Year: 2014

europe trip – here and there

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London day 6 proved to be a better day, although very cold, I walked mostly through the financial district, modern apartment and condo neighborhoods and wondered what it would be like to live in the city, since I’m also considering information for my future move to Europe. Mostly to live somewhere I can speak the language – England or France. So, I have to say I was enlightened by every detail and have now added London to a possibility for my move – of course that is if they will have me also 🙂 Until my flight to Paris, I have decided to add a few night photos of the city of London – a surely romantic stroll along the river, proving it to be worth while.

london, england – day 5

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London, on this trip was a pit stop. Not really a place I was particularly  interested in visiting, since it’s one of those cities, if I’ve seen it once, it’s crossed off my bucket list. Sorry if I am offending anyone. I prefer the countryside in the UK, not so much a congested city. Anyway, we arrived on a Saturday evening and after dinner settled in early and watched the Big Bang Theory. I think Sheldon and I were separated at birth. Sunday morning, we took our time getting ready and walked out of our hotel, utterly surprised. London was experiencing, some sort of heat wave and the streets were overly crowded. Then it dawned on me, every local was off work, enjoying the heat and being outdoors. Which made it nearly impossible for the tourists to be out and about, even during slow travel season (or maybe not). We walked for miles, me, worrying mostly at attempting to take the underground or even the over ground transportation, since it felt as though people were hanging out of …

regal decor – inspired by my travels

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As I learn more about Scotland, and touch up again on the history of the royal families and the country’s connection with England, France, Canada and more, I imagine how regal the decor was, in the homes of the royalty, dukes and lords;  falling in love mostly with the brilliant colors and  different patterns put together to create esthetically pleasing ambiance.  With that inspiration, I have found some modern takes from here on the regal decor from centuries ago, which I can see adding to any home, if you are into that sort of thing.  

St. Andrews – scotland – day 3

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We left Edinburgh for a two day stay in St. Andrews, a proper college town, where Will and Kate  of England (you know the couple) met like any normal or typical college mates, turned sweethearts turned married couple with a child. Very simple indeed 🙂 Anyway, the small town or village, I have to say is cute, a worth see and if you are into golf, for sure an ideal place to visit, especially if you can stay at the Fairmont. We shopped, ate, participated in tea-time and shopped more, a dreary day it was, but it mattered not. The romance of the village  was well worth exploring.

edinburgh scotland – day one

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It mattered not the weather is cold for a San Franciscan, we bundled up and left the hotel a little after ten in the morning to do, as usual, a walking tour – not really with any particular place in mind. It was enlightening, beautiful and I returned to my hotel finally after eight at night, understanding the ties between Montreal, Canada and Scotland.  Edinburgh and Montreal are for sure sister cities, very identical in so many ways. Oh and the food in Edinburgh, has to be the best I’ve had in Europe. Sorry Italy and France.

travel journal: stay tuned

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I am excited as always to have the opportunity to travel. So, I ask that you stay tuned, throughout the next two weeks, as I come to you via blog – detailing my travels, hopefully getting up the nerve to start up the Instagram site, I’ve been dying to and of course wishing I was on a PAN AM flight from eons ago 🙂 {photo credits click here, here and here}

getting ready for a trip and what to wear

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Normally I travel in the warmer months, sort of intentionally so I don’t have to pack sweaters, boots and coats in my carry on. But, this year, even my trips abroad is  turned around and I’m leaving much sooner than I planned, clocking my arrival across the pond, in the winter/not really spring season. So, packing is a challenge of course since I need to figure out how to dress warm and comfy, without hauling too much.  Of course, these outfits are a must: {photos and credit, click here}

healthy recipe: sweet potato, kale and sage skillet quinoa

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As always, I am on a healthy kick, eating everything I can that’s good for you. Seldom, eating junk-food. I’ve been like this all my life, even before the healthy eating campaign that’s been in place gradually for the last five years or so. Anyway, this bit of info is not important, what’s important is the recipe I found here and as always want to share it with everyone: Ingredients: 2 cups of cooked quinoa 1 extra large shallot, chopped {about 1/2 cup} 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped 2 sweet potatoes 4 cups Tuscan kale, ribs removed + shredded 2 tablespoons coconut oil 1/2 teaspoon paprika sea salt + coarse ground pepper, to taste 1. Preheat the oven to 400. Scrub and dry your sweet potatoes and pierce a few times each with a knife. Do NOT cover in foil. Place a cookie sheet {to catch the drips} on the bottom shelf in the oven and toss the potatoes onto the shelf above it. Roast as is for about 45 minutes, or until soft and tender. Cool …