Sawasdee ka!

That means HELLO in Thai :-). I'm back from a fantastic three days in Bangkok, we had such an amazing time. The weather was really hot, but it didn't seem so crowded with tourists yet (still from the red shirt protests from the last few months I guess). We felt completely safe though now, and the hospitality of the Thai people was as genuine as ever. Seriously, Thailand = The Land of Smiles is the most honest description of this country.

Here are a few pictures of the things I did (and some outfits I wore;)) and I hope you enjoy!

First day in Bangkok, riding the famous Tuk-Tuks and having a tall glass of Thai Black Ice Tea. So great!

On vacation but never on holiday from my blog! Haha - Outfit post in the hotel room.

Primark skirt / Evie bag / Jeanswest vest / Splash scarf / Diva bracelet and ring from Philippines

This was the view from our hotel window. I stayed at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Silom area. 

Fantastic hotel, and the rates are pretty affordable at the moment! I love the colourful traffic.

Forever 21 skirt / Dotti studded vest / Owl pendant from Bangkok markets

My sister Chrissy & I at the Floating Markets, with some hats we picked up for just $10!

With my new friend, this monkey python... I always saw photos of people with snakes around their necks and would never think I'd do it, but it wasn't scary at all! Nice to see I was entertaining to the ladies behind me too:-) hahaha

On the Bridge over River Kwai.

Wearing my sisters dress, since I'm such an emo-kid with a closet full of black clothes, I needed to borrow it as we had to wear 'light coloured' clothing for the Tiger Temple - see next photos!

FEEDING TIGER CUBS in Tiger Temple (Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua). This was the most amazing experience!! We spent about 45 minutes in the housing enclosure with four 6-week old cubs. I'm such a cat lover so playing with them was just like playing with some overgrown kittehs!

Photo time with the full grown tigers outside. They have a strict dress code when visiting the temple and my skirt was too short (mmm should be used to this by now!) so bought a new dress from the Floating Markets. In the Tiger Temple it's best to wear shorts or pants covering knees and a shirt covering your shoulders. Also, strictly NO red or dark pinks (maybe the tigers will mistake you for a juicy steak ;)).

 Speaking of food... YUM!

 

In a dress I picked up from Bangkok's Chatuchak Weekend Market, I think it cost me about $3. That market was never ending. With everything from homewares, street foods, mens and ladies fashion as well as pet fashion, it's a must see! I love the style of the Bangkok youth, and a lot of local designers had stalls at the weekend market selling their products. Lots of funky printed tshirts and unique jewelry.

You'll see me in my new Thai bought clothes in a lot of my future posts now. 

Bargain hunting in Bangkok is the best!

Bang bang bang.

Super producer Mark Ronson's newest single with new band "The Business Intl'" is the very, very cool Bang Bang Bang.

The new album is out in September this year hopefully (according to Wikipedia), but this single is out in July.

I love the kookiness in this whole clip, it's pretty much all crazy nonsense. 

 Thanks to Dubai's best music blog http://www.discoballbreaker.com/ for the clip!

Ps- I'm going to Thailand tonight for a long weekend break. Can't wait for some amazing Bangkok shopping!

Ilegallcargo (and an Ericka Crosse visit).

A big, late thanks to ilegallcargo blog for featuring me last month. You can check out her little tribute here. I featured Sidney and her photography company Another Surography earlier in my blog so click here if you missed that.

As she mentioned, I was reunited with our mutual friend, Miss Ericka Crosse recently for a few days and got to tour her around my beloved little city. Firstly, of all my friends, she has the most epically awesome hairstyle.

The Cassie-Ventura-inspired half shaved head.

I wish I could do it, but it's definitely not something I could pull off!

Here are some photos from our mini-Dubai tour.

On the traditional dhow boat from Deira side, across the creek to Bur Dubai.
Cheapest mode of transport in Dubai - just one dirham!

At the entrance of quite a small but amazing mosque in Bur Dubai. Years ago when I was still new here, I would wander around old parts of the city and I actually discovered this place. Amid the boring sandy buildings surrounding it this structure really stood out. I'm glad we accidentally stumbled across it again.

And back over on the Deira side of the creek, entering the Gold Souks.

Just some store windows showcasing their blinding, shimmering collections.

In Khan Murjan restaurant, Wafi City for a traditional Arabic (Lebanese;)) lunch. 

The hummus and fattoush here is SO GOOD.

A little bit of a self-timer angle fail here. In front of the massive Atlantis Palm hotel.

I love playing tour guide here in Dubai, although I'm not 100% educated on the city and it's history, I still like to give my point of view (and the little I do know).
Not many friends have visited me over the years - I wish more would, preferrably before I leave!!

LONDON.

I'm moving to London. I don't know when exactly, but it just feels like home.

My sister and I in front of our hotel in Hyde Park.

Walking down to Portobello Road Market and in Inverness Terrace (hotel street).

Spotted, tried and bought! My gaga find in one of the cute vintage shops in Portobello (Notting Hill).

Visiting my dearest friend January who works at Ella's Bakehouse in Covent Garden. Heavenly cupcakes!!

The changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. One of the THOUSANDS of tourists there.

Getting lost at Piccadilly Circus.

Leaving Hyde Park with January.

Until next time London...

The greatest city in the world!

I'm going to London tonight for four days. I'm so excited!!

It's going to be sooo cold so not really looking forward to that but i'm sure the shopping will make up for it! Camden town, Portobello markets, Spitalfields... These are all places I'll be checking out by recommendation by friends.

Can anyone else suggest any other places?

Will hopefully also take some real awesome pictures of the trip. There will be lots of things to see and a lot of interesting people so will definitely not run out things catching my eye!

(Being a typical UK tourist in a phonebooth in Leicester Square, and my friend Cheryl & I in Cambridge).

Wedding.

I attended my good friends Kim & Lars' wedding in Manila, Philippines last week. The morning of the wedding, I was at the mall with my cousins doing a sort of 'amazing race' of shopping. We had 1 hour only, to find many things. I was looking for shawl, cardigan, bag, and a new dress because I didn't feel like wearing the one i originally picked out.

I ended up finding everything I needed plus more. I picked up the cute parasol I'm holding there for only 395 pesos. Unfortunately I forgot that at the apartment and didn't bring it back with me to Dubai! Eventually, I just wore the dress I originally bought for the wedding (a vintage find off ebay), despite buying two new dresses for the day... Well, a girl's gotta have options!!

My friend and fellow blogger Mr. Manalo, also came wearing pink, I think we're quite a cute couple.

At the end of the evening, the bride & groom gifted us with fireworks! It was a perfect fairytale wedding.

xoxo Melbourne.

Melbourne, my hometown, my first love.

Everytime I make the trip home (usually once or twice a year)... it stresses me. I love the city, I spent the first 20 years of my life in that city. I think that's why going back tires me out so much. Too many memories and things trying to hold me back.

This is why I like the current track I'm headed on.

On this particular sunny day in Melbourne (my last day there actually), I'm wearing  Kate Moss for Topshop print dress with a Jeanswest denim vest over it. I love the vest, I've been wearing it almost over everything since I got it! So nice to 'conservatise' the outfit, especially in places like Dubai. ;)