places to go – isostilo

TOURISTS, Welcome To The Berkshires!

Delighted is all I can say when I came across this little gem in a Vanity Fair article. Just add another easy weekend getaway to your bucket list especially if you live in New England. When something as stylish, cool, and so perfect as the TOURIST, a new 48 room boutique hotel presents itself and is a 2.5 hour drive from Boston then the tranquil escape is calling. TOURIST is located in the picturesque town of North Adams along the Hoosic River with the Berkshires as the backdrop. It is a city escape that is rich in natural beauty. Based on the website it highlights itself as being a retreat with everything designed to make your stay a dreamy experience that will connect you with nature, adventure, culinary delight, and simplicity. The space alone looks so appealing with its clean, simple decor and big window views of the outdoors. Explore the website for yourself. It is beautifully crafted with a history of the area as well as lovely list of places for you to explore. Also take a peek at the VF article for more praise on TOURIST! images from photographers Tina Giovan and Nick Simonite off Vanity Fair Magazine

Exploring deCordova

A lovely afternoon spent wandering around the grounds of the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum. Just a short drive from Boston to the woodsy town of Lincoln, Massachusetts. The deCordova was established in 1950 and is set on 30 acres of rolling hills. At any given time there about 60 works of art on display. You can meander about at your own pace. Such a treat to have this museum in my backyard. A nice reminder to explore what is around you.

: Fletcher Benton, Donut with 3 Balls

: Letha Wilson, PLATFORM 19

: Noémie Goudal, PLATFORM 20

: Joseph Wheelwright, Listening Stone 1985. A special sculpture by Mr. Wheelwright who is the late husband of my son’s third grade teacher. His extraordinary talent is left for all of us to admire.

: An amazing new exhibition by Ian McMahon. Tether is a sculpture created with air and plaster. It looks like giant pillows but it is far from that and extremely fragile.

: To be honest my 11-year-old was not thrilled for this outing. After five minutes on the open field his curiosity kicked in!

: Yayoi Kusama, Where the Lights in My Heart is a spectacular outdoor exhibit where you walk inside a mirror polished stainless steel chamber with glass mirrors. You get to experience a never-ending universe.

: Rolling hills and structures that grace the property

: Nari Ward, Shoe tips with libation, G.O.A.T. The sneakers are a mystery.

: I love this working honeybee hive sculpture that is buzzing with activity. Created by Jarret Mellenbrunch, Haven 2014

: A new installation by Nancy Winship Milliken, Pasture Song. The combination of reclaimed cello bow strings, horsehairs, and little help of some wind, all together create soft music. Amazing!

: Jim Dine, Two Big Black Hearts

Be sure to check out the website for updates on new installations and fun activities. The park is open everyday from 10-5. There is cafe to grab a light bite and a well curated gift shop to find a souvenir. deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum is certainly a highlight of this area but there are also other lovely historical towns and places to explore within a short drive of the park. Walden Pond certainly comes to mind.

24 Hours in Bozeman, MT

Anytime of the year is a perfect time to visit Bozeman, MT. A one hour drive from Big Sky and just a short distance from the airport. A pretty perfect scenario. Bozeman is a college town located in a valley surrounded by mountains. No matter where you stand in this city you will have stunning views of the mountains. Main St. is lined with old Art Deco buildings and neon lights that transform this city at night to hip and happening. Enjoy strolling Main Street while taking breaks for a bite to eat, a drink, and to explore boutiques. The vibe is nothing short of cool with an old western charm. You immediately know that 24 hours will not be enough!

Stay:

The Lark, formerly a run down Old Imperial Inn from the 60’s has been transformed into a modern hip motel with attention to design, efficiency, and style. The Lark collaborated with local artists for wall installations that tell the story of the area. The rooms are charming, cozy, and equipped with all your needs to recharge yourself and your tech gadgets. Each room has built-in wall units made of steel and wood perfect to tuck your gear away. There are two common areas that are extensions to the rooms. Enjoy the spacious outdoor patio with bright orange Eames chairs, wooden benches, and an outdoor fireplace. Relax on the large leather sectional with your feet up or take a seat at the communal wooden table. Sip some local coffee from the beverage cart. It is a hip hotel/motel and you want to hang out longer than you should but there is too much to explore. At the end of your day, you will be happy to return to your base camp to sit by the outdoor wood burning fire with a cocktail in hand.

A Few Stand Outs:

Bozeman downtown offers an eclectic mix of shops to explore. Standouts are Cactus, a funky record shop with the low down on the music scene, Hey Day, a lifestyle boutique that is big and airy, and dawn Josephine collective, a beautifully curated shop with local artists being represented.

A stand out is the Montana Honey Bee Co. This shop is half artisanal honey and the other half showcasing all your needs to become a bee keeper. You are educated about bees while sampling the wide varieties of honey. It is a wonderful store bringing your awareness back to nature. You will walk away contemplating the idea of designing your own bee farm at home. It is so sweet! (no pun intended)

Places to Eat:

Bozeman does not lack character. It is a place that gives you an idea of how life has been. The city has done a beautiful job combining the old charm through restoration, preservation, and combining their history with modern updates. Restaurants, bars, cafes, and coffees shops are lively, youthful, and inviting. Sure winners are: Wild Joe’s coffee spot, Jam for an over the top breakfast, Copper for a cocktail, and Montana Ale Works for dinner.

If you are thinking about Bozeman for this summer or any other time of year then check out this Bozeman blog. Great resource!

Berlin Baby

Berlin! Where to start? Berlin, the capital city of Germany is becoming a love of mine. This city is flat-out cool! Everyone is young, artistic, stylish, creative, vibrant, and ultra hip. Whatever you are looking for, you will find. Berlin is full of rich history. Every step along your journey reminds you of that. Berlin speaks to me like Amsterdam. Experiencing this city with local friends makes you feel like a local. I did no planning and went along for the ride. I wanted the everyday life of a Berliner. The feeling as if I lived there (Yes! I can live here). Here is Berlin!

Every Morning Please

Organic Love

Hello!

Interior Eye Candy

Lunch View

My Heaven

Perfect!

Whats Next?!

The food scene stretches beyond just food. The creativity, the environment, and the attention to detail is appreciated. The awareness of what you are eating is inspiring . An absolute stand out for me is Daluma. I beg for this place to land in my hood.

Always Time To Play

Yes! I will sit here

Pop

Eye Spy

Hidden Gem

More To Snap

Lovely

Evening View

Urban living at its best! Behind every store front is a garden. On top of every building is graffiti art. Every corner has some green. Look up and you see gems! Eyes wide open the whole time.

Cheers!

Hotel Pool @ Hotel Oderberger

Sexy!

Breakie @ Hotel

Hotel Oderberger Berlin, a stunning 70 room hotel located in the heart of the city. I dream of going back and staying here.

Hidden Gem

Killer Style

Light Up

Picture Says It All

Stunning

Berlin Baby

Just Hanging Out

Pure

Sammlung Boros/Boros Bunker

Outdoor Market

Sugar High

Relish in the style of individuals! NO shortage of places to gather, shop, and wander . Cool hunting all the time! Sammlung Boros, a private art collection of Karen and Christian Boros housed in a renovated bunker is not to be missed. An absolute must but be sure to book ahead!

Shopping Experiences To Check Out:

Bikini Berlin

The Store Berlin

Always More:

Top 10 Museums from Culture Trip

Blue Bottle Coffee Is Pouring In Harvard Square

Blue Bottle Coffee has landed in Harvard Square and I am ecstatic! The sun drenched space is located on the quiet corner of Bow Street in a late nineteenth century building. Upon walking into the bright, beautiful space you may feel for a moment that you are in Europe with its clean modern aesthetic. The warm tone of the space invites you to sit, relax, and watch the precise choreography of the single serving pour over style coffee that Blue Bottle is known for.

Enjoy your coffee with a lovely piece of avocado toast or opt for the sweet chocolate chip cookie. What ever you decide, you will not be disappointed. I am all about the taste of my coffee and the process to deliver a well balanced cup that I will want to sip and savor. I love when a space and product compliment each other to deliver a great customer experience. Blue Bottle Coffee has nailed it! isostilo loves options. Welcome to the Square! Go check it out for yourself.

All images are by isostilo.

How About Amsterdam?!

Amsterdam is full of lovely cafes, places to explore, and streets to stroll. I have chosen a few places to share that I really enjoy. One can spend hours if not a full day in the Museum Quarter strolling though the well-known museums of Amsterdam. You have your choice of The Rijks Museum, Van Gogh Museum, The Stedelijk Museum, and The Moco Museum. Each one offering a peaceful place to sit and take in the magnitude of this area. My favorite place to meet a friend and sip a drink is at The Rijks Museum. In the winter one can sit inside the museum or in the warmer months the outdoor garden is stunning! I always find myself spending a small window of time in this area especially on a sunny day. FYI, within a short stroll one can walk to fashionable PC Hoofstraat for luxury shopping.

Here is a place to linger, chill and rest in between strolling The Jordaan neighborhood and De 9 Straatjes (The 9 Streets). Hotel bars are relatively a newish thing for Amsterdam. I am digging the Amsterdam spin to them. The Lotti’s at The Hoxton Hotel is a hot spot for locals and tourists located on the Herengracht. It has a welcoming vibe that offers cozy and comfortable places to sip a drink and nibble on some food. Honestly a place that you can find yourself hours later departing. Love a new place to add to my long list of places to enjoy.

Next is an alternative posh spot. I am a huge fan of Dutch designer Marcel Wanders! He has designed the Andaz Amsterdam Hotel with a Alice In Wonderland theme. There is no detail that he has not thought of or delivered. Delft Blue is prominent and complimented by the over sized furnishings that creates a playful twist. The Andaz is hip and modern. It offers a cool lounge area for all to enjoy. A perfect place for tea time or cocktail hour! It is worth just popping in to experience this interior masterpiece and be surrounded by everything Dutch. If you need a place to stay, I wouldn’t hesitate booking this hotel.

Here are two lovely additions that I enjoyed and are in close proximity to each other. The Secret Church, Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer op Soder located in the Red Light Distract of Amsterdam is a must see. I never knew that Amsterdam at one time was filled with secret churches that were hidden in private homes and canal houses. This occurred during a period of political and religious changes in the early 17th century. This particular church I visited was housed in a wealthy merchant canal house. One gets to tour the canal house and the church. It is so amazing to travel back in time and experience how people lived back then. The museum does a lovely job explaining the history of this canal house through an audio guide. So many gems to explore and delighted I had the opportunity to learn more about the rich history that makes this city so special.

Nacarat, a city oasis located in the hustle and bustle of Dam Square. A roof top restaurant in the new Hudson’s Bay offering a fresh take on Middle Eastern and Greek cuisine. The views of the city are stunning along with the impressive and creative use of glass. A very Missoni feel through the play of patterns, color tones of pink, orange, and green while walking on the mosaic flooring makes the restaurant feel posh with a casual twist through the street food inspired menu. One feels miles away from the tourist packed center but by the end of your meal you are ready to rejoin the fast-moving city.

Amsterdam is an easy city to move around. Walking is my preferred way to move around the city with riding a bike a close second. Walking allows you to feel the city and embrace its charm. Biking gets you places quickly with a sense of freedom peddling from one place to another. As you quickly appreciate how Amsterdamers move along in their everyday life. The tram is efficient and dry when it is raining. You decide what is best for you!

Nacarat

Lotti’s

Andaz Amsterdam

Copenhagen Is One Stylish City! Part 2

I am a huge fan of the Danes and all the Nordic countries. For years I have admired their sense of style. I could easily move to almost any part of Europe especially one of the Nordic countries and not think twice. Life is too short to think anything has to be permanent. Maybe it is my wishful thinking. The Danish aesthetic is one the main reasons I wanted to explore Copenhagen. I did just that with one of my best gal pals, Donna (the one that makes me laugh like no other:) We hit the streets blazing!

Illums Bolighus is the first stop! Every Danish designer and more under one roof will sweep you off your feet. It is a place to escape and find inspiration. Give yourself ample time to wander the floors. There is so much to grab your attention. Illums Bolighus is located in the heart of Copenhagen, delivering you a shopping experience that you will not forget!

Coffee Break:

The Coffee Collective has a vibe that will keep you hanging out. The coffee is creamy, smooth, and served with a smile! I love the warm moody tones of the space created through the use the dark wood, soft lighting, Nordic blue walls, and lit candles. A perfect place to take a break!

Night At The Museum

Evening Activity:

The Ny Carlesberg Glyptotek is a highlight. An absolute stunning art museum housing an impressive collection of ancient and modern art in a beautiful architectural building. In the middle of the four winged museum is a Winter Garden that creates an oasis with overflowing tropical plants. It is an unexpected gem. On this particular evening was a special one night performance by Danish Designer, Henrik Vibskov. “Please analyze, volumize, moisturize me” was a human installation that was part of Copenhagen’s Light Festival. A spectacular performance that gave us the opportunity to wonder the museum. It was a night at the museum indeed!

Drinks:

Vinbodegaen is a charming wine bar offering an extensive selection of wines by the glass listed on a chalk board. It is a locals place to linger and sip in a traditional cafe setting.

Dinner:

Tight serves up local Danish cuisine in a wonderful old charming space with exposed stone walls, wooden beams, and candle lit tables. One might walk by this restaurant do to its casual entrance. Lovely meal, lovely service, and word of advice, always carry a bit of the local currency so you can tip!

Experience Copenhagen

Copenhagen is seriously a cool city! I am envious of those that have it easily accessible. We hit the streets running and I can share with you that design in every sense just lives and breathes in this city!

Stay:

SKT. PETRI Hotel is centrally located and a five-minute walk from the metro. It has a lovely lobby filled with natural light, green plants, and plenty of large lounge areas to sip a drink. The restaurant looked nice but we didn’t try it due to all the options outside the hotel. Limited time means hit the streets and explore. Walk out the revolving door and the city is awaiting.

Caffeine:

Coffee is my thing. You could say an addiction. Democratic Coffee is a lovely spot to pop into anytime of day. It is conveniently located next to SKT. PETRI. Democratic Coffee serves one of the best almond croissants (damn good) in Copenhagen and pours a delicious, smooth roasted coffee. It is located in the newly renovated Hovedbibliotek.

Democratic Coffee, Copenhagen — Best library cafe that I have been to

Life:

Copenhagen is a playful city that draws you in immediately. It has stunning architecture, cobbled streets, canals, colorful buildings, a royal castle, green space, and museums. Really what else could you ask for?! The city is filled with the Scandinavian aesthetic that I love (and the reason Copenhagen has been on my list). So much to offer with culture, shops, restaurants, and city activities. I did not even scratch the surface!

Lunch:

Paludan Bog & Cafe is a vibrant bookstore/cafe that has set the bar high for delivering a vibrant and cozy eatery serving from morning till late evening. One will be hard press to walk right in and sit down but it is worth the short wait. The restaurant offers tasty food and a lengthy beverage list. The environment is welcoming and the prices are reasonable. It is the perfect marriage of academia and a neighborhood hot spot in the heart of the city.

Drinks and Dinner:

Illum is one of Copenhagen’s best rooftop hot spots offering multiple restaurants, bars, and stunning views of the city. Live music, a bottle of red wine and large basket of fries was how we girls enjoyed it!

Put This On Your Bucket List, Montana

A week in Montana just makes you desire more time and more exploring. Winter time is the only time that I have experienced this beautiful state but summer is now on my bucket list while driving an airstream. Big Sky has a blue sky that is indescribable. It has an ever-changing light that draws your attention back to the natural landscape that is truly majestic. Mother Nature has been very kind to Montana. Experiencing the magic from an elevation of 7,500 feet at the base to over 11,000 feet at the top of the mountain you are quickly made aware that one can not tackle this mountain at Big Sky in one week. You feel small in comparison to the grandeur of the mountains and the wildlife that make it their home. We did are best with the spring like temperatures and fresh pow pow that delivered. Here are some highlights from a week of skiing in Big Sky!

Home for a week

Local pour over coffee for your morning pleasure

Coffee morning nook

Morning Mountain Views

End of the day smores

Game On!

We rented a home for the week through Big Sky Vacation Rentals. A perfect solution for two families. The house was fully equipped with all the amenities including an outdoor fireplace for s’mores, hot tub, and a foosball table for some tournaments. Every morning started with a fresh coffee sipped over the first rays of sunlight awakening Lone Peak.

Big Sky!

Choices!

Coffee break with a hell of a view!

Taking in the Mother Nature

All day long

Madison base to chill and take in the vibe

Time to break for lunch

Interior of Everett’s with killer views!

Lunch at Everett’s 8800

Meet Boomer, He is ready to serve the mountain

Big Sky instructor circle time

Happy and in his element!

A little help from Papa

Heading to higher elevation

Cocoa and a lounger on top of the mountain is pretty amazing

Cheers to a great vacation

Plan your day

All smiles!

Skiing was the goal! 6 days straight of rising and taking hold of the day was achieved. Bluebird days and some fresh powder to keep it fresh. A week filled with fresh air, beautiful landscape, and family fun.

Big Sky has a fun and growing downtown center. Everything one needs is a short drive from the ski area. One can grocery shop at Hungry Moose, sip a coffee at Compass Cafe or Caliber Coffee, pizza at Ousel & Spur Pizza Co. or take in a movie at Lone Peak Cinema. All your skiing requirements including rentals and gear can be taken care of at Grizzly Outfitters. My favorite shop to buy souvenirs and other Montana inspired merchandise can be found at Montana Supply. They have expanded into a new larger space shared with Compass Cafe. What a nice concept (shopping and sipping coffee, perfect!). Montana Supply is offering even more crafted accessories and clothing from local artists. The space is industrial and rugged. It complements the outdoor nature of the store. It is one stop shopping offering stylish garments and accessories for men and woman. The shop is so well curated that you want to make a lifestyle change and move to Montana!

Taking in the local scene

We had perfect timing to catch the showdown!

Miss Pro Rodeo Queen

Moments

Skijoring in Big Sky

Kayla Seaman, Northwest Montana Miss Pro Rodeo Queen

One of the most surprising events that was happening in Big Sky’s town center on way out-of-town was the National Skijoring Event. Skijoring is a winter sport that combines skiing and horseback riding. A horse and rider pair up to pull a skier or snowboarder at a fast speed around a track with obstacles and jumps along their path. A team can take home a purse of up to $2,000 and the champion takes home a belt buckle as a trophy. This is a highly respected sport and professional athletes come from all over the country. It is a spectacular event that draws crowds from all over Montana. There was a special guest supporting the event, Miss Kayla Seaman, Northwest Montana Miss Rodeo Queen. While I was snapping pictures of the event, my isostilo partner met Kayla. Kayla is your all American sweetheart with a big smile and proudly wearing her NWMT Miss Rodeo hat. She is equally sweet, smart, engaging and in a brief interaction a young woman who is a role model. You can find Kayla on instagram or Facebook. This event was the icing on the cake.

I can’t end the post without mentioning two other eating establishments to check out. The Horn & Cantle delivers an authentic inspired Montana menu in a beautiful ranch setting. They also offer a saloon with live music and an outdoor wood burning fireplace for the full ranch effect. The other restaurant is the Gallatin River House Grill. It is your down and dirty barbecue filled with large tables, a bar, arcade games, a stage for live music, and incredible view of the mountains. The best in Montana!

Sneak Peek into Montreal

Montreal is a hip, cool, stylish city with a European flare. It is rich in history, trendy shops, galleries, museums, and a ridiculous food scene. Amazing little neighborhoods to wander through with hidden little gems along the way.