I first met Irene back in September, during Beijing Design Week. She was wearing a Mondrian-inspired silk dudou from her own Beijing-based brand, PILLOWBOOK, which remixes modern aesthetics into traditional Chinese lingerie styles.

Fast forward a couple of months and a healthy amount of online stalking, I’ve tackled her down for a new series called #GIRLCRUSH. This will spotlight girls I meet who have that special spark, who inspire endless talks about the future, who have a vision, and who are really really hardworking.

Before we start, a definition of ‘Pillowbook’ might be useful! A long long time ago in China, whenever a girl just got married and was expected to finally be with her husband – she’d be like 12 or 13 years old at this point – her mother would give her this mysterious Pillowbook ting, showing her what was to be done in bed to make her man happy. (Sorry for the noob description guys, but my mom reads my blog…) Anyway. Here goes!

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COS coat, mom’s jeans and sweater, dad’s shirt (family sharing stops here), Persol sunglasses, Nike sneakers.

SPRING HAS SPRUNG. I took my less-swollen-but-still-kinda-swollen ankle out for a spin on Saturday. Uche and I explored 798 Art District in Beijing – definitely the first stop to make if you want a concentrated introductory dose of Chinese Art and What It’s Like Now.

We found graffitied walls, multiple stops for coffee, a super curated street art shop called 400mL, and fifty shades of neon errywhere. Also it’s a mark of what a horrible History of Art student I am that this was the first time I visited the UCCA – Liu Wei’s ‘Colors’ exhibition is currently going strong. These are some more outdoorsy pics taken on my camera by Uche. He has the other ones. Coming soon. Within this week. I promise.

I went to Milan for four days during my CNY break. The city hosts some seriously polished specimen – men and women alike are all streetstyle-perfect – and the city itself is made for strolls filled with happi interruptions of gelato/espresso/panzerotti/pizza breaks. Anyway, I decided to make this post a little different and include some maybe-slightly useful tips for places to check out if you’re going for the first time.

PLACES I WENT TO IN MILAN THAT YOU MIGHT WANT TO GO TO AS WELL BUT ONLY IF YOU WANT TO.

1. NOTTINGHAM FORREST
For those who like cocktails with an adventure.

We went right after dinner and there was a long waiting list to be seated. Living in Beijing has put me off queues 4ever, but there it was a good sign I guess. COVET THE COVETED YA KNOW. Drinks are amazing and a fun experience. Christine got this Dexter drink which provided you with gloves and red juice that looked like blood and everything. I got the Garden Zen which glittered gold and tasted like cherry blossoms. Definitely one of the most creative bars I’ve ever been to.
Viale Piave, 1, 20129 Milano

2. ARMANI PRIVE
For those who like to partyparty in style.

A part of the Armani Hotel – good vibes, all black and red neon lights, fashiony type crowd. Very fancy schmancy. We went on a weekday and it was extremely busy, no entry fee, but you really have to dress the part. Heels and whatnot. Amazing DJ, good tunes. Funky times on the dance floor.
Via Pisoni 1, Milano

3. PALAZZO DUOMO
For those who appreciate gothic architecture and aren’t afraid of heights.

Ok I know this is kind of a no brainer, but seriously GET TO THE TOP. The view of this 5th largest church in the world is amazeballs. I went with my two architect friends so there was a lot of ‘OOH’-ing over the gothic pinnacles and spires (yeah I Wikipedia-ed that). We were lazybums so took the elevator to the top – but really, the stairs are just 250 steps. So good glute workout on the go if you’re down for that.4. GALLERIA VITTORIO EMANUELE II
For those who like luxury stores.

This is right next to the Palazzo Duomo so you won’t miss it. Very instagramable area. It’s known as il salotto di Milano (Milan’s living room) and connects the Duomo with the Piazza Della Scalla. You’ll find the flagship stores of Louis Vuitton and Prada. Don’t go to the restaurants in this zone: rip off meh food. HOWEVER, if you want to grab a nice dinner closeby, I recommend…

5. GIACOMO ARENGARIO RISTORANTE
For those who like food. Good food.

Tasty pasta for a longer and relaxing dinner, plus their bar does the classics real good.

6.ARMANI BAMBOO BAR
For those who don’t mind uncomfy couches.

Another stop to make if you’re a fan of the Armani concept. Really posh interiors and uncomfortable sofas, BUT pretty good cocktails and the vibe isn’t that loud or smokey so it’s perfect for a chill night of cocktails.

7.CIOCCOLATI ITALIANI
For those happy gluttons who LOVE gelato.

Best. Gelato. Ever. Like actually – this place is known to have the best in Milan. There was a huge waiting line – you have to order, pay, get a ticket, and then wait around until your number gets called – but the hanging around is totally worth it.
Via Edmondo de Amicis, 25, 20123 Milano8. LUINI PANZEROTTI
For those who like all tings oily and fried.

This is a famous joint serving a Milanese specialty that literally every site I checked out recommended. This takeaway bakery place is just behind the Duomo and has been on the scene since 1888. Get the panzerotti, basically an inverted pizza with mozarella and salami inside, fried or not, you can pick. Warning: very VERY filling and the cheese might get to you…
Via Santa Radegonda, 16 20121 Milano

So that’s my first ever tour-guide-esque post! When I was writing this list, I realized I have like no shots of the interior and details of the stuff we ate/drank/did, so that’s definitely on my to-shoot list for future travel diaries…Anyway hope you enjoy :’)

I’m back home – back to where it all began, before I really started to grow into myself. I don’t think I’m myself 100% yet, but flipping to old blog posts where we shot in this exact same white space, I can feel the changes. And it excites me. Anyway, I’m leaving to Milan in a few short hours. Talk to you on the other side 😉