CLIP OF THE DAY: In da house

Ok, fair enough not everybody can just leave for holidays (specially at this point) and jet off to Africa or the Caribbeans....but that doesn't mean you shouldn't 'rock on' on your New Year's eve. Lets Clip it up! First and foremost if any of you still wants to travel its time to get involved with the hostels world as our generation is designing truly hip ones like no other, starting with my own and (quite impressive) nation: Portugal. For that I recommend The Independente - owned by true globetrotters, all CONNECT members - these 3 brothers, (that are like my own), set a different concept in hospitality where both travellers and locals could come together. With a cosy lounge 'a sort of "wallpaper photo shoot scenario" meets your own living room" and a clever, affordable and hip restaurant: The Decadente - that invites you for a "guilt free self indulgence..." (I am already hooked up everytime I fly back to Lisbon). If you are going to Rio de Janeiro check out Leblon Spot, Rio's first design hostel. Lastly: for unexpensive  flights, breaks and ideas to all the last minute gang - in your own words: Last Minute.

HOUSE PARTIES - get your basics right and the rest will follow...rule #1 - (whatever you do don't cheapen your alcohol)!!! If you can't get premium brands stick to your 'premium' local drink: Portuguese ginginha, Brazilian cachaça, British pimms - and inovate from that. Below some essentials & tips:

Absolut Elyx the ultimate 'house party drink' ( a hand-selected Råbelöf wheat which is suppose to bring a fruity and floral flavor, the water used in this vodka is 'filtered by nature and distillery rests on its own natural underground springs').  

Chalkboard Slate coasters - they are fun, original, personalized and they don't go to waste.

Granite Ice - the everlasting party chillers, re-usable granite cubes that keep drinks chilly without diluting your favorite spirit. 

Tembo Trunks - a special add-on that can amplify the sound coming out of your standard earphone up to 80 decibels, in case you don't have a massive sound system this shoud pretty much do the trick.

TWEET-IT: what will the blue bird be on this weekend...? Amongst other connections, we have live reports from Miami Art Basel hottest parties, the who is who, buying and watching what... xx