A Different Bite of the Apple – New York Travel Inspo

August 27, 2018August 27, 20181 Comment

I am not really sure where this year has gone, I cant believe I haven’t managed to get one post out in year. I have travelled to some amazing places this year and hopefully will get round to documenting all of my trips. I’m going to start with my first love, NYC.

New York is my favourite place in the world, I would move there in a heartbeat. I am really lucky to have a friend there and get to experience living in the the magical surroundings of NYC. If you’re looking for a more alternative New York than chain restaurants and Time Out’s top listed places you need to head to the other side of the water to Brooklyn.

Good Morning Williamsberg – Egg Shop

Egg Shop is a cute, very instagrammable spot where you can get eggs in every way imaginable. Not just for breakfast they also serve dinner, and most importantly….cocktails!

Betches who Brunch – Reunion

Brunch is practically mandatory when weekending in New York and if you’re into pancakes you need to go to Reunion. I never thought I would be defeated by a pancake but the Reunion pancake was the first to beat me, it is HUGE and beyond delicious! I would also recommend the Shakshooka if a sweet brunch isn’t your thing.

Sweet Treats – Milk Bar

Three words, Birthday Cake Truffles, Crack Pie and Cereal Milk Ice Cream. Go, order it and be happy. Although the store its self may seem understated the taste is far from it. The day I watched Drag Race and and ate Crack Pie for breakfast in bed was one of my all time favourite mornings. If you want to check this place out more before visiting check out Netflix’s Chefs Table Episode 1, Season 4 to see this amazing brand being created.

Battle of the Pizza – Juliana’s

Depending on who you ask you will no doubt get two answers for the best pizza in NYC, some will say Grimaldi’s and others will be correct and say Juliana’s. Next door to each other the rivalry between these two pizza places is fierce. You will queue outside between 30 – 60 minutes for a Juliana’s pizza but it is worth it, just maybe try to plan your trip here on a day when the weather will be nice!

Live Your Best Life – House of Yes

If like me the only thing you love more than food (and fashion) is a themed party complete with aerial, fierce drag kweens and glitter then you need to head to House of Yes. It was their Golden Themed party while I was in New York and i had only 12 hours to pull together a golden lewk, I managed…just but if you are heading to New York and want to attend the party of a life time check the events listing, book a ticket and plan a killer outfit.

To check out more highlights from my last NYC trip check out my Instagram Story Highlight. – @Lottie_Helen

Love Lottie

xoxo

Travel Inspo – Dubrovnik

September 21, 2017August 31, 2017Leave a comment

Dubrovnik has been made hugely popular by Game of Thrones in recent years as it is where a large amount of filming has taken place and is the basis for the royal Kings Landing.

The old town of Dubrovnik is beautiful with stone buildings, red roofs and sea views as far as the eye can see. If you are planning a trip to Dubrovnik you needs to explore the whole of the old town, the narrow streets are filled with restaurants serving the best fresh fish and traditional dishes from both Croatia and the surrounding areas and the various squares are the perfect places to have a local wine or cocktail.
I would also recommend a walk around the city walls, this is a small fee of around 150 Kuna, the views are stunning and it’s a great way to see the city. If you are going in summer I would recommend going early in the morning or in the evening as when the temperatures creep up being stuck in a queue with no shade would dampen the experience.

If you want a truly birds eye view of the city taking the cable car is the best way, I tried buying tickets online but had no luck with the website, I would recommend getting to the cable car early to grab your tickets and avoid the huge queues. I was desperate to go to the Panorama restaurant at the top of the cable car but the queue was just too big and my trip not long enough.

If you want to see more of Croatia I would recommend hiring a boat and heading out to see, prices vary but I used Dubrovnik boats and paid 450Euros for a full day trip. Unfortunately we picked a day where the weather was against us and had to miss parts of he trip due to the weather. During lunch a mini tornado appeared and we had to jump in our boat and race back to the harbour 3 hours early. The parts we got to enjoy were beautiful and if I were to go back I would definitely do it again and hope for better weather.

If you love a day at the beach I would recommend buying a bed at Banje Beach Club. Priced start at 90Kuna for a sunbed and you can order both food and drinks from your bed or you have the choice of the bar area or restaurant if you need a break from the sun. I spent quite a lot of time here and enjoyed it from start to finish, it is definitely work it rather than trying to grab a spot on the free beach, lying of the pebbled shore.

To end our trip we ate at the 360 restaurant which is highly recommended, the restaurant boasts an amazing view of the harbour and the coastline and serves fine dining food. The service, food and view were amazing and it was the perfect end to our trip.

There are of course loads of Game of Thrones trips but it was over 30 degrees while I was there in August so stuck to the beach, just being in the city gives you that Lannister realness.

Check out my style post for what to pack and my Instagram for more outfit and travel inspo.

Love Lottie xoxo

Travel Inspo – Lake Como

September 7, 2017August 31, 2017Leave a comment

If you are looking for a relaxing Europe break I would highly recommend Lake Como. This destination is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been and is the perfect place to completely relax. We travelled from Milan via train for just 9 Euros each and it only took approximately 1 hour. Check out my Milan post if you are heading to Lake Como from Milan too.I stayed in one of the smaller villages on the lake in Moltrasio at the Grand Hotel Imperiale hotel. The rooms were a little basic but the restaurants, pool area and view made up for this.

Near by there were a couple of small restaurants/cafes but very minimal amenities compared to the larger towns. As I had planned to mainly relax by the pool this wasn’t an issue and with the below view I was not complaining.

If you visit Lake Como you need to take a trip to Bellagio, there are speed ferry’s that will get you there in 45 minutes to an hour. The slower ferry’s can take up to 2 hours 30 minutes so it is worth paying that little extra and planning ahead to get the speed ferry.

Bellagio is stunning, a small but bustling town with cobbled streets filled with shops, gelato stores and lake side restaurants.

I would recommend getting there in the morning and going into a restaurant to book a table when you arrive. You can request a table overlooking the lake but it is first come first serve so get in quick.

Another attraction in Bellagio are the breath-taking gardens of Villa Melzi, there is a small fee to enter the gardens which is definitely worth it. The views and sights are stunning and it is the perfect place to spend on a sunny afternoon.

You will love every second of Lake Como but make sure you stock up on insect repellent, sunbathing isn’t as fun when you are being bitten! Check out my holiday health and Beauty essential before your next trip.

Love Lottie xoxo

Travel Inspo – Milan

August 31, 2017August 31, 2017Leave a comment

Italy is always one of my favourite places to visit with beautiful weather, stunning sights and delicious food. Recently I took a trip to Milan and then went on to Lake Como which is by far one of the most breath taking places I have been, blog post to follow.

Milan is a short flight from London and the airport is only around 30 minutes from the city so is a really easy place to get to and would be perfect for a short weekend break.

I stayed at Chateau Monfort, a fabulous boutique hotel with and Alice in Wonderland theme. The whole hotel was exquisite with classic ornate detail with a fairy tale twist. Our room was the Hibiscus room and was decorated with flowers through out and would definitely make it onto the list as one of my most favourite rooms I have stayed in. The hotel was also well located, a short walk to the city centre.

The city is filled with shopping and restaurants as you would expect but also features the main attraction, Duomo di Milano, a magnificent cathedral in a large square. The building is stunning from the outside and queues to get inside and huge, if you really must go inside make sure you are prepared to queue for a long time.

I chose to view the cathedral from the comfort of a chair, with an Aperol Spritz in hand from the Aperol Terrazza. I would recommend visiting this bar/restaurant as the views are amazing and there is no better way to take in the sights than with delicious food and a range of cocktails to choose from.

While I was in Milan I also walked through the city to the Sempione Park, this park is also right next to the Sforza Castle and the Arch of Peace so you can spend a day wandering around all of these sights at your leisure.

Although normally I am a huge foodie, as I was here a short period of time I didn’t make any set dinner reservations but always managed to find somewhere serving the Italian classics and enjoyed every meal. The gelato is also some of the best I have had!

Although I am so pleased I saw Milan it is more suited as a stop off on your way to another destination or a short weekend break as 2 – 3 days is more than enough to take everything in.

Love Lottie xoxo

Travel Inspo – Barcelona

July 12, 2017July 11, 2017Leave a comment

Barcelona is the kind of place you will struggle to see everything in one go, there is so much to do and see! If you are planning a weekend break like me the best advice I can give is be organised. Pick what you really want to see so you don’t try to cram too much in and end up needing a holiday to recover from your holiday! To avoid being exhausted on my trip I had the perfect balance between sight seeing and relaxing by choosing a hotel with a roof top pool. I stayed in the Hotel Jazz which I would highly recommend both for the hotel it self and its location.

Sight Seeing

The whole of Barcelona is one big art gallery thanks to the very famous Antoni Gaudi and the amazing views. The big Gaudi sights are something everyone wants to see these are:

All of these are magnificent from the outside but if you want to see the inside I would recommend booking tickets online at least one day prior to your visit. Not only is this cheaper, if you don’t pre book a time slot you may risk the whole day being sold out and your journey to the destination wasted!

The park in particular is a long way from the centre of Barcelona so getting there and not being able to see the famous sights could be frustrating even though you can wander the beautiful park. Personally I would recommend the Parc Guell and La Pedera, Casa Batllo and La Sagrada are much more impressive on the outside than the inside and in my opinion the price and the queue isn’t worth it unless you plan on going up one of the famous La Sagrada towers.

Other amazing sights are Montjuic and the magic fountains, this impressive palace is now a art gallery which is completely free and worth a visit to escape from the city heat. This area is close to the old Olympic Village and the Las Arenas shopping centre which is an old bull fighting ring converted into a shopping centre and viewing platform for amazing views of the city.

The Montjuic Fountains become their own attraction at night known as the magic fountains, the timings for shows this summer are as below:-

06 January – 16 February: Closed
01 April – 31 May: Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 21:00 – 22:00
01 June – 30 August: Wednesday – Sunday: 21:30 – 22:30
01 September – 31 October: Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 21:00 – 22:00
01 November – 31 March: Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 20:00 – 21:00

Another great thing to see is the impressive cathedral which is also a main attraction of Barcelona, the cathedral is in a large square with buskers and an antiques market.

Food and Drink

As Barcelona is a vibrant city there are so many options for food and drinks. There is of course tapas options every where but some are definitely better than others. The main area’s to eat and drink are Las Ramblas, Plaza Real and the Marina. Las Ramblas is always really busy and the best spots are just off the main streets, you can find a location that works for you, from quiet intimate squares, hidden gems on side streets to the big bussing Plaza Real, there is something for everyone. These are my top recommendations in Barcelona:-

Las Ramblas Tapas – Bar Lobo

Marina Tapas – Restaurante Hispano Barcelona

Fine Dining – Arola Restaurant

Plaza Real Tapas – Les Quinze Nits – The Tapas here was amazing but the main meals were a let down, if you visit here be prepared for delicious but small plates.

Plaza Real Italians – Restaurante Italiano Rossini

Must Do

Other than the main sights listed above there are some things you cannot miss when in this amazing city. These little extra’s might just make your trip.

Cocktails at the W

The W hotel is the best location for sunset cocktails, with views of the city and the beach the W makes for a memorable night and amazing pictures. The cocktails and the food are also great, it’s the perfect place to start your evening.

Salsa in the Old Town

Barcelona’s Old Town comes alive at night with cocktails and music, it’s the best place to let your hair down. I headed to a local Salsa club with no idea what to expect, we headed to Bendita Salsa which was a small bar with a live band. The local’s and the band were amazing, helping to teach novice’s like me but were also amazing to watch when they found a partner that would keep up. I would recommend experiencing this amazing night to anyone!!!

Sant Joan

Although I didn’t know this festival was taking place during my stay in Barcelona I am so pleased i got to see it. The whole city is taken over by this festival at night with fireworks filling the sky! The streets are very busy with people are setting fire works off everywhere and the next day is a national holiday with all shops and some restaurants closed so if you are visiting during the next Sant Joan festival bear that in mind. The whole city is one big party, locals dress as devils and run round squares and the beach with fire crackers and DJ’s play late into the night. This festival was a great bonus to my trip.

Love Lottie xoxo

Monaco – Style Post

June 14, 2017June 14, 20172 Comments

Monaco screams fabulous! It is the city of decadence, wealth and beauty. Recently I visited Monaco for an exciting business trip and packed my own South of France glam!

Airport Vibes

Claudia Schiffer T Shirt – Zara (no longer available but they do have a great range of slogan tops in at the minute!)

Frilled Trousers- ASOS/Miss Selfridge – £30

Trumpet Arm Jacket – Zara – £29.99

Pointed toe sling back – Zara – £19.99

Dinner and Drinks

Asymmetric Body Suit – Zara – £25.99

Shorts – H&M – £19.99

Mules – H&M – £19.99

Sunnies – Sienna Alexander – £130

Business Lunch

Tweed Feather Skirt – Zara – £29.99

High Neck Blouse – Zara – £25.99

Mules – H&M – £19.99

Tote – Chanel Grand Shopper Tote – Handbag Clinic

Sunnies – Sienna Alexander – £130

Morning Sunshine

Dress – H&M – £34.99

Slide on’s – £12.99

Tote – Chanel Grand Shopper Tote – Handbag Clinic

Sunnies – Sienna Alexander – £130

Homeward bound

High Waisted Jeggings Jeans – Zara – £22.99

Poplin Top with Frilled Sleeves – £25.99

Necklace – Louis Vuitton Essential V – £230

Tote – Chanel Grand Shopper Tote – Handbag Clinic

Sunnies – Sienna Alexander – £130

I loves my quick visit to Monaco and cannot wait to announce exciting Handbag Clinic news following my meetings!

Love Lottie xoxo

Travel Inspo – Valencia

June 7, 2017Leave a comment

Recently I went on the most fabulous girls weekend to Valencia, not your usual choice girls weekend venue but it was perfect. The city is filled with pastel coloured buildings, orange trees and cute cobbled streets so there is a Instagram opportunity around every corner.

Although Valencia hasn’t been over ran by tourist yet the city is still ready to party with beach clubs, boat tours (with sparkilie provided) and great night life. I would recommend the Marina beach club for sun, sea and cocktails. Cafe Negrito for relaxed alfresco drinks and Fox Congo for some late night dancing.

If you are looking for a more relaxed weekend the most popular way to get around is by bicycle and you can cycle straight from the city centre to the beach via an orange tree filled park which was originally a river. There is a busy beach promenade with bars, restaurants and a fun fare so there is lots to see and do at the beach as well as in the city.

We stayed at the Cathedral Suites Hotel which was perfect, right in the centre and each room is a mini apartment complete with kitchen and sitting area. The hotel has a quaint restaurant/bar on the roof top and a small roof top pool. The price was very reasonable at £125 per night and it was worth every penny.

I was only in Valencia for 2 days so didn’t get to experience the full city but cannot wait to go back! I would recommend this for a romantic city break or a fun girly weekend either way you will love Valencia.

Love Lottie xoxo

5 Things You Must Do In Paris!

May 19, 2017May 19, 20171 Comment

I’ve been to Paris a few times now and love it more each time! The city is full of the most beautiful streets and architecture and the food is always amazing! Most recently I was only there fore just 48 hours so needed to cram in as much as possible. These are my 5 must do things in Paris!

French Food On The Champs Elysee

Whether its breakfast, a pit stop mid shopping or a special dinner nothing screams Paris more than Mussels and wine on the Champs Elysee. Most of the restaurants serve the classics and there is usually a table free during the day but if you are looking to go in the evening I would recommend making a reservation some where fabulous and making a night of it! Which ever time of day you are there you will also get some fabulous views of the Arc De Triomphe and its a short walk to stand directly under this huge famous landmark.

My recommendations

Day – George V Cafe

Evening – Fouquet’s

The best views of the Eiffle Tower

Although standing under the Eiffel tower and feeling its enormous size is amazing the best views are found slightly further out. I recently stayed at the Shangril-la which had the most spectacular view. Although i was lucky enough to have this view from my room the view can be caught from restaurants and bars inside the hotel. If you want a more casual approach there are so many beautiful parks in Paris which have amazing views, grabbing a croissant while admiring the view on a sunny day is definitely something you need to experience.

Shopping

Of course Paris is world renowned for this shopping and it is a place to tick off your list if you are a keen shopper. With two Zara’s and the largest H&M I’ve ever seen, the high street favourites are definitely covered and of course every fashion house is present. The Louis Vuitton store on the Champ Elysee is always packed out and you will need to queue to get in so if you are after something just so you can own something Louis from the home of the brand then its worth the wait, if you are just looking to browse or don’t want to wait there is another store at the lower end of the Champs Elysee which is must quieter. This Louis is also surrounded by all the big brands so if you are lucky enough to be able to buy a Dior dress with a Gucci bag and Louis Shoes then this area is perfect.

Tuileries Gardens and the Louvre

This part of Paris is beautiful and worth the walk if you are staying more central. The Louvre queues are crazy but if you book a time slot online you can beat the queues so I would recommend planning this in advance.

Tuileries Gardens are spectacular and filled with amazing statues and landscapes. After leaving the Louvre you can wander the gardens and relax around one of the water features with an ice cream as you head back up towards Concord Square.

Moulin Rouge

This last one is not something I have done myself but am desperate to do. This fabulous venue host a full evening of entertainment, food and of course wine! Next time i am in Paris I will definitely be having a night at the Moulin Rouge but for now I’ll have to sing my heart out to Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor. Tickets for the Moulin Rough (not my singing) start at around £85.

Love Lottie xoxo

48 hours is Paris – Style Post

April 21, 2017April 21, 2017Leave a comment

Over Easter weekend I jumped on the train and headed to Paris for the weekend and was going to make the most of every second I had. Not only was I looking forward to the sights, atmosphere and food but also the fashion and wanted to cram as many Parisian inspired outfits as possible!

It’s always important to travel comfortable, check out my previous post Flight Essentials. So even though I was travelling by train I still followed my own advice!

Jacket – TopShop (2012)

Jeans – Zara High Waisted Jeggings – £25.99

T-Shirt – River Island Merci Beaucoup T Shirt – no longer available

Trainers – Adidas Gazelle -£74.99

Suitcase – Radley – £129

When we got into to Paris,(queue outfit change) we wandered the streets seeing the sights followed some Moules-Frites and wine on the Champs Elysees.

Duster – River Island Grey Belted Duster – £60

Jeans – River Island Gingham Mollie Jeans – No Longer Available

Top – Zara off the shoulder frill body – £12.99

Pumps – H&M Loafer – £9.99

Handbag – Prada Double Bag – £1750

For the Evening we spent it at out amazing hotel, The Shangri-La Paris with the most stunning view! This room is by far one of the best hotel rooms I have ever stayed in. This really was a once in a life time experience. Review to follow!!!

I kept it black like a true Parisian and wore simple black jeans with a hint of red for my evening of fine dining and cocktails.

Duster – As above

Jeans – River Island Coated Black Mollie Jeans – £40

Top – River Island Lace Detail Top – No Longer Available

Shoes – Topshop Skinny 2 Part Sandales – £39

DAY 2

The next day we headed to the Louvre and headed through the gardens and up to Champs Elysee again to purchase a small keepsake from the fabulous Louis Vuitton store on the Champs Elysee.

Blouse – Top Shop Polka Dot Blouse – £34

Trousers – Topshop Frill Zip Palazzo Trousers – £42

Loafers – Topshop Alexa Slip On Mules – £32

Sunglasses – Ralph Lauren

To head home I kept it casual with black jeans, a navy and white stripy t shirt and my beloved Adidas Gazelles. Paris was amazing and I will be doing a mini travel guide in the coming weeks, I am disappointed the sun didn’t really make an appearance but at least now I have an excuse to come back!

Love Lottie xxx

The Original Ice Hotel

January 30, 2017January 30, 20171 Comment

Every year Ice Hotels around the world are build then melt, but the Swedish were the first ones to create this palace made of snow. In the most northern town in Swede, Kiruna the first ice Hotel was built, offering customers the chance to sleep in beautifully created bedrooms made completely of ice and snow. This has sparked off a number of countries following suit including Iceland and Canada as well as Ice Bar’s popping up in a number of big cities. I visited the original in Sweden via Discover the World to see whether it really was “Bucket List” worthy.

Getting there

Discover the World are the only company to offer i direct from the UK to England, their #IceFlight is the most cost effective and easiest way to get to Kiruna, they also take take for booking your accommodation and excursions. The Hotel is only around 15 minutes via coach from the Airport but because I wanted to cram in as much as possible I booked for a dog sled to take us to the Hotel. Opting for this was a great way to fit the Dog’s in but was a harsh way to get used to the cold! Although i don’t think I could have done all of the activities we did with out taking the Dog Sled ride so early I think if i were to go back i would have rather opted for a dog sled during the day also, to make the most of the scenery.

The Hotel

The Hotel is a masterpiece in its self, every ice filled corridor is magnificent, the bar is a destination in its own right and a each Art Suit is its own individual piece of ice crafted art. The rooms are all open during the day for you to look in and take photos and the Ice Bar opens from 12 pm until 1 am.

Sleeping

The whole point of the Ice Hotel is to sleep in one of their Cold Rooms and yes they are really that cold, our cold room night was around -8! There are a wide range of rooms in the thanks to the new Ice Hotel 365 as well as the original Ice Hotel 27. The Ice Hotel 365 is a new concept and allows the Bar and some Cold Rooms to be available all year round and the 27 is the original which will still melt and be re built every year.

There are different rooms depending on your budget, although each room is special an Art Suite will definitely make your stay a little more memorable. If you really are worried about the cold there are Deluxe Art Suites which have a private warm area with a toilet and shower attached to the room. Although I didn’t opt for a Deluxe Art Suite I was extremely lucky and scored “Dreamscape” an ice bed at the top of a magnificent staircase which was worth having a shared (sex separated) toilet and shower.

The best way to make sure you get the most out of your Cold Room is to plan a to keep warm a couple of hours before going in, this could be going for a meal in a restaurant or visiting the warm bar. To sleep i wore thermal trousers, long sleeved top, thin gloves, ski socks and a hat, although I wasn’t cold and slept fine, I wish I had put a thicker jumper on.

Eating

The food at the Ice Hotel is amazing, each day there is a full breakfast buffet and in the evening there is a choice of the Ice Restaurant and the Old Homestead which is around a 10 minute walk away from the Hotel. Most excursions include food also, usually served round a fire or in a small cabin.

We experienced the Chef’s table on our first night which is an 8 course tasting menu served in the kitchen. The menu included all the Arctic favourites such as Elk, Reindeer and Arctic Char as well as a trio of the most delicious deserts. It was quite strange at first but the staff were so lovely I soon felt relaxed and it was great to see the hustle and bustle of the kitchen while you ate.

Things To Do

The excursion list is huge but you can do as little or as much as you like. When booking your excursions make sure you look at the start and finish times, whether food is served and consider the cold. Discover the World can help you pick excursions but they wont know how much you can stand the cold. Its best to make sure you have time to warm up between excursions and over dress for excursions. Having a back pack with an extra balaclava, dry gloves and an extra layer will never be a bad decision.

I did the Dog Sled, Wilderness Survival, Snow Mobile Northern Lights Tour, Cross Country Skiing and Sauna Ritual. If i could have I would have also either gone on the Horseback Moose Safari or went to see the Remainders but I couldn’t have fit one more thing in!

The best excursion was the Snow Mobile Tour, although we didn’t see the Northern Lights it was definitely the most fun. I was lucky enough to see the Northern Lights while at the Hotel, if you are looking to photograph the lights and don’t have a professional camera, download the Norther Lights Photo Taker before going.

The Ice Hotel is one of the most memorable experiences I’ve had to date and worth every penny. If it isn’t already on your Bucket List it needs to be!

Love Lottie xx

lottiehelen

Style – Travel – Beauty

Category: travel

A Different Bite of the Apple – New York Travel Inspo

Travel Inspo – Dubrovnik

Travel Inspo – Lake Como

Travel Inspo – Milan

Travel Inspo – Barcelona

Monaco – Style Post

Travel Inspo – Valencia

5 Things You Must Do In Paris!

48 hours is Paris – Style Post

The Original Ice Hotel