Best From Expats

Toddler's iPad Apps

2015-08-28T21:31:00.000-04:00

- As a frequent flyer and full time mom I really love iPad in certain occasions such as flights, severe bad weather and my home chores.... I wish I didn't, but I do... In the ideal world kids should not watch TV, play with iPads or video games, but let's get real guys, world has changed, and in small doses I think they might help their development. So here are some iPad apps that my daughter loves (please don't get overwhelmed, I bought them little by little...). They work offline (but be sure to download them and all the in-app purchases prior to your trip!)

- Video Touch : I recommend buying the bundle. It's a lot of short films of people playing musical instruments, animals, etc. It is my daughter's favorite!

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app-bundle/video-touch-collection-nearly/id917616927?mt=8

-Peekaboo: I also recommend the bundle:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app-bundle/peekaboo-party/id925952164?mt=8

-Bebop blox: the kids build the selected object/ animal using the blocks:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bebop-blox/id653812905?mt=8

- Mr & Mrs Potato Head change costumes and scenarios:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mr.-potato-head-create-play/id577912498?mt=8

- Sorting, matching etc with these apps:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app-bundle/tinyhands-baby-bundle/id947272570?mt=8

- Pink Fong (Mother Goose Club): (I recommend the songs only... I don't like the stories)

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/kids-songs-dinosaurs-videos/id475263770?mt=8

- Fish School: My daughter learned the abc song with this app, when she was 20 months old!

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fish-school-hd-by-duck-duck/id367567922?mt=8

- Endless Alphabet: little monsters teach kids spelling and word meanings...

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/endless-alphabet/id591626572?mt=8

- Wheels on the bus: There is that annoying but classic song, but also has coloring book, etc

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wheels-on-bus-all-in-one-educational/id543545550?mt=8

- Ballon made animals:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/balloonimals/id307459878?mt=8

- A must have in Brazil, now in English (also in Spanish):

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lottie-dottie-chicken-videos/id426811787?mt=8

Traveling with kids

2014-08-17T18:59:00.002-04:00

Traveling with your little ones can't be hassle free, but with these tips it can certainly be easier:

- Travels with Baby: a complete website with tips about destinations, travel planing, and gear rental directory worldwide! Love it!

- Babies Travel Lite: they deliver formula, baby food, diapers, gear, etc worldwide!

- Diapers.com delivers in 1-2 days everything you can possibly need (US only)

- Baby's Away: gear rental (US only)

- Rent Baby Equipment: gear rental (US only)

- Travel Babees: gear rental (US only)

- Baby Travel Company: gear rental in Miami (Marcela Simões Dias has recently used their services and highly recommends it!)

- Baby Goes 2: website that helps you plan your trip, from destination to packing, it's really helpful!

- Traveling With Kids: a Swedish mom-of-2 gives great tips.

- Taking the kids: useful to help you pick destinations

This blog has a list of other travel blogs (I didn't have a chance to look at all of them yet, but certainly will...): RedTri

My tips:

- Have the diaper bag carefully stocked. Bottles, diapers, wipes, disposable changing pads, snacks, some quiet toys, a change of clothes. Pack enough formula and diapers to last a day or two (in case your checked bag gets lost or the flight is delayed). I usually don't take my purse onboard. I pack my wallet, documents, etc in one large baby backpack (love this one from Dad Gear that has an easy access wipes pocket), this way I have 2 free hands. Please, make yourself a favor... travel light! Take as few clothes as possible for you, and have them dry-cleaned at the hotel or hand washed with this detergent. Just remember your last trips... how many pieces of clothes returned home without being used?

- Dress your baby for quick and easy diaper changes. And always have spare clothes (the worst poops are done in airplanes, trust me... With the altitude the air trapped in our intestines expand, so imagine...). I also keep a small toy with the diapers to distract my daughter. Bathrooms in airplanes are too tight and noisy, so they can get scared.

- Have your iPad fully charged and download previously some games, apps, movies, cartoons (my favorite app is VideoTouch- )... The kids are allowed to play with them only during the flight, so the novelty keeps them busy for a long time...

- Specially for young babies, have brand new toys (books, teething toys and toys that won't fall into pieces under the seats...).

- Try to travel during regular nap times or bedtime; or, if this is not possible, try keep the child awake until after take-off.

- Be the last one to board if you have a partner (he/ she can board first and guarantee luggage storage close to your seat). If you are traveling alone, board ASAP to guarantee that.

- Never, ever, try for the first time a new medicine or sedative (even the natural ones, like Camilia) during a flight. Always try it some days in advance at your home. Trust me, sometimes they have side effects like agitation...

- Have a bottle ready during ascent and descent to alleviate air pressure in the ears. (Remember to buy a bottle of water, room temperature, after the security, if you are taking powder formula). I always take onboard pain killers (Tylenol or Advil) in case the pressure hurts her ears.

- Take one large pashmina that serves for warming you and the baby during the flight, as well as to cover the stroller when the baby is sleeping (I use it a lot specially when dining out and my daughter is sleeping in the stroller).

- I love this snack container!!! (I recommend buying the starter kit and the 2x 150cc)

- I love this Cocoon inflatable pillow during the flight, to cover the armrest so the baby can sleep comfortably. It is really easy to inflate / deflate and is very small.

- I also love my Yoyo Baby zen stroller and Mountain buggy Nano (fit in the aircraft's cabinets) and the Immi Go car seat (not approved for in-flight use, only in cars).

- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) strongly urges you to secure your child in a CRS or device for the duration of your flight. the car seat must be FAA approved. For childs 22-44 lb the easiest method is the CARES. (also sold at Amazon.com)

Please let me know if you recommend any other website!

Have a safe trip!

Lunch boxes & Outdoor Classes for kids in Manhattan

2014-07-31T20:31:00.001-04:00

Great tips from Marcela Simões Dias this week:

- In'Box - funky lunch boxes. Don't have time or patience to cook your kid's lunch? They deliver in Manhattan (home, office or school) healthy and balanced meals (to please the parents) and a mystery goodie (for the kids)! Genius!

- Brooklyn Forest - classes in city parks for young children and their caregivers, vigorous physical work and nourishing food. Great option during their vacations.

Have fun!

Baby Shopping List - My Favorite Products!

2014-03-07T17:13:00.000-05:00

While living in NYC and having a baby I've lost count of how many emails I've received from friends that were planning a trip to buy baby stuff in America (NYC and Miami are the best places in the world to do so). After sending my tips several times I’ve decided to publish them to help others accomplish this difficult task (specially for first-time moms)… I apologize the overwhelming list that follows, but I’ve included everything that I bought and approved. And I'll keep the list updated. Notice that some products have links to the store where I bought them, but I highly recommend comparing prices before buying. I'd like to thank Camila Schuback for helping me build this list (as her son is older than my daughter he was the guinea pig for most things)!

Where to buy:

My favorite general-stores are:

- www.Amazon.com (usually the cheapest)

- www.Diapers.com (usually the fastest delivery)

- www.buybuybaby.com - I recommend you sign up for Bed, Bath & Beyond emails (same owners). They send 20% off 1 item coupons that you can use on their site (that has all the things sold at BuyBuyBaby) to buy expensive things, such as stroller/ car seat, etc.

- www.toysrus.com

You should subscribe to their newsletters to get coupons and sale alerts…

Bath time:

- Bathtub: in the first 2 months I bathed my baby in a Puj Tub inside the bathroom sink because the height was more comfortable for me. Just notice that here in America everyone bathes their babies in the large kitchen sink so the bathtubs that are said to fit sinks usually don’t fit regular bathroom’s sinks… PujTubs do. After 2 months I started to use a larger plastic bathtub (Fisher Price, Safety First, First Years, Primo are good brands and the products are very similar) on the floor of my original bathroom bathtub; in my bathtub or even in my bathroom floor I don’t have enough area to put a Stand . You find all of them at Amazon and diapers.com.

- Skip Hop Kneeler

- Elbow Rest

- My daughter loves to bathe in the Tummytub - I put her in the late morning to relax, and then bathe her (this time with soap and shampoo) at night in the tub... (update: she fitted until 5 months old)

- In the maternity the staff gave me some amazingly soft disposable washclothes they use there to bathe newborns. So until the umbilical stump fell off I used them too. I still buy them because they are great as all-purpose tissues/ burp cloths/ washcloths.

- Mustela Foam Shampoo - easy to use with one hand (as the other one will be supporting baby's head and neck) and washes off with one rinse, I still use it... For travelling I recommend Johnson's Disposable Washcloths . And for after pool I use this anti-chlorine shampoo/ bodywash from Babo Botanical.

- I started using this Sephora “brush" in my daughter's scalp with that Mustela foam shampoo to avoid cradle crap, and it works like magic, way better than a baby specific one I had bought before…

- Bath Thermometer (and toy...) Duckymeter or 4Moms Spout Cover.

- Rinser

- Stelatopia

- Muslin Towel

Gear:

- There isn’t a perfect stroller. You have to look for one with features you consider important but have in mind that unfortunately it won’t have it all… I recommend watching reviews in youtube before buying… I love BabyGizmo reviews… Important features for me are: lightweight & easy to fold (I don’t like strollers that you have to remove the seat to close, because it’s impossible to do that holding child, diaper bag, etc). For traveling, great options are the incredible Yoyo (the only stroller that is allowed as a carry-on luggage in flights) and the Mountain buggy Nano. (compare them here)

- I haven't seen in person yet but I loved the videos of the new Doona car seat/ stroller (fits only until 12 months old).

- Universal sleep sac for car seat/ stroller: JJ Cole Bundleme

- Stroller hand warmers 7AM WarMMuffs (so you don’t have to wear gloves and avoid the hassle to take them off if you have to assist the baby…). This brand, as well as JJCole (the brand I bought the carseat/ baby carrier muff), make stroller muffs too that are great for cold weather.

- Stroller hooks: I recommend 2 brands: The Mommy Hook and Think King

- Weathershield for Infant Car Seat for car seats- truly a must have, really cheap and useful….

- Bug Net for strollers/ car seats/ bassinets.

- Car Seat: I suggest you choose your stroller first and then buy a carseat that fits it. If you want just a car seat, not to be removed from your car very often, I love the Peg Perego. For traveling after 12 months old (car use only) I love my Immi Go. For 2.5 years old the Ride Safer is an excellent option too.

- Baby carrier BabyBjorn . I recommend the Cover as well in cold/ windy/ rainy days (in Manhattan we walk a lot, the subway stations usually don't have elevators, so strollers can be a problem).

- Baby monitor : Summer Infant - I own the baby touch and love it. Look also for silicone cover and screen protector, because you will end up dropping it several times...

- White noise machine: Cloud b Sleep Sheep .

- Booster Seat 4-12 years: Mifold

- Stroller rider/ skateboard (when you have to carry 2 kids): Englacha Rider

Diaper Bag:

- Bags to dispose dirty diapers when out of home

- Disposable Changing Pad - I use them at home to protect the changing station and also when changing diapers in public spaces.

- Wipes to clean pacifiers and toys (when you don't have soap and water): Pacifier Wipes.

- Diaper Wallet: I recommend this one, it's great to carry some diapers, the disposable changing pads, water wipes and bags I've mentioned, but you won't need this if your diaper bag has a built-in wiper dispenser (see next item).

- Diaper bag: I love these 2 backpacks, they are not fancy but are really good: DadGear Backpack (larger, great for traveling) and Fisher Price (smaller, great for everyday use).

- When potty training:
I liked this potty that turns into a step stool. After that I loved like the toilet seat adaptor with steps to leave in her bathroom. For public restrooms I recommend this cover. For on-the-go potty I recommend the Oxo with liners (very useful when going to playgrounds/ parks with no restrooms and also serves as toilet seat adapter)

Feeding:

- Nipple balm if you will breastfeed: Lansinoh is the best seller but I prefer the Mustela one.

- Nursing pad: Lansinoh is the best one.

- Breast pump: Medela (double electric) and I highly recommend their Bra to keep your hands free.

- Baby bottle: Avent (the new ones, with natural nipple, not the classic ones) are great, but my daughter prefers the Tommee Tippee ones.

- For traveling I love the disposable Playtex bottle (pay attention to the flow of the nipple when you buy it), so you only wash and sterilize the nipples because the bottle has a disposable liners . I usually wash them with this OXO Travel Drying Rack with Bottle Brush , foam soap and sterilize in a Medela (if I have a microwave in the hotel room) or Medela wipes (if I don't).

- Baby bottle sterilizer: I love my Wabi baby, it's the only one that sterilizes and dries. A must-have!

- Dr. Brown's Bottle Brush - the best!

- Mash & Serve Bowl: great for fruits. A must-have also.

- BEABA Babycook Pro : a machine that cooks (steam in a basket) and blends. It's really easy to use. It has accessories such as the rice/ pasta/ quinoa insert . It is good but not a must-have (a Steamer and a blender works perfectly also).

- Presto : to grate the vegetables you will cook in the beaba.

- To freeze baby food I suggest ice cube trays (I like OXO because it is easy to use), and after it is frozen I remove it from the trays and store in ziploc bags to save space in my freezer.

- Baby food recipe books : Renée Elliot and also Karen Ansel

- Munchkin Silicone Spoons

Clothes:

- Bodysuit : Carter's and H&M are cheap and great. But I love the french brand Jacadi that are open in the front.

- Footies/ overall/ Jumpsuit/ one-pieces: I love those with one zipper from neck to ankle (they are quick on and quick off) from Carter’s.

- Coat: Every child hates to wear coats... I love Angel Dear because it is super easy to put it on (elastic sleeves) and it has a great hood so you don't have to put hats on them (another thing most babies hate). A must-have.

- Bibs: in the milk phase I love the burpy bibs Aden Anais, because they serve as burp cloths to put in your shoulder or you can fix them (they have a snap closure button) in baby's neck as a bib. I also recommend green sprouts and Tommee Tippee .

- For when introducing foods I bought BABYBJORN

- Bibsters disposable bibs for on-the-go: highly recommend them!

- For when they start to feed themselves (and it is not summertime, when you can just leave them in diapers...), I love these sleeved bibs from bumkins.

- Socks: Gap's are the only ones that really stay in their feet. Tip: The elastic band is so tight I usually fold it over the sock to avoid leaving skin marks.

Clothes brands I like: Carter’s , H&M and Gap (for basics), Polarn O Pyret, Boden, JCrew, Ralph Lauren, Benetton, Zara... and you find other good brands (and fancier) in stores like Bloomingdale’s , Saks, etc.

More:

- Pacifier: for the first 2 months I recommend Wubba nub (the plush toy ends up holding the paci in baby's mouth) and after that tommee tippee, nuk, avent, dr brown.

- Anti-stretch marks cream: Mustela Stretch Mark Double Action .

- Nail trimmer- a must-have in the first 2 months when you can't use scissors... ZoLi BUZZ

- Nail scissors Simba

- Straps for toys

- Links that serve as toy, and also to fix toys in the carseat, stroller, etc.

- Wipes Dispenser :Oxo is the best one! A must-have...

- SPF : Babo Babo stick and lotion , Thinksport and Banana Boat Spray for touch ups.

- SPF hat (pay attention to the size) and Rashguard

- Swim diapers: I prefer Huggies Little Swimmers (open in the sides, it is easier when you have poop)

- Moisturizer Aquaphor Baby, Mustela Hydra-Stick for the face (amazing for the cheeks)

- To clean the nose: Simply Saline and then FridaBaby . Boogie Wipes are great too, as well as the Derma H2O wipes (the ones I use for face/ eyes/ diaper area).

- Thermometer: I like the infrared VeraTemp and the ear Braun

- Hair brush Ambassador and for >12 months I like the Detangling ones.

- Toys Lamaze, Fisher Price, Bright Stars, Sassy, SkipHop…

- Headphones (great for iPad during flights/ restaurants)

- Crib sheets: these ones with Zipper are really practical (buy also an extra topper). But if you are looking for cute ones I recommend Pottery Barn Kids, New Arrivals or Restoration Hardware…

- Swaddle blankets: Aden Anais are huge and serve as stroller cover, nursing/ sofa/ floor cover . But for swaddle my favorite by far is Polarn O Pyret.

- Pacifier holder and pacifier clips

- Liquid Dispenser (I use it to dispense my "baby windex" Mustela No Rinse Cleansing )

- Hand sanitizer: I love this one - foam alcohol - it doesn’t dry my hands and the wall mount is great (I’ve installed mine between the diaper station and the diaper pail).

- Bottle & Dish Soap Dapple (I prefer the unscented version)

- Diapers: Pampers Swaddlers Sensitive are the best by far…

- Wipes: I love the versatility of Derma H2O wipes (only 99% water and 1% grape oil). It is amazing because you can use them to clean baby’s face/ eyes as well. I place them in that Oxo wipes dispenser with weight.

- Diaper ointment : purple Desitin

- Diaper Pail: Playtex Genie Elite is not the cutest one (like Ubbi) but the foot pedal is a must-have feature for me...

- Sippy Cup I love this one because you can replace the straws and the baby can drink it while laying down.

- Teething toys: My daughter loves these: MAM (it's the best one to freeze, because the handle doesn't get cold and also comes with a great strap/clip), Manhattan Toy , Sassy Flutterby and Nuby . Remember to clip them to prevent falls (but be careful- never leave anything with a strap/ cord close to an unattended child, because of the risk of strangulation).

-Toothbrush: this 360 degrees toothbrush is amazing! It has 2 stages.

- To prevent flat head syndrome (in the beginning I wasn’t using any pillows because here in America they say you should’t have pillows, loose blankets, toys in the crib because they increase the incidence of SIDS… but my daughter started to flatten her head on the right side, where she used to lean most times…. So I changed her position in the crib (so if she wants to see the world she has to look to her left side) and also bought Pillow . In 1 month her head was symmetrical again ;)

- Mosquito repellent: California baby and also the Simba stickers and Bracelets .

- Graco Jumper

- A Vaporizer is essential in dry climate regions. I love the Dyson (it's really expensive but if you live in an apartment with heater and AC on all the time is a must-have!).

- Lint shaver to leave the baby's cloth as good as new! (trust me, you will wash them more frequently than you could imagine, and the fabrics will end up getting pills!)

For travelling, see my other post!

Nursery decor:

- Giggle has the best brands but I also love Land of Nod…

- I love my Roh crib, and my Monte Design Grano Glider…

- Pottery Barn Kids is great for furniture, bedding, toys (I love their personalized stroller blankets)

- Restoration Hardware has nice furniture and bedding too.

- I bought a nursery wall recall on etsy.com, they have lovely ones!

Must-read:

The Happiest Baby On The Block by Dr Harvey Karp - Honestly, the movie covers the book perfectly! So watch it! I also recommend the Baby Whisperer series.

Best apps:

Baby connect (the best!!!!) , White noise, iKidNY, MomMaps, Growth.

Best Blogs:

http://blog.thebump.com

http://strollertraffic.com/new-york/

http://mommypoppins.com

http://redtri.com

Hope I helped a little!

Travel Apps

2014-02-13T12:31:00.001-05:00

Traveling has become much more fun with these apps:

Planning your trip:

- TripAdvisor: perfect to find flights, hotels (true reviews), restaurants, things to do, etc. It compares prices in lots of websites/apps (expedia, hotels.com, booking.com, etc.). I started to review there to make it easier for me to give tips to my friends (it's easier than writing a travel diary).

- Other flight search apps options are Skyscanner, Kyak, Expedia (this one searches hotels, car rentals, etc.) and Seat Guru (this one is great for choosing the best seats in economy class).

- Where to stay: AirBnb (house rentals), Hotels, Booking, Expedia.

- Currency Converter: Currency XE

-WorldMate: simply the best flight assistant. It helps you organize itineraries in a simply way.

Packing:

- 10-day Weather forecast

- Packing Pro

Airport:

- Almost every airflight company has its own app. Download the one you will be flighying with, so you can check-in, check flight status, boarding terminal and gate, etc.

-Gate Guru helps you track flights but also gives tips of things to do in the airport while waiting for your connection (restaurants, yoga room, etc)...

During the flight:

- Before leaving home create song playlists, download games, travel guides and magazines (Next Issue App) so you can use them during the flight. I get my travel guides and books at amazon's kindle store and read them in my iPad/iPhone app. By the way, if you enjoy reading while sunbathing the kindle paper white is a must-have, cheap (so you don't feel guilty to take it to the sandy and salty beaches), no screen glare in bright sunlight, small and light to read with one hand and the battery lasts weeks, not hours (I swear by my mini iPad but in the sun it's almost impossible to see anything in the screen)...

- If you are used to work in the air, the expensive but useful Air Sharing App turns your iPhone into a wireless hard drive, allowing you to quickly and easily load it up with documents at the airport, then browse and amend on the move throughout your trip.

At your destination:

- JetLag: StopJetLag (free), JetLag Genius or Rescue (both paid).

- Maps: you can always use Google Maps, or Waze but they requires internet access (wi-fi or cel data). If you prefer you can download maps to be used offline, such as Galileo, Offmaps, and guided city walks.

- Subways and Taxis: Metro, All Subway, Uber, TaxiMagic, EasyTaxi, etc.

- What to do: Field Trip, Around Me, Tripomatic, Wikitude (by using the camera in your smartphone to view your neighborhood, information will appear on the screen, hovering over relevant locations...).

- Translation: Word lens lets you translate taking a picture! Or you can use the microphone to translate, such as in Translate Voice app. Or simply text, like Google Translate, iTranslate (also has the voicefeature) and many others.

- Sunscreen: interactive UV Map forecast, sunbathing guidelines and timer.

Did I miss your favorite? Please share!

Packing Tips

2014-02-11T09:48:00.002-05:00

Every expat travels a lot... Wether going on a business trip, visiting relatives or on vacations, mastering the art of packing saves you time, money and trouble (like having your luggage lost...). My husband and I travel with carry-on luggage whenever possible. My tips for compact packing are:

- clothes that won't wrinkle, in neutral colors (so they match easily multiplying your outfits)

- usually I travel wearing a comfortable (usually broken in) pair of day shoes and take one pair for the evenings. Pack your shoes in a plastic bag, tightly together, with the soles facing out. And always fill them (socks, scarves, etc.) so you don't waste their inner space.

- accessories (scarves, jewelry) and makeup will help you diversify your looks
- packing cubes or compression bags are a must-have
- always carry every document and electronics onboard
- miniatures (<3 oz) of liquids / gels (TSA approved) on carry-on luggage
- laundry detergent so you can easily reuse your few clothes. I love this brand: http://www.amazon.com/WIN-Detergent-Individually-Sealed-Single/dp/B009AJ4PI0/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1392129303&sr=8-5&keywords=win+detergent

Here are some useful stores:

http://www.3floz.com
http://www.travelbeauty.com
http://www.flight001.com
http://www.containerstore.com/shop/travel
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/category/travel-accessories/12699/?pagSortOpt=Date-1&

And if you are traveling with babies there is this phenomenal website that delivers everything you need to your hotel all over the world:
http://www.babiestravellite.com

Enjoy!

Third Culture Kids - Raising kids among worlds

2013-10-29T08:52:00.001-04:00

I'm currently 37 weeks pregnant and some questions have been constantly in my mind... How to raise a child as a nomad, a citizen of the world, moving every 2- 3 years to a different culture... How will she feel about not belonging to any specific place, about being raised so different than her parents were, about making a "little dance of white lies" every time someone asks her where she is from... I know that Buddhists are always looking to be free of attachments, and I agree that this is good, but I really fear that she could have troubles attaching to people, making long-lasting friendships and finding someone that completes her...

Of course there is a bright side too... She will get to know lots of interesting people, develop language skills, adapt easily anywhere (despite the climate or culture), will always be open for new experiences, getting out of her comfort zone and expanding it, and will not judge people concerning their race, color, religion or citizenship.

Here are some links that have helped me deal with all this... Hope they help my expats friends as well...

http://www.denizenmag.com/third-culture-kid/

http://www.amazon.com/Third-Culture-Kids-International-ebook/dp/B00570S4XS/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1382791259&sr=1-2&keywords=third+culture+kids

http://www.amazon.com/Third-Culture-Kids-Growing-ebook/dp/B004774S1O/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1382791259&sr=1-1&keywords=third+culture+kids

http://naomihattaway.com/2013/09/i-am-a-triangle-and-other-thoughts-on-repatriation/

Photo from Naomi Hattaway - naomihattaway.com

Way 2 Ride

2013-09-02T18:16:00.001-04:00

Another great option for riding a cab in NYC…

The Way 2 Ride app makes paying for your cab ride easier and faster. Download the app and sign up (enter your name, phone, credit card, amount of tip and the way you'd like to receive your receipt). When you are in the cab just check-in in the monitor by approaching your phone to the screen (and it will capture a sound, just like Shazam and SoundHound) or by entering in the phone the code that is shown in the monitor. At your destination, when the cab driver presses the end of ride button, the payment is quickly processed and the receipt emailed to you (or printed if this was your option when you signed up).

Soon it will be possible to electronically hail a cab too in the same app (as in the apps Hailo and TaxiMagic, that I've written about here).

I tried for the first time today and recommend it!

Shanghai

2013-07-02T11:08:00.000-04:00

I love, love, love this city. Every time I go I discover something new. I would like to thank some dear friends that live there for a while (Marcela Simões, Livia Zonzini, & Astrid Gysen). They introduced me to their favorite places in town and contributed a lot to this post. Hope you enjoy this city as much as I do!

Where to Stay:

- I recommend staying in Xintiandi neighborhood (nice options are Ascott Huai Hai Road or Andaz) or in the Bund neighborhood (Peninsula Hotel or Waldorf Astoria).

What to Do:

- Explore the charming neighborhoods of Xintiandi, the Bund, French Concession;

- Go for a walk / run at the Bund;

- Pudong (Shanghai World Financial Center - The tall building that resembles a bottle opener. It has nice views from the top, including the Oriental Pearl Tower, which has gigantic lines to get in so Livia would not recommend this one, just the SWFC…);

- Huai Hai Road: considered Shanghai's 5th Svenue;

- Wukang Road and Anfu Road in French Concession are a must-see. In Wukang Lu hits Ferguson Lane, filled with coffee shops, spas, stores and restaurants. Franck Restaurant is there and it is considered the best French Bistrot in town. Marcela's favorite bakeries are located in Anfu Road - Baker & Spice and Sunflour. Both places are great for a Sunday brunch or an afternoon coffee;

- Nanjing Road: popular commerce, crowded street, but I'm definitely not a big fan;

- Yuyuan Garden, God Temple & Confucian Temple;

- Jing'an Temple;

- Jade Buddha Temple;

- People's Square (Shanghai Urban Planing Exhibition Center is here with its huge scale model of Shanghai approved for construction up to the year of 2020);

- Fabric Market: great for cashmere scarves and coats (tailor made);

- Pearl Market;

- IFC Mall and Plaza 66: malls with luxury brands;

- Han City: the fake market;

- Taikang Road: great location to buy scarves (Woo store) and photos of Shanghai. Taikang Lu is the "art street" of Shanghai. It has great stores (such as Casa Pagoda Furniture Store) and restaurants too (Origin is a great place to have lunch and The Commune Social is perfect for an afternoon drink / coffee);

- Xintiandi: it's a whole block with shops, malls, restaurants and bars. Great place to hang out at night time;

- Yongkang Road: where the young people hang out after work, a street filled with bars and restaurants with a great vibe. Marcela says the best places to hit while here are: Sushi O, Le Cafe des Stagiaires, The Sailors;

- Massages: Really good and cheap. the best places are: Green Massage and Dragonfly (this one has several addresses);

Where to Eat:

- Brunch: Hai Pai (Andaz), Vue (Hyatt), Isola (IFC), The Westin (always some kind of performance going on), Cuivre (French, also crowded, good for dinner too), Henkes (Inside the Reel Mall at Nanjing Road, also good for dinner), Park Hyatt (the highest hotel in Shanghai has a Lobster Champagne Brunch for the Lobster lovers), La Fourchette (French with a play space for the kids, also good for dinner, best steak tartare in town), Sir Elly's at the Peninsula hotel (another brunch with a view), Jean Georges, Azul (Inside K11 mall at Huai Hai Road);

- Lunch: Simply Thai, Kabb, Din Tai Fung (best dumplings), El Elephante (Mediterranean), Origin, The Portman Ritz Carlton Shanghai (the hotel is surrounded by shops and restaurants and it's a great place for lunch), Cantina Agave (Mexican), Element Fresh (Xintiandi), Le Creperie (best Crepes in town), The Fat Olive (Greek), Wagas (quick bite);

- Dinner: M on the Bund, Mr & Mrs Bund (French), Mercato (Italian), Lost Heaven (Asian), Stiller's (French), Goga (Californian), Haiku (Sushi), Franck (French), Maya (Mexican), Mexo (Mexican at the Bund), Dakota (Burgers), Pulau Ketan (best Crab), Pizza Marzano, El Willy (Spanish tapas), Pata Negra (Spanish Tapas), 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo, Isola, Morton's (Isola is an Italian and Morton's a Steak house located inside the IFC mall), Shintori (Japanese), Masala (best Indian), Roosevelt Sky Restaurant (beautiful skyline of the city). Last but not least, Marcela suggests Ultraviolet, the best restaurant of all. The chef Paul Pairet cooks a 20-course menu for only 10 people/ night. Obviously it requires booking in advance through the website (http://www.uvbypp.cc/);

- Bars: M1NT (good for dinner too), The Camel Sports Bar, Flair (for drinks and finger foods- at Ritz), El Coctel (for drinks), The Commune Social (afternoon drinks or coffee), Unico (at the Bund good for drinks and dancing), The Glamour Bar, The Roof at Waterhouse;

- Bakeries: Baker and Spice, Sunflour;

Websites and Blogs:

- http://www.bestfromexpats.com (just kidding)

- http://www.smartshanghai.com

- http://wikitravel.org/en/Shanghai

See Shanghai tips- BestFromExpats.com in a larger map

The Bund, Huangpu River, Pudong

Pudong view from the Xintiandi

Bon Voyage! 一路順風 [一路顺风] (yī lù shùn fēng)

Favorite Restaurants, Bars, Comfort Food & Broadway Show (tips I give to my friends that visit the city)

2013-06-16T19:40:00.002-04:00

See Restaurants and Bars - BestFromExpats.com in a larger map

Restaurants:
Dinner:
-Catch
-NoMad
-The Fat Radish
-The Breslin
-Barbuto
-Acme
-Morimoto
-Momofuko ko
-EN Japanese Brasserie
-Kittichai
-WD50 (Molecular)
-Morandi
-Tartinery
-Maialino
-Ilili
-Sushi of Gari (my favorite is the Upper West Side one)
-Nobu
-Red Farm
-Il Buco Alimentari (it has a great lounge for events upstairs)
-Lavo
-Picholine

Lunch:
-Eataly (italian market and restaurants - Madison Square Park)
-Shake Shack (best burgers - Madison Square Park)
-Fred's (Barney's- amazing spaghetti with mini meatballs)
-Giovanni Rana (Chelsea Market)
-The Plaza Food Hall
-Balthazar, Pastis (still great even after all these years…)
-The Mercer (Soho)
-Loeb Boathouse (Central Park)
-Mandarin Oriental (Asiate and the Lobby Lounge)
-Grand Central Oyster Bar

Brooklyn:
-Antica Pesa
-Reynard at the Whyte
-Frankies Spuntino
-Peter Luger (best steaks of NY)

Bars:
-PDT
-PH-D
-Apothéke
-Schiller's
-Beauty & Essex
-Lavo
-Rose Bar
-The Carlyle (Woody Allen's jazz band performs there on Mondays)
-Murphy's Tavern - Stone Street (lots of bars in a small street) when visiting the Financial Center

Ice Cream:
-Amorino (new, the French brand)
-L'arte del gelato (Chelsea Market)
-AB Biaggi (Nolita)

Brownies:
-Fat Witch (Chelsea Market)

Cupcakes:
-Magnolia Bakery (though I prefer the banana pudding)

As seen in THIS post about my favorite stores:

Chocolates:

- Jacques Torres

- Vosges

- La Maison du Chocolat

- Godiva

- Hershey's

- M&M's

Macarrons:

- Ladurée

- La Maison du Macarron

- Bouchon Bakery (Columbus Circle)

- Financier

Candy:

- Dylan's Candy Bar - it looks like you'll meet Willy Wonka anytime…

- It'Sugar

- F.A.O. Schweetz

Broadway Show:
-Book of Mormon (the best comedy show, but the English has to be fluent because it's not a "special effect" Broadway show)

Of course I'm forgetting some… I'll be updating this post as I remember them…

Remember that in NYC lots of restaurants don't accept walk-in guests. Most of them make the reservations through Open Table or Urbanspoon (you can download the user friendly apps).

Yellow Cabs Apps

2013-06-09T10:49:00.002-04:00

Until June 6th, in New York City, yellow taxis were restricted to street hails, while livery cabs were restricted to pre-arranged service (Groundlink, Limos, Carmel). You could also get a black cab using Uber.

But now you can use apps to get a yellow cab: Hailo (yellow taxis only), Taxi Magic (yellow) and Uber (you have both options, yellow and black cabs).

Always have in mind that it's really difficult to find an available yellow cab on rainy days, as well as during the shift changes (from 4pm to 7:30pm). I usually use Uber on these occasions. And when I have to go to the airport with lots of luggage, snowboard, etc. I book a pre-arranged service to get a Suburban.

I've already posted other tips about transportation in Manhattan here!

Citi Bikes

2013-05-31T10:03:00.003-04:00

Everyone who owns a bike in Manhattan knows it's pretty common to have it stollen when it's parked (parts of it or the whole bike). So if you ride a bike to go to work CitiBike could be a great deal!

How it works:

You sign in for 24-hour, 7-day or annual plan, depending on your needs. You pick up the bike at one of the hundreds stations available, unlock it (code or key), adjust the seat for your heigh and ride it for 30 or 45 minutes (annual members) and then park it again in any station. You can ride as many times you'd like.

Helmets are not obligatory but highly recommended!

Manhattanhenge, Solstice & Equinox

2013-05-23T15:08:00.000-04:00

Manhattanhenge is a circumstance that occurs twice a year, during which the setting sun aligns with the east–west streets of the main street grid in the borough of Manhattan in New York City. The neologism is derived from Stonehenge, where the sun aligns with the stones on the solstices with a similarly dramatic effect (the word was popularized in 2002 by Neil deGrasse Tyson, anastrophysicist at the American Museum of Natural History). During Manhattanhenge, an observer on one of the gridded east-west streets will see the sun setting over New Jersey directly opposite, from the street, along its centerline.

Manhattanhenge Times For 2013 (Neil deGrasse Tyson)

Arrive a half-hour earlier than the times given below. For best effect, position yourself as far east in Manhattan as possible. But ensure that when you look west across the avenues you can still see New Jersey. Clear cross streets include 14th, 23rd, 34th. 42nd, 57th, and several streets adjacent to them. The Empire State building and the Chrysler building render 34th street and 42nd streets especially striking vistas.

Mock-up of the half sun on the grid during Manhattanhenge:

Tuesday, May 28 8:16 P.M. EDT

Saturday, July 13 8:24 P.M. EDT

Mock-up of the full sun on the grid during Manhattanhenge:

Wednesday, May 29 8:15 P.M. EDT

Friday, July 12 8:23 P.M. EDT

About Solstices and Equinoxes:

The sunset point actually creeps day to day along the horizon: northward until the first day of summer, then returning southward until the first day of winter. In spite of what pop-culture tells you, the Sun rises due east and sets due west only twice per year (around 20 March and 22 September). On the equinoxes: the first day of spring and of autumn, when day and night are the same length. Every other day, the Sun rises and sets elsewhere on the horizon. Had Manhattan's grid been perfectly aligned with the geographic north-south line, then the days of Manhattanhenge would coincide with the equinoxes. But Manhattan's street grid is rotated 30 degrees east from geographic north, shifting the days of alignment elsewhere into the calendar. So Manhattanhenge may just be a unique urban phenomenon in the world, if not the universe.

The summer solstice is the first day of summer and is the day of the year with the longest period of daylight – except in the polar regions, where daylight is continuous for anything from a few days to six months centered on the summer solstice. This happens twice each year (once at each hemisphere), at which times the Sun reaches its highest position in the sky as seen from the North or South Pole respectively. Worldwide, interpretation of the event has varied among cultures, but most have held a recognition of sign of the fertility, involving holidays, festivals, gatherings, rituals or other celebrations around that time. In the Northern hemisphere the summer solstice occurs on June 21.

The winter solstice is the first day of winter and it is the longest night (and the shortest day) of the year, when the sun appears at noon at its lowest altitude above the horizon. In the Northern Hemisphere this is the Southern solstice, the time at which the Sun is at its southernmost point in the sky, which usually occurs on December 21.

In Stonehenge (Wiltshire, England), the sun is perfectly aligned with the stones on solstice days.

III Benefit Festa Junina

2013-05-20T13:49:00.001-04:00

On Sunday, June 2nd, you will have the opportunity to get to know a little bit more about the traditional Brazilian party that typically happens in June all over that country. It's a great chance to eat amazing treats (such as polvilho, pé-de-moleque, paçoca…) listening to Brazilian music!
This amazing party is organized by 2 Non-Profit Organizations: Brazil Child Health & Brazil Foundation, who contribute to social projects in Brazil.

Tickets are limited! Buy your ticket HERE!

Free Wi-Fi in Manhattan

2013-05-15T09:00:00.000-04:00

The number of free Wi-Fi (short for “wireless fidelity”) spots has increased significantly in the past months (great news if you are traveling to Manhattan and don't wanna buy mobile plans).
Last year the only options were some restaurants and coffee places, such as Starbucks and McDonald's, some stores like Apple and Barnes&Noble and some parks such as Bryant.
This year Google has installed free Wi Fi in Chelsea and Meatpacking, MTA is installing hotspots in the subway stations (finally!) and NYC Parks is also expanding the network in several parks!

Celebrate it using the apps I've suggested here!

Mobile in NYC

2013-04-15T12:49:00.000-04:00

Are you visiting the United States, looking for a cheap deal on iPhone service, or want to use an unlocked global phone? Several no-contract, prepaid wireless providers here in the U.S. are now offering SIM-only service, where you bring your own phone, snap in a card, and go. If you are planning to buy an iPhone here, be sure to buy an unlocked one (it's more expensive but it doesn't have an annual contract) so you can use it in your country.

Here in the U.S. we have these options of networks that work with unlocked GSM phones and unlocked iPhones: AT&T , T-Mobile , Black Wireless, H2O Wireless, Straight Talk, Ready SIM. All the others work with others devices (Verizon, Virgin, etc).

As you may have noticed, I'm an iPhone addicted and really think this device can improve your overall experience in this city with all the apps it offers…

If you are NOT buying a SIM card here you should reduce your costs:

- turning your Data Roaming Off (Settings>General>Network or Cellular>Data Roaming).

- using just WiFi to check email, web browsing or other apps such as Facebook. Most hotels charge for WiFi but all the Starbucks don't (that's why they are always packed: Free WiFi and Restrooms!), as well as some other places. Since January 2013 Google has installed several free hotspots in Chelsea. Remember to check emails and other apps while in this great neighborhood (visiting Chelsea Market, Highline Park, Galleries, etc.)

- turn off the "Auto-Check" or Fetch Mail and others apps function (Settings>mail>Auto-Check or Fetch New Data and select Manual or Off).

Enjoy!

Cherry Blossom

2013-04-05T17:24:00.000-04:00

If you are as crazy as I am about cherry blossoms you have to plan your visit to Brooklyn Botanic Garden this season!

Follow the daily updates in this link:
http://www.bbg.org/discover/cherries

And watch this time-lapse video created by Dave Allen from 3,000 digital photos taken every 3 minutes from April 18 to 26, 2008:
http://vimeo.com/951913

Central Park also has some cherry blossom, as seen in these pics I took in March 30, 2012 (this year it hasn't started yet due to the "long winter").

Amazing, isn't it?

Home Gourmet Kits

2013-03-26T21:08:00.000-04:00

If you consider yourself a foodie or a chef wannabe but don't like to go grocery shopping you should try a home gourmet kit.
This month I tried and approved Plated. They offer 5 different menus every week and deliver them on Tuesdays. Then you just have to cook these chef-designed meals following the step-by-step recipes that don't take more than 30 minutes. Each plate cost $10 to 15, depending if you join the membership.
A great choice for those who live alone, as you usually waste food and money buying ingredients for one person in the supermarket!

Other options that I haven't tried yet are but definitely will:

-Blue Apron
-Sweet Roots NYC
-Healthy Meals NY
-Turntable Kitchen : loved the idea of the music pairing box
-Hungry Globetrotter

Bon Appétit!

Favorite Stores in Manhattan

2013-03-21T19:10:00.001-04:00

Cosmetics:

- Sephora - my favorite is the one at Columbus Circle. The Bain Dissolvant Express is their best product. I usually buy there also my Lancôme Virtuôse Mascara and Eau Fraiche Douceur, Too Faced and and UD Naked2 palettes, Dior Nail Polish (in Red Royalty), Peter Thomas Roth and Bliss products.

- Ricky's - best place for hair products, including Moroccanoil.

- Pasteur - close to Bloomingdale’s, sells European brands such as Bioderma that are hard to find (Camila Schuback's tip).
- New London Pharmacy: like Pasteur it sells good European brands.

- C.O.Bigelow - the oldest apothecary in America (since 1836)!
- Saks Fifth Avenue - it's where you'll find high-end brands such as my Clé de Peau Concealer, Armani Lasting Silk UV Compact, Dior Addict Lipstick (in 623) and Chanel Joues Contrast Powder Blush.

- Sabon - the stores have a luxurious sink where you can try their products. I love the Ginger Orange Milky Soap, the hand creams and the Bath Mineral Powders.

- MAC - go to the Flatiron Building store and have lunch at Eataly or Shake Shack. My favorite products are Prep + Prime Transparent Powder, the Face Protect SPF 50, also the Eyelid Primer Paint in Sublime Nature and, of course, the iconic brushes. Astrid Gysen shared that some stores offer the makeup service ($50) by appointment.

- Inglot - the one at Chelsea Market is quieter than the Times Square’s, and you can have a wonderful crepe or ice cream there! By the Way, the Chelsea Market is a must see. I'll write a post soon.

- Kiehl’s - founded in the East Village 160 years ago! The Creme de Corps is great!

- L’Occitane - great Karité products.

- The Body Shop - I like the Shea Body Scrub.

- Duane Reade - great for Sally Hansen such as my beloved InstaDry, La-Roche Nutritic Lipbalm, Johnson's Head-to-toe shampoo and body wash, etc.

I'll share with you my "HG beauty products":

Women's Clothes:

- Diane von Furstenberg - I love the New Julian wrap dress.

- Anthropologie - my favorite is at Chelsea Market.

- Club Monaco

- Calypso St. Barth

- Intermix- several famous brands.

- Reiss - great dresses and coats.

- Theory

- J Crew - I like the one at Columbus Circle.

- Diesel - I prefer the one close to Bloomingdale's.

- Rag & Bone

- Kate Spade

- Zara

- Burberry - I really cherish their cashmere coats and the iconic trench coats.

Accessories:

- C Wonder - try the new one at Columbus Circle.

- Henri Bendel - great for women gifts also.

- Anthropologie

- Baubble Bar - check the website for the pop-up stores.

- Marc Jacobs - go to Magnolia Bakery but ask for the banana pudding, much better than the cupcakes.

- Forever 21

- Sunglasses: Solstice and the department stores (see the links at the shoes section)

Jewelry:

- Stuart Moore - my favorite, close to Peter Lik gallery, also a must-see.

- H. Stern

- Tiffany & Co

Shoes:

- Shoe salons at Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, Barneys & Bloomingdale’s (good places to buy designer bags also).

- Stuart Weitzman

- Steve Madden

- Pretty Ballerinas

- Hunter - the best wellies.

- UGG - cozy (UGGly!) boots and snow boots.

- Capezio - dance shoes.
- Jack Rabbit - running shoes - hands down the best store for this! You run in a treadmill and they use a video to recommend proper shoes for your feet. I also buy there Win Sports Detergent, essential to remove sweat odors from synthetic fabrics, and the Tri-Swim anti-chlorine shampoo for my triathlete hubby!

Lingerie:

- Agent Provocateur

- La Perla

- Kiki de Montparnasse

- Victoria’s Secret

- Calvin Klein

- Fogal & Wolford for hosiery

Winter Clothes:

- Uniqlo - the Japanese Heattech thermal clothes are wonderful and ridiculously cheap!

- Patagonia

- Moncler - fancy down coats.

- The Northface

- Canada Goose coats (really warm, I bought mine at Paragon Sports)

Men's clothes:

- Jack Spade

- Theory

- Osklen

- Diesel

- Rag & Bone

- Hugo Boss

- John Varvatos
- Paul Smith - Astrid Gysen's tip
- Saturdays Surf - Fernanda Bassili's tip

Books:

- Taschen - my favorite!

- Posman Books (Chelsea market)

- Rizzoli Bookstore

- Phaidon

- Bookmarc (Marc Jacobs)

- Barnes & Noble

- Strand

Photo:

- B&H - the best one! But they close for Shabbat (at 2pm on Fridays and reopen on Sundays) and Jewish holidays.

- Calumet

- Lomography - iconic and cute cameras.

Electronics:

- Best Buy
- Apple - the stores are usually packed but the Upper West's one is relatively calm.

Sports:

- Paragon

- Jack Rabbit

- NY Running Company (Columbus Circle)

- SBR - Swim, Bike, Run - Triathlon

- Lululemon, Athleta - Yoga / Gym
- Sports Authority - Astrid's Gysen tip!

Chocolates:

- Jacques Torres

- Vosges

- La Maison du Chocolat

- Godiva

- Hershey's

- M&M's

Macarrons:

- Ladurée

- La Maison du Macarron

- Bouchon Bakery (Columbus Circle)

- Financier

Candy:

- Dylan's Candy Bar - it looks like you'll meet Willy Wonka anytime…

- It'Sugar

Toys:

- Toys R Us

- Lego Store

Gifts:

- Pylones - knickknack 1

- Mxypliyzyk - knickknack 2
- Flight 001- my favorite store to buy travel stuff.

- Moma store - I love museum shops. If you are planning to spend some money consider a membership, since it gives you great discounts in the stores!

- Metropolitan Museum store - If you don't want to enter the museum there is a store at Rockefeller Center.

- MAD (Museum of Arts and Design) store.

- Jonathan Adler

- Muji - knickknack 3

- Marimekko
- Candles: Diptyque (my favorite scented candle is Maquis), Jo Malone, Gracious Home (has a great assortment of candles and home accents).

- Men: The Art of Shaving

- Pier 1 Imports - knickknack 4

- Oriental stuff: Pearl River Mart - knicckknack 5

Paper, Scrapbooking, Crafts:

- Envelopper Ink
- Michaels

- Paper-Source

- Blick

- Lee's artshop - Angelina Jolie buys her 6 kid's supplies there…

- Paper Presentation

- Kate's Paperie

- The Ink Pad - yep! only stamps!

- MJ Trimming

Tools:

- Home depot

Babies:

- Babies R Us

- Buy Buy Baby - same owners of Bed, Bath, Beyond (and as great as it).

- Giggle
- Ralph Lauren

- Century 21 (the financial district's one is impossible. Try the Upper West store).

- Baby Gap (my favorite is the Upper West, in front of Zara, which also has cute clothes for babies).

- Carter's - they don't have a store in Manhattan but you can go to Woodburry Outlet.

- The Children's Place

- $$$ : Catimini, Jacadi.

- Yoya Essentials

- Metro Minis - specialized in "baby carrying devices".

- Clementine Consignement Store - designer consignment boutique that carries second-hand luxury brands.

Maternity Clothes:

- A Pea in the Pod

- Destination Maternity

- Veronique Maternity

- Rosie Pope

- Upper Breast Side : specialized in breastfeeding.

Home Stores: http://bestfromexpats.blogspot.com/2012/09/home-stores.html

You should optimize your itinerary so you won't waist time in the traffic jam….

Here are the stores pinned at Google Maps by Neighborhoods:

MIDTOWN WEST & UPPER WEST SIDE SHOPS:

See Midtown West & Upper West Side Shops- BestFromExpats.com in a larger map

MIDTOWN EAST & UPPER EAST SIDE SHOPS:

See Midtown East & Upper East Shops - BestFromExpats.com in a larger map

CHELSEA/ MEATPACKING & GREENWICH VILLAGE SHOPS:

See Chelsea / Meatpacking / Greenwich Village Shops - BestFromExpats.com in a larger map

SOHO SHOPS:

S:
See Soho Shops- BestFromExpats.com in a larger map

FLATIRON DISTRICT AND UNION SQUARE SHOPS:

See Flatiron District & Union Square Shops - BestFromExpats.com in a larger map

Pretty sure I'm forgetting some….

Have fun!

California

2013-02-08T19:28:00.000-05:00

Imagine stunning beaches, huge forests, a ski mountain over a gorgeous alpine lake, great wineries… This is California! One of my favorite places in the world!
In this post I'll share my impressions and tips about a recent trip I've made. Unfortunately I didn't go to famous parks as Yosemite, Sequoia & Kings Canyon and Death Valley… You should rent a car and drive south along the Pacific Coast (Highway 1). I'll start in San Francisco, as it has the biggest airport in the northern California.

See California - BestFromExpats.com in a larger map

San Francisco

3 to 4 nights

Pick a hotel close to Union Square, the heart of San Francisco's shopping, performing arts and hotel industries. My husband and I stayed at Grand Hyatt and recommend it (but we had dinner one night at the Velvet Room, inside a great boutique hotel called Clift, and we'll definitely stay there next time).

Reserve one night to explore the French district, the area between Belden Place and Claude Lane, and have dinner at Gitane, an amazing Spanish restaurant (order the jamón iberico de bellota, La Serena cheese and the duck, you won't regret!).
Have breakfast at Mama's- in North Beach, the Italian district. It is known as the best breakfast in town. But it is really crowded, no reservations, so arrive before 9am if you don't wanna spend 2 hours in line…
In another day have brunch at Brenda's French Soul Food (Harry's tip)
Cable car (Powell- Hyde) to Fisherman's Wharf, passing by the iconic Lombard Street (originally constructed in 1922 to reduce the hill's natural grade). Carolina Grinberg rented bikes at the wharf and crossed the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito (it's all downhill to go, so she advises to take the ferry back). Take a look at the picture of Alcatraz and the cable car going up the hill. It was taken in the corner of Hyde x Lombard!
Pier 39 and Ghirardelli Square. A famous sightseeing point, with lots of tourists, chocolate shops, nice restaurants, always crowded.
Alcatraz- Civil War fortress, infamous federal prison, bird sanctuary, first lighthouse on the West Coast, and the birthplace of the American Indian Red Power movement are a few of the stories of the Rock.
Coit Tower- the 210-foot tower was completed in 1933 to honor San Francisco's volunteer firemen, offers spectacular panoramic views of the city.
SOMA (South of Market St)- is a new district. Harry recommends walking from Pier 40 to Ferry Building. You can rent bikes at Pier 40 as well. His favorite restaurant is The Slanter Door, a Vietnamese and French Fusion cuisine.
Hayes Valley - fashionable district with cute shops between Gough and Laguna Streets. Close to San Francisco Opera.
Haight Ashbury - counterculture home
Mission District - a picturesque neighborhood, filled with murals (Precita Eyes Muralists offers a walking tour) and the best bakery in town, Tartine Bakery. Valencia Street is the heart of San Francisco nightlife.
Conservatory of Flowers - at the Golden Gate Park (a nice park to go on Sundays), it is the oldest wood and glass conservatory in North America. Don't miss it if you enjoy gardening. But be prepared to ruin your hair inside it!
Crissy Field - the northwestern tip is home to the national park Fort Point and the most fantastic view of Golden Gate Bridge.
Chinatown - Sorry, I didn't go…. every big city has one and it is always a mess! Not a big fan!

Half-Day trip to Sausalito - a charming waterside village. Just after you cross the Golden Gate Bridge pull over on the right at Vista Point, a scenic viewpoint. Then head to Marin Headlands to be amazed by the views of the bay and Golden Gate Bridge. Enjoy Rodeo Beach. Have lunch at the phenomenal Japanese Sushi Ran (the best glazed black cod followed by the best green tea / ginger ice cream I've ever had) or a sangria at Bocce, a lovely restaurant with a fireplace with water view (Harry's tip).

Half-Day trip to Berkeley - the city of the University of California is also famous for its "Gourmet Ghetto" in Shattuck Avenue (Chez Panisse initiated the California cuisine 40 years ago).

Harry's favorite spots in San Francisco: SPQR restaurant, Gitane, Flower & Water, L folie bar, Limon Rotisserie, Tadichd grill & Bar Tartines (Mission)

See San Francisco - BestFromExpats.com in a larger map

From San Francisco you can drive Northeast to Lake Tahoe and Napa Valley or start going South (Palo Alto).

South Lake Tahoe

(1 to 5 nights, depending if you ski)

An amazing mountain in front of a huge lake. If you are planning to ski / snowboard stay at Marriott (in the gondola area). If not, the brand new Base Camp Hotel is an excellent choice (Carolina Fernandes's tip)! I recommend having lunch at Kalani's (krispy kalamari salad) or Riva Grill and having dinner at Edgewood or Chart House (king crab).

Napa Valley

(3 nights, but if you are a wine enthusiast you should spend more time…)

I highly recommend to stay in Yountville, at Bardessono. This tiny city has 3 Thomas Keller's restaurants that are walking-distance from this amazing hotel (Bouchon Bistro, The French Laundry and Ad Hoc).
Wineries - I'm not a wine person (I much prefer beer…) so I picked just 3:
- Robert Mondavi Winery: he is the person that changed the wine labeling (varietally rather than generically). The tour is ok, but the building has great Beniamino Bufano's sculptures.
- Rubicon Estate Winery: Francis Ford Coppola owns it. It has a cute museum for cinema lovers.
- Beringer Vineyards: the best tour among these 3.
Another restaurants I recommend are Lucy (at Bardessono), The Culinary Institute of America's restaurant and Mustard's Grill.
And please check the weather forecast and book a memorable balloon flight!

See Napa Valley - BestFromExpats.com in a larger map

Palo Alto

Heading south from San Francisco (leave early in the morning), this city is a must-see, really charming. Known as the home of headquarters of lots of Silicon Valley high-technology companies (Google, Facebook, Apple, HP, Logitech…). It is next to Stanford University (gorgeous campus with a Rodin sculpture garden).

Santa Cruz

The place were the surf was introduced to California in 1885, and remains as a great spot for this sport! I didn't go but I've heard the city is nice. If you want to share some tips I appreciate it!

Monterey

Unfortunately I passed really quick… It has the biggest aquarium of the USA.
17-mile Drive - A scenic route through the majestic Del Monte Forest and the famous Pebble Beach. It is a must-see. In the entrance you pay a fee and get a map. If possible have lunch at the Tap Room (tip: present your entrance receipt and they give you the refund).

See Monterey & Carmel - BestFromExpats.com in a larger map

Carmel-by-the-sea

A posh small town with nice beaches. Clint Eastwood was the mayor between 1986 and 1989 and owns the Mission Ranch Hotel and Restaurant.
In your way, 16 miles south from Carmel, stop at the Hurricane Point to take pics of the Bixby Creek Bridge.

Big Sur

(1 night)

Amazing cliffs and scenic views! If possible stay at the Post Ranch Inn (or at least have dinner there). One of the best hotels I've ever been to.
A hidden road 4 miles North from Post Ranch Inn takes you to the gorgeous Pfeiffer Beach.
Mc Way Falls - An awesome waterfall located in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. The beach is private but you can hike a trail that leads to the top of the mountain to have this view (Carol Grinberg's tip and picture).
This segment between Big Sur and SLO is my favorite in all Highway 1 (along with the 17-mile drive). Really breathtaking.
Between Big Sur and SLO there is the Hearst Castle - A castle originally built by the newspaper magnate and now a state reserve. Huge lines to get to the building. If you want to visit, plan ahead.
And don't forget to stop at Morro Bay to take some pics.

See Big Sur - BestFromExpats.com in a larger map

San Luis Obispo

A city for adventure! Hiking, biking, kayaking, surfing, ATV'ing (Marcela Simões's tip). Have lunch at the Novo Restaurant and if possible ask for a table by the creek (I had an amazing salmon bisque, chicken satay and Hoegaarden!).

Solvang

Cute city with lots of bakeries, restaurants, and merchants offering a taste of Denmark in California. Stop there for a coffee/tea in one of the city's bakeries.
Between Solvang and Santa Barbara (via 154) there is the Cachuma Lake. There is a recreational area and vista point where you can park and enjoy!

Santa Barbara

(1 night)

I recommend to stay at the Spanish Garden Inn. This exclusive city (Oprah, Eddie Veder, Steven Spielberg, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones… have properties here) has great restaurants. I had dinner at Bouchon (not the Thomas Keller's one) and recommend it.
Butterfly Beach is the perfect spot to see celebrities such as Brad Pitt, Charlize Theron, Ellen DeGeneres, Rob Lowe, and so many others.
Santa Inez Valley is close to Santa Barbara, so if you enjoy wines it might be a nice option…
Those parks I've mentioned are nearby as well.
Leo Carrillo and Malibu Beaches are between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles.

See San Luis Obispo to Malibu- BestFromExpats.com in a larger map

Los Angeles

(1 to 2 nights) - a more detailed post coming soon…

Nice hotels are Andaz , Mondrian, Beverly Hills Hotel.
At the Griffith Observatory you have panoramic views (arrive early), including the Hollywood sign, though this one is seen better at the Mulholland Drive.
A must see is the Getty Center, a complex that includes a museum, sculpture gardens and a great restaurant (Bon Apétit).
Next time I'll visit the Eames House, where Charles and Ray Eames lived, as I'm a big fan of their work.
Obvious (not mandatory at all…) attractions are: Rodeo Drive, Brighton Way, Sunset strip, Walk of fame, Kodak theater, Universal Studios, etc.
Other restaurants in LA: Koi, Melisse, Providence.
Santa Monica is the main beach of LA, famous for its iconic pier and boardwalk. Did you know this is the place where the Historic Route 66 ends (it starts in Chicago and crosses 9 states)?

See Los Angeles - BestFromExpats.com in a larger map

Between LA and San Diego there are some nice beaches that worth a pull over: Newport, Dana Point, Encinitas.

San Diego

(2 nights)

If you want to stay in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter (= nightlife) choose The Keating (breakfast is served at the next door's Brick + Mortar - order the delicious waffles).

An interesting option if you want to relax is to stay at the beach:

La Jolla is located 15 minutes from San Diego downtown and has a nice village, with great shops and restaurants. Another option is the historical (since 1888!) Hotel Del Coronado, where many presidents and celebrities stayed.

Attractions in San Diego include Beaches (La Jolla, Coronado, Mission), Zoo, Sea World, Parks (Balboa) and History (Spanish Mission, Old Town, Gaslamp Quarter).

See San Diego - BestFromExpats.com in a larger map

I hope you enjoy this trip as much as I did!
Thank you Harry Lewis, Marcela Simões, Carolina Grinberg and Carolina Fernandes for the tips and pictures!

Preparing for Hurricanes

2012-10-29T09:46:00.000-04:00

Hurricane Sandy

Here are some helpful tips to guide your preparation for emergency situations such as hurricanes:

VEHICLE/Evacuation routes – Be prepared if you need to evacuate

-Fill up your car with gas and inspect it (tires, lights, windshield wipers, etc.) in case you need to evacuate. Once the power is out many gas stations won’t be open or the lines will be too long!

-Know your evacuation routes.

-Pre-determine your evacuation location – Friends, family, a hotel and communicate to others where you will be.

-Start watching your local news for evacuation route recommendations and updates on the storm. This will be your best source for information.

-Place important items in your car (documents, laptops, etc.) ahead of time to be prepared.

Preparedness Kits – Emergency Supplies to have at home

-Water – 1 gallon per day per person. Also, fill up your bath tub and/or sinks for water to wash with or to use to flush.

-Food – 3 days worth of non-perishable food. You may not be able to heat soups and other canned goods. Don’t forget a manual can opener! Don’t forget your pets!

-Blankets, jackets, etc. to keep you warm.

-Cash – go to the ATM. When the power is out credit cards and ATM machines will not work.

-Radio and batteries to listen for information from the authorities.

-Flashlight and batteries.

-FA kit and medications.

-Hand sanitizer and wipes.

-Cups/plates/silverware.

-Toiletries (toothbrushes/toothpaste, TP, other).

-Candles/matches – flashlights are better and safer but to have some candles as a back-up is a good idea.

-Infant needs – diapers, formula, etc.

-Games/books for older kids.

-Rain gear.

Other Preparation Items

-Map of where your utility shut-off valves are and tools to turn them on/off (Gas, Water, Electric).

-Charge cell phones and other similar devices.

-Identify a safe zone in your home away from windows and potential flooding and if possible exterior walls.

-If you have a generator, test it. Make sure you have enough gas. Do NOT operate it indoors!

-Secure outdoor items so they won’t blow around or through your windows.

-Make lists of important phone numbers.

-Communicate to family and friends where you will be if you are going to evacuate.

Home Stores

2012-09-30T21:01:00.001-04:00

Moving to NYC or renovating your home?

Decorating your home in NYC is a pleasant but challenging task…

-Pros: you'll find plenty of options from all over the world at a great price and can buy everything online (hassle-free returns at most times). Your future home will already come with a full kitchen, so you won't have to worry about it.

-Cons: as the square foot in Manhattan is outrageous usually the stores are small and don't carry all the merchandise they offer online. Generally you can't pick up a furniture in the store and the shipping can take up to 20 weeks (!)…

Here are some of my favorite stores:

Kitchen/ Bed/ Bath:

-Bed, Bath & Beyond: https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com

-Crate & Barrel: http://www.crateandbarrel.com/

-Williams-Sonoma: http://www.williams-sonoma.com

-Sur La Table: http://www.surlatable.com

-Gracious Home: http://www.gracioushome.com

-Bloomingdale's: http://www.bloomingdales.com

-Fishs Eddy: http://www.fishseddy.com

Organization:

-The Container Store: http://www.containerstore.com/

-Bed, Bath & Beyond: https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com

Furniture:

-Crate & Barrel: http://www.crateandbarrel.com/

-West Elm: http://www.westelm.com/

-Pottery Barn: http://www.potterybarn.com/

-CB2: http://www.cb2.com

-Bo Concept: http://www.boconcept.us

-ABC: http://www.abchome.com

-Sit Down NY: http://www.sitdownny.com/

-Design Within Reach: http://www.dwr.com

-Restoration Hardware: http://www.restorationhardware.com
-Modani: http://www.modani.com
-BluDot: http://www.bludot.com

-$$$: B&B Italia (http://www.bebitalia.it), Ligne Roset (http://www.ligne-roset-usa.com), Roche-Bobois (http://www.roche-bobois.com), DDC (http://www.ddcnyc.com)

-Cheapos: Straight from the crate (http://straightfromthecrate.com) , Ikea (http://www.ikea.com)

Online only:

-Amazon: http://www.amazon.com - they sell anything you can imagine…Subscribe to the $79-per-year Prime and get free-shipping on almost every items (you'll end up buying everything online so you don't have to carry it around NYC…). Usually Amazon has the best prices, so it's really worth if you can wait around 48h to receive the merchandise.

-2modern: http://www.2modern.com

-All Modern: www.allmodern.com

-Overstock: http://www.overstock.com

-Room & Board:http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb

-Unicahome: http://www.unicahome.com

-Lekkerhome: http://www.lekkerhome.com

-Yliving.com: http://www.yliving.com
-Modern Digs: http://www.moderndigsfurniture.com

Hardware:

-Home Depot: http://www.homedepot.com - also sells appliances, renovation stuff and some furniture.

Bed / Mattress:

-Sleepy's: http://www.sleepys.com

Tip 1: Subscribe to the store's mailing lists to receive coupons. It's worth, believe me.

Tip 2: These stores go on sale during holidays as Memorial Day, Labor Day, etc.

Tip 3: Always check a coupon website (such as retailmenot.com) to save! Coupons in the US are very popular and can save you a lot!

Have fun!

Picking a Restaurant / Bar

2012-09-13T16:15:00.002-04:00

Open Table

Forget about having a decent meal in NYC without reservation… And be on time because they take it very seriously…

The fabulous (and free) Open Table allows users to search for restaurants and reservations based on parameters including times, dates, cuisine and price range. Users can also receive OpenTable rewards points after dining that can be redeemed for discounts at member restaurants.

Tip: The company also has a great mobile application available for free. It's a must-have!

Urban Spoon
A website/ app similar to Open Table. You will need this one too.

Restaurants and Bars Reviews

Need help to choose a restaurant or bar? Try out these websites (most of them have mobile apps):

Urban Daddy - a really funny and free app! I highly recommend it!

NY Mag / free mobile app

Time Out / free mobile app

NY Times / free mobile app

Zagat

Eater

Food Trucks

For those who aren't familiar, there are trucks that drive around and park in the city serving food, desserts and drinks. They have gained in popularity due to the fun of scouting them out and great food! You would be surprised to see the huge lines and the variety of food served (organic, gluten-free, gourmet, desserts, waffles, ice cream, cupcakes, desserts, hot dog, burgers, pizza…). Check the best rated ones (usually the most crowded too, meaning the food will have a good turnover).
Tweat it - free app
Zagat Food Truck finder
Yelp

Food Trucker - paid app

Trux Map - free app

Delivery

Don't feel like going out?

Seamless - online and free app

GrubHub - online and free app

Bon Appetit!

Neighborhoods - Upper West Side

2012-09-10T21:41:00.001-04:00

The Upper West Side neighborhood lies between Central Park (East), the Hudson River (West), West 59th Street (South) and West 110th Street (North). Two subway lines serve it: Broadway – Seventh Avenue Line (1 2 3 trains) and the Eighth Avenue Line (A B C D trains).
Starting from the South, here are the Points of Interest:

Columbus Circle (southwest corner of Central Park):
- Time Warner Building: The complex hosts The Shops at Columbus Circle (great restaurants, shops and Whole Foods) and the Mandarin Oriental Hotel (Asiate restaurant is located on the 35th floor and has a great brunch and a floor-to-ceiling view over Central Park. I also recommend MoBar for drinks, and the afternoon tea at Lobby Lounge). It also has the Jazz at Lincoln Center, the world headquarters of the Time Warner corporation and the New York City studio headquarters of CNN.

- Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) is a small museum with a lovely gift shop and the Robert Restaurant.

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
New York City’s premiere performing arts facility. It is the home of 12 organizations (including the Metropolitan Opera, the NYC Ballet, the NY Philharmonic, the Julliard School, and the NY Public Library for the Performing Arts). It also hosts the NY Fashion Week. Lincoln Center has been featured in several classic New York movies, including Black Swan, Ghostbusters, Moonstruck, The Producers… Lincoln Ristorante is a great option before and after the concerts.
Tip: If you are 21-35 years old you can buy discount tickets at LCT.

The Dakota
Most famous for being the building where John Lennon was gunned down in 1980, the Dakota is a luxury apartment building overlooking Central Park at 72nd Street. Famous residents of the building have included John Lennon and Yoko Ono (still lives there), Lauren Bacall, Leonard Bernstein, Judy Garland, just to name a few. The Dakota was also prominently featured in the Roman Polanski thriller Rosemary’s Baby.

American Museum of Natural History
Located at Central Park West x 79th Street, is one of the largest and most celebrated museums in the world. It became even more popular after "Night at the Museum" film.

Riverside Park
It's a narrow 4- mile strip of land along the Hudson River, from 72nd to 158th Streets. More info: Riverside Park

Movies

A lot of films were shot in the UWS, such as West Side History, Ghostbusters, Fatal Attraction, You've Got Mail, Eyes Wide Shut, Panic Room, Die Hard, Borat, Home Alone 2, I am the Legend, MIB II, Night at the Museum, Rosemary Baby, Spider-Man I and II, Vanilla Sky, Sex and the City, and so on… Check it out !

Celebrities

Here are some famous people who live in the UWS:

Al Pacino
Bono
Steven Spielberg
Sting
Woody Allen
Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith
Donald Trump
Tina Fey
Denzel Washington
Cyndi Lauper
Glenn Close
Bill Murray
Matt Damon
Mary J. Blige
Michael J. Fox
Nora Ephron
Steve Martin
Yoko Ono
Diane Keaton
Barbara Streisand
Better Midler
Anna Paquin
Mia Farrow
Jerry Seinfeld

And here is a map with my favorite spots in UWS:

Taste Williamsburg

2012-09-09T18:28:00.001-04:00

An enthusiastic Brooklyn friend introduced us to a food fest of the local best restaurants, with live music and waterfront views: Taste Williamsburg.

You buy a ticket and get 6 food tastes and 4 drinks. Each restaurant has a booth and serves small portions of their specialty (pasta, seafood, meat, ice cream…). Cafe Morgador, Fabbrica, Dumont & Dressler, The Bedford, The Meatball Shop were awesome!

Enter Taste Williamsburg and subscribe their mailing list.

Here is a video of last year's edition: Taste W 2011

Cheers!