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5 things I learnt during 5 weeks of lockdown

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Cleaning counts as a workout

I must say I was feeling quite guilty for eating so much these last few weeks. I was just not in the mood to do work outs and jump around, but hey! What I realised recently is- cleaning the house is also a workout! I became soooo quick and strong at cleaning the house after Salvo’s cooking that I honestly deserve a gold medal- I couldn’t be more active right now, haha! So to all my ladies out there feeling guilty- check out your muscles after washing tones of plates, cleaning the whole house everyday and running around with your kids 24/7! See? It’s a new level of fit! Quarantine fit!

Family and home is everything

I mean it seems pretty much logical. But do we really appreciate it everyday as much as we do right now? Personally I think- not really. Normally my London’s home is like a hotel to me. I travel in and out. Pack and unpack. I am never around really and frankly this home was never as important to me as it is right now. I am now grateful I have my space, my office, my boho corners and a large bath to chill at. I appreciate my large sunny kitchen where we cook everyday with so much joy and sun rays. I appreaciate our huge comfy sofa where I can snuggle up with a rad candle and a warm cup of my favourite tea. I didn’t appreaciate small things like these before!

And of course my family- of course I always appreciate them and miss them, but now knowing I can’t go home and not knowing when I will see them again kills me and makes me think of them every single day and all the time. I spent days browsing our photos and planning where we will go when this is all over.  The lockdown made me realise this is all that matters and this is the only solid thing in our lives that we should look after every single day. Not the money and job- now we see it’s soooo easy to lose. It’s a warm home and loving family that helps you to get through everything and pushes you forward. 

Improving my food photography skills 

As our recipe account started to honestly grows so quick (thank you so much for your support and such a positive response to our new project. We are over the moon!) I started to improve my food photography skills. As you know, in the past (almost 2 years ago now- wow time flies!) I was working at Soho House as a Social Media Coordinator and I was managing quite a few restaurant’s accounts and creating food related content. I now had a pretty long break, but last few weeks made me realise I have really missed it and I still really enjoy it so I keep experimenting with new props, backgrounds, colours and angles everyday! Here’s some of my recent snaps and Salvo’s incredible creations. Follow him for the most amazing recipes!

Shop kitchenware

  

Nothing cheers me up more than good food

As you know last few weeks I wasn’t feeling great (sorry for being a crying baby!) but I swear every time Salvo’s brought me his dish (and a chilled glass of Rosé with a strawberry) my worries seemed to disappear for a moment! I truly enjoy delicious food and drinks and all things fancy! His incredible dishes help me so much to get through this difficult time and put a smile on my face!

Working with what I have 

Let’s be honest. Normally as a full-time travel blogger I get to experience and stay at the most incredible places to create the content. Brands and hotels are always putting so much effort to put together the most magical itineraries, events and set ups for us bloggers to create content. But now the situation is completely different. There is no pretty hotel bathrooms and pink flower displays. There is no fancy flower baths (unless you create one at home!) infinity pools and afternoon teas. Now we need to learn how to work with what we have. It’s not easy at all but I must say after these few weeks of experimenting- it’s super challenging but very interesting. It makes me happy to see people getting more creative and working with what they have at home. I have struggled a lot but hey- slowly getting there and getting new ideas everyday. Here’s my fav snap shot in my hallway!

Peachy blanket and cushion from Peachy Parrot. I absolutely love this brand! My new discovery! Their products honestly added sunshine to this corner of my home. I highly recommend to check out their gorgeous accessories.

Shop my homeware

What I am sure is – the current situation makes you grow. Not only with creating content but also as a person. We learn to adapt to completely new reality, we became mentally stronger and more supportive. I love that and I think my industry and this world truly needed this! 

Have you learnt or realised something during the lockdown?

The Blonde Flamingo

Life in lockdown- you don’t have to be productive right now

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You don’t have to be productive right now.

I haven’t been here a lot in the last weeks. Everything has been crazy and changed so quickly. I felt like my life changed completely and I believe Corona Virus affected all of us all over the world. Let’s face it. We have never been through something like that. None of us. Nobody really knows when it will end up and when our lives will get back to “normal”. It’s indeed a very stressful situation and we all need time to process everything in our heads and learn to live in a new reality for a while.

However what I found more stressful these days (even more than the virus itself) was the pressure to be productive and creative. Especially in the industry I am at. Normally I am creative and full of energy and positivity. At almost all times. I am always online, writing, creating, reading, researching, learning, shooting and editing. I am doing my best to inspire and educate people to live their best lives.

I am not going to lie – the new reality hit me and my business really hard. I had my next few months perfectly planned with projects, travels and my goals. I was meant to make so many of my dreams come true. Of course due to the current situation everything got cancelled or postponed. These last weeks I was feeling upset and lost. Every time I looked at Social Media was either another negative, overwhelming news or other people posting the videos being super productive, happy, creative, doing lots of fitness and practicing Tik Tok choreographies. Frankly, I felt like I live on a different planet. I blamed myself for not being able to do anything really. I struggled and I was proud of myself for actually getting out of bed these days. I was really down and really scared. I had difficulties sleeping and bad dreams. I was scared about the future, about my career, about finances. I started to feel like I am being negative. And then I came across this quote :

“Staying positive doesn’t mean you have to be happy all the time. It means that even on hard days you know that there are better ones coming.”

I have decided to give myself a break. And get myself out of the sick and fake circle. I decided not to pretend I am ok to please others. I opened up and shared my feelings. I don’t have to be ok right now. I don’t have to be jumping and dancing right now. I don’t have to be positive 24/7. I am a human being and I have a right to struggle and be sad and it doesn’t mean I am a negative person.

Why am I writing it? Because maybe you out there, deep inside feel exactly the same. Maybe you also feel the society pressure now to be productive creative, to get that “dream body” RIGHT NOW. To work on that goal and find a dream job RIGHT NOW. I am here now to tell you – don’t. Do not let that pressure get to you. Life in a new reality is hard enough already. Do what feels right to you. Don’t force yourself when you don’t feel ready. Give yourself time to process and accept everything. Sleep as long as your body needs. Have that relaxing bath everyday. Read that book you’ve always wanted. Slow down. Look around you and deep inside you. Look yourself in the mirror and do what you and your body truly need right now. Look after your body and soul. Call your loved ones and support each other. You don’t have to be productive now. It’s ok not to be ok. And it’s ok to talk about it aloud instead of getting into that sick circle again. I truly believe it’s time to slow down now and look after our health- both physical and mental.

How’s my life during the quarantine?

I have been now self-isolating since 21 days. I went to the grocery shop twice during this time. I allow myself daily walks in the park- I can’t even describe how important nature is in my life. It keeps me going.

I have also slowly started to set up the new home routine. As you know as a full-time travel blogger it was always very hard for me to have a routine. Well now I do. I wake up when my body is ready. I do my morning skincare routine. I then head to the kitchen and drink hot water with lemon, ginger and honey ( adding turmeric from time to time). I open the window and let the fresh air in. I let myself be ready for the day. Then I make breakfast, clean the kitchen and start with my normal work- replying to the emails, messages and creating content for my Social Media Channels.

Last weeks were really slow and I didn’t work much also because I really needed a break. But I have actually started something new thanks to you! These days Salvo and I were cooking a lot (well he was, I am the upaid kitchen porter lol) and we received a lot of requests so we have started cooking and filming the recipes for you. It is giving me some energy these days. I now have my little mission and it’s keeping me busy and away from negative thoughts. If you’d like to follow our recipes feel free to follow me and Salvo on Instagram. We are going to create new recipes for you everyday. Salvo is in charge for cooking and I am looking after video and photography part. I actually really enjoy it. So far we have created recipes for homemade bread, pizza, famous pasta Cacio e pepe and Carbonara today per my best friend request. Here’s some photographs I took :

    Apart from that I haven’t done much really. I gave myself time to slow down, accept what’s happening and start working and creating when I am ready for it. I am spending these days sleeping, reading and eating. I also have baths now almost every day as I find it relaxing. And I drink wine and watch videos from my travels. That would be it!

    How are you? How you’ve been doing these days?

    Sending you lots of love and support!

    The Blonde Flamingo

    Adult cruising on Scarlet Lady, The brand new cruise ship from Virgin Voyages

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    Ahoy! Last weekend I had a chance to spend a night on a brand-new ship from Virgin Voyages – Scarlet Lady. I was over the moon as recently I have dreamt of a cruise holiday, so I thought this experience would help me to understand what cruising is like these days! A few years back I used to think cruises were boring, designed mainly for older people, and generally a peaceful type of holiday. Well this is 100% not the case here! Scarlet Lady is an adult-only, luxury party ship. The aim of Scarlet Lady is to attract the younger audience- the modern traveller who enjoys stylish restaurants, fun entertainment, great music and parties. I personally fell in love with this red beauty from the moment I walked in. Let me tell you all about it and show you around!

    Accommodation

     There are 1330 cabins and 78 Rock Star suites aboard the Scarlet Lady. My room was a Sea Terrace. The room was quite small but comfortable and it had all I needed – a sofa bed, in-room entertainment with 43″ + 4K flat-screen HDTV, a mini bar, a glam area, a wardrobe and a little bathroom. At first, I didn’t understand where the bed was. I walked around,  confused as to why there was only a sofa bed, haha. Turned out the “sofa bed” is actually a Seabed, the first-ever transformational cabin bed, specially engineered and handcrafted by Walter Knoll in Germany. The concept of the Seabed came from the convivial nature of cruising and gives sailors more space for social gatherings in the cabin. Virgin Voyages sailors can enjoy their cabin in two distinct ways as a place to revel or a place to relax. I think it’s a great idea! When we came back from the party our Seabed was already converted for us into a very comfortable bed. I slept so well! Another great feature is the mood-matching lights, that automatically adjust to enhance the time of day based on where the ship is in the world, reflecting the blue seas and the gold to purple sunsets of the Caribbean waters. How dreamy! I certainly liked them the most in flamingo pink!

    It’s also worth mentioning that each Sea Terrace cabin has a private balcony that features custom-designed hammocks, hand-woven by artisans from Yellow Leaf – a social enterprise that fosters women’s empowerment and community transformation in rural Thailand. Imagine sipping your morning cuppa, sitting in a hammock in the Caribbean sun, ah!

    During my one-night stay on the ship, I also had a look at the Mega Rock Star Massive Suite and it was epic. It was huge, even had its own music room! How cool! My personal favourite thing was the marble-clad bathroom with a Peek-a-Boo shower area that overlooks the bedroom and out to the ocean. So magical! There are only two Massive Suites aboard the Scarlet Lady, each with a private huge terrace and a hot tub. Can you imagine how amazing it could be to enjoy this place with your friends in a sunny Miami or the Caribbean? I mean wow!

    RESTAURANTS & BARS

    Forget the boring buffets, this is not what Scarlet Lady is about. There are 20+ world-class intimate eateries and luxury bars on board. Of course, during my one night stay I couldn’t check them all out, but I did try a couple and would love to show you my favourites!

    First we’ve headed to the Sip for a little sip of champagne…I absolutely loved this Champagne Lounge. The decor was so beautiful! It was a perfect way to begin the night.

    After a couple of glasses of champagne, we have decided to check out other bars and restaurants. I personally fell in love with the Dock House as it gave me my favourite bohemian and Mediterranean feel. This place is perfect to relax and have some dips and mezze.

    Another place that got my attention was The Wake, a glamorous restaurant serving steaks and seafood, and Pink Agave, that transports sailors to the vibrant streets of Mexico City. Loved its vibe!

    • The Wake
    • Pink Agave

    We had dinner at Test Kitchen, a laboratory-like eatery, that is part cooking school and part restaurant. I found it a very interesting experience and I loved the food. Every dish was truly special.

    I also got to try Razzle Dazzle which is a vegetarian-forward restaurant. We had such a delicious brunch there. It was hard to decide what to eat as the menu looked great and there was a huge choice!

    Other on-board eateries include Gunbae – a lively Korean BBQ, and Extra Virgin, the ship’s trattoria serving regionally inspired, deeply rooted Italian culinary traditions. More casual alternatives include the The Pizza Place and Lick Me Till Ice Cream (which serves complimentary scoops) – and many more!

    ENTERTAINMENT

    I don’t know where to start here as it was such a fun night! First, we got to watch a show in The Red Room – the first transformational multi-form theatre at sea. We watched the ‘Duel Reality’, which is a modern take on Romeo and Juliet. The show and effects were incredible! I had lots of fun! There was also another show at night in the same room, which then turned into a huge party! Here’s some snaps from this fun night!

    We also got to experience The Manor – a mind-blowing nightclub with the most spectacular entrance. It was seriously calling for a little photo shoot! I decided to go with Virgin’s signature colour and put my favourite red dress on! Do I look like a Scarlet Lady? Haha

    WELLNESS & FITNESS

    Now let’s talk about probably my favourite part of the ship! What I loved about Scarlet Lady was the incredible, luxurious Redemption Spa featuring a hydrotherapy pool, mud room, salt room, cold plunge pools, quartz beds, and rejuvenating spa treatments.

    Don’t think it’s only a place to relax though! By night, sailors can complete their well-being journey by attending one of the voyage’s evening spa parties where a killer DJ will transform the spa’s thermal suite into a mermaid hideaway extravaganza.

    Wellness is a major focus for Virgin Voyages and along with the spa there’s also the B-complex gym, The Perch – an outdoor yoga space, The Runway-outdoor running track, a training centre, and much more.

    Let’s also not forget to mention the outdoor well-being pool. Of course, we didn’t get to enjoy it due to the weather, but here’s how it looks. There’s also a Gym and Tonic bar right next to the pool that serves fresh cold-pressed juices and handcrafted cocktails.

    GROOMING SPACES

    There are also grooming spaces on the ship! There is the Mani Pedi Spa– a nail salon with the most beautiful views, The Dry Dock– a blow dry and hair styling beauty bar complete with hair nourishing and scalp treatments designed by Softroom, Stubble and Groom– a barber, and the first ever tattoo studio on board a cruise ship called Squid Ink. And look how stylish these places are! No need to worry about manicure or pedicure when travelling on the Scarlet Lady!

    SUSTAINABILITY

    Virgin Voyages has partnered with Climeon, a Sweden-based technology company, with a goal to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions by converting engine waste heat into clean electricity. The company has also banned single-use plastics on board. I think it’s a great initiative!

    To sum up, I had an absolutely amazing time on a Scarlet Lady ship. I have only one question now. When am I going on a cruise holiday?

    If you fancy checking their packages yourself or book your stay, you can do it here. You can also get a cheeky up to $400 bar bonus! I hope to see you there!

    Post in collaboration with Virgin Voyages

    Where to stay in Trentino- hotels for every budget

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    Last month I had a pleasure to visit Trentino for the second time. I couldn’t be happier to return to this region! Last year I published the article focusing on why you should visit this part of Italy. If you’ve missed it, you can read it here. This year, as I stayed there a bit longer ( 10 days) I had enough time to experience the best places to stay so I am finally able to also recommend you the most magical hotels that I am sure you’d absolutely love.

    Chalet al Foss

    Let’s start with my absolutely favourite chalet I’ve ever stayed and my personal highlight of the Trentino trip. Chalet al Foss is located just outside Vermiglio and 6 km from Passo del Tonale, in a peaceful and sunny area with the view over the mountains.

    This boutique accommodation offers 44 rooms – different style at different price range but they all have one thing in common- the most magical view! When I say “magical” I seriously mean it! To me this view was a pure luxury. Apart from the most stunning views this hotel is famous from it’s incredible outdoor Alpin Spa. It also features an outdoor heated pool, a sauna with a view ( the most beautiful my eyes ever seen!) and hot tubes. What a pleasure after all day on the slopes! Oh talking about the slopes- there is a local free skibus service to the ski slopes of Passo del Tonale and not far from the cross-country ski tracks of Velon and Stavel. If you fancy driving there yourself, it takes about 20 minutes. I also need to mention the food in this hotel was absolutely delicious – both buffet and a la carte. This place is so incredibly romantic. It’s seriously a perfect getaway for couples. In the evenings the staff members light the candles around the pool and there is a beautiful fireplace too- a perfect spot for a glass of Lagrein red wine. Ahh, what’s more to add! You can book your stay here.

    Rifugio Capanna Presena

    When I looked this place up before the actual trip I didn’t know what to expect. I have never stayed at the mountain hut before and also the idea of going there without all my luggage – we were going up there by gondola and we were told to only pack for one night in a backpack. What a challenge for the flamingo fashionista- believe me or not, but I have never ever travelled with the backpack. You may laugh as it was only for a night, haha but I am not going to lie it was challenging for me. But do you know what? It was EPIC. Rifugio Capanna Presenna is located 3000m above the ground, in the heart of Presena Glacier. This place honestly had some kind of energy I can’t explain. The views from there were insane! It was also extremely cold up there, but hey- it was all worth it! I have never watched sunset like that in my life! It was freezing but so magical and pink!

    The hotel features 8 suites where you can soak up the splendour of the nature. The design is quite simple but very unique at the same time. Each room is beautifully decorated with stones and wood and can accommodate 2- 4 people. The group suite can accommodate up to 12 people. I personally stayed in the room for 4- 2 people slept downstairs and 2 upstairs. We were sharing the bathroom. Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant, bar and a lounge during their stay The food was very tasty and their lounge is so cosy- a perfect spot for a Bombardino night with friends! You do remember what Bombardino is, right?

    My favourite thing about this mountain hut (apart from the most incredible sunrise and sunset I have ever witnessed in the mountains) was their stunning SPA and Wellness centre. I absolutely loved their heated pool and the sauna both with the most panoramic view over glacier peaks. It was truly magical and I would say romantic. Perfect escape for either a couple, a family or a group of friends. You can see more and book your stay here.

    While staying here we also attended a very fun Ice Music concert inside the igloo. So cool! Can you believe the instruments were made of ice too? To me it was a super fun experience. I loved the colorful light effects too! And yup, I was singing like crazy, haha! This event runs from January 4th to March 29th 2020, every Thursday and Saturday. PS. Wear the ski pants, hat and gloves!

    Lefay Resort and SPA Dolomiti

    Lefay Resort & SPA Dolomiti is set in the woods, overlooking the Dolomites in the ski area of Madonna di Campiglio ( 6 mins stroll from the ski slope) and is located in Pinzolo, the largest town in the Rendena valley. This hotel would be for those looking for a luxury and also wellness and SPA lovers. Lefay is also famous for it’s BIO architecture inspired by the nature.

    Everything about this place was perfect from the moment I stepped in. The service was incredible! We didn’t stay here over the night ( I wish we did) but we were lucky to experience their famous and absolutely gorgeous SPA- one of the largest ones in the Alps.

    Their wellness centre features 9 saunas, cold water bath, ice & tempered waterfall, sensory showers, fitness centre and stunning relaxation areas. There is also a huge heated outdoor pool with the magical view over the mountains. Wow!

    This luxury accommodation offers 22 residences and 88 suites spacious and lightened by the big windows, with oak woods and natural fabrics to create a cosy atmosphere. Dining wise, there are two chic restaurants, and indoor and open-air bars. There are also two golf courses located just a few minutes from the Resort and those who are looking for adventures may choose among horse riding and mountain bike excursions. I highly recommend this hotel if you’re looking for a luxurious getaway or a SPA break. To me it would be a perfect place for a honeymoon too. You can read more and book your stay here.

    Hotel EDEN Andalo

    Eden Hotel is a family run place set amid the Brenta Dolomites. This relaxed mountainside resort has a great location – only 4-minute walk from the lifts at the Paganella ski resort. Depending on your needs and budget, there are different types of accommodations to choose from including: rooms, suites, and apartments.

    My room was really quite small, modern and fresh but also very cosy. I really liked the view from my little balcony.

    This family- run hotel would be a perfect hotel for families travelling with kids. There’s a Baby Club and Miniclub with afternoon and evening entertainment, where your kids are well looked after so you can enjoy the Eden Spa Wellness and Beauty Centre. I absolutely loved their relaxation area with Himalayan salt to regenerate after snowboarding for hours. PS. I obviously loved the egg chairs too! You know me already, haha!

    Image source – booking.com

    What’s really special about this property is the atmosphere. The staff really makes you feel like home. You can experience the real Italian hospitality and cuisine here. Oh these sweet Italian breakfasts and lots of carbs and wine every night! I miss it!

    This property offers lots of greats packages full of fun activities – guided hiking tours, trekking, fat biking. You can check their packages out here.

    I hope you will get to experience beautiful Trentino soon! I love this region so much and I hope to visit again next season!

    This post is in collaboration with Visit Trentino

    Detox weekend in Glass House, Essex

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    Hello in 2020 everyone!

    I hope you all started the year with a new, positive energy! One of my 2020 resolution was to look after my health (both physical and mental a bit more). I have recently visited a place that seriously inspired me (and helped me) to do and I would love to tell you all about it!

    When thinking of detox retreat, we often think of those far away from home, usually quite pricey when adding the costs of plane tickets but sometimes we don’t have to look this far! I have discovered an incredible and super relaxing place less than an hour drive from London called Glass House.

    A little bit about the retreat

    The Glass House is set in the heart of the Essex countryside and has been designed from scratch and built by industry experts. Offering a unique programme of wellness, fitness and nutrition led by their team of expert therapists, instructors and coaches, Glass House will be the go-to place for those seeking the ultimate wellness experience.

    How to get there?

    Less than an hour drive from London

    What makes it special?

    I truly loved this place as they were treating everyone individually. They do tailor and suggest a specialist programme to give you the most self-beneficial experience however it’s not enforced- it’s only recommended. Your journey here, can be either intense or relaxed- it’s all up to you. If you feel like a personal training session rather than a group class, that’s fine. If you feel like staying in the pool, no problem.

    Personally I done a bit of both- one intense day full of fitness classes and one day of relaxation – long sleep, yoga class, pool, sauna sessions, a massage and a facial and I loved it. What I also found great were the long countryside sunrise walks. We were lucky as it was so beautiful and sunny at all times so it was such a magical and relaxing experience and a break from busy and noisy London life. ( I would recommend you to pack warmer jacket and wellies as it was quite muddy). Also every evening after dinner they organise the wellness talks. I found them so interesting, useful and it was also a great way to connect with others attending the retreat.

    The accommodation

    The room I have stayed at was very comfortable, spacious and cosy. What I loved the most was the huge and super comfy bed. I was sleeping like a baby! The en-suite bathroom was really pretty too! I loved going back to this room after all day of treatments. They also had a great selection of herbal tees in the room. I really enjoyed having one every evening before going to sleep.

    The food

    The food at the retreat was absolutely delicious and all plant- based. Everything was natural and clean. I have chosen the Equilibrium Diet which is suitable if you want to detox, but weight loss isn’t a priority. I really enjoyed all the meals, especially the soups ( I will never ever forget the mushroom soup- it was the best one I ever had in my life!) and yummy juices. I wish I could eat this healthy everyday! They also offer and Weight loss Diet and Pure Juicing Diet. You can read more here.

    The facilities

    During the stay I was actively using all the Glass House facilities- the heated leisure pool, Himalayan salt block sauna, yoga & pilates at their fitness studio, gym ( I had an amazing session with a personal trainer!) cryo chamber and the spa.

    SPA

    As I struggle with acne I was recommended The Elemis Skin Soother which was absolutely incredible. My skin was so smooth and calm after all. I have purchased couple of Elemis products after this facial as I loved how my skin felt! I have also tried the Dermalux® LED Phototherapy which instantly energises skin cells to revitalise a dull and tired complexion. I think it seriously helped to heal the acne. You can check out all the spa treatments they offer here.

      After the retreat…

      After the retreat I felt so restored and relaxed. My skin got better too! I also learnt how important is to drink lots of water- I always forget which is so bad but after this retreat I started to think about it more. I also started to begin my day with a glass of warm water with lemon- just like at the retreat and having morning walks more often. I feel honestly grateful I have went on this little detox weekend and I would recommend you to do the same weather you’re looking for relaxation or would like to learn how you could improve your lifestyle. You can have a look at all packages and book your stay here.

      Post in collaboration with Glass House Retreat