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

CLIP OF THE DAY: "Shake 'n' Bake"

Pristine white. White marble polished floors. White billowing curtains. White upholstered arm chairs. A simple yet sophisticated effect that leaves us no choice but to trust what goes on behind this kitchen's closed doors. Otherwise, who on their right mind would design a busy social venue so clear and clean cut? Talented Aviv Moshe, the owner himself did. He is a Kurdish chef who turns out dishes such as fish ceviche with lentils in a Japanese lemon marinade. Among appetizers, look for a dish of calamari served with lemon cream eel and gooseliver. Yes, I'm talking about Tel Aviv's trendiest restaurant: Messa. And yes I'm clipping about one of our favorite city destinations for this New Year - selected by the Connect Ambassadors themselves. Why? Tel Aviv has the Unesco mark of approval for its unparalleled collection of modernist architecture and its becoming hippier by the second. Basically: Bauhaus architecture, boho markets, restaurants fully fusioned, nightlife that goes on (all night), beautiful people and year-round sunshine. Packed already...?

CLIP-IT: Tomorrow is "New Year's - Favorite destinations" final clip, so it is only fair that I feature some nice suggestions for many of you who will not be travelling or want to keep it in the low. 

TWEET-IT: My all time favorite music company Sheik 'n' Beik started officially following Connect! The ubber cool traveling music/art installation project hosts some of the hotest parties in New York, L.A., Paris, London, Rio, Beirut and Bogotá, integrating innovative and high quality music with the most cutting edge connectors out there. Become one of them and watch out for their next event: Tammany Hall NYC - Dec 10th. Cannot wait! Until then: follow the blue bird...

CLIP OF THE DAY: Le Banane Republic

It might be so often the case that "el unico fruto del amor és la banana" but I'm telling you that in 'New Year's' case "el unico" place to stay in St Barth's is indeed Le Banane Hotel - St Barthelemy's small, secluded and special, jungle-set cluster of chic bungalows in form of Caribbean boutique hotel. Last year while I was in Brazil, my 'lovely' and nevertheless extreamly "thoughful" friends who were jet setting around the sophisticated tropical la la land made sure to share their ridiculously alluring pictures followed by happy comments and personal impressions....I must confess that at the time I really didn't see much use for them unless an almost "imperceptible jelousy" disguised  in a memento. But now I get to share it with you. (great)! Their favourite rooms? Three of La Banane's bungalows that overlook the pool, and boast terraces with day-beds and showers opening directly onto tropical gardens or a little patio.

CLIP IT: The African-themed French dining lounge next door, K'Fé Massai, one of St Barth's finest and fun places to eat that also provides rooms service to the hotel.

TWEET-IT: As I keep breaking down my first bird steps with you to the world, yesterday the prince of night club partying and a connect member Jonny Boud was kind enough to keep us in the loop with all backstage hapennings during the grand openning night of London's newest venue The Rose. Meanwhile my favorite gang of creatives just touched down London ground straight from New York as they are preparing for Tommy Hilfiger's cutting-edge flagship store launch party tomorrow - keep following for more because they keep on coming....

CLIP OF THE DAY: The Secret Slope

As hot as it is to spend New Year's Eve walking on white sand, and sipping cocktails while flowting on cristal clear water there is nothing quite as fun as gathering your favorite group and hitting the ski slopes on party mode. The latest buzz from Connect Club Ambassadors....? The launch of  the brand new Public - London's ubber cool night hangout. Time? December 1st. Location? Verbier, thank you very much. From real life Princes to fashion Queens the list is already stirring up last minute flight bookings all the way to the Swiss Alps - we are talking London's finest in moonboots. If you want to take part keep following ines_connect as club connector Mr. Harry Clarke (the man behind it all)  just landed there today and he will be whispering all the inner details from this winter's secret slope...

TWEET-IT: did you read Maxime Troubat's today's tip on his favorite cocktail bar in Paris? Maxime is a connect member and the founder of Mon Adresse Change, Paris Little Black Book for clubs, bars and restaurants and he will be tweeting about the latest in Paris for us, so stay tunned! 

CLIP OF THE DAY: Let's get this party started!

Happy Monday Clippers! As we continue our countdown en route to Holiday lala land, this week is all about New Year's eve: with who, when, and where to party. Paper, pen and paperclips in hand for the ones who want to make it big! Below 2012 New Year's party list little black book. The source? Straight from who is responsible for most of the parties: the Connect Ambassadors (themselves) -make sure to register on CONNECT and use your account to gain access to all the private events hosted by who is in the know directly. Now...their favorite pick goes to HOT destinations first:

1-TRANCOSO, Brazil
2-PUNTA DEL ESTE, Uruguay
3-CARTAGENA, Colombia
4-GOA, India
5-ST. BARTHS, Caribbean
6-KENYA, Africa

2012 New Year's COOL destinations:

1-ST. MORITZ, France
2-ASPEN, United States
3-VERBIER, Switzerland
3-EDINBURGH, Scotland
4-LUGANO LAKE, Italy

2012 New Year's CITY destinations:

1-RIO DE JANEIRO, Brasil
2-SYDNEY, Australia
3-ISTANBUL, Turkey
4-NEW YORK, United States
5-MARRAKESH, Marroco
6-BERLIN, Germany
7-TEL AVIV, Israel

CLIP-IT: Yes....IT IS true... as of today I am indeed on TWITTER....so from now on I will start 'tweeting' some inside tips on all there is left to know in 2011 (what are they saying about party invitations,  how to get them, where to go,  what to wear and who is connecting their ways in...) so make sure to follow me: @ines_connect  and let's get this party started! Wishing you all a great week, I.