Swag in Medan, Indonesia

 Things have been pretty busy lately. We've had two expat friends from Korea visit us on two different weeks, lots of stuff going on for work, getting into the swing of studying French and more intensively blogging… but I still have enough time to get a bit itchy about my next trip. Luckily, I'm going to BALI next week with one of my good chingus! I'm so so so so excited. I figured in the mean time I'd post a few of our travel photos from Medan, "the worst place in the South East Asia" from a few weeks ago before I get swamped with new photos. 

Have you got anything exciting coming up for the summer? 

Hot & Humid Hearts on Bike Island

There are THREE exciting things I want to talk about in my post that I can't decide which to tell you first! One, I was talking to a friend of a friend about how my camera died and that I needed an upgrade. On the second time meeting me he pretty much gave me his camera! He said he never used it and whenever I decide I want a newer camera (his is a about 7 years old) I can give his back. How generous is that?! Plus he took the time to give me some pointers. So this post is dedicated to Blair. Everyone say thank you, Blair! 

I'm also thrilled to tell you about my favorite place in Singapore so far. It's a tiny little island on the east coast called Pulau Ubin or Bike Island. It's gorgeous and so unlike anywhere else in Singapore. Only about 100 people live on the island and there are no sky scrappers or modern buildings. It's quaint and quiet which are sometimes hard to come by in crowded Singapore. We rode around the entire island, stopped for a perfect picnic by the beach and finished the day by having a beer and chatting with the locals. The perfect day for me and my boo. ♥ ♥ ♥

And last but not least, we gotta talk about these shorts. I love love love high waisted shorts - always have. 3 years ago they were harder to come by, especially if you were as frugal as me. I found my uber-favorite pair in the form of mom-jeans at Goodwill but they aren't always so comfortable, especially if I gain a few lbs. These H&M ones though! They fit like a dream and are stretchy! They also didn't loose their shape even when I was sweating like a pig in 'em. Did I mention they were under $30...? 

Shirt: Forever 21 (old) | Shorts: H&M | Shoes: Cotton On | Bracelet Party: Lovisa | Glasses: Bugis

Instagram Travel Photo Journal

This is my last post about my trip to Thailand last week. I recently got a new phone (HTC One) which I LOVE and what better way to get acquainted with a new camera than by taking ten million photos of vacation? Here are some of my favorite photos. To see more of the vacation or what I do on a regular basis as an expat, go to http://followgram.me/lindseydish (on your computer) or http://instagram.com/lindseydish (on your phone). 

1. Best way to travel in an airport - super duper light! 

2. The restaurant attached to our bungalows had all these cool skulls decorated everywhere. And they still had all their christmas and new year's decorations up. I loved it!

3. The view from our breakfast table. 

4. No question about it - this pale irish girl's gotta have a sunhat ALWAYS. 

5. Mandatory beach sunset. 

6. Everywhere around Koh Lanta is hand painted signs. It gives the island a very kitschy, crafty feel. Good stuff. 

7. Me and my boo enjoying midday cocktails - that's what ya gotta do on vacation! 

8. Another view of "our" restaurant - lounge pillow-chairs and a great beach view. 

9. Oh, ya know. Just another gorgeous beach sunset.

1. Our 10th time scuba diving! 

2. One of the best things about scuba diving is getting to hang on the boat all day - and watch other boats go by!

3. Not on an actual instagram photo, just regrammed from one of the professional divers that accompanied us on our dive. 

4. Our dive had beautiful rocks, caves and cliffs above and below the water. 

5. Hanging on the boat. 

6. Our boat broke down, so we took many, many naps. 

7. Starting the 2nd morning by laying by the pool. 

8. All the swim suits! Cheap shopping in Thailand. 

9. The goodies I bought - love my high-waisted $30 suit! 

Dark Romance

I'm going to attempt to walk you through my creative process for this photo shoot but goodness knows, my process is usually full of nonsense and cheese. I had been almost ... craving... I guess craving is the right word, romantic but dark outfits. I just had this idea in my head that I wanted to create. I think I've been inspired a lot by Briar Rose Blog with her really adorable girly looks. I was also inspired by the cat fascinator that I found at Naughty Cat - I'm not the biggest on cat accessories (I know, this is sacrilege to a lot of people. Please don't hate me) but I'm not opposed to it either. But when I saw the fascinator with it's cute little ears covered in lace, I just had to have it. It went back to that craving of dark, romantic, gothic, victorian things. 

I didn't mean to take pictures in the twilight magic hour, but it was a happy happening. (sometimes good things happen when you take too long to get ready!) When I saw this abandoned lot near my house and the sun setting behind the hill, I seized the opportunity. I have also been inspired by this incredibly talented girl, Esther - From the Sticks, who shoots her own photos that are so beautiful. They're full of light and air and whimsy. 

Not only was the photo shoot so much fun to do (though a little messy, getting mud all over my heels and weeds in my hair), wearing this outfit later that night was also a blast. I wore what I call my "ninja suit" under the dress - just basic black tights and a long-sleeve black shirt. This is my canvas to keep me warm and to build the rest of my look on. It also complimented well with the dark romance I wanted to go with. Then I threw on one of my all time favorite dresses. It's this gorgeous little thing that is so flattering it doesn't need any extra bells and whistles. And I love the baby blush color, the sheer material and the butterfly sleeves. 

My boyfriend told me the other day how he had a kind of realization about me and my clothing choices. He said he is starting to realize just how much I have and want to communicate and how my clothes are a big part of me speaking to the world. He can tell what kind of mood I'm in sometimes by the choices I decide upon. I guess that goes back to the "craving" and how that word is really perfect for what I mean. I get an idea stuck in my head and I can't shake it until I can create and express it. 

Dress & Shoes: Korean Thrift Store 

I've Got Nothing to Hide (Blog Give-Away!)

When Vedette Shapewear contacted me to do a blog post styling their pieces, I was so excited! I love lingerie-inspired pieces as I'm a sucker for anything ultra-feminine. And what fashionista gal wouldn't wanna add some extra va-va-voom to their wardrobe? 

I gotta be honest, when I first pulled my Aimee bodysuit out of the packaging, I was a little apprehensive because the suit looked so tiny. But that's the cool thing about it - it's got some magic material that's crazy stretchy and durable. Once I slid into it, it fit fantastic and made me feel very smooth. It hugs my body really well without being uncomfortably tight. And maybe this was just in my head, but I felt like it made my posture better. Just how heels naturally makes you stand straighter, so did the shape wear. 

I paired the gorgeous, creamy bodysuit with my wool blazer and dressy tweed shorts. The blazer and color palette is a little severe for me, but the suit gives the outfit a feminine, softer touch and the shorts worn with tights show that this outfit isn't for the office. This is something I would wear to a date with my boyfriend or maybe out wine tasting with the girls. 

I did the photo shoot with the beautiful and talented Alla Ponomareva. She's great to work with because she has a great eye for such attention to detail and she's so calm (she could have been a scuba instructor but luckily, she's putting her talents to better use). We did the shoot on top of a skyscraper in the middle of the city. It had such a fantastic view of the city and the wind really added to the photos. 

Not only has this experience been exciting for me, but it can be exciting for you, too!! Vedette is kindly sponsoring a give-away for my blog and 3 lucky winners will be able to pick out their own shapewear from their Sensuale line.  

For the give-away you must: 

1. Like Vedette's Facebook page

2. Follow Vedette on Twitter

3. Like The Belted Pear's Facebook page

4. After you've done the first 3 steps, add a comment below with your email address so I can contact you.

The giveaway will finish on Nov. 21st, Thursday at midnight!

*If you are new to blogging giveaways, the app at the bottom of the page should take you through all of this step-by-step. 

While NOT necessary, but appreciated for my first blog give-away you can: 

1. Share this blog entry on your Facebook page. 

2. Follow me on Instagram and share the promotion photo.

3. Follow me on Pinterest and pin the promotion photo.

Shapewear (top): Vedette | Shorts: Target | Blazer: Thrift Store | Shoes: Thrift Store | Ring: Premier Designs | Earrings: Naughty Cat | Scarf: Korean Boutique Store | Sunglasses: Eunhang Underground 

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