Planning for a Tropical Holiday!

*Note: I started this post in January...it's May. I'm a slacker. Basically the intro and shoes are from then...the rest is more current thoughts.

My aunts have been so wonderful planning the trip to Malaysia that D and I will be taking this summer and this week, enough details have been finalized that we have officially been booked tickets! We'll be gone for about three weeks this summer, visiting family and friends in Malaysia, as well as making excursions to Thailand and Cambodia. I had hopes of visiting Kerala in South India, Singapore, and Vietnam but three weeks is too little to do so...I guess we'll just have to make another trip for that! Any excuse to get me traveling =)

All this planning and thinking about where to go and what to do in Southeast Asia has got me thinking about my wardrobe. Airy tops, glittering and comfy sandals, vibrant prints...so many possibilities are swirling through my mind! I'm most comfortable in airy shirts to begin with and have no doubt much of down time will be spent in my slouchy (yet fashionable! lol) boyfriend tees, but I can't deny the pull of a beautiful tropical wardrobe.

1. Shoes! Comfortable sandals are a must on a tropical holiday, but comfy and cute don't usually go hand in hand. Manufacturers are starting to get the hint their comfortable sandals with plenty of padding can be cute and not completely utilitarian.

I wore the following pair on my honeymoon in Curacao, not intending for it to be my walking pair, but it was so comfy the first night, I never wore my intended walking shoes! I have the gold color, which isn't flashy at all but just enough to add something special to any outfit. I now wish for all the colors - pewter, cognac, and black =).

I can't attest to the comfort of this next pair, but they're so cute and exactly what I'm looking for in a decorated shoe. I enjoy metallics and beading but sandals and flip flops with those qualities are too delicate with thin straps for my not-so-cute feet, or are of the popular gladiator style that is not flattering to my shorter legs (cuts me off at the ankle =/). This pair has lovely detailing and with the bulk of the upper material over the widest part of the foot, very flattering.

2. During our stay in Malaysia, by the grace of my family, we will be having another reception to celebrate our wedding,  in addition to family dinners, garden party, etc. That means appropriate dresses and outfits...beautiful but able to keep me from sweltering in the humidity. Here's a few choices I think may be perfect!
*I still am keeping my eyes open but I did buy a dress for $25 from a small shop in Santa Fe, NM called Jewel of the Lotus I thought would be perfect. The storeowner had just opened it - I walked by on his first day of business. He sold Tibetan, Indian, and other Asian wares, from jewelery to tunics and dresses to intricate metal sculptures and wood carvings. Unfortunately no pic yet, but it's a lovely satiny dress with a handkerchief hem, thin halter straps, and a design (Indian or Thai I think) in mostly green, with purplish accents.*
 

BCBG MazAzria dress (style at least; this is sold out)

Flowy dress means I can pig out on great Asian food and still look decent. Would also look good belted.

This and the above blue dress is from Monsoon Accessorize.

Sorry it's blurry but this dress is very similar to maxis I already have and love. From Asos.com.

Love this dress but don't know which color I like best: this gray or the white below. Also from Monsoon Accessorize.

 This is probably enough to go through for tonight; I'll continue with tops, bags, and more another time. Good night!