Atlanta Content Creator Inspiring [life] style

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Asia Part Two: Thailand

After saying bye-bye to Singapore, we took a quick plane ride to Phuket, Thailand. It's really quite nice how easy it is to visit so many countries in SE Asia. We stayed at Villa Zolitude so we could experience a luxury spa vacation. This villa is not in Patong so it's a bit farther than the usual spots in Phuket, but it was really chill and serene. Above images courtesy of Villa Zolitude

 I got lunch with Aimee from Chic 'N Cheap Living while in Singapore and she recommended some great things for us to do while in Phuket like taking the Phang Nga Bay 8-Island tour.James Bond Island in Phang Nga Bay
Muslim Village -- Island in Phang Nga -- Ari and I on a Jet Ski

Phuket, Thailand Pros: Just about everything is quite inexpensive. The food is really tasty and very easy to like. The people are very nice and Phang Nga and the markets are worth seeing.

Phuket, Thailand Cons: It's more commercialized that I had expected, which makes the vendors some of the pushiest people I've ever met. Patong is too crazy and people don't speak English as well as I'd like.More pictures of James Bond Island
  • Go to Bangla Road in Patong if you want to see lady boys and ping pong shows (not the type of ping pong you might be accustomed to)
  • Stay in Chalong if you want to be away from the tourist spots and visit Wat Chalong Temple
  • Bring mosquito and insect spray because they will suck you dry if you have sweet, sweet blood like me
  • Visit the markets because they're awesome. Ask for cha-yen if you want Thai Iced Tea (and you do!), and it's only like 20 baht, which is practically 60 cents.
  • KFC seems to be a thing in these parts. Even the tourists from Australia seemed to talk about KFC like it was an amazing food spot. Remember that scene in Demolition Man where Sly Stallone does good police work and is told that as a reward he'll be taken to dinner at Taco Bell? But Taco Bell is like an upscale eatery now because all the restaurants are called Taco Bell. Well...it's nothing like that. It's just KFC without the biscuits.
Pina Colada and Spinach Rolls at Tiger KingdomWe started with the baby tigersThen went to the big leagues and hung out with the big tigers!

FYI: The tigers were well fed, in good condition and happy. They were not drugged. They have been with the company since they were really little and are used to people petting them and hugging them so they were cool with it as long as you didn't touch their face or front paws. They sleep like 18 hours a day as well.Big Buddha and praying monksAsanha Bucha at Wat Chalong TempleFeeding the baby elephantsMonkeys at a park
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Monday, July 29, 2013

Lookbook: Hubs-Grapher 101

A couple weeks ago while in Singapore, I met up with Alexis of North on Harper. It's always nice to meet a fellow blogger in person, and I must say, I had a blast having lunch with her. I got to meet her hubs and their adorable baby girl. We talked about things to see and do in Singapore; how her German dad is practically my Dutch father-in-law's long lost twin; and how our husbands/photographers go about taking our outfit photos (among other things).Things hubs-graphers might say or do when they take your outfit photos:
  • First they complain that they have to take your photos as if they have something more pressing to do
  • Then they tell you that this is not a good time of the day for outfit photos as it's too sunny outside
  • After that, they ask you if you want to take the outfit photos yourself with a tripod...or inside the house
  • Finally, they agree to take your photos, but then say that they know of a great place to go for photos
  • So you drive to this photo wonderland and prepare to take photos
  • Before you can get ready to pose, he starts clicking away. You tell him you're not ready
  • He then tells you that your face looks weird 
  • You ask him if your hair looks OK. He doesn't miss a beat and says 'Yes'.
  • A couple hours later you go to your computer to edit the photos and you realize that not only is your hair a mess, but your bra strap is showing and your feet are cut off.
Thanks hubs! ;)
photos taken in Singapore| Boy Meets Girl Missing Pieces romper | Toms Pink Let Love Rule canvas shoes | Target crossbody bag |What do you think of this look?
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Friday, July 26, 2013

Inspiring Style: A Breakfast Club Princess or a Basket Case?

Remember the post I did last week about Betty and Veronica? Well now I'm doing it again, but now with one of my favorite movies of all time: The Breakfast Club. Please tell me that you've seen this cinematic delight before? It's from the '80s and it features a lot of the brat pack stars of the day who ruled the theaters with this movie and others like, Sixteen Candles, St. Elmo's Fire, etc.The Breakfast Club is about five high school teens who spend the entire day in detention and realize that although their labels make them seem different, they are really more alike than they would have thought. Molly Ringwald plays Claire--the rich girl, it-girl while Ally Sheedy encapsulates the role of Allison--the weirdo freak.

So tell me, do you relate to the style of Molly Ringwald's Princess or Ally Sheedy's Basket Case?

The PrincessCorset Story steampunk  skirt | Wallis petite top | Cutesygirl buckle calf boots | Rag & Bone Christina wrap scarf | Old Navy faux leather belt 

The Basket CasePauw pleated maxi skirt | Malene Birger dolman top | Toms canvas shoes | Skul scarf 

"You see us as you want to see us. In the simplest terms; in the most convenient definitions. But what we found out is that each one of us is a brain...and an athlete...and a basket case...a princess...and a criminal."
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Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Asia Part One: Singapore

When I was younger I used to think that I would never make it to certain places. I guess the idea of going some place grand seemed quite far-fetched back then. Traveling to New York City was a crazy thought, much less flying across the world to Asia. It's nice to be able to step outside of your bubble and see places you never thought you would see in person. This is my trip to Singapore:

Warning: Photo HeavyCaribbean Flamingos at Jurong Bird Park
 Fika -- Swedish Breakfast
Rainforest at Singapore Botanic Gardens
Lory Loft at Jurong Bird Park
National Orchid Garden
The Orchid Quartet
Posing with the Three Wise Guys
Haji Lane
The Singapore Flyer (it's bigger than the London Eye)
The Marina Bay Sands Hotel (shaped like a cruise ship on top with an infinity pool)
Working in my hotel room
Thank you awesome cell phone for being able to take panoramic photos!

You can find more photos from my Singapore travels on Instagram.
♥ 
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Monday, July 22, 2013

Lookbook: The Leather Skirt Rundown

For this shoot, I was looking around for a somewhat rundown area for the background of these photos. It was actually quite hard trying to find a place like this in San Jose. But just minutes before I lost daylight, I came across this old building and interesting fence in Japantown (I later ate Mexican food in Japantown, but that's another story).

This skirt is another piece I picked up in Ireland. I think it's my first leather skirt, ever. But I totally love it because it has pockets. Not often do you find a skater skirt with pockets, so I was sold.| Nastygal sweet studs blouse | Topshop Andie faux leather skater skirt | Gucci nameplate pumps | Juicy Couture bag | By the way, I haven't been very impressed with summer movies this year. I feel like I'm always leaving the theater disappointed, and maybe that's because I give movies too much credit--much like I do with people. So I guess that means people will be up to snuff once the movie business stops putting out so many flops.

What do you think of this look?
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Friday, July 19, 2013

Inspiring Style: Are You A Fashion Betty or Veronica?

Are you a fashion Betty or a fashion Veronica when it comes to your style? I read a lot of Archie Comics back in the day, and I totally related to Betty. But there were times when I had my inner Veronica shine through in both my personality and my clothes.If you know anything about them then you know that they are friends with very different senses of style. Betty is more casual chic, while Veronica has a flair for dramatic sex appeal. Here are examples of what I think a real life Betty and Veronica would wear:

A Fashion BettyFrench Connection Lilly Denim skinny jeans | Crafted biker denim jacket | Toms pink canvas shoes | Instructables Lego earrings | Celine Paris top | New Look waxed canvas backpack 

A Fashion VeronicaRebecca Minkoff blazer | Hermes gold buckle belt | Topshop pleated mini skirt | San Diego Hat Co. brim hat | ShopRuche ballet peplum top | Jane Diaz square dangling earrings 

So what do you think--are you more of a Fashion Betty or a Fashion Veronica?
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Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Summer Travel Essentials

Last fall I shared my Travel Style Guide and it focused on what to wear during your flight. This post is more so about what to bring whenever you travel, especially since so many people are on the go in the summer.

If you're traveling out of the country, do remember to bring your Passport. I almost forgot mine before heading to Jamaica. But also remember to bring it back so you don't get trapped in a foreign country!

Even if you don't typically wear one, it's still good to travel with a watch. It's an easy way to keep on track (not missing your flight; remembering the time for happy hour, etc) and you don't have to worry about carrying your phone around (especially if you don't want to use roaming) just to check the time.I don't really care what level of protection you want, but do pack your sunscreen--no matter your complexion. I have a friend who sat out for an entire day and got her first sunburn ever and was shocked that she could even get sunburned. The point is, it will help protect you from skin cancer, bad burns and awful peeling. And you can still tan if that's your thing.

If you are connected by the hip to your cell phone, then at least buy a protective waterproof case for it (and for your camera) so that you can bring it to the beach, the pool, the waterfalls or whatever and never miss an Instagram or Tweet beat.Unless you're getting a mani done beforehand, be sure to pack a few quick-dry nail polishes in three basic colors. You want it to dry instantly because even though you're on vacation, we all know you're still very busy. A color like Petal Pusher is a neutral, everyday tone; Mint Sprint is a great color for the season; and Speedy Sunburst is look-at-me bold for a chic, night-time appeal.

So put these travel essentials together with my previous travel style guide and you should be all set from what to put on your body to what to pack in your purse!

What are some other travel essentials that come to mind?
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Monday, July 15, 2013

Lookbook: All In Good Skort

Is it weird to watch food shows when you're not into cooking? If so, then I'm even weirder than I once thought. I love to watch Hell's Kitchen, Mystery Diners, Chopped--you name it. I think the recipes they come up with are great, and I love the creativity and suspense. Have you ever seen Chopped? They ask chefs to mix some crazy things together in like 30 minutes and make it not taste like crap. I could never! I'd rather spend time eating food than spend time cooking it; or spend time wearing clothes than spend time shopping for them. Get my drift?You've seen this Zara skort all over town, but I picked it up as I was walking out the store and saw that it was my size. I couldn't resist as I know that brick and mortar Zara stores are few and far between. Plus, I lived in skorts and overalls in middle school anyway, and I'm conquering my fear of wearing white. Look out, LisaRaye! | WhimZ Girl leaf clip on earrings | Forever 21 button tab high-low top | Zara mini skort | Forever 21 and InPink jewelry | Asos Follow Me leather knee high gladiator sandals | Forever 21 leather bomber jacket |What do you think of this look?
~~~
P.s. -- check out Oh to Be a Muse on Instagram to stay connected with me while I'm in Singapore!
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Friday, July 12, 2013

WWDMAGIC: Trina Turk Swim Destinations

It's summertime and I know everyone has beaches and bathing suits on their minds. The designs of Trina Turk Swim include styles that both bikini fans and one piece enthusiasts will love. The Trina Turk signature print can be found on all the designer swimsuits, tankinis and cover-ups. Since I'm all about traveling this season, let me show you the best destinations to rock these seductive swimsuits--and I'm not talking about your neighborhood pool!Zanzibar Tri Bra & Banded Hipster | Tanzania Zebra Bandeau & Sash Hipster | Racquet Club Dot Bandeau & Banded Hipster | Madagascar Solid  Bandeau & Buckle Surf HipsterThe sun-kissed beaches of Goa in India, off the Arabian Sea are the perfect destination to trot around in your stunning bikinis that will highlight your glowing summer skin.Tennis Anyone Monokini | Avalon Surf Tankini & Classic Solid Hipster | Seychelles One Piece |Although they are conservative, you can still wear these chic an cool one-pieces and tankinis on one of the 115 islands of the Seychelles off Africa's east coast and just north of Madagascar.Layne Tunic | Sea Cove Long Dress | Zanzibar Tunic | Trina Terry Hooded RomperKo Phi Phi Island off the coast of Phuket, Thailand is full of environmental wonders like a viking cave and a bird sanctuary, so these tunics and cover-ups can easily take you from exploring the island's wonders to swimming in its beautiful waters.

Some of my favorites from this list are the Layne Tunic, the Tennis Anyone Monokini and the Zanzibar Tri Bra & Banded Hipster. Which one of these Trina Turk Swim pieces is your favorite for its destination?

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