About

Author

Shirley Johnson is a Hong Kong Chinese living with her family in Phuket, Thailand since 2022. She was a luxury brand executive in her 20s-30s. She spent the last years being a mum, life coach, author and product designer. She loves all the beautiful things in life, and a believer in “Happy Mind, Happy Life”.

Author

Shirley Johnson is a Hong Kong Chinese living with her family in Phuket, Thailand since 2022. She was a luxury brand executive in her 20s-30s. She spent the last years being a mum, life coach, author and product designer. She loves all the beautiful things in life, and a believer in “Happy Mind, Happy Life”.

A New TAI TAI In Thailand

Relocating to Phuket from Hong Kong in Jul 2022 was an unplanned move for our family. Most families chose to call Thailand their new homes during COVID lockdown for its more natural habitat and its quality lifestyle. For us, the first and foremost was for my younger child, who’s a brain cancer survivor, to have more affordable and holistic medical treatments and options.

Naturally, compared to other families, life here is not all about living in paradise for us. However, I decided to focus on the good things in life. Combined with my background working for luxury brands, the idea of TaitaiTanThai.Life is born. “Tan” in Cantonese, means to “enjoy”. It intends to be a daily reminder to myself to focus on the joy, instead of all the pains and worries in everyday life.

Most people think that Thailand is filled with night markets selling cheap gadgets and copied IT bags. The only luxuries here, to most, is 5-star resorts and spa where we can pamper our mind and body for a fraction of price where we are from. However, during the short time I have been here, I discovered rather otherwise. My mission here is to share every nice and deluxe Thai brands with my readers.

In fact, we flew directly to Phuket from Europe, where we spent months for my son’s cancer treatment. With only two pieces of summer clothings and waiting for the shipment of personal belongings to arrive, I went for a shopping spree. After my first shopping trip, I couldn’t stop. Not because I am a shopaholic (maybe a tiny little bit, I confess), but I realised very few of my summer clothes are suitable for the climate here. Hong Kong has winter and summer. Hence I thought I wouldn’t be needing any more clothes for hot weather here. However, let me explain. First of all , there are actually three seasons in Thailand, namely, hot, very hot and freaking hot. Living in a city, there are distinctive outfits for various occasions: business, leisure, yoga, hiking, party etc. Here when you are not a tourist, you carry on your daily life, but in a very interesting setting.

Soon, I learnt that the clothes designed for here are so versatile for the lifestyle here, which allow you to carry daily functions while benefit what life here has to offer. I found outfits that can move from business to the beach, material that is cool enough to withstand the heat here but not giving out a “I-am-holiday-maker” vibe. Dresses that are sexy yet not vulgar, carefree enough but not too casual. Even my all time favourite luxury leather bags ended up sitting in my closet. They could barely survive a day here. You are going to find out why I gave up those sought after bags for the big colourful canvas hold it-all I am carrying around everyday.

In each of the articles, I am going to share the brand story, its product range, WHY I like it, and …maybe you are most interested, their most expensive and least expensive items. I hope you will enjoy TaitaiTanThai.life.

A New TAI TAI In Thailand

Relocating to Phuket from Hong Kong in Jul 2022 was an unplanned move for our family. Most families chose to call Thailand their new homes during COVID lockdown for its more natural habitat and its quality lifestyle. For us, the first and foremost was for my younger child, who’s a brain cancer survivor, to have more affordable and holistic medical treatments and options.

Naturally, compared to other families, life here is not all about living in paradise for us. However, I decided to focus on the good things in life. Combined with my background working for luxury brands, the idea of TaitaiTanThai.Life is born. “Tan” in Cantonese, means to “enjoy”. It intends to be a daily reminder to myself to focus on the joy, instead of all the pains and worries in everyday life.

Most people think that Thailand is filled with night markets selling cheap gadgets and copied IT bags. The only luxuries here, to most, is 5-star resorts and spa where we can pamper our mind and body for a fraction of price where we are from. However, during the short time I have been here, I discovered rather otherwise. My mission here is to share every nice and deluxe Thai brands with my readers.

In fact, we flew directly to Phuket from Europe, where we spent months for my son’s cancer treatment. With only two pieces of summer clothings and waiting for the shipment of personal belongings to arrive, I went for a shopping spree. After my first shopping trip, I couldn’t stop. Not because I am a shopaholic (maybe a tiny little bit, I confess), but I realised very few of my summer clothes are suitable for the climate here. Hong Kong has winter and summer. Hence I thought I wouldn’t be needing any more clothes for hot weather here. However, let me explain. First of all , there are actually three seasons in Thailand, namely, hot, very hot and freaking hot. Living in a city, there are distinctive outfits for various occasions: business, leisure, yoga, hiking, party etc. Here when you are not a tourist, you carry on your daily life, but in a very interesting setting.

Soon, I learnt that the clothes designed for here are so versatile for the lifestyle here, which allow you to carry daily functions while benefit what life here has to offer. I found outfits that can move from business to the beach, material that is cool enough to withstand the heat here but not giving out a “I-am-holiday-maker” vibe. Dresses that are sexy yet not vulgar, carefree enough but not too casual. Even my all time favourite luxury leather bags ended up sitting in my closet. They could barely survive a day here. You are going to find out why I gave up those sought after bags for the big colourful canvas hold it-all I am carrying around everyday.

In each of the articles, I am going to share the brand story, its product range, WHY I like it, and …maybe you are most interested, their most expensive and least expensive items. I hope you will enjoy TaitaiTanThai.life.