Self-Love: My weekend vacation diary

A long overdue vacation just happened and Yes, I’m back to share my short but sanative and partly idyllic vacation date I had in a long while. It’s pretty obvious that I’ve been missing a lot in social media, it’s because a major purchase was made last year, though I can’t share what it is right now, I will in the near future. Sometimes this kind of big decisions can cause deprivation of the things we really enjoy and forget to be good to ourselves. It’s because of that drive to achieve that occasionally our minds forget to be kind to our body and soul. So today let’s delve on the subject of self-love, because in this crazy hectic blurring and sometime unrealistic world we live in, it’s really important to take that time off – not once in a while but YOU REALLY HAVE TO MAKE TIME FOR IT. Whether it’s about cutting-off that annoying person (a.k.a ghosting, link here), taking a holiday or simply treating yourself to what you like is paramount to self-care/love.

Happy to be making memories with
this one!

Enumerating ways of self-care and by some degree my romantic weekend in photos below:

a.   Ghosting – discussed about it on the last entry, and I never realized just how freeing it is when I totally eliminated a seemingly harmless tattler. Turns out someone’s constant negativity unhelpfully drags you.

b.  Take a break – go on a holiday, if you don’t have a reason why, well now you do. Self-love, your body and mind need a break, it needs to unwind, relax, recharge and heal to be able to function 100% again. I been putting off having a vacation for that major purchase, but it seems feeble and definitely missing out making precious memories with that travel buddy. Ladies YOLO!

Never travelling without a hat, or another
reason to get one on your next travel.

c. Do Self-Love – Make time for days where you either give in on food and splurging on something you think you absolutely deserve. Love yourself enough to be honest with what you really want. Other ways are grooming, cooking healthy for yourself, creating a clean, organized and pleasing aesthetic home environment to make you feel more relaxed.

d.    Disengage – probably toughest but can be done, it’s what I did mostly for a few months. Staying neutral and unseen for quite some time made me focus more on people who are dear to me. It created a higher quality of link to individuals who are significant in my life. 

Above are all really simple, I guess it’s my way of just reminding you to make time for whatever brings you joy – Love yourself! And ladies, I’ve been away for a while, but I will never be permanently gone from sharing and hopefully inspiring all of you.

xoxo,

Clyde

Top: MDS   Bottom : VGY

I've been on a health buff and contemplating
on ordering wine.

FYI just stopped raining, and happy to resume
touring!

Red Dress: The Editors Market , Leonie Ruffle
Midi dress $39 

Front design of the dress

Just needed to share this, because its not all the time glam!
I'm on a date in my tsinelas - minus 5 but who cares!
I'm with my love who absolutely think its cute

Travel Diary - Amazing Bangkok

I am beyond happy to share my recent vacation in Bangkok but before I jump to that, I am stressing out this reminder - Ladies we should take that planned vacation to allow ourselves to relax, recharge and recover from our crazy work schedules.  If you’ve been postponing your intended trip because of the loaded schedule or maybe a big factor is the budget, well please allow me to share to you how I’ve managed to pack a complete outfit for four days without spending an amount almost the same cost as the flight ticket. It’s funny but true; us girls have that habit of buying a whole new outfit for a specific vacation.  Guilty? I am too but below is how I managed to pack a 4 day outfit with minimal spending.

Day 1 - Hello Bangkok

Because we arrived noon time, and there was a long queue at the immigration, lunch was a must at the airport. Very eager to try their local food, so opted for Pad Thai and Green curry chicken, Nah for the Pad Thai but thumbs up for the green curry even though I don’t like spicy food. Now going to what I wore - opted for my long vest (link here), simple top, a pair of distressed jeans and my blush converse. This combination is comfy, I have freedom to move around, vest added to make me warm on the flight, my cost ZERO, above items were all pre-bought even before my planned travel.

Suvarnabhumi Airport - Bangkok

Somerset Park Suanplu, Sathorn Bangkok.

We capped our first night dining high, literally! The view was amazing at Zoom Sky Bar and Restaurant. Green jumpsuit was a gift from my cousin Ate Letty, when I went home to the Philippines (April). Resisted to wear it, I guess I was unconsciously waiting for the right moment. I did justice right? Long wait was paid off, the gorgeous jumpsuit is totally for a Bangkok high!

 ZOOM Sky Bar & Restaurant |Anantara Bangkok Sathorn

Rose, of course!

Day 2 - Ayutthaya

I was advised that there is a dress code when visiting Temples, they do not allow sleeveless, shorts and slippers. My pick was a on the spot moment. I know it would be hot and second day will require a lot of walking so I opted for my work out bottom, half-length leggings, and a very loose long sleeve polo shirt, paired with again with my blush converse. Cost,  nothing again on this ensemble.

Doing our best at the M pose.

Guess my long runs has paid off, I able to endure all day walks from my recent Bangkok tour.

Day 3 - City Temples and Dinner Cruise

When you go to Bangkok, do not miss out on a visit to the Grand Palace - it is crowded yes, but when you go inside, it’s all worth it. It’s true, every corner is picturesque and Instagram worthy. I will leave out the description to the travel bloggers, I just have to say, almost all corners/places around this area are snap worthy that I actually ran out of pose…ha ha kidding, now going to what I wore, I need to wear a dress at some point in my travel, so I bought this dress made of rayon challis, a light weight fabric, with very small dainty flower prints, spaghetti straps style and skirt that falls just past my knee. The place has a strict dress code so a cover up is a must, my denim long sleeve polo is a saver, which I have brought several times for travelling. Cost of the dress, $15, same footwear, and the hat was purchased some time ago, around January for $5 only during a sale event, at that time I knew I have to get it and will be able to use it during a summer or beach vacation. 

Chatuchak Market, testing my haggling skills!

Scented soaps, 3pcs for 100 Baht, got them for pasalubongs

Ending off our last night in Bangkok, I suggested having a dinner cruise. It did not disappoint, the food, the ambiance, the weather and even the performer/singer (a Filipina!) was all good. Buffet style dinner that lasted for two hours with a fellow kababayan performing, is truly a night to remember, and was a great contrast to a very chaotic day we had. What I wore was a simple office skirt, with a prominent zipper in front and a yellow crop top, both was purchased at a sale event before. 

On board the Chaophraya Princess Cruise, just before dinner.

A must try in Bangkok, Tuktuk ride, just like our very own tricycle.
L-R, yours truly, Phet and Kaz and of course our driver

Total outfit cost for day 3, $20 only!

Day 4 - Coffee dash before jetting off

Too bad the famous Mr. Jones Orphanage café located near our hotel was recently closed, so we have to get our quick caffeine fix at a small coffee shop instead. For this quick breakfast dash I opted for an all-black jumpsuit, previously bought, which I transitioned to an airport-going-home outfit. Feet were tired wearing close shoes for 3 days so a pair of slip-ons to the rescue, which I got a day before we traveled, cost me $19.90 only. I accessorize my entire outfit with a cute brown bag, just big enough to carry all our passports and money, online cost $25.

Rushing to get my caffeine fix.

Catching up on whats happening in Bangkok

All in all, it only cost me less than $100, to be exact $64.90 to update my vacation outfit. It’s just a matter of mix and matching, and when shopping, bear in mind to get pieces that matches your existing clothes. In this way you don’t have to buy a new set to pair with the one you just purchased. It also helps to visit sale events and pick out a great piece which you deem you'll use in the future.

PS - our trip was made easy because we have a tour guide, my friend Phet. She's my colleague back in my teaching days in the Philippines. She's been living in Thailand for 12 years, teaching and has learned to speak Thai language.  She has arranged for our 2 days transport and made our tour easy and comfortable by being with us. I suggest have a person who can speak Thai with you as most of the locals cannot or do not speak English very well. Leave a comment below if you’re interested in her Thailand touring assistance.

Khop khun kha Thailand, you are amazing!

xoxo,

Clyde

Vacation Diary: 8-12 September

Once in a while (or maybe more often if you can afford) we need a long vacation, and of course what a better and more fun way to do it is spend it with your family and good friend. If you’ve been wondering why I was MIA this past week, it’s because I spent time vacationing and traveling. Though I have been already in most of the places we went, it’s always good to be back to a place that you had a great experience, and play their tourist guide on this round of visit. I won’t write away the experience but just let the photos tell you how we spent our five days vacay. Enjoy!

Day 1 - Universal Studios

USS is our 1st day pick, better visit it on a weekday to
avoid long queue

Oh Marilyn! you're so pretty.

How can I not take a pic of this rad ride.

I didn't sit there for a pic, I was actually resting 

A Buffet is what we need, after a fun filled day at USS.
Korean Buffet for Dinner.

Day 2 - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Early Birds, arriving @ 7am, Batu Caves

Lepaq lepaq is famous for its cloud coffee

Big "Daddy" Breakfast, for heavy eaters

We opted to go to KL Tower, its higher
than the Petronas

I definitely think this is the highlight of
our KL tour, Colleen is so brave!

The beautiful Petronas Tower

Day 3-4 - The City

Getting ready to eat crab, Makansutra

Just because,  Sweetspot
Macaroons

We have the MBS Deck to ourselves

Sky on 57, Marina Bay Sands

I have to make them try Bingki!

Day 5, was scheduled for buying
pasalubong!

I don't show photos of my family here, its the first. I hope I didn't bore you. I was definitely charged after this vacation, my heart is filled with added memories and  so much appreciation. How was your long weekend, I hope it was spent with love ones too!

xoxo,

Clyde