A Gorgeous Andalusian Hostel – Solar Montes Claros

This is an ode to a place, a physical location, an actual building… oh and there’s an outfit in it too.

Last week was my birthday, and apart from cocktails, cake, some truly amazing phone calls from loved ones – Mila I love you and need to visit you in Barcelona soon – and some pretty gifts, I was treated to a surprise trip to the city of Granada with two adorable guys and my dog. I was spoiled with the accommodation: we stayed at the Solar Montes Claros hostel. Below are some pictures of my bedroom, which went under the name Jessie’s Room, oh sorry, I mean Sumeria.

The bath was HUGE – I need one of these at home

Top: Zara
Skirt: H&M
Leopard print wedges: H&M

Yes, my dog was allowed to stay – Spanish hotels and restos still need to get with the times. Solar Montes Claros is way ahead.

 
Oh dear, I fell and now I can’t get up

The shower… no words for this

I cannot recommend the hostel Solar Montes Claros enough. The service was exceptional, breakfast was a luxurious treat with fresh seasonal fruits, toast, jam, honey, freshly squeezed orange juice and coffee. Now, just in case you thought all I did was take pictures of myself all day, here are some images of the rest of the hostel, because I did leave the room… against my will.

From my room’s terrace – yes, I’ve decided to refer to that room as mine… forever – you could actually see the Alhambra, the fortress complex that brings countless tourists to the city of Granada every day. The price varies depending on the room you take but it’s seriously affordable starting at €45 per night, per person. What you get in exchange for your money is a unique, luxurious experience, worth every penny. Yes, I LOVED it, and can’t wait to go back.

Quite beautiful, right? Where have you travelled to lately?

For more information on this piece of paradise visit www.solarmontesclaros.es.

Pictures: Fashion Limbo

On Great Food – NY Style

One of the things I have brought back with me from my NYC trip is a cute bulging belly. I just couldn’t avoid it. It is not that the cuisine there is particularly exquisite, it’s simply that you can eat anything you like, any time of the day!

I began by pretending to stay healthy with sushi. Yet the sushi was too delicious to eat just a little and in not-so-small portions. Cocktails to wash it down left me happy and feeling light. On the second day, after a gorgeous organic breakfast around Soho, it loomed on me that if I wanted to wear my beloved Topshop bodycon around New York, this could not be delayed: my belly would be petite no more in just a few hours. So, rule number one when visiting the Big Apple – if like me you have an appetite, avoid fitted clothing and give in to the good stuff.

My recommendations? For great Japanese food, a fantastic loud atmosphere and a very retro vibe, head to Kenka, located in the East Village. You simply cannot go wrong with this one. It is fun, inexpensive and the food is pretty tasty. We loved the waiters’ t-shirts so much we headed to the store upstairs (a pretty bizarre place!) and bought some for ourselves. Pictured below: Moi pretty content at Kenka, wearing a Custo cardigan purchased that same day.

Another thing I was happy not to miss were the cupcakes. I obviously went to Magnolia (sinful treats pictured below) and was not disappointed. The funniest thing were the Sex And The City tour buses parked outside picking up some girls high on sugar, wearing impressive stilettos. I also tasted the Baked By Melissa mini-cupcakes, at their little location in Soho, at a dollar each, a must (the mint-chocolate ones are simply blissful).

And one thing New Yorkers do brilliantly is brunch. If only I could do this every weekend!! I loved Public, in my beloved Nolita, too delicious, too cool to miss. Great atmosphere on a Sunday morning, the menu is mouth-watering and the passion fruit mimosas too good to pass. The service was a bit chaotic that day, but the staff are all very friendly, just don’t go there in a rush. Brunch is to be enjoyed slowly and with good company.

Pictures: Fashion Limbo