My Spring/Summer 2013 Holiday Beachwear Picks

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Spring is in full swing and the summer is just around the corner.  If you haven’t already purchased this year’s bikini or swimsuit, then chances are you’ve got an eye on a few options.  In celebration of the warmer weather and upcoming summer holidays, I’ve scoured the internet for my top summer vacation fashion picks.

Summer 2013 is all about mid-century retro glam, color blocking, strips and bright and cheery hues.

Starting from the feet up, here are my top picks:

1. Havaianas Top Flip Flops ($18.00 from Zappos)

havaianas

Havaianas has perfected the quitessential flip flop and infused a bright splash of color into their current line. Offering classic style, quality, comfort and a rainbow pack of colors, it’s a must-have for anyone heading to the beach this summer.

2. FitFlop Due Canvas in Sunflower (also available in Hibiscus and Super Navy, 75 GBP from FitFlop)

fitflop

When I saw these cute canvas shoes for sale at the mall I immediately fantasized about where them on a Mediterranean cruise, or a Greek island think.  Just think how nicely these sunflower cuties would look against the white-washed homes on Mykonos. Ideal for a quick jaunt into town or walking along a beach promenade, these FitFlops are ultra comfortable and also come in Hibiscus (red/pink) and Super Navy (dark blue).

3. Antique Embroidered Kaftan ($76.00 from Accessorize)

white_kaftan

This delicate white embroidered kaftan will add a dash a glamour to your summer beach wardrobe. The little white dress is everywhere this year, making this kaftan even more bang on trend. It’s incredibly versatile and would look just as great over a swimsuit as it would for a steamy summer night out.

4. ASOS Stripey Cut About Maxi Beach Dress ($26.60 from ASOS)

striped_maxiASOS is quickly becoming my go-to clothing outlet. The London-based company scours the globe for hot trends and designs its own pieces accordingly. This stripey maxi dress is casual and bright with a hint of shimmer. I’m packing it next to my embroidered kaftan on my next beach vacation.

5. Feather or Not Scarf ($11.99 from ModCloth)

scarfIf there’s any I learned from living in Europe, it’s that scarves are to be worn at all times of the year.  This lightweight offering by ModCloth can add a nice pop of color do a bland outfit and a touch of sophistication for a night out.

6. Oh What a Sight Sunglasses ($11.99 from ModCloth)

sunglasses$11.99 to add some retro glam to my outfit? Yes, please. These super cute, super fun and super mid-century glasses are ueber cool and a great bargain.  Pair with a loose fitting blouse, high waisted short and espadrilles for the ultimate mid-century-on-holiday look.

7. San Diego Hat Company XL Brim Sunhat ($44.00 from Zappos)

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When it comes to sunhats, I say go big or go home.  This extra large and floppy offering by San Diego Hat Company is perfect in so many ways.  The ultra wide brim will help protect your face AND shoulders from harmful UV while you look effortless chic.  Perfect for lounging on the beach.

Fried Somtam: Greatest food ever?

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When people ask me about the foods they should try in Thailand, the first thing that pops into my mind is somtam (green papaya salad). There’s something very uniquely Thai about the dish; it, almost like Thailand itself, cobbled together from a myriad of ingredients.  These include green papaya, halved peanuts, Thai fish sauce (nam bpla) tomatoes and dried shrimp.  While the ingredient list admittedly looks less than appetizing, they’re transformed into a flavor sensation in the hands of a good cook. (For a good traditional somtam recipe, try these directions from Thai food blogger SheSimmers)

Because the papaya is green, it’s not sweet, but instead has a really “fresh” and “crisp” flavour.  Saltiness comes from the fish sauce and dried shrimp, while peppers, beans and peanuts add depth and texture to the dish.

On a recent trip to Baan Somtum (House of Somtam) in Bangkok, I had the opportunity to sample a wide array of different somtams.  Amidst the traditional styles and versions incorporating apples (this didn’t quite cut the mustard with me) and coconut, I tried “fried somtam”.  By my great powers of deduction, I presume that the green papaya shavings are deep fried to the point where they resemble shoe string onion rings.  Served on the side of the heaping pile of fried deliciousness was a bowl full of traditional somtam “sauce”.

Fried Somtam from Baan Somtum

I’ve concluded that this is Thailand’s version of ketchup and fries, except fried somtam is much more delicious.  The fried papaya strips were crispy perfection and I think the heat brought out a subtle sweetness in the fruit.  Dipping one delicate fry into the somtam sauce resulted in pure cuilinary bliss in my mouth.  Crispy, sweet, salty and textured, it had all the contrasting dimensions so prevalent in Thai cooking and was totally compatible with my western palette. After trying it I immediately proclaimed that this was the greatest food ever and proceeded to consume many hundreds of calories worth of crispy goodness.

I imagine that fried somtam can be made from an adapted traditional somtam recipe, but I’m no cooking expert.  Instead, I would recommend trying this dish if you ever find yourself in Bangkok.

Travel Tip: Top 3 Long Form Podcasts to Pass the Time

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Call me weird, but I look at entertainment as an emotional investment.  If something is going to be holding my mind, ears and/or eyeballs captive for any significant period of time, I need to feel like I can commit.  This is probably the reason why I spend more time flipping through the movie options on an airplane than actually watching a movie.

As someone with a busy travel schedule, I spend hours in waiting rooms, on trains and on planes. All the while my mind is thirsty for entertainment and I’ve come to depend on podcasts to help me whittle down the hours until I reach my next destination.  While there’s a part of me that loves short, low emotional investment podcasts (e.g. Stuff You Should Know), I still find myself checking the time on my phone every 15 minutes when I switch shows and this kind of defeats the purpose of trying to make life tick by faster.

That’s why I love the longform (1+ hour) podcast. When you find a good one, you’re engrossed, captivated and entertained while you blissfully sit unaware in a crowded room full of strangers on an uncomfortable metal chair. Having listened diligently to a variety of podcast over the past 4 years, I’ve come up with my top 3 list of long form podcasts to help you pass the time -

3. Alison Rosen in Your New Best Friend (ARYNBF)

I caught on to ARYNBF by way of the Adam Carolla Show, where she’s the resident news girl and the ying to Adam’s yang. Podcasting is an arena that is flooded with a sea of amateurs, many of which have hit it big. Alison, however, is a professional journalist with the credentials to back it up.  In her show she interviews comedians, actors and other members of the media in a format that beckons her guests to open up and reveal personal stories, views and opinions.  Her patience and willingness to share her own personal anecdotes draws out the best in her guests and her congenial nature makes her instantly likeable to the listener.

Some of my favorite ARYNBF episodes of late have featured Dr. Drew, Jim Jefferies and Harlan Williams.

2. Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History

Dan Carlin calls himself an amateur historian, but his in depth multi-part podcasts on major historical events are more intriguing and informative than any lecture I got from my history professors in college.  Even if you’re not a history buff, Dan’s story telling abilities will immediately rope you into his nonfiction tale. His podcasts detailing WWII’s eastern front single handedly altered my view of the Second World War and his “Wrath of the Khans” series is equally captivating.

1. This American Life

You can’t go wrong with This American Life.  Ira Glass is a staple of public broadcasting and as an American expat, I appreciate how he brings stories from all around the nation to life.  Some shows are funny (try listening to the episode on investigating whether pig bung holes are being masqueraded as calamari), while others are incredibly thought provoking and address some of the biggest societal issues America is facing today (try listening to Harper Valley High School, which tackles the issue of gun violence in schools or Trends with Benefits, which investigates issues with the nation’s disability benefits system).