Travel Journal posts share recent adventures that were so good I just can’t keep them to myself.
The Terrace near Check-In, Off the Lobby, Isola Trattoria & Crudo Bar, the grand Crosby St. Entrance
On a recent trip to New York, I had the pleasure of spending one night in the Mondrian Soho. I knew from the moment I walked through the grand, arched ivy, Crosby St. entrance that my stay wasn’t going to be long enough. At every turn there was something more interesting to see…the staircase lined with candlelit glass lanterns, the inviting terrace with “Mondrian blue” (which happens to be my favorite color) seating opposite Check-In, chandeliers throughout the lobby, and Isola Trattoria & Crudo Bar…the stunning, sunlit greenhouse restaurant with more chandeliers and endless glass apothecary jars & vases than you can count. I’ve stayed at Mondrian Hotels before, so I knew I’d be in good hands. But the Mondrian Soho was stealing my heart, one step at a time. It could’ve been simply because it was in NYC, where I used to live for 10 years…and I’ve been missing New York big time, lately. Plus, the Mondrian Soho is perfectly located in one of my favorite Manhattan neighborhoods. That part didn’t hurt. But, it was the details. Including the welcome note found on the bed when I entered the upgraded guest room.
Welcome Note, Superior Guest Room, The Bath, Malin + Goetz Products
It was the clean decor that I expect and love from the Morgans Hotel Group. It was some of the best people watching in New York. It was having a bathroom in Manhattan that was bigger than a closet. It was the yummy Malin + Goetz bath products. It was having a fantastic concierge who found NYC comfort food for me around the corner at Delicatessen (more on that soon) since I couldn’t get to The Spotted Pig with crazy traffic during the Gay Pride Parade. It was everything and one night in the Mondrian Soho wasn’t long enough. I was at the end of my trip and I was wiped out so that evening after dinner my husband and I grabbed a quiet drink at Isola. But, I can’t wait to head back soon (with more energy) to taste test a few cocktails at Mister H and Sonny’s Soda Shoppe. Sigh. Did I really miss those? Take me back. Now.
Travel Journal posts share recent adventures that were so good we just can’t keep them to ourselves!
Jacob’s Pickles, UWS, NYC
On our recent trip to New York, we had lunch at Jacob’s Pickles at the recommendation of a friend…thanks, Christina! It was everything we were looking for and more. A casual spot to grab a bite after our flight in from Miami, comfort food, a chill vibe, cool crowd, and modern yet rustic decor. The “more” was maybe the best bloody mary I’ve ever had which we returned for the next afternoon. But I digress. On our first visit (in 24 hours) to Jacob’s Pickles on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, after torturing ourselves with a menu of endless tempting options of Beer, Biscuits, and Pickles (what they’re known for), we finally chose the following…
What We Ate (and Drank):
Sprecher Root Beer, Wisconsin rich, creamy flavor, pure wisconsin honey, caffeine-free, glutenfree
Saranac Root Beer, New York vanilla rich, creamy flavor, spicy, caffeine-free
Southern B.L.T Biscuit Sandwich buttermilk fried chicken, fried green tomato, pickle slaw, sterling bacon served with grain miller organic cheese grits
Pickles & Cheese Burger 2 year aged vermont cheddar, hot relish mayo, caramelized onions, hot sours, fresh cut fries
Bloody B.L.T. Tito’s Peppercorn House Infused Vodka, Niman Ranch bacon, jalapeño pickled egg
Me & Joe, Rootbeers, The Southern BLT, and Honey Chicken & Pickles
It was even better than it looks. Rich biscuits, crunchy chicken, mouth-watering sour pickles, crisp & salty fries, and a juicy burger. Oh, and those grits that I usually pass on? I was scraping that silver dish clean. We were so stuffed we had to pass on dessert which, if you know us, is pretty unheard of. But we had reservations at Toro hours later (more to come on that hot spot soon) so had to cut ourselves off before total food coma. We did spot their Bloody BLT at another table while we were there and heard rave reviews so we headed back the next afternoon for that delightful refreshment seen here. And, wow. Spiced to perfection in a mason jar with a slice of crispy bacon, a romaine leaf, and a jalepeño pickled egg on top. I’d fly back for one right now.
The heavenly Bloody BLT at Jacob’s Pickles, NYC
Seriously, what I’d do for one of these on a Monday. Cheers to a finding fantastic things along your travels!
During Mercedes Benz Fashion Week here in Miami last week, or Swim Week as we all know it best, I found a few of my favorite swim things. New swim things, that is. Here’s to making packing fun again for all of your upcoming beach vacations, resort stays, and tropical escapes ahead. Easy breezy with these pretties…
For the Ladies
Clockwise from Top Left: Long Kaftan by Tallulah & Hope, One piece swimsuits by Clover Canyon, Neon Stripe Cover Up by Lem Lem, Print Kaftan by Chio di Stefania D.
For Your Man
Fun, bright colored and print trunk men’s swimwear by Crasqi.
For the Kiddos
“Little Urchin” beach towel poncho by Sun of a Beach Towels, Mara Hoffman Kids one piece suit, Girls Kaftan & Bikinis by Pink House Mustique, Boys Trunks & Linen Shirt by Pink House Mustique.
Beach Bags
Straw Beach Bags by Purple Smoke, Tropical Print Pouches by Samudra, Collins Basket Tote by Mar y Sol, Sunset Beach Bag by 6 Shore Road.
Beach Towels
Plush Print Premium Beach Towels by Sun of a Beach.
Shoes
Pink Snakeskin and Metallic Toe Espadrilles by Mint & Rose, Tassle L*Space by Cocobelle sandals, Leather Espadrilles by Soludos , Lace Espadrilles by Soludos.
Many of these styles won’t be available until November. Sorry, you’ll just have to wait! But here a few pieces you can get your hands on now from some of the designers above… Happy Shopping!
I don’t know about you, but every year about this time I want to chop off all of my long hair. Mid-summer rolls in hotter than ever here in Miami and I need all the help I can get in controlling this crazy mane of mine. Thankfully, I have the following fabulous hair products and hair tools to save the day here in sticky South Florida and when I’m traveling too…it’s all travel sized! Since, I thought you just might feel the same way we’ve put together the best of our hair products and tools in our Travel Giveaway: The Hair Obsessed Set. It’s been a couple months since our last giveaway so we thought we’d make this one the best summer giveaway EVER.
Here are more details on the goodies included below…
Oscar Blandi Travel Sized Hair Products
The Oscar Blandi Travel Size Hair Product Collection (retailing for $99) is all TSA size approved (perfect for carry-on or handbag) and includes the following:
- Lacca Hairspray – 1.8 oz. spray holds hair in place, adds shine, volume, & lift, and controls flyaways
- Pronto Dry Shampoo Spray – 1.4 oz. spray adds volume at roots, absorbs oils, and refreshes hair between washes
- Pronto Dry Shampoo Powder – 1 oz. powder, Allure Magazine’s Editors’ Choice Award, revives hair between washes
- Hair Lift – 1.7 fl. oz., SELF Magazine Health Beauty Award Winner, thickens hair and creates fullness up to 47%
- Jasmine Oil Hair Serum – 0.5 fl. oz. serum controls frizz, moisturizes damaged hair, and adds long-lasting shine
- Pronto Invisible Dry Shampoo Spray – 1.4 oz. invisible spray absorbs product build up and revives hair between washes
- Pronto Instant Glossing Cream – 1.7 fl. oz. cream adds gloss, controls frizz, and prevents color-fading
The X5 Superlite Folding Hairdryer
If there’s one hair tool I never leave home without, it’s the X5 Superlite Folding Travel Hairdryer (retails for $80). There’s nothing worse than having to use that terrible dryer on the hotel bathroom wall or lugging your full-sized massive hairdryer around with you weighing down your luggage. Here’s why this one rocks:
- 1600 watt output
- Ion Technology for smooth & shiny hair in faster drying time
- It folds in half and weighs less than 1 lb.
- It comes with a diffuser and slim concentrator nozzle
- It has 2 speed settings and dual voltage
The Mason Pearson Pocket Mix Travel Brush
Mason Pearson hairbrushes are considered by some (including me) the finest hairbrushes in the world. Here’s why I love this one, the Mason Pearson Pocket Mix Travel Brush (retails for $88):
- It’s a compact travel-size 6 3/4″
- It has a hand polished handle made in London
- The mix of boar bristle and nylon exfoliate the scalp, cleanse the hair shaft, and create a massaging effect
Enter to win now! This contest ends at 11:59 p.m. EST on Wednesday, August 6th. Good Luck!
Mara Hoffman Resort 2015 Collection
If the Mara Hoffman Resort 2015 collection is any indication of what Guatemala is like, this traveler is packing her bags (with Mara’s latest looks) and heading there tomorrow. Her recent collection presented this past Saturday evening at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Swim here in Miami was inspired by her recent travels to this Mayan Country in Central America. It was full of color, print, energy, and spunk…which, to be honest, she pretty consistently delivers season after season to fashionistas everywhere. THANK YOU, MARA! Lucky for us, we don’t have to travel to Guatemala to wear these fun threads. As usual, the collection seemed to be made for the Miami crowd…bright colors and mixed prints? Yes, we’ll take it. All of it. But this collection seemed better than ever. There were plenty of her sexy & edgy bikinis for beach bound girls and the adorable, multi-colored jumpers and rompers that we all could have ripped off the models at that very moment. But, there were also new and fresh stand out pieces including a pair of drop crotch pants with a mash-up of three of her signature prints, a lace-up front bikini top and matching high waisted bottoms, and (my absolute favorite) her one piece rash guard swimsuit. (Did I mention I’m loving rash guards lately?) The bonus? Most of the Mara Hoffman Resort 2015 collection is reversible to solid colors so you’re getting two suits in one. The only downside? You’ll have to wait a few months to get your hands on it. Definitely worth the wait!
Mara Hoffman one piece rash guard swimsuit, my favorite look from the show.
The Mara Hoffman Benz. Roadtrip, anyone?
To make sure you survive until the Mara Hoffman Resort 2015 Collection is in stores, here are a few Mara Hoffman pieces you and your kiddos can get your hands on immediately.
First Class Favorite showcases one fabulous item that every jetsetter must know about and own, immediately.
Typically, I choose one First Class Favorite item to share. But, I love beach bags. Yes, partially for obvious reasons…I’m headed for a day of toes-in-the-sand, wave-crashing, sunny bliss. But also, because they’re super practical traveling bags and they come in great bright prints and colors. So, this week, I had to choose 5 First Class Favorites, especially since these beauties really caught my eye…and MBFWSwim has really got me in the poolside mood.
Here are the bags clockwise starting from the top: Bamboula Ltd. Beach Bag at J.Crew, Nadia laser-cut leather tote by Sophie Anderson, Tulum Crocheted Carryall by Mar y Sol, Round Handle Bag by Mara Hoffman, Tory Burch Lizzie Tote
Funny thing though, most travelers forget their beach bags or leave them at home on purpose when heading to a tropical vacation thinking it’s one more extra thing to pack.
Here are a few tips on ways to get the most use out of your beach bag when traveling:
- Use it as your carry-on bag en route. Beach bags typically hold tons of stuff and by carrying it on, it will save space in your suitcase and get you in vacation mode in no time.
- Choose a beach bag that folds flat so if you do pack it, it takes up very little space in your bag.
- Buy a beach bag in neutral colors or one that looks most like a handbag so you can also use it as your everyday purse with all of your resort looks.
Check out where to buy these First Class Favorites and a few more cute beach bag finds below!
Meet Ashley
Former NYC fashion industry girl, forever traveler, foodie at heart, and now Mom in Miami. My blog, Arrive Chic, covers the style I find in everyday life both on the road and at home, often with my two energetic little boys in tow.
