Manhattan Bees

Photography by Stephanie Arvelo

For a city that never sleeps and it’s always busy, I find its transportation methods always fail to excel. At least, if I compare it to my beloved London.

What can I say, finding your way to the right subway platform is certainly not easy and neither are waiting times. Looong! I guess some of us have been spoiled on the other side of the pond...

Funny enough there’s plenty of yellow taxis to fix that, but they are all taken when you really wanna grab one on the spot, ha! So much for those uber haters...

In any case, regardless of this #firstworldproblems that we take on our everyday lives, I love feeling like a busy bee in the city. Puts me right in character, one that has plenty of power and energy.

Life is tricky babies, stay in your magic.

TCB xx

WHAT I WORE

SheIn Heartbreaker Pink Velvet Tee
ZARA Pleat Skort
Mango Pink Velvet Platform Sandals
Rayban Round Metal Sunglasses

Mad Hatter Meetings at Sketch

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Breakfast at Sketch

#SpanishGalsDoItBetter

It’s 8 o’clock on a Monday Morning, and Patricia and I have decided to kick start our week with a banging breakfast at one of London’s Iconic venues: Sketch.

It is rather unusual for us to wake up this early (we are Spanish, after all) but business calls and we like to confuse people, so why not breaking the routine and go for a fantastic banquet?

Sketch has always been one of my favorite spots in Central London. Tucked away off crazy Regent Street, this gems is to me where fashion meets art and meets food. And here I’ll tell you why.

Views from The Parlour for Breakfast

Views from The Parlour for Breakfast

For starters, the decor is super. It’s like you are visiting an art-gallery inside of several restaurants, bars and a hip egg-shaped toilets.

Sketch consists of the Lecture Room & Library, the Gallery, the Glade, the Parlour, and the East Bar. Personally, I find it very difficult to choose a favorite room. Each one of them has a very different style and that style makes it shine on its own. I love the pink life at The Gallery and the fresh cones with tea are a killer, but then again the Glade and its whimsical yet dark forest style and food are also damn good.

The East Bar is more intimate and dark, probably great for a date and the parlour works fabulously if you want to catch up with friends while offloading yourself from shopping.

Each single detail at each one of the rooms has been thought after, from the waiter outfits down to the cutlery.

Now the food. The food is another level.

At the Lecture Room you can enjoy a Michelin-rated menu (still yet to try) whereas at the Parlour you can enjoy a casual breakfast and all-day menu. The Gallery and the Glade offer high-tea and lunch, respectively.

For the occasion, we dine at The parlour. Tea, coffees and juice were running through the table as we frantically discussed our weekend and the wide selection of eggs (hello tempura scotch egg, I’m looking at you) certainly made our day. Not to mention the pancakes, YUM.

We’ve also had the chance to go for tea at The Gallery (read our review here) and we could not recommend it enought. It will leave you wanting to come back for more tea and scones, the latter are fresh and to die for.

Jewelry from Thomas Sabo Paradise Collection; China from David Shirgley

Jewelry from Thomas Sabo Paradise Collection; China from David Shirgley

Finally, the toilets. It’s funny to think that somebody would go to a restaurant just to check out the toilets. But believe it or not, this is what happens. And understandably so. I’ve never encountered such thing, and you should see it with your own eyes. Unisex egg-shaped toilets (with a forest soundtrack whilst you go do your thing, in case you need help), with fish-eye mirrors and bonker lighting. It’s like I’m in Alice in Wonderland all over again. How wonderful.

TCB xx

WHAT WE WORE:

Laura wore:
Uterque Pink Feather Top
Tommy Hilfiger Houndstooth Skirt
J’adior Slingbacks
Delpozo Pink Bag
Thomas Sabo Paradise Collection

Patricia wore:
Zara AW19 Total Look
Thomas Sabo Paradise Collection


There's always time to dress up

Photography by Steph from City + Palm 

There's always time to dress up. Specially if you are head over heels in your favourite US city: New York. 

A good friend of mine once told me how amazing the spot her husband chose to propose to her in the city, and it wasn't until my last visit, that I got to understand what she meant. They got engaged a couple of years back at Gantry Plaza State Park, "with great views of Manhattan!" she said. 

Skeptical me though: why going to such a remote spot when you can get amazing views of the city in Brooklyn, Williamsburg, for instance? Oh gurls, I was wrong. This spot has indeed GREAT views. And best of all, it's not crowded. There's even sun lounges to lay in during a hot sunny day! Only drawback is that there is not much around it. If you plan heading that way, make sure you grab some essentials (i.e. cigarettes, alcohol and minimal nibbles). You'll need them.

I was feeling quite fabulous that day, so I put on my favourite preppy style look from J. Crew :) Ah, I love mixing minimal white dresses with a splash of colour, specially if that is in gingham! I must admit my obsession for stars and gingham is worryingly increasing, but hey ho, off we go!

TCB xx

WHAT I WORE (if old, or sold out, there's similar items!)

The Beach Gals

Photography by Jasmint

Life IS better by the sea, there is no doubt about it. 

I wonder whether your perception may change or not, but the more I've been in London, the happier it makes me when I go by the sea. 

Don't get me wrong, I am in looove with my city; but there's something about being by the sea that changes everybody's mood. Don't you agree?

The breeze is different, there's a particular smell, and people genuinely seem to be on a different schedule. Ah, the beach life. Of course, being in San Francisco, I could not miss the opportunity to get some tan and have a walk by the sea. Are there any better views to have on your morning walk than the Golden Bridge Gate? Hm, don't think so. 

TCB xx

WHAT I WORE:

Mango Citric Tee
Mango Check Tote Shopper Bag
Topshop Dogstooth Skirt
 

Shop Til' You Drop

Forget Century21 and all those outlets an hour away of the city. If you come to New York is not to shop cheap, my friend, it's to shop RIGHT!

If your idea of shopping is to go to all places commoners go, then stop reading right away. If you like unique pieces that stand out wherever you go, then continue. Don’t get me wrong, I love Zara and all the high-street stores, but I can get that at home and probably cheaper than in the states, so why bother?

If you are in the same mindset as moi and you’ve got some dollah to spend, you’ve landed at the right site. Happy shopping gurrrrL

 

LOWER MANHATTAN & EAST VILLAGE

  • Maiyet - Their flagship store on Crosby St is most beautiful and minimal store I've seen in a long time. Not to mention their handcrafted bags are SO DREAMY. Also, you've got the Nomo Hotel for a quick drink and the Egg Shop for the perfect brunch stopover.
  • American Two Shot - Also around the corner from Maiyet, a Super Cool Store for Super Cool People. Not only clothing but also home stuff and creative little items that are probably useless but SO cool. I mean, really.
  • V Files – You faaancy! Hood by Air and the likes, properly set up in the nicest and coolest way.
  • Reformation – Need to explain myself on this one? You have IG and claim you are into fashion, right? Then all has been said.
  • Frankie shop (aka Pixie Market) – Same thing as reformation. But if you need a bit of info…all those catwalk pieces you wanted? Here, for you, and at affordable prices.
  • 3NY – This shop I discovered on my last trip to the city. And I love it! Remember my Valentino lookalike? I got it here. Really funky and unique finds, with a variety of prices. Much better to go in-store than online. 
  • Warby Parker and Moscot for great eye-glasses and sunglasses. Warby Parker has more of a young vibe, with lots of different styles and frames and good for every budget. Moscot is a NY staple. It’s a family business that’s been running for centuries and their frames have been worn by many famous people.
  • Aritzia and J. Crew– OK,OK, OK these are sort of chains. But we don’t have them in Europe! Minimalist concept store with great evergreen pieces. Great steal of the season: suede pants for less than $100!
  • The Market NYC (on Broadway w/ Broome St) – Probably quite touristy but I found true gems in these warehouse: great if you are looking for good (gold-plated) jewelry and leather goods

 

GREENWICH VILLAGE (BLEECKER ST)

The list of shops across this street is LONG. It is mainly luxury firms, but also independent designers (up and coming, of course), so if you come from the UK, it is probably worth checking them out, since your pounds are worth more overseas.

If you are coming from anywhere else, I still think it is worth for you to have a stroll around the area. It is my favourite neighborhood for a reason, not only the shopping.

TCB x

The Unknown LIC

Photography By Steph from City And Palm

I think y'all know how much I love New York. It's been a long-time affair and the more I visit the Big Apple, the more I want to get to know her better. 

I love visiting my usual shops and restaurants. getting my bagel from Black Seed and my matcha fix from Cha Cha Matcha, not without stopping at the uber cool and girl power shop Bulletin. But hipster stereotypes aside, every time I am there I like to discover something different. That's what keeps things interesting, right? 

So, I decided to venture out and discover what I feel many New Yorkers don't even visit much: Long Island City, or LIC. It was surprising to see how empty most of it was on a Saturday morning! That, or everybody was still sleeping off their hangovers...Lucky them. 

In any case, while wandering the streets of this yet to be trendy spot, we encounter ourselves with Magic - A HUGE Cola sign. I must admit, I love Coca-cola. It's definitely one of my weaknesses, along with fries and ice-cream (seriously, such a healthy diet). Unfortunately the sign was for Pepsi-Cola, its eternal enemy, but nevertheless a great photo op we couldn't miss. 

Lolita #outfitrole ON, glasses and lips on point, and here we go! The weather nearly melt us along the way, but it was totes worth it.

TCB xx

WHAT I WORE:

Copenhagen Symmetry

If there is one word that summarises Copenhagen it is symmetry. Just as I was landing into this nordic country I could tell everything here id done to perfection. And it is, indeed. 

It particularly stroked me how great the food was. I could expect the danish to excel in interior design and home déco (which they do) but food? That I wouldn't know.

We all know Noma is the best restaurant in the world but that's an exception to the rule, or so I thought. Truth is, keeping Noma aside the Danish still have great stuff on offer. Every dish I tried here not only was delicious but it seemed out of a design catalogue. From the infamous avocado on rye toast at Atelier September to a 3-dish tasting menu turned 10-dish extravaganza at Höst, everything tasted delightful and it made you feel as if you were having not only a great meal but a great experience. 

Nørrebro was also one of my preferred wander areas. Apparently the hip neighborhood these days, it helds plenty of foodie offers. My fave have to be Mirabelle for brunch and Bæst pizza for dinner. They are own by the same peeps and there's a brewery in front of it and an Empire cinema. Could you have more in less than 50m distance? Well, if you walk about 200m you have Acne Archive, which is obvs a must if you are a fashionista in need of a scandi touch.

I am not a fab of going through touristy bits but if you had more time and wanted to...Tivoli Gardens are always a good laugh, and its one of the oldest theme parks ever. That's gotta count for something, right? 

TCB x

WHAT I WORE:

Day 1:
Tommy Jeans Logo T-shirt
ZARA Black Playsuit
Skinnydip London Kisses Clutch (old)
ZARA Gold Sandals

Day 2:
Topshop Mom Jeans
Mango Crochet Top
Taylor Morris ZERO Sunglasses
Marc Jacobs Snapshot bag
Warby Parker Glasses
Stan Smith Adidas Trainers

Who needs the Upper East Side?

Greenwich Village, Soho, Nolita, East Village...anywhere Lower Manhattan, you name it, and I'll be there.

It wasn't until my last trip to New York that I've realized the more I come here, the less I need to go uptown. I mean, why would you? I get it if you want to have a cultural day but otherwise, it's too much of a subway trip. You've got everything downtown.

I could literally spend my whole day walking around Bleecker St, to be honest. Yes, it is such a cliche but I love it there. Plus there are not one but three Marc Jacobs stores. Hello? Is it me you are looking for? 

On Saturday, I had a shopping spree myself: Kate Spade, J.Crew, Coach...basically every single american brand you could think of, plus few more that I discovered on the day. There was particularly one new designer that I felt in love with: Maiyet. Their flagship store (the only one worldwide!) is fantastic, so minimal yet so cool. Their bags are to die for and I cannot wait to wear one myself! 

Of course every shopping tour needs foodie stopovers, so I had an amazing veggie brunch at By Chloe topped up with a super yum icecream from The Big Gay Ice-cream Shop. 

And when you thought this could not get any better...there was live soul music in the street. 

YOU GOTTA LOVE IT.

TCB x

WHAT I WORE:

H&M Stripes Dress
ZARA Gold Sandals
Taylor Morris ZERO sunglasses
Marc Jacobs American Flag Bag

Postcards From Manhattan

Brooklyn, You Are The Best

It is very hard to express with words how amazing New York has been to me. As I mentioned before, it has been a while since I was last here and I must say this place gets better every time.

First time staying in Williamsburg (and through AirBnB!) and both the people and the neighborhood were GREAT. So many little places to discover in so little time. 

Waking up to a glorious sunshine, I particularly liked a deli where I had breakfast everyday while there called Campbell's Cheese & Groceries. I literally would have had anything from that shop! Another favorite pitstop is the old-school Wythe Hotel where you can #treatyourself to a $15 cocktail while overseeing Manhattan. Next to it is the Brooklyn Brewery, which was such a delight to encounter considering that's my favourite beer. Smorgasburg on the Saturdays is a must if you are around but there are certainly many other places you could enjoy away from the crowd...

In fact, one of the most funky things I've found in a long time was a hidden gallery on a ground floor apartment at Lorimer St, where there was a Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen exhibit going on. Ha, that was pretty awesome.

But keeping the food and the sightseeing aside, it was the people I met along the way that made my stay in the city even better. There were many sleepless nights and lots of memories that I will treasure.

Who needs to sleep when you are in New York City?

TCB x

The Sky is your Garden

Have I mentioned how deserted The City is on weekends? Perfect hotspot for a shoot.

Once again the Spanish Mafia went for a stroll and this time ended up having breakfast at the Sky Garden. It was long overdue!

Probably my favourite skyscraper to date in terms of what you can get out of it: best views and no entrance fee for it. The only drawback I'd highlight is that the food is not at its best unless you pay for an upgrade and go to the restaurant or the brasserie on top floors.

In any case, any excuse is a good excuse to dress up so I braved the weather (sunny but SO cold) and here is the result.

TCB xx

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WHAT I WORE:  

ASOS White Monochrome Dress

Ouigal Heeled Glitter Sandals

 

Leadenhall Market

Probably known as the financial district in London, The City is an area that never fails to surprise me. It's full of bankers in suits ready to splash the cash on an after-work session (at Dirty Martini or Coq d'Argent, obvs) during the week and yet desert on weekends. Quite fun to envision! And kind of a pity, there are many cool places around the area that are as enjoyable on a weekend.

I also find it very interesting that in less than a 2km to your right is Shoreditch, which could not be more different: creatives, artists, and fashion designers who could care less about splashing the cash or wearing a suit (they meticulously have though of it but they don't want you to know, that kewl); and about 3km to your left is the West End. How amazing is that? That's one of the beauties of London. DIVERSITY, PEEPS!

In any case, in this little area that we call The City there is an oasis from the 14th century: Leadenhall Market. I discovered it during one of my lunch breaks when I was working nearby and I instantly fell in love with it. The architecture of this arcade is remarkable and it stands on where it once was the centre of Roman London. Curated with selective shops, cheesemongers, butchers and florists, this place remains a hidden gem for many. Go there during the week to see the business buzz or during the weekend if you want to get a beautiful (and deserted) picture. 

Either way, it's a must! Do not miss it.

TCB x

WHAT I WORE: 

ASOS Baker Boy Hat
SheIn Stripes Top (very much Comme Des Garçons but 10 times more budget-friendly)
Pull&Bear Scuba Skirt (old)
Christian Louboutin Pumps 

Travelling in Style - Paris

Paris, Paris Paris, THE city of LOVE. Many have complained that it’s cold and the people aren’t that nice. But seriously, what’s not to like about Paris?   Every corner of this city truly mesmerizes me. And if you go there with your partner, AND during Valentine’s Weekend (as I did), then it is even more charming, if possible.

I’ve been there many times now. But I must say it doesn’t really matter how many times you’ve been, it always feels special. That is why I wanted to share my special spots and moments with you, so that you fall in love with this city too.

If you are going just for a couple of days, there are certain places you can’t miss out.

First of all, museums. You might not be the cultural kind of person, but you HAVE to visit le Louvre and Centre Pompidou. Moreover, if you are on a tight schedule you should spend the money and get a Museum Pass. It’s about 40 euros, but it allows you to skip all the lines and go straight in (as if you are a VIP) to pretty much every single museum and big monument in Paris.

Le Louvre is possibly one of the biggest museums in the world and it is pretty impressive. You could spend a whole day just wandering around the big palace. But if you like, in few hours you can get to see the big hits like Mona Lisa or Venus de Milo.

If you are more into Modern & Contemporary Art, then you will absolutely love Centre Pompidou. The architecture of the museum is already so impressive, not to mention their temporary exhibitions are always incredible (Jeff Koons is currently on).

Second of all, get lost. If there is one thing I like to do with my boyfriend is just to pick an area and wander around. This is how you usually get to truly discover a city and it is so much fun! My fav areas to get lost are definitely Le Marais or Saint Germain des Prés.

Le Marais is very hipster. It is full of fashion houses, vintage shops (such as Free’P’Star or Kilo Shop) and lots of trendy restaurants. On the contrary, Saint Germain des Prés is more classy, relaxed and as the french like to call it, it is Bo-Bo (Bourgeois and Bohème). Very close by you'll also find Jardins du Luxembourg, which are perfect for an afternoon stroll, they are so majestic!

Of course you need to do the main sightseeing bits though, like Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe-Champs Elysées and la Tour Eiffel. You are in Paris! But if you do so, please make sure you don’t miss Sainte Chapelle.

Pretty close to Notre-Dame, this little Chapel is considered among the finest architecture of the 12th century because of their stained glass windows. And trust me, the whole thing is just dazzling.

Also, very nearby there’s one of my favourite spots in the city, the Shakespeare in Company Bookshop. The original shop, which doubled as a library, publisher and boarding house for aspiring writers, was featured in Ernest Hemingway's memoir, A Moveable Feast. It is the tiniest and oldest place I’ve been in Paris, and it keeps the oldest books you could ever imagine. I guess it’s the mixture of the literature enclosed in the place and its charming vibe what makes this place so unique.

I know, I know. You might be thinking why the hell I want you to go to a bookshop. But I guess this time you’ll just have to trust me and see it with your own eyes. And then you’ll understand.

Thirdly and to conclude, do yourself a favour and indulge yourself into some real treats. After all, you are in Paris.

TCB x

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Wearing Sister Jane Faux Fur Biker Jacket (available here), H&M  jeans (available here), ZARA Ankle-boots (sold out, similar here) and &Other Stories Clutch Bag (similar here)

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Wearing Kenzo Tiger Jumper (sold out), ZARA Boyfriend trousers (old, similar here), Maria Pascual Jewellery (available here) and Adidas Stan Smith Trainers (available here)

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