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Have the itch to travel - but, not sure WHERE to go? The world is large and glorious, with so many destinations to choose from. But, before deciding “where” to go, you should first decide “what” you want to do when you get there. Are you a thrill seeker who can’t wait for their next adventure? Do you prefer to relive history, and indulge in beautiful architecture? Or… are you happy just to sit back, relax and soak up the rays on a beautiful beach? Your travel options are endless - and this list can help you decide! Here are the top 10 Cities to see in 2018. 1. Seville, Spain Once a traffic-congested metropolis resting on its historical laurels, Seville has bloomed into a city of bicycles and trams, keen to reinvigorate its artistic past. The capital of Andalucía will host the 31st European Film Awards this year, and showcases its good looks in the TV fantasy drama Game of Thrones. Adding colour to an ongoing artistic renaissance, Seville is in the midst of celebrating the 400th anniversary of homegrown Baroque painter Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, with half a dozen one-of-a-kind expositions ongoing throughout 2018.  2. Detroit, USA After decades of neglect, Detroit is rolling again. It’s like the whole place is caffeine-buzzed, freewheeling in ideas. Young creative types jump-started the scene when they began transforming the crazy-huge slew of abandoned buildings into distilleries, bike shops and galleries. This sparked fresh public works, such as the just-opened hockey and basketball arena downtown, and the QLine streetcar that gives easy access to city hot spots. More are coming: three new parks will extend the riverfront trail (ideal for two-wheeling via the new 43-station bike-share scheme in the greater downtown area), plus groovy hotels will emerge from an old wig shop and a forlorn parking lot.  3. Canberra, Australia Canberra packs a big punch for such a small city. National treasures are found round almost every corner and exciting new boutique precincts have emerged, bulging with gastronomic highlights and cultural must-dos. This is the first year that Canberra will host a Test cricket match at the picturesque Manuka Oval, and later in 2018 the Australian War Memorial will take centre stage as it hosts the 100th anniversary of the WWI Armistice. A must visit, for history buffs alike.  4.Hamburg, Germany Its completion seemed to take longer than sitting through the entire cycle of Wagner’s Ring operas, but the stunning new €790 million Elbphilharmonie concert hall was worth every extra year of delay. The glass top shimmers like crystalline sails while the base reflects the brick aesthetic of the surrounding historic and oh-so-walkable HafenCity port area. From here, alluringly accessible Hamburg radiates out along its vast harbour and the Elbe River. Surprises abound: three-season riverfront beach bars, nightlife that’s among Europe’s best, and low-rise charms that reward wanderers who use the city’s dozens of old steeples as compass points.  5. Kaohsiung, Taiwan A massive arts centre and 100,000 sq m cultural and music complex, complete with wave-lapped walkways and and a night market, is emerging on Kaohsiung’s balmy harbourfront – Taiwan’s showcase for experimental architecture from around the world. Adding to this will be a spectacular cruise terminal, for those favouring an Odyssean approach to the port city. A sleek light-rail system links these monuments to the rest of Kaohsiung. Further north, in Xiaogang Shan Recreation Area, hikers can view the Taiwan Strait from the new 88m 'Eye of the Mountain' skywalk, a reminder that water is ever-present. Kaohsiung is surging with possibilities: visit before the world gets wind of it.  6. Antwerp, Belgium Once northern Europe’s greatest city, today Antwerp is one of its best-kept secrets. Flanders’ unofficial capital is laden with historic riches and home to world-class arts and design, and this year it’s showing its cultural chops with a celebration of its Baroque heyday. Inspired by the city’s most famous resident, Rubens, Antwerp Baroque 2018 will feature Flemish Masters rubbing shoulders with modern talent in a calendar that spans parades, concerts, street art, multimedia shows and workshops. Not that Antwerp’s residents need an excuse to unleash their creativity: the city, especially its former docks, is flush with pop-up bars, farm-to-fork joints and architectural showstoppers.  7. Matera, Italy A crown of honey-stoned houses perched above a ravine, Matera has knockout looks. But that’s only half the story: snaking beneath the surface is a labyrinth of cave dwellings, churches and monasteries that date back over 9000 years – making it one of the oldest living cities in the world. Largely restored from near ruin, Matera’s now capitalising on its cavernous appeal, with hotels, restaurants and bars carving out a scene as cool as their rock-hewn walls. There’s a flurry of events planned ahead of its stint as a European Capital of Culture for 2019, so visit now before this underground destination emerges into the limelight.  8. San Juan, Puerto Rico San Juan is a place where old meets new. Old San Juan is a walled enclave with cobblestoned roads, leafy plazas, and historic churches and forts. Beyond the walls, modern San Juan is draped with murals, and its cadre of museums and galleries form a dynamic art scene. In recent years, many innovative restaurants have opened, with farm-to-table eateries beckoning foodies and casual diners alike. The exuberant nightlife – dance clubs, lounges, bars, casinos – has long been a highlight, as have San Juan’s dazzling beaches. Anyone up for some Vitamin D?  9. Guanajuato, Mexico From silver mining to the silver screen, the small city of Guanajuato in the central highlands of Mexico punches above its weight when it comes to topical appeal. The wealth produced by the local seams of silver created a visually stunning cityscape of ornate churches, pretty squares and colourful houses, spread out over the verdant valley in which Guanajuato sits. This natural and man-made beauty caught the eye of Pixar producers who used the city as the real-life basis for their animated Land of the Dead in new movie Coco.  10. Oslo, Norway For many years, Norway’s capital has been eclipsed by its stylish Scandi neighbours. But Oslo, along with the rest of the nation, is set to toast a landmark event: in 2018, Norway’s beloved king and queen celebrate the 50th year of their marriage. Expect fanfare and pageantry aplenty, along with a packed calendar of events – civic, culinary and cultural. As a bonus, Oslo’s landmark Opera House is marking its 10th birthday in 2018 with a celebratory season of concerts and performances, so you really couldn’t pick a better year to visit.  10 great cities from around the world - where will YOU go? Don’t forget to share your travel pics with us! xo
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We all have a bucket list. A personalized list of things we want to do, people we want to see, and goals we want to accomplish. We also have a tendency to put off our bucket list items. But not this year. This year, we want you to soar. We want you to live it up, and see everything there is to see! To inspire you, we’ve created a little bucket list of our own… check it out, and start yours today! #1 Put at least one new stamp on your passport. Travel is a bucket list staple! Now, I know traveling all over the world may not be in a lot of people’s budget, but this year I want you to reach for at least one destination. Explore a new culture, take in a change of scenery - you will be glad you did!  #2 Visit a state park or national park. While big/international vacations are great - there is a lot of value in exploring your own homeland too! State and national parks are beautiful - and there is pretty much always one within driving distance! Make a day of it - pack a lunch, grab some friends, and don’t forget your camera!  #3 Gain a new skill. You can never have too much knowledge. There’s always room to learn more - and there’s a big world out there to learn from! Hobbies are a great place to start - you could learn anything from painting techniques & pottery making to archery or surfing - the possibilities are endless!  #4 Do something that scares you. Does the thought of swimming with sharks make you shudder? Does the idea of skydiving make you weak in the knees? Then these are exactly the type of activities that should be on your bucket list. Conquering your fears is a big step, and one some of us never get to accomplish. But if you can put your fear aside, we say, jump in!  #5 Go on a road trip Whether planned - or not - road trips are a great way to get out and explore! Fill up the tank, pack some clothes, grab some snacks, crank up the tunes, and let the road be your guide!  #6 Make a commitment - and stick to it That lifestyle change you’ve been wanting to make? Do it. That job you’ve been wanting to leave? Quit. That proposal you’ve been dying to make? Tonight's the night.You only live once. If there is something you’ve been wanting to do, now is the time to do it. Make the commitment - and stick to it!  #7 Volunteer This year, do something completely selfless. But when you do, do it to be completely selfless. Don’t do it for a job, or to make yourself “look good”. Do it because you genuinely want to help and make a difference or impact someone else’s life for the better.  #8 See at least one of the World's Seven Wonders Depending on where you live, this may require an extra stamp on your passport - but believe me, it’ll be totally worth it! They don’t call them the seven wonders of the world for no reason, y’know. ;)  #9 Sleep under the stars There’s nothing quite like a night spent outdoors, shut off from technology. A roaring fire by your side, the sound of nature all around you, and billions of stars lighting up the night sky. Whether with friends, or the love of your life - make sure you do it at least once this year!  #10 Write something You don’t have to be a published author - or even have the aspirations of being one. All you need is your thoughts. Write a letter, a blog, a memoir - anything that puts your ideas and dreams into action instead of keeping them bogged up in that beautiful brain of yours. And don’t be afraid to share it! Your friends and family will love having a glimpse into your world.  2018 is your year. Get out there and conquer it! Fashion weeks they come and go, but their style inspiration lasts forever! Well, until the end of the season anyway… Spring is in the air, and while we can’t quite say good-bye to our winter gear just yet, we can start getting excited about the styles to come! Here’s 5 of our favs: 1. Ice Cream Colours Love ‘em or hate ‘em, pastels have a way of bringing out the “spring” in any wardrobe. And this year they are coming back in a big way! As seen on the runway via designers including Michael Kors, Tom Ford, Sies Marjan and Ninna Ricci. I don’t know about you, but I could sure go for a scoop of Lemon sorbet right about now..  2. Denim I love denim, always have, always will. So I couldn’t be happier to see it on the list of trends to come back. And it looks even better than it did first time around, thanks to the polished looks crafted by the brilliant minds of Tom Ford, Max Mara, Adam Selman, and Mugler.  3. The Trench They don’t say “April showers bring may flowers” for no reason. Spring is a notoriously rainy season and a stylish trench MUST be a part of your wardrobe. Especially if you can find one of these beauties from the likes of Loewe, Bottega Veneta, Dries Van Noten and Hermès.  4. Sheer sight See-through is no longer just for the red carpet! Designers including Paco Rabanne, Joseph, Anna Sui and Jason Wu have shown us that there is a see-through outfit fit for every occasion! I say, if you’ve got it… flaunt it!  5. Crayola Brights When you're feeling extra confident - or if you need a little spring in your step, reach for outfits that showcase paint box brights! In particular the new primary colour scheme, as seen on the runway with Salvatore Ferragamo, Calvin Klein, Philip Lim and Versace.  So… whats your spring style?
Will you bear it all in sheer? Look pretty in pastel? Be dynamite in denim? Trench it out? Or go bold and bright? Decisions, decisions. Winter style can have so many different layers, literally. Sometimes it is hard to stay chic in the cold weather. We have put together 4 fashion inspiration sets for you, complete with Alexa K jewelry, to try to incorporate into your own personal wardrobe. Let us know in the comments which of the looks you like the best. Work Chic  Just because it is cold outside (or in the office), doesn’t mean you can’t still show off your figure! Show of your feminine side with a soft color bow tie blouse. Be bold with a large scale floral print pencil skirt with a little edgy zipper seam detail. Stay stylishly warm with a velvet blazer and cute bootie style shoes.
 The Alexa K Pop Up Shop at Grieder Basel is now on display! On December 21st our Founder, Alexandra and our German Swiss Ambassador, Michelle enjoyed welcoming guests to the first night of shopping. The Alexa K pop up shop will be on display until January 31st, so we hope you will stop by and shop our wolf spirit collection! Hello Lovelies! It's time to grab your passports and join us as we travel the globe. We've started a new travel and lifestyle blog series called "Alexa K Travels the Globe". This new blog series will include tips on great restaurants, places to shop, and things to do when visiting the best cities around the world. Our next trip is to the one and only "Big Apple" - New York City, New York USA. About New York City:
New York City comprises 5 boroughs sitting where the Hudson River meets the Atlantic Ocean. At its core is Manhattan, a densely populated borough that’s among the world’s major commercial, financial and cultural centers. Its iconic sites include skyscrapers such as the Empire State Building and sprawling Central Park. Broadway theater is staged in neon-lit Times Square. Alexa K is excited to be featured as one of the "COCO LOVES" in the latest issue of House of Coco! House of Coco Vol 10 - aka, The Celebration Issue. Order your hard copy of House of CoCo here. Order a digital copy House of CoCo here.
On Sunday, December 10th our USA (Texas) Brand Ambassador Brena Schriber held her Alexa K Jingle Mingle Holiday Jewelry Party! It was an intimate, fun, and festive event in her home. The treats and decor included an Wolf Spirit cake, an assortment of appetizers, bubbly drinks, Alexa K Jewelry Tree, and a winter wonderland display table. Here are a few photos from her lovely event. Thank you Brena for such a beautiful showcase of Alexa K! This week we interviewed the creator of beauty line WONDAWORLD and author of the book "ME, THE SUPERGIRL", Michelle Dankner. Michelle is a beautician, model, entrepreneur, and the Swiss - German Brand Ambassador for Alexa K. Click here to read the entire interview.  This week we interviewed the founder and creator of fashionablover, Tuana Schumacher. Tuana is a fashionista, social media influencer, world traveler and the Turkish Brand Ambassador for Alexa K. Click here to read the entire interview.  |
