Naiise Conversations - With Ms. Skinnyfat

There's nothing like year-end holidays (plus more at the start of the new year) to make the wanderlust bug bite, real hard. With Christmas around the corner, we invited Cheryl, the tiny lady with a voracious appetite for life who shares her gourmet and travel escapades on the blog Ms. Skinnyfat to curate her top gift picks for wanderlusters.

1. Who is Ms. Skinnyfat, and how did the website come about?

Ms. Skinnyfat is a tiny girl with a voracious appetite for life and she aims to collect refreshing experiences over the world to satiate her hunger. The website started out as a way to share her gourmet and travel escapades with her friends. Over the past 2 years, it has spiraled into a platform for sharing delicious tips on enjoying the good life with discerning like-minded folks.  

2. Thank you for Curating our "Gifts for Wanderlusters" collection. What are some of your top picks from this collection?

My top favorite is the Farm Coupon Journal. I fell in love with it the moment I saw it. There’s something romantic about this notion of puncturing a page and making a permanent mark and memory. It feels like I can freeze time and stay in the moment forever when I pen my experiences down in this journal. Beautiful.

I absolutely dig Darkroom Army’s Vintage Cameras. Digital photography has changed the way we capture our memories due to its instantaneous nature. It’s transient and superficial in the sense that we only keep the pretty images and erase the ‘bad’ ones. Why not do it the old school way? The trip may end but the journey continues as you develop new perspectives from the pictures.

Time and tide wait for no man and we should always live in the moment. To remind yourself of that, go with the Black Cognac Komono Magnus Watch. The matte black bezel with the brown leather reminds me of the gorgeous 2012 Special Edition Panerai Luminor 1950 Tourbillon GMT Cerimica (which is to die for). And this is a mere fraction of the latter’s price.

3. What are some of the best vacation/trips you have been on?

Wow that’s a tough question! Summer in Croatia was fantastic where i experienced the Alfred Hitchcock sunset in Zadar, sunbathed the naturalist way in Hvar and explored the old town in Dubrovnik. I travelled back in time in Cuba where there’s hardly any Wi-Fi, Internet or cable. Things were old, broken and never quite fixed but everyone was happy. That gave me a lot to think about. And of course, my favorite city (practically my second home), New York City. Well because it’s NYC. ;)

4. Three must have items when you travel? (Excluding of course the obvious toiletries we all need)

1) Sunglasses. It’s either Ray-Bans Wayfarer or Warby Parker. 2) Camera. Currently using the Sony RX1003. 3) Workout gear. It could be a run around the city or yoga anywhere.  

5. Favorite travel quote?

“Life is short, break the rules, forgive quickly, kiss slowly, love truly, laugh uncontrollably, and never regret anything that made you smile. Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” - Mark Twain

6. From your travels, what kind of architecture inspires you the most?

I find myself drawn to the minimalist modern contemporary architecture. Clean lines, clutter free, brightly lit open spaces help to clear my mind of distractions and then I can then fill the empty space with my thoughts.

7. What can we expect from Ms. Skinny-fat in 2014?

Hopefully more interesting and off the beaten path travels and experiences! I’m looking at the world map for inspiration.  

8. Any tips for naiise living in the year ahead?

Pack your bags. It’s time to take off.