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.

Hidden Gem

More To Snap

Lovely

Yes! I will sit here

Eye Spy

Pop

Always Time To Play

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

Outdoor Market

Sugar High

Light Up

Sammlung Boros/Boros Bunker

Stunning

Just Hanging Out

Killer Style

Pure

Berlin Baby

Picture Says It All

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

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.

With a blue sky, This area just becomes electric

Rijks Museum, pass through by bike, by foot but one must take in the beauty of this 10 year renovation project!

Time to recharge with some mint tea and apple pie

Inside the Rijks Museum,  a perfect cafe to meet friends with an exceptional view.

A lovely garden outside the Rijks Museum. My favorite place to sip a drink and enjoy the peacefulness.  In the summer you will find free art classes for children and adults to join.

Stedelijk Museum

Moco Museum

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.

How welcoming is this vibe?! Lotti’s at The Hoxton is a place to hang with the locals. I really love the casual and cozy interior.  Check out the ottomans that one can pull up to any table to join the party.

Places to lounge and chill, solo or with friends are both optimal.  Soft lighting and moody tones create an inviting space.

One of the many details that caught my eye.  The brick background with the cluster of hanging lights is striking upon entering.

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.

Andaz Amsterdam, perfect place to relax anytime of day!

The stunning work of Marcel Wanders

The little details of decor

Swivel in this over sized chair and embrace the playfulness of Marcel Wanders.

Flower Power

Court yard view of Alice In Amsterdam

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.

The Sacred Church

One of the many windows through out the canal house.  The old tile still in tact.

A typical steep staircase know throughout Amsterdam. The curve of the staircase is such craftsmanship that the Dutch are know and admired.

Interior Details

The tiles tell a story

Natural light given the opportunity to grace the space

Beautiful view from the top floor

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.

Natural light at the Nacarat

Every corner has an elegant place to take in the city views

Stunning roof top dining offering an oasis in the city. Take in the interior details of this space ( the textures, colors, patterns and use Of natural light).

Middle Eastern street food enjoyed at Nacarat. The food is as colorful as the interior with a non fussy feel.

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

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.

Green this season, I am digging it!

Natural light fills the space

Bedroom view

City wheels

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.

One of many

Best library cafe that I have been to

Flat white + almond croissant = winning combination

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!

Early day before the crowds, lovely! (check out the brick work )

The Palace

Candy colored background and bikes (I love peddling as being the main mode Of transportation)

Color, Color, Color!

Life in motion

City Life

This gentleman is picture perfect!

Everything looks so natural

If there is something blue, I will spot it

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!

We had perfect timing to catch the showdown!

Skijoring in Big Sky

Kayla Seaman, Northwest Montana Miss Pro Rodeo Queen

Miss Pro Rodeo Queen

Moments

Taking in the local scene

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!