Spanish Holiday - During Christmas

Hey, guys, gather 'round for a festive tale that involves Christmas, family, and a touch of Spanish charm. So, this year, my brother Pepe threw out an invite for me to join his Christmas bash with the fam. Now, it's been a whopping six years since I last caught up with Pepe, and with my recent move to Spain, it seemed like the perfect chance to reconnect with him.

Our holiday hideaway? None other than Llanars, this adorable spot tucked away in the Pyrenean comarca of Ripollès in Girona, Catalonia, Spain. Just a breezy two-hour drive from Barcelona, and let me tell you, we lucked out with the weather. Clear skies and a warmth that went beyond the temperature. His family rolled out the welcome mat. A big thanks to them and, of course, to Pepe for making the whole stay happen.

Having holidays in Spain has been brilliant! It's not like being a normal tourist – it's more like being part of the local scene. Staying with people you know in the country is like finding a secret passage to how they live. It makes a big difference, believe me!

Wishing everyone a fantastic holiday season filled with joy and festive cheer! May your celebrations be merry and bright. Cheers to spreading love and happiness during this wonderful time of the year.

Hugs/Anne

Hola, chicos, reuníos para una historia festiva que involucra Navidad, familia y un toque español encantador. Este año, mi hermano Pepe me hizo una invitación para unirme a su celebración navideña con la familia. Han pasado seis años desde la última vez que me encontré con Pepe, y con mi reciente traslado a España, parecía la oportunidad perfecta para volver a conectarme con él.

¿Nuestro refugio navideño? Nada menos que Llanars, este lugar adorable escondido en la comarca pirenaica de Ripollès en Girona, Cataluña, España. A solo dos horas en coche de Barcelona, y déjenme decirles, tuvimos suerte con el clima. Cielos despejados y un calor que iba más allá de lo que me hubiera esperado . Su familia nos abrió las puertas con una gran bienvenida. Un gran agradecimiento a ellos y, por supuesto, a Pepe por hacer que toda la estancia fuera posible.

¡Tener vacaciones en España ha sido genial! No es como ser un turista normal, es más como ser parte de la escena local. Quedarse con personas que conoces en el país es como encontrar un pasaje secreto de cómo viven. ¡Hace una gran diferencia, créanme!

¡Les deseo a todos unas fantásticas fiestas llenas de alegría y espíritu festivo! Que sus celebraciones sean alegres y brillantes. Brindemos por esparcir amor y felicidad durante esta maravillosa época del año.

Abrazos/Anne

Project: DIY Office Makeover on a Budget

Hey there!

Guess what's on my agenda today? We're diving headfirst into the mission of transforming our office into a sleek, stylish space before this coming spring blossoms in. Now, before you picture a team of professionals armed with power tools, let me spill the beans – it's just us, a can-do attitude, and a sprinkle of determination hehehe :)

Well, let's just say my Spanish isn't exactly top-notch, and hiring skilled labour could cost a pretty penny. So, what's a budget-savvy, language-challenged individual to do? Roll up those sleeves, grab some tools, and channel the inner handyman!

I'm ready to give our office the glow-up it deserves.

Stay tuned for this office makeover, it is about to become a masterpiece hehe, thanks to a little bit of elbow grease and a whole lot of heart.

Catch you on the flip side! Anne

วันนี้เป็นวันแรกที่เริ่มรีโนเวทออฟฟิศ มาเริ่มทำธุรกิจที่นี่ก็ต้องทำอะไรให้เป็นทุกอย่างเพราะค่าจ้างแพงและอีกอย่างก็พูดภาษาสเปนไม่ได้เก่งขนาดนั้นก็เลยตัดสินใจรีโนเวทออฟฟิศเองค่ะ ส่วนของอะไรที่ใช้ได้ก็ใช้ไปก่อนอย่างเช่นบันได เจ้าของเก่าทิ้งไว้ เบี้ยวมากแถมโยกเยกอีก ขึ้นแต่ละทีก็กลัวหล่น 555 ส่วนไม้อัดแผ่นที่นี่ค่อนข้างถูกมากเลย ซื้อมาใช้ได้ ดูดีด้วย สู้ๆแอนนี่ ให้กำลังใจตัวเอง 555

What a sketchy ladder hehe...

Embracing My Body Journey: Overcoming Body Dysmorphia

 

Hello lovelies,

I've been on a bit of a personal journey lately that I wanted to share with you all. For a while, I shied away from the camera because, truth be told, I wasn't too confident about my body.

I often found myself receiving comments from people, especially when I went back to Thailand. It's as if everyone there remembered the younger version of myself—the one who could devour snacks around the clock, guzzle a liter of Coke daily without a care, and still be very slim. But guess what? Times change, and so do our bodies. I'm not getting any younger, and my body has undergone its own transformations.

From a young age, I've been subjected to conflicting views. When I was slim, I faced criticism for being too thin. Yet, when I gained weight and achieved what society considers a standard size, the narrative shifted to labeling me as overweight. It's a perplexing paradox that has left me feeling as though I can never meet the elusive standards set by societal expectations.

Living in Sweden has been a game-changer in this regard. Here, people rarely comment on others' appearances; it's almost a taboo subject. In contrast, my experiences back in Thailand, and I'd wager in many other Asian countries, have been quite different. It's almost second nature for people to discuss and comment on each other's bodies, especially during greetings. I understand it's a cultural thing, and most of the time, they don't mean any harm. But the impact can be surprisingly profound. It took me many years to truly embrace and love my body again.

In the circles of those close to me, it's likely that they've heard me complain countless times about my perceived weight issues. Strangely, the truth is, I am not overweight at all. The source of this self-critique lies in the comments I encountered while growing up, which, regrettably, have left an indelible mark on my psyche. The constant bombardment of opinions about my body has created a distorted self-image, making it seem impossible for me to ever feel content with my appearance.

Admittedly, it's been a bit of a struggle. Body dysmorphia can be a tough nut to crack. However, I'm making a conscious effort to love my body as it is right now. It's not about conforming to societal ideals or succumbing to external pressures—it's about accepting and appreciating myself.

So, here I am, sharing a piece of my journey with you all. Let's remember that our bodies are incredible vessels that change with time. It's okay to evolve, and it's okay to love yourself at every stage. If I can overcome my body dysmorphia, so can you. Let's celebrate ourselves, our uniqueness, and the beauty in every form.

Love and body positivity, Anne

Finally time to do what I love “draping”.

Finally time to do what I love “draping”. เวลาว่างๆ คิดอะไรไม่ออก สิ่งที่ relax อีกอย่างคือการจับเดรป เอาผ้ามาพันๆง่ายดีไม่ต้องเย็บก็ออกงานได้เเล้ว เราเป็นคนที่เย็บผ้าไม่ค่อยเก่ง ขอเป็นเดรปกับดีไซน์ละกันเนอะ  ฝากติดตามแบรนด์ด้วยน้าทุกคน 

During my free time, when I can't think of anything, another thing I find relaxing is DRAPING. Taking a piece of fabric and wrapping it around neatly without the need for sewing can definitely create some great results. I'm not particularly skilled at sewing, so draping and designing are more my cup of tea.  Please follow and support my brand! Thank you everyone.