Folake’s apple-pie fashion sense is documented through a series of dynamic snapshots (as seen in the “My Style” section of Style Pantry), which inspired us to become less trite and more avant-garde when it comes to the clothing we choose for travel. Whether you’re a frequent flier or airport apprentice, these looks can turn your monotonous journey into a first-class event.

Looking on the Bright Side

You are bound to turn heads donning an outfit as jazzy and heroic as this.  It’s time to go out on a limb and dress in the very colors you may have been shying away from. A neon striped tank tucked into a vibrant high-waisted pant. The florescent peach-colored bottoms are silk pants from American Apparel that Folake describes as “very light and airy.”  Match this ensemble with a blazer in case your flight is a chilly one.  As soon as you get off the plane, ditch the blazer, drop your bags at the hotel and bolt to happy hour with the crew. You’re ready to be a socialite during your holiday escape and you’ll definitely look the part.

A Sheer View

Your flight takes off during the bustling peak hours, so go for an easygoing, breezy approach with a white sheer polka dot shirt and dotted pegged pants supplemented with red wedged heels for a pop of color.  The outfit is complemented with a thin brown belt and tassel necklace as an accent piece to conclude the look.

A Tribe Called Quest

They say shoulders are the new cleavage.  With that said, this tribal crop blouse paired high waist pegged pants gives the right amount of sexy with a hint of modesty. The pants are loose-fitting (“I prefer them that way,” says Folake), which allows for unrestrained movement and comfort perfect for a cross-country flight or an unfavorable layover.

Down to Earth

It was Leonardo DaVinci who said, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” Here, Folake is wearing a basic white Ralph Lauren top and WeWe Clothing maxi skirt to convey a look that’s unforced, relaxed and precise. This dress-turned-skirt reminds us that with a little imagination and creativity, we can take classic pieces and create two or three completely new outfits (talk about bang for your buck!). The “Mother Earth” necklace courtesy of Chu-La Couture gives the attire a polished, accomplished look.

Jean Therapy

There’s a way to wear “all-denim-everything” without looking like a blast from the past circa 1991. They “key to chic” is to accessorize your denim shirt and boyfriend shorts with ornamental earrings, a swanky statement necklace and a posh piece of luggage.  To maximize versatility, substitute the shorts for a floral maxi skirt to give your jet-set look a feminine touch. Folake added a fanny pack (Emma Pintado Hip Bags) for handiness.  What’s more convenient than having your photo ID, money for magazines and terminal snacks, and boarding pass at your hip?

Pretty  in Print

A leopard print blouse, True Religion jeans and open-toe clogs scream a look that can be identified as “laid-back glam.”  A pair of oversized sunglasses will never let you down and can take your ensemble from zero to 60 in less than three seconds.  When you step off of the airport shuttle, be conscious of paparazzi.  They’ll presume you’re an A-list superstar, and rightfully so.

By Travelista Porsche www.travelista.tv

Teri heads to Antigua’s sister island, Barbuda, to discover the frigate bird sanctuary and the pink sand beaches.  She then hits the town to party with the beautiful Andrena Athill, who was crowned Miss Independence of Antigua and Barbuda. Check out the video here!

Travelistas Head To Antigua and Barbuda

8 Best Travel-Size Beauty Products For Your Summer Getaway

I arrived in Antigua on the new service offered by Caribbean Airways that flies direct from JFK. After a relaxing 4-hour flight, I checked into Carlisle Bay, which is located on the south coast of Antigua. Upon my arrival, I was greeted with a sweet glass of watermelon juice and a refreshing towel. This five star resort is breathtaking and has all of the amenities you could ever need. I spent some time relaxing on the beach, sipping afternoon tea and dipping in the ocean. After a few days in this life of luxury, I was ready for some adventure and excursions. www.campbellgrayhotels.com/carlisle-bay-antigua.html

My first stop was Mount Obama, which was renamed in 2009 by the Prime Minister as a symbol of hope for all people. Formerly Boggy Peak, this is the island’s highest mountain peak and is a popular place to hike. After enjoying fresh coconut water at Mount Obama, I desired a more thrilling experience, so I went zip lining in the rainforest. I zipped across nine lines that were over 300 feet high to get my adventure fix. www.antiguarainforest.com

I had heard a lot about the vegetable market in the capital of St. John’s, so I went and was amazed by how busy and colorful it was. The locals selling the fresh produce were friendly and didn’t mind taking moments out of their schedules to chat with me about the exotic fruits and vegetables that they were selling.

Being the curious traveler that I am, I inquired about a strange looking fruit in the shape of a large brown toe. This fruit comes from the West Indian Locust, aka the “Stinky Toe Tree”. The locals convinced me that the fruit was delicious and encouraged me to try it. Reluctantly, I tried it and was surprised by the strange smell, yet good taste of this interesting fruit.

After eating the “stinky toe”, I felt that I needed to reward myself with some Antiguan black pineapple, which is indigenous to Antigua. The sweet and savory taste of this pineapple has changed the pineapple game for me. I kept thinking, “How can I possibly eat a traditional pineapple after having an Antiguan black?” “Can these be grown in the states?” “Why don’t all pineapples taste this way?” Posing these rhetorical questions wasn’t really going to get me anywhere, so I tried my best to savor the flavor and experience of eating such a delicious treat and I made it my goal to eat the Antiguan black pineapple at least once a day while there.

The cuisine on the island of Antigua is similar to other Caribbean islands, however, Antigua is known for a few special dishes including fungie (made of cornmeal) and saltfish which can be served a variety of ways and is particularly enjoyed during Sunday morning breakfast.

Along my journey in St. John’s, I stopped in at Hemmingway’s for lunch, where I tasted the delicious seafood chowder. The menu has a variety of local dishes and some delicious deserts that are irresistible. Some other spots that I really enjoyed in Antigua are C&C Wine bar, which specializes in South African wine, Australian Homemade ice cream parlor, and Russell’s Bar and Seafood Grill.www.hemingwayantigua.com

After my luxurious stay at Carlisle Bay, I moved to the opposite side of the island to a boutique bed and breakfast called Villas at Sunset Lane, which is located in the hillside above Dickinson Bay. This delightful and beautiful hotel has 10 enchanting rooms and amazing service. The Antiguan born owner, Jackie, is an amazing chef and she prepared all of my meals with the fruits grown on the hotel property and from local vendors who have some of the freshest vegetables and seafood that you can imagine. Although small in size compared to Carlisle Bay, the Villas at Sunset Lane is a warm and charming hotel and the customer service and meals are definitely five star. www.villasatsunsetlane.com

Located north of Antigua is the beautiful remote island of Barbuda with a population of about 1,500. Barbuda is home to pink sand beaches and the Frigate bird sanctuary. I took a luxury catamaran to experience Barbuda’s pink sand and warm turquoise waters and was surprised to see how the sand actually became pink. I took a smaller boat to see the magnificent Frigate birds who migrate between Barbuda and the Galapagos islands. These large seasonally monogamous seabirds have an interesting mating ritual that I got to see in action.

One place not to be missed in Antigua is the longest party on the island which is at Shirley Heights on Sunday afternoons. The view from Shirley Heights is spectacular and on a clear day, you can see the islands of Guadeloupe and Montserrat. At Shirley Heights, I enjoyed the music, the food, the drinks and atmosphere. I also ran into the Actor Anthony Mackie and talked to him about his travels and experiences around the world and as a vacationer in Antigua. He loves it there and had perfected the Antiguan accent. I also caught up with the handsome Soca Monarch of Antigua, Tian Winter, whose charisma and popularity made all of the locals heads turn.www.shirleyheightslookout.com

The nightlife in Antigua is enjoyed by both locals and tourists. In my quest to find the spots where the locals hang, I would run into tourists or medical students from all over the world. The caveat here is that the tourists arrive early, and the locals arrive on time, which was after midnight at club Abracadabra. At Abracadabra, the crowd was fun and everyone was in the mood to party, which always makes for a great time. www.theabracadabra.com

What do you get when you combine thousands of sexy masqueraders, endless jumping and wining in the streets, a steady flow of island drinks and blaring soca tunes? Answer: Carnival in Trinidad. Known as THE GREATEST PARTY ON EARTH, the celebrations around Carnival takes place annually on this tiny cultural melting pot of an island.

Check out Travelista TV for video coverage!

This year’s festivities officially kicked off on the weekend of February 13^th and didn’t end until Beyonce’s final performance of the “I AM…..” world tour in Port of Spain on February 18^th, 2010.

During Carnival, there are so many parties, events, things to do, and things to know that I decided to go through Antilia which offers a variety of all-inclusive packages to experience Carnival like a true VIP!

As soon as I touched down, I was greeted by my driver who drove me to the new, chic and modern Carlton Savannah boutique hotel. My room was gigantic and gorgeous with every amenity I could ask for. The best surprise upon my arrival was the pretty rectangular box that contained my sexy Carnival costume along with a detailed itinerary and invitations to the exclusive parties, excursions, and events surrounding Carnival.

Sunday Evening, 2.14.10

I arrived just in time in time for the exclusive party thrown by Brian Lara  (world famous cricket player and businessman) which was thrown at his elaborate mansion.  The champagne was flowing, the top soca artists performed and there was roti, doubles, and all the other delicious food you could imagine.  His party was full of the “who’s who” of Trinidad including the President of T&T, George Maxwell Richards, Wendy Fitzwilliam (Former Miss Universe) Anya Ayoung Chee (Miss Trinidad & Tobago 2008), and other famous foreigners including Actor Malik Yoba, TV personality AJ Calloway, Jamaal Magloire (NBA player), etc. Every aspect of the party was fabulous and fun!

Brian Lara, Travelista Teri

Monday, 2.15.10 (2:00 AM – 8:00 AM)

J’ouvert time!  I was up by 2am in preparation to get dirty with the Dirty Dozen J’ouvert band.   I chose to wear some old clothes that I didn’t mind throwing away. There were thousands of revelers out on the streets dancing, jumping up, wining, and having a good time, while covering themselves and each other in mud, paint, chocolate, and powder.  I met up with T&T born model Sandhurst Miggins, who showed me how to get down and dirty at this world famous nighttime fete.  This exhilarating street party is for everyone. From the richest businessman to the local farmer, people come out to express themselves and enjoy the music, camaraderie, drinks and good vibes. Check out Travelista TV for video coverage of J’ouvert!

Model Sandhurst Miggins, Travelista Teri

Stay tuned for more of our Carnival adventure…

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Planning a holiday or just a weekend getaway trip with your boyfriend, girlfriends or your sorors? Find your perfect destination – here are the best tips from the Travelistas.

Lying on the Beach in Dubai

Do you want to enjoy the sunshine in the spring time? Book a flight to Dubai to spend a weekend on the beach with a cocktail in your hand. Arrange a trip with your best girlfriend to Al Bustan Rotana Hotel to spend a few days swimming and sunbathing. Come back home nicely sun-tanned with a lot of new experiences.

Travel tip: This favorite tourist destination offers a perfect break for shopping, partying, sunbathing, fine dining and sporting events.

Carribean Cruising

Cruising is more than a vacation. You may visit many different destinations on one cruise. Discover tropical jungles, water caves and beaches within and enjoy the islands of the Carribean. Each island has its own stunning story that is waiting for you to explore. Book your South Carribean Cruise to relax on the white-sand beach and swim in aquamarine sea.

Travel tip: If you like Mayan culture history, Travelistas recommend the Western Carribean Cruise.

Shopping in New York City

Prepare your closet for the upcoming spring in the shops in New York City. This shopping destination is the fashion capital of the United States and offers you plenty of possibilities to get the world’s latest fashion trends. When you are tired after a day’s shopping go to Perlei Restaurant for a dinner and to a hot club afterwards for some drinks and party time. Try Avenue for some clubbing and meeting interesting guys.

Travel tip: Take as many girlfriends as you can and spend an unforgettable weekend full of girl fun: shopping and clubbing.

Spa Week in South-East Asia

Travelling to South-East Asia means a wellness stay in paradise. Bali, Singapore or Thailand are the best destinations when you are considering to spend a few days relaxing in a spa. Another advantage is that all luxury wellness places are much less expensive than in Europe or America.

Travel tip: If you are on budget, choose Bali, the most affordable location with a variety of spa treatments. In Spa Village Resort Tembok you can also attend Balinese dance or cooking classes.

Written by Travelista Linda Koscova

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Many people recognize Milan as one of the world centers of fashion, commerce, and nightlife. The second largest city of Italy is a fabulous weekend getaway, where you can partake in art, shopping, dining at the hautest restaurants, clubbing, and enjoying a sophisticated dolce vita!  Discover the capital of the Lombardy in a few days and enjoy every second of your stay!

Shopping:

What better reason to come to Milan than designer clothes and accesory shopping! All the shops of Italian luxury labels can be found in the Montenapoleone area. Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle II offers some of the best shopping. We love 10corsocomo for their unique and of-the-moment brands. Don´t forget to shop at Prada, the Italian fashion label founded in 1913 in Milan. The Prada shops are in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, in Via Montenapoleone 8, Via Spiga 18 and Corso Venezia 3. For luxe discount shopping, head to Milan’s many outlets, where you can find designer clothes with a discount up to 70%.

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Eat:

When you become hungry while you’re shopping in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II there are many restaurants and bars directly in the shopping zone, like Ristorante Galleria for lunch. For dinner you can go the stylish and elegant restaurant Roses in Via Cesare Beccaria 4. The newly restyled restaurant Chandelier in Via Giuseppe Broggi 17 is full of colourful sofas, bold prints and ornate busts. In this glamorous restaurant you can choose from typical Italian dishes paired with one of your favorites from the rich wine list.

Nightlife:

In Milan there are hundreds of bars, lounge bars, wine bars, pubs, live music bars, and discos. The who’s who head to Hollywood. The DJs usually play a mix of different types of music and you can enjoy the night on the dancefloor or in the privé. The largest club in Milan is Alcatraz. The music program varies from night to night, so you will always be in for a surprise! Another hot place for clubbing in Milan is Must Milano. If you enjoy house music, you have to go to the Atlantique. The restaurant, bar and private club is a great option to dance with the music from the most famous house bands.

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Stay:

If you want to stay in the historical city center of Milan to have all the shops, bars and restaurants around, the Hotel Straf is the right choice. This hotel, complete with a stunning intellectual design, offers rooms and suites with modern stylish furniture designed by Vincenzo De Cotiis.

Four Seasons Hotel is a former 15th century convent. Most of the 118 rooms have a view of the courtyard. Another option is Hotel Principe di Savoia, which was renovated in 2006 boasting a contemporary style.

Check out the exotic travel diaries of Travelista TV!

Written by Travelista Linda Koscova

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The Travelistas got their cruise game on by sailing on Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, Oasis of the Seas! This revolutionary cruise ship which sails the Caribbean, offers unique experiences based on your personal style and preferences.

As the largest ship in the world, Oasis of the Seas offers attentive guest service, 2700 staterooms including Loft Suites, and 16 decks boasting zip lining, rock climbing, restaurants and clubs, spa, casino, and the first Aqua Theater at sea. Did we mention there’s a Central Park?

We were on board to take advantage of everything Oasis of the Seas has to offer. You can see us getting caught up in all the fun that the cruise offers, including flow-riding on the waves and zip lining across 16 levels!  Check us out!

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The Travelistas love heading down to Miami for fun, relaxation, and boy-watching! Take a look at our must-dos when you’re in the Sunshine State!

Shop: Miami is full of shopping, whether it’s on South Beach, Lincoln Road, or in Coral Gables. We like the newly-opened Viva Verde Boutique in Coral Gables.  This is a true gem of a boutique, stocked with essential oils, soy candles, organic pajama sets, and carefully-selected gift items.

Check out Miami’s art scene and see why Art Basel stateside (Dec 3-6) decided to set up its annual event here. The Wynwood Art District has some of the best art exhibits in the city.

Eat: We love brunch at The Raleigh on Sundays, and for dinner, we favor Casa Tua. For authentic Latin cuisine, we recommend taking a break from Collins Avenue and Lincoln Road and heading to Little Havana for sweet potato, cassava, and ropa vieja. On the last Friday of the month, there is Viernes Culturales, a street party with live music, gallery openings, and the smell of Cuban cuisine.

Nightlife: What better reason to come to Miami then to get a taste of salsa dancing. We head over to the Yuca Club on Lincoln Road for dance lessons and the lively dance party. Another spot is Lenny Kravitz’s Florida Room (in the Delano Hotel) for live music and some of the best cocktail mixologists on the beach. Get there early!

Stay: The traditional boutique hotels of South Beach still live up to the name, whether it’s the Raleigh, Delano, or Shore Club. Newcomer Hotel Gansevoort South is giving the others some competition. This trendy boutique hotel made its name in the Meatpacking District of NYC. The newly opened Miami outpost is as popular, complete with Plunge, the rooftop pool, which turns into a sexy evening spot. At Philippe Restaurant you can dine on Asian-fusion cuisine and randomly spot Gabrielle Union and Dwane Wade. The Standard Hotel, directly on Biscayne Bay, features secluded bungalows and a casual sexy scene if you want to escape South Beach. The Turkish hammam and spa is a wonder!

Get your cruise game on by taking a look at Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, Oasis of the Seas! Sailing from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, this ship offers top of the line services, amenities, and state rooms. We’ll be on board to take advantage of everything the Oasis of the Seas has to offer!

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Travelistas and La Dolce Vita

Introducing the Travelistas!

Oh la dolce vita! The Travelistas enjoyed their September vacation in the beautiful country of Italy. Sitting in the heart of the Mediterranean, Italy continues to be one of the leading travel destinations, with its incomparable artistic and cultural heritage. We’ve always loved Italy, for its limoncello, gelato, and fabulous designers! And ladies, let us not forget to mention that the men were calling out “bella, bella” (which means beautiful in Italian) every where we went!?

We joined the Bella Italia tour, organized by the fabulous Fleace Weaver in Los Angeles.  Alongside forty other “bellas”, the Travelistas saw the best of Italy: Rome, Pompeii, Sorrento, Capri, Sicily, and Florence. The Bella Italia tour took Italy by storm, and like a Michelangelo painting, every single moment was rich in detail.

We started our tour in Rome, riding through the ancient city on a Vespa scooter, capturing all the city highlights with the wind in our hair.  The Colosseum was on our list, as this is the medieval site of brutal gladiator fights, where slaves and lower-class citizens were pit against animals, to fight to the death. We walked along the Piazza Navona area, ate a gelato sitting on the Spanish Steps, and threw our coins into the infamous Trevi Fountain.

No trip to Rome is complete without visiting Vatican City, the world’s smallest independent country. Home of the Pope and the Sistine Chapel, it exists as a sovereign state run by absolute rule of the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, with its own zip code and its own laws.

Roman nightlife is not to be missed. For dinner, we ate around the city, enjoying cute restaurants in such zones as Trastevere, Campo dei Fiori, and the Jewish Quarter. In Campo dei Fiori, we ate at Pierluigi, where we could see our fresh catch of the day, and feasted on sumptuous fish and fresh vegetables.

At night, we partied with the who’s who of Rome, hitting up such swanky spots as Hotel de Russie (where celebs stay when in town), Salotto 42, Casiana Valadier and Sofia’s.  Romans party hard, but we managed to wake up with great anticipation for the next day.

La dolce vita…stay tuned for more of our Italian escapade!

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A key to being a true Travelista is to pack light, tight, with everything you need for day and for night.  Always pack a swimsuit – even if you’re going skiing.   Remember, there are jacuzzis everywhere!  The same goes for packing a beautiful cocktail dress; you want to be ready to go to a fabulous event!  Read our great tips below to always be prepared for your trips.

- Carry-on Luggage:

Here’s a quick list of things you should pack in your carry-on: wallet, driver’s license and/or passport, credit cards, itinerary, hotel confirmation numbers and addresses and phone numbers, small bills for tipping, jewelry, camera and any other valuables, prescription medication, vitamins (airborne, vitamin c packets), fabulous sunglasses, chewing gum, antibacterial handy wipes, ipod, cell phone charger, etc. Remember that containers with liquids can’t be any larger than 3 oz.

- Checked Luggage:

Packing:

Roll your clothes rather than packing flat so you can fit more in your suitcase.  Make sure all lotions, liquids and creams are packed in a plastic bags that will not leak. Empty a little product from full plastic bottles, squeeze the bottle slightly then place the cap on. This allows the contents to expand in flight without letting the contents ooze out. Tape the tops of your bottles if necessary.

Travel light! Most checked bags can’t exceed 50lbs (some international airlines have tighter restrictions).  Save room in your bag for things that you buy, or pack a lightweight duffle bag that you can use if you know you’re going to shop.

Make your luggage easy to identify since many people have similar bags.  Clearly identify your luggage from others by a colored ribbon or band securely around the handle.  Ensure that you have tagged your luggage with your name and contact information (women, put only your first initial(s) and your full last name for safety reasons).

Packing double duty items (things that fill more than one need) reduces bulk in your luggage. A sarong can be used as a dress or cover-up but it also makes a great beach blanket, table cloth, privacy curtain, sun shade just to mention a few.

Here’s a great site that allows you to customize your packing checklist

http://www.independenttraveler.com/packing/

Introducing Travelista TV!

Bon Voyage!

Ciao Hello Beautiful Family! We are Andrea and Teri of Travelista TV, an online video diary of exotic travel. We jet set around the world in search of the good life – adventure, culture, cuisine, parties, and star-studded events.  We have traveled to over fifty countries collectively, and we love speaking foreign languages as we embrace new places and faces.

You can catch us dancing salsa in the Dominican Republic; flirting with hotties in Brazil; or yacht-hopping with the ballers in the Mediterranean.

Every week we will share with you the latest and greatest in travel, including:

• our favorite hotspots around the world
  
• where to get the best travel deals
  
• celebs on vacation
  
• practical tips for the jet-set woman, including what to pack and how to look good while traveling
  
• how to make the best of your vacation on any budget
  
• Travelista videos and photos from around the world

As your fellow travelers in crime, we encourage you to live the good life. So relax, get your cocktail, open up the map, and pick a country. It’s time for a jet-setting experience, the Travelista way!

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We met in college and began traveling together because we both love jet-setting, partying, and experiencing new cultures. We have traveled to over 50 countries collectively, and we never get tired of enjoying new faces and new places! Follow us weekly, watch all our videos, and we’ll be sure to keep you informed and entertained on the new hotspots around the world. Ciao!