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Balthazar Boulangerie

Balthazar boulangerie

A typical New Yorker morning would be to head to Starbucks or Dean and Deluca for a coffee and a pastry.

But with a nostalgia for France, why not start a Saturday morning by going to Balthazar instead? This boulangerie is so cozy and filled with different pastries including tarte aux pommes and scones. Grab a hot cup of coffee and a warm cinnamon roll. The cinnamon roll is a must-try by the way. It has a crusty outside with a soft inside. So good you won’t regret the five bucks it costs.

After that, get a baguette to take home. That’s how simple I like my Saturdays to be. And you don’t need to be across the Atlantic to do that.

Balthazar Boulangerie

10 Things to Do in Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. is such a beautiful place to visit. I had been wanting to visit it again ever since I visited at 13 years old. I remembered the weather and the clean streets.

If I can say anything about D.C., it’s that it’s filled with history waiting to be shared. Whether it’s through the interactive museums or the landmarks, D.C. knows how to tell a story. Check out the things we did and what you may want to add to your bucket list.

01. Rent a boat at Tidal Basin

It’s perfect to do in April when the Cherry Blossoms are in bloom. But it’s still a beautiful activity to do. Word of advice? Be prepared for your legs to hurt if you’re not used to cycling. Also, it gets very hot in the afternoon so bring some water or other refreshments.

02. Play frisbee at the National Mall

It’s a wide open space and perfect for a quick game of frisbee. Or if you just want to take a stroll, that could work too.

03. Visit Chinatown

Filled with restaurants and stores like Nordstrom, Chinatown D.C. is a great hang-out spot. It gives you a break from all the political seriousness. You hear music playing, people singing, and everyone is mingling.

04. Learn about the Holocaust

This is one of the reasons I wanted to go back to D.C. The Holocaust Museum is a very touching place to go to learn more about the Holocaust. Not only is it informative but it’s also interactive. Their permanent exhibition has to be booked on the morning of when you’re going or weeks in advance.

05. Visit the Smithsonian museums

It’s hard not to find a museum in D.C. A lot of them are part of the Smithsonian museums. The Museum of Natural History, Air and Space Museum, and the American Indian Museum are some of the must-sees. There are plenty more to see along with these.

06. Visit Union Station

If you’re not coming on the Amtrak train, it’s still worth going to take a look at this train station. The structure and aesthetic is classy and very clean. The pillars remind you that you are in D.C. Union Station is filled with stores and restaurants like H&M, Le Pain Quotidien, and Tumi.

07. Visit all of the monuments

This is a no-brainer. Who goes to D.C. and doesn’t see a monument? It doesn’t have to be all of them cause that would involve a lot of walking and probably more days than you’re staing but you have to see at least one even if it is from the Tidal Basin.

08. Wander and get lost

Getting lost should be a to-do on everyone’s travel list. You discover new things this way. Sure, you can read a guide book but a guide book can tell you only so much.

09. Eat ice cream at Gallery Place

Gallery Place is filled with restaurants and stores to shop. But for ice cream? Go to this Häagen Dazs. Not only does it taste good but it’s so cute. After that, you can go for a game of bowling inside or to the movies. It’s a perfect hangout spot.

10. Become familiar with the transit system

The D.C. transit system can be a tricky puzzle at first. But once you keep using it, it’ll become easy. And it’s very quick to use. Contrary to what we heard, the transit system is cheaper than getting an Uber everywhere. Don’t underestimate the transit system.

An Insider’s Travel Guide to New York City

New York City, the place many dream of living in and the place many locals have a love-hate relationship with. This New York City travel guide is filled with places to visit that will make you feel like a local.

When to go to NYC:

I would say all year long is great to visit New York City. I say this because there’s a lot to do each season. During the summer, there are a lot of festivals and street markets available. In the winter, there are plenty of musicals and lights everywhere including the tree at Rockefeller Center.

Now, if you don’t want to freeze or sweat on your vacay then Fall or Spring would be fine to visit. The months of September to November and March to May would be ideal so you won’t experience any extreme weather.

Where to stay:

Chelsea Neighborhood

This neighborhood is filled with cool restaurants, supermarkets, and parks. It’s also a few stops away from 34th street, 42nd street, and Soho. The LGBT welcoming neighborhood has a great nightlife. It’s hard not to find something fun to do here.

Where to eat:

Cafe Gitane, 242 Mott Street or 113 Jane Street

I absolutely love this restaurant. And it’s not only me. This resto is a favorite among other bloggers and models. Maybe it’s the delicious French-Moroccan food or maybe it’s the vibe. It’s always busy and filled with conversation so you know they’re doing something right. My favorite dishes there are their Couscous and their Hachis Parmentier.

Basera Indian Bistro, 745 9th Avenue

In the mood for Indian while in NYC? Let me tell you that this is the best Indian bistro to go to. I even have a whole post dedicated to their food. My favorite dishes were the garlic naan with tikka masala and the butter chicken. The food is truly finger licking good.

What to do:

Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO

If you don’t like walking then this might not be your cup of tea. But it still should be on your bucket list. With some good walking shoes and great conversation, you won’t feel this walk to be long. As a matter of fact, it’s not long at all. You’ll make your way from DUMBO to the Financial District within 30 minutes. By the way, those are two great neighborhoods to visit.

Not in the mood to make the walk across? Another idea is to just chill in DUMBO. It’s an Instagram worthy neighborhood after all. And besides, you can still see the bridge from there.

One World Trade Center (Freedom Tower), 285 Fulton Street

After crossing the Brooklyn Bridge to Manhattan, you can stop by One World Trade Center to see the Freedom Tower. It’s a very sensitive area but you can pay your respects to everyone who contributed and lost their lives during the 9/11 attacks. Right in front you can find the 9/11 memorial and museum.

Washington Square Park

Located in Greenwich Village and close to Soho, this park is a must-see. Even if you’re not so excited to see the arch, you can still kick back at the park after a day of shopping.

Union Square Farmer’s Market

You can go to Union Square any day of the week really. It’s a great hang out spot. But to shop at the farmer’s market, go on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. The square is active on those days. You can find vendors selling their own pastries, photos, paintings, etc. And sometimes you can find great music playing next to the train.

Flatiron Building

This is such a beautiful building and the area it’s in is Instagram-worthy. Right across the street you’ll find Madison Square Park. If you go in the Summer, you may find a festival going on at the park. Traveling with children? Be sure to visit the Lego Store on the corner of 200 5th Avenue.

Empire State Building

This is a must for anyone visiting NYC. It’s a prominent landmark to the Big Apple. You can go up to the top of the Empire State or just go to the Top of the Rock and see the Empire State from afar.

James Bailey Home and Riverside, 10 St. Nicholas Pl.

If you know about the Barnum and Bailey circus, you might be interested to know that one of the founders lived in Harlem. You can’t go in the home since it’s not vacant, but you can admire the architecture from outside. Afterwards, you can go for a stroll in Riverside, next to the George Washington Bridge.