Category Archives: travel

May 2, 2013 · 2:08 pm

how to remain a fashionista travelista on the road

Lola’s got your answer right here!

as i wrote about last week in my STYLE Special Edition, Lola has a distinct travel style. i like to think i’m a bit of a fashionista when not wearing costumes! 😉 BUT being a fashionable traveler isn’t always easy. especially when i don’t have limitless funds or even time to really shop. that can’t be an acceptable excuse, however, not to look great when i’m out on the town checking out FAB restaurants and bar scenes. that just won’t cut it when i’m staying in HIP & LUXE hotels. NOPE.

so what’s a girl to do?! well…i think i may have found my solution! it’s called Rent The Runway. yeah, you’ve probably heard of it. maybe even considered renting from them yourself for some big event or something. that’s certainly the way the company positions itself.

BUT wouldn’t you say for most, a trip IS a BIG event? i know it is for me. i pack things i might not wear all that often because i’m doing different things when away. i go out more…restaurants, bars, clubs. and a lot of the places i travel are pretty much on the posh pulse. SO i want to be in good style. this is not to say i’m a hermit when i’m at home but it’s not quite the same. the other thing i like about the Rent The Runway solution is that you can actually pack less. you just need your undergarments, shoes, jewels & a handbag & VOILA you are ready to rock it.

on my last visit to NYC a couple of weeks ago i decided to give Rent The Runway a shot. the hotel i was staying with was doing a little promotion with them and i thought what the hell. PLUS it meant that i could pack less as i just described which was a bonus because i was going from Florida directly to NYC. here’s how the process works…

you preorder your frocks. there are fit guides & customer reviews on the site as well as stylists to assist you in any questions.
the rental terms are for 4 days but you can pay extra & extend to 8 days.
you pay shipping but the return is free and the rental comes with the packing/postage included and all the instructions.
you wear your items and return them. RTR handles the cleaning of the garments.
FYI you can also rent handbags & jewelry accessories to accompany your dresses.

i needed 2 dresses for Friday and Saturday night. when i rented, it was rent one at the full rental fee, get the second one for $25. not too shabby. also, one free second size included in your rental in case you’re not sure about your correct size. i took them up on this!

not only were my garments there at the hotel upon check-in, there were little gifties inside from Rent The Runway. FUN!

i loved both of the dresses i rented. one fit better than the other but both were super fun & perfect for my dinners and drinks out in the big apple.

the only glitch i ran into was with the return. because the hotel was partnering with Rent The Runway, i asked them to facilitate the return of the dresses. everything was included – so no big thing. well, for some reason, it didn’t go completely smoothly and boy was Rent The Runway on me to get their dresses back. really, the fault is with the hotel, not RTR, but i was annoyed since i had to be involved when these two businesses were partners.

BUT not annoyed enough to not repeat this same process for my upcoming Miami trip. i go to Miami so often and see some of the same people. AGAIN, not cool to always be wearing the same dresses over & over. Rent The Runway made this an easy decision, offering me $20 off my next rental if i reviewed the dresses i rented in NYC. ok, sure. no problem. so, i’ve preordered and will turn up in Miami to my hotel with my 2 fun dress rentals waiting for me. hopefully i love them as much as the ones from NYC.

BONUS i got an email from Rent The Runway yesterday saying for an additional $15 would i consider allowing the RTR stylists to throw in ‘mystery bling’ for one of my outfits? i’ll be bringing my own jewels & handbags, you can be sure, but i thought that this sounds fun – so why not?! we’ll see what they come up and if it’s ‘Lola Approved’.

what do you think of my choices? would you rent fun dresses for your fashionista travelista moments on the road? tell me why or why not.

XO – Lola

PS – sadly, Rent The Runway doesn’t ship internationally 🙁

35 Comments

Filed under fashion, miami, new york, style, travel

Tagged as miami style, nyc style, rent the runway, travel fashion, travel style

April 25, 2013 · 8:29 am

Travel Style – a #FriFotos Special Edition

Stylin’ & Profilin’

Lola’s #STYLE is #lolafied

I’m excited to share that I’ll be co-hosting #FriFotos on Twitter this Friday, April 26. In case you aren’t clear what #FriFotos is exactly, it’s a 24-hour chat that trends internationally. People worldwide share their photos that match the week’s theme and you can play along if you’re on Twitter or Instagram by following the #FriFotos hashtag and including it in your Tweets with your photos.

The usual hosts will be there: @FriFotos who can also be tweeted to as @TravelDesigned, @EpsteinTravels & @CharlesYap. I’m sharing co-hosting with ooo lala @purplepassport AND you can find me @LolaDiMarco. NOW onto this week’s theme. After a little discussion we decided on #STYLE. I think this is a fantastic topic for #FriFotos because it can apply to lots of things with regard to travel. Like is your #STYLE solo travel, backpacker or luxe? Is your accommodation #STYLE swanky, hip or budget? What’s your travel food #STYLE or even libations #STYLE? You get my point, right?! #STYLE is about the LIFESTYLE of travel too. Of course, I think the more creative the better and to help inspire you I’ve put together some ideas to show you LOLA’S TRAVEL #STYLE.

LOLAPINK

Theres no doubt about it. My travel #STYLE involves lots and lots of PINK wherever I can pull it off!

Lola’s drink #STYLE of choice is COCKTAILS

Seen here are a Dark & Stormy at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, Ultimate Gin & Tonic at SLS Beverly Hills, CA, 3 different versions of Negronis at Four Seasons Florence, Italy & the delicious Eastern Standard at Soho Beach House, Miami.

my travel #STYLE most certainly includes LUXURY hotel stays

Don’t know what your #STYLE is for accommodations but mine’s definitely one where I’m looking for something special! These properties absolutely fit the special #STYLE bill. Seen here are two Four Seasons properties: Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons in Beverly Hills, CA and Four Seasons Milan in Milan, Italy. AND two Relais & Chateaux properties: Bellevue Syrene in Sorrento, Italy and Villa Galicci in Aix en Provence, France. I can assure you that I have never stayed in any Relais & Chateaux or Four Seasons property that didn’t meet every expectation in GREAT #STYLE.

Lola’s #STYLE also goes with HIP hotels

My travel #STYLE enjoys finding the new hot spots too. These hotels certainly exude a HIP #STYLE. We’ve got Mondrian SoHo in NYC, W Barcelona in Spain, The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas & The James Royal Palm in Miami. All very HIP. All very COOL.

FACT: Lola hearts the #STYLE of a beach vacay

It’s gotta be NO surprise that my travel #STYLE is definitely one that leans toward beach vacations. Sun, sand & the sea make me so happy! Here are a few of my favorite beachy spots: Miami Beach in Florida, Gouverneur Beach in St. Barts, Lucy Vincent Beach in Martha’s Vineyard, MA and Cas Abao Beach in Curacao.

very important in my world…minibar #STYLE

One thing that I’ve found that really sets some properties apart is a beautiful, well-appointed minibar! First up is the BEST up so far – Soho Beach House, Miami. To the right is Mondrian SoHo, NYC. Below is Four Seasons Florence, Italy. To the left is W Barcelona, Spain. If you love a cocktail to start your evening off right or to have a night cap at days end, a minibar with serious #STYLE is essential! Just sayin’

Lola’s #STYLE is definitely all about a FAB hotel pool

I don’t care if it’s not even warm enough to sun yourself, there’s something amazing about the #STYLE of great swimming pool. Granted, I prefer the sunshine & warmth option in my travel plans. Found here are Delano South Beach in Miami, W Barcelona in Spain, Petit Palace in Santorini, Greece and Soho Beach House in Miami. I ask you what’s not to LOVE about these pool’s #STYLE?

I hope these examples of #STYLE has got your creative juices flowing. It will be so FUN if you come PLAY along on Friday on Twitter with #FriFotos. Don’t forget to tweet to me @LolaDiMarco and add the hashtags #STYLE and #FriFotos to your photos. I look forward to seeing you & your travel #STYLE there!

xo – LOLA

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Filed under amalfi coast, barcelona, california, caribbean, cocktails, curacao, europe, florence, florida, france, greece, hipster hotels, italy, martha's vineyard, miami, milan, new york, spain, st. barts, swanky luxe stays, travel, USA, vegas

Tagged as FriFotos, style, travel photos

April 15, 2013 · 8:34 am

my favorite purchase of my 30 day Eurotour

OH Louis, how i LOVE thee!

i’ll be honest, i didn’t leave much room in my bags for purchases. c’mon, i was going for 30 days to Europe and i wanted/needed to look good. that meant lots of options and i wasn’t going to leave that up to shopping days. in reality, there were 2 days in all of the 30 days that were lent to some shopping time. anything else was a stumbled upon type of thing. it was the least shopped travel experience i can remember and the truth is i don’t even shop that much when traveling. PS – i didn’t miss it either.

the things i bought i can practically count on one hand. a FAB poncho in Milan. a handbag in Positano. costumes in Barcelona. (yes, that) a fur scarf in Burgundy. a sweater & boots in Paris.

and then there was one, iconic, impressive, important and expensive purchase. one i hadn’t planned on making. it may be that i bought next to nothing in 30 days and had intended on buying many things (like gold charms for my charm bracelet) that influenced this purchase. i like to think it was an “in the moment” situation. something i couldn’t pass up. something presented to me in such a way i could not say no. that would be a sign of true salesmanship and guess what, it was!

bonjour Mr. DiCaprio i mean Kevin

Kevin, aka personal shopper to the rich and famous at Louis Vuitton Paris, could not have been a better match for me. he looks like a more handsome version of Leonardo DiCaprio and knows the history of the fine leathers of Louis Vuitton like the back of his hand(bag). 😉 HELLO…what’s not to love with all of that?! you may be wondering how i ended up with Kevin’s assistance that day. sheer luck and the fact that every sales associate was busy and Kevin didn’t have an appointment at that time. LUCKY ME!

i was traveling with my travel partner in crime, Leah, as you probably recall. we were dared to go into Louis Vuitton, check out some bags, take photos smelling the leather and then leave. first of all, you cannot take photos in the store. secondly, we have no willpower. this magical purchase started with Leah asking to see that bag, oh, and that one too. what about that one over there? and soon enough Kevin was pulling out a secret stash of bags that weren’t up on the wall. that’s when it happened. when i FELL IN LOVE. there was one bag screaming out at me to try on. so i did and that was it. it was decided.

Kevin explained that the graphic logo which is synonymous with the Louis Vuitton brand didn’t exist in Louis’ lifetime. in fact, it was a tribute to Louis from his son George on the fourth anniversary of his father’s death. the flowers that make up the monogrammed canvas are symbolic of George’s father’s deep religious roots and love of Asian art. another tidbit Kevin shared is that every bag is made with one single piece of leather.

French champers sil vous plait

after we each decided on our bags, Kevin decided to give us a little VIP tour of the flagship store located on Champs-Elysees in Paris. as we walked the different floors he explained that you were meant not to notice that you were changing floors. the store just flows. everything has a point and a purpose. the thoughtfulness, care and craftsmanship is evident in everything. such amazing pride makes Louis Vuitton so exquisite. Kevin’s love for the brand and the information he shared only solidified my favorite purchase of a Louis Vuitton bag. it didn’t hurt that when excused himself to go wrap our purchases he brought us a glass of Veuve Clicquot to enjoy in the women’s shoe department. when he returned with our packages he had with him Ludovic, head of the concierge team, to also greet us in case we ever needed anything more. talk about service – TRES FAB!

Louis Vuitton was founded in 1854 and, consecutively every year since 1996, Louis Vuitton has been named the world’s most valuable luxury brand. YES the price tag stung but it’s a purchase i will never forget OR regret. i carry my LV bag practically every day and it is timeless. plus, purchasing it in France costs less than if i had bought the same bag in the USA. *BONUS* don’t forget your VAT tax ladies!

MERCI dear Kevin for giving me a day and a handbag that i truly amour!

XO – lola

20 Comments

Filed under france, paris, travel

Tagged as Louis Vuitton, luxury brands, paris travel

April 11, 2013 · 7:41 am

One Day Stay: Kennebunkport, Maine

With a state slogan like VACATIONLAND you know that Lola likes Maine. Kennebunkport is an hour and half north of Boston in Southern Maine. A perfect place to go for a ‘One Day Stay’. Here you will find arts & entertainment and pristine beaches plus fun places to shop, dine and drink.

DROP YOUR BAG

Captain Fairfield Inn, a cool 9 guest room boutique bed and breakfast, is located in the heart of historic Kennebunkport, Maine. In a quiet neighborhood overlooking the river green and one block from the Kennebunk River and lively Kennebunkport harbor, this beautiful home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Captain Fairfield Inn was built in 1813 and will celebrate its 200th anniversary this year. One of the things I love most about this inn is its mindfulness to the historic charm of this Federal mansion yet breathing NEW LIFE into it with a modern twist in decor. Lark Hotels, the innovative hotel company that owns Captain Fairfield, also just launched a unique partnership with lifestyle brand, Vineyard Vines. They are collaborating together to create designer suites within the Lark Hotels group. Captain Fairfield has the very first of these suites now available. The idea is to infuse a mix of coastal preppy chic with modern & playful touches. I can’t wait to return so I can experience this one-of-a-kind VV beach vibe! Complete with deluxe amenities, a fantastic locally sourced gourmet breakfast & a wine tasting room, Captain Fairfield Inn would satisfy any discerning traveler. LOLA APPROVED all the way!

DO

You can’t go to coastal Maine and not mention the beaches. The Southern Maine Coast is unique for having many long sandy beaches unlike the rest of Maine where the coast is mostly rocky. If you’d like some seclusion, Parson’s Beach is for you or perhaps you prefer to be in the middle of the action at Kennebunk Beach. No matter what, Kennebunkport has a perfect spot for you to spend a sunny summer day at the shore. This beach bunny likes that!

During my quick visit I discovered a great little wine shop, Down East Wine, located in the lower village of Kennebunk – a short walk from downtown Kennebunkport. Dedicated to the discovery and enjoyment of unique wines, Down East Wine’s tagline is affordable quality. LOVE THIS! They were hosting a little wine tasting this particular Saturday and I’d like to think this a somewhat regular occurrence to help you discover delicious, well priced bottles.

DRINK

Always in search of a good local watering hole for yummy drink, my visit to Kennebunkport was no different. I was recommended a couple of spots, Bandaloop and Pilot House, but decided on Old Vines Wine Bar as I heard stories about their legendary bartenders. With a name like Old Vines you can be sure they offer many incredible wines by the glass. Coming from dinner where I was enjoying a Negroni cocktail, I just wanted to stick with the same. Ben made me their version ‘Old Vingroni’ which is made with gin, Aperol instead of Campari & dash of rhubarb bitters. OUTSTANDING!

DINE

Forever seeking out the hip & happening, Lola was recommended 50 Local to try for this One Day Stay. Located in buzzing Kennebunk, as soon as I walked in I knew I was going to like this spot. Using the best of the area’s resources working with local farms & fisheries, 50 Local is downtown Kennebunk’s newest neighborhood establishment. I enjoyed oysters from the Bagaduce River and a pork chop from local Breezy Hill Farm. UNBELIEVABLE! 50 Local offers traditional French Bistro dishes with an American twist, all served in a friendly atmosphere.

PS – Kennebunkport is SO GOOD I actually have three honorable mentions.

1) Alisson’s for its award-winning famous lobster roll and bacon bloody mary. Perfect for a lunch option. MMMM

2) Daytrip Society for its eclectic offerings in gifts & home decor. I could have literally spent hours in this store finding all kinds of treasures. It certainly inspires the adventure of travel.

3) Kennebunkport Inn for its fun renovation of their common rooms creating vibrant social spaces. You’ll wish to sit down and relax in this salty, sea captain environment inspired by Kennebunkport’s fishing & shipbuilding history. PLUS they offer a Big Girls’ Slumber Party package including cocktails, chick flicks and a four course dinner. All you need to add are your BFFs – adore it!

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Filed under Kennebunkport, Maine, one day stay, travel

Tagged as 50 local, captain fairfield inn, daytrip society, kennebunkport inn, kennebunkport tourism, old vines wine bar, visit maine

April 10, 2013 · 8:54 am

Washington, D.C. in bite-size tidbits

The ABC’s of Washington, D.C.

Spring has finally sprung and the cherry blossoms are blooming in our nation’s capital! Being the official capital of the USA, it’s of course where the President and his family live, but also where all three government houses sit. There is so much to see in this city half way between the North and the South of America. Now might be the perfect time to consider a city break to this great American city and see some of these amazing sights!

The Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.

W – (The) White House: home of the USA presidents. You’ll have to make do with an online interactive tour unless you reside in the USA, but you could join the annual Easter Egg hunt on the grounds.

A – Arlington Cemetery: walk around this huge cemetery with its memorials and gravesites or take the bus tour which visits the gravesite of John F. Kennedy, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Arlington House.

S – Smithsonian Institute: the largest Museum complex anywhere in the world. It includes 19 museums and galleries plus a zoo. There’s something for everyone here.

H – Hop on hop off trolley tour: see all the main Washington, D.C. attractions. It’s a great way to travel between them too. There are discount hotels all over the district so getting accommodations should be easy.

I – International Spy Museum: one of Washington’s newest museums opening in 2002 and dedicated to the history & art of spying. It has a huge collection of spy artifacts and a new 007 exhibit, which includes 50 years of Bond villains.

N – National Mall: the hub of Washington’s iconic memorials and museums with the Capitol Building standing proudly at the end. It’s a fantastic place to get an overview of the city and have a picnic!

G – Gettysburg: take a day trip to Gettysburg, the historic battlefield of the American Civil War.

T – The Memorials: many are flood-lit at night so take a tour then. Look out for the Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr Memorial, the Kennedy’s Eternal Flame, the Washington Monument and of course, the White House.

O – Octagon House: tour this grand old house built at the very beginning of the 19^th Century. It’s a National Historical Landmark building and now the home of the American Institute of Architects.

N – National Museums: not all are housed at the Smithsonian, though you will find the National Air & Space Museum there. Look for others such as the National Museum of Crime & Punishment, National Bonsai & Penjing Museum and the National Archives in other parts of the city.

D – Duke Ellington Bridge over Rock Creek: dedicated to the famous composer, pianist and big band leader who was a Washingtonian. He wrote more than 1,000 music compositions and was an important figure in the history of jazz.

C – Capitol Building on Capitol Hill: where the federal government meets. See its beauty from the National Mall or visit the Capitol’s Visitor Center.

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Filed under travel, washington dc

Tagged as usa capital, usa travel, washington dc tourism