Trans-Seasonal Fashion

I love everything Emerson Fry.  Maybe it's because it's a New York label and I'm biased because I'm obsessed with New York?   Emerson Fry's new Spring/Summer 2013 collection hit my inbox yesterday and it's gorgeous - I had to share it.   Despite being five days into winter in Sydney, I don't believe in fashion limitations (or limitations more generally) and we shouldn't wait another three months to wear these gorgeous pieces.    You can easily pair any of these Spring/Summer numbers with a winter coat, some stockings and boots and you're away. 



The fine print
- one - Safari Dress
- two  - Suede Runners
- three - Ribbons Blouse
- four -  Ivory T Dress
- five - BIB Shirt Dress



Futon Hell

"I'm in the market for a futon" - words I'm not fond of uttering.  "I think we have to go to Ikea" - words I'm even less fond of uttering. 

The thought of trekking out to the black hole (aka Ikea) to buy, of all things, a futon makes me feel like a drink!   I threw my first (and what I thought @ the time would be my last) futon away seven years ago when I moved from Melbourne to Sydney.  Now, I'm entertaining the idea of bringing another futon into my life.  I just don't think I'm ready.  But, Mother is coming to Sydney @ the end of August, and after seven years I figure I should make an effort and deck out the spare room for her with some sort of "bed".   We need spare room space for every day living so an oppressive bed in the spare room is out of the question.  A futon is the answer at this stage (Mother will not sleep on a li-lo air mattress - would she?).   Do you have a futon in your life?  Did you?  Can you recommend one that is aesthetically pleasing and comfortable?  This is what I am stuck with otherwise - Ikea hell.   At the very least, which is the least ugly?



1. Bedding Lovas

2. Karlaby/Karlskoga (honestly where do they get these names)

3. Kivik

4. Karlstad

5. Bedding Lovas (does this little number come in any other colour?)

6. Tidafors (now I'm getting desparate)

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The most ridiculous thing...

that has been said to me in the last seven days ...

Naturally, in response, I pulled out my virtual dick and slapped this person silly!

Converted Warehouse Amaze

Costis Psychas.  Had not heard of him until now. He is a Santorini Hotelier.   I admire his ambition, bravery and sense of adventure (renovating a house which was half under water).   I love his Santorini home (specifically on Therassia), incorporating traditional, functional pieces and using local craftspeople to build and decorate his home.  LOVE!  I could easily jump into these pictures and comfortably fall into life here.  Check it out - it's inspiring.   Shame on me - I have been to Greece a thousand times and never to Santorini.    I'm hopping into my travel machine as you read and heading straight to Santorini to this place for an ouzo by the sea.  I plan on staying there all day! 

Pure comfort & beauty


Where I'd rather be

Now THIS is a converted warehouse

Circa 1860 - former pumice stone warehouse

Shower bliss

I love a good arch

I will have a bottle of wine here one day

Devine

Bangkok Travel Notes

Winter has hit Sydney.  Day 3 and it is colder, wetter and windier than usual, although it is a beautiful sunny Monday morning so far.  Over the wet, cold weekend we just had I started to think about recent summer holidays.   Earlier this year, I surprised The Boyfriend by taking him on a four day long weekend to Bangkok for his birthday.  He still randomly mentions how crazy it was that we took off for Bangkok at the last minute.  It was a fun long weekend in a City we love.   Here are the highlights and some tips.

Street Food

An absolute must.   Bangkok has great street food.  Noodles, fruit, desserts, fried bugs... It is colourful and delicious (I haven't been brave enough to try the bugs).   The Boyfriend obsessively eats fruit from the street vendors every time we go to Bangkok.    My rule is: if it smells/tastes wrong just stop eating it and take a Travelan and a shot of Scotch.

The beautiful thing is that you don't have to search for good street food.  It's all over Bangkok.



Night Markets

One of the things that keeps bringing us back to Bangkok is the energy this City has.  It truly is a Cities that doesn't sleep.  It's colourful, loud and alive 24/7.   The night markets are an absolute must experience, for the food, the annoying crowds, the dodgy fake handbags, shoes and clothes and for all your other every day useless clutter.   Then, head to one of the many bars for a much deserved drink!



Sky Bars

I love sky bars.   I seek out sky bars in every City I go to.  I was told the Sky Bar @ the Lebua was a must see in Bangkok.  So, we headed over to Riverside and caught the lift up to level 63.  No doubt about it, the bar is decked out beautifully and the view is second to none.   The Dome backdrop is spectacular.  Put it on your "to do" list in Bangkok.   Personally, for me whilst it is a must do/see, it had more of an observation deck vibe rather than a bar atmosphere.   Oh, and there's a dress code so don't turn up looking like you just fell out of bed. 

Bangkok after dark...

View from the Sky Bar @ Lebua

 View from the Sky Bar @ Lebua

Red Sky Bar (55 floors up) is a great sky bar.  Personally, I prefer it to Sky Bar @ Lebua.  The cocktails are delicious and the atmosphere is great, with a live Jazz band playing.  Oh, and the view is really amazing.  

Food

I love Thai food.  The Boyfriend and I ate non-stop for four days.  Our favourite food was without doubt found at street vendors throughout Bangkok. Soi 3 on Sukhumvit had this little restaurant/food vendor with delicious food.   I can't remember the name (did it have one?) but it's about 20 metres from the corner and on the right handside.  For the best noodle soup, we found the same street vendor we went to in 2010 - he is on Sukhumvit, just before you hit Soi 2.   It was quite an adventure finding him after 3 years - but he was loyally in the same spot. 

Best Ice Cream

I am a sucker for ice cream.  I found Ete in Bangkok.  It is d-licious.   Best way to cool down from the Bangkok heat (before you down a Singha).  I found it at Silom Complex Shopping Centre.  Vanilla bean and Nutella flavours - I'm still craving it.



Combi Van Cocktail Bars

Honestly, you haven't experienced Bangkok until you have yourself some drinks at a Combi Van cocktail bar.  What better way to enjoy a drink than on a table and chairs curbside with your cocktails served straight up out of the back of a Combi Van.  This is one we found in Soi 11 off  Sukhumvit. 

 Our energetic, over-enthusiastic Combi Van waiter

The Fine Print

# Getting There - We flew Thai Airways (despite promising myself I wouldn't do it after the last trip.  Flying Thai is always an average experience but it was the most efficient way of getting there).

# Getting Around - Catch the Sky Train from the airport to your hotel - it's faster than a taxi and like the speed of light compared to a Tuk Tuk.  The traffic in Bangkok is chaos most of the time so use the BTS Sky Train to get around - it's clean, convenient, fast and punctual.  



# Sleep - Dream Hotel (Sukhumvit).  This place was surprisingly good and the breakfast (hot & cold) was yum.   The Boyfriend and I prefer boutique hotels in Bangkok - they're more flexible.   It's clean and in a great location on Sukhumvit - close to the sky train, Terminal 21 and the buzz.  It has a rooftop pool area with a bar as well. 

# Shop - You can spend all day every day just shopping in Bangkok and miss out on the buzz of the City streets.   My favourites are:

1. Terminal 21 (Sukhumvit) - a maze of little boutiques including local Thai designers, with each level of the shopping centre themed a different City (Paris, London etc); and

2. Siam Centre - Level 3 (Siam).  This level is filled with Thai designer boutiques.  So funky and fun.  I could have spent all day up here. 

3. MBK - I'm not a fan of this place but The Boyfriend manages to get tailor made jeans for work for around $15 each time so it's worth a mention. 

# Homebound - do not bother buying alcohol at Bangkok Airport if you're heading back to Australia.  If you're carrying it, they will take it from you before you board the flight.  We were told it's an Australian Gvt requirement. 



Words


Words of wisdom for this week.  There is something in this that resonates. 
Not telling you which parts! 
Happy Monday! 

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Sunday Bake

It's the second day of winter.  It's cold and it's raining hard.  I've got the fluffy slippers and the warm PJs on.  If I baked, I would spend this rainy Sunday afternoon baking this rainbow cheescake.   It's the only rainbow in sight from the looks of the weather out there.     Get the recipe here and start baking rainbows.