by Alexa Serrechia | Packing: every fashionista’s nightmare. If you’re anything like me, packing for a vacation isn’t a simple few hours task. It is more like a tasking few days spent toiling over which outfits I truly want to bring and which could be left home. This time, I wasn’t just packing for a few days or a week. I will be in Italy for 5 weeks! Read the rest of this entry »

by Renae Virata

I got to explore several areas for Bangkok shopping. My main takeaway: stay away from the tourist traps! That includes the famed floating market a few hours outside of the city and Khao San Road. Of course, if they are your only options, be prepared to do some MAJOR bargaining. I regretfully bought some Thai coinpurses at the floating market that a girl in a passing gondola said she’d paid less than half of what I had paid!

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by Renae Virata

If you plan to visit a local temple and are not sure of the dress code, err on the conservative.  Make sure you cover your knees and shoulders. The particular temple we visited, Tiger Temple in Kanchanaburi, Thailand, prohibits scarves as shoulder covers, unlike cathedrals in Italy, for example, that provide cheap papercloths for this purpose. At Tiger Temple, they sell simple pants for around 200 baht (or US$6.50).

Check out these looks from our visit: Read the rest of this entry »

by Renae Virata

As my friends and I set out for a fun day of shopping down Khao San Road (what my friend Jen S. and I lovingly call ‘Rodeo Drive’ for the considerable tourist markups), we never could have anticipated just how hot and sticky our excursion would be.  It is hooooot year-round in Bangkok, so it’s important to pack the lightest and airiest clothes possible. Read the rest of this entry »

Well, this is it!  As I mentioned in a recent post, I will take up the challenge of bringing only ONE carry-on and a backpack for my trip.  Last night, I excitedly laid out everything I will be bringing.  Will I meet the challenge?  How will I fare at the supposedly cheap Thai markets in adding to my trip wardrobe?  Follow the WTW Travelista blog to find out…For now, here’s a snapshot of my travel gear. Read the rest of this entry »

So I was at Ikea picking up more of my favorite wooden hangers when I spotted a lady in line draped in her beautiful traditional Indian garb.  The bright combination of sky blue and tangerine caught my eye immediately.  I couldn’t suppress a smile as it started to hit me – I was going to India soon!  Her outfit was my first inspiration on what to pack.

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by Renae Virata

Since my trips to Thailand and India will be fast-paced and limited on proper beauty prep areas (I’m not bringing a hairdryer, products and must share two bathrooms with 7 other gals!), I decided to take some beauty shortcuts to make my trip a little easier.  Two weeks ago I did the keratin smoothing treatment and tomorrow, I am getting gel nails! Read the rest of this entry »

Photo | H3 Daily

If you have time to shop the numerous stalls you will run into across Bangkok and other parts of Thailand, then leave some empty space in your bag for your finds!  Clothing is ridiculously inexpensive in Thailand, so you could probably buy 75% of your trip wardrobe for almost nothing.  (Part of the Thailand and India Travel Diary series!)

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Photo | New Mandala

by Renae Virata

I can hardly believe it’s mid-January already – only one and a half months until my big trips to Thailand and India!  Serendipitously, I came across an article touting the amazing stores and features of a new mall in Bangkok called Terminal 21 that I will be sure to check out and review for you guys via video, tweets, and posts. Read the rest of this entry »