1. Acne

You may know that lemons are high in acidity and contain a lot of vitamin C, but did you know this acidity acts to dry out pimples as well as kill acne bacteria? Vitamin C also promotes healthy and glowing skin. Squeeze out some lemon juice onto a cotton ball and gently dab it on the infected area. It may sting a bit but that’s just a sign that it’s working. Rinse off after 15 minutes. 

Store option: If you prefer a faster and a more medically-proven approach, try Madame Heng’s Ozzy Acne Clear Up Solution (B150). 

2. Rough Skin

Mix fresh lime, sugar, olive oil and honey into a bowl and use the formula to gently scrub the dry areas of your body: knees, elbows, hands and feet. Sugar acts as a natural exfoliator and will remove dead cells and clean your pores. Olive oil is high in vitamin E which can help soothe and heal your skin. Honey is rich in anti-oxidants which hydrate your skin. 

Store option: If your skin can’t take the zesty lime touch, try The Body Shop’s Honeymania Body Scrub (B700) to exfoliate and smoothen out rough spots. 

3. Hair Fall

Coconut is God’s gift to hair as it has a bunch of nutrients that stimulate hair growth, like iron, calcium, and vitamins C and E. It also prevents spilt ends and breakage, while moisturizing the hair. Grate your coconut, removing all the flesh, and steep it in hot water. Then use a mesh colander to strain the coconut milk out. Repeat until all the milk has been extracted. Massage the milk in your scalp then work it down the length of your hair through to the tips. Leave on overnight and wash it out with a mild shampoo in the morning. 

Store option: If you’re afraid you can’t wash off the coconut smell from your hair, try The Body Shop’s Beautifying Oil Coconut (B690) as an alternative. 

4. Dry Skin

Bananas and avocados are perfect for hydrating and repairing sun-damaged skin. If your skin is starting to act up because of the changing weather, chop up half an avocado and half a banana and mix together with a raw egg to use as a face mask or body paste. Place the mixture in the fridge and let it chill for an hour. Apply and leave on for 10 minutes, then wash off with lukewarm water. The richness of the avocado will nourish the deepest layers of the epidermis with plenty of vitamins and minerals.

Store option: If you can’t stand the idea of egg on your face, try Boots Extract Avocado Body Butter (B300) for skin hydration. 

5. Cracked Heels

Feet are often neglected, leaving your heels to crack and develop calluses. An easy way to soothe your soles is through the use of extra virgin olive oil. Mix one tablespoon of olive oil, a few drops of lemon or lavender oil and apply with a cotton ball on your feet. Massage them in a circular motion for five to ten minutes. Put on a pair of thick cotton socks so the mixture seeps into your feet and acts as a moisturizer. Leave on for about an hour then wash off several times a day. 

Store option: If you’re out of olive oil at home or don’t know where to get lavender oil from, try Burt’s Bees Coconut Foot Crème (B780) to rejuvenate your dry feet.

Essentials

The Body Shop M/F Terminal 21, Sukhumvit Soi 19. BTS Asoke.

Boots 2/F Silom Complex, Silom Rd., BTS Sala Daeng. 

Burt’s Bees G/F Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd, 083-300-2554. BTS Siam.

Madame Heng 3/F The Emporium, 662 Sukhumvit Rd., BTS Phrom Phong.

Transparent Thinking

The décor studio of interior designers Ploypan Theerachai and Decha Archjananun has been on the rise this year after joining Milan Design Week in May and returning to Bangkok to scoop the Thai Designer of The Year prize at the annual ELLE Decoration Thailand Design Awards 2013. Thinkk Studio’s signature design is all about functional geometric shapes, like their latest award-winning item, the Weight Vase, made from waterproof concrete with powder coated steel. The overall design is modern but not too minimal. 

Price: B7,600-12,800

Available at: Thinkk Studio, 7/8 Yenakard Rd., Chongnonsi. 02-671-9317. Order online at [email protected] or [email protected]

Living Texture

The debut collection from furniture brand Momoest, a collaboration between photographer and founder Supachai Ketkaroonkul and designer Apirat Boonruangthaworn, just won a design gong at the ELLE Decoration Thailand Design Awards 2013. Pieces like the rounded coffee table see Supachai’s passion for abstract paintings and photography provide the unique surface texture, framed by Apirat’s glass and steel accents—easy to match with any style of room. 

Price: Lenya B37,750 and 27,200-29,500 for Pilu.  

Available at: Yothaka Showroom, 1028/5 Rama 4 Rd., 02-679-8631/32. and Asana Showroom, 235/32 Sukhumvit 31. 02-662-3118. Or order online at [email protected]

Functional Wood

Local décor brand Niyahm specializes in minimal wooden design. The brand started out doing made-to-order furniture through Facebook before getting more exposure by joining the recent BIG+BIH exhibition. What we find most interesting is how they complement their beautifully designed core products—beds, sofas, tables and chairs—with functional add-ons, like the sofa with removable pad (pictured). Suited for stylish, no-fuss bedrooms.        

Price: TBA

Available at: Showroom & Office at 4/F Pen’s House Building, 1/6 Ari Soi 2, Phahol Yothin Rd., 081-812-2470 and 081-450-5140. [email protected]

Sitting on a Piece of Art

Back in September, hip art space Speedy Grandma hosted their first furniture exhibition which featured the debut of newly launched home décor brand, Cast. The one-of-a-kind furniture exhibited as part of Claiming the Reclaimed was inspired by the raw irregularity of nature. Designer Saran Yen Panya uses contrasting materials like aluminum, thick wooden logs and steel. The furniture is now on display and put to actual use at the designer’s recently opened Potion Bar on Sukhumvit Soi 31. Despite the raw materials resulting in a rustic-meets-modern vibe, the pieces like the aluminum molded stools are quite easy to match with any room.

Price: Ebony B15,000; Notch B8,900; and S-Spruce B14,500-49,500.  

Available at: Potion Bar, 235/10 Sukhumvit Soi 31. 091-868-9974.

When anyone mentions Suphan Buri, discussion tends to turn to the 100-year-old markets or the many edifices bearing the words “Banharn-Jamsai,” the names of Thai ex-prime minister Banharn Silpa-archa (a local) and his wife. Now, though, Suphan Buri is also gaining a lot of attention as home to Phu Toei National Park, a serene and scenic stretch of land in Dan Chang district that gives you the chance to explore nature without venturing too far from the city. Still, it does offer a proper escape—there’s no mobile phone signal and no electricity when night falls. The only lit spots are the bathrooms and ranger stations. During winter, temperatures can be as low as 5-10 degrees Celsius, while the night sky is a sea of stars. Find out what else you can see and get up to just a three-hour ride from Bangkok. 

Forest Exploring

Trekking is clearly the most popular activity here. Once you reach the national park, choose the trekking route that suits your taste: waterfall or pine forest. The latter is a pretty special experience as Phu Toei is the only national park in the central region to boast a pine forest as they normally only grow on mountains 1,000 meters above sea level. Here, it’s only 763 meters above sea level, yet there are hundreds of pine trees believed to be 200-300 years old. The Tapoenkee Waterfalls trekking option requires a bit more exercise, as the seven-kilometer route takes you up and down through dense tropical jungle, passing countless streams, bamboo forests and waterfalls as high as 15 meters. You will eventually reach the park’s three main waterfalls: Tapoenkee Yai, Tapoenkee Klang and Tapoenkee Noi, which is the nearest to the camp site, Tapoenkee 3rd Ranger Station. The highlight is certainly Tapoenkee Klang waterfall, where you have to use ropes to climb the steep rocks as the water falls all around you. The name Tapoenkee actually derives from the local Karen word “kee,” which means headwaters. Contact national park headquarters before you go as you must have a ranger to act as guide. A day trip including meals is B150 per person plus a fee of B400 per ranger. The best time to go is from October-February as there’s lots of water and less rain. They also have other environmental activities for you to partake in, such as reforesting.

Conquer the Summit

If you’re still standing after a long day of trekking, your next challenge is to try to climb to the summit of Thewada Peak, the highest point in Suphan Buri at 1,123 meters. In order to get to the top, you’ll need to undertake a steep 45-minute trek over slippery steps and rocky outcrops with the help of ropes. The recommended time to visit is sunrise when you will see a blanket of fog lift from the valley. As the road is quite tricky, you can only reach the foothill by 4WD. After dragging yourself to the peak, you’ll be amazed to find a golden pagoda perched atop the mountain shining beautifully in the morning sunlight. You can visit here any season, but the best time is winter to lap up the cool breeze and to witness the sea of fog covering the forests of three provinces, Suphan Buri, Kanchanaburi and Uthai Thani, which is home to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Thung Yai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary.

Waterfall Abseiling 

If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, just 10 minutes’ walk from Tapoenkee 3rd Ranger Station is a small but gorgeous waterfall called Tapoenkee Noi and apparently the 10-meter rockface is ideal for abseiling. The fun activity is overseen by experienced rangers who prepare all the abseiling gear and conduct basic training and guidance for newbies—contact the national park headquarters in advance. The cost is B1,500 per person for a small group of visitors, B1,000 per person for 10-20 people and B500 for 20 people or more. The waterfall is full of water year-round, but the best time to make a splash is still September to January. 

Cultural Karen

While few people really know of this national park in Suphan Buri, even less is known of the local Karen people. These people settled here around 200 years ago migrating here from the forests up north and to the west. Visit Tapoenkee village to get glimpse of their daily life. Here, they grow crops like corn and a special species of rice that grows on the hill rather than in paddy fields. Do note, though, that the inhabitants here are devout Buddhists who like to stay sober, so there’s no alcohol allowed. If you want to learn a bit more about their culture, they also offer dance shows for visitors. Contact the national park office for bookings. 

Cave Wonders

Apart from all the forests, waterfalls and scenic views, Phu Toei also has caves. The most fascinating ones are Tapoen Ngern and Tapoen Petch Caves. The cavernous Tapoen Petch is 10-meters-high and consists of beautiful stalagmites and stalactites that shine like diamonds under torchlight. It’s a similar case at Tapeon Ngern Cave, but the rocks are more white in color. Lastly, Tapoen Thong Cave has an impressive main hall, but unfortunately the entrance is largely blocked by the overgrown stalagmites and stalactites. At the entrance is a Buddha image worshiped by locals. Getting in the cave is quite tricky; you’ll need to enlist a ranger. 

Essentials

Phu Toei National Park 035-446-237, 081-934-2240, 089-246-0255, [email protected]

How to get there

By car

Take Highway No.340 (Bangbuathong-Suphan Buri) to Dan Chang district (200 kilometers) then take Highway 3086 to Ong Phra district and turn right onto Highway 3480. Take a right turn onto Rural Road No. 4031 and take another right turn to Rural Road No.3142 to Phu Toei National Park Office. 

Entrance fee 

For Thai citizens, it’s B20 for adults and B10 for children. Foreigners are B100 for adult and B50 for children. For vehicles, it’s B30 for a car. Those who don’t have a 4WD car must hire one from the national park office at a rate of B1,200 to the pine forest and B2,000 to Tapoenkee station. 

Where to stay

Only tents are offered at the camp site at B250 per night. It’s B30 per person if you bring your own tent.

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filmmaker Anthony Chen’s (read his full interview) debut feature-length film Ilo Ilo about domestic life in the ‘90s, which won numerous prizes at the Cannes Film Festival in March and at the Golden Horse Awards in November, despite its relatively small budget of $700,000. The awards bode well for the local film industry, unlike...

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home to the recent riots in Little India, the country’s first since 1969, involving 400 foreign workers who overturned police vehicles and set fire to an ambulance. Twenty-four individuals have been charged in court. In another case...

legal action was taken against blogger Alex Au in October for allegedly accusing the Supreme Court of deliberately manipulating hearing dates in his blog yawningbread.com. Since then about 170 individuals have signed a statement of support for Au. No support was given, however, to...

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the newly-launched Amazon River Quest Boat Ride at the River Safari.  The latest feature at the attraction is a bumpy 12-minute ride that meanders through a 483-metre long man-made river from where you can occasionally spot swinging monkeys, birds and unfortunately, not much else. Try your luck at...

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this year’s ZoukOut in December, which had 41,000 revellers partying by the beach at Sentosa.  Other interesting nightlife developments: News of Avalon closing down at Marina Bay Sands in October turned out to be a hoax (the troubled club is still operating), while hip The Vault relocated from Chinatown to Boat Quay in November. Speaking of Boat Quay...

its car-free trail along Circular Road—from Lorong Telok to Molly Malone’s on North Canal Road—that launched in November, is quite the success. For three months, traffic is prohibited from entering the area every Friday and Saturday between 6pm-11am; the stretch has become the hotspot for post-work drinks. Meanwhile, less cars and drunk driving means...

less road accidents. A horrific road incident at Bugis in May, involving a speeding Ferrari and a taxi, had Singaporeans up in flames. Although, we were more forgiving when...

the launch of new shopping mall Jem at Jurong East in June was delayed due to the lack of proper fire units. The incident bewildered some 100 shoppers, who left complaints on the mall’s Facebook page. A pretty small number compared to our...

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various marathons, including the Standard Chartered Marathon and Men’s Health Urbanathlon. This year’s running calendar is also packed with more unconventional races like Color Run, Illumi Run and the zombie obstacle dash Run For Your Lives. Surviving the chase of the undead was tough, and we thought…

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By Chef Nan Bunyasaranand of Little Beast

4-5 pounds turkey breast, skin on, boned and butterflied

Brining Liquid
3 liters water
1 cup salt
1 cup brown sugar
1 head garlic
5 sprigs sage
5 sprigs thyme
2 sprigs rosemary
3 tbsp black peppercorns

Put the water, salt and brown sugar in a stock pot and simmer until all the salt and sugar are dissolved. Turn off the heat, add all the herbs and black pepper, and cool completely. Submerge the turkey in the cool brining liquid and let it brine in the liquid for eight hours in the refrigerator.

Chestnut stuffing
3 cups white bread (diced in 1"x1" cubes)
1 cup chestnut, cooked, peeled and ready to use
1/3 cup clarified butter
2 cup onion, diced
1 cup celery, diced
1 tbsp Salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 head garlic, minced
3 tbsp sage, chopped
1 tbsp parsley, chopped
3/4 cup chicken/turkey Stock
3/4 cup cream
1 egg

Heat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius, bake the diced bread for 10 minutes then cool completely. In a sautee pan, add clarified butter and once hot, add onions, celery, salt, and pepper. Cook until the onions and celery are 60% done, add garlic, sage and parsley, then turn off the heat. Put the toasted bread and onion/celery mixture in a mixing bowl then add chicken or turkey stock, cream, and a beaten egg. Fold all ingredients together and reserve. 

For Roulade
2 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
3 tbsp melted butter
sea salt, to taste

Take the turkey out of the brine, rinse, and pad dry. Lay the butterflied turkey breast skin side-down on a cutting board. Sprinkle the meat with 2 tsp salt and 1 tsp pepper. Spread the stuffing in a half-inch-thick layer over the meat, leaving a half-inch border on all sides. Starting at one end, roll the turkey like a jelly roll and tuck in any stuffing that tries to escape the sides. Tie the roast firmly with kitchen twine every two inches to make a compact cylinder. Place the stuffed turkey breast seam side down on the rack on the sheet pan. Put the turkey back in refrigerator without any covering to dry off the skin for at least two hours. Then brush the skin with the melted butter, sprinkle generously with sea salt, and roast for 60 to 90 minutes at 160 degrees Celsius, until thermometer registers 65 degrees Celsius in the center. Allow it to rest at room temperature for 15 minutes. Carve half-inch-thick slices and serve warm.

Dek Hi-So: Selfies BBQ

It’s a Sunday afternoon; the sun is shining through your Tom Ford sunglasses and there’s a spring in your step. It’s the perfect weather for an outdoor BBQ party at your daddy’s seven-bedroom house in the Sukhumvit ‘hood. Your elite group of friends roll over from Thonglor in their new Audi Q5, or Porsche Cayenne Platinum Edition, heck, even a humble Mini Clubman. You're no snob. Snarky girlfriends walk in with their new Balenciagas, dressed in American Apparel Disco Pants and cropped tops. Guys show off their Tod's and Ralph Lauren polo shirts. This BBQ will be the talk of the town. 

Hipster Party: House Gig Chic

Too broke for Stone Free ‘cos you blew all your cash on a ticket and an overpriced hostel for Laneway Festival in Singapore? Not to worry, a friend of a friend knows the organizers and… Anyway, wasn’t it a blast at Clockenflap in Hong Kong? You bumped into [insert band name here] at the after-party and they said they’d love to come play Bangkok this weekend! No venue? Sounds like just the excuse for a house party. OK, maybe Tegan and Sara won’t turn up, but here’s how to get things stylishly swinging at home.

Q&A Somrak Sila, WTF Bar & Gallery Owner

What makes the best house party? Lots and lots of booze, cushions and a bit of improvised lighting.   If you could invite any band to perform at your party, who would it be? Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeroes. I just saw them recently. Their energy is massive—it’s like seeing an evangelical preacher.   Top 3 tracks for a rocking house party. 1. “Home” - LCD Soundsystem 2. “Home” - Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros 3. “Bangkok” - Alex Chilton 4. "Need You Know" - Cut Copy 5. Any track by Sound of Siam

Maft Sai,  DJ and Zudrangma Records founder

What makes the best house party? Good sound system, music and friends.   If you could invite any band to perform at your party, who would it be? Locally, The Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band with Waipod Petchsuphan or Chaweewan Dumnern. Internationally, Hailu Mergia & The Wallias Band.   Top 3 tracks for a rocking house party. 1. “House Party” - Fred Wesley 2. “Porry” - Sorry Bamba 3. “Zoumana” - Horoya Band National 4. "Freedom Sound" - Skatalites 5. "Kao Mai Rak Rao Rhok" - Sroeng Santi

For a luxury hotel buffet

Brasserie Europa (Siam Kempinski) 

For an all-you-can-eat bargain

Latest Recipe (Le Méridien)

57th Street (Marriott Sukhumvit)

For something Asian

The Okura Prestige

For an elaborate set dinner

Park Society 

For a well-priced set menu

Rossini’s

Lenzi Tuscan Kitchen

For a Michelin-level experience

J’aime

Savelberg

Attico

Dec 24 five-course Tuscan dinner starting from B1,900.

Dec 31 substantial four-course dinner starting B2,900.

28/F, Radisson Blu, 27 Sukhumvit Rd.

More Hotel Deals

What are undertones?

There is a difference between skin tones and undertones. Skin tones are the color of your skin: light, medium, tan, dark, very dark; your skin tone changes with time or exposure to the sun. Your undertone is what’s under the surface, though, and it never changes. It’s important to know your undertones for dressing in the right color, applying the right shade of foundation and various other make-up essentials. Know your undertone, nail your look.

How to test yourself:

This is the tricky bit, but it works on most people. 

1. Study your wrists; you’ll see the main veins that run all the way down your forearm. 

2. Hit your wrists a few times for the color to become more noticeable. 

3. If your veins show green, you have warm undertones. If your veins show blue, you have cool undertones. If your veins appear purple, you have neutral undertones. 

Warm Undertones  Golden, yellow and peach     In the sun: You’ll tend to tan golden or brown without getting burnt.  Jewelry: Gold jewelry  Clothing: Think thanksgiving or autumn shades, and ivory instead of white; they’ll tend to make you look livelier and healthier.  Makeup: When buying makeup, you want to choose hues that are similar to your undertones; stick to earth tones like red, orange, yellow, green and brown.  Avoid: Stay away from cool colors to stay vibrant and radiant.

Cool Undertones Pink, red and blue   In the sun: You’ll have a tendency to burn red and quickly, too.  Jewelry: White, metal or silver jewelry. Clothing: Blues, reds, pinks, magentas, icy colors and pastels to make you look and feel prettier. White will radiate your skin, as well as black.  Makeup: Ask for shades of pink, blue, purple and jewel.  Avoid: If you are prone to experiencing discoloration then avoid warm colors.

Neutral Undertones Aren’t you lucky. Experiment with both tones to see which suits you best.

Essentials

M.A.C. Try 1/F Siam Center, Rama 1 Rd., 02-690-1000. BTS Siam.

Nars. Try G/F The Emporium, 662 Sukhumvit Rd., BTS Phrom Phong.