Tuesday’s Travel Guide: A HEUCY Gal’s Swedish Adventure

Happy Tuesday, gals! We haven’t gone rogue, don’t worry…we’ve been working on a very cool collaboration with Gilt which you’ll be hearing more about very soon. In the meantime, back to the blog.

To celebrate the success of our Nordic Spring collection as well as the recent royal Swedish wedding (and because we all love us some Scandy culture), here is our “best of the best” Swedish travel guide. Now is the time to go, if you have the inclination and the freedom to do so! If not, watch a few episodes of “Wallander” on demand and start planning your getaway when the time is right.

First stop, Stockholm. The food here is pretty top-notch, especially if you love seafood. If not, no worries, there are plenty of local delicacies you’ll want to try. A few of our favorite restaurants:

–Smorgasbord at The Grand Hotel

–The Ostermalm market

There are very cool stalls selling all sorts of delicious treats, and there’s a wonderful place to eat called Lisa Elmqvist. Great for lunch. Sit at the bar if you can and people watch.

—Erik Bakfickan is also a tried and true Swedish “must”

–Wendholms Fisk – a fancier option, but definitely worth the splurge.

Getting your culture on…

If you want to walk off your toast skagen, take a stroll through Gamla Stan, a very quaint, scenic part of Stockholm that dates back to the 13^th century. Very cute cafes and shops line the narrow, cobblestone streets.

The Swedish Modern Museum (Moderna Museet) should not be missed. You’ll see one of the finest collections of 20^th and 21^st century art as well as compelling views of the archipelago right outside.

The Swedish Architecture and Design Museum is one of the best places to learn about Swedish design from the 19^th century up to present day. The mid-century modern design collection is really impressive, and it can be a bit overwhelming…but definitely worth taking a tour.

Day trips, and beyond…

We highly recommend visiting the areas around Stockholm, since the incredibly stunning natural beauty of the areas around Stockholm was a big inspiration for HEUCY’s Nordic Spring collection.

Close by Stockholm, you’ll find the archipelago in Lake Malaren which leads to the Baltic Sea. Picturesque towns including Uppsala and Sigtuna are close enough to Stockholm to travel by boat for the day, or do a quick overnight trip.

If you want to venture further away from Stockholm, you should put the province of Dalarna, northwest of Stockholm (about 2-3 h drive or train ride), on your agenda. Pretty towns like Mora and Leksand on Lake Siljan are absolutely worth seeing if you have the time. People ski race in this area during the winter.

You can also reach the big island of Gotland by ferry from South of Stockholm (Nynashamn). Make sure to see Visby, the main town with a medieval wall all around it (bonus: it’s on the UNESCO world heritage list).

Smaland is famous for its remarkable blown glass, made in the towns of Orrefors and Kosta. From there, the medieval town and castle of Kalmar isn’t far away, and you can take a bridge over to Oland for more sightseeing.

You’ll find a Viking-era reconstructed settlement at Eketorp in the South, and the famous light house Lange Jan at the souther tip. You can see the light (and sometimes also the light house itself) from the island of Langoren in the midsummer months. You’ll also see a lot of Swedes outdoors during this time, soaking up that Vitamin D before the cold weather returns!

What are you waiting for, gals? If you can, get out of the office, pack some HEUCY nautical stripes in your bag, and head over to Sweden ASAP to experience Nordic Spring and Summer in full effect! (I think that’s what Claudia is smiling about right now…her next trip 🙂

xx,

The HEUCY Team

Travel Guide: An American in Paris

If we asked you to name the most romantic getaway in the world, many of you would probably say it’s Paris.  Yes, it is quite romantic.  But, we’ve learned that it’s just as fun to jet over to the City of Lights with a group of old friends, and leave your man at home to take care of the kids and pets!  HEUCY Gal Veronica recently visited lovely Paris with some college friends, XX years after living there as a student.  What did she take with her?  A suitcase full of HEUCY and plenty of joie de vivre!  Here are Veronica’s recommendations for the perfect short jaunt across the pond, to one of the most beautiful and memorable cities in the world.

1. What to pack…

According to Veronica, “the French know effortless style.  HEUCY fits right in there.”

—HEUCY dresses and jumpsuits can easily get you through a 4 or 5 day trip.  Added (major) bonus: jersey doesn’t really wrinkle, so it looks good after a long flight.  And it’s perfect for an unpredictable climate, where lots of layering is involved.  In this photo, Veronica’s friend Saya is wearing the Weekender, and Veronica (right) is in the black Perfect Ten.

2. What to see…

Paris is a city where you can pack every minute of every hour with museum visits and sightseeing, but don’t overlook the simple treasures that line the streets.  We don’t know if it’s Veronica’s camera, or the fact that in Paris everything just looks better than it does here!  Regardless, walking around and looking (and eating and drinking, of course) can be your activity for the day…and the day after that.

3. Food…

—Septime was Veronica’s favorite restaurant.  Other fabulous places to eat include:

—Pirouette

—Buvette

—Caillebotte

4. Where to Stay…

–“We stayed in an adorable boutique hotel on the Rive Gauche called Le Signature”

5. When to go…

–Now! Or whenever you can fit it into your schedule.

Happy travels, HEUCY Gals.

xx,

The HEUCY Team

Strong Woman Saturday: Inspired by Jackie O and Indigo

Today’s “Strong Woman Saturday” inspiration is that quintessential icon of effortless chic, Jackie O. We’re feeling a little wanderlust right now, and we’re also inspired by the HEUCY Indigo collection…so we wanted to highlight Jackie’s time spent in Greece.

If you wanted to recreate this type of leisure life, sans paparrazi, how could you do it as effortlessly as Jackie? We think you’d need just a few things.

1. Jackie O Sunglasses, of course…Ray Ban makes a very affordable pair.

2. The HEUCY Indigo collection. The High School Reunion, Weekender and Problem Solver could get you through a five day trip. Easy to pack and the wrinkle factor is almost nil.  Pockets for shells, maps and baklava.  Added value, your clothes would match the azure colors of the Greek coastline.

3. A good, universally flattering sun hat that actually blocks out the sun. We do need to worry about those UV rays, even on vacay. Satya Twena makes one, right here in NYC’s garment district, and it’s available online.

4. A page-turner. Right now we’re reading “The Leopard”, by Jo Nesbo…

And on that note, stay tuned for our other favorite Nordic books. There are many!

Have a great weekend, and dream of Jackie!

xx,

Team HEUCY

A HEUCY Gal’s Guide to Miami: Pools, Food, Art & Play…Like the Locals Do

Team HEUCY will be escaping the New York City freeze-fest later this month to take a trip to Miami. (Trust us, it’s a well-deserved break and should inspire a mini Summer collection).

We asked one of our favorite HEUCY Gals, photographer Claire Nitze, to give us her Miami travel guide. Claire lived in Miami before moving to Brooklyn and photographed an amazing series called Miami Façade, which we’ve featured here. We love Claire’s photos because they’re beautiful and they represent the real texture and soul of neighborhoods in Miami that have since been gentrified. You can see the entire series of photographs (and purchase) on Claire’s website, www.clairenitze.com.

We think Claire’s work — and her taste — is amazing, so we’re thrilled to have her “best of” Miami on-hand!  Enjoy.

Restaurants:

– Juvia: This has the best view of Miami Beach and is a special spot for drinks or dinner outside and above it all. Go early and catch the sunset.

– Mandolin: Yummy Greek restaurant in the design district, but refreshingly very “un-design-y” and lowkey. Tucked away, charming, with great outdoor seating.

– Michael’s Genuine: Michael is the best chef in Miami, hands down. His food is creative, inspiring, fun, and fresh. This place has a great vibe and terrific drinks.

– Icebox Cafe: A light-filled soothing restaurant for breakfast, lunch, coffee, or dinner. This is where the locals go…

– Lucali’s: Brooklyn’s outpost. This is the best pizza in Brooklyn AND Miami. Brick oven and delicious. Also a local favorite.

– Broken Shaker: This is a hidden gem. Undiscovered and casually romantic. Glitzy folks don’t go here. Throwback style, bohemian cool.  Hidden in the open courtyard of the Freehand Hostel on Indian Creek Drive, this is a perfect place to kick off an evening  – or stay all night. Craft drinks, bite-sized eats, and a very mellow and appealing vibe.

– SoHo House: lovely and relaxing

– Casa Tua…if you can get in! Not sure if this is still a “members only” restaurant, but the buidling exudes chic charm, and I’ve always wanted to dine at the long chefs table in facing the kitchen. But a romantic courtyard table is also a score.

Don’t Miss: 

– Design District for fancy shopping (this is not my bag, but it’s a crazy set of high end shops)

– Perez Art Museum for incredible modern art and a great view of Biscayne Bay. The building itself is worth going to just to sit on the giant steps facing Miami Beach and gazing at the water. Good lunch restaurant, too. Amazing Ai Weiwei sculptures.

– Wynwood Walls for outdoor graffiti art like you’ve never seen before

– Gorilla Coffee (Miami Beach location and/or Wynwood location) – a great local scene of creative Miamians.

-New World Symphony’s WALLCAST – Go to nws.edu for a calendar of outdoor events that are presented on a soaring, 7,000-square-foot projection wall.  Frank Gehry designed the Center.

– Biking or strolling down the beach and boardwalk NORTH and SOUTH of 17th street.

– Cute boutique shopping (a few) on Purdy Avenue (near Ice Box Cafe and Gorilla coffee…this is truly where the locals hang out).  Lots of 20/30 somethings, and it’s mellower than Lincoln Road and Collins Ave.

Fun Hotels to walk through the lobbies of and out back…

– Delano

– Raleigh

– W

– Shore Club

– Setai

We hope these pics of pools will warm up your day, too!  We’re daydreaming of sitting next to one of these pools, in dresses from the Spring Collection (coming soon!), drinking some sort of sweet beverage…

xx,

The HEUCY Team

We’re Thankful for…Friends Who Live in Cool Places (Like London): London Travel Guide

Our friend and HEUCY Gal Brett, the founder of whimsically chic, fabulous London-based handbag line Wilbur & Gussie, is one of those people who can dip her hand into a bag of junk and pull out diamonds.  What I’m trying to say is…if you’re going anywhere, Brett is the type of tastemaker whose tips and opinions are really worth noting.  She’s traveled the world and, fortunately for us, has given us her “best of” London Guide.  Brett lives in London, too…so if you want to be like a local, read this!  And a shameless plug: Wilbur & Gussie is favored by none other than one of our fave women, the D.O.C. (aka “Dutchess Kate”) and her sister Pippa.

Below is Brett’s list of the “Best Of” in London.  Thanks, Brett!

Restaurants:

1.The Mall Tavern is a great gastro pub just off Notting Hill Gate with a really interesting menu of British pub cuisine. It’s always busy so you have to book!
2. Les Trois Garcons. A converted pub in the East End which is filled with extraordinary findings and kitsch decor. It’s a feast for the eyes and guaranteed fun French dining.
3. Scott’s. Uber-elegant restaurant in Mayfair with fantastic service and delicious food with a focus on seafood. It’s a real ‘treat’ place
4. Carrafini’s. Delicious Italian just off of Sloane Square. In the Summer you can sit outside and watch the world go by in true Italian-style.
5. Royal China (Baker Street/Bayswater). Best Dim Sum in London, but prepare to wait!
6. Quality Chop House, Clerkenwell. Sounds like a chain steak house but set in a little Georgian townhouse in a funky part of London, it has a fantastic menu. Can’t recommend highly enough.

7. Two bars that are good/traditional: Dukes Hotel is renowned for having served Ian Fleming his martini’s, and they do make them well! At Zetter Townhouse in Clerkenwell you can sip your cocktails in cosy, quirky style surrounded by all sorts of curiosities.

Sights:

-I always recommend the sightseeing bus (The Original Tour) as the first thing to do because it really helps get your bearings in the city. It’s 2.5 hours if you don’t hop off and a great way to understand how the city links together. Tickets last for 24 hours so you can always go back the next day for free and hop off to see a sight.
-Somerset House in the Winter is super fun because the courtyard is converted into an ice-rink.
-Walking around Hampstead is a great way to spend an afternoon. The streets and homes are a feast for the eyes, not to mention the Heath, which you can’t believe is smack in the middle of London.
-The Victoria &Albert museum has a little bit of everything from every country around the world. If you are into Design, it’s a MUST.
-The Museum of London has a collection of wonderful British curiosities dating from centuries past and is fun for adults and kids alike.

Shopping:

-Fortnum and Mason and Liberty’s are two of London’s shopping institutions and very special places to visit.
-Opposite Fortnums is the Burlington Arcade, which is filled with beautiful traditional British shops. It’s always fun to walk down here.
-London is mainly full of ‘high streets’ and my favourite is Marylebone High Street. Most of the great British high streets are vanishing, but this one is thankfully still with us. It has the usual high street stores, but with a few one-off boutiques thrown in the mix, and a fabulous book store (Daunt Books). If you like shopping, it’s not to be missed.
-Markets-London has some fantastic markets: Borough for food, London Fields, Columbia Road for flowers, Portobello for antiques and curiosities. It’s always worth seeing what is on.

Brett’s fave HEUCY outfit for travel: the #AlterEgo Jumpsuit.  You can become a local wherever you go, in maximum comfort!

Happy Travels.

xx,

The HEUCY Team

The HEUCY Gal’s Guide to Rome: Five Days, Four Outfits. True Story.

One of us recently jetted off to Rome (okay, flew…via Alitalia) sans kids, with hubby and four HEUCY picks in tow.  We thought it would be interesting to see how HEUCY really travels.  Is it possible to eat, drink, sight-see and gallivant, entirely in HEUCY?  Now we can say — emphatically and from experience — YES, it is possible.  And enjoyable.  You feel so much freer with just a carry-on!

We also thought, wouldn’t it be nice to post a travel guide for a real modern woman — someone who wants to see the sights, but also enjoys a little downtime while on vacation?  Real life is hectic.  Travel should be relaxing.  And somewhat affordable.  Just like our clothes.

So…Below is our itinerary, which includes a list of outfits plus lots of great Rome travel recommendations.  Enjoy!!

Friday: Arrive in Rome, around noon.  Wore the HEUCY #PerfectTen dress for roughly 24 hours, including on the overnight flight.  As comfortable as PJ’s, but sophisticated enough to garner lounge access.

Stayed at: Hotel de Russie.  An incredibly chic, smallish boutique hotel right off the Piazza del Popolo, just steps from the Borghese Gardens.  When we saw the courtyard, we were happy.

After a piadina, some espresso, some vino biancho, a nap, a shower and a change into the HEUCY #HighSchoolReunion (hey, you never know who you’ll run into in Roma), we walked around the Spanish Steps and met up with our friends for dinner at Dal Bolognese, also on the Piazza del Popolo.  The most. amazing. truffles. ever.  The weight gain begins here, but we tell ourselves that a) European wine does not have tannins.  Therefore no hangover.  And b) you can’t gain weight in Europe because the food is not processed.  No looking back now.

Saturday: sight-seeing, eating, drinking and shopping

After a good night’s sleep, we woke and ambled toward the “historic heart” of Rome — Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, Campo de Fiori.  We stopped by Sant’Eustachio for un caffe e agostina with nutella.  OMG.  Words cannot describe how delicious.  I wore the HEUCY #AlterEgo Jumpsuit all day — comfort with a little bit of edge — perfetto for walking around the ancient city.

 

I remembered being absolutely floored by the Pantheon twenty years before, when I had studied in Rome (we’ll get to that later).  Built in 120 A.D., still standing, a true architectural marvel.  Oh, and Raphael is buried there.  What, exactly, have I been doing with my time?  Hmmm.

After a stroll around the Campo de Fiori, we were hungry again.  We had a long, leisurely lunch at Pier Luigi…a fabulous seafood restaurant in a secluded alley off the Campo.  Afternoon light, some delicious sea bass, vino biancho and espresso.  Heaven.

After lunch, we strolled down to Il Giolitti for gelato.  It was a bit like an arms race to get my cone of straciatella, but definitely worth the fight.  Conveniently, there was an adorable children’s clothing store, Boutique ZeroSei, located just a few steps away.  I had my HEUCY for the trip, so didn’t really need to shop for myself.  My daughter got very lucky that day.

Back at the hotel, we were delighted to see paparazzi.  I started to help myself to a bar that seemed to have just “popped up out of nowhere” in the hotel lobby, but was swiftly turned away because I was not “with Universal.”  My imagination was abuzz, who could it be?  I decided to wear my HEUCY #DateNight dress that night, to wow this celeb.

We dined at a charming open-air restaurant called Antica Pesa that eve, in Trastevere, and discovered that our hotel celeb was there too!  I mean, what are the odds?  And can you guess who it was?  None other than Richard “Riccardo” Gere.  Luckily, I felt like “Pretty Woman” in my Date Night!

Sunday — day trip to Castelgandolfo and Nemi, two very cute villages on Lake Albano.  Normally a thirty minute drive outside of Rome.  But we had forgotten how seriously Romans take their Sunday lunch, so it took a bit longer than expected to get to our first spot.

We lunched on the terrace at Antico Ristorante Pagnanelli, in Castelgandolfo.  Delicious grilled herbs.  And wine.  And espresso. You know, when in Rome…our just outside…

Back in Rome, we caught the sunset at the Borghese Gardens.  And then dined outside at Emma, a wonderful new pizzeria off the beaten path on Monte della Farina.  I was sporting my HEUCY #HighSchoolReunion dress again.  Too comfy to just wear once.  And the elastic waistband was forgiving.  I indulged in pizza con funghi e prosciutto as well as a few Peroni.

Monday — a tour of the Vatican and a stroll down memory lane (literally and figuratively)

Monday morning we woke very early and I put on my HEUCY #PerfectTen (shoulders covered, knees sort of) to meet our guide at the Vatican for a semi-private tour of the Vatican museum, St. Peter’s and other surprises we were definitely not expecting.  Angelo Amorico, our wonderful guide from Access Italy, greeted us at a cafe and told us he had just taken Oprah truffle hunting in Umbria.  I thought to myself, hey, if this guy is good enough for Oprah…then I suppose he’s good enough for me.  It turns out, Angelo is fairly well-connected in Italy and in Hollywood.  And he looks a bit like Robert de Niro.  Surreal morning.

Inside the the Vatican museums, the Raphael rooms, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s, we were again reminded that we are just mere mortals.  Honestly, how did people build structures like this without modern technology?  And how did Michelangelo paint the Sistine Chapel and sculpt The Pieta with chronic back pain and corrupt clergy breathing down his neck?  Seriously awe-inspiring.

One of the surprises Angelo showed us was quite impressive.  We went “backstage” to meet some of The Vatican’s renowned mosaic artists, who create the works that Il Papa (The Pope) gives to world leaders.  The level of detail and craftsmanship in their works is truly amazing.  Does the picture below look like a painting?  It’s actually a mosaic.  We got to see some of the artists in action.

We kissed Angelo goodbye, promised to say hello to Oprah for him…and headed toward the Aventine Hill, where I had studied abroad almost twenty years ago.  It’s located near many awesome Roman ruins, such as the Roman Forum on the Palatine Hill, an ancient aqueduct, the Circus Maximus, the Arch of Constantine and the Colosseum, the Via Sacra and the Arch of Titus. And much, much more.

I felt like Jason Bourne as we walked through the lovely orange grove park where I used to “study” and we found the Convento di Suore Camaldolesi, the convent where the students in my program had studied and lived.  I was having flashbacks of discotheques in Testaccio and not really studying.  The Suore were kind enough to house and feed us, and to turn a blind eye to our night-time activities.  We were 20 and in Europe, sine parente.  Nuff said.

I really should not be sharing this class photo, for a variety of reasons (namely, my roots and a very obvious love of carbs)…but I have to.  What on earth was I thinking, wearing a chunky cable knit sweater when I could have been wearing easy-to-pack jersey dresses and feeling like Audrey Hepburn?  If only HEUCY had been available then.  Oh, well.  You live and you learn.

Feeling a bit exhausted — mentally, emotionally and physically — we headed to Da Pietro, a lovely Roman hosteria recommended by Angelo.  Really yummy pasta y fagioli and — yep, you guessed it — vino biancho.  We were on vacation, after all.

After an afternoon nap and a stroll around the Piazza, we had a lovely dinner at the bar at Roscioli and a nightcap in the courtyard at the hotel.  I paired my HEUCY #PerfectTen dress with my mom’s vintage belt, and some diamond earrings.  Full disclosure: the carbonara did make my belt feel tighter…but that’s the beauty of accessorizing.  You can just take the belt off!

Woke up the next morning, put on my HEUCY #AlterEgo jumpsuit, and readied myself for the long journey home.

Arrivederci and Happy Thursday!

xx,

The HEUCY Team

P.S. Coming soon: a London travel guide from one of our fave #HEUCYgals, Brett Tyne, the super-chic yet incredibly down-to-earth designer/founder of Wilbur and Gussie handbags.

Downtown LA – LOVE!

 

 

60 days until launch

Today I had the pleasure of cruising around the Fashion District of Downtown LA meeting with fabric vendors and factories.  In between I got to enjoy some really cool hip spots (highlights pictured below).  I have to admit, I was actually shocked at how cool this neighborhood has become!  I am ageing myself, but I used to travel out here for work a decade ago – and hip certainly would not have been a word I use to describe the vibe then. Now there are so many cool restaurants and bars, all sorts of boutiques and coffee shops – it is definitely HIP – they even have a subway system that people use! I love the mix of the new and the old – and all the different architecture artfully co-mingled together.

Ace Hotel in Downtown LA, originally built as the United Artists Building and later known as the Texaco Building, great place to do a working lunch. When in Rome…I had the kale salad.  It was very good.

Bottega Louie Restaurant and Gourmet Market & Patisserie – an absolutely stunning spot in the Brockman Building (a 12-story Classical and Romanesque Revival building located in Downtown).  I want to live in this place. 

Vermont Vacation

90 days until launch

First day of summer vacation in Vermont went like this:

9am: Wake up in a little cabin on Lake Champlain at the Basin Harbor Club. Saunter over to the breakfast buffet in the main lodge with wrap around views of the lake.  Old school New England charm was everywhere to be seen – think delicate little china plates and doilies – fresh-baked pastries and hard-boiled eggs in little cups.

10am: Hike up Snake Mountain – enjoy beautiful 360 degree views of the Champlain Valley at the top. Get caught in a torrential downpour in the middle of the thick forest and appreciate the feeling of being totally beholden to mother nature.  Also realize how awesome dry clothes can feel.

2pm: Drive through picturesque rolling hills into Middlebury – charming little town where the college by the same name (also my alma mater) is perched on top of one of those rolling hills.  Lunch at Noonie’s Deli in Marbleworks – best sandwiches in Vermont.

3pm: Peek into Edgewater Gallery in Middlebury where works of emerging and established Vermont artists are featured.  The vibrant landscapes are breathtaking, as is the setting – One Mill Street overlooking the falls on Otter Creek.

5pm: Back at Basin Harbor Club for some cannonballs into the pool where the scene is straight out of Poolside with Slim Aarons.  I was just missing my floral swim cap.

7pm: Head down to the resort harbor for drinks and dinner (lobster!) by the dock with stunning views of sunset behind the lake and the Adirondacks – all layers of fading grey. Watch kids play shuffleboard in the warm glow of the setting sun.

10pm: Lights out – got a lot more ground to cover tomorrow!