Adventures of April

Our 2nd day in Croatia, we decided to take a 2.5 hour road trip and cross the border into Montenegro, a beautiful hidden gem of a country to the south of Dubrovnik. It was overcast most of the day and lightly rained at times, but it actually made the black mountains that Montenegro is named for even more breathtaking. It was very easy to drive so I highly recommend renting a car in Croatia so you can make the trip to Montenegro, and so you have a chance to drive up and down the Dalmatia coast since there’s so much to see. Check out Sixt car rental for a decent price, just be sure to decline their crazy high insurance and get your own either through Travelocity or whatever site you rent the car from, or through your own car insurance, but check to make sure you are covered for international driving before you go. The border took a little while to get through but only because the bus in front of us had a problem. As long as you have your passport and remain calm, you will breeze right through.

Along the way we found this cool little restaurant along the water, Verige 65, where we stopped and had a drink to take in the amazing view of the mountains and the Bay of Kotor.

Driving through the fortified city of Kotor and around the bay was an experience in itself, one of the first of many UNESCO World Heritage Sites we would visit on this trip. The winding roads, mountains and medieval structures, some of which had been around since Illyrian times, dating back to 400 BC!

Our final destination was St John’s Fortress (San Giovanni), which was reconstructed in the 6th century and has 1,355 stone steps that we hiked up – 3,000 feet in the air – to get the most incredible view of the Bay of Kotor. It was an experience I will never forget with the most magnificent views as you continued to make the long trek up. It’s challenging, not for the faint of heart or anyone with any sort of knee or back problems, but it felt so cool to say we got to stand on something so old, with so much history, and to marvel over how they built this incredible structure back when there were no machines or technology whatsoever. Truly humbling to experience, and I highly recommend doing it.

After our hike, we had dinner in the quaint little town that was pedestrian only. Since it’s a Mediterranean country, we enjoyed pasta and seafood (and a plate of fries as a reward for our hike), took in the view of the Serbian Orthodox Church, people (and cat) watched until it was time to head back. On our drive back to Slano, we talked about all we had experienced in just 48 hours across two countries, and we saw the most gorgeous double rainbow over Dubrovnik as the sun was setting. The perfect ending to a day full of memories that will last a lifetime.

XoX,

Avril

The first beautiful town we stayed in was about 45 minutes west of Dubrovnik, in a small little town called Slano. I had stumbled across a hidden gem called Villa Almadria, where we would spend our first 4 nights immersing ourselves in the sights, tastes and beauty of the Bay of Slano, along the Adriatic Sea. Thanks to our beautiful friend and villa owner, Alma, she started our trip off on the perfect note by having a beautiful lunch prepared for us including fresh langoustines, avocado & fish pate and a Croatian stuffed pepper that was out of this world while we sat on the sun deck looking out on the gorgeous bluegreen water.

From there we took bikes to cruise around town, put our toes in the Croatian sand, then ate dinner at a lovely restaurant called Tony’s, which sat on the hilltop overlooking the Bay of Slano that Alma had recommended, and the restaurant even sent a driver to pick you up and take you home (now that’s what I call service). Tony cooked a 5-course meal where the only thing you had to decide was meat or fish (we went meat and it was an excellent choice). Slano became our home base while we ventured out to visit Montenegro and Dubrovnik, our quite respite when we came back for a day’s long adventure traversing through countries we had never been in before. But thanks to Alma’s incredible stories of love and survival, in addition to the tranquil vibes felt throughout the entire villa, this is definitely one of the most beautiful places I have ever stayed in Europe, and I have been all over Italy, Paris and Luxembourg.

Although Slano was a bit far from Old Town Dubrovnik, we had a car and Alma also offered up her driver one night so that we could imbibe and enjoy a night out. Her villa was breathtaking, inside and out, and she welcomes you into her home in a way that truly makes you feel special. I would highly recommend looking into Villa Almadria as opposed to any of the larger hotel chains. The level of service was 5-star and no one can beat Alma’s cooking 🙂

XoX,

Avril

Beautiful beaches. Bluegreen water. Majestic mountains. Scenic coastline. Ancient ruins. Gorgeous architecture. Incredible history. Friendly locals. Delicious food. World-class wine. Welcome to Croatia, full of life and adventure. What a hidden gem this amazing country is, and once you read my stories, you will be booking your next vacation here.

Top 5 Things to Do:

1. Old Town Dubrovnik (but stay in Slano)
2. Montenegro
3. Korcula
4. Split
5. Travel by Boat & Island Hop (Hvar, Brac, Vis)

The Croatian coastline runs along the Adriatic Sea, which separates Croatia from the eastern coastline of Italy. This region is also referred to as Dalmatia and is where I chose to focus our time on. Croatia had been on my list for a couple of years. I had seen a travel show highlighting the beautiful beaches and people of Croatia, and then I had several co-workers who had recently visited and their stories and pictures solidified my decision to go there. It took some time to come to fruition but I manifested my dream vacation, taking two weeks off for the first time ever and enjoying this trip of a lifetime with my sexy boyfriend, something I always dreamed of doing. Yet another example of how I focused my thoughts on exactly what this trip would look and feel like, and in doing so I created some of the most amazing memories of my life.

There is a lot of Italian influence here, dating back to the Romans, but also from the early 1400’s to the late 1700’s when the Venetian Republic took over part of the coastline. The churches, architecture, food and wine all have a taste of Italy woven into the Illyrian, Greek and Slavic presence that ruled throughout many centuries. What a beautiful melting pot of so many cultures and empires, in a small country (total population is only 4.5 million) that fought so hard only 30 years ago to gain their independence and start anew.

Continue reading “Croatia”

I used to daydream about having my own apartment in NYC that my family and friends could come visit me at. I thought about it daily for years. I thought about how I would decorate my apartment, the new people I would meet in the neighborhood, and how I would go to the grocery store every few days to get fresh produce and flowers. I thought about how happy I would be and the freedom I would have to do the things I wanted to do and create the life I always wanted to live. Now I am living that life, and each time I have family and friends come to visit me, it reminds me how very lucky I am to have been enlightened to the fact that if you think about what you want in your life and focus your energy on those thoughts, you can turn any daydream into reality.

I encourage you to read The Secret by Rhonda Byrne and unlock the power of positive thinking. The book is centered around the law of attraction – what you think, what you feel, you attract into your life. So it’s important to think positively no matter what obstacles life throws your way, to be present in every moment this beautiful life affords you, and to continue to think about what truly makes you happy. By focusing your energy on discovering your inner self through meditation, exercise and whatever makes your mind, body and soul feel good, you will find happiness and you will naturally attract people who are thinking and looking for the same things, and experience what life is truly about. I leave you with a few of my favorite quotes from The Secret:

“If you see it in your mind, you’re going to hold it in your hand.”

“Thoughts become things.”

“You create your life with your thoughts.”

“YOU are the most powerful transmission tower in the Universe. Your transmission creates your life and it creates the world.”

Don’t stop believin’, and always keep dreamin’.

XoX,

Avril

Today was an absolutely beautiful spring day in NYC. The sun was shining, the temperature was in the high 60’s and it’s days like these that I live for. I had the quintessential day in Manhattan. Started out by hitting the Dunkin’ Donuts for an iced coffee then made my way to the subway. My first stop was to see my trusted stylist and friend at her new salon in Hell’s Kitchen. If you are looking for a new salon and a stylist that can make all of your hair dreams come true, go to Timothy John’s Salon in Hell’s Kitchen and ask for Jodi. I walked out of there a new woman, hair shining a beautiful shade of brunette with a touch of red velvet. I was ready to take on the world.

Next stop was Hudson Yards, which is the newest shopping mecca that spans from 30th-38th Street between 10th & 11th Ave. I was ready for some retail therapy for my upcoming trip of a lifetime to Croatia, and I also wanted to check out the architectural masterpiece called The Vessel, and it did not disappoint. Only in NYC can you turn a street corner (a bit tricky to find, you need to walk all the way down 30th and make a right on 11th) and find this incredible sight next to a skyscraper mall full of high-end stores like Fendi and Cartier, but also home to some of my more affordable favorites like Zara. Although it’s free to walk up The Vessel, they require you to have a ticket with a specific time to enter, so avoid the lines and reserve your ticket up to two weeks in advance.

I shopped til I dropped, then grabbed a light lunch at this fabulous gourmet market called Citarella and headed for the High Line. The entrance is conveniently located next to the Vessel. When you come out of the shops, go left and that’s where it begins. I absolutely love the High Line and how they transformed an old railroad line into a beautifully maintained park, all thanks to the community that rallied behind it and kept it from being demolished. It was extremely crowded due to the nice weather and it being a Saturday, so I recommend experiencing it early in the day or during the week when the crowds are much less and you can walk at your own pace and really enjoy the beauty that this walk has to offer. I found an empty bench in the shade and enjoyed my lunch, and there happened to be some lovely jazz music playing from afar. An older gentleman sat down next to me and made friendly conversation. He lived on the Upper East Side but was originally from Bushwick, and we talked about how much that neighborhood had changed and how Brooklyn has the best view of Manhattan. Then he told me about a free art gallery opening he had just went to that was just a few blocks away, so I decided to check it out on my way home. It was just how I imagined an art gallery opening in NYC would be – full of interesting people and beautiful paintings. I didn’t know anyone but felt like I belonged. I walked through each room and admired the works of art. My favorite collection was entitled ‘Subway People’ and will be on exhibition until June 10 at the Amsterdam Whitney International Fine Art Gallery on 25th Street and 10th Ave.

I finally made my way back to Brooklyn, hopping two different subway lines to get there, back to my quieter neighborhood streets. I am so grateful that I get to live in the best city in the world. As crazy and loud and chaotic as NYC can be, it’s also a place to be inspired. It’s full of life, art, energy and people. And there’s no place I would rather call home.

XoX,

Avril

What’s the dilly? Just touched ground down in Philly. The City of Brotherly Love. Also the home of some of the sports teams I hate the most. The only thing we have in common is our hatred for the Patriots. Despite being a Giants fan living in enemy territory, Philly captured a little piece of my heart after living there for a few years post college.  Not only did I get to experience the inner and outer suburbs, Center City, South Philly (Jim’s on 4th and South is the ONLY place to get a cheesesteak) and beyond, but I was doing it with seven of my closest girlfriends from College. Living with my besties, entering the workforce, meeting new boys in a new city and having a blast while doing it all. It bonded us for life and is the reason that Philly will always have a place in my heart.

One of my favorite Anthony Bourdain episodes is not from Parts Unknown but his previous show, The Layover.  The Philadelphia episode not only highlights the diverse and delicious ethnic cuisine strategically placed all throughout the city, but “Tony finally does Philadelphia — 36 hours of food, drink, history, art … and absolutely no cheesesteaks.” I love that he knew back then (2008), when I was just getting going with my Facebook account, that each city he visited was not about being a tourist. It was about being a local and finding the places they enjoyed going to. Enjoying the food from each of the unique neighborhoods, not only in Philly but in any city you visit, is truly some of the best advice that a well traveled (and well fed) person can offer you.  Enjoying good food and good company, and really making the most of the time you have in each place, no matter how short of a stay it may be, is the way I have approached life and my travels ever since.

Continue reading “Philadelphia: Beyond the Cheesesteak”

If you have ever considered purchasing a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) share – I highly recommend you try it and if you are in the NYC area check out Local Roots NYC. I tried it out this summer and bought a partial season of fruit, and loved it. Not only are you getting fresh fruits that are in-season, but you are supporting the local farms in your area and likely saving yourself a few bucks at the supermarket. At Local Roots NYC, you can buy at any time during the season and they will pro-rate the cost for however many weeks are left.  This fall, I split a vegetable share with my boyfriend and two of our friends. Not only were the veggies delicious, but it got me eating new things like kale and beets, and it inspired me to try and go meatless for a full meal at least once a week. Depending on what was in the share each week (usually a variety of 2-3 different fall or winter vegetables from farms in NY, NJ or PA), we would build our meals around the veggies and created some new signature dishes along the way.  One cold and dreary weekend, my boyfriend made a soup using the kale, carrots and turnips from our share and then we threw in some mushrooms, sweet potatoes and chicken meatballs that I had in the fridge.  I have never enjoyed a soup so much!  I even forgot to take pictures because I was too busy eating it all instead.

Continue reading “Veg Out”

Summer in the City is in full swing and I am absolutely loving my new apartment and my new neighborhood. Although not far from where I was, it’s a different vibe around here and I’m feeling the flow. People are always asking me what to do when they come to Brooklyn so I’m going to break it down for the summer, since it’s definitely a lot less crowded than fall or winter and although it gets hot and humid, it’s worth enjoying some of the trendy spots around here with a lot less crowds. Just dress appropriately, wear comfortable shoes (no heels ladies – sneakers are best or a solid pair of flats) and bring some water to get you going because it’s so much better to walk than drive around here. Continue reading for the best places to eat and drink your way through the place I am so grateful to call home.

One of my favorite things to do on a bright sunny day is to walk the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, but you must also go back at dusk, right before the sun starts to set, to see the most beautiful sky reflecting on the Manhattan skyline. In my opinion, this is the best view of Manhattan you can get. From one vantage point, you can pretty much see all of NYC, from Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty on your left, Freedom Tower and South Street Seaport, the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, to the Empire State Building peeking through from Midtown. It’s truly spectacular if you love a good city skyline. I’m definitely biased, but I believe it’s the best in the world. Dubai might have taller buildings but NYC has a magic that no other city can capture quite like she does. And you definitely have to see it and feel it to believe it.

Continue reading “Best of Brooklyn: Summer Edition”

It’s been 18 months since I started my adventure in Brooklyn (time flies when you’re having fun!) and I’m finally moving to a new apartment. What started as a 1 month Airbnb turned into a place I called home  for much longer than expected, but I loved every minute of my time living there in Park Slope. That place taught me how to be a strong, independent woman. I learned so much about myself and what I wanted out of life and I was determined to not let anything or anyone stand in the way of my happiness ever again. That place was my jumping off point for this amazing journey in Brooklyn, but it was time for me to find a place of my own and really put some roots down here, which is also what my horoscope said should be happening for Aries this month. And as quickly as I made the decision to move (before I even knew my horoscope), things all started falling into place.

Continue reading “New Apartment, Who Dis?”

Hard to believe another year has gone by and we are heading into 2018 in just a few short days. The past year has been one of the wildest, craziest, most fun and adventurous years of my life. College years were pretty amazing but having my career, family and friends to share this all with has made the ride so much sweeter at 36.

Reinventing myself. Creating the life I always dreamed about. Finding inner peace and happiness. Being free to be me. Stumble as I may, I pick myself back up every time. Sometimes a little help is needed along the way to remind me why I’m here, but I can always count on the Universe for that. I am grateful for every single thing that has brought me to this exact moment in my life and for the realization that you can rise above any pain, suffering or obstacle that gets in your way.

Continue reading “The Next Episode”