#roberta tabb

Ladies helping Ladies.

Since becoming the Dress Ambassador in 2015, Adrianna Papell has hosted an annual Cinderella Night where we dress the Success Ambassadors, the women being honored for their successful completion of the program at a gorgeous gala. These deserving women have shown extraordinary leadership within their communities. Cinderella night is one of my favorite volunteer activities,…

Simply Tabbtastic | 40 recipes a whole new life!

I’m the writer, designer, publisher & producer = A life long dream & goal realized. SimplyTabbtastic™️ BUY NOW

For the past 9 months or so I have been pouring every extra minute into a personal passion project. Writing, designing and producing a book. While reading is my absolute first love, my first completed project is not a memoir, though a form of creative non-fiction – It’s actually a Meal…

I traveled over Easter vacation and once the dates were picked we learned that the vacation would take place during Songkran – the Thai New year or 3 day water festival. This was exciting but I had no idea just what that entailed. First i’ll explain what Songkran actually is.

Songkran or Thai New Year meaning literally “astrological passage”, transformation or change. It is iconic to visit temples to pour water on Buddha statues, this ritual stems from the Buddhist tradition of Song Nam Phra – “Bathing the Buddha” this represents purification and new beginnings. For 3 days, tourist and locals alike participate in large water fights in the streets as an ode to these traditions. It is believed that this will bring prosperity and good fortune in the new year.

Arriving in Bangkok around 5 pm, though tired – the night was still young. We stayed at the Royal Orchard Sheraton which accomplished an amazing view of the Chao Phraya River and sky line.  Adrenaline pumping still, we wanted a better look at Bangkok. We decided to get changed and check out the view from Lebua, one of the highest rooftop bars in the world. A 15 minute taxi ride led us to the Lebua Sky bar. I will address taxis and the many modes of transportation a little later in this piece. Sky bar was a gorgeous experience though a bit pricey the view makes up for the expense. We ordered a few specialty drinks and a amazingly fresh seafood platter. Cigars were also on the menu but we opted out for the first night. The view is 360, and glamorously breathtaking, even with people around I felt like I had stumbled into some alternate universe and had uncovered the most dazzling secret.

Wat Pho

Wat Pho was my most favorite adventure. I visited the amazing giant reclining Buddha in the temple and witnessed novice monks in lesson while peacefully wondering around the complex. There were also lots of Songkran activities outside the temple. I sprinkled scented rose water on the hands of monks and on the shoulders of many buddha shrines for humility, good lunch and prosperity.

The Second full day became one of rest, after laying poolside for virtually the entire day we sought out dinner at another luxury hotel on the Chao Phraya River. The views at Sala were amazing, the restaurant seemed fitting for any NYC luxury hotel. The food, while Thai themed wasn’t the best I tasted while visiting Bangkok, it was gorgeously plated and the service was nonintrusive.

Day three was busy. We had a tour booked at 8am so we quickly ate from the appetizingly wonderful buffet selection at our hotel and met our tour guide promptly in the lobby. I liked Chen instantly. She drove us an hour or so away from Bangkok to the Amphawa & Tha Kha Floating Markets. Taking an amazing half day tour in which our knowledgeable guide Chen, took us through multiple markets, introduced us to a wealth of Thai market food and gave us samplings of fresh fruits and vegetables, some times right off the trees and bushes. During the floating portion, we ate authentic Pad Thai in a canoe while floating through the jungle and stopped at a sugar producing coconut farm. I tasted the sap from the trees! This experience too was memorable as a MUST DO, we shopped and ate with the locals, still avoiding all the Songkran water battles in the streets. Our guide was fun and smart, the views intoxicating and foods authentic and plush. Check out Chili Paste Tours below.

http://www.foodtoursbangkok.com/our-tours/ –  Tour: Journey into old style Thailand

Easter

On Easter, we had the pleasure of dining at the Sheratons Easter Brunch. We got dressed up for a selection of fresh seafood and more authentic Thai food. As an American bonus there were easter eggs hanging from trees, a magician for the children and a big red (frightening) Easter bunny. We hit the markets after this as it was the last day in Bangkok for a while.

Chatuchak Weekend Markets were robust and filled with everything from precious gems to “dollar store” crap. I’m bad at haggling but everything was so cheap that saving a few Thai cents left me thrilled. I bought a few souvenirs as we traveled throughout the inside and outside aisles of shops. This was the one place we visited that was alive with tourists like ourselves everywhere. It made the streets seem alive. This was everything you’d imagine – a multicolored selling carnival on the the streets. After a few hours of walking and shopping in the sweltering heat we opted to head back to the hotels gorgeous pool to relax on our last night. This leads me to transportation.

  Though PLENTY modes of transportation, believe in the Uber. The local street taxi drivers were foul, they treated everyone as dumb tourists. On several occasions we were asked if they could drive us to other locations to shop for a few minutes so that they could get a voucher from whichever store they dropped us at. For this we would receive a greater discount on our fare. Also in metered taxis, drivers would stall to run the meter up pretending they weren’t familiar with the location of our hotels. A good map app comes in handy and a few Thai words of direction easily appeased this deterrent. We only had these problems with local street taxis and never with Uber drives, as where we were going and rate was already agreed when the ride was established.

Stay tuned for Part 2: Koh Sumai: bungalows Beaches & bourbon

web/life Designer eCommerce experience

Web Designer by day, Life Designer by night.

Ever wondered what I do for a living?#FedEx created this amazing video detailing eCommerce from start to finish. Check for my cameo at 3:05 – Questions? Just ask, it’s pretty marvelous.

#therobertashow

#adriannapapell

Q: So how do I proactively attempt to alleviate the fright that may not come to pass?  A: Consistently setting larger goals, and achieving them often.

I’m the first to admit that some of my largest accomplishments weren’t born from goal format but created in consistent positive lifestyle. I feel the universe appreciated my energy and relentless efforts enough to acknowledge the positive in the tangible format. Not only for these reasons, but I won’t stop. I will continue to set the example while pushing myself toward the fear of the grandest accomplishments. I also realize, many of us, including me – may not set larger goals for fear of failure. I have failed countless times, and generally at things I didn’t have a concise plan of action for. My personality type promises that if I call out the focus frequently the goal will be attained. I’ve created my own magic, shooting positivity and discipline aimlessly and attaining the largest prizes. What would happen if I did not shoot aimlessly? That, specifically, is the purpose of this post. 34 was an amazing year. Coming from where I have, I didn’t think my impact as a being would ever be as large as it’s become. However mediocre, there is no comparison to any other. When I say i’m excited – believe me. If i wasn’t trying before … I’m in awe at the effort i’ve been practicing with for all this time.  Officially sending requests out and open to receiving – prosperity, love and understanding. Accepting and helping any and all amazingness the universe is sending my way. Happy 35. #therobertashow