Atlas + Shadow: Travel Diary // Amsterdam Pt. 1

Woo it’s been a while since I last posted but what can I say, I’ve been a wee bit busy. Hustlin’ and shufflin’ between gigs AARP deputy art director, GAP windows display specialist, and the ultimate AIGA Washington DC Mentoring and Design Continuum Fund scholarship director that left little room to create –much less write. Oh wait, there’s also the February Type Project, which believe or not is still going on via my instagram. All of that said, I believe in working hard and playing even harder. So when I need a break, I head out of town or in this case out of country.

Last year was pretty stellar on the traveling side. My personal ventures took me Barcelona, Guatemala (with a pitstop for AARP to emmy winner Viola Davis’s house in LA), New Orleans (to lead a team of volunteers at the national conference), NYC (which included P.A.ing on a Beats by Dr. Dre Straight Outta Compton campaign), Miami (to bask in art and uh rain) and Amsterdam. So if can get my *ish together, I might be able to post the highlights of all.

Up first and in no random order … Amsterdam

My travel partner-in-fashion/style/homedecor/travel/food/coolness/ratcheness Nicole Crowder and I decided to head across the pond (wait is that phrase only to be used for London?) Anyway, we were very much interested in visiting a city abroad neither had been to and one that had a healthy dose of art, design and cute guys.

+ 2 flights via the retro styled WOW Air

+ 3 hotels (2 boutique, 1 standard)

+ 1 AirBnB

+ 2 work related meetings (Photograhy director & Illustrators)

+ 3 new friends

+ 4 Museums (Foam, Eye Film, Van Gogh, Rejiksmuseum, Droog,)

+ Endless meals, cheese and Dutch apple pie, canals, bike paths, shopping, photoshoots, eyecandy AND laughter!

= Additional fees for overweight bags and enduring friendship

Conclusion: Worth it.

/ DAY 1 /

After a 7 hour flight which included a layover in Iceland (note: on the list for 2016), WOW Air successfully deposited us at the Schiphol airport.

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Took taxi, checked into the Bridge Hotel (see recap in my Amsterdam lodging post) and then quickly reconned the area surrounding the new digs. Each day we tried to tackle a landmark, store or food item on our heavily researched list. First up: coffee.

Sissy-Boy, a cute shop that had an assortment of succulents and mini cactus in terra cotta pots, pretty lights, snow globes with gold animals, minimalist clothing and holiday gifts.

First museum of the trip was to FOAM [Bookmark] for a spectacular and informative exhibit titled “Magnum Contact Sheets.” Here iconic lensmen shared intel on how some of the most famous photographs featuring history makers like Malcom X, Che Rivera, etc., were captured.

/ Day 2 /

Woke up with a strange feeling I had overpacked. It was only the morning of day 2 but that didn't stop me from entertaining the vintage store Marbles. Note there are 3 of them in the city. 3 I repeat. I can't believe that no one told me Amsterdam was a mecca for vintage finds! Ugh! Had I known what I learned I would’ve brought an empty suitcase. I felt like Rashida jones standing next to a blood spattered, white laced Beyonce in the On The Run trailer. I was so overwhelmed I only bought one thing.

One striped frock later and a boiled wool full length 80lb navy cape for Nicole and we were off to see the city.

Wait, need coffee.

Graffiti is a very popular medium throughout the city hence the shops that catered to it.

Oh yes, and the coffeeshops aka marijuana shops. Infinite and no I didn’t indulge.

Mom and pop vinyl stores. Good lawd!

Bloemenmarkt

Cheese. Thought I might have to commit Crowder.

De Hallen was the Amsterdam version of Chelsea Market in NYC and Union market in DC. It featured a movie theater and array of local food and shopping vendors.

The Local Goods store was a great way to sample work Amsterdam based artists. It had everything from clothing, bikes, beers, letterpress, furnitures, lighting, chocolate, prints and books. I pondered how I could get a giant whisk home.

/ DAY 3 /

You guessed it- coffee. For the record, Crowder had cheesecake and a pastry.

The Droog museum and hotel was everything an arty person could dream of. A mix of both Art Basel Miami with MOMA.

And top it off, there was a Polette Eyewear popup! I lost my mind for about 30 minutes and ended up ordering two pair not shown in my pics. Watch your back Warby Parker!