eat, drink & look good
Christmas Travel Beauty Giveaway!
How exciting! princesswithabackpack.com and The luxury beauty brand Model’s Prefer have an awesome last minute Christmas travel beauty giveaway competition…
Look fresh faced when you arrive at any destination
Just click ‘Like’ on Princess with a Backpack Facebook page and you could win a fantastic travel-beauty Kit which includes fab stylish and useful products for your next holiday..
Prize includes;
Illuminizors Bronze and Illuminate
The new Models Prefer Illuminizors feature a non-sticky formula and are enriched with Vitamin E and anti-aging benefits to give the skin a radiant appearance. Available in two shades: Illuminate and Bronze.
Retractable Eyeliner
This water-proof, smudge-proof eyeliner creates perfect lines using a specially designed tip for precise application that will last all day.
Mini Nail File
These 12 portable nail files are perfect size for your handbag or makeupbag, ready for emergency repairs at any time.
Look like a star with the right tools
No excuses on your next getaway of looking desheviled… Model’s Prefer and princesswithabackpack.com have great ideas to keep you looking stylish… always.
Enter now! Competition closes 23rd Decemeber 2011
Made for Montreal
Guest Writer & Stylist: Davina www.geniusstyle.com.au
I heart Montreal….
I spent two great years living in Montreal, Canada and it truly is a lovely town. The old world cobblestone streets mixed in with modern cosmopolitan edge – this is a city that may not be well known for being a shopping destination, but these are four of the best stores and malls that the locals love.
Harmony Code
123 Mount Royal Ave. West
Montreal H2T 2S9
For vintage accessories, boho dresses, and gorgeous embellished sandals and flats, check out Harmony Code. Local designers are mixed in with handmade pieces from Brazil, Greece and Turkey, and it’s easy to take a few of the gorgeous accessories to jazz up a simple outfit or go all out with free spirited style that’s chic and well priced.
Holt Renfrew
1300 Sherbrooke Street West
Montreal H3G 1H9.
A stone’s throw from the Museum of Fine Arts, Holts is a designer label lover’s haven (including these Kate Spade heels that I’d gladly live on cereal for the next month for – www.holtrenfrew.com). Holts Montreal has a complementary, yes complementary personal shopping service, a “Made to Measure” men’s suiting service and a gourmet café. If you’re not careful, you’re bound to go broke as a trip here is a day out in itself!
Vetements Old Gold (Heritage)
4357 St Laurent Boulevard
Montreal H2W 1Z8
Old Gold is a boutique with a unique mix of preppy chic clothing hand-picked by the owner from Swedish, Hong Kong and Tokyo designers along with accessories that can only be described as cool on another level (like this ear phone necklace http://oldgoldboutique.com/shop/ear-buds ). Old Gold is a must visit for items that reflect Montreal’s cool European-esque style that you can wear all over the globe.
Mall Champlain
2151 Boulevard Lapiniere
Brossard QC J4W 2T5
Finally for all things bargain, there’s the Mall Champlain, located 20 minutes over the Jacques Cartier Bridge into Brossard, featuring all the usual big name retail suspects such as Sears, Zara, The Bay, Aldo Shoes, H&M and great Canadian based stores like Style Exchange and Dynamite. Check out the website before you visit. The store directory has a great colour coded feature called Style Ethic that tells you which retailers support socially responsible shopping and environmentally friendly manufacturing!
A Note on the Language…
Even though it is a mark of respect to learn the language of another country before you visit, do not be too intimidated or worried if your French is not up to par before you visit Montreal, almost all stores and the people are bilingual and are usually very excited to hear a foreign accent!
Quebeccers are the most friendly, accommodating people and sights and shopping aside, the warmth of the people in Montreal and their enthusiasm to show off their beautiful city is what will make your experience in Montreal unforgettable.
For more from Davina check out: www.geniusstyle.com.au
On Track.. Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia
Block Colour Inspiration, Hanoi
Summer Hues, KL Malaysia
from Vietnam with Love
The Best You only better – Tips for Healthy Eating when Traveling.
I feel my best when I’m travelling. Lighter, happier… life is easy and fun! Exploring exotic places, meeting interesting people, experiencing things you just don’t get at home. And of course, finding new taste sensations.. are all part of the thrill.
You would think being away from your usual routine, following your diet and regularly exceriseing would mean ‘fallin go ff the ‘health band-wagon’ but it often works in the reverse. Your’re distracted by the sights and busy travelling schedule and meal times are often erratic, but I can guarantee you’ll listen to your body more – Hungry? eat. Not hungry? keep on with your day. There’s little time to waste snacking from the fridge.
However, there are those times when you’re at the airport or at a rest stop and you’re really hungry. Sound familiar? If you’re faced with this problem, try to plan ahead. Thankfully, perfection isn’t necessary, you just need to keep these easy tips in mind to healthy on the road.
dont fall into the trap of getting hungry and eating everything or anything!
1. Pack some healthy snacks.
Remember economy food on an airplane usually sux. So unless you’re travelling business-class, remember to either pre-select your meal (usually do this online when booking your seat) or grab something before hoping on the plane. A take-away salad is perfect idea.
Roasted almonds or other nuts are my go-to snack, but pack whatever works for you. This is for peace of mind so if you get stuck, you won’t have to resort to greasy fast food.
2. Embrace eggs for breakfast.
Breakfast in cafes, restaurants and hotels can be a wonderful experience. Take the time to seek out places known for putting on a good spread to make sure you’re getting your protein in the mornings.
3. Sampling a little is better than going without.
Being a slave to your diet isn’t a fun way to travel. After all, part of the joy of visiting new places is to experience the culture, including the food
4. Remember the 80/20 Rule.
If you’re trying to be 100% healthy all the time, it can make life on the road much more stressful and make you want to give up all together. Remember Eat Pray Love movie with Julia Roberts? A little pizza, yummy pasta and good wine are all part of traveling so enjoy these indulgences- just not every day. Balance out a rich french breakfast with fruit or salad for lunch, and a great bike ride in between – and you’ll have nothing to worry about.
Just like Julia, embrace everything about your destination
5. The golden rule for eating out.
Cut the carbs in 1/2 and double the amount of veggies.
Here’s a few examples:
- order a tomato-based pasta with seafood and a large salad and vegies to fill up on.
- order a burger or sandwich, ditch ½ the bun or roll and ask for extra lettuce and tomato.
- order a ‘naked’ burrito, its all the healthy bits of Mexican food without the wrap – oh and ditch the cheese too
6. Water first.
Fairly often we confuse hunger with thirst. Before you over do it because you think you’re starving, drink some water, take a few deep breaths and relax. Then evaluate how hungry you really are.
It’s all about making smart choices and taking the time to think. Don’t eat less, just make better choices. Travel is an amazing opportunity, and should not a barrier to your health. With this planning and knowledge you will come back from you’re holiday looking more relaxed and healthier than ever. Enjoy!
Fashion Factor with Rachel Zoe
Rachel Zoe’s must have items for a chic weekend away in Paris…
Packing for Paris with Rachel Zoe. Rachel gives us her clever tips on how to pack for a weekend away in Paris. Light – with key items and a lot of mix n match, Zoe always gets it right.
For a daytime outfit make sure you have the following:
1. brilliant denim: slick and skinny, and fun and flared.
www.thesartorialist.com shows how to do denim
2. black v-neck tee; the black will give you that European cool girl factor.
shopping in paris with Zoe!
3. Layer on a cape and wide-brimmed hat—both of these options ensure that you’re warm against the cool air when atop the Eiffel Tower.
4. Footwear department, choose black wedge booties
5. Accessorize with a cross-body bag and a pair of mod shades, and no one can tell you that you’re not à la mode!
icons of fsahion
Night-code:
1. Short and sultry LBD.
2. Accessorise with a patent crocodile belt.
3. Throw on a classicleather jacket
Perfect layering
4. Packing light – so wear the same wedge booties from earlier—they work wonders as a day to night shoe.
5. Break up your all-black look with a standout snakeskin clutch and you’re ready to take the Paris nightlife by storm.
vanessa - oozes style
Amazing advice from our fave stylist. Miss RZ!
Playin’ Polo like a girl
Hoi An – one place you just can’t seem to leave
“Routine” in Hoi An, Vietnam looks something like this:
8am: wake-up, breakfast
off to the markets.. through the old town
Rich with culture - Hoi An
10am: hop on rickietty old bicycle you pay all of $1 for and have a ride around the small town, maybe pickup a few supplies from the local market; fresh fruit, water, specialty teas.. something interesting to take back home.
11am: Beach time! Where else but An Bahn Beach, a 3km scooter-ride from the town centre. Hoi An local beach is lined with bamboo seafood restaurants & a small fishing village. No hotels or beach resorts. This looks like Princess-style survivor.
2pm: Lunch & Fun in the sun…
La Plage relaxing restaurant/bar offering food, drinks they provide activities like free yoga, movies and different fundraisers for local chairities
Life's good in Vietnam
Hangout at “Phatties” with cold beers and a mix of Vietnamese and western foods… run by Ian and Josh, this place popular among Danang’s and Hoi An’s expat communities. Lots of fun at this sea-side shack. Fish & Aussie beef served to perfection!
4pm: the Viet locals return to eat. Great for a late game of volleyball.
End of the day: Head back to town for dinner and a drink at any number of bars and wine bars in the town centre…
Life doesn’t get much better than Hoi An
Art – attack scene in Cambodia
You can image my shock to discover one of the coolest art galleries I’d ever come across in the city of Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Ive visited a lot of cool cities, NYC, London, San Fran, Barcelona.. and let me tell you – this little Hotel 1961 gallery is up there with the best of them.
This 1960′s style villa has been created to house a mix of galleries, artists studios, guestrooms, dinning & shopping. Its a snapshot of the best and worst of the 60′s… with a blend of modern techniques, designed and created by both local and international artists.
You can actually stay in one of the Artist’s created rooms for as little as $30 p/night. Staying at Hotel 1961 in Siem Reap is like stepping iback in time, with guests given the choice of four themed rooms or “galleries” ranging from a Kennedy suite filled with hand-painted American flags and JFK memorabilia, to the Norodom suite, designed as a tribute to Cambodian film and music during the Sihanouk era
The talented and ambitious owner Loven Ramos, has planned a bicycle trip through Battambang in December accompanied by local artists.
Gallery/Hotel/Shop/Cafe.. doesn't get much cooler
“The idea is to take the art to the countryside. We’ll stop at pagodas, markets and schools and exhibit, so the route is subject to change. Each of the 22 participants signed up for the bicycle exhibit will carry a painting or sculpture with them as they ride with us.”
Ramos loves the hectic schedule of planning exhibitions in conjunction with managing multiple sectors of the business. He states “That’s the great thing about Cambodia – you don’t have to plan anything. Everything just falls into place.”
With such a great attitude to his work and the people that he works with, its no wonder 1961 is such a success. An underground local art scene in Cambodia.. who would have guessed?!
Cocktail Class? Sign me up!
Things I learnt in Hoi An…
How to make a mean cocktail! After a couple days lazing about in the gorgeous city of Hoi An, Vietnam, I was invited to attend a cocktail class run by the local bar staff at one of Hoi An’s institutions – Dive bar!
The evening included lessons on how to make 5 different types of cocktails, each with a Vietnamese twist. After the 3rd cocktail (and feeling preety darn good at this stage), we had a break for dinner which was included in the price of the course. After a delish tapas-style dinner, we concluded the class with the last two cocktails.. (feeling especially good after 5th cocktail).. and lazed about at the Dive Bar a little longer, enjoying sipping on our homemade drinks and the balmy Vietnamese air…
XA-TAO Breeze…
1.5 shots Vodka
1/2 shot amaretto
1/2 shot lime juice
1 piece lemongrass
2 limewheels
Fill glass with ice, split and smash lemongrass an ass lime wheels. Pour vodka, amaretto & lime juice, top up with apple juice and stir.
Cocktail of the night - an Viet-espresso martini
Take me to Nammos
Guess what – you don’t have been rich & famous to live like them.
Take for example Karma Kandara Resort, Bali. For just $25US you can spend the day at this stunning resort, a place which is so breath-taking you could compare it to the feeling you get at destinations such as Greece or coast of Italy. Complete with indigenous grass roof and bamboo platform, Nammos Beach Club can only be accessed via Karma Kandara’s private inclinator, which carries guests effortlessly up and down 100 meters of sheer limestone cliff.
Live like Brangelina... for only $25!
This special place occupies a spectacular cliff top high above the Indian Ocean at Bali’s southernmost tip.
Karma Kandara Bali is blessed with the most exhilarating views imaginable. Best part about it is that you can enjoy it too! We were lucky enough to spend the day on the private beach sipping cocktails, chilling on sunbeds listening to the ‘cafe-del-maresque’ tunes from the DJ.
A dip in the ocean is essential in Bali. Once you reach Nammos Private Beach Club guests and visitors can lounge on daybeds, in private pavilions or perch on stools at the bar. Theres even a kitchen fit with wood-fired pizza ovens.. so whatever you’re in the mood for ordering, it can be arranged.
We all love a good party. Especially in Bali. Here you can also get invited to some of the hottest full moon beach parties right on the private beach, just make sure your bikini and kaftan can take you from day-time chillin to night-time fun….
There are a limited number of daybeds and visitors (that aren’t guests) allowed on the beach, so try get there early. What to wear? Make sure you pack;
-Stylish beach bag
-Simple sandals
-Camilla Kaftan
-White Bikinis
-Suntan lotion
-Raybans
-Straw hat (wrinkles are so last season)
This place is insane and a definite must-do when you’re next in town.