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askthesnake · 4 years

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Hey m8, I have an idea for a comic (I've already designed the characters and have a blog for it but I don't know how to start it or get people to see it, and I'm not really confident in my art skills. Any advice?

Of course!

Lets look at what you've accomplished! You have the characters and the basic story figured out! That's a great start and honestly it's one of the hardest things to do when you're starting a comic.

As for getting people to actually see and interact with your comic, for Tumblr its all about the tags. Depending on what type of comic it is can sort of help you decide which tags to use. So for example if its web comic do stuff like #webcomic or maybe the genre of the comic can help too.

If its a comic for a fandom you're also pretty set too. Character tags are always pretty buzzing with people looking for fresh content. Just be respectful and responsible and don't tag characters that don't have Any thing to do with your work. Like for example, when I first started this blog, I included tags for ALL the sides, despite the fact that in the beginning my asks only had Deceit featured in them. Thankfully I didn't get hounded for it and I learned eventually, but either way just be responsible about tagging.

Oh while we're still on tagging, if your comic has some thing potentially triggering remember to tag that appropriately. Like for blood #tw blood or #blood mention as an example.

As for your art style and lack of confidence there of, just know you're definitely not alone. I've met a plethora of artists and I can confidently say none of them are truly ever happy or confident with their work. Even now I find myself looking at work I've done like a few days ago and wretching. I can however positively tell you that running this ask blog/comic has SIGNIFICANTLY improved my art style in at least half the time it would have taken normally. Its because im drawing constantly and always trying new things to make the art for this blog more appealing to new viewers. Running a comic is a fantastic way to better your art and gain confidence in it. Like yeah im not always super happy with what I post here, but looking back at stuff I've in the past compared to some of the stuff I've put on this blog honestly kinda boosts my confidence as am artist. Not to mention it really high lights where you've improved and where you still need to work on things. Personally I like your art style!! I got your Deceit drawing and I think it's wonderful! You're really not as bad as you think you are, and personally I think you've got a pretty strong style to start with.

I guess my next piece of advice is, to put it simply, never under any circumstances take shit from others. Do not let people's words and comments discourage you. Ever. Its much easier said than done I know, and even now I can't really give you any advice on how to avoid such things. The best I can do is warn you. I've had personal friends make fun of me for running this blog and like honestly that hurts differently. I made this blog when I was going through a very eye opening and dark time in my life, so naturally it means a whole lot to me. This blog was and still very much is a safe place for me to run too. There are going to be people who aren't going to understand that unfortunately and I really wasn't prepared for it. So hear this, be prepared for shitty people to rag on you for doing some thing that makes you happy. Im not saying it WILL happen, just be prepared just in case. Also on a similar note ignore anon hate. I think during my year with this blog I've only gotten one anon hate message, and it wasn't even that bad?? It was someone commenting on my chubby Logan post. Whatever, literally ignore the hell out of anon hate. People who take time out of there to bully someone on this godforsaken website aren't worth your time.

But, if anon hate does get to you, always know that you can talk to someone. My askbox and dms are always open if someone wants to talk or vent. People are assholes, and sometimes if you gotta vent you gotta vent.

Also, don't ever let your comic and blog impede your mental health. If you're feelin bad you're feelin bad. Remember to drink water and stay hydrated. Then again, if drawing is how you cope, then by all means draw your heart out you funky lil artist.

Finally, don't be afraid to reblog your own stuff. I do it, I know other art tumblrs who do it. You're gonna feel bad and annoying about doing it, but just do it man. It's not bad or wrong. I live on the west coast, historically Ive been known to post my art at like 12-4 am. Once like noon hits where I'm at I'll reblog my own art just to make sure everyone saw it, and then I'll reblog it again at some random time the next day just because.

Also, a small secret about this blog, I sent the first ask to this blog. I literally logged off this blog, hopped on my old tumblr and sent an ask to this blog. Its a pretty easy way to show people that your blog is Up and Running. Im not sure what kind of comic your making, but if its an interactive one like a web comic and you're not getting any asks, then there is no shame in doing this.

#long post

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emritcheson · 5 years

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It’s Okay to Love The Muppets as an Adult

I was introduced to Jim Henson’s Muppets the way a lot of kids were in the nineties: through Sesame Street. But I was also familiar with the Muppets proper (Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy, Rowlf...basically anybody who wasn’t a Sesame Street regular) through some VHS tapes my parents bought me. I loved them both with all my heart, but let me tell you: despite the fact that Kermit made numerous appearances on Sesame Street, it took me an embarrassingly long while to figure out that these characters all stemmed from the same source.

Yes, the structural similarities and the fact that both franchises are mainly composed of, you know...puppets are very obvious. But to me, there was always a distinct tonal line between Sesame Street and the Muppets. Sesame Street was silly, yes, but the Muppets were wackier, more random, and weren’t afraid to layer on the sarcasm. Sesame Street was a fresh glass of milk, while the Muppets were a gently aged cheese with just a bit of funkiness that made trying something like bleu cheese sound easier, but then you went back to the other cheese because bleu cheese is actually kind of gross.

You can tell I’ve been watching too much Bon Appétit when I start using food metaphors.

Now, I was familiar with the Muppets in general thanks to those VHS tapes, but I was only vaguely familiar with specific projects they did over the years. Like, I knew they more or less “got their start” on The Muppet Show, but I couldn’t tell you a thing about it. It wasn’t until late high school, maybe even early college that I started actively seeking out any footage of the show I could find. It was funny, and right up my alley kind of funny, too. A mouth-watering blend of slapstick, wordplay, plain old nonsense, and just a sprinkling of deadpan cynicism. Not to mention the musical segments and the casual, down to Earth interactions with the human guest stars. It’s since become my favorite way to enjoy the Muppets...much to the chagrin of my parents.

There have been countless times when my dad has walked in on my watching The Muppet Show, rolled his eyes, and made some comment to the effect of “How old are you?” or “When are you going to stop watching kids’ shows?” I was confused and defensive, because as far as I could see, there wasn’t anything decisively kiddish about The Muppet Show. It was appropriate for a younger audience, yes, but it wasn’t treating the audience like children, nor was it completely devoid of individual jokes targeted at adults.

For example, Raquel Welch in a low-cut dressing gown serenading and tickling Fozzie Bear, with this dialogue exchange:

Fozzie: Oh, Raquel, you are terrific. Raquel: On the contrary, Fozzie. You’re the one that’s terrific. Fozzie: Me? Raquel: Uh huh. You know, just being here kinda close to you, I’ve noticed that you’re really very charming. Fozzie: Charming? Raquel: Mm hm. And even witty. Fozzie: And even witty! Raquel: In fact, I think you’re very sexy. Fozzie: Say again? Raquel: I think you’re sensational.

Like, that’s definitely something you’d never see on Sesame Street.

There are dozens of other examples, but for most people the Sesame Street influence is so strong that they don’t even bother to look. They just shrug and say, “Well, it’s puppets. It’s got to be a kid thing, right?”

Wrong, sir.

Jim Henson never wanted to pigeonhole his Muppets into exclusively children’s entertainment. Even before Sesame Street was a thing, he wanted to create a show that all ages could enjoy. Children, adults, teenagers, and everyone in between. He wanted to push the boundaries of puppeteering as an art form. And yes, I hear you cry, nine times out of ten author’s intent doesn’t mean diddly squat in comparison to the actual product, but Henson actually talked the talk and walked the walk.

I also agree that there have definitely been individual Muppet productions that are geared for a younger audience, such as Muppet Babies. But this is not the case for the entire franchise. ABC made a reboot show simply titled The Muppets back in 2015, and although pretty much everyone has cold feelings about its execution as a whole, it definitely took a more mature tone with some of its humor.

Yet, the original Muppet Show did not cater specifically to either side of the age spectrum. It was just good, clean fun. And just because the characters are made of felt and nobody’s losing pints of blood, swearing like sailors, or having sex all over the place doesn’t mean it’s not for adults.

There’s a great bit where German actress Elke Sommer sings “Animal Crackers in My Soup” three different ways, and it beautifully explains this balance. Go watch it. It’s a blast.

This is also the time to mention that this entire article was directly inspired by Defunctland’s new Jim Henson documentary series, specifically episode 2, “The Curse of Sesame Street.” Even if you’re only a casual Henson fan, I highly recommend it. It’s high quality and incredibly insightful.

#the muppets #jim henson #the muppet show #sesame street #kermit the frog #original article

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littleogreboii · 5 years

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Late night trans boy thoughts

I say late night, it’s like 21:40 here. I’m kind of in the middle of a breakdown atm. My psychology exam went bad on Monday. I don’t have any more school lessons ever, which my brain is still like ‘what’ over. And, I’m meant to have emailed both my photography and art teacher stuff. Also, was meant to put up my stuff for the photography exhibition today, but didn’t. And, my cat has a cut on his head which is stressing me out. So, I’m kind of shakey atm.

To top it all off, my dysphoria is acting up, which is bizarre because I literally felt alright about it earlier. I walked past a kid earlier with my bike and they were like “why is he-” and I wanted to cry. I assume they were going to ask “why is he walking his bike?” but didn’t get to the end of the sentence before one of their siblings shut them up, but I was super happy. (Also, I was walking because stressed out me thought cycling with a binder on was a great idea. It wasn’t, but that’s more because my knees gave up on me.) My dysphoria obviously doesn’t care though because it’s here telling me that one of the siblings probably ‘corrected’ them. Which sucks.

While, I’m suffering though and as an outlet I thought ‘let’s make a tumblr post’ because watching videos of twinfools transitioning isn’t helping. However, I’m quickly running out of things to say and I’m still shakey.

Well, let’s do story time because that’s always a fun time. Yeah, we’ll do the story of me realising I’m trans to present day.

We need to go back about 2 and a half years for this. This was when gender identity was becoming a big subject in my school, especially when one my classmates came out as trans. At that point, I began thinking about it and my brain began pointing out certain scenarios and feelings. I thought about how as a kid, I’d wanted to be ‘one of the lads’. Like the boys would ritualistically play football and I would always join them. There were other girls that would join in, but I didn’t really interact with them. I just wanted to appear like one of the lads.

However, even back then it was pretty clear that I wasn’t one of the ‘lads’. I hit puberty pretty early. By the age of about 10, I had started my period and my boobs had begun to develop. I never really liked having boobs. I’ve always viewed them as kind of an irritation, although I’ve appreciated them on girls.

Anyway, at this point, my brain presented the pronouns ‘he/him’ to me and I waved them off. I thought there was no way and my toxic masculinity took over with ‘but you wear skirts and makeup’ and stuff like that. Instead, I went by they/them pronouns for a few months with some of my close friends. However, they never sat right. They made me squirm and I didn’t like that. But, I knew I wasn’t a fan of feminine pronouns either. I pushed through this for about 3/4 of a year, before deciding enough was enough.

I cut my hair short and you know you have people who are like ‘oh you’ll regret that’. I never have. I love my short hair. It highlights my jaw and makes my shoulders stand out. Before, my hair was so thick it was like the width of my shoulders so I looked strange.

Again, my brain was like ‘he/him’??? But, I was now determined to prove how ‘feminine’ I was. I went through a solid 3 months wearing as much makeup as possible and wearing skirts and dresses all the time. I would wear low cut clothing to show off my boobs, and I was so miserable. I hated every minute of those months. I hit such a low point and I just wanted to die.

I don’t remember how, but I stumbled upon gc2b’s website and in a final last ditch attempt, I ordered a binder. I figured, it would arrive and I would try it on and hate it, putting an end to all my affairs. It didn’t. I tried that binder on and I cried because I loved it. My chest looked so good and I tried on so many different shirts from my wardrobe in awe. There was no turning back for me. I didn’t tell anyone.

I’m still not entirely out, but that’s mainly because I’m at the end of school so I might as well go in with a fresh start at uni. I’m in the process of telling all my close friends, but most of them I’ve been friends with since I was 6 so it’s difficult. However, they’re good people so I’m not stressed about that side of it. My family are the more stressful side to it. My relationship with my dad is very strained, like I hardly speak with him as he had an affair a couple years ago and it was a bit of a messy divorce. I think my mum would be accepting, but I think she wouldn’t really know how to deal with it. That and she would probably end up outing me to virtually everyone, before I was ready. I’m not worried about my siblings and I know most of my cousins would be chill. My biggest concern is my nan. I love her so much and the idea of her not accepting me hurts. My other grandparents, I know, probably won’t accept me straight away, but I think after talking it other with them over a period of time, they might at least be able to bear it. I don’t even want to think about my aunts and uncles. Most of them are assholes or drunks. One of them is a well-meaning homophobe. Like he doesn’t get it, but he accepts that he’s probably just old-fashioned and has asked my opinion on homosexuals on different occasions. So, I think he’d be alright with it if I explained it well enough.

I think my biggest issue with most of them though is toxic masculinity. I still occasionally wear dresses because I like the swish-swish feel. I don’t own many anymore though because straight after I accepted I was trans, I got rid of nearly all my ‘feminine styled’ clothes. I kept a couple skirts I’d brought during my ‘I MUST BE A GIRL’ phase, but that’s because I’d brought them so recently, my mum would be like ‘wtf these are pretty much new’. However, those skirts were all pencil and I don’t like the way they accentuate my hips. But, I still occasionally buy a dress and I sometimes sit in my prom dress. These don’t really bring attention to my chest or hips, so I like them. Well, the prom dress does, but I only really wear that to twirl around for a bit because it feels great. Honestly, if you’ve never worn a dress, 10/10 recommend if only for the twirl effect. I still wear makeup too. I never really wore makeup to look ‘pretty’. I wore it to see how funky I could do it. Like seeing how wild I can go with the eye shadow.

The thing with realising your gender though, is you’re more aware of your dysphoria. Before, it was a mild ‘get rid of your boobies’. Now, it’s ‘your tits bounce when you walk and everyone can see it happening’ whenever I don’t have a binder on and ‘its not really flat though is it’ when I do have my binder on. As well as, ‘your voice is too high pitched, you write too feminine, and your hips sway too much when you walk’. These are combat-able though. Like I’ll be like ‘not every guy has a deep voice’ and I’ll remind myself of the female dance teacher I had as a kid who had a really deep voice. The ‘writing too feminine’ one is harder because this was something a friend told me. Like he straight up said he didn’t entirely believe I was trans because of the way I wrote (messages and stories). (We’re on better terms now. I explained to him that he hasn’t met every trans guy in existence and my gender is personal to me. He’s apologised and in his own twisted way he was looking out for me because he knows someone who started meds before realising that it wasn’t what they wanted. He also got me talking to one of his genderfluid friends for advice on dysphoria and stuff like that. He just struggled for a bit because his hetero ass had a big crush on me, but he knows that’s his problem to solve.) His words do still occasionally affect me though. I’m constantly reminding myself that writing has no gender. Instead, it is determined by age and exposure to tumblr.

Realising I was trans wasn’t all bad though. I would get romantic attractions to people, but I could never really picture doing anything with them. And, now I understand why. I thought I was asexual for the longest time and I still have yet to change that in my bio, but I know why now. And, I mean some of it is that I’m still maturing and simply not ready for that level of commitment, but a lot of it was due to me realising what’s downstairs ain’t right.

This is my experience so far and I’m a long way away from being anywhere near content. However, typing this has actually calmed my dysphoria a little bit. Although, I’m still no closer to doing that work for art or photography.

#ftm #trans ftm #trans boy #lgbt+#gender dysphoria #gender identity #trans

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postcards-fromafar · 6 years

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Portland

Dan and I decided to head to Portland for a long weekend to celebrate our 5 year wedding anniversary. We had been to Portland once before, but only for a day (and it had been in January so not the best weather). We were excited to get back and do more exploring, go on some hikes, drink lots of beer, and eat some delicious food. Portland definitely did not disappoint!

Highlights

-Staying at The Nines- Dan and I decided to stay in a fancier hotel than usual for this trip since we were celebrating our 5 year wedding anniversary. And it was luxurious! Lots of pretty blue accents in the room, a super comfy bed, robes, gentle music, and great housekeeping...I’ve never stayed in a hotel before where they come back a second time to make sure your blankets are turned down and slippers are waiting next to the bed for you at night! The hotel was also centrally located in downtown Portland, which made it fairly easy to get to all of the neighborhoods we wanted to check out within a 15 minute drive.

The hotel left us some fancy chocolates and a nice note for our anniversary...

-Hiking at Council Crest Park- We got up early our first morning and hiked for a couple of hours to the top of Council Crest Park and then back down towards the Portland Zoo. Turns out the hike we did is one “T” of the 4T trail (trail, train, tram, trolley). We took the train back to our hotel at the end to get a second “T” in. It was perfect hiking weather and made for a lovely walk through the woods and up to the top, where we had a nice view of some of the mountains.

Below is one of the fancy houses we glimpsed through the trees as we hiked.

-Exploring different neighborhoods: Portland is definitely a city of neighborhoods, and we made it our mission to check out as many as we could in our three short days there. On Friday, we went up to the Alberta Arts District, an artsy area packed with delicious food spots, beer, coffee, tea, and fancy boutiques. On Saturday, we checked out 23rd street (Northwest Portland), where there was more shopping (some independent spots, some more mainstream). That evening, we briefly wandered down Division St and Hawthorne St (definitely need to spend more time in those areas if we go back!). On Sunday, we did a little more wandering on Hawthorne St before heading to another brewery.

-Oregon Brewers Festival- As luck would have it, we landed in Portland just in time for a massive craft beer festival (Dan was in heaven). They had 80 beers from 80 different breweries, 2 ciders, and 4 wines. For just $20, you could get a plastic tasting mug and 13 tokens (1 3oz sample per token, or a full glass for 4 tokens). We didn’t end up using all our tokens but were able to try a bunch of delicious different beers from various breweries. I’ve recently stumbled into liking sour beers, and they had an amazing selection there! Among the ones I tried were a Framboise Rose Gose and a Belmont Street Bramble sour (sour blond ales aged in oak wine barrels with red raspberries and tangerine peel). We were also able to hang with friends (more on that to come), which always makes things more enjoyable!

-Portland Farmers Market at PSU- This is the most INSANE farmers market we have ever been to. It takes place on the campus at Portland State University and is a hodgepodge of people selling delicious food (hello, biscuit sandwiches), exquisite produce (I so badly wished we could have taken some home!), gorgeous bouquets of flowers, and things like cheese and jam. There were lots of families strolling around, including a couple with sets of twins (Portlanders seem to be a fertile bunch).

-Finishing up the Africa video- After being inspired by Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard’s music video take on the classic Toto song, Dan and I filmed a lot of footage while in South Africa and Morocco on our trip last year. We decided our 5 year anniversary would be a perfect time to release the video, so we (meaning Dan- I was moral support), spent a lot of time on Saturday at a brewery finishing it up.

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-Hiking at Mount Tabor- A relatively easy but beautiful 3 mile hike. We went early in the day before it got too hot and were treated to the sight of three beautiful red-tailed hawks up close.

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Bummers

-Portland was AMAZING. We could not think of any bummers other than not having enough time... we will definitely need to come back.

Eats

-Fancy brunch fare at Proud Mary- Recommended as a favorite brunch spot by my coworker, Peggy, this definitely lived up to expectations! I got fancy grilled cheese, and Dan got a yummy potato hash dish.

Reba was not a fan of the fancy juice I got at brunch. (”Like old asthma medicine!”)

-Salt & Straw- This is hands down our favorite ice cream in the whole world. While we usually visit in LA (sometimes more than once in a trip) it started in Portland and has since expanded to California (LA, San Francisco, and San Diego) and Washington (Seattle). Dan and I had a Fresh Cheese and Strawberries flavor, which tasted like strawberry cheesecake! One of our favorite flavors is an LA classic- salted, malted, chocolate chip cookie dough (to die for- but unfortunately not available in Portland).

-Tusk- Another recommendation from Peggy that totally paid off. We went here for our anniversary dinner to get yummy middle eastern food. We ended up over ordering and stuffing ourselves, but it was so worth it! Among the highlights were chickpea fries, man’oushe (a Lebanese flatbread), Albacore tuna, and delicious greens.

-Biscuit sandwiches at the Farmers Market from Pine State Biscuits- Fresh made biscuits, fried chicken, bacon, and cheese, slathered in apple butter (me) or gravy (Dan).

-Food trucks- So Portland is known for its food trucks, which we have experienced before, but sadly we did not get to take advantage of this time- so many awesome food spots that we never got around to. Next time!

Drinks

-Kombucha from Townshend’s Tea House- Kombucha is a fermented tea that is apparently a popular thing in Portland. The strawberry one we tried was decent, but in general kombucha is a bit funky for me.

-So. Much. Beer. In addition to the Brewers Festival, we checked out a few different breweries: Great Notion, Cascade, Rogue Eastside Pub & Pilot Brewery, and Breakside. My personal favorite spot was Cascade- they had an extensive list of sour beers on tap, and all were delicious. Among the ones we tried were an apricot sour and an barrel-aged wild ale called Ingmeyer Bergman that Dan loved.

-Wine at Southeast Collective- We barely dipped our toe in with the Oregon wine scene but did squeeze one wine tasting in. Next time we come back, we are hoping to rent a car and drive out into wine country to do more exploring.

People

-Dan’s aunt Reba and her friend Lisa- Reba lives just over the state border in Vancouver, Washington, and she’s known Lisa for a really long time (they used to work together). The two of them were on their way to a weekend camping trip with friends but met us for brunch in the Alberta Arts District on their way. We enjoyed a lovely brunch with good conversation and lots of laughter.

-Larissa, Kevin, and Lauralyn- Larissa is a good friend of ours from college, and we had not seen her in about four years! She has been living in Portland for the past few years, so we met up with her, her boyfriend, Kevin, and her little sister, Lauralyn at the Brewers Festival. It was great catching up with her, and we are looking forward to her upcoming return to the Midwest!

Observations & Insights

-All of the ride share drivers seem more friendly and chatty than we are used to- it felt like we had the same conversation about the humidity in Chicago about 14 or 15 times.

-Style is very different than back home- there are many more tattoos and more people with fun colored hair.

-There are lots of homeless people in Portland.

Tips

-Carry cash- it seems to be king around the many eateries, markets and watering holes of Portland.

-Samples are the way to go- there are so many beers at each brewery so no sense in getting a full glass. We recommend getting flights instead so you can try more options!

-If you are able to, try to spend a week or two in Portland! There is so much to do, and we just scratched the surface. We are definitely hoping to be back sometime soon!

#portland #oregon #breweries #northamerica

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wineanddinosaur · 4 years

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Llama San Sommelier Rachael Madori Is Most Excited About Wines of the Canary Islands and Mexico

Rachael Madori is the sommelier and service director of Llama San, an upscale Nikkei restaurant in Manhattan that serves a combination of Peruvian and Japanese cuisine. At Llama San, Madori has cultivated a wine program focused on coastal regions, showcasing coastal flavors of Japan and Peru through mineral and saline wines.

As a sommelier, Madori aims to create a wine experience that is both unpretentious and impressive. In her eyes, the wine choices at Llama San are intended to dance alongside each dish, unleashing an adventurous window into history, art, and exploration.

During the coronavirus pandemic, Madori misses bringing the stories and excitement of wine to guests. From the chateaux wines grown in reverent tradition, to the funky rollercoaster wines that take one’s palate on twists and turns, Madori loves delighting guests. Below, Madori delves into her passion for wine, sharing thoughts on what she describes as poetry in a bottle.

1. What is your current favorite wine?

There is a wine named Un Garçon au Pays du Soleil (“The Boy Who Plays in the Sun”) by the producer La Cave des Nomades (“The Cave of the Nomads”). I will never get it off my mind, and I pour it every day. Technically speaking it’s a rosé, but I promise it hits you like a wild orange wine just blushing in disguise. A blend of Grenache, Carignan, Syrah and Merlot, this wine dances across all the sweet spots! It’s my favorite because it’s got finesse, but it’s feral. It has a sour cherry nose that you would expect to follow through to the palate, but it’s surprisingly nutty and effervescent. Hazelnuts, strawberries and a delicate mushroom make me feel like I’m sipping a glass on a warm autumn afternoon with a pie in the oven. That’s what wine is to me: a portal to a time and place in your own imagination.

2. What is the most memorable bottle you’ve opened?

The most memorable bottle I’ve ever opened was a blanc de noir on Jan. 1, 2019. Story time! This was André Clouet Champagne Brut Grand Cru Cuvée 1911. The name sounds fancy, but it’s not a break-the-bank bottle. It’ll make perfect sense why it is one of the most memorable ones I’ve opened. I’ve enjoyed wine in a lot of different places including California, Washington, Bolivia, Peru, Thailand, and others. They were all delicious. Some were more memorable than the next. However, this Cuvée 1911 was a bottle I got from a local wine shop in Brooklyn. The shop, Bed-Vyne Wine & Spirits, is truly doing my community in Bed-Stuy a great justice. This begins explaining why the wine is special, even before the bottle opens.

Obviously, it was midnight on New Year’s when I popped this baby open. Not a lot of people know what a struggle the lifestyle of a hospitality industry worker is. If you have a partner, you rarely see them. If your friends have day jobs, you rarely see them, either. Your days are nights, and your nights are days. Holidays are not just to celebrate, they’re to help others celebrate. But we do it because we love it, and there’s something I cherish inside those of us who choose to serve.

It was the first New Year’s Eve that I had to celebrate in 10 years. I got this beautiful bottle of Champagne, and I waited for my partner to get home. We popped it open “properly” (not properly at all) on our unofficial Brooklyn rooftop that we snuck onto. The notes of baked peaches and toasted brioche were delicious and the bubbles were divine. But what was even more memorable was that that bottle was being enjoyed in my city, on our rooftop, while the fireworks exploded around us. We cheered to our neighbors, to the tiny people walking below, and poured a splash out for what we lost that past year. I will never forget that bottle. Wine is an experience, not a drink.

3. How do you make guests feel comfortable if they seem intimidated by you (in a restaurant)?

I believe it’s a natural feeling to feel intimidated by anyone that studies a field you’re about to question. I still feel that myself when I dine out and speak to a fellow sommelier! I remember that anxiety from before I began in the wine industry. It’s not a feeling I ever want my guest to experience.

Of course, I approach the situation the way any hospitality worker would, with a bright smile and the attitude that it’s time to make your guest’s day. But, it’s all about your intention. If you go in wanting to sell the “best” bottle or the most expensive bottle, you’re going to validate their intimidation for no good reason. I always immediately ask the guests what they love, to tell me about a wine they’ve had before that stood out to them, or to let me know what kinds of flavors they enjoy that aren’t wine-related. I get them excited about what we can do together — making the conversation about them (which it is!) right off the bat lets them know that I’m there for them.

I work with intent to remind myself the definition of a sommelier: a wine steward. When I’m tableside with you, I’m there to make you and your guests’ night amazing. Any other reason is fueled by ego.

4. What’s the best wine you can get at the grocery or discount store?

I haven’t bought wine from the grocery store in a while, but I think it’s truly important to touch on because that’s where most people get their vino! In my opinion, if you’re getting wine from a general store, I would go with something that is delicious no matter what. For my palate that means Gewürztraminer or Champagne. Champagne is my favorite color, food, wine, drink, place and probably will be my next dog’s name — you get the point. So even if I’m in the grocery store, I’m going to pick up a bottle of sparkling wine. Most likely, it isn’t real Champagne, but there’s Cava, which is equal if not better; or just a good old-fashioned grocery sparkling. (Like I said, pick something you think is yummy no matter what). When you’re steeped in mass producers and you’re not sure what to pull off the shelf, go for a classic that you just love. It’s that simple.

5. What regions and styles of wines are you most interested in?

The two wine-growing regions I’m most excited about right now are the Canary Islands and Mexico! The Canary Islands will be my next travel destination once the world is safe again. This area fascinates me. Simply looking at a photo of the moon-like surface and volcanic black soil gives me goosebumps. I want to walk around the vineyards for hours. (When I visit vineyards, I enjoy walking through the rows chatting with the grapes!) To be honest, I didn’t know much at all about Canary Island wines until our team opened Llama San. Once I tasted my first saline-driven, fresh-but-smoky glass, I was hooked.

Mexico doesn’t jump to a lot of peoples’ minds, but they’re producing so many different varieties down there! It’s always cool to see a region in which you would think the climate doesn’t work for wine, but turns out Mother Nature has other plans. Producers are mixing varieties that aren’t commonly seen together and I am a sucker for anything that “breaks rules.”

6. What’s the best way to ask for a budget-friendly bottle at a restaurant?

The best way to ask for a budget friendly bottle at a restaurant can go two ways, and it all depends on your evening and comfort level. There are some nights I go out, and I’m OK with letting my friends know we aren’t getting a bottle over $60 because I had to pay rent that day. However, sometimes I want things to be more organic and not bother my guests with budgets and numbers. But, how do I get the sommelier to know? How do I let this complete stranger know that I want to love a wine, but I also want to love my bank account in the morning?

I always tell my friends it’s a sly idea when you ask for the sommelier to simply pick out two or three wines from the list that are within your budget and just ask about them. Then proceed to tell the sommelier what styles you really like and what you’re eating as well. As a sommelier, we will immediately recognize you’ve formed a budget, and we’ll guide you towards your best value and best experience. Like I have mentioned many times, it’s not about money, prestige, or showing off. Wine is about enjoying yourself.

7. Which regions offer the best value?

Personally, I find it impossible to decide on a region that has the “best value” due to the fact that every area of the world that is producing wine will have something for everyone. I think it’s really important for people to experiment with every region, find out what they love, find out what they don’t like, and find out what they’re not sure about. Then, focus their selections on those experiences. It’s difficult to place true value on wine when not everyone likes the same thing.

I like to step away from the idea that there’s a perfect wine or the best wine. It’s less about the region you’re choosing and more about the producer. Get more intimate with your selection! If you want to know about true value, look at who (yes, the person!) makes that wine you’re about to drink. It’s like anything else I buy: I didn’t buy it because of its name, I bought the wine because it was made by a creative.

8. Where do you like to buy wine online (or which clubs do you recommend)?

Buying wine online is great, especially when you can’t find what you’re looking for in a wine shop. There’s something I truly enjoy about going into a shop I’m unfamiliar with and picking the brain of the associates on what they like or recommend for my preferred style. However, I’m desperate to try monthly wine boxes, specifically Vinebox. I love the idea because with this company you get nine different wines by the glass in vials. Not only do you get to try nine different wines, you get to buy the bottle of whichever you like at a discount. It’s such an approachable and fun way to explore your palate.

Ed note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

The article Llama San Sommelier Rachael Madori Is Most Excited About Wines of the Canary Islands and Mexico appeared first on VinePair.

source https://vinepair.com/articles/text-somm-rachael-madori/

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johnboothus · 4 years

Text

Llama San Sommelier Rachael Madori Is Most Excited About Wines of the Canary Islands and Mexico

1. What is your current favorite wine?

2. What is the most memorable bottle you’ve opened?

3. How do you make guests feel comfortable if they seem intimidated by you (in a restaurant)?

4. What’s the best wine you can get at the grocery or discount store?

5. What regions and styles of wines are you most interested in?

6. What’s the best way to ask for a budget-friendly bottle at a restaurant?

7. Which regions offer the best value?

8. Where do you like to buy wine online (or which clubs do you recommend)?

Ed note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

The article Llama San Sommelier Rachael Madori Is Most Excited About Wines of the Canary Islands and Mexico appeared first on VinePair.

Via https://vinepair.com/articles/text-somm-rachael-madori/

source https://vinology1.weebly.com/blog/llama-san-sommelier-rachael-madori-is-most-excited-about-wines-of-the-canary-islands-and-mexico

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queenofmosttrades · 4 years

Text

Making Memories in Montreal

Happy December, let’s not pretend we love the snow and hurry and get to April 😉 k thanks. Living in Brooklyn, NY it definitely gets bitter cold, but I suddenly felt like I was from the tropics after our visit to Montreal and hearing from some of the locals about what it really feels like when winter arrives up there. We managed to escape at the beginning of November (and witnessed their first snowfall of the season), I’m also shocked we actually pulled this off...without the children! 🤯 This was our first “parents only” getaway in exactly 1 year, and last time I was pregnant so it doesn’t count right? We got all hands on deck, my parents, my in-laws and nanny came to the rescue for us to leave for close to 72 hours...my god! Who does pick up, drop off, where do they sleep, home or at the grandparents, do we split them up, and the list goes on and on. I feel compelled to share how ahhhmazing and challenging it is to get away for a few days without the kids. Love you boys but mama and Tati (dad in Yiddish) needed some alone time.

We picked Montréal, because Europe was too far for a long weekend and we wanted a place that felt like we traveled a million miles away without the jetlag. I loved the city! It’s a melting pot of culture, art and food. Do you love to eat? Oh great me too, they have nearly as many restaurants as NYC per square capita, and not gonna lie, it’s overwhelming...I still stay up at night wondering if we made the best restaurant choices, I’ll just never know 😂

I’ll split it up by neighborhood:

Downtown

We stayed at the Four Seasons hotel, its a relatively brand new hotel and has an indoor pool (which was a must for us, even though we only used it once, wop wop) and a beautiful spa which obviously any mom traveling without her kids would take complete advantage of 💆🏼‍♀️ Their in-house restaurant is Marcus, by the incredible Marcus Samuelsson (if you’re like me and have no idea who this is, it’s fine, I guess we’ve been living under the same rock...neighbor 😉) Dave knew about this apparent rockstar chef and told me that this is his first ever Canadian restaurant...I would highly suggest making reservations a few days in advance (at least), it gets pretty packed. We enjoyed room service one morning because #sleep and had breakfast in the hotel the other two days which was quiet delicious and full of fresh squeezed juice options 😋

Our hotel was located down the block from Boulevard de Maisonneuve which has tons of shops, restaurants and one of the entrances to the underground mall. It’s bustling and I was really happy with our choice of neighborhood. I was on the fence because Old Montreal has a lot to offer as well, but it was a short Uber ride over.

Old Montreal

If you get a warm and fuzzy feeling when you see cobblestones then this is the place for you! This is a popular place for many tourists, it’s adorable, and I see what the hype is all about; it has the Old Port, has a charming little tree lined walking road along the water, The Basilique Notre-Dame which is a big attraction and tons of cobblestone streets surrounded with French inspired architecture, hotels, restaurants, cafes, art galleries, shops, I mean you get the picture right? It’s pretty fabulous. I must say though, at times I did feel a bit like a tourist, because certain shops and restaurants we passed seemed how should I say this...inauthentic. I’ve been around Times Square enough to know when I’m in a tourist trap, which I don’t particularly enjoy when traveling or ever lol ... But we did stumble across a few incredible art galleries and a delicious brunch spot called Olive and Gourmando, yummy food and fun atmosphere!

Mile End

We took a great tour in this neighborhood that so much reminded me of parts of Williamsburg, Bushwick and Park Slope. @Localmontrealtours did a great job taking us around and giving our palates a unique experience of flavors. One of my favorite stops was at the St. Viateur Bagel (shocker right, a NY girl excited about bagels) this place has been around forever and is a true staple in Montreal. A few other noteworthy spots were Drogheria Fine, known for their incredible tomato sauce that covers perfectly delicious gnocchi served in a Chinese take out container; funky and indulgent. Additionally, Boucherie Lawrence, which serves local meats and cheeses amongst other things such as various jams and honeys. Dave talked me out of buying about 10 jars of different delightful items in order to avoid shlepping them back to NYC...I’ll be placing an online order soon 🙌🏼

Le Plateau

This is technically a broader neighborhood that consists of several sub neighborhoods; Mile End being one of them, so I would suggest checking it out as well. We specifically made our way there to check out the Jewish Museum and what is considered the area with the greatest Jewish presence and history. We weren’t able to make it on their tour, which I’m secretly pretty bummed about but we did get to wander around the area. It’s a touch of hip, grunge and art. What I loved most is that you feel like you’re a local, no big hotels or tourist traps, you’ll see homes, grocery stores, cafes, etc...you’ll be submerged with the people who live there.

A great restaurant located in Le Plateau that my girl @arielloves recommended from her visit to Montreal was Au Pied de Cochon, they are known for their foie gras which comes in all different forms and styles. Dave liked the “naked” one and I was obsessed with the “nigiris”. We also decided to try the POUTINE here! Ok so if you don’t know what Poutine is, it’s the traditional comfort food of Montréal...French fries with gravy sauce on top and some places get funky and add other toppings...yes it was yummy, but one time was enough for us, it’s extremely heavy and made me want to jog home, but hey worth a try and to each their own.

Speaking of jogging, I usually make it a priority to check out some gyms or outdoor fitness areas on all my trips, but full disclaimer this did NOT happen this time 🤷‍♀️ I won’t even try to dig up an excuse, just was focused on sleep before and after our excursions haha #priorities. Not gonna beat myself up about it (even though TBH I started to a few times) but I’ll be on it again next time 💪🏽

Extras

One of our mornings we decided to be outdoorsy and “hike up” Mont Royal aka realizing how cold it was we took an Uber up and a bus down 🤷‍♀️ whatevs, we did spend some time up there breathing the crisp air and enjoying the view. A cute place to check out if you’re into “look out point” type of stuff.

We also went to a hockey game duhhh! We watched the Montreal Canadians play the LA Kings. It was a real cultural experience, something that Dave and I love participating in whenever we travel anywhere. If you’re like us and you like to just do things and go to places that make you feel like you’re one of the locals I would highly recommend going to see a hockey game when visiting, its like going to see a Yankees game in NYC, authentic and exciting 🏒

The Low Down

All in all, we had fun, but I do want to touch upon something that is real and deserves a moment just like all the other mentions. Shit’s not perfect! Dave and I have somewhat of a different view on how we should “plan” our trips. I typically like to have an agenda ready to roll and he likes to wing it. We discovered this about ourselves a few years ago, yet perhaps since we didn’t go away alone for a while we kind of forgot how to handle it. As a couple it’s not always unicorns and lattes (well there are usually lattes involved with us 😉) but we get to make it work because that’s what we signed up for! After a day of on and off arguing, we decided that moving forward I need to have my “planned activity” happen first and then I’ll be much more willing to hang loose and flow, not freaking out that we don’t have a specific destination (this only took us 6+ years to establish #couplegoals 🤣). I’ll be keeping you posted on how that plays out for our next trip! I heard something the other day when listening to a clip from @garyvee, he said we are all being fake and how when we get back from a vacation we tell everyone that we had a great time (usually regardless of what kind of time we actually had). I found that to be insanely insightful and it struck a chord with me. I believe it’s important to acknowledge both the great times and the times of struggle. They are equally important to process and learn from. I hope you enjoyed my recap and found it helpful for your future trip. I would love to hear from you and get some of your feedback! Till next time fam; Stay living on those skinny branches!

-Love,

Suzanna

Queen of most Trades

#parentsgetaway #montreal #oliveandgourmando #marcus #montroyal #aupieddecochon #mileend #four seasons hotel #localmontrealtours #montreal canadians #stviateurbagels #drogheriafine #boucherielawrence

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isaiahrippinus · 4 years

Text

Llama San Sommelier Rachael Madori Is Most Excited About Wines of the Canary Islands and Mexico

1. What is your current favorite wine?

2. What is the most memorable bottle you’ve opened?

3. How do you make guests feel comfortable if they seem intimidated by you (in a restaurant)?

4. What’s the best wine you can get at the grocery or discount store?

5. What regions and styles of wines are you most interested in?

6. What’s the best way to ask for a budget-friendly bottle at a restaurant?

7. Which regions offer the best value?

8. Where do you like to buy wine online (or which clubs do you recommend)?

Ed note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

The article Llama San Sommelier Rachael Madori Is Most Excited About Wines of the Canary Islands and Mexico appeared first on VinePair.

source https://vinepair.com/articles/text-somm-rachael-madori/ source https://vinology1.tumblr.com/post/618466660798562304

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multipleforks · 5 years

Text

Remember when going to Miami meant a four-day Charlie Sheen bender in South Beach where you barely knew your name by the time you got on the flight back home? Well, not anymore, (in regard to the South Beach part, the partying is still what Miami is all about)! Miami’s ‘boroughs’ have really taken center stage lately. There’s Brickell, the upscale, fancy, wealthy, business driven section of Miami, with five-star luxury hotels, high-rise office buildings and condos, and super trendy restaurants, which seems to combine ‘NYC’s Meatpacking and the Financial District’; Little Havana, which has tons of amazing hole in the wall Cuban spots, the best ‘Café Con Leche you will ever have’ and has an awesome Latin American sexy vibe to it, sort of like the ‘Flushing, Queens of Miami’; and the Design District, known for its sleek modern architecture, upscale design stores, art galleries, and celebrity restaurants, the ‘Soho of Miami’; and finally Wynwood (my favorite), known for street art, craft breweries and a young, hip crown, which is like a tiny slice of Williamsburg Brooklyn.

Similar to many parts of Brooklyn, Wynwood started as a neglected and decrepit manufacturing district filled with old, abandoned warehouses and dilapidated buildings. It was an area of the city not many people dared to venture out to. Now, old warehouse walls have turned into giant canvases for some of the most talented street and graffiti artists from around the world and streets are often jam packed with tourists. And who can blame them? There is a bar, restaurant, art gallery, boutique clothing store, brewery and trendy coffee shop on every corner. If that isn’t enough, check out Wynwood Yards where they have live music onstage, food trucks and a really cool indoor/outdoor bar. If you are however, looking for suggestions for things to do (and if you love food and culture), definitely check out Miami Culinary Tours. (They currently do tours in all areas of Miami including: Little Havana, South Beach, Wynwood, Design District, Miami City, and Coconut Grove). The Wynwood tour costs $69 (+ tax), takes about 2.5 hours, and includes a wonderful tour guide (Gina is absolutely incredible), lots of food and dessert, and a tour of the murals in Wynwood Yards.

Tours run on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday for Wynwood. The Saturday Wynwood lunch tour started at 12pm and met outside of Wynwood Walls. Sadly, it was a rainy Saturday, but that didn’t stop us! Our tour guide had us congregate inside the Wynwood museum where our tour guide, Gina, started by introducing herself, asking us about ourselves, then about began the discussion about Tony Goldman’s influence on Wynwood. Goldman was a real estate developer and art aficionado originally from New York City, who was known for revamping South Beach and Soho in NYC. He is the one attributed to revamping the abandoned warehouses in Wynwood with a vision of turning the area into one giant art canvas, which is pretty much what he did. Wynwood Walls, a giant outdoor canvas for street artists is one of the most incredible outdoor space in the country. Gina took a few minutes to speak in depth about Tony and the start of this beautiful, funky art district section of Miami, and then came the food portion of the tour…and whew, was there food!

Our first food stop on the tour was Wynwood Kitchen and Bar. As soon as you walk inside this restaurant, you will know why they call it ‘one of the coolest and most visually striking restaurants in the nation’. Floor to ceiling murals are painted in the bar area by Shepard Fairey, the artist who created the famous Obama Hope sticker. Additionally, other spectacular canvases in the dining room were created by the Berlin graffiti spray paint artist, German Artist Christian Awe. It’s almost like eating in a giant, high ceiling funky art gallery. Since the restaurant is considered a ‘tapas bar’ we were offered a selection of small bites from their menu which included, delicious fried chicken empanadas, a tequeno (fried breaded cheese stick made with bread dough and queso blanco) and fried sweet plantains with cheese on top. We also got to taste a sample of a blonde beer from a local brewery. Everything was excellent.

After this stop, we popped into the vegan casual eatery Dr Smood a few blocks away. As soon as we walked into this healthy eatery which can only be described as ‘hipster-esque’, ‘super millennial’, and ‘supermodels in brand new Lulelemon athletics eating only all natural, chemical free, vegan food’, Gina said, ‘we’re going to have a vegan, gluten free, avocado panini. Then she paused and said, ‘now, I know what you’re all thinking, how can a vegan, gluten free sandwich be any good? Don’t groan before you try it, I swear it’s actually really tasty’. She was not lying (and her comment was very on point). I personally believe there’s a little bit of Anthony Bourdain inside of all of us meat eaters. It’s that snobby, how could you live off lentils, vegetables, and tofu mentality? (He used to rip apart vegetarians every second he had the chance to, but I digress). Gina said that they use only organic food and create their own ‘performance bread’ using four ingredients: millet flakes, spelt flour, water and salt, which is supposed to give you energy and not spike your blood sugar. The sandwich was incredible, and they were right, I felt great afterwards. No sugar comedown that white bread tends to bring. Another interesting concept they use in this café is their color-coded system for each menu item. Red – power, pink – beauty, yellow – immunity, green – detox, blue – energy, purple – health. You can choose your food or beverage based on how you’re feeling or what you’re looking to obtain from your food. Although they only have locations in NYC and Miami now, their stores are guaranteed to take off in outdoorsy cities like Denver, Austin and Los Angeles (and beyond!)

From there we moved onto the Peruvian restaurant and tapas bar, GK Bistronomie where we had two courses and a glass of pairing wine. The first course consisted of black grouper ceviche with lime, white corn and corn nuts and two small pork rolls (or a bowl of quinoa for those who opted out of the pork rolls – Bourdain is rolling in his grave as we speak). The dish was spectacular, especially the ceviche where the salt and crunchiness from the corn paired so well with the sour from the lime and the juicy flavors of the marinated fish! The second course was beef anticuchos (or chicken as a substitute) made with potato fries in spicy cheese sauce (huancaina sauce) and a traditional chimichurri sauce with red peppers on top. This dish was complete flavor overload, cheesy, salty, charcoal, meets fried and slightly sweet. We were also offered a glass of red wine, white wine, or beer to pair with this dish.

Knowing that we were all in total food coma mode and needed a bit of a break before dessert, Gina walked us around Wynwood Yards and described many of the artists themselves, their murals, and their sources of inspiration. It was incredibly mesmerizing. It’s crazy to think that the murals are torn down at least once a year, they’re so beautiful! My only complaint about this part of the tour is that we didn’t get quite as much walking in as I would have liked, as gelato came soon after and I really thought I was going to explode! Maybe they should include an optional 10-minute sprint around the parameters of Wynwood portion of the tour!

Anyway, as mentioned above, the final stop of the tour was Flavian Gelateria which offers all-natural artisanal gelato made from local dairy and fresh produce. The inside does in fact resemble a small European boutique ice cream shop with wooden finishing’s and gorgeous white marble counter-tops. The shop was located inside a little vestibule which had indoor couches and benches for seating. Perfect for a rainy or sweltering hot day!

(The homeless guy pictured was clearly not part of this tour!)

Although there were fourteen people on our tour, Gina was excellent at getting everyone together and taking the time to give everyone some needed love and attention. I will definitely check out another one of their tours next time I am in South Florida!

On a final note, if you��re looking for something to do after your food tour, definitely check out some of the awesome breweries they have in the area. Here is TimeOut’s list of best breweries in Wynwood. Veza Sur, their #1 pick was fantastic. Aside from the place being super fun, Latin funky, and perfect for big groups (they have more boardgames than a 1st grade classroom), they also have excellent beers, including their Arroz Con Mango beer which was 10.8% ABV and was fantastic! They also do beer flights, and beer cocktails, and while you’re there, do make sure to have a coffee porter with some real whipped cream. Holy cow is it fantastic! As a cherry on top of the cake, the staff here is super friendly and one of the coolest things about this bar is the fact that they have multiple phone chargers that you can borrow. This is the first time I have ever seen this at a bar. They were actually excited to charge your phone for you. Usually I have to beg a bartender to use an outlet and they get all flustered that I’m wasting their time! I would give this place 5/5 stars just for their portable chargers!

Miami Culinary Tours – A Little Tour of Wynwood Remember when going to Miami meant a four-day Charlie Sheen bender in South Beach where you barely knew your name by the time you got on the flight back home?

#culture #foodtours #Miami #miamiculinarytours #miamifoodtours #wynwood #wynwoodyards

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jeremiahandrewsphotography · 5 years

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New Post has been published on Jeremiah Andrews Photography

New Post has been published on https://jap.goodgallery.com/blog/top-10-off-the-beaten-path-but-right-on-the-money-must-try-restaurants-in-siem-reap-cambodia/

Top 10 Off the Beaten Path (but Right on the Money) 'Must-Try' Restaurants in Siem Reap, Cambodia

Our top ten pick of favorite restaurants in Siem Reap Cambodia off the beaten path

There are probably several hundred restaurants woven into back alleys, pouring out from driveways, and lining the main thoroughfares in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Some no more than a rusting push cart; others, proud, smooth buildings bursting with glitz and glamour … All of them vying for your tourists’ dollar.

“Where to Eat?” becomes a dizzying decision in an already potentially overstimulating environment. You could spend years attempting to sample every dining option in Siem Reap, but (truthfully) even locals get lulled into a routine of familiarity and fail to tap into the exciting and ever-changing canvas of food options merely a short scooter ride away. The unsuspecting traveler’s foodie experience is further stymied by the neon canopy of common franchises, tour provided buffets, and endless sea of identical, red, beer-touting restaurant placards.

So, for all of those times you really just have a craving for a particular spice, need a new budget-friendly Khmer go-to spot, would kill for good pasta, or must satisfy your hunger for quiche before you crack, here are our top ten picks to start the new year (based on overall value, quality, and variety).

PRICE POINT REFERENCE (USD$ per person) ($: 1-2; $$: 3-5; $$$: 6-8; $$$$: 9+)

AtMOsphere

PRICE: $$ – $$$

The moment we walked up to Mo’s I knew we’d hit something special. Friendly strangers graciously shared their table with us for a while (as the restaurant was already filled to the seams with lively chatter). Whether you choose Western tables and chairs over ground mats and cushions you are served a feast fit for a king. I was pleased by the wide variety of Middle-Eastern and Mediterranean dishes, fair prices and sharable dish sizes. We all left full and happy after capping the meal with a variety of spectacularly decadent desserts and herbal tea. At some time during your visit take a moment to chat with the owner, ‘Mo’. He is a colorful gentleman with an easy smile and quick laugh; you will quickly learn why this is already a happening place to be. As I write this, Atmosphere is celebrating its grand re-opening in a larger location. Great job guys!

Belmiro’s Pizza & Subs

PRICE: $$ – $$$

You are just a stone’s throw from famed ‘Pub Street’ when you belly-up to the well-stocked, mirrored ebony bar and burgundy walls of Belmiro’s. The pub’s great location as an exterior corner with patio perimeter is trimmed in hanging flags from the world over giving it a welcoming glow. But … if you are craving a little bit of a States-style urban pub feel, this is your place. The portions aren’t stingy, and daily drink specials are easy on the pocketbook. Boston-style pizzas are Belmiro’s specialty, although I do find myself craving their cheesy, meatball sub-sandwich regularly. Stuffed crust and deep-dish pizzas (for the carb-craver in the group) aren’t the only indulgent options. Weekly rotating chicken wing flavors on ‘Wing Wednesdays’ is always a family favorite. If you are a true Ranch dressing-loving American, get excited … This is one of a very select group of eateries in the entire city which carry the staple dipping sauce at all!

Chanty Grill Beef

PRICE: $ – $$

The ‘South End’ of Siem Reap is a fabulous business collective of Khmer and foreign trailblazers looking to foster the growth of this budding artisan community, empower the local workforce, and grow art appreciation in this already culturally rich hive. Needless to say, we are smitten with the vibe of the South End and are eager to unearth all of the lovely foodie gems within. Fortunately, we happened upon Chanty early in our search (and quite by mistake). We went looking for Khmer fusion and found the best value for chicken and beef kebob BBQ we know of in town. Shoulder to shoulder with its neighbor, this bare bones shop isn’t fussy and gets right down to the job of making outstanding food at a price even backpackers can afford. Chanty offers more than generous serving sizes (we ate so much we had to take home half of our order) and the staff is super friendly. Grab a plastic chair and belly up to the folding table, Chanty’s got the grill fired up and aims to please.

Curry Walla (both locations)

PRICE: $$$ – $$$$

Curry Walla owns two comparable restaurants on opposite ends of Sivutha Blvd. Being that Sivutha is like the spine of the most heavily traveled network of roads in the entire Siem Reap downtown area it could be easy to pass right by either storefront without a second glance. These no-frills dining halls aren’t heavy on ambiance, but don’t let their uninspired facade lead you astray. What Namaskar and Khmer Chef lack in tactile luster they make up for several times over in a savory curry flavor palate, the rich aroma of stewed Indian meats, and beautiful vegetarian dishes that restore my faith in humanity. We never choose individual dishes at this feast; If ‘sharing is caring’, then this is the meal of my family’s love language. A treat of a meal ,well-worth the incremental increase in cost per person.

Ivy Guest House & Bar

PRICE: $$ – $$$

We happened upon this tucked away gem on a quest for the camaraderie and mental stimulation of a good pub quiz. What we ended up with, was a fabulous all-ages evening out and a new favorite haunt. The ice-cream drenched, chocolate banana bread made everyone sit up and take notice right off. Upon further exploration of Ivy’s culinary vision we discovered many engaging flavor pairings not often seen in a town full of repetitive menus: a delightful Italian chicken cheesesteak sandwich, rich, spinach and feta ravioli in a complimentary al fresco sauce, and an extraordinary homemade chocolate mousse … to name a few. Imagine an Italian inspired kitchen hidden in the heart of a palm-thatched, traditional wooden Khmer village home, and dress the whole thing up as a Western-minded ‘chill pad’ (complete with free billiards and Cambodian memorabilia wall). If you get comfortable enough you can always get a room in the attached guesthouse and enjoy the Ivy’s cooking all day long.

Jungle Burger Sports Bar & Bistro

PRICE: $$ – $$$

Clayton and his happy little crew work hard to make sure you enjoy your experience at JB. From the pool table to the funky bike yard art, the vibe here is laid-back and playful. Cool beats play while the bar does it’s job putting on a sports-pub fare feast. Spot-on, gooey homemade mac & cheese are a strong stand-alone meal or a great side to share. Jungle Burger is unrivaled in my opinion for their burger and sandwich menu; no bad options here. The crown jewel of which is the ‘Burg Khalif burger’, easily a full meal for two people. You will find a surprisingly well-rounded salad selection, and all-around ample portion sizes for sharing. If you want to add a little (or a lot, if you ask nice) spice to your meal, order up a signature chili & mango margarita … it burns so good!

Mom New River (I & II)

PRICE: $ – $$

We have been eating at the Mom New River location in the alley at one end of Pub Street for five years now. We come back week after week, year after year, because the value and consistent quality this family-owned business offers just cannot be denied. This is another very modest and traditional Khmer restaurant on our list, and why not? After all, it represents a remarkable culture offering a myriad of signature dishes and almost as many family-specific tweaks to each one. Like the generational patterns woven into the precious, golden Khmer silk, recipes like: amok, lok-lak, prahok, and num ngov soup all have been honed to unique perfection by their Cambodian chefs. Laughably, Mom New River’s weighty menu resembles a homemade telephone directory riddled with inconsistent pagination and rife with fun English spelling errors, but the up-side is that you are bound to find something for everyone’s taste at a really great price. Again, you may be tempted to pass by in search of a more striking or familiar setting, but don’t. Pull out a seat, order any kind of lovely fresh fruit shake you can imagine, and just know that whatever you order will be made with pride, taste great, and give you a glimpse into the wonderful flavors Khmer food brings to the table.

Paris Bakery

PRICE: $$ – $$$

All the refined sweetness and splendid pomp of a fine Parisian bakery … a continent away from France. Plump breads and crunchy baguettes baked daily lure you into the boulangerie via a seductive olfactory trance. Delicate pastries and tarts crowned in sugary filagree dazzle the eyes like proudly displayed fine jewels. The unexpectedly keen selection of European deli meats compliments the bread offerings nicely, and a pleasant coffee/tea offering rounds out this quality experience. Don’t forget the quiche, glorious quiche! Admittedly, my unprecedented favorite guilty pleasures are their almond paste filled croissants. Ah, bliss! Not an everyday budge-friendly option, but a magnificent treat without breaking the bank. The bustling ‘street corner bistro’ vibe in a pedestrian-friendly metro area also lends itself nicely to a quick stop-in for take-away dining.

Peace Cafe

PRICE: $$ – $$$

A surprising number of vegan and vegetarian restaurants are popping up all over town, but this one effortlessly spans the gap from crepes to paninis. In between, it hits the mark on a wide array of lovely, body-nourishing, taste bud-tickling fresh juice concoctions. You are drawn into the spacious garden and the easy rattan lounge dining room for a respite from the surrounding city activity. Thankfully, these grounds are spared the worst of the periodically excessive Siem Reap heat. Sit a spell, catch up with yourself (or a friend) over a large pot of herbal tea; take a yoga class; peruse the artsy/craftsy trinkets made by local artisans for sale in Peace Cafe’s gift shop … it’s all good! Focused on civic and spiritual enrichment, Peace Cafe partners with several NGO’s to empower local Khmer people through education, vocational training, and employment. The fare doesn’t lend itself to over-indulgence by nature, but you will leave satisfied and feeling nourished.

Safari Sushi Bar

PRICE: $$$ – $$$$

Seen as how Siem Reap is nowhere near an ocean, I had been remiss to try sushi in my adopted town. However, on the occasion we get to put on our fancy Chacos and dine in style celebrating of a good friend, I must face my doubts about the quality of sushi available this far inland. I am here to say, happily, that Safari Sushi hit on all the marks: value, presentation, ambiance, quality, and service. The lush entrance draws you into a private garden oasis. Guests are greeted by the koi pond’s tranquil gurgling and encouraged to lounge on the patio before dining. Once inside the restaurant, the finishes are tasteful and guests are not crowded together. The space allows you to linger comfortably in conversation and the staff is helpful without hovering. We ordered an assortment of nigiri, sashimi, and even an impressive sampler roll to share around the table … no one left hungry. The fish was firm and fresh and the selection fair. Our little party enjoyed a decadent meal of sushi and sake (topped of with hot jasmine tea) at a fraction of the cost of the more flashy sushi restaurants in Siem Reap. Um, yes please! I know I will be voting for sushi on my next ‘date night’.

FYI, the restaurants listed here are in alphabetical order for the sake of satisfying my left-brain tendencies, by no means is the order in which they appear a ranking. Each place is uniquely wonderful, and there are, inevitably, countless similarly worthy eateries in Siem Reap … we just haven’t found them yet. If you have a favorite spot to grab a bite in Angkor-town, let us know! We are always up for a new foodie adventure and welcome your comments.

#angkor wat food #asian food #budget travel #cambodia #cambodian food #expat blog #foodie #foodie blog #siem reap food #southeast asia #travel food #world travel blog #World Adventures

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lindyhunt · 6 years

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Amazing Bangkok

Bangkok claimed the title of “World’s Most Visited City” according to the 2017 Mastercard Global Destination Cities Index. No wonder almost 20.2 million international tourists flocked to the City of Angels. When it comes to wish lists, Bangkok ticks most boxes. Cultural attractions and rich history? Tick. Great food? No doubt. Good shopping? Yep. Fabulous spas. Nothing beats a Thai massage. Vibrant nightlife? A resounding yes.

Welcome to the capital of the Kingdom of Thailand where east and west, ancient and modern, exotic and erotic, calm and chaotic, clash and collide in the most delightful ways. Here’s how get the most bang for your baht. Note: all prices approximated in Canadian dollars.

The “you only live once” splurge list

Seduced by The Siam Arriving at The Siam hotel via the hotel’s vintage riverboat transported me into a unique and tranquil world onto its own in the middle of bustling Bangkok. My debonnaire butler, Paul, escorted me along a path past a swimming pool to the antique carved wooden doors of my villa where I had a courtyard with my own plunge pool.

The Siam is the brainchild of Bangkok rock and movie star, Krissada Sukosol Clapp who built the hotel in 2012 as a retreat and place to house his and his mother’s vast collections of antique Thai treasures. They hired American architect Bill Bensley who incorporated the clean bold lines of Art Deco, glass, water features and lush garden landscapes with the carefully curated art and antiques.

If you enter the Siam from the street you find yourself in a garden pavilion with a lotus-shaped fountain in the centre. The piece de resistance is the soaring central atrium where a glass conservatory-style roof brings light to a reflection pool surrounded by tropical foliage. Off to one side there is a library and screening room. Upstairs in the Vinyl room, complete with grand piano and vintage posters, you could well expect to spot Noel Coward tickling the ivories in this jazz-age setting.

The Siam offers some unique guest experiences. You could work with a trainer and learn the art of Muay Thai kick boxing (the national sport) in the gym. If that’s too demanding, head to the Opium Spa for a Muay Thai deep tissue massage. You can also opt to have a Sak Yant ceremonial sacred tattoo.

The hotel is located in the Royal Dusit district of Bangkok. Your butler will help you arrange your day and reserve a place on the hotel shuttle yacht for excursions along the Chao Phraya River. But chances are good that you won’t want to leave The Siam.

Spice of Life I joined The Siam’s sous chef, Thammarach, for a Thai cooking lesson. We started our morning with a tuk-tuk ride to a local market where chef pointed out the remarkable range of produce and bought some herbs for our class as we dodged shoppers on motor scooters. Back at the hotel we donned aprons in the private cooking class kitchen overlooking the river. Chef demonstrated how to tackle each ingredient, from bruising lemongrass to chiffonading kaffir lime leaves. He also explained that Thai food contains five major flavours: sweet, sour, spicy, salty, bitter. Each dish should have a least two of those tastes and the key is getting the right balance. Hence the need to keep testing as you cook and add more chillies, more fish sauce, more coconut milk or more palm sugar as your palette dictates. We concocted Tom Yam Goong soup, a fiery broth with jumbo shrimps topped with fresh coriander and drops of chilli oil. Then we tackled pork with red curry, a marvellous melange of all of requisite flavours. For our last dish, the green chicken curry, chef taught me to make curry paste from scratch pounding the toasted coriander and cumin seeds, garlic, shallots, coriander roots, chillies, galangal and lemongrass with a mortar and pestle. Hard work but worth the effort.

Star Spangled Bangkok The red Michelin Guide has published its first 2017 guide to Bangkok listing a kaleidoscope of dining options—from slurping street food noodles to enjoying a multi-course tasting menu in a five-star hotel or glitzy shopping mall. At the one-starred Paste, chef Bee creates dishes based on ancient recipes that once delighted the royal family. Among the highlights of her delicious repertoire is a Thai crab omelette with 31 flavours.

Smooth as Silk Thai silk is famous and now at the Divana Spa you may indulge in their signature Organic Golden Silk Royal Pampering treatment. Golden silk thread is rich in protein while the mulberry leaves, the feed for silkworms, contain significant vitamins.

My therapist used a web of silk thread stretched tightly between her hands to stroke my skin in a spinning motion to improve circulation and stimulate new collagen and elastin. Next came a body and face massage using a silk cocoon-stuffed, yarn-like ball, followed by a silk serum moisturizer. Then I steamed a room scented with mulberry leaves. More potions included a facial mask made with ginseng and silk cocoon extract. Finally, I soaked in a bath of milk, cocoons and rose petals Cleopatra-style.

Red Sky at Night As Bangkok’s skyline soars, rooftop bars abound. Red Sky atop the Centara Grand hotel and shopping mall is a stylish spot with panoramic views from its 55th floor. Imbibe some bubbles at the Cru Champagne Bar along with some caviar and oysters. We’re talking sky food, not street food—with prices to match.

Silk Road Jim Thompson, an American who revitalized the silk industry in Thailand, was a U.S. military intelligence officer who went on vacation in Malaysia in 1967 and mysteriously disappeared. But his silk legacy lives on. His shops sell beautiful creations, large and small. You will also dine well at Jim Thompson Restaurant and Wine Bar located in Jim Thompson House Museum.

The “cheap thrills” save list

Down by the River Bangkok River is a collaborative project by business partners to encourage visitors to explore the neighbourhoods and shops along the Chao Phraya waterway. I took an informative stroll with David Robinson who works with the Bangkok River group. We began at River City, a complex housing several shops, restaurants, antiques and photo galleries. Along our walk Robinson pointed out several historic buildings, including the East Asiatic Trading Building and Grand Post Office, now home to the Design and Creative Centre. At P. Tendercool we admired bespoke furniture made from recycled opium den beds. Housed in a building that looks like a temple, Thai Home Industries sells handcrafted cutlery, pottery and cotton shirts. In the Creative District, several warehouses have been turned into design stores and cafés. British graffiti artist Banksy would surely approve of some of the street art. Check out the River Bangkok’s excellent website and take yourself on an informative walk.

Culture and Hedonism Bangkok has more than 400 temples but if there’s one must-see it’s the Grand Palace, a square mile of gilded royal temples and palaces. The ornate Wat Phra Keo houses the famous Emerald Buddha (actually it’s made of jade). Take a tuk-tuk to the neighbouring Wat Pho, famous for its enormous Reclining Buddha and it’s ancient school of Thai medicine and massage, so you can combine culture and hedonism in one visit. A one-hour massage costs about $16. You can also enroll in various massage lessons and become immensely popular with your friends back home.

Trip the Night Fantastic For those of you who loved hunting for treasures at the night market in Lumpini Park, the bad news is that is no long exists; the good news is that there’s a new even better evenings only attraction called Asiatique The Riverfront open daily from 5 p.m. to midnight. Catch the free 10-minute ferry from Sathorn Pier (Skytrain stop Taksin) across the Chao Phraya River. The refurbished 100-year-old sawmill has more than 1,500 boutiques housed in nine warehouses. Shop for anything from hip new fashions to traditional Thai handicrafts. I got some aromatherapy oils, silk scarves and some funky jewellery for just a few baht. Plan to dine at one of 40 eateries serving a variety of cuisines, including Japanese, Italian and pub fare. There’s also the Joe Louis Thai Puppet Theatre, Calypso cabaret and a huge Ferris wheel from which you’ll have fabulous nighttime views of downtown Bangkok.

Getting Around Bangkok is plagued with heavy traffic and lots of jams. Your fastest mode of transportation is the Skytrain, offering a bird’s eye view of the city in clean and blissfully air-conditioned cars. English is spoken at the ticket stations. The underground or MRT is another option. Fares range from .50 to $1.40 for both trains, or you can opt for a tourist pass.

Tuk-tuks are fun and noisy and make good photo ops. However, a taxi might be cheaper. If you hail a tuk-tuk, agree on a price before getting in and prepare to haggle hard. Beware of a cheap trip to a tailor or gem shop. The fast and frequent ferries along the Chao Phraya River are a good way to visit the many temples and palaces. From the main Sathorn Pier you can head upriver and stop at numerous piers all the way to Nonthaburi. Buying a tourist ticket) gets you one-day unlimited travel plus a guide to some of the riverside tourist attractions.

Get your Kicks The normally gentle Thai people are passionate about their national sport, Thai boxing. Join the locals as they cheer for and gamble as the athletes pummel each other using most of their body parts. Bouts take place at Ratchadamnoen Stadium on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday. Cost for a ringside seat is about $40.

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fashiontrendin-blog · 6 years

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Everything Harling Did, Saw and Felt During Copenhagen Fashion Week

http://fashion-trendin.com/everything-harling-did-saw-and-felt-during-copenhagen-fashion-week/

Everything Harling Did, Saw and Felt During Copenhagen Fashion Week

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Tuesday

3:30 p.m.

I arrive in Copenhagen fresh as a daisy, ready to grab Scandinavia by its scrunchie-wearing horns. Just kidding! I didn’t sleep on the plane because I am my own worst enemy and I still haven’t mastered the art of sleeping on planes — or the art or chic travel attire, for that matter, so I look exactly how I feel: tired.

However, by the time I’m in my hotel room and faced with the opportunity to curl up in one of the side-by-side twin beds for a much-needed nap, something miraculous happens. I don’t want to take a nap! I’m energized simply by looking out my window at the Copenhagen skyline! Naps can wait until I’m back on American soil.

4:30 p.m.

I’m freshly showered and wearing my favorite blue kaftan from SZ Blockprints plus translucent pink Mars sunglasses and a T-shirt wrapped on top of my head. The T-shirt is because I’m in the midst of plopping, an integral aspect of my curly hair routine I will wax upon at great length in my upcoming Man Repeller Hair Diary. But anyways, I remove the T-shirt and unleash my wet hair before skipping my way out of the hotel in search of sustenance. I have a dinner in exactly 1.5 hours, but who cares? I’m hungry, and I’m in Copenhagen.

4:45 p.m.

I walk to the Torvehallerne food court, which is super close to my hotel. There are so many little stalls selling food, flowers, coffee and other alluring delights that I’m immediately overwhelmed-in-a-good-way. I’m prepared to explore, but then I spot a window full of smørrebrød (Denmark’s famous, open-faced sandwiches) and stop dead in my tracks. I order one with chicken salad and devour it standing up before I can take a photo.

5:30 p.m.

I get some work done at the hotel while contemplating what to wear to dinner, a seated event hosted by Copenhagen Fashion Week to celebrate its seasonal inauguration. I decide on a sundress from Naya Rea with side cut-outs — or, as Haley calls them, “platonic peepholes.”

6:30 p.m.

I’m at the dinner! There are so many people here! I’m sitting next to Mads Peterson, the co-director of the Copenhagen International Fashion Fair. We chat about which shows we’re most excited to see and the merits of Scandinavia’s serious bicycle habit. I’m not super hungry because of my late afternoon snack, but I eat some chicken because it’s delicious, and I’m in Copenhagen.

10 p.m.

After filing copy for a story about why celebrities are bad at Instagram, I promptly fall into the deepest slumber I’ve had since I was in utero.

Wednesday

8 a.m.

I start my first official day of Copenhagen Fashion Week at a press breakfast showcasing up-and-coming designers in the Nordic region. Much to my jet-lagged delight, there is a little mobile espresso machine on wheels outside the venue. I get a latte.

8:30 a.m.

Although there is plenty of sustenance in terms of fashion inspiration, there isn’t much in the way of actual food at the breakfast, so I join a couple other editors for a second course of eggs and bacon in the hotel’s dining room.

9:30 a.m.

I answer emails and finish editing a story. (I know, I know, snoozeeeeeeee, keep scrolling for Copenhagen content).

12 p.m.

Three other editors and I arrive at the Morten Ussing show venue exactly on time. Our driver, Niclas, is worried that “exactly on time” means I’m late, but I assure him that fashion shows tend to operate on a half-an-hour-or-later delay like a moody teen.

12:30 p.m.

Sure enough, the show starts exactly half an hour late. I sip on my ginger soda while taking in the collection, a smorgasbord of bright colors, clever woven accessories and translucent dresses and skirts layered over high-waist underwear.

2:30 p.m.

I head back to the Torvehallerne food court to get something to eat for lunch. I pass a stall for the Danish chain Palæo, which I remember someone recommending to me via Instagram. I’m not paleo, but the food looks good, so I stop and order a wrap. I eat it on my way back to the hotel. It’s a bit funky (there are whole almonds in it, which I’ve never had inside a wrap before), but I like it.

3:30 p.m.

I arrive half an hour late to the Mark Kenly Domino Tan show due to a carpooling delay, but fortunately it doesn’t start for another 10 minutes. I love the collection: low-slung trousers, perfect trench coats and deconstructed blazers galore. I’m still thinking about the opening look in particular, and how such a simple outfit (blue jeans, a blue blazer and a slightly oversized white T-shirt) can somehow say exactly what you need it to.

4 p.m.

I chat briefly with Simon Chetrit (of Man Repeller fashion week street style photography fame) outside the venue before hopping in a car and heading to Cecilie Bahnsen.

4:20 p.m.

I AM SO EXCITED FOR CECILIE BAHNSEN. In the three years since starting her brand, Bahnsen has cemented her place as an industry darling, wooing everyone from editors to buyers to shoppers with her penchant for comfortable silhouettes and traditional techniques like quilting and patchwork. The Spring 2019 show is located inside a ginormous white-floored warehouse lined with a single row of seats around its entire perimeter. A hush falls over the crowd as soon as the first look emerges from behind a curtain: a white quilted top paired with a matching skirt and pearl-decorated Suicoke sandals. The entire collection is, in a word, dreamy, filled with the kind of clothes that practically beg to be seen and touched up-close.

5:30 p.m.

My last show of the day is Stine Goya, a brand known for its unique ability to marry contrasting prints in surprising and delightful ways. The Spring 2019 collection is no exception; inspired by Italian architect and interior designer Renzo Mongiardino, each outfit is like an artfully curated room, replete with different textures, unexpected shapes and whimsical accents. My favorite detail? Silk scarves knotted under bucket hats, because two head accessories are always better than one.

6:30 p.m.

I take myself out for dinner alone, an idea that usually terrifies me, but I’m trying to overcome my need to be constantly occupied with something — conversation, my computer, a book, my phone — and learn to sit peacefully with my own thoughts.

I end up going to Souls, a casual restaurant near the hotel with a seemingly endless number of positive reviews on Trip Advisor. I order a salad with tofu, sweet potatoes, hummus, quinoa, edamame beans, avocado and cashew-curry dressing. I’m not exaggerating: It might be the best salad I’ve ever had. I eat it at a small table outside, surrounded by groups of young people drinking beer and speaking Danish, watching the sun set on the city.

8 p.m.

I pay a visit to the Ganni showroom, which in addition to being filled with cool clothes is also filled with cool chairs, a cool urn and cool blue raspberry candy. It is, in other words, very cool. I meet Alexandra (the brand’s head of PR), who kindly lets me pick something out to wear to the show tomorrow. I immediately start spiraling from indecision, but Alexandra makes a beeline for a hot pink midi dress, holds it out in front of me and yep, that’s it.

Thursday

9 a.m.

I wake up, put on my favorite milkmaid dress from Maryam Nassir Zadeh and go downstairs to eat breakfast in the hotel. I’m eating alone but my phone is now charged to 100% battery and I did not sit peacefully with my own thoughts.

11:00 a.m.

Upon arrival at the venue for By Malene Birger, I’m greeted by bouquets of flowers and a sparkling row of glass-bottled waters infused with various fruits and herbs. I choose one bobbing with cantaloupe balls and sip it as I make my way towards the back of the huge room. All of the seats are dotted with paper accordion fans, which guests are using to cool flushed cheeks in the unusual Copenhagen heat. I unfold mine and flap it breezily, feeling very ladylike.

Waiting for shows to start is typically when my anxiety starts to kick in. I’m still a relative newbie on the fashion scene, so I don’t have many close or even semi-close friends in the industry (a work in progress), but I’m pleasantly surprised by how open and chatty everyone is here compared to New York. I feel so much affection for the people who strike up conversation with me I could kiss them, but I don’t, because I’m drinking cantaloupe-infused water.

11:30 a.m.

The show is great (high energy, lots of bold silhouettes, fun bags), but I’m drawn to one look in particular: a maxi-length striped shirt dress paired with strappy kitten heel sandals. So easy, so refreshing. I want to recreate it as soon as possible.

12:30 p.m.

I have tons of free time before my next show, so after getting a bit of writing done, I head out to explore. I’m wearing my best exploring outfit: a short slip dress from LHD, Lowercase sunglasses and my trusty Maryam Nassir Zadeh sandals (trusty because they never give me blisters, which is key for walking adventures). For lunch, I’m embarrassed to admit that I went back to Souls and got the exact same salad I ate the day before. I know! Lame! I’m supposed to be exploring! But it was THAT GOOD.

1:30 p.m.

I hit up a few vintage stores nearby that were recommended by people on Instagram, starting with Times Up, a small and very well-curated shop with a great selection of floral sundresses. Next, I head to the 90s mecca that is Wasteland, where I try on a seemingly infinite number of Bermuda-length denim shorts. I can’t seem to find a pair that fits me perfectly, but only because I’m impatient a.k.a. eager to head to my third stop. I walk around the corner to Carmen Copenhagen, which ends up being my least favorite of the stores, but still fun to visit. To conclude my window-shopping spree, I walk in the direction of Holy Golightly, a luxury fashion retailer famous for its aesthetically-pleasing interior and collection of high-end brands — or so I heard. Sadly I can’t corroborate, because I can’t find the store! I wander in circles near the designated address for about 15 minutes before giving up and making my way back to the hotel. My phone’s map must be glitching. Alas.

5 p.m.

Dressed in my unmissable hot pink dress, I’m dropped off at a mysterious-looking warehouse for the Ganni show. Inside, there are gargantuan shipping containers that perfectly frame the uber-long runway. I chat with my friend Anaa for a bit before heading to my seat, where I meet Jenny Walton, an illustrator whose incredible personal style I’ve admired on Instagram for a long time. Meeting people in the era of social media is so weird huh? I repress my urge to tell her how much I loved the white top and skirt she wore last week.

5:30 p.m.

Wow! This show! It’s so much fun, and such an interesting direction for the brand — significantly more “outdoorsy” than previous collections. Instead of feminine floral-print dresses there are anoraks, hiking books, bungee cord belts, cargo pants and fleece vests galore. The Dopp kit clutches are my personal favorite touch, one I can easily see becoming a street style mainstay.

6:30 p.m.

The Baum und Pferdgarten show is set inside an auction house, which provides some very entertaining artistic eye candy as I wait for people to be seated. Baum und Pferdgarten was founded in 1999, so it’s one of the more established Danish houses. It’s also one of the most distinctly wearable, typically offering a selection of colorful pieces that are easily mixed and matched. This season was no exception, featuring items like like two-tone jeans, windbreakers, pink trousers, structured jumpsuits and gingham knits. In other news, I’m hungry for a snack.

7:15 p.m.

I venture out in search of sustenance to tide me over until dinner. I decide to indulge in my adult right to eat dessert cream before my main meal and promptly head in the direction of an ice cream shop called ParadIS. I get two scoops of Oreo in a cup and eat it on a bench outside. I’m sufficiently sustained.

8:40 p.m.

The Saks Potts show is about to start — 40 minutes late, but who cares! It’s as if everyone can tell it’s going to be worth the wait. There’s something distinctly anticipatory about the atmosphere inside the venue, which is wall-to-wall carpeted in white and smells like orange blossoms. Suddenly the lights go dark and a horde of leotard-clad dancers march into the center of the room. They perform an intricately coordinated routine I would gladly watch again and again for hours. The lights go dark again and a lone model dressed like the White Witch from The Chronicles of Narnia emerges from a side door. Illuminated by a single spotlight, she looks like she’s floating. Her dramatic entrance heralds the true beginning of the show — an array of Olympics-inspired ensembles ranging from lime green lycra to flame-printed jumpsuits. Worth the wait indeed.

9:30 p.m.

I arrive at Ganni’s celebratory post-show dinner, hosted at designer Ditte Reffstrup’s her home. The entire house is emptied of furniture, save for a makeshift bar where peach cocktails abound, and a DJ booth in a room filled with silver streamers. I text my boyfriend that James Murphy (of LCD Soundsystem) is DJing. He’s a huge fan.

I head into the kitchen where I find stacks of porcelain bowls and a huge vat of lentil soup. I’m deliriously hungry, so I ladle myself a huge bowlful and walk outside to find somewhere to sit. I immediately run into Brandon Borror-Chappell, comedian and Man Repeller contributor extroadinaire. I’m so happy to see someone I know. I chat with him and his girlfriend, InStyle Editor-in-Chief Laura Brown, while attempting to elegantly slurp my soup without spilling.

I feel a tap on my shoulder and turn around to see Lisa Williams, the founder of Lisa Says Gah. She introduces herself and her husband, and I talk to them about what it’s like being on the buying side of the industry until I see Fashionista Editor-in-Chief Alyssa Vingan walking towards us with a hot dog in hand and gasp. Some context: I’d heard rumblings that the Ganni party would be serving famous hot dogs, catered by chef-of-the-moment Frederik Bille Brahe, so I was very excited to try them. After confirming their deliciousness, Alyssa guided me around to the back of the house where the hot dogs were being served. I secured one smothered in sauerkraut and headed back to my seat…

Which was now occupied by none other than supermodel Frederikke Sofie, a.k.a. my curly-hair idol! I legitimately bring her photo to my colorist every time I get highlights. I’ve never been more delighted to have my seat stolen. I stand and stare at her hair in what I hope is the least creepy way possible while I try to elegantly eat my hot dog without spilling.

Friday

8:30 a.m.

I grab a quick breakfast downstairs in the hotel before heading out into the city for a run. I end up running through King’s Garden, which is the oldest park in the city and so tranquil I almost feel like I’m trespassing.

1 p.m.

After doing some work, packing up all my bags and checking out at the front desk, I run into Alyssa of Fashionista again in the hotel lobby. Her flight was cancelled due to technical issues, so she’s stranded in Copenhagen for the next two days. Given I have lots of time to kill before my evening flight, we decide to get some lunch and walk around for a bit. I haven’t been to Copenhagen’s trendy eatery Atelier September yet (it was recommended to me by at least 100 people on Instagram), so we head in that direction. The restaurant’s most-hyped dish is avocado toast. Living in New York, I’ve somewhat avocado toasted-out, so I’m wary of ordering it, but in this case it seemed silly not to. When it comes and I take a bite, I’m alarmed that I almost didn’t get it. It’s fantastic — definitely on par with my favorite avocado toast of all time (Bluestone Lane, for the uninitiated).

2:30 p.m.

We wander down to Nyhavn, Copenhagen’s waterfront district and sit down for awhile on one of the many floating barges. The parallel rows of 17th- and 18th-Century townhouses are so brightly-colored they almost look fake, like charming, super-sized homes for dolls.

3:30 p.m.

One quick jaunt to Boyy and Arket later, I part ways with Alyssa to return to the hotel. On my walk back, I think about what made the past four days feel so special. It’s a strange and interesting time to be working in fashion. A lot of changes are taking place: print magazines are folding, designers are decamping from New York to Paris, sustainability is becoming more and more urgent, brands are popping up on Instagram and people are reevaluating how they do things and why. With change comes discomfort, and sometimes, cynicism. But as a new and young editor in the industry, I still feel quite a bit starry-eyed about the whole thing.

At fashion weeks, intermingled with my anxiety about not having anyone to talk to, a palpable sense of joy shines through every time I sit down at a show. In New York that feeling can seem almost cheesy, but in Copenhagen, I feel it shining right back. Denmark’s fashion industry is pulsing with joy. Fashion is now the country’s fourth-largest export. It’s riddled with comfortable shoes, frilly dresses and rhinestone claw clips. Everyone looks excited to be there — openly, unabashedly, uncynically.

I retrieve my suitcase from the hotel’s storage room. Riding down the escalator, like Saks Potts’ illuminated White Witch, I feel like I’m floating.

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Feature photo by Simon Chetrit.

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wallvisionco · 6 years

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How to Decorate on a Budget

Sometimes we just need change. Our environments affect our emotions big time, and changing things up can spur creativity and relief when feeling stuck or stagnant. Redecorating a room, or a whole house, can change the energy of a space in major ways. You can make a house look and feel completely different with just a few small changes.

Home Decoration on a Budget

Redecorating can cost a fortune, though. You can take a big hit with a big purchase like a furniture item even at somewhere like IKEA, and small purchases over time, like for throw pillows or paintings, can really add up. But that doesn’t mean you have to sit and stare at the same rooms forever. There are plenty of ways to redecorate your home on a budget. In fact, you hardly have to spend anything at all to make major changes that will leave your home looking like a completely different place.

Rearrange The Room

Before you spend a dollar on anything, why don’t you try rearranging things first? It’s free, and you might be surprised what a difference that changing the layout of a room can make. Small changes, like moving an end table or an armchair to the other end of the room, can actually be quite noticeable and pretty refreshing. Try switching your paintings around, swapping out vases, and changing your table and bookshelf ornaments. Maybe that mirror in your hallway would look great in your living room instead.

If you want to make bigger changes, you might want to enlist some help. Call a friend over to help you move furniture around. It can be helpful to measure the room and all the pieces of furniture so that you can make a detailed room plan before you start moving anything. Moving furniture can open up a room and create space, or divide a room up into several different sections. You can morph your house into a completely different place just by moving the furniture around.

Paint The Walls

It might seem like an obvious suggestion, but there’s really no understating how much a fresh coat of paint can do for a room. Light colors can make rooms seem instantly bigger, airier, and more cheerful. White or light colored walls are a great touch for small rooms, or those without windows. On the other side of the spectrum, darker colors can make rooms seem warm, cozy, and inviting. Assess what kind of lighting you’re working with before you decide which way to go.

And don’t think you have to settle for just one color—what if you paint just one wall a new color? Or all of the walls different colors? Go for a spectrum or even paint a mural! You’re not limited to a single color—in fact, you’re not limited just to solid paint colors for your walls at all.

Try Out Wall Stickers

Wall stickers do wonders as an alternative to paint, or as a complement and companion. They are great in kids rooms, since they can be changed out conveniently as children grow older and grow out of preferences. Of course, it’s not just children whose tastes change. Wall stickers are wonderful because you don’t have to commit the way you have to do with a coat of paint. This makes them the perfect solution if you’re not allowed to paint, or if you’re just someone who likes to redecorate a lot and you anticipate making more changes in the future.

There’s just so much you can do with wall stickers. Small wall sticker decals add flavor and flair to bedrooms and bathrooms. Quotes can bring meaning and inspiration to any space. Big ones can act as centerpieces in a room, drawing attention to themselves like giant art pieces. You can use geometric patterns like stripes to create room-widening visual effects, or even use a sticker to cover a whole section of a wall like wallpaper. Pair sky blue paint with some nature stickers, or a peach coat with pastel or watercolor flower stickers. Wall stickers let you take paint, and then think bigger.

They’re just so versatile. They can be small and fun and frivolous or big and dramatic and somber. They can replace expensive art pieces, and they can add massive value to a room without the permanence of paint or even nail holes. And the best part: if you get sick of a wall decal or sticker placement somewhere, you can just move it somewhere else and try again!

Find Some Free Art

Some people buy art to hang in frames, but if you’re on a budget, why not make use of all the free art available to you? Websites like WikiCommons and Flickr’s Creative Commons are full of free images, contributed with limited or no copyright restrictions by their creators. Search through these resources for gorgeous nature shots, cityscapes, and artistic photography.

Use your own pictures! Print out pictures of your family and friends and hang them around your house. You can use frames and set them on tables, or you can go without and make interesting patterns with the photographs themselves. Your own Instagram can be a fabulous source of free art, since those photos have probably already been edited, and you already know you like all the pictures.

Open your mind to unusual and alternative art. Frame wallpaper, or cut it out into shapes and patterns. Make a collage, a dream board, or a vision board. And keep your eyes open when you’re walking down the street. You never know what someone might throw away. You could find the painting that brings your whole room together on the sidewalk someday.

Don’t Forget The Curtains

Curtains are often-overlooked home details that can subtly add to or subtract from the decor. Ugly curtains can stifle a room, but you might not notice that they’re the source of the problem. If you have regular white curtains, it might be worth trying something different. Even if they’re not detracting from the feel of the room, they aren’t adding anything, either. And if you’re decorating on a budget, you can’t let any style opportunity slide.

Experiment with different textures and styles, too. Hanging gauzy, lightweight curtains that let sun in but maintain privacy can completely change the feel of a room. Using bamboo blinds instead of the plastic ones can bring your bathroom up several levels of class. Try hanging two sets on a window of different, complementary colors, or a neutral color translucent set inside of a heavier accent color. Do long curtains look elegant in your bedroom? Do you want to match the paint on the walls, or try a contrasting color? A small curtain change can make a big difference.

Roll Out A Rug

You’ve only got one floor, so you better make sure the rug on it is doing its job. Do you have a rug? If not, you should seriously consider getting one. You don’t have to carpet a whole room to experience the benefits of a full floor rug. Carpeting is complicated and needs professionals. Instead, you can roll a rug out, giving you the freedom to DIY (which is cheaper, too) and to change up the look of the room whenever you please.

If you don’t want a full-floor rug, there’s always accent rugs and medium-sized rugs to use as centerpieces. Throw an accent rug down in a doorway to give a room some separation, or in front of a piece of furniture like a bookshelf to add character and interest. Stick a round rug under your kitchen table to pull the room together, or in a hallway to add style to a bare floor. Attention will naturally gravitate towards where you put your rug, so they can be great tools together with wall stickers and other kinds of wall art to create energetically themed areas.

Experiment a little with color and patterns. Light colors, like wall paint, can make rooms seem more spacious, while dark colors make them cozy. Solid colors are simple enough to pair with anything, but a rug with an interesting pattern can be the perfect detail to liven up a home. A rug with an interesting pattern, like these, are basically pieces of art for your floor, adding color and creativity to any room.

Make Old Stuff New Stuff

If you’re sick of your old stuff, instead of replacing it all, why not just make your old stuff new? Throw a coat of paint on your furniture. Something like red or blue or another bright color will set a bold and modern tone. Black is hip and sleek. White is bright and classic-looking and can make any knickknack or piece of furniture look vintage and classy. Don’t stop at paint, either. You can cover your lampshades with fabric for a chic new look, experimenting with different shades to see how the hue of the light changes.

And while you’re rejeuvinating old things, it might be fun to change up the way you’re already using things. Throw a table cloth over a storage trunk, and you’ve got a coffee table. Take those decorative plates that you never use down from the cabinets and hang them on pegs or nails in your kitchen. Maybe your couch blanket is beautiful enough to hang as a tapestry, or your kitchen chair works better as an end table. Don’t be afraid to see things with new eyes to repurpose them in cool new ways.

Reuse And Recycle

Reusing your recyclables as decorations will increase, rather than reduce, the style of your home. Collect, wash out, paint and decorate supplies like glass bottles, jelly jars, coffee tans, and cookie tins. You can use them as flowerpots, coin jars, office supply holders, and so much more.

Those teacups and candy dishes you’re sick of? Use them as soap trays for the bathroom, or as a key receptacle on your kitchen counter. Start paying attention next time you’re taking the garbage out, because you very well might be throwing away something that can be re-purposed as a style element.

Repurposed T-Shirts

It is just amazing how much you can do with an old T-shirt. Sew them around pillows to turn them into funky, hip, and vintage-looking throws that add character to any room. You can choose funny slogans, band T-shirts, or even just solid color shirts. Your old, worn-in T-shirts will make for the softest, most comfortable pillowcases out there. And if you don’t want to use the whole graphic or logo, you can always cut up shirts to knit into a quilt. A t-shirt quilt thrown over the back of the couch would be a really fun addition to a room.

You can also frame T-shirts as though they were pictures. There are some really beautiful printed tees out there these days, and it’s never been easier to put real art on the front of a shirt. So why not use your art shirt as just that – art? Stick a graphic tee on the wall as an art feature, or hang up a band T-shirt as a memento of a great concert. Using T-shirts as art gives you all the sentimentality and nostalgia that wearing them would, with decorative perks.

One Splurge

These simple decorating tips are, of course, about redecorating on a budget. But if you have anything to spare, consider splurging—even just a little—on one single piece of décor that really matters to you. With some careful planning, this one investment can transform a house made out of found supplies into a home truly and tastefully tied together.

This one splurge can be anything that makes you happy and looks great in your house. Maybe it’s a nice set of thick towels in an accent color that makes your bathroom pop. It could be a plush Turkish rug, the pattern as the centerpiece of your entire room. A piece of artwork or furniture like a couch or a bed is always a practical splurge option, as these get the most use from residents or visitors, and it makes sense to spend well on something you’ll spend a lot of time using. Whatever it is, you deserve to own something that makes you smile when you walk through the door. Don’t be afraid to splurge on something that makes you feel proud to be home, and that reminds you that home is a castle, decorated exactly the way you want.

from Wall Vision - News https://www.wallvision.com.au/blogs/news/decoration-on-a-budget

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playavacationblog-blog · 7 years

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Beyond Williamsburg

Colonial Williamsburg, with its beautifully restored buildings, period interpreters and manicured gardens, offers a wonderfully immersive slice of 18th-century American life. But there are many other great things to see in this corner of southeastern Virginia. Historic locations abound, from fields where battles were waged to 400-year-old plantations to some of the most famous formerly private homes in the country. Just a two-hour drive northwest, for example, is Charlottesville, with its clutch of presidential estates and award-winning wineries nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Fifty miles east of Colonial Williamsburg is Virginia Beach, with seemingly endless sand and surf and an emerging funky, independent streak. And with roller coasters and other thrills nearby, there are plenty of more-modern draws, too.

Colonial Course

The 1781 Battle of Yorktown was the turning point in the Revolutionary War. Today the Yorktown Battlefield and its earthen siege fortifications are preserved as a national park; rangers lead walking tours of the battlefield and the 18th-century town. Nearby, the just-opened American Revolution Museum at Yorktown guides visitors through the entire war, with exhibits and state-of-the-art interactive experiences, such as the 180-degree-screen 4D Siege Theater, where viewers feel the rumble of cannon fire and the spray of saltwater.

Almost two centuries before independence, colonial history began in Jamestown, which in 1607 became the site of the first permanent English settlement in North America. Now that spit of land is another protected park, Historic Jamestowne (a single ticket covers both the Jamestown site and the Yorktown Battlefield). You'll find active excavation digs and a fascinating archaearium showcasing some of the more than two million artifacts that have been unearthed here, along with an extensive look at the life of one of Jamestown's most famous residents, Pocahontas. A mile away, history comes alive at Jamestown Settlement, a living-history museum complete with a full-scale re-creation of the 1610 James Fort and a Powhatan Indian village, both filled with knowledgeable historic reenactors.

Tours of the stately James River plantations offer a unique glimpse of Virginia's agrarian aristocracy. Sherwood Forest was the home of President John Tyler after he left the White House, in 1845 (he chose the name because he considered himself a political outlaw); it also happens to be the longest wood-frame house in the country. Shirley Plantation, dating back to 1613, is the oldest plantation in Virginia. The 11th-generation descendants of the original family still own the farm-and its brick Georgian Great House, where they live-which makes it the oldest family-owned business in America. Nearby, the area that is now the Berkeley Plantation is positively steeped in historic firsts: It's the site of the first official Thanksgiving Proclamation, nearly two years before the Pilgrims arrived in Massachusetts; it's the birthplace of President William Henry Harrison; and it's where, during the Civil War, while the plantation served as a Union camp, one of the generals composed the now-famous Taps melody. Costumed guides offer excellent tours of the exquisitely restored 1726 mansion and terraced gardens.

After your historic adventures, stop by Cul's Courthouse Grille, a deli set in an 1870s general store. Edna's Chicken Sandwich, topped with homemade pimento cheese and green-tomato chow chow, is delicious.

Presidents and Pinot

Charlottesville, only a two-hour drive from Williamsburg, is the backdrop of the homes of three early U.S. presidents. The most famous is Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, an architectural standout and one of the finest historic homes in the country. In addition to the neoclassical main house, visitors can explore the old slave quarters, the newly restored stables and the manicured grounds; they can also opt to take the summer garden-tasting tour to sample Indian Blood peaches, Tom Thumb peas and other produce grown in Jefferson's day. President James Monroe's Highland estate is close by and paints a picture of modest 19th-century farm life, although new excavations suggest Monroe's residence may have been much grander than the farmhouse that stands today. Finally, James and Dolley Madison's Montpelier is a Georgian masterpiece that's only recently been restored to its original splendor. The house spent most of the 20th century hidden within an Art Deco manse owned by the DuPont family; a $25 million restoration was completed in 2008.

Charlottesville is also the heart of Virginia's wine country. One of the most outstanding wineries is Barboursville Vineyards, which has been operating for more than 40 years on a former sheep farm. It's extremely well regarded: In 2007, when Queen Elizabeth II was in Virginia to honor the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown settlement, a Barboursville Bordeaux-style blend was served at the celebration dinner. Visitors today can sample pinot grigio and other vintages in the tasting room or enjoy a picnic on the rolling grounds, perhaps in the shadow of the ruins of the original Barbour family mansion, designed by Thomas Jefferson, in 1814. Wineries across Virginia have become well-known for their full-bodied viognier white wines; lawmakers actually made viognier the state wine in 2011. But it was Horton Vineyards, only a couple miles from Barboursville, that first introduced the grape to Virginia soil, back in 1991. Today, Horton produces a diverse mix of wines, including the world's first sparkling viognier, and it's the only port-producing winery in the state.

Fun in the Sun

Once you've had your fill of founding fathers and tricorner hats, hit up Busch Gardens in Williamsburg for white-knuckle roller coasters and other thrills. New this year is the Viking-themed InvadR, the park's first-ever wooden coaster. Another recent addition is Tempesto, a 63-mile-an-hour ride, full of vertical loops and backward dips. Take your pick from half a dozen live shows every day, including the newest, All for One, a swashbuckling presentation of intricate swordplay and eye-popping pyrotechnics. Next door is Water Country USA, Virginia's largest water park, packed with high-adrenaline slides such as Vanish Point, a 75-foot-high tower where the floor drops away, plunging thrill seekers down a pipeline at more than 40 miles an hour. (For those who prefer a slightly tamer day in the water, there's also a lazy river and a wave pool.)

For even more outdoor fun and some terrific offbeat finds, head 50 miles east to Virginia Beach. At New Earth Farm, a sustainable and educational working farm outside of town, adults can shear sheep, practice cheese making or learn how to create kombucha in one of the farm's classes. Younger visitors 10 and over can sign up for field-to-table cooking courses, during which they'll harvest eggs and pick produce to help prepare (and then eat) a farm-fresh meal.

Downtown, the ViBe Creative District is an emerging enclave of galleries, eclectic shops and one-of-a-kind eateries. Browse laid-back looks and beachy-hip styles at French Twist Boutique-expect flowy tops and silky tanks by French designers, along with local artwork and lots of accessories produced by area artisans, including jewelry and leather goods. You can pick up a bag to haul your swag at North End Bag Co., where gorgeous leather and canvas totes are crafted by hand on-site. For a caffeine fix, there's Three Ships Coffee, a local farmers-market favorite that's now got its own brick-and-mortar outpost. Diners can sample the best of the region at Commune, the city's first farmer-owned restaurant, which sources all ingredients from within 100 miles.

Or you could always just grab a blanket, head to the beach and stake your claim somewhere along the miles and miles of Virginia Beach's sandy shores.

EXPLORE

American Revolution Museum at Yorktown 200 Water St., Yorktown; 888-593-4682; historyisfun.org; adults, $12; children 612, $7. A Four-Site Value Ticket covers all four Yorktown and Jamestown attractions: adults, $37; children 612, $14

Berkeley Plantation 12602 Harrison Landing Rd., Charles City; 804-829-6018; berkeleyplantation.com; tours, $12 a person

Highland 2050 James Monroe Pkwy., Charlottesville; 434-293-8000; highland.org; adults, $14; children 611, $8

Historic Jamestowne 1368 Colonial Pkwy., Jamestown; 757-856-1250; historicjamestowne.org; adults, $14; children 15 and under, free

Jamestown Settlement 2110 Jamestown Rd., Williamsburg; 888-593-4682; historyisfun.org; adults, $17; children 612, $8 a person

Monticello 931 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy., Charlottesville; 434-984-9800; monticello.org; home and grounds tours, $28; garden-tasting tours, additional $15 a person

Montpelier 11350 Constitution Hwy., Orange; 540-672-2728; montpelier.org; adults, $20; children 614, $7

New Earth Farm 1885 Indian River Rd., Virginia Beach; 757-536-6102; newearthfarm.org; Food Lab cooking classes, from $20 a person

Sherwood Forest 14501 John Tyler Hwy., Charles City; 804-829-5377; sherwoodforest.org; self-guided tours of the grounds, $10 a person

Shirley Plantation 501 Shirley Plantation Rd., Charles City; 804-829-5121; shirleyplantation.org; tours, $11 a person

Yorktown Battlefield 1000 Colonial Pkwy., Yorktown; 757-898-2410; nps.gov; adults, $7; children 15 and under, free

PLAY

Busch Gardens 1 Busch Gardens Blvd., Williamsburg; 757-229-4386; seaworldparks.com; adults, $80; children 10 and under, $70

Water Country USA 176 Water Country Pkwy., Williamsburg; 757-229-4386; watercountryusa.com; admission, $54

RELAX

Barboursville Vineyards 17655 Winery Rd., Barboursville; 540-832-5834; bbvwine.com

Horton Vineyards 6399 Spotswood Trail, Gordonsville; 540-832-7440; hortonwine.com

EAT

Commune 501 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach; 757-963-8985; communevb.com; lunch for two, $25*

Cul's Courthouse Grille 10801 Courthouse Rd., Charles City; 804-829-2205; culscourthousegrille.com; lunch for two, $20

Three Ships Coffee 607 19th St., Virginia Beach; 757-321-9371;threeshipscoffee.com

SHOP

French Twist Boutique 513 19th St., Suite 101, Virginia Beach; 757-961-1735;frenchtwistboutiquevb.com

North End Bag Co. 607 19th St., Suite B, Virginia Beach; 757-230-9138;northendbagcompany.com

STAY

RCI affiliated resorts in Williamsburg include:

The Historic Powhatan Resort 1046

Set on 250 acres of fields and forest. 3601 Ironbound Rd. Member Review: Close to nearby historical venues.

King's Creek Plantation 5246

Outdoor amenities include jogging trails, heated pools and a playground. 191 Cottage Cove Lane Member Review: Large living space.

Wyndham Patriots' Place 1141

This property, built on a former golf course, affords spacious grounds. 725 Bypass Rd. Member Review: Hospitable staff.

Patrick Henry Square A854

Stay in beautifully furnished units just a half block from Williamsburg attractions. 315 York St. Member Review: Love the pool!

For complete member reviews (as member reviews have been condensed) and additional resort listings, visit RCI.com or call 800-338-7777 (Weeks) or 877-968-7476 (Points). Club Members, please call your specific Club or RCI telephone number.

Search Now

Non-RCI affiliated resorts in Williamsburg include:

Fife and Drum Inn

Well-appointed rooms in a handsome brick inn steps from the colonial center of town.411 Prince George St.;888-838-1783;fifeanddruminn.com; doubles from $179 a night

Newport House

Two spacious suites and exquisite service; colonial dances are hosted every Tuesday evening in the upstairs ballroom.710 S. Henry St.;877-565-1775;newporthousebb.com; doubles from $159 a night

Williamsburg Manor

Six sunny rooms and a sumptuous breakfast of Virginia specialties make this B&B a treat.600 Richmond Rd.;800-422-8011;williamsburg-manor.com; doubles from $129 a night

The post Beyond Williamsburg appeared first on Endless Vacation.

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thehungrykat1 · 7 years

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The Hungry Kat Visits the Original Branch of Blue Posts Boiling Crabs and Shrimps in Davao (Part 1)

It was a whirlwind three-day crab fest when The Hungry Kat was invited to the grand opening of the newest branch of Blue Posts Boiling Crabs and Shrimps in Davao City. Together with my fellow bloggers, influencers, and guests from the media, we indulged in a marathon feast of crabs, shrimps and other delicacies courtesy of owners Anthony and Jennifer Ang. Our trip started on January 19, 2017 when I met my traveling group composed of Donny “The Last Don” Elviña, Gerry “Dude For Food” San Miguel, and Sharwin “Curiosity Got The Chef” Tee at the NAIA Terminal 3. Our Cebu Pacific flight landed at Davao Airport around 12:00nn where we were met by the staff of our generous hosts. They wasted no time and we headed straight to the original branch of Blue Posts Boiling Crabs and Shrimps for a hearty lunch.

It has been almost three years since my first visit to Davao (read about it here) but I was not yet familiar with Boiling Crabs and Shrimps back then. My first delicious experience at this restaurant was last year during the opening of their SM North EDSA branch, so I was very curious and interested about its history and roots. The original branch is located along J.P. Laurel Avenue in Lanang, just a few blocks away from the popular SM Lanang Premier and a 10-minute ride from the airport. I had probably passed by this location before, which opened in December 2013, so it’s about time I finally get to visit this iconic restaurant.

Blue Posts Boiling Crabs and Shrimps wasn’t always a seafood restaurant. This is actually a 23-year old building that used to be called Blue Posts Bar & Billiards which was run by a few college friends. Owners Anthony and Jennifer Ang were eventually inspired by one of their trips to Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, USA. They saw a similarly-named chain of restaurants offering boiled-in-the-bag Cajun-spiced crawfish, shrimp and mussels. He then brought the idea back to Davao and the rest is history.

The original branch in Davao still retains some of that bar and billiards vibe along with the same fisherman’s wharf design I saw in their Manila branch. This one has a more relaxed and casual ambiance, a place where barkadas can hang out and watch their favorite games while enjoying the seafood specialties. Customers are actually encouraged to write graffiti on the walls and ceilings, a signature design you can find at their Davao branches. It feels more raw, more natural, and not as uptight and strict as other mall branches tend to be.

We were all quite famished by the time we arrived so we settled in and got ready for our first of many sumptuous meals ahead. We had a cup of their appetizing Spicy Gumbo Soup and then went for the Sinuglaw, a quirky fusion of two classic Filipino dishes, kinilaw and grilled liempo topped with green apple.

Next served was their Grilled Native Chicken which has a different taste and flavor. The chicken might be less meatier than the more common commercial chicken, but it has a sharper flavor that you really have to try.

It’s now on to their specialties, which are their humongous crabs. These are all fresh live crabs cooked right on the spot with your choice of cooking preference: the savoury Cajun-flavored Blue Posts Boil, the sweet and spicy Asian Sambal Sauce, and the crunchy and salty Garlic Fried. The crabs and its ingredients are placed inside food-grade boiling bags where the flavors and aromas all mix together to create an unbelievable dining experience. The most popular is the Blue Posts Boil Crabs with a taste of creole and New Orleans cooking and a little bit of spiciness.

Another popular choice is the Garlic Fried Crabs which is brought out in a bucket and laid out on the table. At Boiling Crabs and Shrimps, eating is done communally with your bare hands. The tables are topped with food-grade wax paper so there’s no need for utensils and plates. It’s Fun to be Messy at Boiling Crabs and Shrimps, but don’t worry, you can ask for a spoon to eat your rice with.

Shrimps in Asian Sambal Sauce were also served as well as Garlic Fried Shrimps. Drinks were also overflowing because Boiling Crabs and Shrimps offers the Nestea Mixology Bar where you can get unlimited servings of Nestle juices. You can mix and match their six flavors which include Pineapple, Strawberry Red Tea, Orange, Blue Lemonade, Cucumber and Lychee and create your own concoctions. It was such a great lunch and there was just no better way to start our Davao food trip.

After our big lunch, we took a short ride and visited the second branch of Blue Posts Boiling Crabs and Shrimps which is just a few blocks away at the Lanang Business Park. I thought we were going to eat again but thankfully it was just a viewing of the restaurant. Demand for seats at the original branch is so overwhelming that the owners decided to open a second branch in June 2014, just six months after the opening of the first branch. This is primarily to accommodate the long lines of hungry diners who could not get seats anymore at the J.P. Laurel branch.

Owner Anthony Ang accompanied the group and shared the history and origins of Blue Posts Boiling Crabs and Shrimps. The third Davao branch will be opening in just two days so he wanted us to join the media activities and VIP night which will both be held tomorrow. He also expressed his excitement with the restaurant’s aggressive expansion in Metro Manila as a second branch recently opened at SM Mall of Asia with three other branches also opening in the next four months.

Blue Posts Boiling Crabs and Shrimps is not just about seafood. Owners Anthony and Jennifer Ang also run and manage the Open Hand School for Applied Arts, an innovative vocational school for young adults with developmental problems and special needs like autism, ADHD and others. We dropped by the school located at Lot 41-B Tahimik St. in Barrio Obrero.

The building is owned by the Blue Posts Boiling Crabs and Shrimps group but they decided to renovate it and open this school last year as part of their advocacy to held children with learning disabilities. They currently have 10 full students who are taught simple responsibilities like organizing their rooms, cleaning, communication skills, and even basic accounting. These training programs are meant to help them integrate into society so that they can be independent and productive members.

Another part of the school features private therapy sessions for younger children who need a little extra care and attention. They currently have 45 therapy students who attend one-on-one sessions 2 to 3 times a week with qualified therapists.

Noben Montederamos is one of their model students who helped tour us around the facility. The students even baked these Chocolate Revel Bars and Macaroons which they usually sell at conventions and events to give them some income. We had a taste of the pastries and they were so good. Noben is actually the first student who will be working as an OJT (On the Job Training) at the Blue Posts commissary and hopefully there will be more to follow.

Continuing our trip around the city, we next headed to the Magsaysay Public Market to get a first hand taste of Davao’s most famous and sometimes dreaded delicacy, the Durian.

I tried drinking a durian-flavored frappe during my last trip to Davao and did not particularly enjoy it, so I was not sure what to expect. I already knew about its funky smell, but I did not know if I would like eating the fruit itself.

After some prodding from my friends, I finally dared to eat a piece of Durian straight from the market. It wasn’t bad at all. If you can get past the smell, it actually tastes and feels like a langka. Now I can say that I actually ate a Durian in Davao.

It was late afternoon and we still had our luggage with us in the van. Finally, it was time to check in our hotel which was just beside SM City Davao in Ecoland.

Home Crest Hotel would be our comfortable abode for the next two nights. We would be mostly out attending various events during our stay, so the hotel was perfect because of its proximity to SM City Davao, which is where the new branch of Boiling Crabs and Shrimps would be opening. We only had a short rest before our next fun activity, dinner!

The same group that owns Blue Posts Crabs and Shrimps also owns another restaurant located inside SM City Davao which caters to Filipino cuisine. Antonio’s Bar & Grill was just a few minutes walk from the hotel and this is where we will be having dinner tonight.

Joining us that evening was the lovely celebrity chef couple, Chef Rolando and Jacqueline Laudico. I have seen Chef Laudico on television and at other food events before, but this is the first time we have been formally introduced. It seems that their morning flight from Manila was extremely delayed so they had to catch up with us for dinner.

Antonio’s Bar & Grill is not just your typical Filipino restaurant like Gerry’s or Dencio’s. They have very unique dishes as well as familiar ones that we all enjoyed. The Durian Buko Shake is a refreshing way of familiarizing our taste buds with the durian flavor. For appetizers, they served the Kinilaw sa Itlog na Maalat (upper right), Antonio's Bulalo (lower right), and Antonio's Pinakbet (lower left).

I like their version of the Crispy Tuna Belly which is somewhat similar to the Garlic Tuna Belly of Boiling Crabs and Shrimps. The skin in very crunchy but the tuna remains tender and tasty.

One unique dish we had was the Crispy Bangus sa Inadobong Kangkong sa Gata. The creamy and savory sauce went well with the fried bangus and I ate my fair share of this.

You can’t go wrong with Inihaw na Pusit and this is always a welcome addition to the table.

The Pinaputok na Manok is a deep fried seasoned chicken wrapped in pandan leaves before being carved and served.

Another interesting item was the Inihaw na Porkchop sa Gata at Sili. This grilled porkchop is cooked in a spicy coconut sauce that brings out all the flavors. For desserts, they brought out all their specialties which include the Suman sa Gata at Mangga, Ube Halaya, Buko Salad, and Turones Ube.

It was just the first day of our Davao food trip but we were so stuffed from all the delicious treats that came our way. We had a lot of fun during dinner, especially as Chef Laudico entertained us with his wild and very expressive stories. We eventually had to leave because the mall was already closing. Blue Posts Boiling Crabs and Shrimps will be hosting a media launch and a very special VIP night tomorrow for their new Davao branch, so we all went back to the hotel to rest and get ready for another exciting day ahead (Read Part 2 here).

Blue Posts Boiling Crabs and Shrimps

J. P. Laurel Avenue, Bajada, Lanang, Davao City

(82) 221-8360 / (82) 295-9022

www.facebook.com/BluePostsBoiling

Instagram: @Bluepostsboiling

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