Places: Bangkok and Parties

01:59 nm 0 Comments

My first 2 rolls of film!

The first is from when my best pal Jenika made a special trip to visit me in Bangkok.

The second roll is in black and white. The photos are from Cat Powder's first year anniversary party. Cat Powder is a Dark Wave, Techno and Witch House monthly party in Bangkok. 






























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Life Things

09:06 nm 0 Comments

I know its been months since I’ve posted on Natasmack. Its actually been months since I've written anything at all. Truthfully, I lost the desire to write. This has been the nature of this blog. I’ve changed the name once, the layout several times, and been a stop and go blogger since its birth. 

While traveling, I always had something to say and to share with my readers. From photos, funny stories, to recommendations. What about now? 

Since my absence, I’ve had many temptations to write about new experiences. I’d get half way through my post and think “Who the fuck actually cares?”. The post would be immediately abandoned deep into the files of my computer, forever to be forgotten.

 Amongst all the half attempts at writing. I was struggling with my new life. When I decided to move here, I was on a high. Not to be mistaken for “I was high”. Although, I could compare the feeling to being on drugs. It was like eating a few mushrooms on a nude beach with your friend. Nothing was bringing me down, colours were the brightest I've ever seen and my face hurt from smiling from ear to ear. Not even a leathery, tanned old mans’ ass was going to break my mood. 

But as you know, what goes up must come down. I spent a lot of time thinking about what I was missing. I obviously missed my friends, and my family. I missed my clothes 
(sounds vain AF, but the longing is real), burritos, going to my favourite Vancouver spots, Moksha yoga classes and my bike. I’d spend days thinking about how to make my life feel more full. I learned that having nothing to do wasn't as great as it sounded. I felt useless, unimportant and boring. By funnelling my energy to my pain, I was ignoring all the amazing things I had around me. Focusing on what I had less of was starting to turn my trippy tie dyed eyes into sobering vision. Seeing the leathery old men for all they have.

Each day I'd go through a range of emotions from “This is effing fun!!!!”  to “WTF how did I get here?!” to “I shall never leave my house again.” It was totally exhausting for me, and for the people around me. I didn’t know what to do. Anxiety running high, depression creeping in, I needed to fix this. There wasn't going to be one thing to heal all ailments. 

What I ultimately decided was that I am going to stop thinking about what I am without. I will rein back talking about Canada and seriously think about what happiness means to  me. I’m going give myself to the end of the year to narrow down what I need from my life. Notice I said narrow down? I know 50 year olds who are less narrow then I am. I cant expect to have my shit sorted in less then a year. 

With these new decisions, Ive learned a lot about myself so far. I want to write them down, with elaborate and insightful meanings for you. Remember how I said I haven't written in a while? Well, I am rusty so I have compiled a list of “Life things I’ve Learned from Feeling Like I Have No Life.”

I don’t actually know myself as well as I thought.
So much can be done in one hour.
- Traffic is hell in life form.
- Use your brain. Maybe learn a new language? “SAWATDEE KA PUUAN!!! KUN SUAAI MAK MAK!!”
- Stay up to see the sun rise. Dance when you do.
- Read. Read. Read.
- Smile at everyone. People are full of surprises.
- Strive for progress not perfection.
- Don’t cut your hair. Seriously. Just don’t.
- Plan trips, even if you don’t take them.
-  Drink a bottle of wine by yourself.
-  Get outside.  (I miss nature.)
- Learn to be authentic.
- Apologize.
- BUILD your own life. Exactly how you want it to be.
- Learn to feel good in your skin.
- My laugh is outrageous and I love it. 
- I CAN wear pants in bazillion degree weather.
Feed your soul with what you need daily. 

This list will be forever modified, and maybe in a few months time I will update it. I’m interested to see what comes from these life changes. Maybe I’ll be completely different or perhaps I’ll be right in the same spot as I am now. Either way, its growth. Thats what its all about, right?










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DIY Denim

02:10 nm 0 Comments

Unexpectedly moving to Bangkok was spontaneous and exhilarating, but it had a few setbacks. For example; my clothing. My selection was a backpackers dream but a city slickers worst nightmare. In Vancouver I was bored of my clothing and I was constantly dreaming of a hella badass wardrobe. Now that I literally have 2 pairs of pants, 1 skirt, 3 dresses and a handful of T-shirts. I want to go back in time and slap my whiny self. 

Shopping in Bangkok is exciting. There are several massive malls filled with anything you could be looking for. One of my favourite places in Union Mall. The entire top level is used clothing with great prices. Ive decided that with my budget, my style and ethics; I am trying to mostly purchase used clothing. Strictly shopping second hand it is a really great way to build and interesting wardrobe and style. It takes some time and serious sifting to find the good pieces but its worth it. Sometimes you have to look beyond what is being offered to you. 

I love shopping for tops, shoes and accessories but when I need to go bottom shopping I have to be in a realistically positive mood. My mind must be in a place where I can walk away from trying on 12 pairs of pants, with not one pair working without having a freak out from frustration. Finding jeans that fit and accent my beautiful booty is such a challenge. When I find the magical pair, I covet them and wear them well.

At Union Mall I found a great pair of high wasted denim. My favourite part of them is the high yolk in the back. Seeing as I have mostly basic tops, my outfits with these jeans were looking a little drab. I decided to alter them and I am going to show you how!

I was inspired by The Ragged Priest, a UK brand that specialises in painted and destroyed denim. I decided that I wanted to transform my jeans into something simple that I can wear with basic tees or dress up with patterned blouses. 


What you’ll need:

Quick Drying oil paint (I used black)
Paint brush
Turpentine (for cleaning)
Masking tape
Measuring tape
Razor Blade or Exacto knife
Scissors
A piece of cardboard or plastic


First try on the jeans and mark where you want the cut outs to be. I had someone help me mark where my knees were exactly so I didn’t eff it up and have the holes too high or too low. 




Draw the shape you want, then place the cardboard or plastic in the leg and cut with the razor blade. To make sure that both sides were equal, I used the denim cut out from the previous leg and placed it on the other knee to cut it out perfectly. I used the razor blade to score short lines around the hole. When I wash my jeans, it will cause the holes to fray a little and it will look less perfect and more rugged and distressed.


Next run masking tape down half an inch away from the outside seem. Use a measuring tape to be exact. Do the same on the other side of the seem. You’ll have two pieces of masking tape protecting your jeans from the oil paint to create a long black stripe. Do this on each leg.



Now its time to paint! Place the cardboard or plastic in the pant leg again. This will ensure that the paint wont bleed on to the other side of the jeans while you paint. Shake the oil paint before you use it, then carefully start painting on the inside of the tape lines. I had a couple drops on my pants outside of the tape. I liked the way it looked, so I wasn't mad about it. Do this to both legs.

I let the paint dry a little, then checked to see if I missed any pieces. I ended up painting two coats just to be sure.

To finish, hang up the jeans with a pant hanger and putthem in a place where they wont touch anything else. Clean your brush, with turpentine.


In a few hours you'll have a revamped, hella cool new pair of jeans. 




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Koh Lipe

00:59 nm 0 Comments

Bangkok is such a busy, booming city that I'm finding the need for a vacation from my vacation every now and then. There are moments where I am dreaming of inhaling crisp forest air, or sinking my toes into white, soft sand. In Vancouver was so easy to escape. There were beaches and mountains surrounding that young city of mine. After living there for 4 years, I knew all the sweet spots that made for the perfect staycation. 

Thailand has so many wonderful destination spots. Headed North, there is tropical Pai which is surrounded by jungles and mountains. South, are many stunning beaches with turquoise water and plenty of coconuts. I try not to travel in backpacker areas. I want to see Thailand like a local but with traveller goggles on. Luckily, I’ve made great friends who have suggested many places to see. Ive recently took an adventure to Koh Lipe island. I was invited to go with Go Grrrls  (check out my post on Go Grrrls!). These incredibly talented ladies were asked to play a gig for Valentines day. The travel posse included Dookie, Mae, Cleo and her boyfriend Richard. 

I was so excited to get to the beach, bask in the sunshine and practise mermaiding in the crystal clear waters. But before that dream could take place we had to travel.  From Bangkok we took a 2 hour flight to Hat Yai, a 2 hour bus to Pak Bara,  THEN a two hour boat ride to Koh Lipe. The milk run was worth it. My breath was stolen the moment we approached the island. White beaches, turquoise blue water, and traditional Thai boats decorated in neon fabrics, #nofilter needed for sure. 

We checked into our rooms, and set out to explore the island. First we stopped at Pooh Bar, this is where the Grrrls would be playing for the next 3 nights. Pooh bar is named “the friendliest place on Koh lipe” I would agree. The staff and owners were so welcoming and ensured that we were having a great time. 

Pooh Bar is located in the middle of the island. Not only is it a bar, but a restaurant, a bakery, bungalows and dive shop. It really has everything you could need. Including hilarious playful cats. Pooh’s isn’t your typical island bar, the drink menu ranges from Chang beer to signature hand crafted cocktails. Watching the mixologists create was fascinating. I kept ordering more just to see what show would happen next. Plus, I wasn't mad about the mid day buzz I had going on. My favourite creation was a torched pineapple, rum drink garnished with a smoking cinnamon stick.

The next day we woke up early and headed to the beach. I was really looking forward to wading into the cool water and float the day away. I pride myself on being a beach bum. I can sunbathe for hours, get a little pink but walk away with a glowing tan. I wasn’t thinking about how strong the sun was, and It didn’t occur to me how southern Koh Lipe is. Adding to this, it was the first time I didn’t use SPF at the beach. I bet you know where I am going with this. My dreams of flawlessly emerging from the sea a golden goddess were crushed. I was more like a dehydrated lobster crawling into the shade begging for aloe. It took me a few days to recover from the burn, and I am sad to say that my tan is peeling off one skin chip at a time. 

At last the party day had arrived. The island was decorated with pink and red ribbons, people were selling flowers and I was hunting down chocolate. For myself. No sharing. There were even Go Grrrls posters and banners hung to promote the Pooh Bar event. The Dj’s of Go Grrls faces were all over the island. I was so excited to see my friends blowing in the tropical wind. I am pretty sure I was more excited then they were. The Go Grrrls Valentines Day party was a success. People were feeling festive and dancing the night away. Couples were dancing together, people were flirting and one women was solo grinding on a pole. Who says Valentines day is just for lovers? 

With one full day left, Cleo organised a boat trip to check out snorkeling and private beaches. Every day on Koh Lipe was fantastic, but this was the highlight of the adventure. We snorkeled small reefs. I saw so many beautiful tropical fishes. I showed off my diver skills off by playing with large purple clams and I even spotted a Nemo (clown fish) family chilling in their anemone home. We spent the afternoon relaxing on a private beach. Richard took advantage of the peaceful surroundings to take photos for his brand WG Trunk Co.

All fun adventures must come to an end. We had the same long journey ahead of us. A boat, a bus and a flight, and before we knew it we were back in smokey Bangkok. Despite the sunburn I was taking home, the Koh Lipe adventure was amazing and much need. I was sad to leave the beach and the chill island vibes but it was time to go home and hide in the shade for a while. If you get a chance, take the long journey to Koh Lipe. Its worth the trip, especially if you have SPF in tow.


































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