Oh the Places You'll Go...
We met our guide early in Zurich and boarded a coach bus bound for the Bernese Oberland. As we drove deeper into the countryside, the scenery shifted from polished city streets to rolling green valleys dotted with chalets and grazing cows.
Buenos Aires rewards wandering, so we wandered on to La Boca with its cobblestone streets and buildings painted in the brightest palette of reds, yellows, and blues. Then it was on to San Telmo’s sprawling market, where we stumbled upon what might have been the single greatest food discovery of the entire trip - El Gauchito serving crispy, golden empanadas stuffed with a recipe the owner told us his family had passed down for generations, originally packed daily for miners heading underground. My mouth is watering just thinking about them now.
Of course, I was thrilled to see my friend and experience more of The Netherlands beyond Amsterdam. But I also valued that I had formed my own perspective of a city so often reduced to scandalous stories. The Netherlands surprised me.
Not because it was wild. Not because it was loud.
But because it was joyful, safe, and quietly beautiful. It was the perfect beginning to a European solo adventure.
Days later, in Gaspésie National Park, we found ourselves blissfully lost in the woods and waterways. While the elusive moose and caribou stayed hidden, the crystal-clear waters more than made up for it. We weren’t the only ones awestruck; a group of backpackers paused with me to photograph the exact moment the forest dipped into a valley swallowed by low-hanging clouds. Looking out, I knew the International Appalachian Trail was out there somewhere, guarding miles of what I could only imagine was pure, untouched wilderness.
Bottom line: if you’re already in Italy or Sicily, Malta is closer than you think—and so incredibly worth the extra journey. I feel incredibly lucky to have experienced this beautiful country, its history, its mythology, and its flavors. If you’re planning your next Italian adventure, I wholeheartedly recommend making Malta part of the story.
My studio is basically organized chaos — piles of vinyl, sleeves, CDs, DVDs, Swarovski crystals, stacks of vintage magazines, and paperback books. When I start a portrait, I check if I have any of that artist’s unplayable vinyl or hunt some down, because that usually sets the tone. Then I study the reference image and decide what the background needs: sleeves? magazines? CDs? Pure vinyl? Each material gives a different texture and energy. If the subject is wearing jewelry, I can’t help myself — I introduce crystals or head to the garment district for chains or other embellishments. My pieces already reflect, but these additions add some sparkle. It’s intentional chaos.
At first, I thought it was just a cute name - maybe we’d sit in a few classic cars, cruise around slowly, and take photos. Oh no. It was very literal. We were actually driving tiny hot rod cars through real Berlin traffic.
Of course, you know I had to do a TikTok to give you a tiny glimpse of what I’m talking about, but honestly… the photos and videos don’t do it justice. This place is a dream. Bottom line: if you’re heading to Copenhagen, you MUST stay here. It’s not just a hotel - it’s the experience.
I think that a lot of women are feeling alone and really craving honest and safe connection right now. I also feel like many women are feeling disillusioned and want to find a safe space where they can learn information, share their stories and experiences and become the best person they can be.
