Carmel by the Sea. A weekend at the Hofsas House

My fiance and I recently had the pleasure of visiting the beautiful town of Carmel by the Sea. Crazy to think, as Bay Area natives, we've been to Monterey several times but never had a chance to visit Carmel, and we couldn't be more thankful that we finally did! It's definitely an underestimated gem so close to home and we'll definitely be heading back!

Carmel by the Sea is a beautiful European inspired town in Monterey County, minutes walking distance to a gorgeous beach, filled with art galleries and wineries. They bring a rich history and this year they are celebrating their 100 year anniversary. Its a charming place that welcomes visitors with a friendly attitude and offers a much needed break from the hustle and bustle of the over crowded and over commercialized city.

The town has so many unique quirks I find of great value in our day when technology rules all. For one thing, addresses do not exist in Carmel by the Sea. I thought this was crazy! If you try to look up an address you'll merely get the closest intersection. All residents/businesses have a PO box and have to physically go to the post office to get their mail but at the same time promoting a strong sense of community and allowing you to get to know you neighbors. Now that, I do like. On top of that, every single sign in town must be a wooden one. How cool is that?! Here, you won't find a single Starbucks or Lulu Lemon. (Not that I have anything against either of these brands). The town is all about supporting small businesses and bringing things back to a simple idea of getting out on your feet to discover uniqueness and quality. And that alone is had me smitten by this adorable town of Carmel by the Sea.

One of my favorite things when traveling is strolling through the local streets and allowing myself to get lost and discover the beauty in each new place. Carmel by the Sea was made for just this, with something beautiful and intriguing around every corner. Carmel offers a refreshing art scene including sculpture, paint and photography alike. Shops offer one of a kind products that you can find in the typical department store.

We had the pleasure of staying at the charming Hofsas House Hotel, a super cute boutique hotel with a killer location and amazing service in the heart of Carmel by the Sea. A family owned hotel, with 60 years of history in the gorgeous town. Its dusty pink walls give a nostalgic retro vibe and the Bavarian inspired ambiance introduces a European charm to its visitors.

Just a short 2 and a half hour drive outside San Francisco, we arrived just before sunset to catch the gorgeous view from our room overlooking the water.

We had an amazingly comfortable stay. Carmel is THE perfect weekend getaway to unwind. It was such a refreshing break from all the overly trendy and routine bustle of San Francisco.

Literally just a few blocks away to the many choices of restaurants, wineries, galleries and shops we were eager to explore the town the moment we arrived.

One of Hofsas House's newest packages includes the Wine Walk Passport. Trust me when I say it's worth every single penny. In the passport you receive 9 vouchers that can each be redeemed for a full flight at several of the tasting rooms all located within just a few blocks of each other. The best thing is it's on your own schedule and they don't expire so if you have any left over you can come back and use them again or gift them to friends! We wandered into the Vino Napoli, Caraccioli Cellars, Dawn's Dream and Sheid tasting rooms, took home a couple bottles and even joined Sheid's wine club . . . and we still had vouchers left over!

And after a lovely night of great food and wine tasting, winding down in our room at Hofsas House with this incredible antique fireplace next to our bed was heavenly! Seriously, why don't all bedrooms have this?! They need to! This was my absolute favorite thing the entire weekend! AH il dolce far niente.

We were a bit obsessed with these Dutch doors!

Carrie, the owner of Hofsas House runs a lovely hotel with top notch service as a priority. Murals from artist Maxine Albro, including the iconic piece that greets its guests at the front of the hotel, bring character to the the place. Paired with pretty antiques in your room, you truly do feel at home at Hofsas House. It's not the Hilton, and its not trying to be anything like that, and that's exactly what makes this place so beautiful and special. Good old warm hospitality and sincere character never go out of style. These are the places that you remember and want to come back to . . .

The Hofsas House coat of arms reads . . .

" Otium cum dignitate"

meaning, "Leisure with dignity" in Latin.

And it gave us just that!

Sunset in Carmel Beach by Christel Gellidon

* This is a sponsored post however all opinions and photos are my own.

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SPLIT, CROATIA. One day was not enough!

On our suite balcony - Riva Luxury Suites

In the little time we spent in Split, it left such a lasting feeling of relaxation. One day was most definitely not enough!

The second we arrived at our suites, the most luxurious rooms we'd had yet, I knew I this place was something special. When we booked with Riva Luxury Suites, a set of 3 luxury apartment suites in Split, we had no idea what awaited us. Hands down one of the best accommodations I've ever had traveling.

View from our balcony at Riva Luxury Suites

First the location, right smack dab in the heart and center of the main port. The views from all three suites were BREATHTAKING! Overlooking the the main street and the sea. This alone made us not want to leave the suites at all.

The rooms were spacious, clean, modern and had several amazing amenities, including a rooftop deck equipped with a sound system. Pair that with the complimentary champagne that greeted us and we were set! Both the rooftop and ultra huge terrace were the perfect spot to catch the sunset.

I have never dreaded leaving a hotel more than I did this one. But happy I was able to experience this piece of heaven even for a short time. For the shockingly reasonable rate, these suites were a steal! I'd recommend Riva Luxury Suites to anyone visiting Split.

During our day in Split we explored the small winding streets and ventured into Diocletian's palace, also Game of Thrones site for the city if Meereen. Didn't mind getting in touch with my inner Khaleesi for you Game of Thrones fans!

Split is much more quiet than Hvar, yet has a charm all its own from Dubrovnik. A city mixed with modern and classical touches, its beauty is undeniable and walking through its winding walls you can't help but feel a tad bit regal among Split's commanding presence.

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HVAR: Where I found Croatian fashion amongst the yacht life and beach parties

Stelavie in Hvar, Croatia. Dress by ASOS

The second stop during my visit to Croatia was the stunning island of Hvar. Famed as the posh destination for yacht week and glamorous beachside parties, the vibe in here was very different from that of Dubrovnik, yet matched its beauty.

After a four hour catamaran ride across the Adriatic, where we were lucky to catch the breathtaking sunset, we arrived in Hvar.

Turquoise blue water against the mediterranean architecture, with a coast lined with yachts, each bigger than the next. Did I just land into a scene from lifestyles of the rich and famous?!

There seemed to be a much larger tourist presence in Hvar, but it had a charm all on its own. More delicious seafood, all topped with more truffles. Lot's of pizza with a Croatian twist and all kinds of pastries filled with both savory and sweet goodness.

The crowds were both young and old, but all with one common objective in mind. To relax and have fun! Some brought their own parties as they pulled up in their massive yachts alongside the dozens of others who were there to do the same. While others, like the masses of college kids, ventured off to the beachside parties to enjoy the sunset with a drink in hand and music to set the tone.

Hula Hula Beach Bar. Photo by Christel Gellidon

My friends and I checked out the popular Hula Hula Beach Bar, known for having the best sunset view and best party scene to match. It did not disappoint. Tasty cocktails in a crowded setting along the coast, where you could choose to party hard alongside the DJ or sneak off to the amazing beach beds on the rocks and take in the sunset away from the crowd while still enjoying the music.

View from Hotel Amfora by Christel Gellidon

The view from our hotel, The Grand Hotel Amfora overlooked the Adriatic Sea and our own private beach. Five minutes walking distance to the main port of Hvar.

Bonj les Bains. Photo by Christel Gellidon

Take a walk with me, through the streets of Hvar.

We ventured away from the gorgeous coast into the narrow and winding cobble stoned paths inside Hvar. Lined with several shops and restaurants and, this is where the true locals of Hvar were.

Croatian Fashion

I stumbled upon a charming jewelry boutique, SOVILJ HVAR, selling unique, one of kind pieces, like the resin necklace I'm wearing below. I'm so happy to have discovered a Croatian designer in this wonderful shop.

A beautifully curated collection of wearable art, the owner and designer, Mr. Nenad Sovilj, is one of few well known Croatian designers. Inspired by nature and its elements, each piece is hand crafted like a sculpture by Mr. Sovilj. He often works with resin, metal and semi precious stones. His designs are unique, statement pieces and a beautiful Croatian piece of art indeed. And while my personal budget did not allow me to bring home one of his pieces on this trip, I will definitely be coming back to purchase a piece of Sovilj art on my next visit.

http://www.sovilj.com/

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A Love Affair with Dubrovnik

From the moment we arrived in Dubrovnik, I knew I was in love. I heard Croatia and the whole Dalmatian coast was beautiful and it lived up to the hype and more.

We stayed in an amazing suite at the Hilton Imperial Hotel, located right in the heart of Dubrovnik, truly minutes walking distance from the old city. Martina, the head of guest services, was a lovely hostess who greeted us warmly and quickly made us feel at home. The view from our balcony was breathtaking. The rooms were spacious, modern and beautiful. The location couldn't have been more ideal. I would absolutely stay here again.

View from our suite at The Hilton Imperial Hotel. Photo by Christel Gellidon

Suite View from Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik. Photo by Christel Gellidon

Thanks to jet lag, I found myself waking up early to catch the sunrise from my balcony amidst a thunderstorm. My bare feet were soaked and I was deprived of sleep but I was warm in my robe and completely hypnotized by the sound of the rain and thunder as I watched the sunrise. A priceless moment I'll never forget.

Breakfast View from Hilton Imperial Executive Lounge Photo by Christel Gellidon

Croatia, once part of what was known as Yugoslavia, only recently gained their independence in 1991. Hard to imagine this beautiful country was torn in bloodshed just decades ago. Dubrovnik is in southern Croatia, referred to as "The Pearl of the Adriatic" offers its seaport charm and medieval architecture behind its famed city walls. The city port is still lined with beautiful boats both old and new. It's turquoise coast line rivals those of Italy and those along the Mediterranean. Once the arch rival of beautiful Venice as the battled over command of the Adriatic Sea.

Because of its prime coastal location, the seafood coming from Dubrovnik is truly exceptional. I'm an oyster fanatic, and I found the Croatian oysters tasty and unique from those we have in California, offering a naturally saltier taste. The smells of calamari call to me as I walked through the small streets of Old Dubrovnik. And the Croatian truffles. OH MY. Little did I know this was merely our first stop at truffle overload in Croatia. And I'm not mad about that one bit.

During our visit we had an exquisite dinner at Nautika, one of Dubrovnik's most famous and renowned restaurants. I read amazing reviews on the restaurant prior to our visit and even when making our reservations from overseas, I received a prompt and welcoming response. They secured us one of the best tables with a view of Kings Landing. And the quality of the of the food matched the amazing ambiance. They even provided blankets once the wind picked up.

Their steak melted in my mouth and man they sure don't skimp on the truffles in Croatia! The olive oil alone was worth it. Our meal was perfection. A gorgeous venue, delicious cuisine and outstanding service.

Our dinner view at Nautika. Photo by Christel Gellidon

As if the medieval walls and castles over looking the Adriatic weren't enough, it was a moment within the old city walls that stole my heart. As I walked along the cobble streets, passing the narrow allies with staircases full of crowds, I felt the amazing energy this city was booming with. Alive and full of character, a rich history but not a pretentious vibe in the least. It was a place where people both young and old, local and tourist could enjoy. My friends and I allowed ourselves to get lost within the small winding streets, discovering more of Dubrovnik's charm with each turn.

Everywhere I turned was a gorgeous view that rivaled the one before. I enjoyed learning about the port city's history and trying their delicious seafood. No to mention I'm a huge Game of Thrones fan, so walking within Kings Landing itself was a moment of pure awe. Live music pouring from the streets and the beautiful, warm people of Dubrovnik sealed the deal in making it one of my favorite destinations thus far.

Dubrovnik, I fell in love with you. I will definitely be back.

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What does a fashion student in Italy do? Visit leather factories and learn from the experts of course!

The perks of being a fashion student in Italy is that you get to learn first hand from the leading experts and most well know fashion houses of the industry. And what are the Italians certainly experts in? LEATHER, of course! One of the many hands on, out of the classroom experiences my program offered were visits to local leather factories and authentic leather workshops. One of these was a visit to Piero Tucci in Florence, Italy.

Here we learned about several parts of the leather product cycle, from understanding different levels of quality, hide selection, prepping, inking, embossing, and even the cut and sew process of assembling hand made products. While reading about these processes can be informative, authentic hands on learning from the experts is priceless.

There is nothing like seeing the process of raw material being transformed into a beautiful piece of craftsmanship. Italians are all about quality, down to the last detail. And walking through the process in which quality is chosen and then elevated to art is a truly unique experience.

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How Getting Laid Off Was The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me

My first day in my new apartment in Florence. Photo by Christel Gellidon

Fresh out of college, I was lucky enough to land a corporate buying job with Macy's West. I was driven and eager to get my career off the ground. Like most new grads I was hungry for success and couldn't see any obstacles on my road to success.

So boy did I get a reality check when after almost 2 years of hard work, just a month shy of promotion, did I and over a thousand other Macy's employees get the shocking news that the entire Macy's West San Francisco Office was being laid off. It was 2009 and the economy was still struggling to recover from the recession. In one of the nation's largest layoffs in a single day Macy's laid off a total of 7000 employees nationwide, 1400 of which were from San Francisco.

Macy's Cutting 1400 Jobs in San Francisco - SFGATE

Working in the heart of downtown SF, we passed many homeless individuals on a day to day. That day, they herded us all into a hotel ballroom to tell us the news. As we all walked out with our heads down and our spirits even lower, news crews were already outside covering the story.

I'll never forget that very moment, when a homeless man I had walked past every morning shouted "Don't worry guys! We'll get through this!". Ain't that life for ya. One day you're rushing to your 9 to 5 the next you are unsure about tomorrow.

The in next months that passed, I saw all my colleagues scrambling to update resumes and tirelessly apply for jobs. Retail fashion opportunities were already scarce in the Bay Area and now an entire corporate headquarters full of people were all competing for whatever jobs were open. It was at this moment I decided to go against the grain.

Everyone is applying for every buying opening in San Francisco. I think I'll go the opposite direction.

Florence at Sunset. Photo by Christel Gellidon

I had long dreamed of living abroad. The adventure of travel had always been a deep passion and the thought of living in a foreign land was mesmerizing. After some research I found a Master's program in Fashion Merchandising offered at a prestigious fashion school in Florence, Italy. Without a thought in the world, I went ahead and applied and before I knew it a month later I had my bags packed with a one way ticket to Italy. I left my boyfriend, family, friends and whole life at home, on nothing but faith that this was the right path for me. Was I crazy?!

Firenze at Night. Photo by Christel Gellidon

YES. I sure was crazy. But I always considered that a compliment.

The next 7 months flew by in a whirlwind of adventure, learning and unforgettable memories. In those months I developed the most amazing friendships with my class of women from around the world. 15 women, studying fashion, each from a different corner of globe, all here together to exchange ideas. From visiting leather factories in Florence, to attending Milan Fashion Week, together we were bonded in this once in a lifetime experience. It would forever leave a mark on us all. And since then we have maintained our friendships, and further nurtured our shared love for travel and adventure by reuniting each year in a different country.

Polimoda Master in Fashion Merchandising & Management Class of 2009

From weddings in India, to New Year's Eve in Brazil to holidays in Dubai, the friendships I developed in Florence, keeps me exploring the true meaning of “The Fashion World”

All of which would have never happened if I had never been laid off from my corporate job. Taking a heartbreaking event, and refusing to surrender to the idea of defeat, I used that very same moment of "failure" to push me towards an ever greater path of success. A true testament to the idea of a "blessing in disguise" getting laid off was truly the best things that ever happened to me. It forever changed my life, and I couldn't be happier to have let it done so.

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Awestruck in Abu Dhabi

An extra excursion on my trip to Dubai, I knew a visit to Abu Dhabi could not be missed. I couldn't have been more right.

The capital and wealthiest of the seven emirates, Abu Dhabi is much more conservative and less designed for tourists as Dubai, yet offers equally unforgettable sights.

The greatest of these sights being The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, named after the beloved Sheikh Zayed whose wisdom and kindness united all seven emirates.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Abu Dhabi by Christel Gellidon — The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Abu Dhabi by Christel Gellidon

Hands down one of the grandest and most beautiful religious and cultural landmarks I've seen, The Grand Mosque was exquisite down to every last detail. From hand cut precious gems that created the floral designs on the walls, to the Swarovksi chandelier, to the largest hand sewn carpet in the world. No corner of opulence was missed.

The stark white marble of the structure quickly took my breath away. The sheer size and grandeur of the corridors and gold decorated pillars that lined them commanded respect.

My favorite of all the details was the gorgeous Kufi style calligraphy that was intricately designed into the beautiful mosque.

The main wall inside is decorated with the 99 names of Allah, in the calligraphy of famous calligrapher Mohammed Mandi Al Tamimi, who also designed the currency of the United Arab Emirates. On this visit I learned that since the Islam religion forbids depicting the image of Allah, calligraphy became the art of the culture. A beautiful craft to depict the most sacred of words and beliefs.

After soaking in the beauty of The Grand Mosque, our journey brought us to take in the views of the Abu Dhabi Marina.

A serene atmosphere at the intersection of the traditional and modern sides of the Emirate.

To end a visit full of extravagance, we continued on a visit to The Emirates Palace. An ultra VIP hotel that seems so much more. Here VIPs were the common customers while the VVIPs enjoyed a separate and private entrance to the establishment all together.

Thankful that they let us, common tourists sneak a glimpse, the Emirates Palace did not disappoint on its promise of opulence. Everywhere you turned the inside was dripping with gold. Gold gilded ceilings even a Gold ATM that dispensed gold keepsakes rather than cash!

A hotel fit for royalty, indeed.

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Colors of Brazil - Adriana Barra

During a trip to Sao Paulo, a local friend took me to visit a lovely boutique by Brazilian designer, Adriana Barra.

www.adrianabarra.com.br

I was immediately blown away by the vibrant patterns and colors.

Her mix of stark black and white with splashes of color was unique.

Every piece was full of life.

Her collections convey the positive energy, fun and freedom of the Brazilian lifestyle.

A breath of fresh air among many muted and simplistic designs trending. It was like walking through one life-size, colorful piece of art.

With a background in several creative mediums including, fashion design, interior design and photography, she left no detail untouched.

From the interior decor, to the rolls of raw fabric, the entire shop displayed her clever knack for visual art. I was delighted to learn she also studied in Florence, Italy as I did.

A truly unique and memorable visit in Brazil. Adriana's vision kept me wanting more.

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Style Icons - Streets of India by Christel Gellidon

Photos by Christel Gellidon

Traveling to India was truly an inspiration overload. I could not stop clicking my camera. Everywhere I turned was a moment to capture. Vibrant colors, captivating emotions. A culture shock, and a great one. While the poverty was indeed saddening, I was moved by the overpowering kind and warm spirit of the Indian people.

Here are a few inspirations from the streets of India.

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