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Style Blog Travels: Boating in Capri

26 July, 2017 Nelia 1 Comment

Before our trip to Italy this summer, I told le bf that we are definitely, 100%, non-negotiable renting a boat as soon as we get to Capri. Mostly, because one of my happiest memories in life involved boating in Capri and I wanted him to experience the joy of cruising around this beautiful island with me. He wasn’t psyched about navigating an unfamiliar boat in an unfamiliar area, but as I said – non-negotiable. Spoiler alert: he ended up loving it! If you’re into swimming, beautiful views, wind in your hair and sun in your face, then you too must rent a boat in Capri the next time you find yourself on this gorgeous island – it truly is the best.

While doing my boat research, I stumbled upon Capri Boat Banana Sport company and I am happy to report that they were professional, well-organized, and affordable – would hire them again without hesitation. Renting a boat for 2 hours cost us EUR 90 (each additional hour is only EUR 30, and the all-day rate is EUR 220), the staff was very helpful, walking us through the ins and outs of operating and anchoring their boats, as well as giving us a bit of background info about the island’s best sights along the way, before taking us to our boat. It was such a straightforward process, that both le bf and I immediately felt at ease.

Boating in Capri is very easy, even for inexperienced boaters – there is no reef to worry about, the water is fairly calm, there are plenty of spots where you can drop anchor and go for a swim, and the island itself isn’t very large, so you can cruise around without worrying about getting lost. As long as someone in your group has a driver’s license, you’re all set. There are a lot of stops to make along the way, so you may need more than 2 hours to finish the trip, but it was just enough time for us.

After our boating expedition, which included swimming, going through the Faraglioni arch, and just the overall feeling of being truly alive, we returned our ~~yacht~~ boat, and headed to Terrazza Brunella for lunch. We had a reservation, so we took the funicular to the center of Capri from Marina Grande – the quickest way to get to the top. This wasn’t our first time at Terrazza Brunella, and once again we were not disappointed – the food was top-notch, as was the service and the views.

Post-lunch we did some window shopping along Via Camerelle, but somehow I was able to walk away empty-handed. The store that really caught my eye on this trip was Wonderland, which carried a great selection of vintage bags and accessories. The shop itself is very cute, so check it out if you have time.

Because our boat to Sorrento was departing early, we didn’t have time for a visit to Anacapri, but having visited it in the past, I was ok with skipping it. We took the funicular back to Marina Grande and headed to our dock, sunkissed, with salt in our hair, and bellies full of clams. On our way back to Sorrento, le bf told me that boating around Capri was a highlight of our trip for him, and I couldn’t agree more.

Have you been to Capri before? What are you favourite activities on the island? Share in the comments.

More photos after the jump!
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Style Blog Travels: Sorrento, My Love

19 July, 2017 Nelia Leave a Comment

Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast of Italy have a very dear place in my heart. Perhaps predictably, the love affair began with Under the Tuscan Sun, and grew deeper each time I visited Sorrento and the vicinity. I loved it so much, I even got married there! Well, after missing it for 5 years, I finally returned to one of my favourite places in the world to celebrate my 5-year wedding anniversary this summer.

If you’ve never been to the Amalfi Coast, I highly recommend Sorrento as your home base in the area. All other must-see towns are very accessible from Sorrento by boat, bus, or car, and compared to Positano and Capri, there are a lot more affordable options for lodging. Yes, Sorrento is definitely touristy, and gets quite busy in the summer, but for me, the crowds don’t detract from its charm and beauty.

Getting There:
Getting to Sorrento is fairly simple. The closest airport is located in Naples, from where you can either take the ferry or the local Circumvesuviana train. When travelling from Rome, we usually catch a train from Termini station to Naples (just over an hour), and then grab a Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento (under an hour). I recommend taking the Campania Express train instead of the local commuter one – the former is air-conditioned and has very few stops (though it’s slightly more expensive), while the latter does not have air-conditioning and can have some sketchy characters on board (try to stay close to other tourists and hold on to your bags).

Where to Stay:
On this visit, we stayed at Casa Evelina Airbnb, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. It was super affordable, with modern, stylish, well-appointed rooms, and located just steps away from Piazza Tasso, and minutes away from the Circumvesuviana train station (and breakfast was included too!). In the past, I’ve stayed at Palazzo Januzzi, and Maison Tofani – both are quite nice, but definitely pricier than Airbnb (use this link to sign up and get $50 off your first Airbnb booking). If you’d like to splurge on a fancy hotel with a view, the Bellevue Syrene is a lovely place, and is definitely on my list of hotels to check out on my future visits.

Where to Eat:
Trattoria Da Emilia is my personal go-to and I’ve eaten there many times over the years. The small seaside restaurant has been a Sorrento mainstay since 1947 and serves simple, but delicious dishes like Spaghetti with Clams (my fave!!!) and Caprese Salad at the picturesque Marina Grande. The service is quick, the location is perfect, and the entire menu is super affordable. For a fancier meal, head to Grand Hotel La Favorita’s rooftop restaurant, where both the views and the food are excellent. If it’s on the menu, try the handmade Eggplant Scialatielli – I am still dreaming about it. On this trip we also had a meal at the Michelin-starred Il Buco, not our favourite meal in town, but still quite good (my lobster risotto was delicious, while le bf’s pumpkin soup was just so-so). Whatever you do, don’t eat at the Piazza Tasso restaurants, these places are ok for a drink and some people-watching, but the food will most likely disappoint.

What to Do:
Apart from visiting the nearby towns and Pompeii (just a couple of Circumvesuviana stops away), Sorrento’s beaches are perfect for an afternoon of relaxation. Since you’ll have to pay for a lounger and an umbrella, get there early and stay for a while. Leonelli Beach is my favourite, with a nice sandy beach, and decent food (I especially like their fresh strawberries with lemon juice and sugar!). There’s a small stretch of free beach nearby, but it gets really crowded.

Shopping in Sorrento is pretty good, there are lots of great souvenirs to bring home – from limoncello and lemon chocolates to spices and ceramics to custom-made sandals. Shop around to find the best deals and avoid buying the “Made in China” souvenirs – there’s plenty of local artisans to support instead. If you’re smitten with Sorrentine cuisine, you can take a cooking lesson at the Quanto Basta Cooking School. The school was located near our Airbnb and was always packed with people, and the atmosphere looked really fun. Since we had a cooking class booked in Cinque Terre, we didn’t end up taking a class in Sorrento, but will definitely do it next time we’re in town. In the evenings the main street gets closed down to car traffic, and you can stroll along Corso Italia alongside locals and tourists, eating gelato, and enjoying the weather. It’s the best!

One thing to note, there’s plenty of stairs, hills, and slippery cobblestones in Sorrento, so make sure to bring comfy flats and get ready to do some legwork. If you find yourself near the beach and dreading the trek up to town, there’s a public elevator you can take instead of walking. There’s a nominal fee to use the elevator, but it may be worth it if you’re really tired or in a hurry.

If you’ve never been to Sorrento, I can’t recommend it highly enough, even if for a day or two. As touristy as it is, Sorrento is a charming town with breathtaking views, great food, and an unbeatable Amalfi Coast location. Have you ever been to Sorrento? Share your thoughts in the comments.

More photos after the jump!
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Style Blog Travels: #FordConnections at Langdon Hall

18 June, 2017 Nelia 1 Comment

A few days ago le bf and I set off on a mini road trip in a brand new 2017 Ford Edge Titanium as part of the Ford Positive Connections program aimed to help bring people together on Best Friend’s Day (which also happens to be my birthday!) through a fun curated trip. First stop? Toronto Premium Outlets, because what’s a birthday weekend without a little #treatyoself?! With a few purchases from Saks Off 5th, J.Crew and Nike outlets piled up in the trunk, we jumped back into the car, and took the scenic route to Cambridge, Ontario. We drove by parks, farms, and fields, while the cooled leather seats kept us nice and comfortable, and the SYNC 3 system played my fave road trip playlist (mostly BSB, because I obviously have a great taste in music). Before we knew it, we were pulling into the picturesque Langdon Hall.

Since this was le bf’s first time at Langdon Hall, we did a quick tour of the property before settling into some comfy patio chairs with celebratory cocktails. With conversation flowing, the view of Langdon Hall’s main house in front of us, and the soft afternoon light in our faces, it was exactly what we needed after a few hectic weeks of all work and no play in the city. The next day, after a leisurely country table breakfast and a little R&R time by the pool, we packed our bags, checked out of our beautiful room and headed to Downtown Cambridge.

Back in town, we discovered that Cambridge was one of the filming locations for the Hulu show The Handmaid’s Tale (a current fave!). The bridge where the protest scene was filmed, the infamous hanging wall – both are super recognizable and we were so excited to have unexpectedly stumbled upon it. Needless to say, we were totally geeking out. After taking a million photos, we walked over to the nearby auto show, drooling over the vintage Ford Mustangs from the 60s and 70s (next year’s birthday present, perhaps?). We grabbed a couple of delicious Portuguese donuts from Malasada World, and hit the road.

The ride back to Toronto felt quick and easy, and since we had our Ford SUV for the weekend, we drove it from the house to Bar Isabel for yet another birthday celebration. It handled beautifully in the city, just like it did in the countryside. Le bf especially loved the car’s Personal Safety System that alerted us whenever another car was moving nearby unsafely, which came in handy a few times in the busy downtown Toronto. My favourite Ford Edge feature was definitely the cooled front seats – perfect if you like to drive with windows down, while keeping the rest of your body nice and cool.

Once the weekend came to an end and it was time to say good-bye to “our” Ford, I felt a little sad but very thankful for a lovely weekend of re-connecting with le bf and exploring new places together. I guess it’s never too soon to start planning our next road trip this summer!

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What I Wore: Seven Magic Mountains

1 May, 2017 Nelia Leave a Comment

By now, I am sure you’ve seen dozens of photos from Seven Magic Mountains – the larger than life (temporary) art installation by Ugo Rondinone just outside of Las Vegas – but here I am with more…simply because the colourful rocks truly were incredible to see in person…and I had to show you my new favourite dress. Getting the shot involved waiting around for waves of people to subside, running over to the nearest vacant rock formation as quickly as I could, while my husband snapped away. We probably should’ve arrived at sunrise to avoid the crowds, but who wakes up that early in Vegas?! Not us.

We shot these photos on our way to Palm Springs from Las Vegas, taking the scenic route through the Mojave National Preserve instead of the boring highways, and were rewarded with endless Joshua trees, cool rock formations, and the open road – driving for miles with no other cars in sight. If you ever make the drive, I highly recommend taking this route, it will take longer to get to your destination, but the journey will be seriously worth it.

But back to my dress. Though I said good-bye to my unicorn locks, I’m still dressing like one…especially when in California. Which is why when I saw this tie-dye-inspired watercolour-dreams slip dress, I knew I had to have it. I ordered it from ASOS, and while sadly it was slightly too big, exchanging it wasn’t an option (so expensive!), so I wore it as-is…and though I probably flashed a few Joshua trees while twirling around in the desert, I am kinda digging the loose look of this maxi…and of course, the slightly-faded pastel print. I am sure I’ll wear it a lot this summer, even if the setting won’t be quite as picturesque.

So tell me, have you visited Seven Magic Mountains yet? Planning to? Share in the comments.

More after the jump!
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Style Blog Travels: 5 Things To Do in Vegas

3 April, 2017 Nelia 1 Comment

Going to Vegas but not sure what to do other than gamble and walk the strip? Here are some of my fave things to do and see in Las Vegas from my March trip with Expedia Canada as part of the #BigWorldExplorer program.

1. Get Down at the Backstreet Boys Concert

Let me get to the chase…if you were relatively young (or perhaps young at heart) back in the 90’s, then you MUST GO TO THE BACKSTREET BOYS CONCERT IN LAS VEGAS while you still can…or be forever incomplete. Sorry (not sorry) for yelling, but as someone who was obsessed with this iconic boyband back in the day, I have to say that this concert will be in the highlight reel of the best days of my life…and probably more than that.

My equally BSB-obsessed friend Karen and I were super lucky to score front spots in the GA pit (thanks to the Amex pre-sale Platinum “Beat the Line” tickets!) at their concert in March, and it was LARGER THAN LIFE. They sang (really well), they danced (dad moves aplenty), they wore silver boots and sparkly jackets, they brought Lance Bass up on stage to serenade him…and they gave it their all (they had to give). Kevin sang to me for a full minute, making me super uncomfortable (yet excited at the same time)…I got to touch Brian’s hand twice and AJ’s once…and it will all be forever seared into my brain (and the shape of my heart?). Yes, I am a thirty-something who lined up for a few hours to ensure that I had a front and centre spot, squealed like a teenager when the “boys” were near our side of the pit, and sang every lyric to every song (except for one) at the top of my lungs…and I just want you to know that I regret NOTHING. Forget about other Vegas performances and go see BSB at Planet Hollywood…your inner 90’s teen wants it that way.

2. Visit The Neon Museum

I’ve been to Vegas a couple of times before, but for whatever reason I haven’t visited The Neon Museum until this year…and I highly recommend you make the trek. Full of cool signs and marquees, and with a knowledgeable guide at our side, this tour was fun, educational, and perfect for Instagram. Buy your tickets online (spots tend to sell out quickly), wear sunscreen and a hat as you’ll be in full sun for most of the tour, and pay a few extra bucks to visit the Neon Boneyard North Gallery at your own pace and see even more rescued signs.

3. Drive Out to Seven Magic Mountains

Ugo Rondinone’s Seven Magic Mountains has become one of Vegas’ most-instagrammed locations, and with good reason – seven towers of (highly-photogenic) colourful boulders in the middle of the desert, surrounded by mountains, and open to the public free of charge – I ended up going twice! The installation is located 30 minutes outside of Las Vegas and will be on view until 2018, so if you’d like to visit Nevada’s own Stonehenge, then you have a year to do so. Word of advice – if you don’t want a bunch of strangers in the background of every photo you take, then going at the crack of dawn Mon-Thurs is your best bet. Any other time, expect crowds.

More after the jump!
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Style Blog Travels: Packing for Vegas

17 February, 2017 Nelia 2 Comments

I just did the math, and I can’t believe it’s been six years since my last time in Las Vegas! Truth is, I love Sin City. I love the abundance of delicious food options, the rush of playing the penny slot machines (one time I won $400!), the variety of cool shows to see, and the fact that there’s a CHANEL boutique around (what seems like) every corner. Having said that, every time I’d plan to return to Vegas, something would always get in the way…but not this time! This time, I have the best excuse to go back – front row tickets to the Backstreet Boys concert!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you just rolled your eyes at all of those exclamation points, then you must not have been a teenage girl back in the 90’s…and you seriously missed out.

Having said that, I am also super excited to be a part of Expedia Canada’s #BigWorldExplorer program (I already saved over $300 on my hotel reservation as an Expedia member, and you can too!), and I can’t wait to share my stories from this trip with you very soon!

But first things first…one of the best things about travel (for me at least) is the actual trip preparation – researching activities, restaurants, and of course, packing and planning out my outfits! In the past I’ve written a few packing–related blog posts, and I do consider myself a bit of an expert, since I can easily pack a carry-on luggage for a two-week trip. So here are a few staples that I’ll be bringing with me to Vegas.

Comfy walking shoes are a must if you plan to explore everything the strip has to offer, so I’ll be bringing a pair of classic white sneakers that go with everything from dresses to jeans.
Pool season may or may not start in March (depending on weather), but I’ll still be packing a few of my favourite swimsuits (and an inflatable or two) to bring with me. Even if the pool is closed, there’s always the hot tub after a long day of sightseeing!
Sunglasses are a necessity when it comes to daytime adventures in the dessert, but they are also a fun finishing touch that adds a little oomph to any outfit. Just like with swimsuits, I usually pack a few pairs of sunnies to style with different outfits when I travel.
While I won’t be wearing heels on the regular while in Las Vegas, I’ll still pack a pair of comfy but stylish mid-heel ankle booties that can be dressed up or down.
Since we’re talking about Vegas here, I’ll also be packing a sexy dress for a fun night out. Something silky and shiny…probably a slip dress since I have so many of them, but hardly get to wear in freezing Toronto.
Standout accessories (like statement earrings) can help you take your look from day to night without having to wear an entirely new outfit (especially handy when you’re travelling with a carry-on).
Even though I’m not much of a gambler, I will still be bringing a couple of my personal lucky charms with me. Who knows, maybe I’ll get lucky with another slot machine and turn $5 into $500?!
Since I’ll be travelling with a carry-on, I will have very little room for several purses, so I’ll be bringing a cross-body bag that goes with all of my outfits – both casual and dressy.

And there you have it, my Las Vegas packing essentials. What do you pack when you travel to Vegas? Share your must-haves in the comments.

Travel: 5 Things To Do in Lisbon

4 January, 2017 Nelia Leave a Comment

As I am starting to plan my travels for 2017, I look back on our most memorable trip of 2016 to Portugal. To tell you the truth, I went with low expectations, but at the end of the day, I ended up falling in love with the beautiful country, its people, food, and crafts. Compared to a lot of other European countries, Portugal is still very affordable, so if you are looking for a new place to visit this year, I suggest you add Portugal to your itinerary. Today’s post is about beautiful Lisbon and some of the places you can visit while there. A post about my Algarve faves is coming soon.

1. Eat

Lisbon’s foodie scene was definitely a pleasant surprise. Nearly every single meal we had during our trip was a smash hit. There’s a plethora of delicious options at the admittedly touristy Time Out Market; the Piri Piri chicken from the Miguel Laffan stall was my personal favourite, but other restaurants were great too according to my friends and fellow travellers (just watch out for aggressive table stealers).

For a fresh take on ceviche, A Cevicheria is a must-visit. You won’t be impressed with the quantity of food at this tiny resto, but you will certainly love every bite.

For creative sushi, make sure to stop by Sushic (original or at Palacio Chiado). We ate there twice, trying various chef’s platters, gorging on buttery tuna tataki, and other delicious seafood. Just make sure to avoid the Tom Yum soup – it’s overpriced and totally not worth it. There are other options to try at Palacio Chiado (more hit and miss), but I’d recommend it for a quick casual lunchtime stop.

Fabulas is another great lunch spot with a charming patio, and a menu full of freshly-prepared Portuguese specialties like the super delicate codfish cakes. Despite its central location, this place is definitely not a tourist trap. Also, once they run out of a certain dish, they won’t make more, so go early.

As much as we wanted to make it to Pasteis de Belem to try their iconic pastries, we weren’t able to make it there this time, but we did make up for it at Manteigaria. Obviously, we can’t compare the two, but out of all the pasteis de nata that we’ve tried on this trip, the flaky, freshly baked custard tarts from Manteigaria were by far the yummiest.

If you’re craving a sweet cold treat, whatever you do, do not go to Amorino – it’s just not worth the calories. Go to Mu or Santini instead – their gelato is so much better! Also, paletas from PizPireto are incredible! We randomly found their amazing paletas at a gourmet store near A Cevicheria, but apparently they also have a shop just outside of central Lisbon.

For traditional Portuguese steak and chips, a couple of locals highly recommended Solar Dos Presuntos. And while I loved my steak, this place got mixed reviews from the rest of our group (they found it too pricey and not particularly memorable), so read other reviews before you go. Honestly though, I don’t think we had a bad food experience in Lisbon (apart from terrible gelato at Amorino and mediocre pastries at A Padaria Portuguesa).
More after the jump!
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What I Wore: In The County

8 September, 2016 Nelia Leave a Comment

One more outfit post from our amazing getaway to Prince Edward County with Lincoln MKZ. On our final night, I got all dolled up for dinner with le bf, only to end the night barefoot and playing ping pong outside of the Drake Devonshire. My feet were black when we got back to the room. Sorry for that visual. But that probably describes PEC the best – there’s the quiet luxury of places like Drake Devonshire, coupled with homey comfort of various Inns, local ice-cream parlours, and beach shacks. It truly has become one of my favourite Ontario getaways and I hope we can return as soon as possible.

Have you ever visited The County? Share your experiences after the jump!

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Travel: Prince Edward County with Lincoln MKZ

29 August, 2016 Nelia 4 Comments

After a couple of stressful weeks at the office, le bf and I packed our bags, jumped into a shiny new 2017 Lincoln MKZ, and set off to Prince Edward County for 2 days of R&R. We’ve never been to PEC before, mostly because I’ve always dreaded the 2.5 hour drive, but after hearing amazing things about The County, we finally decided to see what all the hype was about. Thanks to top-notch navigation, easy-to-use SYNC® 3 system, and Bridge of Weir™ leather-trimmed seating, the ride was fun and enjoyable. We stopped at the Big Apple for snacks and photo ops, took a quick detour to check out Laveanne lavender farm, and before we knew it, we were pulling into Drake Devonshire’s parking lot.

I’ve heard a lot of great things about Drake by the Lake, and they were all true. From our beautiful room complete with quirky art and comfy bed, yummy food and lovely lake views at the restaurant downstairs, Drake Devonshire had everything we needed for a restful getaway. The hotel’s perfect location allowed us to explore PEC, while being close enough so that we could return to the Drake any time we needed a break or a change of clothes. I loved our leisurely drives past picturesque farm houses and green corn fields, and I loved the retractable panoramic glass roof on our Lincoln MKZ, which made it feel like we were cruising around in a convertible.

Even though Drake Devonshire is located a few minutes away from a local Wellington beach, the highlight of our trip was definitely Sandbanks Provincial Park. White sandy beach, clear lake water, and plenty of space to stretch out made for a lovely place to lay down our towels and relax. We spent two days there, swimming and sunbathing, and I really didn’t want to leave. Though when we did have to leave, we were super thankful for the cooled leather seats – felt amazing, especially since the car was parked in full sun for several hours.

Since we were on vacation, the rest of our time in PEC was spent eating. We loved our dinners at The Hubb and East and Main, ice-cream at Slickers, and everything in-between at Drake Devonshire. We really wanted to try the wood-fired thin crust pizza at Norman Hardie, but sadly they didn’t serve it on the days we were around. Next time for sure!

On our final day in The County, we drove to the stately Claramount Inn for massages – the best way to start a morning, if you ask me. Zen and super relaxed, we had our last delicious breakfast at The Drake, and then we were back on the road. Just like our drive to PEC, our trip home was quick and comfortable. The ride was super smooth, and since my iPhone was synced to the entertainment system, we had the awesome mix of Backstreet Boys and NSYNC as the soundtrack to our road trip. Perfect way to end our mini-vacation.

Have you ever been to Prince Edward County? What were the highlights from your visit? Share in the comments.

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What I Wore: Vilamoura Nights

22 August, 2016 Nelia Leave a Comment

Before booking our villa in the Algarve, we weren’t quite sure about staying in Vilamoura. Everything we read about it seemed to scream TOURIST TRAP, and so we hemmed and hawed, until everything else on Airbnb was gone, and the last remaining villa option we had was in Vilamoura. So imagine my delight upon arrival, when I discovered that our villa was situated in one of the more picturesque parts of town, surrounded by greenery and bougainvillea aplenty.

Sure, Vilamoura is an undeniably touristy place with beach bars, golf clubs, and a ton of resorts, but it wasn’t a bad thing. On our trip to the Algarve, we visited many authentic places, but we were always happy to return to our comfortable and touristy little town. If you’re not sure about where to stay, I can’t recommend the area near Old Village, Vilamoura highly enough. With several great restaurants nearby, a small grocery store a quick walk away, and beautifully landscaped grounds all around, this was the perfect place to call home during our time in the Algarve. I’ll share more recommendations from our trip in a separate post, so stay tuned.

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