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Romantic Date Night Look in Bangkok

Three Temples You Should Visit in Bangkok

The Best Time To Visit Wat Arun

5 Restaurants You Must Try In Bangkok

A Morning at The Grand Palace

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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. 
Read the Story
July 9, 2024
Alyssa's Thoughts
Hong Kong

From Hong Kong, With Love

Since becoming parents, date nights have become extra special for us. We do not get to go out on dates as often as we like due to the beau's work schedule and our busy lives with little bean, but when we do we like to get a bit dressed up and go somewhere fun. We have our usual favorite spots that we like to hit up, but lately we have been eager to try some new spots around the city. Some of my favorite cuisines are Italian and Greek, while the beau loves Thai and Vietnamese. However, we both are obsessed with Cantonese and Japanese cuisines, so one night we decided to try a new sushi spot.
Read the Story
July 8, 2024
Style
Hong Kong

Date Night in Sheung Wan

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.
Read the Story
May 2, 2025
Style
bangkok

Romantic Date Night Look in Bangkok

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).
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January 24, 2025
Hong Kong
Hong Kong

Lunar New Year in Hong Kong

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. 
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January 23, 2025
Style
Hong Kong

Lunar New Year Outfit Ideas

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. 
Read the Story
July 9, 2024
Alyssa's Thoughts
Hong Kong

From Hong Kong, With Love

Since becoming parents, date nights have become extra special for us. We do not get to go out on dates as often as we like due to the beau's work schedule and our busy lives with little bean, but when we do we like to get a bit dressed up and go somewhere fun. We have our usual favorite spots that we like to hit up, but lately we have been eager to try some new spots around the city. Some of my favorite cuisines are Italian and Greek, while the beau loves Thai and Vietnamese. However, we both are obsessed with Cantonese and Japanese cuisines, so one night we decided to try a new sushi spot.
Read the Story
July 8, 2024
Style
Hong Kong

Date Night in Sheung Wan

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.
Read the Story
May 2, 2025
Style
bangkok

Romantic Date Night Look in Bangkok

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).
Read the Story
January 24, 2025
Hong Kong
Hong Kong

Lunar New Year in Hong Kong

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Let’s face it - there’s no shortage of amazing food and restaurants in Bangkok. Researching where to eat can be a bit daunting and overwhelming, considering how massive the city is and how many options there are. Even when doing research for our own trip, I found myself a little exhausted spending so much time finding the best spots for our 3-day visit. There are just too many to choose from! I knew I was determined to fall in love with Thai cuisine, and I most certainly did.
Read the Story
April 28, 2025
Bangkok

5 Restaurants You Must Try In Bangkok

If there was one place that was at the top of my “must visit” list in Bangkok, it was most certainly the Grand Palace along the Chao Phraya River. As someone who enjoys reading about royal history and royal families, it should come to no surprise that the Grand Palace was an absolute requirement for my first visit to Bangkok. Despite visiting Bangkok a few times before, the beau had never set foot inside the Grand Palace either, so this was going to be a new adventure for the both of us. We were both eager to be captivated by the Grand Palace’s notorious beauty.
Read the Story
April 25, 2025
Bangkok
bangkok

A Morning at The Grand Palace

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"). 
Read the Story
April 30, 2025
Thailand
bangkok

Three Temples You Should Visit in Bangkok

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.
Read the Story
April 29, 2025
Travel
bangkok

The Best Time To Visit Wat Arun

Let’s face it - there’s no shortage of amazing food and restaurants in Bangkok. Researching where to eat can be a bit daunting and overwhelming, considering how massive the city is and how many options there are. Even when doing research for our own trip, I found myself a little exhausted spending so much time finding the best spots for our 3-day visit. There are just too many to choose from! I knew I was determined to fall in love with Thai cuisine, and I most certainly did.
Read the Story
April 28, 2025
Bangkok

5 Restaurants You Must Try In Bangkok

If there was one place that was at the top of my “must visit” list in Bangkok, it was most certainly the Grand Palace along the Chao Phraya River. As someone who enjoys reading about royal history and royal families, it should come to no surprise that the Grand Palace was an absolute requirement for my first visit to Bangkok. Despite visiting Bangkok a few times before, the beau had never set foot inside the Grand Palace either, so this was going to be a new adventure for the both of us. We were both eager to be captivated by the Grand Palace’s notorious beauty.
Read the Story
April 25, 2025
Bangkok
bangkok

A Morning at The Grand Palace

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"). 
Read the Story
April 30, 2025
Thailand
bangkok

Three Temples You Should Visit in Bangkok

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.
Read the Story
April 29, 2025
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bangkok

The Best Time To Visit Wat Arun

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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.
Read the Story
July 5, 2024
Beauty

My Go-To Summer Makeup Look

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!”
Read the Story
April 23, 2025
Alyssa's Thoughts

What Life Was Like After Miss USA / Part III

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. 
Read the Story
April 22, 2025
Alyssa's Thoughts

What It Was Like To Be Miss USA / Part II

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. 
Read the Story
April 21, 2025
Alyssa's Thoughts

What It Was Like To Win Miss USA / Part I

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.
Read the Story
July 5, 2024
Beauty

My Go-To Summer Makeup Look

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!”
Read the Story
April 23, 2025
Alyssa's Thoughts

What Life Was Like After Miss USA / Part III

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. 
Read the Story
April 22, 2025
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What It Was Like To Be Miss USA / Part II

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