Hello from my colorful home in Hong Kong — Hotel sáv!

As you might recall from this story, I have a “La Carmina room” at this award-winning boutique hotel. Artist Naomi Rubin and I took part in their “Floor of Love” project, which dedicates the entire 22nd floor to art and charity. 

I’m excited to share that the Floor of Love is officially launching in December — and hope you will stay in our room at Hotel Sav!

In this post, I’ll show you the new, original art that Naomi created for the opening exhibit.

I’ll also take you inside Sav’s new Pop-Up store, rainbow afternoon tea set… and end with a Gothic gift guide, highlighting holiday presents under $20.

Let’s begin in my “La Carmina hotel room” at Hotel Sav. (My address: Room 2219, 83 Wuhu St, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong)

Last February, my team and I went to support the hotel opening, and created this travel video about decorating this space to represent “Love the Dream.”

Now, Sav Hospitality is celebrating the launch with a big Floor of Love event. The Sonic Garden space will feature new works by the artists — including Naomi! — and the 19 decorated rooms will be open for viewing.

Our art will be paired with wines that match the themes (Love the Planet, Community, Dream, Memory). There will also be food tastings, a graffiti car display, and music. Best of all, you can buy the works, and proceeds will go to the Disabled Association and Make a Wish Hong Kong.

You can peek inside the various Floor of Love artist rooms in this photo diary, as well as see more of the La Carmina works (such as these sketches featuring scenes from Hong Kong).

Keep scrolling to see the three new pieces that Naomi made… they feature my Scottish Fold cat Basil, and mouth-sewing!

I always feel at home when I stay in my Hotel Sav room, and wind up with the most vivd, lucid dreams.

(I’m wearing a Sailor Moon jacket that I got in The One – Tsim Sha Tshi mall. This fashion collection features clothes with Sailor Moon symbols and patterns. My black Very Metal dress is Gladnews, and the Unknown Pleasures tights have a Joy Division print.)

On the first floor lobby, anyone can shop the “Pop Up At SAV” — a collection of local designs that celebrate art and lifestyle.

This space has an eye-catching selection of jewelry, purses, watches and more. There’s a rainbow rack of sáv Beach Wear, and all types of stationery branded by the hotel.

I’m wearing a Korean bracelet and squeezing a “towel bear,” which I’ll give to my baby niece as a present.

The wall of paintings is by local artist Mark Lui. You can shop for his Design Works cell phone cases, which come in carved wood and rainbow prints. I’m carrying one of Mark Lui’s Botkier tote bags, which are among the most popular items.

I hope you’ll stop by the Pop Up at Sav, to check out these artistic goods!

And now, let me share with you the three pieces Naomi Rubin made for the Floor of Love opening party. Below are her titles and “a short bit of story that takes the viewer a little closer to the memories she drew from when painting.” Let’s start with two inspired by Basil Farrow the Scottish Fold cat! 

Family
2015
Pencil and acrylic on paper

“It’s a rare joy when you get to meet the family of someone close and feel the realization that you already know them. Then, you can draw them some more.”

Back-Alley Photography
2015
Pencil and acrylic on paper

“The first time we shot photos on that trip, it was on the way to meet some unlikely co-workers. We stopped in a back-alley that made for unusual lighting but fantastic poses and composition. Most of this city is real, but the parts have been taken from all over — kind of like a real city indeed.”

Last Minute
2015
Acrylic on paper

“The posters were made on the train ride up, and pasted guerrilla-style around town as we filmed. We checked out the venue space only the evening before, and even that changed around on us. We were ready though, because we had been practicing.” (Hint: if you’ve followed our TV-fixing work over the years, you may recognize this scene from the Joko vs Klaas lip-sewing episode!)

It’s wonderful to see how Naomi’s art continues to evolve. She is currently working on a mystery project; you can watch her Naomiyaki site for changes.

While staying with Hotel Sav, I also got to try the new “Floral with Colors” Afternoon Tea Set. It’s a rainbow delight of sweet and savory treats, decorated to look like a blossoming garden — complete with chocolate soil and a twirling butterfly.

The bite-sized delights sit next to flowers by Hahahflorist. I had fun eating the mousse with a miniature garden shovel, and skewers of mozzarella with tomato and caviar.

Anyone who orders the Floral Tea Set receives a packet of flower seeds and a Casetify screen protector for free. And if you wear a floral dress or accessories to high tea, you might get a special tote bag too.

The hotel also has a new “Patisserie by sáv” on the ground floor, serving fresh cakes and pastries every day.

I think you can see why I love staying at Hotel Sav! It’s less than a year old, and has already racked up awards for best design, branding, marketing and more.

My friends and I enjoyed hanging out at Amplitude bar, which has a music theme. We snacked on fresh fruit cocktails (there’s a whole rainbow of them) and  snacks such as oven baked pizza.

I hope you’ll stop by Hotel Sav to see the Pop Up shop, and try their Floral Afternoon Tea. And don’t forget — you can request to stay in the La Carmina room, when you travel to Hong Kong!

Above, we hope you enjoy the Hong Kong travel video we made about the hotel opening, and Chinese celebrations. (Filmed and produced by Borderless Media )

And now… my Gothic Alternative gift guide! It’s “Nightmare before Christmas” time, and I’m sure you’re scrambling to pick up holiday presents. It’s always a challenge to find something unique and useful, especially for someone of a Gothic disposition.

To help you out, I’ve rounded up my favorite Goth gifts, most of which are under $20 US. I hope you find these shopping tips helpful! 

A mobile phone case is a thoughtful present, since these tend to have high turnover (people use smartphones constantly, and eventually break the covers). These iPhone and Android cases are fun and stylish, and not too heavy. Of course, make sure you know what type of phone your friend uses so that you purchase the right model.

From left to right, my favorites (in $20 range!) are a 3D pastel goth phone case –– a must have for those into sweet kawaii. Anime fans will smile when they unwrap the Pikachu Pokemon iPhone case.

Valfre makes the niftiest soft mobile cases, including a carton of 100% boys tears, a mermaid seashell phone case, a black cat with big eyes (my favorite), and a funny giant pencil.

During the winter months, your friends will need a knit cap to keep warm — or tuque, as we Canadians call these things. Instead of a boring basic beanie, why not give them something fun?

Killstar has the most eye-catching Gothic accessories on the market. I had a hard time deciding between (from left) the aliens with upside down cross beanie, pentacle and moon winter cap with a pom pom, “So Goth I’m Dead” hat, and pyramid Killstar tuque. (These links lead to where you can directly get them.)

I’m fond of giving and receiving high-quality makeup, especially if it’s by brands that are not usually found in stores. All of these picks are under $20 too. 

Anastasia is the queen of eyebrows, and makes a brow powder palette that looks very natural. The self-sharpening Anastasia eyebrow pencil is beloved by makeup addicts worldwide. (All of these come in different shades.)

Matte, long-lasting lip glosses are currently all the rage.  Jeffree Star has a fabulous collection that includes shades like dark blue and purple gloss. Recently, I’ve been wearing this exact shade of Urban Decay lip gloss, and can vouch that it stays on.

If someone has recently moved to a new apartment or dorm, a home decor gift is a nice gesture. Try to avoid “Halloween party” products, and look for items made with better materials.

On the top left, I’d welcome this a set of Mercury colored glass skull bottles. They’d look great on a shelf or mantle, and can hold a fresh flower. Below these are are two versions of a cardboard 3D skull, which also comes in black and other colors. This unique skull can serve many purposes, from a paperweight to a scratching station for your cat!

A skull-shaped planter adds character to the home. In addition to plants, the vase can hold various objects such as candy or pens. Finally, this purple Day of the Dead glitter skull can hang on a door, wall, or Christmas tree.

False eyelashes are an excellent stocking stuffer, especially if you find Japanese ones with cute packaging. I love the Wicked Hippie eyelashes with rainbow accents and colors.

Dolly Wink is a favorite brand among Tokyo gyaru and Harajuku girls. The bottom right Velour Lashes are made of high quality silk fibers, and I wear them on my photoshoots.

Finally, since you never know what Santa might bring you… I’ll share my dark dream wishlist! These are the height of Gothic haute couture — designs to die for.

I’m lusting over this circular spider purse made from black velvet, with matching cobweb stiletto heels. These Majesty Black leather gloves are evil queen fabulous, with gold spiky nails.

On the right, Alexander McQueen is the king of darkness. I have my eye on McQueen’s Goth clutch purse with a knuckle grip and Swarovski crystals, and studded leather platform Oxford shoes.

And above is my Technicolor dreamcoat.  This anime pink faux fur coat by A.W.A.K.E is kawaii done right! It’s available here, in case one of you feels the urge to pick it up for me… anyone? Anyone?

I hope you found my Goth / alt gift suggestions to be helpful, as you shop for friends and family this Christmas season. Have fun, and let me know if you have other suggestions for presents.

How do you like my art / charity collaborations with Hong Kong’s Hotel Sav? You can find out more, and book my La Carmina room, on their website and Facebook.