has reached the Eslite Bestsellers (Health & Well-being Rank 7)after published for 1.5 months! I still remember, two months ago, my brother and I went to the bookstore, wanted to take some pictures of my book. I joked that I should put it on the Best-Selling section instead of the New-Arrivals section to take a "unprecedented" picture.

Yesterday, the moment I saw the sticker of "Eslite Bookstore Bestsellers" being sticked to the bottom right corner of the book, I know that 《LifeStyle In White》 has been affirmed by many, many of you. I can proudly say that "I am the best selling author in Eslite Bookstore!".

另一個天大的喜訊

Another GREAT NEWS...
 

出書快要兩個月，得到很多朋友、陌生人、傳媒朋友一直的支持；也非常感謝誠品香港的同事兩天的幫忙、天窗出版社一直支持和名嘴哥哥Calvin林偉豪做司儀；媽媽也當我兩天的保姆，貼身照料感冒失聲中的我。

剛剛也知道《素系風格——素食與簡約生活練習》入圍了第五屆香港金閱獎（香港出版界的「奧斯卡」）；天大的喜訊，入圍了就當自己羸了！
（可以還是有公開網上投票的環節，到時候要大家幫手了！）

In these months, I have received endless support and love from many of my new and old friends (Yes, if you are reading this now, you are definitely one of them). Also, I must give a big applause to Eslite Hong Kong for their help in the weekend; Enrich Publishing for supporting all along the way and my best brother the one and only Calvin Lam being my greatest MC all the time. And last but not least, thank you to my mum who always takes good care of me when I am sick.

I just know that the 《LifeStyle In White》 was shortlisted for the 5th Hong Kong Book Award (the "Oscar" in Hong Kong Publishing Industry). Okay... that really means so much to me and I already think I have won even I was just being shortlisted!
Public online voting will start very soon and your vote would mean so much to me!

Thank you for always sharing the best news with me,

Charlotte

LifeStyle In White 素系風格

簡約生活，由素食開始

Hello, This is Charlotte, Charlotte in White!

Hi！我叫Charlotte，九十後，是個攝影師／錄像導演／平面設計師／時尚博客／網上時裝店店主／半個服裝設計師／半個模特兒和半個舞蹈員⋯⋯是個Slash斜槓青年吧！基本上，所有關於視覺創意的事我也接觸。

（推出這本書之後，我也成為賣文人了。）

我天生就喜歡看所有美麗的事物——包括人、景色、服裝⋯⋯但我並不是從小就學習藝術的。小學的畫畫課也沒有特別高分，偶爾被貼堂的作品，多數也是因為有哥哥（出貓）幫忙。不過，我爸爸是半個攝影迷，家中有專業的菲林相機，從小我就喜歡去搶他的相機亂拍，是真的亂拍一通！而那些相薄中「鬆、郁、朦」的照片，就是我的童年大作。那時，我也不擔心拍得好不好，反正爸爸從來不介意我燒菲林。看來，這也算是我創作之路的起點。

長大後，我才開始接觸不同的藝術作品，也開始跳舞，慢慢發覺自己還是喜歡簡單、直接的東西。無論是照片、錄像、設計、穿衣，愈簡約，我所感覺到的力量更大——簡單化，在我所觸及的地方，追求著每一個位置和細節也有其意思和意義的。

三年前，因為一次到台南參加斷食營的經歷，讓我做了一個決定：要從生活中最基本的「食」開始，把其「簡約化」。從此，我的斜槓又多了一劃，決意成為「素食者」，裡裡外外去實行我的簡約生活。

但始終，「民以食為天」嘛，在一個傳統華人家庭長大，從小由煮飯習慣「多油、多鹽、多肉」的嫲嫲帶大，要徹底地改變飲食習慣，並非易事，也絕非我個人的事。其中不少經驗，有好笑的、奇怪的、意想不到的、掙扎的、不愉快的：和自己的對戰問：「為何要吃素？」、「為甚麼簡單的吃頓飯也好像要麻煩身邊人遷就？」；還有和身邊的人的互動，餐廳老闆一知半解的說：「不吃肉？我們海鮮也好吃！」甚至媽媽無奈的訴說：「甚麼也不吃，也不知道要給你煮些甚麼！」

也許，從我的文字，能道出不少素食朋友的心底話，讓大家知道難免崎嶇的素食之路上有這麼一個素未謀面的知心人。更能讓未曾試過吃素的朋友多明白一點吃素到底是甚麼一回事，然後能和吃素的家人朋友相處得更好，甚至偶爾一起享受素食的滋味。

這三年，素食除了讓我發現食物可以如此多樣性，也讓我因此接觸到更多的人、更多我未曾想像過的事。沒有負擔的蔬食，不止於可以為身體帶來好的能量，感覺輕盈和舒適了，也影響了我的生活態度，甚至對生命的看法。在二十七歲的這一年，我寫下自己從決定素食開始，那些初心和經歷、成功與困難、身體及心靈上的點點過程——記錄我如何由選擇「食物」開始，過一個自己選擇的人生，一步步成為「更好的我」。即使感覺未足以超越世界的慣性，我卻可以選擇改變自己，從每天都要吃的食物開始。

對我來說，「素」不只是吃，它能賞、能活。素食的日子、簡約的生活、直接的情感——是啟發，是美麗的開始，是愛。

這篇文章收錄於《素系風格——素食與簡約生活練習》一書中，CHARLOTTE與天窗出版社合作出版的書藉；
於2018年夏天六月陸續上架，於香港及台灣各大書局有售。

按此看更多資料：《素系風格——素食與簡約生活練習》

LOVE,

CHARLOTTE

Early Summer Romance

Artwork by MakeYour Choicesss Flora Lab

I guess Hong Kong is a place you could rarely find the feeling of Spring.

However, I love to bring back the romantic feeling of the season by what I wear. Not having to wear too many layers of bulky clothes like in the cold days, and not socked with sweat like in the humid summer, but just put on a knit sweater. A soft, high-quality knit sweater can keep you warm when it is cold while it maintains you cool when it is hot.

Here I styled two early summer looks in BLUE, a colour which I love wearing all year around!

香港跟春天，大概是很難相提並論的兩字。天氣總由最寒冷的冬天一下子跳到盛夏，總捉不住春天的感覺。

可是，春末夏至的浪漫感，我卻非常響往。不需要再像嚴冬中穿笨重的大衣，也並沒有汗流浹背的煩惱，套著一件薄薄的一個毛衫，冬暖夏涼，也非常舒服。 我會以兩個Head to Bottom的全藍造型，把春末夏至的感覺穿出來！

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- LOOK: 1 -

Gradient of Lavender from Top to Down

Outfits:
(Knit Sweater) Vitos
(Vest) Grana
(Skirt) mukmuk: wardrobe
(Sneakers) Pairs in Paris

When wearing top to bottom the same colour, I always try to mix and match items with different texture and volume. The gradient blue of the cashmere sweater is the key item of the look, so as to continue and extend the gradient, I paired with a wrap skirt in deep blue. The hand-spray dye technique on the extra-light cashmere makes the over-sized sweater feeling so airy and beautiful. And it even looks good too when it is on shoulders!

- LOOK: 2 -

Special Texture & Layering

Outfits:
(Knit Sweater) Vitos
(Dress) Zara
(Sneakers) Pairs in Paris

A navy knit sweater is always my one of top items in my wardrobe. Basically, it goes well with everything: jeans, high-waisted pants, A-line skirt or even with a one piece. And for this summer, a camisole dress is my must-have item - if wearing a one piece alone is too sexy for you, try to wear with a tee, a shirt or even a sweater inside would give your look a totally different feeling. 

Vitos 1925 - the most famous French knitwear brand during the post-war boom, is now bringing back its finest quality of clothes with a fresh and creative style. Aiming to make clothes for contemporary women, the new collection is timeless, elegant and truly comfortable. Be a "Parisienne" by dressing in one of the most historical clothing brand in France!
 

PS: Please follow my Instagram for an exciting Give-Away with Vitos!

LOVE,

CHARLOTTE

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I am a Gentle-Woman

"When I was a kid, my dad liked to dress me like a boy - I never have had a pair of little girls' shoes - those cute and pretty one. But instead, I am always being dressed in a boyish and decent style, like a little Gentle-Girl." Because of this memory, the designer - Yaya (the designer behind if&n, want to convert that memory into the collection of this season.

Here I want to share my two outfits, both wearing dress or skirt: a feminine and a boyish style. Being polite, well-mannered, like a gentleman, but the term "gentleman" shouldn't be limited to men only, right?

女生天生優雅，卻跟男生的帥氣互相配合。
「小時候爸爸很喜歡把我當成男生，會穿得正正經經，從沒有一雙小女生的鞋子。是穿得很帥氣的感覺 - 是很一個很Gentle的小女生。」因為這段回憶，她想把那段記憶用設計衣服記下，所以有了這個collection。

這次想試一試有質感的配搭。純白大衣、簡黑裙子、深藍套裝、鮮紅包包。穿衣服，跟當自己一樣重要 - 讓自己感覺更自主、更強、更美吧。

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- feminine -

The Gentle Woman

Outfits:
(Jacket) if&n
(Dress) mukmuk: wardrobe
(Shoes) Camper
(Purse) Vintage

GENTAL, YET POWERFUL

Calm White with Strong Silhouette
 

The statement piece I am wearing is the big white coat. The right kinds of silhouettes empower you instantly. Wearing a V-neck suede dress with the coat, two different fabric makes the whole outfit more.

- Boyish -

like a gentleman

Outfits:
(Dress) COS
(Pants) if&n
(Shoes) Camper

NEW ATTITUDE IN THE SUIT

Calm White with Strong SilhouettE

 

A new wardrobe in the new year means something much more than just some new outfits. Dressing in a brand new style, having a fresh hair-do, allow me to have a brand new start. 
Wearing the same coat, but a totally different style with the blazer & skirt set. A simple, yet powerful combination.

Pacific ocean in Tou-cheng, Yi Lan, Taiwan.

Linmei Shipan Trail in Jiaoxi, Yi Lan, Taiwan. (Took this picture during my trip.)

A new year start with a new attitude. A new wardrobe, a new thinking, and a list of new year resolution. It is time to write another year review, look into what can we achieve in the next year.  

WISH YOU A HAPPY NEW YEAR,

CHARLOTTE

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What to Wear in 24 Hours [Christmas]

It is the most wonderful time of the year again! There are three festivals that I like a lot - Chinese New Year, Mid-autumn Festival and Christmas. These festivals are the time for us to gather with our family and friends, to spend precious time together. Here I want to show you some ideas of what to wear in Christmas; and as a minimalist, how to dress up myself to achieve a festive look without getting too many items!

This styling lookbook has featured one of my favourite Taiwan brands - if&n. The details, the texture and feelings of their clothes are unique and special. I've also visited their work studio and talked with designer Yaya, and that was truly inspiring. I will share more of the visit in the next blog post!

聖誕節！一年最美妙的時刻... 我最喜歡三個節日？中國新年，中秋節和聖誕節。這些節日的共通點，是讓我們可以與家人朋友好好聚一聚，共同度過一段段美好的時光。無論你聖誕節的計劃是什麼（是派對？是與心愛的人好好吃一個浪漫的晚餐？還是簡單的會家人聚會？），我也想分享我在聖誕節的穿搭。像我這樣喜歡極簡主義的人，可以如何打扮自己，又比可以平時更特別、更「聖誕」一點呢？

這次在台北拍的穿搭，也特別穿了我很欣賞的品牌 - if&n 2017 FW的衣服。他們家的衣服，很有質感 - 既優雅，而每一季也有不同的靈感慨念。我特地和他們團隊的設計師Yaya和Neko談過，也到過他們的工作室，我稍後一點會再寫到訪的文章喔！

[21:00]

24th DEC/

SILENT NIGHT

Outfits:
(Jacket) if&n
(Dress) mukmuk: wardrobe

SEXY YET CLASSIC

The little black dress with a petite jacket
 

This navy, petite jacket with ribbon details is a good item to go with a simple one piece. You can either wear it tighten up with a "Ribbon" (wrap yourself like an X'mas Gift!) or just wear it as it is, and show a little skin. Here I am wearing a V-neck little black dress, the suede fabric adds more texture to the whole look. Over 90% of time I would choose to wear a little black dress in parties. Why? Because it is simple, classic and effortless. You can never go wrong with it.

[13:00]

25th DEC/

CHRISTMAS DAY

Outfits:
(Dress) COS
(Pants) if&n
(Shoes) Camper

FESTIVE AND STYLISH

Red Dress AND White Culottes

It's finally the Christmas Day - the most wonderful time of the year! I like to spend the day with friends and family - Having Christmas lunch and having barbeque party are the most fun thing to do! Meanwhile I like to wear the most festive colour "Red". This is an overall dress I got last year (I wore it on the last CNY, too), and I style it with a pair of culottes for an extra layer, also to keep me warm even it is cold outside. Trust me, wearing a pair of pants underneath a dress is the trend that you must try in this season!

Don't be afraid of festive colour! Believe in the colour therapy, and sometimes wearing bright colour will instantly brighten up yours, and your friends' mood, too!

WISH YOU A MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS,

CHARLOTTE

Do Your Hair!

Most girls under-estimate the importance of hairstyle. (I found it even more common in Hong Kong!) We spent a lot investing in clothing or makeup, we always go shopping, looking at mix & match and make-up video online... But how about your hair, girls? Are you still keeping a long, straight hair? Or thinking to have a change, and have a fresh haircut like I do? To me, a total look couldn't be completed without good hair.

我發現，大多數女生也低估了髮型的重要性。（尤其是在香港！）
我們一般都花很多時間和金錢投資在服裝或化妝品上，無論是去購物、還是在網上看穿搭和化妝教學... 但是，頭髮呢？你還留著清湯掛臉的長頭髮嗎？還是想改變一下，換個新形像？對我來說，假如早上沒時間好好弄頭髮，整個造型就不以完整了，然後全天也會沒自信的在亂撥頭髮。

I keep my hair maintained by visiting the hair stylist once every month (sometimes, I do visit him more often when I am having a super short pixie style hair). Find your stylist, and discuss with him/her, ask for advices... It seems to be a simple cut or trim, but surely it would make a different.

剪短髮以來，基本上我每個月去拜訪髮型師一次，因為要保持短髮的狀態...（以前，我還束著超短的短髮時，兩、三個星期便要修剪一次）。找到一個合適的專業造型師，並與他討論、徵求意見... 看似是簡單的修剪，但在細節上看，是肯定有不同的。

Outfits:
(Jacket) Uniqlo
(Top) Grana
(Pants) mukmuk: wardrobe
(Shoes) Anthology Paris
(Headpiece) Karin Cogen Millinery

And these are some pictures I took when I was visiting the weekend market in Le Marais, Paris. And it was my pleasure to know Karin - the designer behind the brand!
這是我在巴黎Le Marais逛週末市場時拍的一些照片；那天更認識了Karin，頭飾的設計師交流呢。

So, spend an extra 5-10 minutes to do your hair in the morning - if you really don't have the time... Maybe investing in some head pieces or hats would help!

所以，無論是男生還是女生，早上請再多花5-10分鐘弄好頭髮才出門吧！假苦真的沒有時間... 也許投資一頂帽子或頭飾也會有幫助呢！這也解釋了為什麼我是個「頭飾控」吧...

Love,
Charlotte

From Vegetarian to Vegan #2

上回講到，我順利完成「30 天不喝牛奶」的挑戰後，成功把臉上的暗瘡擊退！
也再沒有長新的豆豆。朋友見到我也讚：「你的皮膚好好啊～」「皮膚好美！都是因為吃素的緣故吧。」我說，是因為再沒有吃奶製品（本身我也是個不吃蛋的素食者）。有趣的是，當你再不吃奶和蛋，你會發現市面上98%的甜品你是不可以吃的；90%以上的麵包也是不可以吃的。所以，吃甜的機會，大大減少了。什麼Crepe Cake、芝士蛋糕、Waffles也可以說拜拜。
轉為純素食後，也許，你會發現有些生活上的改變（麻煩）會出現；然而，而這些不只讓你更留意自己的飲食，而其他好處亦會慢慢影響到你呢。

在文章最尾有超簡單的牛油果吐司做法，我最近最喜歡的早餐！

If you have read my last article (Why I change from Vegetarian to Vegan #1), you may know that how effective it is for me to get a better-looking skin by not drinking milk (and other milk-related products). Of course, it might not be applicable to anyone, and it is true that it might because I am allergic to milk; however, it actually worth a try! Here I will talk about the changes after you changed your diet...

1. You have learnt how to read food labels

After you adapt a vegan diet, checking food labels is a must. 
Some food addictive, like whey and some emulsifier, which come from milk, are present in many cereal bars, breads, and granolas. You will be surprised how many foods, that you think they are without the usage of dairy products actually is not suitable for you(as a vegan), anymore. Like your favourite pieces of chocolate, pasta and even bread. So, you will be alert of names like emulsifier, whey, casein etc... For Chinese food, ramen also contains eggs!

2. You will have less and less absorption of refined sugar.

Believe it or not, over 90% of bread and 98% of dessert in the market contains eggs and milk. Crepe cake? Cheesecake? Croissant? Sorry, they are all made with eggs and milk. Even some of the loaf bread contains milk (especially those you can find in chain bakery). In a result, you found that you cannot have a bite of most of the birthday day cakes, pancakes are no longer an option in your brunch list, and ice cream is no longer your "instant" mood-booster, too. However, you will find yourself being very energetic after stop absorbing sugars, you may start to lose weight, your skin will brighten and cleared... There are just so many studies reflect that sugar has a negative effect on human.  

3. You may find it a little bit harder to eat with friends

Yes, when you going a step further switching from a Vegetarian to a Vegan, at first it might get harder when you want to eat out. It is actually quite difficult to order a vegan dish in most of the normal restaurants - 1) always cheese pizza, salad with cheese or hidden chicken or butter stock in Western food; 2) fried rice and ramen with eggs in Chinese food; 3) and beef broth & fish sauce are very common in Vietnam & Thai food. My suggestions are, going for a Vegetarian or Vegan restaurant (as most of the Vegetarian places will state clearly dishes are vegan or not). Or, look for independent restaurants and call them in advance to see if they can prepare vegan dishes for you.

4. You are more aware of nutrients

"Where do you get protein?" " Where do you get enough Iron?" The most frequent questions I've got.

As I have Thalassemia (地中海貧血) - which caused moderate Anemia, I often looked pale, easy to have fatigue and dizziness. Being able to get enough nutrients is really important, so I started to search for alternatives. No, don't listen to grandma, you actually don't have to eat red meat or seafood in order to absorb iron; instead, spinach, beetroot, and oatmeal etc are good sources to combat Anemia. My mother used to prepare Ginger and Red Date Tea for me - which is a powerful food for women (especially during period) as red dates are naturally rich in Iron. And it is perfect for winter days too! (And its sweetness is just so good...)

Besides, although people would think that eggs, dairy products and meat are the best sources of protein, there are actually much more vegan options! Ingredients like chia seeds, quinoa, beans, nuts and nut butter, or even leafy greens like Broccoli provides protein. My favourite ways to eat:  Add chia seeds and nut butter into my morning smoothie, having quinoa for lunch as a rice/noodles substitute, and cooked broccoli for salad. 

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Afterall, you may find yourself have become a semi-professional nutritionist! Here I am going to share one of my recent favourite breakfast recipe, which is the signature Avocado Toast! (Come on... you have to admit that you saved around HKD $90 if you make it by yourself.) Besides, after being a Vegetarian for almost 3 years and a newbie in Vegan, I know how important it is to satisfy your stomach... If you don't want to keep snacking and over-eating all day, you need to pay attention on how to get good nutrients in every single meal!

RECIPE

AVOCADO TOAST

Avocado with fresh Cherry Tomatoes

Preparation Time:
6 mins

Ingredients:
1 slice of Whole Wheat Toast
1/2 Avocado
4-5 Cherry Tomatoes
1/2 Lemon Juice
Pinch of Pepper & Sea Salt
(As needed) Balsamic Vinegar to taste

Steps:
1. Toast the slice of whole wheat bread.
2. Cut the cherry tomatoes into small dices.
3. Smash the avocado in a bowl, add cherry tomatoes and lemon juice, and mix them up.
4. Spread it evenly on the toast, and add pepper and sea salt to taste!

*I like to add some Balsamic Vinegar because I just love its sweetness taste bring to the tomatoes!

There you are - the super easy, fulfilling and delicious Vegan breakfast to start your day. The combination of healthy fats from the avocado and carbohydrates from whole wheat toast is great for nourishing your body. What is your favourite breakfast? Share with me in the comments below!

Have a perfect avocado day!

LOVES,

CHARLOTTE