Christmas is almost here!

Love,

Photography: Laura Beltran-Rubio

Christmas Decorations

I finally managed to start decorating my home for Christmas and couldn't be happier. My personal favourite is the fresh smell of the Christmas tree––although I adore the nativity scene my mum gave me last Christmas.

Love,

Photography: Laura Beltran-Rubio

Christmas Time at the New York Palace

I love wandering around town and finding new places I love. Although I had discovered the New York Palace––and its magnificence––quite a while ago, I hadn't even thought about the possibility of such beautiful Christmas decorations filling the place with joy these days. But when I was trying to avoid the crowds last weekend, I happened to walk past it. And it was amazing! I absolutely adore the red lights that brighten up the walls, and the tree is nothing but breathtaking. The lobby is also looking gorgeous, as usual. I truly love this place!

Love,

Photography: Laura Beltran-Rubio

Christmas Giants

Walking on Avenue of the Americas has become one of my favourite passtimes lately, not because it's close to home, but mostly because I can't get over the giant Christmas decorations that are illuminating the area these days. I'm particularly in love with these enormous fairy lights!

Love,

Photography: Laura Beltran-Rubio

The Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center

The christmas tree at Rockefeller Center is one big monster. It's absolutely huge––although beautiful––and every time I see it––usually in my morning runs because I can't stand the crowds in the place at "normal" hours––I can't help but think about the impossible amount of lights that decorate it. I've tried to come up with a number of lightbulbs but I would say it's so big that I can't even think of a number that seems like a rational guess. But it's still a beautiful tree...

You know I'm obsessed with fairy lights, and I particularly love shooting them un-focused because they look bigger and prettier. So I had to shoot the tree with some effects. Although I did include some normal pictures so you get to see its natural beauty if you can't make it to New York this year!

Love,

Photography: Laura Beltran-Rubio

City Views: The Empire State Building

There are several things I love about New York, and the Empire State Building is one of those. Although it's been standing there for ages, it's a pretty building and I can have a good time just staring at it––especially if I have some good drinks at hand. About a year ago, I discovered a The Strand Hotel, and its rooftop bar became my favourite place to see my favourite building.

Of course, I had to take my friend who was visiting for a few days there. We had dinner at the bistro on the first floor, and then we headed up to the bar, to enjoy a cure view of the building while staying warm and happy inside.

We had kale lasagna for dinner, which was pretty hearty, with lots of cheese and tomato sauce.

As for the drinks, we both chose a forbidden fruit cocktail––prosecco, crème de pamplemousse and grapefruit twist––which was also really, really good!

And to top everything up, we had a perfect view of the Empire State Building and a huge amount of fairy lights!

No doubt this was a more than perfect girls night––followed, of course, by the greatest pillow talk when we got back home!

Love,

Photography: Laura Beltran-Rubio

Travel Diaries: Welcome to Milan

Our travel from Monaco to Milan took most of the day. However, we arrived just in time for a late lunch, which was –as it should always be when you just arrive in Italy– pizza! Luckily, we found a traditional pizzeria (remember to always look for the forno de legna to make sure you're eating the best!) only two blocks away from our hotel!

We decided to share a 4 formaggi (I don't really remember which cheeses it had, but I'm quite sure two of theme were mozzarella and pecorino) and a 4 staggioni (which was a delicious mixture of cheese, prosciutto, artichokes and olives).

Although our pizzas were absolutely yummy, I also loved how the place looked like. There were bottles of wine everywhere, and fairy lights. I don't know if it's just a bit of my childhood that refuses to leave, but there's something about fairy lights that makes me go mad about them! However, what I liked the most about the place was the kindness of the waitress. She's an absolute gem. I love her!

After lunch, we went out for a walk around Corso Genova, but got tired really quick. We then got back to the hotel, had a long shower and went to bed.

Love,

Photography: Laura Beltran-Rubio