Temples and palaces are abundant throughout countries in Southeast Asia, such as Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and more. With their complex and deep history rooted within these sites, a level of respect is expected and that is reflected in a visitor’s wardrobe. Modesty is polite and appropriate, but sometimes it can be overwhelming researching outfits. Below I am sharing my ideas on what to wear at palaces and temples in Southeast Asia, which include chic and fun styles that can be worn year round. 

After busy mornings filled with quiet visits to breathtaking Buddhist temples and finding ourselves immersed in Thai royal history, followed by afternoons lounging by the pool and soaking up the warm Bangkok sun, the beau was eager to take me out for a much needed romantic dinner. At home in Hong Kong, finding an excuse to dress up for date night has become more rare these days as our time is filled with family especially whenever the beau is not traveling. During our mom-and-dad getaway, I chose to don a romantic date night look in Bangkok for a special one-on-one evening with the beau.

This will be my fifth Lunar New Year in Hong Kong. While I will admit that Christmas is my favorite time of year, Lunar New Year is a very, very close second (with Mid Autumn Festival coming in third). You can really feel the energy become more positive and hopeful. After everyone puts their Christmas decorations away by 1 January, everything switches gears for Lunar New Year, which usually takes place in January or February depending on the full moon. Christmas trees are swapped for peonies and orchids, green Christmas garland is swapped for red lanterns, and Santa is swapped for lions, dragons, and snakes (this lunar new year will be Year of the Snake).

Lai see. Lion dances. Dragons. Prayers. That's just a small glimpse of the liveliness that happens around Lunar New Year. Since moving to Asia at the end of 2019, I have been able to experience a few Lunar New Years here in Hong Kong (and Têt in Vietnam), and it really might be one of the best times of the year. It's everyone coming together to welcome spring and a new year (this year will be Year of the Snake), and the streets are lively with vibrant colors and gorgeous blossoms. Popular colors this time of year are red for good luck and good fortune, yellow/gold for hope and power, and pink for love and happiness. 

The perfect white tee doesn't exi... actually, yes it does. I had been looking for the perfect white tee every summer and I finally found it this year. White tees go with absolutely everything, which is what makes them so essential for summer. Have the perfect flowy skirt? A comfortable pair of denim shorts? Or even a light linen jumpsuit? A white tee goes with all three and more. 

I'm pretty much in disbelief that this upcoming autumn will mark 5 years since I relocated to Hong Kong. How has it already been half a decade? I have now lived in Hong Kong longer than I have collectively lived in New York City, which blows my mind. It seems nearly impossible. I initially relocated here to spend more time with the beau, who first came to live in Hong Kong with his family when he was 6-years old. The beau has lived in Hong Kong since 1990, with a couple of years in Canada and Australia for school in between, so this has always been "home" to him. 

Imagine a warm, sunny morning in a rural tropical destination, with the sun just making its daily debut above the horizon and the world seemingly having a golden glow. It’s just shortly after sunrise, but it’s time to make your way to an air conditioned van to be driven about an hour outside of the city within the foothills of the Kulen Mountains. Deep within the trees after navigating through a winding dirt road, you find yourself at a recycled wooden hut to meet your enthusiastic guide. After preparing some food, you make your way down the back stairs and down a small dirt path before you find yourself at an open field with the breathtakingly majestic elephants just waiting to say hello. This is Kulen Elephant Forest. 

Nestled away from the city center, tucked down an unassuming dirt road surrounded by trees and rice fields is one of the most beautiful resorts I have ever had the privilege to be a guest at. But before we arrived at this extremely special destination, we had a quick 30 minute smooth flight from Phnom Penh with views of the beautiful Tonlé Sap lake out of our windows. Shortly afterwards, we arrived at Siem Reap, Cambodia’s brand new international airport terminal about an hour outside of the main city. After piling into the resort’s luxury mini van (with a comfortable car seat happily provided), and after an hour-long drive through luscious green fields and numerous temples and pagodas, we finally arrived at our home for the next few days - Zannier Phum Baitang.

Bangkok is rich in culture, history, and religion, with numerous temples throughout the city with centuries of stories that are told through their walls. There are a few iconic landmarks in Bangkok, such as the Grand Palace which houses the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Arun, and Wat Pho, but there are also other breathtakingly beautiful temples that are not quite as popular and thus less crowded when visited. No two temples are the same, which is why it is worth seeing as many as you can. Three temples you should visit in Bangkok include Wat Benchamabophit Dusitwanaram (“The Marble Temple”), Wat Saket (“The Golden Mount”), and Wat Ratchanatdaram ("The Metal Castle"). 

Bangkok is a very busy city, filled with the sounds of millions of conversations amongst residents and tourists alike, the sounds of a cleaver pounding down into a fresh, cold coconut, the sounds of horns honking in notorious traffic, and the sounds of motors from tuk-tuks and motorcycles. A busy city is a lively city, but even lively cities have their tranquil, quiet spots. One place to find tranquility is at one of the many temples sprinkled around Bangkok. Bangkok is filled with numerous temples, all rich in history and symbolism, and if you’re looking for tranquility then there’s no better place than one of the city’s most famous temples - Wat Arun - at sunrise.

For 12 months, I lived the life of a celebrity as if I had always been one, being flown first class around the world and across the country, walking major red carpets that I never ever imagined I’d be walking on, making speeches like a public official, and appearing in ads and spreads in multiple magazines that I had been reading for years. Everyone wants you when you’re the reigning queen. And then, in another instant, it’s all gone. No team behind you, guiding you, or supporting you. It’s almost as if it never was. It very much feels like, “K thanks, bye!”

For 60 years, one woman would find herself wearing the crown and sash of Miss USA for a whole year. She would go down in the Miss USA history books, her name forever attached to that title. For six years, I had watched one woman’s life completely change on live television as she got crowned as Miss USA. I would follow her reign on the Miss Universe website, her travels, her red carpet appearances, etc. It was a job and responsibility I had really wanted for myself. It always seemed like an unachievable dream. I would daydream about winning a state pageant and winning Miss USA. I would daydream about what my reign would be like - living in the Miss Universe apartment in New York and traveling the world representing the Miss Universe Organization and countless charities. But then, one day, on June 19, 2011, that impossible dream became a thrilling reality. I never thought that one day, a girl from a small town in New Jersey, would find herself wearing the crown and sash of Miss USA. It was something I wanted, but the chances were extraordinary. 

A lot has changed since I competed, but every year a new Miss USA was crowned on live television. After nearly 3 intense weeks in June 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada with 50 other extraordinary women from across the country, the time had come to crown a new Miss USA. After a 2 hour internationally televised event concluded, one woman was walking away with the title and crown of Miss USA 2011. 51 of us competed for that crown. Only one could win. 59 other incredible women had already previously held the title over the last 60 years, and now it was someone else's turn to have that role for a year. One woman woke up that morning not knowing she would be going to bed that night as the new Miss USA. This is my experience of what it was like to win Miss USA, which I will be sharing in two parts. 

To start off the Christmas season this year, I was invited by Ritz Carlton Hong Kong and Clé de Peau for a special afternoon celebrating the holidays as well as Clé de Peau's City of Dreamlight collection. I am no stranger to both Ritz Carlton Hong Kong or Clé de Peau, so these two brands coming together for an epic tea collaboration meant for a very easy yes to the invitation.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve focused a lot less on makeup and more on skin care. These days, as a busy mom, I don’t have much time to put on makeup. It’s also summertime here in Hong Kong, which means the temperatures are soaring and the humidity is making our sweat look like we just went swimming in the harbour. So I am letting my skin do all the talking.

Summertime makeup is all about that peak summertime glow, where less is more and simple is key. To be completely honest, I’m a busy mom and it’s currently very hot in Hong Kong so I don’t wear any makeup most days (I do cheat by getting a brow lamination and lash lift to help me look more awake!). But when I do wear makeup, it’s usually because I have an event to go to or I’m heading out on a date with the beau. I like to keep it simple, especially after years of heavy makeup in the pageant and modeling industries. When it comes to summer outings and summer travel, keeping it soft and simple is just the easiest way to go.