100 Things Project

What number is this?

2010-02-09T06:58:00.000-08:00

Oh well, I'm calling it "Have the Body of My Dreams!"

First I want to clarify that I like my body. Actually, I love my body, and I don't have many reservations about it. Still, I can honestly say that I've never looked like my ideal self, and I'd like to make that a goal for this year. My solution? Hire a personal trainer! After all, paying rent isn't THAT important, right?!

I'm not trying to lose weight or anything. I just want to add a little bit of shape and definition... and LET ME TELL YOU, working for that is no joke! I thought that since I have a pretty good foundation I'd have an easier time. Not so. As of now my trainer is kicking my butt with walking lunges, cardio that would make Lance Armstrong pant, and core work that would bring a grown man to tears.

It's only week two and I'm already seeing results, so once I'm satisfied I'll post a picture (ooo, scandalous!). I think if you have your body and your mind right, everything else will follow. You can't have internal harmony and live a life that isn't consistent with how you feel. I don't think it's possible.

Yoga: The Half Naked & Very, Very Sweaty Kind

2010-01-07T12:08:00.000-08:00

I teach a form of yoga myself, so I probably shouldn’t have had such a strong prejudice towards Bikram, but I did. For those of you who don’t know, Bikram yoga is unique because the room you practice in is gradually heated from 85 to 105 degrees over the span of the class, which is usually about 90 minutes. The idea is that such intense heat cleanses the body from the inside out. So you see why I hated it from the get-go.

First of all, I hate the heat. Don't misinterpret me here - Florida is my home and I love it dearly and there's cool things to do all over the place, but my goodness if there's one thing I can do without, it's Florida's heat. So ANYWAY, I hate Florida for its summers and overall balmy temperatures, I’d run my AC at 65 year round if my bank account dictated I could, and nothing puts me in a worse mood than hot weather. Nothing (well, for the purposes of this blog, nothing).

Also, I so badly wanted to come back to everyone with a hilarious account of how terrible my first Bikram yoga class was. I wanted desperately to compare it to Dante’s Inferno and drone on and on about how torturous it was and that I’ll never ever go there again. Instead, you have to hear about what a pleasant, soothing class I had. I’m not even cranky!

I enjoyed every part of this class. The heat wasn’t that bothersome. You do sweat a lot, especially if the room is full, and in this case it was. Did I mention you sweat? Like, A LOT? Your clothes are drenched and cling to you like Saran wrap, sweat drips from your chin and those little hairs on the back of your neck. Your back looks slick and your hands are slippery and the humidity rivals any that we experience here in the south on a summer day. But, I liked it.

I think all the sweating (okay, I know that sounds absolutely disgusting, but go with me on this one!) actually helps, because you don't feel weak. Even if you aren't as flexible as your neighbor, you both look the same: Your legs are trembling, you're gritting your teeth, and you're silently swearing to yourself that you will NOT come out of this pose. You're both just as sweaty, just as unsteady on your feet, and working as hard as your limits allow you. I don't know, it felt like there was some kind of silent camaraderie in there.

I feel refreshed and I SWEAR I’d even go as far as saying I look radiant (WHOA!). It’s very likely this is all in my head, but I feel lighter and relaxed… I may even go back next week, because at the studio I went to (Yogani) you get your 2nd class free.

As a sidenote, the studio was beautiful. Very clean, very friendly, and very simple and warm. I loved it.

Now, onto more important things… lunch!

We're Gonna Get to 100 With This Thing!

2010-01-05T09:23:00.000-08:00

I HAVE to get to at least 100!

There’re an infinite number of things to do on earth. And even if ‘infinite’ isn’t the right word, there are certainly more than a person can do over the span of one lifetime. But for some reason, I’m drawing a blank as to what other things I can add to my list. I’m already five days into this and I haven’t actually done anything. Sure, some things take a little bit of planning, and I have a few things lined up for the next two weeks, but I can’t think of 100! Seriously, I almost wish I did this for ’09, because I did a lot last year. Like a lot, a lot. I learned so many new things and did stuff I never even would have thought of like feeding monkeys by hand and taking a break from school. I took trips and spoke new languages and faced fears and made unexpected friends.

I think my brain is a little too comfortable and proud of all my teeny accomplishments from last year and is refusing to give me any more ideas for 2010. I would LOVE to ski, but I’ve looked into that one and financing a trip would run me a couple thousand at least after lodging, flights, and equipment. Plus the cost of food and any spending money...

Skydiving is another one that I could technically do, but I’m too terrified. I want to do it in my lifetime, but I’m scared of crossing two things off my list: jumping out of a plane and plummeting to my death. Oh, and projectile vomiting at 13,000 feet.

I’m definitely not an adrenaline junkie (I don’t think), but for whatever reason, I have this unrelenting desire to collect as many experiences as I can. One of my biggest fears is that I’ll be nearing the end of my life and think, “I should have been more free.” Not even the end of my life, but even by the time I’m 40 I don’t want to think that I haven’t done anything worth talking about. And I think we should ALL want this for ourselves. Why not?

Bottom line is, I want my life to make an awesome story.

Anyway, The Secret still hasn’t arrived! But…

2. Take a Bikram yoga class (or “hot” yoga)
3. Take pole dancing lessons! (In the name of fitness!)

Happy 2010!

2010-01-01T16:06:00.000-08:00

I guess today was technically the first day of my project this year. I haven't done anything new except get sick (hey, first cold of 2010, YEAH!), but I'm ready for some new stuff and will welcome any changes or opportunity that come my way.

Oh and here's something new: apparently my butt is so big it actually RIPPED my pants. No seriously, I bought brand new yoga pants (you know, the kind that are supposed to stretch), wore them for a total of a few hours and have discovered a hole in the seam that strategically lines the middle of my ass. Love it.

On a similar note, one thing I need most this year is a kick in the butt. I know I'm young, but I think people my age (myself included) overestimate the amount of time we have to establish ourselves in this life. I'm not talking about setting goals you don't think you can keep for yourself, but setting your focus and tirelessly working towards it NOW so you don't end up doing later and longer in life.

I just feel like time is about to start whipping past me faster than I can keep track of it, and I don't want 20 years to pass me by without having done anything of any consequence to speak of.

For now this 100 Things Project is a fun thing, but I hope something will come from it. I'm not even sure what yet.

Thing #1: Buy and read The Secret.

100 Things Project

2009-12-16T16:00:00.000-08:00

My New Years Resolution is to do 100 Things I've Never Done in 2010.

The more I tell people this, the more daunting it seems, but I'm doin' it! ... and I think everyone can do this. It's small things just as much as it's big things. Start a gratitude journal, read a book, go snorkeling. It's anything, and I'll be the first one to start.

I'm gonna cook a live lobster, fly in a tiny stunt plane, take pole dancing lessons and about 97 more! Watch me in my success and failure and excitement and anxiety and pride and shame.

It should be fun. Just watch.

Raw Chocolate Truffles

2009-11-09T15:25:00.001-08:00

Do you really need a better intro than that?

I recently named the raw food chef Ani Phyo as being one of my favorite people. All of her recipes are simple and quick, and I finally took a crack at the one I've been drooling over for the past month: Raw "Superfood" Chocolate Truffles.

It's just a few ingredients, and since they're a little tricky to find in your local health food store (at least they are in Tampa), she has them packages in a Ready Made Kit that you can order for less than $10 and have it delivered to your doorstep.

I love dark chocolate, but the thought of eating a truffle comprised of nothing but pure cacao butter and pure cacao powder left me a little confused. Bitter is good, but that bitter? I don't know...

I was so wrong! These are delectable. They taste as if you're eating something right out of the Halloween candy stash, but they're packed with antioxidants, healthy fat, and minerals. Pure, raw cacao is one of nature's superfoods, so eat up and enjoy!

A Week of Positive Thinking

2009-11-05T11:21:00.000-08:00

I didn't want to put a limit on this, but I figured if I didn't I'd end up giving up in about an hour.

So yes! Here we go. I need a kick in the butt in life right now, so I'm going to try to go one week without actively thinking negatively. That't not to say that something won't go wrong, but instead of lamenting my misfortune, I'll try to put a positive twist on everything.

My day so far: I ate too many cookies, I keep remembering I'm working all day Saturday, my hair is annoying me, and my jeans are too tight.

I'm annoyed with today. Can I start tomorrow?

But, on the flip side, I've been published 7 times in the past 6 days on AssociatedContent! That's great because I'm getting paid to write (even though it's just for pennies)... finally!

Okay, no more down-time. The rest of this day is gonna be great because I'm gonna buy a smoothie with a $1.00 off coupon, and we're going to a friend's house later.

Let's go!

Five Romantic and Unique Gift Ideas for Your Girlfriend

2009-11-05T07:59:00.000-08:00

The romantic gift is difficult to choose. You don’t want to make the mistake of being too trite, but you also want to make sure it’s special. So I came up with five great and unique romantic gift ideas for the guys out there drawing a blank.

Tango Lessons

Dirty Dancing, Moulin Rouge, and even Mr. and Mrs. Smith had some kind of romantic, sensual dance sequence in it, so taking tango dance lessons would put her over the moon. It may take you a few classes to dance like an Argentine, but the fun of doing it together will be just as exciting.

Swimming With Dolphins

This is totally romantic and will stand out in your partner’s mind as one of the most memorable experiences you two shared together. It’ll take you both outside your comfort zone and provide a little bit of excitement that you just can’t get at a weekend away at the Holiday Inn.

“What I Love About You” book

I saw this in a local boutique when I was shopping last week, and I loved it. It’s a full book of questions and fill-in-the-blanks that tell your love why you adore her in original and playful ways. For example, “I adore this little daily routine or ritual we have…,” and “If we’d first met in a comic strip, the bubble over my head would have said…” It’s romantic because it inspires you to reflect on other aspects of your relationship that you may not normally think about every day.

Couple’s Yoga Lessons

I teach yoga and pilates, so I may be a little biased, but give me some credit here! The benefits of yoga are real and phenomenal, and couple’s yoga offers a unique experience. You rely heavily on one another in couple’s yoga, so it slows you both down and really pushes you to pay attention to your partner. It’s the perfect romantic gift because it will strengthen the relationship and your intimacy.

Hot Air Balloon Ride

A hot air balloon ride is innately romantic. It’s just the two of you sailing through the across the sky, admiring the views and the sunset with a class of champagne. With crisp, cool Christmastime air, you’ll have to snuggle close to keep warm. If your girl is a hopeless romantic, this is the epitome of charm.

Keep in mind that it’s always more about the surprise of the thing than the actual thing sometimes. This doesn’t mean you can make a six-pack of beer romantic – just keep in mind that it does have to be heartfelt but it doesn’t have to be big.

Good luck shopping! And I’d love to hear of any more ideas that you guys have!

Best Beauty Bargains - For a friend or yourself!

2009-11-04T20:49:00.000-08:00

I'm on the edge of my seat writing this - I'm so excited to share this list with you guys! I've picked the Ten Best Beauty Gift Sets that are perfect for Christmas, Hanukah, birthdays, or just for you. I've used 90% of these products and they're by brands that I trust and adore.

Sephora Lipgloss Sample Set
I chose one of these lipgloss samples for free after placing an online order through Sephora's website and was hooked as soon as I tried it. The color is light but adds just enough to dress you up a bit, it's tasteless, and has only a very light scent, which I love.

I think most of us use an every-day kind of gloss more often than a show-stopping one, and for this price, you can't go wrong with getting a whole collection of casual colors in one fell swoop.

Fragonard Parfum Miniatures
This set has a special spot reserved in my heart because I found it in France. It comes from one of just three genuine perfumeries in the country and the fragrances can't be beat. They're real, and they're powerful. They're made with highly concentrated essential oils of rose, lavender, sandalwood, and more. The lucky recipient of this will swoon. I'm addicted to Fragonard and as far as I'm concerned, when it comes to perfumes, this is the absolute top of the line.

Bare Minerals Pure Luxuries Gift Set
I'm not a fan of wearing heavy make-up, which is why Bare Minerals is a great product for someone who likes to feel Bare. This set is awesome because it gives you a smattering of eye and cheek colors to play with while still keeping it light.

Best of Bliss
Ah, Bliss! I went to a Bliss spa in New York and bought a few products and loved them. The body butter is exceptional. It's rich and moisturizing and perfect for dry winter days where staying hydrated is essential. The other products in this one smell delectable and you'll feel so pampered you may just mistake your bath tub for a jacuzzi in a ritzy spa in Manhattan.

Perricone MD Camera Ready Kit
I haven't used this one myself, but I came across it the other day and was intrigued. It's a bit pricey, but it claims to smooth the skin's surface and improve the overall look and health of the complexion.

I'm mainly interested in the No Foundation Foundation. It delivers flawless finish without looking like you're wearing make-up? Sold.

Philosophy "Birthday Girl"
This one is so much fun and really feels like such a personal gift when you receive it. I was beaming and so tickled when I got this, I couldn't stop talking about it. It's festive, girly, inspiring, and will just make your girlfriend shine.

Obaji Clenziderm
I use Clenziderm every single day twice a day and my skin stays clear without any prescriptions whatsoever (until I throw myself on something sugary, of course). It's unusual for me to unquestionably spend so much on a single product, but skincare is of the utmost importance to me, and for this stuff I'll splurge. It's a staple on my vanity and I don't think I've gone a day without using it in the last three years. If you know someone who feels similarly, this is a fantastic gift set.

This may ease your trepidation a little bit: The set will last at least 5 months, and that's if you're very generous when applying it. I'm reasonable and mine lasts about 10 months, which I'm happy with.

The Urban Traveler Set - for Men
We can't forget about the guys in this category, now can we? For someone who likes to take good care of himself, this is a great set. It comes with an "aching muscle super soak," an eye recovery gel to reduce puffiness, a facial wash, and about eight more personal products for men on the go.

Bumble & Bumble Hair Care Trio
To be perfectly honest with you, my hair isn't all that pathetically fine. But as of late, I want my hair to sway like a Victoria's Secret model, so I'm all about volumizing shampoos. Bumble&Bumble is a high-end product that wears very well. The hairspray holds (really holds - I went 2 days without washing and my 'do was still pretty intact after sleep and yoga) while miraculously not feeling at all crunchy or stiff. Like, you can still run a brush thru it with ease!

This gift set comes with the shampoo, conditioner, hairspray, and an extra little accessory - a headband.

Kiehl's "World of Kiehl's" Set
Kiehl's makes a wonderful and premium quality product. They're often infused with herbs

and other natural pharmaceuticals, and this set gives your recipient an ideal sampling of their products. From shampoos to body lotions to lip treatments - this is a yummy sampling that you can feel good about because their products are all natural.

Phew! You've got a lot to think about. I'll leave you to it!

2009-11-04T08:29:00.001-08:00

Holiday Gifts Your Boyfriend Will Love
Sometimes it's hard to know where to start when buying a Christmas gift for your boyfriend. These are some great options for any budget.
Read More

2009-11-02T09:43:00.001-08:00

A Healthy Granola Recipe
Granola from your grocery store is laden with sugars and junk, so why not make some of your own? Here's a super quick recipe to get your feet wet and try making it in your kitchen instead of buying it from somewhere else.
Read More

A Sunday Dinner

2009-10-25T19:21:00.000-07:00

Have I mentioned how much I love this Fall-ish weather? The evenings are especially beautiful, with severe sunsets that color the sky, and crisp cool temperatures that flood the house with fresh autumn air.

Tonight it got unexpectedly cool (like 55 degrees!), and I wanted to make something cozy for dinner that wouldn't require a trip to Whole Foods.

So, something inexpensive, quick, and Fall-y? Broccoli Soup!

Recipe/Directions:

1 head of organic fresh broccoli

About a teaspoon of salt

Water for cooking

Cook the broccoli in some salted water over medium heat in a saucepan for about 15 minutes (stir about half way through so it cooks evenly) or until a fork goes through them easily.

Drain and reserve the water.

Puree the broccoli in a food processor and add the reserved water gradually until a "soupy" consistency forms.

Serve! (And mine's garnished with a little piece of kelp.)

That's it! Seriously!

No cream, butter, sugar or fat and it was actually really delicious! Adrien had TWO big bowls and I'm pretty sure he's already claimed the leftovers. It's a repeat, for sure.

Parched

2009-10-24T20:16:00.000-07:00

I've hardly cooked lately and I've been having separation anxiety from my kitchen.

So tonight I made some pitiful looking asparagus (I've never been able to make these guys properly) that were a little on the stringy side, BUT compensated with a DEE-LISH salad (I flatter myself, I know!) made with baby spinach, tomatoes, sea kelp, and salmon with a home made dressing... Olive Oil, Balsamic Vin, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, and Kelp Powder (in lieu of salt).

A dinner like tonight's is pretty standard in my house. Adrien and I are very health conscious and eat strictly organic foods and vegetarian and raw when I feel like it. But every once in a great while I see something that, despite breaking every food rule I follow, absolutely must be in my possession.

Thanks to CNBC and their stupid Biography show, Ben and Jerry's sold me on some seriously sinful ice cream called Half Baked.

Anything that boasts "gobs" of brownies and cookie dough is O.K. in my book (DON'T JUDGE ME!). You can't take a spoonful that's not brimming with something chewy and heavenly, and really, it took some serious self-examination before deciding on the high road and only taking a dainty few tablespoons.

I find it reprehensible that I - a yoga teacher and an organic food-aholic - would even have this in my freezer, but man. There it is.

Hats off to you, Mr. Ben and Mr. Jerry!

Yawn

2009-10-22T18:57:00.000-07:00

This has been one of those weeks where your brain tells you to go in ten different directions on Monday, and by the time Friday rolls around you're still standing at square one because you were too uninspired to move at the first call.

Whatever, because I'm making raw chocolate truffles with NO SUGAR this weekend! Take THAT, Life! That should teach you to tell me to do stuff...

In other news, I stubbed my toe real bad on the side walk this afternoon and then when I went to the Indian grocery store I saw that they sell MSG, which was weird.

My brain is mush today.

COOL.

Muckduck

2009-10-17T19:24:00.000-07:00

My time spent in the kitchen these past few days has been minimal, I'm sad to report. I've been busy until much later than I'm used to and being a grown-up and stuff really cuts into my slacking-off-and-blogging time!

But, despite my lack of culinary adventures to tell, I DO have two things worth sharing.

One.

I eat a lot of different protein/raw/whole food/meal replacement bars. Not because I'm super weight conscious or anything, just because I happen to like trying the many varieties they come in. SO, with that said, I'm obviously an expert.

Also, since I'm 3, usually if I'm going to buy a bar like this there's an unspoken requirement that it has to have chocolate in there somewhere. I don't care if it's milk or dark or cacao or even that BS poser carob - just get it in there. So it was actually Adrien who hooked me on this berry one in particular. It's so delicious and satisfying to eat! It's just a teeny bit on the heavy side (so it actually feels like you've eaten), but with very little fat (5g) and calories (compared to other brands) and PACKED with raw sprouts and fruits and veggies - so you can't really go wrong.

Two.

Ani Phyo! She is such the cuteness! She prepares the easiest raw food that I've seen so far and with as few ingredients as possible, so it's easier on your budget than the 20-ingredient seaweed salad that requires every obscure kitchen accessory you can think of.

She also has about a dozen videos to hold your hand through the process if you're a raw food newbie.

I haven't made any of her recipes myself yet (that's next week's goal!), but I can't wait because they look dee-lectable.

It's 55 degrees here in Tampa tonight, so I'm gonna take advantage of the fact that my feet feel cold and shuffle off to bed in some cozy PJs.

G'night and happy Saturday!

I'm naming this the first day of fall!

2009-10-15T18:51:00.000-07:00

Fall is here! And in Florida that means we're granted a brief reprieve from scorching heat and oppressively heavy humidity to enjoy a few weeks of sixty degree mornings and seventy-eight degree afternoons.

Lucky for me this also means I have an excuse to cook with two of my favorite ingredients: pumpkin and pomegranate. And after I heard about the national pumpkin shortage this holiday season, I ran out to Whole Foods (tell me, what's it like having a life?) and stocked up on more pumpkin than any household would ever need.

Anyway, it occurred to me this afternoon that it's not like I'll be baking for an army any time soon, so WHAT THE HECK, how much pumpkin can one couple eat?!

I used my time wisely and scoured the internet for something delicious and pumpkin-y to bake for my love and my self and poof!

Pumpkin Bread:

It's really delicious and even better when it cools (it tastes more like a cake than a bread).

1 (15 ounce) can organic pumpkin puree

4 organic eggs

1 cup vegetable oil

2/3 cup water

3 cups white sugar

3 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons aluminum-free baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt

2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1/2 tsp ground cloves

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease three 7x3 inch loaf pans.

In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, water and sugar until well blended. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cloves, and pumpkin pie spice. Stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until just blended. Pour into the prepared pans.

Bake for about 50 minutes in the preheated oven. Loaves are done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

It's almost Friday. I like that. :]

I heart France!

2009-10-14T20:07:00.000-07:00

I loved France for so many reasons, but the main attraction for me was the total immersion in amazing food. Being back in Tampa, I miss it terribly. While in France, I'm convinced I found something I love more than any other "thing," and that's good food. I treasured meals that were so delicious I could fawn over every detail for a hour while we ate.

Every meal was exquisite, from the fancy and delicate, to the home cooked salmon that took just a few minutes on the grill with a fresh green salad.

So now that we're back, I'm trying to recreate France in my kitchen. It won't be completely the same, but I refuse to give up hope that my norm here can't mean scrumptious!

Tomorrow I'm shopping for ingredients for a pumpkin bread which I cannot wait for, as fall is one of my favorite seasons (even though it seems to be on backorder here in Florida where it's still 98 degrees...), especially when it comes to cooking - pumpkin, pomegranates, soups, and pies. Yum!

Excited for tomorrow!

Europe Activities

2009-10-08T19:54:00.000-07:00

We've had such a crazy week. Knowing it was the last one before we came back to Tampa, we wanted to make sure we got in all the major stuff.

We went scuba diving, drove to Eze which is famous for their perfume (and consequently spent a billion euros on beautiful scents - totally worth it), ate at a teeny weeny and very intimate 20-person restaurant and had a gorgeous dinner, slept in a castle, went to countless markets, went to Biot (the city where the glass with bubbles originated!), a botanical garden, went to a wedding, celebrated a 76th birthday, an 80th birthday, and a 53 year anniversary, had amazing family dinners (large family dinners... and I emphasize the word large here), and hiked a few mountain trails.

Get ready...

Biot

Chocolate bread is AMAZING!

Our night view from the castle apartment...

Family dinner for Adrien's grandmother's Birthday.

Villefranche

Villefranche again!

I'm sure I'm still leaving details out - we had an incredible time and some of my most memorable time spent was while I was eating! I've never had such delicious and tasty food in all my life.

After a very long and exhausting trip home and a teary goodbye at the airport, Adrien and I are back in Tampa enjoying friends and family, but looking forward to being able to go back.

I'll be around! ...talking mostly about food!

The Zoo @ Cap Ferrat

2009-09-14T00:31:00.000-07:00

This zoo was too fun! I haven't been to many in my life, so I guess my gauge isn't that valid, but I'll go ahead and say it's one of the coolest out there.

It's very very small (the whole thing sits on 1.5 acres) but you'd never notice with all there is to see. Not only is there no shortage of animals, but you can interact with and get so much closer to them than in a regular city zoo.

We picnicked in the middle of the lion's den, gave piggy back rides to lemurs, fed monkeys, and helped a lost goat back to his little dwelling.

The crowd was small and the location was beautiful, so it was the perfect place to be.

And my love affair with food continues...

2009-09-13T20:21:00.000-07:00

We've been having a great time since we arrived (which was only 18 days ago!) and I've been able to see, smell, touch and taste so much, yet it all adds up to only a fraction of what the riviera has to offer.

Every meal we've had at home has been superb, and surpasses most of even the nicest meals I've eaten in Donatello and Armani in Tampa. Last night we had sea bass in a tomato, garlic, and onion sauce with a side of steamed fennel and a fresh salad. On any given day, we have 10 cheeses in the fridge, all completely different and equally delicious - I only wish I could identify them for you! All I know, is what I like... which is nearly everything except anything that resembles blue cheese.
The cheese is particular to France, because unlike in the US, they don't pasteurize or process them, so they're much more aromatic and flavorful. (And here's a fun fact for you: because there's no processing, they also have a lot of probiotic bacteria, which is great for digestion.)

You just can't beat the tastes here.

And don't get me started on Fenocchio! Fenocchio is an ice cream place with 92 flavors, ranging from chocolate, cacao, vanilla bean, and coffee to rosemary, tomato basil, rose, and avocado. They have every fruit, flower, and even random flavors like vanilla with pink peppercorns. It sounds a little odd, but the flavor is so huge and real (no artificial "mango" in this place), it's indescribable.

So far I've had mango, stracchiatella (basically vanilla with chocolate chunks), lemon, peach, violet, rose, cactus, beer, nutella, lavender, hibiscus, and vanilla with pink peppercorn. Outstanding!

I'm finding that beyond the food, I'm getting more and more attached to this place as we go. There's so much beauty everywhere, sometimes I wish I could eat the scenes! It's a beautiful place, and so far I'm loving ever minute of it.

P.S. This picture to the right is a standard hot chocolate. It's basically melted fudge... and everything you imagine it to be is pretty accurate.

Monaco

2009-09-08T20:11:00.000-07:00

We went to Monaco this afternoon, which if you don't know, is not technically a part of France but is a French principality. It's its own country that is very wealthy, so of course, our day was filled with observing the super rich scurry around this tiny place. We're talking 50 million dollar yachts, equally expensive apartments, and when you have all that I guess a Rolls Royce is just a drop in the bucket, right?

It's a beautiful city, which is no surprise when you see how much money is being pumped into it - and I don't mean that negatively at all. It's very clean, very safe (cameras are everywhere here!), and very chic. It's right up the road so we were in no rush - just took in the sights, walked around, and visited the famous Monte Carlo Casino. Let me tell you one thing: Ever since I've ben in Europe I've felt guilty about the way I tend to throw adjectives around. "That's an awesome dress! That pedicure was extraordinary! The view onto the manmade lake behind my house is breath taking!" All of these accolades seem just plain stupid when I see these places. To see the detail and precision with which some of these buildings were made is truly a sight to behold. You can stare at the artwork on the ceiling for hours just appreciating every color, line, and the sheer genius that put everything together.

I'm not just referring to this casino or just one view, but the beaches, the architecture - much of it that's either not man-made, or was made long before the convenience of technology.

Here, you indulge with every sense. I love that.

It's time for bed! Shopping in Nice tomorrow!

Bon nuit (good night),

Erin

So, I guess I'll tell you about Milan...

2009-09-08T06:09:00.000-07:00

It was dark.

It was gray.

It was expensive.

Men dress very well there.

... That's the jist.

SERIOUSLY! Unless I've missed the point entirely, I'm not clear on what everyone raves about here. Bottom line: Unless I have several thousand dollars I can drop idly while shopping at Prada and Chanel, I'll pass on this city! And even Duomo (the shopping/commercial center) is not drop dead gorgeous!

Oh wait, there IS a very impressive gothic church that will stop your stride, but other than that, I was unmoved.

Next?

Venice Surprise!!!

2009-09-08T05:59:00.000-07:00

So, as you all know by now (apparently), Adrien surprised me with a trip to Venice before we came back to Nice. I was completely blown away by all the work he put into planning that, and completely in the fog before hand -- I would have never in a million years even suspected anything was awry. (And by 'awry' I mean, I had no idea a beautiful hotel, beautiful dinner, and even more beautiful dress were all awaiting me in one of the most romantic cities in the world.)

In short, it was beautiful. I never expected myself to be "one of those" tourists who'd come back to America and say, "Oh, it's so unique you just have to see it! The art! The architecture! The magic! The grandeur! ... I can't describe it." ... and yet! It was that for me. I found it extraordinary, and as everyone else who's visited will tell you, it's spectacular. It's beauty is unique and it truly is great in a way that can't be conveyed properly through my words.

Despite the feast for the senses, the amount of tourists was suffocating, and blocking them out was difficult. They visit Venice in droves and arrive by the hundreds. Venice is a natural beauty, completely romantic and everything one would hope for, but I feel upset that it's being exploited and used like a theme park.

Adrien's mom told me that as a kid she went and it was empty -- a hidden gem. It makes me a little bit sad to think that a place which was once someone's quaint home town has turned into this massive, undulating money-making machine.

BUT, despite that, its beauty is one-of-a-kind and I will definitely be back, albeit in the winter.

Vernazza in a Nutshell

2009-09-06T06:07:00.000-07:00

SO, without giving you a complete play-by-play of Vernazza, I'll just give you the best points:

- AMAZING seafood meal at the top of a mountain overlooking the city. Our appetizer was "for two" and consisted of sardines, anchovies, octopus, tuna, and squid. It was an impressive spread, and what put it over the top in taste was that it was all caught from the coast that same morning.

Our dinner was also for two and was a seafood stew with swordfish, some of the biggest prawns I've ever seen, shrimp, and mussels. It was spectacular, completely unforgettable. The view was priceless, the meal was exquisite, and the company was perfect.

- Our host at the B&B was adorable! Once we left for the day to explore, she came up to change the linens and (to our surprise) ended up hanging up my clothes, folding Adrien's underwear (!), arranging our toothbrushes to sit 'just so' in a glass, and of course, making the bed. She made us breakfast each morning and brought it to our room's terrace that peeked onto the sea. It was so adorably quaint!

- Cheap gelatto! We're talking 1.50 euros for 2 scoops! If you've ever been to Europe you can appreciate the price of that!

I arrived in Vernazza disappointed about the amount of tourists scrambling around, but I left with such a tremendous appreciation for the city, its people and the land it sits on. It's beautiful, and despite my contempt for the obvious tourist, I can fully understand why everyone seems to flock there.

Milan tomorrow!

It's gonna be just like that movie Eurotrip! Only not...

2009-08-22T20:34:00.000-07:00

I'm so incredibly excited for our trip, but now "nervous" has officially been added to my list of emotions towards it. I'm not worried about being homesick or disliking the places we go, just afraid that I'll feel like a total outsider and feel isolated. I've never really been the "new girl" and it's daunting to think of experiencing that in a place so different from the only country I'm familiar with.

On the flip side - and I guess it's odd coming from an American - but I actually look forward to the sensory overload: new smells, sights, textures, sounds - everything. Just from what everyone has been telling me of their own experiences makes me feel as though I've been starved from real colors and real flavor and real character, and I feel ravenous and depleted and I CANNOT wait to indulge with every sense.

Despite some very sudden, plan-altering, seemingly monumental, and highly unanticipated turns of events in the past 3 months, I'm happy about where the next 3 appear to be taking me! It looks like it'll be punctuated with a lot of travel and free time to figure out what direction I want to go in, which I desperately need. I'm getting the feeling that the universe just wants me to kick back and go with the flow.

So flow I will.

You're kind of following me at an odd time...

2009-08-11T09:32:00.000-07:00

Adrien's been dominating me in keeping up with our blog, and you can ask anyone I've played Wii with - I don't take losing well. Actually if I'm honest with myself, I don't even take winning well. My opponent(s) is destined to suffer from bruises and low self-esteem regardless of the outcome.

ANYWAY. I'm looking forward to it but I CANNOT believe we're only two weeks away. For the moment I'm a little buried in planning - making packing lists, buying up all of my last minute things (which includes a very cute purse that'll make its debut in our airport pictures, I'm sure), writing a (brief) list of things I want my Mama to come check up on while we're gone, and so on.

My reading list for the plane consists of 3 great reads:

A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry. This book follows the lives of 4 people living in India in the 1970s and opens up the world of lower castes. It's supposed to be excellent and it fits right in with my current reading theme of the Middle East and India.

Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson. I look so forward to reading this one. It's a story about the author himself who devoted his life to building schools in the most remote villages of Pakistan. He stumbled upon one in particular after a failed attempt to climb K2 and wanted to repay their generous hospitality by building them a school. I'm sure it's rife with adventure and people "rising to the occasion" and everything else that I love reading about.

I haven't figured out why, but despite all of the conflict in the Middle East right now, I imagine the people to be so hospitable and warm that I can't help but want to visit. ... maybe not now, but definitely one day.

And finally, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. It shocks me too that despite all the English and English Literature classes I've taken in my life I have never read this book! I honestly don't even have the slightest clue what it's about, and I don't think I'm going to read a thing about it until it arrives on my doorstep.

There are two reasons why I picked this one, the primary one being that I am completely unfamiliar with the "classics" in literature and that's a shame for any bibliophile to admit to. The second reason is because my younger sister has to read it for school and I'm holding onto false hope that she'll fall in love with it and we can fawn over it together, haha!

***

I guess it's on to my to-do list. I keep walking into my kitchen ready to clean, only to look at the destruction, get frustrated and stomp back to my computer only to repeat the process 8 minutes later.

It's time.

15 days!

2009-08-09T10:05:00.000-07:00

So my bouncing-off-the-walls excitement has kind of dulled now. I'm really looking forward to going, but I think my brain feels like it's been deceived and is waiting to decide if excitement is truly the appropriate emotional response.

I've been exercising like it's my job in preparation for this little adventure, because let me tell you -- I have plans: Cheese, wine, chocolate, olive oil, more cheese, and a little more chocolate...

Oh, and more cheese...

I'm trying to give myself a head start with tons of cardio, yoga, and pilates... Le sigh.

And OHMAHGOSH, I FORGOT ALL ABOUT THE CROISSANTS! MAN! Watch out, Europe. I'm about to roll through there like... like... like you ain't even seen nobody eva roll through there!

Oh, France! I love you already!