The Luxe Life on a Budget

I must admit, embarrassingly so, I have never stayed in a hostel. I have been told they are not “that bad” but I have always budgeted my money to stay in a nice hotel. It is part of my travel bliss. However, every time I see a movie from the 70’s there are these groups of people all hanging out, learning from each other and connecting on a deeper level, I always get a bit jealous I don’t have experiences like that. It gives me this yearn to try something new and be pushed outside of my comfort zone.

Nice hotels have always been one of my travel splurges but with the new wave of affordable luxury (I am talking $27 a night) my mind is quickly changing. Perhaps I will get my “something new” sooner than I thought. The young and hip are starting to flock to Generator, a European based Hostel company, for their unique designs, new spaces, young nightlife, and clean rooms. I am particularly fond of their terraces, decor, and eye for detail. The Generator has both shared rooms and single rooms available in cities such as Paris, London, Rome, Venice, Barcelona, Berlin, and many others. And if that didn’t suffice your travel appetite they also have some pretty badass displays around each hotel. From the Generator – “Each property takes influence from their unique surroundings. Sip your cocktail under the hanging lanterns of Generator Barcelona and experience exclusive art installations from some of the finest local artists at Generator Berlin Mitte. Generator Hamburg has its own piece of history, having once been used as a Beatles recording studio, and then there’s Venice, a converted grain house sitting on the waterfront of Giudecca with grand ceilings and authentic 16th century Palladio craftsmanship.” I don’t know about you, but hostel or not, I just want to be a part of the atmosphere and energy of likeminded, young, wanderlust, movers-and-shakers.

And don’t think European travelers are the only lucky ones. Thanks to The Wayfarer travelers to Santa Barbara California can now cash in on inexpensive luxury. Enjoy a yummy cocktail laying out by their beautiful pool area or join in on great conversation around the spanish style kitchen. Everywhere you look their is beauty and design but at a fraction of the price you would pay elsewhere!

Gone are the days of the grimy hostels you were scared to even hear about. Here are the days of the young, adventurous, and money conscious traveler with the world at their fingertips (and bank account). Bon Voyage!

 

below are images from the Generators Hostels around Europe and various shots of The Wayfarer

Before I Die I Want To…

“Before I die I want to  ____.”

Have you ever asked yourself this question? It is a biggie. Something that takes a bit of time to think about. I always thought I had my list memorized. I knew everything I wanted to do. But no. When being confronted with the question you quickly realize you can not properly express everything you want to do. Before I die I want to…. I mean, wow! It isn’t a pleasant experience to be faced with the fact that we will eventually run out of time. That there won’t actually be endless time for us to accomplish and do everything we want to and eventually we will no longer be here. I think it is easy for us to get caught up in the day to day dramas and routines of the world and forget that we are only here but for a short time. However, the other night there it was in black and white. I am not sure if the world was either playing an evil joke on me or trying to help me but this very question is the one question which can bring upon massive amounts of anxiety for me. That idea that I am running out of time.

I have touched on this issue I suffer with – anxiety of not doing and seeing all I want to – in my The Big Reveal post. It isn’t a fear of dying that brings on the anxiety it is the genuine fear that I won’t accomplish my list of must see and do’s before I go. I really do have this unquenchable thirst to see the world and touch and feel this life. To have a life where that is not completed is terrifying to me. So when I was confronted with this board, well four boards, all staring at me with their simple text, “Before I die I want to” I almost went numb. Where does one start? For me – It is seeing the world. So that is what I wrote. But how can you only write down one simple line. There is SO much I want to do. It almost seemed unfair they would give you such a small space. But then it felt real, that I had to come up with one single sentence. I had to categorize everything on my list into what was most important to me at that moment. Of course I would now change my answer to something much more meaningful but when you are confronted with something, you almost don’t have time to rationally think.

The question has stayed with me for days and has created great conversation for the husband and I. We have spent nights connecting over everything we want to do in this life and everything we want to see and accomplish together. Yesterday I was back in the area where these boards are and I spent a good amount of time reading each and every word. I was blown away at the simplicity of some of these wishes and touched by others. We all have wishes and dreams in this world and it is refreshing to remember yours and read others. It almost feels good that someone asked what I wanted to do. It made me remember my childhood list and go back through and mentally check-off a few that I have already done while adding new ones for the future. Since it was beneficial to me I wanted to take the time to ask you! You don’t have to tell me, but maybe say it to yourself. It is refreshing to think about!

I ask you one simple but completely complex question – “Before you die, what do YOU want to do?”

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outfit details // Zara Blazer, OTTENY Silk top (on major sale), Ray Ban Classic Aviator sunnies, Madewell sandals (on sale)

Hotel Profile: Chateau D’Audrieu

I was lucky enough to stay at Chateau D’Audrieu over the summer while visiting Normandy (guide coming soon) with  my parents and my in-laws. The Chateau was absolutely magical – nothing like any place I had stayed before. I loved the oldness and charm of the entire place. It is extremely quiet and the perfect escape after a long day of visiting the WWII monuments. My favorite part was sleeping with my window open and waking up to the sunset and a light rain. It really was absolutely a dream! And if that wasn’t enough, the food is absolutely divine! If I could recommend two things they would be to take a drink or your coffee in the upstairs sitting room and to rent a bike to ride around the property! Both are breathtaking!

If you are visiting the Normandy area I suggest looking into Chateau D’Audrieu. It made the entire experience that much more enjoyable!

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