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Tokyo Streets – A Love Affair

Tokyo StreetsTokyo Streets – A Love Affair

This year marks 10 years since my first trip to Japan with Ben (I had been before). We have a lot of history with the country, including studying and living in Tokyo together. So it was quite fitting that we would choose it for our honeymoon location. We caught up with friends, relaxed, and did everything we had on our insanely long list. And of course there was space for one of my favourite activities in Tokyo (apart from eating) – street photography.

Tokyo Streets

We walk a lot, wherever we travel. And we treat the vast Tokyo streets no differently. I’ve always loved Tokyo’s streets – the main ones littered with my favourite stores and restaurants, are of course a must visit, but it’s the small side streets that have stolen my heart over the years. Thanks to my strange sense of curiosity, and my love for street photography, I can walk for miles and not even notice my feet aching…until I find a cute cafe, then suddenly I’m 100% down to sit for a bit.

These particular photos were taken on a walk from Asakusa to Ueno – two locations we frequented during our holidays/living in the city. Yet somehow, no matter how many times we visit, we take a different route each time. Because of this I can’t remember our exact route this visit, but that adds to the charm and mystery of it all. No?

A small disclaimer: a lot of the photos I took and feature in this post were ‘shot from the hip’ as I didn’t want to affect the scene by looking down a viewfinder. Because of this, some of the photos are a bit wonky, but I happen to think this adds authenticity to them.

See more of my Japan travels on my blog. And if you enjoyed these photos, I’d highly suggest checking out @Super_OrdinaryLife on Instagram – an account and hashtag run by my dear friend Yasumi, who is located in Tokyo.

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bloomzy /

24 Hours in Stockholm, Sweden | A Travel Guide

24 Hours in StockholmIt can be pretty tough visiting a new city, or country. You’re not sure where to eat, what to see, or even where to stay. Well I’m here to change all of that with my handy guides! They’re full of tips, tricks, and the best places to go. So stop worrying about how you’re going to make the most of your time in a new place; here are my recommendations for spending 24 hours in Stockholm, Sweden!

24 Hours in Stockholm

  • Stay at Hobo Hotel
    • The modern, design-centric hotel is placed directly in the centre of Stockholm, making it a great hub during your stay.
  • Breakfast pastries
    • You can hardly visit Sweden without sampling some of their famous pastries. Bröd & Salt bakery has stores across the capital, and offers some of the most delicious. My tip: try Mandelbulle – it’s like a cinnamon roll had a baby with an almond croissant.
  • Visit the museums
    • Most of the museums are conveniently located next to each other in Stockholm. Skansen is an open air museum which offers a glimpse at Swedish culture – including lots of cute animals – whilst the Moderna Museet includes the works of Dali, Matisse…and Beyonce?
  • Stroll through old town
    • Gamla Stan is Stockholm’s old town, and it’s full of picturesque buildings and streets.

 

24 Hours in Stockholm

 

  • Go local for lunch
    • You have to try the local delicacies whilst in Sweden. My recommendations are the bountiful seafood, and the open sandwiches, or both! There’s Drop Coffee Roasters, Green Rabbit and B.A.R to name a few.
  • Shop Scandinavian
    • The Swedes are known for being stylish, so why not shop at some of the best designers out there? Lifestyle stores such as Grandpa are aplenty, but for those who prefer their designers all in one place there’s NK Stockholm and Åhléns.
  • Splash out on dinner
    • Where better to sample Neo-Nordic cuisine than Stockholm? Kagges offers a reasonably priced tasting menu made with local, seasonal ingredients. The flavours are stunning, as is the presentation and care that goes into each dish.
  • Have a nightcap at Hobo
    • Hobo hotel have a cool bar with a DJ, which is frequented by Stockholm natives, as well as guests.

24 Hours in Stockholm

Hints & Tips for 24 Hours in Stockholm:

  • Don’t bring cash!
    • Stockholm is a cash-free society, so much so that you’ll find ‘card only’ signs in most restaurants and stores across the capital.
  • Reserve a table
    • Like most capitals, Stockholm has a thriving restaurant scene, so it’s best to try and make reservations before you arrive.

Well there you have it, my travel guide to 24 Hours in Stockholm!
Feel free to check out the my other 24 Hours In… guides.

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bloomzy /

Stockholm on Film – Shooting with a Superheadz Toy Camera

Superheadz Toy CameraStockholm on Film: Shooting with a Superheadz Toy Camera

For years my DSLR was attached to my hip. I couldn’t be without it. It got to the point where I would shove it into the tiniest of bags, just so I could ‘get the photo’. Around a year ago that all changed. I became tired of carrying around such a heavy camera, not to mention the time it took to set up a shoot just for one Instagram photo. The thing is I wasn’t tired of taking photos, I was just tired of the relationship I had with photography. It seemed like my creative spark had gone, and my ‘work’ didn’t feel genuine anymore.

A few months ago I was invited to spend the day with VSCO, and it changed everything. I was reminded of my love for photography, the community, creating, shooting, even editing. The spark had been reignited and I knew exactly what to do with it. It was time for film to make a comeback.

Superheadz Toy Camera

After discussing this with Yasumi – someone I trust and often go to for photography advice – she suggested I try out a toy camera. So I quickly snapped up the Superheadz Tomodachi 35mm with wide angle lens, on her recommendation.

My mini-moon was the first holiday I’d been on where I traded in my DSLR for a film camera. I didn’t want to spend ages setting up photos. Instead I took my toy camera and decided I would take it out at random times. Whether it was to try out something new, or when I spotted something interesting. The results are what you see before you here.

I’m glad I swapped digital for film. It allowed me to enjoy the process of taking photos again, as well as the excitement of not knowing how the photo will turn out. And I don’t think this signals the end of my relationship with my DSLR at all, it’s just a new chapter.

Read more of my photography posts 

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bloomzy /

24 Hours in Brighton | A Travel Guide

24 Hours in BrightonIt can be pretty tough visiting a new city or country. You’re not sure where to eat, what to see, or even where to stay. Well I’m here to change all of that with my handy guides! They’re full of tips, tricks, and the best places to go. So stop worrying about how you’re going to make the most of your time in a new place; here are my recommendations for spending 24 hours in Brighton!

24 Hours in Brighton

  • Stay at: Ibis Brighton
    • Located a few doors down from the station, this Ibis features artwork by local artists, and stunning views of the town. They also offer breakfast and a 24 hour drinks and food menu, which you can take up to your room. Tip: book a room and ask for a sea view.
  • Go loco for ‘Cafe Coho’
    • Big, healthy and tasty – that’s Cafe Coho‘s offerings in a nutshell. My recommendation: the berry pancakes, and a healthy juice shot.
  • Take a walk down the lanes

24 Hours in Brighton

  • Picnic on the beach!
    • Grab something tasty from one of the various cafes in The Lanes and take it to the beach. Weather permitting, of course.
  • Walk down Brighton Pier
    • You can hardly visit Brighton without a trip to the pier. Filled with amusement arcades, seafood, doughnuts and rollercoasters, it’s a must when visiting the British seaside.
  • Pre-dinner cocktails…
    • At Twisted Lemon. This tiny quirky cocktail bar has a wide variety of cocktails and is located not far from the seafront.
  • A little slice of Italy in Brighton
    • Fatto A Mano offers up a menu inspired by Naples, and is the perfect place to share a pizza – or two – with friends and family.

24 Hours in Brighton

Hints and Tips for 24 Hours in Brighton:

  • Where should I go shopping?
    • I’ll be publishing a standalone guide on where to shop in Brighton soon, so keep an eye out.
  • Rent a bike, or simply walk
    • Brighton has a great bike rental system (BTN Bikeshare) in place, which starts at only 3p a minute! If you don’t fancy cycling, the town is also small enough to walk around.

Well there you have it, my travel guide to 24 Hours in Brighton!
Feel free to check out the my other 24 Hours In… guides.

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My stay at Ibis Brighton was complimentary, however all images, words and opinions are my own.

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bloomzy /

Where to Shop in Amsterdam – A Travel Guide

shop in amsterdamWhere to Shop in Amsterdam – A Travel Guide

We all have our own aesthetic, from the clothing we wear, to how we decorate our homes. Of course this influences where we shop too. I prefer independent boutiques with a minimalist lean, but it can be tough finding them even in London. And when I go away on holiday it’s no different. So I do my research. I look for the kind of stores I want to shop in, and the souvenirs I want to bring home. With this and my recent trip holiday in mind, I decided to do a ‘where to shop in Amsterdam’ guide. From style, to homeware, art, beauty and stationary, let me help you discover…

Where to Shop in Amsterdam

X BANK | map
X Bank is a boutique for emerging and established talent in Dutch art, fashion and design. The store itself is housed within the W Hotel in central Amsterdam, and is a work of art within itself. No seriously, it looks like a gallery. But don’t be afraid to touch or try on the clothes and accessories as the staff are friendly, knowledgeable and very helpful.

Tenue de Nîmes | map
Wanna shop where all the cool kids shop? Tenue de Nîmes it is. They may be known for their vast selection of Japanese and American denim, but there’s a lot more to TDN. Founded on the basic principles of quality, function and simplicity, the stores (plural) stock brands such as Acne, A.P.C, Edwin, Japan Blue, Le Bonnet, and Momotaro amongst others.

Anna & Nina | map
Filled to the brim with trinkets galore, Anna & Nina’s stores are a must-visit for any colourful, fun interior/style fanatic. Colour coordinated homeware lines the shelves alongside Scandinavian fashion brands such as Ganni.

Hutspot | map
If you’re a fan of minimalist interiors and Scandinavian fashion, then it’s highly likely you’ve come across Hutspot. Perhaps you’ve seen them on Instagram, or you’ve passed by one of their numerous stores in Amsterdam. Hutspot is the place to pick up an über cool souvenir.

De Bijenkorf | map
Clothes, stationary, homeware, beauty…you name it, De Bijenkorf has it. You’ll only find the best of the best here, which is why the department store is so well known for it’s designer brands. Located over 4 floors, you can easily spend a lot of time – and money – here.

Comme des Garçons Pocket | map
One of my personal favourites is this little gem. Comme des Garçon Pocket may be small, but it sure packs a punch. The store is minimal to say the least, as it only sells clothing and accessories from the limited CDG Play line. And yes, they have those Converse.

&Klevering | map
Last but definitely not least, is &Klevering. This Dutch store knows their homeware brands like the back of their hand. That’s not to say they only carry Dutch brands though; you’ll find Japanese favourites such as Kinto alongside Scandi must-haves like HAY (and much more).

I hope you enjoyed my Where to Shop in Amsterdam guide.
Whilst you’re here, why not check out my other Amsterdam travel guides too.
Header image: Tim Goedhart

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bloomzy /

24 Hours in Amsterdam | A Travel Guide

24 Hours in AmsterdamIt can be pretty tough visiting a new city, or country. You’re not sure where to eat, what to see, or even where to stay. Well I’m here to change all of that with my handy guides! They’re full of tips, tricks, and the best places to go. So stop worrying about how you’re going to make the most of your time in a new place; here are my recommendations for spending 24 hours in Amsterdam!

24 Hours in Amsterdam

24 Hours in Amsterdam

  • Breakfast at Toki
    • Grab a delicious. and nutritious, bite to eat at Toki. Their flavours are out of this world, and the coffee is pretty damn good too.
  • Go on an Instagram walk to Central
    • The architecture in Amsterdam is entirely unique, and you won’t want to miss stealing a few snaps of it.
  • Grab a designer bargain!
    • De Bijenkorf department store is Amsterdam’s answer to Selfridges, and it’s jam packed full of contemporary & classic designer brands.

24 Hours in Amsterdam

  • Visit a weird museum
  • Par Hasard for lunch 
    • If you fancy trying out some traditional (read: moreish) Dutch food over a cold one, this is the place for you.
  • See the Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam
    • These may be slightly smaller than your average botanical gardens, but they have an impressive collection.
      Tip: the conservatory is littered with stunning specimens, but make sure to check out the little out houses dotted around.
  • G&T for dinner?
    • Have dinner at Mossel & Gin, Amsterdam’s popular restaurant for…you got it, mussels and gin.
      Tip: there are other options (the fish burger is insanely delicious), but you’ll want to try at least one G&T.

24 Hours in Amsterdam

Hints and Tips for 24 Hours in Amsterdam:

  • Where do I shop?
    • I’ll be publishing a standalone guide on where to shop in Amsterdam soon, so keep an eye out.
  • Are ‘coffeeshops’ still a thing?
    • Very much so, and you’re welcome to visit them. But be aware that some coffeeshops are not open to tourists.
  • To bike or not to bike
    • Cycling is the best way to get around in Amsterdam, but it can also be pretty intimidating for tourists. The tram & bus system is an good alternative, but if you’re a walker you can easily get round by foot as well.

Well there you have it, my travel guide to 24 Hours in Amsterdam!
Feel free to check out the my other 24 Hours In… guides.

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bloomzy /

24 Hours in Monaco | A Travel Guide

24 Hours in MonacoIt can be pretty tough visiting a new city, or country. You’re not sure where to eat, what to see, or even where to stay. Well I’m here to change all of that with my handy guides! They’re full of tips, tricks, and the best places to go. So stop worrying about how you’re going to make the most of your time in a new place; here are my recommendations for spending 24 hours in Monaco!

24 hours in monaco

24 Hours in Monaco

  • Drive to Monaco
    • Monaco is pretty small, and expensive. Unless you want to go all out, I’d suggest staying somewhere close by and driving into the principality.
  • Brunch at Café de Paris
    • This brasserie is world famous, and you’ve probably spotted it in a movie or two. Sit outside on the terrace and mingle with the rich & famous, whilst you enjoy coffee and pastries.
  • Check out that architecture!
    • For such a small place, Monaco has a surprisingly eclectic mix of architecture. From old palatial hotels, to modern apartments, and bridges sandwiched between cliffs.
  • Visit the Prince’s Palace
    • The Prince’s Palace overlooks the bay of Monaco, and it’s a stunning sight…as proven by the 100os of selfies taken there every day.
  • Wander the streets
    • The palace is situated amongst several quaint streets, each littered with gelaterias, stereotypical souvenir shops, and restaurants.
  • Eat ice cream by the harbour
    • Because who doesn’t want to stare out onto a beautiful crystal blue sea covered with yachts…
  • Go hunting for art!
    • Monaco’s streets are literally covered in art. From traditional statues, to modern google-eyed fun. It’s a must-see for any art lover in town.
  • Do dinner in Nice
    • Nice isn’t too far from Monaco, but it’s considerably bigger, and has a lot more restaurants on offer. Such as La Femme du Boulanger.

Well there you have it, my travel guide to 24 Hours in Monaco!
And don’t forget to check out the my other 24 Hours In… guides.

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