This Is What 50 Looks Like // Veronica Webb

I'd like to give a slow clap to the gorgeous Veronica Webb for continuing to slay as she celebrates a milestone birthday. Emoting a strong and confident woman in an afro and feminine clothing, Webb fronts Sophie Theallet Spring 2016 campaign photographed by Tiziano Magni.

 

Styled by Jenke Tailly; Hair by Leonardo Manetti; Make-up by Daniel Martin

Travel Diary // Amsterdam Lodging

Normally when people travel for over 5 days they stay at one place. Not so for me and my travel companion, Nicole Crowder.  For our trip to Amsterdam, we took up residence in various locations scattered throughout the city that featured various price points, a multitude of amenities and fabulous décor.

The Bridge Hotel

Prices $90-$250 per night

The first of our accomodations. The Bridge Hotel is positioned along side the boat laden Amstel river and next door to the Carre Theater home to big broadway musicals like Pippin. Nearby is the picturesque drawbridge for which it was named and sluices that helped clean the canal water. The neighborhoods yields substantial shopping and food options.

The hotel itself is quaint and quirky. The tenured staff is knowledgeable, friendly and armed with brawn. The hotel doesn’t have an elevator so be prepared to lug your stuff up or put away your pride and ask one of the ladies (that’s all we saw) at the front desk to give you a hand.

The room is spacious, moderate and clean. Not sure Crowder enjoyed her bed but I know I did. I had no problem sawing logs. Ask for a room with a view if this is your first time visiting Amsterdam then grab your camera or glass of bubbly and kick back.

The Dylan

A 5 star boutique hotel located on the Keizersgracht which is part of the canal ring.

Prices: $300’s-900’s

This beautifuly designed hotel resides in one of Amsterdams oldest buildings. With 7 rooms uniquely themed and designed by dutch based architects and interior designers has character unlike any other hotel in the area. Upon entering the cobblestone compound you walk through large doors and into a friendly foyer with a pleasing room aroma and white orchids. The hotel staff awaits you at large wooden tables ready to address your every need to include a tour of the grounds (living room, dining room, courtyards, bar, fitness center, guest rooms,etc.).

Our room, known as Serendipity, was renovated in two months and boasts a contemporary design that is smart and sophisticated. Yielding a color palette similar to my own – charcoal gray and dark wood, the room proved to be very spacious though the dim lighting was a concern for me.  The view was gorgeous as the large windows allowed you to look over the canal. The bathroom which was covered floor to ceiling with marble had both a bathtub and individual room to shower and use the lavatory. Nice. If you’re a hotel snob, you may not be happy that the floor and toilet doesn’t heat up but for us regular folk, it wasn’t missed.  Bonus for coffee drinkers, all rooms have an Illy coffee maker and fruit. Depending on the vibe of the room, you either had plated green or red apples.

 

Here’s a sneak peek of another on the premises should Serendipity not be your cup of tea. The Loft is probably the most authentically dutch with its white walls and original wood beams.

AIR BNB

Prices vary.

The ability to rent someones room, home or villa for a fraction of hotels throughout the world is the way to go.  The key is doing diligent, thorough searches and being open to interior design styles. Due to the time of year and the prices of some of the hotels, we opted to spend 4-5 days at an apartment in the Westerperk area (burbs for those unfamiliar). Our host who was new to hosting was in Austrailia the duration of our stay shared a similar aesthetic to Nicole and I. She appreciated art, boho fashion and splashes of color.  We loved this as it provided an endless amount of photo opportunities. 

 

 A couple things to note when renting someones space abroad. 1) make sure you know what and how to work the appliances of that country. Our apartment had a stove we didn’t know how to use and a dorm size refrigerator that barely fit my ice cream. Essential just so you know. 2) Ask if there are stairs or elevator. Sigh. This one had a curved stair case which ended up being the bain of our existence. 3) Clarify that all the room stated are really available. Upon arriving we learned that the second room wasn’t available which meant sharing double bed. Not the end of the world but worth noting and/or clarifying. 4) Bring your own washcloth. Not every place has one.

Morgan and Mees

$150-$400

Boutique hotel located  in the Jordaan district

I couldn’t agree anymore with a guest who stated that this hotel reminded them of a U.S. boutique hotel. The only major difference was that this one didn’t have an elevator. So imagine my surprise when I realized on day two that I had overpacked. By the time we got to this hotel where we’d be for 24 hours, we both considered taking out only what was needed and leaving bags at the front desk. Sigh. Fortunately the staff was used to these conundrums so they were ready to invoke their super human strength to haul our bags up two flights of stairs. I digress. Back to the accommodations.

This is hotel was quintessentially a hipster one. With a black wall and mirrored foyer, Morgan and Mees had 9 stylish guest rooms. The check-in desk was positioned in the back under the stairs on the ground floow and flanked by both a bar that reminded me of the Standard Bowery and a restaurant that was accessibly and friendly.  Our room which was a loft style (bed at the top) had hands down the most comfortable bedding and mattress. It was so great I didn’t need my mouth guard to lull me to sleep. The color palette of black and white was dominate throughout the room even into the bathroom. Every fixture to include the radiator was coated a in slick matte paint. If you didn’t know any better you’d think it was an art installation. Bring your own washcloth.

One more thing, our uber driver pointed out that we shouldn’t stumble into the unassuming building across the way because it was a Swingers club. (Good looking out. 5 stars for you buddy.)

See my Travel Diary //Amsterdam blog posts in two parts: 1 2