Monterey - Carmel Valley and the Beach

Hi guys, I am currently in California in Monterey. If you ever make it to California or to San Francisco, definitely check out Monterey.  The food is amazing, the views and the beach are likewise. It's a little bit windy here, but the scenery completely makes up for it. And the food is absolutely amazing as well, I think I just gained 5 kg. But I am planning to go for a run tomorrow morning by the beach to make up for it, so as you see, all is well here.

USA Trip - Travel Diary Part 2 - Where to Stay and the South

Battery Park

Lady Liberty

Brooklyn Bridge (Ferry View)

I am sorry that I have been such a lame blogger lately - my internet connection has not always been great and there was so much to do! But as promised, I will document all the cool stuff that I am doing here and all the must-go places that I found here.

I am now in California - after a long trip from Washington DC and an unexpected but quite surprisingly pleasant stay in Phoenix, Arizona.

But let's get back to New York - and to my favourite places there.

Hotels and Places to Stay in New York 

I prefer staying in cheap places, to be able to see more cities and do more things when I travel. But this time, we spent a little bit more for the first 4 days, just to have the skyscraper experience.

So- in New York I stayed in two places - an airbnb place right on Times Square that I mentioned here - and at my friend's apartment in Central Harlem. The two places are as different from each other as possible - one was in a skyscraper in a very busy area, and the other one was in a small house in Harlem, where there are hardly and skyscrapers or bankers. Harlem is traditionally the African American neighborhood in New York,  and in the 70's and 80's it had a lot of problems with crime and poverty. But since the gentrification of the city, it became safe.

For me it was great to experience both places, because I really got to know New York and I would highly recommend that you do that as well. Also, if you are on a budget and are considering an airbnb house in Harlem, go ahead and book it, it's very safe and it will save you a lot of money. You have non-stop access to the subway and will get to meet some great people there!

On our third day in New York, we walked around the financial district. It was a beautiful day,  and I

Best things to do in the South and in the Financial District

1. Take the ferry to the Statue of Liberty: I loved that ferry! First of all, the tour was really good and it talked a lot about the history of Manhattan. Secondly, there are plenty of opportunities to see the Statue of Liberty in advance and to take pictures with it!

2. Walk around the Financial District: The best time to walk around the district in on weekends, when there aren't any bankers everywhere. But I also liked going there during the week, just because it was nice to observe the busy bankers, traders and financial leaders of the world running around in their ties and getting their shoes polished on the street (I am not joking).

3. Visit the One World Trande Center Building and the World Trade Center Memorial: the building is huge. It is really impressive and it is scary to know that this is where the 9/11 attacks took place

4. Have lunch in the park: We were too tired to walk and got a delicious wrap from pret a manger and sat in one of the beautiful parks in the area. We really liked the Battery park, that was filled with flowers.

New York, I love you - Travel Diary Day 1

Top of the Rock

View from our spectacular appartment

Sunny Day on Top of the World

between glass doors

Museum of Modern Art  - Constantin Brincusi

Central Park Zoo

Central Park

It's my first day in New York and I love it so much I can't believe it! 

Waking up with a view of the New York skyline and the Empire State Building from the 37th floor of a skyscraper is breathtaking.  It's so different from quiet little Vienna that it takes my breath away! Especially since it's very strange to hear police sirens all night and look at the skyscrapers seeing the people still working after 12 AM. 

We found the appartment (with the view above) on airbnb and it's much cheaper than a hotel AND it's fantastic. I love it! 

After waffles and coffee at a sweet coffee shop called Europan Cafe, close to Times Square, we went for a walk through Midtown, to the Rockefeller Center and went up to the Top of the Rock to see New York from above (fantastic view!!). After a short walk and a lunch, we went to the breathtaking Museum of Modern Art where I saw some of the most spectacular paintings and sculptures in the world, from Picasso to Monet and Constantin Brincusi. Seeing a picture or sculpture for the first time after growing up seeing only pictures of it is a spectacular feeling which I'm sure you've also had before. 

We then went for a walk through Central Park and through the zoo, where we watched the cutest seals in the world being fed. 

I just love this city and its vibe and its people and can't wait to see what we will experience tomorrow. 

New York, I love you! 

Little Bag Dress

Accessoires: Mango, Dress, Flats, Bag: H&M

I LOVE this bag. It never gets full! It is so big that I can stuff my laptop, my lunch and my favourite book in it and it still has space for my jacket. Since I haven't been shopping in ages, and all my old work bags looked a little bit... old, I can't tell you how happy I am that I finally bought this bag.

So, if you have no money for the LV Neverfull, or don't want to spend the 120 euro Zara tote, get this bag from H&M already! I don't think it will be there for much longer. It won't disappoint!

By the way, this is the other dress I got for only 9 euros! I think I will be wearing these pieces all summer.

Summer is Here

Dress: H&M, Earrings: from Peru, Sunnies: RayBan Wayfarer, 

I initially planned to not buy anything until I go to the U.S., but, since I have basically been on a shopping stop for 3 months and because I still had a gift card at home, I decided to check out the H&M spring/ summer collection. I found this amazing black maxi dress for only 19 euros and I had to have it. It is definitely going into my suitcase for my U.S. trip and into my backpack for my Columbia trip (oops, I revealed my next destination).

Also, I don't know if you can see them in the last picture, but I have been wearing my earrings from Peru non-stop lately. Probably because my Latin America trip is getting closer and closer as well!

I have been very happy with my purchase and never missed an opportunity to wear it. I also bought another dress and a bag, and I will show them to you this week!

What do you think? Do you like it?

Heading to...

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Hi guys, I have exciting news for you! I am going to travel quite a bit this summer, and I promise that this blog won't be ignored any more! My first destination, in only a few days is the U.S.! I am so excited about this trip and seeing all my friends there. Don't worry, I will be backpacking through Latin America this summer as well, for those of you who like more adventurous trips. But more about this later.

 

My first stop is New York, where we will be staying for a week. I can't wait to explore this amazing city. And it is quite exciting, because I found a great appartment for the first 4 days in New York, and the view looks spectacular! Can't wait to share it with you!

 

Then I will be going to Washington D.C. for 3 days, and I can't wait to explore the history of the place. Of course, more amazing friends are waiting for me there, and I couldn't be more thankful to them for being so welcoming!

 

And the third and last stop is California! Now, I am REALLY looking forward to that, since I will spend the last week of my trip with my favourite couple and I am very sure that we will party the whole week. Also, I can't wait to go shopping with my friend Emily, who is quite the expert in the field.

 

Needless to say that I've been saving up and not shopping for the past two months, and I intend to go to the US with an almost empty suitcase. Do you have any tipps or recommendations for NY, Washington D.C. or California? 

{EAT} Brunch at Edison

 

You guys know how much I love to eat. So when lovely Nina  invited me to have brunch at Edison in the 8th district by Schottentor in Vienna, I couldn't say no. I had also heard a lot of good things about the brunch there, and was really eager to check it out.

The place was pretty full, and the first surprise was that they forgot our reservation, but were able to get us a table, so it was ok in the end. The brunch costs 16 euros and coffee or tea aren't included, which is quite pricy, even for a buffet.

However, the food is really good and the buffet has both breakfast and lunch dishes, so you can spend a lot of time just eating there. Of course because of my wheat allergy, I couldn't have most of the hot dishes and of the deserts, but there was more than enough for me to eat there. They also kept coming with new dishes and deserts, including salmon, waffles and yummy pasta varieties.

They were out of fruit salad by 12:30, which wasn't really reasonable since the brunch was supposed to end at 4. We were only left with some ripe banana and a sour orange, which didn't really make us happy.

But all in all, I really loved it there and the location is worth checking out.

So if you're looking for a charming brunch place in the 8th district and don't mind a crowded restaurant, this might just be the place to go.
Thanks again Nina and Mirela for the invite.

The New Me

Ok, it's not really the new me, I just died and cut my hair again and I LOVE it. I needed a change, and my hair didn't look nice any more and this is just perfect! It is very close to my natural hair colour, so I don't have to worry about dying it again. I am currently enjoying some quiet days in Romania. How are you?

We Love Handmade Mag No.2 Out Now!

It's here! The long awaited We love handmade Mag - Spring & Easter Edition is out now. I made a lovely wedding fascinator for the edition, since I have been attending lots of weddings lately.
Here it is! What do you think?

I adore every page of it. It makes me even more exciting about spring and Easter, my favourite celebration of the year! And obviously the yummiest as well.  Anna, Kerstin , the We love handmade team and the guest bloggers managed to do an absolutely amazing job and I am really proud to be a small part of it. 

Don't forget to visit the We love Handmade Blog for more details and fun DIY projects and recipes!

New in - January and February Finds

Spring came here in Vienna, and then it left again. But in order to not end up barefoot this spring, I got some new shoes (H&M gift card love).
So, in case you are still looking for some spring basics, or are looking for a good book to read, these are my faves:
1. strapless lace dress from ASOS
2. MIND FUCK - how we block our own possibilities through negative thinking - great, useful book!
3. Jahresringe erzählen - lovely, heart warming book by the former owner of the Hochschober hotel. An absolutely delightful read (post following):
4.  H&M Basic Black Sneakers lovely comfy black basics
5. H&M Flats - I get these every year because I can wear them everywhere without feeling sorry about destroying them. They have been my companions everywhere from sandstorms to the comfy office day.
6. Belkin Iphone running belt. To accompany me for the Vienna City Marathon Training. YAY!
7. Deichmann pumps. I absolutely love these shoes! I usually can't walk in pumps, but I always find some in the 5th Avenue Collection from Deichmann. They are cheap, good quality, and perfect for the office.
8. Top in One-Shoulder Style from ASOS. Very cosy and warm!
9. H&M Basic Striped Tee.
10. Quiet. The power of introverts in a world that can't stop talking. A book about the secret power of introverts. I haven't read it yet, but I heard so many good things about it, that I can't wait to do it. And as I might have noticed, I am an introvert most of the times and was very happy when this book came out telling us about all the wonderful things that we can do!

I hope you are enjoying the beginning of the spring. 

February Highlights

Food

Berlin

Halle - Great Breakfast

Chang - Asia Noodles, Asia Duck

Trips & Culture

Leopold Museum Vienna - one of my favorite paintings

Berlinale - Golden Bear for the Romanian Film - Child's Pose

 Friends

Berlin

Hipsterville - Berlin

I know that I have been a little MIA lately, mostly because I needed to take a break from the blog. I had so much going on work-wise, that I couldn't find the time to blog the way I wanted. But A LOT of good things happened this month so the break was really rewarding, and I have a lot of ideas about the future of this blog.

There will be more food, restaurants and travel posts, and much less pictures of me.

I also want to share a few things with you that really inspired you in the past months and helped me become better in every possible way in the next posts.

So what happened in January? I went to Berlinale, visited a lot of museums, spent time with the best friends in the world, saw beautiful artsy films and discovered some amazing restaurants.