For the Love of Europe

PASTIS: NYC MEETS FRENCH FLAIR

2008-04-24T14:42:00Z

Pastis, a trendy French bistro located in Manhattan's Meatpacking District, is one of my tops picks for wining and dining in New York City. My personal favorites are the seared tuna Nicoise salad, the simple french fries and the sinful bread pudding. My drink of choice would definitely be their espresso martini, made to perfection.
The atmosphere is enjoyably loud with locals that come to socialize right after work. The age range of customers is about twenties to forties and fifties and up. It's a mixture of all types of personalities.

Photo by Aturkus

Make sure to make reservations for this leading NYC restaurant because it is almost impossible to be seated without one. And swing by in the summertime to enjoy a coffee break or brunch at their outdoor summer cafe.

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HESITANT ABOUT HOSTELS?

2008-03-25T10:04:00Z

After watching the movie Hostel, I'm sure you crossed that idea off from your list of things to do in Europe. But movies are just movies. I stayed in hostels when I traveled to Amsterdam and Barcelona, and those were two of the best experiences of my semester abroad.

The Bulldog Hotel

In Amsterdam, my travel partner Jac and I spent our eight unforgettable - at times forgettable - days at The Bulldog Hotel, literally two steps away from the infamous red lights, an eight-minute walk from Central Station, and a few canals away from the two famous shopping streets and Madame Toussauds overlooking Dam Square. Falafel and donner kebab stores mark every corner, coffee shops are literally every other shop, and bikes swarm the streets.

The Bulldog is a funky, laid-back hostel. The walls on each floor are lined and decorated with a different theme; Jac was obsessed with the drawing on our floor:

The beds are the most comfortable beds you'll ever sleep in, there are lockers to store your belongings, and there’s 24-hour security at the front desk. And right downstairs it has its very own coffee shop! Brown leather couches, DVDs, pool tables, a bar. It was perfect, and so convenient.

There wasn't much availability for the days we were going, so our room ended up occupying twelve people, with me and Jac being the only two girls. A crazy-looking man in the bunk beds across from us was our first impression. As I stared at his wildly frizzy hair and smelt the herbal aroma surrounding him, I definitely thought to myself, "Oh my God, what the hell were we thinking sharing a room with complete strangers?" But he was harmless, and we spent the rest of the trip rooming with these two awesome Scottish dudes and a bunch of normal college guys. Who knows, maybe Amsterdam had just gotten the best of that wacko. It definitely made our experience all the more memorable.
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The Bulldog Hotel
Oudezijds Voorburgwal 220
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Paraiso Travellers Hostel

In Barcelona, we stayed at the Paraiso Travellers Hostel. I know this is a cliché saying, but Paraiso is truly a home away from home.

Paraiso Travellers Hostel is located in the center of Barcelona. It is run by four multilingual (and adorable!) friends who create an intimate, cozy atmosphere for their guests. The hostel is about a 15-minute walk to the beach, within walking distance to La Rambla, and surrounded by restaurants, bars, and supermarkets-all of the necessities.

Jac and I stayed in a 4-person bedroom with two bunk beds, lockers, a sink and a window overlooking the city. Right outside our room was an adorable colorful communal area with couches, free Internet access, a coffee machine (I was addicted to the lattes-sweet hot milk, yum), magazines and a TV. There was a little balcony with two chairs outside the den area where I would drink my coffee almost every morning.

Paraiso has no curfew and no lock-out policy, so there is no excuse for not exploring Barcelona's brilliant nightlife until the early hours :)
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Paraiso
Ronda de Sant Pau, 55-57 Ppal. 1°
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The Gramercy Park Hotel in New York

2008-03-20T10:43:00Z

Ever wondered what it would be like to party with the stars? This past Spring break I was able to get a taste.

My sister works at the famous Gramercy Park Hotel in NYC. She cocktail waitresses at the swank Rose Bar in her stunning black Narciso Rodriguez back-zippered dress that fits like a glove on all of the modelesque servers. The atmosphere is funky and laid back, with upbeat lounge music playing in the background. The lighting is very bare; the stone fireplace and tiny table candles create the minimal glow. It's as if you're in ancient times reading the drink menu with candelas. Maroon velvet curtains hang down over the doors and plush rose-colored cloth lines all of the booths, seats and comfy royal-like chairs throughout the bar. Surrounding the discerning celebrities and hotel guests are eclectic murals and paintings that mirror their very styles and pull together the overall modish theme.

The drinks are as trendy as the guests. I tried the rose martini, which literally tasted like I was drinking a flower, the incredibly delish fig martini, and my favorite, the vanilla martini, which came with an orchid floating atop. My friend tried ordering a cosmo and the waitress simply would not let her because there were so many amazing specialty martinis to sample. We then finished off the night with champagne, every girl's favorite. And as we sipped on our bubbly we peered over to the table in front of us and spotted Entourage star Jeremy Piven surrounded by a booth of girls. Later in the night we saw Crash star Terrence Howard in a tight suit and hat and Leonardo DiCaprio's model girlfriend Bar Rafaeli. Supposedly a Sports Illustrated cover model was roaming around as well.

So if you're not a celebrity, model or posh hotel guest, just try working it. Up and coming photographers, businessmen and stars saturate the bar, who I'm sure are more than willing to buy some girls a few drinks. And if you're lucky, you may even walk out with a number :)

GRAMERCY PARK HOTEL
2 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10010
Tel. 212 920 3300 Fax 212 673 5890
http://www.gramercyparkhotel.com/
Reservations toll-free (US) 866 784 1300

CENTURY 21 MAKES YOUR SHOPPING DREAMS COME TRUE

2008-03-01T06:13:00Z

For all you clothes horses out there, I'm sure you can agree when I say that Century 21 is no longer New York's best kept secret -- it's everyone's favorite department store. From major international to American designer brands, the racks are full of to-die-for apparel, and the shelves are stacked with chic shoes and accessories. Ladies, mens, lingerie, juniors, handbags & accessories, shoes, childrens and home departments are all located within the treasured superstore.

Bargain shoppers, rethink your shopping game plans. TJ Maxx, Nordstrom Rack and Loehmann's may be great finds, but they don't measure up. Century 21's designers, quality and collections are incomparable, and the value for the dollar is unbelievable -- 40 to 70% off merchandise! I once found an adorable Betsey Johnson dress for $43 (€27) and Michael Kors boots for $78 (€49).

Photo by Chor Ip

Make sure to set aside a few hours before entering Century 21. I'd say I average about four hours per visit, at least. It's my go-to for jeans, dresses, tops, bathing suits, shoes -- literally everything. I even purchase my Clinique face gel there!

My blog post does not do Century 21 justice. You'll just have to sacrifice some dollars and time to find out how amazing and addictive this discount designer department store truly is.

Century 21 locations:Brooklyn, Manhattan, Morristown, Paramus, Rego Park (coming soon) and Westbury.

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GoGo Voyage Ali Laptop Envelopes

2008-02-20T14:26:00Z

My favorite website, Fashion Week Daily, posted this fabulous find in their "Obsessions" section the other day, and I had to share it with all of you chic travelers out there.

What is one of the most important things for a traveler, especially a traveler who blogs, to bring with them when experiencing Europe? A laptop. And not only a laptop, but a laptop with the most fashionable sleek case.

GoGo Voyage Ali Laptop Envelopes are the perfect cover-up for your portable journals. Choose from black patent, silver, green, tan, or cream and fit right in with the impeccable European fashion.

AVAILABLE: http://www.fredala.com

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