Presented by Plan B One Step
So how about 2020? It goes without saying that this year did not go as planned for any of us, from our travel plans, to our careers, to our personal lives. Nothing but mess, all around. I think I can speak for everyone when I say I’m very ready for 2020 to be over, and hopeful that the new year will be just a little less depressing.
Obviously, the calendar flipping from December to January isn’t going to magically change anything, and I realized long ago that New Years Resolutions are kind of a scam (sorry, but it’s true). But that doesn’t mean we can’t take a look back at this disaster of a year and take some positive lessons forward into 2021. I’m trying to be positive here — I’m manifesting “I’ve Got This” energy — so let’s just do our best to figure out what we’ve learned from this sh*tshow of a year.
Don’t Book Vacations Too Far In Advance
With the way this year has gone, I’ll be wary of booking anything too far in advance for the next few years. When it comes to planning trips, there are obviously financial and logistical benefits to making arrangements earlier rather than later, but it’s a good idea to balance your Type A tendencies with the reality that anything could happen. If you were one of those people who had to cancel six different trips this year, you should probably slow your roll. You don’t need to wait until the last minute to score a flight or hotel, but you also don’t need to plan your trip down to the minute six months before you depart. If something goes wrong, you don’t want to be on the phone all day with various companies begging for your deposits back.
Always Keep Extra Toilet Paper In Your Closet
Growing up, my parents always kept a closet fully stocked with household items — extra toilet paper, boxes of tissues, cleaning supplies, paper towels — whatever you could think of, there was almost always an extra month’s worth on hand. Somehow, that way of thinking wasn’t passed down to me, which led to some genuine moments of panic this spring when I had to pray that my toilet paper order would arrive before I completely ran out. It wasn’t a fun feeling, and I have finally learned my lesson. Now, I buy the big packs of toilet paper, and I actually pay attention to when I’m on the last roll.
Have 3 Meals You Actually Know How To Cook
If you’re one of those people who can just throw a bunch of random ingredients together and make a delicious dinner with no plan, this has really been your year to shine. For the rest of us, being forced to figure out every meal for several months with little to no useful cooking knowledge has been a struggle. It can be fun to try new things or get creative in the kitchen sometimes, but going forward, it’s important to have some meals that you can throw together, even if you’re not really in the mood to cook. Learn how to make a perfect omelette (for breakfast or dinner), or finally use the family sauce recipe that your mom sent you back in March. Your bank account will thank you, because those endless delivery charges definitely aren’t helping you stick to your budget.
It’s Really Okay To Cancel Plans
Obviously, it sucks when big plans like trips and weddings don’t happen, and it’s not fun when you don’t get to see your friends for months. But this bizarre year has also made us appreciate quiet nights at home and relaxing weekends alone, and I’m excited to take that energy into next year. Hopefully we can go back to enjoying fun things like parties, concerts, and — if you can even imagine — normal dating, but there’s nothing wrong with balancing your introverted and extroverted sides. Obviously, you should still be considerate and give as much notice as possible if you need to cancel, but you don’t need to feel lame because you want to get eight hours of sleep on a Saturday night.
Always Be Prepared With Plan B One-Step ® Emergency Contraception
If this year has taught us anything, it’s that we need to be as flexible as possible. Some things are impossible to see coming, but that doesn’t mean we can’t try to be prepared for whatever life throws at us. That’s why it’s important to know about Plan B emergency contraception. If you have unprotected sex and need to take emergency contraception, for whatever reason — like the condom broke, or maybe you missed a pill — you can rest assured knowing that Plan B is the #1 ob/gyn recommended emergency contraception brand. It helps prevent pregnancy before it starts when taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex or birth control failure. And, the sooner you take it, the better it works. It works by helping to prevent pregnancy before it starts by temporarily delaying ovulation (no egg + no fertilization = no pregnancy). Taking Plan B won’t affect your future fertility. You can get it at all major retail stores (like Target, Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, Walmart) — just look in the family planning aisle. No prescription, ID, or age requirement. With Plan B’s “I’ve Got This” attitude, a few recipes, and a lot of extra toilet paper, we can make 2021 a great year (or at least better than 2020, right?).
Presented by PayPal
For many of us, the prospect of returning to our offices is but a distant point on the horizon. Personally, I’m not mad about it. I’m saving money and stress on my commute, and I don’t have to put on pants. It’s a win-win. The only downside is that back in March when we all started working from home, I, like many people, thought this would be a fun little three-week respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, so I did not invest in anything to make working from home more enjoyable long-term. Cut to, eight months later, and we’re still doing this. With the temperatures dropping and the possibility of even socially distant park hangs receding faster than daylight hours, it’s time to finally treat ourselves to some things we need but don’t actually need, now that we’ll be working from home for the foreseeable future. If you’re thinking, “maybe I shouldn’t drop $100 on tie-dye sweatpants that might not be in style next year,” fear not, because you can get that trendy piece without the side of guilt by using PayPal’s Pay in 4* solution. Pay in 4 lets you buy now and pay later when you pay with PayPal. You can split purchases into four interest-free payments, with the down payment due when you make the purchase, and the rest of the payments every two weeks after. You’ll see it when you check out at millions of retailers where PayPal is offered—just click PayPal as your payment option.
So with that in mind, it’s time for some retail therapy. Here are just some of the many, many things you can buy with PayPal’s Pay in 4 that will make WFH life that much better.
& Other Stories Oversized Wool Knit Hoodie, $129
You had me at “oversized” and “hoodie”. You can tell just by looking at this hoodie that it’s going to be softer than a cloud (I assume, never been on a cloud). With two colors available and matching joggers, this may be your new WFH uniform.
Aldo Reilly Lace-Up Boot, $140
So the reality is that at some point, you are going to have to go outside and face the elements, whether it be to buy groceries, pick up a prescription, take out the trash, etc. And when you do brave the outside world, you’ll want to do it in shoes that are stylish, comfortable, and durable. These combat boots are all those things, plus they’re made with sustainability in mind.
UGG Fluff Yeah Genuine Shearling Slingback Sandal, From $99.95
Is there any single item more suited for WFH life than these slipper-sandals? No. These are so comfortable since they’re made from genuine shearling, and they’re also amazingly fun. Like, being stuck in my apartment is immediately better if I’m trudging around in these platform fuzzy slipper slides.
Lululemon Navigation Stretch Down Vest, $168
Vests are back, baby, and not the weird plaid ones from the early 2000s that would make you cringe now. We’re talking comfort and style. This one will keep you warm and comes in a few neutral colors, so you can throw it over every long-sleeve shirt you own.
La Mer The Treatment Lotion, $115
You didn’t think we’d forget about skin care because we’re in quarantine, did you? On the contrary, that’s the only hobby I have now! So why not invest in this rich moisturizer from La Mer that’s paraben-, sulfate-, and phthalate-free? (No, I don’t know what phthalates are, but I assume they’re bad.) Anyway, this super hydrating cream moisturizes and optimizes your skin, which is going to be v necessary after spending hours curled up next to your heater.
Nike Sportswear Plush Faux Fur Blanket, $175
When all else fails, get yourself a super soft blanket to spend the entire winter wrapped in. This Nike one is made of the same fleece that’s used in their jackets, so you can finally take your jacket off inside the house. Now all you need is a fireplace to curl up in front of, and you’re set for life.
You made it through this many months of 2020, you deserve a lil’ treat. And with Pay in 4, you can treat yourself without feeling a huge hit to your bank account. Treat yourself in 4 easy installments.
* Pay in 4 is available upon approval on purchases from $30 – $600. Pay in 4 is not available to residents of Georgia, New Mexico, North Dakota, Missouri, South Dakota, Wisconsin, or any U.S. Territories. Loans to California residents are made or arranged pursuant to a California Finance Lenders Law License. Late fees may apply for missed payment depending on your state of residency. When applying a soft credit check may be needed, but will not affect your credit score. You must be of legal age in your state of residence to use Pay in 4. Offer availability also depends on the merchant.
Presented by Plan B One Step
Is there anything millennials fear more than emotional intimacy? *Does an audit of my entire life thus far* Definitely not. There’s nothing more grave than the pit you get in your stomach the moment you send someone a “we need to talk” text. Except, I guess, the pit you get in your stomach when you have a birth control slip-up, like a condom breaking. As someone who used to agonize for days over what to wear for a casual night at the bar I knew I would only spend two hours at, making the decision to take Plan B after a night of failed birth control was…nerve-wracking, to say the least, when I did it the first time. I’d heard all the misconceptions, like that it has a bunch of side effects, and that it would f*ck up my ability to get pregnant later on—which is not something I want to do (even if I don’t want to get pregnant right now). But we live in the age of the internet, which means that instead of anxiety-texting an itemized list of those worries, I just went online to learn more and realized how misguided I was. Plan B’s main ingredient has been used in birth control pills for decades, and taking it won’t mess with your fertility. I also learned that Plan B won’t hurt my chances of becoming pregnant later on; it temporarily delays the release of an egg from the ovary after taking the pill so I don’t get pregnant right now.
So, the process of taking Plan B was not intimidating for me at all, since I knew the facts. I took it right away (by the way, you have 72 hours to take it, but the sooner you take it the better it works) and then I went about my normal life—without getting pregnant. Thank goodness. Which got me thinking: of all the things to be nervous about, taking Plan B after the condom breaks or accidentally skipping a pill or another kind of birth control slip-up shouldn’t be one of them. Not when there are plenty of other more anxiety-inducing issues that pop up in life, like…
1. Having A “What Are We?” Talk
I would so much rather walk up to a checkout counter, hand them a credit card, and take one pill than actually have to do the whole “what are we doing?” song and dance with whoever I’ve been seeing (in a fantasy world in which I am actually dating). What’s the worst that can happen, you ask? Uhm, crushing rejection? An ambiguous answer that will keep you on the same cycle of non-commitment that you’ve been in for the last six months? No, thanks.
2. Meeting The Parents
You could be a doctor who won the Nobel Prize and moonlights as a supermodel, and meeting the parents would still be stressful af. There are the obvious what-ifs: they don’t like you, you accidentally offend them somehow and because of that, they don’t like you, you have something stuck in your teeth so they think you have poor dental hygiene and don’t like you…Sensing a theme here?
3. Actually Cooking For Myself
“It’s easy!” they say. “Just follow the recipe!”As someone who regularly f*cks up hard boiled eggs because I get absorbed in another task while waiting for the water to boil, cooking for myself is easier said than done. There’s a lot that can go wrong when attempting to cook, and that’s not even counting the very real probability that the food can come out bad. Like, I could burn myself. Burn down my apartment. Chop off a finger. Chop off a limb—you get the idea. Better to leave it to the professionals (I say as I hit “check out” on Seamless for the third time today).
4. Doing An Exercise Video…
…and I mean actually doing it, not just laying on the floor. I know, the horror! Workout classes are supposed to reduce stress (and sure, I feel better afterwards), but the actual process of doing the class is often anything but stress-free. I never know what’s going on, and I feel like everyone else in the class had a meeting beforehand to nail down all the movements and flow and I missed it. What comes after burpees again? Plus, while everyone else looks like they’re going on a leisurely stroll through the park, I am huffing and puffing and pouring sweat from the face. I don’t think I’ve ever completed a workout class not wondering WTF was wrong with me… and that’s why I’d rather just lay on my mat, pretending to do the work.
5. Trying On Your Jeans For The First Time In Six Months
If you’ve been wearing pants with an actual button or fly during this period where nobody has anywhere to go, I’m not sure if I should be scared or impressed. Actually, I’m going to go with terrified, because nobody with that much discipline can be trusted, as far as I’m concerned. For the rest of us who have spent the past five or so months sitting on the couch in leggings, convincing ourselves that chips are a balanced meal, the time when we’ll have to put on jeans again is definitely not something any of us are looking forward to. Better to just throw the jeans away than deal with that stress, IMO.
As you can see, there are plenty of other potential issues you can encounter that are way more stressful than taking Plan B when you don’t have the facts. If you have birth control failure or unprotected sex and need to take emergency contraception, you can rest assured knowing that Plan B is the #1 ob/gyn recommended emergency contraception brand, and that it helps prevent pregnancy when taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex or birth control failure. It’s not an abortion pill, but it does help prevent pregnancy before it starts by delaying ovulation (no egg + no fertilization = no pregnancy). You can get Plan B at all major retail stores (like Target, Walgreens, CVS, or Rite Aid), without a prescription—just look in the family planning aisle. No prescription, ID, or age requirement. You got this!
Image: jeshoots.com / Unsplash
Presented by K-Y
Are you having basic sex? Sorry to hear that. Now, that could be because your boyfriend/FWB/guy you took home from the bar after last call didn’t quite hit the spot. Maybe the sex is like my family dinners: just generally kinda uncomfortable. Or maybe it’s like the live-action Lion King: just not that good even though you wanted it to be. Well, before you go nuclear and never invite your hookup over again, you might want to try out something that has probably been sitting in the back of your nightstand drawer or you’ve passed by a million times in the condom aisle but have yet to pull the trigger on: lube.
Yes, lube. Get comfortable with the word, because I’m going to be saying it a lot. Many people think that using lube is like admitting there’s something wrong with you. But I think that using lube is like seeing a therapist—everyone should be doing it, even if you don’t think you need it. That’s because even if things are already going pretty well, using lube will only make everything even better. And isn’t that what we all want? Here’s why you should be using K-Y.
Lube Makes Sex Better… Duh
This is like, a no-brainer, but still needs mentioning. It’s 2020—just like you want an amazing apartment, job, and wardrobe, you want amazing sex too. Good thing K-Y, the brand that’s been helping people have better sex for over 100 years, has a range of lubricant products to help you out, like K-Y Tingling Lube or K-Y Intense Pleasure Gel Lube. And I know what you’re thinking, but there truly is no shame in the game. Think of it this way: lube is like parmesan cheese—even if what you’re having is already good, it’s going to make it just that much better *chef’s kiss*.
With K-Y products you can put the O in orgasm—the kind of O that is going to give you that “I totally just got laid face.” You know, your hair is all over the place, your cheeks are red, your skin is naturally glowing, but you’re so relaxed that it’s worth it. The kind of great sex where you can’t help but walk around with your #RPF (resting pleasure face) because you got more than you expected (just please, fix your hair before you go out in public).
Know exactly what I’m talking about? Looks like Ashley Iaconetti knows, because she just released this pleasure service announcement (PSA) with K-Y flaunting that #RPF like someone who just… well, never mind.
Listen, if you’ve been reading this like… “damn that’s me, I need to experience more pleasure,” then enter K-Y’s pleasure challenge. K-Y is empowering women to flaunt their RPF, stop faking orgasms, and have better sex in 2020. All you have to do is post a selfie flaunting your resting pleasured face (we know you have 500 in your camera roll, stop pretending) and tag @KY_Brand and hashtag #RPF. One winner will be randomly selected and named K-Y’s Chief Pleasure Officer. She will receive a special bundle of the complete K-Y collection, as well as monthly surprises and other cool sh*t to support her on her journey to have the most pleasurable sex, always. Plus, the first 5,000 participants will win a code to redeem for a free bottle of K-Y, just in time for Valentine’s Day.
Images: K-Y; ky_brand / Instagram
Sponored by Rent The Runway
Look, I know you think I should be honored and #blessed to be invited to your wedding, but in all reality here, given how much money I have to spend on your wedding, I’m pretty sure it’s actually the other way around. So like, you’re welcome for gracing you with my presence. Given how much money you’re forced to spend on the hotel, gift, etc., it’s nice to know that there’s a way to avoid spending half your paycheck on a dress you’re only going to wear once (because we all know that once an outfit has been on the ‘gram it gets banished to the back of your closet for the rest of eternity.)
Instead of shelling out money to actually buy a gown, you can just rent one of the amazing dress options from Rent The Runway. The cost of renting it is wayyy less than what your gown would retain for, and some dresses start as low as $30. This way, you can still look amazing and wear a $1,200 designer dress without spending anywhere near that. Here are some of the best dress options on Rent The Runway right now that will be perfect for attending any fall wedding.
Black Halo Naples Gown
$575 retail / 4 day rental $70-85
This yellow dress is similar to the iconic dress Kate Hudson wore in How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days, and I’m totally here for it. I mean, anything reminiscent of Kate Hudson implies an effortless beauty, which is something we’re all constantly striving for. Now, I know yellow may seem like an odd choice for fall, but hear me out. This yellow is a deep and rich enough tone that it doesn’t scream “summer,” and when paired with a cool cropped leather jacket or faux fur shawl, you’ll be perfectly stylish and seasonally-appropriate!
Catherine Deane Red Lace Lena Dress
$680 retail / 4 day rental $90-105
This lacy dress is chic and sophisticated, while also subtly sexy. The intricate details of the red lace against the nude fabric elevate this midi dress from other, more basic lace dresses. Not to mention, the red color combined with the lace gives it a flirty, feminine vibe. This is the kind of dress that demands attention and makes a statement, which is the ideal kind of dress to rent rather than buy.
ML Monique Lhuillier Midnight Lace Gown
$650 retail / $65 to buy
This tiered gown is EVERYTHING. I’m obsessed with the perfectly fall rich navy color in the baroque-adjacent lace pattern. The whole vibe of the gown is very gothic princess, but like, in the most elegant way possible. What I love about this gown is how unique it is and how it’s pretty much guaranteed to flatter all body types. You’ll legit look and feel like a princess, and who doesn’t want that?
Christian Siriano Knit Drape Dress
$1,595 retail / 4 day rental $270-280
I know this may come as a shock to you all but, as a 26-year-old Communications major who just moved out of her parents’ house, I can’t afford a Christian Siriano dress. However, I CAN afford to rent one (well barely, but that’s a personal problem). This dress is classy and conservative, making it the ideal dress for attending a wedding when it might end up being like, freezing.
Cooper Street Midnight Lucky Gown
$389 retail / 4 day rental for $70
So this is the type of glitzy gown I would have dreamed of my mom letting me get for prom, but of course there’s no way in hell she would have let me buy a $400 dress. Which like, fair, she had to use her Macy’s coupons. But now I can finally live out my prom fantasy of wearing such a gorgeous dress, just now as a wedding guest instead. And I can even do so without actually having to buy the dress! With the sequins and the silhouette, this dress is beautiful and classy, making it the ideal dress for an elevated bougie Black-tie wedding. You know, the kind with an open bar that’s fully stocked with top-shelf alcohol.
C/MEO Collective Take Seriously Dress
$198 retail / 4 day rental $30-35
Honestly, the name of this dress embodies it perfectly. It’s the type of dress you wear to a wedding where you don’t mention that you went to a Big 10 school and once did a beer bong on the roof of a frat house. This is the dress you wear to attend the formal wedding of your boyfriend’s fancy lawyer friends. Like, where you know the other women will already be judging you regardless, so you come in looking like a class act. It’s all around very Amal Clooney vibes. Plus, pleating is very in for fall, and this dress has just the right amount without being over-the-top trendy.
Slate & Willow Metallic Flounce Hem Dress
$128 retail / 4 day rental for $30
For a cocktail attire wedding, this dress is beyond perfect. The bronze color paired with long sleeves make it perfect for fall, while the metallic sheen elevates the dress and gives it a touch of trendiness. At a retail price of $128, this may seem like the type of dress you’d just blindly buy right out. But a wiser woman than you would recognize that a dress this cute is sure to be remembered, which means it’s highly unlikely you’ll wear it again. Hence, the more fiscally responsible thing to do here would be to rent it rather than buy it.
Shoshanna Navy Montrose Gown
$649 retail / $65 to buy
This gown is stunning, and even better, it’s pretty much guaranteed to flatter everyone. The keyhole cutout and fitted silhouette give it a touch of sex appeal without being over-the-top. But the best part is probably the fluttery off-the-shoulder sleeves, which always give the illusion of perfect arms without even having to strike the “skinny arm” pose. The midnight color plus minimal mock turtleneck give it just the right amount of fall-appropriate vibes.
When the rental price of your RTR gown costs a fraction of the retail value, you’re guaranteed to look incredible while also making a smart financial decision. Even though you would usually justify buying the dress by claiming you’ll wear it again, we all know that’s a lie. And realistically, you’re probs too lazy to even attempt to resell it. So save yourself the buyer’s remorse and utilize Rent The Runway’s amazing selection of wedding guest dresses. Plus, you can even get 30% off everything on Rent The Runway (including their monthly subscription to Unlimited and Update memberships too) if you use code: RTRXBETCHES.
30% Off Everything on Rent the Runway (that includes Unlimited and Update memberships too!) use code: RTRXBETCHES
Images: Naku Mayo / Unsplash; Rent The Runway (8)
I feel like people always hate on summer TV shows, but if you ask me, they’re some of the best ones out there. Personally, I like my summer shows to echo my summer activity, which consists of drinking in a tropical locale with plenty of hot singles my age. (Okay, so maybe I just described my recurring dream, don’t @ me.) In any case, there’s a new show on Fox, from the producers of The Bachelor and Jersey Shore, that’s going to be your go-to summer show. It’s called Paradise Hotel, and it’s different than anything out there right now.
Paradise Hotel has all the elements that make up a great reality TV show—sexy singles, tropical location, and big drama. So what makes Paradise Hotel better than anything currently on TV? It’s all about strategy. This show is a game, for love or money. And the rules are simple: you either hook up or check out. Game on!
So here’s the deal. Paradise Hotel is an unscripted dating competition hosted by Kristin Cavallari (so perfect) in which sexy singles looking for love (not near you) check into an exclusive, gorgeous tropical resort. There will be fun. There will be sun. There will be cocktails. There will be flirtation. There will be romance. But here’s the catch: they can’t all stay in paradise. At the end of every week, someone will get sent home. The contestants will try to remain in paradise for as long as they can by pairing up. Whoever doesn’t have a roommate at the end of each week goes home, and a new guest will arrive in Paradise to shake things up. One week there will be more men, the next week more women. Nobody is safe!
But are the contestants playing for love or the $250,000 cash prize? It’s hard to say, given that there is a lot at stake for anyone who makes it to the end. I can’t tell you what will happen, because even I don’t know, but I can tell you that each week, there will be dates, challenges, and of course, twists you’re not going to see coming. Like, even bigger than jumping a fence.
Speaking of twists, there’s already one huge one that’s been announced: Paradise Hotel viewers can play along at home by using social media to try to influence what happens on screen, including deciding who gets to check into the hotel. Cool, so like, even though I’m not hot enough to get cast on a reality show, I can still live vicariously through everybody and try to set up my faves with their perfect matches. Bet. Sure beats sitting at home week after week, watching my fantasy bracket deteriorate.
Starting Thursday, May 9 at 8pm with a two-hour premiere event, Paradise Hotel will be airing three times a week. Three! Well, that’s my entire week of TV programming, already picked out. And even better, the Thursday episodes are live and two hours. Honestly, I love when other people do the work of making my plans for me. Now I have a built-in excuse to cancel plans, sorry! So join me, Kristin Cavallari, and the cast of Paradise Hotel in tuning in TONIGHT, May 9, at 8pm on Fox for the two-hour premiere, and then on Mondays and Wednesdays at 9pm and Thursdays at 8pm.
One of my favorite hobbies is stalking people’s vacations on Instagram and wondering how the hell they afford that. Like, okay Jenna, I know you have an entry-level job. How are you in Bali rn?? Begrudgingly, I’ll like her photo swimming with pigs or whatever—key word being begrudgingly. I can guarantee you that if you’re a Jenna, almost every single “like” on your vacation photos is a hate-like, a double-tap you just throw out there because technically the photo is aesthetically pleasing, but you kinda hate that they’re living their best life and you haven’t taken a vacation in a year. But whatever, I guess hate-likes are better than no likes, right? Right.
So how do you afford a hate-like-worthy vacation without a million sponsorship deals? The answer: Hotels.com. Whether you’re looking for value in Vegas, treehouses in Thailand, or villas with a view, it’s all just a click away. And with their rewards program, for every 10 nights you spend in the Instagram-worthy locale of your choosing, you get 1 free. If you want to maximize hate-likes, you want to pick a spot that everyone on your IG hasn’t been to already. Which is where we come in. We’ve rounded up some of the best and most underrated travel destinations—but they won’t be underrated for long, so make sure you plan your visit ASAP.
Croatia
You may have seen friends post absurd photos from Hula Hula Beach Bar or more importantly, Dubrovnik, aka Kings Landing from Game of Thrones, but the real takeaway here is that the majority of people you know have not yet traveled to Croatia. But don’t be that asshole who only goes to one city and pretends like you’re a conoisseur of the entire country—your time should be spent between, Hvar, Split, and Dubrovnik exploring sites like Krka National Park, and partying at bars like Carpe Diem and Revelin. But when you are in Dubrovnik, you should definitely stay at the Valamar Collection Dubrovnik President Hotel. You could also just do what every finance bro does and go for Yacht Week.
Valamar Collection Dubrovnik President Hotel
Bali
Bali may take almost 24 hours to get to, which is a pain in the ass, but it will be worth it for the Instagrams. Your first task when choosing where to stay in Bali is finding the most gorgeous resort possible while not spending all your money on accommodations. Bali is known for its surfing, so hellooo, hot muscular guys who can teach you. Even if you don’t surf, there are plenty of natural sites to explore (take pictures at), such as caves and waterfalls, and you can swing through the jungle on the Bali swing. There are also plenty of other sites to pose in front of experience, like the Sacred Monkey Forest, Uluwatu temple, and Pura Tirta Empul water temple.
Dublin
What can I say about Dublin, other than Guinness? Truthfully, I went there on a weekend trip while I was studying abroad, and my friends and I consumed more Guinness than we did food. But there are plenty of other, non-stout things to do, like drink Irish whiskey! Kidding. There are tons of beautiful sites in Dublin. We actually went on a free walking tour which gave us a feel for the city with a local tour guide, who took us to all the Instagrammable spots, like Ha’Penny bridge, THE place to take a sunset ‘Gram. You also have to check out the iconic Temple Bar, the Dublin Castle, Trinity College. St. Patrick’s Cathedral—and, yes, visit the Guinness storehouse. Luckily, The Alex is within close walking distance to all these sites.
Lisbon
I recently went to Lisbon, and while there were tons of tourists there, I did not pick up on many Americans. So if you’re reading this from the U.S., there’s a chance that no one you know has ridden the Elevador Santa Justa and snapped a pic from on high. Now that I’ve spent hours rambling about one Gothic elevator, let me fill you in on what else to do in Lisbon. Wander the hilly, winding streets of Alfama, the old Moorish quarter; check out the Praça do Comércio, which has gorgeous yellow buildings that will provide the perfect backdrop to your candids; drink Ginjinha (a customary cherry liqueur) at Pink Street, which is literally a street they painted pink. Also, be sure to drink plenty of Vinho Verde (you can have port wine, but you’re not in Porto so people will say sh*t to you). I stayed in a guest house, but I wish I had stayed at Olissippo Lapa Palace Hotel, which is f*cking gorgeous and even has a pool. Sigh.
Cartagena
Colombia probably wasn’t on your list of places to travel, right? Well, you’re behind, because it’s been growing in popularity since 2008. Cartagena, a port city on the Caribbean coast, remains a go-to destination. First off, you literally can’t go to Cartagena without visiting the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas and walk around it. Another must? The Mercado de Bazurto, a food market where you’ll find fresh produce and cheap food. (You had me at cheap.) And there are plenty of fun nightlife options that aren’t the regular old dive bar sh*t you’re used to doing at home. There’s La Vitrola, a lively restaurant with Cuban music and plenty of dancing; Café Havana, a salsa dancing spot located in Getsemani; and Alquimic, a bar located in the historical walled city, with a 360-degree art deco cocktail bar and a roof terrace. Hotel LM A Luxury Boutique Hotel is also in the walled city, and has a spa and a rooftop terrace, making it a legit luxury boutique hotel.
Hotel LM A Luxury Boutique Hotel, Cartagena
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I’m not going to sugarcoat it, finding a bar in a big city is hard. It’s especially hard if you’re looking for a date spot, and you want to fool convince your date that you are a classy individual who does not choose establishments solely based on happy hour prices. Life is hard, but there is good news! If you’re based in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, San Diego, Austin, Miami, Nashville, Dallas, Washington DC, Phoenix-Scottsdale, Houston, Seattle, Orange County, or Toronto, there’s an app to help you out. Skorch is a new app that can help you pick bars, restaurants, lounges, and other hotspots in your city.
And the best part? Every locale is specifically curated to what you’re looking for. You can refine your results based on “hotness” and distance (which is, incidentally, how I choose my dating app matches), plus you can filter by category: bar, club, lounge, cafe, restaurant, event, attraction, and outdoor.
Basically, Skorch takes all the effort, difficulty, and indecision out of picking a place to eat and drink. So I decided to put Skorch to the test and see what classy date spots I could find in NYC using the app. Let me tell you, I was not disappointed.
Gallow Green
When Gallow Green came up on Skorch I knew I had to include it, because it’s so classy I could only afford to go there when my cousin was the bartender. Excuse me, the mixologist. Thanks for the free drinks, Kev!
Gallow Green is a rooftop bar at the McKittrick Hotel in Chelsea, and it makes you feel like you are in a secret tranquil garden atop this dirty trash city. You can order drinks or dinner, or drinks AND dinner. Plus, you can say things like, “I’ll have the Scottish Law. Do you only have Glenlivet 18-year, or can you substitute with Glenlivet 21-year?” and then throw a suggestive wink at my guy. Locked. It. Up.
Jack’s Wife Freda
Jack’s Wife Freda is located in my absolute favorite part of New York City, the West Village. You can’t get much classier than a neighborhood where I saw Liv Tyler every morning on the way to work, am I right?
Not only is Jack’s Wife Freda in a great spot, but it also has a menu that’s the bomb, relatively reasonable prices, and is in a small space, so you’ll be able to get pretty close to your date. So ideal! And when you’re finished, you can stroll down the quaint streets together, pointing out all the beautiful brownstones and pick out the one you’ll buy together once you’ve scraped together $12 million.
Oh HELLO, do my eyes deceive me or is this a still from a rom-com?
The Standard Biergarten
Just admit it, we all love to day drink. The sun is shining, the possibilities are endless, and you can get to bed at 9pm. I know you’re thinking that day drinking might not be all that elegant, but you’re wrong. Sure, maybe it’s not classy when you’re in the backyard of the Sigma Chi house doing keg stands, but at a luxury boutique hotel where you might find Solange assaulting Jay-Z in an elevator? Abso-f*cking-lutely.
At the Standard Biergarten you can get, you guessed it, beer, as well as the other traditional German fare. And if you like a little competitive element to your dates, you can pass the time at the ping-pong table, since every dude likes a girl that can hit a winner.
Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge
Sure, Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge is in Times Square, but some of us work in Midtown! And everyone likes a quick commute to their cocktail. Magic Hour is owned by the Tao Group, who also own Tao and Lavo, two of my favorite high-class places. The $19 dumplings are to go broke for die for.
Magic Hour has expensive cocktails and a great view, but it also has cheeky elements that make it a perfect date spot. It’s got a mini golf course that is called Foreplay and features sexy animals in suggestive poses. Yes, I did just say “sexy animals.” And sure, a mini-golf course called Foreplay might not be coy, but sometimes you just have to be forward about what you want. Am I right, ladies?
And those are just a few of the many ideas that Skorch gave me for my classy date night! It’s available in a bunch of cities, so if you’re trying to snag husband material in say, Austin, you should definitely check it out. And you can use Skorch for way more than bars, like planning your next group dinner, finding a cute cafe to work at, or deciding where to go for your best night out.
Imags: Shutterstock; magichourny, standardbiergarten, jackswifefreda, gallowgreen / Instagram
