Home & Away Archives - CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

WORDS & IMAGES BY OMOLARA OBANISHOLA

California and Los Angeles in particular don’t quite win the accolade of once in a lifetime trip but Los Angeles should be on everyone’s must visit list. With increasingly frequent flights and direct trips costing as little as £500 I crossed LA off my must visit list with a stay in trendy Silverlake.

Located a stone’s throw from Sunset Boulevard and touted as the sunshine states Shoreditch it’s fair to see why people make those parallels, however in many ways Silverlake is more comparable to Berlin. One of the most notable differences is definitely the pace.

What makes Silver Lake earn its stripes as one of the coolest places in LA to visit is that the area feels energetic; full of creatives, independent shops, restaurants, bars and things to do.

Yet Silverlake is eerily peaceful and actually quiet compared to other creative neighborhoods which have become victims of their own success, add to this a sub-tropical climate and ironically as the locals say… ‘It’s chill’.

So what to do in Silverlake and the surrounding area?

Things to do:

5) Griffith Observatory

www.griffithobservatory.org

Visit the observatory for amazing views of LA and contemplate whether a return ticket was the right choice to make.

4) The Museum of Broken Relationships

https://brokenships.com

6751 Hollywood blvd, Los Angeles, CA

Maybe not everyone’s cup of tea but with work donated to the museum anonymously from people all over the world who have suffered break ups and lost loves, The Museum of Broken Relationships offers something refreshingly different in the middle of Hollywood. The second museum has opened in Zagreb, Croatia, with 8000 visitors in just four days.

3) Vintage clothing and record shops around Silverlake and Los Feliz

www.squaresvillevintage.com

1800 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA

Take advantage of the this being one of the most walkable neighborhoods to explore street art, coffee shops, vintage clothing and record shops.

2) Clifton’s Cafeteria

www.cliftonsla.com

648 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA

A fully restored 1950’s cafeteria in downtown LA with a steep history and comfort food galore. Upstairs contains a large bar complete with forest mural’s and life sized stuffed animals. Must see.

1) The Magic Castle

www.magiccastlehotel.com

70001 Franklin Ave, Hollywood 90028

It seems slightly unfair to include this one as it is near impossible to get in and they strictly prohibit the use of phones, photos and videos. To experience the magic in action at the Academy of Magical Arts private members club, your options are; become a high roller in the entertainment industry and sign up for membership. As half of Los Angelinos are ‘actors’ you should be thinking Grammy, Oscar level status. Be an actual world class magician or like me have a friend who is training to be one.

What to eat: This deserves two.

Start your day right at LOCAL

www.localsilverlake.com/

2943 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026, USA

Locally sourced and organic, naturally. Choose the eggs served however you like, with salad, toast and home fries (diced potatoes with onion) finish with a bottomless coffee (which is the best morning motivation ever, strong as hell) and eye up the person next to you eating the french toast. Local serves breakfast and lunch with all food locally sourced, organic and reasonable enough to eat here every day. Beware though the staff are so nice you’ll likely end up tipping as much as the cost of your breakfast.

End your day at Diablo..

http://www.diablotacos.com/

3129 W. Sunset BLVD

Oh my taco! If there is one thing that pop ups as a must eat whilst in LA other than Kale it’s Tacos. How a piece of toasted Tortilla with salad, salsa and a choice of meats can taste that good is beyond me but they will become part of your staple diet whilst here. I tried the buttermilk chicken and rockfish taco at Diablo. Located at Diablo is closely compared to a sports bar you can watch all the major games whilst washing your tacos down with

If you’re lucky enough to have never tried a taco before they’ll give you a free T-shirt too.

What to drink:

Michelado: A Mexican drink made with beer, lime juice, sauces and spices. Try a diablo michelada which comes with an ice lolly dropped into the beer mug. When in Silverlake…

Sleep:

http://www.madonnainn.com

The Madonna inn

100 Madonna Rd, San Louis Obispo, CA

Over a hundred kitsch themed and kitted out guest rooms with names such as Swiss chalet, jungle rock and Harvard sq. If you make it out of your room, indulge in the spa, horse riding or the onsite shopping.

Ask a local: Krystle Tabujara

“Visit Mashti Malone’s ice cream parlour, it’s over twenty-five years old and has the most awesome flavours like rosewater, cucumber and saffron”.

If you’re contemplating a romantic lil Valentine’s Day getaway, why not give the gift of relaxation by whisking your other half away for a romantic retreat? Forget air fares, queues and jet lag, the UK has an abundance of escapes perfect for spoiling your loved one. From London to Edinburgh, we’ve rounded up the top six hotels which offer the perfect couples’ escape.

The Arch London, London
Five-star boutique hotel The Arch London offers impeccable comfort married with unrivalled luxury. Tucked away on a calm residential street in Marylebone, this opulent Georgian hideaway is one of the capital’s best kept secrets and offers the perfect Valentines retreat. The hotel oozes British glamour at its finest, with secluded rooms including the quietly glamorous Martini Library (where guests can order drinks using an in-built button). As dusk draws in, enjoy an aperitif in Le Salon de Champagne before dining under chandeliers in Hunter 486. Redefining romance in the capital, many of the rooms at The Arch London have flat screen TVs built into the walls above the bath.

The Witchery by the Castle, Edinburgh
The stunning interiors and delectable dishes at The Witchery by the Castle combine to create a desirable Scottish Valentine’s escape. The Witchery’s lavishly decorated dining room boasts a baroque setting with original oak-panelled walls and gothic style furniture. After dinner, retreat to one of the nine theatrical suits featuring romantic quirks such as four-poster beds and roll top baths for two.

King Street Townhouse, Manchester
Cosy up in the romantic setting of King Street Townhouse – an impressive Italian renaissance building, located in Manchester city centre. Housing only 40 bedrooms and suites, the hotel offers a stay with optimal service and a personal touch. Enjoy afternoon tea in one of the cosy lounges before heading to the hotel’s south facing terrace which boasts spectacular views of Manchester’s Town Hall.

The Club Hotel & Spa, Jersey
Situated within walking distance from some of the island’s most breathtaking beaches, The Club Hotel & Spa boasts a sought after St Helier location. Enjoy long romantic strolls on the beach before indulging in Michelin-starred dining at Bohemia Restaurant & Bar. The glorious Roof Garden Cocktail Bar is the perfect location to enjoy a pre-dinner drink whilst admiring the ocean views. Why not treat your other half to a couples’ treatment at the luxurious Club Spa before diving into the outdoor heated pool?

Limewood Hotel, Hampshire
Lime Wood hotel, in the heart of the New Forest, is perfect for those seeking a unique romantic getaway. From yoga sessions on the roof, to double-space treatment rooms for couples wishing to unwind and revive together, Lime Wood offers a romance-infused well-being break. Enjoy some down time with your Valentine in the sauna which boasts enchanting forest views.

Alexander House Hotel & Utopia Spa, Sussex
Set within 120 acres of glorious Sussex countryside, Alexander House is a luxury manor house with beautiful vistas, a choice of restaurants, an award-winning Utopia Spa and rooms designed for absolute comfort. It’s not just the hotel’s connections to Percy Shelley – one of the most famous English Romantic poets of our time – that makes Alexander House an exceptional place to spend this Valentine’s. The venue also presents cosy corners where guests can relax with chilled Champagne, a light aperitif or warming digestive, as well as a hot tub in the Zen garden.

Words by Mia Riley

An area of Europe that is famed for beautiful architecture and innovative design, Scandinavian fashion has equally built quite the name for itself. With effortless style that reflects the elegant furniture design the region is so well known for. Copenhagen is in the forefront of this movement. You don’t even have to go in a store to see that everyone in Copenhagen knows how to dress.

If you find yourself in that slightly cold part of the world, these are the 4 stores you must visit.

Wood Wood

Address: Grønnegade 1, 1107 Copenhagen
Founded in Copenhagen Wood Wood is now stocked all over the world it’s even on Asos. There is no place like home though, so a trip to this store in it’s home city is definitely worth a visit, stocking some of Wood Wood’s gorgeous clothes along with some fabulous brands like Comme Des Garcons.

Won Hundred
Address: Østergade 52, 1100 Copenhagen
Founded in 2004 in Denmark this brand has an appreciation for simplicity and understated design. It’s now available all over the globe too, so if you don’t get a chance to visit the store you will still be able to get your hands on their traditional danish clothes with a modern twist. Think neat straight lines and muted colours.

Norse Store
Adress: Pilestræde 41, 1112 Copenhagen
A store that stocks a massive array of brands there is definitely going to be something that tickles your fancy. From A.P.C to Marni to Levi’s there is a massive variety of brands and designers to choose from. You Won’t be disappointed.

Henrik Vibskov
Krystalgade 6, 1172 København K,
A triple threat, a filmmaker, fashion designer and musician he is a multi talenteded Central St Martins graduated (graduated in 2001). His boutique is playful and creative housing his own collection as well as other cutting-edge designers like Comme.

Well if your anything like us, September seems to have dawn in a period of state mourning in our household. We all are suffering from a severe case of holiday Blues and the associate withdrawal systems. The kids keep talking about the holiday and I keep catching either myself or the poor long suffer Mrs Mc surfing the web or impressing me, with, “Have you seen this hotel” or ” How many weeks is it until half term?”

With an abundance of five-star retreats to choose from, it has to be said when travelling with kids, only a select few hotels actually manage to balance luxury, relaxation and laughter to satisfy both the grown-ups and the little ones in equal measure. Below is our pick of the top luxury addresses.

The Arch London – for city kids
The Arch London is the perfect place for families to stay whilst exploring the vibrant capital city. The hotel offers a package which accommodates up to three guests per room, with connecting rooms available on request. Little ones will be treated to an indulgent experience throughout their stay with a host of family amenities such as children’s sized bathrobes and slippers, as well as a speciality Archie Bear. There is a large toy box filled with toys and a wide selection of children’s books to be enjoyed with complimentary cookies with milk. In the hotel’s stylish restaurant Hunter 486, young children will dine complimentary with their parents throughout their stay with kids sized cutlery, plus colouring books. Each morning the whole family will be treated to a complimentary English breakfast before setting off to explore the city.

Babington House, Somerset – for active kids
Part of the uber stylish Soho House Group, please don’t let this deter you in any way, shape or form. Set in 18 acres of parkland, the ever chic Babington House hotel boasts its own lake, tennis courts and croquet lawn. There are 32 decent-sized and lavishly-designed bedrooms, while the retreat’s split-level mini-houses are ideal for families. The Little House kids club is open daily and offers free crèche facilities for children from 12 months and up. During the summer holidays, the hotel offers cooking classes and outdoor activities. For the colder months, the hotel even has a small cinema with sink-in chairs showing a variety of family-friendly films. Within no time your feel like it’s a home from home.

Four Seasons Hotel, Hampshire – for countryside kids
Set amid 500 acres of luscious green fields, children can admire the unspoilt beauty of the British countryside while watching the hotel’s horses frolic in the surrounding paddocks. Infants can embark on a treasure hunt or play any number of games, all the while parents can take advantage of the spa. Other activities to keep the kids entertained, include cycling, croquet, tennis, boating on the Basingstoke Canal or even “owning a pony” for a day.

Chesterfield Hotel, Mayfair – for toy-hungry kids
On the doorstep of Hamley’s, The Chesterfield, Mayfair boasts arguably the best location for toy-hungry children. Inside the hotel, kids might even spot a sighting of Charlie & the Chocolate Factory’s very own Willy Wonka, whilst sampling the hotel’s Charlie and The Chesterfield Afternoon Tea. The offering provides kids with a golden egg, a chocolate Wonka bar, and their very own golden ticket !!!! For children, the Little OopmaLoompa Afternoon Tea consists of peanut butter and jam sandwiches, a selection of Wonkatastic pastries and delights, plus a choice of a milkshake or a sophisticated tea your little ones with a more refined palette.

Shangri La Hambantota, Sri Lanka – for the long haul kids

Well if your looking further a field how’s about beside the Indian Ocean on Sri Lanka’s ancient Spice Route along the lush, unspoiled Southern coastline and framed by swaying king coconut trees this location is incomparable for anyone wanting to visit Sri Lanka’s southernmost and least explored coast as a destination. It is close to Yala and Bundala National Parks (two of the country’s finest wildlife and nature reserves, Yala is home to the elusive Sri Lankan leopard) to which the hotel often organise bespoke half day safaris, as well as the option of visiting elephant orphanages and tea plantations. The resort itself is entirely family friendly; it has an excellent kids’ club and children’s recreation activities (drone flying, a trapeze etc), as well as the country’s first resort golf course.

It’s never been easier, or some might say, cheaper to travel the world. Recent years have seen an influx of major airline competitors offering discount fares. The sharing economy has also opened up a whole new world of accommodation options for travellers once they reach their destinations. In addition to this, the gap year trend is rippling through to, errr new audiences, you could say, in older generations – those seeking authentic ‘backpack’ style experiences whilst away, regardless of the length of their trip.

Culturally we’re stepping away from being holidaymakers, and moving on to becoming travellers.

As a result, we crave authenticity of our experience. We want to know about and visit the hidden spots, the locals only beaches, the off-the-beaten-track coffee stalls – but it can be hard to find these… after all, if they were in all the guidebooks, they mightn’t necessarily be as authentic, right?

To help you out here are six top ways to seek out and find authentic travel experiences and ‘live like a local’ throughout your trip abroad:

1) Eat with locals. There is no better way to literally get a taste of the local culture than by eating with a local. The sharing economy was made for food, really. VizEat is Europe’s largest social dining network and you can use the platform on your desktop or on mobile (iOS) to find locals in your travel destination to share an unforgettable and authentic travel experience. For example, a meal in their home or an “in the know” food tour of local producers.

2) Travel with locals. Get around like the locals. If the city you’re visiting is cycle friendly, like Copenhagen, for example, embrace that. Otherwise, use an app like GoEuro to help you navigate your way around the local public transport system. While you’re at it, take the road less travelled. When you purposefully turn left instead of right, or take a few turns off of the main high street, that’s when you’re more likely to find a quirky shop, hidden gem of a cafe, interesting park or even a secret back-beach depending on where you are!

3) Stay with a local. Thanks to platforms like Airbnb, this is no longer hard to do. Just jump on, search for your destination (there are hosts in over 191 countries – for the trivia buffs out there, that’s nearly all of them!) and request to stay. If you’re new to the platform or have any reservations about making a, ahem, reservation, just seek out the properties with lots of five star ratings and read through the user feedback.

4) Shop with the locals. This is made easier if you make the effort to learn a few words of the local language – ok so you mightn’t be able to fluently bargain for the best deals at markets and the like, but you will feel more confident in stepping off the well-trodden high street equivalent paths. Local markets, particularly those not right in the tourist hotspots, can provide hours worth of free (depending on how restrained you are!) people watching and local interaction. It’s a great way to observe first-hand the sights and smells and the cultural business and social interactions of your destination. Language learning apps like Duolingo can help you to pick up a few usual phrases to try out during your shopping expedition. In France? Le fromage… combien?

5) Sightsee with the locals. When you’re in a new place, there’s nothing better than having a local guide to take you around. There are loads of commercial tours – both walking and via bus or car – available to be found and booked online but the best things in life are free, right? Well, free-ish. Free Walking Tours By Locals is just that – a nifty little collection of where around Europe that you can book in to go on a free tour run by, you guessed it, a local. Don’t forget to tip generously though – this is usually how the guides make their living.

6) Finally, plan… but not too much. Leave time in your itinerary for those unexpected, unforgettable travel experiences.

HOME & AWAY – LOS ANGELES

Six of the Most Romantic Hotels for Valentine’s Day

Wonderful Wonderful Copenhagen – Coolest Stores in Copenhagen

Five of the Best Child Friendly Luxury Hotels

Six ways to travel authentically in 2016

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