Copenhagen

This past weekend I visited my cousin in Copenhagen, Denmark.  I knew nothing about the city, except that it is an up and coming city, that within the next few years will probably be the 'new' Prague.  The men were gorgeous and well dressed, and the women managed to make bike riding look trendy and graceful!

The first day that we were there I walked around with Jacob and he took me to the Farmer's Market located right by Norreport.  The Farmer's Market is a great spot for lunch and has a wide selection of foods for every taste bud -- everything from duck sandwiches, to a hummus bar, to pizza, cupcakes and frozen yogurt.  After the Farmer's Market, we walked around to Nyhavn and then off to Christiana.  The weather was beautiful and surprisingly warmer than I had expected.

For dinner, we went to a restaurant called Tight and then we went out to a club.

Jacob suggested that we go to Kalaset for breakfast and order the blueberry pancakes.  Not only did we order the blueberry pancakes to share, but also the plain ones too! They might have been the best pancakes ever, and for those who know me as SammyCakes, they definitely beat my pancakes!  After brunch, we walked back down to Nyhavn for a canal tour, where we saw the Little Mermaid.  I was not expecting a little statue on a rock in a hidden area, but hey, I saw it! After the canal tour, we went back to Christiana, and then walked around Stroget.  Jacob made sure that we stopped in all of the best bakery's and the world's most adorable restaurant -- The Royal Cafe for an afternoon hot chocolate.

For dinner, we went to Pate Pate, which was very good and located in a cute area, filled with little restaurants.  After dinner, we watched the depressing Syracuse-Ohio State game at a bar, only to go home in disappointment.

Copenhagen is rated the city was the happiest people, and I agree.  I definitely see myself coming back to Copenhagen one day...I loved it!

Hotel Recommendation: The Ascot Hotel...great location and can accommodate up to five girls in one apartment style room!

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Top of the morning to ya!

After a long week in Barcelona, and very little sleep, it was time for St. Patty's Day.  We hopped on a plane Thursday morning, and we were once again off on another trip.  When I arrived in Dublin, we immediately went to the hotel (we stayed at the Hilton Kilmainham).  One suggestion, if you know you are going to St. Patty's Day next year book your hotels now! Suggestions: Temple Bar Hotel or the Westin, both have great locations because cab rides can get pretty costly, especially on St. Patty's day!  Mattie, Abbe, and I ate lunch at the hotel, and by eat lunch, we feasted!  Finally our room was ready, and I got upstairs, put my stuff down and passed out.  It was a much needed nap.  By the time I woke up, Hilary and Katlowitz were on their way to the hotel.  Because Dublin is not like Barcelona, we struggled to find a place to eat.  We got into a cab, and made our way to the Temple Bar area.  Our cab driver, who might have been the nicest man ever, suggested we go to Thunder Road cafe, which was kind of like the Hard Rock cafe, but better.  Hilary, Kat, and I tried Ireland's famous Bulmer's.  Immediately, we were actually enjoying this half cider, half beer taste.

We were told that the coast was beautiful, so Friday morning we got up early and took a train to Howth.  However, when we got there it was pouring.  Luckily, we found the last four umbrellas, and walked around for all of 30 minutes, before realizing it was time to go back to Dublin.  We went back to the Temple Bar area for lunch, and ate at The Auld Dubliner.  After lunch, we tried to go to the Jameson factory, but failed, and then made it to Guinness.  Amanda Katlowitz wins the award for best cutting job ever.  The line was around the corner, and she literally cut the entire line.  We waited no time at all, but felt badly, so in the Guinness factory we threw coins into the fountain and wished our bad karma away. After the factory we went back to the Temple Bar area and we went to Foggy Dew, where everyone who was anyone went. It is amazing that out of all the bars in Dublin, every abroad student ended up at the same one...

Friday night we went to Elephant & Castle for dinner.  The food was great, and I highly suggest it.  After we bar hopped for a little, before returning back to our hotel.

Saturday morning we woke up at 8am, did not actually get out of bed until 9 am, and began our St. Patty's Day celebrations.  We once again made our way down to Temple Bar area (I swear this is the only part of Dublin I can navigate my way through now) and we tried to schmeggle our way through to front row seats at the parade with Bari and her friends. No, we could not pull a chat and cut for this one, and unfortunately, it began pouring so we ran to the one and only Foggy Dew.  Once again, everyone was there.  Instead of Bulmer's, I discovered Strawberry Beer! It was so yummy.  For someone who hates beer, this was a great alternative.  We sat in the bar for the day and drank, people watched (a lot), and had so much fun!

We got back to the hotel room and sat on our iPad's trying to watch the Cuse basketball game.  We then took much needed naps, and by the time we got up it was dinner time.  We found this restaurant called Fire.  Highly suggest this restaurant too!

I cannot believe it was already time to go... I took the 6am Aer Lingus flight thinking no one would be on it, only to find out, everyone was on it.

St. Patty's Day was amazing, who knew a Jewish girl from New York would be celebrating her first St. Patty's Day in Dublin, not even in New York City!

Family in Paris & Barcelona

I know that this is a little late, but you know what they say...better late than never.

Last weekend, I met my parents and grandma in Paris. Getting off the plane on Thursday night, changing my si to oui was a little bit tough.  I completely forgot to change me s sound to w sound.  I did not do the typical touristy things in Paris, because I had already been there, so I took this opportunity to roam the streets of Paris.  Friday morning, mom, grandma and I walked Sant Honore and looked in all of the stores.  We made sure not to leave a single store out, and picked up a few things on the way!  We made our way back to the hotel, where we met my dad who came in on a different flight.  We all had lunch at the Bristol Hotel, and then were able to check into our rooms.  If you are traveling with your family and need a beautiful, old Parisian style hotel, then I highly suggest the Bristol.  I stayed there with my grandma a few summers ago, and all I can do is rave about the hotel.  We were upgraded to the Penthouse Suite, which was beautiful.  Marc Jacobs' creative director was actually the guest in the room before us!

Friday night we went to dinner with the Bauman's at L'Ami Louis.  It is a hole in the wall, old, authentic Paris restaurant.  If you like chicken, steak, and french fries, then this is the restaurant for you.  The food was amazing, the waiters were ehh, and the atmosphere was great.

Saturday we had breakfast with cousins who are living in Paris for the year.  It was great to see the Mickenberg's and actually spend time with them.  After breakfast, I dragged my family to the Louis Vuitton and Marc Jacobs' exhibit.  Surprisingly, everyone, including my dad, found it very interesting.  (read blog post for a full account on the exhibit) After the exhibit, we walked to find the Jewish quarter, yet, because it was Saturday a lot of things were closed.  We did not see much, but I guess I will just have to go back and visit again.

Saturday night we went to the super trendy L'Societat restaurant.  I also highly suggest this restaurant.  The food was great, and the restaurant made me feel like I was in a hip, new restaurant in New York City.  You open the doors to a hidden restaurant, but honestly, one of the best meals.

The weekend was amazing, I am so happy that my dad, mom, and grandma spent the weekend with me in Paris.  It was way too short, and before I knew it, my dad was back in New York.

Mom and grandma came back to Barcelona with me for a few days.  They stayed at the Mandarin Oriental on Passeig de Gracia.  Everyone who works there remembered my mom from my birthday weekend, and everyone was so accommodating and nice.  I took the week off from school, and we walked for hours every day.  On Monday we went up to Montjuic to see where the olympics were held in 1992.  We also walked for hours on end through the Gothic quarter and Born district.  We went to Agua, CDLC, 7 Portes, Nuba, and Mordiscos (all great restaurants).

Shout out to all of the Syracuse guests we had this past week... Barcelona really got the best of each and everyone of you.

LOVE YOU ALL! Xo

Louis Vuitton and Marc Jacobs Exhibit

This past weekend I was in Paris with my parents and grandma (post coming soon) and we went to the Louis Vuitton and Marc Jacobs exhibit.  The exhibit opened on Friday and will be shown until September. If you are in Paris, or are going to Paris before September, I highly suggest stopping at Musée des Arts Décoratifs.  


If you cannot make it to the exhibit, or would like a preview...here you go!  You walk into the exhibit and are given a history of Louis Vuitton himself.  Little did I know, was how long ago Louis Vuitton lived.  Louis Vuitton introduced the 'trunk' in 1858.  His original pattern was in fact the Damier Canvas pattern, and it was not until Louis Vuitton died, that his son created the signature "LV" print.  All of his trunks and suitcases were fashioned in the Damier Canvas pattern, and it was not until 1893, that the "LV" print premiered.  The exhibit showcases the original trunks, which now belong to the Vuitton family.


When you walk upstairs, the exhibit continues with a more upbeat, music blasting, world of Marc Jacobs. In 1997, Marc Jacobs became the art director of Louis Vuitton.  He introduced the first ever ready-to-wear collection for Louis Vuitton.  You reach the top of the stairs and are introduced to a chaotic puzzle filled with monitors displaying funky artwork, and video clips of The Wizard of Oz, Psycho, Barbara Streisand in Funny Girl, and Elizabeth Taylor in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,  and more.  The music is great and it leads you until designs from the different collections over the years.  Then, you reach a wall of bags, followed by an area with little peepholes to watch old fashion shows.  The walls are these thick, wooden walls, designed to match the Damier Canvas pattern.  


Each floor is dedicated to each designer, but I have to say that the Marc Jacobs floor does not compare to Louis Vuitton's floor.  The exhibit does not focus on the history of how it went from Louis Vuitton to Marc Jacobs, but rather, the amazing moments during both men's careers.  It is definitely a must see!


p.s. please enjoy the pictures that I was not allowed to take! shhh!
*other pictures belong to googleimages 

The Fanciest New App Around!

You fancy huh? The latest app to hit the app store...

And I am not talking about Pinterest...but rather Fancy.  Fancy might be one of the trendiest new apps on the market, and one that I am still trying to figure out.

My brother introduced me to this app a few weeks ago and I am hooked.  Users post pictures of trendy clothing, gadgets, cars, travel destinations, art, media, etc. and followers can 'Fancy it'.  If you like style, or just having the latest thing, then Fancy is for you.  It is for the curators of style and all things wonderful.

The app is FREE for iPhones, iPads, and Androids (more reasons to kick my Blackberry and switch over to the iPhone) but my iPad works for now. So sign up now and follow me @SammyCakes aka Samantha Fetner to see what I fancy!

A little sneak peak at some of the things that I fancy...you will have to sign up and follow me to see what else I fancy...

ROMA!

Riana and I jetted off to Rome Thursday afternoon, for a rather quick trip.  We arrived in Roma Thursday night and stayed at the adorable Hotel Ripa.  The hotel was a perfect fit for Riana, the entire room was accented with hearts!

Thursday night we went to Taverna Truillisa with Katie, Melissa, Janey, and Ilyse! I do not know how these girls go abroad to Italy...I do not think I would make it.  The food was amazing, too good, that I purposely did not keep a 'food diary' because I did not want to remember what I ate.  After dinner, Melissa was very insistent that we take a chocolate shot at this little shop in Trastevere.  The pictures tell the whole story...We then went to a little bar filled with Americans.  We had heard about the Harry Potter shot and decided to try it.  I always knew I was not a fan of Harry Potter...and the shot did nothing for me either.  In fact, Riana and Katie lived to tell us about the shot...barely.  Lets just say it was awful. Gross. Never again. We then tried to go clubbing in Testachio, but ended up at a bar, where we sat and got the chance to catch up!

Friday morning Riana and I got up early and hit all of the touristy spots. We first went to the Colosseum, and guess what the snow did not prevent us from getting in.  Except, Riana and I did pull a Hal Fetner, and cut the line by paying for the audio guide.  We did not want to wait in the long line, so why not pull a Hal Fetner or an Alex Fetner?

After the Colosseum, we walked to the Pantheon, and then off to Trevi Fountain.  Katie gave us an amazing recommendation for lunch -- Il Chianti.  I definitely suggest this and especially since it was a nice day, we were able to sit outside and people watch (a personal favorite of mine!)  After that we went to the Spanish steps and walked around.  We did a little shopping...its Italy!

Friday night, Mattie joined us from Barcelona and we went to the famous Tony's for dinner.  Famous for Americans...not Italians.  I would definitely not call this a native Italian place, but rather short for Tony DiNapolis in NYC?  Just kidding... but it was probably the only place in Rome that you could get chicken parm.

Saturday morning, Riana and I woke up and went to the Vatican.  Once again another long line.  Following in the footsteps of funny man Larry David, I successfully pulled off a chat and cut.  Right when I saw a break in the line, I cut through by talking to Riana who was placed in the break.  I made it seem like I was looking for her.  It was perfect.  Flawless. And it worked.  We were in the Vatican within 15 minutes rather than what could have been an hour +.  We went into St. Peter's Basilica and then to the Vatican Museum to see Sistine Chapel. Michelangelo...good job! Three times there, it is still pretty remarkable.

Saturday afternoon we returned back to Barcelona.  Short trip, but hey, we came, we saw, and conquered Rome...funny? No..not really.