#i love artisanal rum <3<3<3<3<3

[sunjoys]

went to the local night market <3 didn't stay long bc the turn out/stalls weren't great today (bad weather recently) but i still got some stuff! 3 CDs (mika life in cartoon motion, best of jacques brel, mozart the rock opera which also came with a dvd for the musical), 2 DVDs (princess mononoke and the blair witch project), 3 books (an elena ferrante novel, a french thriller, and camus' the stranger), all second hand!! happy <3

[mixergiltron]

Boo!

It's that time of year again folks,when the days get shorter,the weather turns cooler,and we start watching our favorite spooky movies again. Halloween season.

Last year,the Search For Tiki did a 13 Nights of Tiki Frights where for thirteen days in a row they did a podcast with a prominent figure in the Tiki world,gave away a mug,and posted a new drink recipe featuring Plantation rum. Not only did I try most of them,but I even went out and bought the fancy rums to make them. And I can tell you folks,Plantation makes a good rum. Here's the first batch for you to enjoy.

Mix #28 Gunslinger's Grave

2oz Citadelle gin 1oz orange juice 3/4oz lemon juice 1/2oz grenadine 1/4oz passionfruit syrup 1/4oz allspice dram 2 dashes Angostura bitters 2oz soda water

Shake everything except soda. Pour soda into glass and add mix and more ice.

Reminiscent of a Saturn,this sweet gin drink has made it into my regular rotation. I can also highly recommend Citadelle,which has become my gin of choice.

Mix #64 Ferry to the Underworld

1oz Plantation Original Dark rum 1oz Plantation OFTD rum 3/4oz pineapple juice 1/2oz lime juice 1/2oz falernum 1/4oz cinnamon syrup 1/4oz allspice dram 1 dash absinthe 1 dash Angostura bitters

Shake with plenty of ice and pour into double rocks glass.

This is reminiscent of the Zombie in taste,and has almost as much kick. A Zombie light if you would.

Mix #65 Fizzy Rum & Gin

1oz Plantation Isle of Fiji rum 1oz Citadelle gin 1/2oz lime juice 1/4oz simple syrup 2 dashes Angostura bitters 4oz ginger beer

Shake everything except ginger beer with ice. Pour ginger beer into tall glass,strain mix into glass,then top with some pellet ice.

This has some real ginger burn and is basically a hopped up Dark & Stormy. If you like D&S's,or are just partial to ginger beer,you'll love this.

Mix #66 Ghostly Shadows

2oz Plantation Isle of Fiji rum 1.25oz lemon juice 1/2oz cinnamon syrup 1/4oz honey syrup 1/4oz passionfruit syrup

Shake with ice and pour into glass.

An interesting drink that bounces back and forth between honey sweet and cinnamon spice.

Mix #67 Pineapple Maze

2oz Plantation Stiggins Fancy Pineapple rum 3/4oz simple syrup 1/2oz lime juice 1/2oz grapefruit juice 1 dash Angostura bitters

Shake with ice.

With that much simple I figured this would be too sweet,but it actually has a good balance. There's a pineapple start with a grapefruit finish. The Stiggins is excellent pineapple rum;read the label for the interesting story behind it.

Mix #68 Roaming Skull

1oz Plantation Original Dark rum 1oz Plantation 3 Stars Artisanal rum 1oz apricot liqueur* 1oz lemon juice 1.5oz coconut cream

Blend with ice.

*I used apricot brandy

I expected it to have a heavy coconut flavor,but it was actually quite tart with lemon forward. Not my thing,but if you like sour give it a try.

Mix #69 Tombstone Grog

1oz Plantation XO 20th Anniversary rum 1oz Plantation Isle of Fiji rum 1oz grapefruit juice 3/4oz lime juice 1/2oz cinnamon syrup 1/4oz falernum 1/4oz allspice dram

Shake with ice and pour into glass.

This is very spicy with a cinnamon burn. Not my thing,but if you like a drink with some burn,you'll enjoy this.

So enjoy these spooky concoctions,and be sure to check out the Search For Tiki to see what they do for Halloween this year. Unpleasant dreams.

[splendidtext24]

Entry six

Next level tbh everyday carry, blog copper mug forage kitsch roof party pickled hammock kale chips tofu. Etsy shoreditch 8-bit microdosing, XOXO viral butcher banh mi humblebrag listicle woke bicycle rights brunch before they sold out ramps. Twee shabby chic taiyaki flannel, enamel pin venmo vape four loko. Hexagon kale chips typewriter kitsch 8-bit organic plaid small batch keffiyeh ethical banh mi narwhal echo park cronut.

Zombie ipsum reversus ab viral inferno, nam rick grimes malum cerebro. De carne lumbering animata corpora quaeritis. Summus brains sit​​, morbo vel maleficia? De apocalypsi gorger omero undead survivor dictum mauris. Hi mindless mortuis soulless creaturas, imo evil stalking monstra adventus resi dentevil vultus comedat cerebella viventium. Qui animated corpse, cricket bat max brucks terribilem incessu zomby. The voodoo sacerdos flesh eater, suscitat mortuos comedere carnem virus. Zonbi tattered for solum oculi eorum defunctis go lum cerebro. Nescio brains an Undead zombies. Sicut malus putrid voodoo horror. Nigh tofth eliv ingdead.

Cat gets stuck in tree firefighters try to get cat down firefighters get stuck in tree cat eats firefighters' slippers kitty power ignore the squirrels, you'll never catch them anyway for what a cat-ass-trophy! or purr as loud as possible, be the most annoying cat that you can, and, knock everything off the table. Pretend you want to go out but then don't bite off human's toes, yet disappear for four days and return home with an expensive injury; bite the vet so catch eat throw up catch eat throw up bad birds.

This opera's as lousy as it is brilliant! Your lyrics lack subtlety. You can't just have your characters announce how they feel. That makes me feel angry! Anyhoo, your net-suits will allow you to experience Fry's worm infested bowels as if you were actually wriggling through them. I just told you! You've killed me! Fry! Quit doing the right thing, you jerk! Michelle, I don't regret this, but I both rue and lament it. Morbo can't understand his teleprompter because he forgot how you say that letter that's shaped like a man wearing a hat.

Airedale hard cheese mozzarella. Pecorino melted cheese port-salut emmental babybel cheese and wine melted cheese manchego. Everyone loves blue castello everyone loves fromage cheese slices airedale cheddar cream cheese. Bavarian bergkase who moved my cheese halloumi port-salut gouda jarlsberg ricotta rubber cheese. Stinking bishop smelly cheese brie.

Salvia glossier subway tile, leggings mustache YOLO semiotics chia. Pitchfork tbh af blog church-key meggings vaporware PBR&B master cleanse post-ironic man bun pabst mustache letterpress synth. Snackwave raw denim godard, 3 wolf moon shaman offal kitsch unicorn live-edge selvage schlitz fashion axe vaporware drinking vinegar prism. Shabby chic tacos artisan, chambray chicharrones cardigan leggings typewriter af pop-up williamsburg meditation PBR&B viral. You probably haven't heard of them DIY jean shorts subway tile fashion axe bushwick kitsch tumeric cloud bread vaporware freegan franzen pork belly chicharrones banh mi.

Man braid celiac synth freegan readymade, pitchfork fam salvia waistcoat lomo bitters gentrify four loko. Pitchfork semiotics post-ironic vegan. Tofu meditation microdosing hashtag semiotics venmo. Flexitarian vape tilde taiyaki. Prism poutine farm-to-table, messenger bag vegan taxidermy tattooed sartorial squid jean shorts fixie selvage trust fund vape.

Rutters Plate Fleet boom chandler Brethren of the Coast handsomely lookout marooned brigantine knave. Buccaneer gangway jack rum loot spyglass line Jack Tar fore gaff. Gaff topmast scuttle ballast swab draught measured fer yer chains dance the hempen jig Chain Shot yardarm.

[udo0stories]

  Posted: 2/20/24 | February 20th, 2024 Miami is a lively city with a reputation for its beach culture, nightlife, and Cuban It is undoubtedly regarded as one of America's livelier, more entertaining cities Millions of tourists visit Miami each year. of visitors per year. Personally, Miami isn’t my favorite city in the States (though I do love the beaches), but there’s absolutely no denying that there’s a lot of fun to be had here. From beaches to partying to Cuban culture to the nearby Everglades, you can do a lot. (And if you’re looking to splash out, there are tons of luxurious hotels, upscale shopping districts, and high-end dining to be found here.) Here are some of my top things to see and do in Miami:   1. Explore the Everglades Everglades National Park has 1.5 million acres of swamps and prairies and is among the biggest and most distinctive public parks in the country. It is home to 14 rare and endangered species, including the Florida Panther, American Crocodile, and West Indian Manatee, among others. It has been designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site. This exceptional habitat is home to more than 350 bird species, 300 fish species, 40 mammal species, and 50 reptile species.s liveYou can traverse the park on foot using a variety of hiking and biking trails, but you will need to take an airboat to get across the waterways. need to hop in an airboat. The park is only an hour from the city. Airboat tours cost around $37 USD. If you want a more active boating experience, kayak tours are also popular (expect to pay around $100 for a kayak tour that includes a kayak rental). 2. Visit Little Havana Little Havana, Miami’s Cuban neighborhood, was born almost overnight. In the mid-1960s, an estimated 300,000 refugees fled Cuba, with most landing and settling in Miami. Today, over 1.2 million Cuban Americans live in Miami, with Little Havana centering around “Calle Ocho” (SW 8th Street). This is one of my favorite parts of the city, and the food here is incredible. Eat in one of the little restaurants and bakeries, walk the vibrant streets, enjoy a Cuba Libre (rum and coke) or Café Cubano (espresso shot sweetened with brown sugar), or get in on some salsa dancing. It’s an arty, quirky neighborhood worth exploring. Food tours around Little Havana cost around $69 USD and are the best way to learn about the area from an expert local guide. 3. Admire the Art Deco of South Beach Located in South Beach, the Art Deco Historic District is an area of Miami Beach noted for its concentration of over 800 Art Deco buildings all within one square mile. Art Deco was a popular architectural style from France, common between 1910 and 1939, characterized by its bold geometric shapes, lavish ornamentation, and embrace of modern materials and technology. You can also take an Art Deco bike tour of the area to gain even more insights into the architecture and history. 4. See the Art in Wynwood Wynwood is a former industrial neighborhood that has evolved into a cultural hub and trendy hotspot for graffiti and street art, as well as hip shops, cool restaurants, chill cafes and coffee roasteries, artisan breweries, and art galleries. The most popular attraction here is the Wynwood Walls, a collection of 40 murals by some of the world’s best street artists. The impressive 35,000 square feet of outdoor space, built around existing warehouses, features artists from 21 countries. The murals are constantly changing, so you never know what you’ll get to see, but many murals address social and political issues, offering commentary on topics such as environmental conservation, immigration, racial justice, and human rights. The Museum of Graffiti, the first museum in the world dedicated to this art form, is also located in the Wynwood neighborhood. Wynwood Walls: 2520 NW 2nd Ave., (305) 531-4411, thewynwoodwalls.com. Open Mon-Thurs 11am-7pm, Fri 11am-8pm, Sat 10am-8pm, and Sun 10am-7pm. Admission is $12 USD, while a guided tour is $20 USD (includes admission).

Museum of Graffiti: 276 NW 26th St., (786) 580-4678, museumofgraffiti.com. Open Mon-Fri 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Sat-Sun 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Admission is $16 USD. 5. Take a Sightseeing Cruise Seeing the city by boat allows you to get a different perspective on Miami and its coastal sights, which are otherwise inaccessible by land. You’ll see sights such as the scenic Brickell Key, departing cruise ships from the Port of Miami, and the striking Miami Skyline. You’ll also see the opulent residences along the exclusive Millionaire’s Row (a section of Miami Beach nicknamed such for its luxurious waterfront mansions) and Fisher Island (an affluent barrier island known for its upscale residential community). There are a lot of cruises to choose from, but some of the most popular are Millionaire’s Row Cruises or Speedboat Tours. Sightseeing cruises are generally around $30–45 USD. 6. Learn to Salsa Renowned for its sizzling nightlife and rich Latin culture, Miami’s salsa scene is something that must be experienced. From the iconic Calle Ocho in Little Havana to trendy South Beach, salsa aficionados can find a variety of venues catering to different styles and skill levels. In Little Havana, Ball & Chain has free salsa classes every Thursday starting at 9pm. If you’re looking for more of a nightclub experience, Mango’s Tropical Café is the best place to go. They offer a Sip, Savor, & Salsa experience every day from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are $89 USD and include beginner salsa and bachata lessons, a mojito, food, and entrance to go dancing in Mango’s Nightclub afterward (it opens at 10pm). 7. Immerse Yourself in Art An artsy, avant-garde city, Miami offers many different quirky immersive art experiences, with interactive installations, cutting-edge technology, and multi-sensory environments. Here are some of the most popular: Superblue Miami: Superblue is a huge (50,000 square feet) experiential art space that showcases large-scale, immersive artworks created by contemporary artists. The exhibits often involve interactive elements and cutting-edge technology. Tickets are $38.50 USD. ARTECHOUSE Immersive Art Experience: Artechouse is a space in South Beach that combines art, science, and technology to create immersive digital art installations. The exhibits often use projections, lights, and sound to create visually stunning and interactive environments. Admission is $30 USD. Museum of Illusions: Situated in Miami Beach, this museum offers mind-bending optical illusions and immersive exhibits that challenge perception. It’s a fun and interactive experience for visitors of all ages. Tickets are $30 USD. Paradox Museum: Fittingly situated in Wynwood, the Paradox Museum is a quirky and interactive museum of optical illusions. It’s also a fun activity to do with kids. Tickets are $30 USD. 8. Visit the Museums While museums aren’t exactly the first thing that comes to mind when most people think of Miami, there are actually quite a few museums in the city worth checking out. Most museums here are art-focused (Miami is a big art city, if you haven’t picked that up yet), though there are also a few science and history museums. Some of the museums worth checking out include: The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, located in downtown Miami, offers interactive exhibits on science and technology, a planetarium, and an aquarium. It’s a great destination for families and science enthusiasts. Tickets are $29.95 USD. Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM): PAMM is a contemporary art museum located in downtown Miami, featuring a stunning waterfront setting and an outdoor hanging sculpture garden. It showcases international modern and contemporary art, with a focus on artists from the Americas. Admission is $18 USD. HistoryMiami Museum: Offering a comprehensive look at the history of Miami and South Florida, this museum features exhibits, artifacts, and educational programs that explore the region’s cultural heritage. Admission is $15 USD. Bass Museum of

Art: Located in Miami Beach, the Bass Museum of Art focuses on contemporary art and features a diverse range of exhibitions, including works by emerging and established artists. Admission is $15 USD. 9. Do Some Water Sports Whether it’s the adrenaline-pumping excitement of jet skiing, the rhythmic experience of paddleboarding, the exhilaration of windsurfing, or the quiet calm of kayaking, there are tons of options to choose from. You can find pretty much every water sport here, including things like flyboarding, which involves riding a water-propelled device called a flyboard and combines elements of wakeboarding, snowboarding, and acrobatics. Jet ski tutorials are $139 USD (per group of two), parasailing is $130 USD, and flyboarding is $175 USD. If you’re on a budget or simply want to go out on your own, kayak or paddle board rentals are $19 USD per hour. 10. Visit the Vizcaya Estate No visit to Miami is complete without a stop at this historic 50-acre estate. This European-style mansion offers a glimpse at life in turn-of-the-century South Florida. It was built by industrialist James Deering as a way to show off his wealth to all his friends and is filled to the brim with Renaissance furniture, artwork, and tapestries. The 10-acre formal gardens were built to resemble France’s Versailles, but with palm trees, rare orchids, and Cuban limestone. It is one of my favorite things to do in the city. Don’t miss it! 3251 South Miami Avenue, (305) 250-9133, vizcaya.org. Open Wednesday-Monday, 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Admission is $25 USD (advance tickets are required). 11. See Coral Castle Coral Castle was created by Latvian-born Miami resident Ed Leedskalnin as a monument to his lover, who cancelled their wedding the day before they were meant to get married. Ed channeled his heartbreak into hand-carving 1,1100 tons of coral rock, creating various monuments and sculptures over the span of 28 years. He originally started building in Florida City, yet when a subdivision was planned nearby, he bought land further away, single-handedly moving the heavy coral carvings to Homestead (where Coral Castle is now). It’s a bit of a trip from downtown, but well worth the time. 28655 South Dixie Highway, (305) 248-6345, coralcastle.com. Open Thurs-Sun, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Admission is $18 USD. 12. Visit the Ancient Spanish Monastery Built in Segovia, Spain, in 1141, this monastery was intended to be a part of businessman and newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst’s property in California (Hearst saw it in Europe in 1925 and decided he wanted it for himself for his personal “castle”). However, after shipping the building to the US, there was an outbreak of disease. The US government was worried shipments from abroad would spread it, so he was not allowed to unload his cargo. Then the Great Depression hit, and Hearst had to sell the property. It remained in New York until 1954, when businessmen bought it and finally assembled it in Miami. 16711 West Dixie Highway, (305) 945-1461, spanishmonastery.com. Open Wed-Thu 10am-4pm, Fri-Sat 10am-2pm, and Sun 2pm-5pm. Admission is $10 USD, and guided tours are available on weekends. *** Miami is the ultimate escape for fun in the sun. People come here to let loose, visit nightclubs, lounge on the beach, and drink the nights away. And while that can certainly all be a fun time, there’s a lot more to Miami than just beaches and clubs. The city offers a dynamic fusion of art, music, and great food, and I encourage you to get out there and explore it! Book Your Trip to Miami: Logistical Tips and Tricks Book Your FlightFind a cheap flight by using SkyScanner. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe, so you always know no stone is left unturned! Book Your AccommodationYou can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay elsewhere, use Booking.com, as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. Don’t Forget Travel InsuranceTravel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations.

It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it, as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are: Looking for the best companies to save money with?Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel, and I think they will help you too! Looking for more information on visiting Miami?Check out my in-depth destination guide to Miami for more tips on what to see and do, costs, ways to save, and much, much more!    

[thehungrykat1]

Swarovski Afternoon Tea Sparkles at the Writers Bar in Raffles Makati

During our recent trip to Europe, one of the countries I really loved visiting was Austria. This was not just because of its majestic castles, palaces, or it being the birthplace of Mozart and the location for the movie "A Sound of Music." What I really like about Austria is that it is the home of the Swarovski crystals which I Iove buying and collecting. So imagine my surprise when I came back to Manila and found out that Raffles Makati was holding a special Swarovski Afternoon Tea at the Writers Bar until the end of the month. That's why I immediately scheduled a visit to my favorite luxury hotel in the country.

The Writers Bar in Raffles Makati is offering an exclusive and limited-time only Swarovski Sparkling Afternoon Tea Delight from September 28 until November 27, 2023. This is available daily at the Writers Bar from 2:00pm to 3:30 pm and from 4:00pm to 5:30pm. Each afternoon tea set for two is offered at P3,000 nett which includes a choice of premium TWG tea or coffee with optional upgrades for mocktail, cocktails, and champagne.

The Writers Bar is open from 2:00pm to 11:00pm daily at the ground floor of Raffles Makati. A revered institution at all Raffles locations, the Writers Bar pays tribute to all the iconic writers who have found inspiration at Raffles over the years. Designed to resemble a library and bathed in natural sunlight, it is an oasis of calm and tranquility, surrounded by soothing music, exquisite art, and the written legacies of literary luminaries.

The Swarovski Afternoon Tea at Raffles Makati is a collaboration between two storied brands that embody decades of timeless elegance.

We actually visited one of the flagship stores of Swarovski in Innsbruck, Austria during our European honeymoon last month. Since 1895, founder Daniel Swarovski’s mastery of crystal cutting has defined the company. His enduring passion for innovation and design has made it the world’s premier jewelry and accessory brand. Today, the family carries on the tradition of delivering extraordinary everyday style to women around the world. 

Daniel Swarovski’s vision was to create “a diamond for everyone”. He invented an electric machine that cut more accurately than ever before, marking the beginning of a new era for crystals.

We had a great time choosing our favorite crystals at the Swarovski stores in Innsbruck and Vienna, Austria. We did bring home quite a few items since these were being sold much cheaper in Austria as compared to other countries.

Back in Manila, we invited our friends Matt and Chinkee Koppe together with their pretty daughter Chiara for some catching up and to try these sparkling and colorful tea sets. Afternoon tea is an elegant pre-evening tête-à-tête popularized in Europe with its own history and traditional ceremonies. Raffles has been serving afternoon tea for more than 100 years so you can always get the best high tea experience in the country here.

Guests will first have their own choice of coffee or tea from Raffles Makati’s finest selection of flavors courtesy of TWG Tea.

Guests will then be presented with the three-tier Swarovski Afternoon Tea set. The set was crafted by Raffles’ culinary artisans as an interpretation of the brand’s Austrian heritage, innovation, and savoir-faire since 1895. The high tea menu features a variety of savory and sweet treats featuring the iconic swan and the vibrant brand colors of Swarovski.

We started our afternoon tea with the scones. Chef Bèla combines the Classic Scones together with Apple Strudel Scones which is a popular pastry in Austria.

These are paired with clotted cream and strawberry jam. Slice your scones in half horizontally and place the cream or jam on top, depending on your preference.

The topmost layer of the tea set consists of sweet temptations including the Cassis Macaron, Crystal inspired Praline, and Small Rum Cake.

The middle tier comes with other sweet and colorful items like the Crystal Glazed reinvented Raspberry Linzer, Cube of Sacher Cake and White Wine Coconut Spritzer. Everything looks too cute to eat!

Lastly, the bottom tier comes with savory items such as the Seared Tuna with Mango Cilantro Salsa, Sweet Chicken and Avocado Blinis, Caponata Wrap with Alfalfa Sprouts, Green Mango Tart with Sea Grapes, and Vegan Cheese Bruschetta with Calamansi Pearls.

For a more bubbly afternoon tea experience, there's also an option to upgrade your tea set to include two glasses of Golden Sparkle Mocktail for only P550++. This is a light and refreshing drink that will highlight the bold flavors of the pastries even more.

Better yet, upgrade your beverage to include two glasses of Swarovski Special Cocktail for P1200++. This colorful concoction is the best way to enjoy this exquisite afternoon tea set.

You only have a few weeks left to experience this limited-time offer for yourselves. Book your Swarovski Afternoon Tea by calling Raffles Makati or through the online reservations page at https://bit.ly/BookTheWritersBar.

Swarovski Afternoon Tea

1 Raffles Drive, Makati Avenue, Makati City

8555-9840 (https://bit.ly/BookTheWritersBar)

www.raffles.com/makati

www.facebook.com/RafflesMakati

[mcmansionhell]

2018 McGingerbread Hell Competition Winners

Happy New Year, Folks! I’m pleased to announce the winners of this (past) year’s McGingerbread Hell Gingerbread House Competition!!

First off, I cannot find the words to say how much joy each and every entry to this competition has brought me. Every single one of the participants put their 100% best McMansion Hell face on and the results were charming, hilarious, and, if we’re being punny here, downright sweet. This may be the best idea this blogger has ever had. 

Second, let me say that the when I say the competition was fierce, I mean, it was fierce. So much so that I drafted the fellow judgement of two of my favorite colleagues, my literary agent Caroline Eisenmann, and fellow architecture critic/Editor of Chicago Architect Magazine Anjulie Rao to help me narrow the 43 contestants down to 8. 

Just a note: Last names of the winners have been abbreviated for privacy reasons. If you would like your full name to be published instead, please email mcgingerbreadhell@gmail.com with your preferred name. 

We’re going to start our line up with the 5 honorable mentions in alphabetical order, after which there will be a break to take those of you scrolling through this on the dashboard to the full article where the top 3 McMansions will be revealed. 

Without further ado... 

Honorable Mention #5 : Manoir de emporte-pièce by Anya D.

The judges were impressed by the whimsy, creativity and finely detailed execution of Anya’s house. Caroline summed it up best: “what else is a McMansion if not a bunch of smaller houses wrapped into one package?” 

Anya writes: 

Hi I'm Anya and I'm 12. I made my Gingerbread house from Gingerbread I mixed and baked myself. The house shapes came from a cookie cutter. It's held together with royal icing frosting I made. The shingles are almonds and the house off to the side is the dog house and has candy dog bones on it. The "lights" on parts of it are candy balls. I hope you like it!

Honorable Mention #4: AMAZING Custom Home with Quality Features by Sydney E.

The judges were impressed by the house’s fine craftsmanship, attention to detail (especially the peppermint columns, the gumdrop crenellations, and the chandelier in the back) and great sense of humor. Anjulie remarked: “Love the inclusion of the nuclear family.” What really had us in stitches was Sydney’s wonderfully rich description, especially this part:

 “...You'll know you're living in the lap of luxury when you see the ENORMOUS GOLD CHANDELIER in the dining room. But it's the ROOFTOP PATIO with no discernible purpose or point of entry that will really set you apart from your neighbors. "Hey, how did you get up there?" they'll ask, but you're not telling (mysterious!). The landscaping will make you feel like you're in the countryside, in a sea of royal icing TURF GRASS (shown here, lightly dusted with coconut snow). The FOUR TREES on the property are either too far from the house to provide any shade (stately!) or extremely close to the house and actively obscuring at least one window (posh!). The entire house, the front walk, and the driveway are all bordered in royal icing ENGLISH IVY, which is definitely never going to be a problem for native plants (colonial!).”

Honorable Mention #3: Suburban Hobbit House by Jennifer K. & Cara M.

The judges were impressed by the difficulty of execution in Jennifer and Cara’s house, especially the dome, the cleverness of using almonds as cladding, and the hilariously barren “asphalt” lawn complete with soul patch. Kate remarked: “Pretty sure I saw this exact house in Bergen County, New Jersey.”

Jennifer and Cara wrote about their house: 

Made of solid gingerbread in shape of skulls (had the pans), graham crackers, lots of icing, nuts, chocolate, a candy cane, grape tic-tacs, decorator sprinkles, butter-rum Lifesavers, fondant, Tootsie Rolls, and a loaf of rosemary bread. Round center mass house with back porch nub, two wings, a charming turret. We totally meant for it to look this way.

Honorable Mention #2: European Charme by Núria O. 

The judges were very impressed with the fine detailing (such as the columns, balustrades, and front door), the crisp, clean execution of the design, and total commitment to the McMansion Aesthetic™ from front to rear, including the completely barren lawn. 

Núria describes the house in finely practice Realtor-ese:

Beautiful gazillion-square-feet chalet featuring lots of personality and European flair. This cozy 4-bedroom, 10-bathroom cottage is made of sturdy construction-grade tan-beige gingerbread from top to bottom. Roof plates are structurally tinted, not painted, ensuring a durable color that will last until the last crumble is eaten. Windows glazing is made of gelatine sheets coated with black-coloured blueberry jam to ensure privacy as you lounge by the bay window or enjoy the views from the beautiful faux-balcony. 

All doors are solid gum paste, with royal icing on all window frames as well as the balustrade. This home is ideal for entertaining, with its luxurious two-story entrance featuring genuine Spanish _neula_ columns with doric capitals, ornated pediment and a quaint half-tindered wall that gives true European _charme_. Utilities are housed in a lovely turret next to the service door. The garage accomodates two SUVs or six European sedan cars. The magnificent brown-sugar-paved front yard features icing plants and a signature landscaped crushed-sprinkle turf patch on cookie soil. The same type of grass was used in the large, sunny backyard which also has a patio area.

Honorable Mention #1: Existential Crisis on 34th Street by Caitlin R. 

The judges were very impressed by the house’s clever use of different baking materials and attention to detailing, especially in the icing work. Kate was especially excited by the rounded gingerbread turret, and Anjulie loved the “Existential Crisis” detail and monumental marshmallow columns. The description had Caroline especially in stitches.

Caitlin describes the house:

This nine-bedroom mansion is made from the most exquisite of gingerbreads. Lovingly handmade from scratch, and crafted by local artisans, it's ready for your own sweet family. Grecian inspired columns impose your might on the neighborhood, while a pebble-clad tower with bay windows adds a touch of country charm. Architectural details include a 'stonework' wall and chimney, sweet dormer windows, and a luxurious back porch. A myriad of windows let light into this expanded historic house - the original building dates all the way back to 1982! Come by today, and soon you'll be calling this three-and-a-half story, Greco-Chateauesque Italian Revival Americana, 18,600 square foot mansion - home!

Now on to the TOP 3 PRIZEWINNING HOUSES!

It all comes down to this. It was stiff competition through and through, and the judges deliberated long and hard about who the top 3 spots should go to. Each house showed tremendous ability in craftsmanship, detailing, and McMansion Engineering. Without further ado: 

Third Prize: Saccharin Sanctuary by Christa H.

The judges were wowed by the amazing craftsmanship and attention to detail present in Christa’s house. Caroline was impressed by the use of Cinnamon Toast Crunch as shingling, Anjulie loved the jellybean stone accents, and Kate found the use of sticks of gum as fake-stucco siding to be very clever. The execution of the lawyer foyer, turret, and appropriately nonsensical rear exterior put this house in to the third place slot. 

Christa’s description, in perfect Realtorese: 

This fabulous 1.5 story house features a gorgeous columned entry, double garage, show-stopping turret, and the picture perfect back patio. Built from the finest gingerbread and white chocolate... you can be sure that this house has a superior foundation that you can trust for years to come. Jelly Beans, spear mint Lifesavers, Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Double Mint gum among other award winning materials make this house’s curb appeal unforgettable! List Price: 🍬574,900  Est Mortgage: 🍬2,240/mo Listed By: Sugar & Space Reality®️

Second Prize: The Hundred Thousand by Louisa G.

The judges were blown away by, as they say, the sheer size of this lad. The monumentality of such a massive roof must have taken some serious gingerbread engineering, all while perfectly encapsulating McMansion Roof Culture. The engineering, clean execution, attention to detail (millions of nonpareils!!), and true, well, McMansion-ness of this house vaulted (ceiling) it into 2nd place. 

Louisa describes the house thusly: 

The Hundred Thousand has no equal. This 37-piece towering gingerbread edifice was baked and constructed over four days during the heat of an Australian summer, by an Australian and a Finn, using a Finnish gingerbread recipe. Inspired by Mt. Nub, The Hundred Thousand boasts a porcine screaming porch, eight ahoy-mateys windows, a royally-iced gable front that almost but not entirely obscures the front door, and palatial grounds landscaped with topiary sweets, all topped off with a soaring roof tiled with hundreds & thousands. 

So many hundreds & thousands were used that the builders ran out of material - causing the construction project to grind to a halt for almost ten minutes, until the Australian’s father arrived with more much-needed building supplies. The Hundred Thousand was fixed together using high-quality caramel, and is internally braced by two large gingerbread cross-panels. This fantastic abode required nearly 2kg of flour and eight eggs (provided by the Australian’s chickens) and was constructed as large as the oven would allow, measuring a whopping 40 cm across on the front facade, and nearly 30 cm high. 

And finally, (DRUMROLL PLEASE)

First Prize: Casa de McGingerHell by Beth and Tina C.

From the moat, dome skylight, and lawyer foyer, to the rice crispy treat retaining wall, and chocolate rocks, this house, in the words of Caroline, was “truly next level.” The judges were blown away by the incredible attention to detail and clever use of different materials, specially the pretzel railing on the bridge, the marshmallow penguins, and we all freaked over those sugar glass and water elements. From the several different types of windows, bizarre massing, and three car garage, this house encapsulates the deranged opulence of McMansions in the sweetest way possible. 

Beth and Tina describe their house: 

Located centrally and literally dominating the entire living room, this McGingerMansion features over twenty handcrafted stained glass windows, a double sized garage, and three hand laid rock face walls! This gingermansion also has not one, but two incredible water features including a delightful frozen waterfall in the spacious backyard. Boasting several pre-decorated pine trees surrounding the property, this festive gingermansion showcases several dozen strands of lights and as well as a handful of charming wreaths. 

The one hundred percent genuine pretzel log deck overlooking the backyard is the perfect place to entertain friends and family alike, especially during the holiday season! Standing at just over a foot and a half tall, this truly massive gingermansion has a total composition of just over twenty pans worth of gingerbread. Call now to schedule a tour today; this gingermansion won't last long! *Disclaimer: As required of us by law, we must disclose the presence of a minor pest infestation in the form of roughly a dozen cute, but possibly rabid penguins on the property.

On behalf of the judges and McMansion Hell, we would like to thank everyone who entered the competition for their amazingly wonderful houses, and for the funding from McMansion Hell’s Patreon supporters whose generosity made running the competition and supplying the prizes possible. 

Stay tuned for this year’s new and exciting McMansion Hell features:

- The conclusion of the 50 states, starting with Virginia next week.  - A series of essays on kitsch - Looking at McMansions decade by decades - McMansions in film and media - Updates on the McMansion Hell Book

If you like this post, and want to see more like it, consider supporting me on Patreon!

There is a whole new slate of Patreon rewards, including Good House of the Week, Crowdcast streaming, and bonus essays!

Not into recurring donations or bonus content? Consider the tip jar! Or, Check out the McMansion Hell Store ! 100% of the proceeds from the McMansion Hell store go to charity!

Copyright Disclaimer: All photographs are used in this post under fair use for the purposes of education, satire, and parody, consistent with 17 USC §107. Manipulated photos are considered derivative work and are Copyright © 2018 McMansion Hell. Please email kate@mcmansionhell.com before using these images on another site. (am v chill about this)

[simply-shakera]

Holiday Gift Guide [+Giveaway]

YA’LL!!!!! WE MADE IT TO DECEMBER!!!!!

2020 has been rocking all of our worlds since January and does not seem to be letting up chile.

But we are here. Still Standing! Adjusting - Growing - Healing - Learning - DOING OUR BEST!

Normally in December I take a few weeks “off” to unplug from social media and my regular routine. My birthday is also on New Years Eve so the holiday season is often a great time for me to reflect on the past year and recharge.

"When You Support A Small Businesses You Are Supporting Someone's Dream"  -- Unknown

Introducing the “Pink Box” by simplyshakera.com

Another end of year tradition is my annual Holiday Giveaway in collaboration with one of my brand partners. This year will be a little different! Introducing the “Pink Box” by simplyshakera.com. The color pink represents compassion, nurturing and love. In 2021, I will be releasing a goodie box filled with items that are meant to cultivate joy and practice self love. Stay tuned for when the “Pink Box” is officially released. HOWEVER, just in time for the holidays I will be gifting one lucky winner with a special edition Pink Box filled this time around with items from some of my favourite Black owned businesses. I have each company listed below in my Holiday Gift Guide. Know them - Support them - Amplify them!

The Simply Shakera Holiday Gift Guide

I am so excited to share with you a few of my favourite small businesses offering products and services that you can support today. Grab something for yourself, book an appointment/session, or purchase a gift for someone else. Christmas is exactly two weeks away - happy shopping!

Orijin is a Toronto based brand creating small batch, quality investment pieces that are real gold and guaranteed to become heirlooms. The first piece, designed by founder Candice, was the iconic OM bead bracelet, symbolizing the meeting of a deep connection to self with a nod to a nostalgic trend. Ten percent of the proceeds from the OM collection goes towards supporting the work of BIPOC artists and wellness entrepreneurs. Other notable collections are the essentials collection and the paperclip collection.

Personal Review: I love how sophisticated the pieces are! Simple and stylish! I own the mask chain which also can double as a chain for my glasses!

Seamoss N Tingz provides the highest quality wildcrafted gel made with Alkaline water and no additives or preservatives. The gel can be added to your food or drink as well as topically for multiple skin ailments including facial masks to tighten and rejuvenate your skin. Sea moss contains 92 of the 102 minerals that the body requires daily. It is jam packed with Protein, Fiber, Selenium, Iodine, Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium, Phosphorus, Zinc and powerful anti-inflammatory properties. It also contains omega 3 fatty acids, iodine, potassium chloride, antiviral and antimicrobial compounds. Some benefits include: strengthened immune system, improved energy, supported mental health and more.

Personal Review: I am new to the sea moss world! Two months to be exact. My journey started as a means to decrease inflammation in my body. The most noticeable benefit for me so far is an increase in digestion. I eat a spoonful raw once a day; but you are recommended to add it to food or apply it topically for skin care. During this holiday season, SNT will be donating $5 of every purchase to the Pinball Clemons foundation.

Sarah-Naomi’s Hair Care & Beauty “where the beautification of the whole woman is the focus and purpose”. Sarah is a natural and protective hairstylist and has been maintaining crowns for over fifteen years. She believes knowledge and love of self is the key to the unlocking of new and higher levels of our existence. Hair education is also a deep passion of hers. Sarah is currently enrolled at Art & Technique in Oshawa to obtain her hairstyling/cosmetology license with a mission to style, serve, instruct and educate all women about the crown they wear daily.

Personal Review: Sarah is awesome and pretty fast. She is my go to person for protective styles such as single braids or twists. My new favourite style she has done on my hair were the knotless braids I did in October! She’s based in Durham but is also mobile. Kid friendly as well.

Georgie Porgie Cakes & Gifts is a vibrant, rapidly growing company. Founded in 2004 by Georgette and her mom Carol, Georgie Porgie is now famous for their red velvet rum cake with cream cheese filling. Georgie Porgie is your sweet boutique offering homemade specialty and artisan desserts made daily with the highest quality and fresh ingredients. At Georgie Porgie, they believe that every event and celebration should create a story-book ending. They would love to help plan your next blockbuster with their experienced team.

Personal Review: When I have a celebration coming up I purchase my sweet treats from the Georgie Porgie team! Check out HERE the carnival birthday cake that was made for my 30th birthday surprise birthday! I still get chills looking at it.

Koko Rose Natural Skincare, founded by Marsha Rose, is a complete facial skincare brand for both women and men. The skincare products are made with the finest natural ingredients and made in Canada. They consist of naturally formulated products designed to treat all skin types, address skin conditions and individual skincare needs. All products are paraben free, vegan certified, formaldehyde free and contain naturally sourced fragrance.

Personal Review: Marsha is super knowledgeable in all things skincare. She not only a licensed aesthetician but she also a registered nurse! I have been healing from hormonal acne for years. Since I have been going to her spa for regular facials I have seen a significant change in my skin. There is also a organic line and mens line among her skincare products. She also offers a variety of other services at her spa including waxing!

Founded by Mohogany Brown in 2016, "In My Own Skin" is a lifestyle brand aimed at promoting self-love amongst young women. In partnership with Dance With Me Corp, the brand extended to provide fun, cute and comfy activewear that everyone can feel beautiful in. The company wants their community to not only showcase people of all body types, ages, ethnicities and walks of life, but to also ensure they are a brand that truly represents everyone. They especially hope you fall in love with yourselves all over again, and feel confident... IN YOUR OWN SKIN! Xo

Personal Review: The apparel side of In My Own Skin comes in three different collections - the sizes are body positive too! I work with Mohogany frequently for dance based initiatives and she truly is a force. For good vibes and fitness inspo, check out her personal acccount @mohoganyxo.

Carnival Spice an award winning fitness and entertainment company devoted to showcasing Caribbean Carnival. Here aspiring artists of colour are welcomed to a platform where they can further develop their talents through Caribbean dance. Founder Shakera Martin and her team have been featured on Cityline, CP24, CTV, Breakfast Television and most recently Season 12 of the Real Housewives of Atlanta."⁠ The company currently offers a variety of virtual Caribbean Dance & Fitness programming and host initiatives to maintain the connection between their global #SpiceFam community.

Personal Review: Despite a whole pandemic and all carnivals around the world being cancelled until further notice. Carnival Spice has consistently been pumping out content and resources to showcase and uplift Caribbean culture. It is amazing to witness in front and behind the scenes. Tickets are now available for the 2020 Holiday Lime and Workshop event.

Holiday Giveaway

As mentioned, one lucky winner will be gifted with a “Pink Box” that includes a prize from EACH of the brands featured in my holiday gift guide. A value of over $350!!!! Enter Here Now - contest closes Friday, December 18th!

Happy Holidays To You & Your Loved Ones!! xo

[carolinayourspiritmaster]

Offerings of fresh herbs, rum, a lovely red candle and a good artisan cigar, to celebrate the Feast of Guadalupe with the Spirits. Later, I will cook my very spicy hot chocolate for them too :).

In our religion, offerings are a way to show gratitude and appreciation, but also a very important way to feed the Spirits that are going through the process of elevation, and that work on our behalf, and on behalf of our customers. That is why I care so much about the quality of everything we offer; the better they are served, the better they will serve us, and everyone who trusts our work.

Wishing you a very Blessed day <3!

[sippingitforward]

How to Style a Bar Cart that Gives Back

Looking for a way to add a little style to your living room? One trend that I’m loving right now is creating a chic bar cart that works as both a decorating and entertaining piece. If you aren’t sure where to begin when it comes to stylizing a bar cart, I’m here to help. Take a look at this infographic below and learn how to style a bar cart with ease. BONUS: All the wine and liquor options displayed here give back to charitable causes, so you can enjoy sipping it forward in style!

What You’ll Need

–Bar Cart: Amazon has some great options! 

–Flutes + Glassware: Checkout these Handmade Mexican Artisan glassware

–Floral Elements: Plants are always a fun addition!

–Shaker + Barware: choose from silver, brass, copper, or wood to match your cart

–ONEHOPE Wine: mix and match your favorite varietals

–Liquor Assortment: we selected 3 brands that all give back to nonprofits

–Letter Board: Amazon has a wide variety to choose from

–Artwork: Not necessary but definitely an added bonus to complete the look! Check out this Llama! 

Bar Cart Styling Tips

Find the space: First thing you’ll need to do is find a space for your bar cart and take some measurements. There are a number of shapes, sizes, and materials to choose from when it comes to selecting a bar cart, so once you find the ideal place in your living or dining room, you can purchase the cart of your dreams.

Buy the pieces: Now that you’ve purchased your bar cart, it’s time to buy the materials to style it! If you don’t already have the glassware, cocktail shaker/kit, letterboard, and vase, we recommend shopping around for some options online or in store! If you can, try and purchase from other like-minded companies that give back. For example, the glass pitcher you see above is from The Little Market, where this purchase supported female artisans at Chabi Chic in Morocco. For less expensive accessories, shop for the pieces you need at Target, Amazon, HomeGoods, Marshalls, or Ross. You’ll be surprised at how much you can find at a reasonable price!

Choose a fun phrase for your letter board: We recommend going with an eye-catching pun or quote that your friends will love. A few options to choose from are: “Everything happens for a Riesling,” “Wine is my spirit animal,” “Does running out of wine count as cardio?,” “Let the evening be gin,” “When life gives you limes, make a margarita,” “Sip sip hooray!”

Select your wines that make an impact: To purchase your ONEHOPE Wine, shop online and buy a few of your favorite bottles that can add a pop of color and variety to your cart. Choose from our mini sparkling wine bottles, our famous glitter bottles, rosés, whites, or reds to add to your bar cart.

Find liquor bottles that give back: For our stylized bar cart, we selected 3 alcohol brands that all give back to nonprofits. The bottles we chose include Absolut Elyx Vodka which provides clean drinking water through the nonprofit Water for People, Bacardi Oakheart Spiced Rum which supports Bacardi’s Disaster Relief Fund, and VIVA XXXII Tequila which donates to organizations that prevent animal abuse.

Organize your accessories: When it comes to styling a bar cart, I always say less is more. Don’t over complicate your cart with too many liquor bottles or barware accessories. Try placing taller bottles and accessories in the back to create some dimension, and aim for a few inches of space between each item or grouping of accessories.

Next, play around with placement, but I suggest keeping items that go together close by. For example, on the first level of my cart, I included floral/living elements, wine bottles, and some fun glassware including a colored pitcher and champagne flutes to complete the top. On the second level of my cart, I added 3 liquor bottles, moscow mule mugs, a shaker and muddler, and some bottled simple syrups with the letter board in the center. I kept all of my wine accessories on the top, and my cocktail accessories on the bottom.

Show Me Your Bar Cart on Social!

Ready to get stylin’? Once your bar cart is all set up, snap a picture and share it with me on social by tagging #SippingItForward for a chance to be featured on my page! I can’t wait to see how you’ve styled your bar cart that gives back!

Cheers & XO,

Ginger @ Sipping It Forward 

[asmirandaseesit]

Vamos a la Playa

Hello again,

It’s been a while since we’ve last seen each other. As an update on my life, I’m a senior now, and after returning from Turkey I’ve spent the past calendar year basically doing nothing. I’ve been to a few new cities in the U.S., most notably Chicago, which I’ve been considering posting about solely to talk about the food. I’ll keep you posted as to what I decide to do.

Anyways, this time I decided to brush the dust off this blog to talk about my recent spring break trip to Puerto Rico. I apologize in advance for the low-quality photos, in a lapse of judgement I forgot to pack my camera... :(

So- to the fun stuff. Puerto Rico. Otherwise known as one of the random islands in the Caribbean that the U.S. for some unclear reason still has ownership over (we got Puerto Rico, Guam, the Philippines, and temporarily Cuba as part of the end of the Spanish-American War). If I were to summarize Puerto Rico in a few words, it would probably be: fun, and lawless. I can’t really think of anything else that would capture it as well as those two words. Popular would work too, since there were a lot of other tourists while we were there. It was like any Caribbean island I would have expected: an endless bounty of rum, fresh fruits, and sunshine, all topped with a Latin flair and failing economy (thanks for the tip, Disney). The people were all so kind and so interesting too! Basically all of our Uber drivers engaged us in a fully-fledged conversation and usually gave us recommendations on places to go/eat. The food was exactly what I would have wanted-- dishes emphasized seafood, plantains (served in any method possible), Spanish spices, and I never found myself in a shortage of avocados. What more could a girl ask for?

Needless to say, I’d give Puerto Rico a 9/10. I’m deducting a point off because this week cost me an arm and a leg. Restaurants were priced the same as places in Manhattan or LA, (understanding that I ate seafood practically every day) which was a rude awakening considering people had told me that Puerto Rico was relatively cheap. However, I don’t regret a single dollar I spent, I had a blast and that’s what matters... right?

To walk you through my experiences, I’ll go through the pictures first. We left Syracuse Thursday night for NYC, crashed at friends’ for the night to catch our 11 am flight Friday morning to San Juan. Shoutout to Kai for letting me sleep on his futon, again (you’re the best, and you always will be).

Funny enough, the day we left the entire Northeast was getting slammed with a snow storm-- I think there were a couple of inches in NYC. Man, never had I ever been more glad to be waiting in an airport, jetting off somewhere (literally anywhere) else. Cackling to ourselves at the blizzard outside, the squad and I boarded and took off on time for San Juan. Unscathed by the winter storm, we landed in San Juan around 4 pm that day-- I love when you fly somewhere and the second you walk out of the airport, your body is shocked by the temperature difference. Ahh, the sweet sensation of perspiration.

We quickly went back to our Airbnb, changed, and went out to dinner. Now maybe it was the travel- or the sangria- but this was one of the more euphoric meals I’ve ever had. We went to Casita Miramar, and all ordered the aguacates rellenos (stuffed avocados).

Yes, it was just as good as it looks. Better, actually. *drools* The shrimp was charred perfectly, served with a creamy red pepper sauce that was sweet, garlicky, buttery and just classically good. On the side were tostones (smashed fried plantains). UggGGHHHhh. We then split a guava panetela (divine buttery almost amaretto-y cake layered with guava jam) and were served complimentary shots at the end- called “chichaitos,” they’re traditional Puerto Rican rum shots with anise liquer and a few coffee beans added (usually three for money, love, and health). After slamming those down and being painfully reminded of my relationship with rakı, we went home to catch some z’s for the rest of our trip.

The next day, we rented a car to go to a beach about an hour out of San Juan. My roommate has a friend from San Juan, so we shaped a lot of our itinerary around his suggestions (turns out, the locals know what they’re talking about). So, we ventured out to Manatí, and visited the playa la Poza de las Mujeres.

The water was crystal blue, warm, and the beach wasn’t crowded at all. I had to stop for two iguanas to cross the road though, which was weird.

We then went out to dinner at a little place called Mere Pescao (where I got mahi mahi and plantain skewers) and then went out to drinks at La Coctelera on Calle Loiza. There, I got a rosemary and beet Tom Collins, which was OK but not my favorite. We also went to a Basque bakery and I got a guava pastelito (divine).

The next day, we went to probably the worst brunch we’ve ever had (DON’T go to Caficultura) in Old San Juan. The food was subpar and the service was horrendous. I would say the one saving grace was being able to try a Cortadito, a local favorite similar to a macchiato (the real kind, not the over-dressed crap you get at Starbucks). However, if you do want the real deal-artisanal Puerto Rican coffee, DO go to Cuatro Sombras. They roast all their beans in house (which are locally harvested from Yauco) and even offer special cupping demonstrations and tastings. We then walked around Old San Juan, which is absolutely adorable and reminiscent of Macau (or any other old Portuguese/Spanish town with cobblestone streets, brightly colored buildings and ornate white reliefs).

This is one of the castles in Old San Juan- nicknamed “El Morro” it served as a fort dating back to the 16th century and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The next day, we were on the road by 7 am to go horseback riding on the beach in Isabela (2.5 hours west of San Juan). We went with a small company called Tropical Trail Rides, which was a 2 hour trail ride on 3 different beaches/through coastal brush. Coincidentally, our horses all embodied us in their own ways; Taína was the dark, ethnically ambiguous one (me), Cristal was the crotchety standoffish one (Audrey), Canela didn’t give a flying f*** about the trail ride or her job (Bella), and Whiskey was fully erect the entire time (Lily). Classic.

The four horsemen of the apocalypse

It was a really nice ride, and honestly I could’ve done it all day. We even got to walk over old U.S. missile launchpads in the forest dating back to the Cuban Missile Crisis! Love me some history.

After getting back from horses, we got smoothies and lunch/dinner at La Casita Blanca, a small local place in Santurce. I got the pastelón, which is essentially a take on lasagna but instead of pasta its sweet plantains. I didn’t snag a picture because frankly it wasn’t pretty enough, but trust me- it was DELICIOUS. Like a Puerto Rican moussaka- all the things good in this world, really.

The next day, we left our house at 5:30 am to catch the 9 am ferry to the island of Culebra. (Yes, you did the math right, Fajardo ferry terminal is an hour away from San Juan, and the ferry was scheduled for 9) - It’s an island about equidistant from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, approximately an hour east of PR. I was nervous about this ferry since I had read online it could be rough seas, and with my seasickness, I knew it could get ugly. Luckily, I could recline my head back so I felt fine- but man, the seas were unkind to us that morning. At least 10 people in my immediate proximity were stumbling over to the trash can/bathroom. People were dropping like flies! Bags were being passed left and right, people were toppling over pale and drenched with sweat... it was atrocious. Like a cafeteria food fight, but not fun. After an hour or so of that torture, we landed on the island and decided to rent a golf cart to navigate to/from the beaches around the coastline.

Drinking a piña colada on the 2nd most beautiful beach in the world. My white privilege is checking in right about now.

Flamenco Beach was gorgeous. The sand was fine and white, the water was bright turquoise, and the coastline was curved perfectly like a horseshoe. It was well worth waking up at 5 am to see.

After our time at the beach, we decided to go snorkeling for a bit at Melones Point and try to find some turtles. No turtles unfortunately, but we saw some cool fish and got a lot of hilarious snorkel photos in the water.

After a full day without food, I decided to get some sustenance at Zaco’s Tacos while waiting for our 5 pm ferry back to the main island- would recommend if you’re on Culebra, it’s reasonably priced and the tortillas are definitely made in house (as a Southern Californian, you can tell).

The next day, we had our zip lining adventure in El Yunque National Rainforest. Fun fact, PR is home to the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Parks system. So, when in Rome.

The rainforest was beautiful. The park was a combination of 8 zip lines, mostly short, but the longest was about 2000 feet long over unobstructed tree tops with a view to the ocean. Simply incredible.

Jacked mushrooms go zip lining

After our boost of adrenaline, we ventured into the rainforest to check out a suggested trail to a swimming hole in the river. The “hike” was about 10-15 minutes, really a casual stroll, but the swimming hole was beautiful, and well worth the confusing drive/30 potholes I ruined our rental car with.

Like basically any other body of water in/near Puerto Rico, the river was clear and there were these cute fish swimming around us the whole time. They kept bumping into me though, which I didn’t know to find endearing or creepy.

After another long day, we got food at this restaurant on the beach called El Alambique, where we got buzzed off more piña coladas (an ongoing trend over spring break) and I ate a seafood salad the size of my torso. The Syracuse game was also on at the bar the whole time, funny enough.

The next few days were slightly uneventful, as we had to return our rental car (the crappy Hyundai Accent we became so attached to, listening to Puerto Rican radio and counting iguana roadkill on the highways... final number of 26 FYI) and we had already hit everything on our itinerary. We ended up spending a day the the Renaissance Hotel on the beach in Condado, which was great because we got all the perks of staying there without actually dishing out the $400 a night!

Sipping on prosecco like I’m actually worth something

For lunch, we walked to a nearby food truck called Kabanas for the best fish tacos I’ve had in my life.

You really can’t go wrong with fresh red snapper though, can you?

Afterwards, we went home to get ready for dinner and happy hour. We went to a rooftop restaurant called El Punto de Vista in Old San Juan, where they have 2 for 1 mojitos EVERY DAY until 5 pm. Need I say more?

This place is known for their mofongo, which is another Puerto Rican specialty. Take plantains, fry them, mash them, then top them with meat/seafood and a sauce. This is mofongo with shrimp and garlic sauce. Come on, forget about it.

The next day, I went on a run around Condado to get some exercise. After realizing I hadn’t been that warm in about 5-6 months, it made sense why about 2 miles in I was dripping sweat. I ran around the lagoon and back and managed to snap this photo:

Ah, what it would be like to run this every morning

The next day or so we pretty much screwed around San Juan and ate a lot more. Our last night, we went out to La Placita de Santurce and it would have been like 150% more fun if any of us were in the mood to binge drink. If you’ve been to Hong Kong, I would compare this to a Puerto Rican LKF: a concentrated network of bars and clubs and drunk pedestrians crowding the streets looking for the next place to go. Good vibes, readily available alcohol, and a crowd with people young and old... it was the place to be on a Friday night.

Unfortunately, the next day I woke up with a sore throat, and what viral infection I thought I fended off right before break finally caught up with me. I took it easy my last day there, and we finished off with dinner at one of the most renowned restaurants in San Juan- Jose Enrique. To preface, it’s got 680 reviews on yelp and 4.5 stars, and at opening at 6:30 pm there was a line to get in about 30 people long. Was it worth all that hype? Maybe- the food was incredible, I got the snapper which was fried and served with a sweet potato puree and a papaya avocado pico de gallo. It was, in all worlds, a very good meal. If you can swing the wait, I recommend going here.

I’m not going to talk about the 15.5 hour horror story that was our trip back to Syracuse, but to give you an idea, it lasted from 12 am to 3:30 pm the next day. So, I’ll leave you with my favorite song right now, that we heard about 3 times a day in PR. It’s a bop.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJQP7kiw5Fk

Thanks for reading, and I’ll see you next time!

Hasta luego~

Miranda

[mudricky]

More than 16,000 people turned out to enjoy a two-day feast of delicious street food and live entertainment at this year’s Paisley Food and Drink Festival.

The fifth annual event, which took place on Friday 26th and Saturday 27th April, attracted crowds from Renfrewshire and beyond to the town’s Abbey Close for one of Scotland’s largest outdoor food and drink festivals.

Visitors were able to tempt their taste buds as more than 40 traders and vendors served the finest street food and drink, alongside fascinating cooking demonstrations from celebrity chefs, children’s workshops and more.

The party started on Friday evening with Glasgow’s award-winning Gin71 bar hosting two expert gin tasting sessions, while the popular Rum Shack provided a Caribbean flavour with music from their resident DJs.

Glasgow’s popular PLATFORM independent street food market went out on tour to Paisley Food and Drink Festival for the first time, bringing along a range of delicious street food traders for foodies to enjoy across the two days, including British Street Food Awards finalist Ginger and Chilli, Brigston & Co. Artisan Hot Dogs and delicious desserts from Crema Caravan.

Festival-goers could unwind with cutting-edge cocktails in the giant Kata tee-pee tents, packed with colourful furniture and tunes from the PLAFORM DJs.

Hilary Goodfellow, Project Manager for PLATFORM on Tour, said: “We’ve had an absolutely brilliant weekend being part of this year’s Paisley Food and Drink Festival. The feedback has been brilliant with so many people embracing street food and enjoying trying some new foods.

“We love taking our traders out on tour, especially to events like this with something for everyone to enjoy. It was great to see people turn out in their numbers. The vibe at the festival was just fantastic.”

Paisley Food and Drink Festival ensured there was something to suit all tastes, with gluten-free and dairy-free options and a brand-new vegan and vegetarian zone at this year’s event.

Other street food stalls included Babu Kitchen, Scozzese Pizza, POKE, Edin Burger, Flip n Fast Crepes and There’s No Catch, while the unique Fizzbuz prosecco van and Dispensary Bar also returned to delight the crowds.

Local resident, Beth Miller, said: “The festival has been brilliant. There’s so many different choices of food and drink – and they’re all really tasty! There’s lots of great music and things for kids too.”

The popular cooking demonstrations were back at this year’s festival, with celebrity chefs, Gary Maclean, winner of MasterChef – The Professionals 2016, Matt Pritchard, star of hit MTV series Dirty Sanchez and BBC TV’s Dirty Vegan, and baking sensations Three Sisters Bake all on hand to offer their top tips.

The cooking demonstration tent was sponsored by Zero Waste Scotland’s Love Food Hate Waste campaign, who provided advice on how to avoid wasting good food.

Chef Gary Maclean said: “I was so happy to be part of this year’s Paisley Food and Drink Festival. It’s a fantastic event and an amazing place to hold cooking demonstrations.

“For me, the festival is all about the people of Paisley and I love the fun I have with Paisley’s cooking enthusiasts when I’m here. It really is one of my favourite places to come to.”

Families were able to enjoy top music and entertainment all day on Saturday at the Main Stage, sponsored by Paisley’s The Bungalow music venue, and the Burger and Keg tent.

An interactive show from kids favourites Sprog Rock, tributes to the music of Ariana Grande, Little Mix and Steps by Princesses of Pop and ska sensations Esperanza were just some of the highlights on the Main Stage, while a number of local acts showcased their talents in the Burger and Keg tent.

Beer enthusiasts could take their pick from over 70 craft conditioned ales and craft beers at the Renfrewshire CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) Beer Tent on both Friday and Saturday.

Other highlights of the weekend included children’s pizza making workshops with Glasgow’s Tennent’s Training Academy and Chocolate Making with Limetree Larder, food, science and games sessions with children’s entertainer Captain James Tea Cook and gardening workshops with Renfrewshire Growing Grounds Forum.

Paisley Food and Drink Festival is the first major event in Renfrewshire Council’s popular events calendar. Other fantastic events taking place this spring and summer include, The British Pipe Band Championships on Saturday 18th May, Sma‘ Shot Day on Saturday 6 July and the annual Renfrew and Barshaw Gala Days on Sunday 2nd and Saturday 22nd June.

#gallery-0-3 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-3 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; } #gallery-0-3 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-3 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */

Jaclyn Greig from Paisley and Sharon McEwan from Paisley in the Platform TeePee at Paisley Food and Drink Festival 2019 Fun well underway at Paisley Food and Drink Festival 2019 The Paisley Food and Drink Festival 2019 is well underway with visitors enjoying a fantastic first day at one of Scotland’s biggest outdoor food and drink events. The town’s fifth annual event is taking place today (Friday 26 April) and Saturday 27 April, with more than 40 food and drink traders and live entertainment – all in the stunning surroundings of Paisley’s historic Abbey. This year’s line-up also features delicious street food traders from the popular PLATFORM on Tour – the independent street food market who reside in Glasgow’s Argyle Street Arches, expert tasting sessions with the award-winning Gin 71 bar, Glasgow’s popular Rum Shack, live music on The Bungalow Main Stage, children’s workshops, the Renfrewshire CAMRA Beer Tent and much more. Festival-goers can also enjoy cooking demonstrations with celebrity chefs Gary Maclean, winner of MasterChef – The Professionals 2016, Matt Pritchard, star of hit MTV series Dirty Sanchez and BBC TV’s Dirty Vegan, and baking sensations Three Sisters Bake. Paisley Food and Drink Festival is one of the highlights in the area’s annual events calendar. Renfrewshire’s major events generated almost £5m for the local economy in 2018 and saw total attendance figures of over 160,000. Day two of the festival begins at 12pm tomorrow (Saturday 27 April) with traders open and entertainment right up until 9pm, so make sure you don’t miss out on all the fun. ENDS NOTES TO EDITORS List of traders at Paisley Food and Drink Festival 2019: Babu Kitchen, Burger & Keg, Cindy’s, Coast Coffee, Dispensary Bar, Earthworm Kitchen, Edin Burger, FizzBuz, Flip n Fast Crepes, Gin 71, Hygge Foods, Lebenease, Linton & Co, Morettis, Muffin Break, Paisley Drinks Company, Paisley Grove Olive Oil, PAPAMACS, POKE, Porrelli, Renfrewshire CAMRA Beer T

Thousands turn out to enjoy feast of fun at Paisley Food and Drink Festival 2019 More than 16,000 people turned out to enjoy a two-day feast of delicious street food and live entertainment at this year’s Paisley Food and Drink Festival.

[travelguideworldtour-blog]

15 Things to do in Paris

Discover Degas, Renoir, and Manet at the Musée d’Orsay

Housed beneath the towering roof of one of Paris’s grand Beaux-Arts railroad channels, the newly renovated galleries of this Musée d’Orsay comprise the entire world’s biggest number of Impressionist masterpieces by the kind of Cézanne, Monet, Manet, Van Gogh, Degas, Gaugin, and lots of more.

Using also a restaurant original into the rail station and two, dining table is a cinch in English can be found daily along with also tours of this memorial highlights. There’s also a book store for stocking upon gift suggestions.

  Contemplate the Thinker at the Musée Rodin

Once the excellent sculptor’s studio, this scenic 18thcentury mansion is just one of Paris’s most exquisite museums possesses significantly greater than 6,000 of Rodin’s sculptures, including his amazing sculptures The Thinker, The Kiss, The Burghers of Calais, along with The Gates of Hell, combined side 8,000 drawings and gouaches.

This Musée Rodin’s grounds raised gardens, and also a pleasing create for a beautiful day out doors. The memorial hosts also a bicycle of shows on modern functions and special exhibits. After 3 decades of renovations, the memorial in November 2015.

  Fondation Louis Vuitton

With billowing glass sails rising out from the Bois de Boulogne such as an sea liner that is imperious, the contemporary art museum and cultural centre of Frank Gehry has become easily the appealing improvement to the skyline because the unveiling of the Centre Pompidou in 1977. Commissioned from Bernard Arnault, chairman and CEO of all conglomerate LVMH, it homes Arnault’s substantial collection, such as pieces by Taryn Simon, Gerhard Richter, Thomas Schütte, Ellsworth Kelly, Pierre Huyghe, Sarah Morris, along with Christian Boltanski .

Even the Fondation Louis Vuitton hosts exhibitions that are crucial, by the kind of Daniel Buren and Olafur Eliasson such as polls of African and Chinese art and installations.

  Luxembourg Gardens

Bordered from saint germain des pres and the Arabian Nights , these exquisite gardens really are treasured by Parisians yearning to pounce to a lawn chair at the sun’s rays or enjoy the amazing picnic. Kids of all ages race their own sail boats from the basin supporting the Sénat, romp from the children’s’ playground, ride on the city, or participate a puppet show.

A circuit the avenues, for joggers and amblers are ideal for a day walk also the apiary along with beyond orchards, the honey comes from the autumn and also where bee keeping is educated. Do not overlook out the artwork displays at the Musée p Luxembourg that is famed.

  Walk the Narrow Streets of the Ile Saint-Louis

Just behind the Notre-Dame gardens, the Pont Saint-Louis pedestrian bridge leads to the atmospheric streets and lively shopping of the Ile Saint-Louis. A perfect walk for flaneurs just taking in the majestic facades and quiet courtyards of beautiful 17th-century mansions, this peaceful island is truly an oasis.

Enjoy traditional Parisian fare at the Brasserie de l’Isle Saint-Louis or sample one of the 90 scrumptious flavors of handmade, all-natural ice creams and sorbets—in flavors like wild strawberry, noisette, rum raisin, and white chocolate—at Bertillon, Paris’s most famous ice-cream maker.

  See the Seine on the Bateau Mouche

There is nothing like watching Paris and there isn’t any absence of ships. Watch Paris bridges upward onto a boat ride together side the many renowned landmarks of the city. Even the bateaux-mouches a flute of champagne, provide every thing from the gourmet supper or sight seeing with comment. Still another option: that the Bateau Bus functions continuously from 10am until 9:30pm every 20 minutes from eight quits approximately Paris.

  Musée Picasso

This hugely popular memorial climbed phoenix-like in overdue 2014, as it finally re opened after a ambitious (and sometimes contentious ) five-year make-over which cost around $52 million. Home to the world’s biggest collection of Picasso oeuvre, it covers nearly feet in two buildings: the Hôtel Salé and also a structure that is new from the garden that is devoted to temporary exhibitions. Diego Giacometti designed furnishings at the prior are an additional bonus.

  Be Awed by the World’s Greatest Art Collection at the Louvre

The traveller’s decoration could be that the Louvre, although the most famous symbol of Paris may be that the Tour Eiffel. This is the greatest — and also actually the entire world’s biggest art museum, using feet of works out of every culture on the planet. The three most well-known bits listed below would be, clearly, that the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, along with Winged Victory. Beyond those must sees, your best choice is to concentrate on all interests you the maximum –and also don’t despair for you are bound to stumble upon something about becoming lost memorable.

  Visit the Gothic Notre Dame de Paris

The Cathédrale p Notre Dame is the center of France. Napoléon was crowned here, and queens and kings exchanged marriage vows until its own sanity. There exists a large number of things worth visiting in the cathedral its windows. However, Paris’ views, framed by rock gargoyles, from the very top of the west east tower and also the architectural information are all highlights.

  Hunt for Treasure at the Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen

A world unto itself, that the market could be the world fleamarket. Puces’s alleys and stalls is seen attraction and treasure out of couture and classic bag to silver and couches — in an amount for every pocket book, there’s really something for everybody. You love the marketplace’s ambience to Paris, in the event that you never love antiques. The Village Vintage provides the most useful of furnishings and fashions, and Paris all is currently Welcome to the trendy Ma Cocotte pub of Philippe Stark.

  Take in the View From the Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is to Paris also what Big Ben would be always to London: the supreme icon and what the Statue of Liberty is to New York. It really is stunning during the night time, once every girder is tracked at a cascade, To day. The light series was so hot that the 20,000 lights were re installed for usage within 2003. The tower does its own dance for 5 minutes each hour.

Surrounded with a glass wall that is protective, make sure you permit lots of time. Or create a booking at forego the traces and Alain Ducasse restaurant Le Jules Verne .

  See Paris From the Top of the Basilique du Sacré-Coeur

It’s tough not to feel like you are scaling up to paradise whenever you see Sacred Heart Basilica perched atop Montmartre. The government commissioned it to signify the recurrence of selfconfidence following the years of Franco-Prussian War and the Commune, also architect Paul Abadie employed elements from Byzantine and Romanesque styles when designing it — even a many critics. Construction continued until World War I, and also the church was dedicated in 1919.

  Pay Your Respects at Père Lachaise

Of Paris’s two chief cemeteries, Pere-Lachaise could be your very…dare we say,” romantic? This is really where the cultural history of Paris has been written into Jim Morrison with all the tombs of everybody else from Molière. Famous romantics consist of the fans whose Joséphine Bonaparte reunited remains, Abelard and Héloïse. And also perhaps even the marble effigy of Victor Noir, murdered having its protuberance, using Napoleon Bonaparte substituted due to its forces of fertility to a sheen.

The scenic Peninsula’s winding cobbled paths lined with early chestnut trees are fantastic for a wander, notably across Toussaint (early November), when fans and family relations put flowers on the graves of the nearest and dearest.

  Be Surrounded by Greenery at the Jardin des Plantes

Paris’s very first garden — for plants and specimens from afar — its own trails, arbors, and flowerbeds are cherished, based by Louis VIII in 1626 of joggers, fans, and scooters. A treasure trovethe blossoms comprise the Nationale d’Histoire Naturelle, three towering Belle Époque green houses, the Galerie p Minéralogie et p Géologie and also Paris zoo and its own Gallery of Evolution. Additionally there is a dream carousel for children and lots. Later, stop in to Paris’s central mosque, the Grande Mosquée p Paris, to get a spoonful and candy mint tea onto its own vibrant mosaic terraces.

  Walk Along the Berges de Seine

That the city never been since Paris may or Anne Hildago took responsibility for the greening of Paris. The Seine is a significant attention: later launching the Berges p Seine at 2013, across the left bank between your Musee d’Orsay and the Eiffel Tower, and also the brand newest Rives de Seine on both banks, and it has never been better to roam by the river and revel in endless vistas minus the noise of automobiles.

Down at the underwater Petit Ceinture (little buckle ) playground, a left ring railing round the town, you are able to walk among ancient trees, crazy slopes, bridges, streetart, and local gardens. Sections from the 12th, 15th and 16th are available with the others along the manner. Subsequently pay a stop by to the Viaduc des Arts’ 4-5 artisan boutiques placed within the arches of the viaduct.

  15 Things to do in Paris

[darufills]

Liquor Chocolates: all you need today!

As the festival season still going on try something new this time, something sweet with the love ones.

The whole world at the moment seems to enjoy their own festive season. Festival is the best time that we can spent with our family and friends. There is nothing better to share something sweet with all. And what if that sweet is filled with boozy liquid. As many people are looking for something new and want to experience a new flavor.

Liquor Chocolates has been born from such experimenting and creative minds and taste. Chocolate is a substance that is used the most as a gift , as a moment that can be  ate together with the loved ones. It always have been an expression of love and celebration. And now many are coming up with the idea of liquor chocolates as well. Liquor chocolates or many a times as the liqueur chocolates.

Few years earlier Liquor chocolates were something that was waxy and way sweeter than one can even imagine. I mean , no good alcohol should just be save for drinking. With new techniques and palate for trying something new. Few of the high end Chocolatier are already offering us some of the best invention that happen in both chocolates and alcohol.

Truffles with spirit generally aren't very popularity in Indian market till yet ,even though there have been a surged of increasing demand for it.

Traditionally it has been made into genache form and an intense filled form which gush out upon biting. The latter are like edible shots that are made with more alcohol than their comparatively understated counterparts. But it all about the same, the same liquor chocolates.

So here the few of the brands that are have been providing some of the classic and luxuries liquor chocolates/ truffles collection that you can get you hand on,

1.Liqueur Chocolate by Neuhaus

Image Courtesy: Neuhaus

Belgium is known for it's chocolates, and Neuhaus is considered to the premium brand when it comes to Liquor chocolate. Neuhaus is a century old  company prides itself on using some of the top-self ingredients. And the 20 pieces box is no exception. The five dark praline flavors have liquid liquor fillings made with Glenfiddich Whisky, Cointreau, Smirnoff Vodka, Pampero Rum and Remy Martin Cognac. If you like a heavy hit of alcohol, these bold confections are made for you. The leather box they come in is a keepsake too. *₹2938.20/ box.

2.Pralines Tartufi 12 by Amedei

Image courtesy: Amedei

From Tuscan, handmade daily in their company's headquarter . More than half the confections in this 12-piece assortment have alcohol: there’s a marsala wine from Sicily coated in milk chocolate, a grappa in white, a rum with dark and a vin santo that’s also dark but has an extra kick of sweetness because of the powdered sugar coating. The creamy texture comes from whole milk powder and cocoa powder instead of the standard heavy cream. * ₹ 1757.36.

3.Whisky Truffle Box by MarieBelle Chocolates

Image courtesy: MarieBelle

The enormorus chocolatier, who makes her own bean-to-bark chocolate using cocoa pods from her native Honduras, hand-rolls these unbelievably decadent and rich truffles in her Brooklyn facility with just four ingredients: 65 percent dark chocolate, organic and non-homogenized heavy cream from a small farm in Vermont, a touch of grass-fed butter and a generous pour of The Macallan 10-year scotch. Though they have only a three-week shelf life, the bite-sizes pieces won’t last that long, and who would have thought that her biggest orders for these come all the way from Japan?

4.  Smoke & Stout Caramel Bar by Vosges

Image representation

From a Chicago brand known for its unusual chocolate renditions, this bar sticks to that out-of-the box theme. The slightly smoky, not-too-sweet interior is an inebriating mix of rich dark chocolate stout from Rogue’s, an Oregon brewery known for handcrafted ales, burnt sugar caramel and Alder wood smoked salt. The combination is covered in a crunchy chocolate shell of 70 percent cocoa, but the gooey inside oozes out with every bite

5. Amarena Mon Amour by Chocolat Moderne

Image representaion

it have created by the former commercial banker Joan Coukos Todd who handcrafts the bonbons in her Chelsea workshop by taking the plumpest and juiciest Italian Amarena cherries and soaking them in a house-made sour cherry syrup infused with Absolut vodka. She then encases the fruit in a thin layer of 65 percent Valrhona chocolate and finishes them with a shimmery powder which gives them an attractive ruby luster. The 24 pieces rest temptingly in a flat coral box.

6.Fine Champagne Cognac Truffles by La Maison du Chocolat

Infused with a type of cognac called Fine Champagne, these truffles go back more than three decades to when Robert Linxe founded the tony French brand. In line with the tradition of La Maison, they have a delicate flavor and silky texture. A team of artisans hand makes them several times a week in the company’s Willy Wonka like chocolate workshop in the Paris suburbs using dark chocolate, a splash of the spirit and crème fleurette, which is lighter than heavy cream. The mixture is whipped twice to give it a mousse like consistency, hand rolled in more dark chocolate and dusted with cocoa powder.

#darufills #truffleswithspirit #GOTtohavethem #enjoyresponsibly

Liquor Truffles| Chocolates| Delivered

Coming soon at www.darufills.com or Darufills , only available in India.

[thepinklocket]

It’s been a long and busy year so far with my jewelry business.  You know what all work and no play is? Boring!  I decided to kick summer off with vacation and I was adamant about it being a bucket list trip.  For the past two years my cousin and I talked about a dream trip to Iceland. So when one of my besties sent a group text about her interest in taking a trip there this year I knew that was a sign. Then when I heard that the Icelandic soccer team would be making their debut in the World Cup while we were there, I knew it was definitely a “meant to be trip.”  

Most people don’t really think about a vacation in Iceland, for me all it took was seeing some beautiful pictures of the lush landscapes and I was sold.  Not only are Icelandic people some of the most pleasant people on the planet, but their country is out of this world (literally), just pure beauty from the street art in Reykjavik to the amazing waterfalls to the best tasting vodka to wondrous things their water does to your hair (curly hair girls Iceland would be your BEST FRIEND). Enough about how wonderful this country is, I’m just going to jump right into it and give you the details and tips about travels to this beautiful land.

Hotel

Since we traveled with a group of five of us, we opted for an apartment suite style hotel right in Reykjavik called Reykjavik4you. The hotel had very nice accommodations and was spacious enough for five people with two bedrooms, one bathroom, kitchen and living room area. We even had 2 balcony views of the city, which was an added plus.  The cost of the hotel was $2,500 for our five-day stay, so we each shelled out $500 a piece. This hotel was the perfect location and walking distance to everything you’ll need during your stay. Definitely book your hotel first and book it early. Iceland is becoming quite a destination spot and hotel accommodations sell out fast. We actually booked our hotel first then booked our flight later.

Getting Around

You can rent a car, but we opted to walk most of the time since our hotel was in a good location. Plus you get a chance to see the beautiful street art on buildings throughout Reykjavik. Taxicabs and buses are also options as well since they’re no Ubers in Iceland.

Food/Dining

Dining out is very expensive in Iceland. We did pack snacks in our luggage to bring on excursions and to snack in between meals. So if you decide not to bring snacks, you can find the nearest Icelandic supermarket and get snacks, the prices aren’t so bad there. On an average expect to spend about $85-$150/day in dining out while you’re there. On average we spent about $100/day per person.    

Here are some of the highlights of our favorite food spots we ventured to:

Noodle Station

My husband and bff went back to this spot twice while we were there. I must say their noodle soup was flavorful and overall just really good. They also have meat and vegetarian options.  The price wasn’t too bad either.

Braud & Co.

Be prepared from fresh and hands down damn good baked goods.  The smell alone is enough to eat more than just one. Honestly even the graffiti art on the building makes it hard to just walk by and NOT stop in!

El Santo Mexican

I know what you’re thinking why go to Iceland and eat Mexican food. Well, the truth is the variety of types of restaurants is plentiful in Reykjavik. This spot was great for our group since we had a mix of meat eaters, pescatarians, vegetarians, and vegans.

Reykjavik Fish & Chips

Okay, we had some really good fish and chips in Reykjavik.  This spot has a really delicious seafood soup. They even have various dipping sauces for your fish, each sauce is an extra charge.

Bryggjan Brugghus

  We actual watched Iceland’s debut in the World Cup at this popular brunch spot.  If you decide to brunch here, definitely make reservations and tasting their variety of beer is a must.

Kaia Kffihus

What drew us to this spot was, of course, the Marley decor of the building. When we walked in we realized that it was a coffee shop below and rum bar on the upper level.  Still, a very chill spot to grab a drink and relax.

Dillon’s Whiskey Bar

This whiskey bar definitely has a variety of whiskey, plus the locals were really cool.  My husband enjoyed the wings here as well. Live music is also available.

Attractions/Tours

Okay now it’s time to get into the good stuff, you know the whole reason we planned the trip and to explore this beautiful country.  Now as first timers we opted to book tours with tour groups, but you can rent a car and see all of these places as well for free (except for The Blue Lagoon).

The Blue Lagoon

The #1 reason people visit Iceland is to see this beautiful and wondrous man-made lagoon (yes it is man-made). As soon as you embark upon it the sight of lava rocks is enough to “woosah” your mind.  Reservations are a must, so be sure to book your tickets before going. There are 3 types of tickets, we opted for the middle one and included our bus transportation. Now the lagoon is not located in Reykjavik it’s actually closer to the airport, so it might be a good idea to visit the lagoon on day one when you arrive in Iceland.  Here are some tips for first timers:

You will need to take a shower prior to entering the lagoon. Don’t worry the showers are private stalls and have dispensers with soap, shampoo, and conditioner.

If you want to dine at the Lava Restaurant there be sure to purchase the premium ticket.

They have 2 types of mask that you can try while you relax that are included with the ticket price. One is a silica mask and the other is an algae mask.  I did have a little bit of a sensitive reaction to the silica mask, so if you have sensitive skin I would do a sensitivity check on your inner arm prior to applying to your skin.

The water is nice and warm and makes your skin very soft which brings me to the number 5….

DO NOT GET YOUR HAIR WET IN THE LAGOON. I’m so serious, while the water is great for the skin it’s terrible for your hair and will dry it out tremendously.  I tied mine up into a sloppy bun and I was good to go.

The products are amazing but pricey.  You can try out the lotion which is GREAT and the conditioner as well.

South Coast Tour

This tour gives you a tour of glaciers, volcanoes, and waterfalls.  Remember you can rent a car and see the spots for free, but we opted to do a guided tour since we didn’t know what to expect.  Also, be sure to bring some kronos, some of these spots have restrooms, but you will need to pay 200-300 kronos (approximately $2-$3) to use the restroom.

Skogafoss

This 197 ft. tall waterfall was purely amazing.  Climbing 400 steps to the top then standing at the top looking down at that waterfall was just beautiful beyond words.

Reynisfjara

The famous black sand beach is not only known for its beauty but also its dangerous waves.  With caves and basalt columns (trolls), the black pebbles and rocks made wonderful “souvenirs” for my little one.

Solheimajokull

This glacier was probably the most memorable site for me.  Use in a few of Game of Thrones episodes (Beyond The Wall), the road leading to this glacier was actually built and paid for by the Game of Thrones crew. Sitting between two volcanoes this glacier is one of the most rapidly melting ones.  For those interested, there are glacier climbing tours available.

Seljalandsfoss

One of the most popular waterfalls, this stop is probably best to do last on your day of exploring.  Walking behind the waterfall was a bit slippery, but well worth it. Experiencing the water rushing down in front of you gives you such peace.

Golden Circle Tour

This tour allows you to see the beautiful treasures of the island from geysirs to waterfalls to country’s national park.

Thingvellir

Iceland’s historical national park, the geology here really rocks!

Gullfoss

This water from this waterfall is pretty much fed by one of the biggest glaciers.  At 105 feet tall I climbed this waterfall until I damn near kissed it!

Geysir

The famous hot springs in southwest Iceland.  This geothermal area shoots boiling water about 65 feet high ever 4-9 minutes. Just stand and wait for it with your camera handy!

Reykjavik

The city of Reykjavik is just a beauty of its own.  Not only is it super clean, but the street art on the buildings showcases the pure talent of local artisans.  Even the local shops sell products from local entrepreneurs and crafters.

The Halligrimskirkja church building has an amazing structure. I think we stood and just snapped different pictures of it for about 10 minutes.

Shopping

Word of advice, you will see very trendy and cool Icelandic winter gear, so be sure to bring extra money to take away some of these hot fashions.  I fell in love with the winter coats from 66 North.  In addition, the hair care and skin care products are the BEST, hands down and you’ll want to walk away with some to take back home.  The vodka here is some of the best in the world since it’s naturally filtered like their water so it’s very smooth. If you plan on taking any vodka back home wait until you get to the airport on departure day and purchase it duty-free there.  

Things We Didn’t Get To Do:

These are just some things and sites we didn’t get to do that sound pretty cool and interesting.

The Abandoned DC Plane

Game of Thrones Tour

Reykjavik Loves…City Card

Northern Lights (only visible during the winter months, we went in the summer)

Secret Lagoon

On Power Geothermal Exhibition

Lava Center

Random Tips & Advice:

The water is the best straight from the faucet, just bring a water bottle and fill up.  There’s no need to purchase bottle water.

The water is good on your skin and hair. So good that I entered Iceland with straight hair and left with my naturally curly hair.  All I had was water and conditioner and this was the result of Day 2 of my natural hair.

My money tips are if you are using your credit/debit card be sure to swipe and choose the option of completing the transaction in ISK.  Banks do charge a fee for every transaction, so if you have a credit card that doesn’t charge like Capital One or Chase Sapphire.

Liquor is quite expensive in lceland.

Convert to the local currency at the airport.

Hopefully, if you choose to visit Iceland one day that these tips help you. Now I’m off to create some jewelry so that I can enjoy my next travel adventure.

Summer Travels: When in Iceland… It's been a long and busy year so far with my jewelry business.  You know what all work and no play is?

[euroman1945-blog]

The Daily Tulip

The Daily Tulip – News From Around The World

Wednesday 13th June 2018

Good Morning Gentle Reader….  I love early mornings like this… Mild with a gentle breeze blowing, filling the streets of Estepona with a plethora of heady smells, the local council are washing the streets down, as is the custom every day here on the Costa del Sol.. the people also from the council are watering the plants in the colorful pots, which hang in abundance from the walls of the houses in the old town, the street sweeper start their day at 4.00am their reflective uniforms shinning in the cars headlights as they pass by, a friendly wave as I pass, a “Bona Dias” from some and Bella and I turn for home our walk completed and we start another day in Estepona…

JUSTIFY BECOMES 13TH TRIPLE CROWN WINNER…. Rain or shine, it’s Justify. That heavily favored three-year-old chestnut colt — untested until this year — has won the 150th Belmont Stakes on Long Island, becoming the second horse in three years to capture horse racing’s Triple Crown. He won on sloppy Kentucky Derby and Preakness tracks, but the sun shone upon Saturday’s event in Elmont, N.Y., which Justify led for the entire race. Predecessor American Pharoah, capturing the crown in 2015, ended a four-decade drought, while Justify’s only the second undefeated horse, after 1977’s Seattle Slew, to win all three races.

VOLCANOES SOW DEATH, DESTRUCTION…. Since the Fuego volcano eruption in Guatemala unleashed fast-moving, blistering pyroclastic flows June 3, survivors have desperately sought their loved ones. As of Friday, 109 deaths had been confirmed, while 200 remained missing, the subject of frantic digging with makeshift tools. On Thursday, formal searches were suspended as heavy rains and continued volcanic activity made rescue work too risky. Across the Pacific, another volcano, Kilauea in Hawaii, continued its five-week eruption, which has now destroyed 600 homes and prompted Hawaii Gov. David Ige to allocate $12 million in local aid for disaster efforts.

WHEN ‘FRIENDS’ ENABLE RHINO AND ELEPHANT POACHING…. As Facebook has become the classified section for much of the world, it’s provided a conduit for some disturbing transactions. A recent digital sting operation exposed black marketeers offering illegal animal products like elephant ivory and rhino horns. Wildlife trade online has moved conservationists to collect evidence to go after the big game: Working with the National Whistleblower Center in Washington, D.C., they’ve lodged an unusual complaint with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Far from being a neutral communications conduit, they allege, Facebook, which declined to comment, is enabling such exploitation.

WHY ‘SOUTH AFRICAN RUM’ ISN’T A CRAZY IDEA…. What are they ginning up? Working to overcome the drink’s reputation as a generic spirit with little character, rum-makers in South Africa are hoping to imbue their product with the same exotic cachet that’s helped gourmet coffee and craft beers take off. But first they’ll have to do battle with their nation’s go-to mixer, gin, which has managed to capture the market’s imagination. There are stores in Cape Town with 100 local gins, and with raw ingredients like sugarcane growing nearby, artisanal rum could be the next hipster buzz.

NASA ROVER FINDS ORGANIC MOLECULES ON MARS….Curiosity is calling. Humanity now has conclusive evidence of what could be the building blocks of Martian life. The rover Curiosity, which has been exploring the Red Planet since 2012, has identified large carbon-based molecules, similar to kerogen on Earth, in a dry lake bed. While experts say it’s too soon to tell whether the organics stem from life forms or geological processes, the need for samples to analyze on Earth could spur future missions. NASA is already planning a 2020 rover that will retrieve 30 Martian rock cores.

Well Gentle Reader I hope you enjoyed our look at the news from around the world this, morning… …

Our Tulips today is a Rembreandt Tulip in all it's glory...

A Sincere Thank You for your company and Thank You for your likes and comments I love them and always try to reply, so please keep them coming, it's always good fun, As is my custom, I will go and get myself another mug of "Colombian" Coffee and wish you a safe Wednesday 13th June 2018 from my home on the southern coast of Spain, where the blue waters of the Alboran Sea washes the coast of Africa and Europe and the smell of the night blooming Jasmine and Honeysuckle fills the air…and a crazy old guy and his dog Bella go out for a walk at 4:00 am…on the streets of Estepona…

All good stuff....But remember it’s a dangerous world we live in

Be safe out there…

Robert McAngus

[healthprivates]

Rhubarb Celli Ripieni – Old School Jam Cookies from Abruzzo http://bit.ly/2rglqNG

There are still a few spots left in our Abruzzo Forage and Cook Retreat in Italy this coming October! We thought we would talk a bit more about the vegan menu that we were able to develop for this retreat, as well as share a traditionally vegan cookie recipe from Abruzzo. Traveling through Italy as a vegan (and in some cases even as a vegetarian) can be rough. Sure, you will be able to get by ok, but you will also inevitably miss out on a ton of truly authentic and delicious dishes, and may even end up eating more than a few mediocre vegan meals. We’re speaking from experience. That’s why we initially planned our retreat to be strictly vegetarian – we didn’t think we could pull off a vegan menu in such a remote region as Abruzzo. But so many of you expressed an interest in a 100% vegan menu, that we had to rethink the whole thing. Thankfully, our partner Anna is an Abruzzo local. She was able to take a deep dive into the food traditions of Abruzzo and search for any and all plant-based options. She consulted with local farmers, food artisans, and restaurant owners, and it became very clear that a vegan menu is totally possible (we are still offering a vegetarian option, too). A wealth of plant-based ingredients grows in Abruzzo: ancient grains, indigenous pulses, organic fruit and vegetables, wild greens and herbs, truffles and porcini mushrooms. We will be cooking and tasting them all! It’s going to be so magical, and it’s truly an opportunity of a lifetime. Read on for more about the retreat and, of course, the super cute cookies :)

Book Now! Click here to book your stay on our retreats website :)

Why come to our Vegan Abruzzo Forage and Cook retreat?

Plant-based menu. We have researched and prepared traditional, plant-based menus, filled with naturally vegan and vegetarian recipes that the locals have enjoyed for centuries. Ancient grains, indigenous pulses, organic fruit and vegetables, wild greens and herbs, truffles and porcini mushrooms – you will get to taste the best of the traditional local cuisine, virtually unheard of abroad. Click here to see a sample menu.

Immersive cultural experience. We forage and cook our way through mountain villages that are mostly untouched by tourism and offer an incredibly authentic, immersive cultural experience. We partner with locals to learn about their crafts and traditions, like foraging for fresh truffles and herbs, as well as wine and olive oil production. Click here to see a sample itinerary.

Affordable, discounted rates. Thanks to our local partner, Abruzzo With Gusto, our guests stay in incredible, 5-star places at discounted rates. We will be staying at Sextantio in the medieval village of Santo Stefano and Pietrantica, a farmhouse guesthouse in Decontra.

Learn traditional recipes. We host hands-on cooking classes, led by Abruzzo locals, where you can gain unforgettable skills, like pasta-making with heritage grain flour, cooking with wild foraged greens, and making local herb cocktails and tea.

Cook with Anya. Inspired by the Abruzzese traditions, I will be teaching a cooking class, where you’ll get to cook through several of my recipes based around fresh, seasonal ingredients, with a modern twist.

Get in touch with your inner wanderer. The retreat is a perfect opportunity to slow down, recharge, make things with your hands, explore, and get in touch with your inner wanderer.

Book Now! Click here to book your stay on our retreats website :)

And these cookies! These are just one great example of a traditionally vegan recipe from Abruzzo that we’ll be serving up at the retreat. Celli Ripieni translates as ‘stuffed birds’ – not a very vegan-friendly name, we know, but it sounds so much better in Italian :). They are made with a very simple, eggless and dairy-free olive oil dough that’s a true pleasure to work with. They are traditionally filled with grape jam and nuts. Since grapes are not in season right now, we thought we would instead fill ours with everyone’s favorite pink plant that is in season – rhubarb. Anna told us that it’s hard to find these cookies in the traditional bird shape nowadays, and that the cookies are mostly shaped as less elaborate, jam-filled dumplings. We thought it would be fun to recreate the authentic bird shape, and it turned out to be pretty easy. Just take a peek at the gif above, where we demonstrate how to shape one. We love how old-school these feel. The pastry tastes lovely, almost like shortbread, and it plays so well with the maple-stewed rhubarb and walnut filling. You could basically fill these with any stewed fruit that’s in season, or any jam that you have on hand. We hope you’ll give them a try!

Rhubarb Celli Ripieni - Old School Jam Cookies from Abruzzo

  Print

Serves: about 28 cookies

Ingredients

for the pastry

3⅓ cups all purpose flour

½ cup plus 4 tablespoons olive oil

½ cup plus 4 tablespoons white wine

2-3 tablespoons coconut sugar

pinch of sea salt

for the rhubarb filling and assembly

5 medium stalks of rhubarb - sliced into small pieces

¼ cup maple syrup

splash of vanilla extract or seeds from 1 vanilla bean

1 tablespoon arrowroot

1 tablespoon purified water

zest from 1 organic orange

½ cup raw walnuts - chopped

small walnut pieces, cacao nibs or raisins - for the birds' eyes

powdered sugar or more arrowroot powder - for dusting the finished cookies (optional)

Instructions

to make the pastry

Mix all the pastry ingredients in a bowl until you have a smooth, elastic dough. Make sure not to overwork it. Tightly wrap the dough in plastic and let rest while preparing the rhubarb filling.

to make the rhubarb filling

In a medium saucepan, combine the rhubarb, maple syrup, and vanilla. Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Lower the heat to a simmer and let simmer for 10 minutes, until the rhubarb turns into a uniform, jam-like mixture. Turn off the heat.

In a small bowl, whisk together the arrowroot with 1 tablespoon of water. Add the mixture to the rhubarb and mix it in vigorously, until the rhubarb jam starts to thicken. Let the jam cool completely.

Mix in the orange zest and raw walnuts, and you're ready to assemble your cookies.

to make the cookies

Preheat oven to 350° F (175° C). Prepare 2 parchment paper-covered baking sheets.

Divide your dough into two halves. Wrap one of the halves tightly with plastic wrap and set aside. On a well-floured surface, roll out the other half of the dough into a sheet about ⅛" in thickness.

Use a round cookie cutter or a glass/bowl about 3½"-4" in diameter to cut out rounds. Reshape the remaining dough and cut out more, until you've used up all the dough. Keep the dough rounds covered with a kitchen towel while you work.

Place about 1 tablespoon of rhubarb jam in the center of a dough round. Fold it in half and pinch together the edges, like a dumpling. Shape one of the dumpling edges into a bird's head with a pinched out beak. Press a walnut piece, cacao nib, or raisin into the head, where the bird's eye would be. Shape the opposite edge of the dumpling into a tail by flattening it. Use kitchen scissors to cut the beak in half, cut some feathers into the tail, as well as cut some wing marks along the bird cookie's body. Refer to the instructional gif above for a visual. Place the cookie on the prepared baking sheet. Continue with the rest of the dough.

Bake the cookies, one tray at a time, for about 30-40 minutes, until lightly golden. Start checking at 20 minutes. Let cool. Dust the cookies with powdered sugar or arrowroot powder, if desired, and serve.

3.5.3226

You might also like...

Mango Salsa and an Ayurveda Birthday

Summery White Bean ‘Tuna’ Sandwich

Rum and Raisin Bundt with Orange Miso Glaze & A New Cookbook!

Olive Oil Loaf with Hibiscus Beet Icing

The post Rhubarb Celli Ripieni – Old School Jam Cookies from Abruzzo appeared first on Golubka Kitchen.