If you've been following along, you’ll know I recently took a whirlwind trip to Bangkok — part work, part play, and very heavy on the food! It’s been about five years since I last visited, so it felt amazing to be back, soaking up the city’s buzz, and catching up with old friends. Plus, as always, I couldn’t resist diving into a bit of jewellery inspiration while I was there.

First Stop: Lang Suan 

I landed right in Lang Suan, which is a really central spot in Bangkok, and the perfect place to base yourself if you want to be close to all the action. After dropping my bags, my first stop was Marada, one of my favourite shops for inspiration. If you’re into beautiful fabrics, artisan pieces, and unique fashion, definitely check it out.

I even hopped on a motorbike taxi to get there, easily the fastest way to zip through Bangkok's crazy traffic. Highly recommend if you're brave enough.

Later that day, I caught up with my friend Yoshi, who runs a shop over in Koh Phangan, and we treated ourselves to a Japanese massage and dinner, there was can a bit of a pamper theme starting already.

Exploring the City: Dior Gold House & Central Embassy

One of the coolest experiences was visiting Dior’s Gold House. This isn’t your average shop. You get a private host who takes you around, giving you a proper tour, it’s super luxurious and a bit surreal. Even if you’re just there for inspiration (like me), it’s well worth a visit to see how high-end brands do things in Thailand.

I also popped into Central Embassy, which is Bangkok's home to all the fancy designer stores. I wasn’t on a serious shopping spree this time, but it’s always good for trend spotting and sparking jewellery ideas. After all that walking, I headed back to my hotel for a swim in the pool — the perfect way to unwind in Bangkok’s humid heat!

Food, Friends & More Food

Of course, no trip to Bangkok is complete without eating everything! I had a Korean dinner at Anju, which was amazing — think K-pop vibes, great cocktails, and BBQ meats. I hadn’t had much Korean food before, but it’s now a new favourite.

I also headed to Khao San Road, famous for its buzzing nightlife and markets. It’s always fun to wander around and check out all the silver jewellery stalls and chains. It's definitely a place to pick up some unique pieces if you’re into boho or layered looks.

Back in Bangkok After Vietnam: Work Mode On

After my Vietnam adventures, I came straight back to Bangkok and headed straight to the Bangkok Gemstone and Jewellery Trade Fair — which, let me tell you, is a jewellery designer's dream. There was everything from gemstone specialists to chain manufacturers, lab-grown diamonds, moissanite, and rare stones like Paraiba tourmaline, which is a stunning turquoise shade.

It’s the kind of place where you walk away with a million ideas and a slightly overwhelmed brain. I’m always on the lookout for new stones and interesting colours for Charlotte's Web Jewellery, so fairs like this are gold mines.

Friends, Cocktails & Spa Time

Of course, it wasn’t all work. I met up with a friend Giada who runs her clothing company ‘Wardrobe of Dreams, ’ which was great. We caught up over cocktails at the Muse Hotel in Lang Suan, which has a gorgeous rooftop bar.

Another highlight was visiting Yunomori Onsen, a Japanese-style spa right in the city. After all that running around, a massage and dip in the hot and cold pools was exactly what I needed.

I also went to the Silom jewellery district, which is full of local artisans and boutique jewellery shops and is always great for scouting out unique design ideas.

Bangkok Pamper Sessions

One of my favourite things to do in Bangkok? Pampering! I had my hair washed and blow-dried (which is so affordable over there) and got my nails done — if you’re ever in need of a little treat while travelling, I highly recommend taking advantage of the amazing salons.

Food Highlights

Of course, I couldn’t talk about Bangkok without mentioning the food. I went for Korean BBQ again (obsessed), had an insane buffet at the Marriott (think oysters, wagyu beef, endless desserts), and ate my way through spicy Thai favourites like pad Thai, basil stir fry, and some delicious salads.

Honestly, while I loved the Vietnamese food, Thai cuisine is just my absolute favourite with so much flavour and spice.

Wrapping It Up

All in all, it was a jam-packed trip, full of inspiration, great food, friends, and jewellery finds. Even though I didn’t do as much shopping as I sometimes do, I came back with so many ideas for new pieces and beautiful stones to look out for.

• If you’re ever in Bangkok, I totally recommend:
• Visiting Dior Gold House for a dose of luxury
• Hitting up the Trade Fair (if you’re into jewellery design)
• Explore Silom for unique jewellery pieces
• Eating all the food — and don’t forget the Korean BBQ spots!
• Pampering yourself — because when else can you do so much pampering on such an affordable budget!