Experience The Best Of Minimalism And Luxury At London's Rough Luxe!

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Whenever I travel, I'm either looking for a simple and cheap place to sleep for a night or an all out luxurious experience in a beautiful suite. Rough Luxe in London can be described as somewhere in the middle. Located in the up-and-coming King's Cross, Rough Luxe calls themselves as "A little bit of luxury in a rough part of London. A little bit of rough in a luxurious London." and they couldn't have said it better. The small and intimate hotel may only have 9 rooms (and just 3 have private bathrooms) and the chipped paint and stripped walls may seem a little dingy, but it certainly adds to the artsy starving artist vibe. Looks aside, the service makes up for everything. The manager Leo and his dog Spud make their guests feel right at home with dinner recommendations, a tour of their gallery and evening drinks with other guests. So if you're looking for something in between a student hostel and the Four Seasons, consider staying at the Rough Luxe Hotel the next time you're in London. Take a peek at my slideshow to see more!

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Tags :   getaway , gotta getaway , hotel , london , rough luxe , travel

Gotta Getaway? Stay At Mama Shelter In Paris For Around $110 A Night!

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It's easy to see why visitors have been gravitating to Mama Shelter in Paris. Designed by Philippe Starck, Mama Shelter boasts 172 rooms that feature amenities like five-star bedding, free wifi, Kiehl's bath and body products, rental bikes and cars, amongst other things that will make you feel totally babied. Located in Paris' bohemian 20th district, you'll have access to all the cafes, restaurants and shops in the area. Best part of all, rooms start at around $110 per night, which means you really don't need to break the bank for some love from dear ol' mom! Check out the slideshow for a peek of what it's like to stay at Mama Shelter!

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Tags :   france , getaway , hotel , mama shelter , paris , philippe starck , travel

Gotta Getaway? Head Over To Ibiza's Insotel Fenicia Prestige

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Breathtaking seascapes and beaches, eccentric cultures, and the planet's biggest party destination? What more could you ask for! Summer in Ibiza really means season of soiree, as the beginning of June marks the kickoff for the largest and craziest nightclubs in the world. There's no excuse for skipping the nightlife here, with beach bars for daytime playtime, hot spots to sip and watch the sunset, raging parties for nighttime nonsense, and after party bars that extend the hours of the semi-regulated closing time of 6am. If you're one who's gotta have their party and their getaway, The Insotel Fenicia Prestige is just the place to get the luxury time you need in between flitting about the boundless social scene. This first class resort features its own top-notch bars and restaurants, spectacular views and services, and a spa to spoil you senseless, all making for a secluded kind of fun for even the most zealous of party people to recuperate. With suites galore, who could say no to amenity lists featuring luxuries like "terrace" and "hydromassage shower" epitomized by the surroundings of this immensely beautiful island? The hotel's location says it all, close enough to the hot spots, yet away enough to tour Ibiza's natural beauty. With exhausting hidden beaches and coves to explore via Vespa, even the party-pooper will flip over the incredible Balearic island adventure in store within the outskirts of the resort. Whether it be club or cove hopping, this quickly-navigable, small but bustling hotspot of an island will be the intoxicating getaway you've been craving!

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Tags :   balearic , beach , beauty , club , clubbing , dance , dancing , destination , europe , explore , holiday , hot , hotel , ibiza , island , mediterranean , party , partying , pool , relax , resort

Kiehl's "Recycle and Be Rewarded"

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Long gone are the days where good achievements are rewarded with gold stars and a big A+...or are they? Maybe they've just been replaced with something better! Now you can gather up all your used Kiehl's bottles, jars and tubes and take them to a Kiehl's free-standing store for recycling through the "Recycle and Be Rewarded program". For your hard work and trouble, you'll receive a card to collect stamps for each container you recycle in store. The more bottles you turn in the more generous the samples and gifts get. Score a free tube of Lip Balm #1 with your third container returned and an item from the Official Kiehl's Travel Collection with your fifth. Make it all the way to 10 stamps and a filled card, you can choose any one regular sized product valued at $25 or less. It's green for the environment and helps you keep the green in your wallet. Visit kiehls.com for a store near you.

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Tags :   beauty , beauty and health products , environment , free , gift , green , kiehls , recycle , shopping , skin , travel

Father's Day Gifts For The Jet Set Traveler

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Would you define your dad as a jet set traveler? Does he often fly cross country for business meetings or go off to exotic countries for research opportunities? Whatever the reason, you've probably seen the pages of stamps on his passport or well worn luggage in his closet. So why not give him something this Father's Day that makes his travels easier? You can't guarantee that his luggage won't be lost or that babies will stay quiet on his flights. But for some peace and quiet on his airplane rides, check out the Bose Quiet Comfort Noise Canceling headphones. They're super lightweight and neutralizes outside noise for the best listening experience. For the dad who's always in a suit and tie, give him a pair of cedar shoe trees to keep his fancy shoes from getting crushed in his luggage and to keep bugs and mildew away. For more Father's Day gifts fit for the world wandering dad, check out my slideshow!

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Tags :   cedar , gift , gift ideas , gps , headphones , present , speakers , suitcase , technology , travel

Hideo Wakamatsu Luggage Stands The Test Of Time

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The Hideo Wakamatsu line of luggage is modern, sleek and well-designed. The Japanese company, which has outposts in San Francisco and Palo Alto, features elegant lines which allow the structure of their pieces to speak for itself without the need for any unnecessary accoutrements. For the most part, Hideo concentrates on black, sturdy and durable - from their roll-on luggage sets to their shoulder bags and totes. Most of their options are black leather or black hard-case, though they do have a few pieces in red in addition to a few patterned pieces. If you're like me, you constantly find yourself buying and re-buying luggage every couple of years or so when your current set wears out. Investing in a piece of Hideo now is likely to ensure you can enjoy it for years to come! Check out the blog over at TheFind for more must-have summer trends and accessories!

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Tags :   hideo wakamatsu , leather bag , leather case , luggage , suitcase , suitcases , the find , thefind , travel , travel bag , travel luggage , travel set , traveling , vacation , vacations

Gotta Getaway? Engage All Your Senses With A Stay At The Five Hotel in Paris!

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Only in Paris would you be able to find a hotel that is modern, chic, cozy and quaint all at once. If you're planning a trip to Paris, check out The Five Hotel. Located in the hip and happening Latin Quarter, The Five Hotel is within walking distance from great shopping and restaurants, as well as many must-see sightseeing locations. The night life in the Latin Quarter is famous and a great place for tourists to mingle with the local crowd. It's not just the great location and nearby attractions that make The Five Hotel such a great choice, though. The Five Hotel is a sparkling gem that engages all five of your senses for the ultimate sensory stay. First, you choose a scent from 5 fragrance choices that will be used in your room. Your sense of touch is used through all the plush velvet and carpeting, slick ceramic stoneware and Chinese lacquer. Being in Paris, you taste buds are obviously going to enjoy the delicious French foods and pastries that are provided at The Five Hotel, especially their mouth-watering breakfasts featuring wonderful, crusty Viennese breads and buns from the famous Monge bakery, washed down with tea or coffee from the Mariage Freres brand with its unique flavors. The interior decorations and unique usage of lighting causes the place to shimmer and sparkle with optic fibre lights and star-studded ceilings, light sculptures and luminous glass desks that excite and please the eye. Lastly, your hearing is given a break in this quiet, secluded hotel that boasts double-glazed windows, producing a truly peaceful and restful environment. Check out the slideshow for more pics of The Five Hotel and book a room today!

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Tags :   comfort , europe , france , hotel , modern , paris , senses , the five hotel , touch , travel , trip , vacation

Celebs Hit Up The Cannes Film Festival For A Star-Studded Stylish Vacay

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The Cannes Film Festival, one of the world's oldest and most prestigious celebrations of cinema, isn't just a film major's dream getaway. Aside from taking place in an unbelievably gorgeous resort town that alone could lure even the most distracted and unappreciative movie-goer, the festival is the go-to event for everyone who's anyone in the film industry for networking, premiere-hopping, and just plain lounging in resort style. This year's festival, its 62nd edition, began on the 13th with Disney's new 3D film "Up" and lured out film execs, Oscar winners, musicians, and socialites alike from their Hollywood haven (not to mention from destinations all over the world). Since its kick-off, the festival has been proceeding on with more buzzed-about unreleased, independent, and overseas films -- from Jim Carrey's "A Christmas Carol" to Pedro Almodovar's "Broken Embraces" -- with many more much-anticipated masterpieces packed in through its closing day, the 24th. While it seems the stars, including Eva Longoria, Tilda Swinton, and even Paris Hilton (but then again, what event doesn't she squeeze herself into?), are spending more time stomping the red carpet than basking by the beach, but no matter which screening or luncheon they're whisked off to next, they're always looking their vacation best, whether buttoned-up or bikini clad. Take a look at the slideshow for some of the stylish celebs spotted at Cannes! Photo credit: PR Photos

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Tags :   cannes , cannes film festival , celebrities , celebrity , celebrity fashion , celebrity style , elizabeth banks , eva longoria , eva longoria parker , film , films , france , jenny mccarthy , jim carrey , mariah carey , olivia palermo , paris hilton , penelope cruz , premiere , rachel weisz , red carpet

Plan Your Next Getaway To 101 Hotel in Iceland!

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When I hear about Iceland and its capital Reykjavik, I always think of glaciers, experimental music (Bjork, anyone?), and amazing nightlife. The recent worldwide economic downturn has hit Iceland particularly hard, but that means this opportunity is your travel windfall! So if you've got a hankering to travel to an exciting location and looking to stretch your hard earned dollar, consider visiting Reykjavik and stay at the 101 Hotel. Named after the city's 101 nightlife district, the 101 Hotel is Reykjavik's only boutique hotel. There are 38 rooms in all with slick modern designs with every comfort in mind (including Aveda amenities), an art gallery with collections from local artists, and enjoy modern Icelandic and European cuisine at their restaurant. 101 Hotel is located in the heart of downtown Reykjavik and right next to the Icelandic Opera House, so it's easy to venture out to find those glaciers and next avant garde musical talents. Check out my slideshow to get a peek at the 101 Hotel!

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Tags :   bjork , getaway , gotta getaway , hotel 101 , iceland , reykjavik , travel

How To Make A Bangle From A Vintage Map

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Danielle West is a contributing member of CraftStylish, a site dedicated to do-it-yourself art and design projects. Below she shares a how-to on turning recycled maps and photos into a chic jewelry piece (and a wearable souvenir from your travels)!


I absolutely love the look of images from old encyclopedias-- with a special weakness in my heart for old maps. I love everything about them-- the colors, the font, the bordering-- they're just perfect! These bracelets are rad to commemorate a meaningful location, to celebrate a faraway hometown, or for the restless traveler who is always wistfully thinking about elsewhere. The way I do this may seem a little daunting, but it's actually quite easy once you get into it. You need to cut the paper into strips or else they won't lie flat on the domed surface of the bangle. This leaves a little overlap near the edges, which we like to refer to as "that handmade character." First off, you'll need: a vintage map, a blank bangle (I get mine from diybangles.com, all sorts of shapes and sizes!), scissors, a foam brush, glue, a ruler, and some clear protective coating.


Click on over to the CraftStylish blog for the complete step-by-step instructions, and other fun fashionable crafts!

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Tags :   bangle , bangles , bracelet , bracelets , craft , craft projects , crafting , crafts , craftstylish , diy , diy fashion , do it yourself , do-it-yourself , jewelry , maps , souvenirs , travel
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