About

Hi, I'm Aissatou (pronounced ice-suh-too), and I'm so happy you're here.

If you know me, you know I love a good outfit, a beautiful space, and finding an excuse to go somewhere nice.

That's exactly what Signed by Aissatou is all about.

This little corner of the internet is where I share the experiences that make me say, "Okay...everyone needs to know about this." Whether it's a boutique hotel in Ohio, wandering the streets of Paris, shopping in New York City, or watching the sunset in St. Maarten, my goal is always the same: to help you discover places that feel worth getting dressed up for.

A Little Backstory

I was born and raised in New York City, so exploring has always been part of my life. There was always a new neighborhood to wander through, a restaurant to try, or somewhere new to go.

But my love for travel really started in college.

I studied abroad in France, and after that, something just clicked.

The next year, I somehow found myself back in France, then Morocco, then Jamaica...all while working a part-time retail job and trying to make my money stretch as far as it possibly could.

I definitely wasn't rolling in money.

I just loved exploring.

My college's motto was, "The world is our campus," and I guess I took that a little too literally.

Since then, I've been lucky enough to explore places like Thailand, Singapore, Qatar, St. Maarten, St. Barths, Guinea, and more. And Thailand? It's still one of my favorite trips I've ever taken, and the farthest I've traveled so far.

The Move That Changed Everything

Years later, life brought me to Columbus, Ohio.

Moving from New York City definitely took some getting used to, but something funny started happening.

I'd go try a new restaurant, check into a boutique hotel, or take a weekend road trip, and people would message me saying,

"Wait... where is that?"

Or, "I've lived here my whole life and never knew that existed."

That's when I realized I wasn't just sharing places; I was helping people discover them.

And honestly, that's become my favorite part of what I do.

What You'll Find Around Here

Around here, you'll find travel guides, boutique hotel reviews, restaurant recommendations, outfit inspiration, and weekend getaway ideas.

Basically... all the places that make me think, "Yup, this one is worth sharing."

Here's what you'll find around here:

• Where to Wander – travel guides, city itineraries, and places to explore.
• Where to Stay – boutique hotels and unique stays.
• Where to Dine – restaurants that are worth getting dressed up for.
• What to Wear – outfit inspiration for wherever you're headed next.

Why I Do This

One thing about me is I've never believed you need five-star everything to have a really good experience.

Sometimes it's finally trying the restaurant you've been saving.

Sometimes it's a weekend getaway that's only a couple of hours from home.

And sometimes it's getting on a plane and flying halfway across the world.

To me, it's always been about the experience.

It's about finding places that make you excited to get dressed up, leave the house, and try something new.

So whether you're planning your next trip, looking for a new date night spot, searching for a boutique hotel, or just trying to figure out what to do this weekend, I hope you leave here with at least one place you can't wait to add to your list.

Thanks for being here.

Here's to doing the most in every city, big or small.

Signed,