Marlo Scott of Sweet Revenge

Over 100 hours spent attempting to perfect the art of mini cupcake making lead me to one big realization: It ain’t easy.

And so, I set out on a journey to find the perfect cupcake with a delicious taste, magnificent appearance and a quirky marketing concept.

And then I found Sweet Revenge. The utopian cupcake shop for adults.

Located in New York City’s West Village, Sweet Revenge (32 Carmine St.) is a bar and cupcake shop that couples wine or beer with your cupcake of your choice.

Try a Not So Dirty Cupcake (Valrhon Chocolate Cake with Milk Chocolate Ganache)  with a Sweet Revenge Mojito or indulge in a Crimson & Cream (Raspberry Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting).

The space is very cozy (approx. 350 sq. ft. of seating space) and so I wouldn’t recommend checking this out with more than three people as we did.

As for the prices, you are looking at about $ 3.50/cupcake and a $7-8 drink.

This is standard for the Village but not the most frugal place to relax in.

…Perhaps it is the perfect alternative to “grabbing a cup of coffee” with your boss (who will proceed to pay for this outing).

View from The Roof

THE ANCHORAGE is a new place in DUMBO for those seeking a moment of stability intermingled with some creativity in Brooklyn, NY

After moving around the country for a year and a half we recognized the need for a place where artists, friends, travelers, and all those with positive energy and good intentions could meet new people, express their thoughts, and lay their heads. And so, we put aside our serious case of wanderlust for a moment to provide the community (local and global) with THE ANCHORAGE.

THE ANCHORAGE offers 2,000 sq. ft. of whimsical enjoyment and is a place to drink, buy vintage clothes, and meet great people. Stop by for our  happy hour bar night, Monday – Thursday, 6 – 10pm and make sure to try our infamous mini cupcakes.  Or, if you need a place to stay, check out our B&B.

For more information visit, http://www.theanchorage.wordpress.com or follow us on Facebook, Anchorage inDumbo.

Moving to NYC should not slow down your travel adventures and yet, it has for the editors of So Elsewhere. And so, in an attempt to escape the confines of our overly priced apartment, we ventured into bank-breaking Soho for a stroll.

Our wallets only came out once to nurture our curiosity of a mini cupcake shop we discovered crammed between a luxury soap shop and coffee shop.

Melissa of Baked By Melissa, has created a smart and fun business making beautifully decorated mini cupcakes straight out of an Alice in Wonderland tea party.

Unfortunately, the word delicious, does not suit this invention as they taste like pure sugar and are a little too small to enjoy but they might make for a whimsical present for a travel host.

Expect to pay $3/3 thumbalina cupcakes. It might be a little step for the frugal traveler so just stop by and take a picture.

In my last blog, Roadtrip America, I gave Eat Local as my number one piece of roadtrip advice. First, there’s the obvious reason that it just tastes better; nothing beats some home made eggs, real sausage, and fresh hash browns before a long day of driving through the Kansas cornfields.

But more importantly, there’s the issue of the endangered state of the mom&pop diner.  Driving through rural America, it is becoming more and more difficult to find any local diners.  On this last trip of mine, there were more than a few stops where the only option in town were the Arby’s, Subways, and Waffle Houses.  It’s true, it’s more expensive to support local, and I don’t expect everybody can do it, but if you have a little extra money please treat yourself and the local economy- buy a fresh unfranchised meal.  Otherwise, next time you drive through that little Indiana town, you won’t have the option.

Plus, if you’re doing a coast-to-coast trip you can then balance out your budget by buying from the 99c Only Store in California, Nevada, Arizona and Texas.  I personally make the moral leap by recognizing that in California most stores, including this one, carry local produce because most everything can be grown in this state.

On the one hand, the 99c Only Store would be an issue if it were competing in a small town; but I get the sense that it probably wouldn’t exist in small town because it keeps prices low in part by buying the excess and unwanted goods from other stores.  It therefore requires other stores in order to exist.

For some people more troubling than the moral issues, is the question of quality: How can food so cheap be edible? (yes they sell all sorts of produce too). As a seasoned 99c Only Store shopper I can vouch for the quality of this food as long as you follow a few simple rules.  Only buy what you can eat in the next 48 hrs; if you’re in an area like LA where there’re multiple stores shop around as different stores carry different produce; get there in the first half of the day closer to when the produce arrives to ensure the best pick.

Once in a while you stumble upon music that miraculously guides your travels and eases the pain of the unknown. Here is an artist who is not only incredibly talented, but who has inspired many of the writers of So Elsewhere to explore their hidden travel fantasies. Introducing, Jan Bell!

For more information or to purchase her music visit, http://www.janbellmusic.com.

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Los Angeles is full of interesting housing accommodations and yet I have found that they are incredibly difficult to find. Luckily we have stumbled upon a reasonably-priced, wacky and spiritual space just 15 minutes (by car) from the beach. Welcome to The Circle.

The Circle, owned by the fashion designer, Sanni, is a spiritual and artistic bazaar of a B&B. For those seeking to relax, you have come to the right spot.

Though I have never met Sanni in person, she comes off as an artist who is both down-to-earth and incredibly business savvy. Take a look at her site and you will understand what I mean.

Everyone has access to the main house living room, kitchen and dining room. You may also enjoy the makeshift outdoor fire pit, avocado trees and delicious plums and nectarines that decorate the backyard. If you happen to have a lot of time on your hands, pull out your bathing suit and sunbathe by the large koi pond.

Like a hostel you may find yourself completely alone or surrounded by people from all over the world. We lived at The Circle for four months and lived with a twenty-something year old from Ireland, a 60+ year old woman who prided herself on being an “actress back in the day,” an insightful lesbian woman from Australia who worked for an LGBTQ group, a photographer, a practically invisible Canadian (he was never around), an auto car dealer/theft, and a wonderful woman whose serious case of wanderlust forced her to move to Bali and leave all of her things behind.

…This is by far a space that you will never forget.

THE CAVE
If you are daring and take pleasure in confined spaces, perhaps you should try out the Cave. The owner must have converted this pool with the intent of creating the ideal playroom for her young children. Perhaps it was even prepared to reflect a meditation cave. Either way it surely is an interesting initiative but, to be honest, I would never put anyone that I truly cared about in such tight quarters. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t give it a try for a few nights. If you freak out about the spiders, you can always sleep in the main house.
Price per night: $45

THE TREE HOUSE
The Tree house is the most affordable and unique space at The Circle, maybe even in Los Angeles. Located in the back of the property, the tree house hovers harmoniously over the Koi pond. Though the space is a little tight (2 people max.) you always have the option of lowering the side wall/deck to let some air in (and sunbath).
Price per night: $65

THE FLOATING BED ROOM
At first glance the floating bed is enticing. You quickly imagine being rocked to sleep in this contraption… among other things. This space is the largest offered at The Circle, with a private backyard, which also doubles as the owner’s design studio. The only downside, as the owners designs are housed in this space you will have to be creative about where you store things during your stay.
Price per night: $85

THE MAIN HOUSE
And then there is my personal favorite room, the main house which comes with a private bathroom. This is one of the smaller spaces and yet it reminds me of a true home, a nice stable bed, a window to let air in, no clutter, and direct access to the main house kitchen, living room, and dining room.
Price per night: $100

The Greyhound Bus
Do you miss road trips on Greyhound buses? Sanni has converted a massive 40 foot bus into a functional living space with two bunk beds and a futon. Though the space emits less light then the other rooms in The Circle, it is the perfect place to hang out and watch a movie… There is a movie projector hook-up inside!
Price per night: $85

You will be happy to know that the owner, Sanni, is incredibly generous and flexible with the cost of each room. If you are planning on staying for an extended period of time (a week or more), don’t hesitate to ask for a better deal. This is one of the major highlights of staying here.

Photograph by GYPSYSTYLE

Once in awhile bargain-hunting travelers stumble upon something they simply must have… Welcome Gypsystyle.

These travel bags are exceedingly well priced, modish and incredibly functional. To top it all off they are made of recycled plastics.

After a recent trip to DUMBO, New York, we realized that it was time to invest in a functional travel bag to carry our fresh Brooklyn summer outfits as well as our bulky camera and computer equipment. Gypsystyle bags came in handy…

The chic shape and vibrant playful colors of these stable bags make traveling in style a cinch.

The shape is controlled and timeless but the hues are totally wild.

Taking a day trip to the beach? Spice up your casual bathing-suit look with the The Beach Bag in vibrant Siena. For a night out on the town, go for a a classier feel and pair the deep purples and fierce oranges of The Farmer’s Market Bag in Tuscany with a long black dress.

Though the bags are surprisingly well built we still wouldn’t recommend putting them under the plane… but hey, who wants to waste time doing that anyway?

Next travel bag on our list? An eco-friendly backpack made out of recycled plastic and with padded straps.

Q+A WITH NOEL, DESIGNER OF GYPSYSTYLE

What makes Gypsystyle bags environmentally friendly?

Gypsystyle Bags are made from 100% recycled plastic from post consumer bottles and wrappers.

Who are your bags designed for?

The bags are designed for the conscious woman who wishes to make a difference in the environment while exercising spending power & her forward style: a young mother going to the farmer’s market, an eco-savvy business executive going to her country house,active young surfers, adventurous campers, peaceful yogis, etc. – there is something for everyone in the Gypsystyle collection!

The bags really are unisex – men love Gypsystyle too!

What is the ideal travel location for your bags? A day at the beach, a drive across the country, camping in Big Sur?

All of the above – they are the perfect stow-and-go accessory for any occasion. The bags make clever eco-chic travel companions to the airport. Campers, beachcombers and day trippers love their easy to pack and light nature. The bags travel with ease to a beach house or mountain retreat, as well as across the world. I used my bags to travel to North Africa – they were spirited, and I was fascinated by all the attention they received.

Do you plan on expanding your line to include other items made out of recyclables?

Yes, we are already developing prototypes for a variety of brand extensions. Some new travel related products, as well as a few lifestyle items.

Is there a travel story behind the creation of this line?

After 12 years of jet setting between New York and Los Angeles as an established fashion and celebrity stylist for A-list clients who included Sting, Diana Ross and Scarlett Johansson, [I] left the scene behind to unearth [my] photography passion. All [my] time spent styling photo shoots and working with legendary fashion photographers naturally began to groom [my] eye for photography. It was behind the lens that [my] vision came into focus when [I] was shooting abroad, and found that people naturally made use of discarded things, such as plastic, wrappers and flip-flops. [I] saw that miscellaneous pieces of our lives could be melted down and woven into a fashion- forward textile. This epiphany led to the development of her signature “weightless” and water-resistant fabric used for all Gypsystyle bags.

What is one piece of advance you would give to young, 20-something, traveler?

Always be mindful of traveling in an eco-conscious manner, treading upon mother earth with light feet and love.

Cubana Cafe in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn

There are hundreds of restaurants that you shouldn’t go to, but here are a few not to miss (Prices do not include drinks).

Pan-Asian & Pacific Rim, Vegetarian ($11-20)
329 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn

Who knew vegan could be so delicious? Try the stir fries, get a spinach wonton soup, and the fried tofu is too good to pass up. A mellow candle lit dinner with friendly service. As healthy and tasty as can be.

Hampton Chutney ($7-12)
68 Prince St, off Lafayette, Soho, Brooklyn

Ever tried a dosa? If not, don’t miss this Indian predecessor of a salty french crepe. Ignore the rest of the menu. Dosas is where it is at. Spiced potatoes, spinach, roasted tomatoes, goat cheese–they take the staple mid-Indian dish and take it to tastes done nowhere else. Fun, low key, and no table service.

Cubana Cafe ($9-15)
272 Smith St, Carrol Gardens, Brooklyn

Rice, beans, plantains and mango salsa. Simple dishes, simple ingredients. No exuberance, but a lot of flavor. An amazing space, but they will pack you in there. No better way to have a communist retreat.

Hummus Place ($5-10)
109 St. Marks Place, btwn A and 1st ave, Lower East Side, Manhattan

Not the heaviest of meals, but great humus, falafel and other Mediterranean appetizers. The prices and the flavors are right- a great nook near Tompkins Square Park for a quick bite to eat.

Vegetarian Dim Sum House ($10-20)
24 Pell St, off Mott St, Chinatown, Manhattan

The best Dim Sum you will ever have. Seriously, who wouldn’t want to be vegetarian if you could always eat like this? The best components both inside and out, I can never get myself to try anything non-dumpling on the menu. And free jasmine tea. Quick and friendly service in the heart of Chinatown, a guarantee to walk away through the surrounding markets fully satiated.

Tai Thai Thailand Homecooking ($6-12)
78 E 1st St, Lower East Side, Manhattan

There may be hundreds of Thai restaurants in New York, but none as cheap and tasty as this one. Each bite so full of flavor, and the prices good enough you can try something new. Try a curry entree, and one of the many appetizers. A cozy place in a great location, for a little Thai, it’s the place to be.

7A ($12-15)
Corner of 7th St. and Ave. A, Lower East Side, Manhattan

Hungover? Want one of twelve egg dishes, a coffee, and a bloody Mary or mimosa all for one low price? Look no further than 7A, where you will feel much better walking out than walking in.

Please post any of your favorite local haunts to keep the great tastes a-coming!

Delta, can you take a hint? A few weeks ago we wrote a story about the excruciating process of booking a flight with Delta Airlines.  We suggested that if you value your time it might be worth a little extra money to just book your flight with Jet Blue.

Turns out we’re not the only ones feeling frustrated.  NY Times reports that the travel industry is getting miserable ratings in customer service… with the exception of a few, including Jet Blue.

Click here for the full story.

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Gone are the days when one could smoke a joint in the dilapidated parks of DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) and stare at work done by Shepard Fairy. Now, luxury high rises crowd this beautiful part of Brooklyn and stay at home moms married to stock brokers dot the streets with 4-digit baby carriers and minority nannies. Though DUMBO has kicked out most of the artists who made this place interesting and welcomed wealthy families, there are a few genuine “DUMBO” spots remaining whose business we would gladly support.

Superfine
126 Front St. between Jay and Pearl Sts.; 718-243-9005

Started by local DUMBO artists, Superfine has grown into a successful DUMBO establishment. The Mediterranean-style food is creative and moderately priced for the booming area and the sunken bar and orange-felted pool table is a great place to catch up with a friend.
Price: Moderate

68 Jay Street Bar
68 Jay St., Brooklyn, NY 11201

Also known as “The Corner Bar” to the editors of So Elsewhere, here one of the few places that caters to the art-world crowd and DUMBO locals. The drinks are well priced, especially during happy hour, and the patrons will not hesitate to start up a conversation with anyone who walks in. The fact that you can bring in outside food is really the cherry on top. Make sure to enjoy a drink after hours and listen to some live music.

Note: Watch out ladies, there are a few characters (including the owner and a Frenchie) who believe they are entitled to any woman of their choice.

Happy Hour: Mon – Fri $3 drafts, $4 well-drinks

Pedros
73 Jay St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Enjoy excellent Latin American/Mexican food at one of DUMBO’s original dive restaurants. While the interior is gritty, take a bit of the food (and look at the prices) and you will have a hard time leaving this place.  During the summer months, order their famous Margarita and take a seat outside to study the magnificent murals that decorate the building.

P.S. Bookshop
145A Front St
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 222-3340

Finally a relaxing used bookshop in Brooklyn. The moment you walk into the store it is impossible to leave without a book, or at least dreaming about them. If you happen to enjoy the smell and look of old poetry books head to the back, crawl into one of the hidden couches and enjoy.  You will also find a wonderful collection of travel books, rare artbooks and a fun children’s section… Who said 20-somethings can’t enjoy reading Alice in Wonderland (have you heard Tim Burton’s movie?).

Getting There: A/C to High St. or, 2/3 to Court St. or, F to York St.

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