Amy and Graham

August

18.08.2011

How did that happen? We are over the halfway hump of August already and pretty much 2/3s of the way through our trip. The rate at which time is passing now that we have left Hebron is a little terrifying although not wholly surprising. I am a touch behind on the writing for our wonderful time in Sri Lanka so I am going to risk seeming a little erratic and jump ahead briefly to Bangkok. Regard this as less of an update and more or a style interlude.

So it turns out that Bangkok is FABOUSH. For those who were concerned that I might turn into one of those flaccid weirdos that 'find themselves' in India fear not, Bangkok is my nirvana. It spoke to my soul and opened my eyes to the style precipice that I had unwittingly stumbled on to. I can only describe it as worse than that dream where you are standing completely naked in the middle of a public place. Here I was awake and standing in style central, fully clothed in a very bad t-shirt and surfer girl shorts combo - yes it was THAT bad. In fact it may have been better had I been naked but regardless, Siam Square, Central Bangkok was the location for my one on one intervention with myself (Graham was an unwitting spectator to this personal mental tussle). This was my lowest point and I knew everything had to change. That's right people gone are the Ali Baba pants (well i still have them but only for mooching around the house - they are unreasonably comfy), gone are the floaty hippy monstrosities and shapeless t-shirts and no more putting on the first thing I picked up (see how far I had fallen?). Back are planned outfits, accessories and shape. Just to prove it, below is my week in Bangkok according to my outfits - a visual account of my re-awakening to the world of fashion.

Now I realise that I may have overclubbed this a little but remember I had a pretty limited wardrobe to work with (only what I have been carrying around the last 6 months) not to mention no make up. Graham, seeing the slightly deranged look in my eyes put a limit on what I could buy during this stay although allowed me a few bits just to keep me quiet. There are some definite recurring themes for which I apologise (sloppy) but if you had seen what I had become you would undestand that this was a monumental shift in the right direction. Indulge me for this post and even better I would welcome any feedback and/or suggestions - our comment box has been very quiet recently (apart for Graham's parents who are our most regular contributors - gold stars to them). We know you lot normlly have a lot to say so get posting.

DAY 1 - An easy chic look was the goal and I think i just about got there - you can't go wrong with a bit of grey and black. Easy Chic is very much the theme for the week and cropping my tops was the best way to make them a little more interesting. I hope you appreciate the nod to 80s style accessorising (again a recurrent theme) with pop bright hairbands and a newly aquired yellow casio number. With none of my safety long necklaces to hand I had to make do with some square brass beads - minimalist enough I hope, to dodge the traveller no no pile. You may also notice I am no Tyra Banks so prepare for some of the 'one-trick pony' poses that make you cringe on America's Next Top Model.

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DAY 1 - An easy chic look was the goal and I think i just about got there - you can't go wrong with a bit of grey and black. Easy Chic is very much the theme for the week and cropping my tops was the best way to make them a little more interesting. I hope you appreciate the nod to 80s style accessorising (again a recurrent theme) with pop bright hairbands and a newly aquired yellow casio number. With none of my safety long necklaces to hand I had to make do with some square brass beads - minimalist enough I hope, to dodge the traveller no no pile. You may also notice I am no Tyra Banks so prepare for some of the 'one-trick pony' poses that make you cringe on America's Next Top Model.

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DAY 3. Ahh good old animal print with another temporally cropped vest top. Not much pad thai had been eaten by this point so I even risked a hint of a midriff. Just a hint mind you. I may be thinner but I am no longer in my 20s so wasn't going to push it and end up looking like they'd shoe horned an ill advised old one into 'The Saturdays'. Another low crotch but this time it is off-set with a high waist which either results in a nicely quirky look or a rather unflattering droopy bottom effect - you decide. Finally, a high top bun and ray ban wayfarers make dirty hair and no make up a bit more attractive. To the right a detail shot of my specs for seeing and for sunshine - spot a theme?

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DAY 4. Ok I realise this is outfit 4 and crop top number 3 but this is the wimps way to do bodycon. A loose colourful cropped tee leads the eye away from the 'post-noodle food-baby belly'. The belt creates the illusion that I actually have a waist and if all else fails the hip hop stylee double watch winner is there to save the day. You will notice this pink one is indeed a Casio. Clearly still not washed my hair so was able to achieve a modest quiff with no additional product. Nice.

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DAY 5. Oh Oh. It seems here I am once again teetering dangerously close to tepid traveller wear again. In my defence I was running very low on new options (see how few clothes I brought with me?) and Graham and I had exchanged a few choice words shortly before this picture was taken. I think I covered it well with my relaxed and natural facial expression, if only the light hadn't caught and highlighted the bulging angry vein on my forehead. Ah well on the plus it is a distraction from this rather lack lustre ensemble. The hair harks back to the Sienna boho days but would have worked I think with one of my floral dresses to achieve the must-do 70s trend. Must do better next time. At least it was shiny and clean (finally) and I was obviously quite pleased I managed to do it all by myself.

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DAY 6 and we are back in the safe hands of black and grey but we are also almost back at the beginning again so it was time to try something different. To avoid yet another crop top day I layered my gapey, slouch racer back over my butterfly t-shirt dress but stuck my head through the armpit bit. The result: a low scoop, peek-a-boo print front and a bit of a jazzy back - a vast improvement on the previous day. The red belt was to suggest that there might be a waist there somewhere and the denim shorts were only there to save my modesty. The Thai girls love an impossibly high hemline but let's be honest noone wants my low hanging buttock cheeks on show so they were best kept encased in some sturdy denim. To mix it up, an exciting location shot for the back image - the Thong Lo MRT platform - and the most essential accessory for Bangkok, a good, if a little bent, umbrella.

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DAY 7 - the final day of my photo outfit diary and I have gone with the old 'if in doubt go for black'. Well charcoal really as I have had it for years but it gives the desired effect. All pretty simple with a daringly short hemline to keep it interesting (leggings clearly the best way for wimps to do super minis). Double watch look employed once again to make up for lack of beloved multiple long necklaces - not the same but at least I can play with their disco lights. Finally, some additonal bits below that were also part of the outfits - a good and dangerous eye-poker of a ring, a close up of the belt and the simple brass bead necklace. Hope this has been relatively entertaining and will get you some photos and ramble about Sri Lanka very soon but not if I don't get some more comments (content doesn't have to be fashion related) Laters caped crusaders xx

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