{Fashion} Met Gala 2014: Worst Dressed + On The Fence

After sharing my Best Dressed list with you guys, I decided to play a little game of fashion police and make a list of the worst dressed celebrities and also those that I am on the fence about. So without further ado, here are my thoughts:

Misses:

This is just too costume-y. It's comical and not in a good way. I love NPH but this is just an epic fail.

Katie has the potential to be very stylish--she certainly has the looks for it. But she keeps missing and this canary yellow Marchesa is clearly another bad choice. It looks like Belle (from The Beauty and the Beast, duh!) got run over. 

The sisters Olsen are known for their good looks and style savvy but they missed the boat here. In fact, Mary Kate and Ashley looks like they just got off the boat to the New World and Elizabeth looks like she got lost on her way to figure skating camp.

I love Lupita N'yongo. She is talented and she has been a fashion darling ever since she stepped out on the scene. But everyone goes wrong eventually and makes a fashion mistake. I'm just sad that it had to happen at the Met Ball. Chin up Lupita, you'll get them next year.

Shailene Woodley's Rodarte dress is not a good choice either. The usually fashionable star got it wrong with this one. Plus her hair and makeup ages her normally youthful appearance.

Kate Upton looks horrible in this dress. It reminds me of Little Bo Peep, but in a really bad way. The buxom beauty should have stuck to wearing something more her style instead of trying too hard to be high fashion.

Oh no Solange! What happened? She usually takes my breath away but this is just all kinds of wrong. The color is very 80's and although the singer could have made it work, there is only so much you can do with a shapeless orange sack, which is what this dress is. Points off for that hair and makeup as well. I cannot wait till she redeems herself. I am rooting for you, Solange!

Too many things going on here, Margot. And that dress is wrong for the event. The exposed bra, weird neckline, crazy geometric skirt, and sheer, embellished top are just too much. They compete with each other so loudly, I don't know where to look.

On The Fence:

These are the celebrities I don't know what to do with. I am not sure if they are a hit or miss. They certainly bring something, but they should have been clearer/tried harder/got a better stylist. And some are just meh.

I don't really know what to think of Kristen Stewart's Chanel Couture. I like the colors and the high fashion elements like the embellishments and sheer panel. I just don't think they all work together. It's more punk than Charles James. Still, it's not a complete fail.

I expected more from Selena Gomez. Her style has evolved so much recently that this plain DVF number feels too boring. I mean, it's the Met Ball for heaven's sake. She needs to step it up.

I like Oliva Munn's gown but there's something off about it. I think it's the train. Plus, her hair is all wrong.

Rihanna's Stella McCartney dress is alright in my opinion. It looks like a two piece but there is another deep cut out in the back. I just think it's too many cutouts and if she really wanted to wear it, the Grammy's or some other music awards show would be a better place to show this dress off. Also, I don't like her hair.

Jessica Alba's dress is pretty, but when I looked closely I didn't particularly like the drop down waist. The color washes her out too. I wish she had gone for something bright and poppy.

Chloe Sevigny's dress is alright. I like the peplum and the slit.The straps on the dress ruin it for me. Her hair and makeup needs work too and on second thought, she should have picked a better dress.

What do you guys think? How bad did these stars do? Anyone I missed?

Stay true to your fashionable selves,

xoxo - Chrissy

[All images have been taken via Google]

{Fashion} Met Gala 2014: Best Dressed

{Sarah Jessica Parker opening the red carpet shenanigans for the Met Gala}

The Met Gala is arguably the biggest night in the fashion industry. The Ball is an annual fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute. It also serves as a sort of opening ceremony for the institute's annual fashion exhibit. As expected, anyone who is anyone makes an appearance and we mere mortals get to judge their fashion choices as they walk the red carpet. The theme for 2014 is "Charles James:Beyond Fashion". James was a twentieth century designer who is considered to be "America's First Couturier". Although he is not a household name, he has had a heavy influence on fashion and is most popular for his structured aesthetic, especially ballgowns. Well, that's enough backstory, here are my favorites of the night:

Considering the theme, it was expected that the fashion set would favor structured ballgowns and retro glam in honor of the late designer. So I think Suki Waterhouse looks beautiful in this Burberry dress. Sure the tulle and frills seem like too much, but really it's not because of the occasion. You gotta know what to wear, when and where and Suki does a good job. Also kudos to her for keeping it retro in her updo and sultry red lippy.

Hailey Steinfeld looks amazing in this Prabal Gurung ballgown. I like the structure of the dress: the flare and hemline are a great nod to Charles James, while the upper body looks very modern in its cut and neoprene elements.

Blake Lively is always a vixen when it comes to Old Hollywood glam and she pulls it off stunningly in this light pink sequined Gucci number. Her 40's waves are killing it here. Ryan Reynolds looks dapper in a velvet tuxedo, also by Gucci.

Of course Kimye was at the Met Gala and this year I have to say, Kim's gorgeous Lanvin is my favorite dress of them all. She looks stunning and it makes me almost forget that she wore an old curtain to last year's ball. Kanye looks great in his tails as well, and I think they look really good together here.

Taylor Swift looks amazing in her blush colored custom Oscar de la Renta gown. Love the well-cut, structured bow in the back which effortlessly flows into the train.

'Girls' star Allison Williams is quite the stylista and she delivered yet again in this beautiful Oscar de la Renta gown. She looks very sleek and elegant, red is a great color on her.

Kendall Jenner looks amazing in this (gasp!) Topshop dress. Her pulled back hair and choker necklace are the perfect style staples to this outfit. This is Jenner's first Met Ball now that she is officially a high fashion model.

Giselle Bundchen looks sexy in Balenciaga and her husband Tom Brady makes for some good eye candy.

This is my other absolute fave outfit of the night. I love, love, love Emma Stone's Thakoon crop top and skirt combo. It is beautiful and vibrant and oh em gee, her hair!!! As you can tell, I'm obsessed. So in my completely unbiased opinion I think she looks perfect.

Naomi Watts looks amazing in Givenchy Couture, it's both elegant and super sexy, not to mention the sheer paneling is totally of the moment.

 The King and Queen of the music industry look flawless in Givenchy. Very high fashion!

I am so happy that Leighton Meester is back on the red carpet. She looks gorgeous in this embellished Emilio Pucci dress. She reminds me of a boho princess in this outfit.

So there you have it, the best dressed stars at this year's Met Ball, in my opinion. 

What do you think? Do you have a favorite? Is there anyone who shouldn't be on this list and anyone I missed who should be?

À bientôt,

xoxo - Chrissy

[All images taken from Google]

{Entertain} - How To Throw A Fun Oscar Viewing Party

{Image via Pinterest}

It's the Oscars and you're invited! Wellll, not really. But that doesn't mean you can't get in on the glitz and glamour and have a good old time like Hollywood's finest. That's right, it's time to throw your own award-winning Oscar viewing party! 

1. We Fancy

Get dressed up and let your guests know to do the same. The easiest way to do this is to create an invite and put the dress code on it. 

2. Print Some Ballots

Play the guessing game and mark off your winners on this pretty ballot. We normally tend to guess anyway so this makes it more fun and keeps the fancy Oscars theme going. You can even turn it into a drinking game - those who guess wrong must take a drink!

3. Serve Up Some Drinks

Keep it simple yet fancy by serving champagne or wine. If you feel up to it, a themed signature drink would be fun. Or just follow this recipe for Moet's Silver Screen Punch found on the Oscar's website. The recipe is as follows:

1 (6 ounce) can pink lemonade concentrate, partially thawed8 ounces pineapple juice1 cup frozen strawberries1/2 teaspoon grated ginger1 cup vodka1 bottle Moët & Chandon 1 pineapple, cut into rings and frozen 

In a blender, combine pink lemonade concentrate, pineapple juice, strawberries, and ginger. Blend until smooth. Pour into a punch bowl. Add vodka and stir to combine. Just before serving, pour in Moet. Add frozen pineapple rings.

4. Snack Time

It goes without saying that watching movies call for snacks, so the same logic holds true when you're watching an awards show about movies. The options are endless. Have an old-school candy bar with classic movie-going treats like Twizzlers, m&ms and Reese's Pieces. And of course, what's a movie without popcorn? Popcorn is such a huge part of going to the movies so it would be great to have a popcorn bar, with different flavors of popcorn and pretty bags to scoop them into. For a fancier take on food, serve up appetizers like stuffed mushrooms, grilled tomatoes, mini lettuce wraps, or a wine and cheese arrangement.

{Images via Pinterest}

5. Have a photo backdrop

Since you don't have a red carpet, set up a photo backdrop using red tulle or tissue paper from the crafts store. Have Hollywood themed props on hand like sunglasses, and cameras, feather boas and clapperboards and of course Oscars, so that guests can enjoy taking pictures. Decorate the area with balloons from Party City - they have star-shaped balloons which can make your party feel less living room, more Kodak Theater.  Stringing fairy lights around the party area is also a nice touch.

Have fun and don't forget to start your party early enough to watch the stars arriving on the red carpet! 

Lights, Camera, Action!
xoxo - Chrissy

How to Spend 24 Hours in Miami

{Pictures via Pinterest}

I was in Miami not too long ago and I loved every minute of it. From the retro colored buildings to the streets lined with palm trees, the crazy beautiful people and the blaring music -the city has a lot to offer! It is a fabulous tropical getaway for those of you who are after one. But I got to thinking, lots of people fly in for business or for a weekend vacation, so I decided to make a list of things to do if you had only one day to spend in this hot (literally and otherwise) city!

Quick Tips: The best way to see the city is to have your own car or rent one. The public transportation system is not so great and you can end up spending tons of money on cabs. Grey Line's Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours offer an inexpensive travel option as well and takes you around the best sight seeing spots. Also keep in mind, a lot of the action happens in Miami Beach (a.k.a. South Beach, a.k.a. SoBe). All the fancy hotels are located here and it is practically one ginormous party all day long! With only 24 hours to spare, I suggest sticking to this area, otherwise you will only spend most of the day stuck in traffic.

Alright then, no time to waste - let's get moving!

9:00 AM 

Start with a walk along the boardwalk and explore Ocean Drive which is surrounded by colorful Art Deco buildings. To make things easy for you, there is even an Art Deco Walking Tour so all you have to do is show up and get guided! If you are a museum kind of person, there are plenty to keep you occupied in the morning! Of course, no morning is a good one without some much needed coffee, and Miami's got the the best of the best - Cortaditos. What's that you ask? It's a Cuban espresso with milk, foam and sugar. It's pretty strong and very tasty, even Khloe Kardashian got addicted to them while she was in Miami! 

{Picture via Google Images}

11:30 AM

When you're done savoring your coffee and people watching, head on over to the Bayside Marketplace, with it's lovely views; great music and dancing; and cute little souvenir shops. Go on a boat ride and enjoy the gorgeous blue of the ocean. The smell of salt water and your hair blowing in the wind while you enjoy the scenery is a wonderful feeling, especially if you haven't been out on the sea for a while! Also if your tour boat takes you far enough you can even see a little bit of the Bahamas and the Bermuda Triangle! This kind of boat ride is a good two and half hours long, but there are shorter ones if you ask around.

{Chilling at Bayside Marketplace}

2:30 PM

You can eat right in the Bayside Marketplace, or you could drive to the Miami Design District for some quick lunch and more sight seeing. Here you will find galleries, showrooms, and high-end boutiques. Do check out the much-hyped Wynwood Walls which pays tribute to big international artists. If you got lost in the beauty of the district and forgot lunch, drive over to Coconut Grove, another gorgeous place with plenty of window shopping (stuff is expensive!!) and cute eateries.

4:30 PM

You must go to Little Havana, which is basically Cuba in Miami! I love love love it here, the atmosphere is wonderful and you are sure to have a good time even if you can't speak much spanish. Try a hand-rolled cigar and a cup of café con leche (coffee with milk). 

{Pictures via Pinterest}

SOMEWHERE IN HERE HIT THE BEACH!!!! It's not as hot after 4:00 PM and there will still be a crowd, so catch some rays and take a dip in the cool ocean.

5:30 PM

If you haven't done any shopping yet, drive to Lincoln Road where you will find a variety of high street as well as name-brand stores and everything in between. If you're a book lover, your day will be made when you walk into Books & Books. There is also much for the art lover at the Art Center.

6:30 PM

Head back to your hotel room for a quick nap, the whole point of which is to stay awake later and dance into the night! Shower and get dressed up for a night on the town like you've never seen before. Also carry enough cash because cover charges/drinks/random spending can add up! There are a million places to go to dinner, but try something with seafood since they do get some really fresh catches which taste divine. 

8:00 PM

After dinner, stop by Mango's for a mini carnival-like experience, complete with sexy dancers and Spanish music from salsa to samba. Trust me if you love Spanish/Latin culture and the vibe as much as I do, you will spend a good two hours here!

10:00 PM

Start drinking if you haven't already! The party doesn't start till almost Midnight, so the best thing to do is get buzzed now and find your happy place so you don't have to waste any time once you get inside the clubs ;) 

12:00 AM

Let's go! Head on over to the South Beach/Ocean Drive area if you are not already there. Get inside the clubs and party hard! It would be wise to plan ahead and make some calls to get your name on the guest list a while before you arrive. This way you don't have stand in line forever before you actually get in. Hopefully you got a great power nap in earlier because if you're doing it right, you won't be leaving until 6:00 AM at least!

Party Hard!!

XOXO - Chrissy

Cute (and Cheap!) Ways to Arrange Your Flowers

(Via Pinterest)

April showers bring May flowers and I don't know about you, but I sure am excited to buy some fresh flowers for my house. If I could, I would have flowers in my pockets and carry them around everywhere I go! 

Some tips for flower arrangements:

1. Keep water fresh. Your flowers will live for over up to two weeks with fresh water!

2. Keep leaves out of the water to prevent water contamination!

3. Cut an inch off the stems before putting them in water - this increases absorption.

Here are a bunch of cute ideas for to display your pretty flowers, plus they are totally affordable- who needs traditional vases anyway?

(Via Pinterest)

Use a wine bottle or any other bottles as a vase.

(lovelylittledetails.com)

Paint mason jars and use as vases (paint goes on the inside, shake it up until bottle is covered in paint and let dry.)

(missingperfection.tumblr.com)
Think outside the box for vase options - antique tins, cute tea containers, even wine bottles make very pretty "vases" for your flowers.

Roses and Poses-

XOXO,

Chrissy

How to Add Color to Your Life { Holi Festival }

(Images via Pinterest)

Happy Phagwah!

Today is the day of the Holi Festival - also known as Phagwah. Holi is a festival of colors held mainly in India and Bangladesh. It is a Hindu festival celebrating the start of spring.

"Hindus believe it is a time of enjoying spring's abundant colors and saying farewell to winter. It also has a religious purpose, commemorating events present in Hindu mythology. Although it is the least religious holiday, it is probably one of the most exhilarating ones in existence. During this event, participants hold a bonfire, throw colored powder at each other, and celebrate wildly." (Wikipedia)

Here in the United States, the official first day of Spring was last Wednesday and I thought it was fitting to link it with the Holi festival and write a fun post! Since this blog is called Silk and Spice, this kind of thing is right up my alley and if you've been a regular reader, then you know it! So here are some ways to add a bit of color to your life and celebrate spring and Holi while you do it :)

1. Show Some Love

The easiest and most fulfilling way to usher in a case of the bright and cheery is to engage in kindness and do little things for other people. Maybe you send your mother some flowers, or make dessert for your boyfriend. It's also incredibly great to do nice things for total strangers. Here's an example: waiting in line for coffee? Sweet! When it's your turn, do something totally unexpected by buying coffee for the person behind you and voila! Not only do you feel special, but you also brightened another person's day, and that my friend, is going to make you feel even better. Don't buy it? Just try it!

2. Flower Power

Wear a flower in your hair. It looks great tucked behind your ear with loose waves or pinned into an updo. If that's not your style, wear a floral dress or skirt. Maybe you're too not into girly dressing? Just some flowers in your living room or bedroom. If you're a complete tomboy, just take a walk outside or go to the park - surrounding yourself in the bright colors of spring will give you a boost of energy and enthusiasm!

3. Get a Manicure! 

Your week is going to be that much brighter -everything you do will put a smile on your face as you catch a glimpse of your pretty nails.

4. Go on a Shopping Spree

Girls this is the perfect time to go shopping. The stores are going to be filled with the new spring/summer arrivals and that means lots of color, prints and patterns! If you're on a budget, window shopping will compensate and hey, you could buy at least one thing!

5. Dine Al Fresco

When the weather warms up, you can actually go outside and have some fun :) What better way to enjoy the rising temps than relaxing on the terrace of a chic little restaurant  with great food and friends?

6. Slow Down

Unplug from your electronics, spend time with family, maybe go away for the weekend - just relax and soak up the sun (don't forget sunscreen!). Take a break from your busy life to unwind, look around and appreciate the world around you before it passes you by. You'll feel instant gratitude for the life you have.

7. Take pictures

Nothing like a picture to capture a precious moment and spring is full of those moments. Leave the house instead of opting to laze around and start clicking at the beauty around you. Fresh green grass is finally peeking out, flowers are blooming, birds are chirping. At least for a moment, everything is alright - revel in it!

8. Do Things You Love

When you do the things you love, you make life that much better. Sing, dance, paint - play. It's a sure fire to brighten up your day and add color to your life. Taking the time to indulge your interests, laugh and being silly with the people who matter means that you are engaging in life and living and that is as colorful as can be.

Live in color-

XOXO,

Chrissy

Business 101: Lessons to Learn From Cleopatra, Queen of the Nile

Source: Google Images

I don't know about you all, but I'm excited for Halloween! I hope you are going to dress up and have a good time. I was thinking back to my costume last year, which was Cleopatra, Queen of the NIle and this year, Heidi Klum dressed as Cleopatra for her annual Halloween party. Many people think of Cleopatra as a tempting seductress who looks a bit like Elizabeth Taylor (thanks to the latter playing the Queen in the movie, Cleopatra), but there is more to her. Famous for her looks and feisty personality; Cleopatra was one of the most powerful rulers of Egypt. She was a pharaoh which was a rare occurrence, since most queens in those times did not rule a country - their husbands did. Although she lived some 2000 years ago, her skills and leadership still holds relevance in today's day and age. So here's my run down of Cleopatra and things we can learn from her:

1. If you want to, you can rule the world (and why wouldn't you want to?)

Cleopatra Vii Philopator, known to the whole entire world simply as Cleopatra, was the last pharaoh of Ancient Egypt. Yes, she worked the first-name-only thing way before Madonna or Beyoncé. In fact, she did this 2000 years before either of them. That alone should tell you something. More importantly though, she was the last ruler of Ancient Egypt, that's right, she basically ruled the world. In a time when women were regarded as merely beautiful objects, she didn't let society's views stop her - instead, she used her femininity and sexuality to her advantage, all to save her country and it's people from the Roman Empire. She believed she deserved the best, and she accepted the perks as well as the responsibilities of the job.

2. Know yourself and flaunt your strengths.

Cleopatra was a woman. She was a woman ruler, a pharaoh, and had to conduct business with people from her own country as well as others. Needless to say, they were all men. Yet, here she was, a woman, controlling the world. She had to assert herself, and show these people that her gender had nothing to do with her capability to rule them. If anything, she used her gender (what people thought was a weakness in politics) and it was, more often than not her greatest strength.

Source: vgitanacleopatra.blogspot.com

3. Woah, wait a minute. Using your femininity won't get you very far. You need to be smart and intelligent. Hone your intellect.

Sure, Cleopatra used her sexuality and charm, and a lot of emphasis has been given to this fact. But don't forget, her femininity was simply an outer covering for her true weapon - her mind. Cleopatra was very intelligent, fluent in many languages, and well-versed in politics. She used looks, charm and grace to get what she wanted along with wit and humor. Simply put, she was bewitching. It's no wonder she portrayed herself as the reincarnation of an Egyptian Goddess.

4. It's all about the timing. But sometimes, there is no time like the present. And age doesn't matter.

Our girl Cleo had to ascend the throne when she was just 18. Egypt was a wealthy country in those times and she was controlling a lot of land. While these communities and their work only enriched her coffers, she also had to protect them and make sure that her country and its lands kept thriving. Insert charm and wit here and the lady does a good job of keeping her country together.

5. Don't let the pressure and responsibility stop you from achieving your true potential and maintaining your greatness.

See lesson #3 above. When Egypt was under threat of a hostile takeover from Rome, what did the lovely Queen of the Nile do? She wrapped herself up in a carpet and got delivered to Caesar's room. Then she seduced him in an attempt to thwart this takeover and gain the sympathy and goodwill of the Romans. It worked. I wouldn't suggest doing exactly what she did, but the important lesson to learn is that she thought outside the box, and in those times, women didn't have a lot of resources. I guess she was using the resources she did have. But here in the present day, there is this little thing called ethics, so instead of fluttering your eyelashes and connecting the dots to success, know that hard work and effort will definitely be more rewarding. So don't use this as an excuse to throw yourself in a carpet or anything! 

6. On that same note, don't mix business with pleasure.

Yes, it bears repeating. 

Elizabeth Taylor playing Cleopatra. Source: Google Images

7. Appearance matters.

Cleopatra and for that matter, Egyptian queens in general, had a distinct look - the long slanted eyeliner, the glamorous clothing, ornate gold jewelry and the heavy make-up. It all creates an aura. As I mentioned before, Cleopatra carried herself well and claimed she was a reincarnation of an Egyptian Goddess. This fits well with being the ruler of the country and she definitely looked the part. 

8. Network and maintain good relationships.

If not for the support of Caesar and later Mark Antony, Cleopatra would not have been able to take control of the Egyptian throne and expand her empire. Having the support of such high ranking Romans ensured that her interests were taken into consideration. She knew how to play the game, this one.

9. Master the wow factor!

Cleopatra knew how to make an entrance. When Mark Anthony first arrived in Rome, she got his attention by sailing down the Nile in all her glory, on an intricately decorated barge. Descriptions of this event point out the grandeur and luxury that Cleopatra exuded, dressed as Venus and her oarsmen as Cupids. Many of you, I'm sure, have heard the saying, "It is better to be overdressed than under-dressed." Similarly, it is better to be looked over and than overlooked, so go big or go home!

So there you have it, nine lessons to learn from Cleopatra. What are your thoughts on the great Queen of the Nile? I would love to see your comments :)

XOXO - Chrissy

According to Amanda: Ten Favorite Places in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Here's the first of my guest posts! This one will actually be a recurring feature called According to Amanda (if you didn't guess from the title!). I am so glad to have my friend Amanda be a part of this blog - I have known her since way back when in grade school and she is the sweetest! Amanda lives in Sri Lanka and will be updating us frequently on the world according to her!

Hey everyone!!!!

A couple of weeks ago, my beautiful friend Chrissy asked me to write about my life and travel experiences for her blog “Silk & Spice” and I jumped at the opportunity! I truly would be honored to be a part of this amazing and super spicy blog! 

I haven’t travelled much but boy oh boy have I been bitten by the travel bug…all I ever watch is the travel channel and while at work I only day dream of eating macaroons under the Eiffel tower in Paris.

But for my first post, I’m going to start right at home - in Colombo, Sri Lanka! 

ODEL Unlimited – From its humble beginnings in the trunk of a car to its rapid transformation into an exclusive shopping hub, ODEL is without a doubt Sri-Lanka’s biggest and most cosmopolitan department store. Ranging from designer perfumes to Belgian chocolates, Odel is definitely a must if you’re in Sri Lanka. The store carries global brand names like Ralph Lauren, Bulgari and Donna Karan as well as Sri Lankan brands like the fabulous beachwear brand Arugumbay! Shopping can be exhausting, so if you ever feel hungry there’s a cozy food court at the entrance and two amazing restaurants inside as well - Nihonbashi for all you sushi fans and Deli France, a cute little eatery which boasts some wonderful chocolate croissants. 

Burger’s King – Located in Slave Island’s busiest junction, this little gem serves up the most AMAZING burgers! Despite the name sounding very similar to the famous chain Burger King, this street shop has a story all its own. It is somewhat of a fold away shop – they literally set up to open at around 5:00 pm – don’t go before, you won’t find anything. It’s all very Platform Nine and Three Quarters (a la Harry Potter). The portions are huge and everything is served hot. Hygiene is good and prices are cheap. You can either choose to sit and pig out in the comfort of your car or you can sit on the sidewalk and enjoy the smells wafting your way from the kitchen! The staff are so friendly and you get your order in minutes…every order comes with a huge portion of French fries. The prawn burger is a must have - soooo yummilicious!!!!

Secondhand Books Maradana - Boasts a string of second hand bookshops, which are renowned for their vast collection of old and rare books at bargain prices. This place is every bookworm’s dream. You can find the classics like Jane Austen and Charles Dickens or you can bury your nose in chick-lit and science fiction – you name it, they've got it.

Kama – Colombo’s most exclusive night club! All you party loving, club hopping lads and lasses, this is the place to be on the weekends. The music will make you dance like there’s no tomorrow and if you get hungry from all that dancing, they serve the best chicken club sandwiches ever! The ideal time to get in is around 11:30 -12pm, the party goes on till 7 in the morning and the hangover is definitely worth it!! Kama is the place you wanna go to if you've had a bad day, the music and ambiance instantly puts you in a good mood!

Source

Pettah – “A Bargainer’s Haven”. Your Colombo shopping experience isn’t complete without being thrust in to the hustle and bustle of Pettah which is famous for it's open air bazaars. With almost anything being available in the many narrow streets, you will have plenty of shops to choose from that will satisfy your retail needs. Shops are located in clusters, with specific types of items being sold in each cluster. Although driving through and parking maybe problematic, the entire stretch of shops are located within walking distance. Whatever you choose to purchase, be sure to polish your bargaining skills, which is important to fetch the best prices. Tips – carry a sling bag and wear flip flops, loose the jewelery (you want to avoid being a victim of pickpocketing) carry your ID/Passport securely and keep you money close to you at all times!!! Also beware, street vendors/hawkers might try to sell you items that are not genuine/fake. Follow these and you’ll come out alive!

Pilawoos – is the best place for good ol’ Sri Lankan street food and yes, the best place to prepare for an impending hangover. This is where you go for the legendary “Cheese Kothu” which is to die for! The delicious dish is made with Happy Cow cheese triangles (shame on you if you are Sri Lankan and don’t know about Happy Cow). Another must try on the menu is the Chocolate Rotti made with Nutella. Pilawoos is open till the wee hours, so party all you want and head on over! 

7 Degrees - This is the most insanely romantic bar in Colombo (located at Cinnamon Lakeside). Perfect for dates, you can chill to jazz music and sip on a Margarita while overlooking the bera lake which looks is a pretty sight at night. 7 degrees would be the place you wanna go to have a couple of amazing cocktails/mocktails to get the party started! Perfect for a relaxed evening. They always serve the most exquisite tapas in the world!

Paradise Road – The antique lover’s sanctuary, you truly feel like you walked into nirvana when you enter Paradise Road! The scents from the incense sticks are divine and oh so relaxing. If you want to make your home look like Bali or create a Zen atmosphere, Paradise Road is the place for you! From Egyptian cotton fabrics to beautiful china, they’ve got you covered. My favorite purchase is the scented candles. 

Majestic City – Colombo’s oldest shopping mall, this place is frequented by all kinds of little cliques, but very popular among the teens and tweens. Shops sell everything from movies to electronics and shoes. If you ever find yourself here, you must try Pepper’s Pizza.

Carnival – It is truly a carnival of colors and flavors in this little ice-cream parlor. This place is basically a household name. The ice-cream is beyond fabulous, very milky and creamy – if happiness was a flavor, it would be the flavors of Carnival ice-cream. My fave is Hawaiian Ice Cream Paradise which comes in a huge glass bowl - perfect for two!

Have you visited any of these places? What was your favorite thing about them?

Until next time,

Amanda

(Chrissy Casinader also contributed to this post)